《Nightwatcher》 Chapter 1: Imprisoned Chapter 1: Imprisoned # 1. Imprisoned Jail, Capital Region of the Great Feng. Xu Qi''an[^1] slowly awoke, smelling the damp rotting odour in the air, enough to make a persons stomach churn. What is with this stink, has Erha[^2] defecated on the bed again and by the stench, it might be right by my head Xu Qian had a pet dog, a husky, thus they gave it the nickname Erha. Far away north for a decade, all alone, hed been lonely for a long time. Thus it was no wonder that he wanted to raise a dog, tofort himself it doesnt seem to be on his body. Opening his eyes, looking around, Xu Qian was momentarily stunned. A wall built of stone, three windows the size of rice bowls; hey on an ice-cold tattered straw mat, the sun shining onto his chest from the windows, dust thick within its rays. Where am I? Lost, he pondered deeply, doubting his very existence. After a while though, he really started to question life. I transmigrated The memories came back like a raging tide, not giving him a moment to react, forcefully embedding themselves in his mind, crashing around at great speed. Xu Qian, courtesy name Ningyan[^3], a constable of Changle[^4] County, in the capital region of the great Feng Dynasty. His monthly sry was two taels of silver and one dan of rice. His father was a vetaran, who died neen years ago in the Mountains and Seas campaign. Afterwards, his mother died of illness at this point, Xu Qian was somewhatforted. As everyone knows, those whose parents have died are never simple. I never thoguht that even though Id reincarnated, I still couldnt escape the fate of being a police officer. Xu Qian thought, somewhat bitterly. In his previous life, he was a graduate of police academy, he passed the aptitude tests, and achieved the golden rice bowl[^5]. However, even though he walked the path that his parents set out for him, his heart was never on a job serving the people. He preferred to be boundless and free, to live a life of luxury and passion; he particrly liked a phrase that was written in Li Xianlins diary: Thus he brashly resigned, and set out in the world of business. But why am I in prison? Trying hard to digest his new memories, he quickly realised his current situation. Since he was a child, Xu Qian was raised by his uncle[^6]. Since he practiced martial arts, every year he could eat over a hundred taels of silver worth of food, thus earning his aunts contempt. At eighteen, he had reached the height of the *Refining Body* stage, yet had since made no progress. Under pressure from his aunt, he moved away from the Xu manor, to live alone. Through his uncle, he got a job at the constabry, and was doing pretty well for himself, but who wouldve known Three days ago, his seventh-rank green-robed uncle in the imperial guard was escorting a caravan of taxes to the capital. On their journey happened an ident, and the silver was lost. A full 150,000 taels of silver. Both government and people were stunned, His Majesty was in uproar, and personally gave themand for Xu Pingzhi[^7] to be beheaded, and for three generations of his family to be arrested, the men sent off to the frontiers as hardbour, and the women thrown into the *Jiaofang Si[^8]*. As Xu Pingzhis nephew, he was relieved of his duties, and thrown in Jail. Two days! Only two days to go, before he would be sent to the barren frontier, to live out the rest of his life in hardbour. What hell for the opening act. Xu Qian felt a chill down his spine, spreading down his back, and to his heart. This world is ruled by a feudal dynasty, with no concept of human rights, what ce would the bordends be like? Barren, with a hostile environment; most who are sent there dont live past ten years. And even more people, due to any number of idents, illness, die before even reaching their destination. Xu Qians hair stood up on end, and he felt a cold dread. System? After some silence, the quiet jail rang with Xu Qians tentative voice. But System did not reply. System System father, please,e out! Xu Qians voice revealed anxiousness. Silence. No system, theres no system! This meant that there was no real way to change his current predicament. Two dayster, he would be shackled and chained, and sent to the bordends. With his physique, he shouldnt die on the way. But this was not exactly a good thing, spending the rest of his life being squeezed for every bit ofbour he can do, only to finally die Too frighting, just too frightening! Xu Qians dreams of an ancient fantasynd after his transmigration burst like a bubble, leaving only anxiety and fear. I must think of a way to save myself, I cant bloody stay here! Xu Qian paced around in his small, narrow cell, like an ant in a hot pan, like a wild beast that had fallen down a well, desperately thinking of a way out. Im at the peak of Refining Body, my body is frighteningly strong but this world is stiff like steel; I can hardly break out Could I rely on family and friends? The Xu family isnt particrlyrge, its people spread across thend. 150,000 taels of silver were stolen, under such circumstances who can plead to them for help? But under thews of Feng, I can use merit to atone for crime, and get out of this death sentence! But Id have to find back that silver Xu Qians eyes suddely lit up, like a dying man seeing a thread of hope. He was a graduate of police academy, his knowledge and expertise plentiful, deduction and reasoning skills excellent, and he had read countless cases. Perhaps he could try solve this case, track back the silver, and use merit to atone for crime. But soon after, the light in his eyes dimmed. If he wanted to solve the case, he would have to first see the dossier, understanding a blow-by-blow ount of its happenings. Only afterwards could he begin to investigate and solve. But this current moment he was in Jail, with neither heaven or earth responding to him, and due to be sent to the frontier in two days! No way out! Xu Qian sat down heavily, his eyes listless. Yesterday, he was at the bar, getting drunk as can be, and today when he woke up, he was in jail. Thinking about it now, he probably transmigrated after dying of alcohol poisoning. So when God gave him the opportunity to transmigrate, it was not because he wanted him to live again, but rather because he thought Xu Qian died too easily? In ancient times, being sent to the frontier was the sentence just below a death sentence. Even though he was mercilessly beaten by society in his previous life, at least he lived in a time of peace. You say rebirth is so good; without a thought, hed steal his parents savings and buy property. And then return that to his old mother, and break the arms of his spective-trading loving father, so that he couldnt even hold a leek. Suddenly, the sound of chains sliding came from the dark corridor - it should be the door opening. Then, came the sound of footsteps. A prison guard came, escorting a handsome schr, thetter a face full of worry. They stopped in front of Xu Qians door. The guard gave a look to the schr, You have until half a stick of incense burns. The schr bowed, and after watching the guard leave, he turned to face Xu Qian. He wore a pearl-white robe, his ck hair tied back with a jade hairpin. His appearance was extremely handsome, with straight, thin eyebrows, eyes like stars, and thin lips. In Xu Qians mind, a memory of him surfaced. The second eldest son of the Xu family, Xu Xinnian[^9]. The son of his uncle, and his younger cousin, who would be taking the imperial examination this autumn. Xu Xinnian looked at his cousin calmly, I gave the guards that will escort you to the frontier 300 taels of silver, our entire family savings. You can go safely, there wont be any idents on the road. How about you? Xu Qian automatically replied. He remembered, his rtionship with his brother was never particrly great. Because his aunt hated him, no one in his family - save his uncle - particrly cared for Xu Qian. At least, his brother and sister[^10] never expressed much closeness towards him. Apart from this, in his original bodys memories, this younger brother was extremely adept at the art of scolding and criticising people. Impatiently, Xu Xinnan replied My honours have been abolished, but under the protection of the academy, I wont be sent to the frontier. Look after yourself is all. When you get there, keep a hold of your temper, if you can live one year, live one year. Xu Xinnian was a student at the widely known White Deer Academy, and was somewhat of a teachers favourite, and had recently passed his examinations. Thus, after his uncle got into trouble, he was never imprisoned, but simply forbidden from leaving the capital, where hed been running back and forth for many days. Xu Qian fell silent. He didnt think Xu Xinnian had it any better than him; perhaps in addition to removing his honour, he would be cklisted, and all his future generations would never be able to take the examination, to never make their ce in the world. Furthermore, two dayster, all the women of the Xu family would be sent to the Jiaofang Si, and suffer its mistreatment. Xu Xinnian was an intellectual, how could he have enough face to continue living in the capital? Perhaps being sent to the frontier was a better option. Xu Qian suddenly had a realisation. He lept forward, hands grabbing the bars: You want tomit suicide!? Uncontrobly, his heart welled up with grief Im not even meant to know him. Expressionless, Xu Xinnian shook his sleeves, What does that have to do with you? After a pause, his gaze slowly moved down a few inches, not looking directly at his elder brother, and spoke with a soft tone: Keep on living. All said and done, he turned to leave. Wait! Xu Qian stretched his arm out from between the bars, grabbing his brothers sleeve. Xu Xinnian paused, looking back silently. Can you get the dossier? The dossier for the lost tax silver case? ___ [^1]: [^2]: [^3]: [^4]: [^5]: An Iron Rice Bowl refers to a stable job that will always guarantee you rice on the table. A gold rice bowl is naturally better than that [^6]: second uncle in original trantion [^7]: [^8]: A series of brothels, ran by the imperial Ministry of Rites [^9]: [^10]: Cousins, but for reading reasons Brother and Sister are better used Chapter 2: A Conspiracy of Monsters Chapter 2: A Conspiracy of Monsters # 2. A Conspiracy of Monsters Xu Xinnian knitted his brow, What do you want to do with it? I want to solve the case Xu Qian replied deeply, I want to know how this case happened, so that even if I die, I die knowing why. Otherwise, Im unwilling to go. If he directly said that he wanted to solve the case, Xu Xinnian would probably have thought there was something wrong with his head, thus he changed tack. After all, the original Xu Qi''an was an obstinate and stubborn character. Xu Xinnian hesitated a moment, Ive read the dossier, I can narrate it to you These past days he had been running errands left and right for the Xu family. The case was too big, no one dared to help, and so helpless, Xu Xinnian decided to try to chase back the lost silver, to get them out of this predicament. Through the Xu familys connections, as well as connections at the academy, along with a few taels of silver, Xu Xinnian was able to bribe a small official, for him to copy down the case dossier for him. However, he did not have the reasoning and detective experience, and could only give up on it. Xu Qian raised his hand, interrupting, Write it down. Theres no point in narrating. All the fine details of the case were in the writing, and he must consider it, chew on it. If he were to use some of his attention to listen, then his mind wouldnt be able to calmly ponder and analyse. Xu Qians logic and reasoning capabilities were amongst the best in his past life, outstanding amongst his peers. In previous times, Xu Xinnian would not have even bothered with him, considering their differences were so great. But now, he agreed to his brothersst request, quietly saying Wait a moment. And left with quick steps. As the sound of footsteps faded in the corridor, Xu Qian sat down, leant against the bars, heart perturbed and agitated. He didnt really have a way out; wanting to solve the case was just that: a want, and his reluctance was real. Considering that this was his only way of saving himself, its better to have a go, even if it was ast-ditch effort. In modern criminal investigations, crime-scene investigation, surveince, and autopsy were the three bigponents that could not be neglected. In the case of the lost tax silver, no one died, nor was their any surveince in this era, and he was in prison, thus he could use none of the three majorponents. At least the case file would describe the crime scene. Simultaneously digesting the memories of the original owner of the body, Xu Qian forced himself to control all his negative emotions, to only keep a calm mind. Only then could he think clearly, and reason with rigour. Whether I live or die, alles down to this he muttered. A stick of incenses time passed, before Xu Xinnian hurriedly returned, handing over a few sheets of calligraphy paper, the ink on it yet to fully dry. Time is up, I have to go. Xu Xinnian hesitated, Take care. Xu Qian didnt reply, gaze already caught by the words on the paper. Time was tight, and so the characters were written in cursive. If Xu Qian had never done those years of private school, he would have no chance of making out these arcane glyphs. Studying is useful huh the original owner of this body wasnt even literate theyd be preparing flowers for his grave. Xu Qian ridiculed himself. The case of the tax silver went like this: *Three days earlier, at 6:30 AM, Xu Pingzhi was escorting a shipment of tax silver to the capital. At 8:15, they reached Guangnan street. Just crossing the bridge, suddenly there was a unnatural wind, the horses were frightened, and fled into the river by the street.* *Soon after, a terrific thunderous explosion sounded, the river-water was sent over six zhang[^2] tall, a gush of water that reached into the sky.* *The people responsible for escorting the silver dove into the river to search for the silver, yet only recovered 1,245 taels, the remaining silver having disappeared* Apart from a recount of the situation, there were also the statements of witnesses in the area, statements from the soliders that were escorting the shipment. In all these statements, Xu Qian noticed a phrase, written using red cinnabar ink: Monsters are behind this! Monsters are behind this!? Xu Qians pupils shrank, his heart sank. Back hall, Capital Region Government Building. After over three days of business and running around, the three main people responsible for investigating the tax silver case met together in one hall. Capital region governor Chen Hanguang[^1] held a white-and-blue porcin teacup, his expression sombre. He wore a crimson robe, stitched with a mandarin square showing geese flying through clouds, disying him as a fourth-rank official. Sighing, he began Two more days, His Majesty has ordered us to recover the silver before Xu Pingzhi is to be beheaded. My esteemed sir and madam, we must hurry. Of the two people that he spoke of, one was a middle-aged man, wearing a ck uniform, with a ck cape. He had a long nose, high brow, slightly sunken eyes, that were a light brown. Half a bloodline of the Southern Barbarians. The other was a young woman with a round face, wearing a yellow dress. Her face was like a painting, her skin was creamy white, and she gave off a bright splendour. In her hand she held a stick of sugarcane, and on her waist were tied a small deerskin pouch, and a *bagua* feng-shui te. Under her skirt hem was a pair of cloud-pattened dainty boots, swinging back and forth. These two were assistants to the case. The middle-aged man was called Li Yuchun[^3], from that organisation feared greatly by all the officials of Feng: the Nightwatchers. These Nightwatchers investigate, arrest, and interrogate. They also involve themselves in millitary matters, espionage and intelligence gathering. They belong neither to the six ministries, nor the army. Rather, they are the secret police of the royal family, they are the guillotine hanging over the necks of all the many officials. All officials of Feng know the phrase: If in the day you do no evil, then in the night fear not the Nightwatchers.s. As to that yellow-dressed young woman, she was from the Sitian Jian[^4], and one of important status, being one of the disciples of the Sitian Jians grandmaster. Wearing a silver gong sewn to his chest, the middle-aged man looked down beside his feet, at the sugarcane shards spat out by the young woman, and furrowed his brow. With a flick of his wrist, he manipted the air currents, to sweep those shards into one neat pile. He gently nodded his head, briefly showing content. Only then did he turn back to the governor, with a stern face, This case is shrouded in fog, and is extremely unnatural. Perhaps our approach is wrong. Where do these wordse from, Master Li? governor Chen knitted his brow; up to now, the actors behind the case had in general been solved, being monsters causing havoc, and stealing the silver. We dont have much time left, and what we need to do now is to catch those beasts. Theres no time to think about these things. he said. In recent years, the treasury was nearly empty, disasters happening up and down the country, 150,000 taels of silver was equivalent to a normal countys entire year of revenue. The emperors anger thus could be understood. *I already dont have money anyway, you now lose me even more, I cannot fucking believe.* Trembling, Governor Chen had taken on the case, the pressure on his shoulders causing him to not enjoy his food, or peacefully sleep. Li Yuchun shook his head, and didnt argue back. Any new developments from Xu Pingzhi? Governor Chen shook his head, Just a martial artist, all he can do is toin that he was wronged, he doesnt even know how the silver was lost. Calmly, the yellow skirted woman said I was watching his qi, he did not lie. Both Li Yuchun and governor Chen nodded, moving the conversation away from this person. Being the main suspect of the case, Xu Pingzhi was the first to undergo investigation, interrogation, background, rtions, and wealth questions, nothing was left out. Along with the Sitian Jians qi-watching magic, he had long since been cleared of suspicion. Of course, the tax money was still lost, Xu Pingzhi failed in his job, a death penalty was hard to avoid. Both Li Yuchun and Governor Chen fell silent, heart heavy. Only the young woman, whose pressure was lightest, continued chewing her sugarcane, not a care in the world. At this time, the sound of footsteps reached them. A constabry runner hurriedly entered, in his right hand a small delicate bamboo tube, in his left a waxed paper bag, in which sat severalrge meat-stuffed bao buns, hot steam still rising from them. He handed over the tube first. The yellow-skirted girl didnt take it, rather gazing at the buns, stars in her eyes. Knowingly, the runner switched orders, and the young woman gleefully took the buns and began eating. Only then did she take the bamboo tube, and from within pulled out a piece of paper, and began to read. My people say that within twenty li of there, they did not see any monster qi, nor was there any trace on the banks. Crack! The tension in the air finally broke, as Governor Chen angrily smacked the desk, so angry that his face turned a shade of metal grey, 150,000 taels of silver, where could that be taken to? It must have gone ashore, must have gone ashore! Its been three days, and we cant even find any trace of them? Despicable, unthinkable, which monsters dare to steal our Great Fengs tax silver. This official wills their spirits and bodies to be extinguished! If the tax silver couldnt be recovered, he must take the me, and His Majesty wouldnt care whether or not he was done an injustice. Since he was sat in this position, then he must take the me. Li Yuchun slowly let out a breath of air, and returned again to his earlier train of thought, Perhaps, our approach to the investigation was wrong, perhaps it wasnt the monsters who did this. Looking at him, governor Chen inhaled deeply, supressing down his anger, If it wasnt them, then why that wind? When the silver fell into the river, how could it have just disappeared into thin air? How could there be an explosion many zhang tall, that shattered both banks? ___ [^1]: [^2]: 1 zhang is 10 chi, 3 1/3 metres. [^3]: [^4]: , the attendants of heaven Chapter 3: A Xianxia World Still Has Reason Chapter 3: A Xianxia World Still Has Reason # 3. A Xianxia World Still Has Reason No one could reply. Li Yuchun said Why would the monsters steal the silver? Thinking for a moment, Governor Chen responded When monsters act, they never think first, and do whatever they want to do. To try find the reason would just be to cause headache for oneself. The yellow-skirted girl, however, had a different opinion, Isnt human meat more delicious mm, wait a bit, let me finish my bun. With a few chomps, she stuffed the rest of the tworge meat buns into her mouth, her own cheeks in the process looking like *xiaolongbao*s, before swallowing it down with great vigour, and washing that down with some tea. Then, did she continue with the topic at hand, happily talking about human meat: Monsters have no apprehensions, silver to them isnt going to have the same attractiveness than a living human. Even if they did want silver, stealing or robbing anywhere else would be much safer than trying to steal tax silver. To steal tax silver, in the capital of Feng, would be too risky a task. Governor Chen nodded, You have a point; we cannot exclude the possibility that they were ordered to. Li Yuchun narrowed his eyes, Then who would have ordered these monsters to steal the silver? For what reason? Why *this* specific shipment, why 150,000 taels? We can think of it like this, the person behind all this needs arge sum of cash, but cant cause too much notice in essense, they cant scam and extort with abandon. Governor Chen carried on, an idea forming in his mind. So they set their eyes on this tax silver? the yellow-skirted girl replied, pursing her bright red lips. The route that tax shipments take are all random, decidedst minute by the imperial guard Xu Pingzhi, yet the monsters set out an ambush by the river in the guard, we may likely have a mole. Li Yuchun said, shooting a nce at governor Chen, Shall we go to the Cloud Deer Academy, get the confucianists to perform an interrogation? The yellow skirted girl rolled her eyes, You dont have faith in our Sitian Jians qi-watching magic, do you? Ive already said, none of the guards that were escorting that shipment knew anything. And thus the train of thought was stuck, and the three fell into silence. The air was all of a sudden quiet. Li Yuchun lowered his head, carefully reading the case dossier. Governor Chen constantly sighed. The yellow-skirted girl fiddled around with the feng-shui te tied to her waist, thinking that she should leave the governorate building before sundown, and go to the pce and get some dinner with the eldest princess. The pces cooks were unparalleled in the world! Compared to the other two, Caiwei[^1], the yellow-skirted girl, held much more of a visiting assistant position, assisting the case, but not directly involved. She didnt have any official positions, and so even if she was technically one of the main people responsible for the case, the responsibility ced on her wasparatively small. Governor Chens gaze trembled slightly, and he carefully said, Currently, the case is progressing slowly, and the time we have left permits not slowness. This really makes one annoyed and frustrated. Master Li, why not ask for Sir Wei?[^2] He received a nted look back from Li Yuchun, who replied with a cold snort, You civil officials have your audit, we Nightwatchers also have ours. To tell the truth, this is Sir Weis test for me. Governor Chen could onlyugh bitterly, If this case doesnt get solved, the seat I sit on likely wont be mine much further. Both the higher ups and themoners are looking at us. The two looked back and forth at each other, the atmosphere sombre. If it really is monsters behind this, then I have no chance! Xu Qians face paled, as he felt heavens deep malice. *Yaoguai*[^3] exist in this world, and have done since ancient times. They and the humans have long hunted each other, eaten each other. In the Hundred-thousand Mountains of the southern marches, there was a Kingdom of the Monsters, thergest gathering of *yaoguai* race in all the Nine Provinces. Five hundred years ago, the many countries of the west, under the Buddhist house, waged war against the Monster Kingdom of the south, and fought for a full sixty years, before wiping them off the map. In the history books, this war was named the sixty year war of the monsters. From that point onwards, the fortune of the Monsters waned, slowly declining over the years, and from that point the Buddhist sects favour rose into the sky, Buddhism was ascendant. From the knowledge of thetter Xu Qian, one could summarise that in this great war, humanity won out. If the tax silver case was the doing of the monsters, then the only way he could protect himself, protect the Xu family, was to find where the silver had gone. As a hardy and unyielding martial artist at the peak of Refining Body, Xu Qian still thought he had no way to turn the situation around. In the early autumn, in the cold and humid weather, Xu Qians whole body soaked with cold sweat. He was scared! After fully digesting the original Xu Qians memories, he knew that he had zero chance of breaking out, and he knew even more that in this age where the divine right of kings ruled supreme, human rights were far too weak. The power of life and death waspletely held in other peoples hands. Before, he would fantasise about transmigrating to an ancient world, giarising famous poems and acting cool, but now it was like he had a bucket of ice-cold water poured over his head. After transmigrating, he still had to face the venomous hand society delt him. No, this is just a theory, this is just a theory of the Capital Police Constabry. I cant be affected by their ways of thinking. Ill do it myself, analyse myself theres still a chance, still a chance An intense will to keep on living calmed him down, and his trail of thought became once again clear and rigorous. Why would monsters steal the tax silver, is not human meat better tasting even if theycked silver, they didnt have to steal tax silver they say in records that the women of the *yaoguai* were all extreme beauties, with delicate, exquisite bodies perhaps there are cat-girls and dog-girls Smack! Xu Qian smacked himself, Dont get distracted! The most essential part of inference and deduction was to iste, to sort out all possible leads one by one, and organise them ordingly. Otherwise, it would just be a ball of yarn; only be more messy. The case of the tax silver had two main points of suspicion: One: Magical gale! Two: After falling into the river, the silver exploded! Apart from martial artists, all other major cultivation paths had the ability to conjure magical gales, thus the first lead could only lead to Cultivators being involved, and not anything more detailed than that. His second uncle, being a martial artist, thus had less and less suspicion, though one couldnt exclude the fact that he did not conspire with anyone. The explosion was another suspicious point. In a battle between high-leveled cultivators, explosions were verymon, but in this tax-silver case, there was no ount of any altercation. Thus, an explosion happening did not make sense. Unless there was no choice but an explosion! Xu Qian muttered, In all the major cultivation paths, what particr cultivation uses explosions to achieve their motives? He thought a moment, and after not getting anywhere, in a start realised that he may have just made the same mistake as the capital governement investigators. Their theories were wed from the start, having taken the most obvious point of suspicion from the case, and theorised that it was the Monsters, and carried on sprinting down this road, without ever considering going back. There was nothing inherently wrong with this, but the problemy in that that first conclusion was too hasty. Though Xu Qian absorbed the old owners memories, his thoughts and reasoning were still that of a modern man, he still had the experience from his past life. He preferred finding the smallest details and picking at intricacies within a case, and considering those details that were hard to detect. Only then, would he make a conclusion. This path at the moment is leading nowhere, so lets pick a different possibility, to attack the case from somewhere else. Ill first rule out the possibility that it was monsters causing trouble, and assume that this was a meticulously nned human-orchestrated situation. Then, they must have left some sort of telling tale within the case. Locards exchange principle tells us, in all cases the perpetrator of a crime will bring something into the crime scene and leave with something from it. The many types of things can be split into two main groups, though I cant quite remember, but it should be something like fingerprints, footprints, cart traces, tool marks, et cetera. The w in the case cannot havee from the two most obvious signs, and must be in the small details in the background somewhere From the description of the events that day, a visualisation of the events of his uncle escorting the shipment of silver began to rey in his mind. Adrenaline rushed, his brain began to work at top speed. If the signal transfer in his mind could be pictured, it would be like the many carp in a pond, fighting over food, the surface of the water breaking and bubbling. Rey over rey, deliberation over deliberation. All the various details of the case began to converge, and his mind was like a high-speed CPU. As the details began to fall together, the case became clearer and clearer. Unconsciously, Xu Qian felt himself enter some sort of out-of-body state, his soul lightly floating up, out of his body, through the building, out into the sky above the capital. Time seemed to rewind. A hint of glow was seen in the east, as the sun was just about to rise. Xu Pingzhi led a group of heavily armoured guards, escorting a shipment of tax silver to the Ministry of Revenue. This was 6:30 AM, they had reached Guangnan street, when suddenly a gust of magical wind rushed past, the horses took fright, and rushed into the river. Whumph! The river exploded, droplets scattering all around. The explosion st almost seemed to sound within Xu Qians mind, as reflexively he backed off, and exited this state. He had a gaze that betrayed tiredness, yet his face was full of excitement. Ive solved it, Ive solved it, hahaha, Ive solved the case! Xu Qianughed crazily, and hit the bars with vigour, Oi, anyone? Come, someonee! The guard on duty was startled, as he came by holding a torch, cursing Making such a racket, you think your life is too long? He forcefully beat the bars, trying to scare Xu Qian. Xu Qian backed off a step, and released the cell bars, avoiding having his fingers hit, and said solemnly, I want to see the governor. A lowly prisoner, wanting to see the governor why dont you have a piss and look at yourself in the reflection? the guard, through anger, was brought toughter, as he stuck the torch through the bars, to stab at Xu Qian. Xu Qian stepped back, dodging the torch. You dare to dodge? the guard grabbed the key on his waist, jeering, Ill fucking break your legs! I have an important lead for the tax silver case, I want to see the Governor, if the case is dyed, then youre responsible. Xu Qian stared at him. The guards expression stiffened. In the back hall, after eating her meat buns, she continued muching on her sugarcane, asionally reaching into her deerskin pouch for a honeyed sweet to eat alongside it. One side was dismal and bleak, the other not a care in the world. His Majesty has ordered that we solve the case within five days, since if we put it off much longer, that silver may never be able to be recovered. Governor Chen paced back and forth within the hall; he couldnt sit down any longer. But with this short amount of time, we dont have any way out! Solving cases take time. The Governor hit the table again, before saying I will personally go and ask after Sir Wei, to give the case to me. Li Yuchun hesitated, Ille with you. Caiwei gave him a side-eye, before sweetly adding That might do, if we have our Great Fengs most skilled people lend a hand, you two may not suffer His Majestys displeasure. However, in Sir Weis mind, youll lose standing, which is much more serious than His Majesty asking ountability. sheughed, showing two shiny small canines. Li Yuchuns face darkened. A ck-robed constabry runner, head lowered, half-jogged in. Bowing, he said Governor Sir, the jail guard has reported, Xu Pingzhis nephew Xu Qian has just said that he has an important lead for the tax silver case, and wishes to see you Governor Sir. All three of their gazes suddenly became serious. Xu Qian, if I remember correctly, hes just a person caught up in this, and didnt really have anything directly to do with the case. After the initial interrogation, we decided that he had nothing to do with the thing. Governor Chen thought for a moment, Bring him in. Soon after, Xu Qian was brought in, wearing prisoners clothes, with traces of dried blood on his body. As he walked, the manacles on his hands and feet nged together. --- [^1]: [^2]: [^3]: The so-called monsters Chapter 4: Its Time to Show Your True Skill Chapter 4: It''s Time to Show Your True Skill # 4. It''s Time to Show Your True Skill As soon as he stepped into the hall, he felt three sharp looks directed towards him. *The red-robed one should be the Governor, wild goose stitch, mm, fourth rank. the uncle with the silver gong on his chest, hss, the Nightwatchers fuck me, that girl is a looker, far too attractive is she married?* ncing again at her chest, Xu Qian calmed down a lot. Governor Chen sat on his tall chair, expressionless, and with a stern voice as if interrogating a criminal, said Xu Qian. Three days ago when you were put into jail, you didnt say that you had any important leads. You know what consequences there are for hiding the truth. Being an experienced official such as himself, even if his heart was bursting with anxiety, he would still keep calm and not ask too hastily about the case. *The fact that Im in this situation, means that Ive at least half-seeded.* Xu Qian remained calm, replying Sir, just a moment ago, my younger brother came to find me, I asked him for the dossier. First, one must be truthful. All three present knew about Xu Xinnian, not because he was at all famous, but rather being Xu Pingzhis oldest direct son, they naturally conducted a thorough investigation of him. What does this have to do with your lead? Chen asked. I deduced the truth from the details of the case dossier, Sir. Wait, Chen interrupted him, leaning forwards slightly, From the case dossier? This was certainly not what he expected. Ive solved the case. Xu Qian nodded, indicating that it was just as he said. Forcefully suppressing the urge to call somebody to throw this lowlife back in his cell, Governor Chen replied sternly, I will hear you out. However, I must remind you, if you dare talk nonsense, two hundred strikes with the cane would be sufficient to see your flesh separated from bone. The tax silver case was not caused by monstes, rather it was caused by men. With one sentence, he stunned the room. Governor Chen struck the table in anger, shouting Bullshit! Jailors, take him away, give him two hundred strikes! It was monsters that stole the silver, this was a done-and-dusted matter, was the three investigatorsmon point of agreement. If initially they hoped that Xu Qian could enlighten them, well now they were utterly disappointed; nothing but the crazed words of a small dog trying to jump the fence. The middle aged mans eyes brightened slightly, as he waved away the runners that had just entered, Sir Chen, please, dont be so hasty. He turned his gaze on Xu Qian, staring at him with burning intensity, Continue. *This Governor Chens temper is really something* Xu Qian knew that now, he had to perform. From the statements of the gatekeepers, my uncle entered the city at 6:30 AM. At 8:15, the silver shipment reached Guangnan street. At this time, a strange wind picked up, the horses took fright and fell into the river. He tried his best to make his tone of voice neither domineering nor humble, making himself seem more self-assured. This way, his persuasiveness would increase. Governor Chen nodded, This is why we deduced that it was Monsters hiding in ambush in the river. Not quite! Xu Qian reubtted loudly, The demon wind was just a distraction, the river explosion was also an explosion. In reality, theres one small detail that you overlooked, one small detail thatys the entire case bare. Chen urgently asked What detail? Li Yuchun made to listen intently. The yellow-skirted girl bit on her honey sweet, but did not chew, as she looked with some curiosity at Xu Qian with her bright lively eyes. They had looked at the case over and over, so much so that they knew its events like the back of their own hand, yet did not find any w in what happened. My uncle was escorting 150,000 taels of silver, may I ask, good sirs, how many *jin*[^1] is 150,000 taels? Li Yuchuns face suddenly stiffened, and the yellow-skirted girl tilted her head, not responding for a long time. Governor Chen unhappily said: If you have something to say, say it, dont leave things hanging. Xu Qian originally wanted to just give some hints, to allow these important people to figure it out for themselves, however this attempt seemed to have flopped over. *Their mental maths skills are really low huh, you ancient people* Xu Qian thus replied Nine thousand, three hundred, and seventy-five jin. ording to this worlds system of weights, one jin was sixteen tales, thus 150,000 taels would be 9,375 jin. Li Yuchun furrowed his brow, as he seemed to realise something. Caiwei simrly knitted her brows, asking, What does this mean? Her voice was crisp and clear like a bell. *This means that youre a dumb mute!* Xu Qian replied, How long is the distance between the city gate and Guangnan Street? Li Yuchun responded Thirty li. Through how many market streets? Four. How quick do pack horses go? Pack horses Li Yuchuns eyes went wide, as he stood up suddenly. He stared with widened eyes, showing an expression that clearly disyed So thats how it is! Three days of investigation, of searching for traces of monsters with no luck, this seasoned Nightwatched had thought that he had taken the wrong approach. However, there was not another clear trail of thought in his mind, and so he didnt really put it to heart. Governor Chen felt goosebumps; he still did not realise anything wrong. Clearly thinking was not this governors strong suit. He looked over at the yellow-skirted girl, and suddenly felt much better. Thetter, miffed, asked Whats the issue here? With some amount of excitement, Li Yuchun responded The timing, the timings off. Guangnan street is thirty li from the city walls, at the pace of a pack horse, going through four market streets, if they entered the gate at 6:30, they could not have made it to Guangnan street at 8:15. For he had suffered the folly of believing in first impressions, thinking that it was yaoguai who had stolen the silver, but after some prompting by Xu Qian, immediately realised this was not the case, and grasped onto the w in it all. However the silver *did* reach Guangnan Street at 8:15, there were manymon people who witnessed the horses rushing into the river; it couldnt be fake. Caiwei piped up with a crisp voice. Nodding, Governor Chen added And how can this be exined? This Li Yuchun froze for a moment, before unconsciously looking towards Xu Qian. Because what was being escorted wasnt even silver. thetter responded assertively. Codswallop! Chen shouted, Skipping over whether or not your uncle or the other escorts had eyes, the case dossier clearly says, there were manymoners who witnessed the situation: the horses rushed into the river, the silver falling in with them. He shook the dossier, Is this not true? What one sees may be deceiving Sir, may I personally answer your doubts? Xu Qian looked at the table, Lend me a brush. Chen waved his hand, giving permission. Xu Qian pulled himself and his chains towards the table, prepared the ink, spread out the calligraphy paper, and awkwardly started writing. Sir, could you please fulfil this lowlymonors request, and have these things brought. he said, handing over the sheet of paper. Governor Chen took it and read over its contents, not making head nor tail of the intent. Let me see, Caiwei came over, wanting to take part, reaching out her pale, supple hand to take the paper. She, too, could not make head nor tail. The middle-aged man Li Yuchun read the sheet, making an expressionless face, before meticulously pressing t one corner of the paper, and handing it back to Governor Chen. ___ [^1]: The Chinese lb-weight, in modern times 0.5kg, but varied throughout history Chapter 5: To Solve the Riddle Chapter 5: To Solve the Riddle # 5. To Solve the Riddle About fifteen minutester, two servants brought in the items requested, and ced them in the hall. The three investigators looked at the instruments brought, before turning their heads to look at Xu Qian. Governor Chen began sternly, Everything that you wanted is here. I expect a satisfactory conclusion. His attitude was somewhat changed. In that fifteen minutes, this fourth rank official racked his brains, and could not but admit, that Xu Qians deductions had merit, however there was still much left that needed to be exined - such as the fact that the silver did indeed fall into the water. What hidden mysteries lie within, he could not figure out. Xu Qian nodded, squatting down in front of his items. In front of him, was a candle, salt, bowl, and iron wire. What he wanted to do was very simple, merely high school chemistry: extract metallic sodium. Being in an ancient era, there was basically no way to extract sodium, due to two main points: electricity, and the melting point of sodium chloride. However in this world, Xu Qian knew that there was one ss of people that could do the job: the sixth rank of arcanists of the Sitian Jian: the Alchemists! The Masters of Alchemy were well known by all throughout the Great Feng, their many numerous inventions and creations have long enteredmon use. Xu Qian wasnt sure if the exploding silver was really metallic sodium or not, but this was not important. What was important was opening a new direction of thought that could exin all the events that had happened. In solving a case, making bold assumptions and careful deductions were essential. Then, one must prove ones assumptions, and find evidence. In his previous life, he had gone through a murder case that left a particrly deep impression on him. The investigators worked overnight, finding new approaches and new leads, making many different predictions, and using these as a basis, went out to look for evidence. Then, it was again back to reasoning and deduction. There was a chance that the tax silver was not metallic sodium, however it was very much within an alchemists ability to do such a thing. And thats all thats needed. To guide these important people back onto the right path, he had to do this. As long as the path was right, one could follow the trail to its end, and find the real perpetrator behind the crime. If they were still struggling in the theory that it was yaoguai, then the case would never be solved. Even if it were eventually solved, he would already be sent far far away by the crown. He dissolved the rough salt in the water, stirring it, before covering the bowl opening with paper, and pouring the salt water into it. After filtering, he put the bowl on top of the candle to heat, using a bamboo slip to stir it constantly. Soon after, the saltwater had evaporated, and the crystals that grew within the bowl was purified sodium chloride. In essense, recrystallising salt to remove impurity. Governor Chen, Li Yuchun, and the extremely beautiful Caiwei stood beside him, looking at his work with full concentration. Xu Qian raised his head, cracking a smile at the yellow-skirted girl, Madam, you must be a disciple of the Sitian Jian, right? He had noticed the feng-shui te at her waist. This little thing, apart from the Sitian Jians disciples, no one would ever use. She mmed affirmation, before saying grinningly, My teacher is the Grandmaster of the Sitian Jian. That fine, beautiful oval face, like a shiny round egg, white with not an imperfection. *A disciple of the Sitian Jian how big her breasts are I guess doesnt matter as much* Xu Qian carried on with a kindly tone, If you wouldnt mind, could you help me melt these crystals. The melting point of sodium chloride was roughly 800 degrees celsius. The yellow-skirted girl pursed her lips, Controlling fire is only an ability that the Masters of Alchemy have. Im only a Feng-Shui Master. However, I have this magical item that my teacher gave me. She suddenly switched tones, and from her waist pulled off her feng-shui te, and yed with it a bit with jade-like fingers, sending qi into the te. The character for fire suddenly lit up. Stand back! Xu Qian immediately retreated, as soon after, a eye-wateringly bright tongue of me burst from the te, consuming the bowl. Stop! Xu Qian immediately yelled for her to stop, before quickly inserting the two metal wires into the bowl, shouting Now electricity - no - lightning! Make sure to control the voltage um this step is rather difficult, maybe well fail several times. She turned her feng-shui te, and tapped the lightning character. The air suddenly cracked with a few bolts of lightning, as they crashed into the metal wires. Hissss. the melted sodium chloride underwent a violent chemical reaction. Stop! Xu Qian held his breath, leaning forward to look into the bowl, as a nugget of shiny silver metaly within, surrounding it some not yet melted crystals, and impurities. *We seeded first time the voltage was perfect* Xu Qian was pleasantly surprised. To extract metallic sodium using electrolysis, the voltage must be between 6 to 15 volts. He had already made mental preparation to fail several times. But he never thought that heaven was smiling on him today, and let him seed on the first run. Governor Chen and Li Yuchun couldnt resist any longer, rushing over to look. In the cup,y a nugget of silvery metal. At first nce, it had some simrity to white silver. Chens pupils shrank, as he felt a deep shock and disbelief. Li Yuchun forcefully closed his hands into a fist, staring nkly at the silvery metal nugget, as in his mind, there was as if a bolt of lightning had shot through it, and scattered all the mist. Good sirs, please look. Xu Qian picked up the metallic silver, wrapping it in paper, and weighing it in his hand. This is much lighter than silver, however on the outside it looks extremely simr. If a person were to try pass these off as real silver, could they not seed in his aim? Please, hold it and see. He gave the metal to Governor Chen. At this time, the shininess of the metallic sodium had faded, and it looked almost identical to silver. Li Yuchun took it from Governor Chen, weighed it, and with shing eyes eximed It really is much lighter. Supposing that they were escorting a shipment of this, then everything lines up. Miss Caiwei, try it. The yellow-skirted Caiwei took the metal from Li Yuchun, and made a simr motion, before staring at Xu Qian with a strange look on her face. You- youre an alchemist? *No, Im not, Im just following the principles of chemistry.* Schrly minds were after all sharper, as after Governor Chens surprise faded, he suddenly shook his head, No, no, even if the silver was swapped with this thing, then whats exining the explosion? Unless there were yaoguai in the river, why would this fake silver explode? Xu Qian didnt respond, merely reaching out and taking the metallic sodium, waking over to the desk, and dropping it in the pen-washing cup. An intense me shot up, smoke rolling through the air. Boom! The metallic sodium reacted violently with the water, as many small cracks formed on the container that held the liquid. This- this- Governor Chen was stunned. When this fake silver touches water, it will explode. This can exin why when the silver fell into the water, it exploded with such vigour. Xu Qian exined. The middle aged man muttered, From the start, we were misled. The perpetrator behind this used magical wind and the explosion, to make us think it was yaoguai causing this, shifting the investigation to catching these monsters. No wonder the qi-seeing magic did not see any trace of them. Xu Qian added, After the silver fell into the water, the escorting soliders only recovered just over a thousand taels of silver. If my guess is correct, this silver was all on the outermostyer, to fool people. A perfect fit, and a perfect conclusion. All fell into ce. Xu Qian! the middle-aged man eximed approvingly, good, very good! Suddenly he frowned, his gaze fixating on Xu Qians crooked cor. he made to pat Xu Qians elbow, simultaneously pulling his cor straight. Xu Qian felt somewhat shocked and ttered, that this man would praise him like so. With a furrowed brow, Governor Chen piped up, If the silver was fake, where did the real silver go? Hearing this, Caiwei let out a serious look, From when the silver left the storehouse to entering the capital, it changed hands many times. If we were to find who was responsible, numerous officials would have to be put into jail. The difficulty of recoving the silver now is no less than finding a needle in a haystack. Plus, this is beyond our given scope, we must report to His Majesty. Chen nodded, he had the same idea. Li Yuchun however had a different opinion, On the path the silver took into the capital, it changed hands many times. If the silver was fake, then it should have been discovered ages ago. The only possibility could be that it was swapped recently. Governor Chens eyes lit up; this drastically reduced their area of investigation. Servants! Prepare the pnquin, quickly, prepare the pnquin, this official must set out. he hurriedly ran into the inner hall. The middle aged man swiftly followed. Xu Qian quickly shouted, Governor Sir! Please, dont forget your promise to this lowlymoner! Chapter 6: Dumb, Dumb Second Uncle Chapter 6: Dumb, Dumb Second Uncle # 6. Dumb, Dumb Second Uncle Hey! Caiwei, the yellow-skirted girl called out, shing her eyes, How can salt turn into silver? After the words left her mouth, she hesitated, pulling out a sugarcane stick and handing it over. Here, for you. *Are you bribing me* There was no longer any sign of the other two people. Xu Qian returned her gaze, thinking, and replied Thismoner once read in an ancient tome about the alchemical process of turning salt into silver. Her eyes widened, Where is that book? Who wrote it? *That books called High School Chemistry, as to its author mm, Peoples Education Press?* Xu Qian replied, The book has long since been destroyed. However, I have remembered some of its contents. Caiweis breath suddenly became sharp and heavy, Quick, tell me. Sighing, Xu Qian responded This lowlymoner is in imminent danger, Im afraid I really do not have the energy nor will to teach. To this, she merely rolled her eyes, snapping back Youre a sly one, arent you? The Sitian Jian does not interfere in the affairs of state; what your fate is, is up for His Majesty to decide. Theres no point in trying to get any benefits through me. Then why dont you take me in as a student? With the status of the Sitian Jian in the royal court, taking someone whos merely guilty by association should be of no issue. Xu Qian merely wanted a backup n, in case the tax silver couldnt be found. Caiweis eyes moved up and down, inspecting him intently, Youre clearly a martial artist, why do you want to be an Arcanist? Cultivation must be started early; most cultivators built up their foundations from when they were children. To switch now from martial to arcane arts, would be far toote a proposal. Whether or not I can protect myself under your shadow isnt important, mostly I just admire your Grandmasters style. His words were earnest and sincere. Then tell me the contents of this alchemical book. she hesitated, before replying. Her eyes were clear and bright, of almond shape, with night ck pupils, a perfect contrast of ck and white. In the previous world, Xu Qian had only seen such clear eyes on young children. Its contents are extremely abstruse and difficult. Im afraid you might not even understand just the fundamental rhyme. One needs to be taught these profound concepts in simplenguage for it to sink in deeply. He began to fish. Chu Caiwei[^1] rolled her eyes again, not taking the bait, In the Nine Provinces, all under heaven, none are masters of the art of alchemy more than our Sitian Jian. Hydrogen helium lithium beryllium boron carbon nitrogen oxygen fluorine neon sodium magnesium aluminium silicon phosphorous Xu Qian began to recite, fluently like flowing water. ??? *What is he saying?* Caiwei was dumbstruck for a good while, before her eyebrows fell into a sharp frown, Youre ying with me. Our Sitian Jian only takes in young children as disciples. She snatched back the sugarcane stick from Xu Qians hand, and with light footsteps, walked away, skirt hem fluttering. *But Im also a child* Xu Qian opened his mouth, and closed it again, not making a sound. Then, he quickly realised: when the Sitian Jian takes disciples, they take them when theyre babies. *Eh, thats a dead end.* Two days went by in a sh, as Xu Qian stayed in his cell, full of anxiety and fear. He feared that the silver could not be recovered in time. If he were to be sent away, then even if it were foundter, that would do him no good. Furthermore, what if Governor Chen was a ck-hearted little maggot, taking Xu Qians efforts and presenting them as his own? Still a death sentence. But what could he do? He had done everything within his power. What can a lowly prisoner really hope to achieve? Ill just wait for heavens judgement Xu Qian sighed in sorrow. ng! The metal door at the end of the corridor opened, and a jailor walked in, holding a ming torch. He pulled out his keys, and opened the door, Xu Qian! You can go! Xu Qian was overjoyed, pumping the air with his fists, The silver was recovered? Come with me to sign yourself out, then you can go. The jailor looked him up and down, Your luck is really something. What about my uncle? Xu Qian asked anxiously. Less chit-chat, more walking. Angrily, the Jailor struck Xu Qians behind with his torch, beating him out of the cell. In the constabry, under the arrangements of a minor official, he signed his name and made a fingerprint, before receiving the clothes back that he had been wearing before he was arrested. An officer escorted him out of the Capital Region Constabry, from the back door. At this time, a faint light was spreading in the east, and the streets were empty and cold. ng! Xu Pingzhi was suddenly awoken by the sound of the iron door being opened. He opened his eyes, revealing bloodshot eyeballs. The dishevelled and dirty Xu Pingzhi had features much like his nephew. On the other hand, his firstborn son Xu Xinnian, had features far too handsome to ever be described in the same breath. In the cell opposite, the sleeping Li Ru[^2] shuddered, and opened her eyes. Her face was sallow, and an expression of utmost fear showed on her face. With a corridor between them, the husband and wife looked at each other. Li Ru mournfully said Dear husband, Id rather die than go into the Jiaofang Si. This year she was thirty-five, and she had looked after herself well. She was a woman of extreme grace; even having stayed in a cell, frightened and scared for five days, even if her face was sallow, she still couldnt hide any of that charm within her eyes. What sort of ce is the Jiaofang Si? A womans purgatory, nay, hell. The bruise-ridden Xu Pingzhi opened and closed his mouth, not managing to say a word. Hot tears suddenly poured down, Dear wife, its my fault. May us husband and wife both travel to the Yellow Springs[^3], in the next life Ill do everything for you, Ill make it up to you. But our poor children, and that nephew of ours. Five days had passed. What was facing him was the chopping block, what awaited the women was the Jiaofang Si. Apart from Li Ru, the Xu family had two daughters, not yet married. One was just sixteen, the other merely five. They were curled up in the corner of the cell, having also been awoken. The five year old rubbed her eyes, twittering Mummy! She knew not the fate that was about to befall her. The sixteen year old sat up straight, unkempt silken hair framing a pale melon-seed shaped face, with small red lips,rge enchanting eyes. Her nose was not small like other women, but rather tall and straight, thus making her features seem extraordinarily outstanding, extremely fine and attractive. Almost like a statue. She unconsciously leaned towards her mother, her thick eyshes trembling due to fright. Several prison guards, carrying swords, walked in withrge steps. Li Rus eyes shed with hopelessness and eptance. Xu Pingzhi clutched the bars with both hands, his knuckles going white, teeth gritted. Having lost the tax silver, failed in his duty, he knew that he should pay with his life, but to also pay with the lives of his wife and daughters, he would not ept that, not even in death. Especially the young one, she was only five. If she were to be sent to and raised at the Jiaofang Si, her entire life would be darkness. As parents, how could they ever ept that? Xu Pingzhi,e with us, sign and stamp, and you can leave. One guard opened the cell door, not putting manacles on them. He stood back, hitting his scabbard against the bars, expressing that they cane out themselves. I, Xu Pingzhi have loved king and country my whole life, our whole house is loyal eh? What did you say? Xu Pingzhi was afraid that he had misheard. What? We can go? You said we can go? Xu Pingzhi was momentarily in disbelief, Why, what happened? Arent you going to take me to be beheaded? I dont know, the guard snapped back, This is the bosss orders, if you want to know you go ask him yourself. Both confused and anxious, Li Ru held her two children, and the whole family followed the guards silently, to the end of the corridor. My dear, they they arent lying, are they? How could one joke about this? Xu Pingzhi was badly hurt, his pace unsteady and painful. His head was like a foggy ocean, within whichy the joy of avoiding certain death, and the deep, deep confusion of the situation. Li Ru suddenly had a thought, Its Xinnian, it must be Xinnian these past days, getting contacts here and there, that managed to let the court open the for us. The more she thought about it, the more sure she was, carrying on excitedly Dont forget, my dear, Xinnians teacher was the vice-minister[^4] of the Ministry of Law in Yuanjing 18. Yuanjing 18[^5], that was over twenty years ago Xu Pingzhi thought something was wrong, however he could not think of anyone else it could be, having little in the way of personal rtions at court. Perhaps. Ive always said our Xinnian is a dragon amongst men[^6]. Back then when I wanted him to study martial arts, you adamantly refused; only Xu Qian that rascal could practice. Mum, rabbits are so cute, I want to eat rabbit. Biting her own finger, the young girl raised her head, an expression on her round plump face that could only be described with the word gluttonous. You only ever know to eat the short-tempered Li Ru unconsciously scolded her, but looking at her young daughters dirty face, her anger was immediately extinguished, Dear, well have rabbit to eat very soon. Xu Pingzhi did not bother to exin to his wife that your son has no aptitude for martial arts. After all, no matter how many times he said so, his wife would always automatically overlook the fact. In a mothers eyes, her child would forever be the best. After reaching the room where he had to sign, he borrowed a pen from the official there, and signed his name with shaking hands. Pressing on his handprint, Xu Pingzhi felt as if he had some sort of sublime grace. Just like a nt sprout buried under the ground, seeing sunlight for the first time. The world suddenly seemed so good, even if he was not better off one copper coin. His wife did not need to sign her name, merely stamp her handprint. Xu Pingzhi could not resist his curiosity, and bowing to the official, asked, Gracious Sir, please may I- may I know why my crime has been pardoned? Li Rus gaze instantly snapped towards the official. The case has been solved, the silver retrieved. The official responded. The silver was retrieved? Haha, good, good! Damn those monsters, they dare steal silver from our Great Feng? Xu Pingzhi was rather excited, simultaneouslyughing and thinking that, under thews of the Feng Dynasty, even if the silver was found, he had still failed at his duty. Given that retrieving the silver was not his merit to take, why would the crown pardon his death penalty? Even if they were to loosen it, it would be at most to send him to the frontier. Mister Xu, here is your uniform, keep it safe. The official handed over a green eighth-rank officials robe. *They even gave me back my old job* Xu Pingzhi realised something was not right, and at the same time as taking the robe, asked solemnly, Good Sir, please may you enlighten this official on a question? With an officials robe in hand, that this official once again carried some weight to it. Logically, even if his death penalty was pardoned, he wouldnt be handed back his old job. Thews of the Great Feng say, that if the elders of the family fall afoul of thew, the young can perform a great merit, and with it atone for the wrong. It really is Nianer[^7], dear husband, Nianer helped the crown recover the silver. Li Ru gasped, overjoyed. Nianer Xu Pingzhis eyes began to seep liquid, My dear, dear boy. The official looked at the husband and wife pair, saying tly It was your nephew Xu Qian. He helped Governor Chen solve the case. He just left jail. [^1]: , still Caiwei, her surname is Chu, it just gets introduced very suddenly [^2]: [^3]: The Chinese underworld, or Hell [^4]: ; it isnt a perfect trantion [^5]: In Ancient China they count using the Era name of the emperor, and how many years they have ruled. Naturally this is then year 18 of the Yuanjing () Emperor. [^6]: Very Chinese idiom, considering that dragons are revered the meaning is easy to see, and sounds better than recing it for an English equivalent. [^7]: Still Xu Xinnian - Intimate nicknames, like from parent to child or between husband and wife, often take one character of the given name (usually the second; Nian) and add an -er suffix onto it. (, to express child or dear or baby) Chapter 7: The Younger Sister Is Too Beautiful Chapter 7: The Younger Sister Is Too Beautiful # 7. The Younger Sister Is Too Beautiful "Ningyan?", Xu Pingzhi was stunned. Li Ru still had tears hanging in her face, and the joyful look in her face froze. "Two days ago, Xu Qi''an moured to see the Governor in the prison, saying that there was an important clue to report. Thus, the governor solved the case. ording to thew, merit can atone for crime, So you''ll naturally be fine.", The official said. "Yes, Is that so...", Xu Pingzhi stammered. He had taken up and raised Xu Qi''an since he was as small as a kitten. Didn''t he know what his nephew was like? Xu Pingzhi suspected the official was lying, but he had no evidence. The rascal nephew... Li Ru''s face turned pale. Didn''t their son rely on his connections to save the family? How could the unlucky nephew have done it? Wasn''t he in prison? Alongside a lot of confusion, Xu Pingzhi led his wife and daughters out of the back door of the prison and saw Xu Qi''an, who was pulling his crow nest hair with anxiety waiting for them. Watching his nephew, He felt his previous doubts insignificant. The martial artist was filled with warmth and his eyes were red, and he strode forward. He wanted to hug his nephew, but couldnt let appearances down, and so just patted his nephew''s shoulder hard, " Ningyan, good child." That small pat almost killed Xu Qian then and there. "Second Uncle, You are at the pinnacle of Refining Qi. We aren''t at the same grade at all." Xu Qi''an said those words naturally, as if they weren''t unfamiliar to him at all. He was surprised at his familiarity, and at the same time looked over Xu Second Uncle''s shoulder and looked at the three women behind him. Hey, aunt, You never looked this worse for wear before... that idea emerged uncontrobly. The mood of gloating over misfortune didn''tst long, as Xu Qi''an was attracted by the beauty of his younger sister.[^1] She was wearing a loose prison uniform, her scattered hair hung over her ssic delicate melon seed face and her tall white nose. At first nce, she looked like a mixed race beauty. She was at her most beautiful and innocent years, and thebination had a charm that made people unable to look away from her. Fuck, I actually have such a beautiful and refined sister. Xu Qi''an was shocked. The original Xu Qi''an''s impression of his sister''s appearance was very vague, probably due to him not paying much attention. And he probably hated the house and family due to his aunt. He wasn''t very friendly to his cousins. Perceiving her brother''s fiery eyes, Xu Lingyue timidly shouted "Big Brother", and lowered her head timidly. "Big Brother!", A shrill sound suddenly appeared. Xu Lingyin was five years old, so small, as she ran over, stopping with great force in front of Xu Qi''an and looked at him with her head up. Xu Qi''an waved his hand, "I don''t have any candy for you, I just got out of prison myself." It was worth mentioning that the original owner didn''t like his cousins, but he treated this little sister pretty well, because her appearance was not simr to her mother. "What is a prison?" "The ce where you slept these days." "What about the other brother, did he bring any candy?" "He didn''te." "Oh!", the child wasn''t disappointed. The other brother in her mouth was Xu Xinnian from the same parents, but she still didn''t know the difference between a cousin and a sibling. The young girl wasn''t very clever, She was a stupid child, probably inherited from her mother that was what the original owner thought. Finally, he looked at his aunt Li Ru, who had always been arrogant in front of Xu Qi''an and probably never expected that she would need to humbly thank her unlucky nephew once in her lifetime. The beautiful woman turned her head stiffly and said reluctantly, "Thank you a lot, Ningyan" At the same time, a vague memory appeared in Xu Qi''an''s mind. When the original owner was rushed to the courtyard next to Xu''s house by his aunt, he was angry and swore, " I, Xu Qi''an will surely seed in the future, don''t regret it!" It felt embarrassing to think about it now, Isn''t this an aunt version of *Don''t bully the young and poor*. Now viewing the rtionship of the original owner and his aunt from a third person perspective, Xu Qi''an knew that this woman was not entirely to me. Xu Qi''an practiced martial arts, eating more than one hundred taels of silver each year, and this was equivalent to the savings of an ordinary diligent family for 20 to 30 years. It wasn''t surprising that his aunt had resentment, so Xu Qi''an said sincerely," Auntie, don''t rush to thank me. You can say it when we get home for dinner." Li Ru immediately widened her Orchid eyes and red at her unlucky nephew. Xu Pingzhi felt goosebumps, so said solemnly, "Lets go home first!" ... Xu Xinnian, carrying a hip sk, staggered to the Xu house. He had lived here for 19 years. But now the door was sealed and the building looked deste. Xu Xinnian kicked the door open, stepped over the railing and walked a few steps in. Then he turned back and closed the door. Suicide was not a glorious thing, and a schr like him should have some decentness, so the attention of the government could not be attracted. He wanted some face. He walked from the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard, the path like a life. He was literate at the age of three, memorized poems at the age of five, and was already familiar with the works of the enlightened at the age of ten. He entered the White Deer Academy at the age of fourteen and became a *Juren*[^2] at the age of eighteen. It''s not too much to say that he was a talent. It could be said that his proud character was shaped by his intelligence and his extensive knowledge. He had always been proud in front of his family, He was promising, handsome and the pir of the Xu family in the future. As a seven-foot man , He was willing to die vigorously rather than living in humiliation. Thinking of this, Xu Xinnian drank from the sk in his hand and smashed it to the ground. With the drunken feeling, He rushed into the room, rubbed his ink, picked up his pen, and wrote the best farewell poem in his life. Xu Xinnianughed three times and grabbed the calligraphy paper to get out of the door. He then took out the prepared hemp rope and hung it on the ginkgo tree in the inner courtyard. He was surprised that he was facing death, but he wasn''t scared of it anymore. He only felt a joy he had never felt before. He suddenly understood those unruly crazy Confucianists, Who were famous in the world due to their fearlessness. If you''re not afraid of death anymore, There is nothing in the world worth fearing. ... The capital was prosperous, being known as the best city in the world. Xu Qi''an slowly walked through the lively ancient city, with carriages like running water and horses like dragons. There were shops in both sides of the street, and banners were violently inspired by the wind. A poem couldn''t help but pop in his head. *The smoke and willow painted bridge, the wind curtain and the green curtain, are scattered by 100,000 people.* In fact, the capital was more prosperous than Qiantang from the poem. From the *Geographical Records of the Great Feng*, "In the early years of Yuanjing, the poption of the capital was more than 1.96 million." It is now the 36th year of Yuanjing. The poption of the capital should have exceeded 2 million. The Xu Familypound had three entrances and exits, and raised seven or eight servants, but now the servants had been repatriated and the gate was locked when the residents went to the building. Auntie looked at the que on the door with mixed feelings, "I don''t know how Xinnian is, He must be very worried for us. This child said he would save us before we went to prison." She said while walking in. "The house prices in the capital were expensive, and the three-entrancepound had cost 5000 taels of silver. The down payment was 30%, which was 1,500 taels of silver Bah, why do I still think about housing prices in another world?", Xu Qi''an thought. Xu Pingzhi said relievedly, "Xinnian has read the ssics and is calm and reliable. He must be still running for us at this time. When hees back, give him a surprise." Oops Xu Qi''an''s expression changed, he knew that Xu Xinnian was going to make a mistake. In the eyes of the second uncle and aunt, Xu Second Brother was determined, calm , steady and reliable, and was a tough schr. "Hahahaha, I, Xinnian, Am a happy person in life and a happy ghost in death" "Xu Xinnian, talented, but Heaven is unfair" *If the heavens birthed not I, Xu Xinnian, then the Great Feng forever, will be in night that never ends* The schr standing on the chair under the ginkgo tree suddenly took off his hair crown and discarded it, shaking his head vigorously, letting his hair hang loose. Behaving wildly, he put his head into the noose, only then seeing his family with stiff expressions and dull eyes. *I, Xu Xinnian plead once for a burst of freedom I, Xu Xinnian, so talented that Heaven was did me injustice If the heavens birthed not I, Xu Xinnian, then the Great Feng forever, will be in night that never ends* Looking at his family that came home early, he felt that he was one step toote. --- [^1]: Before you ask, no, there is no incest [^2]: Someone who had passed the the imperial civil service exams Chapter 8: Sis, Why Are You Sneaking Looks at Me? Chapter 8: Sis, Why Are You Sneaking Looks at Me? # 8. Sis, Why Are You Sneaking Looks at Me? Everything was silent. Auntie was the first to react, mournfully shrieking Nianer The husband and wife worked together to save their dear son, though thetter had not a shred of will left to live. Auntie hugged her son, tears dropping from her face like rain, Uncle stood to one side, sighing sadly. Xu Qian looked at his younger cousin, whose heart could find no ce to rest, and deeply understood him. A young man has three situations where hes most awkward: when making certain rhythmic movements with his left or right hand, only to be barged in on by his parents;menting that a female teacher had a big arse, only to be heard by her; writing down adolescent fantasies, to then be shown to everyone. Every one of these could have one rolling around on the floor with embarrassment. Though he never achieved biological death, a social death, that he did. *Ive had training on this, however funny it may be, I will notugh* Xu Qian stood to one side, trying to stifleughter. Xu Lingyue turned her head, angrily giving her brother aining look, wordlessly controlling his schadenfreude. Xu Lingyin wanted to get sweets from his brother, but after seeing this scene, she silently changed her mind. Xu Xinnian, living up to his name as a schr with a sharp and nimble mind, quickly thought up of an escape: his eyes rolled up and legs kicked, and he had fainted. Returning to the side room of Xu Qians small courtyard house, he threw off his clothes, and sank into the bath. The ice-cold water rushed into his pores, his whole body rxed. The body of a person at the peak of Refining Body, could tolerate cold with ease. The best aspect of a martial artist was that they had thick skin, and could take a beating. Finally escaping from that life or death situation, he finally rxed, and began to question philosophical questions on life and existence. Why do I not have any memories just before the original hosts death? For Xu Qian was very clear on how he himself kicked the bucket: most likely, alcohol poisoning. However, the previous Xu Qian didnt have any such sort of memories. The current Xu Qian had died of alcohol poisoning. Having just got a promotion and a raise, he managed to drink himself to death. After resigning from the police force, he chose to start a business, but only two yearster suffered a backhand from society. Suffering through this pain, he decided to start again from the ground up; to be a diligent worker. With a talent for perseverance and grinding, and the enlightenment of sitting alone, with an empty house, a hand for a wife, he finally received the recognition of his boss. Receiving a promotion and a raise, he finally leapt into the middle ss. Xu Qian had raised his head andughed to the heavens, and invited several friends to the pub to celebrate. After all, his future was looking set; he could manage a mortgage, pay for the bride gifts, marry and have children as long as the neighbours werent surnamed Wang, happy days, happy days. Smack! He struck the surface of the water, spraying up small droplets, angrily muttering I worked so hard to get that middle ss status, to immediately get knocked off again, sent to a feudal society, how unlucky am I? Theres still 600,000[^1] for a house deposit in my card all the sorrows, griefs of human existence are still there, if the moneys gone no, its the people who are gone, the moneys still there Ah whatever, let that be inheritance for mum and dad. I wonder how high the inheritance tax is give me another go and I can definitelye out on top. I never managed to see thest season of *Attack on Titan* the monarchy hasnt yet been overthrown ah, whatever. Fuck, theres still 120 GB of material that I never deleted *If that gets found by my parents, my whole image will be shattered!* Unknowingly, he drifted off to sleep. When he awoke, the sky was turning dark. His whole body was soaked white, skin wrinkling up. Xu Qian put on clean clothes, and tied his hair up in front of the copper mirror. The mirror reflected a young mans face, with thick eyebrows and sharp eyes. Because of his many years of practice, his features were hardy and well-defined. Not quite the handsomeness that would take peoples breaths away, but itll do Xu Qian silently nodded. Plus, his body was several times stronger now, than in his past life. At least he was a martial artist. But that may not be a good thing, Id rather have transmigrated to a normal ancient era. At least then everyone would be as weak as everyone else. Not like here, where there are too many skilled people, so much so that your head could be falling off before you even had time to react. Not only are there yaoguai in this world, but all manners of cultivation systems. Apart from the powerful yet looked down upon martials, there are the Arcanists, the Confucianists, the Buddhists, the Daoists, the warlocks, and the shamans. Six hundred years ago, the Feng Dynasty was founded, the first Grandmaster of the Sitianjian split the many cultivation bodies into their various ranks. Xu Qian was a martial cultivator of the ninth (lowest) rank, Refining Body. His uncle was of eighth rank, Refining Qi, seventh rank was Refining Spirit. After that, he didnt know. Rather as to the Arcanist cultivation path of the Sitianjian, he knew somewhat more about. The Sitianjian were a cultivation body that came about with the Feng, and are unique to the Feng, and were very widely known. The inventions of their sixth rank Masters of Alchemy had filtered down into everybodys homes. The Arcanist path: ninth rank Physician, eighth rank Qi-Watcher, seventh rank Master of Feng-Shui, sixth rank Master of Alchemy. After that, he didnt know any more. As to all the other paths, having lived in the capital for all his live, Xu Qians knowledge was limited. At this time, a young woman wearing a green skirt entered the courtyard. She was Aunties personal maid, with the nickname Le. *Dng*[^2], your father is calling you for dinner. In the corner of Les eye there was a hint of happiness, but her expression carried within it tiredness and anxiety. She was sold into the Xu family at the age of ten, to serve Auntie. After the Xu family faced disaster, their servants were let go, and she had to worry about how to make a living in the future. She didnt expect that only after five days, they managed to escape from their fate. ording to what the elder sister said, it was all Xu Qians hard work. Standing in front of Xu Qian now, the slim and beautiful eighteen year old maid seemed somewhat embarrassed and a little frightened. Ah, you neednt call me that. Xu Qian felt ufortable. But dng is dng she replied, confused. * whatever, at least my surname is not Wu*[^3] The two of them walked side by side out of the small courtyard house, and entered the main Xupound. Le hesitated, Just then, the Master and Wife were arguing. Why so? he asked. It seems like, Madam Xu wanted to know exactly how the silver was stolen, who did it, but the Master couldnt answer, and so after a back and forth they started arguing. Le said quietly, You know, right? On the way back, Xu Qian had told his uncle that the silver wasnt robbed, it was diverted ages ago. At that time Auntie didnt say anything, but it seems had remembered every word hed said. The main hall! Xu Qian had just stepped over the doorsill, when a howling wail reached his ears. Xu Lingyin, like a little pea, had her hands behind her back, body leaning forward, head raised, sending aural attacks towards her parents. Uncle calmly drank his wine, Xu Lingyue had her head down, eating dinner, Xu Xinnian hadnt quite recovered from his image being ruined, and was quietly poking at his rice. Auntie hand her head in her hands, as if she had a strong headache. Seeing Lee over, she immediately ordered take her away! Xu Qian looked over to his wailing baby sister, kindly asking Whats the matter? Mummy is a liar! She said that when we get home, shed take me to Guiyuelou, she cried, Daddy just then said Guiyuelou *Guiyuelou* was one of the most elite restaurants in the capital. Its customers were all high officials and aristocracy, it did not cater tomoners or merchants. As a dumb child who couldnt even remember her brothers and sisters names, the fact that she could remember Guiyuelou was due to the fact that she ate there once. For this child wasnt dumb, rather her talents were applied in wrong areas. *Old Xu, not bad, knowing where to shift the trouble to, even using your own young daughter.* Xu Qian gave his steadfast looking uncle a nce, then at his frustrated yet helpless aunt. Little Pea was the one person Auntie was helpless about. It was just a joke, now look at her Auntie sighed. To deceive a child, Auntie your words carry no weight. Xu Qian instinctively retorted, making her breaths heavy and sharp with anger. Big brother, big brother can take me! Seeing Xu Qians kindly appearance, and even speaking for her, Little Pea happily ran over to him, pulling at his trousers and climbing up his body. *Guiyuelou one meal on average costs a tael of silver a head* Xu Qian ordered, Le, take her away! Little Pea was carried off. Auntie kicked her husband under the table, subtly using the corner of her mouth to scold Xu Qian. Uncle Xu felt as if he was losing face, and nced over at his always seeking for knowledge son. However Xu Xinnian had already died socially; a dead man couldnt talk, only eat. The meals vour was average, especially owing to the fact that they didnt have stock, having only returned home. Xu Qian ate as if he was chewing candles, and frustratedly asked his beautiful younger sister: Lingyue, what are you doing sneaking looks at me like that? --- [^1]: Chinese Yuan [^2]: Elder young man / Elder brother, because of the unique culture around names in China theres a lot of these cases of avoiding names directly. [^3]: This is a Chinese pop culture reference. Chapter 9: A Berserk Aunt Chapter 9: A Berserk Aunt # 9. A Berserk Aunt "I- I..." The little girl''s face instantly turned red, as she was embarrassed in front of her family. So, her beautiful apricot eyes were covered with ayer of mist while she glowed in the candlelight. Although I like my sister, It''s really fun to bully a little child like her who cries for a long time due to a small issue. Xu Lingyue bulged her cheeks and raised her head like a smashed jar to look at Xu Qi''an," I just want to know how elder brother solved the case from the paper." Xu Xinnian, who pretended to not exist, couldn''t pretend anymore and raised his head silently. He was proud of being smart, and he had read the dossier, but he had no clue even after repeated research. But Xu Qi''an immediately solved the case the day he asked him for the file. Auntie didn''t speak, but her chopsticks holding the dish stopped and she stopped chewing her food. "There''s no perfect crime in the world except for coincidences, since every man-made case leaves behind clues that can be found." Xu Qi''an said. Xu Xinnian straightened his back and listened carefully. "First of all, I checked the route and timings of the escort, and through that realised that the weight of the silver had problems..." Xu Qi''an recounted his reasoning Process. The more Xinnian listened, the brighter his eyes became as if he was listening to a lecture by a master in a private school. He clenched his hands beneath the table. When Xu Qi''an finished speaking, Xu Eng''s[^1] face was calm, "Not bad." Xu Eng had always been like this, and the family was long used to his antics. The beautiful sixteen-year-old sister lowered her head and showed admiration in her eyes. Xu Pingzhi pped the table with excitement, and swore, "So it was like this! I didn''t even notice." Xu Xinnian nced at his father, and thought, *It''d be strange if you did.* Xu Qi''an nced at his second uncle and remembered a sentence: *You say that I have no culture to behold, well with one "fuck you" I can travel the world.* Second uncle Xu was a martial artist, and his literacy was limited to writing his name, even if it was crooked and looks like a chicken scratch. "How simple you are, dont you even know how to estimate weight?" Aunt dissed her husband. Xu Qi''an asked, "Did they wear a hand guard when they counted the money?" Xu Ershu recalled the scene and said surprisedly, "It seems they did, How did you know?" *It really was Sodium?* Xu Qi''an looked at his uncle quietly and asked, "Why didn''t you say this in the confession?" "It''s such a trivial matter, Why should I say it?" At this point, Xu Ershu scolded, "It''s all due to Lu handing me a pot of sweet-scented osmanthus honey at the time. You also know that the second uncle''s good at drinking. I drank a cup and didn''t care about these matters. I would have forgotten these matters if you didn''t say it." I''m most afraid of a pig teammate like you... If the dossier had this detail, I could have analysed the truth of the case quickly. Why would I push so many of my brain cells... Xu Qi''an sighed. To second uncle, it probably had as much significance as what clothes they wore, how they tied their hair. He didn''t realize it was an important detail. "Most likely, The Lu person should be the one who framed dad." Xu Xinnian pointed out. "Its all my fault, for being confused and almost harming the entire family." Xu Pingzhi suddenly became sad, "Ningyan, your father and I fought back in the Mountain and Sea Campaign back then, and said that we would survive and thrive together." "I survived, but your father died in battle. At that time, I thought that I had to change my way of life if I wanted to live better." He could no longer be just cannon fodder. "So I let Nian''er go to school and let you practice martial arts. I had my selfish ns in this." Aunt rolled her eyes and said, "Yes, Your sincerity is towards your nephew." More than 100 taels of silver a year. "ording to my aunt, Eng is not cherished?" Xu Qi''an swore that that was not what he wanted to say, but his instinct suppressed his brain. The original owner had a lot of resentment toward his aunt. "What do you mean by this." Aunt patted the table angrily. Xu Eng and Xu Lingyue bowed their heads and devoured their rice, They seemed to be used to this. Xu Ershu''s scalp was tingling, " That''s enough, I finally got my life back. If I have to listen to you quarreling, I''d better have died." Everyone bowed their heads to eat. Xu Qi''an had an impression of the Mountain and Sea Campaign. The world was vast and boundless, and the Great Feng dominated the Central ins, was the orthodox power in the world. The country was established by military might and governed by Confucianism. At its peak, all nations came to pay tribute to Great Feng. So far, the national calendar has stretched for 600 years. Twenty years ago, Great Feng joined forces with countries in the Western Regions to fight against the ins Barbarians in the North and the Southern Barbarians in the Southwest in Shanhai Pass. Counting the military of all the parties, the number of soldiers reached millions. The war took half a year to end, but a million people died at that time. This was one of the worst wars in history. The records called it: *The Campaign of Mountains and Seas*. Xu Qi''an''s father died in that battle. "... With my knowledge as a keyboard warrior and thew summarized by online literature, no dynasty could escape the three-hundred-yearw." The so-called three-hundred-yearw was named as such by Xu Qi''an himself. As an Alternate History lover, He summed up a set ofws from the 5000-year history of his previous life. Leaving aside the backward and feudal Zhou Dynasty with its Separatist Princes, No country had the fortune tost three hundred years uninterrupted. The two Songs and two Han dynasties were also reorganized dynasties. Thinking about it, the Great Fengsting for six hundred years was surely due to the power system in this world. Little Pea was brought to the table by Le. She was hungry, so stopped crying. She was too small to reach the dining table, so she sat on Le''sp and was fed by her. "Mother, why did we live in a dark house? We couldn''t eat enough every day." Little Pea remembered what happened to her the other day. She called the prison a dark house. The people at the table didn''t speak and the aunt showed a look of pity. Xu Ershu sighed," Daddy did something wrong." Little Pea said "Oh!", and then said, "I woke up due to hunger yesterday and caught a bug. It was on my head." She put two short fingers over her head. It was a cockroach, and the kings in the prison, alongside the mice. The faces of all the people at the table quickly changed, and all of them were ashamed and pitied the little child. It was their failure to make a child suffer so. "You, did you eat.." Li Ru''s lips trembled and her eyes were red. She gave birth to this young girl in her early thirties. Although she was a little stupid, She loved her child. Little Pea Xu Lingyin said crisply," Iter heard mummy''s belly rumbling." The atmosphere was silent for a while, and everyone''s hearts sank. Auntie''s pretty face turned pale, and she trembled," Then?" "Then I stuffed it into mummy''s mouth, and mummy ate it so quickly." Little Pea said with an inviting expression. Auntie trembled. Xu Xinnian slowly put his chopsticks over his bowl, "I''m full." Xu Lingyue, "Me too." Xu Qi''an, "I''m full, pfft..." Uncle Xu, "..." Aunt stayed for a few seconds, then fluttered to the bottom of the table, retching. "Waah waah waah...." Soon after, cries simr to ughtered pigs echoed in the night. --- [^1]: Eng (second son), Dng (big/eldest son) Chapter 10: The Constabularys Homicide Case Chapter 10: The Constabry''s Homicide Case # 10. The Constabry''s Homicide Case The night was like a wash, dotted with glittering stars. The Stargazing Tower, Capital of Feng, the headquarters of the Sitianjian. The yellow skirted Chu Caiwei lightly skipped up the steps. After passing seven floors, she heard loud mouring from within theboratory. A group of white-robed alchemists walked out, arguing with each other. Why did it fail? It was clearly such an easy process. Ive already said, it has to be that the amount of salt wasnt enough. No, I think its water. It has to be the fire, right? Just then I saw that Brother Wan heated the salt to boiling point. Its too hard, how can we turn salt into silver? I cant do it. The corner of Caiweis mouth twitched, as she grumbled These people are *still* trying to refine fake silver. Two days ago, she brought the story of silver from salt back to the Sitianjian. Initially, her fellow students didnt believe her. Salt can turn into silver? Even a three year old wouldnt believe that. But very quickly, the tax silver case was solved. His Majesty thought that the fake silver was powerful and mysterious, and so ordered the Sitianjian to refine it. Thus, the Sitianjians alchemists began their backbreakingbour, working the toils of 996 night in and night out.[^1] From two days ago until now, they tried and failed and tried again, and failed some more. Caiwei, its Caiwei! someone excitedly yelled. In an instant, a group of sallow and worn faces turned around, their eyes lighting up with a newfound energy. Sister Caiwei, how did you refine this fake silver? Sister Caiwei, quick, have a look, is one of the steps wrong? Youre the only one who sessfully did it. Surrounding the yellow-skirted girl, leaving her no way out. Caiwei could not but enter theboratory, and look over her senior students progress. Failed again! a white-cloak, who was just performing the experiment, sighed mournfully. Sister Caiwei, where have we gone wrong? the group of white-cloaks gave an earnest and eager-to-learn attitude. *I dont see any problem, thats how I did it back then* Caiwei hesitated, These are alchemical magicks from ancient times, extremely abstruse, learning it is far easier said than done. One must go deep into the profundities and understand them in simple terms, to be able to get a deep-rooted grasp. I will tell you, my senior fellows, a rhyme. You must remember it well. All the senior students listened close. Hydrogen helium lithium beryllium boron carbon nitrogen oxygen fluorine neon sodium magnesium aluminium silicon phosphorous! How do we understand this? though they were sharp of mind, none of them understood a single word. The group fell into a dazed state. *I dont know either* Chu Caiwei deliberately made herself seem deep and mysterious, and grinned, but didnt respond. A prodigy, a prodigy! Whoever wrote this rhyme, must be an alchemical prodigy! One white-cloak sighed. *What prodigy? Senior brother what nonsense are you thinking?* Chu Caiweis smile did not waver. Sister Caiwei, who told you this rhyme? Did you meet some master alchemist, and received his teachings? Caiwei thought, *good question!* She lightly tossed the pot aside. That persons called Xu Qian, the son of the Seventh Rank lieutenant of the imperial guard, Xu Pingzhi. Go find him. As soon as they heard that he was a martial artist, the white-cloaks suddenly were no longer as excited. Hah. Our grand and mighty Sitianjian, overflowing with talent, still has to find an outsider to refine us some fake silver? And a martial artist at that. If this gets out, well be aughing stock! Due to the various cultivation paths being different, several interesting prejudices formed between the different systems. The Daoists look down upon the Buddhists, and vice-versa; The Arcanists scorn the Warlocks, the Warlocks scorn the Shamans, the Shamans scorn the Arcanists; And finally, the Daoists, Buddhists, Arcanists, Warlocks, and Shamans all look down on the Martial Artists. And as to the Confucianists? *Well, forgive my being blunt, but everyone else here is a pile of garbage.* Although in recent times the Confucian tradition has weakened. Sister Caiwei, how about you teach us? Caiwei let out a heh, Maybe next time! She squeezed herself out from the crowd of white-cloaked fellow students, and carried on up the stairs. To tell the truth, she didnt know either. Last time at the constabry, in the first go she managed to refine out the fake silver. Later, she tried again privately, but failed. She imitatedpletely the earlier process, but nheless failed, and she hadnt the foggiest why. At the top of the stargazing tower was not a regr sloped roof, rather an octagonal tform, iid with a *bagua*. Thus, it was called the Bagua tform. On the edge of the Bagua tform, a white cloaked, elderly man sat in front of a small table, a small cup of liquor in one hand, the other holding his head, like he was drunk, but almost not, as he looked over the capital. Caiwei knowingly did not disturb him. Normally, when her teacher is not doing work, he liked to sit on the Bagua tform, drinking liquor, watching the scenery. And he didnt like to be interrupted. As he twirled the cup, with half-closed eyes, as if closely watching all under heaven. Has Caiweie? the white-robed old manughed. Master. Caiweis face burst into a wide smile, as she jogged over, standing at the edge of the tform, her clothes fluttering in the wind. What reward did the old Emperor give? A few hundred taels of silver, a few rolls of silk, she said, Master, what on earth is this fake silver? Your teacher doesnt know. Theres things in the world that master doesnt know about? Oh, too much, the old manughed, Your teacher still doesnt know where that thief went, neen years ago. You keep saying how much you hated that thief neen years ago, but you didnt tell me who he was, or what did he steal. The old man stood up, standing at the edge of the tform, sighing, A very, very precious thing. Then, do you know who made the fake silver? The Sitianjian was the ce where the Arcanist cultivation was born. All the alchemy masters under heaven, even if they were not born into the Sitianjian, they at least have some rtion to it. Behind the tax silver case, there must have been an alchemist involved, who refined that strange material; clearly no ordinary character. Naturally, I know. The small courtyard, the master bedroom. Xu Qiany on his bed, staring dazedly at the beams that held up the roof, which were dim under the faint moonlight through the window. He worried for his future, he was lost and scared, but also his blood was rushing, and he was excited. *With my being an exquisite product of the nine years ofpulsory education, all of the knowledge is still fresh.* He could easily stand out amongst his peers in this monarchic society, bing a blooming flower. However, in this society where the right of kings remains absolute, the rights of themon people were never a guarantee. Today a tender flower, tomorrow conscripted by the army and sent far way. This would make any modern person have a great sense of worry. Thinking and thinking, Xu Qian drifted off to sleep, and slept until the sun rose. He dressed in his dark coloured uniform, tied up his belt, brushed his long hair, and attached his dao to his waist. A straight upright body, handsome and masculine. He could not but admit, that the clothing of ancient times had great style only that going to the toilet was far too much of a hassle. Climbing the wall over to his uncles house to get a free breakfast, the two of them left for work together. Xu Pingzhi was back in his official role, and all was like it was before. Changle county was a capital region county that immediately bordered the city walls. Its constabry was in the city itself, only six to seven li away from the Xu residence. Xu Qian didnt have a horse, nor a cart, and so could only take the no. 11 horse drawn bus, taking the half hour journey to the constabry. The Changle County Constabry building faced south, and beside its front door sat two stone lions, which were as tall as an average person. Either side of the red-brown painted door, were tworge drums, with their paint peeling slightly. The constabry hierarchy is worth talking about: the most powerful person was of course the District Magistrate, called the High Officer. He had two assistants, the assistant magistrate and the bookkeeper. These three were ranked officials of the court. In Xu Qians era, that would have been equivalent to having governmental authority. Below the three court officials, was the clerk, and themanding officer. They, however, did not have formal ranks. Then there are the three jobs and six houses. The three jobs are called dark, quick, and strong respectively, and can be referred to as runners, or minor officers. They serve to keep the peace, make arrests, and enforce thew. The six houses correspond to the six ministries of the court. Xu Qian was ssed as a quick runner, also called a bailiff. Entering the main gate, he was lucky enough to just be in time for the clerks morning count. The clerk, surnamed Li, caught sight of Xu Qian, and was stunned momentarily. That expression on his face, as if hed seen a ghost in daylight. The other constabry runners saw that their leaders expression was off, and all turned their heads. Then, they also made the same expression, as if theyd seen a ghost. Xu- Xu Qian, are you a man or a ghost!? someone asked, voice shaking. Clerk Li noticed that Xu Qian still cast a shadow, and he rxed somewhat, saying with a steady voice What nonsense have they been saying in the courts, do ghosts cast shadows now? Hearing this, everyone let out a sigh of relief. Xu Qian thought for a moment, joking Whos to say Im not a zombie? Li was shocked, and all the runners felt their hearts tighten. Xu Qian quickly sped his fists, Was just a joke. My greetings, Master Li, my fellow brothers, I got out of jail. Li asked, How? Everyone had heard about how the Xu family were thrown in jail, due to the tax silver case. Of course it was by using merit to atone for crime. His Majesty was generous, and pardoned the Xu family. he immediately retold the events that had unfolded, but pushing all the merit onto his uncle, as well as taking out proof given by the Capital Constabry. At the same time, he had a n in his mind. Even though the tax silver was said to be found, but the judgement hadnte. Basically, the whole case was not whollypleted, as after all it had to progress through the bureaucracy, and couldnt be that quick. It was because of this that his coworkers at the Changle constabry did not know of this. After the headcount was finished, a few bailiffs that knew Xu Qian quickly came up to him, giving him their congrattions. Ningyan, you must invite us to drink. In this era, friends are called by their courtesy names, and not their birth names. When introducing themselves, they use their birth name, and not their courtesy name. Indeed, to go through great disaster and not die, what follows must be fortune. On me. I heard that the theatre[^2] at the waterside street have bought a new group of attendants. Ningyan, how about we go tonight? *Having drinks on me is all alright, but to sleep with women on my dime? Thats a bit much* Xu Qian was just thinking of a way to respectfully say that he had no money, when he felt a hard lump under his foot. Looking down, he found a nugget of loose silver. Is this really After surviving a disaster, there must be good fortune? He immediately stepped onto it, without any reaction, as if looking round at the scenery. When everyone had left him a few steps behind, Xu Qian quickly bent down and picked it up, stuffing it into his purse wordlessly. Walking through the corridor, and after sitting down in the western hall a few minutes, Li the clerk walked in, expression dark. He turned towards Constable Wang: Old Wang, the district magistrate wants us to go to the inner hall. Constable Wang let out a bitter look, wordlessly leaving the room. Xu Qian watched Wangs shadow disappear into the distance, and asked Whats the issue? Bosss expression seemed none too good. Whilst you were sat in prison those few days, a homicide happened in Kangping Street. The victim was a somewhat wealthy merchant. Mr district magistrate is in a thunderous rage, and every day he wants Constable Wang to go shout at him. Its only a merchant, theres no real reason why Mr District Magistrate would be so angry. Xu Qian remarked. From ancient times, homicides were always major cases, but as the district magistrate of a county directly next to the capital, a sub-fifth rank official, he shouldnt have been acting like this. Heh, that merchant was a very intimate friend of a higher up, most likely theyre applying the pressure on him someone said, plus, its the *geng-zi*[^3] year, The geng-zi Year? The official evaluation! --- [^1]: 996, used to bemon especially amongst Chinese techpanies, a Jack Ma favourite: 9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week. [^2]: The theatre talked about here is a *gon*, not a particrly upper ss establishment, with ys, food, wine, female attendants who of course are also prostitutes. [^3]: A year of the Chinese sexagenary (60 year) cycle. Chapter 11: Moyu Chapter 11: Moyu # 11. Moyu The Official Evaluation was based on the Official Assessment System, and inspections were done every three years, with "Four Cases" and "Eight Laws" as the passing standard. Unqualified officials were demoted or even stripped of their position. The case was important for the future, So it was easy to understand. The other party had a distant rtive who is interested in this matter. If the rtive went ahead to impeach him, He would be fucked. Changle County had arge backlog of unsolved homicide cases, which could be grounds for criticism by political opponents. "How did he die?" Xu Qi''an asked casually. "He went to the countryside to collect rent. When he came back in the middle of the night, He met a thief in the inner courtyard of his house, where he was killed.", A colleague tutted. "Is there any evidence?" Xu Qi''an asked. "His wife heard the sound, and when she went to check, the man had already died in the courtyard. But we found some footprints in the outer wall." "Is it possible that his enemy disguised himself as a thief tomit the murder?" Xu Qi''an poured himself a cup of tea and took some candied fruit from his colleague, which he put in his ss. His tone was simr to his tone when discussing murder cases with his colleagues in the police station. "I have asked his wife, children, servants, and neighbours. The deceased didn''t have any enmity with anyone recently." "Did you ask the Night Patrollers?" "The city guard said there were no suspicious people nearby that night." There were three walled areas in the capital, the pce, the inner city, and the outer city. Although there were Night Patrollers in the outer city, there was no curfew, and the city gate was not closed until 12 o'' clock at night. Merchants could enter and leave the city gate freely as long as they left a report in advance and hold a voucher. This system had greatly improvedmercial activities in the capital and promoted economic development. Xu Qi''an nodded, "So, If it''s a thief, They should be someone acquainted with the area around the well in Kangping Street." "How can you tell?" "The thief could enter and leave the house at night without being spotted by the Patrol, which means he was sneaky and well aware of the the their patrol patterns." Xu Qi''an instinctively reached for a pack of cigarettes in his pocket while analysing the case. He was disappointed to find it empty. He couldn''t help but think of when he was working in the police station, where everyone gathered in groups of twos or threes, discussing cases. As a result, He became influenced by his colleagues and became addicted to smoking. Several colleagues were taken aback, and looked at Xu Qi''an. "That''s very reasonable." "Why didn''t we think of this?" "Ningyan has be a lot smarter after entering the prison." No systematic method was used to solve cases; arrests and case handling were all based on experience and the runner with the best performance would be the constable. "You didn''t think of it, but Constable Wang must have thought of it. Have you inquired in the west of the city?" Xu Qi''an was low profile and didn''t show off. The colleague replied, "I have been inquiring there for two days, but no suspects have been identified." The west of the city was a slum, filled with lowlifes, people good and bad all mixed together. If there were any disturbances of the peace, the bailiffs would head out with some assistants, and if they caught one, they caught one. "How much money was stolen?", Xu Qi''an subconsciously reasoned and asked. A colleague nced at Xu Qi''an, whose tone suddenly seemed simr to the County Magistrate, and replied, "No money was stolen. The deceased just came back from collecting the rent, where he only collected loose silver, copper cash, and rice. How could it be possible to escape with arge sum of money?" *Thats not right!* Xu Qi''an narrowed his eyes, If I was the thief and was stealing money, I would definitely choose to steal the day after rent collection, not the day of rent collection. He didn''t express his doubts, quietly eating his sunflower seeds while listening to his colleagues talking. It''s a pity such a beautiful woman is going to be a widow at such a young age. With her figure, those breasts, aiya, you wouldn''t find such a beautiful person at the Gon. Even if it takes a tael of silver to sleep with her for a night, Id do it." "Shes not that young any more. She''s 20 years younger than that Zhang, and seems to be in her early thirties. A woman of this age can''t stay widowed." Hearing this, Xu Qi''an said with emotion, "A 30 year woman is great, They know their way around the bed, and the taste is the best." This old saying didn''t get the approval of his colleagues. They looked at him and joked, "How could a virgin like you, whove never been to the Gon, know jack shit?" If you want to practice as a martial artist, you can''t lose your virginity before you break through to Qi Training. If one wanted to walk the path of a martial artist, then before they surpass the barrier to Training Qi, they must not loose their virginity. Once their *yuanyang* is released, it would be difficult to ever open the gate of heaven. Therefore, the *Ruyi Jingu Bang* that Xu Qi''an carried for neen years, hadnt been used to subdue a single demoness. ... The Back Hall where the Magistrate lived. The dark-skinned Constable Wang, who looked like a old farmer on the field, lowered his head, listlessly listening to the Magistrate''s Scolding. The county Magistrate''s surname was Zhu, he was rich and fat, from Yanzhou, a top three *Jinshi* in 20th year of Yuanjing, good at business talk but bad at public affairs. He was a schr whocked professional ability, but knew how to act as a official. His advantage was that he still had a bit of a conscience, so he was greedy, but not that greedy and ipetent, but not to the point where it actively caused harm to the people. His disadvantage was that he showed a bad temper to his subordinates, and he was quick to curse up a storm. "Ipetent, How ipetent could you be?" After knowing that Constable Wang still didn''t find anything yesterday, Magistrate Zhu was furious. "You are a experienced veteran but were stumped by a mere murder case for so many days." Constable Wang caught the sweat in his forehead while feeling a chill in his back. The Official Evaluation was just around the corner, and Magistrate Zhu was getting more irritabletely... Clerk Li didn''t dare to intervene, even if he had been friends with Constable Wang for more than a decade. Li knew that the county magistrate always wanted to get a promotion, and promotion required two conditions: Backing and Achievements! If you only had backing and no Political Achievements, It was easy to be impeached and the position would be unstable. A stable rise was only possible with Political Achievements and Backing together. Where does the achievemente from? The official Assessment is a important standard to assess achievements. A quarter of a hourter, Magistrate Zhu looked away and took a sip from his teacup. ording to the customs of the officials, Having tea meant seeing off guests! Seeing this, Li pulled Constable Wang, who lowered his head and remained silent, to leave in embarrassment. ... Constable Wang returned to the lounge with an ugly face, which caused the messy room to suddenly quieten. Everyone looked at Constable Wang cautiously. "Boss, Did Magistrate Zhu scold you again?" Constable Wang rolled his eyes, grabbed the teacup and took a sip, " Damn it! Where can I find the culprit? I''m so unlucky today. I also lost a cash[^1] of silver." *That money was lost by you*... Xu Qi''an shrank his neck and drank some tea to cover up his guilty conscience. The silver obviously had nothing to do with you. After listening to Constable Wang''sint, A minor officer quickly gave him a bad idea, "Why don''t we do some *moyu*?" Xu Qi''an frowned. *Moyu*, feeling for fish, a technical term in low-level official circles! It meant: Find a substitute for the culprit. Restricted by technology and equipment, many ancient cases were unsolved, and the detection rate was extremely low. Sometimes, officials seeking political achievements, pressured by superiors, or forced by some other reason would find a culprit to rece the criminal to show some work. The process went like this: first, the local officials select a group of old criminals who oftenmit crimes, write their names in paper and fold them, and touch a paper casually. Whoever was touched would be a scapegoat - the fish. Thats why it was called *moyu*. After the unlucky guy was locked up, the officials went to the lockup and have the staff perform a set of assembly line operations called "Beating into submission". Even the toughest people would be willing after this. The superiors were satisfied, the official in the middle was appreciated, the staff were rewarded; win, win, win for everyone. The scapegoat wasn''t wronged, they were after all a cancer to society regardless, so sending them off to reincarnation earlier was also a benefit to society atrge. There were many simr operations in the officialdom. Constable Wang nodded, "That''s the only way, young Li, you can handle this matter, pick a few scapegoats, older ones." Just as young Li was about to nod, Xu Qi''an frowned and said, "Wait! Boss, there are many doubts in this case. It''s possible to solve it." Xu Qi''an couldn''t ept this truth. Although he hadn''t been a policeman for many years, His three views as a policeman still existed in him. Although the scapegoat was a bastard who would have alreadymitted many crimes, they weren''t guilty of death. Even if their crimes are enough to have them killed, there was still some space. Looking for a scapegoat would be a waste if the real culprit was still atrge. Constable Wang lowered his face, and gave him a unhappy look silently. Everyone tried to persuade him: "Ningyan, don''t worry about it." "The boss is scolded everyday, You can''t do anything about it. And besides, they are bastards that regrlymit crimes." Those with a better rtionship with Xu Qi''an said, "Ningyan''s family has just encountered a catastrophe, so it''s inevitable that he''s a little sensitive to such things." Constable Wang turned a deaf ear to their words, stared at Xu Qi''an unhappily and said with a sullen look, "Tell me, How could we investigate?" "Give me the dossier!" Xu Qi''an said straightforwardly. --- [^1]: Cash (weight) Chapter 12: Sharp Like a Tiger Chapter 12: Sharp Like a Tiger # 12. Sharp Like a Tiger Constable Wang sat at the head seat, face gloomy, silent. These few days, the first thing that Magistrate Zhu had done after getting out of bed, was to ask about the progress of the case, and when Wang did not give a satisfactory response, scolded and cursed him out. He alone had to carry all this pressure and stress, his subordinates hid under this umbre he provided, and not only did they not help him take some pressure off, but they also argued up at him! Constable Wang thus had a reason to be angry. He thought that the was carrying stress that a man of his age was not meant to carry. After receiving the case dossier, Xu Qian sat at the tableside, focused on the page. Around him was his coworkers, who asionally exchanged looks silently. Xu Qians thoughts were very well set out; convince old Wang that the best method was to solve the case. If this really didnt work, then hed invite old Wang to go y around in the Peach Garden, as after all theyve known each other for that many years, the boat of friendship wasnt that easily rocked. Furthermore, Xu Qian preventing the moyu was not just because his worldview could not ept it, but also because he wanted to take some of the pressure off his boss. *The victim was called Zhang Yourui, 51 years old, a wealthy merchant who lived on Kangping street. On the edges of Changle County he has a dozen or more acres of farnd, in the city he has three stores, selling silk, makeup, and general goods respectively.* *His first wife died early, and soter he married a woman twenty years his junior. Zhang Yourui has an only son, from his first wife. He does not have any other descendants.* A twenty year gap, an old stick in a new fish, a pear blossom weighing down the crab apple Xu Qian silently scolded him. This is that so-called As long as youre working hard and making money, your future wife is still in nursery? *Four days ago, Zhang Yourui went to the countryside to collect rent, returning to his home at 4 AM. His wife, sleeping in the house, suddenly heard a scream, and when she went outside to check, Zhang Yourui had already died within the courtyard. His wife saw a ck shadow climb over the wall* The events were just like thus. When Xu Qian read to the coroners ount of the autopsy, he noticed another suspicious point. Resisting any urges, he continued reading on, looking through witness statements from the victims family and servants. Closing his eyes, he slowly organised and worked through the details in his mind. Constable Wang hmphed coldly, and ridiculed May I ask Bailiff Xu, who was the perpetrator, and where could we find them? Dont be hasty, boss. Xu Qian opened his eyes, I saw from the dossier, that there was a footprint left outside the Zhang residence. You used this to deduce that the perpetrator escaped by climbing over the wall, and that young madams words were truthful. Constable Wang replied with a hm. The footprint was facing outwards, so it was left when he fled. Xu Qian continued. Whats wrong with this? Wang frowned. Why would he leave a footprint? Because there was mud on his foot. Why is there mud? Because beside the wall was a flowerbed. Xu Qian nodded, Then, why did the dossier not mention any footsteps going into the yard? Constable Wang stiffened. In the ensuing silence, the other bailiffs thought that Wang was losing face, and so replied for him Perhaps when the perpetrator entered, he noticed this, and so took care not to leave traces. Another person piped up, But after hemitted the murder, he was desperate to escape, thus in this hurry he heft a footprint. Xu Qian looked over them, There is this possibility. Then since there was a flowerbed under the wall, was there a footprint in the flowerbed from his entry? If the perpetrator could jump from the outside, flip over the wall andnd beyond the flowerbed and not leave a print, then when he left there would be no reason why he would heave one. The crowd looked back and forth between each other, unable to reply. Without them needing to respond, Xu Qian already knew the answer: I dont know. The bailiffs didnt investigate this detail. Ningyan, why does this need so much debate? someone wasnt convinced. Xu Qian did not respond, rather looking at the frowning constable, continuing, The victim was killed by a blunt weapon to the back of the head, right? Constable Wang nodded, He died immediately. I have a question, why was it a blunt weapon? The perpetrator performed this so cleanly, he must have carried his own weapons with him. Is not using a knife or a sword to kill much cleaner and easier? The hall fell silent. It was clear to see, that everyone had seen through the problem with this. Little Li guessed Perhaps the perpetrator initially didnt want to kill? Incorrect! This time, it was not Xu Qian that responded, but rather Constable Wang. He stood up, eyes wide, A blunt weapon to the back of the head, killing in one hit, the perpetrator was looking to kill. He sat back down, muttering Yes, indeed, why did he use a blunt weapon, why not a sharp one? Unless the perpetrator did not have one to hand at the time. Xu Qian replied. Light shed through Wangs eyes, as if he just grasped something that had been eluding him for ages, but had not quite figured out what he had just grasped. One more thing, that caught my attention. Xu Qian nced at the dossier, When we brought in the victims families for questioning, due to kneeling for too long, Madam Yang of Zhang suddenly fainted. When the doctor attended to her, he found out that she was pregnant. A child that would never know his father. Such a shame. The onlookers really made people angry, what with their constant interruptions. Madam Yang was married to the victim for the best part of ten years, why did she suddenly get pregnant now? Xu Qian waited until they finished, before finding an opportunity to speak, perhaps the child is not even the victims? When a man and a woman are both healthy, it would be impossible for them to not give birth after ten years, unless they specifically took prevention measures. One of the two must have some sort of health issue, thus making them unable to have children, and with these ancient methods of curing impotency, though they are not entirely useless, the chance of sess was still very low. Constable Wangs breathing suddenly got heavier, Ningyan, what are you getting at? Xu Qian drank a mouthful of tea, remoisturising his throat, Perhaps it was not a thief who entered the property, rather a case of murder due to an affair. Madam Yang carried a child from her affair. The offending father must be either an outsider, or the victims son. When the victim went out to collect taxes, they took the opportunity to meet with each other. Who was expecting that the victim returned in the middle of the night, and caught them in the act. There was an altercation, and so the other man in a fit of rage, picked up a flowerpot or some other sort of blunt object, and beat the victim to death. Madam Zhang hurriedly cleaned the crime scene, and dragged the victim out into the yard, pretending that it was a burr who had broken in. Given that they wanted to sleep together, the male must have looked into the patterns of the patrol routes, thus avoiding the patrolling guards. If the bastard really wanted money, he would not have acted that night, but rather waited until the victim had brought the money back, turned it into promissory notes. Those could simply be stuffed into a pocket, and taken. The room of bailiffs were speechless. This this just by looking at the dossier, you could deduce out the perpetrator? Ningyan, dont bullshit with us. But, doesnt he have a point? Xu Qians actions made them all feel the same: I have no idea what you said, but you seem reallypetent at it. Im only making some educated guesses based on the details in the case. This may not be the real situation, and must be proved or disproved. Xu Qian replied. The process of solving a case was just like that: find leads, analyse and deduce, and finally find evidence and proof. *The perpetrator got round the patrolling soldiers the timing of the break in was wrong he was killed with a blunt weapon, and not a sharp one Madam Zhang was pregnant* through Xu Qians reasoning, these seemingly unrted details suddenly lined up into a logical possibility. Constable Wang felt as he had just had a door opened onto a new world for his career. Breathing deeply, stilling all the tumultuous emotions, he thought through the reasoning carefully, and found one small point of suspicion in Xu Qians words, Why do you think the male in the affair was the victims son? There are two reasons why I suspect him. Xu Qian leisurely drank some tea, onlooked by Constable Wang, and his coworkers anxious expressions, and slowly said: The victims son Zhang Xian said in his statement, that that night he was in the study looking through ounts, and did not sleep with his wife. Given that he was awake, how could he not have heard themotion in the yard? Secondly, if we cannot find traces of any person breaking in, then its highly likely that that person never existed in the first ce. From this, we can see that the victims son has the highest suspicion. They were suddenly enlightened. Constable Wang asked: So, the footprint on the wall is likely to be a deliberately left mark, to confuse us? Xu Qian guessed, Yes, of course we could go andpare it against the sons shoes. He wouldnt have left his own footprint, right? Wang replied. Xu Qians whole face lit up in admiration, as heid his constable with ttery, Boss is clearly wise beyond your years, you immediately saw the issue. Thou art one of Great Fengs most brilliant constables! Earlier, Xu Qian had talked at great length, deducing things that stunned his onlookers, forming a new persona around himself, only to turn around and shower him with ttery and praise from all sides, feels good Constable Wangs dark face burst into a smile. He felt as if his own image had been raised by quite a bit. I will immediately ask for Master Zhu, you guys prepare yourselves, ande with me again to inspect the Zhang residence. Wangs tanned, farmer-like face showed an excited and restless expression. He pointed towards Xu Qian, and let out two tractor-likeughs, before energetically bouncing towards the back hall, to find the Magistrate. Chapter 13: Interrogation Chapter 13: Interrogation # 13. Interrogation Xu Qi''an looked at his, without much optimism. It was too difficult to obtain evidence after so many days have passed. "Fingerprints can''t be checked, It''s almost impossible to obtain evidence in this way. The shoe prints are certainly not Zhang Xian''s... Well, after removing these methods, Which methods avable in this era can help me solve this case..." He dug deep into his head to find a way. ... "These subordinates only know to look for benefits. They can squeeze water from stone if it benefitted them but are too ipetent in their work." The County Magistrate was just letting out his anger in the back hall; a homicide was already arge case, and the victim really just had to have been rtives with Mr Xu[^1] in the Censorate. What was an official in the Censorate like? They praised themselves as being the most incorruptible, but were rabid dogs that would bite whoever they didnt like, would not hesitate to impeach whoever did not meet their fancy. Thin faced Master Xu, wearing a goatee apanied him with a smile and said, "If the situation continues like this, they have to moyu." Every person in officialdom was a wily old fox, the Magistrate knew the virtues of his subordinates. When it came to these operations in the officialdom, The subordinates were at most at the level of primary school, The ones at the temple were the best at these skills, followed by the border officials. "Moyu?", The county Magistrate Zhu snorted, "In the past, it would have been fine. Right now, we would be impeached in the Official Evaluation on the grounds of false evidence. How can this official deal with this matter?" As he was talking, Constable Wang rushed to the inner hall, crossed through the door and stopped. With excitement in his eyes, he said respectfully, "Sir, I have a hypothesis for the case of Zhang. This one requests you to issue a ticket so this one can arrest someone." County Magistrate Zhu and Master Xu looked at each other. The former sneered and thetter showed a smile to each other. Seeing the weird behaviour of two of them, Constable Wang urged, "Sir? Time is of the essence here." The county Magistrate Zhu patted the table and cursed, "You idiot, You want to moyu at this time. Did your brain get reced by a pig?" That trick was fine in normal times, but there was a problem using it at the time. After the prisoner makes a confession, his confession and case dossier must be submitted to the Criminal Department, and the Criminal Department will give a verdict to the criminal after verification. With the Official Assessmenting soon, the atmosphere of the capital was tense. While tidying up their tails, everyone watched each other and wanted to catch the tails of their political enemies. Constable Wang hurriedly defended, "Sir, you misunderstand, this one is really sure to catch the real murderer, not moyu. Please believe me, Sir." *You think this official doesnt know of your capabilities*... The Magistrate Zhu was not at ease about this, and he nced at Old Wang, "Tell me everything carefully." Constable Wang thought Its time for me to show off. "Sir, listen to me carefully, There are many doubts in the Zhang case...." Old Wang reproduced Xu Qi''an''s inference, and told the two officials. County Magistrate Zhu sneered at first, but his waist straightened unconsciously as he listened. In the end, He was speechless, but he was frowning. He was deep in thought. "Wonderful!", Master Xu pped his hands with a loud ''pop'' and became excited, "Very meticulous, very clear. From the inconspicuous details, you inferred the entire story of the case. Even a veteran of the Criminal Ministry couldn''t have done more that this." Although the story had yet to be verified! But this line of reasoning undoubtedly pointed out a direction to the confused county officials. Constable Wang smiled, "It''s just a small matter." County Magistrate Zhu snorted, "Tell me, Who taught you?" Constable Wang stayed silent for a moment, pressed his thoughts into his mouth, and said truthfully, "*Kuaishou* Xu Qi''an." Kuaishou was not a live broadcast tform, and Xu Qi''an was not the anchor either. Kuaishou was the name of the Fast Clerk, also called the Bailiff. *Xu Qi''an*... County Magistrate Zhu took the lead in responding, "So it was him." The county Magistrate Zhu and Xu Pingzhi had had a few drinks together, and they were fairly friendly. A few years ago, Xu Pingzhi spent twenty taels of silver to get a bailiff position for his nephew. In Great Feng, the position of an official can be passed to their children. So, a job is as stable as a old dog''s golden rice bowl. "It would make sense if it was." County Magistrate Zhu smiled. Master Xu''s eyes shed as he thought of the tax and silver case involving the Xu family, and immediately asked, "What do you mean?" Constable Wang listened carefully. County Magistrate Zhu smiled, "The tax robbery case raised up a storm in the city. The Xu family was the first to bear the brunt and should have been held ountable. Do you know why the Xu family was able to escape from crime?" Constable Wang said immediately, "I heard that it was Master Xu from the Royal Guard who assisted in handling the case. His Majesty was tolerant and saved him from punishment." This is what he had heard from Xu Qi''an just now. Master Xu nced at the look of County Magistrate Zhu, and asked hesitantly, "What''s the inside story about this case?" The details of the missing tax silver case wasn''t essible to the rank of Master Xu, but County Magistrate Zhu was the head official of Changle County. Although he was just a small fish in a ce like the capital where the honourable and powerful gather, He couldn''t have sat in his current position without backing. County Magistrate Zhu snorted, "Xu Pingzhi is just a vulgar Martial Artist, He''s just a scapegoat in this case..." Suddenly he paused, as if he didn''t want to say too much, and said, "It''s not him who saved the Xu family." "Who is it!" Constable Wang asked subconsciously. Master Xu shed the answer in his mind, waiting for the follow up from County Magistrate Zhu. "It was Xu Qi''an who solved the truth of the tax and silver case. This matter is recorded in file. This official has an old ssmate who works in the Capital Prefecture government." The county magistrate said, "The son takes on the fathers crime, and for it he atones. Although he''s just his nephew, the idea is the same." Master Xu took a sigh of relief, "After that incident, Xu Qi''an shouldve been locked up in the government prison, how did he solve the case?" County Magistrate Zhu said in deep thought, "I thought that was unbelievable, but I understand it now." Master Xu also thought of the method, "Only the dossier?" Using only the dossier... Constable Wang was confused, but this kind of official secret could asionally be heard from the three officials above him. He couldn''t believe that Xu Qi''an did such a great action in this tax silver robbery and rescued the Xu family. Constable Wang thought, "How could this happen, it doesn''t make sense." When this kid arrived first, he was simple and stubborn, and only knew how to silently get on with his work. He was very much a numbskull. Such a numbskull, how could he have solved the case in a blink of a eye? ... When Constable Wang returned to the lounge with the warrant, Xu Qi''an had fallen asleep on the table. He had thought too muchst night, and only went to sleep after midnight. Others reached out to wake up Xu Qi''an. Constable Wang immediately stopped them and said in a quiet voice, "Let him sleep." He picked two people casually, "Follow me to the Zhang house." The three bailiffs, with their own deputies, a total of nine people, hurriedly left the Changle County Office. The deputies were temporary workers, part of the corvee system. They areprised ofmon people, and do the work without pay, food or housing. But they had a important advantage: They never had to be scapegoats. Xu Qi''an, awakened by the "Mighty" voice, wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth, and walked towards the county hall. He assumed that the people had already been arrested and brought back, and the Magistrate was in the hall interrogating them. In the public hall, there was the magistrate, and the various other staff and the attendants. Before therge table, there were three squads of government officials standing to the left and right, and two people were kneeling in the middle: a young man in embroidered moir blue robes and a beautiful woman in a purple skirt. The woman looked frightened and restless, while the young man was rtively calm "Bang!" Zhu county Magistrate pped the gavel angrily, and said loudly, "Who is under the hall!" The woman nced at the young man subconsciously. The young man gave her a calm look and straightened his waist, "This humble citizen is Zhang Xian." The woman said in a low voice," This civilian is Yang Zhenzhen." County Magistrate shouted," How did you two kill Zhang Yourui, speak the truth!" The young man Zhang Xian was shocked, "Why does the honourable Magistrate say so? How could this Humble citizen kill his biological father?" County Magistrate Zhu said, "Where were you when the incident happened?" "I was in the study." "Why were you not with the madam?" "This humble citizen was looking at the ounts." "Do you have a witness?" "How could there be a witness in the middle of the night?" Zhang Xian''s answer was clear and neat. He didn''t panic. So, he either had a clear conscience or had already made a draft of the events. Based on his reasoning, Xu Qi''an preferred the second possibility. Although he didn''t have a alibi, there was no evidence to prove that he was the murderer. The reasoning is inference but couldn''t act as evidence. Without real evidence, There could be no suspicion for crime... The county magistrate turned to look at the woman and said, "Madam Yang, this officer asks you, you and Zhang Yourui have married for ten years and didn''t have a child. Why are you pregnant now? Honestly, did you go to bed with your stepson and murder your husband?" Yang Zhenzhen was taken aback and cried, "My lord, this humble woman was wronged, and she isn''t in good health. In recent years, she has been treated every day and finally got pregnant with her husband''s flesh and blood. How can the lord use me of killing my husband and conduct this injustice." And burst into tears. How could the truth be found in such a trial? Xu Qi''an looked at the watery woman for a moment and thought of a good idea. --- [^1]: A different Xu: Xu from the Censorate has the surname , Xu Qian has the surname Chapter 14: The Mind Game Chapter 14: The Mind Game # 14. The Mind Game Smack! Magistrate Zhu again smacked the table, shouting angrily You say you saw a ck shadow vault over the wall, why then when the bailiffs went and searched your courtyard, they found no traces of footsteps in the flowerbed, nor traces of flowers or nts being broken? Madam Yang stared nkly, her beautiful almond eyes looked left and right, This this Zhang Xian immediately answered, Sir, how would my mother know how the intruder entered our home? Even if your bailiffs cannot figure out any clues, does not mean you can put the me on us mother and son. *The fuck are you mother and son? Dont insult that phrase thats your stepmother* Xu Qian couldnt listen any further. runners Magistrate Zhu shouted, You have a sly tongue, don''t you? Come! Bring out the torture devices The way investigations worked in this era were all like this: forcing answers, using torture devices; that was all that could be done, when evidence was insufficient. Thus, verymonly were people beaten into admitting guilt. But what else could be done? Finding evidence was too difficult, there were not the tools nor the technical knowledge to, thus torture yed a vital role. It had its advantages and disadvantages. Zhang Xian shouted, Is the magistrate trying to beat a confession out of us? My uncle works at the Ministry of Rites, do you sir not fear getting impeached? This so-called uncle, was in fact several times removed. However even if their familial rtions were distant, their personal rtion was very close, since the ZHang family often sent some of their profits this uncles way. With one sentence, Zhang Xian struck a sore spot. Magistrate Zhus brow twitched; he knew enouhg about the Zhang familys background. You dare to threaten this official? Give him twenty strikes of the cane! Four runners approached. Two used rods to trap his neck, the other two pulled down Zhang Xians trousers. They started to use force, and the smack, smcack, smack sound of a cane being applied filled the room. Zhang Xian screamed in pain. Magistrate Zhus expression was dark; twenty strikes was not enough to get a murder confession out of the man. Fifty, though, had a chance, though it could also just as well kill him. Furthermore, even if Zhang Xian admitted to the murder, when the case was eventually transferred to the Ministry of Law, he could still turn it on its head. After all, one must not forget, he had an uncle in the government. If that timees, it could instead be the Magistrate, that would have a confession beaten out of him. Leveraging the time when Zhang Xian was being beaten, Xu Qian waved his hand towards one of Magistrate Zhus assistants. The assistant hesitated, before silently stepping back a few steps, and then jogging over. Help me take a message to the Magistrate, for him to pause the interrogation a moment. I have an idea. Xu Qian said quietly. What idea could you have, dont speak nonsense, and get me involved. The assistant did not believe him. Doing this won''t get a results. The Magistrate sir is already far too deep into this to back out, he will ept. Afterwards, Ill invite you for drinks. Sure The assistant quickly jogged over to Magistrate Zhu, bending over to whisper in his ear. Zhu immediately turned his head, to look at Xu Qian. He hesitated a moment, before turning his gaze away, striking his gavel: Take those two away for now, the court is adjourned. The inner hall. Magistrate Zhu took the cup of tea from a maid, and slowly drank a sip. Having been in the government system for many years now, and at least somewhat knowing all of the unspoken rules in officialdom, Xu Qi''an immediately copied Magistrate Zhu, and took a small sip too. Xu Ningyan, what idea do you have? Xu Qian was shocked at his attitude: it was unexpectedly warm and kindly, without any hint of official sternness. In his mind, Magistrate Zhu was never so courteous to the staff in the constabry. Could it be that after he transmigrated, his face got more attractive? I can try. Not using torture? Naturally. Magistrate Zhu was more curious, as he put down his teacup, looking at Xu Qian intently, borate. *You dont even understand game theory, what use is there in telling you really* Xu Qianughed, Magistrate sir, allow me to make some suspense for a moment, you sir just wait and listen for the good oue. Yang Zhenzhen was brought to a quiet room, her watery eyes darting about, as she sat down with unease. Creak The wooden door opened, and a young man wearing a bailiffs uniform walked in, standing tall, with well-defined rather handsome features. Dont be afraid, Im just here to chat. The young man even started making tea, smiling at her, You can call me Xu Sir. Xu Snake?[^1] Having never received such good treatment, Yang Zhenzhen did not speak, cautiously watching him. Xu Qian looked back at the beautiful woman, deserving to be someone sought after by a wealthy man, she had a natural grace, with a beauty that was only slightly worse than his own Auntie. Her age was good, too, only thirty. In his previous life, thirty was the most perfect age to enjoy. I see your luxurious clothing, it looks like Zhang Yourui treated you well. Xu Qian broke the silence. Yang Zhenzhen gave an nomital response. To be honest, what I think is that for a woman of your age, to not have given birth in that many years, Zhang Yourui must have a problem. Xu Qian continued. Yang Zhenzhen initially thought that this was going to be another investigation, and did not expet that the young mans attitude and tone was so kindly. Completely different from how she expected an official to act. Furthermore, usually when talking about a couple not being able to get pregnant, usually the me would be pushed on the woman. Xu Qians words thus struck a chord. She slowly let down her barriers, and cried, It was all thismoners fault, thismoners womb is not healthy enough. After finally getting pregnant after all these years, it had to be now that my husband would be killed. As she spoke, her eyes became red. The dead cannote back to life, Xu Qianforted her, before asking Did Zhang Yourui often go to the brothels? Of course he did, she replied, from ancient times, of all the wealthy men and important officials, who doesnt go to the brothels? *Fuck me, what are you saying fifty years old and still going to the brothels, the vault must be empty I can almost guarantee that the child inside you is your neighbour Old Wangs both women that get around and virgin maidens are all pretty easy to get pregnant.* I suddenly understand you so much, Xu Qian clicked his tongue, A woman is like a wolf when she is thirty, and a tiger when she is forty, and at fifty shes sitting on the ground in the dust. Zhang Yourui has lived half a century, going to brothels and ignoring you. Seeking someone else is an understandable action. But killing? Thats not right. Yang Zhenzhens face turned, Thismoner doesnt know what Sir you are talking about. Xu Qianughed, I read the dossier, that Zhang Xian is younger than you by a full seven years. She kept a straight face, Sir, what does this mean? Youre an old eagle eating a young chick. Thismoner doesnt understand. This time, Yang Zhenzhen really didnt understand. Then Ill say something that you do understand. Xu Qian replied solemnly, Madam Yang of Zhang, you spend your time alone at home, and naturally became lonely, so you enticed the son, and carried out unvirtuous things. That night, you took the opportunity for when Zhang Yourui was out in the viges collecting rent, to sleep with your stepson. Who knew that Zhang Yourui came backst night, and caught you in your adultery. Father and Son started fighting, and you used a flowerpot to kill Zhang Yourui from behind. To cover up your crime, you two pulled Zhang Youruis body into the courtyard, pretending it was a burr who had broken in, and killed him. Zhang Xian deliberately left a footprint on the wall, to support your im. Yang Zhenzhens face was a deathly, deathly white, as she stared at Xu Qian, not quite believing her ears. I didnt, Im innocent, I was wronged! she shouted loudly, hands clenching into fists, palms wet with sweat. *Shes panicking* Xu Qian, having put in all the hard work in the interrogation, brushed aside any hint of kindliness, and with an emotionless face, coldly said You are not curious why I know so much? Well, Zhang Xian already confessed. *No, this cant be* Yang Zhenzhen thought, as her face got whiter still. She forced herself to be steady, and still replied Thismoner is innocent. Do you think your adulterous partner couldnt confess? Xu Qian maintained his emotionlessness. Even though there werent any sort of angry words or threats, this nheless made Yang Zhenzhens even more fearful, made her hair stand on end. Because you thought you had covered it up wlessly, yet there was w after w after w. Zhang Xian only left an exiting footprint on the wall, yet did not make a print entering the courtyard. If the burr was fit and well, then when he left he would have used even more of his energy, vaulting straight over without leaving a footprint, this is the first w. Secondly, Zhang Yourui died to blunt force trauma, and not from a sharp weapon. ording to thews of Feng, every trespasser in the night are sentenced to eighteen strikes of the cane. If the trespasser is killed by the residents, there is no penalty. Xu Qian tapped the table, continuing, May I ask, who would enter a house, to rob it of its valuables, without bringing a weapon? But Zhang Yourui died to blunt force. Yang Zhenzhens face stiffened. I havent finished Xu Qianughed coldly. He had broken down Yang Zhenzhens mental barrier, and now to deliver the killing blow. --- [^1]: The author used the English word sir, which sounds simr to the Chinese word for snake, sh Chapter 15: The Everlasting Desires of Mankind Since Ancient Times Chapter 15: The Evesting Desires of Mankind Since Ancient Times # 15. The Evesting Desires of Mankind Since Ancient Times "Thirdly, Why did the County Government insist that you killed Zhang Yourui instead of the thief?" "You were quite thoughtful to drag Zhang Yourui''s body into the courtyard disguised as a thief, but you made some mistakes." "When Zhang Yourui died, the corpse was lying in the courtyard, with his feet facing the room and his head facing outside. This means that the murderer attacked him from behind with a blunt weapon." "How could this be possible? If the murderer was a thief, they wouldve either stood still or retreated when they saw the homeowner returning. Why would the thief kill a person and still return empty-handed?" Yang Zhenzhen was stunned. She didn''t expect the murder to have so many ws. Xu Qi''an''s words had a powerful impact on her, and she felt that her actions had been exposed to broad daylight and she couldn''t hide anywhere. Panic almost overwhelmed her. "You won''t speak? Zhang Xian didn''t have anything to say, so he confessed to your actions. He also said that you had shamelessly seduced him. He didn''t want to pester you anymore, but you threatened him with the child in your stomach. That night, It was you who took advantage of the chaos to kill Zhang Yourui." "Zhang Xian is an innocent victim. He knew that there were many ws in your story and that he was in danger, so he pleaded guilty to the county magistrate. He is willing to donate 500 taels of silver to clear the rtionship and pin the me on you, so you will be responsible for the sin of killing your husband." Yang Zhenzhen became more frightened as she listened and her expression increasingly became desperate. After learning that Zhang Xian betrayed her, her face turned pale as if it didn''t have blood at all. "You know what Zhang Xian is like as a person", Xu Qi''an said deliberately. Xu Qi''an didn''t know what Zhang Xian was like as a person, but he know that this type of rtionship, where it was more sexual desire over true love, was never the most stable. Moreover, Zhang Xian was a rich second-generation[^1]. As he was quite rich, he could eat a lot of abalones, So he wouldn''t hang himself on a piece of abalone.[^2] Yang Zhenzhen started to be desperate. "But", Xu Qi''an followed persuasively, "Master County Magistrate is a ray of light in this dark world... He''s the meaning of integrity and justice. He didn''t believe in Zhang Xian''s one-sided words and ordered me toe over and inquire about the case, The county magistrate promised to be lenient if you confessed and spare you from the death penalty." Yang Zhenzhen raised her head immediately, tears filling her eyes as if she was grabbing a straw, and said mournfully," Really?" Xu Qi''an nodded, "Really." Seeing that Yang Zhenzhen''s mind was finally shaken, Xu Qi''an immediately opened the door and greeted the scribe at the door toe in and take notes. Yang Zhenzhen''s psychological defence was finally broken and she told the truth about the incident. She did have an affair with her stepson and was pregnant with his child. However, there was some discrepancy with what Xu Qi''an said. However, She didn''t take the initiative. The process of hooking up with Zhang Xian was summed up in eight words: Stepson please respect yourself, Stepson please take initiative. Zhang Xian had been coveting the beauty of his stepmother for a long time, and while she was alone in an empty room, He saw a seam and entered it. Yang Zhenzhen was half coerced and half willing. It is said that cheating, brings you a moment of enjoyment now, but will bring the whole family crashing down. During the incident that night, the father and son had a conflict where Zhang Xian beat his father to death with a vase. To get rid of the crime, he confessed to Yang Zhenzhen and pretended that a thief hadmitted the crime. It''s a pity that these two were ordinary people, unprofessional, and they made too many mistakes, while also encountering the likes of Xu Qi''an. After making the transcript, Xu Qi''an and the scribe left the Arrest Room. The scribe had been in the county government office for more than 20 years but was convinced by Xu Qi''an''s coquettish operation, "The old man has worked in the county government for half his life, and has never met a person like you." The prisoner''s dilemma is amon routine... You ancients are making a fuss of small things. Xu Qi''an waved to him, "It''s a small technique." He chose Yang Zhenzhen as his breakthrough point because she didn''t know thew well. She had long hair and short knowledge, just like most women in this era. When the county magistrate tried the case, Xu Qi''an observed it and noticed that Yang Zhenzhen''s personality was weak and that shecked an opinion. So, This idea came up. He deceived Yang Zhenzhen just then. ording to thew, aftermitting adultery and murdering her husband, a woman was to be executed by *Lingchi*[^3], and the adulterer was to be beheaded. It was impossible to be exonerated from a capital crime like this. In this case, It was Zhang Xian whomitted the murder, and Lingchi was the punishment for those who kill their father. Xu Qi''an had no problem killing a bastard who killed their father. He just thought that Yang Zhenzhen was an aplice, and her crime wasn''t great enough to lead to death. This point conflicted with the legal concepts he had followed in his previous life. "Every era has its own rules, and the way to survive lies in conforming to the general trend." Xu Qi''an put this idea in his heart. Zhang Xian, who saw Yang Zhenzhen''s confession, was caught off guard and confessed in despair. Xu Qi''an went to the inner hall with the two confessions. Magistrate Zhu was holding cup of tea in his left hand, a book in his right, reading intently. He heard someonee in, and seeing Xu Qian, put his tea and book down, How did it go? Xu Qian presented the two confessions, Fortunately, everything went well. Zhu immediately grabbed the confession, shook the paper, and inspected it carefully. After inspection, He threw the dossier and cursed furiously," Bastard, Bastard!" Old Zhu felt that his three views as a schr had been challenged. After showing his anger, his impression of Xu Qi''an rose to its highest point. "Ningyan, This officer will remember you for a good job and ability." "It''s all due to the education of the magistrate. This one has only learned a few insignificant tricks from the magistrate.", Xu Qi''any on the ttery. County Magistrate Zhu was very pleased. ... After getting off work at just past 4 PM, Constable Wang said that he would treat everyone to a drink, and took eight bailiffs to the pub. The silver standard was stable, and you could book a sumptuous dinner in a big restaurant for a single cash of silver, not to mention in a pub. Because of his divine-like reasoning and even more astonishing interrogation, Xu Qi''an became the protagonist. Even Constable Wang was interested in the interrogation. "The woman had a soft personality and couldn''t stand fright. It was not a big deal.", Xu Qi''an was a wily old fox, and never boasted about himself and never left the crowd. But Constable Wang and his colleagues found him enjoyable and felt they had opened a door to a new world. With courtesy, they toasted Xu Qi''an. After drinking for three rounds, the conversation between the elders eventually turned to the brothel and gon. In this regard, Constable Wang was the protagonist. He patted Xu Qi''an on the shoulder, "Ningyan, I''ll take you to the gon to y around, and taste some meat." Everyoneughed ambiguously since they knew that Xu Qi''an was a virgin. "Boss, will you treat us?" "It''ll take a lot of money." Constable Wang refused. No treating, Xu Qi''an said solemnly, "I''m not such a person." I''ll not be able to practice Qi in my life if I lose my virginity. There was a lot of knowledge to be learned about the traditional culture of brothels. Xu Qi''an listened attentively and concluded. *The Gon was a whorehouse, which was aimed at ordinary people... the* qinglou *brothel was more upscale, and the clientele were wealthy businessmen and dignitaries... Isn''t this the model of Hair Salons and Clubhouses?* In Great Feng, the Jiaofangsi was inevitably to be talked about when it came to brothel culture. "Thedies of the Jiaofangsi are really beautiful." Constable Wang said with emotion, "They are all the family members of criminals, all of them have delicate skin and tender flesh, and you can pick water from their skin." "At the beginning of the year, I went to y with the county magistrate. I was lucky to have seen Miss Fuxiang[^5], with a beautiful face like the moon." "Who is Fuxiang?" Little Li asked, "Boss, did you sleep with her?" "Fuxiang girl is a *oiran*[^4] of the Jiaofangsi. If I hadn''t already had a girl that night, I would have slept with her." Constable Wang blew cowhide as if it didn''t need money. "How much does it cost to sleep with her for a night?", Xu Qi''an asked. "30 Taels." Xu Qi''an grabbed a handful of peanuts for Constable Wang, "Boss, eat some peanuts. Let''s get drunk." *Is it gold iid with jade... 30 taels of silver could buy severaldies for ying with at home...* Bah, since ancient times, The onlysting desire of mankind is to drive up the X price! I would be pretty stupid to go to the Jiaofangsi and sleep with the oirans. --- [^1]: , *fuerdai* [^2]: An abalone is a type of fish. This is a euphemism. [^3]: Death by a thousand cuts [^4]: See [Oiran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oiran), its the same in China [^5]: Chapter 16: Xu Qi’an’s Diary Chapter 16: Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s Diary # 16. Xu Qians Diary *Today is the Jia-Wu day of the Bing-Xu month of the Geng-Zi year what the fuck is this, if this were me earlier, then I would have no clue. At least I inherited some of the original Xu Qians memories.* *From my calctions, it should be the year of the Rat, the 18th of October in the Gregorian calendar. Mm, I need to start writing a diary, in any case Im not any regr do-gooder.* *Uncle wasnt wrong, I need to change how I live.* *This godforsaken peace of shit of a society, getting too high up isnt necessarily a good thing. In ancient times, important officials getting their homes raided might as well bemonce. What type of person could then live afortable life? After some investigation, itd be the middle ss.* *More wealthy than themon people, but also not high enough to be involved in political fighting at the top level. Taking a few setbacks in daily life wouldnt be a big deal, so all in all, the middle ss is best.* *Also: in the market I picked up a cash of silver.* *19 October. The sky is overcast. I must have money, the only thing more reliable in this world other than silver is gold. Even if merchants have no standing, really I can only say you win some you lose some. In a few days I n to resign, to no longer be a bailiff at the constabry. A monthly sry of two taels of silver and a dan of rice, how could I go and sleep the oirans at the Jiaofangsi?* *Also: in the constabry I picked up a cash of silver.* *21 October. The sky is clear. Today Constable Wang took me to the Gon to y. My view of the Gon has changed, its a ce where you can listen to music and watch ys, as well as enjoy desires of the physical kind. Im still in Refining Body, and cannot lose my virginity. A thousand sorrows.* *I looked for ages, and not one of them was more beautiful than my aunt. Auntie is one of those full-figured beautiful women, but also with the attractiveness that only a housewife can have. The women in the Gon are far too frivolous, are far too base.* *Looking at it this way, Auntie and Lingyues appearance is at the top of the bunch.* *Later, I picked up a cash of silver in the Gon, just enough to pay off the food and entry fee recently have I really waked into dog shit luck?*[^1] *22 October. Gon, listening to music.* *23 October. Gon, listening to music.* *24 October. Gon, listening to music. Constable Wang asked me why I was so happy? Because free-riding makes me happy.* *25 October. Xu Qian oh Xu Qian, how far have you fallen? You cant go on like this, have you forgotten your goal? Lets set a goal first, earn 100 million.* *26 October. Gon, listening to music.* *27 October. Gon, listening to music. Today I didnt pick up any silver, I had to pay a cash of silver. Pah, stuffy, smoky ce. Im not going there again.* *28 October. This world has gunpowder, has muskets. They also have soap bean[^2], and it works far better than expected. So making fragrant soap is a no-go. Damn these arcanists - right! ss!* *I can make ss, ss is a good thing. This type of thing these ancient era people have definitely never seen.* *29 October. Oh, they do have ss. I need to think of a different path. Today at home I picked up a cash of silver, probably fallen from uncles private savings.* *30 October. Gon, listening to music.* *31 October. I discovered another money-making n today, I can improve paper. The bureaucratic tradition of the Great Feng is strong, and as long as I can make better paper, I can make bucket loads of gold, eat the best food, and sleep the prettiest oiran.* *Let me think, the process of making paper is* (The rest of the paragraph has been crossed out) *Alright, lets not worry about such a small thing like paper. Ive got a better idea, making cement.* *I know theposition of cement: calcium carbonate, silicon dioxide, aluminium oxide, iron (III) oxide to bebined ording to specific physics and chemistry principles. Oh, I picked up a cash of silver in the market today.* *??? Whats wrong with me? I swear Im picking up money with far too high a frequency. This doesnt sit well with me.* *2 November. The cement n has failed. theory and practice are really two different things. Fucking hell* *3 November. Today Ive managed to spend out thest of my savings. I wanted to borrow money from my uncle, but that poor cunt also doesnt have any. After Xu Xinnian found out, he first disyed is contempt, and then mocked me, and finally gave me five taels of silver apart from having a sharp tongue and being very full of himself, this cousin of mine is really not a bad brother.* If heaven births not I, Xu Xinnian, then the Great Feng forever will be in night that never ends *I thanked him as so - his ears were so red, as he left in a huff.* *Oh Eng, if we werent sworn brothers, I wouldve made you the matriarch of the house.* *5 November. Today with my colleagues in the constabry, we went to the teahouse to moyu. When I first heard the storyteller tell his story, I suddenly thought, what if I copied down the other worlds wuxia novels, four great ssics, and web novels? Id be making moneyying down Im really so good with these things.* *Ive transmigrated for ten days now, and havent done a single thing. Aaaaaa, Im falling apart.* *8 November. Rain. Perfectly reflecting my feelings. I clearly know a little about everything, but when I want to turn that knowledge into silver, to turn nothing into something, I find that I hardly know anything. Ive really experienced the failures of exam-based education.* *Talking to Uncle today, I heard him talk about goings on at court, and told him about what things Ive heard at the constabry. Ive suddenly found out that this world is far worse than Id thought: corrupt officials can prance around without worry, if an official is only slightly corrupt then theyre seen as good, an incorrupt official is as rare as a virgin in a Gon* *9 November. Cloudy. Why hasnt Miss Caiwei from the Sitianjiane to find me yet? Does she not want to know these legendary secrets of alchemy? That girls appearance isparable to Lingyue, with a cute, delicate, egg-shaped face. Her eyes are big and beautiful, with my masterful pulling ability, I cant guarantee that Id get her. I dont care if shes the Sitianjian Grandmasters disciple, mostly in this cold and dreary world, I just want some love.* *Come look for me, I dont want to fight any more.* *10 November. I still dont want to give up on the novel idea, so I told my sisters a summary of the Butterfly Lovers. The story was very simple, as after all Id forgotten a lot of the details. When I finished, Lingyues eyes were red, but Lingyin didnt cry. I smacked her, and then she cried. I think she can take it at this age.* *11 November. Today I had wine with Clerk Li. When he was tipsy, he told me that the Zhenbei Kings[^3] consort was the most beautiful woman in court. I asked him exactly how beautiful is she, but he couldnt respond, because Clerk Li had only heard it from Magistrate Zhu.* *When I got off work in the evening, I secretly asked Uncle. Uncles expression was very strange, as he tried his utmost to use the paltry vocabry he possessed to describe this consorts beauty. I summarised it as follows: Fuck me; big breasts.* *I think Im starting to develop a tiny bit of interest and hope in this Consort* *12 November. Until today, Ive achieved nothing. Ive lost face for transmigrators, Ive lost face for Mother China.* *This marks the first month that I have spent here. They gave out the sry. I n to work hard, businesses slowly* *13 November. Gon, listening to music.* --- [^1]: Lucky, because stepping on dog shit is not amon urrence. But also stepping on dog shit is never a *good* thing. Now mostly used in the sense of undeserving good luck. [^2]: Gleditsia sinensis [^3]: Chapter 17: To Regularly Argue with Auntie Chapter 17: To Regrly Argue with Auntie # 17. To Regrly Argue with Auntie "Thud!" Xu Qi''an stood in the eaves of the small courtyard, throwing a prism-shaped hidden weapon casually without putting any effort to aim. The weapon urately hit the red centre of the stake 20 paces[^1] away. This wasn''t due to some special technique used by Xu Qi''an but because... He was lucky. "My body surely has some problem...", Xu Qi''an whispered to himself. He was too lucky. He had picked up 1-2 silver cash regrly over the past month, which was equivalent to half his monthly sry. This amount of money was equal to the savings of an ordinary family of three after three months. The strangest thing was, that every single time he always picked up one cash of silver. This wasnt something pure luck could describe. You didn''t need to ask Yuanfang[^2] to know that this was strange. "Father system? Come out, don''t y hide and seek with me.", Xu Qi''an tentatively asked. The system ignored him. In the past month, He had made countless attempts to wake up the system. Reality told him that no such system existed. How could this strange luck be exined? *I don''t think that an African Chief like me who hasn''t won a lottery ticket of even five yuan since I was a child would evolve into a European Emperor one day. But the lifespan of this European Emperor was extremely short.*[^3] One certain thing was that the original owner didn''t have this kind of luck at all. If he had the same luck, Auntie would treat him as an ancestor instead of disliking him. The whole family would stop struggling and depend on his money-picking abilities to live. "This kind of gift from an unknown origin is very unsettling and unreliable..." Xu Qi''an sighed, Well, one step at a time then. Taking a break that day, Xu Qi''an jumped over the one zhang high wall and went to his second uncle''s house for breakfast. The small courtyard where Xu Qi''an lived was originally inhabited by an old housekeeper of the Xu family, and was separated from the mansion by a wall. Ever since the old housekeeper died, the small courtyard was left unused until Xu Qi''an fell out with his aunt and moved there angrily. The original owner was quite stubborn, He cooked three meals himself normally. asionally, the second uncle would bring wine and vegetables over the wall to find his nephew for a drink. Xu Qi''an didn''t want to pay for the stubbornness of the original owner. He couldn''t get out of bed in the morning to prepare breakfast if he wanted to make it by himself and it would be a waste of money to eat outside. Isnt a much better use to listen to songs in the Gon? Or, rather, mostly to be able to see the swaying buttocks of the satin-dresseddies as they walked about. ... Inner Hall. Auntie, who was wearing a dark red dress with wide sleeves, saw Xu Qi''ane in, curled her lips, and drank porridge. Auntie wasn''t the daughter of a big family. Her father was a *Xiucai*[^4] and so she barely counted asing from a schrly family. But auntie was very sensible and reasonable. She couldn''t drive her nephew out of the house just after epting his kindness. She was quitex with her "Don''t bully the young" nephew who was quite happy about it. Little Pea stood in front of a round stool. Her breakfast was on the round stool, three meat buns, two fried dough sticks, a stack of side dishes, and a bowl of porridge. "Big brother..." She yelled vaguely. "Why isn''t Cijiu here?" Xu Qi''an asked. Cijiu[^5] Saying goodbye to the old was Xu Xinnian''s courtesy name, and it acted as a supplement to his birth name New Year. "He''s cooped up in his room writing poetry." Xu Pingzhi said. Xu Qi''an sat down. L''e brought a bowl of porridge, six meat buns, a stack of pickled radish, and a bowl of tofu. A martial artist in the Refining body realm had a much bigger appetite than an ordinary person. *This can only fill half my stomach...* Xu Qi''an nced at Little Pea gently, "Lingyin, Is it okay to give a meat bun to big brother?" Everyone nced at him. The youngest child didn''t care about anything except for her food and she would fight with anybody that dared to take her food. "No!", Little Pea opened her arms as was expected, like a hen guarding her children, and protected her food. "Don''t worry, Brother won''t rip you off." Xu Qi''an picked up a meat bun and put it on her te. Then, he pointed at the four meat buns and said, "Dont we all have to share these four buns?" Xu Lingyin nodded. "Should we split the buns evenly?" Xu Lingyin thought for some time and nodded. "You have two steamed buns, and big brother has two steamed buns. Then, Big Brother will give you half a fritter. Did you make a profit?" "Yeah." Xu Lingyin was pulled into Xu Qi''an''s rhythm and felt that she made a lot of profit. So, she smiled happily. Xu Lingyue, "..." Xu Pingzhi nced at his nephew: (?_?) Auntie scolded, "How did I give birth to a stupid girl like you? You piss off your old mother sometimes." Little Pea felt very aggrieved. She earned half a fritter, Why was her mother scolding her? At the same time, Xu Xinnian came in while muttering words with his eyes wandering off into space, He sat down to eat while thinking. Auntie exhaled and ignored the stupid little girl in favour of the promising son. "Nian''er, why as good as you are are you trying to write poetry. People have strengths and weaknesses just as inches are short. Don''t care about the rumours outside." "Cijiu, When can you break through and reach the eighth stage of cultivation?" Xu Qi''an asked suddenly. Xu Xinnian''s path is that of Confucian cultivation. Cloud Deer Academy was founded by a disciple of the Confucian Sage and had a history of 1,200 years. As a holy ce that graced the dreams of schrs all over the world, Cloud Deer Academy was transcendent not only because its founder was a disciple of the sage, but because it was the only academy for cultivating Confucianism. The ninth level of Confucianism: Awakenening; Awakenening could improve memory, reading speed, and enhanced learning ability, but didn''t do much forbat. "I don''t have a clue for the time being. The teacher said that I should realize the method myself." "You can refer to the Awakened Stage." Xu Qi''an said," How is the Awakened Stage cultivated?" Xu Xinnian recollected," Awakened Stage is the stage when you can memorize the sage''s ssics Front to Back and utilize them for yourself." *Front to back... Utilize for yourself... The former requires a lot of time for memorization and thetter depends on understanding.* Xu Qi''an nodded thoughtfully. This is the same as the refining body realm of martial artists, Which depends on years of developing qi and tempering the body. "To reach Self Cultivation, do you have to train your body?" Xu Qi''an asked. Xu Xinnian considered it, and said," A Confucian in the realm of self-cultivation is courageous and can convince people with their words and deeds along with inspiring fighting spirit. I tried to reverse the method of cultivation based on the abilities shown in the stage of self-cultivation." "Were you sessful?" Xu Xinnian pretended to not have heard him, and turned to his mother, "An elder of the academy is going to Qingzhou. The journey is quite long. the students of the academy will see him off tomorrow and gift his poems." Xu Xinnian expressed his distress," I haven''t written a farewell poem yet." Xu Lingyue said in a low voice," Second Brother doesn''t have a talent for poetry." Auntie red at her and said with displeasure, "Your second brother is very talented in poetry. He just didn''t focus on it before." Xu Pingzhi scratched his head," Just write a few sentences. I think the poem you wrote that day was very bold." "Hurhur", Xu Qi''anughed out loud. The corner of Xu Xinnian''s mouth twitched, and he changed the subject rigidly, "The elder is a famous schr and is good at poetry. Everyone who''s seeing him off is a talented poet. In addition to admiring the elder, I have got the idea of making friends andworking." "If I were to be appreciated by that elder, Itll be of great benefit." *Yes, finally hes thinking of making connections.* Xu Xinnian''s heart was arrogant, and he always talked about "Gentlemen''s friendship is as light as water" and "Friendship but not forming parties" After experiencing the crisis, He finally realized the benefits of PY trading.[^6] Xu Qi''an was very pleased as an elder brother. He should be a big man if he inspired Eng, who''s not good at poetry, to work hard and make friends... Auntie was anxious, "How can this be a good thing?" Xu Xinnian said helplessly, "Mum, prose is already formed from heavens mysteries, and only written out by hand. The same is true of poetry." After finishing speaking, he said emotionally, "If I had good rtions with this senior in the literary world, I might have been able to save you from prison. At least there would have been some help." Auntie suddenly frowned. She cared for her son''s future more than anybody else. Real great schrs have strong personalities, and silver gifts weren''t feasible. You had to do what they liked and make them feel that you were worthy of befriending. Xu Pingzhi frowned, "Your grandfather was just like you, He could only write prose and didn''t have an ounce of poetry talent within him." Auntie wasn''t convinced, and her pretty willow eyebrows were raised, "What do you mean, Is it my father''s fault?" "Xinnian became a Juren because he followed my side of the family. Look at Lingyin, She followed you and hasn''t even be literate yet." Xu Xinnian and Xu Lingyue took after their mother and their looks made others jealous. Little Pea Xu Lingyin has taken after her father and was cute and simple. Uncle Xu became speechless. Xu Qi''an wasn''t convinced, "Auntie, You''ve said it wrong. Do you mean that my Xu family''s genes are stupid?" Aunt didn''t understand what genes were, she sneered, "If you were material for studying, you wouldn''t learn martial arts." If Xu Eng wanted to take initiative to PY with his arrogance, the status of the elder in the college shouldn''t be low. Eng''s contacts are mine and my contacts are still mine. So, I have to help him. Xu Qi''an''s thoughts flickered, thinking of masterpieces that would work as farewell poems from his previous life. Although he didn''t n to mix up with the Confucian schrs, Why couldn''t he use the resources to exchange for benefits? Soon, He had an idea and selected a poem. Xu Qi''an furiously took a bite of the meat bun, "Poem writing, right? Today, Auntie will know that everyone in my Xu family is a talent." What he had to ponder over was the matter of the poem being too good. You should know that poems written in textbooks are usually handed down as masterpieces. --- [^1]: A pace here is an established unit of measurement, being equal to 5 *chi* (feet). [^2]: A character in *Detective Bao Qingtian* [^3]: ng words from ys of a certain Chinese video game (that I cant remember) - African Chiefs were yers with extremely bad luck, whilst European Emperors were those with extremely good luck - and enough money to pay to win. Colonialism reference. [^4]: Someone who passed the imperial examination at county level. [^5]: [^6]: PY, , arsehole trading more Chinese inte ng. Chapter 18: Going Shopping with the Sisters Chapter 18: Going Shopping with the Sisters # 18. Going Shopping with the Sisters The core essence of poetry is in the rtionship between the tones. As long as this doesnt change, even if he was in another world, the poems he learnt during his nine years ofpulsory education still had much room to show their potential. Xu Xinnian gave him a nce, and raised his head, *In the sky there is a bird, on the ground a bug, the bird swoops down, and the bug returns to the cycle of life.* Pff Xu Lingyue covered her mouth, hiding herughter, but nheless was sternly stared at by Xu Qian. Her round face went red, as she quickly looked down. *Too sharp a tongue, I really want to hit him.* The corner of Xu Qians mouth twitched. This was a poem the original Xu Qian wrote at the age of ten. At that time the person responsible for teaching the three children of the Xu family to read (Xu Lingyin was no more than a little tadpole), was Aunties father, that Xiucai grandfather. One time, the Xiucai grandfather tested them on their poetry, and that was how this poem of uncanny merit came about. Auntie mocked, Ningyan, its not that Auntie looks down on you, but the old Xu family only came out with one schr son. You and your uncles characters look like crawling bugs. If you cant even write well, how can you write poetry? Auntie pouted, and even when rolling her eyes having utmost grace. Uncle felt awkward, as he cleared this throat, Ningyan, these schrly issues, lets just not get involved. Today is your rest day, shall we have a spar in the yard? Hidden within those words, was something saying *you young brat, dont make a ruckus, you dont know how these schrs work. You lose face and even your old uncle gets a scolding from his own wife.* *Yellow Clouds covering a thousand li, and the sun setting dim;* Xu Qian spoke calmly. Auntie rolled her eyes again, and focused on her porridge. Uncle wiped some grease from the corner of his youngest daughters mouth. Xu Xinnian however frowned. He couldnt get much from this one sentence, but the fact that Xu Qian couldpose such a perfect seven-syble line, was already very unexpected. *In whirling snow, the north wind drives south wild geese;* Xu Xinnian paused for a moment, as in his mind, andscape drawing started to form. Xu Lingyue raised her head, energetic eyes looking at her elder cousin with disbelief. Xu Qian lowered his head, drinking porridge, not speaking any further. Whates after? Whates after? Xu Xinnian anxiously asked. This felt like sitting in the tea hall, listening to the old storyteller telling his stories, and just as he was getting to the most intense, most spectacr bits, to suddenly stop them in their tracks: If thou wished to know whates next, please,e and listen next time. It could make a person angry enough to want to hit a man. I dont know how to write poetry, Xu Qian lightly and absent-mindedly sent Auntie a look. He only thought that Auntie today looked extraordinarily beautiful, and had no intention of wanting her to apologise. Aunties Carn-big eyes opened wide, as she turned her head to ask her son, Is this poem really good? Xu Lingyue said softly, Very vivid! Whilst her reading was limited, she could hear that those two opening lines were some of the best seven syble rhymes shed heard. Seeing that both her son and daughter had this attitude, Xu Pingzhi was stunned, staring at Xu Qian unblinking, his eyes showing shock, as well as expectation. *On the road ahead, surely will be friends dear and true; Throughout thend is there anyone who knows not you?*[^1] Xu Qian chewed his *youtiao*[^2], and casually threw out thest two lines. *Pata* The chopsticks in Xu Xinnians hands fell onto the table. On the road ahead, surely will be friends dear and true; Throughout thend is there anyone who knows not you he muttered to himself, sunk deep within the imagery created by this poem, unable to get himself out. Xu Lingyues delicate body shook, as she felt goosebumps rise up her arm. Xu Pingzhi smiled, Fuck, why does listening to it give me the shivers? Auntie didnt want to back down, though she agreed with her husbands words. When Xu Qian was still studying, this type of stunned feeling wasmon whenever he read any of the most famous works of poetry in his books. *Yellow clouds covering a thousand li, and the sun setting dim;* *In whirling snow, the north wind drives south wild geese;* *On the road ahead, surely will be friends dear and true;* *Throughout thend is there anyone who knows not you?* Xu Xinnian unconsciously stood up, his face turning a little red with excitement, making his already handsome and graceful appearance seeming ever more tender. Such a work of art! Even though he was not good in the arts of poetry, as a schr who has read the old anthologies through and through, he knew a good poem when he heard one, and like any schr, naturally welled up with excitement, emotion, with hot blood coursing through his veins. When did you learn topose poetry? Xu Xinnian stared at Xu Qian intently, his expression bright, stunned, and confused. When did I say I dont know how to write poetry? Xu Qianughed, Could a poem I wrote when I was just literatepare to now? Ive always somewhat of a talent for poetry, but I could never express it, is all. So Ningyan is the Xu familys academic prodigy after all, Xu Pingzhi was over the moon, smiling widely, If I had known, I would have had you reading books, and Cijiu practicing martial arts. Auntie still didnt want to admit defeat, as she opened her mouth, but could note up with an appropriate response. *No if that were the case, then I wouldnt be a good schr, and Xinnian not a good martial artist* Xu Qian knew deeply that pre-transmigration that Xu Qian was a durd; reading would be simply just wasting time, and it would be better for him to have dropped out of school to do manualbour. Xu Xinnian also wasnt the fighter type - to want a tender-skinned, thin, delicate young man to eat hardship, and harden his body? However, this poem was written by Ningyan. Cijiu, listening is one thing, but you cant take it for your own; thats not how a schr acts. Uncle said. Heh, Xu Xinnianughed, not deigning to reply to his father. Who was he to speak? Turning his head to Xu Qian, he said Let me borrow this poem, Ill make sure to say the author was you. *Fuck off if its me* Xu Qian nodded gently, Go on then, take it to pretend to show off in front of others. To show off in front of the masses, is a schrs calling. He had always intended to give this poem to Xu Xinnian, to build up his connections. Whoever is put down as the author, he didnt mind as much. It was not as if he wanted to get into schrly circles, so poetry to him had no particr use, which is also the reason why in the past month he had never used poetry to show off. His environment didnt allow for it. All day he would be hanging out with a bunch of sword-waving baton-swinging bailiffs. It would be more use to teach them how to sing *The Lasso Pole* then to recite poetry at them. Whats the poems name? Xinnian asked. * I forgot.* Xu Qians face stiffened, I made this poem on a whim, it has no name. You think of one. After finishing breakfast, Xu Xinnian brought from the back yard his fathers beloved horse, and left hurriedly. Uncle and nephew were sparring in the yard. Not bad, youve improved. If you want to improve even more, youd have to enter the Refining Qi stage, but qi requires heaven and earth to intersect within you to be formed. Uncle Xu took a towel from a servant, and wiped his brow, Apart from bathing in medicine, you also need a Refining Spirit martial artist to help you open heavens door. Otherwise, youll never be able to enter Refining Qi. Refining Spirit was a martial artists seventh rank cultivation. What are you trying to say, uncle? Xu Qian wiped sweat off his face. In the Campaign of Mountains and Seas, I was on a hairs breadth from death, and only then did I get enough merit, for a higher up in the army to help me open heavens door, and enter Refining Qi. Uncle Xu sighed, The second year aftering home, I had Xinnian. Today, the world is peaceful, and so you wont even be able to gain any merit, so how could you Refine Qi? If you dont Refine Qi, does that mean youll never make a family? Ningyan, your uncle is getting old, and my only wish is to see you marry, and have children. Only this way can I live up to your dead father. Well, Ill take it one step at a time, Xu Qian replied nomittally. Apart from gaining merit, there were other ways to advance in cultivation, and that was by throwing money at the problem. Both medicine and high-rank cultivators, can all be solved with money. Manywbreakers were martial artists, and so the crown kept stern control over the number of martial artists, establishing that Refining Spirit cultivators could not privately open heavens door for anyone, and if they wanted to do it for their own children, they had to report to the government. However, as of present the bureaucracy in the Great Feng was falling apart, corrupt officials doing as they wished, and the authority of the crown was weakening day by day. Even if they didnt want to break thew out in public, there were still many Refining Spirit cultivators on the ck market, willing to make a trade. If Xu Qian tried his hardest to make money, he could save up enough silver to make up for theck of merit. However, hell forever be in Refining Body, what use would that stick of his be then? Auntie came over with the two girls, standing under the eaves, shouting, Husband dear, the weather is nice, you should take Lingyin and Lingyue to the market. Uncle Xu frowned, I have business. Isnt today your rest day? Ive already arranged with my coworkers to go out together, well be leaving in a bit. How about, let Ningyan take them out to y. The two young daughters were usually kept at home, and couldnt just go out and wander about as they pleased. Xu Qian looked over, just in time to meet his barely sixteen year old sisters sparkling eyes. This outstandingly graceful young girl pursed her lips, feeling some embarrassment, lowering her head. Sure, I just so happen to be free. Xu Qian nodded. *Thinking back now, in thest life I took my sixteen year old sister out shopping. I was still in the golden years of eighteen then. Of course, that little sister could notpare with Xu Lingyue.* --- [^1]: [^2]: Chinese battered dough strips, simr to American Indian fry bread, but more airy, a popr breakfast food (and food in general) Chapter 19: Farewell Poem Chapter 19: Farewell Poem # 19. Farewell Poem Outskirts of the Capital, Mianyang[^1] Pavilion! A few luxurious carriages were parked beside the pavilion. The outskirts were cold and windy and the cascading hills were light brown in colour. The sun hung in the sky, giving off the weak warmth of the early winter. Residential Schr Ziyang[^2] of Yunlu Academy[^3] was going to be an official. This was a joyous event for Yunlu Academy, whose presence in officialdom was declining. The Schrs from the academy sang festively, and the students felt that the early status of the academy was about to resurge. In the pavilion, three old men sat together while drinking tea. One of them was wearing a purple robe and had silvery white hair. He was the protagonist of the event. Yang Gong[^4], courtesy name Ziqian, title Ziyang Jushi, was the *zhuangyuan*, top scorer in the imperial examinations of the 14th year of Yuanjing. In the year after, he left his official post and returned to Yunlu Academy to study. After 22 years, He had students all over the world and had be a famous schr. He should have had a bright future; even bing the Prime Minister was not out of the question, however he left the officialdom quietly at his prime. There were several theories regarding his resignation from officialdom. Some major theories were that he had offended the Emperor and had to leave his job. Some others said he had offended the First Secretary, and eventually left after being unable to handle the retribution. Whatever the reason might be, he went out of the mountain after 22 years to go to Qingzhou as the chief envoy, the head office of the frontier region. Whatever that reason might be, 22 yearster he again came down from the mountain, reading to go to Qingzhou, as its Governor. A true case of a great official, being sent far away into the country. The other two weren''t insignificant characters themselves; their reputation wouldn''t lose to Schr Ziyang either in the academy or the outside world. The man wearing the grey robe and with a goatee was named Li Mubai[^5]. He was once the best Go yer in the world. He once had three matches with Duke Wei Yuan of the Nightwatchers five years ago, losing spectacrly, and smashing the Go board that day, never yed the game again. The blue-robed man was called Zhang Shen[^6], he was a master in the art of war. The *Six Notes on the Art of War* written in his early years was still apulsory read for military officials and generals today. He was also the only military strategist that could everpete with Wei Yuan. Outside the pavilion, The students who were seeing the schr were standing in a crowd. These students were all students with potential from Yunlu Academy. Xu Xinnian was also in the crowd of students. "Schr Ziyang is finally out of the mountain. If we are appreciated by him, We would be sessful in officialdom in the future.", A familiar ssmate whispered, "Ciju, You have written a poem, right?" *My brother prepared it for me... But it''s half of a qiyan lshi[^7]...* Xu Xinnian looked into the pavilion and whispered, "I''ve prepared half a poem. Yongshu, You''re too utilitarian." Qil poems had a strict metric and required a uniform number of characters in the poem. They consisted of eight sentences with seven characters each, and every two sentences form a verse for a total of four verses. Xu Qi''an only gave him only the first two verses of the Qil. When Xu Xinnian asked for the remaining verses after dinner, he hesitated and shifted the subject, and didn''t give them. "This isn''t being utilitarian. The sea of learning is the same as officialdom, Working hard to make a boat isn''t as good as joining a camp for warmth.[^8]", The friend said, knowing that Xu Xinnian wasn''t good at poetry. "Yongshu is correct. The officialdom is too corrupt now. You have to cooperate with corrupt officials to help themon people in this environment. They''ve been suffering under natural disasters for years and changing their situation can only be done if you are active." Another student participated in their conversation. The student named Yongshu nodded and looked at Xu Xinnian, "You always say that poetry is a small way, but no one will remember you based on your prose after decades. But good poetry can be spread throughout the world." *Poetry is a small way. It can not be used to govern the country nor to benefit the people. It''s a mere art...* Xu Eng wanted to say these words but swallowed them back, and gave off a hum once he realized that he was about to use the same art to please a senior. Yongshu looked at him in surprise, since he didn''t even object. The famous Go yer Li Mubai sighed, "Brother Yang, If you were even half as smooth as them back in the day, you wouldn''t waste more than 20 years." Ziyang Jushi smiled upon hearing these words. "That''s not right", Master of War Zhang Shenughed and drank tea, "Brother Yang is ambitious, and is paving way for the realm of ''Mandate Seeker''" Upon hearing this, Ziyang Jushi sighed "After all, I was pushed out of the officialdom." "That wasn''t your problem. The people from the Imperial Academy won''t sit idling by as our White Deer Academy turns over." "Hmph, those bastards who only know how to tter superiors and deceive others while ying tricks have harmed the world to this state in less than 200 years." This matter involved a very interesting historical anecdote. Confucianism originated from the Sage. The White Deer Academy, being an academy founded by the disciple of the sage, naturally promoted itself as the orthodox school of Confucianism. This fact was true. But 200 years ago, due to the struggle for the throne, the contemporary emperor rejected the Academy. Around that time, a traitor left White Deer Academy and took the opportunity to please the emperor by setting himself up with the concept of "Following Heavens Nature and Eliminating Human Desires". With the emperor''s support, he established the Imperial Academy and became a master of a generation. After that incident, Imperial Academy reced White Deer Academy to be the main school that produced court officials. This struggle for the orthodoxy of Confucianism has continued for 200 years. Ziyang Jushi said deeply, "I''m going to open up the frontier region as the foundation of the official careers of our students. But, if we want to rejuvenate the academy to its past stature, I''m not enough. I need to work together with a lot of excellent young people." Li Mubai and Zhang Shen smiled at each other. Then, Thetter turned his head and looked at the students outside the pavilion "Is anyone willing topose a poem and give it to Ziyang Jushi?" "Poetry contests should have a prize, otherwise the contest would be boring." Ziyang Jushi took off a purple jade pendant from his waist, "The best poet can get this jade pendant." The purple light in the jade pendant was flowing. It looked quite extraordinary. The eyes of the students outside the pavilion lit up; the jade pendant carried around by a Great Schr would have magical effects, due to being nurtured by their Literary Qi. If they could acquire one, It would certainly be of great benefit to them. At the same time, Ziyang Jushi used the purple jade as the prize, which had a deeper meaning. The items regrly carried by an elder were usually only given as a gift to their juniors and students. So, Taking the pendant meant that you were rted to him ... or were his student. "This student is willing to write a poem to see off Ziyang Jushi." A tall and straight student wearing a green Confucian robe and a jade pendant around his waist stepped out and arched his hands towards the three Confucian Great Schrs in the pavilion. Li Mubai said smilingly, "This is my student Zhu Tuizhi. He''s quite talented in poetry." Ziyang Jushi smiled and nodded. After the student named Zhu Tuizhi chanted his farewell poem, the smile on the face of Ziyang Jushi deepened, seemingly very satisfied. "Not bad, Not bad", War Master Zhang Shen praised him and didn''tment much. The other two great schrs were more talented in poetry than he. But a good beginning didn''t necessarily lead to a good ending. The next part of the poem could probably be described to be like a dog''s tail. Thetter part of the poem wasn''t satisfactory, and barely qualified. Li Mubai sighed, Since the Imperial Academy repiled the saint''s ssics and advocated the theory of following the heavens and eliminating human desires, the students of the world have stuck to the ssics and buried their heads in their contents. Over time, they would fall into the situation of Shackled Thinking and Cumbersome Writing and lose their spirituality. As he spoke thosest few words, suddenly a pang ached in his heart. That was the reason why Confucianism began to weaken in modern times. 200 years ago, the Confucianists said: Buddhism isn''t bad. Taoism isn''t that bad. Aye, Arcanists are also not bad too. Shamans and Warlocks who pioneered another path are worthy of praise... As to the vulgar martial artists, please, leave; this is a gathering of cultured peoples. Oh, and take the yaoguai and the other races out with you too if you please. Now, as to my fine gentlemen sitting here before me, youre all trash! Confucianism was as such back then. Now, You say? Major Cultivation systems: What is it, Little brother? Confucianism, trembling: mmp.[^9] Ziyang Jushi sighed, "Don''t mention these matters. Who else would like topose a poem?" No one had the courage for a while. Zhu Tuizhi stared at the purple pendant with hot eyes and felt as if it was already his. "Sir, I have a poem." Xu Xinnian walked out of the crowd and went to the pavilion. He had been silent until now with purpose. He''s very low-key and humble and didn''t want to recite a good poem too early in that his ssmates wouldn''t be embarrassed. This didn''t have anything to do with his earlier arguments with Zhu Tuizhi. --- [^1]: Soft Sheep [^2]: [^3]: Inconsistently White Deer Academy, or Cloud Deer Academy, thetter is used more often. [^4]: [^5]: [^6]: [^7]: The eight-line seven syble poem structure [^8]: Chinese saying, [^9]: mmp, , a Chinese curse, which, to put it bluntly, means Your mums a whore. Chapter 20: Half a Qilü Stuns the Great Scholars Chapter 20: Half a Qil¨¹ Stuns the Great Schrs # 20. Half a Qil Stuns the Great Schrs Xu Cijiu, my student. Knowledgeable on the arts of warfare, and is one of great promise and talent. Master war strategist Zhang Shen introduced him. *He cant write poetry.* Thatst sentence though, he said in his mind. Master Zhang was confused; clearly he doesnt know how to write poetry, why would hee out? Thinking that the purple jade amulet was guaranteed to be his, Zhu Tuizhi initially was cautious when he heard someone else step up. However, when he saw Xu Xinnian, his worry disappeared. He merely gave him a look. Having lived in the same dorms for many years, whilst one cannot say they know each other through and through, knowing weaknesses and strengths was nheless a guarantee. Xu Xinnian was outstanding in debate and strategy, and also skilled at the art of warfare. Poetry, however, was more like a great hall that he could never reach. *That pendant is still mine.* The students gazes fell upon Xu Xinnian. He basked in the attention that everyone was giving him, with an expression like all was beneath him, looking at the warm sun hanging in the sky. *Yellow clouds covering a thousand li, the sun setting dim;* The Go master Li Mubai nodded, stroking his beard. This sentence was a simple introduction of the scenery, the initial brush strokes painting a scene on the paper. *In whirling snow, the north wind drives the wild geese;* It was currently just entering winter. The snows hadnte, but they were not far away, so this line was not unseemly. Dusk rays scatter the sky, snows swirling around, with the north wind howling, scattering the formation of the wild geese flying. The feeling of andscape finally flourished. These two lines painted wonderfully the background, a perfect match for this farewell ceremony. Zhang Shen was stunned, scrutinising Xu Xinnian carefully. With his students talents for poetry, these two lines mustve taken him hours upon hours of blood and tears to get down. If this standard could be kept, perhaps it would beat out Zhu Tuizhi. Of the three virtuous and respectful great schrs, Ziyang Jushi had the highest talent for poetry. He chewed on those words now, feeling suddenly a pang of sadness. A thousand li, dusk, north wind, lone geese, snow swirling around it painted a bleak and lonely picture. He was not sent out on a mission, but was rather thrown into the provinces, far from where he was worthy to be. However, though bleak the scene, it still had some charm that only a quiet, snow-coverednd may have. This governorship, though seeming like he was being put to good use by the court, being given authority, but will the forces from the Imperial Academy really watch him stroll through the azure clouds? Will they really allow him to nt roots in officialdom for the White Deer Academy? Going to Qingzhou, his future was uncertain, and the path ahead was hazy. Suddenly, Xu Xinnian spread his arms out wide, his handsome face being lit up in the sunlight, seeming perfect and delicate like the finest jade. He shook his arms, looking directly at Ziyang Jushi, and with vigour intoned thest two lines: *On the road ahead, surely will be friends dear and true;* *Throughout thend is there anyone who knows not you?* Within and without the pavilion, all fell silent. In an instant, all present felt goosebumps. Zhu Tuizhi turned around stiffy, looking at the proudly standing Xu Xinnian with a dumbstruck expression. On the road ahead, surely will be friends dear and true; Throughout thend is there anyone who knows not you. Li Mubai excitedly punched his fist in the air, Marvellous! The first two lines painted a deste scene, thetter two turned that emotion on its head, like the fog on the path ahead suddenly being cleared by a gust of wind, giving the traveller courage. Zhang Shen looked at Xu Xinnian deeply, falling silent. Ziyang Jushi, with his love for poetry, was deeply engrossed within the picture that this Qil poem painted, heart shaken. What a good poem he muttered. Why is there only half? Master of War Zhang Shen saw that his own student did not continue, and couldnt resist asking. The corner of Xu Xinnians mouth twitched, This poem only has half the verses. Only half!? All the schrs present stared wide at him, finding it difficult to believe this fact. Who writes only half a poem? Is he still human? No matter, half a poem is still enough to stun the heavens. Ziyang Jushi calmed his emotions, smiling deeply, Xu Cijiu, this poem, whats its title? It has none! Xu Xinnian maintained his proud expression, but in reality did not know how to exin. Only by maintaining his haughty demeanour, can he prevent people from asking further. No need to rush, Ziyang Jushis smile seemed to widen even more, This poem was written for me, right? Xu Xinnian nodded. Why not, let this old man help you make a title? Go master Li Mubai and war master Zhang Shen suddenly realised his intentions, and felt as sour as if a lemon had been squeezed inside them. Then lets call it *A Send-off for Yang Gong to Qingzhou, in Mianyang Pavilion*, how about that? For a great and mighty schr, his eyes showed childish excitement. Of course! Xu Xinnian unconsciously replied haughtily, and thinking that this attitude might be showing disrespect, quickly added, All ording to you, Sir. Shameless old bastard! Humph! The two other great schrs felt even more sour. This is whats called good fortune, Ziyang Jushiughed, swaggeringly sping his hands together, and bowing towards the other two schrs. The poetic talent of the Great Feng had fallen so, that if this work were to spread out, it would cause uproar in schrly circles, and would be recited by students all across the world. Ziyang Jushis name would also spread with it, and most importantly, by doing this he had forever bound his name to this poem. If this poem became something that would passed down through generations, then Ziyang Jushis name would be spread for thousands of years toe. And for a work of this quality, that was highly likely. In the other two great schrs eyes, what was most embarrassing, was that Xu Xinnian in the position of a student gifted this to his teacher, and so the name of the poem should not contain ones birth name, and must rather use the courtesy name or title name instead. Only good friends of the same generation had any right to write ones birth name into a poem. So one can see how much this old bastard was willing to lose face, if it meant his name spreading wide and far. Being a teacher, Zhang Shen realised that this poem might not have been his students own creation, but he did not speak up. If his student could earn the good graces of Ziyang Jushi, it would be his own good fortune. As a teacher, Zhang Shen was nheless happy for him, In the raucous discussion of the crowd, Xu Xinnian coughed, and told truthfully, Teacher, two Sirs, this poem was not originally my work, there was someone else. The conversations immediately fell silent. The three great schrs reactions were all different. Zhang Shens suspicion was confirmed, and he showed an of course this was the case look. Li Mubai was shocked, not expecting this turn. Ziyang Jushis reaction was thergest, as he stepped forward a few steps, anxiously asking, Who? Is it someone else in our academy? Are they here right now? His gaze danced past Xu Xinnian, searching the crowd. It was my brother! Xu Xinnian raised his chin, replying haughtily. The silent students began to chatter again: Xu Cijius older brother? Where did he study? Why have I not heard of his person? Um if I remember correctly, Xu Cijiu was the eldest son? Cijiu, whats your brothers respected name, who did he study under aiya, cmon, say it, how do we not know this incredible poetic talent? The students were impatient and eager. The three great schrs looked at Xu Xinnian. *Shit, I was influenced by my simple uncle, I shouldnt have told them about my stupid older brother* Looking at the expectant faces of the other students, Xu Xinnian suddenly realised that he made a mistake. Everything in the world was lowly, only the intellectuals were not, and so one could see how proud the intellectuals were, Xu Xinnian included. Schrs of the Cloud Deer Academy was even more proud. If Xu Qian was an intellectual as well, then they would praise him, even look up to him, but to let everyone know he was but a bailiff at the constabry, would cause the opposite effect. If lowly constabry runner could write a world-shaking Qil, what face do we schrs have? Xu Xinnian internally prepared to face the onught, My brother spends much of his time at home studiously reading the ssics. He is not a student in our Cloud Deer Academy, and neither at the Imperial Academy. He- his personality is very quiet and introverted, and he doesnt like fame or merit, and only to study. *Such integrity, he could be a model for all of us. He should be looked up to* the students were stunned by the description, and they all thought the same thing. There was no debate on the best poem, the purple jade amulet went to Xu Xinnian. Ziyang Jushi bade farewell to everyone, face ruddy and bright, feeling a well of emotion. Stepping into the carriage, he left behind one parting remark: Such a great talent must not be left in the dust. Chunjing, Jinyan, what do you think? One cannot be sure if the two other great schrs didnt understand, or were pretending to be understand, but nheless they silently watched as Ziyang Jushi departed. Waiting until the carriage has gone far, Li Mubai suddenly dragged Xu Xinnians hand, pulling him aside, asking Cijiu, this old man suddenly has heart to take a student. I have nothing going on today, why dont you take me to see your brother? Zhang Shen was shocked, as he immediately added Cijiu, if your older brother was to also take this old man as his teacher, it would certainly be praised far and wide. Whether or not he wrote any poems was not important, mostly they didnt want to leave such a prodigy forgotten. But if he were to suddenly have a stroke of inspiration, and write a legendary poem, like *My Teacher Zhang Shen* or the like, that would also be great. Li Mubai said unhappily The art of warfare is not a main focus. Us schrs first focus should be on philosophy and the ssics, and then debate, and then self cultivation and ones house. Heh, and is Go the main focus then? And an unbeatable yer at that only to lose spectacrly against Wei Yuan. Zhang Shen snorted. Old bastard, shut your mouth, dont speak of Wei Yuan in front of me. This old man has always appreciated talent, this student is mine. Old thing, what is this appreciating talent now? Youre merely after his poetic ability. Shameless old bastard, Ill smite you down with righteous spirit! Xu Xinnians hair stood on end. The students far away were all shocked and stunned. They didnt know what happened, but the two great schrs were red faced and arguing with each other, even making as if to fight. Chapter 21: Since Ancient Times, how Arrogant Have the Bullies Been Chapter 21: Since Ancient Times, how Arrogant Have the Bullies Been # 21. Since Ancient Times, how Arrogant Have the Bullies Been The temperature at the Capital at the end of November should normally be sub-zero at its coldest. Xu Qi''an got up in the morning and saw the thinyer of ice in the water tank in the yard. Great Feng ruled over the Central ins of Jiuzhou[^1] and imed itself as orthodox in the world. The climate of the capital should be an average temperate continental climate. In this climate zone, It would be difficult to endure the winter without heating. "Naturally, frozen skeletons appear in the winters of this era." Xu Qi''an sighed. He regretted that he wasn''t learned enough in mathematics, physics, and chemistry to farm in this era of underdeveloped infrastructure and material shortage. If he could, It would have been a great benefit to the people. The sun in the sky was emitting warmth from high above, the beautiful girl holding her five-year-old sister strolled through the busy street with high spirits. Her limpid eyes looked left and right, and the corners of her exquisite mouth were curled in a smile. Today, his little sister was wearing a light blue silk dress, and flower vines were in bloom in her cuffs and skirts. Her loose cuffs wafted, making her look like a fairy. Xu Qi''an inevitably thought of the beauties wearing ancient costumes in his previous life andpared them silently. *Women in this era tended to dress conservatively, not as coquettishly as the beauties in ancient costumes in his previous life.* "I have an idea to make money. I could improve clothes to make women''s clothes more attractive..." Xu Qi''an had an idea. In a moment, many epoch-making women''s clothes shed in his mind: Hollow, ck Silk, Garters, Aprons... Stop, Stop... I''ll be dragged to Meridian Gate and beheaded if I think more about it. The horse-drawn carriages, the peddlers carrying goods, the hurrying passers-by, and the rows of shops... made up a vivid picture of a market in ancient times. Xu Lingyue''s impression of her cousin had changed a lot due to their interactions over the previous month. She wasn''t as estranged from her cousin as before. Due to auntie''s animosity with the original Xu Qi''an, only Little Pea among the siblings was liked by the original Xu Qi''an due to her being closer to Second Uncle Xu. In the beginning, Xu Lingyue used to call him elder brother. After being left hanging many times, she began only to nod when meeting him. The rtionship had improved a lotpared to the earlier situation, but they were still a little estranged. The beautiful young girl in her flowery years took the little girl and walked to the side, separate from Xu Qi''an by a couple of steps. Little Pea was attracted by the novelties in the street and tried to move ahead of her sister, but she was firmly held. "Candied haws, Candied Haws..." Little Pea pointed to a shopkeeper in the street and shouted. "Do you want to rot your teeth?" Her sister rebuked and dragged her forward. Due to being involved in a disaster, the Xu family was short of money, which made their lives in the previous month difficult. Xu Lingyue didn''t have any copper to buy candied haws for her sister. Xu Qi''an walked behind them, observing his younger sisters, particrly the eldest sister, who was tall and showed the youthfulness and figure of a young girl. Her back was like a new-born willow, Although it wasn''t as plump as a mature woman, it had the youthful and lively charm unique to girls her age. "Big Brother, Big brother..." Little Pea was anxious and pushed her butt out while dragging her feet to resist her sister''s pull. Xu Lingyue bit her lip, clearly anxious and annoyed. "Big brother doesn''t have any silver, but he''ll get it soon..." Xu Qi''an motioned his younger sister to be still. While speaking, he felt a hard object under the sole of his foot. When he looked down, he saw a nugget of silver, glinting dully. He leaned over and picked up the silver. Weighting it, it was like before one cash of silver. He had picked up silver too frequently over thest month. Xu Lingyue''s eyes widened. He stumbled into silver! *I have got money to listen to music in the Gon today...* Counting up, He hadn''t listened to music for two days now, having not found any money. Xu Qi''an was pleased and held the broken silver to beckon to the shopkeeper, "Give me three bunches of candied haws." "Okay!" The dark-skinned shopkeeper removed three strings with a smile, "Six copper coins." The shopkeeper couldn''t find the change for the piece of silver. So, he took it to a nearby shop to get it exchanged for copper. He kept six of them and tied the remaining 94 coins belonging to Xu Qi''an with a string. The mary system of Feng: 1 tael of silver = 8 cash = 100 copper.[^3] Gold was a luxury and wasn''t normally used as currency. Some poor people wouldn''t touch a single ingot of gold in their lifetime. Xu Qi''an took the copper coin and the candied haws, bit into one skewer, and handed over the remaining two to his two sisters. Xu Lingyue epted it gracefully and said softly, "Thank you, big brother." Xu Qi''an nodded and looked at Little Pea, who was already chewing on her candied haws. "Big brother big brother, Are your candied haws sweet?" Xu Lingyin asked vaguely with her bulging cheeks. "You want to eat it." Xu Qi''an revealed the little girl''s conspiracy. "Ah! How did big brother know?" Xu Lingyin was taken aback. She didn''t know that her big brother could read her thoughts. Her big brother was indeed awesome. Xu Qi''an said, "If you eat too many candied haws, bugs will drill holes in your mouth." "What kind of bug?", Little pea''s small face looked scared. Xu Qi''an thought for a while, and described, "It''s a type of white and long slimy bug." He had just finished speaking when his younger sister started drooling. *Haiya* Xu Qian stretched out and offered his candied haws with both hands. Xu Qi''an led his two younger sisters across the road while observing the hustle and bustle of the capital, but his heart wasn''t at peace. *I found silver again.* *How is this possible?* As a graduate of a police school, he was very sensitive to such details. "Is this inexplicable luck rted to my crossing?" Xu Qi''an clearly remembers that he hadn''t touched an antique or been guided by an old Taoist before crossing. This is my cheat? What''s the matter of giving me a single cash of silver daily? It''s exactly the rate of the Gon. Does Heaven want me to listen to music at the Gon every day? It''s better to think about breaking through to Refining Qi. It''s good to pick up money regrly even if there''s a problem within my body. "I''ll break through first, and then check for any changes due to it. Moreover, I don''t know about the pinnacle powers in this world. I may be able to figure out the reason for this luck in the future if I am sufficiently strong." Xu Qi''an was very wary of his luck. He would rather be epting of a system since it would be within his scope of understanding. ... There was a brothel in the street called "Guiyue Building", a third-ss brothel. Thanks to the instruction of Constable Wang and the others, Xu Qi''an learned a lot of knowledge about brothels, which enriched his cultural heritage. The suffix of a brothel could be used to determine its qualifications. The suffixes of first-ss and second-ss brothels were mainly "Courtyard", "Pavilion" or "Hall". Third-ss and fourth-ss brothels mainly used "Company", "Building" or "Shop" as their suffix. Before noon, the brothel workers opened their doors for business ahead of time. A few pretty women in red and green leaned against the railing of the second floor and smiled at the passers-by. Upon seeing a man they liked (Robed in Silk or Satin), They waved a coloured handkerchief and said softly, "Master, Come up for a drink." Even for a third-ss brothel, You''d have to pay two cash silver as the wine fee (entry fee)... If you wanted to sleep with a girl, Depending on the quality of the girl, about 5-6 cash could be enough, and the expensive ones would have nearly double rates... Xu Qi''an calcted and confirmed that he couldn''t afford the price. *Theres no point, and all his belongings only summed to a few taels of silver...* He looked at the sparrows and warblerszily sitting on top of the railing of the second floor, and recited with emotion, *That time when I was young, my blue cloak billowing, Riding a horse over the small bridge''s side, A building of young women beckoning at my sight!* That was the dream of men. "Big brother, poems are to be recited in proper locations.", Xu Lingyue lightly said. She thought for some time and sighed. *Perhaps Father was right, Elder brother is suited for reading.* "Brother, thedies upstairs are quite beautiful.", Little Pea crisply said. "People need to dress decently for their business." Xu Qi''an replied. "What kind of business?" "Selling Abalone."[^2] "Abalone?" Little Pea''s eyes shined, and she became unwilling to leave the brothel. "Big brother!" Xu Lingyue stomped and shouted, ashamed, and med Xu Qi''an for discussing such a topic with their younger sister. Xu Qi''an turned his head and nced at the girl. *Why are you angry, Do you even know the meme?* After leaving the brothel, They passed by a fish meatball shop, whose fragrance made Little Pea stop in her tracks. Xu Lingyue nced over and swallowed silently. After being released from prison, the Xu family was struggling, and sometimes it took 3 days to eat a meat dish. As she was still growing, she had great need for food, especially meat. "Wait, brother will buy it for you." The shop was small and many people were waiting in line to buy the meatballs. Xu Qi''an asked his sisters to stay on the roadside and squeezed in by himself. "Big brother is very nice." Little Pea crisply said while drooling. And looked at her sister. Xu Lingyue held her sister''s small hand and looked at Xu Qi''an''s back, her mouth curling up unconsciously. Soon, Xu Qi''an bought 3 fish meatballs and packed them in butter paper bags. When he returned, He saw four or five rough looking men, dressed like bodyguards surrounding Xu Lingyue and teasing her without touching her. The sixteen-year-old girl was like a trapped deer and was trying to rush out of the encirclement while protecting herself. But was forced back by them. She was crying, and her face was fearful. The bodyguardsughed at her predicament. At the edge of the encirclement, a young man in gold robes was riding on the back of a horse and watching the scene as a spectator at a theatre would. Xu Lingyin saw her sister being bullied and ran towards the young master with her short legs. She then put her hands behind her and cried out "Waaah" loudly tounch a sonic attack. "What racket." The young master subconsciously raised his whip but suddenly stopped. His eyes shed with cruelty and he pulled his horse''s rein so that it would trample on Xu Lingyin with its hooves. Xu Lingyue let out a loud scream. --- [^1]: Jiuzhou, lit. Nine Provinces, is the name of the continent, and an ancient name for the region where China is. [^2]: Abalone is a type of fish. [^3]: This is what the author wrote. Of course he does mean that 1 tael is 8 cash, and 1 cash is 100 copper, making 800 copper a tael of silver. Chapter 22: Teaching the Young Lord a Principle Chapter 22: Teaching the Young Lord a Principle # 22. Teaching the Young Lord a Principle In Xu Qians heart welled up a gust of angry hellfire. In the moment that the horses hooves raised, he pulled out that string of copper cash, and threw it with all his might. At the same time, the gstones under his feet broke with a crack, as he shot forth like lightning. Seventy-two copper coins howled through the air, sshing towards that brocade-wearing pampered young lord. He had no reaction to the oing ughter, that mildly interested, sadistic expression of deliberately stepping on an ant still on his face. Rather, one of his bodyguards reacted first, as his expression changed, and leapt towards his master, pushing him off the horse. The two of them rolled on the ground, dishevelled. *pat pat pat* A portion of the copper coins missed, but the other sank deep into the horse, the ensuing spatter of blood covering Xu Lingyin. Bang! At this time, Xu Qian had arrived, body leaning forward, striking the horse flying with his elbow. The tall warhorse was flung a few metres away, leaving a trail of brilliant red on the gstones. Themoners around themotion scattered, hiding far away and watching the scene. Xu Qian immediately picked up Little Pea in arge embrace, holding her tightly, simultaneously paying attention to her expression, and alsoforting her Dont be scared, your big brother is here. Little Peas mouth twitched, anding out of her stunned trace, finally began to cry. The guards surrounding Xu Lingyue didnt bother with her any more, and ran towards their young lord. Xu Qian took this opportunity to give his baby sister to a white-faced Xu Lingyue, saying in a low voice Take her to the Changle County Constabry, knock on the door, and say it was me who sent you. Afterwards ask constable Wang to send people to the royal guards, asking for Uncle. Its on Huanglin street, quick! Xu Lingyue looked deeply at her older brother, and ran, carrying Little Pea in her arms. You dare to kill my horse, the brocade-wearing pampered young lordughed maniacally, pushing through his guards. He waved his hand, signalling them to surround Xu Qian. *I want to kill you too* That horse was a Snow-hooved ck Dragon Warhorse, something that even a fortune would be hard to buy. In the army, only brigadier generals or above could ride this breed of horse. Uncle Xu grew up in the army, and Xu Qian naturally was influenced by him, and immediately recognised the cost of that horse. In modern times, it would be equivalent to a Lamborghini. The ones who could drive Lamborghinis were definitely the descendants of the top of the top, and the *guanerdai* and *fuerdai*[^1] were not worth money, and had no titles. Apart from the warhorse, those beautiful azure robes with purple cloud patterns, that dragon-patterned white jade belt, those pouches nging with precious metals, that jade amulet these details all showed this pampered young mans status. The son of a top official. My name is Xu Qian, the son of Xu Pingzhi, captain in the city guard. They were my two younger sisters, may I ask where they offended milord. Xu Qian sped his hands together, controlling his temper, asking politely. To save my younger sister, I identally killed milords beloved horse. I will definitelypensate milord for this. Even Xu Qians little toe knew very clearly what was the origin of this conflict. It was most definitely that this young lord saw Xu Lingyues looks, and wanted to y around with her, and even perhaps kidnap her. Having worked at the constabry for a month, Xu Qian had heard of the actions of these young men: domineering and outrageous, and no one could stop them. They were not above kidnappingmoner women, and being careless withmoners lives was amon urrence. And setting such matters was also very easy, one could use force to intimidate, and riches to persuade. And for those that didnt bow down? Well, maybe your whole family didnt deserve to live. The higher-up the rankings the family elders are, the more their children are like this. Would the court really expel a top official for the deaths of a fewmoners? In the eyes of the Constabry, bullyingmoners was hardly considered an issue. The only people who could defeat a *guanerdai*, was another *guanerdai*. And Xu Qian barely counted as a guanerdai; Xu Pingzhi was a seventh-rank green robe, and at the very least had an official rank, and was not a meremoner. Guanerdai could bully themon people with abandon, but to others who took the crowns sry? They would have some reservations. Because the water in the capital was deep! Having listened to Xu Qians words, he first was confused, asking Xu Pingzhi? The one who lost the tax silver? Yes! Xu Qian let out a breath. The young lords face darkened, as he replied with malice, Break his arms, well just leave a message. *What mental disorder do you have* Xu Qian nearly couldnt control his words. The guards were all well-trained, strong men. They all drew daggers from their robes. In the capital, if one didnt have an official role, one was not allowed to carry swords. To carry a sword and not have an officials robe, carried a sentence of 18 strokes of the cane, and a fine of a hundred taels of silver. To be a group of sword carrying people, one would simply be executed. Daggers however were not counted as swords, and so this group of people were just about legal, having found a loophole in thew. Five of them were not only strong and well built, but also learnt group fighting techniques, and could work together perfectly. Two guards rushed forward together, striking their daggers towards Xu Qian. Thetter raised his hands, and grabbed the two guards wrists, and was just about to respond, when the two men separated left and right, revealing that guard which had saved the young lord jumping into the sky, bringing his knee down in a ferocious attack. Xu Qian could not but respond, crossing his arms in front of his chest. Thud! The guards kneecap crashed into his arms, and he felt a fiery pain. The other two guards sandwiched him from both sides. One dagger missed, the other one drawing a red glistening line across Xu Qians waist. Break his wrists and ankles, make him useless! The brocade wearing young man shouted. Xu Qian nced at him, not saying anything, analysing the situation within his mind. *Theyre all refining body, but not at its peak, in a one-on-one fight I could take any of them on easy, but they know how to fight together* The daggers again whistled towards him. Xu Qian used the fighting techniques learnt in his past life, and pretended to get weaker and weaker. At the peak of Refining Body, a martial artists energy is limitless, and wouldnt run out any time soon, but Xu Qian couldnt let them figure out how much energy he had left. Seeing his guards unable to bring down Xu Qian in a short time, the brocade-wearing young lord furrowed his brow. Standing far away, he mocked, Oy, the one called Xu, kneel and kowtow to me, call me grandad, and this lord will spare your life. Xu Qian replied loudly Grandad, Grandma is really good in bed! Having failed to anger Xu Qian, and instead being made fun of himself, the young lord shouted Kill him. Thud! The strongest guard struck at Xu Qi''an. Thetter pretended that he couldnt defend against this, staggering backwards. The other four guards saw an opportunity, and came at him from all sides. At this time, the gstones under Xu Qi''ans feet split, as the muscles in his legs made his trousers bulge. Like an arrow, he shot forward, crashing into the guard on his left, causing thetter to spit out a glob of blood, and fall back, ribs broken. The guards didnt expect that he would have that much hidden energy left, and being caught unawares, allowed Xu Qi''an to escape from the encirclement. Xu Qian didnt escape, rather sprinting towards the young lord, and under his shocked and fearful expression, grabbed his neck, and savagely struck him in the stomach. The brocade wearing young lords body bent like a shrimp, vomiting. Without any change in expression, Xu Qi''an gave him a few more punches, and hit him until the young man was clutching his stomach, kneeling on the floor. The hellfire in his heart slowly settled, and he did not continue his attack, turning his head towards the advancing guards, shouting Stay where you are, or Ill kill him. The guards were afraid of causing such coteral damage, and did as he said. Good, very good the brocade wearing young man raised his head, face full of venomous fury, Do you know who I am? Thud! Xu Qian stomped his face into the vomit, silently using more power, causing the young lord to let out a heart-wrenching cry of pain. Then Ill teach milord a principle, Xu Qian said, face dark,mon men also have anger, and if you bring one to anger, five paces will blood spatter. The two sides faced off for a while, before a group of ck cloaked, sword wearing bailiffs, with some assistant runners rushed over. At their head was constable Wang. Hearing that young Xu was taking a beating, Constable Wang was initially very angry, but seeing the young mans brocade dress, his face stiffened, as his gaze flickered, and he resumed his angry expression. Who dares in broad daylight to fight on the streets in Changle County? Seeing that his colleagues had already drawn their des, and had surrounded the bodyguards, Xu Qian let go of the young lord. Thetter pointed at him, shouting angrily, Arrest him, arrest him! This young lord will kill him by a thousand cuts! Constable Wang pretended not to hear, scolding, Bastard things, arrest them all. No matter what the pampered young man said, Wang maintained a base attitude of *I have no culture to behold, with a fuck you Ill travel the world*. Most likely seeing that these bailiffs had no brains, the young lord stopped his racket, and was escorted to the Constabry under watch. Constable Wang stayed back from the group a few steps, going to Xu Qi''ans side, asking, Brother, youve got yourself into big trouble, that bastards background isnt simple. Have you thought of how to get out of this? Old Wangs eyesight was like an eagle. *I, Liu Jianming, had no choice* Xu Qian replied quietly Have you notified my uncle? Not long after, they reached the constabry. --- [^1]: the children of officials and rich families. Chapter 23: An Arrest by the Ministry of Law Chapter 23: An Arrest by the Ministry of Law # 23. An Arrest by the Ministry of Law As Xu Qi''an rushed into the county office, He soon heard a weeping sound "Big Brother!" Xu Lingyue, wearing a light blue robe, looked slender and elegant. Her elegant and fair face was tear-stained and her eye sockets were red and swollen, just like a cute little flower. He couldn''t see Xu Lingyin, She was probably in the side hall, and not permitted toe. Xu Qi''an nodded slightly and gave her a calm look. County Magistrate Zhu, having already received the news, sat in front of the table and saw the group of people brought in by the Office Servants. He looked at the angry young master in brocade clothes. Old Zhu was startled and hurriedly got up to greet him. "Isn''t this Young Master Zhou, How is Assistant Minister Zhou?" The young brocade wearing master waved his sleeve violently, batting Magistrate Zhu aside, before pointing at Xu Qi''an and viciously saying, "This manmitted crimes on the street and attempted to kill me. Take him away quickly." "Serious Matter, serious matter," County Magistrate Zhu turned his head with a smile on his face, and shouted angrily, "Hurry up, Xu Qi''an. Get your arse over here!" Xu Qi''an bit the bullet and went forward. "Disgraceful, You dared to hit the son of Mr. Zhou, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenues. Don''t you have a brain?" County Magistrate Zhu got up and kicked Xu Qi''an, turned his head, and smiled with a fawning face. Young Master Zhou, these are surging waters hitting the dragon kings temple. Were all on the same side, a lord like you doesnt care for lowly people, dont bother arguing with such an insignificant thing. Outside the crowd, Xu Lingyue looked at her cousin taking hardship for her. Tears rolled down her face, and her tall nose, which was more straight and delicate than ordinary women, turned red from crying. Son of the Deputy Minister of Household... Xu Qi''an''s heart dropped. In the officialdom of Great Feng, the power of an official depends not on his rank, but on his background. Even if there were many first and second-rank officials, Only a few people truly stood at the top of the totem pole. The Six Ministers and Deputy Ministers were among them. It was a serious matter to have beaten the son of the Deputy Minister of the Household. "This young master will leave you some time. If you don''t arrest this person, I''ll do it myself." Young Master Zhou waved his hand and ordered his subordinates, "Arrest this bastard." He didn''t believe that this bastard dared to resist arrest andmit murder in the County Office. County Magistrate Zhu shouted, "Whoever dares tomit violence in the county office will be put to death." Three squads of office servants rushed out, drew out their knives, and put them on the neck of the subordinates who were about to strike. Deputies were on guard outside holding truncheons. "The one surnamed Zhu, you dare to touch my people?" Young Master Zhou pointed at county magistrate Zhu''s nose and cursed. "Young Master Zhou, do not misunderstand me. I''m an official of the court, and am just acting ording to the rules." County Magistrate still had a fawning smile, wiping away some of the spittle on his face. "I have awsuit here, suing you, Young Master for reckless riding, aiming to cause harm, bullying a respectable woman. The user is Xu Lingyue. This was the method that County Magistrate Zhu had prepared long ago. If the other party was just an ordinary Official, County Magistrate Zhu would have found a way to convert arge problem into a small one. He didn''t expect the victim to have been the son of the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Households. Young Master Zhou let out a breath, "Who did I hurt while riding a horse? Bullying a respectable woman, bah, the one surnamed Zhu, Go to the street and ask if Iy a finger on this woman." "Then maybe this woman identified the wrong person." County Magistrate Zhu put thewsuit back into his sleeve with a smile. *Shit, Magistrate Zhu cant get him, I need to find a way to save myself, if it reallyes to it, Ill run away, but this will bring in Uncle and the whole family.* Xu Qi''an was a bit anxious. In this era, Only children of officials could deal with the children of officials. He couldn''t match the other party in the background. Not just him, but even the second uncle, A Baihu from the Imperial Guard. Is that anything in front of the Deputy Minister of the Household? Nothing. As for regretting the matter, no, He didn''t. Should he allow himself to be ughtered when a knife was resting on his neck? While thinking, he saw one of Young Master Zhou''s subordinates leave the county office. But county Magistrate Zhu didn''t stop him. Xu Qi''an, chilled, walked up to Constable Wang, and said in a low voice, "Boss, your younger brother is doomed today. So, I want you to do something for me." Constable Wang stayed silent for a while, and said in a low voice, "Say it." In the past month, the rtionship between him and Xu Qi''an had improved by leaps and bounds. They went to the Gon to y together and drank flowery wine together, forging a deep friendship. "First, Lend me a tael of silver." Constable Wang felt his chest and took out a handful of broken silver, less than a tael. Xu Qi''an took the broken silver and put it in his pocket, then said, "Boss, you ride to my house quickly and get a book, a blue book, from the cab next to my bed. Remember, don''t take anything else." The diary has a light yellow cover. "After you take the book, Immediately go to the Sitianjian, find a girl called Caiwei, and send a message to her: Xu Qi''an is in trouble. Send help quickly." Sitianjian!? Constable Wang became hesitant, "How can someone like me go to that ce?" Letting him into the Sitianjian was equivalent to letting an ordinary person into the pce. In that, he didn''t have the guts to get close. Xu Qi''an knew that it would be like this, and whispered, "If something happens to me, No one will return the money to you." Constable Wang''s eyes widened. "Help me finish this matter. My sry for the next month will belong to you, boss." "Xu Qi''an, you wonderful person." Constable Wang rushed out of the county office while cursing. Upon receiving the notice, Xu Pingzhi borrowed a horse from his colleagues and hurried to Changle County Office. Stepping over the threshold and entering the court, the first thing he saw was his crying and trembling daughter, followed by the office servants and subordinates who were facing each other. Xu Pingzhi withdrew his gaze and came to his daughter to ask seriously, "What''s going on?" Xu Lingyue, upon seeing her father, cried even more fiercely and told the entire story to her father while sobbing. Upon hearing of the part where Young Master Zhou raised his horse''s hoof to trample on the child, The corners of his eyes twitched and his face became gloomy. "Lingyin would have already been gone if it weren''t for big brother, wahhhh" Xu Pingzhi looked at the figure of his nephew Ningyan, closed his eyes, and calmed down for a few seconds before saying in a low voice, "Go to the side hall and watch Lingyin. And don''te out." After watching his small daughter disappear into the distance. Xu Pingzhi stepped forward silently, and stared at the young master in embroidered clothes, "Young Master Zhou, can this be sorted?" The young master met his eyes and felt real killing intent, and remembered what Xu Qi''an had said on the street. He couldn''t say anything no matter how hard he tried to squeeze out the words in his throat. Baihu Xu, such a powerful official. What, if the young master doesnt give up, you want to spatter blood five paces? An old man wearing a blue gown with golden marks on the cuffs and neckline along with a jade pendant on his waist came in front of the county office. His hair is white and thick, his face thin, and his eyes were as sharp as needles. He was still at the door when he first spoke, but he had already arrived at the court when he had finished his words. "Uncle Chen." Young Master Zhou was overjoyed. "How did the young master get this hurt? Which animal moved its hands on you? This old servant has watched the young master grow up, and my heart aches even for a little injury." When the old man saw Young Master Zhou''s earlobes covered in scabs, he felt distressed and angry. "I''ve always told the master several times that you should be assigned a Refining Qi martial artist, but he has always refused on grounds of you liking to cause trouble." "So what if you cause trouble? It''s always better for others to suffer than you, young master." Xu Pingzhi felt that he was locked on to by a wave of energy, and felt as if he had fallen into an ice cer; as if a snake crawled in his back, He had a feeling of hovering between life and death. He had felt simrly when fighting on the battlefield, which made him unable to move. The old man was a master of the Refining Spirit. County Magistrate Zhu coughed, "May I ask Sir your?" "I don''t dare!" The old man interrupted indifferently, "I''m just an old ve in the Zhou family, and I can''t bear Master Zhu''s sir." You are too polite, a seventh rank official facing the prime ministers door guard, this wisdom was known best by every experienced member of officialdom. Magistrate Zhu smiled, "Looking at the matter, it''s all misunderstandings after misunderstandings. The Official assessment ising soon, and everyone values peace. What do you think, senior?" The old man sneered and said, "A few insignificant people can''t affect the master''s official assessment. The Zhou family has always convinced people with virtue, and everything will be done ording to the rules and regtions of the court." Everyone didn''t understand what he said at first, until a momentter when the loud sound of footsteps came from outside the office. A group of armoured soldiers poured in, led by an official wearing a green robe embroidered with white pheasants. He looked around and said loudly. "The Ministry of Law is arresting criminals, idlers must move away. If they interfere, they will be charged with the same crime as the arrested. After a pause, the green-robed fifth-rank official smiled at Young Master Zhou, "Young Master, I ask you, Where is the criminal?" Young Master Zhou pointed at Xu Qi''an, "Lock this bastard up for me." The green-robed fifth-rank official waved his hand, "Apprehend him." The soldiers rushed up, took out shackles, and locked Xu Qi''an. "My lord, why is my nephew guilty?" Xu Pingzhi became nervous. "I can decide whether hemitted the crime by myself." The green-robed fifth-rank official said indifferently, "As a minister of the Ministry of Law, I always aspire to enforce thew impartially and meticulously." Xu Pingzhi still wanted to speak but was held back by County Magistrate Zhu. "Take him away!" Chapter 24: The Blue Cover Book Chapter 24: The Blue Cover Book # 24. The Blue Cover Book The men of the Ministry of Law quickly left, taking away the now criminal Xu Qi''an. Only then did the white-haired old man take back in his qi aura, and not taking one nce at Xu Pingzhi, went and held young master Zhous arm, Young master, this old servant will take you back to the estate to get treatment. Young Master Zhou, clinging onto the old man, walked out,ining, I want to see that lowlife dead! Yes yes yes, this old servant will ensure all is arranged appropriately. the old man smiled, face filled with kindness. No, Ill go myself. As young master wants. The two of them left the constabry with their bodyguards, their figures disappearing into the distance. Xu Pingzhi suddenly started breathing heavily, like a person who had nearly drowned to death. His whole body was covered in sweat. I want to bring this to the crown! Xu Pingzhi spat out one word at a time. You wont be able to see His Majesty. The pce is a forbidden area, how could a Baihu of the royal guard enter? You also dont have any right to bring any usations, Magistrate Zhu sighed, Forget it. No, no, I wont let it be Xu Pingzhi switched back and forth from ferocity and despair. Magistrate Zhu thought for a moment, The only thing you can do is to find Cijiu. He is a juren of the Cloud Deer Academy, perhaps he has a way. Even though the Cloud Deer Academy had been suppressed for a long time by the court, with hardly any room to survive, but the people living there werent just some helpless intellectuals. No, they were disciples of the sage. Not only were they adept at using reason to persuade, but they were even more adept at using reason to persuade. Which is why when Xu Xinnian was able to escape exile then, and only have his achievements be cancelled, and his name put on the cklist. Stargazing Tower! Constable Wang rode up to the citys tallest structure. Around it were no signs of foot soldier guards, but upon closer inspection, there was not a hint of anymon person around the tower. The Sitianjian was a ce of colourful and strange mysteries. The grandmaster, called the *Jianzheng*[^1], studied the arrangements of constetions, and set the calendar. He was a person who could talk with the immortals in heaven. The inventions of the Sitianjians alchemists have spread widely through the ranks ofmon people, making their lives more prosperous. Compared to all other cultivation paths, the Sitianjians Arcanists were most like the immortal *xian* in peoples minds. And a ce where immortals live, no ordinary people dared toe. Constable Wang had several times thought to pull on the reins, and return to the constabry, but resisted the urge. He resisted the huge emotional pressure on himself, and stopped in front of Stargazing Tower, tying his horses reins onto the railings of its stone steps with shaking hands. Preparing himself, he started climbing. The foundations of Stargazing Tower were a full six metres tall, taller than an average houses roof. With a nervous mood, Constable Wang entered the first floor of the tower. The inside was lit incredibly well. with sunlight shining in from many holes in the wall, dust particles floating in its rays. He saw the rows upon rows of medicine cupboards, saw a group of young white-cloaked people sitting in a circle, excitedly debating something. He saw that some were intently reading books, others were asleep at their desks, and yet more others making medicine. It wasmon knowledge amongst the people that the immortals of the Sitianjian were all heavenly doctors, who could save people from death and heal injuries, all without taking a penny Constable Wang finally believed it now. Who are you? A white-cloaked person noticed Wang, and came over, looking him up and down. Even though there were no guards around the Sitianjian, rarely if ever didmoners dare to brazenlye up its steps, and get close to the tower. Only some, who had fallen down with great illness, and knew that their future was dim, would test their luck here. Constable Wang cautiously swallowed, and said haltingly, I, I am a constable of the Changle County Constabry. *So?* The white-cloaked person looked at him, not replying. His eyes were flickering with radiant vigour, with a piercing gaze that seemed to stare into a persons soul. Constable Wang felt a great pressure, and very nearly gave up on old Xu Qi''an and escaped from the ce. I- I came to find Miss Caiwei. Wang replied. Sister Caiwei? the white-cloaked man inspected Constable Wang again, seeing his empty hands, muttering in his heart *you didnt even bring anything to eat, and yet you want to find Sister Caiwei?* For what? Constable Wang retried a blue-cover book from his robes, A friend of mine wanted me to give this book to Miss Caiwei, and also leave a message: Xu Qian is in trouble, send help quickly. The white cloaked man took the book, and idly flicked through it. The lettering within the book was twisted and sharp like a chickens foot, far from any prized calligraphic work. He lost all interest, holding the book, Sister Caiwei is not here, she went out. You could wait here, ore backter, or you can give the book to me, Ill give it to her for you. Then I thank you greatly for the trouble. Constable Wang took the opportunity to flee. Brother, whats up? Another white-cloaked person to the side watched Constable Wang hurriedly make his exit, and asked. A constable, said he was asking for Sister Caiwei, probably for something urgent take this book to the seventh floor, to Brother Song, ask him for his opinion. Song Qing[^2] was a sixth rank Master of Alchemy, and leader of all the alchemists within the Sitianjian. He was the Grandmasters fourth disciple, as in the Sitianjian, all its disciples could call themselves the Jianzhengs disciples. But in reality, the Jianzheng had only ever taught six disciples directly, who were called the six children of the Sitianjian. As to the other disciples, they all received their tutge through another. Mm, Caiwei was the youngest of all the disciples, and hadnt even taken any disciples of her own, having not yet the privilege to. Song Qing had just recently returned to the capital, and having heard about the goings on of the tax silver case, and under the encouragement and persuasion of his peers, took on the task of refining the fake silver. Happily living the blessing of a 996 life, the white-cloaked Masters of Alchemy were overjoyed that he agreed. Weve failed again, Brother Song, are you also unable to do it? Rubbish, how could Brother Song fail? Its nothing but another alchemical invention, and inventions require many rounds of failure and refinement to achieve the desired result. If Brother Song can fullyprehend the secrets within this art, then our Sitianjian will have another line of business. Song Qing, having again and again worked overnight, waved them away, All of you stop talking, I need some quiet. Though he had not slept, his eyes still shone with vigour, even with a hint of excitement. As someone who had a craze for alchemy, he took on all the challenges he could in the field. *Its not theposition of salt thats the issue over many experiments and conclusions, I can roughly conclude that the temperature of the fire must be controlled to melt the salt, but not allow it to boil the crucialponent is in the lightning* Song Qing muttered to himself silently. He had already realised the crux of the issue, but because he had no knowledge of voltage, he could only try again and again, controlling the strength of his lightning magic. The person who invented the method of turning simple salt into fake silver, must be a prodigy of prodigies! he eximed. If he could interact and make friends with this person, then his ns for biological alchemy could have a breakthrough. At this time, a white-cloak came up the stairs to the seventh floor where the Masters of Alchemy stayed. White robes were the Sitianjians uniform, and though upon first nce they were not much different, the difference was in what was on the chest the Masters of Alchemy had a crucible embroidered onto their robes. The disciple who had juste up had a picture of medicinal herbs sewn at his chest, representing that he was the ninth rank of the Arcanists: a Doctor. Also called a Physician. Brother, earlier a constable came round, asking after Sister Caiwei. He also told us to send a message: Xu Qian is in trouble, send help quickly. The Physician continued, I figured it could be something of great urgency, a friend of Sister Caiwei who is calling for her help, so I decided toe up to tell you. *Xu Qian* Song Qing thought this name was somewhat familiar, but couldnt put a face to it. Did that person say anything else? The Physician handed over the blue cover bound book, He only left this book. These characters have to be some of the ugliest Ive ever seen Song Qing took it, and started reading, immediately feeling pain from reading those distorted chicken-scratch letters. The first page only had one line, and he read carefully: *To obtain something, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy''s firstw of equivalent exchange. Edward Elric* --- [^1]: [^2]: Chapter 25: Reinforcements Chapter 25: Reinforcements # 25. Reinforcements "Equivalent Exchange" hit Song Qing''s mind like a sh of lightning, and his soul felt an impact. This impact was like the impact schrs felt when hearing a masterpiece poem, that had been passed down the ages. *Equivalent Exchange is the invariable principle of alchemy!* "Yes, It should be like this." Song Qing whispered to himself. Whenever he sessfully refined something, corresponding raw materials would disappear or be transformed into other things. This phenomenon had always existed, but few people noticed it. Of those that noticed this phenomenon, they didn''t think much of it. *When the teacher taught us alchemy back then, He once said that the essence of alchemy was not Creation but Conversion.* "Equivalent Exchange, so that''s what it means" The alchemy fanatic began to tremble with excitement. After calming down his excitement, Song Qing began to think about the meaning of the words "Edward Elric". *Was it a name?* *How could such a strange name exist?* *Was it a secret signal or some term in a field of alchemy?* He couldn''t figure it out, and felt a bit irritated. Song Qing took a deep breath, calmed down, and hurriedly turned the pages, reading the distorted and ugly writing professionally and patiently. The opening sentence was: Step into the world of Alchemy! *Was it teaching people to step into the world of Alchemy?* *How arrogant!* Song Qing thought. Alchemy had always been taught by words and examples, with asional discussions and mutual exchanges. Those with talent could get started in a year or so while those without any couldn''t achieve anything even in 30-50 years. The Sitianjian still didn''t have a set of serious textbooks. However, Song Qing was still looking forward to the book based on the sentence in the preface. Section 1: Property and Changes in Matter. Many invisible atoms in nature constitute matter. They undergo countless interactions, which cause changes to ur in front of the visible eye. "I ssify the changes as Physical Changes and Chemical Changes." Song Qing looked at it, lost in his thoughts. *What is a chemical?* *What is an atom?* *What did I just look at?* *Why do I know every word but can''t understand them when they arebined?* *There arementaries for the ssics of sages, but you haven''t got a speck ofmentary!* However, Song Qing did note away empty handed. He keenly noticed that this book was unparalleled in the world. It expounded on the true nature of the world and pointed out the most essential structure of all things. Song Qing''s body trembled, and he had the urge to tear up the book. These mysteries were things that only gods could know, and mortals shouldn''t pry into them. But another force was supporting him, it was the most primitive thirst for knowledge in humans. Silence reigned in the Alchemy Room. The white-robed people looked at each other with dismay. They didn''t dare to disturb their senior brother Song Qing, but they were deeply worried due to the strange expression he was showing. "Brother is thinking of strange experiments again." "Yeah, Last year, He tried to refine a cat''s body into a tree, so that its head would grow back even if it was cut off, But he was grounded by the Jianzheng for a month." Song Qing was immersed in his world, both fearful and excited when reading it. His eyes lit up suddenly because he saw the detailed exnation for the process of refining the fake silver in the tax fraud case. *Step 1: The first step is to filter brine to obtain pure Sodium Chloride (Refined Salt).* *Step 2: Evaporate the brine until it dries to precipitate crystals and melt the crystals at 800 degrees Celsius.* *Step 3: Pay attention! This step is the key to refining tax silver. Sess and failure depends on this step.* Song Qings eyes shed with light, as finally, finally, they were about to solve the problem that had troubled him and his juniors for a long time. *This book is divine.* Song Qing realized that he had reached the end of the page and put a little drool on his fingers as if he couldn''t wait to turn to the next page. nk! Song Qing,"???" Nothing? *There isn''t any content remaining?* *What is the third step? Why wasn''t it recorded and who wrote the book? Writers that leave books iplete should be made into mincemeat.* Song Qing spat out a mouthful of blood. Song Qing opened his mouth, as if he had overlooked something, and said deeply, "Who sent this book?" "I didn''t notice." "I didn''t listen." "I forgot." All the juniors told the truth. Song Qing went downstairs immediately and found the disciple who received constable Wang to ask about the process in detail. Song Qing came to conclude after analysis that this was an exchange. "Brother, What''s happened?" The juniors in white chased him downwards. "What''s wrong with this book?" Song Qing''s face was iparably serious, and he nced at everyone''s faces, "Junior brothers, listen to me. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our Sitianjian to rise rapidly. There may be an unprecedented change in alchemy due to this." ... Mianyang Pavilion: Two carriages drove slowly on the official road, and the two Great Schrs who had just argued were sitting in them respectively. Xu Xinnian and a group of ssmates rode horses and followed behind the carriages. "I shouldn''t have told the truth just now." Xu Xinnian felt a bit regretful. The two great Schrs were quarrelling and belittling each other and about to fight each other. Xu Xinnian could say bluntly "In fact, Teacher and Mr. Mubai are just trying to get a poem handed down for generations. The scene looked embarrassing. Although the two schrs were prevented from fighting, Xu Xinnian also realized that it was wrong for him to tell the truth. "Mother is right. I''ve never been able to speak well. I have to change myself." Xu Xinnian was doing the *n*th self-evaluation in his life. He stretched his hand into his robes, and touched the warm jade pendant. Xu Xinnian looked away happily, but as he was feeling happy for himself, a galloping figure appeared in his sight. After a while, the outline of the figure came into view. It was his father, Xu Pingzhi. Xu Xinnian was stunned for a while, and with a tap on his horse''s sides, he passed the carriages to meet his father. "Father, Why are you here?" After finishing speaking, Xu Xinnian''s heart sank. His father''s expression made him realize that the matter at hand was bad, even if he didn''t know anything about it. Xu Pingzhi told Xu Xinnian about the matter as quickly as possible. Assistant Minister Zhou''s son molested his younger sister in the street and nearly killed the other sister by riding his horse. Brother and Lingyin were taken to the Ministry of Law. "Nian''er, your elder brother''s life depends on you." "Father, don''t worry." Many thoughts shed through Xu Xinnian''s head, and soon he came up with an idea. He turned his horse''s head, forced his carriage to a stop, and said loudly, "Teacher, Mr. Mubai, Cijiu has something to request before he leaves." The curtain was lifted and Zhang Shen and Li Mubai poked their heads out, "What''s the matter?" "My brother is in trouble. I ask the teacher and Mr. Mubai to help." Xu Xinnian repeated what his father told him. Zhang Shen stared at him, and said in a deep voice," Is he the genius who wrote On the road ahead, surely will be friends dear and true; Throughout thend is there anyone who knows not you?" His voice was serious as if the matter was important. "Exactly!" Xu Xinnian nodded. Just as Zhang Shen was about to speak, Li Mubai in the carriage next to him cut off his words."Cijiu, Leave your elder brother''s affairs to me, You and your teacher could go back to the academy first." "Hmmph!" Zhang Shen snorted coldly, "Why should you, an outsider, poke your nose into this matter? I''ll take care of my student''s affairs." Xu Pingzhi was overjoyed, He didn''t expect his son''s reputation to be so great. "Teacher, Mr. Mubai, My brother has been taken to the Ministry of Law. Please go quickly lest things change." Xu Xinnian urged. *Don''t bicker at this time.* Chapter 26: The Virtuous Chapter 26: The Virtuous # 26 The Virtuous Li Mubai suddenly waved his hand, as the driver on the cart was picked up by a gust of wind, tond safely at the side of the road. Schr Li pulled on the horses reins, and took control himself, calmly saying, This horse is a Thousand-li riding horse, in one day he can run a thousand li. A shocking scene happened, the ordinary brown horse pulling the cart, at this moment, suddenly gave an energetic neigh. Underneath its skin, muscles started bulging, its body started growing, and in the blink of an eye, it grew to almost twice the size of a regr pack horse. Li Mubais cart was left in the dust. Zhang Shen hmphed, You get down too. He left the cart driver also at the side of the road, and took his ce for himself, pulling at the reigns, stating solemnly, This horse is big and strong, not only is it a Thousand-Li Steed, but it also has six legs. A simr change happened, as this ck horse underwent the same transformation as before, its body growing, muscles bulging. What was different though, was that its sides split open, and new bones grew, and then ligaments, and then flesh and out of thin air, two more legs had formed. The ck horse galloped like flight with its six legs, kicking up a cloud of dust, quickly catching up to Li Mubai. Old Scoundrel, you have no shame! Where is there a six-legged horse? Li Mubai was furious. I say, therefore there is. Hah, good, then my horse has eight legs! Hmph, you shameless old bastard want to fight with me for a disciple, huh? This horse cart of mine is as light as paper, and can fly with the wind! A gust of wind rushed by, and Zhang Shens carriage lightly floated up, just like paper, and floated away on the gales. Li Mubai did not want to be outdone, shouting My horse cart can ride on clouds! A cloud appeared from the ground, surrounding the cart wheels, pushing the horse and carriage up into the sky. Xu Pingzhi looked at this scene, utterly speechless. Only after the carts had disappeared over the horizon, did he swallow ufortably, The confucianists are really cool eh. Xu Xinnian looked to the sky, desire in his heart, muttering This isnt showing off, this is the Confucianist fifth rank: Virtuous! They also had another name, given as such by the Jianzheng after he had had much to drink: Confucianists using words to mess withws! Jail, in the Ministry of Law. Xu Qian, shackled, sat cross-legged on a tattered straw mat, back against the icy cold cell wall. Smelling the cold, damp air, which carried a slight smell of rot, it was almost as if he was back in that cell in the constabry, in the tax silver case. ording to the cases that he had read previously, cases of abuse and rape within the constabries of the capital were too numerous to count. These shitty things, pretty much never make it into the old Emperors ears, being suppressed by the officials within. After all, the words *to report to the son of heaven* carried a weight as heavy as Mount Tai, and wasnt it not from here that they originated? *But this was the period of official evaluation, do you not fear your political enemies using this as an avenue to attack* Xu Qianughed, Finish me off at greatest haste, then use the lives of my whole family to force Uncle to keep quiet about this shame, does this not solve the issue? I was wrong. Even though the middle ss lived afortable life, but if they ever raised the ire once of someone higher up, then not after a thousand cmities will they be satisfied. If I wanted to live a proper life, then Id need power and influence. Crash the iron door at the end of the corridor opened, and footsteps approached. Not much timeter, a jailor apanied by two sword-wearing armoured soldiers came to his cell. Time for yourst meal. the jailor sneered. After opening the door, he did not go in, rather standing back, shouting Bring him out. The two armoured soldiersy their hands on sword-hilts, expressions cautious. Even if he was wearing shackles on hands and feet, Xu Qi''an was nheless a martial artist at the peak of Refining Body, and if he were to fight like a cornered animal, then they all would be in danger. You better behave yourself, and co-operate with us here. I dont think you want us to cut the tendons in your hands and feet before carrying you out, no? Xu Qian was silent for a moment, before rising. Minister Sun of the Ministry of Law was sitting in front of the case table, sorting out an assignment. Memos and dossiers were piled up in mountains. Suddenly, he seemed to feel something, and looked over at the window. Soon after, two ck shadows appeared,ing closer and closer, their shapes slowly getting more distinct. It was two horse-drawn carts, one riding the wind, the other supported by clouds. The two carts were side by side, as if fighting to be first to arrive, andnded simultaneously in the courtyard of the Ministry constabry. The second that those strong mighty horsesnded, they copsed to the ground, energy expended, as if their life force had been sucked dry. After twitching slightly, thest vestiges of life left them. The assistants and guards in the constabry quickly surrounded them. The crimson-robed Minister Sun approached, brow furrowed. He had a square, straight face, and his expression brought him an aura of strictness. Brother Chunjing, Brother Jinyan, for what have you twoe to my Ministry of Law? Minister Sun was still courteous. Even though the Imperial Academy and the Cloud Deer Academy had been fighting for a long time now, but theing of the two great schrs was still sufficient to make him mind his actions. Zhang Shen sped his fists in greeting, saying solemnly, Today, the Ministry of Law apprehended one of my students, called Xu Qian. May Minister Sun please release him. *Weve apprehended a student of the Cloud Deer Academy?* *These old things in the academy are most protective of their own* Minister Sun replied The Ministry of Law oversees the rights of sanction and incarceration, we would not arrest anyone without good reason. Please may my good sirs borate. He did not agree straight away; the Imperial Academy had beaten down the Cloud Deer academy for many years now, as the former was ordained by the crown and its officials. Thus, naturally the Cloud Deer Academy could not fight against the Imperial Academy, as if the crown doesnt employ your people, what are you going to do about it? However this was not to say that the Cloud Deer Academy were powerless people who could be pushed around; the Cloud Deer academy controlled the Confucian cultivation path, and was the holy site of all students under heaven. The teachers of the academy protecting their own students was natural, and with their name and recognition, if the person in question had notmitted any serious crime, the Ministry of Law would rarely go against their request. Before the two great schrs could reply, a few runners rushed into the courtyard in a panic, shouting Minister Sir, theres a group of Sitianjian white-cloaks outside,ing into the ministry, we couldnt stop them Minister Sun and all the officials there looked to the mour, and saw a group of Sitianjian disciples, with their white cloaks a-flowing, forcing their way through the main door of the Ministry. At their head was a man, a picture of a crucible embroidered on his chest, with thick eyebrows, a tall nose, and bags under his eyes that seemed as if they never went away. The fourth disciple of the Sitianjians grandmaster, Song Qing. Their fierce arrival caused Minister Suns brow to furrow tightly, as he shouted, You lot dare to force your way into the Ministry of Law? You have already broken thew, why are you not leaving this instant? Song Qing stopped, making a greeting, saying lightly Minister Sir, we havee to the Minstry of Law to ask for a person. Hearing this, Minister Suns heart skipped a beat, and a thought vaguely formed in his head. He replied solemnly Who? Xu Qian. He was arrested just today by the Ministry for no reason. Xu Qian again, which holy person is he, that he could bring both the Cloud Deer Academys great schrs, and the Sitianjians white-cloaks at the same time? In the Great Feng, nobody wanted to disrespect the Jianzheng. Even the self-proimed orthodox Confucianist Cloud Deer Academy, when mocked by the alcohol-loving Jiangzheng as using words to mess withws, could only turn the other cheek, and not attempt to use theirmand of words to ovee him. Whats going on? Whos Xu Qi''an? How have I never heard of this person? You must be very ignorant, have you not heard of the tax silver case? The person who solved the case was exactly this Xu Qi''an. But hes just a martial artist, how could he form rtionships with the Confucianists and the Sitianjian? Strange, what did our Ministry arrest him for? The onlooking officials muttered amongst themsevles. Minister Sun waved his hand, summoning one of the officials, asking Did the Ministry of Law arrest a person called Xu Qi''an today? That official replied in a low voice, before hurriedly running off. Very soon, he came back holding a stack of documents. Minister Sir, there was no Xu Qi''an in the arrest warrant record. No record? Minister Suns face darkened. Who carried out the arrest? That, this official does know the official turned around, looking at the crowd, and saw a blue-robed person, It was Huang Langzhong. Several gazes moved onto him. That azure-wearing young man, having just returned to the Ministry, having only had time to drink a cup of tea, and having not had time to report to the high minister, felt his blood run cold. Chapter 27: Bring him away Chapter 27: Bring him away # 27. Bring him away Minister Sun coldly nced to the side. Petty Minister Huang, feeling as if he was in an ice cer, walked over in a panic with his head bowing down. "Milord, the incident was sudden, and this small official didn''t have the time to obtain the documents for arrest. The main reason is that the suspect is a martial artist and the nephew of the Imperial Guard Xu Pingzhi. He''s very much able to abscond in fear of crime." Huang thought, *Even if Minister Suns mouth is just six feet away, I could still fling the pot on someone else in 0.01 seconds.*[^1] "Young Master Zhou sent his subordinate to submit awsuit saying that a thief beat him on the street, and said that he would let blood stter five steps... "Due to it being an emergency, This small official decided to arrest the suspect first, so that he wouldn''t abscond in fear of crime." With the Sitianjian white cloaks and Cloud Deer Academy Great Schrs present, He didn''t dare to lie and didn''t have any need to lie. Fighting in the street was a crime that resulted in the leader of both sides of the fight being paddled using big boards at least fifty times. Except for not acquiring the documents for arrest, everything else was done ording to the rules. In the Ministry of Law, there were many examples of getting the documents for arrest after the fact. Sitianjian''s white cloaks frowned. Li Mubai and Zhang Shen looked at each other, after which the former took a step forward and said in a deep voice, "The sage said: *A gentleman should be honest and sincere.*" "Bump-bump", "Bump-bump", "Bump-bump" Petty Minister Huang felt his heart beating violently, and blood rushed into his face. He felt ashamed of himself for lying. He hated his behaviour of lying, and his spirit violently protested his despicable behaviour. His mouth moved out of his control, and he spoke uncontrobly, "Young Master Zhou wants to kill Xu Qi''an and have him die in the prison of the Ministry of Law to vent his hatred. I, I... want to sell Young Master Zhou a favour." *Comfortable..* Petty Minister Huang sat down on the ground, with sweat dripping off his forehead. There was an uproar, and more than a dozen officials of the Ministry of Law were looking at Huang, some with disdain, some with contempt, some gloating at him and some shaking their heads and sighing at him. "Despicable and shameless, I''ll write a report to impeach you tomorrow!" The Ministry of Law''s Censor was roused to anger. Fifth-rank... Minister Sun remained calm and nced at Petty Minister Huang, who was pale and dull-eyed, and ordered the officials under him, "Pass on my word, Let the suspect go!" ... Amidst the ttering of shackles, Xu Qi''an was brought to the torture room. Young Master Zhou changed into an indigo robe, which was thick but not bad-looking. He sat there loose and carefree, with a foot on the chair. The ear that was crushed by Xu Qi''an was wrapped in white muslin. The thin old man in a blue coat with golden patterns in his cor and cuffs stood beside him, staring at Xu Qi''an sharply, without hiding his murderous intent. In addition, two guards were beside a pile of torture instruments, gloating at Xu Qi''an. The Young Master in brocade clothes waved his hand, and a jailor took a piece of paper from his arms and threw it in front of Xu Qi''an. "You have two choices." young master Zhou said disdainfully, "Plead guilty and be put in prison; or try all the torture instruments here, then plead guilty, and be put in prison." Xu Qi''an nced at it, and its content was roughly this: *Xu Qi''an, the fast bailiff of the Changle county office had an argument with Zhou Li on the street, which led to him being murderous and then resorting to martial force, which led to Zhou Li being seriously injured. Later, Bailiffs arrived quickly and fast bailiff Xu Qi''an was arrested...* *Violence in the middle of the street, The second party was the son of the Deputy of the Ministry of Households. If I put my signature on the paper, The lightest punishment for me would be being exiled. If the one surnamed Zhou tries, I could be executed in the vegetable market... He didn''t leave me a way out.* Xu Qi''an withdrew his gaze and looked at the Young Master in Embroidered Clothes, "Will I be harmed if I sign this paper?" The corner of Young Master Zhous mouth raised as if he was toying with insects, and he said mockingly, "No, the choice I give you is: Be imprisoned first and then be punished or Be punished first and then imprisoned." The jailers burst intoughter. Xu Qi''an''s face became gloomy. The more he was like this, the happier Young Master Zhou became. He liked the expression people made when they had hatred against him but were helpless to put it into action. "Tsk, tsk, Scary, Really scary." Zhou Li said with a smile "Uncle Chen, are the shackles firm? In case the thief suddenly tries to attack, What should be done?" The thin old man smiled and said, "Don''t worry, Young Master. He''s just an ant, and this ve can kill such ants with a single p." "I''m relieved." Zhou Li got up, walked to the pile of torture instruments, and started talking, "There are twenty-four types of torture instruments here, Each of them can make people feel extreme pain without danger to their lives. They are important devices used to extract confessions through torture." "I won''t kill you. Wouldn''t killing you be too convenient?" I heard that in the jail of the Nightwatchers, there are 108 different types of torture instruments. Those imprisoned there nevere out alive. "It''s a pity that you aren''t blessed enough to enjoy them. tsk, tsk, What a pity." Xu Qi''an inevitably looked at the instruments of torture. There were chairs covered with iron nails, rusty steel needles, and dark red saws that were stained with blood all year long... There were so many types of torture instruments, all showing their cruelty and bloodiness. Xu Qi''an''s throat rolled, and his face turned pale. *ording to the time, Miss Caiwei from Sitianjian should have received the notification from Constable Wang... Why hasn''t she arrived yet... Is she unwilling to save me?* *No, the contents of the book Id written are really attractive to any alchemist, any of them would be experiencing difort like scratching their heart, waiting to read the rest.* *If you don''te to save me now, Even if I survive the torture, I''ll be disabled if the entire set of torture instruments is used on me...* Xu Qi''an''s forehead was covered in sweat. He was a normal human being; he also could get scared. Young Master Zhou was observing his face when talking, and he was very satisfied at this sight. This game, simr to a cat ying with its prey, made him immerse himself into it, enjoying it very much. He continued, "I heard that you were raised by your second uncle Xu Pingzhi since you were young. You should have a good rtionship with him." "Well, I suspect this matter was nned by you and your second uncle together." *He investigated me...* Xu Qi''an''s forehead veins bulged. "This... Young Master Zhou, it''s not written in the confession." A jailor said. "Idiot, just write a new version." Another jailer cursed. "What are you waiting for? Just write it here in front of him." Young Master Zhouughed wildly. Whileughter was erupting in the torture room, Suddenly, the door of the prison was opened and a jailer led an azure-robed official in. The azure-robed official nced around and saw that Xu Qi''an was unscathed without any blood, and was relieved. "Bring him away." *Finally, finally, someone came...* Xu Qi''an was relieved. Several jailers in the torture room subconsciously looked at Young Master Zhou. "Milord, We are interrogating a prisoner." Young Master Zhou looked away from the azure robe, that symbolized fifth-ranked officials, and stared at the official''s face with a displeased expression. With a strange smile, the azure-robed official said, "This is the Ministry of Law, not the Ministry of Households. Young Master Zhou could go back to the Ministry of Households to interrogate people if the Ministry of Households also has authority over prisons." After he finished, he shouted, "Bastards, Didn''t you listen to me? Bring him away." --- [^1]: Fling the pot (chinese idiom): push me to someone else. Simrly, carrying the pot: taking the me. Chapter 28: Kill Me Then Chapter 28: Kill Me Then # 28. Kill Me Then Not so quickly! Master Zhou shouted at the jailors to stop, staring angrily at the blue-robed official, This man assaulted me in the street, and wanted to kill me! Im the victim. He half-closed his eyes, and with a tone of voice as if saying something significant, This Sir, do not interfere in other peoples affairs Opposite him was a fifth rank official, nowhere near sufficient to bepared to his father, like mud to clouds. But after all he was an official of the Ministry of Law, and had no rtion to the Ministry of Revenue. Master Zhou also couldnt be too stubborn; all he wanted to imply, was that to disrespect an assistant high ministers son was a very unwise decision. In Officialdom, making unnecessary enemies was something particrly avoided. But he did not expect this official to show absolutely no sign of fear or hesitation. Rather, he sneered, Master Zhou, these words are better heard by Minister Sun. Young master Zhou furrowed his brow, and looked at his old attendant, as this Uncle Chen said quietly Minister Sun knows the master well What was left unsaid, was that if all goes well, he would not ask too many questions. If the opposite happened, then there would be a problem. Master Zhou, unwilling for this nearly cooked duck to just up and fly away in front of his eyes, closely followed. As long as there were no big problems, he would immediately capture Xu Qi''an again, and immediately torture him to death. Walking out of the prison in the Ministry, and seeing the bright sun shining down, Xu Qi''an squinted, slowly getting used to the abrupt change in light. He followed that blue-robed official into the great courtyard of the Ministry. In the yard, were many people. There were officials, wearing all sorts of colours; over a dozen white-wearing young people; two horse-drawn carts and their dead horses; and two thin and graceful old schrs, in Confucian dress. Master Zhou, also seeing this sight, was lost for a moment, not sure what had been going on. He heard the nging of shackles stop, as that bastard Xu Qi''an stopped, turned his head, and enunciated one word at a time: You should be d you did not use torture; let me introduce myself again: I am a new disciple of the Sitianjian. The old mans face turned. Master Zhou in an instant lostposure. *This cant be. He cant be a disciple of the Sitianjian.* But he saw the courtyard full of white-cloaks, and so Master Zhou and Uncle Chen remained silent. Xu Qi''an paid them no mind, as he stepped forward, looking over the white-cloaks, being surprised to find Caiwei absent. *Where was that beautiful girl with the oval egg-shaped face and that pair of As?* *Constable Wang had indeed delivered the blue cover book, but Caiwei isnt here did the Sitianjians disciples look at the books contents, and so decided toe and save me?* *Or Caiwei had important business that she couldnt spare time from, and so asked her fellow disciples toe?* Xu Qi''an breathed a deep breath, and in the nging of chains, said Xu Qi''an greets his fellow brothers. *Brothers?* Song Qing did a double-take, looking carefully at Xu Qi''an, You wrote the book? *His expression doesnt look kind* Xu Qi''an nodded, This isnt a ce to talk. After we leave the Ministry of Law, whatever my Brothers want to ask, Ningyan will answer all that he knows, and in as much detail as he can. Seeing Xu Qi''an talking to the white-cloaks, Master Zhous expression was wooden. He stiffly moved away his gaze, still with ast vestige of denial in his heart, quickly walked towards Minister Sun. Mr Sun, the people from the Sitianjian Minister Sun gave him a look, They came to ask for him. Master Zhous body swayed. The thin old mans breaths suddenly became sharp. *He really is a disciple of the Sitianjian!? This cant be the case, and if he really was a disciple of the Jianzheng, then the tax silver case would simply have never engulfed the Xu family.* *The tax silver case!* The old man thought of one possibility, that he was taken in as a disciple after the tax silver case. Indeed, he did pry open the secrets behind the case, refine the fake silver. Seeing a prodigy in alchemy like him without a teacher, the Jiangzheng naturally would have taken interest. Him making an exception to take him as a disciple was not impossible, and was even rather probable. Furthermore, if he wasnt the Jianzhengs discple, why would there be this group of white-cloaks gathered here. At this time, the old man noticed the two silent great schrs, and their strange, dead horses. He looked at them closely, and suddenly shuddered, recognising them as two great schrs from the Cloud Deer Academy. He gulped, Minister Sir, these two great schrs. They also came for him. Sun replied, expressionless. Master Zhous face stiffened even more, turning his head slowly to look at old Uncle Chen. So you are Xu Qi''an? Xu Qi''an turned to look, and saw that the asker was an old man, wearing a grey robes, with a beard like a mountain goat. In his mind, he asked *grandpa, who are you?* I am Cijius teacher. The other blue-robed old man said, his smile warm as he looked Xu Qian up and down, *On this road, surely will there be friends dear and true; Throughout thend is there anyone who knows not you;* was written by you? This junior wrote randomly, and causedughter for my elders, he replied, my courtesy name is Ningyan. Introducing ones own courtesy name to strangers was one of the most basic pleasantries, since calling someone directly by their birth name was a taboo. If you do not introduce your courtesy name, you imply that you do not want to interact with that person. The blue robed old mans smile grew wider. We should probably be leaving the ministry now. Song Qing could not resist hurrying them. Immediately, a jailor came forward, and undid Xu Qi''ans shackles. Sure! Xu Qi''an nodded. The faces of the Sitianjian disciples broke into smile, as their goal was aplished, their person freed, and they were unimaginably excited for theing discussions. Neither Li Mubai nor Zhang Shen wanted to stay any longer, because what faced them was a fierce and intense battle between each other. Whew! Seeing Xu Qi''an leaving with the group, Master Zhou let out a huge sigh of relief, a feeling of fear and apprehension welling up in his heart, that he did not want to admit to. Wait! Xu Qi''an suddenly stopped. The Sitianjian disciples and the two great schrs all looked at him. I still have a thing to do, Xu Qi''an sped his fists together, before turning and walking towards Master Zhou. Passing the jailor, he snatched the wooden nk shackles from him. What- what are you doing? Master Zhou quickly retreated, startled. Xu Qi''an, my father is Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, you dare to touch me? You dare to touch me in the Ministry of Law? Mr Sun, Minister Sun, arrest this person this once Uncle Chen, save me Crack! Xu Qi''an swung the wooden shackles, and brought them down heavily on Zhou Lis head. Shards of wood flew. Master Zhous eyes rolled up, and he toppled over backwards, crimson red blood trickling down from beneath his hair. Emotionless, Xu Qi''an looked at old Uncle Chen, Kill me then. The whole courtyard was silent! Kill me then. In front of my brothers, in front of the Sirs of the Ministry of Law, in front of the two great schrs, p me to death like the ant I am. The anger that had rushed to his face like a surging tide faded as quickly as it came. The thin old man stood there, stiff, not daring to make a single move. *I really danced around the gates of hell it really is that only guanerdai can deal with guanerdai, the just hand of thew really only applies to conflicts between small people* Xu Qian basked in the early winter sun, feeling as if he had just earned a new life. Just leaving the Ministry, he saw at the end of the street two horses galloping over at great haste: Xu Eng and Uncle Xu. Father and son both saw Xu Qi''an, surrounded by Sitianjian white-cloaks, and their expressions showed noticeable relief. *Why would the people from the Sitianjian be here* Uncle Xu wondered in confusion. He himself was a master at the peak of Refining Qi, he had gone through the Campaign of Mountains and Seas, and so did not, like themon people did, treat the Sitianjians Arcanists like gods. Xu Xinnian pulled on his reins, and immactely examined his elder cousin, before subtly letting out a breath, and making a deep bow, Thank you, teacher. Than you, Mr Mubai. Xu Qian merely sped his hands together towards the Sitianjian''s people, and then copied his younger cousin, and bowed to the two great schrs. Li Mubai remarked with a sigh, Such a great poetic talent, how could he just be a bailiff? Ningyan, do you have any interest ining to the Cloud Deer Academy, and cultivating the Confucian path? *Weve not known each other more than 30 minutes, and youre already calling me Ningyan* Zhang Shen added, Just perfect, you can be this old mans student. Xu Qian: ??? Chapter 29: Cijiu, Hasnt Your Elder Brother Treated You Well? Chapter 29: Cijiu, Hasn''t Your Elder Brother Treated You Well? # 29. Cijiu, Hasn''t Your Elder Brother Treated You Well? He nced at his cousin, who was still maintaining a poker face. "Ningyan is thankful to the two seniors for appreciating me, but I''m practicing Martial Arts. Although I''ve studied the ssics a little in my childhood, I don''t have much knowledge about them now." Xu Qi''an didn''t dareply without figuring out the context. "It''s okay, study and research are done over one''s entire life. It''s never toote." Li Mubai stroked his goatee with a smile. *He really appreciates me this much...* Xu Qi''an was astonished. He thought for a while before he had an idea. He looked at his cousin again, and said smilingly, "That''s right, There''s no limit to knowledge, I also have a talent for studying. With the help of two seniors, I''ll surely surpass Cijiu even if I am ater." When Xu Cijiu heard that, He let out a ''huh'' and said proudly, "My teacher and Mr. Mubai are interested in your poems, like A Send-off for Yang Gong to Qingzhou, in Mianyang Pavilion". Immediately after, Eng''s face stiffened and he lowered his head slightly, without daring to look at his teacher and Li Mubai. *A Send-off for Yang Gong to Qingzhou, in Mianyang Pavilion... So it''s like this...* Xu Qi''an''s n targeted Xu Eng''s arrogance and poisonous tongue. So he knew it was true when he heard his words. After pondering over the matter, He understood the intentions of the two great schrs. This was indeed a shortcut to getting into the history books. You could refer to Wang Lun and know that he just fawned over Li Bai, and he easily became famous through the ages, and his name has been passed on to this day. It could be concluded that fawning was a technical job. Ancient Fawners: fawning on friends and going down in history. Modern Fawners/Simps: Fawning/Simping on a woman and returning empty. The trend of worshipping the past and belittling the present was deserved. The path to officialdom from Cloud Deer Academy was extremely difficult. It''s hard to go down in history without being a high-ranking official. In this situation, The role of Xu Qi''an poems became more prominent. *The old fellows are quite bad...* Xu Qi''an''s mouth twitched, a little dissatisfied thar he wasn''t osted due to his handsomeness and character. But due to his poems. The two Great Schrs had rough and thick skin, and their smiles remained unchanged. Xu Qi''an pondered for some time, My thanks for the two teachers appreciation. Ningyan is dedicated to learning, and to refuse would be impolite. I recently had an inspiration and wrote a few good poems. After this matter is over, I''ll go to Cloud Deer Academy to visit the two teachers. *Two teachers... Xu Cijiu''s cousin is much more thoughtful than him...* Li Mubai heaved a sigh of relief, and a smile appeared on his face. If he tried to rob a disciple from Zhang Shen, The other party had a rtionship with Xu Cijiu, So he didn''t have many chances of getting him as a disciple. What Xu Qi''an said was beautiful. "Since the case is like this, The two of us will wait for you in Yunlu Academy." After Zhang Shen finished speaking, he took a deep look at Xu Cijiu. "Cijiu, Self Cultivation involves cultivating one''s character. You''ve been Awakened for a year, but you haven''t been able to break through to Self Cultivation... mm, go home and copy the sage''s quotations 300 times, and give it to me in ten days." It was like Xu Cijiu was struck by thunder. "This old man can walk 30 zhang in a single step." Zhang Shen turned around, took a step forward, and disappeared immediately. Li Mubai deliberately showed off his skills by drawing a circle around his body with his toes, ncing at Xu Qi''an, and said with a deep voice, "Within three inches of this old man, It''s not this ce, It''s the city gate." After saying that, his figure suddenly disappeared. Xu Qi''an''s eyes widened! "Cijiu, what realm are these two Great Schrs in?" As Xu Xinnian was still in despair due to having to write the sage''s quotation 300 times, Xu Ershu said, "ording to Nian''er, It''s the fifth level of Confucianism, Virtuous." He enthusiastically shared the scene he saw outside the city with his nephew. *As long as I brag big enough, there isn''t anything impossible in the world?* Xu Qi''an was shocked again. Xu Xinnian let out a turbid breath, looking regretfully at Xu Qi''an, whose trick harmed him, and said in a bad mood," Virtuous can manipte people''s behaviours and use words to manipte others." "The core ability of this realm is to have a preliminary grasp of the true meaning of the ability to makews follow words, and tamper with thews of some objects to a certain extent. Therefore, It''s also called One Word Disrupting the Law." "Of course, the methods of the two Great Schrs couldn''t be achieved by ordinary Virtuous." The two martial artists were fascinated by what they heard, and Second Uncle Xu remarked regretfully, Every system has its brand of magic but we martial artists can only be brave and fierce. *So they''re called vulgar...* The proud Confucian Schr Xu Xinnian considered that the two vulgar people were both higher than him in seniority and had a good reason to be vulgar, so he didn''t say this. Then, He found his cousin looking at him with burning eyes. "Eng..." "Ugh?" "Big Brother has treated you well." "Big Brother, please ask your conscience before saying this." "Brother, I''ve something to ask." "...Speak." "In the future, When Eng arrives at the realm of virtue, I need a promise from you." "...Say it." Eng should say: wheres big brothers little bird? Oh, his big eagle is wrapped around his waist. "You''re depraved!" Xu Eng walked away with a flick of his sleeves. Xu Pingzhi fell into deep thought after hearing his nephew''s words. ... Xu Qi''an left for the Sitianjian while Xu Pingzhi and his son went to the Changle County Office, since Xu Ershu had asked his sister to stay in the side hall of the Changle County Office before leaving. It was his first time toe to Stargazing Tower, the tallest building in the capital. Xu Qi''an clicked his tongue and looked at it with great interest. "Have you evere to the Stargazing Tower before?" Song Qing asked. "It''s my first time here." "But you don''t seem surprised to see the tower." Song Qing saw the word ''ordinary'' in Xu Qi''an''s eyes. But anyone who had seen the tower for the first time had always felt that it was a majestic miracle. Its foundation was twice the height of a normal house, its pirs were several times thicker than the Panlong Pirs in the Imperial Pce, and its bricks were taller than a person. The manpower, material and financial resources invested into it was a third of the annual tax revenue of the Great Feng. What the Sitianjian was most proud of was that the height of the Observatory Tower was unparalleled in the world, and it was difficult for anyone in the world to build a building taller than it. The alchemists in Sitianjian and the Ministry of Industry jointly designed and built the tower, and it took 12 years to make this unique wonder. *It''s because I''m used to seeing high-rise buildings...* Xu Qi''an smiled and said "My second uncle often said that I had a calm attitude since I was young, and I couldn''t change my face even if a mountain copsed in front of me. That may be my talent." Song Qing''s eyes lit up, and he said with excitement, "Only people with such calmness are worthy of scheming with me." Xu Qi''an looked at the other person''s dark circles and felt that he might have said something wrong. On the second floor of the Stargazing Tower, he saw Chu Caiwei, who he had met once before. She was wearing a goose-yellow skirt and was sitting at a table with a variety of food arranged on it. *Steamedmb, steamed bear''s paw, steamed deer tail, roasted duck, roasted chicken, roasted goose...* Xu Qi''an''s mind drifted to this meme.[^1] "Why are you in trouble again?" Chu Caiwei nced at the little policeman who she had met once and said hello vaguely with her puffed-up cheeks. "You weren''t in the Observation Tower earlier?" Song Qing had already told him about the events beforehand. "I went to the Eldest Princess''s Pce to get some snacks." Xu Qi''an happened to be quite hungry, so he sat down at the tablefortably, and reached for the chicken legs. Bang... Chu Caiwei pped his pig foot away with her small hands, her big almond eyes were full of vignce. "Haven''t you eaten?" "Yeah" "Brother Song, take him back and send him here after he has eaten." *... I seem to have seen Xu Lingyin''s evolved form!* Xu Qians mouthful ofpliments stuck in his mouth; he did not know whether to say them or not. "Why did you fight with the one surnamed Zhou?" Chu Caiwei suddenly asked while eating. "I took my sister shopping, and the one surnamed Zhou fell in love with her beauty." "Is your sister pretty?" "Notparable to you." "Then she must be like an immortal, not like any mortal beauty." Xu Qi''an looked up at her, her beautiful oval face glowed with a healthy and warm colour in the sunlight shining through the air holes in the wall. Her eyes were big and round, clear like the stars. Xu Qi''an had rarely seen such anime-like eyes. *Her appearance would be a match made in heaven in my previous life* "The tax case is over, Do you know who lost your second uncle''s tax money?" Chu Caiwei sucked her finger. Xu Qi''an shook his head, "I''m just a small bailiff." Chu Caiwei raised her eyes to look, and then lowered her head to take a bite of the fried roast duck with crispy skin. "The one who changed the tax money is *Qianhu*[^2] Lu Yuzhi of the Imperial Guard, and Zheng Xin, the hall master in the Ministry of Households." "So?" Xu Qi''an raised his eyebrows. "I heard that Zhou Xianping, the Deputy Minister of the Household, is their backer." "! ! !" *Fuck...* Xu Qi''an couldn''t help but want to swear. It seemed that a current passed his mind, and he understood many things in an instant. *So, after hearing my name, the one surnamed Zhou was determined to put me to death, because I cracked the silver tax case and ruined his father''s business."* *He wanted to take revenge.* *No, maybe what happened today was something he had nned for a long time... Minister Zhou''s mansion was in the inner city and quite far away, How did the one surnamed Zhou happen to wander near the Xu Mansion.* *Unless he was wandering around the Xu mansion on purpose... The one surnamed Zhou investigated me, How couldn''t he know Lingyue''s appearance... Molesting a respectable woman was acting, the real purpose was to force me to make a mistake and use that excuse to kill me.* A cold snake seemed to crawl behind Xu Qi''an, and a chill rose in his heart. --- [^1]: dont ask which meme it is [^2]: Rank, originating in the military, lit. thousand households Chapter 30: Chemistry Class Chapter 30: Chemistry ss # 30. Chemistry ss *The one surnamed Zhou was just an addle-brained child born with a silver spoon, how could he pretend this well?* *Perhaps he wasnt pretending, being born with a silver spoon doesnt mean that they cant think, he used his privilege expertly, to raise an altercation and removing me from the picture.* *Furthermore, the side effects of doing this are very small. Even if the official evaluation ising, how could the death of a low-level civil servant and a bailiff shake the position of a third-rank deputy minister of revenues?* *But clearly Zhou would have never thought, that not only had I formed a rtionship with the disciples of the Sitianjian, but had also managed to get two great schrs of the Yunlu academy to personallye out.* Thinking about this, Xu Qi''an had a feeling like he was walking a tightrope. *From the day I solved that case, I had already raised the ire of the Deputy Minster of Revenues, and was pulled into this case against my will.* *A good lot that does for my wishes to avoid politics and power, and live a rich businessmans life with a group of mistresses, for my wishes to live a simple, unttering, and nd existence.* *If it werent for the case that Eng just happened to need a poem to send off his elder, if it werent for the fact that a few days ago I suddenly decided to write down some of my chemistry knowledge my body could already be cold.* *I wouldnt even know the true reason for my death, and would only have thought that Id just angered a silver-spoon guanerdai.* *Coincidence after coincidence, carrying me safely through this crisis its luck!* Xu Qi''an sucked in a cold breath, and suddenly had a thought, Miss Caiwei, you know how to see Qi? Mm. Chu Caiwei swallowed down her mouthful of food, The eighth rank of the Arcanists is called Qi-watcher. Qi watching is one of us Arcanists most basic of skills. All the many different magicks thateter, all build on the foundation of watching qi. As she started talking about her own cultivation path, she seemed to get into it, get exited, as she jabbered on, However, do you know why ninth rank Arcanists arent Qi-watchers, rather Physicians? Xu Qi''an shook his head, making an earnest expression, asking It cant be that you Arcanists have a heart for saving lives and curing wounds? Chu Caiwei straightened her waist, making a very sincere and serious posture, as if she very much enjoyed being in the role of teacher, replying: All things under heaven have qi. Humanity has the greatest; all the eight distresses, the seven emotions and six desires[^1], all have qi. When Physicians save lives and cure illnesses, they cannot avoid being involved with birth, age, illness, death, and through enough time, a pair of clear pupils will emerge, that can see through all qi. *I just love the type of girl who says what she knows and says all she knows* Xu Qian asked, Then can you see my qi? Chu Caiwei delicately wiped her small mouth with a handkerchief, and inspected Xu Qi''an with great intensity, a clear energy dancing around within her dark eyes, slowly umting at her pupils. In that gaze, swirling with dancing light, Xu Qi''an felt his consciousness had been touched, like a thorn in his back, a deeply ufortable experience. Soon after, the bright aura in Chu Caiweis eyes faded, and she said with a calm face, Your qi is light red, with some ck interspersed. What does that mean? Red, represents the fact that you eat off an officials sry, but the colour is light, meaning that you are a low-level civil servant. ck is a sign of misfortune, I suppose that you can very much rte to this. Xu Qian frowned, testing, There are no other colours? Like, for example, any colour that symbolises that I am a son of heavens destiny? Saying those words to me is all well and good, but if this were heard by someone with intention, then that would be a crime of utmost disrespect. Apart from the emperor, no one dares call themselves a son of heavens destiny. Chu Caiwei was shocked; the great disrespect was all well and good, but where did this person have the backing to think that they are the son of heavens fate? *Dragon, dragon, wipe your eyes properly, look closer again![^2]* *She couldnt see anything maybe her rank is not high enough, maybe my luck of a European Emperor has nothing to do with qi* Xu Qians expression was calm and unfazed, but within his mind was turbulent. Smack! Chu Caiwei again smacked the food out of Xu Qi''ans hand, puffing out her cheeks, expressing her displeasure: Cant you wait until Im full? After Im full you can eat. Xu Qian eyed the half empty te of extravagant food, that was full just a moment ago, and silently guessed that her stomach must be like a several-months pregnant woman. Oh, right, whats the situation like with the Deputy Minister of Revenues? Xu Qi''an adjusted his posture, not looking at the food. The Ministry of Revenue a few days ago sought to impeach Deputy Minster Zhou, but the motion was vetoed by His Majesty. Chu Caiwei replied, and after a pause, added on Those two, afraid of consequences, killed themselves. *So theres no proof? In this day and age, if the emperor really wanted to kill someone, they wouldnt need proof, everyone would find proof themselves maybe it involves party politics or the emperor has some other n mm, I dont understand the goings-on at court, since of course Ive never interacted with it, I should find an old veteran of officialdom to ask as a start* Thus Xu Qi''an began to ponder and scheme, but Chu Caiwei had no interest for happenings at court, so she furrowed her brow, and made an obviously displeased expression. *I might have damaged her self respect as a teacher* Xu Qi''an tactfully did not continue to ask. How much silver is this? Xu Qian was eating with great joy. Chu Caiwei, having had her fill of food and wine, was calcting on her fingers for an age, and then there was no and then. Mm? Xu Qi''an raised his head. I gave the restaurant four taels of silver, and they gave me back one tael, three cash silver and sixty copper coins in change, Chu Caiwei said frustratedly, How much did I spend? A Chu Caiwei with a furrowed brow was very cute, making Xu Qi''an think back to how her seven year old little sister would do maths problems. Xu Qi''an hesitated, I dont know either. One tael of silver was equal to eight cash, and one cash of silver equalled a hundred copper coins. Since this was not a 10:1 ratio, the difficulty in calctions was increased greatly. Looking at her, she probably only knew how to read, but had never learned arithmetic. Thus Xu Qi''an was not going to be this hero. Hearing this, the corners of Chu Caiweis eyes lifted, and she felt as if Xu Qi''an was the same as her. Then how could you calcte so well when solving the case? I thought for a very long time. Oh. Chu Caiwei looked at him, You dont seem to be very happy eating? No, the vour is average, is all. What are you saying, this is from Zuixinju, one of the best restaurants in the city south. Ive eaten better. Chu Caiweis eyes lit up. Xu Qian continued, When you have time, you cane to my house, Ill make delicious food for you. The Lab. A group of white-cloaks surrounded someb equipment, watching Song Qing doing his work. A porcin cup, thin as an eggshell, roasted on top of a fire, steam rising in swirls. The water in the cup fully evaporated, and left glittering crystals. Song Qing clicked his fingers, as a bright tongue of me enveloped the crystals, slowly melting them. If I had this technique in my previous life, I could click my fingers to light a smoke, that would pull all the chicks. Xu Qian envied the many colourful abilities of the Arcanists. The sodium chloride crystals melted, and Song Qings expression became concentrated. In an untold number of past experiments, he had failed at the next step: Lightning! Song Qing unconsciously looked up at Xu Qi''an, beside him. All of the white cloaks, including Chu Caiwei, turned their gazes in unison onto the eldest child of the Xu family. Xu Qi''an nodded, expressionless. *He didnt even give any directions that means that my earlier steps were all correct* Song Qing prepared himself, before clicking his fingers. Dimly lit bolts of lightning suddenly cut across the air, gathering within the porcin bowl. Hold your breath. Suddenly, everyone watching heard Xu Qi''ans words, and without hesitation, immediately held their breaths. *In reality, even if they had directly inhaled the toxic gas, this group of people wont have issue* purely from a force of habit, Xu Qi''an had ordered them to hold their breaths. The next moment, a sight that stunned the Sitianjian white-cloaks befell their eyes. Within the porcin cup formed several uneven lumps of silvery material, identical to silver. Surrounding the lumps was some remaining unreacted salt. Ive- Ive done it Brother Song, how did you do it? The white cloaks were shocked. Earlier, no matter what they did, they never had any luck, but this time somehow they managed to do it on the first time. *As expected, the fact that that day Miss Caiwei managed to refine the fake silver first time, was not that she had walked on dog shit luck no, it was just because she had dog shit luck, because I was right there beside her, and this rted to me* Xu Qian watched silently, having proved the hypothesis in his mind. Song Qing looked at the fake silver, and up at his excited fellow disciples, his face somewhat nk and confused. *I didnt do anything differently it was just like this earlier* thinking this, he unconsciously nced at Xu Qi''an, and found that this small bailiff had no hint of surprise. His eyes were dark, as if he had long predicted that this would happen. Song Qing had a thought, Xu Ningyan, you know whats the reason? Chu Caiwei, who had just been deep in thought, immediately looked towards Xu Qi''an. Thetter stood with his hands behind his back, andughed This question shouldnt be directed at me. An experienced Master of Alchemy, should know how to independently ponder this question. I think, you should be able to realise the crux of the issue yourself. --- [^1]: An important part of Buddhist and Traditional Chinese philosophy and medicine. The eight *dukkha* (distresses) are birth, age, sickness, death, parting with what we love, meeting with what we hate, unattained aims, and all ills of the five *skandhas*. The seven emotions are joy, anger, sorrow, fear, love, hate, and desire. The six desires are (often sexual) desire arising from the qualities of the six senses. [^2]: I dont know either *unless*, considering the many things this book borrows from Lord of the Mysteries Chapter 31: Its Not Free; Its Equivalent Exchange Chapter 31: It''s Not Free; It''s Equivalent Exchange # 31. It''s Not Free; It''s Equivalent Exchange "The crux?" Song Qing ruminated and analysed based on the experience of previous failures and the current sess. The previous steps hadn''t changed, the real change was in the final step: the lightning strike! How was the lightning different than the previous attempts? Some faint currents ran in his mind as Song Qing''s body shook, and he said excitedly, "I understand, I understand." "Xu Ningyan, you indeed have extraordinary talent in alchemy." "Although you hadn''t seen our previous experiments, You had already deduced it, right? You knew the real reason for our failure already." *No, I only know that you have been thinking big* Xu Qi''an smiled and didn''t say anything. "What''s the crux? What did you understand, brother Song?" "Don''t keep up the suspense, Senior Brother Song. Tell me quickly. This alchemy has almost be my obsession." The alchemists in white asked anxiously. Song Qing coughed, looked around at his juniors, and said deeply, "It''s the intensity of a lightning strike." After speaking, he looked at Xu Qi''an, looking for his validation. Xu Qi''an nodded with a smile and said, "I call it electric voltage." The voltage required to electrolyze sodium metal should be controlled between 6-15 volts. Electric voltage? Song Qing was taken aback since it was a word he hadn''t heard of before. He knew of electricity, but he had never heard of electric voltage. Instinctively, he felt that it was an important piece of knowledge, as profound as the knowledge in the blue book. A white-cloaked alchemist took a step forward and bowed to Xu Qi''an, "Brother, can you please exin what voltage is?" "Please teach us." The other white-cloaked alchemists cupped their hands simultaneously and said in unison. Chu Caiwei, who was standing aside, was very envious. She liked the feeling of being a master and teaching apprentices the most. It was a pity that she was only a Master of Feng Shui and wasn''t qualified to teach apprentices. *Electric Voltage, also known as electric pressure, or (electric) potential difference, is the difference in electric potential between two points. In a static electric field, it corresponds to the work needed per unit of charge to move a test charge between the two points. Of course, You wouldn''t understand this.* Xu Qi''an coughed, and said seriously: "Electricity is the same as flowing water, it will flow towards the lowest point." He raised a teacup and poured water into it, "It''s okay to pour this cup on anyone, but if it''s a waterfall, people will be injured due to the impact of the water or could even lose their lives. So, I call this phenomenon electric pressure ,or voltage. He used this simple example to exin voltage. The Sitianjian''s White cloaks frowned and fell into deep thought. They couldn''t understand the words of Xu Qi''an well. Although they were alchemists and could manipte lightning, it didn''t mean that they understood the nature of electricity. Song Qing suddenly understood something, and raised a point, "So, the reason why thunder and lightning hit trees on rainy days is that the trees are at the low point. It should be the same for people. Additionally, we''ll only feel paralyzed for some time if the current is weak, but if one were to be hit by lightning, then they would die." "The truth is that the voltage of natural thunder is so strong that it exceeds the limit that ordinary people could bear, just like a waterfall. The weak current is like a cup of water, which can be withstood by the body." The alchemists were suddenly enlightened due to the words of Song Qing, and felt excited to have obtained a profound truth. They looked at Xu Qi''an for validation. *Um, is this the principle? Isn''t the reason for trees being struck by lightning the conductivity of rainwater? My middle school teacher hadn''t made it clear* Xu Qi''an wasn''t sure himself, so he said smilingly, "You can understand." "Was this also written in the alchemy tome?" A young white cloak asked with a curious face. "Yes, I''m the only one who has learned the contents of the alchemy book. The content of the notes I''d sent to Sitianjian was just a drop in the ocean." After a pause, Xu Qi''an said deeply. "That ancient alchemy book not only recorded knowledge, but many rare alchemy techniques." News of rare alchemy techniques made everyone breathe heavily. Xu Qi''an smiled, and made a promise that made the white cloaks excited, "I''ve decided to share the tome of alchemy with Sitianjian." Woah! Nearly twenty alchemists became excited over his words. "The blue book I gave to Sitianjian was a thank-you gift for saving me. Theplete knowledge for refining fake silver and the knowledge of voltage isn''t free.", Xu Qi''an said. "Of course, The paid content also includes the follow-up alchemy secrets." "Never forget that the principle of alchemy is equivalent exchange!" Song Qing nodded, since he agreed with Xu Ningyan''s reasoning, and asked questions on behalf of his juniors. "How much silver do you want?" "Vulgar!" Xu Qi''an said deeply, "How could Alchemy be measured by mere silver." *Free is the most Expensive*, He added silently in his mind. Changle County Office, Side Hall: Xu Lingyue held her sleeping young sister in her arms, holding a handkerchief while crying. The bailiffs in the office were heartbroken looking at her tear-stained face. They never expected that Xu Ningyan had such a pretty younger sister. Even Constable Wang, who frequented the Jiaofangsi was amazed by her beauty. The atmosphere in the side hall was a mncholy, and the bailiffs looked listless. Constable Wang poured a cup of tea and ced it in front of Xu Lingyue. The little beauty had cried for a long time, and tears had continuously flowed from her eyes. Women were indeed made up of water. "Miss Xu, don''t worry, Lord Baihu will find a way to rescue Ningyan." The other bailiffsforted her and scolded Young Master Zhou. *Elder Brother has a good rtionship with his colleagues* Xu Lingyue was a little surprised that the angry expression of the bailiffs wasn''t fake. As if he saw her surprise, Constable Wang smiled," Ningyan is a person worthy of being respected." Respected? Xu Lingyue was stunned and after sobbing for a while, said softly, "Constable Wang, Can you tell me about my elder brother?" Constable Wang was silent for a while, and subconsciously lowered his voice, "Actually, how could people like us have clean hands?" "If you didnt attackmon people, then youd already have a good conscience. As for those wealthy businessmen, isn''t it normal to seek profit from them?" "But your elder brother couldn''t do it, whether it''s amoner or a wealthy business, he never extorted or ckmailed them. A while ago, considering the catastrophe of the Xu family, I decided to take him to make a fortune." Constable Wang was a bit embarrassed when talking about this matter. "He agreed with the matter. Later, I gave him five cash of silver but he quietly returned it to the other party." If you say that hes well-behaved, well, Im sure he knows the principle that there are no fish in clear water. But to say that hes not, hes very good at dealing with matters, and has a good rtionship with everyone. Hes very slippery. So if something happens to him, were all upset. e has a good rtionship with everyone and is very slippery. So, his arrest made everyone sad." Xu Lingyue listened attentively, and the image of her elder brother in her mind became taller, brighter, and stalwart. She admired Xu Xinnian since her childhood, because everything aside from studying was vain, because her mother had instilled in her that her second brother was the only person suited to study in the Xu family, and he will be the pir of the family in the future. This admiration reached its peak in the autumn of this year when Xu Xinnian passed the exam. But, during the tax fraud case, when the entire family was imprisoned, and when they were desperate and helpless, the Elder brother opened up a way out for the entire family in that desperate situation. Her attention was drawn to her elder brother and she became curious about him. Until today, She didn''t know the reliability of her big brother even if he had rescued them from prison a month ago. The feeling back then was not as deep as this time. At the moment when her elder brother rescued her little sister, Xu Lingyue felt that the image of her elder brother in her heart was equal to her second brother''s. At the moment, hearing Constable Wang''s description, the image of a high-spirited, principled person with a bottom line emerged in her heart and exceeded the status of the second brother she''d always admired. Then, the light in the entrance changed, and Xu Pingzhi and his son finally rushed back to Changle County Office. When they saw their sister (daughter) safe and sound, Father and son were relieved. Xu Lingyue raised her head, with tears flowing down her face, and sadly said, "Father, you have to save big brother. If big brother doesn''te back, your daughter wont have the will to live." Chapter 32. Chapter 32. # 32. Xu Pingzhi was deeply touched; he hadnt taken the role of mediator in the family for twenty years for nothing! Even if the old wife did not like his nephew, the rtionship between the children were still very close. He took the his young child from her daughters arms, andforted, Ningyan has already got out, all this is over. Xu Lingyue didnt believe him. No matter what Uncle Xu said, his daughter still only ever half-believed him, and she looked over at her second brother. Xu Xinnian lightly replied A small matter. Xu Lingyue thus believed him. A proud and arrogant man like her second brother wouldnt lie about such important matters. County Magistrate Zhu followed this case with great interest, and hearing the news from a deputy, immediately rushed over. How did you deal with Master Zhou? Magistrate Zhu was shocked and doubtful; unless Zhou himself gave up on the matter, but he thought that this couldnt be the case. I asked my teacher Xu Xinnian said. *So its like this* Magistrate Zhu felt as if he had just had a revtion, but then thought that this didnt sound right; all the important people in court came from the Imperial Academy, and everyone knew that the Imperial Academy and Yunlu Academy never saw eye to eye. Even if Xu Xinnians teacher was a great schr, the Ministry of Laws Minister Sun wouldnt so easily let a person go, he would at least fight with them a bit, pull down the face of the Yunlu Academys schrs a bit more. He would never so easily capitte. And Mr Mubai. Xu Xinnian continued, and then added And the Sitianjians white-cloaks. What!? Magistrate Zhu did a double take, as his expression became cautious, his posture became upright, A tiger father cannot have a dog son! My Congrattions, Mr Xu, your dear sons intelligence is extraordinary, not only did he manage to get the attention of the great schrs of Yunlu Academy, but he also has rtions with the Sitianjians white-cloaks, his future is boundless. To have a son like that, you make old Zhu green with envy. *Xinnian knows the Sitianjians white-cloaks?* Xu Lingyue immediately looked towards Xu Xinnian, a strong feeling of safety welling up in her heart. She could rely on her father, and also her brothers too. Xu Xinnian shook his head, I did not ask Mr Mubai toe, that was my brothers own personal connection. I also dont know any white cloaks from the Sitianjian, again big brother found them himself. *Since when did Xu Ningyan know the great schr Li Mubai from Yunlu academy? Maybe it was through Xu Xinnian that he did. But how did the Sitianjians white cloaks get to know a mere petty official?* County Magistrate Zhu was stunned, the word impossible the only thing remaining in his mind. Xu Ningyan had been under his employment for several years at this point, and he was always quiet and unnoticeable. Though his rtions with his colleagues wasnt bad, but they werent good friends either. He had no real skills, and only knew how to hit. But in this span of time he suddenly became clever and slippery, became good brothers with Constable Wang, and have suddenly be the best of friends with his colleagues. But no matter what, it wouldnt amount to getting the attention of the great schrs, getting the friendship of the Sitianjian white-cloaks. *If this is the case, then Xu Ningyans status cannot bepared equally to anymon person. Even I would have to be a bit more polite in the future At tomorrows head count, Ill try and start some conversation, and see what really is going on.* Magistrate Zhu thought. Xu Lingyue opened her Carlsan-blue eyes wide, somewhat not daring to believe. But being as clever as she was, she immediately connected the dots - *it was that poem? the poem that big brother wrote for second brother, that received the praise of the great schrs, thus causing them to want toe and mediate.* *But, how could big brother know the deities in the Sitianjian big brother he- hes really getting more and more mysterious.* Xu Qi''an walked with Song Qing through the corridor, the air-holes on the right-hand wall letting thin rays of sunlight stream through, bringing light to the interior. The Stargazing Tower did not have any windows, and Xu Qi''an thought it was a shame that they could not see the city sprawled out below them. Not much timeter, they reached a secret room. Song Qing took out a key, and unlocked the door, lighting the candle inside. Inside the secret room there were all sorts of toys and contraptions. Some were weapons, like crossbows and such, others werepletely unrecognisable. Xu Qi''an looked round at these things one by one, like he was browsing a clothing store, and suddenly saw something which gave him a fright. Whats this? It was a huge ss bottle, which was filled with clear water. In the water, floated a strange creature. Its form was like a cat, but its body was covered in winding patterns, its stomach even had tree burls. What was more strange, it was alive, that that tree knot like thing sticking out was like a heart, slightly rising and falling. This is a grand experiment, Song Qing said solemnly, Its original body was that of a cat, but I tried tobine it with a tree, giving it the ability to regrow lost limbs. In reality, Ive almost seeded - even if you chopped off its head, it would still regrow within three days. Its only weak spot was its heart. But I also failed, because it turned entirely into tree; it cannot move, cannot think, and can only be kept alive floating in water. *what sort of demon are you?* Xu Qi''ans gaze turned. What do you think of my idea? Song Qing asked with a probing tone. Seeing that Xu Qians expression was off, he furrowed his brow, somewhat disappointed, You also think theres a problem? Xu Qian made sure that his expression did not change, shaking his head I just think that your approach was wrong, because I also have thought about this form of alchemy, though I have given it the name cross-breeding, or hybridisation. *Hybridisation* Song Qing chewed on this word, his eyes getting brighter and brighter. We can start small, cross breeding things of the same type, such as two different breeds of cat, letting them give birth to a new breed. Xu Qian said. Giving birth to a different breed? What breed would it give birth to? Song Qing asked eagerly. I dont know, maybe it could make something new, something better, maybe it could have the opposite effect. Xu Qian said, But this is the attractiveness of alchemy, dont you say? You just said alchemy, you just said alchemy! Song Qing immediately became incredibly excited. What? Xu Qians heart sank, wondering if he had just said something wrong. Ive always thought that alchemy was not limited to non-living things, rather I think that living creatures are also within the boundaries of alchemy. Thus I tried to change this cat, but teacher disagreed, saying that living things were not within the realm of alchemy. Because of this, he shut me away for ages. *Mr Jianzheng did brilliantly* Xu Qians forced his face to not change, saying Within or without, we must leave time to prove it. Thinking, he continued, If you want to oppose Mr Jianzheng, and you dont want to be shut away, then I have a suggestion. Please say, Song Qing had already saw Xu Qian as someone on the same path. You can start off by using nts. Xu Qian said, nts are living things, but their nature is much more simple. In that alchemical tome, I saw a method that had the same effects as your thoughts He did not continue. Oh, but youve got to say it. Song Qing felt that heart-itching desperation, his eyes behind those swollen bags staring wide. Brother Song has a really fascinating collection of toys here, Xu Qian reminded, Alchemy is about equivalent exchange I get it, I can give you three presents. With your current Refining Body stage, I think these items suit you best. Song Qing immediately understood what Xu Qian wanted. He did not mind the principle of making a trade of equal value. He even rather appreciated it. This crossbow was made by me randomly one day, its stronger than regr ironware, its springiness is also very strong, but because making it is difficult, we cant mass-produce it. The bowstring is made from abination of silk of the six-eyed poisonous spider, from the Southern Marches; and silk from the rainbow silkworm. In an ambush, its prating power is such that it can even pierce a Refining Qi martial artists body, though not one at the peak of that stage. Its most valuable part though, is that this crossbow has a magic formation inscribed into it. The formation will increase the strength of its bolts, threatening even skilled masters at Refining Spirit. But this can only be used thrice, and after the formation will dissipate. Xu Qian piqued up interest, This is a magic item? Chapter 33: *I stand in the strong wind* Chapter 33: *I stand in the strong wind* # 33. *I stand in the strong wind* He had heard of Magical Tools, His second uncle had even said that cannons were essential for Great Feng''s victory in the "Mountain and Sea Campaign". Half of the power of the cannons was from gunpowder, while the other half could be attributed to the effect of formations. Magical Tools were the unique weapons of the Great Feng, and also the source of confidence for Feng to im itself as the orthodox power in the world. At this moment, Xu Qi''an realized that Magical Tools and the Sitianjian were inextricably linked. Song Qing hesitated for a moment, and answered Xu Qi''an''s question to exchange knowledge, "It''s not a secret. Don''t you know what a fourth-rank Arcanist is called?" *I don''t even know the name of the sixth rank of my Martial System...* Xu Qi''an shook his head. "Master of Formations!", Song Qing said, "The objects refined by Masters of Alchemy are all ordinary objects. The Master of Formation engraves formations in the ordinary thing, which elevates it to a Magical Tool." Based on his understanding of the Arcanist System and the information disclosed by Chu Caiwei not long ago, Xu Qi''an deduced a lot at once. *The ninth rank Physician isying the foundation for the eighth rank Qi Watcher, and the seventh rank Master of Feng Shui is alsoying the foundation for ater rank. But Master of Feng Shui doesn''t have any connection to its next level, the sixth rank Master of Alchemy... but it seems that Masters of Alchemy and Masters of Formationsplement each other well.* *Masters of Alchemy forge powerful weapons and Masters of Formations process them into Magical Tools... There''s something in the Arcanist System.* *No wonder Mr Jianzheng had such a lofty status in Great Feng.* *I must hold Chu Caiwei firmly in my hands. I don''t have any special purpose for it. I just want to gain sincere love in this cold society.* Xu Qi''an made up his mind. "The second item is the Heart Protection Mirror. It''s also a Magical Tool. Its material is very ordinary, but its formation in it is very valuable. It can resist the full strength of a master surpassing Refining Spirit, A Copper Skin and Iron Bone realm martial artist once. *Is the Copper Skin and Iron Bone realm the sixth rank of the Martial Artist system?* Xu Qi''an finally knew what the Sixth rank of his system was called. "Finally, this is Bone Erosion Burning Heart. If you smear it into an arrow, It can kill a master in the realm of Refining Spirit. It''s ineffective on an Iron Bone realm expert since an arrow can''t prate their skin at all. Xu Qi''an nodded, "I like all three of these items." After a pause, He continued, "That kind of alchemy is called grafting!" Relying on his memories, Xu Qi''an told Song Qing about grafting in a not-too-detailed manner. He didn''t borate on the process, but he exined the benefits of the method quite well. He exined that a nt''s resistance to cold, droughts, diseases and pests could be improved through grafting. And that the taste of fruits could be improved. The process was simr to the experiments trying to get rich written in his diary. He had rich theoretical knowledge but his practical ability was subpar at best. But it didn''t matter. He was not the one doing the experiments anyway. If Song Qing failed, it would be due to his weakness. If he seeded, The credit would go to Xu Qi''an. After listening to him, Song Qing jumped off and writhed in excitement, wishing that spring woulde soon so he could perform this great alchemy. "Divine Book, what a Divine Book! I didn''t know there was such an ancient alchemy book in the world." Song Qing shouted with excitement. ... "Thump thump thump..." Xu Qi''an walked briskly on the steps of the Star Observation Tower, while carrying three Magical Tools, which couldn''t be measured by money. I could use one of these artefacts to exchange for opening the Heaven''s Gate on the ck market... But all these items are very useful. I''m not willing to give any of them up... Sure enough, getting things for free is the eternal source of happiness for human beings. Tomorrow, to the Gon. He didn''t ask Sitianjian for a single copper coin, but if the items he got were exchanged for silver, His aunt would give in and bow her head and never dare to mock him again. *I can exchange all of them for bank notes, and then p my aunt''s face fiercely...* Thinking of this, Xu Qi''an became even happier. *I stand in the strong wind* *And wanna* *Completely get rid of mental anguish.* *Watching the clouds float across the blue sky.* *The sword in my hand is looking for* *The hero of the Celestial Empire* Seeing that the road was clear, he began singing this song from his previous life with passion. In a turn, he encountered a group of strangers, and they both looked at each other. *... Its So Awkward!* Xu Qi''an''s singing stopped abruptly, and he stepped aside expressionlessly. There were three people in the group. The one in the middle was wearing a dark azure robe, had frosty temples, elegant temperament, handsome facial features, and eyes like a deep ck pool where wind and frost eroded by the years had umted. He was the kind of charming uncle who could make young women fascinated. On his left, there was a taciturn young man, looking forward meticulously. On his right, there was a young man with a frivolous smile on his face and devilish eyes exuding a femininity that made Xu Qi''an feel ufortable. However, In terms of appearance, the feminine young man was a rare handsome manparable to his second brother, out of all the ones hed seen. When the three of them passed Xu Qi''an, the feminine young man nted his eyes and squinted at him. At that moment, Xu Qi''an felt that something terrible was watching him, and he couldn''t help but hold his breath while his heartbeat intensified. The three of them continued to move up the steps, and Xu Qi''an was relieved when he saw them disappear after passing the turn. *That guy seemed very disdainful and hostile, Were the lyrics too wild?* *Well, there are some things to pay attention to in the future. I shouldn''t talk nonsense, especially in public.* Nonsense like: *I want the sky to not cover my eyes!* *I want thisnd to not bury my heart!* *I want all sentient beings to be able to understand my intentions!* *I want all those Buddhas to disappear from my life!!* Also like: *Supported byrades ready to die,* *Dare I aim to be the new Sun in the sky?* ... On the seventh floor, Song Qing, who had just received a report from his junior brother, was waiting for three people being led by the indigo-robed person at the stairs. Chu Caiwei gnawed at a piece of sugar cane and stood casually by the wall. The three came to the seventh floor, and Song Qing bowed to the leader, "Duke Wei." The middle-aged man with slightly frosted temples nodded slightly. "Duke Wei, the Teacher drank too much and is taking a nap. Please wait for a bit." The taciturn young man remained expressionless while the feminine young man frowned. The elegant middle-aged man didn''t care much, and entered the tea room with Song Qing, casually saying, "When I went upstairs, I ran into an interesting young man. It seems that he isn''t a disciple of Sitianjian." Just as Chu Caiwei was about to speak, Song Qing signalled her to stop with his eyes and said smilingly, "He''s just an insignificant little person. But he''s quite interesting." The Nightwatchers had a reputation for their viciousness, and were like tigers and wolves in the eyes of both civil and military officials. They didn''t act with reason. Song Qing wondered if Qi''an had inadvertently offended this powerful eunuch. "Interesting?", The elegant middle-aged man smiled gently, "How so?" Song Qing hesitated for a moment, thenmented, "He''s a genius, a genius in alchemy. If he hadn''t taken the wrong cultivation path and entered Sitianjian, his name would have been recorded in the History books." He neither said anything against his will, but at the same time revealed the hint that Sitianjian valued Xu Qi''an. The feminine young man sneered. The elegant middle-aged man smiled and nodded slightly. ... Xu Mansion, Inner Courtyard Auntie had a few maids cut clothes, draw thread, stuff cotton, and prepare winter clothes for the family. The weather was getting colder, and auntie nned to buy winter clothes for her children and husband. L''e finished thest stitch, her delicate silver teeth biting the thread. looking at the delicately embroidered lotus flowers with satisfaction, thinking that Miss Lingyin would look good wearing them. "Madam, I went to see Dng yesterday and found that he didn''t have winter clothes, and was wearing autumn clothes," L''e said softly. Aunt nced at the maid next to her, and said coldly, "What did you want to say?" L''e lowered her head and whispered, "Maybe we should some clothes for Dng." "Don''t even think about it!" Auntie snorted, "That little bastard makes me annoyed at every opportunity. Me, making clothes for him? No way I would do that." The maids worked in silence, pretending they didn''t hear her. "Hees to eat at home every day, and doesn''t even subsidize the family." "Isn''t Dng''s sry given to the mansion?" L''e muttered. "And his appetite itself is too much" Auntie rolled her eyes vigorously, trying to show the whites in her eyes. She thought that she could improve her rtionship with her unlucky nephew, now that he had saved their entire family. But the rascal took every opportunity to poke her and make things difficult for her. *Wolves travel thousands of miles to eat meat, Dogs travel thousands of miles to eat shit.* The old saying was true. The butler hurried over, stopped outside the courtyard, and shouted, "Madam, Master is back." Chapter 34: Xu Lingyue: This Life I Must Properly Take Care of Big Brother Chapter 34: Xu Lingyue: This Life I Must Properly Take Care of Big Brother # 34. Xu Lingyue: This Life I Must Properly Take Care of Big Brother Auntie was right in the middle of crazily dissing her nephew, when she heard the family butler shouting, and raised her voice to reply If theyre back theyre back, do you need me to go and receive them? The butler stomped his foot in agitation, Madam, young Miss Lingyin has traces of blood on her body, Miss Lingyue seems to have just cried, both the Master and Engs faces do not look good, and, Dng hasnte back, something mustve happened to him. A ping pong sound echoed in the room, as if something was knocked over. After, came the voice of the maidservants, who tentatively asked Madam Go away! Auntie lifted her skirt, and ran out of the room, running towards the front hall with a worried face. Auntie rushed into the room with great vigour, her eyes filled with tears, and seeing her husband with a serious face, holding their tiny daughter, thetter unconscious, she nearly cried out. Dont worry, shes just asleep. Xu Pingzhi said first, stabilising her emotions, and handing over their young daughter, Take her to her room first. Auntie tightly held the little girl, and then looked her elder daughter up and down. Seeing that she was unhurt, she let out a sigh of relief, but didnt leave, rather asking with a sob What happened? You just went out to the market, how could you end up in this state. Xu Lingyue immediately started crying. Xu Pingzhi let out a long breath, and recounted through what had happened to his wife. Hearing that Xu Lingyue was harassed by that evil young man, her willow-like eyebrows narrowed together, hardly suppressing her anger. Hearing that Xu Lingyin was nearly trampled under his horse, her face was deathly white, and she tightly held the little girl, scared. When she heard that it was Xu Qian who saved the two daughters, and was hurt because of it, she was stunned. Hearing that her nephew was taken to the Ministry of Law, she tightly grabbed her husbands hand, despair written on her face, Ningyan he he Its alright, hes already out. For now, its all over. Xu Pingzhi gripped his wifes hand,forting her. Look, if it werent for Ningyan, then Lingyue and Lingyin would have both been in danger. Even if his attitude is stubborn, but hes never bad to the family. Could any ordinary person protect our two little girls? You never see eye to eye with him, and always thought that him practicing martial arts cost to much money. You think that since you raised him up, whats a few scoldings worth, thinking that he never speaks with respect, and is always fighting with you. But have you ever thought, that after living off someone else for twenty years, is really that easy? That he isnt sensitive at heart? A womans eyes are always shallow, they like to hear nice words, but dont see actions. When Lingyue was being bullied, he rushed in and risked his life. Its only fortunate that this time it was only a scare. If Ningyan really never came back, will you really not be heartbroken? Hearing this, Xu Lingyues tears started dropping to the ground like a waterfall, crying silently. She thought that in this life, she must properly take care of her big brother. I Auntie sniffed, looking down. Xu Xinnian looked at his always strong-willed mother. Today her eyes were full of lingering fear and regret, and he suddenly realised something. She had always said gold-eating monster this and Unlucky thing that to call his older cousin, but in reality his mother really did have Xu Qian in her heart. After all, she had raised him for nearly twenty years, and naturally some bond mustve formed. Xu Pingzhi gave his son a look, and with a humph, said If instead you were the son apanying them, perhaps you wouldve been kidnapped and molested along with the others. Xu Xinnian: ??? After giving her younger daughter to a maid, and afterforting her older one, Auntie returned with a heavy heart. She nced at the maidservants, all busy making winter clothes, and suddenly said Le, make one less set for the Husband and Eng. When Dnges home, get his measurements. Le raised her head in disbelief, asking Madam has changed her mind? Auntie snorted, Am I such a shallow aunt in your eyes? *Yes* the whole room of maids thought at the same time. Xu Qian left the Stargazing Tower, and hired a horse-drawn cab, finally returning home after two hours. Having a hot bath, he saw that the injuries on his waist have nearly healed. He spread on some healing salve, and returned to his room, grinding ink, and writing a few hundred characters of chemistry knowledge. Then, ording to habit, he began to write his diary again. *16th November. This day is one to remember, because I have finally decided to give up the goal of living an ordinary, uninteresting life as a rich businessman with several servants. I need power, I need influence. For this, I had these thoughts:* *First, change my cultivation path, and study Confucianism. As long as I can brown nose the two great schrs enough, they will definitely support me all they can. It would be much better than iling around with the martial path.* *Aye, others transmigrating all use poetry to show off, but I am using poetry do trade. Perhaps this is the difference between a European Emperor and the masses.* *Two, try harder, and get Miss Caiwei from the Sitianjian into bed. If I have the support of the Sitianjian Jianzheng, then even if I dont try afterwards, I can still live afortable life.* *Three, sell one of the magic items the Sitianjian gave me, and exchange it for an opportunity to open heavens gate.* *The problem with the first idea is that it would remind me of the trauma of literature ss in third grade, and Im not necessarily an intellectual. Im nearly twenty, changing cultivation paths now may be toote.* *The problem with the second idea is that I may have to say goodbye to a life of three wives and four mistresses, say goodbye to listening to music at the Gon, the sacrifice here is quiterge.* *The problem with the third idea is that even at Refining Qi, I wouldnt be able to fight against the Deputy Minister of Revenues. Furthermore, without someone at my back, itd be difficult for me to step further with any speed on the martial path. Uncle has been at the peak of Refining Qi for over ten years, being the best example of this.* *Currently its best to cling onto the legs of the Yunlu Academy and the Sitianjian, and then n for the future. I have a feeling that the ripples of the Tax Silver case have yet to dissipate.* The Xu manor, the front hall. It was dusk, and Xu Qian vaulted the wall, to neighbouring Uncle Xus courtyard to have dinner. Afterwards, he stood in the front yard, watching Xu Lingyin make shaky martial stances, little fists punching left and right, huffing and puffing and providing apaniment to herself. She was wearing a lotus-pink little dress, wrapped like a *zongzi*[^1], her hair held by a hairpin specifically for young children. What are you doing, Xu Qian lightly kicked her buttocks. Little Pea fell on the ground with a smack. Im practicing martial arts. Xu Lingyin picked herself back up, putting her hands on her waist, showing her round little stomach, very much annoyed at her big brothers ambush. Her little brows furrowed, she said Big brother are you trying to provoke me? Perhaps what had happened earlier that morning left a shadow within her little heart, causing this five year old child to think that she should start practicing martial arts. Yeah, I am. Xu Qian replied. Daddy said, men fight for a breath, martial artists do too. This is called di. di Dignity? Mm! Xu Lingyin fervently nodded her head, and then stared at her big brother angrily, I want to fight you. Her two little legs flew, as she rushed towards Xu Qian, shouting and waving her fists. Xu Qian put a single hand on her forehead. Little Pea felt desperation, and simultaneously shouted and iling her fists, trying to hit her brother. But no matter how she tried, she couldnt reach. Her face was twisted into a little spiral with desperation. Xu Qian felt annoyed by her, and so discussed, Ill give you a chicken leg, and you admit defeat. Yeah! As expected, Xu Lingyin stopped iling her fists, face full of delight. Wheres your dignity gone? Big brother, whats a dignity? you have promise. Holding Little Peas hand, they entered the dining room. Not long after dinner started, and it was incredibly bountiful, as if they were celebrating a festival. The maidservants seemingly deliberately, seemingly coincidentally, put the best dishes in front of Xu Qian. He couldnt resist a look towards Auntie, who was wearing a dark flower-patterned dress, with a refined face, and a pair of watery beautiful eyes, that perfectly apanied her thick eyshes. She had on her a type of beauty that only a middle-aged woman could have, like a begonia in full flourish. She had the same cold attitude, as if what Xu Qian did today was a small matter barely worth talking about. But if it were not for her indicating her wishes, the servants would not treat Xu Qian so specially. Xu Lingyue ate small chopstick-full after small chopstick-full, before finally working up the courage, saying Brother, mum is making winter clothes for everyone. After dinner let me get your measurements, I- I want to make you a set myself. *Brother fuck me* Xu Qian felt even his bones soften. His younger sister was wearing rather beautiful and eye-catching clothes: all over her dress were sewn shing bright lotus flowers, a goose-yellow *pibo*[^2] embroidered with cloud patterns. She was not older than sixteen or seventeen, but with this beautiful dress, along with her delicate and refined features, she gave off an otherworldly beauty. Is is that okay? Xu Lingyues skin was thin, and seeing him not replying, she immediately turned red, and lowered her head. *If instead it were the womaniser Jia Baoyu, what would he say* Xu Qian regretted the fact that he did not really read *Dream of the Red Chamber* in his previous life, and nodded, Thank you. Xu Lingyue smiled at him warmly, and exchanged looks with Auntie beside her. Xu Qian took back his gaze, saying Uncle, Eng, after dinner I have something to talk with you two, lets go to the study. The study! Le brought in three cups of hot tea, before leaving. Xu Qian picked up the teacup and took a sip, rinsing his throat, and again sighed at the food without MSG. He always felt it was missing something. What do you two think of what happened today afternoon? Xu Qian immediately got to the point, asking for his uncle and cousins opinions. *Has the situation not already passed* Uncle Xu was confused. Xu Xinnian frowned, Are you saying, that that Master Zhou may seek revenge? A Deputy Minister of Revenue, falling head over heel by the actions of a small civil servant, would definitely not give up so easily. Uncle Xu waved his hand, No, nonsense, at any other time sure, but today the two great schrs of the Cloud Deer Academy, and the Sitianjians white-cloaks all showed up. By my reckoning, that one surnamed Zhou wouldnt dare to stir up the mes, His logic was sound and reasonable. The constabries had seen bullying ofmoners so often it was barely a thing, but if an incident happened to involve civil servants or influential powers, then they would be more cautious. One half was because from little they were told again and again, that no matter how hical the constabry they got themselves into, they must always remember that the water in the capital was deep. Another part came from the warnings of their seniors and predecessors. Xu Xinnian shook his head, Dad, if big brother is saying this, then he must have a reason. He looked towards Xu Qian. Thetter said solemnly, I heard a rumour today at the Sitianjian, the one behind the tax silver case, was Deputy Minister Zhou. --- [^1]: Zongzi is a type of food, consisting of steamed rice and filling, wrapped in bamboo leaves, often in a tetrahedral shape. It is traditionally eaten on the dragonboat festival. [^2]: Type of shawl that apanied female Hanfu Chapter 35: Discussing Business in the Study Chapter 35: Discussing Business in the Study # 35. Discussing Business in the Study *The person behind the Tax Fraud case was Minister Zhou...* Xu Pingzhi smashed the coffee table with a m and stood up angrily with widened eyes. He tried to curse, but his words stuck in his throat. Xu Xinnian nced at his powerless and furious father with a serious expression on his handsome face, "Is the news reliable?" Xu Qi''an nodded "One of the chief officials in charge of the case, Chu Caiwei from the Sitianjian told this to me." He repeated Chu Caiwei''s words. Xu Xinnian raised his teacup and put it down again, and said after thinking deeply, "It seems that the incident today wasn''t idental, but the one surnamed Zhou looking for revenge." *Yes, hes worthy of being a schr who passed the exam. His brain is working well.* Xu Qi''an became happy that the discussion wasn''t wasted. If the second uncle had been the only one there, he would not have brought up the topic as it would have been meaningless. The second uncle would be so desperate that he could only say, "Brothers, Let''s go to kill someone with me." Nothing can be done about his temperament, since he was a vulgar martial artist. He was proficient in cutting people but blind in matters like scheming, since it was different than his profession. Xu Qi''an examined, "What does Eng think about it?" Xu Xinnian nced at his cousin, annoyed by his examining tone, and said with a bad mood "What else should we do? The one who acts first has the advantage and thetter meets cmity." *Nice...* Xu Qi''an was taken aback. It was hard to imagine that Xu Xinnian would say such decisive words. Upon hearing his words, Second Uncle Xu, who considered himself the head of the household, felt that he couldn''t remain silent, and reprimanded his son, "Put away your ignorant and arrogant thoughts. Not to mention you, a mere Juren, Even if you were the *Zhuangyuan*[^1], you still couldn''t afford to confront the Deputy Minister of Households." As soon as he finished speaking, He was ruthlessly rejected by his nephew, "I think that Eng has the correct idea." Xu Qi''an continued, "We didn''t offend Zhou Li, but Zhou Xianping, Deputy Minister of Households. Zhou Li may not dare to retaliate but would the Deputy Minister of Households dare not to?" "We not only spoiled his affairs but also injured his son. It''s unreasonable for him to bear this as long as he has some fire in his heart. Besides, our Xu family is nothing more than an ant in the eyes of Deputy Minister Zhou. He doesn''t have any reason to let us go." Xu Pingzhi refused to ept, That''s not right. We can''tpete with Deputy Minister Zhou. Ningyan, You have met the White-cloaks in Sitianjian, and Xinnian is a student at Cloud Deer Academy. With these two rtionships, As long as we know our ce, no one would dare to provoke us. Is it? Xu Qi''an reminded, "Second Uncle, You may not know that Sitianjian''s white cloaks don''t interfere with court affairs." Xu Cijiu went on to say, "Wasn''t I a member of Cloud Deer Academy during the Tax Silver Case? Today, the elder brother came back because Zhou Li was unreasonable and his methods were too low-level. But if Deputy Minister Zhou takes action, it''ll be another Tax Silver case that can legally and reasonably have our entire Xu family executed. Could it be that Cloud Deer Academy and Sitianjian would break us out of prison? Will they fight against thew for us?" Feeling that his authority as the head of the household was impacted, Xu Pingzhi frowned, "However, What should we do to deal with the dignified Deputy Minister of Households, a fourth rank official? *I don''t know, I''m just a simple transmigrator...* Xu Qi''an cast his eyes on his handsome little brother. "What does Eng think?" Xu Xinnian was silent. After a long time, when Xu Pingzhi was getting impatient, He slowly said, I''ve been thinking about one thing just now. "The tax money was robbed, and the emperor was furious. He attached great importance to the tax money. The culprits should have been severely punished." Didn''t the two bastardsmit suicide in fear of punishment? Xu Pingzhi said. ncing at his father, Xu Xinnian continued while ignoring him, I can think of two possibilities, One: The Deputy of Households has a backer behind him. Two: The emperor has his concerns, such as maintaining a bnce in the court. Brother said that the officials at the Ministry of Households impeached Deputy Minister Zhou for embezzling money from the treasury. Why didn''t he impeach another deputy, but the Deputy Minister of households? Xu Qi''an deduced, "Are Deputy Minister Zhou''s political opponents dealing with him?" Xu Xinnian nodded, "Teacher said that since ancient times, the core of the imperial technique has always been bncing. The emperor didn''t touch Deputy Minister Zhou, which shows that this matter is likely to have involved party disputes." "What should we do?" Second Uncle Xu asked subconsciously. Xu Qi''an rubbed his chin, thought about it, and said, "The emperor''s thoughts may be useful in normal times, but since the Official Evaluation is approaching, As long Deputy Minister Zhou''s tail is caught, it''s very probable that he will be killed. Even the emperor can''t just go ording to his way. The core of the Confucian dragon ying technique is the word "Ritual". So, Deputy Minister Zhou''s political enemies won''t stop here. Xu Xinnian was taken aback. He didn''t expect the words "Dragon ying Technique" to pop out of his cousin''s mouth. Is he the same Bailiff cousin? *...I''ve just watched too many ancient costume dramas!* Xu Qi''an thought. *Of course, part of the reason is that I''ve studied more history.* History books are the quintessence of human culture. If you study history carefully, you''ll learn a lot through it. History books are also the most useless things because the only lesson that human beings can learn from history is that human beings can''t learn any lessons from history. Xu Qi''an, who liked history, scoffed at this sentence at first but found that it made a lot of senseter. The reason was that when he was studying, his parents and teachers always earnestly said, You must study hard. Otherwise, you will regret it in the future. No one took those words seriously. It wasn''t until he experienced setbacks and was severely beaten by society that he came to his senses. Xu Qi''an had a maternal cousin who didn''t like to study. Once he studied business, he blurted out: You have to study hard, otherwise you will regret it in the future. After speaking, He suddenly stared nkly. Xu Xinnian raised his chin, and said in an examining tone," What does elder brother think we should do?" *You don''t want to admit defeat... A tsundere heroine isn''t very pleasing... I prefer 36D Imperial Sisters who are coquettish and cute...* Xu Qi''an whilempooning, said calmly, "Why did Deputy Minister Zhou create a tax fraud case? It couldn''t be corruption as corruption could be done at any time. Why would he bother doing corruption just before the Official Evaluation." "Unless he needs a sum of money urgently. He needs this money to plug a hole and the hole is filled for dealing with the Official Evaluation.", Xu Qi''an fully utilized his logical reasoning ability. "So What?", Xu Xinnian''s mouth twitched. So we need to find out the real reason why Deputy Minister Zhou embezzled tax money. We have to solve this case so that Deputy Minister Zhou has nowhere to hide and can only plead guilty and be punished by thew... Xu Qi''an was about to say this when he suddenly saw Xu Eng''s eyes that seemed to have something like a smile yet not a smile. He didn''t say anything. "I understand!" Second uncle Xu pped his thigh, spittle flying all over the ce with excitement, "So we want to expose this matter, so that the one surnamed Zhou has nothing to hide." He was so excited to find that his brain finally had a sh of inspiration. *I''m not stupid...* Second Uncle Xu thought proudly. Xu Xinnian let out a ''huh'' and said "Father, with your identity as a Baihu in the Imperial Guard, Can you openly investigate the Deputy Minister of Households and get ess to the files of the Ministry of Households?" Xu Pingzhi''s face stiffened instantly. Xu Dng let out a ''huh'' and said, "Of course it''s impossible." *Thank you, second uncle, for taking the thunder.* Xu Xinnian, who failed to suppress his cousin intellectually, was a bit dissatisfied and asked, "Then, what does big brother think we should do?" Xu Qi''an tapped the table with his fingertips, "We are not the main force dealing with Deputy Minister Zhou. What we have to do is to be thest straw that breaks the camel''s back." As for the specific action to take, He still hadn''t figured it out. *It''s not bad...* Xu Xinnian nodded approvingly, and said, "Taking a step back, We don''t have to deal with Deputy Minister Zhou, a dignified fourth-rank official who can scheme and use tricks. We can''t cope with him now, but he has a weakness. Xu Qi''an''s eyes lit up, and he pped excitedly, "Zhou Li!" "That''s right,pared to Deputy Minister Zhou, that dude Zhou Li is easier to deal with. If there aren''t enough impeachment charges, we will create new charges and pass the knife to Zhou Xianping''s political opponents, and let them help me kill Zhou Xianping." A ghostly sinister look shed in Xu Xinnian''s bright eyes. "The Official Assessment is imminent. If Deputy Minister Zhou''s child does something outrageous, Zhou Xianping will bear the me as the father. The emperor was willing to protect him once, but he won''t necessarily be willing to protect him a second time." Speaking about this, Xu Xinnian frowned and said, "Although this entry point is good, Zhou Xianping''s not a fool, and this method of framing him may not be effective." Second Uncle Xu listened to his son and nephew talking to each other and suddenly realized that he, the head of the household, had been pushed to the edge of the conversation without being able to intervene. But with his son''syered analysis, Uncle Xu''s thinking became more clear. The more he thought about the matter, the more he thought it was possible. He couldn''t help but p the table excitedly. "My son has the potential to be the Senior Grand Secretary when he resigns." *Could it be that your nephew, I, don''t have the capital to be the Senior Grand Secretary?* Xu Qi''an gave his second uncle a sideways look and took the opportunity to diss Xu Eng "Eng, Even you can''t escape the clich of schrs harming the country with empty talk." The corner of Xu Eng''s mouth twitched, and he said sarcastically, "Big brother, please enlighten me." Xu Qi''an didn''t panic at all, "I can''t give you a ready-made solution, but I can provide you with an idea." Uncle Xu said anxiously, "Say it quickly." --- [^1]: The highest scorer in the civil service exams Chapter 36: Troublemaker Chapter 36: Troublemaker # 36. Troublemaker Do you know what the process is to solve a case? Xu Qian started from his most proficient subject, Observe the situation, collect evidence. Then boldly hypothesise, and carefully prove. Solve the riddle one little step at a time, and piece together a true recount of events. In the flickering candlelight, Uncle Xus face was one of utter nkness. Xu Xinnian fell deep into thought. Xu Qian spoke straight, What we need to be thinking about is not how to deal with Zhou Li, but rather we need to observe Zhou Li, collect information, and then cote it, boldly make a n and then carefully eke out the details, and finally to determine whether this n is feasible or not. His worlds were reasonable and clear, thoughts rigorous, leaving no room for Xu Xinnian to argue against. He thought in his heart that his big brother had the correct way of thinking. *So Ningyan is also clever, scheming, but knows how to do things by the book* Xu Pingzhi was very appreciative; before he had thought that his nephew was too stubborn, too stuck to his principles, and because of that will have hardship in the future. Seeing that the two of them did not dissent, Xu Qian continued, Cijiu, you have a Jushi title, and can get around in intellectual circles, and understand rumours and information about court. You go and find information on Zhou Li, no matter how detailed or vauge, do not leave anything out. Uncle, the Zhou Manor is in the city, and the guards do nightly patrols in and outside of the city. Your responsibility will be to keep an eye on any disurbances at the Zhou manor, but dont do it yourself; get some trustworthy subordinates to do it for you. Where Zhou Li goes, what he does, who he interacts with, I need to know all of this. Father and son nodded their heads, and suddenly thought of something, looking at Xu Qian, Then what about you? Xu Qianughed mysteriously, Im going to n an escape route for the Xu family. Cijiu,ter tonight well talk about the details, and I also need to ask about a few things. Tonight, Ill sleep in your room. Drip, drip The sound of the water clock echoed in the quiet room. Brother, are you asleep? No. Oh. Brother, are you asleep? No. Oh. Brother, youre poking me Xu Qian was shocked, and then heard Xu Xinnian say, Move your elbow. Oh After another bout of silence, listening to each others breaths, Xu Qian asked Can you not get to sleep? Xu Xinnian hummed assent, Im not very used to this. *Nor am I* Xu Qian sighed, How long has it been since weve shared a bed. Xu Xinnian thought for a moment, replying After ten years old, from when you started practicing martial arts, and spending a hundred taels of silver a year, when you and mum shouted yourselves hoarse at each other, we grew apart. *And I was thinking that youd proudly say Weve never slept on the same bed before we can still sleep in the same room now, dear sister Lingyue will never be able to do that* His mind shing with the previous Xu Qians memories, he sighed, saying Really I cant me Auntie. A civil servant of the guard doesnt earn all that much. Uncle tried his damndest to get a higher sry, and managed to get two hundred taels of silver a year. A half of it all went to me alone. The other half was for the rest of all of you, it would be hard for Auntie to not resent this. Xu Xinnian changed the topic, If we cannot ovee this trial, the whole Xu family may be ended. If Deputy Minister Zhou does not fall, then the passing of the official evaluation marked the beginning of cmity for the House of Xu. Ill find us a way out. If it reallyes to it, after the official audit, well move the whole family out of the capital. Me and uncle are both able-bodied, and well be able to make do anywhere. Xu Qian said with pity, a shame that Eng youve studied hard for ten years, and just passed the imperial examinations. Xu Xinnianughed, Heh, titles and praises are merely fleeting clouds. I am a schr, and I read the sages virtuous ssics, I cultivate the sages virtuous path. How could I care about a mere certificate? Xu Qian praised him deeply, If heaven births not I, Xu Xinnian; then the Great Feng forever, will be in night that never ends. The little boat of friendship immediately flipped, as Xu Xinnians breaths became sharp, and he suddenly turned over, pulling away the duvet, and silently pretended to sleep. Eh, Cijiu, give some duvet to me, in the cold of December, even if your big brother is Refining Body, hell still find it difficult to bear. Xu Cijiu curled up tight, wrapped tightly in the duvet, ignoring him. In Xu Lingyues room, the burning fire fromst night had long since gone out, the room was full of carbon dioxide, making the air stuffy. The window was open a sliver, bringing fresh air into the room. On Xu Lingyues white porcin-like face, her long brush like eyshes shuddered, and she awoke, opening her eyes. She looked at the canopy of her bed nkly for a moment, and after a few seconds, her nk eyes regained some of their wakefulness. She slowly pushed herself up. Lazily, she stretched, the thick cotton duvet falling down, a thin white nightgown covering her young body, prominently bulging at the chest. Her white neck showed delicate lines, and her head of messy silken hair supported a beautifully graceful face. She put her jade-like hand up to her small red mouth, and yawned. The maid sleeping on a small bed opposite her suddenly awoke, and calmly dressed herself. The air in the room is stuffy, open the window a bit. The young girl rubbed her forehead, ordering. The maid immediately ran to the window. Xu Lingyue threw off the covers and left her bed, walking towards the window, breaking in the fresh cold air outside. Being born in a martial family, this elder sister didnt have as much effeminacy as others; when Xu Pingzhi was teaching Xu Qian how to train his body, he liked to bring along Xu Xinnian and Xu Lingyue too. Brother and sister thus all developed strong foundations, and their bodies were very healthy. It was just when they got a little older, that Auntie no longer allowed her two daughters to practice martial arts alongside her unlucky nephew. After all, Xu Pingzhi had decided then, that his nephew would practice martial arts, and his son would read books. An intellectual practicing martial arts, was not befitting. The daughters even more could not train; if they were to refine a body of callouses, how could they marry in the future? Xu Lingyue was just enjoying the fresh air, when she suddenly saw a shadow cross by the window, their clothes ck, a red-edged bailiffs emblem sewn to his wrists and cor. Brother and sister silently looked at each other through the window. Xu Qian lowered his head, gaze travelling to his sistersrge round breasts. Xu Lingyue screamed sharply, and mmed close the window. *Sisters growing up!* Xu Qian thought with pride. Even though I did not bring her up, but at least I watched her grow. In the room, Xu Lingyue squatted on the ground, red-faced and hugging her chest. The maid jabbered, Miss, your habits should change, you must brush and wash and dress tidily before you open the window. Look, you were seen by Dng, thank goodness hes your own family, if someone else saw you, how could you live on? Rich for you to say! Xu Lingyue retorted angrily, in embarrassment. In past days, Xu Xinnian did not walk this way, her parents master bedroom was also not here, so getting up at dawn, and opening the window, was usually very safe. *Why is big brother in the inner courtyard* Xu Lingyue, sitting in front of the dresser, was filled with confusion. The maid stood beside her, doing her hair and makeup. Once done, she rummaged around the jewellery box, andined Miss, you dont have any nice looking hairpins. Xu Lingyue did not reply, sighing. Her family had gone through disaster after disaster, their savings at this point were empty. A whole familys clothes, food, their servants included, was a total of nearly twenty mouths, a huge running cost. How could they have money to buy her a new hairpin? The hairpins in Baoqixuan were all very pretty, I went in there yesterday, and almost didnt want to leave. If one were to be stuck in Misss hair, itll definitely definitely add beauty and beauty. Add radiance and beauty?[^1] Xu Lingyues eyes shed with longing, but it was quickly suppressed again. The maid said to herself, Shame it was too expensive, ten taels of silver for one. Unless you can solve the stores riddles, then the owner would discount it. Xu Lingyue listened, not really paying attention, and suddenly asked, Laner, do you think big brother has changed a lot recently? The maid named Laner stopped in her tracks, as a smile suddenly glowed on her face, Dng recently has been much kinder, much more interesting, and much more able. In the past he always maintained a straight face, and did not treat Miss or Eng that well, and only smiled when he talked to the Master. Xu Lingyue seemed to be really satisfied with her answer, as her delicate egg-shaped face also bloomed in smile, Thats not all his fault; Mums never treated him well. Xu Lingyue very much liked the feeling of a closer, warmer rtionship between the two, and as her emotions were joyful, like a person bathed in springs breeze, Xu Qian came to Xu Lingyins bedroom door. She hadnt reached the age where the sexes were separated yet, and so he did not need to knock, walking straight in. He saw Xu Lingyin squatted on the floor, her small hand clutching a bristle toothbrush, sternly brushing her own teeth with a serious face. As if it was a mighty grand task. The maid inside the room was making the bed. Iss big bwother she raised her head, a mouthful of bubbles, and said indistinctly. Why are you doing it yoursef? Xu Qian asked, eyeing the maid. Daddy said boys must improve ones discipline, before being able to train well. You do you know that youre a girl? Xu Qian asked hesitantly. I know, Little Pea tilted her head, a face full of innocence. *No you dont know* Xu Qian continued, Then, do you know whats the difference between a boy and girl? Brother, I dont know. Little Pea said truthfully, and then asked What difference? That would get onto the topic of human biology, and thats a never ending rabbit hole. Plus, Xu Lingyin might not even understand me relying on the vast experiences of the nine years ofpulsory education in his previous life, and his infinite patience, Xu Qian summaried together a definition that both old and young would understand, a in, simple way of understanding things: To put it simply, mm, when boys grow up they fight, when girls grow up they cause trouble. Xu Lingyin eximed with great revtion No wonder mum always says Im a troublemaker. She proceed to run around the room in circles, shouting happily Im a troublemaker, Im a troublemaker Xu Qian silently closed the door. Todays breakfast, he didnt n to eat at home. --- [^1]: The original text was about a certain Chengyu, which is impossible to trante Chapter 37: Encouraging Learning Chapter 37: Encouraging Learning # 37. Encouraging Learning The capital was as multicoloured and patterned as a brocade, and there were breakfast stalls all along the street. Xu Qi''an solved his need for food and warmth in a breakfast stall two streets away from the county office. The stall owner was a thin, dark-skinned middle-aged man, who wore a dark apron and smiled humbly at everyone he saw. His craftsmanship was pretty good. The only drawback was that the people in Great Feng liked to eat sweets. Not just the soy milk, even the soft bean curd was loaded with sugar. Xu Qi''an didn''t intend topromise with this heretical city. So, he told the stall owner not to add sugar but to add soy sauce,rd, chopped green onion, and minced meat to the bean curd. In addition, there were four fried dough sticks, six meat buns, two steamed buns, a bowl of porridge, and three tes of side dishes. After eating, Xu Qi''an was ready to pay the bill. "Master, you are too polite. It''s my fortune for you toe to my ce for breakfast." The stall owner looked at Xu Qi''an''s uniform and refused to ask for money. ncing at the tes left by Xu Qi''an, his eyes shed with distress. "You don''t want the money?" The stall owner gulped, Xu Qi''an ate four or five people''s breakfast this time. His business was a small business that barely earned him his livelihood. He had to work hard from dusk to dawn to barely eke a living. But he still didn''t dare to ask for it, really didn''t dare to ask for money. "No, no, no, how could I collect your money." The stall owner looked like he had been severely beaten by society. "Well, I''ll sit and eat for a while. Go away and don''t disturb me." Xu Qi''an waved the stall owner away. The stall owner obediently left. "The system of the Great Feng has been corrupted for a long time. If the subordinate officials aren''t rectified, the lives of themon people couldn''t be improved." Xu Qi''an looked at the busy figure of the stall owner and remembered his eyes that were both painful and afraid to ask for money just now, as pitiful as a beggar. "From ancient times to now, It has always been small matters invisible to that are big men that have done the most harm to themon people." He took out ten coins from his pocket, folded them on the table, and left silently. "He''s finally gone." The stall owner heaved a sigh of relief and came over to clean the dishes. What misfortune! He thought angrily. When he came to the table, the stall owner was stunned. There was a pile of copper coins stacked on the table. The policeman not only paid the money but also gave more. The stall owner rushed out a few steps in a hurry, only to see the looming work uniform in the crowd, who had already walked a long way. He opened his mouth but his throat seemed to be blocked by something. After so many years, that was the first time he had met a subordinate officer that gave him money for his meal. After finishing his work, Xu Qi''an went to the back hall and asked County Magistrate Zhu for leave, and Old Zhu readily agreed. Hurrying back to the Xu mansion, he pushed open Eng''s room door. The two brothers nodded tacitly, and Xu Eng took out a set of moon-white Confucian cloths that had been prepared a long time ago, covered with light grey cloud patterns. Xu Qi''an nced at the azure-coloured gown with dark patterns on the younger brother''s body, and suggested, "The one on Eng looks pretty good, let''s exchange clothes." Xu Xinnian sneered, His expression seeming to say, "You are thinking about shit." For a martial artist in the Refining Body realm, the schr''s Confucian shirt didn''t fit well, His full muscles and tall figure filled up the loose Confucian Shirt. The aesthetics of schrs was: Sleeves fluttering in the breeze and flying. The two brothers left the Xu Mansion, rented two chestnut horses for three taels of silver, and left the capital at high speed. The destination of their trip was Qingyun Mountain, sixty li away from the suburbs of the capital. There was an academy in the mountain, the world-famous Cloud Deer Academy! Qingyun Mountain wasn''t always named Qingyun Mountain, but its original name had been long forgotten. Ever since Cloud Deer Academy was established there, the sound of reading had been loud and clear there without interruption, and *qing-qi*, azure qi, had been soaring up to the clouds. So, it was renamed "Qingyun Mountain". The two rode side by side on the main road, and after an hour, Xu Qi''an looked far into the distance, where he vaguely saw the outline of Qingyun Mountain and the tiny academy buildings. "Cijiu, Brother has always been curious." Xu Qi''an slowed down the speed of the horse, and after his cousin followed suit, the two horses changed from running to trotting. "Do you think the Sage was a first rank?" He was extremely curious about the major systems in this world, but unfortunately, hecked the channels to understand them. Xu Xinnian raised his head proudly, "Do you think I know?" *Say you don''t know if you don''t know it.* Xu Qi''an rolled his eyes and continued, "How long did the sage live, do you know?" Xu Xinnian nodded, "Up to the age of 82." *A dignified sage, the founder of Confucianism, even if he wasn''t at first rank, He wouldn''t be too weak. And he only lived to 82?* Well, it could be considered a long life for ordinary people in this era, but the force value in this world was unusual. *Even the sage can''t live forever?* *Well, I can''t jump to conclusions. After all, I know too little information.* "Cloud Deer Academy doesn''t provide refuge for outsiders. This is a rule. Even I can''t get the teacher to agree on this." Xu Xinnian said. "Elder Brother, are you sure?" Xu Qi''an shook his head, "It depends on the effort." They decided to send their female family members to Cloud Deer Academy before beginning the operation, so that even if they were retaliated against by the Deputy Minister of Household, Cloud Deer Academy could protect the female family members of the Xu Mansion. *The Silver Tax case almost made me fall into a trough, Why couldn''t this matter pass? If this isn''t handled well, It could lead to another crisis of extinction.* Xu Qian squeezed his horses sides, making it run forward, leaving his brother behind. Not backing down, Xu Xinnian waved his horsewhip and raced with his cousin. Qingyun Mountain was neither majestic nor beautiful. If it weren''t for the Qingqi, It would be no different from an ordinary wild mountain. There were courtyards, lofts, squares, and waterfalls in the mountains. The trails paved with limestone bs were like cobwebs, connecting these ces. In an tall building by the cliff, there was an elegant room on the second floor. There was no wall on the side of the cliff. Standing by the corridor, You could overlook the vast ins and the outlines of the distant mountains. The Go Grandmaster Li Mubai, who vowed to never y Go again, stood by the porch with a scroll in his hand, listening to the heated argument between the two friends behind him. "I mistakenly made this step. I want to redo my move, I dont care." "No regretting moves, this is the rule." "The sage said: Know your fault and make amends. this is the highest virtue." "Is this what the sage meant?" "Is it not?" "Old bastard, you want to argue with me? That''s fine, Only one of us can leave alive today." "I wasn''t raised vegetarian either." Li Mubai shook his head, "Two baskets of blunders." One of the two behind him was Zhang Shen, a master in military strategy, and the other was an old man in a ck robe with a long beard growing to his chest. Chen Tai, courtesy name Youping,[^1] was one of the four Great Schrs in the academy. The four Great Schrs all had their characteristics. Li Mubai was proficient in Go, Zhang Shen was proficient in military tactics, and Ziyang Jushi Yang Gong, the chief envoy of Qingzhou, was good in schrly research. This Chen Youping had talent in governing the country, and his book "Governance of the Country" was quite popr in the officialdom of Great Feng. Li Mubai turned around and left the corridor to return to the elegant room, and interrupted the two arguing people. "Where''s the dean?" "The eldest princess is here, and the dean is with her." Zhang Shen replied casually while staring at the chessboard. Li Mubai said "Oh" and nodded. Chen Tai sighed and said, "The civil service exam is in three months, but the students in the academy aren''t very keen on studying. I went around the dormitoryst night and found very few hard-working students." "There were only a few lights shining, and even the ones that were were shining on Go boards." He said, stretching out his hand to swipe across the board to disrupt the Go pieces, and said bitterly, "Excess attention to detail ruins one''s life." "Shameless old bastard!" Zhang Shen was furious. If he lost, Excess attention to detail ruins one''s life. If he won, He will show off his strength. "You''re the same as Li Mubai, You can''t handle losing." "What does it have to do with me!" Li Mubai was angry. Speaking of the topic, the three Great Schrs fell silent. The students from Cloud Deer Academy had a difficult official career. Even if they passed the examination, it was difficult for them to make a career in officialdom. They were often sent as officials to poor viges or left in a corner of the country to rot. This has dealt a great blow to the enthusiasm of the students for the imperial examination. The elegant room fell silent for a while, Zhang Shen said deeply, "This trend can''tst any longer. We must arouse the enthusiasm of the students for the imperial examination." Chen Tai nodded seriously, "Even if you struggle, you have to move on in life. Cloud Deer Academy can''t cut off its path in officialdom." Li Mubai muttered, "Let''s have a ss to encourage learning and motivate the students to act." Zhang Shen twirled a Board Piece, "The dean encourages students each year. Another vigorous effort won''t have much effect." Chen Tai stroked his beard and frowned, "We have to find a novel way to let students study hard spontaneously and pay attention to the imperial examination." "How about writing an article?" He suggested. "It''s not going to give results." Li Mubai shook his head. "Then there are only poems left." Zhang Shen said, taking a sip of tea, "Since ancient times, poems have moved the hearts of people. Writing a poem is much more effective than giving a lecture on moving the hearts of people." After they finished speaking, the three Great Schrs looked at each other and shook their heads in unison. The poetry of Great Feng''s Confucianists had been weak for a long time. --- [^1]: Chapter 38: A Poem is Complete Chapter 38: A Poem is Complete # 38. A Poem is Complete If Yang Ziqian had not gone to Qingzhou, then this matter could be given to him, Zhang Shen said, out of all of us, hes the best in this area. The mountain wind blew into the room, making Chen Tais long goatee float. Heughed, Jinyan, you are more suited to me than a life of officialdom. Old man, are you suggesting that Im shirking responsibility? Zhang Shen was not angry, and replied with a rather unbefitting sarcastic tone, This old man will wash his years and listen intently to your most enlightened suggestions. Seeing that they were about to argue again, Zhang Shens student walked in with hurried steps, head down, and bowed, Sir, your student Cijiu hase. *Xu Cijiu? Whats he doing here, has he already finished copying the sages works 300 times?* Zhang Shen nodded, Let him in. Seeing the student leave, he turned to look at Chen Tai opposite the board,ughing, Speaking of that, this old man recently has taken in a new student, being this Xu Cijius older cousin. His poetic talent is extraordinary. Li Mubai added, Hes also my student. Chen Tai looked at old Zhang, and then looked at old Li, as he thought of something, The one who wrote *Throughout the world, there will be friends dear and true; for on the road, is there anyone who knows not you?* Li Mubai and Zhang Shen bothughed with pride. Hahaha Chen Tai also startedughing, pointing towards his two friends. What are youughing at? Imughing at the fact that fame has clouded your vision, oh, and jealousy. Chen Taisughter faded, half warning, half mocking, Yang Ziqians name is certain to be left in the history books alongside this poem, indeed something to be admired. But have you two not thought, that such pristine phrases are no easy task. Many schrs could spend a whole life, and only make a handful of good poems. And as for the ones that can stay in the history books, even fewer. Toe up with a *Throughout the world, there will be friends dear and true; for on the road, is there anyone who knows not you* is already a divine stroke of inspiration, and those who hear it will be moved, and wish for another one of simr prestige, no, two, perfect to make both your names remain throughout the ages? To ce too much weight on fame, as time passes, how will the vast righteous qi inside you stay? A whole stream of wordster, both Zhang Shen and Li Mubai felt awkward. In their hearts they knew that Chen Tai had a point; those poems that can be passed down through generations were no easy feat toe by. Plus, the author wasnt even an intellectual. To even be able to make one great work, is already a stroke of fortune asrge as heaven itself. To hope for a petty official toe up with such poems again and again, and for them to be praised in the annals of history, would indeed be somewhat in vain. Youpings words have merit. The two bowed, saying solemnly, Schrs have three eternal principles. Even if we want our names to be praised in the history books, then that must be achieved through the righteous path, and not via shortcuts. We two have made an error. To know an error and correct it, there is no higher good. Chen Tai nodded. Momentster, the student led Xu Qian and Xu Xinnian into the refined chamber. The two of them simultaneously cupped their hands and bowed, This student greets our teachers. Li Mubai and Zhang Shen exchanged looks, being extra appreciative of Xu Qians appearance. Please, sit! Zhang Shen said, Ningyan, have youe to the academy to ask your teacher to appraise a new work? Li Mubai asked, testing. Xu Qian shook his head, This student hase with a request. Please say. Xu Qian told the two teachers about his reason foring, hiding the fact that he nned to take revenge on the Zhou family, merely saying that the one behind the tax silver case was highly likely to be Deputy Minister Zhou, and if he could live through the official examination, the Xu family would definitely face retribution. This Li Mubai looked at Zhang Shen, who showed the same ufortable expression, and said helplessly The academy does not permit outsiders to stay, these are the rules. And intellectuals ced most importance on rules. Xu Qian was just about to plead, when he heard Xu Xinnian say, Does the eldest princess also notmonly stay at the Academy? Zhang Shen shook his head, You know her highnesss status. Xu Xinnian nodded, The Academy forbids outsiders from staying, apart from the royal family. *Heh, this dumb bastard is as bad with speaking as ever!* The three great schrs all startedughing in anger. Xu Qian almostughed, too; Engs venomous tongue was as sharp as ever. Li Mubai shook his head, Brother Jinyan, your student, I have to admit Im exited to see when he enters the Mandate Seeker rank. *That would be too frightening* Zhang Shens mouth twitched. Only the stillughing Chen Tai, this time looking at Xu Qian, managed to get a word in, asking You are Xu Ningyan? This student is. Xu Qian, wearing a Confucianists robe and pretending that he was indeed an intellectual, replied earnestly, bowing. I heard that you have some poetic talent. How about this, if you can produce a poem here that makes all three of us satisfied, then this old man will take the lead and allow the Xu Familys women to seek refuge in the Academy, and take care of them. Allowing the Xu familys women to live in the Academy was not the most important point, the important point was in hisst phrase: Take care of them. This was what the two Xu brothers came here for. Xu Xinnians face showed a slight delight, as he turned to look at his cousin, Big brother He was both delighted and anxious. Writing a poem was not difficult, every schr could produce a perfectly standard poem, but the hard part was making the three great schrs satisfied. How hard is this? Its far too hard. *Write a poem? You want to force me to get freebies off you?* Xu Qian did not immediately respond, rather asking hesitantly, To make a poem from nothing, or with a set topic? The three schrs exchanged looks, and Zhang Shen said Encouraging Learning! *Of course they wouldnt let me go off the top of my head. Otherwise, I could pull a legendary work out of my arse in no time t* Xu Qian sighed silently. At the same time, he let out a breath, because this topic was not beyond him. His meagre literature knowledge was enough to carry him through. The first thing Encouraging Learning made Xu Qian think of was an essay he had read in high school of the same name, but since this was a poem, that would not do. *A book does hold a house of gold; a book does hide a charming bride!* In Xu Qians mind, the poem that apanied this well-known proverb materialised. In the region of encouraging learning, in terms of fame, not many could be on the same level as that one. He was about to choose this poem to leech off the great schrs, but suddenly thought of the situation the Cloud Deer Academy had been in for the past two centuries. *If I remember correctly, this poem was written by an Emperor of the Song dynasty? Theres themes of fame and recognition within it, but the future of the Academys students in the official field is extremely difficult.* *When Cijiu got his Juren title, he had eximed that he did not know in the future, which remote corner of the empire would he be sent to.* *If I copy this poem, wouldnt that be poking at the Yunlu Academys sensitive points, it might then have the opposite effect* Seeing him silent for a long time, Xu Xinnians frown became tighter. Of the three great schrs, Zhang Shen and Li Mubai was still expectant looking, and Chen Tai merely smiled, drinking his tea. Xu Qian gathered up his thoughts, and said This student apologies for hisck of talent. Cijiu, would you mind grinding ink for me. Xu Xinnian found a brush, paper, and ink stone, and spread them out on the table, grinding out ink for his big brother. One hand holding the brush, one hand holding back his sleeve, he swished the brush tip in the ink, and signalled for his brother to take the pen. *My calligraphy skills are so bad, its less embarrassing if I not no, I dont even know calligraphy in the first ce.* Xu Qian grumbled internally, and making a pose of a schr teaching streams how to flow, said Cijiu will write for me. Xu Xinnian nodded, and sat in front of the table. *To third watch withmp light, from fifth when roosters crow; are the times a boy should study in the day; If with dark hair still he does not study now; Regret it, will he, when his hairs turn grey!*[^1] Xu Xinnian finished writing, and put down the brush, looking at the glyphs on the paper with great intensity, his eyes shing with light, his face showing excitement. Briefly in the room there was silence. Xu Xinnian thought over this poems rhythm, as the three great schrs quickly walked to the tableside, silently looking at the paper. Silently looking at the paper. --- [^1]: Extract from the Tang-dynasty text *An Exhortation to Learning*: Chapter 39: That Xu Pingzhi Made a Grave Mistake! Chapter 39: That Xu Pingzhi Made a Grave Mistake! # 39. That Xu Pingzhi Made a Grave Mistake! "Brilliant! Ningyan has a peerless talent in poetry." Li Mubai pped his hands vigorously. He was extremely excited, being excited due to the poem as a schr would, in addition to being excited about the reactions of the students after looking at this poem. Zhang Shen didn''tment, but his gaze toward Xu Qi''an became more and more appreciative and proud as if the other party was a student brought up by him. "The text is simple, but it hides deep meaning inside. *To third watch withmp light, from fifth when roosters crow; are the times a boy should study in the day...* Brother Jinyan, do you still remember the days when we were young and studied at the academy?" Chen Tai savoured this persuasive poem, feeling its deep meaning and long aftertaste. Zhang Shen froze up for a moment, recalled the scene of studying in his early life, and sadly said, "Isn''t this like us in those days? When I was young, my family was poor, and I could only eat two steamed buns a day. Even at midnight when I was hungry, I used to persevere to study hard with the light from amp." Li Mubai said quietly, "Is that why you stole my chicken eggs twice in three days?" Zhang Shen said with displeasure," How could a schr''s business be called stealing? It''s borrowing. Didn''t I pay you back for those eggster?" Li Mubai blew on his beard and scowled, "A chicken egg in poverty is worth more than a thousand taels of gold today." Chen Tai let out a cough to interrupt the quarrel between the two friends and looked at Xu Xinnian, "Cijiu, After the Imperial Examination, you''re qualified to be an official irrespective of your ranking. Have you considered your future?" Everyone felt ufortable after jumping into the topic suddenly. Zhang Shen and Li Mubai shut up and made ns for Xu Cijiu inside their heads. Chen Tai looked at the two Great Schrs who were hesitant to speak, and didn''t give them the chance to speak, "Generally speaking, Starting in the capital and going outsideter is the best way to promote in officialdom. Within my capacity, I can have you stay in the capital." As his teacher, Zhang Shen beamed with joy, "It''s great. Cijiu, why don''t you thank Brother Chen quickly?" "No need for that, If you want to repay me, I do have an idea." Chen Taiughed. Zhang Shen and Li Mubai felt something was up, upon listening to the words of their old friend. Nobody had said anything about repaying you. Chen Tai smiled and said, "Ningyan, you''re still a piece of rough jade. If you want to be a talent, You need to be polished. These two old men are very vulgar, you should switch to my tutge." "Get lost, shameless old thief." Li Mubai and Zhang Shen became furious. Xu Qi''an seized the opportunity and said, "Two teachers, Ningyan indeed has a question to ask you." This trip to Cloud Deer Academy was for getting freebies. "This junior has been stuck in the Refining Body realm for a long time. Due to myck of merit and my poor family, I never had the resources and opportunities to step into Refining Qi." Xu Qi''an did a full bow. "Please help me to open Heavens Gate." This was his second purpose foring to the academy. Although he could sell the magic weapon given by Song Qing in exchange for money to open Heavens Gate, It wouldn''t be a matter of joy. And Xu Qi''an was a person who pursued happiness. Zhang Shen shook his head andughed, "You''re a ill person rushing to every doctor possible. We are Confucians, how could we open heavens gate for you? The method of circting martial qi in the body is a matter that only a martial artist would know. *The difference between systems turns out to be bigger than I imagined...* Xu Qi''an was a bit disappointed, and asked unwillingly, "This junior doesn''t understand. Since opening heavens gate requires the help of experts above the level of Refining Spirit, How did the first person open his heavens gate? "Do you think that the way of Martial Arts was created by a single person? Was it created overnight?" Li Mubai asked him before drinking his tea. Xu Qi''an shook his head, indicating hisck of knowledge on the topic. "It was created by the efforts of many generations." Li Mubai said slowly, "Perhaps, The refining body realm was the peak at the beginning, but someone coincidentally opened heavens gate, so the Refining Qi realm became the pinnacle of Martial Arts. It may have taken years for the Martial system to have been perfected." "Coincidentally?" Xu Qi''an caught the keyword. "Even if the easiest and most convenient way to open heavens gate is with the help of a Refining Spirit expert, it''s not the only way." Chen Tai took over the conversation and said smilingly. "A new-born baby has a stream of innate qi. As it grows older, heavens gate is closed and the innate qi hides within their body. If you want to regain control over this qi, You have to open the closed heavens gate." Xu Qi''an nodded. Humans eat grains, which produce impurities that block the heavens gate and the operation of internal qi. His second uncle had taught him this theoretical knowledge before. "There are many methods to open heavens gate. Apart from the familiar method of opening, there are two other methods: The first method is the Breathing Method." "The breathing method needs to be practiced since childhood by soaking in a medicinal bath every day to cleanse the meridians and open heavens gate. Since it takes more than 10 years and a lot of money, this method was eliminated." "The second method is to use External Force to open heavens gate, which was the stupid method used in ancient times. For example, swallowing a demons core." "A demons core is the condensed essence of a Demon''s Cultivation, and it contains a lot of energy. If you swallow a demons core, Its power will forcibly open the eight extraordinary meridians, but due to its uncontrobility, this method puts you very close to death." *So that''s the case... Although I didn''t get the knowledge for free, It was worth it and I didn''t make a loss...* Xu Qi''an said gratefully, "Thank you to the teachers for their instruction." Looking at the humble, polite, and nicely spoken Xu Qi''an, the three Great Schrs smilingly stroked their beards, very satisfied with him. ... In the middle of the academy, the Sage Courtyard was located, also called the Sage Temple, where the founder of Confucianism was enshrined. Outside the Saint Courtyard, therge stage made with bluestone bs wasrge enough to amodate all the students of Cloud Deer Academy. The dean would gather students there every year when the spring and fall examinations were about to begin, and passionately mobilize the students to study hard, obtain honour, and devote their lives to service to society. There was a low wall with mottled red paint on therge stage, and ayer of unpeble paper was stuck into the wall. The wall was the bulletin board of Cloud Deer Academy, which was used to post the articles, poems, calligraphy, and paintings of the teachers in the academy, along with the asional excellent works of the students. There were also some notices from the academy. Two book boys came to the notice board. One was holding a roll of paper, and the other smeared rice paste on the notice wall. Then, they worked together to spread the huge paper that was as tall as a person and pasted it up. Such a move immediately attracted the attention of the surrounding students, especially the huge paper taller than a person, which was too eye-catching. "What was posted? Let''s go and have a look." "Wow, It''s not an article. It seems to be a poem... What''s interesting about that?" "Ever since Ziyang Jushi left the academy, reading the other teachers poems might as well equate to not." While talking, the students gathered under the low wall in groups of two and three, staring at the huge paper containing the new notice. The handwriting on the paper was flying like a dragon and phoenix, with the force used in the pen pressed firmly to show a swift and fierce meaning. "They are Mr. Zhang''s words." A student recognized the handwriting. Most students were concentrating on the poem on the paper. *To third watch withmp light, from fifth when roosters crow; are the times a boy should study in the day...* Im ashamed, ashamed of myself. After the autumn examination, I never even studied at night once. Though it looks simple and ordinary, the truth within it is profound, what a thought provoking work! How is it so simple, *If with dark hair still he does not study now; Regret it, will he, when his hairs turn grey!* The grandest dao is the simplest, and the greatest truth is within those words. *Regret it, will he, when his hairs turn grey!* I used to be too ck, and was addicted to writing letters, ying Go, and Travelling, and spent too little of my energy on reading. After reading this poem, I realized that I''ll regret this in the future. "Which Great Schr wrote this poem?" More and more people crowded under the low wall looked up at the poem on the wall, and when they started to immerse in it, They had great resonance with its persuasion. The scene depicted in the first couplet made the students feel ashamed. Although they had tried their best to study, who could study under a light until third watch, and get up with the morning rooster? But this was not a lie, because such examples did exist. The Great Schrs and teachers of the academy often used simr examples to warn the students. What made the students palpitate was the second couplet, "*If with dark hair still he does not study now; Regret it, will he, when his hairs turn grey.* " It was like a warning for the future of some young schrs who had beenx in their studiestely. After inquiring within themselves, these schrs felt palpitations, fearing that they would regret this matter even when they were about to die. The thought of studying hard rose in their hearts as if spring had emerged within. Not far away, on the edge of the great field, the three Great Schrs were watching this scene. Chen Tai stroked his beard andughed loudly, "Everyone thinks that poetry is useless, but they don''t know that poetry touches the heart most easily. Xu Ningyan is a peerless talent of poetry." Upon seeing the persuasive poem actively mobilize the emotions of the students, Zhang Shen couldn''t help but smile, "This is true, he only used a cup of teas worth of effort to write something at this level. Not just this era, He could be counted among the best in history." Li Mubai suddenly asked, "He said that he had already abandoned his studies, do you believe it?" The two Great Schrs nodded at the same time. Li Mubai couldn''t bearughing, "How did you see it?" "He had Cijiu write his poem for him." Zhang Shen said. "How could a schr have others write his own poem." Chen Tai added, "Unless he''s not good at calligraphy." But all schrs were proficient in calligraphy, since it was a basic skill for them. Li Mubai said with emotion, "It''s a pity, He''s already at crowning age. It''s toote for him to switch to Confucianism." Chen Tai was heartbroken, "Such a talent went over to learn martial arts, It''s wasting heaven-sent talents." A vulgar Martial System wasn''t worthy of Xu Ningyan''s amazing talent at all. Zhang Shen seemed to have thought of something, and said with indignation, "I heard from Cijiu that when the two of them were young, his father decided to have Ningyan practice martial arts and Cijiu study." "That Xu Pingzhi made a grave mistake, He wasted such a talent of Confucianism in vain. Truly a shameful and hateful act." The two Great Schrs agreed with him. Chapter 40: A Fight Chapter 40: A Fight # 40. A Fight Li Mubai looked over at the bulletin wall, as more and more students went over, with even some teachers apanying them, smacking their thighs with excitement, praising this poem as being so clever, delicate, and refined, and though ordinary of word, deep in meaning. Lis ears twitched, hearing some of the conversation that drifted by on the wind: First there was *for on the road, is there anyone who knows not you*, and now a poem exalting learning, could it be that the poetic tradition of our Great Fengs Confucianists is going to rise again? For two hundred years, there were only a handful of truly great works, but today there are now two us intellectuals finally have face to face our descendants. Compared to *on the road, is there anyone who knows not you*, this poem exalting learning will definitely spread even further, and will be used time and time again to teach and warn schrs. Why doesnt it have a signature, which great schr wrote it? *No signature this poem definitely will spread far* Li Mubai had a thought, nced over at his two friends, who were talking quietly to each other, and silently backed away, leaving them there. Zhang Shen suddenly found Li Mubai absent, Eh, wheres Brother Chunjing? Was he not just over here Chen Tai looked left and right, and then pointed towards the bulletin board, Over there. Zhang Shen looked over, seeing Li Mubai pushing away the crowd of students, a brush in his hand, writing something on therge piece of paper. Both of them concentrated, their pupils suddenly turning deep and boundless, as if they could see a speck of dust a hundred metres away. They saw clearly, that Li Mubai had wrote a small column of characters next to the poems title: *The tail of Geng-zi year, the start of Xin-chou, my teacher Li Mubai asked to encourage learning, I had an inspiration, and so wrote this poem.* Even this could do? The two great schrs were instantly in uproar. Shamless old bastard, put down your brush! Situated at the back of the academy was a refined hall, built next to the mountain. To its east it bordered a six-tiered waterfall, and to its west was a bamboo forest that was green all year round. In the north, bamboo was a rare material, not easy to grow, not easy to breed. The sight of wind swishing through the bamboo leaves, after a cool spring nights rain, was a sight only seen in the south. The teachers of the Academy brought bamboo from the south, and raised it here with great effort, spending five decades to raise this thick flourishing bamboo forest. The Confucianists had a particr liking for bamboo, praising its grace and stature, andmonlypared bamboo to people, to oneself (especially in praise). The dean of the Cloud Deer Academy one day came over to look, and thought *woah, this bamboo forest is really thick and lush. Bamboo is not afraid of deep cold, and keeps its stature for all four seasons, doesnt that describe me?* *Everyone else shoo, this is my home now.* Thus, that hall became the private meditative space for the dean. In the simple but elegant tea room, a hemp-robe wearing old man sat drinking tea with a young woman in colourful attire. A group of armoured well-trained bodyguards stood outside the building. The old mans salt-and-pepper white hair hung loose over his shoulders, giving him an unkempt and carefree aura. The creases beside his nose, and between his brows, were very deep, but when he smiled, the ones at the corners of his eyes beat out both those. Just from his appearance, it would be extremely difficult for people to link this unkempt old man in Confucian clothing to the dean of the Academy. The current top of the Confucian world. The young woman sat with him was just over twenty, with her hair in a simple conch-shell shaped knot, adorned with a headdress shing brilliant gold, but together a clear sign that this woman had not yet married. She wore a beautiful moon-white dress, its hems dragging on the floor. Her face was clear and graceful, more than anymon woman, like a beautiful but not bewitching lotus flower. Her two bright eyes were like two mirrors, and gave off an unmistakeable cold and noble aura. Her body was curvy and well shaped, in a way that would draw the eyes of any man. After half a year apart, your silver hairs have increased significantly. The eldest princess spoke, her voice clear and cold. All through frustration, the deanughed, taking a sip. Today when I climbed the mountain, I heard the Academys disciples reciting a poem *On the road ahead, surely will there be friends dear and true; throughout thend is there anyone who knows not you?* Her eyes trembled, like a ripple on a mirror-clearke, Such a beautiful work, this princess is very pleased by it. May I know which great schr wrote this work? The dean Zhao Shou[^1] shook his head,ughing. Why does the good deanugh? This old man is notughing at your highness, rather I amughing at how this Cloud Deer Academy is full of talent, yet none could surpass anothers work of whim. No, the entire Confucian circle of the Great Fengs thoughts have be stiff, stuck in old ways, with no spirit. And what poetry needs most of all is spirit. The good deans words do confuse this princess. The Eldest Princesss expression was calm and peaceful, her hand like orchid flowers gently held the teacup, her way of drinking tea noble and refined. Zhao Shou sighed, The one who wrote this poem is not a schr, rather he art a petty official of Changle County. The princess ever so slightly stirred. This eldest princess of the Great Feng was different from ordinary women. She was an unmarried woman of intellectual upbringing, having great talent in all the schrly talents of Guqin, Go, calligraphy, and illustration. This eldest princess yed Go with Wei Yuan, learned military strategy with Zhang Shen, learned governance with Chen Tai. The sages ssics she could recite backwards without hesitation, essays and debates she was a match for any disciple of the Imperial Academy. Well read, clever, astute. When she was eighteen, the Emperor specifically allowed her to engage in the Hanlinyuan[^2]s work ofpiling texts. Last year, the eldest princess tried to re-edit the previous dynastys history annals, and brought about many civil servants protest, thus ultimately nothing was finished. Does the good dean really not want to take up official duties? The Eldest Princesss eyes were sincere, her tone of voice thorough, The Confucianists are at their origin men, and their lives are not long. The good Dean shouldnt waste the many years of talent he has. Very few knew that the official governor post in Qingzhou was originally for Zhao Shou. But Zhao Shou refused to take it up, and wrote a letter of rmendation to the court for Ziyang Jushi. If I can waste these years of talent, and instead open up a new path of learning for my students and their students, then why should this old man not be happy to do so? Zhao Shou sighed, But it is a shame that I have sat in the bamboo forest, pondering the way for more than a decade, have put in blood, sweat and tears, yet still cannot leap over the chasm that the Lesser Sage Chen split open. The good deans will is too deep, why should it be like this? The eldest princess poured herself more tea, expression as calm as ever, My father his majesty has offered you an official job, because he is nning to employ heavily the talents of the Academy again. If youre thinking about the futures of the Academys students, then you should not have refused. Zhao Shou sneered, Heh, is it that he is finding it harder and harder to control Wei Yuan, or is it that that bunch of purple wearing aristocrats dragon killing art getting too sharp? Its for themon people of Feng, for all under heaven. she replied, one word at a time, those wordsing from her heart. Zhao Shous smile became even more mocking. The eldest princesss cold and aloof attitude melted somewhat, and she sighed, After the Campaign of Mountains and Seas, the influence of our Great Feng has been getting weaker by the day, disaster after disaster hit thend, banditry, raiding, deaths, and refugees are too numerous to count. The cmity facing the civil servants is getting clearer and clearer. The dukes and nobles at court only know party politics, are only full of empty-handed jabber. Those who actually do anything make up the very few. Good dean, the country needs a tailor to repair it. She did not wait for Zhao Shou to respond, and continued, speaking directly Three years ago, the northern barbarians ripped up our treaty, and repeatedly raided our northern border, piging and capturing our people. The southern barbarians plunder our trade routes, ambush garrisons, madly trying to regain their lost territory. The states of the western realms watch from the side with cold eyes. The Buddhist Sect will use this threat to try to spread their religion throughout the central nes. She slowly increased her volume, her tone no longer cold, Good dean, you are a schr, will you not return to your ce, to manage this country? Zhao Shou looked at the princess for a while, and then his gaze shifted from those elegant and refined features, from that face that carried a noble aura, looking out towards the flourishing green bamboo garden, shaking his head and sighing, Its not that I dont want to, its that the time is not right. May Your Highness return. The eldest princess showed a hard-to-hide disappointment, and was just about to say her goodbyes and leave, when outside the hall came hurried steps, as a teacher of the Academy ran over, shouting, Dean, things are not good! Li Mubai, Zhang Shen and Chen Tai are fighting! --- [^1]: [^2]: Belonging to the Imperial Academy, the Hanlinyuan was responsible for keeping records,piling histories, and the like. Chapter 41: A Small Official’s Poetic Talent Chapter 41: A Small Official¡¯s Poetic Talent # 41. A Small Officials Poetic Talent Are the Academy''s three Great Schrs fighting? Is it because they had a breakthrough while discussing the dao, and speaking gentlemanly words evolved into fighting? The eldest princess was taken aback. She had studied at the Cloud Deer Academy for a while and knew of the Schrs. The four Great Schrs in the Academy often sat together and discussed the dao, smiling when happy and swearing without care if they were worried. But a big fight hadn''t ever happened between them. After all, Great Schrs had honourable identities, and they had to act as an example to their students. How could they fight so easily? Zhao Shou frowned slightly and put down his teacup, and asked, "Why are they fighting?" The old teacher shook his head and said helplessly, "I don''t know what happened. Mr. Mubai was writing something when the other two schrs appeared suddenly. Then, all of them started fighting. After pausing, the old teacher added with a sad face, One of them said, Old ignorant man and the other retorts with Shameless old thief. It seems like they have some beef with each other. Just then, the dean, who was as calm as a mountain, was taken aback and realized that something was fishy. The eldest princess said, "I''ll go with the dean." Zhao Shou said in a deep voice, "Within ten feet around me, the Sage Courtyard is located." The eldest princess suddenly felt as if she was in a daze, then she saw the sculpture of the sage holding a scroll, a burning candle, and grey smoke curling around the hall. Outside the hall was full ofmotion, and gusts of violent wind rushed into the great hall, blowing out the candles. The dean, who was sitting opposite her had disappeared. So, the princess walked towards the entrance from where strong winds were blowing. The strong wind caused her dress to fly backward, and thepel to stick to her chest. Even a thick winter coat couldn''t cover up her bulging figure. In the distance, In mid-air, the three Great Schrs were floating. From the three''s bodies, vast amounts of righteous Qi rippled out. Their righteous and unyielding aura collided with each other, giving rise to a furious gale. Zhang Shen snorted, "Li Mubai, You shameless bastard. You just tried to snatch my student back then. But you did such a despicable thing today. Has all the knowledge of the sage you read before entered a dog''s stomach?" The eldest princess''s expression changed. She didn''t know what great thing Master Li Mubai had done that Zhang Shen was provoked with such indignation. Snatching students? Were the twopeting for students? Li Mubai loudly retorted, "As a teacher, What''s wrong with me helping students to polish their articles and poems? It''s you, an ignorant old man, being jealous of my talent." Chen Tai, "You shut up, I can''t stand it anymore." Li Mubai gave him a nted look," Zhang and me have a reason to be angry at each other. It doesn''t have anything to do with you, Chen Tai. You can go out and leave us." At the time, Zhang Shen took out a volume of books from his arms, and said leisurely, "It seems that it''s hard to determine a winner from a contest of Righteousness." He tore off a page from a book and set it aze. The moment the paper waspletely burned, a green cloud emerged out of thin air and buzzed toward Li Mubai. It was a green beetle with ferocious mouthparts densely packed like a swarm of locusts. "I''d travelled throughout the world a few years ago, and I had some gains." Li Mubai didn''t panic and also took out a book from which he tore up two pages, both of which ignited at the same time. One of the pages burnedpletely and turned into a crimson lizard, somewhere between flesh-and-blood and an illusion. The crimson lizard puffed its cheeks and spewed out a gust of 10 foot long mes that burned the green clouds in the sky to ashes. At the same time, another page of paper burned, conjuring up a a scantily d young girl that looked like a siren, swimming through the air toward Zhang Shen. As the young girl approached, Great Schr Zhang''s eyelids became heavier, and he felt drowsy. The young girl raised the corner of her mouth slightly and approached Zhang Shen while sporting a charming smile. At that moment, Chen Tai also burned a pager in his hand, causing a bright golden core to manifest and burst out a golden light. "Aiyou!" Li Mubai suddenly was stabbed in the back, and was sent staggering by the golden light. Zhang Shen, also, was burned by the golden core, bringing him out of his sleepiness. He quickly roused his righteous qi, and shook the scantily d young girl away. The eldest princess watched the scene silently. Sixth Rank Confucianists could learn the unique knowledge of other systems and record them in books forter use. What Zhang Shen used just now was the ability of Shamans, and the young girl on Li Mubai''s page should have had a Warlock''s ability, but the rank of said warlock was uncertain. As for the page used by Chen Tai, She was sure that it was the Golden Core in Taoism. The three Great Schrs were fighting like raging fires meeting in mid-air, and the students watched from below with great interest. Although they were a bit shocked and worried by the fight between the three elders, It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Great Schrs fighting. Upon observing that Li Mubai couldn''t be taken down for a long time, Zhang Shen had an idea," Li Mubai, your trousers fell off." Li Mubai''s crotch felt cold, and he was shocked to find that his trousers had slipped down to his ankles. "Damn it!" Li Mubai exploded, and he shouted, "Everyone''s trousers have fallen off." Underneath, countless people bent down to lift their trousers with horror. A milky white jade pendant on the princess''s waist started to emit light. A majestic voice sounded in the ears everyone, "It''s forbidden to fight each other in this ce." "Floating is forbidden here, get your arses down here!" As soon as the words were spoken, the Righteous Qi of the three Great Schrs dissipated automatically. Newton began to rectify his embarrassment and pulled them down from midair. Zhao Shou, dressed in sackcloth and with loose grey hair, walked up to the three of them with a sullen face. He then began carefully examining them with keen eyes, "What''s going on?" Zhang Shen and Li Mubai exchanged nces silently and reached a tacit understanding in an instant. The former snorted coldly, "It''s nothing, It''s just that we had a disagreement in our research and we couldn''t persuade each other." Thetter continued, "So, We changed the method of persuasion." Persuading people with reasoning was indeed in line with traditional Confucian values. "Dean, I want to report them for deceiving you." The Great Schr Chen Tai stabbed the two of them in the back toplete a Double Kill. Zhang Shen and Li Mubai turned their heads together and stared at each other with anger. Chen Tai looked in the direction of the low wall, "The dean knows of the poem ''Sending off Yang Gong to Qingzhou in Mianyang'', right? Zhao Shou looked at the low wall and stared at it for a moment before finding the small words, and he understood the crux of the matter immediately. He knew that Zhang Jinyan and Li Chunjing were envious of Ziyang Jushi these days. The poem on the low wall was indeed great, Not to mention the poem bing famous after spreading, It also had a great chance of being passed to future generations. It''s justified for them to quarrel for the sake of reputation, fame, etc. Dean Zhao''s cheeks twitched thinking of the reason for the two to conceal the reason from him. He was about to speak when he saw the princessing gracefully with her long skirt dragging on the floor with the corner of his eye. He immediately swallowed the words in his throat. The eldest princess''s clear eyes rolled and she smiled reservedly, "Which poem caused the two Great Schrs to conflict." Zhang Shen and Li Mubai hurriedly saluted the princess, "It''s just a poem to encourage learning." The eldest princess turned her eyes to the low wall immediately, and her pupils started to bloom with surprise, "Good Poem!" After a pause, her lips parted slightly, "Who made this poem?" Zhang Shen bit the bullet, "It''s my student. Um... "Sending YangGong to Qingzhou" was also written by him." "That bailiff from the Changle County office?" A strange look shed in the eyes of the princess. "His name is Xu Qi''an." Li Mubai replied, continuing, "He is also my disciple." The eldest princess felt a little familiar with the name. It seemed that someone had mentioned the name to her before, but she didn''tmit it to her memory and she couldn''t recall the incident. It''s too wasteful for such a talent to be a bailiff in the Changle County Office. Even if he only knew poetry, It would be easy to be the chief of staff in her mansion, the princess thought in her heart. The students of the academy stood in the distance, admiring the beautiful face of the eldest princess. She was as beautiful as a solitary snow lotus, with a noble aura that made people neglect the rest of the world. "Where is he?" The eldest princess''s clear eyes swept across the crowd, looking for the subject of the discussion. "He went to tour the Mountain." Chen Tai said. The students who heard their conversation were shocked for a moment since they finally knew the identity of the writer of the exhortation poem. Chapter 42: The Lesser Sage and His Wife Chapter 42: The Lesser Sage and His Wife # 42. The Lesser Sage and His Wife The cold and bleak mountain wind swept through the forest, making a mournful whistle going through the dry tree branches, On the limestone paved path, Xu Qian tilted his head, looking at Xu Xinnian, with his hair and long sleeves dancing in the wind. This younger cousin of his, with a face that would make others jealous, was like an immortal that hadnded in the mortal realm. He pointed towards a waterfall far away, and said This is the ce where one of the Academys elders thinks about the Dao. Beside the waterfall is a stone stele, recording that elders life. The water levels were low in winter, and that waterfall was thin and frail looking, falling down into the pool below with hardly a hint of energy. The pool was clear, so clear that one could see the bottom. Beside the pool stood the stele, and a bronze statue of a cross-legged person. On the stele recorded the life of a schr named Qian Zhong. This person lived six hundred years ago, and lived during the rise of the Feng dynasty. That time, the emperor of the previous dynasty was addle-brained and weak, his officials had rotted to the core, and the rich ate and abused the poor. All across the central ins the smoke of rebellion rose, as warlords split thend. That dynasty then, the dynasty of Zhou, waged a war of several decades against these warlords and rebelling armies, and the lives of themon people who lived at the bottom of society were arduous and difficult. Qian Zhong, of the Confucian second rank Great Schr, travelled the country for three years, and saw with his own eyes the suffering of themon people. With a heart full of rage and sadness he brought their anger to the capital, and used his own flesh and blood to strip the Zhou of what little fortune they had left. Then, the Feng rose, and calmed the country, and peace came to thend. Is a Great Schr rank this powerful? Xu Qians face looked doubtful, Why have I not seen any Niubi[^1] from those three great schrs? Xu Xinnian did not know what Niubi quite meant, but undoubtfully it was vulgarnguage. Considering the fact that his big brother had just wrote a poem and brought their family safety, he resisted mocking him, and answered: Who told you that the teachers were second rank Great Schrs? They are fourth rank Junzi[^2]. Xu Qian was in disbelief, Then how do they have face to call themselves great schrs? Xu Xinnian crouched down by the pool, rinsing his hands, and exined Great Schr has two meanings. One refers to those schrs who have studied deeply, and have recognition in their field. The other refers to the Confucian second rank. Our great schrs of the academy belong to the first kind. *To take themon peoples anger, and scatter a countrys fortune, even during the dying breaths of a dynasty, was not a thing an ordinary person could do. How powerful were the second ranks of the Confucianists? How about first rank?* Xu Qian became deep in thought, and after a long time, said with a respectful tone, Does the Cloud Deer Academy have second rank Great Schrs? Xu Xinnian shook his head, sighing in pity, Two hundred years ago, the most that ever emerged was third rank. The third rank of the Confucianists is called Mandate Seeker. I also only just heard it from my teacher that day, when seeing off Ziyang Jushi. Our academys dean is a third rank Mandate Seeker. Xu Qians tone of voice suddenly became more rxed, as he casually remarked, Not bad. Those three old teachers personalities, seemed to be somewhat shallow and not righteous, andcked a sense of steadiness and grandeur. Xu Qian told his thoughts to Xu Xinnian. Thetter hesitated for a moment, They werent like this earlier. After Junzi,es Mandate Seeker perhaps this has something to do with it. Mm, Ziyang Jushi was also like this before, but recently he suddenly changed personalities, as if he was reced with a different person. I heard my teacher say, that Ziyang Jushi is merely half a step away from Mandate Seeker. The two brothers wandered the Academy with no goal in mind, Xu Xinnian took him to look over some famous historic sights. As an Academy with a history over 1200 years long, if not for the fact that they normally did not allow outsiders, owing to that disturbing the students study, Qingyun mountain would certainly be a tourism hotspot. Brother as they walked and walked, Xu Xinnian suddenly called out to him with a low tone of voice. Xu Qian stopped his tracks. Xu Xinnian looked at him, and then turned his head, pretending to look at the scenery surrounding them, I thought for a long time yesterday. If it were not for you, then dad would already be beheaded, the women would already be sent to the Jiaofangsi. If not for you, then the Xu family would still benguishing within the feeling of life after disaster, only to one day be extinguished. Afterwards, he walked ahead with quick steps, waking a dozen or more metres out, and silently said: *Thank you.* Hall of the Lesser Sage. Xu Qian followed his cousin up the stairs, passing the incense holder and entering the building. Red painted pirs seven metres tall rose to the ceiling, holding up a vaulted roof. The Lesser Sage worshipped in the hall was the founder of the Cloud Deer Academy. In the thin me of many candles, that Lesser Sage wore a azure-blue Confucian robe, wore a tall Confucian headdress, with one hand behind his back, and one hand on his front waist, his eyes looking far into the distance. Beside the lesser sage, was a lively and beautiful white doe, cloud patterns just visible within its white fur. Xu Xinnian pointed to the white doe, saying It is the origin of our Cloud Deer Academys name. Xu Qian said Schrs are refined people; a white deer would make a good steed. Xu Xinnian gave his older cousin a look, and corrected Not his steed, his wife. !!! Xu Qian looked the lesser sage up and down again, muttering Not exactly wrong. *After all, hes riding either way* but this he did not dare say. Xu Xinnian seemed to know what his brother was thinking, and said Recorded in the Academys *Annals of the Cloud Deer*, this white deer is a yaoguai monster, who sat by the Sage and listened to him speak. Afterwards, it transformed into a person, and stayed by the Lesser Sages side. A human and a monster growing up side by side, naturally they developed a deep affection, and became husband and wife. In those times, romance between man and monster was a deep taboo still today. But after the Sage found out, he did not beat and forcefully separate the two, but rather praised their marriage. The sage said: True love has no barriers. We can see that as long as there is love, then even man and monster can stay together and support one another. From ancient times there have been nicknames for human-yaoguai couples, like Ghost Rider, The Ouw Hero, Union of Heaven and Man. Then, what would the nickname of the lesser sage be? *To Make a Deer a Horse A Horse Sons Horse?* Xu Qian bowed and cupped his hands towards the statue of the Lesser Saint. When Xu Xinnian was paying his respects as a disciple towards the Lesser Saint, Xu Qians eyes wandered around the hall, and discovered that on the left and right sides, stood a stone stele each. One was nk, the other one had characters carved on it. He walked to the stele, and read To uphold justice and be faithful to morality and the monarch until death, to leave a mark for generations toe Chen Hui. The characters were tidy, not flowy, not cursive, not exaggerated, giving off an aura of a Junzis reserved and righteous nature, their vast spirit. This is what the Imperial Academys Lesser Sage wrote. Xu Xinnian walked over, standing side by side his older cousin. The Lesser Sage of the Imperial Academy actually, Ive always not really known much about the bad blood between the Imperial Academy and the Cloud Deer Academy. Xu Qian was full of interest, the word Eating Melon[^3] written in his eyes. Xu Xinnian looked left and right, seeing that no one was there, before he spoke, in a lone tone This matter started two hundred years ago, during that struggle for national destiny. Struggle for national destiny? even if Xu Qian was an amateur at best in the field of history, this concept he did know about. The Crown Prince, the National Destiny! To fight for the national destiny is to fight for the ce of Crown Prince. That time the Renzong emperor was on the throne, and the title of Crown Prince had been empty for over a decade. Two princes were the foremost contenders at that time. One was the eldest child of the Emperor and Empress Consort, and another was a noble descended from the Emperor and one of his concubines, but further in line to the throne. That concubines son was very beautiful and graceful, and Renzong loved him deeply. Renzong wanted to make this son the Crown Prince, but he was opposed by his entire court. Renzong gave out the order many times, but each time it was opposed in his cab and sent back to him. At that time, all the officials in court were the Cloud Deer Academys disciples. The elder before the younger, the direct son before the concubines, was the rule since ancient times, even an emperor could not break it. Brother, what you said was right, ritual is our schrs most well used dragon-ying technique.[^4] In this session crisis, neither side would let up, and both fought for a whole six years. In this time, the Senior Grand Secretary was swapped four times, the officials of court left in droves. In the capital and beyond, the number of officials who were affected reached over 200. --- [^1]: , Common Chinese ng, used to express something is awesome or epic. Literally means cow vagina (for some reason). Often simplified to (Niu) which is more family friendly. [^2]: , the Confucian gentleman [^3]: Chinese ng, which in the most general sense is describing spectators into some drama. [^4]: Probably good to mention that Chinese Emperors are always metaphorically referred to as Dragons. Chapter 43: The Inscription Chapter 43: The Inscription # 43. The Inscription Around that time, a schr from Cloud Deer Academy took over as the Senior Grand Secretary. He didn''t have the same thoughts as his predecessors and resolutely devoted himself to Renzong. He alsopleted Renzong''s business despite it being against ritual. Finally, the struggle for national destiny ended. Due to this incident, Renzong was disgusted with Cloud Deer Academy. He had realized that Cloud Deer Academy wasn''t conducive to Imperial Rule. Around this time, Cheng Hui proposed to establish an Imperial Academy for the court to train talents by itself. "Thereafter, The decline of Confucianism began." That was the origin of the dispute between Cloud Deer Academy and Imperial Academy over Confucian Orthodoxy. *The Imperial Academy was a state-run university while Cloud Deer Academy was a private institution. How could a private institution surpass a state-run one...* Xu Qi''an suddenly realized. After Xu Xinnian finished speaking, he suddenly tried to examine, "What do you think, big brother... Well, I mean the matter of fighting over the national destiny, since it''s a matter separate from academics." *Do you believe that amoner like Big brother can''t answer the question if it involved academic matters?* Xu Qi''anmpooned, and smilingly said, "On the surface, It looks like a struggle for national destiny, but it''s a power struggle." "Schrs who want to disy their ambitions must hold great power, and the amount of power in a country is fixed. When you hold more power, someone will lose theirs. The highest state of power is to take the emperor''s power and be an uncrowned emperor." Xu Xinnian was originally trying to examine his big brother, but upon hearing his thoughts, his face changed colour drastically. Xu Qi''an squinted at him, "What, did I say something wrong?" *You''re right. But you can''t just say these kinds of things anywhere...* Xu Xinnian took a deep breath, "Go on." Xu Qi''an nodded, "No matter how powerful Confucianism''s Dragon ughtering Technique is, It can''tpare to the imperial power. *Whether you learn literature, art, or martial, all belongs to the Emperor in the end.* The sentence exins everything. Since ancient times, ministers, whether virtuous or tyrannical, as long as they had power, wouldn''t have a good end." The control over the government would onlyst a while, and eventually all unsettled things will be settled, because a courtier will always be a courtier. In the history of Xu Qi''an''s previous life, many people could be titled uncrowned emperors. But whom among them got a good end? Cao Cao was a different matter, the chaos after the copse of the empire was a different situation altogether. Xu Xinnian asked urgently, "Is there any solution to this eventuality?" The academy wouldn''t teach of the matters his elder brother just told him. "There is no solution!" Xu Qi''an shook his head and sighed, The court is like a battlefield, Party disputes could bring you a little enjoyment now, but will bring the whole family crashing down. His words were strange, but there seemed to be millennia of literature and history brewing in his eyes. Xu Xinnian was astonished while looking at him. "But your big brother has another idea as well." Xu Qi''an changed the subject. "Please tell me, brother." "Great Schr Qian''s deeds are an example. When you could affect the fortune of a country, You''ll change from a schr attached to the imperial power to a strong person equal to it." Xu Xinnian''s eyes lit up. But as soon as a joyful look appeared on his face, Xu Qi''an said with leisure, "Eng is very intelligent. This child has some potential." "..." Xu Eng replied, *wasnt I supposed to be teaching you* Xu Qi''an didn''t continue speaking, thinking of a question in his heart. Although Cloud Deer Academy didn''t have much future in officialdom, It was still a holynd that controlled the Confucian System. The only thing that was cut short was its path to officialdom. Although Xu Xinnian didn''t say whether the academy''s official career or the entirety of Confucianism had weakened, Xu Qi''an felt that it was thetter that had weakened. Because of what Xu Eng had said in the waterfall, for 300 years, the highest grade achieved by a Confucian has only been the third rank. Was it because Confucianists needed to be officials after the third grade? Or it involved sensitive matters like the luck of Confucianism. "What''s this tablet about? Why is it standing there?" He asked. Xu Xinnian stared at the characters in the stele withplicated eyes, and sighed, "It''s the follow-up or part of the follow-up of the dispute over Confucian Orthodoxy." "That Lesser Sage Cheng was very talented. After he established the Imperial Academy, he knew that if he wanted to surpass the Cloud Deer Academy, he needed to have his system of education. Otherwise, the students of the Imperial Academy would still be spiritually affiliated to Cloud Deer Academy." "So he devoted his time to studying the Sage''s ssics and rewrote them incorporating his own beliefs. After 13 years, he finally created an education system where there would be intergenerational progress. "Obey natural principles to destroy Human desires?" Xu Qi''an''s heart moved. Xu Eng nodded, and after the conversation just before, he was willing to exin academic matters to his elder brother. Lesser Sage Cheng believed that everything in the world follows a certainw. Thisw could be called "*Li*"[^1]. Li, or reason, is the world''s most essential and correct thing. "Myriad Matter relies on reason to flourish. But people will lose their beliefs and reason in the turmoil in the world." "So, it is necessary to preserve Natural Reason and destroy human desires?" Xu Qi''an asked. Preserving Natural Reason and destroying human desires was the outline of the Imperial academy''s philosophy. Xu Qi''an was waiting for Xu Xinnian''s detailed exnation of it. Xu Xinnian continued, Lesser Sage Cheng set up a set of rules and regtions. If schrs follow these rules, they will not make mistakes and be close to thews of heaven and earth. "This set of rules elevates loyalty, filial piety, and moral integrity to the height of heavenly Reason." Xu Xinnian sneered, "If the king wants his minister to die, the minister should die. If the father wants his son to die, the son has to die. Sacrifice one''s life for moral integrity. For the sake of ensuring one''s morals, one should die." Xu Qi''an listened silently, and suddenly asked, "What do you think, Cijiu? Is this right or wrong?" Xu Xinnian was stunned, He nkly stared at his cousin, and tried to open his mouth, but a mysterious force blocked his throat, making him unable to speak. Xu Qi''an understood. This type of ability was called "Ideological Imprisonment". "Therefore, this tablet was put here?" Xu Qi''an turned his gaze to the inscribed text. "Hm." Xu Eng nodded. The dispute between Cloud Deer Academy and the Imperial Academy is an academic and philosophical dispute. But this tablet has remained in Cloud Deer Academy for 200 years and has never fallen. Cloud Deer Academy has no hope of defeating the Imperial Academy until the tablet falls. "The dean stayed in the academy for more than a decade and tried to refute the inscription using his vast experience by creating a mature and correct concept, but he failed in the endeavour." "Because the idea represents truth, It represents correct ideas." Xu Qi''an said. "Yeah." Xu Xinnian sighed, "Not only the dean, all the Great Schrs and teachers of the academy havepeted with the inscription. But no one has ever seeded. How could an ordinary person refute a lesser-sage''s thoughts." "That nk tablet over there..." Xu Qi''an had a guess. "The dean ced it here, but he hadn''t been able to pen a word there over a decade." Xu Xinnian pointed to the table next to the nk stone tablet and said Later, Some students and Schrs tried to write words there topete with Lesser Sage Cheng''s inscription, but they were all wiped out the next day. However, the brush and inkstone on the table remained still. Perhaps the dean holds some sliver of expectation in them. Due to this, whenever the students have a whim or they feel that they have a good idea, They go there to write. It''s a pity that the person expected by the dean has never appeared." "I thought that I could do it, and I also inscribed in the stone tablet..." At that point, Xu Xinnian didn''t continue, obviously because he didn''t want to reveal his frivolous behaviour in his youth to his cousin, to avoid dying socially again. *To uphold justice and be faithful to morality and the monarch until death, to leave a mark for generations toe...* Xu Qi''an faced the inscription, became silent for a while, and said deeply, "Cijiu, Your elder brother wants to know if the monarch is more important or the people are more important." Xu Xinnian didn''t hesitate to answer, "Naturally the people." Xu Qi''an asked again, "Then why are you studying?" Xu Xinnian subconsciously said, "To be loyal to the emperor and to serve the country..." He stared nkly after speaking due to shock. Xu Qi''an didn''t care at all, and continued, "Is being famous in history a pursuit a schr should strive towards?" Xu Xinnian didn''t answer, and his silence spoke a thousand words. The actions of the two Great Schrs in Cloud Deer Academy for being involved with a poem exined also exined the situation. Xu Qi''an sighed quietly. *If the king wants the minister to die, the minister has to die. Why?* *If a father wants his son to die, the son has to die. Why?* *Can''t this shitty society have a little more human rights?* Xu Qi''an smiled and said, "I''m not a schr, but I also want to write something. Cijiu, grind the inkstone for me." Xu Xinnian frowned. Xu Qi''an said, "Anyway, the brush and ink are ced here. it''s surely so that people will write here. If your elder brother writes badly, it will be erased tomorrow." After Xu Xinnian finished listening, he went to grind ink. In a moment, he stood in front of the stele with a pen in his hand and asked, "What do you want to write, brother?" "I want to write it by myself this time." Xu Qi''an grabbed the pen and stared at the nk stone tablet. Suddenly, the face of the stall owner at the breakfast stall in the morning appeared in his mind. He was in so much distress, but he didn''t dare to ask for money. He was as pitiful as a stray dog. The issue of subordinate officials in the Great Feng had been a problem for a long time, and the pce was full of beasts who were only loyal to the emperor, but have never lowered their merciful eyes to themon people at the bottom. He thought of Zhou Li''s arrogant and domineering posture when he rode his horse in the street. He thought of the records of rampant behaviour in the capital''s government office. The existence of extraordinary force served to highlight the shorings of a feudal dynasty quite vividly. It also made themon people at the lower strata have no courage to resist tyranny. He had heard of a few grand peasant uprisings in his previous life. But, in this world, peasant uprisings were quickly extinguished without even having a chance to take shape. Xu Qi''an took a deep breath, exhaled heavily, and picked a brush to write: *"To ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, To secure life and fortune for the people, To continue lost teachings for past sages, To establish peace for all future generations!"* After he finished writing, Xu Qi''an felt refreshed, and breathing out the depressive energy within his chest. Then he threw away his pen and said loudly, "Cijiu, This is what a schr should do." Boom! Xu Cijiu felt as if a thunderbolt had struck his mind, splitting his spirit filled with primal chaos and releasing the shackles in his soul. He stared nkly at his cousin. As if he was seeing an illusion, Xu Eng seemed to see the dense purple air above his cousin''s head appear and disappear in a sh. *Ka- ka*! The stone tablet on the side suddenly made a cracking sound, and a huge crack appeared from its top to its bottom. The two brothers were taken aback. Before they could react, the entire Sub Sage Temple trembled, the dome rustled and the candlesticks fell over. A puff of fresh qi burst from the Lesser Sages sculpture to pierce the white clouds on the mountaintop, its form being able to be seen dozens of li away. Xu Qi''an was stunned, and his expression was extremely ugly, "What''s going on? Um... It seems like we''re in a lot of trouble." "What trouble, where trouble?" Xu Xinnian became agitated and said loudly, "What does it have to do with us? We''ve never been to the Lesser Sage Temple." After finishing speaking, he rushed out of the door with his head in his arms and fled the premises. "Schr, You wait for me." Xu Qi''an ran after him thinking that schrs have strong adaptability in critical moments. --- Author''s note: The Neo-Confucianism in the book is an academic school I have made up based on "Cheng-Zhu" Neo-Confucianism. It''s quite different than Neo-Confucianism in reality so don''t take it seriously. The theory is based on realistic materials and I just added little modifications myself. After all, If I could write about an entire academic school... Well, I''m azy person, Why would I write web novels? The reason for the exnation is that "Cheng-Zhu Confucianism" has prized opinions, which lends itself to arguments. So, I made this statement. [^1]: , fundamentally means reason, or principle, or science. An emphasis in Zhu Xis Neo-Confucianism. Chapter 44: The Escape Chapter 44: The Escape # 44. The Escape The two brothers ran out of the Lesser Sage Hall, not daring to run on the big paths, rather taking the small winding alleys at the sides of the Academy, running into the mountain forest. Only after a long time, did they finally stop. Xu Qians breaths were steady, whilst Xu Xinnian leant against a pine tree, gasping for air. Due to the intense exercise, his white face bore a flush of red that could move a persons heart. What do we do now? Xu Qian decided to ask his doing things with reason younger brother, Did I just help solve one of the Academys oldest and hardest problems? He didnt expect that that phrase would cause such a monumental sign, and was not sure what would happen after, so he listened to his heart and escaped alongside Xu Xinnian. Xu Xinnian was still breathing heavily, and simultaneously tried to calm his beating heart, andughed in a proud tone, At most a problem two hundred years old. Xu Qian handed over his waterskin. Xu Xinnian took it, taking a swig, before continuing If I had just enrolled in the Academy, I may have suggested that you stayed where you were, and waited to enjoy the teachers praises and admiration. However as to the present me, I just wanted to take you and escape. He threw back the waterskin, and waited, seeing that his face was calm, with no sign of confusion. He was both somewhat disappointed, and appreciative. He appreciated the fact that his older cousin had a brain, and was different from his fathers vulgarity. This made Xu Xinnian, who always looked very highly of himself, sincerely gratified. He was disappointed that he could not show off in front of his brother, and make an appearance of the clever mans superiority. Even if his cousin had several times written down poems that would make any schr sigh, even if his cousin had wrote those words on that stele, that had the power to split mountains Xu Xinnian still thought that his own intelligence was still a tad higher. If he had not this attitude, then he would never have been able to write *If heaven births not I, Xu Xinnian; then the Great Feng forever, will be in night that never ends.* The two brothers quickly made their way through the forest, and secretly made their way towards the stables. The best choice now would be to leave without saying goodbye. If Xu Qian had remained where he was, then what faced him was most likely the appreciation and praise of the Cloud Deer Academy. He may even be made a great schr even if that was not likely. That would be the good side. The bad side would be clear; the conflict between the Cloud Deer Academy and the Imperial Academy was one over the very Confucian orthodoxy itself. At the same time that Xu Qian received the praises of the Cloud Deer Academy, he would raise the ire of the Imperial schrs. And all the officials and nobles at court, were all from the Imperial Academy. A single tax silver case had already left them with no end of trouble, yet this would be more dangerous and difficult than a hundred tax silver casesbined. *Cijius and my thoughts may have taken different paths, but weve reached the same conclusion* Xu Qianughed, Cijiu, you really are a sly dog. *Very good, Eng isnt a rotten old schr. Perhaps because he studies military strategy?* Base. Xu Xinnian immediately retorted, continuing As long as we leave, Im sure that afterwards the Academy wont brazenly announce anything, and keep the secret for us. He did not say any more, as he fell into deep thought, and focused on getting to their destination, seeming silent and solemn. A courtyard outside the Lesser Sages Hall. Zhao Shou, wearing his hemp clothes and with his salt-and-pepper white hair, suddenly made a move that one would not expect: he suddenly turned, and looked towards the back of the Academy. After a few seconds, the three great schrs did the same, with a serious face. The Eldest Princess was confused, and unconsciously followed their gazes. A fresh breeze wafted across the clear sky, and nothing was to be seen. But in the next second, a plume of azure qi, visible to the naked eye, rose up into the sky, piercing through the clouds. The thick white clouds that swirled around Qingyun mountain slowly dissipated in front of everyones eyes. Zhao Shou disappeared first, the three great schrs following shortly after, disying the might of their Laws follow Commandments, making three feet beside them the back of the Academy. The eldest princesss willow like brows slightly furrowed, as she picked up her skirt, and quickly but still gracefully chased after them. Her stature was tall and lithe, with delicate curves, and the aura she had when walking could not be described, and could only be experienced. Lesser Sage Hall. The candles were tipped over, their wax trickling onto the floor. In the empty great hall, azure qi drifted around like the spring wind, surrounding Zhao Shous shadow. He quickly looked over every little corner of the great hall, and finally his eyes fell upon Lesser Sage Chengs stone stele, with a crack down its middle. *This* The deans eyes like ancient wells suddenly showed a rush of shock and disbelief, as he quickly found the reason to the azure qi rushing towards the sky. The stone stele suppressing the hall had split, the Cloud Deer Academys righteous qi had broken free from its bonds, and overflowed out into the air, causing that sight. The question was, why would Lesser Sage Chengs stele split out of nowhere? Quickly, Zhao Shou realised, as his eyes were drawn to the stone stele that he had ced in the hall himself. He looked at what was written on it, and felt as if the whole world had lost its colour, and was slowly disappearing, with only that column of ugly characters remaining burned into his vision. Burned into his heart. Bing this worlds only thing. The azure qi spread outwards, making one feel as if they were in a spring breeze. The three great schrs shadows materialised, as they instinctively scanned the entire hall. Seeing the broken tablet of Lesser Sage Cheng, their pupils unconsciously shrank. *It was sitting there so well, why would the tablet split no, this is a good thing, this means that the chains binding down the Cloud Deer Academys fortune had been shaken* Li Mubai thought, before he suddenly realised that the deans attitude was not quite right. He had that feeling of being stuck deep within his own world, gazing into space. *The stele has split, in the era where a Lesser Sage has not appeared for a long time, there is a person who could shake Chengs stele* Zhang Shen and Chen Tai exchanged looks, and saw in each others eyes shock and confusion. Soon after, they and Li Mubai all discovered Zhao Shous unusual expression. *To ordain conscience for heaven and earth, to secure life and fortune for the people, to continue lost teachings of past sages, to establish peace for all future generations* Zhang Shen muttered. He was utterly stunned by the soul, by the spirit, by the will imbued within that sentence, as goosebumps raised all over his body. His blood ran hot around his body. This is what a schr really should do. Chen Tais lower lip trembled, saying To be an official, is to serve the people, to serve the country, to serve all living things, and not for one family, for only the very few. This great schr, praised as a master of governance, could not control his shaking, as his voice was hoarse, An enlightenment, an enlightenment! Li Mubai took a deep breath, calming his emotions, Who wrote this? The three of them all looked towards Zhao Shou. Their dean had been in solitary meditation for over a decade, for the sole goal of overturning the rationalism of Chen, pouring blood, sweat, and tears. In this current age, apart from him, no one could open up a new school of thought. But the dean was just with them, and furthermore, his expression said all. What replied them was silence, as after a long time, Zhao Shou said in a low voice, Leave for now. If theres anything you want to say, we can discusster. He added, A Junzi is reticient. The three great schrs bowed and cupped their hands, leaving the hall. As the great door closed, the room fell into silence, as Zhao Shou stood silently in front of the stele, behind him attice window, the sunlight shining onto him in spots. After a long, long while, he smoothed out his clothes, and bowed towards the characters on the stele, In the morning, I heard the way. In the evening, I would die happily. The eldest princess finally reached the Lesser Sage Hall, finding that within ten zhang of the hall, was covered in a qi wall, like an overturned bowl, separating within from without. She did not rush, rather silently stood on the steps outside the hall, like a silently blooming flower. Soon after, the three great schrs exited side by side, their faces solemn, but one could not tell whether the news was good or bad. My three good sirs, could you pray tell? The Princess looked towards the hall. Your Highness is best not to ask, Chen Tai bowed, This, we currently cannot make head nor tail. The eldest princess smiled, her noble face was as calm as ever. Leaving the three great schrs, she went back towards the Refined Hall herself. In the mountain breeze, her dress rippled, as if she was a spirit of the mountain, an immortal that hade down to the mortal world to y. Two rows of armed, armoured solders guarded the hall like before, looking like a series of silent statues. This contingent of twenty four Jinwu Guards was her bodyguard detail. At the mountains foot were also a group of seven Nightwatchers. But the Academy despised Wei Yuan, and so did not allow the Nightwatchers up the mountain. The eldest princess lead her guards down the mountain, and located the seven Nightwatchers that were stationed by the road. She said with a clear tone Azure qi rushes to the heavens in the Cloud Deer Academy, the Lesser Sage Hall has been locked off, report this back to Duke Wei, and make him watch the Academy closely, and find out the root of this. Yes, Your Highness! the Nightwatchers sped their fists. She continued, Investigate a person for me, bailiff Xu Qian of Changle County Constabry. At once, Your Highness! Chapter 45: Big Brother is Too Annoying Chapter 45: Big Brother is Too Annoying # 45. Big Brother is Too Annoying Stargazing Observatory, Bagua tform: The white haired, white-clothed, and white-bearded Jianzheng was sitting in front of a table, sipping a ss of wine while looking towards the northwest of the capital. There was a table on his left, which was full of delicacies. In front of the table sat Chu Caiwei, with an oval face, big eyes, delicate features, and sweetness hidden underneath. While eating, she chattered endlessly, "Master, When could I step into the sixth rank and be a Master of Alchemy?" Jianzheng smiled and replied, "When you don''t care about eating and are willing to practice peacefully, The time wille for you to break through." Chu Caiwei looked pained, "Looks like it will be impossible in this life." She swallowed the food and continued to babble, "By the way, Fake silver burns easily and it explodes when thrown in water. It''s hard to preserve it. It will be hard to report to the emperor." Lord Jianzheng said softly, "The emperor has had his fill, tell him to fuck off." Chu Caiwei stuck out the tip of her tongue, "This Disciple doesn''t dare to say this to the emperor. You should speak to him yourself." The Jianzheng kindly smiled. "Master, Fourth Senior Brother has been affected by a demon, you should check on him. He always runs out of the city saying that the door of alchemy has opened for him." "Master, I think it''s not good for Xu Qi''an to be a bailiff. Why don''t we bring him to Sitianjian? Oh, you may not know who he is, He''s the one who solved the Tax Silver Case..." "..." "Master, What is grafting?" The Jianzheng sighed, "Caiwei." "Yes, master?" "Why don''t you shut your mouth when eating." "Ah." A few secondster... "Master, why do you always look over there?" "Caiwei, your teacher has some regrets." "Master, Tell me." "Why don''t I know the Confucian technique for forbidding speech?" "Hee hee..." A smug expression appeared on Chu Caiwei''s face, until she suddenly found that the food on her table spoiled instantly, giving off an unpleasant smell. Her mouth shrunk, and her expression shifted to a crying one. She was distressed enough to not breathe, "Master, I was wrong. Please change the food back." Jianzheng still looked towards the northwest, and said with a smile, "Master will teach you another truth. In Alchemy, most transformations are irreversible." Chu Caiwei left crying while wiping her tears, "I''ll never apany you, a bad old person again." ... In the pavilion outside the bamboo forest, Zhao Shou, the dean, said deeply, "It''s forbidden to approach within 30 zhang of this location." While speaking, he waved his sleeves and Qi spread, covering the pavilion and the area 30 zhang around it. After finishing this, he turned around and looked at the three great schrs who had been summoned there. Holding a teacup in his hand, Li Mubai said seriously, "I''ve inquired, and there were no students near the Lesser Sage Courtyard at the time, and we can''t find out who had entered there." "The handwriting on the stele doesn''t belong to any student in the academy. I don''t think our academy teaches its students to write such bad characters." Speaking of this, Li Mubai felt anxious. If the culprit wasn''t a student in the academy, Which outsider was at the academy except for his cheap student?" "Tap tap..." At the same time, Zhang Shen knocked on the table. This great schr pushed aside all his cynicism and disrespect, and retorted with a deadpan face, "Handwriting can be disguised. Especially by using bad handwriting." Chen Tai suddenly asked, Then, what would be the reason to disguise the handwriting? The monument has stood there for more than a decade. All the teachers and students in the academy have tried to write about it, and they are all willing to be known for this action. They have no motive to disguise their handwriting. "Also, Xu Cijiu and Xu Ningyan happened to be traveling in the mountains at that time." The three Great Schrs finished their discussion and remained silent. Li Mubai took a sip of tea in his cup and sighed, "*To ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, to secure life and fortune for the people, to continue lost teachings for past sages, to establish peace for all future generations...* I''m ashamed of myself. I''ve already given up the thought of having an official career these years and have only thought of being famous to posterity and leaving my name in the history books." "Brother Chunjing is a man of integrity." Zhang Shen gave him a thumbs up while praising him, and then said, "Then leave the poem for persuading learning to me." Li Mubai immediately changed his words, "There is no contradiction in being famous in history while doing something for the country and themon people." Dean Zhao Shou stared at Li Mubai in a daze with shining eyes, and said with surprise, "You are about to establish your Mandate soon?" "!!!" Chen Tai and Zhang Shen were both startled. Li Mubai stroked his beard while smiling, "I understood everything in a sh of insight, and enlightened on my Mandate." The other two Great Schrs instantly became jealous. After it was pointed out by Dean Zhao Shou, the two could also notice a subtle change in Li Mubai''s Qi. The third realm was the realm of Mandate Formation, which was the realm for finding one''s life goals. Some people study for fame, some for profit, and some to help posterity... Everyone has their own mandate. Dean Zhao Shou''s Mandate was to create a new school of Confucianism and to break the shackles of thought to find a new path for the schrs in the world. Therefore, He couldn''t break through until the day he achieved his goal. The others didn''t ask for Li Mubai''s life goals, since he only had a hazy impression of them at the time. Zhang Shen and Chen Tai looked at each other, and secretly decided not to end their retreat at the Lesser Sage Hall unless they enlightened on their Mandate. "As of today, Students are forbidden from entering the Lesser Sage Hall." Zhao Shou''s eyes, sparkling with light, swept across the Great Schrs present, and he said, "The matter isn''t allowed to be circted outside. I want to speak with the three of you." The three Great Schrs looked at each other and nodded slightly. Zhao Shou focused his *dantian*[^1] and gathered his qi at the tip of his tongue, "A Gentleman should keep silent." ... The two riders galloped very fast. When they approached the capital, the brothers slowed down and let the horses trot on the road. They had rented lowly riding horses, which were only a bit better than pack horses. Their advantage was that they were cheap, and their disadvantage was that they weren''t physically strong. They couldn''t keep running at high speed for a long time. If the horses ran to their death, they would have to pay more than a dozen taels of silver. The two brothers were very conscious of the contents of their wallets. Xu Xinnian let out a turbid breath, and finally showed his doubts, "Shouldn''t you exin, Brother?" He was referring to the astonishing axiom. "What do you want me to exin?" Xu Qi''an asked back. "Brother is only literate, how could you say such shocking words?" Xu Xinnian raised his head proudly. "These words could only be spoken by a schr." *Look at what you''re proud of... Everything except Schrship is vain, right... I''ve got nine-yearpulsory education and have graduated from the police academy... And I''m also a senior keyboard warrior who''s proficient in keyboard culture. What if I know a little?... If you want topete in the depth of knowledge, all of you schrs can only be regarded as children in front of me!* Xu Qi''an wanted to speak out these words. He pondered for a moment, and changed his words, "Cijiu knows that there are some problems with contemporary Confucianism. But, when I asked you what a schr should do, you had given me an answer that matched the present consensus of schrs." Xu Xinnian pondered on the statement. "This is the limitation of thought. All you schrs are influenced by certain kinds of thoughts, and over some time, you are all influenced by it. Even if you realize something is wrong, You find it hard to jump out of it." Xu Qi''an eloquently said. Describing it in another way, "Thought Imprisonment, ideological shackles." "Ideological shackles..." Xu Cijiu murmured and repeated these two words. The dean of Cloud Deer Academy was also imprisoned by his thoughts and was influenced by Cheng''s philosophy. He wants to break through and form a new school. How could he lead the world''s schrs out of the vortex when he himself is inside the vortex? The only ones who can do this are the ones outside the vortex. "Maybe it''s because your big brother hasn''t read too many books, I can take a nted path, be unconventional as well as not imprisoned by Cheng''s Neo-Confucianism." *Of course, I also have shackles in my thought, but they originate from the 21st century. But no one has influenced them ...* Xu Qi''an thought. To say it bluntly, Ideological Shackles were equivalent to Three Views, and Three Views were influenced by the times. If you were in a certain era, you didnt see a problem with them. Only when a significant amount of time has passed could we find problems from a better position. Xu Cijiu didn''t speak for a long time and thought for some time, when he radiantly looked at Xu Qi''an. "Big Brother''s words made me suddenly see the light." *My elder brother is amazing.* *His perception is pretty strong...* Xu Qi''an was evaluated mentally, but he didn''t express any seriousness over it and showed a mocking look. "It''s a pity. You didn''t inherit the fine genes of my Xu family but inherited your talent from the Li family." *Big Brother is too annoying...* Xu Cijiu suddenly didn''t want to talk to him anymore. *If mother had heard those words, she would have pped the table in anger again, cursing This rascal is just trying to rebel at every opportunity!* --- [^1]: , qi focus flow centres, important in qigong and TCM Chapter 46: Buying Jewellery Chapter 46: Buying Jewellery # 46. Buying Jewellery After returning to the capital, they returned their horses for their deposits, and whilst walking out of the store, Xu Qian said, Cijiu, you go home first. I still have something to do. Xu Xinnian nodded, not asking any further questions, and left for home alone. Xu Qian walked through the streets, buying himself some osmanthus cakes to eat. He ate and walked, and not longter, reached a jewellery shop: Baoqixuan! The owner of Baoqixuan was a xiucai schr. In fact, schrs doing business was a verymon sight, especially those of rich andvish backgrounds could not support their familys decadent lifestyle on rent from theirnds alone. The moneymaking businesses in the capital: therge stores, the brothels, et cetera, all had the shadows of nobility and influential figures behind them. *Commerce within the Great Feng is clearly very developed, but the heaviest taxes still fall on the farmers I have many reasons to suspect that its those rich and powerful nobles pulling the strings behind the scenes.* *How much silver could a field grow? If you wanted wealth, then the easiest way would have to be inmerce.* *If I want themon people to live better lives, if I want the countrys coffers to be fuller, then I must cause reform. But the court are full of hereditary officials in high ces, how could I as a petty civil servant ever have a voice? Mm, lets set a small goal, raise Cijiu into bing the Prime Minister* Thinking about his proud little brother one day bing the most powerful official in the country, the corner of Xu Qians mouth curled. Xu Qian entered the store, and scanned the counter. Many pieces of jewellery and headwear, on red silk cushions, filled his view. Hairclips, hairpins, iys, pendants he was dazzled by all that was on for offer. The ones made of gold were the most expensive. Jade depended on the quality, particrly fine jade could beat gold, but the lower quality jades wereparable to silver. Xu Qians hand brushed over the three cash of silver in his pocket, as he muttered internally *With this paltry sum I wont be able to buy a remotely expensive piece.* He was just sighing over how hecked money, as his foot stepped on something hard. He very naturally leant down, and picked the thing up, and put it into his pocket without hesitation. Perhaps it was too smooth, too natural, that nobody even noticed him. *A cash of silver didnt have any sodding use, at least a cash of gold would be something worthwhile.* He had the feeling of window-shopping in his former life, no matter what he couldnt afford anything anyway. The only thing different was the shopkeepers here were very restrained, and were not as annoying as the service workers in the past life, who if they could, would rather trap you there, and make you consume immediately. Boss, do you have any discounts here? Xu Qian knocked on the counter. The owner was an old man with a long goatee, dressed like a schr. He was not shocked upon hearing this, rather pointing to the slips hung on the wall, replying with a smile If this valued customer can solve a character riddle,[^1] then the shops trinkets will be half off for you. This rule was a specialty of Jinbaoxuan. *Guessing a character riddle interesting* Xu Qian walked towards the bamboo slips, and looked at the riddle on it: *Cloud breaks, the moones out, and the flowers make shadow.* Relying on his extensive stored knowledge and logical thinking, he very quickly solved the riddle. *Some items, just by weight, are already several cash heavy, and you add humanbour onto that* Xu Qian did some calctions, and found that even if he had half off, he still would not be able to buy a particrly good piece of headwear. But, he very quickly hatched a n. Any woman that coulde buy jewellery from Jinbaoxuan must have a well-off background, and have studied for a few years. At the very least, they were not illiterate. However, these kind of women all had one problem: A full bucket of water is not noisy, but half a bucket sloshes! They thought they were cultured people, and wanted to mingle with intellectuals, and thus, they were very absorbed by Jinbaoxuans character riddles. For the same price of head ornament, they would rathere to Jinbaoxuan to buy them, if only for the chance to solve a riddle. If they solved the riddle, then the owner would carve onto the slip the correct character, and then gift it to the buyer along with their headpiece. If they didnt, then that was not an issue either, but if they did manage to get one or two, then they would have every ability to show off in their circle of friends. From listening to two young women talking, this is what Xu Qian realised about this shops trick. He was worthy of being a xiucai, this owner! He knew how to attract the wealthy. Sister Yu, I cant solve any of these riddles, its so hard! Youre so right, my boyfriend also said as much. If I could solve the riddle and take the slip, it would definitely make his jaws drop with disbelief. Idiotic nonsense. Aiya, youre so annoying The two well-raised young women painfully tried to work out the riddle for ages, chittering and chattering amongst themselves. Their clothes were all rather elegant, and it could be seen that their families lived veryfortable lives. They also had had some education, otherwise they would not have been able to read the riddle. Two Misses, Suddenly, a male voice came from beside them. The two graceful young women cautiously turned their head, and after seeing a rather handsome, well-built Xu Qian, their caution loosened slightly, yet they did not speak. Society in the Great Feng was rather liberal, but to talk with an unknown man on the street was still something that was unbefitting to do. Xu Qian did not mind, as he immediatelyunched into the topic at hand: I can solve the character riddle for the two Misses, but you have to give me half of the silver you wouldve saved. If you saved five cash, then you should give me two and a half. If four, then two. Hearing Xu Qians suggestion, the owner raised his head in disbelief, and started carefully scrutinising him. After a while, he let out a derisiveugh, and did not pay him any more mind. Even if that person wore a schrs robe, but if one were to look closely at his skill, he would know that this was a person with more brawn than brain. After all, have you seen any intellectual be as strong as an ox, with skin like wheat? That Confucianist robe didnt even fit him properly. As for the two young women, their eyes shed, and they were somewhat tempted. The slightly older one was more reserved, and more cautious and standoffish, said lightly, As the good Sir pleases. If you really solve the riddle, then I will be d to pay what you deserve. The distance in her voice was strong. Please, pick a slip. Xu Qianughed. The slightly older one hesitated, whilst the younger one, jumping to try, and seeing that her sister did not object, pointed to one of the wooden slips: *Cloud breaks, the moones out, and the flowers make shadow.* Her voice was smooth and soft. Xu Qian immediately said, Neng, The able in able-bodied.[^2] The two young women instinctively turned to look at the store owner, and his speechless and shocked expression said it all. Immediately, the younger one bought a golden hairclip, and lovingly held it in her hand. The eyes that looked at Xu Qian were radiant with joy. After taking the wooden slip, her eyes turned, and her voice became more rxed and familiar, Can my good Sir keep solving riddles for me? Lianer Sister Yu dragged at her sleeve. Sister Yu, we came here together, I have one, you dont have one yet, how could we have that? Afterwards, the one called Lianer looked at Xu Qian expectantly. *Exactly what I wanted* Xu Qian disyed a warm and kindly smile, Not a problem, if you wish to pick another. *The peacock flies east and west.* She pointed to another slip. Grandson![^3] the shopkeeper was dumbstruck. A thousand thanks The two young women picked their ornaments, and happily left the store. Xu Qian had good hearing, and heard the one called Lianer say That man really has talent, and is also tall and handsome, much stronger than my boyfriend. Dont speak nonsense, the older one scolded. She seemed to be afraid Xu Qian would hear, and would approach them, and so pulling on Lianers sleeve, they quickly walked away. --- [^1]: Character riddles are like a game of catchphrase, but instead of an image, you have a poem or small riddle, and from that riddle you have to guess a character, which is usually pictographically rted. [^2]: Cloud breaks , Moones out , flowers make shadow (twice) [^3]: The peacock flies east ( disappears from making ) and west ( disappears from making ) Chapter 47: Angering Auntie Daily Chapter 47: Angering Auntie Daily # 47. Angering Auntie Daily In this way, Xu Qi''an got 1 tael and four cash of silver, adding his original 3 cash and the cash he picked up, He had a total of 2 taels with him. But the golden ornaments Xu Qi''an had his eyes on cost 10 taels of silver. In the same way, he helped three youngdies to solve the puzzles and finally got together 5 taels of silver. "This should be enough to buy a golden ornament, but I need to buy one for my aunt as well..." "Young Master?" The shopkeeper''s pale face interrupted Xu Qi''an''s train of thought. Xu Qi''an looked at him silently. "Young master, can you be a little lenient on us?" "You don''t need to have too much emotion, Aren''t the rules here set by you?" "Young Master, You can tell me what you want." "I want to buy two golden ornaments, but I only have money for one... Only for half-price." "I, I''ll give them to you, Young Master.", The shopkeeper gritted his teeth. "I''m sorry." "...I would be grateful if you don''te here in the future." *He couldn''t ept any further losses?* Satisfied, Xu Qi''an walked away with two golden ornaments in his hands. I didn''t want to get anything for free, this Xu isn''t that kind of person, but the shopkeeper was too polite to refuse. As for the feelings of the shopkeeper, he didn''t care about them. For someone capable of opening such a shop, a loss of 20-30 taels of silver would certainly sting, but it''s not a big loss. Moreover, since they were ying this kind of game and benefitting from it, they should also have the preparation when they finally meet a master. Its unreasonable that only you could make money, but others couldnt shave off some of your wool too. [^1] Not long after leaving the shop, the hairs on his back suddenly raised, and his pores seemed to be pricked by fine needles. His heart started to beat faster and adrenaline started pumping within. *Someone is following me... Observing me... Hiding his hostility...* Xu Qi''an had a sudden vague awareness. He remained calm and pretended that nothing happened while making ns in his mind. *Who is following me... Jinbaoxuan? No, even though the shopkeeper seemed like he wanted to beat me up, a master capable of making my hair raise should have a certain background, which isn''t possible in a mere Jinbaoxuan. *Cloud Deer Academy? That''s also not right, The Great Schrs in Cloud Deer Academy are vying to ept me as a poetry student. How could they be hostile to me?* *It must be the Zhou Mansion!* At this stage, if anyone would be hostile enough to spy on him, it would be the Zhou mansion. Xu Qi''an''s heart became cold. The experience of his previous life told him that once you are followed and monitored, It meant that the other party would act soon, it could even be tonight. "The n to visit Cloud Deer Academy was correct. even if my second uncle and I are not weak, our female family members would be a burden..." Xu Qi''an''s face became solemn; the n to deal with the Zhous could not be pushed back. After returning to the Xu mansion, Xu Qi''an immediately took out the military crossbow that Song Qing from Sitianjian had equivalently exchanged (gotten for free) from the cab, and hung it on his waist, tying the Heart Protection Mirror on his chest. After climbing over the wall to get to the Main Courtyard, he saw Xu Lingyin chasing a flock of geese in the backyard. With her hands around her waist, she stomped her feet with effort, causing the frightened geese to panic and scurry around. "Big Brother, Big Brother, Do you think I look impressive?" Xu Lingyin became more arrogant when she saw her big brothering back. "Where did the geesee from?" Xu Qi''an was taken aback. There hadn''t been any when he had left home in the morning. "Mother asked someone to buy it. She said that we''ll raise them at home..." Xu Lingyin tilted her head and said softly, "I forgot about thetter part." *It should be because raising them at home is more economical than buying them outside...* Xu Qi''an said "Oh" and then said, "Be careful, and don''t trample the geese to death. Don''t we have a big goose?" "The big goose is over there. I''ll chase it out." Xu Lingyin volunteered, stretching her short legs and diving into the flowered. A few secondster, the cry of a child simr to a pig being ughtered came out. The bushes shook violently, and Xu Lingyin escaped crying while dragging a big white goose in her feet, which was biting her short leg tightly. Her face looked as if she was about to die, "Big brother, Help me..." Xu Qi''an stood by and watched her,ughing so much he made pig-like snorts. ... At dusk, Second Uncle Xu came home from work. He was dressed in a military uniform, with a long dao and a crossbow hanging from his waist. He looked like an eagle or wolf. His temperament was very different from when he wore ordinary clothes. The three of them came to the study, and after L''e served tea to them, she retreated out of the room. Xu Cijiu said, "Elder Brother and I have already made arrangements, and we can send my mother and younger sister to the academy tomorrow. It just so happens that Lingyin is around the age to begin learning. The teacher hired by my father wasn''t able to teach her, but the teachers in the academy would easily do it. *When Lingyin hears this good news, she must burst into tears...* Xu Qi''an thought of the funny joke of giving a box of exercise books to a small child in his previous life. Uncle Xu was overjoyed, this solved his worries, and he wasn''t worried once the female rtives had been arranged properly. "Cijiu, Thank you. Father knows that letting you study is the most correct thing I''ve done in his life." Xu Cijiu was a bit ashamed, "Father, it should be credited to my elder brother, and has nothing to do with me." "Ningyan?" Second Uncle Xu looked at his nephew with surprise. After listening to his son''s exnation, Second Uncle Xu said with regret, "Ningyan, the biggest mistake Second Uncle did in his life was to have you practice Martial Arts." Uncle Xu believed now that his nephew was talented in schrly arts. *I just made effective use of the knowledge I learned in my previous life...* Xu Qi''an said deeply, "I have something to tell you, Second Uncle. When I wasing back, I was being followed. Cijiu, How about you?" The expressions of the father and son changed. Xu Xinnian frowned, "Even if I was being followed, How would I know about it?" He was just an Awakened Schr. Second Uncle Xu Stood up, paced back and forth a little anxiously, and said in a deep voice, "Ningyan, you''ll stay at the mansion tonight. It''ll be easier for uncle to take care of you if we live closer." "Moreover, I''ll go to the Imperial Guard and have that strengthen the patrol in nearby areas at night." Xu Xinnian and Xu Qi''an looked at each other with anxiety. ... While eating, Xu Qi''an nced at his elegant younger sister Xu Lingyue and coughed to attract the attention of the entire family. He took out a small mahogany box engraved with the words "Jinbaoxuan" from his bosom, and slowly opened the box. Within was a finely crafted golden hairpin. The head of the hairpin had an exquisitely carved flower, iid with pearls and hanging ribbons of gold. Regardless of the style, The gold alone made the whole family look sideways. Xu Lingyue and Auntie stared nkly, and two pairs ofrge beautiful eyes were fixed on the Hairpin. These types of golden hairpins, due to their exquisite workmanship and precious materials, had always been sought after by the young mistresses and madams ofrge families. Ordinary women couldn''t afford such fine jewellery. Auntie used to have a Golden Hairpin with Flowers carved in it, Which was very precious. Xu Qi''an was a single dog and he wouldn''t buy a golden hairpin for no reason at all. There were two women in the family suitable to wear it, and his aunt was the matriarch of the family... Auntie''s beautiful face burst into a smile and her eyes turned soft, "You still have some conscience, Come ..." As soon as her voice came out, Xu Qi''an ced the Golden hairpin in front of Xu Lingyue, "Sister, I''ll give it to you." Xu Lingyue''s eyes widened, she couldn''t believe it. Jinbaoxuan''s jewellery was very famous in the area. Since they had exquisite workmanship, they were very popr with the girls and women from nearby rich families. "Thank you, Big brother." A sincere smile appeared on her face, and her eyes curved like a crescent moon. Auntie''s frail body began to tremble and her towering chest began to convulse. She asked Second Uncle with red eyes, "Say it, do you want your nephew or me?" She couldn''t get along with the rascal. Second Uncle Xu red at his nephew, and quickly brought food to his wife, "Calm down, Don''t stoop to the rascal''s level." Xu Qi''an felt that someone had kicked his calf, so he looked at Xu Xinnian beside him. Xu Eng was bowing his head to eat his food. --- [^1]: Shaving wool means taking money Chapter 48: Auntie Hmph, the Little Bastard Still Has Heart Chapter 48: Auntie Hmph, the Little Bastard Still Has Heart # 48. Auntie Hmph, the Little Bastard Still Has Heart Auntie was furious, her beautiful face seeming to be covered in ayer of frost, and not of the type that easily melts. Uncle Xus scalp tingled, as heined Ningyan, if you have silver, why didnt you use it to support the family? Instead you go and buy these unnecessary luxuries. He nned to w back some sense of eptance from his wife by dissing Ningyan, and reduce some of her anger. Xu Lingyue said lightly At home we dont have ack of clothing or food, dads meals include big brothers rice sry in it too. Uncle Xus words were pushed back down his throat by his daughters remark, and so quickly changed the topic, Ningyan, where did you get the silver? Xu Qian said I thought that my sisters hairpin was too cheap, and so bore that in mind, living frugally, and saving enough silver. Plus, Jinbaoxuan has the character riddle game, and if you win, you get half of He couldnt just say that he had gotten that for free. He didnt want to make like Cijiu and die a social death. Xu Lingyues hand, holding her bowl, very lightly shook, her heart softened to the point of melting, as she watched Xu Qian with watery eyes, In this home, only big brother put her wishes at heart. Father and second brother never thought that her cheap hairpin was of any issue. Women needed face too. Big brother, do I look pretty? She stuck the hairpin through her bun, as the candlelight reflected off her slender oval face, off her delicate features, ck eyes full of sprit. Auntie was even more jealous. Xu Qian also felt jealous. He looked at Xu Xinnian to his left, seeing that his brother was wearing a navy blue robe, his shining ck long hair pinned up with a jade hairpin, his red lips and white teeth, both handsome and beautiful. Looking back at his radiant sister, wearing that golden hairpin, and then at Aunties well-rounded mature figure. *The entire familys looks are like they were kissed by angels, only Im nothing special?* When he looked over at uncle Xu, and then at the dense and simple-minded Little Pea, he was no longer jealous. Come, Lingyin, eat some meat. Xu Qian gave her a piece of fatty meat, and then a piece of lean meat. Big Brother is so nice! Big Brother thinks you look the nicest. The why did Big Brother not save me earlier? Little Pea remembered earlier, when not only did big brother not save her, but ratherughed at her. No pain, no gain. Only with pain and hardship can you be a master unmatched under heaven. Are there people who are unmatched under heaven, but also havent gone through pain? Yeah, in dreams. After dinner was almost over, Auntie said lightly, After the new year, Ningyan will be twenty. Yo, Auntie still remembers how old I am. Xu Qian expressed surprise. Auntie made a haughty face, and ignored him, turning to Uncle Xu, Husband dear, its time to arrange Ningyans marriage. Xu Lingyue and Xu Xinnian raised their heads at the same time, looking at their mother. Xu Qian rather was the slowest, being stunned for a few seconds, and only then reacting, reacting with disbelief. *Unlucky Auntie has suddenly put her nephews wedding in mind, will the sun rise from the west tomorrow?* One must know, that marriage was a serious and monumental affair, the three books and six rights, and a pnquin carried by eight these were all silver! Auntie looked at her unfortunate nephew, and continued I think Le isnt bad, she was raised in the manor from young, and is Ninyans childhood sweetheart. *And this didnt require lots of money Auntie is still Auntie after all.* The delicate Le eximed ah?, as red flushed her cheeks, and she did not quite know what to do. Love thates too quickly was like a tornado, knocking her dumbstruck. In her heart, she was timid and anxious, but also hiding a little sliver o delight. Xu Lingyue looked at the maid in front of her, dim and without radiance, and was somewhat unhappy, Mum, you dont need to take the lead, Big brother can discuss his wedding with dad. Hidden in those words was: Auntie, are you not aware of what position you hold in big brothers mind? Auntie was just annoyed at seeing that hairpin go to her daughter in front of her, and scolded Ningyan and Le are a perfect fit, they know each other to heart, when does ite to you, a younger sister, to oppose it? Xu Lingyue, chagrined, turned her head away. *No no, knowing each other to heart would be too far, were not quite there yet* Xu Qian was just about to express his opinion, when he heard his younger brother speak. Xu Xinnian said, Does mum think that if Le was married off to big brother, that you could save on money, and also have an excuse to have big brother move out? Bullseye on the first shot. Auntie angrily said Child, you never learned to speak well when younger. Uncle Xu decided to end the conversation, Alright, alright, you dont need to worry about this affair. If he does not make it to Refining Qi, Ningyan will not go indulge in that kind of stuff. Le was full of disappointment, her head lowered. Apart from the woman she had served from a young age, the entire family seemed to oppose her being married to Dng. Uncle Xu finished dinner, and ran an errand to the city guards. Then, he convened with his son and nephew, to discuss tomorrows ns. After returning to his room, he saw his wife sat at the edge of the bed, a face full of anger. Is it worth it? Being angry all the way to now. Auntie turned her head, and stared at him with her beautiful eyes, Your little brat has no conscience at all. When I first took him from you, he was norger than a small kitten. Who really raised him? And he only knows how to make me angry, and make me angry. Why did I bother raising him, might as well have fed him to the rats. She was in the middle of venting off steam, when she suddenly saw her husband pull out a wooden box from his robes, handing it over. On the box was carved three characters: Jinbaoxuan. Those red lips opened in shock, as she looked in a daze at her husband. Ningyan told me to give it to you. Uncle Xu said helplessly, None of you would lower your head and ept defeat, he couldnt bring himself to give you it himself. So earlier at the dinner table, he didnt pull it out. Auntie quickly opened the box. Within, was a golden hairpin, that was heaver and more finely made than that of her daughters. She clutched onto it delicately, and rushed over to the bronze mirror with hurried steps, sitting in front of the dresser, and putting it on. An oval egg-shaped face made a woman seem dignified, especially when they turned middle-aged. A melon seed shaped face rather made a woman seem delicate, but once they matured, would make them ever more beautiful. Auntie was of thetter type. She lovingly looked at herself in the bronze mirror, and lightly hmphed, That little bastard still has heart. Uncle Xu stood by the window, his face serious, looking at the quiet courtyard outside. By his hand, was the long dao sword of the city guard. The night passed peacefully and without incident, as an un-sleeping Uncle Xu, and Xu Qian both let out a deep sigh of relief. As morning dawned, Xu Lingyue again wearing a singleyered robe, opened the window, and stretched her young delicate figure in the cool morning breeze. Miss, what are you looking at? Nothing in particr. After a while Miss, what are you waiting for? Nothing in particr. Miss, you shoulde and do your makeup. I know youre so annoying. As soon as daybreak came, Uncle Xu left home, and convened with the guards under hismand. Xu Qian left to hire horse-drawn carts, and Xu Xinnian stayed at home, ordering the servants to pack luggage. At around noon, two horse-drawn carriages and several dozen riders left the city gates, and headed northwest towards the Cloud Deer Academy. Their speed was not quick, only reaching the foot of Qingyun mountain after four hours. The three men of the Xu family let out a breath. Are we too afraid of our own shadows? Uncle Xu frowned. Eng, well read in the arts of warfare, replied slowly, If the people following big brother yesterday were really from the Zhou Manor, then they have already missed their two best chances to act. But it may be the case that in Deputy Minister Zhous eyes, we are just ants that can be squished at any time, and so hes not in any hurry. He has more pressing issues at hand, To underestimate ones enemy was a big mistake in military strategy, but usually this required both sides to have simr power, or not be too far apart. In the Zhou familys eyes, the Xu family was indeed insignificant enough to be treated without care. But theres one thing that we must face, and thats that if Deputy Minister Zhou does not go, then we must die. Xu Qian said solemnly. Little Peas joyousughter interrupted their discussion, as she poked her head out through the window, looking at the countryside scene with excitement. Xu Lingyin had always thought that they hade out to y. Xu Qian thought she was annoying, and so pointed to the shadow of the Cloud Deer Academy, saying Do you know where that is? No, big brother. Xu Lingyinughed, her round face looking like an apple. Thats second brothers school. He replied. The word School instantly made Xu Lingyin cautious, as she looked at her big brother. Xu Qian nodded, We n to take you there to study, you wont be allowed home afterwards. The smile on Xu Lingyins round little face quickly vanished, as she looked at her big brother in a daze. She silently ducked her head back in, and after a few seconds, the ear-piercing sound of wailing came from within. Muumm, I dont want to go to school, I dont want to study, waaaa. Stop being so noisy, your big brother is tricking you. Why would big brother trick me? Because hes a brat. Xu Qians mood suddenly improved. Reaching the foot of the mountain, they climbed the steps. Xu Qian and Xu Cijiu visited Zhang Shen, but the person who met them was Li Mubai. Where is my teacher? Xu Cijiu asked. Hes gone into solitary meditation. Li Mubai scanned over Xu Qian, replying, Ive already arranged a courtyard for you. Xu Cijiu bowed and expressed his thanks, and then said My younger sister is just in the stage where she should start bing literate. Would Sir allow her to study in the Academy a while? This ask was not outrageous. If Xu Lingyue wanted to study, then the Academy would instantly refuse, but Xu Lingyue was a five year old child, and in this day and age, schrs did not prejudice themselves against teaching children literacy, and even go as far as promoting it. Its just that children from normal families didnt always have the opportunity. Li Mubai nodded, epting. Two days passed in a sh. In the dawn of the third day, Xu Cijiu, only caring about socialising with fellow students; Uncle Xu, collecting rumours and information; and Xu Qian, who hadnt been to the Gon in three days, gathered in the study. Le had already left with the women to Cloud Deer Academy, and the three men didnt want to make and pour tea. This is the first time they were bringing together what they have heard and gathered, and preparing to set out a n of action against Zhou Li. Chapter 49: Social Death Chapter 49: Social Death # 49. Social Death Second Uncle Xu''s information was as follows: Zhou Li has been very quiet these few days, probably because he was warned by Deputy Minister Zhou. So, he didn''t participate in any illegal or undisciplined actions. He has been indulging himself all day long with his guards, going in and out of gambling houses, restaurants, and brothels. In addition, I foundter that Zhou Li frequented a certain house. There wasn''t a que in that house. It should be a private house he bought. A maid, an old woman, and a guard lived in that house. There was also a young woman there. Theres almost a guaranteed chance that this was a mistress that he was raising outside. Xu Xinnian and Xu Qi''an listened to him silently, each in a state of contemtion. Xu Qi''an looked down at the ground and tapped his fingers on the table unconsciously. Xu Xinnian looked up to the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, with an aura of invincibility gathering in his loose sleeves, as if he was contemting something deeply. Second Uncle Xu having finished speaking, looked at his son and nephew and asked, "What is your opinion on this?" The nephew and son ignored him, as they looked at each other. Xu Xinnian said, The students of our Academy aren''t well acquainted with those from Imperial Academy. We both despise and act hostile towards the other. "However, Juren from the same batch often meet each other. Even if they have differences in philosophy, they could have a friendship." Juren from the same batch could almost be regarded as ssmates. If they establish rtionships with each other, they may be useful in the future. As for disputes in philosophy, they were small issues in front of real personal interests. "Zhou Li is an arrogant and domineering person. He often has conflicts with his ssmates in the Imperial Academy. But he''s surely not a fool. the people who have conflicts with him are from ordinary backgrounds." Xu Qi''an wasn''t surprised by this detail. From Zhou Li''s method of dealing with him, It could be analysed that although he wasn''t very clever with handling affairs, he was sessful and had a certain ability to scheme and forbear. His arrogance and domineering only targeted people with lower backgrounds and influence than him. "This will surely make it more difficult to deal with him." Xu Qi''an sighed. Xu Xinnian nced at him, Don''t interrupt, Listen to me. "Zhou Li had been infatuated with Miss Fuxiang from the Jiaofang Si for a long time. Whenever he goes to the Jiaofang Si, he has to look for Miss Fuxiang. But he has repeatedly failed to be selected for drinking tea. Miss Fuxiang? The oiran from the Jiaofang Si? The beauty Constable Wang said sleeping with is enough for his life? Xu Qi''an''s spirit lifted. Xu Xinnian raised his teacup, but put it down after ncing that it was empty, then said, I originally thought that we could try to drive tigers to swallow wolves by utilizing Zhou Li''s conflict with his ssmates and making a n based on the situation. But these ssmates aren''t enough and Zhou Li''s prudence means that it''s difficult for him to mess with a higher-level officer. Almost impossible. "Zhou Li has gone to Jiaofang Si many times. If you want more information about him, Miss Fuxiang is a great source." Tuk tuk... Xu Qi''an knocked on the table. When Second Uncle Xu and Xu Eng looked over at him, He said deeply, I must remind you of one thing, We have to reduce details no matter what we do. There are more loopholes if a n is moreplicated. "It''s impossible for us to useplicated and sophisticated ns to deal with Zhou Li, since there''s arge gap between our statuses. Cijiu, Don''t push your thoughts to a dead end." Schrs are likely to act clever and bump into a dead end due to their cleverness. When plotting against someone, they may make it difficult for themselves to think about the subtlety of theyout and actions to be taken. Especially someone like Xu Cijiu, who had high self-esteem and was educated in the art of war. Xu Cijiu frowned. He agreed with a little, but he wasn''t convinced of it, "What does big brother think?" "Simple, The more simple the better." Xu Qi''an thought about it The crimes that don''t really leave any trace are murders done on a whim, and we should act ordingly when making ns. "How simple? Firstly, only involve a few people. Secondly, Don''t make matters tooplex. Cijiu, If Zhou Li had a conflict with a certain official''s child and the official can contend with Deputy Zhou, What would you do?" Xu Xinnian fell into deep thought. "Your silence says it all." Xu Qi''an waved his hand, interrupting his younger brother''s train of thought. Many schemes and conspiracies should have shed in his younger brother''s mind. "My idea would be to disguise ourselves, seize the opportunity to beat up the official''s child directly, and walk away." Xu Pingzhi finally seized the opportunity to interrupt them and pped his thigh, "Ningyan''s idea is my favourite to date." The two brothers rolled their eyes at the same time. Xu Cijiu frowned "That simple?" Xu Qi''an nodded, "Simplicity doesn''t mean that it would be ineffective. It''s good to leave nk details. The Official Child who was beaten would think, Who have I offended recently? After considering, oh, it''s that bastard Zhou Li." "Zhou Li would not admit such matters, but it''s not important. Everyone can think about it freely. Anyway, the conflict will intensify. If you hit me, I''ll take revenge on you." Xu Cijiu was a smart person with a high level ofprehension, and after only a small amount of thought, he immediately understood the meaning of his elder brother. He nodded slightly while showing a proud expression, "Not bad." He continued, "What information did you collect, elder brother?" Xu Qi''an didn''t show off, and said, "I found out who Deputy Zhou''s political opponent was." Second Uncle Xu and Xu Eng leaned over at the same time with serious faces while putting on a posture of listening. Xu Qi''an scoffed, "The Minister of Revenue." Minister of Revenue! Xu Xinnian was shocked, and many of his doubts were solved in an instant. It''s no wonder that Deputy Zhou from the Ministry of Revenue wanted to take the tax silver. It was because he knew that he was about to be scrutinized by his immediate superior and urgently needed a huge amount of money to make up for the shortfall. And it''s precisely because both of them were from the Ministry of Revenue that the Minister could catch Deputy Zhou''s foxtail. "Ningyan, How did you know about this sort of thing?" Second Uncle Xu didn''t believe it. How could a person of no relevance know about the battle between the big shots on the court? "Miss Caiwei from the Sitianjian told me about it." Xu Qi''an said. *And the price of this information was only one candied haw, one roasted goose leg, one serving of fermented rice balls, and a bowl of fish ball soup...* He continued in his mind. The big-eyed beauty was easily bought, which was an advantage for him. The disadvantage was that she didn''t have any interest in state affairs, and she didn''t have much knowledge since Sitianjian didn''t interfere in state affairs. *It''s too bad. Miss Caiwei, you stillck a copy of* Self-cultivation of Xu Dng''s Virtuous Wife *I''ll write it for youter.* Xu Qi''an pped his hands to interrupt his cousin, who was in deep thought, and said: The information we have collected isn''t enough to make a detailed n. But it''s okay, You can''t be fat after eating a single bite. What''s the next step?" Xu Xinnian thought for a while, "I suggest going to the Jiaofang Si to get information from the oiran Miss Fuxiang... I definitely can''t do this. I never go to these kinds of ces." It wasmon for officials to meet up with prostitutes, but there was another set of standards for students without official status. You haven''t finished the imperial examination, but you want to interact with women? You look unreliable at the first nce and its extravagant for you to hope for a good future. *It''s like how parents didn''t allow students to y online games when they were studying. If any student spends a lot of time in inte cafes, they are half a burden to society...* Xu Qi''an leaned back on the chair, looked to the side, and said in a rxed manner, "I definitely can''t go, since I haven''t yet reached the realm of Refining Qi." So the question was, Who was in charge of going to the Jiaofang Si to inquire about information? The two brothers tacitly set their sights on Second Uncle Xu. "Look at me. Do I look like a person who goes to a ce like Jiaofang Si? I am not even properly literate, Am I going there to make fun of myself?" Uncle Xu said that he wasn''t the kind of person to go to brothels. Seeing that his father was unwilling, Xu Xinnian put the pot on Xu Qi''an again, "Big brother''s poem is very popr in Jiaofang Si." Second Uncle Xu immediately vetoed his son''s proposal and said with a frown, "Your elder brother is an honest person who doesn''t even go to the gon. If he goes to the Jiaofang Si to inquire about information, It''s very likely for him to be taken in by a woman before he finishes with the matter." It''s indeed a huge loss for a martial artist to lose their *Yuanyang* before stepping into Refining Qi. Xu Qi''an, who had never gone to the Gon to listen to music, nodded to indicate that he wasn''t that kind of person. Second Uncle Xu said, "Maybe you should go, Cijiu." He still felt that a ce like Jiaofang Si was more suitable for schrs. It was an inherent concept. Xu Cijiu scoffed. Second Uncle Xu refused to go to the Jiaofang Si, besides it being the territory of the literati and being discriminated against as a vulgar martial artist, He had another reason for his decision. There is another reason for Xu Cijiu''s refusal to go to the Jiaofang Si, besides the fact that students should pay attention to their reputation. Xu Qi''an had another reason to not go to Jiaofang Si, except for never going to the gon to listen to music. Social Death! The three of them looked at each other and fell silent. Chapter 50: Pitch-pot Chapter 50: Pitch-pot # 50. Pitch-pot The reason that this would cause social death, is because this rtes to aw of the inner city, that the outer citycked: thetter did not have a curfew. As for the former, because the people who lived there were all those of status, for the safety of the officials and nobles, after the drums beat for dusk there were to be no one on the streets. Everyone knew that the Jiaofangsi opened in the night. This meant that by going to the Jiaofangsi, you werent just gathering information, but you also had to stay there. This was why Xu Pingzhi opposed Xu Qian going to the Jiaofangsi. A youngd staying overnight there, fooling around with the women there, who could resist more happening? Thus, whoever went to the Jiaofangsi would have to go whoring. And all three of the men sat there all had their appearances to keep up. The model gentleman, Xu Xinnian. The one who doesnt go to the Gon, Xu Qian. The family man, Xu Pingzhi. In their hearts they were all clear about one thing: even if they were there for a cause, sleeping a prostitute was still sleeping a prostitute, this was an unchangeable truth. *Though Ive never whored in my previous life, but I can still imagine the embarrassment of being caught by the police in the act, and having them call my parents Id rather die* Xu Qian sat up straight, face serious. In his mind, information about the goings on inside brothels floated up. Once, when going to the Gon, Constable Wang had broached the topic, talking about how one of the officials in court had gone to the Jiaofangsi to sleep, only to find his own son in the same drinking game. Father and son going for the same hole, the embarrassment was unimaginable. The second day news had spread across all officialdom in the Capital, causing muchughter. Even a lowly Constable like Constable Wang had heard it from County Magistrate Zhu. For this era where appearances and reputation were looked highly upon, something like this was not something that ones face could bear. Xu Qian looked at Uncle Xu and Xu Xinnian, his mind unconsciously conjuring up a scene: *Xu Xinnian: Yo, dad, youvee here too? Let me have the chick today, tomorrow shes yours.* *Xu Pingzhi: Fuck off, whos the elder here? I get to sleep with her first.* *Xu Qian: Back off all of you, I want first dibs.* *God, that makes me shiver* Xu Qian coughed, Lets put aside the Jiaofangsi for now. Well continue to listen for information. After all we dont have to go to the Jiaofangsi. Im not sure if we can even get anything useful out of the oiran Fuxiang. The day after tomorrow, lets meet back up and report our findings. If we dont have any more progress, then lets think about going there. Hearing his words, Xu Eng and Uncle Xus attitudes improved, and they both nodded. Xu Qian thought, *I guess Ill take one for the team, tomorrow night Ill go to the Jiaofangsi.* Noon the next day, Xu Qian asked for leave, and returned to the Xu Manor. Not long ago the manor would be lively at this time of day, but now it had quietened significantly. They had left with half the maids, only leaving the gatekeeper Old Zhang, and a few servants to clean. Uncle Xu and Xu Xinnian were both still out, and hadnt yet returned. Xu Qian walked to the inner courtyard with familiar ease, and opened Xu Xinnians room. He ruffled through the bookshelves and cupboards, and pulled out that moon-white Confucian robe, with its rich and precious fabric, and its cloud pattern embroidery. He took off his bailiffs uniform, and put on his younger brothers best looking clothes, tying an alright looking jade amulet to his waist. Xu Qian stood in front of the bronze mirror, looking at his appearance at this moment. *Thats alright only that my skin and build are far too masculine, I cant replicate that effeminate schr look If I had the looks I did in myst life, I could fully fit with these types of clothes no problem with this build right now I still feel theres ack of immersion* Xu Qian ttened the folds on his robe, and left, satisified. Theyout of the capital of Feng could only be described as a Russian Doll, being separated intoyers: the pceplex, the royal quarters, the inner city, and the outer city. Compared to the outer city, where people of all walks and personalities mixed, Xu Qian saw the inner city as more the equivalent of the central business district in his past life. The people who could afford to live there were all very wealthy. In this era, those who were able to live in the inner city all had status and wealth. It was worth pointing out that Auntie had always wanted to sell their house in the outer city, and move inwards. To walk from the Xu Manor to the inner city, at Xu Qians pace, would still require three to four hours. He hired a horse-drawn cab, and after just over an hour he reached the closest inner city gate. He drew out his already prepared entry pass, and easily passed this hurdle. The guards at the gate quickly finished searching the carriage, and seeing that Xu Qian did not carry anyrge luggage, a barely concealed disappointment swept over their faces. This implied that Xu Qian did not go into the inner city to do business, and so they couldnt take an entry tax. The streets of the inner city were wide andid out in a tidy grid. The main roads had green trees nted, surrounding beautiful houses, and off the main streets were entrances to all sorts of buildings. No matter the buildings or the dress of the people, or the number of horse-drawn carriages on the streets, the inner city was better, richer, and more in every way than the outer. If I have time, I must take Lingyue into the inner city to y. The outer city is entirely iparable with the bustle here. Xu Qian raised the curtain in the carriage window, and looked out towards the bustling and prosperous city streets, Xu Lingyues sharp graceful face floating up in his mind. He did not immediately go to the Jiaofangsi; it was early yet, and the seafood traders[^1] did not work during the day. After paying the taxi fare, Xu Qian wandered through the street, with no real goal in mind. Not longter, Xu Qian came to a market, and raised his head to look at the sign on the *Paifang* gate: Yongkang Street! This streets width was something Xu Qian had never seen before. It was two hundred metres wide, paved with tidy limestone paving stones, stretching to the ends of ones vision. There were rows upon rows of shops and buildings, and ten carriages could fitfortably side by side in the street. It was crowded and lively. *This isnt a street, its clearly a huge square.* Standing under the Paifang, Xu Qian watched this scene, and was truly stunned. Yongkang Street is one of the main arterial roads of the capital. Uncle said it wasrge, but I never thought it was thisrge. Xu Qian muttered internally. There was a reason for this main street to be so wide; if the emperor or high nobility would travel through, they would have their guards first clear the path. Two hundred metres caused most of the crossbows, hand cannons of time to lose their effectiveness. Even if there was an assassin hiding in the buildings, from this distance, they could only helplessly leave take both hands off their keyboards, and send a 666. Xu Qian ran around the street like a wild dog off its leash, but considering that the money in his pocket was limited, he resisted the urge to spend. Suddenly, a luxurious carriage drew Xu Qians attention. It was so rich and shining bright that it nearly blinded him. That carriage was one drawn by four strong horses, with a domed silver-covered gold-painted roof. Yellow silk hung down over the windows, below that were the protectors used to stop dust from rising, covered in white jade. on the side of the wheel were gold nails, attached tidily in a circle. The hub and wheels were also covered in jade. What was most telling though was what the carriage body was made of: Zhennan wood, used specifically by the royal family. Even if I struggle for a lifetime, I probably wont be able to buy one of the wheels on that carriage. Xu Qian thought, disheartened, feeling as if he had suddenly returned to the rat race conditions of his previous life. This luxurious carriage stopped by the roadside, and a group ck-armoured spear wielding soldiers guarded the car. What was interesting, was that another group were ying a pitch-pot game. The owner of the stall was an old Daoist priest, wearing tattered Daoist robes. His speckled white hair was held up by a wooden hairpin, and disorderly strands of hairy hanging. On the stall was disyed copper cash, silver and gold ingots, Daoist texts, a prayer bracelet, a jade mirror all manner of random items. *All other things aside, just the silver and gold had not yet been stolen by someone, this old priest is not a simple man* Xu Qian stopped to watch. He looked for a while, and figured out how the game was yed. The pitcher would have to stand thirty paces from the porcin pot, blindfold themselves, turn their backs, and then throw three arrows. If one of the arrowsnded, then the pitcher could pick any of the items on the third step, being some gold and jade. If all three went in, then they could pick anything that was on the top step. On the top step were only two items, the prayer bracelet, and the jade mirror. Missed again, damn it! Alright, its my turn now. The solders took turns to throw, but all of them returned empty handed. The small pile of loose silver in front of the old Daoist got higher and higher. As the fifteen soldiers all experienced another unsessful round, Xu Qian noticed that the window blinds of the carriage moved slightly. One of the soldiers standing beside the window listened, and then walked towards the stall owner. Old Daoist, my mater has said, sixty taels of gold, to buy everything on your stall. the soldier announced in a loud voice. *You cant beat the game, so youre going to pay to win?* Xu Qian stood not far away, looking at this scene. Facing the temptation of sixty taels of gold, the old Daoist shook his head, Rules are rules. The soldiers body stiffened, as he looked angrily at the priest for a moment, before suddenly turning away, and reporting back to the carriage. After a few seconds, the owner of the carriage called back their soldiers, and prepared to leave. Xu Qian took this opportunity toe up to the priest, asking Old Daoist, how much money to have one go? The priest, sitting cross legged, raised his head, ncing up, and handed over three arrows. One cash of silver. Xu Qian took the arrows,ughing, confident in his imminent sess. To pitch a perfect pot from thirty paces was not a difficult task for a Refining Body martial artist. However, being turned around and blindfolded, the chances were almost impossible. The eyes were the most important of the five senses. Losing ones vision, would reduce the control a martial artist had, and would make the task much harder. Whether one was able to strike or not was all down to face. Xu Qians face was not particrly good, but he had an overwhelming self-confidence, because he hadnt picked up any silver for several days. *Maybe its because I woulde to the inner city, and meet this pitch-pot game, that my luck was saving up itself?* *If I can score three shots, then all the gold and silver would be mine yo, the life of a European Emperor is really this colourless and stale* Xu Qian walked thirty paces away, turning away, and tying a ck cloth around his eyes. He casually flung the arrows backwards. *Thunk thunk thunk* The three arrows almost simultaneouslynded in the pot. Passers-by on the street eximed, and the noise drew the attention of the just-departing carriage. From within, a soft,fortable female voice sounded: Stop! --- [^1]: You will see many allegories to the sea, fish, and seafood for these topics. Chapter 51: Drinking Games Chapter 51: Drinking Games # 51. Drinking Games Upon hearing the sounds of the darts entering the pot, Xu Qi''an unconsciously began to smile. He tore off the ck cloth and pointed at the gold and silver ingots in the booth. "Ha, old Daoist, Theyre all mine now." The old Daoist nced at him, and calmly collected the gold and silver into a bag. After that, he pointed to the bodhi bracelet and small jade mirror at the top of the booth, and smilingly said, "Young Master, Choose one from these two." ... Xu Qi''an tried to bargain, "Old Daoist, I don''t want any of these. I just want the money." The old man ruthlessly refused, "The rules are the rules." After a brief pause, He added, "These two are rare treasures, iparable to yellow and white vulgar items. Child, don''t be blinded by gold and silver." *No, I just want these vulgar objects...* Xu Qi''an asked, "What''s the use of these treasures." "I don''t know. I just know that they are waiting for a destined person to take them." The old Daoist acted like a hoodlum. Xu Qi''an suspected that the old Daoist was lying to him, but he didn''t have any evidence. He was also a little hesitant due to his inexplicable luck. Nobody can be sure if the items were treasures, but the money would always be valuable. At that time, a soldier came over and said, "My master asks you for a favour." Xu Qi''an turned his head to look at the luxurious carriage not far away, and asked, "What does your master want?" "That string of bodhi beads." The armoured soldier looked away from the booth and looked at Xu Qi''an, "My master is willing to spend sixty taels of gold on it." *It turned out that my European Emperor was waiting to act here...* Xu Qi''an showed a warm smile, "Deal." He asked the soldier to pay the money in exchange for three arrows. The soldier said, "The master said that you can throw the arrows repeatedly, and we''ll pay all the money needed. It doesn''t matter if you fail..." As soon as he finished speaking his words, He saw Xu Qi''an casually throwing an arrow while blindfolded. Thunk, thunk, boom... The three arrows reached inside the pot. Passers-by began to exim in surprise again. The soldier looked respectfully at Xu Qi''an. A single attempt could be due to luck, but being right two times meant that the other party wasn''t an ordinary person. The ordinary-looking young man, even if he was dressed as a schr, was surely an expert. *60 taels of gold here Ie...* Xu Qi''an was very joyful. He tore off the ck blindfold, just in time to see the curtain of the luxurious carriage fall. *... I don''t know who the big man in the carriage is...* He didn''t dare to look anymore and turned around to cup his hands at the soldier, "Fortunately, I didn''t fail." The soldier sped his fists respectfully in return, then returned to the carriage to return in a short while with a filled purse. Xu Qi''an took the purse from the soldier, and the jade mirror from the old Daoist. Then, he watched the carriage leave the premise. He withdrew his gaze and casually put the palm-sized jade mirror into his robes, and happily weighed therge purse. It weighed about three or four catties[^1], and was too heavy to tie around his waist. "No, I have to go and exchange the gold for banknotes. It''s too stupid to carry such a heavy amount of gold with me..." Thinking of this, he couldn''t help but look back, only to find that the old Taoist priest was gone, and the booth had also been cleaned up. Xu Qi''an stood by the side of the road in silence for a long time. ... He went to the bank again and exchanged the gold into four bills worth one hundred taels, one bill worth fifty taels, and three bills worth ten taels. Gold didn''t exist in the mary system, so it needed to be exchanged for silver, and the bank issued notes for the silver. The exchange rate between gold and silver was one to eight, and sixty taels of gold equalled four hundred and eighty taels of silver. *Four hundred and eighty taels of silver is more than enough to p Auntie''s pretty face...* *Why can''t I help but think of using silver bills to p auntie''s face whenever I earn some money? Looks like the original Xu Qi''an''s resentment towards Auntie was too strong...* *...Additionally, this money could only buy a small yard in the inner city... If you want to buy a big Three Layer House, you can''t even dream about it without having at least 10,000 taels of silver with you...* Xu Qi''an was somewhat worried about the matter. Regardless of a new world or the previous world, housing prices made people despair. Four hundred and eighty taels should be enough to buy a lower-grade brothel oiran, but it''s not worth it to do that. Let''s see, for four hundred and eighty taels, I can take turns to visit many oirans for several months. But if I buy an oiran, besides exhausting my entire fortune, I''ll also have to be responsible for her food and clothing. If she identally gets pregnant with a child, it''ll be another huge expense. *Also, My current sry is only enough to support me to raise a single wife. I can''t afford the lives of hugging multiple wives and concubines like rich people do.* *Besides, I don''t like the idea of redeeming a brothel girl. To use public transport privately, leads to heaven smiting you.* ... At dusk, Xu Qi''an came to the famous Jiaofang Si in the capital, which was located in an alley. In the evening when thenterns were lit, all kinds of carriages were parked outside the alley. From the courtyards emerged the sound of traditional instruments and the clear and crisp sound of singing. He knew that the beautiful nightlife had begun. When walking along the alleyway extending in all directions, the profound culture learned from Constable Wang emerged in Xu Qi''an''s mind. A normal brothel was a two-story or a three-story building, with one or two other courtyards attached to it, it was quite standard for brothels. Jiaofang Si didn''t have that kind of multi-storeyed building, since it didn''t need one. All the yards in the alleyway were a part of the Jiaofang Si. State-owned enterprises were just that rich and powerful. There was no threshold for entering the Jiaofang Si. There was also no rule that ordinary people cannot consume there, but the basic consumption of the Jiaofang Si was five taels of silver. That was not the cost of sleeping with a girl, but the fees to get a table. Five taels of silver were equivalent to the ie of an ordinary person for several months, and they must havee from a wealthy family to have that sort of ie. Therefore, there were mainly three types of guests in the Jiaofang Si: 1, the wealthy gentry or merchants. These guests were the most willing to spend money. As they had a low social status, they had an almost fanatical obsession with sleeping with the female rtives of criminal officers. 2, Officials. For them, the Jiaofangsi was a ce for drinking tea and having a gathering after getting off work. As long as they needed entertainment, They would go to the Jiaofangsi. It is also worth mentioning that officials of the Ministry of Rites could whore for free, since the Jiaofangsi was under its jurisdiction. 3, Schrs. These kinds of people were more refined than the wealthy gentry and easier to serve than the officials, so they were the most liked by the Jiaofang Si girls. There were also three types of girls in the Jiaofang Si: 1, The female rtives of criminal officials. These women were the most miserable, since they were forced into prostitution and made to serve others. 2, Women captured during a war Earlier history aside, just in the "Mountain and Sea Campaign" 20 years ago, the western countries and Great Feng were the victors, and they took countless women from the northern and southern marches to fill the Jiaofang Si of various states and prefectures. 3, A prostitute recruited by the Jiaofang Si These kinds of women were willing to be glorious seafood merchants and contribute to Great Feng''s abalone business. Their spirit wasmendable. "It''s true that throughout ones life, one is always learning. Constable Wang is my teacher as well..." Xu Qi''an sighed with emotion, and finally found his goal for this visit to Jiaofang Si. He stopped outside a courtyard, where the que on the gate read: Reflecting Plum Pavilion The gate of the courtyard was open, and two bright rednterns were hanging in the front. Inside the courtyard, there were plum trees with branches embellished by blooming flowers. A sixteen or seventeen-year-old young gatekeeper was at the gate of the courtyard, looking at Xu Qi''an with scrutiny. He had another name well known to everyone. "I''m Yang Ling, a xiucai schr from Changle County. I had heard of Miss Fuxiang for a long time. So, I came over to visit her." Xu Qi''an imitated a schr''s bow and spoke politely to the gatekeeper. Reflecting Plum Pavilion was the residence of Oiran Fuxiang. The table fee here was ten taels of silver, which was twice as expensive as in ordinary courtyards. There were a total of twelve famous oirans in Jiaofang Si, who were divided into four grades based on their character, rhyme, talent, and appearance. Miss Fuxiang belonged to the first ss, and she was best known for her poetry and qin skills. "Ten taels of silver." The gatekeeper had a cold attitude, being used to seeing big shots. After collecting Xu Qi''an''s money, he let him enter the yard. Xu Qi''an was happy, the sound ofughter and music wasing from the courtyard, and the drinking games had already begun, but since the gatekeeper had let him in, it meant that the courtyard wasn''t booked, but was open to customers. There were two modes for those whoe out to y, one was privately upying the room and another was having many individual customers. If the situation was the former, Xu Qi''an''s trip was destined to be in vain. --- [^1]: , catty, or jin, is a weight unit traditionally measuring 16 taels. Chapter 52: A Family Should Be Together Chapter 52: A Family Should Be Together # 52. A Family Should Be Together Guests gathered on the ground floor of the Reflecting Plum Pavilion. The door to the outside was wide open, and pieces of thin silk draped down, blocking out some of the frigid winds. Just over a dozen guests sat inside the room, drinking alcohol,ughing, talking, and enjoying the plum blossoms. In the four corners of the room stood braziers roaring with me, pushing back the winter chill. A maidservant lead Xu Qian inside. The guests all turned their heads, looking at this tall, moon-white Confucian robe wearing young man. Constable Wangs drinking game rules shed through Xu Qians mind, as he tried his hardest to make his smile more gentlemanly, as he greeted them: My name is Yang Ling, a xiucai of Changle county. My greetings to all my honourable brothers. Within the room, there were brocade-wearing upper-ss men, students of the Imperial Academy, in all not too low in status, but not extremely high. Some looked away, disinterested, whilst others examined him, and some returned a light smile. *Looks like during the official examination, the Great Fengs officials have been watching their behaviour more before, with Fuxiangs fame, this ce would definitely have been booked full* Xu Qian calmly sat down, his eyes never moving from that oiran, who was leading the event. Her face was like the spring, her eyes shone like the rainbow, with a heavenly aura. *This woman is really nice[^1]* Xu Qian, though he had seen many beauties, was still stunned by her appearance. Just from her features, this oiran was on the same level as Auntie, or Xu Lingyue, or Chu Caiwei. They were all different kinds of beautiful, all with their same unique charm. She was one of those women who could simply walk on the street and stun all male passers-by with her beauty. Just from her disposition, this oiran had the refined cultured aura of an unmarried woman of arge important family. From her clothing, she wore clothes that other women of this era didnt dare touch, how thin they were. Her smooth shoulders were half revealed, her neck was tall and thin, and around her chest was wrappedyers of thin chiffon fabric, making her cleavage indistinct. To have such a cleavage, she must be good she had good reason to be an oiran. Miss Fuxiang took the position of Commander, leading this drinking game. Themander was responsible for dishing out the drinking orders, the one who lead and kept the attitude of the game. This role was always yed by an oiran, or a famous prostitute, as no ordinary woman could take it up; the cultural and education level required for it was too high. At this moment, a game of association was going around, making *duilian*[^2] one after another. Sat to the left of Xu Qian was a middle-aged man in a light blue robe, with amulets and trinkets that nged. It just so happened that the round had reached him, as this man raised his cup, thinking for a long while, before saying Ice cold wine, one drop, two drops, three drops. The oiran raised a small g she had beside her hand, and made a fewments (total ttery) on the leading verse. The middle aged mans smile widened, as he felt well appreciated. This was why themander had be a famous prostitute with a very high level of education, otherwise they would hardly even be able to make ttery. After giving her judgement, the heavenly looking oiran turned her watery, vibrant eyes onto Xu Qian. The other participants of the game quickly looked over. *Im not too good at duilian Just matching it up well is already hard enough* Xu Qians expression did not change, but inside he was beginning to feel anxious. His gaze swept outside, towards the plum trees in the courtyard, and suddenly had a stroke of inspiration. Deliberately drinking his alcohol, and making a casual and confident posture, he said loudly, Decembers Plums, hundreds, thousands, ten-thousands. Marvellous! the eyes of the other guests lit up, and as they looked at Xu Qian, they began to smile. It was equivalent to admitting that he had the ability topete for the oiran with them, and treating him as a yer of equal skill. Fuxiangughed, and simrly gave Xu Qian a series ofments (ttery) in review. *The smile on her face is too professional as soon as she finished speaking, she immediately stopped looking at me the way shes sitting is somewhat stiff, only drinking when asked to drink* Xu Qian silently observed this oirans movements and attitude. Combined with his knowledge of psychology, he came to a conclusion: *This oiran did not think much of our skill.* *She was merely patiently apanying us.* The maid came over again, leading another person in. What a beautiful young man, with pale white skin, clear cool eyes, thin red lips, well-formed features, almost like a womans face on a mans body. Everyone in the room nced around, and even Fuxiang showed a surprised look; she had not seen such a handsome young man in a long while. After entering the room, that schr-dressed young man looked around, and suddenly stopped in his tracks, freezing in pace. The corner of Xu Qians eye twitched, as after ages he managed to squeeze out one sentence: What a coincidence. The beautiful young mans mouth twitched, as he also responded, What a coincidence Do the two of you know each other? The man in the light blue robe, beside Xu Qian asked with some surprise. *More than just know, hes my younger brother* Xu Qian pushed down a feeling of embarrassment and shame that could flip a river on its head, andughed resolutely, Weve met a few times. Seems Brother Xu still remembers old Yang, weve met each other in Changle County. He deliberately revealed his own surname, to remind Xu Xinnian that he was using a fake name. This was the most basic technique to avoid arousing suspicion. Xu Xinniancked knowledge in this field, but he was clever, and immediately got what his cousin was trying to say, and greeted the guests, My name is Xu Pingan, a student in Changle County. *Have you just mixed up mine and uncles names* Xu Qian used drinking to hide the cursing in his heart. The drinking game continued, and after a short while, the maid brought another two people in. On the left was a handsome young man with a striking appearance, wearing a sky-blue robe, wearing a jade amulet, a forest green jade hairpin holding back his hair. The one on the right was a tall and strong built person, with a square face, eptable features, wearing the robes of a rich businessman. His body gave off a fierce aura, different from most merchants and schrs. Entering the tea room, this muscr middle-aged man looked around absent-mindedly, and suddenly froze, and turned to stone. Xu Qian: Xu Xinnian: The maid realised that the guest had not followed her, turned, and said softly, Sir, this way please. Ah- oh, oh. Xu Pingzhi braced himself internally, and entered the drinking room. Xu Qian and Xu Xinnian both silently straightened their backs. After Uncle Xu had sat down, the three knowingly avoided looking at each other, maintaining a proper posture and demeanour, looking down at their noses. *Didnt these two brats say they had no time Cijiu is whatever, as after all I can understand what he would have thought but Ningyan has never been to the Gon* *Did Uncle not say that he had a night shift tonight in the past when Auntie and I would argue, he would say that being able to marry such a beautiful wife in this life was eight lives worth of luck, and so he did not want to scold Auntie pah, youve stille out to whore.* *Doesnt big brother not go to the Gon I was wondering why my robe suddenly disappeared, he has no shame. Didnt dad say that he loved mum so much that he would never step foot in these kind of establishments* What the three people thought in their heart was much more colourful than their stiff expressions implied. Xu Qian reckoned that the list of the most embarrassing things that have ever happened in his life needed a new entry: going out whoring, and meeting both his uncle and younger brother. *Fuck me, Ive also socially died* Immediately, he thought, *well, at least it wasnt just me,* and felt better about it. The drinking game continued, and Xu Xinnian managed to y with an average level ofpetency after all, he was a schr. For Xu Qian, his ability was varied, and sometimes he still had to take a drink. As for Second Uncle Xu, he drank all the way through, suffering others contempt. *Uncle really doesnt have any background for this kind of bullshitting; you havent even read any books, whats the point of you joining? Do you think you can just want to sleep an oiran and be able to do so?* Xu Qianined internally. *Dads really just wasting silver* Xu Xinnian alsoined internally. Both of then were somewhat anxious, as their behaviour was all very average, and insufficient to raise the oirans interests. Xu Xinnian, though he looked particrly handsome, owing to his overly average performance he very slowly lost the attention of the oiran. The worst thing was that on the field was a very strong opponent - that handsome young person with the sky blue robe. He studied in the Imperial Academy, and was rtively talented. Even though he entered the game somewhatte, he still managed with his talents to take the field, and even make the oiran asionally cover her mouth and giggle. That sky-blue robed young man picked up his wine cup, took a small sip, proiming, This time, I hope you dont mind this person starting us all off. No one had any other opinion, and Fuxiang said with a smile Master Zhao, please. Master Zhao looked round at all the other guests, and said Pine leaves, bamboo leaves, leaves and leaves of green. A repeated-character verse? Someone eximed in shock. Pine leaves, bamboo leaves, leaves and leaves of green marvellous, marvellous! Im ashamed to say Im no match. Brother Zhao is a talent, a true student of the Imperial Academy. As a whole round went and came, and no one was able to match it. Master Zhaos smile was light, as his expression was haughty. Miss Fuxiangs eyes glinted, as she looked deeply at Master Zhao. *From her expression and slight movements, the oiran seems to rather like this Master Zhao, and seems to appreciate his talent* Xu Qian frowned, turning to look at Xu Xinnian. Thetter just so happened to turn his gaze also, and they saw the worry on each others brows. Originally, ording to Xu Xinnians thoughts, his big brother, with his art in poetry, would be to the Jiaofangsi like a fish to water. Who could have predicted that after all this time, after all these rounds, there was nothing in the way of poetry. In reality in the drinking games of the Jiaofangsi, poems were a topic that were not dealt with much. In the past two hundred years, talented poets were few and far between, and the schrs were not skilled in making poems. In drinking games, naturally they would avoid that with no one was good at. And as for the guests tonight, their qualities were varied and uneven, even making duilian was somewhat difficult. Fuxiang deliberately did not pick the topic of poetry, avoiding her guests being embarrassed in front of others., At this time, Fuxiang gracefully stood up, and brushed down her body, saying softly, This young woman is somewhat tired, and must leave early. Please, do enjoy ourselves. And so the games were over. Afterwards, if the oiran found a person she liked, then she would ask her maid to go and ask them to stay, and invite him into her room. If there was no one, then the maid would see the guests off, and then start another game. Everyone waited with anticipation and anxiety, as time passed slowly. After half a stick of incense, a maid came out and said, Our madam invites Master Zhao for tea in her room. The other guests all regretfully shook their heads, sighing, with someughing and congratting Master Zhao. Zhao wore a light smile, carrying a victorious aura. At this, none of the three men of the Xu Family could sit still any more. --- [^1]: , Technically Chinese ng, literally loaning the English word nice [^2]: Two matching lines (through tone, meaning, etc.), amon feature of Chinese poetry. They are, unsurprisingly, very difficult to trante. Chapter 53: I Copy Poems for Business, Not For Vulgar Posturing Chapter 53: I Copy Poems for Business, Not For Vulgar Posturing # 53. I Copy Poems for Business, Not For Vulgar Posturing "What should we do? The thirty taels of silver for the drinking game have already been wasted. Even if we sleep with the maids in the courtyard, the three of us will have to spend several more taels of silver." Uncle Xu was anxious, and felt that he had returned to the state before liberation. He frowned and looked at his son. "Cijiu, quick, think of a solution." *Is this a matter of money? The main thing is that we haven''t acquired any information...* The two brothers spewed vitriol in their hearts. Xu Xinnian looked at his father, "What can I do? It''s just trying one''s luck. My older brother and I came for the same matter. Don''t you understand, father?" He spoke with a heavy tone, indicating that he was also nervous. *Weve really lost out this time... Money is secondary, the most important thing is that we haven''t found any information yet...* Looking at Mr. Zhao, who was taken inside by the maid, Xu Qi''an suddenly remembered the title of Oiran Fuxiang: *Qinshi Shuangjue*[^1]. He immediately asked for a brush, ink, and rice paper from the maid serving wine to the guests. He cleared some space in the table, and pulled Xu Xinnian over, "Cijiu, you write as I dictate." Xu Xinnian didn''t hesitate, and sat upright while holding the brush against the paper. Xu Qi''an quietly recited, "*Among the multitude of fallen flowers, its shining beauty warms; full of grace, the centre of attention, it leans into a little garden.*" Xu Xinnian''s brush glided in the paper as if it was flying, writing a strong and elegant cursive. Xu Qi''an continued reciting, "*Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water; its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.*" Xu Xinnian didn''t continue writing. He was stunned there, mesmerised, as he began to repeatedly mutter the two lines. "Write quickly!" Xu Qi''an urged him. Xu Xinnian roused as if he had woken up from a beautiful dream, and continued writing with tense concentration. Xu Qi''an tore away the rice paper and summoned a maidservant, saying, "You can give this poem to Miss Fuxiang. If you can manage it, you can also say that Yang is waiting here for her." The maid didn''t want to do the task, but after being stuffed with a handful of broken silver, she trotted away immediately. ... In the master bedroom, four curtains blocked the bathtub, and steam lingered on the roof pirs. Fuxiang was soaking in hot water mixed with rose petals, her fine ck hair was long, and her white neck was slender. Her shoulders and chest were covered with water drops, reflecting her charm in the candlelight. Her skin was velvety smooth, and she looked like a jade statue. A personal maid serving by the tub praised Fuxiang''s skin, and said, "Young Master Zhao is already waiting in the tea room next door. The guests outside say that he''s a Xuicai from the Imperial Academy." "A xiucai is hardly exotic." Fu Xiang smiled and gently stirred the water before saying, "But with Mr. Zhao''s talent, there wouldn''t be any problem for him to be a Juren." The maidughed softly and said, "I knew Miss liked this kind of talented young master, unlike that annoying Zhou Li, who just bluffed with his father''s official status." "Mr. Zhao is quite talented. If you properly receives him, it could be a good story in the future, and you could also be famous in history. "You can even make fun of me..." Fuxiang poked the maid''s head with her finger, and sighed, "It''s difficult for a female to go down in history. Even many schrs don''t have much hope in this matter." The door of the master bedroom was pushed open, and a maid came in, standing in the hall, and said crisply, "Miss, the guest named Yang outside asked this maid to send a poem." Fuxiang frowned, and the serving maid reprimanded, "Dont we have rules? Thedy has already chosen Mr. Zhao and this won''t be changed easily. Do we look like people who take advantage of others?" The little maid bowed her head, She didn''t dare to speak up. Fuxiang said lightly, "Put it on the table and, tell the guest that Fuxiang loved the poem." The little maid let out a sigh of relief, put the rice paper on the table, and went out. After bathing, Fuxiang put on a thin cotton skirt that entuated her graceful figure, her snow-white feet, as she moved towards the table and sat down. "Go and invite Mr. Zhao toe in." She said, while her eyes fell to the rice paper on the table, which she picked up casually. Her eyes froze suddenly as she stared at the rice paper with shock. *Given to Fuxiang in Reflecting Plum Pavilion* *Among the multitude of fallen flowers, its shining beauty warms; full of grace, centre of attention, it leans into a little garden. Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water; its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.* The maid had reached the door, and was about to open it to invite Mr. Zhao when she suddenly heard Fuxiang scream behind her, "Slow Down!" After turning around, she saw that Fuxiang was holding the rice paper tightly in her hand, trembling, her face showing an expression that she''d never shown before. That was an emotion that the maid had never seen on her face. The voice of the Oiran miss was urgent and piercing, "Who, Who sent this poem? Which young master? Tell me quickly." The maid was startled, and mumbled, "It seems that his surname is Yang..." The Miss rushed to the door with desperation. "Miss, miss... How can you go out while looking like this? You can''t..." the maid grasped her stubbornly. "Let go of me, Let me go quickly." Fuxiang''s face was red with anxiety, "Don''t let that young master go away. Quickly find him." The maid couldn''t understand it. It was just a poem, but it made the miss lose herposure like never before. Shepletely ignored the knowledgeable, polite, gentle, and elegant temperament she showed in the past. "Mydy, please be patient. This maid will go immediately to invite the young master who wrote the poem." After the maid left, the oirandy sat at the table with dishevelled clothes; staring at the paper in her hands in a daze. "*On clear and shallow water, its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk... given to Fuxiang, Given to Fuxiang...*" Big drops of tears dropped down her pretty face, as shey down on the table and began to cry. ... Some of the guests left the lobby while others chose to stay. After the round of Drinking Games, the unsessful guests had two choices: One, Go to another courtyard to y another game. Two, if you''re drunk and tired, choose a maid to sleep with. "Miss Fuxiang didn''t appreciate your poem." Xu Pingzhi looked at his nephew with anxiety on his brows. The poem was sent, but only a light sentence was returned. Xu Qi''an''s poem didn''t impress the oiran. Xu Xinnian sneered, "How can a mere womanprehend the essence of poetry." Xu Pingzhi stared at his son to ask, "Is the poem by Ningyan excellent?" The proud Xu Eng was persuaded of his elder brother''s talent in poetry, and sighed, "Excellent, excellent." Xu Qian was also puzzled, he had absolute confidence in the poem. This *Qilu* was very famous, very extraordinary. Especially thest two sentences. They were considered the pinnacle of Plum Poetry. Under the lonely frost of that time, these two lines were extended for eternity These two lines were the ones spoken of. The two lines have been extolled throughout history. "Subtle Fragrance" and "Sparse Shadow" have even be the names of metrics, which shows the status of this poem among ancient literati. Famous historical figures like Ouyang Xiu and Sima Guang all gave high-scoring appraisals of this poem. And the author of this Qilu poem had also be famous throughout the ages... well, Xu Qian had forgotten who it was written by.[^2] *She can''t reject me without reason... If this poem was given to the two great schrs of Cloud Deer Academy, they would raise me as if I was their own son...* Xu Qi''an thought of the possibility that this oiran known as the best in poetry and Qin was actually like the moon under theke: fake. Stirring fame to sell one''s designed personality, while the interior was a person with little to no culture. But this would be a paradox. If Fuxiang was a vase that sold her fake personality, she couldn''t have been recognized by the literati. The oiran of this era also engaged in acts simr to the hype used by artists in his previous life, but the former at least had real skills underneath. The reason was also simple: ancient schrs weren''t as easily fooled as the youngsters in theter generations. The maid who served beside Fuxiang walked quickly with small steps, her eyes anxiously scanning through the crowd; When she saw Xu Qi''an, her expression rxed and she leisurely moved towards him. A cute voice came from her mouth, blessed with good fortune. "Young Master Yang, Is this your poem?" The three masters of the Xu family relievedly looked at each other. "This is mine." Xu Qi''an nodded. The maid smiled and became more respectful. She lowered her forehead and said softly, "Mydy wants to invite you." Xu Qi''an nodded calmly and followed behind the maid, walking towards the master bedroom on the other side of the building. This scene aroused the minds of the guests who nned to stay in "Plum Shadow Pavilion", and whispered amongst each other. "Hey, Why did he follow her in?" "This... This isn''t ording to the rules. How could you take two people in?" "The maid seemed to be asking about poetry just now, and I happened to see him writing a poem with that handsome little brother." A middle-aged man dressed richly walked up to Xu Xinnian and Xu Pingzhi, cupped his hands, and said, "Two gentlemen, do you know of the intent of miss Fuxiang? Why did that brother go in just now? What poem did you write?" --- [^1]: A talent in both Qin and Poetry [^2]: The author is called Lin Bu or Master Hejing. He''s from Northern Song Chapter 54: *Jiehu*[^1] Chapter 54: *Jiehu*[^1] # 54. *Jiehu*[^1] Xu Xinnian remained silent, and Xu Pingzhi looked at the middle-aged man intently, as he shook his head Merely a ragged verse he waved out of thin air. I heard that gentleman say that he was unfamiliar with calligraphy, and so asked this young man to write it for him. Uncle Xu was an old veteran of the business, and from the start made as if he was merely a bystander, and had nothing to do with his son and nephew. Everyone immediately looked towards Xu Xinnian. Heughed haughtily, with a standoffish cold attitude, not deigning to respond. His attitude instantly made the middle-aged man feel angry, embarrassed, and he waved his sleeve, returning to his seat. Xu Pingzhi, originally intending to stay in the pavilion for the night, sneakily gave his son a look, and the two of them left, one after another. We cant stay in there any longer, if anyone sees that us three have any rtion, then things would be awkward. Xu Pingzhi lectured his son. I know. Xu Xinnian nodded. Afterwards, he shivered in the cold wind. The room was warmed by fires, but as soon as one came outside, due to the huge difference in temperature, one could not resist but shiver. Xu Pingzhi looked at his son, saying If we stayed in the Reflecting Plum Pavillion, one of those maids one tael of silver would be sufficient. Now we can only go to different courtyards to find women and if they arent maids, then the lowest price is five taels, including the drinking price. When he got to here, Xu Pingzhi paused, seeing his son not responding with his usual sharp tongue, asking how he would know this so well. Simultaneously, he let out a sigh of relief. Uncle Xu grabbed an ingot of official-stamped silver from his robe. A standardised ingot of silver, one ingot was five taels. Eng, take this. Because of the tax silver case, the Xu family had nearly faced bankruptcy. Even after a month, where Xu Pingzhi had acquired a good amount of silver from legally grey avenues, the familys coffers were still rather tight, And Uncle Xu did not think his son had five taels on him. Xu Xinnians expression shifted, as he asked quietly, What about you, dad? Uncle Xuughed casually, Your dad stopped being afraid of the cold when he was in Refining Body. Even if I were to sleep at the side of the street, it wouldnt matter. Your bones cant take the cold night wind. Both of Xu Xinnians hands were in his sleeves, as his body was slightly bowed, bearing the cold winter wind. He looked dazedly at the five tael ingot, and after a long while, said with a somewhat cold voice: I dont want it. Uncle Xu insisted his son take it. In the back and forth, there was a ck, as from Xu Xinnians robes fell an ingot of government-stamped silver, exactly five taels in weight. Father and son looked at the silver on the ground, and fell silent. Over in the pavilion, the maid pushed open the door, and gestured to Xu Qian to enter. She herself did not want to go in. Master Yang, please enter! The instant the door was open, a warm gust of perfume rushed out. On the ground wasid an expensive silk rug. Not only was it expensive, but required a tremendous amount of humanbour. The rug was embroidered with numerous blue water lilies, and patches of auspicious clouds. A woman walking on top, every step would sprout a flower. A great official walking atop, every step would be on azure clouds. A delicate, and ingeniously wrought piece. A three-segment room divider, bearing a copy of a famous painting, *Rain falling on lotus banana trees*, divided the sleeping quarters from the living area, and a stunningly beautiful young woman knelt on a soft cushion in front of the divider, one hand on a phoenix-tail qin. She wore a thin chiffon dress, her jade-like skin barely visible within, and her face wore a smile as she looked towards the door. Their eyes met, and she slightly lowered her head, a shy smile on her face. *That softness in her lowered head, like the beautiful shyness of a water-lily bowing to a cool breeze* this line of poetry floated up in Xu Qians mind. When she was yingmander, she was cultured like an unmarried woman of a rich family, but sitting on the cushion, her charm plucked at mans innermost desires. Only the women of the Jiaofangsi could cultivate such an aura. Of Xu Qians two heads, one got bigger. Master? The oiranughed chitteringly, Why is the Master looking in that way towards me? *Because youre too beautiful* Xu Qian sighed, I have long heard that Miss Fuxiang was a one-of-a-kind beauty, a thing most rare in the world. I did not believe then, but I do now. If they say that Miss Fuxiang is the most beautiful woman under heaven, Id believe that. Please, dont make fun of me like that, Fuxiang pursed her lips, shyly lowering her head, but her eyes carried a smile, and she was very much pleased. In the neighbouring tea room, Master Zhao drank an entire pot of tea. His dder protested, twice, and at the third time, he could no longer hold it in. Was he here to drink tea? Master Zhao left the tea room with a stomach full ofint, and walked towards the master bedroom. However, he was stopped by the maid. I have been waiting in the tea room for a long time, why does Miss Fuxiang still not see me? Zhao asked. Master Zhao, please do not me me, but the Madam has already picked another person. !!! Zhao felt as if two and three bolts of lightning had just struck his head in quick session. What came after was fiery rage, as he shouted, Miss Fuxiang clearly picked me, why did she suddenly change her mind, is she deliberately ying a trick? If you dont give me a proper response, then do not me me for not being as polite. His indignant tone and fierce words scared the maid, and she instinctively wanted to shout for the pavilions bouncers. Pinger, as Master Zhao is not leaving, hand over that poem for him to read. From inside the room came the voice of the oiran,den with charm. The maid looked cautiously at Master Zhao, as she opened the door only wide enough for one person to slip through, and quickly entered. After a few seconds she came out, and handed over a piece of calligraphy paper. Zhao took it, and scanned it over, the angry expression on his face suddenly freezing, as it slowly melted, to be reced with surprise, shock, and disbelief He stood there dazed for a long time, as his fingers loosened, allowing the paper to float down towards the floor. The guests outside were shocked to find that Master Zhao hade out. Theyve done already!? But the expression on Zhaos face made them instinctively realise something was not right he was shooed out. Brother Zhao, whats up? A young man of the same age, also in schrs dress, immediately came forward, looking sincere and caring, but really just wanting gossip. First that maid called in that one surnamed Yang, and not long after, Master Zhao hade out in a dazed trance. It was clear to see, that he had been Jiehued halfway there, and had had his flourishing peony taken plucked away before his eyes. The azure-robed Master Zhao, slowly looked around at the room, and muttered Ive lost, lost fair and square. Why, what happened? Lost? Tell us the whole thing. Brother Zhao, that person wrote a poem, right? What sort of poem would make Fuxiang break her own rules? Cmon, you gotta say, Im bursting. The guests all gathered around him. Master Zhao seemed to not even hear, as he walked outside, whilst muttering: *Among the multitude of fallen flowers, its shining beauty warms* Everyone suddenly snapped to attention; they knew he was reciting that poem. *full of grace, centre of attention, it leans into a little garden.* Master Zhao had already walked into the courtyard, as the other guests unconsciously followed him, listening. *Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water; its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.* They did not follow any further, stopping where they were. The surroundings fell into silence. For a long time, there was not a voice. Finally, a students eyes welled up with tears, as his mouth trembled, When this poem gets out, it will shame all plum poets to the end everyone, this young schr will take his leave, I must go elsewhere to join other rounds, and spread this poem far and wide. I also take my leave. How could the spreading of this poem in the circles of the Great Feng not include me. The guests all scattered, itching to partake in other drinking games, and then to throw out this poem, and stun their audience. --- [^1]: Jiehu, a concept in Mahjong where both you and the preceding yer win, but because of the rules, they ultimately get the victory Chapter 55: Plans Come to Fruition Chapter 55: ns Come to Fruition # 55. ns Come to Fruition "Your servant would like to thank you, Young Master. If your servant could be famous in history in the future, It must be due to you." Fuxiang''s eyes were full of affection, and she began to look even more charming. Xu Qi''an knew of course what she was referring to. Since ancient times, There have been many Oirans that have be famous due to poems about them. Any oiran would be ecstatic about this kind of opportunity. There were two types of people in the world who love topete for fame, Schrs and Oirans. *Your gratitude is exactly what I want* Xu Qi''an smiled, and showed appropriately put on a little frivolity, "How do you want to thank me?" The room was as warm as spring. He had already drunk a lot of wine, and he began to feel ufortably hot after sitting for all this while. So, he took off his robe and put in on the round stool. Fuxiang bit her delicate and plump lips, and shyly said, "Master, the night is still long. You might as well listen to your servant y a song for you to enjoy yourself." Xu Qi''an was taken aback for while, knowing that the other party misunderstood his intentions, smiled and didn''t exin. The women in ancient times were graceful. If you came to sleep with them, they would say, "Don''t worry, Let this little girl y a song for you." Unlike the girls inter generations, If you go to sleep with them, They would say, "Hurry up!" After patiently listening to the music, Xu Qi''an could admit that this oiran had some talent. She was said to be excellent in both Qin and poetry. He didn''t know much about her poetry, but she was a very skilled yer. He was a person who didn''t understand much about rhythm, but he could calm down and immerse himself in it. Xu Qi''an took a sip of tea to relieve the dryness in his mouth, and started a casual conversation, "Miss Fuxiang is so charming, has nobody tried to buy you?" That wasn''t a pleasant topic, and the oirandy sighed with sadness overflowing from her brows. "How could a woman from Jiaofang Si redeem herself just by saying so? Even if she meets a lover who wants to do so, the Ministry of Rites won''t agree to it." In fact, it was too expensive to do it. It was difficult for famous oirans from Jiaofang Si to free themselves, as they are official oirans, and have to go through a lot of procedures and have to get official approval from many ces, so the money spent on them is many times that spent on oirans in other brothels. *I still remember that Constable Wang said that redeeming an oiran of an ordinary brothel costs about 500-1000 taels of silver. A oiran from the Jiaofang Si would cost at least double that if not more.* *What is the meaning of 2000 taels of silver?* *It would be my savings of 10 years, and savings done without food and drink. My ie is already middling, close to high... Isn''t it better to buy a few good looking concubines for this amount of money?* Xu Qi''an calcted mentally, and came to the conclusion: This would be a loss making business. "That''s right, It would be impossible to find another with Miss Fuxiang''s beauty in the entire Great Feng." Xu Qi''an boasted. The famous oiran chuckled, with happiness blossoming within her heart, "Young master doesn''t need to tease me. The number one beauty of Great Feng is surely the Zhenbei Consort, I''m merely a background board in front of her." As she began to refer to herself as I instead of your servant, their rtionship also started to get closer, and her tone changed to a coquettish one. Zhenbei Consort? This woman once again. Xu Qi''an heard about the legendary number one beauty in the capital once again. He had examined numerous gorgeous women in his previous life, yet upon witnessing the near-perfect beauty of Xu Lingyue and Chu Caiwei, he struggled toprehend how stunning the consort would have to be to secure the title of the capital''s most beautiful woman. *I''m eighty percent sure it''s due to the halo of her status,* He mused. The king consort was born into a schrly family in Jiangnan. When she was nine years old, she went to the Jade Buddha Temple along with her parents to burn incense. The abbot there presented her with a poem: *An emergence that would lighten all fragrance, a grace that would cleanse like the sun. The masses below would bequeath a kingdoms grace, a soul on earth that would draw eye from Heavens son.* From this great uproar, at the age of thirteen she was sent to the Imperial Pce. Xu Qian asked with curiosity: Then why did she be a kings consort?[^1] Fuxiang stretched out a slender jade hand, her orchid-flower fingers picking up a porcin bottle, pouring out some protective wax, and began to treat her qin. She answered Neen years ago, in the great victory at Shanhai pass, the Zhenbei king had the second highest merit, so His Majesty gave that number one beauty to him. The Zhenbei King was the current reigning Emperors little brother, so gifting beautiful women was by no means strange. After all, even if that woman had a beauty that outshone all beauties, the reigning monarch has his heart on Daoist cultivation, and did not touch women. What Xu Qian was curious about was another thing: Who had the highest? Duke Wei. Back then, Duke Wei was the field marshal of three armies. If he wasnt a eunuch, then the consort wouldnt be a consort any more. Fuxiangughed, What Ive said to you tonight, Master, is a rather blunt retelling. Once you leave this hall, please dont retell it. About Duke Wei, if any ordinarymoner were to say anything, then no one would mind, but after all she was a worker in a state enterprise. *So it was him* Xu Qian had a realisation. This Wei Yuan, he had heard about time and time again. He was too famous. Even though he was just a eunuch, but his talents were unparalleled, with the literary talent to govern a country, and the martial prowess to suppress unrest. If he hadnt lost his cock at a young age, getting a *Zhuangyuan*[^2] merit and bing the prime minister would have been an easy task. The two of them chatted back and forth. Xu Qian was well experienced in the art of leading questions; he had learned this through much hard work in the interrogation room. After meandering through different topics for ages, their conversation finally reached onto Zhou Li. This person is a womaniser, a scoundrel, not a spot of culture within him. I dont like him; every time if hes at the drinking games, I pretend hes not there, Fuxiang said, The Jiaofangsi is controlled by the Ministry of Rites, and hes a son of the Deputy Minister of Revenues, so Im not scared of him. Xu Qian made a somewhat interested expression,ughing From what do you call him a womaniser and a scoundrel, is not seeking carnal pleasures a basic human desire? This would step on a secret of in official circles, Fuxiang hesitated, and said softly, The only reason I know some, is that Ive heard other officials talk about it. If Master Yang wants to know, then Ill tell you, but please dont tell anyone else. A kittenish but also pleading tone. Xu Qian made as if he was shocked by the good treatment, and expressed that he was just curious, and would never tell anyone else. This affair started around the time of the Lantern festival. That Zhou Li is an unreasonable person; during thentern show, he saw a girl that he liked, and taking the opportunity in themotion of the festival, went up to her in a greatly disrespectful manner, and even had his people beat her bodyguards. Who wouldve known that that woman had some background, being the Weiwu Marquiss *Shu* daughter[^3]. Originally, if it was just a Shu daughter, then things wouldnt be an issue, but the problem was that Shu daughters mother was the Marquiss main wifes sister. With this blood rtion, that Shu daughter was liked by the main wife, and had simr treatment to his Di daughters. The only thing shecked was a rank on paper. Xu Qian secretly clenched his fists, How did he deal with him? The Weiwu Marquis took awsuit to the throne, the deputy minister of revenues sent a book in defence, and the two of them fought for many days. Eventually, the Emperors decision was: Deputy Minister Zhou did not teach his son well, and is docked a years sry, and must repay the Weiwu Marquis five thousand taels of silver. Zhou Li would be ced under house arrest for three months, and if he were to reoffend, a most severe punishment will be meted out. *If he were to reoffend, a most severe punishment will be meted out* This phrase was like a lightning bolt in Xu Qians mind, setting off sparks. *Zhou Li had been drooling over Weiwus daughter for a long time because earlier when he lost out, was beaten, he feels resentful, and again had the idea to pursue the Marquis Weiwus daughter* All the information collected about Zhou Li earlier came together in an instant, like a foundation stone, making way for him toy bricks and tile roof. *Thus he sent people to kidnap Marquis Weiwus daughter, and hid her in a private residence somewhere out in the city, nning to vite her and then kill her to remove evidence mm, this is reasonable.* *Of course, the main aim is to frame him and pull Zhou down, theres no reason to kill an innocent girl. Lets let this be the overall n, the details can be worked outter. Id have to talk to Eng. We must make it seem natural, a perfectly appropriate action for Zhou Li* Seeing Xu Qian staring into space, Fuxiang called to him, and her lips pursed slightly,ining coquettishly Will Master sit here with me for the whole night? *Oh, I still cant lose my virginity, if I cant sit all night, am I meant to do all night?* --- [^1]: It is worth to note that the title of King is outranked by the title of Emperor, and King was usually bestowed upon other (male) members of the royal family. [^2]: Top scorer in the imperial examination [^3]: *Shu* and *Di* is an important concept in Chinese family lineages A Di child is a direct descendant, someone born from a person and their main wife. A Shu child is a secondary descendant, someone born from a person and their junior wives, or concubines. Usually, Shu children had no right of inheritance. Chapter 56: The Crux of the Plan Chapter 56: The Crux of the n # 56. The Crux of the n The maids heated up the water, and Xu Qian braced himself, before allowing himself to be bathed under the support of their small hands. His clothing came off piece after piece, and whaty in front of their eyes was a tall, muscr figure, giving off waves of masculine energy. His muscles bulged, hiding great strength within them, giving off the charm of a strong and sturdy man. The two small maids werent new to this either, being veterans well-worn on the battlefield, having bathed many an important official. Large, round-bellied ones, thin scrawny ones, ones with twisted muscles but with a body as beautiful and in as good a shape as this Master Yang they had seen too little of that. This was the gift given for reaching the peak of Refining Body, to have a body in the peak of physical fitness, always ready for battle, with no excess fat or meat to keep it down, but not overly muscled as to impair flexibility or agility. When Xu Qian put on his trousers, and came to be bedside bare-chested, the oiran with her thin chiffon robe, satzily on the cushion, suddenly fell into a daze, enthralled in his muscr, well-toned form. The maids knowingly left the master bedroom, as Xu Qian lifted the duvet, embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks[^1], and scurried in. Fuxiang leaned over, both hands around his neck, her full, soft body hanging from his. Her breath by his ear was like orchid flowers, as she whispered, Official. Gusts of fragrance drifted into his nostril, as the well-behaved, never gone to the Gon Xu Qian kept a serious face, tensing his body. Miss Fuxiang was surprised, as sheughed sweetly, Has the Master never experienced a woman in bed before? Thinking of this possibility, her whole body softened. *No, in my previous life Ive experienced a woman Ive just never slept such a beauty like you* Xu Qian hesitated for a long time, before saying Miss Fuxiang, have you heard of a certain divine trick? What divine trick? To put your head on a pillow for three seconds, and bam, out like a light. hehe, I dont believe you. Then move away from me a bit, Ill show you. The oiran moved away with a smile, thinking that he was just making a joke. Three secondster *zzZZZzzz zzZZZZzzzz* Fuxiang pushed him, Master Yang *zzzZZZzzzzzzzzZZZzzz* Fuxiang: ??? In the night, Xu Qian suddenly awoke with a start. After sighing silently, he heard the long rxed breaths beside him, felt that soft, silky smooth body pressing against him. With an incredible amount of willpower, he forced himself to go to sleep again. The next day, at 6 AM, Xu Qian naturally awoke with his body clock, and felt a heavy thingying on his body. Opening his eyes, he saw Fuxiang pressed against him, deep in sleep, a pearl-white long leg hung over his waist, a snow-white arm draped across his chest. Xu Qian carefully moved her arms and legs, and left the bed. He dressed himself, only to angrily find that all the silver banknotes in his wallet were gone. The only thing left in the wallet was a palm-sized, exquisite jade mirror. His first reaction was that one of the maids of the pavilion stole the money whilst he was sleeping this was most certainly possible. Yang Ling was just a Xiucai, and even though his social standing was not low (utterly fake), but what was the Jiaofangsi? It was a state-run brothel, backed by the Ministry of Rites. Just an insignificant Xiucai, if they stole his money and refused to admit it, what could he do? The Jiaofangsi couldnt care less about reputation. *The Jiaofangsi didnt care for reputation, but Fuxiang does. If this were to spread out, then which customer would daree here to spend their money* Xu Qian deduced that Fuxiang would not have known, and it was the maid who did this of her own bidding, not being able to resist the temptation of so much money. He berated himself for being careless, not looking after his money, and walked to the side of the bed, nning to wake Fuxiang. But just at this time, his gaze swept over the mirror, and Xu Qians expression suddenly froze. On the originally clean and pristine mirror surface, had appeared something, vaguely shing in and out of view. Looking closely, he could just about see a few silver banknotes. Its edges were very faint, appearing almost as if it was carved onto the mirror surface. *What?* Xu Qians mind was suddenly filled with question marks. *How did my banknotes run into the mirror? I earned this money with my own blood and sweat, you spit it back out right now, or Ill fucking smash you to pieces* He held the jade mirror, and shook it violently, making a pouring motion. In the ruffle of flying paper, the silver banknotes appeared, and floated in the air a while, before gently falling to the floor. In the quiet room, Xu Qian held the mirror, and for a long time did not speak. *So this mirror really is a treasure? Is this my European Emperors heavenly luck, or was it that that Daoist deliberately gave it to me?* *If it was thetter, what was his purpose, why would he give this treasure to me, did he see my mysterious good luck?* After a long while, he drew a sharp breath of cold air. *Mysterious gifts really do make one nervous hss, pick up the money first.* Xu Qian hid the jade mirror in his robe, and put the silver promissory notes back in his wallet, storing them separately. Then, he quietly left the room, and enjoyed his breakfast served by the maids. Will the Master not wait for Miss to wake up? the maid asked. Normally, when the guest awoke, the woman attending to him would awake with him, but this guest was strange; he sneakily came out here all alone. *No, no, Im afraid shell scold me for being worse than birds and beasts* with a natural expression, Xu Qian replied I have something urgent to do. A few hourster, in the Xu Manor. Xu Xinnian and Xu Pingzhi sat in the study, cups of steaming hot tea beside them. Xu Pingzhi was lively, without any hint of tiredness. Xu Eng seemed somewhat drained. Father and son did not speak to each other, wordlessly agreeing not to bring up what happenedst night, as if no one had gone to the Jiaofangsi in the first ce. The quiet atmosphere was somewhat stiff, until Xu Qians arrival suddenly broke the awkward mood. You were there so long, why did you immediately have a bath when you came home? Does the Jiaofangsi not provide baths? Uncle Xu raised his eyebrow, andined. Xu Xinnian coughed, not wanting to hear his dad talk about the Jiaofangsi, Did you learn anything? Uncle Xu immediately stopped hisining, and made a studious expression. Xu Qian told them about what he had heard from Fuxiang, and also added on his own ns. The crux of this problem is, how can you kidnap that Weiwu Marquesss daughter? Xu Xinnian immediately pointed out the issue, striking the target on the first shot, If we cannot solve this detail, then this n will not seed. Uncle Xu hesitated, First, lets send someone to watch her, and then find an opportunity to make our move. A outer daughter of the Weiwu Marquess, she must have bodyguards when she goes out, but not too many, as after all shes not from his main wife. We can cause chaos, and then use that to kidnap her. The two brothers listened; about acting on a n, Uncle Xu had the most experience, thus the most right to speak. If we were to take action in daytime, then it would be very difficult to kidnap her in front of all the passers by. In the event that we raise the attention of the patrolling guards, then wed be in deep trouble. At night, with just us two, it would be imposible to break into the manor. Xu Qianughed mysteriously, What if I could solve this problem? In the front hall of the Xu Manor, as the gatekeeper Old Zhang crossed the flowerbeds, he found a servant unconscious. He went forwards to look in panic, only to find that he had just fainted. Zhang shook him awake, asking How did you faint here? The servants face was listless for a moment, as if trying to remember who he was, where he was, as he looked back at Zhang, scratching his head: I was just boiling water for Dng. He was taking a bath, I only remember him suddenly asking me to enter then I dont remember. Old Zhang examined him a while, Howre you feeling? My head hurts a bit. Does your arse hurt? no. Old Zhang and the servant looked at each other, and both let out a sigh of relief. Sitianjian, Song Qing, with the ck bags under his eyes getting more and more serious, sat slumped by the table. On the table were messily scattered numerous things, all sorts of bottles and jars. Today, he did not perform any alchemical experiments, rather had sat in front of his desk, writing crazily. Why, after grafting, does the fruit get better? What mysteries, what rules of nature are contained within? If grafted specimens really are better than their counterparts, then if I grafted a person to a horse, the Great Feng will no longer have to worry about not having enough war horses. Every solder is his own horse. He could run long distance, and also bravely wage battle, this would greatly increase the effectiveness of Fengs military The more he wrote, the more excited he got, as if his whole body glowed with light. At this time, a white cloak entered, excitedly shouting Brother Song, the alchemical prodigy Xu Qian hase, and wants to see you. The Alchemical Prodigy was the nickname given by the Sitianjian white cloaks to Xu Qian. --- [^1]: Mandarin Ducks () are an auspicious sign for love, as they alwayse in pairs, and stay with a pair for life. Their Chinese name, *yuanyang*, has *yuan* for the male, and *yang* for the female. They are also very pretty ducks, which is why I thought Id footnote them. Chapter 57: Kidnapping Chapter 57: Kidnapping # 57. Kidnapping Xu Qian was received enthusiastically by Song Qing, as the two sat by the table, holding cups of fragrant tea, having friendly chatter. To be honest, I had some suspicions about you, Song Qing took a sip, These few days, Ive checked through all your ancestors for eighteen generations. *Is it really appropriate to talk about searching up someones ancestors for eighteen generations* Xu Qian was not surprised, ratherughing How did it go? Youre too clean. Song Qing shook his head, not continuing on with the topic. He pulled out a stack of paper, and handed it over, Here, have a look at my most recent experiments. Xu Qian thought, *Ive already set up the high skilled yer meme, and you didnt take the bait your paltry skills dont even care for this huh.*[^1] He took the papers, and scanning through them, nearly spit out the tea in his mouth. Apart from the nt grafting theory he had told Song Qing, this guy had also drawn many more inferences from this one case, and had listed out many more possibilities, such as: Grafting a person to a horse. The advantages listed were numerous, such as the fact that the Great Feng would no longer have to worry about sourcing horses; soldiers didnt have to worry about having an outstanding warhorse, because we are veteran soldiers, we can be our own horses Another example: capturing avian monsters, and selectively breed them with humans, breeding out an air force of half-monsters. *Go read up on Monster Musume pah, go read up on speciation* Xu Qian put aside the calligraphy paper, and calmed his swirling emotions, saying Ivee to the Sitianjian today to ask Brother Song for help. Speak away. You should already know that Ive offended Deputy Minister Zhou. Caiwei told me, Song Qing put down his teacup, speaking with a serious tone, Im very sorry, but I cant help you. The Sitianjian does not interfere in politics at court, His Majesty does not allow it. Furthermore, a Deputy Minister with lots of political power is beyond my ability to affect. Dont speak so quickly, Brother Song. What I require is very simple Xu Qian told him about his n. Not going to happen. Song Qing immediately refused, Im a well-principled and respectable person, I would never do something like that. Xu Qian thought for a moment, then said in shame, Im sorry, I did not think this through Brother Song, lets continue talking about your grafting. Forgive my being blunt, but this cannot seed. Song Qing frowned, and sat up straight, making a studious and attentive expression. Im sure you know already, that cat that must be kept in a water tank is a good example. But you must be confused as to why your experiments will fail, what the reason is behind that. Song Qing leant forwards, his breaths bing sharp, his eyes staring wide at Xu Qian, You know? Xu Qian said, I have not participated in experimenting, and thus wouldnt know where the true reasony, but I can give you a theoretical basis. A theoretical basis!? What Song Qingcked most was a theoretical basis. After all, masters who can start sects are rare to find. Alchemy is a vast and all-epassing subject, and if he wanted to advance further, he could notck any support in matters of theory. Xu Qian, under Song Qings suddenly bright and searing gaze, slowly said: Have you heard of the periodic table? *The what table? What does this have to do with my experiments?* A thousand question marks shed in Song Qings mind. His breaths became even more excited, feeling that he was just about to touch the doorway to the most fundamental principles of alchemy. As an alchemy fanatic, he was so excited that all his hairs stood on end. He didnt have time to ask, when Xu Qian continued unhurriedly, The fundamentalw of alchemy is equivalent exchange Marquis Weiwus manor was on Quefu street, in the inner city. This street was one for nobility of merit, the entirety of it was filled with Marquesses, Earls, and even Dukes. The Marquis Weiwu was a hereditary title, emerging three hundred years ago in the war of session. Being passed down year by year, in reality their political power was little if anything today. The side door opened, and a slender, round-faced young girl came out, under the apaniment of her maids and bodyguards. She wore an resplendent dress, its hems reaching her feet, and when she walked her flower-patterned shoes were shing in and out of sight. She was sixteen or seventeen years of age, with a graceful, delicate face, bright, captivating eyes, and a proud aura around her. The radiance of her appearance made her aura bright, and attracted attention towards her. Zhang Yuying entered the pnquin outside the door. The pnquin bearers picked it up, and slowly started waking towards Chenghuang Temple. She came out today to go burn incense at the temple, and eat a Buddhist meal, before going heading over to the Earl Wenyuans manor, to have tea and chat with her friends. She wanted to secretly read some books that had spread around her circles, that were not allowed, and gossip about which familys young men have reached marriage age, toment on any particrly outstanding students in this autumns Imperial Examination, and guessing if they would do well in the spring examinations next year. They may even gossip about who may be the husband they dreamed about. After walking down two streets, the maids who followed the pnquin suddenly heard somemotion. Two horse carts behind them had lost control, their driver clutching tightly onto the reins, and waving his whip with a frightened expression. Move aside, everyone move aside! Pedestrians on all sides rushed to get out of the way. Quick, stop the horse! The maid nearly jumped out of her skin, as with one hand she ordered the retainers to stop the carts, and on the othermanded the pnquin bearers to dodge away. There were not enough bodyguards, and they could only stop one cart. The other one knocked two bearers flying, and the pnquin fell to the floor in an instant. The remaining maids and bearers instinctively saved themselves, throwing themselves to the side of the road, away from the out of control cart, and the scene became chaotic. After the brief spell of chaos, the two horse-drawn carts continued on running into the distance. The maids then picked themselves up, and rushing with anxiety, ran over to the pnquin to inspect the damage: Miss? How is young Miss? No one replied. The maids heart sank, as she flung open the door curtain. She froze, and after a few seconds, let out a sharp scream: Shes missing! The pnquin was empty. A small house, Inner City. Zhang Yuying knew that she had been kidnapped, even if she did not know by whom. She had already been conscious for a while, and after getting over the initial bout of headaches, her heart had stayed in a state of fright and panic. Being a Shu daughter of the Marquis Weiwu, normally her treatment was only slightly worse than that of the direct Di daughters, and far better than any of her sisters. Both mother and father loved her dearly so, and even her sister got along with her very well. Born with a silver spoon, wearing brocade robes and eating jade, when has she ever suffered such a thing? Around her was silence, her arms and legs were tied, and a cloth was stuffed into her mouth. She was scared to death. Crash! From outside the courtyard came the sound of the door opening, followed by footsteps approaching. The fear that had built up in Zhang Yuyings heart exploded in an instant. She did not know what she was about to face, but what was for certain was that it would be nothing good. Heh, the footsteps stopped. Someoneughed perversely, and said This girl is really pretty, earlier I already inspected the goods, her breasts are both big and soft, incredibly nice to y with. You despicable person the other person paused for a moment, and added You didnt even call me. Zhang Yuying was both embarrassed and angry, teardrops swirling around in her eyes. The two shadows continued talking, Shes still a virgin. No shit, this second daughter of Marquis Weiwu hasnt even married. Zhang Yuying was shocked; *they know who I am, they know my dad is Marquis Weiwu, and they still dare to kidnap me?* The people behind the curtain orchestrating this, was no ordinary nobody. How do you think Master Zhou will deal with this chick? Even though shes an extremely beautiful woman, but to keep her here would be rather risky. Heh, you think too much. Master Zhou will at most y with her a while, and then get bored, and probably strangle her to death, bury her in the yard. Who knows really. When Master Zhou gets bored, then we can partake in some soup. This girls skin is soft and supple, much better than any whore from the Gon. True that. If Master Zhou didnt want a fresh one, we could do her right here and now. Well who made him the Deputy Minister of Revenues son? Cmon, lets go get some drink. We cant do that? Its nearly dusk. Well buy some drinks ande back. The footsteps retreated into the distance, and then came the sound of the main door closing. The two people seemed to have left to drink. *Master Zhou? The deputy minister of revenues son?* In Zhang Yuyings mind shed an image of a brocade-wearing young man, and thought of what she had gone through thatntern festivalst year. *He still hasnt let me go* *Get bored partake in some soup to kill me, and bury me in the yard and hide the evidence* The young woman raised in a safe,fortable, luxurious life, shook with fear. Tears rolled down her face. Mfff. She tried her best to make a sound, and stretched with her limbs, trying to escape her ropes. Suddenly, she felt the rope tied around her wrists loosened. Zhang Yuying suddenly froze, and then quietened down, no longer making a sound, focusing her energy on twisting her two hands. After who knows how long, the tender skin on her wrists had been scraped open, and under that fiery stinging pain, she finally freed herself. She immediately rose, and undid the ropes around her feet, stamping them, shaking her hands, before walking towards the door. She listened carefully for a moment, confirming that there was no one in the courtyard before carefully walking out. Looking left and right, she clenched her silver teeth, and with a speed that she had never showed her whole life, ran towards the main door, and undid the bolt. The door didnt open; it was locked from the outside. Wah Miss Zhang sobbed a hopeless, heart-wrenching sob. On the side of the street opposite the house, Xu Qian held a bowl of noodles, and standing beside him was Xu Xinnian. You did well with the nasty talk, Xu Qian teased his brother out of habit. Xu Xinnian paid him no mind, looking towards the door, Will shee out? Why did we lock the main entrance? A strong yearning for life will activate a persons hidden potential. Believe me, she will escape. She could climb the wall and be out. Xu Qian shovelled a chopstick-full of noodles into his mouth, and exined quietly, If we didnt lock the door, the traces would be toorge. This courtyard was a personal house bought privately by Zhou Li. In the house was housed a fairly good looking woman. At this current moment, that woman, and her maids, matrons, and gatekeeper were all locked inside Xu Qians mirror. That jade mirror could absorb objects and even living things; Xu Qian had already tried it on the servants at home. Without that jade mirror, then the difficulty of capturing Miss Zhang would have increased drastically, and one could even end up trying to steal chicken, only to lose ones rice. At this time, the two brothers saw a head appear over the wall of the house, as a messy-haired Zhang Yuying peeked over the wall. After carefully looking around for a while, she climbed over the wall, and jumped down. She seemed to have sprained her ankle, as shey on the ground, not moving for a while. After a long time, she finally picked herself up, crying. Leaning against the wall, one hop at a time she escaped onto the street. As a noble daughter born with a silver spoon in her mouth, the fact that she could achieve this step, proved that she had suffered an immense emotional trauma. *Theyve gone out to buy alcohol, theylle back at dusk* she looked at the setting sun, and knew that she was not quite safe just yet. Maybe she wouldnt be able to run far before being pursued and caught, or maybe she would only take a few steps before chancing upon her captors. Just at this time, a patrol of armed and armoured city guards passed by them. Zhang Yuying, scared only of meeting her captors on the road or being pursued down by them, looked as if she had seen an angel, and rushed over to them in tears. Before the city guards drew their swords, she screamed I am the daughter of the Marquis Weiwu, I was kidnapped, save me! The guards exchanged looks, and immediately surrounded her. Passers-by all stopped to watch the scene, as the leading city guard asked: Who captured you? Zhou Li, the son of the deputy minster of rites Zhou Li! Zhang Yuying finally broke down in tears. *Dum dum dum* the sound of the curfew drums sounded. Xu Qian put down his bowl, and said Lets go. Well find an inn to sleep, and go home tomorrow. --- The authormented on the length of this chapter. [^1]: Again, I dont know. Chapter 58: flag Chapter 58: g # 58. g In the dark of night, Weiwu manor. The Marquis Weiwu, looking the stereotypical wealthy noble, sat on his chair with a nasty expression. In the hall were two beautiful middle-aged women. One was knelt, crying in grief, her tears forming a little stream on the floor. The other woman was beside her,forting her in a low voice. When the second daughter disappeared today under strange circumstances, put together with the horse cart losing control and crashing into them, Marquis Weiwu had known that his daughter had been captured. His possible enemies shed by in his mind if they were political enemies, then they would not likely go as far as this, as after all as his noble title had been passed down to today, it had slowly been pushed to the edge of court politics. Of course, the nobles surrounding the political stage were still a group not to be underestimated. But a group and one person had their differences; Marquis Weiwu did not think he had any political enemies that would go as far as to capture his daughter, As for those who held a personal grudge, there were none of them in recent times. Master has already reported this to the constabry, and has notified the Jinwu guards guarding the gates. Dont be anxious, Yinger will be found. Sis, Yinger is only a weak young girl, if- if she were to suffer something even if she came back, how could she continue living? Marquis Weiwus eye twitched, and his expression became even darker. Just then, a servant hurried into the room, shouting Lord Marquis, Young Miss has been found! The Marquis Weiwu and his two wives all rushed to the front hall, and saw their haggard-faced young daughter, with tear streaks not yet dried, as well as the city guard who escorted her back. After asking the butler to send the guard away with a mary reward, Marquis Weiwu examined his daughter, and subtly let out a breath, Yinger, what happened? Zhang Yuying, in her crying mothers arms, sobbed Its that Deputy Minister Zhous son who kidnapped me, he- not only did he want to sully your daughters body, he also nned to kill me to silence me. She immediately told them about what she heard and saw, and vividly described how she took advantage of her captors carelessness, and escaped the wolfs den. Master Marquis, you must support your concubine, support Yinger. Zhang Yuyings birth mother shook with grief. Master Marquis, that Zhou Li again and again bullied and humiliated Yinger, as well as disgracing our Marquis. The main wife said darkly. The Marquis Weiwu exploded in fury, smashing his hand into the table so hard that it cracked, so angry that he was shaking, That Zhou has gone too far! The next day. The eastern side gate, Meridian Gate. The civil and military officials that came to court today were shocked to find that the Marquis Weiwu hade today in full armour, only missing a sword on his waist. That day, an interesting thing happened at court. The Marquis Weiwu came to the pce in full armour, bringing out his ancestors merits, and with choked voice made usation against Deputy Minister Zhou. He eximed: *To be emperor, Gaozu had to break a trail through brambles and thorns, go through life and death. This ones daughter suffered a persons molestation, if Your Majesty does not protect her, would this not make cold all the hearts of the great generals and soldiers* It caused a greatmotion. The chief culprit Zhou Li had a face full of confusion, *When did I kidnap the Zhangs second daughter? How did I not know?* The Yuanjing Emperor let out fire and fury, andmanded the High Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Law, and the Bureau of Investigations to resolve this case, and give back a conclusion within two days. As the main suspect in the case, Zhou Lis first stop was the Bureau of Investigations. The ones responsible for interrogating him was a captain of the city guard. This sixth-rank official sat in front of the interrogation table, and without saying a second word immediately ordered that he be given a round of beatings. After beating Zhou Li to the point where he was crying for mum and dad, the official smacked the table, Zhou Li. The house where the Marquis Weiwus daughter was held was your private residence? Yes! Zhou Li could only admit. Nobles of power privately buying residences in the city was a very widespread urrence. So when buying that house, Zhou Li did not get anyone to sign for him. On the deed was his name, and the constabry had records of all property transactions. As its your house, then you dont need to say any more, sign the confession! Two officers came forward, one holding a confession book, and one forcing Zhou Li to sign and stamp it. ording to the proper three-bureau investigation procedures, after the Bureau of Investigation was done with him, their verdict would be sent to the Ministry of Law. If the Ministry of Law did not agree with the Bureau of Investigations verdict, they must re-investigate. Thus Master Zhou was sent to the Ministry of Law. Here, his treatment was worlds apart from before. He was fed with meat and wine, and the Assistant Minister responsible for interrogating him thoughtfully got a physician, to spread some expensive medicine on his blood-soaked buttocks. After a few hours of interrogation, the Ministry of Law overturned the Bureau of Investigations verdict, and concluded that Zhou Li was innocent, and that someone was trying to frame him. The case was handed over to the high court. The High Court, without saying anything further, gave Zhou Li another round of beatings, and then after a secret investigation, they objected to the Ministry of Laws findings, and maintained that Zhou Li was guilty. At the second day, seeing that the High Court, the Ministry of Law, and the Bureau of Investigation all gave different results, and did not give a unified conclusion, the Yuanjing Emperor ordered the three departments to have a joint trial, and increased the importance of this case. The High Court sent one of their head prosecutors, as well as two assistant prosecutors; the Ministry of Law sent two Assistant Ministers, and four managerial officers; and the Bureau of Investigations sent two captains of the city guard. In total, eleven officials, working together on this case. In the joint trial, the Ministry of Law took the side that Zhou Li was not guilty, and was framed by the real perpetrator, whereas the High Court and the Bureau of Investigations came to the same conclusion, that Zhou Li was guilty. The two sides fought for an entire day, neither side winning out, and so naturally they came to no conclusion. This carried on until dusk, when a Sitianjian white cloak was invited to the constabry. Upon His Majestys orders, I havee to assist with the case. The Sitianjian white cloak stated his intentions, and then looked towards Zhou Li, who was kneeling in the middle of the hall. The white cloak said sharply Zhou Li, did you or did you not kidnap the Marquis Weiwus daughter, Zhang Yuying? Zhou Li shook his head over and over, I didnt, it wasnt me, Ive been wronged. All the officials looked intently at the Sitianjian white-cloak. The white-cloak stated solemly, He lies! Zhou Lis face was devoid of blood. Three dayster, Deputy Minister Zhou, due to embezzlement of the states funds and food, and a failure to bring up his son, was stripped of his official titles, and sentenced to military conscription. His son Zhou Li was exiled to the southern frontier. Fifty people on horseback slowly rode down a main road. Uncle Xu lead the contingent, springs radiance seeming to shine around him. After hearing about Deputy Minister Zhous downfall, Xu Pingzhi gathered Xu Qian and Xu Xinnian together, and drank all night. They simultaneously had the joy of sessful revenge, and the relief of no longer having to bear that hidden danger. The two brothers rode behind Xu Pingzhi. Xu Xinnian said Theres something Id like to ask big brother. Xu Qian looked over, Are you curious why Zhou Li would admit to the crime, or should I say, why the Marquis Weiwu and the veterans of court wouldnt immediately see through this rather blunt attempt to frame him? Xu Xinnian hesitated, Ive only figured out some of it. In the eyes of Minister Zhous political enemies, it didnt matter if Zhou Li was innocent or not, this was never important. They would seize this opportunity to topple Zhou anyway. And as for the Marquis Weiwu, this was an opportunity for revenge. In the past, he could not beat Minister Zhou, because he had no support. And then this brilliant opportunity fell down from heaven, so he took it and came to court in full regalia, causing a ruckus through the entire court. As to if his daughter was really captured by Zhou Li or not, he may have had some doubts, but without sufficient evidence, it seems that this Master Zhou who had time and time again bullied his daughter was a more hateful target. What I dont understand is, this wasnt done by Zhou Li. Minister Zhou and his fellow party members know this very clearly, and must have made suitable arrangements. What do you think I went to the Sitianjian for that day then? Xu Qianughed out loud, Do you still remember what the Sitianjian eighth rank were called? Eighth rank Qi-watcher a strange brilliance shone in Xu Xinnians eyes, as all was finally revealed. During the tax silver case, the Sitianjians Arcanists had joined in on the searching, interrogation, and other aspects of the case. This meant that the current Emperor relies on the Sitianjian a lot. Xu Qian looked towards the road ahead, extremely proud of himself. Even if the case looked on the surface to be unreasonable, if it were to be investigated thoroughly, then one would find that there were not any tell-tale giveaways mm, your big brother is a professional in this field. Adding on top the party politics of court, this case was destined to be difficult and annoying to investigate, and so the simplest way to sort it out would of course be to find a Sitianjian Arcanist. Xu Xinnian was wholeheartedly convinced, So, big brother you bribed the Sitianjians Arcanists. Vulgar! Xu Qian retorted, saying in an honest, frank and overboard manner: How could you call the agreement with their Arcanists bribery? It was equivalent exchange! He paused for a moment, then said: Cijiu, remember, under this sky, apart from blood rtives, any friends or enemies that you may have are all because of profit, especially in officialdom. No one will treat you well for no reason, and no one will resent you for no reason. Even if its your best and closest of friends, their interactions with you are because your existence helps them further their own goals. In the future when you enter court and be an official, big brother hopes that you will be an able civil servant, and not a good one. Xu Qian continued to fill his younger brother with his illegal goods, continuing slowly, Remember, soften your light, be like dust.[^1] To raise his younger brother to be the Great Fengs prime minister, he must first guide him onto Xu Qians own path. Otherwise, if he were to raise someone who would not have the same ideas and schemes, what use would that be? Xu Xinnians gaze stretched far into the distance, as he said loudly, Soften your light, and be like dust what if I eventually get lost in the allure of power and influence? Then thats your own fortunes. Of course, if Cijiu were to one day be a traitorous servant at the head of chaos and unrest, then your big brother will clean out our n. Xu Qian said, half jokingly, half seriously. Good! Xu Xinnian met de to de, But if big brother were to be a martial artist causing strife for the people, then I will do also. *Why do I feel like Ive raised for myself a g[^2]* Xu Qian coughed, and looked towards Xu Pingzhi, Uncle, you bear witness to us. Piss off! Xu Pingzhi turned his head, cursing, You jabber this and that about internal strife, do you take me to not exist? --- The author originally wrote over 6000 characters for Zhou Lis trial, but eventually whittled it down to around his usual number. [^1]: A quote from the *Dao De Jing*. [^2]: In the original, the English word g is used. This is a ng from online gamingmunities, and means something along the lines of raising a g (warning) of things that may happen in the future. Chapter 59: This Child is too Difficult, I Cant Teach Her Chapter 59: This Child is too Difficult, I Can''t Teach Her # 59. This Child is too Difficult, I Can''t Teach Her A line of horses and carts slowly stopped at the foot of Qingyun mountain. From the opulent carriage, the eldest princess walked down the steps, and under guard of her soldiers started climbing the mountain. The mountain zephyrs slowly swirled past, ruffling her dress and silken hair. The cold, proud and noble princess faced the oing breeze, and squinted her bright eyes. She saw that in the pavilion on the mountainside, there was an old man with salt-and-pepper white hair. The old man sat in front of a table, and opposite him was a young child. Beside the young child was a young woman, with her head lowered, her appearance stunningly beautiful. The old teacher said solemnly, Ive told you many times, your posture must be upright when holding a brush. The child replied: I know, Sir. The old teacher: Then you should change to it. The child: Change what? Ah whatever, well not write today. Recite the *Sanzijing*[^1] with me. The old man sighed, and then cleared his throat: *When man is born, their nature is good.* Child: When man is born, their what? Teacher: When man is born, their nature is good. Child: When nature is good. Teacher: Why did you stop in the middle. Child: I forgot. Teacher: From the top. When man is born, their nature is good. Child: When man is born, their what? The old teacher was driven crazy. Outside the pavilion, the eldest princess could not help butugh. Her bright clear eyes shed withughter, and in an instant a fragrance seemed to arise around her, as the jade beauty came to life. The old teacher knew the eldest princess, and immediately rose, respectfully cupping his hands, Greetings, Eldest Princess. The noble, cold princess nodded slightly, and with a voice as crisp as early spring ice, replied When did the Cloud Deer Academy gain a new child? The old teacher turned, indicating that the sisters should also show their respects. Xu Lingyue rose, and bowed, whereas Xu Lingyin just looked vacuously at this woman, whose breasts rivalled those of her mothers, and whose appearance even beat her by one or two points. The teacher said awkwardly The young child does not know respect, please do not pay her any mind. He wasnt particrly worried; even if the eldest princess was cold and proud, with an aura that made people not dare to offend her, but she was still an intellectual, and had the temperament of one too. He continued, These two are the family of a student here at the academy. Because their family faced issues, they sent their women to live for a while here. *To avoid danger* The extremely astute eldest princess immediately read the hidden meaning within those words, and examined the extremely beautiful young woman, and the not particrly bright young child,ughing slightly, Which student? She could count as half a student of the academy, and knew deeply the regtions the Cloud Deer Academy had; students families could not live on Qingyun Mountain. Xu Lingyue said quietly, My brother Xu Xinnian. She did not mention Xu Qian, because big brother was not a student of the Academy. *Xu Xinnian* the eldest princesss eyes shed slightly; she had looked into Xu Qians background, and immediately remembered the rtionship between the two people. The main perpetrator of the tax silver case was Deputy Minister Zhou, and roughly ten days ago, Xu Qian and Zhous son had an altercation in the market street the eldest princess looked at the graceful, delicate young woman, and said with a kindly tone, Since when did youe here? Nearly ten days ago. Xu Lingyue replied. *He knows Caiwei, and Caiwei knows that Deputy Minister Zhou was behind the tax silver case. It is easy to see then, that that ordinary civil servant would also have known about this He knew he raised the ire of Deputy Minister Zhou, and so sending the women in his family to the academy was one of his ns. But- wouldnt it have been better to send his family far away from the capital?* *He sent the women to the academy, but the men still remained in the capital, so what was he nning?* Thinking back to how Deputy Minister Zhou was relieved of his position, and sent into the military, the eldest princess narrowed her eyes, nodding her head slightly, and along with her soldiers carried on up the mountain. Ya Ge hall! The eldest princess examined Zhao Shou, and felt surprised, Being apart for ten days, yourplexion is worlds apart. Before, the dean did not take care of his looks, letting his speckled white hair fall loose, a gloomy aura brewing on his face. But today, his eyes were clear and lively, and his aura was incredibly different, almost radiant. Zhao Shou did not respond,ughing loudly, The sage said: study prioritises not young or old, only those who are learned. *Study prioritises not young or old, only those who are learned his meaning is, that there is someone who could be his teacher, and they are much younger than him does this have something to do with the lesser sage hall, and the azure qi rushing to the sky?* She was very interested in the events that had happened in the Lesser Sage Hall, her thirst for knowledge brimming, because this involved the fight over Confucian Orthodoxy, involved the bnce of power at court. What happened that day? The hall was sealed off, no one was allowed to enter, and the Nightwatchers could do nothing about it. The eldest princesss thoughts spread out, as she looked out of the window towards the green bamboo forest, sighing Does the dean know about Deputy Minister Zhou being sent into the military? In terms of the Great Fengs officialdom, this is merely the opening act to the party conflicts. Zhao Shouughed, shaking his head, not wanting to talk about it further. He waved his hand, summoning a Go board, and said: Ever since Li Mubai lost three times to Wei Yuan, he never yed Go again. In the academy, the number of people who could y with this old man are not many. Since your Highness hase today, then why not y a game with me? The eldest princess said helplessly, You wish to y Go with me, what point is there for you to bring shame upon yourself? On the other side of the academy, in a building built beside a cliff. The three great schrs philosophical debates ended. A student delivered a letter, saying that the eldest princess has visited the academy, and asked him to deliver. In the letter, the eldest princess said that recently in the capital came a new great work, appreciated by all the schrs in the city. The Imperial Academy had proimed it this centurys greatest work, surpassing the send-off poem of the Cloud Deer Academy. Furthermore,pared to the send-off poem, this hundred-year masterpiece came from the Jiaofangsi. A gifted schr and a beautiful girl, the stories were bound to be much more colourful, spreading much further At the end of the letter, the eldest princess added as a post-script that poem that had been talked about for days on end in the capital. *This old mans only been in seclusion for a few days, and already a new masterpiece has appeared in the capital?* Zhang Shen appraised the poem with a serious expression. *Given to Fuxiang in Reflecting Plum Pavilion* *Among the multitude of fallen flowers, its shining beauty warms; full of grace, centre of attention, it leans into a little garden. Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water; its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.* Zhang Shen became like a statue, silent for a long while. He lightly put down the paper, and looked towards Li Mubai and Chen Tai, who were drinking tea and chatting. Chunjing, Youping,e look at this. Zhang Shen said. His sudden serious expression made the two great schrs do a double take. Li Mubai took the paper, and quickly scanned it over. Then, his gaze solidified, as the rxed, carefree attitude slowly left his body. Let me see, Chen Tai saw the two of them with this reaction, took the paper from Li Mubais hand, and after reading it, appreciated it for a long while. Great Schr Chen sighed a long sigh, A delicate reflection, a subtle fragrance, these two lines fully express the beauty of a plum blossom, what an exquisite picture it paints. Li Mubai followed, Even though Ningyans *Yellow clouds covering a thousand li, and the sun setting dim; In whirling snow, the north wind drives south wild geese;* made one feel proud, but the depth of meaning, the beauty of description, the aura that it creates, is indeed notparable to this work. Zhang Shen stroked his goatee, and sighed, No one else could beat this poem in praising the plum blossom. Who is this Yang Ling? With this talent, how have I never heard of him? Chen Tai looked at the letter again, saying He seems to be a Xiucai from Changle County, who in the Jiaofangsi, wrote this poem to give to the oiran Fuxiang The whole tea room quietened, and none of the three great schrs spoke. A sour jealousy started brewing in the air, spreading outwards. Zhang Shen thought for a long while, saying I feel like we must immediately notify the dean, and get this xiucai into the academy at once. A talent of this magnitude must not be buried. Chen Tai and Li Mubai agreed appreciatively, Good idea. They came here to take back Auntie and the sisters, but as students of the academy, Xu Ningyan and Xu Cijiu must first pay a visit to their teachers. The three great schrs had just finished teaching, and knowing that their favoured student hade to visit, immediately gathered in the hall, drinking tea. Zhang Shen first examined his disciple, whose aura had somewhat changed, and said contentedly, Cijiu, it seems that copying the sages works has done a lot of good for you. Xu Cijiu was immediately covered in ayer of sweat, as he nodded. Li Mubai said with surprise, Copying the Sages records helps one enter the Self-Cultivation sage? How did this old man not realise. Xu Eng opened his mouth, and then closed it again, choosing silence. He had indeed felt the doorstep towards Self Cultivation, but that was after seeing the words his big brother had wrote on the stone stele. This was a silent and gradual change. But this thing was not appropriate to say in front of everyone, even if everyone knew deep in their hearts who wrote those four phrases. After making small talk for a while, Chen Tai nced over at Zhang Shen and Li Mubai, andughed, You two live in the capital, have you heard of the masterpiece poem that had recently appeared? *Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water; its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.* A beautiful piece. Ningyan, you have talent in poetry, but you must not think too highly yourself. You must know of the crouching tigers and hidden dragons amongst all the schrs under heaven. *This old bastard is just jealous that I took in such a good student but for this established wisdom, there is no real retort against it.* Zhang Shen could only say, This poem is indeed stunningly beautiful. Ningyan, you dont need topete against that in earnest; this piece praising plum blossoms is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, theres no use to reallypete against it. Li Mubai nodded, Even if people say that the intellectuals of today have no liveliness, but at the end of the day there will be a few who stand out. That Yang Ling may not be able to write a second poem, and with Ningyans talent, to have a third, or even fourth poem in the future is most certainly likely. Xu Xinnian gave his older cousin a nce, and said, This poem was written by my big brother. --- [^1]: Three character ssic, a text arranged in blocks of three characters used to teach children literacy in Imperial China. Chapter 60: The Nightwatchers come Knocking Chapter 60: The Nightwatcherse Knocking # 60. The Nightwatcherse Knocking Pffftt after hearing this, Chen Tai immediately spat out all the tea in his mouth. Both Li Mubai and Zhang Shen froze, and then turned their heads sharply to stare at Xu Qian. The writer wasnt Yang Ling? *Is my younger brothers skin itchy, he sold me out so casually* Xu Qian braced himself, It was my alias. Really? Really! The two of then still didnt believe him, asking What were you doing at the Jiaofangsi? Xu Qian sat up straight, A young man yearns for beauty. The room suddenly fell silent, as the three great schrs felt that there was blood blocking their throats, and no matter how hard they wanted they couldnt spit it out. After a few seconds, Zhang Shen rose, and pointed at Xu Qians nose: You you He paced around erratically in the room, extremely agitated, A masterpiece of a thousand years, and you use it on a prostitute, does she deserve it? Does she deserve it? *Yes yes yes, if I used it on you then all would be good* Xu Qian muttered in his heart, as he made a posture to listen to his teachers scolding. Li Mubai was also agitated, Praising plums is praising plums, but *Given to Fuxiang in the Reflective Plum Pavilion* might as well be vulgar, too vulgar to be fitting. It simply ruins such a good poem. *If it could be changed to* Given to Li Mubai in the Cloud Deer Academy, *youdugh out pig snorts, wouldnt you?* Xu Qian thought. *Two sentences of poetry that would be famed for millennia it is indeed somewhat of a waste to use it on a prostitute. But you cant judge a book by its cover, if I didnt have this poem* Two sentences of poetry that would be famous for generations to use it on a prostitute was indeed somewhat of a waste, but a book cant be judged by its cover. If he did not have that poem to win over Fuxiang, then how could he gather all that valuable information? How could he frame Zhou Li? If Zhou Li was not framed, then what if one day Minister Zhou brought the weight of his entire family down on them? What if they couldnt be felled in party politics? What fatey in front of the Xu family was obvious. The poem was giarised anyway, so it didnt hurt at all. Furthermore, if it cannot be used to solve problems, what good did a stomach-full of world-shaking verses do? However good a poem is, as long as it can be exchanged for tangible benefit, then it was a good poem. Chen Tai sighed in his heart. He initially didnt believe that Yang Ling was Xu Qians alias, but the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. How could a poetic talent of this calibre just casually appear on a whim? *Li Mubai and Zhang Shen could take him as a disciple, then why cant I? Hes got two teachers already, why cant he have a third* Chen Tai silently decided that afterwards, he would find an opportunity to take this poetic prodigy under his wing as well. After experiencing a wave of verbal explosions, Xu Qian very obediently admitted fault, and promised that if he had any good poems in the future, he would definitely ask his two teachers to look it over first. Thus Li Mubai and Zhang Shen just about calmed their tempers. Apart from just having the resentment of missing out on a world-spreading poem, they genuinely thought that Xu Qian using this poem on an oiran of the Jiaofangsi was far too much of a waste. It was like he had just revealed his greatest treasure in the open. Xu Xinnian still could be said to have some kind-heartedness left, and at the appropriate moment broke the tension, changing the topic, My little sister has studied at the Academy for some days now, has she had any improvements? The three great schrs exchanged looks, as Chen Tai could not resistughing out loud, Your sister, she really is one of stubborn will, so stubborn that it cannot be moved. Zhang Shen said helplessly, After ten days, she changed teachers four times. Li Mubai added, They all vowed that for the rest of their lives they would never teach literacy to a child again. Xu Cijiu and Xu Ningyan: In a little courtyard house, the entire family reunited again. Auntie gleefully weed her husband and two precious sons, uncle also happily hugged his wife and youngest daughter. Xu Lingyin looked at her father, utter griefing from her, as she clung onto his leg, wailing to high heaven. Uncle Xu felt a wave of pity, feeling that his youngest daughter has faced hardship trying to gain literacy at the Academy; the teachers of the Academy must have been very strict. Xu Lingyue, wearing a dark blue dress, stood to one side, her young melon-seed shaped face wearing a light smile, looking at this scene. She was older, and could not throw herself into her fathers arms with abandon like Xu Lingyin. She also wasnt the eldest son, and so did not get the preferential treatment like her big brother. The child in the middle always upied the most awkward position. Ten days apart, youve gotten thinner, sis. Xu Qian walked over, and pulled his sisters hand, intently examining her. Her waist in her girdle was thinner, and her breasts were beginning to grow. A young womans body, like a flower bud waiting to blossom, was extraordinarily attractive. Her melon-seed face, andrge eyes, not a w was to be seen in them from afar or from nearby. Shecked some of a womans soft charm, but in tis ce was a young womans innocence, grace, and liveliness. Xu Lingyue instinctively wanted to pull her hand away, but resisted. The warmth of her big brothers hand made a red flush spread over her face, as her gaze fluttered. She softly said: Big brother On the way back home, Xu Lingyue in an unprecedented move asked to ride a horse, but because she did not know how to, she eventually ended up riding on the same horse as Xu Qian. The sun was warm and pleasant, the wind on ones face was somewhat cold. Riding a horse in the middle of winter was certainly better than riding a motorbike - and you didnt need to wear a helmet. Xu Lingyue was after all a woman, she pulled her body in against Xu Qian, her bright sparkling eyes looking at the scenery all around, feeling a sense of safety that she had never felt before. In Xu Xinniansp was also a little sister. Second brother, the horse bumping is making me sick Then go back into the cart I dont want to, I want to ride on your neck. Xu Xinnians brow was knit in a tight furrow, so annoyed was he by Little Pea. Auntie in the carriage opened the window curtain, and poked out her stunningly beautiful face. Husband dear, when I wasnt in the manor, did you go out and fool around? Xu Xinnian and Xu Qian simultaneously replied No. Auntie gave the two men looks, *Its not as if I asked you.* Three dayster, rest day. It was the early morning, and Xu Qian was ying around with the jade mirror. On the mirrors surface floated the shadows of a crossbow, a bronze mirror, and a dao sword, like a picture painted with blurry brush. This mirror currently was being used by him as an item storage bag. All sorts of items went through its surface. Going to the main manor, he had his breakfast. On the table, Xu Lingyue with a hopeful expression, said, Big brother, you have your day off today, could you take me out to the market? Uncle Xu thought back to the incident with Zhou Li and his horse, and said with a frown: Im also off today. Lingyue, dad can go with you. Xu Lingyue hesitated for a moment, Whatever, I suddenly feel a little dizzy. Uncle Xu: ??? *To the Gon in the morning, thene back at noon to have a nap, and then to the ck market at night. I must enter Refining Qi as quick as possible* Xu Qian was not paying attention. This moment, the gatekeeper Old Zhang came in in a rush, standing at the front of the hall, Master, there are two officials outside. Officials? Xu Pingzhi drank a mouthful of porridge, and asked without paying much mind, Officials from Where? Xu Eng asked Big brother, are they your colleagues? Xu Qian did not pay too much mind either, Shouldnt be. The gatekeeper Zhang said: This small person does not know, but they are wearing all ck, and on their chests are tied strange bronze gongs. The three masters of the Xu family all shook, and looked at each other silently, seeing the seriousness in each others eyes. Nightwatchers! Quickly, invite them in. Xu Pingzhi hurriedly rose, and headed towards the front hall. Xu Qian and Xu Xinnian followed behind him, their minds whirring, considering why the Nightwatchers havee knocking. In the Dynasty of Feng, the word Nightwatchers never had any good connotations; theiring almost always had the blood-soaked words of interrogations, arrests, and house raids. But to speak from the heart, with the position of Second Uncle Xu, the Nightwatchers should hardly have paid him any mind. Very quickly, the three men saw the visiting Nightwatchers in the front hall. They wore ck uniforms, a short cloak hanging on their backs. On their chests were bound a bronze gong, carved with numerousplex glyphs. The two Nightwatchers were both rtively young. The one on the left had a serious expression, not carrying any hint of a smile. The one on the right just so happened to be the exact opposite, a wide smile on his face, his eyes narrowing to slits. The smiling young man looked over the three men of the Xu family, andughed, Which one is Xu Qian? Xu Qian stepped forward, I am. Have a walk with us. Xu Pingzhis eyebrow raised, as he stepped forward, blocking Xu Qians path, sping his fists, and asking solemnly, Two Sirs, what sin has my nephewmitted? The serious-faced young man frowned. The other smiling one merely said: If in the day you do no evil, then in the night fear not the Nightwatchers. *With the style of the Nightwatchers, if we resisted arrest, would they immediately draw their swords and start hacking?* Xu Qian put a hand on his uncles shoulder, looking at the two Nightwatchers. Alright, Ill walk with you. He followed the Nightwatchers out of the Xu manor. Outside the door was parked a horse-drawn cart. The serious-faced Nightwatcher pointed to the carriage, indicating that Xu Qian should enter. That always smiling young man pulled off the gong on his chest, and hit it with great strength, and in the sound that reverberated from it, shouted, The sky is dry and arid, beware the candle mes! The Nightwatchers constabry was inside the city, and was very far from the Xu manor. To walk there, would take several hours, so arranging a cart for Xu Qian was not because he had some special treatment, but rather just to save on time. The unsmiling Nightwatcher drove the cart, as within, Xu Qian and that warmly smiling young man sat inside, facing each other. *What do the Nightwatchers want me for? For Zhou Lis case? No, thats impossible, even if I couldnt guarantee a perfect crime, I can at least guarantee that the Great Feng, with no concept of surveince technology, could not have figured out it was me who captured the Zhangs young daughter. Even with some tell-tale signs, they still couldnt have caught onto me this quickly* Xu Qian stuffed his hand into his robes, and knocked on the back of the jade mirror, pouring out a silver banknote. Pulling it out and looking, seeing that it was worth ten taels, he let out a breath. He earnestly handed it over, saying This small man is aw-abiding good citizen, and admires Sirs service to our country and people, doing hard and good work. I want to give Sir ten taels of silver, and invite Sir to drink tea. This Nightwatchers gaze slid onto the silver banknote, a face full of kindness,ughing The rules of the Nightwatchers are strict; to take a bribe over ten taels, 50 strokes of the cane. Over fifty taels, exile. Over a hundred taels, execution. I obviously have no need to risk facing the cane for ten taels of silver. Xu Qian disyed an embarrassed smile, and was just about to take back his silver, when he heard the smiling man say slowly, If you want use this trick to get information from me you need to give more! Xu Qian, without any hint of anger, handed over thirty taels. The young manughed, his eyes squinting to slits, as he stuffed two banknotes into his robes, handing the other one through the window: Ive taken thirty taels. You and I both get ten taels, and as for the rest, thats for the table fee tonight at the Jiaofangsi. Perfectly five taels each. The unsmiling man took the banknote, and grunted assent. The squinting young man leant back, putting one leg over another, and saying in aughing tone to Xu Qian, Even though rules are very important, but when everyone has tacitly agreed to look the other way, youre too earnest, and this may get you squeezed out. Chapter 61: Ironclad Evidence Chapter 61: Irond Evidence # 61. Irond Evidence Observing Xu Qi''an, he noticed that he was tensed up, and smiling with reluctance ,fortingly said, "I was just ordered to take you back for questioning. I''m not too clear on the details. However, Ive taken your money, so I should help you mitigate disaster. When we get to the constabry, remember this sentence: Don''t hide things that should be said, and don''t say what shouldn''t have been said." *What the hell... Don''t I know this? This isn''t worth 30 taels of silver at all. What''s the difference between this and saying "I have asked the relevant department to deal with your issue"...* Xu Qi''an wanted to let the squinting young man meet the palm of his hand, but he didn''t dare to do it. The carriage drove past busy markets and streets, and arrived at the Nightwatchers Constabry at around 10 o''clock. Xu Qi''an jumped off the carriage and was escorted to the constabry by the two Nightwatchers. The constabry was repurposed from a couple of three-entrance houses. The building stood tall, and Nightwatchers in ck clothes with gongs tied to them could be seen entering and exiting the premises. They looked very serious and imposing. *I don''t know if I''ll be sent to the Nightwatchers Grand Prison. It''s said to be a ce where people are eaten clean without spitting out their bones... Let''s wait and see what happens. I''m a good citizen who hasn''t broken anyws..*. Xu Qi''an took a deep breath to calm down his uneasy mood. A whileter, He was brought into a small courtyard. Two Nightwatchers were standing at the gate of the courtyard, who took over Xu Qi''an. The squinty-eyed man stopped at the gate of the courtyard and smilingly said, "Go inside, pray for good fortune." Xu Qi''an was brought to the door, and the two Nightwatchers pushed it open, indifferently saying, "Get inside." The room was a torture room, with various torture instruments ced in the corners along with an empty desk ced in the centre. It looked like the Chief Interrogator hadn''t arrived yet. Xu Qi''an didn''t dare to sit on a chair and stood in the room while thinking why the Nightwatchers would be looking for him. But before he had time to think about it, footsteps sounded as someone entered the courtyard. The door opened, and two middle-aged men with silver gongs embroidered on their chests walked in. Xu Qi''an tensely looked over at the two silver gongs and was surprised to find that one of them was an old acquaintance. He had a straight nose, deep facial features, and light pupils, and was half-descended from a Southern Barbarian. He was the silver gong that he had seen in the back hall of the governor''s office during the tax silver case. "We meet once again." Li Yuchun nodded, without showing any semnce of warmth. The two silver gongs sat behind the table, holding a serious expressions, and aimed a prating gaze at Xu Qi''an. "I''ll ask and you''ll answer. If you lie, you will be severely punished." The unfamiliar silver gong said in a deep voice. "Yes..." Xu Qi''an''s heart sank, the two of them were looking at him as if he were a criminal. Li Yuchun frowned, "Tidy up your clothes before answering the questions. This is basic etiquette." Only then did Xu Qi''an realize that his clothes were too loose and unsymmetrical. It should have been due to fishing out the silver in the carriage. After he tightened his clothes, Li Yuchun looked slightly rxed, as if he had resolved a concern of his. The unfamiliar Silver Gong asked, "Did you know that the mastermind behind the Silver Tax case was Deputy Minister Zhou?" Xu Qi''an answered truthfully, "I heard about it from Caiwei from Sitianjian." "So, You know that Zhou Li dealt with you to take revenge." "I figured as much." Xu Qi''an kept the warning of the squinty-eyed young man in mind and didn''t conceal what should have been said. Sitianjian''s white cloaks had rushed into the Ministry of Law to rescue him that day, and he couldn''t deny it. It''s better to admit the details generously to give off an honest image. "Did you know that Zhou Li wanted to kill you?" "I knew it." "So, To not suffer retaliation from the Zhou family, You kidnapped the Shu daughter of Marquis Wei and pushed the me on Zhou Li." Sharpness shed in the unfamiliar Silver Gong''s eyes. *As expected, it was this thing...* Xu Qi''an didn''t panic in the slightest, and even showed some confusion and panic at being wrong, "This humble person can''t understand what the officials are trying to say." "You weren''t at duty in the Changle County office the day Marquis Wei''s Shu daughter was kidnapped. Where did you go?" "This humble person went to the Gon to listen to music. This humble person was indeed negligent in his duty. I often sneak into the Gon to listen to music." Constable Wang and the other bailiffs could testify for him on this matter because everyone was like this. *What''s more, I, a Bailiff from Changle County am absent from work to go to the Gon. What does it have to do with you Nightwatchers?* "Then how do you exin the records? In the records of the office, It shows that you''ve gone to the inner city many times." Li Yuchun said in a deep voice. "This humble person was wronged!" Xu Qi''an widened his eyes and excitedly defended himself, "This humble person has never gone to the inner city, and I''ve never taken an entry permit from the office." *They''re framing me. I have always entered the inner city based on documents given by someone else... And the client for the service is Yang Ling. What does Yang Ling have to do with me, Xu Qi''an?* The two silver gongs interrogated Xu Qi''an for a little time, but they didn''t catch any clues from Xu Qi''an''s words. They surprisedly looked at each other. *In the matter of interrogation, I''m also an expert...* Xu Qi''an breathed a sigh of relief. But when his eyes came over to the torture instruments, he became nervous again. Li Yuchun sighed, "Not bad, If we hadn''t grasped evidence in advance, We might have believed you just based on the conversation before." *He''s framing me again... Quite confidently...* Xu Qi''an remained expressionless. As a graduate of the police academy and a professional who had worked in a police station for several years, Xu Qi''an was quite confident in handling all kinds of interrogation techniques. Unless the other party tries to extract information through torture; that''s another matter. Deputy Zhou had already fallen, and without much evidence, he believed that the Nightwatchers wouldn''t draw out the matter. The unfamiliar Silver Gong took out a small book from his pocket, opened it, nced at Xu Qi''an, and read from it. On the first day of October, Ren-Xu[^1], Xu Qi''an returned from Cloud Deer Academy and bought two gold hairpins from Treasure Pavilion. On the way, he was followed by someone suspected to be from the Zhou Residence. That night, I frightened the assassins from the Zhou family away. On the second day of October, Gui-hai, The female rtives were moved to Cloud Deer Academy to avoid disaster. On the fifth day of October, Bing-yin, He entered the inner city and went to the Jiaofangsi. He stayed overnight at Reflecting Plum Pavilion, and "Gifted to Fuxiang" is suspected to be Xu Qi''an''s work. On the seventh day of October, Wu-chen, He rode on a horse carriage to run into the carriage of Marquis Wei''s Shu daughter, and kidnapped her by an unknown means. The unknown Silver Gong closed the silver book and looked at Xu Qi''an mockingly while sneering at him. Every inch of Xu Qi''an''s body felt cold, as if hecked clothes in the winter of December, and he slowly began to tremble. *The Nightwatchers had been following me... They followed me the day I went to the academy... The Nightwatchers saw all my ns over these days... I''m finished.* *Why would the Nightwatchers follow me? I''m just a small bailiff, It''s unreasonable... Xu Qi''an angrily roared in his heart.* He felt as if he fell into an abyss of despair. Framed the Deputy Minister of Revenue and kidnapped the Marquis''s daughter. These two crimes were enough for anyone to be executed and for their family to be ransacked. Neither the great schrs at Cloud Deer Academy nor the White Cloaks at the Sitianjian could save him. No one could save him from this predicament! I had been very careful and didn''t leave any incriminating evidence, but the Nightwatcher that had followed me witnessed the entire n... Cold sweat dripped from Xu Qi''an''s forehead and It slowly slid across his cheeks and dripped to the ground under the yful and cold gaze of the two silver gongs. Wait a minute! He suddenly noticed an unreasonable detail. Since the Nightwatcher had witnessed the whole process, Why didn''t he expose him? As long as this notebook was exposed, Zhou Li would be able to get rid of the crime. But this knife swung towards the Xu family a month and a halfte. Why did they wait until Deputy Minister Zhou toppled over before inviting me to "drink tea"? Xu Qi''an let out a breath mixed with all kinds of negative emotions, and lowered his eyebrows submissively, "This humble one pleads guilty. Everything was done by this humble one. The two officials can deal with the matter as per your intentions." The stern-faced Silver Gong raised his eyebrows and looked at Li Yuchun. They both smiled. "Very intelligent and perceptive." Li Yuchun smiled and said, "I was testing you before. If you had shown any ws during interrogation or you had lost your cool in front of irond evidence, You would have been granted punishment." After a pause, He restrained his serious face, and his expression became more rxed, "Now, What will be granted to you in an invitation to the Nightwatchers." --- [^1]: These are day names Chapter 62: Aptitude Test Chapter 62: Aptitude Test # 62. Aptitude Test *An invitation to the Nightwatchers for me?* Xu Qian was for a moment in disbelief. He maintained his silence, and did not speak too hastily. You are a talent, I confirmed as much that time back in the back hall of the government hall. Its only that the Nightwatchers have our rules, Refining Qi is our lowest standard. Li Yuchun changed to a very casual sitting pose, much different from the intimidating aura he gave off earlier. As the protectors of the Great Feng, the protectors of His Majesty the Emperor, having high standards is of course, very normal. But you used your own abilities to prove yourself. Even if you are merely Refining Body, the Nightwatchers are still happy to employ you. *Because my actions are dirty enough, my thoughts meticulous enough, so they made an exception to invite me?* *Yes, even during the Tax Silver Case, this half-southern barbarian silver gong showed that he was very appreciative of me.* The stern-faced silver gong added, Of course, the most important reason is that the eldest princess rmended you. *The Eldest Princess!?* Xu Qian had another shock. *Which one is the eldest princess? Why would she rmend me, I dont even know her. Oh I have heard of her at the Cloud Deer Academy.* *But, weve never even seen each other, why would she rmend me to the Nightwatchers.* Xu Qian had a stomach full of questions and confusion, and the two silver gongs seemed to not have any ns to exin further. It was possible that they themselves didnt know the reason. Apart from this, the reason that the two Sirs didnt report me is Li Yuchunughed, You should already know the role of the Nightwatchers. *To supervise the many officials The Deputy Minister Zhou who embezzled silver and grain from the royal coffers was not in the same camp as the Nightwatchers. I could go as far as to say that the fall of Minister Zhou had the Nightwatchers in the background helping fan the mes* Xu Qian had a great realisation. Deputy Minister Zhou would be finished sooner orter. We had already started dealing with him, but your little conspiracy helped us quicken our ns. that stern-faced silver gong said. Li Yuchun nced over at him, Mr Sun, ording to our agreement earlier, I will take this person under my wing, could you give us some room to chat. The silver gong surnamed Sun did not leave, rather squinting at Xu Qian, You have the freedom of choice, to pick him or pick me. Our standing here is not much different, but this person is a stickler for the rules, with zero flexibility. If you be a bronze gong under him, youll live afortable life. If you be a bronze gong under me, in at most three years youll be able to buy a decent courtyard house in the inner city. *Three years of work, for a house in the capital that really is an offer thats hard to turn down* Xu Qian, with a regretful tone, turned down silver gong Suns offer, saying, During the tax silver case, Master Li gave me the opportunity to use my merit to atone for our crimes. This generosity I have always remembered in my heart, and Id like to go under his wing. This was only one of the reasons. The other was that he did not want to go against his own personality, and do too many side deals. Silver gong Sun nodded, and praised him, Knowing how to pay back kindness is good. He left, not showing any reluctance. As the door closed, Li Yuchun pointed to the chair opposite him, smiling in a kindly manner, Sit, let me introduce myself. This official is Li Yuchun, and in the future I will be your boss. You can just call me that. If youre not used to this, calling me Master Li works too. *Can I call you Brother Chun* Xu Qian sat, and with a few reservations, replied Master Li. To work under my banner, you must live up to yourself, this you must remember. Li Yuchun said, and then started introducing the Nightwatcher organisation: In the Nightwatchers, the lowest rank are the White servants. They have no authority, and are responsible for doing odd jobs and administrative tasks. Above them are bronze gongs, are formal members of the Nightwatchers. They must be at least Refining Qi, and their monthly sry is five taels of silver, and two dan of rice. Above them are silver gongs, with the same treatment as a Baihu. Above silver gongs are gold gongs, the highest ranking position. The capital of Feng only has ten gold gongs, and they take orders directly from Duke Wei. Xu Qian nodded, this much wasmon knowledge. Wei Yuan was the absolute head of the Nightwatchers. The responsibilities of the Nightwatchers are to supervise the officials and protect the capital. As for everyday tasks, you can get familiar with them as you go along. Li Yuchun looked deeply at Xu Qian, Youre currently at the peak of Refining Body. I have two suggestions: slowly umte merit, and wait for opportunity. Alternatively, pay four hundred taels of silver, and I will help you open heavens gate. Xu Qian did not as much as hesitate, I choose thetter. Li Yuchun squinted, Youre quite rich eh. Miss Caiwei of the Sitianjian lent it to me. Xu Qian threw the pot onto that big-eyed beauty, with not so much as a red face or a skipped heartbeat. Li Yuchun nodded, Ill first arrange for your registration to be changed, and for all of the paperwork to be sorted. As soon as he stopped talking, he left. After a while, that eyes squinted, smiling young man, and that other serious-faced one came in together. Song Tingfeng[^1] the smiling one introduced himself, and looked Xu Qian up and down, Youre not bad. Soon enough, well be colleagues. Zhu Guangxiao.[^2] The unsmiling young man said, not adding anything else. Xu Qian followed the two of them to the administrative office, to finalise official procedures. On the way, Song Tingfeng chatted with a carefree tone, To work for the boss Li, is all in all not super demanding, theres no intrigue or petty office politics or any crap like that. The bad thing though is that when hauling money, you must be careful. A small amount of corruption is alright, but nothing too serious. Then will you return that thirty taels of silver back to me? Xu Qian earnestly stared at him. Song Tingfeng replied with an even more sincere look, When did I take your money? *piece of shit!* Xu Qian smiled, Oh, I mustve remembered wrong. Oh right, were nning to go to the Jiaofangsi tonight. You want toe with? Song Tingfeng invited. *I hate this rotten officials gossip* Xu Qian replied with a smile, Sure! After formalising all the paperwork, Song Tingfeng lead him all through the constabry, walking and exining: After joining the Nightwatchers, there is still a process, an aptitude test. Aptitude test? Xu Qians mind instantly filled the nks with a picture of his hand on a crystal ball, testing how fortunate he was that day.[^3] Its Duke Weis rules, he set up this process. Song Tingfeng exined, It is split into wisdom, strength, and conscience. As he said, they hade to the front of a building, crossed the tall threshold, and entered the ground floor main hall. On the pirs were written two lines: *With sincere heart serve the world, and not for self nor profit nor greed.* This was written by Duke Wei, to warn and teach us. Song Tingfeng said. Its clear to see that it doesnt have much use. Xu Qian gave him the side-eye, saying pointedly. Song Tingfeng pretended not to understand him, and continued leading him inside, Youre currently Refining Body, so you wont be tested on fighting strength for now. First, testing your knowledge. He summoned the clerk in the hall, and gave out the orders. After a short while, two clerks entered, a brocade-covered box in each of their hands. Song Tingfengughed, Both of them have a box in their hand. One of them is empty, one has an item. You can pick any one of them and ask, but you can only ask one question. Of the two of them, one can only lie, one can only tell the truth. Song Tingfengughed, You have a stick of incenses time to think. I cannot give you any hints. Zhu Guangxiao very tersely reminded, This question is very hard, think carefully. Song Tingfeng nodded, Even though Duke Wei said this was only a little game, but those who can guess correctly are very few. Even thoughter I realised, but this was after that stick of incenses time. Its said that only the gold gongs could realise the answer within twenty breaths. A clerk lit a stick of incense, and put it to one side. *These simple logic problems, I dont know how many Ivee across in my previous life.* Xu Qian turned to ask the one on the left: If you were the other person, what would you tell me about your box? That clerk nked for a moment, as if he didnt think that Xu Qian would ask this type of question. He thought for a long while, and then said sullenly, The box is empty. Xu Qian nodded, and put his hand on the box on the right side, The item is in this box.[^4] Song Tingfeng opened his mouth, as his face stiffened, and he looked to hispanion, How long? Zhu Guangxiaos tone was a bit gloomy, Not counting the time the clerk took, twelve breaths, The air fell silent for a second, before Song Tingfeng psed his hands together, and shook his head helplessly, You can solve the tax silver case, of course these small childrens games wouldnt cause you any issue at all. He knew about Xu Qian; Li Yuchun was one of the main investigators on the tax silver case. At that time, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were outside doing the tiring grunt work of chasing down non-existent yaoguai. After the tax silver case was solved, as a participant in the case, he naturally would have heard about this Xu Qian. --- [^1]: [^2]: [^3]: Aptitude refers to innate aptitude / innate ability. [^4]: If you''re thinking "Hey... that doesn''t sound right... right?", well, I also thought the same thing. And I''m pretty sure the original author got it wrong. But I spent ages thinking in circles and so I''m going to leave it as is. If you can prove it''s wrong, then that''s an L for the author Xiangjun. Chapter 63: Xu Qi’an: I Can Still Be Saved Chapter 63: Xu Qi¡¯an: I Can Still Be Saved # 63. Xu Qian: I Can Still Be Saved "The Conscience Test is located on the upper floors. Just keep climbing the stairs until you reach the top", Song Tingfeng guided him towards the staircase and gestured towards the upper floors. "There is no requirement to pass this level. But you have to remember to follow your heart. If you''re too artificial, Your score will be lowered." "Why am I being scored?" Xu Qi''an asked back. "Why''s your aptitude tested? Among the four ranks of Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding, the higher your aptitude, the easier it is to cultivate you." Song Tingfeng raised his chin, "I am a Yi."[^1] Zhu Guangxiao said, muffled, "I''m a Bing." *I''m a big strong ding...* Xu Qi''an internally memed, and climbed the stairs alone.[^2] When he reached the second floor, he saw a simple bronze mirror hanging on the redcquered pir. The mirror was facing the stairs. His figure was reflected in the mirror. Xu Qi''an''s heart palpitated for no reason, and his muscles tensed without control, Then he rxed slowly. His inner thoughts were settled and his mind became peaceful while he put all fame, wealth, and selfish desires aside. *There''s something wrong with this mirror...* As soon as this thought came up, it settled back down inside his tranquil mind and he didn''t care about it anymore. *I''ve forcibly entered sage mode[^3]...* This idea also settled down in his mind. He turned the corner with ease and came to the hall of the second floor, where a Buddha was enshrined, plump and luxurious. There were tributes alongside the incense holder, and the incense smoke was rising in spirals. An official stood in front of the Buddha, looking at him. Xu Qi''an looked at the Buddha statue calmly a few times, then stopped looking to walk towards the stairs to the third floor. The official watched him leaving and lowered his head to write on paper as if he was evaluating him. ... The third floor was consecrating the *Daozun*, the Daoist Immortal, who was wearing Daoist robes, holding a wooden sword, and stepping on auspicious clouds. There was also an official in front of the statue, observing Xu Qi''an''s arrival quietly. After Xu Qi''an took a few random nces and turned to leave, the official also picked up a pen and wrotements on the paper spread out on the table. ... The fourth floor enshrined the Confucian Sage, who was wearing a Confucian shirt and a Confucian crown while looking into the distance. An official still stood in front of the sage''s statue, looking at Xu Qi''an quietly. *This statue of the saint is the same as the one in Cloud Deer Academy...* Xu Qi''an thought and left without any hesitation. He then came to the highest level- the fifth floor. The fifth floor enshrined a man in a yellow robe. He stood majestically, holding a sword with both hands, and had sword-like eyebrows and star eyes while giving off a lofty aura. Xu Qi''an didn''t know this person but the bright yellow dragon robe said everything about him. A certain emperor of the Great Feng, even, the Founding Emperor. When he came here, he suddenly realized the true meaning of the "Conscience Test". Testing one''s qualifications is merely a part of it. The real meaning is to test a person''s moral quality. *...Fuck, I didn''t pay homage to the Buddha. I didn''t pay homage to the Daozun and I didn''t worship the sage.* *...It doesn''t matter, But I have to worship the one on the fifth floor... If I don''t worship him, I''ll be finished... A person who doesn''t have a lord or father and disrespects gods and buddhas isn''t allowed in this era...* What kind of organization were the Nightwatchers? It was an Espionage Agency directly affiliated with the Emperor. They could be disrespectful to the three religions but not disloyal to the emperor. So, the "Conscience Test" was a screening of one''s moral quality. Xu Qi''an was undoubtedly unqualified. He went up to the fifth floor in one go, without worshipping anyone. *I''m such a human scum. I''ll be kicked out of the Nightwatchers... That''s not all, The crux is that the Nightwatchers know my crime of framing Zhou Li. Who knows if they will turn over this old case?* These thoughts shed in his mind one by one, then they settled down and were automatically ignored by him. Xu Qi''an anxiously resisted the "Sage Mode" and forced himself to bow down to the king. His consciousness and subconsciousness battled each other as his body stiffened and his muscles spasmed and trembled. The official standing in front of the king observed Xu Qi''an for a while, then went downstairs. A few minutester, When the official had returned, Xu Qi''an was still standing there with a stiff and trembling body, as if his hands and feet were cramping. The official looked at Xu Qi''an as if he was looking at a rare animal, and said in a low voice, "I''ve already exchanged appraisals with my colleagues downstairs." The official continued, "When Duke Wei set up the Conscience Test, There were some instructions, If someone doesn''t stop and worship for five floors in a row, he must be a heinous person." *...Elder brother, Please give me another chance!* Xu Qi''an became antsy. "So, Duke Wei gave another chance and set up a sixth pass by himself. But no one had ever gone to that pass." The official looked at Xu Qi''an as if he was a wonder of the world, "You are a scorpion shit, the only one." "Rx, don''t cramp yourself." He said. Xu Qi''an no longer fought against the Sage Mode in his mind and adjusted his mind and stopped his muscles from twitching. Only then did he realize that his back was soaked. He follow the officials around the statue of the emperor and went to a deeper area. Mottled sunlight sprinkled from the hollowed-out windows, finely illuminating the wooden desk in the room. A line of poetry was engraved on the wooden desk. *Killing the chief of millions of soldiers, the sword at the waist is still bloody. Returning with a gold mace in hand, The officials at the cab dare not speak.* *This small poem is quite domineering... Why are you showing me poetry?* Xu Qi''an cast a nce at the silent official and wanted to stuff some cash to get some information from him. He thought about it for a moment, How could a mere official understand the mind of that powerful eunuch? Impossible. *Dont lead yourself down the wrong path, else only death will follow* *A Poem Battle? Impossible. The topic is clearly not apetition for poetic talent. The conscience Test is rted to ideology and morality, So I have to begin from this aspect.* *Since this is a test of ideology and morality, What is Wei Yuan trying to do with this poem?* Xu Qi''an got rid of his distracting thoughts and actively urged his brain. *The sixth pass is arranged for a materialist like me who has no lord nor teacher in his heart and doesn''t respect gods or buddhas.* *Naturally, He wants to dig out some precious ideology and morality from me. If I can''t do it, I''ll be dead.* Precious ideology and morality... Suddenly, Xu Qi''an thought of the couplet in the hall on the first floor. *With sincere heart serve the world, and not for self nor profit nor greed.* *The Nightwatchers have to supervise all officials... Wei Yuan''s poem also has the meaning of serving the country loyally and coercing all officials.* After thinking all this, He suddenly understood what the great eunuch meant. This poem was here not for battling poems but for empathy. If the heinous person with no lord nor teacher was evil, he''ll not be able to fight against his own heart and forcefully write empathic poems in the Conscience Test. On the contrary, if he showed that he still has some good personal character, Wei Yuan was still willing to give him a chance. Xu Qi''an let out a sigh, and stretched out his hand, "Can I be given a brush and ink?" The official handed over a brush and spread rice paper on the wooden desk. Xu Qi''an put the brush on the paper and closed his eyes. *Although I have no king in my heart, I disdain worshipping gods and buddhas, and an a true materialist;* *But I''m not a heinous person. I have justice in my heart and principles on my feet. I''ve never preyed on themon people or relied on my status as a petty official to extort money, Even if that is the norm in society.* *Even if I was desperate for money.* *If you want some empathy, I''llpose a poem as you want me to.* Xu Qi''an wrote without any psychological barriers, in his bad handwriting: *Your food and your money, the flesh and blood of the people. The people are easy to abuse, the heavens are hard to cheat.*[^4] The official looked at the four sentences on the paper in a daze. He collected the rice paper, stared at Xu Qi''an seriously for a while, and said, "The Conscience test is over, sir. Please do as you wish, but don''t leave the office until the resultse out." "The potential of every Nightwatcher needs to be checked by Duke Wei himself, and this small man will send these documents to Duke Wei." He left the floor in a rush, and the sounds of thumping footsteps came from the stairs as he quickly moved. Xu Qi''an felt as if he was exhausted and held on to the wooden desk to catch his breath for a while before following him downstairs. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were waiting for him on the first floor. When they saw Xu Qi''aning downstairs, they smiled and waved, "How many times did you kneel?" He smiled like a fox. The officials who came downstairs didn''t tell them of the process and results. The eyebrows on Zhu Guangxiao''s calm face frowned slightly, "Yourplexion doesn''t look so good." *It''s not just a little bad. I felt as if Ive been on the verge of life and death twice. This is more thrilling than a roller coaster...* Xu Qi''an shook his head tiredly, and said, "I want to find a ce to sit and drink tea while resting." Song Tingfeng raised his eyebrows smilingly, "Should I invite a brothel girl to tap your shoulders and rub your legs?" *You are like those engaged in cross-talk under the bridge...* Xu Qi''an nodded with a smile, "Go to Jiaofang Si and invite Famous Oiran Fuxiang." Song Tingfeng was taken aback, andughed out loudly, "I also had these dreams when I was young." --- [^1]: Jia Yi Bing Ding: the first four of the *heavenly stems.* In Chinese, heavenly stems are used for ranking or numbering, how we would use A B C D or 1st 2nd 3rd 4th. jia is naturally the highest. [^2]: Big strong ding, an able-bodied adult, a conscriptable person. [^3]: Also ng for post-nut rity [^4]: From the Jieshibei Chapter 64: The Many Great Cultivation Paths Chapter 64: The Many Great Cultivation Paths # 64. The Many Great Cultivation Paths The highest tower of the Nightwatcher constabry was the Tower of Noble Spirit in the centre, with a sharp roof, andyers onyers of overhanging rooves, symmetrical on all four sides. The bottom four floors had surrounding walkways, the fifth and sixth had walkways that could also be used as balconies, overlooking the entireplex. That great eunuch, the one named Azure-cloak Wei by the men of the Jianghu, lived in that building. In the tea hall on the seventh floor, on a soft couch, the azure-clothed man halfy there, reading a book. That sky-blue robe was embroidered with intricate cloud motifs, excellent in its craft. His ck hair was held up by a jade hairpin, the hair on his temples starting to whiten. His face was clean, with no sign of stubble, and his eyes were deep, carrying within them the experiences of many years. He had a handsome and refined-looking figure, with a reserved and calcting personality. In the tea room were two more people. One, who was apanying Wei Yuan in drinking tea and reading, was a stern, humourless man, his features so stiff they looked carved, with absolutely no sign of emption. The other had a feminine aura, with a delicate and pretty face, red phoenix eyes, and brows like willow leaves. His lips were thin and red, and if one were to just nce at him, he almost looked like a cross-dressed woman. That effeminate man stood at the balcony, bathing in the warm sunlight, a hand resting on the sword hilt around his waist. He said, The sun is radiant and enchanting, and there are no clouds for a thousand li, is not standing here and looking a the scenery better than hiding inside and reading books? Wei Yuan put down the book in his hand, andughed, The number of books I can read is getting ever smaller. Recently I heard that the Sitiajian acquired a blue-cover book, recording the fundamental attributes of all things. Im very curious. Yang Yan[^1], after ten days is the day His Majesty pays respects to his ancestors. Send a notice down, to increase the number of patrols in the inner city, and reduce the traffic in and out. The stiff-featured man merely grunted assent. The effeminate man let out a breath, Father,[^2] you really have no n topete for the position of Deputy Minister of Revenues, and put one of your people there? This one we must let go. Wei Yuan said, as he looked towards the entrance of the tea room. A blue-clothed clerk entered, head down. Duke Wei, here are the results of this new bronze gongs aptitude test, and his background. Please make your judgement. He handed over a stack of documents. Wei Yuan opened the background check and nced at it. This new bronze gong was called Xu Qian, and was originally a bailiff of Changle County. His father and uncle came from the army. These details were both important and not important. They were important, because the status of the Nightwatchers was very special, and so ones family must be clean for three generations up. Xu Qian was a native of the capital, born and raised. Thus, Xu Qians background was up to standard. They were not important however, because every Nightwatcher had a simr clean background. Underneath the background check were the results of the intelligence test. Wei Yuan nced at it, the corners of his mouth curling, Qianrou, back when you answered this question, how long did you take? The effeminate, flower-like beauty of a man raised his chin, Fifteen breaths, Yang Yan took neen. This new recruit took twelve. *Twelve* The effeminate man raised his eyebrows, andmented haughtily, Not bad. The stiff-faced man did not show any expression, Given that he could solve the tax silver case in such a short time, it is not strange that he has this much intelligence. Wei Yuanughed, and looked at the footnote afterwards, adding The clerk holding the box was in a daze for about five breaths. Impossible. The effeminate man suddenly turned, and walked back inside. Yang Yan frowned. This was to say, that in terms of thinking time, he only took seven breaths. What kind of sharp thinking did he possess? Yang Yan rose, and sped his fists, Father, give this person to me. Hes already under you; hes under the silver gong Li Yuchun. Wei Yuan put down his teacup, and looked towards the effeminate man, Youve seen him, that day at the Sitianjian. *Sitianjian* the effeminate man thought for a few seconds, and then sneered, Him? The one with that wild and arrogant tongue. As soon as Yang Yan heard that this new bronze gong was under Li Yuchun, he nodded approvingly. Every gold gongmanded seven silver gongs, and Li Yuchun was under his banner. Father, how is he in battle? Yang Yan asked. Peak of Refining Body, theres no point in testing him, Wei Yuanughed, This person was rmended by the eldest princess. I think his thoughts are thorough, and hes very able, so I specially let him join the Nightwatchers. The eldest princess!? Yang Yan and the effeminate man exchanged looks; Wei Yuan did not tell them about this beforehand. Wei Yuan continued to read through the conscience test results, and slowly, his kindly expression became serious, as his deep gaze became sharp. Yang Yan stretched his back, and looked at the paper. The effeminate man instead brazenly walked over to Wei Yuans side, sticking his neck out to look. He immediatelyughed, Hes even crazier than me. Father, how do we deal with him? His smile carried within it a heavy amount of schadenfreude. Wei Yuan pulled out the bottom most piece of paper, and upon it was written in ugly characters: *Your food and your money, the flesh and blood of the people. The people are easy to abuse, the heavens are hard to cheat.* Azure-cloak Weis pupils suddenly froze, as he stared at the two sentences, not speaking for a long time. The people are easy to abuse, the heavens are hard to cheat Yang Yan repeated this line. The effeminate mans gaze flickered slightly, as he recovered from a brief moment of shock, his focus and Yang Yans on opposite lines: Your food and your money, the flesh and blood of the people heh, so this small bailiff thinks hes eating from the hands of themon people, and not from the emperor. Yang Yan thought for a moment, and asked, What does father think? Wei Yuan asked back, What do you think? Yan Yuan thought for a moment, We eat our rulers sry, and take on his worries. Implied in his words were that he did not agree with this sentence. Wei Yuan nodded, One day in the future, when that small bronze gong rises to be a gold gong, you can debate that with him yourself. The effeminate man raised his eyebrows, Does father think that this kid will be a gold gong one day? As long as he is a martial artist, then there will be no problem. Wei Yuans smile was kindly, The three sects all have their rules; the Arcanists are restrained by the fortune of humanity, the Shamans and Warlocks also. Upon this world, only the martial artists are the purest. Even though I despise martial artists breakingws with force, I cannot but admit that the more proud and arrogant a martial cultivator, the faster they will progress. They only when they respect nothing, fear nothing, can they upturn yin and yang. Wei yuan pulled out a new ink stone from under the table, and poured into it cinnabar pigment and water. Making it into ink, he dipped his pen in. On the background check he wrote two words: Upper Jia. A martial artist, arrogant and unrestrained, wants to be the hero of the world. The greatest hero, is one which serves a country and its people. Upper Jia! Since the founding of the Nightwatchers, the people who ever got that rank could be counted on one hand. A secret room, somewhere. Li Yuchun pointed to the wooden tub, Strip, and sit inside. *Finally, I can reach Refining Qi* Xu Qian calmed the excitement in his heart, and looked at the bathtub, filled with an inky green liquid, the vapours irritating his nose. This little thing was called marrow-washing liquid. Just this tub was worth about a hundred and fifty taels of silver. He quickly took off his robe, trousers, shoes, and sat in the bathtub, naked. Li Yuchun asked, You have not lost your virginity? Xu Qian nodded, My second uncle is a Baihu of the city guard. He told me, that before Refining Qi, I was not to lose my virginity. He leant backfortably in the bathtub, asking, Boss, youre Refining Spirit? Li Yuchun grunted a yes. After Refining Spirit, is Copper Skin and Iron Bones, right? Li Yuchun grunted again. Xu Qianughed, The name sounds awkward, why isnt it called Diamond Body? *Copper Skin and Iron Bones was too low, it makes us martial artists seem like cultureless buffoons.* The Buddhist third rank is called Diamond Body. *So thats why!* Xu Qian nodded, as he further asked for knowledge, Boss, of all the cultivation paths in the world, which one is the strongest? Li Yuchun said without hesitation, The Daoists say, they are the strongest. How about the others? They all say they are the strongest. Oh I get it. But under heaven, all cultivation groups have onemon point of agreement, that martial artists are the most vulgar, and dont deserve any limelight. I do know about this, because martial artists only have extreme strength, and not any magic. Theyre not mboyant enough. This is only whats on the surface. Within, theres a greater secret, that touches on the upper limit of cultivation. Xu Qian straightened his back, asking, Boss, can you tell me? --- A breath is a set amount of time, just under a second. [^1]: [^2]: Wei Yuan is Yang Yan and Nangong Qianrou (this person)s adoptive father. Chapter 65: Peerless Talent!? Chapter 65: Peerless Talent!? # 65. Peerless Talent!? Li Yuchun, who was sitting in the chair in front of the bathtub, nodded, "You can go to the book pavilion to learn about this information when you have time." "However, since I have to watch you here anyway, I''ll talk to you. Do you believe that first rank is the limit of a system?" Xu Qian nodded The ranks of the major cultivation systems were originally vague, and there weren''t any clear-cut standards. It wasn''t until theter years of the Sage that he divided the world''s practice systems into nine ranks, which have been used to this day. "However, the sage didn''t include himself in the realms divided." "Why so?" Xu Qi''an asked. "Let me finish speaking." Li Yuchun continued, There were four other people beyond the ranking system, the Gu God, the God of Warlocks, the Daozun and the Buddha. "They were all said to be immortal and invincible." Xu Qi''an understood it now, "Gods and Buddhas aren''t ranked... Wait, There are really gods in this world!" Li Yuchun shook his head, "I don''t know." Xu Qi''an thought for a while and made a guess "I heard that the Sage only lived to be eighty two. He should have lived forever ording to you, Boss. So, there should be some exaggeration in the facts." Li Yuchun didn''t answer him since there wasn''t an answer to the question. Since ancient times, tales of immortals have spread throughout the world, and immortality had be the lifelong wish of every ruler. But, Who dared to say that he had seen an immortal in the flesh? "Other systems have a Beyond-Rank, but martial artists do not. Rank one martial artists are the strongest of the bunch." *So, everyone says that martial arts is a vulgar system...* Xu Qi''an suddenly noticed a problem "No, there are also the Arcanists in Sitianjian." Li Yuchun nodded, "But it is also undeniable that the arcanists have contributed the most to society out of every system." Xu Qi''an also knew it was true. The ninth rank arcanists were healers who could rejuvenate with their hands, save lives and treat the wounded. Seventh rank arcanists were Masters of Feng Shui, who could study the terrain and choose cemeteries formon people, royals and nobles, and have performed outstanding contributions in urban nning. Sixth Rank Arcanists, Masters of Alchemy have greatly contributed to promotion of social development and meeting the material needs of themon people. They have made a great contribution to industry and handicrafts of this era. Song Qing was one of them, and he has devoted himself into the cause of "Beast-people". Xu Qi''an sometimes felt that he had transmigrated a bit early, and if he waited until a few decadester, he might as well be able to write a book *Isekai Interspecies Reviews*[^1] In addition, Xu Qi''an also knew that the arcanists in Sitianjian were responsible for updating and formting the calendars. For an agricultural civilization, calendars were very important and were directly rted to the harvest. Compared to the other systems, Arcanists were simply role models in terms of contributing to the civilization, country and people. "Boss, I''m hurting all of a sudden." Xu Qi''an frowned. The medicine infiltrated his pores as if they were fine needles and made his whole body tingle. "It''s good to hurt. It means that your tendons are being washed and your marrow is being purified." Li Yuchun said, After a stick of incense, you''ll feel as if you''re being hacked into pieces. That''s the moment when I will open the gate of heaven for you. "You can talk to distract yourself from the pain." Xu Qi''an nodded, "So, has his Majesty devoted himself to cultivate Daoism for more than 20 years in order to live forever?" It was well known throughout the country that his majesty had appointed a stunning Daoist Nun as the kingdoms high chain, and devoted himself to seeking the Dao for more than 20 years. Even some down and out literati have written about the love affair between his majesty and the stunning Daoist Nun... their ending was of course to be sanctioned by the Mythical River Crab Monster.[^2] "However, even if martial artists don''t have any beyond ranks, they should be able to prolong their lives, right? Isn''t it good to concentrate on martial arts instead of chasing some illusory immortality." Regarding Xu Qians view, Li Yuchun asked back "When did youpletely refine your body?'' "When I was Seventeen year old." Xu Qi''an said. He''d been stuck at the peak of Refining Body for two full years by now. "It''s a little slower. A child from an aristocratic family with sufficient resources could reach the peak of Refining Body at the age of sixteen. Considering the problem of physical development, fifteen years is the lowest age to refine one''s body." Li Yuchun said. "However, even these children from aristocratic families can''t reach the qi refining state smoothly, since there''s the issue of resisting beauty alongside daily physical conditioning they need to take care of. The more luxurious their life is, the harder it is for them to, say, fall for beauty." *I get it, I get it...* *that Miss Fuxiang will scold me sooner orter for being inferior to a beast. I''ll let her know what rectification via whip means tonight!* Xu Qi''an felt the same. The original Xu Qi''an was a martial idiot and had a bull headed stubborn personality. Only a person with this kind of personality could condition their body everyday andy a solid foundation for martial arts. Even so, the original Xu Qi''an fought fiercely with his hands daily, not giving any chance to his left or right hand. If Xu Qi''an now had to do it himself, he couldn''t guarantee that he could persist for so many years, let alone settle his mind in front of beauty. After all, although men usually use their upper head to think, the lower head without a brain had their most fundamental personality. Gradually, Xu Qi''an''s interest in talking started to wane, even if he was chatting about knowledge of cultivation he was most interested in. His brows began to furrow deeper, and the pain also began to exceed the limits of his endurance. "This is almost enough. The function of the medicinal bath is to stimte your body and to awaken dormant energy." Li Yuchun got up, put one hand above Xu Qi''an''s head and spoke in a deep voice. "Opening heavens gate is very difficult. If you have a good aptitude, I''ll only need to run qi through your body for three microcosmic orbits[^3], and you''ll be able to find out the qi by yourself and move it inside and out freely. "What about those with poor aptitudes?" Xu Qi''an asked worriedly. "The worse the aptitude, the more qi needs to cycle inside. The limit of a ordinary person is nine orbits. In other words, if you can''t sense your own qi by the eighth orbit you''re not suitable for practicing martial arts." Li Yuchun stared at him, I''m anticipating your aptitude very much. After he finished speaking, he closed his eyes and stopped talking. Immediately afterwards Xu Qi''an felt a warm current pouring in from the *baihui* acupoint[^4], sinking into his dantian and swimming around his limbs. His body seemed to have memorized the route by itself, and after running an orbit, he managed to sense and grasp the qi himself, leaving the guides and taking flight on his own. ... Li Yuchun opened his eyes and looked at the young man in the bathtub with a slightly nk look. Xu Qi''an returned a nk look at him, "It seems to be quite simple..." Li Yuchun"..." "Try running it yourself for a few more orbits, and I''ll see how it goes.", That''s all LI Yuchun could say. Afterpleting a three orbits, Xu Qi''an opened his eyes. He didn''t have a mirror, so he couldn''t see the slight transformation he had undergone, after stepping into Refining Qi. Firstly, his eyes were brighter, as if they were stars. The change in eyes alone made his charm better. Secondly, His temperament had became solemn, more restrained, like a deep pool in the high mountains. Finally, his skin had changed. The medicine had soaked his skin and stimted his pores to eliminate impurities hidden in his skin like ckheads. The flushed skin exuded a delicate feeing. Feeling the new energy contained in his body, Xu Qi''an stretched his limbs, raised his hand, and pushed his palm towards the window. Thettice window cracked open with a "bang" Release of Qi is the ability of Refining Qi. If he had held a sword just now, Xu Qi''an would have able to stimte dao or jian sword energy. Of course, the power generated wouldn''t be too great, since he had just entered Refining Qi. Those in the peak of Refining Qi like second uncle could cut through walls with a knife and control objects in the air. "Very good!" Li Yuchun nodded without showing any expression. "You continue to run orbits. Cirction is the method to cultivate a strong Qi, and you shouldn''t rx your body." After speaking, the left the room. The moment he left the room, Brother Chuns mind was filled with thoughts of "Impossible!". Li Yuchun turned his head to look at the cracked window, and his mouth twitched. *Peerless Talent!?* *I met one so easily?* *Right, his aptitude test is also over. I''ll go and ask Duke Wei about his rating.* *If it''s below Yi, Adding on the talent of discovering Qi after a single microcosmic orbit could elevate it to Yi.* In this way, the resources he got would also increase. *If it''s Yi, maybe it can be elevated to Jia. Jia is the aptitude required by a golden gong. He''ll be a key training target of the Nightwatchers.* *He hasn''t gone through thebat power assessment yet. It''s impossible for him to get to Yi rank without it. I''m just overthinking.* After leaving the courtyard, he directly went to the headquarters of the Nightwatchers, the towering proud building. After being allowed to enter by the officials in the building, Li Yuchun came to the second floor and saw his immediate superior and his superior. Yang Yan nodded at him. The feminine man turned his head to look at the scenery outside the building, uninterested. "Duke Wei!" He bent a full 90 degrees with a humble attitude. "We were talking about you. You''re lucky to recruit such a talent." Wei Yuan smiled gently. *Huh?* *Lucky to get a talent... This should be Xu Qi''an. Duke Wei praised him so? But I havent told him about the one orbit refining qi...* Puzzled, Li Yuchun said respectfully "This small man wants to know Xu Qi''an''s rating, so I can report a small incident to Duke Wei." --- [^1]: Interspecies reviews: /read-he9er158504849820) (Absolutely NSFW) [^2]: River crab (pr. Hexie), which sounds simr to to Harmonise (pr. Hexie), a euphemism in Chinese inte for being censored. [^3]: See [Microcosmic Orbit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcosmic_orbit) [^4]: TCM: Baihui is on the temple. Chapter 66: A Sudden Assignment Chapter 66: A Sudden Assignment # 66. A Sudden Assignment Since he is under your banner, you are indeed entitled to know his rating. Wei Yuans tone was kindly, But dont think too much about it, dont worry too much about it, treat it with a regr attitude. Of course, remember to not show off about it. The first sentence was normal, but the second one made Li Yuchun confused. *What did Duke Wei mean? Treat it with a regr attitude, dont worry too much about it is it saying that Xu Qians rating was too low, and for me to not develop feelings of hate and derision?* *But why did he tell me not to show off? With Duke Weis status, he shouldnt be so protective of a little bronze gong* Li Yuchun frowned slightly, not being able to guess what the great eunuch meant. Wei Yuan opened the background check, and pushed it across the table, See for yourself. Li Yuchuns gaze fell on the document, seeing two bright red characters: Upper Jia! Brother Chun nearly lost the ability to control his emotions, replying in shock, Duke Wei? *Upper Jia!* *How could it be upper jia!* *Ive served in the Nightwatchers for over ten years, and Ive never seen an Upper Jia rating. Even gold gongs only ever got a rating of Jia.* *What sort of ranking would get Upper Jia?* *No wonder he told me to not spread the word. If this were to get out, he would be torn apart.* *Which Nightwatcher would admit defeat?* At the same time, Li Yuchun discovered something not quite right. The aptitude test had three hurdles: intelligence, strength, and conscience. Xu Qian was Refining Body, and so naturally did not meet the requirements for the strength test. *Then, if I add on his prodigious talent in refining qi, will his rating go even higher? Wouldnt he have already surpassed Duke Weis ranking system would Duke Wei give a new ranking, or keep the current one?* Reaching this point, Li Yuchuns mood red up slightly. Wei Yuan closed the document, and said nonchntly Remember, keep your mouth shut like a bottle. What do you have to report to me? Li Yuchun slowly exhaled, and after searching around for the right words, said, I have already opened heavens gate for Xu Qian. As per the rules, I received four hundred taels in payment. Wei Yuan replied, Return it back. A talent of Upper Jia, he would of course be given preferential treatment and resources. What was the point of the ranking system if even he would have to pay for opening heavens gate? Li Yuchun nodded. Wei Yuan nced at him,ughing, A decent natural talent? How many orbits did it take him to grasp his own qi? Yang Yan and the effeminate man, both having taken three orbits, was rather interested in what he had to say, and stared at Li Yuchun. One as Li Yuchun spoke, he closely examined the three higher-ups faces. Their expressions were all different; Yang Yans never-changing stern carved face, showed a rare state of shock. The effeminate man walked from the balcony back into the tea room, his cold gaze scanning Li Yuchun up and down, as heughed icily, Impossible. His reaction was the most extreme. As for the always gentle and refined Wei Yuan, he was momentarily dazed. Li Yuchun silently lowered his head, incredibly satisfied at their threes expressions. You are dismissed. Wei Yuan looked as Li Yuchun left the room, then turned to look at his two adoptive sons, How do you feel? Yang Yan thought deeply for a moment, Do we need to pay special attention? Wei Yuan shook his head, Theres no need to pull a sprout to help it grow. Lets just see first. He then turned to the effeminate young man,ughing He and you are roughly simr ages. Today, he absolutely cannot be put on the same level as you, butter on, whos to say? Good, itll give you some encouragement. The effeminate, beautiful young man nodded. Li Yuchun exited the Tower of Noble Spirit, and on his way passing by a few silver gongs. Mr Li, why are youughing so much? Li Yuchun instinctively touched his face, finding that the corners of his mouth were nearly at his ears. A small matter, a small matter he waved his hand, smiling and walking away. Xu Qian got someone to take a letter for him back home, whilst he himself remained at the Nightwatchers constabry, reverse-breathing[^1] and cycling qi around his body. He clearly sensed the benefit cycling qi around his body did him, making his cells more lively, making his spirit more vigorous. His body and strength all increased at a rate that made a person very pleased indeed. This state carried on until dusk, before finally stopping, implying that the immediate benefit of his reaching Refining Qi had ended. At my current state, I could beat ten of past me. All this time when uncle and I were sparring, he wasnt really paying any mind, and still he pretended to be fully concentrating. If he were to use his full power, I may have died then and there. Xu Qian absent-mindedly threw a few punches, a strong wind howling with them. His state was the best it had ever been. He gathered qi energy in his fists, made a low stance, and punched through the air at the ground. Bang! The ground gave off a muffled bang, and cracked into a spiderweb of thin lines. Dust swirled around the air. The Xu Manor. Xu Xinnian frowned, pacing back and forth in the back hall. Xu Pingzhi sat in a chair, face solemn, silent. Auntie looked at her eldest daughter, her skirt hem in her hand, eyes red, silken brows furrowed into a big knot. Feeling her mothers gaze, Xu Lingyue pouted, and said with a sob, Mum Dont walk back and forth, youre making my head hurt. Auntie scolded her son frustratedly, before tentatively asking, Husband dear? Lets wait for information. He was taken by the Nightwatchers, doing nothing is our best choice. Uncle Xu said solemnly. Auntie bit her vibrant lip, and suddenly stamped her foot, saying angrily, Going around and asking your connections would be better than just sitting here. Xu Xinnian, frowning, said, What connections? The end goal of the Nightwatchers is stil unknown, its not time yet for that. You only know how to make a scene, only know how to make a scene! Auntie shouted. The fist hidden in her sleeve was clenched into a tight fist. At this time, the gatekeeper Zhang ran in, and not even reaching the hall, his sound could be heard, Master, Dng has sent a messenger. Xu Xinnian got to him first, and the entire family stood up from their chairs. Xu Lingyue rushed towards the door, her skirt flying, anxiously staring at the gatekeeper Old Zhang. Old Zhang stood at the front step of the hall, and said, Dng said, that he has be a Nightwatcher, and wouldnt being home tonight. Dont worry about him. *Has be a Nightwatcher* Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian looked at each other, stupefied. In thepany of the squinting man and the solemn-faced man, Xu Qian managed to acquire from the office a not quite fitting uniform, a waist amulet token, a bronze gong, and a long dao sword. You still need to wait two days for a uniform thats made to fit this bronze gong is a magical item exclusively made for the Nightwatchers. Song Tingfeng chewed on sweets, exining, It has two uses: first, tying it around your chest, it makes a very good shield, protecting your vital organs. It can protect against the full-strength strike of a Refining Qi master. Secondly, by hitting the gong, the sound waves given out can affect an enemys attentiveness, causing them to be dizzy and get a headache. *Sounds good, but the protective mirror that Song Qing gave to me can withstand three strikes from a Refining Spirit, and one strike from a Copper Skin and Iron Bones eh, is this not a more powerful version of the bronze gong?* Xu Qian had a thought, This is from the Sitianjian? Naturally, only the Sitianjians fourth rank Master of Formations could make such magical items. Tomorrow,e at 6 AM sharp for the headcount. Boss said that youll stick with us in the future. A squad of Nightwatchers at its fewest is two people, and at its most four, being stationed around different parts of the capital. Normally, every three days, your station is changed. Me and Guangxiao have just finished our night shift, and these three days all have day patrols. What area are you stationed? Xu Qian was somewhat reluctant; a night shift was more taxing than even a 996. The area is decided on the day, every single shift change we could be stationed anywhere. This is to prevent any less morally inclined Nightwatchers to take advantage of the situation and oversee their own burry. Song Tingfengughed. Stealing silver, or picking flowers. Of course, cases of these are few and far between, but we must nheless prevent against it. Xu Qian nodded, Every department has their bad apples. Just then, a clerk hurried over, saying Master Song, Master Zhu, Silver Gong Li is summoning you. *Brother Chun wants us* Xu Qian followed his two colleagues, and went to Li Yuchuns office together. Every silver gong had their own office, being called a hall. In this era, offices were called seating halls. Silver gongs would usually not go out and patrol; this was the work of the lower rank bronze gongs. Li Yuchuns office was called Spring Breeze[^2] hall. *The room is clean and without odour all the documents are tidily organised the flower pattern on the two porcin cups face the same way the arrangement of the pottery was simrly without fault Brother Chun is really a delicate old guy huh.* Xu Qian scanned Spring Breeze Hall. In the wide and spacious room, Li Yuchun sat in front of his desk, pushing a dossier to the other side of the table. Yaoguai were spotted in Dahuang mountain, in Taikang county, there have been many people eaten. You three go over and have a look, and get to the bottom of this case. If the monster is not too powerful, then kill it on the spot. The government Yamen officials will assist with the case. Theyre already waiting outside. Mm, Xu Qian you go too, get some experience. You havent had your strength test, then so will be a good recement. *Monsters eating people I just got hired and already this happens!?* *Am I a European Emperor or an African Chief?* --- [^1]: See [Reverse Breathing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_breathing) [^2]: Chunfeng, same Chun as in Yuchun. Chapter 67: Analysing the Case Chapter 67: Analysing the Case # 67. Analysing the Case There were two counties in the capital, Taikang, and Changle. Song Tingfeng opened the dossier to read it. Xu Qi''an and Zhu Guangxiao stood alongside him to look at the file together. The contents of the dossier were as follows: *The Dahuang Mountain range is situated in the northern region of Taikang county, stretching dozens of li. The range boasts a majestic peak, rising over 1000 meters in height, and contains arge amount of lime containing rock.* *It provides for the livelihoods of hundreds of Huihu in the surrounding area.* Huihu referred to the artisans who quarried and processed lime. *Since the middle of the year, a monster came out of the river in the region around Dahuang Mountain. It often went ashore to get food, and many huihu had been killed by the monster.* "Details arecking..." Xu Qi''an, a veteran criminal investigator, judged after reading the dossier. *This case should have just been reported, so we need to investigate and improve the dossier.* Li Yuchun nced at the three, and said seriously," Xu Ningyan, move your de 2 inches up, and your gong isn''t straight enough, tilt it one inch to the left." *...Psycho, You havete-stage OCD, don''t you?* Xu Qi''an said, "Yes!" Upon walking out of Spring Breeze Hall, Xu Qi''an suddenly felt a lump under his feet just after passing the door. So, he naturally lowered his head to pick it up, but he suddenly stiffened. Silver heavier too. "Let''s go." Song Tingfeng turned his head and urged. "Ah, Ok." Xu Qi''an put the broken silver into his robe and followed him. ... Inside the hall, Li Yuchun took out his purse from a box, hung it on his waist, and was about to go out when he frowned suddenly. He opened the purse and poured out a pile of broken silver and counted them carefully, his frown getting deeper, "I lost three cash..." As a person who was ridiculed to be very stingy, losing three cash of silver was enough to hurt him till dark. The three of them met the bailiffs from the capital prefecture outside the Nightwatchers constabry. They were also three people. The leader was actually a woman, and the other two were rather young looking. The three bailiffs uniforms weren''t much different than Xu Qi''an''s when he was a fast bailiff, with a ck base and red lining around the cuffs. However, their chests were not adorned with the word "Bu" but instead had a mythical Bi''an[^1] embroidered upon them. *One in Refining Qi, and two in Refining Body...* Xu Qi''an observed the three of them calmly. The leading woman sped her fists and said, "Three sirs, this lowly official is Lyu Qing[^2]. I''ve assigned people to lead horses to the gate of the city. Let''s get in the carriage and talk." Horses were for hurrying along, and the carriage was to give everyone space to talk about things along the way. The Nightwatchers held a prestigious position, and otherw enforcement officials held a lower rank inparison. Despite the woman in Refining Qi addressing them as "sir," she carried herself with an attitude that was neither humble nor overbearing. A spacious carriage that couldfortably fit six people was parked on the side of the street. The three Nightwatchers sat on one side while the three from the prefecture office sat on the other side, clearly distinguishing from each other. Song Tingfeng introduced himself with a smile, and also introduced Zhu Guangxiao and Xu Qi''an. "You should be familiar with this guy. He was imprisoned in the Prefecture Office during the Silver Tax Case." The three from the Capital Prefecture carefully examined Xu Qi''an. The female officer named Lyu Qing cupped her fists and said, "I''ve heard a lot about you." The Silver Tax case was handled by the Capital Prefecture Constabry. As the Constable, She remembered Xu Qi''an. At that time, she felt that this person was quite capable, and she repeatedly persuaded the Prefecture Governor to recruit him into the capital office... Lyu Qing sighed with regret upon finding out that Xu Qi''an had be a Nightwatcher. Xu Qi''an said a few humble words while silently observing the constable. It''s quite rare for a woman to be a Constable. Not all women in the Great Feng were raised in the boudoir; the government office would cultivate some talented females in their jurisdiction. The constable looked good, she was probably in her early thirties. Her eyebrows looked thinner than normal girls, which made her look quite heroic. Her graceful figure revealed the vigor of a female leopard. Her chest was plump and swollen. She wouldve been wearing chest bindings. Speaking of the matter, Xu Qi''an didn''t know until now why the Silver Tax case wasn''t handed over to the Ministry of Justice and was instead handled by the Government office and the Nightwatchers together. He was quite perplexed by it at first. It should be because Deputy Zhou had party members in the Ministry of Justice, and they could conspire together. He hadn''t realized these details until now. The contents of the dossier are simple, and many details aren''t clear. This case was handled by your office first. Let''s discuss your findings. Song Tingfeng said. "When exactly did the monster appear?" "June and July." The woman''s voice was misty and very maic. "Does anyone know the monster''s appearance?" Song Tingfeng asked again. In the beginning, the huihu in the surroundings often disappeared. When their family searched, they found the monster''s paw prints alongside bloodstains by the riverbank. After that, huihu disappeared concurrently, and there were more and more paw prints in the river bank... "The vige chief gathered huihu to casts along the river to hunt down the monster, but it didn''t work and thes were easily bitten through..." *It should be an amphibian.* Xu Qi''an thought. After listening, Song Tingfeng frowned and asked, "I''m puzzled. Why did they report the incident in June and July now?" "The monster only devoured the huihu that entered the mountain and didn''t attack the viges. So, the magistrate of Taikang didn''t care about it at first. When more and more people died, he sent some bailiffs to join the huihu in hunting down the monster, but nothing was found." While talking, Lyu Qing frequently looked at Xu Qi''an in anticipation. To her disappointment, this talent who solved the Silver Tax case maintained his silence, frowning. "After a few attempts, the magistrate of Taikang County became unwilling to take care of it anymore. In other words, since the Official Evaluation was approaching, he nned to suppress the matter instead of handling it." Zhu Guangxiao said in a deep voice, "Why was the case reported again, then?" Lu Qing became silent for a while, and said, "The huihu didn''t dare to go up the mountain for lime, but they still had to pay the tax. They didn''t have any other alternative, so they took a long way into the mountain that avoided the river. Then, an ident happened..." "The more than 20 people who went up into the mountain to mine lime didn''te back. The huihu nearby didn''t have any other choice, so they filed it against the Capital Government. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao looked at each other in silence. tuk tuk... Right then, Xu Qi''an knocked on the long stool, looked at the three from the capital office, and asked, "Do you have a map of Dahuang Mountain and the nearby viges?" "We have brought it. Upon considering that the rank of the monster is unknown, we nned to investigate on our own at first. We also didn''t take any of the local huihu with us to avoid idents." Lu Qing stared at her colleague who was sitting at the side, and he took out a rolled map from the bag he was carrying. Xu Qi''an took out the map and slowly unfolded it. It was a map of the Dahuang Mountain Range. After looking at it carefully for a while, Xu Qi''an said, "I have a guess I think I should tell you all." Everyone in the carriage looked over at him, and Song Tingfeng squinted his eyes with a smile. The eyes of the female constable brightened slightly, and she became upright, "Please tell me." Xu Qi''an said, "It attacks people regrly. In other words, it has a strong purpose. This may not be a simple disturbance by monsters." Lu Qing squeezed her exquisite eyebrows, "Why would you say that?" At the beginning, It only devoured the huihu near the river, and then it began to expand its range, radiating outwards from both sides of the river until it went to the mountains and devoured the huihu there. This isn''t purely for hunting. Firstly, the river below the Dahuang Mountain Range stretches for hundreds of miles, and there''s no shortage of fish and shrimp in the river. The choice of food for a beast is determined by its environment, not its own taste. If there isn''t any shortage of food around the area, it''ll never go far away. Why would it go to the mountains to hunt people if it could get food in the river. Secondly, if it is a monster with intelligence, and likes eating people, unlike wild animals, then there''s no chance that it will not discover the nearby viges. However, it hasn''t done that. It only devours those huihu that enter Dahuang Mountain''s vicinity. "ording to the analysis of its behavioural psychology, It has some type of conscious drive." *Behavioral Psychology?* Lyu Qing pondered, "Territorial expansion?" Without waiting for Xu Qi''an to give an answer, Song Tingfeng shook his head, "No, If it had intelligence, it''d never set up territory in this manner. Setting up territory in the suburbs of the capital is no different than courting death. If it was a ferocious beast, it wouldn''t drive away the huihu." Lyu Qing thought about it for a while, her pupils shrinking slightly, "Is there something in Great Yellow Mountain it''s concerned about?" A brief silence loomed in the carriage. --- *Author Note:* Later, I''ll write a "Great Feng''s Famous Oiran Appraisal Guide" in the official ount. Well, I won''t write it, but I invite enthusiastic readers to write it. [^1]: Bian: A dragon-tiger beast, representing the might of rule ofw. [^2]: Chapter 68: Mine Chapter 68: Mine # 68. Mine The carriage quickly left the inner city, and a few good riding horses had been leashed at the city gate by a group of servants, especially for officials. The group of people switched to quick riding horse, and rode thorough the outer cities, passing markets and residential areas, leaving the outer city in only an hour. The six horses immediately increased their speed, and galloped with fury towards Dahuang Mountain. *Government horses are always the quick ones, these are nearly going at fifty km/h, could any of the horses in my past life even run this quick?* Xu Qian muttered internally. *Is this like in novels where different creatures have different amounts of natural spiritual energy, thus are different in quality?* This guess had a point; refining qi was already itself a way using reverse breathing to orbit ones qi around ones body. They reached the foothills of Dahuang Mountain by the morning, and stopped beside the main road, leashing their horses to branches beside the road, and having a cold lunch. Afterwards, they followed a small winding trail into the mountain. The six of them rushed up the path, and after fifteen minutes, came to the river that flowed around the foot of Dahuang Mountain. They searched along the river for a short while, before finding a few faint footprints, about three feet long, one and a half wide, and with four toes. Lyu Qing and her two colleagues took off the packs they were carrying, and drew out some gunpowder satchels, giving them to the three Nightwatchers: Taking the w print as the centre, well drop gunpowder satchels downstream. You go upstream and see if you can force the monster out of the river. This was a strategy that they had nned in advance. The Great Feng held a tight control over gunpowder: its recipe was secret, and all of its raw resource industry was monopolised by the state. Even the Nightwatchers, along with Lyu Qing and her prefecture constabry bailiffs, only knew a bit about how gunpowder was made. And they had to smell it out. Both sides lit their gunpowder satchels, and threw them into the river. Bang! Muffled explosions sounded, and river water was sprayed several zhang into the sky. Very quickly, the gunpowder satchels ran out, and the group of people stood by the turbulent current, watching for a long while. However, there were no sign of any beastsing to the surface. It would be great if we had the help of the Sitianjian Arcanists, Xu Qian sighed. A Qi-watcher could locate the position of a hidden monster by looking for its specific qi. Song Tingfeng snorted, and said in a low voice The Sitianjian Arcanists are even more high and mighty than us Nightwatchers; they only listen to His Majesty. You dont have any hope of getting them to act for such a small case. *The Sitianjian Arcanists are high and mighty? I beg do differ; you havent seen them looking at me with a face full of admiration.* Xu Qian nodded, Mm. The two sides came back together, and Song Tingfeng shrugged, It seems that it wonte out. My suggestion is to go investigate further up the mountain. If Dahuang Mountain really has something, that is. Xu Qian added, First, lets investigate the area where the huihu were harvesting lime. Lyu Qing silently nodded. The two parties entered the mountain one after the other, several dozen metres between them. Song Tingfeng poked his lip towards Lyu Qings back, This female constable has a smashing body. Look at that arse, tight and firm. Her thighs have power, they could squeeze the soul out of your body. Even if the women of the Jiaofangsi are juicy, theyre too soft and submissive. *Agree from me, and especially these kind of female martial artists, they have firm abs, well defined curves and tight thighs, even a hint of a six pack makes me think of my waifu Tifa* Xu Qian hesitated for a moment, But it seems shes used to binding her chest. This isnt good, itll make her breasts change shape, and hang down. Song Tingfeng did a double take, andughed uproariously, Of course you noticed too, Ive beencking such an interestingpanion like you. This Zhu Guangxiao is a stuffy gourd that you cant beat a fart out of with three sticks. For men, such crude talk was forever an interesting and also time consuming topic of enjoyment. Zhu Guangxiao gave him a look, and stuffily remained silent. The Huihu mostly harvested lime on the main peak of Dahuang Mountain. The line of people could see the mountain peak, with its bare stones, like spots growing on a persons face. Year after year of harvesting, had put numerous scars upon this mountainside. They searched aimlessly across the mountainside for a long time, yet did not find anything of value. Whilst they were sat together drinking water, Lyu Qing said, Not only does Dahuang Mountain have rich lime deposits, it also has extremely bountiful nt life, many of which can be cut down and turned into fuel. The huihu thought this was more convenient, and so wherever they went, they dug their pits and refined their lime there. There is also the river at the bottom of the mountain, making shipping easier. Thus they save on wood, and get better lime, for half the effort to get double the profit. Another bailiff of the capital added So their taxes are also very high. If they cant harvest lime, their livelihoods are gone. *And so they reported it to the capital prefecture* Xu Qian was silent for a moment, before sighing, Strict contribution and random taxes contribute to refugees, the flesh and blood of the people are indeed the most delicious food. Everyone instantly fell silent, no one daring to continue the conversation. Song Tingfeng coughed, changing the topic, The monster isnting out of the water, and we dont have enough people to search the mountain. Constable Lyu, do you have any suggestions? Even if he was just pining after her body, Song Tingfeng was not the type of person to look down upon a woman just because her arse wasrge and round. Lyu Qing said hesitatingly, We can split our party three ways, two to a group. In turn, one group will go find the vige elder of the nearby viges, another goes down the mountain to get more hands, and I will go to the Magistrate and ask for him to get the Sitianjians Arcanists to help. Thatd waste too much time, Xu Qian waved his hand, Pick one person to find the nearby viges elder, and the rest of us will stay guard here. Lyu Qing frowned. Xu Qian gave her a nce, If we have no more progress, then I will go to the Sitianjian to find their Arcanists. *He seems to have a lot of confidence the Sitianjian Arcanists would listen to him?* Lyu Qing examined Xu Qian briefly, and nodded her head slowly, ordering one of her bailiffs to go find the elder. Not an hourter, that bailiff, at the peak of Refining Body, came back with an old man. This small man is surnamed Zhang, I am the vige elder of Hegou vige, just by the mountain. The old man cupped his hands together in not quite the standard manner, his voice excited, This small man has finally seen my sirs, if you hade anyter, then the vigers wouldnt have been able to handle it any longer. This case had been dyed for half a year. Lyu Qing stared at him, her gaze sharp, her attitude stern and authoritative, This official asks you, where did thest ten people who went up into the mountain die? In the south the vige elder pointed towards the south of the mountain range, Going upstream along the river. Song Tingfeng suddenly had a thought, There are lime furnaces there? From their earlier investigation, they had discovered a ce where lime furnaces were clustered, not far from the river. The Huihu had taken circuitous routes into the mountain, and would definitely not have dared to refine their lime there. Because as soon as the monster came ashore, none could escape. The elder nodded, Only a few here or there, nowhere near as much as here. Take us there. Lyu Qing said solemnly. Yes Maam! The elder seemed to be rather scared of this female constable. The group of people headed south, the mountain trail twisting and turning, the trek harsh and steep. Furthermore, thinking of this frail old vige elder, they couldnt make good pace. Its here. The elder stopped on the winding path, pointing ahead. Where he pointed was a clearing that had been dug out. Rocks were pushed into piles, the vegetation was cut down, and there were a few cave-like kiln furnaces, for refining lime. They searched the scene for a while, not finding anything of interest; this ce had been cleaned up long ago. Song Tingfeng and Lyu Qing exchanged looks, both shaking their heads. Xu Qian said, Lets go look in the kiln. The group of people gathered up materials from around them, lighting torches. Reading their swords in their scabbards, they cautiously entered the great earthen kiln. They originally had thought that this was a furnace for refining lime, and would not have been too deep, but as they walked and walked, they noticed something was wrong. This wasnt a kiln, this was clearly a human-carved tunnel. They had to walk a cup of teas time before they reached the end. Song Tingfeng squinted, A kiln neednt be dug this deep. This is clearly for digging out something. Theres also no sign of fire on the walls. Lyu Qing summoned over the elder, asking sharply, What is this? The elder was dazed, as he stammered, I- I dont know Xu Qian raised his torch, looking around at the stone walls. Then, he inspected the ground thoroughly for a small while, before picking up a palm-sized grey stone. *They were mining this?* *This isnt limestone, right?* Xu Qian put pressure into his fingers, his qi rushing forth, and in a crack, the white rock was crushed to fine powder. He raised his torch, scattering the powder onto the mes. Whoosh! Arge tongue of me shot up from the torch, a bright yellow with a tinge of dark purple. Saltpetre!? Xu Qians pupils shrank. The sudden whoosh of me gave all of them a shock, as the sound of swords being pulled out sounded all around. Lyu Qing, seeing that it was Xu Qian ying tricks, asked with a hint of anger, What are you doing? Chapter 69: A Divine Shot Chapter 69: A Divine Shot # 69. A Divine Shot Xu Qians gaze slowly scanned across his colleagues faces, saying deeply This is saltpetre. To the surrounding martial artists with theirck of education and relevant knowledge, saltpetre was apletely meaningless name. Song Tingfeng and the rest exchanged looks, frowning, Saltpetre? Xu Qian thought for a moment, Let me use a different name. Maybe you would know it by the name ming nitre; its one of the main ingredients in gunpowder. Everyones expressions turned. Gunpowder was a secret recipe controlled by the Great Feng, one of its most important methods to suppress the four seas and many smaller countries. Anything that rtes to the recipe for gunpowder or its ingredients, the Feng have under very tight control (and especially saltpetre). Even the Nightwatchers only have a vague idea about what gunpowder is made of. *Theres a saltpetre mine on Dahuang mountain theres no signs of mining* Song Tingfengs face no longer carried any smile, unnaturally serious. He said Return to the capital immediately, report this. Compared to a monster causing havoc, a saltpetre mine was the more important issue by far. Lyu Qing stared at the white-haired vige elder, ordering Arrest him. A saltpetre mine had appeared on Dahuang Mountain, and he as the elder of the closest vige knows nothing about it? No matter what, he must be interrogated. The two bailiffs took the rope coils from their waists, and bound the elders hands behind his back, escorting him out. *The elder should have no knowledge of this, else he wouldnt have led us here, this isnt logical and from analysing his bodynguage, he doesnt seem to be an insider. An old man with no culture couldnt be a legendary actor the reason the monster was scaring away the huihu is because of the Saltpetre mine?* *Um, its not too likely. Wed need to ask a professional to determine when this saltpetre mine was started. We can go from there.* Xu Qian shuffled through the thoughts in his mind, his torch raised, and in that instant he stepped out of the tunnel, he heard Lyu Qings sharp scream: Be careful! At the same time, he heard an air-shattering whistling sound, as a ck shadow flew from his side, so quick that he didnt have time to react. Thump! The bronze gong on his chest split, and Xu Qian felt as if he was just hit head-on by a high-speed train. The force sent him flying, and for a brief moment his eyes went ck. The sudden ambush caught the group unawares, as they all made different reactions. The three bailiffs from the capital prefecture drew their swords, and pulled out their crossbows. Zhu Guangxiao with a sweep of his leg kicked the elder back into the kiln. Song Tingfeng pulled out his sword, and shouted, Get the fuck inside, donte out! Lying atop a boulder beside the cave was a two-foot monster resembling a smander. Its body was armoured with thick tes. It sported sharp horns on its forehead, its amber vertical pupils were gleaming with a fierce, cold light. The creature''s forelimbs were equipped with four ws, and its cheeks bulged as if hiding a weapon waiting to strike at any moment. Suddenly, a ck shadow, nearly invisible to the naked eye, shot out and headed straight for Song Tingfeng. He quickly reacted and leaned back, narrowly avoiding a hit to the heart. Lyu Qing sprang into action, swiftly navigating the rocky terrain and gripping her de with both hands. The de began to hum as it vibrated at high frequency. "Ding ding ding!" A series of sharp metallic sounds that made ones teeth ache rang out, as the de sliced onto the tip of the monsters tongue, sending sparks flying. Everyone could see now, that the monsters long tongue was covered in ayer of fine scales. Seeming to feel pain, the monster retracted its tongue and propped up its body on all fours. With a condescending manner, it stood atop the boulder and gazed down at the group. It puffed up its and opened its bloody mouth wide, letting out a heavy roar. The roar startled the wild birds in the mountains and forests. They fluttered their wings and flew far into the sky. Song Tingfeng and the others fell into a trance as if someone hit the back of their head with a wooden mallet. *Refining Spirit...* His blood ran cold. Enduring the dizziness, he hit his chest with the hilt of his knife. Bang... The loud and clear sound of the gong was like a drum in the evening or a bell in the morning. It offset the effect of the roar and brought rity back to their heads. After the two parties got rid of the trance, they responded immediately. While going back, Lyu Qing ordered her two colleagues who were at the peak of Refining Body, "Use your crossbows to help out, and attack its eyes, jaw, and mouth." They were the rtively soft regions. Song Tingfeng took off his gong and threw it to Zhu Guangxiao, "You are in charge of controlling its movement. Be careful." He had seen Xu Qi''an''s gong being broken just now. So, he knew that a gong couldn''t resist the monster''s tongue. Bringing Xu Qi''an into mind, Song Tingfeng became somewhat sorrowful. Although the gong could withstand a full-strength attack of a Refining Spirit master, the monster had seeded in a surprise attack. Xu Qi''an had been caught off guard, and his heart might have been shattered by the remaining force. If he were to be KIA on his first day of service, oh how tragic that would be. Song Tingfeng restrained his emotions, dragged his dao sword, and dashed to attack the monster from the side. The smander''s amber eyes moved as if it was about to turn around and stick out its tongue. Zhu Guangxiao acted first and hit the gong to shake the spirit of the monster. At the same time, he infused his Qi into the de to produce a thick crescent of de qi, causing a big temperature difference in the air. The monsters body wasrge, and so it could not avoid it. It lowered his head, using its hard forehead to resist the de qi. Then, itshed out its tail, and as if it had eyes on its back, hit Song Tingfeng with frightening precision. Song Tingfeng blocked the tail using his dao, being thrown backwards. Lyu Qing came over from the other side to seize the opportunity and stab the monster in the abdomen. However, It managed the avoid the attack as if it had foresight. Martial artists and monsters in the Refining Spirit Realm had strong spiritual power, which could radiate around them and imprint the surrounding imagery in their minds. Any type of tracking, ambush, locking, or killing intent couldn''t escape the attention of a Refining Spirit realm. That was the unique ability of the Refining Spirit Realm. ... *Fuck me, I almost died before leaving the novice vige. I finally broke through to Refining Qi and still haven''t graduated from virginity, yet almost killed in the line of duty...* After a brief spell of unconsciousness, Xu Qian came to. Upon hearing the sound of fierce fighting in the distance, he didn''t get up, but crawled forward and climbed to a vantage point without anyone noticing. He took out the small jade mirror in his sleeves and took out the military crossbow and the bone erosion poison that Song Qing had given him. After applying the poison, he raised the military crossbow silently and aimed at the monster while waiting for an opportunity. Crash... Zhu Guangxiao knocked on the gong to shake the monster''s spirit, thereby blinding its perception. Xu Qi''an was about to shoot when the monster suddenly turned over, causing Song Tingfeng and the others to be stunned, wondering about the meaning of its action. *...Damn it, Sneak attacks don''t work on Refining Spirit realms!* The safest way was to continue to wait and let Song Tingfeng and the others tire the monster and severely damage it and reduce its spiritual sense. Then, he could use the crossbow, a magic weapon capable of harming Refining Spirits, toplete the kill. Soon, Xu Qi''an had to give up this idea... Lyu Qing was like a vigorous female leopard, as her two vigorous long legs moved like lightning, and she finally pierced the tip of her vibrating sword into the monster''s abdomen. Fresh blood soaked the de, and it sizzled as if it had touched red-hot iron. The monster roared in pain. It tilted its head and its jaw bulged, from which a ck shadow shot out into the sky. Liu Qing''s face darkened as her face showed a fearful expression. She knew that she couldn''t avoid the blow. At that time, a figure rushed over and hugged her plump and vigorous body, then rolled her sideways. Song Tingfeng acted to stab the monster in the soft abdomen, making it unable to chase hispanions. Lyu Qing felt herself being hugged around the waist by a pair of strong arms. A man''s heavy body was pressed against her body. While breathing rapidly, she fixed her eyes to see the man on her body, and blurted out in surprise, "You''re not dead!" Xu Qi''an grinned, "Nearly." *if it weren''t for the Heart Protection Mirror Song Qing had given to me due to my achievements...* Just as Lyu Qing was about to speak, she saw the monster about to attack them using its tail, so she quickly hugged Xu Qi''an and rolled with him. Boom! Where they hady a moment earlier, there was now a deep furrow. "We''re even now." Xu Qi''an smiled at her, and the two separated. Then they tacitly cooperated with Song Tingfeng to besiege the monster. The reason why he had joined the battle instead of sneak attacking was simple: Three Refining Qi Martial Artists couldn''t defeat a Refining Spirit Monster. In the end, the result would have been that the monster wasn''t exhausted to death, but Xu Qi''an himself would have be amander that didnt help his troops. Upon seeing that theirpanion hadn''t been killed in action, Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng''s eyes lit up, revealing their joy. Xu Qi''an took out the Bone Eroding Poison from his robes, wiped it on his de, then threw the bottle to Lyu Qing, and said, "Put it on your de." Lyu Qing nced at him, took a few steps back, and applied the poison. Then, she threw the poison at Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao. Song Tingfeng had some bad luck. When he was applying the poison, he was targeted and attacked by the monster. Its long tongue brushed his arm and cut his skin and its scales scratched his bleeding flesh. Lyu Qing shed the monster''s body and saw that the wound quickly turned ck, then emitted a rancid smell. Shen looked at Xu Qi''an with surprise, "It worked!". Upon Xu Qi''an joining the group, four Refining Qi were teaming up to encircle and two Refining Body were shooting arrows to interfere, so the advantage was quite obvious. The monster had great strength, and it was skilled in using its tongue. But, the huge size and structure of the body meant that the monster couldn''t move around like a human martial artist, flexible and changeable. More and more injuries umted on its body. ... "Be Careful!" Xu Qi''an swung his dao, infused with Qi, to cleave the tail of the monster and saved Lyu Qing who was trading injury for injury with it. His fingertips cracked, and blood flowed profusely from them. He red at Lyu Qing, "Do you want to die? Why''s a woman like you acting so desperately?" Lyu Qing stared at him with wide eyes, and she felt unprecedented feminity, "Yes." "Roar!" The monster shook the air, and again unleashed a frightening spiritual storm. Xu Qi''an and the others had been prepared, backing up quickly, retreating out of range for a tongue attack. Unexpectedly, after the monster forced everyone to go back, It turned around and fled, its ws flying. It burrowed into the forest by violently knocking down many trees to clear a rough path. Lyu Qing''s flowery face changed colour, "Chase it, We can''t let it get away." Once the monster entered the water, it would be difficult to eliminate it. Song Tingfeng jumped up and walked on the branches, like a martial arts master with superb *Qinggong*[^1]. He stomped hard on a tree trunk and flew into the air to overlook the entire forest. The muscles of his right hand, which was holding the dao, swelled, and his loose sleeve burst. "Heh!" The sabre shot out, drawing a bright silver beam in mid-air. A secondter, the painful roar of the monster came from the dense forest. Exhausted, Song Tingfeng fell into the forest. Zhu Guangxiao followed up the ry. His qinggong wasn''t as good as Song Tingfeng, but his explosive power wasn''t weak at all. He ran close to the ground and quickly caught up to the monster, striking with all his might. Smack! The monster, now with a knife stuck in its back, shrugged him off and continued to flee for its life. Only Lyu Qing and Xu Qi''an were left to pursue. The female constable, who was as vigorous as a female leopard, stubbornly chased the monster. She didn''t fall off the trail, but she didn''t catch up to it either. Soon after chasing for a while, the River was in sight. "Ssh!" The monster plunged into the river and sshed some water. While the female Constable was feeling disappointed, In the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Xu Qi''an leaping high, taking off a military crossbow from his waist, and pulling the trigger gracefully without aiming at all. The moment the arrow shot out, a powerful wave of energy erupted. The female Constable didn''t even catch the afterimage of the arrow, but her ears caught the "syiu" sound of it entering the water. A few secondster, a miraculous scene happened. Blood-stained water appeared on the surface of the river, and a two-foot-long monster slowly floated up. An arrow was lodged into its head, and it was dead. Lyu Qing turned her head in a daze, looking at the young and upright Nightwatcher. Xu Qi''an shrugged, "I''ve always been quite lucky." --- [^1]: Light footed martial arts. Chapter 70: Xu Qian: I Want to Go to the Jiaofangsi to Cleanse my Earlier Embarrassment Chapter 70: Xu Qi''an: I Want to Go to the Jiaofangsi to Cleanse my Earlier Embarrassment # 70. Xu Qi''an: I Want to Go to the Jiaofangsi to Cleanse my Earlier Embarrassment *He could even determine where the monster was after it went into the water and urately shoot it in the brain this level of prediction and precision is scary* Lyu Qing was a woman in a constables role, and having beaten out all thepetition, was a proud person. But at this time, in the face of Xu Qians divine action, she happily admitted defeat. *Mm, not only is he strong and powerful, but hes also very humble and subtle, much better than those men who never considered women at the same level.* *Whew, if the monster hadnt been hurt and poisoned, with a river current between me and it I probably wouldnt have been able to hit it* as Xu Qian put back his crossbow, his heart panged slightly; this crossbow could only be fired three times, its long term usability was far too bad. After three shots, it was then no more than an ordinary military crossbow. It was meant for protecting his life, using it against a yaoguai was far too much of a waste. Lyu Qing followed his gaze, and also noticed this initially ordinary looking crossbow. Looking closer, she had a shock. On the crossbow were carvedplicated and abstruse glyphs, and thinking back to the qi energy released when that bolt fired, it was not hard for her to guess that this was a magical weapon. *The only magic items the Nightwatchers had were their gongs this is his own private weapon? He said he could ask over the Sitianjians arcanists, it seems he wasnt showing off after all* Lyu Qings impression of this man changed again, her good feelings toward him increased. Xu Qian turned his body, not letting her looking at his treasure any longer, andughed, If we dont haul it up, itll wash away. What good would that do. Lyu Qingughed in a delicate and reserved manner, nodding. The two of them went into the river together, and pulled this monsters body onto the banks. At this time, Song Tingfeng, supporting Zhu Guangxiao, walked shakily out of the woods. You killed it? he could barely contain hisughter, feeling a great sense of relief. The silent Zhu Guangxiao also let out a turbid breath. How are you? Xu Qian asked about Zhu Guangxiaos injuries. The silent gourd shook his head, Nothing major, only broke two ribs. The four of them took a brief rest at the riverside, as the two bailiffs escorted the vige elder down the mountain. As the elder saw the corpse of the monster, he was both angry and scared. Very carefully inching forward, he kicked it, then rushed back with the agility only an old man could hide. After a few seconds, seeing that it did not respond, he finally rxed, and rushed over to kick it again and again in boundless anger. After letting off some steam, the elder knelt down with a thump, kowtowing to Xu Qian and the others. Xu Qian waved his hand, I ask you, when was the cave on the southern mountain dug? The elder thought for a moment, That was a kiln left over from before. The south side doesnt have too much limestone, and the paths are difficult, so it had been abandoned for many years. This old man doesnt know when it became like this. Xu Qian continued, Do people often pass by there? He replied, There arent no signs of humanity. *You couldve just said that there were asionally some people, what is this beating around the bush* Xu Qianmbasted, Go back for now, wait for a summons from the government office. The old man had been kicked by Zhu Guangxiao earlier, and Xu Qian could see that he was still clutching his waist. Lyu Qing did not have any objections to how Xu Qian dealt with this, and immediately ordered one of her colleagues to escort him back to the vige. The rest of them sat where they were and meditated, recovering some of their energy, and then filled up on food and water. After fifteen minutes, three horses walked slowly along the public road, dragging the body of the beast. On the road, Lyu Qing recounted how Xu Qian dealt with events, her tone overflowing with admiration. Song Tingfeng steered his horse next to Xu Qians, and said as quiet as a fly, She seems to like you. Xu Qian whispered back, What do you want to say? Song Tingfeng said, Constable Lyu has some fame in the government constabry circles, and hasnt married even til today. Doesnt every man want to be the sole traveller of some path? *In this era, shed be a leftover woman* Xu Qianughed, Then you try hard eh. Song Tingfeng narrowed his eyes, and sighed, shaking his head, The type of person I am is only suited to the Jiaofangsi. Xu Qianughed, Even the tree-shaded path that you yearn for, would be covered in frost every dawn and dusk? Zhu Guangxiao frowned, not understanding what his two colleagues were bantering about. Right, what was that move you pulled just then? Xu Qian asked. The howling wind sword technique. Song Tingfeng replied. *Sword technique then earlier when Constable Lyu cut at that monster like a cutting machine was also some sort of dao technique wait, sword!?* Xu Qians gaze fixed tightly on the dao that was bound to Song Tingfengs waist. Song Tingfeng shrugged, Who said a dao could not use a Jian sword technique? *Yeah yeah, who says you cant stab someone to death without a spearhead?* Xu Qian silently mouthed off. In their conversation, they saw out of the corners of their eyes a group ofmon people walking down the path between the fields, gathering on the public road. At their head was that vige elder, and that Refining Body bailiff that was responsible for escorting him back. The bailiff shook his head helplessly, They insisted oning to thank us. In the elders hand he carried a basket of eggs, raising it high in front of Xu Qian, These are all the eggs our vige has. Sir, please, take them. These few months, we really couldnt live on any longer like this, if it wasnt for you sirs helping us to exterminate the monsters, if you would allow me to say some uwful words, we would not longer be able to pay tax, and would have to escape and be vagabonds. Xu Qian looked at his anxious expression, and scanned over the thin yellow faces of the huihu. Of course! smiling, he took the basket of eggs, hanging it on his saddle. The surroundingmoners all smiled. Only then did they dare to loudly start talking, pointing to the monsters corpse and cursing a storm. *If I steadfastly refused, saying loudly: I will not take a cent of money frommon people, theyd probably have been scared shitless.* Xu Qian silently sighed. Returning back to the capital, the monsters corpse was handed over to the constabry assistants that were waiting by the city gate. They hauled it onto a cart, cing a white cloth over it, and headed into the city. The saltpetre mine is a serious matter, we must report it. Song Tingfeng cracked an egg, swallowing it whole. *Parasite warning* Xu Qian nodded. Returning back to the Nightwatchers constabry, the three of them did not have time to write a report, rather heading directly for Chunfeng Hall, reporting their findings to Li Yuchun. Brother Chun listened with a serious face. You did well. Xu Qian, you made a great contribution. Li Yuchun walked around his desk, and personally tidied up their uniforms for them, all neat and tidy. He then returned back to his seat, deep in thought for a moment, What do you think of this? The three bronze gongs exchanged looks, as Song Tingfeng said: From what Ningyan has analysed, the monster was deliberately driving away the huihu. And through our investigation, we found a saltpetre mine in the mountain this cannot be a coincidence. Do you have anything more exact, more detailed conclusions? Li Yuchun asked. Song Tingfeng shrugged, Boss, I can chop people well enough, but as for solving cases Average at best. The three people simultaneously turned to look at Xu Qian. Li Yuchuns eyes carried expectation, as he asked Ningyan, what do you make of this? Everyone knew about Xu Qians abilities in deduction. Even though he was merely a new Refining Qi, but his presence somehow made them feel more sure of themselves. If a person were to encounter a field they were not familiar with, then unconsciously they would rely on the experts. Xu Qian thought for a moment, Then let me make an addition. I can guarantee, that the reason the monster was driving away the nearby huihu was to take the saltpetre mine for itself. Originally, I thought that it might have picked Dahuang mountains river as itsir toy eggs, but on the way back to the capital, I discovered that it was male. Theres only one problem that I cant solve though, which is why did the monster set eyes on the saltpetre mine? Apart from using saltpetre for medicine, the only other thing that could be made from it is gunpowder. Of course, potassium nitrate had other uses, but Xu Qian thought that the technological divide between him and this world was too deep, and there was no use in saying so. He instinctively looked at Li Yuchun, but was shocked to find that he had been stunned, frozen in ce, as if intently thinking something. Its the Yao, its the Yao he muttered. Li Yuchun did not borate, as he spread out a piece of paper, writing furiously. Song Tingfeng took Xu Qian to the administrative office, and obtained an injury slip. With this, we can rest for two days, and not take shift tomorrow. Song Tingfeng said, You need to learn to obtain appropriate benefit for yourself. *So this is that mythical workce injury- no, a paid holiday* Xu Qian praised highly his colleagues astuteness. Leaving the office, it was already dusk, and Xu Qian nned to go home and rest. Song Tingfeng called him before he could leave, Didnt we say, Jiaofangsi tonight? Xu Qian did a double take, and immediately looked over at Zhu Guangxiao standing beside him, saying in surprise, Your injury isnt urgent? Zhu Guangxiao said solemnly, The women of the Jiaofangsi know how to care for a person very well. *Are you saying, shell get on top of you and move herself?* Xu Qian sped his hands together towards him. *Indeed, how could a small injury like broken ribs get in the way of having fun with friends.* *Doesnt matter if I dont go back home anyway; uncle knows that the Nightwatchers have night shift. As for auntie, mm, she clearly doesnt care when I return home, she only knows to pout at me all day.* Xu Qian, deciding not to go home for the night, intended to socialise in the manner appropriate for officials of the Great Feng. Their destination: the Jiaofangsi! Simr social engagements, he had had many times before in his previous life, it was only that the format changed from having dinner together to browsing the brothels. In the Great Feng, or rather to say in this era, brothels were the first port of call for socialising. The Nightwatchers tokens meant that they did not have to pay mind to the curfew in the inner city, since they would after all encounter only their Nightwatcher colleagues. After asking the usual questions, theyd just pretend not to see. The three of them walked in the alleys of the Jiaofangsi. Song Tingfeng, squinting his eyes with everyugh, said Later when you do your night shift, if you meet any colleagues at the Jiaofangsi, you can keep one eye open, one eye closed. If theyre anywhere else though, its best not to be sox. You dont know what their goals are in the middle of the night. I heard once my seniors tell a story, there was once a Nightwatcher that had gotten into a feud with a person. He broke into their home in the middle of the night, and killed their entire family. Afterwards, nothing could be found out. Only after a lot of blood and sweat, did they finally manage to pin it on a Nightwatcher who perpetrated the crime. As for the details, Ill tell you when we start drinking. Xu Qianughed and nodded. What goes on behind the scenes in these circles, was very valuable and precious experience to him. If he were to encounter any colleagues that are easy to jealousy, or easy to conflict, they may not ever tell you. Oh right, which courtyard do we want to go to? The man-of-few-words Zhu Guangxiao said. Reflecting Plum Pavilion. Whatever. The two of them replied at the same time. The first came from Xu Qian, thetter from Song Tingfeng. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao both looked at Xu Qian, their gaze seeming to say: *what are you thinking?* Laughing, Song Tingfeng smacked his colleague on the back, Miss Fuxiangs drinking games are ten tales of silver, and she very rarely takes any guests. Normally there could be several days in a row of drinking games, with not one person getting into her bed. She is high skill *Marketing through starvation, I get it* Xu Qian remembered that the two of them did not know about him setting a trap for Zhou Li; the inside details were obviously not something that he could wantonly spread about. Thus, they naturally did not know that he and Fuxiang have slept together. Slept together in the purest sense of the word. Zhu Guangxiao reminded him, Miss Fuxiang looks down on us. Though his words were few and far between, they were always earnest, or in good faith, or from the bottom of his heart. The two colleagues didnt want to spend their silver at the Reflecting Plum Pavilion. Xu Qian thought for a moment, Lets go have a look anyway. Ill pay the silver for you. As a new person, inviting colleagues to a seafood dinner was a ssic social technique. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao both smiled, none of them refusing such a kind offer. Not longter, they came to the door of the Reflecting Plum Pavillion. Xu Qian nced at the courtyard, with the rushing sound like wind through bamboo, his heart saying: *Ivee to cleanse my earlier embarrassment.* --- Authors note: This chapter is scarily long. Trantors note: Yes, yes it fucking is. Chapter 71: A Strange Message Chapter 71: A Strange Message # 71. A Strange Message After paying the entry fee, they entered the courtyard, where seven to eight people were seated around a charcoal fire, drinking tea and chatting, making the room appear elegant. Six dancers wearing multicoloured clothes and cotton skirts were dancing lightly and gracefully, twisting their slender waists and plump buttocks. Xu Qi''an nced around, but he didn''t see the oiran who was like a youngdy from a well-to-do house outside and so coquettish in bed. Sampling tea at a brothel wasn''t just about drinking games, there were many other programs like listening to music as well as watching dances. The famous oiran also didn''t apany the guests every time. Simrly, some guests also need "Private space". Drinking games are quite interesting, but they weren''t conducive to talking about private matters. Some guests came in groups to y drinking games and to connect. At that time, some freedom was needed for them to disy themselves freely. The three of them sat down. Song Tingfeng shrugged, squinted his eyes, and said, "It seems that Miss Fuxiang doesn''t n to go out and apany guests tonight." Xu Qi''an asked, "Why would you say that?" Song Tingfeng exined, The time for drinking games is limited. Generally, a group of guests stays here for two hours at most, after which they continue to the next table or leave the premise. "Also, it takes about two hours to have an interesting drinking game." *That means, our group is unable to y a good drinking game, so Fuxiang didn''t appear... Why do you know the rules of Jiaofang Si so well? Have you patronized it a little too much?...* Xu Qi''an nodded, indicating that he had learned this new information. After the dance, the dancers took a short break. A young man in a light blue Confucian shirt got up, raised his cup, and looked around, "Is Young Master Yang, Yang Ling here?" He asked this three times in a row, but as no one answered him, he sat down disappointed. At the next table, a middle-aged man dressed richly asked curiously, "Brother, who is this Yang Ling?" "*Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water; its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk*" the young man in a light blue Confucian shirt raised his chin slightly, "Have you heard of it?" "It seems vaguely familiar." The richly d middle-aged man recalled for a moment. "Of course, As soon as this poem was released, it was touted by schrs as the best quatrain about plum throughout the ages. Even you people must have heard of it." The young man in a Confucian shirt raised his head proudly, "These lines could only have been made by us schrs." The richly d middle-aged man wondered, "Why is the young master looking for a person here?" While the two of them were chatting, the drinkers on the side also stopped chatting and listened attentively. It''s because this poetry called the best poem throughout the ages was released in Reflecting Plum Pavilion. This poem was given by Mr. Yang, Yang Ling to Miss Fuxiang. The poem uses plums as a metaphor to express her beauty. It was a beautiful idea. "No wonder Reflecting Plum pavilion has so many patronstely, and it''s no wonder that Miss Fuxiang doesn''t show up regrly." "That''s right, I''ve heard that Miss Fuxiang doesn''t apany guests easily." "*Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water; its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk*... This poem is so beautiful! I want to meet Miss Fuxiang and that talent." Upon hearing this, the young man in the light blue Confucian shirt sighed wistfully, "That young master Yang has only appeared once in the Jiaofang Si, and hasn''t been heard from ever since. The Imperial Academy had sent some people to look for him, but there was no such person there." The young man in a light blue Confucian shirt said helplessly, "I came to Reflecting Plum Pavilion daily just to wait for him. It''s not just me, all the students in the capital want to make friends with him." Song Tingfeng clicked his tongue and said, "This is good. Miss Fuxiang is now a woman that can''t be coveted." Zhu Guangxiao also sighed. *Did I advertently drive up the AC price?* Xu Qi''an lowered his head and continued drinking with a guilty conscience. Song Tingfeng looked at his new colleague, and said, "It''s a pity you are good at solving crimes but can''t write poems. If you could write a quatrain simr in quality to Yang Ling, Miss Fuxiang will pursue you by herself." "Pursue me?" Xu Qi''an discovered a neglected point. Why? Do you think love stories of poor schrs and prostitutes are spread for no reason? Poor schrs could asionally write some good sentences and give them to the prostitute, and her worth would rise sharply due to it. This is a matter of mutual benefit, so many young and famous schrs are the objects of ttery among prostitutes. "Let alone wanting silver, they are even willing to pay silver. Ziyang Jushi from the Cloud Deer Academy was quite talented in poetry back then. After bing the zhuangyuan, he stayed in Jiaofang Si for three months without paying any money." Song Tingfeng said. Zhu Guangxiao nodded in affirmation. Song Tingfeng found that his newest colleague was dumbfounded, as if he had been greatly shocked, also as if he had heard something exciting. His breaths had be heavy. A serving maidying out the wine, stared at Xu Qian for a few seconds, and with a face full of glee, immediately dropped what she was doing, and ran out of the room. Not long after, the well-dressed oiran appeared on the stage. Her long skirt was dragging to the ground, and the gorgeous jewellery in her ck hair and her beautiful faceplemented each other. The thickness of the dress was just right, It didn''t look bloated and it highlighted her exquisite and plump figure but also didn''t make her seem flirtatious. Miss Fuxiang''s eyes swept across the guests, pausing when they met Xu Qi''an. "Hey, Fuxiang just looked at me." Song Tingfeng was slightly shocked. Zhu Guangxiao nced at him, straightened his waist, and said, "It''s surely me." After greeting the guests, Fuxiang said softly, "Let me dance to help the guests enjoy themselves." The guests were pleasantly surprised; they didn''t expect that the most popr oiran of this brothel would show up. The guests with keener minds thought, *the famous Oiran Fuxiang is known as a master in both Qin and poetry, but isn''t known for dancing. Why would she dance today?* *With her figure, It would be awesome if she danced the Gokuraku Jodo...* Xu Qi''an imagined while admiring her graceful dance. After the song ended, Fuxiang drank a cup of alcohol, and with her cheeks flushed, bade goodbye. Song Tingfeng smiled and said, "It was worth it." Zhu Guangxiao nodded. Song Tingfeng picked up the wine ss and signalled Xu Qi''an, "Miss Fuxiang seldom dances, but she often ys the qin. Being able to see her dancing your first visit, money well spent." Xu Qi''an raised his ss in return, "I wish I could stay in her room tonight." Song Tingfeng heartilyughed. Zhu Guangxiao lightly shook his head. Song Tingfeng had just finishedughing when he saw a maid walking over "Young Mater Yang, mydy invites you in for tea." ...Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao looked at Xu Qi''an nkly, their faces showing little expression. Xu Qi''an patted them on the shoulders, "Let''s meet at the gate of the courtyard tomorrow at 6." *Bang*... The schr in the light blue Confucian Shirt suddenly stood up from the desk, showing shock and glee, and shouted, "Young Master Yang, Are you Yang Ling? You are Yang Ling, aren''t you? Brother Yang, Brother Yang. ...This one is Du Ying..." Xu Qi''an stopped, cupped his hands towards him, and left with the maid. *Yang Ling...* The drinkers in eh room stared wide-eyed, and a few schrs in Confucian shirts were ecstatic. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao looked at each other silently, "???" ... Inside a bedroom as warm as spring,y a bathtub behind a screen. Soaking in hot water with petals floating in it, Xu Qi''an exhaledfortably. Fair-skinned and beautiful Fuxiang was wearing fine gauze clothes while she knelt and sat by the tub to serve him, rubbing his body with her soft hands. "After not seeing you for a few days, Young Master has be more handsome." The oiran admired Xu Qi''an''s strong body, her eyes being mesmerized by it. Previously, Xu Qi''an had some handsome features, which were not bad, but today, his appearance hadn''t changed but he gave off an indescribable temperament. "As long as you like it, this change is worth it." Xu Qi''an raised his eyebrows. Fuxiang''s face flushed, as she became shy with joy. She said resentfully," Young master is just saying some ttering words to deceive me. Young Master looks down on me." When has a man held her all night without doing anything to her? "I was tired that day..." Xu Qi''an said confidently. His heart said, *This sounds like an excuse made by an old man in his 40s or 50s.* He immediately changed the subject and asked, "Do you feel cold?" The oiran nodded immediately, and said aggrievedly, "Cold~~~" "Let''s wash together if you feel cold." Xu Qi''an pulled her into the bathtub. plop... After being caught off guard, Fuxiang screamed. Fu Xiangy in Xu Qi''an''s arms, and said coquettishly, "Naughty." She sat on Xu Qi''an''s stomach, wrapped her hands around his neck, and talked incongruously, asking for advice on poetry. Although Xu Qi''an was a smuggled talent, he had memorized a lot of poems, and some of his asional words would make the oiran blush with excitement. "By the way, has Young Master Yang heard about Deputy Minister Zhou''s dismissal from office and subsequent exile?" Her seemingly casual question made Xu Qi''an vignt. "I heard that he was impeached by Marquis Wei." Xu Qi''an said. The famous oiran raised her charming and affectionate face to stare at him, and said lightly, "It seems that it''s because Young Master Zhou was so wicked that he kidnapped the Shu daughter of Marquis Wei." "So, beauty is a bone-cutting knife." Xu Qi''an said, half surprised and half emotional. As a veteran criminal investigator, no one could easily get information from him. However, Fuxiang may have some doubts in her heart. *How could such a coincidence appear? Just the day after talking about the past, Zhou Li really shot at the Shu daughter of Marquis Wei... Well, It may not be a suspicion, but some curiosity was there.* I have to strengthen this woman''s affection for me and let her heart firmly be on my side, lest one thay she tells an official about me... "Upon watching Miss dance just now, I suddenly felt something in my heart, and I got a few words..." Xu Qi''an put his arms around the beautiful woman''s fragrant shoulders, and recited, *Dancing, until her headdress fell to the floor, Wine spilled, skirts stained, Delicacies rivalled gaieties, Day after day, joy after joy.*[^1] *Delicacies rivalled gaieties, day after day, joy after joy* The famous oiran had tears in her eyes, and wept in a low voice, "Young master, Are you poking this servant''s heart, So cruel." After taking a bath, the two of themy on the gorgeous brocade bed, and Xu Qi''an flipped through the picture book beside the pillow. The famous oiran''s brown eyes were as dark and moist as a deer in a forest, and her face was flushed bright pink. She looked shy, but her posture was like a monarch choosing his subjects. She had an exquisite appearance, a plump figure, and smooth skin like a jade beauty. "What do you mean?" Xu Qi''an nced at her, raising the picture book in his hand. Fuxiang pursed her lips and didn''t dare to answer. *Do you think that I''m a virgin and need to be educated about this?* Xu Qi''an sneered and threw away the picture book. That night, the oiran''s bed was shaken until midnight. ... At 6 the next day, Xu Qi''an dressed up in the service of a slightly haggard beauty, had breakfast, and bid farewell to the affectionate Fuxiang. Xu Qi''an was proud of the look of worship shown by the head maid in the morning. Upon leaving the Reflecting Plum Pavilion, he saw his two colleagues in high spirits at the door. *Sure enough, I wasn''t asked for money... Hey, I didn''t want to prostitute for free, but the beauty was too kind...* Xu Qi''an said lightly, "Morning, both of you." The three of them left Jiaofang Si''s alley side by side. When parting, Song Tingfeng squinted his eyes and couldn''t help asking, "Miss Fuxiang... how does she taste?" The taciturn Zhu Guangxiao also looked over at them. Xu Qi''an looked forward, and said with three tenths unruliness and three tenths ruffian temperament, raising the corners of his mouth, "That girl... is very moist!" ... He bought some silk and satin in the inner city, rented a carriage, and drove back to the Xu mansion. Uncle Xu had asked for leave that day and stayed at home to wait for his news. Xu Xinnian didn''t study as he wasn''t in the mood to do so. It wasn''t until Xu Qi''an asked his servants to bring the silk and satin that his family was relieved. Xu Qi''an didn''t exin much, pointed at the silk and satin, and said with a smile, "Use them to make clothes for my aunt and younger sisters." Auntie, who was holding her breath, raised her snow-white and sharp chin and snorted. Little Pea pulled his trousers to climb up his legs, and shouted, "Big brother, big brother, I saw that Elder sister was crying yesterday." A blush appeared on Xu Lingyue''s melon-seeded face. Showing too much affection to family members wasn''t a good thing. Xu Qi''an smiled at the beautiful young girl, then kicked Little Pea into the air like a shuttlecock before reaching out to catch her. Auntie was taken aback, while Little Pea giggled mindlessly as a child would. Second Uncle was taken aback, "You have stepped into the Refining Qi realm." After receiving Xu Qi''an''s affirmation, Second uncle revealed the smile of a satisfied father. In the study, Xu Qi''an told what happened to Uncle and Eng. Both father and son were anxious for a while. Xu Xinnian looked at his cousin, "Why did the eldest princess send someone to follow you?" *I also want to know that...* Xu Qi''an gave a guess, "Maybe, Is it because I was the only outsider in the Academy that day?" On the day the vision urred in the Lesser Sage Academy, the Eldest Princess was also in the Academy. So, it''s impossible for her to not pay attention to it. In this matter, it was reasonable for her to monitor the only outsider that day. Xu Xinnian said deeply, The eldest princess is very smart. Not only has she studied at Cloud Deer Academy for many years, but she also has half a master-disciple rtionship with Wei Yuan. Her go skills are also superb, so rmending you to the Nightwatchers was definitely not some idle move. "Big brother, Don''t be surprised if she summons you in the future. Remember to be careful and treat her with caution." Xu Qi''an let out a "hmmm". An arrogant person like Xu Cijiu valuing and fearing her so much meant that this eldest princess wasn''t a simple person. After speaking, Xu Xinnian suddenly raised his chin and said, "I have stepped into the realm of Self-cultivation." *I have also be an eight rank Confucian master schr!* Xu Qi''an was pleasantly surprised, "What''s so special about Self-Cultivation realm Confucian Schrs?" The corners of Xu Xinnian''s mouth twitched, "Towards Righteousness, I''ll go even if myriad people block my way." At that moment, Xu Qi''an''s heart was full of pride, and he burst out with the courage to face tens of thousands of troops alone. This inexplicable couragested for a quarter of an hour before slowly dissipating. "Self-cultivation is the process of sharpening one''s courage. Confucian Schrs in this realm can convince people with every word and deed. For example, Elder Brother felt what I said made sense just now, so he unconsciously followed suit. So, I''m not worse than you in settling cases now." *No! I''m relying on my actual skills while you are cheating.* Xu Qi''an thought. This is equivalent to a courage buff, a rudimentary version of nature following one''s speech... Xu Qi''an''s eyes lit up, and he looked at his second uncle. The former then said, "Cijiu, Hasn''t big brother treated you well..." "Get lost!" Xu Xinnian walked away without waiting for him to finish speaking. Vulgar Martial Artist! ... Xu Qi''an went back to his small courtyard to catch up on sleep. Suddenly, he woke up inexplicably. The source of his rm was the small jade mirror hidden under the pillow. On the surface of the jade mirror, a line of small characters appeared: NINE: Where are you? --- Author''s Note: Seeing the word count of this chapter, you should be able to understand why this update waste. Due tobining two chapters into one, I not onlypleted the update but also returned a *Mengzhu*''s additional chapter, which is very gratifying. Infernal: Two chapters. I knew something was up with this. [^1]: Extract from *Pipa Xing*, by Bai Juyi. Chapter 72: The Daoist Earth Sect Chapter 72: The Daoist Earth Sect # 72. The Daoist Earth Sect NINE: Where are you? Xu Qian stared at the mirrors surface, dazed for ages. *The mirror can talk now? It has its own consciousness?* *What does NINE mean anyway? Is this mirror called Nine?* *No, if this mirror had its own consciousness, then it wouldnt ask Where are you. After all, you and I sleep in the same bed every day, how could you not know where I am?* Still staring at the mirror, Xu Qian fell into deep thought. He was thinking about four questions: One: What kind of treasure is this mirror? Apart from being able to store items, it could also receive messages? Two: Is this a message? If so, who sent it? Three: Who was that old Daoist, why would he give me this mirror? Four: Do I respond? Putting caution first, Xu Qian held onto the idea of If I pretend nothing happened, then it doesnt exist, silently stowing away the mirror, and not intending to respond. Moreover, he didnt know how to respond anyway. Going into the courtyard, he plunged his head into the water barrel, washing his face, then wiping it dry with a cloth. Then, Xu Qian made to leave. He had already joined the Nightwatchers, but his first proper day on the job was the day after tomorrow; the constabry still needed to arrange for his uniform and gong. It was still early, just past 12:30. Xu Qian first paid a visit to the Changle County Constabry, and gave notice to his old colleagues, and Magistrate Zhu, that he had joined the Nightwatchers. County Magistrate Zhu had already received notice, as the Nightwatchers had already taken his background check from the county office. Xu Qian, Magistrate Zhu, and his other colleagues arranged to have dinner that night, as both a leaving meal, and a celebration of Xu Qians promotion in official ranks. The location would of course be the Xiaoyue hall, not far from the county offices. For official social events, qinglou brothels were the first port of call. Before them, Xu Qian nned to go to the Gon, both to listen to music, and also to have lunch. The leaving feast started at 16:00, andsted all the way until 18:45. In the banquet, Magistrate Zhu sighed, Ningyan, youre a person from my Changle County constabry. That you could be a Nightwatcher, is our Changle Countys good fortune. This official had always looked favourably upon you He paused, raising a ss and drinking it in one. *If I can continue climbing upwards then County Magistrate Zhu would be a person in official circles that I can trust to some extent* Xu Qian followed his lead, and drank his own wine. Finishing the feast, none of the constabry bailiffs left, as the boss of the brothel called over a group of young and beautifuldies, bringing them to the room, for these great officials to take their pick. *Pretty good looking, if this was in my previous life, then it would be the club, with all the young models lined up in a row* Xu Qian shook his head; having experienced the ecstasy of being with Fuxiang, he started to look down upon normal women. Xu Qian arranged appropriately Magistrate Zhu and the other bailiffs, and left Xiaoyue Hall himself, going back home. Coming to the front door, he found that the lock was undone, and that inside the room there was candlelight. *Has unclee to find me?* Xu Qian pushed open the door, and entered the room. In the dim candlelight, a white-skirted young woman sat at the tableside, a hand supporting her head, that delicate head lulling slightly. Xu Qian immediately scanned over his cupboard, and was relieved to find that there was no sign of it being open. *Mm, perhaps I could consider using English to write my diary.* He walked over, and lightly pushed away Xu Lingyue. Big brother, where did you go Xu Lingyue opened her eyes, her charming pupils showing confusion for a moment, and then delight. Her thin melon-seed face was lit by the flickering candlelight, like a piece of warm fiery jade, with no blemish. Her eyes shone. Little Sis is really pretty. Xu Qian sighed. Xu Lingyue looked down shyly, as a startlingly red flush erupted on her face. She said in a soft voice, Why did big brother note home to eat. Dad said big brother must have gone to the brothels. *Uncle so fucking knows me!* Xu Qian said, No no, just a normal social asion. Ive joined the Nightwatchers now, so invited my old colleagues to dinner. But the fact that Uncle would think that way was very normal, very normal for a martial artist; putting in so much blood and sweat to reach Refining Qi, having held it in for around twenty years, it was almost definite that one would need to get it all out of them before stopping. Big brother has drank since youve already eaten, then Ill go back. Theyre still keeping food warm in the kitchen. Xu Lingyue believed her big brothers excuse, andughed happily. Xu Qian was moved; in this house, apart from Second Uncle, only this little sister treated him the best. Mm, its dark outside, its not safe to walk outside in the dark. Big brother will take you. Xu Lingyue did not refuse. From this small courtyard to the front door of the Xu manor proper, was roughly two to three hundred metres. A young vulnerable girl walking alone was indeed not very safe. But what she did not think of, was that Xu Qian took her to the corner of the courtyard, held onto her light thin waist, and leapt into the air. He was going to vault over the wall. As the tips of her feet finally touched firm ground, she pushed away Xu Qian in fright, both shy and angry: How could big brother be so frivolous. At the age of seven, boys and girls were no longer allowed to share a room. She was already seventeen, how could big brother hug his little sisters waist like that? Grabbing her hand in the Cloud Deer Academy, was already something that was breaking social norms. The Xu Family though were not a strict intellectual household, and so that was more or less eptable, but to just grab her waist like that can a womans waist be grabbed willy-nilly? Horse riding was another issue entirely, but even when riding, she had never had that happen to her. Xu Lingyues legs felt soft, and seeing Xu Qian was in somewhat of a daze, angrily stamped her foot, leaving with small hurried footsteps. *She seems to be angry, that shy young girl pouting attitude has got stronger shes not really angry* Xu Qian sighed, reminding himself that he needed to think about these things more carefully. Even though in his past life, there was no such caution about boys and girlsing into contact, even if they did not know each other very well, hell, in some circumstances, they would stick tightly together, feeling with their bodies the others warmth and energy. They would be red faced, brows furrowed, panting heavily referring of course to the metro at rush hour. But here was not that era, and even with his own little sister, he could not act so wantonly. Xu Qian had indeed been careless in this regard. Looking at Xu Lingyues disappearing figure, Xu Qian then leapt up again, and returned back to his own little courtyard. At this time, he felt again that mysterious palpitation, and pulled out the mirror again. On the clean mirror surface, was written another line of small text: NINE: Where are you? Xu Qian furrowed his brow; *What is going on?* The messages hade one after another. If he were not to deal with this, it would feel like there was some unknown danger hidden under the surface. Xu Qian leant against the wall, pondering for a long time, finally deciding to reply. He had two reasons for this: One, this mirror, after all, was his, and if he could figure out the mysterious abilities of this mirror once and for all, he would have untold benefits. It would be like clearly holding an AK-47, but waving it around like a walking cane. Two, he suspected that this message might havee from the old Daoist. If this was the case, then he could get the reason as to why this priest would have given the mirror to him. A gift for an unknown reason made one feel anxious. Xu Qian tried to reply via voice: Haha, Im bathing. The clear mirror surface showed no sign of change. He then changed his approach, using his finger as a pen, and wrote this sentence on the mirror. A wonderous sight appeared: a small line of text appeared on the mirrors surface: THREE: Hah, Im bathing. *Sending messages via touch?* *Is THREE the number of my mirror? The other one seems to be NINE, does he also have a mirror?* NINE: Who are you? Xu Qian did not respond. The opposing side also fell silent. After a few minutes, they again sent a message: NINE: Where is brother Jinlian? Is he alive or dead, how did you get this mirror? Youre a member of the Heaven and Earth Society!? *Brother Jinlian should be that old Daoist that gave me this mirror. This Nine called him brother, so they must be of the same sect* *Heaven and Earth Society, does this world also have a Ming Restorationist movement?* After roughly guessing at Nines identity, Xu Qian let out a breath, and with his finger as a pen, wrote back: THREE: Im not a member of the Heaven and Earth Society. This mirror was given to me by an old Daoist Priest. NINE: How will you prove that youre not a member of the Heaven and Earth Society, tell this poor Daoist your name. Xu Qian suddenly had the feeling of a reader wanting to know your address, to send you some local specialty, and instinctively resisted, not answering. THREE: *Daozhang*[^1], Im just a nameless grunt. After a while, NINE: Where is the priest that gave you this mirror? THREE: I dont know. After Xu Qian sent his message, he waited patiently to see what woulde back as a response. NINE: This poor Daoist is Zilian. That priest that gave you the mirror is my sect brother. This mirror is our Earth Sects magical artefact. Haha, seeing that brother Jinlian has given this to you, then you sir must be no ordinary person. I think, you have heard of our Earth Sects name. Xu Qian replied: THREE: apologies, I know nothing. The other side fell silent for a good long while, and then replied with no emotion, NINE: The Daoist order is split into three sects: Heaven, Earth and Man. *So youre a Daoist* Xu Qian roused his spirits. --- [^1]: , A senior Daoist priests title Chapter 73: Horror Chapter 73: Horror # 73. Horror THREE: What''s the matter with the Heaven and Earth Society?" NINE: The Heaven and Earth Society is an evil cult that has been coveting the magic artefact of our Earth Sect for a long time. Hehe, This magical treasure is also called the Earth Book. It can be used to transmit messages from thousands of miles away. Some time ago, I received a distress message from Senior Brother Jinlian, saying that he had gone to the capital of the Great Feng, because only by entering the capital could he avoid their pursuit. When I was making my way to the capital, I lost contact with Senior Brother Jinlian. So, I sent him a message through the Earth Book, only for the message to get to you. He should have given you his "Earth Book". Presumably, the senior brother''s situation is critical enough for him to abandon the book to protect himself. *What the hell... Who ced this pot on me?*[^1] Xu Qi''an was dumbfounded. NINE: I don''t know who this excellency is, for Senior Brother Jinlian to give you his Earth Book with such confidence. *I''m just a petty bailiff, No, I''m just a small Nightwatcher...* Xu Qi''an felt a chill in his heart. THREE: How could he protect himself by abandoning the Earth Book? Can the people from the Heaven Earth Society track the location of the Earth Book? Xu Qi''an, a master in reasoning, keenly grasped the key point. NINE: This matter involves a secret of our Earth Sect, so this poor Daoist can''t tell it to you. The Earth Book is the most important treasure of our sect. I hope that you can return it to this poor Daoist. THREE: Okay, How can I return this to you? Xu Qi''an was a little reluctant, after all, this was a treasure that could act as a storage ring. However, upon considering the risks associated with the book, he chose to go against his greed and return it. NINE: This Daoist is in the capital, and cane to find you at any time. If you don''t trust me, you can choose an address for exchange. Well, What do you want, sir? *Boobs, I want warm boobs...* Xu Qi''an almost blurted this out. THREE: Daozhang is too polite. It''s my duty to return the property to its original owner. But Daoist Jinlian had told me that this is a precious treasure and sold it to me at the price of 500 taels of gold. I''m not asking for money. It''s just that if the treasure is returned to its original owner, I should also be refunded for an equivalent exchange, right? NINE: Yes, It should be so. ... Xu Qi''an put away the mirror, dreamed of five hundred taels of gold, and fell into a deep sleep. The next day, he changed into the Nightwatcher uniform, put his badge in his pocket, sabre on his belt, and tied the new gong on his chest. He then vaulted the wall to his second uncle''s house for breakfast. After leaving the Xu mansion, Xu Qi''an took the reins from the gatekeeper Old Zhang and rode his horse to the inner city, where the Nightwatchers office was located. The horse was his second uncle''s mount previously, but it belonged to Xu Qi''an now. Of course, to shut up his aunt, Xu Qi''an gave his second uncle fifty taels of silver. There wasn''t any other way to do so; the Nightwatcher office was in the inner city, and was too far from the Xu mansion. If Xu Qi''an walked to the office, it would be lunchtime when he would arrive. He hurried to the Nightwatcher office and stepped into Spring Breeze Hall, where Li Yuchun was drinking tea with a silver gong. "A rookie in yourmand?" The silver gong saw that he was not a familiar face, and asked casually. "Yeah." Li Yuchun nodded. "What''s his rating?" The silver Gong asked. Li Yuchun didn''t wait for Xu Qi''an to speak and hurriedly replied, "Lower Yi". The silver gong was quite surprised, and praised, "Not bad, not bad. The office needs young people with simr potential. In the future, you will be part of the mainstay of the Nightwatchers. The second half of the sentence was for Xu Qi''an. Xu Qi''an saluted respectfully, and only after that did he exin the purpose of his visit, "Boss, I want to go to the Archive." He didn''t know where the Archive was, nor did he know the authority required to ess it. "If you have any other such questions, you can look for the petty officers near you." Li Yuchun said. "I understand." Xu Qi''an withdrew from the Spring Breeze Hall. When the leaders were gossiping idly, as a subordinate, he shouldn''t disturb them for small matters. This level of observation of details was required. After finding a clerk and asking where the Archive was, Xu Qi''an came to a huge courtyard. He handed his badge to a ck-clothed petty officer, who took it, and handed it back to Xu Qi''an after confirming it was correct, saying, The Archive is divided into four areas, Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding. Bronze Gongs can only go to the Ding area for checking documents. Xu Qi''an thought for some time and asked, "How would I know where the information I want to check is located?" The petty official in ck smiled respectfully, and said, "Go to the Archive with the *Ding* sign." "Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding" were four different Archives, and Ding was the lowest level and thergest. This conformed to the pyramid rule. The more confidential a document, the lower its number would be. Xu Qi''an entered the "Ding" Archive, came to the reception desk, and said, "I want to find information rted to the Daoist sects." The petty officer behind the reception desk took out a thick booklet, looked it up for a while, then raised his head and said, "Sir, please wait a moment." He went into the Archive. Suddenly, the official in ck came out holding a volume of books, and he handed over the books to Xu Qi''an after reaching over to take Xu Qi''an''s badge. Xu Qi''an said, "Bring me a cup of hot tea." Turning around, he went to the side hall where desks were ced, and started reading the documents he got." The Daoist sects originated with the Daozun, the venerable Daoist. His era was so far in the past, that it could not be determined. ording to legend, the Daozun was a miraculous person in ancient times, that could form three purities from one qi, being: *Yuanshi Tianzun, Daode Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun.*[^2] They coincided with the three Treasures: Heaven, Earth, and Man. This was the source of the three sects of "Heaven, Earth, and Man" in Daoism. Among them, the two sects of Heaven and Man were like fire and water, as both imed to be the orthodoxy of Daoism, and wished to beat each other''s brains out. The Earth Sect was the most insignificant, and the style of their disciples was very low-key, as they didn''t strive for fame and profit. Those who did not know much about the Daoists may have thought that there were only two sects. The salted fish sect looked quite pitiful."[^3] "Over so many years, the dispute for orthodoxy is probably the biggest conflict between the dao sects." Xu Qi''an silently added in his mind, *Yujie[^4] are unparalleled under the heaven.* Continuing to read, he found that the salted fish mentality of the "Earth Sect" made some sense. The Earth Sect worshipped the Daode Tianzun, and they cultivated Immeasurable Meritorious Virtue. They travelled around the world, behaved in a low-key manner, and did good things without revealing their name, leaving once they acquired Meritorious Virtue. "Meritorious Virtue..." Xu Qi''an frowned and thought about it. In a sense, Meritorious Virtue and Fortune have the same source. The world''s people have a saying, *Doing good umtes virtue, Good people will surely be rewarded.* Meritorious Virtue meant blessings. Blessings and good luck were the same things. *So, The old Daoist from the Earth Sect could find my specialness, can''t he? Upon knowing that I was a lucky person, a European Emperor, he gave me the hot potato with a peaceful mind... Hell, don''t you cultivate Meritorious Virtue? How could you do this act devoid of virtue...* Xu Qi''an mentally cursed. From this, he thought, maybe his strange luck was also a type of meritorious virtue. However, the eighteen generations of ancestors of the Xu family were ordinary people. Even the little fame and status that uncle and his generation gained, were with a sword in hand hacking and shing through the fires of battle. He wasn''t sure if they had done good deeds, but they had indeed killed many on the battlefield. At the time, the manager brought over the freshly made hot tea, and said, "Are you looking for information about the Sect of Man?" *No, The Earth Sect...* Xu Qi''an asked back "Sect of Man?" "Our national teacher is the current Master Priest of the Human Sect." The petty official said, "Master Wei doesn''t like that female Dao Master very much." *The Female Dao Master... Ah, that legendary Daoist Nun?* Xu Qi''an suddenly realized that he only knew that the current emperor was obsessed with cultivating Daoism and longed for immortality. So, he canonized a Daoist Nun that looked like an immortal as the National Teacher. He didn''t expect her to be from the Sect of Man. *The Arcanists from Sitianjian, the Human Sect of Daoism, The Nightwatchers, the Cloud Deer Academy of Confucianism, the Great Feng military, The civil officials in the Imperial Court... The capital city was a small pool, but it was filled to the brim with dragons.* *No wonder NINE said that the people from Heaven and Earth Society didn''t dare to enter the capital.* *Jinlian Daoist: Come here and try.* *Heaven and Earth Society killers: We''ll die if we try.* *Hahaha...* Xu Qi''an twitched his lips, and said, "Find me some information about the Heaven and Earth Society. Um, are there any books about the Earth Book? You know, Earth Book, the heavenly treasure... uh, if I wanted to go to the Jia, Yi, or Bing archives, where should I apply? Upon hearing him, the official said with a smile, "The Yi and Bing Archives correspond to Gold Gongs and Silver Gongs respectively. As for the Jia Archives, you need to have Duke Wei''s signature to enter. But the information about Heaven and Earth Society and Earth Book you''re looking for is in the Ding Archive. Upon seeing the shocked look Xu Qi''an, he exined, "The Heaven and Earth Society sounds like a Jianghu organization, and the Earth Book is a legendary heavenly treasure. Neither of them is confidential. I''ll check the catalogue to see where they are." After speaking, he went to the reception desk. Xu Qi''an looked at his back and was again stunned for some time before he understood. He had fallen into a misunderstanding, thinking that ancient things were more confidential and secret, but it was not. *The more ancient things were, the less valuable they were... Well, It didn''t mean they were worthless. Antiques were still valuable, but the rank of ancient secrets was low.* The real secrets were things that were close to the present, like military intelligence, border defenceyouts, the form of gunpowder, siege equipment, ship blueprints, etc. He believed that there will be another confidential file in the Jia Archive in the future: *A Study on Human Beast Hybridization* Authors: Song Qing, Xu Qi''an Soon enough, the official looked and found information rted to the Earth Book and the Heaven and Earth Society. Xu Qi''an couldn''t wait to look through them. The Heaven and Earth Society was linked to his safety, so he chose to read into it first. ... There were tens of thousands of organizations in the Jianghu, and there were also many sects, all of which weren''t objects of great concern. They operated on grey ie sources, but they were still willing to obey themand of the court. A few organizations with deep foundations and powerful existences may not follow the court. But, their existence also yed some role in maintaining peace in some ces, and they asionally suppressed bandits in their region. The Heaven and Earth Society was one of these humble Jianghu organizations. Records about it first appeared about 60 years ago. In that year, there was a severe drought in Yunzhou[^5], and the refugees turned to bandits and plundered all over the ce. Both Natural and Artificial Disasters were raging. The local Jianghu united with the court to suppress bandits, and the Heaven and Earth Society were among the helpers. *It seems to be quite a chivalrous organization... Sometimes, those who do good deeds may not be good people. Just like how those who do charity may not necessarily be doing charity out of the goodness of their heart.* *It may also be to improve their reputation...* Xu Qi''an took a sip of tea and continued to read. Heaven and Earth Society wasn''t an active organization. It was a semi-secret organization, and there were few rted records rted to it. Xu Qi''an didn''t gain much after finishing the record. *It''s normal for me to gain nothing. By being able to force the masters of the Earth Sect to flee to the capital, it shows that it is a veryrge and powerful organization.* *It''s reasonable for an organization like this to be able to hide from the intelligencework of the Nightwatchers. Should I report this intel to Brother Chun to enrich the Nightwatcher''s documents?* *Um... Let''s leave it aside for now.* He didn''t intend to report this matter to the Office. *Although I might him some credit, It couldn''t bepared with 500 taels of gold.* *Anyone would be red-eyed at a treasure like the Earth Book. What if a Golden Gong takes a fancy to it and makes me hand it over to the treasury...* Xu Qi''an closed the booklet and started looking at the documents rted to the "Earth Book". The Earth book was an ancient treasure, whose origin couldn''t be verified. It''s only known that it was left by the Daozun whose birth era couldn''t be verified. The records didn''t even mention the functions of the Earth Book. However, there was a note that said that such ancient heavenly treasures were mostly created by heaven and earth by themselves, and couldn''t have been refined by human skill. They had amon characteristic, they recognized a master by the blood dripping into them. *Recognizing a master by dripping a drop of blood...* Xu Qi''an could say with confidence that he understood this trope. The magical weapons given by Song Qing and the Bronze Gong of the Nightwatchers could only be used by instilling energy into them, and they didn''t have any concept of recognizing the master. They were tools that could be used by anyone. Xu Qi''an felt that weapons that recognized masters by dripping a drop of blood didn''t exist in this world. He took out the small jade mirror from his robes and put it on the table, drew his sabre two inches out of its sheath, and pressed lightly on the de using his finger. Bright red blood oozed out immediately, and Xu Qi''an put it on the surface of the small jade mirror. The blood stayed on the mirror for a few seconds before slowly disappearing, being absorbed into the mirrors surface. The next moment, The scene in front of Xu Qi''an''s eyes began to blur, and the booklets, tables, and teacups started to fade, being reced by chaos. In the hazy chaos, he saw eight light spots hanging. *These eight light spots should symbolize the other mirrors. Adding me, there are exactly nine mirrors...* Xu Qi''an nced over, trying to find Nine. But he didn''t know which point of light belonged to Nine. *Hmm... I''ll just touch one at random to make a friend.* Xu Qi''an raised his hand and tried to touch the light spot closest to him. The light spot began rippling, and the ripples, like waves in water, spread throughout the chaos. Xu Qi''an seemed to have returned from a dream, the scene in front of him was restored, and he was still in the reception hall of the archives, with documents, a teacup, and the in jade mirror in front of him. But he knew that it wasn''t a dream, because he had a miraculous connection with the jade mirror, after it had recognized him as a master by absorbing his blood. Quite a mysterious and profound Sense of Belonging. At the same time, a line of words slowly appeared in the mirror: SIX: Don''t believe NINE, do not respond, do not respond, do not respond! --- Another long chapter, author says 3700 characters. [^1]: The pot: the me or the responsibility. See: throw the pot (at someone), carry the pot. [^2]: The Heavenly Venerable of Primordial Beginning; the Heavenly Venerable of Dao and its Virtue; and the Heavenly Venerable of Spiritual Treasures. Primordial beginning: the beginning of the world. Dao and its virtue: the virtue of the Dao, of water, of action through inaction. The Spiritual Treasures: Body, Qi, Spirit, or the virtues Compassion, Frugality, Modesty. Also see [Three treasures (TCM)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Treasures_(traditional_Chinese_medicine)) [^3]: Originally Cantonese ng. Represents people who are dead, or dont want to move people who have no aspirations. [^4]: ng for a strong willed mature woman. [^5]: Chapter 74: Only Going to the Goulan Would Calm My Soul Chapter 74: Only Going to the Gon Would Calm My Soul # 74. Only Going to the Gon Would Calm My Soul SIX: Don''t believe NINE, do not respond, do not respond, do not respond! In the quiet guest room, Xu Qian stared at this message, a thin film of cold sweat forming on his back. A indescribable fear started to brew deep in his heart. He drank a mouthful of tea, mind in a daze, and stared into space for a good while, trying to escape from that mysterious fear. *This SIX should be the ball of light that I just touched what was the meaning of his message, is NINE trying to deceive me?* *If NINE is trying to deceive me, then what for? If SIX knows that NINE is lying, then why didnt he say earlier?* *If NINE cannot be trusted, then SIX cannot be trusted either.* *Ill fucking trust no-one.* THREE: Who are you? What reason do you have to say NINE is not trustworthy. Youre a member of the Heaven and Earth Society, arent you? SIX: Yes. *He admitted to it so readily* Xu Qian fell silent for a few seconds, before writing: THREE: What did you mean earlier? SIX: The Earth Book belongs to the Heaven and Earth Society. NINE is part of the Earth Sect, they are a group of crazed and bloodthirsty freaks, that wont listen to reason. Never never get into contact with them, if you value your life. THREE: How do you know that I and NINE have talked? Xu Qian voiced his suspicion. SIX: Piece number three has been sealed by the Earth Sect, breaking our messaging capability. Furthermore, the Earth Sect can use NINE to locate where THREE is. This is why Jinlian Daozhang was willing to give up this piece, and bestow it to you. *So youre saying, even if I dont make a deal with NINE, he could still locate me via the ninth mirror?* *No wonder hes not hurried me to return the mirror back to its rightful owner, and even giving the initiative to me, letting me pick the location.* *No wonder yesterday when I asked NINE, if the Heaven and Earth Society could use the Earth Book to locate someone, he changed the topic* Xu Qian remembered more details. *No wonder what I pick, hes guaranteed a profit. If I choose to make a deal, he could ck-eat-ck and off me. If I dont choose to make a deal, he could dy and dy, until he finally found where I am.* *Fuck* with a shiver, Xu Qian cursed internally. Six continued to send messages, The Earth Book is one body, so we can still see your messages to NINE through the mirror, and were helpless to do anything about it. Until you let a drop of blood onto the mirror and became its owner. Only then did we manage to connect. THREE: What should I do? SIX: I hope you can return the Earth Book piece back to the Heaven and Earth Society. If youre still notfortable, I can give you an address, you can send someone there on your behalf. *But that old mans five hundred taels of gold* Xu Qian stared at the mirror, not replying. He trusted no one! *Six isnt necessarily a good person, he might also be out to get me.* *If I was that easy to deceive, then all my years at police academy were worthless* Xu Qian replied THREE: If the Earth Book belongs to the Heaven and Earth Society, and NINE is of the Earth Sect, then the Earth Sect covets the Earth Book? From the information archived by the Nightwatchers, the Earth Book is the Daoist Earth Sects treasure, whereas this Heaven and Earth Society is merely a Jianghu organisation. But Six just said earlier, that the Earth Book belongs to the Heaven and Earth Society, that the Earth Sect covets this treasure. If Six doesnt give a reasonable exnation, then Xu Qian will also pull him down. SIX: the Earth Book is the Earth Sects treasure, but that was in the past. Now, it belongs to the Heaven and Earth Society. And the Heaven and Earth Society is made up of a portion of the Earth Sect. THREE: Whats this? SIX: This involves a secret of the Earth Sect. Im not a disciple of that sect, and so am not at liberties to divulge. THREE: I understand. You can leave an address. SIX: Yangshui street in the inner city, the house opposite Zhangs Silk Shop, in the courtyard is nted a kumquat tree. Xu Qian had finally calmed down fully, drinking a mouthful of tea which was slowly losing its warmth, the tip of his finger lightly tapping the table. At present, he had three choices: One, believe Six, and return the mirror. He could spend money to hire someone to do it for him. He wouldnt have to worry about who Six was, nor would he worry about Nine locating him, thus escaping the situation. Two, make a deal with Nine. The downside was that he was likely to face a ck-eat-ck situation. The upside was if he gambled right, five hundred taels of silver would be his. Three, give the Earth Book to the Nightwatchers, and gain merit. *If I was still the small bailiff of Changle County, then I may have picked the first choice; safety first.* *But Im now a Nightwatcher. In the Capital of the Great Feng, I dont need to care how powerful any outside forces are. The dragons must coil up, the tigers must crouch down... no, they wouldnt even dare to enter the city.* *Ive only just joined the Nightwatchers, and have no resources or merit. I could use this Earth Book to exchange for a bright future.* *The constabry would most likely love to receive one of these ancient treasures. That great eunuch Wei Yuan would not sit by on the sidelines.* After deciding on his course of action, Xu Qian went to the constabry to return the records, and took his own belt token from the clerk in the archives, leaving the building in rash vigour. In a quiet corner with no person in sight, Xu Qian took out all of his things in the jade mirror: a crossbow, the bone-dissolving poison, the heart-protecting mirror, and the four hundred taels of silver banknotes that Brother Chun returned, After stowing these items properly, he came to the Nightwatcher Constabrys tallest building: the Tower of Noble Spirit. The guards at the door blocked his way. Xu Qian took off his token, saying solemnly, Notify Duke Wei with haste, the Bronze Gong Xu Qian has an important matter to report. The guards took the token, and after making sure it was not fake, examined him, Why do you not find the Silver Gong youre under? The Silver Gong isnt present, and the situation is urgent, go quickly. Xu Qian gave an even more stubborn response. He did not n for Li Yuchun to know about this matter. More urately, he did not n to let more people know than was necessary. The Heaven and Earth Society was good, the Daoist Earth Sect was fine too, they were allrge powers. They may not want to take revenge against the Nightwatchers, but Xu Qian had a family to worry about. This was a principle that he understood from when he was a policeman in a previous life. Xu Qian must lighten his own traces on the matter, making both the Heaven and Earth Society and the Earth Sect overlook him. The two guards exchanged looks, and one of them hurriedly rushed upstairs. After a few minutes, the guard returned, You can enter. Duke Wei is waiting for you on the seventh floor. Only then did Xu Qian let out a sigh of relief; the fact that this immensely powerful eunuch was willing to see him, meant that half his n had already seed. He immediately entered the building, and flew up flights upon flights of stairs, all the way to the seventh floor. At the top of the stairs already stood a clerk waiting for him, leading him through the long corridor and to a tea room. The room was empty, but on the adjoining balcony was stood an azure cloaked figure. Wei Yuan turned his head, saying warmly, What is it? His features were handsome, his aura refined. The hairs on his forehead were starting to whiten, and in his eyes swirled the passing of an untold number of years and experiences. He did not seem like a eunuch, rather more a schr. Xu Qian did not dare to look him directly in the eye, bowing his head slightly, This servant has asked for Duke Wei, because this servant has discovered an important matter, and hase to report it. As he spoke, he drew out the jade mirror from his robe, and presented it with both hands. This is the Earth Book, an artefact of the Daoist Earth Sect. *Earth Book* Wei Yuan was dazed for a moment, staring at the small mirror intensely, How did you get it? Xu Qian did not conceal anything, recounting exactly how he got the mirror, how he received messages, and what he had discovered in the case records at the constabry. All of this was told as is to the great eunuch. He didnt have any reason to conceal anything; he had obtained this mirror before he joined the Nightwatchers, this was his private possession. Moreover, even if he had gotten it after joining the Nightwatchers, it would still be his anyway. Wei Yuan wouldnt get any bad impression because of this. The azure-cloaked eunuch said with a half smile, Five hundred taels of gold? * Bossman, isnt it strange to focus on this point?* Xu Qianughed with embarrassment, This small person is only trying to gain benefit for himself, within reasonable bounds, of course. Wei Yuanughed warmly, as his eyes fell on the mirror again. Just then, a line of text appeared on its surface. NINE: Have you decided when to make the deal? The great eunuchs mouth twitched, as he gave the mirror back to Xu Qian, The mirror has already received a drop of blood and recognised its owner. Only you can reply. Tell him, the exchange ce will be Guiyuelou, in the Inner City, the dancing birds room. In two hours time. Xu Qian immediately replied with the mirror. NINE: Sure! Wei Yuan said, You havent revealed your identity or address, you did well. You may leave now, the rest of this will be arranged. *Then what about my five hundred taels of gold- ah no, my merit* Xu Qian thought. He didnt dare open his mouth, and so cupped his fists, Yes Sir! He did not take away the mirror, immediately leaving the tea room. Leaving the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qians emotions were veryplicated. He had both the relief of handing off a hot potato, as well as the hurt of losing a magical artefact, and five hundred taels of silver. As for merit, even though the great eunuch did not say anything, Xu Qian could understand the aura he had to maintain. The boss of the Nightwatchers talking merit with a small Bronze Gong, seemed far too unbefitting. *At least he wont treat me badly* Xu Qian left the constabry, heart still panging, nning to go to the Gon to listen to music, to calm his soul. Chapter 75: Spear Intent Chapter 75: Spear Intent # 75. Spear Intent Jiaofang Si, Reflecting Plum Pavilion Xu Qianzily slouched on the brocade couch, his Nightwatcher uniform hanging on the back of the chair. In the spacious room, six dancers were dancing lightly, their slender waists swaying inside their thin gauze skirts. Behind him, a maid was rubbing his shoulders, while another maid was holding and massaging his legs. The famous oiran was wearing a gorgeous and delicate long skirt, her head lowered, focused on ying the qin. asionally, she raised her head to nce at Xu Qi''an, who was indulging in pleasure without care. After a stick of incense, the Qin sounds dissipated, while the dancers withdrew from the room. Fuxiang got up to clean her hands in a copper basin,ining quietly, "Young Master Yang turned out to be a Nightwatcher." "Are you disappointed?" Xu Qi''an lowered his head and continued to fiddle with his fingers, replying casually. The famous oiran put her skirt on the couch, sat on him, pressed his firm chest muscles with both her hands, and smiled charmingly, "I Love it..." The reason why Xu Qi''an transferred to the Jiaofangsi was mainly because of its proximity. It was not because it would be more expensive to eat and listen to music in the Gon,pared to the free attention he was being given by Fuxiang. *How could SIX know about the contents of my conversation with NINE? Mirror Three is sealed, so I can''t receive signals from the other Mirror Holders. Can the other Holders see my messages? The Earth Book is too inadequate for an ancient version of QQ...*[^1] *If I had known by that time, I would have added everyone as friends at the beginning... I was a little scared at that time, and I just wanted to get my hands off this hot potato...* *Heaven and Earth Society and Earth Sect have some sort of rtionship... Did they split from the same sect?* Xu Qi''an''s thought process was interrupted, as he found and looked at the oiran sitting on his waist, twisting her hips. Her beautiful face looked like spring, teasing him implicitly. She also had a pair of peach-blossom-like eyes that demanded affection from everyone. "If you continue to move around, the soft seat will turn into a hard seat.", Xu Qi''an said, annoyed. A few minutester, the maids guarding the door heard the couch-bed''s creaking, as well as the panting of their Lady. "Aiya, They started in broad daylight." "Let''s get out first, It''s probably going to continue until dusk." ... Guiyuelou, In the Luanfeng private room. A man wearing ck clothes and holding a knife in hand sat straight near the round table. The ck-clothed man had a two-finger long scar on his cheek, triangr eyes, and a fierce light shed in his light brown pupils from time to time. It gave off the impression that he was a murderous lunatic, as if he would draw a knife to cut others at the slightest disagreement. A vicious aura hung around him. He was a death row prisoner in the constabry, whose name had been signed by His Majesty, and had an execution scheduled in the next autumn. Today, he was suddenly taken out of death row by a Golden Gong. The Golden Gong told him that he just needed toplete a task satisfactorily, and then he can return to the Jianghu while another death row prisoner would take his ce. The credibility of this statement was quite high. Being on the list signed by His Majesty usually meant that there was no doubt of his execution and that he couldn''t be pardoned. Finding a recement for him was the right thing to do. This type of "Redemption through Merit" transactions were not that umon in the Nightwatcher Office. Before being arrested, he had heard of it from quite a few seniors. His task was also very simple. He just needed to perform a transaction. But the ck-clothed man also knew that there must have been great danger hidden. Surely, they wouldn''t bother to find a death row prisoner for a simple transaction. The ck-clothed man epted this mission for two reasons: One, Dying without struggling was worse than taking a chance. Two, this was Guiyuelou in the inner city, one of the liveliest ces in the capital. Who would dare to make trouble in this ce? At that time, he heard two "knock knock" sounds from the door of the private room. "The door is open. Pleasee in." The man in ck responded with a low voice. The door of the room was pushed open, as an old man dressed like a Jianghu wanderer came in. He was wearing a grey robe, half of his face was hidden in the cloak, with the lower half being exposed. There was a shallowyer of scarring on his jaw, and he had a ck beard that looked freshly shaven. The two sides looked at each other with vignce. *Heh, You definitely can''t enter the inner city with this kind of attire. He probably changed in the Guiyuelou secretly... There may be some weapons hidden in his robe...* The ck-robed man was disdainful but also vignt. While he was thinking, the cloaked wanderer asked hoarsely, "What about the item?" The man in ck stared at him calmly, and said, "I seem to have said that I spent 500 taels of gold for this mirror." *What kind of mirror needs to be bought for 500 taels* He thought. The cloaked wanderer grunted, and reached into his bosom with one hand to take out a stack of silver notes. The denomination of the first silver bills looked to be 100 taels. Although he knew that he had to hand in the silver bills eventually, money touched a person''s heart easily, and his eyes began to gleam uncontrobly, glued to the thick pile of silver bills, and couldn''t move away from them. "Mirror!" The cloaked wanderer said hoarsely as he put the bills on the table. The man in ck looked at the mirror carefully, but put it on the table after not seeing anything. The cloaked wanderer raised his head slightly, revealing a pair of sharp eyes to stare at the mirror on the table for a moment. "Very well, The deal is done. After exiting the door, well have never seen each other." He picked up the mirror, while the death row prisoner in ck stretched out his hand to the bank notes with shining eyes. Suddenly the prisoner in ck saw the left side of the cloak the wanderer was wearing bulging slightly... *Bad!* His pupils shrank as if he had just been exposed to a strong light. He instinctively tumbled sideways to avoid any future attacks. *This task wasn''t simple... Fortunately, I have always been on guard... This is an expert, I shouldn''t conflict with him head-on. I''ll just break the window and go out. I don''t believe that he dares to kill people on the street of the downtown area in the inner city...* This thought started to sh in a ck-clothed person''s mind. At that time, he observed the ce where he had been sitting. A figure was sitting upright, wearing a ck cloth and holding a knife with both hands. His neck was cut t by a sharp de and the scar was as big as a bowl spurting fresh blood. *Um?* A string of question marks appeared in the mind of the death row prisoner wearing ck. Then, His consciousness fell into the abyss. The cloaked wanderer put the silver bills back into his arms, smiled, and turned to walk out of the private room. ... After leaving the Guiyuelou, The cloaked man rode the fast horse he hade in and left the inner and outer city leisurely, before racing on the public road, raising a cloud of dust behind. After galloping for more than an hour, a tea shed appeared in front of him, with three tables set outside. The tea seller was an old man with grey hair. There were no customers there, and the old man was sitting at the table drinking tea by himself. The cloaked man reined his horse, after which it neighed and raised its front hooves, then stopped its high-speed movement. After tying the reins of his horse to a stake on the side of the road, the cloaked man nced at both sides before walking towards the tea shed. He took out the small jade mirror and offered it respectfully with both hands, "Master, I didn''t fail the mission." The gray-haired old man took the small jade mirror before speaking in a low voice, "You brought back an enemy." The cloaked man was taken aback for a moment. Before he had time to formte a response, he saw the old man wave his hand to knock him away. Boom! The cloaked man who flew up happened to collide with a sharp jet of qi and was blown to pieces on the spot. Blood sttered across the ground like drops of ink. The old man squinted his eyes to look towards the end of the public road, from where a tall and upright figure was walking slowly. When he had initially appeared, he was still quite far, but after a few breaths, he was no more than a hundred meters away from the old man. "Yang Yan, You are only a dog that Azure Robe has raised." The old man snorted coldly, "Leave, Don''t meddle in other people''s business." Facially paralyzed Yang Yan remained as expressionless as ever, "I want to meddle." The old man flew into a rage, losing control over his mind, and said incisively, "Do not me this poor Daoist for being impolite to you." The grey robes of the old man bulged, wisps of ck smoke overflowed from his body and began to dance in the air, letting shrill screams out of nowhere. Yang Yan frowned, "Earth Sect cultivates Meritorious Virtue, When did they start to use these ghostly tricks?" Cobweb-like ck blood vessels protruded from the old man''s face, his pupils became scarlet, and he was filled with an evil aura, "Heh, This Daoist will send you to ask Daode Tianzun." He let out a sharp scream, after which the ck smoke in the sky also screamed strangely while rushing towards Yang Yan. Yang Yan was still expressionless, bringing his left and right fists together. Boom! A raging Qi burst out, and with him at its centre, spread out in all directions. It rolled up grass and dust along the way before finally hitting ayer of the ck membrane. A ck light shed in the sky, giving off a moist slippery appearance simr in form to an upside-down ss bowl. "It''s easy to get in my hundred ghosts formation, but difficult to get out. Even if you are a fourth-rank martial artist, You''ll have to leave your life here." The old man spoke hoarsely as if he was a devil from hell. In the air, the ck smoke scattered by Yang Yan''s Qi reunited again. Yang Yan frowned, this formation was very different than Sitianjian''s formation. Sitianjian''s formations were based on the power of heaven and earth and could exist for a long period. Dao Sect formations were set up based on human abilities and couldn''tst long. This Hundred Ghosts Formation was very tricky and unusual. Among the major practice systems, Daoism was the leader in the field of primordial spirit[^2]. Daoist System''s Sixth rank was Yin Spirit. Yin Spirits, also called Ghost Messengers in ancient times. They could draw in people''s souls at night, and dominate the life and death of mortals. The Hundred Ghost Formation should be using a simr method. Although Martial Artists also refined their Primordial Spirit, they only superimposed defence to make their primordial spirit tougher and thereforecked the means to attack. "I heard that the eighth rank of the Dao system was called Consuming Qi, and they could drive magic weapons and summon heavenly thunder. Why don''t you let me experience them?" Yang Yan was expressionless, his tone filled with contempt. "Come here!" The old man was enraged again, and two streaks of blood spewed out of his sleeve, like blood-coloured lightning. Yang Yan didn''t dodge, and let the two blood lightning attack him. Ding Ding! The two bloody lightning just managed to tear his clothes before flying out. Copper Skin and Iron Bones! "Why aren''t you retaliating?" The old man said angrily. His face looked extremely ferocious, being covered with a web made of ck blood vessels. "I''m waiting for my spear." Yang Yan said lightly, "It''s here." As his voice fell, a bright silver meteor pierced the sky. The thin and moist qi membrane shattered without a sound, and wherever the meteor passed, the ck smoke evaporated, giving off screeching sounds. "If the formation couldn''t be broken from the inside, then I''ll break it from the outside." Yang Yan stretched out his hand to hold a spear, a silver spear. After saying this, his figure suddenly disappeared, and as if he had merged with his spear he stabbed at the old man with unstoppable momentum. The old man''s blood-coloured pupils reflected a sh of silver light. Undefendable; it was an invincible Spear Intent. The spear intent of a fourth-rank martial artist. "Noo!" The old man opened his mouth and spat out a golden pill that shone with blood and ck light, mming it into the spear. The golden core was turned into powder by the spear intent, and it tore through the old man without any sign of slowing, turning his body into a bloody pulp. The silver light continued onward for hundreds of feet, only stopping upon piercing a hill. The figure of the old man condensed in mid-air. Half real and half illusory, He resentfully stared at Yang Yan before turning to ck smoke and looking towards the distance. Yang Yan bent down to pick up the small jade mirror and carried the silver spear. Then, he turned around and headed back to the capital. ... The ck smoke escaped for hundreds of miles and finally stopped after reaching a vige. The old man''s face appeared in the ck smoke, as he stared at the vige below him. Yin Spirits couldn''t be alive in the daytime for a long time. Also, their strength was greatly reduced without a physical body, making them unable to face crises. The old man intended to possess a body and devour the souls of the vigers in the vige to nourish himself. After making a n of action, the ck smoke swooped into the vige. The vige, still vivid in the previous moment, shattered like water ripples the next moment, revealing a qi cage surrounded by five-coloured meritorious virtue, trapping the ck smoke within. At the centre of the formation was an old Daoist Priest, wearing tattered Daoist robes, and with mystical facial features, sitting cross-legged. ... Early in the Morning, Xu Qi''an appeared at the Nightwatchers Constabry on time. He was waiting for the follow-up to the "Earth Book" incident. He would always be uneasy if he didn''t know about the result. Near Noon, a petty official wearing ck found him at the side hall next to Spring Breeze hall, and respectfully said, "Master Xu, Duke Wei is calling for you." *Finally...* Xu Qi''an nodded a little, "Okay!" --- [^1]: (Very) Popr Chinese messaging app and social media. Now though I think WeChat beats it slightly, thought that might just be my impression. [^2]: Yuanshen, primordial spirit/soul. Chapter 76: Night Meeting Chapter 76: Night Meeting # 76. Night Meeting The Tower of Noble Spirit, the tea room. Xu Qian came here again, seeing the great eunuch, with the sides of his hair starting to whiten, with a handsome and refined aura. He still wore his sky blue cloak, and in his eyes were contained indescribable years of experience. Beside him, was a tall and towering figure, with a cold and handsome face. He stiffly and solemnly sat beside the tea table, back straight, face emotionless. Wei Yuan sat in front of the desk, intricately enjoying expensive tea. The mirror has already epted you as its master, you can be its keeper for now. The one who contacted you first was indeed a member of the Earth Sect, and had the intent to kill you no matter what. Gold Gong Yang has already beaten back that person; you are not in any danger now. For a long time after, your home will have Nightwatchers stationed around it. Xu Qian frowned; he did not find strange Wei Yuans course of action, as yesterday when he replied to Nine, he had already gathered that this great eunuch intended to perform a ck-eat-ck. What he was dissatisfied about, was that *boss you didnt do your job properly. Why did you let him run away, youve left such a hidden danger.* The Earth Sects Yin Spirit has no body nor form, and is difficult to kill fully. Wei Yuan exined, slowly drinking tea. This was an aspect of each cultivation systems advantages and shorings. Yang Yan waved his hand, and the mirror flew through the air towards Xu Qian, floating in front of him. Xu Qian took the mirror, putting it into his robe, before bowing, and leaving the room. Yang Yan, sitting like a pine tree, said in a low voice, Father, I could not catch his yin spirit. Wei Yuanughed kindly, Why should you have? Yang Yan did not understand, his brow furrowed into a tight knot. Wei Yuanughed with a light and carefree air, If you are not skilled, naturally someone else will be skilled. Xu Qian left the Nightwatchers Constabry, and bought two bags of roasted beans, eagerly heading to get in the good graces of his immediate superior. Li Yuchun was sat behind his desk, reading a dossier, and did not even raise his head. Brother Chun, I bought some roasted beans for you. Xu Qian, without thinking, said out loud. *Brother Chun?* Li Yuchun raised his head, looking at him with a strict expression. Boss. Xu Qian added. Mhm. Put it on the table. Li Yuchun finished speaking, and buried his head back into the document. Xu Qian stretched his neck to look at his boss, asking Boss, are you investigating the saltpetre mine case? Zhu Guangxiao is hurt, Song Tingfeng is cking off, why arent you at home? Li Yuchun asked, before nodding, I am responsible for this case as of this moment. I didnt have anything to do, so thought Ide and familiarise myself with the constabry and its surroundings. Xu Qian asked tentatively, Does this have to do with the Yao people? If its a secret, then pretend I never asked. Li Yuchun grabbed a handful of beans, stuffing them into his mouth, eating and saying at the same time, I cannot tell you of the details of the case, so Ill pick a few things I can tell you our initial suspicion, is that the leftover evil of the Wanyao Country[^1] have members hidden around the capital. Wanyao Coutry? Xu Qians mind brought up of the history of the *Jiazi Dangyao*[^2]. Even though the Wanyao Country became history, these many years the remaining evil elements of the country have schemed by all means necessary to re-establish their state, and take back their old homnd. Li Yuchun said, The Buddhist Order leads the many countries of the Western Regions, their forces are powerful, so much so that even a Wanyao Country at its height would be no match. If they want to restore their country, they must make other ns. Xu Qian suddenly had a thought, So they ced their ideas on our Great Fengs gunpowder? So thats why that monster was driving away the huihu nearby. A sudden revtion. Li Yuchun was right in the middle of something, and asked Do you have anything else to say? Xu Qian tactfully replied, Nothing more, you get on with what youre doing boss, Ill be over in the other room meditating. If you have any orders just call me. Li Yuchun nodded. After Xu Qian left, Brother Chun simultaneously read through his documents and ate the fried beans. Clumsily, he managed to knock the beans off the table, as with a ttering sound, they fell to the floor. Li Yuchun stared at the beans in daze, and then covered his eyes in pain. In the side room, Xu Qian was sat inspecting the jade mirror. Suddenly he felt a furious wave of qi from the neighbouring room, but only for that moment, before it passed. He did not pay any mind, thinking over why on earth the great eunuch let him keep the mirror, and for what purpose. Even though he said it was because he had dropped blood, and be its owner, but given that the old Daoist had given it to him, this meant that this type of ownership wasnt permanant. *Im just a bronze gong, theres no reason to let me look after such an important treasure, is there?* *Whatever, lets not worry about that for now. Given that he said he would have people stationed in secret around my home, I wont need to worry about the safety of Auntie and the Sisters.* *The Earth Sects master had been driven away, he probably wonte back to the capital any time soon.* Xu Qian meditated until the end of the day, having a rxed stress-free day at work. *Tonight, should I go find Fuxiang, or should I go find Fuxiang, or should I go find Fuxiang* *Nonono, I need to save up money to buy a house, and move uncle and them to the inner city. This is safer* *I cant waste my silver on a moments pleasure. Even though Fuxiang has deep feelings for me, and insists on not taking any of my silver, and has built up a close abalone trading friendship, but the money for the maids and dancers Id still need to give.* *A few cash of silver is still silver.* Xu Qian, with immense determination, turned his horse around, and left the inner city. As he got home, it was already twilight. After having dinner, he vaulted the wall back into his own courtyard. In this era without phones andputers, without a nightlife, apart from going to the Jiaofangsi, the only other way he could pass the time was by writing his diary. *Fuxiang is really a woman that men cant resist! She knows eighteen positions, setting off on the long journey for the Buddhist tomes, the journey to the west (breasts).[^3]* Xu Qian entered his room, picked up the flint on his table, and lit a candle. Suddenly, his muscles tightened, as he froze in ce. On the bed sat cross-legged an old Daoist priest, wearing a tattered robe. His speckled white hair was held up with a ebony wood hairpin, with several strands hanging loose. He had a careless aged aura about him, not conforming to any one type. So we meet again. The old Daoists eyes looked at him peacefully, Last time, you were a martial artist at the peak of Refining Body. Now, youre already Refining Qi, Sir, you are indeed a person of great fortune. Xu Qian sat beside the table, his body ready to react and fight at any moment. He replied solemnly, Daozhang, to break into amon mans home in the dark of night, what are you after? The old Daoist did not mind Xu Qians hostile tone, replying in a calm voice To tell Sir, that this poor Doiasts sect brother Zilian has already ascended to his next life. You need no longer worry. You killed him? I helped him ascend. *The have youe to help me ascend too?* *Nine is dead, and died in this Daoists hands if he can deal with Zilian on his own, then he wouldnt have needed to give up this treasure in the first ce* Xu Qian deduced that the Daoist was very likely here to act out a the sandpiper and m fight, and the fisherman gains the benefit. The question was, how did he set up an ambush? *I know you fucking- you also followed me!* the corner of Xu Qians mouth twitched. The fact that the old Daoist could find his way to the Xu manor, meant that he was already following him long ago. Thus, he would naturally also be aware of his position as a Nightwatcher, and also their status within the city. *The Zhou Manors assassins, the Nightwatchers, this old Daoist Im just an ordinary transmigrator, you pieces of shit, all following me one after another.* *I did not consider everything properly, you gave me the artefact, how would you not follow me afterwards, keeping a tab on me* Xu Qian tested, Has Daozhange to take back the Earth Book? The old Daoist shook his head, I already have one. From his sleeve slid out a jade mirror, identical to the one in Xu Qians shirt. This is the one that belonged to this poor Daoists brother, Zilian. Number Nine. Now, it has finally returned to its rightful owner. As for Sirs, take it as a thank you gift from me. Without waiting for Xu Qian to reply, he continued on by himself, There are nine pieces of the Earth Book in total, that this poor Daoist has given to different people. Sir is also one of those who this poor Daoist has picked. Those seven different people, created the Heaven and Earth Society. Xu Qian asked, Who are they? The old Daoist shook his head, They each have their own backgrounds,ing from all across thend. If Sir is curious, you can ask directly, as after all you know how to use the book. This poor Daoist will not reveal the others identities, including yours. This poor Daoist said earlier, you are a person shone on by the star of fortune. Xu Qian had a realisation, *of course, this old Daoist can see my strange luck.* *Finally theres someone who knows, who can solve my confusion. Picking up silver every now and then, even if it feels really good, still makes the heart a little anxious.* *After all, Im a solid grounded person.* He did not directly talk about his strange luck, using fully his oration skills, Please, could Daozhang tell me why? --- [^1]: ; Country of Ten-thousand Monsters; a country formed from Yao. [^2]: : lit. Sixty Year Extermination of the Monsters. [^3]: Line from a song about the Journey to the West. The brackets say (ru) in Latin letters, whereas thest character (road) is pronounced lu, and so Im guessing at a usible meaning, though with the wordy considered this is a very Xu Qian thing to say. Chapter 77: This One is Chen Jinnan Chapter 77: This One is Chen Jinnan # 77. This One is Chen Jinnan The old Daoist named Jinlian said leisurely, A few days ago, This poor Daoist was severely injured and didn''t have any choice except to hide in the capital. My intuition told me that I would meet someone who could resolve my crisis. This Daoist waited on the side of the road for a long time, before meeting you. However, This poor Daoist only knew that your star of fortune was shining, but did not know why. The woman in the carriage at that time had a magnificent and auspicious aura, rarely found. Since you gave her a bracelet, you will surely have some rtionship in the future." *He said everything clearly and logically but didn''t cut to the point. Isn''t this routine of those mediums...* Xu Qi''an said, "You chose the other seven members of the Heaven and Earth Society just as you chose me?" "Yes!" "May I ask the reason?" The old Daoist smiled for the first time, Yes, but if the benefactor hears what this poor Daoist has to say next, youll have no road back. Xu Qi''an pondered for a long time, weighing the pros and cons mentally, and then nodded, "Say it." The old Daoist nodded, "Everything this Daoist has done is to save the Earth Sect." *Save the Earth Sect?* "Dont you find it strange? The Earth Sect cultivates Meritous Virtue. However, this Daoist''s junior brother Zilian wanted to kill you and killed the death row prisoner who traded in your stead. This is surely contrary to Earth Sect''s cultivation philosophy." *NINE killed my substitute...* Xu Qi''an looked calm, but a chill had risen in his heart. He was still not clear about the transaction process. Wei Yuan hadn''t exined it. It was only just now did he knew that such a thing happened in the process. Fortunately, he wasn''t deceived by treasures and gold and chose the path most contrary to his heart. He didn''t just escape the crisis, but also showed loyalty. "This matter is rted to the secret of the Earth Sect. Benefactor, remember not to spread it to the ears of outsiders." After seeing Xu Qi''an nodding, Daoist Jinlian didn''t exin immediately but stayed silent for a long time before sighing. The Earth Sect''s current Sect Master has fallen to demonic desires, affecting almost everyone in the sect. Only a few disciples, including me, haven''t been affected by the Sect Master''s status. "And the thing that protects us is the Earth Book." "Demonic?" Xu Qi''an found it hard to believe; the Earth Sect cultivated Meritorious Virtue, and as the leader of the sect, the Sect Master should have had immeasurable merit. At least, It should be enough for picking up a tael of silver whenever he goes out. *A person like him fell into the demonic path... How could the world be so heartless? "Sess is Meritorious Virtue, and failure is also Meritorious Virtue." Old Daoist Jinlian stared at the candle me in a daze. "When Daode Tianzun founded the Earth Sect, he left behind a warning: Fortune and Misfortune don''t exist, only people name it so. The rewards of good and evil, Interrted."[^1] *Speak human...* Xu Qi''anined. "Does the benefactor think that saving someone''s life is a meritorious virtue?" Jinlian asked. "Isn''t it?" Xu Qi''an retorted. "What if you save a heinous person? He could have been condemned to die by the heavens, but he survived due to you and continued to do evil." Old Daoist Jinlian looked at Xu Qi''an. "Is it still a good deed?" Xu Qi''an pondered for a moment, then frowned, The nature of humanity is change. Light and darkness are intertwined. We shouldn''t be cynical and disgusted at the world just because we have seen darkness. "It''s impossible for me to go to the bottom of someone''s past before saving them. That would be too unrealistic." The old Daoist stepped back quietly to take an appreciative look at him, then said with a smile, "Benefactor, the fact that you can say these words, puts me truly at ease with entrusting you with the Earth Book" Aye, It''s right for ordinary people to practice this principle. But for us, this is the most terrible kind of karma. The deeper the umtion of meritorious virtue, the heavier the karma one urs. The Sect Master had been doing good deeds and umting Meritorious Virtue all his life. Sixty years ago, He failed to cross the tribtion and his karma backfired, luring him into the demonic path. An object at its extreme must return, this is that principle. If you want to prove the Dao with meritorious Virtue, You must also bear the corresponding karma. One thought leads to immortality and another bes devilish. This is the fate every member of the Earth Sect can''t escape. It turned out that the Earth Sect had such a secret! *In such a situation, Confucianism is needed to educate you. As it is said, Gentlemen are right and practice the middle way... Going to any extreme will not lead to perpetuity...* Xu Qi''an suddenly thought of something, and his face changed. If the blessing in me is from a simr source to the Earth Sect, Am I also in danger of bing a Devil? He didn''t fully trust Daoist Jinlian, so he held his urge to inquire within. "Don''t the two sects of Heaven and Man care about this?" Xu Qi''an took the opportunity to inquire about the specifics, "You are all Daoists, aren''t you?" "The Earth Sect has the hidden danger of bing demonic. Do you think that the other two sects of Heaven and Man from Daoism don''t have any simr hidden dangers, do you?" Daoist Jinlian sneered, "Besides, This is a matter of my Earth Sect. What does it have to do with them, for them to meddle with our sect?" *So, What could the hidden dangers of the two sects of Heaven and Man be...* Sixty Years, The Heaven and Earth Society also appeared sixty years ago, which was consistent with the information Xu Qi''an had consulted. He asked, "Daozhang established the Heaven Earth Society for..." Daoist Jinlian said in a deep voice, "Kill the Sect Leader, cleanse the house." "What is the realm of the Sect Master?" "Second Rank." *... Take the damn mirror back. Daddy is strong by himself, he doesn''t need your scraps.* The old Daoist with deep facial features seemed to see through Xu Qi''an''s thoughts, and said with a smile, This old Daoist has cultivated Immeasurable Meritorious Virtue for decades. Though I dont have much ability, I can still judge people well enough. All eight people in the Heaven and Earth Society, including you, will not be small fish in the future. "You all may be separated throughout the corners of the country, but you all will meet one another in the future. If you join the Heaven and Earth Society sooner, you will all form bonds sooner, which will surely help you all prevent deaths and injuries in fights among heavenly arrogances like you." Xu Qi''an, who was originally somewhat resistant to joining the Heaven and Earth Society, changed his mind. If the situation was truly as the old Daoist said, Everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society was talented prodigies, it would be beneficial for him to join this circle. Maybe, it could y an important role in critical moments. "Okay!" Xu Qi''an nodded. The old Daoist nodded slightly, If you need any help, You can ask me for help through the Earth Book, or ask the other members for help through the Earth Book if they are in the capital. The purpose of Heaven and Earth Society is to help each other. "In addition, the holders of the Earth book are named ording to the serial number of the book they hold." After finishing speaking, the old Daoist turned into a cloud of grey smoke and escaped from the room, drifting gracefully into the distance. Yin Spirit! Xu Qi''an sat at the table and poured himself a cup of tea, reying the previous conversation in his mind. At present, It seems that this master from the Earth Sect doesn''t have any malice toward me... However, these LYBs always have extensive ns, smoke trails and deceptions, their real ns can seldom be seen through from the surface... He gave me the mirror and used the hands of the Nightwatchers to deal with his fellow disciple... And then the fisherman became the biggest beneficiary of the matter. This proves that the old Daoist is an LYB.[^2] But he wasn''t that afraid. Xu Qi''an had sufficient experience in this area, and he had already figured out a way to survive. *Only an LYB could deal with an LYB.* *Wei Yuan!* *This great eunuch is well educated and capable of governing the country as well asmanding the army, so he was supported by the emperor in his current position of suppressing all officials. It was enough to show that he had extraordinary means. "If I want to thrive in the capital, I have to hug this leg..." After Xu Qi''an made up his mind, he stopped panicking. He picked up the fragment of the Earth Book on the table and immersed himself in it. Chaos appeared once again, and the world of the mirror appeared in front of Xu Qi''an. Eight light spots were suspended in the grey chaos, one of which was the brightest. Xu Qi''an lit up the light spots one by one, and then withdrew from the chaotic world. Using his finger as a pen, he wrote on the mirror, "Hello everyone, I''m a neer. Please take care of me." No one responded for a long time. *A bit embarrassing* Xu Qi''an re-entered in the mirror, "Hello everyone, This one is Chen Jinnan[^3], please give me some advice." SIX: Brother Chen, I contacted the Daoist Priest through the Earth Book, and I got a general idea from him. Thank you for helping the Daoist Priest resolve the crisis. THREE: It was a piece of cake, Not worth mentioning. *A piece of cake?* *During their conversation with Daoist Priest Zilian, he was quite ignorant, and his realm was not high... But he was able to help Daoist Priest Jinlian kill Zilian and take back Book Nine... This THREE may not be strong himself, but his background is surely unfathomable...* Seeing the calm reply of Three, Six secretly guessed. At the same time, Xu Qi''an saw a text message from another member in the mirror. TWO: I haven''t paid much attention to the Earth Book recently, What happened? --- [^1]: Fortune and misfortune is due to people deciding that they are so. Good and Evil don''t have a clear boundary, so does their effects. [^2]: Lao Yin Bi, lit. old silver coin. Someone with a lot of cunning and ability to asymmetrically / deal with an opponent in a way that they have no way to fight back. Meaning-adjacent [^3]: , a character in Jin Yongs Duke of Mount Deer, a teacher to the protagonist and a strong martial artist. Also a member of the Ming Revivalist Heaven and Earth Society. Chapter 78: Testing Each Other Chapter 78: Testing Each Other # 78. Testing Each Other NINE: Earlier, when the Sect Master was asleep, I took the opportunity to sneak back into the Earth Sect to do something. However, I stumbled into an ambush. I fled all the way to the Capital of Feng, only then could I keep my life. To avoid being hunted down, I gave the sealed mirror to this young Brother Chen Jinnan. *Not only did you tell them my gender, but also gave a bound on my age* Xu Qian was somewhat miffed; he originally could have pretended to be a cute girl, or a skilled master, and catfished them. NINE: afterwards, after getting young brother Chen Jinnans help, I killed Zilian, and avoided this disaster. TWO: THREE, what constabry are you in? *This might as well be asking people online for their address, if I told you then there would be a problem* Xu Qian had a sudden sh of thought, and mimicking Xu Xinnians tone: THREE: Constabry? The capitals constabries might as well be a bunch of vegetarians. *THREE seems to look down upon the constabries, his tone of voice seems to be rather arrogant. The capital only has so many government-rted powers, and the Human Sect is out Jinlian Daozhang wouldnt work with the Human Sect.* *The Nightwatchers wouldnt use this tone of voice to describe the constabries, is he of the Sitianjian or the Cloud Deer Academy? *With this time, its very much like the Confucianists self-proimed All things are lowly, only studying is good.* Two and Six guessed at the same time. TWO: ONE is also in the capital. Perhaps you two know each other? ONE, I know youre in front of the mirror, did you hear about what happened today? ONE: In the Guiyuelou in the inner city, a Jianghu Wanderer has died. Sixty li outside the city, a hillock was pierced through by an unknown force. After a pause, One continued writing. ONE, have the banditry problems in Yunzhou settled? *Interesting!* Xu Qians eyebrows raised. He smelled a whiff of a royal court concubine drama. *TWO pulled ONE under the water, and at the same time revealed to him some information: ONE and I were both in the capital.* *This is clearly aimed at ONE. The reason is very simple, from the earlier conversation, everyone knew THREE lived in the capital.* *But as THREE myself, I dont know much about the other people. TWO couldve not revealed this point.* *And ONE immediately returned an eye for an eye, very generously throwing out information, showing that she was a reliable source and giving Xu Qian a boost, whilst also hitting back at TWO.* *TWO is in Yunzhou bandits shes a government person?* Yunzhou has had problems with bandits year after year, thus gaining the nickname from people all across the country: Bandit Province. As Xu Qians thoughts twisted and turned, both Six and Two were chewing on the information that One gave out. *East of the city sixty li, a hillock was pierced through its too little information, cant tell which cultivation path that is, but they were a high rank no matter what.* TWO: How could it have settled? The emperor of Feng is a brainless baboon, thinking about wanting to be immortal all day, not knowing the toil of themon people. *This sounds like TWO is probably not eating the crowns sry* Xu Qian guessed. TWO: Previous years aside, just this year alone, I investigated through the census records of the many counties of Yunzhou, going all over the ce, and from a rough estimate, there have been at least sixty thousand people who have fled, be wanderers, or bandits themselves. Wanderers were people withoutnds, people who could not pay tax and thus gave up theirnds and fled. Withoutnds, a person still had to live, so some begged, some did temporarybour, and some directly became bandits, raiding and piging good people, forming a feedback loop. Two continued: Ive exterminated over a dozen waves of bandits, and found that at their back was a more hidden power. ONE: Do you have any idea who? TWO: No right, how is the situation in the capital? Xu Qian didnt wait for One to respond, racing to be the first to write: THREE: Deputy Minister Zhou has fallen, and the political battle has started. However Deputy Minister Zhous fall was somewhat absurd; the reason was that his only son had deep perversions, and attempted to molest the second daughter of the Marquis Weiwu. This whole string of text was both a message to Two, and also a disy of his own skils and abilities, and at the same time testing One. Anyone who had the status to participate in the battle in court knew, that the real reason for Deputy Minister Zhous fall was the tax silver case. What made him disappointed was that One did not correct him. ONE: Jinlian Daozhang, I''ve already investigated for you, the Lesser Sage hall was sealed on the Jia-zi day. At that day, the only outsiders at the academy, apart from the eldest princess, was a civil servant called Xu Qian. *!!!* Xu Qians heart skipped a beat. A sense of panic as if he had just had his personal details published on the inte rose within him. *Who was this Number One? Why did they want to investigate what happened that day on Jia-zi* Xu Qian thought back. On that day, Eng took him to tour the academy, and at a moments inspiration, he wrote those four phrases on the stone stele. And made the azure qi rush towards the sky. At the same time, he was very curious as to why Jinlian Daozhang would be curious in the changes in the Academy. Logically, this would be something the Imperial Academys students would care about, what did it have to do with an Earth Sect Daoist? ONE: However, that civil servant had no special qualities. Apart from being rather skilled in poetry, he was merely a Refining Body martial artist, and not a student of the Academy, even less so a Schr. NINE: Mhm, okay. THREE: Daozhang, why are you interested in the change at the Academy? Xu Qian tested him. NINE: I want to know if the lesser saints stele has split or not. THREE: Is this very important? NINE: Rather so. *It split* Xu Qian did not tell Jinlian Daozhang. Even if he wanted to say, it would not be now. THREE: Theres something Id like to ask everyone for advice. TWO: Speak. THREE: Are Arcanists exclusive to the Sitianjian? This sentence from him as good as excluded the possibility that he was a disciple of the Sitianjian. Everyone grew ever more certain that he was a schr of the Cloud Deer Academy, a student that took the fancy of his teachers. Otherwise, how would he have asked a skilled master to kill the Zilian Daoist? And this was exactly what Xu Qian wanted. *You think Im a student of the Cloud Deer Academy, whilst in reality Im a Nightwatcher. Later on if you find out I may be a Nightwatcher, youll find that I am really a student of the Academy. Alternatively, youll find out that Im the tutor for the Sitianjians Alchemists.* SIX: Ill answer this. Six hundred years ago, there were no Arcanists. After the Great Feng was founded, then came the Sitianjian and its Arcanists. *Their sects history was brief, and there was no record of splitting. Which is to say, apart from the Sitianjian, any wild Arcanists might as well be non-existent There should still be some, but only very few, otherwise when I pulled out that blue-cover book, they wouldve found it strange.* *No wonder the Arcanists desperately wanted my chemistry knowledge, with how powerful they clearly were.* *Because their history was short, and so there was not time to form a holistic theoretical basis and curriculum?* *Furthermore, who was the Arcanist behind the tax silver case?* This one suspicious detail in the tax silver case, had constantly upied veteran detective Xu Qians mind. *On the fact that traces of an alchemist had appeared in the tax silver case, the Sitianjian has taken a very carefree attitude to the matter, not asking nor hearing.* *This was not scientific.* *No matter if it was Chu Caiwei, Song Qing, or the other white-cloaks, they all never mentioned this in front of him.* SIX: THREE, ording to the rules, youll have to answer one of my questions. Only then did Xu Qian realise, that One and Twos conversation was always one question each every time. Earlier he had butted in, and answered about the situation of court in Ones stead. THREE: Ask away. SIX: What is the second rank of the Confucianists called? *This is another test, a test of my identity is it testing if I was indeed a student of the Cloud Deer Academy, or my social status.* Normal students did not know what the Confucian second rank was called; in that stele about the life of great schr Chen Zhong, it did not ever talk in detail about his rank. Only after Xu Xinnian exined, did Xu Qian find out. The reason why Xu Xinnian knew was that he was a student of the great schr Zhang Shen, and was a Jushi that had passed above average in the autumn examinations. Amongst the students at the Academy, he was already near the top. *If I was not a student of the Cloud Deer Academy, then this test might have worked. If a non-Confucian knew what the Confucian second rank was, then their social status would only get higher.* *If I couldnt answer, then this group would probably think Im not good enough.* Xu Qian used his finger like a pen, and responded: THREE: The second rank Confucian is called Great Schr. Chapter 79: The Benefits of Being Backed by an Organisation Chapter 79: The Benefits of Being Backed by an Organisation # 79. The Benefits of Being Backed by an Organisation The message had been sent. No one answered the message for a long time, and no one even called 666. Xu Qi''an sat on the table and waited for a long time before confirming that this group of people had gone offline. *Youre too rude don''t you know to inform others before going offline? A bunch of unqualifiedizens.* He cursed in his heart. After putting away the small jade mirror and locking the door, Xu Qi''an blew out the candles, andy down on the bed, letting his thoughts fly. *The Heaven and Earth Society seems to be a pretty loose organization. The membersmunicate with each other, but are also very guarded with each other.* *Thats quite understandable. After all, the people in the society are scattered all over the world, All of them may not even be from the Great Feng. Itd be normal for them to be wary of each other.* *The benefit that it can grant is sharing of information.* *This point was very important.* *Isn''t this just a chat group? If you can chat offline, Maybe there would be opportunities for chatting offline in the future. *TWO is in Yunzhou, quite far. Also, their status shouldn''t be low, or they wouldn''t be able to check the household registration in the various prefectures and counties.* *ONE seems to be in the capital. They should be a person with real status and position, much stronger than an imitation product like me, and the one I have to guard against.* *SIX... They had warned me not to respond to NINE before and said that they were also in the capital.* *ONE and SIX are the ones I have to be careful of. The other members are separated from me by arge distance. Even if they knew my true identity, it wouldn''t be a problem since we wouldn''t have any conflicts of interest with each other.* *ONE and SIX are the kind ofizens who could say "You wait, I''ll mess you up real bad." and do what they say.* *But on the other hand, If I make a cordial deal with them, These two are near me and can help me with my urgent needs.* *The others haven''te online yet.* *This feels like ying a game of Mafia, Interesting, Interesting...* Thinking, he fell asleep. ... The night was like water and the moon like frost. As the cold wind whistled, the lights of the Lingbao Temple shone brightly in the night. Ever since the Dao Master of the Human Sect was conferred as the National Teacher, their sect headquarters had moved over to the imperial capital, and the current emperor had built a magnificent Dao temple for them. A luxurious sandalwood carriage stopped outside the Dao Temple, and Wei Yuan, wearing an azure cloak, stepped down on a smalldder. The Daoist Apprentice guarding the gate weed him respectfully. Walking through the courtyard, corridor, and garden, he came to a spacious quiet room. After the Daoist Apprentice left, Wei Yuan knocked on the door with his fingers. The panel door opened automatically, and a cold voice sounded, For Duke Weis presence to grace this hall, this small Daoist is revered and awed. Wei Yuan didn''t care about the sarcasm in the speech and stepped over the threshold to enter the house. The room was cold, and a sandalwood scent was wafting from the desk. There was a screen between the room and the lobby, and a graceful figure could be faintly visible sitting cross-legged behind the screen. Wei Yuan''s expression was cold, and his tone even colder, "What happened to the Earth Sect?" The female national teacher''s age couldn''t be parsed from her voice, as it had the melodiousness of a young girl and the softness of a mature woman. "Duke Wei knows of astronomy up above and geography down below, why would you need to ask me for advice?" Wei Yuan shook his head, "I just scolded you with an Only Women and viins are hard to deal with back then, You still hold a grudge over this?" The person behind the screen became silent. "The Nightwatchers have a fragment of the Earth Book, do you want it?" "That''s the Earth Sect''s property." Wei Yuan nodded, turned around, and left. After he left the Lingbao Temple, Yang Yan, who was waiting by the carriage, came up to him, "Father, Did you get any news?" Wei Yuan shook his head, "The female Dao Master didn''t want to say anything, but something must have happened to the Earth Sect." After getting into the carriage, Wei Yuan put his cold hands near the animal-head stove, and after warming up his body, said solemnly, Many artificial and natural disasters have urred in recent years. The state of Great Feng isn''t right. The major cultivation systems have also expressed problems continuously. "I have been getting a feeling that something is about to happen." Yang Yan frowned, "Is father worrying too much? On the day we went to the Sitianjian, the Jianzheng said that everything in the heavens was normal." Wei Yuan said, "The words of those who spy on heavenly secrets couldn''t be believed." After pausing for a while, he became serious and resolute, "We should find out about the current state of the Earth sect at any cost." Yang Yan: "The Earth Sect has always been very low-key, like a Heavenly Dragon, you see its head but never its tail" Wei Yuan''s eyes became sharp suddenly," I said, At any cost." *It is rare to see father have such a solemn attitude.* Yang Yan lowered his head, "Yes." In the early morning, Xu Lingyin, wearing a thick padded jacket, held a dead branch in her hand and chased a group of geese as young as her on her stubby legs. Seeing her eldest brother approaching her, Xu Lingyin put her hands on her hip and proudly said, "Big Brother, Big Brother, I''m already invincible among my peers." Xu Qi''an looked at her, "Are you invincible in stupidity?" Xu Lingyin anxiously defended herself, "It''s not that I''m invincible in stupidity. It''s that I''m invincible, invincible." She said while waving a few dead branches, indicating that she was invincible in fighting. Little Pea exined, "My sister said that no one in the family who is my age can defeat me, and I am the fiercest among them." *It''s because you''re the only child in the family...* Xu Qi''an said, "Your sister didn''t lie to you." Xu Lingyin was so happy that on the way to the living room with her elder brother, maderge haughty footsteps, as if not acknowledging any kin. At the dining table, Auntie was eating breakfast gracefully, and saying, "Husband dear, Lingyue seems to have reached the age to marry." It was reached a long time ago too. Girls from ordinary families could get married at the age of fourteen. The Xu family wasrge, so they didn''t need to marry their daughter off in such a hurry, but seventeen years was indeed the age to marry. It was because, if a girl was unmarried at the age of 18, she would be a leftover girl. *Clearly 18-year-old girls were at their most tender age.* Xu Lingyue raised her head all of a sudden, her moist eyes filled with stubbornness, "Mother, I don''t want to marry yet." Auntie rolled her eyes to reprimand her, "Is this still a question regarding your opinion?" Xu Lingyue refused to ept this, and pursed her lips, revealing the delicate corners of her mouth, delicate as if they were carved, "Second Brother still hasn''t married a sister-inw yet." Xu Xinnian was inexplicably shot in the knee. Auntie had her reason and said, "Even if your second brother wants to get married, he has to wait until thepletion of the Spring Examination. There isn''t any hurry for him. Let''s settle your marriage first." Xu Lingyue puffed her cheeks, silent as a doormat. Second Uncle Xu nodded thoughtfully, "Lingyue has indeed reached the age of marriage. Ai, Time flies by so fast. She has grown up so quickly." Xu Lingyin, who was immersed in her food, raised her naive little face upon hearing that sentence, and shouted, "Elder Sister has grown up and is stirring up trouble." The entire family, "???" Xu Qi''an''s face became numb, and he forcibly changed the topic, "Even if Lingyue wants to marry, she must marry an excellent man like me." Auntie snorted with disdain. *Make trouble again, right...* Xu Qi''an said with a chuckle, "Auntie can live such a good life of prosperity because she married a second uncle, who is like me." The beautiful Auntie couldn''t refute this sentence, so she only stared resentfully at her unlucky nephew. Uncle Xu felt veryfortable listening to his nephew''s boasting, and said smilingly, "Does madam have any candidates?" Auntie said, "We''ll choose the candidates slowly. I just wanted to discuss this with you." Xu Xinnian nced at his family and announced, "From tomorrow onwards, I have to go back to the Cloud Deer Academy to prepare for the Fall Examination." After he had stepped into the realm of self-cultivation, Zhang Shen, the great schr, recalled him to Cloud Deer Academy to teach him theory and practice while preparing him for the next year''s Fall Examination. His gaze swept the crowd calmly as if he were waiting for their reaction. Auntie immediately passed a slice of meat to her son, "My Cijiu has always had great promise." Only then did Xu Xinnian nod in satisfaction and let out an "Mm." After having had breakfast, Xu Qi''an was about to leave the house when he heard a young maiden''s clear and soft voice behind him, "Brother..." Upon turning, he was faced with a slim girl with delicate features. Xu Lingyue said aggrievedly, "I don''t want to be married." Xu Qi''an thought for a while, then grinned and said, "In the future, Talk about it with me, Cijiu, and second Uncle. When is it the turn of women like your mother to decide the family''s affairs." "Xu Ningyan!" Auntie had appeared by Xu Lingyin at some point in the middle, with her hands on her hips and her willow-like eyebrows squeezing. The beautiful woman''s chest rose and fell with anger, and her face looked red with anger, "Rascal, Repeat what you said just now." Xu Qi''an didn''t bother to talk to her and ran away in a hurry. ... After rushing his horse to the Nightwatcher''s Office, Xu Qi''an went straight to the Tower of Noble Spirit. *It''s this bronze gong again...* Aftermunicating with the surprised guard, he let Xu Qi''an enter the building. Ordinary bronze Gongs weren''t qualified to report affairs to Duke Wei, since they had superior Silver and Gold Gongs above them. And Duke Wei wouldn''t personally summon a copper gong to his office. But this new bronze gong, has received such a different treatment. Whenever he came, he was summoned by Duke Wei. After ascending to the seventh floor, Xu Qi''an entered the tea room, where he saw the Azure Robe in the observation hall. "What''s the matter this time?" The eunuch showed his back to him, not turning around. He wanted to confess everything aboutst night. He had the Nightwatchers as his backer, and Wei Yuan''s feet to hug, so there wasn''t a need for him to bear anything by himself. It didn''t just reduce the risk, but also helped him win the trust of father Wei. Chapter 80: One Blade From Heaven and Earth Chapter 80: One de From Heaven and Earth # 80. One de From Heaven and Earth *In the future I want to be a person with this kind of aura* Xu Qian thought in admiration, and cupped his fists, Last night, Jinlian Daozhang from the Earth Sect came to visit me. He did not hurt me, nor take back the Earth Book, rather inviting me to join the Heaven and Earth Society. The Heaven and Earth Society Wei Yuan turned around, walking back into the room. The Heaven and Earth Society was founded by that Daoist Jinlian of the Earth Sect, and the Earth Sect disciples under his banner. Xu Qian, seeing Wei Yuan make an intently listening posture, knew that the report that he had given had value. There are nine core members of the Heaven and Earth Society, which are simultaneously the nine holders of the fragments of the Earth Book. They take the number order of their fragments as their nicknames, and do not use real identities. Xu Qian summarised everything about his conversationst night, Currently I only know that ONE is in the capital, and is very influential and powerful; TWO is in Yunzhou rooting out bandits, and may be from the government. The great eunuch with whitening hair thought for a long time, before asking Not knowing each others identities what else did Jinlian tell you? Xu Qian replied truthfully, He said that the Earth Sect has had a problem, and he must clear out his house. For this he founded this Society. He looked at the great eunuch, as those deep time-worn eyes suddenly lit up, and looked back intently. That deep and full voice said with some seriousness, Exin. The Sect Leader of the Earth Sect has fallen into demonic tendencies, and has pulled down with him nearly the entire sect. Only a minority kept clear minds, and escaped the sect hearth. This was because they had the protection of the Earth Book. Xu Qian fully sold out Jinlian Daozhang, So he created the Heaven and Earth Society, and bestowed the Earth Book fragments to heavens favoured prodigies all over the world, raising them, to one day help him clear out the sect. *The Sect Leader has fallen to demonic tendencies, no wonder Zilian becaeme so dark and evil* No expression could be seen on Wei Yuans refined and handsome face. With an examining tone, he asked Why do you think Jinlian told you this? Xu Qian was just about to say that he didnt know, but seeing Wei Yuans deep gaze, hearing the examining tone in his voice, he swallowed those words back down. *With Wei Yuans scheming mind, he definitely wouldnt be looking for answers from me hes testing my abilities.* *Um if I had just said I dont know those three words, would I be marked as not clever enough in this great eunuchs heart, as a subordinate of average ability?* Xu Qians mind sprang to life, as he smiled with a rather rxed expression on his face, Every member of the Heaven and Earth Society knows about the problem in the Earth Sect. The reason why Jinlian Daozhang would tell us truthfully, is to show his sincere intents. Wei Yuan ever so subtly nodded, The movements of the Earth Sect are hidden; up until today, the Nightwatchers have not known about the sect falling from Meritorious Virtue into the demonic path. Xu Qian opened his eyes wide, Is Duke Wei saying, that Jinlian Daozhang is using me as an intermediary to form a secret alliance with you? Wei Yuan finally nodded with satisfaction, but did not respond, rather saying kindly From now on, you will be the Nightwatchers spy within the Heaven and Earth Society. You will be responsible for finding out their true identities. If necessary, the constabry will give you a level of help. Xu Qian sped his fists together, Yes Sir. *If I had been a little slower earlier, would Wei Yuan have taken the Earth Book fragment, and picked a more clever person to rece me, and put them as a spy into the Heaven and Earth Society?* *Great Peoples tests are really like a spring breeze flowing by, if youre not paying attention for one second you would make a mistake* Wei Yuan said, You are Refining Qi now, you should pick a special martial art for yourself. Go pick one from the record hall. Do you prefer Dao or Jian swords? Dao! Xu Qian replied. When he was still a regr petty official, he always carried a dao. Even though he rarely had any opportunity to use it, but he had worn one for so many years that he had grown fond of this type of weapon it was better than a Jian, anyway. Wei Yuan reminded him, When you pick a special art, remember to pick something that is purely a dao art. Disregard anything that is too mboyant orplicated. The Martial path is different from the others, and doesnt have much in the way of magical tricks, only power. Therefore, the purer a martial artist is the better. When you finally step into the high ranks, youll understand this principle. A few simple words, was worth more than a ton of gold. Xu Qian felt very pleased, Thank you for your tutge, Duke Wei. He had only started in a big organisation, and if he were to get Wei Yuans appreciation and agreement, then the potential of both his job prospects and martial cultivation were boundless. *The Sitianjian takes in children, not child chickens[^1]. The Confucianists dont suit me. Furthermore, neither of them are marital artists. For the martial path, the only real choice is the Nightwatcher Constabry.* Holding Wei Yuans note, Xu Qian came to the record hall. With him was Li Yuchun. Li Yuchun nced at the clerk leading the way, and said with significance in his voice, When did you start hugging Wei Yuans leg? Duke Wei asked for me himself. Xu Qian made an innocent face. Li Yuchun nodded his head slightly, without any displeasure, not asking any further. The aptitude of Upper Jia was given by Duke Wei himself. He had intentions to raise Xu Qian, and so this was normal. For this, Li Yuchun already had expectations, and so was not dissatisfied or jealous at his subordinate going around him and reporting directly to his superiors. Firstly, because an Upper Jia must be trained well, and Duke Wei would definitely pay him extra mind. Secondly, Xu Qian was a bronze gong under his order. With this rtion in ce, he could not wait for Xu Qian to walk higher and higher. The clerk lead them to a bookshelf, saying: There are 407 dao arts, they are all stored here. After the two Nightwatchers nodded, he backed off. Li Yuchun nced at Xu Qian, and before thetter could speak, heughed Are you going to ask me, which Dao art is the strongest? Xu Qianughed cheekily. Li Yuchun thought for a moment, saying tentatively Special artse in two types, one is in skill, the other in dao. Dont even bother with thetter, and as for the former, there is no weaker or stronger; it all depends on the person. The two of them slowly started picking Dao art manuals. Xu Qian remembered strongly Wei Yuans teaching, and did not look for the mboyant arts. After two hours, Li Yuchun was somewhat impatient, Dont you like any of them? *Boss, I forgot to tell you, I have decidophobia!* Xu Qian nodded,ughing bitterly. Li Yuchun thought for a moment, Wait a moment. He summoned the clerk, and asked: Recently, have any new special artse in? Im talking about dao ones. The clerk thought deeply, Yes. A few days ago a few manuals came from the Sitianjian, we paid a few thousand taels of silver for them. *A few thousand taels* Li Yuchun did a double take, and then smiled, Xu Ningyan, your luck is not bad. He then exined, A special art worth a few thousand taels of silver, would be higher quality than any of the ones here. I gather theres probably an iplete version of some dao sword Dao art.[^2] Dao? Xu Qians eyes gleamed. A special art that has contains the rhythm of the Dao, normally created by a high ranked martial artists, containing their own life experiences and realisations about martial cultivation. If you want to be a high level martial artist, then you mustnt touch these kind of special arts, because this is someone elses Dao. However, fragments and iplete versions can be learned from. Li Yuchun ordered the clerk, Bring them over. After a short while, the clerk returned with a few manuals. One of them indeed was an iplete piece of a dao Dao art. *One de from Heaven and Earth* *The person who picked this name either has Eighth-grader syndrome, or psychosis* Xu Qian gathered his first impressions, and then picked up the thin book, starting to read its preface: *In the world, there is nothing that cannot be cut with one strike of the de. If there are, then my suggestion is to run.* Xu Qian resisted the urge to drop this manual that instant, and continued reading patiently. After reading through the introductory core principles, his opinion of it was changed. *If Im not wrong, then the master who wrote this book indeed is psychotic. He thinks, that anything in the world could be cut with one strike, including heaven and earth itself.* *Enemies, naturally, are no exception.* *Any excess exchange of blows, orbat, are all a disgrace to the martial path.* *I will only make one strike, that decides who lives or dies. Of course, psychosis doesnt mean losingmon sense; in the introduction he noted, that if I were to meet an enemy I cannot defeat, then I should run for it.* Xu Qian slowly finished reading, as his mind rerated this art anew: Focus everything on one point, and reach the peak of perfection! He closed the manual, eyes gleaming, I want this one. --- [^1]: ng term for a virgin, someone who hasnt matured, or someone with a small cock [^2]: Shame that (dao, sabre) and (Dao, way) are near homonyms in Chinese, with only a tone change that cant be well represented. Chapter 81: What Does the Green Light Represent Chapter 81: What Does the Green Light Represent # 81. What Does the Green Light Represent The three days of daily patrols passed by in a simr manner. That night, Xu Qi''an, Song Tingfeng, and Zhu Guangxiao formed a team, wearing ck uniforms, a short cape hanging over their shoulders with bronze gongs hanging on their chests and sabres by their waists. Attired like this, they leisurely walked the streets of the inner city. The night was cooler, and flowers began falling to the ground and turning to frost. The capital city was silent at night. As it was winter, even insects and birds weren''t giving off sounds. It was so quiet that Xu Qi''an felt as if he was in the leisurely countryside. asionally, sounds of uniform footsteps and the ttering of armour tes could be heard. That was the sound of the Imperial Guards patrolling the city. After patrolling the streets for half an hour, Song Tingfeng led his two colleagues to the top of a small building that overlooked the crisscrossing streets. "Inspection of the streets is the job of the Imperial Guards. We are mainly responsible for the guys who fly over the roofs and walls." Standing on the roof and facing the night wind, Song Tingfeng narrowed his eyes in concentration, "Only go up to the roof when looking for clues. Unless you encounter a serious case, don''t jump over eaves and walls. The capital is deep and there are countless masters here, both in the open and in the dark. If you walk around the roof, you may be killed by a swording from any corner." After pausing for a while, he added, "Of course, the Nightwatchers will surely avenge you, collect your body and give a pension to your family." "How much is the pension?" Xu Qi''an asked. "For bronze gongs, It''s three hundred taels of silver." Song Tingfeng said, "It''s quite conscientious too, three hundred taels of silver are enough for your wife and children to live a prosperous life." *However, With three hundred taels of silver, you can only sleep with Fuxiang, whose rates are skyrocketing, five times...* Xu Qi''an joked, "Of course, then your wife will remarry, and other men will spend your money, sleep with your wife, and beat your children." "..." Song Tingfeng stared at him, dumbfounded, and choked out a sentence after a moment had passed, "I''m suddenly d that I haven''t started a family yet." Zhu Guangxiao nodded in a muffled tone. At noon the next day, Xu Qi''an got up energetically after sleeping for just five hours. He dipped some tooth powder into his bristle toothbrush and squatted under the eaves to brush his teeth. Tooth powder was an ancient version of toothpaste, which contained nine traditional Chinese medicines: Ginger, Chinese Honey Locust, Cohosh, Chinese Foxglove, False Daisy, Chinese Schr Tree, Manchurian Ginger, Sacred Lotus, and Lake Salt. In addition, another ingredient was used that Xu Qi''an had never touched in his previous life; an Impurity Cleansing Pill. It directly improved the cleaning, whitening, and bad breath removal effects of the tooth powder by several levels. The toothpaste in his previous life was far inferior to the tooth powder of this era. It was undoubtedly the work of the alchemists in the Sitianjian. The existence of Masters of Alchemy helped to make the lives of themon people at the bottom more convenient and healthy. They were actually very formidable, but the Arcanist system had a rtively short history and still hadn''t formed aprehensive theoretical foundation yet. And Xu Qi''an''s chemistry just happened to make up for the shorings of the alchemists. After he went over the wall to the main house, His aunt and sisters had already had lunch by this time. In the afternoon, he went to circte and refine Qi and tried toprehend One de of Heaven and Earth. So, he didn''t have time to go to the Gon to listen to music and have dinner. Xu Qi''an asked to have the leftovers heated up in the kitchen, and devoured them sloppily. He didn''t immerse himself in cultivation right away, but went to the inner courtyard to tease Xu Lingyin for a while, then went to the seventeen-year sister with delicate facial features to discuss Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai with her.[^1] "I''ll write something for my sisterter, as reading material within the boudoir." Xu Qi''anughed. "Will it be a love story simr to the one between Zhu Yingtai and Liang Shanbo?" Xu Lingyue''s blushing face looked like a flower. "No, It''s even more exciting than those two." "What is it?" Xu Lingyue''s face blushed even more upon hearing the word "Exciting". "Yosuga no Sora"[^2] *It''s a pity that my writing isn''t so good, and I can''t remember many things I read in my previous life... Otherwise, I would have made a lot of money by relying on Little Yellow Books*[^3]... Xu Qi''an sighed helplessly. Upon passing by Xu Cijiu''s room, he heard the sound of reading from the inside. "Cijiu, Weren''t you in the academy?" "I was looking for you, elder brother." Xu Cijiu took a booklet out of the desk, walked to the window, and handed it over to Xu Qi''an. "This is from my teacher, Mr. Mubai and Mr. Youping. They asked me to hand it over to my elder brother. You were still sleeping when I hade back." Xu Qi''an curiously opened the booklet, flipped through a few pages at random, and found that the contents in the booklet were very strange. There was text, as well as pictures. It seemed like all sorts of things were put together haphazardly in the booklet. Xu Xinnian exined, "This book records the unique skills of the major cultivation systems. The three great schrs put these together and asked me to give them to you." *I seem to smell something souring...* Xu Qi''an''s eyes shone brightly. He continued to say, The sixth-ranked Confucians were called Confucian Schrs. The core of the realm is Learning. They can attach the spells they have seen to their brush and record them on paper. Elder Brother can ignite the paper with your qi and use the spells recorded in the paper. *Confucianists are simply invincible supports.* Xu Qi''an controlled the corners of his mouth to hold back his joy, and nodded, "Thank you. You can pass on to the three Great Schrs, I''lle to pay respects and discuss poetry with them someday." It is said that man should reciprocate politeness. The three Great Schrs gave gifts without reason, the action naturally had some meaning. Xu Xinnian said "Yes" and waved his hand, "Brother, you go. Don''t disturb my study. I''ll go back to the academy tomorrow." *Don''t be so jealous, Cijiu. Big Brother still loves you.* Xu Qi''an left happy. ... At dusk, Xu Qi''an changed into a Nightwatcher uniform and rushed to the constabry without stopping at all. He arrived just before the inner city gate was closed, met with the two colleagues, and started the evening shift as a social animal. The night in the inner city was quite peaceful. Untilte at night, Xu Qi''an and the others only caught two thieves who had managed to escape the patrol of the Imperial Guards by chance. ording to Song Tingfeng, this sort of achievement was only worth five cash of silver at most. Xu Qi''an stood on the roof of a restaurant, overlooking the night view of the capital. Song Tingfeng asked while chewing on fried beans, "Ningyan, What is your unique skill, and what are its characteristics?" Xu Qi''an told the truth, "It''s very practical and explosive, but It''s not very durable... Well, After shing once, I''ll enter a short period of weakness." *There is nothing in the world that requires multiple shes, If it does, run away...* At first, Xu Qi''an thought that it was the author acting strange. He didn''t expect that these words were really expensive words of gold and jade. The essence of this unique skill was that of a one-second real man, sh once and copse. The advantage was that it had strong explosive power. Xu Qi''an suspected that he could cross ranks to fight others if he cultivated it to a very high level. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao looked to the side at the same time. The former smilingly asked, "Does Miss Fuxiang know that your endurance is low?" Xu Qi''an was a lowly person, raised his fingers, and said emotionally, "They''ve been calloused recently.[^4]" Zhu Guangxiao didn''t understand what he was talking about. Song Tingfeng was stunned for a few seconds before cursing, "Fucking, you really are a fucking one-second wonder." After chatting for a few hours, When Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao weren''t paying attention, he took out the booklet given by the Great Schrs from the small jade mirror, and tore off a page. A pair of clear eyes were drawn on the page, and the corresponding spell was Sitianjian''s "Qi Watching Technique". There were many such low-level spells in the booklet, and it was an auxiliary spell, which was rtively less precious. Xu Qi''an intended to have fun and familiarize himself with the booklet. "Tzshh!" As the qi ignited the paper, a me lit up instantly, which attracted the attention of Zhu Guangxing and Song Tingfeng. Xu Qi''an felt his eyes hurt, as various colours appeared in his sight, and the whole world seemed to have turned into a richly coloured oil painting. White was the mostmon and also the densest, and it was scattered in strands. It was followed by red: light red, crimson, and was followed by purple. *Red with a tinge of purple, light purple, thick purple...* Thest one came from the direction of the imperial city. *This is qi... The Qi that exists in everything in the world...* An understanding emerged in Xu Qi''an''s mind. At the same time, he saw a strange colour located in the direction of the imperial city. It looked magnificent, like a rainbow. *Colorful... It''s very different from the purple qi that represents the royal family but lives in the imperial city... Daoist Jinlian said that I have a rtionship with the woman who rode in that royal carriage. The Daoist''s evaluation of that woman was that her qi was magnificent and rare in the world...* *Clear Qi... Is also in the direction of the imperial city. I remember Caiwei saying that Clear Qi represented Confucianism or Daoism... Um, Could it be the Human Sect?* *Hey, why is the color of the Jiaofangsi dark green... Many of the women in the Jiaofangsi are the family members of criminal officials... I should have thought too much. I should ask Caiwei what this green qi represents... Ehh, It''s gone?* He saw the little dark green qi above the Jiaofangsi flicker for a while before disappearing. Finally, he turned his gaze to the Sitianjian, to the Star Observatory overlooking the mountains. "Ahhh!" Xu Qi''an suddenly screamed and fell off the roof of the restaurant. He rolled all over the ground in pain, covered his eyes, and continued to scream. Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng were terrified. They jumped off the roof. The former drew his knife to guard while the other stepped forward to check. "What''s the matter with you?" Song Tingfeng said anxiously. --- [^1]: Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, Butterfly Lovers. The girl cross-dresses as a male and goes to an academy and falls in love with a man. She is engaged to another man, so she elopes with her love, but they fall off a cliff. their grave is said to have butterflies appear above every night. [^2]: Yosuga no Sora is an anime about twincest(Yes twincest) iirc. You know what Xu Qi''an and the author are implying, right? [^3]: Erotica, Erotica had yellow covers in china if you were to look for them in a bookstore. [^4]: Those who don''t get it, calloused by water. Chapter 82: A Sudden Incident Chapter 82: A Sudden Incident # 82. A Sudden Incident *My damn eyes are going blind, my damn titanium alloy eyes are going blind* both of Xu Qians eyes were in searing pain, hot tears flowing down. In that one moment where he looked at the Sitianjian, it felt as if two needles had been shoved into his eyes. His consciousness wavered for a moment, before that searing pain struck him. Song Tingfeng put a knee on Xu Qians chest, stopping him from rolling around, and then pulled up his eyelids. He saw that Xu Qians eyes were bloodshot red, but he did not seem to be hurt or blind. Song Tingfeng let out a sigh of relief, and stopped caring about this stupid colleague. After about fifteen minutes, the pain in Xu Qians eyes faded, as he sat on the ground red-eyed, his vision still blurry, only being able to see his colleagues clearly. What did you just do? Song Tingfengs voice floated over to him. I looked at the Stargazing tower Xu Qian closed his eyes, saying hesitantly, My younger cousin is a student at the Cloud Deer Academy, and today he gave me a piece of paper with the qi-watching technique recorded on it. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao both knew about the Xu Family, and nodded upon hearing this. Xu Qian continued, And then with the qi-watching technique, I nced over at the Sitianjian. Afterwards, he found that Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao stayed silent for ages. Song Tingfeng sighed, Do you know that Sir Jianzheng likes to stand on the Bagua tform, on top of the tower? No. Then do you know, that the top of the top of the Arcanist path, is our Sir Jianzheng? I do know this point. Mhm, and you used qi-watching to look at the Jianzheng, are you trying to kill yourself? I- I didnt know about this Zhu Guangxiao sighed, The Nightwatchers frequently have exchanges with the Sitianjian Arcanists. As you gain experience, youll know about these things more and more. Apart from the Arcanists themselves, and of course the Confucianists, normal people would not be able to watch qi. Xu Qians case was purely an exception. The three of them did not continue their patrol, rather resting by the side of the street, waiting quietly for Xu Qians damned eyes to regain their vision. After a long time, a red glow suddenly appeared in the east, and stayed for a few seconds, before disappearing. Sching! Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao in unison drew their sabres. Xu Qian, having just recovered his vision, asked Whats the matter? Song Tingfeng replied solemnly, A red light is a warning for us, usually used in situations of an arrest warrant. Perhaps some squad of Nightwatchers have discovered a suspicious person, but they escaped looking at the distance, it is very close to us. Ningyan, your eyes havent recovered, youll be responsible for patrolling on the streets. Guangxiao, well look out from the rooftops. The two of them used their qinggong, and jumped onto the nearest roof, splitting up and going different ways. The area that the three of them had to patrol was veryrge, and so in these cases, they could only split up and search. Seeing his two colleagues leaving, Xu Qian drew his sabre in one hand, his crossbow in the other, and then tightened the bronze gong on his chest, as well as adjusting the heart-protection mirror within his robes. Bone-corroding posion, he usually did not use. He didnt smear it on his de, for fear that one day his brain might have an off day, and hed go and take a lick. Xu Qian started searching around on high alert. After a while, he saw a bronze gong flying over the rooftops,ing to a stop on the roof in front of him, asking: Where are the other two? Xu Qian said, Weve split up. Whats happened? The bronze gong replied The Earl Pingyuan has been killed. The two people responsbile for that area have been hurt, and the perpetrator has escaped using some unknown techniques. We currently dont know where he is. *The Earl Pingyuan an earl has been killed!?* Xu Qian was shocked; to someone who dared to kill an earl in the inner city, his first reaction should not have been anger, but rather scalp-tingling unease. Even though day by day the power and influence of the Great Feng was waning, but an earl was still an earl, they must have had high-skilled masters living in the manor. And that perpetrator could still kill an earl, and hurt Nightwatchers, and just waltz on out of there. They were no ordinary character. Without a doubt, if he were to meet him, Xu Qian would be at far more risk. After that bronze gong finished speaking, he darted away, probably to notify the guards at the city gate. *Shit my eyes havent recovered fully, anything I look at is blurry but with my European Emperor body, I probably wont encounter him* Xu Qian quietly prayed to not run into this killer. At this time, he felt that a message had juste in from the Earth Book fragment. After dripping blood and bing its owner, between him and this Earth Book formed a mysterious connection. *Which one is not asleep at this hour and browsing the group chat?* Confused, he pulled out the jade mirror, and saw written on it a line of characters: SIX: Everyone, Ive encountered trouble in the capital, can I get some help? After a few minutes, Jinlian came online: NINE: what trouble did you encounter? SIX: Im trapped in the inner city, facing the Nightwatchers pursuit. At most after two hours, the Arcanists of the Sitianjian wille, and then I will be hard-pressed to escape this cmity. Xu Qian: ??? *No, it cant be* He immediately thought to the death of the Earl Pingyuan; *SIX was that killer?* For a time, no one spoke. Jinlian Daozhang seemed to also find it a troubling problem, and for a time couldnt give a suggestion. TWO: You could try use force to escape the encirclement? SIX: No, Im too far away from the city gate, and on the path are Nightwatcher patrols. Furthermore, outside of the inner city was still the outer city. TWO: Do you have any magic items that could hide your qi? SIX: No. NINE: This poor Daoist has some, but I cannot bring them to you. SIX: Daozhang rx. If I cannot escape this cmity, I will leave the Earth Book where it is, you can simply find it by its qi aura. In the capital, especially the inner city, trying to escape when one was being actively hunted down was a nigh on impossible task. TWO: You damn bald ass,[^1] dont say defeatist words. At this time, a new person came onto the stage. FOUR: I have some rtion with the Human Sects leader problem is Lingbao Temple is in the inner city. TWO: Is this any better than not saying anything at all? *FOUR has rtions with the female national teacher Jinlian Daozhang didnt lie; the ones who carry the Earth Book are not ordinary people.* *TWO called SIX a bald-ass, is SIX a Buddhist then?* Xu Qian lurked silently. At the same time, he saw the Heaven and Earth Societys cohesion. Even though the holders of the Earth Book all had their guards up, not revealing their identities, but they still had that support between the members. TWO: Bald-ass, go ask ONE, hes in the capital. One was probably also lurking, but after Two dragged him in, he no longer stayed silent: ONE: What did you do? SIX: I killed Earl Pingyuan. *Of course it was him, the killer tonight was him!* *SIX admitted so quickly, hes too honest and frank when I asked him that day if he was a member of the Heaven and Earth Society or not, he also did not hesitate to admit so a monk does not lie?* *But hesmitted murder, where the hell did you get the idea to go to the Earl Pingyuans house in the middle of the night to kill the man?* Xu Qianined. The Earth Book group chat fell silent, and for a long while no one spoke. Probably because they were all shocked by what Six had done. After a long while, One replied: ONE: Sorry, I cannot help you. NINE: One, you are also in the Heaven and Earth Society, if you can help then help. This poor Daoist believes that SIX would not kill with no reason. *What Jinlian Daozhang meant by this, was that he thought that ONE could help SIX? Even with the pursuit by the Nightwatchers and the city guard, with the imminent arrival of the Sitianjian Arcanists, he still thought that ONE could help SIX?* *Mm, Jinlian Daozhang is the only one who knows everyones identities ONEs background and status might be higher than I thought.* Xu Qian adjusted his impressions slightly. What responded to Jinlian was silence. Ones expression seemed to be very stubborn; they would not help. Xu Qian started thinking, *SIX killed Earl Pingyuan, so ONE doesnt want to help SIX.* *TWO is a hot-blooded character, at least on the surface. SIX is a Buddhist, very honest, never lying. FOUR has some rtions with the Human Sects leader, his background is not clear yet. NINE is Jinlian Daozhang, and ONE is someone within the court, who likes to lurk, and with a very high status this Mafia game is quite interesting.* *Let me also boast- no, disy my talents.* Xu Qian used his finger as a pen, and wrote: THREE: Six, I can consider helping you, but I must first know why you killed Earl Pingyuan. Hehe, you can of course not answer, and refuse my offer, but do not lie. --- [^1]: (derogatory) A Buddhist Monk Chapter 83: Lifesaving Plan Chapter 83: Lifesaving n # 83. Lifesaving n *Regardless if I could help or not, I should draw a big cake to gain some information.* If Number Six was a viin, Xu Qi''an would expose him in order to reduce the number of wolves in the Heaven and Earth Society. Of course, he had to cheat out Number Six''s hiding ce first, to avoid future troubles, since SIX was quite powerful. He broke into the Earl Pingyuan''s mansion at night, beheaded him, severely injured the guards, and hid calmly. He should be a master of the middle ranks, or even stronger. If he had his reasons for the incident, he will help a group member within his abilities to create a stalwart image for Chen Jinnan, the branch leader of Heaven and Earth Society. Wei Yuan had asked him to go undercover, but he didn''t want to lurk all the time. He needed to make some achievements. *Can Number Three provide help?* *Can he take Number Six away from the hunt of the Nightwatchers and the Imperial Guards with ease?* *Was he just a Confucian Disciple?* *At this time, if you didn''t have a reasonable identity, you would be arrested on the spot for just taking a walk in the inner city.* *In other words, could hemand the Imperial Guards or the Nightwatchers?* Xu Qi''an''s words made the holders of the Earth Book fragments think wildly, secretly guessing his identity and specting on his next actions. NINE: Hehe, If THREE is willing to help, there isn''t a problem. SIX, you don''t have to hide. *Daoist Jinlian is sure that THREE can help SIX resolve the crisis... THREE is by no means an ordinary Confucian disciple, he must have a more secretive and higher-level identity... The neer recruited by Daoist Jinlian this time is no small person.* The members of the Heaven and Earth Society were inspired and silently watched how the incident developed. SIX: One of my juniors had disappeared for a year. I suspect that he was trafficked and sent to the capital through secret channels. After investigating and inspecting for a long time, I tracked down a trafficking organization. They swindled and abducted women and children, and sold them to brothels, beggar gangs, and other ces that may find a need for them. Not only women and children, but they also abduct cultivators. I still haven''t found their real purpose yet. Finally, I found out that the person behind the Broker Organization was Earl Pingyuan. THREE: So, You killed him in anger, didn''t you? SIX: I sneaked into Earl Pingyuan''s mansion to ask of my younger brother''s whereabouts, but was fruitless. Then, I killed him to absolve him from his sins. ONE: Why didn''t you report to the officials instead of viting thew with strength? Number One disagreed with Number Six''s way of doing things. TWO: You''re saying nonsense. If thew was useful, the Earl Pingyuan would have already been sanctioned, but the officials like to protect each other''s skins. If there''s no god raising one''s head three feet, one could only put one''s hope for justice on one''s knife. * Hot-blooded youth! SIX should have reported Earl Pingyuan. It was unwise to kill someone.* Xu Qi''an thought. However, It could be inferred from this that Number Six was an upright character, almost recklessly impulsive, who liked to convince others withws (of Physics). This was quite simr to the behaviour of the Confucianists. Number One seemed disdainful of Number Two and didn''t respond. SIX: I have a reason to do so. I rescued many children throughout this year. Some of them had their hands and feet cut off and crawled on the side of the street to beg. The clever ones were trained to be thieves. And the most outrageous one was... I had rescued a child once. His palms and feet were cut off, and his skin was removed in boiling water, and then he was wrapped in ck dog skin. After the injury healed, The dog''s skin bonded to the child. The brokers disguised him as a ck dog and taught him to speak some auspicious words to please unsuspecting people to get money from them. ONE: Is this true? SIX: Certainly! Number One didn''t reply for a long time. THREE: You have sessfully convinced me. Although I hate martial artists who break thews with their strength and perform actions without thought, I''m still willing to help you. Holding back the anger in his heart, Xu Qi''an imitated Xu Eng''s character and spoke in the tone of a Confucian. TWO: I approve a little of THREE now. FOUR: A good temperament, Let''s get a drink together when we have time. SIX: Thank You! They didn''t call Number Three by name; they probably knew in their hearts that Chen Jinnan wasn''t Number Three''s real name at all. THREE: Where are you hiding? SIX: In the canal outside Earl Pingyuan''s mansion. A canal meant a sewer, a dirty and smelly ce. In this era, sewer workers didn''t exist, and idlers wouldn''t enter them. So, they were blind spots for investigation. But it was only for a while. After the Nightwatchers gather, they would never let this ce go. THREE: I understand, You can wait for my news. Xu Qi''an took back the small jade mirror, held his sabre in one hand, and rubbed his chin with the other, thinking of how he could deal with the matter. He couldn''t lead someone to leave the inner city, as there were Imperial Guards and Nightwatchers in the way. Xu Qi''an could, however, turn a blind eye in the area he was patrolling, and he had to do it as soon as possible, otherwise, he would be unable to save Number Six after the Imperial Guards and the Nightwatchers seal off the surrounding area and investigateyer byyer. "Time is about to run out. I have to think of a perfect n soon..." If he wants to save Number Six, he had to hide him from both the Nightwatchers and the Arcanists from Sitianjian. So, Xu Qi''an had to do two things. First: He had to help Number Six find a hiding ce. Second: He had to help him cover up his aura. The former wasn''t that difficult. As long as he got through the night, He could pretend to be an ordinary person tomorrow morning and leave the city by himself. Earl Pingyuan''s status wasn''t high enough to cause the inner city gates to be closed, so they would open at dawn. The difficult thing was to cover up the aura of Number Six. *It''s inevitable to be contaminated with hostility after killing people. This can''t be hidden from the Sitianjian Arcanist''s Qi Watching Technique. Should I do another PY transaction with Song Qing?* *No, I still haven''t paid for thest PY transaction yet. I still haven''t sent the periodic table of elements to Sitianjian yet. Besides, Song Qing is as stubborn as me. It''s a bit difficult to convince him to help me with this. Unless I get into a rtionship with little beauty Chu Caiwei..."* *How could the qi of Number Six be covered?* Xu Qi''an had a method, and that was why he dared to openly posture in the "Earth Book Chat Group" He took out the booklet, flicked through its pages, and found one page, which read: *Obscured by a single leaf*. In the afternoon, Xu Qi''an had memorized all the spells recorded in the booklet, so he knew them well. Obscured by a single leaf can allow the caster to hide his figure and aura, achieving the effect of "Erasing" their existence. Its essence was the distortion of the corresponding rules based on the ability of a fifth-rank Virtuous Confucian. Then, the "Learning" Ability of a Sixth Rank Confucian was used to record this rule on paper. Xu Qi''an looked left and right and locked on to an inn across the street. He quietly jumped onto its roof eaves, listening for heartbeats and breathing to locate an empty room. He hung on the wall like a gecko and used a sabre to open thetch of the window little by little. After finishing all this, he rushed to Earl Pingyuan''s mansion not far from him, stood on the ridge across the street, and looked around for a while before finding the canal. Xu Qi''an took out an arrow from the cowhide bag in his waist, tied the torn paper to the arrow, and threw it with great force. "Whoosh" The arrow was nailed to the dirt wall beside the canal. He crouched on the ridge of the roof, took out the small jade mirror, and conveyed the message. THREE: SIX, by the side of the ditch where you are hiding, there is an arrow on the dirt wall. The thing you need is also in there. I have prepared you a room in the Qingshu Inn on the adjacent street. The sixth window of the second floor is open. Go! He didn''t look in the mirror but looked in the direction of the canal. Ten secondster, a big bald head appeared there, with a square face, thick eyebrows, and big eyes, sporting a face deep in hatred and bitterness. The big bald head scanned the surroundings vigntly, and then his gaze fell on the arrow nailed into the wall. He pulled out the arrow and unfolded the paper on it to nce at it. Obscured by a single leaf? The big bald head seemed to have figured out something, and a sense of relief appeared on his face. *Number Three is indeed a Confucian Student.* He immediately ignited the paper with his qi, and an inexplicable force enveloped him, restraining his aura. *... The ability to restrain one''s aura!* The pupils of the big bald head shrunk slightly, revealing a shocked look. This isn''t something that can be achieved by amon fifth-rank Virtuous. At least a fourth-rank Junzi was needed to do this. *Number Three''s status couldnt be ordinary; he''s not just a Confucian Disciple, but also a student valued by a certain Great Schr.* *Daoist Jinlian didn''t deceive me when he said that every holder of the Earth Book was an outstanding genius.* He didn''t leave immediately, but unhurriedly took out clean and tidy monk clothes from a small jade mirror and put them on, then threw the foul-smelling shoes and clothes into the small jade mirror. *I have to leave quickly. If I dy more, It''ll be dangerous once the Experts from the Nightwatchers gather...* The big bald head didn''t dare to fly over the roof and walked on the street. At the time, he saw an upright young man standing on a ridge of the adjacent street, wearing a Nightwatcher uniform, holding a knife in one hand, and facing the night wind while looking ahead. His eyes looked empty and lonely. His posture looked as calm as water and as lofty as a mountain. He was like a firefly in the night, shining brightly. *This bronze gong''s grandeur is reserved, and he looks very handsome... The Nightwatchers are indeed filled with talents...* The bald head took a few nces and secretly appreciated his appearance mentally. Following Three''s words, he found the Qingshu Inn, and the sixth window was indeed open. The big bald head jumped up lightly and entered the room without making a sound. Within a few seconds, the window and door were closed. "Whew..." Xu Qi''an rxed his shoulders and stopped posing. Although he knew that Number Six was probably a Buddhist disciple, and presumably not a woman, he was still a little disappointed. "Number Nine is the LYB Jinlian, Number Six is the crass monk, who has suffered a lot and has a deep hatred. The otherizens should be beautiful girls." Xu Qi''an was about to take out the mirror to take a look at the chat history when his ears moved upon hearing heavy footsteps. He could see dozens of ck shadows rising and falling on the roof, rushing towards this side. *Next, Number Six can be considered safe after passing this test.* Xu Qi''an narrowed his eyes and thought. The murder of Earl Pingyuan rmed the Gold Gong, six Silver Gongs, and dozens of Bronze Gongs who were on duty tonight. Almost all of the Nightwatchers on duty tonight were dispatched, and they also brought several white-cloaked Sitianjian disciples with them. The imperial guards also cooperated with the Nightwatchers and sealed the area several li around Earl Pingyuan''s mansion. The Gold Gong who was the team leader was called Jiang Lyuzhong. He was in his forties, with jet-ck hair, and the corners of his eyes had wrinkles, but his eyes looked as sharp as a hawk, and his pupils were shining with sharpness. His eyes were very famous in the Nightwatcher Office. Except for Golden Gongs at his level, no one else could look at him for more than three seconds. He led the team, constantly moving through the ridges, scanning the dark urban area with his sharp eyes. The white cloaks were carried by the Bronze Gongs, and they swept across the street inch by inch using their qi-watching eyes. Jiang Lyuzhong said in a deep voice, "After a murderer kills, his aura should be stained with blood. Have you noticed such abnormalities?" The Arcanists were only eighth-rank Qi Watchers, and theirbat power was mediocre. They still didn''t know how to fly over walls and needed the gongs to carry them over their backs, but this didn''t prevent them from showing their sense of superiority in front of the martial artists. "No!" Sitianjian''s White Cloaks replied indifferently. Jiang Lyuzhong''s expression paused, but he resisted. After walking for a while, A certain Sitianjian White Cloak saw Xu Qi''an standing proudly on the ridge. He was stunned for a moment, before he exulted, "Get down, Get down quickly." --- Authors note: 3,200 characters here, what do youdies and gentlemen think of an equivalent exchange for some rmendation tickets? (or, *ahem*, something else) Chapter 84: Finally, the Heaven and Earth Society has a Confucian Disciple Chapter 84: Finally, the Heaven and Earth Society has a Confucian Disciple # 84. Finally, the Heaven and Earth Society has a Confucian Disciple *They found something this quick?* Including gold gong Jiang Lyuzhong, all the Nightwatchers were roused, and following the direction the white-cloaks were pointing to, looked over, whilst also soaring over the rooftops in that direction. They saw that on a room stood a bronze gong, a single hand on his sabre hilt, looking over at their contingent. *The enemy may be hidden close my, waiting for an opportunity to ambush, an this bronze gong hasnt even pulled out his sword, hardly professional at all* The few silver gongs there frowned. Pa-ta! Under a series of footstep sounds, Jiang Lyuzhong waved his hand, making to summon the young bronze gong, to ask about the situation. The white cloaks however took the initiative to jump from the Nightwatchers backs, hardly being able to wait, sprinting over to Xu Qian, bowing and cupping their hands. Master Xu. The Nightwatchers looked at the respect the Sitianjian white cloaks were paying to this small bronze gong, faces full of nkness. *So, they didnt find anything, rather specifically came to say hi to this bronze gong?* Jiang Lyuzhong narrowed his eyes, examining Xu Qian. Xu Qian looked at the white cloaks a while, confirming that he did not know any of them. After all, the ones he knew best were the Alchemists, the Arcanist sixth ranks. Above or below sixth rank, he did not know particrly well. He didnt know them, but they knew him. All of the Sitianjian Arcanists knew of Xu Qian, he was a prodigy of prodigies in the realm of alchemy. He wrote the blue-cover book, which was made a first rank secret by Song Qing. Ordinary disciples couldnt look at it even if they wanted to. Even though these people were merely eighth rank qi-watchers, but, one day they will be Alchemists. If they were to gain a good rtionship with this alchemical prodigy early, their future progression would be bright. In their eyes, this was far more important than finding a murderer. Master Xu, you havente to the Sitianjian in a long while. Brother Song Qing goes on about you all the time. *Goes on about me? Does he want repayment?* Xu Qian smiled reservedly. Master Xu, some day you muste have tea at the Sitianjian, we also want to ask for your expertise in alchemy. *To ask for him to teach alchemy?* Gold gong Jiang Lyuzhongs eyebrow raised. The other Nightwatchers were in disbelief; the always aloof, always looking down on martial artists Sitianjian Arcanists, were so respectful and courteous to a bronze gong. And judging from what they were saying, this colleague is also experienced in alchemy? Thinking this much, many of the bronze gongs eyes were unconsciously drawn to the tag bound at Xu Qians waist. On there was carved his name. Another day. Xu Qian waved, The case is urgent, you have my thanks and appreciation. No no, this is our duty, the white-cloaks turned around, and were much more polite to the Nightwatchers, This cannot be dyed, lets continue. The white-cloak Arcanists attitudes did a 180 turn. Jiang Lyuzhong nodded slightly, Leave a few here to search this street. The others left along with the white cloaks, and after a few leaps, vanished into the distance. A silver gong, looking back, and seeing Xu Qians shadow, could not resist saying You guys, that colleague of ours, you know him? A white cloak sighed, We know him, but he probably doesnt know us. The other white cloaks all sighed in unison. *When did the Sitianjian Arcanists be so humble and self-deprecating?* The silver gong was very curious, and continued What does this mean? The white cloaks said proudly Youve heard of Brother Song Qing right? Teacher Jianzheng has said, hes a once-in-a-century alchemical prodigy. However, do you know what the mostmon thing Song Qing has been saying recently? Another white cloak butted in: Xu Ningyan is indeed my teacher! *This cant be true!?* The entire group of Nightwatchers made the same movement turning their heads, looking back at Xu Qians figure. He stood proud on the roof ridge, figure tall and straight. Gold gong Jiang Lyuzhong did not look back, ordering, Tomorrow you can ask who he is. For now, get on with your jobs. Xu Qian searched the streets with his newly arrived colleagues. They did not walk far, before Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng returned. The city guard have locked down the area, we need to search street by street. after greeting all the bronze gongs, Song Tingfeng said. At this time, they had just reached the Qingshu Inn. Xu Qians eyes shed slightly, as he said, Tingfeng, Guangxiao, and I will start from searching this inn, you guys go elsewhere, split up and search. The other Nightwatchers did not have any other opinions, thinking this was the right thing to do. Watching them leave, Xu Qian went up, and *thud thud thud* knocked on the inn door, startling awake the employee there, as he came over to open the door bleary eyed. O- Officers The employee stuttered, scared. House search! Xu Qian shouted, very naturally. The employee was stunned. Song Tingfeng looked at Xu Qian, and picked up from where he left off: We are searching for a criminal. Suddenly turning up to a hotel for a search, Xu Qian had done plenty off in his past life. Normally, they would go after receiving a report over the phone. And the reason for the reports, often were that the misses were performing too energetically; clearly they were facing a toothpick that they could hardly feel, but still screamed like it was a thick truncheon. Making the neighbouring guests unable to sleep, and so in anger reporting them to the police. The three of them searched room by room. When they reached the second floor, sixth room, the employee said: No one lives here Song Tingfeng replied heavily, I dont care if no one lives here, we need to search it anyway. The employee took out his keys, and opened the door. Xu Qian entered the room and scanned around, seeing the duvets on the bed folded neatly, the room empty, and silently let out a sigh of relief. *Hes not stupid* Even though he had the *Obscured by a single leaf*, if he were to have slept in the bed, then the employee would have found it strange, and that would not have escaped Song Tingfeng with his thorough mind, nor Zhu Guangxiao who liked to observe from a distance. Leaving the hotel, Xu Qian took the excuse of needing to go to the toilet, and did not leave the inn. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao continued to search house by house. Squatting in the outhouse with its stink rising to high heaven, Xu Qian put the candle by his feet, and pulled out the jade mirror. THREE: The Nightwatchers have searched the inn, have you been found? After a few seconds, Six replied SIX: Im hiding in the rafters, and havent touched anything in the room. *An experienced criminal* Xu Qian mouthed off. TWO: Whats the situation now. SIX, are you safe? Earlier you hadnt sent anything in ages, I didnt dare to ask. Two is still not asleep? Is he (or she) really that enthusiastic? SIX: Im safe for now. TWO: How did you get saved? SIX: THREE, can I say? A Junzi is satisfied andposed, why would I refuse? However, TWO, if you want to know, youll need to reply with information of equal value. Mm, Im very interested in the history of the Wanyao Country, as well as any news on their remnant parts. There was suspicion that the remaining evil of the Wanyao Country were behind the saltpetre mine case, and so he ought to help Brother Chun and look into this somewhat. TWO: Im not too familiar with the history of the Wanyao Country. At this time, a new person popped out into the group:FIVE: I know about the history of the Wanyao Country I know far too much. *Nice nice, finally the group is getting lively. Only then can we share information* the corners of Xu Qians mouth rose. Currently, the ones that have appeared were: One, Two, Four, Five, Six, and that LYB Daozhang Nine, as well as himself as Three. Only Seven and Eight were missing. Seeing no one else talking, Six began to recount:THREE gave me a piece of paper, that recorded a Confucian Magic which could obscure my aura. Only then could I escape from the ditch. Youve sessfully left the inner city? TWO, FIVE, FOUR and the lurking ONE, all expressed their surprise in unison. SIX: Not yet. THREE prepared an inn room for me, and only with the magic to hide my aura could I slip by under the Nightwatchers gaze, hiding in the inn. THREE: Wait, youve told everyone about the inn, are you not afraid ONE will report you? SIX: ONE wont. If he were to report me, he would say so immediately. THREE, I owe you my life, I will repay this debt in the future. *So the bald-head is subtly revealing to me how ONE does things* Xu Qian thought. One did not pay mind to that message, rather like every other member of the Earth Book, they were thinking through what Six had told them. They could be certain now, that Three was indeed a Confucian disciple, and one that was very much a favourite of their teachers. Given that thats the case, the possible candidates he could be have been reduced significantly. After all, there were quite a few prestigious students at the Cloud Deer Academy, but still not that many. Being in the capital, One immediately discovered something not quite right; given that the Nightwatchers have already started moving, and searching and locking down the surrounding area, how did Three manage to help Six? *Unless hes also in the inner city, and happened to be in the same area were there any outstanding students of the Cloud Deer Academy that lived in the inner city?* *Ill go investigate afterwards.* *Finally, Our Heaven and Earth society has a Confucian disciple* the other Earth Book holders thought. Even though the Confucianists had fallen from grace, in their height of power they suppressed all other cultivation powers, and so in the eyes of all cultivators, Confucianists had extraordinary status. THREE: Only a small matter. FIVE, your turn to say. Chapter 85: Your Humble Subordinate has an Important Matter to Report Chapter 85: Your Humble Subordinate has an Important Matter to Report # 85. Your Humble Subordinate has an Important Matter to Report FIVE: The Wanyao Kingdom was exterminated five hundred years ago. The Buddhist sects led the many countries of the west to tten the country. Its said that in that final battle at Burning Mountain, the Buddha himself took action. THREE: Wait a minute, You just said that the Buddha took action, didn''t you? Xu Qi''an originally wanted to say, *Are you sure that the Buddha exists? The only ones who are beyond the ranking are Immortals and Buddhas, but did such characters exist?* However, Xu Qi''an didn''t ask "Does the Buddha exist?", but instead questioned the truth of "Did the Buddha take action". In this way, His actual status as a noob wouldn''t be exposed. FIVE: Anyway, that''s what my elders said, and it would be extremely reliable; all you need to know is the rank of the Wanyao Kingdoms leader. Number Four, who had a rtionship with the female National Teacher, sent: FOUR: First Rank? FIVE: First Rank... Humph. My old man told me that they were a half-step Martial God. Half-Step Martial God? Does that imply that they had almost surpassed the First Rank to be the "Deity" of the Martial Art System? Xu Qi''an was taken aback by this information and nned to go back to the Archive to check. Also, even if Number Five knew this much about the history of the Wanyao Kingdom, she didn''t appear to be one if its remanants. At the time Daoist Jinlian, who had been lurking for a while, appeared: NINE: The Yao Empress was a half-step Martial God? This Daoist remembers that the documents in the Earth Sect recorded that she was a Rank One. The Yao monster races and the Martial Artists followed the same system. FIVE: I don''t know theplete details, since it happened about five hundred years ago. After the fall of the Yao Empress, the monsters of the Wanyao Kingdom continued to fight for an entire sixty years, before escaping to the southern border. However, the remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom have yet to be exterminated in these five hundred years. They are pretty cohesive, and all of them dream of restoring their country. The principal reason is that their princess is still there. She is the orphaned child of the Wanyao Empress and the leader of the remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom THREE: What is her rank? FIVE: I don''t know this information. THREE: What kind of powerful monsters does the Wanyao Kingdom have? FIVE: I only know of the history of the Wanyao Kingdom, but I''m not too clear about the current situation of the Wanyao Kingdom. After all, the remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom are in hiding, secretly umting strength. *The details you gave me were about history, not helpful to the case at all...* Xu Qi''an thought, exasperated. At the time, Number Two asked probingly:TWO: THREE, Why are you inquiring about information rted to the Wanyao Kingdom?] Confucianists and the Wanyao Kingdom didn''t have any corrtion. Xu Qi''an didn''t answer him, and wrote another message: THREE: Daoist Jinlian, A friend of mine has been involved in a weird situation recently. He doesn''t know why, but he has been picking up money whenever he goes out of his house. The frequency is also too high to be attributed to him having good luck. Let me put it in another way, even if he doesn''t work and just picks up the money, he could live a rich and prosperous life. Since Earth Sect cultivates Meritorious Virtue, has something simr happened before? *Pick up money when going out!?* *And ording to Number Three, It isn''t just some lucky days, he''s been picking up money quite frequently.* *Some people could live prosperous lives just by picking up money...* The Earth Book Chat Group fell silent for a while. FIVE: THREE, Don''t make fun of us. NINE: Having Meritorious Virtue in one''s body means that one''s lucky star would shine bright, and the feedback is that their life would be very smooth sailing, without disease or disaster. Any misfortune in their life would be transformed into good luck. But not specifically "picking up money". Um, You understand what I mean. *That''s to say, people with Meritorious Virtue will live their lives smoothly, but that is due to generalrge-scale passive buff, not by picking up money...* Xu Qi''an''s tooth started to hurt. That means, his dog-shit luck isn''t in the same category as Earth Sect''s Meritorious Virtue. He had always thought that his ability to pick up money frequently was the same as the Meritorious virtue of the Earth Sect. As Meritorious Virtue umtes in the body, Heaven will reward with a good life. No one sent any messages for a long time. Xu Qi''an squatted in the hut for a long time before confirming that these people had gone offline again. *Can''t you inform before going offline, you unqualifiedizens...* Hempooned and left the hut while holding his candlestick. He returned the candlestick to the waiter and walked out of the inn when he happened to see a team of a dozen Nightwatchers passing by. Xu Qi''an took initiative to greet them, "Have you noticed anything?" A few Nightwatchers shook their heads before pointing at the inn. Xu Qi''an said, "I''ve already checked the inn. There''s no suspicious person there." Upon hearing this, his colleagues gave up the idea of searching the inn and left hurriedly. ... Early morning the next day, Number Six changed into another ordinary looking robe. The spacious robe covered his burly body, as he bound his big bald head with a sweat towel, and left the inn silently, mixing in with the guests who woke up early. He ate at a roadside breakfast stall and walked towards the gate of the inner city. While he approached the city gate, he looked at it calmly and found that there were twice as many guards in the gate than before, along with a white-cloaked Arcanist, who was examining everyone going out of the inner city with their Qi Watching Eyes. Number Six mixed with the crowd and moved out of the inner city. The white cloak from Sitianjian also examined him, but let him go after little scrutiny. As a Buddhist disciple, he naturally had a way to dispel the aura brought about by killing. Number Three had bought him precious time to use the method. Without the One Leaf Concealment and the inn room, he would never have been able to escape the detection of the Arcanists from Sitianjianst night. Number Six headed east all the way, returning to his dwelling by noon. The houses in the area were mostly built using yellow soil, and the roofs were covered with broken ck tiles. This was the poor district. Number Six came to a simplepound through a familiar road. The que at its gate read: Welfare Home. The Welfare Home was a welfare institution of the imperial court, specializing in giving shelter to those without anyone else to rely on. Although it was run by the government, only a few old officials were working in the yard, who could barely look after the orphans and the elderly there. Number Six stayed in the home as a monk, helping a few old officials take care of the orphans and elderly. He didn''t ask for a penny and frequently used his own money to subsidize the expenses of the welfare home. Over the past decade, the imperial court had started to be more indifferent to welfare institutions like this one, and often didn''t allocate money to them for several years. Now, it could be said to be a government office only in name. As soon as Number Six stepped into the courtyard, an old official came up to greet him, and said earnestly, "Master Hengyuan, Please don''t bring in more children. Theres not enough room to swing a cat around here." Number Six sped his hands together, "This poor monk will solve the money problem." Speaking of this, Number Six thought of Number Three''s friend. *This poor monk also wants to pick up money outside daily.* After helping the poor officials cook porridge and distributing it to the elderly and the children, the burly and muscr monk came to the courtyard. There was a ck dog in the firewood house in the backyard. It walked quite clumsily, but its eyes shined from time to time. The ck dog clumsily walked to the monk''s feet, raised its ck and white eyes, and then spoke ramblingly, " May your fortune... Be like the East Sea, Good Luck... Great Fortune." Master Hengyuan looked at him with pity, sped his hands together, and recited the scriptures in a low voice. ... The case of Earl Pingyuan''s murder swept up the court the next day, as the Aristocrat bloc was outraged. The civil officials, who had always been at odds with the Aristocrats, also attached great importance to the case, and the Censors also sued a letter of impeachment to Wei Yuan. Emperor Yuanjing severely reprimanded themander of the five guards in the capital and Wei Yuan, themander of the Nightwatchers. Xu Qi''an also discovered that the Nightwatcher Office had a negative attitude towards the case. In the side hall, Xu Qi''an was drinking tea and chatting with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao. "Don''t be surprised. Earl Pingyuan isn''t a good person. I''ve heard some things from other colleagues. Earl Pingyuan has a secret business, and he specialized in the immoral industry of human trafficking." Song Tingfeng whispered. "Duke Wei is eager for these moths in the empire to die cleanly. And you''re counting on the Nightwatchers to avenge him? Bah." Zhu Guangxiao said in a muffled voice, "But after all, The court lost some face in this matter, and the gentlemen in the court will surely not stop at this." "Hey, the Official Evaluation is nearing. No one will care about the death of Earl Pingyuan that much. The case will stop after a while. It''s just increasing our workload. The office ordered to strengthen the patrol in the inner city." "I don''t know how the gentlemen at the court will deal with Duke Wei. They have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time." "Let''s go to the martial arts field to practice and strengthen our tacit understanding." Xu Qi''an suggested. The three of them returnedter to the side hall covered in sweat. After sitting down and pouring water for the two, Xu Qi''an said, "I''ll go to the archives." He went to the Archive, and said to the petty official behind the reception, "Help me find the documents about the Wanyao Kingdom." The official went to the warehouse and found a copy of *Jiuzhou Geography: The Southern Marches*. Xu Qi''an quickly browsed through the book. The book contained quite a lot of information about the Wanyao Kingdom, but it was all history. The only valuable information he found was the description of that Empress of the Yao: A nine-tailed Heavenly Fox. *The Nightwatchers files have no record of the Buddha taking action... How did Number Five know this and what power are they from?* Xu Qi''an thought while returning the book to the official. "Are there any other files on Wanyao Kingdom?" "Yes, there are. But they aren''t in Archive Ding." The petty official replied. In other words, Your permissions aren''t enough. Xu Qi''an nodded and left the document library, before making a beeline to the Tower of Noble Spirit. He wanted to perform a bold operation to win the trust and appreciation of Wei Yuan, and he already had a detailed draft prepared. The guards announced that he was allowed to pass. After climbing up to the familiar Seventh Floor, Xu Qi''an saw the big eunuch with frosty temples and handsome features again. Along with Nangong Qianrou, whose appearance wasparable to Second Brother Xu, and Yang Yan, his Boss''s Boss, who had a stoic face all year round. Xu Qi''an said loudly, "I ask Duke Wei to dismiss your attendants. Your humble subordinate has an important matter to report." Chapter 86: A Mature Double-Agent Chapter 86: A Mature Double-Agent # 86. A Mature Double-Agent *Dismiss your attendants* Upon hearing this, Nangong Qianrous eyebrows shot up his forehead, and that gaze he had upon Xu Qian was instantly filled with enmity. He was a gold gong, how dare a mere bronze gong order him to be dismissed? Wei Yuans expression froze for a short while, before nodding gently, You two leave for now. Yang Yan, you two supervise each other, make sure no one eavesdrops. Nangong Qianrous gazed deeply at Xu Qian. This small insignificant bronze gong had only been a Nightwatcher for a few days, and yet hemonly gets Fathers reception, and for the purpose of talking with him, Father would even now send away himself and Yang Yan. This made Nangong Qianrou very unhappy. *Clearly I came first.* The two gold gongs left the Tower of Noble Spirit. Nangong Qianrou, with a face on par with Xu Xinnianughed coldly, A great gold gong, to be surpassed by a mere bronze gong under yourmand. Clearly he has no consideration for you. Yang Yan remained silent. Nangong Qianrou said unhappily, Im trying to provoke you, you gotta give me some face here. Yang Yans statue like face maintained its stoic expression, saying lightly, You know clearly what his aptitude is like. Duke Wei wants to raise him, you also know that. But the fact that he doesnt look up to you is true. Do you think I care? Yang Yan asked back. Nangong Qianrou rolled his eyes, in a feminine and graceful manner, saying in annoyance, Yes yes, after all hes your soldier, theres still a rtionship there. Yang Yan nodded. Nangong Qianrou immediately turned and left,ughing maliciously, Youre boring. Im going to find my toys to y with. He was headed towards the prison. The tea room, the seventh floor of the Tower of Noble Spirit. Xu Qian said, Your subordinate has information about the Pingyuan Earls case to report. Wei Yuan replied solemnly, The Heaven and Earth Society? This was very easy to deduce; if Xu Qian merely had a lead on the Earl Pingyuans case, then he would report to his silver gong, or even gold gong, but not directly to him. Pertaining to the Heaven and Earth Society however, the two of them had an unspoken agreement. Xu Qian said, The one who killed the Earl Pingyuan was Number Six. Wei Yuan was silent for a moment, asking For what motive? Sixs sect brother was kidnapped by a trafficker, his status unknown. Six followed the vine, and managed to lock onto the Earl Pingyuan Xu Qian told Wei Yuan everything, including how he helped Six escape, and hide under the gazes of the Sitianjian. The only thing he hid was about the Confucianist book, changing it to a gift from his brother. Smack! Wei Yuan swept his sleeve across the tea table, as porcin crashed to the ground. His expression was no longer kindly, his gaze was sharp as a knife. Xu Qian, to aid a perpetrator, is to bear the same crime. Wei Yuan barked. A strong pressure came down on him, as Xu Qian for a moment felt as if he was facing a hurricane. Your subordinate knows his crime! Xu Qian immediately admitted guilt, saying loudly, Your subordinate knows his crime is heavy, and worried for a night and day, but finally unable to ovee the condemnation of his good heart, your subordinate decided toe to Duke Wei to admit everything. Whether to kill or exile me, is your choice to make. However, your subordinates good heart, was not there for that damned Earl Pingyuan, but rather for my own shame in betraying your trust Wei Yuan was expressionless, his face frozen in frost. Your subordinate was talking to his colleagues today, and knew that His Majesty is putting me upon Duke Wei, the many officials at court are trying to use this to push you form your position Xu Qians expression was sincere, Your subordinate thought again of how Duke Weis kindness to me was like a mountain Wei Yuans expression melted slightly, as he lightly interrupted, Kindness like a mountain is going a bit far just say your reason directly. * No, cmon Boss, why arent you following on with the routine, are you still mingling in Court?* Xu Qians face stiffened. He paused, forming his words again, The Earl Pingyuan secretly ran a broker organisation, that trafficked people in the capital, gaining massive profits. The traffickers deceived and kidnapped boys and girls, to sell them to the brothels, to the ck market factories, to raise into thieves, even to cut off their hands and feet, and stick on a ck dogs skin He repeated Sixs exnation. In his words, he did not hide his hatred towards the Earl Pingyuan. Wei Yuans gaze fell slightly, as he listened patiently, thinking deeply. After Xu Qian had finished, with a calm tone he said Pour some tea. This little detail showed that Wei Yuan had forgiven him. Xu Qian immediately started pouring tea, just like in his past life when he was sent to serve the captain. Wei Yuan drank a mouthful, and after a few seconds of silence, said with shaking head, How much do you know of the Heaven and Earth Society? How much do you understand the Earth Sects Jinlian? From the investigations by the constabry, the Earl Pingyuan was indeed behind a human trafficking organisation, but did that Six really just do this for his sect brother, or did he have some other motive? Perhaps the Earl Pingyuan had intruded on other matters, perhaps the organisation did something, and because of it brought death upon themselves, did you think of this? In the time of the official evaluation, the many demons dance without order. After another four days is the day His Majesty pays respects to his ancestors, so we cannot treat anything lightly. *Hes teaching me how to do things, giving me deductions, he really seems to want to develop me* Xu Qian was somewhat moved, and some good feelings rose in his heart towards this great eunuch. *Hes treating me as his subordinate, whereas I want to call him daddy, Im far too lowly* Duke Wei is right. Xu Qian lowered his head. Wei Yuan grunted, and praised him, No matter what, you did well. Youre dismissed for now, I will send people to investigate this. You continue to lurk in the Heaven and Earth Society; your short-term objective will be to find out who One is. Your subordinate will try his utmost. Xu Qian said loudly. Leaving the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qian let out a breath, knowing that he gambled right this time, and gained Wei Yuans trust. If he wanted his status to be secure, if he wanted to continue climbing upwards, then he must learn how to fall in line, to hug important legs. No matter what era, including Xu Qians past life, this never changed. For a long time afterwards, he had to constantly gain Wei Yuans appreciation, and his trust. Xu Qian had prepared and revised for this meeting with Wei Yuan; he would not rashly do such a thing. Firstly, the Nightwatcher Constabry had a shameless distaste for Earl Pingyuan. Their investigation was half-hearted, and they did not have any immediate desire for revenge. Furthermore, he had gained some influence in the Heaven and Earth Society; Two and Four both epted him somewhat. Wei Yuan was unlikely to give up on watching the Heaven and Earth Society because of this small matter, and also was unlikely to give up on his intelligent little subordinate. Finally, what Wei Yuan said was exactly what Xu Qian had thought. He did not trust 100% Number Six, or the Heaven and Earth Society as a whole. The only person who could deal with a LYB, was a LYB. So if he were to evere across any confusion, asking after Wei Yuan was a good move. Of course, a mature mole must have other schemes. Xu Qian came to a corner without anyone, pulling out his jade mirror, and writing in:THREE: SIX, Ive received a message that the Nightwatchers have gotten grasp of a lead from unknown origins, which may be problematic for you. You should make preparations to leave before they catch up to you. There was no dy in the message sending of the Earth Book. It and its owners had a mysterious connection, such that as soon as a message was entered, all the holders would notice. The Earth Book was a whole, and being unable to private message was one of its biggest downsides. Xu Qian had sighed over this more than once. In the back courtyard of the welfare home, Six had finished helping treat the ck dogs wounds, and was sitting cross-legged and meditating, when his heart suddenly fluttered, and he took out the Earth Book. Threes message was disyed on the mirror surface, making Sixs square -shaped face change colour slightly.[^1] *The Nightwatchers moved that quick?* *It had only been a day, and they had already gotten a lead, and could threaten myself, forcing THREE to remind me?* *Wait, how did THREE know about this?* The question had just started sprouting in his mind, when he saw the lurking One suddenly break all rules and sent a message without being prompted. ONE: THREE, how do you know whats going on inside the Nightwatchers? *ONE really cares about this. As expected, anything that intrudes on high levels within the capital, he (or she) would pay exceptional attention.* Xu Qian did not immediately respond, rather gathering his words, thinking for a moment, and then writing with his finger: THREE: How do you think? He know that the other holders of the Earth Book fragments were also lurking in the chat, silently reading their conversation. Xu Qian had to give a reasonable, but also explosive reason, to further fulfil his persona. To prop up his persona. THREE: The fight for Confucian orthodoxy has gone on for over two centuries, our Academy cannot just sit and wait to be executed. *What did this mean the Cloud Deer Academy had put their own spies inside the Nightwatchers? This is what THREE means, this is a more than clear hint.* In that moment, all the Earth Book fragment holders became excited. What arge melon. One did not respond, falling into a strange silence, such that no one could get any inkling into his (or her) thoughts. Xu Qian decided to test them a bit, ONE, you can try to find them. This was both a provocation, and also a test. If One replied, or really did as he said covertly, then Xu Qian could use this to lock down his (or her) identity. The Nightwatchers were an office that answered only to the crown, and was also the ce Wei Yuan had absolute authority. Any average power bloc couldnt stick their noses in here. Even if there existed spies from other powers, they would only be at a low level. And as for those at the low levels, they had no power nor influence to be able to search for other agents. One was a clever person, and did not care for Xu Qians provocation. Seeing that no one had spoke after a long while, Six finally entered: SIX: I will pay extra mind these few days. THREE, I owe you again. THREE: My dear sir does good deeds and upholds justice, and like the bright moon, is an idol that our generation must strive to follow. SIX: My Benefactor is too kind. Six replied with the tone of a monk, implying that he his eptance of Xu Qian had grown far more. Xu Qian put back his mirror, satisfied, thinking, *Dont be d too early, this debt will be repaid sooner orter.* *Ive both gained more trust from Wei Yuan, and also done Six a huge favour, as well as leaving a helpful image within the other members of the Heaven and Earth Society, Ive made it big today.* *Mm, ONE is getting more and more interested about me. If they really are one of the higher ups at court, they would definitely start investigating the Cloud Deer Academy But he (or she) wont find anything, hehe, if I were to be more generous, even if he was to find out that Number Three may be Xu Qian, then I could always push Eng out to carry the pot.* *Eng and I are different; Im a person in the civil service, if ONE found out who I am, Id be very passive and timid. Eng is a teachers pet at the Cloud Deer academy, he has way more confidence than me. Furthermore, I dont have any enmity with ONE, so theres not really an issue.* *Oh Cijiu, your brother really loves you. Returning some of that is only polite.* Returning to the front hall of Spring Breeze Hall, the squinty-eyed Song Tingfeng,ughing, poked fun at Xu Qian being a freeloading bastard. Zhu Guangxiao nodded with earnest agreement. Xu Qian thought for a moment, saying seriously, Today, when I went to the case archives, I found a great secret, that makes me tremble even now. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao both were surprised, What secret? Xu Qian said, Call me dad, and Ill tell you. Song Tingfeng hesitated, Dad. Xu Qian stared at him, a face full of sincerity, This secret is: Son, youre adopted. Your nan- beat him up! As the three were fighting, a silver gong and two bronze gongs crossed the doorway. They were unfamiliar. Xu Qian,e out with me for a moment. That silver gong waved, smiling. Xu Qian and his two colleagues exchanged looks, going outside with confusion. That unfamiliar silver gong took him into Spring Breeze Hall, and cleared his throat towards Li Yuchun, who was just reading a dossier, Mr Li, Im taking this bronze gong you have. From today, hell work under me, Ill make a transaction with you. Hearing this, Li Yuchun exploded. --- [^1]: One of the funnest parts of Chinese is straight up using character shape to describe something. Chapter 87: I Just Want to be a Quiet Pretty Boy Chapter 87: I Just Want to be a Quiet Pretty Boy # 87. I Just Want to be a Quiet Pretty Boy The Silver Gong who had inexplicablye forward to take Xu Qi''an was named Tao Man. He didn''t have much of a rtionship with Li Yuchun. However, since they both worked in the same office, they crossed paths regrly and could be said to be familiar with each other. Of course Li Yuchun refused him, *Are you joking, Do you think I''ll agree to you robbing me of a talent?* But Tao Man didn''t think much of Li Yuchun''s attitude. He simply called someone in to inform them, turning around to take Xu Qi''an away. Bang! Li Yuchun waved his sleeves, causing the door of the Spring Breeze Hall to close. "What is your intention, Master Li?" Silver Gong Tao asked, surprised by his reaction. "What is your intention then, Master Tao?" Li Yuchun got up expressionlessly, and pointed to a corner of the wall, where he signalled Xu Qi''an to move. After waiting for his subordinate toply with him, he looked at Silver Gong Tao, and continued, "We are not under the same Gold Gong, there is no such rule for transfers." For those under the same Gold Gong, the transfer of personnel didn''t even need to be filed at the Archives, and it could be done with a simple question. However, to transfer personnel between two Gold Gongs, required a lot of procedures. Li Yuchun and Tao Man''s bosses weren''t the same gold gong. So, the Bronze Gongs under them couldn''t be transferred casually. "Its like this," Tao Man tapped his forehead, and pointed at Xu Qi''an at the corner. Master Jiang asked me toe over and take him. He''s taken a fancy to the kid. Huh, I don''t know why he became so lucky... Why are you standing there, gawking and poking at the corners? Come over here, you''ll be my subordinate from now on. "Its your blessing for Gold Gong Jiang to take fancy of you." *Why does this sound so weird... Is Master Jiang going to carry me over the door in a eight man sedan chair? I don''t even know him...* Xu Qi''anmpooned in his heart, and inquiringly gazed at Li Yuchun. Li Yuchun said, "Then you could go to Master Jiang and say that I didn''t agree." "What?" Tao Man suspected that his ears weren''t working. How dare this Li Yuchun refuse Master Jiang? Did he drink fake wine today, so his brain wasn''t performing well? "I''m not so free to talk nonsense with you. Master Jiang is still waiting. I have to bring him with me now. If you have any opinion on this, you can find Master Jiang by yourself." "The one surnamed Tao, you try to take one of my people, if I let you over this threshold today, I''ll not be called Li Yuchun." "Li, you''re really crazy today, do you know what you said just now?" The quarrel between the two silver gongs rmed the bronze gongs and petty officials in the side halls. Song Tingfeng, Zhu Guangxiao, and the bronze gongs brought by Tao Man were squatting in the yard cracking beans and listening to the swearing inside. "Hey, What''s the background of that colleague of yours?" A bronze gong patted Song Tingfeng''s thigh with a scabbard. Song Tingfeng said, "He doesn''t have any background." "Why would Gold Gong Jiang ask for him by name otherwise?" The bronze gongs didn''t believe that such a person had an extraordinary talent. Song Tingfeng thought for a while, and gave a reasonable exnation, "He doesn''t need money to sleep with girls in Jiaofang Si." Nobody believed it at first, so they turned their heads towards Zhu Guangxiao, who nodded. They believed it now. "Why doesn''t he need money?" The bronze gongs were taken aback, and humbly asked for advice. Getting things for free had been a constant source of happiness for humanity since ancient times. "I can''t say it, I promised to keep it secret for him." Song Tingfeng shook his head, paused, and added, "He gave us a tael of silver as hush money." "One tael of silver, right. Take it." Song Tingfeng took it, received it into his arms, and shook his head again, "One tael is not enough. You have to add some more." He was given another tael. "Say it." The bronze Gongs looked at him expectantly. "Because we invited him." Song Tingfengughed. "Beat him up." Song Tingfeng was beaten to the ground by several bronze gongs, and the silver was also snatched back. Regarding his Yang Ling persona, Xu Qi''an had invited his two colleagues to a meal at Guiyuelou as a hush fee. In fact, for Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, him sleeping with Fuxiang was an enviable matter that made their eyes go red. As for his talent in poetry, what kind of shit is poetry? A vulgar martial artist doesn''t care of the quality of your poems. ... Sitting in he hall, Jiang Lyuzhong checked Xu Qi''an''s file, and found that he turned out to be the small bailiff from the Changle county office who performed outstandingly in the Tax Silver Case. *I am responsible for investigating Earl Pingyuan''s murder. Although Duke Wei resisted the pressure from the court for me, I can''t ck off because of this. That would just make Duke Wei look down on me and cause him to question my ability.* Jiang Lyuzhong subconsciously tapped his fingers on the table while contemting. *This person is good at handling and analysing cases, Exactly the type of talent I need. Moreover, he has a close rtionship with the arcanists in Sitianjian. I may be able to buy magical weapons to arm my subordinates through him."* Earl Pingyuan''s death was fully deserved, but the case still needed to be handled, and would grant credit if handled well. Xu Qi''an was able to solve the Tax Silver case using only the dossier, implying that his ability in this front was outstanding. That was Xu Qi''an''s first advantage. The second advantage was that Sitianjian''s White cloaks looked down on martial artists. Except for supplying bronze gongs on a regr basis, they refused to sell any other magic weapons. On that day, when he saw the white cloaked Arcanist being so courteous to Xu Qi''an, and he he learned that Xu Qi''an had deep friendship with sixth rank Masters of Alchemy, he had made up his mind to bring him under hismand. For an excellent magic weapon to be made, In addition to the finishing touch of a Master of Formations, an Master of Alchemy''s forging was also indispensable. At the same time, Silver Gong Tao walked in withrge strides. He cupped his hands together, and with a face full of anger, said, "Boss, LI Yuchun drove me out." "Drove you out?" Jiang Lyuzhong''s eagle eyes became sharp instantly, and Tao Man lowered his head slightly, not daring to look at his aura. "What happened?" Gold Gong Jiang said in a deep tone. "He just didn''t give people and said that you can meet him in person yourself if you want him that much." Tao Man recounted the situation. He was pissed of by Li Yuchun. If it weren''t for the office having rules disallowing private fights except in the arena, Tao Man would have let Li Yuchun meet his fists right there and then. "Alright, I''ll go there in person." Gold Gong Jiang said emotionlessly. On the other side, Li Yuchun went to Yan Yan''s Divine Spear Hall[^1] but couldn''t find anyone. So, he went to the side hall and asked a petty official, who said that Gold Gong Yang was having tea with Duke Wei in the Tower of Noble Spirit. Wei Yuan had two adoptive sons, one was Nangong Qianrou, who was known in the office for looking more moist than ady. The other was Yang "Doesn''t take oil or salt" Yan. Li Yuchun went to the Tower of Noble Spirit and said that he had something important to report. The guards on duty went upstairs to report as usual. After being summoned, Brother Chun went up to the seventh floor in a single breath. Upon seeing Yang Yan, who had a posture that seemed to have not changed for millennia, like a man made of stone, Brother Chun sighed with relief, and loudly said," Gold Gong Yang, Your humble subordinate has something to report." Yang Yan nodded calmly, and looked over calmly, "Say it." Brother Chun said emotionally Gold Gong Jiang wants to poach someone." Wei Yuan and Nangong Qianrou looked over. Yang Yan said, "Poach someone?" "Yes" Li Yuchun said, "The bronze Gong Xu Qi''an." Yang Yan raised his thick eyebrows and looked at Wei Yuan, "Father." Wei Yuanughed and said, "That''s your business." Yang Yan got up immediately and quickly left the Tower of Noble Spirit. After cupping his fists towards Wei Yuan and Nangong Qianrou, Li Yuchun turned around to follow him. "I don''t know what got into the one surnamed Jiang''s head. He suddenly ordered someone toe to my Spring Breezed Hall to snatch him over today. He was very domineering." Li Yuchun briefly exined what happened. He added, "Xu Qi''an has Upper Jia qualifications, he can''t be given up to others." Yang Yan still remained silent. However, he quickened his pace a little. His attitude on the matter was very firm. He had to hold the bronze gong with Upper Jia qualifications in his hands. Those who dared to rob him would have their heads bashed out. The two gold gongs bumped to each other in the entrance of Spring breeze hall. Jiang Lyuzhong was taken aback for a moment and squinted his eyes, making the wrinkles in the corner of his eyes even more distinct. "Gold gong Yang, can you transfer Xu Qi''an over to mymand?" Yang Yan didn''t speak, but he shook his head, indicating he didn''t want to. He disagreed... a bronze Gong... Jiang Lyuzhong''s eyes flickered slightly, and he expelled his breath while smiling, "If I want him?" Yang Yang said in a deep voice, "We''ll follow the rules." "OK!" What rules? Of course it was fighting. This rule was set by Wei Yuan. Regardless of Gold, Silver or bronze Gong, conflicts should be resolved by fights. But the fights must be done in the martial arts field of the office, and private fights were prohibited. Rather than scheming in private, it was better for them to put all their cards in the table and fight like real men. A martial artist should be pure and unrestrained. Two Gold Gongs are having a battle in the arena for the possession of a coper gong. This news spread like wildfire. *Hai, What a nuisance. I just wanted to be quiet pretty boy...* Xu Qi''an, upon hearing the news, followed his colleagues to the Martial Arts Arena to watch the fun together. --- [^1]: Shenqiang Chapter 88: Presumptuous Chapter 88: Presumptuous # 88. Presumptuous While the two were moving towards the arena, the news about the fight between the two Gold Gongs rapidly spread throughout the Nightwatcher''s Office. Silver gongs and bronze Gongs, all brought their friends with them to watch the action, and flocked toward the arena. "Have you Heard, It seems that the battle was caused due to a bronze gong." "?? How could it be possible that a mere bronze gong can cause two gold gongs to battle each other?" "Don''t believe me? It''s true. Many people have seen it. This morning, old Tao went to Li Yuchun to ask to borrow someone. He didn''t allow it, and they had a big quarrel. Later, each found their gold gong." The Nightwatchers gathered together, those unfamiliar with the situation asking those who knew, discussing amongst each other. After all knowing that it was over a bronze gong, no one was unsurprised. Bronze Gongs were equivalent to beat police, while gold gongs had a pretty high status; the difference was worlds apart. The reason was unbelievable. Many curious people attempted to inquire about the internal details, but nobody knew of the inside story of the matter. *Why do I feel like I''ve be a femme fatale...* Xu Qi''an kept the thought in his mind, without a ce to express it. Upon seeing Jiang Lyuzhong, Xu Qi''an roughly figured out what had happened. On the day Earl Pingyuan was killed, This gold gong had met him. Upon seeing his friendship with the arcanists from Sitianjian, he valued him and wanted to take him under hismand. But Yang Yan disagreed, probably because of his upper Jia aptitude. This mentality was simr to that of schoolspeting for top students in his previous life. Li Yuchun had told him that he was given a Upper Jia evaluation by Duke Wei. *Daddy Wei is too generous, Was it only due to my poem... due to empathic feelings... I am distressed that I received an evaluation not applicable to me..*. Xu Qi''an''s face was excited like a green-tea bitch[^1], hoping that the two would start fighting quickly. A fight between high-ranking martial artists was quite rare. He didn''t care much about who he''d be with in the end. Although he was reluctant to part with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, He was merely a humble bronze gong. Personnel transfers were decided by the organization, and he didn''t have much say in it. In the loft in the building neighbouring the martial arts arena, several gold gongs were watching this all through the window. "What happened to Yang Yan and Jiang Lyuzhong?" "Jiang Lyuzhong wanted a bronze gong under Yang Yan to transfer under him, but Yang Yan disagreed with him. So, this fight happened." Yang Yan and Jiang Lyuzhong dont really have any feuds, so this shouldnt be an excuse to settle old scores. That means, theres something up with that bronze gong? "He seems to be called Xu Qi''an." "This name sounds familiar... The one from the tax silver case? If it''s just that, that''s not enough to fight." "I don''t know. Let''s watch the fun first and go back to ask Duke Weiter." After the two gold gongs entered the arena, they took off their cloaks and moved straight ahead, without hesitation. Xu Qi''an only heard a boom, as the ground copsed several inches and Jiang Lyuzhong disappeared from his eyesight. The next moment, Yang Yan raised his elbow, hitting the empty air to his left. Bang! A pair of fists collided. Bang bang Bang... The two''s hands and feet turned into afterimages, as the sound of physical collisions rang in a constant stream. *Too fast, too fast... They can''t be observed by the naked eye at all.* Xu Qi''an widened his eyes to observe, but the fight between the two high-level martial artists was far beyond the limits of his vision. They exchanged more than a dozen blows in the blink of an eye, the sound of the collisions only reaching Xu Qians ears a few secondster. *Dozens of times per second. Dozens of times!* Xu Qi''an was stunned. If the human eye could bepared to a camera, their fight was surely faster than the shutter speed. Xu Qi''an, who was somewhat learned in physics, immediately discovered a problem. *How did the two release their techniques without any recoil?* *Their movement is too smooth... But forces have equal and opposite reactions. Why hasn''t there been any sort of reaction force when they were colliding violently?* *They didn''t stop, even if for a second... Is this due to me not catching it with my naked eye, or is it due to the unique ability of high-level Martial Artists?"* *If it is due to thetter, What is the rank of martial artists that gain this ability? It should be after the seventh rank, since the seventh rank is Refining Spirit, and is for tempering the spirit.* *In addition, When the two gold gongs were fighting, their qi was restrained and kept within their bodies. This was easy to understand. If they let go of their restraints and fight, the entire office would be razed to the ground.* "Just watch the fun. You don''t need to be so serious." Song Tingfeng patted Xu Qi''an on the shoulder. "There are not many such battles between gold gongs in a year." Xu Qi''an asked, "Who do you think will win?" Song Tingfeng smiled, "When fighting with their physical bodies and strength, the gold gongs don''t have much difference between each other, so there is no winner every time the gold gongs fight." As for only allowing the usage of strength and physical body, it was to reduce the chances of death. The fight continued for over an hour, where batches of Nightwatchers passed by the office. Some went to lunch and stoppeding, while some came to look at it after having lunch, then went to work. They woulde over and have a look for a while afterpleting the matter at hand. In the martial art system, the ninth rank, Refining Body, was characterized by Physical strength. They could be said to have an inexhaustible supply of physical force. Although it was somewhat exaggerated, it could be said that a martial artist''s physical strength is terrifying. For this point, the famous oiran also agreed. Xu Qi''an didn''te to watch the battle after having lunch. As a young policeman, he had to patrol the streets with his colleagues. ... After fighting, the two gold gongs went to the Tower of Noble Spirit in silence. Wei Yuan, who was standing in the observation hall and watching the whole process patiently, waited for the two to climb the building. Hemented, "Yang Yan has to work on refining his body. Otherwise, after ten years, your vitality will decline and you will have no hope for the third rank in your life. Don''t just think of tempering the spear." Yang Yan nodded silently. "Lyuzhong cares too much about his vitality and wants to maintain a peak physique at all times. But, what you actually have to do is to integrate your sword intent into your fists and feet. This will cause yourbat power to greatly increase." Jiang Lyuzhong sighed, "ording to Duke Wei, I''m hopeless to reach the third rank, aren''t I?" Wei Yuan smiled and said, "Third Rank is already in the realm of the extra-ordinary, and it depends on luck, not hard work. Our Zhenbei King has fought on the battlefield for ten years, wandering on the edge of life and death dozens of times, and lived in deathly situations. You are far behind him in terms of being in critical situations. The great eunuch, with no power to even restrain a chicken, but able to convince the gold gongs under hismand, continued, "Since there wasn''t a winner and loser, this matter of personnel transfer won''t be mentioned anymore." Jiang Lyuzhong nodded regretfully, and said, "But, your humble subordinate has something to ask about." Wei Yuan nodded. Jiang Lyuzhong said, "What''s so special about Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an? For Gold Gong Yang to value him so much and not want to give him up." Yang Yan''s attitude was quite abnormal. If it was just an ordinary bronze gong, He would not refuse just due to the face and friendship among the gold gongs. *I liked Xu Qi''an''s ability to solve cases and his connection to the Sitianjian. But Martial Idiot Yang Yan never cared about such matters.* After speaking, Jiang Lyuzhong saw Nangong Qianrou pouting, a little disdainful, and even more unconvinced of his words. Surely, that bronze gong, Xu Qi''an had a bigger secret. Wei Yuan, Yang Yan, and Nangong Qianrou knew about the secret. "It''s not a big deal." Wei Yuan took a sip of tea, and pushed a copy of a personal file to the side of the table, "I knew that you would ask this, So I prepared this specifically. Look at it yourself." Jiang Lyuzhong cupped his fists and reached out to open the household registration, and saw the rating written in red cinnabar. **Upper Jia** He looked at the two bright red words/characters and remained silent for a long time. After some time, he pointed a scorching gaze toward Yang Yan, "Let''s fight again. I want this person." What does an upper Jia Qualification mean? With Duke Wei''s knowledge and vision, he would certainly not give such a rating without reason. It meant that Xu Qi''an would be a great person in the future, at least a gold gong like him. *Such talents must be taken into my hands.* Yang Yan ignored him. "Duke Wei!" Jiang Lyuzhong rubbed the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, unconvinced, "You can''t be partial just because Yang Yan is your adopted son." Wei Yuan still didn''t answer. Jiang Lyuzhong loudly said, "If you don''t allow it, I''ll spread the news and we''ll see if Yang Yan can resist all the other gold gongs." Wei Yuan frowned, "Presumptuous!" --- [^1]: Chinese inte ng, describing someone whose appearance was extraordinary, but internally their life was rotten and they cared only for material things, pretending to be innocent and vulnerable but really very scheming, etc, etc. Chapter 89: More Poignant in Silence than Any Sound Chapter 89: More Poignant in Silence than Any Sound # 89. More Poignant in Silence than Any Sound Jiang Lyuzhong still wasn''t convinced, but he didn''t dare to say anything more. Wei Yuan leisurely continued, "The reason why he''s under Yang Yan''smand isn''t due to Yang Yan, It''s due to Li Yuchun." Li Yuchun? The three gold gongs couldn''t figure this out. Li Yuchun was only a small silver gong. He could be considered to have some talent, but he had an inflexible nature, not knowing how to amodate, and was very stubborn. *Could it be that Li Yuchun had some sort of rtionship with Xu Qi''an?* Jiang Lyuzhong guessed. Wei Yuan continued exining, "Li Yuchun can examine Xu Qi''an''s character well, and Xu Qi''an also needs to be under themand of a leader with a rigid personality. If he was swapped with any other Silver Gong, they would have some sort of conflict with him." Li Yuchun couldn''t handle specks of sand in his eyes, and his personality could be used to give proper guidance to Xu Qi''an. ording to Xu Qi''an''s deposition and ideals demonstrated in the Conscience Test, he couldn''t thrive better in any other Silver Gong''smand. It could even lead to problems. Upon seeing the thoughtful expressions of the three, Wei Yuan said gently, "What about you? What made you pick this talent?" Jiang Lyuzhong didn''t hide anything, "Earl Pingyuan''s case is quite tricky. ording to the present clues, It''s very likely that some person from the Jianghu was seeking revenge on him. But the culprit has already fled, and it is extremely difficult to track him down. It just happened that Xu Qi''an is talented at solving cases. I wanted to transfer him to mymand for him to solve this case." This reason was quite reasonable. So, Wei Yuan and his sons nodded. Jiang Lyuzhong continued, "But he caught my eye for another reason, mainly." Yang Yan looked over immediately. On the night Earl Pingyuan was killed, I took several Qi Watchers from the Sitianjian to track down the murderer. After seeing Xu Qi''an, the white cloaks were very excited and insisted on talking with him. "As soon as they met him, they respectfully bowed and saluted him. Whenever had Sitianjian White Cloaks been polite to martial artists?" Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head, and continued, "When I asked the silver gongs under mymand, I found that this person had a close rtionship with the arcanists from Sitianjian." "Close friendship with Sitianjian Arcanists?" Nangong Qianrou, who had a soft temperament, seemed to have thought of something, and chuckled, "Hey, I remember. He was the one who used alchemy to make fake silver and solve the mystery in the tax silver case. It was certainly smart for him to use alchemy to please the white cloaks from the Sitianjian. Although the Sitianjian Arcanists look down on martial artists, the boy managed to act flexibly and form bonds with them." A frown appeared on Yang Yan''s face. He was one of those arrogant and conceited martial artists that treated practitioners from the other systems as ants, and he believed that this quality was something a high-ranking martial artist should possess. To be fearless, One must despise everything. If Xu Qi''an had ttered and pleased the arcanists from Sitianjian, Yang Yan would lower his impression of the bronze gong. "No, that''s not the case, either." Jiang Lyuzhong sighed and rejected the previous answer. "Those Qi Watchers respected him quite a lot, and couldn''t wait to tter him more. It''s even said that Song Qing from the Sitianjian addressed Xu Qi''an as *Teacher*." "You''re speaking nonsense!" Nangong Qianrou couldn''t believe it. Song Qing is the direct disciple of the Jianzheng, how could he say such words, which undermine the Jianzheng so? Yang Yan didn''t speak either, but he also didn''t believe it. Wei Yuan started to think. ... Xu Qi''an finished patrolling the streets and returned to the Nightwatchers office, where he wrote reports as usual, before leaving. Today was his rest day, so he went to the Jiaofangsi. A man of his age, filled with vigour, was at the age with the strongest desires, and he couldn''t contain the turmoil within his body every day. Using a more vivid metaphor: Thinking about Shen Gong Bao every day.[^1] There weren''t any drinking games in the Reflecting Plum Pavilion that day. The drinkers in the pavilion listened to the music and observed the dances. Fuxiang came out once during the banquet, which already satisfied the drinkers. *The official evaluation is good, real bosses don''te to the Jiaofang Si anymore...* Xu Qi''an was invited to have tea as usual. In the bedroom heated by a charcoal fire, Fuxiang was wearing a gorgeous long dress. She bowed her head and yed the qin, with a gentle feminine aura in her eyes. *She''s acting quite reserved today. She didn''t help me take a bath while exposing her breasts today...* Xu Qi''an sat in the tub while enjoying the maid''s service. Xu Qi''an looked at the beauty through the screen. She also raised her head at that time, and smiled sweetly, filled with amorous feelings. Her invisible and intangible charm made elder brother Xu feel hot and flushed. Only for that moment, before that inexplicable feeling disappeared. Xu Qian thought that he had seen it wrong through the screen. The next morning, After waking up, Xu Qi''an nced at the water clock beside the bed, only to discover that the time had already reached 8 AM, and he had overslept, a rare urrence. Fuxiang was sleepingzily in the bed, with ck hair covering her beautiful and delicate face. She was like a plum peony flower but one that was devastated by a stormst night. She appeared quite sluggish this morning. She looked like she needed to catch up on some sleep to restore some energy. After washing up and eating the breakfast served by the maids, The head maid by Fuxiang shyly said, "Young Master is quite strong, but the miss is a delicate girl after all. I hope that young master will pity our miss a bit." Without waiting for an answer from Xu Qi''an, she blushed and shyly continued, "Ping''er is willing to share the burden for miss." *Is this a matter of you wanting to do so? Its whether* I *want to do so.* Xu Qi''an took a closer look at the maid. She looked quite delicate but different from Fuxiang. ... He took the horse from the "Service Personnel" of the Jiaofang Si. However, when stepping in its back, he suddenly heard some peopleughing and chatting heartily. Following the sound, several men in the uniform of the Imperial Guard walked to the stable together. One of them had a square face and a tall figure, He was Uncle Xu. Having spent a night in the Jiaofang Si, Xu Pingzhi and his colleagues were happily chatting. When they came to the stable, they saw a handsome young man on horseback, wearing a Nightwatcher uniform with a gong tied to his chest and a sabre hanging from his waist. "..." The second uncle''sughter suddenly stuck in his throat. Uncle and Nephew looked at each silently. More poignant in silence than any sound; than a silver bottle is smashed, out gushes water.[^2] After pausing for a few seconds, the uncle and nephew both turned their heads at the same time, pretending that they didn''t know each other. The group leaders in the Imperial Guard didn''t notice it and still chatted while revelling in the aftertaste. "I don''t know how many family members ofrge officials will enter the Jiaofang Si after this year''s Official Evaluation." "We are indeed blessed, Hahaha." "Speaking of that, it''s hard to meet Miss Fuxiang even once." "Fuxiang is now well known throughout the capital. Her fame will only grow in the future and her status will also rise ordingly." "However, Miss Fuxiang served a guestst night. I just passed by Reflecting Plum Pavilion, where I saw the gatekeeper change the sign of the courtyard." "What great fortune." Second Uncle subconsciously looked at Xu Qi''an and thought *The object of all your envy is my nephew.* Uncle and nephew, who pretended not to know each other, left the Jiaofang Si. Xu Pingzhi bade farewell to his colleagues outside the alley, and then pat his horse to catch up with Xu Qi''an quickly, before saying in a deep voice, "Ningyan..." "Uncle, You''re too contemptible!" Xu Qi''an spoke righteously and with indignation, "Auntie is such a beautiful person yet she married you, and you still dont cherish her, going to the Jiaofang Si to fool around. Aren''t you contemptible?" Auntie was so beautiful that uncle would always remark that he had to have been blessed by the heavens to have married such a beautiful wife. It was mainly because marriage in this era dictated life based on parents'' and matchmakers'' words. In Xu Qi''an''s previous life, the best quality seafood could only be enjoyed by the upper ss. Xu Pingzhi opened his mouth to refute, saying helplessly, "In three days, His Majesty will hold a ceremony to worship his ancestors. There will be no opportunity for entertainment during that time. Don''t tell your aunt of this matter." "So, Second Uncle was deceiving us all when he said he didn''t go to Jiaofang Si." Xu Qi''an struck another knife, before finally saying, "What did Second Uncle want to tell me?" "No, I don''t have anything to say." Uncle Xu dismissed his idea of giving a lesson to his nephew. Xu Qi''an, who struck the first blow, nodded slightly. While approaching the Xu Mansion, Second Uncle Xu was probably feeling quite reproachful of himself. Upon seeing a seller of green oranges[^3] not too far, he turned his head to say, "I''m going to buy some oranges. You wait for me here." ...Suddenly taken advantage of, yet unable to refute, Xu Qi''an nodded helplessly. On the way home, Xu Pingzhi peeled an orange and deliberately applied the juice of the orange peel to his body. *An experienced Brothel-goer...* Xu Qi''an secretly admired his skills, and said, "Second Uncle, Don''t throw the peel away. Give it to me as well." Uncle Xu curiously asked while he handed the orange over to Xu Qi''an, "Why do you need them?" *You''re hiding from your wife. I''m hiding from your daughter.* After smearing the orange peel, the two entered the mansion. Auntie was disgusted by the smell emanating from the two, and her delicate eyebrows frowned. "These oranges I''ve brought are both fresh and sweet." Uncle Xu handed over the uneaten orange. Auntie nodded and peeled off a petal with her slim jade finger before putting it in her mouth. She then handed it back over to Uncle Xu with a wooden expression. Upon seeing his wife share it, Uncle Xu also peeled a petal off and ate it, then handed it over to Xu Qi''an with a wooden expression. *It''s very warm for everyone to share an orange...* Xu Qi''an took it with a smile, ate a piece, and handed it to Xu Lingyue. Xu Lingyue also ate a piece, before beckoning Xu Lingyin who was running around the hall looking for a fun thing to do. Xu Lingyin took the orange, and broke off two petals with her short fingers, before stuffing them in her mouth to eat them. In an instant, her small face wrinkled into a ball, and she shivered aggrievedly. Little Pea ate the oranges with an ugly face. The whole family was relieved and handed over the whole bag of oranges to Xu Lingyin for disposal. --- [^1]: A character in Fengshen Yanyi, but also homophonic for a phrase that means To deeply attack abalone fish, which Im sure you can figure out by now. [^2]: Line from the *Pipa Xing* [^3]: Or limes, could mean either, but theres cultivars of tangerine that are green on the outside. Chapter 90: Master Xu Gives a Lecture Chapter 90: Master Xu Gives a Lecture # 90. Master Xu Gives a Lecture Returning to his small courtyard, Xu Qian took off his uniform, bathed, and had just put on his day-to-day clothes when he saw the gatekeeper Zhang push open the door. Dng, theres a guest, the masters calling you over. Old Zhang, with his long goats beard, called out loudly. I know. Close the gate,e in. Xu Qian replied. Old Zhang hesitated, before a cautious expression formed on his face. *Arent we going to the main yard? Yet youre not leaving, and even asked me to close the door and go inside.* *What did you want to do?* Old Zhang did not pay any mind, calmly leaving the small courtyard. Last time, when a servant had been called into the bathroom, he had mysteriously been found unconscious. Old Zhang still remembered this. Xu Qian walked outside, seeing that Old Zhang had disappeared. He had wanted to carry old Zhang and vault the wall, saving him walking the scenic route. Gathering himself, he leapt over the high wall, and headed towards the front hall. If Uncle Xu called him, it meant that that guest most likely had some kind of rtion to him. Coming to the front hall, a yellow skirt appeared in his vision, being Chu Caiwei, whom he had not seen in a long time. A light yellow dress, loose voluminous hair, and clear, limpid almond eyes. On her waist was hung a deerskin pouch, a bagua feng-shui te. What brings you to my home? Xu Qian asked, somewhat surprised. Chu Caiwei sat in the main seat, Second Uncle by her side. She was in the middle of eating arge bag of the highest quality snacks from the Guiyuelou. Leisurely taking a sip of water, swallowing her food, she replied: If you dont go to the Sitianjian, next it will be Brother Song who visits. Xu Qian had a revtion, remembering his as yet unfulfilled promise. The matter with Zhou Li had been solved, and that periodic table that he said he would provide had not yet been handed over. It was mostly because initially he had his mind on whether or not Deputy Minister Zhou would fall, to be swiftly followed by being dragged off by the Nightwatchers for usations. He then became an honoured bronze gong, and started the grey and murky life of a wage ve. He hadpletely forgotten about the Sitianjian. Xu Qian swore to heaven, that it was definitely not because he had gotten used to freeloading. Some other day, Ill go some other day. Xu Qian said. You cant have prepared nothing? Chu Caiwei asked with suspicion. Of course Im prepared. Chu Caiweis carn-blue eyes shed, Youre lying. Brother Song said, youve dyed for so long, you need to return what you promised with interest. The knowledge you wrote in that blue cover book is somewhat abstruse, the Sitianjians alchemists cant make head nor tail. Chu Caiwei ate another small cake, Its near the end of the year, and Brother Song hopes that you can go to the Sitianjian, and give a lecture. Sure! Xu Qian nodded; repaying ones debts is but natural order. However, I need to prepare for an hour. Chu Caiweiughed like a blossom, Ill supervise you. With a much improved mood, she looked over to her side, to Xu Lingyin, whose eyes were shining with longing, saying Young sister, do you want to eat some of these treats? Xu Lingyin bobbed her head. Then Ill give you some. Hopping and skipping, Chu Caiwei followed Xu Qian with her dress rippling through the air. This small child had hungered after her treats for ages, like a wolf. Chu Caiwei initially didnt want to give her any, but owing to Xu Qians such ready agreement, she cheered up significantly. After all, she was just a small child, how much could she eat really? The two of them came to Xu Qians small yard. Chu Caiwei leant on the door, putting one leg up, her head looking towards the kitchen. That day you said that youll cook for me. next time. Xu Qians heart said, *How the fuck do you still remember?* Chu Caiwei was no longer happy. puffing out her cheeks. Her already sweet and cute round face became like a little bao bun, even cuter than before. *No matter if she is a disciple of the Sitianjian this chick I can do with* Xu Qian was somewhat stunned. Of all the beautiful women he had seen, each had their own special traits; the full and well-rounded auntie; the extraordinarily charming and graceful sister; like a daughter of an important family, but inside the still soft and romantic orian, and this cute, adorable Miss Chu Caiwei. When I make a basic form of chicken bouillon[^1], Ill make noodles for you. Xu Qian said. An hourter, Xu Qian had written his draft, and returned side by side with the big-eyed beauty to the main hall. Xu Lingyin was sat where Chu Caiwei had sat a moment ago, her two little legs kicking the air with vigour, her little stomach round and bulging. Chu Caiweis mouth opened slightly, as she looked at the empty table. *Where are my snacks? Where are my two taels silver of snacks?* *What happened to the huge bag of snacks!?* A hint of tears sparkled in Chu Caiweis eyes. Thank you sister, the desserts were really nice. Xu Lingyin let out a satisfied burp, and thanked Chu Caiwei with very good manners. It was as if a pumpkin had been stuffed into the big-eyed beauty mouth,[^2] as she could only hatefully stare at that small bulging stomach, before leaving with Xu Qian, face full of chagrin. Have you no shame, my sister only ate a little bit of your snacks, and youre as angry as this. Xu Qian mocked. Chu Caiwei twisted her waist, I wanted to leave them to eat when youre giving your lecture. Xu Qian thought for a moment, Theyre just snacks. Ill buy you some, how many cash? Chu Caiwei smiled, Two taels. Lets not keep Brother Song waiting, giddy-up, giddy-up *Horsey, why dont you hurry up a tad?* Chu Caiwei rolled her eyes, and urged her horse to catch up. The Sitianjian. Xu Qian had just crossed the threshold of the Stargazing Tower, when he received the exuberant wee of the white cloaks. In one breath he came to the seventh floor, and met with Song Qing and his Masters of Alchemy. Finally, youvee. If you still hadnte Idve visited you personally. Song Qing, with his two dark baggy eyes, stared at Xu Qian with an expression like he had resisted temptation for too long. He was not satisfied at all at Xu Qians dying. He had gone against his own open and aboveboard philosophy, and helped him to do bad things, yet he had waited and waited and waited and still Xu Qian had note. Ive had a lot on recently. Xu Qian pulled out the draft from his robes, But hey, Ivee now, hows Brother Songs grafting experiments going? The nt grafting needs to wait until spring next year. The main direction of research Im going down are animals. Wait here Song Qing was instantly full of energy, as he hurriedly ran off. After a moment, he came back with a stack of notes. These are some of my recent hypotheses for grafting. Ive heard youve joined the Nightwatchers, could you get a death row prisoner to me sometime. Xu Qian nced at it; a half-man half-horse, drawn fairlypetently. He cupped his hands towards Song Qing, Well talk about thister. Today, Ivee to fulfil my side of the promise. Xu Qian did not want to be smacked to death by the Jianzheng. *Brother Song Qings alchemy has clearly gone awry I need to use my extensive chemistry knowledge to set him straight.* The location of the ss was the main hall of the seventh floor. The white cloaked arcanists set out tables, and sat up straight like students. From ninth to sixth rank, there were forty-six of them in total, not including the white-cloaks who were elsewhere. Xu Qian knew that what they really salivated after was his theoretical chemistry knowledge. In terms of practical ability, any sixth rank could beat him with both hands tied behind their back. *I have a feeling, that after this lecture, my status in the Sitianjian will grow again. When Ive copied more poems to make the great schrs content, and adding on being able to hug Daddy Weis leg, will I be unbeatable within the capital?* Xu Qians mind red up. With the support of these three great powers, as long as he did not try reverse the tide too much, he would be as steady as an old dog. *Oh Eng, big brother loves you, Ive already startedying the path for your premiership as prime minister.* *Yet you are so stingy as to not give big brother a small promise* Xu Qians gaze swept over the white cloaked arcanists, Everyone, what are your understandings of alchemy? Before the lesson starts, lets first discuss some alchemical principles. Two opulent carriages drove over, stopping beside the Stargazing Tower. Yang Yan hopped down from the drivers seat, pulling out a small wooden stool, weing out Wei Yuan, who was in the carriage. The effeminate Nangong Qianrou followed, stepping out of the carriage. The other carriage was made of Nanmu wood, with gold leaf, and from it stepped a woman with a spectacr dress. She was tall and slender, with an appearance matched by few. Her eyes were cold and clear, her thin face was pale, like a beauty from another long-gone world. A gentle zephyr swirled by, and when she walked her posture could only be seen to appreciate it to its fullest. Princess, Wei Yuan respectfully made a greeting. His two adoptive sons also greeted her. Has Wei Yuan alsoe to find the Jianzheng? The eldest princess smiled lightly, that refined and noble aura difficult to suppress. Indeed, Wei Yuan sighed, In Taikang County, we discovered a saltpetre mine, however it has already been depleted. We suspect that it was the doing of the remnants of the Wanyao country. Your servant suspects that there are still Yao hidden within and around the city, and so I wanted to ask for the Jianzhengs great eyes to unearth any beasts and demons. As for the Earth Sect and the Earth Book Fragment, Wei Yuan did not n to tell the eldest princess. Those skilled in the art of strategy know discreteness, and would not proim publicly any foreshadowings ahead of time. But merely the information about the Wanyao kingdom, made the eldest princesss expression serious. In her cold beauty rose a hint of stateliness. And your Highness? Wei Yuan asked. Ivee to find Caiwei. the eldest princess replied. She continued, as if asking off the cuff, Does Duke Wei think, that the Pingyuan Earl case has something to do with the Yao? Wei Yuan shook his head, The Yao have no rtion to the Earl Pingyuan. Thetter isnt worth that much. The two sides entered the Stargazing Tower together, and were shocked to find that the floor was empty. No one even came to receive them. The second and third floor were the same. The eldest princess frowned, What happened in the Sitianjian. Wei Yuan, deep in thought, did not reply. They continued to climb, and when they reached the fifth floor, they finally saw a white-cloak busy in his work. Seeing Wei Yuan and the eldest princess, that white cloak came over and greeted them. The eldest princess asked, From when I entered this tower, until now, we have only seen one of you. What has happened in the Sitianjian? The white cloak replied angrily, I dont want to see your Highness either ah, no, I also want to go to the seventh floor, but I still have an assignment yet to finish, and so my brothers wouldnt let me go. Im honestly so pissed, this is inhuman. After venting all his steam, he exined, Master Xu has opened a ss on the seventh floor, and is lecturing on alchemy. My brothers have all gone to listen. --- [^1]: Lit. Chicken Extract: which basically is chicken bouillon, except the opposite of MSG free. [^2]: Ok, I admit, the original idiom is nothing like this, but the meaning is the same and this is funny. Why a pumpkin you may ask? Well, dont ask :) Chapter 91: Splits in the Middle of the Room Chapter 91: Splits in the Middle of the Room # 91. Splits in the Middle of the Room *Master Xu* Faced with this unfamiliar title, Wei Yuan and the rest instinctively searched through the Sitianjian member list, looking through the existing five direct disciples of the Jianzheng. *Wait, the white-robed man said "Master Xu" rather than "Senior Brother Xu". This means that the lecturer isn''t a disciple of the Sitianjian, but is rather an outsider.* The eldest princess boldly guessed the identity of this "Master Xu", and she couldn''t wait to verify if it was correct. At the same time, Wei Yuan''s eyes showed a look, as he came to a certain guess. Song Qing had once told him that Xu Qi''an was a prodigy in alchemy. Wei Yuan hadn''t paid too much attention at that time. After all, Song Qing was the number one alchemist in the Sitianjian. Even if he was a prodigy with outstanding talent in alchemy, he surely couldn''t stand shoulder to shoulder with the first alchemist in Sitianjian, and even be honoured as "Master". Wei Yuan nced at his two adoptive sons, whose faces showed the same look of confusion and bewilderment. They didn''t link Xu Qi''an and that Master Xu, and forgot what Song Qing had said that day. "Father, Since when did Sitianjian have someone surnamed Xu?" Nangong Qianrou was in charge of intelligence and torture, so he was extremely suspicious of this new character. Yang Yan, who didn''t like talking, turned his head slightly toward Wei Yuan as if asking him to confirm his guess. Wei Yuan smiled, "Let''s go upstairs and take a look." The eldest princess had already lifted her skirt and was climbing the stairs gracefully, with elegance. She was tall and slender, and had an excellent figure, Her back view alone was stunning. You didn''t need to look at her face to know that she was a magnificent beauty. "The essence of alchemy is *Equivalent Exchange*" Some clever white cloak answered Xu Qi''an''s questions with his own words. "It is extracting the essence of things to transform waste to treasure." Some alchemists gave an answer based on their own experiences. Arcanists below the sixth rank didn''t answer and just listened intently, while the sixth-rank Masters of Alchemy spoke one after another, speaking of their understanding. *Most of their answers were narrow and were given based on their own experience. As for the guy who copied my words, he is only aware of one aspect while being unaware of the others. The theoretical knowledge in Sitianjian is trulycking.* Xu Qi''an listened to them patiently, without agreement or objection. After saying their own words, the white cloaks all looked toward Song Qing in unison. Song Qing was the Jianzheng''s direct disciple and was also recognized as the number one master of alchemy in the Sitianjian. He was so immersed in alchemy that he refused to be promoted. He was only fascinated by alchemy and was quite dismissive of higher ranks. The other fourth-rank and fifth-rank senior brothers weren''t his match when it came to the topic of alchemy. Song Qing shook his head, letting out a sigh. *What does Senior Brother Song mean by this?* As the white-cloaked arcanists were puzzled by his action, Xu Qi''an pped his hands. Everyone''s eyes immediately turned to the Alchemy Prodigy. Xu Qi''an met everyone''s gaze and sighed, "In the entire Sitianjian, only Senior Brother Song can make me admire him in the field of alchemy." Sitianjian''s White cloaks stood in respect of Song Qing. Song Qing smiled slightly, and quietly straightened his waist. Xu Qi''an continued speaking, "Senior Brother Song meant that everyone here was correct, but they weren''tprehensive enough, so they were incorrect." Everyone showed a thoughtful expression. Xu Qi''an talked eloquently, "Alchemy is a very broad field. You may have some understanding of it in your mind, but I''m sure it''s rather vague or general. Originally, I only promised Senior Brother Song Qing to impart a lesson to you. However, Brother Song Qing insisted that I pay back the principal with interest, so I will talk a little bit more, expand on the topic, and exin it in full." As soon as he finished these words, the eyes of the arcanists in white started to be hot. "Thank You, Senior Brother Song. Thank You, Young Master Xu." "Master Xu, start quickly. I''m bing impatient by the minute." The sounds suddenly loudened, and they happened to reach the ears of the eldest princess, who was on the seventh floor. She stopped in her tracks. However, she didn''t enter immediately, instead hiding to take a look at the young man who had made the arcanists so worked up. *Xu Qi''an! It was him.* Wei Yuan paused at the same time, and he stalled upon seeing Xu Qi''an, soon returning to a normal pace. At the same time, when Wei Yuan stalled, the feminine Nangong Qianrou and the paralyzed Yang Yan also looked over the shoulders of the eldest princess and Wei Yuan to vaguely see Xu Qi''an. *It turned out that Jiang Lyuzhong was speaking the truth.* Yang Yan stared at Xu Qi''an for a moment, before making a small nod. This bronze gong can only be under hismand, no one else can snatch him. Nangong Qianrou originally wanted to go in and listen, to see what kind of lecture the young man could speak about. However, upon realizing that neither the eldest princess nor his adoptive father wanted to disturb Xu Qian, he endured his urge and stood in ce. Xu Qi''an said, The essence of alchemy is *Equivalent Exchange*. This is an outline of the principal, but it isn''t so vivid. Only a master alchemist like Senior Brother Song Qing could get the meaning of this sentence. Today, everyone can listen to me borate on it slowly. "Upon hearing of alchemy, Usually, whates to mind ofymen are elixir and potions. For those who know a little bit about the topic, This must be what they have in mind." Xu Qi''an said this while pointing to the simple jewellery in Chu Caiwei''s ck hair, "Metal!" The white-cloaked arcanists made slight nods. "What I want to tell you is that there are just two fields of alchemy. I ssify them as Medicine and Minerals. Most alchemists only study these two fields, and asionally jump to other fields. But I''ve only seen Senior Brother Song Qing have his eyes on another field." The white-cloaked arcanists immediately looked at Song Qing. Song Qing also became startled, as if he had found a fellow daoist, and his eyes became hot. He knew that Xu Qi''an was going to speak of his field of grafting creatures. Perhaps, this lecture will allow him to step into new levels of alchemy. Thinking of this, Song Qing started breathing heavily. Outside, the eldest princess and Wei Yuan couldn''t help taking a look at Song Qing, the wonder disciple of the Jianzheng. They weren''t strangers to each other. They knew that he had fiddled with some horrific kind of alchemy, and was even imprisoned for it. Was Xu Qi''an''s alchemy really that advanced? Could he give Song Qing some advice? "Senior Brother Song Qing''s research direction is the field of Living creatures." Xu Qi''an said, "That''s correct. Alchemy is not only for dead things, living things are also in the scope of alchemy." A white-cloaked arcanist got up and said deeply, "Master Xu, Teacher Jianzheng had said that life is not within the scope of alchemy." Although he admired Xu Qi''an''s aplishments in alchemy, his words vited the admonitions of Teacher Jianzheng, and also went against his thoughts. The other white-cloaked arcanists present also looked suspicious and dissatisfied. The eldest princess turned her head to Wei Yuan as if she wanted to consult something. thetter smiled and said softly, "I agree with the Jianzheng." The eldest princess nodded and continued to look at Xu Qi''an. *Let''s see what he says.* "That''s because Song Qing''s earlier methods were wrong. So, Master Jianzheng criticized him. But the research direction itself isn''t wrong." Xu Qi''an said. Of course, he wouldn''t argue with the Jianzheng''s words. Even if he won the debate, what if the old Jianzheng became angry and couldn''t be pacified? He could p him to death and he couldn''t find someone to cry about his grievances. Song Qing was unconvinced by his words, but he didn''t refute and listened patiently to what he said next. "Everyone may recall that we can extract metals from ores, harder metals from metals, and elixirs from medicinal materials. But, we can''t extract elixirs from ores, and we can''t refine metals from medicinal materials." Xu Qi''an asked, "Why?" "Medicinal Materials are Medicinal Materials, and Ores are Ores. Master Xu''s question is quite strange." "Haha, If metals can be extracted from medicinal materials, can''t we extract gold and silver from white rice?" In the eyes of the white-cloaked arcanists, Xu Qi''an''s question was the same as asking: *Why does the sun rise from the east? Why do people starve to death if they don''t eat? Why are there twelve hours in a day?...* The white-cloaked arcanists whispered to each other, but Song Qing vaguely felt something. The white-cloaked juniors'' talks made his mind muddled, so he couldn''t calm down to think about it. "Bang!" Song Qing pped the table and stood up, "Shut up!" After yelling, his face was red and his breaths became short. Then, He stared at Xu Qi''an inquiringly, "Say it, Say it fast!" The white-cloaked arcanists stopped talking, they rarely saw Senior Brother Song Qing like this, and also realized that Xu Qi''an was talking about advanced alchemy knowledge. Looking past the white-cloaked ones, Xu Qi''an saw Wei Yuan far away, and his heart sank. *WTF*, Xu Qi''an was instinctively scared when he realized that his boss was watching while he postured and acted cool in front of an audience. The arcanists of the Sitianjian were like a group of science nerds. They only paid attention to alchemy and didn''t care much about its source. Even if they had some suspicions, they automatically ignored them. As long as they could learn profound alchemy, they didn''t care about other matters. Wei Yuan was different. He was a statesman, strategist, and general, He was a smart person with a lot of knowledge under his belt. Smart people tended to think too much. Xu Qi''an''s strategy for the white-cloaked arcanists was to show off and posture in front of them, the more exaggerated, the better. As for his strategy toward Wei Yuan, it was to show loyalty and pretend to be a harmless rabbit within a reasonable range. The current situation didn''t have just a little posturing, It stuck out like someone doing splits in the middle of a room. At the same time, Wei Yuan slightly nodded toward Xu Qi''an. *If I think about it from another angle, Showing your value in front of your boss is an effective way to gain attention and to increase your chips.* Taking a deep breath, Xu Qi''an got rid of his distracting thoughts and returned focus to the ss. Chapter 92: The Jianzhengs Gift Chapter 92: The Jianzheng''s Gift # 92. The Jianzheng''s Gift "These are the main points I wanted to tell everyone in this lecture." Xu Qi''an was well versed in the art of ending chapters in a cliff-hanger, so he paused upon saying this much, and smiled as he turned to face the eager eyes of the white-cloaked arcanists. He nced outside the door from the corner of his eyes, to see Wei Yuan staring at him. He also saw a beautiful woman beside him who was also staring at him. *Who is she? She''s so beautiful...* Xu Qi''an coughed and said, In everything, we can find minute particles, and these particles constitute the myriad things thate before our eyes. There are also connections andws between these substances. Using the simplest example, An elixir requires dozens of medicinal materials to be used to refine, but these medicinal materials surely differ in efficacy from the elixir. "Why is this so? It is because the properties of the minute particles in these medicinal materials are simr, so they can react and fuse. The situation is simr for refining metals from ores." Xu Qi''an tried his best to express his knowledge in simple terms and didn''t use chemical terminology like "atom", Which would only increase the difficulty for alchemists to understand him. All the arcanists present were excited, as they were all aware of the value of this knowledge. Not just them, The eldest princess and Wei Yuan were also both highly talented knowledgeable people. So, they were more interested when the knowledge was profound and obscure. They also realized that Xu Qi''an was borating on a very high-end art in the field of alchemy. The crown princess and the eunuch continued standing like this, listening patiently. Xu Qi''an continued, In that iplete alchemy manual, There was also a form for the simr properties of these minute particles. I call this form: The periodic table of elements. Instantly, the sound of rapid breathing echoed throughout the hall, and the white-robed Arcanists clenched their fists in excitement. "I know, I know!" Song Qing suddenly realized something, so he stood up excitedly and stared at Xu Qi''an as if he was looking for validation. "The reason why my biological experiments failed is that they didn''t have simr properties. Yes, Yes, How can cats and trees have any simr properties? They arepletely different." *Your understanding is somewhat right!* Xu Qi''an smilingly said, "Senior Brother Song is indeed a genius in alchemy, and he has outstandingprehension." This was the truth. Song Qing frowned, "Although I can understand your reasoning, How can we verify if living creatures have simr characteristics? What is the correct direction forward for the alchemy of living organisms?" *Great Question! I was waiting for this moment to correct your thoughts.* Xu Qi''an stood with his hands behind his back, standing straight like a pine tree, as a Great Schr who founded his sect, and said leisurely, "The future direction for the alchemy of living organisms is in the cells." "Cell!?" Song Qing was stunned, as it was an unfamiliar word he had never heard before in his life. *Yes, Cells. But before doing that, you have to make microscopes or something. I don''t know much about it at all. Anyway, This is none of my business... If you seed, It will be because of my teaching you. If you don''t, It''s going to be because you are stupid.* Xu Qi''an took out a booklet from his breast pocket, "This is the second blue book I give to the Sitianjian. It contains the forms for the periodic table of elements and my notes on them. The correct direction for the alchemy of living organisms sought after by Senior Brother Song Qing is also inside." Song Qing rushed over impatiently and grabbed it, and flipped through it hungrily. The first sentence was: Cells are the beginning of life. "Ha, ha ha, ha ha ha..." Upon looking at it, Song Qing held the booklet tightly and looked up to the sky beforeughing. *What is written in this booklet... I really want to know it, I really really want to know, I really really really want to know...* More than forty white-cloaked arcanists looked at the booklet in Song Qing''s eyes hungrily, feeling as if a cat was scratching their hearts. Song Qing restrained his smile, and said calmly, " Xu Ningyan just said that the domain of living beings is too profound, and your realm hasn''t reached that level yet. After your senior brother understands it thoroughly, He''ll naturally teach it to you all on behalf of the teacher." This "teacher" didn''t refer to Xu Qi''an, but the Jianzheng. Everyone noticed that Song Qing was clenching the booklet tightly, which caused his knuckles to turn white. He was far more excited than what he had shown outside. Chemistry includes many fields, for example, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and quantum chemistry... Xu Qi''an himself only knew a little about them, so he didn''t n to continue talking, as he didn''t want to eat up his food ticket for the rest of his life in a go. They weren''t Fuxiang, so they weren''t worthy of his wholehearted support. Equivalent Exchanges should be continued for the long term, after all. Swish~ The white-cloaked Arcanists got up and moved in unison before bowing to Xu Qi''an. "Thank you, Master Xu, for instructing us." The eldest princess witness the events inside from outside the door, donning a dazed expression. This was probably the first time since the establishment of the Sitianjian that an arcanist of the Sitianjian behaved as a disciple would to a martial artist.[^1] Based on this alone, Xu Qi''an was able to leave a small mark in the history books. Song Qing let out a breath, and patted Chu Caiwei with his arm, "Junior Sister, the eldest princess is looking for you." Song Qing had already noticed the arrival of Wei Yuan and co., since he had the highest cultivation level among those present. But, even if they hade, Song Qing wouldn''t disrupt the rhythm of the ss just due to the princess''s noble background or Wei Yuan''s authority. It was because the nobility and beauty of the princess, along with the authority of Wei Yuan were all mundane things. Upon hearing this, Chu Caiwei turned her head in surprise, and she saw the enormously talented eldest princess. Xu Qi''an stepped forward quickly, sped his fists, and said, "Duke Wei!" Wei Yuan smiled and motioned to the woman in the gorgeous dress beside him, "This is the eldest princess." After observing her from a close distance, Xu Qi''an was astonished by the eldest princess''s appearance. Then, he sped his fists and said, "Thanks to the princess for your rmendation." Li Yuchun had told him that he had entered the Nightwatchers due to the eldest princess''s rmendation. Xu Qi''an didn''t need to mention the matter, but mentioning it would give the eldest princess the impression that he was a person who didn''t forget his benefactors and that he was a grateful person. The eldest Princess smiled and nodded, and a sound came out in her charming voice, "Alchemy Manual?" "When I was a child, I met an expert who taught me a secret Alchemy Manual." Xu Qi''an replied. Next, if the eldest princess or Wei Yuan asked to read it, he would say that he lost it identally, but the content had already been recorded in his head. Then, he could use the same knowledge to get something from Sitianjian''s arcanists and continue to use it to get something for free from the eldest princess and Wei Yuanter. Unexpectedly, The eldest princess just smiled and stopped asking any more questions. *Cijiu was correct, This woman has something in her. At the very least, she''s a smart woman... She''s also beautiful... and she has a good figure...* Xu Qi''an didn''t need to look sideways near her. *There was a woman once with perfumed steps, gracefully walking to the eastern room; her slender brow parted like kingfisher wings, her eyes an brilliant glow danced a silken voice that echoed above the clouds, its melody spreading all around.[^2] This heroic and picturesque beauty is just what, I, Xu Qi''an, deserve as a partner.* After the previous lecture, Wei Yuan admired this bronze gong even more, and he said, "You cane with me to meet the Jianzheng." *Meet the Jianzheng... The Jianzheng, who''s a peak arcanist...* Xu Qi''an started to breathe heavily. ... The top floor of the Star Observatory was an octagonal terrace with a wide tform, paved with thick bluestone. Xu Qi''an followed Wei Yuan to the Octagonal Terrace, where he saw the Jianzheng in white sitting at the table with his back towards them. He had hair white like frost and clothes whiter than snow. The old man''s back looked quite ordinary at the first nce, but looking closely, one would find that he was like the horizon, observable, but never reachable. "Youvee." An old voice sounded. He didn''t know if he was feeling an illusion, but Xu Qi''an had a feeling that "He is talking to me." "I havee." Wei Yuan, with frosty temples, walked to the edge of the octagonal terrace, where he stood shoulder to shoulder-with the Jianzheng. As he wasn''t a rookie in the officialdom, he was quite surprised upon seeing this scene. Wei Yuan grandiosely stood shoulder to shoulder with the Jianzheng. "It''s been a long time since I yed Go. Master Jianzheng, would you y a game with me?" The Jianzheng didn''t speak, but he waved his hand. A Go board and two boxes of go pieces materialized from thin air. Wei Yuanughed and threw off the hem of his azure robe before sitting opposite the Jianzheng. "Master Jianzheng, have you been watching the world these days?" Wei Yuan took the opportunity to open up a topic. "I''m old and dim-sighted. I can''t see so clearly." Jianzheng said, also cing a piece on the board. The two didn''t speak for a long time, concentrating on ying Go. "The Earth Sect has fallen into devilishness." Wei Yuan said. "All phenomena reverse at the extremes. Is it so simple to be an immortal with meritorious virtue?" Jianzheng said. "This Wei has received news of Wanyao Kingdom remnants lurking in the capital." "They''re just some small characters." Hearing this, Wei Yuan nodded reassuringly. After some time, Wei Yuan casually said, "If I remember correctly, the Human Sect moved to the Imperial Capital 19 years ago. Before that, Even if his Majesty begged for the way of immortality, the three sects of heaven, earth, and human ignored him." The Jianzheng went silent. "Just recently, the remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom have taken action near the capital. The day when His Majesty worships his ancestors is also nearing. It''s in three days from now. It''ll be good for Master Jianzheng to take a good look at the capital." ... "The banditry in Yunzhou has be more and more serious. But his majesty has no intention of suppressing the bandits, which is making the people anxious." ... "Does the supervisor have any guesses on the alchemist behind the Silver Tax case?" The two moved faster and faster, even faster, until they moved without leaving time in thinking, doing so until ck and white pieces filled up the entire board. Tie! Jianzheng waved his hand to make the go board disappear and raised his old, line-filled face to take a look at Wei Yuan. "Back when you practiced Martial Arts, I predicted back then that the Great Feng would produce a Second Rank, but you abolished your cultivation." "Not interested." Wei Yuan shook his head. "Why don''t you follow Confucianism?" "I can''t get along with the schrs in Cloud Deer Academy, Not interested." "Twenty-five years ago, I had asked if you would be my disciple." "Wei doesn''t have any intention of being an arcanist." The Jianzheng went silent for a moment, and said, "Excellent. My Little Friend taught my students for me, and so I should also give you a gift in return." --- [^1]: Xu Qi''an: Gaining respect for martial artists, one giarized article at a time. [^2]: from Jin Boxuans There was once a woman. Tranted by me, Yan because neither of us could find an existing English trantion. Chapter 93: Number Three is Worthy of Being a Scholar Chapter 93: Number Three is Worthy of Being a Schr # 93. Number Three is Worthy of Being a Schr *I get such a thing* Xu Qian was stunned, and thought *Master Jianzheng, you wont also take out a mirror, and then say to me Were brothers now, so Ive joined the Heaven and Earth Society!* While he was in a daze, he suddenly heard a whoosh sound in the air, drawing his sight to the direction of the stairs. Two iron lumps, one ck, and one gold shot quickly, passing the two gold gongs and Xu Qi''an before flying toward the Jianzheng. The two iron lumps melted during the flight, turning to bright iron slurries, which sshed towards the Jianzheng like water. Then, the two streams joined together to form an outline of a long knife. "Hsss!" Misty vapour appeared in the air, quenching the de''s body. When it had fallen into the Jianzheng''s hands, It was already the unfinished body of a long sabre sword. Jianzheng grasped the unfinished de with a hand, and used the other to wipe it, as a long dark-gold sabre formed, just like that. The de''s lustre was subtle, its edge sharp. Jianzheng flicked his fingers, and this sword swirled andnded in front of Xu Qi''an, cutting into the bluestone as if it was cutting tofu. The two gold gongs, who didn''t use sabres, stared at the dark gold sabre fervently. *Is this freaking Alchemy?!* *This is magic. Shouldn''t alchemy be extracting and separating substances in bottles and jars?* Xu Qi''an felt his three views were severely impacted by this scene. Shocked, Xu Qi''an realized the Jianzheng''s motive *Was this a gift? No, He was hitting me in the face.* *He''s telling me: Boy, You don''t know anything about Alchemy.* The de looked like a mixture of a Tang Dao and a Tachi from his previous life.[^1] The de was slender, and about 4 feet long. It looked subtle, its grandeur hidden, but also shined with immense brilliance. "Why haven''t you thanked the Jianzheng yet?" Azure Robe Wei said. "Thank you, Master Jianzheng." Suppressing the joy in his heart, Xi Qi''an took off his robe and wrapped it around the de before holding it in his hand. *This sabre is quite sharp, and it is easy to hurt others or wound myself with it.* Wei Yuan bowed to the Jianzheng and led his three subordinates away from the Sitianjian. When he was moving downstairs, Xu Qi''an met Chu Caiwei and the eldest princess, who were ascending the stairs, seemingly moving to the Bagua tform. Under the watchful eyes of Wei Yuan and the eldest princess, he took Chu Caiwei''s hand and walked to the side with her. "Are you free tonight? I invite you to Guiyuelou for dinner." Xu Qi''an proposed an invitation for a date. Who would expect that the foodie Chu Caiwei refused him straight away, "I''ll enter the inner cityter today, and will be resting at the eldest princess''s mansion tonight." There were endless pastries and delicacies in the Princess''s mansion. Although the food in the Guiyuelou was quite delicious, it couldn''tpare to the food made by the cooks in the princess''s mansion. *That''s so... I''ll be on night duty for the next two days. and the day after tomorrow is the emperor''s ancestor worship day, where the nightwatchers are responsible for security* "Then, after His Majesty worships his ancestors,e to my house for dinner." *Why don''t I make a crude version of chicken bouillon by myself? The prices in Guiyuelou are quite high as well.* Are you going to make noodles for me? Chu Caiwei recalled his words. "Yes." "Yes." She also nodded. Xu Qi''an smiled, "I''ll await your presence." Soon after they separated, Chu Caiwei led the eldest princess upstairs while Xu Qi''an followed Wei Yuan downstairs. While moving down the stairs, Xu Qi''an looked up and happened to see the eldest princess looking down at him. The two''s eyes met. Xu Qi''an grinned. But, the eldest princess was expressionless. When Xu Qi''an''s figure was not visible anymore, she curled her lips slightly. Along the way, after meeting a white-cloaked man, Xu Qi''an handed over the ck gold sabre to him, asking him to give it to Senior Brother Song for casting a handle, and said that he''de to pick it up tomorrow. After leaving the Star Observatory, Wei Yuan entered his carriage. Yang Yan nced at Xu Qi''an, and beckoned, "Can you steer a carriage?" Xu Qi''an shook his head. Which well-to-do gentleman steers a carriage by himself? Yang Yan nodded and handed over the reins to him before getting on the carriage by himself. "???" Xu Qi''an was stunned for a while before realizing the matter. His stoic-faced leader wanted to cultivate him. ... Bagua tform: Chu Caiwei sat on the edge of the Bagua tform, her feet in small leather boots dangling in the air. She held a pack of candied fruit in her arms, which she ate with relish. The eldest princess stood beside her, her skirt fluttering in the wind, making her look like a female immortal. "Jianzheng, I have always had a question." The eldest princess''s voice was cold but sweet. "Princess, pray tell." The old Jianzheng held his wine ss while his eyes looked into the distance. "The Human sect moved into the Imperial City, bewitched my imperial father to practice Dao, and ignore the government for neen years. The banditry at Yunzhou has be serious, and disasters have urred frequently in various ces. The court''s control over the south has also started to slip." The eldest princess sighed, "What else are you waiting for?" No answer came, even after a long time. The eldest princess looked back to see that the Jianzheng had fallen asleep with closed eyes. Chu Caiwei unhappily said, "Princess doesn''t need to bother about this nasty old man. He is already so old, and I don''t think he can live for more than a few years." "..." The eldest princess nced at her. She was the only female disciple in the Sitianjian, and everyone doted on her a lot. So, she was the only one who dared to say this about the Jianzheng. "Are you familiar with that Bronze Gong?" The eldest princess shifted the subject. "Yeah", Chu Caiwei smiled while squinting, her eyes forming crescents, "Xu Ningyan is a talent, and he speaks well. I think he''s quite interesting." ... The Welfare Home: Master Hengyuan, who had been waiting on a house near its premises for two days, finally found something unusual. A ninth-rank official in a green robe embroidered with quails led a group of craftsmen to the Welfare Home. Not long after, sounds of ping-pong-ping appeared outside whichsted until the dusk. Master Hengyuan waited until the night before he confirmed that there weren''t any ambushes and Sitianjian White-Cloaks nearby. Then, he left the private house and went to the Welfare Home to check. He was quite surprised to find out that the gate of the Welfare Home had been reced with a new one, the uneven ground paved with bluestone bs, and the weathered stone tables and benches reced with new ones. Doors, windows, eaves, and various utensils that had been damaged had been repaired, or simply reced. The burly Lu Zhishen stood in the courtyard, silent for a long time.[^2] The old official in charge of the Welfare Home was a light sleeper. He woke up to the sound and came out with antern to check. "Master Hengyuan, You''re back?" Pleasantly surprised, the old official said. "You don''t need to ask for alms again. The court has just allocated our funds to make up for the silver owed in previous years. They also sent craftsmen to repair the yard in the afternoon." "Allocation?" Master Hengyuan whispered. "Yes. Two hundred taels of silver." the old official happily shared. "The children and old people in the yard all have expenses for theing year. I n to give each of them a set of winter wear tomorrow. It was timely as well. Otherwise, any old friends wouldn''t have been able to survive this winter." ... Xu Qi''an was awoken in the middle of the night, feeling annoyed. *Who the fuck was crazy enough to spam the chat in the middle of the night.* He pulled out the mirror under his pillow and went to the table to light up a candle, under which he looked at the message. Six: One and Three, have you found my hiding ce? Two: Bald donkey, Why are you not sleeping by this hour of the night? Don''t disturb others. Number Two, who seemed to have a bad temper, was woken up too. Nine: What happened? Daoist Jinlian answered, reminding the members of the Heaven and Earth Society that something must have happened to Number Six. Number One still didn''t speak. They seemed to be watching the screen again. Xu Qi''an had also not figured out the situation and continued watching without adding anything. Six: Huh, I didn''t expect my hiding ce to be exposed so quickly. It doesn''t matter if I say it here now. I have sent all the rescued children to the Welfare Home in the eastern city. The ce had barely been managing for quite some time. There are a few old officials with nowhere to go and a group of homeless children and lone old people there. But today, The imperial court suddenly remembered this ce and sent people over to repair the yard and make up for the silver not sent in the previous years. The old officials had been to the Ministry of Revenue several times for this, but were kicked out. So, I know that silver can''t be transferred there without any special reason. Number Six wouldn''t have been surprised if a Nightwatcher came to find him. But Number One and Number Three were able to find him so quickly, which was what astonished "Lu Zhishen".[^3] One: It wasn''t me. Number One immediately denied their involvement. *Then, It must be Number Three. Number Three is worthily a schr from Cloud Deer Academy. He found out about Number Six due to Earl Pingyuan''s case, but he didn''t try to harm Number Six at all. Instead, he sent help from behind the scenes.* *Number Three is worthy of being a schr.* The members of the Heaven and Earth Society felt a little admiration in their hearts, and they recognized Number Three''s character more deeply. Two: Three, Did you do it? *... It wasn''t me. I didn''t do anything. No need to tter me so much.* Xu Qi''an remained silent. *If I don''t exin it, It will be exined as me acquiescing to this. Even if everyone knows about the truthter, I can say that I hadn''t admitted it either.* In addition, Xu Qi''an thought of something. He had sold Number Six to Wei Yuan the day before yesterday. With Wei Yuan''s methods along with the clues he had provided, It wouldn''t be that difficult to discover Number Six''s location. Number Six has saved so many children, What arrangements could be made for them? If it were Xu Qi''an, his first choice would be to check the various Welfare Homes around the capital. ording to what Number Six said, Who else apart from Wei Yuan could control the court to do that? Of course, Number One alsoes into mind, but they denied it just now. The murderer of Earl Pingyuan was found, but he wasn''t arrested. Instead, the money for the Welfare Home was made up for and people were sent to repair the yard. "Wei Yuan..." Xu Qi''an whispered in the dim candlelight. --- [^1]: Pictures: Tachi: [Link](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipediamons/thumb/e/ea/Tachi_Sword_-_Sukezane%28Nikko%29_01.jpg/381px-Tachi_Sword_-_Sukezane%28Nikko%29_01.jpg); Tangdao: /wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Tang-Dao-1.jpg). [^2]: Character from Water Margin (very buff). Hengyuan has a simr build. [^3]: This is referencing a scene in water margin where Lu Zhishen gains enlightenment upon hearing the tide of the Qiantang River. He''s a monk as well so it fits somehow. Chapter 94: Homicide Case Chapter 94: Homicide Case # 94. Homicide Case Waking up early, Xu Qian had just reached the back hall, when he heard Xu Lingyi ns racket. On her shiny tender face, was a bright red pimple, that hurt when she touched it. Auntie lied to her, saying that a bug grew on her face, and the bug was eating her flesh. Tomorrow, her whole appearance would be ruined, and she wouldnt be able to be married. Xu Lingyin did not care if she was marriable or not, but she had always thought that she was a cute little girl, who in the future would be as beautiful as her mother and sister, being a talented troublemaker. So listening to her mothers words, she was distraught to the verge of tears. And so they say that Auntie is a rotten person, who would even deceive her own young daughter, and feel very satisfied with it, mocking her from the sidelines. Big Brother Xu Lingyin, her waist swaying as she ran towards her big brother, a face full of desperation. She tilted her face, using her stubby little finger to point to her own cheek, and said with a pouted mouth, My appearance will be ruined. You wont be ruined, Xu Qian patted her head, These are beauty spots. What are beauty spots? They mean that in the future youll definitely be more beautiful than your sister and mum. Xu Lingyin believed him, and happily ate three bowls of porridge for breakfast. Reaching the Nightwatchers Constabry, Xu Qian, Song Tingfeng, and Zhu Guangxiao, who were responsible for day patrol, wandered through the streets together. Your sabre aint bad. Song Tingfeng noticed that the style of de Xu Qian had hanging at his waist had changed. Xu Qian put one hand on his sabre, and flicked with his thumb, making the ck-gold dee out of this scabbard a few inches, before quickly falling back into ce. Heughed proudly, The Sitianjian gifted this to me. He didnt say it was the Jianzheng who gave it to him, as after all, no one would believe him. And in the off chance that they did, showing off such a thing would only bring jealous gazes. A magic weapon? Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiaos eyes suddenly glowed. Xu Lingyue shook his head; it wasnt a magic item, it didnt have any magical formation carved into it. The only advantage it had, was that it was hard. This was a good match for Xu Qian. The streets of the inner city were wide and expansive. Xu Qian bought a lot of snacks, and shared them out amongst his colleagues, eating and walking at the same time. A day patrol had the benefits of day patrol. Apart from the Nightwatchers, there were also the city guards, and the bailiffs from the local council. This significantly reduced the stress of the Nightwatchers jobs; they had time to touch fish[^1]. When they were tired, they could go to a tea house and drink some tea, listening to stories, or go to the Gon and listen to music. As he walked and walked, Xu Qian suddenly felt something hard under his feet. He maintained a level gaze, and without as much as a hesitation picked the thing up. His action was far too fluid, his expression was far too normal, making Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao think he was just pulling up his trousers, patting his boots, or any other sort of very natural activity. They did not discover that this colleague of theirs just picked up three cash of silver. Xu Qian rolled the piece of silver round in his hand, and suggested How about going to the Gon? Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao hesitated, Alright. The three of them made their way to the Gon, tracing a path they had walked many times before, and came to a booth on the second floor. The table was put beside the railings, allowing the guests to both drink and look down on the performance on the stage. On the stage was currently a *zaju* opera.[^2] The day after tomorrow is the day of ancestor worship. You guys should have had some experience with it by now, right? Xu Qian opened up conversation, asking his two colleagues for their advice. All we need to do is guard the boundaries of Sangpo.[^3] The ancestor celebration is happening at Sangpo, but you should know this already. Song Tingfeng chewed on salted peanuts, and took a sip of alcohol. Xu Qian nodded; Sangpo was a smallke outside the royal quarters, located precisely where the barracks of the capitals five guard brigades are. The job of the Nightwatchers was very simple; keep the peace, and protect the royal family. The proceedings of the ceremony were coordinated by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and the Ministry of Rites. The outer patrols were made up of the Yudao and Jinwu royal guards. After watching one opera, Song Tingfeng felt somewhat bored, and so called over the procuress[^4]. Not long after, a group of flowery dressed young women came into the booth. Laughing, they stood in a row, batting their eyes towards the three guests. The three of them were dressed in the Nightwatchers uniform, and so were very intimidating. Because just yesterday, Xu Qians treasury was just sucked dry by Fuxiang, he did not n to touch any women. Even though martial artists in Refining Qi did not have to remain celibate, they still had to be conservative and not let themselves go. Later when youre doing your thing, you can get the girls to call you daddy. Xu Qian said in a low voice. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao stared at him in disbelief, as if saying: *Are you an animal?* After they picked two rather good looking girls, the two of them did not leave the booth, rather entering a private room. In ces like the Gon, naturally listening to music was not the only activity. More often than not, along with listening to music, guests would also perform one of the most fundamental acts of nature. Thus, normally any booth would also have a private room. The procuress left along with the women who werent picked. Xu Qian both watched the performance, and listened to the quiet soundsing from behind the door. Not long after, Song Tingfeng said in a small voice, Call me daddy. As he heard this, Xu Qian smiled in gratification. He knew that he had just opened a whole new world for his colleagues. *Theres no conversatinging from the opposite room, Guangxiao really is the type to silently get his job done huh* Nearing noon, the three of them left the Gon. Because their stomachs were full of deserts, snacks and wine, they did not n to eat lunch. Today was fun. Song Tingfeng squinted his eyes, heart content. This is nothing, next time Ill teach you to y Russian Roulette.[^5] Xu Qian said dismissively. Russian Roulette? Song Tingfeng had a face full of question marks, but that didnt stop his curiosity, Is it fun? Ive also never tried. Xu Qian shrugged. After all, this game was only yed by people with money. Youre messing with me was written on Song Tingfengs face, Then what are you telling me for? As they walked and talked, they suddenly saw a group of council bailiffs, rushing over on horseback. At their head was a woman, with a tall stature, graceful features, thick eyebrows, and an aura of bravery. Lyu Qing immediately saw the three of them, as after all the Nightwatchers uniforms were both smart and eye-catching. She immediately reined in her horse, and spoke over the horses whinny, Master Xu, we meet again and I hope you two have been well also. *You give him a Master Xu, but for us its you two, as if youre saying me and Guangxiao are just nameless background cast* Song Tingfeng put a smile on his face, his eyes squinting into slits, and waved, Long time no see, Constable Lyu looks even more valiant and heroic. Lyu Qing smiled back, before remembering the actual task at hand, immediately jumping into the main topic, In Sanshui street there has been a homicide case. Its in your area of patrol, so as weve met, you might as welle along. *A homicide* Song Tingfeng face became stern. Naturally. Constable Lyu, you go ahead, well follow. Xu Qian and his colleagues rushed to Sanshui street, and saw the bailiffs horses tied in front of one house. Entering the front door, crossing the courtyard, they saw a few bailiffs asking questions, as the women of the family, with red eyes, were replying with choked sobs. Lyu Qing was in the room, not outside. Xu Qian examined the rtively good looking matron, asking, Is the victim your husband? The matron nced at the Nightwatchers uniform, and nodded gently, using a handkerchief to dab at her tears. Xu Qian looking down her graceful and curvy body, and said solemnly, Call your son out. The matron did not know what this bronze gong was thinking, and sent a servant. After a few minutes, the servant brought out a young boy, roughly ten years old. Any one else? Xu Qian asked. hes an only son. the matriarch clutched the boy close. *Ive thought too much then!* Xu Qian nodded back, relieved, and skirted past everyone to enter the room with his two colleagues. This was a study, the victim was slumped over the table, the congealed, dried blood covering half the table surface. He had lost a lot. After only a nce, Xu Qian could ascertain that his throat had been shed. Lyu Qing brought in two of her bailiffs, and searched every corner of the study. Xu Qian asked, Have you found anything? Lyu Qing shook her head, Everything is where it should be, no sign of anything being disced, no footprints beside windows, nor anything on the rafters. Xu Qian said, The perpetrator knew the victim. *A conclusion that fast?* Knowing that Xu Qian was an expert, no one objected, looking at him, waiting for an exnation. The doors and windows are intact, and there are no footprints on the rafters. We can basically rule out breaking and entering. Xu Qian walked around the victims body, The victim was sat in an upright position. From the angle he is slumped, he was dead in an instant; there was no struggle. This suggests that the perpetrator and victim knew each other not only did they know each other, but the victim was very respectful and fearful of the perpetrator. How do you get this? Lyu Qing asked with open mind. The victim isnt a schr, right? Xu Qian asked. Lyu Qing did not understand what he meant by asking that question, A small lieutenant in the Jinwu royal guard. Xu Qian nodded, Any normal person, sitting in their study, would be rxed and content. He should not be sitting so upright and stiff. Unless, the person he was facing was someone that he had to treat with utmost respect. Furthermore, on the surface it looks like the victim died due to a shed throat, but I make the hypothesis that the real cause of death is here Xu Qian pulled up the victims hair, and raised that deathly-white face for all to see. Everyone in the room saw that on the victims forehead was a light depression. --- [^1]: Read: ck off work [^2]: : Chinese opera through dance, singing, poetry, and mime, often emphasisingedy or happy endings. Think: Shakespeareanedy. [^3]: [^4]: Female of procurer, a person who obtains a prostitute for another person. [^5]: The Drinking Game Chapter 95: Sangpo Lake Chapter 95: Sangpo Lake # 95. Sangpo Lake A shed throat doesn''t kill instantly. The murderer acted very cleanly. They hadn''t shed the throat, instead opting to cut the carotid artery. The murderer should have been an experienced expert. In Xu Qi''an''s previous life, a cut to the carotid artery was a fatal wound that even the gods couldn''t cure, definitely leading to death. However, it didn''t lead to instant death. But the small lieutenant had died instantly on the desk, without any struggle, without sttering any blood. Due to this, It could be inferred that the cause of the death wasn''t the sh to the throat. The real cause of his death was a fatal injury to his brain, which led to him not having any chance to struggle, instead dying on the spot. The murderer had smashed his frontal bone, then shed his throat with a single cut. This image appeared on everyone''s minds upon observing the forehead of the deceased. Xu Qi''an touched the body of the deceased, observing carefully, before he said, The deceased''s body shows rigor mortis, but the liver mortis had stopped urring. The cornea is also quite cloudy. This indicates that the death time was more than 17 hours ago. The murder happenedst night. "I suggest the investigation begin from the following directions: First, the night travel certificates recently issued should be investigated. Second, ask the Imperial Guard if they had encountered any suspicious persons nearby. Third, consult the Nightwatchers in charge of night patrol in this area. Fourth, ask the family members about the deceased''s recent interpersonal rtionships." No one talked for a long time, as Lyu Qing and the others stared at him in a daze. *This, this was all?* *Hes found the direction?* *This was hardly any time at all, and yet hes given such a clear and definite reasoning, and pointed out the direction for further investiagtion.* Even if Xu Qi''an''s status as a master in crime-solving was known by everyone, everyone still felt that he was "Too quick". Lyu Qing thought for a while before saying, "Let the coroner check out the body first." Generally, upon encountering a homicide case, the officers would bring their assistants and conduct a preliminary inspection first, so they can reason better based on the clues on the scene. The result given by the coroner was simr to Xu Qi''an''s judgment, although it was much less detailed than his judgment. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao felt that it was normal, but Lyu Qing and the other officials nearby spontaneously burst into admiration towards Xu Qi''an. "A pity, A real pity. He''s already a Nightwatcher, and he can''t transfer to the Constabry..." Lyu Qing mentally let out a regretful sigh. If she had such an excellent and outstanding colleague, it would be joyful to arrest criminals and solve cases together with him. Lyu Qing called the Bailiffs sent to ask questions, and asked about their results. It was concluded that the deceased didn''t make any enemies recently. Also, no guests were visitingst night as well. The deceased had been in a good state of mind recently. Lyu Qing, who couldn''t think of anything for some time, frowned. "The deceased was just a small lieutenant. So, We can deduce that it couldn''t have been a vendetta. What could be the reason for letting the murderer enter the housete at night andmit murder?" Lyu Qing had a rich experience in criminal investigation. Hearing his words, her eyes lit up, and she immediately called the deceased''s spouse to ask, "Did your familye to the possession of arge amount of silvertely? Maybe, Liu Han had mentioned something to you." The pretty woman tried her best to think for a long time, before she said sadly, "A few days ago, my husband said that he would take us out of the capital to live a chic life." Lyu Qing and Xu Qi''an looked at each other, confirming something, "How many days ago?" "About ten days." The woman couldn''t remember the time clearly. ... On the way out of the courtyard, Lyu Qing, in a deep voice, said, "He epted a bribe and was silenced." Xu Qi''an nodded. The guess was very reasonable, and he thought so too. Song Tingfeng frowned and said, "However, What can a small lieutenant be silenced for?" Xu Qi''an thought for a while. After catching hold of a vague something, he said, "If I remember correctly, the Jinwu Guard is in charge of the east gate of the inner city and the east gate of the imperial quarters." As soon as he said this, everyone''s face changed color. Xu Qi''an said, "Perhaps we should go to see Liu Han''s immediate supervisor. We should go back to the office to report this matter, ande back to question him after receiving a warrant." Liu Han''s Boss was a Jinwu Guard *Baihu* Captain. Although both were Baihu, Jinwu Guards had a higher status than the regr Yudao Imperial Guards. Thetter was the security guard of the unit, while the former was the bodyguard of the leader. If Xu Qi''an and the others wanted to go questioning, they needed to have a warrant issued by the office as proof. It was simr to the search warrants in his previous life. After returning to the Nightwatchers office, He reported the matter to Li Yuchun. Brother Chun took the matter very seriously and said after thinking deeply, "This matter is very strange. But, the imperial city is quite heavily guarded. A small lieutenant can''t make a fuss. The Jinwu Guards will investigate this matter by themselves. However, since His Majesty''s Ancestor Worship Day is nearing, we should focus on this matter." He immediately gave a warrant. After waiting for a while in the Nightwatchers office, Lyu Qing and others from the Constabry also came, and the group moved to the east gate of the Imperial City. Baihu Zhou was currently out on patrol with his squad, onlying back after two hours. After receiving notice that the Nightwatchers and the constabry hade knocking, he immediately went to receive them. Baihu Zhou had a bushy beard, and triangr eyes, and he looked quite ferocious. He wasn''t easy to get along with at first sight. Song Tingfeng said, "Baihu Zhou, Do you have a lieutenant named Liu Han under yourmand?" Baihu Zhou, with a look of annoyance on his face, was just about to reply when he suddenly saw one of the bronze gongs pull out a piece of paper from his robes, and ignite it with his qi. The next moment, his pupils were covered by ayer of clear light. *Qi Watching Technique?* Zhou Baihu restrained the irritability between his brows, "Yes." "He''s dead." Song Tingfeng said. "What!" Baihu Zhou couldn''t hide his surprise. Lyu Qing asked, "Was there anything unusual about Liu Han recently?" "No." "While he guarded the east gate, did any suspicious people or objects enter or leave the imperial city?" "No." Zhou Baihu shook his head, "Many soldiers are guarding the imperial city. So, it''s useless to bribe only a single person. You could bribe all of them, but it''s impossible." Zhu Guangxiao said, "What if they bribed you?" Baihu Zhou''splexion changed, as his suppressed irritability surged up, "What do you mean?" Song Tingfeng smiled and said, "It''s just a normal question. Why should Baihu Zhou be angry? His Majesty is about to worship his ancestors. We don''t want to make any mistakes in this critical time." After being asked a few more times, Baihu Zhou held back his temper as there was a bronze gong with Qi Watching Technique observing him from the side. After Xu Qi''an''s Qi Watching Technique''s time ran out, Song Tingfeng smiled and said, "Thanks for your cooperation. We''ll take our leave." On the way back with Liu Qing and the others, Xu Qi''an said, "He didn''t lie." Song Tingfeng narrowed his eyes, "Perhaps Liu Han was silenced because of other unknown reasons." Zhu Guangxiao said in a deep voice, "Let''s put this case on hold for now. Currently, The ancestor worship ceremony is the most important matter." The day after tomorrow was the day when the emperor worships his ancestors, and everything else should take a back seat to it. After saying his goodbyes to Lyu Qing and the others, Xu Qi''an deliberated on the case in the side hall, but to no avail. So, He put Liu Han''s affairs aside. ... Gengzi Year, October 15, Jiazi. The time to pray for blessings, fast, and offer sacrifices to ancestors. Soon, the day when the royal family worships their ancestors arrived. Xu Qi''an wasn''t a stranger to it. At this time of the year, the gates of the inner city would be closed. Second Uncle, who was a Baihu in the Imperial Guard, would be transferred to the inner city to maintain martialw since the people in the inner city were required to stay at home and not go outside. A simr sacrifice also happened at the beginning of spring. That is, Offering sacrifices to the heavens, praying for good weather this year, and peace to the country and its citizens. Beginning yesterday, the inns in the inner city were checked one by one, and all the jianghu people were driven out to the outer city. The restaurants were closed, and people weren''t allowed to stay at inns overnight. As a Nightwatcher, Xu Qi''an was assigned to stand guard in Sangpo Lake. Sangpo Lake was a smallke, next to the imperial city. Willow trees were nted by theke, but the willow leaves hadn''t sprouted yet. A winding corridor was built on the surface of the water, connecting to the white marble tform in the centre of theke. There was a temple in the tform, where a que was hung, with four characters written on it: *Yong Zhen Shan He* Eternally Suppressing Mountains and Rivers! Sangpo wasnt an ordinaryke; it had an associated legend, rting to the founding emperor of Great Feng. ording to legend, "Sangpo" was called "Xuanwu Lake" in ancient times, due to the mythical Xuanwu ck turtle beast living in it. Once, that founding emperor of Feng had failed in an attack, and fled with his remaining army to Sangpoke, his food and ammunition spent. At the moment of despair, theke bubbled, and a ck Tortoise came cutting the waves, with a divine sword sticking out of its back. The ck Tortoise said that it had been waiting there for hundred years, waiting for a destined person to arrive. After finishing speaking, it presented the Divine Sword and drifted away with the waves. After obtaining the Divine Sword, the founding emperor pondered on the dao in theke for three years before he broke through and regrouped his troops. After that, he won every battle and overthrew the decadent former dynasty. After unifying the Central ins, the Great Feng established its capital on Sangpo Lake. Sangpo Lake was the ce where the founding emperor enlightened on his dao and had extraordinary symbolic meaning. Therefore, The royal family of the Great Feng held an ancestor worship ceremony there every year. The temple in theke enshrined a portrait of the founding emperor. *Liu Bang also killed the White Snake before revolting. I don''t know how much water this legend is holding...* Xu Qi''an looked at the high tform in theke andmpooned. --- Author Note: Other authors are copying their novels from thement section. If they have writer''s block, they open the reviews, and say, copy, copy, and a new chapteres out. And I can only look at the chapter tough: These guys are too stupid. Then how do I write fast, As I don''t dare to copy from your reviews... Hey, Please be more civilized, Why do I have readers like you? Chapter 96: The Ancestor Worship Ceremony Chapter 96: The Ancestor Worship Ceremony # 96. The Ancestor Worship Ceremony At the time, dawn was still enveloping the skies, and it was not yet daybreak. The cold wind of the early morning cut his face like a knife. Xu Qi''an inhaled the icy morning air, rousing his spirit. Separated by ten or so meters, Song Tingfeng said, "After the ancestor worship is over, let''s go to Jiaofang Si to y that Russian Roulette." Upon hearing this, Zhu Guangxiao on the other side showed a sign of movement. Xu Qi''an had already taught his two colleagues the basic rules of Russian Roulette. These ancients hadn''t ever heard of such a fancy game, which went against public decency. The taciturn Zhu Guangxiao couldn''t take it at first and angrily reprimanded Xu Qi''an for his immorality. But in hindsight, The more he thought about the game, the more exciting it felt, and the more he thought of it, the more excited he became. "Let''s talk about thister." Xu Qi''an said. Since silky and thin jimmy hats didn''t exist in this era, He was a little resistant to the matter. "You''re acting boring now." Song Tingfeng said, disgruntled. *Why would you provoke someone''s interest but not satisfy it?* "I can be a coach and teach you how to y the game." Xu Qi''an said. "No way. We have to y together to prove our deep rtionship." Song Tingfeng refused. "He wants you to call Miss Fuxiang." Zhu Guangxiao said, exposing the dirty thoughts of his long-time friend. While talking, Song Tingfeng frowned, and asked, "Why do you keep looking at theke?" Xu Qi''an replied, truthfully, "I always feel that Sangpo Lake looks gloomy, and this makes me ufortable." "Shut up!" Song Tingfeng said in a low voice, "You must have been standing in the cold too long. Sangpo is a holy ce for worship, the ce where the founding emperor proved his way. Don''t talk nonsense here." Zhu Guangxiao then warned, "A high-grade martial artist has improved senses. You''d be punished if your words were heard by them." Xu Qi''an fell silent after that. At the same time, The heavy resonant sound of bells and drums sounded, echoing in everyone''s ears as solemnity burst through them. The Nightwatchers, who were chatting freely before immediately became silent and showed serious expressions. While the sacrificial music yed, a majestic procession left the imperial city for Sangpo Lake. They didn''t use any horses or even carriages, all traveling on foot instead. The team consisted of hundreds of people, consisting of members of the royal family, the imperial n, and major civil and military officials. This team had almost assembled the entirety of the heads of power of the Great Feng. The leader, Emperor Yuanjing was dressed in a simple Daoist Robe, his ck hair tied with a wooden hairpin. He looked over fifty, with a long beard and a handsome appearance. Behind him, on the side were the graceful Empress and the plump Imperial Concubine. Following them were the imperial princes and the imperial princesses. Emperor Yuanjing had many heirs; he had 12 sons, but only had four daughters, and the eldest princess was only 25 this year, nearly 10 years younger than the eldest son of the emperor. The eldest princess, who was famous in the capital for her talent and beauty, had eyes as clear as a pool, and her face was as white as silk, She appeared cold. Silently, she followed the procession. Amidst the sacrificial music, the Ancestor Worship Procession came to a bright yellow tent, where Emperor Yuanjing, with a daoist aura, led two eunuchs inside. The rest waited outside. The ministers in charge of offering sacrifices got busy with inviting god after god and arranging formation after formation to prepare for the Emperor''s subsequent ancestor worship. Xu Qi''an didn''t move, but he turned his head as far as he could, peeping at the scene of the sacrifice from the corner of his eye. He saw a squadron holding spirit tablets covered with yellow silk moving along the winding corridor to board the high tform, after which they ced the spirit tablets on therge table in front of the temple. After this squadron returned, another squadron, under the guidance of the Minister of Imperial Ceremony, brought offering vessels and sacrificial vessels of various types, there were at least 200-300 pieces there. When everything was ready, the Minister of Imperial Sacrifice loudly spoke outside the imperial tent, while bowing, "The time for resting has ended, I respectfully invite your Majesty toe out." The Imperial Princes, the Imperial Princesses, along with the civil and military officials, bowed down at the same time. The eunuch lifted the curtain, after which Emperor Yuanjing, who had already changed to a bright yellow uniform, appeared in front of everyone with a solemn expression. At that time, he had lost the faint aura of a Daoist, and only showed a majestic aura that could only be linked to an Emperor. *This posture feels even more solemn than the Central Committee meetings in my previous life... This trip was worthwhile... This trip was worthwhile..* Xu Qi''an enjoyed watching the fun before he suddenly felt a palpitation in his heart, and he knew that someone in the Dishu Chat Group was talking. He waited for the patrol team to pass by, and put his hand on his bosom. He didn''t take out the entirety of the Jade Mirror, only exposing it halfway, and took a look. TWO: I remember that today is the day the royal family offers sacrifices to its ancestors. ONE, THREE, Am I right? FOUR: Calcting the time, today is indeed the Ancestor Worship Ceremony. Back then, I had also participated in the royal ancestor worship ceremony. TWO: Back then? Huh, FOUR, were you an official back then, and with quite a high status at that? FOUR: Yes. Number Four had been an official before... Xu Qi''an was taken aback, *Didn''t Number Four have some friendship with the Human Sect''s female National Teacher...* *Um, This makes some sense. They could have met the National Teacher due to being an official.* *It seems that Number Four is a person with a story.* Xu Qi''an found it very interesting. The holders of the fragments of the Earth Book weren''t ordinary people. They all had mysterious identities and strong cultivation bases. Interacting with them was like ying a game, uncovering their mysteriesyer byyer. TWO: Interesting! ONE didn''t reply. and neither did THREE. *Fuck, This L(ittle)YB...* The corners of Xu Qi''an twitched as he was caught off guard. It''s obvious that Number Two didn''t send a message because he was concerned about the Royal Family''s Ancestor Worship, but he did it as a probe. A probe to test the identities of Number Three and Number One. With the connection between the Earth Book fragments and their holders, you''d be awoken even if you were asleep. So, there was no chance of missing the chat due to rest. People would be unable to reply only if they were in a real emergency. However, Number One and Number Three couldn''t have an emergency simultaneously. So, It meant that both of them were participating in the sacrificial ceremony and both couldn''t take out the Earth Book fragment in full view to reply. At the same time, Song Tingfeng became aware of Xu Qi''an''s actions. He let go of his hand calmly, causing the halfway exposed jade mirror to slide back into his pocket. "Act seriously, Don''t perform unnecessary actions." Song Tingfeng warned him while frowning. "I know this." Xu Qi''an perfunctorily responded. *Shit, I''m supposed to be a student of Cloud Deer Academy. I don''t have any reason to get qualifications to participate in the Royal Family''s Ancestor Worship... My identity has some ws now... Damn it, These guys in the Heaven and Earth Society are all profound schemers.* *However, Number One also didn''t reply... Heh, If they are also present here, Who could they be?* While Xu Qi''an''s thoughts fluctuated, the members of the Heaven and Earth Society and the holders of the Earth Book fragments were also thinking about the same problem. *Wasn''t Number Three a student of the Cloud Deer Academy? And it''s well known that Cloud Deer Academy students had almost cut off their chances for an official career.* *Moreover, Number Three has given me the impression of a student of Cloud Deer Academy all this time. So, It''s even more impossible for him to participate in the Ancestor Worship Ceremony.* *Was Number Three, not a Cloud Deer Academy student?* *No, it couldn''t be. If it were, the events before couldn''t be exined.* *Maybe he is participating in the Royal family''s Ancestor Worship in another capacity. Yeah, Does the Cloud Deer Academy have members in the various ministries in the court?* *What office could he be in? What status does he have?* On the contrary, they weren''t surprised by Number One''s identity since they knew that Number one was a member of the Court had had quite a high status. TWO: FOUR, You have been an official before. Youe over and analyse THREE''s situation. FOUR: I do have a guess in mind. But, why should I tell you about it? SIX: TWO, you aren''t even in the capital. What good does it for you to know the identities of ONE and THREE? Number Four and Number Six were speaking for Number Three. Xu Qi''an endured the connection and didn''t check the information. After watching the Ancestor Worship for a while, Xu Qi''an felt a strange feeling in his heart again. He had always believed that Sangpo Lake was gloomy, and felt an inexplicable danger from theke. Suddenly, Xu Qi''an heard a strange voice along the Sacrificial Music. The voice was saying: "Save me, save me..." Xu Qi''an stiffened up and listened for the voice carefully, but it had disappeared. "Tingfeng, Guangxiao, did you hear any strange voices?" Xu Qi''an asked his colleagues who were not far from him. "Do you mean the Sacrificial Music? It''s indeed a bit... a bit loud." Song Tingfengs desire to live changed his words midway through. He originally wanted to say that it was unpleasant. Zhu Guangxiao shook his head. Xu Qi''an was about to speak when that weird voice came again. This time, He heard it. The voice wasing from Sangpo Lake. "Save me, save me..." The voice was shrill and depressing, and also iparably prating. It sounded like a ghost whispering in his ear. Chapter 97: The Clouds Change Chapter 97: The Clouds Change # 97. The Clouds Change The voice was terrifying enough to make Xu Qi''an''s hairs stand on end, causing his head to turn toward Sangpo Lake. The Nightwatchers in charge of guarding the surrounding area weren''t allowed to turn around to observe the ceremony. Xu Qi''an had already overstepped the rules. He saw Emperor Yuanjing, wearing a bright yellow uniform, kowtow every three steps to slowly reach the tform. He also saw the officials, imperial princes, and imperial princesses who were watching the ceremony from the shore. He also saw Wei Yuan and his two adopted sons who were watching the ceremony. He saw the magnificent temple, saw the imperial army, and saw the eunuchs too. The moment he turned his head, the voice disappeared. *Am I hallucinating?* *I just haven''t seen Fuxiang for three days, my eyes havent got hazy?* Xu Qi''an, after taking a deep breath, didn''t dare to look further, turned his head before asking, "What do you know about Sangpo?" Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng replied to him but didn''t have any valuable information to give him. They didn''t say anything beyond, "The ce where the founding emperor attained his dao", "Divine sword presented by the ck Tortoise", "The ce where the royal family worships their ancestors" and other things Xu Qi''an already knew. "Save me, save me..." The voice sounded again, like a ghost lying on his back, whispering to his ears. Xu Qi''an stiffened his neck and turned his neck inch by inch until he came to observe the scene of the sacrifice again. The voice had, yet again, disappeared after he turned his head. Fear of the invisible filled up his mind, and goosebumps appeared all over his body. *In Sangpo Lake, the ce where the founding emperor attained his dao, the ce where the royal family worships their ancestors, a cry for help appeared...* Xu Qi''an shivered slowly in the cold. "Save me, save me..." "Save me, save me..." Xu Qi''an became even more terrified and thought of running away and staying away from this. He forcibly calmed himself down, and took out the jade mirror, without paying any attention to his colleagues nearby. THREE: What do you know about Sangpo? Tell me quickly. It''s very important. TWO: Oh, You actually replied, THREE. Are you actually in the Sacrifice Site in Sangpo? Xu Qi''an ignored Number Two and waited a few minutes when he saw Number Four''s message. FOUR: Sangpo is the ce where the founding Emperor of the Great Feng attained his dao. After Great Feng was established, he chose Sangpo as his capital. However, there is no evidence of the legend about the Xuanwu ck turtle, so it isn''t very credible. But, the divine sword really exists. The sword of the founding emperor is enshrined in the temple in the middle of the high tform in theke. After Number Four had finished speaking, Daoist Jinlinan added NINE: It is a Divine Weapon that symbolizes Great Feng''s National Destiny.[^1] FOUR: Indeed. In the Mountain and Sea Campaign, Emperor Yuanjing went to the capital to get the divine weapon and present it to the Zhenbei King. Among the reasons for the victory at the Mountain and Sea Campaign, Wei Yuan''s military might is regarded as a major reason. However, the Zhenbei King''sbat prowess couldn''t be ignored as another reason. *The divine Sword is enshrined in the temple.* *Was the sword the one calling for help?* *Let''s not mention the possibility of the sword developing self-awareness. Why would it seek my help?* "Save me, save me...!" the voice suddenly became shrill, as if it was dissatisfied at Xu Qi''an''s indifference. The cry for help echoed in his ears, and shook Xu Qi''an''s spirit, making him feel dizzy, and his consciousness confused. He took a deep breath, after which he inquired for more information: THREE: Is there any more information? I want more information about it. As long as they are in the historical records, regardless of their authenticity, I want to know them all. After passing a message to the Earth Book, he took a nce back, trying to calm the whispers in his ears. But he wasn''t sessful this time. Even if he turned his head, the cry for help still echoed in his ears. "Save me, save me!" Veins bulged in Xu Qi''an''s forehead, as the voice pierced his mind as a steel needle would. FOUR: You reminded me of something, A record I had read back then when I was revising the history books. Sangpo is now guarded by the troops from the five armies in the capital. The defences are tight. No one is allowed to approach without permission. I do mean anyone. This is because, five hundred years ago, when the crown prince of that time was ying in Sangpo by boat, he identally fell into theke. After being rescued by the guards, he fell into serious illness and suffered from Hysteria. Half a yearter, his drowned body washed up the shores of Sangpo Lake The royal family believed that the crown prince had offended the heroic souls of his ancestors and provoked such punishment. To prevent such incidents from happening again, they sealed Sangpo''s doors and only allowed them to be opened for the reason of Ancestor Worship. *The prince fell into theke and fell into hysteria... Was he the same as me and heard a cry for help... Will I also make the same mistake and my drowned body be found on the shores of Sangpo?* *There should be some secret in Sangpo. So, the crown prince didn''t die due to offending the heroic souls of his ancestors. The out-of-luck crown prince didn''t know the secret, otherwise, he wouldn''t have gone boating to the Sangpo.* *It may be theorized that only the Emperor and past Emperors know of this secret.* *However, Why didn''t the Emperor who knew about the secrets of this ce, wait for someone to die before taking action?* Xu Qi''an, who was good at reasoning, had doubts shing in his mind. SIX: Why are you asking this, THREE? At the moment, Xu Qi''an didn''t have any energy left over for answering questions. He tremblingly stuffed the fragment of the Earth Book back into his pocket, then knelt down powerlessly on the ground holding his head, with a painful expression on his face. Save me, save me The cries for help still reached his ears, echoing time and time again, grinding his head to paste. He was feeling as if a steel needle was being pierced into his cranial cavity. He felt as if his head was about to crack open. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao noticed the abnormality of their colleague, and were taken aback by Xu Qi''an''s pale face. "What''s the matter with you? Can you still hold on? You can''t mess up at this time. If you interrupt or disturb his Majesty in his Ancestor Worship, You would havemitted a capital offense." Song Tingfeng became anxious. Zhu Guangxiao moved a little bit, trying to get closer to check the situation. ... At the time, Emperor Yuanjing had already climbed onto the high tform. The drums and music had already stopped. The Minister of Rites knelt to read the offering prayer, after which the music rose again. Emperor Yuanjing personally burnt the prayer, and then performed the three kneels and nine prayers. The ancestor worship was only halfway done right now. Wei Yuan withdrew his gaze to take a look at the Empress, who wasn''t too far away. She was graceful and elegant, her elegance feeling as if it was granted by the heavens. Even if she was the biological mother of the Eldest Princess, the Empress''s appearance wasn''t that simr to the Eldest Princess. However, she had beauty capable of felling nations, as back then, and her grace and elegance hadn''t diminished a bit from her youth. One can only imagine how beautiful she was back in the old days. It''s just that the years have passed, and she was no longer the young and innocent girl with delicately carved eyebrows and bright eyes. But he was still the same as before, still dressed in Bright Azure Clothes. Wei Yuan became dazed. Feeling something, the Empress, the mother of the nation, took a light look at him, and the two looked at each other across the air. The empress''s eyes softened for a while. Wei Yuan looked away as if he had got an electric shock, and hastily bowed. All the emotions in his eyes precipitated, only leaving some abstruse vicissitudes on the outside. "Father, the situation over there isn''t right." Yang Yan said, in a deep voice. Wei Yuan followed his gaze and saw a Bronze Gong kneeling on the ground, and the two Bronze Gongs beside him talking to him with their heads turned. Many Higher ups had noticed the situation over on Xu Qi''an''s side. It''s just that there wasn''t any crisis for the time being, so they endured this. As long as no assassins appeared, they could wait for his majesty''s ancestor worship to finish toplete other affairs. Including settling ounts with this small bronze gong. Wei Yuan noticed that he was the young man he appreciated, and raised his chin, " Go and check the situation, then take him outside." This was done to protect Xu Qi''an. ... Save me, save me Hearing this ghostly sound, Xu Qi''an''s spirit was being torn apart. Sometimes, he felt like he was a criminal policeman of the modern era, and at others, he felt that he was a native of the capital. The throbbing pain in his head had begun to increase in severity, pushing him to the edge of copse. *My head hurts, Don''t shout, Don''t Shout, Please Don''t shout...* Xu Qi''an covered his head, as sweat flowed down. He had been sweating profusely already. The strange cry for help was aimed at his soul, not his body, but the pain it brought was no less than physical torture. Amidst the strange cries for help, Xu Qi''an finally copsed. He didn''t care about the emperor''s ancestor worship, the strict rules, or anything else for that matter. On the verge of death, nothing else mattered. He clenched both his hands into fists, and pounded the ground heavily before he roared hoarsely, "SHUT UP!" Suddenly, the clouds changed. On the high tform in theke, the temple suddenly shook, immediately after which, a golden sword qi shattered through the eaves, and rushed into the expansive sky. With the ray of sword qi, theke suddenly burst into waves, surgingyer byyer, causing Sangpo Lake toe alive. --- [^1]: The original Chinese could be read as luck, destiny, fortune, fate, or anything in that vein. Chapter 98: A Secret That Cannot be Known Chapter 98: A Secret That Cannot be Known # 98. A Secret That Cannot be Known The Yuanjing Emperor was the first to bear this tide of qi, kneeling down in the midst of its ferocious storm. The tall tform shook heavily, and the spirit tablets of his ancestors trembled and fell. Sacrificial items and ceremonial vessels shattered onto the ground, flying shards of porcin streaming outwards in all directions, some hitting Yuanjing. The scene immediately became chaotic. The surrounding soldiers quickly left their posts, rushing towards Sangpo Lake. The Nightwatchers on guard by theke sprinted towards the crowd, to protect the royal family, and all the military and civil officials at the scene. An assassin, protect His Majesty! Protect the empress, protect the princesses Protect the Prime Minister Peoples shadows shed around, as in that instant ten Nightwatcher gold gongs, masters in the Kings guard, and others around took flight, as at least several dozen high-ranked martial artists flew through the sky towards the high tform, surrounding the Yuanjing Emperor in an imprable defence. The uproar only continued for a dozen or so breaths, because that sword qi that pierced the clouds only stayed for that long, before dissipating. The waters of theke returned to their tranquil state. There were no assassins, and as the winds calmed, everywhere was very stable and under control, and there was no sign of injury, death, or suspicious persons. Wei Yuan, the man in charge of security at the ceremony, walked up to the tform with wide steps, bowing deeply: Your lowly servant has failed at his job, your lowly servant deserves death. At this time, the Yuanjing Emperor had calmed down, but through this event, that faint daoist immortal aura on his face hadpletely disappeared. He was no longer the Daoist who had cultivated for over twenty years, but rather the controller of absolute power, the stern and mighty emperor. The Yuanjing Emperor said solemnly, Everyone shall leave the sacrificial altar. No one shall approach. Everyone, including Wei Yuan, including all the high-rank martial artists, obeyed hismand. The Yuanjing Emperor adjusted his clothes and crown, brushing off the dust that had fallen on it, and entered the temple with a serious and stern face. By the willow tree, Xu Qian had bellowed out his lungs, and after that had not heard again that mysterious and unsettling voice again. As time passed, his mind and spirit became steady again. His head still twitched with pain, but no longer as hard to bear as before. Only now did he have the energy to look at his surroundings. The colleagues beside him had left long ago, to protect the numerous officials and the royal family at the shore, The tform was empty, but the twisted long corridor was full of high-ranked martial artists, with Wei Yuan at their head. The Yuanjing Emperor was nowhere to be found. The thing that made Xu Qian most surprised was, that the temple that was said to house that divine sword, had its roof split along the rafters, leaving a gaping hole. *There was a problem with the ceremony? Did the secret in Sangpoke appear again in front of everyone?* Thoughts quickly few by in Xu Qians mind. He simultaneously put a hand to his throbbing head, and headed towards the crowd. Because he was a Nightwatcher, no one stopped him. What happened to you? Song Tingfeng looked at his new colleague, Howre you doing? Song Tingfeng did not connect Sangpo Lakes sudden change to Xu Qians unusual behaviour. Just like how you wouldnt link together a weak chickens call and a Richter scale 10 earthquake. Ive been too overzealous in my training these past few days, and suffered a bacsh. Xu Qian found a reasonable excuse, At least Ive gotten over it. Oh right, what happened just then? I dont know. Song Tingfeng shook his head, looking around with a cautious attitude, before saying in a low voice, Yongzhen Shanhe Temple suddenly exploded. From the temple came out a sword qi, that made the wholeke stir up like it was boiling, like an earthquake. But looking at the current situation, it doesnt seem to be an assassin. Xu Qians gaze drifted towards the tall tform. *The temples roof was pierced by a sword qi? If the divine sword has that power, then the person that was just calling to me for help would definitely not be the sword-spirit, or simr.* He dropped his gaze a while, gathering in his emotions, and calming all his thoughts. He then hurriedly made his way to beside the eldest princess, cupping his hands, Is the eldest princess unharmed? The scene had returned to order, and even though there were whispers and conversation, everyone hadrgely be very quiet, waiting for the Yuanjing Emperor toe out. So Xu Qians voice drew the heads of many nearby. Some were his fellow Nightwatchers, some were the Royal Guard, some were eunuchs, and of course the eldest princes, and her rtives. The eldest princesss face was very beautiful, but her expression was as clear and cold as the morning frost. She tilted her head, her eyes like autumn pools reflecting Xu Qians form. With a clear, crisp voice like jade rocks colliding, she said, Yes! Xu Qian felt a great weight lifted off him, Then your lowly servant can stop worrying. Seeing that all was good, he immediately retreated, keeping watch all around with impable precision. Huaiqing, this small bronze gong seems to really look up to you. A soft voice came from behind her, belong to the second princess. Huaiqing[^1] was the eldest princesss noble title, but she preferred others to call her as eldest princess. The Yuanjing Emperor had oncemented that this eldest daughter of his, has an ambition no less than any man, and was no less domineering than he himself. The second princesss appearance was exceptional, a pair of pear-blossom eyes on her round and smooth face, her red lips were vibrant, and with every twinkle and smile she gave off an incredibly charming aura. She was a beauty pr opposite to the eldest princess. From a young time, the rtionship between the two sisters was never good. The eldest princess said lightly, Admiration, perhaps not so much. He knows how to repay kindness, is all. Xu Qians behaviour in the Sitianjian, along with his earlier expression, sessfully gave that impression to the eldest princess. The second princess covered her mouth,ughing lightly, Everyone in the capital knows of Sister Huaiqings attractiveness; the students at the Cloud Deer Academy are enthralled by you, other schrs no less so, how could the Nightwatcher not? The other princes and princesses onlooked the scene with great excitement, notmenting on the sharp needles hidden within their soft words. Linan! The crown prince of the eastern pce frowned, and scolded, Quiet. Linan[^2] was the noble title of the second princess. Facing her elder brothers scolding, she pouted her lips, and gracefully lowered her head, standing in a refined and elegant pose. All of the royal family knew that the two princesses were like fire and water. The eldest princess was born to the Empress, the second princess however was born to Concubine Chen; their positions had some difference. However, Concubine Chen was doted on much more than the Empress. When she was young, the second princess liked to provoke the eldest princess, constantly trying to find ways to get at her. This was no more than the average teasing between two members of a family, but the eldest princess just so happened to be the domineering, independent type. She ordered her attendants to hold the second princess, and when the attendants did not dare to, she took initiative herself, grabbing a bamboo scroll, and chased her around, beating her with it. From south to north, from north back down south again. The maids and attendants in the pce did not dare stop her, and eventually themotion disturbed the Yuanjing Emperor in his cultivation. Concubine Chen, along with her face-swollen, beaten ck and blue young daughter,ined about the eldest princess. The Yuanjing Emperor nned to heavily punish the eldest princess, and summoned her to his imperial study. The eldest princess was long prepared, bringing along over a dozen books, including *The Book of Rites, The Great Encyclopaedia, The Book of Music*. She spread them out one by one in the study, and quoting from the sages in the book, made a resounding rebuttal. Eventually she won the appeal, and the Yuanjing Emperor could not but gloomily rule that the eldest princess had no fault, before returning to cultivation. When she became of age, the eldest princess became a lot more reserved. Yongzhen Shanhe Temple. A stern, crown wearing man in gold stood, holding a brass sword. The temple door was shut tight. Yuanjing stood in front of the statue of the founding emperor, silently examining the dusty brass sword. What is a first rank really? You were meant to have a long, boundless life, yet you still were burdened by the fate of the people, and barely lived longer than an average person. Yuanjing seemed to be talking to himself, but simultaneously seemed to be talking to his ancestor six hundred years ago. I came to the throne at the age of twenty, after defeating all my enemies. When I sat on this seat, none could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with me. But eventually I found, that the biggest enemy of all is time. The Yuanjing Emperor slowly shifted his gaze, staring at the floor by his feet, staring for a long time. Afterwards, he started inspecting the various furnishings in the temple, even stepping onto the altar, very disrespectfully touching his ancestors statue, touching that brass sword. This process was long and meticulous, as finally, the Yuanjing Emperor let out a sigh of relief. His expression became calm, and he knelt on the *putuan* cushion[^3], kowtowing towards that founding emperor, before leaving the temple. The Yuanjing Emperor stood on the high tform, overlooking the many martial and civil officials, overlooking the royal family, his voice emanating like a clear bell, The ancestor worship ceremony shall continue. He did not exin the reason behind the earlier disturbance. The five armies and the Nightwatchers scattered out again, returning back to their posts in an orderly way, patrolling the perimeter. Lines of eunuchs walked quickly with lowered heads, clearing the tform from pottery shards, sorting out the ceremonial vessels, and the ancestral spirit tablets. Xu Qian returned back to his earlier post, muttering in his heart, *thats strange. Logically, if a ceremony would encounter something like this, it would be a sign of big breasts- pff, sign of big cmity.[^4] The Yuanjing Emperor should really be angry.* *But he seemed to have anticipated this, not berating Duke Wei or the royal guard captain mm, he may not necessarily have anticipated it, rather knew the real reason behind the disturbance.* *Furthermore, this reason is something that cannot be announced publicly.* *So Sangpo Lake really has a secret that cannot be known.* --- [^1]: [^2]: [^3]: Putuan, or Zafu, is a round cushion used in meditation [^4]: Breast and Ill Omen are also homonyms. Chapter 99: Sharing Information Chapter 99: Sharing Information # 99. Sharing Information *And, the secret should have something to do with the cry for help I heard. Maybe, this disturbance happened due to me...* Xu Qi''an was taken aback by his guess. As an experienced criminal policeman with rigorous logical abilities, he didn''t immediately identify himself as the "True culprit". He was strictly still a suspect until now. There could be other possibilities. But, ording to Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng, he was the only one who heard the call for help. But, he couldn''t have been the cause of the problem. *Sangpo hides a secret within it. Maybe this secret is only known by Emperor Yuanjing. This uproar could have been inevitable, and merely because of something special with myself, did I hear that voice.* *What could be so special about me? It should probably be my unexinable money-picking buff.* Xu Qi''an had aplicated mood at the time. He had a strong desire to know more, but he also had some concerns about pursuing the truth, fearing that it was something he couldn''t bear at this stage. After another hour, the ancestor worship finally ended. Then, the imperial guards and the high-ranking Nightwatchers guarded the royal family and the officials to leave, only after which Xu Qi''an and the others were free to scatter. "Strange. What came out of the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple?" On the way back, Song Tingfeng rxedly began to spill out gossip. "Walk with your eyes open, Li Ronghao." Xu Qi''an joked smilingly, trying to distract himself and calm down. "Who is Li Ronghao?" Song Tingfeng asked nkly.[^1] Xu Qi''an didn''t answer. The other bronze gongs were also discussing the abnormal situation. "That was sword qi, right? I have never seen such strong sword qi. Even Gold Gong Zhang, with his strong sword intent, can''t produce such sword qi." A bronze gong said. "I was terrified. I thought that an assassin had entered just now. Then, I thought, How could such a powerful assassin enter the capital? The capital has the Jianzheng and the national teacher." "What do you think was in the temple?" The bronze gongs looked at each other nkly, unable to answer the question. "It''s the sword used by the founding emperor on the battlefield." Xu Qi''an said. It could be observed that the bronze gongs in the Nightwatchers had prized attitudes towards Xu Qi''an. Some of them wanted to befriend him, while others were jealous of him. After all, He could cause two gold gongs to fight for him. This kid will have a bright future, at least bing a silver gong. "How would you know this?" Someone sneered at him. "You can ask an older senior by yourself." Xu Qi''an also sneered at him. They were all young bronze gongs, who didn''t know much about the "Mountain and Sea Campaign". But, the older bronze gongs and silver gongs should all know that Emperor Yuanjing brought out the divine sword and gave it to King Zhenbei. It''s worth mentioning that King Zhenbei was a prince and the younger brother of Emperor Yuanjing. His actual title was the King Huai. Zhenbei was a title of respect for King Huai since he guarded the north and deterred all the parties from the prairies.[^2] There were many Imperial Uncles, but only a single Zhenbei King. Smelling the gunpowder between Xu Qi''an and that bronze gong, the others lightly changed the topic to discuss other matters. The ancestor worship was shocking, but nothing dangerous happened. Their tasks beingpleted, the bronze gongs talked about going to the Jiaofang Si or another familiar Gon to have fun. This era was very boring. For socialization and entertainment, men didn''t have any other options besides going to the Gon to listen to music other than going to brothels to sleep with women. So boring! ... After he returned to the Nightwatcher''s Office, Xu Qi''an felt something and knew that something had happened in the "Earth Book Group Chat" He made up an excuse to go to thetrine and took out the jade mirror, where he saw Dao Master Jinlian consulting him and Number One. NINE: ONE and THREE, the Ancestor Worship should have ended, What caused that bigmotion? Number One didn''t reply, but the others were cracking melon seeds with great interest.[^3] TWO: Daozhang, what do you mean? Did Emperor Yuanjing meet an assassin when he worshipped his ancestors? Is he dead lmao Xu Qi''an was sure that Number Two was not a member of the Imperial Court. Unless he (or she) didn''t n to meet him or Number One in this life. *If the vigorous youth Number Two lived in my time, they would be traced through their inte connection by the Peoples Police in the minute, and invited to the police station for dinner.* NINE: This daoist was meditating when he suddenly saw a sword qi breaking through the sky from the direction of Sangpo, just like the clear qi that soared from Cloud Deer Academy that day. TWO: Which expert tried to perform an assassination? NINE: The National Guardian Sword is the sword of the founding emperor of the Great Feng. Ever since Great Feng was established, It had been baptized by the national destiny of the entire country daily. Causing it to be a treasure closely rted to the national destiny of Great Feng. It stands to reason that such an important weapon shouldn''t show any abnormality. Just after Number Two replied, Number Nine Daoist Jinlian''s reply followed closely. Two realised that he had jumped the gun, and so kept silent. After a few seconds, seeing that Daoist Jinlian had said all he wanted to, he (she) continued to send: TWO: So, What happened? FOUR: What? The Guardian Divine Sword has awoken? Could it be that a powerhouse of the first rank went to the capital, attracting the divine weapon? I can''t think of any other reason for it toe out Number Four seemed to be quite shocked. He had served as an official in the Great Feng before, and his understanding of Great Feng should not be less than Number One or Number Three. It could even surpass their knowledge. FIVE: I only care if the Emperor of Great Feng is dead or not. If he''s dead, your grand-auntie[^4] will have to tell dad. *Grand-aunt... Number Five should be a girl.* Xu Qi''an''s eyes lit up. FOUR: Tell your father? What will you tell him? FIVE: Of course, to send troops to attack the border and grab Great Feng''s food and women, mu ha ha ha ha ha *As I expected, Number FIVE is indeed a foreigner. Otherwise, she wouldn''t be so clear about the history of the Wanyao Kingdom. Um, The Wanyao kingdom is in the southern Marches, so Number Five shouldn''t be from a northern tribe.* *Is she a Southern Barbarian or an Eastern Barbarian?* At the time, Number One also went online. ONE: The ancestor worship has ended. There, the divine sword at Yongzhen Shanhe Temple went out, causing amotion. After silence resumed, Emperor Yuanjing entered the temple for a quarter of an hour, his intentions unknown. NINE: As expected, Sangpo hides a secret. The secret only being known to members of the royal family. ONE: What does the Daozhang know? Xu Qi''an''s spirit roused. NINE: This daoist is just a little daoist, and he doesn''t know any secrets. It''s just that this daoist saw a demonic energy condensing in the direction of the imperial city before the sword qi soared into the skies. SIX: This monk also noticed it, but it passed by in a sh. Buddhist disciple Number Six interrupted. *The Earth Sect should have a method of observing qi simr to the Qi Watching Technique... I don''t know much about Buddhism, but ording tomon sense, They should be sensitive to demonic or evil qi.* Xu Qi''an continued watching the mirror in silence. TWO: That means that when ancestor worship was happening, a great demon or a person practicing demonic cultivation approached the capital. So, the Nations Guardian Divine Sword went out. This frightened the mysterious master away. Number Two made a judgment. FOUR: Although Jianzheng is located in the capital, If the other party is also a top expert, they could indeed approach the capital instantly. SIX: But there are only a handful of first-rank masters. Who would invade the capital at this time? No one spoke for a while. Everyone was probably analysing and making guesses in their minds. But, Xu Qi''an knew that it wasn''t some first-rank master who came tomit a crime. The problem was from Sangpo itself. FOUR: Jinlian Daozhang, when did the sword qi soar to the sky? NINE: An hour ago. Why are you asking me this? *It happened an hour ago... And Number Three asked about Sangpo''s information right about that time, exactly an hour ago. It was almost at the same time...* ording to Number Three''s attitude at that time, he was very eager to know everything about Sangpo. Number Four recalled Number Three''s earlier inquiry, and connected it with the situation of the Ancestor Worship Ceremony just momentster. It was obvious that Number Three didn''t ask the question without rhyme or reason. Number Three is a disciple of Confucianism. He is quite familiar with history books. It is impossible for him to not know the history of Sangpo. Number Four also knew the history of Sangpo, so he couldn''t help but put himself in the shoes of Number Three. *If it were me, and I was participating in the royal family''s ancestor worship ceremony. This incident happened suddenly, I would exin the situation as soon as possible, and discuss the abnormality with the members of the Heaven and Earth Society, finally concluding it to be the result of a first-rank master.* *But, Number Three didn''t do so. He instead chose to ask about Sangpo''s history with a purpose. Number Three isn''t an idiot. On the contrary, He''s a very smart person.* Number Four reasoned, *He''s a student of the Cloud Deer Academy. So, he wouldn''t ask these questions without reason, unless he had discovered something out there, causing him to doubt the history he read before, putting his understanding of Sangpo into doubt.* Thinking of this. Number Four was taken aback since he came to a surprising conclusion based on these guidelines. *The problem originated from Sangpo. Number Three spied on a smidgen of truth, which made him doubt his previous understanding.* FOUR: THREE, You know something, Don''t you? You were also there at the time. After you inquired about the Sangpo, the Guardian Sword reacted immediately and made a bigmotion. This couldn''t be a coincidence. Number Four''s message caused all the members of the Heaven and Earth Society to react. *So this was the reason that Four asked Jinlian Daozhang about when the sword qi rushed into the sky.* While the Earth Book fragment holders were running their thoughts, Number Four continued, FOUR: THREE, You are a student of the Cloud Deer Academy. So, you must know the history of Sangpo. Although Cloud Deer Academy has withdrawn from officialdom for over two hundred years, it has a profound foundation. The history of Sangpo recorded in the Academy library could only be more detailed than what I just said. I had found it strange at that time and wondered why you would ask such a question. *No, I don''t know anything...* Xu Qi''an didn''t know how to exin it. The terrible cries for help had nearly made him copse mentally. He couldn''t maintain his character design under that trauma. FOUR: Due to you doubting yourself, you also felt that the history of Sangpo you had learned before was likely to be wrong. Everyone realized, *The situation should have been like this.* Xu Qi''an was enlightened, *Yes, I originally had this thought.* *Number Four is a master of reasoning... Well, although the guess was wrong, he is very smart and reacted the fastest among them all.* *He''s worthy of being a schr who once served in the imperial court.* TWO: Wait, So, The problemes from Sangpo itself, not due to the invasion of a master? FOUR: I was about to ask THREE this. FIVE: THREE, Why aren''t you replying? Tell us quickly. Seeing this, Xu Qi''an decided not to remain silent any longer and moved his brush. THREE: Heh, I do know some secret insider information. --- [^1]: Li Ronghao is a Chinese singer. Don''t know why this is a meme [^2]: : Guarding the North [^3]: Chinese version of eating popcorn. [^4]: Your auntie/your grand-aunt: self-reference used by a woman, simr to how a man would use your granddad Chapter 100: I Want to Book Out the Pavilion Chapter 100: I Want to Book Out the Pavilion # 100. I Want to Book Out the Pavilion He had just sent that phrase, and was just about to continue, as a whole stream of text shed across the jade mirror: ONE: What insider information? TWO: What secret do you know? FOUR: THREE, does Sangpo Lake really have a secret? FIVE: Can you tell us? SIX: Amituofo. NINE: Little friend, please continue. Xu Qian squatted in the stinkingtrine room, in a daze. *Everyone seems to care a lot about this situation. Fair enough, considering that it involves the National Guardian Sword of the Great Feng. This type of secret, no one would not be curious.* *Especially, no one in the Heaven and Earth Society are ordinary characters; they all have great powers behind their backs, or have enough power themselves.* *These type of people would care for such a high level secret even more. Even if it had nothing to do with them personally, who knows, maybe at some time in the future it will actually have a use.* THREE: It wasnt a first ranks attack, I can pretty much be sure of this. Xu Qian did not block the conversation. After a pause, he continued writing: THREE: However, why should I tell you. No one spoke for an age. *Heh, not bad, no ones naive enough to stand up and say: arent we meant to share information and help each other?* This was good; if in the group chat there was a killjoy, or a freeloader party member, then his n would not be feasible. Xu Qian continued, Jinlian Daozhang, I think that there is a corrupt practice in the Heaven and Earth Society. If this is not resolved, then the Heaven and Earth Society will forever be a loose scattered group, only in harmony on the surface, thus not being of much help to anyone. NINE: Please continue. THREE: Indeed, to help each other, to share information are the founding principles of the Heaven and Earth Society, but theyre too idealistic. I can tell everyone about this secret, but what do I get? Absolutely nothing. I share this secret, yet ONE is someone who likes to lurk silently, they could enjoy their free handout with contentment. After once or twice, Id be unwilling to share anything more. ONE: Whore you saying is taking handouts? One seemed to be somewhat angry. *You, ONE, you. Because* you *are the one that likes lurking* Xu Qian ignored One, and continued to write: Daozhang, everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society is scattered all across the world, and we dont necessarily know each other. Fundamentally, we are all strangers. Lacking any trust or basis, it may be asked, that who would be willing to give up all their personal information to strangers? *What this Xu hates the most is freeloading, and I will resolutely put an end to such behaviour.* All that long rambling really all could be distilled down into one sentence: Why should I tell you? NINE: My little friends words are very reasonable. Seeing this, Xu Qianughed, Its good that Daozhang agrees. I hope everyone else can see the merit in this. All the other members of the Heaven and Earth Society kept their silence. THREE: Daozhang: I have a thought. When you gave the Number Three fragment to me, the fragment had been sealed, and was unable to connect with other fragments. Could we not take advantage of this? NINE: What does my little friend have in mind? THREE: Let me make an example: I sell the secret behind Sangpo Lake for five hundred taels of gold in the Heaven and Earth Society. If anyone wants to receive the information, then they could contact me through the earth book, and Daozhang you could help seal up any other member who is not willing to trade. Of course, Im not the type of person who cares for worldly possessions like gold and silver, but if no one has information of an equivalent calibre, then I can ept using gold and silver to trade. *Quick, use silver to buy my information, I need to buy a big house in the inner city* Xu Qian shifted his squatting position, staring at the mirror surface with some anticipation. At this time, even the stink of thetrine became fragrant. NINE: To tell the truth, even though this poor Daoist knows the method to seal the earth book, this poor Daoists injuries are not fully healed. When I infiltrated the Earth Sect that day, I awoke a fragment of the Sect Leaders soul, and so the earth book was sealed, and I suffered great injury. If not for this, this poor Daoist would not be so worse for wear. the smile on Xu Qians face slowly vanished. His guess wasnt wrong; the fact that Jinlian Daozhang was willing to give the Earth Book fragments to everyone, meant that he definitely had a way to suppress them, and take them back. Yet he only guessed at the head, and not the tail. This is saying, there was no way to private message in the near future. Seeing that no one was sending anything, One started writing with some anxiety. He (she) didnt want to see this trade fall t. ONE: How about this, you can publicly tell us this secret, and I will give you a promise, to exchange for information of equal value, or using silver or gold. FOUR: But this still has some issues. For example, if I used a secret of equivalent value to exchange with THREE, then THREE is not losing out, but my secret would be known by everyone else for free. TWO: Furthermore, were spread all around the country, so even if we wanted to buy this secret, how would we get the silver over to you? Everyone started chatting livelily, expressing their own thoughts and doubts. The corner of Xu Qians mouth twitched; not only did the members of the Heaven and Earth Society ce great importance on his secret, but they also saw a way to make profit. If his thoughts were toe to fruition, then they could also use their own knowledge to exchange. *Nice, nice, with profites motivation, this is what a business gathering is all about.* THREE: Before Jinlian Daozhang has recoveredpletely, how about this: I can tell you all the secret, and you can use something of equal value, or money, to exchange for it. But I can put it on credit; you dont have to immediately exchange now. Thus FOURs worry wouldnt exist. As for TWOs point, I havent thought of a good solution yet. Mm, you can also pay it off with some equivalent informationter. *Then there shouldnt be any problem* everyone thought. ONE: I have no issues. TWO: Nor I. FOUR: Mn, lets do as THREE says. FIVE: No problems here. SIX: Me too. THREE: Why have SEVEN and EIGHT still not spoken? If you dont express your view, then we cant finish this deal. Jinlian stepped in to exin: Fromst year, SEVEN disappeared. EIGHT is facing a life or death challenge. Lets exclude them for now. FOUR: But SEVEN is still alive, right? TWO: SEVENs earth book fragment is with me mn, because of some incident, he had to fake his death to escape, and is hiding from danger. THREE: Then I have no issues. Xu Qian paused for a few seconds, before writing: I heard a cry for help from Sangpo Lake! *There was a cry for help from Sangpo!?* Such a casual sentence from Three, was like a thunderp ringing through all the Heaven and Earth Society members heads. *The ce where the founding emperor found his Dao, theke where the National Guardian sword was housed and revered, had a call for help* *Who was calling for help?* *To whom?* The earth book group chat fell into an uncanny silence. After a long time, ONE, who was always few for words, wrote: Impossible! Everyone quickly turned their attention back to their earth book fragments, waiting silently for a long time, but not receiving Threes reply. *Yes, Three was a student of the Cloud Deer Academy. He was proud and arrogant, and didnt deign to respond.* This also roundaboutly implied that what Three said was true; a proud and arrogant student like him would not stoop as low as lying. One seemed to also know this principle, and apart from their immediate reaction, did not continue to question. FOUR: A piece of information that is hard to swallow. NINE: The status of this secret is extremely high. TWO: Is there something imprisoned at the bottom of Sangpoke? What do you guys think? Two gave their guess. Xu Qian started, *it wasnt just me that thought of that possibility.* FIVE: Woah, an unrivalled demon is imprisoned within Sangpo Lake in Feng? Hey, ONE, THREE, FOUR, youre all subjects of Feng, have you thought of anything? SIX: Dont bother asking. ONE clearly doesnt know, and everyone knows that ONE is someone important in court. This implies, that perhaps only the royal family, or even the Yuanjing Emperor alone knows of the answer. ONE: I will try to investigate this matter. THREE, if I make any progress, can I use it to pay off your information? THREE: Heh, depends on what you discover. After five minutes, no one had sent anything, Xu Qian finally determined that thesecklustreizens had gone offline. Stowing away his jade mirror, leaving thetrine, he inhaled a deep breath of fresh air, feeling like he had gained new life. *If toilets were like this in my past life, then it would definitely fix procrastinating on the toilet overnight because no one wants to y on their phone in this kind of environment.* Xu Qian thought, adding to himself, *A stinkytrine pit is the best doctor for haemorrhoids.* Returning to the side hall, Zhu Guangxiao was in the middle of meditation, Song Tingfeng was reading an erotic romance that could not see the light of day. Of course, it was not about Emperor Yuanjing and the unparalleled beauty of a National Teacher. Did you go to give birth? Song Tingfeng squinted, poking fun at him. Yep, Xu Qian nodded, sittingfortably on the chair, saying seriously, Piece of shit, its your brat. Zhu Guangxiao, sitting beside them, suddenly breathed in too hard, and opened his eyes with a face full of being caught unawares, looking towards Xu Qian. Song Tingfeng shuddered, cupping his hands, before returning to his book. He thought of himself as the cynical type; his outward appearance was always smiling into a squint, a type of person that could perform proficiently in front of anyone. But faced against Xu Qian, Song Tingfeng thought that he would be better of being more of a gentleman. Oftentimes, he knew that the other was merely joking around, yet he did not have any good response to give, losing in tatters. Lets go to the Jiaofangsi tonight. Song Tingfeng suggested, Ive invited a few colleagues, you can teach everyone how Russian Roulette is yed. He paused, before saying with a serious face, After the matter with gold gong Yang and gold gong Jiang, the number of people who are jealous of you is not little, privately they cant see eye-to-eye with you. You need to socialise more, and not just hang out with me and Zhu Guangxiao all day. Zhu Guangxiao opened his eyes, nodding in agreement, Yes. Ive often heard people talking shit about you behind your back. He was not a young simpleton, he knew deeply the principle of the nail that sticks out must be hammered in. After joining the Nightwatchers, Xu Qian had indeed overlooked socialising with his colleagues. Mainly it was because all day he was meeting with Wei Yuan, or hanging around the Sitianjian. His standards had risen rather high. Thus with Song Tingfeng leading he found a few familiar bronze gongs, also under Li Yuchun, and arranged with them to go to the Sitianjian to y. Of course, there was no case of inviting another to dinner; everyone knew of the prices of the Jiaofangsi, no regr bronze gong could afford to invite everyone.[^1] However, Xu Qian very lightly said, lets go book out the Reflecting Plum Pavillion, Ill arrange it. The bronze gongs instantly were pumped. Song Tingfeng pulled Xu Qian to a corner, rubbing his hands, Ningyan, you really are a good brother then, will Fuxiang join? Xu Qian gave him a side-eye, Call me dad, and Ill tell you. Song Tingfeng was a goodd who knew when to bow his head, and immediately recognised his father. Xu Qian thus replied, Of course not. Song Tingfeng said angrily, You bloody call dad back, else Ill have no end with you! Xu Qian ignored him, and quietly escaped. What kind of woman was Fuxiang? An oiran famed far and wide, the ultimate social flower, the fact that she was willing to sleep with Xu Qian was purely due to their good rtionship. In this era, having good rtionships with prostitutes was verymon. Especially for schrs. But Fuxiang wasnt Xu Qians servant, nor was she a concubine that could be passed around like an object. For someone of Fuxiangs value and stature, how could she agree? Youd be dreaming. Xu Qian did not want to cause cracks in their rtionship because of this, or even break it entirely. The Archives, floor Jia. Sandalwood incense burnt, its light grey smoke straight as a ruler. Sunlight filtered through thetticed windows, shining onto the floor in regr patterns Wei Yuan closed the thick, hefty *Thirteen Books of Great Feng*, and hesitated for a moment, before rising and pulling out another book: *Records of Jiuzhou: the Western Regions.* The incense had burnt through, its ash falling into the burner. Wei Yuan closed all the books, and tiredly rubbed his temples. Unwittingly, the books that were stacked by him had risen to shoulder height. Father, what have you found? Nangong Qianrou finally got his opportunity. I think I know whats going on. Wei Yuan sighed. Whats the secret inside Sangpo Lake? Nangong Qianrou asked. That is not something that you should know. Wei Yuan shook his head, warning with a stern face, Forget what happened today. You are not permitted to investigate further, nor to discuss this privately. Yang Yan and Nangong Qianrou simultaneously lowered their heads, Yes. Dusk. Ten Nightwatchers, including Xu Qian, walked into the alleys of the Jiaofangsi, chests raised. In this time of the Official Evaluation, where the many officials were as timid as mice, the Nightwatchers dominated the Jiaofangsi. Hey Ningyan, will the oiran Fuxiang see us? Ive heard that the oiran hasnt taken a customer in a long while. Will the Reflecting Plum Pavillion really let us book it out? Some of the bronze gongs did not believe him, because a ce like the Jiaofangsi weed schrs the most; all their entertainment and services were biased towards the educated. This was just the attitude of society. The Nightwatchers were responsible for supervising the many officials, but they and the officials had a delicate bnce of power. If the Jiaofangsi were to be chaotic, then the Ministry of Rites would be very happy to immediately send a cannonball the Nightwatchers way. Thus, if Fuxiang did not want to meet them, then the bronze gongs could not but leave and lose the face. However Xu Qians Russian Roulette game was too tempting; when the other Nightwatchers had heard, they first all scolded Xu Qiansck of culture, but when asked whether they would go, agreed very quickly indeed. Coming to the Reflecting Plum Pavillion, the bronze gongs unconsciously slowed their footsteps, squeezing out from their party the very average looking Xu Qian. Xu Qian took off his sabre, and with the scabbard spanked the small servant on the arse,ughing, Tell the madam, I want to book out the pavilion. --- Trantor note: over 2700 words, what a way to achieve 100 chapters! [^1]: In Chinese culture, the default for inviting someone out implies that you pay for them, whereas splitting the bill/each paying his own is an exception. Chapter 101: House Raid Chapter 101: House Raid # 101. House Raid Even if he was pped in the ass, the small servant wasn''t angry at all. He still maintained a smile on his face, his attitude respectful, almost ttering. "Wait for a while. I''ll immediately go and inform. After she knows about Young Master Yanging here, Miss will probably be very excited." Now and then, Xu Qi''an would patronize Miss Fuxiang. So, the members of the courtyard had long since recognized him as the famous oiran''s paramour. Even if he dared to act arrogantly toward other guests, he didn''t dare to neglect Xu Qi''an. Hed rather brown-nose as hard as possible. Xu Qi''an led the Nightwatchers to the courtyard. Fragrant pear trees were nted at the corners, and it had elegant-looking white walls and ck tiles. Upon hearing Xu Qi''an had reserved the venue for the day, The famous oiran immediately asked her maid to delicately groom her face, after which she wore a delicate pale pink floor-length dress, which revealed her exquisite corbone and fair neck. Her chest wrap[^1] was vaguely discernible through her dress. Fuxiang personally apanied him, pouring tea and wine for Xu Qi''an, asionally whispering to his ear, while maintaining her flower-like smile. All the bronze gongs present were envious. Fuxiang herself was quite a famous oiran. After the poem *Given to Fuxiang in Reflecting Plum Pavilion* was released, her value also rose massively. It had been rumoured that she no longer apanied guests. At the very least, she couldn''t apany ordinary guests anymore. Even so, many guests still went to the Plum Reflection Pavilion to drink, listen to music, and y drinking games daily, as Fuxiang would asionally make an appearance as the Game Master and organize everyone to y Drinking games together. After three rounds of drinking, Xu Qi''an gave Song Tingfeng a wink, after which he got up and said, Gentlemen, this Xu is far too drunk, I will go rest first, you guys keep on ying. The bronze gongs didn''t have any objection, taking a look at each other beforeughing with a knowing smile. Fuxiang''s eyes flickered, and she gave Xu Qi''an a look before he left with his arms around Fuxiang''s shoulders. ... After taking a bath, Xu Qi''an changed into a thin white shirt, sittingzily on the bed, twirling a wine ss in his hand. "My dear seldom brings his colleagues over for drinks." Fuxiang, who had also finished bathing, sat a little further on the bed as she tilted his head to wipe his hair. Her skin was tender, her face wless. Even, she looked a little enchanting and mysterious in the swaying candlelight. "It''s a long story." Xu Qi''an sighed after taking a sip of wine, "A few days ago, two Gold Gongs took a fancy to me and both wanted to recruit me to their side. So, they fought in the Nightwatchers Office." Fuxiang got off the bed, her skirt falling concurrently to cover her long snow-white legs. Hugging Xu Qi''an from behind, holding a light smile, she said, "Did someone''s eyes go red over you?" "Red-eyed disease[^2] has existed since ancient times." Xu Qi''an didn''t deny it. "If my dear had said so earlier, I would have entertained your colleagues for you." Fuxiang sounded regretful. She hadn''t paid much attention to the other bronze gongs during the meal. "There was no need for that." Xu Qi''an cracked a smile. As a person who didn''tck interpersonal skills, he held Fuxiang in his arms in a step, and tilted the wine ss, causing the wine to flow down Fuxiang''s fair neck. "This style of drinking is fun." Xu Qi''anughingly bowed his head. After having a taste of wine filled with Fuxiang''s body fragrances, Xu Qi''an made an excuse to go out for a breath, and left the master bedroom, going to the wine room to have a look. His colleagues were cheerfully ying games amidst the music as if they had opened the door to a new world. If enough money was given, the maids in Jiaofang Si pavilions wouldn''t refuse anything, which had been the case since ancient times. Xu Qi''an jumped on the courtyard wall, after which he took out a piece of paper, igniting it. He raised his head, as two streams of pure qi pierced through the night sky, quick as a sh. Various types of qi appeared in his sight, making the world colourful. Xu Qi''an had learned from Chu Caiwei that the emerald green colour represented the qi of yaoguai. He remembered the green light he saw shing over Jiaofang Si the night he was on patrol. That meant that a monster was lurking in the Jiaofang Si. This guess was quite unfounded, since Jiaofang Si was the ce where the dignitaries drank and had fun. Such a ce hiding monsters should be very unexpected. But the situation was like this. This time, Xu Qi''an took on the principle of no zuo no die[^3] and didn''t try to spy on the Sitianjian, so he wouldn''t get blinded by the Jianzheng''s aura again. He swept over the sky over the Jiaofangsi. But, In the regions where he could see, all kinds of colours flickered, without any hint of green. "Did the yao leave... Or, did they hide their qi using a special method?" Xu Qi''an jumped off the wall and returned to Famous Oiran Fuxiang''s boudoir. ... The white-robed young general Second Young Master Xu fought bravely against the siege of Famous Oiran Fuxiang. After seven attacks and defences, he was finally exhausted and defeated, spitting out blood. The battlefield had turned messy, and the two armies suffered heavy losses, both needing to recuperate. With messy hair and flushed cheeks, curled up in Xu Qi''an''s arms, her bright eyes shed, "My dear, Could you redeem me?" *Talking of money hurts feelings...* Xu Qi''an, in sage mode, was unmoved. The famous oiran twisted her body, saying coquettishly, "I just want to be your concubine, and serve my dear." Xu Qi''an patted her head, and stroked his fingers between her ck hair, "Don''t make trouble. Our sincere feelings shouldn''t be mixed with the stink of money." Her eyes turning red, Fuxiang said with tears, "You just want to y with me for free, and leave me when you get tired of me." *How did you discover this?!* Xu Qi''an thought in surprise. He reluctantly said, "You are the chief oiran of the Jiaofang Si. It would be impossible to redeem you without 4,000-5,000 taels. Even so, the Ministry of Rites may not agree to it." "Your servant has saved some money over the years. Also, I''ve sent some people to inquire. It only takes three years for a Bronze Gong to buy a yard in the inner city." Fuxiang put her arms around him, and begged softly, "My dear, please redeem me." The charming woman knew to act coquettishly, and also knew to make full use of her assets, her exquisite bulging figure clinging to Xu Qi''an. Tears appeared in her eyes, making her seem even more pitiful. Xu Qi''an knit his brows, feeling awkward. If he had met such a girl who could act coquettishly in his past life, and she wanted him to buy something (luxury items), he could handle it. He was just feeling a little strange. A well-known oiran like her, with a flourishing career and youth being on her side. It was still too early for her to find a good man to redeem herself. Besides, Although the Nightwatchers were feared by the officials due to organizational reasons, Fuxiang was more than capable enough to be the concubine of a fourth rank official. "It isn''t so urgent. I''ll redeem you after saving up enough money.", Xu Qi''an casually put his arms around the oiran''s slender figure, putting himself to sleep in three seconds. In the darkness, Fuxiang quietly stared at Xu Qi''an''s face, her eyes clear like ss. ... The next day, in the morning, the group left the Jiaofang Si. When his colleagues saw Xu Qi''an, they greeted him with a smile, and their rtionship seemed to have be a lot closer. If they had regarded Xu Qi''an as a colleague before, Now, they regarded him as a confidant. The treat seemed to have had a good effect. Actually, As long as they weren''t too red-eyed, or had a higher position, Bronze Gongs in the same level wouldn''t hate him without reason. With his flexibility, adaptation to their fancy, and goodwill, most of them were willing to make friends with Xu Qi''an. It was also because, In this way, The identity of the lucky guy who was favoured by two Gold Gongs could be transformed into The guy favoured by two Gold Gongs, also my friend. While chatting along the way, a bronze gong suddenlyughed and said, "Ningyan is truly a talent. He let me know how ignorant I was before." The other colleagues let out some cheerful ambiguousughter. Xu Qi''an shrugged, "I''ll teach you some more exciting ways to yter." *Even more exciting...* Everyone''s eyes lit up. After arriving at the Nightwatcher Office at around 7 am. They checked in. Xu Qi''an and Song Tingfeng''s group went to the side hall of Spring Breeze Hall, where they drank a few sips of tea before going out to patrol the streets when an official hurried over. "Three officials, Master Li has called for you." *It''s time for work...* Xu Qi''an and the two hung their sabres and went together to the Spring Breeze Hall. Meticulously dressed Li Yuchun blended perfectly with the equally meticulously arranged Spring Breeze Hall, without any sense of disharmony. *Brother Chun, Aren''t you tired of living like this...* Xu Qi''an sympathized with his immediate boss''s OCD. He thought, *Is it possible that when he sleeps with a woman in the future, if he does a position one hundred times, he''ll have to do the other a hundred times as well, to not feel ufortable?* Li Yuchun pointed to three warrants on the side of the desk, "We will be raiding a house today, and the three of you will be going on my behalf. I still have to repeat the same rule, Don''t take unneeded things." "After a quarter of an hour, gather in the front yard and go there with your other colleagues." *It turned out to be a house raid!* Xu Qi''an was rmed, as house raids were one of the main duties of the Nightwatchers, and the targets were criminal officials. "This is the document." Li Yuchun showed the three the document sent to him. The target of the house raid was the head of the Finance Department in the Ministry of Revenue, a sixth rank official. He had been exiled and his assets were ordered to be confiscated on the charges of corruption and dereliction of duty. This house raid meant confiscating property, where all the property in the home would be confiscated. In Xu Qi''an''s previous life, It meant depriving the criminal of his/her personal property. Li Yuchun nced at Xu Qi''an, before he said, "This person is a subordinate of Deputy Minister Zhou from the Ministry of Revenue." He meant to tell Xu Qi''an that this was a follow-up to the Silver Tax case. The downfall of a court tycoon would be apanied by the dismissal and punishment of officials attached to him. This could be likened to mud apanied when pulling out a radish from the ground. Xu Qi''an and the others took orders to leave. On the way to the front yard, Song Tingfeng said, "This is your first time in a house raid, so you won''t understand some rules. I''ll exin them to you." "After all the family property is confiscated, the petty official will count all the valuables in the front yard, record them in the register, then bring them back to the constabry. But, they will not participate in the search." After speaking, Song Tingfeng gave him a look of "You should understand what I mean". An old member of officialdom like Xu Qi''an immediately understood his meaning. "But the rules that boss said..." Xu Qi''an probed. "Don''t worry about him." Song Tingfeng curled his lips, "The boss is just stubborn and doesn''t know how to adapt. We have to seek reasonable interests for ourselves." They were indeed seeking their interests reasonably, Xu Qi''an nodded. Song Tingfeng was indeed the same kind of person as him, and was unwilling to ckmail merchants and themon people. But now, he was going to raid the house, which belonged to a corrupt official. The silver was already corrupt, and they were cutting the wool of Great Feng, not of the people. He had seen this kind of thing too many times, in this life and the other. Xu Qi''an adopted an attitude of neither objection nor approval. The raid was led by a silver gong, four groups of bronze gongs, and twenty-four white bailiffs. Every three bronze gongs belonged to themand of a different silver gong. This multi-team system was for mutual supervision and cross-examination. This system was good. But, after a long time, everyone tacitly took a little, which was equivalent to no one taking anything. After listening to Song Tingfeng''s words, the three arrived at the front yard and saw that bronze gongs were already gathering there. The leader was a young Silver Gong, in his early thirties. He had thin lips and thin eyebrows. He wasn''t easy to get along with, just by looking at his face. Song Tingfeng led his two colleagues closer to the Silver Gong and took out the warrant in his arms. After he saw the three of them approach him, the Silver Gong''s eyes suddenly became sharp, as he said in a deep voice, "You three arete." Xu Qi''an said, stunned, "We aren''tte." They hade over as soon as they had received the news. Although they had talked on the road and walked slowly, they should have not taken more than a quarter-hour. After hearing it, the Silver Gong''s eyebrows stood upright, and his eyes sharp. He took off the sabre in the back of his waist as he swung the t towards Xu Qi''an''s face. As the sabre broke through the air, Xu Qi''an leaned back a bit, avoiding the hit instantly. As if he didn''t expect Xu Qi''an to dodge, the Silver Gong was stunned, and evilly grinned, "How dare you dodge." "Sir, Sir..." Song Tingfeng hurriedly intervened between the two, and shyly apologized before saying smilingly, "Yes, We werete, Sir. Don''t be angry and dy business. Important work is still waiting." He brought up the matter of the House Raid. Unexpectedly, the Silver Gong didn''t give him any face at all, and kicked Song Tingfeng''s lower abdomen with his foot, sending him flying. He struggled a bit, but couldn''t stand up. *He was targeting me... But I hadn''t offended him...* Xu Qi''an felt angry, and subconsciously pressed the handle of his sabre. The Silver Gong squinted, and instead of being angry, he smiled and swiped at him with a scabbard again, sneering, "What? Do you want to draw a sabre? Are you worthy of it?" *If I draw the sabre, I''ll be toast...* Xu Qi''an raised his hand to block a few blows, his arm bing fiery with pain. As so many people were watching, it was quite embarrassing for him. Seeing Xu Qi''an''s look of timidness, the Silver Gong hit him a few more times before saying with a sneer, "Fuck off in there." Xu Qi''an''s group joined the team. After them, other bronze gongs came one after another, but the Silver Gong didn''t care much about them and let them join the team. After seeing this scene, Xu Qi''an became sure that the Silver Gong had been targeting him. But he wondered why as he hadn''t offended the Silver Gong. "It''s good that you didn''t draw your sabre, or you''d be done for." someone behind him said. Xu Qi''an turned his head to take a look. He was a bronze gong who had drank flower wine with himst night.[^4] "I''m not that stupid. It''s a serious crime to draw a sword against a silver gong." He said. The bronze gong nodded, and whispered, "His surname is Zhu, and he''s the youngest Silver Gong in the office." Xu Qi''an said, gloomily, "I don''t know him." The bronze Gong said, "Hey, His father is also surnamed Zhu." Xu Qi''an wanted to say *You speaking nonsense, bro.*, but he heard Zhu Guangxiao beside him whisper, "Gold Gong Zhu?" The bronze gong, who had drunk flower wine together, nodded before he continued, "He is the youngest silver gong, and also the most talented man in our capital office. Well, before Xu Qi''an appeared." "The day before yesterday, I had drunk with a bronze gong under his hand. I heard from him that Silver Gong Zhu didn''t like you. He had said multiple times that you were a trivial bronze gong..." At that time, Silver Gong Zhu scanned the crowd sharply, causing the bronze gong to fall silent. --- Turns out there''s another long chapter. Should be. Xiangjun''s writing long chapters for the release day. -Infernal The surnames Zhu are , and happen to be the same as Zhu Guangxiaos . [^1]: Or Bra. But obviously it was less like a bra and more just a wrap. [^2]: ~Jealousy. [^3]: Chinese inte meme: If you dont ask for trouble, you wont get in it. [See /define.php?term=no%20zuo%20no%20die) [^4]: Wine at a brothel Chapter 102: More Valuable than Ones Life Chapter 102: More Valuable than One''s Life # 102. More Valuable than One''s Life Your Mother! Xu Qian cursed internally, epting his fate. He thought back to his previous life, in officer training, when the sergeant would deliberately pick on him. At that time, he could still say: I aint doing this! But the Nightwatchers ranks were strict, and so one couldnt use such extreme a response. Youre making things hard for me? Then dont me me when I tell on you to Daddy Wei. Xu Qian rubbed his swollen arms, ame with fury. After all personnel had arrived, the Nightwatchers and their assistant bailiffs hastily rushed to their destination. That head of finance whose house they were raiding was surnamed Cheng, with arge three-tiered courtyard house. The house was already surrounded on all sides by the city guard. After the Nightwatchers had arrived, silver gong Zhu pulled his sabre out, and with his de like a sh of lightning, cut the Zhu Manor sign in half. Afterwards, he waved his sabre in the air: Nightwatchers! Open up! Like a cloud of angry wasps, the bronze gongs and bailiffs barged into the house. The servants in the manor were so scared they dared not breathe, shakily retreating to the corners, to the side of the road, to under the eaves. Only yesterday did they know their master had been arrested, and the manor was about to ask around their contacts. Who knew that they would be raided so quickly? Xu Qian and his two colleagues entered the front hall, and were just about to go to the back courtyard, when they were kicked back by silver gong Zhu. You three stay here, dont you dare go anywhere. Afterwards, I will search each and every one of you. If you dare to try smuggle anything, you will be punished ording to all possible regtions. he said darkly. Seeing that Xu Qian and the other two were being picked on, some bronze gongs looked on with schadenfreude, others pretending not to see anything, in an effort to protect themselves. Song Tingfeng dared to be angry, but dared not say anything. The always silent Zhu Guangxiao bore a dark expression. Xu Qian clenched his teeth, and chose to remain silent. He couldnt fight back at this time, otherwise his fate would be dire indeed. Watching silver gong Zhu enter the inner courtyard, Song Tingfeng spat in his direction, angrily saying This damn bastard, breaking ones path to wealth, has no sense of PY trading.[^1] Sorry, Im weighing you all down. Xu Qian said in shame. Song Tingfeng rolled his eyes, his gaze falling on Xu Qians arm: Im seeing you rubbing your arm a lot, are you hurt much? Laughing bitterly, Xu Qian pulled up his sleeve, to reveal that his arm was already swollen and red. That piece of shit used qi? Song Tingfengs expression turned. An average officer beating his subordinates would at most cause some minor bruises, and would absolutely not secretly add qi to their blows. Causing pain and causing actual injury were two different things. But that Zhu was another level of mean-spirited. Just with this injury, you can report him. When we get back, go find boss, boss wont tolerate this. Zhu Guangxiao said. Song Tingfeng nced at him, shaking his head, Dont cause boss more trouble. Even though they were both silver gongs, but Zhus father was a gold gong, and a person with such a big tree to lean against was not someone Li Yuchun could afford to get on the bad side of. Song Tingfeng continued, Forget it. If you get put with him next time, just admit your misfortune. *I will report him, but not to brother Chun, but rather daddy Wei* Xu Qian dropped down his sleeve. The house raid was different to what Xu Qian had in mind; there werent any sounds of smashing and crashing about. Quite the opposite, the bronze gongs and white bailiffs were all very careful with their task. A random flowerpot in the study, could be a piece of porcin worth over a hundred taels. A small desk used to put papers, could be a few taels of silver alone. Suddenly, the three of them in the front hall heard the sharp screams and cries of a woman, along with her pleading. Whats going on? Xu Qians expression changed, turning to look at Song Tingfeng, The sentence said only a house raid, no other arrests. The sentence given to Minister Cheng was only to be exiled, and have his property confiscated. No one else would be arrested along with him. This implied that his family would at most be evicted from the manor; they werent guilty of any crime. Song Tingfeng said hesitantly, Perhaps the women in the manor are rather pretty they want to y this type of thing happens all the time. Fuck! Xu Qian cursed, rushing to the back courtyard withrge steps. In the courtyard, a womans sharp cries echoed throughout the manor, along with a mans pervertedugh. Bang! Xu Qian headed towards the source of themotion, kicking open a door, to see a bronze gong he didnt know was currently pulling at a middle-aged womans clothes. That woman had well-defined features, pale skin, and on her body was only left a *dudou* undershirt.[^2] She was crying in utter despair. The bronze gong jumped in fright, his face losing colour. If it was only a momentter, then would he not have been scared into paranoia. He turned his head in anger to look at the door. Xu Qian stared back at him coldly, scanning the que on the bronze gongs waist, You continue. Ive remembered your name, afterwards Ill personally go to Duke Wei and report you. Wei Yuans name carried heavy weight. The bronze gong nced at the woman, then nced at Xu Qians dark face, making sure it was not a joke, before hesitating. Xu Qian did not pay him any more attention, and making best of what little time he had, started kicking open other doors in session, like a cannon, and simrly frightening his colleagues off their imminent misdeeds. *I havent seen that Zhu* Xu Qians heart sank, and without hesitation, kicked open the door to thest room. As expected, revealing silver gong Zhu. And as for him, he was in the middle of pinching a girl, a wicked smile on his face, slowly ripping off her clothesyer byyer with twisted enjoyment. That girl was no more than twelve or thirteen. Tear tracks shone down her face, and she was making choked sobs, wanting but not daring to cry. At that instant, Xu Qians anger reached boiling point, yet he did not rashly run in, staring daggers at silver gong Zhu. Piss off! Silver gong Zhus face was sullen. Xu Qian did not piss off, staring a Refining Spirit master eye-to-eye without a hint of timidness, spitting out word by word: You dare to touch her, I will report you to Duke Wei. Hearing his words, the young girls eyes shone with newfound radiance, finally finding a lifeline to clutch at. This altercation drew the attention of the other bronze gongs and assistant bailiffs. They stood not far away, looking in shock at this famed bronze gong facing off against the silver gong. Sure, you worthless thing. He had disliked Xu Qians spotlight earlier, but now his feeling towards the bronze gong was that the quicker he died the better. Silver gong Zhu grabbed the girl by the neck, holding her up in the air, and walked out of the room with great strides. Xu Qian felt a surging wave of qi, and instinctively put a hand on his sabre hilt, backing off cautiously, avoiding the sharp edge. Silver gong Zhu carried the girl to the courtyard, and threw her atop the stone table. He turned, and with a twisted smile said: What will you do? The veins in Xu Qians forehead bulged. Ningyan Song Tingfeng ran over with an awful looking expression, putting a hand onto Xu Qians right hand, on his pommel, saying with gritted teeth, Dont start, dont start, you know the consequences His voice was pleading. Xu Qian found a bit of calmness again, and understood Song Tingfengs warning. Firstly, a bronze gong attacking a silver gong was an enormous vition; if he were killed on the spot he would only have himself to me. Put it another way, the reason that Zhu pulled the girl into the courtyard to assault her in front of everyone, was to provoke Xu Qian, and force him to attack. Giving Xu Qian no path forward but death. Secondly, how could a refining qi beat a refining spirit? Both status and strength disallowed it. Xu Qian did not give up, meticulously repeating himself: If you dare touch her, I will report you to Wei Yuan. Silver gong Zhuughed maniacally, You can go tell on me, but only after I enjoy this little beauty. Other bronze gongs might have been afraid of Xu Qians threat, but he was not. With a gold gong as his father, added onto the fact that he had done everything properly, he was not afraid of problems he could not solve, or cmity. What is it really to abuse a few women of a criminal family? Furthermore, it wasnt the first or second time he had done it; every year with so many officials found guilty, and suffering house raids, even if their familys women werent sentenced on association, were they really able to get off scott free? They also had to pay something. Silver gong Zhuughed derisively, and made to start assaulting the girl. Some bronze gongs turned their heads, some whistled,ughing strangely. This only just secondary school aged girl facing such a fate, deeply pierced at his 21st century transmigrated soul. Let her go! Song Tingfeng heard hispanions words, they were very light. But his expression was that resolute, that unconsciously, Song Tingfeng took a step back. Xu Qians eyes were calm, his breath calm, all his emotions were ttened into a calmke. In an instant, he had entered an optimal state. With the thumb of his right hand, he lightly pushed off the hand guard of his sabre, letting the dee out of its scabbard an inch. Sching! The sound of a sword leaving its scabbard resonated around the courtyard. Silver gong Zhu suddenly rose, gaze cold,shing out with no hesitation, his de humming towards Xu Qian. He had long anticipated this. A raging torrent of qi came crashing forth, like the sea tide. Xu Qian was like a stone monolith, resolute and unyielding. Everything hade to this point, he had reached his peak! Sching! Another sound of sword leaving scabbard. Everyone only saw a thin de of light appear and sh away, only saw Xu Qians hand move slightly. That somewhat straight looking sabre, was still in its scabbard, as if that sound was merely an illusion. Silver gong Zhu did not move, his wide, staring eyes frozen in ce. A few secondster, the silver gong at his chest split, falling to the floor with a crash. Immediately afterwards, a sabre gash split open his chest, as fresh blood sprayed out, spraying on Xu Qians face and body. In absolute silence, he toppled over backwards. Momentster, Song Tingfeng was the first to react, rushing towards silver gong Zhu with a face as white as a sheet, feeling for his meridians. Hes not dead, hes not dead Song Tingfeng yelled hoarsely, Someone save him! The scene immediately became chaotic. A group of silver gongs started trying to stabilise silver gong Zhu, channelling qi into him, giving him medicine. They then picked him up, and carried him off, nning to take him to the constabry for further treatment. Another group drew their sabres in a wave of sching! sounds, surrounding Xu Qian. The silent Zhu Guangxiao, hand on his sword hilt, stood in front of Xu Qian. Ningyan Song Tingfengs face became even whiter. With great difficulty, he squeezed out the words Flee Xu Qian, who with one strike used up all his qi, shook his head, his face full of tiredness. Heughed, If I flee, what happens to my uncle and auntie? Song Tingfeng became angry. He pulled at Xu Qians robe, pointing at the dazed young girl, shouting with gritted teeth, Is it worth it? For a girl that you dont even know, is it worth it? Shes still a child Xu Qian stared back at him, There are some things, that are more valuable than ones life. He started walking away, lightly. No one dared to stop him. When he took a step, the Nightwatchers would back off a step. After about ten steps, Xu Qian took off his que and scabbard, and threw them on the ground. Then, he made an action that no body could understand. With eyes turned towards the heavens, he raised his hand, and gave a military salute. So many years apart, on Xu Qians face shed again that overflowing youthful vigour, that he had when he first graduated police academy. Even if he was covered in blood. --- [^1]: Probably mentioned this before but PY trading: trading between friends anus trading, basically backdoor deals, shady business. [^2]: [Dudou](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudou) Chapter 103: Waist Chop[^1] Chapter 103: Waist Chop[^1] # 103. Waist Chop[^1] Nobody understood Xu Qians military salute, but Song Tingfeng understood the murderous intenting from some of the bronze gongs, all subordinates of silver gong Zhu. "Capture him! Don''t let him escape." Song Tingfeng yelled loudly, and rushed forward to push Xu Qi''an down and twist his hands behind his back, after which he took a look at everyone present. "Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an attacked his superiors. He broke thew and should be sent to the constabry for trial." Zhu Guangxiao came over and wordlessly took off the rope around his waist, using it to restrain his colleague by himself. After seeing the two restrain Xu Qi''an, the other Bronze Gongs nearby were slightly relieved. Song Tingfeng''s face changed colour, and he whispered in Zhu Guangxiao''s ear, "You take him to the office. I''ll move first and report this matter to be boss. Remember, don''t let Silver Gong Zhu''s subordinates escort him, and don''t let them harm him." After saying that, Song Tingfeng sped his fists together and said, "This person hade with us on Silver Gong Li''s orders, so we are also responsible for his crime. We will escort him back to the office, and everyone else can continue on the House Raid. "Alright!" "Thanks." The bronze gongs present nodded. Since Song Tingfeng had promised to do the work, Even if the criminal escaped, it would not be their business, anyway. Additionally, The task of raiding the house hadn''t yet beenpleted, and everyone present wanted to make some money, given the opportunity. Song Tingfeng found a few colleagues who they had yed Russian Roulette together withst night in the Jiaofang Si to escort Xu Qi''an together. Old Song was probably angry, and ignored Xu Qian the whole way, even kicking him once or twice. After leaving the mansion, he galloped away at top speed. Xu Qi''an, tied up with ropes, and on horseback was escorted by four bronze gongs to the Nightwatcher''s Office. At that time, his adrenalin consumed, Xu Qi''an finally began to worry about himself. He surely feared death, but he didn''t regret his actions. The criminal official''s family members were innocent, and should have able to leave without having anything done to them. Xu Qi''an had been adapting to the rules and regtions of this era, and was trying his best to integrate to the world. This is what he had said to Xu Xinnian. He had also been persuading himself. *At least for now. As an eighth rank martial artist, I could only adapt to the environment.* But, when he saw the fate of the girl, Xu Qi''an faith in justice, which had been cooling down, suddenly became hot and boiling. He had regained his original heart. ... Li Yuchun was working in the hall, when his ears moved suddenly. He raised his head and waited for a few seconds, when Song Tingfeng rushed to the Spring Breeze Hall. "What''s the matter?" Li Yuchun asked. His hasty footsteps indicated that he had something important to report. "Xu Qi''an almost killed Silver Gong Zhu. Boss, you have to save him quickly." Song Tingfeng spoke very fast. Not waiting for Li Yuchun to respond, he continued, Zhu Guangxiao and others are currently escorting him back to the constabry. Gold gong Zhu will find out very quickly, I fear that Xu Qian wouldnt even have the opportunity to enter the constabry. Li Yuchun did not ask any further, suddenly rising, and with Song Tingfeng at his heels, sprinted out of Spring Breeze Hall. His target was very clear; Yang Yans Divine Spear Hall. The only people who could deal with gold gongs were other gold gongs. As the two of them walked at top speed, Li Yuchun said, What happened? Song Tingfeng, panting slightly, replied in a rush: That Zhu wanted to assault a girl of the criminals family, Xu Ningyan made to stop him, the two of them had an altercation, and with one strike Xu Qian seriously wounded silver gong Zhu, his life is in danger After Song Tingfeng had finished, he continued to add details, including before they had set out, silver gong Zhus singling out of Xu Qian and deliberate bullying. *Assault a girl?* If Li Yuchun initially thought Xu Qian was somewhat in the wrong for attacking silver gong Zhu, he was now unequivocally on Xu Qians side. In a moment when we see gold gong Yang, you repeat what you just said. But remember this: dont mention silver gong Zhu deliberately singling out and bullying Xu Qian. Li Yuchun instructed him. Song Tingfeng was dazed for a few seconds, before suddenly realising what he meant, and vigorously grunted agreement. If he were to tell about the altercation in the constabry, gold gong Yang perhaps would have thought that Xu Qian and silver gong Zhus altercation had some personal disagreements within. This would then be equivalent to fighting because of personal enmity. But if he were not to mention this, then Xu Qian would purely have been upholding justice, yes, only upholding justice. The squad makeup of house raids was designed to allow people to supervise each other, to prevent corruption and secret smuggling of confiscated goods. But whatever side Xu Qian stood on, he had still made a mistake, a very serious mistake. His correct course of action would be to report it back to the constabry, and not privately deal with the matter himself, causing grave injury in the process. In any constabry, any vition when an subordinate attacks or kills a superior, would be a crime sentenced to chopping at the waist. He, can he be saved? Song Tingfeng asked hoarsely. Li Yuchun looked at him, I dont know. The two of them came to divine spear hall. Yang Yan did not go to the Tower of Noble Spirit to apany Wei Yuan, rather was sitting in his own building meditating. He seemed to not even want to open his eyes, continuing to reverse breathe, running his qi through microcosmic orbits. Given any other time, Li Yuchun would have waited patiently, until the orbit had finished before reporting his matter. But today, he couldnt wait. Li Yuchun said solemnly, Gold gong Yang, theres been a serious matter. Yang Yan opened his eyes, expressionless, replying without annoyance or anger: What matter? Li Yuchun nced at Song Tingfeng, and thetter immediately recounted everything that had happened earlier, about the altercation with silver gong Zhu during the house raid, hiding any hint of personal grudges. Li Yuchun then added, With gold gong Zhus temperament, Im afraid Xu Qian wont be able toe back. Yang Yan showed a serious expression, I know. He rose, and with one step disappeared from the room. Zhu Yang[^2] was one of the Capitals ten gold gongs, a fourth rank martial artist. In his early years he was in the military, from a squad leader working his way all the way up to being a Baihu captain. He waster picked by Wei Yuan and invited into the Nightwatchers organisation. He was one of Wei Yuans direct gold gongs, his status only slightly less than that of the two adoptive sons. Zhu Yang had three sons: the eldest was a useless student and an inept martial artist, the second was a passable schr, currently working as a clerk in the government. Only his third son had brilliant natural aptitude, being the youngest silver gong in the entire Nightwatcher organisation, and was doted upon by Zhu Yang. At this time, one of the silver gongs under hismand barged into his office in panic, with a nasty expression on his face, Sir, sir, things are bad, Master Zhu is in a serious matter Zhu Yang, who was intently reading a dossier, suddenly looked up, hearing the silver gong say, Master Zhu was gravely injured by a bronze gong, currently on the verge of death. Hes already been brought back to the constabry and is getting emergency medical treatment. Your subordinate has sent people to ask for the Sitianjians arcanists. Lead by the silver gong, gold gong Zhu rushed to his sons Falcon Hall, and saw his unconscious young son, saw the huge gash on his chest. His subordinate bronze gongs took turns to give him qi, maintaining his bodys function, whilst two physicians in the constabry were attending to him. Gold gong Zhus face became dark, How is the situation? The two physicians seemed not to hear him, not stopping in their movements, stopping blood, applying medicine, acupuncture, and sewing up the wound. If the sword wound would have been half an inch deeper, his heart would have been cut open. If that were the case, even the Sitianjians arcanists would not have been able to do anything. A physician looked up at gold gong Zhu, exining. It was the silver gong magic item that blocked the otherwise life-threatening attack, luckily saving his life, but the de qi has entered his internal organs. If they are not pulled out with qi, then Master Zhu would only be able to live another hour. When are the Sitianjians arcanistsing? Gold Gong Zhus voice sharply rose. Weve already sent people, theyll arrive very quickly. The silver gong who led him replied. Gold gong Zhu nodded, Who did it? The silver gong replied, Bronze Gong Xu Qian, under Li Yuchun *Xu Qian?* Gold gong Zhu had heard of this small character. Jiang Lyuzhong and Yang Yan fought just because of him. He was only a small bronze gong, how could he have hurt his son? When gathering, that small bronze gong waste. Silver gong Zhu punished him for it, who wouldve thought that he had taken a grudge. When raiding the house, silver gong Zhu did nothing more than tease a few of the criminal familys women, and he immediately attacked him. This silver gong had only heard from the bronze gong that had reported to him. The events were indeed like that, however he himself made the recounting softer, mixing up the reasons and putting implication on different events. He ced the me for the altercation on Xu Qian. After all, he couldnt say in front of the mans father: Your son raped a woman, and was struck down for it. Looking at gold gong Zhus iron-grey face, the silver gong continued, That Xu Qian is already being escorted back, hes probably nearly at the constabry now. After confirming that the Sitianjian White Cloaks had enough time to get here, Zhu Yang looked deeply at his unconscious son, before turning into a gust of wind and disappearing form the room. Rushing out of the constabry, gold gong Zhu looked down the street, seeing six riders slowly approaching. On one of the horses sat Xu Qian, hands tied with ropes behind his back. Five others surrounded him, escorting him back to the constabry. The other Nightwatchers were still performing the house raid, making an inventory of the goods. Gold Gong Zhu stared at the small bronze gong on the horse, without any anger or murderous intent, channelling some qi into his fingers. Sching! Zhu Yangs de flew out of the scabbard by itself, and under control of his qi struct towards Xu Qian. Everyone was caught by surprise, including the bound Xu Qian. Ding! Another bronze gongs sabre suddenly flew out of its scabbard, blocking the knife edge that was flying towards Xu Qian. The two des shed in mid-air, making a nging sound. Xu Qian had long expected this, but his back nheless erupted in cold sweat. The expressionless Zhu Yang faced him, as if he was merely stepping on an ant. His face finally darkened, and he turned to look at the stiff-faced man behind him, trying to keep his anger down, Attempted murder on a superior, ording to thew must be executed. You cannot protect him. If hes to be executed then Ill do it. Stiff-faced Yang Yan faced that burning gaze, saying calmly, When did you get to act on my people? Sure. Then this matter will be decided by Wei Yuan. The two of them immediately headed towards the Tower of Noble Spirit, to find Wei Yuan to arbitrate. After being permitted in, the expressionless Yang Yan, and the bursting-with-anger Zhu Yang climbed the building, meeting Wei Yuan on the seventh floor. Wei Yuan stood at the balcony, back facing the tea room. Nangong Qianrou stood at the threshold between the balcony and the tea room, his back to a wall, his face cold with a hint of amusement. Duke Wei! Zhu Yang sped his fists, My Son Zhu Chengzhu[^3] was severely wounded by Xu Qian, and is still in critical condition. Please take responsibility for your subordinate, and severely punish Bronze Gong Xu Qian. He raised his head, to look at Wei Yuans figure, and seeing that he did not turn, continued, Duke Wei, this matter Zhu Yang recounted everything he was told. Wei Yuan turned, pacing back to the tea room, and sat by the talbe. Yang Yan said: Father, I have a different recounting of events here. Zhu Chengzhu took advantage of the house raid to attempt to assault the women, and was stopped by bronze gong Xu Qian. Not only did Zhu Chengzhu not stop what he was doing, but rather pulled the girl into the courtyard, and made to assault her in front of everybody. Xu Qians persuasion did not work, and in anger acted. It must have been hard for gold gong Yang, his entire daily allotment of words was pretty much spent. Piss! Zhu Yang erupted in anger, Clearly it was bronze gong Xu Qian harbouring thoughts of revenge. As if no one was present, Wei Yuan arranged the porcin, and started making tea, waiting for the two gold gongs to finish arguing mostly Zhu Yang shouting and cursing; Yang Yan did not give him any attention. Given that there are differences, then we mustpare ounts. Wei Yuan said. Very quickly, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, along with the other bronze gongs that had returned already, were summoned to the hall, including Xu Qian himself. He was surrounded by everyone else, his hands tied. Say clearly! Wei Yuan looked around at everyone, saying warmly. The bronze gongs all lowered their heads, not daring to look back at him, even if this great eunuch always bore a warm and kindly demeanour. Zhu Yangs eyes stared sharply at the silver gong that had reported back to him, Tell everything exactly as you heard it to Duke Wei. That silver gong repeated his report, its contents identical to what Zhu Yang said. The bronze gongs frowned. Zhu Guangxiao pushed Song Tingfeng; he himself was the silent type, not one for words, and thus could only rely on his more extroverted friend to speak for him. *In front of Duke Wei, Ill also tremble when I speak* Song Tingfeng drew a deep breath, Duke Wei, your subordinate has a report. After receiving Wei Yuans nod, Song Tingfeng said in a low voice, When we gathered, we didnt arrivete, but silver gong Zhu specifically singled us out, striking me and Xu Qian. During the house raid, he forced us three to stay in the front hall, and not enter the inner courtyards. A higher ranked official cannot be talked around, so we did as told. Only when we heard womens cries from the back yard, was Xu Qian not able to resist any longer, rushing over. He shouted down the other bronze gongs, but couldnt do anything against silver gong Zhu. Silver gong Zhu knew thew, yet still broke it, and not only did he not stop, rather he pulled the girl into the yard, and made to assault her in front of everyone, thus forcing Xu Qian to take action. Song Tingfeng clenched his teeth, saying loudly, Duke Wei, you may ask any other bronze gong present. We all witnessed this. The same situation, two simr ways of retelling it, yet twopletely different notions. In that silver gongs report, he emphasised that Xu Qian took advantage of silver gong Zhuspse in attention to attack, to repay a personal grievance. But in Song Tingfengs report, the core point was that silver gong maliciously provoked him, and constantly singled him out. Xu Qian resisted for a long time, and finally could not see past the silver gongs sin, and thus attacked in anger, to uphold justice. Wei Yuan looked at the other bronze gongs. The other bronze gongs all had heads lowered, not daring to speak. In a fight between deities, they couldnt afford to offend either side. Wei Yuan said warmly, Say the truth, and you will not be in any trouble. Their minds were put at ease, the bronze gongs exchanged nces, before one of them muttered, Xu Qian and the other two didntete The other resisted, but couldnt resist any longer, saying Song Tingfengs words are true. Silver gong Zhu carried the woman into the courtyard, and was about to assault her in front of all of us. His words were provocative towards Xu Qian. This was the benefit of a groupprising the people of many squads. If all the bronze gongs were under silver gong Zhusmand, their words would have perfectly lined up with Zhus side, pointing the spearhead at Xu Qian. Zhu Yang snorted coldly, Even so, the constabry must sort this matter. He delicately shifted the conflict. No matter what the reason for this matter was, Xu Qian had nearly killed a superior, this was something that was without doubt. Even if his son made a mistake, but when did ite to a small bronze gong to mete out punishment? Furthermore, the vition of assaulting a criminal familys women was not a serious one; a light punishment would be docking pay, a middling would be imprisonment and demotion, and most heavy would only be being terminated from their job. To cause so muchmotion, how many Nightwatchers were now watching? He didnt believe that Wei Yuan would be biased towards a bronze gong, even if that bronze gong was regarded highly by two gold gongs. Wei Yuan said: Zhu Chengzhu knew thew and broke it. To ignore thew, he will immediately be terminated, and never employed again. Zhu Yangs face turned. Wei Yuan continued, Bronze gong Xu Qian attacked a silver gong, and caused grave injury. This is a most serious vition. He will be imprisoned, and sentenced to be chopped at the waist in the market street, in seven days time. Zhu Yang closed his eyes, saying nothing more. You are dismissed, dont disturb my reading. Wei Yuan waved his hand. Everyone bowed, and was about to leave, when they suddenly heard Xu Qian say in a low voice, Duke Wei Under everyones gaze, he walked forward two steps, and asked, *With sincere heart serve the world, and not for self nor profit nor greed,* are these words from the heart? When asking this, Xu Qians gaze never moved from Wei Yuans eyes. Wei Yuanughed, Of course they are. Xu Qian nodded. He looked around at everyone else, and stopped when he got to Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiaos faces, almost as if giving the colleagues that cared about him an exnation: *Your food and your money, the flesh and blood of the people. The people are easy to abuse, the heavens are hard to cheat.* He straightened his back, These are also words from my heart. --- [^1]: Waist Chop, chopping at the waist: A form of execution in ancient china, involving cutting the waist, sometimes slowly. See: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waist_chop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waist_chop) [^2]: [^3]: Chapter 104: Xu Xinnian I Would Sell My Body to Save Big Brother Chapter 104: Xu Xinnian I Would Sell My Body to Save Big Brother # 104. Xu Xinnian I Would Sell My Body to Save Big Brother After everyone left, Yang Yan sat down by the table, brows furrowed into a deep knot. He took the cup of tea Wei Yuan handed him, but did not drink for a long time. Nangong Qianrou rolled his eyes, and asked for him: Father, will you really kill that person? Yang Yan immediately looked towards Wei Yuan. Is there something wrong with my judgement? Wei Yuan asked back. Nangong Qianrou and Yang Yan shook their heads at the same time, the former smiling yfully, Indeed, youre correct, but is father really willing to kill him? Wei Yuan took a sip of tea, and sighed, Ive said before, that hes a natural martial artist. That spirit is quite rare indeed. With one de he gravely wounded a Refining Spirit silver gong, how long has he been in Refining Qi? Spring Breeze Hall. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, with heads lowered and depressive moods, followed Li Yuchun back. Throughout the journey, Brother Chun was unimaginably silent. Earlier, he had waited at the foot of the Tower of Noble Spirit, waiting for the incident to be resolved, and had received the news that Xu Qian was sentenced to waist chopping in seven days time. Li Yuchun said not a word, taking his two subordinates back. Drink some wine with me. I know you two have some secret stashes that youll sneak drinks from on shift. One couldnt hear any emotion in Li Yuchuns words, they were so calm as to be frightening. Song Tingfeng opened his mouth, finally managing to squeeze out an Okay. Li Yuchun was a stiff, old-fashioned obsessive person, the silver gongs familiar with him would say that he stuck to the rules, those that didnt would make fun of him not knowing how to be flexible. But no matter if they knew him well or not, no one in the constabry really looked down on him. Quite the opposite, all of them in their hearts admired him, even if they wouldnt admit as much. Li Yuchuns old-fashionedness leaked into every aspect of life, such as not permitting alcohol on shift. Song Tingfeng retrieved his secret stash of alcohol from the side hall, along with three porcin bowls.[^1] One of them originally was Xu Qians. Li Yuchun did not drink quickly, but drank bowl after bowl, not saying anything in between. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao silently drank with him. One pot of wine was consumed very quickly. Li Yuchun, supported by his tipsiness, said, I know Wei Yuan has his difficulties. Xu Qian did do wrong. What is assaulting a criminal familys woman really, does it really deserve death? That idiot nearly killed someone, nearly killed a silver gong. Once Li Yuchun broke the silence, he continued pouring his heart out, I thought I was stupid enough, I never thought that this guy is even dumber than me. If Id known, I wouldnt have taken him, annoying. What could Wei Yuan do? Even if his aptitude was better than average, its gotten so big now, that everyone in the constabry is watching. Would he really publicly show bias? Then where would that Duke Weis authority go? To build up a reputation takes months and years of building, yet it can be broken in an instant. If he were to bias towards Xu Qian, who would obey Duke Wei in the future? Good, now one is fired, one is chopped at the waist, a fair and just resolution. Ha, ha, ha. For a long time after, everyone in the constabry wont dare to break the rules. Xu Qian wont be wronged in death. Li Yuchun returned the bowl to Song Tingfeng, cursing, What damned bowl is this? The decorations arent even symmetrical. Song Tingfeng looked carefully at it, and only then did he discover the bowl that he had used for half a year, really did have asymmetrical decorations. The wine was gone, and he wasnt in the mood for conversation. He and Zhu Guangxiao returned to their side hall, without making a sound. In the quiet Spring Breeze Hall, Li Yuchun sat stiffly for a long time, before slowly rising. Walking to the corner, he picked up a feather duster, and started to brush down every part of the hall that could umte dust. He re-arranged his books, his vase, his table and chair, making them tidy and symmetrical. Then, he took off his name que and sabre, and took off his Nightwatcher uniform. Folding the uniform tidily, cing the sabre and que on top, Li Yuchun picked them up in both hands, and left the Spring Breeze Hall. He walked straight towards the Tower of Noble Spirit. On the way, he drew the attention of many bronze gongs. They pointed at him, muttering quietly amongst themselves. Within these, there were those who had heard about Xu Qian severely wounding Zhu Chengzhu, and there were those who knew nothing, and were just there to eat popcorn. Whats going on? Havent you heard? Silver gong Zhu was nearly killed by a bronze gong, the one who struck him was Xu Qian, mn, Li Yuchuns subordinate. Whats silver gong Li doing? I dont know, lets go and see. Three, five, seven, eight the Nightwatchers following behind Li Yuchun slowly increased in number, bing a ratherrge group. They followed him all the way to the Tower of Noble Spirit. Under the cautious and warning gaze of the guards by the tower, he stopped. With both hands he carried his uniform, name que, and sabre,pletely ignoring the group of followers behind him. This subordinate is Li Yuchun, who joined the Nightwatchers in year 20 of Yuanjing, who has always upheld his duty with all required diligence. Always with belief in clearing out corrupt officials and civil servants, to serve the country and its people. Li Yuchuns voice was resonant. In sixteen years of service, I have never broken my duties of thew; never taken a bribe; never oppressed the innocent. I thought that with burning passion I could exchange it for a clear heaven and earth. However, in these sixteen years, I have seen my colleagues bully themon people, extort the merchants. Every single house raid, always embezzle silver and goods, rape and abuse the women, if this is tolerable, what is not? If one has no principles, how could he uphold principles? If oneself is not righteous, how could he right others? Today Li Yuchun cannot resist any longer, and so asks for resignation, or death. After he finished, in front of all the speechless faces of the surrounding Nightwatchers, he forcefully threw the uniform, the name que, the sabre all onto the ground, discarding them like worn out shoes. After challenging Wei Yuans face in front of everybody, in front of the Tower of Noble Spirit, Li Yuchun turned to leave. No Nightwatchers stopped him, none spoke. This do we stop him? Someone asked in a low voice. The surrounding Nightwatchers coldly stared back. Xu Qian, in prison uniform, sat in the Nightwatchers prison, his back to the wall, smelling the unique rotten and damp smell that only jails had. Three times here. In myst life I was a policeman, but now in this Im a regr at the jails. Xu Qianughed to himself, sighing about how unpredictable fate was. The jail was silent, with only asional sounds of cursinging from neighbouring inmates. Most people kept their silence. The criminals who were interred here were for the most part death row criminals, who had long be disheartened. Initially they would cry injustice, curse up a storm, but after they were invited out by the jailers to a friendly conversation, they figured out how to behave themselves. They also understood the reason why everyone stayed silent. No one wanted, before their deaths, to suffer through inhumane torture. Xu Qian closed his eyes, thinking about whether or not he had any chance left to live. *The Cloud Deer Academys schrs mighte cause a scene, but they have no official ranks, and so cant easily get their way around officialdom. Physics also wouldnt be of any help, as after all this is the Nightwatchers constabry.* *The Sitianjian Arcanists definitely would try to save me, but unless the Jianzheng himself showed up, they probably wouldnt have a chance. And to make the Jianzheng himself show up, my status is not enough Xu Qian oh Xu Qian, just because youve felt the warmth of Fuxiangs breasts, have you forgotten how cold this society is? Its been two months and you still havent gotten Chu Caiwei into bed.* *The Earth Book was taken by them, otherwise I could have tried to ask ONE to save me, I dont know if his (her) position is high enough* As he thought and thought, he fell asleep, and when he woke up the prison was silent, and out of his small window was a deep dark night. Sleep recovered the energy that was sucked dry by the *One de from Heaven and Earth*, the price was that his stomach now rumbled heavily. Using the faint light of the oilmps in the corridor, Xu Qian saw that by the bars was ced a bowl of white rice, and two fat, big-eared rats were in the middle of enjoying their meal. Fuck, you fucking Shuke and Beita,[^2] stealing my food! Xu Qian cursed in anger. With no food to eat, he could only sit and meditate, reverse breathing and cycling his qi. After who knows how long, the sky finally lightened. The sound of footsteps came from the corridor, as two jailers walked over, and opened the cell door. Xu Qian opened his eyes. Out. A jailer barked. Xu Qian, wearing shackles on his hands and feet, was brought to the torture room. Many rays of sunlight filtered in from holes in the wall, beating back the darkness of the torture room, but unable to dispel in anyway its cold gloominess. By the interrogation table, were sat two young figures. One had red phoenix eyes, willow like brows, and delicate features. The other had red lips and white teeth, and was beautifully handsome in every way. Two rabbits walking together, how could you tell if Im male or female? Nangong Qianrouughed mockingly, Delicate and effeminate. He very much disliked this schrs attitude; from when he came into the constabry toing here, he always had his head raised, chest out, and when he looked at someone he used not his eyes but rather his nose. This arrogant aura instinctively made people hate it, the same aura as the other schrs of the Cloud Deer Academy, same as the white cloaks of the Sitianjian. Xu Xinnian gave him a side-eye, and said lightly, Only women and lowly people are hard to raise. And who is the woman? Nangong Qianrouughed, a dangerous glint shing in his eyes. I was too abrupt. Xu Xinnian cupped his hands and made a Confucian greeting, May I ask what is Misss beautiful name? Nangong Qianrou wanted to kill. Having had his full of sharp-tongued performance, Xu Xinnianughed coldly, and raised his head again. Seeing this at the threshold and hearing their conversation, Xu Qian came out in cold sweat for his younger brother. He thought *Cijiu, this beauty is a high-ranked martial artist, youre a small eighth-rank schr, you need to know when to keep your head down.* Nangong Qianrou tilted his head, looking at Xu Qian, rising, One stick of incenses time. And left, just like that. Xu Xinnian stared at his cousin in silence. Why has Cijiue, arent you studying in the Academy? Xu Qian said. Yesterday, one of your colleagues came to the manor with a message, telling us of your situation. Father travelled overnight to the Academy to tell me. Xu Xinnian let out a turbid breath, I came back to the manorst night, and at first light when the inner city gates opened, I came to find you. He had brought his teachers letter, and had a Juren qualification himself, and only with that could he enter the prison. Everyone at home is worried about you, mum didnt sleep the entire night. Xu Xinnian said. Xu Qian nodded. Lingyin is also really worried for you, in the morning she only drank one bowl of porridge. Its hard for her. Xu Qian was moved. Xu Xinnian nodded, agreeing with his cousins view, and continued: My teacher suggested that I go to the eldest princess, she may be able to save you. As for our teachers Wei Yuans rtionship with the Academy is not very good. Xu Qian said hesitantly, Cijiu, do you me big brother? Xu Xinnian replied solemnly, Big brother, youre not practiced at your craft, you didnt even kill the piece of trash. Xu Qianughed out loud, Thats like a schr as heughed andughed, he finally fell silent again, before saying softly, Im sorry. Xu Xinnian did not respond. The torture room became silent, as the two brothers did not speak for a long time. Finally, Xu Cijiu sighed, I will save you. Xu Qian nodded, pretending that he did not feel moved, saying, Given that youvee, could you help your big brother to run an errand. Do you have silver on you? Naturally. Xu Xinnian replied. How could he have visited if he didnt have silver? Mm, go find the warden, say that you want to retrieve one of my possessions, if its still there. Its a small jade mirror. Take the mirror, go to the welfare home in the eastern district and find a monk. Say to him: Please pass on the message, THREE has been imprisoned in the Nightwatchers prison, please help. Xu Qian! Once the earth book mirror had epted an owner, others couldnt log on and chat, thus he needed Six to send the message for him. He had faith that the clever One would see the message, and know exactly what to do. Because in the earth book group chat, the only one with power in the capital was Number One. Number One also owed him one. Of course, Number One might just t out refuse to save him, but that would be another matter. Furthermore, asking Xu Xinnian to retrieve the earth book fragment was Xu Qians test towards Wei Yuan. Testing if he really had the heart to kill him. Xu Xinnian stared at him for a while, asking, If its not there? Then dont worry about it. Watching his older cousin being swallowed up by the darkness of the corridor, Xu Xinnian left the torture room, and found the warden. Brazenly, he handed over thirty taels silver worth of banknotes, saying, I need to retrieve one of my cousins possessions. The warden naturally had no objection; money makes everything easy. He immediately led Xu Xinnian to the storehouse, and took out a sack. Inside were all the items that were found on Xu Qian. You cannot take away the bronze gong, the sabre, the waist que, or the uniform. the warden said. These were all the Nightwatchers things. Xu Xinnian searched around briefly, and came into contact with a small mirror, made of jade. On the surface of the mirror was lightly drawn images of a crossbow, of silver banknotes, and other strange pictures. --- [^1]: Refers to small, shot-sized bowls for drinking baijiu. [^2]: *The Adventures of Shuke and Beita* is an old Chinese movie about two mice. [More.](http://en.chinaculture.org/focus/focus/2011dmyx/2011-07/06/content_419287.htm) Chapter 105: Explosion Chapter 105: Explosion # 105. Explosion Xu Xinnian swapped back his cousins possession for thirty taels of silver. Stuffing the small jade mirror into his sleeve, he left the prison, and at the doorway came across Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, who had been waiting for a long time. Song Tingfeng said: Weve already got the permit for entry into the Imperial city. You havent been there before, so how about we take you. Xu Xinnian bowed and expressed his thanks. Song Tingfeng waved, As long as we can save him, anything can do. The three of them rode on quick horses to the Imperial City gates. Song Tingfeng took out the entry permit from the Nightwatchers, and was easily permitted entry. On the way, they were interrogated non-stop by any Jinwu guards they met, followed by the Yulin Guards. They finally reached the pce, and was stopped again. The Nightwatchers entry permit could only get so far. To go further, would be the Imperial Pce itself. Even though it was veryrge, it was nominally the Emperors home. Xu Xinnian said, This one is a student of the Cloud Deer Academy, and has known the eldest princess for a while. Please send the message that I ask to meet her. Everyone knew that the eldest princess studied at the Cloud Deer Academy, so the guards did not make things hard for him. After asking the three of them to wait, he went off to find her. After fifteen minutes, the guard returned, saying Follow me. He led the three of them into the Imperial Pce, warning, Be careful of where you look, what you speak, take care of your words and actions. Xu Xinnian slightly lowered his head. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao knew the rules, and walked with quick footsteps with their heads lowered. Even though they have entered the Imperial Pce, they were still only permitted to walk along certain routes. If they took a wrong turn, and got questioned by the royal guards, if a permit book didnte out then des quickly followed. After walking for a long time, they finally came to the eldest princesss Embracing Moon Pce, where she lived. There were already two pce maids waiting by the great red doors. The pce maids greeted them, and after Xu Xinnian returned the greeting, led the three of them into the pce.. Through corridors and courtyards, the three of them were led to the ornate drawing room. A beautiful woman in royal dress was sat at the table facing the door, one hand holding a book, the other a cup of tea, sipping it in an elegant and carefree manner. Your Highness, the guests are here. The maids said, before turning to leave. Xu Xinnian bowed and cupped his hands, saying loudly, Xu Xinnian of the Cloud Deer Academy greets the eldest princess. The eldest princess smiled lightly, For what has Cijiue today? She new Xu Xinnian; when she was in the Cloud Deer Academy studying, they had met a few times. But only on that day when she ordered people to investigate Xu Qian, did she have a deeper impression of this student. *Cijiu* Xu Xinnian was stunned for a moment; he wasnt surprised that the eldest princess remembered him, this princess was naturally clever and talented above her peers. She had an eidetic memory, and knew very well how to keep talent around her. What he was surprised by was that the eldest princess actually remembered his courtesy name, yet he had never had a formal meeting with her. The eldest princess calling him like this was in reality somewhat unbefitting of her status, but undoubtedly pulled closer their rtionship, making Xu Xinnian feel very appreciated. Xu Xinnian himself wasnt a simple man either, and very quickly calmed his mood, replying earnestly, Cijius elder cousin is in dire trouble, please may the eldest princess help him. The eldest princesss expression froze for a second, as her delicate and elegant face betrayed a hint of surprise, Whats happened. Xu Xinnian told the eldest princess what had happened, with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao filling in some of the gaps. Afterwards, Xu Xinnian cupped his hands again, My Cousins actions were indeed rash, but they were undoubtedly righteous. If he had not acted, then that poor child would have suffered silver gong Zhus abuse. Righteousness is such, that it does not bias for power, it does not care for profit.[^1] Even though my cousin is not a schr, this morality fills all us schrs with deep respect and admiration. The reason why he quoted from the ssics, was to cause the eldest princess to rte to his arguments. She was at least half a schr. The eldest princess thought for a moment, before asking What punishment did Wei Yuan give? Silver gong Zhu would be terminated, and never employed again. My cousin he will be chopped at the waist in seven days. Xu Xinnian said solemnly. The eldest princess became silent, her inner thoughts undetectable under that calm cold face. Xu Xinnian sighed in his heart; this princess wasnt any soft feeble woman, she had a strong sense of independence, sometimes even verging on domineering. That type of person always has her own ideas. This is a letter from my teacher, Schr Mubai, and schr Youping, asking the eldest princess to help. Xu Xinnian decided to use his trump card. From his sleeve he pulled out the three great schrs letters. ng As the letters came out, the jade mirror also slid out from his sleeve. Xu Xinnian picked it up unhurriedly, stowing it safely, before handing over the letters. The eldest princess took them, and after reading through them, said calmly, I know. But though the Nightwatchers serve the royal family, they only listen to His Majesty my Father alone. I can only try my best. Xu Xinnian took a deep breath, Thank you, princess. The maids saw off Xu Xinnian and his group, and when they came back, the eldest princess ordered, Send someone to the Nightwatchers constabry to ask Duke Wei, find out the details behind the altercation between bronze gong Xu Qian and silver gong Zhu Chengzhu. Yes! the maid replied. Leaving the pceplex, leaving the imperial city, Xu Xinnian and the two bronze gongs bade farewell. He rode on his horse, slowly travelling towards the outer city, a cloud of worry over his face. *I cant put all my chips on the eldest princess. Though shes agreed to this matter, how much effort she was willing to put in is as yet unknown.* *Father has gone to the Sitianjian, but I dont know if those arcanists have any way of saving big brother* *In theing spring examinations I must pass, I must climb higher, control more power and influence, otherwise I cant do anything.* Xu Xinnian took off his waterskin, and washed his dry mouth. Through his clothes he touched the jade mirror. When he got to the East city, it was nearly dusk. The east citys welfare home was in the poor slums. Here were gathered the bottom of the capitals society, peddlers abound, pickpockets a-plenty. The people he met on the way all wore worn and tattered winter clothes, with thin faces, and the expression they had when looking at him was like wolves eyeing their prey. But Xu Xinnians Confucian robe made these peasants who were on the precipice of hunger keep clear heads. The mud houses of this area were all worn and broken down, ced with no rhyme or reason. Everywhere on the side of the road was rubbish, and through the air floated a light smell of urine and feces. It was clear to see that in the summer, flies would abound. A young boy with a sallow face, plucking up his courage, came up and stopped Xu Xinnians horse. Master, please could I have some money Ive not eaten for seven days. the boy said. *If you hadnt eaten for seven days, youdve starved to death* Xu Xinnian instinctively wanted to mock him, but then swallowed it back down. From his wallet he took out a nugget of silver, and threw it over. This boys face was sallow, his eyes listless, even if seven days was a bit much, but he had certainly not eaten for a long time. Seeing this, it was not just the boy whose eyes lit up, but also the other peasants, old or young, at the side of the street. Greed and desire shone in their eyes. Seven or eight boys followed the first ones example, and surrounded Xu Xinnians horse. The older peasants started to crowd over silently. Master, could I have some spare change. I havent eaten for ten days. Both adults and children surrounded his horse, very much making to not let him go until he gave them money. Xu Xinnians sharp eyes beat back a man that had tried to reach out to grab at his wallet, as he shouted Quiet! The mour stopped in an instant, as everyone all unconsciously stopped talking. Sod off! Xu Xinnian gathered his qi in his *dantian*, and shouted again. The adults and children who surrounded his horse suddenly all felt a strong sense of fright, that instinctively pushed them away from the horse, not daring to let them get closer. The eighth rank Confucianist Self-cultivatior could to a limited extent control the speech and manner of others, being able to makews follow words in the shallowest sense. Xu Xinnian shook his head helplessly, and urged his horse on. Not long after, he came to the welfare home. He dismounted, and fearing that his horse would be stolen, lead it across the threshold. In the yard, an old clerk was currently tidying the courtyard. He raised up his old wizened face, asking, Young Master, for what are you after? Xu Xinnian said, Is there a monk in the home? The clerk replied, You mean Master Hengyuan he left, its been about two days Xu Xinnian frowned, When will hee back? I dont know, he said he had news of his sect-brother, and needed to leave for a few days. the old clerk shook his head. Xu Xinnian left the welfare home in disappointment, leaving the east city. Dusk. Finishing dinner, the eldest princess summoned to her study the captain of the guard in her pce; the captain had gathered information from the Nightwatchers constabry. Wearing a resplendent dress, the eldest princess stood by the window, giving the captain an unbelievably beautiful shadow to look at. She listened quietly to everything he had to say, before asking, Did Xu Qian originally have any grudges with silver gong Zhu? The captain shook his head, Your servant has already asked around, the two of them shouldnt have known each other. However that silver gong privately did harbour resentment and jealously to bronze gong Xu Qian. Were Minster Chengs family sentenced by association, and sent into the Jiaofangsi? the eldest princess asked. They were not. the captain replied. The eldest princess didnt continue, thinking for a while, and said casually, What do you think of this matter? The young captain hesitated, Your servant has asked around, in role call, bronze gong Xu Qian did not turn upte, but still suffered a beating from Zhu Chengzhu, showing that he wanted to provoke matters in these years, the Nightwatchers have indeed again and againmitted acts such as assaulting criminal families women. Some were meant to be sent to the Jiaofangsi anyway, thus they are not of concern, but even those who had no such sentence stillmonly suffered to the demons w. Simr matters happened time and time again, it was only just that nobody wanted to represent these women of convicted criminals is all. Convicted officials were criminals anyway, if the wall fell everyone was happy to give an extra push. The captain continued, Your servant has also found out, that at the time silver gong Zhu had the idea to force Xu Qian to act first. He seeded, only that The eldest princessughed lightly, Only that he never thought that a small insignificant bronze gong could unleash that much energy in one blow. Alright, you are dismissed. The captain left the study. The eldest princess sat by the window, staring into the quiet courtyard, her eyes dark and deep. Late at night. The moon scattered down a cold radiance, the calm Sangpo Lake reflected its shadow. The nking of armour, the tidy thud of footsteps echoed around Sangpo Lake,ing from the patrolling royal guards. The cold night wind blew by, blowing ripples into Sangpo Lake, breaking up the silver pieces of light. A delicately cut paper person, about a palms width in height, rode the wind, floating down over thekes surface,nding on the tform in its centre. Ity silent for a few seconds, before shakily standing up, and with its small legs came to the temple door, squeezing in through the door cracks. After a few seconds, a very dim firelight could be seen lighting up through the cracks. Soon after, came a Boom, like thunder striking, as bright searing me swallowed the Temple Eternally Supressing Mountains and Seas. The frenzied force sent waves of water many metres high, sending broken roof tiles, stone bricks, timber frames scattering out several dozen metres far, crashing into theke surface. The sound of the explosion was heard several hundred li away. The royal guard near Sangpo Lake felt at the same time an earthquake, as well as saw the tongue of fire that rose into the sky. --- [^1]: *Xunzi*, Honour and Disgrace Chapter 106: Recommendation Chapter 106: Rmendation # 106. Rmendation The Yuanjing Emperor awoke abruptly from his dreams. The vast, expansive pce hall was definingly silent. The eunuch that apanied him was slumped over his small table, sound asleep. He had no concubines in his bed, nor any maids in his room. For over twenty years Emperor Yuanjing had cut himself off from worldly desires, and cultivated Dao, thus the great bedroom of the emperor had be a forbidden ce to all the pces concubines. As to the Yuanjing Emperors cultivation, the concubines feelings could only be described by one sentence: A schr staying by the candlelight studying hard pulling an all nighter! (The Abalones dry!)[^1] Naturally, this was said with aining tone, but the Yuanjing Emperor never ever cared what his concubines thought. As an emperor with many children, concubines had long since been unnecessary. If he had started cultivating twenty years earlier, his ministers and servants would have risked their life to admonish them. Has Your Majesty woken up? The great eunuch had a shallow sleep, and immediately woke up,ing to the dragon bed with some panic. What time is it? Emperor Yuanjing rubbed his temples. 4:15 in the morning. As the eunuch spoke, he turned to the teapot on a small stove nearby, and poured Emperor Yuanjing some warm water. Having served the emperor for so many years, certain things he didnt even need to ask. Emperor Yuanjing drank the water, and slowly let out a deep breath, After the ancestor worship, we have felt ill at ease. Arrange a pnquin to the Lingbao Temple, we wish to cultivate with the national teacher to calm our heart.[^2] Master and servant walked out of the bedchamber, and suddenly heard a clear bells ring break the nights silence, echoing into every single corner of the pce city. The imperial pce entered battle-readiness. Emperor Yuanjing frowned, and saw a squad of royal guards running over at full speed, their expressions terrified. The leading guard shouted, Your Majesty! There was an explosion at Sangpo Lake, Yongzhen Shanhe Temple has been destroyed! The three hundred soldiers on guard have all lost their lives, there were no survivors. Emperor Yuanjing froze in ce. A long timeter, he said solemnly, Notify Wei Yuan, to immediately bring men into the pce. Notify the national teacher, to see us. Notify the Jianzheng say the temple has been destoryed. That night, the Sitianjian Arcanists all suddenly awoke for no particr reason, frightened as if the end days hade. The first to arrive was the female national teacher. She stood on a seven-star sword[^3], soaring through the air. A lotus crown on her head, wearing a yin-yang daoist robe, her wide sleeves fluttering in the wind, the aura of a celestial being came like a tide. One couldnt tell how old she was, but her appearance was incredibly beautiful, her stature beyond ordinary. She simultaneously had the tenderness of a young girl, as well as the charm of a mature woman, having both mortal and immortal grace. It was as if her beauty was a myriad mountains, a myriad ins away; it could be seen, but never reached. National teacher Emperor Yuanjing opened his mouth, before sighing, The thing underneath Sangpo Lake has gotten out. The female national teacher nodded slightly, her voice indistinct yet crisp, This poor Daoist already knows. Wei Yuan arrived next, bringing the two gold gongs on shift at the constabry, as well as his two adoptive sons, four high-rank martial artists in total. Combined with the pces own masters, the group of martial artists, together already frighteningly strong, along with the sect leader of the Human Sect, surrounded Emperor Yuanjing as they rushed to Sangpo Lake. Over a thousand royal soldiers were congregated beside Sangpo Lake, holding torches. The high-ranked martial artists within the contingent were gathered together, waiting for Emperor Yuanjing. Yongzhen Shanhe Temple no longer existed. The tall tform was half ruined, and on the waters surface floated broken wooden beams. Seeing this scene, Emperor Yuanjings brow twitched violently, as he shouted, Wheres the divine sword? One guard sped his fists, Weve already sent people to retrieve it. Emperor Yuanjing drew in a deep breath, and walked to the shore. He stretched out his hand, fingers curling. Within the water shed a ray of bright yellow light, as a three foot long brass sword flew out of the water,nding in Emperor Yuanjings hand. After examining it closely, and confirming that the divine sword was undamaged, Emperor Yuanjing let out a sigh of relief. The national teacher on her seven-star sword, holding a *fuchen* in her hands, flew around Sangpo Lake, and pausing in midair, said Your Majesty, theres nothing unusual with Sangpo Lake. *Nothing unusual* Emperor Yuanjings gaze darkened slightly. Wei Yuan turned, and asked the general of the royal guard, Where are the corpses of the dead? A dozen or more corpses were brought over to him. They all died in the exact same manner, their bodies deted and dry, as if they had been exposed to the elements for decades. All the other soldiers died in the same way, A general responded, carefully ncing at the Yuanjing Emperor, Your Majesty your servant did not notice any strong enemy entering The general knew very clearly, that the reason for this sudden change probably had something to do with the incident at the ancestor worship ceremony. Though the generals had their guesses, they were still subjects, and knew what should be said, and what shouldnt. Emperor Yuanjings sharp gaze swept over the corpses. Tilting his head, he looked over at Wei Yuan: Wei Yuan,e with us to the Imperial Study. Brocade drapes hung low, and rosewood incense burned in the bedchamber. The eldest princess was suddenly awoken by the sound of the bell. In the instant she opened her eyes, she did not go to get dressed, rather pulling out the long sword that was hung above her headboard, and hardly after the metallic sching had faded, she in her white nightdress had already rushed into the front hall. The tall, cold beauty, holding a long sword shing with cold light, her hair like a waterfall cascading down, with a somewhat casual messiness. The white body-hugging nightdress framed an extremely stunning body, one not of those weak and frail women, rather the type that gave off the energy of regr gym training. If Xu Qian were here, he would sigh and exim: That woman is for me. Your Highness The maid in the side hall also awoke, and ran over in a flurry, grabbing the eldest princesss royal dress. Change it for the agile wear. An aura of authority swirled around the eldest princess. After she had changed into more practical, more agile wear, with a crossbow at her left waist, a hand-cannon at her right, the longsword in her hand, the eldest princess led her guards, and with fiery speed ran towards the Yuanjing Emperors residence. The eldest princess was stopped by the guards who surrounded the emperors residence. At times like these, princes and princesses were not allowed to go near the Emperor. Who know if it was the scheming of some prince. The eldest princess did not try to force her way through. Her gaze went past the soldiers, andnded on a familiar figure, the Nightwatchers, and the high-ranked martial artists in the royal guard. *Whats happened the soldiers would not have sounded the rm unless a strong enemy hade but if it was a master from an enemy country, this situation seems far too peaceful. Furthermore, no one from the Sitianjian hase* The eldest princess grasped her sword, thinking over the matter. At this time, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Pce, and the other princes and princesses all arrived with their contingents. Huaiqing! The crown prince was in full military gear, his expression solemn. The situation is as yet unknown. The eldest princess sinctly responded. The almond-eyed, stunningly charming second princess saw that the eldest princess was in her agile clothes, her expression less cold, and more fierce, as if at the drop of a hat she would strike at someone. The second princess opened her small cherry mouth, but ultimately decided to stay silent. A big incident had happened today, and so she didnt bother arguing with Huaiqing. Fifteen minutester, the Imperial Study door opened, and the azure-cloaked eunuch walked out. Duke Wei the eldest princess had the closest rtionship with Wei Yuan; she could almost be said to be half a disciple. Wei Yuan sighed, Yongzhen Shanhe Temple has copsed. This was the work of a criminal, but he has long gone. The princess and princesses let out exmations of shock. The Eastern Pce Crown Prince squinted, suppressing his inner feelings. Stepping forward, he asked, Does this have anything to do with the incident at the ancestor worship ceremony? He shook his head, His Majesty has ordered me to discover everything behind this case in half a month, and capture the perpetrator. I have honestly told His Majesty, this case is not an easy one Saying so, he left. The eldest princesss eyes shed. The Imperial Studys doors opened again, and the great eunuch, wearing a ck silk cap, with a tan four-wed dragon robe, walked out. Your Highnesses, His Majesty invites you in. With the crown prince at their head, the eight princes and princesses that hade to see what was going on all entered the Imperial Study. The Emperors desk was ced in the front hall, with no one beside it. The great eunuch lead them to the inner hall, to see drapes hanging low, and the Yuanjing Emperor sat cross legged on a putuan cushion. Sat opposite him was the graceful and beautiful female national teacher. The distance between the two of them was not far nor near, keeping a distance suitable for Daoist friends to talk about the Dao. Over these years, Emperor Yuanjing had followed this female national teacher in his cultivation, to great results. Originally Emperor Yuanjing was bogged down by government and responsibility, and his hair greyed early. At not much past thirty, his temples were already white. As he cultivated with this Human Sect leader thought, over twenty years his hair had turned a glossy ck, his health and vigour had all started improving. The crown prince would love to secretly stick a pin in a voodoo doll and curse him. As for the other princes views of this female Daoist, they were half full of admiration and longing, and half full of fear and loathing. National Teacher, our heart is still not calm. Emperor Yuanjing broke his cross-legged stance, opening his eyes, and sighing. Your Majesty has emotional trouble, and must take the corresponding treatment. The female national teacher spoke, her voice carrying the warmth and grace of a mature woman. We indeed have emotional trouble Emperor Yuanjing stared intently at the beautiful features of the Daoist priest,ughing We have always been waiting to practice dual cultivation with the national teacher.[^4] Hearing this, the expressions of the princes and princesses became strange. Only the eldest princess did not show any hint of emotion; her thoughts were very deep. Ten years ago, the Yuanjing Emperor had asked to practice dual cultivation with the national teacher. She did not agree, so Yuanjing set out an imperial edict, wanting to grant her the title of Celestial Consort. The National Teacher still didnt agree, but the Yuanjing Emperor still required her to lead him in his cultivation, and so he gave up. Outsiders thought the Yuanjing Emperor only wanted to go after her good looks, or that this was one of the reasons, even if it was not the main one. The princes and princesses however knew most of all that their father wanted this for himself. In his back pce, there were three thousand great beauties, what kind of woman could he not get? That king consort praised as the capitals greatest beauty, was once someone also in the pce. But at the time, the Yuanjing Emperor, who had cut off mortal desires for cultivation, did noty a single finger on her. What their father wanted was eternal life. Though not receiving a satisfactory answer, Emperor Yuanjing did not seem to mind. He pushed open the drapes, and led the group of his children into the front hall. Sitting at the high seat by the table, he said Theres no need to worry, the incident is over. The crown prince, as the eldest child, the leader of the other princes and princesses, cupped his hands, Father, did this have anything to do with the incident at the ancestor worship ceremony? Emperor Yuanjings brow furrowed; he did not want to exin. The Crown Prince secretly gave the second princess a look. Wearing a beautiful and resplendent dress, with a charming and graceful look, Princess Linanughed, taking a cup of tea from the great eunuch. With her waist swaying she came to Emperor Yuanjings side, and coquettishly said: Father, Sangpo Lake is our royal familys forbidden area, which scoundrel could sneak into Sangpoke, and destroy the founding emperors temple? Could he also sneak into Linans manor? She made a brow furrowed, extremely scared and pitiable face. The second princess was doted on most by their father, because she knew how to act coquettishly, and knew how to tug at Emperor Yuanjings heartstrings. Emperor Yuanjing was a mighty, controlling type. He did not necessarily like the extremely talented and domineering eldest princess, but he loved dearly his soft and vulnerable second princess, who relied on him, who could act kittenish. The ck haired emperor in the prime of his life, patted the second princess on the head, andforted, Nonsense, this is the forbidden pce, which scoundrel coulde and go as they please? The crown prince made the opener, the second princess yed support, and now the eldest princess stepped forward, bowing, Earlier your daughter met Duke Wei at the door, in his words he expressed to me his difficulty, probably hoping that your daughter can help him secure a few extra days for his investigation. Hearing this, Emperor Yuanjing snorted. The eldest princess continued, Father, your daughter just so happens to know a master at solving cases. If he could join the case, within half a month, the rocks will appear above the water, and all will be clear. --- [^1]: Doesnt really work in english, but the two phrases are homonyms in Chinese. [^2]: I will be using the Royal We [^3]: A sword iid with seven bronze rivets ([see /80/v2-725117273b72f28c159d0d1377ebf565_1440w.webp)) [^4]: Dual cultivation is the literal (and I guess, euphemistic) trantion for something that quite inly is known as Sexual Yoga or Daoist Sexual Practices. Chapter 107: Using Merit to Atone For Crime Chapter 107: Using Merit to Atone For Crime # 107. Using Merit to Atone For Crime Instantly, the other princes and princesses turned their heads to look at the eldest princess. Princess Lin''an, who was hugging Emperor Yuanjings arm, also could not resist and turned to look. The Crown Prince nced at the eldest princess from the corner of his eye. A thought bloomed in all their minds at this moment. *Huaiqing wants to promote one of her people.* There were two ways for princes and princesses to expand their power and authority. First, they could win over courtiers. Second, they could promote their followers to high positions. In terms of the first method, Emperor Yuanjing had a strong desire to control. He also had a deep Imperial Aura, so deep in fact, that the princes, including the crown prince, didn''t dare to form their own factions this tantly. Thetter, however, was their usual method. But it also depended on their timing. The princes and princesses didn''t feel that this was an opportune time since the task was too difficult. Emperor Yuanjing narrowed his eyes, and smilingly said, "Who do you wish to rmend, Huaiqing?" The eldest princess replied, "Xu Qi''an, a Bronze Gong from the Nightwatchers." The second princess seemed to have realized something, "Aha!", saying innocently, "Is he that Bronze Gong who disyed deep admiration towards elder sister on the day of ancestor worship? I remember elder sister talking andughing with him." Her words were quite incisive. In front of the Emperor himself, she secretly gave the eldest princess a good verbal jab. It must be known, that the eldest princess hadnt married yet. Emperor Yuanjing had been obsessed with cultivating the Dao in recent years, causing him to not care about the marriages of his children. But the eldest princess attracting bees and butterflies like this wouldn''t do. The eldest princess added, "Father should have heard about this person. He is the nephew of Baihu Xu Pingzhi, who was implicated in the Silver Tax case." Emperor Yuanjing finally showed interest, "We remember a person who refined fake silver. If it weren''t for the inconvenience of storing fake silver and the huge amount of salt consumed in its production, we would have had Sitianjian refine arge quantity." The raw material for the fake silver was salt, and salt was too expensive. After listening to the report of the Arcanists in Sitianjian, Emperor Yuanjing gave up his idea of mass-producing fake silver. "Additionally, when this person was on duty in Changle County, he performed very well and repeatedly solved murder cases." The eldest princess added some more oil to the fire. Smilingly, Emperor Yuanjing said, "Given thats the case, you dont need to do anything more, right?" The eldest princess bowed her head, and sincerely said, Father, Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an shed with a Silver Gong yesterday, and seriously injured him as well. People whomit this offense, ording to thew, shall be chopped in half. "Right now, that person is locked up in the dungeon. Your subject and child asks Father Sir to allow him to perform meritorious service to atone for his crimes." The eldest princess didn''t exin the reason for the conflict, nor did she defend Xu Qi''an, for she knew that they weren''t important. *Father doesn''t care whether he was right or wrong. Father only cares if he couldplete his work.* Sure enough, Emperor Yuanjing didn''t think of this matter for a second, as he quickly nodded and said, "Since Huaiqing vouched for him, we will allow him to atone for his crime and handle this case. If he doesn''t find the culprit who destroyed the Temple of the Founding Emperor within half a month, we will immediately have him killed." "Thank you, Father." The princes and princesses left the royal study and joined their respective guards, while the eldest princess received her sword back from the chief guard. The second princess held the arm of her elder brother, the crown prince, and said pitifully, "Ah, Huaiqing acted earlier than me." The crown prince shook his head, "This isn''t a good thing. Even Wei Yuan found this case tricky. Huaiqing merely made an idle move. it will be a pleasant thing if the Bronze Gong really solves the case. Well, If he doesn''t, Huaiqing won''t be losing anything, but he will lose his life." "Hmph, Huaiqing''s heart is truly ck." The second princess wrinkled her small nose and asked, "Elder brother, What''s going on in Yongzhen Shanhe Temple?" Talking on the road, the crown prince looked around, before he finally said in a low voice, "This case doesn''t seem to be simple, otherwise it wouldn''t make Wei Yuan so frustrated. I''m afraid that only the Emperor knows of the secret." *Of course, I''ll also know the secret in the future.* He silently added. At the same time, the face of the female national teacher who looked beyond earthly matters appeared in his mind, inciting his resentment. "Lin''an!" The eldest princess suddenly shouted, calling the brother-sister pair to stop. The crown prince and the second princess turned their heads together, and Princess Lin''an replied fiercely, "What do you want?" At the same time, she hugged the arms of her brother, the crown prince, tightly. The eldest princess held her sword while she came over, saying, "Nothing" While a rxed expression appeared on the faces of the brother-sister pair, a sword suddenly hit the second princess''s raised buttocks. Feeling the sharp pain, the second princess''s face turned pale first, after which she cried "Waah", continuing to point at the eldest princess while screaming, "Huaiqing, I will kill you." The other princes and princesses came over to pretend to persuade them, acting as peacemakers. The crown prince seriously said, "You are going too far, Huaiqing." "I''m just testing Lin''an''s martial arts. If Linan doesnt ept, then she can also test me." The eldest princess turned around gracefully, Her ck hair swishing and unfolding, showing off her agile and resourceful beauty. The second princess looked at her back and cried, "I willin. I''llin to father about this." The crown prince helplessly said, "Let''s wait for another day. Father probably doesn''t want to talk with you currently." If conflict or fight urred between princes, Emperor Yuanjing would definitely take care of them, and would strictly control and severely punish them. However, for fights between princesses, everyone would act as if they were settling minor quarrels. The main reason for this is that most of the princes have cultivated Martial Arts, and injuries would bemon in their fights. Among the princesses, however, only the eldest princess had cultivated martial arts. So, if there was a fight between princesses, they would just p below the ears a bit gracefully. When angry, they would grab the hair and try to bite. As these fights harmed the image of the royal family, they were unwilling to make this a matter of importance, and such fights were mostly solved in private. Princess Lin''an gritted her small silver teeth, and scolded, "You just wait, I will snatch all your belongings." The next day, Early morning. Wei Yuan, who had just finished meditating, received an order from the pce. "This servant has brought his Majestys orders. Duke Wei, please go to the dungeon and invite that Bronze Gong." the little eunuch who delivered themand said humbly. His Majesty today did not eat much, his thoughts are heavy. We hope that Duke Wei can solve this case as soon as possible. After having someone send the eunuch away, Wei Yuan smiled. Yang Yan, who was apanying his father to have breakfast, heaved a sigh of relief, "It seems that father doesn''t need to bother to save him." Nangong Qianrou let out a "hah" andughed at Yang Yan, the fool who cultivated martial arts until his brain was cultivated stupid, before saying: "What do you think father said to the eldest princessst night?" Yang Yan thought over it for some time, before he realized something. *Yesterday, the princess sent her subordinates to investigate the conflict between Xu Qi''an and Zhu Chengzhu. Presumably, she was more interested in investigating a single person.* *Father had also hinted to the eldest princessst night, and due to the tacit understanding between smart people, the eldest princess took the opportunity to rmend Xu Qi''an to his majesty, and let him get the opportunity to use meritorious service to offset his crimes.* *This way, Xu Qi''an can be justifiably exonerated, without anyone else pointing fingers at him.* Yang Yan had long since expected his adoptive father to rescue Xu Qi''an. He knew that sending Xu Qi''an to the dungeon and sentencing him to be waist chopped after a week was only for the people in the office to see. The greater the authority, the lesser the flexibility. He frowned, "But, what if Xu Qi''an doesn''t solve the case even after half a month?" Wei Yuan smiled, "Then he only has the option to die, and then enter the Jianghu. Xu Qi''an will transform from a bright chess piece to a dark piece." *Father values him quite much.* Nangong Qianrou and Yang Yan smoothened their expressions. Wei Yuan seemed to have remembered something, and he squinted his eyes before he said, smilingly, "Send someone to inform Li Yuchun that His Majesty has especially allowed Xu Qi''an to use meritorious service to atone for his crimes, and, he, Li Yuchun, will be reinstated." Pausing for a bit, Wei Yuan showed an expression that looked like a smile and yet not a smile, at the same time, "Act somewhat grandly." Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, led by the jailers, went to the dungeon, bearing joyful faces to pick up their colleague from prison. At that time, Xu Qi''an was emptying the contents of his dder, holding the wall with one hand, and his little brother with another. Startled by his colleagues and the jailers'' sudden appearance, his hands trembled slightly. "Damn it..." Xu Qi''an cursed, before wiping his hands on the prison uniform. "Ningyan, you don''t have to die, Ningyan!" After the jailer took out the door key, Song Tingfeng said,ughing. "His Majesty has allowed you to use meritorious service to offset your crimes." *His Majesty?!* Xu Qi''an was taken aback, his first thought being, *Fuck, is Number One His Majesty?!* He immediately denied his guess, and patted Song Tingfeng''s shoulder calmly before saying with a deep voice, "What''s going on?" Being in a hurry to share the joy, Song Tingfeng didn''t realize that he had been plotted against and continued telling Xu Qi''an about the details. *An explosion happened in Sangpo, and Yongzhen Shanhe Temple copsed.* Xu Qi''an''s pupils shrank, as his thoughts immediately led to the strange cry he had heard on the day of ancestor worship. That meant He hadn''t guessed wrongly before. The cry for help wasn''t aimed at him. He had just heard it due to some special reason. *Therefore, Whose cry for help ising from the interior of Sangpo Lake?* "What happened to the Divine Sword enshrined in the temple?" Xu Qi''an asked after thinking for some time. Song Tingfeng shook his head, indicating that he didn''t know about it, and said, "Boss was fired because of you. After you were imprisoned in the dungeon, he ran below the Tower of Noble Spirit, reprimanded the entire office, and pped Duke Wei''s face in public. *That''s indeed something Brother Chun could do.* Xu Qi''an was moved. When retrieving his uniform, sabre, and badge from the warden, Xu Qi''an was relieved to know that his jade mirror had been taken away by his cousin. *As expected, Wei Yuan didn''t intend to kill me at all. Even if his majesty didn''t pardon me. Dad Wei would have saved me using a reasonable excuse.* After leaving the dungeon, the two walked toward the regions outside the office. When they approached the gate, they heard the sound of a gong beating. Li Yuchun entered the Office surrounded by several Bronze Gongs. The leading bronze gong was beating a copper gong, and shouting, "Silver Gong Li to be reinstated!!!" Petty officials and Nightwatchers, all came out to look at themotion and directed towards Li Yuchun. Blushing, Brother Chun bowed his head and scurried out. Not far away, his three little brothers looked at each other, and Xu Qi''an suggested, "Boss is celebrating his reinstation. Let''s not bother him." Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao also nodded, the three reaching agreement. Wei Yuan deliberately did this to Brother Chun, surely. Yesterday, you pped him in the face in public, Today, he ps you in the face with drums and gongs. Looking at this, Xu Qi''an decided that he wouldn''t easily offend Wei Yuan in the future. People who have lost a golden opportunity, generally are rather petty. Xu Qians whole body stank, and he was also anxious to go home and announce the good news, so he didnt stop for very long in the constabry. Riding on top of his beloved mare, he galloped towards home in a rush. After half an hour of travel, he returned to the Xu Mansion. Gatekeeper Old Zhang almost cried with happiness after seeing him. Xu Qi''an threw the reins to him and went to the yard, intending to announce the good news to his family. At that point, his family had already had their breakfast. Second uncle had gone to work, leaving Xu Xinnian alone to stay at home, talking to his mother in the back hall. After seeing Xu Qi''an, auntie''s beautiful eyes lit up. But, she immediately suppressed her joy and gave her nephew her habitual look of disgust. Xu Xinnian was also pleasantly surprised, "Did the Eldest Princess make a move so soon?" Xu Qian was startled for a moment, before his thoughts quickly fell into ce. *No wonder Emperor Yuanjing would know about such a small character like him, otherwise this wouldnt have made sense.* *The Eldest Princess rmended me to the Emperor mn, I cant rule out Wei Yuan finding the opportunity to give him a chance to atone for his crime with merit.* "Don''t be optimistic so early, lest an ident happens." Xu Qi''an took a nce at his aunt and paused, "Let''s talkter. I''ve made auntie worry a lot these past two days. I''m ashamed of myself for that. I''ve heard Cijiu say that auntie stayed up all night due to me." Soon upon hearing that, the pressure cooker in auntie''s head exploded, and she raised a sharp gaze towards her son, who remained speechless, raising her snow-white sharp chin, "Hmph~" Xu Xinnian continued speaking, "Father had gone to Sitianjain yesterday, wanting to ask the white-cloaked arcanists to intercede, but he received some bad news." Hesitating for some time, he said, "Jianzheng is sick." "What?" Xu Qi''an questioned him, "The Jianzheng? Sick?" *A First Rank Arcanist, sick!* *Moreover, a first rank of the system whose first steps are saving lives and healing the wounded.* Veteran detective Xu Qi''an immediately started to deduce if it was rted to the change in Sangpo. *It cant be that Sir Jianzheng shut himself on the Bagua tform, looking at the world, looking, looking, and eventually catching a cold?* "I don''t know the exact situation." Xu Xinnian said, "I''ll go to the Imperial Guard to find father and reassure him." *Mother, who alwaysins about my cousin, was worried that she didn''t sleep all night. I can''t imagine how bad Father must be feeling.* "Okay!" Xu Qi''an said, "I''ll go and see Lingyue and Lingyin first. I have to return to the office for something a bitter." *The Sangpo issue can be thought ofter, Let''s not rush it now.* "By the way, I left that mirror in the study. You can go get it yourselfter. The monk you asked me to find has already left, saying that he had found a clue about his junior brother." *I knew that Number One couldn''t be the emperor. In actuality, Number One didn''t even know about the matter. Really, Dad Wei and the Eldest Princess are the really reliable ones.* Upon arriving at the backyard, Xu Qi''an saw that Xu Lingyin was sitting under the eaves with her mood downcast and posture small. No one was ying with her, and no one was in the mood to talk with her as well. The stupid kid also knew that something had happened to her elder brother, so she wasn''t happy enough to y with the small geese. So, with her head lowered, she scribbled on the ground with a branch. "Huh! Whose stupid kid is this?" Stopping not far away from her, Xu Qi''an smiled. Xu Lingyin raised her head and stared at him nkly. After a few seconds, her small face was filled with a bright smile. "Big Brother!" She stood up and opening her hands, rushed with chubby legs toward Xu Qi''an. Xu Qi''an also went up to meet her. Just as Xu Lingyin reached him, Xu Qian quickly turned his body, hugging the older sister behind her. Xu Lingyin, who had missed her target, turned around in a daze. "Wahhhh. Big Brother...." Xu Lingyue tightly wrapped her arms around Xu Qi''an''s waist and buried her soft body in her cousin''s arms, where she wept bitterly. His younger sister was grasping his waist tight, her hair exuded a delicate fragrance, her body giving off a faint smell of rouge and gouache. Xu Qi''an patted her back andforted her, "It''s all right. Big brother is back." Without care, Xu Lingyue twisted her slender waist and continued crying. Xu Lingyue was already very sad when her eldest brother was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justicest time. However, the case back then only led to imprisonment, as it was due to a personal grudge. But this time, The Nightwatcher who came to the mansion had said that her elder brother would be chopped at the waist in the vegetable market after a week. The nature of the two waspletely different. Of course, Xu Lingyue''s concern over this was also due to the rapid improvement in the rtionship between her cousin and her during this period. *Aha, the Younger sisters of this era are far superior. So adorable.* Hugging her delicate body, Xu Qi''an thought of something. *In my previous life, I didn''t have a younger sister, but I did have a cousin. But she didn''t act like a baby, didn''t show weakness by crying, and only sneered at me with disdain: Ha, idiot* "Big brother, big brother" Xu Lingyin jumped up and down, and said happily, "I''m going to tell mother. Mother definitely doesn''t know you''re back." Xu Qi''an wanted to tell her that he hade in through the door, not jumped in from the wall. After thinking about it for a while, he felt that he didn''t need to exin it. He nodded, "Go!" "Oh" He called Xu Lingyin again, and asked, "Are you so happy because you can eat three bowls of rice at dinner?" Xu Lingyin was taken aback. She didn''t expect her elder brother to know her thoughts. *Elder brother is really amazing.* She ran away in fear. --- Authors note: This bookes with "Guidelines to the appraisal of Great Feng''s Famous Oirans", short stories of about 100,000 characters. It will be serialized in the public ountter. The best parts will be in the VIP group. Chapter 108: Lead Investigator Chapter 108: Lead Investigator # 108. Lead Investigator Xu Lingyue was probably an over-imaginative person, whose personality was rather reserved, her emotions being heavily weighted down. Seeing big brother returnpletely unharmed however, finally that weight in her heart dissipated, and she burst into tears. All the way until the maid walked outside, and saw brother and sister hugging each other, eximing delightfully Dng hase out of jail? Only then did Xu Lingyue realise that she was still an unmarried young woman, and pulled herself out of big brothers embrace, simultaneously sobbing and lowering her head, her face burning red. Xu Qian pulled his sister by the hand into a room, where the maids made them tea, and then retreated to beside the door, listening to the young Master and Miss talk. Go tell the others to boil some water, I want a bath. Xu Qian ordered the maid. The maid went out to pass on the message, but little did she expect that all the other servants faces turned, and they all refused. With great chagrin the maid returned to tell young Master Xu. Young Master Xu was also very angry, thinking *either you people are off your horses, or I Xu Dng cant lift my sword any more.* Then you can help and boil some water. The maid felt even more chagrined, but didnt dare to refuse, and so left with pursed lips. Xu Qian turned,ughing, saying to Xu Lingyue His Majesty has allowed me to use merit to atone for my crimes. Ill be fine for now. Xu Lingyue nodded, her graceful melon-seed shaped face showing some anxiety, Why did you attack your colleague? Xu Qian thus briefly recounted what had happened. Listening to this, Xu Lingyue was furious, her delicate hand curled into a tight fist, I always believed that big brother does good. Her face split into a glittering smile, her eyes full of pride. In an instant her beauty could move mountains, and Xu Qian could not resist pinching her cheek. Xu Lingyue lowered her head in embarrassment. After bathing, Xu Qian put back on his Nightwatcher uniform, and sat with Xu Lingyin underneath the eaves, each holding arge bowl of egg and shredded pork noodle soup. The whole scene was warm and peaceful. Xu Qian said, Lingyin, can big brother swap your eggs with his pork? Xu Lingyin thought for a moment, before shaking her head, No. Mum said thatst time big brother cheated me out of a bun. Then do you think big brother is cheating you? She tilted her head, thinking hard, I forgot. Xu Qian said, Sooo, why would big brother cheat you? No way is big brother trying to cheat you out of your egg, big brother is only He didnt have time to finish, before he saw Xu Lingyin puh puh spit toorge globs into her noodles. Xu Qians face froze. Xu Lingyin said, Second brother taught me. * Intellectuals really arent any good things!* Xu Qian lowered his head, eating his meal, giving up on persuading his young sister out of her egg. Ah? Xu Lingyin opened her eyes wide, looking at the bowl on her leg, and then looked at big brother, startled and confused. Xu Qian patiently exined to her, in a pop-science way: When youve fallen over before, and gotten a scratch, did your dad not use his spit to wipe your injury? Xu Lingyin nodded. Xu Qian said, This is because spit mn, it can kill dirty things. Thus we can deduce, that once spit leaves the mouth, it is poisonous. We can then deduce, that your egg noodle soup is poisonous, and cant be eaten. After he had finished, Xu Lingyins small round face had turned white. Will I die? Xu Lingyin pouted, trying to hold back tears. Die? No, but itll make your stomach hurt for many days. Xu Lingyin nodded, and continued eating her noodles peacefully. Xu Qian: ??? After he had finished, he came to Xu Xinnians room, and found his jade mirror in his brothers study. As Xu Qian put it back into his robe, his gaze suddenlynded on a few sheets of paper on the corner of Engs table, which was held down with a paperweight. The papers were packed with tiny cursive characters, detailing analysis of Xu Qians current situation, and thinking whether or not the Sitianjian or the Cloud Deer Academy could help. *Old Cijiu has some talent* Xu Qianughed, and left the study. On a quick horse he rushed back to the constabry, and went immediately to see Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan had already waited for a long time, and seeing him pointed to the seat by Yang Yan, saying kindly Sit. Without expression Yang Yan handed over a dossier. Wei Yuan said, For this case, I have asked Gold Jade Hall, Spring Breeze Hall, and Suppressing Evil Hall to work together, and you will be the lead investigator! Xu Qian was shocked. Wei Yuanughed, Hasnt His Majesty personally given you the order? As their gaze crossed, Xu Qian suddenly understood; Wei Yuan wanted to use this case to promote him he was immediately ced in the role of lead investigator, and not an assistant. Xu Qian opened the dossier, and after reading through carefully, immediately asked Is something sealed under Sangpo Lake? Wei Yuans eyes shed with a strange glint. Yang Yans stiff and rarely-emotional face also showed a shocked expression. The truth of something being sealed under Sangpo Lake, had only been told to him by Wei Yuan this morning. Nangong Qianrou, who was smarter than him, also found outst night of the incident at Sangpo Lake, and only then thought back to that day when he was looking through archives with his adoptive father, before forming a vague guess. He didnt dare be sure, until only this morning when his adoptive father very matter-of-factly told him the truth. But this little bronze gong somehow immediately worked out that something was sealed under Sangpo Lake. Wei Yuan suppressed his surprised expression, andughed, Tell me your reasons. Xu Qian still had a crime hanging over his head, and couldnt wait to prove himself to Wei Yuan, saying Even though Sangpo Lake is our Great Fengs forbidden ce, but to an outsider, the only thing that was worth fearing would be the Nations Guardian Sword. Looking down at the dossier, he continued, But on here, its written that the Guardian Divine Sword was undamaged. Then the perpetrators target would have to be something else. Thus your subordinate thought, that there must be something under Yongzhen Shanhe Temple. But why would this thing have to be put under Sangpo Lake? So your subordinate made a bold guess, that that thing may need the Guardian Sword to keep it sealed. In reality, Xu Qian had done a reverse-deduction after getting a definite answer. His clear thoughts and intricate logic after taking on Yang Yans dossier, made him ever more appreciative of this small bronze gong under hismand. Not only was his aptitude exceptional, but he was also clever, able, and deserved to be nurtured. Duke Wei knew all of this, right Xu Qian tested. Wei Yuan honesty shook his head, His Majesty did not say clearly, but I have a few guesses of my own His face was serious, his tone containing warning: Your job is to find out who exploded Yongzhen Shanhe Temple. Retrieving that item is none of your concern. If you encounter trouble that you cannot ovee, just tell Gold Gong Yang, he will help you. His Majesty has bestowed you a golden token,[^1] you may use it to move around in the Imperial City. Apart from the back pce, and a few other special ces, with this que you may walk anywhere unhindered. After receiving his mission, Xu Qian took his leave. Wei Yuan watched him leave, and after hearing the light footsteps recede down the stairs, turned to Yang Yan, asking I heard that the Jianzheng has fallen ill? Yang Yan nodded. Wei Yuans eyes were deep and calm, as he fell silent for a long while, Old thing! Leaving the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qian immediately ran towards Spring Breeze Hall, saying Boss, immediately gather the two silver gongs from the Gold Jade Hall and the Suppressing Evil Hall at the front of the constabry, at greatest haste! Li Yuchun had a face full of confusion. After a while, he stared hard at Xu Qian, Are you the boss, or am I the boss? The young brother was now ordering him by gestures? Xu Qian shed his gold token, Im the lead investigator appointed by His Majesty. Today well call each other by our role. Ill call you Boss, you call me Sir. Boss, could you help me gather the two silver gongs. Li Yuchun walked away gloomily. *Call each other by role? Something feels off somewhere.* The silver gong of Suppressing Evil hall was surnamed Yang, with the given name Feng[^2], and was a dark skinned, tall, thin, middle-aged man, with arge mole on his forehead. The Gold Jade halls silver gong was a man with a full bushy beard, called Min Shan[^3]. There was a diagonal sword-scar on his face, making his look especially fierce. Along with the Spring Breeze Halls Li Yuchun, the three silver gongs and twelve gold gongs, very quickly gathered together at the front of the courtyard. ording to the tradition of the constabry, before going out to do an assignment, everyone must first gather in the front courtyard, where the squad leader would give briefing and encouragement. At the same time, it was done for other Nightwatchers to see. Last Night Sangpo Lake experienced an explosion, Yongzhen Shanhe Temple was destroyed. His Majestys draconic grace[^4] was stunned and furious, and so ordered the constabry to find who is behind this case within half a month, and capture the perpetrator. Xu Qian had one hand on his sabre, his back straight, his eyes sharp; Under His Majestys orders, I will personally investigate this case. You, as this cases assistants, must attend to this with full energy, and pay back his royal grace. In his heart, Xu Qian added, *If you do well youll sleep with a beauty, if you do badly its off with your head at the market.* Yes! Everyone shouted at once. Because they were all silver, bronze gongs under Yang Yansmand, they were all rather obedient. They were only a little bit unwilling, as after all Xu Qian was a bronze gong, where did he get the experience or ability to do a case as big as this? They also didnt know why His Majesty would specifically pick him to be the lead investigator. Leaving the Nightwatcher constabry, getting on their horses, the full-bearded Silver Gong Min asked Sir Xu, where do we go? Naturally to the scene of the crime. Xu Qian responded. A line of people rushed towards the Imperial City, picking the most direct path: directly through it. In reality, they could have gone around the Imperial City and still reached the crime scene, but Xu Qian had his gold token, and so what saved time, goes. In any case, the first principle was to fight for every second. Under the lead of the royal soldiers, the Nightwatchers came to Sangpo Lake. The scene here had changed drastically; the long walkways along theke shore had all been destroyed in the explosion, and the white marble podium in the centre of theke had disappeared into thin air. The waters surface was clean, with nothing floating around, making it hard to imagine that just a few days ago this ce had been the site of a grand ancestor worship ceremony. By the side of theke was moored a small boat. Xu Qian said, Lets go have a look, well need to go on the water. Xu Qian leapt onto the small boat first, secretly putting a hand into his robe, and tapped the back of the jade mirror, pouring out the magic book that the great schr had given him. He tore a page out, and clutched it in his hand. The other silver gongs followed him, leaving the twelve bronze gongs and a squad of Royal Guards ashore. Li Yuchun pulled the oars, paddling the boat to the centre of theke. The tall and thin silver gong Yang Feng nced at Xu Qian, and suddenly said, Sir Xu, Ill go down. Xu Qian said, Then Ille down with you. As he said so, he set the page alight, and activated his qi-watching technique. Sching he drew his sword, clutching it in his mouth, and jumped into the water. The icy cold water attacked his pores, as a line of small bubbles streamed from the side of his mouth. He tried his best to open his eyes wide, looking at the situation underneath the surface. The white marble tforms foundations stretched all the way to the bottom of theke. The ce where the tform broke was a dozen feet below the surface. The sound of hidden currents swirling reached his ears, and Xu Qian turned back, to see Silver Gong Yang had followed him. The dark-skinned Silver Gong Yang also examined the remnants of the marble tform, and immediately had a deduction. He held it in his mind, nning to test this small bronze gong when they got back ashore. At this time, Silver Gong Yang realised that Xu Qian had followed the tform foundation all the way to thekebed. He rushed to follow. The deeper he got, the more cloudy his vision was, until finally all that was left was darkness. Silver Gong Yang thus didnt continue to follow, and floated back up to the surface. Ssh He burst out of the water, and climbed back onto the small bloat, simultaneously using his qi to dry himself of the icy coldke water, and also looking around at the others: Sir Xu has gone to the bottom of theke. It is pitch ck down there, you couldnt see anything. --- [^1]: Token, te, que, basically a hand sized thing that was carried to show ones authority [^2]: (same Yang as Yang Yan) [^3]: [^4]: Chinese emperors are associated with dragons, so a lot of things about an emperor will generally have a dragon adjective thrown in for respect. Chapter 109: Make Trouble Chapter 109: Make Trouble # 109. Make Trouble Xu Qi''an reached the bottom of theke pretty quickly, qi circling in his eyes, making them look like two smallnterns in the darkness. Silt had been piled up in the bottom of the water. Concurrently, taking the white jade tform as the centre, many white pirs had been arranged on the river ording to a certain pattern for the protection and support of the centre tform. *This seems to be a certain formation...* Xu Qi''an made a guess. In the capital of the Great Feng, only the Arcanists from the Sitianjian could arrange such formations. That means Sitianjian Arcanists had also participated in the construction of Yongzhen Shanhe Temple in that era. *This implies that Old Man Jianzheng is another person privy to the secret apart from the current majesty... Is old man Jianzheng actually sick? Or Did he get into a predicament due to the current situation of Yongzhen Shanhe Temple?* *Sss... What''s the secret hidden here?* *The force looking for the secrets of Sangpo Lake and the force that destroyed Yongzhen Shanhe Temple are definitely ruler-level extreme forces... I''m just a small bronze gong. It''s as if I am a small fish in a pond near a battlefield of deities...* *Even if I find out the truth behind the case, will the imperial family allow me to live?* Thinking of this, Xu Qi''an felt his heart be heavier. *Wei Yuan has pointed out a direction for me. If I encounter problems that I couldn''t solve, I should notify the Constabry, Gold Gong Yang would help me... His implication is obvious. I''m just a pawnid out casually, a hunting dog sent out for tracking. If I can''tplete the task, I''m going to have to feign death to get away from the capital.* As these thoughts flickered in his mind, he swung his limbs to reach toward the stone pir closest to him. The surface of the stone pir was carved with twisted and weird feeling tadpole-like characters. Xu Qi''an guessed that this should be a certain script, but he couldn''t decipher it due to his low education level. He could only forcibly try to remember the characters. After checking the other stone pirs, where he discovered the same script, Xu Qi''an was motivated to leave the darkke bottom by his thssophobia. When standing in silence in the depth of water, his mind always seemed to conjure up an image of a pair of cold eyes staring at him from behind, or a huge ck figure emerging from the darkness in front of him. Xu Qi''an got out of the water and returned to the small boat, after which he returned the ck gold long sabre from his mouth back to its scabbard, while his qi evaporated dry his soaking clothes. A cloud of steam rose from the water body. Li Yuchun stared at him with surprise *This kid was promoted to the Refining Qi stage not long ago. How''s his Qi mechanism this strong already?* "Your qi mechanism doesn''t look like it belongs to a neer to Refining Qi." Li Yuchun said, puzzled. "I just meditate for two hours every day." Xu Qi''an showed an innocent expression. "..." Brother Chun waved his hand, not wanting to carry on this conversation further. He pointed his fingers at Silver Gong Yang, and said, Yang isn''t still convinced, so he came to analyse the situation at the bottom of the water with us, and he did gain something. He has said that he''ll not be convinced until he sees that you have analysed the same things as him. "Everyone is from the same team. There''s no need to hide anything." The tall andnky Yang Feng smiled, not refuting his words. Xu Qi''an took a nce at the bearded Min Shan, who didn''t say anything, rather looking like he was waiting for him to speak. Xu Qi''an rolled his eyes Looking at the point of breakage, we can infer that the explosion urred at the temple, not in the bottom of the water. In addition, most probably, the gunpowder was hidden in the temple after the ancestor worship ceremony. Well, It shouldn''t exceed an hour after the ancestor worship ceremony waspleted. "Gunpowder has a strong smell, so if the gunpowder had been hidden in the temple ahead of time, His Majesty would have surely smelled it upon entering the temple. The only chance the thieves had would be after the ancestor worship ceremony. Go and arrest all the pce servants involved at the end of the ceremony, the officials of the Court of Judicial Review, and the officials from the Ministry of Rites as well. Arrest and interrogate them one by one. Silver Gong Yang can handle this matter. Additionally, Inform the Constabry to ask His Majesty for some white cloaks from the Sitianjian to cooperate with the case. Boss, you can handle this. Mmn, I want Miss Caiwei from the Sitianjian toe and help me. "Silver Gong Min, you''ll follow me to the Ministry of Industry. I want to check the records of entry and exit to the gunpowder factory. It should be impossible to smuggle such arge amount of gunpowder." After pausing a little, he continued, "But, we have to take a look at the bones of the dead soldiers before we do all this." The three silver gongs looked at each other, thinking, *This little brother is quite reliable, He arranged tasks reasonably, and his thought process is quite clear, his logic just as rigorous.* Yang Feng and Min Shan, the two silver gongs, put away all their contempt towards him. They knew that even they wouldn''t be able to find such a clear direction for investigation this quickly. They would have needed to think for a long time before they cleared their minds. The corpses of the soldiers were collected in the barracks. The royal guard led them to a tent on the outskirts and opened the curtain to reveal corpses covered with white cloths. Simrly, corpses could also be found in the other tworge tents nearby. Among the soldiers patrolling nearby Sangpo, among the 312 people, nearly all of them died at the time. Xu Qi''an lifted the white cloths and looked at the tragic state of each corpse. "You can also do autopsies?" Finding that his expression had gotten serious, Yang Feng couldn''t help but ask, "What did you find?" "I found something big." "Tell me." The three silver gongs were inspired by his words. Even the royal guard squad leader, who had lead the way, couldnt resist turning his head. Xu Qi''an slowly said, "I found that I am just a little bronze gong. When encounteringbat situations, I still need three sirs to work hard." All the soldiers had died in the same way. They had all been drained of blood through some evil technique. No other wounds can be seen on their bodies. This kind of technique couldn''t be resisted by a mere Refining Qi martial artist. If he encountered the thief, Xu Qi''an could only wave his hand: Go, Silver Gongs, I choose you! He will, obviously, remain at the back. ... Xu Qi''an took Min Shan to the Ministry of Industry. With the gold token, they were unimpeded in the road. He found the officer in charge of the gunpowder factory and said, "I want to check the production and use records of gunpowder in the past month." It was quite easy to falsify ounts, with the mostmon method being to exaggerate the usage. For example, It may take only 200 kilograms of gunpowder to manufacture a batch of shells, but it could be recorded as 300 kilograms of gunpowder used instead. Another example is, when making gunpowder, the raw materials could be used to make two hundred kilograms of gunpowder, but the number of raw materials could be kept low so the excess gunpowder could be kept privately. But, none of these methods could withstand investigation, as every crime leaves traces. Xu Qi''an didn''t trust the officials from the Ministry of Industry, so he had officials sent over from the Nightwatchers Office. Dozens of people rushed over to the Ministry of Industry in haste. The process was cumbersome, and it involved a lot of work, as it was necessary to go to the ces where the raw materials were collected to collect evidence and verify the ounts. ... After having lunch at the Ministry of Industry, Xu Qi''anfortably sat on the big chair, picking his teeth, as he watched the petty officials and the bronze gongs in their work. Yang Feng, who was in charge of investigating the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Rites, and the pce servants, sent someone to report. "Three officials from the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Rites are missing, and three pce servants are also missing." The bronze gong acting as a messenger said. "When did they disappear?" Xu Qi''an sat upright, breaking free from hiszy mood in an instant. "The people responsible for concluding the ancestor worship ceremony were all detained by the Ministry of Law and the prefecture constabry, and they refused to hand them over." The bronze gong said, helplessly, "Silver Gong Yang is currently confronting the people from the Ministry of Law, but the stalemate can''t be resolved." "Do they dare to rob suspects from us?" Xu Qi''an raised his eyebrows. Although it hadn''t been long since he joined the Nightwatchers, He had already been contaminated with the arrogance and domineering attitudemon amongst them. The Bronze Gong exined, "The Ministry of Law and the Prefecture Constabry have also received an order from His Majesty to investigate this case. As they were all decreed by the emperor, they didn''t worry about us. And Silver Gong Yang doesn''t have the gold token given by the emperor as well. So, he had this onee and inform you, sir." Usually, the status of Nightwatchers was higher than other constabries, with one exception, that is, an imperial decree. "Let''s go and get the suspects!" Xu Qi''an showed his temper. It wasn''t surprising that the emperor let the Ministry of Law and the prefecture constabry get involved in the case at the same time. Many major cases had been simrly investigated by multiple parties, as a single government office had limited manpower and couldn''t devote all its time and resources to a single case. While Multi-Party Investigation had obvious benefits, the disadvantages were also quite obvious, Grabbing Credit. *It''s not that I''ll be fine if the Sangpo case is solved. I have to make actual important contributions to the case so that the imperial court can exempt me from the death penalty. If I don''t make any contribution, I''m afraid that I can''t escape the punishment of being beheaded in the vegetable market... If you want to obstruct me from handling the case, don''t me me for being impolite.* Not dying in matters of life and family, Xu Qi''an grabbed the ck-gold long sabre on the table and looked around at the petty officials before he said in a loud voice: "You all continue to investigate. Thoroughly check all the production and consumption records from the middle of this year till now. If someone finds any clues, he''ll be rewarded twenty taels of silver." As the chief investigator, he had the right to dispense some rewards, and the rewards came from the Nightwatcher Office. The eyes of the petty officials from the Nightwatcher office began shining. Twenty taels of silver were equivalent to their ie over half a year. After leaving the petty officials behind, Xu Qi''an took the silver gong Min Shan and the Bronze gongs along with him and hurriedly left the Ministry of Industry, after which he rode a fast horse, rushing to the Ministry of Law. As the Ministry of Law wasn''t too far away, Xu Qi''an reached its redcquered gate within the time it took for a stick of incense to burn. The gate was heavily guarded, with two rows of armoured soldiers standing guard. Yang Feng and six Bronze Gongs had been blocked outside, and the two sides were confronting each other. "The Ministry of Law has been ordered to investigate the case. Anyone who hinders the Ministry of Law from handling the case will be killed." A middle-aged officer was at the front, holding a sabre with one hand while he scolded the Nightwatchers. Behind him, dozens of officers were holding the hilts of their sabres. The blue veins in Yang Feng''s forehead were about to explode, as he had never been so aggrieved. Never did such a small fry dare to scold him in the face before. Although he was holding the handle of his sword, he didn''t dare to act recklessly. The Chief Investigator wasn''t here, so he couldn''t im that he was acting on his orders. It was impossible that the Ministry of Law didn''t know that the Nightwatchers were ordered to handle this case, so they were deliberately blocking him out of the door. They were deliberately disgusting them, making a trap for them. "Humph!" The middle-aged officer at the lead sneered and held his sabre in one hand when he saw a group of Nightwatchers arriving on horseback. "The Ministry of Law is handing a case. Anyone who doesn''t have anything to do with it will be considered to be trespassing, and will be shot or killed." As soon as he finished his words, he saw the young Bronze Gong riding the foremost horse, pull out the military crossbow from his waist, and pull its trigger without hesitation. Chapter 110: Cases that the Ministry of Law Cant Solve, Ill Solve Them! Chapter 110: Cases that the Ministry of Law Can''t Solve, I''ll Solve Them! # 110. Cases that the Ministry of Law Can''t Solve, I''ll Solve Them! Whoosh! The crossbow bolt came soaring through the air. The middle-aged soldiers long sabre came out of its scabbard, and met the iing bolt, sending it careening away. The spiteful energy that had been brewing in the contingent erupted in an instant. This small bronze gong dared to shoot a bolt at them, to kill him then and there would serve him right! The Nightwatchers were always domineering and aggressive, if they did not retaliate, then when else? The middle-aged solider raised his sabre, shouting, Those breaking into the Ministry of Law, die! The sharp ring of metal emanated out in a wave, as all the soldiers drew their des, their expressions solemn, making to enter battle. Xu Qians pinched his horse with his legs, as the horse leapt several *zhang* high. In the air, his right hand fell on the hilt of his long ck-gold sabre. The middle-aged solderughed ferociously, a strong torrent of qi covering his de, as he met the bronze gong. In mid-air, a de shed bright, as Xu Qian crossed paths with the soldier, tond steadily at the door of the Ministry. Only then, did both sides react. No one, not even the other Nightwatchers, expected Xu Qian to be so decisive. In their minds, Xu Qian would show his golden token, and shout back the guards. This method was the softest, and was the least likely to cause unexpected problems. With sabre in hand, Xu Qian shook his wrist, and a line of blood spattered onto the ground. The middle aged soldier wobbled slightly, before falling over backwards. Another solider came up to check, feeling the middle aged lieutenants neck, eximing, Hes dead! The Nightwatchers faces turned. A conflict was a conflict, even if everyone had made to be ready to fight, but if anyone was killed then the problem would be raised to a new level. Furthermore, the one killed was the Ministry of Laws soldier. Even the most brazen Nightwatchers, did not do anything so far as killing a man on the street in front of any of the six ministries main doors. Whoosh! The soldiers all turned, facing Xu Qian. The aura in the air was like a cask of dry gunpowder, able to be lit by the smallest spark. *This damn special skill is really a one-pump wonder it is nowhere near capable to support me in a long battle. In the future it might be best for me to change it out.* Forcefully resisting the wave of tiredness, Xu Qian pulled out his gold token, and showed it to everyone, Under orders by His Imperial Majesty to solve this case. Any who try to stop this official will be killed! With a cold and fierce gaze he scanned across the soldiers faces. Still not retreating? he shouted. Under the awe of the gold token and the lieutenants corpse, the soldiers retreated. Xu Qian slid his sabre back into its scabbard, and led the two Silver Gongs, and the twelve Bronze Gongs forcefully into the Ministry of Law. On the way, Yang Feng and Min Shan examined Xu Qian non-stop, as if they were getting to know this person all over again. Min Shan frowned, Is this not too impetuous? Killing someone outside the front door of the Ministry of Law, and someone with an official title at that. Are you not afraid of consequencester? Xu Qian, who had killed for the first time, still had some vicious aura on his face, nced back at the bearded Silver Gong, Will there be ater? Min Shan did not know how to respond. Xu Qianughed coldly, exining, Im already in dire straits. To me now, progress means living. Leads mean living. Whoever dares to stop me from investigating this case, are wanting my life. The Ministry of Law has never gotten along with the Nightwatchers. Alongside the city constabry trying to snatch some merit away, these people are stumbling blocks in my way. If I dont harden my heart, in the future there will be a second, a third, a fourth person who wille forward and stop me. If I dont kill them, they will indirectly kill me. Today Ive killed someone who doesnt know whats good for them. Tomorrow anyone else who doesnt know whats good will then be scared, cautious. This is also a convoluted way to reduce bloodshed. As Xu Qian spoke, he looked at the two Silver Gongs eyes, andughed with a smile that never reached his eyes, All of us are under Gold Gong Yang, and you still doubted me, not believing my abilities. What then for the capital constabry? The Ministry of Law? Very clearly, this was about asserting strength. The two Silver Gongs Yang and Minughed, Sir Xu, we indeed underestimated you. This Sir Xu was said from the heart, and not because of some imperial decree. The Ministry of Law was veryrge, and so on the way Xu Qian apprehended a clerk to lead the way. The clerk couldnt even win a fight against a chicken, and so naturally was scared of these Nightwatchers and their fierce and demonic auras. He didnt dare refuse, and so lead them to the conference hall. Passing through the great hall, they came to the Ministry of Laws conference hall. This was a wide room, with no table, only chairs lined up neatly in rows. Two groups of people sat on either side, looking distinctly different. On the left was the crimson robed, pheasant emblem second-rank official, the High Minister, leading the many officials of the Ministry of Law. On the right was the crimson robed, wild geese emblem fourth rank Governor Chen of the Capital Prefecture, and his officials. In the middle sat a eunuch, wearing a tall ceremonial cap, and a dragon-robe. His face was clean without hair, and his eyes were thin and squinty, with an ambiguous aura. Two other eunuchs attended to this one. Reaching the door, the clerk was like a small quail, saying with a trembling voice, A- all sirs the Nightwatchers have arrived. In the conference hall, about a dozen powerful officials simultaneously looked over. Xu Qian met these big shots gazes head on, crossing over the threshold, cupping his fists, This official is Xu Qian, my greetings to all sirs. He scanned over the group, and saw a familiar woman; one of the Capital Prefectures constables, Lyu Qing. Thetter also noticed him, as a thick confusion shed through her eye. Especially as she saw the two Silver Gongs, and the other Bronze Gongs subtly making Xu Qian out to be their leader, she became even more stunned. An official of the Ministry of Law nced at Xu Qian, saying lightly, Such arge case, and the Nightwatchers dont even send a Gold Gong. Tomorrow, this official will definitely send a letter of impeachment. Xu Qian replied lightly, Since when did the Nightwatchers need topromise with the Ministry of Law to investigate a case? He paused, continuing, I heard that the Ministry of Law has arrested many officials and civil servants from the High Court, the Ministry of Rites, and the Pce. Additionally, the Ministry has prevented us Nightwatchers from interrogating them. Minister, dare I ask what is the meaning of this. Minister Sun, whom he had met once before, did not speak. He didnt even look at Xu Qian once, rather emotionlessly picking up his teacup, and taking a sip. In officialdom, sipping tea implied that one wanted you to leave. The corner of Xu Qians mouth curled upwards. He did not continue to argue, rather silently finding a ce to sit. In everyones eyes, he had admitted defeat, and had tolerated Minister Suns disy of authority. Just then, a clerk came rushing in in a panic. ncing at the Nightwatchers, he rushed head-lowered to an official of the Ministry of Law, and whispered a few words into his ear. That officials face turned, as he rose, smacking the table, thrusting his finger towards Xu Qian and the others, shouting What reason is this, its as if youre above thew! All the officials in the room frowned. Minister Sun said, Whats happened? That Ministry of Law official, with an excited expression, cupped his hands, Minister Sir, Lord Liu, these Nightwatchers havemitted murder in front of my Ministry of Law, and killed someone with an official rank at that. What brazenness, what madness! They must be severely punished. Everyone was shocked. Even the book-holding, squinted-eyed eunuch looked over at Xu Qian with disbelief. Minister Suns expression did not change, as he lightly tapped his chairs armrest, The Ministry of Law has authority over punishments, overws, acting with the authority of His Majesty, to uphold the rule ofw for all people. Come and One moment! Xu Qian interrupted loudly, wearing a cold smile, This official is under imperial decree to investigate this case. If the Ministry of Law dares to make roadblocks, and stop the progress of this case, this official holds the golden token, and will kill first and ask questionster. Furthermore, this official suspects that the Ministry of Law has conspiracy with the perpetrators, and is the original culprit of the explosion at Yongzhen Shanhe Temple. Minister Sun, how about youe round our Nightwatchers Constabry? This unyielding? The prefecture offices officials exchanged looks in disbelief. Was this really the words a small bronze gong dared to say? Minister Sun was a second-rank official with heavy political power, one of the many dukes at court, and this bronze gong in front of them dares say such brazen words, its as if he didnt even deign to treat Minister Sun as an equal. The prefectures officials could not resist sneaking a nce at their boss, only to find that Governor Chens gaze was angled at a 45 degree angle towards the sky, pretending not to see. Rash! You dare nder the Minster, have you any brains? The Ministry of Laws officials burst in anger. Yet Xu Qian was even more crazed. He took a step forward, one hand on his sabre hilt, examining the people from the Ministry of Law: Cases the Ministry of Law cannot solve, Ill solve them. People the Ministry of Law cannot kill, Ill kill them! Also! Xu Qian pulled out the golden token that was bestowed by His Majesty. With a flick of his wrist, the golden token spun out of his hand, sticking into the floor, sending up a faint cloud of dust. If the Ministry of Law dares obstruct me on this case, then Ill kill the Ministry of Laws people too! Is this not clear? The conference hall fell silent. The furious officials suddenly had their anger pinched, not because they were scared, but because they were stunned. *Whats happened to the Nightwatchers Constabry? Whats happened to Wei Yuan?* *Why would they send such a idiot young man to solve the case, is this not offering your political enemies the dagger to kill you?* *Just from those words alone, he could be thrown in our Ministry of Laws prison, and never be let out ever again. Tomorrow, the Ministry will implicate Wei Yuan too, see what excuse he has to give.* Haha! The dragon-robed great eunuchughed, Indeed are the young energetic, showing themselves off to the full extent! He looked around at everyone, Let me introduce this Bronze Gong to everyone. He was rmended by the eldest princess, and personally appointed the lead investigator by His Majesty. Also, because he had severely wounded one of his superiors, he was sentenced by Duke Wei to be chopped at the waist in seven days. His Majesty was merciful, and allowed him to use merit to atone for crime. *Personally appointed by His Majesty, no wonder hes so domineering wounding a superior, chopped at the waist in seven days, no wonder his murderous intent is so strong!* The Ministry of Laws officials suddenly fell silent. This was a cornered rat, a crazed person at the end of the road. Solving the case was his only hope for life. This type of person easily became extreme, and if they were to push him over the edge, he may be willing to bring a few over with him. This could be seen by how unhesitating he was to kill an official. Seeing that the Ministry of Laws officials all decided to avoid making disadvantage for themselves, the great eunuch gestured down, Everyone sit. The Sangpo Lake case involves a lot of things. His Majesty ces more importance on this than the tax silver case, and so specifically appointed me to oversee it, oversee you solving the case. The Nightwatchers came just on time, saves me making an extra trip to find you. *This eunuch clearly is biased towards me or rather to say towards the Nightwatchers. Is this one of Wei Yuans contacts?* Xu Qian cupped his hands, and returned to his seat. Song Tingfeng knew well how to y support, running over and pulling out the gold token, and handing it over with both hands, Sir, your token. Xu Qian, as if disying his authority, scanned over everyone, before taking the token, Mn. His second assertion of strength worked very well. Making himself look like a crazed man with little hope left, could solve many problems going forward. However much the Ministry of Law and the Prefecture Government wanted to argue, they must first weigh up the benefits and disadvantages. The person theyd have to face, would be an insane person who would sooner pull his de on you than talk. As for what problems this could bring in the future, Xu Qian did not care. First, he believed that Wei Yuan would shelter him from the wind and rain; second, if he couldntplete the case, he wouldnt have to care about the future. Either he died, or he would leave the capital forever. Eunuch Liu sipped tea, saying The three offices recently all had disappearances. The people who have disappeared are very likely to be spies, who helped the culprits steal gunpowder. What are everyones opinions? Governor Chen said, This office has already sent people to investigate nine dead peoples families. They are all still in the capital, and did not know of their loved ones disappearances. This governor deduces that the nine of them did not escape. Rather, they were silenced. Eunuch Liu nodded slightly. An official of the Ministry of Law said, In the three offices, there must be more spies, more hidden spies. It would be them who had silenced these people, and resolved all those who knew. Eunuch Liu frowned, thinking. Xu Qian silently listened from the sidelines. Given that he was here attending the meeting, then the use of the arrested people would not berge. Because he only needed to listen to the Ministry of Law and the Prefecture offices conversation, to know everything that he needed to know. Im afraid its not only the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Rites, even the Ministry of Labour will have spies. Lyu Qing said. Everyone looked towards the only woman. Eunuch Liu examined her, nodding, Continue. Lyu Qing continued, Your subordinate has searched through their family backgrounds, their contacts and acquaintances, as well as their own abilities. They were far from being able to smuggle so much gunpowder out of the factories. Thus, the Ministry of Labour must have spies helping, and their official ranks would not be low. *Official ranks would not be low* Gunpowder is a strategic resource which the court ces extreme importance on. All manner of secrecy and anti-theft measures are all very holistic. If not for high ranked officials in the Ministry of Law assisting, then this matter could not have been done. Her logic was clear, her deductions reasonable. As they listened, everyone non-stop nodded their heads,pletely revising their opinion of this female constable. Xu Qian noticed, that one of the eunuchs by Eunuch Lius side was writing frantically, as if he was making notes, making minutes of the meeting. *Is this for Emperor Yuanjing to look at?* *The ol Emperor is much more attentive of this case than the tax silver one mn, with good reason. I dont know what on earth came out of Sangpo Lake.* *If it was not an extremely scary, extremely important thing, it would not have been sealed under Sangpo Lake.* Xu Qian thought. The dragon-robed Eunuch Liu looked towards the Nightwatchers, looked towards Xu Qian, asking Sir Xu has maintained his silence. As the lead investigator of the Nightwatchers, what have you discovered? The prefecture office and the Ministry of Laws officials all looked over. Chapter 111: Locking on to a Suspect Chapter 111: Locking on to a Suspect # 111. Locking on to a Suspect Hearing Eunuch Liu''s words, the officials from the Ministry of Law thought that the other party was trying to embarrass the little bronze gong Xu. A feeling of schadenfreude welled up within them, and they decided that if Xu Qian were to say anything wrong, they would immediately stand and criticise, attacking his face. Schrs were very good in battles, just not battles involving force. The government officials and policemen took on a wait-and-see attitude and didn''t believe that the reckless bronze gong could find any important clues. Surprisingly, they discovered the Prefecture Governor calming down and sitting erect as he tried to listen carefully. Lyu Qing whispered, "Don''t you remember him? Xu Qi''an, The Xu Qi''an from the Silver Tax Case." After she reminded them, everyone in the constabry remembered Xu Qi''an''s identity. *No wonder his name seemed familiar to me. So he was the bailiff who turned the tide in the Silver Tax case and solved the mystery of counterfeit silver.* *Mn, He is a Bronze Gong in the Nightwatchers now.* *No wonder His Majesty appointed him as the Lead Investigator for the case...* The officials from the constabry finally came to their senses. "I have indeed found some clues." Xu Qi''an nodded. He didn''t want to reveal his findings, since both the Ministry of Law and the Capital Constabry were hispetitors, and he didn''t want to share his findings with this group of sons of bitches. But, he had just noticed the little eunuch taking notes and the active discussion between the people from the Ministry of Law and the Prefecture Constabry officials. Xu Qi''an realized then that this was an opportunity for him to show off. It was a chance for him to perform in front of His Majesty. *If I''m correct, this record is going to be handed over to the Emperor. What if Emperor Yuanjing was reading the records and found that the Ministry of Law and the Provincial Government were actively discussing the case and sharing their findings to solve the case while the Nightwatchers remained silent?* *How would he react?* *Although it was a loss to share his findings, the credit for it will be recorded on paper, anyway.* "I would like to ask a few questions about Constable Lyu''s spection." Xu Qi''an looked over and said methodically. "I went to Sangpo in the morning to check the scene. The amount of gunpowder required to blow up the entire Temple Suppressing Mountains and Rivers and the high tform is extremelyrge." "Yes, that is so. What''s the problem with that?" Lyu Qing had also gone to Sangpo to check the scene. "That''s the problem. As you said before, gunpowder is an important strategic material, one that the Imperial court pays great importance to. The security and anti-theft measures used for gunpowder are strictly enforced and foolproof. It''s already an extremely difficult task to smuggle that amount of gunpowder, let alone the task of erasing the corresponding traces of smuggling." Xu Qi''an said "You should know the status of people capable of doing such." Lyu Qing hesitated for a moment before she answered, "Minister of Industry, or, the two Deputy-Ministers." Everyone was taken aback by this, even the little eunuch who was busy recording with his head down paused. Xu Qi''an nodded, "If the Minister of Industry, or the two Deputies were the culprits, everything is reasonable. It isn''t impossible for them to bribe the pce servants and the officials from the Court of Judicial Review and the Ministry of Rites. But, will they do this? Were their heads kicked by an ass?" Lyu Qing knit her brows, "You mean..." Xu Qi''an said, "Smuggling such arge amount of gunpowder will not stand through any investigation, no matter how deep they try to erase the traces of their crime. I believe that those who can be Ministers and Deputy Ministers aren''t that stupid." Lyu Qing nodded, "Since they couldn''t have helped, Where else could the thieves get such arge amount of gunpowder, besides the Ministry of Industry?" Xu Qi''an said, "Is it possible that the gunpowder was brought in from outside the city?" Lyu Qing shook her head, "Even if we don''t consider the outer city, Entry to the inner city requires taxation. So, the inner city guards will certainly inspect the goods. And it''s even more impossible in the forbidden city. How could something as conspicuous as gunpowder be smuggled? Unless the raw materials were brought, not gunpowder...." Lyu Qing and Xu Qi''an deduced the case as if they were discussing it alone, without anyone nearby. The others also didn''t find the need to interfere with their thought process. Eunuch Liu was not in a hurry and listened to them patiently. The little eunuch in charge of taking notes moved his brush across the paper as if it was flying, writing faster and faster. *Gunpowder wasn''t brought in, but raw materials were. Among the raw materials for gunpowder, sulphur and charcoal weren''t precious, especially in winter, when the amount of coal consumed in the capital could be frightening... But, saltpetre is strictly controlled by Great Feng...* While thinking, Xu Qi''an felt as if a bolt of lightning strike his head. "The saltpetre mine!?" He stared at Lyu Qing with wide eyes. The female constable''s delicate face froze for a moment before she also understood what he meant, and she eximed, "The saltpetre mine!!" The two''s faces were filled with shock. On the other side, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao looked at each other, and their expressions also changed slightly. The four of them had personally surveyed the Great Yellow Mountain Range and found the saltpetre mine there. Lyu Qing calmed down her shock, and started thinking, taking this as a basis, when some doubts arose, "If the thieves were the ones who used the mine, What about the nine missing people?" Xu Qi''an said, slowly, "It''s quite simple. They wanted to frame someone." Then, he shook his head, "No, they wanted to divert our attention and buy time for them to escape from the capital." Lyu Qing also nodded slightly, "Yeah, they wanted to make us think that the gunpowder came from the Ministry of Industry, that spies had been nted in the Imperial Court so that the focus of our investigation shifted to the Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Rites and the Court of Judicial Review." Eunuch Liu frowned, as he found that he couldn''t understand the conversation between the two. Except for the high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Law and Prefecture Governor Chen, who remained as before, the others looked at each other with nk dismay, as they were all unable to understand what Xu Qi''an and Lyu Qing were talking about. They felt as if they had missed an episode of the show. Xu Qi''an shook his head again, "If that is the case, There still is an unsolved doubt. How did they transport the gunpowder to Sangpo?" Lyu Qing said, "It''s quite simple. The nine missing officials should have been bribed or coerced. I believe in the former." *That made sense. If the Yao Race wanted to smuggle gunpowder into Sangpo, they must have had aplices, as they couldn''t have done the entire thing without the support of some people in the Imperial Court.* *Whether the Imperial Court has traitors or not, Why did the Yao blow up Sangpo?* *To be more precise, Why did they conspire to get the sealed item under Sangpo? What use does the sealed item have for them?* While he thought about this issue, he heard Lyu Qing say again, "We seemed to have missed something, because I noticed another detail just now..." The heroic-looking female Constable stared at Xu Qi''an, "There are Nine missing people: Three pce servants, three officials from the Ministry of Rites, and three from the Court of Judicial Review... How did they smuggle the gunpowder in without the knowledge of their colleagues?" Xu Qi''an didn''t have much knowledge about the process of the Ancestor Worship ceremony, and he hadn''t yet found time to interrogate the officials and pce servants in charge of finishing the ceremony. But, after hearing Lyu Qing, he thought of something, "You mean that three people can''t smuggle gunpowder in without their colleagues knowing about it? Yeah, why were the nine people arranged separately? Smuggling could have been possible if the nine were all from the Ministry of Rites, the Court of Judicial Review, or were all pce servants." Lyu Qing sincerely smiled, her face looking bright. She admired Xu Qi''an a lot. He was smart and could get her thoughts easily. It wasn''t tiring to discuss with him, but instead fun. Xu Qi''an said, "Therefore, among their helpers must include another person, and that person should have the ability to freely enter and leave the imperial city, and can send gunpowder into the imperial city." After speaking this, Xu Qi''an looked at Lyu Qing again, as they thought about a case. The case of the lieutenant from the Jinwu Guard. That case had happened the day before the ancestor worship ceremony, and they were the ones who had investigated the case. *The lieutenant from the Jinwu guard was silenced... Before being silenced, he had told his wife that he would move his family away from the capital... Before he died, he happened to be on duty...* Xu Qi''an realized something, connecting the saltpetre mine case and the Liu Han case, it wasn''t difficult for him to discover something. The purpose of the Yao race in driving away the Huihu was to mine the saltpetre mines in the Great Yellow Mountains, make gunpowder to blow up the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple and release the item sealed below Sangpo Lake. They used gunpowder since the Imperial city was heavily guarded and couldn''t be easily entered, but gunpowder could be transported in without anyone noticing. No matter the Sitianjians Jianzheng, the Human Sects female National Teacher, or the royal guards high-ranked martial artists, they could all detect any high-ranks infiltrating into the city, but not non-living things like gunpowder. Liu Han was just a small lieutenant without many capabilities. How could he bring gunpowder inside the imperial city without his superior not knowing? He was the actor, while the instigator should be his superior, who should also be the person who silenced him. *Motherfucker, the Yao ns schemes are like an old sow wearing bras,yer afteryer.* *Like a booked out whorehouse everything in perfect order.*[^1] As long as Liu Han''s superiors, the Baihu from the Jinwu guards were arrested and tortured, everything will be revealed. Xu Qi''an immediately locked on to a suspect: Baihu Zhou! Xu Qi''an got up and cleared his throat, "Eunuch Liu, Sirs, I still have some tasks left over at the Ministry of Industry, So, I''ll take leave." His expression was normal, and his expression also rxed, "Nightwatchers, Follow me!" Everyone evacuated the room quickly. The officials present weren''t fools. Although Xu Qi''an behaved as normal, His expression changed several times when he was talking with Lyu Qing. Although they only knew a little of the content of their conversation, it didn''t prevent them from guessing that Xu Qi''an had found some important clue. Everyone immediately turned their heads toward Lyu Qing. Lyu Qing acted dumb. Eunuch Liu knocked on the table with his fingers, and urged her, "Did Xu Qi''an discover anything? Has the case progressed? Tell it to me!" Lyu Qing silently said, *I have done my best. After all, even if I admire Xu Qi''an a lot, we didn''t have any other rtionships, and it''s not like we are fiances or anything.* *Helping him dy for some time has already proved my loyalty.* --- [^1]: Theres some kind of online joke here with the first use being the whorehouse is booked out and the second being some *chengyu* idiom. Chapter 112: Broken Lead Chapter 112: Broken Lead # 112. Broken Lead Sir Xu, where are we going? Min Shan asked. To arrest a suspect! Leaving the conference hall, Xu Qian did not have any qualms, immediately exining himself. Yang Feng and the other bronze gongs looked at Xu Qian in surprise. Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng had thoughts of their own; they had taken part in both the saltpetre mine case and the Jinwu guard case, and so they knew much more than the others. If Li Yuchun was here, he could also have understood the thought process, but he had gone to ask after Chu Caiwei. Boss hasnte back in so long, does it take all morning to ask for someone? Xu Qian said, brow furrowed, Did he encounter some difficulty? He had just left the Ministry of Law, and gotten on his horse, when he saw two riders galloping towards them, being exactly Li Yuchun and the yellow-skirted Chu Caiwei. Li Yuchun exined, Miss Caiwei wasnt at the Sitianjian, she had gone to the pce. I waited by the imperial city gate for a long time, she had just left *Youve gone again to get food with the eldest princess? You food-eater in the future sooner orter Ill have her taste me big old stick.* Xu Qian smiled warmly, Miss Caiwei, long time no see, youve gotten even more beautiful. Chu Caiweis smooth round face wore a sweet smile. She was just about to reply, when she remembered her own status and the watching Nightwatchers around her, and so made a stiff expression and hummed acknowledgement. The situation was urgent, and so Xu Qian told long story short: Silver Gong Min, take my golden token to the imperial city gates, and arrest Baihu Zhou Chixiong. Everyone elsee with me to the Zhou Manor. As he did not know if Baihu Zhou was on duty today or not, he had to split his army down two roads. Xu Qian had a reason to arrange thins as he did; the imperial city was at the foot of the son of heaven, and usually wouldnt see any major altercations, as no one even dared. But at the same time, one couldnt just say they wanted a person and got them; they must show authority to do so. So one silver gong was sufficient. As for going straight to Baihu Zhous home, he was likely to try vault the wall in desperation. Xu Qian had just used his One de from Heaven and Earth, and so his fighting power was at a low, thus needing two silver gongs to apany him. On the other side, Lyu Qing was reporting on the situation. Lord Liu, good sirs, if things go as expected, this matter is very likely to involve the yaoguai. These words made all the officials present change expressions. The Ministry of Laws Minister Sun also frowned. One Ministry of Law official did not believe her, saying, What evidence do you have? Several days ago, this subordinate and Sir Xu had worked together to investigate a case within Taikang County. The one with the Yao monster eating huihu in the Great Yellow Mountains. Yao eating huihu? Eunuch Liu knotted his brow. Yes. During the middle of the year, there appeared a monster at the river by the foot of Great Yellow Mountain, which ate several hundred huihu that lived in the area. This subordinate and Sir Xu worked on this case together, and discovered a fully depleted saltpetre mine up on the mountain Lyu Qing described in detail the events of the case for everyone. This was an extremely good way to dy time, because what she said was not empty words, and so all the important people listened with much intensity, without trying to rush her. So earlier when this subordinate was talking to Sir Xu, afteryers of analysis and deduction, we discovered that the gunpowder may not havee from the Ministry of Industry, rather being to do with the saltpetre mine on Great Yellow Mountain. Lyu Qing said. The Ministry of Law and the Prefecture offices officials all wore serious expressions. This case had implicated the Yao, and on Jiuzhou there were two major groups of Yao: The northern Yao tribes, and the Wanyao kingdom of the southern marches. The Wanyao Kingdom had long since been destroyed in the sixty-year demon extermination, with the left over remnants still dragging out their feeble existence. The northern Yao ns and the northern barbarian ns had an alliance, together fighting against the Great Feng, and the many states of the west. *But which camp was behind the saltpetre mine?* Eunuch Liu looked at Governor Chen, thetter eximed oh, and said on behalf of his subordinates, There was indeed this matter. The constabry had only taken on this case several days ago, and the person responsible for carrying it out was Constable Lyu. Eunuch Lius expression was gloomy, If we could have found out about the saltpetre mine earlier, then the Sangpo Lake case may not have happened. The monster appeared in the middle of the year, why was it kept quiet until now? Lyu Qing was just about to scold Taikang Countys office for not performing their duty, and ignoring the huihus lives, but was stopped by a gaze from Governor Chen. Old Chen sighed, The monsters strength was immense, Taikang County also struggled with it. Eunuch Liu snorted, We will report this matter to His Majesty. Minister Sun spoke, ncing at Lyu Qing, What has Xu Qian gone to do? He seemed to have realised that Lyu Qing was dying them, and so immediately brought out the problem, not wanting her to dawdle on. Hearing this, Eunuch Liu hesitated, saying Given that the Yao have gunpowder, then how could they have gotten past the Great Fengs royal guards and the city guard, taking the gunpowder all the way to Sangpo Lake? This involves another case. Lyu Qing replied. Another case? Everyone was shocked. The Sangpo Lake explosion involved this many different events? Lyu Qing said The day before His Majestys ancestor worship festival, a lieutenant of the Jinwu Guard, Liu Han, died without known cause in his home. This case was also carried out by Sir Xu and I. At that time, Sir Xu had deduced that he had been silenced, but at the time this didnt have any rtion to the saltpetre mine case, so I didnt join the two together. *A Jinwu guard lieutenant was silenced gunpowder being smuggled into Sangpo* All present were clever, and they didnt have any more doubt. Then that Xu just some the Ministry of Law and Prefecture Office officials stood up violently. Just then, Sir Xu thought of this matter, and suddenly all the pieces fell together. This is why he left in such a hurry. Lyu Qing said. Minister Sun said solemnly, Send an order to arrest all the Baihu of the Jinwu guard, go quickly! With a tter, everyone rose, and rushed out of the conference hall, fighting to be first, not caring about flipped tables or chairs. The case having been dissected to this level, everyone was very clear that to catch the spy within the Jinwu guard would be to get the most merit. Lyu Qing slowly let out a breath. She had tried her best. If it was a fair fight, then Lyu Qing would not have helped Xu Qian this much, but his situation was precarious; this case was his only hope for survival. Lyu Qing thought that as a friend, if she could help then she should. She followed her colleagues from the prefecture constabry out of the hall. Within the vast conference hall was left only Eunuch Liu and the other eunuchs that apanied him, Minister Sun, and Governor Chen. Eunuch Liu stretched out his hand, and the apanying eunuch immediately blew dry the ink marks, and handed over the document to him. Liu read through its contents carefully. Initially were the discussions of the Ministry of Law and the Prefecture Office, which was mainly arguments and debates, and was rather dry. Only when Xu Qian joined in, did the case start to be clear, and within the time of a stick of incense, they managed to pick up on a suspect. The progress of the case was so quick it shocked Eunuch Liu. ording to past experiences, joining up the Great Yellow Mountains saltpetre mine, and the death of the lieutenant would have taken two or three days. *From this, it seems that His Majestys choice of picking Xu Qian to be the lead investigator of the Nightwatchers had some deeper meaning* Eunuch Liu had a realisation. Little Yun, from today you will stay at the Nightwatchers Constabry, and be responsible for supervising their work. You must inform me of happenings in a timely manner. Liu said. Yes sir! The note-taking eunuch replied. Zhou Manor. The ckcquered door was closed tight. Song Tingfeng, under Xu Qiansmand, stepped onto the porch, and banged on the door. Nightwatchers, open up! From within came an old voice, Master Baihu is ill, and is not seeing visitors. Please return. Song Tingfeng continued to bang on the door. The person within yed dead, not responding. *Being a debt dodger?* Song Tingfengughed coldly, and with one foot kicked the door. In a huge boom, the thick wooden door crashed off its hinges, as shards of wood flew. An old man, wearing light blue clothes, trembled in the corner, looking at these uninvited guests with a frightened expression. Leave two to guard the main door. Everyone else, follow Silver Gongs Li and Yang inside. Xu Qian waved his hand, ordering the Bronze Gongs to advance. He and Chu Caiwei would stay behind them. Youre the lead investigator, why dont you go? Chu Caiwei tilted her head, looking at him. In the war of the Mountains and Seas Pass, did you see His Majesty lead the charge? Xu Qian returned her gaze. Chu Caiwei did not know how to respond. She knew clearly that he was twisting logic, but she was not so clever, and so couldnt think up of any rebuttal. I was originally wanting to give you a great strength pill, its whatever. A great strength pill? To restore your health and vitality, et cetera. Chu Caiwei exined. As a Feng-Shui Master of the Arcanist path, when she was tending to the ill Xu Qian was still in his courtyard lugging rocks. She only had to nce at Xu Qians qi to know that he had a massive deficiency. Give me one, and tonight Ill invite you for dinner. Xu Qian poked her with his elbow. Chu Caiwei stepped back with some disdain, and pulled out a porcin bottle from her deerskin pouch, chucking it to him, Thats enough for you to use for a while. Strong willed Chu Caiwei, Xu Qian just loved girls with this kind of attitude. He headed inside, at the same time tipping the bottle and pouring out a brown pill. The pill had a strange smell, and when he chewed on it, a rush of spice hit him. Xu Qian swallowed it down, and a few secondster, felt his stomach be warm, and veryfortable. The feeling of weakness improved substantially. Let me say in advance, that this is a side effect of my special martial art, and not because Im a Ruan Xiaoer. Whats a Ruan Xiaoer?[^1] Not a good thing. He walked and talked, and came to the inner courtyard. Li Yuchun and Yang Feng met him, shaking his head, Hes gone. Thetter added, Anything of value in the manor has also gone. Song Tingfeng dragged over the old gatekeeper, his sabre on the mans throat, shouting, Wheres Zhou Chixiong? Master Baihu he he and his wife and the young masters and misses left the city to visit rtives. Then why did you say he was ill? Thats what Master Baihu told me. This little man- this little man did as he ordered the old gatekeeper had a frightened expression on his face, his legs were trembling, and it didnt look like he was lying. Xu Qian asked, When did he leave? On the day of the ancestor worship ceremony the gatekeeper gulped, and pleaded Wh- what crime has Master Baihumitted? This small man doesnt know anything, doesnt know anything! Xu Qian waved his hand, indicating for Song Tingfeng to release him. He then lead the others inside again, and searched room by room. Apart from some rather valuable old artefacts and paintings which had been taken, everything else on the manor was as it once was. Baihu Zhou has fled! Li Yuchun said darkly. It may be too early to say that. Xu Qian looked at Chu Caiwei. The round-faced beauty seemed to mysteriously get his intention, and gracefully leapt onto the roof, her eyes filling with clear light, as she scanned every corner of the Zhou manor. She was not trying to find anybody, but rather to find something else, focusing on the garden and the stone well. After a short while, Chu Caiwei jumped down, shaking her head, There are no corpses hidden on the manor, recently no one has died here mm, perhaps it could have been hidden by special measures. You can dig the ground three feet, and have another check. No need, Xu Qian sighed, Dead or fled, this lead has broken. But, there was an 8 out of 10 chance that he fled. After all, the people that still remained saw Baihu Zhou and family leave with their very own eyes. Leading everyone out of the main door of the manor, Min Shan arrived with a few Bronze Gongs. With no time to rein in his horse, he shouted, After the ancestor worship ceremony, Baihu Zhou asked for a long holiday. He saw that everyone else was gloomy, and his heart sank. Hes fled. Yang Feng let out a turbid breath. Just as Xu Qian lead his party away, the Ministry of Law and the Prefecture Offices people arrived to the manor. Seeing the broken-down door, they were rather surprised. After asking all the servants on the manor, they received word that the Nightwatchers had juste up empty-handed, Baihu Zhou had fled. Complicated emotions arose within the two groups; they did not know whether to feel happy, or sorry. Dusk! Eunuch Liu made it back to the imperial pce before the gates closed. Under assistance from his sons[^2], he bathed, and changed into morefortable clothes, and was just having his pre-supper tea. A small eunuch hurriedly entered, and said in a soft voice, Father, His Majesty has sent for you. Eunuch Liu rubbed his temples, and grunted I know! He took another sip, before summoning his sons for a change of clothes. Changing into his dragon robe, he had just crossed the threshold when he thought of somehthing. Give us our dossier, the one we brought back today. The small eunuch went and retrieved it. They came all the way to the Tranquil Heart Pce, and after notifying them of his presence, was lead inside. He saw the Daoist robe wearing, long goatee flying Emperor Yuanjing. Emperor Yuanjing was not meditating nor doing work. In his hand he held a book, yet his thoughts were elsewhere. Liu Rong, we have sent people to supervise the case. It has been one day, has there been any news. Emperor Yuanjings tone was calm and emotionless. Eunuch Lius blood ran cold. Hed served in the pce for decades, and knew well Emperor Yuanjings temper. The more he acted like this, the more angry and annoyed he was inside. Your Majesty, this is a summary of todays report. Your servant was just about to bring it to you. Eunuch Liu pulled out the thin dossier from his sleeve. --- [^1]: , Ruan Xiaoer, or Ruan the Second, a character in *Water Margin* [^2]: Possibly younger subordinate eunuchs. It seems that within eunuchs they use familial terms to refer to superiors/inferiors. Chapter 113: Reminisce Chapter 113: Reminisce # 113. Reminisce Emperor Yuanjings personal eunuch, with a fuchen in hand, came over to take the booklet, handing it over to the emperor respectfully. Emperor Yuanjing put the book he was reading aside, and took the record, which he began reading carefully. As he looked through the record, his eyebrows started raising, as anger began to brew within his eyes. "The entire report is filled with idle talk. Looks like the people in the Ministry of Law are bing more and more useless." Emperor Yuanjingined. He swept a nce toward Eunuch Liu, making him tremble in fright. Throwing the booklet aside, Emperor Yuanjing spoke with his emotionless yet ever more incisive voice, "Where''s the report about the Nightwatchers?" Eunuch Liu lowered his head, and said softly, "Your Majesty, It''s just behind the page you''re at." Emperor Yuanjing raised his brows, then picked up the booklet and continued reading. As he continued looking, his raised brows started to stretch unconsciously, and the impatience that was beginning to appear on his face slowly turned invisible, as he began reading with greater concentration. Emperor Yuanjing''s posture changed from a side-lying one to an upright sitting posture. Hisplexion became even more concentrated, and his eyes became sharper and sharper. The two eunuchs present unconsciously slowed down their breathing, as they were afraid of disturbing His Majesty, and encountering sudden misfortune. In the end, after Emperor Yuanjing put down the booklet, the immortal-like aura due to his 20 years of Daoist cultivation disappeared, to be reced by the majesty and fierceness unique to an emperor of man. Cold Sweat had already started to appear on Eunuch Liu''s forehead. He had thought that His Majesty would be satisfied, but the current situation seemed to be the exact opposite case. "Spread the Order!" Emperor Yuanjing''s face looked like an ice storm, and his tone was just as serious, "The county magistrate of Taikang neglected his duties, causing hundreds of huihu around Great Yellow Mountain to be killed or injured. He is to be dismissed and put in prison, for execution after autumn next year." "Lyu Qing, the constable of the Provincial Constabry is to be promoted to the Chief Constable of the Six Doors."[^1] He didn''t mention Xu Qi''an, because Xu Qi''an was a criminal himself, and his performance evaluation would be done at the end, with the reward being his life. "Your servant receives your order!" Eunuch Liu retreated, relieved. After leaving the Tranquil Heart Hall, he took the little eunuch back with him to the residence without saying a word, after which he let out a long breath. *Although I don''t know why His Majesty''splexion became even more serious after reading the following text, but it must have satisfied His Majesty, ording to the orders he has given. That means that His Majesty''s gloomy mood is due to some other factor.* In Tranquil Heart Hall, Emperor Yuanjing stood by silently next to the window for quite some time. "Send a notice to lift the ban for entry and exit from the outer and inner cities." ... By the time Xu Qi''an dragged his exhausted body back home, dinner was already done. The front hall of the Xu Mansion was brightly lit. Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian were staying there, waiting for him toe back. "Nian''er, have the kitchen heat up the food and serve it." Xu Pingzhi said. The handsome Xu Xinnian left the front hall, leaving the uncle-nephew pair there. The candlelight flickered slightly, showing Uncle Xu''s grave and earnest rough shaped face. Not long after, Xu Xinnian came back, followed by the cooks with the food, which was still hot in the pot, waiting for Xu Qi''an toe back. Looking at his rugged second uncle and handsome little brother, Xu Qi''an fell into a daze. *I am alone in this world, without a mobile phone, aputer, keyboard warriors, or Japanese educational films.*[^2] *I have to live life by lighting candles or oilmps day by day. When I go to the bathroom, I have to curse and lift the hem of my clothes.* *Sometimes, I dreamed, I dreamed that I went back to my previous life, only to wake up with a smile and look at the roof with inteced beams in a daze.* "I suddenly feel the urge to drink." Xu Qi''an softly cursed and took a jug from the cook. After the cooks finished taking the dishes, Xu Pingzhi waved his hand to signal them to leave. Xu Qi''an drank wine, one sip joining another. It wasn''t because he missed his past life, but because he suddenly remembered a sentence: Home is where the heart cany bare and rest. *In this world, you can always find people waiting for you toe home at night, leaving warm meals for you in the kitchen.* *No matter how tired, helpless, or lonely you are outside, You''ll understand that you are never alone when youe back here.* After drinking half a jug of wine, Xu Qi''an let out a long breath, "An explosion urred in Sangpo. His majesty ordered me to thoroughly investigate the case, and make meritorious deeds to make up for my sins." Xu Xinnian nodded slowly, "I already knew this. But his matter isn''t something you can meddle in." "I know. I''m only responsible for the investigation, not pursuing it." Xu Qi''an said helplessly, "But, I have to give it a try. If I don''t try, I only have the option of running away remaining." He never thought of giving his life up to imperial whims. If he couldn''t find the truth of the case, escape was inevitable. "This shouldn''t implicate you. After all, I haven''tmitted any major crime." Xu Qi''an said. The reason why he cursed before is that he had finally found a home that gave him a sense of belonging, but he could have to say goodbye to it in the near future. The crime Xu Qi''an hadmitted was fighting with his superior. Although it was a capital crime, It wasn''t enough to implicate his family. In Great Feng, implicating one''s family required a very serious crime, and most people weren''t even qualified to have their family implicated. To achieve a crime on the level of "implicating X generations", one of the following needs to be met: 1. Rebellion, 2. Causing heavy losses to the country, 3. Causing heavy losses to the royal family, 4. Standing on the wrong side! Xu Pingzhi met the second criterion, by losing tax money and causing heavy losses to the treasury. But, this wasn''t the norm. Those who could achieve one of the above four are usually the lords in the court. These lords are the ones whose family is confiscated or executed at every turn. Therefore, "Implicating" is also jokingly called the privilege of a boss. Xu Qi''an was at most a death row prisoner. Even if he escaped, he would be a fugitive, and it wouldn''t implicate his uncle and aunt. Uncle Xu nodded, satisfied, "It''s good that you can figure it out. You have been stubborn since childhood." *That was the past me. The present me is now very...* Xu Qi''an shook his head, "I''m not stupid." Breathing a sigh of relief, Second Brother Xu said, "If you can''t do it, You can go to Yunzhou." *Yunzhou?* Xu Qi''an was taken aback. He had heard of Yunzhou, the Cloud Province before. As it was seriously gued by banditry, it was also called the Bandit Province. Number Two was also in Yunzhou. Second Brother Xu said, Yunzhou is seriously troubled by banditry, and the imperial court has the worst influence there. Even if you are wanted, you will be safe if you escape there. "If you act more ruthlessly, You can directly fall and be a bandit, which can not only improve your martial arts but also allow you to control power. Many important criminals wanted by the court and desperadoes in the Jianghu like to gather in Yunzhou." *It makes sense. It is safer to hide in Yunzhoupared to other areas. The more chaotic a ce, the safer it... Wait!* A lightbulb exploded in Xu Qi''an''s head. *If I were Baihu Zhou, where would I escape?* *Coborating with the Yao people, Blowing up Sangpo, perfectly filling up the criteria for "Executing the Entire family" and "Implicating three ns".* *It''s not safe to hide anywhere, because the court wouldn''t let him off.* *Where would he hide?* *He has two choices, leave Great Feng, or hide in Yunzhou!* *Right, Yunzhou.* Xu Qi''an suddenly became excited, and was about to p his younger brother on the shoulder when he heard his second uncle angrily p the table, "Don''t go to Yunzhou." The brothers were taken aback. "Why?" Xu Qi''an was surprised by second uncle''s reaction. "Why would you want to go to Yunzhou? Do you want to be a bandit?" Second Uncle Xu said angrily, "The imperial court suppresses bandits every year. What if Cijiu is sent to Yunzhou to suppress bandits in the future? Have you forgotten the agreement you two made that day?" *What agreement... Oh, Fights among siblings...* Xu Qi''an and Xu Xinnian bowed their heads in shame. *I had really forgotten that agreement.* *Unexpectedly, Second Uncle still remembered it, and it seemed that he actually took it to heart.* "I know, I know, I''ll not go to Yunzhou. I''ll go to the Western Regions." Xu Qi''an said. The foreign girls from the Western Region were beautiful and enthusiastic! After eating, Xu Qi''an saw Xu Lingyue walking in while holding a bowl of hot mild, pursing her red lips. Her eyebrows and eyes looked gentle. "Big Brother, drink a bowl of milk to improve your body." "Lingyue personally went to the street to buy fresh milk for lunch today." Seeing that the rtionship between his nephew and daughter had be more and more harmonious, Second Uncle Xu smiled sincerely and added. "Lingyin drank two big bowls and fought with her sister." Xu Qi''an took the milk, smelled it, and almost threw up... The milk was fishy and smelly. The fresh milk of this era was like this, without any messy additives, giving the original taste. At most, it would be heat sterilized. But it really didn''t taste good. However, even if it was unptable, It was indeed something only nobles drank daily, even if the taste wasn''t that good. But, it could really improve the body. So, milk was a must-drink food for noble children every day. *I can try to improve milk... And make a lot of money relying on the secret recipe... Well, I don''t know how to get rid of this smell at all. The teacher hadn''t taught me this in school...* Xu Qi''an sighed, Under the earnest gaze of his sister, he stilled. *She really cared.* Touching the hot bowl, Xu Qi''an suddenly remembered some past events. When he was in middle school, his parents had ordered milk for him, the kind that was packed in a ss bottle, and it would still be hot when it was delivered to his door every morning. Xu Qi''an didn''t drink it himself, however, but gave it to the goddess in his heart at that time. He thought it was love, but growing up, he found that the girl had someone else''s milk sweets in her mouth. He discovered that he was just a simp. ... Suddenly, it started raining miserably outside, soaking the dead branches and the stone bs in the yard. Xu Qi''an, filled with wine and food, returned to his small courtyard with an oiled paper umbre. He lit an oilmp and opened the window. It waspletely dark outside although a little candlelight was stubbornlying through, and the rain was pattering. The world felt quiet, quiet enough to make a person think about many things. *Enjoying peaches and plums, in spring breezes, we drank a cup of wine together. Parted by rivers andkes, on rainy nights, I faced themp alone for ten years.* When writing this poem, poet Huang Tingjian was probably in the same mood as him, thinking of some people in his heart. Perhaps, it was also on a silent, miserable, and rainy night like this. After some time, Xu Qi''an refilled themp twice before he could break free from the feeling of loss. *People can''t always immerse themselves in their world. Many things still had to be done.* Xu Qi''an sat at the table, took out the small jade mirror, and entered the information, "Hah, Something has happened in the capital again." --- [^1]: Six Doors is usually used to represent a secret government task force, usually obligated to monitor the Jianghu on behalf of the court in wuxia. She became a fed, basically. [^2]: Specifically, romance education. Chapter 114: Simultaneous Deal-Hunting Chapter 114: Simultaneous Deal-Hunting # 114. Simultaneous Deal-Hunting Only a few seconds after this message was sent out, the first to reply was Two: TWO: Has Emperor Yuanjing been assassinated? * no, whats wrong with you brother, on and on about when Emperor Yuanjing will die. Has he eaten your rice or stolen your silver?* In his mind, Xu Qian applied thebel fenqing to Two. An ancient era version of fenqing.[^1] NINE: Yesterday the inner and outer city gates were sealed, forbiddingmoners from entering or leaving. I figured something had happened. Jinlian Daozhang was still hiding in the capital, silently healing his wounds. Xu Qian had just halfpleted his reply, when the lurking One actually beat him to the punch in showing off, throwing out a sentence that made everyone in the Earth Book Group Chat speechless: ONE: Sangpo has been blown up. Yongzhen Shanhe Temple has been destroyed, and the thing that was sealed underneath Sangpo Lake has escaped. Its whereabouts are unknown. Such an explosive message, was met withplete silence. The Earth Book chat group fell into a three minute long silence. No one spoke, no one expressed their shock. TWO: What did you say? Sangpo Lake has been blown up? Yongzhen Shanhe Temple has been destroyed? ONE, youre not messing with us? It was reasonable for Two to have such a reaction; this wasparable to Emperor Yuanjing being killed by amon man who had broken into the pce. It was the same level of unbelievable. It was like a group of eunuchs in discussion, a fantastic load of BS. Four was in a simr level of disbelief. He understood what type of ce Sangpo Lake was more than Two, and knew how heavily guarded it was. But One was not the type to shoot at random. FOUR: THREE, was this what you wanted to talk about? THREE: Yes. Sangpo was destroyed. The location of whatever was under Yongzhen Shanhe Temple is unknown. With Threes backing, no matter how much disbelief they were in, there were no two ways about it. One and Three were both in the capital, and knew best what happened there. NINE: Unbelievable news indeed. Are there any relevant leads, ONE? *Interesting, Jinlian Daozhang didnt ask me as a Nightwatcher, rather directly asking ONE. Is this to say, that he thought that for this kind of high-level secret, the chance that ONE knew something relevant was higher than me?* *But given this, thats got to be too callous is it deliberate? Or is it because the impact of Sangpo exploding was toorge, making his thoughts not careful enough.* ONE: This case was given to the Nightwatchers Constabry, the Ministry of Law, and the Capital Prefecture to investigate simultaneously. I do not know of the details. Everyone in the Earth Book Group Chat could not hide their disappointment. Even One, whose status in court was incredibly high, didnt know of detailed information, then Three definitely wouldnt know anything. THREE: Thats convenient, from relevant sources, our Academy does know a few secrets. A rough overview of the case progress as of now. *THREE knew?* *THREE knew!?* *He had just said, that it was from sources that the Academy had. It seems that the Cloud Deer Academy has quite a few insiders in the various constabries around the capital.* Seeing Three say this, even Five, who usually didnt care for the goings on inside the Great Fengs capital, came to eat popcorn. FIVE: THREE, your Academys tendrils are deep, things that even ONE doesnt know, the Academy knows about. Saying this, what position are you in the Academy really? Could a normal student really know such important secrets? THREE: I naturally have my methods. Xu Qian didnt exin; the importance of leaving things nk was that the more clever a person was, the more likely they were to thin too much. They will doubt Number Threes status as a regr student, but also doubt that Three might have some other identity. Lacking evidence, the more they thought the messier their thoughts would be. *Mn, ONE is a problem, he (she) wasnt so easy to lead astray. No matter, I dont have any issues with ONE for now. Furthermore, Im more and more sure of his (her) status at least I can lock it down to a specific range.* THREE: Then, what will you use to exchange for my information? Seeing this, everyone had a strange feeling. They thought that unknowingly, they started owing more and more. *If THREE were to do business, he would definitely be a sessful businessman* Number Four sighed internally, and replied FOUR: Recently I have just been focusing on cultivation, and have not anything of value to exchange. Ill owe you for now. TWO: Im busy clearing out bandits. Mn, when I figure out the different camps behind the various powers in Yunzhou, Ill be able to repay THREE. As they typed, Two felt a strange sense of sourness for themselves. FIVE: Recently Ivee across some important information, but this information would reveal my identity. FOUR: Heh, youre from the Southern Marches, right. ONE: Probably an aristocrat from the shaman ns. TWO: And one that likes fighting. FIVE: You you all know? *Is this not obvious? You have such a good grasp of the Wanyao Kingdoms history, and constantly call yourself your auntie, and you yourself revealed before that your dads social standing is very high!* *FIVE seems to not be the brightest bulb in the box seems to be on the same level as my Miss Caiwei* Xu Qian judged. He renewed his judgement of the people in the Earth Book Group Chat: One has a high standing in the inner circles of court, and was a chronic lurker. Two was the number one fenqing, but was very clever. That day it was him (her) who had tested himself and One during the ancestor worship ceremony. Four had a good rtionship with the sect leader of the Human Sect, and was originally an official. Now, he travels across thend. Five was a woman, of the Shaman ns of the Southern Marches, not the brightest bulb in the box. Six was wise but rash individual, with very high cultivation. Seven had ran, their Earth Book fragment was in the possession of Two. Two and Sevens rtion was very special. Eight was in life-or-death trials, and had been under for a long time. Nine was the founder of the Heaven and Earth Society, Jinlian Daozhang, a LYB. Five was silent for a long while, before talking again: FIVE: Fine, Auntie is from the southern Shaman ns, Ill be frank with you. I have important information that I want to share. THREE, Ill use this to exchange for your Sangpo Case. NINE: FIVE, this poor Daoists injuries are not yet healed. If you want to speak, then first make sure everyone agrees to owe you a piece of information, or its equivalent in silver. Everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society fell silent, implying that they agreed to owe Five information of their own. FIVE: The Gu God[^2] has begun re-awakening. *The Gu God? A beyond-rank existence, the creator of the shaman path?* Xu Qian was shocked. Even though from his freeloading of information inside the Heaven and Earth Society, he had learned a bit about how these deities could still exist; But he still thought that was a bit far-fetched. The Earth Book Group Chat had no more messages for a long time. It seemed that the shock this message brought to everyone was not less than Sangpo Lake being blown up. FIVE: Yesterday, from the abyss came out a wisp of the Gu Gods aura. The low level Gu insects that were kept in our vige all exploded, whilst the high level Gu went mad, and started attacking our people. Aunties vital Gu[^3] also nearly lost control. Dad said, that after several thousand years, the Gu God has finally started re-awakening, but this isnt any good news. TWO: Not good news? FIVE: Mhm, the Gu God is the origin of chaos. Consumption and reproduction is seared into its most primal consciousness. If it were to reawaken, then every living creature in the Southern Marches would reproduce, or be consumed by it. It will turn the entire Jiuzhou into a world of only Gu! Thus, us shaman ns are currently gathering our masters, and in a few days they will enter the Abyss, and find out the situation. *Fuck me,* this *is a thing? The Gu God is this kind of creature?* Xu Qian took a fright; definitely not because his mind added some tentacles, some Silver Surfer type things, rather because he was really stunned by the unhallowed nature of the Gu God yes! Xu Qian desperately wanted to know more about the Gu God, but no one else asked. NINE: This is indeed shocking information. THREE: Daozhang, has the Gu God been sleeping because it had been sealed? Xu Qian decided to ask for more information in a roundabout way. NINE: I dont know. The existence of the Gu God is far too ancient. Before humans had learned to write, it had existed. You can ask FIVE, but, just the information that the Gu God is reawakening, may be somewhat above the value of your Sangpo Case. *Above the value of my Sangpo Case?* Xu Qian was unconvinced. FIVE: Haha, THREE, if you want to know more about the Gu God, you can make a deal with me. THREE: What do you want? FIVE: My brother hasnt married yet. I heard that your Great Fengs Zhenbei King Consort is the number one beauty in the world, I want her to be my sister inw. *Youre talking out your arse if I could do this wouldnt it be better for me to have her alone, why should I give this beauty to your brother* Xu Qian replied THREE: A consort isnt enough, the eldest princess is also a legendary beauty, along with the Great Fengs national teacher. Ill give you three for the price of one. FIVE: Sure yeah! ONE: If its just this rubbish, then Ill go to rest. Please may the two of you hold your tongues. One jumped out to interrupt the conversation. Five did not continue messing around, because she also wanted to know the details behind the Sangpo Lake Case, writing: FIVE: All I know is that the Gu God is the origin of the shaman path, is the origin of all Gu in the world. Seeing that Five had finished, Xu Qian searched around for some words, and started to share what he knew about the Sangpo Case. THREE: Under Sangpo Lake is sealed something, perhaps having to do with the Yao people. Currently, the officials of the Great Feng have initially confirmed that the power behind the Sangpo Lake explosion is likely to be the Yao. But they dont know if its the northern ns, or the Wanyao Kingdom remanants. Xu Qian was not afraid that this information would make people guess at his identity. Because at the time there were lots of people in the conference hall. The Ministry of Law, the Prefecture Office, and the Nightwatchers were all present. The Cloud Deer Academys source was not necessarily the Nightwatchers. *Yao?* *How has this involved the Yao? Why did the Yao blow up the thing sealed under Sangpo Lake?* Everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society had a head full of fog. However, they did realise one thing, and that was what ever was behind the Sangpo Lake explosion was not anything simple. If they wanted to uncover this, then theyd probably have to figure out what on earth was sealed there. ONE: Impossible, the guard around Sangpo Lake is tight. Even a high-rank master would not be able to infiltrate in. How did the Yao blow up Sangpo Lake? Where did the gunpowdere from? THREE: This, the court has already figured out. A saltpetre mine was discovered on the Great Yellow Mountain in Taikang County, but it was already depleted. The ones who harvested it were the Yao. ONE, your avenues of information arent enough. Furthermore, the spy whomunicated with them were also discovered. He is Baihu Zhou Chixiong of the Jinwu guard, however he and his family have fled. ONE: Then this lead is broken. THREE: Heh, not necessarily. Not longter, the court will definitely send out a wanted notice. Zhou Chixiong would either have to leave the Great Feng, or hide somewhere same. Where do you think he would hide? Two immeidately responded: That doesnt need thinking, its Yunzhou. No one knew more about the situation in Yunzhou than him (her). At this point, Xu Qians goal had been reached. He had wanted to use this topic, to ask Two to help him keep an eye on Yunzhou, and see if they were able to catch this Baihu Zhou. But ording to his persona, he shouldnt really care much for a fugitive. Because he was a patriot? This was hardly an excuse. ONE: TWO, you have some influence in Yunzhou, can you help me look out for this Zhou Chixiong? *Nicely done* Xu Qian felt excited. *In Ones heart, Two seems to be more effective than the local government?* TWO: I refuse. ONE: I will give payment. TWO: No, I refuse to help you! One did not say anything more, and the Earth Book Group Chat fell into a short silence. *ONE and TWO seem to not be on good terms no one else tried to help perhaps before I joined the two of them had some sort of argument?* *Mn, this wont do. If TWO doesnt help, with how big Yunzhou is, how could we pull out Zhou Chixiong?* *I need toe out. With this Ill be owed a favour from ONE, and can redeem the favour TWO owes me.* *Profit!* Xu Qian wrote: Two, could you help me look out for Zhou Chixiong. Ill take this as being for the favour you owedst time. As for ONE, my apologies, you owe me another one. What do the two of you think? --- Trantors note: If you see a lot of him (her) type words, thats how they are represented in the original text. [^1]: fenqing (lit. Angry Youth) is a ng term usually to refer to highly nationalistic and far left wing young people (in China), extended to mean the type of people who like expressing politics online, yknow the types. Basically twitter people. [^2]: Gushen, Gu God, for Reverend Insanity readers its the same Gu. For non RI-readers, Gu mean (venemous) insect(s), and generally refer in xianxia to *shaman*ic magic that uses insects or simr as its basis. [^3]: Aka Life-bound Gu, a Gu insect that is inextricably bound to its master. Chapter 115: A Secret from 500 years ago Chapter 115: A Secret from 500 years ago # 115. A Secret from 500 years ago TWO: Alright, I''ll give you some face, THREE, and take care of this matter. I still have some face in the region of Yunzhou. As long as Zhou Chixiong is in Yunzhou, I can find him out. *Such a confident tone?* Xu Qi''an was more sure that Number Two wasn''t from the Imperial Court. There were two reasons for his guess: First: They curse Emperor Yuanjing to go to heaven every day. Two: Banditry was quite serious in Yunzhou right now. Refugees could be found everywhere, and the court''s presence was declining as well. If Number Two was from the Imperial Court, they wouldn''t have dared to make such a guarantee. *Hiss... Not from the government, but passionate about suppressing bandits every day, Number Two should be a chivalrous person.* ONE: Okay A deal was concluded and the conflict was resolved. Everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society breathed a sigh of relief. *Number Three is worthy of being a schr, hes very skilled. Normally, Number One and Number Two would never make a deal like this.* *Daoist Jinlian was correct to bring Number Three into the Heaven and Earth Society.* *After Number Three joined the Heaven and Earth Society, the frequency of conversation in the Earth Book increased, and the number of people exchanging information also started to increase.* Everyone found his presence wee. FOUR: Why did the Yao covet the item sealed under Sangpo? Well, I think it should have been done by the Northern Monster Tribes. Historically, No conflict has urred between Great Feng and the Southern Marches Wanyao Kingdom. The Northern Yao and Great Feng were like fire and water, while the Nanjiang Wanyao Kingdom held enmity as vast as the endless ocean toward the Buddhists from the Western Regions. *Boss had said that the northern barbarians and the northern Yao have frequently harassed the border in recent years, and show signs of resuming the war. So, It is reasonable for the Northern Yao to secretly do things in the imperial capital...* Xu Qi''an felt his heart sink. FIVE: So, What was sealed under Sangpo, for the Northern Yao to n so much for it? *Why so many questions, little girl? Uncle can''t give you any answers, because uncle also wants to know...* Xu Qi''anmpooned. NINE: No matter what, it should be something that can cause harm to the Great Fengs royal family. I hope it won''t harm the ordinary people in the capital. Seizing the opportunity, Xu Qi''an sent a message, THREE: Sitianjian''s Jianzheng is said to be sick. What do you think? ording to the secret information obtained by our Cloud Deer Academy, there is indeed a formation at the bottom of Sangpo Lake. I believe it to be the work of the Sitianjian. TWO: As if. How could a First Rank Expert get sick? Number Two denied it. FIVE: Um, A First Rank Expert is an existence at the top of the pyramid, and it''s impossible for them to get sick, let alone one from the Arcanist system. The Arcanist system began as Physicians. Number Four also expressed his own opinion: FOUR: The attitude of Jianzheng might mean that he didn''t want to participate in this matter. *Number Four is a smart person, and he thought simrly to me as well... The Jianzheng didn''t want to involve himself with this matter... What with his ambiguous attitude, Isn''t his task guarding the capital?* Xu Qi''an went silent. ONE: I can repay part of the debt right now. Information about Sangpo, its value shouldn''t be so high. Do you want to hear it, THREE? *It isn''t worth much, but you want to repayst time''s debt... Isn''t this a bit too much, Number One. Do you want to shave wool off me?* Xu Qi''an was a little annoyed since he was making a loss in the transaction. But, he needed relevant information about Sangpo very much. As the clue from Baihu Zhou was broken, he needed to find a point of attack yet again. Xu Qi''an wrote a message, using an indifferent tone, Let me see. ONE: I checked the records about Sangpo, and found an important point in time. Perhaps, the item sealed under Sangpo is rted to it. Number One paused for a while, before sending a message" Five Hundred Years Ago! ONE: About five hundred years ago, the crown prince was swimming in Sangpo Lake, but identally fell into the water. He went insane due to the incident and drowned in Sangpo not long after. But, Another Important Event urred Five Hundred years ago. There are few words about it in the history books, and the Ruling and Opposition both keep it secret. I think THREE should know what I''m talking about. *I don''t, I don''t know anything... No, I haven''t even read the history books!* Annoyance rose in Xu Qi''an mind, as he thought, *Why doesn''t Baidu exist in this world? If it did, everything could be solved with a little search, such as the basic necessities of life, food housing, and transportation. Including illness... well, You may need more than some skills, Let''s meet in your next life.*[^1] *Um, I could find Cijiu. Cijiu has read history books thoroughly, and he is a Straight A student.* Xu Qi''an''s little brother''s voice and smile appeared in Xu Qi''an''s mind, and he was surprised to find that Number Four had rushed to answer: Contention for the Throne?! Looking at this, Xu Qi''an was relieved, because he knew that one of the others would ask for his ce since everyone in the group, except Number One and Number Four, were illiterates who hadn''t finished nine years ofpulsory education. TWO: Contention for the Throne? FIVE: Contention for the Throne? FOUR: Five hundred years ago, a rebellion urred from within the Great Feng royal family. The leader of the rebel army back then was King Pinghai, whoter bceame Emperor Wuzong.[^2] Although Wuzong whitewashed his actions as removing evil from the court to cover up his act of usurping the throne, it wasn''t ever a glorious act. The historians ofter generations kept the secret, and only dared to write: In the years when heaven copsed, the world was overflowing with devils, but Wuzong rose in the east to quell the chaos! The current Great Feng royal family are all descendants of Wuzong from back then. FIVE: What does this have to do with Sangpo? *This girl clearly wasn''t quite smart.* TWO: Is ONE suspicious that the sealed item below Yongzhen Shanhe Temple is rted to the royal family five hundred years ago? ONE: Don''t you all find it strange that the Jianzheng pretended to be sick? *A certain important figure of the royal family five hundred years ago could be sealed under Sangpo... The past details regarding the usurping of the throne is a taboo. So, the royal family didn''t want to reveal this secret. This could be why only Emperor Yuanjing knows of it... The death of the crown prince five hundred years ago might not be an ident. Was it revenge?* *The sealed person is a member of the royal family, so the case could be considered a matter of the royal family. Did Jianzheng feign sickness because he didn''t want to participate in this matter?* *The Northern Yao should have done this to make the Great Feng capital fall into chaos, or even cause turmoil within the court. That way, they could take the opportunity to make some moves in the north.* Xu Qi''an gasped, and his back stood upright suddenly. The Sangpo case went even deeper than he imagined. *I should better run away. I think the risk of running away is lower than the risk of participating in this case.* Xu Qi''an was terrified. THREE: By the way, I forgot a thing. I found some characters engraved on the seal under Sangpo. I found them very interesting. I thought that I should share it with you all. Well, I''ll share them for free. He didn''t send "Does anyone here know what font this is?". Doing so would be stupid of him. If this was just a font from ancient times, his low level of education would be revealed, and he would no longer continue using the identity of a Cloud Deer Academy student. So, Xu Qi''an wrote two of the curved characters on the mirror surface of the small jade mirror. THREE: Two curved and twisted characters. NINE: This is Buddhist script. *Buddhist?* Xu Qi''an froze up. FIVE: How did Buddhist script appear in the Sangpo Formation? *It''s good that there is a group member with a low IQ in the group...* Xu Qi''an smiled, and waited for some big boss in the group to exin. FOUR: It stands that this shouldn''t have happened. It''s impossible for the royal family to allow the Buddhists to participate in such a secret matter. The others also expressed puzzlement one after another. After waiting for some time, No-one sent any message to the group, indicating that everyone had their guesses about this. Xu Qi''an asked: THREE: It''s been some time since I haven''t seen SIX in the group. NINE: SIX seems to have encountered some trouble. He has already left the Welfare Home on the east side for some time. This Daoist will try to find him. *Is baldie a trouble ma? Why is he always in trouble...* Xu Qi''anmpooned and waited for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before he confirmed that all the other group members had gone offline. *You should inform before going offline, you guys with no morals.* ... After blowing out the oilmp, Xu Qi''any on the bed with the small jade mirror under his pillow. He looked at the dark roof, allowing his thoughts to ferment. *If the one under Sangpo is an expert from the former royal family, This matter would be troublesome. I would definitely be beheaded for learning this secret... On the contrary, I would not be afraid of being silenced by Emperor Yuanjing if the other party makes trouble and put their identity out in the open.* *Wei Yuan had said that other people will do the task of recovering the sealed item. I don''t need to intervene at that stage. My task should be to find the spies behind the Sangpo case... But Baihu Zhou has already escaped. This clue has broken, and I can only pin my hopes on Number Two.* *Wait, something doesn''t match up.* Xu Qi''an''s eyes suddenly lit up in the darkness as he found that he had ignored something. *When discussing the case with Lyu Qing in the conference Hall during the day, We had determined that it was impossible for the nine missing people to secretly smuggle gunpowder into Yongzhen Shanhe Temple.* *And Baihu Zhou was from the Jinwu Guard. The Jinwu Guard''s task was to guard, not handle the Ancestor Worship Ceremony. That means that he had no chance to enter Yongzhen Shanhe Temple.* *There must have been another behind-the-scenes person guiding him.* *That behind-the-scenes person joined forces with the Yao to cause the Sangpo case and release the sealed artefact in Yongzhen Shanhe Temple.* *My real mission should be to find that guy.* Turning over and sitting upright, Xu Qi''an clenched his fist in excitement. --- [^1]: Poking fun at the case where Baidu sold search results to fake clinics, which gave wrong diagnoses and prescriptions. Or simply WEBMD doctors. [^2]: Chapter 116: Fright but no Danger Chapter 116: Fright but no Danger # 116. Fright but no Danger The total number of constabries and government offices in the capital numbered 134. Excluding those without any real authority, and those that belonged to the military, the total number of officials that ate officials meals numbered over ten thousand. And of these, people who could attend morning court only made up a tenth of their number. As for officials, lords, royal family who could enter Jinluan Hall[^1] and speak directly with the emperor himself, at most numbered around a hundred. At 4 AM[^2], the many martial and civil officials gathered outside Meridian Gate, in groups of two and three, exchanging idle chatter, asionally hiding sharp jibes in soft words. His Majesty has been much more diligent in attending court. Well the official evaluation is here after all. Last official evaluation, His Majesty wasnt this industrious. Naturally its because of the Sangpo Case. Aye, this has been an eventful autumn. Today His Majesty will probably let off some temper, you make sure youre not the one hes targeting. This official is just a civil servant, the Sangpo case has nothing to do with this official, or with any of us. Oh, then who does it have to do with? Everyone exchanged nces, smiling. Who did it have to do with? Naturally it had to do with the Jinwu Guards leading general; it had to do with the protectors of the capital and the royal family, the Nightwatchers. Naturally, it had to do with the leader of the Nightwatchers, the azure-cloak Wei Yuan. In front of the Meridian Gate, Wei Yuan, a body d in azure, stood solitary, seeming apart from the many officials around him. Wei Yuan was a very special person. At court, there was no eunuch who controlled greater power than him. Even the great eunuch by the emperors side, did not have much political power of his own. Only Wei Yuan was different. He was the Nightwatchers leader, as well as a Censor, a chief inspector of the Imperial Censorate. These two offices all had the authority to supervise the many officials in government. Emperor Yuanjings intent was very clear; Wei Yuan is my de, if any of you misbehave, then that de will fall on your neck. Not only was Wei Yuan Emperor Yuanjings weapon that he used to bnce power at court, but he also had the use in bearing all the hate. The civil and military officials did not dare hate the Emperor, but they could vent off steam at Wei Yuan. As of this moment, Yongzhen Shanhe Temple had been destroyed. So the fact that Emperor Yuanjing, who was alwayszy in matters of governance, would be attending court, clearly implied that he had some anger to let off. Wei Yuan would be in the vanguard facing his anger. The other officials were very happy to sit and eat popcorn. At 6 AM, a resonant bells ring broke the quiet of the night, seeming faint and lonely. The many officials slowly started filing their way through the gradually opening eastern gate; the members of the royal family made their way in from the western gate. Emperor Yuanjing sat high on his dragon throne, expressionlessly looking down at the several hundred officials, who were making their way through the Meridian Gate in an orderly fashion, military and civil splitting apart. There were another hundred or so officials, nobles, and royal family who entered Jinluan Hall. As the procession finished, a deputy of the Ministry of Law stepped forward, announcing loudly, Last night, a criminal broke into Sangpo Lake, and destroyed Yongzhen Shanhe Temple, this is a disgrace to our Great Feng! Wei Yuan, as the head of the Nightwatchers, failed in his duty to protect the royal family. Your servant asks Your Majesty to have this official beheaded, to appease the masses. This servant agrees! This servant agrees! Immediately several deputies immediately jumped out, asking Emperor Yuanjing to chop off Wei Yuans damned head. The arguments and attacks at court fundamentally had no difference from buying vegetables at the vegetable market. Normally theyd exaggerate, and will ask for beheading, confiscation of property at the drop of a hat. No matter if the situation was serious or not, cutting off their damned head is always the right thing to do. If the emperor would not agree, then they would haggle down, from beheading to exile, from exile to removal from office. One couldnt start at removal from office anyway; you must give His Majesty room to haggle down. Otherwise, hell look at you, *youds dont even give me an opportunity to haggle down?* *Then clearly hes done nothing wrong.* Beyond the officials expectations, Emperor Yuanjing immediately swatted back the request to have Wei Yuan impeached, and furthermore praised Wei Yuan for the progress made in his work. This made the other officials confused, as they started muttering amongst themselves. Quiet! Emperor Yuanjings personal eunuch smacked his whip on the floor, his sharp voice warning the many officials. This matter came to a conclusion, yet the requests for Wei Yuans impeachment did not stop, rather changing tack. Another official from the Ministry of Law stepped out, saying The Nightwatcher Xu Qian, killed a guard outside the front door of the Ministry of Law, and vited imperial authority. Your servant pleads with you to severely punish this criminal, and execute his entire family. Wei Yuan, who during calls for his own impeachment could not care less, at this squinted his eyes, and stepped up, Your Majesty, the Ministry of Laws guard captain prevented the Nightwatchers from doing our jobs, for unknown reason. Your servant suspects that the Ministry of Laws Minster Sun had conspiracy with the perpetrators to destroy Sangpo Lake. Please may Your Majesty strip him of office, and throw him in prison, for your servant to interrogate. The Censorates officials stepped up in turn to back him. Nonsense! Your Majesty, Wei Yuan is speaking nder, he should be punished. Your Majesty, theres a big problem with the Ministry of Law. Your servants back stripping the Ministry of Laws officials of their roles and arresting them for interrogation. The two sides immediately started a war of words, as other factions asionally got a word in here or there, fanning the fire. Within the court, the many parties and factions entered fierce fighting. The Prime Minister, the Ministers of the six ministries, and Wei Yuan, along with a few other important people, instead closed their eyes and breathed mediatatively. Emperor Yuanjing was not in the least angry. Only when seeing that the officials had just about finished their arguments, did he indicate to the great eunuch to shout at them for order, bringing quiet back to Jinluan Hall. The bronze gong Xu Qian, has a crime on his shoulders, and so his actions are bound to tend to the extreme. You are to co-operate in solving this case, and not to interfere with each other. If this happens again, we will severely punish those involved. Emperor Yuanjing said solemnly. Wei Yuan opened his eyes, as a surprised expression shed across his face. He knew that Xu Qian would note to any trouble, but he didnt think that Emperor Yuanjing would personally speak on behalf of that small Bronze Gong. Emperor Yuanjing scanned over his officials with sharp eyes, and continued, From today, the curfew on the city gates is to be lifted. Any sixth rank or higher officials in court, are still forbidden from leaving the capital. The royal court is adjourned! Xu Qian awoke perfectly at 6 AM. After washing and getting dressed, he went to uncles house to get breakfast. When he was still a small bailiff at the Changle County Constabry, he needed to get to the office by 6 oclock, for the morning headcount, equivalent to clocking in for work. After bing a Nightwatcher, upon consideration that Xu Qian was still dirt poor and couldnt buy a house in the inner city, so his arrival time was dyed from 6:15 to 6:45. This gave him an extra half hour to make his way there. On this matter, the Nightwatchers Constabry was rather progressive. It was getting to winter, and the morning temperature was very low. People couldnt help but be sealed into their warm covers for an extra few hours. The full-bodied and beautiful auntie was one of these people, being still in bed. The melon-seed faced graceful younger sister was also stuck to her bed. Go call Lingyin up. If she gets into a bad habit from young, itll be hard to fix itter. Uncle Xu said. Xu Qian suspected that he felt that the dinner table was not lively enough, since Xu Xinnian had left for the Cloud Deer Academy well before 6. He said that this morning the Cloud Deer Academy were holding lectures, and he needed to leave the city by quarter past to be able to catch it. Thus by the table were left only Uncle Xu and Xu Qian. Xu Qian thus went to the inner courtyard, and knocked open Xu Lingyins bedroom door. The person who opened it was Xu Lingyins maid. The small maid half-expectantly half-cautiously half-shyly said Da- Dng, what are you doing? It was still dark, and hede knocking. Could it be that Xu Dng wanted to take advantage of the darkness to do something to her? Xu Qian said he wasing to wake up Lingyin. He entered the room, and saw Xu Lingyin was still curled up under her thick nkets, like a pillow hidden under them, only a little thing. Xu Qian immediately smacked her on the arse, smacking her awake. Xu Lingyin opened her eyes blearily, wiping away the spittle on her face, and said indistinctly iss bigh bwother Get up, breakfast. Oh Then get up! zzzZZZzzzz Todays breakfast is steamedmb, steamed bear paw[^3], steamed deer tail, roast duck, roast chicken, roast goose, salted pork, salted duck, braised chicken Thud thud Xu Lingyin suddenly stretched and contorted on the bed, her four limbs kicking. Her brain was still sleeping, yet her body couldnt wait to go and have breakfast. The maid looked after Little Pea as she brushed her teeth and washed her face. Xu Qian carried her towards the front hall, her chin resting over his shoulder, her bum in the air, wanting to sleep but also not daring to sleep, afraid that shed miss out on all the delicious food. Dont sleep, big brotherll sing you a song. Oh *Good little bunny, open the door for me, quickly, quickly, I want toe in. No no no no no no no, hubbie isnt home, no one cane in.*[^4] Coming to the main hall, Xu Lingyin was shocked and speechless to find bao buns, bean porridge, and youtiao, and was so upset that she began crying. This isnt the breakfast I want, my steamedmb, steamed bear paw, steamed deers tail, roast duck, roast chicken, roast goose, salted pork, salted duck, braised chicken where is it? *You remembered all of this!?* Xu Qian rolled his eyes, Big brother was lying to you. Xu Lingyin cried Wah!, and putting both hands behind her back, her head tilted forward, started attacking Xu Qian with sound. After breakfast. If Id have known not to call her, this racket is making my head hurt, Uncle Xu with his hand on his head, walked away cursing. Indeed, Ive finally understood Aunties difficulty, Aunties worked hard. Xu Qian walked away cursing. Leaving Xu Lingyin in the care of the maids, simultaneously crying and eating. Even though there was no steamedmb, steamed bear paw, steamed deer tail, roast duck, roast chicken, roast goose, salted pork, salted duck, braised chicken, which made her really upset, but she could eat at the same time as being upset. Wei Yuan left Jinluan Hall, and was just thinking over the state of y in court today, when he suddenly heard someone shout Duke Wei, please wait for us! Turning his head, he saw it was Eunuch Liu. Before Wei Yuan was where he was now, he had worked in the pce, and had a good rtionship with Eunuch Liu. Smiling, he said Lord Liu, what is it? Eunuch Liu looked left and right, before pulling out a piece of paper from his sleeve, and stuffed it into Wei Yuans hand, We copied it. Duke Wei can have a look. Wei Yuan smiled a knowing smile, Some other day, I muste to the pce and have some wine with my Lord. Exiting the Meridian Gate, and entering his carriage, Yang Yan in the drivers seat silently started driving the cart towards the constabry. Wei Yuan pulled out the paper, and started reading it, a smile forming on his face. Father, what are you reading? Nangong Qianrou asked curiously,zily leaning back in the carriage, acting as Wei Yuans bodyguard. I originally thought His Majesty will make things hard for me, who would have thought that I very easily got by. Wei Yuan smiled. Easily got by? Outside the carriage, Yang Yan asked in disbelief. On the road towards court, Wei Yuan had modelled how the state of y in court may develop in his head. He had this habit; model before, review after. In his original prediction, when he attended court there would definitely be calls for impeachment, Emperor Yuanjing would use this to scold him, and then give him some level of punishment. Wei Yuan guessed right; the Sangpo Case became his political enemies main line of attack. But he did not expect that things were bypassed so easily. Nangong Qianrou frowned, No one used the opportunity to attack father? Smiling, Wei Yuan handed over the crinkled up paper. --- [^1]: , The throne room, also the name of the throne room hall in the Tang dynasty (in Changan/Xian) [^2]: It sounds really early, but 4 AM, or , is what is written in the book, and it isnt a mistake. [^3]: Bear Paw is a delicacy in ancient China. Mencius particrly enjoys it, as it is mentioned in his ssic. [^4]: Good Little Bunny is a very ssic Chinese childrens song on par with legends like the wheels on the bus go round and round in the west. It is also bloody hard to trante into English. Listen to it [here](https://youtu.be/o5s5V1O19AQ). Chapter 117: The Item Sealed Under Sangpo Lake Chapter 117: The Item Sealed Under Sangpo Lake # 117. The Item Sealed Under Sangpo Lake Nangong Qianrou took the dossier and looked over it. It reported the analysis of the case by the officials of the Prefecture Constabry and the Ministry of Law. There was not too much value, and he scanned over it, before his eyes fixated on something. His face appeared more serious and attentive. *The gunpowder used to blow up Yongzhen Shanhe Temple had actuallye from the saltpetre mine at the Great Yellow Mountains... The Lieutenant that was silenced. A Jinwu Guard conspiring with the Yao...* The context behind the Sangpo case finally cleared up to him. Nangong Qianrou couldn''t hide his surprise. He hadn''t paid that much attention to the case, but he had been aware of it''s happenings. As for the Lead Investigator, Xu Qi''an, he had the mentality of neither harming nor helping. ording the the experience of Gold Gong Nangong, it was impossible to have any progress in the case before three, or even five days had passed. He had never expected there to be such a harvest in just a single day. "A talent in solving cases." He squinted his flowery pupils, as he finally found some respect for Xu Qi''an. "A talent in solving cases?" Yang Yan''s voice came from outside the carriage. Interested, he asked, "Did you mean Xu Qi''an?" Gold Gong Yang attached great importance to Xu Qi''an, and thought that he was a young man worth his nurture. Nangong Qianrou snorted, "You were just lucky to get such a talent for yourself." Yang Yan let out a content "Heh", and adjusted his focus back on driving the carriage. After the arrived back to the Nightwatchers Constubalory, and to the Tower of Noble Spirit, Wei Yuan said, "Let Xi Qi''ane to see me." ... Xu Qi''an was currently in the Archives, searching for information. As Number One had said, The incident of Emperor Wuzong usurping the throne had urred 500 years ago. Likewise, the records of the royal family before that time, except for the founding emperor, were very vague. They should have been destroyed, leaving only the names for record. But he could be sure of one thing, The one sealed below Sangpo Lake wasn''t the unlucky emperor who was usurped by his cousin. That emperor had an heir at age fourteen. As it is known, before reaching the Refining Qi Realm, Martial Artists are hungry and without abalone... Well, It''s not that they don''t have abalone, It''s just that the time hadn''te to enjoy them. "Look up the details of every expert who was above the third rank five hundred years ago. Don''t miss a single person." Xu Qi''an took over the next task, which was checking the experts in the royal family 500 years ago. "Yes!" The nearby seven-eight petty officers took the orders. On the table by the window, a girl wearing a light yellow dress was holding her cheek with one hand, while stuffing her face with fish balls using the other. Her legs were dangling under the table, asionally revealing her flower embroidered boots. "Miss Caiwei, I suddenly remembered something." Xu Qi''an tried to reach for the fish balls, but his hands were pped out by the oval-faced beauty. Xu Qi''an sighed, "Are the fish balls so delicious?" "Delicious!" Chu Caiwei nodded. "I also want to eat, but not these." Xu Qi''an said. 3 "What will you you eat then", Chu Caiwei asked. "I want to eat up your beautiful face." Xu Qi''an gave off a sunny smile.[^1] Chu Caiweis face reddened, followed by her willow-like brows furrowing together. She wanted to scold him for being a pervert, but also felt that these words sounded warm, and different from the obscenenguage this pervert usually spat out. She didnt know whether to be angry or not. If she didnt, then where was her respect as an unmarrieddy? Xu Qian astutely changed the subject, Theres something Id like to ask Miss Caiwei about. Chu Caiwei swallowed down the fish ball in her mouth, as her red lips shed brightly with ayer of grease, looking soft and attractive. She made a stern face, What? What methods are there to block the Sitianjians Qi-watching technique? High level masters can all suppress their qi, but this is all rtive. Im just a seventh rank Feng-shui Master, so the martial artists who could get by me must at least be fifth rank. Sixth ranks arent possible. Chu Caiwei said proudly. *Im an eighth rank Refining Qi, then to be able to get past my Qi-watching technique, Baihu Zhou must be Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, but he clearly isnt* Xu Qian nodded, and continued, Apart from this? Then you use magic items. Chu Caiwei liked teaching, and so without Xu Qian asking further, she started exining eagerly: In the world, magic items are split into two kinds: One, tools and weapons which our Sitianjian Masters of Formation refine and carve formations onto. Two, items that throughplete luck gain divine abilities. For thetter category, there are many types. For example, a thousand-year tree being struck by lightening, causing the left over lighting wood to gain incredibly tough and strong properties. Also as an example, items which high ranked masters carry on their persons, after years and years of influence nurture under their qi, will gain some divine abilities. But these types of items are mostly the extension of that high-ranked masters abilities. Does the capital have any magic items to hide qi? Xu Qian got right to the point. Our Sitianjian has some, but as for other ces Chu Caiwei tilted her head, thinking for a while, I need to get back to ask Brother Song. Alright, then Ill leave this with you. As the two were typing, the petty officials had alreadyid out all the high-level martial artists that had existed in the past 500 years. There were not many, barely over a dozen, all of which were suspected of being high-rank martial artists. Official records would not directly write who was which rank, and so the petty officials had to deduce their rank based on 500 years of records from different generals and military officials. Such as the Zhenbei King, having guarded the north for several decades, he had experienced over a hundred battles in his life, and so without a doubt, he must be a high-level martial artist. Xu Qian scanned over the list, and was disappointed to discover that fourth-ranked martial artists were the mostmon, third rank only had a couple, and there were no second rank, let alone first. To be sealed under Sangpo Lake, second rank would be a minimum. Otherwise, just the first-rank Arcanist Jianzheng could easily take care of them; there would be no need to seal them up. Could it be that my thoughts were wrong, and that sealed under theke was not a person, but rather an object? Wait Jianzheng!? Xu Qians blood ran cold, and his breaths instinctively became more sharp. He had thought of a thing; the job of the Jianzheng was to guard the capital, was to be the guardian god of the Great Feng. At least this generation of Jianzheng was. Then, at the time when Wuzong wanted to usurp the throne, they must have had to face the Jianzheng. A bold guess materialised in Xu Qians mind, a guess that made him quake. Caiwei, is our teacher the first generation Jianzheng? Xu Qian controlled himself, preventing his voice from shaking. Nope. Master is the second generation Jianzheng. Chu Caiweis answer made Xu Qian feel as if his blood was boiling. *I know whats sealed underneath Sangpo Lake* Xu Qian gulped, How did the first generation Jianzheng die? Chu Caiwei shook her head, Dont know. Master never told us about how the grand-master passed. *Its the first generation Jianzheng! Whats sealed under Sangpo Lake is the first generation Jianzheng!* Xu Qian trembled at this guess. *No wonder only Emperor Yuanjing knew of this secret, no wonder the Jianzheng would fall ill, no wonder the northern Yao would scheme out such a disy.* *If the first generation Jianzheng were to escape, then the capital would be in big trouble no, the first generation Jianzheng had already escaped.* At this moment, the desire to escape the capital welled up inside Xu Qian. *I must flee, flee at once take uncle and auntie and flee together if the first generation Jianzheng has escaped, then there must be a storm of blood. Thats a first rank, the entire capital will turn into a Sura battlefield.*[^2] As he thought, Xu Qians desire to escape actually lessened. Emperor Yuanjing let him use merit to atone for crime, and so Wei Yuan would be responsible for keeping watch over this death row prisoner. If he fled, then hell drag Wei Yuan down. Of course, this wasnt the most important reason. Xu Qian could still run, but the capitalsmon people couldnt run. If a battle between first-rank masters happened in the capital, then how many would die? Everyone in the city. *Emperor Yuanjing this old son of a turtle[^3], hes safe in the imperial pce protected by many masters, but what about themon people?* *The gratitude and grudges of first ranks, I cant interfere with at all if I were to reveal this, reveal this thing, then Ill naturally have done a lot to help.* He immediately made up his mind! Anything that he wasnt sure on, hed go find Wei Yuan! Even though he didnt want to admit it, but Wei Yuan this famous schemer did give him a feeling of safety. If Wei Yuan was an average official, then Xu Qian could only run to the Sitianjian and find the Jianzheng. Luckily at this time, a clerk came over. Seeing Xu Qian, he was delighted, This subordinate has looked for Sir Xu for a long time, Wei Yuan wants you. *How convenient I want him too.* Xu Qian said goodbye to Chu Caiwei, and followed the clerk to the Tower of Noble Spirit. Entering the tallest building in the constabry, anding to the seventh floor, Xu Qian saw the azure cloaked, white templed Wei Yuan. And his two gold gongs. Your progress in the case is not bad, its a shame that that lead is broken. The court has already sent out a warrant for Zhou Chixiongs arrest, but they wont be able to find him within half a month; thats not realistic. Wei Yuan sipped tea, his tone kindly, What do you n to do now? Xu Qian stood in front of the table, thinking for a moment, and saying truthfully Your subordinate guesses that Zhou Chixiong still has co-conspirators. But I have no leads. This case was moreplicated than the tax silver case. Of course, he wasnt the lead investigator in that case, only responsible for poking holes and providing theories. Everything else was done by the Nightwatchers and the Prefecture office. Even though the lead was broken, Xu Qian already had a general idea of how to continue the investigation: First, start from magic items that could block qi-watching. Second, start searching through the list of people who had both the authority and ability to smuggle in gunpowder. The second idea was bound to be time-consuming, without a guarantee of any useful information. Duke Wei Xu Qian asked tentatively, If after half a month, your subordinate still hasnt solved the case fully? If ites to it, I will arrange to fake your death. Then, you can go into the Jianghu, and be a spy for the Nightwatchers. Wei Yuan took a sip, The intelligencework of the constabry stretches to all thirteen provinces, as well as all the major Jianghu powers. If we dont train spies, then this breadth cannot be had. Your temperament is not suited to government; Jianghu is your real world. Really if it were not for the Sangpo Case, then I would have already arranged for you to leave the capital. *To the Jianghu* Xu Qian thought in a trance. As a de by my side, a de that cannot see the light of day, would you feel wronged? Wei Yuanughed, like a warm and open teacher, Your personality is soft on the outside, hard on the inside, as well as rather extreme. I both really appreciate you like this, and also do not like you like this. My mind is very clear about the various corruption in the Nightwatchers Constabry, but human nature is fundamentally like so, light and dark mixing. How many people are like Li Yuchun? If the Nightwatchers were all made of Li Yuchuns, then they would not be able to suppress a full court of officials. Xu Qian frowned, I know this principle. So human nature needs to be regrly beaten, regrly deterred, to clear out corruption and evil. Is Duke Wei not toox? What time is opportune is also important. Wei Yuan was not angry, exining with a kindly expression, The ways of the Great Fengs officials are rotten, the path of decline is already well underway. If you want to change this way, then you need to temper your brightness, bring yourself in agreement with the obscurity of others,[^4] and then break it with one strike. The day you dont have any tripping stones in your path, is the day you can reveal your ambition. Wei Yuans meaning was, when in the future hees to fight against his political enemies, if he has no more stones in his path, only then could he make his move, and sweep away this miasma-like corruption. The more Xu Qian thought about this, the more he thought it had a point. If you are in officialdom, you are held down by rules, and cannot but temper your brightness. Otherwise, you will only get into disaster after disaster, or have all your sharp edges eroded blunt, losing a martial artists fire and fury. Either way, its not worth it. But if you enter the Jianghu, youll have no such worries. Wei Yuan said gravely, Anyone who angers you, who stops you, who gets in your way, all you need to do is kill. Move with your heart, and care not forws and rules. The so-called using might to break restrictions speaks of this idea. Many martial artists lose their morality and their original heart in this journey, bing cold-blooded killers. This, you must take care about. Xu Qian had held it in for ages, and finally, Your subordinate doesnt want to go to the Jianghu. I want to work hard and try my best here. He didnt care about political power, rather about his family. He cared about uncle and auntie, about Xinnian and his sisters. This would be like in his previous life, in the rat-race, his boss saying Im sending you to out of province to expand our business. Youll be stationed away long-term. You say: I dont want to go. The boss says: No, you do. At least Wei Yuan was not that type of boss. He didnt force him, ratherughed without concern, saying If theres nothing more, then you can go. *No, I have something* Xu Qian cupped his fists, saying solemnly, Please may Duke Wei dismiss his attendants, your subordinate has an important matter to report. *He wants to dismiss us again!?* Nangong Qianrou and Yang Yan looked at Xu Qian expressionlessly. --- [^1]: Look at her face stupidly. Chinese wordy, between eat , and stupid , both pronounced chi1. [^2]: Sura/Asura: (Buddhism) malevolent spirits or demons. Sura battlefield refers to a war in Buddhist mythology between the Sura and the Deva, and the metaphor can be used to refer to a deadly scene. [^3]: Son (technically grandson) of a soft shelled turtle. Baidu: Henanese curse. Soft shelled turtles are considered somewhat a delicacy in Henan, as well as having uses in TCM. If I remember correctly they taste like fish but have a slightly tougher texture, like really tender chicken. Anyway, nothing is said about *what* son of a turtle implies. [^4]: From the *Dao De Jing* Chapter 118: Silenced Chapter 118: Silenced # 118. Silenced Wei Yuan waved his hand, dismissing his two adoptive sons. A first time is anger, a second time is familiarity, Nangong Qianrou this time couldnt be bothered toin or mock, leaving silently. Yang Yan stood at the bottom of the tower, waiting for his adoptive fathers conversation with Xu Qian to finish. In the tea room remained only two people. Azure-cloak Wei turned over an upturned teacup, and poured Xu Qian a cup of tea, About the Heaven and Earth Society? Your subordinate has received some information from the Heaven and Earth Society, from the Southern March Shaman ns. Xu Qian felt rather doted on as he took the tea, and took a sip. The tea was mildly bitter, with a sweet and fragrant aftertaste. Number Five of the Heaven and Earth Society is a Shaman nsman, with some status. Yesterday through the Earth Book she wrote that the Gu God in the abyss has shown signs of reawakening. Wei Yuans expression froze for a moment, Before the sixty-year monster extermination, the Gu God was suppressed by both the Shaman ns and the Wanyao kingdom, it would be no matter then. But now the Wanyao Kingdom is destroyed, itsnds covered with Buddhist monasteries, with few top rank masters. If the Gu God were really to reawaken, then just the Shaman ns alone most likely could not resist it. As he spoke, worry shed across his eyes. The Earth Sect leader has fallen to the demonic, the Gu God is beginning to re-awaken, the Cloud Deer Academy saw clear qi rushing to the sky all of these things one after another, all foretold cmities ahead. Movement all across thend, always foreshadowed chaotic years. These years, the Buddhist sects ambition for expansion is growing ever wilder, Wei Yuan sighed. Xu Qian had a thought, When the Buddhists destroyed the Yao kingdom, was it to expand their religion? Wei Yuan sneered, Could it be that it was for themon people under heaven? Pausing, he asked, What do you have to report to me? Xu Qian recollected himself, saying Your subordinate has already discovered what is sealed under Sangpo Lake. This matter involves a secret from 500 years ago, and a great cmity may be brewing because of it. Your subordinate is weak, and so doesnt dare to hide anything Hearing this, a strange expression shed across Wei Yuans eyes, but he hid his own surprise very well, asking What is sealed? Its the Jianzheng, the first generation Jianzheng. Xu Qian, with an attitude like he was sharing arge secret, lowered his voice and spoke very quietly, lest it get out, Under Sangpo Lake is sealed the first generation Jianzheng. That year when Wuzong us used non-traditional methods to gain the throne, the first generation Jianzheng didnt support him. After Wuzong ascended to the throne, the history books then didnt have any more mention of the first generation Jianzheng. Wei Yuan listened patiently, and nodded slightly, Your analysis is well reasoned. Xu Qian took advantage of the opportunity, Emperor Yuanjing hasnt announced the situation even today, and so everyone has been deceived. But, if the first generation Jianzheng and the current Jianzheng were to fight, the capital He didnt continue, knowing that with Wei Yuans mind, he would understand what he meant. Wei Yuan swirled his teacup, looking at the blue decorations on it, and mysteriously changed the topic: Have you felt aches from your dantian recently? Xu Qian did a double take, *how did Wei Yuan know?* Recently when he had been reverse-breathing and refining qi, his dantian had felt swollen and achy. It was like there was a fire in his stomach, that wanted to burn out something, but that something would not budge. He had been thinking of finding a day to ask Miss Fuxiang to help him, but his duties were too heavy, and so he couldnt find time to go to the Jiaofangsi. Not bad, Wei Yuan nodded, This represents that you are already near the peak of refining qi. Afterwards, this swelling, aching feeling will move to your central dantian, then your upper dantian. When that happens, you will be able to reach Refining Spirit. I can read books, but martial arts not so much. However, Ive collected some experience, and can give you a few tips. When the ache has reached your central dantian, I will arrange for a visualisation[^1] art to be sent to you, this can increase the speed that youll reach Refining Spirit. When you reach Refining Spirit, then you need to again start to refine your body and soul, trying to gain perfect control over your body but this can all be worried aboutter. *Though Wei Yuan is prodigiously clever, but what talent does he have in martial arts? Hehe, this is more fair* Xu Qian made a touched expression, Thank you Duke Wei for your nurture. Your subordinate will jump through fire and mes, through hardship and turmoil, and will be loyal even to the death. Tsk, Wei Yuanughed, Youre not a idle-brained young man, but sometimes youre even more idle-brained than one. *This isnt being idle-brained, this is principle, this is trust, learn some Marxist-Leninist philosophy* Xu Qianmpooned. At the same time, he thought with some sadness, *This is the divide between me and this era.* Theres something else, that I think you need to know. Today His Majesty decreed to remove the curfew on the entering and exiting the city. Wei Yuan looked at Xu Qian, the smile on his face strange, as if mocking him, as if making fun, as if deriding him. ??? Xu Qians face stiffened. *Thats impossible, thats not reasonable!* *Emperor Yuanjings attitude has a problem. The first generation Jianzheng has just escaped, and his first target would be the current Jianzheng and the royal family. In this situation, wouldnt a normal course of action be to surround from all sides, and remove this hidden problem once and for all?* *What meaning is there to opening the city gates? To indicate friendliness to the first generation Jianzheng, and for everyone to live peacefully?* *Impossible. Even if Emperor Yuanjing is hardly worthy of his job, he is still not an idiot. Furthermore, the current Jianzheng wouldnt agree to Emperor Yuanjings betrayal and revolution.* *Yes, that damned old man Jianzhengs attitude is very strange. Your teacher has already jumped out of the coffin, would you not lead the Arcanists under you, and with one foot on the coffin lid shout: Little ones, help your teacher press t this old things coffin lid!* *Rather he pretends to be ill!* *Does this have some sort of deeper meaning. Such as, the first generation Jianzheng has been sealed for 500 years, and is not at his peak of power, currently hiding somewhere nursing his wounds?* *To deliberately open the gates, is to lure the snake out of its nest, and using this opportunity to change the battlefield away from the capital?* *Little friend, do you have many question marks?* Leaving the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qianughed bitterly, Yes. Xu Qian gathered the men under hismand, and gave three orders. First, Chu Caiwei of the Sitianjian was responsible for investigating traces of any qi-obscuring magic items. Second, Min Shan and Yang Feng were to continue to investigate the production of gunpowder at the Ministry of Industry, and looking through records. Third, go to the council office, and investigate the Taikang County Magistrate. The first two werent anything special, but the third one no one understood why. Xu Qian exined: Do you not think its strange, how did the Yao know that on Great Yellow Mountain there was a saltpetre mine? Hearing this, everyone hesitated. Right? Or did the Yao hid amongst the huihu to mine the mine? Xu Qianughed coldly, Naturally there was conspiracy between humans and Yao. Great Yellow Mountain is within Taikang County, and so the Magistrate definitely has issues. The three silver gongs, the over a dozen bronze gongs were filled with a sense of awe. Bronze Gong Xus thoughts were meticulous, his experience plentiful; the golden token wasnt given to him without reason. The three groups parted ways at the constabry gate, each off to do their own task. Xu Qian looked at Chu Caiweis figure, riding away on her horse, and suddenly thought that one day, being on bottom would also be something very enjoyable. Boss, say, why didnt His Majesty summon the Sitianjians arcanists, and interrogate the many nobles of court one by one? You just asked Miss Caiwei to investigate qi-obscuring magic items. Li Yuchun looked at what was originally his subordinate. He had now be his subordinates subordinate. After a pause, he added implicitly, Arcanists are still people. *Because they are people, they can be bribed. For normal small cases itd be whatever, but if it involved the many dukes in court, an Arcanists word would not be enough. Emperor Yuanjing is both very suspicious, and also has a boundless lust for power* Xu Qian nodded slightly. Beside him, Song Tingfeng found a moment to get a word in, Ningyan, arent you very familiar with the Sitianjians Miss Caiwei? Xu Qian nodded. Song Tingfeng searched around for some words, before asking I have a friend, whos recently been somewhat deficient Id like you to help me find some medicine to recover some vigour. *A friend, sure* Xu Qian did not poke holes, saying with a smile, Tell your friend, y less Russian Roulette. Li Yuchun frowned, a confused look on his face, What roulette? Xu Qian, Zhu Guangxiao, and Song Tingfeng exchanged looks, smiling. Cloud Deer Academy. The Dean Zhao Shou had just finished his ss that hadsted just over two hours, and after reminding all his students to work hard, lightly waved his sleeve, Whence I came, is where I return. He disappeared into thin air. All the students were already used to this sight, and did not find it at all interesting. They started talking about what important matters recently happened in the capital. How did Sangpo Lake get blown up? Our Great Fengs founding emperors ce of ascension, was blown up by some small criminals? Indeed they are a bunch of useless fools, if it were our Cloud Deer Academy guarding the capital, then this matter would have never happened. If we tolerate this then what do we not tolerate? The students discussions were filled with anger and emotion, and they habitually smeared heaven and earth, looking with distain of all that were not schrs. Xu Xinnian had gathered his books, and was about to leave, when another student behind him shouted, Cijiu, in a bit lets go wandering around the mountains. *To go walking in the middle of winter, are you drinking the north-western wind?* Xu Xinnian shook his head, and replied *If with dark hair still he does not study now; Regret it will he when his hairs turn grey.* He turned to leave, when he heard another voice say with a sarcastic tone, Xu Cijiu today is in the Self-cultivation Stage; hes long since different from us. Im afraid he doesnt deign to hang out with us any more. Xu Xinnian turned to look, the speaker was Zhu Tuizhi. That day when sending off Ziyang Jushi to Qingzhou, originally it was meant to be him who got Ziyang Jushis jade amulet. Only that Xu Xinnian had stuck a bar in his way. Furthermore, he and this persons rtionship wasnt great. Before they had spat out perfumed words at each other. Xu Engughed coldly, The day is clear, do not wrong others. Since when did I ever hang out with you? Zhu Tuizhi was furious, Xu Xinnian, dont think that just because youre eighth rank, everyone is underneath you. You are merely one step ahead. To Xu Xinnians crossing into Self-Cultivation, the academys students were both admiring and jealous. Xu Eng said lightly, Was I proud? that with hardly any effort, I have stepped into Self-Cultivation. Was I proud, when a few days ago I visited the eldest princess, and got her praise? Later I will go ask my teacher, to stabilise my cultivation, and listen to the secrets of the seventh rank, was I proud? He examined Zhu Tuizhis face, and suddenly snickered. What are youughing at. Zhu Tuizhi looked back with angry eyes. Xu Cijiu said derisively, Some peoples faces, are so ugly that they are an injustice. The other students felt as if they had been offended against. Zhu Tuizhi exploded on the spot, and flew over to fight with Xu Xinnian, but was held back by his schoolmates. Tuizhi, theres no point in arguing with him. Xu Cijius mouth is as sharp as a martial artists sabre, lets not argue with him. Dont be rash, youre not his match. No matter if using words or fists. Xu Xinnian left arrogantly. These people, if you dont care about them for a while, they think they can jump about. On arguing, Xu Cijiu has never been beaten. The Capital Prefecture Office was responsible for managing the fifteen surrounding counties, and so the Taikang County Magistrate was imprisoned here. Xu Qian lead his group of people into the office, immediately heading for the vice-governors office. The vice-governor wasnt there, and the assistant who was his ce asked with a frown, My sirs, do you need something? Song Tingfeng said, We want to interrogate a criminal official, the Taikang County Magistrate Zhao. The assistant asked again: Do you have a note from the Governor Sir? Song Tingfeng shook his head. The assistant immediately became non-amodating. Then please return. *To interrogate someone without even having permission, are the Nightwatchers not too domineering? Outside youd still need to amodate them a bit, but this is inside the office. Can you just say and get your way?* Bastard thing! The vice-governor, who had just returned, had heard his words, his face turning. He quickly walked over, and shouted right into his face. He then ordered someone to take Xu Qians group to the dungeon. Vice-Governor Sir the assistant felt wronged, This doesnt follow regtions. Bullshit, whats rules over your life? Sir, what do you mean? That person is called Xu Qian, the Xu Qian that killed someone in front of the Ministry of Laws front door. You want to go down with this madman? Thank you sir for saving my life. The prefecture offices dungeon Xu Qian had lived in before, and had some rtionship with Shuke and Beita inside. Lead by the jailors, they came to the cell that held Magistrate Zhao. Get up, there are important people who want to ask questions. The jailor used his baton to strike the bars. Magistrate Zhao, wearing a prisoners gown,y on the straw mat, his back to everyone, unmoving. As if he couldnt hear them. --- [^1]: , Visualisation, a Buddhist meditation technique where you try to visualise an object and every detail, to increase your concentration (hence spirit.) [GCSE Religion exnation](https://.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z4gny4j/revision/1) Chapter 119: The Three Elements of Social Interaction Chapter 119: The Three Elements of Social Interaction # 119. The Three Elements of Social Interaction The jailor shouted a few more times, yet Magistrate Zhao did not move an inch. Xu Qians heart sunk, Open the door. The jailor took out his key and opened the door, and with raging anger pulled at Magistrate Zhao, Are you deaf? Magistrate Zhaos body limply rolled over. At this time, the jailor realised something was not right. He checked the Magistrates pulse, and his face turned, He- hes dead *One step toote* Xu Qian sighed internally. The Taikang County Magistrate was arrestedst night and put into jail. He received the news this morning, and immediately came over, but was still one step toote. *The culprit is either someone within the constabry, or someone who had been monitoring Magistrate Zhaos movements all this time, otherwise he wouldnt have been able to silence him in time* Xu Qian flipped open Magistrate Zhaos eyelids, then opened his mouth and looked at his tongue, then took off his prisoner gown and performed a basic post-mortem examination. *No sign of poison, no sign of struggle before death, livor mortis has only happened recently, time of death should be no more than five hours ago. Cause of death unknown* Xu Qian estimated, saying Leave two people here to watch over the body. Everyone elsee with me to see the governor. A criminal dying inside the prefecture constabry, meant that Governor Chen Hanguang would have to take the responsibility. Xu Qian found the inner hall, and got notice that Governor Chen was still asleep. After a runner passed on the message, he waited outside for half a stick of incenses time, before seeing Chen Hanguang, who had changed into tidy official robes. Governor Chens face was as normal, without any hint of sleepiness, smiling slightly, What does Sir Xu need this official for? The morning court was at six. Normally, the many officials would have to already be outside waiting by four in the morning. Thus, when the morning court adjourned, returning back to their offices and taking a nap was the normal mode of operation for the Great Fengs officials. I came to interrogate the Taikang County Magistrate Zhao, but I found that this morning he died within the prison. Xu Qian immediately got on topic. What!? Governor Chen turned pale with fright. The jailor, who was brought over by Xu Qian, said trembling Governor Sir, he indeed Governor Chen frowned, but eventually thought that it wasnt such a big deal. After all, Magistrate Zhao was already condemned to death, to be executed in the following autumn. How did he die? Governor Chen picked up his teacup. He was silenced. Xu Qian said. Governor Chens hand trembled, and the boiling hot tea sshed out. He paid it no mind, his eyes opening wide, Silenced? *Clearly, old Chen hasnt realised the severity of the situation* Xu Qian exined, Sir, how do you think the Yao discovered the saltpetre mine? Great Yellow Mountain is an ordinary old ce, so much so that the huihu who lived nearby didnt know of the saltpetre mines existence. How did the Yao find out? Governor Chen stood up in shock, You mean Xu Qian nodded, I suspect that this has something to do with the Magistrate, so I came today to interrogate him. Who knew that I was still one step too slow, and he had already been silenced. The lead has broken yet again. Ai, His Majesty ordered me to discover who is behind this in half a month, its too too hard.. Right, a small eunuch came to the Sitianjian today, asking for me to report the progress on the case. Governor Chens expression changed several times, as he finally cupped his hands, Sir Xu, this office is willing to assist you, the three houses and six departments can all be ordered by you sir. Xu Qianughed, Master Chen is too generous. The fact that Magistrate Zhao died in the jail is an unforseen ident. No one cared about whether a death row prisoner lived or died, but what if that death row prisoner had something to do with the Sangpo case? Especially as the official evaluation draws near. Suchrge information, if it were to be spread publicly, then Governor Chen may get demoted. As for Xu Qian, hed already be dead, and so going after Governor Chen didnt have much meaning. To him it was merely whether he wanted to say it or not. Therefore, the just-promoted to Lead Constable Lyu Qing was summoned over. Governor Chen said sternly, From today, you will follow Sir Xu, and listen to his orders. *Following Sir Xus orders a few days ago Governor Chen said, that this is an opportunity. If we could solve the case, then he could enter cab does he want me toy low beside Xu Qian and be an insider?* Lyu Qing thought with surprise. Dont think random thoughts, just earnestly assist Sir Xu. Governor Chen said deeply. *Is this really true? He- he can make Governor Chen bow down!?* Lyu Qing stared at Xu Qian for a while, before saying Your subordinate will follow your word. Very quickly, Magistrate Zhaos autopsy waspleted; death from natural causes. *The less seams in the situation, the stranger it is first we can exclude it being a martial artist who silenced him.* Xu Qian thought with furrowed brow. Martial artists fundamentally can be described by four words: Stubborn, obstinate, crude, rash. Explosive power pretty much defined what a martial artist was. To kill Magistrate Zhao was as easy as stepping on an ant, but it could never be done so silently and mysteriously, without leaving any hints. The first thing Xu Qian thought of was the Daoist yin spirit, because in ancient times the Daoist yin spirit was also called the envoy of ghosts, who could take peoples lives in their dreams. *Lets first rule out Jinlian Daozhang that LYB, he has no rtion with the Sangpo case. Then that leaves just the human sect* Xu Qian pulled at his hair in frustration, and felt his own hairline slowly start to recede. *How does this involve the Human Sect now? Can I even investigate the Human Sect? Moving over the fact that the Human Sects leader is the national teacher, the Earth Sects sect leader is already second rank, the Human Sect one shouldnt be far behind.* *If she squeezes her thighs Id be crushed to death!* *Mn, it doesnt have to be the Daoists. I dont understand much about the other cultivation paths, so I mustnt decide so soon ai, I need to take advantage of the golden token and get some better knowledge of the great cultivation paths.* Xu Qian discovered that Lyu Qing was secretly appraising him. A faint hint of tiredness could be seen on the female constables face. Constable Lyu, have you not bee resting well recently? Lyu Qing smiled, Work has been hectic. She already knew the reason that Governor Chen chose to co-operate. Though Xu Qian was just finding holes, these holes werent easy to find. If he hadnt realised that there was a problem with the Taikang County Magistrate in time, then maybe this issue would have been suppressed by Governor Chen. Constable Lyu is more capable than many men. Xu Qian praised. She was in herte twenties, still quite young, and had already be the chief detective in the capital city police. Her future was boundless. And she wasnt even married! In his previous life, Xu Qian had never known any woman with such great promise, only older leftover women who get annoyed that their boyfriends often end up pulling other girls. When Xu Qian left the constabry, apanying him were six bailiffs, who were ced under hismands. Their cultivation were all not bad, with two Refining Qi, and four Refining Vitality. He sat astride his horse, thinking of what to do next. Half a month wasnt long, nor was it short. Solving cases requires feeling along the vine for melons, and couldnt be rushed. Rather it was Wei Yuans attitude that made him confused, was he not too cool and collected? *Wei Yuan definitely knows something. Emperor Yuanjings attitude is currently ambiguous, and the Jianzhen is pretending to be dead this isnt reasonable. No matter what mind chess is going on between these important figures, the indisputable truth is that the first generation Jianzheng has broken free. I cant rx just because theyre calm, because those high above may not care if themon people live or die.* *No, I must find out what happened with the first generation Jianzheng. Wei Yuan seems to not want me to get involved, worrying that I would get caught up in it I can roundaboutly save the country! Ill reveal this secret subtly to the eldest princess no, not reveal, hint. A very subtle hint, so that she can link up the strings herself.* Thinking this, Xu Qian was no longer hesitant, saying You go to the constabry and wait for me, Im going to go into the pce. Everyone looked over, confused. Xu Qian exined, Im going to see the eldest princess. *He can see the eldest princess? Not only is Xu Ningyan on very good terms with the Sitianjian Arcanists, but he also knows the eldest princess* Lyu Qings heart jumped. The others all expressed confusion and surprise. Li Yuchun was the most collected; he knew that the reason Xu Qian could enter the Nightwatchers Constabry, was because the eldest princess rmended him. Parting with the group, Xu Qian spurred his horse on towards the imperial city. The eldest princess hade of age long ago, and had her own manor inside the imperial city. Xu Qian reached Huaiqing Manor, and after asking a guard, found out that the eldest princess usually lived inside the imperial pce itself, and rarely came back here. The imperial city was like a miniature version of the inner city. It had temples, administrative offices, constabries, city walls, defences and storehouses, as well as gardens and parks. The outer city was home to themon people, the inner city was prestigious officials and the upper ss. As for the imperial city, that was the residence of the nobles and great servants. Without the golden token, Xu Qian wouldnt even be able to get in. As for the imperial pceplex, also called the pce city, it was the home to the Emperor. Living here were the concubines, as well as the princes and princesses. Of course, princes and princesses who hade of age must move away from the pce, and live in the imperial city. But Emperor Yuanjing had been focusing on Daoist cultivation, and so did not pay much mind to his concubines or children, so these rules had bex. Today there were still many adult princes and princesses living in the imperial pce. As for the pce, Xu Qian couldnt just enter, even if he had the gold token Emperor Yuanjing bestowed. He was just nning to ask the guards to pass along a message, when he suddenly heard the rattling of carriage wheels. Stretching his head to look past the gate, he saw a line of resplendent horse-drawn carriagesing over. Made of Nanmu wood specially used by the royal family, covered in yellow silks and opulent decorations, covered with gold leaf and jade stones, luxurious beyond belief. *A uniform row of top-of-the-line sports cars* Xu Qian thought. The guard, having just taken three cash of silver from him,ughed on seeing the carriages, The second carriage is the eldest princesss. You can see that on the yellow silk is sewn a Qing[^1] character. It seems that I dont need to pass anything on. The guard returned the silver to Xu Qian. No need to bother Xu Qian pushed it back to him, Brother, there will be timester where I may till need you. He nned to nurture his rtionship with the eldest princess, so that he can hug this leg too. In the future perhaps he may regrlye over and build rtionships, so getting on good terms with the guards is a must. To put it bluntly, a smoke can pry open a mans mouth, money can entice a mans heart, and to eat seafood together can make you see each other as brothers. The three elements of social interaction! The guard appreciated Xu Qians gesture, and added The first carriage is His Highness the crown princes one. The third is the second prince, the fourth is the second princess theyre probably off somewhere for a banquet. If you can attend, then remember to put on your best disy. You may have yourself a meteoric rise. Eldest princess, your subordinate Xu Qian has an important matter to report! Xu Qian shouted loudly. --- [^1]: (Sc. ) Chapter 120: Impromptu Poem Chapter 120: Impromptu Poem # 120. Impromptu Poem The guards turned their heads and looked over, their gazes sharp, before continuing on. The window of the carriage that was embroidered with a qing character opened, and a pale jade like hand pulled aside the blinds. Xu Qian saw the eldest princesss pale, graceful face, as her red lips moved: Follow on. He felt a wave of glee, and was just about to urge his horse forwards, when out of the corner of his eye he saw the window of the fourth carriage open, and a round, beautiful face appear within it, charming and brimming with emotion. *That is the second princess? Ss the emperors daughters are all really beautiful* Xu Qian drew back his gaze, and silently startedparing the two princesses. To different types of women, no matter how impossible it was to sleep them, youd stillpare which one was hotter, even if there was no real use. Because that depended on your personal tastes. Even if many men have said, that they like ck silk wearing dommes, or scantily d lolis even the ones who would sleep with anyone and everyone, even these sex addicts have the types they like the most. Xu Qian did not rank which one out of the eldest or second princess was more beautiful; just from first impressions of the two princesses, the eldest princess was more cold, like a lotus flower on a snowy mountain. You knew clearly that she was noble and refined, graceful beyond others, but you still couldnt resist thinking of teasing her, then seeing her embarrassed and shy expression. As for the second princess, Xu Qian hadnt interacted with her much, but just from that first nce, in his mind had already formed a picture of a pair of hot pants stretched aroundrge round buttocks, a sports top that just covered her round breasts, pale long legs ending in a pair of white tennis socks, soaring through the dance hall, her long hair flying like crashing waves. In his era, she would be the queen of the dance floor. It is said that the women who loved to dance never found it difficult to conceive, but the second princess after all was from this ancient era, and so Xu Qian could not be sure. The princes and princesses were heading out today to go dine together and stretch their legs, and they had picked a smallke in the imperial city that had rather good scenery. Beside theke was nted evergreen pines, juniper, as well as patches of currently withered flowerbeds. When springes around, the scenery would be even more beautiful. Today the sun was warm, there was no wind, and it was a good day to sunbathe. By theke there was a square tform. The servants carried over the tables, lit some rosewood incense, and from the food boxes brought out dishes upon dishes of exquisite food. Xu Qian leashed his horse to a tree, and silently of followed behind the eldest princess. Two maids carried her dress hems. The eldest princesss hair bun was very simple and clean, and a buyao hairpin, with golden tassels and round pearls, with a worth of cities was stuck through it. When she walked, the tassels swayed back and forth, adding to her beauty. The two of them did not speak, but naturally as Xu Qian followed her he fully took the role of her bodyguard. The other princes and princesses also got out of their resplendent carriages. Xu Qian scanned over them: their appearances were all not bad, the crown prince wore a white dragon robe, his hair under a golden crown, extraordinarily handsome. Of the four princesses, the eldest and the second princess were all extremely beautiful, beauties at the top of the league. As they sat, the second princess, whether deliberately or not, stole the position that was originally meant for the eldest princess. No one scolded her, as if the princes and princesses were all used to it, pretending not to see. The eldest princess however did not sit where the second princess was meant to sit, rather sitting at a different table. *The eldest princess and the second princess dont get along?* Xu Qian remembered this detail. The crown prince looked around at all his brothers and sisters, and said: We havent been out together in a while. The other princes all agreed, whilst the princesses smiled. Xu Qians eyes fell on theke. He saw that in the smallke, their were groups of ck shadows darting through, not knowing what was living in it. The crown prince became the leader of the banquet, being the one to start conversation, and oversee the feast. The drinking games in the feast only came in so many types; the more refined the game the less there were of them, and all present were high of status, and so couldnt y things like finger guessing or dice rolling. There were still several types of refined games though, and excludingposing poetry, flying flower word games were the hardest. The crown prince opened with the topic of water, with the opening character of water. In the second princes poem, the second character was water, and so on and so forth. There were more princes present than princesses, and when the first round finished, the seventh prince racked his brains, and was still unable to think of a poem with the character water inst ce, and so was made to drink. The eighth prince had long since died young. The ninth prince was responsible for carrying on this flying flower game, and like the crown prince, started off with the first character as water. When it got to the second princess, her bright all peach-blossom eyes were open wide, her shining ck pupils turning and turning, as she said crisply, I have one, *Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water.*[^1] The bright sunlight shone down on her body. She wore a crimson pce dress, wearing resplendent and ornate jewellery. Not any woman could rein in such a luxurious to the point of tacky dress. But when it came to her, it made her look ever more beautiful. The eldest princesss noble aura was in her bones, whilst the second princess was more like a beautiful and noble canary; no matter how luxurious she dressed, it would only add to her beauty. But if she were to wear more ascetic dress, she would probably not be able to match the eldest princess. The crown princeughed, Ive heard this poem before, it came out from the Jiaofangsi, seeming to beposed by some schr from Changle County. It was praised for being one of the best praising plum poems, the best in recorded history. The elegant second prince, with an aura like a schr,mented A shame, such an unparalleled work, was given to a prostitute. What a waste of talent. Stories of love between talents and prostitutes, were very widespread andmon, and were very popr. But this was indeed not something that ought to be announced publicly, especially in the eyes of the royal family. The third prince was a schr, and was extremely pained by it. *How is this a waste of talent? After oiran Fuxiang got this poem, her value skyrocketed, and in one day became a star of the Great Feng, and I also formed a good rtionship with her exchanging seafood, clearly this is a win-win!* Xu Qian wasnt bowed. The drinking games continued, and when it got to the eldest princess, she faced the same difficult problem as the seventh prince. Poems that had water in them as thest character were as rare as phoenix feathers, and even though the eldest princess was an aplished student, she didnt have much experience in the area of poetry. Her graceful brows were slightly furrowed, and she hesitated for a long time. Seeing this, the second princessughed Huaiqing is our Capitals number one most skilled woman, surely she could match a small poem. *The second princess is indeed a little biao[^2] from now Ill call her Biaobiao!* Xu Qian thought. In reality to many men, a proper biao actually was more attractive. Of course, Xu Qian was not that type of man. The many princes and princesses looked over with smiles. The eldest princesss abilities were outstanding, far above her brothers and sisters. Even though she was a woman, she still made people jealous. For her to be put down a notch in her most proficient field, everyone was very happy to watch. The eldest princess didnt look at her brothers and sisters mocking gazes, rather turning her head slightly, and very lightly looked at Xu Qian, who was standing by her side. *what are you looking at?* Xu Qian sighed internally, *the eldest princess aint bad, she knew that I have a matter I need to see her about, and so shes first getting a pre-payment.* *Whats Huaiqing looking at him for?* The second princess hadnt stopped looking at the eldest princess, waiting for her to lose, before jumping out herself and pointing at her, Ha, you finally admit that youre a purely ornamental spear! Who could have predicted that Huaiqing wasnt in the least bit panicked, and even exchanging looks with that small Bronze Gong. The other princes and princesses pretty much all noticed this, but their internal monologue wasnt as colourful as the second princesss. *Drunk, he knows not if the sky floats in the water,* Xu Qian hesitated for a moment, before saying a line as quiet as a fly. He had quickly worked his brain, yet of all the poems that ended with water, he could only think of this one. The eldest princess nodded her head slightly, before saying loudly, Drunk such that I know not if heaven is at the water. The second princess was dazed for a moment, before a feeling of disappointment welled up inside her. This damned sister Huaiqing still had a few tricks up her sleeve. The other princes and princesses all frowned, thinking deeply, and then all looking over at the third prince. The third prince shook his head, Huaiqing, why has third brother not heard of this poem before? The eldest princess smiled lightly, This is a new poem. The second princess immediately got energy, and said with a pampered voice, Oh, youre beingzy, and blindlyposed a sentence to deceive us. Drink three times! Topose a poem impromptu is also eptable, the crown princeughed, but Huaiqing, you must make a full poem for us. The third prince nodded, Big brother is right. The second princess turned her head, and looked at Xu Qian, as if saying: Its over to you. --- [^1]: Note: water is the fifth character in Chinese. [^2]: , literally means a painting hung up. Inte ng, someone who puts all their arguments and opinions up publicly for all toment. Chapter 121: Spirit Beast Chapter 121: Spirit Beast # 121. Spirit Beast Xu Qi''an braced himself, before stepping out from the eldest princess''s side, and cupping his fists, "This is a new work written by this lowly one." Suddenly, everyone stared over. The second princess examined Xu Qian with her shining obsidian-ck eyes. The crown prince frowned. Displeased, the third prince said, "You''re a Bronze Gong. What kind of poem would you write?" His meaning was euphemistic, meaning, *You''re a martial Artist. Do you even know what poetry is?* "Thud thud" The eldest princess tapped on the table with her fingers, attracting the attention of the royals. She then said, "His name is Xu Qi''an, and his cousin is a student at the Cloud Deer Academy." *So what?* For a time, nobody knew quite what she meant, and she herself seemed to like seeing her brothers and sisters filled with question marks, but deliberately trying to maintain their cool. A smile appeared on her face, as she borated, "*Sending off Ziyang Jushi* is his work, and the poem Lin''an had read earlier is also his work." The princes at the scene showed an expression of disbelief and turned their eyes to observe Xu Qi''an. *The original author of the famous "Sending off Ziyang Junshi at Mianyang" is actually in front of me!* *Yes, it is said that the poem was written by the cousin of a certain student from Cloud Deer Academy. Huaiqing had said that this Bronze Gong''s cousin was a student of the Cloud Deer Academy...* Being the most aware of the rumours, the third prince immediately ascertained Huaiqing''s words to be true. *Huaiqing''s loyal dog is the poet who wrote "Its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk"...* The second princess opened her charming peach-like eyes to look at Xu Qi''an. Her impression of the bronze gong had changed a little. Xu Qi''an was taken aback, At first, he believed that his behaviour of sleeping with Fuxiang should have been monitored by the eldest princess. But he soon figured out that Huaiqing, being the one who had the Nightwatchers check up on him back then, would know of his affairs. The prince questioned, "But I had heard that the poet''s name was Yang Ming, and he is a schr from Changle County." The eldest princess didn''t answer. Xu Qi''an had to exin himself, "It was a pseudonym used by this subordinate." The prince didn''t continue speaking. The third prince said, "I found the previous poem to be excellent. *Drunk, he knows not if the sky floats in the water...* It sounds quite artistic, making me want to know theter verses." The children and grandchildren of the royal family naturally received the best quality education. Even the Second Princess, who only liked to dress up and not study was forced to read the books of the sages for several years as a child. As they had an extensive cultural background and could appreciate literature, Their attention shifted back to the poem after the third prince spoke. They were even looking forward to the poem, as they now knew Xu Qi''an''s identity and talent. Xu Qi''an slowly said, "*Drunk, he knows not if the sky floats in the water; his dreamden boat sailing atop the Milky way*."[^1] *Drunk, he knows not if the sky floats in the water; his dreamden boat sailing atop the Milky way...* The second princess recited it a few times with a low voice. She felt as if these two lines outlined a beautiful scene that could only exist in fairy tales. On a quiet night, her lying on the bow of a boat, wearing a beautiful dress, while a bright starry sky hung above her head, reflecting the Milky Way on the water. As the boat floated on theke, causing ripples, she also fell asleep peacefully. Princess Lin''an''s heart began to beat crazily. The eldest princess''s eyes also flickered, and she subconsciously tried to move her neck, as if she wanted to take a look at Xu Qi''an from the side, but she held back that urge. She still stayed still, maintaining her posture as a frigid beauty. Weird silence surrounded them, as the imperial children sampled and appreciated the two lines carefully. Different from the second princess, the princes experienced a type of ethereal aura that seemed to be beyond the mortal world, a transcendental contentedness. It was a rxing ambience, close to all things natural, free of worry, free of the troubles and intrigue of courtly life, free from the disputes and arguments of the mortal world. At the same time, when one awoke from this dream, they would feel a pang of sadness in their heart. "Good poem, good poem..." The third prince pped the table, excited as he felt that he had witnessed the birth of a masterpiece. That was an honour no reader would resist. "Is this a Qijue or a Qilu?"[^2] The seventh prince, who seemed to be the same age as Xu Qi''an, asked. "No, I only have these two sentences" "!!!" The princes were taken aback and stared at him wieldingplicated expressions. "Don''t joke like this." The third prince said, angrily, anxious and irritated, "Whates after?" He was like a reader tormented by an iplete novel, that finally got the chance to meet the author, suppressing his emotions that could explode at any time and saying, "I will give you onest chance, start typing!" "This poem was made on a whim, theres really nothing more..." XU Qi''an also felt ashamed. But, unfortunately, this poem wasn''t included in the nine-yearpulsory education textbooks. Of course, He was a cultured person, and he couldn''t have only studied the poems in the textbooks. He had the habit of collecting some excellent poems and articles, but he didn''t remember thempletely. He just remembered their essential lines. It was the same this time. "You, you..." The third prince pointed his fingers at Xu Qi''an, his anger making him mute. The other princes coldly watched this happen, secretly supporting the third prince to deal with this castrated dog.[^3] The eldest princess appeared in time to rescue Xu Qi''an, saying, "Xu Ningyan, Could you go on a walk with me?" "Ridiculous..." Looking at the two''s departing backs, the third prince pped the table, expressing his anger. "It''s truly a pity." The crown prince shook his head. "Ah, I remember now." The second princess suddenly spoke out, "I still haven''t asked him how the Sangpo case has been progressing." *So it was him!* The crown prince squinted. *No wonder I found the name Xu Qi''an familiar.* He remembered thismoner after being reminded by the second princess. ... After leaving behind her guards and maids, the eldest princess walked side by side with Xu Qi''an by theke. Instinctively, Xu Qi''an moved a step behind her. "Why were you looking for me?" The eldest princess stared at the calmke, her voice with the frigidity of colliding ice cubes, and the charm inherent to females. "Your subordinate has encountered some trouble, currently all the leads I have are broken." Xu Qi''an nced at the eldest princess, and upon finding she didn''t seem to care much, began to borate on the saltpetre mine case and the case of the lieutenant''s death to the eldest princess. "We had already known all this." The eldest princess didn''t show any expression on her face, as she admired the scenery of theke. *She already knew? Um, With her ability, It''s not too difficult for her to not know of the information I found out.* Xu Qi''an gritted his teeth, intending to reveal the internal details, "Why did the Yao bomb Yongzhen Shanhe Temple? That is a suspicious point, and also the breakthrough point of this case." *First I should verify if it is the first Jianzheng. If it is the first Jianzheng, I could form a rough list of the suspects who colluded with the Yao.* After withdrawing her gaze, the eldest princess said in a calm tone, looking at Xu Qi''an, "There is indeed a strong expert or something simr sealed under Yongzhen Shanhe Temple. But, only father the Emperor knows of this secret." "..." Xu Qi''an nearly couldn''t control himself. *"The eldest princess knows even this?"* *She realised that something is sealed under Yongzhen Shanhe Temple. Yeah, it''s not surprising that she could deduce this, considering her intelligence.* Xu Qi''an hadn''t expected the eldest princess to talk about this matter with him frankly. It should be considered that only Emperor Yuanjing knew the secret of Yongzhen Shanhe Temple. Observing Xu Qi''an''s slight change of expression, the eldest princess realized his shock hidden inside. So, she chuckled lightly and threw out an olive branch "You are quite talented. Are you willing to work with this princess?" That was exactly what Xu Qi''an wished. He wished for this but he didn''t dare to say it. But, since the eldest princess directly asked him, Xu Qi''an immediately said, "This one vows to give his all for your highness." Xu Qi''an was very familiar with this, as he had spoken simr words to the chief in the same way when he worked at the police station in his previous life. *Of course, I mean giving in my all for work, for mutual benefit. I don''t intend to be a dog for imperial power...* He silently said. *With the eldest princesss EQ and IQ, Im sure it wont be hard to maintain a presentable rtionship.* The eldest princess put on a bright smile, bright enough to make theke lose its lustre. "Tell me of your findings." The tone of the lotus-like eldest princess changed greatly as if the barrier between the two had disappeared. Xu Qi''an thought about it before he decided to tell the truth. The reason was also quite simple. He had just formed an "ally" rtionship with the eldest princess, and he needed to express his value next. He needed to let the eldest princess realize his excellence. Additionally, He wanted to know about the thing sealed under Sangpo, which he couldn''t do without the help of the eldest princess. Moreover, The eldest princess was the one who had opened up about the topic and told him that the secret was one only Emperor Yuanjing was privy to. "ording to this one''s investigation, there must be a behind-the-scenes person behind Zhou Chixiong, who manipted all this, and also colluded with the Yao." Xu Qi''an said. A strange look shed in the eldest princess''s eyes, "How could you be sure?" Xu Qi''an said, "Magistrate Zhao of Taikang County died in the Constabry Prison this morning. I suspect he was silenced." The eldest princess lowered her eyes and nodded after thinking. Xu Qi''an continued, "I have always been wondering why the Yao would want to blow up Sangpo, and, why the behind-the-scenes person colluded with the Yao. So, I sent people to check the documents rted to Sangpo, where I found a very strange thing. The time: Five Hundred Years ago!" Saying that he paused, leaving some time for the eldest princess to be shocked. But he was disappointed, as the eldest princess just digested the message while frowning. *Cijiu was right... This woman hides a gully in her chest, one of unfathomable depth.* "Five hundred years ago, the crown prince of that time fell into the water by ident andter went mad. And soon after, drowned in Sangpo Lake." The eldest princess showed a dazed look, "I remember this event." Xu Qi''an nodded, as he continued, "Five Hundred years ago, Emperor Wuzong revitalized the imperial court and eliminated evil. In this, there was an obstacle he couldn''t avoid - the first generation Jianzheng!" Hearing that, the eldest princess finally changed her expression. Staring at the immacte beautiful face of the eldest princess, Xu Qi''an asked a series of questions, "Why is the Jianzheng pretending to be sick? Why is his majesty keeping the item under Sangpo secret? Why didn''t the sealed item not die in 500 years? Why don''t the Sitianjian arcanists know about the first Jianzheng?" *Is this the distortion of human values or a loss of morality...* Xu Qi''anmpooned, "Of course, this is just your subordinates guess. But, considering the experts from five hundred years ago, it has to be the first Jianzheng." The eldest princess was shocked and remained silent for a long time when a gust of wind blew to make waves in theke. She sighed, "So, You are looking for this princess to..." "Your subordinate wants to check some documents that can''t be found outside." Xu Qi''an said, "I found the sealing formation in Sangpo Lake, and the pirs of the formation are engraved with Buddhist Script." "Buddhist Script?" The eldest princess stretched her hands inside her sleeves subconsciously, then she stared at Xu Qi''an for a few moments before she looked away, and said calmly, "Alright, I''ll take you to the Wenyuan[^4] Pavilion after the banquet is over." Xu Qi''an breathed a sigh of relief, and after thanking the eldest princess, he suddenly heardughter like silver bells and the sound of sshing water behind him. Turning his head to take a look, he saw the second princess, wearing a fiery red dress, standing on the back of a monster. She was holding the horns on top of the monster''s with her hands, and twisting to stabilize herself, showing off her graceful back. The monster was fully white, and had fine scales and t armoured te on its back, leaving just enough space for a person to stand upon. It was three meters long and had sharp ws on its abdomen, making it look like a dragon. The eldest princess turned around and introduced, "This beast is called a Spirit Dragon, the only one of its kind in the central ins. It has a docile personality. It is said that it was the water mount of the emperor in ancient times." "It thrives on purple qi. So, it was kept in the pce by the royal families of all the past empires to indicate their possession of purple qi and their orthodoxy as human emperors."[^5] The eldest princess continued, "This beast has its unique Qi Watching Technique." *It should be the thing I saw on theke...* Xu Qi''an mhmed. *Purple Qi is the Qi unique to the royals and noble people. This beast lives off purple qi, which indicates it to be a type of auspicious beast.* The auspicious beast raised its head, sometimes rising, sometimes moving along the waters surface, causing the water lilies to bob up and down. The second princess smiled like a flower in bloom, giggling like a little hen as she happily yed. The princes watched the scene while smiling, while the other two princesses ran to the shore, shouting for Lin''an toe ashore so they could take turns ying. "Although the spirit dragon is quite docile, it is very proud. It will attack any ordinary person who approaches it. Lin''an can y with it, being a princess." The eldest princess said while curling her mouth and performing an action Xu Qi''an didn''t expect her to do. She brought her index finger to her mouth and whistled vigorously. Hearing the Whistle, the spirit dragon raised its head high like a snake and turned to the side. Everyone could see it stiffen for a moment before it suddenly became agitated, and let off a clear loud cry. It shook its head and tried to throw the second princess off as if it felt it shameful to be ridden by her. "Ah..." "Plop!" The second princess screamed as she sshed into theke. The spirit dragon violently twisted its body and swam toward the eldest princess. While moving through the water, It kept crying, although it couldn''t be seen whether it was due to excitement or irritability. "Whoosh!" When it approached the shore, it soared into the sky and then fell heavily, hitting its head on the edge of theve, sshing mud all over. A few drops of mud sshed into the eldest princess''s in white dress. The eldest princess was surprised; the spirit beast seemed to be very close to her today. She originally whistled not to summon the spirit beast, but to attract its attention and make it turn its head so Lin''an, who was standing unstably, would fall into the water. Who would have thought that the spirit dragon would show such a violent reaction, and shake its head to send Lin''an off flying? *Why is the eldest princess like a schr from Cloud Deer Academy?... So ck-bellied... My little brother is also simrly sinister and vicious... Yeah, The eldest princess had also studied at Cloud Deer Academy...* Xu Dng understood the meaning behind Xu Eng''s warning. *Sure enough, only ck-bellied people understood ck-bellied people well.* The movements in the water''s surface startled all the princes, and the Crown Prince rushed to the shore first to call the guards for rescue. "So the spirit dragon does like Huaiqing more." "Does this mean that Huaiqing has a stronger Purple Qi than Lin''an?" "It isn''t right... the spirit dragon doesn''t show much enthusiasm toward us. Look at its attitude right now. I have only seen a simr attitude once when I was a child. At that time, it was facing Father." "Huaiqing previously..." Holding the hem of her skirt, the eldest princess walked towards the Spiritual Dragon with a smile on her face, intending to ride on it. All the princes and princesses, including the crown prince, were watching the scene. --- This was a 4000 character long chapter. Xiangjun asks for monthly tickets, but since we dont have any monthly tickets, *ahem*, perhaps something else? [^1]: Of Qingcao Lake in Longyang County, by Tang Gong,te Yuan Dynasty. *The west wind blew ripples in Dongtingske; Overnight the Xiang gods hair turned grey; Drunk, he knows not if the sky floats in the water; His dreamden boat sailing atop the Milky way.* (Tranted by Yan, with inspiration from another trantion from some Zhihu post somewhere). Dongting Lake in Hunan is one of the most famouskes in China, being the namesake of the two provinces Hunan (south of theke) and Hubei (north of theke). The Xiang river, thergest river in Hunan, flows into thiske. The poem is talking about the river god of the Xiang River, and a windy clear night on Dongtingke. [^2]: Ancient Chinese poem meters. Qijue = 4 lines of 7 characters. Qil = 8 lines of 7 characters. [^3]: If you don''t know Authors who post iplete works are called eunuchs, as there''s nothing below. That means that Gu Zhen Ren is also technically a eunuch author :kekw: [^4]: , Document Pool [^5]: Purple was one of the colours for royalty in China. Especially, purple qi is something exclusive to important people. One famous example is "Laozi went out of Hangu Pass, making 3000 miles of purple qi appear in the sky." Chapter 122: Princess Linans Summon Chapter 122: Princess Lin''an''s Summon # 122. Princess Lin''an''s Summon *Mn, apart from being ck-bellied, the eldest princesss desire for victory is really strong* using action theory, Xu Qian started analysing her, and deducing the stronger side of the eldest princesss personality. *Eh Why does it seem to be looking at me!?* The spirit dragons eyes werent fierce vertical slits, rather they were round like ck pearls, like pet dogs Xu Qian had seen in his past life. Thus, it looked very gentle. But this wasnt the important part, rather Xu Qian had a strange feeling that the spirit dragon was waiting for him. Indeed, when the eldest princess drew near to the spirit dragon, a scene that caught everyone off-guard happened. It suddenly revealed its angry, hostile side, roaring a hoarse roar towards the eldest princess, warning her not toe closer. The eldest princess furrowed her brow, and backed off a few steps. The spirit beast stopped roaring, and continued to crouch by the shore, like before making thate ride me expression. Eh, the spirit dragon isnt letting Huaiqing on. Whats up, is the spirit dragons mood not good today? Thats not right, with its posture, its clearly waiting for someone to ride it. The other princes and princesses started talking amongst themselves. Xu Qian didnt hear their talking, but he knew that this situation couldnt go on any more. Thinking about it, a spirit beast that likes consuming purple qi not submitting to a princess, rather opening its legs and waiting for you to ride on. Nothing good coulde out of this! Xu Qian thought it was probably his own strange luck that caused this, but hed rather slowly figure it out himself, even if he didnt eventually get anywhere, rather then having this secret out in the open! In this worlds rules of existence, you wont get out of trouble just because you didnt know better! Eldest princess, this strange beast is very dangerous, lets leave quickly. Taking advantage of the fact that the eldest princess hadnt yet linked the dragons behaviour onto him, Xu Qian quickly blocked her path. This way he both increased the spirit dragons attention to himself, and made the eldest princess aware that there was something wrong with its emotions. The eldest princess frowned, staring at the spirit dragon for a while, before nodding her head helplessly Lets go. Xu Qian pretended to cover her, letting the eldest princess leave first, before following on himself. When he walked several dozen metres away, he heard the spirit dragon behind him let out a chagrined and mournful cry. Xu Qian and Huaiqing returned back to the square tform. The second princess Linan had already been pulled from theke, soaking wet all over, wearing a thickrge coat, her hands hugging her chest, shivering cold with purple lips. She pointed at Huaiqing, crying I will tell father, Huaiqing, you wont have end to this! The eldest princess replied lightly What does this have to do with this princess? Clearly today the spirit dragon is feeing angry, and you lost control. Lin''an fought and lost and fought and lost, over and over again, and the other princes and princesses had already gotten used to it, talking amongst themselves of the spirit dragons abnormality. The spirit dragon is indeed not right, its craziness just then was strange. Why is it still by the shore, and looking over this way From its cries it seems really upset The crown prince, as Lin''ans full brother, sympathetically looked at his sister for a few seconds, before happily joining back into the conversation, Perhaps its mood isnt good. The spirit dragon isnt an ordinary beast; naturally it has its own temper. However extraordinary though, it was still a beast, and its thoughts could not be sussed out. Their Highnesses talked about it for a while longer, before not paying it any more mind. The second princess fell into the water, and afraid that she may get a cold, the banquet ended early. The noble princes and princesses all got back in their carriages and returned, leaving their servants to tidy up the area. The eldest princess took Xu Qian through the eastern gate, and reached the Wenyuan Pavillion. The Wenyuan Pavilion was the royal familys book archives. It was made of seven pagodas, and the number of books stored inside were as many as stars in the sky. Xu Qian and the eldest princess threw themselves into ancient records, and searched for over two hours, finding many records about the first generation Jianzheng. This person created the arcanist path, but had a mysterious background; he assisted the first emperor in his great cause, and should have been someone who would be highly revered, a servant by the hand of the dragon. But records about him suddenly stopped five hundred years ago. Very clearly, someone had struck him from the annals of history. The one who did it was undoubtedly Emperor Wuzong. In the third archive on the second floor, by the window, the eldest princess sat, half her body shining in the sunlight, her pale round face as if giving off its own light, such that even the fuzz on her face was visible. She said: If at that time Emperor Wuzong struck out records of the first generation Jianzheng, then we will not be able to find any relevant information in the Wenyuan Pavilion. Seeing Xu Qian show a disappointed expression, the eldest princess reminded him, Did you not say that you found buddhist script on the stone pirs? We can try to approach it from that direction. Over two hours of reading, she was feeling tired, and unconsciously leaned closer to the table. This movement, made her heavy breasts rest on the table. *This womans chest has a gully* Xu Qian looked at it with the corner of his eye, but did not pay attention to it. After all, if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you. And as for this abyss, Xu Qian did not dare anger. Unless in the future he can make the abyss move its gaze away shyly. Changing tacks indeed helped them greatly. Ive read through *Records of the Great Fengs Geography*, and found that when the Great Feng was founded, there was no Buddhist temple by the capital, nor were there Buddhists spreading their religion. But five hundred years ago, suddenly a Buddhist temple appeared, called Baota[^1] Temple. The eldest princess was worthy of being called a high achiever; in the field of searching resources, she far outmatched the uncultured Xu Qian. Her long eyshes trembled, and tiredness shed in her eyes, which melted slightly that cold and steely gaze. At this time, she seemed to be a jade statuee to life. The eldest princess was rather pleased by the discovery, continuing, When the Baota temple was most prosperous, every day the number of people burning incense were like the clouds in the sky, with an endless stream of rich and aplished people. Their single temple managed to buy nearly 100 *qing*[^2] of good farnd. But following the courts decision to purge Buddhism, Baota temple slowly started declining. Today the few great Buddhist monasteries have not much to do with Baota temple any more. Mn, theres one branch that remains, Qinglong[^3] Temple, located on the White Phoenix Mountain on the western outskirts of the city hey, are you listening? Dont talk, youll break my train of thought. Xu Qian frowned. The eldest princess raised her brow, but ultimately resisted, and didnt speak. Xu Qian was mentally ssifying all the possible leads he had. *If Wei Yuan wanted me to target the ones behind the scenes, then the situation with the first generation Jianzheng doesnt need my interference, but this thing cannot be sidestepped. Only when I unearth the heart of the case can I continue to investigate further* *Currently, the sequence of events of Sangpo Lake goes like this: When Emperor Wuzong usurped the throne, he sealed the first Jianzheng inside Sangpo Lake, using the divine sword that could suppress fortune to assist with maintaining the magic formation that sealed him. This secret is known only by Emperor Yuanjing.* *The northern Yao contacted traitors inside court, and blew up the seal in Sangpo Lake, releasing the first generation Jianzheng, trying to cause chaos in the Great Feng Capital. Thus they could use the opportunity and cause trouble in the north.* *If I go down this path, then there are two kinds that I need to look into: One, those who are trying to reinstate the original royal line. Two, those who want to usurp the throne.* * Royal family members? But the original royal line became history 500 years ago, so the chance of the first one isnt high. Then a usurper? Mm, this hypothesis is more reasonable, but itcks evidence.* *To be able to ally with the northern Yao, and also to be of the royal family the Zhenbei King!?* Xu Qian suddenly opened his eyes wide, shock written across his face. What have you discovered? the eldest princess immediately asked. *I suspect that your uncle wants to be your dad, but I have no evidence.* Xu Qian shook his head, not answering the eldest princess, continuing his own deductions. *These types of words absolutely could not be said without iron-d proof. To nder a royal begets death!* *Deduction is like doing a maths problem. Any leads must be strung together, assembled together. As long as there is any w that could not be proved, then the true answer could be off by a million miles.* *So, at this moment I need to do two things: One, confirm that below Sangpo Lake is sealed the Jianzheng; this is the core to all my deductions. And to start solving this, I need to find out what role the Buddhists yed here.* *Second, I need to confirm whether or not the person who killed County Magistrate Zhao was of the Daoist Human Sect or not. If so, then what are the Daoists doing here, how could they have dealings with the Zhenbei King? Then I need to find evidence of their dealings.* *The answer to all of these questions must be gotten within a week. This way, even if I am wrong, I still have opportunity to start again from scratch. If in ten days the progress in the case is still notrge, then I can only hug Daddy Weis leg and cry: this ounts broken, can I get a new one.* Xu Qian simultaneously continued to think and started nning what he was going to do tomorrow. Search through resources on the different cultivation systems, and confirm how County Magistrate Zhao died; visit Qinglong Temple, and understand the events of 500 years ago; visit the Zhenbei Kings Manor, and see that consort praised as the capitals most beautiful woman. After making up his mind, Xu Qian said, Your subordinate has some ideas, but before conclusions are found, I dare not speak wildly about this matter to your Highness. The eldest princess was very clever, and didnt pursue. Nodding, she said, This princess is tired. The gold-leaved nanmu carriage left the Wenyuan Pavilion, and parted ways with Xu Qian. Xu Dng pinched his horse with his knees, and the sound of horse hooves echoed towards the eastern gate, before being stopped by a line of guards. Princess Linan wants to see you! The captain said. *Princess Linan? She and the eldest princess dont get along, and Im associated heavily with the eldest princess. This probably wont be something good, so no!* Xu Qian immediately turned them down, I have a royal decree to carry out, to investigate a case. Pass a message back to Princess Linan, to re-arrange for a different time. As he said so, he pulled out the golden token. Who wouldve predicted the captain showed no signs of fear,ughing Princess Linan is His Majestys most doted on princess. Your golden token doesnt work here. *From observing her at the banquet, a queen of the club ah, no. Princess Linan is unruly and headstrong. Even though shes not like Lingyue where one punch will send her crying for a long time, but she nheless started crying after falling into the water. Not someone with deep thoughts.* *Perhaps shed make things hard for me, but nothing to the point of a Hongmen Banquet,[^4] all I need to do is be careful.* *How confident are you* Xu Qian exhaled a turbid breath, Lead the way. --- Authors note: Are you shocked? Are you surprised? [^1]: Treasure Pagoda [^2]: One *qing* is an area equal to 100 *mu* , and 15 *mu* makes one hectare. Thats around 6 *mu* an acre for the Americans. [^3]: Azure Dragon [^4]: A situation created under false, friendly pretences, where danger lurks inside, Its better if you just read the story: [Hongmen /%E9%B8%BF%E9%97%A8%E5%AE%B4-hongmen-banquet-c44bfb80ab5) Chapter 123: Forces involved in the Sangpo Case Chapter 123: Forces involved in the Sangpo Case # 123. Forces involved in the Sangpo Case The second princess lived in Shaoyin[^1] Pce, which had a spacious and elegant garden. The chief guard led Xu Qi''an across therge threshold, and around the screen wall, bringing him in front of a courtyard bursting with colour and scenery like the innocent mind of a young girl. Swings were hanging from the vine racks, tattered y dolls were piled up in the corner, and various strange things were piled up on the east side of the courtyard. On the edge of the garden, the second princess Lin''an was kicking around an embroidered ball along with a few maidservants. The women''s chattering sound was sometimes mixed with the silver bell likeughter of Princess Lin''an. "Your Highness. I''ve brought Xu Qi''an here." The chief guard sped his fists and said out loud. The second princess stepped on the embroidered ball and turned around to take a look. She stared at Xu Qi''an for a few seconds, before the corners of her mouth raised slightly, and she kicked the embroidered ball away. "Boom!" The embroidered ball flew out, and ripples appeared in Princess Lin''an''s skirt, making it look like a flower in bloom. Xu Qi''an, who had met with a demonstration of authority upon meeting, was terrified. He was about to dodge when he found the embroidered ball miss its target and peng peng bounced into the distance. "... Ill spare you this time" The second princess tried her best to w back her honour, walking toward the front hall, and said, "Xu Qi''an, youe inside with me. Everyone else wait outside." In the luxurious and grand front hall, the second princess sat on therge chair, while Xu Qi''an stood in the middle of the hall. The two gave each other a silent look. Using her status as a Princess, the second princess attempted to subdue Xu Qi''an by using her gaze. She knew that Huaiqing had raised an eagle for a while when she was young. Eagle eyes were the sharpest, like knives. So, ordinary people couldn''t look at it for a long time. Due to this, When raising an eagle, she had to use a sharper and calmer gaze to suppress it. Once the Eagle Owner looks away, they lose the qualification to be an Eagle Owner. The purpose of Huaiqing in raising an eagle was to sharpen her eyes. Even until today, the second princess could not stare at Huaiqing for a long time. But, Her watery peach-like eyes weren''t that sharp. So, when she stared at others, she instead ignited their passion to talk. Xu Qi''an observed the second princess. She had a round face, somewhat simr to Chu Caiwei''s face in shape. But, thetter was sweet and restrained, with eyes that seemed to belong to an anime. The second princess had the beauty of a young imperial sister, with peach-like eyes that attracted affection. "Xu Qi''an, I had heard that you were Huaiqing''s loyal dog." Finding that her fierce gaze couldn''t subdue Xu Qi''an, she sneered and tried to attack with words. "Yes. You can call me Hachi.[^2]" Xu Qi''an said, earnestly. "What''s Hachi?" "It''s a loyal dog." "Are you joking with me?" Princess Lin''an raised her eyebrows. "I don''t dare." Xu Qi''an said, in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant. Princess Lin''an snorted in a lovable way, and then said, "I''m giving you a chance. Immediately join me and leave that woman Huaiqing. Otherwise..." *Join you? I have hugged the eldest princess''s jade leg and Wei Yuan''s thigh by now. If I turn to your side again... Won''t I be a ve of three surnames?*[^3] Xu Qi''an shook his head, "I''m sorry. I have already sworn to give my all for the eldest princess." The second princess immediately said, "So What? I also want you to serve me like an ox." *Will you give me grass, then?* Xu Qi''an understood the situation. *The second princess should have seen me being appreciated by the eldest princess, that I was the eldest princess''s henchman, She should have also seen my handsomeness, my talent in writing poetry, and my speaking nicely. So, she must have be jealous and wanted to steal me away from the eldest princess.* "Second Princess, Don''t make things difficult for me." Xu Qi''an sternly refused. People must have a contractual spirit. Since he had promised to give his all to the princess, he could no longer work for others. "If you don''t want to do so," The second princess opened her eyes wide open, sneered, and threatened, "I''ll yell ''Indecent'' right now, and tell the guards that you were trying to molest me." "I''m willing to do my best for the second princess, and serve her as an ox would." Xu Qi''an said, earnestly. The second princess immediately became joyful, "The person who understands current affairs is a hero. You are a talent... Well, From now on, you wille here to meet me and take my orders after noon every day." "Your Highness, I am tasked to investigate the Sangpo case." Xu Qi''an sighed. "...thats true." Princess Lin''an thought for a while, "Let''s forget about tomorrow. When I want to order you, you wille to meet me." Xu Qi''an understood that this woman was just messing around. She didn''t want him to do anything. She was just trying to find fault with the eldest princess. The threat before wasn''t lethal as well. Exchanging a princess''s reputation for a bronze gong''s life, This was just losing blood. Precisely, as he understood it, he changed his attitude and agreed with the second princess. He treated it casually as ying with a child. "You should go back." The second princess was very cheerful because things were going on ording to her expectations. "Yes." "Wait!" The second princess called out to him, took off the jade pendant on her waist, and said, "This is my keepsake. You can use it to enter the pce. The guards won''t stop you. But, You can only go to this pce, not any other pce." *...This Generous? Youre a right brick arent you?* Xu Qi''an''s eyes lit up as he took the jade pendant and put it in his robe "From now on, I will do my best and serve your highness wholeheartedly." Xu Qi''an, the ve of three Surnames, left the imperial city before dusk and rode his horse back to the Nightwatcher Constabry. Work hours were over, and only the Nightwatchers and Petty officials on duty were left, causing the office to be much calmer and quieter than in the daytime. Just as Xu Qi''an entered the Constabry, a Gold Gong with a high nose and a broad forehead walked towards him. The Gold Gong was Zhu Chengzhu''s father, Zhu Yang. When the two enemies met, there was no battle. They just sullenly looked at each other. "Gold Gong Zhu, How''s young master''s injury?" Xu Qi''an smiled, as he took out his gold token and tied it around his waist, confidently. Zhu Yang nced at the gold token, and said calmly, "He''s lucky and barely scraped by. I''m afraid Master Xu will have to go first." Xu Qi''an waved his hand and smiled kindly, "I''ll wait for him on the road to get acquainted." Zhu Yang stared at him for a few seconds, then nodded, "Investigate the case carefully." "Well met, Gold Gong Zhu." As he walked towards the side hall of Spring Breeze Hall, he discovered that the bronze gongs under Li Yuchun and several bailiffs from the prefecture constabry were still there. Upon hearing the footsteps, Li Yuchun came out from the Spring Breeze Hall, and said, "We have some clues about the death of County Magistrate Zhao. Um, It may not be the work of the Dao Sect." Xu Qi''an nodded. He didn''t enter the side hall but followed Li Yuchun to the Spring Breeze Hall. "This afternoon, Prefecture Governor Chen invited some white cloaks from the Sitianjian to interrogate the jailers and wardens on duty that night. They confirmed that there wasn''t anything wrong with them. It was also confirmed that County Magistrate Zhao did die in the morning without sound in the prison." Li Yuchun poured a cup of tea for Xu Qi''an, both his subordinate and superior, and continued, "The Daoist Yin spirits could indeed do this, and they can also bypass the wardens and jailers silently. But, after checking the information, I found that another system can do the same." Xu Qi''an took a sip of tea and listened patiently. "The warlocks!" Li Yuchun said. "The Warlocks?" "Have you heard of the Church of the Warlock God?" "I had heard you say, boss, that Warlock God was a beyond-rank. Was the Church of the Warlock God established by the Warlock God?" Li Yuchun said, "Yes, the Warlock God is the godmonly believed in by all the countries in the northeast, and the Church of the Warlock God also has supreme power in the northeast, just like Buddhism in the West." Monarchy was followed in the Great Feng. The same holds for the Northern tribes as well. But, theocracy was followed in the Western Regions and the Northeast, with the Churches being the masters. "Are Warlocks as advanced as the Dao Sect in the field of the primordial spirit?" Xu Qi''an inquired. "No. No system canpare with the Dao Sect in Primordial Spirit." Li Yuchun shook his head and said, "But, fourth-rank warlocks are called Warlock of Dreams, who can weave dreams and kill people in their sleep." "Seventy years ago, a war had urred between the Northern Yao and the Church of the Warlock God due to territorial disputes. ording to the information sent back by the spies from the Nightwatchers, a group of 2,000 Yao soldiers died silently in the barracks. They didn''t have any wounds on their bodies. They all went to sleep, but never woke up again." *Rank four Warlock... Why are the Warlocks involved now... This case is tooplex.* *The Human Sect of Daoism is currently the State religion of Great Feng, and their Sect Master is the National Teacher. That''s already the highest status they could have. What benefit could they gain by helping King Zhenbei to usurp the throne?* *They couldn''t upgrade anymore, they had already hit the level cap.* *Therefore, It''s more likely that the Church of the Warlock God was involved. If County Magistrate Zhao was killed by a Warlock of Dreams, then the forces behind the Sangpo case would be The mastermind behind the scenes (King Zhenbei), The Northern Yao, and the Church of the Warlock God in the Northeast.* Xu Qi''an took a sip of tea, unable to hide the exhaustion in his eyes. We gained something, at the very least. We can rule out the Human Sect as a culprit, and the case has made some progress. "Boss, Report this to Duke Wei." Li Yuchun nodded, with worry covering his entire face, "Ive always felt that the end of the Gengzi year is the beginning of great chaos." "Let''s just solve the case. We don''t have to drink contraband oil and worry about the country andmunity." Xu Qi''an patted him on the shoulder, after which he left the Constabry. The darkness had set by the time he had returned home. He had remained hungry all day, and his stomach was rumbling. After eating the food warmed up by the cook and the milk offered by little sister Lingyue, he returned to the small courtyard and fell asleep. On the third day, Xu Qi''an rode to the yamen at the brink of dawn, and happened to meet Chu Caiwei, who was wearing a light yellow dress, and riding a horse across the street, trotting over. She held the rein in one hand and held an oil paper bag between her arms using the other, revealing half a steamed bun, which was trying hard to jump out following the bumps of the horse. "Do you want to eat it?" Chu Caiwei generously handed over a steamed stuffed bun to him, and continued, "It''s meat." Xu Qi''an felt the emotion he felt when learning that Xu Lingyin only drank a bowl of porridge because of worrying about him. *This foodie treats me as one of her own.* Xu Qi''an took the bun and put it in his mouth while throwing the reins to the petty official at the door. Walking inside while eating, he asked, "Any clues?" Chu Caiwei said, "I asked Senior Brother Song Qing. He said that the Magical Treasures capable of blocking the Qi Watching Technique, outside the Sitianjian and the pce, could only be in Buddhism. Well, .ot a Buddhist Temple for mortals. Qinglong Temple." *Qinglong Temple?!* *The inheritor of that Baota Temple..." Xu Qi''an was surprised, but not that surprised.* *As I thought, Buddhism is inseparable from the Sangpo case.* *The Sitianjian, The royal family, the Church of the Warlock God, The Northern Yao, the Zhenbei King, the Buddhist Sect... so many forces involved in this small Sangpo Case.* --- [^1]: beautiful tone [^2]: Hachi: A Dog''s Tale. A Tearjerker [^3]: Lu Bu, famous for killing adoptive fathers and joining their enemy Chapter 124: Qinglong Temple Chapter 124: Qinglong Temple # 124. Qinglong Temple Finishing his bun, Xu Qian sent Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng to notify everyone else in the group to gather in the front ocurtyard. Currently, Xu Qians groupposed: Gold Jade Hall, Suppressing Evil Hall, Spring Breeze Hall, Chu Caiwei from the Sitianjian, and six bailiffs from the prefecture office. In total, 24 people. The two silver gongs Min Shan and Yang Feng were responsible for auditing the Ministry of Industrys gunpowder production and past records. This task was bothplex and time-consuming. Xu Qian internally had alreadye to the conclusion that the gunpowder did note from the Ministry of Law, but just out of caution, he did not stop the investigation there. Today, he was to leave the capital. Knowing how many powers were involved in the Sangpo Case, Xu Qian followed his heart and brought on as many people as he could. He first went to the imperial city, and whilst the others were stopped outside, only the foodie Chu Caiwei was able to follow him in. This miss was a regr of the imperial city; she coulde and go as she pleased, and had extraordinary status. Didnt the eldest princess give you a jade pendant? Xu Qian asked. Chu Caiwei nodded. I also have one. Xu Qian pulled from his pocket a jade pendant, and proudly showed it off. That seems familiar ah, from princess Linan? Chu Caiwei eximed tenderly. Im now princess Linans, she recognises my merits. Seeing that the eldest princess didnt give me a jade pendant, she quickly gave me one, expressing that she looked on me more highly than the eldest princess, and could be relied on. Xu Qian told the big-eyed Chu Caiwei about yesterdays events. Shes really dumb. Chu Caiwei giggled, mocking Linan. *Big brother, dont mock second brother. Where do you have the right to mock Biaobiao* Xu Qian agreed, Yeah, not every woman has the same cool intellect as Miss Caiwei. On Chu Caiweis round face, her smile became ever sweeter. Not longter, they came to the Huaiqin Kings Manor. The Zhenbei Kings royal title was King Huai[^1], and he was Emperor Yuanjings blood brother, thus his manor name had the character qin added to it. In front of the door were two white marble lions. The door was two *zhang* tall, with golden rivetsid out in neat rows. The door knocker wasrger than on the manors of any ordinary nobility. Apart from being high-ss and magnificent, Xu Qian could not think of any other words to describe it. In front of the door were stood a row of armed and armoured soldiers, their expressions solemn. This official is Xu Qian, the lead investigator of the Sangpo Lake case, personally appointed by His Majesty. I would like to visit the Kings Consort, please pass on the message to her. Xu Qian showed his golden token. One of the solders gave Xu Qian a side-eye, and replied The Consort is not seeing any guests. Please leave. Xu Qians eyebrow jumped, and was just about to scold him, when he heard the soliderugh coldly, and add This is also His Majestys order. Even if the eldest princess wanted to see our consort, she must also do so on our consorts terms. Piss off, dont use chicken feathers to call the shots.[^2] With great realisation, Xu Qian let out an ohh, andughed: So the gold token His Majesty personally bestowed amounts to chicken feathers this person is ndering His Majesty, and hasmitted lese-majest[^3]. With one hand on his sabre hilt, heughed fiercely, This official will now arrest the criminal, anyone who tries to interfere will be killed under thew! Sching! The ck-gold long sabre came out of its scabbard half an inch, as the flowing qi vibrated the air. The guard who had mocked Xu Qian knew that he had spoke wrongly, and his face slowly turned white. The captain of the guard stared heavily at his subordinate unable to hold his tongue, and came over to Xu Qian. As he walked, his armour clinked like a stream. Sir, the Zhenbei Consort is not in the manor. Where did she go? Xu Qian sat astride his horse, looking down on him. This subordinate is only a door guard, how would I know where the consort has gone. But she is indeed not in the manor; this morning she had just left the city, about an hour before your arrival. The guard captain spoke with a very respectful manner. Xu Qian nodded slightly, his attitude unyielding, This official is now arresting a criminal, if you lot do not want to be used of harbouring a criminal, then help me arrest this person. He pointed to the solider who had mocked him. Sir! the captain became desperate. Internally he was bursting with anger, but he didnt dare show it, saying earnestly, The Kings consort is really not here. As the guards of the kings manor, they didnt need to give face to any ordinary official or noble. But the one facing him was holding a golden token, and had also taken advantage of his underlings crime as leverage, so the captain could only try to make peace. Only then did Xu Qian believe him, and turning his horse around, lead Chu Caiwei away. This consort of ours is certainly something, even the eldest princess cant see her at will. Chu Caiwei, meeting everyones expectations,pletely missed the fact that Xu Qian'' was testing her, and replied promptly The consorts standing is very special. How special? This is a secret. Chu Caiwei smiled, showing her teeth, Dont pry too much into this, it wont do you any good. She then proceeded to make a stern face, and warned, Dont you dare use food to bribe me. Why? Because Im afraid I cant resist she said aggrievedly. In the western outskirts of the capital lies a White Phoenix Mountain. From the western city gate, it took only an hour to get there. The White Phoenix Mountains name came from a species of white wild bird that roosted on the mountain. Their feathers were very long, almost like phoenixes, hence its name. But these White Phoenixes that lived on the peak have nearly gone extinct, and really it was all the Sitianjians fault. Some years ago, a physician from the Sitianjian went to White Phoenix Mountain to pick medicinal herbs, and on the way captured a few white phoenixes. He took them back to investigate, only to find that the white phoenix meat could improve a mans vitality Coming to the foot of White Phoenix Mountain, the experienced and knowledgeable Lyu Qing told this tale,ughing. Song Tingfeng had a thought, and hesitantly said, Boss, I have a friend whose health isnt the greatest, I want to hunt a few white phoenixes for him. Silver Gong Min Shan stared at him, What time is it, that youre still thinking of wild game? This is an urgent matter, if you dy the case, who takes responsibility? Li Yuchun frowned, and didnt respond. Xu Qianughed, This visit to White Phoenix Mountain mainly is to understand a few events from the long past; were not in that much of a hurry. Tingfeng, remember toe back quickly. Hearing this, Min Shan said shyly, Sir Xu, how about I apany Bronze Gong Song? I can look after him. *You need to look after each other to hunt some birds?* Xu Qian nced at him, You also have a friend? Min Shan felt all the men stare at him with strange gazes. Silver Gong Min felt somewhat desperate, and after an age only managed to squeeze out one sentence, Whether it restores vitality isnt important, I mostly want to know what a nearly extinct bird tastes like. Everyone roared withughed. Once Xu Qian had stoppedughing, he made a serious face, saying I was just joking. The background of the Sangpo case isplicated; in the capital I dont care where you go, but outside of it, do not leave the group. The twisted mountain trail pierced deep into the forest. At the foot of the mountain was arge *paifang* gate, upon which was written Qinglong Temple. Qinglong Temple wasnt full to bursting with guests, but nor was it lonely and stagnant. On the way, they would asionally see groups ofmoners who hade up the mountain to offer incense. By the paifang gate was parked a resplendent horse-drawn cart, with about a dozen armoured soldiers guarding it. This carriage felt very familiar to Xu Qian. It was made with nanmu wood covered in gold leaf, and every detail was carved out and decorated with jade and gold. It was the same carriage that he saw that time when he went to the Jiaofangsi. The person in the cart had asked Xu Qian to y pitch pot for her, using two hundred taels of gold to exchange for the bodhi prayer bracelet. *Right, Jinlian Daozhang said that the woman in the carriage will have some kind of destiny with me who could she be? Golden Nanmu was used exclusively by the royal family, but the eldest princess and the second princesss carriages all dont look like this. Some regional lord of the royal family? Or, a consort of the Emperor?* *No no, definitely a consort, dont scare yourself.* *Even if she was a consort, she had to be on the same level as Auntie to pass* he thought. Tying his horse to the wooden post, and leaving the bailiffs from the constabry and a Bronze Gong to guard it, Xu Qian lead the other Nightwatchers up the mountain. Barely taking several steps, Xu Qian felt something soft under his foot. He had trodden on a scented sachet. *Ive changed to picking up perfumed sachets instead of silver today?* He naturally bent his waist an picked it up, examining it closely. The scented sachet was exquisitely made, embroidered with intricate cloud patterns. Its material was extremely expensive, definitely not something an average rich familys daughter could get. On one side of the sachet was embroidered a gold Nan character, on the other a Zhi character. The golden threads were sewn into intricate and beautiful knots.[^4] Xu Qian caught a whiff of a wonderful scent, like perfume, like sandalwood incense, but also more like the fragrance of a womans body. Wait a moment from behind them came a crisp voice. A young girl wearing a light blue gown caught up to them, not being scared in the slightest at the sight of the Nightwatcher uniforms. She pointed to the sachet in Xu Qians hand, and let out a breath, saying Our Madam dropped this. She wore a maids bun, yet the material used on her clothes was more luxurious than many a rich mans daughter. Xu Qian instinctively looked towards the luxurious carriage at the foot of the mountain, Your madam? Dont ask too many questions, hand the sachet back. The young girls tone of voice was strong. What sachet? Xu Qian stowed the sachet into his robe. You the young girl stared at him with anger, You wait right here. Picking up her skirt, she rushed down the stone stairs. Xu Qian didnt continue walking, waiting right where he was, watching her go up to the carriage, and say something to the window. Ningyan, dont cause trouble. That carriage is used specifically by a royal family member. Li Yuchun said with a frown. Xu Qian was only under decree to investigate the case. In Brother Chuns mind, he was still his subordinate. Brother Chun didnt want to see Xu Qian step on too many toes as he investigated. Even if he managed to use the merit of this to atone for his crime, if he had disrespected people he shouldnt have disrespected, then that would all be for naught. *You dont understand, that woman and I have joint destiny!* Xu Qian shook his head, not exining, still watching everything going on by the carriage. However the result made Xu Qian disappointed. He indistinctly saw the window open a sliver, as the person inside seemed to be examining him. Being so far away, he couldnt see anything in the darkness of the carriage. The window quickly closed again, being shut tight. A few secondster, the carriage started moving, slowly travelling away. *I guess the time hasnte* Xu Qian sighed, Lets go. Lets see the head monk in Qinglong Temple. A group of uniform-wearing Nightwatchers swarmed into the temple, and immediately received a deacons reception. This deacon was a round-faced chubby monk, with kindly looking features, and looked to be in his forties. cing his hands together, he said This monk is the supervisor at Qinglong Temple, my dharma name is Hengqing[^5]. Sirs, please follow me inside. He lead the party into the temple, and enthusiastically told them about the Qinglong Temples history, calling themselves the orthodox descendants of the west, and practicing Buddhism, worshipping the Buddha. Xu Qians eyes scanned over towering pagoda after towering pagoda, and waved, Call your abbot over, this official has a few questions. Qinglong temple was the only Buddhist temple in the capital region, and as the deacon said, is the inheritor of the wests Buddhism. Beforeing here, Xu Qian had done his homework. Qinglong Temples abbot was a fifth-rank Scarya[^6], and easily outranked them all. But Xu Qian was not in the least afraid, because the early stages of the Buddhist cultivation path were not skilled in physical melee, eighth rank Warrior Monks aside. The Buddhist ninth rank was called Sramanera, or Acolyte. This rank was very interesting, as its core principle was to followmandments; if one does not break their vows for three years, they would rank up. On the surface this seems easy, but it was not so. Themandments of the Buddhist sect were strict and numerous, one could very much identally break one. The eighth rank were Warrior Monks, who were not too different from martial artists. They also could fight. Theter seventh rank Dharmacarya, sixth rank Dyanacarya all werent very able to fight.[^7] Only when they got to the fifth rank did this change. It was worth mentioning, that when Xu Qian was in the Constabry archives looking up resources, he found a very interesting titbit: The rank after ninth-rank Sramanera was immediately a seventh-rank Dharmacarya. It skipped the eighth-rank warrior monk. His resources did not say why this was the case, and time was urgent, so Xu Qian didnt bother spending the time to investigate the Buddhist cultivation path. He could only guess that within the Buddhist sect there were probably two separate cultivation paths. The abbot is meditating, and so is not avable. If you have any questions you can ask me. Hengqing lead everyone into the tea room, and ordered an acolyte to serve tea. The temple has magic items that can block the Sitianjians qi-watching? Xu Qian sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, and immediately got to the point. What does Sir mean? Hengqing put his hands together, shaking his head, The temple does not have these kinds of magic items. Master, monks shall not lie. Xu Qians gaze was sharp. Hengqing lowered his head, not meeting Xu Qians gaze, saying Everything this monk says is the truth. Is it that after the ninth rank Sramanera, one can lie with abandon? Xu Qian smiled, his eyes remaining cold. Hengqings head did not move, as he ignored Xu Qian, not caring in the least for the cold gazes of the Nightwatchers surrounding him. *You really wont cooperate without force?* Xu Qian felt somewhat angry. --- [^1]: [^2]: Use chicken feathers: use some superiors irrelevant words / actions to order people around. [^3]: An offence against the dignity of the crown one notable country which enforces thisw is Thand. [^4]: Nan south; Zhi cape jasmine [^5]: [^6]: One who is learned in Buddhist rules, who enforces principles and trains junior monks. [^7]: Dharmacarya: one who is learned in the dharma, a teacher of scripture. Dhyanacarya: a master of dhyana, or zen. Chapter 125: A Secret Chapter 125: A Secret # 125. A Secret "Ai, It seems that this was destined to be a fruitless trip." Xu Qi''an finally took his first sip of tea since entering the temple, and sighed. "Master, Do you know of the Sangpo case circting in the capital recently?" Master Hengqing didn''t speak. After signalling his colleagues to be silent with his eyes, Xu Qi''an continued, "I was appointed as the lead investigator of the case by His Majesty. It''s not because the Emperor recognizes me and appreciates me..." Xu Qi''an let out a long sigh as if he wanted to stop speaking. Master Hengqing couldn''t help taking a nce at him. "As it happens, this matter has been in my mind for a long time. Now that I''m in the temple, I''ll talk about it with you, master." Xu Qi''an said after a while, A few days ago, I was ordered to raid the house of a criminal official. His Majesty was kind and didn''t implicate the family members in the mansion. But, when the house was being raided, Some colleagues saw the beautiful women in the mansion, causing them to want to spoil them... One of the girls was merely twelve or thirteen years old. As I couldn''t stand it, I stopped them immediately, fought with my superior, and almost killed him. I was sentenced to be chopped at the waist for this. So, His Majesty handed over the Sangpo case to me, and had me perform meritorious service to offset my crimes. "My friends say that I had been too impulsive. The correct way to handle this was to bear it first and report it to the Constabryter. But, in that case, the girl would have already fallen prey..." Xu Qi''an showed a painful and entangled expression, "It is said that the Dharma is boundless and can save myriad sentient beings. I want to ask the master if I did the right thing or not." Lyu Qing was taken aback, astonished. She hadn''t known that such a storyy behind Xu Qi''an''s imprisonment. *He is different from other men...* An gentle light emerged in the eyes of the female constable. Master Hengqing was slightly moved. He hadn''t expected this court dog to be a warm-hearted person. After reciting the Buddha''s name, he said: As long as the benefactor[^1] has a clear conscience, you will not be touched by karma. "Master also believes that I did something wrong." Xu Qi''an dully said. After hesitating for some time, Hengqing said, You have a good heart, and mercifully saved people, what sin is in that? Xu Qi''an asked, "Then, Why did the imperial court sentence me to death?" Master Hengqing pacified him, "The world is like a sea of bitterness. Being inside it means that you can''t stop yourself sometimes. Sometimes, a kind heart may not lead to a good oue. However, even if it iste, a good oue will never be absent. The Sangpo case is so, a heaven-mandated turning point for the benefactor." "Master, I''m enlightened!" Xu Qi''an seemed to have realized something, turned his head, and said to everyone: "Everyone should have heard it. Master Hengqing said that the Great Feng is a sea of bitterness, and the Sangpo case is the retribution brought about by the royal family. Why are you all in a daze? Come and arrest him." ng ng ng... Everyone stood up immediately, as the sounds of des being drawn resounded through the quiet room. ... The Zen Chamber. The abbot of the Qinglong Temple, Master Panshu was sixty-two years old. His bald head wasn''t as shiny as it was in his youth, and his white beard had grown to reach his chest. A Fifth Rank Scarya, He had remained in this realm for more than 20 years. The Buddhist system paid attention to a single word, "Enlightenment". Some monks may have practiced Zen for decades, yet not go further until their deaths. However, some monks could suddenly realize the unity of all dharma in a single night, like a sudden spring breeze, saving them decades of hard work. Master Panshu could have been the former or thetter, but nobody could be any sure if he could achieve enlightenment before he actually did so. This could be described as Schrodinger''s Enlightenment, or Quantum Buddhism. "Abbot, abbot.." A deacon shouted anxiously from across the courtyard, "A group of Nightwatchers came to the temple and arrested Courtyard Master Hengqing, saying that he ndered the Imperial Court and the royal family." Abbot Panshu opened his eyes and said softly, "I know." The door of the room opened on its own, after which Master Panshu disappeared from the room. ... The Nightwatchers escorted Master Hengqing outside the temple. As they apanied him, more and more monks gathered, giving off hostile gazes. They gave off the appearance of forming an encirclement as if they would immediately fight with this group of court dogs if some took the lead. But the Nightwatchers had too strong of a background. They could fight with this group today, causing a group of strong ones to raze the Qinglong Temple the next day. Therefore, no one made any rash moves. "Master, you don''t have to be afraid. At the Nightwatcher Office, You will be released soon if you cooperate with us." Xu Qi''an consoled. At the time, Xu Qi''an''s smile was a devil''s smile to Master Hengqing. He didn''t feel any constion in his words at all. "Amituofo!" A majestic but benevolent voice sounded, calming down the hostility and anger of the monks. Xu Qi''an saw an old monk, wearing a red and yellow cassock appear three feet ahead out of nowhere, blocking the way of the Nightwatchers. "This poor monk is Panshu." "Abbot Panshu!" Xu Qi''an put his palms together and greeted him back. He said, "I have something I wish to inquire Abbot about." "Come along." Abbot Panshu sighed. Coming this time to the Meditation Room, except for Xu Qian, all the Nightwatchers including the three Silver Gongs were blocked outside. Towards a fifth-rank expert, Xu Qi''an also had a much more serious attitude. A fifth-rank Scarya corresponded to the fifth-rank Transforming Force of the Marital Arts system. He was an expert beyond the Bronze skin and Iron Bones level. "Master abbot, I was decreed by the emperor to investigate the Sangpo case. I identally found that a Baihu in the Jinwu guard could deceive the Arcanists of Sitianjian. After inquiring about it, I heard that the Qinglong Temple has a Magical Instrument with simr effects." Xu Qi''an warned, "This case is quite an important case. Even for the safety of the Qinglong temple, Master Abbot must tell the truth. I am not threatening Master at all. I hope you understand my situation." "The temple indeed has a Magical Instrument, which can be used to cover up the aura and hide from prying eyes." Abbot Panshu said, in a gentle tone. "Is that Instrument still in the temple?" "It''s not here." The abbot shook his head. Xu Qi''an didn''t speak, instead, he waited for an exnation. Abbot Panshu paused for a few seconds, sighed, and said, The reason why Hengqing lied to Sir is probably that this involves a scandal in the temple. If it spread out, It could also bring great disaster to the temple. "This poor monk once had a disciple. His dharma name was Henghui,[^2] and he was quite talented and diligent. This poor monk originally had high hopes for him, but he didn''t have clean roots and had an affair with a female pilgrim. He stole the magical instrument and eloped with her, fleeing the capital." Xu Qi''an narrowed his eyes, looked at the abbot, and asked, "What''s the identity of the female pilgrim?" Abbot Panshu sped his hands together, and chanted the Buddha''s name in a low voice, before he finally replied, helplessly, "Princess Pingyang." !!! Xu Qi''an felt as if he had been struck by lightning. In the Great Feng, the word Princess without anynded titles could be used by the following: the Emperors *shu* daughers, the crown princes daughters, imperial princes daughters, and other kings daughters. Strictly, except for the eldest princess who was born to the empress, the other three princesses were all *shu* daughters. However Emperor Yuanjing only had these four daughters, and rare things are precious, so they were all givennded titles, and could be considered Princess Royals. Although the crown prince did have a daughter, she was still young, and so could not be involved in such matters as elopement. Thus, Xu Qian deduced that this Princess Pingyang, as a non-Princess Royal, was a daughter of a king in the royal family. *This case is turning moreplicated, the deeper I investigate. What was the role of the monk who eloped with a princess in the case?* Xu Qi''an asked, "When did it happen?" "More than a year ago." Abbot Panshu replied. "Thank you, Master. You have rified many doubts I had. I still have another thing to ask you." "Please." "Qinglong Temple descends from the Baota Temple established by monks from the Western Regions, doesn''t it?" Abbot Panshu said nothing, acquiescing. "After the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple was blown up, I found arge formation at the bottom of theke with Buddhist script engraved. The formation was arranged five hundred years ago, and the Baota Temple also appeared in the capital five hundred years ago. Even more interestingly, Emperor Wuzong also happened five hundred years ago..." Xu Qi''an stared at the abbot. "Does Buddhism from the Western Regions have any relevant records of that time?" After finishing speaking, Xu Qi''an observed that Monk Panshu''s facial expressions turned ugly quickly, as he lost the indifference particr to an eminent monk. "Sir, I want to ask one thing.." Abbot Panshu raised a burning gaze at him, wanting to say something, but pondered on it for a long time. "The thing under Sangpo, really... escaped?" "Indeed it has!" Xu Qi''an gave an affirmative. Abbot Panshu seemed to have suffered a great blow, as the fear in his eyes was difficult to calm down. His hands trembled slightly, he joined his palms together and chanted the Buddha''s name to cover up his state. *Such a reaction...* Xu Qi''an was a little surprised. He felt the old monk''s reaction being a little too extreme. So, he got straight to the point, "Is the one sealed under Sangpo the first Jianzheng?" The old monk didn''t reply but continued to lower his head and recite the Buddha''s name, his bald brows trembling. After some time, Abbot Panshu calmed down, and said in a deep voice, This poor monk doesn''t know what is sealed below Sangpo. But, A saying has been handed down since the establishment of the Baota Temple: The monster of Sangpo escapes, and the world descends to Chaos. The Baota Temple was built to guard the seal in Sangpo, back then. Later, the imperial court became afraid of the prosperity of Buddhism and ordered the removal of Buddhism. The eminent monks retreated to the Western Regions, leaving just the Qinglong Temple. "Before they left, the eminent monks had told us to pay close attention to the state of Sangpo, and report immediately if any abnormality happened." *It seems as if Buddhism cares more about Sangpo than the royal family of the Great Feng.* *Um, The first Jianzheng is a first-rank expert. So saying that the world will descend to chaos isn''t wrong. After all, First Ranks are pinnacle experts.* "This poor monk only knows this. Do you have anything else to ask?" "I''m done." Abbot Panshu nodded, and his body suddenly disappeared, as if it had been edited out of the picture. Xu Qi''an''s eyes widened, and he thought enviously, *This technique is a little handsome.* After the conversation was over, The sun was shining brightly, and it was almost noon. Xu Qi''an and the others stayed at Qinglong Temple to have a vegetarian meal. "The vegetarian food in Qinglong Temple is quite delicious." Chu Caiwei ate two bowls in one go and was holding the third bowl as she praised with satisfaction. The white rice in Qinglong Temple was mixed with ck rice, millet, and corn. Sesame oil was poured into the mixture while steaming. The rice grains were plump, crystal clear, and fragrant. The vegetarian dishes were also prepared with great care, and they excelled in colour, vour, and taste. Sitting beside her, Xu Qi''an happily watched her eating with such joy, and said with a smile, "Female Donor, don''t eat by yourself, this little monk is here for alms." Chu Caiwei protected the bowl, and rolled her eyes, before she said angrily, "Is there any difference in what you and I are eating?" Xu Qi''an shook his head, "Little monk doesn''t do fasts." "So?" "Little monk eats fast." ... Everyone was quite satisfied with the vegetarian dishes at Qinglong Temple. Their only regret was the absence of White Phoenix meat to nourish their body. Master Hengqing, who was also the Courtyard head, sent everyone over to the gate of the temple. The city people tricked him too hard, and so in anger he didnt speak to them the entire time. Xu Qi''an suddenly remembered something, and asked, "Master, Do you know a monk named Hengyuan?" Master Hengqing''s face quickly changed colour. --- [^1]: An ordained monk is called *bhikku*, whiches from the word to beg. Thus, monks practice poverty and non-attachment to the world. Thus monks call non-monk visitors donors or benefactors. [^2]: (same Heng as Hengyuan and Hengqing) Chapter 126: The Eldest Princesss Summon Chapter 126: The Eldest Princess''s Summon # 126. The Eldest Princess''s Summon Courtyard Master Hengqing asked falteringly, How does Sir know? It was Xu Xinnian who told this dharma name to him. That day when Xu Xinnian went to the welfare home to find Number Six, he found that thetter had already left. When Xu Eng told Xu Qian this, he said: The official told me that Master Hengyuan has left, supposedly to investigate leads about his sect-brother. How I know isnt important, Im the one asking you. Xu Qians expression was serious. To this monk who wouldnt co-operate without violence, he didnt deign to give any manners. In one-to-onebat, this courtyard master of the Qinglong Temple could most likely wipe the floor with him. But Xu Qian had his brothers too, as well as the royal court behind his back. Master Hengyuan hesitated for a moment, before saying Hengyuan is a warrior monk of the temple. His personality is rash, and he is quick to anger. Because of his actions, he often would identally harm other brothers, and be punished by the abbot. Last year, he was expelled from Qinglong Temple. *So SIX is a Qinglong Temple monk a Warrior Monk? No wonder his body is as solidly built as a Lu Zhishen SIX said his sect-brother had been captured by traffickers is the brother that SIX is trying to find Henghui?* *But Henghui eloped with Princess Pingyang but, Henghui stole Qinglong Temples magic item, yet that magic item was found on the Jinwu Guard Baihu Zhou Chixiongs body. Does this imply, that Master Henghui has already suffered some unforeseen ident?* *Or, he is also involved in the Sangpo Case. If thetter is true, what was his aim? Also, where did Princess Pingyang go?* This trip to the Qinglong Temple had been more fruitful than he first expected. Even though he deliberately tried to rush along the way, urging his horse onwards, he only returned back to the Nightwatchers Constabry over two hourster. Xu Qian let his group rest, before shutting his door, and starting to analyse and summarise the new information gained today. Then, he took out the Earth Book, and wrote: THREE: Is there still no news of SIX? No one responded. After a long time, Jinlian Daozhang jumped out to w back some respect for everyone: NINE: Not yet. Xu Qian astutely noticed, that Six may have found out something, or have fallen into a dangerous situation, otherwise he couldnt have gone so long without responding. THREE: Jinlian Daozhang, have you still not located that Earth Book fragment? NINE: Perhaps it has been hidden by some sort of magic. TWO: Why does the big baldie always get into trouble? Two butted in. NINE: All this time he was investigating how his brother had disappeared. Perhaps, he has suffered retribution from the powers behind the Earl Pingyuan. *No, he had found a lead but the result is the same. No matter what, SIX has gotten into big trouble.* FOUR: If the Earth Book fragment has fallen into an outsiders hands, then we can only be like before, and not send any messages. TWO: If its fallen into the Earth Sects hands, then all of us could face danger. Everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society felt anxious, as well as mounting stress. Not only were they worried about Sixs safety, but if they were to stop sending messages the hard-fought information exchange forum the Heaven and Earth Society had built up would be dead in all but name. In the worst case, if in the eventuality the fragment falls to the Earth Sect, then even if they were not scared of an average Earth Sect daoist, facing the sect leader would be a different matter. Numbers One and Three would be alright; the Earth Sect would not dare fight into the capital, but everyone else would be in danger. TWO: Oh yeah, THREE can help. FOUR: Right, if THREE can use his connections at the Cloud Deer Academy and secretly help Jinlian Daozhang, then the difficulty in finding SIX would be much lowered. Unconsciously, the Heaven and Earth Society began to rely more on Three, than the always lurking One. For anything to do with the Great Feng capital, the first person they thought of was Number Three. *Why do I feel like Im being used by everybody?* *SIXs identity and status was first found out by me. If I were to spread this out now, then the risk of being exposed would be great. I need to create a time difference mn, unless the Heaven and Earth Society all know of SIXs background.* THREE: Do you know SIXs background? Apart from being a Buddhist disciple that is. TWO: Nope, SIX called himself a wandering Buddhist, and nned to stay in the Capital for a long time. *SIX is pretending to be an outsider mm, this monks intelligence has to be stronger than Lu Zhishen!* Xu Qian made a n, writing: You guys dont need to worry about this matter, Ill consult with Jinlian Daozhang. Im clearer on SIXs status than anyone else here. Daozhang, tonight could youe over to mine? I have a few things to discuss with you. !!! Seeing Threes words, the Heaven and Earth Society members felt their blood mysteriously run cold, a feeling like a sword was hanging over them. *Number Three has figured out SIXs identity. From his words, he seems to have some knowledge over SIXs situation? Theyve clearly only had brief interactions indeed, all the schrs of the Cloud Deer Academy are very capable* Two thought with some trepidation. *THREEs not bad. He joined thetest, yet his disy of skill, cunning, and ingenuity makes one speechless. I look forward to the day I return to the capital and can meet him. I can learn much from this person* Number Four felt genuine appreciation. FIVE: Woah, then whatever you do dont investigate my identity, otherwise Ill be very angry. Five immediately threw out what was in her heart. ONE: THREE, as for the Sangpo Case, have you any more exact information? THREE: Ive not been watching the Sangpo Case these few days. Seeing this, One retreated back below the water. Arranging a time with the Daoist Jinlian, Xu Qian left the side hall, and immediately went to the Tower of Noble Spirit, asking after Wei Yuan. In the well-lit tea room, Wei Yuan sat alone in front of the table, ying Go, his left hand against his right, as if performing a lonely one-man y. Wei Yuan didnt even raise his head,ughing ying half a life of Go, again and again I fought and lost, and lost and fought, until eventually I climbed in skill, and beat national master after national master. Unknowingly, I could not find any more opponents to y against. *Last time when you yed against the Jianzheng, didnt you draw?* Xu Qianmpooned. But outside of the go board, the number of Opponents I have is enough to make ones head ache. Wei Yuan put down a counter, and rubbed his temples, What is it? Your subordinate wishes to report the progress in the case to Duke Wei. Pausing, Xu Qian continued, Yesterday at dawn, the Taikang County Magistrate Magistrate Zhao was silenced whilst in his cell. At this time the Prefecture Constabry has not yet announced this. The way Magistrate Zhao died was strange; there was no poison, no wounds, and it lookedpletely natural. Wei Yuans expression suddenly froze. After a few seconds, with shing eyes, he asked What do you think of this? Your subordinate has looked through the records, and discovered that the only ones able to do something like this, save the Daoist Yin Spirit, would be the Church of the Warlock God. Xu Qian drew in a deep breath: The Sangpo Case involves the Yao and the Church of the Warlock God. Your subordinate has racked his brains, thinking who in court, apart from that person, could conspire with these two powers simultaneously? Thud! Wei Yuans palm fell on the go board, as all the stones trembled. With sharp eyes he stared at Xu Qian, Leaving here, you may not say this to anyone. Xu Qian quickly lowered his head, exining But, but your subordinate cant really investigate further You are dismissed. Wei Yuan said coldly. Yes sir! Xu Qian left the tea room. Hearing Xu Qians footsteps slowly disappear, Wei Yuan methodically tidied up his go pieces, and washed the teapot. Changing to a robe of azure, he came to the head of the stairs, and ordered the clerk on duty: Prepare a carriage, this official wishes to enter the pce. Xu Qian could only curse that he had no cigarettes; he could only sit there and think. He listened to Lyu Qing and the three Silver Gongs talk about the case, his own mind wandering elsewhere. *The Zhenbei King is far in the marches, and I cant exactly run over there to investigate. Further more, I dont even dare to, unless His Majesty personally issues a decree, a gold token would not be able to work a smidgen on that god.* *Far in the marches heh, he has himself a perfect alibi alright.* *But there are no perfect crimes in the world. As long as they were done, then there must be cases, the crucial thing is if I can catch these cases or not mn, the Zhenbei King isnt in the capital, but he needs a messenger, and that messenger must be someone in Court.* The Zhenbei King lead he could not investigate for now, because Wei Yuan didnt want to help him. If Wei Yuan could personally get a royal decree, then there would be no problem. Fortunately. a cunning rabbit never has one hole, and a clever person never has just one path. The trip to the Qinglong Temple wasnt done in vain; the temples Master Henghui is an avenue of entry. But to continue on from this entry point, he would have to find Six. This was why Xu Qian wanted to meet the Daoist Jinlian in the night. Thud thud The sound of knocking interrupted Lyu Qing and the three Silver Gongs discussion. They instinctively frowned, and looked outside. The silent Zhu Guangxiao stood by the door, Ningyan, the eldest princess is asking after you. Lyu Qing and the others looked towards Xu Qian. *What does Huaiqing want with me does she miss me? Aiya, didnt we just meet yesterday? It seems to be one of those one day apart is like three autumns long!* The extremely beautiful, cold, graceful woman appeared inside Xu Qians mind, alongside those mighty breasts that could be rested on the table. Clearly her appearance was cold like a celestial, yet her body was that of a seductive demoness. The imperial gardens. Curtains hung down on all sides of the pavilion, blocking out the cold winter wind. The fire from the charcoal stove warmed the inside. A Daoist-robed Emperor Yuanjing and an azure-cloaked Wei Yuan were ying Go. One of them was an emperor, yet he rarely wore a dragon robe. One of them was a servant that supervised the many officials, yet always wore an azure cloak. Compared to these two old folks with their unique mannerisms, His Highness the young crown princes clothes had not onepel out of ce, as he stood respectfully behind Emperor Yuanjing. Yesterday, the national teacher refined a batch of golden pills,ter we will send someone to give you one. Emperor Yuanjing twirled the go stone in his hand, looking for a long time, and shamelessly took three ck pieces from the board,ughing One golden pill for three pieces, is not unreasonable? Wei Yuan nodded, Not unreasonable. They yed another few moves, and Wei Yuan smilingly took six of Emperor Yuanjings white pieces, Your Majestys camp is rather disorganised, your servant will help you clear it up. Emperor Yuanjing was expressionless, saying lightly These years, the one we have relied on the most is still you, Wei Yuan. We often think that if you hadnt entered the pce, and gone the righteous path of the imperial examination, the Empire will have gained a new tailor, and we wouldnt be worrying over these scattered matters. Wei Yuans expression suddenly froze, and then immediately returned to normal, smiling Is your servant not doing Your Majestys bidding anyway? His Highness the Crown Princes brows were furrowed, as he stared intently at the go board. Not because his father and Wei Yuans war on the go board was very exciting or brilliant, but because he was chewing over their words. He felt as if he was looking at flowers in mist, seeing, but also not seeing. Of the two people that sat in the pavilion, one had focused on Daoist cultivation for twenty years, yet still firmly grasped the bnce of power in court, his Emperors heart still pure as ever. The other controlled the Nightwatchers Constabry as a eunuch, skilled in civil and military stratagems, making countless schrs burst into cold sweat. Their conversation must have value, very subtle value. As the crown prince fell into a reverie, he heard Emperor Yuanjing say How is the Sangpo Case going? The dossiers handed in by the Ministry of Law and the Prefecture Office are all a load of rubbish. We remember, that the lead investigator of the Nightwatchers is that criminal Bronze Gong, surnamed Xu, right? Chapter 127: Huaiqing: Me or Linan, You can only choose one of us Chapter 127: Huaiqing: Me or Lin''an, You can only choose one of us # 127. Huaiqing: Me or Lin''an, You can only choose one of us "Xu Qi''an." Wei Yuan enunciated clearly, his expression serious. Emperor Yuanjing obviously didn''t bother to remember the name of a small bronze gong. He looked at Wei Yuan, surprised that the powerful eunuch said the name of a bronze gong with such solemnity. "He''s a talent. He was the one who found about the connection between the Lieutenant and Zhou Chixiong, and was also the one who pointed out the source of the gunpowder." Emperor Yuanjing took a sip of tea, looking down at the go board, simultaneously making a move and continuing: So many dayster, whats his progress like? I heard from Eunuch Liu that the kid has been leaving early and returningte. The recording eunuchs couldn''t find him at all. "He has indeed found something." Wei Yuan continued along the topic, "The magistrate Zhao of Taikang County died in the Constubalory dungeon in the early hours of yesterday." Emperor Yuanjing nodded along, "Governor Chen had already reported this matter." Wei Yuan continued, "His death was natural. He hadn''t been injured, poisoned, or suffocated, nor had any other external means been used on him. This is either the work of a Yin Soul of the Dao Sect or a Warlock from the Northeast." Thud... The white piece in Yuanjing''s hands fell to the chessboard. The emperor with thick ck hair and wrinkles at the corners of his eyes remained silent for a moment. Then, he picked up the fallen piece with a smile, threw it in the chess case, and said "ying for so many years, We haven''t won even once. How boring." Wei Yuan got up and bowed. Emperor Yuanjing then turned his head to look at the crown prince, and asked, "We had heard that the Spirit Dragon went berserk the day before yesterday and threw off Lin''an into theke." The crown prince bowed and replied, "At the time, Lin''an was riding the Spirit Dragon to y on the water, when Huaiqing whistled to distract it, only then did it throw Lin''an into the water." The crown prince and Princess Linan were born of the same mother, and as her full brother, him about Huaiqing bullying her like this was perfectly normal. A grounded statement, but inside he leant towards Linan. In his fathers eyes, this was a type of simplicity. The crown prince continued, "But I have been thinking of one thing, that I still haven''t been able to figure out." Emperor Yuanjing nodded, and said, "The Spirit Dragon''s reaction was too extreme." Except for the Emperor, the Spirit Dragon treated the Princes and Princesses Royal equally, even the Crown Prince. Crown Prince or not, they were fundamentally the same before they truly ascended to the Honor of Nine and Five.[^1] "There''s even more, Father." the crown prince said, "Not only did the Spirit Dragon throw away Lin''an, but it also swam quite excitedly towards Huaiqing. It even bumped its head against the shore while urging Huaiqing to ride." Emperor Yuanjing''s pupils suddenly became sharp, as he stared at the crown prince, "Did Huaiqing ride?" The crown prince shook his head, "Whats strange, was that the Spirit Dragon resisted Huaiqing and forced her back when she was about to ride. it" Hearing this, Emperor Yuanjing frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "Come with us. We will be taking a look at Spirit Dragon." Emperor Yuanjing left in his dragon chariot. The crown prince and Wei Yuan followed him. Before getting on the pnquin, Wei Yuan asked casually, "Your Highness, who else was there at the time besides Princess Huaiqing?" The eunuch beside him lifted the curtain of the pnquin, but the crown prince didn''t get in, instead answering Wei Yuan, "Coincidentally, The Bronze Gong under Duke Wei was also there." *Xu Qi''an...* Wei Yuan stilled. For the crown prince, a bronze gong was not someone he would be concerned about. He had remembered him purely because of the excellent half-poem. If not, Huaiqing did have numerous subordinates, the crown prince didn''t bother with irrelevant details. As he thought, the crown prince opened the curtain, only to find that Wei Yuan was still standing. "Won''t Duke Wei being?" Wei Yuan finally came to, and also entered the pnquin. The crown prince still didn''t put down the curtain, and said smilingly, "However, the bronze gong is pretty interesting. I would have never thought that a bronze gong would have such poetic talent. That day, when we held a banquet by theke, he wrote a poem on the spot to relieve Huaiqing''s trouble." *The crown prince means to tell me that the bronze gong under me is under Princess Huaiqing''smand...* Wei Yuan smiled indifferently. But, thest statement aroused his interest. raising the curtain, he asked, "What poem did he write?" Whether "On the road ahead, surely will be friends dear and true; Throughout thend is there anyone who knows not you?", or "Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water; its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.". They were all masterpieces in the eyes of Wei Yuan, who had been exposed to a lot of poems and books. These two hundred years, every schr of the Great Feng will remember that talented poet. The crown prince recited, loudly, "*Drunk, he knows not if the sky floats in the water; his dreamden boat sailing atop the Milky way.*" *Good poem!!* Wei Yuan''s eyes lit up, as he was amazed by these two lines. Silently, the crown prince waited for a while. Sure enough, he heard Wei Yuan questioning from the opposite pnquin, "Where''s the second half?" The crown prince''s mouth twitched, as he replied, "There''s nothing more." *Nothing more...* Wei Yuan fell silent. Seeing the other party go silent, the crown prince immediately felt happy. ... Xu Qi''an entered the pce. In the elegant garden belonging to the eldest princess, he saw the eldest daughter of the emperor, who seemed to becking a little in the breasts department.[^2] She was wearing a beautiful pce dress, decorated with red plum blossoms on a white background. She had styled her hair into the popr hair bun, with gorgeous jewellery inserted toplement her charming and beautiful face. After Princess Huaiqing had her maids prepare tea, she smiled and asked, "How''s the case progressing?" *She should be asking about the results of investigating Qinglong Temple...* Xu Qi''an said, "I have indeed found some clues." *Just yesterday, we had worked together in the Wenyuan Pavilion to research the rise and fall of the Baota Temple and its current inheritors. The eldest princess should be asking about Qinglong Temple.* Hearing him, Princess Huaiqing''s eyes lit up, as she raised expectant eyes toward Xu Qi''an. This bronze gong hadn''t disappointed her till now, considering his top quality case handling ability and observation skills. In the beginning, when she had rmended him to the Nightwatchers, the eldest princess had the idea of making him her subordinate. But she expected the process to be: Observation, Hinting, Helping, and Joining. Unexpectedly, Xu Qi''an was very flexible and cunning and finished thest step way ahead of schedule. When the Lieutenant Case happened, I used the Qi Watching technique to observe Zhou Chixiong. At that time, he didn''t show any sort of abnormality. Only recently, I realized that the Qi Watching Technique had been blocked by a special magic item. I ruled out the few such magical instruments in the Sitianjian and the pce. After some investigations, I found that the Qinglong Temple had a magical instrument that could hide one''s aura. "Still, It isn''t certain that the magic item with Zhou Chixiong belongs to the Qinglong Temple." The eldest princess asked, "Is the magic item still in Qinglong Temple?" Xu Qi''an shook his head, "It''s already been lost. Your subordinate was about to report this matter. About a year ago, a monk named Henghui in the Qinglong Temple awakened a heart for the mortal world, and eloped with a female pilgrim, stealing that magic item in the process." The eldest princess immediately said, "Eloping is eloping, but why steal the magic item?" The woman was smart and immediately pointed out the crux of the matter. Xu Qi''an said, "This matter needs to be investigated, and requires the Eldest Princess''s help." "My help?" Delicate eyebrows were raised, as she was also surprised. "Does Your Highness know Princess Pingyang?" Xu Qi''an''s words sounded like lightning in the princess''s head, as her jade-like cold face showed emotion for the first time. "Is this true?" Her voice trembled, and her eyes focused on Xu Qi''an. "This is what Abbot Panshu of Qinglong Temple had revealed to your subordinate. We could only verify its truthfulness after investigation." Boldly assume and carefully verify. He would not believe anything without any evidence. Princess Huaiqing didn''t speak for a long time, as the hall fell into silence. Breaking the quietness, She sighed softly, Pingyang is the daughter of King Yu''s main consort, and also my cousin. You have already met my third brother. He has always regarded himself as a schr. Unlike my other siblings, he was taught literacy by Uncle King Yu. "Uncle is an erudite and talented schr. He had once studied under Great Schr Zhang Shen and is proficient in the art of war. He has even been an official at the Ministry of War. There have even been rumours of him entering the cab andpeting for the position of Prime Minister." *Impossible...* Xu Qi''an couldn''t believe it, *Couldn''t only schrs enter the Grand Secretariat? Besides, The Prime Minister has more power than even Wei Yuan. Could Emperor Yuanjing rest easy having a royal be the Prime Minister?* However, Xu Qi''an knew that he couldn''ty any praise on his historical knowledge, and he didn''t know anything about the situation at the court. So, He didn''t refute it on the spot. "Uncle has the support of the Meritorious Aristocrat bloc. There have been Meritorious Aristocrats at the helm of the cab, as Prime Minister. The examples aren''t singr either." Princess Huaiqing exined. "Over the years, Since the founding of Great Feng, the aristocrats have gradually been squeezed to the sides, and they have long since lost the ability topete for the position of Prime Minister." *So, King Yu is the general pushed on by the Aristocrat Bloc, isn''t he? Does this involve the struggle between the Civil Official Bloc and the Meritorious Aristocrat Bloc?* Some thoughts flickered in Xu Qi''an''s head. Princess Huaiqing continued, Royal Consort Yu was a talented woman. It''s a pity that she only gave birth to a single daughter for Uncle King Yu. Uncle is someone who isnt easy swayed in love, as hadn''t established another Royal Consort till now. He also regards the child left behind as a treasure. However, Pingyang disappeared a year ago. At that time, Father had dispatched the royal guard to search all over the city. Even the Arcanists of Sitianjian were dispatched, but they didn''t find any traces of Pingyang. "This incident dealt a great blow to King Yu. He became bedridden not long after, as he suffered from depression. The Arcanists were also helpless, as heart diseases are hard to heal." Xu Qi''an continued eating popcorn, as he tried to digest the shocking news. *The royal guard had searched all over the city, with the Arcanists cooperating. But still, Princess Pingyang''s whereabouts wasn''t found... Therefore, that magical item was needed. Otherwise, It would have been difficult to move Princess Pingyang out of the Imperial Capital.* *No wonder Henghui wanted to steal it. The situation demanded so.* The two didn''t speak for a long time, thinking along with each other. After some time had passed, Princess Huaiqing sighed, "You continue to investigate. If you encounter any troubles and obstacles that you can''t bypass, you cane to me." Xu Qi''an nodded. "I heard that Lin''an looked for you yesterday." Xu Qi''an found the princess''s pupils suddenly turning dark, all of a sudden. It sounded like: Did your ex-girlfriende to look for you yesterday? Xu Qi''an said helplessly, "Yes, Princess Lin''an insisted that I took refuge in her and work as a bull for her. She even gave me a jade amulet." Her Highness was still expressionless, "Why didn''t you reject her?" Xu Qi''an said, wryly smiling, "Princess Lin''an said that she would use me of molesting her if I didn''t agree." *Is this enough of a reason? You princesses want to do something. I''m just some small fry. Can I even do something?* Xu Qi''an thought that the eldest princess was a humane, tolerant, and considerate mature woman, and wouldn''t say anything because of such a trivial matter. The result... The eldest princess mercilessly exposed him, "Intelligent as you are, You should be able to see the threat in that kind of bluff." *The woman looks frosty on the outside, but she''s pure domineering at the core...* Xu Qi''an looked at the eldest princess in surprise, and quickly lowered his head, "I understand. I will return the jade token to Princess Lin''an, and cut off contact with her." "I''ll exclusively serve your highness from now on." *I swear to leave aside Biaobiao''s graciousness and serve you as a cow would.* The eldest princess nodded in satisfaction. At the time, a noise came from the outside. "Second Princess, you, you can''t go inside..." "Get lost!" Amidst the sounds, a figure in a bright red dress broke into the hall. The oval-faced Princess Lin''an nced at the hall, only to see her loyal dog going after its previous owner again. Immediately, she became furious as her brows stood upright. Her eyes widened, and she angrily said, "Running dog, You dare to betray me. Have you forgotten who you are?" Sighing inwardly, Xu Qi''an subconsciously looked at the eldest princess, hoping that she woulde out and settle things for him. Who knew that the eldest princess was pure darkness on the inside, she looked at him, sporting a half smile, her eyes indicating: Choose One. --- [^1]: Honor of Nine and Five is a title used for emperors. Why Nine and Five: Nine is the highest Yang number and five is the mean/center of the Yang numbers. Yang Numbers=Odd Numbers. This indicating the Emperor is the pinnacle and center of all Yang. [^2]: I am also now confused as to whether Huaiqing has big breasts or small ones. Chapter 128: Opportunity From All Directions Chapter 128: Opportunity From All Directions # 128. Opportunity From All Directions Xu Qian felt rather fucked over. Yesterday, when he took the second princesss jade pendant, he knew that one day in the future he would have to face this situation. He didnt expect that it would be so quick. If this situation happened in his past life, then he would most likely respond with one sentence: Only little children do multiple choice questions! At the most he would get two ps in return. But in this setting, he may suffer two bowl-sized scars. This subordinate came over to ask the eldest princess about a question, rted to the Sangpo Case. Xu Qian turned, facing Biaobiao and sping his fists, implying that he had official business. But he overestimated the second princesss intelligence, or underestimated her headstrong nature. She put her hands on her hips, and snorted coldly Why didnt youe to ask me? Hearing this, Princess Huaiqing immediatelyughed coldly, Linans biggest strength is her self-confidence. Even an idiot could hear the mockery. *The eldest princess is taking fire for me* Xu Qian let out a sigh of relief, *you fight, just pretend Im invisible.* The second princess and her sister had bad blood between them; since they were little they fought, and even up to now they fought both openly and secretively, neither backing down. Huaiqing, Xu Qian is my person, hes epted my jade pendant, and has already agreed to work for me. The second princess, still with her hands on her hips,ughed coldly, When a fine eagle finds a tree to roost, does it ever hear the thering of stingy people? If one wants a horse to run, why not give that horse grass to eat? Im much more generous. Seeing the eldest princess not speak, she walked to Xu Qians side, her beautiful eyes violently cutting into Xu Qian, before continuing to proim her authority, If you want to use my people, thats fine, but you must get my agreement. Today this princesss mood is not good, and I dont want you to summon my subordinate. Princess Huaiqing took a sip of tea, and did not reply, smiling, seeming very confident in herself. The second princess hated most this posture, as she gave the eldest princess a sharp stare, then saying to Xu Qian, Are you still not leaving with us? Xu Qian did not move, not looking at the second princess or the eldest princess, Your Highnesses, this subordinate is a Nightwatcher, and we are loyal to His Majesty. Shut up! The two princesses eximed simultaneously. Xu Qian understood now. The two princesses strife was so immense, and it wasnt even single-sided: The second princess Biaobiao liked to provoke the eldest princess, and the domineering eldest princess also liked to challenge her on everything. He was just a small lowly simp stuck in the middle. This was like two rich family daughters fighting over a toy, and then letting the toy pick who it was going to follow. Meeting the two princesses gazes, Xu Qian let out a slow breath, and looked towards Linan: Please may the second princess forgive me, but your subordinate has public matters to discuss with the eldest princess. His words were very tactful, but in reality he had already given his intention; he had picked the eldest princess. The second princess suddenly bit her lip, her peach blossom eyes bing watery. She looked deeply at Xu Qian for a moment, before turning and leaving. Shed lost again. Again shed lost all face in front of Huaiqing. Thetter sat proudly, letting a small Bronze Gong cut away her pride. The proud and arrogant Princess Linan had never felt so chagrined, and had never lost so badly before. She left in silence. Xu Qian pretended not to see the second princesss departure, continuing to talk calmly for a while with Huaiqing. He suddenly touched his chest, seeming to think of something, andughed helplessly, Aiya, I havent returned the jade pendant to the second princess. Then, your subordinate should take his leave? The eldest princess nodded agreement, her spirits high. Xu Qian leisurely left the courtyard, and apprehended one of the guards by the door: Where has the second princess gone to? The guard pointed in a direction. Xu Qian, like a wild dog free from his leash, rushed in pursuit, and after a few minutes, he saw the second princesss fiery red figure, leading two pce maids, walking quickly, her shoulders trembling slightly. Second princess, please wait. Xu Qian caught up to them, and shouted. Princess Linan heard it, but did not respond, rather walking even quicker, her hips swaying from side to side, her dress hems pping behind her. Xu Qian quickly caught up again, and blocked their path. He hadnt even started speaking, when he was briefly stunned: Your Highness is crying? *Your mental fortitude is a little too weak no?* Princess Linan immediately turned her head away, giving him a beautiful side profile, saying coldly, Running dog, what are you doing following this princess, are you trying something sinister? Her eyes were red and swollen, tear streaks still visible on her snow-white cheeks, having clearly cried in distress. However, it made her peach-blossom eyes ever more enticing. Seeing that princess Linan didnt continue walking, nor did she call for anybody, Xu Qian immediately felt glee, feeling that he could still save the situation. In a serious tone, he said Your subordinate is loyal and devoted to Your Highness, and not to anyone else. Princess Linan vigorously turned her head back round,ughing coldly, Xu Qian, do you think we can be yed with? This loyal dog of Huaiqing, double-dealing under the table, still wanted to have his feet in two boats, hateful behaviour. If not for his talent in poetry, if not that Huaiqing paid him attention, she would never have bothered with this wretched man. Princess Linans opinion of Xu Qian had sunk to the bottom of the valley. Perhaps, in Your Highnesss eyes, this subordinate is a shameless dog that seeks opportunity from all directions, Xu Qian sighed, Your subordinate cannot argue against this. Please may Your Highness take back this jade pendant. Such a good jade pendant would not suit being put in my grave. The second princess had had enough of Xu Qian, and was just about to take back the jade pendant, when she heard thatst sentence. Briefly dazed, she blurted out What did you say? Xu Qian did not respond. He had his head lowered, holding the jade pendant out with both hands, saying The second princess is generous, never before has any important person wanted to give this subordinate their personal pendant, your subordinate is immeasurably thankful. The second princess treats people with sincerity, how could your subordinate not know what is good or bad for himself. He sighed mournfully, and raised the jade pendant higher, Perhaps I have no destiny with the second princess, please take it back. The second princess was slightly moved, but she didnt forgive him. After all, as Emperor Yuanjings favourite princess, she had heard enough ttery. But this mans expression seemed rather genuine, his tone of voice also sincere, and so the second princess was willing to hear his exnation. She said What did you mean by put in your grave? Xu Qianughed bitterly, I originally thought the second princess had investigated me *I really hadnt* Princess Linan felt somewhat guilty, but then suddenly thought of something, saying in shock The waist chop sentence? That day when Huaiqing rmended him, Linan was also present. *From what Huaiqing said, because he had attacked a superior, he was sentenced to be chopped at the waist* Princess Linan pursed her lips, and took the opportunity to wipe a way the tear tracks on her face. Her tone became softer, but the little temper was still there, as she hmphed What does this have to do with Huaiqing? The eldest princess is very interested in the Sangpo Case, and wishes to know about the newest developments. She said that as long as I report regrly, she would agree to plead my case to His Majesty after the investigation is over, no matter if I had enough merit for atonement or not. Xu Qian earnestly looked at the second princess, So your subordinate thought, Your Highness has treated me with earnestness, but I am a guilty person, and so am unable to repay the second princesss grace. Thus, I wanted to side with the eldest princess for now, and only after I have escaped my crime, serve Your Highness fully/ If earnestness could be turned into energy, then the earnestness in Xu Qians eyes would be like an ocean tide, softening the second princesss heart greatly. She said angrily Why dont you talk to me? His Majesty dotes on me the most, I can plead your case. Would this not be better than Huaiqing? As she said this, she saw a multitude of emotions flit over Xu Qians face, looking touched, also looking shocked. She then heard this small bronze gong say with trembling voice Your Highness really would be willing to plead to His Majesty for me, a small bronze gong? *So he thought that I wouldnt want to help him, so he put Huaiqing as his saving grace* Princess Linan felt both angered and amused. In reality, those earlier were just empty words, but up to this point now, she couldnt really change course, and so nodded, Naturally. We do not mistreat our subordinates. Xu Qian stared at her for a long time, before sping his fists, saying solemnly word by word, Your Highness, your subordinate right now only wants to buy a plot ofnd. Linan didnt understand, eximing A plot ofnd? Xu Qian replied seriously Thend I stand on with unwavering loyalty! Princess Linan was dazed, as she felt touched. No one had ever said this to her before. In an instant, all the hatred she had towards Xu Qian evaporated. If earlier she had just wanted to fight over a toy with Huaiqing, now she genuinely felt that having a subordinate like him was not a bad thing really. But thinking how this small bronze gong had earlier just driven her to tears, she snorted, and softly scolded him Running dog! * Sess!* Xu Qian silently let out a sigh of relief, feeling a weight being lifted off his shoulders. Coming to these kinds of two-choose-one situations, he would never think of how to solve the problem, rather thinking of how to solve the person that had created the problem. The core factor: to separate them, and then solve things one by one. The eldest princess was a domineering woman, who was also clever, thus in somewhat public circumstances, he must lean towards her side, and give her some face. The second princess was childish and headstrong, both a punching bag and a surface-level person, an enticing thing that liked to provoke trouble. But her thoughts were shallow, she was a princess spoiled rotten, so even if she had her tempers often, she was easy to coax. As long as you had a silver tongue, you could turn hatred into love. She was a woman wants to hear sweet words. Using these two princesses personalities, Xu Qian in his Sura battlefield quickly thought up of a practically perfect stratagem. Not only did he head off danger, but he also got the second princess to agree to plead his case, buying him insurance for the future. And he didnt have to spend a single copper coin. In front of the second princess, Xu Qian carefully stowed the jade pendant back into his robe, as if it wasnt a jade pendant, but rather a priceless treasure. The second princesss gaze instantly became much softer. Then, your subordinate will take his leave? Xu Qian nned to get out of there. What are you rushing for! Princess Linan snapped, You are this princesss subordinate, we still have orders for you. She had chipped off the corner of Huaiqings house, so naturally she must show this off to all her brothers and sisters. Only then would she have face, would she make Huaiqing have no face. Your Highnesss wish is mymand. Xu Qian said helplessly. The carefree second princess realised that she didnt have anything to do. Tilting her head, she said Mn, its a good day today, and theres no hateful thing Huaiqing, this princess wants to go y with the spirit dragon. You follow us, and well not need our guards. Emperor Yuanjing stood by the tform, examining the spirit dragon lying by theke shore. Thetter looked back with its two lively, ck button-like eyes. Whats wrong with you? Linan has yed with you ever since she was young, why did you throw her into the water that day? Emperor Yuanjing scolded the spirit dragon. The spirit dragon was an ancient mythical beast, that lived off purple qi. It was different from the Yao, and if one had to find some other creature of the same type, then one could only pick another mythical beast, the Gu God. The poption of spirit dragons was very small, and their lives were very long, having been the beast that had apanied the many royal families all throughout history. No matter if it was the Great Feng or an earlier dynasty, they always raised a spirit dragon in their pces. Tsch The spirit dragonzily snorted, lying by the shore without much energy, not paying much mind to Emperor Yuanjings scolding. Its ck, button-like eyes looked up at the emperor. *Are you getting on or not?* The crown prince beside him observed the spirit dragon. He remembered that that time it was also lying by theke shore, though it seemed much more respectful, much more on edge than now? That time he was far away, and so could not see clearly the spirit dragons expression and posture, and only had a vague impression. Thus, the crown prince could not be too sure. The spirit dragon was the water mount of all the emperors in history. In ancient times, thends of the Yao and Man were not so clearly split as they were now, rather often ovepping. Thus often there would be people being eaten by Yao, or Yao being hunted down by man. Mankind was not skilled in the water, and so were helpless against the monsters in thekes and rivers. Only the human emperor could easily enter the water and y these monsters. And the reason he could was because of the spirit dragon, who lived in the water and the air. Nowadays, the Great Fengs emperor naturally did not have to enter the water and fight with monsters, and so their water mount has now be more of a thing to appreciate. From when he started Daoist cultivation, Emperor Yuanjing had not looked upon the spirit dragon for a long time. He could not help but think back to the time when he first came to the throne, the feeling of riding the spirit dragon through the rivers of the capital. Weve not been close to you for many years, youve probably been quite lonely. Emperor Yuanjing sighed, and lightly jumped onto the t armoured piece on the spirit dragons back, his hands holding onto the sides. The spirit dragon let out a long happy cry, as its four limbs moved, its body gracefully winding, taking Emperor Yuanjing frolicking in theke. *What a sight!* The crown prince gazed at this scene, and thought to one day when he would ride the spirit dragon, his princes and princesses standing by the shore, looking on with admiration. Just at this time, the spirit dragon frolicking through the water suddenly roared, as if suffering some sort of excitement. It raised its head high, roaring an ear-shattering roar, and simultaneously shaking its neck, throwing Emperor Yuanjing off. Chapter 129: Fear Chapter 129: Fear # 129. Fear The moment the Spirit Dragon threw off Emperor Yuanjing, Several High-rank martial artists by theke quickly reacted and leaped out like sharp arrows, their feet trampling on the water''s surface forming groups of exploding whirlpools. Emperor Yuanjing stabilised his body in mid-air, the tip of his foot tapping lightly on the waters surface, floating towards shore like a feather. Although he had given up on martial arts, and had children at a young age due to his status as a royal, he had been practicing Daoism under the guidance of the National Teacher over the years, and had made significant achievements. If he hadn''t, his hair wouldn''t have turned ck again. Emperor Yuanjing was both angry and surprised. He hadn''t expected the Spirit Dragon to treat him this way. "Roar!" The Spirit Dragon''s anger remained undiminished even after it shook off Emperor Yuanjing. It knocked off an approaching high-rank martial artist and sent him flying. Qi burst out in mid-air, swaying the water of the entireke. The Imperial Guards moved to subdue the Spirit Dragon, who went mad for no reason. "Don''t hurt it." Emperor Yuanjing shouted. Boom boom boom... More than a dozen jets of water rushed up from the surface, urately hitting the guards who were floating or stepping in theke. They had already stepped into the Bronze Skin Realm and were resistant to physical damage, but they were smashed to a sorry state by the water jets, unable to encircle the Spirit Dragon. The Spirit Dragon was good at controlling water, and extremely fierce in theke. However, no one expected the Spirit Dragon to raise its head high, roar, and leave theke to rush towards the shore. *What happened? The Spirit Dragon seems to be stimted by something...* Emperor Yuanjing realized something was up, and said deeply, "Block it!" ka ka ka ka... The huge body of the Spirit Dragon rose ashore, smashing slender cedar after cedar. It ran wildly, its sharp ws to easily crushing the stone tiles on the ground. *Where is it going?* "Father..." "Your Majesty." The crown prince and Wei Yuan rushed over. Emperor Yuanjing waved his hand, indicating that he was fine. "Father, what happened to the Spirit Dragon?" The crown prince was panicking, as he had never seen the Spirit Dragon go out of control like this, even in his childhood. It had a docile personality and treated his several imperial brothers and sisters kindly, and never showed any violent tendencies. "It''s fleeing." His face sullen, Emperor Yuanjing answered in a confident tone. *Spirit Dragon is fleeing? Why did Father describe it as fleeing? What is it fleeing from? Is it even afraid of something?* *However, what ce could be safer than the Imperial City?* The Crown Prince was puzzled by this. But, Emperor Yuanjing didn''t give him a chance to inquire, as he ordered the guards to prepare their horses and chase after Spirit Dragon in the direction it was fleeing. As a symbol of the orthodoxy of the royal family, the Spirit Dragon, a spirit beast that thrives on purple qi, was not allowed to get lost. Emperor Yuanjing pursued the paw prints, and the Imperial guards also followed him closely on both sides, fearing that he might fall in an ident. Not long after, Emperor Yuanjing saw Spirit Dragon on an Archery Tower. Its sharp and hard ws clung to the tower, deeply embedded in the stones. Its neck swelled, as it let out a forlorn and bitter roar, trying to knock back the experts from the pce who hindered it, while it readied its tail to attack. The two sides had reached a stalemate. The Spirit Dragon''s scale armour was hard and it was hard for swords to leave any marks on it. Its strength in anger couldn''t be underestimated as well. The imperial guards were worried about hurting it, and it was difficult to subdue it with bare hands, as well. So, they could only fight while waiting for their colleagues to fetch a magic weapon that could restrain the Spirit Dragon. Bang bang bang... The Archer Tower continued to crack under the whipping from Spirit Dragon''s tail and finally copsed. Tens of Imperial Guards rushed forward. Emperor Yuanjing breathed a sigh of relief after seeing the scene and was about to remind them to not hurt the royal spiritual beast. Before he could speak, however, Spirit Dragon rose to resist, overturned the imperial guards, and rushed towards a particr direction with a clear goal in sight. Looking in that direction, Emperor Yuanjing''s pupils shrank violently. He saw a red dress, and his beautiful lovable daughter, Princess Lin''an, who he loved the most. At that moment, Princess Lin''an was with two courtdies, and a Bronze Gong, who was wearing a Nightwatcher uniform. "Protect Lin''an!" Emperor Yuanjing shouted. ... *Motherfucker, this is docile?* Xu Qi''an hadn''t expected to encounter such an incident at all. He had been conversing with the second princess on the way, using the conversation skills he had umted over his previous life. He amused the princess with his humorous style and interesting word choices, enhancing their friendship. He was thinking of sending her to the smallke where Spirit Dragon stayed and ying with her for a while. After that, He would go back to handling the case by himself. But he came across this matter... Just as he was about to say, "Princess, This ce is dangerous. Your subordinate will now escort you back." when Spirit Dragon came over. The spiritual beast was quite powerful, its strength not lower than a sixth-rank martial artist. Xu Qi''an wanted to escape, but he found the second princess freezing up in fright uponying his eyes on her. Her charming round face had gone pale, her eyes frozen, and she was unable to think out of fear. Xu Qi''an looked from the corner of his eye, seeing the experts from the court flying towards him. He also saw Emperor Yuanjing galloping towards him on horseback, and also the dazzling glossy ck button-like eyes of Spirit Dragon. It was like a frightened child throwing itself into its father''s arms upon finding him. *Hm?* *Did this guy sense my arrival ande out to find me?* Then, Xu Qi''an understood the Spirit Dragon as a beast with wisdom. Aside from joy, Spirit Dragon''s eyes also showed fear from within. But, the time didn''t allow him to think deeper about the matter. The ground trembled, as Spirit Dragon tried to pounce. Xu Qi''an immediately decided. Without hesitation, He stood in front of Princess Lin''an, cing his tall and straight back in front of her. Xu Qi''an held down the handle of his sabre with a hand, slightly bent his knees, calmed down all his emotions, and flicked his thumbs after umting force for some time. "ng..." Alongside the crisp sound of unsheathing, A thin dark golden line shed across to cut a deep knife mark, three feet long and two fingers wide. A shocking scene happened. The frenzied Spirit Dragon mmed back. Its four ws were bent, its toenails ploughed furrows on the ground, as it finally stopped in front of the knife marks. *It doesnt dare step over the line?* The scene was deeply imprinted in Princess Lin''an''s heart and was also seen by Emperor Yuanjing, Wei Yuan, and the crown prince. "Ang!" Lying on the ground, Spirit Dragon let out a little anxious cry. Xu Qi''an easily understood its emotions. The Spirit Dragon wanted him to run away. Precisely, run away together with it. *It''s very anxious, very scared. It seems to have been threatened by something... But it calms down in front of me... Still, Its fear hasn''t weakened a single bit... It wants me to run away with me, or It wants to run away with me...* Xu Qi''an gradually formed a guess. "Don''t be afraid. I''m here." Xu Qi''an said. Thinking Xu Qi''an''s words were directed at her, the second princess felt secure. Hearing Xu Qi''an, the Spirit Dragon lost its anxiousness. Downcast, It let out a listless cry. At the time, a group of Imperial Guards finally arrived, dragging arge golden together. "Whoosh!" The big was thrown, covering the three-metre-long beast. "Tuk tuk tuk..." Emperor Yuanjing rode over to check on Princess Lin''an carefully. Seeing that she was indeed alright, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Father..." Princess Lin''an closed her mouth, trotted to the side of the horse, and took hold of Emperor Yuanjing''s sleeve. Emperor Yuanjing fell easiest to this kind of behaviour andforted her gently. Then, the over fifty ck-haired Emperor thoroughly observed Xu Qi''an. "Your subordinate greets Your Majesty." Xu Qi''an bowed and sped his fists. The Feng Dynasty had one convenient rule, that except on some special asions, You only needed to salute when meeting the emperor, without kneeling and kowtowing. Emperor Yuanjing nodded slightly, "Good job. What''s your name?" "Your Majesty, this subordinate is Xu Qi''an." Emperor Yuanjing was stunned and looked at him again, still surprised, "You are Xu Qi''an?" "Yes!" Facing Emperor Yuanjing''s puzzled expression, he exined, "I had encountered some difficulties in the investigation of the case, So, I went to the pce to ask the Eldest Princess for some advice." Emperor Yuanjing didn''t continue asking. He nodded, his eyes falling on the sabre in Xu Qi''an''s hand, "Show me the sabre." Xu Qi''an offered the ck gold long sabre with both hands. An imperial guard stepped forward to take it and handed it over to Emperor Yuanjing. Thetter looked at it carefully, eximing, "A good sword!" Wei Yuan came over and answered, "It was given by Sir Jianzheng." *Jianzheng?* Emperor Yuanjing frowned, probably as he couldn''t understand why Jianzheng would give a precious sabre to a small bronze gong. "Your Majesty, Xu Qi''an is proficient in alchemy and is friends with the Arcanists of Sitianjian. I have once seen him giving a lecture on alchemy." Wei Yuan said. Xu Qi''an saw a look of surprise in Emperor Yuanjing''s eyes. But, the old emperor quickly restrained himself, smiled, and said, "We remember. You had shown some skills in Alchemy in the Silver Tax case." Emperor Yuanjing handed the sabre to the imperial guard, who returned it to Xu Qi''an. *Wei Yuan is helping to shape an image of a capable minister for me and increase my weight in the emperor''s eyes... Wei Yuan, no, he''s Daddy Wei from now on!* Xu Qi''an was moved. Princess Lin''an shook the emperor''s sleeve, and said softly, "Father, Xu Qi''an saved me. You have to reward him." "He should indeed be rewarded." Emperor Yuanjing nodded, stared at Xu Qi''an, and said loudly, "Nightwatcher Xu Qi''an has contributed and saved Princess Lin''an. He shall be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold and five hundred bolts of silk.[^1] "Father!" Princess Lin''an was still unwilling. She pointed to Xu Qi''an and said, "He saved your child''s life just now, and your child wants to pay him back. I ask you to spare him the death penalty." Emperor Yuanjing immediately raised a sharp gaze toward Xu Qi''an. Seeing his docile appearance, Emperor Yuanjing restrained the sharpness in his eyes, shook his head, and said, "We have already given him the opportunity to make meritorious deeds to atone for his crimes. If he solves the Sangpo case, he will naturally be spared the death penalty. An emperors words are like gold and jade, how could they be changed halfway?" Lin''an still wasn''t convinced, and shouted, "If he doesn''t solve the case, He will still be dead. What''s the use of awarding him a thousand taels of gold, then?" Emperor Yuanjing said, helplessly, "I will handle it when the timees." He didn''t want to say these words in front of Xu Qi''an, in case he would be confident and dy the progress of the investigation. So, he continued, "The time limit is still half a month. If you can solve the case, You will naturally be spared of the death penalty. If not, even if Lin''an has interceded for you, we will exile you to the frontier even if we don''t have you executed. Do you understand?" "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xu Qi''an said loudly. He observed Princess Lin''an winking at him yfully, her smile like a blooming flower. *This investment did have a lot of returns. Even if I can''t find the mastermind behind the Sangpo case, I don''t have to die. I will be exiled at most. I don''t have to worry about it, being the servant of three families that I am.* Emperor Yuanjing nced at the pacified spirit dragon. Breathless, he said angrily, "Drag this beast back to theke." Spirit Dragon nced at Emperor Yuanjing, propped up its body with its paws, and pointed its nose down at Emperor Yuanjing. "Okay, piss off back by yourself." Emperor Yuanjing shouted at it. The guards withdrew the big, and Spirit Dragon went back leisurely by himself. After Emperor Yuanjing finished taking care of the second princess, he mped his horse''s belly and followed behind Spirit Dragon. Xu Qi''an silently looked at the back of Emperor Yuanjing. *Before, When Princess Lin''an had pleaded for me, He had pointed a sharp gaze at me... Does he think that I induced Lin''an to do so?* *The rumours were correct. Emperor Yuanjing is indeed a person with a strong desire to control... indeed, the emperor who seeks longevity has a strong desire for power.* *I''m exhausted... I didn''t dare to do anything in front of this type of expert. Even if I put on a look, or changed my expression, they could guess my thoughts... My acting skills were okay then. The expression of sincerity and fear were also pretty good.* ... The high tform, by theke. Emperor Yuanjing stood on the bank, speaking in a low voice. Spirit Dragon poked its head out of the water and rested on the edge of the high tform. One man and one dragon talked for a long time, before Emperor Yuanjing left, still angry. Wei Yuan went up to Emperor Yuanjing. Observing his gloomy face, heforted him, "Your Majesty, You don''t have to be angry at a beast." "Hummph, it just doesn''t take us seriously anymore." Emperor Yuanjing''s anger persisted, "When we talked to it, it ignored me." Naturally, he hadn''t asked for the reason why the Spirit Dragon suddenly went mad. "The Spirit Dragon won''t go mad for no reason at all. Wei Yuan, pass on our order. The defence of the imperial city should be strengthened. No one is allowed to enter or leave the imperial city after the curfew." Wei Yuan nodded. Emperor Yuanjing walked in silence for some time, when he suddenly asked, "Why did the beast suddenly stop its anger?" Wei Yuan shook his head, "Maybe it used up its anger at that time." He did have a guess in mind, but it was too absurd. --- [^1]: The length of a bolt is measured ording to the type of material measured, and is usually either 40 or 100 yards (37 or 91m). The width of a bolt is usually 45 or 60 inches (110 or 150cm) but can vary quite a lot. Chapter 130: Auntie, Shall I use Gold to Hurt Your Face, or Silk to Hurt Your Face? Chapter 130: Auntie, Shall I use Gold to Hurt Your Face, or Silk to Hurt Your Face? # 130. Auntie, Shall I use Gold to Hurt Your Face, or Silk to Hurt Your Face? *Xu Qian?* But althoughst time the spirit dragon started suddenly being excited, Xu Qian was by Huaiqings side, this time Xu Qian wasnt even present. There must be some other reason for the spirit dragons craze, yet after so many guards failed to stop it, only when it came to Xu Qian did it behave itself again. This doubt shed in Wei Yuans mind, but was quickly discarded again. He had audited Xu Qians background; absolutely clean,pletely ordinary. To rope him in with the spirit dragon would be going a bit too far. The spirit dragon suddenly calming down could be attributed to having already vented his anger, or not wanting to hurt Princess Linan. Perhaps His Majesty also thought as much. A servant and a ruler slowly walked towards the pce, not riding their pnquins. Emperor Yuanjing suddenly said The Zhenbei King hasnt returned to the capital in some years, hasnt he. Wei Yuans eyes shed, as he said with a smile It has been some years. Emperor Yuanjing nodded, After spring next year, well summon him back. We have also missed him. Xu Qian drove the carriage down the wide streets of the inner city, two contingents of armoured soldiers guarding either side. In the carriage was sat Wei Yuan. Duke Wei, whats wrong with that spirit dragon? To raise such a dangerous beast inside the imperial city, are they not afraid itll hurt somebody? Xu Qian tested him. Wei Yuans kindly voice came from within, The spirit dragon at heart is docile. For non royals, as long as they do not touch it, they will not be attacked. Are there no exceptions? Xu Qian asked, trying his best to make his voice calm and collected. After a while, Wei Yuan said faintly, No. Xu Qian fell silent. The silence carried on for a long while, before Xu Qian broke it again: Duke Wei, Ive discovered a few things, making this case ever more of a conundrum. Your subordinate cant quite grasp it all. Do speak. Today your subordinate went to Qinglong Temple, and learned of a secret. There was a monk in Qinglong Temple, dharma title Henghui. Over a year ago he fell in love with a frequent female pilgrim to the temple, and thus stole a qi-blocking magic item from the temple and eloped with her. Xu Qian said, That female pilgrim is the same Princess Pingyang that has been missing for over a year. From the carriage came Wei Yuans low voice, Why did you not tell me of this when you first made your report. *Because I wanted to first show off to the eldest princess ah, no, to improve rtions* Xu Qian went a bit red, and tried to search around for a suitable excuse: Before I had hard provable leads, I didnt dare mislead Duke Wei. Only after seeing the eldest princess, did I know that Princess Pingyang eloped, and that this matter could involve the conflict between the aristocrat bloc and the civil officials. Your subordinate currently cannot be certain that Princess Pingyang and Henghui have anything to do with the Sangpo case. Even though the Jinwu Guard Baihu Zhou Chixiong had a qi-hiding magic item on his person, hes already escaped the capital, and so who knows if its the same magic item as the one from Qinglong Temple. Wei Yuan did not reply. The carriage arrived at the Nightwatchers Constabry. Xu Qian brought out the small wooden step, and weed Wei Yuan down. Wei Yuan had both hands in his sleeves, and looked at him without much emotion, Come with me to the Tower of Noble Spirit. *Is he going to scold me?* Xu Qian followed helplessly, as the two of them entered the tower one after another. Wei Yuan ordered Xu Qian to make tea, and he himself stood on the balcony looking at the scenery. Time passed second by second in silence, until Xu Qian called out that the tea was ready. He really only had to boil water, and steep tea leaves. It was very simple. Wei Yuan came to the tableside, and nced down, shaking his head, The first cup must be discarded. It cannot be drank directly; it is too bitter, and would hide the fragrance of the tea.[^1] *Are you teaching me how to do things?* Your subordinate is merely a crass person without much experience in his mind Xu Qian pictured an arrogant and domineering expression, whereas in real life his face showed a sparkling lowly smile. *Pata* Wei Yuan drew a brocade covered box from his robe, and smiling, said Have a look inside. Xu Qian opened the brocade box. Inside was a round pill, about the size of a lychee fruit, bright and limpid yellow. A rich medicinal scent wafted into his nostrils. This is a golden pill that His Majesty bestowed. It can strengthen your body, increase your qi. The national teacher refined these for many months, and only came out with one pot. It might as well be priceless. Wei Yuan closed the brocade box, and then tapped on its lid with his finger, Its yours now. Xu Qian was in disbelief. This thing has no use to me, nor does it have much use for high ranked martial artists. Thinking about it, currently the person that needs to improve the quickest is you. Wei Yuan smiled, Given that I said Id nurture you, then naturally Id follow through. Thank you, Duke Wei! The delight and emotion on Xu Qians face came from the heart. In his mind, he sighed with emotion, as some words of wisdom shed through his mind: *Simp to the end, and all you deserve shall be yours.* Once you digest the golden pill, your qi mechanism should rush to your central dantian. When that timees, you should start learning visualisation early, strengthening your soul. This way, your cultivation progress will be at least a third quicker than other martial artists your rank. Wei Yuan said. *This is the benefit of having your back to arge organisation, hugging big legs! If not for this, then I might very well end up like uncle, stopped dead at Refining Qi* Xu Qian felt d that he made the best choice back then. When he found out that Nine and Six were ying Mafia, that he didnt risk meeting Nine and rather going to find Wei Yuan, telling him the truth. If this had not been the case, he could not have gotten Wei Yuans appreciation and trust. If he did not gain Wei Yuans trust, and only his appreciation, then he may have had to slowly umte merit, rather than just getting a golden pill dropped on him for nothing. Duke Wei, the rank after Refining Spirit is Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, how does one practice this? Xu Qian asked attentively. When you reach the peak of Refining Spirit, when your qi, blood, and spirit start to merge, at this time, your body will undergo a remoulding and transformation. During the transformation, one would use sticks to strike ones body everywhere, like a cksmith striking his metal, removing all impurities, and refining his steel. *Strike ones body everywhere? Then what would happen to my little brother? This isnt stress that I should be under at my age what if eventually the chickens flown and the eggs are broken?* Xu Qian was full of confusion and worry. In front of Wei Yuan, he did not have the courage to say such coarsenguage. That was the ancient method. Wei Yuan chucked, adding on, Times have changed, and now the way martial artists refine themselves is through medicinal baths. Xu Qian let out a sigh of relief, and continued asking When your subordinate was reading through records, I found that the description of the fifth rank Transforming Force went like this: Endow life to every part of ones body, to wield like ones own arm, but also in detached independence. This description was very esoteric; the body is one whole, and already had life. Howe then it would talk about Endowing life to every part of ones body? Except making them have their own independent thoughts, but this was impossible. Even though men have two heads, they only have one brain. The other head currently was not qualified to have a brain, let alone anywhere else. If other body parts had their own thoughts, then the fingers will say: Ive climbed on top of high peaks, and delved into deep valleys. The mouth would say, Im clearly here to eat food, and yet *some* people would rather use me to lick. The little brother would say Ive once ventured deep into the tigersir, in and out seven times, fighting dauntlessly, yet eventually I was caught in the tigers mouth, and could only spit blood and flee. As he thought, Xu Qian thought this was more and more absurd, yet more and moreical. Wei Yuan examined him, and noticed his subtle emotional changes. Shaking his head, he said When you reach that level, Ill tell you more specifics. If you know now, then youll think too much, and worry too much for nothing. Alright, take the medicine here, let me see if the golden pill can help your middle dantian fill or not. Not everyone is guaranteed to have such a strong effect, Im only judging based on your aptitude. Whether you seed or not can only be known when you take it. Wei Yuan held some anticipation. Xu Qian hummed in assent, and opening the box, took the pill. He vigorously chewed on the pill, and swallowed it down. A few secondster, his stomach started to be hot, as if a fire was lit under it. The fire roasted his stomach, just barely peeking over his tolerance threshold. Not daring to dally, Xu Qian sat down cross-legged and began to meditate, reverse breathing and moving his qi through microcosmic orbits, leading the heat cycling around his body. Whoosh, whoosh The expansive tea room resonated with strong and energetic breathing, as if from some huge beast. Wei Yuan narrowed his eyes, quietly observing Xu Qian. An hourter, Xu Qian felt the heat in his stomach start to dissipate, as qi filled his body. He felt better than ever. *With me now, even if the enemy had a silver gong to protect them, I can still strike and kill a refining spirit silver gong* Xu Qian was delighted at the change in his body. Not bad, you are indeed a rare prodigy in martial arts. Wei Yuan praised. He rose, and took out a thin book from the bookcase that he had prepared earlier, along with a painting scroll, and handed them both to Xu Qian. In the book is recorded a visualisation technique, learn from it. This painting is the thing you will be visualising. Xu Qian opened the scroll. Upon it was drawn a giant, his head butting against the heavens, his feet spread across the earth. His bearing, every single vein in his muscles, all were rendered with immense detail. But what shocked one the most was that posture, one that dared attack the nine heavens, that dared walk over the nine hells, as if nothing in the world could frighten him. The idol used in visualisation affects a martial artists state of mind. These emotions were embedded into the painting as the artist drew it. I picked for a long time, and thought that this one suited you best. Wei Yuan did not forget to impart more knowledge. Xu Qian felt as if he had received a legendary treasure, carefully stowing away the painting and book, before asking tentatively, Duke Wei, can I perform visualisation with someone else? Mn, Im talking about my second uncle. He felt that it was best to be truthful in front of Wei Yuan, and not try to y any small tricks. That would never make it past the devilish intellect of this great eunuch. As long as you return the painting within three months. Whatever you do in that time, even gifting it away, I dont mind. Wei Yuan said, before reminding him: Any idol images, are all expensive as cities. If you damage this, then half your lifes sry will be gone. Immediately, Xu Qian felt that this painting was much more of a headache. Thud thud thud footsteps came from the stairwell, as Nangong Qianrou entered with a dark face. His gaze fell upon the visualisation image in Xu Qians hand and paused, before he went over next to Wei Yuan and whispered something into his ear. I know, Wei Yuan let out a breath, face expressionless, When we were ying Go, he had already hinted towards me. Our emperor here can tolerate corrupt officials, but he cannot tolerate any challenge to his authority. Three of his spies in the Imperial Pce had been rooted out. Xu Qian lowered his head, pretending that he didnt hear. Wei Yuanughed, Wait a bit more. The gold and silk that His Majesty rewarded you is almost here. At dusk, the pce servants delivered the gold and silk that Emperor Yuanjing had rewarded him: one thousand taels of gold was just about sixty *jin*, and was ced in arge suitcase. Five hundred bolts of silk, four *zhang*, filled two entire carts.[^2] It was nearing the end of work, and the Nightwatchers in the constabry hadnt left yet. They looked in surprise as the pce servants led the horse drawn carts into the constabry. Xu Qian, having received notice, came gleefully out to wee them. After handing everything over, the pce servants drove the empty carts away. Xu Qian called Song Tingfeng and the rest toe help pack, putting the gold and silk on carts they had borrowed from the constabry. Ningyan, youre rich! Song Tingfeng was both happy and jealous, vigorously pping Xu Qian on the shoulder: I dont care, but next months Jiaofangsi fees are on you. Xu Qian nced at Lyu Qing, and angrily replied Bullshit! I dont even go to the Gon. Saying this, he turned to open the box, and took out four ingots of gold, giving one to Li Yuchun, Min Shan, and Yang Feng, You share these around with our other brothers. Then, he threw one to Lyu Qing, smiling Constable Lyu, dont turn it down. Lyu Qing nodded. *A martial artist should have crity!* Xu Qianughed. Thank you, Sir Xu. The twelve Bronze Gongs, the six prefecture bailiffs, all shouted in joy. The spectators watching felt a wave of admiration and jealousy, wishing that they could join Xu Qians group. One ingot of gold was five taels in weight, and when exchanged equalled forty taels of silver. Which superior was so generous as to give out 160 taels of silver with a wave of his sleeve? This money is Li Yuchun asked. When I was in the imperial city I saved princess Linan, and so His Majesty rewarded me. Mm, I cant really borate further. Xu Qian replied. *Not because of progress in the Sangpo case?* Everyone was stunned for a moment, and suddenly felt the silver was somewhat hot to the touch. They felt bad talking it. Originally, they thought that His Majesty was so pleased at the progress in the case that he rewarded Xu Qian. Xu Qian waved his hand, Its been hard on everyone these days. This official does not mistreat his colleagues. Lyu Qing smiled, and nced at the bailiffs behind her, along with the Bronze Gongs, finding that their expressions had subtly changed. Sheughed happily. Xu Qian looked left and right, Where is Miss Caiwei? Probably in the Sitianjian. *No, shes definitely in some restaurant eating her heart out* Xu Qians heart said. After leaving work, the Bronze Gongs guarded this caravan towards the Xu manor. Xu Qian sat on his horse, thinking that with this gold, even if he had to leave the capital in the future, his family would have more than enough silver,pletely making up for the loss during the tax silver case. *Auntie can also joyfully buy jewellery, wear new clothes, Lingyin can go regrly to Guiyuelou to eat, and Lingyues dowry mn, Lingyues still little, not in any rush to marry.* *In the future when Eng enters officialdom, hell have some money to build some rtions. Uncle the poor man wouldnt have to put his whole sry towards family costs, and can go a bit more often to the Jiaofangsi.* *Auntie probably hasnt ever seen this much silk in her whole life aye, my hands getting a bit itchy, when I get home should I use silk to hurt her face, or gold to hurt her face* Xu Qian felt amazing. --- [^1]: This is true for many darker Chinese teas, like Puer. [^2]: 1000 taels is mentioned as 60 *jin*. One old imperial *jin* is 600g / 1 lb, so in total 36kg or 80lb. A *zhang* is 10 Chinese feet, using imperial *zhang* 3.2 metres / 3.5yd, in total 12.8m or 14yd per bolt. Significantly shorter than standard bolts. Chapter 131: Rich Overnight Chapter 131: Rich Overnight # 131. Rich Overnight Jingxiu Pce! Stepping on the soft grass with her exquisitely embroidered shoes, Princess Lin''an entered the Jingxiu Pce holding her brother, the crown prince''s arm. The room was as warm as spring, the floor heating dispelling the frigidity of December. The luxuriously dressed Noble Consort was sitting at the table, waiting for her son and daughter with a sumptuous meal, a smile covering her face. Noble Consort Chen was in her early forties. Although she had already passed a woman''s prime years, She was at the most full and plump age as a woman. Her skin was still delicate, and her eyes still rippled with watery light. Her well-maintained figure hadn''t gone out of shape. The years seemed to have precipitated a mature charm on her body. Leaving aside the devastatingly beautiful empress, Noble Consort Chen was the most beautiful among the numerous beauties in the harem. Therefore, Among the four princesses, only Lin''an could bepared with the eldest princess... no, contend with her. "It''s too hot. Have the servants outside burn less charcoal." The energetic princess Lin''an frowned. She usually only needed a small charcoal fire. She found the floor heating too hot, as if she was in a steamer. Noble Consort Chen, wearing a gentle smile, immediately ordered, "As Princess Lin''an said. Lower the Charcoal fire." Lin''an happily threw herself into her mother''s arms. Smiling like a little girl, she said, "Mother, I''ll be sleeping here tonight. Can I sleep with you?" Noble Consort Chen nodded with a gentle smile. Although this was against the rules, as any concubine may serve the emperor at night, but because Emperor Yuanjing had been practicing Dao throughout the years, he had always abstained from females, causing many rules in the harem to be mere decorations. If the Emperor cared about women, the rules would be strict. But, the emperor didn''t care for the beauties in his harem anymore. So, as long as they didn''t break any basic principles, they could do as they pleased. If the basic principles were broken... hehehe. Whatever state Emperor Yuanjing''s harem was in, It was at the very least harmonious, since the concubines couldn''t fight even if they wanted to. The crown prince apanied his mother in her daily chores, while Princess Lin''an chirped in from the sidelines. "Today, the spirit dragon suddenly went berserk and almost hurt Lin''an. Father Emperor and his guards were almost unable to rescue her in time." The crown prince mentioned what had happened in the afternoon. The typically calm Noble Consort turned pale with fright, hurriedly took Princess Lin''an''s hand, and looked at it with fear "Are you injured anywhere? Let Mother take a look." The second princess was a girl who liked to be spoiled, so she took advantage of the situation to make a pitiful expression "Daughter could almost not see mother today." The Noble Consort was scared, and said in anger, "What are those guards doing? They couldn''t even tame a beast. My child nearly got injured." After she lost her temper, she held Princess Lin''an''s hands, "What happenedter? Did the crown prince save you?" The status of the crown prince waspletely different from that of the other princes. Except for the queen, the other concubines in the harem must call him "crown prince", and couldn''t refer to him as "son" or "Emperor''s child". Lin''an scrunched up her nose, andined, "Big brother Crown Prince doesn''t have such ability. Every time Huaiqing bullies me, he just speaks but doesn''t help me defeat Huaiqing." The crown prince smiled wryly and shook his head. As the noble consort got more curious, she nced at the crown prince, then held her daughter''s hands, saying, "Can you tell me about it?" Lin''an''s charming eyes that looked like a peach blossom suddenly bloomed, "I had taken in a small bronze gong today... Well, the day before yesterday. I had brought him along today, and he was the one who saved me during the ident." "Bronze Gong..." Noble Consort Chen frowned, "From the Nightwatchers?" "Yeah." Lin''an said, "I know mother concubine doesn''t like Nightwatchers, as they are Wei Yuan''s people. But he''s mine." Noble Consort Chen smiled, and nodded, "Did His Majesty give any rewards?" "Of course he did." the crown prince replied. "I also have to send some rewards, then." Noble Consort Chen solemnly said, "I will have someone pick up some jewellery and send them overter." The recipient of the Noble Consort''s reward, of course, couldn''t be the courtier, but would be the female rtives in the courtier''s family. Hearing it all, the crown prince suddenly frowned, "When did Xu Qi''an be yours, then?" Princess Lin''an immediately raised her chin as white as snow, and said proudly, "I snatched him over from Huaiqing." "Does Huaiqing know?" "She knows." "And she didn''t teach you a lesson." "If she dares to teach me a lesson... I''ll take Xu Qi''an to see her, so I can be protected from her and annoy her at the same time." Speaking this, Princess Lin''an praised her wit. ... In December, the sky turned dark at the drop of a hat. When setting off from the Constabry, The sun was still hanging in the western sky, stubbornly dyeing the clouds in its colours. When he arrived at the Xu Mansion, the sky waspletely dark, andnterns were lit up, reflecting the pedestrians runningte, garrets, and tiled houses in the vicinity. The dark sky, the bamboonterns, and the antique buildings... Every time he saw this scene, Xu Qi''an chided himself for not learning to draw. At that time, the gate of the Xu Mansion had been closed as the gatekeeper, Old Zhang, knew that Dng never went in through the gate. So, When Xu Qi''an knocked on the door, Old Zhang was surprised. "Call out the servants in the mansion. We have to move some things." Xu Qi''an ordered. *Move Things?* Old Zhang nced over Xu Dng''s shoulder, and found the three carriages with him, along with the Nightwatchers traveling with him. ... In the front hall, the family of four was having their dinner. Xu Lingyue hadn''t waited for her elder brother to have dinner today. Thinking of him, she lowered her head and said, "Big brother hasn''t been home for dinner for many days by now." As the candle flickered, Her long eyshes caught their light, making her sharp oval face glow with a lustre like warm jade. Considering her fair and beautiful oval face and her fresh and pure style, she would be a school belle conforming to the public aesthetics by simply wearing a sailor suit. Um, An mixed-race school belle at that. Xu Lingyue''s face was more three-dimensional and deeper than other girls. "I''ll leave some food for big brother to eat." Xu Lingyin and her sisters were on opposite sides of the spectrum in terms of their thoughts about Xu Qi''an. She believed that no one at home wouldpete with her for food if her big brother was away. As she held chopsticks in her stubby little hands, they flew all over the table, as if she was gifted by heaven. "Is it time for you to receive your sry in a few days?" Auntie looked over to Second Uncle, in a questioning tone. Second Uncle Xu bowed his head to continue eating, "En." In fact, he had already overdrawn his sry for the month. As the end of the year approached, Entertainment with colleagues and gifting colleagues all consumed silver. *... Anyway, Ningyan hasn''t married a wife yet. Let''s borrow his sry to deal with this first.* Second Uncle Xu silently said to himself. "We don''t have enough money to make clothes for Lingyue, Lingyin, Dng, and Eng at the end of the year." Auntie sighed. The family still had some savings of dozens of taels of silverst month, before they went to Cloud Deer Academy. But, when they hade back, the savings were empty... Auntie wished to tear Second Uncle a new one on the spot, asking if he had been fooling around. But, Xu Dng and Xu Eng guaranteed personally that the money was used to form rtionships and do business, and was definitely not used for fooling around. Auntie believed them. *Although Xu Dng was annoying, he had a stubborn personality and never lied. Xu Eng was a schr, living a strict life since childhood, and was quite sensible.* "It''s just a matter of a few taels of silver." Second Uncle Xu didn''t care about it. Auntie nced at him, "I want to purchase a bolt of brocade." Second Uncle Xu raised his head, surprised. He didn''t think that the family''s current financial situation could afford one or two bolts of brocade. Auntie counted the state for him, saying that Eng would be taking the Spring Examination soon, if he wins, his status would be different, making it inappropriate for him to wear his previous robes. Lingyue had reached marriageable age. So, the dresses in her closet should be refurbished. Second Uncle Xu listened to her absent-mindedly, humming perfunctory yeses from time to time. Bang! Auntie hit the table with chopsticks, drawing everyone''s attention. Auntie picked up the chopsticks again, holding a stiff expression, "Eat." Second Uncle Xu helplessly said, "During the Silver Tax case, Our home was emptied. I had to borrow from my colleagues for the rice and noodles in the first month. Let''s wait until next year. I''ll buy them next year." Auntie bowed her head, not showing her reddened eye sockets. "Careful, Careful... Don''t touch the wall. If anything gets dirty, don''t believe this old man won''t hit you." The gatekeeper Old Zhangs scolding sound sounded in the front hall. Second Uncle frowned and looked in a bad mood, The servants of the mansion wereing in cautiously under themand of gatekeeper Old Zhang, carrying bundles of silk. Auntie opened her orchid-like big eyes, watching the bright and beautiful silk bolts moving in disbelief. "So beautiful..." Xu Lingyue eximed. Lyu''e also widened her eyes as she drooled with desire. Only Xu Lingyin still remained faithful to her food, her cheeks bulging as her face remained buried in the bowl. "Where did you get these?" Second Uncle Xu asked nkly. The gatekeeper Old Zhang unfolded a piece of coarse cloth, spread it on the ground, and directed the servants to put down the silk. While doing so, he replied, "Dng brought this back. He says these were given to him by His Majesty." *Given by His Majesty?* Second Uncle Xu''s first reaction was to believe that the Sangpo case had been solved. As an Imperial Guard, he was on duty in the outer city on weekdays, and he didn''t know what happened in the inner city. The Sangpo case caused a lot of trouble in the inner city, but people with insufficient status couldn''t get ess to relevant information. Thinking of his stagnancy in the Refining Qi realm for nearly twenty years, Second Uncle felt gloomy. But soon, his gloominess was washed away by joy, "Where''s Ningyan?" "He''s outside the door. His Majesty had rewarded a total of 500 bolts of silk." The gatekeeper Old Zhang happily replied. "Pata!" The chopsticks in Auntie''s hands fell to the table. Chapter 132: Night Meeting Chapter 132: Night Meeting # 132. Night Meeting *Five hundred bolts* Aunties fragrant heart leapt. These silks were varied in style: damask, satin, chiffon, brocade, and many numerous others, woven meticulously, embroidered beautifully. Auntie wasntcking in experience at the fabric market, and her eyes were sharp. She recognised that any one bolt of fabric here was worth far more than any of the luxury products she could buy. *Five hundred bolts of such beautiful fabric* Auntie felt that she had been knocked into a daze by fortuneing out of the blue. Xu Lingyue was not any better than her mother; from ancient times, women had a special ce in their heart for clothing. Xu Lingyin, taking advantage of mum and dad not paying attention to scarf up as much as she could naturally was not in this category. She was still a child. Ill help! Uncle Xu couldnt sit steady any longer, suddenly rising and walking briskly outside. Xu Qian stood by the horse cart, and was just talking to Song Tingfeng about going to the Jiaofangsi after the Sangpo case was done. About that, of the 24 oirans of the Jiaofangsi Ive only slept with Fuxiang. Some day I need to visit every one in turn. Xu Qian said with an expectant tone. You Song Tingfeng stared at him with a strange expression, Arent you lovers with Fuxiang? What you should be doing is buying her freedom. You Xu Qian stared at him with a strange expression, not being able to figure out why ancient people always wanted to privately use public vehicles. *Mn, the status of concubines are only a bit higher than maidservants. Perhaps in their eyes, redeeming the freedom of a brothel girl is like buying their sons a girlfriend that doesnt speak nor eat.* *And an oiran stays youthful for long.* *A wife and a concubine cannot bepared but in my eyes, redeeming the freedom of a brothel girl,pared to meeting a rich beauty on a blind date, and saying Im just out buying clothes is the same I guess our viewpoints are still different.*[^1] Xu Qian shook his head, not wanting to continue this topic. Uncle, dont carry these. Seeing Second Uncle Xuing out to help, Xu Qian called towards him. When Uncle Xu looked over, Xu Qian picked up the 60 jin heavy wooden chest, and chucked it over: Help carry this. Uncle Xu reached over to catch it, and felt its rather dense weight. As he opened to look *What shing has blinded my damn eyes!* Auntie was in the front hall, going into a daze looking at the pretty silks, stroking here, stroking there, her beautiful face uncontrobly showing a wide smile. Xu Lingyue ced a small hand on a bolt of silk, feeing its smooth texture, her young girls heart beating vigorously. *Smack!* As the mother, Auntie smacked her hand, saying unhappily, Dont get them dirty. Xu Lingyue said deeply, Is mum happy? These things were given to big brother by His Majesty, theyre not yours. A fatal blow! Aunties smile slowly faded, as after a while, her beautiful and dignified face stiffly stretched into an awkward smile, That Ive been quite good to Dng, right For these words, even she did not have any confidence. Xu Lingyue nodded, Mn, youve been very good. Big brother is your loss-leader. Damned brat! Auntie poked Xu Lingyue with one finger, sending thetter staggering. At this time, mother and daughter saw Uncle Xu walk in carrying a chest, his senses in a daze. Auntie picked up her skirt hems, and came over, Husband dear, whats this? ck ck Uncle Xu opened the case, and then closed it again, then looking at his wife, You blind? Im blind Auntie, from when she was an unmarried girl in the boudoir to now having given birth to three children, in her thirty-six years of life she had never seen so much silver no gold. Uncle had never owned so much gold. My throats so dry, Ive been tired all day, I havent even had a chance to drink some good tea. Ningyan, sit. Auntie will make you some. I want steamed eggs. Auntie will tell the chefs to make you some. Have we got any milk? Of course of course, Auntie here has the freshest milk. At the dinner table, Xu Qian sat at the pride of ce, as the normally arrogant and proud Auntie earnestly cared for him. If Xu Qian wanted steamed eggs, Auntie would arrange the kitchen to make it. If Xu Qian wanted to drink tea, Auntie would make it for him. If Xu Qian wanted to drink milk, Auntie would give him some trying her best to mend the tattered and torn rtionship between aunt and nephew. Auntie, cmon, thats not sincere, I want to eat steamed eggs that Auntie made. Xu Qian pouted. Auntie bit her lip, and forced out a smile, Auntie will go and make you some. The steamed eggs came, and Xu Qian simultaneously ate and said, Ai, in the neighbouring yard theres so many dirty clothes. An unfortunate brat like me with no mother or father, can only wash them myself. Auntie clenched her teeth, Ningyan, thats a bit much to say, Auntie has always seen you as if you were my son, Auntie will wash them for you. Proud and ted! Xu Qian felt his thoughts finally connect, and that obsession that had been suppressed in his heart, finally dissipated. Uncle, how about we sell this house, and buy arge courtyard in the inner city. Xu Qian suggested. Aunties beautiful eyes lit up, shing with light. *Sell this house* Uncle Xu looked across the furniture in the hall, and suddenly felt a pang of sadness, This is our family home, are we going to sell it just like that? Your father and I both grew up here. If you dont sell it no matter. Eight thousand taels of silver is enough to buy a huge ce in the inner city. Xu Qian raised his wine cup, and drank, smiling, Uncle, am I a bastard son of yours that you had with a woman outside? Pfft Uncle Xu desperately turned his head downwards, and a mouthful of alcohol sprayed over Xu Lingyins face. He originally wanted to spit towards the floor, it was just unfortunate that his young daughter was too small, and he just managed to catch her face. Little Pea was stunned, not knowing what she did wrong. She resolutely tried not to cry, licked some of the alcohol off her face, and finding that it did not taste good, then started crying. Uncle Xu stared at his nephew with no filter, What are you thering on about. *Uncle didnt show shock or guilt Aunties face is also not shocked or suspicious,* Xu Qian, experienced in the psychology of facial expressions, made his deduction. When a person has their guard lowered, their unconscious actions would most align with their state of mind. Xu Qian first dismissed the idea that he was Uncles bastard son, though that he would think like this was not without reason. When he was young, and Uncles colleagues hade around to visit, they would point at Xu Qian saying This your son? Or point at Xu Xinnian and say Your young daughter is really beautiful. What did this mean? It meant that Xu Qian looked like his uncle. From the point of view of gics, these two were blood rtives. Just a joke. Ive never seen my birth mother, and I look so simr to Uncle. Xu Qian shrugged, Oh right, Aunties seen my mother, right? Auntie replied Naturally. When your mother was carrying you, I had to look after her for a while. Your mother was very kind, unlike you She quickly stopped, nearly snapping at her nephew in habit. Then your old brother? Xu Qian ate his steamed egg, observing Second Uncle out of the corner of his eye. Uncle Xu paused for a moment, before reacting, grunting Thats your father. He recollected his memories for a moment, Your grandparents died early, and so us brothers relied on each other to live. Your father was more talented than me, a shame that he died in the Campaign of Mountains and Seas. Xu Qian did not ask any further, quickly eating his fill. Leaving the five hundred bolts of silk in the main manor, he carried the chest off to his small courtyard. Putting the gold in the home was not safe. So many of his colleagues at the Nightwatchers Constabry saw him that afternoon, that on the off chance one had any ideas, and broke in, that would cause Auntie and his younger sisters to be invovled. Wei Yuan said, that for an extended period of time he would send Nightwatchers to secretly guard our manor, and surveil the Xu Manors surroundings, protecting against the Earth Sect Daoists seeking revenge. This also can serve as deterrent for any Nightwatchers plotting anything Xu Qian vaunted over the high wall, and put the chest in his Earth Book fragment. After bathing, the fragrant Auntie sat at the bedside, head tilted, drying her ck silken hair with a towel. Uncle Xu sat cross legged on a couch some way away, refining his qi. You practice day after day, and yet you still havent gotten anywhere. Auntie rolled her charming eyes. Whew. Uncle Xu let out a long breath, and opened his eyes. Even if after reverse breathing his spirit was roused, deep in his eyes still lingered some darkness. He had long reached the peak of Refining Qi, and no matter how much further he practiced, his qi would not increase. Yet the door towards Refining Spirit was still locked tight. Dear, say if you break through to the next rank, will you get promoted? Auntie pushed up her full breasts, and stretched her back. Xu Pingzhi grunted Mhm, naturally. Auntie finished drying her hair, took off her silk shoes, andy sideways on the bed, her two long legs folded across each other. She hugged the pillow in her bosom, and scolded into the air, Xu Ningyan that little brat, he must be so proud of himself. If not for the silk, and the house in the inner city, I wouldnt tolerate him, he makes me want to spit blood. As she spoke, she let out a long sigh, Without any of us knowing hes made a future for himself. When she first received him from her husband, he was only as big as a kitten. Thud thud thud The sound of knocking on the door came through, and from outside came Xu Qians voice, Uncle, theres something I forgot to tell you. Auntie took a shock, and quickly let down the bed drapes, curling under her duvet. Xu Pingzhi rose, saying Lets go to the study. Theres no need. Uncle you cane out here, I only have a couple things to say. Xu Qian replied. Auntie hugged the covers, and eavesdropped from behind the bedcurtains. Uncle and nephew spoke for a minute or two, before her husband returned, and closed the door. What did you say, did he secretly give you private spending money? Auntie poked her head through the bedcurtains, staring at Xu Pingzhi. Suddenly, she was stunned. She saw her husbands eyes were red and watery. Husband? Auntie felt at a loss, saying in confusion. Ive finally gotten hope Xu Pingzhi closed his eyes, saying softly, Hope for Refining Spirit. Auntie pursed her lips tight. * is it Ningyan?* Xu Qian returned to his small courtyard, as he suddenly felt something with his spirit. Pausing in front of the door, he lightly pushed it open. He walked to the table as usual, and lit a candle, its thin me giving off a dim murky light, pushing away the darkness, painting ayer of orange in the room. On the bed was sat an old Daoist with salt and pepper white hair. Even though it was held up by a hairpin, messy strands still hung down. His features were deep cut, his expression peaceful. Youvee. Xu Qian greeted him with a light smile. Ivee. Jinlian Daozhang nodded, and returned his smile. You shouldnt havee. Xu Qian said solemnly, Jinlian Daozhang asked in surprise What does that mean? Did we not arrange a meeting tonight. * no, Im just memeing, you need to understand Gu Longs novels better!* Xu Qian shrugged, Im just joking with Daozhang. How is the Sangpo case going? Jinlian didnt mind, after all everyone had their little problems, and the Heaven and Earth Societys members all had strong personalities. Xu Qian hesitated for a moment, before saying This case is veryplicated, and involves too many powers. At this current point, I have many leads, and they are all messy. On this matter, Ive been a pol a bailiff for so many years, and have never encountered such a difficult case. *Usually we rely on surveince!* His mind added. Immediately, he told Jinlian Daozhang of all of his findings, his deductions, and his reasonings. Having been in the Heaven and Earth Society until now, he hade to trust Jinlian Daozhang to some capacity, feeling that thetter was a good ally to have. Furthermore, there was no conflict of interest for him in the Sangpo case. *Mn, if escaping to the capital to hide from danger was just a surface excuse, and really he was making foundations for the Sangpo Case, then the one who silenced Magistrate Zhao was also him, then he really would be a master of lies!* Xu Qian joked sarcastically to himself, *currently anyone I look at is bad, anyone I look at is a LYB.* You suspect that the Zhenbei King is behind this case, that he and. the northern Yao and the northeast Church of the Warlock God are plotting to usurp the throne? Thus the case of the Sangpo Lake Explosion, releasing the first generation Jianzheng. Jinlian Daozhang said with a frown. What does Daozhang think? Xu Qian asked back. --- [^1]: Trantor Note: That was rather difficult to trante, hope it came out legible. -Yan Chapter 133: The Shaman Clans Chapter 133: The Shaman ns # 133. The Shaman ns "All these do sound reasonable at first nce. But, you don''t have any conclusive evidence, whether on King Zhenbei or the first Jianzheng." King Zhenbei guards the border all year long. This Daoist doesn''t know him well, and neither do you. You were a bit too rash in determining him as evil. "Furthermore, King Zhenbei is a third rank Martial Artist, and he still has a chance some day to break through to the second rank. You still have to consider if he even wants to be emperor. Hehe, of course, power has moved many hearts since ancient times, so this poor Daoists analysis may also be too rash." Daoist Jinlian gave his analysis. "Breaking through to the second rank and being emperor aren''t mutually exclusive." Xu Qi''an had his thoughts on this, This is just a hypothesis, and I haven''t verified it yet. After I collect the evidence, We can be sure whether or not King Zhenbei is the mastermind. "But, Daozhang, I can''t continue on that front." Xu Qi''an sighed, Emperor Yuanjing ordered me to investigate the case. But, as King Zhenbei is a King from the royal family, with an army under his banner, I can''t investigate his House openly. "The Jianzheng of the Sitianjian is pretending to be sick, and I can''t go to the Star Observatory to question him. It''s indeed a difficult matter." "Emperor Yuanjing?" Daoist Jinlian narrowed his eyes to examine Xu Qi''an, an inexplicable colour shing in his eyes. "It''s been many years since I''ve heard an Imperial dog refer to him that way." The Daoist Priest clicked his tongue in surprise. "I seem to have overlooked something." "What did you overlook?" Xu Qi''an subconsciously asked. "Your brain is naturally rebellious." The old Daoistmented. *I''m not... You are speaking nonsense... Don''t pin a crime on me like that...* Putting on a serious face and an equally serious tone, Xu Qi''an said, "I am very loyal and devoted to His Majesty." Daoist Jinlian did not tear through this rebuttal. "The water in this case looks incredibly deep. Does Daozhang have any suggestions for me?" Xu Qi''an asked. "You were clever in pretending to be a Confucian disciple in the Heaven and Earth Society." *I knew that you must have been watching us perform pce fights in the group while smiling like an aunt watching her nephews...* Xu Qi''anmpooned about this LYB. "This Daoist will analyse it with you. There were a few things in your description that didnt quite add up." "Daozhang, pray tell." Xu Qi''an''s eyes immediately lit up. He chose tomunicate frankly and openly with this old Daoist, seeing his wisdom and rich experience. LYBs were indeed disgusting. But they surely did generate a sense of security when they were your allies. After pondering for a while, Daoist Jinlian said, "The first weird thing is the Jianzheng standing by. If the first Jianzheng was indeed the one sealed under Sangpo, he would have been the most anxious one. But, he is very quiet... Well, the old guy could not be in the Star Observatory, and doing things in secret." Xu Qi''an nodded, silently. The original Jianzheng and the current Jianzheng should be irreconcble with each other, like fire and water. The reason was quite simple; if the master had been sealed by the apprentice, and the apprentice then happily took his ce running the Sitianjian, clearly the rtionship between master and apprentice had beenpletely broken. Otherwise, with the first rank strength of the Jianzheng, even the Sect leader from the Human Sect couldn''t stop him. "The second wrong thing is Emperor Yuanjing. He lifted the ban on the city the second day the Sangpo case happened. Hehe... Don''t you find it strange? There''s no reason for him to leave trouble for the future." Xu Qi''an immediately said, "I have also thought about these two issues, and I guessed that the city gate was opened to lure the snakes out of the hole... well, I have no way to know what is going on inside the Jianzheng and Emperor Yuanjings heads, theyre too high a level for me." "True." Daoist Jinlian said, "You have another reason to talk with me, right? Is Number Six rted to the Sangpo case?" "To be precise, Monk Hengyuan''s junior brother is involved in this case. I have be more sure of this after he lost contact for no reason." "As I expected. You have been to Qinglong Temple and found out Hengyuan''s identity." Not surprised at all, Daoist Jinlian then asked, "His junior brother?" "There was a monk in the Qinglong Temple named Henghui. Henghui eloped with King Yu''s daughter Princess Pingyang more than a year ago, causing King Yu to be shocked and bedridden. This incident is connected to the struggle between the aristocrat bloc and the civil official bloc for power." Xu Qi''an grabbed the water jug, poured a ss of water, moistened his throat, and continued, "Monk Henghui stole a qi-shielding Magic Artefact from Qinglong Temple to avoid him and Princess Pingyang being caught. I suspect that this Magic Artefact got into the possession of Baihu Zhou Chixiong of the Jinwu Guards." Daoist Jinlian listened to him patiently, frowning and showing a thoughtful expression from time to time. After Xu Qi''an finished, he spoke, "So, You want to know about Henghui from Hengyuan to confirm your guess, don''t you?" "Um... This is the only lead I currently have. Daozhang, You should remember that Hengyuan had said that his junior brother had been abducted. But, the abbot of the Qinglong Temple said that Henghui had eloped. Maybe Hengyuan had found some clues after leaving Qinglong Temple for investigation..." "You want me to lead you to find him." "I implore Daozhang to do so." ... Thousands of miles in the south, the moon was bright and the stars sparse. Different from the cold and dry winter in the capital, the climate was humid in the south, where the Shaman ns resided. Even in the coldest season of the year, the Shamans wore thin clothes. Lina was wearing thin cloth boots, and her skirt only reached her knees, revealing her slender and straight legs. Her face was exquisite. Her eyebrows were slightly thick and her pupils were light blue, rippling with an innocent and lively glint. Her wheat-coloured skin gave her a healthy and wild look, as if she were a vigorous female leopard. Arge group with hundreds of people travelled in the wilderness. They were holding torches and moving forward silently. Lina, with her agile steps and energetic demeanour, seemed a little ipatible with the group. This time, she was following the elders of her tribe to gain experience, their destination being the Abyss, the ce where the Gu God was sleeping. The Shaman ns had seven tribes, who were the beneficiaries and the guardians of the Gu God. *When I figure out the reason for the revival of the Gu God, I can announce the information in the Heaven and Earth Society so that everyone can owe me a debt. Of course, I''ll do it only if revealing the reason won''t cause any problems for the Shaman ns.* Thinking of this, a bright smile covered Lina''s beautiful face. "Lina, Be serious." Her elder brother Mosang turned around and reprimanded her in a quiet tone. He had thick eyebrows and big eyes, and his appearance was quite simr to Lina''s. But, a deep scar marred the left side of his handsome face. That, along with his fierce eyes made him give off an unruly temperament. Lina wasn''t afraid of her elder brother at all, and rebutted yfully, "Other elder brothers have sisters-inw to scold. But, You don''t have a wife and only know to scold me all day long." Frustrated, Mosang walked away with a sullen expression. Lina followed her brother, putting her arms around his shoulders, and she smiled, "I heard that the women in Great Feng are juicy and plump, and their faces are whiter than steamed buns. I''ll grab a wife for you, Mosang." Mosang coldly snorted, "What''s the use of beauty? I want a woman that can tear up a leopard with her bare hands." "ording to my friend, Great Feng''s Princess Consort Zhenbei is astonishingly beautiful. Their Eldest Princess is also charming. Simrly, the Dao Master of the Human sect is also a beauty. All of them are said to be nation-toppling beauties." Mosang immediately looked over and swallowed, "You help me ask your friend how beautiful they actually are... Wait, where did you get such a friend?" Ignoring him, Lina paced ahead. "Heaven Gu grandma, wait for me..." Lina left her tribe''s group and went to the leader of the Heaven Gu Tribe, a hunchbacked old woman. The Heaven Gu Grandma raised her wrinkle-covered face. Her eyes clear, she looked at Lina, "What do you need from this old grandma, little girl?" "Grandma, I have a friend... Well, a friend of a friend. He has encountered some strange incidentstely." Rolling her eyes, Lina said, "Hes lucky, Outrageously lucky." There was a reason for Lina to ask Heaven Gu Grandma this question. ording to legend, After the Gu God fell to deep sleep, its spirit transformed into Heart Gu, its blood and essence transformed into Strength Gu, its venom transformed to Poison Gu, its appetite transformed to Desire Gu, its eyes transformed to Heaven Gu and it''s bodily fluids transformed to Corpse Gu. That was the origin of the seven tribes of the Shaman ns. There was also a second legend in the Shaman ns, that the Gu God would withdraw its powers once it recovers. No one in the Shaman n hoped for this ancient beast on par with Gods and Buddhas to revive. Heaven Gu represented the eyes of the Gu God, which could observe thews of nature and all phenomena. Therefore, the Heaven Gu n was responsible for formting the calendar. The entire Shaman n worked and farmed ording to the instructions from the Heaven Gu n. Additionally, The Heaven Gu n was also proficient in the secret arts of divination, and omen reading. Heaven Gu Grandma said, "That person should be one with a bright natal star, a good person who has done countless good deeds and umted a lot of meritorious virtue." *Is Number Three a good person? Probably...* Lina said, "But, His luck is to pick up silver. He picks up silver every day." *But, Daoist Jinlian had said that his situation wasn''t due to meritorious virtue.* "Picking up money? What luck is this? You are speaking nonsense, little girl." A middle-aged man in the Heaven Gu n loudlyughed. Laughter came from all sides, breaking the dignified and serious atmosphere in the team. *This little girl from the Strength Gu n is quite interesting.* "Shut up!" Grandma Heavenly Gu suddenly yelled. Serious, She grabbed Lina''s wrist with such force that it caused Lina to frown slightly. "Little girl, where is your friend? Tell me, tell me quickly..." Heaven Gu Grandma looked eager. *What...* The people from the Heaven Gu n looked at each other in dismay, unable to understand how a little girl''s joke made Heaven Gu Grandma so excited. Mosang stood on his feet and looked around when he discovered the abnormality. He saw Heaven Gu Grandma grabbing his sister''s wrist, and said in a loud voice, "Dad, somethings happened." The chief of the Strength Gu n nodded calmly, his voice maic, "I''ll go and have a look." Chapter 134: Plastic Father-Son Relationship Chapter 134: stic Father-Son Rtionship # 134. stic Father-Son Rtionship "What''s wrong, Heaven Gu Grandma?" Lina turned her head upon hearing her father''s voice and saw a tall, burly middle-aged man with muscles as hard as a rock and a rigid countenance walking over to her. He was nine feet tall, making him stand out from the crowd, being two heads taller than the surrounding Shamans, and his arms were thicker than Lina''s waist.[^1] As he walked, the surrounding people felt as if they were being stared at by an eagle or a wolf, feeling a stifling, oppressive aura. The hunchbacked Heaven Gu Grandma looked like a childpared to this one. Heaven Gu Grandma raised her head, nodded slightly, and turned her gaze back to Lina, as she said in a trembling voice, "Tell me, little girl. Granny is waiting for your answer." *Grandma''s a little too anxious... What''s the matter with her? Does she want to pick up money daily like Number Three''s friend, too?* Lina felt ufortable due to the fierce reaction of Heaven Gu Grandma. Heaven Gu Grandma refused to move, which caused the group to stop as well. The elites from the Heaven Gu n set their sights on Lina. People from the other tribes also exchanged whispers, without knowing what had happened. Heaven Gu Grandma turned her head and told a young man behind her, "Inform the chiefs of the other tribes to take a break. Come on, little girl. Let''s talk over there... Don''t follow me, Longtu." The leader of the Strength Gu n, Longtu stopped in his tracks, silently watching his daughter being taken by Heaven Gu Grandma. The chiefs of the other five departments came together, walked to Longtu''s side, and stood by him, watching the old and young leaving. "What''s going on, Longtu?" The chief of the Strength Gu n shook his head, "Perhaps you should ask the people from the Heaven Gu n." The chiefs looked behind them. "Lina was just joking with Grandma. I don''t know why Grandma got so excited." "What did you say?" "Lina has a friend who picks up money every day." "..." ... Heaven Gu Grandma held a torch, and walked under a tree. The ce was already very far from the main group, and only a tiny me could be seen from there. A crescent moon was hanging in the sky, casting a pure white radiance. The torch also shone on the wrinkled old face of Heaven Gu Grandma. At that time, she had already calmed down and didn''t carry her previous anxiety and excitement. "Little girl, tell grandma what''s going on." Lina pursed her lips and said, "I recently met a friend. He said that a friend of his has been picking up money for no reason. He was distressed about it because he didn''t know the reason." Heaven Gu Grandma squinted her eyes and asked for more details, "How does he pick up money? How much money does he pick up? Is there anything special about him besides picking up money? Tell me all the details." Lina naively scratched her head, and said apologetically, "I don''t know about this. After all, It''s about a friend of a friend. But, ording to Three- My Friend, it seems that person can live a prosperous life simply on the money they picked up." Lina thought that the Heaven Gu n could observe anything and knew many secrets, so she asked due to her curiosity. Who won''t be curious about someone picking up money daily? "Where is that person?" *Number Three is in the Capital of the Great Feng, and his friend should also be there...* Lina said uncertainly, "He should be in the capital of the Great Feng." "Capital of the Great Feng?" Heaven Gu Grandma was taken aback, as she shook her head again and again, "Impossible. It shouldn''t be. It''s impossible to be in Great Feng Capital... It doesn''t make sense..." Heaven Gu Grandma frowned. Her expression fluctuated frequently, sometimes surprised and sometimes thoughtful. "What''s going on, Grandma?" Lina felt that she was a very smart woman, as she had already noticed the situation. Heavenly Gu grandma wouldn''t drag her to a secluded ce to chat if it was just a trivial matter like picking up money. It''s not that she was concerned about this. But she found it absurd that an interesting incident that happened in the capital of the great Feng would make Heaven Gu Grandma care so much. It was as if she had identally made a good friend, only for them to turn out to be the long-lost child of Heaven Gu Grandma. "That friend of yours should be the one who picks up money every day. Not a friend of that friend." Heaven Gu Grandma nced at the simple and silly girl. Lina gaped with her ruddy mouth as her light blue eyes froze up. Number Three lied to her. She hadn''t expected him to be a viin who deceived others. She had even thought of him as a chivalrous schr. Hadn''t the elders of the tribe said that schrs were all upright and outspoken? Heaven Gu Grandma sighed softly, looked up at the moon, and said in a deep voice, Many years ago, two thieves sneaked into a rich family''s house and stole a very important item for some reason. The whereabouts of the item is unknown, and the thief who stole the item has never appeared again. "In the big family, some people knew that something has been stolen, and some people still don''t know about it." Lina blinked, "What was stolen?" Heaven Gu Grandma didn''t exin and just repeated that it was a very important thing. ... Soon after, the elite team of the Shamans reached the Abyss, a bottomless great rift. Poisonous miasma pervaded the rift valley, causing the growth of vegetation rich in toxicity, along with various poisonous insects and beasts. This could be said to be a natural Gu insect breeding farm, one that provided an endless supply of "raw materials" for the Shamans. Lina had been here many times, but she had always caught Gu worms on the outside and never went in deep. The team walked in silence, the insect repellent powder on their bodies and the anti-poison medicine making them immune to the dangers of the miasma, and the harassment by the insects. The n members from the Poison Gu n were like fish in water in the abyss, their radiance showing. Following the path opened by their predecessors, they went deep into the great rift. Gradually, as they moved deeper, the scenery started to change. The dark brownnd begun to be covered in deformed and grotesque nts. A continuous "swish swish" sound could be heard among the dense branches, leaves, and grass, as the poisonous insects there were disturbed by this group of uninvited guests. "Ah...", Suddenly, someone screamed. The person screaming was a man in coarse clothes. His skin was red all over, as the crotch of his trousers started being pushed up, the bulge getting bigger and bigger. "Woman, I want a woman..." He yelled at the malepanion who threw himself at him, hugged him tightly, and performed piston movements frantically. But, his posture was wrong due to his clothes and he couldn''t find a path. It made him anxious enough that he almost lost his mind. Strange cries rang out everywhere, as more and more people began to disy strange behaviour. Both men and women. Some men were hugging a tree, there were also some women hugging a tree... Lina knew that these people had been poisoned by Desire Gu. The Shamans didn''t panic at all, as they moved ahead with determination, with some even pointing at the poisoned whileughing. n members from the Desire Gu n dispersed to treat the poisoned n members. They took out ck leech-like invertebrates from cloth bags and sprinkled them on the chest, neck, and crotch of the poisoned people. The "leeches" stuck to the surface of the skin, and their mouthparts pierced the blood vessels as they devoured blood frantically. After a while, the "leeches" swelled one by one and fell off the skin with content, and the symptoms of the poisoned n members also improved immediately after. Except for those who were particrly fast, who would bepletely drained, the ones with better stamina were hardly affected. The deeper one went in the Rift, the more Gu one will encounter, and the richer they are in variety. Such as a big bug as strong as a cow, a colourful butterfly, a snake with twelve eyes, a group of zombie animals, a wild male dog with three genitals, and so on. Finally, the team stopped at a section of t ground, where there weren''t any nts, only jagged stones. In the midst of the poison, Lina saw a tall stone statue. It vaguely looked like a man, wearing a loose robe and a tall Confucian crown. One of his hands was behind his back while the other was on his abdomen. His head was slightly lowered, looking at the gap in the abyss. The seven chieftains came forward tacitly and walked towards the stone statue. "Mosang, Who is that man?" Lina tugged at her brother''s sleeve. Mosang, with a scar on his left cheek and an unruly temperament, said in a deep voice, "I don''t know his name. But, You should have heard of his title..." He paused, as his tone became respectful, "The Confucian Sage." ... In a small courtyard, the candlelight was like a small bean. "I have been searching for Hengyuan''s whereabouts. But, I only know that he is still in the city, and I don''t know his exact location." Daoist Jinlian sat cross-legged on the bed, as he shook his head. "Can''t you locate him through the Earth Book?" Xu Qi''an remembered that "Number Nine" was able to locate himself through the Earth Book, and it didn''t even take long. It had been nearly ten days since Number Six had disappeared, so Daoist Jinlian should have found him by now. "I guess Number Six, or his Earth Book fragment has been sealed." *..Ah? What should I do for a seal? You are embarrassing this Fat Tiger.[^2]* Xu Qi''an felt a little lost. "Unless I can get close to him. But, I have walked through half the outer city on foot these ten days, using the stupidest and safest method to search. I can sense an Earth Book fragment less than 30 meters away from me, even if it''s sealed." Daoist Jinlian said, showing a confident smile. "You don''t need to doubt me. This is normal for a Supreme Heavenly Treasure." *Yeah, Pretentious...* Xu Qi''an silently said and breathed a sigh of relief at the same time. *Although the method is a little stupid, It''s good that it works. I feared that there was nothing we could do.* "I will notify you immediately if I get any news about Number Six. Hehe, you acting is better than me acting. I also require the help of the Nightwatchers. After all, This is the capital, the territory of the Nightwatchers." Speaking of this, Daoist Jinlian seemed to have remembered something. "By the way, What is Wei Yuan''s opinion on this case?" "He doesn''t have any opinion. He just wants me to work on it." Xu Qi''an shook his head and sighed. At that time, he found that Daoist Jinlian''s expression was very strange, as it was like ( ) The corners of Xu Qi''an''s mouth twitched, and he gloomily said, "Why does Daozhang look at me like this?" Daoist Jinlian said, "I''m afraid Wei Yuan wants to turn you into a shadow member of the Nightwatchers or drive you out of the capital." ...Xu Qi''an''s eyes widened in surprise. Very satisfied with Xu Qi''an''s reaction, Daoist Jinlian exined, Handing you the fragment of the Earth Book indicates that he values you. But, he hasn''t given you any advice on the case. "This proves that he wants you to offend Emperor Yuanjing and make it difficult for you to continue to stay in the capital." Xu Qi''an was still not convinced and wanted to defend Wei Yuan. But, he couldn''t get any words out of his mouth, as Wei Yuan had indeed revealed such an attitude. "Wait, no, Wei Yuan is on the sidelines. But he is letting me do my own thing, neither caring nor interfering." "You underestimate Wei Yuan too much. this man holds great power as a eunuch and led hundreds of thousands of troops to win in the Campaign of Mountains and Seas. I''m sure he knows more about the Sangpo case than you." "..." Xu Qi''an sat there for a long time, not speaking. Was it such a stic father-son rtionship? Daoist Jinlian looked at him, "But I still can''t figure this out: why would Wei Yuan want you to leave the capital? He doesn''tck shadow subordinates." Silence reigned in the room a while. Jinlian Daozhang, having finished inserting the knife, wanted to leave, Do you have anything else? "Yes!" Xu Qi''an didn''t let go of the chance to shear some wool, "I want to go to Earl Pingyuan''s mansion, but it is heavily guarded. Even if I have the means to get in, I don''t have the means to subdue people silently. So, I want to ask Daozhang for help in this matter." "You want to find Earl Pingyuan''s son." Daoist Jinlian understood. "Hengyuan said that his junior brother Henghui was abducted by the Broker Organization, and he shouldn''t be saying it without reason. Since I can''t find Hengyuan, I''ll try to find a lead from Earl Pingyuan first." Xu Qi''an said. "But he''s dead." "He still has a son." --- [^1]: Author''s Note: Since the Northern Wei Dynasty 1 foot=29.6-31.1cm. Trantors note: the Imperial foot happens to be 30.5cm. [^2]: Fat Tiger may be referring to the bully from Doraemon, Takeshi Goda, who also bears that nickname. Chapter 135: Dried Corpse Chapter 135: Dried Corpse # 135. Dried Corpse "With your current status, can''t you just go and interrogate him?" Daoist Jinlian was puzzled. "The Earl Pingyuan is a hereditary noble title, after all. I can''t resort to violent means without any evidence. Besides, Normal investigations are easily stalled. So, Light and Dark methods should be used together for proper results." Xu Qi''an exined casually. "Daozhang is undoubtedly a master in the realm of Primordial Spirit. You should be able to make him cooperate obediently and reveal all the information he could, right? It should be an easy task for you." "... You are quite experienced. This doesn''t match your previous life experiences at all." Daoist Jinlian nodded, giving the affirmative answer. "Some cars may look new, but their mileage looks very scary." Xu Qi''an said, seriously. "What do you mean by that?" Daoist Jinlian frowned. "I mean that you can only see the surface. A person''s life is always more exciting than the words in a file." Xu Qi''an shrugged. "Makes sense" Not interested in continuing this topic, Daoist Jinlian said, "Rx yourself. I''ll move to your sea of consciousness." "Is your primordial body out of your body yet again?" Xu Qi''an was alert. Hehe, my body was injured and my strength was reduced. But, my Yin Spirit is intact, so it can better disy my powers. "There is a curfew in the inner city. I can''t move in the open with you. I can hide from ordinary Bronze Gongs, but it''s not good for either you or me if I am discovered. Moreover, the capital is filled to the brim with all sorts of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. There are other dangers besides the Nightwatchers." *That''s true. But It''s too much if you wish to prate my soul with your own... We aren''t that familiar yet...* Xu Qi''an frowned in embarrassment. Although he trusted Daoist Jinlian, it wasn''t to the extent of allowing the other party''s primordial spirit to invade his sea of consciousness. Furthermore, he couldn''t guarantee that Daoist Jinlian wouldn''t see some of his secret memories, like the memories of his previous life, or the plump white buttocks of the Famous Oiran Fuxiang. Shaking his head, Daoist Jinlian said, "What should I do, then?" At the same time, the shrill meow of a cat came from the roof. Xu Qi''an smiled and pointed to the top of his head, "Sorry for the trouble, Daozhang." "..." ... After changing into his Nightwatcher uniform, Xu Qi''an openly left the courtyard. Even if he met someone from the Imperial Guard along the way, they didn''t bother to ost him, after seeing the Nightwatcher Uniform on his body. But, they did wonder why a ck cat was standing on the shoulder of the Nightwatcher. Xu Qi''an was only stopped when he met his fellow Nightwatchers, but all such problems were solved after he took out his gold token and said that he had been ordered to investigate the case. Xu Qi''an didn''t rush and maintained his normal pace, arriving at the Mansion of Earl Pingyuan in about an hour. After he looked around to make sure that no one else was around, he found a secluded corner and tore off a page from his "Spell Book", that recorded the technique of One Leaf Concealment. "Hisss..." Qi ignited the paper, after which an invisible force enveloped Xu Qi''an and the ck cat. *The Confucian Laws following Commandments...* The ck cat''s orange pupils stared at the scene, and Daoist Jinlian suddenly thought about many details. *It''s no wonder Number Three portrayed himself as a student of the Cloud Deer Academy. Not only is his cousin a member of the Academy, but he himself also seems to have a great rtionship with the academy.* *Otherwise, he wouldn''t have had another way to gain a book of recorded spells.* Daoist Jinlian ruled out the option of it being a gift from his cousin. Firstly, it was impossible for an ordinary student to receive such treatment from a Great Schr. Secondly, How could a student give away such a great gift so easily? They would want to use it by themselves. *... The schrs at Cloud Deer Academy have always looked down on Martial Artists. Why would they give him such a treasure...* While Daoist Jinlian was thinking about this, he saw Xu Qi''an pull out a cloak from the Earth Book fragment and cover himself. *Why are you so proficient...* The ck cat shook his head. "Before we act, I have two trivial things I want Daozhang''s advice on." Xu Qi''an, face covered by a cloak, suddenly said. "Speak!" The cat forced the air to vibrate, and produce humannguage. "Are Spirit Dragons only close to the royal family?" "Theoretically, It is so." "Theoretically?" "Spirit Dragons like Purple Qi, not members of the royal family." the ck cat exined. ... Xu Qi''an nodded thoughtfully, "One more thing. I went to the imperial city to investigate the case today. I heard that the Spirit Dragon went berserk today without reason, and the guards couldn''t stop it at all. It almost hurt Princess Lin''an." The ck cat didn''t speak for a long time. "Daozhang?" The ck cat looked around cautiously, as the dignified voice of Daoist Jinlian resounded, "The thing sealed under Sangpoke, has entered the capital..." "How did you know that?" "Spirit Dragons are inborn masters of the Qi Watching art, and their level is beyond the reach of ordinary practitioners of Qi Watching. It can sense things ordinary people can''t sense." *No wonder Chu Caiwei''s Qi Watching technique couldn''t discover any sort of abnormality. She''s just not good at her discipline... So that is the reason why Spirit Dragon simps on me. It should be able to sense the weird luck in me... That means that the Jianzheng could also sense it, right?* Xu Qi''an was startled by his guess. *The thing from Sangpo has entered the city... The Spirit Dragon felt the threat. So, It went mad and tried to flee the Imperial city without hesitating... I should find a way to reveal this to Wei Yuan tomorrow.* After finishing the conversation, Xu Qi''an stuck to the courtyard walls and reached the backyard wall of the mansion, which he jumped over. Afternding, he cautiously looked left and right to make sure that the sounds of his clothes moving through the air didn''t disturb the experts in the mansion. Earl Pingyuans mansion was vast. ording to normal living habits, the head of the family usually lived in thergest courtyard on the east side. Using the One Leaf Concealment spell, Xu Qi''an escaped several groups of patrolling guards and reached thergest courtyard that was in the east. As he stepped into the yard, he heard a high-pitched groan, along with a man''s heavy breathing. *...Oh what a great time toe.* Xu Qi''an cursed and couldn''t help but move faster. Feeling under the window, he gathered a small needle of qi on his fingertip, and pierced through the highly flexible paper window. Then, he looked through the small hole hed made. The hole happened to be facing the master bedroom, so the movement of the two people in the bed fell straight into Xu Qi''an''s eyes. But, as it was covered by the bed curtain, he only saw the embroidered quilt rising and falling and heard the woman''s cries. "Pop" At the time, A slight sound came from above his head, the sound of a cat''s sharp ws piercing the window paper. Xu Qi''an raised his head and saw the ck cat standing on its hind legs above his head. Its two front paws were resting against the window. Its face was pressed against the window as it watched intently. *Why are you so good, Daoist...* Xu Qi''an''s mouth twitched twice. "He should be Earl Pingyuan''s son. Let''s rush in." Xu Qi''an suggested. "Let''s go in after this is over. Men are most rxed at that time." Daoist Jinlian rejected Xu Qi''an''s suggestion. *No, you will regret this. you don''t know how terrible Martial Artists are. After all, we are the ones with a strong body...* Xu Qi''anmpooned. Two sticks of incense timeter Daoist Jinlian looked at Xu Qi''an, "Well, I admit it. You were right." The woman went from hoarseness to begging for mercy, and then finally fainted. It still took some time before the man let out a deep growl and was finished. *Tsk tsk. That''s It? Thinking of the first time I slept with Fuxiang, I persisted until midnight...* Xu Qi''an thought, as he was about to go around to the front door and thunderously sneak attack the other party. At the time, Xu Qi''an suddenly felt goosebumps raise under his skin and his toes curl. It seemed as if bloody thorns were behind him, piercing his body. Inexplicable fear filled his mind. "Something ising..." Daoist Jinlian''s voice was heavier than ever before. As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Qi''an heard the sounds of guards from a distance, "Who dares to trespass into Earl Pingyuan''s mansion... Argh!" Halfway through, the speech turned to a scream. Immediately afterward, ripples due to colliding Qi resonated and screams resounded from all sides, before it all fell into silence. Earl Pingyuan''s son, who had already entered sage mode, heard the movement. Without even putting on clothes, he quickly jumped up from the bed, took off the sword hanging on the wall, and rushed out of the room, holding an ugly expression. A man wrapped in a ck robe appeared in the yard. His face was hidden inside the hood. His aura made Xu Qi''an''s legs tremble and made him want to run away. The ck cat arched its back as its long hair all stood up and its vertical pupils shrank rapidly. Its abnormality represented Daoist Jinlian''s mood to a certain extent. "Who are you?" Earl Pingyuan''s son trembled. His legs, his arms, and his facial muscles, all trembled uncontrobly. "Your debt collector." A hoarse voice came from the hood, and the man in ck showed his head, revealing a pale face with rather handsome features. He had a pair of dark eyes. His pupils seemed to upy his entire eye socket, without any traces of white in his eyes. Xu Qi''an didn''t know him. But, he kept his appearance in mind as he tried to guess his identity. "It''s you, It''s you...." Earl Pingyuan''s son screamed, terrified. "You should already be dead. I watched you die with my own two eyes..." "I was dead. But, I crawled out of hell again." The man in the ck robe had a hoarse voice. He raised his right hand, that hand seeming as if hade from the devil. The fear in Xu Qi''an''s mind blew up. Whoosh... The blood-red hand raised a cyclone, sucking Earl Pingyuan''s son into its palm. "Save, save me...Someone, someone pleasee..." Earl Pingyuan''s son shook his legs wildly, before suddenly, his flesh and blood dried out, and he turned into a mummified corpse in an instant. A person alive the previous moment lost his life the next. Alive and well in the previous moment, dead in the next. *A Dried Corpse?!* Lightning seemed to have struck Xu Qi''an''s head. The ck-robed man let out a sinisterugh, moving his qi as if in anger. Bang the dried corpse exploded into powder. Afterpleting the kill, the man in the ck robe turned his head and turned his cold gaze toward Xu Qi''an''s hiding ce. He pointed his palms towards the bottom of the window. Whoosh... the cyclone reappeared. "Fuck..." Xu Qi''an''s feet were stuck to the ground, leaning backwards, being pulled closer to the other side little by little, close to the abyss-like palm that devoured lives. Xu Qi''an reached into his bosom, squeezed out the pills of might that Chu Caiwei had given him. He crushed the porcin bottle with all his strength, and stuffed all the pills into his mouth. Then, He held the hilt of the ck gold long sabre as he calmed himself down. ng! In the night, the dark gold sabre shed, and dinged, as a string of dazzling sparks sshed from the bright red arm. Xu Qi''an''s right arm was ruptured, and the muscles of his right arm were convulsed. *This is an enemy I can''t sh with a single attack... On facing such enemies, the Intent given by the book isn''t to sh again, but to run away.* "Run!" The ck cat vibrated the air to make the sound and jumped up at the same time to pounce on the ck-robed man. Amidst the turmoil, the ck cat''s body disintegrated in mid-air, and Daoist Jinlian''s primordial spirit came out to crash into the ck-robed man. *Take Care, Daoist...* Not looking any further, Xu Qi''an took the opportunity to break free from the pull of the cyclone and jumped up the ridge of the roof. In two or three steps, he fled over the wall. Chapter 136: The Truth Chapter 136: The Truth # 136. The Truth Repeatedly jumping from rooftops, Xu Qi''an fled without taking a look back. Fear was still lingering in his heart, this being the first time he had faced a high-ranking powerhouse. If Daoist Jinlian hadn''t sacrificed himself to buy him time, he would have died at that moment, without any opportunity to cast a single spell in his "Spell Book". Even with Daoist Jinlian''s help, most of the spells in the Spell Book would be ineffective to the ck-robed man. Xu Qi''an had never felt that kind of heart-piercing fear before. "Who is it?" Two Nightwatchers standing on the roof noticed Xu Qi''an, who was wearing a ck uniform. One of them drew his standard issue sabre, while the other took off their bronze gong. "It''s me." Xu Qi''an took off his hood and took out the gold medal. "Sir Xu..." As of now Xu Qi''an a famous figure in the Nightwatcher Constabry. In the beginning, two Gold Gongs hadpeted for him, and then the dispute with Silver Gong Zhu happened. There wasn''t a single person in the Constabry who didn''t know him. Xu Qi''an took back the gold medal, and then coughed violently a few times, a metallic taste in his throat. He then said, The mansion of Earl Pingyuan was attacked by an assassin. As I was investigating the case, I was attacked by that assassin. "The assassin is very dangerous. Don''t attack rashly and inform the headquarters first." *An assassin decided to grace Earl Pingyuan''s mansion again..* the two Bronze Gongs looked at each other before they noticed Xu Qi''an''s bloody mouth and his trembling arms. With a serious expression, they took out a brass tube, thick as a baby''s forearm from the pouch at their waists, and lightly twisted the tube with their fingers while they ignited its interior with their qi. Whoosh! A dark red ray of fire shot out into the air, exploding at a high altitude. After seeing this, Xu Qi''an was relieved, "I''ll go back to recuperate first. You two wait for reinforcements here. If you meet someone wearing a ck robe, and I don''t mean me... remember to flee." "Yes." After that, Xu Qi''an saw an orange cat standing on a roof in the distance, pointing a gaze toward him using its dark pupils. *... The Daoist should have possessed this cat, I knew he would be fine.* After he exhaled yet again, Xu Qi''an jumped to the roof and beyond, with the orange cat continued following behind him at a slow pace. "Daozhang, I hadpletely lost my will to fight previously." After they stopped in a quiet alley, Xu Qi''an said, guilt covering his face. He had believed that Daoist Jinlian, as a LYB, would slip away faster than he ever could in a dangerous situation. The orange cat spoke, its voice appearing tired, "When an ordinary person encounters a violent beast, they have the instinctive reaction of running away. Also, The gap between you and him is even greater than that between a cat and a violent beast." *Is it really good for you to make suchparisons, Daozhang...* Xu Qi''an looked at the orange cat. "If my guess is correct, He should have the item that was sealed under Sangpo." Xu Qi''an said while he took out the Golden Sore Paste and gauze, and bandaged his hands. As he had taken many pills of great might, the weakness that would ur after *One de from Heaven and Earth* had been mitigated, and he didn''t have those strong feelings of exhaustion due to exerting his entire strength. "How could it be possible?" Daoist Jinlian asked, shocked. "On that day, the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple exploded, and the entirety of the 300 imperial guards patrolling the surrounding area were killed. Their death was the same, as they were also transformed into dried, mummified corpses." Xu Qi''an exined in a solemn voice. Daoist Jinlian was stunned. After being silent for a moment, he said, "That means that your previous guess was wrong. The one sealed under Sangpo couldn''t have been the first Jianzheng." *... If it was the first Jianzheng, it wouldn''t have killed a minor aristocrat. Earl Pingyuan''s son was extremely frightened before his death, and seemed to have recognized the ck-robed man. It could be that the one who killed the Imperial Army had sneaked into Sangpo and blew up the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple. But this possibility was denied long ago. An expert couldn''t have sneaked into Sangpo...* Xu Qi''an sighed. "I know. I have another vague guess, but it needs to be verified." The orange cat nodded, and said, "My Yin Spirit has suffered a serious injury, and I could likely fall in rank. So, I need you to do me a favour." "Please tell me, Master." Xu Qi''an was worried about not being able to repay the grace of saving his life. "Look for Luo Yuheng[^1] in ce of this Daoist, and ask her for a Juyuan pill." the orange cat spoke. "Luo Yuheng?" Xu Qi''an didn''t know any such person. "The Dao Master of the Human sect. She just about be regarded as this Daoist''s junior sister." *Seems as if you have quite a high seniority in the Earth Sect, Daoist... The esteemed Dao master of the Human Sect is your junior sister... that beautiful mature Daoist Nun...* Xu Qi''an felt a little awkward, "Do you have any token?" "Just show her your Earth Book fragment." the orange cat showed a wry smile exclusive to humans, "As for getting the pill, that will depend on her mood." *Depends on her mood?* Xu Qi''an turned lifeless. "The Human and the Heaven Sect are irreconcble, like fire and water. But, the rtionship between the Earth Sect and the other two sects isn''t that tense. But, it couldn''t be said to be that good, either." The orange cat exined. *Your Dao Sects are too weird... You all are in such love-hate rtionships...* Xu Qi''an nodded, "I''ll give it a try tomorrow." The orange cat grunted, "I wille to meet you tomorrow." ... Jiang Lyuzhong squatted in the yard, his face gloomy. He was holding a small piece of flesh in his hand. The flesh was very dry, like dried jerky that had been ground into powder. There was also ayer of light brown powder in the ground. Dozens of bronze gongs were surrounding Earl Pingyuan''s mansion, along with seven or eight silver gongs, who were also cooperating in the investigation. When they arrived, Earl Pingyuan''s Mansion had already been cleared, and none of the members of the mansion, including the servants, had survived. Their corpses looked the same, just like jerky that had been dried for years. Jiang Lyuzhong felt as if ten thousand alpacas were running wildly in his head upon hearing that Earl Pingyuan''s son had been killed. "Gold Gong Jiang, We found a survivor in the room." A silver gong came out of the room and loudly said. His face still sullen, Jiang Lyuzhong crossed the threshold to enter the room. He swept his eyes and finally locked on to the woman holding a quilt that covered her white fragrant shoulders, a terrified expression on her face. Her countenance looked quite beautiful, and her attitude seemed frivolous. She was looking at the Nightwatchers, her eyes filled with fear. "Who are you?" Jiang Lyuzhong asked. "I... I am Earl Pingyuan''s concubine." The woman said, trembling. "What did you hear and see?" Jiang Lyuzhong asked yet again. The woman had already learned of the case from the silver gong who had woken her up. That was why she was so anxious. She was worrying about her fate while rejoicing at avoiding death. The woman shook her head, and obediently said, "I was having fun with Dng at that time, and fell asleep afterward..." Jiang Lyuzhong took another look at her. It was amon practice to inherit one''s father''s concubines. In the current era, dignitaries often took young concubines, and they had arge age gap with them. Once the father died, these concubines had two choices. They could either work as maids or attach to the new heir. Of course, this kind of action would be reprimanded if made public. But, no one normally took these things seriously and didn''t bother to take care of them. "Let her put on her clothes and take her back to the Nightwatchers Constabry." After he finished speaking, Jiang Lyuzhong walked out of the room. "Gold Gong Jiang, the body of Earl Pingyuan''s son couldn''t be found.", A Silver Gong reported. Taking another nce at the brown powder in the yard, aplex expression appeared in Jiang Lyuzhong''s eyes, "You don''t have to look for it." "Sir, There''s something wrong here on the window." Hearing it, Jiang Lyuzhong went to the window facing the bedroom, where he saw two holes pierced in the window paper that allowed people to look into the bedroom. Looking down, He saw two lines of shallow foot marks on the ground. "Other people were present at that time besides the murderer..." Jiang Lyuzhong thought over it for some time before asking, "Who was the first one to discover the abnormality in Earl Pingyuan''s residence?" "The two bronze gongs on duty at that time." "Call them over." Soon after, two bronze gongs were brought over to him. Jiang Lyuzhong asked, "Were there any suspicious people nearby when you found out about the situation?" The two Bronze Gong looked at each other, answering, "We didn''t discover any suspicious person. But, the abnormality wasn''t discovered by us in the first ce." Jiang Lyuzhong was taken aback, and quickly asked "If you didn''t discover it, Who did?" "Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an." *Xu Qi''an...* a spark shed in Jiang Lyuzhong''s eyes. ...... After he returned to his small courtyard, Xu Qi''an fell asleep before he could take off his clothes, and woke up naturally after three hours. Then, he sat cross-legged in meditation as he breathed and circted qi. After finishing two microcosmic orbits, he opened his eyes, his spirit refreshed. Except for his face, which was slightly pale, he was in good condition in all other aspects. Leaving the small courtyard, he rode straight ahead to the city gates. Half an hour remained until the time the city gate opened. However, there wasn''t a curfew in the outer city, and the restrictions at the gate were simrly loose. With his gold token, Xu Qi''an was able to order the soldiers guarding the city to open the gate. In less than an hour, he reached Qinglong Temple. At the time, the monks were just getting up for morning sses, and the morning bell was echoing leisurely. After tying up the horse and climbing the stone steps to Qinglong Temple, Xu Qi''an heard some unexpected news. "Abbot Panshu went to the Western Regions?" He was speaking with that mellow Courtyard Master Hengqing, who maintained a nk expression on his face, "After the benefactor left that day, the abbot left. This poor monk doesn''t know of why he left." *How big a psychological shadow did I leave on you?* Xu Qi''an grinned. Abbot Panshu had said that the duty of Qinglong Temple was to keep an eye on the item sealed under Sangpo. Also, he had revealed his intentions to move west that day. *I don''t know if the monk will receive a monkey as an apprentice on the way. It will be very interesting if he does. Hehe.*[^2] "I have something to trouble master with." Xu Qi''an said, his tone friendly. Courtyard Master Hengqing drew a wary gaze toward him. "I want to see a portrait of Henghui. If there are none in the temple, please find someone to draw it immediately." Xu Qi''an made his request. Breathing a sigh of relief, Hengqing had him wait a moment. After the time taken to drink a cup of tea, He came out, holding a scroll that was then handed over to Xu Qi''an. Thetter took the scroll and unfolded it slowly. The picture scroll depicted a monk wearing a blue robe. His facial features were handsome and he had an energetic countenance. A very handsome person. *It is him...* Xu Qi''an confirmed that the ck-robed man was Monk Henghui. Although his temperament had encountered a drastic change, his facial features remained the same. Henghui of the Qinglong Temple may be involved in the Sangpo case. However, Number Six, Hengyuan, had sworn that his junior brother had been abducted by the Trafficking Organization. Thinking of the conversation between Earl Pingyuan''s son and the ck-robed manst night, Xu Qi''an thought of a guess, and he couldn''t wait to verify it. If not for his poor conditionst night and his urgent need for rest, he would have left the city overnight. He''s actually Henghui. If it''s really Henghui... What connection does he have with the item sealed under Sangpo? This way, It couldn''t be the first Jianzheng. No wonder the Jianzheng wasn''t in a hurry, and even pretended to be sick. But, What could it be if not the first Jianzheng? The only possibility I can see is that the sealed item is with Henghui. "It is impossible for a mere monk to n this kind of case. There should be someone masterminding the situation. Maybe King Zhenbei?" Xu Qi''an left the Qinglong with a greater amount of doubts in his head. He went back to the capital, back to the Nightwatcher Constabry, to the Tower of Noble Spirit. He had a clear goal: he wanted to tell Wei Yuan the truth. --- [^1]: [^2]: Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang in *Journey to the West*. Tang Sanzang is a monk from the East moving to the West to acquire the holy scriptures of Mahayana Buddhism. On the way, he receives four apprentices, one being an infamous immortal monkey god, Sun Wukong. Chapter 137: The Female National Teacher Chapter 137: The Female National Teacher # 137. The Female National Teacher Xu Lingyin was an extraordinary child. In the morning, while her mind was still asleep, her body woke up by herself to wake up the maid in charge of taking care of her. Under the service of the maid, she was dressed, had her face washed and her teeth brushed. After this, she was led to the front hall. Smelling the smell of rice porridge and meat buns, Xu Lingyin suddenly opened her eyes. She was very happy to find herself waking up at the dining table. At the time, Dawn had already arrived, and only Second Uncle Xu was sitting at the table in the front hall, having breakfast. Auntie and Xu Lingyue were both putting seals on the quilts. "Where''s big brother?" Xu Lingyin asked. At this time, her greedy Big Brother should have arrived at the table long ago, coveting her beloved meat buns. "Let him be." Second Uncle Xu said. "I''ll have brother''s meat buns." Xu Lingyin''s small face showed an innocent smile. As soon as she said that, she sniffed, "It smells so good." "Eat it soon if you find its fragrance appetizing." Second Uncle Xu urged. "This isnt what smells so good..." Xu Lingyin raised her face and seriously said to her father. Second Uncle Xu didn''t understand it. But he soon saw a girl with an oval face in a yellow dresse in as her almond-like eyes scanned the hall, "Where''s Xu Ningyan?" "Sleeping." Second Uncle Xu thought, *Why has this girle uninvited.* "He''s not there." Chu Caiwei said, "I just came from his yard." After speaking, she found a chubby little girl deeply attracted by the breakfast food she was holding in her arms. Chu Caiwei had bought braised donkey, fried fish balls, crystal cakes, and sauce pig trotters today, packing them in her arms, and was eating them while on the way. She had an urgent matter to talk with Xu Qi''an about. "Do you want to eat?" Looking at her watery innocent eyes, Chu Caiwei''s heart softened. Xu Lingyin vigorously nodded. "Then, big sister will share with you." Chu Caiwei said. "Ahem.." Second Uncle Xu red at the gluttonous young girl, and earnestly said, "Lingyin, big sister is a guest. You have to wait until she finishes eating." "Okay." Xu Lingyin was easily convinced with food at stake. "Very sensible." Chu Caiwei patted her head. Then, she thought about what happenedst night as she ate her breakfast. A few minutester... She was surprised to find that the three or four *jin* of breakfast she had bought had disappeared. *Did the little girl eat it when I wasn''t paying attention?* She suspiciously looked at Xu Lingyin, who was standing aside, her head not even as high as a table. Tears were bubbling in Xu Lingyin''s eyes, and she was about to cry, *Were you joking with me, Elder Sister?* "..." Uncle Xu felt as if he had seen the grown-up Xu Lingyin. ... The Tower of Noble Spirit, Wei Yuan nodded after listening to Jiang Lyuzhong''s report, "I see. Have you made any progress in the Trafficking Organisation?" I am still investigating in secret, and have not raised the attention of any other constabry or organisations attention. After the death of Earl Pingyuan, they had begun to hibernate. However, as they hadn''t been suppressed, they haven''t been paying much attention. So, the could be closed anytime. Jiang Lyuzhong said. "It seems that Earl Pingyuan''s son inherited the Trafficking Organisation." Wei Yuan chuckled lightly and ordered: "Close the before they know that Earl Pingyuan''s son was killed." Jiang Lyuzhong epted the order with his hands sped, hesitant to speak. "Speak up if you have something to say." "Xu Qi''an was also present when Earl Pingyuan''s son was killed. Although I don''t know why he sneaked to the mansion of Earl Pingyuan, he should have seen the murderer." Jiang Lyuzhong expressed his spections. At the time, footsteps came from the stairs, and a ck-clothed petty official came up and whispered a few words to his colleagues guarding the stairs. The petty officials guarding the staircase immediately entered the tea room, bowed, and said, "Duke Wei, Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an requests to see you." Wei Yuan smiled, "How convenient. Let him up." The petty official announced the order to go upstairs. And soon enough, Xu Qi''an, dressed in a Nightwatcher uniform went up to the seventh floor. After taking a nce at Jiang Lyuzhong, he sped his fists and said, "Greetings, Duke Wei." "Gold Gong Jiang says that you had been to Earl Pingyuan''s mansionst night.", Wei Yuan smiled and spoke softly, without question. "Your subordinate wanted to investigate the case, the Sangpo case." Jiang Lyuzhong was stunned. Frowning, he suspected that Xu Qi''an was lying. Earl Pingyuan had died long before the Sangpo case. Except for the Trafficking Organisation, he couldn''t think of any link between Earl Pingyuan and the Sangpo case. "What did you find?" Wei Yuan narrowed his eyes. Xu Qi''an didn''t immediately answer, and his eyes slightly paused on Jiang Lyuzhong. "Gold Gong Jiang, You should go down first." Wei Yuan was used to the bronze gong''s request to dismiss his apanying officers. Jiang Lyuzhong took a look at Xu Qi''an, as he left with a gloomy face. After the footsteps couldn''t be heard at all, Xu Qi''an waited for some time, considering a fifth-rank martial artist''s hearing ability. Finally, he said, "Duke Wei, I did see the attackerst night and also confirmed his identity." Wei Yuan raised his teacup and took a sip, then asked emotionlessly, "Who is it?" "Monk Henghui of Qinglong Temple. That monk who stole the magical weapon of Qinglong Temple and eloped with Princess Pingyang." Xu Qi''an continued without hiding anything. "I suspect the Sealed Item is with him." Wei Yuan nced at him, "Why do you say that?" Xu Qi''an said, "Earl Pingyuan''s son died the same way as those of the royal guard that died that day." Smiling, Wei Yuan said, "You did a good job. This clue is very useful." "Your subordinate will go back, then." As he knew that Father Wei wanted to "Hide him away", Xu Qi''an no longer force him to help. Some bosses are like this. Upon seeing a beautiful girl in theirpany, they want to secretly hide her away and ask her to note to work in the future. That type of personal female secretary was an unsafe profession, as it led to many baseless rumours. Xu Qi''an was quite resistant to this kind of behaviour and just wanted to quietly work in the Constabry. Going downstairs, Xu Qi''an saw a petty official rushing upstairs in a hurry. After leaving the Tower of Noble Spirit, he saw Jiang Lyuzhong, who was standing downstairs. Old Jiang came up to meet him, as he frowned and asked, "What''s going on?" Xu Qi''an''s brain moved. He cupped his fists and said, "Is Gold Gong Jiang handling Earl Pingyuan''s case?" Jiang Lyuzhong''s face became gloomy, "Both his and his sons cases are handled by this official." "Earl Pingyuan is involved in the Sangpo case..." Xu Qi''an immediately told Jiang Lyuzhong about Monk Henghui, and the Gold Gong''s eyes lit up upon hearing about it. "Gold Gong Jiang, We should work together to deal with this matter. In this way, you can solve Earl Pingyuan''s case and also participate in the Sangpo case..." Xu Qi''an sincerely said. "As for this case, I have almostpleted the investigation. So, let''s earn some credits together." Jiang Lyuzhong nodded slightly, "That''s very true." Xu Qi''anughed. *A high-ranking martial artist had been fooled into the camp. Even if Wei Yuan doesn''t help me, I can still find myself helpers.* The two were talking when they saw Wei Yuan, dressed in green, go downstairs. Seeing the two standing at the door, he said, "Lyuzhong, follow me to the pce." "Yes!" Looking at the two''s backs disappear into the distance, Xu Qi''an touched his chin. *The death of Earl Pingyuan''s son should have infuriated Emperor Yuanjing.* ... After he left the office, Xu Qi''an rode in the direction of the imperial city. He wasn''t going fast as he wanted some time to sort out his thoughts. *Maybe my previous assumption was wrong. The mastermind behind the scenes couldn''t be the Zhenbei King. King Zhenbei could have tried to rebel. so, he teamed up with the Northern Yao and the Northeast Church of the Warlock Sect to blow up the seal of Sangpo and release the first Jianzheng, and make the capital chaotic...* *But, I''m not even sure if the one sealed was the first Jianzheng. In addition, Henghui''s matter wouldn''t make much sense if King Zhenbei was behind the scenes.* *Monk Henghui is involved in the dispute between the interests of the Civil Official Bloc and the Meritorious Aristocratic Bloc. It is a bit far-fetched to me King Zhenbei for this...* *The current n is to find Henghui and catch him. Then, all these mysteries will be solved. But, finding Number Six is the key to catching Henghui. Number Six is Henghui''s senior brother, and thetter shouldn''t silence him.* The imperial city''s outline appeared in his sight. Xu Qi''an''s ears moved, as he heard someone behind him call out his name. "Xu Ningyan..." Looking back, he saw a beauty with an oval face in a goose-yellow long dress. Her eyes were big, bright, and energetic, giving a lively and lovely impression. "I went to the Xu mansion this morning to look for you. But, you weren''t there. I went to the Nightwatcher Office then, but you weren''t there. Song Tingfeng said that you may be fooling around with Fuxiang in the Jiaofangsi." Chu Caiwei patted her horse to catch up with him, moving to his side, a fountain ofint pouring from her. "He''s ndering my noble character." Xu Qi''an solemnly said, "I''d never go to a ce like Jiaofangsi... ah-aah, hey, you don''t need to watch my qi. Although I''m a gentleman, I don''t want to be stared at by a person using the qi-watching technique." Chu Caiwei tilted her head and said, "They said that Fuxiang is your lover." "She''s not." "Really?" "Um, Fuxiang is a friend I just made, not that far yet." Xu Qi''an sincerely replied, without any deceit. Chu Caiwei Oohhed, and returned to the topic, "The Sitianjian detected demonic energy simr to the day when Sangpo was bombed. I came here to inform you." "I already knew this matter. I almost died in the hands of that guy." As Daoist Jinlian was involved, Xu Qi''an didn''t want to continue and changed the subject, "Do you have more pills of great might?" "Another day, I didn''t bring it with me." "I don''t need it another day. I need it today." "Okay, I''ll go to your house before dusk." Chu Caiwei hade to find the eldest princess. Although she was assigned to assist Xu Qi''an in solving the case, Xu Qi''an didn''t want to bring her along. It wasn''t because Chu Caiwei was useless, but Monk Hengyuan had a magic weapon that shielded qi and that restrained Sitianjian''s Qi Watching technique. He didn''t want to tie her to his side, so he let her go to the eldest princess''s mansion and restaurants to have a good time. The two parted at the gate of the imperial city. Xu Qi''an, with his gold medal, passed to the imperial city unimpeded. Soon, he arrived at the legendary Lingbao Temple. The temple was a very grand Daoist Temple, with red walls and ck tiles, and a high and wide gate. There were two little Daoist Acolyte boys in the door. They were examining Xu Qi''an, who was approaching on horseback. "I am Xu Qi''an from the Nightwatchers. I have been ordered by His Majesty to thoroughly investigate the Sangpo case. I want to see the National Teacher. I hope the two Daoists will pass this on." Xu Qi''an took the initiative to speak and showed the gold medal. The two acolytes showed a solemn expression, bowed, and said, "Wait a minute, Sir." The young boy on the left quickly stepped into the temple. After waiting for more than 10 minutes, he went and came back, shook his head, and said, "The Sect Master is practicing her arts, and she is not seeing visitors. Please go back, sir." *No... It seems that the Emperor''s gold medal doesn''t work. It seems that I can only expose the Earth Book..* Xu Qi''an continued, "Please may the two Daoists help me pass on a sentence." The Daoist boy on the right interrupted, "If she doesn''t want to meet you, it is so. Even if you say some nonsense, the Sect Master won''t see you." Xu Qi''an breathed out silently, got off the horse, looked around for a moment, and took out two pre-prepared ingots of gold from his bosom. The silence was more powerful than words. The acolyte went in again. "Hey,e back. I haven''t even said anything yet..." Xu Qi''an called him back and whispered something in his ear. After the Daoist Boy entered, he returned after ten minutes, with a warm smile on his face, "Sir, the Sect Master invites you in." Chapter 138: King Yu Chapter 138: King Yu # 138. King Yu *Trantor Preface:* On Qidian, chapter number 136 is repeated twice. Because this is frankly really dumb, weve decided to just count the second 136 as 137. So from this chapter, we are off-by-one from the official Qidian count. --- Xu Qian followed the Daoist Acolyte through the front pce, through open squares, through towers upon towers and gardens upon gardens,ing to the deepest part of Lingbao pce. This was a quiet small garden. The flowers and grasses had long since withered, a pavilion rose upon a man-made hill, and an aquamarine pond sat by, idly rippling in the wind. A Female Daoist Priest, with the appearance that could bring down countries, sat cross-legged on the pond, d in a yin-yang robe, a lotus crown on her head, a spot of cinnabar red on her forehead. She was both graceful and lively, and also charming and enticing. Her face was pale white like crystal, carved without any blemish. The ridge of her nose, the lines on her face were well-defined and beautiful, her lips were red and plump, and with her eyes closed, her intersecting eyshes were long and thick. As soon as Xu Qian entered the garden, he stared at her, walking and staring, yet what stunned him was that he could not tell her age. It felt as if she was a woman just past thirty, yet it also felt as if she was a honey-sweet motherly woman, or if you look closely, you can still see the pure and kittenish aura around her body. *Why does she give me an I have to find a way to marry this woman type of feeling, is it that Ive not slept with a woman in too long, or is this a special trait of the Human sect cultivation enticement?* Thoughts shed within him, though his face remained unchanged. Did Jinlian send you to find me? Luo Yuheng opened her beautiful eyes. The ratio between iris and white was just perfect, and they seemed to be filled with energy. Yes. Jinlian Daozhangs Yin Spirit is gravely hurt, his body also hurt, and so he asked me to ask you for a single Juyuan pill. At any other time, Xu Qian would say ask you for two pills, and then embezzle one for himself. But he was not familiar with this Human Sect master Luo Yuheng, and to repay Jinlian Daozhang saving his life, he would y by the rules. In front of these elders, one must never presume that because one thinks its good and act out, as that would only flip the boat. You are a member of the Heaven and Earth Society, and carry the Earth Book? Luo Yuhengs voice was extremely pleasant to listen to; it had texture, it had maism, making Xu Qian think of the *seiyu* in his past life.[^1] Number Three. Xu Qian replied. Luo Yuheng nodded, her beautiful pupils examining him, not speaking for a long time. Suddenly, she let out a eh? sound, as a confused expression shed across her face. Your fortune is very strange tell me your birthdate and eight-character horoscope. The beautiful Daoist Nun asked. A cool wind brushed over, as the hems of the Daoist robe on the water waved slightly. With Xu Qians angle, he could just about see the outline of a pair of plump and full buttocks. *She can see through my unusualness?* Xu Qian immediately replied with his birthdate and horoscope. Luo Yuhengs slender jade hands stretched out of their sleeves, her crystalline fingers making formations, divining for a while, her brows tightly furrowed, as ifing across a difficult to solve problem. Xu Qian felt somewhat anxious, asking with some anticipation: National Teacher, how is it? The Monkey! she said. *How do you know I like monkeys pah! She just said what my birthday and horoscope represents, like the constetion horoscopes of my past life* Xu Qian discovered that a perverted intent deep in his heart was beginning to stir. *This woman keeps making me think of those 36D women; mums friends, kind aunties This cant be something wrong with me, but rather she is corrupting my emotions is this a uniqueness of the Human Sect? Mn,ter Ill ask Jinlian Daozhang.* Luo Yuheng shook her head, her maic voice resonating out, Utterly ordinary. She did not seem to want to continue, pulling a porcin bottle out of her sleeve, and with a flick of her finger, the bottle floated towards Xu Qian. Thank you, National Teacher! Xu Qian took the bottle, and sped his hands. *She also cant see whats up with me, and is only like Jinlian Daozhang, able to vaguely feel something was off* Xu Qian did not continue to drool, and left promptly. A carriage entered the Imperial City, stopping in front of the Pceplex gates. Jiang Lyuzhong, who was driving the carriage, jumped off, and took out a wooden step-stool to let Wei Yuan down. Apart from the members of the royal family, officials and civil servants could not ride carriages or horses in the Pce city. Wei Yuan lead Jiang Lyuzhong into the Pce City, and as they drew close to the imperial study, they met Eunuch Liu. Duke Wei, youvee. Eunuch Liu let out a torrent ofint, His Majesty ordered me to wee you here, lets go,e on, His Majesty is still letting off thunder in the Study. Wei Yuan solemnly nodded his head, his aura unshakable even if the heavens were falling naturally was not affected by Eunuch Lius words. A few old things just asked for your impeachment again aiya, you know what to do, but in short be careful. Eunuch Liu and Wei Yuan were of the same camp; Wei Yuan was the spiritual leader of all the pce eunuchs. If any great official wanted to put insiders into the pce, they would face multitudes of hardships, yet Wei Yuan could do it with ease. Wei Yuan came to the door of the Imperial Study, and heard the raging of Emperor Yuanjinging from inside: Useless, youre all useless! The Sangpo Case still hasnt been solved even now, and the leads you two have arent even as many as a small Bronze Gong! What use does the court have in raising you two piles of junk? What use do we have in having you? In the Imperial Study, the Minister of the Ministry of Law, and the Censor of the High Court, as well as the City Prefecture Governor Chen Hanguang, all stood shoulder to shoulder in the middle of the room, heads lowered and listening to Emperor Yuanjings scolding. Apart from those three, the attending Prime Minister, the High Ministers of each of the Departments, a few nobles, stood to either side, eyes looking at their noses, noses looking at their hearts. The case of the destruction of the Earl Pingyuans family had by now spread all across court, and all the kings and aristocrats fell into a deep panic. They simultaneously sent in letters of impeachment for Wei Yuan, ordering him to investigate the killer, as well as secretly building up their own guards. People were in disarray. Some said that it was a strong Yao monster that infiltrated the capital, wantonly killing important servants, causing chaos beyond any form of tolerance. Some others said that it was the Buddhists covertly causing strife, with the aim to spread their religion to the Central ins, forcing the Great Fengs royal dynasty to submit. Your Majesty, why is the Jianzheng ill at his time? Heh, ill? Clearly he doesnt want to get involved. Why did the attacker escapest night? The Nightwatchers have failed at their duty, Your Majesty must severely punish Wei Yuan. The great servants sent usations flying around the room. Wei Yuan entered the Imperial study in a hubbub of argument. Wei Yuan! seeing hime in, Emperor Yuanjing grabbed a stack of papers, andunched them at Wei Yuan. In the rustle of falling papers, he shouted angrily: Three days, in three days you will find the killer. Otherwise we will remove your position! Wei Yuan lightly dodged the storm of paper, unhurriedly picking up the fallen dossiers and files, sighing Your Majesty does not need to be angry; to cultivate Dao is to cultivate ones heart, to perturb ones heart is not a good thing. Emperor Yuanjing grunted coldly. The Minister of Law said solemnly, Your Majesty, the Nightwatchers have let attackers escape on two asions, your servant suspects Wei Yuan is conspiring with outsiders, and wants to cause chaos. Please may Your Majesty investigate. Emperor Yuanjing did not respond, looking at the head-lowered, unspeaking Chen Hanguang, What does Governor Chen think? Even though Governor Chen was a fourth rank official, he oversaw the twenty-four counties around this capital city, and his political power was not less than that of any of the Ministers. And Chen Hanguang was a wily old fox. With the intention of not offending either side, he said The Sangpo Case has not yet finished, and nowes the murder of the Earl Pingyuan Family. Your Majesty, please do not be angered, keep a calm mind. Your servant thinks we should hear what Wei Yuan has to say. He very calmly dodged the bullet. Emperor Yuanjing looked coldly at Wei Yuan. Your Majesty, the Earl Pingyuans case and the Sangpo case are one and the same. Wei Yuan said. In the Imperial study, everyones faces, including Emperor Yuanjings, turned slightly. Wei Yuan did not look at everyones expressions, his head lowered towards the ground, announcing loudly, Your lowly servant has already found out who killed the Earl Pingyuans family. Who? Someone unconsciously butted in, being Minister of War Zhang Feng. Wei Yuans gaze scanned over him, and he did not reply, rather saying to Emperor Yuanjing, Please may Your Majesty dismiss your attendants. As he said this, Wei Yuan could not help but think of Xu Qian. Emperor Yuanjing looked deeply at Wei Yuan, before his sharp gaze scanned over the other servants, My officials, please retreat for now. Everyone cupped their hands with strange expressions on their faces, and left the Imperial study. Wei Yuan stayed in the Study for an hour, and no one knew what he said to Emperor Yuanjing. Duke Wei, Duke Wei With thepany of Eunuch Liu, as soon as Wei Yuan stepped out of the Imperial study, he heard someone call to him. Looking over, he saw the crimson-robed thin-faced Minister of War Zhang Fenge over to meet him, his face full of smiles: Duke Wei, I wonder what sort of beast would exterminate the Earl Pingyuans family? Wei Yuan shook his head, Minister Zhang, this case involves Sangpo, and I am not at leisure to disclose. When the truth has be clear, my Right Honourable Minister will naturally know. He cupped his hands, and left with wide strides. Minster Suns conversation hit a wall. He was not angered, rather still with smiling face said Take care, Duke Wei. After Wei Yuan left, he waited until the elders from the Imperial Study slowly came over, Lord Liu, what did Wei Yuan say to His Majesty? My Sirs, please, dont make things hard for us. Eunuch Liu waved his hands frantically. Lord Liu can just pick a few less sensitive things to say. A confident voice floated over, belonging to the Prime Minister. Eunuch Liu hesitated, before nodding, looking around at all the great servants, saying in a low voice This case is being done by the Bronze Gong Xu Qian from the Nightwatchers. What Duke Wei said inside was heard entirely from him. *Xu Qian!?* All the servants exchanged looks. As he left Lingbao pce, Xu Qians mind would intermittently sh up with the National Teachers country-toppling beauty, as his heart eximed about how different a Dao-cultivating woman was just different from others, about how she was like a jade-carved statue, with not a blemish on her face. *At the very least one or two spots.* *The sect master of the Earth Sect is second rank, the human sect wouldn''t be far off for a second rank, to call her a celestial wouldnt be too far.* As his small mare clopped along, he passed an instrument warehouse, and Xu Qian asked the guards for directions to King Yus manor. *The trail of thought for the Sangpo Case must be changed. Lets not investigate the Zhenbei King for now. I have a feeling, that if I were to figure out the events behind Henghui and Princess Pingyang, figure out what love and hatred these doomed lovers and Earl Pingyuans house had with each other, perhaps I could solve the Sangpo Case.* *I dont need half a month, I feel just a few days will do perhaps even faster than that.* *Tonight Jinlian Daozhang wille to find me, I must remember to ask him whats up with the Human Sect leader. Clearly shes a Nun, yet she has an enticing aura like a demoness.* Xu Qian squeezed on his horses sides, urging his horse on. King Yus Manor. Xu Qian reigned in his horse, and showed his golden token in front of the guards wary expressions. This official is specially appointed by His Majesty to lead the Sangpo Case investigation, I have a matter to speak with King Yu about, please pass this message on for me. Seeing the token, the guards reigned in their derisive intent, and quickly entered the manor. Not longter, he returned, announcing Please may Sire with me, our Master would like to see you. King Yus manor was expansive; just from the front door to the front hall, took five minutes of walking. In the front hall, Xu Qian saw Emperor Yuanjings younger brother, a King of the court. This was not a old man, yet his white hairs were already numerous. His face was pale and sallow, his eyes showed illness and bad health, and the lines on his forehead were deep. Clearly a man of barely over forty, yet he looked even older than Emperor Yuanjing. He wore a purple brocade robe, and his features were fairly well-ced. Bronze Gong? King Yu held a teacup in his hand, and sipped it gently, his voicecking in vigour. Putting down his teacup, he said with astonishment, Since when did brother Emperor make a Bronze Gong the lead investigator? This lowly official is Xu Qian, has King Yu not heard of me before? Xu Qian thought, that the Sangpo Case had be the biggest news story in the capital, from the highest of nobles to the lowest of civil servants, all should be watching it. And as one of the lead investigators himself, perhaps those low down wouldnt recognise him, but as part of the royal family, King Yu should have heard of him before. King Yu nodded in realisation, Ah yes, I remember. Ive heard of you, but this king has not cared for the affairs of court for a long while, and couldnt remember immediately. *It seems the disappearance of Princess Pingyang has hit him hard* Xu Qian sighed. What do you need from me? King Yu waved his hand, ordering his servants to serve tea. --- [^1]: Seiyu (Japanese): Voice Actor. Voice actors in Japan can have a veryrge following just for their voice. Chapter 139: The next target Chapter 139: The next target # 139. The next target "This servant was ordered to investigate the Sangpo case. After my investigation, I found out that the case was unexpectedly rted to King Yu." Xu Qi''an emotionally said. Taking a look at him, King Yu shook his head, "I''m almost retired. I don''t think you want to criticize or nder me. Tell me, what has happened?" Although he said that, disapproval and contempt still pooled in his eyes. Obviously, He didn''t believe Xu Qi''an''s words. More than a year ago, A monk named Henghui in Qinglong Temple had an affair with a female pilgrim, and the two decided to elope together, fleeing the capital with a magic weapon from Qinglong Temple that could disguise qi. "They did it because the woman''s identity was extraordinary. If they hadn''t carried the magic weapon that could disguise qi, they couldn''t have escaped the capital at all." King Yu, who had been calmly drinking tea, suddenly raised his head and stared at Xu Qi''an, his eyes fixed on him. Xu Qi''an said, "That monk is named Henghui. Maybe King Yu doesn''t know him, but you should surely know the female pilgrim, as she is your daughter, Princess Pingyang." Bang! King Yu smashed the blue and white porcin teacup. Then, with a ferocious expression mixed with agitation, he angrily said, "Nonsense, Nonsense. Pingyang was well behaved since her childhood. How could she elope with a wild monk... Come here, Drag this rascal out, and execute him!" Guards rushed in from outside the hall and surrounded Xu Qi''an. But, he didn''t panic, not even a little. He looked at the old father who had fallen to anger after hearing the news. It was normal for him to react like this. Any father would lose his mind after hearing such news. But, this news was merely an appetizer for King Yu. After the guards had rushed in, King Yu lost his previous attitude. He waved his hands and had the guards back out. "Yes, I''m not surprised that this happened. Before Pingyang had disappeared, I had arranged a marriage for her. But, she had strongly opposed me, and said that she had a sweetheart of her own." A bitterugh escaped King Yu''s mouth. "How ridiculous! Marriage is a major event made by parents'' orders and matchmaker''s words. How could she, a woman, decide on her own marriage? How could she know that the other party isn''t cheating on her or has other ns for her?" *Although I don''t agree with words like "Parents'' orders and Matchmaker''s words," free love is indeed deadly in this era. After all,mon sense isn''t so widespread in this era, unlike my past life.* Xu Qi''an nodded. After hearing that, I became furious and pped her. She disappeared not long after. She must have been taken by that wild man... That''s what I believed. "In the beginning, I gritted my teeth due to hatred. I hated her for her shamelessness. I hated her for embarrassing the royal n. But, as time passed, I began to miss her. I just wish for her toe back, toe back and see me and call me father. I don''t care about anything else." *...It''s likely you''ll never see her again.* *From the conversation between Henghui and Earl Pingyuan''s son, it can be deduced that Henghui had died once. What else could have happened to Princess Pingyang, who had eloped with him?* *The female could have faced nothing beyond three oues. First: Death, Second: Rape.* *The third oue, thebination of the first two.* "I''m not here to dig out King Yu''s scar, nor to tell you the identity of the man who had eloped with Princess Pingyang." Xu Qi''an said. After being stunned for a moment, King Yu became excited. He jumped to Xu Qi''an taking wide strides, grabbed his wrist with his hands, and grabbed his neckline with the other, "Do you have any news about her? Where is she? Where is she?!" Xu Qi''an frowned. "...I lost myposure previously." King Yu let go of his wrist, and took a step back. Then, he straightened his back and suddenly bowed, after which he said, his voice deep. "If Sir Xu can help me find her I would owe you a huge favour. I will surely repay you in the future." "I havee here for this matter... Have you heard of the murder of Earl Pingyuan''s House?" "Not yet." King Yu was a little surprised. "How is the rtionship between the king and Earl Pingyuan?" Xu Qi''an asked. "We are both members of the Aristocrats, and we used to have frequent contact. However, Earl Pingyuan was ambitious and wished for greater power. So, he mingled with the Civil Officials and was ostracized by the aristocrats." King Yu said. Xu Qi''an nodded, and then continued, "I had heard that the King had almost entered the Cab." After being silent for a while, King Yu said, His Majesty did have this ideast year. Currently, the Cab is dominated by Wang Zhenwen[^1]. Although other parties and Wei Yuan check and bnce him, but the bnce is very fragile. "I am supported by the Aristocrats and am from the royal n. So, His Majesty wants me to enter the cab and stir up the muddy water." *Emperor Yuanjing knows his business. Although he has been ignoring the government all year round and burning money for his cultivation, he has still maintained his control over the government in these nearly twenty years. "When Sir is recuperating in your mansion, who would benefit the most from this?" "Chief Secretary Wang Zhenwen, and the Minister of War, Zhang Feng... heh, that was originally my position." King Yu helplessly smiled. King Yu was obviously fatigued after talking for such a long time. As Xu Qian got the information he wanted to know, he got up to leave. The horse''s hooves hit the ground at a brisk pace. This young filly had been ridden by second uncle for several years and then ridden by his nephew. Although its rider had changed, the horse wasn''t bothered at all and was still docile and cheerful. Xu Qi''an''s mood, however, wasn''t so brisk. ording to the information he got from King Yu, Henghui and Princess Pingyang''s elopement might have been some type of political move. *Even if we can''t do anything for you. Can''t we do something to your daughter?* What couldn''t those ying politics do? This possibility was very high. Henghui''s revenge also supported the point. *Who could it be? Is it Chief Secretary Wang? Is it Minister Zhang? Could it be both... I still have a question, what rtion could the struggle between the Aristocrat Bloc and the Civil Official Bloc have with the Sangpo case and the Yao race?* *Who knows about something being sealed below Sangpo besides Emperor Yuanjing?* *Oh no, Henghui''s next target for revenge is either the Chief Secretary or the Minister of War.* As his heart sank, Xu Qi''an mped his horse''s belly and rode towards the forbidden city at the fastest he could go. But, he had to turn back at the entrance of the Forbidden City. "Is Duke Wei still in the pce?" "It''s been half an hour since he left." The Yulin Guard that had been guarding the castle replied. Xu Qi''an immediately turned his horse, left the imperial city, and galloped for a long time in the inner city before he met Wei Yuan''s carriage. Hearing the sounds of horseshoes approaching the Wei Yuan''s guards turned their heads vigntly, and grasped the handles of their sabres tightly. They rxed their vignce after seeing that it was Xu Qi''an. "Duke Wei, Duke Wei... Your subordinate has something to report." Xu Qi''an shouted. Jiang Lyuzhong heard Wei Yuan''s voiceing from inside the carriage, "Stop." He immediately reined the horse and stopped the carriage. Xu Qi''an rode his horse to the side of the carriage, where he said in a small voice, "Duke Wei, I have an important thing to report." The curtain at the side opened and the handsome old man with a profound countenance frowned, "How did you encounter a matter that needs to be reported without dy?" After heined, he asked, "What''s the matter?" "Henghui''s next target is likely to be the Minister of War or the Chief Secretary. You will be in deep water if one of those two gets into trouble, Duke Wei." Xu Qi''an said in a deep voice. ... Zhang Mansion, Zhang Feng, the Minister of War, returned to his mansion in a carriage, and asked the old housekeeper who came to meet him, "Where''s Yi''er?" The housekeeper replied, "He hasn''t woken up yet." Carrying a gloomy expression, the Minister of War said, "Have him get dressed and meet me in the study within a quarter hour." After he cautiously looked at Minister Zhang''s expression, the old housekeeper received his orders. Zhang Feng returned to his study, took off his robe, and gave it to his attendant. He sat on the big chair and rested with his eyes closed. Just as a quarter-hour was about to pass, Zhang Yi, Zhang Feng''s eldest son arrived in time.[^2] "What were you calling me for, Father?" Zhang Yi''s face was slightly pale, his swollen eye bags and deep dark circles indicating his identity as a master of time management. "Pack up and leave the capital immediately." Minister Zhang said these words after careful consideration. "What?" "Leave right now!" Zhang Feng gave him a stern look. "... yes, okay." Zhang Feng had always feared his father, and he always did whatever he said. With the help of the servants in the mansion, Zhang Yi packed his clothes, dry food, gold and silver, and other portable items. Then, he rushed towards the outer city with more than a dozen subordinates from the mansion. But, Just as the carriage arrived at the inner city gate, the soldiers guarding the gate stopped him after inquiring about his identity. "His Majesty has decreed that officials above rank six, even their family members, aren''t allowed to leave the capital." ... Evening, After spending the day in the eldest princess''s mansion, Chu Caiwei came to the Xu mansion on horseback and knocked on the door of the small courtyard. "Caiwei." Xu Qi''an had already taken off his uniform and changed to his normal clothes, those that had been sewn up stitch by stitch by his sister Lingyue. The younger sister''s threads lined the elder brother''s robes. Chu Caiwei took out two porcin vases from the deerskin pouch on her waist, "Sparingly eat them. Great might pills are quite expensive. One pill costs about two taels of silver." *One pill costs half my monthly sry... Chu Caiwei is indeed a rich woman, one who owns an airport at such a young age... It doesn''t matter if she is a disciple of the Jianzheng. I just wish to be raised by her... Xu Qi''an envied this "Fuerdai". Although he did have more than 900 taels of gold, that was to be used to buy a house. "Come in and have a cup of tea, Miss Caiwei." Xu Qi''an held a charming smile on his face. Chu Caiwei blushed, and let out a "bah", saying angrily, "The sun is about to set. You have other motives in inviting me for tea at this time, don''t you?" After speaking, she nced at him and held the reins of her horse as she rode away. *The top isn''t convex and the bottom isn''t curved... This little tty is ridiculous...* Xu Qi''an also nkly looked at her and closed the yard. *When this Sangpo case is over, I''ll make some chicken bullion and reward her.* After he had dinner in the main house, and chatted with his elegant younger sister for some time, Xu Qi''an returned to his small courtyard, sitting there for half an hour. "Meow~" Suddenly, he heard the clear and melodious cry of a cat. "The door is unlocked." Xu Qi''an said. The door was pushed open, and an orange cat walked in. Its steps were graceful, its tail raised high. It stared at him with its yellow-orange cat eyes, and a voice came out of its mouth, "What did Luo Yuheng say?" *... Did Daoist Jinlian open the door to a new world? Is this a special hobby of his?* Xu Qi''an looked at the orange cat, and said, "I have obtained the Juyuan Pill." --- Author Note: This case has been written for a while. That''s because it is very important. It can be said to be the cornerstone of the book, and it will affect the events in the second, third, and fourth volumester. So, I had to extend the length of the case to leave space for all the foreshadowing. Well, It''s about to end. Not many chapters of the case are remaining. [^1]: [^2]: In case I hadnt written the Chinese before, Zhang Feng is and Zhang Yi is Chapter 140: Enter Henghui Chapter 140: Enter Henghui # 140. Enter Henghui Hearing this, on the ginger cats face appeared a very humanlike sigh of relief. With this Juyuan pill, it wont take long for me to recover my cultivation. The ginger cat spoke in human tongue, his voice rxed. In a ce like the capital, to not be able to protect oneself is very dangerous indeed. Who knows if or when you would be spotted by the Courts hunting dogs, or meet another predator lurking in the shadows. *Is the Juyuan pills effect that good? Excellent, if Daozhang can recover quickly, the Earth Book Group Chat can enable private messaging* Xu Qian was very pleased, but also asked in confusion, Youre all from the same Daoist family, why does Daozhang need to ask the Human Sect for medicine? Is the Earth Sect not also proficient at refining medicines? The ginger cat fell silent for a moment, before responding in an expressionless voice, The cost of a Juyuan pill is around a hundred taels of pure gold. As for some ingredients, money cant buy them. *Its not that my Earth Sect is too low in ability, its that her Human Sect has no humanity this really is a tragic tale!* Xu Qian wanted tough, but also felt bad about doing so. Do you have any new findings? The ginger cat leapt onto the table, sitting by the oilmp, its golden cat eyes seeming eerie and frightening in the darkness. Xu Qian told him about what he learned at King Yus Manor, as well as his own thoughts. The cat listened with a serious face, instinctively raising a paw, about to lick it, but resisted the urge. Wordlessly putting down its paw, it replied Your analysis is correct. The elopement of Henghui and Princess Pingyang involves party politics at court but what I dont understand, is that given that Henghui is still alive, why has he not appeared yet? Why did he appear only after the Sangpo case happened? Furthermore, with his power and abilities, he doesnt have the status to be involved in the Sangpo case. Though his tone was questioning, there was no confusion in his eyes. Xu Qian nodded in understanding, Theres another power behind his back. I originally thought that that power was the Zhenbei King if it was not for rebellion, why did he let out the thing under Sangpo Lake? After so long, all it did was exterminate a Pingyuan Earl Daozhang, say, could it be that King Yu is behind this? To release the sealed object and kill those he had a grudge on. Your idea is that because of Princess Pingyangs death, King Yu would take revenge for a woman this is very unlikely. If King Yu knew about this matter, with his status as a blood rtive King, he need not go to such lengths for revenge. The ginger cat shook its head, Why are your thoughts always stopped on the royal family? Xu Qian said despairingly, Theres even less suspicion on the Zhenbei King, Im really like a little boys girlfriend shouting to break up. A little boys girlfriend shouting to break up? The cat tilted his head. All the work before has been for naught. Xu Qian replied. The ginger cats expression froze for a moment, You have a way with words. If not for the appearance of Henghui, not that the sealed item is still lurking, Xu Qian would still have kept his suspicions of the Zhenbei King high, feeling that he was hiding some big move. But the actions of the Monk Henghui, really did not match well with the stature of a sealed item. At least go kill some blood-royals eh? However, Xu Qian did notpletely put down his suspicion. The Sangpo Case was still shrouded in mist, and he could only barely see half of it. However Xu Qian strained his damned 24K Titanium Alloy eyes, he couldnt see any further. The ginger cats tail slowly swished from side to side, as it gave a suggestion: This poor Daoist thinks that you may havetched onto a wrong idea. Xu Qian frowned, What does Daozhang mean? The Zhenbei King, King Yu, they are all royals. Is the reason that you suspect them because only Emperor Yuanjing alone knows whats sealed under Sangpoke? Xu Qian nodded. The ginger cat continued, Excluding the Jianzheng and Emperor Yuanjing, the Buddhists also know. Xu Qian nodded, The Buddhists were one of the main participants. After the sealed item broke free, the Abbot of Qinglong Temple, Panshu, left for the west. We can see the severity of the matter. The ginger cat said, The Yao. Two simple words, resounded like a lightning strike in Xu Qians head. *Ive always locked onto the royal family as suspects behind this case. If what was sealed was the first generation Jianzheng, then this guess is perfectly reasonable but, if its not him, then Emperor Yuanjing, the Jianzheng, and the Buddhists wouldnt be the only ones to know about it, theres one more power I overlooked.* *The original owners of the sealed item* *Sealed for five hundred years without being destroyed, it must be a terrifying, unfathomably strong someone, and this type of character could not be a human cultivator, but if they were Yao? Mn, this must be investigated further.* Xu Qian pulled out the porcin bottle, and put it beside the cat, saying I saw the National Teacher today. Hm, shes different from what I imagined. The ginger cat lightly gave him a side-eye, Not the immortal Daoist aura you expected? Xu Qian was about to nod, when he heard the cat continue, Perhaps even more enticing than the Jiaofangsis women, did she make you drool at the mouth? *What, no! She only made me want to give her my sword handle* Xu Qian said with realisation: So there is something wrong with her. At home he had the beautiful motherly Auntie, the graceful young girl Lingyue, and he also had the lively and cute Chu Caiwei, as well as the charming and emotional king of the dance floor Princess Biaobiao, the proud and cold like an iceberg Princess Huaiqing Xu Qian had seen plenty of beauties. But he never had encountered anyone that directly activated his lizard brain, filling his mind with the colour of banana peels.[^1] This could only be exined by the fact that there was something wrong with the National Teacher. The ginger cat did not respond directly, rather asking back, Why do you think the Human Sect is called the Human Sect? Why is Luo Yuheng the National Teacher? Pausing, he continued, Luo Yuheng is the previous Human Sect Leaders daughter. *Why are you telling me this? Are you insinuating that that woman can be banged?* Xu Qian maintained a light smile, From what I know, of the three Daoist sects, the Heaven Sect forgoes desire and pleasure, but the Earth and Human sect can marry as usual. Does Daozhang have any children? The ginger cat shook its head, When I was younger, I did think of it, but as my years got older, my feelings faded. To the titterings between men and women, its far, far too vulgar for me. *Is it really too vulgar, or is it a man reaching middle-age, and could not but keep goji berries in his thermal sk?[^2]* Daozhang has already left base pleasures behind, very impressive indeed. *If every other man in the world is like you, then Ill be happy* He added silently in his heart. Deep in the night, the streets of the inner city were empty. A cold wind swirled around the trees, making a mournful cry. Synchronised, uniform footsteps resonated from afar, as a squadron of city guards patrolled over from the end of the street. Yesterday, after the Earl Pingyuan family murder, the security of the city was ratcheted up several times over. A ck shadow walked through the inner city. He walked across streets and alleys, seemingly not trying to avoid the patrolling Nightwatchers, the Yudao, and the Jinwu guards, yet whenever one of them would scan their gazes over where he was, there was always something blocking their sight, whether that be a wall, a tree, or roof eaves. Just like this, he came safely to the Minister of Laws manor. As he raised his head to look at the sign, half a face showed from under the hood. A purple, unhallowed looking mouth curled up in a fierce smile. Who is it? Only then did the gate guards notice this ck-robed figure, and at the same time as they shouted, they pulled out their service sabres. The ck-robed man raised his right arm from beneath the cloak, its blood-red skin bulging with hideous blue-ck veins, like the arm of a demon. He faced his palm towards the guard, towards the door, and suddenly grasped. Boom! The great door turned into powder, the guards turned into powder, as the qi energy sent shockwaves rippling out, turning everything surrounding him into powder. Light after light lit up in the Minister of Wars manor, as frightened shouting echoed from all around. All the guards in the manor grabbed their sabres and rushed towards the front door. The ck robed man, no longer blocked by any obstacle, stepped into the Manor with wide steps. His dark ck eyes under the hood looked around at thentern lights with a cold, evil gaze. Suddenly, in the instant that he stepped over the threshold, the surrounding scenery suddenly changed. The ck cloaked mans eyes slowly moved, examining his new surroundings. Around him was a deste part of the city, with cracked streets, weeds growing by the walls, and crude houses vaguely visible in the distance. This was a barren area that not even the poor people came to. There were many such ces in the capital, but the capital was toorge, and so these types of ces were selectively forgotten about by the Crown. I set a transportation formation in the Minster of Wars Mansion. someone said lightly. The ck-robed man turned, to see a dozen or so *zhang* away stood a figure with white cloak a-waving, facing away from him, his hands behind his back, his long hair billowing alongside his clothes. His pose was striking, giving one the sense that this was not any ordinary man. Who are you? The ck robed mans hoarse voice sounded. Are you telling me, that in the Capital, there is someone who knows not I? You, you have sessfully piqued my interest. The white-cloaked man said. The ck-cloaked man snorted coldly, raising his right hand, and lightly grasped in the direction of the white-cloak. In the explosion of qi, the white-cloaked mans figure disappeared like a reflection on the water. You thought I was there, but really I am here. The white-cloak appeared in a different spot, still with his back towards the ck-cloaked man. Fourth rank arcanist? The ck-cloaked man muttered, thenughed coldly, A mere fourth rank arcanist dares to stop me? His tone was extremely arrogant, looking down on this high-ranked expert. A mere fourth rank arcanist dares to stop me the white cloak muttered, before praising him: Well said, those words have a great sense of courage, they give me much inspiration. Pausing briefly, heughed, You mere fourth rank martial artists, dare be worthy of looking on from the sidelines? The ck-cloaked figure stared nkly for a moment, not knowing what he was getting at, but quickly he found out. From north, south, east, west, all four sides appeared a Nightwatcher, wearing their ck uniforms, their short cloaks, with gold gongs sewn to their chests. The Gold Gong to the east had a cold, handsome, expressionless face; the Gold Gong to the west was as beautiful as a woman, a dark smile lingering around his mouth; the Gold Gong to the north carried a long sword, rather than a sabre; and the Gold Gong to the south had a gaze as sharp as a knife, with thin lines at the corner of his eyes. Ratatat the rattle of machinery sounded, as to the left of the white-cloaked man, where there was empty space just before was now filled with rows upon rows of repeating ballistae, loading their bolts automatically. To his right were a battery of cannons. Thunk! Thunk! Thunk! Roar! Roar! Roar! Ballista bolts and cannonballs fired at the same time, bearing down on the ck-cloaked figure. The cannonballs hit an invisible wall of qi, and exploded in mid-air, sending waves of brilliant me along the surface of the wall. As the qi wall trembled under the fire of the cannons, the glyphs carved into the ballista bolts suddenly lit up, and easily prated through, whistling towards the ck-cloaked man. The bolts themselves were a small-scale formation. The ck cloaked figure did not panic, calmly raising his right hand, letting the bolts break themselves into pieces on it. The cloak was ripped to shreds, revealing the figures true form: a handsome and sinister looking young monk. His right arm was significantly thicker than that of an average man, and was ugly to the point of being frightening. Bronze skin and iron bones? The white-cloak, who had this whole time been facing away from the action, said with surprise. At this time, the four Gold Gongs moved simultaneously. The fierce spear and sword intent burst forth, attacking the ck-cloaked man first. Nangong Qianrou and Jiang Lyuzhong did not use weapons, choosing instead to fight in unarmed melee. Buddha said, be merciful and benevolent. The ck-cloaked man put his hands together, and slowly intoned a teaching. The fierce spear and sword intent showed some hesitation, and became not so sharp. Yet, in a sh they returned to normal. Taking advantage of this hairs breadth opportunity, the ck cloaked man repeatedly struck with his right arm, dissipating the undodgeable spear intent, and that unstoppable sword intent. Then, he twisted his waist and struck back, shing with Jiang Lyuzhongs fists. Jiang Lyuzhong grunted indistinctly, some blood seeping out between his lips, as he staggered backwards. The ck cloaked man then turned his head, and ced a fist right in Nangong Qianrous chest. Thud as the cloak on his back was blown to pieces. Whoosh under a frightening attractive force, Nangong Qianrous face slowly became whiter and whiter. Scarlet red light shed in Nangong Qianrous eyes, as his beautiful face twisted into a fierce expression. From his throat came an inhuman roar, as his fist crashed onto the ck-cloaked mans face. The two of them simultaneously retreated, and then not willing to back down, came together again. Four martial artists, one strange creature of mysterious origin, fought in this deste area of the city. Wherever they went, became rubble. Explosion after explosion of qi sent a gale howling in an area several li around them. The white-cloaked arcanist maintained a distance that was not far nor near; in close-quarters melee, martial artists were the undefeated champions in their rank. Arcanist battles were naturally more refined and stylish the white-cloaked arcanist stamped the ground, and announced The grounds killing intent! Formation lines erupted from beneath his feet, encircling the fighting martial artists, as the broken and uneven ground suddenly trembled, congealing into a terrifying might. He then pointed to the sky, The heavens killing intent! Dark clouds suddenly gathered in the night sky, as bolts of lightning snaked across it, thunder forming. Mans killing intent! As he said those words, the heavenly power, the earthly power, and the human power came together to form one, piercing towards the ck-cloaked figure. cing him in a situation where the world was his enemy. That fierce and terrifying right arm seemed to be excited, and awoke on its own, as an indescribable, frightening pressure exploded from it, and the bulging veins suddenly lit up. The handsome, sinister monkughed crazedly, and clenched his fist tight. Roar! As the explosion of qi consumed all. --- [^1]: For those unaware, yellow in China is the colour associated with erotic media. [^2]: Goji berries in TCM are purportedly to help replenish Yang, i.e. male essence. Chapter 141: Dispirited Gold Gongs Chapter 141: Dispirited Gold Gongs # 141. Dispirited Gold Gongs The shockwave spread out fast, its ripples dragging along dust and gravel as it reached the houses nearby, as many living things were silently wiped from existence. Soon after hearing the sound of the explosion, the four Gold Gongs each adopted different methods to defend themselves, as they utilized the force of the explosion to move outside. They didn''t dare to stay at the centre of the explosion. After everything had calmed down, and the ck-robed man had also disappeared, the four Gold Gongs finally breathed a sigh of relief. But, that relief didn''tst long, instantly transforming into rage. "What''s the background of that guy? Specifically, I want to know about that arm." The white-robed Arcanist suddenly appeared, his back facing the Gold Gongs. "That arm?" The sword-wielding Gold Gong asked him back. "ording to my observations, that arm doesn''t belong to him. I didn''t observe that fearful demonic qi anywhere else." The white-robed Arcanist said. Jiang Lyuzhong stared at the back of the white-robed Arcanist, "Do you have eyes on your back, Yang Qianhuan?"[^1] The white-robed Arcanist, Yang Qianhuan, answered, "I took a look at him before he left." "..." Helplessly, Jiang Lyuzhong said, "Can''t you turn around and talk like a normal person? You weren''t like this before." Let me refuse you. I, Yang, do what I want, without caring for anybody else''s opinion. I have carefully observed my teacher and Wei Yuan. Haven''t you noticed that one of them always stands in the observation hall with his back facing you, and the other likes to sit in the Bagua tform with his back facing you? "So, We will feel as if Wei Yuan and the teacher are superior to us." ... Words stuck in the four Gold Gong''s throats, but they just couldn''t spit them out. Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head and redirected the conversation back to the topic, "ording to our investigation, that hand is the item sealed below Sangpo." *The item sealed below Sangpo...* Yang Qianhuan frowned. He had just returned to the capital the previous day. He hade here on behalf of the Sitianjian to help in the capture of a lunatic. He had heard that the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple had been bombed a while ago. But, he didn''t pay much attention to it. As it is known, as long as an Arcanist has a Pharmacy and an Alchemy Laboratory, and timely meal delivery, they could stay in their house for decades. "That monk is probably Henghui." The sword-wielding Gold Gong said. As he listened to the Gold Gongs talking with each other, More and more questions began to pop up in Yang Qianhuan''s head. "We can discover the whereabouts of Princess Pingyang if we can capture him." Jiang Lyuzhong said. *Princess Pingyang? That Princess Pingyang who disappeared a year ago?* Yang Qianhuan remembered this, as Arcanists from the Sitianjian were also invited out when the Princess was disappeared, and the matter had been quite loud. After hearing this, he couldn''t bear the questions in his head, and with his back turned, asked: "It''s just been a few days since the Sangpo case has happened. How could the Nightwatchers have investigated the case so clearly? Um... Why haven''t I heard any of this from the juniors at the Sitianjian? Don''t tell me that they weren''t invited to investigate the case. You guys at the Nightwatchers aren''t good at handling cases." The high-ranking Arcanist didn''t understand the situation. Logically speaking, it was impossible for the Arcanists at the Sitianjian to not discuss the Sangpo case with him. As the Sitianjian often assisted the court in the handling of cases, internalmunication about cases was also quitemon. But, Yang Qianhuan hadn''t ever heard of Henghui, Princess Pingyang, or the other information that was being discussed. Yang Yan opened his mouth, a rare urrence, and said, " We didn''t even have a Gold Gong handle the case. It''s being handled by a Bronze Gong." *What''s that got to do with you? Why is your tone so smug?* Yang Qianhuanmpooned. He still didn''t turn around and asked, "A Bronze Gong? Can you borate?" "You should know this Bronze Gong, as he is quite famous at the Sitianjian." Jiang Lyuzhong recalled the rumours about Xu Qi''an, and remembered that he had once given a lecture to the White robed Arcanists in the Sitianjian, "His name is Xu Qi''an." "Xu Qi''an?!" Yang Qianhuan''s voice rose a little. He knew Xu Qi''an. He had known about him since he had returned to the Sitianjian. That man had given a lecture to the juniors at Sitianjian, maybe to posture... that man was a formidable enemy in his dao of Posturing. Unexpectedly, he was also responsible for investigating the Sangpo case. He seemed to have done a good job and had advanced to be a Posturing Master... A strong opponent. "What''s the origin of that arm?" Nangong Qianrou asked, her voice tinged with hatred. "I don''t know. But, the owner of that arm should be above the second rank. I don''t know much about the Martial system... Heh, It''s because I don''t bother to understand it." Yang Qianhuan spoke like a lonely, invincible swordsman. *This guy has just been away from the capital for some months, but his condition has gotten a lot worse...* This was the collective thought of the Gold Gongs. ... Due to thest day''s exhaustion, Xu Qi''an, still injured, overslept. The sun was already up by the time he had woken up. Whatever the time was, it had already passed 7. Since he was alreadyte, Xu Qi''an wasn''t in a hurry, and he washed up and dressed up slowly. Then, he went over the wall to the main courtyard to have breakfast. Even far away, He could hear the Glutton of a child crying. Her cry was very loud, just like the roar of a hungry dragon. As he entered the front hall, he could see that Second Uncle had already gone to work. Auntie and Lingyue, who woke upte, were having breakfast. Xu Lingyin had her hands behind her as she leaned forward, shooting sonic attacks toward her mother. Beautiful, and with a dignified temperament, Auntie squeezed her brows as she continued eating in silence. Lyue was beside Little Pea, trying tofort her. "What''s the matter?" Xu Qi''an came in, smiling. Xu Lingyue''s eyes lit up as she turned her head and excitedly said, "Are you resting today, Big Brother?" "I overslept..." Xu Qi''an said, ashamed. "Big Brother, Big Brother." Xu Lingyin ran over on her short legs, grabbed Xu Qi''an''s arms with her small hand, pointed at her mother and sister with the other, and shouted with righteous indignation, "They robbed my chicken legs. They could even rob chicken legs from children... boohoohoo..." *This?* Xu Qi''an looked at his aunt and sister. Auntie let off a lovable snort, toozy to exin. Xu Lingyue helplessly said, "Last night, Lingyin had a chicken leg remaining. She didn''t want to eat it then. So, She took it back to the house. Upon getting up in the morning, The chicken leg was missing. She thought that Mother or I had stolen the chicken leg." *This should have happened after I had leftst night. Otherwise, Xu Lingyin would be grabbing her mother''s sleeve and using me of stealing her chicken legs...* Xu Qi''an ced his hands on Little Pea''s head. "Your big brother is good at investigating cases. I''ll find the culprit for you." Little Pea was very happy to hear it and believed that her eldest brother was the best besides his habit of grabbing food. She held on to the helm of her elder brother''s clothes and stared at her mother and sister with an aggrieved look. Xu Lingyue met her elder brother''s gaze and said, "I asked the maid who takes care of Lingyin, and the maid said that Lingyin got up in the middle of the night to eat the chicken leg. But, she doesn''t believe it at all." Xu Qi''an lowered his head to meet the little glutton, "Did you eat it?" Xu Lingyin loudly said, "I didn''t." Xu Lingyue said, "The maid said that she had eaten it with her eyes closed. We found a chicken leg bone next to her bed. The bone had been gnawed clean. That''s how she ate it." "Brother, Sister should have eaten it. Elder Sister is lying." Xu Lingyin couldn''t believe that she had eaten the chicken leg that she had been reluctant to eat before. "Your big brother already knows who ate the chicken leg." "Who is it?" *The chicken leg has already entered your belly, but your brain doesn''t know...* Xu Qi''an said, "A ghost." "A gwost?" Xu Lingyin was so taken aback that her pronunciation wasn''t standard anymore. "Don''t scare the child." Auntie unhappily said, and said to the little girl, "You can marinate the ghost with salt and fry it in oil. It will taste even better than chicken legs." Upon hearing this, Xu Lingyin was afraid of the ghost but yearned for it even more. ... After having breakfast, Xu Qi''an arrived at the Nightwatcher Office on horseback. Seeing him, Song Tingfeng said, "Ningyan, Duke Wei sent someone to invite you to the Tower of Noble Spirit." "You didn''t say that I waste to work, did you?" Xu Qi''an said. "I said that you were busy at thetrine." He said, squinting. "..." Xu Qi''an nodded and went toward the Tower of Noble Spirit. Aftermunicating with the guard, he quickly went upstairs. The scene upstairs was quick to startle him. Besides Wei Yuan, the tea room amodated four Gold Gongs, all injured. Yang Yan''s arm was hung up with gauze as if his bone was broken. Jiang Lyuzhong''s forehead was tightly bandaged, and he only wore a single boot, as the other foot was bandaged thick. Nangong Qianrou looked normal on the outside, but his face was as pale as paper. The other Gold Gong, the one who he didn''t know, His head was wrapped in bandages, and he looked like someone who had his head broken in a street fight. The scene was both absurd andical. A group of dignified high-ranking martial artists was like a bunch of street rascals that lost a group fight, dispirited, and injured. "Pfff..." Xu Qi''an couldn''t hold himself back and turned his head to smile. "What are youughing at?" The four Gold Gongs stared expressionlessly at him. "I didn''tugh..." Xu Qi''an refused to admit anything. Wei Yuan had Xu Qi''ane over, pointed at the seat opposite him to let him seat down, and said, "Henghui appearedst night. His target was the Minister of War''s Mansion." Xu Qi''an was quick to lose his smile, and turned serious, "Then the Gold Gongs..." Wei Yuan nodded, "They were injured by Henghui. Last night, We set up traps at the Mansion of the Minister of War and the Mansion of the Prime Minister. There were four Gold Gongs and the Jianzheng''s third disciple, Yang Qianhuan. These five fourth-rank experts weren''t able to capture Henghui." Xu Qi''an was both shocked and not shocked upon hearing about the ending. He was shocked at the number of fourth-rank experts mobilized. He wasn''t shocked, as he felt that the item sealed under Sangpo should be that powerful. "Did you get a clear look?" Xu Qi''an asked about the sealed item. "A severed hand." Jiang Lyuzhong replied. *As I thought... It was the weird hand.* Xu Qi''an looked at Wei Yuan, "What''s its rank, Duke Wei?" "Rank Two, At the very least." Wei Yuan said. *At least rank two. But, there''s a high possibility of it being rank one... Otherwise, It would be killed rather than sealed...* Xu Qi''an guessed, "What is the origin of the sealed item? Is it rted to the Yao?" "This matter involves a huge secret. I don''t know the specifics." Wei Yuan refused to disclose the background. *A severed hand, from an expert. This item is rted to the Sitianjian, the royal family, and Buddhism. It is also rted to history five hundred years ago.* Thinking along these lines, Xu Qi''an nced at the Gold Gongs, hoping to get some clues from their expressions. The gold gongs didn''t pay attention to the observation of the little Bronze Gong. "Henghui has a Magical Artefact that could shield his qi. It''s not certain if he has left the city yet. I have already reported the situation to His Majesty." Wei Yuan said. "You continue to check using your means." Xu Qi''an understood the eunuch''s hint, "Where''s the Minister of War?" "He''s under house arrest in his mansion, protective custody." Wei Yuan took a sip of tea. "I will go and investigate soon." Xu Qi''an understood his meaning. Wei Yuan pointed out, "Minister Zhang is a senior officer of the second ss. So, propriety should be paid attention to. It''s a rule that the qi-watching technique isn''t used for those above the fourth ss. But, you can bring an Arcanist along with you. *He means that an Arcanist''s usation couldn''t be used as evidence. But, It will be a valuable reference to check...* XU Qi''an sped his fists, "Yes Sir." After taking another look at the dispirited Gold Gongs, he het out another Pfft, and quickly left before the Gold Gongs got angry at him. --- [^1]: Chapter 142: Question and Answer Chapter 142: Question and Answer # 142. Question and Answer That little bastard, hes getting more and more cocky. Jiang Lyuzhong let out a deep breath, and eximed discontentedly. If he wasnt so cocky how could he dare to attack his superior? The sword-wielding Gold Gongughed. Its a shame that hes under Yang Yan, you might not know, but his aptitude is Wei Yuan gave Jiang Lyuzhong a look, interrupting him, Youre one for talking. Jiang Lyuzhong immediately shut his mouth. The sword-wielding Gold Gong raised an eyebrow, asking Whats his aptitude, whats the rank, Jia? Jiang Lyuzhong deliberately smiled and did not respond, youre too naive written all over his face. *Not Jia? It couldnt be Upper Jia could it?* The sword-wielding Gold Gong turned to stare intently at Wei Yuan, Duke Wei? Wei Yuan leisurely drank tea, not responding. This attitude made this Gold Gong more and more curious, and made his mind start to work over. *An aptitude of Jia, wouldnt be enough to not tell me about it could it really be Upper Jia?[^1] But thats impossible, an aptitude of Upper Jia hasnt appeared for several decades but doesnt their attitude not perfectly prove this thing if this is the case then I have no reason not to fight for Xu Qian.* *From Duke Weis attitude and concealment, perhaps this is to prevent conflict between Gold Gongs because of wanting a person mmn, I can secretly n to get this person over. Whats a young man most attracted to if not Silver and Women?* The stiff-faced Yang Yan broke the silence, and moved the topic, Father, whats His Majestys attitude? Wei Yuan rubbed his forehead, sighing, Find Henghuis whereabouts as quick as possible. During the official evaluation, even I cannot defend against a sea of impeachment calls. The four Gold Gongs expressions became serious; the fact that Wei Yuan had actually said something like that, meant that the situation was very serious indeed. But this was not anything out of the ordinary; even ignoring the fact that Wei Yuan as a eunuch controlled the Nightwatchers, and have little in the way of good rtions with the courts many officials, to let a criminalmit massacre in the city walls and casually retreat away would be enough to rouse all the officials fears. We will do our utmost. Wei Yuan nodded, Dont make those empty words. Recently rumours from the court have been saying that the constabrys Gold Gongs are one useless thing after another, relying on a Bronze Gong to do their cases. *Fathers valuing Xu Qian more and more* Yang Yan and Nangong Qianrou exchanged looks, seeing each others emotions. *This matter must be done well, Henghui must be found sooner rather thanter. At least in these kind of matters, Xu Qian isnt able to do much, and wont be able to butt in to take all the glory.* Xu Qian came to the Minister of Wars manor with his group of people investigating the Sangpo Case. After showing the golden token, and after the servants had passed on the message, he lead Chu Caiwei, Li Yuchun, the other silver gongs, and the city constabrys Lyu Qing into the manor. The ministerial manors front door, as well as the surrounding walls had all been destroyed, as if it was in the middle of being demolished; a startling sight. The ministers manor is really stylish huh. Entering the manor, Lyu Qing eximed in a low voice. This manor, must be at least over ten thousand taels of silver Li Yuchun estimated. Upon hearing this, the servant who was leading them let out a snicker. *Ten thousand tales? You naive bumpkins, ten thousand tales is hardly enough to buy out our Ministers manor.* *Base martial artists.* Xu Qian kicked him on the buttocks, scolding Lead the way properly, running dog! The servant lowered his head, and hurriedly increased his pace. Talking about running dog, Xu Qian thought of the queen of the dance floor Princess Biaobiao. He wondered if she tried to provoke Princess Huaiqing today, only to be strung up and beaten by thetter. In the guest room he met the Minister of War Zhang Feng, a steady and serious man, with salt-and-pepper grey hair, and a thin goatee. He sat there silently, giving of an aura of stateliness, of one who has been in such a high position for such a long time. Greetings, Minister Sir. Xu Qian sped his hands. Zhang Feng nodded, From what the pce eunuchs have said, Master Xus case-solving speed is extraordinary, ability outstanding. Not only has the progress of the Sangpo case raced along, but the culprit behind the Massacre of Earl Pingyuans family has also been found. The Minister praises me too highly. Xu Qian felt that there was something hidden behind those words. You wish to ask if this official has some rtion to the culprit, thus suffering his revenge in the night? Minister Zhang asked. Indeed. Xu Qian didnt think that he would be so cooperative. Minister Zhang looked at Xu Qian without expression, before suddenly his expression darkened, his voice became intense, as he smacked the table and shouted This official also wants to know! This official also wants to know why so long after the Earl Pingyuan case, have the Nightwatchers still not caught the culprit? This official also wants to know why the Nightwatchers have time after time let the criminal go? *Ive just sat down and you want to put on a show of might* Xu Qian could only sp his fists together, replying, Please may the Minister sir be calm. Minister Zhang gathered his emotions, and sighed, Though today I did not attend court, but I still know of the eventsst night. I would not have thought that five high-ranked martial artists working together could still not capture the criminal, rather it was the four Gold Gongs who were hurt. This official can naturally see that the Nightwatchers are loyal and devoted to the crown. Its a shame that the Jianzheng is ill, and unable to act, making us all like scared birds, so scared until were scared to death. His expression had the seriousness of a superior, his voice was gentle, emphasising with his subordinates, making one involuntarily be impressed by him. Xu Qian also felt his impression of the Minister of War improve, but he quickly came to his senses. *You first put on a show of might, yet at the next you do a 180 and show sympathy and understanding, inadvertently making one feel a sense of camaraderie with you.* *A person who could y politics up to the second rank of officialdom is never a simple one.* Xu Qian coughed, clearing his throat, testing The criminal who massacred the Earl Pingyuans family is the same one that attacked your manorst night. He is a monk of Qinglong temple, with the name Henghui. Henghui? The Minister of War frowned, This official does not know such a person, or why he would attack this officials manor in the night. Given that hes a monk of Qinglong Temple, then why doesnt Sir Xu go and find the Qinglong Temples people, rather thaning to see this official? Henghui is merely a monk, and naturally would not be known to the Minister Sir. However, a year ago, he eloped with a female pilgrim, and there was no more sign of him. That female pilgrim was Princess Pingyang. Princess Pingyang? Zhang Fengs expression became shocked, as if not daring to believe, So Princess Pingyang had eloped. Xu Qian was observing him the whole time, wanting to glean his true thoughts from the minute expressions on his face, yet he was unsessful. There were no ws. After a few more questions, Xu Qian nned to change his target, Is Master Zhang, Zhang Yi here? Zhang Feng sent a servant to fetch him, and not long after, a sickly looking Zhang Yi with heavy bags around his eyes came into the room. *Your bags could almost rival Song Qings* Xu Qian asked Master Zhang, do you know a monk called Henghui? No. Zhang Yi shook his head. Then do you know one called Hengqing? No. Do you know Hengyuan? No. Do you know Pingyang? No As the words left his mouth Zhang Yi quickly realised what name he had said, You mean Princess Pingyang? Naturally I know her. *Youre clearly acting perfunctory* Xu Qian nodded, smiling, Ive asked all my questions. My thanks for Minister Zhang and Master Zhang for your cooperation. Leaving the ministers manor, Xu Qian turned and asked During the questioning earlier, what was true, what was false? The round-faced Chu Caiwei rolled her eyes, Not one word was true. Xu Qian was momentarily dazed, Who are you on about? Chu Caiwei pursed her lips, Both father and son oh, thest sentence was true, Mr kidney weakness does indeed know Princess Pingyang. *Zhang Feng speaking falsehoods with a straight face I can understand, but why would Zhang Yi also lie? Then theres only one possibility, that Zhang Yi had some involvement in Henghui and Princess Pingyangs elopement.* *Hypothetically, if Zhang Yi did not know anything, then Zhang Feng wouldnt have any reason to reveal such a secret to his son. Sometimes ignorance is the best protection, and with Zhang Yis image as a master of timekeeping clearly not very reliable, if I were Minister Zhang I would not reveal anything that could lead to the destruction of my House to someone so unreliable, even if it was my son.* *Whats interesting is, that night when Henghui killed the Earl Pingyuans youngest son, what he said was I came to seek revenge.* *This case is bing more and more convoluted, and also more and more interesting. I feel like Im close to the truth behind it mn, the truth behind the elopement of Henghui and Princess Pingyang. Once I get to the bottom of this matter, maybe I can continue investigating the Sangpo case.* Xu Qian was immediately roused. At the end of work, after running around all day, Xu Qian bade farewell to Chu Caiwei and Lyu Qing. After the two of them had left, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao in tacit cooperation came out of the side hall. The three of them tacitly climbed on their horses, and tacitly went to the Jiaofangsi. After so many days of high intensity case solving, Xu Qian felt he needed to rx a little bit, alleviate some of that stress on his spirit. After all sleeping was sleeping, whether it was at home or on Fuxiangs bed. Furthermore, Fuxiang had repeatedly sent people to tell him that she missed him dearly, and wanted to invite him to the Reflecting Plum Pavillion for tea. Given that thats the case, Xu Qian thought, hed better oblige. At this time the sun hadnt gone down yet, and the government offices was still in the evening rush hour. Thus there werent many guests in the Jiaofangsi, with few figures in the alleys. I want to sleep with the new maids. Song Tingfeng said. The new maids are not good value, their asking prices are somewhat high. Xu Qian piped up earnestly. New Maids in the Great Feng were the women who had not slept with a customer, and were not necessarily those who only sold their skills and not their bodies, but rather more like a form of hype and sensationalisation. The Jiaofangsi didnt only have adult women, but also many young girls, who were taught skills in song and dance, as well as skills in attending to men. Of these girls raised in the Jiaofangsi, if their skills and appearance were average, then they were relegated to the lowest level of dancers and singers. The prettier, more skilled ones became the new maids. When the new maids had gained enough fame, it would bring about a seafood auction that roused mens spirits. Its not worth it. Xu Qian tried to persuade him. Ive already said, a guy like me isnt suited to marrying and making a family, theres no point in me saving my silver. Song Tingfeng was very honest. Xu Qian wondered if this person had a phobia of marriage. I want to marry. Zhu Guangxiao said simply. But the price of drinking games in Fuxiangs courtyard was expensive, and this orian had a special rtionship with Xu Qian, so even if they stayed in the Reflecting Plum Pavilion, they would only be able to sleep with the maids. Old Guangxiao had some money now, and he wanted prettier women. The three of them parted ways, and Xu Qian entered the Jiaofangsi. --- [^1]: Just as a reminder, from lowest to highest the aptitude ranks go Ding Bing Yi Jia. Upper and lower are just above and below a rank. Chapter 143: Jiuyin Zhenjing[^1] Chapter 143: Jiuyin Zhenjing[^1] # 143. Jiuyin Zhenjing[^1] "Is this Young Master Xu?" Xu Qi''an heard someone calling his name behind him. *Holy crap, did I just get recognized by an acquaintance while visiting the brothel?* While cursing, he turned to the other side, before sighing in relief. Behind him was a handsome young man, wearing azure clothes, quite simr to that of the youth guarding the door of Reflecting Plum Pavilion. "Young Master Xu, our Miss Mingyan[^2] wishes to invite you to drink tea." The handsome young man said while presenting a ttering smile. *Mingyan...* Xu Qi''an tried to remember the name for some time when he knew who this Miss Mingyan was. She was also a Famous Oiran, famed for her dancing skills. She was on the same level as Fuxiang previously was in. Of course, the currently hyped Fuxiang wasn''t at the level she was at before. Of course, Fuxiang now was the most hyped Oiran, far beyond what she was before, riding atop all the other oirans at the Jiaofangsi. *Skilled in Dancing huh... as everyone knows, the effects of dance and yoga are the same!* Xu Qi''an eyes sparkled, and he said while smiling, "Lead the way." The handsome youth also smiled, and he led the way, bowing, "Pleasee with me, Master Xu. This way, this way please..." If Xu Qi''an were invited over, Miss Mingyan would be overjoyed, and not be stingy at all in rewarding him. But, If he returned empty-handed, he could not have avoided a scolding. At the entrance of the Reflecting Plum Pavilion, the gatekeeper that was just about to receive Xu Qi''an came out. Seeing the scene, his face changed colour. As he opened his mouth, intending to save Master Xu and scold the colleague who wanted to poach his game. After thinking about it though, he had an idea: *My status isn''t enough to intervene. Even if I do, I may earn Master Xu''s ire.* After gritting his teeth, he closed the door and hurried to get inside the courtyard. "Somethings happened, Elder Sisters!" He entered the wine room and shouted at the maid who was wiping the tables and taking cold dishes to the kitchen. The beautiful maid frowned and looked over, "You look panicked. What happened?" The little guard was very anxious, and poured over his concerns, "Young Master Xu was snatched away. Even more, he was snatched right outside the courtyard gate. He was invited over to Miss Mingyan''s courtyard." "What?" "That bitch! She dares to snatch our miss''s man?" The maids were all startled. The tall maid shook off the wet cloth in her hand, picked up the hem of her skirt, and rushed to the master bedroom as if she was about to report sensitive military information. ... Over in the master bedroom, Fuxiang waszily lying on her bed, wearing a plum blossom dress, as she held a book in her hand. She was simultaneously enjoying some jewel-red grapes, as well as reading a famous tale about gifted schrs and beautiful women. The fruit tter in front of her was filled with seasonal fruits, like grapes, sugarcane, bananas, and winter dates. Her maidservant was squatting by her bed, holding her delicate and fragrant feet as she massaged the acupoints in her soles. "Miss, You have been in a trancetely, as if you aren''t very happy. Are you thinking of Master Xu?" "What thoughts would I put into that rascal?" Fuxiang shook her head. "Why else would you have me go outside to ask if Young Master Xu was there every night we sample tea." Fuxiang frowned, and pointed to her fruit tter, "All the men in the world are of the same sort. They are like that sugarcane!" "Sugarcane?" "Sweet in the beginning. Sweet enough that it melts your heart and soul. As you eat it, You finally discover its true taste, as all thats left in your mouth is sawdust." Fuxiang curled her lips. Her dignified and gentle aura fell off, causing her face to appear more lively. The smilingly thought, *Even if it is sawdust, it was really sweet when it was sweet." Fuxiang, silent at the beginning, became chatty after the maidservant prodded along. Pursing her lips, she asked, "What do you think of my Darling Xu?" The maidservantughed cheekily and said, "He''s very powerful. Every night he works you until youre tired all over, so much so that you struggle to walk straight." Fuxiang blushed and lightly kicked the maidservant. She stared off with a flirtatious gaze, and said, "Don''t you think that he''s different from other men?" Jogging her memory, the maidservant agreed, "He is much gentler than other men, and he doesn''t arrogantly look down on us. But, when he stares at Miss''s chest, you find that he isn''t that purepared to the men outside." "All men are lustful." Fuxiang didn''t care about it and pinched a grape, which she stuffed into her mouth. She continued, "Recently, half a Qiyan poem, one rivalling that of *Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water; its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk*, has been circting in the Jiaofangsi. It is said to have originated from the pce." The maidservant nodded, "ording to the guests in our tea parties, It was made by a prince or princess during a drinking game. But, I haven''t heard of a prince having this level of poetic talent." At the time, a tall maid arrived in the room. She was slightly panting, and her eyes were anxious. She said, "Miss, Master Xu had just arrived at the Jiaofangsi..." After she said that, she paused for a moment to catch her breath. Humming, Fuxiang calmly said, "Let him wait outside with food and drinks." *This man... Hmmph. I haven''t seen you for ten days. You came over and called me honey when interested, and leave me in the cold when not interested!* *He''s just a man. I don''t have to worry about him.* The maid shook her head, as she spoke out, "Young Master Xu was snatched away by Miss Mingyan, and he has already arrived at her courtyard." "What?" In a whoosh Fuxiang hurriedly stood up, causingyers of waves to flow on her chest. Squeezing her willow-like eyebrows, She gritted her teeth and said, "Dress up. We are going to the Azure Pond Courtyard." ... In the elegantly furnished brocade hall, Xu Qi''an was admiring the figure of the dancing Oiran with a smile adorned his face. She was wearing a light yellow veil dress. Her dress was neither conservative nor gaudy. She had clear eyes and a pointed chin. Alongside that, A vigor unmatched by any other woman in the Jiaofangsi was contained in her body, probably a result of practicing dance all year round. Furthermore, though her figure wasn''t spicy hot, it was excellently proportioned. "I have been paying attention to Master Xu for a long time. It''s a pity that Master Xu has always graced the Reflecting Plum Pavilion whenever he visited the Jiaofangsi." Mingyan''s voice was soft, making her resentful words sound joking, even more so due to the smile in her mouth. "Today, I was finally able to seize this opportunity." Smiling, Xu Qi''an said, "I''m afraid of a beauty being abrupt.", However, his mind was fully focused on calctions. *This oiran is on the same level as Fuxiang. Fuxiang''s rate is about thirty taels a night. She should have simr rates, and I haven''t yet calcted the cost of drinks.* *I haven''t brought much silver today. But, I do have a lot of gold. However, gold can''t be used as currency.* The two chatted for a while when a maid hurried in, lowering her head, "Miss, Fuxiang is on the way, and I, we can''t stop her." Mingyan raised her eyebrows, and said with a smile, "It seems that Fuxiang has great affection for Young Master, and she regards him as her exclusively." Xu Qi''an raised his brows. This sentence looked like apliment, but it was Mingyan''s method of sowing discord. Being regarded as exclusive by a prostitute wasn''t a glorious matter for the men of this era. Heh, Bitches do have Bitch Qi... Xu Qi''an took a sip, he wasn''t troubled at this. If anything, is it not a normal sight for a ce like the Jiaofangsi to be overflowing with Bitch Qi? How could someone without some skills survive in that sort of ce? If we were to discuss the ce with the highest concentration of Bitch Qi, the emperor''s harem was the well-deserved industry leader. Just as he was thinking, Fuxiang arrived, apanied by her maidservant. The famous oiran was sullen. Her beautiful eyes shed with fierceness. Yet, her brows and eyes instantaneously turned gentle the moment she entered the room, and she said, her tone as pitiful as it could be: "I had heard that my darling hade to Jiaofangsi. So, I wanted to join in on the fun and serve you alongside Miss Mingyan." Her speaking skills were assuredly amazing. It sounded as if she hadn''te to Azure Pond Pavilion to inquire about a crime, but to serve together. Not only had she dered her sovereignty, but She had also defeated Oiran Mingyan and also pleased Xu Qi''an. Who wouldn''t want to be confessed by two famous oirans at the same time? Mingyan wore a warm smile, "How could I allow sister the bother of running over? I was just whispering some secrets to Master Xu I''m too embarrassed to say it now that sister is here." Pretending not to hear anything, Fuxiang lifted her skirt and sat elegantly beside Xu Qi''an. She carefully poured wine for him, picked up vegetables for him, and also tidied up his messy hair. "Is Darling busy with official dutiestely?" "Yeah." Seeing the famous oiran lean over, Xu Qi''an hugged her slender willow waist. "Then youe to the Reflecting Plum Pavilionter. I''ll rub your shoulders and massage your acupoints." Fuxiang softly said. Mingyan gritted her teeth. How much she wished that she could drive that bitch out using a broom. *Shes already gotten her chance, and became very famous, she should have been content with that.* *It doesn''t make any sense to tie a man to your side and not allow the other sisters in Jiaofangsi to not get a share of the pie.* The sound of hurried footsteps appeared again. It was still the maid who hade previously. Gazing at Xu Qi''an while holding a strange expression, she said in a low voice, "Miss, All the famous oirans are here..." "What?" Both Mingyan and Fuxiang eximed in surprise. Xu Qi''an''s ears twitched, and he heardughter, like the singing of orioles and swallows. After a while, a group of beautifully dressed, high-quality beauties entered the room one by one. Some of them appeared charming and ardent, Some were flirtatious and enthusiastic, Some were reserved likedies, and some had a sicklyplexion simr to sister Daiyu.[^3] All these styles, all gathered in these Seven famous oirans. In terms of figure or appearance, all of them could be considered top-notch beauties. "Hello, Master Xu!" Standing in a row, the famous oirans bowed their bodies and said in their melodious voice. Only five words could reflect Xu Qi''an''s imagination at the moment, *The Young Models Association*. Fuxiang and Mingyan were very furious about having to entertain the other famous oirans warmly with hypocrisy. The brocade hall didn''t have room for this many people, So Famous Oiran Mingyan invited everyone to the External Hall and arranged for her maids to serve delicious food and wine. The nine oirans chatted andughed amongst themselves at ease, as if they were actual sisters. But, they would look at Xu Qi''an from time to time, revealing that all this was simply a secretpetition among them. They were all greedy humans, and they were very greedy for Xu Qi''an''s body. But, None of that greed appeared in their actions as they maintained the style and demeanor expected from a famous oiran. However, Xu Qi''an could smell the traces of gunpowder, especially from Fuxiang. He could see her acting impatiently whenever he looked around. *What''s the matter? Do you all want topete for the Jiuyin Zhenjing?[^4]... Unfortunately, I don''t have a phone, or I could have shown this off in my WeChat Moments.* Xu Qi''an flirted whilempooning. A famous oiran proposed that they y a Drinking Game. Even after drinking for three rounds, Xu Qi''an''s performance was still mediocre, and no popr poems came out, disappointing the famous oirans who hade because of him. The Famous Oiran who had proposed to y the Drinking Game smiled and said, "Have you heard the half Qiyan poem, *Drunk, he knows not if the sky floats in the water; His dreamden boat sailing atop the Milky way.*" The oirans became active all of a sudden. The beauties began to speak, "What a beautiful verse, isn''t it?" Fuxiang smiled and said, "It is said to have spread from the pce." The talented Oiran nodded, "Do you know who wrote it?" The oiran''s eyes lit up, and they all looked at her, "And you know it, A''ya?" Xu Qi''an lowered his head as he continued to drink. The talented Famous Oiran shook her head, "I don''t know. But, I do know something else, which isn''t known to the Jiaofangsi" She paused deliberately and began drinking slowly. "Speak quickly." The other famous oirans urged her. Fuxiang''s attention was also attracted. Her eyes also sparkled, as the corners of her mouth unconsciously gathered to form a smile. Xu Qi''an had seen this kind of expression before. In his previous life, he had seen that sort of expression when his girlfriend and her friends discussed luxury bags. They had the same sort of attitude back then. A''ya was very satisfied with the other''s attitude and said while smiling, "This poem was made during a Drinking Game. The interesting thing is, the participants of the Drinking Game were all Princesses." "Was it the Eldest Princess?" The famous Oirans guessed. If anyone among the Imperial Children wrote the Qiyan poem, the talented Eldest Princess Huaiqing must have been the one to do so. "I don''t know about that." A''ya shook her head, and nced at Xu Qi''an, expressionden with Bitch Qi,ughing: "Although only half the poem was written, The level isparable to Master Xu''s Plum Praising Verse. But I feel that Master Xu''s poems are unique. That half poem seems to be from a sh of inspiration, and the creator shouldn''t be as talented as Master Xu." "Yes, Has Master Xu written a new worktely? I have admired your talent for a long time." The flirtatious and affectionate famous oiran winked. Xu Qi''an lightlyughed while sipping his wine, "I''ve run out of ideas recently, and haven''t created any new works. After all, I can''t write a new poem in a mere 3-4 days." The girls were disappointed hearing what he said. But, They just realized that there was a mistake in his words. *In 3-4 days? Wasn''t Young Master Xu''stest work "Plum Song" presented to Fuxiang, and the one before "Who in the world doesn''t know of you?" presented to Ziyang Jushi?* They obviously hadn''t heard of the encouraging learning poem. *The two poems had been around for quite some time and had been widely sung, but their poprity had dropped. Why would he say something about apse of 3-4 days... That means... He wrote a new work three or four days ago.* A''ya remembered the time the half Qiyan hade out from the pce. That was the day before yesterday. Some time should have passed before the poem got to the Jiaofangsi. After the calction, The times matched. Her beautiful eyes became wide open, and she tightened an embroidered handkerchief with her slender fingers. Simrly, Her delicate body trembled slightly with excitement, and she stared straight at Xu Qi''an, as her voice trembled, "Young Master Xu... Your newest work wouldn''t be..." Fuxiang was the one to react the quickest. She suddenly turned her head so her watery eyes could reflect Xu Qi''an''s appearance. She felt a kind of excitement and tension, one that had yet to erupt. The feeling was simr to the joy and anticipation of suddenly discovering something you like being by your side. The chatter andughter abruptly stopped, and the hall fell silent. The famous oirans, still bright, realized something and turned their heads one after another, castingplicated gazes toward Xu Qi''an. Their gazes were a mixture of anticipation, surprise, and shock. --- Trantors Note: So weve used Bitch Qi here quite a bit as a stand-in for the Chinese term , which means something like to act sweet and dumb in front of members of the opposite sex but to act all high and mighty in front of those of the same sex, in order to seek attention. Even if theres a more existing English ng that would fit Im keeping this if just for the quote Bitches do have bitch qi. Yan. [^1]: The Nine Yin Manual, a coveted martial arts manual in Jin Yongs *Legend of the condor heroes* series. [^2]: [^3]: Sister Daiyu: Referring to Lin Daiyu , a character from Cai Xueqin''s ssic *"Dream of the Red Chamber"* [^4]: The five most skilled martial art masterspete for the Nine Yin Manual atop Mt Hua. As the book was fought bitterly over by the Central Divine Wang Chongyang, the Eastern Heretic Huang Yaoshi, the Western Venom Ouyang Feng, the Northern Beggar Hong Qigong, and the Southern Emperor Duan Zhixing. since Condor Heroes is one of *the* legendary wuxias its extremely known about, probably worth a look. Chapter 145: Yang Qianhuan Chapter 145: Yang Qianhuan # 145. Yang Qianhuan The lively atmosphere ceased to be in an instant, and the famous oirans all began to restrain their smiles. Just a moment before, They were all loving sisters, and after they acted as if they were female soldiers about to enter the battlefield. Even then, they still looked flirtatious and charming. "Elder Sisters, Since Mr. Xu hase to my Azure Pond Courtyard today, I also hope that he rests here. I believe that sisters will also help me." Would the Famous Oirans help her? No way in hell! No sort of sisterhood existed in the Jiaofangsi. Even if it did exist, it would be purely stic. Having been promoted from an ordinary prostitute to a famous oiran, all of the famous oirans had gone through a lot. Their status was earned through a lot of sweat and hard work, along with their wisdom in handling rtionships, and their fighting spirit. Simrly, This spirit didn''t allow them to admit defeat that easily. Although the ce was an opportunity for Xu Qi''an, it was too dangerous for the oirans to remain there. Even a small release of qi could cause their death. And it is known that martial artists were straightforward battle maniacs, without any sort of fancy spells or techniques. *Well, Actually, I quite enjoy thispetition for the Jiuyin Zhenjing. I believe that the girls with a lot of spare tires felt the same way in my previous life.* Xu Qi''an coughed and gazed at the oirans. "Miss Mingyan''s kindness is hard to turn down. So, I''ll rest here tonight. Ladies, You should go back. I''ll visit youter, and I''ll keep my promises." A man''s words at the wine table were like their words in bed. As in, They couldn''t be believed. But the words had already been spoken. What else could they do? This sort of thing couldn''t be forced. Only Fuxiang looked as if she had some grievances, and she looked at Xu Qi''an, bearing a sad face, "Darling!" Although Xu Qi''an''s head was stubborn, his heart was still soft. He had wanted to bow his head to take a sip and ignore her. But, looking at her aggrieved look, He said in a gloomy tone, "Go back. I''lle to you tomorrow." After taking another look at him, Fuxiang covered her face and wept, walking out. The other famous oirans made themselves scarce one after another. Oiran Mingyan looked excited, stood up gracefully, and shyly said, "It''ste. Come along with me, Young Master Xu." In Miss Mingyan''s boudoir, a smokeless metal charcoal burner was heating the room, and sandalwood incense could be seen curling up. Compared with the elegant atmosphere of Fuxiang''s room, this room was better described as magnificent. The yaoguai maid saluted Xu Qi''an, and obediently said, "This servant will be serving you in the bath, young master." *You wish. I don''t dare to let you serve me.* Xu Qi''an shook his head, and nced at oiran Mingyan, "When I visited the Reflecting Plum Pavilion, Fuxiang served me in the bath." *Taking a bath together?* The famous oiran, Mingyan, hadn''t ever experienced this sort of thing. So, she was shy and embarrassed. After gritting her silver teeth, She softly said, "He''er, I''ll be serving young master Xu." After getting off the couple bath, Xu Qi''an put on his robe and white silk trousers, while his mind was cursing up a storm, *Song Tingfeng you motherfucker, Why the hell haven''t you arrived yet?* "What are you waiting for, Master Xu?" Mingyan was curled up under the nket, a bit unhappy. She was a woman, and it was inconvenient for her to say some words, otherwise, she would be thought of as a dissolute woman. But, she had never seen a man enter her room, wipe their knife for a quarter of an hour and drink tea for another quarter. The quilt had already been warmed, and she would fall asleep if he didn''te. "The night is still long. Don''t be in a hurry. I''m thinking of something." Xu Qi''an postured and spewed some bull. His peripheral vision was focused on the Yao maid. *I won''t move until the enemy does. Perchance, If the enemy moves, I''ll gift her a sh.* While he thought over this, Xu Qi''an suddenly felt dizzy, as if he hadn''t slept for three days, and his eyes felt heavy, as if they weighed thousands of catties. *Ive been poisoned*, He shuddered, and looked over at famous oiran Mingyan, only to discover that she had already fallen asleep and was currently motionless. "What are you waiting for, Master Xu?" A chuckle sounded. The maid, who seemed downcast before, seemed to be a different person. Her eyes were coquettish and licentious. She was staring right at him, her posture being quite aggressive. "Who are you? Why did you poison me? I don''t have any grudge against you. Poisoning and attacking others is a serious crime, a crime that leads to confiscation of family property." Xu Qi''an pretended to panic and said some words to test her. "Of course, I was waiting for Master Xu." The maid giggled, Making her already charming face appear to be even more bewitching. "Me?" Xu Qi''an asked, his head filled with doubt. He tried to run his qi, but the qi in his dantian felt as thick as honey, and he couldn''t move it at all. His limbs started to get heavy. *Damn, That bastard Song Tingfeng harmed me!* Due to his trust in the Nightwatchers, he chose to stay in the Jiaofangsi, waiting for an opportunity to capture the Yao woman. But, it seemed that Song Tingfeng had encountered some trouble. Otherwise, several round trips to and from the Nightwatcher Office and the Jiaofangsi could have been made during this time. There was no reason for him to take this long. "The night is still long, but Miss is already asleep. Let this servant take care of Young Master Xu in her stead." The maid walked slowly, taking off a piece of clothing every time she took a step. *She wants to fuck me!* Xu Qi''an was shocked at the situation. This wasnt some romantic affair. Having been a Nightwatcher for this long, He had umted a lot of experience and wisdom. He knew that Yao women were proficient at harvesting yang to replenish yin, and they were even more proficient at squeezing men into medicinal dregs. The fate of those medicinal dregs were also quite simple, an untimely death. *What had she poisoned? The Sandalwood? The liquor? I don''t know much about poison, this also isnt the main point The real thing is that she had already arranged a method to deal with me. I arrived at Jiaofangsi today based on a whim, and she doesn''t have any reason to know about my whims.* When the Yao girl approached a distance of three feet from Xu Qi''an, an intense light suddenly shot off from his eyes, calming down all his emotions. ng!! The ck gold long sabre came out of its sheath, causing a thin line of sabre qi to light up the room, fizzling out afterward. Not looking at the result, Xu Qi''an broke out with all his remaining strength. Running wildly, he mmed into the window. He wanted to make some noise, so an outsider would notice, and also to make the Yao girl wary of him. Xu Qi''an fell on the ground, as he had tripped over something. That something was a thick and long grey tail. It was fluffy and looked like a fox''s tail. Looking back, Xu Qi''an saw that the maid had disappeared, leaving a paper figurine, which was cut into two pieces. He felt a wet tongue licking his face. Xu Qi''an turned his head slowly, only to discover that the maid had appeared behind him without him knowing. Her pupils had turned amber, and she looked at him as she was looking at prey. She licked his face deftly with her tongue. "Such rich vitality. I couldn''t restrain myself after smelling your aura." She was telling the truth, because Xu Qi''an saw the change in her appearance. *This is the first time Ive loathed a woman* Xu Qians body was stiff, and a sense of danger made him greatly anxious. Half the power that had erupted before hade from his strength, while the other half came from the pill of great strength he had hid under his tongue. He had wanted to stab the Yao girl, but he had greatly underestimated the opponent. *How should I proceed now? I''ll certainly be killed if I yell.* *Should I start rolling as hard as I can? After all an immortal would find it hard to do a rolling person or should Iy a fragrant gold nugget to disgust her?* Smiling, the Yao girl stretched out her fingers to scratch Xu Qi''an''s silk pants. Just then, her expression suddenly changed, and she looked at a ce, and shouted, "Who is it?" "You don''t need to know my identity, for anyone who knows the name of this one is already dead." A ck shadow appeared in the room, with its back pointed to the two of them, dressed in robes as white as snow. The Yao girl let out a roar and gave off a fierce look at the man in white. She then threw herself towards the window decisively to escape. Boom! She hit an invisible air wall and bounced back. "How sad." The man in white shook his head, sighed, and said, his words filled with pity. Afterward, he snapped his fingers, and magical formations erupted from under his feet, moving to cover the Yao girl. An illusory chain stretched out from the formation, which then wrapped around the Yao girls wrists and ankles, and restrained her in ce. No matter how much she struggled, she couldn''t break free of the chain. "Keep her alive." Xu Qi''an was afraid that this overbearing expert would kill the Yao girl. The white-robed man stood with his hands behind his back, and said, "You are Xu Qi''an, right?" "That''s right." Xu Qi''an said, "And this senior would be..." "Sitianjian''s Yang Qianhuan. You should have heard of me." The white-robed man said. *I''m sorry. I''ve never heard of this man.* Xu Qi''an quickly said, "So it is you, Senior Yang. I''ve admired you for a long time." "Ehh!" The white-robed man cheered up, "Did junior sister Caiwei tell you about me, or that mad scientist Song Qing?" "All of them, all of them" Xu Qi''an made an educated guess that this senior was a certain disciple of the Jianzheng. "Were you notified by my colleagues, Senior?" "Those bronze gongs?" The white-robed man nodded, "Exactly, They notified the Sitianjian two incense sticks time ago, saying that a Yao was discovered here. I was outside the courtyard the entire time." *What the fuck? Why didn''t you act earlier?* Xu Qi''an opened his mouth in puzzlement. As if he had looked through his thoughts, the white-robed man hummed and said, "A real hero always makes an entrance at the end, Isn''t that right?" *I think something''s wrong with your head.* Xu Qi''an nodded, forcing a smile on his lips. Yang Qianhuan also nodded in satisfaction, and then said, his voice deep, "Ask whatever you want to ask." Xu Qi''an let off a breath, stood up tremblingly, and stared at the demon girl captured in the formation, "Are you a remnant of the Wanyao Kingdom, or a member of the northern Yao?" The Yao girl sneered but said nothing. The illusory chains were suddenly tightened, and electric arcs then swam along the body of the Yao girl. She screamed in pain, as her tender body convulsed. "Heh. I created this interrogation formation by myself. It can squeeze the body and the soul. I believe very few men or monsters could bear this pain." The white-robed man stood at a distance while putting his hands behind his back, and said calmly. The Yao girl''s amber pupils were filled with abject terror. "Wan, Wan... Wan Yao Kingdom. I''m a vixen from the Wanyao Kingdom." She said. "You were a perpetrator of the Sangpo case, right?" "Yes." "Is Henghui one of your aplices?" "Yes." "What''s your purpose?" "Blowing up the Sangpo and releasing whatever that''s inside." "What was inside Sangpo?" "I don''t know. I don''t know." Xu Qi''an nced at the white-robed man and saw he didn''t say anything. So, he believed the Yao girl, and continued to question, "I still have three questions." The first question: Since you have already released the sealed item, Why did you instigate Henghui to make trouble, to kill Count Pingyuan, and to attack the Minister of War''s mansion at night? Second question: Who are you working with? "Third question: Why were you targeting me?" The Yao girl hesitated for a moment before answering, I don''t know of the first two. I am only lurking within the capital and obeying orders. I don''t know anything else. "As for your matter. I had received an order long ago saying that I had to find a way to take Xu Qi''an''s life as soon as he entered the Jiaofangsi." The white-robed man didn''t speak. Xu Qi''an frowned, *So, the Yao hidden in Jiaofangsi is the Yao girl who was ordered to kill me. Was that because I was very close to the truth of the case? So, they nned to erase the threat from the root by removing me, didn''t they?* *At least I had some gains. Henghui will indeed be the breakthrough for the case."* "Thest question: Is Miss Mingyan an aplice?" The Yao girl sneered and said, "I do want to say yes..." An electric arc once again swam through her body, causing her face to change colour once again, after which she shook her head, "She doesn''t know anything." "Senior, I''m done asking questions." Xu Qi''an said. *Could this Yao girl be left to me as a merit?* He was about to articte the question when he heard the white-robed man say, "All right. This Yao girl is my merit. So, I''ll be taking her away." *What? Weren''t you an expert? This isnt how Id expect you to respond.* Xu Qi''an replied dully, "Well. Also, are any other monsters hiding here?" "When this venerable arrives, even mountains of swords and seas of fire will be a paradise." After posturing, Yang Qianhuan said, "The Jiaofangsi is very safe." Although he felt that the guy had some problems in his head, his strength didn''t have any problems. Xu Qi''an nodded, reassured. "You, Lower your head for a few breaths." Suddenly, Yang Qianhuan said. Xu Qi''an did as he said, dazed. After two breaths, he raised his head, only to discover that the white-robed man had disappeared. After checking that famous oiran Mingyan''s breathing and heartbeat didn''t have any problems, Xu Qi''an left the Azure Pond Courtyard carrying a question in his head, *Why did he want me to lower my head for two breaths?* Xu Qi''an dragged his exhausted body into Reflecting Plum Courtyard and was led to the master bedroom, where he saw Fuxiang, whose face was peach red due to crying. The miss was lying on the edge of the bed and had turned her body sideways, and her head was also facing outside. After looking at her, Xu Qi''an didn''t bother to exin anything and lifted the quilt to sleep. He didn''t want to stay at the Azure Pond Courtyard anymore, and he couldn''t go back home in the middle of the night. So, He could only rest in the Reflecting Plum Courtyard. Chapter 146: Eat you, Brother Chapter 146: Eat you, Brother # 146. Eat you, Brother The morning of the next day, Xu Qian awoke in high spirits. The person beside him had already gone, and all that was left in the brocade duvet was the remnants of a womans perfume. He propped himself up, his limbs feeling weak and sore, as if he had just ran a kilometre sprint the day before. *Ive overslept again however, I have a good excuse in beingte, I came to the Jiaofangsi to investigate.* Xu Qian sat up cross-legged and started deep breathing, slowly relieving the fatigue in his cells, returning his body as quickly as possible to its best possible state. He breathed through two microcosmic orbits, as some life came back to his aching muscles. Creak~ The bedroom door was pushed open, and Fuxiang with her dress pulling behind her, came in with her maidservant. Her jet-ck hair was tied tightly up, adorned with ornate jewellery. Her pale beautiful face was somewhat sallow. Her eyes were still somewhat red and swollen, her eyelids plump from crying. Master Xu is awake. She smiled lightly, wearing a distant and formal smile, Ive asked the kitchen to make you some duck broth. Put it over there, Xu Qian took toiletries from the maid, and quickly brushed his teeth and washed his face. Coming back to the table, he picked up the bowl, and whilst eating thought: *The Yao woman yesterday was from the Wanyao kingdom remnants, implying that this has nothing to do with the northern Yao the suspicion on the Zhenbei King is very light is the target of the Wanyao kingdom the sealed item, or something else?* The reason Xu Qian would think this way, is that if the target was indeed the sealed item, then the Yao kingdoms people would cash in and flee, rather than stay in the capital and cause more trouble. *Theres another possibility, that not only are the Yao after the sealed item, but theres a much greater plot, and the sealed item is just a means to an end.* The different leads of the Sangpo case had pretty much been uncovered. The main conspirators: One, traitors in the court; two, the remnants of the Wanyao kingdom. The target: Unknown. The sealed item: A powerful persons severed hand. Factors, people, and powers involved: The Wanyao Kingdom, The Earl Pingyuan, the Minister of War, the Sitianjian, the Crown, Princess Pingyang, the Monk Henghui, Baihu Zhou Chixiong of the Jinwu guard Points of interest: The handless powerful person, the monk Henghui, Princess Pingyang. *If I can find out the identity of the severed hand, then I can deduce what the true objective of the Wanyao kingdom is then, if I can capture one of Henghui or Princess Pingyang, then I can work back to find the true events* Xu Qian drank his broth, and sighed in satisfaction. Only then did he have time to tease Fuxiang: Are you angry? Fuxiangs smile was sweet, Master Xu should not make fun of your servant, your servant is just a prostitute girl, what right do I have to be angry with the Master? *Alright, Dear has now be Master Xu has it* Xu Qian nodded, stretching in a carefree manner, Prepare some hot water, I want a bath. Fuxiang nodded, smiling, and arranged a maid to bathe him. She herself led her personal maidservant out, to walk. Xu Qian had afortable hot bath. He tidily dressed, tied on his bronze gong, strapped on his sabre, and then thought for a moment, asking Could you prepare some ink and a brush for me. The small maid softly answered Yes sir. Madam, are you not being too cold to Master Xu? In the alleys of the Jiaofangsi, the maid asked. Fuxiangs gaze remained facing forward, as she shook her head slightly, her tone somewhat mournful, You dont understand. I once pleaded with him, if he could buy my freedom, yet he refused. The maid fell silent, and then tried to exin for Xu Qian, Master Xu probably has no silver. Madams contract at the low end would be three to four thousand taels of silver, and it might even have doubled. Fuxiang drew back her gaze, looking at the floor, Ive saved quite a lot of silver over these years, it is possible Sheughed bitterly, her expression mncholy, In his heart, Im no different to you. Before I didnt want to believe it, I tried to deceive others and deceive myself, but the events ofst night made me see myself properly. It was nought but wishful thinking; as flower petals fall into a stream with desire, yet the stream has no feelings for the flower. As she walked, unconsciously she came to the Azure Pond Courtyard, and a morous series of sounds caught her attention. Two men in Nightwatcher uniforms with Bronze Gongs, walked out with Mingyan in shackles. The old brothel keeper blindly followed their footsteps, her expression panicked, vigorously protesting: Officers, officers, this must be a mistake, it must be a mistake! The oiran Minyans face was full of terror, Mother, I was wronged, I was wronged! She knew these two silver gongs, they were the two that usually apanied Xu Qian in drinking games at the Reflecting Plum Pavilion. She remembered one was surnamed Song, the other that one was too silent, she couldnt remember. *Whats happened? Yesterday Mingyan was perfectly fine. Right, why did Master Xu suddenlye back to my Reflecting Plum Pavilion did Mingyan offend the master? And so she was set up?* She immediately discounted this thought; even though her heart was ashen towards this man, she still believed Xu Qian was not that type of person. Fuxiang frowned, and met the Nightwatchers, giving a full bow, My sirs, what crime has Madam Mingyanmitted? Song Tingfeng stopped, and replied with squinted smile, Madam Mingyan secretly conspired with the Yaoguai, and provided shelter. Last night through Sir Xus covert investigation, he found the female Yao that was hiding as her personal maidservant. The Yao woman has already been executed, we are now bringing her in for questioning. The brothel keeper beat her chest and stamped her feet, This is a false arrest! Mingyan is merely a weak woman, how could she have conspired with the Yaoguai? Do you know how much blood and sweat and silver went into raising and training her? Im going to report this to the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry will defend us! Zhu Guangxiao said solemnly, I now suspect that you are also in cahoots. The brothel keeper suddenly fell silent, her will to stay alive taking over and making her back away. Song Tingfeng squinted, before nodding towards Fuxiang, and leaving. Fuxiang stared in a daze at their backs, and started thinking *Mingyan conspiring with Yao? Master Xu covertly investigating?* *Last night he decided to stay at the Azure Pond Courtyard, not because he was enamoured with new people, but because he had official duties, yet I was just a pouting troublemaker.* *I saw hime backst night exhausted, I had thought that he and Mingyan Ive wronged him, and this morning I gave him such an attitude but why didnt he exin? Right, he couldnt exin, because this is official business of the constabry, case details must be kept secret.* *And yet even like this, though he knew he was being misunderstood, wronged, he didnt show a sliver of annoyance, silently taking it all* Fuxiang suddenly picked up her skirt hems, and sprinted towards the Reflecting Plum Pavilion. Madam, where are you going, slow down the maidservant was startled. As she flew back to the Reflecting Plum Pavilion, and rushed into the bedroom, Fuxiang shouted out My Dear The room was empty, he had already gone. At this moment, she felt as if she had lost something precious, as if she had lost a part of her heart. Madam, madam the maidservant caught up, and saw her Madam standing emptily by the doorway. Im tired, support me. Fuxiang said softly. The maid supported her onto the bed, and nced at her, sighing inside. She did not dare to disturb her, and so turned to tidy the room. She saw the pen, paper, and ink stone on the table by the screen divider, and let out a soft eh?. Walking over, she said: Madam, theres a poem here, perhaps Master Xu left it. Fuxiang immediately came to life, rushing barefoot to the tableside, snatching it from the maid as if she was snatching a precious jewel, and read: *A fair girl draws the blind aside. And sadly sits with drooping head; I see her burning tear-drops glide But know not why those tears are shed.*[^1] My dear, my dear She firstughed, and as sheughed andughed, teardrops began to fall like rain. She sagged towards the floor, clutching the paper to her heart, both crying andughing, like raindrops on pear blossoms. Im going to find him. Fuxiang wiped her tears, rising, and jogged towards the door. The maid was greatly shocked, as she clung onto her Madams waist, No no no, youre an oiran, the most famous oiran in the Jiaofangsi, if this were to get out, how will you continue on? All that fame that youve gained would all be gone. Theres never been another oiran without style like this. Fuxiang angrily shouted Let go of me! Absolutely not! Xu Qian bought sixrge meat buns at a street stall, and leisurely rode towards the constabry. *The oirans of the Jiaofangsi are all pretty good looking each have their allure, theres nothing beautiful that can be imagined mn, when the Sangpo case is finished, Ill go and exchange experiences one by one with them, and then publish a Guide to the Oirans of the Great Feng.* *The only issue is that I dont have that much money. Every day I can only pick up three cash of silver, and with the price of the Oirans it takes at least thirty taels to sleep one for a night.* *Thank you, nine years of mandatory education[^2] those poems werent for nothing. Heh, Im really a disgrace to transmigrators, they use literary talent to get high official jobs, and I freeload prostitutes* *Im nearly twenty now. At least Auntie isnt my mum, she wont bother with my marriage, I can decide for myself. Caiwei is a disciple of the Sitianjian, its too hard behind the scenes, almost like trying to marry a lesser princess, I wont be able to go out and y much more* *But lets not be hasty. A few more years of sleeping around, after all the Jiaofangsi has twenty-four oirans! Haha, Im thinking out of my arse anyway, as if the disciples of the Jianzheng even deign to look at me as a suitable partner.* Freeloader Xu mocked himself in his mind, his thoughts going all over the ce, finally returning to the ase. He was the one who had encouraged Song Tingfeng to arrest her. Even though he confirmedst night that she was innocent, he still had questions to ask, such as when did that maid enter the Jiaofangsi, who was she close with, what was her daily habits, etc. In a quiet courtyard, the willow trees trailed down branches like hair, all devoid of leaves and looking rather deste. Thumping and ttering came from within the house, as well as the pained grunts of a man a momentter, all activity stilled. Creak~ The door opened, and a ck-robed Henghui walked out,ing directly to the well in the courtyard. He stared into the deep well for a moment, before waving his hand. The well opening suddenly alit with a golden sauwastika[^3], before breaking . After the seal was removed, Henghui jumped in. In the dim well bottom, the mud gave off the light stench of stagnant water. A middle-aged monk sat with his back against the well wall, cross-legged in meditation. He looked dreary and deste, his lips were dry and cracked, as if he had been badly hurt. The middle-aged monk had a tall and sturdy build, with a light grey beard shadow, his face disying a great bitterness. If Xu Qian was here, he would immediately recognise this monk: someone that Xu Qian had been searching in worry for a long time; Hengyuan. Brother Henghuis voice was hoarse. Hengyuan ignored him; sitting silently. Ive been gravely hurt, the severed hand is biting back. Hengyuan opened his eyes, and said with concern, Henghui, look back and the shore is at hand.[^4] Henghui shook his head, Brother. At the age of six I came to Qinglong temple. Ive followed by your side, you taught me how to meditate, taught me the sacred texts, looked after me for food, bed, and clothing. You treated me like a blood brother, now I plead with you for one thing. Hengyuan sighed, and nodded. Henghui raised his head, showing a pair of eyes with no white. Heughed fiercely, I need to eat you, brother. --- [^1]: Yuan Qing Resentment, by the famous poet Li Bai. The trantion is taken from /kouyi/201509/397708.shtml). [^2]: Mandatory education in China starts at 6, and goes for 9 years, with 6 years primary, and 3 years junior high. This is followed optionally (but realistically always) by 3 years senior high and then higher education afterwards. [^3]: [^4]: Buddhist saying. Look back and repent (you can still be saved). Chapter 147: A Message from Jinlian Chapter 147: A Message from Jinlian # 147. A Message from Jinlian Under the ck cloak, those hands stretched out on their own, qi swirling in their palms whoosh! Hengyuan helplessly flew up, flying towards the whirlpool of death. In pain his eyes opened wide, his skin quickly drying, his blood flowing away, as his body began to visibly wither away. That familiar face reflected in his eyes, slowly withering away, slowly inching towards death Henghui, watching all of this, suddenly showed some expression on his ruthless face, his inky ck eyes no longer as cold and unyielding. Bang! Hengyuan was thrown aside, colliding heavily with the well wall. Henghuis left hand was mped over his right, as he grunted through gritted teeth, You will not kill him, you will not kill my Brother His face suddenly became cold and unfeeling, and his voice became enticing, Hengyuan is a warrior monk, his qi is flourishing, he would be perfect to heal your injury do you not want revenge, do you not want revenge? Immediately after, that cold expression disappeared, and pained struggle took its ce, No, you cant kill him! Hes my sect-brother! You can kill anyone in the world, why not him? You can kill anyone, just not him! Hes my Brother, hes the one I revere the most. How about Pingyang? Pingyang His expression became cold, then pained, then cold again, as if two personalities were fighting over his body. As they struggled, the veins on that thick right arm began to glow in red light, bing stronger and weaker, as if it were breathing. Henghuis main personality seemed to have been suppressed, as the coldness slowly took the upper hand. Henghui Hengyuans voice was tired, Do you remember that chant that your brother taught you before? *The Chant of calming minds* Henghui resisted the right arm that had gotten out of his control, and sat down slowly, his back to the well wall. He put his hands together, and started to mutter. A long timeter, he slowly calmed those evil desires, and the right arm stopped its agitation. Henghui opened his eyes, those eyes that still had no sign of white. In the darkness of the well bottom he stared at Hengyuan, his voice hoarse: Brother, didnt you want to know what I encountered a year ago? Well, Ill tell you. Whats the maids name? In the interrogation room, Xu Qian drank tea, looking at the oiran sitting anxiously opposite him. Heer Mingyan answered promptly. She constantly stole nces at Xu Qian, as well as the tightly shut door behind them. As an oiran of the Jiaofangsi, she had received her fair share of important guests, and knew what the Nightwatchers Constabry was like. Any officials who were put here, would lose ayer of skin if they did not outright die, and a weak woman like her, may be facing a fate worse than death. When did she start serving you. Xu Qians expression was serious. For- for three or four years. She looked at Xu Qian in fear, Around three and a half years, as for the exact time your servant cant remember. This young man sat there expressionless, an imposing aura naturally forming around him. She hardly dared to take breath, as a towering mountain of stress weighed on her heart. *How did he change so much? Last night he seemed fully like a hedonistic boy born with a silver spoon.* *Three and a half years afterwards Ill send someone to look that up, to see which women entered the Jiaofangsi at that ime.* Xu Qian nodded, Normally, who did she meet, or were close confidants with? Mingyan thought for a long time, simultaneously trying to remember, and giving out a long list of names. After asking a few more questions, Xu Qian looked at the clerk who was making notes, who nodded back. Thank you, Miss Mingyan, for your cooperation. You may leave. Eh? Fortune came like a tornado, and she was momentarily in disbelief. Ill take you back to the Jiaofangsi. Xu Qian rose, and made a please gesture. Oiran Mingyan anxiously followed him out of the room, and all the way to the constabry door. When she saw the horse-drawn carriage parked there, she finally felt a great weight lift, and knew that she would really be sent back to the Jiaofangsi, and not to be kept in the constabry to be She immediately recovered some of her past personality, giving a full bow, Thank you, Master Xu. Xu Qian stretched out a hand, and pinched those round, plump buttocks, Dont thank me with words, thank me with actions. *This man can change face faster than a woman can* Mingyan was somewhat embarrassed, and nced at the carriage. Xu Qians eyebrow raised, looking at the carriage and falling into thought. The horse drawn carriage stopped outside the alleys of the Jiaofangsi. The oiran stepped out, and said softly, If Sir Xu has time, pleasee to my Azure Pond Courtyard for tea. With pleasantries exchanged, she quickly turned and left, her steps very quick, her dress pping. She was somewhat scared of Xu Qian, naturally not because of his 24-carat gold hardness; nothing happened on the carriage. She was always apprehensive of those with hard to predict tempers. Xu Qian rode back to the constabry, and gathered the core members of his team for a meeting. Very quickly, the three Silver Gongs, Lyu Qing, as well as Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were summoned to the side hall by Xu Qian. I gather everyone knows what happenedst night in the Jiaofangsi. Xu Qian said. Everyone nodded their heads; they had all been told by Song Tingfeng. They also knew that in the end it was the Sitianjians disciples that acted and saved the day. As to why Song Tingfeng did not report back to the constabry, they all tacitly did not ask, because yesterday night, unfortunately, it was Gold Gong Zhu who was on duty. Lyu Qing stared at Xu Qian for a long time, to where his hair stood on end, and he asked with a frown, Constable Lyu, whats the matter? Lyu Qing pursed her small red lips, How did Sir know that there were Yao hiding in the Jiaofangsi? The other men gave understanding smiles, and only Li Yuchun maintained a stiff face, being out of tune with the others due to his insufficient lustfulness. Xu Qian replied with a straight face, When I was patrolling one night, I looked at the Jiaofangsi with qi-watching magic, and discovered Yao qi. Why did I not hear you report this? Li Yuchun asked nkly. At that time, I didnt know what green light stood for, after that because I gave that arsehole Zhu a de, and was put in jail for it, and then after Xu Qian shrugged. *After that you became my subordinate, even though we called each other by what we did, I didnt need to report to you any more.* Alright, theres things I need you all to do. Xu Qian took out a list of names from his robes and smacked them down on the table. Boss, you lead people to investigate the names on the list. They were close with the Yao woman. Furthermore, investigate for people who joined the Jiaofangsi four years ago, or any woman who suddenly got famous. Constable Lyu, you take a team to search house by house for Henghui, remember to take utmost care. After he had spoken, Xu Qian sat down again and drank some water, nning to go report the matter at the Jiaofangsi to Wei Yuan. That twinge in his heart came out of nowhere. He immediately left the side hall, and entered thetrine, whereupon he took out the Earth Book fragment. The Earth Book Group Chat, which had not had activity for a long time, finally came to life again. FIVE: Ivee to pay back my debt to THREE, mm, weve finished exploring the Abyss. Ive discovered a secret as big as the heavens themselves! Given that she had deliberately mentioned him, Xu Qian could not remain silent, and replied THREE: What secret? FIVE: How about you guys, have you decided to owe me one? TWO: Lets hear it then. FOUR: Heh, no problem. FIVE: Is ONE not here? ONE: Ok. After everyone had expressed themselves, number Five messaged: FIVE: The seven shaman tribes have worked as one, and ovee many difficulties, and after a life-and-death exploration, finally reached the abys THREE: Just get to the point. FIVE: we found the Confucian Sages statue in the abyss, hes watching into the abyss. *The Confucian Sage?* Everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society were shocked, and then could not help but think of Three. As a distinguished student of the Cloud Deer Academy, he may know something about this. But he probably wont say furthermore, they still hadnt returned any favours the amount they owed was just getting more and more FIVE: THREE, youre a student in the Cloud Deer Academy, you should know something about this, right? Everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society were very happy, Five asked well. *How would I know, Im also shocked* Xu Qian did not respond directly, adding Apart from the Sages statue, what else was there? Furthermore, could you describe in detail what the stages statue looks like. This was all useless talk without any substance, with the only goal to get more information. FIVE: Apart from the Gu god and various insects, the only thing in the abyss is the sages statute. Oh, Ive just remembered, the sages statue was cracked at the forehead, the elders in the tribe seem to be really worried. *The sages statues head is cracked the Shaman ns elders are really worried* Number Two suddenly had a thought, Say, might the Sages statue not be suppressing the Gu God? Otherwise, why would the sages statue appear in the Abyss? FOUR: We cannot discount this possibility, using statues, bronze models, and other bronze items as vectors for sealing formations is verymonly seen. The best example of this is in ancient times, when the human emperor cast nine cauldrons, to suppress the mountains and rivers of the Nine Provinces, gathering the fortunes of Humanity. ONE: That Sage statues forehead is starting to split, doesnt this imply that the seal is no longer as stable? Thus the Gu God is beginning to re-awaken. FOUR: This is a possibility. This topic quickly passed, as after all both the rank of the Gu God and the distance to the Southern Marches were all too far removed from everyone. Xu Qian sent another message ONE, recently you havent even asked me about the Sangpo cases status, have you got any leads from those ancient books? ONE: None. After this, One silently went back under the water. *ONEs reply isnt usual, earlier they were clearly very interested in the Sangpo case but after so may days, he (or she) hasnt even asked me once* Xu Qian continued to message, TWO, do you have any leads on where Zhou Chixiong is? TWO: Nope, Ill continue to keep an ear out. People mountain people sea, of course it was not so easy to find him. Xu Qian was both disappointed, but also felt that this was expected. After talking for a few more minutes, number Four and the others expressed their worry towards Sixs whereabouts, calling for Number Nine the Daoist Jinlian, yet he did not respond. * The weathers so good today, perhaps Jinlian Daozhang is up on some roof sunbathing.* Xu Qianmpooned, before suddenly seeing Jinlian stick his head out of the water, NINE: Three,e out and see me. Hm? Xu Qian stared nkly, before understanding him. He quickly put back his jade mirror, left thetrine, and quickly walked towards the constabry door. He looked around at the door, and saw on the street stood a ginger cat, its tail perked up high, quietly watching the Nightwatchers Constabry main door. Xu Qian naturally walked over, over to beside the cat, yet he did not look down at it, rather looking in all four directions. The ginger cat said solemnly, Ive found Six. Chapter 144: A Female Yaoguai Chapter 144: A Female Yaoguai # 144. A Female Yaoguai Xu Qian took a sip of wine, before putting down the cup, looking around at all the beautiful women. With a carefree and rxed tone, he said That day, I had apanied Princess Huaiqing to the banquet. I had a sudden inspiration and thusposed this half a Qiyan poem. His tone was calm and casual, as if it were merely a trivial matter, but the orians hearts thumped in their chests. *It is him* Aya, who had guessed the truth, had a sudden feeling of inevitability, as if any other author wouldve seemed wrong. The Great Fengs poetic talent was still as appalling as before, and if Huaiqing, who had never written a great work before, had suddenlyposed one it would be far out of the ordinary. Only that when they heard the news, no one could link it up to Xu Qian. Only when they heard his words, and thought of his status as a Nightwatcher, as well as his extraordinary poetic talent, did they make the guess. A bold guess, but it hit the mark. Currently in the Jiaofangsi no one knew who had written this poem, and there were countless outside curious as to the answer. Just this little bit of knowledge would make for the liveliest conversation. My Dear Fuxiang stared at him, full of emotion, her gaze overflowing with charm. To a lover of poetry like Fuxiang, this was more attractive than any a sweet word. As for other oirans, whilst they silently eximed at his poetic talent, another detail made their hearts beat even faster, something that was more important than the poem itself: He could enter the Imperial pce, and even attend a banquet with the princes and princesses. This meant that Xu Qian was a trusted aide of one of the princes or princesses, otherwise he would not have gone to the banquet in the first ce. He was worth much more than merely some poetry now. And his appearance was still rather handsome, and he was a Nightwatcher, with state authority in his hand of course, the oirans had seen their fair share of important officials and renowned nobles, and so the authority of a Nightwatcher was not much inparison. But if the Nightwatcher had talent that could look down upon a forest of schrs? If the Nightwatcher was valued by a royal prince or princess? All these halos added together, made serving him more attractive than any old, fat, high and mighty official. *We cant let Fuxiang take advantage of this too, we must win him over! Fuxiang is the most prominent oiran in the Jiaofangsi, if she got another poem, then us sisters will never have an opportunity for fame again* As they thought this, the oirans smiles became ever more earnest, each of them being coy with their words, their adoring gazes surrounding Xu Qian. Suddenly the aura in the room became fiery hot. After the drinking games were finished, under the influence of alcohol, the oirans boldly started ying finger games, each with their sleeves up, showing their shining pale lower arms, their delicate hands. Most importantly Xu Qian didnt mind, which gave them the courage. The sky slowly darkened, and more guests came to the Jiaofangsi, who quickly noticed a strange thing. Today nearly all the oirans were closed to customers, and were not ying drinking games. Some people in irritation went to find the brothel keeper, and the brothel keeper thought to herself *Are you trying to bloody revolt? Howre you going to earn silver if you dont take guest?* Then she sent someone to ask after them, and only then did she find out that the oirans had all gone to the Azure Pond Courtyard, eight in total that is to say, that in the Azure Pond Courtyard today were nine oirans in total. Whats the matter with this? From the sounds of it they seem to be very happy, are they serving an important person? How could they? During the official evaluation, who would dare indulge like this? Who would be dumb enough to present the dagger to their enemies? Perhaps theyre just ying around together. Why are you guessing, we can just go and ask. A guest knocked on the door to the courtyard. The gatekeeper, opening the door, was scared out of his skin by the sight beyond. Around the door of the Azure Pond Courtyard, were stood over a dozen guests. What are the madams doing in there? A young man with opulent robes tried to peek into the yard, asking sternly. Receiving a guest. The gatekeeper said. The guests outside all fell silent. After a few seconds, someone asked with a strange expression, Which which gentleman is inside if its inconvenient to say, then forget I asked. The gatekeeper thought for a moment. He knew that the guest inside was a Master Xu, and not some important figure as the people outside had presumed. He felt that there was no need to hide anything, thus truthfully said, Its not as the Sirs think, the guest inside is Master Xu. *Master Xu?* The crowd exchanged looks. Searching around in their heads for a moment, the guests failed to find any Master Xu. *Theres a noble or official named Xu in this court?* The young man who knocked on the door asked with a frown, Which Master Xu? Xu Qian, the Master Xu who wrote the poem for Fuxiang. The gatekeeper said. He had been rewarded three cash of silver by Master Xu, and was in high spirits, so he was happy to praise his name. *Him?* Rays of light shone from the eyes of the few schrs that were present. Lets wait here, perhaps we could get another legendary poetic work. As this was said, the people who were originally angry, or jealous, also calmed their emotions. Everyone present had status. Even if they were just a merchant, they also had a wishing to mingle with high culture. To be served by nine oirans, what bearing must he have! Not even any of the previous Zhuangyuans had such a treatment. A Zhuangyuan wouldnt dare to be so extravagantly indulgent. Ding! Ding! Ding! With a clear and crisp sound, several headless arrowsnded in the vase three *zhang* away with expert precision. Xu Qian, blindfolded and facing the other way, took off the blindfold, and with argeugh pulled the two oirans Aya and Mingyan closer, crazily slobbering over their faces. After he was done, Xu Qian pped the two on the buttocks, You lost the bet, you pay the price, drink, drink! The two oirans turned their waists, showing a feigned kittenish anger, at the same time dutifully drinking their wine. Ah lets not y more, its so boring being unbeatable. Xu Qian pushed aside the two oirans, Wait here young misses, Im gonna go out a moment, when I get back we can battle another three hundred rounds. He rubbed his stomach, indicating that he needed to go to the toilet. The oirans behind him all called, Master official, return quickly! Leaving the room, and closing the door, the fiercely cold winter wind came rushing in. Xu Qians pompous expression faded, as he lightly let out a long breath. He looked around, and seeing that no one had noticed him, he lightly leapt onto the courtyard wall, tearing out a sheet of qi-watching technique, lighting it with his qi. Whoosh~~ He raised his head to the sky, as two bursts of bright light shout from his eyes, cutting the night, before fading, the bright clear light swimming around in his pupils. Xu Qian had another reason foring to the Jiaofangsi, that was to use qi-watching at close range, and find that Yao aura. Henghui had appeared, andmitted massacre twice in the inner city. If someone were to say that there were no Yaoguai lurking in the city, he would not believe them. *Henghui is clearly a de for the Yao, theyre using him to achieve some sort of goal. The Yao race went to so much trouble to free that sealed item, they would never just let Henghui do as he wished if it were me, I would always keep eyes on Henghuist time I saw Yao qi at the Jiaofangsi, if it was just a one-off, then whatever, but if it isnt, then the Jiaofangsi is very likely to be one of the ces where they are lurking.* The clear qi swirled around in his eyes, as he leisurely scanned over every single corner, seeing all colours of qi, but nothing out of the ordinary. Finally, heid his gaze on the Azure Pond Courtyard right in front of him, into the room where the oirans were. A wisp of emerald-green Yao qi, rose in spirals like smoke. *Fuck* Xu Qian nearly couldnt resist swearing out loud. His blood ran cold, as his back erupted in cold sweat. *The Yao is in the room?* *It was just drinking wine with me?* He had a chilling feeling of being in a horror story, where the main character finds a ce to stay the night deep in the wilderness, where he is given a warm wee, only to wake up the next morning to find that he is in a graveyard. Which one is the Yaoguai one of the oirans, or one of the maids? It cant be Fuxiang right, Ive slept with her so many times, she cant be a Yao plus that day when I was looking for Yao aura, Id already looked at her. Xu Qian silently jumped down from the wall, tiptoeing towards the tea room. The door was not closed tightly, and he peeked in through the graph. He saw the woman that was giving off the Yao qi: it was not one of the oirans, but rather one of oiran Mingyans maidservants. *Its her* Xu Qian instantly began to think, why was it whenst time he brought Song Tingfeng and the others on an outing together, did he not see the Yao aura? *That night did she use some method to hide her qi what motive does she have for hiding next to Mingyan mn, Mingyan may not be innocent, perhaps shes in cahoots with the Yao thinking about this, as soon as I entered the Jiaofangsi she sent people to ask after me, might not be for any simple reasons.* Xu Qian immediately made up his mind. Again he vaulted over the wall, leaving the Courtyard and making his way straight to where Song Tingfeng was. Earlier when he was qi-watching, he mentally noted Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiaos whereabouts. As he leapt onto the surrounding wall, he ignored the maids shocked questions, bursting into the room, before hearing through the bedroom door Old Song busy in exchanging essence through dual cultivation. The sounds from the room suddenly stopped, followed by Song Tingfengs cautious voice, Who is it? Its me, Xu Qian banged on the door, Come out, its serious. Song Tingfeng cursed, before he heard the rustling of clothes. A momentter, he came out scruffily clothed. Old Song, go immediately to the constabry, and notify the Gold Gong on duty toe personally to the Jiaofangsi. Tell him that there is a Yaoguai in the Azure Pond Courtyard. Xu Qian made a long story short, Remember, you must get a Gold Gong over. I dont really understand qi-watching, and cant tell their power. There are also nine oirans in the courtyard, theyre all like sheep and are powerless to protect themselves. Oh right, if the one on duty is surnamed Zhu, then go instead to the Sitianjian and find Song Qing. He didnt say any more; he believed that as long as Song Tingfeng reported the situation as it was told, with the experience of a Gold Gong he would know what to do. Song Tingfengs expression became more and more serious, the earlier feeling of annoyancepletely evaporating. He returned and grabbed his sabre, his bronze gong, simultaneously tying on his gong, and rushing out of the yard. Xu Qian quickly returned to the Azure Pond Courtyard, a frivolous smile forming on his face, as with an expression like he was high on life pushed open the door,uhging, Ivee back, my beauties! Out of the corner of his eye he nced at the female Yao, who was head lowered, pouring her Madam more wine, before moving his gaze. Without knowing her ability, he did not dare make a move himself. To allow her to escape would not be the end of the world, but he did not want to see innocent oirans get hurt. Later he ate what he should eat, drank what he should drank, and touched where he should touch. Xu Qian and the oirans yed drinking games after drinking games, throwing dice and pitching pots, full of happiness. Whose buttocks were the roundest, whose breasts were the softest, whose waist was the thinnest, who was made of water he became intimately familiar. But Xu Qian was not happy, rather he was somewhat anxious. Waiting and waiting, an hour had passed, and Song Tingfeng had not yet returned. Just now, the female Yao raised her head, ncing at Xu Qian, saying softly, The night is dark, Madams should probably not return toote. Will Master Xu be staying tonight with our Miss? Chapter 148: Story (I) Chapter 148: Story (I) # 148. Story (I) You found him? Xu Qian could not resist eximing, turning his head in excitement to look directly at the ginger cat. The ginger cat looked cautiously towards the Nightwatchers Constabry, and said Not long ago, I sensed Sixs Earth Book fragment but when I wasing over to find you, the connection between the fragments broke again. Then Six Xu Qians expression turned. The ginger cat shook his head, I dont know details, but what I guessed before was correct; hes been sealed up, and just then because of some reason, the seal was broken. The ginger cat paused, and did not c ontinue. Why would the seal be broken? There were two main possibilities: Six was moved, or Six was no more. Quickly, go find Wei Yuan. the ginger cat rushed him. A cats face did not have expression, and so it was hard to see, but from his tone of voice Xu Qian could tell the anxiety concealed within. *Even if Daozhang is a LYB, he still cares a lot about the Heaven and Earth Society members this is good for me, if in the future Ie into trouble I can ask him for help* Xu Qian nodded, Ill go immediately. He quickly ran back into the constabry. When his figure had disappeared, the ginger cat snorted lightly, thinking: *What on earth is Luo Yuheng thinking? From then until now she still hasnt done anything. With her cultivation and age, her fate shouldnt have arrived yet, so theres no reason not to act.* *On one hand she wants to be the National Teacher, on the other hand not wanting to dual-cultivate with the Emperor, I dont know what on earth shes thinking. Ai, lets save Six first, if he hasnt died yet.* As he thought, Jinlian Daozhang heard a cats cry. Turning his head, he saw arge grey cat walk over, walking circles around him, sniffing here and there. Jinlian Daozhang stopped caring about him, continuing to think his thoughts. Suddenly, the big grey cat came to behind him, and then mounted on top *Hm?* Jinlian Daozhang was startled at first, before suddenly realising what was going on. A huge anger welled up, as he turned to give the grey cat a beating. Xu Qian sprinted inside the Tower of Noble Spirit, not wasting time waiting for the clerk to send a message. As he ran he showed his golden token, and shouted to the guards, Incredibly urgent! Away! Coming to the seventh floor, he saw Wei Yuan standing by the balcony, and as he entered Wei Yuan immediately asked What is it. Duke Wei, I may have knowledge of Henghui. Xu Qian immediately got to the point. How did you find him? Not long ago Jinlian Daozhang of the Heaven and Earth Society used the connection between Earth Book fragments to track down where Number Six is. Xu Qian said, Number Six is Henghuis sect brother, a monk of Qinglong temple, with the dharma name Hengyuan. When searching for his sect brothers tracks, he suddenly disappeared. I suspect that he was sealed up by Henghui or the Yao. Thus implying, where Six was, Henghui or the Yao race were also likely to be. No matter which case was true, this would still be a highly important matter. Wei Yuan nodded, and came back to the tea room, picking up a pen and quickly writing a letter, before stamping a jade seal on it, Take this order and go see Yang Yan, make him gather all the Gold Gongs, to gather in fifteen minutes before the constabry door. As for everything else, thats not your issue. Jinlian Daozhang is right outside the entrance, we need him to lead the way Xu Qian said in a low voice. I know. Wei Yuan said. I have another problem, Xu Qian hesitated, Henghui is in the inner city. If a battle were to start, then it would be hard for somemon people to get injured. To conduct arge-scale investigation of the areas residents would be immediately found out. The formations of the Sitianjian were mysterious, but if they could not be put down beforehand, then they might as well not exist. This is unavoidable, Wei Yuan stared at him, saying, Ive also been intending to talk to you about this. I also loathe those who are callous with human lives, but sometimes we need to know when to let go. Henghui is rted to the Sangpo case, rted to the sealed item, rted to the scheming of the Yao race. If we have an opportunity, then we should catch him at all costs, or kill him. Never win small and lose big, because of a sudden welling of morality. That will only cause worse issuester down the line. Ive read the dossier on the murder of Earl Pingyuans family, that sealed item likes to consume blood and qi to strengthen itself. Henghui hasnt killed again yet, but that does not mean he will always beying low. With the sealed items strength, if it were to wantonly consume human blood, then it would cause even greater harm and destruction. *Wei Yuan is warning me not to make the same mistake asst time about attacking Silver Gong Zhu, he never said anything on the surface, but he didnt necessarily approve of my actions hes a schemer, and Im a policeman, even if Im fond of cating the big sisters in the Jiaofangsi mn, this isnt depravity, this is giving them business.* As his thoughts whirred, he sped his hands together, Yes sir. Xu Qian took the order letter, and left. He immediately went to find Yang Yan, and saw this stiff faced Gold Gong in front of his Divine Spear Hall. Meeting his questioning gaze, he handed over Wei Yuans letter. Yang Yan finished reading it, and his stiff carved face showed some amount of graveness, Whats happened? Why is father summoning all of the Gold Gongs? Weve found a ce that may be where Henghui is hiding. Xu Qian replied. Yang Yans gaze suddenly became sharp. He rose, reached out, and the silver spear on the wooden stand flew to his hand with a whoosh. Gold Gong Yang Xu Qian called, asking curiously, If there are no Gold Gongs guarding the constabry, wont Duke Weis safety be at risk? I dont know. Yang Yan shook his head. *You dont know?* Xu Qian looked at him nkly, before hearing him exin: Nobody knows how many people are protecting Father, or how powerful they are. *Guard details are secret? So you never know what is true and what is not Wei Yuan really is a crafty old schemer.* Very quickly, all the Gold Gongs present were gathered, and assembled in the front hall of the constabry. At the same time, thirty Silver Gongs were summoned, with no bronze gongs. If an altercation were to happen, then sending bronze gongs would be sending cannon fodder. Xu Qian ran outside the Nightwatchers Constabry, looking left and right, and beside a wonton stall some ways away, he saw the ginger cat. Jinlian Daozhang,e,e Xu Qian waved his hand. The ginger cat did not pay one bit of attention to him, its attention focused entirely on the great pot, smelling the fragrance floating out from within. *Whats up with Jinlian Daozhang, is he hungry?* Xu Qian stared nkly, before hearing a familiar voicee from behind him, Im here. Turning his head, he saw a big grey cat standing behind him, looking back at him. Why did you change cats? Xu Qian asked. That was a female cat the big grey cat exined tersely, as if he didnt want to talk about it further, and changed the topic: Whats Wei Yuans attitude on me being with your people? Duke Wei is willing to work with you. The grey cat nodded, and lightly hopped onto Xu Qians shoulder,ughing lighting in his year, Duke Wei your reverence towards Azure Cloak Wei is far deeper than towards Emperor Yuanjing. So far, I havent seen any ws in his character that would cause me to dislike him. Xu Qian walked and talked quietly, Six is temporarily living in the Welfare home in the eastern city, that ce is tattered beyond toleration. The court keeps dying on its funding, and the children and elderly there can hardly eat any more. When I told Duke Wei of Sixs circumstances, not only did he did not move to take Six, but rather arranged the owed funding to be payed. Yet the welfare home is not in the jurisdiction of the Nightwatchers. Heh, so you did reveal information from our Heaven and Earth Society to Wei Yuan. Jinlian Daozhang had a halfughing tone. *This* Xu Qians expression stiffened, feeling the shame of being called out for being a mole by the boss in broad daylight, but he quickly recovered, shrugging, I gain Duke Weis trust to gain for information, to better our Heaven and Earth Societys intelligence systems. To reveal a little is still beneficial why has Daozhang stopped talking? You are too shameless, I dont want to speak. The grey cat sneered, youre quite suited to an official career. But Wei Yuan said Im not suited to officialdom. Even though youre shameless, you still have a bottom line, and so will easily end up with the short end of the stick. Jinlian Daozhangmented. Ive suddenly thought of something. When the National Teacher saw me, she also detected something special about me. She asked me for my birthdate and horoscope, yet she couldnt conclude anything specific. Xu Qian said helplessly. The cat thought for a moment, asking What do you think? Xu Qian thought for a moment: Something special look over there [Look at this chaptersments][^1] Jinlian: Xu Qian rode on his mare, clip-clopping at the front. Behind him followed a group of gold and silver gongs. The big grey cat sat on his shoulder, giving directions. After walking for two sticks incense time, it suddenly said: Stop, ahead is its that courtyard, the Earth Book fragments aura ising from that courtyard. Xu Qian pulled on the reins, as the gold and silver gongs behind him made the same action, therge contingent stopping at once. He made a gesture behind him, and pointed towards the small courtyard house in front. The ten Gold Gongs exchanged nces, and in synchrony disappeared from their horses backs, their figures appearing all around the small house, blocking all avenues of escape. The Silver Gongs made arger circle around them. Xu Qian waited quietly for a while, and after not seeing the Gold Gongs move, looked back towards the courtyard with a frown. *Whats wrong? Has he escaped?* He jumped on the roof of the neighbouring house, managing to see into the courtyard from this angle. The courtyard wasnt big, two willow trees were growing within it. In the courtyard were sat two monks. One had his hands together in prayer, chanting quietly. The other was d in ck, head lowered, making not a sound. It was the two sect-brothers Henghui and Hengyuan. *What happened?* Xu Qian looked at the grey cat on his shoulder, seeing that it also had confusion in its eyes. Lets go over and see, the cat with its little head, had great confusion, and urged Xu Qian on. At this time, he saw Yang Yan with his spear advancing closer. Youvee a step toote, he has already gone to Sukhavati, thend of paradise. Hengyuans voice was empty, without joy or anguish, yet an indescribable grief was contained within. *Hes dead?* This result caught Xu Qian off guard. Instinctively he suspected some kind of trap, that this was an illusion, to buy time. Yang Yan flipped down Henghuis hood with his spear. Below was a grey face, eyes closed, without any sign of life. Yang Yan nodded lightly towards the other Gold Gongs, confirming that Henghui was already dead. Between my death and his own, he chose thetter, and had his life consumed by the demon hand. Hengyuan deeply intoned a Buddhist chant. Yang Yan, look at his right arm. Jiang Lyuzhong said solemnly. Yang Yan shook his spear, as his qi tore apart the ck cloak. Empty space appeared where Henghuis right arm was meant to be; that demon arm was nowhere to be found. *Its gone* Xu Qians pupils contracted, as he cautiously looked left and right, feeing that the area was no longer safe, and hid an untold number of dangers. The Silver Gongs who witnessed this all did the same, as they all drew their des, cautiously looking at the passers-by around. Its already gone Hengyuan said deeply, I remained here to wait for you all. *Six is convinced that we woulde? Right, Jinlian Daozhang could sense his Earth Book fragment, so he waited* Xu Qian had a realisation. Monk, what do you want to say? Nangong Qianrou put his hand on his sabre, not letting down his guard. He did not give up his revenge, but rather handed responsibility to me. Hengyuan said quietly, I want to tell everyone a story, a story that happened a year ago. --- [^1]: Yes, the author *literally* wrote this. So I guess, join the discord,ment away what you think. Chapter 149: Story (II) Chapter 149: Story (II) # 149. Story (II) *A story that happened a year ago...* Xu Qi''an''s mood transformed from one of disappointment to that of excitement. Without a doubt, this story that Hengyuan wanted to say would be the story of Henghui and Princess Pingyang. Whatever that had happened to them was the key to unravelling the Sangpo case. So far, the Yao had yet to show up in the capital, only Henghui using the sealed item was making waves here. This would make anyone think, what did the Wanyao Kingdom want exactly? Sabotage? Yet there had been just a single case of a family extermination, that of Count Pingyuan''s House. It had a great impact but didn''t cause much damage. Henghui could have gone on a killing spree and bathed the capital in blood yet he hadn''t done that. The sealed Item? If their motive had been the sealed item, Henghui would have left the capital long ago. *The case of Henghui and Princess Pingyang, had already upstaged the Sangpo case I have a feeling that the ones behind the scenes deliberately exposed Henghui* Yang Yan aimed his spear, emitting a burst of qi that shredded the sleeves of monk Hengyuan. His arms may have been muscr, but they weren''t in any way demonic. "Henghui is indeed dead. He had died a year ago. All that remained was merely a living corpse, a zombie. Now, he has been liberated. This is no conspiracy." Looking at his junior brothers body, dark clouds gathered in Hengyuan''s eyes. After a short while, the dark clouds in Hengyuans eyes subsided, giving rise to a torrential rain carrying the past. ... Henghui had been sent to the Qinglong Temple by his parents when he was six. He was a spirited child back then, and was immediately spotted by Abbot Monk Panshu and epted as his apprentice. Henghui was fully enlightened under the care of his senior brother, monk Hengyuan. The burly senior brother, with a bitter past and deep hatred, was the one who taught him to read and write, who taught him to meditate and chant the scriptures and also taught him the principles of life. He respected and loved this senior brother as a father. In a blink of an eye, many years passed, the clever and spirited little monk had grown into a handsome monk, with a simrly handsome countenance. He initially believed that he would spend his fleeting life under the light of the Buddha, just like his master and senior brother. Until one day, when he met a girl... That day was a sunny spring day. He was washing clothes in a stream when he saw a handkerchief falling floating down it. When he picked it up subconsciously, a clear voice, gentle like a bird, reached his ears. "Master, that''s my handkerchief. Can you return it to me?" Henghui raised his head and saw a slender elegant woman standing on the bluestone pavement upstream. She was wearing a long lotus-pink dress. her long hair wasbed, like the hair of an unmarried young woman. Although her face looked in, it glowed under the sunlight, revealing a beauty anyone would love. "Miss... Are you a pilgrim in the temple?" "Why, Are you not going to return my handkerchief if I''m not a pilgrim?" She pinched her waist and acted flirtatiously. "No, no. I just felt that miss was unfamiliar." After exining, he offered the handkerchief to her with both hands. "Hmmph. You only know to bow your head and chant scriptures every day, and don''t put us, pilgrims, in your eyes at all." "How would you know, Miss?" "Because I''ve been following you for a long time." On a bright spring, near a gurgling stream, thus their first meeting went. Continuing, the acquaintance and friendship of the two was something to be expected. Whenever Henghui meditated, the young girl would be by his side, either reading forbidden story books or simply fanning her fan gently as she stared at Henghui''s focused face in a daze. She would asionally tickle him with dog tail grass, making him unable to concentrate on meditation. This annoyed the young master a lot. So, He would angrily say, "If you continue like this. This monk will leave once and for all." Just after that, She would stick out the tip of her tongue, and apologise half-heartedly. Now and then, they went on a trip to the mountains together. The scenery of White Phoenix Mountain was beautiful. In spring, the mountain and fields were filled with flowers. When she smiled in these flowery bushes, the source of the beauty was undetermined, unknown if it was the beauty of man or the beauty of nature. Gradually, rumours about their rtionship began to spread among the monks of Qinglong Temple. It was said that he wasn''t pure, that he had broken the precept of lust, and that he was a lewd monk. So, Master Panshu asked him three questions in front of the sculpture of the Buddha, Whether he was still devout to the Buddha; Whether he was interested in that woman; and whether he wanted to return to the mortal world. He said, firmly that he was still devout to the Buddha; that he didn''t have any intentions on the woman; and that he wasn''t interested in the mortal world. For this matter, the abbot only requested one thing of him: He was not to exchange a single word with that woman again. As to the reason why he was the one prohibited from speaking to her instead of her being forbidden from entering the temple, Henghuiter found that the abbot had actually wished to do so. But, he couldn''t do it. She was Princess Pingyang, the daughter of King Yu. From that day on, Henghui no longer paid any attention to her. He would close his eyes and meditate whenever she neared, indifferent to her teasing and pranks. Every day, She would arrive filled with hope and expectation, and every day, she would leave with greater disappointment and loneliness. "Monk, Is this flower beautiful? I think it matches me very well." "..." "Monk, do you want to listen to my Qin? I specially brought it from home today." "..." "Monk, I''m feeling uneasy. Don''t you care about me?" "..." "Monk, Do you have to insist on this solitude?" "..." Then, She finally stoppeding. She didn''t set foot in Qinglong Temple for a month andpletely withdrew from his life. It was as if she had never existed. *I can continue to apany the Buddha, and no one will disturb me anymore...* He was relieved, feeling as if his sincerity had touched the Buddha. But, She came again one day. She looked devastated, and her face was thin, looking equally haggard. "Monk, I''m about to get married." For some reason, his prayer beads fell to the ground. At the time, King Yu was at a critical point in his career. He was then serving as the Minister of War and was expected to enter the Cab with the support of the Aristocratic Bloc. It wasn''t an umon matter for people from an Aristocratic n to be the Prime Minster in this dynasty. There had been five such examples in the 600-year history of the country. The weakening Aristocratic Bloc believed that the rise of King Yu would reverse their fortunes. So, their hope continued pushing him forward on this path. King Yu, on the cusp of this storm, arranged a marriage for Princess Pingyang. It wasn''t merely to find a good home for his daughter, It was also to gain more support for himself through marriage. "Monk, Are you willing to elope with me?" "...I am." Henghui agreed. He finally realized his true intentions and chose to face the truth. They then began to n for their elopement. Princess Pingyang was always apanied by guards when she went out of her home. If she disappeared for more than half an hour, the guards would search the mountains, and a message would be sent to King Yu''s mansion. Therefore, they required a Magical Item capable of shielding their aura if they wanted to elope sessfully, as they required it to hide from the hunt by the Arcanists from the Sitianjian. In the end, they also required a channel for new identification documents and their exit from the capital. For this matter, Princess Pingyang asked for the help of a trustworthy friend, hoping that he would help them. ... "Count Pingyuan''s son... that friend is Count Pingyuan''s son" Xu Qi''an said, interrupting Hengyuan''s narration. Everything suddenly became clear. Count Pingyuan controlled a Brokerage Organization, which was surely proficient in forging identities and smuggling people to and from the capital. It was also reasonable for Princess Pingyang to know of Count Pingyuan''s capabilities, even if she didn''t know of the exact nature of his business. King Yu had said that Count Pingyuan had been consorting with the Official Bloc, and was drifting from the Aristocratic Bloc. So, Count Pingyuan definitely had the motive to assassinate Princess Pingyang. *Thister led to the extermination at Count Pingyuan''s mansion... Still, I wonder about the role of the Minister of War in the incident...* Xu Qi''an looked at Six, and then continued in his head, *You thought they were abducted because you knew they had been in contact with a Brokerage Organization, didn''t you?* However, he didn''t dare speak in front of the watchful eyes of everyone present. After hearing Xu Qi''an''s analysis, several Gold Gongs looked at Hengyuan with a questioning tone. "Yes." Hengyuan lightly nodded, "Poor Princess Pingyang was pure minded and didn''t recognize theplex situation of the imperial court, let alone recognize the viciousness hidden in the human heart. A girl with no worldly experience and a monk who only knew to recite scriptures and praise the Buddha. This tragedy was doomed from the moment they decided to elope together." "At that time, Count Pingyuan had long since decided to break ties with the Aristocratic Bloc. After he learned of this matter from his son, He immediately discussed it along with Zhang Feng, the Deputy Minister of War, and Sun Mingzhong, the Minister of Revenue, and made a n to send Princess Pingyang away from the capital, thereby destroying King Yu''s n to gain status." "Where''s Princess Pingyang now, then?" Jiang Lyuzhong asked, his voice deep. Seeming to have not heard him, Hengyuan continued, "People''s hearts are as poisonous as snakes and scorpions. After sending the couple off from the capital, Count Pingyuan''s son, along with the children of Minister Sun Mingzhong and Minister Zhang Feng, tried to assault Princess Pingyang in the way." "Both of them tried to resist. They resisted desperately. In the end, one was killed and the othermitted suicide by swallowing her hairpin. To cover up their crime, the group buried the bodies of Princess Pingyang and Monk Henghui in the barren hills, together with the magical artefact that could shield their aura." The outside world only knew that Princess Pingyang had disappeared without rhyme or reason. Even if they tracked her to Qinglong Temple, It would only be thought that the two had eloped. Who would have thought that they had died a year ago? *Princess Pingyang is dead...* The Gold Gongs silently looked at each other. Their faces grew scarily serious. Princess Pingyang was the daughter of King Yu and the niece of Emperor Yuanjing. The murder of a princess was a serious crime, one that leads to three familial exterminations. Nangong Qianrou clutched his sabre handle, squinting, "How did Henghui appear here a yearter if he''s already dead?" That was also the doubt upying everyone''s head. A person couldn''t be resurrected like amp being reignited after being extinguished. "He is dead," Hengyuan said something no one understood. "He had died a year ago. However, his body was reanimated by someone using a secret technique to seal his primordial spirit within his body. This turned him into a zombie. All that supported him in the year was vengeance, revenge for Princess Pingyang." "If you don''t believe me, you could take his body to the Nightwatcher Office to be examined by a coroner." "Who reanimated his body?" A Gold Gong asked. Hengyuan shook his head. The Gold Gong looked around at Yang Yan and the others, before he asked, "Where''s the body of Princess Pingyang? Take us there." After pausing for a while, he ordered the surrounding Silver Gongs, "Send Henghui''s body back to the office." Several Gold Gongs escorted Hengyuan away from the small courtyard and gave him a horse. Afterward, the group grandly left the city. Xu Qi''an rode along, his heart still heavy. After being speechless for a while, He whispered, "Is that Hengyuan? Is it possible that he''s possessed or manipted?" The grey cat lying on his shoulderzily replied, "It is Hengyuan. Although I can''t do much. I still have my own methods to recognize people." "Is Henghui really dead?" Xu Qi''an still couldn''t believe it. "His life or death isn''t really relevant to the case." The grey cat whispered, "He is merely a puppet. As the Demonic Hand has gone, his life and death were no longer important to the one behind the scenes. You should be happy for the case to be solved than be sad that the case was easier to solve than you thought." "I can''t be happy, actually. Princess Pingyang and Henghui were quite pitiful." Xu Qi''an''s lips twitched, revealing a smile that wasn''tpletely a smile upying his face. Sighing, He changed the subject, "There''s still something wrong with Henghui''s case. It seems as if the one behind the scenes deliberately pushed it to the fore." ... At the border of Taikang and Changle County, on a certain barren hill, Hengyuan looked around as he trekked, as if he was searching for something. The search was inefficient and slow. He had told the Gold Gongs that Henghui had only told him the general location. He had been told that Princess Pingyang was buried in the shadow of an old locust tree, one whose trunk was as wide as three people. The Gold and Silver Gongs formed an encirclement around Hengyuan, guarding him at the centre, and preventing his escape. After half an hour, they finally found the old locust tree. The three silver gongs cut down the bushes and weeds near the locust tree and then used their sabres as shovels to dig up the ground. After they dug around for a while, the ck soil revealed some bones. "Sir, I found the body." A Silver Gong excitedly shouted. "Dig it out!" Nangong Qianrou said, his voice heavy. Princess Pingyang''s bones were finally exposed to everyone''s eyes. She had finally reappeared after a year. The flesh and blood had already rotted away, leaving just white bones with tattered cloth attached to them, which should have been the clothes she was wearing before her death. Additionally, a gold hairpin of a dull colour was found between the throat and the chest of the corpse. As Hengyuan had said, she hadmitted suicide by swallowing a hairpin. "Amituofo!" Hengyuan couldn''t bear to look anymore and closed his eyes to recite the Buddha''s name. "There''s no way to prove this corpse belongs to Princess Pingyang without any other details." Jiang Lyuzhong frowned. "It''s normal." While the Gold Gongs pondered, Xu Qi''an walked under the locust tree and said, Princess Pingyang had eloped with her lover. So, she should have disguised herself, and didn''t bring along valuables with her that would draw attention from others. "Let''s put the body in a coffin first, bring it to the office. We''ll then send someone to King Yu''s mansion. Maybe King Yu will recognise the gold hairpin." After the bones were transferred to a coffin, everyone walked outside the hills. Jiang Lyuzhong patted Xu Qi''an on the shoulder, "Good Job!" Yang Yan, who didn''t like talking, also nodded slightly, and said, "You are the one with the most merit for this case. Even if the Sangpo case isn''t solved at the end, His Majesty will likely absolve you of the crime for this merit." Xu Qi''an was about to speak when he felt as if a knife was cutting into his back. He didn''t need to turn his head to know that the knife-like gaze hade from Gold Gong Zhu. Chapter 151: Two Secret Letters Chapter 151: Two Secret Letters # 151. Two Secret Letters At dusk, Wei Yuan finally arrived back from the pce. The wide and opulent carriage entered the constabry, and Wei Yuan exited with the small stepping stool. Xu Qian came over close, and said quietly Duke Wei The azure cloak with whitening hair gave him a nce, replying whilst walking, King Yu wrote a blood letter, using the Earl Pingyuan, the Chief Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Revenues, and the Minister of War, using them of conspiracy in the murder of a royal. Xu Qian had known of King Yus actions from Huaiqing, and nodding, Has His Majesty sent this case to the three departments? No! Wei Yuan shook his head, His Majestys anger was no less than that of King Yu, and immediately wrote a royalmand, asking the Jianzheng to enter the pce and stand face-to-face with the three of them. At that time there were also many of the court present. What was the result? Xu Qian already knew the result, but he still needed to ask. Wei Yuan sighed, Conspiracy in the murder of a royal, three familial exterminations. The letter confirming the verdict will arrive tomorrow morning by thetest. The Liang clique is finished. *Three familial exterminations* Xu Qians expression turned slightly. Three referred to the execution of the n of the mother, the n of the father, and the n of the spouse. It could be considered one of the most extreme punishments possible, being second only to nine familial exterminations.[^1] Aye, tomorrow it seems heads will roll. Xu Qian sighed with him, not knowing whether to p his hands in happiness, or to pity those innocent kin who were caught up in this. Even though the Earl Pingyuans mouse had been destroyed, butpared to three familial exterminations, at the very least over a hundred more people would be executed. Anyone within three degrees of kin to Earl Pingyuan would be condemned. The same applied for the other two. The Liang Clique? Xu Qian asked in confusion. Wei Yuan nodded, When King Yu retreated from the battlefield of political power, the Liang Clique was the biggest benefactor of this. It is headed by the Minister of War Zhang Feng and the Ministry of Revenues Chief Supervising Secretary Sun Mingzhong. Earl Pingyuan joined the Liang Cliquest year. Duke Wei, then- then my situation Xu Qian said quietly. The Liang Clique of court was far too removed from him, Xu Qian did not care too much. He was more worried about his own small life. Dont rush, His Majesty is still boiling over in anger. If you mention this at this time, itll probably have the opposite effect. *Thats reasonable* Xu Qian nodded, and bade farewell to Wei Yuan. In thest remaining light of dusk, he headed back towards home. Dusk, in a room somewhere. A pale white hand held a brush, writing on the letter paper: --- *My Respected Master,* *The Sangpo Case hase to a close. The Minster of Rites once said that working with us is like trying to persuade a tiger for its skin. Heh, his eyes are sharp.* *A year ago I identally witnessed Princess Pingyang and the monk Henghuis fate. Henghui had died, yet had not settled, as resentment thickened his soul. I made him into a puppet and kept him by my side.* *I told you about this, and you said that the opportunity hade. The year of Official Evaluation, would be the opening act of our great undertaking, that had been nned for five hundred years.* *Please forgive my insolence, but I am not optimistic. The Sitianjians Jianzheng, the Sect leader of the Human sect, all belong to the few powerful characters upon this earth.* *But when this matter started, for some reason the two tacitly did not act, choosing to watch from the sidelines I want to praise you again, Master, your intellect is unparalleled.* *Emperor Yuanjings attitude to this case is not particrly vigorous, otherwise he would not have assigned a Bronze Gong as the lead investigator, this was all within your expectations.* *But that Bronze Gong is really powerful, his senses are sharp.* *In the process of investigation, your descent was found out by him. He came three times to the Jiaofangsi to watch for Yao qi. May I be so presumptuous as to ask, was that deliberate?* *Furthermore, the other Nightwatchers were also covertly investigating.* *I had no alternative but to push Huiji under the cart. I know shes your n, please forgive me for taking action without orders.* *Do not worry, the item has already been given to someone who ought to get it.* *I apologise greatly, all the leads of the tax silver case have broken several times Ive interacted with Zhou Li, and he really is a hedonistic rich yboy with a minor amount of intellect, and not at all familiar with his fathers ns.* *Hereto, I need to report four things to Master:* *One: As the tax silver was being escorted, Deputy Minister Zhou had multiple opportunities to act. That would have been much safer, yet he chose to steal the 150,000 taels of silver in the capital.* *This does make one puzzled; Deputy Minster Zhou is a clever man, yet he yed a massive blunder, I feel there must be a reason behind this.* *And just conveniently, on the way to exile Deputy Minister Zhou identally perished, thus theres no one left to give me answers.* *Two: from this information, in these twenty years the amount of silver Deputy Minister Zhou had embezzled would be over two million taels, yet when his house was raided, the court only found a few thousand.* *Where did all this silver go?* *Three: from my secret investigation of the Sitianjian, I found that the youngest disciple of the Jianzheng is called Chu Caiwei, a very beautiful and very interesting woman. Of course, she could never beparable to Masters beauty and stature.* *What I want to say is, the Sitianjians arcanists call her youngest sister, or sixth sister. However the Jianzheng only has five disciples.* *Four: The Warlocks killed Magistrate Zhao of Taikang County, the one who discovered that saltpetre mine.* *Yes, the Warlock Churchs warlocks have their hands in this. Furthermore, they could have used more delicate, and more subtle ways of silencing him, yet they chose to kill him in his dreams.* *Its not hard to see that they are trying to mislead the court, to throw dirty water on the Zhenbei King, and chip away at the rtionship between him and Emperor Yuanjing.* *Finally, theres a small matter that embarrasses me to talk about. Im in love with a man, a man I shouldnt love. I plead for Masters sympathy, to make me a new body.* * Your forever loyal servant.* --- *Respected Sir,* *The tax silver case ns have failed. I will take the responsibility. The death of Deputy Minister Zhou is fully due to his own stupidity. His son, thinking himself as clever, caused the whole n toe crumbling down.* *As you expected, the Wanyao Kingdoms ns have seeded. They have released the item sealed under Sangpo Lake.* *In this letter I will describe in detail the intelligence I have received in the past year.* *Around a year ago, the conflict between the nobles and the civil servants became white-hot. King Yu represented the nobles power, and under tacit agreement by Emperor Yuanjing, became the Minister of War. He was only a step away from entering the cab.* *During this, his daughter Princess Pingyang fell in love with a monk of Qinglong Temple. The two of them decided to elope, and asked the Earl Pingyuans eldest son to help* *Because they coveted Princess Pingyangs beauty, the three rich boys nned to rape her, and then silence them both. However they met strong resistance, and Princess Pingyangmitted suicide by swallowing her hairpin* *The spy that the Wanyao Kingdom had ced in the capital identally witnessed this. She used a corpse Gu to make Henghui into an undead puppet, and with this secret, put him in hiding.* *A new round of official evaluation came to the capital, as the cliques and parties fought in the open and behind closed doors, getting more and more violent. I cant help but admit, Emperor Yuanjing is a frightening emperor, his emperors heart is as strong as steel.* *But hes not a good emperor. All he values is power and long life.* *With this secret in hand, the Wanyao Kingdom spy secretly started searching for partners to work with in the capital. Finally, she set her sights on the Minister of Rites, and the power he belongs to.* *Because conveniently a that time, a saltpetre mine was discovered in Great Yellow Mountain in Taikang County, this was exactly what the Wanyao Kingdom remnants wanted.* *No one in this world can sneak into Sangpo Lake and blow up the Temple Eternally Suppressing Mountains and Rivers under the eyes of the Jianzheng and Human Sect Leader, but gunpowder would help them achieve their goal.* *And the force behind the Minister of Rites has long wanted to solely rule court, and ovee all other cliques and parties. The Liang clique, as a stumbling stone in their path, naturally was on their list of people to clear out.* *Both sides came together immediately, reached an agreement. The Minister of Rites would help the Wanyao Kingdom remnants to blow up the Temple Eternally Suppressing Mountains and Rivers, and release the item sealed within.* *Before the Wanyao Kingdom pushed Henghui onto the stage, they lead the Nightwatchers to investigate the disappearance of Princess Pingyang.* *To remove suspicion on himself, the Minister of Rites used his insider, the Jinwu Guard Baihu Zhou Chixiong, to smuggle gunpowder into the Imperial city, and to bury it under the temple. At the same time he killed nine civil servants of the High Court, the Ministry of Rites, and the Pce, to obscure the truth, and mislead the lead investigator of the three offices.* *He even wanted to use the gunpowder to implicate the Qi cliques Minister of Industry. Shame then that he underestimated the Bronze Gong Xu Qian.* *The Jinwu guard Baihu Zhou Chixiong deliberately killed lieutenant Liu Han, to raise the notice of the Nightwatchers and Prefecture constabries. In the ensuing investigation, he used a qi-blocking magic item to deceive them, to draw their attention to Qinglong temple, so that they could find the case of Henghuis elopement, and thus follow the vine to the party conflict a year ago.* *This piece was yed incredibly well, your servant reckons its not something a mere Baihu could have done. Without a doubt, it was that Yao Queens daughter personally putting down the pieces.* *The events generally unfolded as mentioned. Your servant only has two points which he has not figured out:* *One: Your servant has spent blood and tears, yet he has not found out what kind of artefact is the thing sealed under Sangpo Lake. But one thing can be sure, it is intimately linked to the Buddhist Sect. The reason why the Wanyao Kingdom wanted to release it is unclear.* *Two: The Jianzhengs attitude is imprable. If he were to talk about the reason why Emperor Yuanjing lifted the city curfew, your servant would still be able to say one or two things, but as to the Jianzhengs thoughts your servant cannot see thorough them at all.* *Clearly he has done nothing, yet your servant feels that everything is still under his control, within his grasp.* * End.* --- Xu Qian came home, ate dinner, and told Second Uncle about the progress in the Sangpo Case, as well as the true story behind the disappearance of Princess Pingyang. Uncle Xu listened in a daze, forgetting even to eat, as he muttered, These schrs are really evil after evil, even though this old mans chopped a few heads, butpared to them, I might as well be the most honest man. Ningyan, remember in the future to hold your mouth around a schr, if you can move your sabre then dont hesitate, otherwise youll never know when youll fall into their trap. Xu Qian nodded, umming and ahhing, thinking *have you forgotten you have a schr for a son?* He finished eating, and yed with Xu Lingyin for a while, talked with Xu Lingyue a while, before nning to return to his own little courtyard. Ahem, Auntie artificially cleared her throat, looking away, saying Ive arranged for your clothes to be made. Afterwards Lingyue will bring them to you. If they dont fit well I dont care. If you want to wear them wear them. Huh? Did the sun rise in the west this morning? Xu Qian stared outside in shock. Auntie gritted her teeth, only squeezing one word out between her red lips: GO! Xu Qian immediately left for his own ce. The moment he opened the door, he suddenly felt a lurch in his heart, not the palpitation that the Earth Book fragments notification gave, but rather the type where his hair stood on end, and his back erupted in cold sweat. As Xu Qian stiffly turned his head, seeing a red severed arm lying quietly on his bed. His scalp tingled, adrenaline surged, as the cold sweat started dropping in beads. Chapter 152: The Monkey and the Secret Keeper Chapter 152: The Monkey and the Secret Keeper # 152. The Monkey and the Secret Keeper The dark-red skinned handy silently on his bed, thick grey-blue veins protruding beneath its skin. Xu Qian felt as if he had just finished watching *A Wicked Ghost*[^1] in his living room, before returning to his bedroom afraid and wanting to sleep, and opening the door only to find Chu Renmei[^2] standing by his bed, staring at him with sinister, empty eyes. The fear in his heart exploded, and every fibre of his being was telling him: Run, Run, RUN! Just then, he saw the index finger of the severed hand move slightly. *Thud* as it tapped the bedsheets. The next moment, the air became viscous, and Xu Qian felt as if he was an old cow that had fallen into mud; even though he had a powerful build, he could barely make a step. The five fingers on the severed hand twitched. Then, using its fingers as feet, it climbed up off the bed, and crawled towards Xu Qian. The horror of this scene, was like that right out of a horror movie. Xu Qian couldnt move a muscle, his eyes rolling, looking with despair at the hand climbing over his feet, climbing up along his trousers, going up and up *It wants to possess me, just like it possessed Henghui why? Why did it pick me, Im just a regr ordinary Bronze Gong* Xu Qians thoughts shed by in fright, as the severed hand climbed over his chest, still going up. And then, the thumb and index finger pried open Xu Qians small mouth. Xu Qian could not fight back. His eyes became wide, his expression one of dread. His mouth was stretched wide open, as the severed hand violently thrust itself into him, its fingers pulling its way deeper into his throat. The corners of his mouth split, as blood dripped like rain. How could a mans mouth fit an entire hand? Not to mention a throat, but the severed hand seemed to exactly have that idea. Very quickly, the severed hand entered his throat, as Xu Qians esophagus slowly bulged up, clearly showing the shape of fingers within. This process was very quick, because the severed hand didnt consider Xu Qians tolerance in the slightest, like another creature, as it brusquely and quickly passed through Xu Qians mouth and throat. The moment it entered his body proper, Xu Qian cried out in pain, as his consciousness shattered into countless pieces. After a long, long haze, he finally saw a temple. There was no Buddha statue in the temple, and a young monk sat on the prayer mat within. Xu Qian tried his best to look clearly at the young monks appearance, but it was as if his face was covered with mist, and no matter how hard Xu Qian tried, he could not see clearly. *Why have Ie here am I dead? Am I going to the Land of Paradise in the west? But thats impossible, Im not a Buddhist, all the Buddha would do would be to m the door on my head, and then kick me out of Paradise* Xu Qian thought mockingly, before hearing the young monks warm voice: This small monk wishes to borrow the benefactors body, to nurture his severed arm, if the benefactor does not mind. *Hes that demon hand?* Xu Qian felt bewildered, as he tested, What if I do mind? The young monk sat silently, ignoring him. Xu Qian said sternly, Who are you? Why were you sealed under Sangpo Lake? This small monks name is Shenshu[^3], but why was I under Sangpo? Where did Ie from? At the start he was calm, but slowly, along with each question, he began to lose control of his feelings. The peaceful tranquility disappeared, as the entire space around them shook, as an indescribable, terrifying aura emanated from his body. That aura was like the aura of Hell, making Xu Qians hair stand on end, and his heart thump violently. *This familiar aura* At this moment, Xu Qian could confirm that the young monk was indeed the severed hand. This small monk lost control The young monk calmed himself, as that aura that made men tremble was restrained. With a kindly voice, he said: My soul is broken, thus I cannot remember much of the past. I only know my dharma name, yet I do not know from whence I came, nor what happened before. As he spoke, a helpless despair could be heard on his voice, as if he wanted dearly to know, yet was powerless to do so. *A broken soul? Because youre only one severed arm? Mm, if the body is not whole, then the soul is not whole. This makes sense Monk, youre in a bad spot* Xu Qian tested out again, Master, I may know something, but I do not know if it is of use to you. The young monks aura suddenly trembled, as from behind the mist, his eyes stared zingly at Xu Qian. The formation that sealed you in, was built with the help of the Royal Family of Feng, the Sitianjian, as well as the western Buddhist House. You should thus be of the Buddhist sect, and maye from the Western Realms. As he spoke, he naturally began thinking: *The severed hands master is a monk, and the three powers that sealed him were the Great Fengs Royal Family, the Buddhists of the Western Realms, and the Sitianjian from the reactions of the Qinglong Temple monks, the Buddhists clearly are more worried about the sealed item wait!* Xu Qians eyes suddenly lit up, as he thought through a few details of the Sangpo Case: The third day the Temple Eternally Suppressing Mountains and Rivers was destroyed, Wei Yuan told him, that Emperor Yuanjing dropped the curfew. On the second day, the old man Jianzheng pretended to be ill, and watched from the sidelines. After getting confirmation from him that the severed hand had reappeared, Abbot Panshu of Qinglong temple immediately set out west. From these details, he could deduce that the Buddhists were the main orchestrators of the seal under Sangpo. The young monk that was sealed there, almost definitely came from the Western Buddhist Sect. *No wonder, no wonder Emperor Yuanjing opened the curfew. No wonder the Jianzheng pretended to be ill they were clearly taking a not my problem attitude.* Xu Qian in hindsight understood the Jianzheng and Emperor Yuanjings attitudes. Immediately, he remembered another detail: Wei Yuan had emphasised, that he ignore the sealed item, and only worry about finding moles in court. Wei Yuan most likely also knew about the severed hands identity, at least he knew that it came from the Buddhist House. *No wonder the high levels of the Capital did not care much for it, and put all their effort into rooting out spies every one of them are LYBs!* *Thank goodness Im quick-witted, investigating through a lieutenants homicide case to Baihu Zhou using a qi-concealing magic item, to Qinglong Temple, peeling thisyer byyer.* At this time, the young monk sighed, This poor monk wants to ask the benefactor for a favour. Master, I am just a Refining Qi martial artist. Xu Qian wanted to decline tactfully. Wei Yuan had said, that the rank of the sealed item would at least be Second Rank, if not First Rank. A small ant like him had no hope of inserting himself into a conflict of this level. Furthermore, Xu Qian had not forgotten the reason why Jinlian Daozhang built the Heaven and Earth Society: to cancel the Earth Sects second rank Sect Leader. *Only barely easier than me bing Emperor and if because of you I get caught up in the gratitudes and grudges of the Buddhists, then Id be better off usurping the throne* Xu Qian thought. The young monk ignored him, continuing to speak, Help this poor monk, find back his memories In this, this poor monk will help the benefactor. *Help me?* Xu Qian thought back to the sight of the four Gold Gongs covered in bandages, as he became tempted. If he had the sealed item along with him, it would be like having an extra ace up his sleeve. In this world, where Imperial and Divine authority is absolute, he would better be able to protect himself. At least he wouldnt have to worry about his house being raided, his family killed, as anyone that dared touch a hair on his family members, he would smash their brains out. Furthermore, when Zhou Chixiong is caught, he would almost certainly get promoted or a raise, thus his own influence would increase. However, before he answered the monk, there were two things he needed rifying. Master, do you need to constantly consume qi and blood? Xu Qian tried his best to use neutral wording. As long as I am in your body, I will not need any outside blood to supplement. Of course, if you want to use my power, then I will need blood to nurture me, ideally from cultivators. *Thus to say, normally if youre in my body everythings fine, but if you need to work, then I need to feed you* Xu Qian nodded, this equal exchange agreed with his principles. Why, did you pick me? Xu Qian asked. Someone brought me here, the young monk said, Because we are the same kind of person. Xu Qian hastily asked, What same kind of person? Master, please enlighten this junior. The young monk said, My instinct feels this way, I cant remember much more. *You cant remember* Xu Qians mouth twitched, Who brought you here? The young monk conjured up an image. In the image, a figure in a ck cloak and hood solemnly opened a brocade pouch, and ced the severed hand inside. From their figure, from the round, full breasts, the plump buttocks, they were female. On the brocade pouch was embroidered an animal, with a figure like a fox, full of liveliness, white tails fanning out like a peacock behind it. *A fox, tails fanning out the Nine-Tailed Fox? Mm, from the confession of that fox in the Jiaofangsi, the Wanyao Kingdom remnants were conspirators in the Sangpo case and the Wanyao Kingdomste Queen was a nine-tailed fox hss, the Wanyao Kingdoms people pushed the severed hand to me.* *Why?* *Theyve noticed me* Xu Qian started to deeply worry. Xu Qian opened his eyes, and found himself lying on the ice cold floor, the dim moonlight shining through the window lighting the room in a dim glow. He came to the bed, and lit themp. Bringing it to in front of the bronze mirror, he saw his own manly face in it, traces of blood left in the corners of his mouth. He gently wiped it off, and found no traces of injury. The injuries that that unreasonable monkey Shenshu left had all vanished. The water clock showed that the time was 9:15 PM. Xu Qian sat by the mirror, letting his thoughts wander, weighing up what he should do next. The most pressing issue is how would he deal with the severed hand, would he report this to Wei Yuan? *Wei Yuan prizes me greatly, but after all Im not his son, theres a limit to how much he would go. And this matter rtes to the sealed item under Sangpoke* *If he can help me take out the severed hand, then that wouldnt be a problem, but if not, then would he protect me, or would he seal me back up with it in tow?* *And Im just a Refining Qi Bronze Gong, I cant not eat and drink for five hundred years and not die.* *The Jianzheng must be able to help me take it out right? Hes a first-rank arcanist after all, but the problem is, Im not that close with him Xu Qian oh Xu Qian, how youve fallen, youve gotten so engrossed in Fuxiangs warm tits that you cant pull yourself out. Have you forgotten that Chu Caiwei is waiting for your directions? The earlier you can be the Sitianjians son inw, the earlier youll be one of them.* *The old man Jianzheng knows about my strange fortune, so I cant reveal all my secrets to him, because hes definitely scheming something in the dark* Moreover, there was still one more far-away issue: The Wanyao Kingdom spent so much effort in releasing the sealed item, it would hardly be to give him a dowry? They must have some kind of goal, in pushing the severed hand his way, this, even his little toe could deduce. As for this goal, would it be good or bad for him? *The Monk Shenshu said, I can nurture his hand and that part of his soul is this why the Wanyao kingdom brought him here?* *Then one day in the future, would he note back to take his hand? At that time, god knows if I will live or die.* Just then, he heard Shenshus kindly voice inside his head: Keep the secret! Xu Qians face stiffened. --- [^1]: Movie, released 1999 [^2]: is a female corpse from the movie [^3]: Chapter 153: The Interrogation of Hengyuan Chapter 153: The Interrogation of Hengyuan # 153. The Interrogation of Hengyuan The next day, as he squatted under the eaves to brush his teeth and wash his face, Xu Qi''an called out in his mind "Master Shenshu?" There was no response. "Master, You saidst night that I was simr to you. I just want to ask, did you also pick up silver every day?" Still, No response appeared. *He should usually be resting. After all, he''s a sealed artefact... I''ll try to call him againter. If he still won''t respond, I can ept using my hot and tender body to warm his icy cool heart, Just a little...* Xu Qi''an secretly sighed in relief. After donning his cool uniform and tying up his long hair, Xu Qi''an hung up the long ck gold sabre on his waist, after which he jumped over the zhang high fence, going to the main hose to have breakfast. As he put his hand over the handle of his sabre, he thought *Did Jianzheng give me this sabre back then as a sort of favor?* *...I''m too naive; why would a Master of the first rank need to exchange favors with me? However, the sabre perfectly matches my "One de From Heaven and Earth". I should be thankful to the Jianzheng for that.* *Wait, What?* Xu Qi''an stopped and suddenly stalled. *The ck gold long sabre was given to me by the Jianzheng, and "One de From Heaven and Earth" was sent over by the Sitianjian. The long sabre and "One de From Heaven and Earth" inexplicably work very well together. And, Jianzheng knows of my strange luck...* Xu Qi''an slowly shivered in the cold morning wind. That was the moment when Xu Qi''an felt the feeling of *This World is filled with thousand-mile-deep schemes. I want to return to my sweet safe Earth.* *Phew... one step at a time. I have to improve my power and status before I have any confidence to talk of the future.* After gathering up his rogue emotions, Xu Qi''an went to the front hall. The sky was getting bright, and his aunt and uncle sat at the dining table, having breakfast. Lyu''e was also sitting at the dining table, holding Little Pea on herp. "Big Brother!" Xu Lingyin enthusiastically greeted, while she discreetly moved the meat buns and deep-fried dough sticks into the secure grasp of her arms. *... This sibling rtionship is really too stic.* Xu Qi''an also sat down, and after serving himself a bowl of porridge, He nced at this beautiful madam. "Auntie youre up early?" Auntie, who had gotten up early, was clearly in a bad mood and didn''t want to talk with her nephew very much. After stirring the rice porridge with the porcin spoon held in her smooth white fingers, She said in a light tone: "Lingyue isn''t feeling well. I just went to check up on her." "What''s the matter?" Xu Qi''an frowned. He cared a lot about that beautiful and refined girl. "It''s a girl''s personal matter..." Auntie murmured, her voice close to a whisper as if she didn''t want to exin. *Ah, its that time of the month... but, A period shouldn''t be a cause for Auntie to worry. So, its menstrual pain?* Famous Detective Xu Qi''an quickly came up with a conclusion. After finishing his breakfast, Xu Qi''an said, "I''m going to visit Lingyue." Neither uncle nor Auntie had any objections to this. An advantage of being from a military family was this. There weren''t that many cumbersome rules to follow as that would bemon in a schrly family. For example, brothers and sisters had to maintain a fixed distance from each other when talking, and they had to salute each other with different honorifics when speaking, and there was a clear limit on the time they were allowed to spend together unless a group of siblings and n siblings were having a banquet together. And so on ... In a schrly family, considering Xu Lingyue''s condition, the elders would have refused the visit. "Big bwother, big bwother... I also want to see big sister." Jumping up from Lyu''e''sp, Xu Lingyin grabbed Xu Qi''an''s clothes. Bothered by her slow speed, Xu Qi''an put her under his arm, and soon arrived at the door of Xu Lingyue''s room. He knocked on the room, saying, "Sis, you there? Auntie said that you weren''t feeling well." Xu Lingyue''s weakened voice came out of the door, "I, I''m fine..." "Can you let your elder brother in?" Xu Qi''an said,mpooning, *Do you want me to tidy up your bandages?* "Creak..." The maid opened the room, weing Xu Qi''an and Little Pea to the room. Xu Qi''an was lying on the bed. She was lying on her side while clutching her stomach with both her hands. Her delicate brows looked creased, and her pretty lively face had turned pale. *This looks a little serious... is it really that painful...* Xu Qi''an tried tofort her, "Youre having a period right. Have you taken any medicine?" Stunned, Xu Lingyue''s face reddened, as she shook her head, "Mom told me that it would be fine if I endured it for a while." Her voice contained little bits of her aggrievedness. After all, She was merely a little girl, lying on the bed enduring the pain, with only a single maid by her side. Menstrual pain was hard to endure in this era. After all, It wasn''t a disease and would heal naturally after a while. Most middle-ss officials and the poor civilians didn''t see the need to see a physician unless they were close to dying. *I seem to remember that Brown Sugar Ginger Tea can cure menstrual pain. Let it be. I''ll ask Chu Caiwei about itter...* Xu Lingyin walked to the side of her sister, stretched out her fingers to straighten her sister''s curled brows, and snuck a pitiful look at her brother. "Is my sister about to die?" Xu Lingyue "..." "Your sister won''t die." Xu Qi''an consoled her. "What''s wrong with sister, then?" Xu Lingyin asked, still fearful. *You won''t understand if I say menstrual pain. And I think you don''t have any clue about periods...* Thinking for some time, Xu Qi''an stroked Xu Lingyin''s head and simply exined: "Your sister is too sensible and doesn''t make trouble at all. So, She''s feeling ufortable. Her stomach will stop hurting after she starts making trouble." A thing like menstrual pain could stop after marriage, or even not. So, Xu Qi''an''s exnation could be thought of as precise and easy to understand, which were rare qualities in this world. Even a stupid child like Xu Lingyin understood it, and nodded, her face serious, "I''ll also make a lot of trouble. So, My stomach won''t hurt even a little in the future." "Elder... Elder Brother, What were you telling her?" Xu Lingyue didn''t understand what Xu Qi''an said, but she sure felt that it was weird. "Just rest well." Pinching the little girl''s face, Xu Qi''an left, carrying Little Pea along with him. On the way to the front hall, He saw Little Pea running to the garden, grabbing a handful of soil, and hiding it in her little fist. *What does she want to do?* Xu Qi''an was taken aback. Second Uncle and Auntie were still having breakfast in the front hall, when the former asked him, "Is Lingyue feeling better?" "She''s still hurting..." When Xu Qi''an was about to speak, He saw Xu Lingyin climb up a stool, lean on the edge of the table using her small body, and throw the soil into arge bowl of porridge right in front of her parents." Then, Standing on the stool, She let off a sigh of relief, relieved that she would never get a stomach ache. Frozen, Auntie, and Uncle turned their heads slowly until they reached the toddler, "What were you doing?" "I''m making trouble, can''t you see!" Xu Lingyin proudly said, "I''ll definitely make a lot of trouble in the future, not like my sister, who only makes Dad and Mom worry." After finishing her speech, She twisted her waist, waiting for her parent''s praise. The cockroach incident resurged in Auntie''s mind. And then, remembering the old and current incidents, She picked up Little Pea by her neck, putting her on top of her thigh, and spanked her trouble-making ass. Little Pea wasn''t still convinced of her mistake, and cried, trying to defend herself, "Why are you hitting me, Mom?" Auntie continued replying to her arguments with continued palms to her butt, "How are you so proud about throwing mud into porridge?" "Elder Brother taught me that. Elder Brother said that my stomach won''t hurt as long as I kept making trouble... Ouch, Ouch..." Furious, Aunite''s brows joined each other, forming a straight line, "What did you teach her now, Xu Ningyan?" "Today''s weather looks very nice. I''ll be leaving for the office right away, Second Uncle." Xu Qi''an escaped the premises, His mind filled with panic. ... The Dungeon, Nightwatcher Office. A temporary prisoner, Hengyuan was lucky, lucky in that he wasn''t seriously tortured. He was only hit twice by the jailer when he first arrived. The reason was that even Master Tie wasn''t as clean as him. *This damn baldie couldn''t be squeezed for a hint of oil or water.* "Bang!..." The door of the cell was opened, and the jailer yelled at the burly Lu Zhisheng look-alike wearing shackles, "A Sir hase to interrogate you. Come out." Opening his eyes, Hengyuan followed the jailer to the interrogation room. A masculine and handsome bronze gong, holding a golden sabre in his hand, was in the dimly lighted interrogation room, gazing at him with a sharp gaze. Hengyuan knew the Bronze Gong. He had seen the specific Bronze Gong when warm-hearted Mr. Three had helped him avoid arrest. At that time, the Bronze Gong had been standing in the eaves of a room, pressing his knife with one hand. His temperament revealed his extraordinariness. "Master, please sit down. I have a few questions I wish to ask you about." Xu Qi''an said, examining the monk with a square face and rough features. He had the temperament of a reckless man at first nce. But, looking deeper, you could discover that his eyes were bright and calm, and his aura was simrly deep and restrained. After sping his hands together, Hengyuan saluted and then sat down. "Name?" Xu Qi''an lowered his head to sip some tea. "Monks do not use names. Sir may call me Hengyuan." "Age." "Thirty." Surprised, Xu Qi''an raised his head to nce at him. He remembered a joke: *"How do you look so young, Uncle?"* *"Staying upte."* *"Then, this year, you would be..."* *"Twenty Years."* *Just looking at him, Hengyuan seemed to be in his forties, close to fifty. Is he pulling multiple all-nighters?* Xu Qi''anmpooned. "You''re from?" "This monk is from Qinglong Temple." "Your cultivation?" "Rank Eight: Warrior Monk" Xu Qi''an frowned, and tapped his fingers on the table, "Don''t try to mess with me." *As if an Eight Rank Warrior Monk could break into Count Pingyuan''s mansion at night for a murder, easily injure two Practicing Qi Martial Artists, and walk out without any injuries?* Hengyuan said, his tone serious, "This monk is indeed an Eighth Rank Warrior Monk." *Eighth Rank Warrior Monk... I remember something strange about the Buddhist System. The level after Ninth Rank Sramanera is Seventh Rank Dharmacarya, skipping over Rank Eight Warrior Monk.* *Does Buddhism actually include two systems? Since they have two systems, Why were they merged together? Additionally, What''s the progression path for Warrior Monks?* After Xu Qi''an asked about these doubts, Hengyuan shook his head, "There''s no information in Qinglong Temple. This knowledge is unique to the West." *Unique to the West! Then there are probably no relevant records in the Official archives... This is all insignificant...* Xu Qi''an said: Henghui has already passed away, and the bones of Princess Pingyang have also been found. His Majesty issued a decree yesterday: *Count Pingyuan, Minister of War Zhang Feng, and Minister of Revenue Sun Zhongming were responsible for the death of a royal. Three familial exterminations shall be their punishment.* You can rest easy. "Amituofo." Hengyuan closed his eyes to chant the Buddha''s name. "You were identally involved in the case, and the Nightwatchers won''t hold you ountable for that. But, can you exin this thing to me?" Xu Qi''an took out a small jade mirror from his bosom, patted it to remove the dust collecting on it, and threw it on the table. This small jade mirror had been found in the bottom of the well. It was Fragment Six of the Earth Book that belonged to Hengyuan. --- ps: Xiangjunins about his body hurting, and his writing despite the pain. What an inspiration. He staved off releasing new chapters for two days. Chapter 154: Threes Persona Crumbling? Chapter 154: Three''s Persona Crumbling? # 154. Three''s Persona Crumbling? Hengyuans gaze fell on the small jade mirror, the one that he dropped in the courtyard well. It had slipped from his robes in his altercation with Henghui. Afterwards he had heard Henghuis story, saw him pass away in meditation, and in his mournful state did not care much for the Earth Book fragment. After that the Nightwatchers came, and he knew that he would enter their jail. To prevent the mirror from being taken away by the Nightwatchers, leaving it in the well was the best choice. Hengyuans n was that if he could escape, to return and retrieve his Earth Book fragment. Alternatively, Jinlian would retrieve it for him. He didnt think that in the end it would still fall into the Nightwatchers hands. Xu Qian stared at Hengyuan, waiting for his reply. The jade mirror was handed to him this morning by Wei Yuan. He didnt give any other orders, but Xu Qian knew Wei Yuans intention was to through him give the mirror back to Six. Seeing the big baldie be silent for a long time, Xu Qian sipped his tea, saying leisurely, This mirror was found in the well bottom. If its not yours, then its Henghuis. And its true name, is the Earth Book. Hengyuan suddenly raised his head, looking closely at him. Xu Qianughed, saying with a voice full of confidence, Many people in the world do not know of it, but that does not include the Nightwatchers. Hengyuan lowered his head again, saying in a low voice, It does belong to this poor monk. Xu Qian said, As far as I know, this is a magic item of the Daoist Earth Sect, how would it have appeared in the hands of a monk? Hengyuan replied, Due to unforeseen opportunity, I received this magic item. Please may Sir return it to me. Xu Qian shook his head, taking back the jade mirror, ying with it in his hands, smiling, Master, this official reckons that its not as simple as that, right? A magical artefact of the Daoist Earth Sect, how could unforeseen opportunity exin away that? If you sincerely say some useful information, this official will let you leave. Otherwise, you might as well spend the rest of your life in the Nightwatchers cells. Hengyuan fell silent for a minute, before standing to leave. Xu Qian frowned, Where are you going? This poor monk is returning to his cell. * Sixs moral character isnt bad, he wont betray the Heaven and Earth Society. Of course, it may also be that he hasnt gone through torture yet, but I dont want something like that.* Xu Qian said solemnly, Its only a magic item, does the Master need to be like this? There are things in the world more valuable no? Hengyuan did not turn back, saying Please may you shackle this poor monk again. Xu Qian looked to the clerk taking notes, You go out for now. The clerk gathered up his paper, pen, and ink, and left the interrogation room. Xu Qian cleared his throat, his voice bing kindlier, Master, please sit. He rose, pulling on Hengyuans arm, and making a respectful posture. Hengyuan nkly returned to the tableside, looking at this Bronze Gong, whose attitude had just done a 180-degree turn, not knowing what he was scheming. Sir, I know nothing, the Earth Book was indeed received in an unforeseen opportunity. Hengyuan said helplessly. *You dont need to speak so rigidly! A monk cannot lie, soon youll feel awkward for that!* Xu Qian said with half a smile, You are the Heaven and Earth Societys number Six right. (|||) Hengyuans eyes went wide, looking back with a shocked and stupefied expression. That tranquil aura on his face vanished without a trace, being filled with enmity and caution. As if upon Xu Qian revealing anything that would be detrimental to the Heaven and Earth Society, he would strike this Bronze Gong down with one hand, to take a life for a life. Xu Qian lowered his voice even more, using a tone as if he was making a backroom criminal deal: My name is Xu Qian. I am a mole ced in the Nightwatchers by the Cloud Deer Academy. The constabry did not find the Earth Book fragment, I pulled it up out of the well, I brought people to find you. All of this was under orders by Three, he is my superior. *Three!?* Henghui fell into a deep shock. He did not immediately deny the Bronze Gongs words, because just now, he had remembered something. *Three is a student of the Cloud Deer Academy, hed revealed multiple times that he has eyes in the various constabries and offices of Court as the orthodox Confucian school that once controlled the court, this kind of behaviour is to be expected* *After the Sangpo case happened, Three had mentioned a few details of the case in the Heaven and Earth Society there is indeed a mole from the Cloud Deer Academy inside the Nightwatchers* *But how did Three know where I was? Right, Jinlian Daozhang knows all of our identities. At that time Henghui and I were together, and Jinlian Daozhang definitely wanted to avoid conflict between himself and Henghui, thus he could only ask someone else for help. And the Nightwatchers were responsible for the Sangpo Case, so Three, who had spies inside the Nightwatchers, was the best choice* *I owe Three another life. Three is worthy of being a schr, he has a heart of heroism and justice, and is a worthy friend. This karma may be hard to return* Hengyuan drew a deep breath, as his gaze towards Xu Qian no longer had any enmity and caution, as he asked kindly What did Three say? He said the Spring Examinations are near, and cannot leave the Cloud Deer Academy. If in the future you get into any trouble, he likely will not be able to help. Thus, he asked this official to keep in contact with the Master, if the Master needs any help in the future, you may ask after me. In his mind Xu Qian added: *If I have anything, I can also find you, without revealing the identity of Three, at least in the short term.* At the moment he did not want to reveal his identity. Firstly, the pretentious style that he had set up earlier was rather too grandiose, and now the Heaven and Earth Society all thought that he was a top student of the Cloud Deer Academy, a highly gifted, erudite schr. If they found out he was a mere Bronze Gong, everything woulde crashing down. Secondly, whenever one keeps a hand, keeps something hidden, it is equivalent to giving oneself a huge amount of territory to maneuver. *After all to Number Six Hengyuan, whether Im a Nightwatcher or a Cloud Deer Academy student, doesnt make much of a difference.* Hengyuan nodded, taking over the Earth Book fragment that the handsome Bronze Gong handed to him, In the future if theres anything this poor monk can help with, Sir only needs to speak. Xu Qian smiled and waved his hand, Master, Ill escort you out. After escorting away Hengyuan, Xu Qian came back to Spring Breeze Hall. The prefecture offices Lyu Qing and her bailiffs have stoppeding to the constabry, because they knew that Xu Qian likely would be able to be pardoned for his contribution in the Princess Pingyang case. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were meditating in the side hall. Li Yuchun was tidying, arranging everything nice and neatly. Boss, let me help you No, no dont touch a thing! Li Yuchun hurriedly shouted, Ill do it myself, Im good. Xu Qian dly idled, sitting by the tableside, saying After the case is over, lets all go to the Jiaofangsi for a drink. On me. The Jiaofangsi Li Yuchun hesitated. Boss, you cant have never gone to the Jiaofangsi? Xu Qian immediately picked up this point, his tone and expression mysterious. In this era, no man with status or wealth would not have gone to the Jiaofangsi at least once. the rarity of this, would be like in Xu Qians past life, when a female PhD was still a virgin, to not have any thirty year old male PhDse and use hand gestures to show off. A ce full of smoke and miasma, why would I have gone? Li Yuchun shook his head, Those three will be beheaded today, do you want to go watch? Xu Qian hurriedly shook his head, No, I cant stand those scenes. Li Yuchun gave him a confused gaze. Events like beheadings were far too ordinary in the Great Feng. Not considering the Official evaluation there was often a bunch of officials who were brought to the vegetable market to be beheaded, or those death row prisoners after autumn. As for themoners they would be ufortable at first, ustomed at second, and sat eating their lunch and watching the fun at third. There was absolutely no psychological pressure. Im not going anyway. Xu Qian said. The impact of several hundred people watching someone be beheaded would be too big for Xu Qian, he wouldnt be able to sleep. And he had spent several years as a detective, and had seen many bloody homicide cases. Given any other person, that would probably leave permanent trauma. Noon, the Vegetable Market. On the execution tform, were knelt over a hundred people. At their head were the Minister of War Zhang Feng, and his son Zhang Yi. They wore white prisoners gowns, and ck blindfolds around their eyes. Surrounding them were gathered over a thousandmoners. Not that all of them liked watching such a brutal and bloody scene, even if in their eyes all those being beheaded were serious criminals. Most importantly, the Court ced great emphasis on the audience, using both carrot and stick strategies. Some people couldnt note; they were forced over to watch. The reason was very simple: to brandish the authority of Court, to subdue themon people. Begin! The lead official eyed the position of the sun, and gave themand. With death drawing year, the blindfolded family members started ranting and cursing, cursing the Minister of War Zhang Feng for condemning himself and others, swearing to not let him go even if they became ghosts. The executioner raised his de high, as head after head rolled, blood spurted in all direction in ridiculous proportions, as the heavy stench of blood was smelled by even the furthest audience members. Afterwards two more batches of death row prisoners were executed, being the families of Earl Pingyuan and Sun Zhongming. Hengyuan, standing outside the crowd, silently turned to leave. He had two reasons toe and watch the execution: Firstly, to resolve this karma for his brother Henghui, to see those personal enemies be beheaded. Secondly, to calm his own obsession, and avoid forming a heart-demon in the future. Henghui was a junior brother that he had raised from young, he was like a brother and a son. To return the favour, this matter was stettled. Master Shenshu are you awake? In the side hall, whilst practicing breathing, he tried to wake up Shenshu, but Xu Qian still did not receive any reply from this high-ranked monk. *He seems to be able to sense my thoughts, is this the Buddhist heart-reading art? But heart-reading should not be able to read memories no matter what, for most of the time hes in deep sleep, this is good.* As Xu Qian was thinking, he suddenly felt a lurch in his heart. Opening his eyes, he saw that his two colleagues eyes were still closed. Thus he took out the small jade mirror, and started reading. SIX: Everyone: Im save. Thanks for your thoughts. FIVE: Is SIX the real SIX? Is there a Nightwatcher pretending to be him? Five immediately threw out her suspicion. At first nce it seemed to be cautious and careful, but in reality it was rather foolish. FOUR: Heh, if hes fake, Jinlian Daozhang would have warned us ages ago. FIVE, what you need to consider is, has SIX beenpromised by the Nightwatchers? *Id expect nothing less from a schr and a once great official, his thoughts are sharp* Xu Qian tutted in admiration. FIVE: Then SIX, have you beenpromised? SIX: This poor monk is very well, this poor monk wants to thank THREE and Jinlian Daozhangs kindness. NINE: No need to thank me, your junior brother never had the heart to kill you. FOUR: Whats the progress with the Sangpo Case? Seeing this, Xu Qian waited for a moment, and not seeing One respond, entered THREE: The Sangpo Case is over, but its also not over. FOUR: As expected. FIVE: What do you mean, what do you mean as expected? How has the Sangpo case just ended, and how do you say its also not ended? FOUR: Heh, its best to let THREE exin. I reckon that he can exin better than I can. Xu Qian hesitated a while, and decided to take Fours burden, writing: THREE: Its very simple, the real goal of the Sangpo Case is to bring forward the Case of the disappearance of Princess Pingyang. The best example of this is Henghui taking the sealed item and causing chaos in the inner city by exterminating the Earl Pingyuans family. This noon, the three officials that were involved in this case had three familial rtions be executed at the vegetable market. Since the Princess Pingyang case came to a close, the perpetrator behind the scenes had achieved their goal. They most likely will take the sealed item out of the capital, and this storm will have passed. But the Sangpo Case itself hasnt ended. *So thats how it is.* Five had a great realisation, and then coldly stabbed three in the back: FIVE: THREE you great liar, that person that picks up silver every day clearly is you. Chapter 155: A Dam of a Thousand Li Falls from Holes Made by Ants Chapter 155: A Dam of a Thousand Li Falls from Holes Made by Ants # 155. A Dam of a Thousand Li Falls from Holes Made by Ants Xu Qian was greatly shocked, thinking *When have I lied? If you had to call anything a lie it would be my persona at the Cloud Deer Academy.* *Could it be that my persona had unknowingly fallen already? But thats unreasonable, and also it shouldnt be Five who says this, if One or Six were toe out and use me that would make more sense. The youngss from the Southern Marches would be thest person who would say anything.* He clutched the Earth Book fragment, hesitating for a long time, not responding. No one else in the Heaven and Earth Society spoke either, watching quietly this development. *Three is a liar? Whats he lied about? How does Five know Three is a liar? They haventmunicated much in the Earth Book messages. This is to say, that from some detail in Threes words, Five managed to find a w in him* Number Four thought. *Why did Five say Three is a liar* Hengyuan frowned in displeasure. One smiled, saying nothing, lurking in the chat. Jinlian Daozhang at this time waszily sunbathing on a roof, his cat eyes closed infort. Five did not make everyone wait too long, she sternly scolded Three for not being truthful: ((FIVE: That friend that you said who often picks up silver, is you isnt it? Ive asked my source is very correct.)) Xu Qian: ((FIVE: Ah, ah, nothing to say now huh?)) Xu Qians mouth twitched, as he let out a breath. Yes, he had lied. But lying or not lying about this kind of thing was hardly a matter of importance. Such as Song Tingfeng saying: I have a friend whos fortitude iscking Everyone knew that the friend represented he himself, but did anyone use him of lying? As expected, everyone apart from Number Five in the Earth Book Group Chat were having simr thoughts. *Im jealous of Three, being able to pick up money every day this old woman can barely pay her soldiers* Two thought with sincerity. *So it is Three that can pick up money every day. Mm, originally Id suspected him if I could pick up money every day, then I can save so many more orphans and destitute* Six was ovee with admiration. *The one who picks up silver is Number Three himself what kind of person could pick up silver with such abnormal frequency? I dont remember the Cloud Deer Academys Confucians have this kind of power* Four felt a shock, then thinking of a possibility, quickly wrote: ((FOUR: THREE, when did this start?)) Xu Qian felt some hesitation, but answered: ((THREE: Just over a month ago.)) He deliberately made this time period shorter, to prevent someone from using this to discover that this abnormality started after the end of the tax silver case. Fours heart pounded, because he had a hypothesis. But that hypothesis was so preposterous and audacious, that it made their whole body shake, as if electricity was winding its way through it. Just over a month ago, if he remembered correctly, in the Cloud Deer Academy azure qi rushed to the sky, which happened to be the same time as Three had mentioned. At that time Three hadnt yet joined the Heaven and Earth Society, and Jinlian Daozhang had solemnly ordered the Heaven and Earth Society to investigate this matter. Everyone knew that Three was a student of the Cloud Deer Academy. There was one unusual thing, however, which was that Threes real strength was not that strong, yet he had far too much information to provide, and knew far too many secrets that only the seniors of the Cloud Deer Academy would know. This was very unreasonable. As a former schr, Four had for a long time felt something was off not that he doubted Threes identity at the Cloud Deer Academy, but rather that his treatment was rather excessive. But if Three had something to do with the azure qi? Then receiving attention from the higher ups of the Cloud Deer Academy would be much more reasonable. *But what link does picking up silver have with the azure qi rushing to the sky?* Four could not work it out. *I guess I need to find some time to go back to the Capital, and visit Dean Zhao.* Four secretly decided, to rush back to the capital before the year was up. Thinking this, and feeling that he had figured out some part of Threes secret, Four smiled slightly, and messaged: ((FOUR: Interesting. Ive underestimated THREE. I guess I need to re-evaluate your value and potential.)) *Four knows the reason why Three often picks up silver? And this reason involves somerge secret otherwise Four would not have said what he did* Apart from Number Five, everyone else felt something wrong was in Fours words. Seeing that everyone had generally finished conversation, Xu Qian squinted his eyes, and using his finger as a pen, messaged: ((THREE: Heh, I have a question, FIVE, how did you know that the one who picks up silver is me?)) With Fives intelligence, she could not be bluffing him, thus she really knew the reason why he had been picking up so much silver, or at least part of the reason. This was something Xu Qian was desperate to know about; he cared a lot about his own strange luck. ((FIVE: I cant say, I promised someone else to not reveal this to anyone, not even you.)) Fives refusal was very candid. ((THREE: Equivalent exchange.)) ((FIVE: No exchange, to behave with integrity is to keep promises.)) *This dumb sister, do you believe that I wont drag you into the cklist. Ill drain you once, then pick up my trousers and pretend not to know you* Xu Qianmpooned. Thinking again though, the moderator Jinlian Daozhang still hadnt fully recovered, and couldnt open private messaging functions, thus it was indeed not the right time to ask. In the future when he could private message, he can then message this dumb Southern March sister all day about life and ideals. There was a lot of room for maneuver. The Imperial Study, a minor court gathering. The daoist-robe wearing Emperor Yuanjing sat at the high chair behind the table, listening to the report given by Prefecture Magistrate Chen Hanguang. As to the heads rolling at the vegetable market, he was not pleased nor upset, listening calmly. As for the positions of Minister of War, and Supervising Secretary of the Minister of Revenues, what does our valued officials think? Emperor Yuanjing casually mentioned. Immediately there were great civil servants stepping forward, rmending their own people. Emperor Yuanjing looked expressionlessly upon the intense speeches and argument of his officials. For the two now empty positions, they could barely resist descending into a brawl. Even the two great hegemons Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen could not but enter the fray. Seeing the arguments be more and more excited, as the most bad-tempered civil servants started to roll up their sleeves, Emperor Yuanjing knocked on his table, interrupting at the correct time. Esteemed official Shang, you are the Minister of Appointments, what suggestions do you have. Shang Xian stepped out from the crowd, and during his bow and salute, he took a peek at Wang Zhenwen. He saw him very subtly shake his head, and only then said: Your insignificant servant is afraid, that he has no candidates. Please may Your Majesty direct us. Emperor Yuanjing nodded in satisfaction, We will discuss this matterter. *As expected* All the great servants slowly let out a breath, exchanging poisonous looks. At that time, Wei Yuan stepped forward, saying loudly Your Majesty, your insignificant servant has a matter. After Emperor Yuanjing had nodded, Wei Yuan said: The Bronze Gong Xu Qian made outstanding contribution to the Case of Princess Pingyang, please may Your Majesty reward him. The corresponding written statement was given to the crown yesterday. Emperor Yuanjing evidently knew about the events of the case, and knew of the merits of Bronze Gong Xu Qian. Whether in opening again the case of Princess Pingyang, or in finding where Henghui was, or in finding the remains of Princess Pingyang, this Bronze Gong gave vital contribution. But Emperor Yuanjing still had some hesitation. He didnt like this Bronze Gong, not for any reason, but just that this Bronze Gong gave him disharmonious, ufortable vibes. A contempt from the bottom of his heart. That day when he saw him in the Royal City, seeing his de strike the floor, scaring the Spirit Dragon into noting any closer, it was then that Emperor Yuanjings heart could not resist not hating him. Wei Yuan was just about to speak, when the Minister of Law Minister Sun suddenly said loudly, Your Majesty, your insignificant servant has a report. With great steps he came forward, bowing, and saying righteously Your insignificant servant was tasked with investigating the Sangpo Case, he has spent blood and sweat and tears, not daring to ck off for one moment. From your servants verification, the Chief Justice Chang Yan had conspired with the Yao, coordinating from inside and out to destroy Sangpo. Please may your majesty strip this person of his titles, and give him to your servant for a more thorough investigation. The Chief Justice Chang Yan squinted, looking at Minister Sun. He was one of the core members of the Qi clique. Because of the matter with the gunpowder, the other core member of the Qi clique, the Minister of Industry, had already been made to walk the wire. The Minister of Industry snorted coldly, walking out, Your Majesty, the Ministry of Law is trying to tantly frame and nder Sir Chang. Your servant reckons that the Minister of Rites also has suspicion. The Minister of Rites immediately stepped out, saying loudly, Your Servant is being falsely used. Wei Yuan sighed, feeling somewhat disappointed. As expected, he heard Emperor Yuanjing said, The Sangpo Case has not finished, we order Bronze Gong Xu Qian to continue to investigate this case. Half of the time allotted has already passed. If he cannot investigate such that all truthse to light, we will still execute him. Your Majesty! Wei Yuans eyebrow twitched, bowing, Even if Xu Qian fails toplete the case, he still has made vital contributions to the Case of Princess Pingyang, how could he still be under the death penalty? The other officials could not help but look at Wei Yuan, each with different expressions. Some had schadenfreude, some had surprise, some had happiness. Minister Sun of the Prime Ministers clique on the surface level was attacking the Chief Justice, but underneath he was sending an arrow Wei Yuans way. As long as the dispute around the Sangpo case continued, as the Nightwatchers lead investigator, that Bronze Gong could not pull out of it, and was pulled again underwater. Simrly, the Chief Justice would continue to wear the suspect hat, and until the case was done, he couldnt take it off. Normally this would not amount to much, but in the Official Evaluation, thisrge stain could be amplified at any time. When the timees to draw the Chief Justice into the eight methods, he could call for his resignation and expulsion, and at the worst push him off his ministerial position. However, the Minister of Rites of the same Wang clique as him had also been pulled underwater. In the most extreme case, theyd exchange one for two, and so would still profit. *Is Wei Yuans attitude far too concerned for this small Bronze Gong?* The other officials quickly sniffed out this point. Thus, they became more approving of Minister Suns maneuvers. Even though the conflict between the civil servants was serious, but Wei Yuan was themon enemy number one of all the civil servants, and so anything that could make Wei Yuan flustered and exasperated would be good for them. We are tired, you are dismissed. Emperor Yuanjing waved his hand. All the servants bowed and sped their hands, and left the imperial study in an orderly manner. The great officials all left with an aura like fire and water, but as soon as they stepped through the meridian gate, the atmosphere turned on its head. The atmosphere of drawn swords and cocked crossbows disappeared, as if it was all a great theatre y finallying to a conclusion. Political enemies were still political enemies, but they were not as extreme as their behaviour in the Imperial Study. Prime Minister Wang, with his salt-and-pepper grey hair, austere brows, and a whole body d in crimson came up to Wei Yuan with a light smile, Duke Wei seems to care rather much for that small Bronze Gong. To size the opportunity for great merit, he is certainly a prodigy. Wei Yuan smiled warmly, Its a shame he could not conduct himself, and offended those he cant afford to offend. Prime Minister Wang was shocked, Why does Duke Wei say such words? We take in prodigies for the state ought to protect them, how could we let theme to a premature end? If Duke Wei cannot protect him, then this official can help you. Wei Yuan looked at him deeply, his expression still warm, not betraying happiness nor anger, I dont want to inconvenience the Prime Minister Sir. Wei Yuan came back to the constabry, and ordered the clerks: Send Xu Qian to see me. Xu Qian was currently at the drill grounds, sparring with Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng, practicing his swordsmanship. Old Song, you havent gone to the Jiaofangsi recently? Your qi has been much more expansive than before. Xu Qian bantered around whilst simultaneously exchanging blows. His sry has all been given to the Jiaofangsis women, he doesnt know frugality. Song Tingfeng said solemnly, Ningyan, todays him will be the futures you, you need to take this as caution. Of the three young men, the hard-working Zhu Guangxiao was the most frugal and sensible not that he did not sleep around, rather he wanted to save money to marry. Xu Qian and Song Tingfeng most liked Shen Gongbao[^1]. The former was amitted freeloader, whilst thetter had no restraint about him. After Refining Vitality, martial artists no longer needed to practice abstinence, but they ought to still be conservative. A dam of a thousand li falls from holes made by ants, a body of a hundred battles wastes from holes belonging to women. At that time, a ck-clothed clerk rushed over, stopping at the edge of the practice grounds, shouting: Sir Xu, Duke Wei summons you. --- [^1]: Shen Gongbao, a mythological feature. Also homonymic with deeply pierce abalone of which abalone is a metaphor which you should know by now. Chapter 156: A Goddess of War Chapter 156: A Goddess of War # 156. A Goddess of War Seventh floor, Tower of Noble Spirit. The tea room was empty, save for Wei Yuan. Xu Qian, with his back straight and with steady stems walked in, sping his fists: Duke Wei. Wei Yuan had just poured a cup of tea, and put it facing him. He raised his head, indicating, Sit. Xu Qian sat down reservedly, taking a token sip of tea, before fixing his gaze on Wei Yuan. He had a feeling, that the reason Wei Yuan wanted him, was because of the Case of Princess Pingyang. The Princess Pingyang case has ended, the Sangpo Case must continue. His Majesty has shut down my suggestion. Wei Yuan drank his tea, his voice neither quick nor slow, recounting the events in the Imperial Study to Xu Qian as if he was just idly chatting. Xu Qian said with a dark face, Minister Sun of the Ministry of Law had past rtions with Assistant Minister Zhou Xianping from the Ministry of Revenues, he hated me from the start Wei Yuan waved his hand wide, interrupting him unhappily, These are all small matters! He continued with a frustrated tone of voice, His Majesty doesnt like you, this is a big matter! Xu Qians face became even darker. *Funny that, I dont like him either.* When he first saw the daoist-robe wearing Emperor Yuanjing at the ancestor ceremony, a light contempt had started flickering in his heart. At that time, he thought it was because the Emperor represented feudalist imperial authority, but after the events with the spirit dragon, aftering in close contact, he discovered that his hate for Emperor Yuanjing was very pure; there was no other reason, he just innately hated the man. *Perhaps my horoscope is conflicting with his Im a monkey, is he a ram?* Xu Qian made a bitterugh, Your servant does not know how he has gained His Majestys contempt. Perhaps you just dont have any affinity. Wei Yuan rubbed his temples, You just wait, theres no more reason to investigate. At this time, all remaining threads have already been covered, you wont be able to find anything more. When the time limit is up, and His Majesty must chop you, then Ill arrange a death row prisoner to double for you. Heh, dont worry, no one will worry too much about a little Bronze Gong like you. *And then Ill naturally be your covert agent.* Xu Qian asked: What if we can catch Zhou Chixiong? Wei Yuanughed, Then all is resolved. He shook his head andughed again. Leaving the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qian returned to Spring Breeze Hall, and told the matter to Song Tingfeng, Zhu Guangxiao, and Li Yuchun. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiaos expressions both suddenly became stiff. The former struct the table emphatically, swearing, before walking in anxious circles around the hall, a deep bitterness being engrained deeper and deeper onto his face, as his frown got tighter. Li Yuchun hesitated, before saying, The case of Princess Pingyang has wasted too much time. Youll be hard pressed to investigate the Sangpo case further. The Sitianjians qi-watching technique cannot be used to use a fourth rank or higher official, unless you can ask the Jianzheng. *Ask the Jianzheng? Not counting whether or not he wants to help, even if he did, would Emperor Yuanjing believe him?* Xu Qians hearts said, *No way Im going to find that raggedy old man.* Stargazing Tower. Sister Caiwei, I wish to see the Jianzheng, do you have any way of taking me to the Bagua tform? Xu Qian, carrying numerous bags of snacks and food, wore a smile like the most ultimate of simps in his previous life. Chu Caiwei without any hint of politeness ate the food Xu Qian offered, saying Cant do. Teacher is in seclusion, and has already closed the passage to the Bagua tform, no one can go up. Bearing striking resemnce to a goddess expending her spare tyre. Theres no way? Nope. When will our Teachere out of seclusion? Chu Caiwei gave him a look, *Since when is he our teacher?* She said: At longest many months, at shortest maybe half a month. Hes probably on the Bagua tform reading star signs. Xu Qian felt a mouthful of old blood: this was karma! Freeloading all day, only for the day toe where he will be the one freeloaded off! *No, I cant lose out like this* He put all two taels of silver worth of food onto the table, saying My little sis is having menstrual pains, its difficult to bear for her, is there any way to help? Hearing this, Chu Caiwei rushed away, her hips swaying, before returning a few minutester with a porcin bottle. When in pain eat one of these, itll be gone in a sh. Though this Miss was somewhat of a glutton, she was nheless very generous. No matter if the medicine was expensive or not, she always was happy to give to people. . Yunzhou. Within a vast and boundless mountain range, a decently sized fortified vige was built with its back to a mountain, chains of torch-fires lighting the pitch-ck night. The stronghold was easy to defend and hard to attack, being on favourable terrain. When the fortification was first built, the government had sent soldiers to try root them out, but after failing several times, they could only turn a blind eye. Banditry in Yunzhou was a serious matter, with mountain bandits, highwaymen, robbers and the like too numerous to count. Themon people had long suffered, and the provincial government had been struggling for decades. After so many decades, slowly people grew used to it; a chaotic region still had a chaotic regions way of life. It was just after dusk, and the mountain gales were already howling fiercely. Soon, thunderps echoed, and a downpour began. On the guard tower, the bandit on lookout resisted the icy cold wind and rain cutting into him, looking towards the inside of the stronghold with admiration. Today, the stronghold had another windfall. They had captured a merchant caravan, and brought back silk, tea, porcin, all manner of valuable goods. This was all because of the new sixth boss that hade to the stronghold. His martial prowess outshone them all, and knew how to usebined assaults, and was proficient in training soldiers. Its said that he came from the military, and used to be stationed in the Great Feng Capital. Later, because he couldnt bear the corruption and rot of court, he simply took to the mountains, and became an ouw. Currently, a great feast was being held in the stronghold. A great fire roared in the hall, as the six heads and several of their ringleaders were all eating and drinking with abandon, chatting vulgar topics, raising great goblets high. Thinly clothed women stood by, attending to their needs, forcing smiles on their faces. They were all captive women, some weremon women, but some were the prized daughters of rich households. The prettier ones were picked out especially to serve the bosses and the ringleaders, whilst the rest were shared amongst the grunts in the stronghold. Zhou Chixiong sat by the table, his back habitually straight as a ruler, his manner shing inharmoniously with the lustful ouws. Beside him was a graceful woman attending to him, but Zhou Chixiong didnt even bother looking over. These base,mon bodies, he had no interest in even touching them. Zhou Chixiong had brought his family to Yunzhou. His wife and son were not in the mountain stronghold, rather being housed in thergest city in Yunzhou, Baidi[^1] city. Baidi City was one of the few havens in Yunzhou, that did not need to worry about bandits and ouws. The top boss was a man with a huge matt of hair for a beard. He looked coarse and rough, but he was a careful and scrupulous martial artist at the peak of Refining Spirit. Brother Zhou, is this woman not to your tastes? Without waiting for Zhou Chixiong to reply, the top bossughed uproariously, I heard that there is a woman in this merchant caravan that has a face like a flower, whos currently locked in the shed? Yes boss, that chick is a beaut! Bossman,pared to the other women in the fort, shes shes like white sugar in a mud pile. As that womans country-destroying beauty shed up in his mind, Zhou Chixiong also became excited. She was captured by him, he knew best what she looked like. If he wasnt a neer, then this woman would already be in his bedroom. The head boss hesitated for a moment, before smiling generously, Go bring that girl over, tonight she will be the sixth bosss to do with as he likes. Afher all he was the one who did the capturin, he should be the one to open the feast! The other bosses had no issue; it didnt matter who starts them off, everybody will have a try eventually. After a while, a woman was brought over. She wore a pearly whiteyered dress, her skin was white as snow, her eyes were bright and beautiful, and her features were wless. She was somewhat scared, like a cowering doe in a forest. The whole room fell silent, as everyone looked in a trance at her beauty, daydreaming. Gurgle. As the sound of gulping echoed. The woman seemed to know her own fate, and biting her lip, said shyly, Wh- which master is your servant attending to? Zhou Chixiong swallowed, feeling that her beauty was practically edible. He walked over withrge steps, and dragged her to the table. Zhou Chixiong pulled the beautiful woman into his bosom, and as if he was starving touched her, licked her, bit her. The bandits watching this were filled with jealousy, wanting nothing more than to take his palce. Are you Zhou Chixiong. The soft voice of the girl sounded from by his ear. *She knows my name* Zhou Chixiongs blood ran cold, as all desire evaporated. At the same time, he discovered that the beauty in hisp was slowly whitening, slowly losing all life. A momentter, she had turned into a human-sized paper cutout. Teeheehee A sharp femaleughter echoed around the room, sending peoples hairs standing on end. ng! The window burst open under the wind, extinguishing the fire in the room. In the darkness, the sound of des being drawn resonated all around, as the head bosss voice sounded out: What cretins are engaging in this nonsense? The sharp femaleughter suddenly stopped. A few secondster though, everyone in the fortress heard a mournful cry. That cry echoed through the mountains, through the night sky. Its a subus. Zhou Chixiong said deeply, as an ominous feeling welled up inside him. A subus, a demon of romance, has almost no fighting capability, but is skilled in charming and seducing, and then sucking dry the victims spirit. Although martial artists were not skilled in dealing with ghosts and demons, when they roused their qi they could make their body immune to all manners of evil. What Zhou Chixiong was really worried about was the master of the subus. Zhou Chixiong had a feeling that they wereing for him. Just then, the sound of drums sounded throughout the mountain, as from outside came the shouts of bandits: Attack, attack! The bosses and ringleaders of the stronghold all picked up their weapons, and rushed out of the hall, trying to look through the rainstorm. The night, the rain, and the forest blocked their sight. From the air came sharp whistling sounds, the sounds of numerous arrows. Bandits fell to the ground, as cries came from all around. The head boss smacked aside an arrow, and let out a breath. To attack from below, the arrows strength was never going to be too high. As long as their luck was not bad enough to be shot in a weak point, they would still be able to fight even with an arrow or two in them. Prepare the rocks and oil The mountain fortress had the high ground, and these two things were its defensive trump cards. When the fortress was first built, it was these two things that fended off the government siege, that saw the stronghold through its hardest days. As soon as the head bosss words fell, a silver sh arced through the night not the sh of lightning, but the qi given off by a long spear. Roar! As lighting appeared at the perfect time, letting the bandits below see that on the spear was stood a figure. She wore scaled te armour, a brilliant red cape streaming behind her. She wore no helmet, and her long hair was tied into a ponytail that reached to her waist. She was valiant and formidable, like a goddess of war, standing coldly above. As the goddess of war cast her spell, summoning the lighting. Boom! as the lightning crashed down, she clutched it between her fingers, and flung with all her might. Two archery towers of the stronghold fell with a crash. *Daoist lightning magic?* Zhou Chixiong was stunned stiff, as if his whole body was put in a freezer. --- [^1]: Baidi (name), lit. White Emperor Chapter 157: The Water Recedes, Revealing the Stones Chapter 157: The Water Recedes, Revealing the Stones # 157. The Water Recedes, Revealing the Stones The bandit suppression began in a sh,and ended in a sh, as merely two hours had passed until the stronghold had been breached. The lead boss knelt on the ground, his body covered in blood, as he looked at the battalion. They were wearing bright armour, but they didn''t show any sigils of the provincial government or the army. The contingent was small, consisting of around four hundred people. But the leader was shocked to find that the none of the members of the batallion were weak. At the lowest, they were Refining Vitality. Counting, he saw that the number of Refining Qi martial artists reached the fifties, and also found more than ten Refining Spirit martial artists. There were also four Bronze Skin and Iron Bone realm martial artists. And that War Goddess at their head, her cultivation was certainly even more terrifying. Such an army was more than enough to deal with a small bandit''s warren. It was strong enough even to butt heads with Baidi City, thergest city in Yunzhou. *Not gathered under a g, Very strong, Led by a woman...* The chieftain''s heart sank, as a urban legend of Yunzhou came to his mind. "You, You are... the Flying Swallow Heroine?" "What flying swallow heroine, sounds awful." The War Goddess, who was wielding a silver spear, frowned. She was extremely beautiful. Her face was marked with graceful features, small red cherry lips, and she had a high nose that highlighted her features. It''s just that... Her spirit was so vigorous, that it led to others ignoring her obvious beauty. A transparent ghost was obediently standing beside her. Although the ghost was an extremely charming one, It''s charm was eclipsed by her personality. "Did I do the job well, master?", The ghost said in lovable voice. "You passed on the message in time." The War Goddess nodded and praised her work. "Can you give me a man?" The ghost said, acting cute, "I''ve been hungry for many days." *I''ll deliver Emperor Yuanjing to you. Go and suck up his vitality...* The War Goddess mentally cursed, while she nodded in reality, "You can choose a few bandits." The chieftain became sure that the War Goddess in front of him was the legendary Flying Swallow Heroine. A few years ago, a chivalrous and brave female knight suddenly emerged in the Jianghu. Wherever she went, she supported and upheld justice. In those few years, She had managed to rise to fame in the Jianghu and her name was spread to thousands of households. Due to her zeal for justice, She was titled the Flying Swallow Heroine. At the beginning of the year, the heroine had came to Yunzhou. Seeing the rampant banditry and the civilians living in dire straits, She immeditaly went ahead and recruited soldires, established a small troop and started to zealously supress bandits. Her actions were well supported by the Governor of Yunzhou. "I ask, you answer, and Ill make your death a quick one." The War Goddess pointed the tip of her silver spear at him, and said coldly, "Otherwise, You shall be a ghost, never to be reborn again." The bandit leader was put in a tough spot, as he tried to bargain, "No way!" Swish.. The silver spear pierced his temple, causing some red and white things to flow out. After putting away her spear, the War Goddess murmured, "Just making things difficult." "!!!" Zhou Chixiong was so frightened by the scene in front of him that his legs became weak. He thought, *Why did she do that? Couldn''t she have seen him trying to bargain? She should have given him at least one chance." *How is she this reckless!* The martial artists of the troop seemed to have long since got used to the idiosyncrasies of the War Goddess, and they continued watching the fun, smiles upying their faces. At the time, Zhou Chixiong felt as if the War Goddess would kill him without remorse in the same moment. So, he immeditaly prostrated himself, "Heroine, please spare me. I''ll say anything you want me to say. I''ll say anything." "I won''t kill you." The War Goddess stood proud. Her close-fitting armor highlighted her graceful and exquisite curves, Her beauty was entuated her aura, both imposing and murderous. "I''m going to send you to meet a person." ... Xu Qian finished his qi cirction exercises, a dark cloud in his heart preventing him from sleeping. His ears picked up the gentle drip of the water clock, before a familiar lurch came from his heart. He quickly sat up, and hurriedly pulled out the small jade mirror from under his pillow. As expected, he saw what he wanted to see: ((TWO: THREE, Zhou Chixiong has been caught. Tomorrow Ill send someone to take him to the capital.)) *Zhou Chixiongs been caught? This efficiency is a little too scary Number Two might as well be my white moon[^1], I love it, love it!* Xu Qians emotions could hardly be described as just pleased beyond relief, being almost joyful to the point of tears. Bing Wei Yuans undercover agent was the worst option. Xu Qian in reality never wanted to take this path. Currently he was just Refining Qi, he still didnt have much experience under his belt yet. No matter the resources or environment, staying in the capital, with the Nightwatchers, would be far better than whatever ends of the earth he would go. If ones life was calm and peaceful, who would want to wander around miserably? He never felt much belonging to this world anyway, and if he parted ways with Uncle and Auntie, with his brothers and sisters, lonely might not be enough to describe his emotions. ((THREE: Can you get there within six days?)) Yunzhou was far from the capital. Even though the empire had well-developed roads and rest stations, six days was still rather much of an ask. ((TWO: If riding a firefeather beast, then six days would be just enough. But you must pay me three hundred taels of silver. I cant make my brothers run errands for you for nothing, you also have to pay their travel expenses.)) ((THREE: This is only natural.)) Xu Qian finished messaging, and fell into thought. Zhou Chixiong could under no circumstances be delivered to the capital, the waters in the capital are too deep. As soon as Zhou Chixiong entered the city, he would be found out, as after all he was wanted by the court, and most wanted at that. *I have two choices, I could notify Wei Yuan beforehand, or find another way to ferry Zhou Chixiong to the capital* after thinking, Xu Qian chose thetter option. Because he had a better idea. ((THREE: TWO, could you send Zhou Chixiong to the Cloud Deer Academy, therell be people there to pick him up.)) Zhou Chixiongs matter involved the most senior court officials. He needed to prevent them from fleeing too early. The Nightwatchers Constabry was full of martials, who were too simple, not mboyant enough. The Cloud Deer Academys great schrs had the ability to move instantaneously, and so were the best option for escorting a prisoner. They would only need to say: *Three feet of me doth be the capital city.* And they would be there. Most likely they wouldnt be able to enter the Imperial Pce, otherwise it would be far too easy for the great schrs to chop off Emperor Yuanjings head. *Tomorrow Ill go to the Cloud Deer Academy, and visit my three teachers* Xu Qian made up his mind. As to Threes request, no one was suspicious at all. After all, Three was a student of the Cloud Deer Academy, so it would only be natural. Days passed by. During this time, Xu Qian rushed all around the ce, and met with Princess Huaiqing and Biaobiao, hoping the two could plead his case. Biaobiao, only knowing how to make mischief for her sister and never scheming for herself, picked up her Princess title again and immediately agreed. Princess Huaiqing was more neutral and sensible, saying honestly: Father seems not to like you. We can help you avoid the death penalty, but a living penalty would be hard to escape. A living penalty naturally would be to be exiled. Xu Qian noticed one detail though, Princess Huaiqing gave off an unreasonable indifference to the Sangpo Case, as well as a strange calmness to Xu Qians fate, as if she didnt even put it on her mind. A day before the deadline, Wei Yuan sent someone to summon him, and Xu Qian saw the great azure cloak in the Tower of Noble Spirit. Ive just received word from the pce, His Majesty tomorrow will hold morning court, and bringing up the Sangpo case will be inevitable. I will try my best to keep you at the constabry, and not in the prefecture office or the Ministry of Law. Wei Yuan said. He was just about to say something to reassure the small Bronze Gong, when he heard him say calmly, Duke Wei, Ive already caught Zhou Chixiong. Wei Yuans expression froze, looking back wordlessly. At 4 AM the next day, Xu Qian drove a carriage into the imperial city, stopping outside the pce. Apanying him were Song Qing and Chu Caiwei of the Sitianjian, the Cloud Deer Academys great schr Zhang Shen, and the Gold Gongs Jiang Lyuzhong and Yang Yan. In the carriage was the unconscious Jinwu Guard Baihu Zhou Chixiong. He was tied up, and a sack was ced over his head. When he arrived, Xu Qian let out a sigh of relief, sping his fists and saluting to the others, Thank you, everyone, the Sangpo Case ends today. He wanted to put a full stop on the Sangpo Case, to put a full stop on his altercation with the Silver Gong. The Throne Room. After the usual speeches and promations, Emperor Yuanjing said Has the Sangpo Case progressed? Beneath him in court, the many great civil servants simultaneously looked towards Wei Yuan, their expressions all different, yet schadenfreude prevailing the most. The Minister of Rites stepped forth, announcing loudly Your Majesty, I wish Wei Yuan would return me some justice. Wei Yuan looked at the Minister of Rites, and turned his gaze on Emperor Yuanjing, bowing, Your Majesty, the water recedes, revealing the stones, the Sangpo Case isplete. The sound of discussion suddenly red up. Emperor Yuanjing was dazed for a moment, before squinting and leaning forward slightly, Who is the main perpetrator? Emperor Yuanjing said, Theres no point in your servant speaking, Your Majesty can directly summon for the Jinwu Guard Baihu Zhou Chixiong. The Minster of Rites eyebrow rose, as heughed coldly, Zhou Chixiong has long since fled the capital, how would he be summoned? Wei Yuan looked at him with a half smile: Zhou Chixiong is just outside the pceplex, please may Your Majesty summon him. In that instant, the court fell into silence. --- [^1]: Idiom: something that can be admired from afar, yet never reached. Chapter 158: Gifting Poems Chapter 158: Gifting Poems # 158. Gifting Poems After a short pause, the various court attendants could not resist but to discuss amongst themselves. The Sangpo case having been investigated for so long by now, everyone knew the dips and peaks of the story by now. The escaped Jinwu guard Baihu Zhou was precisely the ringleader in conspiring with the Yao to smuggle gunpowder into the imperial city. As to whether in reality he was or not, everyone had their own opinions, but there was rarely a slow head in the elders of the royal court. Thus, Wei Yuans words were like a boulder being chucked into a temple, raising a storm. Although this sterile old eunuch drew the ire of many, no one could deny that Wei Yuan was a respected opponent. HIs words were very valuable, and had little fluff. *Someones over* was the thought that went though all of the bigwigs present. The Minister of Rites suddenly changed colour, as his white beard shook slightly. His gaze suddenly stiffened, as he gazed directly at Wei Yuan. This old mans qigong practices weremendable, he rarely if ever lost control like this. Emperor Yuanjing said deeply: Send him in! Xu Qian sat at the drivers seat. Opening the curtain, he nced at Zhou Chixiong, who was still unconscious. To prevent the man from killing himself, Xu Qian had acquiredrge amounts of incapacitating medication. The reasons why he chose to go to the Cloud Deer Academy to pick him up himself, and not to stuff him in his earth book fragment, were twofold: One, this person is a Refining Spirit rank, much higher than him, thus the didnt want to take risks. Two, the existence of the Earth Book fragment was a secret, and he couldnt just show everyone in the open. He could hardly just walk into the imperial throne room, and pull out the Earth Book fragment in front of the Emperor and his servants. Of course, if there was no other way, he would have used the Earth Book. However he had enough rtionships to get things done otherwise, thus he could avoid resorting to such an option. Brother Song, what order is Brother Yang Qianhuan in Sir Jianzhengs disciples? As he waited for a message from within the court, Xu Qian chitchatted with Song Qing. The ck bags around Brother Songs eyes were a sight to be behold. In Xu Qians previous life, he would definitely bebelled as a lover of multi-person activities, however Song Qing was a tech nerd who didnt go near women. In his eyes were only man-beast hybrids, not women. Hes mine and Caiweis senior brother, the third disciple of our teacher. Song Qing drew closer to him, and muttered, Theres something wrong with that senior brothers head. *Is there a disciple of the Jianzheng who doesnt have something wrong with them?* Xu Qian was still sceptical, as he put his hands behind his back, and imitated Yang Qianhuans posture. Yes yes! Song Qing nodded his head over and over, He loves to stand with his back to people, and not speak properly. The other brothers all find him annoying, only he finds it shameless, rather finding it extremely satisfying. Why is this? Xu Qian thought back to that night at the Jiaofangsi, back to his brief interaction with Yang Qianhuan. He says he needs to have his back to all others, to present a masters aura. Song Qing replied. *Is he trying to cosy the Wushi Emperor[^1]* Xu Qian forced a mouthful ofmpooning back down his throat, feeling distinctly ufortable. *This is not eighth grader syndrome, eighth grader syndrome would only make one somewhat fanciful, this is a problem with his fundamental personality. He is a king of posturers, because he deliberately postures like a pretentious prick, and not just because theres a problem with his world view.* Xu Qian thought for a while, before saying: Brother Song, could you pass on a message for me. Go ahead. Xu Qian said in a low voice: *Picking the stars with the moon in hand, there are none like me upon thisnd.*[^2] The arrogance! The ears of the two Gold Gongs Yang Yan and Jiang Lyuzhong twitched as they heard it, instinctively turning their heads over to look. To a martial artist, hearing these words would be like a vagabond seeing another vagabond showing off left and right, it would instantly ignite their aggressive andpetitive tendencies. The same principle appliedst time at the Stargazing Tower, when Xu Qians singing of *A sword in hand, ask who is the hero under heaven?* was snorted at by Nangong Qianrou. *Such arrogant words, brother Yang is bound to love them, but saying them everywhere hell probably be beaten up no thats good for him, Im fed up of that attitude of his* Song Qing nodded happily, I will ensure it is done. As they chatted, a eunuch came out with a contingent of armoured soldiers. He looked around at the pce city entrance, before saying loudly, Where are the Nightwatchers! Jiang Lyuzhong saluted, Here! The group took out their ques and golden tokens to identify themselves. The eunuch nodded, Follow us to the pce, His Majesty has summons. Yang Yan immediately drew the carriage curtains, and put Zhou Chixiong over his shoulder. Who is this? On the way to the pce, the eunuch asked curiously. A wanted criminal, Zhou Chixiong. Xu Qian replied. Why is there still a bag over his head? Let us see. The eunuch seemed to take much interest, and came over. Jiang Lyuzhong blocked him, shaking his head, Before His Majesty sees him, no one cane into contact with the criminal. The eunuch frowned, looking around at everyones faces, saying solemnly, Before seeing His Majesty, one must verify his identity. How shall one know that this one is not someone holding unsavoury intentions, pretending to be Zhou Chixiong to get into the pce and assassinate His Majesty. Naturally, we are not saying that you are aplices, but a wise mans thoughts eventually will have fault, and we cannot rule out that we have been deceived. Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head again. What intentions do you have? The eunuch stopped, squinting, examining them, One now suspects this persons identity, and requires proof. That contingent of armoured soldiers also stopped, staring sternly at Jiang Lyuzhong and the others. These words were reasonable and well-based, without any w, but to say such a thing now touched a sensitive spot. Xu Qian knew numerous methods of making a person silently die, and was confident that the two Gold Gongs knew even more than him. And as martial artists, they most likely couldnt stop it. Martial artists were best only at outputting a lot of strength very quickly. And if Zhou Chixiong died, died silently whilst unconscious, who has to bear the burden? Clearly it wouldnt be this eunuch. Because inspecting the identity of criminals was an ordinary procedure. *This eunuch belongs to a faction most likely its the same clique as the Minister of Rites as expected. If I came in all on my own, without the two Gold Gongs, the great schr Zhang Shen, and brothers and sisters from the Sitianjian I might have failed at thest step.* Thinking this, Xu Qian said smilingly, Milord, when we go see His Majesty, I will say milord has attempted to murder Zhou Chixiong to silence him. Preposterous! The eunuch flew into a rage, You dare to nder us! Come, arrest him! Milord Xu Qian said loudly, Have you really decided to have an altercation here? His Majesty is not an idiot, nor are the great servants of court, have you considered the consequences? This eunuchughed coldly, Fledgling brat, have you considered the consequences? Xu Qian put a hand on his sabre, and walked over, whispering in the eunuchs ear: Dont try to y lives with me, its not worth it. Milord is helping someone else here, all you need to do is to try your best. After all youre not a core member of the Wang clique, make the best decision. This early thirties eunuchs expression changed for a good minute, before he said sharply, We will not lower ourselves to your level. Coming to the throne room pce, the eunuch went to report. Soon after, Emperor Yuanjing summoned Xu Qian and the others into the pce. After stepping over the ridiculously high threshold, that stretched past the knees, Xu Qian entered this main hall of the pceplex, and saw again the group of people that stood at the height of political power. Especially that one, the middle aged man wearing the Daoist robe, sat on the dragon throne. The many dukes and officials of court turned their bodies, looking at the great door of the throne room, look at Xu Qians group. *Still a bit nervous the core of the political power battlegrounds of the Great Feng* Xu Qian exhaled a long breath, pressing down the unease in his heart. Wei Yuans kindly gaze fell on Xu Qians face, as he lightly nodded. Xu Qian was even less afraid now, taking Baihu Zhou from Gold Gong Jiang. Taking off the hemp sack, he pulled on the nape of his neck, making the unconscious Zhou Chixiong raise his head. Your Majesty, this is the criminal wanted by court, the former Jinwu Guard Baihu Zhou Chixiong. The hubbub of conversation exploded. The face of the Minister of Rites slowly lost all colour. Xu Qian pressed his finger into a few of Zhou Chixiongs major pressure points. Ughh in a pained groan, Baihu Zhou slowly opened his eyes. And promptly fell into a daze. In front of him was the towering Emperor Yuanjing, to his sides were the dukes and officials of court, above him was the ornate throne room sign, and below him was the mirror-like sheen of the crystal floor. *Maybe I opened my eyes wrong* Baihu Zhou closed his eyes again. Smack! Xu Qian immediately smacked him,ughing coldly, Ey, traitor, youvee back in glory. Zhou Chixiong, numb all over, was struck to the ground. He didnt get back up, rather prostrated himself, crying shakily: Your servants sin deserves a thousand deaths! Your servants sin deserves a thousand deaths! After the stronghold in Yunzhou was taken, Zhou Chixiong was knocked unconscious, and was delivered back to the capital on a firefeather beast. He was unconscious all the way. He was only ever fed some water, and not any food. With great trouble he reached the capital, and Xu Qian thought that his situation was still decent, so the former gave him incapacitating medicine to keep him knocked out. Emperor Yuanjings face was stern, as he gazed down from above: Zhou Chixiong, who ordered you to conspire with the Yao to smuggle gunpowder? Zhou Chixiong was still prostrate on the floor, saying with all his breath: Your servant should die Emperor Yuanjing turned his gaze from this ant, looking towards Zhang Shen beside Xu Qian, saying kindly Mister Zhang, sorry to bother you. Zhang Shen grunted coldly, not directly responding to the emperor, as he stepped forwards, his hands behind his back, heavenlyws on his tongue: A gentleman must be truthful, an ordinary man must also. An invisible zephyr swept through the throne room, as in an instant, everyones minds were filled with the word truthfulness. Who ordered you to conspire with the Yao to smuggle gunpowder? Its its the Minister of Rites Li Yng. Zhou Chixiong began to sob. In an instant, the throne room exploded. All the great officials lost their abilities to control their emotions, and an uproar rose. A supervising secretary stepped out, Your Majesty, this is preposterous, Zhou Chixiong is ndering Song Qing interrupted icily, Baihu Zhou is not lying. Chu Caiwei concurred, Hes not lying. The qi-watching technique could not be used on officials greater than fourth rank, but it could be used on Zhou Chixiong. The Minister of Rites face was ashen grey. There was no point in arguing any more; as soon as Zhou Chixiong had been caught, he had lost, unless he knew of this matter beforehand, and can kill him halfway. Li Yng, what have you to say? Emperor Yuanjing said. The Minister of Rites took a deep breath, stowing away the defeat on his face, Your servant is being wronged. As if they were thest struggles in his death throes, there were no excuses nor arguments, only those few pitiful words. Wei Yuan immediately said, Your Majesty, please lend that man to this servant for interrogation, to find his aplices. The Minister of Law also stepped forwards, butting heads with Wei Yuan, Your Majesty, please give this case to the Ministry of Law. Emperor Yuanjing did not reply, looking silently at the room full of red and purple cloaks. The room slowly quietened, as people instinctively stopped their discussions, lowering their heads. After a long time, Emperor Yuanjing said loudly, This case will be handed to the Ministry of Law. After the court had adjourned, Minister Sun was escorted out, his official robes and cap long being confiscated. Wait! The ashen-hearted Minister of Rites turned to look, and the people from the Ministry of Law did simrly. They saw that small Bronze Gong from the Nightwatchers Constabry catch up to them, The Ministry of Law people immediately went to block his way. Xu Qian did not argue, stopping in his steps, looking at the Minister of Law and the Minister of Rites. He said lightly, A few days ago, I heard about what happened in court. If your Wang clique could quiet everything earlier, then today may never have happened. This scene was seen by many officials. They involuntarily stopped, looking over. Further away, Wei Yuan stopped by his carriage, gazing over. Yang Yan whispered: Father, do I call him over? Wei Yuan shook his head, The anguish in his heart is hard to suppress. If he does not vent it now, what time does he have. You watch, make sure things do not escte. He smiled warmly, I also want to see what he says. The The Minister of Law Minister Sun squinted, saying contemptuously, Young brat, prattling on so self-importantly here. Xu Qian was not the least bit angered, replying Do the two ministers know that I have some little poetic talent? I do not dare to prattle self-importantly, I only wanted to gift Minister Sun and Minister Li a poem. This poem is called: *The Case of Sangpo Lake, Given to Minister Sun* Gifting a poem!? The surrounding civil servants first were dazed, then became excited, not caring about this matter being blown out of bounds, or about Minister Suns dignity, they all rushed over. Come on, let us listen in. Wei Yuans eyes lit up slightly, as he strode over with great steps. Minister Suns face turned, as he remembered Xu Qians fame, remembered his poetry. A torrent of unease welled up inside him. Xu Qian loudly proimed: *All men raise their children and hope them clever, While my cleverness has strayed me all my life, Now I only wish my son be dull and clumsy, And reach the high ranks with no misery and strife.*[^3] --- [^1]: (lit. the emperor of no beginning) Important character in the famous Xianxia novel *Shrouding the Heavens / Zhetian* by Chen Dong. [^2]: This line is from Tang Jia San Shao''s *Shen Yin Wang Zuo* (Throne of Seal), The titr line of Cmity Necromancer Electrolux/Elux, who goes on to be a mentor of Unrivaled Tang Sect''s Huo Yuhaoter in life. He was a Scion of Light, fated to destroy the darkness, but he spread cmity throughout the world after being disspirited with the true nature of humanity. Alternate trantion because the original did not rhyme. [^3]: Adapted trantion of the poem *On Bathing my Son* by Su Shi . Chapter 159: The Straight-as-Iron Li Yuchun Chapter 159: The Straight-as-Iron Li Yuchun # 159. The Straight-as-Iron Li Yuchun *Now I only wish my son be dull and clumsy, and reach the high ranks with no misery and strife hss, what a poisonous tongue!* The meaning hidden within this poem was, that the author wasmenting that he was too clever, and thus dyed for his whole life. If he were to be an idiot, then he would be able to be a duke without any worry nor strife. This was satirising the entire court of civil and martial officials, all the princes and dukes of thend, mocking them for being addle-brained idiots. The surrounding officials all exchanged looks, their expressions hardly just describable as strange. They hade to see Minister Sun being mocked, yet they were just coldly stabbed in the back. A little ufortable hardly describes it! *The Sangpo Case, given to Minister Sun hes calling me an idiot, mocking me for shooting myself in the foot he wants to pin my name to the post of disgrace* the name of the poem echoed in Minister Suns mind, as anger welled in his heart. The most majestic pursuit of a learned man was to leave a glorious name in the annals of history, this attracted them more than teaching or anything else. Simrly, however much they wished to leave a glorious name, was however much they feared having their name dragged through the pigsty. How could this be tolerated? This could not be tolerated. Come, arrest this brat, take him! Minister Sun was shaking with fury, his whole face red and swollen. Because he had taken matters into his own hands, and tried to finish off the Nightwatchers lead investigator Xu Qian, the Sangpo case had an ending like it did. Already he was feeling frustration enough to flip tables, and just then the thing he could suffer the least was to be kicked whilst he was down. The Ministry of Laws people came up in unison, to arrest Xu Qian outside of the imperial city gates. Sir Sun, please do not be angry. Wei Yuans calm and kindly voice stopped the Ministry of Laws people. This great azure cloak walked over unhurriedly, stepping between the Ministry of Law and Xu Qian. Wei Yuan, this person is ndering this official, insulting a ministrys high minister, by thew he shall be exiled! The Minister of Law resisted his anger, and enunciated word by word: Today. Even. You. Will. Not. Protect. Him. To nder a minister is indeed a great offence. Wei Yuan looked sternly at Xu Qian, and just when everyone thought he was about to scold the foul mouthed little Bronze Gong, he turned back to the minister with deadly earnest, To be honest, it is not nder. You Minister Sun swayed, pointing a trembling finger at Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan smiled, turned and left. Xu Qian happily followed dad away, escaping the Ministry of Laws henchmen. After waling a few steps, he stopped again, turning his head and calling: Congrattions, Minister Sun, your name will be spoken of through the ages, and will be famous amongst schrs worldwide. Minister Sun froze. A few secondster, forgetting how to breathe, he fainted right on the spot. Minister Sir, Minister Sir the Ministry of Laws people fell into a panic. Returning back to the constabry, Xu Qian followed Wei Yuan into the Tower of Noble Spirit, and diligently poured Wei Yuan and the two Gold Gongs tea. Duke Wei, theres a few things I still dont understand. Xu Qian asked. Wei Yuan was a man of strategy as well as wisdom. Some questions were better asked than figured out oneself, just like when at school, asking the teacher a question was usually both convenient and quicker. Why did His Majesty order the Ministry of Law to take this case? Wei Yuan picked up the teacup, smiling lightly. Under heaven there is a stone of talent, Wei Yuan alone takes eight tenths of it, the Cloud Deer Academy and I share one. Xu Qian ttered him. Pff Jiang Lyuzhong spat out his tea. The corner of Yang Yans mouth twitched. Wei Yuans light smile quickly broadened, clearly very appreciative of Xu Qians ttery. A Schr was like so, if you praise him: fucking based, 666[^1] absolute chad he wouldnt bother with you. But that didnt mean schrs did not like to be ttered, but one needed to use a different method. Xu Qians ttery was thus very precise, and used a method that schrs liked, making Wei Yuan feelfortable with taking it. Wei Yuan was a very proud schr. The Minister of Rites is a member of the Wang clique, if given to the Nightwatchers to hear, then itll involve arge number of Wang clique members. Wei Yuan said. *And when that happens, the bnce of power in court will be gone Emperor Yuanjing does not want to see one or two parties dominating, since it would hamper his control over court, especially as hes constantly in cultivation even if the Wang clique conspired with the Yao, blowing up Sangpoke, blowing up his ancestors statues, that would hardly matterpared to his power* from Wei Yuans words, Xu Qian deduced and extracted the core reason behind it. His impression of Emperor Yuanjing thus fell again by a few more points. Emperor Yuanjing may be a very skilled emperor, but he was not a good emperor. Armchair historian Xu Qian had separated emperors into three categories: bright rulers, ordinary rulers, and dark rulers. Bright rulers were good emperors that could bring a golden age to themon people. Ordinary rulers did not have many achievements, nor many transgressions. Most of the emperors in history belonged to this category. In reality to themon people an ordinary ruler that did not bother them might as well be a bright one. Dark rulers listened to lowly men and kept far from virtue, and often made the court into a mess, and the country into a mess. The reason why he did not include a category for tyrant, was because tyrant rulers coulde from all three. In Xu Qians eyes, Emperor Yuanjing was a dark ruler, because as emperor, he only had care for his own power and status. The chaotic situation in court with party politics was in reality created by him. He cultivated Dao, and did not care for politics, thus needed a chaotic and discordant court to keep his grip on power. Otherwise, he would easily be figureheaded. Another matter, I cant figure out why the Minister of Rites did not silence Zhou Chixiong. Xu Qian said. Originally he had presumed that the Nightwatchers would definitely be allowed to interrogate the Minister of Rites, and so he wouldve asked then. Little did he expect Emperor Yuanjing to have that skilled control. Wei Yuan shook his head, These small matters do not need to be worried about. This phase of the Sangpo Case hase to an end. The fact that His Majesty did not mention you, meant that this matter has been ovee. Xu Qianughed with heartfelt emotion, immediately saying I want to invite my colleagues in the case to the Jiaofangsi for drinks, but Ive no silver, please may Duke Wei allocate some budget. Just like how when apany finished arge project, everyone going to a restaurant. The costs were naturally paid by thepany. Wei Yuan gave him a look, Piss off. After Xu Qian had pissed off, Wei Yuan fell into thought for a while, before saying: Yang Yan, you allocate him two hundred taels of silver, make it a reward from the constabry. He then looked over at Jiang Lyuzhong too, You two can go along as well. Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head vigorously, Duke Wei, I dont go to ces like the Jiaofangsi. Yang Yan also shook his head. Wei Yuan did not press the issue, leisurely sipping tea, With him present, I reckon many oirans will want to apany him. Night fell, as thenterns in the Jiaofangsi shone brightly, the sound of string and woodwind instruments resonated all around. In the Reflecting Plum Pavilion, Fuxiang yed the qin, Mingyan danced, and Xiaoya led the drinking games. It was a lively sight. Beside Yang Yan and Jiang Lyuzhong was a lovable and charming orian, serving them wine. Xu Qian raised his cup,ughing, Everyone, dont be so uptight, lets eat, lets drink! At the start the Bronze Gongs and Silver Gongs were still a bit ufortable, as after all there were two Gold Gongs present, giving them some amount of stress. But Jiang Lyuzhong was a veteran of these ces, and knew how to make the atmosphere lively. He constantly raised his cup and toasted, and even chatted some vulgar words, seeming apletely new personpared to when he was on duty. Slowly, the Silver Gongs and Bronze Gongs all rxed. Present were only two people who were still prim and proper, and lookingpletely unlike having juste to freeload. They were Yang Yan and Li Yuchun. You two, youre worthy of being superior and subordinate, youre like two peas in a pod, Jiang Lyuzhong teased them,ughing. Not quite, Gold Gong Jiang, Xu Qian had already drank a lot of liquor, and was rather woozy, boldly making fun of his two superiors: Gold Gong Yang does not like women, Boss is just too prudish, theres still a difference. Just like that, the whole room burst intoughter, as the atmosphere became even more rxed, full of lively aura. They drank all the way until 10:30, when the banquet finally ended. Jiang Lyuzhong left with that well-rounded oiran, whilst Yang Yan returned back to the constabry. Li Yuchun also wanted to go back, but he was pulled back by Xu Qian, as well as Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, and had a charming young woman pushed into his arms, and shut into a room together. As the official host, Xu Qian arranged everyone properly before entering Fuxiangs bedroom. Why have so manye today? Fuxiang, having just finished bathing, sat cross-legged by the table, drying her glistening ck silken hair. To get all the misses in the courtyard nice and orderly, of course, Xu Qian took off his jacket and sabre, and turned to leave: Ille back in a minute. He quietened his footsteps, and crept towards Li Yuchuns room, rubbing his hands. In the corner he saw two people also furtively sneaking around, none other than Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao. Xu Qian used his gaze tomunicate: Are you two also here to listen to the corner of the wall. The two of them nodded, using their expression to reply Boss is refining qi, be careful, control your breathing Finally, they slowly crept under Li Yuchuns window, and discovered no sounds of creaking beds, but rather conversation: Master, your servant has already finished bathing, you can go bathe now. Mn. Li Yuchun replied rather deeply. A long timeter, he finished bathing, as the womans voice came again: Master, the bed is warmed, what are you doing strolling around? The furniture is disorganised, everything is too messy, its a mess, a whole mess. Staying in this room is like sitting on a pincushion. Li Yuchun replied painfully. Huh? The woman was stunned for a moment, Its already very clean, your servant tidies the room every day. No Li Yuchun said earnestly, The teacups on the table should surround the teapot, keeping a specific distance the nt pots by the window need to be moved left two inches the chairs are ced too haphazardly, they should surround the tea table in the same way the tea cups surround the pot the picture on this wall, why is it not in the centre the screen is askew, I just aligned it properly mn, your silk shoes are also not ced tidily this, how could this be fully tidy, who could do such a thing? The woman said softly, Master, your servant has been waiting for so long. Li Yuchun was not very happy hearing that, and replied deeply, Who says this cannot be done, you watch, and learn. This official will teach you how to tidy a room properly. The woman: ??? Under the window, Xu Qian and the others were speechless. After creeping away, Xu Qianmented: Has boss not married? Hes married. Why does he feel like a newbie? Xu Qian said. This cant be his first time at the Jiaofangsi, can it? Song Tingfeng was in disbelief. Even though he had been Li Yuchuns subordinate for many years, he still didnt know much about the mans private life. Xu Qian thought for a moment, saying When we get back to our rooms, we can make a bit more of a ruckus. Good idea Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao thought this was a good n. Thus, the sound of shaking beds inside the Reflecting Plum Pavilion was extra vigorous that night. --- [^1]: Culture lesson: 6 (liu) in Chinese is homonymic with (liu) smooth used in the same sense. 666 is then extra smooth. Chapter 160: Buying a House Chapter 160: Buying a House # 160. Buying a House 8:45 AM, Xu Qian climbed astride his beloved mare, that never got into traffic jams, and headed towards the Sitianjian. Under the enthusiastic wee by the white-cloaked arcanists, he found Chu Caiwei listening to Song Qings lecture. Miss Caiwei, I want to buy a city in the inner city. I know the Sitianjian knows how to inspect feng-shui, so Id like to ask you for help. Xu Qian stated his intentions. Chu Caiwei moved her gaze from the various vials and beakers on the table, raising her face. A girl of just eighteen, her face was still round and tender. A face both beautiful and delicate, with round eyes shing brightly, the whites clear and pure, like that of an infant. As everyone knows, the eyes of an infant are the clearest, purest, brightest, this is because the whites are most pure. Unlike an adult, as as one ages, the whites of ones eyes will be cloudy, filling with blood vessels. Chu Caiweis eyes were like that of an infants, big andrge and extremely beautiful.[^1] I need to learn alchemy, Im not going. Chu Caiwei puffed her cheeks, and turned her face aside. *Is it that time of the month for her? She seems to be grumpy* Xu Qian thought, before hearing Song Qing say, Ill call a junior brother to go with you. *What do I want a junior brother for? Hell no! Only if the junior sister apanies me will things be fun, who wants to go window shopping with an old man.* Xu Qian shook his head, gracefully declining Song Qings offer, saying: Miss Caiwei, may I ask why youre so shitting up a wall today?[^2] Chu Caiwei replied earnestly: Ive been stuck at seventh rank Master of Feng-Shui for over a year. I should have been a Master of Alchemy by now, but alchemy is just too hard, its both exhausting and boring *Yup, I get you, STEM is a womans nightmare.* Chu Caiwei continued, Furthermore, to be a sixth rank Master of Alchemy, I need to independentlyplete apletely new method of alchemy, and then spread it far and wide. Only when I get themon peoples positive feedback can I then advance. Thest sentence, Xu Qian did not understand: Themon peoples positive feedback? Do you know who discovered gunpowder? How would I know? Gunpowder was discovered three hundred years ago by a Master of Feng-Shui of the Sitianjian. He spread gunpowder widely, and received themon peoples approval, thus advancing to Master of Alchemy. Of course, you neednt necessarily invent something so mind-boggling; senior brother Song Qing invented ceramic ze and advanced that way. Chu Caiwei said, the crucial part is the reaction of themon people. *So the son of a bitch who had ruined my chance at fortune was you Song Qing* Xu Qian secretly seethed, then asking in confusion: Why do you need to get the approval of themon people? Chu Caiwei immediately looked towards Song Qing, as thetter hesitated, saying This is the Sitianjians secret. Theres no harm in telling you, but dont go around telling anyone else. Seeing Xu Qian nod, Song Qing said, Have you ever felt that the Sitianjian was different from other cultivation pathways? Serving the country and people, making selfless contributions, extremely noble. Xu Qian said seriously. *Xu Qian is worthy of being a friend of the Sitianjian* Song Qing nodded in approval, his voice bing excited, Yes, you have a very original and urate gaze, I admire you. In all the great systems, rank nine is the foundation. In reality the differences in the ninth rank represents the core of each system. The martial artists Refining Vitality, the Confucianists Awakened, the Buddhists Sramanera. *The martial artists have Refining Vitality, its core is the body, the body is the foundation of martial arts the Confucianists have Awakened, as in bing literate, uh, does this imply, that if you dont have a brain dont read books? The Buddhists have Sramanera, acolyte. The young acolytes must hold their vows, to keep vows is the foundation upon which the monks learn Buddhist scripture then what about the ninth rank of the arcanists, Physician? There doesnt seem to be much a Physician has to do with Arcanists?* Xu Qian fell into silence. Song Qing, seeing that he had not yet had the realisation, prodded him: The essence of a ninth rank Physician is not in the pharmacy, but in the people. The path of the Arcanist is the path of man, thus the sixth rank Masters of Alchemy must receive the approval of themon people, thus the Sitianjian must be attached to the royal court. *The path of the Arcanist is the path of man? That shouldnt be the humanitarianism[^3] that I know about no wonder these white-cloaks are so proud and uppity yet they work to serve the people[^4]; no wonder the Jianzheng is the protector of the capital, they have to support the crown It reminds me of the Confucianists who also have to support the crown. The Confucianists until today have not had a second rank, going off Xinnians words, they may have had their path broken. Is this not quite simr to the seventh rank Masters of Feng Shui if they dont receive the approval of themon people, they will never gain rank?* *If there is the way of man, then there are bound to be other ways, Daos existing. Apart from the surface level system differences, there are different Daos hidden behind them?* Do you have any ideas for a new alchemical invention? Xu Qian asked. Song Qing nced at his junior sister, and said helplessly, Notwithstanding that shes not the sharpest sword, she also doesnt like studying. Im afraid its difficult. The few other white-cloaked arcanists all shook their heads, disying pessimistic outlooks towards Chu Caiweis advancement. With sister Caiwei well just have to wait for an opportunity. Aye, Master Jianzheng doesnt even care much, maybe he thinks a girl like junior sister doesnt need to be too high a rank. We cant do anything either. The white-cloaked arcanists all said pitifully, sighs going all around. Chu Caiwei pursed her lip, like a hopeless student with all Fs facing the frustrated and disappointed sighs of her superiors. *This world still doesnt have chicken bouillon, I wonder if making chicken bouillon would count as a new form of alchemy.* Xu Qian thought for a moment, I might have an idea for this. Whoosh! In theboratory, every single white cloak looked over, all of their eyes shing gold. Really, you really have a way? Song Qings eyes became wide, both with the surging pleasure of learning new alchemy, and the gratification of a father sorting out a load on their heart. I still need to think about it, Ille back with an answer in a few days. After Xu Qian had finished, he looked at Chu Caiwei, Miss Caiwei, do you have time today? Yes yes All of the white cloaks in the room spoke in unison. Song Qing pushed Chu Caiwei upright, saying with heartfelt emotion, Xu Qian is a prized person of our Sitianjian, hundreds of times more important than just some alchemy, you go and apany him round the inner city today. Just like that, Chu Caiwei was pushed by her brothers into the wolfs den. Xu Qian led Chu Caiwei to the estate agents, and an old manager came up eagerly to greet them, Are the sir and madam buying or renting? *An old man in my past life thered be a round bottomed round breasted female attendant that woulde to greet me* Xu Qianmpooned, his face holding a light smile, Buying. The old mans smile became even wider; themission from renting and buying were leagues apart. What sort of model? A threeyered courtyard. The smile on the old mans face could no longer merely be described by enthusiastic, rather it was like he had just seen his own father after being decades apart, happy nearly to the point of tears. It was not unreasonable for him to be so excited; in the inner city, based on what district one was going for, a threeyer courtyard house was worth anywhere from 5000 to 10,000 taels of silver. A three or more tiered courtyard house was not a residence any ordinary person could buy. The estate agents hadnt even sold a house of that calibre that year, but if they did then they could eat for a year on that onemission alone. Are there any houses that take your fancy Sir? The old manager asked humbly. Give me a list of all the houses between five and seven thousand taels. Xu Qian sat down boldly, picking up the tea, and drank a sip of what was probably the best green tea the agents had to offer. The vour was average, no where near what Wei Yuan had. Very quickly, the documents were assembled. Xu Qian looked them over, and thought carefully for a moment, before pushing away three from the file, leaving only one left. Why do you only want this one house? Chu Caiwei grabbed out a honey sweet from her deerskin bag, like a magician conjuring a coin. Because the house is closest to the Jiaofangsi. Xu Qian raised his eyebrow, andughed. On the paper was written the location and the size, more detailed information must be retrieved separately. Xu Qian nced over at it, and discovered that this one had a decent location, was veryrge, but also much cheaper than any of the other houses. The agents code for it was: Yi-23. Why is this house much cheaper than the others? Xu Qian asked calmly. Yi-23s price was 5500 taels of silver. Other houses of a simr size usually had an asking price of close to 7000 or more. Naturally theres a reason for its price the old manager looked left and right, before saying in a low voice: That house is cursed, no one can live there, Sir would be better off picking another one. Xu Qian and Chu Caiwei exchanged nces, *cursed? Then as a Nightwatcher I ought to go look, and see why it is cursed.* But Xu Qian was not rash, as he asked cautiously: Why so. Tell me in detail. Although the capital was the territory of the Nightwatchers, it indeed hid an unknown number of high rank experts, and there did indeed exist some cults and evil ces around. Since he was little Xu Qian had heard of strange tales around the capital city. --- Trantors note: only 159 chapters in did the author realise that he started off calling the Cloud Deer Academy the White Deer Academy, and slowly started using the two terms inconsistently. We shall immortalise his mistake but it will be the Cloud Deer Academy starting 140 chapters ago and continuing forth. [^1]: Okay I dont really like to trantorsment much but Xiangjun you really went off topic there, are you padding characters? [^2]: Theres almost definitely a meme behind this. I shall leave it up to interpretation. [^3]: Humanitarianism: The way (dao) of Humankind. [^4]: Also a famous Chinese Communist slogan. Chapter 161: Buying a House Chapter 161: Buying a House # 161. Buying a House 8:45 AM, Xu Qian climbed astride his beloved mare, that never got into traffic jams, and headed towards the Sitianjian. Under the enthusiastic wee by the white-cloaked arcanists, he found Chu Caiwei listening to Song Qings lecture. Miss Caiwei, I want to buy a city in the inner city. I know the Sitianjian knows how to inspect feng-shui, so Id like to ask you for help. Xu Qian stated his intentions. Chu Caiwei moved her gaze from the various vials and beakers on the table, raising her face. A girl of just eighteen, her face was still round and tender. A face both beautiful and delicate, with round eyes shing brightly, the whites clear and pure, like that of an infant. As everyone knows, the eyes of an infant are the clearest, purest, brightest, this is because the whites are most pure. Unlike an adult, as as one ages, the whites of ones eyes will be cloudy, filling with blood vessels. Chu Caiweis eyes were like that of an infants, big andrge and extremely beautiful.[^1] I need to learn alchemy, Im not going. Chu Caiwei puffed her cheeks, and turned her face aside. *Is it that time of the month for her? She seems to be grumpy* Xu Qian thought, before hearing Song Qing say, Ill call a junior brother to go with you. *What do I want a junior brother for? Hell no! Only if the junior sister apanies me will things be fun, who wants to go window shopping with an old man.* Xu Qian shook his head, gracefully declining Song Qings offer, saying: Miss Caiwei, may I ask why youre so shitting up a wall today?[^2] Chu Caiwei replied earnestly: Ive been stuck at seventh rank Master of Feng-Shui for over a year. I should have been a Master of Alchemy by now, but alchemy is just too hard, its both exhausting and boring *Yup, I get you, STEM is a womans nightmare.* Chu Caiwei continued, Furthermore, to be a sixth rank Master of Alchemy, I need to independentlyplete apletely new method of alchemy, and then spread it far and wide. Only when I get themon peoples positive feedback can I then advance. Thest sentence, Xu Qian did not understand: Themon peoples positive feedback? Do you know who discovered gunpowder? How would I know? Gunpowder was discovered three hundred years ago by a Master of Feng-Shui of the Sitianjian. He spread gunpowder widely, and received themon peoples approval, thus advancing to Master of Alchemy. Of course, you neednt necessarily invent something so mind-boggling; senior brother Song Qing invented ceramic ze and advanced that way. Chu Caiwei said, the crucial part is the reaction of themon people. *So the son of a bitch who had ruined my chance at fortune was you Song Qing* Xu Qian secretly seethed, then asking in confusion: Why do you need to get the approval of themon people? Chu Caiwei immediately looked towards Song Qing, as thetter hesitated, saying This is the Sitianjians secret. Theres no harm in telling you, but dont go around telling anyone else. Seeing Xu Qian nod, Song Qing said, Have you ever felt that the Sitianjian was different from other cultivation pathways? Serving the country and people, making selfless contributions, extremely noble. Xu Qian said seriously. *Xu Qian is worthy of being a friend of the Sitianjian* Song Qing nodded in approval, his voice bing excited, Yes, you have a very original and urate gaze, I admire you. In all the great systems, rank nine is the foundation. In reality the differences in the ninth rank represents the core of each system. The martial artists Refining Vitality, the Confucianists Awakened, the Buddhists Sramanera. *The martial artists have Refining Vitality, its core is the body, the body is the foundation of martial arts the Confucianists have Awakened, as in bing literate, uh, does this imply, that if you dont have a brain dont read books? The Buddhists have Sramanera, acolyte. The young acolytes must hold their vows, to keep vows is the foundation upon which the monks learn Buddhist scripture then what about the ninth rank of the arcanists, Physician? There doesnt seem to be much a Physician has to do with Arcanists?* Xu Qian fell into silence. Song Qing, seeing that he had not yet had the realisation, prodded him: The essence of a ninth rank Physician is not in the pharmacy, but in the people. The path of the Arcanist is the path of man, thus the sixth rank Masters of Alchemy must receive the approval of themon people, thus the Sitianjian must be attached to the royal court. *The path of the Arcanist is the path of man? That shouldnt be the humanitarianism[^3] that I know about no wonder these white-cloaks are so proud and uppity yet they work to serve the people[^4]; no wonder the Jianzheng is the protector of the capital, they have to support the crown It reminds me of the Confucianists who also have to support the crown. The Confucianists until today have not had a second rank, going off Xinnians words, they may have had their path broken. Is this not quite simr to the seventh rank Masters of Feng Shui if they dont receive the approval of themon people, they will never gain rank?* *If there is the way of man, then there are bound to be other ways, Daos existing. Apart from the surface level system differences, there are different Daos hidden behind them?* Do you have any ideas for a new alchemical invention? Xu Qian asked. Song Qing nced at his junior sister, and said helplessly, Notwithstanding that shes not the sharpest sword, she also doesnt like studying. Im afraid its difficult. The few other white-cloaked arcanists all shook their heads, disying pessimistic outlooks towards Chu Caiweis advancement. With sister Caiwei well just have to wait for an opportunity. Aye, Master Jianzheng doesnt even care much, maybe he thinks a girl like junior sister doesnt need to be too high a rank. We cant do anything either. The white-cloaked arcanists all said pitifully, sighs going all around. Chu Caiwei pursed her lip, like a hopeless student with all Fs facing the frustrated and disappointed sighs of her superiors. *This world still doesnt have chicken bouillon, I wonder if making chicken bouillon would count as a new form of alchemy.* Xu Qian thought for a moment, I might have an idea for this. Whoosh! In theboratory, every single white cloak looked over, all of their eyes shing gold. Really, you really have a way? Song Qings eyes became wide, both with the surging pleasure of learning new alchemy, and the gratification of a father sorting out a load on their heart. I still need to think about it, Ille back with an answer in a few days. After Xu Qian had finished, he looked at Chu Caiwei, Miss Caiwei, do you have time today? Yes yes All of the white cloaks in the room spoke in unison. Song Qing pushed Chu Caiwei upright, saying with heartfelt emotion, Xu Qian is a prized person of our Sitianjian, hundreds of times more important than just some alchemy, you go and apany him round the inner city today. Just like that, Chu Caiwei was pushed by her brothers into the wolfs den. Xu Qian led Chu Caiwei to the estate agents, and an old manager came up eagerly to greet them, Are the sir and madam buying or renting? *An old man in my past life thered be a round bottomed round breasted female attendant that woulde to greet me* Xu Qianmpooned, his face holding a light smile, Buying. The old mans smile became even wider; themission from renting and buying were leagues apart. What sort of model? A threeyered courtyard. The smile on the old mans face could no longer merely be described by enthusiastic, rather it was like he had just seen his own father after being decades apart, happy nearly to the point of tears. It was not unreasonable for him to be so excited; in the inner city, based on what district one was going for, a threeyer courtyard house was worth anywhere from 5000 to 10,000 taels of silver. A three or more tiered courtyard house was not a residence any ordinary person could buy. The estate agents hadnt even sold a house of that calibre that year, but if they did then they could eat for a year on that onemission alone. Are there any houses that take your fancy Sir? The old manager asked humbly. Give me a list of all the houses between five and seven thousand taels. Xu Qian sat down boldly, picking up the tea, and drank a sip of what was probably the best green tea the agents had to offer. The vour was average, no where near what Wei Yuan had. Very quickly, the documents were assembled. Xu Qian looked them over, and thought carefully for a moment, before pushing away three from the file, leaving only one left. Why do you only want this one house? Chu Caiwei grabbed out a honey sweet from her deerskin bag, like a magician conjuring a coin. Because the house is closest to the Jiaofangsi. Xu Qian raised his eyebrow, andughed. On the paper was written the location and the size, more detailed information must be retrieved separately. Xu Qian nced over at it, and discovered that this one had a decent location, was veryrge, but also much cheaper than any of the other houses. The agents code for it was: Yi-23. Why is this house much cheaper than the others? Xu Qian asked calmly. Yi-23s price was 5500 taels of silver. Other houses of a simr size usually had an asking price of close to 7000 or more. Naturally theres a reason for its price the old manager looked left and right, before saying in a low voice: That house is cursed, no one can live there, Sir would be better off picking another one. Xu Qian and Chu Caiwei exchanged nces, *cursed? Then as a Nightwatcher I ought to go look, and see why it is cursed.* But Xu Qian was not rash, as he asked cautiously: Why so. Tell me in detail. Although the capital was the territory of the Nightwatchers, it indeed hid an unknown number of high rank experts, and there did indeed exist some cults and evil ces around. Since he was little Xu Qian had heard of strange tales around the capital city. --- Trantors note: only 159 chapters in did the author realise that he started off calling the Cloud Deer Academy the White Deer Academy, and slowly started using the two terms inconsistently. We shall immortalise his mistake but it will be the Cloud Deer Academy starting 140 chapters ago and continuing forth. [^1]: Okay I dont really like to trantorsment much but Xiangjun you really went off topic there, are you padding characters? [^2]: Theres almost definitely a meme behind this. I shall leave it up to interpretation. [^3]: Humanitarianism: The way (dao) of Humankind. [^4]: Also a famous Chinese Communist slogan. Chapter 162: Mighty Heavenly Dragon[^1] Chapter 162: Mighty Heavenly Dragon[^1] # 162. Mighty Heavenly Dragon[^1] Because the house is haunted! The old manager said in a low voice. His posture straightened, as he leant forwards slightly. It started about two years ago. Originally, that house belonged to a rich family. One night, they suddenly heard the terrible sound of a woman cryinging from the courtyard. A servant went to look, and saw a woman in all white sat beside the well, covering her face and crying. The servant asked who she was, but she didnt answer, and just cried and cried. The servant thought that she was one of the women in the household that had been bullied, and hade to the courtyard to let out her feelings, so he raised hisntern and walked over, only to find As he spoke, the old managers voice became even lower, as he made a posture as if he had seen the terrifying events personally. What next? Chu Caiwei clutched her little fists tightly, her eyshes quivering, face full of both anxiety and anticipation. Xu Qian was reminded of the women in his past life, who were both terrified yet wanted to watch the horror movies. She was a seventh rank Master of Feng Shui though. At this time the old managers voice became indistinct, as his expression darkened, The woman raised her head, her features were mutted, her eyes hung on her cheeks, and her eye sockets were like tworge ck holes, with maggots crawling back and forth within. Her lips were dark purple, as ck blood dripped from the corner of her mouth Xu Qian saw goosebumps erupt over Chu Caiweis pale skin, as her delicate frame trembled slightly. The old manager was very satisfied with Chu Caiweis reaction, andughed with a sense of pride, After the first rich family moved away, the several owners of the house afterwards befell the same thing. But scarier than that, afterwards it was as if they had had a curse ced on them, as idents and problems started happening one after another, whether it be someone in the household injuring themselves, or their business falling off a cliff, but eventually as their family conditions worsened, they had to move out. *Thats a rather nice ghost all things considered* Xu Qian asked, Did anyone report this? Of course, how could anyone not? But because there were no lives involved, after the officials came a few times, they stopped caring. Oh but the past owners did all invite monks over to look, and things did calm down for a while, but it wasnt long before the whole ordeal red up again. The crying started again, driving everyone mad. And the bad luck didnt improve either, they were still doomed to it. Xu Qian knocked on the table, smiling, What an interesting house, well go see this one first. The manager was taken aback, as he thought *is this young couple not dumb? Younguns dont know the world for what it is, always rushing into things with far too much confidence, thinking theyre special.* Sure, I will take you there immediately. Take your time, there are plenty of properties. The old managers face still presented a subservient smile. The house was only three li away from the Jiaofangsi. To its east was a meandering stream, to its west a garden, and it was only a few dozen metres from the main street, neither close nor far. In the day there was no mour and noise, but it was still convenient to go shopping. It was tranquil in a sea of noise, a good ce certainly. The old manager unlocked the lock, and vigorously pushed open the heaven doors. He dusted off his hands, whilst simultaneously making an invitational gesture. Sir, Madam, this way please. Mhm! Xu Qian nodded, and stepped inside with Chu Caiwei, looking around. A deste and decrepit aura emanated from the house, as grey carpeted the floor, paint ked off the walls. If it was the summer time, the courtyard would likely be full of weeds. The garden gave off an earthy smell. The old manager lead them round the front courtyard and hall. Xu Qian was rather satisfied; no matter theyout, or the construction, were all more open andfortable than Second Uncles house. However the old manager absolutely refused to take them into the inner courtyard, as he said Lets stop here. We cant go in there, itd be bad luck. *I was just feeling that you were getting in the way* Xu Qian waved his hand, You wait outside, welle out in a bit. The wife and I will have a look inside. It was still the morning, and the sun hung high. The manager felt a bit more secure in such conditions, and reminded them, Dont tarry too long. Chu Caiwei only then processed what Xu Qian had just said, as she turned to him: Whos your wife? Stop talking rubbish. *Its only a matter of time* Youre very strange you know. Arent you supposed to buynd with your savings, why are you buying a house. When you have experienced the fear of being controlled by the housing market, youll be just like me. Xu Qian said as he scanned around cautiously, I know that apart from the Daoists, after any cultivator dies, their soul will stay in the world for a long while, how long would depend on how strong their spirit was. Are there fragments of the soul of a particrly strong cultivator here? Xu Qian leisurely took out his jade mirror, and lightly tapped the back, pulling out the ck and gold long sabre. Meeting Chu Caiweis wide-eyed stare, heughed This is my little treasure, and my secret. Dont spread it around! Ill treat you to dinner after. Oh. Chu Caiwei only nced at it curiously, and did not pay it much mind. After all, her deerskin pouch also was a magic item that had the ability to store items bigger than it. Some random mirror in exchange for a delicious meal? Profit. Chu Caiwei lightly leapt onto the room, clear light shing in her almond eyes. She carefully scanned around every corner of the house, asionally jumping to new points on the roof and getting new angles, not missing any nook. Finally, her shing eyes fell on the well hole, as she saw light wisps of ck qi emanating from it. Found it! Pleased, Chu Caiwei jumped down lightly from the roof, and pulled Xu Qian to the well. Theres resentful energy here, resentful energy that can nourish ghosts and wraiths. Xu Qian was startled by this, and showed a guarded expression, pulling Chu Caiwei away. Its fine! The double-A beauty shook her head, The resentful energy is really weak, if there is a wraith down there it cant be strong at all. I can deal with this myself. As she spoke, she stretched her hand towards her deerskin pouch, and started pulling out item after item: dogs blood, cinnabar powder, gold metal, as well as multitudes of strange items that Xu Qian had never seen before. Then, she walked towards the well, and started writing and drawing on the ground with a dried branch, vaguely forming the shape of a bagua formation. After she had finished the bagua formation, she ced those items that represented the utmost Yang into their correct ces. Formation magic? Xu Qian watched with great interest. Nope, this is a feng-shui array, strictly speaking its not formation magic. With the well mouth as the centre, I made this pure yang feng-shui array, so that everywhere that the bagua covers has its feng-shui changed, changed to the utmost yang. This will counteract the resentful energy. Chu Caiwei exined. *So this is just a simplified formation Master of Feng Shui is the precursor to the Master of Formations, or should I say the foundation.* Xu Qians understanding of the Sitianjians system deepened. After about a cup of teas timeter, Chu Caiwei activated her qi-watching again, and nodded in satisfaction, Its gone. Xu Qian smiled, Thank you, Miss Caiwei. The two of them tidied up the materials together. Chu Caiwei patted her deerskin pouch, saying proudly, Ille with you to look at the feng-shui of the other houses first, and then, mn,ter I want to go to Guiyuelou. Sure! Xu Qian agreed without hesitation. The two of them walked side by side, but a few stepster, Chu Caiwei suddenly paused, letting out a surprised eh?. She turned around, clear light shing in her eyes. In view of her qi-watching eyes, those light wisps of ck qi rose again from the well mouth. Whats up? Xu Qian saw that her expression was off. Its its notpletely gone no, the ck qi ising up again. Theres something wrong with the well. Chu Caiwei jogged over, and crouched by the down, staring at the well mouth for a good while. Not believing in trickery, she remade the pure yang feng-shui array again. Yet the result was as before, after a while the ck qi rose again. What do we do about this? Xu Qian didnt expect the matter to be this troublesome to deal with. The simplest method would be to ask over a monk from the Qinglong Temple to eliminate the ck qi Chu Caiwei hadnt finished speaking before she saw Xu Qian run to the well. His expression was serious, as his hands formed an incantation, low mutters on his tongue: Arrogant evildoers, pretending to be spirits and ying ghosts, *mighty heavenly dragon, revered kshitigarbha, mantra of the great veil, great wisdom of the buddhas, prajna padme hum! Like a dragon in flight, go!* Absolutely nothing happened, not even a gust of wind. Chu Caiwei looked at him in a daze, What are you doing? Where Ie from its a spell to expel evil and capture monsters, I thought Id give it a try, Xu Qian shrugged, clearly, this spell from my hometown doesnt really work. Chu Caiwei said, I hadnt finished. Didnt that agent just say, that the previous owners all invited monks to cleanse the ce, but after a bit of time the situation returned to before. This is in agreement with the earlier situation. Then what do we do? Xu Qian said. Ive got a hunch, letse back at night. Chu Caiwei made an expression full of confidence, however, you need to buy more food. *Thats not an issue, but are you really ying by the book? Dont forget your academic record, dear Caiwei* Xu Qian said with a smile, With Miss Caiweis help, how could I not but be relieved. If you want more food Ill buy you more. Thus the two of them left, and ran around to view all the other houses. For Xu Qian, there were many choices, and he was not rushing to make a decision. The warm sun shone on the balcony. Wei Yuan in full azure robes bathed in the sunlight. His face shone like warm red jade, the whitening hair on his temples reflecting the sunlight shone brighter than silver. The case of Princess Pingyang brought down the Liang clique, the tax silver case hurt greatly the Wang clique. Currently in court the only factions who are rtively whole are the Yan clique and the Qi clique. Wei Yuan pulled from his sleeve a secret letter,ughing, Yet this secret letter, can break one of the Qi cliques wings. Nangong Qianrous smile was cold, Father, if we take the opportunity during the official evaluation to get rid of this stumbling block early, then you can extend your power greatly. Not so hasty! Wei Yuan was just about to exin further, when footsteps came from the stairs, as a clerk came in. Duke Wei, His Majesty has summons. The carriage slowly came to a stop outside the pceplex, Nangong Qianrou in its drivers seat. Wei Yuan descended from the carriage, and with his adoptive son more beautiful than most women in tow, headed towards the imperial study. Emperor Yuanjing very rarely gathered court, but will asionally have a mini-court in the imperial study. In normal times, these mini-courts were rather rare, but as it was the official evaluation, they have be rather frequent. After all, the emperor wasnt the type to pay no attention to outside matters and cultivate under a rock. Coming to the imperial study door, and stepping over the high threshold, Wei Yuans footsteps imperceptibly paused, before returning to normal. Your servant Wei Yuan greets Your Majesty. The great eunuch bowed deeply, his gaze in an instant flying over the two great servants at Emperor Yuanjings side. He smelled danger. Emperor Yuanjing was expressionless, as he said solemnly, Wei Yuan, we have asked you to lead the Nightwatchers, why is this? Wei Yuan replied: To protect Your Majesty, to protect the capital. Well said. Emperor Yuanjing nodded, before suddenly grabbing a statement on the table, and violently threw it towards Wei Yuan, roaring: And this is how you protect us? We have ced our utmost confidence in you, and this is how you repay us? --- [^1]: From Baidu: Mighty heavenly dragon is an inte phrase with no real meaning. Ites from the movie Green Snake, as part of a curse the antagonist monk Fahai shouts when exterminating Yao, roughly tranted into English as: Mighty heavenly dragon, mantra of the great veil, great wisdom of the buddhas, prajna padme hum! Chapter 163: The Traitor’s Hand Chapter 163: The Traitor¡¯s Hand # 163. The Traitors Hand Wei Yuan calmly picked up the document, unfolding it, and his pupils suddenly contracted. Without another word, he knelt to the floor, proiming: Your servant has betrayed Your Majestys trust, and deserves a thousand deaths, your servant only wishes to die. Seeing this attitude, those who were rearing to criticise and attack him were caught off guard. When Wei Yuan would refute the im, they were prepared to jump out and ask Emperor Yuanjing to behead this mongrel, however now they didnt know quite what to say. Emperor Yuanjing snorted coldly, At least youre homest, Wei Yuan, if you dared to make excuses today, we would have you thrown into the dungeons. Head lowered, Wei Yuan did not respond. Emperor Yuanjing snorted again, The person who reported you was the very Gold Gong Zhu Yang of your constabry. Wei Yuan still did not speak. In the report was detailed several years of evidence of corruption and abuse by the Nightwatchers, from Gold Gongs to Silver Gongs. Some of it was backed by iron-d evidence, whilst others were merely just stander. Naturally, this report included a newly joined Bronze Gong, whose usations were not trivial. In only a month he had exploited his position to embezzle over a thousand taels of silver, and went every day to the Jiaofangsi to sleep with the oirans there. Just then, a chief supervising secretary of the Ministry of Law stepped out, proiming: Your Majesty, the Nightwatchers have used their position for personal gain, knowingly broke thew, your servant suggests to execute Wei Yuan, to assert authority over the Nightwatchers and correct their malicious ways. Immediately, several other important officials concurred. Emperor Yuanjing looked towards the guilty Wei Yuan, and said solemnly: This matter will be dealt with by the Ministry of Law, the High Court, and the Prefecture constabry together. We want a result within three days. And thus court ended. Nangong Qianrou followed behind Wei Yuan with a dark expression on his face. They only had time to take a few paces, before he heard someone behind shouting Please wait, Duke Wei. Father and son stopped in their tracks, turning around. Coming towards them was the Chief Justice. He wore a crimson robe sewn with wild geese and clouds, the mark of a fourth rank official. The Chief Justice was simr to the Capital Prefecture Magistrate, even though their formal rank was not particrly high, they held in their hands immense political power, and were amongst the most influential of officials. In the capital, an officials power and status was never determined by his rank, but rather by how much influence he had at hand. After all, the aristocrats were above the official ranks, yet they had been squeezed to the margins of political power. The white-haired, thin-faced Chief Justice greeted Wei Yuan smilingly, This official would like to learn of some details about the used on the list. Wei Yuan nodded, not showing any emotion, I will arrange for a dossier to be sent to the Chief Justice shortly. The Chief Justice nodded in satisfaction, and carried on with a face full of smiles: On another matter, this official appreciates the talent of Gold Gong Zhu, he is upright and unwavering, and so I would like to reappoint him under the High Court. In a moment this official will report this to His Majesty, but I wanted to inform Duke Wei first. Seeing Wei Yuan still not reacting, the Chief Justice stepped forwards slightly, Duke Wei knows what this official wants. Upon this Wei Yuanughed, A worthwhile trade. The Chief Justice looked on at Wei Yuans back with a dark expression. Returning to his carriage, Nangong Qianrou drove it towards the Nightwatchers Constabry. In the carriage, Wei Yuan rubbed his temples, and sighed deeply, Weve gotten their attention now Nangong Qianrouughed coldly, Father, you clearly know he would have disloyal thoughts, yet you still insisted on old affections. What good is this, its no longer such a simple case of losing some of your men. In the Nightwatchers Constabry, only the straight-as-iron Li Yuchun, and the stiff-as-a-nk Yang Yan had no interest in women and money. There was also the schizophrenic Nangong Qianrou, who loved to shut himself in the dungeons all day to torture death row prisoners, who didnt care for money, and as for women who was more beautiful than he? Should we kill him. Nangong Qianrou said with marked resentment. Revenge must wait until after autumn. Wei Yuan replied calmly. After a long period of silence, Nangong Qianrou steered the carriage through a market street, then into a quiet alleyway, before continuing: Even though this matter is not because of him, he was a catalyst to this. Father you could have suppressed this, does he really warrant such attention from you? I have plenty of Gold Gongs, but only one interesting youngd. I look forward to his growth. Wei Yuan smiled lightly, turning the conversation: Our Majesty would not be at ease seeing me sit arrogantly. As he spoke, Wei Yuan finally let out a sliver of gloom. The Chief Justice wanted to use that name list to exchange for Fathers secret information, why did you refuse? Nangong Qianrou asked. He knew that his Fathers parting a worthwhile trade was not agreeing to the proposal of the Chief Justice, but rather was reluctantly deciding to give up his gold and silver gongs, and make a lose-lose situation. In reply to his question was silence. *This year really has an eventful autumn - no - every official evaluationes withrge upheaval. Father has spent much effort on raising this troupe, this time it wont be easy to prevent any losses* Nangong Qianrou sighed. Every official evaluation, there will be winners and losers, the Wang clique were the victorsst time. But one thing was unavoidable, which is that all the cliques and parties woulde out of it with heavy losses, a victory was still a pyrrhic one. When we return to the constabry, find Xu Qian, tell him toy low a few days, Ill find a way to extricate him. Yes. Nangong Qianrou nodded sourly. At dusk, Xu Qian, who had long since finished looking at houses, spent an hour at the market with Chu Caiwei. Whenever they saw something delicious, he would buy it. The big-eyed beauty was exhrated, and had an amazing time, a sweet smile constantly on her face. *Going to the market is indeed more exhausting than fighting, this isnt physical exhaustion, but mental exhaustion.* Xu Qian exhaled a long breath. As long as he could keep this woman happy, then all the exhaustion was worth it. In his previous life he had heard a wise phrase: There are 70 ways to please a woman, one is to go shopping, and the rest is 69. Thetter Xu Qian was unable to put into action, and so naturally could not verify its authenticity, but going shopping was indeed quite effective. They entered Guiyuelou, and ordered a sumptuous five tael worth dinner. Xu Qian, not wanting to make another loss, loosened his belt for a showdown with Chu Caiwei. Just then, a lurch came from within his heart. Without a change in expression, he stopped eating, took out the small jade mirror, and looked at its contents. ONE: Theres been an incident in the Nightwatchers. The Gold Gong Zhu Yang reported Wei Yuan for embezzlement and corruption, this case involves four Gold Gongs, twelve Silver Gongs, and three Bronze Gongs, to be investigated by the prefecture, the Ministry of Law, and the High Court. Does this mean that Wei Yuan is about to lose favour, and will fall this year? *Zhu Yang has betrayed Wei Yuan reported so many people* Xu Qian looked intently at the words written on the mirrors surface, as raging waves crashed around in his mind. Recently the interparty fighting has been like fire on kindling, with winners and losers abound. Because his status was not high enough, for Xu Qian this fighting became mostly a thing to be talked about after dinner, and not something to care about. He originally thought that the Nightwatchers had a special position at court, and could sail steady in rough waters without any internal strife, but clearly he did not sufficiently understand the intricacies of court politics. *As a Gold Gong, Zhu Yang must hold a lot of dirt on many Nightwatchers. Now that he has suddenly rebelled, the Nightwatchers may be in for serious injury.* *If Im not wrong, this whole matter is because of me, hearing that Silver Gong Zhu took severe internal damage from my strike, developing a chronic issue and severing his future as a martial artist. And not only did Ie out of it unharmed, but I am to be promoted.* * Indeed, if I were Emperor Yuanjing, I would not want to see Wei Yuan sitting trouble free. From the tax silver case to the Sangpo case, and then to this conflict happening right now, the civil servants have pretty much had their brains smashed out. The aristocrats have kept themselves pretty well, but this is probably because the real political power that they hold is very little, and so have no confidence to go into the fray.* *Wei Yuan had said to me that in the current court the Wang clique sits supreme, and the current Wang clique is taking heavy losses. The Eunuch clique that Wei Yuan would be representing is also bound to be hurt.* *Im just a small Bronze Gong, I should damn it, why would Zhu Yang just let me go?* In the brief moment of time that Xu Qian was thinking, the once court official number Four had already replied: ((FOUR: Embezzlement and corruption is merely an excuse, if we really talk about embezzlement and corruption, the Nightwatchers are controlled by Wei Yuan, how could their table manners be any worse than the bird-and-beast clothed officials? Emperor Yuanjing is merely taking this as an opportunity to knock Wei Yuan down a peg. *Four is indeed an old experienced court official, although physically thousands of miles distant, his analysis is profound and forceful this agrees with what I was thinking- eh? With Ones abilities could he have really not seen through such as simple ruse? And ask such a stupid question* Xu Qian wrote: THREE: If this is Emperor Yuanjings intention, then Wei Yuan cant do anything, right? No matter what he would have to give up these subordinates. FOUR: Hehe, this depends on the attitude between Emperor Yuanjing and Wei Yuan. If it is merely some corruption, then the punishment will not be significant, but there will definitely be a group of people expelled from the constabry. *Oh shuanggui[^1], is it* Xu Qian suddenly became worried for his own future. What are you doing drawing on the mirror? Chu Caiwei was in the middle of eating a pork trotter. *So they say that all women are pig trotters[^2]* Xu Qian put away his mirror, saying: Nothing. When you finish, lets go see that haunted house. No matter what, first he must buy the house. Owning a stable asset was more important than anything else. *I have a decent rtionship with Prefecture Magistrate Chen if Im really in the list of names, going to the prefecture constabry wont be an issue, what is an issue is being thrown in the Ministry of Laws dungeons I definitely have notmitted any corruption, but the truth is not whats important if it reallyes to it Ill disappear for a few days. Tomorrow Ill ask Wei Yuan how to arrange this.* Leaving Guiyuelou, Xu Qian handed the jade mirror over to Chu Caiwei: Keep hold of this for me for a few days. Ok. Chu Caiwei took it from him, and stuffed it into her little deerskin pouch. After dark, they came to the haunted house, and the two of them vaulted the wall. Now can you tell me? Why are weing back at night. The twos footsteps echoed in the deste courtyard house. The wind was still, and there were no bugs in the rafters. The silence was frightening. Chu Caiwei, clutching a toffee hawthorn in her hand, spoke crisply: In the day, yang energy is abundant, and the ghost woman in the well wont appear. To get rid of her, we need to wait until shees out. Furthermore, I suspect that theres something off about the well, I n to go down and look at it in a bit. *Go down and look at it* Xu Qian, long afflicted with thssophobia, immediately became timid, especially knowing that there was something strange down the well. They waited and waited, and the night became darker and darker. After a while Chu Caiwei said puzzled: Lets just go down, are you going or not? I dont feel safe letting you go down alone. Chu Caiwei nodded, put her hand on the well side, and lightly hopped down. *This chick was scared when listening to the ghost story* Xu Qian grasped his dark gold sabre, and followed Chu Caiwei down the well. The well water was icy cold, he saw ahead of him a mote of light, that reflected a yellow-skirted girls graceful figure. She swam through the water, looking almost like a mermaid. That mote of light wasing from the bagua hung around her waist. Swimming down for over ten minutes, Xu Qian suddenly saw Chu Caiwei stop. She took off the bagua te from her waist, as if she was sizing up some creature. Xu Qian swam over, and using the light given off by the bagua te, saw that lying at the bottom of the well was a white-clothed woman. She seemed to notice them, and slowly raised her head to look up. Her face was badly mangled, her eyeballs hanging by her cheeks, maggots wriggling in her ck eye sockets. --- [^1]: Shuanggui, lit. double-order, the internal process the Communist Party uses in investigating and sanctioning its own party members which fall from grace. Those involved must at an arranged time (time order) and arranged location (location order) give statement on everything to do with a case, and may not leave until such is sorted, which is different from the standard judicial process. [^2]: I dont get the reference. Chapter 164: A Startling Discovery Chapter 164: A Startling Discovery # 164. A Startling Discovery *Fuck me the old broker wasnt lying, this ghost really bloody looks like this* Xu Qians heart lurched in fright. However he wasnt really scared, the frightened start was merely an instinctive reaction of someone who was once an ordinary person, seeing a ghost in real life. After all, he was the type who after watching a horror movie would be too scared to go to the toilet, and not being able to hold it in any longer, had to relieve himself into an empty coke bottle. The white-clothed female ghost looked at them nkly for a moment, and as if detecting a threat, her mouth split open to her ears in a voiceless scream, as ck blood spewed out, and she lunged towards the two of them. In the dark depths of the well, dark aura was abundant, causing goosebumps to appear all over Xu Qians body. *I dont know how to deal with resentful spirits maybe I can just stab her* Xu Qian grasped his sabre hilt, nning to rush ahead of Chu Caiwei, yet the yellow-skirted girl held out her hand, stopping him from moving. Her hands moved inplex formations, as the yin-yang koi on her feng shui te started spinning. Xu Qian saw that the heavenly step Gui suddenly lit up.[^1] A sh of dark light flew out of the feng-shui te, grasping the ghost, and drawing her into the te. Chu Caiwei took back the feng-shui te, and gave Xu Qian a dazzling smile. Then, she pointed towards the well floor, and began to swim in that direction. The two of them looked around a while longer, but did not discover anything more. *Ssh* Xu Qian finally surfaced. There were no footholds in the well, and so he braced his hands against the slick well wall, saying to Chu Caiwei behind him: Grab onto my leg Chu Caiwei let out an oh, and grabbed on, letting him carry her out. Xu Qian felt her weighttch on, and quietly mumbled: A little lotus just showing its buds every day you eat eat eat, why do you still not grow. What are you saying? Chu Caiwei didnt hear clearly. Nothing. Climb up a little more, youre pulling my trousers off. Ive got another handle up here, enough for you to hold on to. Chu Caiwei looked around for a long time, and was unable to find this handle that Xu Qian was talking about. They came out from the well, and Xu Qian worked his qi to dry his clothes of the cold well-water. Chu Caiwei instead formed another spell, pulling a ball of orange me out of her feng-shui te, and spun it around her. Steam came off in clouds, yet her clothes were left untouched. After drying herself, Chu Caiwei said: This is just a regr resentful spirit. *A regr resentful spirit? Then how did she manage to exist for so long* Xu Qian frowned; the old estate agent had said that this ghost issue had gone on for two years or more. But what Chu Caiwei said next exined his doubts: The well bottom connects to an underground stream, the resentful energy came along with it. Im guessing that theres a *yin* ley line underground. Xu Qian gathered that *yin* ley line was just technical terminology of Feng-Shui Masters, and nodded in realisation: So thats why your purification didnt work, and the rituals the previous monks had done also didnt work, because they werent Arcanists. Chu Caiwei nodded vigorously, expressing that she was an Arcanist and proud of it too, You probably shouldnt buy this house. The feng-shui of a yin ley line is terrible. Mn, its probably not a particrly big line, but living here for a long time will make you very unlucky. At this price point why not? Xu Qian looked at her strangely, Did you think me asking you out was just for you to have a look? Youve gotta help me make the feng-shui better. But thats so much effort Chu Caiwei pouted; learning alchemy every day was tiring enough, Then you need to Buy you more food, I know. Xu Qian said. *Thats more like it* She pursed her lips, before again leaping onto the rooftop, shouting downwards: Help me higher. *Do you want to stand abreast with the moon oh, its a new moon today, then thats alright!* Xu Qianmpooned, whilst also jumping onto the rooftop, forming his hands into a small step. Chu Caiwei jumped on, her toe tipnding on his hands, and under the frightening strength of a martial artist, her delicate body shot up into the night sky like an arrow. Throughout all this, she used the power of her feng-shui te to summon whisps of wind and rain, which swirled around her, slowing her fall. Clear light shone in her eyes, as Chu Caiwei surveyed the whole house, before turning to look at the local area, observing the whole estates feng-shui. Shended like a floating leaf, frowning: Thats strange, the feng-shui in this area is pretty good, there shouldnt be a yin-line here *Maybe your professional ability is just not good enough* Xu Qian did not dare to mouth off, asking Could you look again? Or ask some other brothers from the Sitianjian to have a look. No need, Chu Caiwei waved him off, We can justmunicate with the spirit, use some empath techniques to see how she died. If theres no leads that way, then Ill ask some brothers to help. Quickly then, I have stuff to do tomorrow. Xu Qian replied. Tomorrow he needed to go to the constabry to find Wei Yuan. If daddy was willing to help him brace the fallout, then all would be well in the world. If daddy didnt bother with him, then he could only go into hiding, and try to find an opportunity to mitigate any lingering effects from this turncoats betrayal. And this house was exactly the base of operations that Xu Qian had chosen. Because this house was haunted, few ever came close to this ce, and this area wasnt a ce where important civil servants gathered. It was quite far from the main roads, and so apart from the royal guard and the Nightwatchers, no one would ever pay any attention to this ce. Chu Caiwei said: The spectres yin energy is too strong, to channel her would require one to bear the burden of her dark qi. This is not too healthy for a womans body, so youll have to do it. With a martial artists vigorous spirit, you wont have anysting effects. Alright! Chu Caiwei pulled out her feng-shui te, and began murmuring an incantation. The yin-yang koi started slowly swimming around, as a faint ball of ck mist rose out, floating three inches above the te. The ck mist moved and struggled, yet was unable to escape the pull of the te, as every time it tried, a wall of bright light bounced it back. Chu Caiwei flicked her finger: Go! The ck mist shot like an arrow, and hit Xu Qian right between his eyes. His whole body went cold, as a sliver of ice spread out from his spine, as immediately after he felt a presence full of resentfulness, insanity, and fear. This presence rushed into his soul, trying to control his body. Suddenly, the spirit felt something, and suddenly became quiet no, became timid. This made Xu Qian decide against using his own consciousness to forcefully suppress the spirit, and he began to carefully feel for her consciousness. *Has she discovered the presence of Shenshu the monk is indeed fast asleep, else it wouldve killed her in an instant.* His consciousness enveloped that of the spirits, and the two of them began toe together. The next moment, shes of memories began to surface within him, as if a film was ying in his head. This woman was originally the daughter of a wealthy family in Taikang County. Due to her beauty, those looking for her hand in marriage crowded the door. ording to an average persons future, she would be married to a good family, and live out the rest of her life in peace. But an outing one day changed everything. In a lonely alley somewhere, human traffickers kidnapped her, and she was sent to arge house in the capital. In this house lived many women just like her, many other pretty and graceful young girls, even some boys. They all had one thing to do, which was to provide themselves for the guests that came through the house to y with. They would call them master, clearly there were many that had official titles. Yet when their officials robes went off, they were more bestial than beasts, ying and abusing the women in the house with abandon. This womans spirit had once served many of these important men, and was even once forced to serve together with an effeminate young man. Resentment and hate filled her heart, yet she was afraid of death, and so suffered in silence. Like this, many years passed, and one guest took a liking to her. She became this guests exclusive mistress, and her situation improved. That man was called Tamraha. He was of middling height, burly of build, with arge t face. The cause of her death was because one day, she had identally overheard Tamraha and someone elses conversation. The conversation included words such as Yunzhou, cannons, and weaponry. At the back of the house was a well, where many women, men, and children whomitted suicide, or were abused to death by the guests were buried. After this woman was killed, she was also thrown into the well. After she died, she became a resentful ghost, yet was trapped in the well. It was only because of a coincidental opportunity did she end up following the underground stream to here. She fed off the resentful energy that was heavy in that stream, and managed to live until the present day. In this stream of memories, Xu Qian saw many familiar faces. Especially the night before she died, at that conversation, Xu Qian through the womans senses saw who was talking to Tamraha: The Qi Cliques Minister of Industry! Whew Xu Qian opened his eyes, exhaling a stomach full of depressive energy. This spirit channelling wasnt humane, he had in first person perspective had a men on top of him numerous times, and deeply understood the humiliation of being forcefully ridden. At the same time, he was deeply affected by the ghosts resentment, bitterness, hopelessness, and hate. Luckily every day he practiced visualisation meditation, honing his spirit, and his will was far stronger than the average person. Otherwise, any normal person would have probably developed depression, or split personality disorder. It seems youve gained some unexpected knowledge Chu Caiwei looked at him intently. During the channelling, she had seen Xu Qians face distort and shift numerous times, being sometimes fierce, sometimes bitter, sometimes angry. She pointed a finger at Xu Qians forehead, pulling out the ghost woman, and put her back in the feng-shui te. *That Tamraha isnt from the central ins the people of the western regions have high noses, deep set eyes, the barbarians of the southern marches are known for their blue eyes, the northerners have dark skin, and some with bloodline from ancient mythical beasts, showing non-human features Tamraha seems more likely to be from the ces governed by the Church of the Warlock God.* *What does the Warlock God have to do with Yunzhou? Yunzhou is in the south of Feng. Even though I only heard bits and pieces, but it seems that the Ministry of Industry has been sending weapons to the Warlock Church or Yunzhou for a long time.* *This situation involves traitors to the country, I need to report to Wei Yuan immediately* His thoughts reaching this point, he summarised what he had heard to Chu Caiwei. Thetter listened intently, but did not understand at all, When someone is tormented all their life, that resentful aura would not dissipate when they die, but it might not necessarily form a spectre. However if this resentful aura was added to and left to fester, it would be as clear as day. If there was a ce like this in the inner city, then the Nightwatchers would have found it long ago. Well talk about thister oh right, can you give me back the mirror. He was about to make a contribution of great merit, so he was no longer afraid of the title of corruption and abuse of thew. The mirror thus naturally did not need to be looked after by Chu Caiwei. What a joke, there was more than nine hundred taels of gold in there! Xu Qian took Chu Caiwei to the Nightwatchers Constabry, and on his way was stopped by four Bronze Gongs on patrol. Its me. Xu Qian showed his que. Master Xu? Even though they were of the same rank, but as Wei Yuans favourite child, the Bronze Gongs didnt dare slight him. Why are you still out wandering the streets? Today the Ministry of Law, the city government, and the high court all came over, and took away many colleagues, a Bronze Gong said, Apparently you were also on the name list, but you werent at the constabry, and avoided this catastrophe. Are you able to return home The intention in his words were very clear: are you nning to escape? Who did they take? Xu Qian asked, and discovered that of the four Gold Gongs included Jiang Lyuzhong, and of the Silver Gongs included Li Yuchun, Min Shan, and Yang Feng, the three who had helped him in the Sangpo Case. *Jiang Lyuzhongs conduct is mostly righteous, even if there was corruption it was only a little bit, how was he also taken is it because were on good terms, and so Zhu wanted to take revenge Brother Chun is really unlucky, not taking a single kernel of silver, yet still thrown into the dungeon* It was obvious that Zhus revenge was targeted, especially picking Xu Qians subordinates and close friends, both weakening the Nightwatchers, and also taking revenge on him. Duke Wei definitely will save them, these silk-robed animals, do they really think were so easy to bully? Aye, dont say that, these years no ones been that clean Psh, Silver Gong Li is clean as a whistle, and he was arrested too no? The three Bronze Gongs muttered in helpless anger,ining to themselves in front of Xu Qian. I heard that His Majesty personally gave the order to investigate, it wont be easy for Duke Wei to work his way around that one, how is this good? People have been especially frightened and silent today. Xu Qian tried tofort them, Therell be a way. The three Bronze Gongs shook their heads, sighing in their pessimism, before carrying on with patrol. Xu Qian returned to the constabry, and immediately made for the Tower of Noble Spirit, being stopped by the guards at the bottom. Duke Wei is resting, and none are to see him, these are the rules. The guard knew Xu Qian, but it waste in the night, Wei Yuan would not see anyone at this time. I have important matters, tell him quickly. Xu Qian replied solemnly. Master Xu can return tomorrow. The guard was very stubborn. --- [^1]: Gui, part of the ten heavenly stems, both an ordinal system and also has more superstitious meanings in traditional chinese beliefs. Chapter 165: An Opportunity to Turn the Tides Chapter 165: An Opportunity to Turn the Tides # 165. An Opportunity to Turn the Tides Xu Qian immediately stepped forward, pushing the guard over, kicking aside his de, andy into him with p after p: Will you go or not? Will you go or not The other guard was frozen in shock, not knowing whether or not to stop him. No no more The first guard on the floor hugged his head, pleading desperately: Please, Im just a lowly guard, youre putting me in a difficult situation here, do you want Wei Yuan to punish me? Xu Qian was Wei Yuans favourite, and so he didnt dare fight back. As long as the former did not try to barge into the Tower of Noble Spirit, the guards would not choose to attack. I understand, we all have our troubles. Seeing that he had sessfully beaten the stubbornness out of the guard, Xu Qian drew back his hand, satisfied, and pulled out a tael of silver from his wallet: I hope this chunk of silver will be sufficient for you to take the risk. Otherwise Ill find someone else. Yes yes yes, the guard took the silver, picked up his sabre, and slipped into the Tower of Noble Spirit. After ten or so minutes, Xu Qian saw candlelight re up on the seventh floor, and a momentter, the guard came down: Duke Wei invites you up. As for this madam An Arcanist from the Sitianjian, shes one of us. Xu Qian led Chu Caiwei inside. In the day, there were clerks at their posts in the Tower of Noble Spirit, and it was still rather lively, but at night there was not a sound, and the building gave off an aura of loneliness. *Wei Yuan lives here all year round, does he not get lonely?* As he wondered to himself, he walked up to the seventh floor tea room. It wasnt warm inside, no coals were in the firece, and not a single servant was in the room. Wei Yuan was sat by the table in his azure robe, with his ck hair hanging loose, ying with an oilmp in his hand. Seeing Xu Qian had arrived, he immediately ordered: Make a fire, boil water, and light all the other candles. *He seems a bit cold heh, even though Wei Yuan is an old master schemer, he seems not to have the talent for martial arts haha, heaven is fair after all* Xu Qian obeyed hismands, lighting the candles one by one, putting the brazier by Wei Yuans side, and cing a kettle of water on it. Today, I ordered Qianrou to tell you to hide, yet he searched the constabry up and down, and could not find you. When he went to the Xu House, you had not returned. When he went to the Jiaofangsi, you werent there. At this time of night, I gather it is not about the corruption case? Wei Yuanughed, turning his gaze to Chu Caiwei, and asking: Is this small Bronze Gong Miss Caiweis sweetheart? Chu Caiweis face went red: No! However she was not mature enough, and the blush came and went just like that. Her eyes fell on the tea table, and saw nothing edible present. This room suddenly became very boring. Duke Wei, Ive discovered a troubling case. Xu Qian sat cross-legged by the table, facing Wei Yuan, Today I applied for leave to go look at properties, and I found an abandoned haunted house. I went with Miss Caiwei to deal with it, and I ended up channelling with the spirit Xu Qian recounted what he saw during the channelling. At the start, Wei Yuan did not seem too interested, but when he heard that that house was a brothel for trafficked women, his face darkened slightly. When he heard about Minister of Industry meeting with someone seemingly from the Church of the Warlock God, to smuggle weapons, cannons, and furthermore with rtions to Yunzhou, the great eunuchs face became as dark as the depths of the ocean. The Qi Clique really has ties to the bandits in Yunzhou. Very good, this information is very important. Wei Yuan looked at Xu Qian, kindliness and appreciation in his eyes, You are very able at providing pleasant surprises. *Then adopt me as your son* Xu Qians heart said. Freeloader Xu was someone who had pride, though, and so those words could not ever see the light of day. Duke Wei, Zhu Yangs betrayal is all because of me. Xu Qian said in shame. Without him, there would still be other incidents. This time, it is the Qi clique making enemies with me. Of course, there are other parties aiding and abetting behind the scenes. Wei Yuan did not exin why the Qi clique would make enemies with him. *The ones behind this corruption case is the Qi clique?* From the earth book, he discovered from One that Zhu Yang had betrayed the constabry. However, One did not mention that the ones behind the scenes was the Qi clique, Xu Qian was under the impression that the Wang clique were really behind it. *This is too coincidental today the corruption case arose in the constabry, pulling me into it, and immediately I discover something this big.* *Is this due to a change in fortune, because Im nearly in Refining Spirit? Otherwise itd be unexinable.* How interesting, the Wang clique cosying up with the Yao, the Qi clique making buddies with the Warlocks, what kind of people are running the country? Chu Caiweimpooned, Has His Majestys daoist cultivation turned his brain a bit funny? Xu Qian quickly elbowed the filterless young woman. His Majesty does not care for the affairs of court. Even though he still has ultimate authority, it is difficult to prevent some demons and evildoers from appearing. However his control of power is still very strong, and the many dukes of court are not idiots. Wei Yuan did not care much for Chu Caiweis *Lse-majest*; after all the Sitianjians Arcanists were all like this. That Yang Qianhuan, in his ratherical style still turns his back even to His Majesty. And His Majesty would not be angered, as to those who were able and useful, yet devoid of political power, he was always kind and generous. Is not the Confucianists dragon-killing technique specifically for killing this dragon. Xu Qian smirked. As soon as he finished, he felt Chu Caiweis vengeance-filled elbow stick into his side. Emperor Yuanjing controlled the court, and the officials all acted for him. When an emperor only cared about his own power, and not about the nation and its people, then the reasoning behind appointments will change, from those of talent to those obedient, and unlikely to rebel. As to their abilities and moral conduct, that was priority number two, except for unparalleled savants like Wei Yuan. *Rotten to the core Wei Yuan, is this why you want to clear the court of its rot* Xu Qian remembered something Wei Yuan had said to him once, about how he wanted to purge the court of its miasma, and rein back the decline of the country. But before this, he must be like the dust, and permit those under him to make error. After all, he was a lone official, if he didnt have people under him who were able, then how could he hope to fight against the weight of the entire court? Wei Yuan took out paper and brush, nning to write a letter. Xu Qian obediently poured some water, and began to grind ink[^1]. He watched as daddy Wei drafted his letter, and pressed on his seal. Take this letter to Zhang Kaitai, the current Gold Gong on duty. He will take people to root out this trafficking ring. Wei Yuan said. *I know a schr called Chen Tai, I wonder what this Zhang Kaitai means* Xu Qian nodded, Yes sir. He lead Chu Caiwei out of the Tower of Noble Spirit, and asked after the whereabouts of Zhang Kaitais office. He was directed to the Divine Sword Hall, and when he arrived he realised that he had met this sword-wielding Gold Gong a few times before. The Gold Gong that was wrapped in bandages was exactly him. Zhang Kaitai was like a proud and lonely knight; when he felt silent, it was as if he was a thousand li from everyone. *If he were to be alive in the modern day, then he would be a* Simon the Snow Blower[^2] *type professional* Xu Qian thought. What is it. Zhang Kaitais eyes fell on the letter in Xu Qians hand. Xu Qian handed it over, as well as recounting his conversation with Wei Yuan. After he was finished, Zhang Kaitais usually calm and cool face broke intoughter and delight like ice melting in spring, Good, good! This will make the Qi Clique face the consequences! If our brothers can ovee this hardship, then youll have been the most help. Zhang Kaitais opinion of Xu Qian was alright, but he did not understand why Yang Yan and Jiang Lyuzhong would move spear and sword because of him, and even less so why Wei Yuan would look so favourably upon him. Yes, he was quite brave, and was an excellent detective, talent was talent sure, but with Wei Yuans status? Why would he nheless be so partial to a Bronze Gong? After the Sangpo Case though, he admitted that Xu Qian was a talent worth nurturing. And at this very moment, the delighted Zhang Kaitai started to appreciate this very ordinary Bronze Gong. He could always deliver pleasant suprises. Fifteen minutester, after gathering men and horses, he assembled forty bailiffs, over twenty Bronze Gongs, six Silver Gongs, and equipped them with muskets, crossbows, ropes and so on, a full military toon. Torches in hand, the whole squad ran after Xu Qian, their pace scarily quick. Under the flickering of torchlight, they arrived at their target in only half an hour. There was no sign on the door of the manor, and the redcquered door was shut tight. Zhang Kaitai waved his hand, his face cold, and tersely gave hismand: Surround it. The bailiffs with their torches in hand, scattered around. A Silver Gong stepped forwards, pulling out his sabre, and with a big shout shed at the door, and under a sh of white light the red door exploded. The Nightwatchers rushed in, and a group of armed mercenaries came to meet them with angry shouts, yet as soon as they got there they were ttened by the Nightwatchers, pushed underfoot alive or dead. Within came faintly the sound of a flute, yet that quickly stopped, as if its yer had heard themotion in the front courtyard. A momentter, the entire mansion arose in uproar. Xu Qian, de in hand, lead the vanguard, cutting down any mercenary guard he saw in his way. As he cut, the memories of the deceased woman shed through his mind. Images of those humiliated, abused, and mutted women. In one breath they came to the central courtyard, and saw ten or so guests and women gathered in the the warm and cosy main hall. Their clothes were askew, and their faces frightened. Nightwatchers? the guests where aghast. Xu Qian swished his ck-gold sabre, leaving a line of blood on the floor. Pointing his de at them, he said Arrest them all, those who resist, kill without mercy. He then left the main hall, taking a few Bronze Gongs to barge down door after door, and pull off the bed the sleeping guests who had just satiated their cravings. They were also brought to the main courtyard. Youre not getting clothes, ce your hands on your head and kneel down! He was well used to the process of raiding hotels. What was different though was that in the previous life, he would make fun of the guests caught with their pants down, asking: You married? Now though, he was filled with anger, and a desire to kill. Compared to the *qinglou* brothels, these type of private establishments were far more secretive, and so one could rx and talk proper business. Further more, the fucking was good, the women were plenty, and you can abuse them however you wanted. Even if you killed one there were people to deal with the problem for you. Moreover, these were women of good upbringing; you certainly couldnt abuse the Jiaofangsis women like this. The sudden raid ended as quick as it started. Gold Gong Zhang took Xu Qians suggestion, and stripped the guests of their clothes, forcing them to kneel in the yard with their hands on their heads, suffering in the cold January breeze. At first, some yelled out Schrs can be killed but never humiliated!, yet when Zhang Kaitai lopped off his head, the others quietened down. In their actions, the Nightwatchers had the authority to cut first and ask questionster. Mister Cao, its you yo, Mister Wang is here too Mister Tang is certainly short and plucky a Silver Gongughed coldly as he talked to familiar officials. In the warm main hall was gathered over twenty beautiful women, all very young of age. Amongst them were also a few eleven to twelve year old boys. The Great Feng cracked down heavily on privately keeping young boys, but the number of businessmen and officials with that perversion were not insignificant, and so many ces would have some around to serve these particr guests. It makes one want to vomit. A Silver Gong spat. Zhang Kaitai was in the middle of interrogating the owner of the manor. He was a wealthily dressed middle-aged man, and he was vigorously kowtowing to the Gold Gong, saying: This lowly man is guilty, this lowly man deserves death. Zhang Kaitai asked darkly: Who do you have behind this? No one, sir, this lowly man only wanted to make friends with some important people in court. Zhang Kaitai did not ask further, merely reminding his Silver Gongs to watch him closely, and not let himmit suicide. Inside the Nightwatchers dungeon, even a stone statue would talk. Xu Qian said: There is a well in the back courtyard, especially used to dispose of bodies. Zhang Kaitai looked deeply at the middle-aged man. Xu Qian, Chu Caiwei, and Zhang Kaitai went together to the back courtyard, and found the well. Holding their torches over the opening, they saw murky ck water, as a light stench of rot floated up from it. *When flesh rots away, the bones will sink down we might have to go in and fetch them* the corner of Xu Qians mouth twitched. Suddenly, Chu Caiwei let out an eh?. She looked left and right, before jumping onto the rooftop, surveying the whole courtyard. What is it? Theres a sealing formation in the back yard, the resentful energy of the well was sealed up. Chu Caiwei said. *Sealing formation? So this is why the Nightwatchers never discovered this ce* Xu Qian nodded in realisation, as his expression suddenly became strange: Are formations not the work of you Arcanists? At the same time, a doubt welled up in his mind: given that they had the ability to set a formation and seal the resentful energy, then why didnt they get rid of it outright? It must be said, even a seventh-rank Chu Caiwei could do as much. Put a yang-aura formation in the yard, and your troubles would be gone. Then well there must be wandering arcanists. Chu Caiwei pursed her lips, Didnt the tax silver case have signs of an arcanist behind it? *I dont have any rebuttal!* Xu Qian moved his gaze back to the well entrance, and saw Zhang Kaitai looking at the well wall, deep in thought. Following his gaze, Xu Qian finally saw that within the well was carved manyplicated and strange runes. This is the work of the Warlock Church, it should be some sort of curse. As to what exactly, I dont know. Get someone to make an ink rubbing, well look at itter. Zhang Kaitai exined. Mn, from what I saw of the resentful spirits memories, this ce indeed has something to do with the Church of the Warlock God. Xu Qian said, as internally hempooned: *I cant remember how many times Ive been fucked by that Tamraha, if I can find him, Ill make him know what arge one really is.* Just then,motion came from the front hall, along with the screams of women and boys. --- [^1]: Traditionally Chinese inks came in dry sticks, which can be ground in water against an ink stone to release the pigment. [^2]: , the Saint of Sword, a character in Gu Longs wuxia novel *Legend of Lu Xiaofeng* Chapter 166: Xu Qi’an, the Flawless Chapter 166: Xu Qi¡¯an, the wless # Xu Qian, the wless Without another word, Zhang Kaitai lead the way into the main hall. Xu Qian wanted to rush ahead along with Gold Gong Zhang, but was nowhere near as quick. As he rushed into the room, he saw Zhang Kaitai, sword in hand, slice in half thest of the paper figures. The floor was littered with bits of cut paper, and at the side were nearly ten paper men. Further more, two young boysy lifeless on the floor, their throats cut open, blood pouring everywhere. Whats happened? Xu Qian eximed in shock. Paper men suddenly burst out from these two peoples bodies, intending to silence the victims, but were stopped. The Silver Gong guarding the victims replied, though he targeted his reply towards Zhang Kaitai. What about the perpetrator? Zhang Kaitai asked, his gaze scanning the room, falling on the middle-aged man being guarded by several Bronze Gongs, who was crouched in the corner with his head buried in his arms, hiding his face. Hey, its over. One of the Bronze Gongs kicked him, and the middle aged man limply slumped to the floor. Everyones faces turned, as that Silver Gong rushed over, checking the mans pulse and breath. With an ugly look on his face, he sped his fists and bowed towards Zhang Kaitai, voice panicky: This lowly officer has failed in his duty, please may Sir sanction me! Zhang Kaitais whole aura became dark and depressive, as a vein bulged on his forehead in anger. He became silent for a few moments, before letting out a slow breath: Its not your fault. He walked towards the corpse and grabbed the mans cor. With a gentle shake, there came the sound of ripping fabric, as his clothes tore themselves into pieces. The naked body of the man was exposed to the crowd, and they could see a bright red mark on his chest. This is a warlocks curse of death. He takes someones hair, blood, nails, or the like, and along with their birth and horoscope, and can kill them without a trace. Zhang Kaitai shook his head. This could not be guarded against, especially by martial artists, who were only good at hitting things. Then what about the paper men? Xu Qian asked. Zhang Kaitai knelt by the corpse, and thought for a long time, These paper dolls remind me of something. The Church of the Warlock God have many sly and mysterious techniques - they have death curses, they can kill people in their dreams, and they have the ability to control souls and corpses. As for these paper dolls, they are made by someone sealing dead spirits into a paper body, and thus control them. Xu Qian, so sharp of mind, immediately understood what Zhang Kaitai meant, eximing: So that well in the back courtyard it was used by the Warlocks especially to raise ghosts? This exined why it was sealed, and notpletely purified. Then that warlock is nearby But he must have already left. Our ambush caught him off guard, thus he hid in the surrounding area, and cast his curse of death. Now that the man has died, he wont continue to stay. Gold Gong Zhang, can even you not sense these paper dolls? Earlier we didnt even realise that they were hiding on these two boys. One, a martial artist can only sense what is about to cause danger to himself; two, a paper doll is both an article possessed by a ghost, and also a seal on it - it can block outside senses; three, paper dolls are not particrly well suited for killing, they are usually used to run errands, not kill enemies. In a rush of anger, Xu Qian cursed, as his ck-gold sabre came out of its scabbard, and under a cold sh of the de a roof pir split in two, as broken wood and tiles rained down. The women and boys all fled, seeking shelter, as screams broke out in waves. In the shadows of the neighbouring street, a figure hid in the darkness. Seeing the fallen-in roof from afar, and themotion that followed, he let out a heh, and sank back into silence Manor of the Minister of Industry. In the master bedroom, the Minister of Industry hugged his concubine, and slept sweetly. His wife had passed many years ago, and he had never remarried. A paper doll floated in on the wind, and lightlynded on the courtyard floor. A few secondster, it climbed up, and with great difficulty squeezed itself through the crack in the door. It carefully avoided the charcoal brazier, and stepped with stiff steps over to the bedside. It gathered a wisp of wind, and floated onto the bed,nding beside the pillow of the minister. Shakily, it stood up on the pillow. Gathering up its strength, it drove itself headfirst against the Ministers face. The Minster of Industry, who normally slept very lightly, frowned, and slowly opened his eyes. After seeing the paper doll though, all traces of sleepiness vanished. He first observed his concubine, and confirmed she was sleeping soundly. Then, he picked up the paper doll, stood up, and came to the table. He lit the candle, and opened the paper doll, reading the tiny tadpole-like characters within. As he read, the Ministers face suddenly turned, as his long moustache started trembling. As he finished, however, he let out a long sigh of relief, and his demeanour became calm and rxed. After burning the paper doll in the candlelight, the Minister of Industry returned to his bed. Looking at the sleeping concubine, he hesitated for a moment, before slowly picking up the pillow, and tightly covering her face The next day, the Ministry of Law. The Minister of Law woke early, and personally came to the prisons, inspecting the imprisoned Nightwatchers. The corruption case involved the Nightwatchers from Bronze Gong to Gold Gong, forty-six people in total, and they were all held at the Ministry of Law. ording to the roles, the three offices should have equally taken a portion, and independently question them. However the Wang Clique lost two core members during the tax silver case and the Sangpo case, and were irreconcble with Wei Yuan. Thus, to be able to kick Wei Yuan when hes down, the Ministry of Law was even more enthusiastic than the Qi Cliques High Court. When people act, heaven watches, do you think that silence will allow you to escape the kingsw? The Minister of Lawughed coldly, shaking his head, This official has already investigated your assets, and drafted an ount. After His Majesty has approved it, dont think any of you can escape. However, this official nheless wishes to give you an opportunity. Who is it who ordered you to embezzle silver, and abuse themon people? Is it Wei Yuan? No one answered. Suddenly, someoneughed coldly: Embezzlement? May the Right Honourable Minister tell me, how much silver did I embezzle? Ive been in the Nightwatchers for over a decade, I havent taken a single copper coin. *Hmph, and you dare to speak out* the Minister for Law followed the sound, walking over, and saw the man who spoke out. His gaze however, fell not on the figure, but on the spotless clean cell around him. All the debris, weeds, and other refuse were swept neatly into one corner, the spider webs that usually adorned the corners were nowhere to be seen, the grass mat that served as a mattress was still tattered and worn, yet it was aligned tidily on the wooden bed. Every detail was perfectly ounted for. Somewhat bewildered, the Minister of Law inspected the man. He was a Nightwatcher with a stiff expression, and even though he wore a prisoners uniform, he gave one a sense of cleanliness and order. His hair was brushed meticulously, and the rolled up sleeves on his left and right arms were extremely symmetrical. Looking at this man, looking at this cell, many Ministry of Law officials, including the Minister himself, could not help but feel a strange sense of rxation What is this person called? Minister Sun asked his attendant. Li Yuchun. How much silver has he embezzled? How many houses does he have in the inner city? The official started flicking through his dossier, searching intently for some time. Only when Minister Sun nced over, did he say in a low voice: In the inner city he has a single house, a rather poor one at that. Living there is only his old mother, and his pregnant wife. As for money the Ministry only found fifty taels of silver in his residence. Fifty taels? Minister Sun was stunned; a Silver Gong he was, yet his family wealth was only fifty taels of silver? How did you search? Minister Sun felt that the ministrys men had just done a half-rate job. The official whispered into his ear for a moment, and after Minister Sun had listened to his words, he fell silent. As if he couldnt be bothered with this cleanliness-loving man any more, he turned and left. In the newly silent dungeons, Jiang Lyuzhong leant against his cell wall, and sighed. Old Jiang, do you have a n? The neighbouring Gold Gong tapped on his wall, asking. What n can I have? Well just find some other way to make a living. I wont go undercover, my wife and children are all in the capital. Jiang Lyuzhong replied grumpily. Heh, I have no wife or children, maybe Ill go wander the Jianghu. Ive gotten bored with the capital. the other Gold Gong said. Bullshit. Jiang Lyuzhongughed coldly, Just earlier you said you nned to marry and have children, and settle down in the capital. I only regret not taking more earlier, and only asionally skimming here or there, then being thrown in this cell wouldnt be an injustice! Heh, then you might as well just be a bandit after getting out. Sod off. The worst oue would be to be terminated, their lives at least werent at risk. As long as high-rank martial artists did notmit anything too egregious, the crown will usually not send down capital punishment. As a high-rank martial in rage was a terrifying force indeed. Eh there was another round of sighs, followed by a long silence. Leaving the dungeons, the Minister asked: Why havent I seen that little piece of trash surnamed Xu? It seems he escaped. The attendant responded. Have we put out a wanted notice? Its already been drafted. When the Ministry stamps its seal, we can send it out. Minister Sun nodded in satisfaction, How many taels of silver did the rascal embezzle? Yesterday, we sent people to search the Xu House, we found only several hundred rolls of silk, but not much silver. Minister Sun grunted in agreement, Take the rolls of silk for now, when all is said and done, distribute it to people in the constabry. This uh we didnt dare confiscate the silk. The official said in a low tone. Minister Suns gaze suddenly sharpened: Mn? The officialughed bitterly: Those, uh, those were given by His Majesty, nobody dares to take them, lest afterwards that Xu Pingzhi reports them Ive heard that that rascal often goes to the Jiaofangsi? Minister Sun tried to find another point of weakness. Yes sir, weve sent people to ask the matron of the Jiaofangsi, she said that in the span of two months Xu slept with eight oirans, and was close with the Reflecting Plum Pavillions Fuxiang. Thats it then! Minister Sun felt a wave of excitement, Hes spent all the silver on women, we can use the statements made by the women in the Jiaofangsi as evidence. With great awkwardness, the official replied: But the womens statements were all the same Minister Sun turned to look at him with a questioning look, as the official continued indignantly: Those women all said, they admired Xus talent, and willingly served him for free. Minister Suns body swayed, as he nearly fainted in anger. Bastard thing! If theres no ws about him, then well make ws! If he has no money well give him money! Minister Sun eximed darkly: This official will never let this little bastard go! He angrily stormed back to his office, downed a cup of tea, yet his chair wasnt even warmed when a clerk rushed in in a hurry, reporting: Minister Sir, a message from the Pce, His Majesty has summons. Minister Sun eyed the water clock in the corner. At this time of day, the morning court had already long gone. If His Majesty was summoning him, then either theres an urgent matter, or it was a small court. *What is His Majesty being so diligent about, summoning civil servants practically every day* the Minister of Law nodded: Arrange the carriage. Chapter 167: Taking Sister and Auntie to See the House Chapter 167: Taking Sister and Auntie to See the House # 167. Taking Sister and Auntie to See the House Minister Sun arrived at the imperial study, as within the wide and resplendent room were only three people. They were Emperor Yuanjing sat on his high chair, the cunning and wry Prime Minister Wang, and the great Azure Cloak, with his whitening temples. He unconsciously nced towards old brother Prime Minister, discovering that his expression was grave, and his gaze dim. This made Minister Sun, who originally had thought that this was just a regr small court, suddenly start in surprise. *What ck magic is Wei Yuan up to* he immediately turned to inspect the great Azure Cloak, but the inscrutable great eunuch maintained a warm expression, deep and reserved, leaving one unable to see a hint of what he was feeling inside. Suddenly, a sense of unease arose within Minister Sun. After carrying out his regr formalities, he silently stood at his usual spot. Time slowly ticked by, as civil servants slowly trickled in, bowing and assuming their positions. Throughout this process Emperor Yuanjing had his eyes closed, meditating, until he heard the voice of the Minister of Industry. Emperor Yuanjing opened his eyes, and surveyed his servants. Anyone who was able to be invited to attend the small court, were all the most senior of the senior in government, less important civil servants simply didnt have the qualifications. Dear Lord Wei, you may tell all the lords present. Wei Yuan stepped out, speaking: Last night, in the inner city the Nightwatchers discovered a house housing catamites and unregistered prostitutes, the women there came from good backgrounds, and the young boys were also from normal families. They were kidnapped and trafficked there, and were forced to serve the guests who stayed over there Last night, the Nightwatchersunched a secret raid on the residence, and rounded up this nest of criminals. We arrested thirteen patrons of the brothel, ten amongst them with official ranks, and three are influential merchants in the capital. Furthermore, the Nightwatchers also retrieved the skeletons of forty corpses from the well in the back courtyard, they were all ughtered innocents. Wei Yuans words worked up a torrent in the Imperial Study, as the great civil servants all started discussing the matter, not caring about the regtion of keeping silence. Human trafficking, illegal prostitutes, political favours for sex any of these would bring down a myriad cmities upon any official, especially during the time of the Official Evaluation. However much one tried, this could not be covered up. Yet Wei Yuan hadnt finished talking, as he revealed another huge bombshell: From our investigations, the owner of the house had rtions with the Church of the Warlock God, evidence given by the magical runes carved on the well entrance. The owner of the residence confessed that he was working under the orders of the Minister of Industry. That residence was not only used as a ce for building cliques, but also secretly a ry point formunication with the Church of the Warlock God. The uproar was immense. If one could say that before they maintained some of their demeanour, now it was like the vegetable market, with some cursing Wei Yuans nderous usations, and some shouting for Wei Yuans damn head to go rolling. The head eunuch, standing beside Emperor Yuanjing, shouted three times for order, yet he could not suppress the chaotic scene. Forming cliques and selling prostitutes, kidnapping and trafficking people, forcing innocent women into sex work, these were all crimes with tolerable consequences, but colluding with the Church of the Warlock God? That was a different matter; that was treason. ording to thews of the Great Feng, all guilty of treason, were sentenced to nine familial exterminations. Crack! Emperor Yuanjing smacked his hand on the table, and the Imperial Study immediately returned to silence. His icy gaze scanned over his officials, and fell on Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen. What does dear Lord Wang think? The Prime Minister stood out, and said solemnly: This matter must be investigated to its fullest, and not dallied upon. Although his words sounded like he was trying to smooth things over, but the Ministry of Laws Minister Sun could clearly tell that big brother Wang was leaning more towards Wei Yuan. He immediately understood big brothers intention. If one stood by the side of the Minister of Industry, then at most they would be owed an incredible favour, as well as smacking down some of Wei Yuans pride. But if one stood by Wei Yuan, if this matter was found true, then the Minister of Industry would be doomed, and the Qi clique would have lost one of its leaders. In the Sangpo Case, the Wang clique had wanted to shift the me onto the Ministry of Industry, andnd a heavy blow on the Qi clique. Even though they had failed, but there was indeed another opportunity. Emperor Yuanjing looked towards Wei Yuan: Where is the perpetrator? Wei Yuan shook his head, sighing, Last night, the perpetrator was murdered by the Warlocks curse of death, and died without giving evidence. Emperor Yuanjing frowned. The Imperial Study immediately fell into deathly silence, as everyone looked with strange expressions towards Wei Yuan, as if saying: *What was all that about then?* The ever cool and collected Prime Minister Wang tilted his head, also frowning at Wei Yuan. The Minister of Industrys mouth curled, as he stepped out with a cold smile, eximing: Your Majesty! Your servant has been wronged! Wei Yuan is trying to nder your servant, please may Your Majesty take the lead. Emperor Yuanjing made a dark expression, Wei Yuan, what do you have to say? Wei Yuan was iparably self-assured, as he replied: Your servant asks Your Majesty to summon Bronze Gong Xu Qian. *Bronze Gong Xu Qian* Hearing this name, many great officials expressions became rather distorted. Based onst time on the situation with Zhou Chixiong, in these times asking to summon Xu Qian must mean that this matter has not ended, and Wei Yuan has left a hidden ace up his sleeve. Especially, members of the Wang Clique had already developed a slight amount of PTSD from hearing the words summon Xu Qian. The Minister of Industrys face turned slightly, but he quickly hid his emotions, and kept his calm. Emperor Yuanjing went silent for a few seconds, before saying: Summon him. Several minutester, Xu Qian, in his ck robes, bronze gong, and ck cloak entered the Imperial Study. The long sabre that usually hung about his waist was temporarily confiscated from him. With him also were Chu Caiwei and two other white cloaks from the Sitianjian. Your servant greets Your Majesty. Xu Qian bowed and saluted. Emperor Yuanjing gazed expressionlessly at this small Bronze Gong. Wei Yuan turned his head, smiling: Recount your findings to His Majesty. Xu Qian immediately started recounting, from nning to use the silver His Majesty had given him to buy a house, to finding said house was haunted, then through channelling with the spirit, finding out about this ce everything was said as it was. The more the Minister of Industry listened, the uglier his expression became, as his heart slowly sank into the depths. *The mans already dead,st night the Nightwatchers were clearly unbelievably angry they dont have evidence, theyre bluffing me* the Minister of Industry calmed his emotions, and scoffed internally. *This official has served half his life, gone through countless winds and rains, do you think this small trick will stop me, heh.* Xu Qian finished, and saw that Emperor Yuanjing seemed quite aloof, without any expression on his face. So he added one final sentence: The female spirit is sealed in the feng-shui te of the Sitianjians Miss Caiwei, if Your Majesty wishes for evidence, Your Majesty can pick a trusted aide to channel with the ghost. Internally, he thought: *Get a guy to do it!* Emperor Yuanjing thought for a while, before looking to the head eunuch beside him. Of all the people present, the one he trusted most naturally was this peorson that had attended to him all his life. I will serve Your Majesty with my life. the head eunuch knelt down. My lord, there is no need for fear, there will be no significant effects. Xu Qian saw that the eunuch was somewhat frightened, and reckoning that he did not know much about what a channelling is, tried tofort him. *At most it will be seeing a man riding between your legs in first person, but dont worry, its like watching a movie, you wont feel anything.* Xu Qian felt that for these eunuchs, who had all missed their chances (cocks) to sleep with any women, that this was a blessing. You couldnt sleep with anyone, so being fucked by a guy would make up for missing out. Chu Caiwei took out her feng-shui te, and walked towards the head eunuch. Bright light emanated from her te, as the yin-yang koi started spinning around, expelling a ball of ck mist. She lightly shook it,unching the ck mist towards the eunuchs forehead. Thetter instinctively leant his head back, attempting to evade, but in the next moment the ck mist had entered his soul. Chu Caiwei pointed a finger at his temple, helping him and the ghosts spirits to merge, otherwise with the fortitude of the eunuchs soul, he was at risk of being taken over by the ghost entirely, unable to tell who from who. Emperor Yuanjing, and the many officials in the study, all looked intently at the eunuch, seeing his expression suddenly being frightened, suddenly being furious, suddenly hopeless, suddenly bitter. This process continued for about fifteen minutes, before Chu Caiwei pulled back her finger, simultaneously pulling out the ck mist, putting it back into the feng-shui te. The great eunuch whimpered, as he opened his eyes, and fell to the floor crying: Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please take charge for your concubine As he cried and cried, he finally came to his senses. He was a man, at least he used to be. The experiences just then were the experiences of the female ghost, and not himself. Once he realised this, the head eunuch wiped his tears, as his expression slowly calmed. However, his voice still carried a tinge of grief: Your Majesty, your servant has seen everything Emperor Yuanjing nodded: Speak. He immediately nced at Chu Caiwei, and the other white-cloaks, seeing azure light glowing in their eyes, before turning satisfied back to the eunuch. Your servant saw that she was kidnapped, and sent to the capital. Every day she was forced to serve the patrons of the brothel no, none of the patrons paid. The great officials exchanged nces amongst themselves. Hearing his words, what Wei Yuan said was not nder. This was indeed a ce where kidnapped innocents were forced into prostitution. Later, she served a patron called Tamraha, and gained his appreciation, bing his mistress. Tamraha that was a foreign name. Emperor Yuanjing narrowed his eyes, ncing towards the Minister of Industry, nodding, And then? One night, she identally overheard a secret conversation, and heard cannons, weapons, amongst other words, and because of this was brutally murdered, and thrown into the well. Your servant saw, that the person talking with Tamraha He turned his head, pointing towards the Minister of Industry, eximing in his sharp voice: was Minister Liu! Emperor Yuanjings face immediately turned iron-grey. The imperial study exploded. The winds course changed, as all the great officials turned their spear-heads towards the Minister of Industry. Amongst them, the reactions of the High Court Censor was especially extreme, sighing with emotion, and condemning Minister Liu for his abhorrent actions. Under a flurry of conversation, the colour of Minister Lius face was like mud, with no sign of life, stiff as a wooden doll. Leaving the imperial pce, Xu Qian rode beside Wei Yuans carriage. Duke Wei, the Minister of Industry is one of the leaders of the Qi clique. With him in your hand, you can pull up the Qi clique by its roots. From within, came Wei Yuansughter, Its not the time to pull up the Qi clique. Without the Qi clique, the greatest benefactor would not be us. Xu Qian with his silver rank in political intrigue did not try to argue the matter, changing the conversation: So I can use this merit to atone for my crime? Wei Yuan grunted assent: the Ministry of Law wont arrest you. As for the others, we need to see His Majestys intent. Later, I will sent a letter to the pce. *Mn, this matter is best left to Wei Yuan my promotion to Silver Gong should be all but guaranteed lets go home first, andfort Auntie and Uncle.* Xu Qian thus asked for a day off, and bade farewell to Wei Yuan. pping his horse on the buttock and urging her on, they rushed back home with fiery vigour. Second Uncle was still on duty, and not at home, leaving Auntie and his two sisters there. Auntie sat in the front hall, drinking tea and eating desserts, asionally feeding Little Pea, who was otherwise ying with a wooden doll to the side. She was wearing a dark blue gauze dress, her silken hair was held tight in a bun, with a beautiful golden hairpin through it. The makeup on her beautiful face was exquisitely done. Seeing that her unfortunate nephew hade home, Aunties expression turned slightly, as she lowered her voice, speaking quickly: What are you doing here? Your uncle said that theres spies from the Ministry of Law all around, go, shoo! Big bwother, big bwother Xu Lingyin happily came to greet him, making an emergency stop right in front of him. Her little body swayed with the inertia, as her round face looked up at her brother: Did you bwing back something to eat? No. Xu Qians coldness shattered his tiny sisters hopes and dreams. Oh. Xu Lingyin though was a pragmatic young woman, though, and immediately discarded Xu Qian like a worn out shoe. She waddled away, going to y by herself. Xu Qian didnt want to bother with Auntie, going directly to the table to pick up a cake, only to be pped away. Auntie stared at him forcefully: Im talking to you. Xu Qian replied casually: The situation has been resolved, Ive juste home to tell everyone. Hearing that all has been resolved, Auntie let out a small smile, yet she quickly wiped it off her face, and scolded him: All you do every day is get into trouble, can you let the family live in peace for a while? From the tax silver case, incidents havee one after another without rest, every couple days something elsees up. At the start Auntie was worried and scared, but now she had gotten somewhat used to it. Which was not necessarily a good thing. Xu Qian did not respond to Aunties scolding, saying: Ive already picked out a house, I want to take Lingyin and Lingyue to look at it, will Auntie go too? Hearing that he had picked out a house, Aunties beautiful eyes lit up, as she replied reservedly: Well I have nothing better to do, might as well go with you to take a look. Chapter 168: Oh Lingyin, Dont Make Big Brother Drive Chapter 168: Oh Lingyin, Don''t Make Big Brother Drive # 168. Oh Lingyin, Don''t Make Big Brother Drive Xu Qian rode on his horse, as the old estate agent drove the carriage. Within was sat Xu Lingyue, Auntie, and excitedly sticking her head out of the window was Xu Lingyin. Because big brother was with them, they didnt need to bring their maids and servants; too many people were inconvenient. Along the way, he bought some snacks for Xu Lingyue and Xu Lingyin, and asked towards the window: Does Auntie want any? Auntie refused. When they came to the house, the women stepped out of the carriage, and Xu Qian saw Auntie wiping the corner of her mouth. The location is not bad, its not too far from the market, theres a river beside it Auntie startedmenting in satisfaction. Standing in front of the main door, she frowned, saying: Why does it look shabby? *How could it not, its haunted* Xu Qian said, indicating to the agent to open the door. Auntie lead the two girls into the house, and what met then was a broken and deste scene. It had clearly stood uninhabited for many years, and unmaintained too. She frowned more: This is it? This house hasnt been lived in for many years, not even any renters. The agency reckons that it could be sold off for 4000 taels and to be done with it, but the owner refuses to sell it for that much *For thousand?* Auntie narrowed her eyes, and very casually asked: How much is its asking price? Five thousand taels. The agent said. Auntie did not continue talking, and started looking around the property. Wherever she walked, her criticism followed, but the old agent was experienced in his trade, ate his pride and let her talk. Seeing that this beautiful woman and her beautiful daughters were heading towards the inner courtyard, the old agent jumped in fright, and looked desperately towards Xu Qian. Its fine. Xu Qian said. *There shouldnt be any issues during the day* the old agent looked at the beautiful Aunties figure. Her gently swaying buttocks were extremely attractive that day. Does the valued customer really want to purchase this property? Mhm. *You really arent afraid of death* The old agent had already expended all his kindness and care for that day, and stopped trying to persuade him otherwise, asking: And these two are Xu Qian joked with him: What do you think? That shut the old agent up, as he felt himself being thrown into a difficult situation. *Mother and sisters? No, they wouldnt be so young. Moreover, they didnt have any of the mother-son dynamic that would have otherwise been the case.* *A newlywed couple? Mn, that young woman could be this Masters wife, and the pretty older woman his mother inw but what about that girl in the yellow dress from yesterday?* Although old agents perceptions were shrewd, they still could not tell him what rtionship they had. The older woman is my Aunt, the two younger ones are my younger sisters. As Xu Qian finished his sentence, he saw shock appear on the old agents face. Laughing, he asked: Whats up? The old agent shook his head, internally still processing why someone would bring their Aunt and sisters over when buying a house. After all, the aunt here would be his uncles wife, part of the n yes, but not direct family. Hed never seen someone bring their auntie and sisters to a house viewing before. Even though Aunties mouth was full ofint and dirt, making the house out to be a falling-down shack, internally she was very pleased. It was also a three-tier courtyard house, however it was muchrger than the Xu House in the outer city, and the formers build and quality was iparable. The Xu House was set up like amoners house, nothing like this high-end mboyant ce. If one were to make aparison, it would be like a rural homesteadpared to a city vi. Even though they were all multi-roomrge detached houses, but thetter was on a different ss entirely. They spent an hour meticulously inspecting the entire home. Auntie and Xu Lingyue were all very excited, thetter had even secretly decided on her own room. Auntie hesitantly asked: For this ce, is five thousand taels not a little low? Her nit-picking was all in an effort to push down the price, but during the viewing, she suddenly realised that five thousand taels was far too cheap, and the sharp-witted auntie felt that something was wrong. Xu Qian pointed at the well not far away: That well was haunted - really haunted, Miss Caiwei and I verified. There were two startled scrams, as Xu Lingyue and Auntie both fled behind Xu Qian, the former tightly grasping his sleeve hem. *Haunted?* Xu Lingyin was also very scared, running over to hide under big brothers legs, before looking to the well, both scared and starting to drool slightly. Aunties delicate face turned quite pale, as she didnt want to stay one moment longer: Were not buying this ce, were going home. Grabbing her daughters hand, she walked quickly out of the house. Due to her speed, her figure swayed to and fro. The old agent made a pained expression towards Xu Qian: Is sir merely making sport of me? Xu Qian waved his hand: Bollocks, were paying the deposit. He didnt say that hed already dealt with the ghost, afraid that the estate broker would immediately up their price. Before the contract was sighed, this was still a haunted house. The carriage stopped outside the brokers. Within sat Auntie and the two sisters. After hearing Xu Qian had gone to pay the deposit, Auntie was very angry. Im certainly not going to live there, he can go live in a haunted house on his own! The little rascal just doesnt want to let us three women off lightly. Auntie huffed. Big brother isnt that type of person. Xu Lingyue grabbed her mothers hand. As they talked, Xu Qian came out, and hopped into the drivers seat. Opening the curtain, he stuck in his head: Its nearly noon, lets go to Guiyuelou for lunch. Auntie turned her head away. Xu Qian exined: The ghost in the house has already been dealt with. If you dont believe me, will you believe a Sitianjian Arcanist? Xu Lingyue nodded sweetly. Auntie was not fully convinced, as she stared at Xu Qian: Really? Why would I lie to Auntie? They came to the Guiyuelou, and booked a private room. Xu Qian took out his little jade mirror, and messaged: THREE: TWO, I remember you saying that you are investigating who is behind the banditry woes of Yunzhou. As soon as he finished writing, he put the mirror face down on the table, and focused on his food. After a little while, he got a notification. TWO: Yes, in the process of rooting out bandits, I discovered that many of the camps had many supply wagons, nothing that regr mountain bandits could get their hands on. I suspect that theres a power thats helping them. Xu Qian nodded slightly. Heavy wagons meant military supplies, including armour, arms, et cetera. This topic of conversation caught number Fours interest. As an ex-official of the Great Feng, he paid quite a bit of mind to the political situation of the country. FOUR: You can see if theres a lead to be had from the Yunzhou officials. Right, if I remember correctly theres a prince in Yunzhou. TWO: Prince Gui is a prince without any real political power, Ive investigated him already, hes alright. THREE: How did you investigate? TWO: I sent people to spy on his manor. *this is called investigation? Thats a little too simple* Xu Qianmpooned, replying: THREE: I know whos supporting banditry in Yunzhou. *???* Question marks arose in Two and Fours minds. *What intelligence has Three received? Why can Three always get intelligence. If its about the capital, whatever, since after all thats his territory, but there wasnt half a penny of connection between him and Yunzhou.* *Ive investigated this long and yet I still have no leads, how could he know whos behind the banditry in Yunzhou* Two knew of Threes character, a stately schr with a high moral character, thus they did not doubt him, rather sincerely replying: TWO: What is it? Mn, THREE, if you could tell me who it is, Ill owe you a favour. THREE: Heh, no need, I admire your conduct, this information is free. When rtions are still shallow, then one must talk exchange, and deny all freebooting. After once or twice and a bit more familiarity, then one needed to develop personal rtions, and reduce for-profit trade between them. *Free is the most expensive of prices, because the thing that is exchanged is better rtions. When two peoples rtions are deep enough, then freeloading cane to the surface no, how could it be called freeloading between friends? Its merely helping each other.* This time, Two freeloaded off his information. Next time, he can freeload off Two. THREE: Its the north easts Church of the Warlock God, they are the ones behind Yunzhous banditry. Mm, I cannot guarantee that my information is wholly urate, but you can use for reference. Even though the Church of the Warlock God was not really behind Yunzhous banditry, more likely than not they could not escape some sort of connection. By telling this to Two, Xu Qian had intended for them to go and invesitage on this matter. *The Church of the Warlock God is behind Yunzhous situation?* Two stared at their jade mirror for a long time, before finally replying: TWO: How do you know? Where did you get the information from? Um, Im not trying to pry things from you, I just want to know the reliability of the information. THREE: Thats alright. Last night the Nightwatchers discovered a gathering ce for the Church of the Warlock God in the capital, they had close and ndestine rtions with the Minister of Industry He summarised the event to Two, making sure to keep out most of the details. After all, his identity was as a schr of the Cloud Deer Academy, not a Nightwatcher directly involved in the case. He emphasised that the Minister of Industry was providing the Church of the Warlock God with cannons and weapons. *This is it, this is it* Number Two excitedly clenched their fist, messaging: TWO: This information is very important to me, its verified one of my previous theories, thank you. Im suddenly annoyed that Jinlian Daozhang didnt pull you into the Heaven and Earth Society earlier. NINE: Proper matters should remain proper matters, dont start gossiping. Pausing for a bit, Jinlian continued: NINE: However, wouldnt there not be much point in the Church of the Warlock God secretly supporting the Bandits in Yunzhou? Not only on military matters, but also in what benefits could be traded, there didnt seem like much point. *I was thinking the same thing* Xu Qian messaged: THREE: TWO, you can try investigate this a bit, I believe that with your abilities youll definitely get to the bottom of this. Just then, the professional lurker One popped out: ONE: The situation with the Minister of Industry reminds me of a detail in the Sangpo case. Gunpowder was smuggled into the Temple at Sangpo by the former Minister of Rites, and Baihu Zhou, using thetters rank and position during the ancestor ceremony. However, who lit the fuse? TWO: The Royal Guard? THREE: Not the royal guard, Ive investigated all the movements of the royal guards that night, those on patrol all lost their lives, and those not on patrol had proper alibis furthermore, the Minister of Rites cant give orders to the Royal Guard. TWO: Why? ONE: This is the crowns secret. *What kind of crown secret, its merely that Emperor Yuanjing every month gets Arcanists from the Sitianjian to interrogate the soldiers* Xu Qian thought. Suddenly, something in his mind fell into ce, as two trails of thought was suddenly joined up with each other: THREE: What ONE means, is that the Church of the Warlock Gods people lit the fuse under the temple? ONE: mhm. NINE: A paper doll. ONE: How is Daozhang so confident? NINE: Heh, the technique of using paper dolls originated with the Daoist sects, I naturally know of it well. A paper dolls power is weak, it is barely stronger than an ant. It thus can bypass a martial artists senses, and silently infiltrate into the Temple. Whats more is that a paper doll can at as the fuse to light the gunpowder. ONE: This is to say, that not only did the Sangpo case involve the Yao, but it also involved the Warlocks? Then the Qi Clique must also know of this matter. THREE: Surely not, the Qi Clique and the Church of the Warlock God were only business partners, not superior and subordinate. The Church couldnt have told everything to the Qi clique. ONE: But one thing is for certain, the Warlocks and the Yao have rtions. *The Yao wanted Sangpo blow up to get to the sealed item inside, but what was the Church of the Warlock God after? It wouldnt have been Shenshus severed hand, otherwise they would have conflicting interests, theyll start fighting with each other* Xu Qian thought through this, as he reached out his chopsticks to pick up some food, only to find that the te was empty. There werent many dishes in the first ce, and the mother and daughters had finished it all. Little Peas face was radiant. *Youre the same kind as Chu Caiwei.* Xu Qian scolded internally, and called the waiter to order more. After they had finished and left the Guiyuelou, Auntie and Lingyue entered the carriage. Xu Lingyin saw that on the other side of the street they were selling malt candy, and dragged big brother over by the trouser leg to beg for him to get her some. Xu Qian took her to get some candy, with words like des but a heart like tofu: Malt candy is too hard, your teeth will break your teeth. Little Pea was a well established businessman in the business of eating, and was not at all intimidated: Its ok, Ill suck on it until it goes from hard to soft. Hearing this, Xu Qianughed, If youre really skilled youll be able to get it from soft to hard. Little Pea could only admit defeat: Im not that skilled, can big brother do it? Big brother cant, but a really skilled troublemaker can suck on a malt candy until it goes from soft to hard, then hard back to soft. Troublemaker? Then can sister and mummy do it? I refuse to answer that question. Why, big brother? Xu Lingyin shed her innocent big eyes. Dont ask why. Lingyin, why do you always make big brother drive? Chapter 169: Making a Simplified Chicken Bouillon Chapter 169: Making a Simplified Chicken Bouillon # 169. Making a Simplified Chicken Bouillon The Ministry of Law Two jailors opened the prison door, and struck the bars with their batons, shouting: Sirs, youre free to go. As they shouted, the jailors felt happy for themselves, that they kept to the rules. Every job has its rules, and one of the biggest unspoken rules for a jailor was: do not anger martial artists unless they were death row prisoners, who had had their cultivation stripped from them. And as for these high rank martial artists, they could turn their fortunes at the drop of a hat. In front of their eyes was one perfect example. Upon hearing the jailors words, the first reaction of the Nightwatchers was that His Majesty had already issued his imperial sentence. The reason they were freed was that his goal had already been reached. However, leaving the jail, they were told they could sign out, and retrieve their uniforms and gongs. The Nightwatchers were very familiar with this process, it meant that they were found not guilty, and furthermore could return to their offices. His Majesty has pardoned us? That cant be it someone muttered. The Nightwatchers exchanged nces. seeing each others confused looks. Everyone felt rather lost. Their visits to jail was clearly a result of party conflict, and as experienced Nightwatchers they knew well the treachery and toxicity of party politics; given the opportunity one side will squeeze the other side all the way to the death, and would never let someone off so lightly. *Duke Wei sacrificed something to get us out of the Ministry of Law* Jiang Lyuzhong quickly came to a hypothesis, and looked at the three Gold Gongs beside him. They silently exchanged nces, and saw each other all had simr thoughts. For a moment their hearts all felt heavy, but then welled up with emotion and loyalty towards Wei Yuan, secretly thanking his protection. Retrieving their uniforms, arms, and other items, the Nightwatchers silently left the Ministry of Law, and only on the road back to their constabry did they have a feeling of joy of oveing the storm. From the initial silence, they burst into excited conversation, someone even started going around their colleagues, talking about going to the Jiaofangsi again. The Gold Gongs looked at him, he was a squint-eyed, thin man, and had an unctuous and devious aura. Song Tingfeng, youve just gotten out of jail, and you already want to get into trouble. A Bronze Gong beside him said disapprovingly. What do you know, my boss is squeaky clean and yet he also got arrested, no matter if youre corrupt or not, theyll get ya anyway. The only thing that matters is if the people above us want to get you ot not. That squint-eyed Bronze Gong was overflowing with words. *Hes not dumb* the Gold Gongs thought. Well if Xu Ningyan wants to go, then well go. Jiang Lyuzhongs eyes lit up, as he said to his colleagues with augh: Ningyan is the Jiaofangsis pet, the oirans fight after him. Earlier when Yang Yan and I took them to the Jiaofangsi for drinks, what ad apart from Fuxiang, there were four other oirans present. Under the questioning gazes of the other three Gold Gongs, the carefree feeling Jiang Lyuzhong rubbed the corners of of his eyes,ughing: The oirans of the Jiaofangsi certainly live up to their name, it made me feel like I was young again. The three Gold Gongs could not hide their admiration. Even though none of themcked in women, the Jiaofangsis orians were not avable for the Gold Gongs to enjoy with abandon. This was not to say that the Gold Gongscked influence, but rather the Jiaofangsi was controlled by the ministry of Rites, the power of the Nightwatchers did not work there. The Gold Gongs could also could not demand an oiran serve them during drinking games they would most certainly be refused. And in that case they couldnt cause a ruckus, because the Ministry of Rites would love them to cause a scene. Returning to the constabry, the four Gold Gongs went first to the Tower of Noble Spirit, to hear Wei Yuans teachings and express their loyalty. Good, we can use this opportunity to rid the constabry of its malignant trends, control well your subordinates. Wei Yuan said. The four Gold Gongs lowered their heads, and heeded hismand. Wei Yuan nodded in satisfaction, The reason you were able to get out this time was not because of me, you need to thank someone else. *Someone else? His Majesty was feeling especially gracious that day?* The four Gold Gongs began guessing. Its Xu Qian. Wei Yuan said. *Xu Qian?* This answer caught the four Gold Gongs off guard, to the point that they were somewhat in disbelief. Jiang Lyuzhong straightened his back, his voice deferent, Duke Wei, what happened when we were in jail? Wei Yuan told them about the case involving the Minister of Industry and the Church of the Warlock God, especially emphasising the importance of Xu Qian within the case. The four Gold Gongs left the Tower of Noble Spirit. Jiang Lyuzhongs face was gloomy, his emotions low. Another Gold Gong mocked him: Jealous that that Bronze Gong continuously gets merit? Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head, closing his sharp eyes, sighing, Back then I should have fought to the death with Yang Yan to get Xu Qian under mymand. Bronze Gong Xu is certainly a rare prodigy, only his strength is a bitcking. What do you know, you dont even know that he Jiang Lyuzhong suddenly shut his mouth. Mn? The three Gold Gongs looked back at him. Cant say, cant say. Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head. Oy, Jiang, are you learning from the brothel whores, taking your clothes off and shaking your arse just to lead us on. Say it, whats up with that Bronze Gong? Its strange isnt it, Wei Yuan has taken too much of a liking to him. If you want to know, go ask Wei Yuan. No matter how much the other three Gold Gongs tried, Jiang Lyuzhong just wouldnt talk. The next day, after greeting Second Uncle, Xu Qian immediately went to the estate broker and bought the haunted house. In reality, Uncle Xu wanted to look a bit longer, but Auntie and Lingyue were already quite happy with the house except the ghost in the well of course, but they heeded the words given by the master of the house: If the Sitianjian people had looked at it, then there shouldnt be a problem. Auntie and Lingyue were fully satisfied by that. The brokers were rather in admiration of Xu Qians headstrongness, and were even somewhat embarrassed at the state of the house, and especially hired people to clean it beforehand. After dinner, Xu Qian asked Xu Pingzhi: Uncle, the house has sat uninhabited for quite a few years. That day when we went to look at it, the building was sturdy and stable, but some of the windows and doors were showing signs of rot. Xu Pingzhi thought for a while, saying: Half a month should be enough. *Half a month? Were not getting any master craftwork, why do we need that much time* Xu Qian said: lets just hire some craftsmen from the outer city, then get them onto shifts for the entire day, this way it should be done within a week. Xu Pingzhi hesitated for a moment: Why the outer city, the craftsmanship of the inner city is much better. Because the craftsmen of the outer city are cheaper. Also, they dont know the house is haunted, they can happily live inside. *Youre really unscrupulous* the whole family thought. The task of hiring carpenters was given to Xu Pingzhi, Xu Qian was still wet behind the years, andcked the experience to do it properly. Uncle Xu was old and experienced with the capital, he was the most reliable for the job. This rest day, Xu Qian rode his horse to the market, and from a few sellers whom he had built good rtions with purchased two wicker baskets of shiitake mushrooms. With this, he nned to honour two promises that he had made: One, to help Chu Caiwei advance to a sixth rank Arcanist; Two, to make noodles for her to eat. His goal was very clear: to make a simplified version of chicken boullion. In the past, Xu Qian had seen a video made by a famous cooking content creator not one of those trash ones, someone that actually does the real thing. This creator collected many different ancient recipes, and followed them to cook various ancient dishes, yet he discovered that these ancient recipes werent actually as delicious as he had hoped. In the end he found out that the biggest difference between modern and ancient recipes was not the cooking methods, but rather the development and avability of seasonings. Aftering to this world, Xu Qian felt in much agreement with this perspective. Whilst the cooking skills of the lead chef of Guiyuelou is excellent, normal family home cooking just felt rather nd, even if the Xu family always had a supply of meat stock. The appearance of MSG was a great culinary revolution in human history Xu Qian threw the two baskets of shiitake into arge pot to soak. Afterwards, he vaulted the wall into the main dwelling, nicked an old hen and ughtered it, putting the chicken on the small stove to stew. He then washed the now rehydrated mushrooms, drained them, and then threw them into a different pot to stew. Xu Qian didnt n to make MSG, because hecked the relevant knowledge and experience. He only knew that Monosodium Glutamate itself could be extracted for fermenting grains, or kelp. *though isnt the result of fermenting grain alcohol?* Xu Qian muttered internally. As for kelp this idea was struck off immediately. The reason was simple: the costs were too great. The Capital of Feng was situated in the central ins, far from the sea. Even though there were trade from the sea through the rivers, ocean products in the capital were still luxuries limited to the purview of aristocrats and wealthy merchants. *If I wanted to use kelp to make MSG, Id need so much seaweed that even bankrupting the entire family would get me hardly any.* Thus Xu Qian decided to use chicken bouillon to rece MSG. When he was younger, they had used MSG, but one day, Totole Chicken Bouillon[^1] arrived to their household, and mother never used in MSG again. He was curious however, as to how this tub of yellowish looking grains coulde to rece MSG, and thus looked carefully at thebel. The main ingredient in this chicken bouillon was guanosine monophosphate, or guanylic acid, a chemical that could rival monosodium glutamate in amplifying the umami in foods. And this guanyic acid urred naturally inrge amounts in shiitake mushrooms. Time passed second by second, and several times the pots were refilled with water. The mushrooms and chicken were slowly boiled softer and softer, and a unique savoury smell filled the small kitchen. Xu Qian took the shiitake out of the water, leaving a thick liquid in the pot. The cooked shiitake wereid out onto a cheese cloth, and he squeezed them tightly, extracting everyst drop of the thick mushroom broth. After a few rounds of this, the shiitake in the cloth were as dry as a bone, looking like they had been emptied of all vitality. Afterwards hebined the concentrated chicken broth with the mushroom stock, and also crushed the boiled chicken meat and bones into a paste,bining it well with the liquid. Then, he waited until the liquid had dried off, leaving only the residue, and then grinded the solid into a powder. Thus, his simplified version of chicken bouillon wasplete. After finishing everything, Xu Qian looked at the sky it was already dusk. At this time, the cooks would be busy making dinner, it was perfect opportunity for him to test his invention, the pride of a 21st century underachieving student. He would get feedback from uncle and auntie. *I have a feeling, that tonight Xu Lingyin will eat ten bowls* The corners of Xu Qians mouth curled, as with a light heart he made some into a thick stock, and took it over into the main house. --- [^1]: tai tai le; you can find it at most Asian importers. Chapter 170: Not bad, now go... Chapter 170: Not bad, now go... # 170. Not bad, now go... In the kitchen, several cooks were running left and right, washing and chopping vegetables, tending to the fire and cooking, talking and making that evenings dinner. Soon well go live in the inner city. the cook chopping vegetablesughed. All themon people of the capital had an attraction to the inner city. The inner city was far better than the outer city, there were practically no slums or other areas of poor repair, young women can go out onto the streets alone without feeling fear. They could even go into the small back alleys of the inner city though this should probably not be encouraged. Dng really has made a lot, I heard the madam say that that house cost five thousand taels. The cook washing the vegetables carried on the conversation. Five thousand taels? Thats not much more than our house here. The one tending to the fire said. What do you know, the vegetable washer eximed, I heard the madam say, that that house was worth at least seven thousand taels, far above our current ce. As to why they had only spent five thousand tales, this was clearly just natural talent on the part of Xu Qian. He was, after all, a Nightwatcher, he should easily be able to buy a house on the cheap. Madam said to me that after a few more days, shell take us all over. Let me tell you, the inner city is really posh. In the outer city lived much of the bottom rungs of society, who almost never had opportunity to venture further in. If one was not in a carriage or on horseback, and just on their own too legs, to go into the inner city from the outer one could take three or four hours. If one were to leave after lunch, then they would arrive by sundown. The servants and maids in the manor were looking forward to the impending move to the inner city, and this morale boost had stepped up their eagerness to work, lest they risk dismissal. Except for Le, who had been sold into the Xu manor since she was small, and also the maids that Xu Dng could sleep with, everyone else had rolling contracts. Ive discovered something the vegetable chopper suddenly butted back into the conversation. After the other two cooks had turned to look, she said in a low tone: Ive discovered that madam likes to show off Dng more and more, hes always at the corner of her mouth, but as soon as Dnges back, she wont give him any nice attitude. Ahem, ahem Suddenly, coughing came from outside the kitchen door, interrupting the cooks gossip. Why is Dng here? the cooks asked in surprise. An oily, dirty ce like the kitchen was not a ce the masters of the house frequented. *Youre really full of old maids games itd be a wonder if Auntie did show off about me* Xu Qian, bowl of stock in hand, nodded, saying: Ive made a secret recipe, so Iming to help you cook. Xu Qian looked around the room. The kitchen could not be said to be dirty, but it was certainly not clean, as after all years of oil and smoke had formed ayer on the walls and stoves that could not be cleaned. However, as long as the bowls, tes, pots and pans were thoroughly clean, then there were no problems. Whats this? The cooks eyes fell on the bowl in his hand, and the thick something within. Its good, dont look at it, its a secret recipe. Xu Qian turned slightly, hiding his treasure from the cooks. They didnt mind, and continued in their work. If Dng wanted to stay he could stay; he was the master, and they were merely just servants, since when could servants order around their masters? Furthermore, whenever the madam would argue with him, she would be rolling her eyes in anger. Except for the Master of the house, there was perhaps only the second son who could speak a torrent that could actually argue with him. Xu Qian stood to one side, watching. The first pan contained bamboo shoots and fried pork, and when the cook was tossing it, he added a small spoon of his chicken bouillon into it. He then tasted some, nodding slightly. The savouriness of the dish was significantly improved, yet it could notpare to the real thing. *Guanylic acid and monosodium glutamate are meant toplement one another if I want to reach the vours of my past life, Id need to make proper MSG* Xu Qian was nheless satisfied, though. Seeing this, the cook took a pair of chopsticks, and also tasted some, chewing carefully. Her eyes suddenly became wide, as she forgot to continue tossing. The vour she tasted was both familiar and new. There was the vour of chicken, yet chicken could not be this savoury. To raise the umami of this dish by so much with such a small spoon, no stock could do this. Xu Qian nced at her, before snatching the spat out of her hand and continued stirring, lest the dish be burnt. Is it its tasty? the other two cooks noticed her expression. Its its so tasty, Ive never eaten such savoury food the one cooking said with excitement. In the main hall, Xu Lingyue picked up some rice, and looked around, asking: Wheres big brother? Normally at this time big brother would already be at the table waiting for the start of the meal, maybe ying around a bit with Xu Lingyin, or arguing with Auntie, furthering their bad rtions. Today is rest day, maybe hes at the Jiaofangsi. Xu Pingzhi, head lowered and polishing his sabre, replied. All you know is crazy talk, dad, big brother doesnt even go to the Gon. Xu Lingyue puffed her cheeks, a face full of unhappiness. * Yeah, I used to think so too your doesnt go to the Gon big brother is suddenly an important person who is fought over by the Jiaofangsis oirans* Xu Pingzhi eximed in his mind, saying: Hes now refining spirit, he doesnt need to remain chaste. Going to the Jiaofangsi is a thing any man does, who doesnt Suddenly feeling the murderous energying from one side, Xu Pingzhi without a change in posture or reaction changed mid-sentence: Your dad and second brother of course dont go, but Ningyan might have gone. The Nightwatchers have their social events too, theres no real way out of it. Talking about it, none of our Xu familyds particrly like those type of establishments. Xu Lingyue believed his fathers words, thinking that her proud second brother and well-behaved big brother were indeed not the type of people to be attracted to the red lights. She nodded, and sat peacefully. Mum, I want to go to Guiyuelou. Xu Lingyin came out from under the table, giving Auntie a shock. Auntie ignored her, as uncle Xu lectured his daughter: Lingyin, we cant go to Guiyuelou all the time, it takes silver. Big brother took me yesterday. Xu Lingyin was not convinced. Then go find big brother to take you. Xu Pingzhi waved his hand, giving up on the conversation with his youngest daughter. This girl was too stupid that not even the Cloud Deer Academys teachers could teach her. Auntie sighed: They say the chefs of the Guiyuelou came from the imperial pce, their craft is unparalleled in the capital, if we could get these kind of chefs for our family, wouldnt that be great. Woah, that smells good Xu Lingyin suddenly said. Her nose twitched, as she looked out of the door. A second slower, the refining qi martial artist Xu Pingzhi also smelled the extremely savoury scent. A momentter, the cooks brought over the dishes. With them was Xu Qian, but even Xu Lingyue, who really liked her big brother was not paying attention to him, rather her eyes fixated on the food. Glinting fried pork and bamboo shoot, sour hand-torn cabbage, yam soup, scrambled egg and wild garlic, stewed lotus root andmb leg, red-oil water bamboo as well as pig trotters cooked personally by Xu Qian. The food today is really fragrant. Xu Pingzhi said with some surprise. He summoned them over, and picked up a piece of pig trotter, with crispy skin and tender interior and a dark saucethered on top. Smelling its savouriness that could make any person drool, he eagerly shoved it into his mouth. How is it this good? He said in shock. Youre being too grandiose. Auntie pursed her lips, and when the cooks had ced the dishes on the table, she picked up a piece of bamboo root. After chewing on it though, her pretty eyes suddenly became wide. The dish was still the dish, there was nothing special to it, but that umami exploded over her taste buds, something she had never experienced before. Usually when cooking, they would add at most adle of stock, and although there were different vours of stock, they could not provide such an intense vour, as the stocks of this era did not have any MSG with them. Even if one were drinking chicken soup, or eating shiitake mushrooms, they would think it is savoury, but what Xu Qian had done was to take the essence of savouriness out of two whole baskets of mushrooms, how could anythingpare? Auntie looked with surprise at the cooks, light dancing in her eyes: Todays food is especially different from before, how did you make it? Xu Lingyue and Xu Pingzhi also put down their chopsticks, awaiting an answer with great interest. Only Xu Lingyin did not care, she only cared about how much good food could end up in her belly. Its Dngs secret recipe The cooks waved theri hands. The whole family immediately turned to look at Xu Qian. Xu Pingzhi asked: Where did you get a secret recipe? Xu Lingyue and Auntie also looked at him curiously. Xu Qians chopsticks moved as fast as lightning, as he exined: I felt that the food at home was too n, and Guiyuelou was too expensive, so I figured out something. It seems its pretty good. Uncle Xu nodded slightly, turning to look at the table. His eyes went wide, as he shouted: Xu Lingyin! Xu Lingyin had climbed onto the table, and was pulling the dishes over to herself. Theyre all mine. She frownedically, dering to her father. At 6 AM Xu Qian arrived at the constabry, and did nothing until noon, waiting to receive the Bronze Gongs and Silver Gongs returning from jail. Yesterday they had received news of the fall of the Minister of Industry from their colleagues, and about that case in general which ultimately decided their fates. If Xu Qian did not butt in and contribute, then many of their fortunes would have taken a turn for the worse. After getting through all of the talk, Xu Qian tied on his bronze gong, strapped on his sabre, and went on patrol. Ningyan, you havent been to the Jiaofangsi in a while. The silent Zhu Guangxiao suddenly said. *Because Ive gotten the perception that its not me freeloading off the oirans, but them freeloading off me* Xu Qian said helplessly: I feel like Im nearing the peak of refining qi, I need to n to try for the next rank. *Peak of refining qi* Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng looked at him in a daze. They were also at the peak of refining qi, this was not the difficult bit. As long as one constantly did their exercises and cultivated, reaching the peak was only a matter of time. What was difficult was to gain merit, in return for visualisation paintings. That said, Xu Qian had only been in the Nightwatchers for two months, and he was already at the peak of refining qi? What kind of aptitude is that? Then you need to gain merit. Song Tingfeng said with some jealousy, before adding gloomily: But I suppose from the Sangpo case until now youve probably gotten more than enough. Mn, Xu Qian lightly changed the topic: I want to save for a couple weeks before going to the Jiaofangsi. The Jiaofangsi was by far and away the best topic for their lively atmosphere. Song Tingfeng winked: Then Miss Fuxiang will have to suffer. *She wont suffer, shell just overflow, just like the one to my right* Xu Qian nced rightwards. As they walked and talked, they came back round to the constabry, and were drawn to a tall and burly monk in a blue monks robe. His robe was somewhat tattered, around his neck were hung a string of heavy prayer beads, two lines of scars were arranged on his bald head, and his expression carried deep suffering. It was Hengyuan. Seeing Xu Qian arriving, Hengyuans face lit up, as he came over to them with big strides, sping his hands together: Sir Xu. *Not bad, now go* Xu Qian interrupted him, saying with some exasperation: Master Hengyuan, I have a public duty to carry out, please lets get to the point. This official only has a sry of five tales of silver, my wallets are quite bare. As he talked, his gaze went downwards, seeing that Hengyuans canvas shoes were already tattered, and two of his toes were sticking out. *So hese to Ningyan for money* Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao looked at Hengyuan with not so friendly gazes. Seeing Xu Qians brisk refusal, Hengyuan fell silent for a long time, before bowing: This monk understands. Seeing the figure of the monk walking away, a memory suddenly came to the front of Xu Qians mind, of the figure of his father, who had travelled such a long way to bring him lunch at school, only to be met with distaste at how he wasnt fast enough he was also like this, looking lonely and downtrodden. Ugh wait up. Xu Qian called after him, and let out a long breath, How much do you need this time, just tell me an amount, I cant give too much though, I dont have much money recently. Chapter 171: Lion’s Roar Chapter 171: Lion¡¯s Roar # 171. Lions Roar Hengyuan stopped in his tracks. He turned, without speaking, and bowed to Xu Qian. I want to go see the welfare home. Xu Qian gave his request. Of course. Lets go together. He offered to his colleagues. Have you not got any money on you? Song Tingfeng gave him a side-eye. Xu Qianughed, and started walking without replying. After just one or two steps, he felt a hard something under the sole of his shoe, and naturally bent to pick it up. Disying it in his hand, he said: Look, I have money. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao: ??? The former stared at the somewhat dull piece of silver, and said gloomily: Id just gone past here and missed that, and now you get it. *In reality, youve probably missed several taels of silver* the corner of Xu Qians mouth twitched, as he put the silver into his robe, exining: Master Hengyuan lives in a Welfare Home in the outer east city. Ive heard that the orphans, widows and elderly who live there are not living in the best of conditions. People living in poor conditions are everywhere. Zhu Guangxiao said in a depressed voice, before sighing. The three of them followed Hengyuan out of the inner city, and towards the welfare home in the east. Along the way, Song Tingfeng discovered something interesting. Look at this monk; when we walk quickly he walks quickly, always keeping the same distance, yet hes never once looked back at us. Naturally, this was not because there were eyes on the back of Hengyuans head. Xu Qian and the others all had the same thought: *What frightening senses.* They deliberately increased their pace, and soon they had reached the east city. The area they were in was a poor area, all around were shabby and tattered small houses, as well asmon people dressed in old patchwork coats. Their faces glinted a sallow yellow under the sun, and their gazes were dull. The children here still had signs of life in their eyes, however their thin bodies and filthy faces, as well as the expressions they had when staring at peoples purses, made one instinctively feel a sense of distaste towards them. Xu Qian likewise felt a disdain well up in his heart, but not towards theses poverty-stricken children, but rather to this environment. In his previous life he had seen many photos of war torn areas; poverty, starvation, and chaos were the three constants there. Every time he saw such rted scenes, he would feel a powerful sense of angriness, because deep down he wanted to make it better, yet he was powerless to do so. It could perhaps be called anger from inability. Look after your purses, even if they dont dare, nor have the ability to steal your silver. Hengyuans voice came from afar, Here, do not show any signs of charity, else you will find yourself in an awkward situation. He did not exin what such an awkward situation was. *I know, if you show one sign of kindness, then to them youll just be a juicy fatmb is Hengyuan afraid that if we were to be like that, we would be driven to anger and harm these poor people?* Xu Qian thought, as he said: I rarelye to these kinds of ces, why do they not find work? Many of the people who live here are refugees and wanderers who have lost their farnds. Perhaps before they had work, but they could not stand the hardbour, and chose to give up their fields, ande here to find a new life. But the city does not have room for them to make a living. asionally, constables woulde here to search for scapegoats. That said, to continue to survive here, many of them are not above flouting thew. Master Hengyuan exined with a calm tone. As he spoke, the four of them arrived at the welfare home, an house that seemed to have been there for many decades. The sign on the front door had long since had its colour stripped by the wind, rain, and sun. Earlier, there were government officials who came to repair the building, but I reced the new sign with the old one. Being too beautiful and eye-catching is not good for the welfare home. Please, enter. They entered the welfare house. Hengyuan led them along, saying: Sir Xu, this poor monk knows of your difficulty. When I asked you for help, I was not after money. I heard that you have good rtions with the Sitianjians arcanists, so I wanted to ask for your help to find a white cloaked arcanist to help save a poor child. Passing through the front courtyard, they came to the messy back yard, and to a firewood shed. In the shed wasid down a thick bed of straw and linen sheets, a basin for charcoal and arge bowl was ced in a corner, and on the sheetsid a thin ck dog. Hearing themotion, the dog stirred, being unable to rise. It raised its head with great effort, and seeing strangers, its dark eyes instinctively showed an expression of begging and pitifulness, and it spoke with stunted words: Happiness like the eastern sea good luck and great prosperity The originally emotionless Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao suddenly froze. Xu Qian felt as if he had been struck by thunder, freezing in ce. He thought back to what Hengyuan had said when he had first saved him. This- this is that child? Xu Qian muttered. He only knows these eight words. Hengyuan gazed at the ck dog, his face full ofpassion, I rescued him when I was searching for my sect brother Henghui. Because of the abuse he had suffered, this boy couldnt live much longer, but during this time Ive used my qi to nurture his body, and just barely hes scraping by. But this is not good long term, his body is in a dire state. If he is not cured, then he may have not much more than three days. Normal physicians cannot save him, only the Sitianjian Arcanists can. This poor monk could find no other way, and so came to Sir Xu. Song Tingfeng opened and closed his mouth a few times, before finally finding words: Perhaps, death is a mercy to him. Hengyuan looked at this Bronze Gong, and whispered: Every day when the sun rises, his eyes are clear and sparkling. I understand the longing within; its the most pure, most primal wish to live. In my sirs eyes, perhaps he is as important as a weed in your back garden, yet even a weed strives to survive another day. Song Tingfeng fell silent. Xu Qian looked deeply at this ck dog, I understand. I will ask an arcanist from the Sitianjian toe look at his illness. Master if you need silver in the future, pleasee and find me. At thest minute, he added: I can only give at most three cash of silver every day. *Three cash every day?* Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiaos faces twitched slightly. After all, eight cash made one tael, and with Xu Qians sry, every month he could only get four or five taels of silver. And four or five taels a month was enough for afortable life even in the inner city. *Three cash every day, thats one tael every three, where the hell is he getting all that money? Oh right, His Majesty rewarded him with over a thousand taels of gold, thats alright.* Hengyuan shook his head. Dont worry, the money isnt an issue, itll be just as if Id picked it up. Xu Qianforted him. Only then did Master Hengyuan nod. Heforted the ck dog, then lead Xu Qian and the others back to the front yard. Please can the two Sirs wait here, I have something to say to Sir Xu. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao nodded. One turned to tease the children who were watching them from inside, the other went and sat at the stone table, talking to the elderly who were outside getting some sun. Entering a simple and shabby room, Hengyuan closed the door, and said with sped hands: Sir Xus vigour is deep, your soul is strong and your qi is abundant, are you thinking of entering Refining Spirit? *How is he so urate? All I know that Six is an eight rank Warrior Monk. I dont know his strengths and weaknesses, yet he already knows me inside out* Xu Qian straightened his expression, What teachings does the Master have? Have you a visualisation painting? Yes. Master Hengyuan nodded with realisation, This poor monk has already left behind mortal things, and cannot return Sir Xus money. Originally I wanted to wait until you were at the peak of Refining Qi, and then give Sir a visualisation painting. Given that Sir already has such an item, then this poor monk will pick a different technique to give. *In* One de from heaven and earth *Ive already practiced to a very high level, the strengths and weaknesses of such a technique are very apparent Indeed I need to learn something else topensate for my own vulnerabilities.* Xu Qian felt his spirit rouse, as he replied: Then you have my gratitude, Master. Hengyuan nodded: I am an eighth rank warrior monk, I know nothing about the mysterious arts of the Buddhist House, but I do know a couple offensive martial techniques. The one I am best at is the Buddhists *Lions Roar*. *Lions Roar?* Upon hearing this the first thing Xu Qian felt was disappointment: Lions Roar sounded like it would be a technique that barbarians use, where was the *style*, where was the *cool*? Number Six Hengyuan saw the disappointment sh through Xu Qians eyes, and thinking for a bit, said: This poor monk can show Sir the power of the lions roar. *As long as you dont deafen me* Xu Qian nodded, but unable to put down a naggling worry, reminded him: Will this not affect the elderly and children in the house? Hengyuan shook his head: I will contain the power to just within this room. He stopped speaking, and Xu Qian saw the burly monk take a deep breath, and with his standard stance, threw out a punch. This punch was nothing out of the ordinary, a DD grade in both speed and power, hardly able to do any damage. As those thoughts arose in his mind however, his hears first heard that deep and resonant lions roar. |O|*ROOOOAAAARRRRRRR*~~~~~ Xu Qians head shook, as he entered a state of dazed semi-consciousness. When he returned back to the world, he saw a fist the size of a wok poking the tip of his nose. Hengyuan took back his fist, saying solemnly: This technique shakes ones spirit, and can freeze an opponent. When it is practiced to a high enough level, even the yin spirits of the Daoists would find it difficult to escape harm. *This move perfectly fits my one de from heaven and earth, like a hand in a glove my biggest worry is not being able to hit them, but with the controlling effects of the lions roar, I wont be afraid of my ultimate move missing the mark* Xu Qian said with glee: Master, please teach me. At the same time, a question shed in his mind: *Is this really only an eighth level warrior monk?* Hengyuan turned and walked towards the bed, pulling out an old battered wooden trunk from underneath. He solemnly took out an illustrated book, and gave it to Xu Qian. This book records this method of qi control, as well as my own realisations in cultivation. Xu Qian stretched out to take it, but Master Hengyuan put his hand on the cover: You need to return it. *Why do you have to say so? Has the name Freeloader Xu also reached your ears?* Xu Qian nodded: Of course, Master. Leaving the room anding back to the yard, he rejoined his two colleagues. The three of them talked for a bit, before piecing together one tael of silver to give to the welfare home. Bidding farewell to Hengyuan, they came to the entrance. Song Tingfeng suddenly said: Wait a moment. He turned to run back, and stared at the old civil servant wordlessly, with teeth gritted and expression fierce. S- Sir? The civil servant was rather afraid. Song Tingfeng gritted his teeth harder, as he steeled his heart, taking off his purse and throwing it over, before leaving in silence, not daring to look back. Those were the five tales of silver that he had nned to spend at the Jiaofangsi that night, and were a months sry for him. Xu Ningyan you bastard deserving a thousand cuts, if in the future Ie again to such a damned ce with you, Ill change my surname to Xu! Song Tingfeng kicked Xu Qian. Xu Qian dodged,ughing coldly: I dont cherish you taking my name, your kids taking my surname would be enough. Song Tingfeng took off his scabbard, and ran after Xu Qian with it. Returning to the inner city, Xu Qian handed the patrol over to the two others to finish, whilst he himself went to the Stargazing Tower. Master Xu. The white cloaked arcanists all greeted him enthusiastically, and none stopped him from climbing up. Xu Qian looked for a long while, not finding Chu Caiwei, nor Song Qing. He finally osted a passing arcanist and asked: Wheres Miss Caiwei? The eldest princess hase, and Sister Caiwei is currently with her and Master Jianzheng on the bagua tform. the arcanist replied. *Big wifey and small wifey are both present* Xu Qian turned to his second choice: How about Brother Song? He got some death row prisoners from the constabry, and is currently conducting experiments. Xu Qian gave up on the idea to find Song Qing, and asked: Wheres the kitchen? --- Trantor Note: You did not see that kaomoji wrong. Just being faithful to the original text :) Chapter 172: There are None Like Me Upon this Land Chapter 172: There are None Like Me Upon this Land # 172. There are None Like Me Upon this Land Xu Qian had little experience in the way of making noodles, and the reasons were as follows: One; factory made noodles did not taste that good, and two; anyone can boil some noodles, but making them delicious was very difficult. In fact, ny nine percent of people could not make a really good ramen. *At the very least Im making the noodles myself, the enthusiasm is present* In the kitchen, Xu Qian mixed up the dough and kneaded it thoroughly, an expression of focus on his face. Once kneaded he stretched out his noodles, and put them to one side, before cutting up fatty pork and rendering out the fat, putting the cooked pork bits in a te to one side. He then used the pork fat to fry up an egg. Putting the noodles in a pot of boiling water to cook, he then took out the small bottle from his robe, and poured some simplified chicken bouillon into the boiling water. A thick savoury fragrance filled the kitchen, making one salivate at its smell. Xu Qian hadnt eaten yet, and swallowed in anticipation. On the other side of the tower, Chu Caiwei was justing down the stairs with Princess Huaiqing. Princess Huaiqing, her long dress trailing on the stairs, nced over at Chu Caiwei and said in a casual tone: How did youe across that haunted house anyway? Chu Caiwei paused for a moment, before understanding the eldest princesss intention, saying lightly: Xu Ningyan wanted to buy a house, and I went with him to look at its feng-shui. I know that much, Im asking, how did you discover that house? The eldest princess asked. Princess, what do you mean, the old estate agent introduced it to us. Chu Caiwei replied. *The estate agent?* The eldest princesss beautiful eyes suddenly shed, as in an instant a lot shed through her mind. She tentatively asked: Was there anything special with him? He was a fairly nice guy. Chu Caiwei fished out a snack from her deerskin pouch, and putting it in the middle of her tender palm, offered it to the eldest princess. *A nice guy?* The eldest princess waved her hand, turning the snack down, asking: What do you mean? Xu Qian thought that that haunted house was cheap, yet the guy put a lot of effort into convincing us against it, fearing that it would cause an ident. Chu Caiwei happily stuffed the snack into her own mouth. Huaiqing was her favourite friend; she neverpeted for food with her. Xu Ningyan that dastardly man on the other hand, with her merely showing some perfunctory politeness, he would have probably just eaten it. the eldest princess fell silent for a long time, before finally sighing. She was the one not clever enough here, she shouldnt have even attempted to get anything out of that girl. Asking her about recent news was all good, but anything deeper than that, well that would just be like shing ones eyebrows to a blind man. Thinking this, Princess Huaiqings brows suddenly furrowed, as she examined her good friend: Recently youve been too close with Xu Ningyan. Have I? Chu Caiwei was at a loss. Have you had as many dealings with another man? excluding your brothers in the Sitianjian. Chu Caiwei thought for a moment, before finallying to a realisation: Ah, yeah, hes always finding ways toe ask me to y. Princess Huaiqing pursed her lips, as if deep in thought. Just then, she smelled a faint whiff of savoury fragrance, a type of savouriness that made ones stomach rumble. That that smells good did someone bring back something delicious? Mm, it smells so savoury, I cant have eaten it before. Chu Caiwei swallowed down saliva, as longing shed from herrge eyes. Plucking the stars with moon in hand, there are none like me upon thisnd. Suddenly, a deep intonation resonated within the kitchen, making Xu Qian jump with fright. Turning his head, he saw that it was a white cloaked arcanist, who stood with his back turned. *What bloody mental disorder do you have, youve nearly given me a heart disease* Xu Qian made a stern face, and said lightly: Youvee. His voice was light yet steady, as if talking to a friend he had known half his life, full of the echoes of years apart, of a time long past. That made the figure hesitate a bit, before he replied with a simrly steady and emotionless tone: Ivee. After he spoke, he waited expectantly for what the person behind his back would say. What came over was a long sigh, and a hoarse voice, eximing: I would have never expected, that after twenty years apart, you still like to face away from the masses. *Face away from the masses!?* A simple phrase to be sure, but one which gave that white cloaked figure a huge sense of immersion, as if he was the strongest amongst all men, lonely and cold atop his peak, with none able to reach him. Thinking for a moment, he replied lightly: But even like that, Im attracted towards you. *What a natural response this king of posturers isnt letting down his title.* Xu Qian thought for a moment, before sighing in regret: I always knew, that when these Nine-fold Golden Cores were done, would be the day you would show your hand. You still dont want to let me go. Hmph. Treasures are held by those virtuous to deserve them. Heh, Yang Qianhuan, have you been beaten before? Steam swirled around, floating around between them. In an instant the atmosphere in the kitchen felt as if daggers had been drawn, yet just then a crisp and cheerful voice broke the mood. What are you two doing? Chu Caiwei stood in the doorway, looking nkly at the two of them. Xu Qian immediately lowered his head, stirring the noodles in the pot, trying to hide the roaring torrents of awkwardness in his heart. Yang Qianhuan was unmoved, standing resolute with his hands behind his back, facing away from everyone. He snorted: Given that my sect sister wishes to plead your mercy, I will not Chu Caiwei said: Brother Yang, what are you doing in the kitchen? Yang Qianhuan: Oh, uh, Ivee for noodles. Chu Caiwei ran happily towards the stove, drooling somewhat, staring deeply at the pot of noodles, saying with a smile: How did you know I hadnt eaten? *Because I timed it* Xu Qian smiled: I agreed to make you noodles, remember? Conveniently, the noodles were done by then. Xu Qian looked at the women in the doorway in the pink pce dress, and asked tentatively: Princess, do you want a bowl? The cold and aloof eldest princess hesitated for a moment, as her eyes slid towards the pot without her control. She nodded somewhat awkwardly: Alright. Having taken into ount Chu Caiweis appetite, Xu Qian had a lot of noodles to go around, and if it were split out between the four of them, would perfectly be a bowl each. He took out the noodles, putting them in cold water, and then filled each bowl with some of the stock, before evenly splitting the noodles between them. Finally, heid on a fried egg, and scattered on some scallion slices and those fried pork scratchings. Brother Yang,e eat with us. Xu Qian waved, thinking it would be a perfect time to see what he looked like. Just as that thought appeared in his min though, he saw magical formation runes appear under his feet, as his figure suddenly disappeared, a bowl of noodles going along with him. Chu Caiwei carried her bowl over to the table. She first ate a pork scratching, and nodding in satisfaction, excitedly drank a mouthful of the noodle soup. Her eyes suddenly shed, as her taste buds experienced something they had never done so before. Every cell in her body was screaming: Delicious! Delicious! Delicious! *For someone who has eaten food with enhanced umami for the first time, this is indeed something hard to forget* Xu Qianughed proudly, and looked towards the eldest princess. The eldest princess ate very gracefully, but very quickly. Sensing that Xu Qian was looking over, she stopped eating, and looked back without any expression. Xu Qianughed dryly, before attacking his own noodles. The eldest princess immediately followed suit, eating small mouthful after small mouthful, as if she didnt want to waste a single second. In a quiet room, with no one around, Yang Qianhuan facing away from the masses squatted in a corner, slurping noodles with great enthusiasm. *That boy really is something, he knows alchemy, he knows how to speak, and his noodles are also good* thinking this, Yang Qianhuan suddenly froze. This type of admiration by the masses, wasnt this what he always wanted? *This boy is my biggest rival!* Finishing up, Xu Qian looked at Chu Caiwei, asking: How is it? Its really good. Chu Caiweis head bobbed up and down. This is my secret recipe, an essence extracted using my very own alchemical skills. Xu Qian said, And this is what I will teach you, to help you attain Master of Alchemy. Princess Huaiqing, who was just wiping her mouth with a silk handkerchief, suddenly paused, her eyes shing. Is it hard? Chu Caiwei was most worried about this projects difficulty. Its very hard, as after all Ive only dabbled in it. Xu Qian said. Seeing Chu Caiweis face fall, he added sternly: If you cant produce this, then in the future you wont be able to eat these noodles, nor anything more tasty. The young beautys big almond eyes widened, as suddenly a burning fighting spirit surged in her heart. You made this yourself? Princess Huaiqing asked. Mhm, I put in my blood, sweat and tears to invent this for Miss Caiwei. As soon as he stopped speaking though, he regretted ever speaking in the first ce, how could he say that in front of his big wife? As expected, Huaiqings gaze became that much deeper, as she replied with a hint of a smile: You care quite a lot for Caiwei. Miss Caiwei has helped me greatly before, of course I care about her. Xu Qian replied. How much do you care? Hearing that, Chu Caiwei was rather happy. I will rise to any request. Xu Qian replied aloofly.[^1] Then remembering that Huaiqing had also been his benefactor, he added: And to the Princess the same. . Princess Huaiqing still had other matters to attend to, and so after sitting a little while bade them farewell. Xu Qian then took out his pre-prepared *Secrets of Alchemy*, which recorded the method for making chicken bouillon, as well as a general concept of MSG. After discussing it with Chu Caiwei for a long time, Xu Qian said: I have a matter to ask of my brothers in the Sitianjian. He nned to ask one of the arcanists to help save the poor boy in the welfare home, and the reason he avoided Song Qing, was that he was afraid that this man-beast concept would stimte his insane raving mind. Perhaps he would use curing in name only to study the boy, and even though his heart would be in the right ce at the start, who knows what a half-rate alchemist would mess up with that. Or perhaps he wouldnt even get a chance to conduct any experiment before being stopped by Hengyuan, and they would have a falling out. Plucking the stars with the moon in hand, there are none like me upon thisnd. Yang Qianhuans figure appeared behind them, asking: Whats the matter. Xu Qian nced at the innocent and naive Chu Caiwei, hesitating: Could I have a word with you outside? He came outside with Yang Qianhuan, and told thetter about the poor boy. Brother Yang, that boy cannot survive more than three days, I wish to ask my brothers at the Sitianjian for help. Of course! Yang Qianhuan agreed, Why did we need to avoid Sister Caiwei? Xu Qian shook his head: Why should we tell her? Yang Qianhuan nodded, Good, you have the same high quality of character as me. Late at night, the welfare home. Hengyuan, in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes, as his senses felt something. He left the room, feet quick as wings, and quickly arrived at the back yard. The door to the firewood shed was open, and in the dim moonlight, he saw that in the darkness of the room was stood a white-cloaked man. Hengyuan stopped, as his ears twitched. Hearing the boys steady breathing, his expression calmed, and he asked: Sir is? Plucking the stars with the moon in hand, there are none like me upon thisnd. The white cloak said lightly. *What haughtiness* hearing this, even Hengyuan, who had long be a monk, could not help but raise his eyebrows, feeling a slight sliver of fighting urge. This feeling could be summed up very bluntly as: I cant ever get used to your damn swaggering. The white cloak snorted,ughing coldly: Seeing your pose, it seems you do not know me. In the capital, there are those who do not know me? *Hes provoking me this person is not good to be around* Hengyuans brows furrowed. The white cloakughed disdainfully, as magical runes appeared under his feet, and he suddenly vanished. Hengyuan let out a long breath, as he rxed his tense muscles, no longer as on guard. He nkly waked into the firewood shed, and lit an oilmp, inspecting the boys condition. *Breathing steady, blood pumping alright, much better than in the day.* Just then, from the faintmplight he noticed that besides the boy wasid a porcin bottle, as well as a medicinal recipe. *Medicine white cloak hes a Sitianjian arcanist.* Only then, did Hengyuan realise that this man hade to look at the boys illness. He didnt know, and even thought that the guy was there to provoke him. Hengyuan carefully stowed away the medicine and recipe, before suddenlying to a realisation: that white cloak was a Master of Formations, an arcanist of the fourth rank. *I cant believe, Sir Xu managed to ask over a fourth rank arcanist to save this boy* Hengyuans expression moved, shock coursing through him. --- [^1]: The original chinese reads: , lit. have request must hard thest character is homonym with answer. Chapter 173: Haunted House Chapter 173: Haunted House # 173. Haunted House Deep in the night, Song Qing, who had sessfully sent the death row prisoner into the wheel of reincarnation, came out of theboratory with bags around his eyes, intending to go down and solve the rumbling in his stomach. He walked downstairs, still deep in thought: *No, grafting can be used on people. For example, damaged organs can be reced.* *But, why cant it be more precise? Such as regrowing an arm mm, this ability solely belongs to third rank martial artists. If I can discover this secret with alchemy, then my invention will shake the world.* *Xu Ningyan said that the alchemy of living things concerns more minute elements things so small that a human eye cannot see them thats it! I can make a contraption like a telescope.* Telescopes existed in the Great Feng, as after the discovery of ss, the discovery of lenses followed soon after. In the army telescopes weremonce, and were often issued to normal soldiers. However, elite soldiers and scouts still had little use for them, as after one had reached the stage of Refining Qi, a martial artists sight would be greatly sharpened. The more powerful one got, the more powerful ones senses got, to the point where a telescope would merely be a hindrance. Whats that smell? Song Qings nose twitched. Following the fragrance, he came downstairs towards the kitchen, and saw Chu Caiwei with a few other white cloaks together, seemingly boiling something. Hey, chicken soup, Sister Caiwei youre so considerate. Seeing the chicken in the pot, Song Qings mood suddenly lightened. Go go go, Chu Caiwei snapped, Xu Qian taught me this alchemy, if its sessful, then I can spread delicious vours across the whole world. Listening to Chu Caiwei recount the principles of chicken bouillon and MSG, Song Qing thought for a moment, before sighing: Xu Qian is most certainly one of a kind. Indeed, this was also alchemy. Extracting pills from the essentia of medicinal herbs, forging weapons from the pure metals within rock, and what was in front of him now, extracting the essence of umami from shiitake mushrooms and chicken, this all fell under alchemy, this agreed with what Xu Qian had taught that day. Alchemy included many varied fields, and its true goal was to extract those which one could not see. I still dont really understand what he said about MSG, since he didnt give any method, only going over its basic principles, and saying that it can be extracted from grains. Chu Caiwei said. Big brother will help you. Song Qing patted Chu Caiweis head. The refurbishment of the new property finished two days early. Xu Qian asked for time off from the constabry, and helped Uncle and Auntie to move house. Auntie, in a dark blue silk dress, with matching gown, had one hand on her hip, one hand waving a handkerchief, ordering around the servants like a general orders his troops. If she were a very average looking older woman, this attitude would be seen as too base, and not well liked. However, with the thirty-six year old Auntie, whose appearance made her look barely a year over thirty, her features beautiful and her body shapely and graceful, it was a different kind of beauty. Xu Qian thought whether the young, delicate, well-featured sister beside him in about twenty years time would also be like her mother. Or perhaps, even better. *Sigh Lingyue is at the age to marry, I wonder whose familys man is lucky enough to marry such a beautiful girl* Xu Qian sighed at the inevitability of marriage in this society, and continued helping uncle carrying things around. Since they had hired enough carts, they only needed to make two round trips to move everything out of the old manor. As to a few misceneous bits and bobs, Auntie nned to buy them in the inner city it was prime time to get something new. Auntie and Uncle were the elders, and so even though the house was Xu Qians, the eastern master bedroom was still given to those two. When allocating bedrooms, the usually mellow-toned Xu Lingyue had a rare argument with her mother. A three-tier courtyard house was extremelyrge, but the core bedrooms in the inner courtyard were still limited in number, and moreover the side bedrooms were meant for guests or servants to stay in, and were not meant for the masters of the house. ording to Aunties intentions, all bedrooms in the western wing would be Xu Qians, as after all, he would marry in the future. However, Xu Lingyue stubbornly wanted to live on the west side, and live neighbouring to big brother. And so as auntie said: such an old girl and still living so close to her brother, are you not embarrassed? Xu Lingyue suddenly became desperate, and even started fully arguing with her mother. Finally, she got her wish to live in the western wing, but Auntie also put Xu Xinnian there, and agreed with Xu Qian that once he had married, Lingyue and Xinnian would then move to the northern wing. Xu Qian was initially not too happy, as if they lived too close, and he stayed over at the Jiaofangsi, his sister would find out, and thenin. Xu Lingyin was put in Auntie and Uncles room; little children often didnt do well alone in new ces, and Auntie worried that her youngest daughter would have nightmares and not get sleep. The eastern wing was incrediblyrge anyway, having threerge bedrooms. Xu Qian quicklyid out his own room. His old ce didnt have many decorations and furniture, and so he didnt have much to do. Leaving his room to go get some sun, he saw Xu Lingyin alone crouched by the well, face white with fright, yet disying incredible endurance in not running away. Whatre you doing? Xu Qian asked. Big brother seeing that her strong and powerful big brothere over, Xu Lingyin sighed with relief, and looked at the well with some fear: This is haunted. So what are you doing crouched there? Xu Qian struggled to understand her intention. *Given that its haunted, why are you not hiding far far away? Why are you crouched by the well?* Big sister said that ghosts especially ate little children. Xu Lingyin said with a frown. So? She suddenly became shifty, jogging over and whispering: Im trying to lure it out, shh, dont let it hear. ??? Xu Qian looked nkly at her for a long time, before finally raising a thumb: Those who know their food stand above the rest. Everyone had their ideals. Xu Lingyin, even though she was so young, had nheless found her own ideal: in this world there is nothing that cannot be eaten, only things which I want or dont want to eat. To use oneself as bait, just for the promise of something delicious to have this willpower, in some regards, would be gifted beyond measure. Then keep on trying, when youve lured the ghost out, big brother will cook it up for you. Xu Qian rubbed her head. Mhm! Xu Lingyin in both fear and excitement nodded vigorously. It was just getting to dusk, and in a booth in a restaurant not far from the new house, the whole family ate the most satisfying meal they had had in a long while. Even though the vour was not as good as Guiyuelou, but it was cheaper, and close to the house, in the future they coulde here often. Xu Qiany in bed in the wide and spacious new house, staring at the wooden beams above him listlessly, before suddenly something came to mind. They didnt forget to tell Xinnian, did they!? Ah well, its not my business, Im going to bed. The eastern wing. Auntie had just put Xu Lingyin to sleep, and came back to her own bed, Looking at her husband, sitting on the couch and practicing visualisation, she suddenly had a thought: Husband dear, in the future when Ningyan gets a wife, will shepete with me for the matron of the house? Will she make us move to the western wing? I heard that daughters inw are all very toxic, always thinking of ways to fight with their mother inw. Auntie was lucky; when she married Second Uncle, the elder generation had long since passed away, and she had never suffered under an evil mother inw. But although she had never eaten pork, she had seen pigs run. Furthermore, this house was bought by the Xu family in particr, and so she wasnt happy with being called mother-inw. Xu Pingzhi opened his eyes, and thought for a moment, With your temper and personality, you wont stand a chance. Hmph! Auntie was at a loss for words, and so could only snort. Xu Pingzhiforted her: Perhaps Ningyan will marry a dumb wife. Hearing this, Auntie thought that he had a point, and secretly prayed for her nephew to one day marry a dumb wife. Then she could bully her, and not the other way around. Oh right, we havent written to Eng yet. He still doesnt know of our move, hell go back to the outer city and no longer be able to find us. Dont you worry about that, you dont know that many characters anyway. Simrly illiterate Xu Pingzhi said, Ningyan will write it. Two days passed in a flurry. Xu Qians life was very normal, every day he would go out on patrol, cultivate, and would asionally find time to go talk to Wei Yuan. Due to the fall of the Minster of Industry, the interparty conflict had cooled significantly, and there were none at the moment going after the Nightwatchers. That night, Xu Qian came home, to find Uncle missing. Hes on night patrol today. Auntie said. *Or perhaps hes gone to the Jiaofangsi* Xu Qianmpooned. Uncle was a Baihu of the Yudao city guard. He would asionally be on day patrol, and asionally be on night watch, simr to the Nightwatchers. If Xu Qian were to be involved in a lot of cases suddenly, then what faced him was both night and day shifts at the same time. In the past Xu Qian had, just like Auntie, trusted Uncle, all the way up to their unexpected meeting at the Jiaofangsi, as well as the method of using oranges to remove the smell of perfume. Now though, he understood. A mans mouth is a lyin one! *Although that said I dont really have any standing to criticise uncle* Xu Qian focused on eating. In the night, Xu Qian was suddenly awoken by a shrill scream. He opened his eyes and rolled out of bed, at the same time grabbing the ck-gold sabre at his bedside. Coming to the courtyard, he saw Lingyues maid sat there, candle and candle holder on the ground. Her face was deathly pale, as she pointed to the well mouth, quivering so much that she couldnt speak. What did you see? Xu Qian asked. Behind him, the door opened, and Xu Lingyue, wrapped up in a coat, came out to see themotion. In the east wing, candlelight lit up in Aunties room, as she came out with Le. Whats the matter? auntie frowned. After more people hade out, the maids fright dissipated somewhat, and she finally pointed at the well mouth, stammering: The- theres a head- in- in the well. Several shrill screams sounded in unison. Xu Lingyues face lost its colour, and she shrank behind Xu Qian, tightly clutching his sleeve. Auntie also crowded behind him in fear. You- didnt you say Fright danced in aunties beautiful eyes. She didnt say the that you had dispelled the ghost part out loud, the manors servants were not to know about that. *A head in the well?* Xu Qian clutched his long sabre tightly, and made a shushing motion, telling his sister and auntie to not be frightened. Slowly, he came towards the well mouth. The resentful spirit in the well had indeed been dealt with, and in that prostitution den the well used for raising ghosts was also purified. It wouldnt make sense for there to be another ghost or anything simr. *It couldnt be could it?* Xu Qian walked over with great strides, and went behind the well. Just as expected, little pea was sat by it, drowsy eyed and sleepy. She was spanked awake by Xu Qian, and as she stood there rubbing her eyes, she muttered: Big bwother What are you doing here. Xu Qian thought of course it was her. Im hungwy, I came out to find something to eat. Little pea looked at the well, a conceding expression on her face: It really can hide, wont evene out for a little kid at your front door. Xu Qian reckoned that the head the maid saw was actually Xu Lingyins, and for a moment he had the rare stifling feeling where he really wanted tompoon, yet could not find the words. Big brother will ask the kitchen to make you some cakes. Xu Qian picked her up, and walked back. Lingyin? Auntie was shocked, and immediately after her willow-thin brows became nearly vertical: You damned child, sneaking out in the middle of the night to scare people Only then did she realise that Lingyin was not in the room. Xu Qian grumpily interrupted Aunties tirade: Shes just hungry. Even though that night she ate three bowls of rice, but hungry was hungry, no two ways about it. Auntie no longer had the confidence to argue back as much, and with a snort, she put her hands on her hips, and with her carn-blue eyes shed a look at Xu Lingyin. Xu Qian consoled Auntie and his sister, as well as the maids, seeing them off to bed. He then went to the kitchen to get some cakes, giving then to Xu Lingyin. Little pea didnt needforting, she ate and ate and just fell asleep. Xu Qian gave her back to Le, and returned to his own room to continue sleeping. In his half-asleep state, he heard a knock at the door. Bog brother from outside came Xu Lingyues crisp and delicate voice. Whats up? Xu Qian didnt open the door; it was past midnight, as a big brother he couldnt open the door for his sister, that would be against social tradition. I- I cant sleep, Im scared Xu Lingyue paused, and added: Mum also cant sleep, just then Le asked, and mum told her about how the house used to be haunted. As they talked, they both became scared. Dads note, and theyre too afraid to sleep. *What does that have to do with me, should we all sit down and y Mahjong through the night?* Xu Qian remembered back to when he was using Maidong[^1], and could deeply sympathise. Thus, he replied patiently: Dont be scared, theres no ghost here. Xu Lingyue didnt respond. She hesitated for a moment, before saying: Can big brothere apany us. --- [^1]: I dont actually know what this is trying to say. Chapter 174: A Nearly Exposed Identity Chapter 174: A Nearly Exposed Identity # 174. A Nearly Exposed Identity Apany you? Xu Qians heart said: *No thats not happening, if it were just you, sure, maybe, but with that toxic Auntie of mine absolutely not.* I know its a really tall order, with big brother having work tomorrow too, but mum made mee here to persuade you toe guard our door. *Guard the door Uncle is definitely at the Jiaofangsi enjoying life, and yet I have to guard over his wife and daughters* Xu Qian sighed, replying helplessly: Alright. He put on his clothes, and just to give Auntie and his sister some sense of security, brought along his long sabre. Im going to sit out here, you can go to sleep now. Xu Qian tapped on the door with a finger. Alright, thanks big brother. Thank you, Dng. From within the room came Lingyue and Les voices, soft and gentle. Auntie however was too stubborn to speak. Xu Qian sat cross-legged, simultaneously cycling his qi, and practicing visualisation. After a while, his ears picked up Aunties quiet voice: Will ite in from the window, what if Ningyan goes to sleep. mum, dont say things like that, big brother has his sword with him. Hearing that her nephew was armed, Aunties nerves suddenly rxed a great deal. For a long time, there was no conversation in the room, with only the rumbling of snoringing from Xu Lingyin. One could imagine herying spread-eagled on the bed, mouth open, drooling slightly, deep in slumber. After a while, Auntie called out: Ningyan? Xu Qian replied grumpily: Im here. Henceforth every while he would cough, and upon hearing his deep cough, the women in the room were no longer afraid. His auntie and sister did have reason to be afraid after all, since this house was indeed haunted; that wasnt some old wives tale. But as time crept forwards, this fear would slowly be forgotten. After another while, Auntiesining tone floated over: Lingyue, dont lie this close, its too warm. Mum~ came Xu Lingyues upset, kittenish tone. In the end though, Auntie did love her daughter greatly, and so didnt press the issue. After another while though, she suddenly lowered her voice: Lingyue, youve grown so big already? Xu Qians ears twitched. Upon first hearing this he thought nothing of it, but Aunties tone was incredibly strange. Listening closely, as expected he heard Lingyues embarrassed voice: Mum, dont make fun of me, theyre not as big as yours. Rubbish, mum has already given birth to three children, but at your age mine werent to this extent. Auntie said, before sighing, Youve reached marrying age. Xu Lingyue remained silent. * poor Lingyue, such a young age, and yet such arge weight on your chest.* The corner of Xu Qians mouth twitched, nearlyughing out loud at his ownmpooning, thinking that guarding the door wasnt so boring after all. Auntie continued: Living next to Dng, when washing yourself remember to be cautious, a martial artists eyes and ears are extremely sensitive, you need to protect against that. Mum, you think big brother would spy on me bathing? In the dark, Xu Lingyues eyes sparkled. *I will not, I most certainly havent, dont wrong me in the Jiaofangsi I always bathed together* with *Fuxiang, I would not stoop so low as spying* Xu Qian felt that Auntie was as venomous as ever, and even if she couldnt browbeat him to his face now, she could work behind his back, and break down the innocent brother-sister rtionship between him and Lingyue. So Dng not peeking means you wont guard against anything? Auntie criticised her daughter, before turning her head to look at the bedroom door. Hearing her nephews asional coughs, she happily continued talking. Xu Qian did not sleep the entire night, rather cycling his qi, refining his spirit, and when dawn broke, he was in as high spirits as ever. Xu Pingzhi returned during breakfast time, in full military attire, without sour green oranges in hand. Seeing this, Xu Qian believed that he was indeed on night shift, and not at the Jiaofangsi. Lat night Lingyin got up in the middle of the night, and fell asleep by the well Auntie told Uncle about the eventsst night, Luckily we still had Ningyan, if he wasnt there, and it really was haunted As she spoke, the timid auntie became fearful again. She was merely scaring herself at that point. Uncle Xu nodded towards his nephew, asking: What was Lingyin doing by the well in the middle of the night? Xu Qian said: Its all aunties fault for telling her that if you deep fry a ghost its more delicious than anything else. Caused a craving for her. Oh. Uncle Xu nodded, thinking that that was indeed the type of thing his youngest daughter would do, and so there was nothing to be surprised at. After moving into the new house, Xu Qian could wake upter in the morning, and the constabry was only half an hours ride away, all in all very convenient. Arriving at the constabry, he went to Li Yuchuns Spring Breeze Hall for morning role call as usual, and after confirming that there was no other tasks assigned to him today, went on street patrol with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao. The marketce was full with a river of people, salesmen darted through small allies and crossed through the flow, shop customers came in an unending stream. The bustle of the inner city far outpaced the outer part. Xu Qian nned to go visit the welfare hall with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, but his two brothers absolutely refused to go. Thus he went alone to see Six, and upon seeing that the ck dog childs situation was making a turn for the better, let out a sigh of relief, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Sir Xu, this poor monk has something I would like to ask. Hengyuan said with palms together. Please speak, master. Xu Qian grinned, mood light. When Sir Xu first met that boy, Sir said something Hengyuan looked at him closely, Sir Xu said: this is that boy? It seems that Sir Xu knows him, yet from this poor monks memory he has never met you. * bugger, the shock I received that day was too great, and my tongue slipped* Xu Qian smiled, making out to be as steady as an old hound, yet inside he was beginning to panic. *Six shouldnt be doubting that Im Three right taking about that, that day Id picked up silver right in front of his face mn, merely picking up some silver would not be a red g, who hasnt ever been lucky but Six is bound to feel that Im not that normal, perhaps hes already beginning to attach me to the identity of Three.* *But the identity of a confucian schr that Id made should have stuck deep into the Heaven and Earth Societys members. The first impression is the most important, the least able to be changed, so the most Six would be is suspicious* thinking this, Xu Qian sighed: Ive heard Number Three mention it. He did not exin further, leaving the rest for Hengyuans mind to fill in. Firstly, Hengyuan was bound to be suspicious of the superior/subordinate rtionship that Xu Qian had. Even though the Heaven and Earth Society was not a secret society, on its surface it was still made up by the Earth Sect Daoists, and lead by Jinlian Daozhang. But the Heaven and Earth Society made of the earth book fragment holders was the real secret society. Three could never just casually mention its goings on to any subordinates. Then, Hengyuan will investigate him based on this suspicion, and little by little, he would discover that Xu Qian in reality had a younger cousin, a student at a Confucian academy. At that time, Hengyuan would think that he had hit the jackpot. As expected, Hengyuan did not say anything, merely nodding lightly with a grave expression. *In reality if my identity is exposed, that wouldnt be a big issue, as Number Six is a good person. Mm, really the biggest issue is that Ive bragged too much online if its revealed that its me, how embarrassing would that be.* Xu Qian bade him farewell. Returning back to the constabry, Xu Qian received a letter delivered by a white cloaked arcanist, saying that Chu Caiwei had made a tremendous breakthrough in her alchemical study, and that Song Qing wanted him to go to the Sitianjian to discuss this. * this quick?* Xu Qian got on his horse, and rushed to the Stargazing Tower. In the medicineb on the seventh floor he met Song Qing and Chu Caiwei, seeing two pairs of heavily bagged eyes. Miss Caiwei, you need to take care to rest. Xu Qians heart said: *or rather also be one of those productivity people.* Chu Caiwei, with heavy ck bags around her eyes and a somewhat lifeless gaze, seemed even moreical yet endearing. She replied tiredly: I havent slept in three days Song Qing drew out a porcin bottle from his sleeve, and gave it to Xu Qian: Take a look. Xu Qian took off the stopper, and poured some onto his hand. Within the mushroom powder were many tiny crystalline grains. He licked it, and felt a huge wave of umami rush over his taste buds, along with a slight burning spice. How did you make it? Xu Qian was stunned. Fermented grains, along with honey, then purified Song Qing waved his hand, not wanting to exin further, If you want to know the method, Ill get Caiwei to write a copy down for you sometime. More importantly, is this what youre looking for? Xu Qian thought for a while: It tastes very simr. Is this thing toxic? Not toxic. Then youve got it. Song Qing nodded, This thing is more precious than salt. If we were to spread it out, the crown would definitely want to monopolise it. All products produced by the Sitianjian are usually given to the crown to manage and sell, and the Sitianjian gets thirty percent of the revenue every year. Ive talked with Brother Yang, you will get ten percent. The reason why he only got a tenth is that Xu Qian only provided the general concept for MSG, as well as a few theoretical steps. Some of those steps were correct, but others led Song Qing and Chu Caiwei down a fair number of wild goose chases. In this new field of alchemy, Song Qing and Chu Caiweis contributions were extremely significant. A fair split. Xu Qian nodded, before tentatively asking: So, how much would I expect to earn in a year? Uh, obviously I know its hard to base it off any data, Brother Song you can just give a rough estimate. It depends on how the crown decides to sell it, Song Qing thought, for one tenth, perhaps several thousand, to over a dozen thousand taels of silver? Im only talking about the capital region, of course. As he finished speaking, he found that his hands were being clutched tightly by Xu Qian. This Bronze Gong said with heartfelt emotion and adoration: I wish our friendship willst as long as the heavens and seas. Youre youre too kind. The imperial gardens. Wei Yuan walked with Emperor Yuanjing through the imperial gardens, the warm sun shining down. This nearly twenty acre royal garden was home to all manner of precious flowers, trees, and other nt, yet the scenery in winter and that in spring were like two different worlds. Frost suffocates the myriad grasses, the flower and trees wither. Although this scene is a deste one, if one were to look closely, it has its own beauty. Emperor Yuanjing had his hands behind his back, sighing with some emotion. About half a step behind him walked Wei Yuan, who after some thought, said: Your Majesty, destion has never been one for scenery, from ancient times until now. Facing this azure cloaked eunuchs rebuttal, Emperor Yuanjing merelyughed, replying without much mind: When springes in the new year, naturally will the flowers bloom. Wei Yuan seemingly was just there to argue: When springes in the new year, the season is still young, and who knows when this destion will continue up to. Emperor Yuanjing nced at him from the side of his eye: Then what does Lord Wei think? Wei Yuan replied warmly: The blooming of flowers in spring is indeed beautiful, yet to no avail spring will fade and winteres again, and that beauty fades to nothing Your Majesty, take a look at this evergreen tree, no matter in spring gales or under autumn moon, under summer sun or winter frost, it still remains. To remove all the varied yet seasonal flowers, and keeping only those evergreen trees, is this the eternal Dao. Emperor Yuanjing restrained a developing smile, maintaining a cold sidelong gaze. The great azure cloak merely smiled lightly, his eyes kind, not backing off even half a step. The ruler looked at his servant for a long time, before he finally spoke: A few days ago the Empress caught a cold. Although she had recovered, her appetite is still not good, she has barely eaten in several days. Wei Yuan finally cast his gaze aside, bowing deeply: What sayeth the Sitianjian arcanists? Although shecks appetite, her body is healthy, she should rx and look after herself. Emperor Yuanjing said, yet the Empress has thinned significantly. Wei Yuan, help us to ask after her. Yes, Your Majesty. Chapter 175: Chicken Bouillon Chapter 175: Chicken Bouillon # 175. Chicken Bouillon Looking at the azure-cloaks figure, Emperor Yuanjings face was devoid of emotion, as if he were a cold hard statue. The imperial pceplex was made of twenty-four pces, which housed Emperor Yuanjings concubines and children. The rear pce, the Emperors concubine chambers, were not lively at all; Chuxiu pce hadnt seen any new young beautiful women pass through its doors in over a decade. Wei Yuan made his way to the rear pce, looking as if he had been there many times before, stopping outside the Empresss pce. After the servant had reported his presence, he entered, and saw the Empress sat on a couch. This mother of the nations figure had diminished somewhat, her once round and plump face was now rather thin. She was an extremely beautiful woman, nearly forty years of age but still carrying the same splendour. Although she was no longer as lively and bright as her younger years, the years had refined and sculpted the subtle, mature qualities of her aura, making her grace something few young women could ever hope to match. What brings Duke Wei here? The Empress smiled ever so slightly, looking deeply at the great azure cloak. His features were sharp, with a high nose, thin lips, and a deep gaze that reflected within indescribable vicissitudes. The slightly whitening hair on his temples gave him even more charm. Wei Yuan lowered his head first, I heard that the Empress was ill? The empress smiled: Ive recovered now. His Majesty said that Your Graces appetite recently has been small, and asked your lowly servant toe see you. The empresss smile receded, as she looked at him calmly: He wanted you toe? Does Duke Wei not know that we are unwell. Wei Yuan hesitated for a moment, before shaking his head: Recently my public duty has made me extremely busy, I did not know that your Grace was ill. The empress turned her head to one side, her voice emotionless: We are tired. Your Grace should drink less tea, it is not good for your spleen and liver seeing the Empress show a hint of irritation, Wei Yuan quickly sped hands and bowed: Your servant will go now. Wei Yuan! The empress suddenly called after him. Wei Yuan stopped in his tracks, but did not turn around. The empress opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to speak, but due to numerous apprehensions, ultimately said nothing. Myriad words were hidden in her beautiful eyes, yet Wei Yuan could not see them. Wei Yuan left the Empresss pce, and as he stepped outside a breeze swept by, making his azure cloak flutter in the wind. He really didnt know that the empress was ill, since the insiders that he had ced around her were all rooted out some time ago by Emperor Yuanjing. The empress, of course, didnt know of this. This matter could not be publicly announced; it would only cause a misunderstanding. In front of him was the tall Princess Huaiqing,ing over with her pce maids. She was wearing a white pce dress, that was embroidered with bright and colourful plum blossoms. On top was a long cloak, protecting her against the cold. She looked aloof yet beautiful, with a grace beyond mortals. And entirely different from her mother in her younger years. Duke Wei. Huaiqing greeted him. Your Highness. Wei Yuan greeted her back with a bow, simultaneously exining hising: His Majesty heard that the Empresss appetite was not good, and was not well, thus asked me toe visit her for him. Princess Huaiqing nodded; her father hadnte to the rear pce in a long time, only thinking about cultivation and immortality every day. Only when someone was ill, would hee ask after their wellbeing, but usually he would send someone to do it for him. The pce maids have said that recently mother has not been eating much. If she abstains from food after a long illness, then she is likely to develop a chronic condition. Wei Yuan frowned heavily, but in front of Huaiqing he hid his worry very well, only expressing the care that a servant ought to show for their master. Princess Huaiqing smiled lightly, seemingly not too anxious, and replied with with her crisp, cold, rich voice: I was just wanting to summon Xu Qian, given that Duke Wei is here, Huaiqing can save my attendants an extra trip. Wei Yuan asked in surprise: What does your Highness mean by this? Princess Huaiqing said: Xu Qian has a secret recipe, that can increase the savouriness of food a hundredfold. Its vour is hard to forget. Since mothers appetite is not great, this would be a good time to try it. Xu Qian dug into his own wallet, to invite Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao to the Gon to listen to music. The two of them simultaneously listened to music, as well as carrying out lifes most fundamental task. This was Xu Qians way ofpensating them, especially Song Tingfeng, who had donated a full five taels of silver to the welfare home. Someone without a family and children like him, his daily costs only went so far. If he had no money to spend at the Jiaofangsi, he would be very blue indeed especially around the crown jewels. Leaving the Gon, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao having had their fill of seafood were extremely satisfied. The three of them hadnt walked far when a Bronze Gong on a horse stopped them,ining: Where the hell were you cking off at? I couldnt find you anywhere. Whats the matter? Xu Qian asked. Duke Wei has summons. that Bronze Gong replied. The summoned person naturally was Xu Qian. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao knew their own position, and bade farewell to their kind and charitable colleague, continuing on with their patrol. Returning to the constabry, and entering the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qian met Wei Yuan, who was sat by the table reading. The great eunuch put down his book, and said: I heard Huaiqing say that you have a secret recipe, that can increase the savouriness of dishes. *Is Huaiqing that fond of gossip? Chatting about even small things like this* Xu Qian was shocked for a moment, before replying: Merely small childs y, nothing that would be sufficient for Duke Wei to think about. The Empresss appetite recently has been poor, and her body is weak. We wish to try your secret recipe. Wei Yuan replied with a kindly tone. *The empress is Huaiqings mother, Huaiqing asked Wei Yuan to ask for my chicken bouillon* Xu Qian nodded in realisation. Seeing that there was no one in the tea room except them, he took out the small jade mirror and tapped on its back, as a head-sized jar fell out, only to be deftly caught. Chu Caiwei and Song Qings hard work was all here in his hand, he only left them a small bottle of it. Wei Yuan opened the jar and smelled it, frowning immediately. He smelled a savouriness that was so strong it stung the nose. This is called chicken bouillon. Xu Qian said. Chicken bouillon was a mixture of different ingredients, with monosodium glutamate and guanylic acid as its mainponents. These two together supported each other more than if they were apart. Talking about that, Spirit of Chicken as it could also be known, was a deep and profound name with multifaceted meaning. It could mean, for example, the seasoning mix in front of them. A spirit or monster rising from a chicken could also be called that. And of course, the final meaning referred to something only men could produce.[^1] Closing the lid, Wei Yuan returned the jar to Xu Qian, and summoned a clerk: Ask the kitchen to make a bowl of noodles. Xu Qian understood his intention, and followed the clerk out. About fifteen minutester, he returned with a bowl of egg and shredded pork noodles, putting it on Wei Yuans table. Wei Yuan nodded: You eat first, be my food taster. There was only one pair of chopsticks, and so Xu Qian used the other end to eat a mouthful. After a while, seeing that his small Bronze Gong had not died nor fallen ill due to the noodles, Wei Yuan finally began eating. Xu Qian joked: Perhaps the poison was put on the chopsticks. Wei Yuan paused for a moment, before angrily saying: Get out. Xu Qian did not get out, merely smirking. Having interacted with Daddy Wei for so long, he knew that Wei Yuan was not someone that was really quick to anger, he was scarily proficient at maintaining his temperament. As expected, Wei Yuan did not pay him any more mind, and concentrated on eating. Chewing the springy noodles, he was somewhat caught off guard by their texture, and simultaneously felt the impact of someone tasting MSG-enhanced food for the first time. When he drank a mouthful of soup though, his eyes lit up. How is it? Xu Qian asked expectantly. Many chefs have poured blood, sweat and tears into their art, and yet cannot make something with this vour. Wei Yuan nodded in satisfaction. The empress was used to eating the fine delicacies avable in the pce, her refusal to eat food was not only because her appetite was bad, but also could be because she was fed up of the pce food. Xu Qian could feel the praise in Daddy Weis eyes. Wei Yuan took a small porcin bottle from his shelf, handing it over. Xu Qian took the bottle, and filled it from his jar, handing the filled bottle back over. Wei Yuan shook his head, not taking it, looking at the jar. The bottle is for you, that is mine. Xu Qians expression became sluggish. Dusk. The pce maids brought up dishes upon dishes of the best food, as a dense fragrance filled the room. But the Empresss face was sickly, and she said with a frown: We have already said, a bowl of light porridge is enough. The maids said in a low voice: Duke Wei just delivered a secret ingredient, and ordered us to make something good for my Lady. The other maid said with hopeful expression: My Lady, please, try some. They had already tried it, the vour was different from anything they had had before. It was hard to forget, even after being a pce maid for so many years, and having tried so many delicacies from all over for their master. Todays vour though made those in the past seem merely adequate byparison. Hearing that this was Wei Yuans order, the empress sighed, and with some reluctancedled a bowl of soup, and tasted it with furrowed brows. A strong umami vour exploded over her taste buds, as *gulp* her long neck moved, and she instinctively swallowed it down. Afterwards, the Empress proceeded to drink the soup mouthful by mouthful, without any sign of reluctance or disgust. We suddenly feel rather hungry. Fill the bowl. The Empress handed the bowl over to a maid, gazing expectantly at the full table. The next day, just after six, a eunuch of the empresss pce brought a gold and silver adorned jade artefact to the Nightwatchers Constabry. Wei Yuan received the eunuch in the Tower of Noble Spirit. This eunuch and Wei Yuan clearly knew each other, as they sat casually by the table, simultaneously drinking tea brewed personally by Wei Yuan, and talking with smiles: From where did Duke Wei find such a secret ingredient,st night my Lady the Empresss appetite was nothing like it had been before. Wei Yuan stared at him, asking somewhat nervously: She did not resent the food? How much did she eat? The eunuchughed: She ate more than she had dome ever before, more than even when she was well. This morning, for the first time in ever the Empress asked about the noon meal. Wei Yuan smiled with all his heart. Just after noon, Xu Qian was summoned to Princess Huaiqings pce. In a elegant and well lit guest room, he met the beautiful princess, whose breasts could rest on the table. She was as cold and aloof as before, noble, beautiful, and if you didnt look at her curvy shape, she was like a solitary lotus on a snowy mountain, not a speck of dust on her petals. Today we had lunch with my mother, your recipe seems to have been improved? Princess Huaiqing said. All thanks to the hard work of Brother Song and Miss Caiwei. Xu Qian replied. Huaiqing nodded, We are somewhat fond of that vour, yet mother does not wish to share any of it. Do you have any more? None. Xu Qian shook his head. I gave a whole jar to Duke Wei, and he gave it to her Majesty. In reality, he still had a small bottle, but this was not for Huaiqing, this was for Biaobiao. Not to say that Princess Linans position in his heart was so important, but rather Biaobiao was too quick to make a ruckus, and howeverrge the Emperors rear pce was, news of this new chicken bouillon thing was bound to reach Linan sooner orter. That was of course fine, as Wei Yuan had delivered it. However Princess Huaiqing knew the true inventor, and with Huaiqings dark heart by that point Biaobiao would be as sour as a crashed cart full of vinegar, and Xu Qian would have to bear much of the fire. As after all, in Linans heart Xu Qian had long since publicly assumed the position as her underling. Princess Huaiqings delicate eyebrows frowned, Yet we had heard that the chicken bouillon that Duke Wei delivered, was only half a jar. Huh? Xu Qian was caught off guard, staring in confusion at Huaiqing. Huaiqing looked back at him, as the two of them fell into silence. --- [^1]: The pun carries less well into English [^2]: Princess Linans nickname Chapter 176: Telling A Story Chapter 176: Telling A Story # 176. Telling A Story *Wei Yuan is really being underhanded here the price difference is a little too unreasonable. However, this does suggest that if the chicken bouillon can be mass-produced, Ill be rich beyond measure.* *Hold on, havent I just identally walked into the path of a wealthy merchant with concubines and wives galore?* *The Arcanists are really professionals, if I had known before I wouldnt have messed around with this stuff myself, rather just give the Sitianjian some guidance, and take the profit from behind the scenes. Unfortunately, its toote now* Xu Qian sighed silently. From the tax silver case to the Sangpo case and to now, he had offended too many powerful people at court, and had already attached himself tightly to Wei Yuan. Under this situation, all he had to do was cultivate, and help Wei Yuan in any way possible. The more stable Wei Yuans position was, the more power he had, the better Xu Qians life would be. He didnt have the time nor extra energy to investigate alchemy. *mn, not that I dont have time, perhaps I willter. For now though, I need to focus on achieving Refining Spirit.* Huaiqing sipped tea, giving her lips a new shine, and said in a calm voice: Recently the interparty conflict at court has suddenly died down. The reason is that Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang has joined forces, intending to conduct a purge on the various cliques at court. Thats good. Xu Qians eyes lit up. Huaiqing shook her head: Father Emperor has blocked it. Chaos in court is beneficial to him. The more the parties fight amongst themselves, the more he can focus on Daoist cultivation. If one or two cliques form arge majority, then the situation would escape from fathers control. *The fact that shes telling me this, means that Huaiqing is seeing me as her own underling though why do I feel shes too trusting in me even though Ive simped well enough, but I havent exactly done it much* Xu Qian nodded, and agreed: Interparty conflict is a double edged sword, it can maintain His Majestys position, but can also throw the court into disorder. The more cliques there are, the more heated the conflict, in the long term no one will be bothered with proper affairs, only worrying about this scheme and that scheme any opposition would be useless. Whilst talking, Xu Qian was constantly examining Princess Huaiqings expression, if she at any time were to show signs of displeasure or disagreement, then Xu Qian would immediately stop in his tracks. Otherwise, Xu Qian could use his knowledge as a keyboard historian to have a good conversation with this princess royal. He can build up rtions, and get more benefits from her. The well-read Princess Huaiqing narrowed her eyes slightly, and deliberately rebutted him: Is not stopping all party conflict removing all unforeseen consequences? Xu Qian shook his head, A court without cliques is a fantastical thing. *A court without cliques is a fantastical thing* Princess Huaiqing thought over those words many times, and her eyes lit up, as the corner of her mouth unconsciously curled into a slight smile. Seeing this, Xu Qian continued: This lowly subordinate has some shallow opinions, if the eldest princess would like to hear them. Hearing this, Princess Huaiqing slowly sat up straight, and nodded: There is no harm in speaking. Xu Qian said hesitatingly, In truth, the way His Majesty is controlling his court is not the most proper He saw Huaiqings eyes narrow, yet she did not tell him to stop, merely staring at him intently. Thus he continued: If he were to control court, he does not need so many cliques, just three equal ones forever in opposition would be enough. As after all a triangle is the strongest shape in any field um, marriage aside. A Triangle? Huaiqing thought for a moment, before saying in realisation: This shape appearsmonly in the construction of the pce. *The eldest princess is indeed bright* Xu Qian hummed assent, saying: If there were only cliques, there is the possibility that they could privatelye to an alliance, and although still like fire and water on the surface, deep down be in cahoots with each other. However if instead it was like a three legged cauldron, it would be exceedingly hard for the three sides toe to agreement, and thus the situation at court would be very stable, and easy to control. Huaiqing thought for a long time, and as if linking something together,ughed lightly, before quickly reining her emotion in, returning to her aloof demeanour: The Cloud Deer Academys great schrs say that you have a schrs mind, yet we had originally thought that you only knew how to write poems well. We did not expect that you had such wise opinions. The number of schrs under heaven that couldpare could be counted on ones fingers; the Cloud Deer Academy schrs eyes are bright like torches, whereas we had underestimated you. *No, they also just think I can write good poetry, you didnt underestimate me I mean Im a keyboard warrior arent I, Imand mountains and rivers with my walls of text, unbeatable with the sound of keyboard keys.* Xu Qian smiled reservedly in response. Although apart from the overwhelming number of cliques at court, theres one other fatal w there Your Highness, please forgive me, this subordinate did not speak appropriately. Princess Huaiqing smiled lightly, Were all familiar here, there is no need to take so much care. Her clear, pond-like eyes gazed intently at him, expressing a great desire to listen, yet she did not continue talking. Xu Qian was immediatelyforted, as he said: His Majesty can easily control the many lords at court, including their promotions, demotions, et cetera, yet he cannot control the base level officials and civil servants. Thetter, especially, are the main offenders in the worsening state of peoples lives. This matter seemed to strike at Huaiqings weak spot, as she immediately became serious, interrupting: We have also thought long and hard about this problem. Really there are two reasons why the Great Fengs civil servants corruption has be as bad as it is. First, the interparty conflict in court is extremely fierce, and management is being overlooked. To put it bluntly, they only know to fight, and not to work. Second, His Majesty has cultivated Dao for over twenty one years, and the courts control over its lowest level officials has declined seriously. What this means is that civil servants think they are above thew. Princess Huaiqing nodded: Your opinions and ours are aligned. We have thought about this numerous times, yet unfortunately have note to a good answer. *Youre a princess, what are you doing thinking about these matters?* Xu Qian said: For the civil servants, your subordinate suggests to centralise state control. Centralise state control? Princess Huaiqings tone unconsciously became one of seeking instruction, as she had never heard such a turn of phrase before. Although His Majesty in the present has the court firmly in his grasp, he controls a court which is divided amongst itself, and so needs to dole out appropriate political power everywhere. Thus His Majestys political power is far too divided Xu Qian did not continue. With Huaiqings intelligence, he trusted that she could see the meaning behind his words. In the same vein, how could one change the current situation? One who ties the bell around the tigers neck should also untie it, and so either Emperor Yuanjing would emerge onto the world and return to court, diligent in his duty, or he would abdicate. This was the other reason why Xu Qian did not finish off his words. If he continued, then he could not avoid but overstep on forbidden topics. The two of them continued speaking for a long while, and Princess Huaiqing gained a whole new level of respect for this Bronze Gong. Xu Qian felt likewise; not only was this princess clever, she was also erudite, easily quoting on the ssics in her points, making talking with her strenuous, but very enjoyable. Seeing that the conversation was reaching its natural close, Xu Qian bade her farewell. *I cant carry on any longer, theres not a drop left in me. If we continue down this rabbit hole then Ill end up debating the merits of socialism with you.* Princess Huaiqing nodded, though her eyes showed a feeling that she had not finished. Leaving Princess Huaiqings pce, Xu Qian immediately went to find Linan, and very quickly she was notified, and he was given entry. It was nine thirty in the morning, and princess Linan in a fiery red dress was ying shuttlecock with her pce maids. If one were to say that Xu Lingyin was a prodigy in eating, then Biaobiao was a prodigy in ying. Her shuttlecock kicking was even better than the martial artist Xu Qian. That fiery red dress rippled through the air, her waist twisted back and forth, and those slender legs seemed to have their own GPS, always colliding perfectly with the shuttlecock, kicking it back up into the air. And so he would say, if this chick were born in the modern era she would be someone constantly travelling, constantly clubbing, a queen of the dance floor. *The dress in this era is far too conservative, shes even wearing trousers under her skirt* the didnt-manage-to-see-a-thing Xu Qian silently pouted, whilst making a respectful salute: Your Highness. Seeing that Xu Qian hade to visit, she handed the shuttlecock over to a maid, and then put her hands on her waist: Did you not say after the case you woulde here every day? Your subordinate cant just walk into the imperial pce every day Xu Qian walked towards the pavilion, and Linan followed. She took a towel from an attendant, and wiped her round face, ruffling up her originally delicately done brows. Recently we have wished to go outside and y, you shall apany. Linan handed the towel back to the maid, and then washed her hands. Xu Qian gave her a sidelong nce: No. Linan immediately stared at him: Running dog. The two of them started again to y the hawk training game[^1]; Biaobiao tried to use her own charming eyes to ovee Xu Qian, whilst thetter would look back with a deadpan gaze in resistance. As expected, Linan was the first to admit defeat, as her round oval face showed a slight bashfulness. She averted her gaze, and said angrily: If it were Huaiqing, you wouldnt refuse would you? *Huaiqing wont make me do anything as suicidal alright to go lead a princess around is grounds for beheading* Xu Qian pulled out a porcin bottle from his robe, Recently Ivee across a curious thing, when you add it to food, it can improve the savouriness. Its called chicken bouillon. In front of Biaobiao, he was more rxed, not always calling himself your subordinate. The second princess never cared much about this kind of formality. Chicken bouillon, what a strange name. Linan giggled, Are you out of silver again? Well give you another piece of artwork, oh, recently we received an ivory brush, apparently its really expensive, and I dont like writing characters anyway, so you can have it. Xu Qian immediately said: Your Highness, youre mistaken, your subordinate is not here for any reward, your subordinate whole-heartedly wants to work like an ox for you. This kind of ttery was Linans favourite, and she immediately became quite happy: Then what do you want? If Your Highness finds it convenient to convert to silver. You can have silver Biaobiao leant her cheek on her hand, and looked at him deeply, face full of smiles. It was as if those entrancing almond-shaped eyes were looking at their lover. We have felt really stuffy recently, and shuttlecock is getting boring. Tell me a story, continue on fromst time with that Journey to the West. Of course, Your Highness, this time Ill talk about the *Three Attempts at Borrowing the ntain Fan.* Xu Qian sipped on the tea served by the maids, wetting his throat: One day, the monk Xuanzang came to the Mountain of mes. Its fires were burning tall, and he couldnt even fly over it. The local god told Sun Wukong that if he wanted to extinguish the mes on the mountain, he would have to go to Princess Iron-fan to borrow her ntain fan. That Princess Iron-fan was the ox-demon king. The Ox demon king? Thats Sun Wukongs sworn brother. Biaobiaos memory was excellent, and immediately piped up. Exactly, thus Sun Wukong and Madam Ox had had a secret rtionship. What kind of rtionship? Thatsing up shortly Xu Qian nced at the maid: Go wait outside the pavillion. The maid obediently left. Xu Qian was immediately more at ease, and he continued: Sun Wukong came to ntain cave, and was warmly weed inside by Princess Iron-fan, yet she would not lend him her ntain fan. Thus the two of them began a fiery brawl. Sun Wukong turned into a bug, and flew into Princess Iron-fans stomach, saying: sister, Im inside you now. Princess Iron-fan was in so much pain that she was rolling around on the floor in pain. Finally, she relented, and if Sun Wukong woulde out, she would give him the fan. Sun Wukong said: open your moth sis, old Sun ising out. Just then, the ox-demon king came back, and saw everything. Who did he help? Linan, vexed, asked. One person is his sworn brother, the other is his wife. Its a really awful dilemma. Well, the Ox-demon king and Princess Iron-fan got divorced. --- [^1]: pressuring hawks, old Beijing dialect word, refers to a now illegal practice done in medieval times by hawk trainers, where to train and tame hawks (specifically northern goshawks) they would prevent them from sleeping and constantly harass them, to tire the animal out and wear down its wild spirit. Now used metaphorically for many things. Chapter 177: Business Trip Chapter 177: Business Trip # 177. Business Trip Xu Qian didnt stay at with the second princess for too long, as in the afternoon he still had to patrol. Thus, he had to bid her farewell. Biaobiao was reluctant to let him go, saying with a frown: Xu Ningyan, I can go tell Father to give you a job in the pce, and be our guard. *What future is there in being your guard? You really want me to be your workhorse* Xu Qian said helplessly: Your Highness, your subordinate still has some aspirations. Clearly, being Biaobiaos workhorse did not have the future potential of serving under Wei Yuan. Emperor Yuanjing spoiled Biaobiao, since not only was she able to pout and act coquettish, but also because she was cute and naive, and had no schemes in her heart. As for Princess Huaiqing and the other royal children, they were always looking to push their own confidants into powerful positions, seeking any opportunity to do so such as the Sangpo case. When Biaobiao tried to ask Emperor Yuanjing to pardon Xu Qians death penalty to no effect, Xu Qian had already seen what type of person he was. Second Princess, what strife is there, your subordinate is only a small Nightwatcher. Xu Qians heart said: *Were not suited together.* No one else is interesting, theyre always timid and jumpy when talking to me. Linan pouted her small mouth, swinging her legs, I dont like to read, I cant y the qin or draw, Im bored every day in the pce. When I was little brother crown prince woulde y with me, but now when I go find him, he just frowns, and always says hes busy. *What a poor princess, like a bird of paradise in a golden cage but isnt Princess Huaiqing free to go in and out* Xu Qian thought a bit, and thought it through. Huaiqing was the type of strong, independent woman where if you give her three thousand soldiers, she couldmand all under heaven. She was clever and well versed in many matters, and was scarily able. Out of all of Emperor Yuanjings daughters, none could reallypare to Huaiqing in in talent and finesse. Linan however, was different, she was a little princess with a mischievous temper, with no thoughts or schemes, and was easy to be manipted by ambitious and malicious people. Xu Qian naturally automatically struck himself off the list of said people. The solution is quite simple; Your Highness can move to your own manor. The Imperial city is much more interesting than the pceplex itself. Xu Qian said. Linan was a princess royal with noble titles; she had her own mansion in the imperial city. Then tomorrowe to Linan Manor. Biaobiao said. Before lunch Linan arranged a pnquin to go to Jingxiu Pce. Noble Consort Chen had invited her son and daughter to her pce to have lunch. During lunch, as the crown prince was eating Consort Chens carefully prepared meal, he suddenly said: I overheard from the servants that Wei Yuan gave the Empress a secret ingredient, which cured her anorexia. Consort Chenughed, Indeed this is the case, it seems to be called chicken bouillon? I heard that after one adds a little bit of it to ones cooking, the vour it adds was hard to forget. The crown prince saw Noble Consort Chens longing, If mother wants to try some, son can go to the Empress to ask for some. Consort Chen smiled: I heard Princess Huaiqing went to ask for some, but was refused. Both mother and son felt a bit helpless. Princess Linan looked at her mother and brother, and confirmed with them: Its chicken bouillon yes? The crown prince looked at her: Youve heard of it too? The simple-minded Linan didnt ever pay much attention to gossip floating around the rear pce, and so she shook her head: Today Xu Ningyan gifted me a thing, it was also called chicken bouillon. She summoned a maid: Go get it for me from my pce. Fifteen minutester, the maid, panting and puffing, returned, the small bottle from Linans pce in her hand. The crown prince first snatched it over, took off the cork, and sniffed it. What hit his nose was a sharp umami smell. Just by smelling it, he couldnt experience its mystical properties. Get the kitchen to heat the food up a bit more, add some of this chicken bouillon, let us try it? The crown princes suggestion got the approval of his mother and sister. Not longter, the pce maids brought back the newly steaming hot dishes. The three royals didnt immediately pick up their chopsticks however, looking towards the maid. The maid first used a silver needle to test for poison, and then picked up her own bowl and chopsticks.[^1] She tried each dish in turn, and after all were tried, the crown prince saw a clear reluctance to stop in her eyes. She didnt dare continue eating however, merely looking at the food with great longing. After a while, seeing that the maid was fine, the crown prince hurried her: Serve us a bowl of turtle soup. The maid simultaneouslydelled soup, andughed: Your Highnesss eyes are sharp, this soups vour is difficult to forget. The crown prince impatiently took the bowl, took a long sip, and eximed: What a different vour mother, Linan, try some, you need to try some. Consort Chen hadnt seen her son this happy in a long time, and felt happy for him too. Linan had already made her move. She didnt go for the turtle soup, rather picking a piece of vegetable. As she chewed, she unconsciously reached for another mouthful, then another After lunch, Noble Consort Chen, having not seen her son and daughter eat so happily in a long time, was extremely happy. What a thing, but its such a small bottle how much effort would the royal kitchen need to attain this level. The crown prince sighed, and without batting an eyelid stowed the bottle into his own sleeve pocket. Biaobiaos eyes widened, as she pounced over, clutching the crown princes sleeve with an iron grip, her willow-thin brows almost vertical: Its mine! Isnt that Xu Qian your person, you can go ask him for more. the crown prince spoke sternly, Let go. I wont let go, this is mine. Neither brother nor sister coulde to an agreement, and so they got Noble Consort Chen to mediate. Consort Chen scolded them with good naturedughter: How old are you now, youre like children. If you want your mother to say, leave it with me, this is fairest. Both the crown prince and Linan turned their heads, continuing to fight. *I never knew that what Xu Qian gave me is so precious.* Biaobiao sat in her pnquin, fiddling with the bottle filled a third up with chicken bouillon. That little bit of dissatisfaction she had with Xu Qian had slowly evaporated all away. She wasnt really that dumb, when Xu Qian was taking advantage of her she was only keeping one eye open, one eye closed is all. Since if she did not get him over to her side, this Bronze Gong would immediately rush into Huaiqings embrace. He also knew how to speak well, he also knew how to y, and so Linan didnt want to let him go. Thus she was happy to give him some useless paintings and silver. *This small Bronze Gongs double dealing is really adept, I need to go confirm* Linan said: Go towards Huaiqings ce. Coming to Huaiqings manor, they ignored the guards trying to block them, and Linan with her pale face raised met that dastardly Huaiqing in the front hall. The two extraordinarily beautiful women exchanged looks. On Huaiqings pale, graceful face, her eyebrows furrows slightly: What are you doing here. I heard that Wei Yuan gifted mother Empress a special ingredient, that cured her anorexia. This has spread around in the pce. Linan walked over to an antiquities shelf, her red dress trailing behind her, and traced her hands around the blue paintings on a porcin pot, saying casually: Does Sister Huaiqing have any? I do not. Huaiqing said emotionlessly. You really dont? Linan immediately turned around, her eyes sparkling, restless and stirring written across her oval face. Princess Huaiqing stared back, saying lightly: Why would I lie to you. Well Im happy you dont. Linan Biaobiao took out her little bottle, and happily waved it around,ughing loudly: I do! Seeing that Huaiqings expression was not right, she was even happier, but to stop herself from being beaten up, she immediately took her retreat, her show-off performance finished: Were going now, you dont need to escort us. Oh, right, this was gifted to us by Xu Ningyan. *Xu Ningyan* On Princess Huaiqings smooth white forehead, a vein suddenly bulged slightly. The next day, after eating lunch at the Gon, the three Gon-goers picked their teeth, and withrge pompous steps came back to the constabry. They had an hour break for lunch, and so the three Nightwatchers wanted to return to the constabry to cultivate. Today Xu Qian also paid the bill, though this time they were just there for food, and nothing more. A martial artists home usually didnt have much spare food at hand. After freeloading off Xu Ningyan for several days, Song Tingfeng felt a bit embarrassed, and seeing that there was a stall selling oranges on the street, said: You two wait here, Ill go buy some oranges. Oy, Ill go buy them, you wait here. Xu Qian stopped him. Ningyan, youre too kind, too kind. Song Tingfeng maintained his stance. Anything else is fine, but I must be the one to buy oranges. If you really want to buy them, then youre paying next time we go to the Jiaofangsi. Xu Qian said angrily. Song Tingfeng thus admitted defeat. Returning back, Xu Qian received Wei Yuans summons. *Daddy Wei is liking me more and more* he happily ran towards the Tower of Noble Spirit, and after the guard had sent word of his presence, he met the azure-cloaked Wei Yuan in his tea room. This great eunuch with his whitening temples and schrly manner was just in the middle of drinking tea. He pointed to the seat opposite him: Pour yourself some tea. Xu Qian, stomach full of alcohol, didnt actually want to drink any tea, but still poured himself a cup nheless. You must not drink on duty. Wei Yuan lectured. Oh you, apart from having some sense of justice the rest of you is filled with bad habits. Youre flippant and insincere, undisciplined, constantly going in and out of the Jiaofangsi. If I were your political enemy, youd already be reincarnating into the next life. your subordinate knows his mistakes. Xu Qian put himself in the role of younger brother no, son, that made him feel much better. Whatever, the rivers and mountains are easy to move but a persons nature is hard to change. If a person was that easy to change, then there would not be countless myriads of them on this world. Wei Yuan had a veryrge tolerance of his underlings misbehaviour, and so didnt press the matter. After taking a sip of tea, he handed over a dossier: You need to go to Yunzhou. *Yunzhou?* Xu Qian sat up straight, and began reading carefully. A couple days ago, the Nightwatchers received a secret letter, which said that the Military Commissioner-in-chief Yang Chuannan has been secretly conspiring with bandits, supplying military supplies, and making profit from the trade. Wei Yuan took another sip, continuing: The second day after receiving that secret letter, the Qi clique moved with fiery speed, manufacturing the corruption case, using arge group of gold and silver gongs as their chips to force us topromise. *The Commissioner-in-chief of Yunzhou is part of the Qi clique? No wonder the Qi clique seemed so determined to beat down the Nightwatchers, they were hiding such an important thing.* *If I didnt have my dog-shit luck, then would Wei Yuan have been prepared to use all those Gold and Silver Gongs to exchange for the Yunzhou Commissioner-in-chief? Wei Yuan is really cold right, Number Two had said that the reason why Yunzhous bandits were difficult to rout was: the mountain bandits had the high ground, but also because they had plenty of military supplies they werent any ordinary bandits, they must have had someones support.* *The Qi Clique is far away in the capital, and cannot remotely do anything, thus they must need a local officials help* Xu Qian had a great realisation. Wei Yuan continued: After the message reached the capital, that spy died mysteriously, without saying anything more. His real identity was a registrar in the Regional Military Commission. But hes dead, and his proof is nowhere to be found. I have already reported this to His Majesty, and he will send an inspector general from the Censorate to Yunzhou to investigate this matter. Your objective is to protect the inspector general, as well as find evidence. Xu Qian, feeling himself in a somewhat difficult position, asked: Why do I need to go to Yunzhou? *Still not so willing* Wei Yuan said: This matter will be overseen by Jiang Lyuzhong, you will go along to learn in the field. Xu Qian immediately felt a lot more reassured, Theres theres one more matter. Duke Wei, chicken bouillon shouldnt be consumed inrge amounts, it easily causes thirst, so you should tell the kitchen to be conservative with it. Wei Yuan had just lectured him, and not only did he not seek revenge, but even gave good-intentioned advice, Xu Qian felt that he was far too nice. Wei Yuan did not speak, pointing at the door. Your subordinate will go now. Xu Qian immediately ran off. --- [^1]: Silver is a test used for sulphurpounds - it reacts with sulphur to form silver sulphide, which takes on a ck tarnish. This doesnt actually detect for many poisons, but in ancient times arsenic (one of the mostmonly used poisons) often contained sulphur impurities, which would be detected. Chapter 178: One Must Be Discrete Chapter 178: One Must Be Discrete # 178. One Must Be Discrete Tomorrow he would leave the capital, and journey far to Yunzhou. Xu Qian immediately left the constabry, going home to pack. To not raise any suspicions, he only left his most valuable possessions in the small jade mirror, such as silver, gold, promissory notes He then informed Auntie and Sister, telling them that ne needed to apany the Inspector General to Yunzhou. Since he was born Xu Qian had never left the capital, even Auntie could not resist but to fuss over him, telling him to bring this and bring that, making sure that he packed his clothes I heard that theres a lot of miasma in Yunzhou, and the weather is rainy year round, you need to bring some anti-toxin pills, some drying cream Xu Ningyan, Im talking to you. Auntie pped the table. I know, I know, Xu Qian was getting annoyed, and said back grumpily, You dont need to tell me this, Im just informing you. *In myst life I was a southerner, I can keep warm just by my vital energy, what is some cold damp southern country to me* Xu Qian muttered. Jiaofangsi, Reflecting Plum Pavilion. The creaking of the bed slowly stopped. Xu Qian propped himself up on his hands, looking at the flushed, red-faced beauty beneath him, Tomorrow I need to leave the capital and go to Yunzhou, I probably wont return for quite a long time. Hearing this, Fuxiangs two long pale legs mped around his waist, as she said with a worried tone: I heard that the banditry problem in Yunzhou is really serious, its really dangerous. However dangerous it is, it is still ruled by the crown. Xu Qian pinched Fuxiangs face lightly, expressing that he wasnt worried. You havente round for so long, and the one time youe youre talking about this. Fuxiang pouted. I was afraid of working you too hard, not turning a cold shoulder. As the two of them talked, the rhythmic creaking of the bed started again. Leaving the Jiaofangsi, Xu Qian went to Stargazing Tower, and told hising trip to Yunzhou to Chu Caiwei. When the beauty in the yellow dress heard him, she was extremely moved, and expressed that she wanted to go too. However, the chicken bouillon still needed to be refined, produced and spread around, and then she needed to use this opportunity to advance to the sixth rank, she couldnt leave the capital. No matter what this outing required an arcanist, and the reason why Xu Qian specially made the journey, was out of a selfish desire to bring Chu Caiwei along, so it was more like a holiday. Many couples whose rtionship were ambiguous, would go out on holiday together, and as they travelled and travelled, their child would be conceived. He didnt manage to bring Chu Caiwei, but Xu Qian took the chicken bouillon that she had spent so much effort making. The round-faced beauty angrily chased him all the way out of the Stargazing Tower, and shouted towards Xu Qians quickly retreating figure: Xu Qian you bastard! He then went to the pce, and requested to see Princess Huaiqing. As an ally of the eldest princess, he would naturally report on hising trip, as well as discussing the situation of Yunzhou with the intelligent princess. The attendant returned with the Princesss answer: The Princess doesnt want to see you. *Mn? Doesnt want to see me? Yesterday we had gotten along just fine, what I did yesterday should have made Huaiqing care more about me* Xu Qian left with a head full of fog. Having been cruelly refused by big sister, Xu Qian immediately went to find the plum-faced, attractive and passionate younger sister. Linan wasnt in the pce, rather in Linan Manor in the Imperial City. *Biaobiao is really efficient huh.* Xu Qian immediately turned around to go to Linan manor. Not longter, he arrived, and after the guards announced his presence, he was granted entry. Xu Qian walked and gazed around, at the gardens, pavilions, and all sorts, he even saw a stage where singers would perform, thinking that shes worthy of being the Emperors most spoilt daughter. Hearing that Xu Qian was visiting, Biaobiao was very happy. Sitting in a pavilion, she said with a face full of smiles, I feel so much freer out of the pce, but this manor is too boring, its not as interesting as living back there. The meaning hidden behind her words were very clear: *What do you want to y?* *Ive note to y, Ivee to say see youter* Xu Qian said: Tomorrow I must leave the capital and go to Yunzhou, and may not return for a long time. I know that we are meant to meet tomorrow, so I havee to say goodbye to Your Highness. Hearing this, Linans face fell, looking at him with disappointment. If, if thats the case, then her whole rigmarole ofing out here was all for naught. Her mother had allowed her to live outside for three days, and she was secretly very excited, thinking that this Bronze Gong would take her to y in the inner city. Then your subordinate will leave now. Xu Qian turned to leave, but after a few steps, he could not resist looking back. Linan sat in the pavilion, behind her a barren winter garden. Her dress was red like fire, and she shone with beauty, but at the same time looked ever so lonely. *Bloody hell* He thought to himself, and came back again. Does Your Highness like to y Go? No. Why not? Its too much of a bother. *Maybe because youre not clever enough* Xu Qian said: Your subordinate has a new way to y, Your Highness can try it, if youre bored, you can also y with your maids. Linan pursed her lips, somewhat disappointed: Just this? *As long as you dont sing its praises soon.* Xu Qian summoned a maid, ordering her to bring a Go set,ying it out on the stone table. Second princess, what Im going to teach you is called five-in-a-row. There arent many rules or techniques, its very easy to y. No matter horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, whoever links together five stones in a row is the winner. If its so easy, then theres even less point. Linan shook her head. Dont be hasty, lets y a round first. Xu Qian said with confidence. Alright. Linan picked up a stone, and with a ck put it on the board, nodding her pale forehead towards Xu Qian. Xu Qian followed suit. As they yed and yed, Biaobiao slowly started to get into it. The two of themy down stone after stone, as in a quick session of *ck, ck, ck*, Xu Qian won the first round. Again, lets go again! Biaobiao kicked her legs, her red skirt fluttering. Round two, round three, round four Biaobiao lost again and again, but she was more and more excited, concentration showing in her almond-shaped eyes. With a shock she discovered, that even though this type of Go was really easy to y, with no fancy tricks or stratagems, but for some reason it was far more fun than regr Go. One could not resisted but be pulled into it. Losing again and again, and ying again and again, a fighting spirit red up inside her. At the same time, she slowly got the impression that she was a Go master, advancing her armies across the board and doing deadly battle. Finally, Xu Qian deliberately made a blunder, letting her make up five in a row. Ive won! Biaobiao cheered happily. Xu Qian smiled, sitting as if everything was under his control. If Huaiqing were to y a thing like five-in-a-row, she would be bored of it within fifteen minutes, and would scoff at its base simplicity. However for a simple girl like Linan, five-in-a-row was an extremely interesting game; even simple games had great levels of reyability. Xu Qian once was also once addicted to these little games, such as Stack, Puzzle Match, 2048, so on and so forth. They yed for several hours, as his mind kept telling him: *you cant y any more, you cant y any more* His body, however, really wanted to continue. Xu Ningyan, youre really skilled. Linans jade like finger tapped on the Go board, you know how to write poems, and also know so many of these fun little things. Oh right, did you manage to finish the first half of that poem? Xu Qian shook his head. *Drunk he knows not if the sky is in the water, his dreamden boat atop the milky way.* Princess Linan didnt continue asking, muttering the poem quietly. Its really beautiful, one day I too want toy on a bed, looking at the stars overhead, with stars all around, I hope then Ill be free. At that moment, she wasnt Biaobiao, but rather a naive, innocent little girl. Second princess, did you tell the eldest princess that I gave you chicken bouillon. Xu Qian suddenly asked. No! Linan fluttered her charming eyes, turning in an instant from the innocent little girl Linan, to queen-of-the-dance floor Biaobiao. Oh. Xu Qian did not press the issue, ncing at the sky, only then realising that it was dusk, the imperial city had shut its gates, and he had no way out. Since the patrols around the Imperial City were conducted by Silver Gongs, his token had no use here, and nor did Princess Linans. The curfew in the Imperial city was strict, it was hard enough already to gain permission for entry from the court, and permission usually had to be sought several days in advance, not given on the spot. Furthermore, the constabry in the imperial city had already ended their day. Xu Qian could only stay the night at Linan manor. At dusk, he walked around with the princess, and discovered that in the back garden was a great big pond. Beside the pond was moored a boat with a cover. *Heh, she keeps on talking aboutying in a boat, looking at the stars clearly heaven and earth are aligned for this, yet she only talks youths now, theyre always full of talk, and unable to do anything.* Xu Qian left wordlessly, and when Biaobiao summoned him for the evening meal, he said: Your Highness, how about we have dinner somewhere else. The princesss eyes lit up, as she didnt even ask further, ordering her maids to bring the table and dishes to the back garden, under his direction. Finally, they got on the boat. Afterying out the table, and lighting a brazier, there wasnt much more room in the boat. Therefore, the maids could only watch from the shore, exchanging looks with some worry. Their princess had gotten rather close to this man; there wasnt much of an issue during the day, but to eat together like this on the middle of theke, was inappropriate in all social etiquette. Linan had drank several cups of wine, and her face was red: We have never tried to have a meal in a boat before. In the candlelight, her round face was like a piece of wless jade, her gaze soft and beautiful like silk. She was the very image of an ancient beauty, yet in Xu Qians mind he couldnt resist but swap her pce dress with a red t-shirt, a little bear embroidered on it, and on her legs a pair of blue jeans, then a pair of white socks and tennis shoes. Her two legs were long and straight, making waves as she danced across the clubs floor. Darkness fell, and a curved moon hung in the sky. Xu Qian said suddenly: Lie down. Biaobiao paused a moment, trying to process his words, but then without another thoughty backwards Ow! Her head collided with the wooden deck, and she shouted in pain, but quickly became entranced. Upon the night sky was hung a sickle moon, decorated around by a field of stars, twinkling upon the vast emptiness. Drunk, she knows not if the sky is in the water, a dreamden boat atop the milky way. Xu Qian said in a low voice. She looked at the stars above, lost in thought, her gaze indistinct. Xu Qian looked at her, at her refined jaw, her raised nose, her small, slightly open mouth. A girl like her was gifted with beauty, and tipsy, her appearance was irresistible. The stars are too small, I want to see the milky way, the milky way! Shey on the deck, twisting her hips, unconsciously acting coquettish. There were quite a few stars tonight, butpared to a whole river of the milky way it could notpare, but that had to wait until summer. How pretty she sighed. Stargazing Tower, the Bagua tform. The Jianzheng stood by the edge of the tform, observing the heavens. His ears suddenly twitched. A few secondster, a magical formation lit up, as a white cloaked arcanist appeared within, slowly intoning: Picking the stars with He had barely gotten halfway, when his voice suddenly cut off, as if his throat was just seized by an invisible hand, unable to force out the rest of his verse. The Jianzheng, his back also turned, his white beard fluttering in the wind, said: Go to Yunzhou, watch over Thetter half of the sentence wasmunicated silently. Teacher and disciple stood with their backs to each other. Yang Qianhuan tentatively asked: Secretly? Mhm. I understand. What other instructions does Teacher have? Be discrete. If you go saying that all over the ce, youll get beaten up. Yes, Teacher. Chapter 179: Leaving the Capital Chapter 179: Leaving the Capital # 179. Leaving the Capital In the morning, Princess Linan slowly woke up, feeling warm and snug all around. She stretchedfortably, and her foot collided with the table leg with a clunk. She opened her dazed eyes with confusion, seeing a deathly pale sky; at this time, the sun had yet to rise. Biaobiao was as if waking up with a hangover from a night at a club, as her expression slowly changed from one of nk confusion toplete bewilderment, thinking that her eyes must not be working properly; why wasnt she looking at an embroidered brocade bed canopy, rather at the dawn sky? She groaned tiredly, in a lovably silly manner. Last nights scenes slowly flitted through her mind, like scenes rom a show. She remembered that in the night she was having dinner with Xu Ningyan on the boat, talking and drinking. Perhaps because she had never had such an experience, she immediately agreed to this small Bronze Gongs suggestion, but as an unmarried princess, if such an uncouth action were to get out, her name would be ruined in an instant. Later on, maybe because she had started drinking, she let down her guard, and almost automatically at his suggestionid down in the boat. When she saw the sky full of glittering stars, Biaobiaos heart became drunk with its beauty, the only thing on her mind: *drunk, I know not if the sky is in the water, my dreamden boat sailing atop the milky way.* She was enthralled. Like that, she didnt want to sit up again, and under the influence of alcohol, slowly drifted to sleep. It was so warm, too, even on a boat in the middle of winters grasp, she didnt feel a little bit cold, rather warm as if she was in her mothers embrace. However she didnt have enough mind to worry about this, Biaobiao sat up in a panic, discovering that there was a brocade duvetid on her. She instinctively wanted to throw it off, before pausing, feeling around her own body under the covers, and making sure that she was fully clothed, and that nothing was amiss. Nothing amiss, such as the ache when one loses their virginity, so written about in texts. Biaobiao let out a long sigh of relief, and looked around. She saw the maid guarding her by the shore, and thus turned from the hung-over Biaobiao to the dignified Princess Linan. She called over a guard by the shore, telling him to jump on the boat, and help her off. At the same time, she asked: When did Master Xu Leave? He left before it got light. The pce maid replied quietly. Linan nodded with a dispirited air, thinking back to the warmth she felt that night. Thinking closely though, that warmth shouldnt havee from the covers alone, and so she made a stern face: Last night, were there any errant moves? Yes Maam. The maid, with bags under her eyes after not sleeping all night, immediately told on him: He disrespected Your Highness. Eh? Princess Linans expression was terrified. He was holding Your Highnesss hand, the maid said resentfully, and when he left before dawn, he pped pped your servants buttocks, threatening me not to tell Your Highness. *That unreasonable!?* Linans willow-thin brows turned nearly vertical, as she had a feeling of embarrassment of misjudging someones character. Second princess the guard mumbled hesitantly. What are you mumbling about! Linan nced at him unhappily. It was freezingst night, and Your Highness was sleeping on the boat a single duvet would not have been enough to fend off the cold. The guard exined, Your subordinate sawst night that Master Xu did not sleep at all, and the reason why he was holding Your Highnesss hand was to transfer qi and expel the cold. *Transfer qi did not sleep at all* Biaobiao stared nkly for a moment, then remembering that she did indeed have a veryfortable night, asked with suspicion: Why have we not heard of this matter, and no one in the past has transferred qi to me. This the guard forced a smile, To work ones qi over a whole night without sleeping, expending ones own energy, who could really keep that up. Except a middle or high rank martial artist, that is. Furthermore, Your Highness wears brocade and dines on jade, usually this is unnecessary. Biaobiao bit her lip, testing: How tiring is it? The guard replied: If it were your subordinate, I would be already dead. Her glossy eyes rippled with emotion, and her gaze became as soft as silk. When Master- Master Xu left, he seemed to be very tired. The maid recalled, But why did he order your servant to not say anything? Linan did not respond to this question, suddenly walking towards the door: This morning he needs to leave the capital for Yunzhou, what time is it, we wish to send him off She didnt know why, but there were ripples coursing through her heart, yearning to see her running dog. Your Highness, its past six the maid chased after her, furthermore, since when would a princess send off a Bronze Gong, if this got out, it would be a disaster for both you and him. These words stopped the headstrong princess Linan in her tracks. *For me, at most I would be scolded by father but on my reputation, a small Bronze Gong like him would be bound to face much worse* Linans gaze scanned over her maid and guard, and her round face showed a rare expression of royal might: This matter concerns our reputation, you are not to tell anyone aboutst nights events, else you shall be beaten until dead. Yes, Your Highness. The road from the capital to Yunzhou was a long one, and so to save time, the imperial envoy decided to use the canal routes, and avoid travelling ovend. The government boat cut through the waves, its sails bulging. Xu Qian stood on the deck, weing the river winds. Boats big and small were moored at the river shore, both government and private crafts. You dont look too good, youre overworked. Jiang Lyuzhong came to the deck, and stood side by side. Looking across at Xu Qian, heughed: Busy night at the Jiaofangsi? mhm. Xu Qian didnt have anything to say. He did indeed to go the Jiaofangsi, and had a parting exchange with Fuxiang, but what really tired him out was that his energy was all sapped by Biaobiao. Thetter, though, could not be spoken of. Look at you, youre still young, your eye bags are still light. Jiang Lyuzhong put both hands on the railing,ughing with theugh of an old seasoned veteran, Yunzhou also has a Jiaofangsi, the women south of the river have soft bodies, soft voices, and a whole different feeling to the capital. Theyre not the same. Xu Qian shook his head. Youre a romantic type of guy? Jiang Lyuzhong said with shock. *This has nothing to do with romance, and everything to do with freeloading* Xu Qian said solemnly, Unless Gold Gong Jiang is willing to pay. Wha? Jiang Lyuzhong stared back nkly. If you pay, then its the same either way. Xu Qian was very serious. Jiang Lyuzhong thought for a moment, before pointing to the river surface: What do you think the water is like here? Xu Qians gaze followed, and he replied very sincerely: Nothing much to say, dirty as anywhere else. Jiang Lyuzhong nodded: Good that you know. Xu Qian: After a while, Jiang Lyuzhong said: We will take the canal south as far as Qingzhou, afterwards we would need to travel onnd. About ten days travel onnd will be enough to reach Yunzhou. Sir Jiang, isnt it inappropriate to tell me about these secrets. Xu Qian said. No matter, with your ability sooner orter youll be a Gold Gong. Jiang Lyuzhong smiled without much of a care. *From friend to friend, if you set goalposts for me Ill be angry too* Xu Qian replied also with a smile: Thank you for your kind words. So, why do we need to switch to the dry road? Ovend, Jiang Lyuzhong said, before exining: Whilst Qingzhou and Yunzhou are bordering, there are no waterways connecting them. If we were to go via water all the way, then we would need to detour around the neighbouring Shazhou, and itll be slower than going bynd. There arent any waterways? Xu Qian expressed his confusion. Originally there were, there was a tributary river connecting Yunzhou and Qingzhou, but just over a decade ago the river suddenly changed course. Jiang Lyuzhong exined. *It changed course* Xu Qian slowly nodded. Hydraulic infrastructure has been a headache-inducing problem for the court since ancient times; rivers will often dry up, or change course. Even in his previous life, flooding was a big issue for all. It was all well and good for a guy to change course, theres a back door to take, but when the water changes course, disaster follows for a thousand li, and the people suffer.[^1] Just then they saw a plume of ck smoke rise up in the distance. Xu Qian focused his eyes, and saw that it came from a little boat moored in the distance. There were people on it burning goods. Whats up with this, why are they burning goods? Xu Qian said deeply. His first reaction was that there werew-breakers, destroying merchants goods. Jiang Lyuzhong nced over, and said with realisation: Usually this happens because a merchant doesnt want to go through the toll gate, theyll burn their goods and return home. Theyre nearly at the capital, why bother with this? Xu Qian did not understand. Heh, the court sets many levy gates on the river. Every time you pass one, you pay a tax, and as you pay and pay, many merchants will find that even if they reach their destination and sell all their goods, their profit wouldnt even be enough to pay tax. Thus they would just burn their produce and return, since even on the return leg if you carry any goods you have to pay tax again, but an empty boat is tax free. Jiang Lyuzhong sighed: Burning goods on the river is amon sight. What bad table manners. Xu Qian raised an eyebrow. Theres worse. Some smaller merchants cant pay the shipping tax, and so can only rely on merchant guilds. Those guilds will buy up their goods at rock bottom prices, and sell them with a markup. Lets use that saltpetre mine you found in Taikang county as an example. The local *huihu* pick rocks and refine them into lime, but the capital cant consume such arge amount. Thus, they can only sell to the various different provinces, but they wouldnt be able to afford the shipping tax. Thus the merchant guilds will buy the lime for a low price, and ship it through their own connections. The *huihu* would only get a tenth of the final sale price at best, just enough to eat their fill. The various interests involved in this are difficult to handle, even Duke Wei treats this matter with much apprehension. Xu Qian fell silent. He thought of another matter. Emperor Yuanjings daoist cultivation requires many medicines, the cost of them were astronomical, and this silver wasnt taken from the state coffers, but rather form his personal treasury. Then, how was Emperor Yuanjing able to keep up with this endless money sucking void? He didnt ask this out loud, returning to the hold to meditate, recouping his energy. Around noon, his stomach was rumbling with hunger. Leaving his room he heard a lively conversationing from the deck. He quickly found out that the boatmen had hauled up many plump river fish, and dumped them on the deck to flop around. Lead by Jiang Lyuzhong, Song Tingfeng and twenty other Bronze Gongs were all joining in the bustle, excited to have fresh fish soup to drink for lunch. The inspector general who was leading this expedition also came out with a frown, hearing the noise. He was an assistant censor in chief of the Censorate, a fourth-rank official. The role of inspector general was usually taken by Censors, and their power was great indeed. The Censorate was controlled by Wei Yuan, and the great azure cloak even had a role there, a Censor-in-chief, second rank. Thus this inspector general could be considered one of their men. This inspector general had been in his room seasick the whole morning, as the world turned and wobbled around him, and he was just resting when he was awoken by this bunch of martial artists. Naturally, he was very upset. Pick out some of the plumpest fish for the inspector general. Jiang Lyuzhong smiled. The inspector general, with a long trailing goatee beard and an air of a schr, waved his hand, his brow furrowed intently: River fish smell too strong, this official doesnt have any appetite for it. After refusing Jiang Lyuzhongs good intentions, he scanned over the Bronze Gongs with displeasure, Be more quiet, what decorum is there, jumping and shouting like that. Afterwards, he returned below deck impatiently. Tut tut, schrs bodies are so weak, cant stand this little rocking. A bronze gong remarked, before being stared down by Jiang Lyuzhong. *Fresh fish soup perfect for adding some chicken bouillon* Xu Qian, stomach rumbling, was filled with yearning for lunch. --- [^1]: Unlike the Nile which has a regr cycle, the Yellow River has always been a pain in the arse for Chinese Empires throughout history, because of its tendency to flood irregrly and up and change course. In the Ming Dynasty, the river rerouted itself round the south of the Shandong penins, 400 miles from where it currently reaches the sea. Chapter 180: Xu Xinnian: I Have No Family Chapter 180: Xu Xinnian: I Have No Family # 180. Xu Xinnian: I Have No Family Considering the issue of oil and smoke, the kitchen of the boat was located in the upper deck of the hold, in a ce easy to ventte. The kitchens wall and floors were painted in a fire retardant redcquer. Thiscquers main ingredient was the sap of a bug-eating tree, which was resistant to both me and water. Thus this type of tree has been nted far and wide at the encouragement of the Ministry of Industry, and used widely in construction. In the kitchen, a few cooks were busy preparing the noon meal, so busy that they had worked up a sheen of sweat even in the winter. The pot on the fire was filled with fish soup stewing, as steam bubbled against the lid, and a thick fragrance filled the air. Xu Qian followed the scent to the kitchen, and not minding anyone else, went over and opened the lid: Is the fish soup done? It will be done very soon! The cooks were shocked that an official woulde into a smoke and miasma filled ce like the kitchens. Xu Qian stared at the light brown fish soup, the colour owing to the addition of soy sauce. He took a sniff, and said: Give me adle. A cook immediately gave him adle, and Xu Qiandelled a mouthful of soup. Tasting it, he said with surprise: Its less fishy than I thought Owing to theck of seasoning, and chefs skills, most freshwater fish dishes in this world had an earthy, fishy taste that was difficult to get rid of. Naturally, this didnt apply to the fanciest restaurants, such as Guiyuelou, their chefs were capable enough to manage. Hearing this, a cook said proudly, Of course sir, we live on the water, and eat fish every day, so theres no one who knows how to cook a fish better than us. As to how to get rid of the smell hehe, thats a secret. He didnt want to reveal his methods. Xu Qian snorted, This official also has his own secret recipes, which can increase the savouriness of this soup by several fractions. The cooks didnt believe him, but they didnt rebut him out loud, not daring to. However, their disapproving expressions were not hidden at all in their eyes. Xu Qian thus took out a porcin pot containing the chicken bouillon. S- sir The cooks turned pale with fright. They had worked on government boats for many years, and had served many officials, developing a natural sensitivity to matters of food. If the officials on the boat were to be poisoned, then they would be buried along with them. What are you scared off, in a bit you can taste the soup for poison yourself. Xu Qianforted them. Not only were the cooks notforted, but they were even more worried. Xu Qian first poured a little bit into the soup, and tasted it. Feeling that it was not enough, he added a little more, and after a couple times of this, nodded with satisfaction. Come, taste it! Hedelled out a spoonful of soup, and gave it to the cook that spoke up. Seeing Xu Qian taste it himself gave the cook a measure of braveness. He hesitated a bit, but took the spoon, and drank. In an instant, his eyes opened wide. The savoury fish soup covered his taste buds, as with a gulp, the cook instinctively swallowed it down. In his mouth was left a lingering umami. Its its so good the cook became excited, Sir, what, what is this recipe, what is this marvellous recipe, please may sir teach us. Xu Qian: Heh. Inspector general Zhang sat on his bed, hand on his forehead, trying to resist the rocking of the boat in motion. After eating the medicine given to him by the white cloaked arcanists, he felt a little bit better. An attendant brought over hot tea: Sir, when we leave the capital region, the winds will be smaller, then youll not have so much of a headache. The inspector general nodded, and took a sip of tea. Its time for lunch, your servant will bring it for you. The attendant said. No need, Inspector General Zhang waved him off, pinching his brows: This official is nauseous, and has no appetite Just as the words left his mouth, his nose twitched: What is that smell? From the open window the winds blew in a savoury fragrance, that tugged at the inspector generals appetite, making him slowly start to drool. Gulp he swallowed down saliva, his gaze reaching out of the window, mind elsewhere. He was silent for a while, before saying: Whatever, although I have no appetite, its not good to not eat. Get some food for me mn, although that fish soups fishy odour is difficult to stomach, we cannot carry ourselves above everyone else, and must eat the same as our soldiers. The attendant happily took the order, and jogged out of the room, thinking that the inspector general was a worthy schr, even shameless sentiment could be expressed in such a subtle manner. Xu Qian and his colleagues sat in therge hall below decks, eating and chatting idly. This fish soup is the best, Ive never drank anything so awesome in my life. Yeah, even the fishiness adds to it. If I can drink this type of soup every day, then Ill happily spend the rest of my days on a boat. The Nightwatchers ate with great energy, enjoying the surprisingly delicious fish soup. Jiang Lyuzhong had a table to himself. His eyes were closed, as he enjoyed the umami fragrance of that soup. Calling over the cook, he asked curiously: This soups vour is not like usual, its nothing this official has tasted before, how did you make it? *You must have some sort of secret ingredient* Jiang Lyuzhong thought. He wasnt after their secret ingredients though, being genuinely just curious as to how this legendary soup was made. The cook looked towards Xu Qian, Its that sirs secret recipe, it has nothing to do with me. All the Nightwatchers looked over. What are you looking at me for, this is the Sitianjians formtion, it has nothing to do with me. Xu Qian said immediately. He knew this bunch of morally deficient Nightwatchers, Jiang Lyuzhong included, was bound to think up of any way to get some off him. The group immediately looked to the three white cloaked arcanists. The youngest of them said: What are you looking at me for, the Sitianjians formtion was given to us by Master Xu. *Motherfucker, these white cloaks just want to argue dont they* Xu Qianmpooned. Just then, a group of armoured guards came into the hold, simultaneously sniffing the delicious smell of fish soup, and silently taking their own simple dinner. In this envoy to Yunzhou, there were twenty Bronze Gongs, six Silver Gongs, one Gold Gong, Inspector General Zhang and his three attendants, and one hundred *Huben* royal guards. In total, this made a hundred and thirty one. These royal guards lived in the cramped and dark bottom deck, and didnt eat with the Nightwatchers. Naturally, there was no fish soup for them. The mens noses twitched, as they silently swallowed down saliva, looking longingly at the fish soup. Xu Qian thought for a moment, before calling over the cook: Is there more fish? If not, go catch more, cook these soldiers a pot of soup, make sure everyone gets some. As he spoke, he handed the bottle over to the cook: If theres not enough, call me for more. The Huben guards eyes immediately lit up, as they unconsciously straightened their back: Thank you, Sir. *Im too soft hearted, too soft hearted, all these problems I have to bear* Xu Qian nodded, Im called Xu. Thank you, Sir Xu. Just then, Inspector General Zhangs attendant walked in, announcing loudly: Is there still fish soup, our master would like some. Everyone roared inughter, and the hold was filled with merriment. The capital, just before dusk. Xu Xinnian returned to the capital. He wanted to go home to get some more clothes, as well as some rice and silver. Students studying at the Cloud Deer Academy must pay tuition every three months. Furthermore, they must bring their own food; the academy gave them lodging but not catering. Thus Xu Eng woulde home regrly, dropping off his dirty clothes at home and bringing along three months worth of silver and food. Hss He pulled the reins on his horse, stopping outside the Xu manor, finding with shock that the door was locked. This was no small matter, as there were still servants in the manor. Even if the Xu family was not present, and not receiving guests, the doors would still be locked on the inside; a lock on the outside indicated that no one was there at all. Xu Engs heart sank, as he had a bad feeling. He dismounted, and came to the wall. Taking a deep breath, he said clearly: Vaulting walls and flying over rafters! He took a few steps back, feeling a coursing energy fill his limbs, and with a little run, leapt over the three metre tall wall,nding lightly on the other side. The manor was quiet, and there was no one to be found. Xu Xinnian walked from the outer courtyard to the inner yard, opening door after door, his sisters, his parents, the servants the ce was deserted. Most importantly, everything in the manor was moved away, and what was left in the rooms were only empty bed frames, with all the duvets missing. *Wheres my home? Wheres my massive home right, I guess the house is still here, but wheres my family?* Xu Xinnian stood nkly in the yard, thinking over his life. *The door had a lock on it, but not an official seal, this means that it wasnt big brothermitting some other sort of crime all the possessions have been moved away, but there is no dust on the ground, everything is tidy, thus we havent been robbed* Xu Xinnian used his deduction skills toe to a conclusion: they had moved. *Why did no one tell me of this? Did they forget that they had a son in the Cloud Deer Academy?* Xu Qian wanted to shout out in anger. *Bugger* Immediately after, his face turned, as he quickly buffed himself, before vaulting over the wall, getting on his horse, wanting to get out of the city before the gates closed. Just then, the faint sound of drums came over, drums indicating the closing of the city gates. The new house. Uncle Xu was on night patrol that day, and had to leave just after dinner. Auntie looked at her husband, and asked: Normally, Eng would be back now, wouldnt he? He didnt bring much moneyst time. As a mother, she naturally cared most about her son, and always had in mind when he would return home. Its roughly around now. Uncle Xu said without much care. Dng did he write to him? Auntie asked. Dunno. What does dunno mean? Aunties brows turned near vertical. I didnt ask him. Uncle Xu replied, before finishing his meal, attaching his scabbard, and putting on his helmet: Im going out now, look after Lingyin, make sure she doesnt go to the well. Also, dont be worried that this ce is haunted, the house isnt haunted. Uncle Xu left the house. That night, he was leading a patrol around the outer city, and when he passed his old home, he saw a figure squatting by its door, hugging his knees, face buried in his arms, shivering with cold. Beside him was a horse, listlessly snorting and stamping its hooves. There was no curfew in the outer city, themon people coulde and go without restriction, but the city guard had the power to interrogate on the spot. Seeing that someone was outside his own home, Uncle Xu naturally went up to check. He was just about to shout at him, when the torchlight fell upon the figures schr gown, and he suddenly seemed very familiar. Uncle Xu did a double take, thinking *this cant be* Eng? He said waveringly. That figure in schr robes raised his head, his face beautiful without w, his expression haggard. It was indeed Xu Eng. Father and son looked silently at each other for a while, as Uncle Xu felt his scalp tingle: Why didnt you sleep in an inn? *That god-damned Xu Ningyan, he didnt write a letter to his brother.* I have no money. Why not rest in the manor? The horse will be stolen. Why not return to the academy? The gates shut. the familys moved to the inner city, we forgot to tell you. Mn, theres a curfew in the inner city, father will take you to a tavern. Xu Xinnian slowly turned his face away, his voice empty: Respected Sir, I have no family. Uncle Xu: In the night, the moon shone brightly. There were only so many rooms on the boat, and Xu Qian as a Bronze Gong didnt have his own quarters to himself. He shared a room with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao. Their beds were ced next to each other, all in a row. He turned to look left, and saw Song Tingfengs face facing him. Turning to look right, he saw Zhu Guangxiao facing him. Xu Qian suddenly thought of a joke: If you were sleeping between a man and a woman, would you face your arse towards the man or the woman? *Arse-towards-girl would be called gay, but arse-towards-guy would leave your rear fortifications undefended, if I were in this situation, Id face up* Xu Qian was in the middle of idlempooning, when a knock sounded on the door. From outside came Inspector General Zhangs attendants voice: Sir Xu, our Master has invitations. Chapter 181: Group Chats Chapter 181: Group Chats # 181. Group Chats Understood. After answering the attendant, Xu Qian sat up, threw off his duvet, and started putting on his clothes. Sensing movement from beside him, Song Tingfeng opened his eyes, and muttered: Where are you going. Xu Qian muttered back: Im going out for a moment, Ill be back soon. Song Tingfeng grunted. After their conversation, the two of them simultaneously froze, and then simultaneously shivered. Piss off, shoo, Song Tingfeng rubbed the goosebumps on his arms, cursing: ruining my damn sleep. When Xu Qian had left, Zhu Guangxiao silently turned to face the other way. The moonlight was like water, and the stars twinkled in the vast emptiness. The river was quiet, its ripples scattering the moonlight, reflecting patches of light like thousands of silver scales. There was a light on in Inspector General Zhangs room. Xu Qian knocked on his door, and after receiving permission to enter, opened the inspector generals door. In the rather small room, Inspector General Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong were sat across from each other, drinking tea. Thetter pointed to an empty seat beside them: Sit, pour yourself some tea. Inspector General Zhang, with his long goatee beard and naturally stern expression, nodded at Xu Qian. To this mysterious Bronze Gong that had appeared in court twice, and had twice defeated high ministers, the inspector general treated him with great importance and a friendly attitude. *Drinking tea in the middle of the night, do you think that the quality of your sleep is too good?* Xu Qian sat down, tone somewhat casual: Sirs, what can your subordinate do for you? The Censorate and Nightwatchers were different government departments, but they had the same superior: being Wei Yuan. Thus Inspector General Zhang was on his side, and Xu Qian didnt need to bother with too many formalities. The inspector generalughed, Master Xus deduction skills are extraordinary, and abilities outstanding. The reason why this official called you here is to discuss the mission we have in Yunzhou. Xu Qian considered his words, before asking: What does Sir think? The inspector general replied: I have already seen the dossier. There were no ws in Zhou Mins death; there were no wounds, no sign of poison, in all regards a normal death like any other. But to die without cause nor reason, without any sign of harm, this in itself is suspicious. Zhou Min was that spy who had died for no reason. Jiang Lyuzhong added: In all the different systems, the only ones who could carry this out are the Daoists and Warlocks. From the case of the Minister of Industry, we can see that the Qi Clique conspired with the warlocks, and so the killer is most likely to be a fourth rank warlock of dreams. Xu Qian nodded. Firstly, he confirmed the inspector generals intelligence; he wasnt an empty headed official, but had a clear and realistic view of the situation, and what he would be facing. This, this was good. The worst thing to happen would be to have to work with a useless superior. He wasnt afraid of an opponent like a god, but was afraid of a friend like a pig. To tell the truth, from how sickly Inspector General Zhang was before, Xu Qian had had such worries. Secondly, he confirmed Jiang Lyuzhongs deductions. Any murderer will leave signs of their act not necessarily that they would leave any leads, but rather a very objective impression that that person was killed. Even if one were to use deep arts to destroy ones soul, the victim would disy a nk, dull, and frightened look on his face. But the only ones who could make a person seem to die in his sleep would be the Church of the Warlock God, this part was easy to see. So how does Sir think we should investigate when we get to Yunzhou? Xu Qian asked humbly. In matters of investigation he may be skilled, but he was a stranger to the interactions and processes on official levels. Zhou Min is a very experienced mole, he would not leave any important evidence at his side. What we need to do is discover the evidence that he had hidden. As for this master Xu, we must rely on your experience to solve this matter. The inspector general said with a serious tone, disying a great deal of trust for Xu Qians abilities. I will try my best. Xu Qian suddenly thought of a problem, and frowned: Yang Chuannan is themissioner-in-chief of Yunzhou, and he controls a lot of military force. Would this force him into rebellion? And then, being in the way of his charge, we would be very much worse off. Military officials and the officials in the capital were two different matters. The Capitals six city guards and three royal guard divisions were all under the control of the crown, the civil servants had no power over them. However, as a provinces militarymissioner-in-chief, with power at hand, who would allow themselves to be walked over? This is a risk we must face. Jiang Lyuzhong and I will be responsible for mediating and enacting. When the timees, you only need to listen to ourmand. Inspector General Zhang answered. When we reach Yunzhou, I may be able to get some helping hands. Xu Qian said. Helping hands? The inspector general asked. Ill talk about that more when the timees. Xu Qian didnt want to guarantee anything. The inspector general nodded, not paying the matter much mind. Sir Zhang, what do you know about Yunzhou? Xu Qian asked thoughtfully, about the banditry issues, especially. Inspector General Zhang thought about it for a while, before slowly saying: There is a reason why Yunzhou is called the Bandit Province. This was recorded in the history books. But to talk about that wed need to start from five hundred years ago, back to the time of the royal purge Xu Qian originally was unaware of the Wuzong emperors usurping of the throne, but during the Sangpo case, he learned more and more about it. When the Wuzong Emperor lead his army against the capital, andter quickly taking all the other provinces, he met a hard stumbling block in Yunzhou, which resisted him fiercely. The thenmisioner-in-chief of Yunzhou was a famed general, with great military might, and an even greater skill in defence. Even with Emperor Wuzongs strategic strength, he was unable to upy Yunzhou. The two sides shed in a war of attrition thatsted several years, to the point where the people couldnt get by, and themon folk in dire straits eventually took to the mountains, and became ouws. Yunzhou has many mountains, easy to hold and hard to take. Itsnd is also fertile, and so it became the breeding ground for bandits and ouws of all kinds. When Emperor Wuzong finally took over Yunzhou, he discovered that Yunzhou was filled with banidts. Several years of protracted war had hurt the Great Fengs spirit greatly, and we were unable to root the bandits out. Emperor Wuzong could only return back to the capital, nning to recover before acting. Later on, the court organised several expeditions to root out the bandits, but every time came back with heavy losses. And even though many bandits fell, many more sprang up in their ce with theing spring, eventually bing the yground for wanted criminals and outcasts of the Jianghu. The inspector general sighed: A grave disease is hard to cure. *So this is a historical problem if the founding emperor couldnt solve this situation, then it would be practically impossible for his sessors to. Firstly their ability would be an issue, but secondly it is hard to pull oneself away from the pleasures of life.* Xu Qian nodded slightly, indicating that he understood. The three of them talked a little more, before parting. Returning back to his room, as expected he startled awake Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao. Refining Qi martial artists senses were extremely sharp, and any rustle of wind through grass was enough to alert them. The two of them didnt pay much mind, and quickly went back to sleep again. Xu Qian didnt sleep, rather lighting themp, sitting by the table, and taking out his small jade mirror. THREE: TWO, Ive just received a message that the court has sent an inspector general to Yunzhou. It was indeed somewhat impolite to send messages in the middle of the night; all the members of the Earth Book Group Chat were startled awake, and all with different emotions picked up their earth books to look. FIVE: THREE youre such an arse, dont disturb my sleep in the middle of the night. The young woman from the Southern Marches voiced her protest. The others didnt say anything, silently lurking. TWO: This to do with the Qi clique? THREE: Good, the mole the Nightwatchers ced by themissioner-in-chief discovered that themissioner Yang Chuannan has been secretly helping the bandits, smuggling them military supplies, and helping the enemy. Oh right, this Yang Chuannan is the Qi clique representative in Yunzhou. TWO: This is impossible. I dont know if Yang Chuannan is a Qi clique member or not, but I do know for certain that he is not helping the enemy, and smuggling military supplies to the bandits. *Twos reaction is somewhat extreme they know about Yang Chuannan, and is on good terms?* Xu Qian felt lucky that he didnt promise anything in front of Inspector General Zhang, otherwise he would be in hot water. At the same time, he secretly raised his guard. When he reached Yunzhou, he would have to pay attention to his identity, and not reveal anything. First, he needed to figure out who Two was, then observe their rtionship with Yang Chuannan, confirming if Two was a sheep or a wolf. FOUR: Theres nothing to say that. The minister of industry has fallen, so he should have given over something right. TWO, think about it, the Qi clique conspired with the Church of the Warlock God, secretly supporting the bandits, but the Warlocks are thousands of li away in the capital, if they wanted to do anything they needed someone as messenger. If we can prove that Yang Chuannan is a Qi clique member, then he is certainly not innocent. TWO: Im a very good judge of character, Yang Chuannan is not that type of person. *TWOs being subjective here? Probably a woman, women are more emotional and opinionated.* Xu Qianmpooned, but didnt say that out loud. After all, if Two is like a female boxing master, then she would be shaking to her core with anger. FIVE: THREE, why do you always have so much information? Are you an information broker? Five could not resists shooting off her mouth. She was somewhat discouraged; she had tried so hard and finally sold the information about the Gu god, and gotten a favour owed from everyone. Yet this person just casually lobs out important information after important information, as if it was nothing. As to Fives not very valuablements, everyone tacitly ignored her message. Xu Qian wrote somewhat mockingly: THREE: Eh, ONE should already know this message, did ONE not tell you all? Aiya, ONE youve lost it there. *Number One is a schemer; the ones who dont talk are always the most treacherous and dark* ONE: Fuck off. Xu Qian had originally thought that One would ignore him, but who knew that their reaction was so intense, opening with a mouth full of fragrance. *Have I offended ONE? Im merely bantering around, is that really called for?* Xu Qian nkly stared at the mirror, somewhat miffed, and so elected to ignore One: THREE: TWO, if you dont believe me, when the inspector general gets there, you can co-operate with his party to investigate. If Yang Chuannan is innocent, then this would do him a favour too. TWO: Ok. *And now TWO is on the wagon with us!* Xu Qian nodded in satisfaction. TWO: Right, how is Emperor Yuanjing doing? THREE: Doing fairly well Id think, why ask this? TWO: Pah. The venerable has no eyes, allowing this damn emperor to live so long. *The venerable has no eyes? This is an old grudge, Im more and more curious of their identity. If I find out you have an official title* Xu Qian snickered quietly. After sessfully asking after Number Two, Xu Qian remembered the other reason why he started messaging. THREE: Oh right, I dont think Ive told you what was actually sealed under Sangpo Lake. *What was actually sealed under Sangpoke!?* Immediately, other members aside, even Number Five in her stupor suddenly became alert. Chapter 182: Number Ones Identity? Chapter 182: Number One''s Identity? # 182. Number One''s Identity? After the Sangpo case concluded, no one, not number Six, who was directly involved, or Three, One, and Nine all in the capital ever said anything about the sealed item under Sangpoke. To say that they weren¡¯t curious would bepletely wrong, but after paying a visit to the Nightwatchers Constabry, and having gained a deeper understanding of the case, Six refused to say anything more. Everyone thought that the Buddhist-raised Six made a promise with the Nightwatchers. In reality, Six just didn¡¯t want to relive the trauma. As for Jinlian Daozhang, he was always a spectator, rarely starting conversation, only making quips here or there. One liked to lurk, and they were a schemer, the others did not hold any hope for them. Silence from them made sense. But today, finally, Number Three was willing to talk openly about this matter. *¡­The Sangpo case was dealt with by the Nightwatchers, and even in the Nightwatchers it must be a top ssified secret. Perhaps the reason why Three only wanted to talk now is that he only recently received information on the case.* Four instinctively started analysing him.*¡­Three is someone who likes to share information, he¡¯s a schr with a magnanimous heart. The reason why he suspects Yang Chuannan is purely drawn from his analysis of the information, and not because of any personal likes or dislikes.* The little bit of annoyance in Two¡¯s heart disappeared. ¡¾FIVE: What do you want in exchange for this information.¡¿ Number five instinctively asked. *¡­ you idiot!* Four and Two thought simultaneously. ¡¾THREE: None needed. As a member of the Heaven and Earth Society, it would be unbefitting of me to haggle gains and losses all the time, this piece of information is free for everyone.¡¿ *Especially considering that I brought this matter up, and I want to ask about Shenshu¡¯s identity, if I make another round of profit off that, it feels kinda scummy¡­ mn, next time I have any precious information, I¡¯ll have to take payment.* Xu Qi¡¯an added on mentally. *Wow, Three¡¯s really generous, makes me feel bad about thinking of selling information all day¡­* Five thought shamefully. Soon after though, a doubt cropped up in her mind: *Wait, isn¡¯t this the model that Three started off?* Xu Qi¡¯an raised his head, ncing towards his sleeping colleagues, making sure they were ok, before continuing to message: ¡¾THREE: It¡¯s a severed hand, a severed hand of a legendary expert.¡¿ *A severed hand!?* This piece of information had a huge impact on the members of the Heaven and Earth Society. They had talked about the sealed item under Sangpo Lake in the past, and had deduced that the sealed item was a figure from five hundred years ago. And from these associations, they had hypothesised that the mysterious expert who was sealed up had to be at least second rank. *A severed hand? How could a hand be sealed for five hundred years¡­* Number Five¡¯s heart screamed out that it was impossible, and she was about to send a message in rebuttal, before suddenly remembering the revtion she had from the exploration into the abyss to see the Gu God, and thought of something: ¡¾FIVE: If it¡¯s really a severed hand, then, it¡¯s owner must be incredibly powerful. All those who have been sealed are entitles which are impossible to kill.¡¿ The Nanjiang barbarian girl¡¯s words were like a ray of enlightenment striking everyone square in the head. Indeed, anything that has been sealed must be unable to be killed. Otherwise, why go to all the bother? ¡¾THREE: Maybe. Even the Nightwatchers Constabry don¡¯t know the real identity of the severed hand; it was taken by the Yao people. I only know this much.¡¿ *But what did you mean by ¡°true¡± identity then¡­* The others in the Heaven and Earth Society criticised silently. ¡¾TWO: We can list out all the legendary figures we know, and eliminate them one by one, perhaps we can deduce which one of those does this arm belong to.¡¿ Just then, Jinlian Daozhang appeared. After lurking for so long, conversation about the sealed item finally piqued his interest: ¡¾NINE: We can immediately exclude the Daoists.¡¿ Without waiting for anyone else to ask, he exined: ¡¾None of the three Daoist sects cultivate the body. If hypothetically it was some senior in the Daoist sects that was sealed, their spirits can remain for years and years, but their body must wither away. However, that severed hand¡¯s blood and qi are surging like a torrent, its demonic mes rising to heaven ¡ª this is not Daoist cultivation.¡¿ Xu Qi¡¯an butted in: ¡¾THREE: The arcanists can also be excluded.¡¿ *Eh, Three is a Confucian disciple, so why has he first excluded the arcanists, and not the Confucians?* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s response confused Two and Four. ¡¾FIVE: Shamans can also be excluded right? There¡¯s not been a first rank in our Shaman ns for hundreds of years.¡¿ Only then, Xu Qi¡¯an added: ¡¾THREE: Simrly the Confucianists can be excluded, I am absolutely confident about this.¡¿ *Indeed, absolutely confident, since the owner of the hand is a monk, is a Buddhist.* ¡¾FOUR: Alright. Then this only leaves Martial artists, Yao, Warlocks, and Buddhists. The warlocks also do not focus on cultivating the body. Furthermore, I remember Three saying that the magical seal under Sangpo Lake had buddhist runes on it. ¡¾From this we can deduce that the Buddhists participated in the sealing. I tend towards saying it is one of the Martial artists, the Buddhists, or the Yao race.¡¿ *A well justified analysis, Four is certainly one of the more intelligent ones in the Earth Book Group Chat¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an did not continue leading them, rather looking quietly from the side. ¡¾FOUR: I¡¯ve read a lot of history records, and of the famous figures five hundred years ago that also were allied with the Great Feng, there is only a first-generation Jianzheng.¡¿ The vast majority of resources from that long ago have been hidden away, or destroyed, making it difficult to verify anything. However, there was something to be sure of: Five hundred years ago, even if the Great Feng did notck talent, it was surely at the bottom of a steep decline, otherwise how could the Wuzong Emperor usurp the throne. Given that case, the crown back then was unlikely to have two first ranks. Thus martial artists were excluded for now¡­ One, who always liked lurking, broke their silence: ¡¾Five hundred years is a time that cannot be overlooked. Apart from the coup of the Wuzong Emperor, everyone should not forget another event that happened.¡¿ Four immediately responded: ¡¾The sixty-year extermination?¡¿ ¡¾ONE: The Buddhists contributed to the magical seal under Sangpo Lake, the remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom were behind the Sangpo case, if we link them together ever so slightly, one can deduce that the owner of the severed hand is very likely to be the Empress of the Yao ¡ª the nine-tailed fox.¡¿ *This¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an was speechless. After all, One¡¯s analysis was backed by iron-d evidence, and made a very convincing case. If he did not know the real owner of the hand, he would likely think that it was indeed the right answer. *¡­you¡¯vepletely gone astray, it¡¯s not the nine-tailed fox, it¡¯s a damn monk!* *Wait!* Xu Qi¡¯an sharply caught a detail: *How did Number One know that the Wanyao Kingdom remnants were behind the case?* From beginning to end, he had never said anything about the Wanyao kingdom remnants in the Earth Book Group Chat. Quite the opposite, Xu Qi¡¯an had always thought that it was the Zhenbei King conspiring with the northern Yao. After he had discovered the truth, he hadn¡¯t discussed it at all in the Heaven and Earth Society. After all, he needed to consider his character, a student of the Cloud Deer Academy had no reason to know such fine details. And since the Sangpo case became a ¡°criminal-less miscarriage of justice¡±, the case details were never announced, the dossier was stored in the Nightwatchers Constabry, and Wei Yuan had only reported it to Emperor Yuanjing. *There are four possibilities from which One could have gotten this data. One: they heard it from Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s mouth. I¡¯m not sure who the old Emperor would talk to, but undoubtedly it would only be those closest to him.* *Two: they heard it from me. I¡¯ve only told this to three people, being Wei Yuan, Jinlian Daozhang, and Princess Huaiqing.* *Three: they heard it from these three people. One is someone high up in court, as well as Heaven and Earth Society member, so all three are a possibility.* *Four: they learnt it from the dossier in the constabry.* Xu Qi¡¯an thought about this, simultaneously trying to lead the conversation on. He couldn¡¯t let them continue walking off the wrong path, otherwise all his hard work and hinting would bepletely for nought. ¡¾THREE: Why can¡¯t it be a Buddhist?¡¿ *A buddhist?* Seeing this, everyone instinctively frowned, thinking hard. ¡¾FIVE: Why would it be a buddhist?¡¿ Five helped ask everyone else¡¯s question. ¡¾THREE: Ha, I¡¯m just guessing. I don¡¯t know much about the Buddhists. Even though there¡¯s a Qinglong Temple in the capital, it has no high rank Buddhists. That said, the Buddhists should have some arts which cultivate the body. ¡¾Furthermore, I don¡¯t understand; if it really is the nine-tailed fox, why is she sealed under the Great Feng¡¯s Royal Sangpo Lake?¡¿ Thetter question was a secret hidden in history, none could reply, but the former could be answered by someone. ¡¾SIX: The Buddhists have the warrior monk path, which aren¡¯t weaker than martial artists. Or we could say that they are the Buddhists¡¯ unique martial artists.¡¿ Number Six, who had been silent for a long time since the death of his sect brother Henghui, finally surfaced again. *The Buddists do have two systems¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an already understood that somewhat. ¡¾FIVE: Warrior monks are the Buddhists¡¯ unique martial artists?¡¿ ¡¾SIX: Indeed. There are two systems under the Buddhist house. One of them starts at rank eight, Warrior Monk. Warrior Monks do not need to read texts and study, they don¡¯t even need to keep their monastic vows, and only need to cultivate strength, and not a Buddhist heart. However, as to whates after an eighth rank warrior monk, I do not know.¡¿ *A Buddhist disciple that doesn¡¯t need to keep vows, doesn¡¯t need to read texts?* The other members¡¯ heads were filled with fog. *Don¡¯t need to keep their vows? Does that mean they can sleep with people? That¡¯s a new piece of trivia¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an knew about the existence of the Warrior Monk path, but this was the first time he had heard that they did not even need to keep vows. *Next time I can try to invite Hengyuan to the Jiaofangsi, and get him a chick¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an continued to prod along the conversation: ¡¾If the person that had his hand sealed was a Buddhist, then, we only need to look at the Buddhist histories five hundred years ago to find his true identity, right. I¡¯m personally rather interested in this, so if anyone has relevant information, you can sell it to me.¡¿ Everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society expressed that they would keep an eye out for him. *Whew¡­ Master Shenshu, I¡¯ve tried my best.* Xu Qi¡¯an let out a long breath. For the mystery that is Shenshu¡¯s identity, Xu Qi¡¯an was currentlyying out the foundations, and not in a hurry to investigate further. At a conservative estimate, Shenshu¡¯s rank should be first rank, but as to how strong a first rank master really is, Xu Qi¡¯an had absolutely no reference point. Perhaps even the well-read, experienced Jinlian Daozhang would have no idea, as after all the Earth Sect¡¯s leader is only second rank. That said, even though his body was split up, even though he had been sealed for five hundred years, his vitality and spirit were still not extinguished. This miraculous ability to Xu Qi¡¯an was already in the realm of gods and demons. He might as well be a natural disaster in human form. Thus the eighth rank Refining Qi Xu Qi¡¯an, was certainly not in a hurry to investigate further. *On that note, the members of the Heaven and Earth Societye from all four corners of the world ¡ª except for the western realms. Is this just a coincidence, or does Jinlian Daozhang have some other reason for it?* After a while, seeing that no one else was talking, number four messaged: ¡¾Talking about the Buddhists reminded me of some interesting matters. THREE, this concerns your Confucianists. ¡¿ Chapter 183: Blood Glow Chapter 183: Blood Glow # 183. Blood Glow *What do I have to do with the Confucianists, I¡¯m only a Nightwatcher putting on a confucian skin¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought mockingly, before straightening his expression, and staring intently at the jade mirror. Not long after, words appeared on the surface, as Four¡¯s message came over: ¡¾Once upon a time I travelled the western realms. The people there generally were illiterate, backwards and uneducated; they hardly knew what ¡°ritual¡± meant. However, the locals were still enthusiastic hosts. They enthusiastically weed me, as a travelling swordsman, but when I told them that I was a ¡°schr¡±, their attitudes turnedpletely upside-down. ¡¾They hurled abuse, threats, and tried to expel me, leaving me with no choice but to leave. Afterwards, never again did I reveal my schr identity.¡¿ *¡­is this the so-called resentment underachievers had towards the top of the ss?* Xu Qi¡¯an did notment, waiting for the following message. ¡¾FOUR: I thought that the western realms just hated schrs, butter I realised that they didn¡¯t hate schrs, but rather the confucianists ¡ª proper orthodox confucianists. This reminded me of a passage I read in a history book once. About five hundred years ago, the Buddhist faith was flourishing in the Great Feng, and they spread their faith everywhere. ¡¾But good things didn¡¯tst forever, and not a hundred yearster, the court started to eradicate the Buddhists. The person who started this policy was the prime minister of the time, who had another title ¡ª the dean of the Cloud Deer Academy.¡¿ *The schrs of old almost all came from the Cloud Deer Academy, the split in confucian orthodoxy only came around two centuries ago¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an wrote: ¡¾That¡¯s it?¡¿ The Great Feng was thend of the confucianists, if the Buddhist house wanted to spread their teachings into the central ins, it would be only expected that the confucianists would try to stop them. In the same vein, the western realms¡¯ prejudice against schrs also made sense.There was no gossip here. ¡¾FOUR: Heh, THREE, you¡¯re getting idle.¡¿ Xu Qi¡¯an: ¡°???¡± *Shall I bite my nails, and make a ¡°head trembling¡± scene?*[^1] ¡¾FOUR: Or rather that you¡¯re too busy revising for the spring exams, and haven¡¯t had time to read history? What I¡¯m saying is, when enacting the Buddhist eradication policy, that prime minister had said: *If buddha does not die, then all will be buddha; my mandate is thus, to break the Buddha¡¯s path.* ¡¾From then until now, I have yet to understand its true meaning.¡¿ *If buddha does not die, then all will be buddha; my mandate is thus, to break the buddha¡¯s path¡­ what?* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s head was filled with fog. ¡¾FIVE: Perhaps it was to rouse the spirits of the people?¡¿ *Well yed, Five!* Xu Qi¡¯anughed. ¡¾ONE: No, the third rank Confucian is called ¡°Mandate Seeker¡±. ¡°My mandate is thus¡­¡± are certainly no jesting words. FOUR¡¯s message has reminded me of several details of that event ¡ª that prime minister was called Du Zhongshu, and after he eradicated buddhism, he became a third rank Mandate Seeker. To put it another way, his ¡°Mandate¡± was to eradicate buddhism from Feng.¡¿ *Reaching third rank ¡°Mandate Seeker¡± after eradicating buddhism?* Xu Qi¡¯an recalled something that Schr Zhang Shen had mentioned once to him off-handedly: the Confucian mandate seeker was a process of ¡°finding one¡¯s destiny in life¡±, hence the ¡°mandate¡±. *A mandate must be a monumental goal, that one must attain with righteousness and vigour¡­ to reach mandate seeker after eradicating buddhism, this is getting interesting¡­ this suggests that eradicating the religion was a righteous, proactive thing to do?* Xu Qi¡¯an pondered as he messaged: ¡¾A Mandate Seeker is simr to a Buddhist¡¯s ¡°great ambition¡±. To enter Mandate Seeker by eradicating buddhism, means that eradicating buddhism was the right thing to do.¡¿ With the backing of a confucian schr like Three, every realised the strangeness in this statement. *If buddha does not die, then all will be buddha¡­* perhaps this wasn¡¯t just said in jest. Perhaps there was something deeper hidden behind the veil, and not something so simple as ¡°territorial conflict.¡± For a long time, no one talked, as if they were all pondering what could be behind this action. After many minutes, number Two said: ¡¾TWO: THREE, how many high ranked martials are in this inspectorate envoy?¡¿ ¡¾THREE: On the surface, there is only one Gold Gong. As for ndestine operations, I do not know.¡¿ *Oh of course, ¡°only¡± one Gold Gong¡­* Twompooned. Anyone who remotely knew about the Nightwatchers knew that Gold Gongs were fourth rank martial artists. On the battlefield, a fourth rank martial was worth a thousand battle-hardened warriors. Under the category of ¡°mortal men¡±, the fourth ranks with their ¡°Intent¡± were the top of the top. Above them were third ranks, those that could resurrect from a single broken limb ¡ª but they were no longer considered ¡°mortal¡±. *If my entire brigade, me included, went up against a Gold Gong, then mutual destruction would be our best oue.* Number Two sighed. There was another long moment of silence, and only when he was sure that all the other members had gone offline, Xu Qi¡¯an stowed away his little mirror, and left his room. Standing at the side of the deck, his gaze towards the vast river, he emptied the waterfall that had been building in his dder. ¡°Have you not seen ¡ª that the waters of the Yellow Rivere from upon heaven, surging into the ocean, three thousand li it flies down towards earth¡­[^2] high it shakes nine heavens, low it fills nine seas¡­ Guanyin sits on her lotus flower, the Queen Mother sinks down low¡­e today forty eight thousand years, yet no peoplee through the passes of Qin, the son of Xu has a way for birds, that crosses the summit of E¡¯Mei mount¡­ and return![^3]¡± Fastening his belt, he returned to his room. ¡­ The next day, as the sky slowly lightened, Xu Qi¡¯an awoke. Looking left and right, he saw his two colleagues already awake, deep in meditation, refining qi. *Everyone¡¯s so hard-working, so full of vigour every day¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an sat up, and stretchedzily. Refining Vitality, Qi, and Spirit were three parts of a whole. When qi overflowed from the top, middle, and lower *dantian*, then one¡¯s spirit would suddenly surge in strength. This is when one would begin to practice visualisation, and prepare to cross into Refining Spirit. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s qi had long since filled his *dantian*, and was close to overflowing. Added to his daily visualisation meditation, his spirit grew with every passing hour. What hecked was just the right opportunity which he could use to break through. How could this opportunitye, Xu Qi¡¯an did not know; Wei Yuan hadn¡¯t told him, as Daddy Wei had not realised that Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s cultivation was progressing at such a frightening pace. He was still under the impression that his favourite little Bronze Gong was still building his qi. Sensing that Xu Qi¡¯an was awake, Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng stopped their meditation, and the former said: ¡°After this trip to Yunzhou, the constabry will give us a bonus, I¡¯ll finally have enough dowry money to marry.¡± Zhu Guangxiao had a childhood sweetheart who lived neighbouring him. The two of them had deep, sincere feelings for each other. Like a pimp and a young sprout ¡ª hand in hand. But his sweetheart¡¯s father asked for a hundred tael dowry from him, otherwise he wouldn¡¯t even consider it. Zhu Guangxiao¡¯s monthly sry was only five taels of silver, adding onto that some under-the-table deals, he could really only hope to make around eighty taels in a year. However, he also had to attend social gatherings, maintain his standard of living, and the odd brothel trip¡­ hence he could really only save around thirty taels of silver. It was already pretty impressive; brothel time was already a hard requirement ¡ª even ordinary people demanded brothel services, let alone a vitality-filled masculine-qi martial artists. *Hell¡­ don¡¯t be nting gs. Someone like you, I¡¯ve seen hundreds if not thousands of on telly in my previous life¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an rolled his eyes. ¡°Congrattions! Wishing Guangxiao an early marriage.¡± Song Tingfeng said, before ncing at Xu Qi¡¯an, just happening to spot a purple perfume pouch at his waist, with white lotus flowers embroidered on it: ¡°Ningyan, did Fuxiang give you this?¡± ¡°Nope!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an let him take it off. ¡°Rascal, do you also have a soon to be wed lover?¡± Song Tingfeng¡¯s thin eyes widened, as he said sourly. ¡°Nope.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an took back the pouch, andid back down. Putting the pouch under his nose, he hummed a light tune: ¡°She¡¯s just my sister, my sister said that purple had great charm.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you marry?¡± Zhu Guangxiao expressed his confusion. From his point of view, not only did Xu Qi¡¯an enjoy great appreciation from Duke Wei, but also received two thousand taels of gold from His Majesty, his future (and his money¡¯s future) were full of flowers and rainbows. And he was at that age anyway. ¡°He¡¯s like me, a lone wanderer.¡± Song Tingfengmented. ¡°Shoo, we¡¯re not the same.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an lounged on the bed, his head resting on his hands, sighing: ¡°Let me get used to this a bit more.¡± All in all, he had onlye to the Great Feng for three months, his heart hadn¡¯t yet settled here, and gotten used to life. Hence he lounged around the Jiaofangsi, lingering on Fuxiang¡¯s warmforting chest, and had not a single thought of marrying and settling down. Zhu Guangxiao nodded lightly, suggesting: ¡°This depends on what you want in a wife.¡± ¡°What I want¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an thought for a whole: ¡°Long wavy hair.¡± ¡°You certainly have a strange request.¡± Song Tingfeng frowned. Xu Qi¡¯an nced over: ¡°That was three requests.¡± After washing and brushing, Xu Qi¡¯an had breakfast, and then went to see Jiang Lyuzhong. ¡°What is it?¡± Jiang Lyuzhong sat by the table, looking at a map of Yunzhou. His eyes, like those of eagles, made one feel great pressure when looked at. ¡°I would like to ask Gold Gong Jiang about cultivation.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an picked up a small cake, and stuffed it in his mouth: ¡°How do I get to refining spirit?¡± Xu Qi''an had previously thought that advancing in cultivation was a gradual and natural process. When one umted enough, they could naturally advance to Refining Spirit. But from Chu Caiwei''s requirements for advancing to Master of Alchemy, he was inspired to examine the Martial Artist System, discovering that advancing from the Refining Vitality to the Refining Qi also had a requirement: one must not lose their virginity! Jiang Lyuzhongughed and said, "It''s very simple. When your mental strength reaches a certain level, your forehead will ache, and that''s when you''re ready to advance to Refining Spirit. As for the method, well, you cannot sleep for ten days." "What? Not sleep for ten days? Is that serious? Won''t you die from that?" Seeing Xu Qi''an''s bewildered expression, Jiang Lyuzhong exined, "You heard correctly. Not sleeping for ten days. If you make it through, you''ll advance to Refining Spirit. If you don''t, at best you''ll fall unconscious, at worst you''ll die from mental exhaustion. On the road of the martial artist, every level is a life-and-death test." "Why must one not sleep for ten days?" Xu Qi''an asked, puzzled. "When you''re in the Refining Vitality stage, you often push your physical limits. Each time you break through these limits, your physical strength increases. But do you know the limits of your primordial spirit?" Xu Qi''an shook his head. "The best way to break through the limits of your primordial spirit is to stay awake. Ten days is just a rough standard; everyone''s limit is different. When you try to advance to Refining Spirit in the future, you''ll have firsthand experience." "Won''t the body be unable to take it?" "That''s why the Refining Vitality and Refining Qi are foundational for Refining Spirit, including daily visualisations to strengthen your spirit. This increases your chances of advancing to Refining Spirit." Jiang Lyuzhong chuckled and added, "You''re still early in your journey. The most important thing on the path of martial arts is the will to endure hardships and not aim too high." "Gold Gong Jiang is right," Xu Qi''an nodded in agreement. "I have already reached the peak of Refining Qi." Jiang Lyuzhong: "???" He stared at Xu Qi''an in disbelief for a few seconds and then said unhappily, "Don''t joke around. I remember when you joined the Nightwatchers, you were still in Refining Vitality. How could someone reach the peak of the Refining Qi in less than three months... it can¡¯t be true?" Xu Qi''an shrugged. "If it weren''t true, why would I ask you this? Well, I''ll take my leave now." Xu Qi''an left Jiang Lyuzhong''s room, leaving the Gold Gong sitting alone at the table, muttering to himself, ¡°This doesn''t make sense, this doesn''t make sense.... "Does Lord Wei know about this?" ¡­ Six days passed in a sh, and Xu Qi''an''s first experience of a long voyage on a boat was summed up in one word: Fuck! On the deck, Song Tingfeng listlessly gazed at the river, watching the passing grain transport ships, and said, "We should reach Yuzhou by tomorrow. Gold Gong Jiang promised us a day of rest. I''m sick of eating fish." "Yuzhou is famous for its rich iron mines and its prosperity. The beauties at the Jiaofangsi must be very charming," a Bronze Gong chimed in. Xu Qi''an didn''t care whether the beauties at the Jiaofangsi were charming or not; he just wanted to get off the boat as soon as possible and have a good meal. In the depth of winter, vegetables and fruits were already scarce, let alone while floating on water. He had been eating fish every meal for this entire period, and now, just seeing fish made him nauseous, almost to the point of developing an eating disorder. At that moment, Xu Qi''an, who was leaning on the railing, inadvertently caught sight of a government shiping towards them. On the deck of the government ship, a few clerks in ck uniforms also noticed Xu Qi''an''s ship. Upon seeing the Bronze Gongs in Nightwatcher uniforms on the deck, the clerks visibly panicked and instinctively stepped back. They quickly steadied themselves, maintaining theirposure, but did not nce this way again. *...The instinctive panic upon seeing us is a sign of a guilty conscience. Although they tried to recover and remain calm, their averted eyes only highlight their guilt... Are they naturally afraid of the Nightwatchers?* Old detective Xu Qi''an thought suspiciously. The clerks'' reaction on the other ship was exactly the ssic guilty behaviour he had studied in psychology. To be sure, he decided to confirm it. Xu Qi''an reached into his chest pocket and lightly tapped the back of a jade mirror, taking out the "magic book" he received from the Confucian academy, tearing off a page that recorded the Qi Watching Technique. The "magic book" contained mostly Qi Watching Techniques. On the day they escorted Jinwu Guard Captain Zhou Chixiong to the capital, Xu Qi''an had thick-skinnedly asked Zhang Shen for more techniques to replenish the gradually depleted book. Chu Caiwei had been present at the time and had be a major contributor to the skills. As for why it was mostly the Qi Observing Technique, it was because the technique was simple and easy to record. "Hiss..." As the page burned, a clear light shot out from Xu Qi''an''s eyes as he looked towards the official ship ahead. He saw a sticky, bright red glow of blood. ording to the Qi Observing Technique, those who have killed will be stained with a blood glow for a period of time after the act. ----- [^1]: Reference to scene in *Re:Zero ? Starting Life in Another World* [^2]: A slight butchering of the opening line of [Li Bai¡¯s *Bring in the Wine*](https://eastasiastudent/china/ssical/li-bai-jiang-jin-jiu/) [^3]: Parody of Li Bai¡¯s *Difficulty of the Shu Road*. Also bruh. Chapter 184: Barge Inspection Chapter 184: Barge Inspection # 184. Barge Inspection *Waves upon waves of blood¡­ Everyone on that government ship is a viin...* Xu Qi¡¯an was startled. But he didn¡¯t make a rash judgment, because river pirates often caused trouble on the waterways, and these officials might have just repelled some attempting to plunder them. ¡°What kind of ship is that, and why is it different from ours?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an casually asked his colleague as he watched the approaching government ship. There were many experienced Bronze Gongs present, knowledgeable and well-versed in such matters. After some recognition, they replied, ¡°That¡¯s a barge. Judging by the g, it seems to be from Yuzhou.¡± A barge, arge t-bottomed vessel, often used for carrying goods. Xu Qi¡¯an gave an ¡°oh¡± in response, his eyes flickering slightly as he continued to ask, ¡°Are there river pirates near Yuzhou?¡± Song Tingfengughed sarcastically, cing a hand on Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s shoulder, ¡°We are less than half a day¡¯s journey from the Yuzhou checkpoint. Have you ever seen bandits robbing right at the constabry¡¯s doorstep?¡± ¡°Then there¡¯s no problem,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nodded, his tone as if confirming something.¡°What do you mean, no problem?¡± ¡°No problem in earning some merits¡± he nced at Song Tingfeng, then quickly said as the two ships were about to pass each other, ¡°Tingfeng, go back to the cabin immediately and find Gold Gong Jiang, tell him there¡¯s an urgent matter.¡± He then scanned the seven or eight Bronze Gongs on the deck, saying sternly, ¡°There¡¯s something wrong with that ship. Follow my lead.¡± After speaking, he shouted towards the barge on the side, ¡°Stop the ship!¡± His voice rolled across the river. The officials on the bargepletely ignored him, pretending not to hear. Some crew members even quietly adjusted the sail¡¯s angle, making the barge veer away from the Nightwatchers¡¯ vessel. At this, the other Bronze Gongs also sensed something was wrong. Before they could speak, they saw Xu Qi¡¯an prop himself against the railing, the deck beneath his feet cracking with a ¡°crunch¡± as he shot out like a cannonball. In an instant, he spanned dozens of meters,nding steadily on the barge¡¯s deck. ¡°Crack¡­¡± The sound of breaking deck continued as seven or eight Bronze Gongs leapt up one after another, using their exaggerated jumping ability and surging Qi to also leap onto the barge. Seeing the group of Bronze Gongs ¡°invade¡± the barge, the faces of several officials on the deck changed slightly, their hands quietly moving to the hilts of their des at their waists. ¡°Gentlemen¡­¡± A bearded man in a constabry officer¡¯s uniform, wearing a tall hat and ck boots, hurried out of the cabin. He nced around at the Bronze Gongs on the deck and cupped his fists, ¡°What can I do for you?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t speak, carefully observing their micro-expressions and subtle movements. Zhu Guangxiao said in a deep voice: ¡°Which constabry are you from?¡± ¡°We are constables from the Canal Transport Office, escorting a batch of iron ore to the capital,¡± the bearded man replied. Their uniforms were adorned with wave patterns, indicative of the Canal Transport Office. Yuzhou was rich in iron ore. Salt and iron were crucial national resources ¡ª in short they were strategic materials and major fiscal contributors. The Bronze Gongs were not surprised by this and turned to look at Xu Qi¡¯an, puzzled by his sudden interception of the ship. Xu Qi¡¯an squinted his eyes, noticing a detail: despite everything, this barge was still sailing and hadn¡¯t anchored. ¡°Guangxiao, make them stop the ship,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an ordered sternly. Zhu Guangxiao immediately went to the stern and kicked the massive, heavy anchor into the water. The barge slowly came to a stop. When his silent colleague returned, Xu Qi¡¯an questioned the constable, ¡°Why didn''t you stop the boat earlier?¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± The bearded man looked troubled and whispered, ¡°Please wait a moment, my lords.¡± He returned to the cabin and soon came back with a few folded silver notes, discreetly handing them over with a fawning smile. ¡°I understand that whenever we see the Nightwatchers, we must show our respect. I was being foolish earlier, trying to get away with it. I deserve to die for my mistake. Please forgive me, milords.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nced at the notes; they were all in denominations of fifty, totalling about three hundred taels of silver. So, he thinks we stopped the boat to take a bribe? The Nightwatchers present realised this, finding it both amusing and irritating. While the Nightwatchers weren''t entirely clean, they weren''t corrupt to the extent of exploiting every opportunity. However, their reputation was indeed tarnished, thanks to the civil officials who continuously smeared them, portraying the Nightwatchers as Wei Yuan¡¯s ws,mitting acts of cruelty, corruption, and injustice. What schrs excelled at most is using their pens to attack others. ¡°Ningyan¡­¡± Zhu Guangxiao frowned and looked at Xu Qi¡¯an. Like the others, he didn¡¯t believe Xu Qi¡¯an stopped the barge for money. This was the man who had once decapitated a Silver Gong for some unrted woman. Whether he was liked or not was one thing, but his character was trustworthy. Seeing no one epting the silver notes for a long time, the bearded man¡¯s heart sank. He didn¡¯t think he had handled things incorrectly, but it seemed the Nightwatchers weren¡¯t buying it. ¡°Take me to the cabin to have a look,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an stepped forward, staring at the bearded man. At this moment, Xu Qi¡¯an stood in front of all the Bronze Gongs. His right hand casually moved behind his back, quickly making a subtle hand gesture. The gesture was slight but noticeable to the Bronze Gongs behind him, who tensed up. This was a professional sign from the Nightwatchers, meaning: Prepare for action. ¡°Apany me for an inspection,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an demanded. ¡°Sure, please,¡± the bearded man agreed without hesitation. *...He agreed too readily, didn¡¯t he? Normally, he should protest that river transport affairs were none of the Nightwatchers¡¯ business. Hmm, or maybe he''s just scared...* Xu Qi¡¯an thought, leading his colleagues to follow the bearded man into the cabin, descending the narrow stairs to the hold. Lighting candles one by one, the bearded man led the Nightwatchers to inspect the crates filled with ores. A Bronze Gong grabbed a handful of fine iron ore, clicking his tongue in appreciation, ¡°This is all high-quality iron ore, well-sorted.¡± The bearded manughed a little, by way of a response. The Bronze Gong quietly dropped the iron ore and nudged Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s waist with the hilt of his knife, signalling with his eyes. Xu Qi¡¯an said, ¡°Continue your inspection.¡± He walked aside with the Bronze Gong and whispered, ¡°What is it?¡± The Bronze Gong lowered his voice, ¡°The ore is too finely ground, and the quality is too good.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t understand, ¡°It¡¯s headed to the capital; what¡¯s the issue?¡± The Bronze Gong nced at the others not far away, then turned back, speaking softly, ¡°A few years ago, I investigated an embezzlement case in the Ministry of Industry, which involved iron ore. The ore¡¯s weight is calcted, not its quality. ¡°Officials looking to profit for themselves would mix in gravel or inferior ore to increase the weight. As long as it wasn¡¯t excessive, there would be no problems.¡± *...So, the quality of the iron ore here is too good...* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. After the inspection, they found nothing anomalous, the group returned to the cabin. Xu Qi''an made another request, "Show me your documents." The bearded man obediently took out the documents issued by the Transport Office. After confirming there were no issues, Xu Qi''an asked, "Didn''t encounter any problems on the way?" "How could we? We''ve just left Yuzhou," the bearded man replied. *Ha, then exin the green light... no, the blood light on your head?* Xu Qi''an walked around observing the cabin. The bearded man apanied him the entire time, answering every question with an unusually good attitude. They reached the kitchen, where four cooks sat silently on small wooden stools, watching Xu Qi''an and his group. The kitchen''s baskets were filled with seasonal vegetables, looking quite fresh. Xu Qi''anughed, "Now, seeing green vegetables makes my eyes light up. We''ve been eating fish on the boat for days, it''s both fishy and unptable." He nced at the four cooks and said, "Right?" One of the cooks nced at the bearded man, exchanged a look, and understood the hint. He showed a humble smile and said, "Yes, the fish in the river inevitably has a muddy taste. Sir is most certainly used to finer fares, but we who live on the water all year round are used to it." "Oh, you don''t know how to remove the fishy taste." Xu Qi''an nodded with a smile. Hmm? The four cooks sensed something strange from Xu Qi''an''s meaningful smile. The bearded man also sensed it and tentatively said, "Sir..." Before he could finish, his jaw was struck from below by Xu Qi''an, causing his teeth to tter and shatter. Immediately, Xu Qi''an, moving at incredible speed, punched his chest twice, bang bang... the force prated through his back, tearing his uniform. The bearded man was sent flying, crashing into the wall, and copsed weakly to the ground. Xu Qi''an, who had struck suddenly, paid him no more attention. He turned around and kicked, breaking one cook''s ribs, then with abination of strength and speed, shattered the chest bones of the remaining three cooks. The entire process took no more than five seconds. Despite this, the fight in the kitchen still attracted the attention of those outside. Xu Qi''an shouted, "Arrest everyone on the ship, leave them alive." The Bronze Gongs, already alerted by hand signals, reacted swiftly and decisively, knocking down one worker after another. For the Nightwatchers, who were all at the Refining Qi stage, subduing a group of ordinary workers was no harder than Xu Qi''an defeating Xu Lingyin. At this moment, Xu Qi''an sensed a powerful auranding on the deck. To prevent the bearded man from escaping by jumping into the water, he dragged him out of the cabin and onto the deck. Jiang Lyuzhong frowned, silently watching him. Xu Qi''an nced towards his own ship and saw Inspector Zhang had also been alerted. He stood on the deck, watching intently, with a serious expression. This anchored ship was also a government vessel, belonging to the Yuzhou government. Xu Qi''an''s actions were akin to those of water bandits. Without a usible reason, this matter would be difficult to handle. "What are you doing?" Jiang Lyuzhong asked, ncing at the bearded man in Xu Qi''an''s hand. He immediately recognized the uniform of the Transport Office. "This ship has a problem, but it''s hard to say exactly what," Xu Qi''an exined. "This is an official transport ship of the Yuzhou Transport Office, escorting iron ore?" Jiang Lyuzhong asked. "Yes." Jiang Lyuzhong nodded and asked seriously, "How did you discover something was wrong?" Chapter 185: Embezzlement Chapter 185: Embezzlement # 185. Embezzlement "I used the Sitianjian¡¯s Qi-watching technique to observe them. All of them have a blood aura," Xu Qi''an said. In the context of Qi Watching, anyone with experience, especially a Gold Gong, would undoubtedly know what a blood aura signifies. "How do you know Qi-Watching?" Jiang Lyuzhong asked, before turning towards the government ship, extending his hand towards a white-robed arcanist who hade out to watch themotion. An invisible force distorted the air, pulling the iling white-cloak onto the ship. "Check their qi," Jiang Lyuzhong said gently. The white-cloak frowned, expressing his displeasure. Despite facing a high-ranking martial artist, his pride as a arcanist gave him the confidence to stand firm. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up," Xu Qi''an urged. "Oh, oh..." The white-cloaked arcanist obediently nodded, and after a moment of silence, a clear light shone in his eyes.He carefully observed the cabin, then retracted the light and said, "Indeed, their blood aura is overwhelming." Jiang Lyuzhong''s eyes sharpened instantly. To be thorough, he asked, "Any other abnormalities?" "Yes!" Xu Qi''an, confident in his actions, continued, ¡°There are a few other suspicious points: One, there are signs of a recent fight in the cabin. ¡°Two, these people aren''t seasoned boatmen because they don''t even know how to remove the muddy taste from river fish. Three, their guilty conscience is too high. From their initial panic upon meeting us to theirpletepliance with all my demands without any resentment... Hah, from my understanding of officials, they''re usually a tough bunch. Even if they wouldn''t dare offend a Nightwatcher, if they were truly innocent, they should haveined a bit. After all, the Transport Office doesn''t fall under the Nightwatchers'' jurisdiction. ¡°Their behaviour, eager to appease us with whatever we wanted, is too suspicious." *Not knowing how to remove the fishy taste¡ªeven remembering such details¡ªXu Ningyan is indeed a genius in investigation.* Jiang Lyuzhong marveled inwardly but maintained a calm exterior as he nodded, "Well considered, good job." He then asked, "This ce is only half a day''s journey from Yuzhou. They have a blood aura and have taken lives, but how did they manage to kill near Yuzhou?" "At night," Xu Qi''an replied. Jiang Lyuzhong pondered for a moment and understood. Based on the current time, this ship had set off from Yuzhou during the night. Killing under the cover of darkness wouldn''t attract attention. Momentster, the Nightwatchers gathered everyone on the ship onto the deck, all tightly bound. Zhu Guangxiao sped his fists and reported, "There are a total of sixty-two people on the ship, all ounted for." Jiang Lyuzhong nodded, looked at the bearded man disguised as a Transport Office captain, and said sternly, "Wake him up." The awakening process was rough. Zhu Guangxiao pped the bearded man awake, causing him to moan in agony. This man, disguised as a Transport Office constable, scanned his surroundings and quickly realized his predicament, his face turning ashen. He still couldn''t believe that he had been exposed. Where did it go wrong? "I ask, you answer. If you lie or hide anything, you''ll lose a finger," Jiang Lyuzhong''s emotionless voice rang out. The bearded man looked up and, upon meeting those prating eyes that seemed to see through his soul, shivered and prostrated himself on the ground. "Your real identity!" "Thismoner is called Fang He, a wanderer in the Jianghu, I formed a group called the Yellow g Gang in Yuzhou to make a living." "Does making a living include killing government officials and seizing imperial iron ore?" "No, no, sir¡­ I was just hired to do the job. The one who directed me to do this was the Director of the Transport Office in Yuzhou. He informed us that tonight, there would be a barge headed to the capital carrying iron ore. He instructed us to kill the ship''s guards and seize the iron ore." *Who the hell is that¡­ director of shit out of my arse¡­* Xu Qi''an''s mind was full of questions. Since joining the Nightwatchers and gradually getting involved in official matters, Xu Qi''an often found himself confused by the myriad of official titles. *The Director of the Transport Office orchestrated all this?* The Nightwatchers exchanged silent nces, all showing shock. Even Jiang Lyuzhong''s expression became serious. It was clear they were dealing with a major case of embezzlement. "This doesn''t make sense," Xu Qi''an shook his head, raising a question, "Why have you kill and seize the ship? If the goal was just to steal the iron ore, it would be much safer to cooperate with officials. Working with you is riskier." Jiang Lyuzhong nced at him and exined, "The Transport Offices in each province are divided into the Shore Patrol Division and the Transport Division. The Shore Patrol Division manages the canal, including the inspection and storage of grain, salt, and iron. The Transport Division handles the escort duties." So, the Transport Division officials could only act while at sea... Xu Qi''an nodded, "So, topletely cover up the crime, they made the ship and its guards disappear? That way, the Transport Division would also appear to be victims." Jiang Lyuzhong continued questioning, "After seizing the iron ore, how would you handle it?" The bearded man shook his head, "We were only responsible for delivering the iron ore to Yunzhou. The route was from Yuzhou, via Shazhou, and to Yunzhou, where someone would take over." Yunzhou?! Jiang Lyuzhong''s expression changed immediately. *Damn, Yunzhou again... Right, the Transport Office is under the Ministry of Industry, controlled by the Qi clique. The Qi clique is colluding with the Church of the Warlock God, secretly supplying military materials to Yunzhou... This all adds up. But transporting iron ore... the implications are terrifying.* "Who is your contact? From your tone, this isn''t the first time you''ve done this." "This year... we''ve done it three times. In total, we''ve transported a hundred thousand pounds of iron ore to Yunzhou." Jiang Lyuzhong asked a few more questions, then instructed, "Stay on this barge, change course to follow us to Yuzhou. Keep a close watch on these criminals." He then said to Xu Qi''an, "Bring him ande with me back to the ship." This time, Xu Qi''an didn''t rely on his own strength to return to the official ship. Instead, a burst of qi carried him, floating in the air, following Jiang Lyuzhong as they flew across several dozen meters,nding beside Inspector Zhang. "What happened? Why did you intercept an official barge?" Inspector Zhang asked repeatedly. "There was indeed an incident..." Jiang Lyuzhong made a gesture inviting him, "Please, Inspector General,e inside." Jiang Lyuzhong recounted Xu Qi''an''s findings and Fang He''s confession to Inspector Zhang. Then, in Inspector Zhang''s presence, he re-interrogated Fang He. After hearing Fang He''s testimony, Inspector Zhang''s expression grew solemn. "Besides the Director of the Transport Division, which other officials were involved?" ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Inspector Zhang looked at Xu Qi''an, "Take him away first, thene back. We have some matters to discuss with you." This statement implied that Inspector Zhang already regarded Xu Qi''an as a peer he could consult with, rather than a mere subordinate. Xu Qi''an escorted Fang He out of the room, and handed him over to Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, instructing them to keep a close watch on him. He then returned, closing the door behind him. Inspector Zhang watched him return, his expression serious. "What do you make of this?" "Your subordinate has a question," Xu Qi''an replied. When Jiang Lyuzhong and Inspector Zhang looked at him, Xu Qi''an shared his thoughts, ¡°The Minister of Industry has already fallen from power. As a member of the Qi clique, he should be lying low and retracting his ws to observe the situation. Why, then, is the Transport Office in Yuzhou continuing to send iron ore to Yunzhou at such a critical moment? ¡°Furthermore, even though bandits in Yunzhou are rampant, they are ultimately nothing more than local warlords. It''s understandable for the Ministry of Works to send military supplies, cannons, and other equipment, but secretly transporting iron ore to Yunzhou... Can the bandits even handle that? What is their intention?¡± Inspector Zhang closed his eyes, lightly tapping the table with his fingers, murmuring, "The Qi clique is colluding with the Church of the Warlock God... supplying Yunzhou with military equipment, cannons, and now iron ore... Salt, iron, and gunpowder are prohibited from being exported by the Great Feng..." He paused, then suddenly opened his eyes wide with a look of horror, spitting out one word: "Rebellion." The Qi clique was massively supplying Yunzhou with military necessities, and now with the addition of iron ore, if not for rebellion, it was hard to think of any other exnation. If it was just supporting bandits, why go to such lengths? Realizing this, Inspector Zhang stood up and paced the room, ncing asionally at Jiang Lyuzhong and Xu Qi''an. "Xu Ningyan, you''ve given me another headache... encountering this matter will undoubtedly dy our journey." Although he said this, his tone and expression showed no sign of me, instead, there was a strange mix of concern and excitement. Jiang Lyuzhong said, "Reporting this to the capital will be a significant achievement for you, sir." "And you deserve credit for this as well," Inspector Zhang said, patting Xu Qi''an''s shoulder firmly. Regardless of the oue of the Yunzhou trip, the mere fact that Xu Qi''an uncovered this case was a major achievement. Even if they aplished nothing in Yunzhou, this would more than make up for it, and even bring merit. All of this was due to Xu Qi''an''s keen "sense." After a moment, Inspector Zhang calmed down, sat back in his chair, and considered the current situation. He had three options: First, pretend this incident never happened and continue to Yunzhou, avoidingplications. Second, disguise some men as the Transport Office''s escort guards, forcing Fang He to lead the way and meet the contact in Yunzhou. Third, head to the Yuzhou Transport Office to handle this case and apprehend the mastermind. The first option was immediately ruled out. The second option would be too time-consuming, as traveling by water to Yunzhou, via Shazhou, would take at least ten days to half a month, which didn''t fit their schedule. The Yuzhou Transport Office was a much closer lead. Inspector Zhang voiced his choice and received unanimous approval from Jiang Lyuzhong and Xu Qi''an. At that moment, Inspector Zhang felt that having their support was enough. ... At noon, the government ship arrived at thergest transport dock in Yuzhou, slowly docking. As soon as the barge docked, it drew the attention of the dockworkers, who swarmed around. However, upon seeing the heavily armed Huben Guards escorting the Transport Office''s men, they retreated in fear. Leaving some Guards to watch over the ship, Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong, along with arge contingent, headed straight to the Yuzhou Transport Office. Chapter 186: Deduction Chapter 186: Deduction # 186. Deduction The Transport Office was divided into two departments: the Shore Patrol Division and the Transport Division. The highest-ranking official was the Transport Commissioner, of fourth rank, overseeing nearly a thousand personnel both inside and outside the office. "Of all the government offices, the Transport Office is the most lucrative. In the 20th year of Yuanjing, the court sold official positions, most of which were rted to transport," Inspector Zhang exined as he led the way, his tone grave. "In the 22nd year of Yuanjing, the policy of selling official positions was abolished by Duke Wei and Prime Minister Wang working together. But in just those two years, the number of useless officials who infiltrated the system was appalling. Even to this day there are still many officials in high posts who are about as useful as a rock." Xu Qi''an wasn''t too concerned about Inspector Zhang''s indignation. Rather, through the Inspector¡¯s words he caught onto some interesting points. If it required thebined effort of Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang, who were archenemies, to suppress the policy, then who was the one selling the official positions? There was no doubt about it ¡ª it was Emperor Yuanjing. There were many emperors in history who sold official positions, and Emperor Yuanjing was not an exception. These emperors all had one thing inmon: they spent money like water. And the historical evaluation of such emperors was generally not favourable, with their actions often being criticized.The Yuzhou Transport Office came into view, and seeing arge group approaching with a high-ranking official in a crimson robe and a Gold Gong carrying Nightwatcher, the runners rushed to report the matter, not even daring to question them. A few minutester, the Transport Commissioner of Yuzhou, a fourth-rank official, hurriedly came out to greet them personally. This Transport Commissioner was over fifty, with greying hair, ordinary features, and a ck mole between his eyebrows that added a distinctive touch to his otherwise in appearance. "I am Zhang Xingying, on an imperial mission to investigate a case in Yunzhou. Here is the official document from the Cab," Inspector Zhang said, producing a thin booklet and handing it over. "Ah, Inspector. My deepest apologies, pleasee inside," after reading the document, the Transport Commissioner said respectfully, before gesturing to invite the party in. The group entered the office, and the Transport Commissioner led Inspector Zhang to the main hall. After seating them and offering tea, he smiled and said, "Inspector, you''ve had a long journey. Are you nning to rest in Yuzhou for a few days?" He discreetly observed this Inspector General from the capital, and all he could see was that this was a stern and uninteresting person. Since he met the man, the Inspector had not smiled once. *Are all officials from the capital so arrogant?* *...This Transport Commissioner has no idea how serious the situation is.* Inspector Zhang waved his hand, "Whether I stay here depends on the progress of the case." "What do you mean by that?" the Transport Commissioner asked, puzzled. Inspector Zhang looked outside the hall and called out loudly, "Bring them up!" Along with the bearded man Fang He, sixty-two members of the Yellow Banner Gang were brought in, each bearing wounds of varying severity and looking very dispirited. Seeing these people, the Transport Commissioner stood up in shock and confusion, pointing at them and looking at Inspector Zhang, "What''s going on? Why are they wearing the uniforms of my Transport Office?" "This is why we are here to visit you," Inspector Zhang replied. He then detailed the entire situation to the Transport Commissioner, who turned pale and slumped back into his chair, muttering, "How could this be¡­ how could this be¡­" *Tsk tsk, hisposure is really poor. Compared to the officials I''ve dealt with in the capital, this Transport Commissioner is aplete novice...* Xu Qi''an thought, while observing the Transport Commissioner''s expressions and subtle movements. Inspector Zhang spoke sternly, "Transport Commissioner, do you know about this case?" The Transport Commissioner quickly shook his head, desperately trying to exin, "I truly have no knowledge of this, Inspector..." Ignoring him, Inspector Zhang turned to the white-robed arcanists in the crowd, who nodded slightly, indicating he was telling the truth. After a moment of contemtion, Inspector Zhang asked, "Is the Shipping Administrator in the office?" Only then did the Transport Commissioner focus on the main culprit, furious that someone under hismand had betrayed him. He said in a stern voice, "Shipping Administrator Yan Kai is off today and not in the office. I will immediately take the Inspector to apprehend him." ¡­ Outside the residence of Shipping Administrator Yan Kai, Inspector Zhang waved his hand, directing the Huben Guards to spread out and surround the mansion. Yang Muhua, the Transport Commissioner who had apanied them, also brought twenty constables. Once the Huben Guards had spread out, Jiang Lyuzhong led his men to break down the door, subduing all the servants and guards in the mansion. Thebined forces of the Huben Guards, Transport Office constables, and Nightwatchers swept through the entire Yan residence with lightning speed, leaving no chance for resistance. "Sir, he''s in the study." The Transport Office constables were the first to find Yan Kai. By the time Xu Qi''an and his colleagues arrived at the study, it was toote. He saw the floor covered in thick, freshly spilled blood. Shipping Administrator Yan Kaiy lifeless in arge chair, his head tilted to one side, a deep gash in his neck, and a dagger on the floor to his right. This oue clearly caught Transport Commissioner Yang and Inspector Zhang off guard. Shock quickly gave way to anger that filled their chests. However, their anger differed. Commissioner Yang''s was more akin to impotent rage, knowing that with Yan Kai''s death, suspicion would fall squarely on him first. Inspector Zhang''s fury was that of seeing a duck you¡¯d just boiled up and fly away. *There¡¯s too many people, it couldpromise the crime scene... and there was no guarantee the murderer wasn''t among them, potentially tampering with crucial evidence...* Xu Qi''an remained the calmest, quickly deciding: "Everyone, leave the study and wait outside." Inspector Zhang¡¯s spirits shook, as he scanned the room andmanded, "Everyone out, wait outside." Soon, only Jiang Lyuzhong, Xu Qi''an, and the two officials remained in the study. "Inspector, Yan Kai must have killed himself out of guilt. This case has nothing to do with me," Commissioner Yang piled on mountains of excuses, eager to distance himself from any suspicion. Inspector Zhang ignored him, turning to Xu Qi''an, "Xu Ningyan, take a good look." Commissioner Yang nced at Xu Qi''an but quickly dismissed him, focusing on exining and proiming his innocence to Inspector Zhang. "The blood has coagted into clumps, indicating he died not long ago, but just before we entered the mansion," Jiang Lyuzhong noted. "Roughly around the time we entered the Transport Office," Xu Qi''an nodded. He briefly examined Yan Kai''s body. The wound was so obvious that a full autopsy wasn''t necessary; he had died from a severed carotid artery. After inspecting the body, Xu Qi''an meticulously searched every corner of the study for any potential clues. The entire process took only five minutes. Xu Qi''an sighed, "Inspector, he was murdered, not a suicide." Inspector Zhang nodded, "What makes you say that?" The chatter from Commissioner Yang ceased as he turned to listen. "If the carotid artery is severed, a person would struggle and il due tock of oxygen... driven only by survival instinct; they wouldn''t remain seated like this. Of course, that''s not enough to conclusively say he was murdered," Xu Qi''an exined. "Yan Kai was left-handed, wasn''t he?" Transport Commissioner Yang was stunned. "How do you know?" "His left middle finger has a thick callus, from years of holding a brush. Normally, calluses would be on the right middle finger, so I deduced he was left-handed. "Now look at the wound on his neck¡ªit''s deeper on the left and shallower on the right. This indicates it was made by someone holding the knife in their right hand." *Amazing¡­* The Transport Commissioner looked at Xu Qi¡¯an in shock, no trace of contempt left in his eyes. It hadn¡¯t been half an incense stick¡¯s worth of time, and he had already found several clues, and deduced the true cause of death. *Impressive...* This was the first time Inspector Zhang had witnessed Xu Qi''an''s investigative abilities first-hand, though he had heard of them. No matter how the capital''s official circles gossiped about this little Bronze Gong, hearing about it and seeing it were two different things. *But there¡¯s still no bloody use, no use in helping solve the case¡­ the cause of Yan Kai¡¯s death was simple throat slitting; it¡¯s not as borate as a Warlock killing someone in their dream. But, exactly because this is such a simple and brusque method, it makes it much harder to identify the perpetrator¡­ without any surveince, solving this case would take far too much effort.* "The doors and windows show no signs of tampering or breaking. The killer and the victim were obviously acquainted. Interrogate the household staff to see if anyone visited recently or if they heard Yan Kai calling for help. Also, question everyone in the Transport Office, including the Transport Commissioner, and search them to ensure they don''t have artefacts that can conceal their qi, hindering the arcanists'' detection," Xu Qi''an suggested. Inspector Zhang said, "Commissioner, please cooperate with us." For the couple hours, three arcanists from the Sitianjian continuously observed the officials and clerks of the Transport Office. But they found nothing. With Shipping Administrator Yan Kai''s death, the "insider theft" case''s lead went cold. Apanied by Jiang Lyuzhong, Inspector Zhang went to the Yuzhou Criminal Investigation Bureau, the office responsible for judicial matters and also the imperial oversight body, under the Censorate. Inspector Zhang, as an associate censor, was the superior of the Criminal Investigation Bureau. In the golden evening light, Xu Qi''an sat on the rooftop of the Transport Office, bathed in the sunset, reying the case in his mind. *With the death of the Shipping Administrator, the case''s trail ended. Hah, this is also a clue, suggesting that the mastermind doesn''t control the entire Transport Office.* *This indicates it''s not merely a simple case of embezzlement... The Minister of Industry has already fallen, yet Yuzhou''s Transport Office continues its covert operations, smuggling iron ore to Yunzhou... This means someone is still manipting events behind the scenes. This person doesn''t have much power, able to control only the Shipping Administrator. Or perhaps they do, but must act covertly.* *If I hadn''t stumbled upon this by sheer luck, the iron ore smuggling might have continued indefinitely.* *If there''s smuggling of iron ore, could there also be smuggling of government salt and saltpetre? The court must thoroughly investigate the Transport Offices in all provinces.* *This trip to Yunzhou might be more dangerous than I imagined,* Xu Qi''an thought worriedly, when he suddenly heard someone calling him from below. "Ningyan,e on, let''s go to the Jiaofangsi for some fun," Song Tingfeng stood in the courtyard, waving to him. "No. I''m thinking about serious matters," Xu Qi''an replied irritably. "Come on, I heard the courtesans in Yuzhou are very good at serving people," Song Tingfeng coaxed. "All you think about is the Jiaofangsi. Be careful, you might never get promoted," Xu Qi''an responded, exasperated. ¡­ The Jiaofangsi, Yuzhou. Amid the melodious sound of strings and woodwind, Xu Qi''an raised his wine cup,ughing heartily, "Come on, let''s drink! After drifting on the water for six days, I''ve got cobwebs down there!" The Nightwatchers raised their cups in unison, each apanied by a delicate beauty, drinking andughing merrily. As expected, Xu Ningyan ended uping along. Song Tingfeng was not surprised by this; in fact, he had anticipated it. Back in the capital, Xu Qi''an never went to the Jiaofangsi of his own ord. It was always Song Tingfeng''s idea, and then Xu Qi''an and Zhu Guangxiao would join him. Sometimes, when Xu Ningyan was training, he would curse loudly, "Song Tingfeng, if you had even a shred of conscience, you''d stop interrupting my practice!" But after cursing, he''d pat his butt and follow them anyway. The Jiaofangsi in Yuzhou was different from the one in the capital. It wasn''t asrge, but it was built by the river, with six courtyards and two tall buildings, boasting an elegantndscape. The rippling water distorted the reflections of the rednterns, and the sound of string and woodwind floated through the courtyards, drifting across the shimmering river. Given their status and rank, Xu Qi''an and hispanions naturally wouldn''t drink in the buildings with the mixed crowds of patrons. Led by officials from the Transport Office, they arrived at the courtyard of an orian named Hongxiu. However, the courtesan named Hongxiu seemed somewhat reluctant. It had been nearly half an hour since the group started drinking in the courtyard, and she still hadn''t made an appearance. Chapter 187: Missed by a Hair Chapter 187: Missed by a Hair # 187. Missed by a Hair *We urged her a myriad times until she appeared, with half her face hiding behind the Pipa still.* *When Bai Juyi wrote this line, did he perhaps mean to subtly criticize the pipa yer for being overly pretentious?* Xu Qi''an felt that the oiran named Hongxiu was rather pretentious, or perhaps she held herself in high regard. She arrived fashionablyte to the tea gathering, and with a lukewarm smile, she raised her wine cup and said: "Your servant wasn''t feeling well and had to rest for a while. Please forgive me, milords." She took a sip of wine as an apology, but didn''t make any more of a performance. Nheless, some made efforts to engage in games like drinking games. Since everyone present was a Bronze Gong, the games were simple and crude, involving fist guessing and dice rolling. *The smile is too professional¡­ her back is too straight, her posture is stiff, indicating she isn''t truly engaged... she¡¯s quite wary of physical contact with patrons. When I touched her hand earlier, there was disgust in her eyes...* *In short: she looks down on martial artists.*Xu Qi''an enjoyed observing people''s micro-expressions and subtle actions, as these details often reflected their inner thoughts. This was a habit he developed from his previous profession. Hongxiu''s demeanor reminded Xu Qi''an of when he first met oiran Fuxiang. On that day, the renowned oiran of the capital''s Jiaofangsi also maintained a superficially courteous but internally aloof attitude. However, Fuxiang''s professionalism was higher, and she didn''t make it as obvious. Hongxiu, on the other hand, was a tad more tant. Of course, Fuxiang was from the Capital¡¯s Jiaofangsi ¡ª what kind of ce was the capital? A ce where the top of the top of society gathered, how could a ce like Yuzhoupare? Professionalism issues aside, Hongxiu was naturally very beautiful, possessing the delicate and tender qualities of a Jiangnan woman. Her speech always carried soft, lingering tones, making her sound as if she were speaking to a lover, no matter who she was talking to. "Allow your servant to y a piece for everyone," Hongxiu said with a gentle smile. "Hongxiu''s qin skills are renowned throughout Yuzhou''s Jiaofangsi. If youe to our Yuzhou Jiaofangsi, you must listen to her y," an official from the Transport Office eagerly praised her. It was as if he was introducing a local specialty to esteemed guests from afar, embellishing its merits as much as possible. After she finished ying a piece, the official from the Transport Office cheerfully raised his cup, "Sirs, what do you think?" Song Tingfeng, being a seasoned veteran, quickly raised his cup and responded, ¡°She can certainly hold a candle to the oiran Fuxiang of the capital.¡± *There''s still a bit of a gap...* Xu Qi''an wasn''t being partial to his own favoured courtesan; he was simply making an objective assessment. Fuxiang''s qin skills were as exceptional as her other talents. ¡°Is she the oiran who inspired the lines *Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water; its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk*?¡± The Transport Office official''s eyes lit up. The distance between Yuzhou and the capital was great, but that poem had been out for quite some time, and letters exchanged among schrs had spread it to various regions. Those lines were widely circted, more so than ¡°*On the road ahead, surely will be friends dear and true; Throughout thend is there anyone who knows not you?*¡± "Indeed," Song Tingfeng replied. "Rumour has it that Fuxiang is a stunning beauty, one of the finest in the world," the Transport Office official eagerly asked. This is the power of reputation. Fuxiang was the most famous courtesan in the capital, bearing such a halo. To men who frequented the pleasure quarters, she was practically a goddess of the highest order. Hongxiu''s smile stiffened slightly, somewhat displeased. Discussing a top courtesan from the same profession with such relish in her own courtyard made her feel disrespected. Song Tingfeng, as if oblivious to Hongxiu''s displeasure,ughed mischievously and pointed to Xu Qi''an, saying, "You should ask him." Xu Qi''an responded indifferently, "She''s alright. Among the beauties I''ve seen, she ranks in the top five." As he spoke, beautiful face after beautiful face shed through his mind: Auntie, Lingyue, Huaiqing, Lin¡¯an, the National Teacher, Chu Caiwei¡­ Need he say any more? The crowd couldn''t help but nce at Xu Qi''an. "You''re quite the joker, milord, quite the joker," an official from the Transport Officeughed dryly. "It''s no joke," the usually taciturn Zhu Guangxiao spoke up to exin for his colleague. "Fuxiang is his lover." ... The official from the Transport Office almost couldn''t keep his face from crinkling in, struggling to manage his expression to avoid bursting intoughter. *Fuxiang is his lover? The most famous courtesan in the capital falling for a rough warrior like you?* *Why not im the princess is your lover, or that the mysterious National Teacher is your lover?* However, bragging at a drinking party was standard practice. The official from the Transport Office, despite his disdain, maintained a cheerful facade. *Crude men...* The disdain in the eyes of the oiran Hongxiu was no longer hidden, though she adeptly lowered her head to drink, keeping others from noticing. She inherently disliked martial artists, whocked tenderness and were rough in both speech and action, unlike schrs who were gentle and refined,posed poetry, and treated courtesans with courtesy. "Who would have thought you had such a rtionship with Fuxiang? May I know your esteemed name, my lord?" Hongxiu asked, half seriously and half mockingly. The official from the Transport Office shot her a reproachful look and quickly raised his cup. "Let''s drink, let''s drink." The topic was dropped, and Song Tingfengughed, "Ningyan, it''s a good thing the boss didn''te to Yuzhou with us. He would never have agreed to our little outing to the Jiaofangsi." Xu Qi''an replied, "This isn''t pleasure-seeking; it''s sightseeing. If the boss asks, that''s what you tell him." *Ningyan... that must be his courtesy name.* Hongxiu nced at Xu Qi''an a few more times. The tea gathering ended. Hongxiu left early, and there was no more heard from her. Not offering tea to a guest signified that she wasn''t interested in the Nightwatchers present. "She doesn''t know what''s good for her!" one of the Nightwatchers said angrily. The official from the Transport Office felt embarrassed and quite irritated, not with the Nightwatchers but with Hongxiu. However, the Jiaofangsi wasn''t under the jurisdiction of the Transport Office. As one of the six oirans of Yuzhou''s Jiaofangsi, Hongxiu didn''t need to concern herself with the Transport Office''s opinions. Song Tingfeng waved it off indifferently, "No matter, let''s head to the next ce?" Xu Qi''an agreed with Song''s approach. Forced enjoyment is never good, and forced love is never sweet. The group left the courtyard, with Song Tingfeng and the others heading to the riverside. Under the cover of night, they stood on the bank to relieve their dders. Song Tingfeng: 8==D Zhu Guangxiao: 8==D Xu Qi¡¯an: 8====D ¡­ Coals cracked in the warm bedroom. Hongxiu sipped on tea, relieving her of some drunkenness, and sat by the dressing table, letting the maid who had just entered massage her shoulders. "Miss, they''ve left," the maidughed softly. "To im that Fuxiang, the most famous courtesan in the capital, is his lover, even I could tell it was just boasting." Hongxiu curled her lips disdainfully. "Martial artists are always like that, crude and unbearable." After a brief rest, another maid knocked on the door and said from outside, "Miss, Young Master Wei has booked the ce with his ssmates." Upon hearing this, Hongxiu''s face immediately brightened with joy. She cheerfully said, "Serve the young masters with wine and have them wait a moment." She then hurriedly urged the maid, "Quickly help me change into that most beautiful gold-woven dress." Young Master Wei was the nephew of Yuzhou''s Prefect, a well-read schr with a handsome appearance and an elegant demeanour. After changing into a beautiful dress, putting on a jade hairpin and gold adornments, the elegantly dressed Hongxiu entered the drinking room, gracefully bowing, "Hongxiu greets the young masters." She naturally sat beside the white-robed Young Master Wei. Young schrs passionately discussing the state of the nation and writing with fervour¡ªthis was the environment she enjoyed. At such moments, she felt immense envy towards that unseen yet famous courtesan from the capital, Fuxiang. How fortunate one must be to meet such a talented schr and have poetry written about them, immortalizing their name. "A few officials from the capital were here just now, they seemed to be Nightwatchers," Hongxiu chatted about it while pouring wine for Young Master Wei,ughing, "One of them even imed that Fuxiang, the capital''s top courtesan, is his lover." The schrs presentughed heartily, "How amusing! How could Fuxiang fall for a crude martial artist?" "Brother Wei, you visited the capital half a month ago. Did you get to witness the charm of Fuxiang?" someone asked. "Shamefully, I only managed to see her once despite visiting three times," the white-robed Young Master Wei said with a look of infatuation. "Her name suits her¡ªshe truly is a beauty that could bring down a nation." One of the young masters immediately asked, "Does Fuxiang have a lover?" Young Master Wei seemed to recall something. "When I was there, I chatted with some of the guests. They mentioned that Fuxiang no longer receives guests, despite the constant stream of people hoping to catch a glimpse of her. However, there is one person who frequently visits the Reflecting Plum Pavilion ¡ª that''s the name of her residence. It¡¯s said that this person is her lover." The young masters were intrigued. "Is it the poet of ¡®*its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.*¡¯?" Young Master Wei sighed, "Who else could it be?" After a pause, he looked around and said in a secretive tone, "This person''s identity is quite special. This poem is widely known, yet the poet remains unknown, seldom talked about. Doesn''t that seem odd to you?" This piqued everyone''s curiosity, and they began to specte, "Is it because of a sensitive identity that cannot be revealed?" Hongxiu''s eyes sparkled as she listened. She was most curious about the identity of the poet who could transform the life of a courtesan. After a while, Young Master Wei silenced the crowd by raising his hand. Shaking his head, he said, "Because this person is a Nightwatcher, not a schr." "What?!" The crowd was astonished and then suddenly understood. No wonder the literary circles didn''t publicize the poet''s identity. It was mutually agreed to forget about it, because he was a Nightwatcher, not a schr. *Nightwatcher...* the speaker said it casually, but the listener took it to heart. Hongxiu''s heart sank. She opened her mouth and asked in a trembling voice, "What is... his name?" Young Master Wei nced at the beauty beside him and replied, "Xu Qi''an, courtesy name Ningyan." *Crash...* The wine cup slipped from her hand onto the table and then fell to the floor, shattering. Everyone turned to look at Hongxiu, whose face had turned deathly pale and eyes were vacant, like a lifeless paper flower. In her daze, Hongxiu suddenly copsed onto the table, sobbing bitterly. Her tears flowed like rain through plum blossoms, a storm so violent that it made her body tremble. Chapter 188: An Old Friend From Qingzhou? Chapter 188: An Old Friend From Qingzhou? # 188. An Old Friend From Qingzhou? Every person''s destiny is different. Once an opportunity is missed, it''s missed, and no amount of regret can bring it back. Hongxiu, who had missed her chance to shine, was crying so hard she was gasping for breath. It would probably take her several days to realise this truth and a long time of self-adjustment to ovee her depression. With Hongxiu crying like this, she had no choice but to leave the tea gathering. Young Master Wei and his friends, being well-mannered schrs, didn''tin or me her. Instead, theyforted Hongxiu and advised her to rest well. After sending Hongxiu off, Master Wei and his friends continued drinking. A ce like the Jiaofangsi was meant for socialising and entertaining. Having beauties by their side was just a bonus; it didn''t matter if they were absent. The men continued drinking and chatting as usual. *Just then, didn''t someone say that Nightwatchers were here for a tea gathering?* Young Master Wei suddenly thought of this detail and asked the maid serving them wine, "Did Hongxiu say that one of them imed Fuxiang was his lover?" "I think so," the maid replied. A vague thought started forming in Master Wei¡¯s mind. He stopped drinking, looking seriously at the maid, and said, "Then... what was the name of the Bronze Gong?" "Sir, I don''t know," the maid shook her head, thinking to herself that she hadn''t paid attention to such details.The other young men were all smart, and recalling Hongxiu''s unusual behaviour earlier, they were startled. "Could it be that Xu Ningyan hase to Yuzhou?" The case of the Shipping Administrator had just happened today and hadn''t spread in Yuzhou yet. Among these schrs, only Young Master Wei had connections in officialdom, but even he would need a day or two to learn of such things. "We can visit the station[^1] tomorrow. If that Nightwatcher is staying there, we must pay him a visit." ... At the station! The carriage slowed and stopped outside the station. Inspector Zhang got out of the carriage with a stern expression and returned to the station with Jiang Lyuzhong. It was alreadyte at night with a full moon hanging in the sky. Inspector Zhang nced at the stable in the distance, where only a few horses were tethered. Entering the station, he asked the staff and learned that most of the Nightwatchers were out partying and hadn''t returned. Already in a heavy mood, Inspector Zhang angrily said, "Preposterous! We are on an imperial mission. How can they be so negligent and indulge in pleasure?" Jiang Lyuzhongughed, "They''ve been cooped up on the boat for so many days. It''s natural to want to rx. As long as the Inspector is fine and healthy, it doesn''t matter what they do otherwise." The two of them went upstairs, and in the dark hallway, they encountered a guy in his underwear, shivering in the cold. Jiang Lyuzhong, who had night vision, stared at the person in confusion, "What the hell are you up to?" "I just took a cold bath." It was Xu Qi''an, who hadn''t stayed at the Jiaofangsi for the night. "So?" "This is the south." He said nonsensically and then sighed, "Just trying to recapture an old feeling... Gold Gong Jiang, Inspector Zhang, you¡¯re back. The others stayed at the Jiaofangsi." Inspector Zhang nodded and went into his room without a word. "Why didn''t you stay at the Jiaofangsi?" Jiang Lyuzhong scrutinised Xu Qi''an, knowing him to be a seasoned frequenter of such ces. "An eel, though not a proper eel, has its principles. Any transaction involving money is vulgar and sinful. This eel firmly opposes such behavior." Xu Qi''an said with a serious face and walked away. Jiang Lyuzhong watched his retreating back, thinking that the guy must be drunk. Spouting all sorts of nonsense ¡ª and furthermore, a martial artist at Refining Vitality should already be immune to all sorts of cold and heat, yet he was still shivering. Xu Qi''an entered his room, shut the door, and quickly jumped into bed, wrapping himself in the nket, pretending to live in the cold and damp south. Geographically speaking, although Yuzhou was not coastal, it was in the south. Unlike the bone-chilling cold of the capital, Yuzhou''s cold seeped through all the pores in one¡¯s skin. This reminded Xu Qi''an of living in the south in his past life, taking baths in winter, turning off the hot water to soap up while shivering. After bathing, dressing would make his nose run. Unfortunately, as a Refining Qi martial artist, his body was too robust to feel cold easily. Even soaking in ice water would only feel cool. Wrapped in his nket, Xu Qi''anfortably drifted into sleep. ¡­ Candlelight flickered, small as a pea, swaying with a dusky glow. Inspector Zhang sat at his desk, picked up a brush, and began writing a memorial: *As your servant passed through Yuzhou, he inadvertently uncovered a case of corruption. Yan Kai, the Shipping Administrator of the Yuzhou Transport Office, colluded with the local Yellow g Gang to assassinate a iron ore transport¡¯s crew, and embezzle its cargo to Yunzhou¡­* *Upon examining the Yuzhou Transport Office¡¯s records of sunken ships, your servant discovered that within the past ten years, there have been forty-three cases in total, two million catties of iron ore were lost. The enormity of this number is appalling. Underplete secrecy, these traitors have drained the resources of the crown, extracting the essence and marrow of the nation ¡ª it makes one shudder in fear.* *If merely the one province of Yuzhou can lose two million catties of iron within a decade, what staggering amount may be lost with all sixteen provinces of the Great Fengbined? Your servant urges Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate all incidents of sunken ships in the Transport Administrations of all provinces.* *The former Minister of Industry colluded with the Church of the Warlock God, covertly supporting the banditry in Yuzhou, possibly with the intent of rebellion.* *This aside, the Bronze Gong Xu Qi¡¯an is astute beyond men, his skills are exceptional, and he is a pir of the nation. In this embezzlement case, he should be given primary merit.* *This journey to Yunzhou is fraught with danger. Your humble servant pledges to exert my utmost efforts, until the day I die.* ... The next day at dusk, the group left Yuzhou, continuing their journey by boat to Yunzhou. During the day, Xu Qi''an, along with the Huben Guards and his Nightwatcher colleagues, bought some seasonal vegetables, wine, rice, and other supplies in the city, all charged to the Shipping Office''s ount, essentially obtaining them for free. That night, the ship''s cook prepared a sumptuous feast for the imperial envoy''s team. After a satisfying meal, Xu Qi''an sat cross-legged in his room, practicing his breathing exercises. "Ningyan, it''s such a pity you didn''t sleep with the Oiran of the Yuzhou Jiaofangsist night," Song Tingfeng said, feeling sorry for his colleague for passing up such a great opportunity. "Heh, that Hongxiu despises us coarse martial men," Xu Qi''an replied. "That''s because you didn''t reveal your true identity. If you had told her you were the great schr who wrote ''*its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk,*'' she would''ve been eager to offer herself to you," Song Tingfeng countered. Xu Qi''an was puzzled, "If that''s the case, why didn''t you speak up for me?" Song Tingfeng sneered, "Bullshit, if I wasn¡¯t jealous of you. Why would I help you get famous and then watch you sleep with the Oiran?" "Aren''t you having fun every day too?" "How¡¯s that the same?" "Turn off the lights, and they''re all the same." "It''s blow out, not turn off," Song Tingfeng corrected. *Oilmps are meant to be blown out, so what does turning off mean?* Zhu Guangxiao, who was also practicing his breathing exercises, paused and opened his eyes, saying, "Besides the Oiran from Jiaofangsi, I noticed that Head Constable Lyu from the capital prefecture constabr seems to have a liking for Ningyan." Song Tingfeng became even more sour, "How do you manage it? Your skills in attracting proper women are incredible. Teach me a few tricks, brother." "Brother?" "Teach your little brother a few tricks." "You''ll have to call me dad." "Get lost!" Song Tingfeng tly refused. He had been tricked by Xu Ningyan in a simr way once before. "Will you call me or not?" "Dad." ==line break== Xu Qi''anughed, ¡°Ladies are like sand; if you grip them too tightly, they''ll slip through your fingers. You need to get them wet, then not only can you hold on to ¡®em, you can mould them into any shape you want.¡± "What do you mean?" Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao didn''t understand. "You need to connect with their hearts, not just their bodies," Xu Qi''an exined. "Sounds reasonable, but are you really qualified to say that?" Song Tingfeng retorted, suddenly angry. "You tricked me into calling you dad again. Take it back, or I''ll kill you." As he spoke, he lunged at Xu Qi''an, preparing to wrestle him down. At that moment, the three of them heard cries for help from outside. "Something''s wrong..." Xu Qi''an kicked Song Tingfeng away, didn''t bother putting on his boots, and dashed out of the room. His two colleagues followed closely behind. Almost simultaneously, the Silver Gongs, who had higher cultivation, also rushed out, followed by the Bronze Gongs. At night, the boat was anchored in a calm section of the river. On the pitch-ck water, a Huben Guard was floundering, sometimes sinking and then struggling back to the surface. He appeared to be a capable swimmer, but something underwater seemed to be pulling him down with all its might. "Hmph!" From inside the cabin, a cold snort came from Jiang Lyuzhong. The struggling Huben Guard suddenly seemed freed from his restraint and floated to the surface without being dragged down again. The Nightwatchers on the deck threw down a rope and pulled him up. By this time, more Huben Guards had rushed up from below deck, fully armed and tense. "It''s nothing, just someone falling into the water." Xu Qi''an turned to reassure them, then scrutinised the drenched man and noticed a bruised handprint on his ankle. "What happened?" asked a Silver Gong, who was one of Jiang Lyuzhong''s subordinates. This mission was led by Gold Gong Jiang Lyuzhong, and apart from Xu Qi''an, who was sent by Wei Yuan for training, the other Nightwatchers were all under Jiang Lyuzhong''smand. As for Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, Xu Qi''an had brought them along because the travel stipend was too tempting, and there was also an opportunity for meritorious service. The Huben Guard, who had fallen into the water, spat out a few mouthfuls of water and quickly recovered, though his face remained pale, likely from the fright. "Your subordinate had too much to drink and went up to relieve myself... Suddenly, I heard someone in the water calling me. When I looked down, I saw my deceased mother. "I don''t know what came over me, but I remembered all the moments she raised me and was ovee with grief, so I jumped in. "Once in the water, I sobered up and realised that even if my mother had turned into a ghost, she wouldn''t be here. But something grabbed my foot and tried to drag me underwater¡­." "It''s a water ghost," an experienced sailor said fearfully. "The spirit of a drowned person, often luring others to their deaths. Many people drown in this canal every year, and the umted yin energy can easily give rise to water ghosts. "Sirs, it''s best not to go out at night. Water ghosts nevere ashore. As long as you stay off the deck, you''ll be fine. When we set sail, everything at night must be done below decks. It''s a part of the trade." Everyone couldn''t help but turn and look at the pitch-ck water. Encountering such a thing at night was indeed creepy. After this incident, the Huben Guards no longer went out at night to relieve themselves, while the Nightwatchers continued as usual. As for Xu Qi''an, he deliberately went to the deck every night, but he never encountered the legendary water ghost. It wasn''t because Xu Qi''an was fearless or wanted the water ghosts to take a break; he was just curious to see what water monkeys looked like. He had grown up hearing ghost stories about water monkeys. Finally, the imperial envoy''s team reached the Qingzhou dock. After arriving in Qingzhou, they had to switch to traveling bynd, which required carriages and horses that the team didn''t have. They needed the help of the Qingzhou government to arrange these. As they disembarked, Inspector Zhang walked up to Xu Qi''an with a smile and said, "The Commissioner of Qingzhou is a great schr from the Yunlu Academy, Yang Gong, also known as Yang Ziqian." Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t immediately process what he had said, so Inspector Zhang added, "He is also known as Ziyang Jushi." ----- [^1]: Post or courier stations in Ancient china also served as temporary residences for government figures on official matters, or important guests. Chapter 189: This Little Sir Is... Chapter 189: This Little Sir Is... # 189. This Little Sir Is... *It''s him...* Xu Qi''an suddenly understood, remembering the great schr who had shamelessly taken credit for his farewell poem. He didn''t know who Yang Gong was, but the name Ziyang Jushi was famous. This guy had seized the opportunity when Xu Xinnian recited his poem and had forcibly given it a title, without an ounce of shame or embarrassment. Inspired by Ziyang Jushi, Xu Qi''anter used poems to twirl the great schrs from the academy on his pinkie finger, and felt no guilt about it. In the Jianghu, if you¡¯re not freeloading, I¡¯m freeloading. They hired a carriage near the dock. After getting in, Inspector Zhang continued, "Ziyang Jushi was the top scorer in the imperial exams in the 14th year of Yuanjing. The following year, he retired and has since been teaching at the academy, nurturing countless students." Xu Qi''an was intrigued. "Retired the following year?" As the top scorer, he could have entered the Hanlin Academy, where schrs are considered ministers-in-waiting. To put it another way, a top scoring *zhuangyuan* would have a good chance of being prime minister. Retiring just a year in? What a loss!"It was due to the political struggles at court. Although the factions fight fiercely, they unite against schrs from Yunlu Academy," Inspector Zhang sighed. "After bing the top scorer, Ziyang Jushi was sent to a remote post and ignored. This disheartened him, and he spent a year frequenting the Jiaofangsi. He resigned the following year and returned to the Cloud Deer Academy to teach." *...I heard about this. He enjoyed freeloading for an entire year.* Xu Qi''an sincerely envied him. Apart from a long sigh, Inspector Zhang didn¡¯t borate on the political dynamics with Ziyang and the Cloud Deer Academy at court. With a younger brother in the Academy, Xu Qi¡¯an would already be very clear with that. The session crisis two hundred years ago made the royal family wary and disdainful of Cloud Deer Academy schrs. Consequently, the lesser sage Cheng established the Imperial College to rece Cloud Deer Academy in supplying talent to the court. Both sides had conflicts of interest and ideological disputes. If not for Emperor Yuanjing''s obsession with bncing powers, Ziyang Jushi might still be teaching at the academy. "Ziyang Jushi''s talent and tactics are top-notch. When he first arrived in Qingzhou, he swiftly cleaned up the local government, dismissing and imprisoning 178 corrupt officials within a month, shaking the entire Qingzhou officialdom," Inspector Zhang said with admiration. *So reckless? Although it''smon for a new official to make bold moves, even if a high-ranking official from the capital wanted to clean up Qingzhou, it should be done gradually... How long has Ziyang Jushi been in office?* Xu Qi''an was puzzled and asked, "Did the court factions allow such drastic actions?" Inspector Zhang smiled, "During the evaluation period, the court factions were too busy fighting each other to coborate. Plus, Duke Wei was holding them in check..." He gave Xu Qi''an a knowing look and continued, "Moreover, Ziyang Jushi''s actions, though drastic, were thorough. He gathered sufficient evidence and made the criminals confess... Cloud Deer Academy schrs are most adept at reasoning, aren''t they?" *Sir, you¡¯re ¡°reasoning¡± is physical evidence, isn¡¯t it?* Xu Qi''an understood and exchanged a knowing smile with Inspector Zhang. After arriving at the official station in Qingzhou, Inspector Zhang specifically brought Xu Qi''an along to visit Ziyang Jushi at the government office. Xu Qi''an now understood why Inspector Zhang had initiated the conversation. This experienced inspector general feared that Ziyang Jushi might not cooperate, so he brought Xu Qi''an along. After all, this inspector was inspecting Yunzhou, not Qingzhou. With Xu Qi''an present, Ziyang Jushi would surely give face andply with any requests. At the Government office, a clerk led them to the inner hall where they were served tea. "The Commissioner is inspecting the warning stele at the various offices." They were received by the Left Vice Commissioner, a fourth-rank official. Inspector Zhang pondered, "Is it the stone stele in the front courtyard?" The Left Vice Commissioner smiled and nodded, "The Commissioner intends to erect a warning stele to admonish Qingzhou officials to be honest and serve the people." Inspector Zhang nodded, this was an expected oue of the anti-corruption campaign: "A lot of hard work must have went into this, but why is the stele nk?" The Left Vice Commissioner sighed, "The Commissioner hasn''t decided what to inscribe yet and has been troubled by it. He''s asked us to brainstorm and provide inspiration, causing us all quite a headache." *Ziyang Jushi is quite talented, knowing how to organise a writingpetition...* Xu Qi''an mused. The Commissioner, responsible for administrative affairs, was akin to a high-ranking official in Xu Qi''an''s previous life. The Great Feng Kingdom was divided into sixteen provinces, which Xu Qi''an understood asparable to provinces in his previous world, though not all regions were equivalent. Some provinces wereposed of smaller regions, each with their own administrative divisions like prefectures and counties. For example, Qingzhou province controlled over a dozen prefecture-level provinces, as well as many cities and county level divisions. ¡­ At this moment, the Commissioner Yang Gong, leading a group of Qingzhou officials into the Prefecture Office. The Prefect of the Prefecture apanied him respectfully. Dressed in a scarlet robe, Yang Gong stood in front of the stone stele and nodded in satisfaction, ¡°Gentlemen, do you have any suggestions for the inscription on the stele?¡± In just a few months, the schrly aura of a teacher had gradually faded from Yang Gong, reced by the authority of a governing official. ¡°The official believes that we should inscribe the Commissioner¡¯s deeds of purging corrupt officials and upholding justice to serve as a warning to future generations,¡± the Qingzhou Prefect suggested, bowing. Yang Gong was somewhat tempted. Such an inscription would certainly be recorded in Qingzhou''s local chronicles and praised by future generations. But he quickly dismissed this idea, ¡°The inscription should not be overly long; otherwise, it bes tooplex and loses its impact.¡± ¡°Then let''s inscribe a poem,¡± an official suggested instinctively. He immediately noticed that everyone present was looking at him calmly... The official forced a fewughs and fell silent. For schrs well-versed in literature, writing poems was not difficult. Most had a fewpositions from their youth, but whether they were worthy of being inscribed on a stele was another matter. For a poem to be inscribed on a stele, it not only had to be well-written but also serve as a moral warning. Such poems were not easy to write on the spot. As they were discussing, a clerk from the Office arrived on horseback, quickly entering and standing a short distance away. He cupped his hands and said, ¡°Commissioner, an Inspector General from the capital has arrived at the Administration Office.¡± An Inspector General? Why is this year''s Inspector General here so soon? The Geng-zi year is the year for the official audit, and by convention, the Inspector General should arrive after the results from the audit are out, indicating the oues of factional struggles at court. Yang Gong, who had received a letter about this a few days earlier, exined, ¡°He¡¯s not here for Qingzhou; he¡¯s passing through on his way to Yunzhou.¡± *Yunzhou...* The officials all had expressions of understanding. Yang Gong looked at the clerk and said, ¡°Inform the Inspector General that I am busy with important matters and will not be able to see him. If he needs anything, he can speak to the Vice Commissioners.¡± Being a great schr from the Cloud Deer Academy, Yang Gong had little inmon with the officials in the capital and no particr ties with them. He was too preupied with the stele inscription to bother with an Inspector he didn¡¯t know well. ¡°Yes!¡± The clerk responded and then added, ¡°The Inspector General also asked me to ry a message: Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an is apanying him.¡± *Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an? Who is that?* The officials were momentarily puzzled, but Yang Gong understood immediately. He had been keeping track of events in the capital and maintained correspondence with the great schrs of the Cloud Deer Academy. ¡°Prepare the pnquin and return to the Office immediately.¡± Yang Gong¡¯s attitude changed drastically, his tone urgent and excited: ¡°Quick, get it ready.¡± With that, he left the officials behind and hurried out of the Prefecture Office. *Uh¡­* The officials of Qingzhou looked at each other in confusion, staring at Yang Gong¡¯s departing figure. ¡°Who is this Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an? The name sounds somewhat familiar,¡± the Qingzhou Prefect said, frowning. ¡°Why not go and wee the Inspector from the capital?¡± ¡°Good idea, let¡¯s go.¡± The officials left the Prefecture Office in a procession of sedan chairs, heading towards the Administration Office. ¡­ Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t have to wait long at the Office before a high-ranking official in a scarlet robe arrived. This man had an old-fashioned face, a goatee popr among middle-aged men, bright eyes, and amanding presence. He was an imposing figure. On his chest was an embroidered golden pheasant, indicating a second-rank official. The position of Administration Commissioner was likely second-rank. Xu Qi''an recognised the rank but not the person. He guessed that this imposing man in the scarlet robe must be the Qingzhou Administration Commissioner, the great schr from Cloud Deer Academy, Ziyang Jushi, who had once taken credit for his farewell poem. After exchanging bows with Inspector Zhang, Ziyang Jushi turned his gaze towards Xu Qi''an, who was wearing a dark uniform and had a Bronze Gong tied to his chest, silently appraising him. At this moment, he appeared less excited, maintaining a demeanor that was both gentle and authoritative. *...Only one Bronze Gong, he must be Xu Xinnian''s cousin... Judging by appearances alone, there was no resemnce between the brothers... Compared to Xinnian, there is quite a difference...* Yang Gong smiled and said: "So, you are Xu Ningyan?" Xu Qi''an quickly cupped his hands, "Yes, sir." "There¡¯s no need to be so formal with me. You can regard yourself as a student," Yang Gong''s smile broadened. "Indeed, you are quite talented, no less than Xinnian." *Ziyang Jushi has quite an eye for talent...* Xu Qi''an thought happily, "Your praise is too generous, sir." After some polite exchanges, Yang Gong inquired about the current situation in the capital, though he had already learned quite a bit through letters from the academy. *Bringing Xu Ningyan along was indeed the right decision. Otherwise, the Commissioner wouldn¡¯t have shown such an attitude...* Inspector Zhang sighed and said, "The capital is in turmoil, with factional strife still intense..." He then narrated events from the Sangpo case to the Yunzhou case involving the Minister of Industry. Ziyang Jushi listened with a cold smile, but he refrained frommenting too much on the court''s situation since Inspector Zhang was not an ally. If only Xu Qi''an were here, he would have spoken more freely. In the evening, Ziyang Jushi hosted a banquet in a charming courtyard for Inspector Zhang, with Jiang Lyuzhong also invited, along with the Qingzhou Prefect and other high-ranking officials. The courtyard was brightly lit, with drapes hanging low, and the officials sat at tables, enjoying their drinks andpany. A band and dancers from Jiaofangsi performed in the chilly courtyard to entertain the officials. Initially, Jiaofangsi was purely an entertainment department, performing songs and dances at official banquets. Over time, it evolved into a state-run brothel. The young women went from performing arts to selling their bodies, forced into this business. The central figures at the banquet were Commissioner Yang Gong and Inspector Zhang Xingying. As for Jiang Lyuzhong, although he was highly skilled as a Gold Gong, Nightwatchers and civil officials were natural adversaries, so few paid him much attention. Xu Qi''an thought he would be treated simrly and enjoyed the idea of being free from social obligations. Unexpectedly, an official in a scarlet robe embroidered with cloud geese raised his ss towards Xu Qi''an and tentatively asked, "Is this young sir the poet of ''*Delicate, tilting branches reflected on clear and shallow water; its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.*''?" ----- Trantor note: Here the author notes that he got some official titles mixed up for Ziyang Jushi. As imperial Chinese official titles are hard enough as-is, don¡¯t read too much into it. Just know that Ziyang Jushi is a second-rank official, and the top level provincial administrator of Qingzhou. Chapter 191: Xu Qians Seven Letters Chapter 191: Xu Qi''an''s Seven Letters # 191. Xu Qi''an''s Seven Letters In the night, the cold wind blew, making the entire pond of red lotuses sway, resembling a surging sea of fire, beautiful to the extreme. Xu Qi''an silently took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrant scent. "Yunzhou is mountainous, but unlike the jungles of the Southern Marches, it is not covered in dense forests and miasma. The mountains are rich in medicinal herbs and other resources," Ziyang Jushi continued, gazing at the pool of red lotuses: "Yunzhou also has fertile farnd and ample water resources. Although its annual rice production doesn''t match that of Yuzhou[^1] and Zhangzhou, the breadbaskets of the Great Feng, Yunzhou¡¯s annual rice yield is more than enough to feed two provinces." *...It sounds like Yunzhou terrain should be rolling hills.* Xu Qi''an nodded in realisation. *Among the basdforms, rolling hills are the most fertile and resource-rich. In my previous life, the so-callednd of fish and rice was in the Jiangnan hills.* Yuzhou and Zhangzhou, the breadbaskets of Great Feng, were grasnds, whilst the Southern Marches were mountainous, with high mountains everywhere and very few fertile fields. Ziyang Jushi continued in a serious tone: "Yunzhou has another geographical advantage; it borders the Southern Sea, so there''s no need to worry about being attacked from both front and back. If worsees to worst, one can always set sail. "The conflicts between the Church of the Warlock God and the Great Feng are bing more frequent at the border. If they want to create internal chaos and distract Great Feng, choosing Yunzhou is a wise move." *Hearing this, why do I feel like this trip to Yunzhou is going to be a journey of total annihtion? Psh psh, children¡¯s words, children¡¯s words¡­* "Don''t worry," Ziyang Jushi seemed to see through Xu Qi''an''s concern and smiled. "Although the Great Feng has serious problems, it is generally still stable, and the authority of the court remains intact. "Even if the Church of the Warlock God is scheming in Yunzhou, they will only act in secret and never openly. In this time in my office at Qingzhou, I have had the spare time to train some messenger eagles. I¡¯ll give you er. If anything unexpected happens in Yunzhou, you can use the eagle to send a message. It¡¯s faster than using the postal route." *But even then, it would still take several days to get a response... Indeed, a world without mobile phones feels so insecure. It would be great if everyone had a fragment of the Earth Book.* Xu Qi''an gratefully replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Teacher." After a pause, he asked, "What should I do once I get to Yunzhou?" "Just focus on investigating the case and protecting Zhang Xinying. As for the social interactions in the officialdom, you don¡¯t need to worry about them," Ziyang Jushi said with a smile. "Since Wei Yuan appointed Zhang Xinying as the Inspector General, he must be someone exceptional." Xu Qi''an nodded. Having finished discussing official matters, Ziyang Jushi pondered for a moment before saying, "I often exchange letters with Jinyan, and he frequently mentions you in his letters. You can be considered half a student of Yunlu Academy... I heard that a few months ago, the academy was filled with a surge of clear energy?" *Who is Jinyan? Oh, it¡¯s Second Brother¡¯s teacher, Great Schr Zhang Shen...* It took Xu Qi''an a few seconds to realise who "Jinyan" was, as he wasn¡¯t used to addressing people by their courtesy names. *What does Ziyang Jushi mean by this... Didn¡¯t Yunlu Academy tell him the truth? Or is he hinting that he knows it was me but just didn''t say it outright? Maybe it''s because the letters can¡¯t ensure secrecy, so the great schrs of Yunlu Academy mentioned it but didn''t reveal the truth?* He cautiously replied, "It seems that the academy has ssified this matter as top secret. The Lesser Sage Temple remains sealed, and no one is allowed to enter." At this point, Xu Qi''an couldn¡¯t help but think of the Lesser Sage, the one who made a deer out to be a horse. He was truly a great man because he always stood behind his wife. Ziyang Jushi nodded slightly and didn''t ask further. Xu Qi''an, however, had some questions he wanted to ask this grand schr. After thinking for a while, he decided to ask the first question: "Teacher, due to the Sangpo case some time ago, I challenged myself to study at night and read historical books. I discovered that before our academy¡¯s Prime Minister suppressed Buddhism, he shouted the slogan ¡®If buddha does not die, then all will be buddha.¡¯ "Subsequently, that Prime Minister advanced to the Realm of Mandate Seeker. I wonder, even if Buddhism has its ws, it is still a respected tradition. Isn''t ¡®If buddha does not die, then all will be buddha¡¯ too extreme?" Xu Qi''an didn''t know how the Buddhism in this worldpared to that of his previous life. In this world, there was no one Siddhartha Gautama, rather the Buddha was a title, the one who stood at the top of the Buddhist house. But regardless, Buddhism shouldn¡¯t be considered a cult. "This matter involves a great secret, which even I do not know," Ziyang Jushi replied. *How can you say it involves a secret if you don''t know?* Xu Qi''an forcibly held back his retort. Ziyang Jushi chuckled, "The Dean knows." Xu Qi''an''s second question was about why there was a Confucian sage''s statue in the Abyss of the Southern Marches, but he decided not to ask. As someone stationed in the capital, Xu Qi''an shouldn''t know about the statue at the bottom of the Abyss. Even using the phrase "I have a friend" wouldn''t work. Not even the Nightwatchers Constabry could possibly know about this matter. ¡­ Returning to the station, Xu Qi''an took a cold bath and then sat cross-legged in his room, practicing his breathing exercises and visualisation. Qingzhou bordered Yunzhou. From here, with fast horses, it would take three to five days to reach Yunzhou. Even considering that Inspector Zhang''s health was frail, they would still be able to reach the Qingzhou border within a week. *I can use this time to try and break through to the Refining Spirit stage. Not sleeping for ten days is no big deal; back when I was just an ordinary person, I managed to stay up for 72 hours straight in an inte caf¨¦...* The next day, Commissioner Yang Gong gathered stonemasons to inscribe the warning poem for officials on the stele in the front yards of various government offices in Qingzhou. From the Qingzhou Prefect to the ordinary clerks, everyone could see these four lines of the poem every day as they entered and exited the government offices. "What does it say?" "*Your food and your money,* *flesh and blood of the people.* *The people are easy to abuse,* *the heavens are hard to cheat.*" "What a great poem. I haven¡¯t read much, but I can say this: fuckin¡¯ hell, it¡¯s written well. It must have been written by our honorable Governor." "It wasn¡¯t written by the Governor. It was written by someone named Xu Qi''an. Oh, there''s a small note next to it: ''Mentor Yang Gong.'' Ah, so it¡¯s our Governor¡¯s student." This poem was indeed written by Xu Qi''an, but Ziyang Jushi added a clever touch by having the words "Mentor Yang Gong" inscribed next to Xu Qi''an¡¯s name. If the three grand schrs from Yunlu Academy were present, they would be outraged and exim: "Shameless old fox, taking credit like this?" Many upright officials were highly impressed by this poem, silently remembering the name Xu Qi''an. Xu Qi''an¡¯s name quickly spread through the officialdom of Qingzhou. Many schrs and officials soon discovered that the person whoposed these poems, hailed as the brightest light in Great Feng''s literary world in the past two hundred years, was indeed Xu Qi''an. What left people most astounded was that he wasn¡¯t a schr, but a Nightwatcher. Regardless, both the officials and schrs in Qingzhou admired Xu Qi''an¡¯s talent and the spirit expressed in his poems. The women of the Jiaofangsi, upon hearing this news, were filled with excitement and fervor. Each of them fervently wished that the great poet Xu Qi''an would visit them and leave behind a couple of his verses. They were willing to do anything for this chance. ¡­ Outside Qingzhou City. Ziyang Jushi, apanied by a group of high-ranking officials from Qingzhou, personally escorted the Inspector¡¯s team out of the city. "Parting here, who knows when we will meet again. Take care, Teacher." Xu Qi''an saluted as a disciple. Ziyang Jushi nodded slightly, feeling somewhat wistful. He had just epted a new student, and now he was leaving before he could even warm up to him. "On this trip to Yunzhou, handle the case well. Always remember to serve the court and the people of the realm," Yang Gong said solemnly. *Serve the people of the realm¡­* Xu Qi''an silently repeated these words in his heart. ¡­ Several dayster, at the Qingzhou border, at an inn. At 2 a.m., after finishing his breathing exercises and visualisation, Xu Qi''an, who hadn¡¯t slept for seven days, walked out of his room holding a candle. It waste at night, and the inn was quiet. He walked along the corridor to the end and then went downstairs. By the counter in the lobby, an oilmp burned quietly, and the inn servant was sleeping soundly at the desk, a bit of drool glistening at the corner of his mouth. Government-run inns and stations operate 24 hours a day, because some officials travel overnight due to urgent business and may need lodging at any time. Knock, knock... Xu Qi''an gently tapped the counter, making a dull sound. The inn servant woke up, wiped his mouth, and got up, "Sir, what can I do for you?" "Give me some envelopes and letter paper. This official needs to write some letters," Xu Qi''an requested. The inn servant immediately took out a sheet of letter paper and an envelope from the cab. Xu Qi''an shook his head, "Not enough." "How many do you need?" "Seven envelopes, and as much letter paper as possible." It was the first time the inn servant had seen someone write seven letters in one go. Mumbling to himself, he obediently handed over seven envelopes and letter paper. Taking the envelopes and paper, Xu Qi''an turned and went upstairs, back to his room. Heid the envelopes on the desk, took out red lotus petals from a small jade mirror, and pressed five petals on five envelopes. Then he spread out the paper, ced the paperweight on it, and began to grind ink to write letters. The first letter: *Princess Huaiqing* *As I write this letter, I have arrived at the border of Qingzhou, and am about to enter Yunzhou province. When leaving the capital, I originally wanted to discuss this matter with you, and hear your wise words.* *However, your subordinate did not realise that he has offended Your Highness, and made you shut him out with such cold heart.* *Passing through Yuzhou, your subordinate discovered a case of embezzlement¡­ from this case, we discovered that the corruption the Warlocks have made in the court is deep-seated, and they have trained many spies and insiders. It is said that a dam of a thousand li can fall from mere ant-holes ¡ª this must not be taken lightly. I hope Your Highness can talk to His Majesty, to strive to make the nation more prosperous, and revitalise the power of the court.* *Another thing, there is a flower in Qingzhou called a red lotus, that opens in the dead of winter. The flower¡¯s aura: ites from the earth yet is not dirtied by it, it sparkles in the water yet does not try to enchant, it is full and straight without tangled branching, its fragrance spreads far and lingers in the air. It is to be admired from afar, and not to be disrespected.* *Your subordinate picked a lotus petal for you, and enclose it within this letter, to express my kind regards.* The second letter: *Princess Lin¡¯an.* *The night is long, and I¡¯ve no heart to sleep, Your Highness¡¯s smile seems to appear before me, and yourughter echoes in my ears. It has been over a fortnight, and I miss you dearly.* *The road to Yunzhou was not lonely; on the way I saw many strange and wondrous sights. I discovered that in the waterways were water spirits ¡ª one night a guard stepped onto the deck, and suddenly heard histe mother calling him. He jumped into the canal, as if possessed.* *The water ghost clutched tightly at his foot, trying to drag him to the canal floor. Thankfully, your subordinate noticed something was awry, and undaunted by the dangers I jumped into the river, exchanging over three hundred blows with the ghost, until the river frothed and foamed so greatly, before I could save the poor solider.* *On the way from Qingzhou to Yunzhou, we passed by a vige. A strange thing happened in the vige ¡ª one viger¡¯ste wife suddenly arose from the dead, walking day and night around the room. She grew long and frightening white teeth, her nails grew sharp and ck, and as soon as she saw someone, she would bite.* *Thankfully, your subordinate was there to see it, and immediately saw there was a reason for her body¡¯s undeath. After a thorough investigation, I found the truth ¡ª in reality the husband had had an affair with the widow of the past vige chief, and wanted to divorce and remarry. His wife wasn¡¯t willing, and so he brutally murdered her.* *His wife died with resentment still in her, and so her soul didn¡¯t dissipate, hence her body ¡°arose from the dead¡±.* *One more thing, there is a flower in Qingzhou called the red lotus ¡ª it is enchanting like fire, and always makes your subordinate think of Your Highness¡¯s fiery red dress, and your unmatched beauty.* *~~It is almost a spitting image of Your Highness¡¯s bitch qi~~* (Struck out) *It is graceful like the spring wind, and tall and upright like an arrow, yet when the wind blows over, it shyly lowers its head. Suddenly a phrasees to mind: That softness with which she lowers her head, is like a lotus¡¯s modesty even in the cold winter wind.* *Your Subordinate spoke too rashly, and identally offended Your Highness. It¡¯s just that Your Highness is too beautiful, I have not seen any better.* The third letter.N?v(el)B\\jnn *Miss Caiwei:* *A day apart is like three autumns, and totalling everything up, we¡¯ve not seen each other for over half a month. How is the progress with the chicken bouillon? Are you able to progress into a Master of Alchemy?* *There¡¯s a delicacy in Yuzhou called napa steamed ham ¡ª ham is a food unique to the south; it is difficult to find in the north.* *And it¡¯s easy to make, too: take a cured leg of ham and cut off the skin, keeping only the lean meat. Then, use chicken stock to simmer the skin until it is tender, then the meat, then add the centres of napa cabbage, cut with two inches of the root left. Add honey, wine and water, and simmer for half a day. In the mouth it is sweet and savoury, both meat and vegetable are tender and delicious, and whilst the cabbage root is soft, the vegetable still holds its shape. The soup is also delicious.* *Qingzhou also has several delicacies, I¡¯ll list them out for you here¡­* *Oh, and one more thing, there¡¯s a species of flower in Qingzhou called red lotus. It¡¯s got a lively and vibrant beauty, and opens with the wind. As it sways in the wind, the flower almost seems like it¡¯s smiling, and that beautiful smile reminds me most of Miss Caiwei.* *~~You¡¯re just like a simple-minded and innocent~~* (Struck out) *You¡¯re a girl who brings everyone joy, with not a care in the world, innocent and unaffected by the dark corners of the world. And your bright and shining eyes, looking into them makes one forget all their worldly woes.* The fourth letter: *Miss Fuxiang:* *~~Half a month has passed, and I miss you oh so much. Thinking of your smile, thinking of your dress, thinking of your plump soft boobs and the scent of your body~~* (Struck out) *Half a month has passed, and I miss you oh so much. Now I¡¯m just reaching the border of Qingzhou, tomorrow we head into Yunzhou. On the road, my colleagues have many times invited me to the Jiaofangsi, but I turned them down, because a Jiaofangsi without you is boring beyond measure.* *I can¡¯t help but recall back to our passion-filled nights, when I would whisper into your ear: ¡°Is my aim not proficient?¡±[^2], and you would lower your gaze in embarrassment. Oh, what beautiful times.* *The trip to Yunzhou was more tiring than I expected, and there is long to go before we meet. I know that you¡¯re going crazy waiting for me, and when you miss me most, please remember to take care of your nails.* *One more thing, there is a flower in Qingzhou called the red lotus. Its petals glow like fire, like the fire of your passion, a vibrancy that¡¯s hard to forget.* Xu Qi¡¯an finished all of the letters for his fallback girls, and blew dry the ink. Staring that the paper full of corrections, strikethroughs, and cked out bits of text, he sighed helplessly. This is what it is like to handwrite, as you write you inevitably will make mistakes, write wrong characters, or write things you shouldn¡¯t have written. When he was writing essays as a young boy, he would make the same mistakes. Oh well, they knew each other inside out anyway, they wouldn¡¯t think poorly of him because his letters were a bit scruffy. As for the contents, he was rather proud ¡ª tailoring each to each woman¡¯s personality. Huaiqing liked politics and government, and so he wrote about the criminal case. Lin¡¯an liked stories, and so he wrote about the strange tales he had witnessed on the road. Chu Caiwei was a foodie, and so he wrote about food. As for Fuxiang, they¡¯ve been under the covers so much already, the letter might as well be flirting, what more was needed? Afterwards, he had to write letters for his family. Xu Qi¡¯an left this untilst, and after thinking for a long time, put some ink on his brush. The fifth letter: *Dear Lingyue,* *Your brother is well out in the country, but I do miss you. From so young your brother hasn¡¯t left your side for more than a couple days. Of course, I¡¯ve also never left uncle and auntie.* *Are you getting used to life in the inner city? The cost of living there is high, much more than the outer city, but don¡¯t be hard on yourself. Make sure to go out plenty, have a look at the silks and jewellery.* *When I left, I left auntie three hundred taels of silver, that should be enough for the family for a while. Mm, when big brother is not at home, and second brother is in the academy, you need to make sure to take the initiative on matters, don¡¯t always listen to your silly mother.* *If auntie suggests that you marry, then you get her to give that three hundred taels of silver back to me, get her to give the silk back to me. Big brother doesn¡¯t want to return home only to discover that you¡¯ve already married.* *One more thing, there¡¯s a flower in Qingzhou called the red lotus. It¡¯s as beautiful and graceful as you, as soft and delicate.* The sixth letter: *Auntie:* *Please look after Lingyin well!* *End of letter.* The seventh letter: *Uncle:* *I¡¯m very well at the moment. As of writing this letter, we¡¯ve reached the border of Qingzhou and Yunzhou. As for what will happen in Yunzhou, I do not yet know.* *Don¡¯t worry about me ¡ª men will experience ups and downs anyway eh? Didn¡¯t you and my dad fight your way out of the battlefield?* *Recently, I¡¯ve been attempting to reach Refining Spirit. I hope that when I return, uncle has also sessfully reached this rank. When the timees, the two spirits of Xu sounds mighty fine.* *One more thing, I just remembered that you don¡¯t know too many characters right, so you wouldn¡¯t have been sending letters to Cijiu. I had always thought that as a father your heart would naturally be on your son, so I didn¡¯t think to leave him a note saying we¡¯d moved¡­ oh well, it¡¯s been half a month anyway, Cijiu should know now where we¡¯ve gone.* *Hopefully, it¡¯s just me worrying too much.* Once he had finished, Xu Qi¡¯an folded up the letter paper, and with the five red petals put them into their respective envelopes. ----- [^1]: There are two Yuzhou: ÓíÖÝ, which Xu Qi¡¯an just passed through, and Ô¥ÖÝ, which is the one mentioned here. Neither are _particrly_ important ces so we won¡¯t distinguish them. [^2]: This has anotheryer in Chinese: ¡°to aim¡± Éä is also to fire (e.g. a bow), and ¡°proficient¡± ¾« is the same word as ¡°vitality¡±, or ¡°vital essence¡±, Hence É侫 ¡°to fire off vital essence¡± ¡­ perhaps you get what that may be? Chapter 192: Slay an Enemy Chapter 192: y an Enemy # 192. y an Enemy ording to the Geographic Records of the Great Feng, Yunzhou spanned sixty thousand li, abundant in resources such as agriculture, porcin, and herbs and medicines. Before Emperor Wuzong¡¯s uprising, Yunzhou¡¯s wealth ranked in the top five among all the provinces of the Great Feng. The national road stretched far, winding its way towards the horizon, nked by ck-soiled fields and rolling mountains in the distance. The sun had just risen, and the air still held the chill of the previous night. A group of over a hundred people moved slowly along the road. The sound of horse hooves mingled with the rumbling of carriage wheels. "At the beginning of Yuanjing¡¯s reign, Yunzhou¡¯s poption was five million. Then, every ten years, a new census waspiled, showing a gradual decline in poption. By the 30th year of Yuanjing, the poption was about 3.5 million. Now, in the 36th year of Yuanjing, with four years until the next census, who knows how much of the poption is left?" Inspector Zhang said, lifting the curtain and sighing. A reduction of 1.5 million people in 30 years was rming, and the actual reduction would be even more significant. Given Yunzhou''s fertilend and absence of natural disasters, there shouldn¡¯t have been any famine-rted deaths. This meant the poption should have been steadily increasing through normal reproduction. *...From 5 million to 3.5 million isn¡¯t a simple subtraction; the actual poption reduction might be at least twice as much...* Xu Qi''an cursed under his breath: "What kind of ce is this?"Inspector Zhang nced at him and continued, ¡°The lost poption is partly due to heavy taxation. People abandoned their fields, became vagrants, sought other livelihoods in cities, or turned to banditry¡ªnone of these people are recorded in the census. "Additionally, rampant banditry haspounded the problem. Bandits plunder and pige, further worsening the situation. Sometimes mountain bandits descend to abduct vigers to replenish theirbour force. Of course, bandits are not recorded in the census either." Xu Qi''an gazed silently into the distance, listening to Inspector Zhang, his mind analysing the facts at hand. *...In the first year of Yuanjing there were still 5 million people. By the 10th year, the poption had already begun to decline. By the 30th year, it had decreased by 1.5 million, and the actual loss must be even greater... Yunzhou¡¯s sharp decline urred over these twenty-plus years, roughly coinciding with Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s obsession with Taoism...* *Could it be that the emperor¡¯s focus on Taoism gave the Church of the Warlock God an opportunity? The Church of the Warlock God''s scheme, spanning over twenty years, couldn¡¯t be a minor disruption. A major conflict between Great Feng and the Church of the Warlock God¡¯s allied nations should be inevitable.* As he thought, Xu Qi''an¡¯s head tilted, and he almost fell asleep. "You don¡¯t look well," Inspector Zhang scrutinised him with a frown. "What¡¯s wrong?" Inspector Zhang remembered that Xu Qi''an had been disciplined on this journey, not frequenting the Jiaofangsi, so he shouldn¡¯t be this exhausted. Xu Qi''an turned to the Inspector with a wry smile, "Nothing much, just mastering the art of time management." This was his eighth sleepless day. His brain throbbed with pain, his blood vessels felt like they were about to burst, and during breakfast this morning, he even had a slight hallucination, thinking Xu Lingyin was stealing his meat bun. His eyes were bloodshot, with dark circles underneath, reminding him of his days working the 996 in the "blessed" society. asionally, he even experienced 007[^1], looking equally miserable. "Just two more days. If I can endure these two days, I should be able to advance to the Refining Spirit stage. I can¡¯t let myself fall asleep, or all this effort will be wasted... Why does my heart feel so ufortable..." Xu Qi''an took a deep breath, removed his water pouch, and poured water over his head to stimte his body and refresh his spirits. ¡­ A merchant caravan of three hundred people was traveling along the official road. tbed wagons carried goods covered with waterproof cloth, hiding the silk, tea leaves, porcin, and cosmetics produced in Yunzhou. There were also some special products from Yunzhou, such as snake inkstones and yellow gemstones. The owner of the caravan was a burly man with a face full of scars named Zhao Long. He was a well-known figure in Yunzhou¡¯s Jianghu, respected in both legal and illegal circles. Tired of the dangerous life of licking blood off the de, he used his early reputation and connections to start a trading business. He was adept at dealing with bandit strongholds along the way, ensuring a smooth passage out of Yunzhou and selling the goods across various regions, making a hefty profit. Over time, many merchants were willing to pay a premium to join Zhao Long¡¯s caravan for the safety it provided. Zhao Long¡¯s caravan eventually evolved into abination of business and escort services. Yang Yingying was one of those seeking shelter under this protective umbre. She left Yunzhou as an independent traveler, paying twenty taels of silver for the caravan''s protection. After all, as a weak woman, it was impossible for her to leave Yunzhou alone. On any given day, she could be abducted by roadside bandits and made into a bandit bride. With her looks, she would easily qualify for such a position. Yang Yingying was originally a woman from the Jiaofangsi in Yunzhou. In her younger years, she was an oiran andter met a good man who redeemed her from the brothel, keeping her as a concubine. Now over thirty, her beauty had not diminished. Instead, her figure had be more voluptuous, adding to her mature charm. Her bright apricot eyes glistened as she looked around. Riding on horseback, Yang Yingying felt the intense gazes of the escorts around her. She tightened her cloak and lowered her head further. At first nce, it seemed like she was protecting her ample bosom from the men¡¯s lecherous eyes, but she was actually guarding an item in her possession. It was this very item that forced her to leave Yunzhou. One of the escorts, his eyes full of lust, looked at Yang Yingying''s back. Riding on horseback, her skirt clung to her body, highlighting the tempting curve of her buttocks. The strong escort spurred his horse to catch up with Yang Yingying, grinning as he said, "Beauty, keep mepany tonight. All the silver I earn from this trip will be yours. Ten taels of silver." Yang Yingying ignored him, neither responding nor refusing, acting as if he did not exist. The escort muttered a few more words and, seeing no response, cursed and rode off. His familiarpanionsughed and jeered, but each had a look of disappointment. This woman was impervious to both enticement and coercion, so they had no chance either. A few escorts with blood on their hands had a vicious glint in their eyes. If not for running into Zhao Long, this lone traveling woman would have been devoured, leaving no bones behind. At the front of the caravan, Zhao Long raised his hand to make a gesture. The escorts immediately drew their weapons, ready for anything, though their des were only half unsheathed¡ªan unspoken rule in the escort trade. In the Jianghu, they sought wealth, not needless bloodshed, unless the power difference was vast. Moreover, Zhao Long had a certain reputation, or he wouldn''t be in this business. From the dense forest on either side of the narrow path, about seventy or eighty men suddenly emerged, brandishing gleaming swords and spears. More than twenty riders, all robust and well-equipped, emerged from the side path. Zhao Long was puzzled. He traveled this route several times a year and knew exactly where to pay respects and which hilltops to honor. Since when had such a group of fierce bandits appeared in this forest? Zhao Long gestured for his escorts to stay calm and rode a short distance forward, shouting: ¡°I am Zhao Long. Friends, which road were you on before¡­¡± As he got closer, he realised something was wrong. These fierce bandits had military crossbows at their waists and standard long swords in their hands, all military equipment. Zhao Long had heard that somerge bandit strongholds were well-equipped with military supplies, including swords, crossbows, and even guns, but those were the top of the top ¡ª they shouldn¡¯t have appeared here. ¡­ "Ningyan, you look like a man who''s been drained by a woman," Song Tingfeng teased Xu Qi''an as they walked side by side. Xu Qi''an nced at him and said tly, "I have a friend who wants to know if the Sitianjian has any pills for boosting vitality." Song Tingfeng''s smile froze. "My friend is Zhu Guangxiao. Guangxiao, you have a fianc¨¦e; why push yourself so hard?" Song Tingfeng deflected thement to Zhu Guangxiao. Zhu Guangxiao gave him a silent look, feeling indignant, and retorted, "I cherish beauty, while you look too greedy. Every morning, the girls who sleep with you can''t even get out of bed. You don''t know how to restrain yourself and end up exhausting your body." A martial artist''s physique was robust, and their energy abundant, but even if one were as strong as a bull, working tirelessly from night till dawn would eventually lead to a depletion of vital energy. "I''m just that good," Song Tingfeng retorted proudly, "Only the girls from Jiaofangsi can keep up with me, although even they struggle." "Tingfeng..." Hearing Xu Qi''an call him, Song Tingfeng turned his head, "What?" "It''s not that you''re great; it''s that they tolerate your inadequacies." "Get lost." As they bantered, Jiang Lyuzhong, the leader, suddenly said in a deep voice, "There''s a scent of blood ahead. Everyone, prepare yourselves." The sound of des being drawn was uniform as the Huben Guards and Nightwatchers simultaneously unsheathed their swords and readied their crossbows. "Forward!" Jiang Lyuzhong spurred his horse forward. The Inspector General''s team quickly shifted into a marching formation, advancing with remarkable speed and coordination. After ten minutes, they reached a dense forest, and the air was thick with the smell of blood. As they entered the forest, arrows shot out from both sides, targeting the charging Nightwatchers and Huben Guards. Jiang Lyuzhong raised his hand and pressed down, creating an invisible wall of air that caused the arrows to fall helplessly to the ground. He waved his hand and ordered, "Huben Guards, into the forest to kill the enemy." As he spoke, Jiang Lyuzhong nced ahead and saw hundreds of corpses strewn across the road, their blood staining the ground. Even the horses had been ughtered, and the goods from the caravan were scattered everywhere. Quickly assessing the situation, he realised that his order to rush had caught the bandits off guard. They hadn¡¯t had time to retreat and were now ambushing from the forest. The sounds of fierce fighting erupted from the forest. The Huben Guards, one of the five elite units of the capital, though not as formidable as the Imperial Guards, were far superior to local troops. The numbers on both sides were roughly equal, and the exchange of arrows and des was intense. Jiang Lyuzhong paused, somewhat surprised, and turned to Xu Qi''an, "Ningyan, have you ever killed anyone?" "I''ve killed one and seriously injured another," Xu Qi''an reported casually, his eyes scanning the bodies of the caravan members. Jiang Lyuzhong scoffed, "Still wet behind the ears." The Nightwatchers burst intoughter. Aside from Xu Qi''an, who had been a Nightwatcher for less than two months, the others were battle-hardened warriors, unflinching killers. Pointing to the forest, Jiang Lyuzhong ordered, "Go and practice. Kill at least ten." Xu Qi''an took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and replied, "Alright!" --- [^1]: If you recall that 996 was 9AM - 9PM, 6 days a week¡­ well 007 is 0AM - 0AM, 7 days a week Chapter 193: Survivor Chapter 193: Survivor # 193. Survivor Stepping into the stirrups, Xu Qi''an''s warhorse from the Qingzhou barracks let out a distressed whinny and knelt on all fours as Xu Qi''an soared like a great bird into the dense forest. With a sh of his ck-gold sabre, a head was severed, and a fountain of blood spurted from the neck. *Don''t look, don''t look...* Xu Qi''an''s mind echoed with the tragic images of the ughtered caravan, hardening his heart. His de rose and fell, dispatching the lives of bandits one by one. With his cultivation on the brink of entering the Refining Spirit realm, ughtering these bandits was as effortless as cutting through vegetables. The sharpness of his ck-gold sabre, which could slice through iron like mud, made it impossible for anyone to withstand even a single strike from him. "Whoosh!" A scorching de light shed from behind, slicing through the branches and leaves silently, leaving neat, even cuts. Xu Qi''an''s formidable mental strength alerted him to the attack. He twisted his waist, spun around, and shattered the iing de light with his sabre. He saw a man wielding arge steel de. This man had just cleaved through a Tiger Guard blocking his way and was now charging at Xu Qi''an with a sinister grin. Simultaneously, two lean men with standard military sabres nked Xu Qi''an from both sides.Xu Qi''an was suddenly caught in a dangerous situation, surrounded by fierce bandits. On the official road, Jiang Lyuzhong, who had been watching the battle with squinted eyes,ughed, "Those three bandits are quite skilled. One is at the peak of the Refining Qi realm, while the other two are not far behind but still formidable." Hearing this, a Silver Gong asked, "Should we help him?" The Nightwatchers all turned to Jiang Lyuzhong, waiting for hismand. In their view, Xu Qi''an, with his Refining Qi realm cultivation, couldn''t possibly fend off three skilled opponents of the same level. Moreover, he was still inexperienced in killing andckedbat experience. On the battlefield, experience could be as crucial as cultivation. Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng knew Xu Qi''an was on the verge of breaking through to the Refining Spirit realm, but this was not necessarily a good thing since he was currently exhausted, affecting hisbat strength. Jiang Lyuzhong secretly prepared to intervene, his fingers forming a sword shape, ready to rescue Xu Qi''an at any moment. "Wait a bit longer," he said. *Three at the Refining Qi realm... The man with the steel de is at the peak of the Refining Qi realm... The other two are not far behind... Are Yunzhou''s bandits so highly skilled?* Xu Qi''an wondered, gripping his sabre, his expression calm. He stepped forward to meet the man with the steel de head-on while visualising a roaring golden lion in his mind. "Roar!" A deep roar erupted from his throat, shaking the forest and causing both sides of the battle to momentarily freeze. The man with the steel de felt as if thunder had exploded in his ears. His pupils briefly dted, as his mind seemed to be plunged into quicksand. That split second of hesitation sealed his fate. "sh!" The ck-gold sabre gleamed as it cleaved the man with the steel de in two, his shattered organs mixing with the blood on the ground. After killing one, Xu Qi''an pursued his advantage, turning swiftly and visualising a giant in his mind. For an instant, he transformed into a war god, his aura surging. "ng... sh..." One of the lean men tried to block with his sabre but was easily overpowered. The ck-gold sabre cut through his chest. Seeing the dire situation, the other lean man turned to flee, only to be intercepted by the Huben Guards'' volley of arrows. Xu Qi''an caught up, visualised the roaring golden lion again, and with a swing of his sabre, ended the man''s life. The entire process took only a few moments. *This...* The Nightwatchers watching the battle eximed in awe. "His energy is far more potent than that of a typical peak Refining Qi cultivator. Even I would only be slightly stronger than him," a Gold Gong said in shock.[^1] "We should be more concerned about where he learned the Buddhist visualisation technique. That was the Lion''s Roar," another Gold Gong added. "There''s also the fact that he seems to be practicing two visualisation techniques simultaneously... and both have reached a high level. He is already capable of advancing to the Refining Spirit realm." "He has only been with the Nightwatchers for two months." As they discussed, the Silver Gongs fell silent, their expressionsplex. The Bronze Gongs were even more astonished, staring in disbelief at Xu Qi''an. Their minds reyed the scene of him effortlessly ughtering three skilled bandits. Even among those at the Refining Qi realm, Xu Qi''an''sbat power was extraordinary. While the Nightwatchers were generally stronger than ordinary martial artists, they weren¡¯t *that* powerful. Xu Qi''an''s ability to kill three skilled martial artists in such a short time without sustaining any injuries meant that none of the Bronze Gongs couldst more than ten moves against him, even ounting for the advantages of their magical artefacts. Normally, they joked and got along as equals, but now they realised that Xu Qi''an could easily defeat ten of them. Jiang Lyuzhong knew that Xu Qi''an''s ultimate technique, "One de from Heaven and Earth" had not even been used. ¡­ After cleaning up the bandits, the Huben Guards emerged from the dense forest with a group of 25 civilians bound with rope. Upon questioning, they found out that these people were merchants. One woman in particr stood out, not with the delicate slenderness of a young girl but with the ripe allure of a peach, an appeal only an experienced connoisseur could truly appreciate. "Thank you, officers, thank you..." The rescued merchants expressed their endless gratitude, kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly. Inspector Zhang reassured them with a kind demeanour, revealing his identity and promising to escort them back to Baidi City, the central hub of Yunzhou. "Let''s bury these bodies and gather the goods. We''ll take everything with us," Zhang instructed. Jiang Lyuzhong nodded and ordered the Huben Guards to get to work. "Wait a moment!" Xu Qi''an, who had been inspecting the scene, called out, halting the Huben Guards. Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong looked at him inquisitively as Xu Qi''an walked over, frowning. "Something''s off." "Hmm?" Jiang Lyuzhong scanned the surroundings and focused his senses for a moment. "There are no ambushes nearby." This seemed like a straightforward bandit robbery, the kind that happened daily in Yunzhou. "It''s not an ambush," Xu Qi''an shook his head. "I checked the scene and found that most of the dead are guards. The merchants andmon folk are unharmed, and the goods are intact. The bandits didn''t even rip the waterproof tarps to check the spoils." "Isn''t it odd," Xu Qi''an continued, "that the bandits ignored such valuable cargo, leaving it scattered around?" Inspector Zhang pondered. "Maybe they didn''t have time to gather the loot." Xu Qi''an asked, "Then why did they have time to bind people? If I were a bandit, I would prioritise the goods. I would kill themon folk too, rather than waste time tying them up. Unless..." Jiang Lyuzhong and Inspector Zhang exchanged a look. The former furrowed his brow. "Unless their target wasn''t the goods, but the people?" Xu Qi''an nodded, ncing at the survivors who were still shaken. "Let''s ask them." He beckoned a middle-aged merchant over and asked, "Who are you?" ¡°I''m a silk merchant from Baidi City, transporting two thousand bolts of silk to Qingzhou for business. Fearing bandits along the way, I joined Master Zhao''s caravan for safety... uh, Zhao Long. He''s quite influential, respected in both the Jianghu and legitimate circles. His caravans are usually very safe. "I''ve partnered with him many times, but who could have predicted today... Ah, always hunting geese, but now a goose has pecked my eye. Zhao Long was a capable and trustworthy man. Such a pity." Xu Qi''an nced at the dead caravan members, noting that Zhao Long was among them. He continued questioning the survivors, finding that they were all merchants traveling together. Finally, he reached the voluptuous woman. She appeared to be in her early thirties, which in Xu Qi''an''s era was still considered youthful. "And you?" Xu Qi''an scrutinised her. "Why were you, a lone woman, traveling to Qingzhou?" Yang Yingying hesitated, lowering her head and speaking softly. "A few years ago, my husband went to Qingzhou to make a living. Recently, he sent a letter saying his business was thriving and he wanted to bring me to Qingzhou to settle down. But due to businessmitments, he couldn''te himself, so he asked me to join a trustworthy caravan to Qingzhou. "I inquired extensively and heard that Master Zhao''s caravan was the best, both safe and reliable." Her exnation was usible and seemingly wless. *She seems calm... But as an ordinary woman witnessing such bloodshed, shouldn''t she be pale and distressed, clinging to anyone forfort? Also, she kept looking down as she spoke, as if reciting a rehearsed script, a sign of insecurity...* Xu Qi''an said, "I have a few questions for you." Yang Yingying nced up at him briefly before lowering her head again, her voice soft and timid. "Please ask, sir." "What is your husband''s name?" Yang Yingying appeared to be contemting her response. "Where do you live?" "..." "What are your husband''s distinguishing features?" "..." "How tall is your husband?" "..." "What did your husband write in his letter? Please recite a few lines. What does he do for a living?" Yang Yingying stood there, bewildered and helpless. After a long silence, she finally spoke softly, "My husband''s name is..." "That''s enough. Stop talking," Xu Qi''an interrupted, then called to the Huben Guards, "Search her." "???" Yang Yingying looked at him, bewildered and at a loss. The officer''s actions werepletely beyond her expectations. She took a step back in fear, crossing her arms over her chest, her expression one of biting her lip in shame and anger. "You took too long to think," Xu Qi''an said with a smile, scrutinising the beautiful woman. ¡°If a wife needs a long time to recall her husband''s name and features, how can anyone believe her? "Lies aren''t convincing just because you make up a few sentences. If you don''t want to be searched, tell the truth. Why did those bandits intercept you?" After the harsh words, seeing the woman''s face gradually pale, Xu Qi''an tried to reassure her, "My superior here is an Inspector General sent by the court. There''s no higher authority in Yunzhou. Whatever you have to say, just say it." Yang Yingying looked at Inspector Zhang, who nodded and said, "I am here by imperialmand to inspect Yunzhou. A meremoner like you is not worth deceiving." Lowering her head, Yang Yingying weighed her options and realised she had no choice. Suddenly, she bit her lip, fell to her knees, and said, "I am Yang Yingying. I am heading to Qingzhou to escape misfortune and seek justice from Yang, the Commissioner of Qingzhou, for my husband. I want revenge." Inspector Zhang didn''t respond immediately. After a moment of contemtion, he asked, "Who is your husband? Why do you seek justice from Yang?" Yang Yingying cried, "My husband is Zhou Min." Inspector Zhang eximed, "What?!" Xu Qi''an and Jiang Lyuzhong turned abruptly to stare at Yang Yingying. Zhou Min, the Nightwatcher spy who had died in Yunzhou, was the one who had revealed that Yang Chuannan, the Military Commissioner of Yunzhou, was colluding with bandits, diverting military supplies for profit, and fostering bandits to strengthen his own power. Shortly after his secret message reached the capital, Zhou Min mysteriously died. --- [^1]: Trantor¡¯s note: The original text says ¡°Gold Gong¡±, and so I shall keep it that way in the trantion, though I¡¯m pretty sure that Xiangjun does mean ¡°Silver Gong¡±, as the only Gold Gong on the mission is Jiang Lyuzhong. Chapter 194: Foolish Linan Still Has Her Uses Chapter 194: Foolish Lin''an Still Has Her Uses # 194. Foolish Lin''an Still Has Her Uses Zhou Min''s Widow? Xu Qi''an''s first reaction upon hearing this was: she''s lying. Apart from clerks, officials in Great Feng, from provincial governors to county magistrates, are all from other regions. As a clerk in the Yunzhou Military Command, Zhou Min wouldn''t be an exception. Besides, his official title as a clerk masked his true identity as a Nightwatcher operative. Would Wei Yuan allow an operative to bring his wife and children along? That would turn them into double agents instantly. "Zhou Min?" Inspector Zhang frowned. "What grievance does he have?" He adopted an air of *¡°Who the hell is Zhou Min, this official has never heard of the man.¡±* Yang Yingyingmented, "My husband was originally a clerk in the Yunzhou Military Command."Inspector Zhang was taken aback, his attitude shifting dramatically as he bent down to help the kneeling Yang Yingying to her feet. ¡°So you''re the wife of Clerk Zhou. What happened to him? And why are you traveling all the way to Qingzhou to file aint? "Qingzhou and Yunzhou are of equal rank. Chief Minister Yang may not take on this case. Hmm, I am the Inspector General overseeing Yunzhou, and the three departments here must listen to me. What grievance do you have? Speak freely." *It turns out that not only women are born actresses, but officials are also top-notch performers...* Xu Qi''an remained silent, watching Zhang''s solo performance. Yang Yingying hesitated, then looked at Inspector Zhang and said, "Sir, may I see your appointment document or official seal?" At these words, Inspector Zhang and the Nightwatchers all frowned. The Silver Gongs and Bronze Gongs instinctively ced their hands on their weapon hilts, scrutinising Yang Yingying. These were not words an ordinary woman could say, even if she were a clerk¡¯s wife. *She knows her stuff...* Xu Qi''an also gripped his sword hilt, staring seriously at Yang Yingying. The woman showed no signs of qi fluctuation and didn''t appear to be a martial artist based on her body fat distribution. But this only ruled out her being a martial artist; other systems with their myriad techniques could not be dismissed lightly. Inspector Zhang took two steps back without a change in expression and said, "Gold Gong Jiang, please fetch my documents and seal." *Coward...* Jiang Lyuzhong shot him a nce, then fetched the documents and seal. Inspector Zhang did not take them but instead looked at Yang Yingying, "Since you are the wife of Clerk Zhou, we permit you to inspect them." Jiang Lyuzhong stepped forward, disying the documents and seal. Yang Yingying examined them carefully, her eyes searching for the words "Yunzhou" and "Inspector General," and then seeing the bright red seal, she had no more doubts. Up to this point, the willingness of the other party to engage with her, a mere woman, for so long was in itself a sign of sincerity. Yang Yingying knelt again and kowtowed, "I am Yang Yingying, formerly a woman of the Jiaofangsi in Yunzhou. Years ago, I fell in love with Master Zhou, left my life of disgrace, and have since been serving him..." Everyone gave a knowing look of realisation. *...So she¡¯s a courtesan, no wonder she¡¯s more knowledgeable than ordinary women, even knowing to ask for documents and seals.* Xu Qi''an understood. In this era, courtesans were the highly educated women among their peers, skilled in various arts and crafts. Yang Yingying briefly recounted her past with Zhou Min, frankly stating that she was his kept woman, whom he would visit periodically. "Not long ago, Master Zhou came to me in a hurry, handed me something, and said he might be in danger soon. If something happened to him, I should hide and then find a way to leave Yunzhou to deliver this item to Commissioner Yang in Qingzhou. "Soon after, I received the news of his death..." Yang Yingying''s tears fell as she choked on her words, sobbing, "I was both grieving and frightened, so I hid at a friend''s house, asking her to gather information for me. "After hiding for a while, my friend told me that Zhao''s caravan was going to Qingzhou soon. I borrowed twenty taels of silver from her, bought a horse, and left Yunzhou with the caravan..." The rest of the story, everyone knew. Xu Qi''an watched coldly, observing Yang Yingying''s micro-expressions. This time, her eyes did not waver, her voice was mournful, full of genuine emotion. No signs of deception could be seen. Thus Xu Qi''an searched for clues in Yang Yingying''s words¡ªZhou Min never exposed his identity as a Nightwatcher operative, not even to someone he could fully trust. This indicated that Zhou Min was apetent operative. If he had easily revealed his identity, it would have been suspicious. As for why he wanted to go to Qingzhou to find Ziyang Jushi instead of another neighboring province, Xu Qi''an surmised that Zhou Min didn''t trust anyone else and only trusted this great schr from the Cloud Deer Academy. Firstly,pared to ordinary schrs, great schrs from the Cloud Deer Academy were more trustworthy due to their cultivation system. After all, scoundrels couldn''t follow the Confucian path. Secondly, there was a doctrinal dispute between schrs from the Cloud Deer Academy and those from the Imperial Academy. Following the principle that the enemy of my enemy is my friend, seeking out Ziyang Jushi was the right choice. Inspector Zhang frowned, "You suspect Zhou Min was murdered." Yang Yingying nodded vigorously, "It''s quite obvious, isn''t it? Please seek justice for my husband." "This..." Inspector Zhang pondered for a moment, "Very well, we agree. Now, hand over what Clerk Zhou left you." Yang Yingying immediately kowtowed, "Thank you, sir." Xu Qi''an couldn''t help but view Inspector Zhang differently. His cunning was admirable; no wonder he was a seasoned official under Wei Yuan. Yang Yingying straightened up, reached into her bosom, and pulled out half of a jade pendant, presenting it with both hands, "This is what Master Zhou gave me that night." All eyes focused on the jade pendant. It was a semi-circr piece of jade, entirely a stunning shade of translucent green. It should have been a round piece, but it had been cut in half by a sharp instrument. Jiang Lyuzhong took the jade pendant and handed it to Inspector Zhang, who rubbed it between his fingers, lost in thought. "This looks like a token?" Jiang Lyuzhong whispered, then looked at Xu Qi''an for his opinion. Inspector Zhang also looked over. *Why are you looking at me? I can investigate a case, but I''m not a fortune-teller... Your attitude of treating me as a tool is quite tant...* Xu Qi''an pondered, "Let''s head to Yunzhou first. Guessing is pointless." Inspector Zhang put away the jade pendant and instructed the soldiers, "Continue on, to Yunzhou." They buried the corpses on the spot, collected the surviving merchants and their goods, and continued their journey along the official road towards Yunzhou. .... The sun shone brightly, bringing a gentle warmth. On this rare fine morning, Princess Huaiqing had finished her sword practice and was about to call for a maid to prepare hot water, when she turned and saw two maids ying go in the pavilion. Huaiqing frowned, not because the maids were ying go, but because they wouldn''t understand the game in the first ce. She silently approached the pavilion and watched the maids y. The pretty little maids were engrossed in their game, oblivious to their mistress''s presence. They yed without strategy, ignorant of positioning or securing advantageous spots, cing their pieces rapidly, almost without thinking. Huaiqing''s frown deepened. This childish way of ying was excruciating for her, a go master. But after watching for a while, she understood. The game was simple: whoever lined up five pieces first, whether vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, would win. Unable to resist, she asked, "What game is this?" The two maids jumped in fright, hurriedly standing up and softly replied, "It''s Five-in-a-row." *Five-in-a-row? What''s that?* The well-read Huaiqing was puzzled. One maid exined, "It''s a game that came from Princess Lin''an. It''s spread throughout the pce now, and everyone is ying it." By "everyone," she meant the eunuchs and maids in the pce. "Even Concubine Chen said it was interesting," added the other maid. *Lin''an? She''s just a silly girl...* Huaiqing nodded, "I want to take a bath. No need to prepare lunch." Emperor Yuanjing was hosting a family banquet this morning, and the princes and princesses would dine in Qianqing Pce. After her bath, Princess Huaiqing left her garden and headed towards Qianqing Pce. In the luxurious hall, she met her siblings. In her absence, the talkative Lin''an, who loved to wear red dresses and borate jewelry, was the center of attention. Today was a bit different. Her brothers and sisters merely nodded in greeting to Huaiqing and then resumed their conversation. "Lin''an has created a new game. The rules of Five-in-a-row are simple and easy to understand. Even the attendants in my pce have picked it up quickly and are enjoying it." "Our Princess Lin''an''s name will be widely known." The round-faced, charming Lin''an enjoyed the praise from her siblings, her smile sweet, yet she tried to remain modest. She looked like a proud little hen trying hard not to show off. Seeing Huaiqing enter, she raised her chin slightly, disying a proud demeanor. *Be jealous of me, be jealous of me...* Lin''an chanted in her heart, ncing at Huaiqing out of the corner of her eye. But the aloof Huaiqing simply sat down, sipped some tea, and ignored her foolish sister. *Hmph... Huaiqing is definitely jealous of me.* Lin''an consoled herself inwardly. Princess Huaiqing was not a sociable royal daughter. It wasn''t just her pride; her interests were too different from her siblings''. While the princesses discussed beautiful clothes and cosmetics, she was interested in the Four Books and the Five ssics. When the princes discussed politics and grand strategies, she would ask: How to solve the disasters of water? How to manage the officials? The princes would feel ufortable; *who knows? We''re discussing grand strategies and macro issues, and you''re nit-picking.* Near noon, eunuchs from Emperor Yuanjing''s pce came to invite the princes and princesses over. Lin''an trotted behind her elder brother, the crown prince, her skirt fluttering. Suddenly, she heard Huaiqing''s voice behind her, "Lin''an." Lin''an couldn''t help but smile, her expression uncontroble with pride, "What?" Once the other princes had walked far enough, Huaiqing said indifferently, "Who taught you Five-in-a-row?" "I invented it myself." Lin''an was conflicted. Xu Qi''an had taught her, and she shouldn''t im it as her own, but thepliments were too tempting, and ultimately she couldn¡¯t resist. *I''ll tell them Xu Ningyan taught meter...* she thought. "When Father askster, you should say the same thing." Huaiqing walked away, her cool, pleasant voice carrying a warning: "Father doesn''t like that guy. Be mindful when you speak." After a small pause, she added, "If you have a brain." Lin''an swallowed the words "Why" and, like a feisty little lion, chased after Huaiqing ws iling, angrily shouting: "You''re the one without a brain! You''re the one without a brain!" "I''m prettier and smarter than you. See, Xu Ningyan is willing to work for me, but not for you." Huaiqing suddenly stopped, ring sternly. Lin''an, like an agile cat, jumped back, then felt she was too cowardly and stubbornly red back with her peach blossom eyes. Princess Huaiqing raised her hand. "Brother Crown Prince, Huaiqing is going to hit me!" Lin''an screamed as she ran away. At the banquet, Emperor Yuanjing did indeed ask about it. *How did Huaiqing know Father would ask...* Lin''an was shocked, ncing at her annoying sister. Huaiqing''s beautiful face remained expressionless as she ate. Lin''an''s eyes rolled back, as she sweetly said, "Because Lin''an is Father''s daughter, and Father is the smartest person in the world." Emperor Yuanjingughed heartily. *Father has always been watching what''s happening in the pce, just as he silently oversees the court...* Huaiqing continued eating without any change in expression. She hadn''t cultivated her own confidants in the pce and never actively sought out pce gossip. She didn''t even know about the recently popr Five-in-a-row. It wasn''t that Huaiqing didn''t know; she didn''t want to know. Princess Huaiqing had to admit, though Lin''an was extremely foolish, even a useless person could be of use, depending on how you used them. At least when it came to pleasing Father, no one in the pce could surpass Lin''an, including those concubines who were either out of favour or had been favoured. Chapter 195: This is the Prefecture Government Chapter 195: This is the Prefecture Government # 195. This is the Prefecture Government Crossing two provinces and three counties, the Inspector General''s team finally arrived at the main city of Yunzhou¡ªBaidi City. The name Baidi City had a historical origin, dating back to the previous dynasty, about 1,300 years ago. At that time, Yunzhou suffered from a severe drought, withnds barren for miles. The people had no harvest and no means to live. That year, a strange beast came from overseas. It resembled a deer, covered in snow-white scales, with a pair of horns on its head, hooves like a horse, and a snake-like tail. Wherever it went, dark clouds gathered, and heavy rain poured. This beast roamed Yunzhou for over a month, filling reservoirs and revitalising dried rivers andkes, ending the drought in Yunzhou. The court regarded it as an auspicious creature, and named it Baidi ¡ª the White Emperor. Xu Qi''an looked at the majestic outline of Baidi City and asked with a smile, "So, is this legend true?" Inspector Zhang, who was looking at Baidi City and recounting this story, nodded:"It should be true; otherwise, it wouldn''t be recorded in the history books. Droughts and floods aremon urrences, and historians wouldn''t fabricate history for such events. However, since then, no one has ever seen the auspicious beast Baidi again." *Clearly, it was an overseas monster, perhaps even a sea beast, and maybe it was just touring the nine provinces. Seeing Yunzhou''s drought, it intervened to change the environment...* Xu Qi''an analyzed from a "scientific perspective" while saying: "Excellent insight, sir." After speaking, he continued to gaze at the city walls, a poeming to mind: *In morning of rosy clouds, Baidi city I depart;* *One thousand li to Jiangling, yet only one day apart.* *On both banks, apes are calling without rest;* *This little boat passing myriad mountains far.*[^1] *One thousand li to Jiangling, yet only one day apart... so luxurious. If it were me, it would take today, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and thirty-one days in a month before I''d be willing to return,* Xu Qi''an thought. He couldn''t help but recall a travel advertisement he had seen, encouraging high-level executives to fly straight to Thand after work on Friday, enjoy a day of leisure, and return on Sunday. Everyone living like modern-day Li Bai. The soldiers guarding the gate of Baidi City stopped the group. After examining the court-issued documents, they respectfully allowed them to pass. Once inside the city, Xu Qi''an looked around, noticing many passers by carrying swords and sabres among the bustling crowd. The strict control of weapons in the Great Feng meant that in cities, from provinces to counties, one could not carry swords unless in special professions, like bodyguards. But even bodyguards could only be armed when on duty. "Is this characteristic of Yunzhou?" Xu Qi''an wondered. At this moment, Inspector Zhang lifted the curtain again and said to Xu Qi''an, "Ningyan, have someone send these merchants home. The goods can wait. Let the merchants bring their ounts ande to the station tomorrow to verify and retrieve their goods." Xu Qi''an had a thought, "What about Zhao Long''s goods?" Inspector Zhang replied, "Naturally, they should be returned. Zhao Long and the bodyguards were all killed, and their families must bepensated. Now that Zhao Long is dead, returning the goods can somewhat make up for their loss." Xu Qi''an gave a thumbs-up, "Sir, you are truly a good eel." Inspector Zhang frowned, "What do you mean by that?" "Nothing, nothing," Xu Qi''an turned to find Song Tingfeng and ry the instructions, telling him to handle it. "Why should I be the errand boy?" Song Tingfeng protested, "It''s like I''m your subordinate. We''re on the same level." Xu Qi''an turned and shouted, "Inspector, Song Tingfeng is shirking his duties and beingzy. Deduct his pay." Song Tingfeng quickly said, "I''ll do it, I''ll do it." He then turned to Zhu Guangxiao, told him what to do, and instructed him to handle it. Zhu Guangxiao grumbled, "Ningyan told you to do it." Song Tingfeng said, "Xu Ningyan, Zhu Guangxiao is shirking his duties and beingzy." "...," Zhu Guangxiao, sulking, turned his horse around and took a few Guards with him toplete the task. The two rascals sighed together: "Guangxiao is such a hard-working and honest man." "Indeed, whether in bed or at work." ¡­ Office of the Military Commissioner. Yang Chuannan, in his early forties, was a calm andposed schr. He was also a fifth-rank martial artist. Born into a military family, Yang Chuannan was exceptionally talented, having a passion for both martial arts and literature. In the 12th year of Yuanjing, he passed the imperial examination, and due to his extensive family education and thorough knowledge of military strategy, secured a position in the Ministry of War. In the 16th year of Yuanjing, he was assigned to Yunzhou. Due to his merits in suppressing bandits, he gradually rose to the position of Military Commissioner, bing one of the three most powerful figures in Yunzhou. As Yang Chuannan was handling official duties in his office, he suddenly looked up. A few secondster, the sound of footsteps approached, and a woman in light armor strode in without any officials stopping her along the way. She had a tall and slender figure, with a sword at her waist and a silver spear on her back. Her sharp, oval face and delicate, beautiful features exuded a heroic aura rather than feminine softness. Furthermore, she had her long hair tied in a high ponytail, revealing a smooth and attractive forehead. "The Inspector General has entered the city," she said directly upon entering, cutting straight to the point. Yang Chuannan paused and then nodded slightly, "I know." "That damned Yuanjing Emperor, always indulging in immortality pursuits, an earthly emperor dreaming of eternal life¡ªwhat a delusion, a damned¡ª" she began to rant. "Miaozhen!" Yang Chuannan frowned. Li Miaozhen[^2] sneered, "It¡¯s not as if I¡¯m eating out of the crown¡¯s hand." She leaned her silver spear against the wall, sat cross-legged on the tea table in the reception area, and ced her sword across her knees. "With the Inspector here, you''ll have to hand over your military authority. That''s thew in Feng. What are you going to do?" "Since it''s thew, I will naturallyply," Yang Chuannan replied. Li Miaozhen nodded, "I will help you." Yang Chuannan nced at her and shook his head helplessly. "No wonder so many people in the martial world are willing to serve you. Lady Flying Swallow, I owe you one. But be cautious, there is a Gold Gong among the apanying team. A fourth-rank expert, a formidable hero in the martial world." Li Miaozhen was indifferent. "What is there to fear? Anyone below third rank cannot withstand an army." ¡­ *The food in Yunzhou is somewhat numbing and spicy, with a preference for strong vours. I don''t like the cuisine here... doesn¡¯t eating spicy food too often give you hemorrhoids?* Xu Qi''an silently grumbled while eating the steaming hot food in the inn. The main hall was crowded with Nightwatchers and Huben Guards, with eight people crammed around a table. Baidi City had four inns, and this one was thergest, with arge courtyard and two adjacent three-story buildings. It had one manager and seven attendants. For safety reasons, Yang Yingying also had to stay in the inn. She sat alone at a table, quietly eating her meal. The young woman''s figure was plump and alluring. Sitting down, her dress clung tightly to her hips, outlining a voluptuous curve. Xu Qi''an noticed Song Tingfeng staring at her buttocks and kicked him under the table. "What are you looking at?" After scolding, he took a few nces himself. "So what if we look? Everyone else is looking," Song Tingfeng whispered. Men are like this. When they see a beautiful woman, they can''t help but take a few extra nces, unable to control their gaze unless their wife is right next to them. "Alright, alright, I¡¯ll stop, it¡¯ll just make me ufortable," Song Tingfeng muttered. Earlier, Inspector Zhang had ordered that during their time in Yunzhou, they were not to visit the Jiaofangsi or leave the inn unless on duty. Xu Qi''an raised his hand and clenched his fist. "What are you doing?" Song Tingfeng asked, puzzled. "This is called the unyielding grip. You should learn it privately." After dinner, Inspector Zhang invited Xu Qi''an and Jiang Lyuzhong to his room to discuss matters. The Inspector General, with a background as a Censor, looked at the two experienced Nightwatchers and said: "Because of the banditry, Yunzhou has lifted the ban on personal weapons. Thus,pared to daytime, the nights are actually safer due to the strict curfew. "Gold Gong Jiang must protect me at all times, so the investigation will be temporarily entrusted to Ningyan. You can freelymand the Nightwatchers and Huben Guards in the inn." *... So I really am just a tool, huh.* Xu Qi''an nced at Inspector Zhang without speaking. The Inspector exined, "In the first few days, I will have to attend many social engagements and need to get a feel for the politicalndscape in Yunzhou." *Alright¡­* Xu Qi''an epted the exnation. "Understood, I will do my utmost." Inspector Zhang nodded in satisfaction and asked, "How do you n to start the investigation?" "I will first go to the government office to get Zhou Min''s belongings and then visit his home," Xu Qi''an replied. "No need to exhume the body for an autopsy?" Inspector Zhang frowned. "I was just waiting for sir to ask," Xu Qi''an grinned, "The body has been dead for over half a month, the dposed skin is bloated and will burst at the slightest touch, and the fluid in the corpse would be enough for any man to drink his fill." Jiang Lyuzhong, who had just eaten, turned pale, while Inspector Zhang retched. "Then I shall take my leave," Xu Qi''an slipped away. Leaving the room and going downstairs, he gathered Song Tingfeng, Zhu Guangxiao, four Bronze Gongs, a familiar Silver Gong, and six Huben Guards. They mounted their horses and headed towards the government office. Zhou Min was a registered court official. Whenever a court official passed away, the government office was responsible for conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death. For officials like Zhou Min, whose family was not local, the government office also had to safeguard his belongings until his family or the court came to im them. Controlling the pace of his horse, Xu Qi''an asionally nced at the map of Baidi City given by the courier. After nearly an hour of navigating, he finally saw the gates of the prefecture government office. "ording to official protocols, a portion of such belongings¡ªup to thirty percent, and sometimes even fifty percent for the greedy ones¡ªare often pocketed. I wonder how much of Zhou''s belongings remain," remarked Tang, the Silver Gong. This was the first time Xu Qi''an had heard of such an unwritten rule, and he frowned, "Does the Great Feng¡¯s code ofw have any punishments for such actions?" "Of course," Tang replied, "Embezzling a court official''s inheritance, depending on the severity, could result in fifty strokes or even dismissal and fines." Xu Qi''an nodded and suddenly asked, "Is the Nightwatcher¡¯s constabry the same?" "No way. Duke Wei strictly forbids it. Plus, we''re different from these officials; Nightwatchers arerades who fight together and visit brothels together. Anyone daring to embezzle would face the wrath of his brothers," Tang exined. Song Tingfengughed and nodded, "Exactly. If you die, Ningyan, and anyone tries to pocket yourpensation, I¡¯d take his damned life." *I feel like there¡¯s something wrong with what you just said...* Xu Qi''an decided not to argue with the squinty-eyed Song Tingfeng. Entering the government office and revealing their identities, a seventh-rank official in a green robe came out to greet them, introducing himself as the Administrative registrar. "To prevent theft by servants, all of Zhou Min''s belongings are stored in the office''s warehouse." This registrar, responsible for reception, ounting, and storage, led Xu Qi''an and the others to the warehouse. Holding a heavy bunch of keys, he expertly found the right one and unlocked the iron door of the warehouse. Among Zhou Min''s belongings were paintings, clothes, antiques, writing tools, and other items. Xu Qi''an meticulously inspected each item. Seeing that only thirty taels of silver remained, he said sternly, "Officer, this isn''t right. Zhou Min was a sixth-grade official, in service for over twenty years. Even if he saved just one tael a year, there should be more than this." "Sir, there are twenty taels," the registrar chuckled. *You still dare to joke with me?* Xu Qi''an red at him, "Embezzling a court official¡¯s inheritance, depending on the value, could result in fifty strokes or even dismissal and fines." Zhou Min was an undercover agent for the Nightwatchers. He had died in service, and his family far away in his hometown still didn''t know the news. Though Xu Qi''an couldn''t bring him back to life, he could ensure that his belongings were returned to his family. He should do this. *An outright fool...* The registrar, an old hand, shrugged helplessly, "Perhaps Zhou Min squandered his money on women or other pleasures. This is all he left." He wore a smug expression, confident that the government office had the final say on the inheritance. *Unhappy? What could you do? Bring the dead back to life?* Xu Qi''an pointed to his badge, "Do the officials in Yunzhou not recognise the Nightwatchers?" The registrar scoffed, "The Nightwatchers oversee officials; of course, I¡¯ve heard of them." *So you¡¯ve only heard but never experienced... You need a taste of the Nightwatchers'' discipline...* Xu Qi''an kicked the officer hard in the stomach. With a thud, the registrar''s fat body mmed into the wall, causing dust to fall. He curled up in pain, his face contorted, and after a few seconds, he started to moan. Xu Qi''an drew his sword and ced it against the officer¡¯s neck, looking down at him. "I came to Yunzhou with the Inspector General to investigate a case. I have the authority to act as I see fit. Even if I kill you, the Inspector will cover for me. Do you believe it?" The registrar took several heavy breaths, incredulous, and stressed, "This is the prefecture government." ----- [^1]: Setting off Early from Baidi City, by Li Bai. Trantion Mine. [^2]: ÀîÃîÕæ Chapter 196: Analysing the Case Chapter 196: Analysing the Case # 196. Analysing the Case *The Prefecture Government?* *So what? I even dare to kill people at the gates of the Ministry of Law. Killing a mere seventh-grade official like you isn''t difficult at all.* Xu Qi''an pressed down, and the sharp ck-gold de instantly cut through the back of the registrar''s neck. The registrar felt the pain and the warm blood flowing out. *He¡¯s really going to kill me...* The registrar''s heart tightened as he looked at the other Nightwatchers in panic, hoping they would stop theirwless colleague. But Song Tingfeng and the others'' calm, indifferent, and hands-off attitudes made the registrar''s heart sink. He had heard of the notorious Nightwatchers, especially their arrogance, but he didn''t believe they would dare to kill a court official in government premises. Song Tingfeng met the registrar''s gaze and squinted his eyes with a smile, "registrar registrar, you embezzled a court official''s inheritance. Even if we don''t kill you now, once you''re in prison, we have ways to deal with you." Tang, the Silver Gong, added, "This is just our usual method. By then, it won¡¯t just be about the inheritance." "This official... understands his mistake." The registrar finally conceded.Only then did Xu Qi''an sheathe his knife and kick the registrar, "Go, gather everyone who took the silver to the main hall. I will question each one of them." The registrar, clutching his bleeding neck, stumbled away. Once the registrar was out of sight, Xu Qi''an resumed examining the belongings. "Are you worried that valuable clues might have been embezzled, hindering the investigation?" Tang, the Silver Gong, asked. "If Zhou Min had really left clues among his belongings, he wouldn''t have chosen valuable items that could easily tempt others," Xu Qi''an said, looking up at him, "I just want to retrieve Zhou Min''s belongings to hand them over to his family once the case is closed." "Your integrity is admirable," Tang praised, then added, "though you do have a weakness for women." *No, this is basic decency... People who even embezzle from the dead are scum.* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. *Besides, how can a man¡¯s interest in women be called a weakness? It''s simply a case of ''the gentleman pursues the fairdy.''* Xu Qi''an recalled a joke he once read: "Even though I drink, smoke, get tattoos, and go to nightclubs, I know I''m a good girl." *Even though I freeload, freeload, and freeload, I know I''m a good man...* About ten minutester, an official wearing a green robe embroidered with a white pheasant entered the warehouse, followed by the registrar with a hastily bandaged neck and another official in a green robe embroidered with egrets. In officialdom, you could tell an official''s rank by their clothing, allowing one to guess their position. For instance, an official in a green robe embroidered with a white pheasant was of the sixth rank, and in the prefecture government, only the prefect was a proper sixth-rank official. The saying "recognise the clothes, not the person" originated from the officialdom. The prefect, a round-faced middle-aged man, warmly approached. Upon reaching Xu Qi''an and the others, he said with a pained expression, "I am ashamed. I failed to manage my subordinates properly, leading to this disgraceful act." He self-reflected and produced a heavy, bulging package, "Here are one hundred and fifty taels, retrieved from Clerk Zhou belongings." This sort of small matter doesn¡¯t require the use of qi-watching. A prefect of a state willing to make such concessions is undoubtedly only out of respect for the Inspector General. Xu Qi''an had anticipated this and thus was confident. If the prefect didn¡¯tply, Xu Qi''an would have gone to Inspector Zhang toin. However, this scenario was unlikely, as those who thrive in officialdom were usually smart. So Xu Qi''an epted the package, weighed it a few times, and refrained from pushing further. "Prefect, please prepare a carriage for me to transport Zhou Min''s belongings back to the inn," Xu Qi''an said. The prefect first nced at the Silver Gong, who remained silent, and understood that the Bronze Gong speaking was in charge. "Certainly, certainly." Xu Qi''an left two Huben Guards to assist the government office staff in transporting Zhou Min''s belongings back to the inn, while they rode out of the city. Apanying them was a swift bailiff from the government office, also known as a fast hand. Zhou Min''s body was buried in a pauper''s graveyard thirty miles outside the city. In this era, a pauper''s graveyard was more akin to a public cemetery, with graves closely packed together. Those buried in the pauper''s graveyard were from poor families. Families with better means would hire a feng shui master to choose a burial site. "Esteemed sirs, Zhou''s grave is over there," the fast hand indicated, pointing to a small grave mound under a willow tree. Several Huben Guards took down the iron shovels hanging from their saddle hooks and began digging into the grave, dirt flying as they worked. With a dull "thud," one of the shovels hit the coffin. The Huben Guards cleared the dirt from the coffin and pried it open with a creak, releasing a foul stench. Everyone stepped back a few paces. The martial artists, with their keen senses, found the stench particrly unbearable. Xu Qi''an took out a porcin bottle and handed out small pills from it to everyone. These were anti-disease and detoxifying pills given by the Arcanists of the Sitianjian. He then covered his nose and mouth and approached the coffin. A male corpse in whitey quietly inside, his iron-blue face facing the sky. His skin was bluish-ck, covered with spots of varying depth, and his face had several rotten holes with maggots wriggling within. The body was slightly swollen, a result of post-mortem gases umting in the tissues. At this stage, the skin would rupture with just a light touch, spraying foul-smelling fluid. Xu Qi''an had learned about this in theory but was seeing it for the first time. *... My god, I''m going to be sick.* Xu Qi''an forced himself to suppress the rising bile and said sternly, "Undress him." The Huben Guards gave him a resigned look. "Yes, sir." Half an hourter, Xu Qi''an finished examining the body and preliminarily concluded that he had not died from external forces. He found no fatal wounds on the corpse. After reburying Zhou Min''s grave, the government office clerks led them to a nearby stream to wash up before returning to Baidi City. *The cause of death is more or less confirmed. It was the work of the Church of the Warlock God... Killing in a dream, a method of a fourth-rank sorcerer... If he wanted to kill us, it would be easy, wouldn''t it?* *The only clue at present is the half jade pendant. But without more information, it''s impossible to investigate further...* They returned to the inn around two-thirty in the afternoon. Inspector Zhang, with a group of Bronze and Silver Gongs, was rifling through Zhou Min''s belongings, searching for clues. "We''ve been at it for an hour. Have you found anything?" Inspector Zhang asked, frowning. The Nightwatchers shook their heads. "Wasn''t Zhou Min a Nightwatcher informant? Don¡¯t you Nightwatchers have contact codes?" Inspector Zhang sternly questioned. "None that match," a Silver Gong replied sullenly. "Could it have been taken or destroyed by the killer? All that''s left are some useless items," another Silver Gong spected. "It''s been over half a month. Any clues would be gone by now. How can we solve this case? No one can," a Bronze Gong muttered. *Useless...* Inspector Zhang felt a bit irritated. As a Censor, he was not well-versed in criminal cases and had to rely on these Nightwatchers. But while they were good at fighting, they were somewhat inept at investigating. "Why don''t we just have the Arcanist interrogate Yang Chuannan?" "Bad idea!" Inspector Zhang snorted. "For anyone above fourth rank, an Arcanist''s testimony isn''t admissible. I know Yang Chuannan is colluding with the bandits, but where''s the evidence? How do we convict a second-grade militarymander without evidence?" The Nightwatchers sighed and shook their heads. "Enough, don''t make it hard on them, Inspector. Zhou Min indeed did not use any secret codes," Jiang Lyuzhong said, shaking his head and sensing the difficulty of the situation. They had initially thought Zhou Min would have left clues using the Nightwatcher codes, guiding them to evidence. But after checking his belongings, they found nothing. "Perhaps the killer destroyed them," Inspector Zhang said helplessly. "So what now?" a Silver Gong asked. "We can only rely on Xu Ningyan," Inspector Zhang said. "He found the w in the tax silver case and uncovered the old case of the Princess Consort in the Sangpo case. He might be able to solve Zhou Min''s headless case too." "But how?" ¡°How would I know?¡± Inspector Zhang red at the Bronze Gong who spoke. At that moment, Xu Qi¡¯an walked in, followed by the apanying Nightwatchers and Huben Guards. Inspector Zhang¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°What¡¯s the result of the autopsy?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the same as the autopsy report from the government office. There¡¯s nothing new to be found on the body,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied. Inspector Zhang nodded in disappointment and then said, ¡°I heard you injured the government office''s clerk?¡± ¡°I have restraint; I wouldn¡¯t kill anyone,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an pointed to the items. ¡°Any clues?¡± The Nightwatchers shook their heads. ¡°We couldn¡¯t find any secret signals; perhaps they were destroyed,¡± Jiang Lyuzhong sighed. ¡°Ningyan, we¡¯re counting on you.¡± He then looked around at everyone and said sternly, ¡°You all need to learn from him. Watch how he solves the case. Whoever can learn even a fraction of his skills, I¡¯ll make sure to focus on their training.¡± These Bronze and Silver Gongs were all under hismand. Jiang Lyuzhong had always wanted Xu Qi¡¯an, but Wei Gong wouldn¡¯t allow it. So he resorted to this method, letting Xu Qi¡¯an train his Nightwatchers. Xu Qi¡¯an found a ce to sit down and didn¡¯t continue examining the belongings. After a moment of thought, he asked, ¡°Are the Nightwatcher codes confidential?¡± Jiang Lyuzhong replied, ¡°Silver Gongs and above know them, and Bronze Gongs who have interacted with informants also know them.¡± ¡°So, they aren¡¯t confidential enough,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an poured himself a cup of water and said: ¡°It¡¯s highly likely that Zhou Min didn¡¯t use the Nightwatcher codes.¡± ¡°What makes you think so?¡± asked a Silver Gong. Xu Qi¡¯an analysed, ¡°If the codes were highly confidential, the killer wouldn¡¯t have been able to find and destroy the clues among all these belongings. We should have found the code by now. But we haven¡¯t. ¡°If the codes weren¡¯t highly confidential, Zhou Min, being an experienced informant for twenty years, wouldn¡¯t have used such a crude method. It¡¯s too easily deciphered. So this matter is actually notplicated. The answer is simple: he used another method to hide the evidence.¡± The Nightwatchers exchanged silent nces, all somewhat shocked. ¡°Right, that makes sense. At first, it seemed like we had no leads, but there¡¯s really only one possibility: Zhou Min used another method to hide the evidence.¡± The Nightwatchers pped their hands in excitement, feeling enlightened. Inspector Zhang nodded slightly, then frowned. ¡°But this leaves us at a loss as to how to find the evidence he hid.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, ¡°Then let¡¯s start from the beginning to analyse¡­¡± Chapter 197: Solving the Mystery Chapter 197: Solving the Mystery # 197. Solving the Mystery ¡°Then let¡¯s analyse from the beginning. If you were Zhou Min, how would you handle this matter?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an looked around at everyone and asked. ¡°Use the Nightwatcher¡¯s code?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t we just say that the code¡¯s confidentiality level isn¡¯t high enough?¡± ¡°If it were me, I would hide it where no one could find it.¡± ¡°Nonsense, if no one could find it, what¡¯s the point of hiding the evidence?¡± At this point, everyone felt stupefied, and the scene fell into a brief silence. Xu Qi¡¯an snapped his fingers and looked at the Bronze Gong who had unintentionally revealed the clue. ¡°That¡¯s right, Zhou Min¡¯s purpose in hiding the evidence is for it to be found, to be found by us. Following this line of thought, keep thinking.¡± Inspector Zhang pped his hands, repeatedly praising and somewhat excitedly said:¡°That¡¯s the logic. Zhou Min wouldn¡¯t hide the evidence where no one could find it. Therefore, the item with the clue wouldn¡¯t be valuable but very conspicuous.¡± Suddenly, everyone¡¯s thinking opened up, feeling like they had touched the door to a new world. They excitedly started brainstorming. A few minutester, the Nightwatchers looked at each other in confusion. ¡°But we¡¯ve checked all these items. There¡¯s no code and nothing that fits with the jade pendant.¡± The door to the new world suddenly closed again, and they began to doubt everything. So, everyone turned their eyes to Xu Qi¡¯an. *¡­There are too few clues to start with. However, investigating a case is about finding clues. A good criminal investigator is good at probing from various angles, looking for clues in the details.* *And rookies are like children, full of questions¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an ignored the looks from everyone and immersed himself in his own world. ¡°Any ideas¡­¡± A Silver Gong couldn¡¯t help but ask, but before he could finish, Jiang Lyuzhong stopped him. ¡°Don¡¯t disturb him,¡± Jiang Lyuzhong said sternly. Inspector Zhang also gestured for everyone to remain calm. He had ced all his hopes on Xu Qi¡¯an. This young Bronze Gong had proven his worth and ability with his ¡°military sesses.¡± Inspector Zhang couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Duke Wei had foreseen the changes in Yunzhou when he sent Xu Qi¡¯an here. *Because he foresaw the difficulty of this case¡­ so he sent Xu Qi¡¯an, this genius detective, to assist me¡­ Duke Wei is indeed far-sighted and strategic.* *ordingly, Duke Wei, with his divine foresight, sending Xu Qi¡¯an here, means he must be able to solve the case.* Inspector Zhang felt a surge of excitement and a sense of relief, no longer feeling so anxious. He was originally a Censor, and solving cases was really difficult for him. Fortunately, there was Xu Ningyan¡­. Xu Qi¡¯an, unaware of Inspector Zhang¡¯s rich inner drama, immersed himself in his own reasoning: *Are there really clues among these belongings? If I were Zhou Min, I would find a way to leave clues for the Nightwatchers¡­ but I wouldn¡¯t necessarily leave them among the belongings because that¡¯s too easy to destroy; a single fire could turn them to ashes¡­ but it¡¯s not an option to leave no clues, so the safest method is to operate on two lines, not putting all the eggs in one basket.* *Right!* *Two lines of operation. Yang Yingying is Zhou Min¡¯s other basket.* *Yang Yingying is an unexpected gain, not a clue Zhou Min left for the Nightwatchers. Since no clues were found among Zhou Min¡¯s belongings, why not try to break through from Yang Yingying?* Thinking of this, Xu Qi¡¯an felt a sudden sense of rity and enlightenment. The Silver Gongs at the Refining Spirit stage keenly noticed Xu Qi¡¯an''s shift in mood. They too perked up, ready to ask questions, but then saw his eyes darken again as he fell back into deep thought. Famed detective Xu Ningyan''s reasoning had hit another bottleneck¡ªthe clues surrounding Yang Yingying were too few. *It¡¯s still the same issue, too few clues. With only half a jade pendant, the most we can guess is that it¡¯s some sort of token¡­. Let¡¯s re-examine our thoughts, eliminate Zhou Min''s other line, and focus on Yang Yingying¡¯s basket¡­.* *Suppose Yang Yingying reached Qingzhou, found Ziyang Jushi, and presented the jade pendant, exining the situation¡­.* Xu Qi¡¯an simted the process in his mind: *What would Ziyang Jushi do then? He would face the same dilemma I¡¯m facing now: ack of clues.* *In a state of confusion andcking clues, the first step would be to find more information. How to get information? Of course, by questioning the person who brought the jade pendant¡­. Yes, yes! That¡¯s it, by questioning the person who brought the jade pendant.* ¡°I¡¯ve got it, I¡¯ve got it!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an shouted. ¡°What have you thought of?¡± Everyone asked almost in unison. ¡°No rush,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an instructed, ¡°Summon Yang Yingying, I have something to ask her.¡± ¡°Quick, go, go!¡± Inspector Zhang urged. A Bronze Gong immediately went upstairs and brought down the plump young woman who had been staying in her room since finishing her meal. Yang Yingying, still in the coarse cloth dress she wore when they first met, curtsied gracefully, ¡°My lord, for what reason do you summon this humble woman?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked, ¡°When Zhou Min handed you the jade pendant that night, did he say anything else?¡± Yang Yingying shook her head, ¡°Besides what this humble woman has already mentioned, Sir Zhou did not give any extra instructions. Otherwise, I would not have forgotten.¡± She alternated between calling Zhou Min her husband and Sir Zhou, reflecting her deep-seated insecurity. In her heart, she believed Zhou Min was her husband, but without the title, she felt unworthy, leading to her inconsistent addresses. Xu Qi¡¯an rubbed his teacup. There must be other instructions; otherwise, even Ziyang Jushi, no matter how wise, would be helpless. Zhou Min, being an experienced covert agent, was certainly intelligent¡­ *hmm, perhaps Yang Yingying simply didn''t notice.* ¡°Recite everything Zhou Min said to you that night.¡± ¡°This¡­¡± Yang Yingying hesitated, ¡°How can I remember everything¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t need to recall every word, just give a general idea.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an reassured her, though inwardly he felt a slight worry. Yang Yingying¡¯sck of memory might be because their conversation that night was just mundane, everyday talk. Just like walking down a street and seeing a myriad of faces, you wouldn¡¯t remember their appearances or even the color of their clothes after turning away. The more ordinary the conversation, the less likely it would be remembered. ¡°That night, when Sir Zhou came to see this humble woman, it was like usual. He brought some cosmetics and small gifts, and a pot of wine, a few pounds of pork head meat¡­ ¡°While drinking, heined about matters in the officialdom and the bandit problem in Yunzhou¡­ ¡°But since this humble woman is just a woman, I don¡¯t enjoy listening to these things, so Sir Zhou didn¡¯t say much. Then we yed some character riddles¡­ ¡°After dinner, while I was serving him, he mentioned that matter and handed me the half jade pendant.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an had her elucidate on the ¡°officialdom¡± and ¡°bandit problems,¡± but it turned out those were just Zhou Min¡¯sints. ¡°What about the character riddles? What were they?¡± Yang Yingying thought for a moment, before softly saying: ¡°Ten mouths feed one heart¡± Xu Qi¡¯an had just thought of it when Inspector Zhang snatched the initiative: ¡°Thought!¡±[^1] ¡°Yes,¡± Yang Yingying continued: ¡°In a thousand, lose one, in a hundred, lose one.¡± Inspector Zhang immediately replied: ¡°Baron.¡±[^2] Yang Yingying nodded: ¡°One mouth finishes an entire ox¡¯s tail.¡± Inspector Zhang: ¡°Report.¡±[^3] ¡°Inspector sir, well done, well done!¡± The Nightwatchers and Huben guards cast over admiring gazes. He wasn¡¯t quite sure why, but Inspector Zhang felt a sense of relief and exhration. That feeling of being constantly useless finally being dispelled ¡ª *This official is also a dragon amongst men, how can one let Xu Ningyan alone take the spotlight* ¡ª suddenly arose. For a schr, character riddles were one of the mostmon tricks of the trade. Xu Qi¡¯an wasn¡¯t happy with Inspector Zhang constantly butting in, interrupting his thought process, so he tapped on the table, saying solemnly: ¡°Inspector General sir, I also have a character riddle, that has been troubling me for a long time.¡± Inspector Zhang nodded slightly, letting him speak. Xu Qi¡¯an said: ¡°Miss Wen gets married¡± First, Inspector Zhang¡¯s brows furrowed, and then furrowed deeper, before his face became stiff, and finally his whole expression turned nk, as he stood there in a daze. Xu Qi¡¯an nodded in satisfaction, before looking back towards Yang Yingying, indicating that she continue. ¡°Thest two were: ¡®White jade without blemish¡¯, and ¡®sun and moon together in the sky¡¯. The former is ¡®Imperial¡¯, thetter is ¡®Bright¡¯.¡±[^4] Xu Qi¡¯an ordered his colleagues to get some paper for him, and he wrote down: Thought, Baron, Report, Imperial, Bright. Five great letters. Jiang Lyuzhong looked them up and down several times: ¡°What could these five characters mean?¡± These five words couldn¡¯t be connected up in any way that made sense; they were all independent. What did Zhou Min want to say, or was he really just ying character riddles for fun? Xu Qi¡¯an turned to look at Inspector Zhang, but the inspector was still lost in his own world¡­ *Oh well, these five words don¡¯t make another character riddle, so the Inspector General won¡¯t be of much use. I guess we¡¯ll let him fight with Miss Wen then¡­* Soon after, Xu Qi¡¯an became lost in his own world too: *Suppose if this was the clue Zhou Min wanted to reveal to Ziyang Jushi, then it wouldn¡¯t be too obscure or abstruse, rather it should be something easily found by anyoneing to Yunzhou the first time round.* *What thing can one still easily find on a first visit? To put it another way, what thing does anyone firsting to Yunzhou need¡­* *I¡¯ve got it!* Xu Qi¡¯an let out a long breath: ¡°I¡¯ve solved the mystery.¡± --- [^1]: Ten Ê® mouths ¿Ú (makes Ìï) feed one heart ÐÄ = ˼ (thought) [^2]: A thousand ǧ lose one Ò» (makes Øé), a hundred °Ù lose one Ò» (makes °×) = ²® (baron, uncle) [^3]: One mouth ¿Ú finishes an entire ox¡¯s Å£ tail (the bottom part of Å£) = ¸æ (report, tell) [^4]: White °× jade Óñ without blemish (without the dot) = »Ê (imperial, royal). Sun ÈÕ and moon Ô together in the sky = Ã÷ (bright, clear) Chapter 198: Another Brainstorming Session Chapter 198: Another Brainstorming Session # 198. Another Brainstorming Session *Solved the mystery¡­ he¡¯s uncovered it!?* Everyone present wore expressions of joy, yet found it hard to believe. How had he done it when there seemed to be no clues? Such a headless case, and he easily solved the mystery. Even though everyone had participated and discussed the case, with the same information and clues, they were all at a loss. How could he have solved it? Was Xu Ningyan truly this formidable? Inspector Zhang, who had been obsessively mulling over the "Miss Wen gets married" riddle, trembled and broke free of his restraints. Overjoyed, he grabbed Xu Qi¡¯an''s arm. At this moment, old Zhang lost the dignity of an Inspector General, repeatedly asking: ¡°You solved the mystery? Really, is it true?¡± *If I say: just kidding¡­ I¡¯d probably get beaten to death¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an stood up and walked outside, saying, ¡°At the very least, we have a major breakthrough.¡± Under everyone¡¯s watchful eyes, he went to the courtyard of the station, took out the geographical map from the horse¡¯s saddlebag, and returned to the hall to spread it out on the table.¡°The secret of the riddle lies in the geographical map,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, pressing the map with both hands and looking around to exin: ¡°A single jade pendant alone cannot convey information. Zhou Min must have found a way to provide Madam Yingying with more information, but to keep it secret, he used a word riddle. He deceived everyone, including Madam Yingying. ¡°But with Ziyang Jushi¡¯s wisdom, he only needed to ask carefully, and he would definitely uncover the secret of the riddle.¡± ¡°Why is the riddle¡¯s secret in the geographical map?¡± Zhu Guangxiao asked, frowning. ¡°Because the map is the easiest thing to obtain, and as a first-time visitor to Yunzhou, Ziyang Jushi would surely get one,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied. *Right, the geographical map was avable at the post station. As a neer, obtaining a map would be a primary choice¡­* Everyone suddenly understood. ¡°Let¡¯s verify whether my reasoning is correct,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, looking down at the map. ¡°The five characters in the riddle are thought, duke, report, imperial, bright: Si, Bo, Gao, Huang, Ming.¡± Everyone crowded around the table, looking at the map with him. The map covered almost the entire table, epassing all of Baidi City. Streets, buildings,kes, bridges, government offices, and more were marked on it. They recited the five characters while searching for corresponding names. Song Tingfeng suddenly pointed at a spot: ¡°Siming Bridge!¡± Everyone¡¯s eyes followed his finger to the location, where the outline of an arch bridge was drawn,beled in small characters: Siming Bridge. Another Bronze Gong immediately pointed to another spot: ¡°Here¡¯s a Huangbo Street.¡± The characters ¡°Gao¡± and ¡°Huang¡± didn¡¯t correspond to any locations, especially ¡°Imperial, Huang,¡± which was too taboo to appear on the map. ¡°The clue is likely in one of these two ces,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an analysed. ¡°Are the other two characters useless?¡± someone asked. ¡°The other characters might be red herrings, mixed in to confuse us. Let¡¯s ignore them for now and focus on searching these two ces to see if we find anything,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said. Inspector Zhang selected six Nightwatchers, had them change into in clothes, and sent them to investigate Huangbo Street. Xu Qi¡¯an took Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng, his closepanions, to check out Siming Bridge. Huangbo Street was neither near nor far from the post station, about a dozen li. Siming Bridge was over twenty li away. The three rode their horses at a gallop along the wide streets. The pavilions and courtyards along the way had a distinct southern charm, with white walls and ck tiles, and loquat trees often nted in the courtyards. Loquats were one of Yunzhou''s specialties. Furthermore, the clothing style of themon people here differed greatly from the capital; it was more liberal, with "little yellow people" everywhere. In the capital, bright yellow fabric was reserved for the royal family, but in Yunzhou, Xu Qi¡¯an saw quite a few pedestrians wearing bright yellow robes. "Although the customs differ from ce to ce, isn''t the court''s control over Yunzhou too weak?" Xu Qi¡¯an felt a growing concern. "The climate here in Yunzhou is really ufortable, so damp and cold," Song Tingfeng remarked with a frown. "Our capital is better. It''s cold, but not this chilling. Today, when I was seeing off some merchants, I saw pedestrians shivering as they walked," Zhu Guangxiao added. "You two are like northern wolves, frozen into huskies in the south," Xu Qi¡¯anughed. Of course, as a Refining Qi-level martial artist, he was no longer affected by the weather, so he was merely teasing. The two looked at him nkly. *What are huskies?* In truth, in this era, winters in the south were much better than in the north. Poor families would gather straw during winter, and with a shelter to keep out the wind and rain, they could survive the season. It was different in the north. Many impoverished people who couldn''t afford coal would silently die during winter. After all, there was no central heating in the northern regions of Feng. Another point: in the southern winter, riding a horse would make your nose run. In the north, riding a horse in winter would freeze your nose until it was useless. Half an hourter, they reached their destination. Siming Bridge spanned a small river and was an arch bridge with tworge and two small arches, carved from white marble and covered in moss. The three carefully inspected the bridge for a long time. Finally, Xu Qi¡¯an''s eyes locked onto a protruding brick on the outside of the bridge. Grasping the brick with two fingers, he slowly pulled it out, extracting the brick, which was the size of a tile, bit by bit. He reached into the hole left by the brick and felt around for a moment, eventually pulling out a brocade pouch. Sure enough, it was this brocade pouch that had prevented the brick from fitting perfectly. ¡°There¡¯s actually something here!¡± Song Tingfeng eximed in joy, moving closer and urging, ¡°Open it and see what it is.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an opened the brocade pouch and found a piece of paper inside. Unfolding it, he saw: > MO 162 > 347 4 1 2 *MO 162. 347, 4, 1, 2¡­ What do these numbers mean¡­ Damn, Zhou Min was really a genius¡­ so borate¡­ but he''s dead now¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an stared at the note, falling into silence. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao exchanged confused looks. The former asked nkly, ¡°What does it mean?¡± ¡°How should I know!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an retorted irritably, ¡°We¡¯re all Nightwatchers, is the gap so huge? Look at Zhou Min, an undercover agent, far better than you two. There¡¯s noparison, noparison¡­¡± ¡°Undercover agents are top-notch talents, each with their own specialties. Otherwise, how could they carry out covert missions?¡± Song Tingfeng defended himself, unwilling to ept the criticism, ¡°We Nightwatchers at the constabry are only responsible for physical force.¡± Undercover agents were specialised talents with either meticulous minds or exceptional intelligence, while the Nightwatchers at the constabry are just responsible for brute force. The two roles are different. At that time. it was getting to dusk. Xu Qi¡¯an put away the note and said helplessly, ¡°Let¡¯s head back first.¡± Awaiting them¡­ no, awaiting him, would be another brainstorm. ¡­ The Station Because Huangbo Street was closer to the station, the Nightwatchers who went to investigate that street had already returned, bringing back disappointing news. ¡°No discoveries? Did you really investigate thoroughly?¡± Inspector Zhang questioned. ¡°That street is almost deserted during the day. We asked the residents of the neighboring street and found out it''s a dog market. It only opens at night, and right now, there¡¯s no one there,¡± replied the frustrated Bronze Gong who went to investigate. A street wasn¡¯trge enough to berge, but not small enough to be small. What could they discover by running around like headless chickens? Just ask everyone: ¡°Hey, sorry but do you know the clerk Zhou Min from the Military Commission Office?¡± ¡°Ugh!¡± The Nightwatchers were disheartened and shook their heads. Inspector Zhang drank some tea, sat for a while, then became restless and started pacing back and forth in the hall. There were no clues from Huangbo Street, so they could only wait for news from Xu Ningyan¡¯s side. If they also found nothing, the case would be back to square one, and they would be at a standstill. ¡°We must find something; otherwise, it will be a cold case...¡± Inspector Zhang muttered. His muttering was heard clearly by several Silver Gongs and Jiang Lyuzhong. ¡°They¡¯re back,¡± eximed a Bronze Gong at the door with delight. Everyone turned in unison to look at the door, watching Xu Qi¡¯an return with his two colleagues. ¡°How did it go?¡± Jiang Lyuzhong hurriedly asked. Inspector Zhang clenched his fist under his robe, nervously and expectantly staring at them. Xu Qi¡¯an took out the note and ced it on the table. In an instant, a dozen hands reached out to grab it. Smack! Jiang Lyuzhong pped away all the hands and quickly snatched the note, unfolding it. His brows furrowed as he read it: ¡°What does this mean?¡± *Alright, it¡¯s not a secret code used by the Nightwatchers...* Xu Qi¡¯an concluded. ¡°Let me see!¡± Inspector Zhang rushed over, snatched the note from Jiang Lyuzhong, and saw the two sets of numbers written on it: > MO 162 > 347 4 1 2 Inspector Zhang fell into a prolonged state of contemtion, recalling all the ssics he had read, and then dismissed the possibility of these numbers referencing literary allusions. *This is just like the "Miss Wen gets married" riddle, another infuriating puzzle...* Inspector Zhang was distressed and noticed Xu Qi¡¯an silently heading upstairs. ¡°Ningyan, where are you going?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an turned back on the stairs, looking exhausted, and said, ¡°Going to my room to meditate, or I feel like I might copse any moment. I- I haven¡¯t slept for twelve days.¡± ¡°!!!¡± Jiang Lyuzhong¡¯s eyebrows twitched fiercely. He already knew Xu Qi¡¯an was attempting to break through to the Refining Spirit level. Back on the canal, Xu Qi¡¯an had asked simr questions about how to break through to the Refining Spirit level. Seeing his darkening eye circles over the past few days, Jiang Lyuzhong suspected that Xu Qi¡¯an was indeed trying to break through. He just didn¡¯t know how many days Xu Qi¡¯an had been pushing himself. *Twelve days, and he still hadn¡¯t reached his limit, even fought a battle in between...* This meant Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s spiritual potential was immense. If he broke through to the Refining Spirit level, his spirit would undergo a full transformation. Jiang Lyuzhong himself had taken sixteen days to break through to the Refining Spirit level, simr to other Gold Gongs. ¡°Judging by this kid¡¯s state, twelve days clearly isn¡¯t his limit. I wonder how long he can hold out,¡± thought Jiang Lyuzhong, then said seriously, ¡°Remember not to fall asleep.¡± Back in his room, Xu Qi¡¯an took off his shoes, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began to practice breathing exercises and visualising the Giant figure, asionally switching to the Roaring Golden Lion. As he was getting into the right state, he suddenly heard a knock on the door. ¡°What is it?¡± He opened his eyes. ¡°Ningyan, are you feeling better?¡± Inspector Zhang¡¯s voice came from the doorway. After Xu Qi¡¯an gave an affirmative answer, Inspector Zhang immediately said, ¡°Come with me to a banquet. Let¡¯s meet some officials of Yunzhou.¡± Chapter 199: Feasts and Loquats Chapter 199: Feasts and Loquats # 199. Feasts and Loquats *A banquet? Hmm, the local officials in Yunzhou must be aware of Inspector Zhang¡¯s presence since he¡¯s been in town for so long¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s spirit lifted slightly. Since he couldn¡¯t sleep anyway and staying at the station was boring, he said, ¡°Alright, sir, please wait a moment.¡± He put on his boots, tied the Bronze Gong to his chest, hung the ck-gold long sabre on his waist, and opened the door. Inspector Zhang was standing outside, wearing a scarlet official robe, with a straight posture and an imposing presence. They nodded to each other, descended the stairs together, and waited in the hall for a moment before Jiang Lyuzhong walked in from the courtyard and said, ¡°Personnel checkplete. Let¡¯s go.¡± A luxurious carriage was parked outside the inn, apanied by thirty Huben Guard soldiers and seven Nightwatchers. The location of tonight¡¯s banquet was arge riverside courtyard. This mansion, used by the Provincial Administration to entertain officials, was a grand four-courtyard residence. Tonight, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse, with no wind. Though it was deep winter, it was suitable for holding a banquet in the rear garden. As the centrepiece and guest of the banquet, Inspector Zhang deliberately arrived a quarter of an hourte. This was both to assert his authority and to give the guests ample time to prepare.Arriving at the mansion¡¯s entrance, they saw various carriages and sedans, ranging from luxurious to simple, representing officials of different ranks. Led by a servant, Inspector Zhang and his party entered the front hall, where they saw Yunzhou officials in various coloured official robes, over a hundred in total. Among them was the Yunzhou prefect Xu Qi¡¯an had met earlier that day. ¡°Inspector Zhang.¡± Amid heartyughter, an official in a scarlet robe with a long beard came forward. ¡°Provincial Administrator.¡± Inspector Zhang smiled and cupped his hands. *Provincial Administrator¡­ quite a high-ranking official¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an scrutinized the Yunzhou Provincial Administrator. He had slightly high cheekbones and narrow eyes that turned into slits when he smiled, giving him a shrewd and calcting appearance. *Could he be Song Tingfeng¡¯s long-lost father? If I remember correctly, this Provincial Administrator¡¯s surname is also Song¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought with a smirk. Administrator Song led Inspector Zhang around to introduce him, with Xu Qi¡¯an memorizing all the officials present. ¡°This is our Yunzhou Military Commander Yang.¡± Administrator Song brought them before a middle-aged man with a schrly and military demeanour. The surrounding chatter quieted significantly as everyone¡¯s eyes fell on Inspector Zhang and Commander Yang Chuannan. The two high-ranking officials sized each other up for a moment, then burst intoughter: ¡°Commander Yang, it¡¯s an honour to meet you.¡± ¡°The honour¡¯s mine, Inspector General Zhang.¡± The atmosphere instantly lightened, and the officials¡¯ faces broke into smiles. *¡­Why do I have a sense of tension? For a moment, Xu Qi¡¯an thought the scene would be awkward, with veiled sarcasm exchanged, fitting the image of scheming officials.* But the result was so harmonious? ¡°Inspector Zhang, the banquet is ready. Shall we proceed to the rear courtyard?¡± Provincial Administrator Song immediately suggested. In a province, the highest-ranking offices were the Military Commission, the Provincial Administration, and the Judicial Investigation Office. Among them, the Judicial Investigation Office was under the Censorate, making the Chief Inspector seem like merely amon henchman before Inspector Zhang. In the rear courtyard, the officials took their seats. Two interesting episodes urred at the main table. The first episode: Inspector Zhang waved and said, ¡°Ningyan,e sit by me.¡± The main table had ten seats, each one fixed and specific in official circles. Who could sit there followed strict rules. Everyone¡¯s attention turned to the young man called ¡°Ningyan.¡± He wore a dark uniform with a short cape, a Bronze Gong tied to his chest, and a unique, slender battle sabre at his waist, different from the standard issued ones. Sharp-eyed officials could tell just by the sabre that this Bronze Gong was no ordinary person. Many officials took note of Xu Qi¡¯an. The second episode: Commander Yang Chuannan stopped an official about to sit down and pointed to the seat beside him, saying, ¡°A friend ising.¡± The official was momentarily stunned, then seemed to realize something, smacked his forehead in understanding, and moved to another table withoutint. *¡­A friend, not a certain high-ranking official, but a friend?* Xu Qi¡¯an thought, sitting upright. ¡°Ningyan, about that riddle we discussed earlier¡­¡± Inspector Zhang said quietly. ¡°Inspector Zhang!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied seriously, ¡°It¡¯s actually quite simple. You just need to change your perspective.¡± ¡°How so?¡± ¡°You¡¯re just too upright.¡± As a Supervising Censor, Inspector Zhang had a reputation for integrity in the capital¡¯s official circles, naturally holding a lofty status. If it were a more experienced and cunning official, they would have figured it out instantly. Inspector Zhang was about to speak when he noticed out of the corner of his eye a young female general d in light armor entering. She had a tall figure, her proportions perfect, and her hair tied up in a high ponytail. *Such a beautiful and dashing female warrior¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an''s eyes lit up. Could it be that Yunzhou has such a top-tier beauty among its female soliders? This outfit was far more enticing than any schoolgirl, ck silk, nurse, or flight attendant costume ¡ª in a league of its own. The beautiful female solider walked straight to the main table and sat next to Commander Yang Chuannan. Inspector Zhang scrutinized her, running through the list of officials in Yunzhou in his mind, but couldn¡¯t match her to anyone. "And this is¡­?" he asked curiously. Yang Chuannanughed and said, "Everyone may not have heard of Lady Flying Swallow. She is Li Miaozhen, a roaming general I hired. Over the past year, she has been eradicating bandits and has achieved numerous merits. If we were to discuss rewards based on merit, I¡¯d have to relinquish my position as Commander." His words prompted a round of approval and praise for the female general from the officials. Inspector Zhang merely nodded. *A roving general hired by Yang Chuannan... which means she isn¡¯t officially part of the court¡¯s military¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought as he studied the beautiful female warrior. *Number Two is also in Yunzhou, and she is keen on eradicating bandits and criticizing Emperor Yuanjing¡­ She mentioned she isn¡¯t part of the court¡­ I once praised her for her righteous heart, and this dashing youngdy is called Lady Flying Swallow¡­ Lady Flying Swallow¡­* *During our conversations on the Grand Canal, Number Two supported Yang Chuannan and seemed close to him¡­ Could she be Number Two?* Xu Qi¡¯an sipped his tea without revealing his thoughts. No rush, I¡¯ll slowly find an opportunity to probe. *In the Earth Book chat group, it''s now confirmed that Number Five and Number Two are both women. Number Two has impressive looks and the allure of a uniform¡­ I wonder how Number Five looks¡­ a wild girl from the southern border.* Two rows of dancers in colorful clothes with exposed shoulders entered, dancing gracefully to the apaniment of musicians. Yunzhou didn¡¯t have a Ziyang Jushi, so everyone ignored Xu Qi¡¯an, keeping the conversation focused on the capital and Inspector Zhang. Sigh, official banquets are truly dull and a waste of time. Li Miaozhen discreetly observed Inspector Zhang¡¯s group, focusing mainly on Jiang Lyuzhong, knowing he was a Gold Gong, a fourth-rank martial artist. What he was skilled in, his personality, she had no idea. *Although he¡¯s not young, his vitality seems to be at its peak¡­* She wondered what weapon he was proficient with and what "intent" he had cultivated. *Hmm, I¡¯ll ask Number Three after the banquet.* Li Miaozhen took a sip of wine and then started observing Xu Qi¡¯an: *His aura is restrained, I can¡¯t make out his level, but the body of a Copper Skin and Iron Bones martial artist asionally flickers with divine light, which this person does not have, so he must be at most Refining Spirit¡­* *His eyes can¡¯t hide his fatigue, with swollen eye bags, looking like someone exhausted from indulgence¡­ This person must be either a rtive of a significant figure in the Nightwatchers or a rtive of Inspector Zhang. I heard Yang Chuannan say that the Censorate is under Wei Yuan, so it makes sense for Inspector Zhang to ce his rtive in the Nightwatchers...* The banquet proceeded harmoniously towards its end, with servants bringing in tes of dark-colored loquats, plump andrge. *Loquats in this season?* Xu Qi¡¯an picked up a not-so-fresh loquat, peeled it, tasted it, finding it sweet and sour, quite delicious. Most importantly, it was seedless. ¡°Inspector Zhang, you must try these loquats from Yunzhou, they are exceptional. They ripen inte spring and early summer, something you won¡¯t find so fresh in the capital. ¡°After they ripen, they are stored in ice cers, with any spoiled ones removed every ten days. By now, there are very few left.¡± Song Changfu, the Provincial Administrator, enthusiastically grabbed a few and ced them in front of Inspector Zhang. Inspector Zhang ate one and widened his eyes in surprise, ¡°They are seedless?¡± Administrator Song smiled without answering, while the other officialsughed. Inspector Zhang was quite astonished. This was his first time eating seedless loquats, and the experience was simply too delightful. Incredulous, he remarked: "To think there are seedless loquats in the world¡ªremarkable, truly remarkable." *If you ever eat seedless watermelons, you''ll probably be moved to tears,* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. "Are these seedless loquats a special variety from Yunzhou? Howe I''ve never heard of them before?" Inspector Zhang asked. "Not at all. It¡¯s because the loquat trees have been blessed with the incense aura of Baidi Temple, hence producing seedless loquats," Provincial Administrator Song said with a smile. "Yes, indeed. It¡¯s an auspicious sign for Yunzhou." "Yunzhou is and naturally endowed, under the White Emperor''s protection, with favourable weather and abundant harvests." The officials immediately began praising Yunzhou, trying to instil the idea that Yunzhou was and of auspicious signs, united in their ttery. Inspector Zhang fell into contemtion. He could sense that there was more to this but couldn¡¯t discern the mystery behind the seedless loquats. Cautiously, he refrained from contradicting them. Administrator Song peeled another loquat and handed it over, smiling as he asked, "Inspector Zhang, don¡¯t you agree?" ...Inspector Zhang sighed inwardly, "What you say, Lord Song, is..." "Lord Song is mistaken," Xu Qi''an suddenly interjected. Officials at the main table and other tables looked over, staring at Xu Qi''an. Li Miaozhen, who was quietly eating, felt a bit disdainful. She knew the real reason but chose not to expose Provincial Administrator Song due to her current alliance with Yunzhou¡¯s officialdom. She lifted her head, focusing on Xu Qi''an, curious about what he would say next. Provincial Administrator Song frowned slightly, looking at the Bronze Gong he had nearly ignored, his smile unwavering. "And what advice might you have, sir?" Xu Qi''an set down his wine cup, slowly chewed and swallowed his food, then picked up a loquat and smiled: "The principle is actually simple. During the flowering period of the loquat, if you pluck out the central fment of the flower, the resulting loquat will be seedless. "Lord Song, am I correct?" The room fell silent, with Yunzhou officials around the table looking stiffly at him. Provincial Administrator Song''s expression suddenly froze. Chapter 200: Number Twos Questions Chapter 200: Number Two''s Questions # 200. Number Two''s Questions In this era, the method to produce seedless loquats would absolutely be considered a secret technique. However, for Xu Qi''an, who had properly studied middle school biology, this was basic knowledge. He even knew that these poor nts had to rely on bees, the proverbial "neighbours," for pollination to reproduce. The atmosphere became somewhat tense. Xu Qi''an''s words caught the officials off guard and left them in disbelief. They had been astonished and delighted when they first learned about the method to produce seedless loquats. Who would have thought that a mere Bronze Gong would reveal the secret so inly? Li Miaozhen widened her beautiful eyes and started reassessing this little Bronze Gong. She realized she might have been wrong. Although this Bronze Gong might be a lecherous scoundrel drained by alcohol and women, he was not ipetent and had some real skills. *The fact that he was ced at the high table by Inspector Zhang indicates he has at least some skill.* Li Miaozhen put aside her contempt and realized she had still underestimated him. Other Silver Gongs and Bronze Gongs were seated at different tables. Why was this guy sitting beside the Inspector? This couldn''t be exined by merepetence. Were the other Silver Gongs and Bronze Gongs not talented? "Heh, hoisted by his own petard," Li Miaozhen thought with an inward snicker, relishing in schadenfreude at Provincial Administrator Song¡¯s difort.Even with Provincial Administrator Song''s profound expertise in officialdom, he couldn''t help but feel a wave of embarrassment. He had earlier extolled the seedless loquats with lofty talk of the White Emperor¡¯s blessings and incense infusions, only to be publicly debunked in front of everyone, including the Inspector. "Ningyan, this trivial matter would naturally have been exined to me by Provincial Administrator Song. Why did you speak out of turn?" Inspector Zhang scolded. While outwardly reprimanding Xu Qi''an, he was subtly mocking Administrator Song. "....What is your esteemed name, sir?" Provincial Administrator Song finally managed topose himself, asking with an unchanged expression. "My name is Xu Qi''an, courtesy name Ningyan," Xu Qi''an replied. "This young man is quite talented," Inspector Zhang said, stroking his beard and smiling at Xu Qi''an. Indeed, the officials refocused their attention on Xu Qi''an, pondering the identity and status of this Bronze Gong within the Inspector''s team. *So, his name is Xu Qi''an... hmm, that name sounds familiar.* Li Miaozhen thought for a moment and recalled who Xu Qi''an was. She remembered that Number Three had mentioned him before and praised him highly. *So, it¡¯s him... If Number Three values him so much, he must be extraordinary.* Provincial Administrator Song managed to steer the conversation away from the embarrassing topic of loquats by introducing the customs and culture of Yunzhou. It was evident he still felt very embarrassed. As Inspector Zhang drank to a slight buzz, the banquet drew to a close. No one was overly drunk, and there were no inappropriate suggestions to visit the Jiaofangsi, much to Song Tingfeng''s disappointment. High-ss banquets like this seldom involved wanton revelry, simr to how high-ranking officials almost never frequented the Jiaofangsi. When one reaches a certain status, they must maintain their image. Even if they were corrupt, they must present themselves as upright and virtuous. Take Xu Qi''an, for instance. He could indulge freely now because he was young and held a low position. But if he ever became highly influential, he would have to pay for everything... Leaving the mansion, Inspector Zhang and the officials bid farewell outside before boarding the carriage and departing. After traveling a short distance, Inspector Zhang lifted the curtain of the carriage window and praised, "Ningyan, well done." Xu Qi''an knew he was referring to the matter of the seedless loquats, so he replied, "It was a minor matter." Inspector Zhang clicked his tongue twice, speaking more casually as they conversed, "You even know about agriculture?" Before Xu Qi''an could respond, Jiang Lyuzhong, who was sitting at the front, chimed in with augh, "He¡¯s even proficient in alchemy,parable to the White-cloaks of the Sitianjian." *If you take credit for my aplishments, what¡¯s left for me to boast about?* Xu Qi''an corrected, "Actually, the White-cloaks of the Sitianjian should call me half their master." The three of them burst intoughter. Xu Qi''an took the opportunity to ask, "Why was the Inspector so affable today?" Inspector Zhang nced back at the mansion, now out of sight, and said gravely, "In Yunzhou, Provincial Administrator Song holds the most influence, and he does not get along with Yang Chuannan." Xu Qi''an recalled, "They did seem a bit distant... but Yang Chuannan seems to be distant with everyone." Inspector Zhang sneered, "That suggests most of Yunzhou¡¯s officials are also called Song." "Please enlighten me, sir." ¡°Of the three major offices, the Military Commission holds the most power. Yet, it was Provincial Administrator Song who weed me. Although it¡¯s proper for the Provincial Administrator to appear in such situations, consider this: the first person he introduced to me was the Judicial Commissioner, not the Military Commissioner. Clearly, the two do not get along. "I also noticed at the banquet that Yang Chuannan mostly remained silent, while Provincial Administrator Song acted like the host. In officialdom, this is quite telling. One must not overstep their bounds," Inspector Zhang exined with a smile, adding, "Ningyan, take note of this." *Why would a martial artist like me need to learn all this?* Xu Qi''an silently took note. "And also, I just figured something out," Inspector Zhang said. "Do you know why that Song gave loquats at the banquet?" *Just showing off innit¡­* Xu Qi''an shook his head. "No idea." "Anyone curious would ask about it, and by not answering, it''s a subtle way of giving me a small challenge," Inspector Zhang sneered. "Moreover, it''s a hint that Yunzhou can be peaceful if one person is removed. Just like those loquats." Who needed to be removed was obvious. *Do officials always have to be so scheming?...* Xu Qi''an rubbed his temples in frustration. *Duke Wei was right, I¡¯m not cut out for officialdom. One can only have so much energy¡ªhalf for Fuxiang and half for cultivation. There''s no energy left for navigating the bureaucracy.* Xu Qi''an¡¯s troubled look made Inspector Zhangugh heartily, feeling suddenly bnced. "Inspector, how about we guess another riddle?" Xu Qi''an said with a mischievous smile. Inspector Zhang instinctively wanted to refuse but felt his schrly dignity was being challenged, so he raised his eyebrows. "Go ahead." "A woman giving birth¡ªguess the four-character phrase," Xu Qi''an said, smiling. Inspector Zhang¡¯s face gradually stiffened, grew nk, and then filled with impotent rage... before he lowered the carriage curtain. "Hahaha," Jiang Lyuzhong and Xu Qi''anughed in unison. "Hmph!" came the Inspector¡¯s cold snort from inside the carriage. ¡­ On the other side, Commander Yang Chuannan had just entered his carriage when the curtain was lifted again by Li Miaozhen, her high ponytail fluttering, full of vigor. "With everyone watching, aren¡¯t you afraid your reputation will suffer by getting into my carriage?" Yang Chuannan frowned. "People of the Jianghu don¡¯t care about such things," Li Miaozhen waved her hand dismissively. "I¡¯m here to ask about the situation. That Inspector seemed quite polite. Maybe he''s just going through the motions. Should you spend some money to smooth things over?" She knew the rules of the Great Feng¡¯s bureaucracy: with money, you¡¯re friends. Without it, even blood brothers gave no quarter. "Giving money to a Censor? Are you trying to get me killed faster?" Yang Chuannan shook his head. "But we can have them all killed in Yunzhou." Li Miaozhen rolled her eyes. "What do you think of this Inspector?" "Mediocre," Yang Chuannan assessed. "That''s good then. The more ipetent he is, the safer you are," Li Miaozhenughed. "Mediocre doesn''t mean inept," Yang Chuannan shook his head. "Those who don¡¯t show their ws are the most dangerous. He might be secretly gathering strength to deliver a fatal blow." After a pause, he added, "That Bronze Gong needs attention." Already aware of Xu Qi''an''s unusual nature, Li Miaozhen raised her brows. "What did you notice?" The wheels ttered as Yang Chuannan lifted the swaying curtain to look at the night outside, pondering. ¡°His sabre is different from other Nightwatchers. But it''s still a sabre, not some other weapon. "As far as I know, Nightwatchers'' sabrese from the Sitianjian and are semi-magical artifacts. There¡¯s only one exnation: he carries a magical artifact." Li Miaozhen nodded. "And someone who can use a magical artifact must either have an unusual status or a special rtionship with the Sitianjian." "His demeanor is also unusual. Even when he''s quiet and seemingly respectful, there''s not much genuine respect for either Inspector Zhang or Song Changfu. This could be attributed to the pride of a martial artist, but having such pride at the Refining Qi stage is rare." As for Jiang Lyuzhong, a fourth-rank Gold Gong, there wasn¡¯t much to be said. Caution was warranted. ¡­ Back at the station, Xu Qi''an, who still needed to pull an all-nighter cultivating, wrote down two sets of codes left by Zhou Min on a sheet of paper. *In the end, it¡¯s always me bearing everything alone... The Refining Spirit stage''s promotion method would have been extremely popr in my era. Shut-ins would grind endlessly, until their hair fell out, and their girlfriends had psychological trauma... oh, they didn''t have girlfriends, so it¡¯s fine.* *Old Jiang said warriors improve step by step until they be god-like beings... The Refining Vitality and Refining Qi stages are more like the martial arts movies I watched in my previous life, and low-level ones at that... But the stages after Refining Spirit elevate things... Even the Refining Qi stage still requires eating and sleeping. I suspect the Refining Spirit stage allows for long periods without rest... That''s already beyond human.* Xu Qi''an''s guess was reasonable. Refining Vitality strengthened the body, enabling warriors to engage in high-intensitybat. Refining Spirit tempered the soul, and its promotion method was relentless effort and sleepless nights. Once sessfully advancing to the Refining Spirit stage, both the body and soul could endure high-intensity work without rest. All cultivation systems, including the martial system, progressed gradually, each rankying the foundation for the next. For instance, in the arcanist system, the physician rankid the groundwork for the ability to observe Qi, which in turn prepared one to be a master of feng-shui, and the enhanced feng-shui became a master of formations. There was a strong logic to it, giving a sense of realistic, grounded progression rather than mystical fantasy. His thoughts returned to the case: *The code isn''t from the Nightwatcher organization; it must be Zhou Min''s creation... That¡¯s absurd. Who could guess it? It¡¯s like leaving a code saying: ¡®Withered leaves, budding oranges, pear silk thin, petals falling, sea wings following.¡¯* *No one in the Nine Provinces could match that code.* *I¡¯ve profiled too many times today; my brain cells are exhausted. But I can¡¯t sleep, so bored... If Fuxiang were here, we could happily engage in some beneficial exercise... but I might die on her white, smooth belly...* Just then, he felt a sudden palpitation in his heart, nearly causing him to copse dead right then and there. Taking a deep breath, he reached under his pillow and pulled out the fragment of the Earth Book, ready to see who was messaging the group at such ate hour. To his surprise, it was: ¡¾TWO: THREE, I have some questions for you. You can name a condition in exchange.¡¿ *Number Two, that military girl? I was just looking for a chance to probe...* Xu Qi''an replied with a finger as his pen: ¡¾THREE: Let¡¯s hear your question first.¡¿ Chapter 201: FOUR: I Have Deduced Who THREE Really Is Chapter 201: FOUR: I Have Deduced Who THREE Really Is # 201. FOUR: I Have Deduced Who THREE Really Is ¡¾TWO: The Inspector''s team arrived in Yunzhou today. I want to know about Jiang Lyuzhong¡ªhis "intent," his character, his weaknesses, and so on.¡¿ *What does this mean...* Xu Qi''an was shocked. Is Number Two treating Old Jiang as an imaginary enemy? No, a real enemy, and starting to gather information to prepare for battle? *Putting aside my good rtionship with Old Jiang, even if we weren''t close, I couldn''t reveal his weaknesses. After all, I''m part of the Inspector''s team too.* ¡¾THREE: Sorry, I can''t divulge any information about the Inspector''s team.¡¿ After replying, Xu Qi''an¡¯s mind wandered, drawing more connections: Number Two gathering information on Jiang Lyuzhong was clearly preparing for a potential future conflict. *Was this Number Two''s decision or was it supported by Yang Chuannan?* *If it''s thetter, it indicates that if things go south, Yang Chuannan might take drastic measures.* Number Two was silent for a while, and the chat group fell into an awkward silence.In this stiff, awkward atmosphere, Number Four, the former schr turned swordsman, chimed in: ¡¾FOUR: TWO, Yang Chuannan is suspected of colluding with bandits and smuggling military supplies, which amounts to treason. THREE is a schr, how could he assist you in aiding and abetting? We schrs know right from wrong, minor details from grand principles.¡¿ *That''s right, we schrs have such lofty ambitions...* Xu Qi''an nodded vigorously, deeply agreeing. ¡¾TWO: Apologies, I was being rash. I have no intention of harming the Inspector''s team.¡¿ ¡¾THREE: But when you asked that question, you were already preparing for a fight. Number Two, I know you have deep prejudices against the court, but you act too emotionally. Whether Yang Chuannan is guilty or not needs to be investigated.¡¿ ¡¾FIVE: That''s right, I also think Number Two is too extreme. From your conversation, the Inspector''s team just arrived in Yunzhou. They just started investigating, and you''re already thinking about attacking them.¡¿ *... FIVE, you¡¯re the least qualified to say that!* Everyone thought to themselves. Number Two didn¡¯t speak again, seemingly upset, as the members of the Earth Book Society all criticized her and did not support her. Even Number Three, whom she had a good impression of, was clearly taking a stand. By now, Xu Qi''an could almost confirm that the militarydy was Number Two, her handsome yet beautiful face shing through his mind. He sighed and wrote a message: ¡¾THREE: Jiang Lyuzhong is a fourth-rank Gold Gong, and his intent is the unarmed fist. As for his character, there are no significant features, so there are no obvious weaknesses.¡¿ These details were superficial and did not involve any confidential information. Indeed, Jiang Lyuzhong''s character had no major ws. Among the Gold Gongs Xu Qi''an knew, the feminine yet ruthless Nangong Qianrou, the poker-faced Yang Yan, the cold and sharp Zhang Kaitai...pared to these people, Jiang Lyuzhong¡¯s character was more moderate, without any obvious traits. But this also meant he had no significant weaknesses. ¡¾TWO: Thank you. Rest assured, I won''t act rashly, nor will I harm the court''s Inspector without cause. Um¡­ I have one more question. I want to inquire about someone named Xu Qi''an. THREE, you''ve mentioned him before.¡¿ *You even want to inquire about me? Are you nning to confront me?* Xu Qi''an immediately became wary and didn''t reply right away. As he was about to refuse, Number One, who had been silently lurking, suddenly appeared: ¡¾ONE: I can give you all the information about him, but you need to exchange it with something of equal value.¡¿ An unexpected backstab... *Wait, did you get my permission to sell my information? Did I agree to this, and you¡¯re selling it openly...* Xu Qi''an touched the mirror, then withdrew his hand. *What should I do? How do I stop this?* *Can I stop Number One? Will they listen? Number One likes to lurk and is quite mysterious. Although I have narrowed down a rough range, it still includes a lot of people.* *And none of these people are ones I can deal with.* *Moreover, what reason do I have to stop it?* What does Xu Qi''an''s business have to do with Number Three? Why should Number Three stop it? *Unless I reveal my identity... but... after praising Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an so much, now being exposed so tantly... I¡¯d be too ashamed to live with myself.* After thinking it over, Xu Qi''an decided to wait and see how Number One would respond, and also gauge Number Two''s attitude. If Number Two was only seeking basic information, or if Number One only revealed superficial details, then he wouldn''t need to intervene. ¡¾TWO: What do you want in exchange?¡¿ ¡¾ONE: You can owe me.¡¿ ¡¾TWO: No problem, go ahead. I''ll determine the value based on what you reveal.¡¿ ¡¾ONE: Xu Qi''an was originally a quick bailiff at the Chang''le County constabry in the suburbs of the capital. He had a lowly position and no particr significance. Three months ago, his uncle lost tax silver during transport and was sentenced to deatj by beheading. The emperor, still angry, exiled Xu''s entire family to the border. ¡¾But no one expected that three days after the tax silver case broke, the case was solved, and Xu Qi''an was exonerated.¡¿ Upon hearing this, Number Five, the southern barbarian girl, couldn''t help but exim: ¡¾Lucky him.¡¿ Just as she finished speaking, Number One retorted: ¡¾No, Xu Qi''an solved the tax silver case himself. Using only the case files while imprisoned, he cracked the case that troubled the local office, the Sitianjian, and the Nightwatchers.¡¿ *He''s a talent...* The members of the Earth Book Society simultaneously had this thought. *So that''s why he could sit beside Inspector Zhang and why he could immediately see through the secret of the seedless loquats... Despite being a lecher, it''s undeniable that he has a strong ability to solve cases... He¡¯se for Yang Chuannan and for the Nightwatcher who died in Yunzhou.* Number Two suddenly understood. ¡¾TWO: Got it, thank you for the information.¡¿ ¡¾ONE: Heh, do you think his abilities end there?¡¿ *What does that mean? Does this Bronze Gong named Xu Qi''an have other achievements?* The members of the Earth Book Society perked up, waiting for a moment, and sure enough, they saw another message from Number One: ¡¾Recently, Number Three kept mentioning the Sangpo case. Do you know who the chief investigator from the Nightwatchers Constabry was? It was also him. ¡¾Before the Sangpo case, Xu Qi''an participated in a raid on a corrupt official''s house. Unhappy with his superior''s abuse of the official''s family, he angrily cut down a Silver Gong, nearly killing him on the spot. He was then imprisoned and sentenced to be cut in half at the waist.¡¿ Numbers Four and Five were awed. Number Two''s eyes lit up slightly, suddenly developing a great admiration for Xu Qi''an, appreciating his character. The chivalrous Lady Flying Swallow admired those who drew their swords to help when they saw injustice. Although Xu Qi''an was a courtckey, it didn''t diminish his worth. Number One continued: ¡¾Due to his outstanding case-solving abilities, after the Sangpo case urred, the emperor ordered him to take on the case, allowing him to redeem himself through merit. ¡¾This man is quick-witted. During the investigation, he also solved the case of Princess Pingyang''s disappearance, which you all know about since Number Three mentioned it before. However, the Sangpo case hit a deadlock. If it weren''t for you, Number Two, finding the Jinwu Guard Centurion Zhou Chixiong, Xu Qi''an wouldn''t have escaped the execution. ¡¾So, you actually did him a favour.¡¿ Seeing this, Xu Qi''an had to step in and say something: ¡¾That''s very true, however he doesn¡¯t know of your existence, so has only been grateful to me..¡¿ *How embarrassing...* Continuing, Number One recounted how Xu Qi''an exposed the collusion between the Qi clique and the Witch God Sect, supporting the Yunzhou bandits. *So it was all because of him...* Number Two felt extremely conflicted. By this point, she understood the whole story and realized that the Bronze Gong she met at the banquet was even more impressive than she had anticipated. He was a formidable character, not to be underestimated. ¡¾ONE: Besides that, Xu Qi''an is proficient in alchemy and has a deep friendship with the white-cloaks of the Sitianjian. Before joining the Nightwatchers, he was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice''s jail due to the revenge of Minister Zhou''s son. However, with the help of the white-robed members and the great schrs of the Cloud Deer Academy, he left the Ministry of Justice unscathed.¡¿ *A deep friendship with the white-robed members of the Sitianjian...* Number Two recalled Xu Qi''an''s unique sabre and nodded slightly, her suspicions confirmed. ¡¾FOUR: Wait, a great schr from the Cloud Deer Academy intervened to save him?¡¿ *Number Four''s reaction was too sharp...* Xu Qi''an swallowed nervously, feeling a surge of anxiety that he was about to be exposed. *Number One investigated me... This is understandable. During my time in the capital, due to the Sangpo case and the tax silver case, I became a focal point of attention in the capital''s officialdom. However, Number One''s understanding of me seems to be limited to after I joined the Nightwatchers.* Thinking this, Xu Qi''an decided to probe: ¡¾The revenge of Minister Zhou''s son... If I remember correctly, the mastermind behind the tax silver case was Minister Zhou. Xu Qi''an was just incredibly lucky, as Minister Zhou''s son met retribution for kidnapping a concubine from the Zhang family.¡¿ It''s reasonable for the Cloud Deer Academy, which had spies in the Nightwatchers, to know the true mastermind behind the tax silver case. What Xu Qi''an wanted to test was whether Number One knew about his framing of Zhou Li. To his disappointment, Number One didn''t respond, seemingly epting the notion of Xu Qi''an being simply lucky. ¡¾ONE: The reason the great schr from Cloud Deer Academy saved him is twofold: First, Xu Qi''an wrote a poem and gave it to Ziyang Jushi. Second, his cousin is a student of Cloud Deer Academy and has already passed the provincial examination.¡¿ *Xu Qi''an''s cousin is a student of the Cloud Deer Academy and has passed the provincial examination? Xu Qi''an had to take on the Sangpo case to redeem himself, and during that time, Number Three was very invested in the Sangpo case... He even spent hundreds of taels of silver to have Number Two escort Zhou Chixiong to the capital to hand him over to the Academy... What could be the rtionship between Number Three and Xu Qi''an? And what about the cousin?* Number Four was invigorated, feeling he had discovered a crucial point. He was excited by this revtion and began to actively think, making other connections: *During the Sangpo case, sword qi soared into the sky, and Number Three quickly obtained first-hand information... During the ancestor worship, the Nightwatchers were guarding near Sangpo... the Cloud Deer Academy wanted to ce spies in the Nightwatchers'' office, and if the spy was a family member of the academy''s student, trust would be assured...* *Got it, Number Three is that cousin, Xu Qi''an''s cousin!* Number Four couldn''t help but feel ted. With this realization, he knew thate spring, when he went to the capital, he wouldn''t be searching aimlessly. He could directly aim to meet Number Three. *That cousin!* Chapter 202: Seduction Chapter 202: Seduction # 202. Seduction ¡¾TWO: Anything else?¡¿ Perhaps because it pertained to Number Three''s identity, the members of the Heaven and Earth Society tacitly ignored the crucial information about "the younger cousin being a student of the Cloud Deer Academy." *You all staying silent like this is making me feel guilty...* Xu Qi''an waited a bit, hoping Number Five would "expose" him, thus confirming the attitudes of the Heaven and Earth Society members. But even Number Five, surprisingly, remained silent. *...Well, Number Five is just a child, don''t expect too much from her.* While Xu Qi''an was pondering, Number One answered Number Two''s question: ¡¾ONE: This person is highly trusted and valued by Wei Yuan.¡¿ *Highly trusted and valued by Wei Yuan...* This brief sentence caused an uproar among the members of the Heaven and Earth Society. Wei Yuan''s name was not only known throughout the Great Feng, but also carried significant weight across Jiuzhou. Aside from hisck of cultivation, Wei Yuan was considered an all-rounder. Of course, his skills in calligraphy, painting, and other arts were merely embellishments. What made Wei Yuan truly renowned was his unparalleled talent inmanding troops and waging war.Originally a eunuch in the pce, Wei Yuan was recognized for his exceptional go skills, which won the appreciation of Emperor Yuanjing, leading to his promotion. In the sixth year of Yuanjing, the old general Dugu, who guarded the northern front, passed away. The three major barbarian tribes gathered an army of sixty thousand to invade the border, ravaging three thousand miles of territory within half a month, leaving devastation and countless corpses in their wake. The court urgently mobilized troops to contain the barbarian forces, but the situation remained dire. At that time, the future Zhenbei King was a prince just emerging from the masses. During this critical period, when Emperor Yuanjing was deeply troubled, Wei Yuan volunteered to lead the troops. He vowed that if he couldn''t expel the barbarians within three months, he would take his own life as an apology. The young Emperor Yuanjing, showing great resolve, immediately appointed Wei Yuan as Deputy Minister of War and Left Governor,manding five armies. Wei Yuan did not disappoint. Within a month and a half, he hadunched such a devastating counterattack that the barbarians were fleeing at the sound of his troops, with only five thousand or so survivors managing to retreat to the north. This tale of loyalty and prowess was still often recounted with great relish. Wei Yuan''s military achievements did not end there. His most famous feat was the War of Shanhai neen years ago. At that time, the Zhenbei King was already a renowned master, yet he still served as Wei Yuan''s weapon, driven to y enemies. Themander of the three armies remained the fearsome eunuch known throughout the world. Shanhai Pass, located on the border with the Western Regions, saw the northern barbarians moving south and the southern tribes moving north, shing with the Great Feng and the Buddhist coalition forces in a fierce battle. Over half a year, a million lives were lost, marking one of the most brutal wars recorded in history. Serving as the Left Governor of Great Feng, Wei Yuan once again demonstrated his unparalleledmand skills to the world. "I am so foolish, truly. I still underestimated this Xu Qi''an..." At this moment, Number Two Li Miaozhen had already removed her light armour and was sitting cross-legged on her embroidered bed in a white inner garment, murmuring to herself. *...If I am not mistaken, the reason for the surge of pure energy at Cloud Deer Academy lies with Number Three, who is very likely Xu Qi''an''s younger cousin... Xu Qi''an himself is highly valued by Wei Yuan... This, this... In a few years, the capital will see the rise of a prominent family...* Number Four felt a mix of emotions. Having been away from the capital for many years, there was a sense of mncholy over the changes. Once everyone had digested this news, Number One continued: ¡¾ONE: His weakness is obvious¡ªhe is lustful! This person often frequents the Jiaofangsi in the capital and has had affairs with many Oirans. Number Two, if you want to deal with him, you might as well use a honey trap.¡¿ *I am not, I am not lustful, don''t nder me...* Xu Qi''an first denied it vehemently, refusing to admit he was a lecher. Then, feeling slightly guilty, he defended himself in his mind: *My visits to the Jiaofangsi were not out of lust; I just wanted to flood my brain with dopamine to fill my empty soul.* *Number One is truly hateful, not only selling my information without permission but also tarnishing my character... Hmm, he (or she) is acting a bit out of character, not like usual...* Xu Qi''an thought, almost penning a defence for "Xu Qi''an," but then realized, Xu Qi''an being a lecher has nothing to do with me as Number Three. I can still engage in online romances, still flirt with Number Two and Number Five. Of course, Number Two''s beauty is already vouched for by me, an experienced veteran from Guangdong B. Worth flirting with. Number Five is yet to be confirmed. ¡¾TWO: Ha, there''s no need to probe, I haven''t hidden my gender. However, seduction is a viable tactic. I happen to have a stunningly beautiful demon at hand.¡¿ As she transmitted this message, Number Two recalled Xu Qi''an''s deep dark circles and,bined with Number One''s words, almost certainly confirmed him to be a seasoned lecher. *...There is a major w in his character. Despite his intelligence, men often let their lower bodies rule over their brains!* Number Two''s lips curled into a smile. *...Ha, Number One clearly doesn''t understand me.* Xu Qi''an didn''t consider himself a lecher; he just enjoyed sleeping with beautiful women, and he wasn''t indulgent. Just then, Number Four suddenly transmitted a message with a sigh: ¡¾FOUR: Xu Qi''an is a deeply cunning person, adept at hiding his true intentions. A honey trap might not work on him.¡¿ This immediately caught the attention of the Heaven and Earth Society members. ¡¾TWO: How so?¡¿ ¡¾FOUR: If what Number One said is true, then despite Xu Qi''an''s outstanding abilities, he willingly remained an ordinary bailiff for years, keeping a low profile. It wasn''t until the tax silver case threatened his safety that he acted decisively and efficiently. ¡¾Following that, he joined the Nightwatchers, solving numerous high-profile cases and gaining achievements. His performance waspletely different from when he was just a bailiff... Ha, he was probably waiting for this opportunity all along. Joining the Nightwatchers was his stage to showcase his ambitions and rise to prominence.¡¿ *...So that''s how I think? I''m a deeply cunning person? Why didn''t I realize it myself? Number Four''s interpretation is international-level...* Xu Qi''an almost covered his face. ¡¾TWO: Makes sense.¡¿ The members all agreed and recognized Number Four''s analysis, making Xu Qi''an''s image even more vivid and clear in their minds. ¡¾SIX: Xu Qi''an is a good person. As a humble monk, I hope nothing happens to him in Yunzhou. Number Two, please don''t harm him or let the Yunzhou Inspector General harm him.¡¿ After a long silence, Number Six suddenly sent a message. Number Two, who had a decent rtionship with Number Six, puzzledly replied: ¡¾TWO: Do you have some connection with him as well?¡¿ ¡¾SIX: I met him during the Sangpo case. After he learned about the Welfare House, he lent me over forty taels of silver and promised to give me three cash of silver daily without charge. When he left the capital, he had someone send me twenty taels of silver.¡¿ At this moment, everyone couldn''t help but feel theplexity of human nature. Such a person turned out to be a lecher. ¡¾TWO: I understand. I''ll do my best to ensure his safety.¡¿ ¡¾SIX: Thank you.¡¿ There was silence for a long while, and just when Xu Qi''an thought the ill-mannered group members had gone offline again, Number Five sent a message: ¡¾FIVE: Hey, Number Three, are you still serious about packaging and delivering the Great Feng Princess and the National Teacher?¡¿ "???" Xu Qi''an stared at the message, stunned for a long time, thinking, *Of course not, can''t you tell I was just bragging?* ¡¾THREE: Heh, talk to me again when I be a top-rank master.¡¿ ¡¾FIVE: Hmph, I knew you were lying. My big brother has been pestering me these days, asking for information about the Great Feng¡¯s Princess and even questioning who is more beautiful, the Princess or the National Teacher.¡¿ Given that it was this topic, Xu Qi''an was willing to chat a bit longer and sent a message: ¡¾THREE: There are four Princesses in Feng. The eldest, Princess Huaiqing, and the second, Princess Lin''an, are top-notch beauties. As for the National Teacher... I don''t know. I''ve only heard her name but haven''t seen her in person.¡¿ After some thought, he believed that the students of the Cloud Deer Academy would not have seen National Teacher Luo Yuheng. ¡¾FOUR: The National Teacher is naturally very beautiful. I believe she surpasses the two princesses. Any man who has seen her would be enchanted by her beauty.¡¿ ¡¾FIVE: Oh, your Great Feng National Teacher is just a seductive fox.¡¿ ¡¾FOUR: Bullshit!¡¿ ¡¾FIVE: She *is* a seductive fox.¡¿ ¡¾FOUR: ...You might have a point, but it¡¯s not because of the National Teacher herself; it¡¯s due to the secrets of the Human Sect. I can¡¯t say much more.¡¿ ¡¾TWO: Ha, what''s there to hide? The Human Sect, as the name implies, has a deep connection with the worldly qi of the human realm. When one reaches a certain level of cultivation, they be entangled with the seven emotions and six desires, which is why Luo Yuheng can unconsciously evoke men''s desires. ¡¾The previous leader of the Human Sect had the chance to reach first rank. He moved the Lingbao Temple to the capital to use the human realm''s qi to achieve this, but the Jianzheng disagreed. Thus, he fell, unable to seed in his tribtion. ¡¾When it came to his daughter, Luo Yuheng, well Emperor Yuanjing just so happened to be obsessed with cultivation, and she was the definition of femininity. If she were to just practice dual cultivation, given time, reaching first rank wouldn¡¯t be difficult.¡¿ ¡¾THREE: But I remember Jinlian Daozhang saying that Luo Yuheng did not engage in dual cultivation with Emperor Yuanjing.¡¿ Xu Qi''an wished he could @Daoist Jinlian to verify that Luo Yuheng was still a virgin. Jinlian Daozhang might have been out hunting rats in the middle of the night, so he didn''t respond. Instead, Number Four jumped in to rify: ¡¾FOUR: Indeed, the National Teacher has not engaged in dual cultivation with Emperor Yuanjing, for unknown reasons.¡¿ *Number Four used to be an official and had connections with the National Teacher, so it wasn¡¯t surprising he knew this. But how did Number Two know so much?* Xu Qi''an hesitated for a long time but didn''t ask this question in the group chat. This matter clearly touched on Number Two''s identity, which was a sensitive issue for the members of the Heaven and Earth Society. Number Two might not answer. Even if she did, she might demand an equal exchange. Since he was currently in Yunzhou and would inevitably interact with Number Two because of Yang Chuannan''s case, he could subtly probe then. No need to "pay" extra now. After some thought, Xu Qi''an decided to say something and sent a message: ¡¾THREE: Given Xu Qi''an''s intelligence and cunning, even though he''s new to Yunzhou, he''s likely made significant progress. Number Two, if you n to use a honey trap, do it quickly.¡¿ This was a friendly reminder out of concern for his fellow group members, not because Xu Qi''an himself was particrly fond of beauty. Number Two did not respond to him. The Earth Book chat group fell into a dead silence, and no one continued the conversation. Xu Qi''an put away the jade mirror, nning to meditate and cultivate to refresh his spirit. He decided to set aside the matter of decoding Zhou Min''s legacy for now. The next morning, Inspector Zhang led Jiang Lyuzhong and a group of Nightwatchers out of the station to investigate the conditions in Yunzhou. Perhaps they would also visit neighbouring prefectures and counties, taking Governor Song with them. Noticing Xu Qi''an''s unmistakable dark circles and the fatigue in his eyes, Inspector Zhang considerately allowed him to stay at the station to rest well but reminded him to work on cracking Zhou Min''s clues. *Though being treated as a tool isn''t pleasant, staying at the posthouse suits me just fine... When a person is extremely exhausted, going out is really annoying... Why haven''t I reached my mental limit yet? I just want to sleep...* Xu Qi''an thought, rubbing his temples while eating breakfast. Besides him, fewer than five Nightwatchers remained on duty, but thirty Huben Guards were left behind. Yawning, Song Tingfeng came downstairs, without his bronze gong or standard long sword, and looked around, "Why is it so quiet today? Where is everyone?" Xu Qi''an, eating his spicy and sour noodles, replied without looking up, "The Inspector went out to investigate the people''s conditions, and the others went along." Song Tingfeng''s eyes lit up, "I have a bold idea..." Xu Qi''an immediately interrupted, "Put away your bold idea. The Inspector has a strict set of punishments." "Psh, you¡¯re no fun!" Song Tingfeng sat down at the table and ordered breakfast, sighing, "It''s been half a week since we''ve been with any women." "That''s you. I haven''t been with a woman for eighteen days... I am a bit hungry." Xu Qi''an sighed as well. "Then eat more," Song Tingfeng nced at the oily noodles. *Old Song stillcks tact..*. Ignoring him, Xu Qi''an continued to fill his stomach. After a few minutes, Zhu Guangxiao also came downstairs. "Guangxiao, let''s go to Jiaofangsiter," Song Tingfeng suggested to his colleague. "Alright, alright... Stop pestering me like a little wife. We can wander around the city, but we can''t go to Jiaofangsi. rules are rules," Xu Qi''an said irritably. "Is there any way to circumvent the rules?" Song Tingfeng joked. "Yes," Xu Qi''an looked at him, "I suggest you resign." *Resigning was something he had done in his previous life, but while working at the police bureau, he was quite disciplined. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have resigned over a line in Ji Xianlin''s diary instead of...* After breakfast, the three of them changed into casual clothes and left the posthouse. ... "See that? The one who looks like he''s been drained by debauchery. Your task is to seduce him." On the street, in a teahouse, standing in a second-floor private room, Li Miaozhen, also in inconspicuous casual clothes, looked at the three men leisurely strolling not far away. Next to her was a seductive woman dressed in an exquisite dress, her hair cascading like a waterfall, adorned with beautiful jewelry. The woman had a gentle face, delicate skin, eyes as bright as ck pearls, and her small mouth was painted with vibrant red lipstick. She had a graceful figure, exuding charm and allure. "And after seducing him?" The alluring womanughed softly, eyeing the "time assassin" as if scrutinizing prey. "Get close to him, monitor his every move, and subtly probe his findings," Li Miaozhen instructed, adding a warning: "But don''t drain his energy. His body is likely severely weakened and can''t withstand your extraction." They weren''t worried about the demon''s true form being exposed. Coarse martial artistscked demon-controlling abilities and were insensitive to yin energy. This demon hadn''t been exposed when she seduced Zhou Chixiong, a Refining Spirit martial artist in the mountain stronghold. As long as they didn''t show hostility and trigger a Refining Spirit martial artist''s spiritual sense, there was no risk of exposure. "Master, I''ll be off then!" The demon smiled charmingly and swayed her hips as she left. Chapter 203: Heh, Women Chapter 203: Heh, Women # 203. Heh, Women Song Tingfeng bought a few ounces of loquat candy from a street vendor. It was hard, cut into small square pieces, somewhat simr to the cough sweets Xu Qi''an had in his previous life. You couldn''t find such hard candy in the capital. This loquat candy, both soothing for the throat and sweet, was a unique specialty of Yunzhou. *Damn, even the candy here is harder than me...* Song Tingfeng thought as he sucked on one, looking around. He sighed, "It¡¯s the same Yunzhou, but Baidi City is so different from other ces. Just look at this bustling and beautiful scene; you''d think Yunzhou is truly a ce of peace and prosperity." As they travelled, they passed through various prefectures and counties, witnessing vast stretches of abandoned farnds and deste, uninhabited viges. The stark reality of Yunzhou''s destion became clear. People¡¯s lives were hard! "With such fertilend, there''s no worry about food from farming, and living by the mountains supports three generations. Plus, being close to the open sea means abundant salt fields..." Zhu Guangxiao, usually silent, surprisingly spoke at length, feeling frustrated. "Why has ite to this?" Song Tingfeng and Xu Qi''an shared his sentiment, thetter saying solemnly, "We came to Yunzhou to eradicate deep-rooted problems. Eliminating the Commander who colluded with mountain bandits will greatly reduce Yunzhou''s banditry." "Ningyan is right; we can''t get lost in the Jiaofangsi. A real man should serve the country and the people, and make a career... Damn, what a beauty!"Xu Qi''an and Zhu Guangxiao looked in the same direction, their eyes lighting up. Ahead, by the street, stood a breathtakingly beautiful woman. She wore a delicately elegant dress, styled in thetest fashion, with a slender waist entuated by a fine silk belt adorned with blue jade. Her skin was snow-white and smooth, her eyes bright ascquer, her red lips striking, and her sharp, pretty face was unparalleled in beauty. *Naisu...* the word shed through Xu Qi''an''s mind. A beauty with an oval face and big eyes was exactly Xu Qi''an''s type. If she had a bit of a fox-like allure, it would be even better. The three most standard oval-faced beauties he had seen were Xu Lingyue, Huaiqing, and Number Two. However, their temperaments were distinctly different: a pure and cute high school girl, a cold and noble strong woman, and a spirited policewoman. But this chance encounter had the face of a seductive and enchanting woman, looking very flirtatious, which was his ideal goddess. "Perfect, this is the beauty I''ve dreamed of..." Xu Qi''an''s heart fluttered, feeling like he had finally found love in this lonely world. All those others like Fuxiang, Huaiqing, Lin''an, and the National Teacher were just fleeting distractions. *Hmm?* He soon realized something was off. No matter how pretty, she shouldn''t be overwhelmingly superior to those other beauties. This inconsistency brought Xu Qi''an to his senses. Immediately, his left thumb warmed slightly. From the jade ring given by Ziyang Jushi, a warm current flowed out, soothing his spirit. Looking again at that stunning beauty, Xu Qi''an''s pupils contracted. What he saw now was not an absolute beauty but a finely crafted paper doll. The paper doll had the same fashionable hairstyle and wore the same luxurious dress, identical to the seductive beauty. Its exquisite face was deathly pale, its eyes dull and lifeless. *Hiss...* Encountering such a strange sight in broad daylight, Xu Qi''an took a sharp breath. *This isn''t a person, it''s a ghost... Caiwei mentioned before that for a ghost to exist for a long time in the world, it must either benefit from local terrain, like the female ghost in the well of my new residence... or be the spirit of a strong person who fell but whose spirit remained, though this has time limits and can''t exist indefinitely...* Xu Qi''an quickly judged that this female ghost was under someone''s control, with a ghost-keeper behind it. *This ghost is quite strong to be able to confuse even me... If it weren''t for the Confucian righteous energy that wards off all evils, I might have been fooled this time...* Xu Qi''an discreetly looked away, checking hispanions. He then noticed that they had a problem too, their gazes somewhat vacant, staring dazedly at the ghost. Although they retained some rationality, they were heavily influenced by its charm. *...Was I just looking like a lovesick fool?* Xu Qi''an felt a bit embarrassed. "Guangxiao, Ningyan, I''ve started believing in love again," Song Tingfeng said, deeply enchanted by the beauty, "I n to settle down and start a family. I''ve even thought of my son''s name." *That''s not love; you''re just lusting after her... No, she doesn''t even have a body...* Xu Qi''an thought. "You''re just being lecherous," Zhu Guangxiao retorted, looking conflicted, torn between his childhood sweetheart and this love-at-first-sight beauty. Such hesitation showed he had the same thought as Song Tingfeng. At that moment, the stunning woman swayed her slim waist and walked gracefully towards them. "Are you three gentlemen also out for a stroll?" She stopped in front of them, her skirt swaying to a halt. She bowed gracefully, saying: "Alone, I find it rather boring. May I join you three gentlemen?" *She''s targeting us...* Xu Qi''an grew wary but feigned a drooling look, hesitatingly frowning, "We''re heading to Jiaofangsi, isn''t that inappropriate?" "Who''s going to Jiaofangsi? If you want to go, go by yourself. Song is not that kind of person." "Ningyan... hey, that''s crude." Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao silently stepped back, distancing themselves from him. *Hmph, this guy is indeed a pervert, speaking so shamelessly about debauchery in broad daylight...* the demon inwardly scoffed, her smile growing even more enchanting. *Perverts are good; Grandma is best at dealing with perverts.* *I have Ziyang Jushi''s jade ring for protection and am not afraid of evil spirits. If she makes any wrong moves, I''ll strike immediately. With my preparedness, I have a great chance of winning... But it''s best to leave her alive for interrogation at night...* Xu Qi''an''s eyes shed as he reluctantly said: "If that''s the case, then let''s go together." He nned to observe quietly for now. If he remembered correctly, the magical books gifted by the great Confucians included Daoist spells for dealing with ghosts. *It seems like you''re fishing for me, but actually, I''m the one fishing for you...* ¡­ In the teahouse, by the window Li Miaozhen stood, her body partially turned away, using the cloth hanging by the window as cover. She observed the three men in the distance. Seeing how effortlessly her demon had infiltrated the enemy ranks, she nodded in satisfaction. Of all the methods, beauty was always the most effective weapon against men. *Jiang Lyuzhong is out with Inspector Zhang to inspect the people''s conditions, apanied by three white-robed Sitianjian members, and they won''t be back today. Without Jiang Lyuzhong at the post station, and without an arcanist to use Qi Observation, my demon won''t be discovered.* *Although the demon excels in charm and illusions, she ultimatelycks a physical body and cannot truly engage in intimate acts with men. To maintain a long-term rtionship with Xu Qi''an without being discovered, I''ll have to hire a girl from the Jiaofangsi...* *Once this is over, I''ll send him a few bottles of aphrodisiac pills. So young and already so weak, he really needs to nourish himself... hehe.* ¡­ The four of them wandered around Baidi City, fully enjoying the local customs and eating all sorts of delicious foods. The woman introduced herself as Susu,ing from a merchant family. Her father was a silk merchant, which is why she could afford to wear such beautiful and borate dresses. She admired the three gentlemen for their remarkable appearance and talent and couldn''t help but want to associate with them. *Is it "associate" or something else... you need to make that clear...* Xu Qi''an mentally retorted. The key point was, despite such a clumsy excuse, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao believed it. They actually believed it... *Hmm, I can''t me them. They''ve already been dumbed down.* In a tea house, in a private room, Song Tingfeng pushed some pastries towards Susu, attentively saying, "Why isn¡¯t Miss Susu eating?" "I am not hungry." "Why isn¡¯t Miss Susu drinking tea?" "I am not thirsty." *Afraid the water will flow out...* Xu Qi''an thought as he picked up his teacup, smiling, "Miss Susu, entering a tea house without drinking tea, are you looking down on us brothers?" Susu immediately put on a pitiful expression, "Why would you say that, sir?" "Ningyan, if Miss Susu doesn''t want to drink, don''t force her." Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng immediately reprimanded their colleague, standing up for their love interest. *Damn it, do you two even remember your surnames anymore¡­ Your lower heads have taken over¡­* Xu Qi''an gave up on the idea of using water to reveal the paper doll''s true nature. Susu pursed her lips and asked casually, "From your ents, you gentlemen are not from Yunzhou, are you?" Song Tingfeng raised his chin, speaking proudly, "We are from the capital." Susu gasped, covering her mouth in awe, "You gentlemen are from the capital? I''ve always heard that the capital is the most prosperous city in the world, full of talented people. I''ve longed to see it." Xu Qi''an had to admit, in terms of how to flirt with men, this unknown female ghost was the best he had seen. Even Fuxiang was slightly inferior. She always managed to touch the itch in a man''s heart. *This is true seduction... Crude seduction uses the body as bait, while the essence of seduction lies in mental stimtion.* Zhu Guangxiao boasted, "We are Nightwatchers... Miss Susu, have you heard of Nightwatchers?" Susu cooperatively shook her head, her clear, innocent eyes blinking. Song Tingfeng took over the topic, praising the Nightwatcher constabry. Seeing the admiration in Susu''s eyes, he almost couldn''t stand straight with pride. Susu subtly guided the conversation, "What brings you gentlemen, oh no, sirs, to Yunzhou with the Inspector?" "Of course, we¡¯re here to investigate." "Investigate what?" Just as Song Tingfeng was about to speak, Xu Qi''an kicked him under the table, making him sober up a bit. He hesitated, "Miss Susu, this matter involves state secrets and cannot be disclosed." Susu smiled charmingly, "I apologize for my impoliteness." She admitted her mistake very graciously, without any pretense, making Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao like her even more. *These three have quite firm wills, I need to intensify my efforts. If I don¡¯t bring back some useful information today, Master will be angry. When Master is angry, he won¡¯t give me a man¡­ This Xu Qi''an has the strongest will. Though he often sneaks nces at my body, he is the most clear-headed... Hmm, Master instructed me to seduce him, the other two can be ignored...* *This female ghost is about to reveal her true intentions. No, Tingfeng and Guangxiao can¡¯t hold on much longer, I must act early...* Each with their ulterior motives, Xu Qi''an and Susu exchanged a smile. Xu Qi''an spoke first, "I need to use the restroom. Tingfeng and Guangxiao, keep Miss Susupany." Creak... Bang... The door to the private room opened and then closed. With only three people left in the room, Song Tingfeng said, "Miss Susu...." Susu''s red lips parted slightly, exhaling a breath of insubstantial, unreal Yin energy that scattered on their faces. Their gazes turned vacant instantly, like puppets. In his daze, Song Tingfeng saw Zhu Guangxiao also leaving, leaving only him and Susu in the room. At this moment, Miss Susu got up gracefully and started to undress. Her dress and undergarments were removed piece by piece¡­ "Miss Susu, please don''t do this, I am not that kind of person." "Miss Susu, let¡¯s go to the post¡­" The same illusion yed out in Zhu Guangxiao¡¯s mind. Unlike Song Tingfeng, he wasn¡¯t hypocritical. As a straightforward person, he guided Miss Susu to sit on the table... ¡­ "Hiss!" Qi ignited the paper. Xu Qi''an tossed the paper ashes into a wine jug, and momentster, the paper waspletely burnt. Blue smoke wafted from the jug''s spout, and intricate runes appeared on the surface of the roughly-made ceramic jug. This was a Daoist spirit-sealing talisman, specifically used for capturing ghosts. To use this talisman, a vessel was needed as a carrier¡ªcups, bottles, pouches, jugs, and jars would all suffice. When the mouth of the vessel was aimed at the malicious spirit, the talisman would activate. Xu Qi''an hid the jug in his robes and held the jade thumb ring tightly in his palm as he strode back to the private room. As he approached the door, he heard two heavy breaths¡ªmen''s breaths. His heart sank, and he had a bad premonition. *I still underestimated this female ghost.* Inside the private room, Susu seemed to have heard footsteps and called out, "Is that you, Master Xu? I don¡¯t know why, but the two gentlemen suddenly had a fit of hysteria. Come quickly and take a look..." Xu Qi''an, remaining vignt while acting, "hurriedly" pushed open the door. Inside, Song Tingfeng was hugging a pir, crazily thrusting against it; Zhu Guangxiao was gripping the table edge, showcasing his waist strength. "...," Xu Qi''an was stunned. At that moment, Susu, who had been lying in ambush by the door, seized the opportunity to blow a gust of Yin energy towards him. Xu Qi''an felt a moment of haziness, but he quickly regained rity, as the jade thumb ring in his palm continued to emit a warm force. He cooperatively made his pupils dte and pretended to be under the illusion. "Bang..." The door closed gently, and he heard a soft chuckle. Susu paced around the private room with graceful steps,ughing softly, "Oh, men!" She sat on a long bench, crossing her legs. She transformed from a charming and delicate woman into a cold and haughty queen. Ignoring the two Bronze Gongs immersed in their illusions, she looked at Xu Qi''an, her delicate brows slightly raised, "I have some questions for you. Answer honestly." Xu Qi''an, with unfocused eyes, nodded obediently like a puppet. Susu pondered for a moment and then asked, "Is Zhou Min a spy for the Nightwatchers?" "He is." *...This matches what Master said!* Susu nodded slightly, no longer having doubts. She quickly added, "Tell me all the information you have gathered." The other Bronze Gong, with vacant eyes, suddenly said, "You''re dreaming!" *Hmm?* Susu was taken aback. Then she saw this Bronze Gong, Xu Qi''an, calmly take a wine jug out from his robes. He opened the lid and aimed the mouth of the jug at her. "Seal!" Throughout the process, he maintained his vacant and lost expression, so much so that it wasn¡¯t until he took out the wine jug that Susu realized something was amiss. The next moment, a strong suction enveloped her, pulling her spirit into the jug. "Heh, women!" Xu Qi''an''s eyes shed, regaining their brightness. He smiled as he closed the lid. Chapter 204: Interrogation Chapter 204: Interrogation # 204. Interrogation In the private room, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were still engaged in their "multiyer exercise," their faces enraptured, unable to extricate themselves. *The female ghost''s illusion was very powerful; its effects had not yet worn off... I only regret not having a phone on me. Otherwise, I would have recorded their positions¡ªa ck history for a lifetime...* Xu Qi''an did not disturb his two colleagues'' "pleasant dreams." Instead, he ignited a piece of paper inscribed with the qi-watching technique and walked to the window, slowly scanning the street below for suspicious figures. What he saw was a sea of white auras. In the definition of Qi Observation, white light indicatedmoners. "Whew..." Xu Qi''an exhaled a breath of turbid air, returned to the table, and sat down to drink tea, waiting patiently for the illusion to end. After about ten minutes, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao suddenly froze, as if time had stopped. Ten secondster, they copsed to the ground with a satisfied sigh. Looking at his two unconscious colleagues, Xu Qi''an had a bold idea. He carried Song Tingfeng to the neighbouring private room and pped him twice, "smack, smack!"Song Tingfeng mumbled in his sleep, "Mmm," and opened his tired eyes. "Ningyan?" Song Tingfeng was shocked, sitting up suddenly. He looked around, searching for something, "Miss Susu? Where is she?" "She left!" Xu Qi''an said with "bewilderment," "I came back from the restroom and saw her leaving with a flushed face, limping slightly. Of course, I tried to stop her, but she hurried away and didn''t respond to my calls." "...Find her, I must find her. I want to marry her," Song Tingfeng jumped up, then staggered, feeling dizzy. The illusion directly affected the soul, and the aftereffects included dizziness. "Damn it, why am I getting weaker and weaker?" Song Tingfeng pushed Xu Qi''an, "Xu Ningyan, quickly help me find her. She is my unwed wife." *Unwed wife? Are you referring to that pir next door?* Xu Qi''an coughed and asked, "What happened to you guys?" This... Although Song Tingfeng was a lecherous person, he was still conservative at heart. Engaging in carnal activities in a teahouse in broad daylight was something he found difficult to admit. "Don''t worry, sit and rest for a while. I''ll go outside and look for her. I will definitely bring her back," Xu Qi''an said as he left the private room and turned back to the one next door. "Smack, smack!" He pped Zhu Guangxiao awake. Zhu Guangxiao''s reaction was more intense than Song Tingfeng''s. Seeing Xu Qi''an, he looked extremely terrified and instinctively covered his crotch before realizing he was wearing pants. He looked around in confusion and asked, "Miss Susu? Where is she?" "She just left. I saw her downstairs, and no matter how I tried to stop her, she insisted on leaving. I asked if you had upset her," Xu Qi''an replied. Zhu Guangxiao''s expression became strange, "Did she look unusual when she left?" Xu Qi''an "recalled," "Her face was very red, she was sweating slightly, and she was walking with a limp. Maybe she twisted her ankle." Walking with a limp... Zhu Guangxiao''s face turned ashen. "Xu Ningyan, I... I did something wrong. I have no face to return to the capital, nor to face my fianc¨¦e." "What happened? Tell me," Xu Qi''an consoled him. Zhu Guangxiao recounted the incident with a pale face and deep regret. "I don''t know what happened. My head got hot, and I did something beastly to Miss Susu. I clearly have a fianc¨¦e... She... she''s still a virgin. What should I do?" Despite frequently visiting the Jiaofangsi, the women there were different from good, honest women. *Hmm, only kids want it all; adults know better. Comrade Guangxiao has a rational mind...* Xu Qi''an nodded, "You need to think carefully." Zhu Guangxiao looked up, "You don''t seem surprised at all." *I''m not surprised. Song Tingfeng next door has the same thoughts...* Xu Qi''an sighed, "What can we do now? Maybe Susu is just a passing guest in your life." Zhu Guangxiao looked devastated. *...Fuck, it''s so hard to hold it in, haha!* Seeing Zhu Guangxiao so distraught, Xu Qi''an almost covered his mouth to keep fromughing. If I told them directly that Susu was a female ghost, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao would only feel embarrassed, and after a few angry curses, that would be the end of it. But now it''s different. The more remorseful they act and the more they confess to me, the more ashamed they''ll be when they find out the truthter. They''d wish they could roll on the ground in shame. This idea came to Xu Qi''an from his own asional fear of his identity being exposed while bragging in the Earth Book chat group. *When my identity is eventually exposed and I can''t face the world, thinking aboutrades Song and Zhu will make me feel much calmer... This is what brotherhood is all about.* ¡­ Leaving the teahouse, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were exceptionally silent. Old Song regretted that just when he had the idea of settling down, it turned out to be nothing but a fleeting romance, leaving him deeply despondent. In his own imagination, he made Miss Susu out to be a peerless woman. "I must find her and marry her," Song Tingfeng swore silently. Zhu Guangxiao, on the other hand, was even more mncholy, as he now faced a choice between his childhood sweetheart and the stunning beauty that had fallen into hisp. Returning to the post station, Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng both chose to take a bath. They didn''t ask the attendants to prepare hot water and went straight to the bathhouse at the station. *Something feels off... Why is it all in my pants...* Song Tingfeng thought as he soaked in the cold water, slowlying to his senses. *Miss Susu is as beautiful as a celestial maiden, but I already have a fianc¨¦e...* Zhu Guangxiao was still agonizing over his dilemma. ¡­.. In his room, Xu Qi''an sat at his desk. Gathering Qi in his fingers, he scraped off a corner of the "Spirit Sealing Talisman." In an instant, a gust of cold wind erupted from the mouth of the wine jug, causing the room''s temperature to plummet. A wisp of green smoke rose gracefully from the mouth of the jug, like an eel with its tail caught, struggling to free itself but unable to pull its tail out of the jug. Helpless, the green smoke transformed into a stunningly beautiful woman, floating above the jug''s mouth, looking pitifully at Xu Qi''an with tearful eyes. "Master, what did I do wrong for you to treat me this way?" *She looks just like a 3D projection..*. Xu Qi''an slightly raised his head, looking up at the ghost woman. "Oh, master is peeking under my skirt," the ghost woman said shyly, pressing down her skirt and biting her lip. Her charming face exuded a seductive demeanor that was hard to resist. *...Still trying to seduce me? Speaking of which, such a 2D waifu is indeed a blessing for otakus...* Xu Qi''an snorted, ced the jade ring on the desk, and said, "Miss Susu, keep trying!" The jade ring emitted a sh of pure light. The ghost woman looked at the jade ring with suspicion, "Confucian aura?" After Xu Qi''an nodded in confirmation, she immediately dropped her seductive act and stood gracefully in mid-air, looking down at Xu Qi''an from above, her voice crisp, "Do what you will with me." Xu Qi''an said, "Fine! I''ll throw the ring into the wine jug." Miss Susu immediately capitted, "Master, let''s discuss this." *How sensible...* Xu Qi''an then put away the jade ring, leaned back in his chair, and asked, "Who sent you?" Miss Susu put on a fawning expression, "My master is Li Miaozhen, the Holy Maiden of the Daoist Heaven Sect. She is neen years old and unmarried. She instructed me to seduce you, master, to gather information about the Zhou Min case and ensure it doesn''t threaten the Commander-in-Chief Yang Chuannan." *There are so many things to rant about, I don''t even know where to start... Firstly, this female ghost really was sent by Number Two. At first, I only suspected it. But after she asked about the Zhou Min case at the teahouse, I was almost certain she was from Number Two.* *Number Two is very efficient. She saidst night she would seduce me, and today she took action immediately. As expected of a military woman... So this ghost is the "demon"?* *Secondly, Number Two is actually the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect? Well, that makes sense. Among all the major sects, aside from the Church of the Warlock God, the only other one proficient in raising and controlling ghosts is the Daoist sect.* He held a slight hope that this ghost was sent by the Church of the Warlock God, but life is never that convenient. *Lastly, Number Two''s ghost-raising skills are so poor. Is this really raising a ghost? This is raising a double agent. I didn''t even have to use the "big stick," and she confessed everything.* "You''re quite loyal," Xu Qi''an mocked. "Master, I died young and became a ghost. Naturally, I have to cherish my life," Susu sighed, her lively eyes turning, and she added: "I was still a virgin when I died, you know." And so? Because you didn''t get to experience a man, you became an enchantress? Xu Qi''an asked further: "How did the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect be the Lady Flying Swallow ande to Yunzhou to exterminate bandits?" "The Heaven Sect cultivates the Heavenly Dao. To reach a profound realm, one must transcend emotions. To transcend the world, one must first experience it. To see through worldly affairs, my master was ordered by her teacher to travel the world." *And she traveled so much that she became a righteous hero, renowned for her bravery and kindness?* I wonder if the elders of the Heaven Sect would be so angry they''d spit blood if they knew. "...Pfft!" Xu Qi''an couldn''t hold back andughed out loud. He found that Number Two was full of points of contention. The ghost woman gave him a sulky nce. "Master, is there anything else you want to ask? If not, please release me soon." "Was Zhou Min killed by Yang Chuannan?" "I don''t know." "Did Number Two have any involvement in this matter?" "That, I do know. Definitely not. I''ve been with my master the entire time." Susu''s wordscked evidence, but Xu Qi''an chose to believe her. From the feedback in the Earth Book chat group, Number Two was a righteous ally with a trustworthy character. However, whether Commander-in-Chief Yang Chuannan was a good or bad person remained to be seen. "What''s Li Miaozhen''s cultivation level?" "Fifth rank." *What does Fifth rank in the Daoist sect mean again?* Xu Qi''an nodded. "She sent you to seduce me. What was the follow-up n? I mean, the using ¡®illusions¡¯ to deceive me bit." Susu immediately showed a knowing expression and giggled. "Master, my physical body has long since perished, so I can''t physically pleasure you. But I can possess a woman. If you fancy anydy on the street, just say the word, and I will possess her. Hehehe." "I''m not that kind of person," Xu Qi''an said sternly. "Also, what''s her rtionship with Yang Chuannan?" "Several months ago, the Commander and my master worked together to exterminate bandits. They became quite close." Xu Qi''an, no longer a novice in the officialdom, immediately deduced the true purpose behind Yang Chuannan''s bandit extermination ¨C to meet the capital''s inspection requirements. "Onest question." "Please ask, master." "Are you interested in following me?" Xu Qi''an asked, then added, "Whether we have physical rtions or not doesn''t matter. Your possession ability is quite useful." Miss Susu, with her elegant manners, immediately struck a pose, ready for Xu Qi''an to take her as he wished. "I am willing to follow you, master. Please remove the seal." "Excellent!" Xu Qi''an picked up the lid of the jug. "From now on, you''ll stay with me. The wine jug will be your home." "Master, please remove the seal, master... stinky man, I will drain you dry sooner orter." As the lid was ced back on the jug, Susu''s voice disappeared, and the cold aura in the room dissipatedpletely. ¡­¡­ In the capital, at the Nightwatcher¡¯s headquarters. Under the warm sunshine, Wei Yuan, dressed in blue, was reading memorials at his desk. Six Gold Gongs, including Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai, stood in the room with their heads lowered, not uttering a word. Without lifting his head, Wei Yuan said faintly, "It seems life in the capital has been toofortable. Twelve secret reports from the northeast were intercepted by the Church of the Warlock God. "How have you been training your subordinates? If life in the capital is too idle, the borders could use your help." Even in a fit of rage, the grand eunuch remained calm andposed, as if nothing in the world could make him lose his cool. The six Gold Gongs hung their heads in silence, like children who had done something wrong, not daring to argue or speak. "Thud, thud, thud..." Footsteps echoed from the stairs as a ck-d official hurried in, holding a letter with both hands. He stopped in front of the desk and bowed, saying, "Duke Wei, an urgent letter from Yunzhou." The courier system in the Great Feng was well-developed. Besides the usual horses, there was a special beast called the Firefeather Beast from the southern regions. These creatures belonged to the shaman ns, were gentle by nature, and excelled at running. They could easily cover a thousand miles in a day. However, due to their poor reproduction rates and high costs of breeding, they were not widespread and were only used for urgent messages. Wei Yuan used a paper knife to open the letter and read it attentively. The letter was from Jiang Lyuzhong, informing Wei Yuan that the Inspector''s team had reached the border of Yunzhou. It also mentioned that they had recently saved Zhou Min''s concubine, Yang Yingying, and obtained a crucial clue. At the end of the letter, there was an additional note: ¡°Xu Qi''an is currently attempting to break through to the Refining Spirit stage. His promotion is imminent. However, I discovered that he is simultaneously practicing two different visualization techniques, one provided by the headquarters. Is this something Duke Wei gave him? The other visualization technique is the Buddhist Lion''s Roar, and both have been mastered to a proficient level. ¡°Your subordinate am puzzled. From what I remember, martial artists in the Refining Qi stage find it extremely challenging to practice even one visualization technique due to the limited strength of their primordial spirit and the mental confusion caused by practicing multiple techniques. "I myself only managed to practice multiple techniques long after entering the Refining Spirit stage. The other Gold Gongs in the headquarters had simr experiences. So why is Xu Qi''an unique in this way, being able to practice two techniques while still in the Refining Qi stage? This is unprecedented and unbelievable. I have not made this public yet." *Xu Qi''an is attempting to break through to the Refining Spirit stage... Xu Qi''an is practicing two visualization techniques...* Wei Yuan, who usually remained unperturbed, had his gaze suddenly freeze. The six Gold Gongs noticed Wei Yuan''s change in expression, raised their heads, and felt a chill run down their spines, sensing a major event was unfolding. They heard Wei Yuan exhale, a sigh that was partment, part admiration, and muttered to himself: "Not even two months..." Chapter 205: Echoes of the Inscription Chapter 205: Echoes of the Inscription # 205. Echoes of the Inscription *Not even two months?* The Gold Gongs exchanged silent nces, trying to decipher the deeper meaning behind this phrase ¨C not even two months! Clearly, this implied some sort of time limit or significant time span. However, what exactly "not even two months" represented was the crucial question. The Gold Gongs gestured to one another with their eyes, urging someone else to ask, but they all knew that Duke Wei was currently furious, and no one dared to provoke him. If it were indeed something terrible, wouldn''t that just give Duke Wei a channel to vent his anger? A transfer order to the border would be quitefortable then¡­ Wei Yuan recalled his own martial arts cultivation years. Even though he was once hailed by the Jianzheng as the most promising talent of five hundred years, with the greatest hope of reaching first rank, it still took him three and a half months to leap from the Refining Qi stage to the Refining Spirit stage. Xu Qi''an aplishing this feat in less than two months meant his talent was even greater than Wei Yuan had anticipated. Wei Yuan had previously admired Xu Qi''an for his character.Character is also a form of talent. As for Xu Qi''an''s cultivation speed, Wei Yuan had already looked at him with new eyes upon hearing that he had filled his middle *dantian* with qi. He had thought that byte spring next year, this kid would probably be able to advance to the Refining Spirit stage ¨C five months to advance a rank, which was the level of a Gold Gong. Combined with his naturally suitable heart for the martial path, he might be the second Zhenbei King ¨C a third-rank martial artist. Who would have thought that Xu Qi''an''s talent was even more powerful than he had predicted. Most importantly, Xu Qi''an unknowingly aplished something astonishing: Double visualisation in the Refining Qi stage. The Buddhist Lion''s Roar was a supreme skill, but it required a visualisation technique as a supplement. This visualisation was far inferior to a true visualisation technique, as the Golden Lion¡¯s Roar diagram was only an auxiliary to the "Lion''s Roar" skill. It was merely a part, but not the central point of it. Even so, Xu Qi''an''s ability to perform dual visualisation in the Refining Qi stage was still astonishing. The well-read and knowledgeable Wei Yuan quickly thought of three possibilities: One: Dual souls in one body. In the Western Buddhist nations, there were many records of great monks who, after passing away, would revive in the body of a child, not only retainingplete memories but also being naturally proficient in Buddhism. This was because the monk''s remnant soul merged with the newly born child. Such a primordial spirit was inherently stronger than ordinary people, capable of dual visualisation at an early stage, due to their soul being far stronger than average. Two: A person with great fortune. Such people were extremely rare, but those with great fortune were always formidable figures, such as the Sect leader of the Daoist sects, the Jianzheng of the Sitianjian, and the Warlock God of the church that bears his name. Three: Blessings from a high-ranking elder. There was more nothing to be said about that; he would be set apart from ordinary people to begin with. "Ahem¡­" Nangong Qianrou cleared his throat. He had been pushed forward by the other Gold Gongs as their representative. With Yang Yan absent, only Duke Wei''s adopted son was present, and it was assumed Duke Wei wouldn''t send his own son to the border. "Father, is there anything you need me to do?" Nangong Qianrou asked, bracing himself. Wei Yuan nced at him, closed the letter, poured himself a cup of tea, and said leisurely, "It''s nothing, just a small matter." *A small matter? You almost couldn''t control your expression just now¡­* The Gold Gongs internally retorted. Then, they noticed a change in Wei Yuan''s demeanor. Although he maintained his calm appearance, it had shifted from the calm before the storm to a gentle breeze and warm sunshine. *It seemed the letter contained good news¡­* What exactly did it say? Nangong Qianrou curiously asked, "Father, what does the letter say?" Wei Yuan smiled sincerely, "Xu Qi''an is advancing to the Refining Spirit stage. The letter is from Jiang Lyuzhong, sent from the border of Yunzhou. By now, he should have sessfully advanced to the Refining Spirit stage." Wei Yuan did not disclose the double visualisation matter. *Impossible¡­* Nangong Qianrou almost shouted. When Xu Qi''an had just joined the Nightwatchers and passed the Conscience Test, he had caught his father''s attention. At that time, both he and Yang Yan were present. It could be said that Nangong Qianrou had watched Xu Qi''an grow, knowing his roots the best. When this person became a Nightwatcher, he was still at the peak of the Refining Vitality stage, a weak existence that Nangong Qianrou felt he could blow away with a breath. Although his father had mentioned that this person had great potential, which Nangong Qianrou acknowledged, he still found it hard to ept. Less than two months, and a ninth-rank Refining Vitality stage had be a seventh-rank Refining Spirit stage. This had already reached the minimum standard for a Silver Gong. *If Yang Yan were here, his mouth would probably split open with joy¡­* Nangong Qianrou thought sourly. Simrly, Zhang Kaitai, who had been refining his sword intent, also felt sour. He had once thought of recruiting Xu Qi''an, with ns all set ¨C money and seduction. But, constrained by his dignity as a Gold Gong, he hadn''t dared to implement them. *Is Xu Qi¡¯an really this exceptional? Given time, our constabry might gain another Gold Gong.* *Fortunately, he didn''t fall during the incident with that Zhu.* The Gold Gongs present couldn''t hide their delight amidst their shock. If the Nightwatchers'' constabry produced another fourth-rank martial artist, their overall influence and strength would reach a new level. High-ranking martial artists were rare, and those cultivated within one''s own faction were even rarer. Aside from Nangong Qianrou, who was feeling sour, the other Gold Gongs were mostly filled with sighs and emotions. This was the benefit of having a good character. A person with a stronger moral baseline than most Nightwatchers bing a high-ranking martial artist was more eptable to people. If a sinister person were to advance to a high rank, they would instinctively be wary. But with Xu Qi''an, there was no need for such caution. He was willing to cut down a superior for the sake of an unrted girl, which, from another perspective, was actually protecting his own moral baseline. *If this continues, Father might take him as an adopted son¡­ Yang Yan is a silent type and won''tpete with me for favour, but that sly Xu Qi''an¡­* Nangong Qianrou thought sourly. Wei Yuan nced at the water clock in the corner, waved his hand, and said, "Dismissed. I don''t want to see a simr mistake again. Qianrou, prepare the carriage and apany me to the pce." In half an hour, there would be a small court meeting. Emperor Yuanjing did not hold early morning court sessions as it conflicted with his meditation time. He only held small court meetings asionally, but not frequently. Thest small court meeting was four days ago. ... The carriage wheels rolled over the stone b-paved street. Nangong Qianrou pulled the reins hard, and the carriage stopped at the gate of the pce. He took down the small stool hanging under the carriage board and helped Wei Yuan off the carriage. Nangong Qianrou handed the reins to the Jinwu Guards at the gate and followed the figure in the great blue robe. In the imperial study, Emperor Yuanjing, whose hair was ckening again, sat on the gilded chair, nced at his ministers, and said in an emotionless voice: ¡°We have had the cab transcribe the letter from the Yuzhou Government for each and every one of my lords, we would like to know your thoughts.¡± The Minister of Revenue stepped forward first and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I believe this is just an isted case in Yuzhou. Zhang Xingying''s im that there are spies in all the grain transportation offices in the Great Feng is utterly groundless." The Secretary of the Ministry of Industry echoed, "Zhang Xingying''s statementcks evidence and is unconvincing. We should only investigate the Yuzhou Grain Transportation Office." Several other officials also stepped forward to agree, making it clear they did not want to investigate the grain transportation offices. The term "grain transportation" has always been troublesome, involving too many interest groups from the capital to local areas, from the court to the rivers andkes, with too many people entangled in it. Emperor Yuanjing looked at the current Prime Minister, "What do you think, Lord Wang?" The Prime Minister bowed, "Your Majesty, I believe need only thoroughly investigate the grain transportation in Yuzhou." "Wei Yuan, what is your opinion?" Emperor Yuanjing looked at the man in the dark blue robe. "I agree with the Prime Minister," Wei Yuan replied. The officials withdrew their gaze from Wei Yuan. Prime Minister Wang nced at Wei Yuan, feeling a mix of tacit understanding and disappointment. During this critical period of official evaluation, anyone who proposed a thorough investigation of the grain transportation offices would bemitting political suicide. Neither of the two old rivals would make such a basic mistake, but both hoped the other would. Emperor Yuanjing nodded, his expression deep and unreadable. He continued: ¡°The Administration in Qingzhou sent back a letter. Yang Gong has erected admonitory stele in all the major offices in Qingzhou. The inscription reads: ''*Your food and your money, flesh and blood of the people. The people are easy to abuse, the heavens are hard to cheat.*'' ¡°The Administration in Qingzhou believes this poem is a powerful warning to officials and suggests that the court order all provinces to follow suit and erect simr admonitory tablets. "What do my lords think?" In the imperial study, the officials stirred, murmuring among themselves. ¡°What a splendid poem, what a splendid poem!¡± An enthusiastic censor stepped forward and eximed, ¡°This poem is simply a stroke of genius, beyond words. This is the kind of poem that represents the grandeur of the Great Feng, not some ¡®subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.¡¯ or ¡®His dreamden boat sailing atop the Milky way.¡¯ ¡°Your servant filled with fervour and respectfully request that Your Majesty order the various provinces to follow suit and erect admonitory stele in all major offices.¡± This proposal was met with widespread support from the officials present. It did not involve any interest disputes or factional conflicts, making the officials more willing to speak up and express their opinions freely. However, not everyone agreed. Some were reluctant to see Yang Gong gain fame, especially since this Administrator of Qingzhou was a schr from the Cloud Deer Academy. But more people hoped the court would proceed with this. Such an action, when the news spread, would greatly enhance the court''s image in the eyes of the people, garnering much positive sentiment. This aligned with the schrs¡¯ penchant for reputation. In recent years, there had been relentless criticism from the popce, frommoners to the gentry. Erecting admonitory stele could help restore some of the court¡¯s reputation. Prime Minister Wang stepped forward, ¡°I propose we follow the example of the Qingzhou Administration Commission.¡± Emperor Yuanjing shared this sentiment. Although he practiced cultivation, neglected governance, and amassed wealth without restraint, he considered himself a good emperor. ¡°Yang Gong''s reputation as a great schr is well-deserved. This poem, created during my reign, will be recorded in history. Not only will I order the erection of admonitory tablets in provincial offices, but I will also personally inscribe it and have it reproduced from my handwriting,¡± Emperor Yuanjing said with a smile. ¡°Yang Gong was a top schr in his year during the imperial examination, excelling in poetry,¡± Prime Minister Wang added with a smile. Only Wei Yuan seemed puzzled for a moment. *¡®Your food and your money, flesh and blood of the people. The people are easy to abuse, the heavens are hard to cheat.¡¯... Wasn¡¯t this the poem Xu Qi''an wrote during his trial at the Conscience Test?* *How did it be attributed to Yang Gong?* *Or perhaps, was it originally Yang Gong¡¯s poem, and Xu Qi''an learned it from his cousin Xu Xinnian?* Wei Yuan quickly dismissed this notion. In terms of poetic talent, a hundred Yang Gongs couldn¡¯t match one Xu Qi''an. This poem had only recently appeared. The inspector¡¯s team traveled south and would have passed through Qingzhou. This means Xu Qi''an returned to Qingzhou, and the poem originated there. Understanding this, Wei Yuan frowned, puzzled, *This poem was written by Xu Qi''an. Why did His Majesty overlook it just now? Was it intentional, or did the Qingzhou Administration deliberately omit Xu Qi''an¡¯s name?* *The memorial was sent back to the capital by the Qingzhou Administration. Such documents are usually drafted by clerks since the Administrator couldn¡¯t attend to everything personally. It¡¯s possible a clerk, trying to curry favor with the Administrator, deliberately omitted the original author¡¯s name¡­ Later, they could easily im it was a drafting oversight.* *Once this matter is settled, Yang Gong¡¯s fame will spread with this poem. Even if Yang Gong rifiester, whether the correction reaches everyone and its impact remain uncertain.* *The literary reputation rightfully belonging to Xu Qi''an can¡¯t be taken away¡­ He¡¯s too conspicuous, still too young.* Wei Yuan sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and said loudly: ¡°Your Majesty, your servant has a point of order!¡± Chapter 206: Scoundrel Chapter 206: Scoundrel # 206. Scoundrel Emperor Yuanjing looked at Wei Yuan and nodded, "What is it?" Wei Yuan asked, "In the letter sent back by the Qingzhou Administration, does it explicitly state that this poem was written by Administrator Yang Gong?" *... What does he mean by that?* The seasoned officials detected something amiss. The Emperor did not answer directly but instead asked, "Is there a problem?" The letter did not explicitly state that the poem was written by Yang Gong. The wording was as follows: "Administrator Yang ordered the Qingzhou officials to erect admonitory stele and inscribe the poem to warn the people." This was a clever phrasing¡ªneither confirming nor denying it. To Emperor Yuanjing, this was tantamount to acknowledgment. "This poem was not written by Yang Gong but by another person. Your servant believes that once it spreads, it will be renowned across thend. Such an opportunity for fame should not be monopolised by Yang Gong," Wei Yuan said. "Oh? Since when did Qingzhou produce such a great talent?" Emperor Yuanjing smiled with interest and stared at Wei Yuan. "But how did youe to know this?"*Not written by Yang Gong, but by someone else... Qingzhou indeed produces many talented individuals, being a major province for the imperial examinations...* the officials pondered, casting curious nces at Wei Yuan following the Emperor''s question. They were all wondering how Wei Yuan knew that the poem was not written by Yang Gong. "Nor is the author a person from Qingzhou," Wei Yuan shook his head. The Emperor responded with a questioning "Hmm?" "Moreover, I know that this poem was not written in Qingzhou but came into existence more than a month ago. And it was not written by a Qingzhou native," Wei Yuan continued. At this, the officials echoed the Emperor''s "Hmm?" in puzzlement, and the censor who had praised the poem earlier questioned: "Lord Wei, please do not keep us in suspense before His Majesty." A veteran of the court, starting with a pointedment. *Written more than a month ago¡­ not by a Qingzhou native¡­* the more perceptive officials began to form guesses. A momentter, strange expressions began to form on their faces. Wei Yuan nced at Emperor Yuanjing, whose face had darkened, and spoke calmly, "This poem was written by Xu Qi''an, a Bronze Gong of the Nightwatchers. The original still hangs in our constabry. If the officials wish to view it, I can arrange for it to be borrowed." *So it was him¡­* murmurs of discussion erupted again: "This young man has great talent; it''s a pity he isn¡¯t as schr." "Hmph, that Xu Pingzhi is just a coarse martial man with no foresight." "If only Xu Qi''an could enter the Imperial Academy, how wonderful it would be!" Even those officials who disliked Xu Qi''an couldn''t help but sigh in regret. Such poetic talent, if only he were a schr¡ªof course, a schr of the Imperial Academy¡ªhow wonderful it would be. No one doubted Wei Yuan''s words, not even his political enemies. Wei Yuan had no reason to lie about this matter, which would only harm his own reputation. The censor looked embarrassed and lowered his head, staying quiet. Emperor Yuanjing snorted, "Why bring this up?" Wei Yuan chuckled, "Naturally, to help my subordinate gain fame." The Emperor snorted coldly but said nothing more. Although he did not like Xu Qi''an, as the supreme ruler, he would not hold a grudge against a lowly Bronze Gong. Besides, there were many people in the court he disliked. Of course, if the Bronze Gong made a mistake or angered him, that would be a different story. ¡­ Qingyun Mountain, Cloud Deer Academy. A wild crane flew from the horizon, its wings pping as it swooped down toward Qingyun Mountain, skimming over courtyards and pavilions before being caught in a lookout hall on the second floor of an elegant pavilion at the edge of a cliff. In a distortion of clear light, the crane transformed into an intricately crafted paper crane, lifelike in its detail. "Yang Ziqian has sent a letter back," Li Mubai said with a smile, turning to inform the two great schrs engrossed in their game, two terrible yers. Zhang Shen and Chen Tai were absorbed in their intense match and did not look up. One casually asked, "What does it say?" Li Mubai unfolded the letter, smiling as he read. However, his smile gradually faded, his expression growing twisted. "Shameless, simply shameless!" Li Mubai suddenly crumpled the letter in his hand and roared: "Old scoundrel Yang Gong, shameless and disgraceful. I, Li Mubai, am ashamed of him, ashamed!" The sudden outburst startled the two great schrs, Zhang Shen and Chen Tai. "What is it this time? How could Ziqian''s letter provoke such anger?" Zhang Shen shook his head helplessly, mocking: "Purejing, you have a short temper, prone to anger. That''s why you lost to Wei Yuan back then. Look at Wei Yuan, calm and unyielding like a mountain." Great schr Chen Tai nodded, "Chunjing does have a tendency towards impulsiveness. Let me see the letter." Li Mubai was already beside himself with anger, filled with jealousy, and snorted, throwing the letter onto the chessboard. Zhang Shen picked it up, reading intently. In the letter, Yang Gong, or Yang Ziqian, mentioned meeting the inspection team in Qingzhou and encountering Xu Qi''an. Yang Gongvishly praised Xu Qi''an, calling him the greatest poet of Feng in over five hundred years. As Zhang Shen read further, he sensed something was off, as if Yang Gong were boasting and ingratiating himself. Further down was a poem: "*Your food and your money, flesh and blood of the people. The people are easy to abuse, the heavens are hard to cheat. ¡ªXu Qi''an (taught by Yang Gong)." The letter stated that this was taken from an inscribed tablet. Crash¡­ The cliffside shook violently, stones rolling down, as clear light fluctuated within the pavilion. The roaring voices of Zhang Shen and Chen Tai echoed throughout Cloud Deer Academy. "Yang Gong, that old scoundrel, is unworthy of being a teacher. I suggest we expel him from the Academy." "It''s one thing to take credit for a farewell poem, but this too? I won''t stand for it!" "This is infuriating, it¡¯s so infuriating! He''s even written a letter just to boast¡­" ¡­ After enjoying a Yunzhou lunch at the station, Xu Qi''an took a cold bath, feeling refreshed. He returned to his room in white inner garments and lifted the lid of his pot. A wisp of green smoke emerged, transforming into a stunningly beautiful woman who pouted: "You damned man!" Xu Qi''an sighed, "I was going to let you go, but now I''ve changed my mind." Su Su immediately altered her attitude, coquettishly pleading, "Master~" Xu Qi''an narrowed his eyes, scrutinising her. "Master, what are you looking at?" Su Su blinked her eyes, adopting a seductive pose. "I''m wondering how Ning Caichen managed it," Xu Qi''an said bluntly. "Who''s Ning Caichen?" "A schr who also fell in love with a spirit." "That spirit must have been after his vitality," Su Su pouted indignantly. "Why?" "Because I''m a spirit, and I crave men''s vitality." "How do you crave it?" Xu Qi''an asked, narrowing his eyes and speaking in a low tone. "Confess honestly, and I''ll decide whether to release you based on the severity of your sins." "By sucking," Su Su said with a feigned innocence. "But I only suck the vitality of wicked bandits, never the innocent." "Suck where? I''m just curious about a spirit''s methods." "From the head." "Which head?" Xu Qi''an''s eyes shed sharply. Su Su looked confused, but still innocently pointed to her forehead with her slender finger, "Here." The sharp light in Xu Qi''an''s eyes immediately dimmed. He said solemnly, "I''ve thought it over. You havemitted many evils. I can''t let you go easily. Back to the pot you go." Bang! He covered the pot. "What a waste of time..." Xu Qi''an muttered, standing up and leaving the room to knock on Song Tingfeng''s door. "What is it?" Song Tingfeng, who had nned to take a nap and was already undressed, asked as he opened the door. "The Inspector is not here, but we cannot ck off. I intend to try and decipher the code left by Zhou Min. You and Guangxiao are experienced Nightwatchers, and your insights could be invaluable to my deductions." Song Tingfeng felt both honored and ashamed hearing this from the famed detective Xu Ningyan, knowing that most Nightwatchers, including himself, were more about brute force than reasoning. "Ningyan, I¡¯m actually not skilled in solving cases." "Have you heard this saying?" Xu Qi''an said seriously. Song Tingfeng shook his head. Xu Qi''an said, "Some casual words can clear my doubts, and a sudden impulse can drive me to continue. I pay close attention to your every move." Song Tingfeng looked wary, "Why are you paying attention to my every move? What are you nning?" "No, that just slipped out..." Xu Qi''an changed the subject, "By the way, what are your thoughts on Su Su?" As he spoke, he stared intently at Song Tingfeng, hoping to see a reaction of shame. Song Tingfeng felt a pang in his heart at the mention of Su Su and said solemnly, "It will be my lifelong regret if I can''t find her." *She''s in my room... Hasn''t he figured it out yet? This doesn''t make sense. As soon as he and Zhu Guangxiaopare notes, Su Su''s antics should be exposed... Are they keeping it from each other? Why?* *Is it because I''m more trustworthy?* Xu Qi''an felt a sudden surge of emotion. "By the way, don''t tell anyone about Su Su, not even Guangxiao," Song Tingfeng cautioned. "Don''t worry, I''m very discreet," Xu Qi''an said with a bright smile, then asked, "By the way, is it because I''m more trustworthy than Guangxiao?" "No, why would you think that?" Song Tingfeng gave him a puzzled look. "It''s because you have no boundaries when ites to matters between men and women. I''m not afraid of you knowing. You can''t be worse than you already are." *...Why am I considered more shameless just because we all went to Jiaofangsi and I slept with Fuxiang while you slept with someone less attractive?* Xu Qi''an protested inwardly, thinking, I neither engage with young girls nor have a motherplex, how am I the one without boundaries? "Every time other colleagues talk about how you sleep with Fuxiang every night without paying, everyone curses you: ''Damn scoundrel!''" "..." The two knocked on Zhu Guangxiao''s door together. Song Tingfeng frowned, "What''s wrong with you? You''ve been off since earlier." Zhu Guangxiao opened his mouth as if to speak but hesitated, finally looking at Xu Qi''an. *Why are you looking at me? Do you also think I''m a scoundrel?* Xu Qi''an rolled his eyes in irritation. The three of them went together to the room where Zhou Min''s belongings were stored and carefully examined everything for a long time. Song Tingfeng eventually gave up, saying, "We''ve gone through these items countless times." Zhu Guangxiao looked at Xu Qi''an, "Ningyan, do you think there''s a clue rted to the code in his belongings?" "Remember how I cracked the word puzzle to find the code?" Xu Qi''an began pacing around the room, carefully exining his reasoning: "Thinking from different perspectives is an essential part of deduction. Zhou Min''s case is different from the Sangpo case. At least with Sangpo, there were traces to follow, and we could piece things together. "But in this case, there are no other clues. The only lead we have is deciphering the code left by Zhou Min." Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao nodded slightly, lost in thought. Having experienced the Sangpo case, they had gained some insights into solving cases but were still in the stage of imitating what they had seen. If a case simr to Sangpo arose again, they could mimic Xu Qi''an''s methods to try and solve it. However, if the entry point of the case changed, they would be at a loss. In terms of martial arts novels, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were still at the stage of practicing sword techniques, while Xu Qi''an had reached the level of winning without a move, holding an invisible sword in his heart. "Don''t just nod. Tell me your thoughts." Song Tingfeng hesitated, "Leaving a code is for us to decipher. So, the clue should be in a very obvious ce, easy to find, but it depends on whether we can discover it?" "Very good, blind monk, you''ve found the key point." Xu Qi''an teased. Then, he unfolded the slip of paper, looking at the two sets of codes, and said, "These are two sets of numbers. When numbers are used as codes, they must correspond to a cipher book. If we find the cipher book, we can decode the message." Because a simple string or a few strings of numbers were meaningless in themselves, the meaning lies in what the numbers refer to. There must be a cipher book. "Except for the word ''Mo'' [silent], the rest are numbers. The clue won''t be in the map again, so where can we find a lot of numbers?" Zhu Guangxiao wondered. "There are many clues containing numbers, aren''t there numbers in books?" Song Tingfeng said. "Good, very good guess." Xu Qi''an''s eyes lit up. "Let''s assume these two sets of codes are in a book. Following our previous logic, what books are the easiest for us to obtain?" Song Tingfeng, feeling his suggestion was epted, analyzed with renewed vigor, "The Three Character ssic, Records of the Great Feng, the Yunzhou Chronicles?" These were all books readily avable in Yunzhou. The Three Character ssic was a beginner''s textbook, each prefecture has a copy of the Records of the Great Feng, and the Yunzhou Chronicles were the historical records of Yunzhou,monly found in the constabry and even at post stations. They had the station attendants fetch these books but didn''t immediately start flipping through them because there was another issue to resolve. Zhu Guangxiao asked, "So what do the numbers represent, and how do we find them?" "After losing a lot of protein, a man''s brain can temporarily malfunction." Xu Qi''an looked at him seriously, "At such times, you need rest or a supplement." "What do you mean?" "I mean, these numbers either represent page numbers or refer to specific characters. This is the simplest deduction." Xu Qi''an exined. Song Tingfeng opened the Three Character ssic, "It''s definitely not page numbers because the Three Character ssic is so thin." He said as he flipped through the Three Character ssic, "The one hundred sixty-second character is ''Yi'' [Righteousness], and the three hundred forty-seventh character is ''Qing'' [Emotion]. "The other codes also decipher to: Silent man, human nature... Okay, this is incorrect." As Song Tingfeng''s attempt failed, Xu Qi''an and Zhu Guangxiao were also decoding the other two books. Zhu Guangxiao said, "Silent flowers, deep water east... Okay, this is wrong too." The two looked at Xu Qi''an, who dejectedly said, "Don¡¯t freeload again¡­" Chapter 207: The Princesses Shouldve Received my Love Texts Now Chapter 207: The Princesses Should''ve Received my Love Texts Now # 207. The Princesses Should''ve Received my Love Texts Now Subsequently, they searched through manymonly found books using the same method to decode the ciphers, but all attempts ended in failure. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were somewhat discouraged. The former squinted his eyes and said, "Ningyan, you seem to have lost your cleverness." It was clear that Xu Qi''an''s mental sharpness had significantly declined; he was not as keen as usual. Xu Qi''an raised his head, staring nkly at the interwoven beams above, and said irritably, "When your friend was feeling unwell, didn''t they alsock energy?" "Wh-why bring up my friend..." Song Tingfeng felt a bit embarrassed. *Hehe,* Xu Qi''an thought to himself, *I haven''t slept for thirteen days, and you expect my brain to work fast? Susu, that useless creature, can''t even help me stay alert. What''s the use of keeping her?* However, this kind of demon''s value isn''t in her core, but in her outward appearance. Keeping a demon is like owning a fish pond, much easier and more pleasant than painstakingly managing all the backups like Huaiqing, Lin''an, Fuxiang, and Caiwei.Eventually, the pond owner Xu Qi''an would hold a trident, and swiftly spear whichever fish he fancied. "How about taking a break?" Song Tingfeng suggested. "Let the attendants bring some sweets," Xu Qi''an said. The best way tobat brain fatigue was to consume sugar. Sugar was the only energy source the brain can use. Most people enjoy sweets not because they taste so good, but because the brain prompts the body to intake sugar. Xu Qi''an needed sugar badly right now. The attendants prepared sweet dishes for them: longan egg soup, raisin cakes, almond tofu pudding... all sweet treats. Xu Qi''an picked the longan egg soup, offering the almond tofu pudding to the squinting Song Tingfeng, who immediately brightened up,ughing, "Ningyan, how did you know I like sweet tofu pudding?" *Because you look like a heretic...* Xu Qi''an chuckled, "Because we''re brothers. Seeing you so miserable, I wanted to give you something sweet to cheer you up." *Who was miserable?* Song Tingfeng rolled his eyes, knowing Xu Qi''an was alluding to the incident with Susu. *Speaking of which, Susu is truly wonderful, a rare woman who can match me in bed for three hundred rounds...* Song Tingfeng thought of today''s encounter in the teahouse private room, feeling a twinge of longing. "You wouldn''t understand; you''re a yboy, but I''m not anymore." Song Tingfeng shook his head, sneering: "When you first joined the Nightwatchers, I advised you to marry Captain Lyu Qing, but you hesitated and then started seeing Fuxiang. I knew then you were the same as me. If Captain Lyu married you, it would be a flower stuck in cow dung." Xu Qi''an thought of the valiant Captain Lyu Qing and retorted, "Though Captain Lu isn''t as pretty as Fuxiang, calling her cow dung is too much." "I didn''t call her cow dung; I was referring to you." "Then why the flower stuck in cow dung analogy?" "..." After finishing the sweets, due to Detective Xu Ningyan''s poor state, Song Tingfeng took on the burden of deduction, clearing his throat: "Let''s think from a different perspective. If I were Zhou Min, I''d hide the cipher book in a ce where the Inspector''s team could easily find it but wouldn''t attract attention." "Mm!" Xu Qi''an nodded. "We''ve already checked Zhou Min''s residence; there are no secretpartments or suspicious items. We''ve alsopared the books he left behind," Zhu Guangxiao said. Song Tingfeng pondered, rubbing his chin, ¡°Maybe it isn''t necessarily a book? Zhou Min was meticulous. He''d think of things others could think of. "Let''s consider another possibility. Could it be something with writing that''s not a book? Ningyan, do you think this is possible?" "Very good, Tingfeng, your intelligence has sessfully caught my attention. You''re a genius wasted by the women of the Jiaofangsi," Xu Qi''an praised, then asked: "So, what do you think it could be? It''s not a book but is among Zhou Min''s belongings. And it must be quite thick..." Xu Qi''an suddenly stopped. "A calendar?!" Song Tingfeng eximed first. The diligent Zhu Guangxiao urately found a thick calendar among the belongings. "Is it this?" "That''s it!" Xu Qi''an exhaled, excitement gleaming in his eyes. It''s both a book and not a book. Both obvious and unremarkable. Based on his assessment and analysis of Zhou Min during this time, Xu Qi''an was confident this matched Zhou Min''s style. The three eagerly opened the calendar and, following the clues, counted to the first hundred and sixty-second character: Day! Then the three hundred and forty-seventh character, the fourth character, the first character, and the second character. Combined: Silent Daylight Fourth One Five! Clearly, this was wrong. Next, they used the second method, taking the page number instead of the character count. If they used page numbers, then each character count corresponded to a specific day in the calendar. Thebination was as follows: Silent, 6th April, 15th January, 29th January , 25th January , 26th January . ¡°Wrong again,¡± Xu Qi''an threw the calendar aside, cursing, ¡°This approach is incorrect. Let''s start over.¡± ¡°Perhaps we should first decipher the character ¡®Silent¡¯ since it¡¯s the only character andes first,¡± Zhu Guangxiao suggested. The leading position of the character was significant. Xu Qi''an pinched the bridge of his nose, ¡°Do you have any ideas?¡± Zhu Guangxiao shook his head. Xu Qi''an asked again, ¡°The character ¡®silent¡¯ doesn¡¯t have any special meaning in our constabry, does it?¡± Song Tingfeng pondered, ¡°The Inspector General and Gold Gong Jiang have already studied the cipher. If ¡®silent¡¯ referred to some code within the constabry, Sir Jiang and the Inspector General should have discovered it.¡± ¡°What could the Inspector General discover? He¡¯s only good at guessing riddles,¡± Xu Qi''an sneered, then suddenly froze. An idea sparked in his exhausted mind like a sh of lightning. He recalled that when he was still at the police academy, a professor who studied criminal psychology had said that a person''s behavior is closely rted to their habits. When profiling and analyzing a target, it¡¯s essential to gather as much information about them as possible and understand their habits. No matter how cunning the criminal, their behavior patterns always reveal their habits. What were Zhou Min¡¯s habits? Word puzzles! Yang Yingying had mentioned that Zhou Min enjoyed ying word puzzles with her while drinking. So, when Zhou Min was thinking about how to hide evidence and leave clues, he habitually leaned towards word puzzles. From this, Xu Qi''an deduced that the only character in the two sets of ciphers was also a word puzzle. Xu Qi''an''s thought process became increasingly clear. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao exchanged looks, tacitly keeping the silence. Just then, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s keen insight returned, bing as sharp and intelligent as when he was investigating the Sangpo case. *Silent (Ĭ) can be split into ck (ºÚ) and dog (È®)...* Xu Qi''an pinched his brow and asked, ¡°I remember a colleague mentioning that Huangbo Street is the dog market?¡± Song Tingfeng nodded, ¡°Yes, it''s the dog market. Why?¡± Xu Qi''an continued, ¡°The character ¡®Silent¡¯ can be split into ¡®ck¡¯ and ¡®dog¡¯. Huangbo Street was a clue left by Zhou Min in the previous word puzzle game. I think it matches now.¡± ¡°You think the cipher points to the dog market?¡± Song Tingfeng frowned. ¡°What does ¡®ck¡¯ represent? Is it too arbitrary to assume the cipher points to the dog market based solely on the character ¡®dog¡¯?¡± ¡°I have an idea.¡± Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t finish his sentence and instead went outside to call an attendant. ¡°Sir, what do you need?¡± the attendant asked. ¡°How well do you know Huangbo Street?¡± Xu Qi''an inquired. ¡°Huangbo Street is a messy ce. It''s quiet during the day but bes chaotic at night with all sorts of people¡ªpetty thieves, travelers, and even mountain bandits,¡± the attendant replied. *Are they really selling dog meat or something else...* Xu Qi''an mused and asked, ¡°Would mountain bandits and travelers go there just for dog meat?¡± ¡°Of course not. While on the surface the street sells dog meat, the ce is actually a ck market. They sell illicit goods and conduct shady transactions,¡± the attendant exined. ¡°Have you been to the ck market?¡± Xu Qi''an asked. The attendant looked embarrassed and mumbled, ¡°I went to buy dog meat once.¡± *Buying dog meat shouldn¡¯t make you look so ashamed¡­* Xu Qi''an frowned, ¡°Speak inly.¡± The attendant whispered, ¡°I visited Xin No. 6 to find a prostitute. Buying dog meat refers to that.¡± *Too young, so shy about visiting prostitutes¡­* The three men sighed in unison. ¡°Xin No. 6?¡± Xu Qi''an asked. ¡°ck market shops are named using the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches,¡± the young attendant, blushing furiously, felt like he was being publicly humiliated. Xu Qi''an nodded, "Got it, you can leave now." After the attendant closed the door and the sound of his footsteps faded, Xu Qi''an shrugged, "The situation is clear. ck Dog refers to the ck market that sells dog meat." It wasn¡¯t surprising that such a ce existed under the nose of the authorities. Even in the most prosperous city, ck markets flourished. Huangbo Street wasn¡¯t far from the station, but it was part of the outer city and there was no curfew at night. ¡°So, what do the other codes mean?¡± Song Tingfeng pondered aloud, ¡°They should tell us who to find or how to find someone at the ck market.¡± ¡°The answer is in the calendar,¡± Xu Qi''an stated confidently. ¡°We¡¯ve already checked it,¡± Zhu Guangxiao reminded him. ¡°The calendar idea was correct, but how could Zhou Min leave such crucial clues in his belongings?¡± Xu Qi''an countered, ¡°It¡¯s not this year''s calendar, but one from a past year.¡± ¡°Which year?¡± Zhu Guangxiao asked gravely. ¡°Guangxiao, today you¡¯re clearly not as sharp as Tingfeng. There are many past years; the Great Feng has been around for 600 years. Finding the right calendar would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Zhou Min wouldn¡¯t be that foolish. Since it¡¯s not this year¡¯s calendar, it must hold some special significance to him. ¡°The calendar itself may not be special, but the year might be¡ªlike a birth year or a wedding date. My guess is it¡¯s from fourteen years ago. ¡°That¡¯s when Zhou Min was assigned to Yunzhou.¡± The fourteen-year-old calendar wasn¡¯t avable at the station, but the constabry and bookshops kept old records. To keep a low profile, Song Tingfeng chose to go to a bookshop instead of the constabry. After a short while, he returned on horseback with the old calendar. Xu Qi''an found paper and ink, but thinking his handwriting wasn¡¯t presentable, he handed the task to Zhu Guangxiao. They used their previous method, deciphering by character count, but the resulting words made no sense. Next, they tried the page number method. Page 162 corresponded to the 12th of May, which was suitable for market opening, weddings, moving into a new home, and traveling but unsuitable for prayers, opening warehouses, and digging wells. ¡°Market opening!¡± Xu Qi''an seized on the key information, ¡°It suggests we go to the ck market at night.¡± Song Tingfeng agreed. Next was the second set of codes: 347 4 1 2. Xu Qi''an turned to page 347, which was dated January 15th. As he skimmed the calendar, a realisation dawned on him. He said: ¡°I understand now! ¡°One hundred sixty-two and three hundred forty-seven refer to page numbers, while four, one, and two refer to the character counts on those pages. Tingfeng, look at the fourth, first, and second characters on this page. What do they spell?¡± Song Tingfeng squinted and read, ¡°Ding No. 15...¡± Recalling what the attendant had said, he blurted out, ¡°ck market shop, Ding No. 15?¡± The puzzle was finally solved... Xu Qi''an and Song Tingfeng rxed back in their chairs, exhaling deeply. Zhu Guangxiao also set down his pen, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Xu Qi''an walked to the table and took a closer look, then eximed in surprise, ¡°Guangxiao, your handwriting is terrible.¡± Song Tingfeng came over to join the fun, eximing, ¡°It¡¯s unbearable!¡± Zhu Guangxiao retorted, ¡°Is your handwriting any better?¡± Song Tingfeng replied proudly, ¡°My calligraphy is as good as any schr¡¯s. When I was young, I saved up for paper and ink to practice.¡± Xu Qi''an said, ¡°When I was young and poor, I practiced writing with a brush dipped in water on the ground. I did that for twenty years.¡± Zhu Guangxiao skeptically eyed them and handed over the pen, ¡°Then show me.¡± Xu Qi''an and Song Tingfeng, understanding each other perfectly, turned and walked away, arm in arm: ¡°Let¡¯s go rest. Calligraphy isn¡¯t something to show off.¡± ¡°I agree.¡± Watching them leave, Zhu Guangxiao muttered to himself, looking at his own writing, and resolved to start practicing calligraphy diligently so as not to fall behind his teammates. Back in his room, Xu Qi''an took off his shoes and sat in meditation to ensure he would be in good condition for the ck market visit at night. Maybe due to extreme mental fatigue, he struggled to enter the meditative state. His thoughts scattered uncontrobly. *... By now, Huaiqing and Lin''an should have received my letters. I hope the letter can make Huaiqing forgive me, although I don''t know what I did wrong... The silly Lin''an will surely be moved; she¡¯s easier to woo than the naive foodie Chu Caiwei...* As for whether the princesses would exchange letters or if others would see them, Xu Qi''an thought it unlikely. First, Huaiqing and Lin''an didn¡¯t get along, so they wouldn''t share letters. Also, given the letters'' intimate nature, no maiden would share such things. Second, Huaiqing and Lin''an were mature princesses, old enough to bear children and have the freedom to send and receive letters. Neither the emperor nor concubines would interfere, and no one else would dare to open their letters. It was almost impossible for Xu Qi''an, a lowly Bronze Gong, to get caught writing affectionate letters to the princesses. Gradually, Xu Qi''an entered a state of visualisation. Chapter 208: Letters Chapter 208: Letters # 208. Letters The capital, the imperial pce. The Crown Prince held a banquet in the Eastern Pce, inviting his royal siblings. Being his immediate younger sister, Lin¡¯an arrived early, sitting on a chair and swinging her feet under her skirt. Today, she wasn¡¯t wearing her usual red dress but a magnificent long dress with a purple base and gold trim. Her hair was adorned with a ruby coral crown, with coral serving as the framework, and two lifelike golden phoenixes nking the ruby, with six strings of pearls hanging down. Additionally, she wore other ornate essories like golden hairpins and jade hairpins, lookingvishly and exquisitely dressed. Purple was a colourmonly used by the concubines in the pce to highlight their elegance and nobility, which wasn¡¯t typically suitable for young girls. However, Lin¡¯an¡¯s noble aura gave her the appearance of a beautifully dressed doll. Her round face and charming peach blossom eyes made her look both enchanting and innocent, perfectly bncing multiple qualities. There was still half an hour before lunch, and the princes and princesses gradually arrived at the Eastern Pce. Everyone was ustomed to Lin¡¯an¡¯s intricate style of beauty. Among the four princesses, probably only she could pull off such an extravagant look. The other princesses wouldn¡¯t be able to handle such opulence.Although Huaiqing had the looks, her temperament didn¡¯t match. ¡°Is Huaiqing not here yet?¡± Lin¡¯an¡¯s lively eyes darted around as she looked expectantly toward the door. ¡°She¡¯s busy with duties and willeter,¡± the Crown Prince said with a smile, then cleared his throat: ¡°Today, the Sitianjian has prepared a special batch of chicken bouillon, and some were sent to the pce. I especially invited all of my brothers and sisters to taste it.¡± In fact, a few days ago, Sitianjian had ¡°offered¡± a batch of chicken bouillon to the imperial kitchen, and the princes and princesses had already enjoyed this addictive seasoning. Talking about this popr topic, the princes and princesses engaged in a lively conversation. ¡°Indeed, the taste of chicken bouillon is irresistible, but it does make you thirsty.¡± ¡°Father mentioned yesterday that it shouldn¡¯t be consumed too much; a diet of light vours is the way to stay healthy.¡± The princes secretly rolled their eyes at Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s obsession with health. Only middle-aged people would be so concerned with such things. Why should young people worry about health? Lin¡¯an looked around, lifting her round, white chin, ¡°Do you know who invented chicken bouillon?¡± At this point, she turned into a spoiled brat, unting arrogantly. The princes and princesses genuinely didn¡¯t know the answer. Only three people in the pce knew about it: the Crown Prince, Lin¡¯an, and Huaiqing. If they didn¡¯t reveal it, no one else would know. Under the curious prodding of her siblings, Lin¡¯an raised her chin higher and said with a sweet smile, ¡°It was Xu Qi¡¯an, my subordinate.¡± She emphasized thetter part. ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an?¡± The Fourth Prince frowned, ¡°Isn¡¯t he Huaiqing¡¯s person?¡± The Fourth Prince was Huaiqing¡¯s full brother. ¡°He¡¯s mine now. He swore allegiance to me,¡± Lin¡¯an boasted about stealing Huaiqing¡¯s man. In the eyes of their siblings, she had always been bullied by Huaiqing. Now that she finally gained an upper hand, she couldn¡¯t help but unt it. The more outstanding Xu Qi¡¯an was, the more aplished she felt. The princes and princesses chuckled quietly, while the Fourth Prince frowned, displeased by Lin¡¯an¡¯s actions. Although he was the son of the Empress and theoretically held the highest status, the position of Crown Prince had gone to the eldest son of a concubine, Lin¡¯an¡¯s full brother. Moreover, Emperor Yuanjing treated his other children equally but showed special favour to Lin¡¯an while disliking Huaiqing. This left the Fourth Prince feeling even more insecure. *Mother had said Huaiqing is strong-willed and domineering, much like Father in his younger days, but with even more talent. If she were a man, Father would probably dislike her even more.* ¡°Who does Xu Qi¡¯an belong to?¡± At this moment, Huaiqing¡¯s clear, melodious voice came from the door. The eldest princess, dressed in a moonflower-colored pce dress, had arrived. The princes and princesses clearly saw Lin¡¯an¡¯s arrogance dete instantly. She looked unwilling but quickly backed down, pouting, and said loudly, ¡°Half to each of us!¡± Using the most defiant tone to say the most submissive words. Huaiqing snorted. She knew about Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s attempts to please both sides and tolerated it mainly because Lin¡¯an was a silly sister with no real threat. Stealing people was just a way to spite her. If any other prince tried to take her people, Huaiqing would retaliate without mercy. But with Lin¡¯an, she was content with just scaring her. Huaiqing walked up to Lin¡¯an, looking down at her, and said coolly, ¡°Move, I want to sit here.¡± Lin¡¯an looked up, seeing only Huaiqing¡¯s eyes, the lower half of her face being hidden from this angle by her ample bosom. This made her feel frustrated. This sister not only had more talent but also a better figure. Besides the Emperor¡¯s favor, she couldn¡¯tpete with Huaiqing in anything. Biaobiao was a delicate girl, and felt aggrieved being bullied by Huaiqing, turningher head away. There was nothing she could do. She couldn¡¯t fight, arguing was beneath a princess¡¯s dignity, and Huaiqing, being a schr, could scold without using foulnguage. Lin¡¯an couldn¡¯t win against her. The Crown Prince coughed and tried to lighten the mood, ¡°Huaiqing, don¡¯t be harsh with Lin¡¯an, you¡¯re her elder sister.¡± Only then did Huaiqing let Biaobiao off, no longer bullying her. ¡­ While Eating, the Crown Prince casually remarked, "Have you heard about what happened in the Imperial Study today?" The Fourth Prince immediately responded, "The admonitory stele and the Transport Office?" The Crown Prince nodded, smiling, "We don''t need toment on the Transport Office matter. The court officials and Father will decide on that. But the admonitory stele incident is truly remarkable." The Fourth Prince nodded in agreement, "*Your food and your money, flesh and blood of the people. The people are easy to abuse, the heavens are hard to cheat.*" "An excellent poem!" Huaiqing¡¯s eyes lit up, her elegant face beaming with radiance. She usually remained silent during meals, but the essence of this poem stirred the eldest princess more than the lines, *Drunk, he knows not if the sky floats in the water* and *its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.* *What a terrible poem, with no artistic conception...* thought Lin¡¯an. Huaiqing, staring at the Fourth Prince, asked, "Whoposed this poem?" She never paid much attention to pce affairs. The Crown Prince answered on his behalf, "It was Xu Qi¡¯an." "Excellent poem!" Lin¡¯an pped her small hands on the table, loudly praising. "That¡¯s just his nature," Huaiqing chuckled. "What do you mean ¡®his nature¡¯, as if you know him well?" Lin¡¯an retorted habitually. Huaiqing initially didn¡¯t want to respond but, seeing the princes all watching her, she pondered for a moment and said: "Xu Qi¡¯an is someone who despises evil passionately. He disregards minor faults withoutpromising on major principles, unlike those hypocritical schrs who only pay lip service." "Is it true that he cut down a Silver Gong with his de?" The Crown Prince asked with a smile. "The other day, I had a casual chat with Duke Wei and mentioned him," Huaiqing nced at the princes, "Duke Wei said that since Xu Qi¡¯an joined the constabry, he has never been corrupt, not even taking a penny." "Then why do you say he disregards minor faults?" Lin¡¯an felt that Huaiqing was ndering her loyal follower. She red at Huaiqing fiercely. Princess Huaiqing said, "Xu Qi¡¯an indulges in the Jiaofangsi, stays out all night, and has a close rtionship with the Oiran of the Reflecting Plum Pavilion, Fuxiang." Lin¡¯an¡¯s smile gradually faded, her expressive peach blossom eyes widened, and she shouted, "Nonsense." She sulkily ate a few more bites, feeling that the food had lost its taste, then threw down her chopsticks in anger, dering, "I¡¯m not eating anymore." She stood up, lifted her skirt, and left with her personal maid. ¡­. Lin¡¯an storming off didn¡¯t affect the others¡¯ meal. The Crown Prince felt a bit awkward, so he raised his wine cup with a smile to keep the banquet going. After the banquet, Huaiqing returned to her own courtyard, drank arge bowl of tea, and then sat in her boudoir to meditate and practice Qi cultivation. She had secretly advanced to the Refining Qi stage. The other day, she sought out Wei Yuan for a "chat" precisely because of this matter. Huaiqing was highly talented but had always kept a low profile. As she grew older, she felt it was appropriate to gradually enhance her cultivation. The main thing was, for the whole year this year, Emperor Yuanjing had not once mentioned anything about arranging marriages for the princesses. *Father focuses on cultivating immortality, and Mother is detached from worldly affairs. If Emperor Yuanjing doesn''t bring it up, she won''t bother either. Mother has always been like this; though she is the Empress, she ispletely uninterested in her duties and status.* "Your Highness, a letter has arrived from the manor, it was sent from Qingzhou," a guard hurried in. By ¡°manor¡±, he referred to Huaiqing¡¯s residence within the Imperial City. The letters for the princes and princesses generally didn''t enter the pce directly but are delivered to their respective manors. Qingzhou? Princess Huaiqing thought it was a letter from Ziyang Jushi, nodding, "Bring it here." The guard respectfully handed it over and withdrew. Huaiqing opened the letter. The first sentence read: *As I write this letter, I have arrived at the border of Qingzhou¡­* Huaiqing immediately realized it was from Xu Qi¡¯an. The letter was long, filling two pages. She concentrated on reading it, and her expression turned grave upon reading about the corruption case in the Transport Office in Yuzhou. As she continued reading, the tone became less formal. Thetter part wasn''t a subordinate reporting to a superior but rather a man confiding in a woman he admired¡­. *¡­ites from the earth yet is not dirtied by it, it sparkles in the water yet does not try to enchant, it is full and straight without tangled branching, its fragrance spreads far and lingers in the air. It is to be admired from afar, and not to be disrespected.* Princess Huaiqing muttered these beautiful words, immersed in the imagery of a lotus flower in full bloom. "It''s a pity Xu Ningyan didn''t study literature," Princess Huaiqing said softly, then tipped the envelope, and a withered lotus petal fell out. *Is this kid expressing his love for me through this letter?* Princess Huaiqing fell into contemtion. *If I were to present this letter to the pce, even ten heads falling wouldn''t be enough for him.* She folded the letter carefully, tucked it into an infrequently read book, and saved it. Then, with great interest, she called a maid to grind ink and wrote down the poetic phrases about the lotus from the letter to hang in her study. Looking at the writing, Huaiqing''s lips curled into a faint smile. ¡­ ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Her Highness?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. Ever since returning from the Crown Prince¡¯s ce, she¡¯s been sullen.¡± ¡°Perhaps she was bullied by the Eldest Princess... but it doesn''t seem like it. If the Eldest Princess had bullied her, she would¡¯ve already cursed her out and forgotten about it.¡± In the courtyard, several pce maids huddled together, chatting. Lin¡¯an had just thrown a tantrum, and now only her two personal maids were with her in her bedroom. The others didn¡¯t dare to approach her in such a foul mood. ¡°Why must Your Highness quarrel with Princess Huaiqing¡­¡± a personal maid advised. ¡°It¡¯s not her!¡± Lin¡¯an fumed. ¡°It¡¯s that damn running dog.¡± The two maids were taken aback before realizing who ¡°damn running dog¡± referred to. One of them had even been yfully spanked by Xu Qi¡¯an. The maids exchanged confused nces, thinking that the ¡°damn running dog¡± had been out of the capital for over half a month. ¡°How did he offend Your Highness again?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Lin¡¯an¡¯s expression was gloomy. ¡°I just feel upset.¡± ¡°???¡± At this moment, a guard arrived at the courtyard, requesting to see Princess Lin¡¯an. One of the maids, recognizing him as a guard from their own residence, reluctantly knocked on the door: ¡°Your Highness, a guard from the residence seeks an audience. He says there¡¯s a letter for you from Qingzhou.¡± A letter from Qingzhou? Lin¡¯an was puzzled. Her social circle was very small, consisting mostly of siblings within the pce, imperial n siblings, and asionally the family members of officials who would write to her, inviting her to private tea parties in their boudoirs. But none of these connections included Qingzhou. ¡°Who sent the letter?¡± the maid asked on her behalf. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± replied the maid outside. The personal maid nced at Lin¡¯an, who nodded. She then turned and called out, ¡°Bring it in.¡± Chapter 209: The Dogmeat Store Chapter 209: The Dogmeat Store # 209. The Dogmeat Store The pce maid outside took the letter from the guard and handed it to the maid who had opened the door. She nced at Princess Lin''an, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, looking sullen, and wisely retreated. The maid who had once been yfully spanked by Xu Qi''an opened the letter and nced at it. After reading the first line, she cleverly decided not to read further, having guessed who it was from. She covered her mouth andughed, saying, ¡°Your Highness, a letter from that running dog.¡± Lin''an immediately turned her face, nced at the two pages of the letter, and turned away again. ¡°Too long; not reading.¡± This was typical of Princess Lin''an''s character. The two maids stifled theirughter, ced the letter on the desk, and softly said, ¡°We¡¯ll step out now, Your Highness. Call us if you need anything.¡± Once the maids had left, Lin''an frequently looked toward the desk. When the sound of their footsteps had faded, she muttered to herself as she walked over to the desk and picked up the letter to read it. She was still upset by what Huaiqing had said, feeling that the seemingly honest Xu Qi''an was actually a lecherous rogue who frequented the Jiaofangsi. The thought made her feel uneasy. But she didn¡¯t know the details, so she had been sulking ever since returning. By rights, as *the* Princess Lin''an, she had many guards under hermand, and she never concerned herself with their private lives.She sat at the desk, straightened her back, and slightly lowered her head, her posture full of vitality and grace, a result of her training since childhood. *The night is long, and I¡¯ve no heart to sleep, Your Highness¡¯s smile seems to appear before me, and yourughter echoes in my ears. It has been over a fortnight, and I miss you dearly.* ¡°Ugh!¡± Lin''an spat, but a smile tugged at her lips. Such an informal opening fully expressed the writer''s dependence and longing, highlighting her own importance. Princess Lin''an loved this kind of sentiment. She was a romantic at heart, and had there been domineering CEOs in this era, she would have been a fervent fan of romance novels. She continued reading, and the letter recounted many strange and thrilling events. For instance, there was an incident of attempted murder by a water ghost in the canal, and her running dog bravely jumping into the river to save him, fighting the ghost for three hundred blows to rescue a poor guard, who then gratefully knelt and kowtowed. But her servant lifted him up and said in a thunderous voice, ¡°A man¡¯s knees are like gold!¡± *What a wonderful phrase¡­* Lin''an smiled, bing more engrossed as she read. She loved reading about these strange and bizarre events, which were both interesting and thrilling. Outside, the two personal maids peeked through a crack in the door and saw Princess Lin''an sitting at the desk,pletely absorbed, sometimesughing softly, sometimes frowning, and at other times showing a frightened expression. They quietly retreated and whispered to each other: ¡°Is the princess in a better mood?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s obvious¡­ she¡¯s reading the letter so intently.¡± ¡°Sister, what¡¯s in the letter?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t ask. We were taught in the pce not to pry into our mistress¡¯s affairs.¡± ¡°That Xu Qi''an is truly something. The princess has only known him for a short while, yet she¡¯s so taken with him... Well, I won¡¯t gossip about it.¡± ¡­ Lin''an eagerly read to the end, where the story concluded, and Xu Qi''an mentioned a type of lotus in Qing Province called the Red Lotus, which was as brilliant as fire and always reminded him of her stunning appearance in a red dress... As she read, Lin''an¡¯s plump, jade-like face turned a shy red, looking enchanting. Even though she knew no one was in the room, she still nervously nced at the door and then clutched the letter tightly in her hand. ¡°He¡­ he¡­¡± Princess Lin''an heard her heart pounding in her chest, her oval face burning. *How dare he write such a letter to me? Flirting with a princess like this, if it were to be discovered, he would be sentenced to death.* Thinking this, Lin''an wanted to tear up the letter to destroy the evidence. But she couldn¡¯t bring herself to do it. Since her birth, this was the first time she had received such a letter, full of exciting stories and beautiful words. Her bright, dark eyes flickered with an idea. She ced the dried lotus petal and the letter together, hiding them in a thick book, a rare edition given to her by her mother. ¡°Now, no one will find it!¡± Lin''an sighed with relief, hands on her hips. Soon, her two personal maids heard the princess call out, ¡°Come in and help me change. I want to wear my red dress!¡± The maids responded and entered the room, helping Princess Lin''an change into a beautiful, fiery red dress. Lin''an nodded with satisfaction, spun around gracefully, and the skirt bloomed like a flower. ¡°Look at my stunning elegance!¡± she said, lifting her chin confidently. The maids exchanged puzzled nces. ¡°Your Highness, aren¡¯t you angry anymore?¡± the maid who had been spanked by Xu Qi''an tentatively asked. ¡°Angry about what?¡± Lin''an replied. ¡°That running dog,¡± the maid said, but as soon as she spoke, she saw Lin''an¡¯s delicate eyebrows knit together, and she angrily interrupted, ¡°What running dog? How dare you call him that? You should address him as Master Xu.¡± *My running dog is not for others to call,* she thought. ¡­ Reflecting Plum Pavilion. Fuxiang, dressed in a white cotton gown, with her hair loose and unadorned, was picking plum blossoms in the courtyard with a bamboo basket. The vibrant plum blossoms contrasted beautifully with the serene courtyard. Her intricate white gown trailed on the ground, and her snow-white wrists held the bamboo basket, which was gradually filled with clusters of plum blossoms. She raised her other hand to reach the branches. The plum blossoms and the beautyplemented each other perfectly. The maidservants in the courtyard found this scene delightful. Theirdy had be more serely, spending her days practicing dance, ying the qin, and appreciating plum blossoms, engaging in refined activities. She rarely showed herself at social gatherings and often left guests behind to have a drink or two before slipping away. The guests were not offended; on the contrary, they adored her even more. Gradually, merely catching a glimpse of the oiran Fuxiang became something men bragged about for days. After the poem ¡°subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.¡± another poem had also gained poprity: ¡°*Beauty draws the bead curtains red, lost in thought, brows a-furrowed¡­*¡± The Jiaofangsi created a story to promote this poem: The talented Sir Xu had made Lady Fuxiang cry, and in his desperation to cheer her up, he drank three cups of strong liquor. The alcohol inspired him to write this poem. A poem without a storycks soul, but once given a tale, it bes a subject of endless discussion. Many schrs believed this fabricated story, thinking Fuxiang to be a talent. They hoped that by associating with her, they too might write timeless poems like Xu Qi¡¯an and achievesting fame. This was the Great Feng¡¯s version of hype and image-building! However, since Sir Xu had left the capital, Lady Fuxiang often sighed and sent people every few days to inquire about his return. At this moment, a young servant ran into the courtyard, holding a letter and waving it from afar: ¡°Lady Fuxiang, there¡¯s a letter from Qingzhou, sent by Sir Xu.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an did not dare to sign his name on letters to the princesses, but he had no such reservations with letters to Fuxiang or his family. Initially enthusiastic, Fuxiang was stunned for a moment, then dropped the bamboo basket and rushed forward, not waiting for the maid to deliver the letter. She snatched the envelope from the young servant¡¯s hand, her bright eyes sparkling like a girl receiving a surprise gift. *Xu Lang actually sent me a letter...* Fuxiang¡¯s heart overflowed with joy as she realized she held a special ce in that man¡¯s heart, beyond mere casual acquaintance. This realization made her feel light-headed, almost dizzy. ¡°Mydy...¡± a maid whispered, noticing the foolishly joyful smile on her face. Fuxiang ignored her, lifting her skirt with one hand and holding the letter in the other, she quickly returned to her bedroom. She closed the door, impatiently opened the letter, and read it while walking to the bed, eventually sitting on the edge. She bit her pink lips, reading each word slowly, afraid that if she read too quickly, it would be over too soon. Seeing that Xu Qi¡¯an had not visited the Jiaofangsi in Qingzhou, Fuxiang felt inexplicably happy. When he mentioned missing her and suggested she trim her nails, it took her a moment to understand. ¡°Ugh!¡± Fuxiang blushed and tutted, hugging the letter to her chest like a treasure. Shey down on the bed, her plump lips curving into a joyful smile. .... The letter to Sitianjian was received a bitte, coinciding with mealtime. Chu Caiwei, striving still to be a Master of Alchemy, felt that she had used up all her energy for theing year too. Next year, she nned to take it easy, postponing her attempts to advance to the next rank for a few years to avoid overworking herself. Her once round, oval face had slimmed down, to the point where her chin started bing pointed. She was sitting in the dining hall with her senior brothers and sisters, about to have dinner. But before eating, she decided to read the letter from Xu Ningyan. She felt a small surge of happiness. *There¡¯s a delicacy in Yuzhou called napa steamed ham ¡ª ham is a food unique to the south; it is difficult to find in the north¡­* *Qingzhou also has several delicacies, I¡¯ll list them out for you here¡­* As she read, Chu Caiwei¡¯s eyes widened, and she gulped down saliva. By the time she finished the letter, the usual food of Sitianjian seemed unappetizing. She found it hard to swallow. ¡°Damn Xu Ningyan...¡± Chu Caiwei pped the table, stood up in anger, and stormed out. ¡°Sister Caiwei, where are you going?¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to Qingzhou, and Yuzhou too!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°To the restaurant! I refuse to eat Sitianjian¡¯s lousy food anymore, it¡¯s terrible!¡± ¡­ Just before dusk, Xu Lingyue returned home from school with Little Pea, followed by two strong servants. Auntie, wearing a deep red silk dress and a pleated long skirt, was trimming the potted nts in the hall with scissors. As the matron of the family, auntie found her role rather dull. The children were growing up and not yet married, so there were no troublesome daughters-inw to contend with. Moreover, the Xu family was not populous, unlike those grand households bustling with people inside and out. Hence, the burden of managing the household was light. She spent her days drinking tea, watering flowers, and asionally taking the household servants out for a stroll. The inner city was indeed more prosperous and safer than the outer city. She could walk the streets without fear of encountering bullies because the inner city had Nightwatchers patrolling, the Five Guard corps of the capital, and constables from the prefectural constabry. Even at her age, when she went out, men still stared at her in a daze, how bothersome. Xu Lingyue entered the hall and saw her mother bending over to trim the nts. Her slender waist and the loose silk dress revealed a plump and full figure. She felt a bit envious. "Mum, I''m back..." Xu Lingyin, with a small cloth bag hanging around her neck, ran towards her mother. The bag swung back and forth as she ran, making her unsteady and causing her to bump into Auntie''s rear. "Stop being so noisy." Auntie turned around and scolded her. After reprimanding the little girl, she looked at her elder daughter: "How did Lingyin perform in school?" Little Pea had started school because Xu Xinnian decided on this requirement during hisst visit home. It was not out of dissatisfaction but simply because he didn''t want to see his younger sister waste her education. So Xu Xinnian arranged for her to attend a well-known school in the inner city. The teacher was an old schr, very strict in his teaching. Although he was well overqualified to teach children, the parents'' generous payments made it worthwhile. The children attending school with Xu Lingyin were not from ordinary families. Xu Lingyue nced at her carefree sister and sighed softly, speaking gently: "The teacher said she reads the loudest and most earnestly during ss, but she forgets everything after ss. Today, she finally memorized three lines of the ''Three Character ssic''... the teacher was almost moved to tears." Auntie felt embarrassed and poked the young girl''s forehead with her finger: "Dummy, you need to use your brain when reading. Don¡¯t let it go in one ear and out the other." "I''m not a dummy, no, no, no," Xu Lingyin protested loudly. "You are a dummy." "Mother is the dummy because I came from you," Little Pea retorted. "... " Auntie was speechless. She grabbed her and gave her a few smacks on the bottom. Xu Lingyin, with her thick skin, wasn¡¯t afraid at all, still trying to prove she wasn¡¯t a dummy. Auntie sighed, deciding not to argue with the young girl. It only made her more exasperated without achieving anything. "Your brother sent a few letters home, they¡¯re on the table. Lingyue, you should take a look." Auntie was illiterate. Xu Lingyue''s eyes lit up, and she walked excitedly to the table, picking up the letters and scanning them. There were three letters, addressed to her, her father, and her mother. "Mother, big brother sent you a letter too." Auntie was surprised, her eyes glistening with delight, thinking her troublesome nephew still cared about her. "I''ll read it, I''ll read it..." Little Pea, thinking she was now a schr after a few days of school, insisted on reading the letters. Xu Lingyue smiled and handed her the letter addressed to her father, then opened the one addressed to herself. Little Pea took the letter, frowning at the many words: "Big brother is amazing, he can write so many words. His writing is better than mine." "Obviously. Are you going to read it or not?" Auntie sat down. "At the beginning, man¡¯s nature is good. Their natures are simr..." she recited. "Is that a letter? Did your brother write that?" Auntie was angry. "This is the letter, I read it out," Little Pea insisted, pping her arms like wings to emphasize her point. "That¡¯s just what you know, isn¡¯t it?" By then, Xu Lingyue had finished reading her brother''s letter. She carefully kept the dried flower petal he sent, nning to put it in a scented sachet for safekeeping. Her delicate face filled with a smile, she then opened the letter addressed to her mother: "Mother, let me read the letter from big brother." Auntie immediately adopted a more rxed posture, nodding with feigned indifference: "Mm." "Please look after Lingyin well! End of letter." Xu Lingyue awkwardly smiled, "Big brother¡¯s letters are concise and to the point¡­" "He wrote that to make me angry on purpose," Auntie eximed, turning away in annoyance. ... Xu Qi''an, along with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, donned casual clothes and carried only their swords. Before curfew, they left the inn and headed towards Huangbo Street. They ordered a table of dishes at a small roadside restaurant, drinking and waiting for sunset. Xu Qi''an held a chopstick in his mouth and a wine cup in his hand, watching as the street grew quieter and the sky darkened. When thest ray of sunlight disappeared in the west, he put down his wine cup, "Waiter, the bill." Song Tingfeng watched as Xu Qi''an paid with silver nuggets and asked as they left the restaurant, "Ningyan, where do you get so much silver? I never see you use copper coins." *Copper coins are beneath me, the child of fortune...* Xu Qi''an replied, "It''s none of your business." "No, I think that piece of broken silver looked familiar, it¡¯s missing a corner... I lost three cash of silver yesterday, also missing a corner, could it be mine?" Song Tingfeng wondered. "Be confident, drop the ''could be'', it is your silver." Xu Qi''an patted his shoulder, "I found it by your door." "You motherfuck... give me back my silver!" Song Tingfeng chased after him. Soon, they arrived at Huangbo Street, one of the famous ck markets in Baidi City. Unlike the deserted streets outside, this ce was bustling with people. However, everyone wore hoods or masks, hiding their identities. The three donned ck robes and hoods, hiding their swords under their robes, and entered Huangbo Street. The strong smell of blood filled the air. The shops on both sides uniformly sold dog meat, with live dogs, cooked meat, and raw meat on disy. *I haven¡¯t had dog meat in years...* Xu Qi''an was tempted. After finishing their business, he nned to buy some dog meat to take back to the inn. Eating dog meat around a hotpot in the cold winter was a great pleasure in life. Soon, they found shop Ding No. 15 by following the signboards. From the outside, it appeared to be another shop selling raw dog meat, but the keen-eared trio simultaneously heard the sound of women talking andughing inside. This was indeed a ¡°dogmeat store¡±. Chapter 210: Whoever Hung the Bell Should Unite It Chapter 210: Whoever Hung the Bell Should Unite It # 210. Whoever Hung the Bell Should Unite It This was a two-story small building, constructed with a mix of limestone bricks and wood, showing signs of years of wear and tear. The shop owner was a thin middle-aged man with sharp eyes, scrutinising the three cloaked figures standing at his door. "Dear customers, would you like to buy some dog meat?" the shop owner tentatively asked. Song Tingfeng replied in a raspy voice, "How much for the dog meat outside and how much for the dog meat inside?" Upon hearing this, the shop owner immediately stered a smile on his face, recognising them as seasoned patrons. "Dog meat outside is one cash of silver per ounce, inside, it''s three cash." Considering the quality, three cash of silver for private prostitutes was actually not much cheaper than in the capital. As old hands in this business, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao shook their heads in disapproval. Xu Qi''an didn''t think much of it. Since entering this line of work, he had mingled with the industry''s elite. A tea gathering would cost ten taels of silver; three cash were nothing... What? I got it for free? Oh, that''s fine then.The shop owner got up and led the three inside. It was then that Xu Qi''an noticed the owner had a limp. Inside, the indescribable sounds became clearer; the soundproofing was terrible, chaotic noises were echoing around. *If Brother Chun were here, he''d definitely say, "Move at my lead: one-two-one, one-two-one, in out in out..."* Xu Qi''an internally mocked. The shop owner chuckled, "All the girls are upied. Why don''t you gentlemen wait a bit? I can get you some cooked meat." It had just gotten dark, and the girls were already busy. The ck market''s dog meat business was thriving... Xu Qi''an didn''t n on waiting, having other intentions. Xu Qi''an kicked open the room door, startling the girls inside who screamed. He went on to kick open more doors, drawing a chorus of angry shouts. Several men, barely clothed, rushed out to confront Xu Qi''an. He knocked each one down with a single hit. After dealing with five or six men, they stoppeding. He then took a deep breath and dered: "Shop Ding No. 15 is reserved for tonight. Get out now. Your expenses will be covered by Master Song." Hearing this, the patrons cooled down significantly. They epted their fate since someone else was footing the bill, and there were plenty of dog meat shops in the ck market. By now, the shop owner had retreated to the cutting board, where he kept a meat cleaver. His hand rested on the handle as he narrowed his eyes and said in a dark voice: "You aren''t here to buy meat, you''re here to cause trouble?" "Calm down, shopkeeper. I''ll exin shortly." Xu Qi''an said, then gathered the naked and half-naked women into one room and barked: "Kneel down! Hands on heads!" The bewildered womenplied. "Nobody leaves this room without my permission," Xu Qi''an said. Once they nodded fearfully, he closed the door and returned to the first floor. The shop owner was still facing off with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao. Xu Qi''an shut the shop door, then sat at the table and produced half a jade pendant, saying in a deep voice, "Do you recognise this?" The shop owner''s eyes fell on the pendant. In the candlelight, it was warm and smooth, with a clean break made by something sharp. Xu Qi''an clearly saw the shop owner''s pupils contract. "What''s your rtion to Zhou Min?" "You don''t need to know. Just tell me, do you recognise this pendant?" The shop owner nodded slightly, "Wait here." He limped into a room on the east side. Due to his limp, he usually stayed on the first floor. The rooms on the second floor were for clients. Xu Qi''an gave Zhu Guangxiao a look, signaling him to follow the shop owner to prevent any tricks. Soon, the shop owner returned with half a jade pendant and a booklet, which matched Xu Qi''an''s piece perfectly. "You''re here for this, right?" the shop owner said, handing over the booklet. "This is what Zhou Min left with me." "Aren''t you curious about anything?" Xu Qi''an didn''t take the booklet immediately but stared at him. "Would you tell me if I asked?" "Not really, but you handed it over too easily." The shop owner sighed, ¡°When Zhou Min gave me this booklet, he instructed me to only hand it over to someone with the jade pendant. Even if he came himself without it, I wouldn¡¯t give it to him. "It doesn''t matter if you don''t reveal your identity. I only recognise the pendant, not the person." *Recognising the pendant but not the person... because the oneing for the evidence might not be Zhou Min himself... An old spy''s cautious mind. It''s a pity he''s dead...* Xu Qi''an then took the booklet, concentrating on it for a moment. It was an ount book, recording the "unexined" disappearance of military supplies from the Imperial Guard, each entry meticulously noted. With this "evidence," Inspector Zhang could arrest and interrogate the second-rank Military Commander, although it wouldn''t be enough for an immediate conviction. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao exchanged nces, seeing the joy in each other''s eyes. With the evidence in hand, their trip to Yunzhou was nearly concluded. "What¡¯s your rtionship with Zhou Min? Why did he trust you with this booklet?" Xu Qi''an asked casually, taking a sip of tea. "I was a wandering warrior. Once, because I meddled in someone¡¯s affairs, I offended a local official''s son. He brought people to beat me up, and that''s how my leg got broken. They were nning to take me out of the city to bury me alive, but Lord Zhou saved me. I owe him my life," the shop owner smiled wistfully. "With a broken leg, roaming the Jianghu was a joke, so I settled in Baidi City... When he entrusted the booklet to me, I had a bad feeling something would happen to him. I couldn''t do much to repay my debt, but I could at least keep his things safe." "Thank you," Xu Qi''an nodded, silently adding: Leave the revenge to us. The shop owner cut a few pounds of dog meat for them without charging, but Xu Qi''an insisted on leaving five taels of silver, not for the meat but to cover Master Song''s tab. Song Tingfeng repeatedly looked back, regretful, "Since we can''t go back now, why not stay in the shop? I''ve already paid for it..." "Yeah, there are beauties to serve us," Xu Qi''an teased, "Go back if you want, they''re still wet and ready." "...," Song Tingfeng thought Xu Ningyan''s words were too crude. He should have said: They''re waiting for my lord to pick the fruits. ..... Late at night, in arge mansion. Li Miaozhen sat cross-legged on the bed meditating, her long, lustrous ck hair cascading down, highlighting her wheat-coloured face, which exuded a vigorous heroism. Having been in Yunzhou for over a year, either training private soldiers or fighting bandits in the mountains, her once fairplexion had turned wheat-coloured. However, as a disciple of the Heaven Sect, she didn''t care about appearances. Their philosophy was: I have no feelings! Without feelings, why bother about looks? Finishing her meditation, she focused and sensed for a while, finding no trace of her demon in the mansion. *She hasn''t returned?* *Three Bronze Gongs should be easy for her, not to mention that Xu Qi''an is a wastrel drained by wine and women. There shouldn''t be any problems.* *She should have been able to extract information by charming them during the day, so why hasn''t she returned yet?* *Could it be that she went against her orders and got infatuated?* Li Miaozhen immediately dismissed this thought. This spirit had been with her for years and was obedient. In life, she was a good girl and, in death, a nearly grievance-free, kind ghost. Knowing Xu Qi''an''s weakened state, she wouldn¡¯t drain his vitality. *Maybe she got yful...* Li Miaozhen pulled the quilt over herself and went to sleep. The next day, after finishing her morning routine and breakfast, and still not seeing her demon back as the sun rose high, she realised something was wrong. She immediately drew a simple yin-yang bagua formation in the courtyard, ced cemetery soil, corpse oil, and a cat¡¯s eye in specific positions. Then she took out a crumpled paper man, ced it on the yin-yang fish, and activated the formation with her qi. In a realm unseen by ordinary people, the paper man absorbed the yin energy from the items, twitched its hands and feet, then staggered to its feet, only to copse back into a normal paper man. Li Miaozhen''s face grew serious. The paper man, once attached to her demon, still held her residual energy and should have led her to it. Such a result indicated three possibilities: one, she met an untimely end and her soul dissipated; two, she was sealed; three, she left Baidi City, beyond the paper man''s sensing range. Regardless of the possibility, it meant she was in trouble. *Whoever Hung the Bell Should Unite It!* Li Miaozhen thought. ¡­ The courier station! "Finished reading it yet? Is that ount book authentic?" In the room, Song Tingfeng asked Xu Qi''an, who was bent over the table, scrutinising the ount book, with a loquat candy in his mouth. Zhu Guangxiao, meanwhile, sat cross-legged, meditating and practicing his Qi. "Do you even know what reconciling ounts means? It''s like interrogating a suspect; you need to cross-examine face-to-face," Xu Qi''an replied irritably. "Then why are you reading it so intently?" Song Tingfeng yawned. He hadn¡¯t rested well at the innst night, still suffering from the aftereffects of the illusion spell he encountered the previous day. Song Tingfeng was just waiting for Inspector Zhang to return so he could hand over the task and then go to the constabry tomission a search for his beloved Susu. "At least I can get a rough idea of the contents," Xu Qi''an answered. "I¡¯m going to the privy," Song Tingfeng said, not wanting to argue further. After Song Tingfeng left the room, Xu Qi''an turned to Zhu Guangxiao, who was still meditating, "Do you want to look for Susu?" Zhu Guangxiao opened his eyes, gave him a nce, but said nothing. "Still haven''t made up your mind?" Xu Qi''an smiled. "Mmn," Zhu Guangxiao replied. Xu Qi''an irresponsibly continued, ¡°What¡¯s there to think about? You and Susu have already consummated your rtionship, but that stinky sister at home hasn''t even let you hold her hand, right? Yet she shamelessly demands a hundred taels of silver from you. Is she crazy for money? That old man treats his daughter like gold... Forget it, let¡¯s not badmouth her. "Have you seen my aunt? She''s a top-tier beauty. When my second uncle married her, the bride price was only twenty taels. Why does your fianc¨¦e think she¡¯s worth a hundred?" A hundred taels of silver¡ªan ordinary family would need to save for five years without spending a cent, and usually ten years to amass such an amount. Caught between his brothers and his fianc¨¦e, Zhu Guangxiao chose to remain silent. But he couldn''t help but think of Susu''s sweet moans and her enchanting demeanor. Just as Old Zhu was about to say something, Song Tingfeng''s voice called from downstairs, "Ningyan, there''s a guest..." Chapter 211: Social Death Chapter 211: Social Death # 211. Social Death Song Tingfeng''s voice was strange, a mix of surprise and urgency. If one had to describe it, it would be like, "Honey,e see God!" That was the tone. Xu Qi''an stuffed the ount book into his chest pocket and headed out first. Zhu Guangxiao quickly put on his boots and followed him out. In the main hall of the post station, a young girl in light blue tight-fitting clothes sat at the table, drinking tea. Her form-fitting attire outlined her lithe, panther-like figure. The sleeves were tied, and her hair was still in a high ponytail. Her neat and efficient attire highlighted her dashing and heroic demeanour. *Clearly, she was a valiant and heroic beauty... nothing like the holy maiden of the Heaven sect... Her sect taught her to be indifferent to emotions, but she became a righteous heroine instead...* Xu Qi''an internally criticised while smiling on the surface, saying: "General Li, we meet again." *This kid¡¯s dark circles are even deeper... his mental state is not good... he must have had his vitality drained by the demon.* Li Miaozhen scrutinised him with her clear, bright eyes and nodded slightly, "Lord Xu."Xu Qi''an sat across from her, with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao on either side. The station attendant poured tea for them and then retreated. Neither side spoke immediately, each lost in their own thoughts. *She must be here for the demon, not getting a report from her, and realising something went wrong...* Xu Qi''an drank tea and pondered how to deal with the situation. Should he return the demon to her? He was reluctant. Such a beautiful spirit, just looking at it was pleasing to the eye. He had even thought of taking it to the capital to show Lingyin. Moreover, its possession ability was very useful, suitable for various situations and environments. "My lords..." Li Miaozhen rubbed her teacup, choosing her words carefully, "Did you see a girl named Susu yesterday?" Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao immediately looked over. Here ites, the moment for the two little brothers to be publicly humiliated... Xu Qi''an''s lips curled into a smile, "Yes, she formed an inseparable bond with my two colleagues." Upon hearing this, their expressions varied. Song Tingfeng nced at Zhu Guangxiao, thinking, it¡¯s me she bonded with, what does Zhu Guangxiao have to do with it? Li Miaozhen nced at the two Bronze Gongs, feeling a bit sympathetic. From Xu Qi''an''s words, it was clear that Susu had drained their vitality. However, she was now more certain that the demon was in Xu Qi''an''s hands; otherwise, he wouldn''t say such things. "Sorry, it was my oversight. I wonder if you could return her to me," Li Miaozhen said sincerely. "Setting up a trap to harm imperial officials and extracting confidential information is a capital crime, General Li," Xu Qi''an said with a faint smile. Li Miaozhen met his gaze calmly, neither defending nor getting angry, as if shepletely disregarded thews of Great Feng. Xu Qi''an suddenly realised that Number Two was a hot-blooded youth. Although she was righteous and chivalrous, it didn¡¯t hide the fact that she was a rogue knight who broke thew and held extreme disdain for the irresponsible Emperor Yuanjing. Most importantly, Number Two was a Rank Five expert. To her, everyone here was trash... *I need to change tack...* Xu Qi''anughed heartily, "However, we are not one to press advantages. Everything is negotiable. Mainly, I admire General Li¡¯s dedication. For over a year, you have tirelessly fought bandits for the country and the people, which puts me to shame. "However, I am quite fond of Susu. Can General Li part with her?" Xu Qi''an nned to bargain. Even otaku knew that their virtual wives were only for looking, but it didn''t stop them from loving them. Li Miaozhen frowned, "This spirit, though a high-level wraith, cannot survive long on its own. It must continuously absorb vitality, long periods of starvation will eventually drive it mad and turn it into an uncontroble monster. "Only by staying with me can it maintain its current state. You are not a disciple of the Daoist sect, you do not understand such secret arts. Keeping her will only harm yourself and others." *Her real-life persona was very different from her online one... more serious in person... Well, a serious persona suits a leader, so it''s probably a kind of disguise.* Xu Qi''an said helplessly, "Alright." He said to wait a moment and stood up, returning to the room. Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng stared nkly at each other... *What is a demon, and what does absorbing vitality mean? What were they talking about?* *They just mentioned... Susu?* Soon, Xu Qi''an returned with a wine jug and ced it on the table with a thud. All three eyes focused on the jug. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao looked puzzled, but Li Miaozhen narrowed her eyes, recognising the Daoist sealing charm engraved on the jug. Xu Qi''an removed the lid, and the next moment, wisps of blue smoke rose from the jug, transforming into a stunningly beautiful woman. She red at Xu Qi''an angrily and scolded coquettishly: "Filthy man, I''m starving..." Then she saw Li Miaozhen, her face immediately brightened, but quickly turned pitiful. She cried and whimpered: "Master, you have to stand up for me. This scoundrel bullied me, insulted me. If you came anyter, I would have borne his bastard child..." *Susu...* Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng felt like they were turning into ice statues in the cold January weather. Bang! Li Miaozhen reced the lid and nodded, "Thank you, Sir Xu, for your generosity. I owe you a favour. If you need anything in the future, just ask." Xu Qi''an finally smiled, "General Li, you are too polite." Number Two''s promise was indeed valuable. Trading a demon that he couldn''t keep for long for a promise was a good deal. He escorted Li Miaozhen out of the post station, and when they reached the door, he asked, "With your status and cultivation, General Li, surely you don¡¯tck a demon, do you?" Li Miaozhen considered for a moment before responding, "Demons are not ordinary ghosts. They must be made from girls born in the yin year and yin month, who remained virgins even in death." *What constitutes a yin year and yin month?* Xu Qi''an smiled and nodded, pretending to understand. "However," Li Miaozhen continued with a slight smile, "even if you raise a dog, you''ll develop feelings for it, right?" Xu Qi''anughed, and the atmosphere between them became less formal and distant. Seizing the moment, Li Miaozhen asked, "Sir Xu, could you apany me a bit further?" Xu Qi''an responded with a warm smile, "It would be my pleasure." He nced back, seeing Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao sitting motionless, their backs lonely and deste. "Let''s go!" Xu Qi''an''s smile grew even brighter. As they walked along the wide street, Li Miaozhen carried a silver spear and had a sword strapped to her waist. Her heroic stride was captivating. Xu Qi''an frequently turned his head, admiring the features of this Heaven Sect holy maiden. Her demeanour reminded him of a policewoman he had a crush on during his police academy days. Short hair framing a beautiful face, cleanplexion, long and straight legs in camouge pants, and a firm chest under a dark green vest. Comparing her to that police academy beauty, Xu Qi''an mentally concluded that Li Miaozhen, with her white horse, silver spear, scarlet cloak, and soft armor, was even more impressive. Li Miaozhen said lightly, "Sir Xu, people in the martial world need not adhere strictly to etiquette, but I am still a woman. Staring at me like this is rather rude." *Bah, this man is indeed a lecher.* If lecher was her first impression at the banquet, now, Li Miaozhen¡¯sbel for Xu Qi''an was: a lecher with hidden depths. *It seems the impression of being a lecher is hard to shake... my reputation is suffering...* Xu Qi''an''s smile remained, "General Li reminds me of an old acquaintance." Bah! Li Miaozhen cursed inwardly but kept a smile on her face, "Baidi City is flourishing, but Sir Xu, traveling with the Inspector, you must have seen plenty of destion, right?" "Indeed, it''s quite distressing." "Typically, each province under themand of the capital has 20 to 30 garrisons, but the Yunzhoumand has only 15. Do you know why?" Li Miaozhen asked and answered herself, "Because Yunzhou is sparsely popted and gued by bandits, making it impossible to station arge number of troops. Without soldiers, how can you fight bandits?" ording to the military system of Great Feng, provinces below the capital''smand set up "garrisons," each with 5,600 soldiers. Counties below the provinces set up "posts," each with 1,100 soldiers. Having only 15 garrisons in a province wasn''t unheard of, but Yunzhou was a bandit-ridden area. It should have more than 25 garrisons to be adequately prepared. "You only need to cultivate good fields. The army can farm during peacetime and be self-sufficient," Xu Qi''an suggested. Themands across the country had military fields. When not in battle, soldiers worked like farmers. Li Miaozhen looked at him, "And what about military pay?" ... Xu Qi''an admitted, "My bad, my bad!" He remembered that soldiers needed pay, not just food. The more soldiers recruited, the higher the pay needed. If pay couldn¡¯t be provided, the army could revolt at any time. History was full of such examples. "I''ve been in Yunzhou for over a year, cooperating with Commander Yang Chuannan to fight bandits over twenty times. Each time, he did his best. I don''t believe a man like that would collude with bandits," Li Miaozhen said seriously, looking at Xu Qi''an. "Sir Xu, you are a key figure in this investigation. Your stance will influence the Inspector¡¯s attitude. I hope you will handle this matter carefully." "General Li overestimates me. I am just a lowly Bronze Gong," Xu Qi''an feigned surprise. Li Miaozhen said frankly, "I''ve investigated you, Sir Xu, and I believe I know you quite well." *For example, your proficiency in investigations and your affairs with multiple oiran in Jiaofangsi...* "It seems Sir Xu has a cousin studying at the Cloud Deer Academy?" *Number Two indeed suspects Number Three¡¯s identity... suspects Eng is the enthusiastic schr Number Three... I should take this opportunity to deepen the misunderstanding. Since Eng is at the academy and Number Two is in Yunzhou, far apart... I can use Eng''s connections to gain Number Two¡¯s trust... revealing my identity is too dangerous...* Xu Qi''an smiled and said: "Yes, Cijiu is an ambitious schr, highly regarded by the schrs of Cloud Deer Academy. He is said to be groomed as a future sessor." *Groomed as a sessor... No wonder Number Three knows so much about the Academy¡¯syout and secrets...* Li Miaozhen nodded in realisation, smiling: "Sir Xu is also passionate and righteous." Her attitude shifted, seemingly developing some affection for Xu Qi''an as well. *... If I shout "Damn Emperor Yuanjing!" now, Number Two¡¯s favorability might explode.* After chatting a bit more, they parted ways. One continued forward, the other turned back. Li Miaozhen found a secluded alley, took out the wine jug, removed the sealing charm, and released Susu. Then she flicked out a paper figure for her to possess. The paper figure transformed into the exquisitely made-up Susu, who looked at Li Miaozhen with grievance, "Master..." Li Miaozhen stared at her, asking, "What did you tell him?" Xu Qi''an could identify her as a Daoist disciple, clearly having interrogated Susu. Susu raised her hand, thumb and pinky together, indicating, "Just a little bit." "How much is a little?" "A little means a little." "Speak!" "Not much, just your identity, age, cultivation, and experience in the world..." "? A big question mark appeared in Li Miaozhen¡¯s mind: "You told him everything." "At least I didn''t tell him about your menstruation days." "..." ¡­ Xu Qi''an returned to the station and saw Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng still sitting there, staring at each other with eyes full of distrust. "Why didn¡¯t you tell me about your connection with Susu?" "You didn¡¯t mention it either." Seeing Xu Qi''an return, Song Tingfeng looked at him with vacant eyes, "Ningyan, did you already know Susu''s identity?" "Yes, I did." "Then why didn''t you tell us?" Zhu Guangxiao asked in a deep voice. "You two asked me to keep it a secret." Xu Qi''an shrugged. The looks from Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were immediately filled with distrust. "Then what happened with Susu in the teahouse¡­" Song Tingfeng asked quietly. "It was all your imagination!" Xu Qi''an answered truthfully. "Phew¡­" Both of them sighed in relief, realising it was just an illusion. Song Tingfengughed with a sense of relief, "An illusion, that¡¯s fine. I was just confused and passed out." Xu Qi''an looked at them with pity and shook his head, "You fell under an illusion spell, but you did not pass out." "Didn''t pass out?" Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng felt a chill in their hearts. Xu Qi''an walked over to a pir and said seriously, "Tingfeng, at that time, you were like this¡­" He hugged the pir and began crazily bumping against it. Song Tingfeng: "¡­" "And Guangxiao, you were like this¡­" Xu Qi''an moved to the table, ced his hands on the edge, and started making exaggerated movements with his waist. Zhu Guangxiao: "¡­" "Eh, why are you two crawling under the table?" Xu Qi''an finished and noticed that Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng had crawled under the table and refused toe out. "Xu Ningyan, get lost¡­ please go, just leave. I don¡¯t want to see you today." Song Tingfeng crouched under the table, holding his head. "Hahahahaha¡­" Chapter 212: The Return Chapter 212: The Return # 212. The Return *Niceee¡­* Xu Qi''an felt refreshed as he went upstairs, leaving his two colleagues some time to reflect in peace. "I should be under the carriage, not inside it, watching how sweet you two are... Kukuku, hahaha!" Heughed wildly while going upstairs. "You bastard, Xu Ningyan!" Behind him came the angry roars of Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, filled with shame and indignation. In the following days, Xu Qi''an experienced the aftermath of their little boat of friendship overturning. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao gave him the cold shoulder, treating him as if he were invisible. When Xu Qi''an tried to engage them in conversation, they acted as if they didn¡¯t hear him and continued with their tasks. *Are they embarrassed and too ashamed to talk to me, or are they ming me? It must be the former¡­* Xu Qi''an thought. So, during lunch, Xu Qi''an proactively started, "I¡¯ve already forgotten about what happened in the teahouse. I won¡¯tugh at you anymore.""What?" Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were enraged. *Lady Susu toyed with our emotions, and you toyed with our friendship. Who¡¯s the real victim here?* ¡°You two lost control and fell for that demon¡¯s illusion. How¡¯s that my fault?" Xu Qi''an looked at them indignantly, "Why should I have revealed it to you? Do you think if I had exposed it right then, you wouldn¡¯t have jumped off a building? See, if it weren¡¯t for Lady Flying Swallow, this would¡¯ve been covered up nicely. "No one would be embarrassed. Guangxiao wouldn¡¯t know that Tingfeng used his little brother to bang against a pir for a quarter of an hour, and Tingfeng, you wouldn¡¯t know about Guangxiao¡¯s impressive waist strength while propping up the table." "Stop, stop..." Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao covered their faces. In fact, if he had exposed it at the time, Old Song and Old Zhu would¡¯ve been embarrassed for a while, but not to the point of feeling so ashamed that they wished to disappear from the world. Every time they remembered the things they said and the feelings they showed in front of Xu Ningyan¡ªthings like "I won¡¯t marry anyone but her," or "It¡¯ll be a lifelong regret"¡ªSong Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao felt likemitting seppuku to escape this dark world. Song Tingfeng turned his face away, sneering, "I don''t have a friend like you. From that day on, we''re through." Zhu Guangxiao said in a deep voice, "Me too." "Don''t be like that. The bond between the three of us can¡¯t be shaken by a mere female ghost." Seeing their cold faces, Xu Qi''an, looking pained, said, "At worst, I¡¯ll treat you to the Jiaofangsi when we get back to the capital." Song Tingfeng scoffed, "You think you can buy us off with a mere Jiaofangsi?" Xu Qi''an said seriously, "Twice." Song Tingfeng snorted, "Get lost. Don¡¯t talk to me." Xu Qi''an, with a twang in his heart said, "Three times." Song Tingfeng: "Heh." Xu Qi''an gritted his teeth, "Five times!" Song Tingfeng clutched his sleeve tightly, "Then you better write a contract." After three days of the friendship boat being overturned, it finally got back on track. Brothers couldn¡¯t really fall out over such a minor conflict. Treating them to the Jiaofangsi was just a way to give everyone an out; the main reason was that their friendship was genuine... as Song Tingfeng said. Xu Qi''an wholeheartedly agreed and said, "Then let¡¯s forget about the Jiaofangsi." Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao said in unison, "Cut off our ties!" As they spoke, they waved the written note in their hands. "And one more thing..." Zhu Guangxiao nced at him, "You can¡¯t tell anyone about Susu... that female ghost. Not a word to anyone." "And you can¡¯t use it to make fun of us," Song Tingfeng added. "No problem. I absolutely, absolutely won¡¯t¡­ hehe..." Xu Qi''an quickly turned his head, covering his face. After a few seconds, he turned back, "Absolutely won¡¯t make fun of you." "Why were youughing just now?" "I wasn¡¯tughing." "You were." "I really wasn¡¯t. I¡¯ve undergone strict training. No matter how funny it is, I won¡¯tugh." ¡­ The military encampment, just ouside Baidi City. Inside a military tent, Li Miaozhen listened to Susu''s report: ¡°Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao spend most of their time at the courier station. asionally, when they get tired of the food there, they go out to find a restaurant. ¡°They usually go together. Xu Qi''an doesn''t join them; he acts alone. Every time he goes out, he heads to the Gon. ¡°He almost always spends an hour at the Gon each day before returning to the station. During this period, he hasn''t visited any government offices or investigated Zhou Min''s case. "Hmm, Zhou Min''s grave shows signs of having been disturbed. Based on the timing, it appears it happened on the day the Inspector''s team arrived in Baidi City¡­." For the past few days, Susu had been acting as a lookout, monitoring every movement at the station. Whenever Xu Qi''an and his group left, she would secretly follow them. Martial artists cannot sense Yin energy, nor can they see ghosts. As long as she kept a proper distance, Susu wouldn''t be detected. "Any other abnormalities?" Li Miaozhen asked. *Abnormalities? That Xu Qi''an picking up silver every day¡ªdoes that count as abnormal...* Susu muttered inwardly. However, she knew Li Miaozhen was asking about Zhou Min-rted incidents, so she shook her head: "No, they seem to be waiting for the Inspector to return before investigating Zhou Min''s case." The matter of Wei Yuan impeaching Yang Chuannan, the Governor-General of Yunzhou, had long beenmunicated by the Qi clique. Everyone in the Yunzhou officialdom knew why the Inspector''s team hade. Li Miaozhen uncorked a porcin bottle and summoned a ghostly schr, a tall and thin middle-aged man. "I''ll speak, you write." "Yes, Master." With the information Li Miaozhen had obtained through the internalwork of the Heaven and Earth Society, she believed she had a clear understanding of Xu Qi''an. He was known for being very skilled at solving cases and had a wealth of experience. If he had any clues or a clear direction, he certainly wouldn''t be dawdling at the post station for so many days. After all, the longer the case drags on, the fewer clues remain. This meant Xu Qi''an was also at a loss. Before long, a letter was written. Li Miaozhen handed it to Susu: "Take this letter to Yang Chuannan." "Got it!" Susu took the letter and sashayed out of the tent. She paused in front of the thick curtain, turned back with a pitiful expression: (?????) "If you have something to say, just say it." Li Miaozhen said impatiently. "Aren''t you going to avenge me? That stinky boy humiliated me." Susuined indignantly. "He just locked you up for a day." Li Miaozhen waved her hand, refusing her ghostly subordinate''s request. Women are petty, and the prettier they are, the pettier they be. This was something Li Miaozhen could never understand. She preferred the life of drinking heavily, eating heartily, leading soldiers to suppress bandits, and seeking quick revenge. To put it bluntly, she had the mentality of a straightforward man. "Hmph." Susu stormed off in a huff. ¡­ Thergest restaurant in Qingping County, around Baidi City. Today, the restaurant was reserved for a private event. As the final stop of the inspection tour, avish lunch was prepared. After lunch, Inspector General Zhang, Yang Chuannan, and Song Changfu, along with more than a dozen high-ranking officials from Yunzhou, gathered in a private room to share their thoughts on the inspection tour. Inspector Zhang seized the opportunity to unleash his fury, berating the officials for being ineffectual and allowing the banditry to flourish, resulting in an increase in refugees and a decline in the people¡¯s livelihood in Yunzhou. "Inspector''s words make me feel deeply ashamed," said Administrator Song with a look of remorse. "ording to confidential reports, the banditry in Yunzhou is being secretly supported, with military supplies being smuggled in," Inspector Zhang said pointedly. "Some people, while receiving the Emperor''s stipend, are engaged in treasonous activities." The officials subtly nced at Yang Chuannan, the silent Military Commander, without speaking up for him. Instead, they each expressed their support for Inspector Zhang¡¯s thorough investigation. Yang Chuannan remained impassive, sitting like a mountain, allowing the officials to speak their veiled usations. The trend of isting and suppressing Yang Chuannan within the Yunzhou officialdom had taken root during the inspection. At this moment, a general knocked and entered. He was one of Yang Chuannan¡¯s trusted aides. He coldly scanned the officials, handed a confidential letter to Yang Chuannan, and then turned and left. Yang Chuannan read the letter, and a smile broke out on his previously stern face. He put away the letter and said with a cheerful tone, "I also support the Inspector. We must investigate thoroughly and show no leniency. With the Inspector''s capable subordinates, I believe the truth wille to light quickly." Inspector Zhang frowned, his gaze falling on the letter in Yang Chuannan''s hand. The other officials also spected about the contents of the letter, wondering what had suddenly bolstered Yang Chuannan¡¯s confidence. On the way back to Baidi City, Inspector Zhang lifted the curtain of his carriage and coughed loudly. Up ahead, Jiang Lyuzhong turned and slowed his horse to match the carriage''s pace. "I have a bad feeling..." Inspector Zhang said, looking at the Gold Gong who had contributed little to the investigation. "Is it because Yang Chuannan suddenly seems emboldened?" Jiang Lyuzhong nodded in understanding. Inspector Zhang nodded. This inspection was a prelude and a test to iste the Yunzhou officialdom in preparation for arresting Yang Chuannan. If the officials were united, he would need to n carefully. If not, he would iste Yang Chuannan and gain the support of the officials. Inspector Zhang was confident in this n because, during the initial banquet upon arriving in Yunzhou, Song had subtly hinted at certain information. Everything had gone smoothly. With Song''s cooperation, Inspector Zhang signaled their intention to target Yang Chuannan, forcing the officials to choose sides. But after receiving that letter, Yang Chuannan seemed suddenly confident, even joking with him. *What backing does he have now¡­* Inspector Zhang rubbed his temples. "No matter what, Inspector, as long as you handle the official matters, I will take care of the military side, and Xu Qi''an will handle the investigation," Jiang Lyuzhong reassured, holding the reins. Inspector Zhang nodded thoughtfully. "We can only hope that Ningyan cracks the case soon and finds the evidence Zhou Min left behind." "That cryptic message from Zhou Min is maddening," Jiang Lyuzhong cursed. Inspector Zhang''s mood darkened further. The group arrived back in Baidi City before dusk. In the golden sunset, Inspector Zhang led his entourage towards the post station. Curfew had just started, clearing the streets. However, unlike in the capital, the curfew did not apply to the highest-ranking official in Yunzhou. The station staff had been notified of Inspector Zhang''s return and were bustling to prepare dinner. The carriages stopped at the post station entrance. Inspector Zhang stepped down onto the wooden stool ced by his attendants, greeted by the waiting Bronze Gongs, including Xu Qi''an and his group. Inspector Zhang, still troubled by Yang Chuannan¡¯s reaction, was startled when he saw Xu Qi''an: "What happened to you?" Xu Qi''an''s eyes were bloodshot, with dark circles so pronounced they appeared almost swollen. He looked as if he could copse at any moment. Jiang Lyuzhong strode over, examining Xu Qi''an closely: "How many days?" "Fifteen days," Xu Qi''an replied, frustrated. "...," Jiang Lyuzhong gasped. "How are you holding up?" "Just barely, I might drop dead any moment," Xu Qi''an joked. *That means he''s not at his limit yet. This kid''s mental resilience is impressive. Once he advances to the Refining Spirit realm, his mental strength will skyrocket.* After their brief reunion, Inspector Zhang couldn''t help but ask, "Ningyan, any progress on Zhou Min''s code?" "I''ve got the ledger," Xu Qi''an said calmly. Inspector Zhang remainedposed, nodding. "Don''t lose heart. We''ll crack the code eventually¡­" He suddenly paused, staring silently at Xu Qi''an. Chapter 213: Wanted Chapter 213: Wanted # 213. Wanted *The Code has been Cracked?!* At that moment, Inspector Zhang almost wanted to clean out his ears to confirm they weren¡¯t clogged with earwax. In the Inspector¡¯s n, Zhou Min¡¯s case was obscure and difficult, with no other clues apart from the code, making the investigation exceedingly challenging. He was prepared for a long, drawn-out battle, willing to stay in Yunzhou even if it meant not returning to the capital before spring, determined to pursue the case to the end. However, he never expected that before the long battle even began, the evidence would be in hand. This signalled the nearing end of the Zhou Min case and the Yunzhou mission. This meant Yang Chuannan was finished. Inspector Zhang took a deep breath, looking at Xu Qi¡¯an as if seeing him for the first time. He had to admit that he had still underestimated this young Bronze Gong. Despite Duke Wei¡¯s recognition and Xu Qi¡¯an''s demonstrated abilities, he had given him the utmost confidence. Yet now he realised he still didn¡¯t fully understand him. This young man is destined for greatness.With the fifteen days of intense effort as a backdrop, Jiang Lyuzhong felt only relief at the case¡¯s progress, believing it was an achievement within Xu Qi¡¯an''s capabilities, without a dramatic emotional reaction. He had just one thought: *Xu Qi¡¯an has the makings of a Gold Gong.* More urately, his potential to be a Gold Gong had be even more solid. Previously, it was a fifty-fifty chance; now it was seventy-thirty. Inspector Zhang calmed his excitement and joy, nodding steadily. ¡°Come with me.¡± He led the way, leaving the others behind, entering the hall, and going upstairs to his room. No one else followed except Xu Qi¡¯an and Jiang Lyuzhong. ¡°Did you get the evidence?¡± Once Xu Qi¡¯an closed the door, the Inspector¡¯s calm andposed demeanour vanished. He looked directly at him, unable to hide his excitement and anticipation. Xu Qi¡¯an pulled the ledger from his coat and handed it over. Inspector Zhang eagerly took it but didn¡¯t open it in haste. After taking a deep breath and suppressing all his emotions, he began to read the ledger. ¡°Shocking, absolutely shocking¡­ such a vast amount. Yang Chuannan deserves death,¡± Inspector Zhang said, clutching the ledger tightly after reading it. *...The Inspector really lives up to being a schr. It took me ages to grasp the gist of it.* Xu Qi¡¯an, in an admiring tone, asked, ¡°How vast is this amount?¡± Inspector Zhang nced at him, seemingly not hearing, repeating, ¡°Shocking, absolutely shocking¡­¡± ¡­Xu Qi¡¯an understood. The amount was vast, but don¡¯t ask¡ªif you ask, it¡¯s just shocking. Inspector Zhang solemnly put away the ledger, coughed, and asked, ¡°How did you crack the code?¡± ¡°This is the brilliant part,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an immediately detailed the process of cracking the code, not forgetting to credit his two socially embarrassed colleagues: ¡°Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao also yed important roles. They not only actively participated in the decryption but even risked their reputations, sacrificing greatly, which was truly touching.¡± ¡°Risked their reputations?¡± The Inspector was taken aback. ¡°Yes, while out yesterday, a resentful spirit blocked our way. Fortunately, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao bravely fought it off¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said earnestly. ¡°The Church of the Warlock God is skilled in raising and controlling ghosts. Hmm, it seems there are warlocks hiding in Baidi City,¡± Jiang Lyuzhong noted with raised eyebrows. Xu Qi¡¯an nodded, feeling it was reasonable for the Church of the Warlock God to take the me, and asked: ¡°Inspector, what are your next steps?¡± Inspector Zhang stroked his beard with a smile. ¡°Speed is of the essence!¡± Then, changing his tone, he added, ¡°But no rush. Let''s eat first and discusster.¡± ¡­ Inspector Zhang, adhering to the rule of not speaking during meals, called over Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao after finishing lunch. Looking at the two Bronze Gongs, the Inspector gently said: ¡°I heard from Ningyan that you both made significant contributions during the investigation.¡± Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao immediately nced at Xu Qi¡¯an, feeling touched. It was clear that Xu Ningyan had spoken on their behalf in front of the Inspector. Merits are a valuable thing, primarily affecting promotions. Additionally, afterpleting the Yunzhou mission, the yamen would reward individuals based on their contributions, often with substantial bonuses. *¡­What a good brother!* Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were deeply moved. ¡°This is our duty, to alleviate the Inspector''s burdens and to serve the court with unwavering loyalty,¡± Song Tingfeng said with a cheerful smile. The usually silent Zhu Guangxiao nodded vigorously. Inspector Zhang nodded approvingly, and with concern, asked, ¡°I heard from Ningyan that during the investigation, you sacrificed yourselves tobat the resentful spirits obstructing the case. Is this true?¡± ¡­The expressions of gratitude on Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao¡¯s faces instantly vanished, turning rigid. ¡°Why aren¡¯t you speaking?¡± ¡°Sir¡­ it was a minor issue, not worth troubling you,¡± Song Tingfeng forced a smile. Inspector Zhang shook his head and said gently, ¡°Once the matter is resolved, I will write a report. Everyone''s contributions will be recorded and submitted to the court, and merits will be rewarded ordingly.¡± Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao¡¯s faces turned pale, ¡°Inspector, it¡¯s not that we don''t want to tell, it¡¯s just¡­ just that our spirits were injured by the resentful ghost, making our memories hazy. We can¡¯t remember the details.¡± In perfect synchronisation, they both covered their faces and waved their hands, ¡°Can¡¯t remember, can¡¯t remember¡­¡± ¡­. After dinner, Jiang Lyuzhong and Inspector Zhang led a group of 130 people, including the Nightwatchers and Huben Guards, towards the Commander¡¯s residence. They were fully equipped with swords, spears, bows, crossbows, and even firearms, ready for any resistance from Commander Yang Chuannan. Inspector Zhang had nned the arrest for nighttime to catch the opponent off guard and to surprise the entire Yunzhou officialdom, leaving them no time to respond. Along the way, they encountered two patrols, but the Inspector overpowered them with a stronger stance. Amidst the nking of armor, the arresting party arrived at Yang Chuannan¡¯s residence. Jiang Lyuzhong, sitting on horseback, waved his hand. A Silver Gong dismounted, walked briskly to the gate, and with a slight crouch and some stored strength, punched out. Boom! The heavy gate instantly shattered, sending splinters flying. The Nightwatchers led the charge into the residence, shouting, ¡°Inspector Zhang is handling a case, anyone obstructing will be killed without mercy!¡± The guards at Yang Chuannan¡¯s residence, all seasoned soldiers, were unruly and unafraid of the Inspector, drawing their swords to fight the Nightwatchers. ¡°Damn, these bastards have been bullying Yunzhou for too long?¡± A Silver Gong sneered, drawing his sword. There were also experts in the Commander¡¯s residence who quickly engaged the Silver Gongs. ¡°Stop!¡± As the shout echoed, Yang Chuannan emerged in a robe, repelling two Silver Gongs with a single punch, saving several guards. ¡°Hmph!¡± Jiang Lyuzhong, who had been watching, stepped forward, extending his five fingers toward Yang Chuannan. His thick knuckles and glowing skin resembled bronze, not flesh. An overpowering force enveloped Yang Chuannan. With Jiang Lyuzhong¡¯s clenched fist, he was forcibly pulled through the air. Fist intent exploded! The Gold Gong¡¯s punch struck Yang Chuannan¡¯s chest with a resonating boom, as if a giant bell had rung. Everyone saw the divine light on Yang Chuannan¡¯s body flicker and then shatter into fragments. The bronze skin and iron bones was broken. Yang Chuannan, vomiting blood, flew horizontally. ¡°Sir!¡± The guards, with bloodshot eyes, gripped their swords, ready to fight to the death with the intruders. ¡°Stop, stop¡­¡± Yang Chuannan staggered up, dishevelled and unsteady. Inspector Zhang appeared timely, looking at the dishevelled Commander, and said in a deep voice, ¡°Master Yang, please restrain your subordinates.¡± Yang Chuannan staggered forward, staring at Inspector Zhang, and sneered, ¡°I am a second-rank official. Inspector Zhang, you led a team into my residence at night, wielding weapons¡­ I want to hear your reason.¡± ¡°So you can understand clearly,¡± Inspector Zhang would not reveal the evidence publicly, and said in a deep voice: ¡°I have obtained Zhou Min¡¯s ledger.¡± Yang Chuannan¡¯s eyes widened instantly, ¡°Impossible!¡± Inspector Zhang sneered, ¡°Master Yang, please apany me to the inn. You will know then.¡± With that, he shouted, ¡°Take him away. Anyone obstructing will be executed!¡± The guards stepped forward, ready to fight, but Yang Chuannan stopped them, knowing that obstructing an Inspector and freeing a ¡®criminal¡¯ was a capital offense. Yang Chuannan did not doubt the Nightwatchers'' decisiveness or the Gold Gong''sbat prowess. He didn¡¯t want his men to die in vain. Immediately, the Huben Guards stepped forward, shackling Yang Chuannan and escorting him out. The group of 130 people left the Commander¡¯s residence in a grand procession. ¡­ A military tent outside Baidi city. ¡°What? The Nightwatchers broke into Yang''s mansion at night and took away the Commander?¡± Li Miaozhen stood up in shock, ring at the ck-d ghost that had returned to report. This ghost was her spy in Yang Chuannan''s mansion, reced every three days since ghosts would dissipate without nourishment from yin energy. Sitting at the bedside, Susu swung her legs and said in a coquettish voice, ¡°Is the Inspector so bold? Arresting someone without evidence? Even though he is the highest-ranking official in Baidi City right now, how dare he touch Master Yang without any proof. ¡°Master, I suggest we gather three thousand troops, storm the inn, and hang that Bronze Gong named Xu at the city gate.¡± Li Miaozhen, having calmed down, gave her a sidelong nce, ¡°Hmm, good idea. I''ll appoint you as the general of the vanguard.¡± Susu shrank her head back, ¡°Let¡¯s stick to thews of the Great Feng.¡± ¡°Get lost.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± Susu pouted and left the tent, feeling wronged. ¡°Come back!¡± Li Miaozhen called out. ¡°Alright, Master.¡± Susu¡¯s beautiful face brightened instantly, revealing a sweet smile. ¡°Are you sure that Xu Qi''an didn''t secretly investigate and obtain any supposed evidence?¡± Li Miaozhen asked, her eyes suspiciously fixed on Susu. ¡°No, no.¡± Susu shook her head vigorously, her delicate body trembling, her skirt fluttering. ¡°What about the others?¡± ¡°I was only tasked with watching Xu Qi''an and his two colleagues. I didn''t pay attention to the other Nightwatchers.¡± Li Miaozhen nodded. As long as Xu Qi''an wasn''t secretly investigating, the others could be ignored. Whether or not he noticed Susu''s surveince was unimportant. Li Miaozhen was only concerned with what Xu Qi''an had been doing these past three days. If he had not been investigating and had no breakthrough, it didn¡¯t matter if he noticed the surveince. If it wasn''t Xu Qi''an who obtained the "evidence," what was the Inspector''s reason and purpose for arresting Yang Chuannan? Trying to use force to extract a confession? No, a dignified Inspector wouldn''t do something so foolish. ¡°Come!¡± Li Miaozhen shouted. A guard on night duty outside the tent responded and entered. ¡°Gather the troops. We''ll enter the city at dawn.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Then, she looked at Susu, ¡°You will apany me. We¡¯ll enter the city tonight. I need to visit the Inspector.¡± Chapter 214: Xu Qian: I Didnt Do It Chapter 214: Xu Qi''an: I Didn''t Do It # 214. Xu Qi''an: I Didn''t Do It In a room inside the station. "Yang Chuannan, you and the Qi Clique, led by the former Minister of Industry, colluded with the Church of the Warlock God, secretly supported mountain bandits, provided them with military supplies, and kept the bandits to enhance your own power. What is your ultimate intention?" Inspector Zhang, with a stern expression, harshly threw the ledger, hitting Yang Chuannan in the face. The ledger fell to the ground, pages fluttering open. Yang Chuannan nced at it, his expression changing slightly. Jiang Lyuzhong bent down to pick up the ledger, nced at Inspector Zhang without much expression, thinking that if Yang Chuannan had kicked it, the hard-found evidence might have been lost. Fortunately, he had severely injured Yang Chuannan earlier. With his heart meridians damaged, Yang Chuannan was no different from an ordinary person for a short time, perhaps even weaker. "If you want to condemn someone, you can always find a pretext," Yang Chuannan said coldly. He wore shackles and handcuffs, sitting on the bedside with a defeated aura. "Lord Yang, there''s no need for such high-sounding words," said Xu Qi''an, the only person in the room with the status of a Bronze Gong. The Sitianjian Arcanists also had no rank, but they were different."You found this ledger?" Yang Chuannan stared at him. On the second day the Inspector''s team arrived in Yunzhou, Li Miaozhen had informed him that a Bronze Gong named Xu Qi''an was a key figure in this team. She even said that Yang Chuannan''s fate was partly in the hands of this Bronze Gong. Yang Chuannan had taken Li Miaozhen''s words to heart and did not underestimate this Bronze Gong named Xu Qi''an. But he never expected that before he could take any action, the young Bronze Gong had already sealed his fate. It waspletely unexpected! "Yes, I did," Xu Qi''an nodded. "Impressive, impressive..." Yang Chuannan shook his head andughed, "Indeed, heroes emerge from the youth. When Miaozhen told me about you, although I didn''t underestimate you, I still ended up being careless." *No, it wasn''t just you. I did too...* Inspector Zhang silently agreed in his heart. No one had expected Xu Qi''an to be thispetent. Yang Chuannan examined Xu Qi''an, "Trying to reach Refining Spirit?" "Yep!" Xu Qi''an nodded, thinking that, after all, this Commander was more perceptive than Number Two, who had suspected him of being an overindulgent lecher. It seemed that no matter the time or ce, dark circles were always misunderstood. Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong stood with their hands behind their backs, not urging or interrupting, showing the utmost respect to Xu Qi''an. "Lord Yang, you are a member of the Qi Clique, correct?" After a few casual words, Xu Qi''an went straight to the point, taking over the interrogation from Inspector Zhang. Yang Chuannan nodded, "My father was from Qi, and during his time in the Ministry of War, he was supported by the then Vice Minister of War and joined the Qi Clique." Xu Qi''an looked nkly at Inspector Zhang. Inspector Zhang exined, "The Qi Clique is a factionposed of people from Qi. During Yang Chuannan''s father''s time, the Qi Clique controlled the Ministry of War. That was decades ago." Yang Chuannan continued, ¡°My father was always a marginalised figure in the Qi Clique. When it came to my generation, it was the same. Until I was transferred to Yunzhou, where I slowly climbed to my current position over the past decade with repeated military achievements. "Indeed, the Qi Clique in the court yed a role in my advancement, but I am not close to them. Apart from my annual reports in the capital, Yunzhou and the capital are thousands of miles apart. We only maintain some minor connections." Inspector Zhang nodded slightly. Yang Chuannan had climbed the ranks through military achievements, which made the charge of fostering bandits for personal gain credible and matched the Nightwatchers'' evaluation of him. "But to say that I supplied military goods for the Qi Clique and colluded with the Church of the Warlock God is truly an injustice," Yang Chuannan shook his head, "I am already the Commander. Is there a higher position in Yunzhou than mine? If I weren''t trying to do something for the people of Yunzhou, I would rather be transferred out of this cursed ce." *These words sounded very noble and righteous, like an attempt to clear his name in those movies I watched in my previous life...* Xu Qi''an sneered inwardly. He didn''t believe a word, only the evidence in hand. However, as a qualified interrogator, he knew how to guide the conversation. He followed up, "ording to Lord Yang, is there more to this matter?" Yang Chuannan looked at Inspector Zhang, "Does the Inspector think that I am the only Qi Clique member in Yunzhou? If the Qi Clique colluded with the Church of the Warlock God and supplied military goods, is the mastermind necessarily me? "Is there only one Qi Clique member in the central militarymand?" Inspector Zhang shook his head, "Commander, this doesn''t look good." This all sounded like Yang Chuannan''s excuse, and it was indeed just that. Excuses without evidence, an attempt to shirk responsibility. And as the militarymander, if the office were caught smuggling supplies to mountain bandits, who would be the one responsible? Naturally the highest ranked official in charge. This point was beyond doubt. "Lord Yang, you have a traitor among your ranks," Xu Qi''an also thought he was making excuses but refrained from jumping to conclusions. Yang Chuannan seemed to see through their distrust. After a pause, he said, "The Qi Clique indeed engaged in such activities, but it wasn''t until Zhou Min''s death that I began to piece together the entire picture. "Clearly, I am being used as a scapegoat by the Qi Clique. The real colluders with the Church of the Warlock God and supporters of the mountain bandits are others. I intended to secretly find and destroy the evidence to protect myself, but you were a step ahead." *A step ahead? I hadn''t even left the fountain, and you were already pushing the high ground...* Xu Qi''an turned to look at the two white-robed arcanists. The three arcanists, who had mostly been bystanders for half a month, finally had a role to y. They had been using their qi-watching technique on Yang Chuannan. "He doesn''t seem to be lying," one of the white-robed arcanists replied. "Seems?" Xu Qi''an stared at him, displeased. Being questioned by Master Xu made the arcanists anxious. They hurriedly exined, ¡°We are sixth rank Masters of Feng-shui, and this Commander is fifth rank. In theory, our qi-watching technique should not fail. "However, this is not an absolute certainty. First, if Lord Yang has been diligently training his spirit and has a strong will, we wouldn''t be able to detect his lies. For example, once you, Master Xu, reach the Refining Spirit stage, ordinary eighth rank arcanists wouldn''t be able to see through you. It would require someone of the same rank or higher. "Second, there are artefacts that can block aura, but Lord Yang has already been searched and has no such artefacts. "Lastly, both the Church of the Warlock God and we arcanists have memory-altering spells. If Lord Yang had prepared in advance, then what he''s saying now would indeed be true." "Memory alteration?" Xu Qi''an was shocked. This was the first time he had heard of memory alteration. "That''s a spell mastered only by high-rank experts," the white-robed arcanists exined. Considering the vast gap between high-rank and low-rank experts in this world, Xu Qi''an understood. Low-rank experts were akin to mortals, while high-rank ones wereparable to gods and demons. The monk Shenshu within him was an example¡ªsealed in Sangpo for five hundred years with severed limbs, yet still unextinguished. *Right, there''s still Master Shenshu within me... I almost forgot about him...* Xu Qi''an mentally sighed. This monk, severely weakened after five hundred years of imprisonment, was recuperating by borrowing his body, having slept until now. *If it was memory alteration, then the case would be tough... Regr investigative methods wouldn''t work... Only those of the same or higher cultivation could deal with this... I should have asked for Song Qing or the master of posturing to apany us, instead of three mere Masters of Feng-shui...* Xu Qi''an frowned. Yang Chuannan stared at Xu Qi''an, ¡°Sir Xu... With your skills, you deserve to be called Sir Xu by me. Whether I''m telling the truth or not, you might as well investigate. "Heh, this is ast-resort n for me." *Using the enemy to defeat the enemy*... Xu Qi''an thought irritably. "Why should I help you? I could just take you back to the capital, and the matter would be over," Xu Qi''an sneered. "That works too!" Yang Chuannan closed his eyes. ¡­ Beginning that day, the courier station began a three-shift watch. Regardless of day or night, no one could leave nor enter the station without the permission of the inspector general. The Huben Guards were in high spirits because the main culprit had been apprehended, signaling that their return to the capital was near. The South truly was a dreadful ce: cold and damp, with the wind chilling one to the bone during night watch. Although the northern cold was several times worse, those ustomed to northern life found the southern dampness unbearable. "Sir Xu is truly a remarkable person. How many days has he been in Yunzhou? Barely half a fortnight, and he has already cracked such a major case." "Heh, it''s not surprising. We had heard of his fame back in the capital. The Sangpo case caused such a stir, and wasn''t it also solved by him?" "Indeed, once we return to the capital, he will undoubtedly be a prominent figure again. We should get closer to him during our journey back, so he can be a pir of support for us in the future." The Huben Guards were proud, chatting and praising Sir Xu''s brilliance in solving cases while on duty. The more ambitious ones were already contemting how to forge ties with Sir Xu while he was still a Bronze Gong. The stronger the bond now, the more valuable it would be as his status rose. No need for deep friendship; just ensuring he remembered their names would be enough. "Don''t kid yourself. Someone like you, who likes to pocket small bribes, won''t be favoured by Sir Xu. Let me tell you, Sir Xu detests evil. Back in the capital, he nearly beheaded a superior who was bullying women." "Bah, and you think Sir Xu would favour someone like you, who frequents brothels?" As they chatted, they suddenly noticed a figure at the station''s entrance. "Who''s there?" The on-duty Tiger Guard gripped his sword and shouted sternly. At the entrance stood Li Miaozhen, wearing soft armour and a high ponytail. Her beautiful, oval face was stern, and the cold wind fluttered her ponytail, giving her a heroic aura. "Li Miaozhen, General of the light cavalry, requests an audience with the Inspector," Li Miaozhen called out loudly. "Let her in," came Jiang Lyuzhong''s deep voice. The Tiger Guards stepped aside, and Li Miaozhen nodded slightly before stepping into the courtyard. After a few steps, she turned back and said, "Why are you dawdling? Keep up." A few secondster, an extraordinarily beautiful woman reluctantly walked over, moving hesitantly. "Master, this ce is full of detestable warriors. Their strong life force is burning me all over." In the military camp, Susu mostly stayed inside Li Miaozhen''s tent, rarely going out. While the camp was tolerable, the station felt like a volcano to her. The vigorous life force of a fourth rank martial artist was too much for spirits to bear. Li Miaozhen pulled out a talisman, flicked her finger, and stuck it on Susu''s chest. She immediately cheered up, bouncing into the courtyard, no longer afraid of the overwhelming life force. "Master, let me tell you, two nightwatchers here are quite infatuated with me," she chirped. Crossing the courtyard and entering the hall, Li Miaozhen saw Inspector Zhang, Jiang Lyuzhong, and Xu Qi''an. The other Nightwatchers were not in the hall. Li Miaozhen stood straight in the hall, sping her fists. "Inspector, do you have evidence for arresting Commander Yang Chuannan?" "Are you referring to this?" Jiang Lyuzhong raised the ount book in his hand. "Conclusive evidence," Inspector Zhang said warmly, smiling. Li Miaozhen immediately looked at Xu Qi''an, her expressionplex, and asked, "Did you do this?" Other than Xu Qi''an, who else could have found the time to investigate while the rest, including Jiang Lyuzhong, were busy inspecting the local situation? This was not what Li Miaozhen had expected. She hade to test the waters. If Inspector Zhang had arrested Yang Chuannan without evidence, she nned to use the military to pressure him into releasing Yang Chuannan. However, if the evidence was real, rescuing Yang Chuannan would be incredibly difficult. "I didn¡¯t do it," Xu Qi''an shook his head, then added, "but I found it." Chapter 215: Shock Chapter 215: Shock # 215. Shock *As expected, the so-called "evidence" was found by Xu Qi''an...* For some reason, Li Miaozhen was not surprised by this result. She coldly nced at the female spirit Susu beside her. Susu pretended not to see, engrossed in ying with a lock of her hair. The female spirit was also puzzled. She had assured her that he was cking off, but the fact was undeniable: this little Bronze Gong had obtained the evidence right under her nose. Li Miaozhen took a deep breath. "Inspector General, there are hidden truths in this case..." Inspector Zhang waved his hand, interrupting her. His tone was indifferent as he said, ¡°General Li, you are merely a cavalry General and not a court official. You have no authority to interfere in court matters. "Out of respect for your efforts in quelling the bandits, I allowed you into the courier station." "Ahem!"Xu Qi''an coughed loudly, drawing the attention of the three present. "Inspector, why not hear her out?" He believed that Number Two supporting Yang Chuannan might be influenced by personal feelings, but she was not a blind or ignorant person. Therefore, he wanted to hear what she had to say. Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong exchanged nces. "Alright!" Li Miaozhen nodded at Xu Qi''an, pondered for a few seconds, and then said, ¡°I have known Yang Chuannan for more than a year, and we have fought bandits together several times, forging a close rtionship. But I am not someone who cannot distinguish between right and wrong, and I understand the treachery and changeability of human hearts. ¡°I trust Yang Chuannan not only because of our interactions and shared battles. When I learned through secret channels that the court had dispatched an inspector to Yunzhou to investigate Yang Chuannan, I arranged for a spirit to monitor him. "And at that time, Yang Chuannan had not received any secret letters from the Qi Clique." Hearing about the spirit monitoring, Jiang Lyuzhong raised an eyebrow. "How did you know that the court was sending an inspector to Yunzhou to investigate Yang Chuannan?" Inspector Zhang''s gaze sharpened as he stared at her. *Report to the Inspector: we also have a traitor among us, and that traitor is me...* Xu Qi''an thought guiltily. The fragments of the Earth Book could convey messages over vast distances almost instantly, so it made sense that Li Miaozhen learned about this before Yang Chuannan. She had heeded Number Three''s words and had set up surveince. Li Miaozhen spoke frankly, "That''s my secret." "Yang Chuannan is a fifth-rank martial artist. Your spirit monitoring him would not escape his notice," Xu Qi''an diverted the topic guiltily, finally seeing the situation develop as he had anticipated. He had informed Number Two of the matter in advance, hoping she would assist in the investigation. Although her rtionship with Yang Chuannan was beyond his expectations, the result was still satisfactory. "So what if he knows? As long as he remains within the spirit''s sight, my objective is achieved," Li Miaozhen said. Xu Qi''an nodded in agreement. It was like in his previous life, where people knew they were being monitored by street cameras but couldn''t do anything about it unless they destroyed them. If Yang Chuannan had destroyed the "monitoring," Li Miaozhen would not be so adamant in defending him. *Does Yang Chuannan have a wife? The spirit must have seen a lot... Fortunately, Master Shenshu is asleep; otherwise, I would have be a star in the Chinese adult video industry...* Xu Qi''an''s thoughts becameplicated. "Is that all?" Jiang Lyuzhong pursued. "I am a disciple of the Heaven Sect," Li Miaozhen said word by word, "I can see through Yang Chuannan''s true nature." What does she mean? Xu Qi''an noticed that Jiang Lyuzhong was deep in thought, frowning. "The Heaven Sect practices the unity of heaven and man. You should already know this," Li Miaozhen first nced at the traitorous female spirit Susu, then at Xu Qi''an. The former bowed her head in shame, while thetter asked, "And then?" Jiang Lyuzhong took over the conversation, sighing, "To achieve the unity of heaven and man, one must first detach from emotions. As the saying goes, ''Heaven and Earth are unkind, treating all things as straw dogs.''[^1] It is said that the higher the cultivation of a Heaven Sect Daoist, the more they resemble a stone person, devoid of joy, sorrow, emotions, and desires. Even if their own child dies, they would not feel the slightest sadness." *Then if we have children in the future, I''ll take care of them...* Xu Qi''an instinctively nced at Li Miaozhen, who raised an eyebrow, sensing a hint of malice in the Bronze Gong''s eyes. Jiang Lyuzhong continued, ¡°The unity of heaven and man requires understanding the changes in the rules of heaven and earth, integrating countless phenomena into oneself. Heaven Sect disciples understand the principles of investigation and knowledge better than any schr. "They have an exceptionally strong intuition about qualities such as good, evil, and greed." *Isn''t that basically a human lie detector... no, a human lie detector would be the arcanists of the Sitianjian. Heaven Sect disciples should be scum detectors?* Xu Qi''an suddenly understood why Li Miaozhen trusted Yang Chuannan so much. "But the Sitianjian''s qi-watching technique has its ws, and your method..." Xu Qi''an hesitated. "As a practitioner of the Heaven Sect, one must have absolute confidence in their intuition," Li Miaozhen said calmly. This was a matter of the Dao heart¡ªif one doubted their intuition, they would be doubting themselves and would eventually fall to inner demons. "Then gauge me and see my qualities," Xu Qi''an suggested. Li Miaozhen shook her head. "Our interaction time is too short; that is a long process." She paused and then said with a smirk, "Your qualities are already written on your face." *You motherfu...* ¡°After realizing he was caught in the whirlpool between the Qi Clique and the Church of the Warlock God, Yang Chuannan has been trying to save himself, both by investigating the Qi Clique members within the Military Command and by looking for evidence left by Zhou Min. "If he could prove his innocence, that would be best. If not, he nned to destroy the so-called ''evidence'' to protect himself," Li Miaozhen candidly exined Yang Chuannan''s n. *...That makes sense. If it were me in this situation, I would also first protect myself... and then investigate the case based on my ability...* Xu Qi''an nodded in agreement. Inspector Zhang squinted, recalling Yang Chuannan''s subtle hostility towards him along the way. In Yang Chuannan''s eyes, he was just a troublemaker. Xu Qi''an picked up his teacup, took a sip, and shook his head. "General Li, words alone are not enough. We have obtained evidence. Even if Yang Chuannan is not the mastermind, as the Commander, he must bear the responsibility." Whenever an office has issues, the leader is held ountable¡ªthat has always been the rule. "Moreover, the qi-watching technique of the Sitianjian cannot be used as evidence for those above the fourth rank, and your investigation and knowledge method cannot convince the court either." For those above the fourth rank, the Sitianjian''s qi-watching technique could not be used as evidence because the technique does not lie, but the arcanist might. Simrly, the Heaven Sect''s methods do not lie, but Li Miaozhen might. Xu Qi''an stood up, walked to the female spirit Susu, and pinched her face, causing her beautiful, wless features to sink. "What are you doing?" Susu''s face paled... or rather, her elegant features deformed. "It¡¯s still made of paper," Xu Qi''an patted her shoulder. "Susu, would you like a living body? Not just a possession, but a true, unowned body." "A dead person¡¯s body?" Susu gave him a sidelong nce and sneered, "A lifeless shell will rot in no time." "No, a truly unowned body, without a soul," Xu Qi''an said. Susu looked doubtful. "I am an old acquaintance of Song Qing from the Sitianjian. He is working on life alchemy, with the ultimate goal of creating a body indistinguishable from a living person. He has recently made significant breakthroughs," Xu Qi''an said solemnly. "Re- really..." Probably due to the golden reputation of the Sitianjian, Susu began to show interest and even a certain longing. "Of course it¡¯s true. As long as you choose to follow me, I can definitely get you a clean, unowned body. As for the issue of nurturing it with yin energy, I can find a solution." Anyway, it''s just a bluff. This is how you deceive girls. First, paint them a big picture, make them look forward to the future, offer enough benefits and promises, and they will let you do as you please because of that distant but appealing vision. By the time they realize it''s a lie, it''s toote. "Ahem!" Inspector Zhang coughed, reminding the Bronze Gong to stay on topic and save the flirtation with the female spirit forter. Xu Qi''an understood his leader''s intent. He hadid enough groundwork and now probed, "General Li, since you said that Yang Chuannan has been secretly investigating the situation within the Military Command, do you have any leads?" *If not, please leave...* Li Miaozhen seemed to have her response prepared. Under the candlelight, she lowered her head slightly, her long and curled eyshes catching the light, casting a shadow over her beautiful eyes. "Shortly after Zhou Min''s death, I coborated with Yang Chuannan to investigate the Military Command. We finally identified a target, a member of the Qi Clique. But that person was very slick; sensing danger, they went into hiding before we could close the." That''s practically saying nothing... Aren''t you very good at finding people? You even managed to catch Baihu Zhou... Xu Qi''an muttered to himself, shaking his head. Inspector Zhang frowned and asked, "Who is this person?" "Like Zhou Min, he was also part of the Military Command, an officer in charge of managing the storerooms and distribution," Li Miaozhen replied. To verify the truth of Li Miaozhen''s words, it was actually quite simple, just like when they exposed Yang Yingying''s lies. Xu Qi''an immediately asked: "Name, age, appearance, home address, and information about his rtives and friends... Can you provide these details, General Li?" "Of course, but I don''t have them with me. I will send someone to the station tomorrow," Li Miaozhen said. "As for his appearance, I can draw it for you." Inspector Zhang nodded, ordering someone to fetch pen, ink, paper, and inkstone. The deformed-faced Susu obediently ground the ink but seemed distracted, asionally ncing at Xu Qi''an and then lowering her head in thought. After a cup of tea''s time, Li Miaozhen finished the portrait. The person was a lean middle-aged man with sharp eyes. The owner of the dogmeat store at Ding No. 15. --- [^1]: From the Daodejing Chapter 216: The Plot Thickens Chapter 216: The Plot Thickens # 216. The Plot Thickens *Fuuu...* Upon seeing the dog meat shop owner, Xu Qi''an''s mind was filled with a mix of confusion, anger, and slight fear. Confusion stemmed from not understanding how things turned out this way, anger from feeling insulted intellectually, and fear from realizing that if the other party had malicious intentions, he might have been caught off guard. "This person is called Liang Youping. Unlike Zhou Min, he is a native of Yunzhou. ording to Yang Chuannan, Liang Youping was recruited into the Qi Clique through his connections," Li Miaozhen exined. "An officer in the Military Command with the same authority as Zhou Min..." Inspector Zhang pondered for a moment before questioning, "Why didn''t you and Yang Chuannan contact me earlier and be forthright?" Li Miaozhen sat straight, her posture unmoved from the beginning, and she replied calmly, "In the year of the Official Evaluation, interparty warfare in court is at its most intense. How could we be sure Azure cloak Wei wasn''t nning to use this opportunity to uproot Qi Clique officials from various regions?" "I represent the emperor in my role, and I ammitted to my duties, to care for the people, and to severely punish corrupt officials, to not betray the trust of His Majesty and Duke Wei," Inspector Zhang said solemnly. Li Miaozhen sneered disdainfully. *That damn Emperor Yuanjing...* Xu Qi''an could guess what was going through Number Two''s mind at that moment.He sighed wearily, tapped the table, and when the three of them turned their attention to him, he said in a low voice, "I know this person!" The three were taken aback. Xu Qi''an stared at the portrait and asked, "Is he a cripple?" "Yes, Liang Youping fell off a cliff during a bandit raid and broke his leg," Li Miaozhen replied. *...Nothing that guy says can be trusted, and I was actually moved at the time.* Xu Qi''an felt an urge to curse. He also realized his mental state was really poor because he didn''t even think to use the Qi-watching Technique to check the truth of what the person said at the time. In normal circumstances, he wouldn''t make such a big oversight. "What¡¯s going on?" Inspector Zhang couldn''t help but ask. Xu Qi''an waved his hand while pinching his eyebrows. "Inspector, my mind is a mess right now. Uh, let me go somewhere, and I''ll exin it to you properlyter." Saying this, he looked at Jiang Lyuzhong, "Gold Gong Jiang, will you apany me?" Jiang Lyuzhong nced at Inspector Zhang and shook his head, "Duke Wei''s order is to always follow and protect the Inspector." *Okay, that makes sense. If we came back and found the Inspector''s head taken off and kicked around like a ball, it wouldn''t be fun...* Xu Qi''an said, "Then call two Silver Gongs to apany me and lend me thirty Huben Guards." He didn''t admit he was a bit scared; it was all for caution. "I''ll go with you!" Li Miaozhen was eager to join. Xu Qi''an immediately changed his request, "Gold Gong Jiang, I''ll need three Silver Gongs." Li Miaozhen: "..." This little Bronze Gong didn¡¯t trust her. Li Miaozhen revealed a hint of feminine demeanour, ring at him angrily. Soon, Xu Qi''an, along with three Silver Gongs, thirty Huben Guards, Li Miaozhen, and Susu, rode out of the station towards the ck market on Huangbo Street. Due to the earlierrge-scale operation, the patrolling soldiers didn''t stop them upon seeing the Nightwatchers'' uniforms and instead made way. The Inspector''s team from the capital had the right to act on their own discretion. Leaving the inner city, they quickly reached Huangbo Street. A group of brightly armoured Huben Guards stormed into the ck market, causing the onlookers to be wary and retreat in fear. Xu Qi''an led the team to shop No. 15, stunned to find the door tightly shut and the windows dark inside, with no lights on. His heart sank as he gestured for the Huben Guards to surround the shop, intending to break in. "Wait!" Li Miaozhen called out. She took a silk pouch from her waist, opened it, and wisps of green smoke floated out, slipping through the cracks in the doors and windows. "A perfect scout," Xu Qi''an praised. Li Miaozhen responded modestly with a hum. *The Daoist sects are really interesting. One spirit makes three purities¡­ Heaven, Earth, and Human each have different cultivation paths. The Earth Sect cultivates merit, the Heaven Sect cultivates indifference, and the Human Sect does the opposite, turning a perfectly pure Daoist into a seductive fox...* Xu Qi''an thought to himself, suddenly getting an idea. *Heaven and Humanity Sects are like fire and water, perhaps because of their opposite cultivation paths?* *And the Earth Sect, which cultivates merit, doesn''t involve itself with either side, maintaining decent rtionships with both, having no grudges, and exchanging pleasantries when they meet.* *Otherwise, Li Miaozhen, the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect, wouldn''t be able to join the Heaven and Earth Society.* *Sect Master Luo Yuheng wouldn¡¯t have given the golden pill to Daoist Jinlian either.* *Indeed, pleasing both sides is the way to go, just like how I bnce between Lin¡¯an and Huaiqing, able to charm both.* *Girl-boy-girl!* *Perfect.* Just then, those several wisps of green smoke returned and whispered by Li Miaozhen''s ear for a moment before retreating back into the silk pouch. "There is no one in the shop, and no ambush," Li Miaozhen stated. Xu Qi''an immediately signaled his men, and with the three Silver Gongs, they broke into the shop, searching upstairs and downstairs. Everything inside was undisturbed, and nothing appeared to have been damaged. There were even twenty taels of silver in a locked drawer, which Xu Qi''an decided to confiscate and added to his own wallet. *...No signs of a struggle, no traces of looting... It seemed like the owner had just temporarily left...* Xu Qi''an found nothing in the search and led his men out of the shop, approaching the neighboring shop owner who hade out to watch themotion. This shop also dealt in "dog meat." "Come here, I have some questions for you," he ordered. The owner of shop Ding No. 16 obediently came over, keeping his head down, "Sir." "Where did the owner of Ding No. 15 go?" "He hasn''t opened for a few days. The girls he kept in his shop have alle to me for work," the owner of Ding No. 16 answered all questions but didn''t offer any extra information. "When did it close?" Xu Qi''an asked again. "Three days ago." *Three days ago... right after I left?* Xu Qi''an''s eyes flickered as he continued questioning, "The owner of Ding No. 15, is he the one with the limp?" "Yes, but he''s not the original owner." *...Not the original owner.* Xu Qi''an''s suspicions were confirmed, "What happened to the original owner? When did the new owner take over?" "The shop changed hands about ten days ago. I don''t know where the original owner went." Xu Qi''an then questioned the owners of the surrounding shops, receiving simr answers. They were also surprised by the sudden change of ownership at Ding No. 15. However, the ck market was a ce where people were generally indifferent to others'' affairs, so no one paid much attention. On the way back, as the horses walked slowly, Xu Qi''an, for the umpteenth time, pinched his brows. Li Miaozhen turned her head to look at him, her voice carrying a mature woman''s maism, "You seem exhausted." *Just so you know I''m not a lecher...* Xu Qi''an said, "General Li seems to misunderstand me, thinking I am a lustful person. Otherwise, why would you send Miss Susu to seduce me?" "Isn''t it true?" Faced with Xu Qi''an''s confrontational behavior, Li Miaozhen chose to counter directly. "I''m attempting to break through to the Refining Spirit stage. I haven''t slept for a long time," Xu Qi''an exined. He didn''t specify exactly how many days. *Breaking through to the Refining Spirit stage?* Li Miaozhen''s beautiful eyes widened slightly as she scrutinized him. Only now did she realize she had always misunderstood. Seeing Xu Qi''an with heavy dark circles, anyone would instinctively think he was overindulgent, rather than first considering that he was attempting to break through to the Refining Spirit stage. Moreover, within the Heaven and Earth Society, hearing Number One describe Xu Qi''an as a lecher, addicted to the Jiaofangsi, solidified her impression of him as a lustful person. *Even if these changes were due to breaking through to the Refining Spirit stage, it didn''t change the fact that you are a lecher... you will never know how well I understand you...* Li Miaozhen thought to herself. But she was curious about how long this boy had been enduring. Li Miaozhen didn''t know much about the martial artist system. After all, she had only been out training for a few years and hadn''t encountered many martial artists attempting to break through to the Refining Spirit stage. Someone as experienced as Yang Chuannan could easily see that Xu Qi''an was attempting to break through. This was the insight of someone who had been through it. "If I remember correctly, the limit for breaking through to the Refining Spirit stage is ten days?" "General Li doesn''t seem to understand the martial artist system well." "Why should I?" "You don''t seem to think highly of martial artists." Li Miaozhen humorously replied, "Not as if I¡¯m the only one." Xu Qi''an: "..." He couldn''t help but think of the proud white-robed arcanists and the Confucian schrs who also looked down on martial artists. The world''s disdain hierarchy was: no one respected anyone, but everyone looked down on martial artists. Xu Qi''an used to think the most nauseating discrimination was against sex workers and ck market dealers. Now there was another, called: martial artists. Apart from arcanists and martial artists, each major system had beings beyond the ranking system or had produced such beings in the past. But the roles of arcanists far exceeded those of martial artists, making arcanists more respected. He wondered when the martial artist system would produce a martial god. "It''s really frustrating," Xu Qi''an said. ¡­ When they returned to the station, Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong were no longer in the hall. They had left a Huben Guard behind, who informed Xu Qi''an and Li Miaozhen that the Inspector General was waiting in his room. Knocking on Inspector Zhang''s door, Xu Qi''an and Li Miaozhen entered the room. "The person General Li drew is the ck market shop owner who kept the evidence for Zhou Min. I deciphered the code Zhou Min left behind, explored the ce, and found the ledger," Xu Qi''an exined to Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong. After listening, Inspector Zhang''s expression became serious. "Could the original owner be the one who truly kept the ledger?" Xu Qi''an nodded, "Most likely. And if I''m not mistaken, he was probably silenced. The shop owner I metter was Liang Youping in disguise." Jiang Lyuzhong stroked his stubbly chin, puzzled. "How did they find the ck market?" "Remember what I said when analysing the case," Xu Qi''an rubbed his brow, "We found shop Ding No. 15 in the ck market through Yang Yingying''s clue. But this clue wasn''t meant for us; it was for Lord Yang, the Provincial Governor of Qingzhou. "In other words, Zhou Min''s original clue to us was decoded by someone else earlier." There were many smart people in this world. Li Miaozhen shook her head, "Don¡¯t you find it odd? If they had found the ledger, why not just destroy it? Why wait for you to find it and then hand it over?" Jiang Lyuzhong was shocked, "Was the ledger switched? Did we get a fake?" "No!" Inspector Zhang shook his head, "If the ledger were fake, it would quickly be exposed when Ipare it at the Military Command. What would be the point of sending a fake ledger?" Jiang Lyuzhong frowned even more, "But sending the real ledger is even more absurd. Killing the original shop owner, then returning the ledger to us unchanged?" "Indeed, the ledger, whether real or fake, defies logic." Xu Qi''an rubbed his brow and paced the room: ¡°Let¡¯s review the case thoroughly. ¡°Zhou Min discovered Yang Chuannan secretly supporting bandits and reported it in a secret letter to the authorities. The Qi Clique learned of this and immediately created a corruption case to pressure Duke Wei. ¡°Then, through my serendipitous discovery, we uncovered the Qi Clique''s collusion with the Church of the Warlock God, secretly supporting the bandits. The court then realized the seriousness of the matter and sent me¡­¡± Inspector Zhang coughed forcefully. Xu Qi''an corrected himself, "Sent the Inspector General to Yunzhou to investigate." "I asked around in the ck market earlier. The original owner of shop Ding No. 15 was killed about ten days ago. At that time, we were still at the Qingzhou border. General Li, when did Yang Chuannan receive the secret letter from the capital?" "The letter arrived about six days ago, from a friend of Lord Yang," Li Miaozhen replied. ¡°Exactly. We travelled the fastest route. Even if the Qi Clique was faster, they couldn''t have been more than ten days ahead," Xu Qi''an nodded. "Killing Zhou Min to silence him and killing the shop owner should have nothing to do with the Qi Clique in the capital. Our real enemy is in Yunzhou. ¡°There are only two possibilities for this case: One, it''s a ruse by Yang Chuannan. Two, there''s a mastermind preparing to use Yang Chuannan as a scapegoat. The scheme began as soon as the secret letter was sent back to the capital, killing Zhou Min, finding the hidden evidence, and attempting to frame Yang Chuannan. ¡°If the ledger is real, the first scenario is unlikely because it would be like handing us the knife. "If the ledger is fake, it makes even less sense. Yang Chuannan neither clears his name nor is he truly convicted. Liang Youping giving us the ledger would instead arouse suspicion, inadvertently saving Yang Chuannan." Li Miaozhen keenly spotted a logical w, "So, the ledger must be real. ording to your theory, the ledger is real; there''s a mastermind trying to push Yang Chuannan out as a scapegoat. "In that case, Liang Youping killing the shop owner and handing you the ledger is unreasonable." Yes, if the ledger is real, the mastermind only needs to wait for the Inspector''s team to find it, making Yang Chuannan defenseless. Liang Youping''s actions were superfluous. Inspector Zhang pondered, ¡°Perhaps there''s an issue with the ledger. The ledger is real, but it has a problem that will point us to the real mastermind. So they had to find it and eliminate the w. "Then, they impersonated the shop owner, waiting for us to find them and hand over the ledger." Jiang Lyuzhong first nodded, then shook his head, "How would they know there''s an issue with the ledger? Wasn''t it created by Zhou Min?" Inspector Zhang smiled, "Zhou Min found the evidence because he was a clerk at the Military Command, overseeing warehouses and supplies. Liang Youping was also a clerk." Xu Qi''an suddenly said, "There''s something I don''t understand." "Hmm?" Li Miaozhen looked over. "Why was Liang Youping the one responsible for handing us the ledger?" Xu Qi''an nced at the three of them, ¡°Don¡¯t you find it odd? Liang Youping was already exposed. Once we capture Yang Chuannan and interrogate him, he''ll reveal everything to prove his innocence. "In that case, justparing Liang Youping''s portrait... well, we''d end up having this meeting." Li Miaozhen frowned, "Because only Liang Youping could find the problem with the ledger?" Jiang Lyuzhong nced at her, "They had plenty of time to find the issue with the ledger. They could then switch disguises, no need to keep Liang Youping there. If Ningyan hadn''t seen your portrait, he wouldn''t have realized the shop owner was fake. "In other words, if it weren''t Liang Youping, we wouldn''t have noticed. It seems they exposed the w on purpose." As for disguises, with Xu Qi''an and others'' keen eyesight, any close encounter would be sufficient to see through them. ¡­ Zhu Guangxiao woke up from a dream, feeling his dder full, so he got up to use the toilet. Leaving his room and walking down the corridor, he suddenly saw a woman in a white dress sitting at a table in the hall. She had long, beautiful ck hair. From this angle, Zhu Guangxiao could only see her profile, and just this profile was stunningly beautiful, not of this mortal world, making his heart skip a beat. *Su, Miss Susu... no, it¡¯s that female ghost!!* Zhu Guangxiao''s eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. Chapter 217: Dream World Chapter 217: Dream World # 217. Dream World Seeing this woman, Zhu Guangxiao trembled with rage. In the dead of winter, he broke out in cold sweat, his hands and feet icy. How could this world be so treacherous, filled with oppression against men? *She toyed with my feelings, hurt my dignity, and now she brazenly appears before me again...* Tears welled up uncontrobly. Zhu Guangxiao suppressed the urge to punch, held in his urine, and turned to knock on Song Tingfeng''s door. Song Tingfeng, wrapped in a robe and seemingly just awake, opened the door, grumbling, "What is it? Why are you visiting sote at night?" "Come over here, shh, keep your voice down..." With a grim expression, Zhu Guangxiao pulled Song Tingfeng out quietly to the corridor, pointing downstairs to the hall. "Look!" Seeing what was downstairs, Song Tingfeng also started trembling with rage, his hands and feet icy, and tears welled up uncontrobly... The two martial artists'' eyes turned red, their minds shattered. Song Tingfeng gritted his teeth, "She actually has the nerve toe to the post station, thinking we Nightwatchers are pushovers?"Zhu Guangxiao said in a deep voice, "What do we do?" This matter absolutely must not be leaked, or they would be nailed to the pir of shame forever, unable to regain their honour. How would they live in the yamen after this? "Let''s just do it. Let''s send her to the cold pce ¡ª let''s go all the way," Song Tingfeng made a downward cutting gesture. "No." Zhu Guangxiao, though usually silent and reserved, was not stupid. He analysed, "Since she came here, it means that the roaming cavalry General is here too. We can''t act rashly. If we do, we''ll expose ourselves and be held ountable by the Inspector General." "So what do we do?" "I suggest we discuss it with Ningyan." The two exchanged a nce, feeling that they could only turn to that scoundrel. At that moment, Su Su downstairs sensed something, suddenly looked up and saw them, and a sweet smile blossomed on her face: "Oh, it''s you two." Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao''s faces froze. ¡­ "Guessing blindly is useless now. My suggestion is, tomorrow we go to the Military Command to check the ounts and confirm the ledger''s authenticity. Then, issue a province-wide arrest warrant for Liang Youping." Inspector Zhang gave his opinion. Xu Qi''an nced at the beautiful military woman with a melon-seed face, feeling heavy-hearted. Because even with Li Miaozhen''s connections and influence, she couldn''t catch Liang Youping, which meant the other side had a powerful backing. A province-wide arrest might not be reliable. The key to this case lies with Liang Youping. "Great idea!" Jiang Lyuzhong, however, didn''t care much and strongly supported Inspector Zhang''s suggestion. Stroking his chin, he said: "If we can''t catch Liang Youping, we''ll just use Military Command Yang Chuannan to settle the score." Now it was Li Miaozhen''s turn to tremble with rage. So, if this was Yang Chuannan''s ruse, it was basically suicidal. Whether it was Inspector Zhang or Jiang Lyuzhong, they were both old hands in officialdom. People who mix in the court have ambitions, but to say they couldn''t tolerate any injustice and were champions of justice was too naive. Can someone full of righteousness thrive in the bureaucracy? Absolutely not. Inspector Zhang would try to find the real culprit and seek justice, but he wouldn''t hesitate to sacrifice Yang Chuannan to gain merit. Yang Chuannan was most certainly not innocent; firstly, he could not escape the charge of negligence. Secondly, he was a member of the Qi Clique, and now that the Qi Clique has fallen, the rules of the officialdom dictate: purge! "Gold Gong Jiang, this is too reckless." Xu Qi''an tried with all his might to open big eyes wide, resisting sleepiness, speaking righteously: "Why was Zhou Min silenced, who is behind framing Yang Chuannan, is it a distortion of human nature or a loss of morality? As bearers of the imperial mandate, we should do our utmost to bring justice to the innocent and restore the integrity of Yunzhou''s officialdom." Jiang Lyuzhong and Inspector Zhang looked at him strangely. This guy was not someone who liked to spout grandiose rhetoric. "Well said!" Li Miaozhen apuded, her beautiful melon-seed face lifted, her eyes gleaming, and she looked at Xu Qi''an with approval and affirmation. Hearing Li Miaozhen''s praise, the two seemed thoughtful, as if they had guessed something. "Then, Ningyan, I will trouble you to continue investigating this case." Inspector Zhang said earnestly, "You must find out the truth." *Inspector Zhang''s heart is definitely ck... I was so foolish to y smart in front of him...* Xu Qi''an felt like he had shot himself in the foot. He nced sideways and saw Li Miaozhen''s beautiful eyes sparkling, looking at him with hope. "I can only... do my best." Xu Qi''an was no longer a young man full of hot blood, and he wouldn''t make grand promises. Back when he was eighteen, his slogan was: I control my own fate, not the heavens. By the time he was thirty-five, his slogan was: Please, heavens, stop messing with me. At this moment, they heard amotion outside the room, apanied by a strong fluctuation of energy. Jiang Lyuzhong was the first to push open the door. His eagle-like eyes scanned sharply, and then he saw Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao covering one eye with one hand, clenching their fists with the other, their energy surging, waving wildly. They were shouting, "Stay away, we won''t make the same mistake twice." Opposite them, the peerlessly beautiful Su Su was frowning, looking innocent. "Misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding..." Xu Qi''an rushed out, spread his arms, and wrapped them around his two colleagues'' shoulders, half-pushing, half-carrying them into the room. "What¡¯s wrong with you two?" he frowned. "What''s with that female ghost?" The two were very agitated, saying in a deep voice, "You knew our situation... and still let here to the station? If this gets out, how are we supposed to face people?" "She¡¯s here with her master to discuss the Yang Chuannan case." Xu Qi''an said irritably, "If you don''t expose it yourselves, who would spread it around? She¡¯s like a well-traveled carriage, what kind of men hasn¡¯t she seduced? You two are just being immature." Song Tingfeng felt a bit better, but still grumbled, "I don''t care. Seeing her makes me ufortable all over, so ashamed that I want to howl at the sky. I don¡¯t want to see her." Zhu Guangxiao nodded in agreement. Xu Qi''an''s eyes were suddenly filled with pity; there was a condition called "Susu PTSD." After calming them down, Song Tingfeng asked, "Did Yang Chuannan confess? Is that Cavalry General here to cause trouble?" "This case is tricky..." Xu Qi''anmented hisck of a cigarette, sighing, "Do you know the true identity of the boss we met at the dogmeat shop? He was a clerk in the Military Command." He briefly exined the situation. The room fell silent. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao looked at each other in horror, a cold sweat breaking out on their backs. They thought they were on the fifth level, but it turned out the others were on the fifth level. "If only we had brought him back to the post station then." Zhu Guangxiao said sullenly. "Why didn¡¯t you remind me?" Xu Qi''an massaged his temples. Lately he often felt dizzy, even having slight hallucinations. "Who could have thought he was fake?" Zhu Guangxiao said in a dark voice, "At that time, the Inspector and Gold Gong Jiang were out inspecting. I thought we¡¯d wait for them to return, report the progress, and if necessary, follow orders to arrest him. Besides, once we had the evidence, he was worthless." "Yes, if he wasn¡¯t fake, we could have gone back to find him." Song Tingfeng said. "Always thinking in hindsight." Xu Qi''an said irritably. "By the way, the name you mentioned earlier sounds familiar..." Zhu Guangxiao frowned, pondering, "I had a strange dream, dreaming that someone locked me in a small dark room." Xu Qi''anughed, "Was that small dark room called 404?" "What 404?" Zhu Guangxiao didn¡¯t understand, continuing, "Someone locked me in a small dark room, constantly asking: where is Liang something... I can''t remember the name." Song Tingfeng¡¯s eyes widened, "Liang Youping?" Zhu Guangxiao was surprised, "Yes, that''s the name. How did you know?" Song Tingfeng said, "...I had the same dream." Xu Qi''an''s face changed dramatically, as if he had heard something terrifying. Chapter 218: Bravo, Number Two! Chapter 218: Bravo, Number Two! # 218. Bravo, Number Two! Was the same dream just a coincidence? Xu Qi''an thought about the Church of the Warlock God. The warlocks the ability to enter dreams, so invading the dreams of Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng was standard practice. This was a very simple inference. What Xu Qi''an couldn''t understand was why the Church of the Warlock God would forcefully question the whereabouts of Liang Youping in the dream. *Isn''t Liang Youping a member of the Qi Clique? Isn''t the Qi Clique colluding with the Church of the Warlock God? Shouldn''t they be on the same side?* "What''s wrong with you?" Song Tingfeng noticed that his colleague''s expression was off and asked with concern. "Old thousandyer cake..." Xu Qi''an muttered."What do you mean, are you craving a cake?" Zhu Guangxiao waited for his response, ready to call the innkeeper to prepare a midnight snack if Xu Ningyan said yes. Xu Qi''an didn''t answer. Instead, he left the room and knocked on the door of a neighbouring Silver Gong''s room. "Silver Gong Zhao, did you sleep wellst night?" Xu Qi''an asked. The Silver Gong named Zhao looked at him unhappily and replied, "It was good until you disturbed me." "Did you have a dream?" "...How did you know?" Silver Gong Zhao was taken aback. Xu Qi''an''s expression immediately turned serious, and he asked urgently, "What did you dream about?" "I dreamed about the girls from Jiaofangsi. Sigh, we''ve been in Yunzhou for so long without even touching a woman''s hand. It''s unbearable..." "Sorry for the disturbance. Goodbye!" He then knocked on the doors of the Bronze Gong and the Huben Guards, questioning a dozen people, but found that none of them had dreamed. Only Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng had been interrogated in their dreams at the entire station. How pitiful, not only did they get PTSD from Susu, but they were also imprisoned and interrogated in their dreams. All the bad luck seemed to fall on them... Xu Qi''an looked at his two colleagues with renewed pity. "Your gaze is making me very ufortable. If you keep looking at me like that, we can''t be brothers," Song Tingfeng said sternly. "We''re father and son, to begin with." After Xu Qi''an said this and saw Song Tingfeng raising a stool to hit him, he quickly apologized, "I was wrong, I was wrong. You go aside, I need to think." "What happened?" Zhu Guangxiao asked. "Let me sort out my thoughts," Xu Qi''an waved his hand. *Only Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng were interrogated in their dreams, and they were asked about Liang Youping''s whereabouts... It was obvious that the reason was because we had been to the ck market and obtained the ledger from Liang Youping... As for why I wasn''t interrogated, the reason is simple: I was burning the midnight oil cultivating!* *No, no, my mind is getting more and more muddled. I can''t bear this alone, I need to get Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong to share the burden...* Xu Qi''an immediately went out to find Inspector Zhang. As he passed by the room where Yang Chuannan was held, he coincidentally saw Li Miaozhening out with Jiang Lyuzhong and the beautiful female ghost Susu following behind them. She had just "visited" Yang Chuannan. "Is General Li leaving?" Xu Qi''an approached them. Li Miaozhen nodded. Despite the case being perplexing, the inspector had promised to do his utmost to uncover the truth, leaving a glimmer of hope for Yang Chuannan. She hade to the station this time to seek that glimmer of hope, to make the rtionship with Yang Chuannan worth it. Including allowing the Flying Swallow Army to enter the city, it was a form of pressure, a bargaining chip, not a real intent to fight to the death. "Heh, I''m afraid you can''t leave!" Xu Qi''an teased. Li Miaozhen was stunned, squinting her eyes at him. Susu scolded coquettishly, "Master, this guy wants to harm you. Let Susu teach him a lesson." Saying that, she prepared to spray Xu Qi''an with "salty soda," but before she could, Li Miaozhen blocked her. "You''re just looking for an excuse to take revenge." Li Miaozhen nced at her and then turned to Xu Qi''an, "What''s the matter?" "Don''t be in a hurry to leave. The second half has just begun. I just got some new clues," Xu Qi''an said, pinching his forehead. Jiang Lyuzhong raised an eyebrow in surprise, "What did you remember?" The three of them entered Inspector Zhang''s room together. Inspector Zhang, who was nearly fifty, was already a bit of a fossil. However, due to the presence of arcanists from Sitianjian, the life expectancy of the literati in this world was rtively high, allowing them to enjoy life up to the point they finally get some sort of cancer, just like in Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s previous life. Inspector Zhang was about to sleep but had to reluctantly get up and dress again. He then instructed his attendant to open the door. "It''ste at night, can''t whatever it is wait until tomorrow?" Inspector Zhang pinched the bridge of his nose, "I''m just an ordinary person, not as energetic as you martial artists." Li Miaozhen instinctively refuted, "I''m not a martial artist." Xu Qi''an and Jiang Lyuzhong gave her a cold side nce. Inspector Zhang waved his hand impatiently, "Say what you want, then get lost." Schrs were very particr about health. Staying upte was simply a waste of life. Li Miaozhen and Jiang Lyuzhong both looked at Xu Qi''an. *Here we go again,* thought Inspector Zhang, helplessly looking at Xu Qi''an. "There''s something I think you all should know." Under the gaze of the three, Xu Qi''an slowly began to speak, describing the interrogation of Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao in their dreams. "Indeed, it''s the method of the Church of the Warlock God," Jiang Lyuzhong confirmed. Li Miaozhen nodded in agreement and then looked at Xu Qi''an, "The reason you weren''t interrogated is that you were pushing to refine your spirit and didn''t sleep?" "Mhm." "The Church of the Warlock God is also looking for Liang Youping?" Inspector Zhang struggled to process this information and was momentarily confused, "Isn''t Liang Youping a member of the Qi Clique?" The Qi Clique and the Church of the Warlock God were supposed to be in cahoots. Li Miaozhen stared at the candlelight flickering like a tiny bean on the candlestick, lost in thought for a moment. "Could it be that we were wrong? Liang Youping isn''t a member of the Qi Clique, and giving us the ledger wasn''t a ploy to frame Lord Yang?" Jiang Lyuzhong felt a headacheing on. If that were the case, the situation would be extremelyplicated. "The information that Liang Youping is a member of the Qi Clique came from you, not from our spection," Xu Qi''an nced at her and continued, "Moreover, if Liang Youping isn''t a member of the Qi Clique, then a lot of things wouldn''t make sense. I personally lean towards the idea that he is indeed a member of the Qi Clique. Our previous inference was correct." "Then how do you exin the Church of the Warlock God looking for him?" Li Miaozhen frowned. *... This girl''s intelligence is about average... Although not foolish, she isn''t particrly smart either... If only Huaiqing were here, my burden would be much lighter... Even Number Four would do; Number Four is good at making connections...* The four of them discussed for a while but didn''t gain any new insights. Inspector Zhang was feeling tired, and since he had to visit the Commandery tomorrow, he did not want to stay upte. Jiang Lyuzhong and Li Miaozhen weren''t adept at reasoning, and Xu Qi''an''s mind was about to split. They had no choice but to postpone the discussion for another day. "Inspector, I''ll stay here tonight," Li Miaozhen requested. Inspector Zhang agreed readily. The station was their headquarters, with Gold and Silver Gongs stationed, so he wasn''t worried about Li Miaozhen doing anything reckless. Li Miaozhen gave Xu Qi''an a deep look. ... Returning to his room, Xu Qi''an found Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao still there, both sitting cross-legged in meditation. "Why haven''t you two left?" "Waiting for your news." "No news, get out, go back to your rooms to cultivate. Remember not to sleep tonight." After driving away his two colleagues, Xu Qi''an carried a wooden basin downstairs and took a cold bath in the bathhouse, feeling instantly refreshed. He reached for the towel, only to find it missing. "Are you looking for this?" A coquettish voice came from behind, and a hand extended, revealing a white, delicate arm from a wide sleeve. "Miss Susu, men and women should not touch hands in passing," Xu Qi''an didn''t take the towel nor did he turn around, feeling somewhat annoyed. It wasn''t because he felt shy about a woman watching him bathe, but rather because one could see and touch this paper figure, but certainly couldn¡¯ty it (the action ofying down). But the paper figure had no sense of propriety and always appeared at times like this. "Men and women should not touch hands in passing?" Susu, in a white dress, moved to the edge of the tub, looked down at the clear water in the dim moonlight, and said sharply, "Thisdy wouldn''t even look at a bean sprout." Xu Qi''an threw the towel into the water to serve as a screen, blocking the ghost''s invasive gaze. He said calmly, "Miss Susu, have you ever heard a saying?" Susu tilted her head to look at him. "Nuts do not grow in cold climates." "Nuts do not grow in cold climates?" Susu didn''t understand what he meant by that. *... ying word games in this world is a kind of loneliness in and of itself, cold ces... Yeah, puns should be punishable by imprisonment...* Xu Qi''an lost interest in teasing the ghost and said impatiently, "Do you have something to say? I''ve been soaking in cold water for a while now and might catch a cold." "Can a Refining Qi martial artist catch a cold?" Susu chuckled and sat boldly on the edge of the tub, her eyes bright. "Was what you said earlier true? Were you not lying to me?" Xu Qi''an knew what she was referring to and immediately made a big promise, "Of course, a man''s word is his bond. Are you eloping with me?" "What do you mean by eloping? That sounds awful." Susu''s voice was soft, and she gave him a sideways nce, bargaining, "I can help you with three things in exchange for a body. How about it?" What can a weak ghost like you help me with? Just trying to freeload off me, woman! Xu Qi''an refused outright, "No." "Please, won''t you reconsider?" "Even if you use your charm on me, I won''t fall for it." "Heh, you''d better look at this before you say that." "... Alright, but I don''t want you to do three things; just one. Once you have a new body, be my concubine for a few years." This was nonsense since Song Qing didn''t have the technology to create a body. Talking about it was purely to trick her into returning to the capital with him. "I''m still a virgin," Susu said shyly. "Yes, and every time you switch to a new paper body, you''re a virgin again," Xu Qi''an retorted. ¡°I''m talking about when I was still alive,¡± she sighed, sitting on the edge of the bathtub, looking down at the stunning reflection of her face in the water. ¡°When I was alive, I was the precious daughter of a wealthy family. When I was eighteen, father arranged a marriage for me. My future husband was a schr, handsome and polite. I was eagerly waiting to get married in my boudoir. ¡°But who would have thought that in the spring of the following year, my father got involved in a major case and was beheaded by the damned Emperor. The women of our family were supposed to be sent to the Jiaofangsi, but my mother couldn''t bear the humiliation and made a pot of chicken soup mixed with arsenic for us... ¡°I remember I had a younger brother who was away studying at the time and escaped the disaster. After I died, my soul lingered in the mass grave for several days. Just as I was about to dissipate, I encountered a master from the Heaven Sect who said I was an exceptionally rare spirit and took me in. "I stayed in the Heaven Sect for more than twenty years, watching my master grow from a crying baby to a young adult..." Xu Qi''an was initially listening with great interest, but suddenly a critical point dawned on him, and his voice became sharp, "What? You''ve been dead for more than twenty years!" Susu puffed out her chest and said, "By age, I could be your mother." "Mummy!" "... You have no shame," Susu was a bit embarrassed. She had been a virgin when she died, and although she often seduced men at her unscrupulous master''s behest after bing a ghost, it was all just flirtation since a ghost has no physical body. The mileage didn''t count. "Why are you telling me this?" "I have two wishes. One is to see my brother again, in a flesh-and-blood body, just like back then. The second is to uncover the truth behind my father''s involvement in that case." In the tub, the cold water rippled, reflecting the moonlight onto her face. Xu Qi''an felt a long-lost stirring, a feeling every man has when he sees an extraordinary beauty¡ªmore urately, a rush of hormones. "What''s the deal, was your father wronged? Thene with me, I''ll help you investigate. Is there anyone better at solving cases than me?" Xu Qi''an thought this ghost woman was blind. "I don''t remember," Susu shook her head, "I can''t recall anything from that time. I don''t even remember why I died." "Well, it has been over twenty years." Susu shook her head again, "My master''s master once invited a high-ranking warlock to divine my fate, but he couldn¡¯t divine anything. The warlock said it was rted to the Sitianjian." The amount of information in that sentence was staggering, leaving Xu Qi''an stunned for a long time. *Li Miaozhen''s master knew people from the Church of the Warlock God? Hmm, not necessarily. Practitioners of the warlock system might not be members of the Church; they could be independent... The sixth rank in the warlock system excels at divination, hence sixth-rank warlocks were called Masters of Divination... How does a mere female ghost get entangled with the Sitianjian?* *Wait, if Masters of Divination are good at divination, why couldn''t they locate Liang Youping? Instead, they entered Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao''s dreams?* "Hey!" Susu puffed out her cheeks angrily, "I''m talking to you." Xu Qi''an frowned, "I''m listening." Susu pouted, "Anyway, that''s how it is. If you can create a living body for me, I''ll be your concubine. If I''m in a good mood, I''ll even bear you a big, healthy son." "Buy one, get one free, thanks," Xu Qi''an rolled his eyes. ... Finally getting rid of Susu, Xu Qi''an felt a small pang of guilt for deceiving the ghost. After all, he had given her false hope. However, he decided to make it up to her by investigating her case after returning to the capital, as much as he could. "A man with a soft heart ends up losing out," Xu Qi''an sat cross-legged on the bed, intending to alleviate his fatigue through meditation and breathing exercises, pulling himself back from the brink of sudden death. But just then, a sudden sense of anxiety almost caused him to die on the spot. "Damn..." Xu Qi''an cursed, groping under his pillow for the small jade mirror. ¡¾TWO: Apologies for disturbing everyone sote, I''ve encountered some difficulties in Yunzhou and need your help.¡¿ *... Number Two might not be a brilliant girl, but she knows how to use her resources well... In the Earth Book Group Chat, except for Number Five, the others are all quite smart. Even Master Hengyuan, who bears deep grievances, is actually a clever person... If it weren''t for my identity ¡ª students of the Cloud Deer Academy could hardly know about the Yunzhou case ¡ª I would have asked for help from the Heaven and Earth Society through the fragments long ago...* Xu Qi''an could only say: Bravo, Number Two! Chapter 219: Well Pleased Chapter 219: Well Pleased # 219. Well Pleased Xu Qi''an hung his head, staring at the mirror, waiting for a moment. The first to reply was Number Five, the little Southern Barbarian girl. ¡¾FIVE: Yunzhou is quite far from here, I can''t help you.¡¿ *She thought Number Two was asking for help in the real world? Number Five must still be groggy from sleep, but this level of intelligence is really uneptable¡­* Xu Qi''an''s mouth twitched. Next was Number Six, Hengyuan: ¡¾What''s going on? Is Sir Xu alright in Yunzhou?¡¿ Li Miaozhen first replied that everything was fine, but she didn''t rush to reveal the case details, as if waiting for something. *Was she waiting for me, or for Number One or Four? Probably both... She won¡¯t discuss the case until the brains of the group speak up...* Xu Qi''an understood Number Two''s strategy and used his finger as a pen to write: ¡¾THREE: Tell us about the case in Yunzhou.¡¿ Li Miaozhen breathed a sigh of relief and gathered her spirits. If only Number Five and Number Six responded, she wouldn''t have nned to say anything.She then detailed the entire case in the Book of the Earth chat group. There was a lot of information, so she sent it piece by piece, taking a quarter of an hour to exin everything. The response was a long silence. Just as she began to feel uneasy and anxious, Number One, who usually liked to lurk, surprisingly took the initiative to write: ¡¾ONE: There are two possibilities: One, Liang Youping isn''t actually part of the Qi Clique, and he handed over the ledger to Xu Qi''an with an ulterior motive. Two, Liang Youping has gone missing.¡¿ *Liang Youping is missing¡­* Li Miaozhen pondered Number One''s words. The second possibility was something she hadn''t considered. To be safe, she asked: ¡¾Is there a possibility that Yang Chuannan and Liang Youping are in cahoots and staged a self-harming ruse?¡¿ ¡¾ONE: Unlikely. Given the rules of officialdom, Yang Chuannan has to take responsibility this time, the only difference is the severity. If you were Yang Chuannan, would you dig a pit for yourself to fall into? ¡¾Liang Youping killed the original contact and destroyed the problematic parts of the ledger... Personally, I agree with this hypothesis. Therefore, his identity as part of the Qi Clique is highly probable.¡¿ At this point, Number Four spoke up: ¡¾So, Number One thinks the Church of the Warlock God interrogated those two Bronze Gongs in their dreams about Liang Youping''s whereabouts because Liang Youping has gone missing.¡¿ Number One''s analysis opened Xu Qi''an''s mind. *Liang Youping went missing, so the Church of the Warlock God is desperate to find him? Because if he fell into the "enemy''s" hands, he would reveal many unfavorable secrets...* *The mastermind in Yunzhou believed that we captured Liang Youping, so they sent the Church of the Warlock God to interrogate us in our dreams... Since I have had contact with Liang Youping, I was the most likely person to capture him, but because I haven¡¯t slept, they had to interrogate Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao instead¡­* *But why did they wait three days to interrogate?* Li Miaozhen held the small jade mirror, waiting for a while, but she didn''t hear any opinion from Number Three. He only asked a question at the beginning and then fell silent, making Li Miaozhen anxious. Number Three is extremely clever. His insights and views might not be the standard answers but can certainly provide enough inspiration. ¡¾THREE: Number Three, are you asleep again? What do you think about this case?¡¿ *I¡¯m watching¡­* Xu Qi''an mentally retorted. He knew the other members of the Heaven and Earth Society were waiting for his opinion, so he wrote: ¡¾I also have a question: Sixth-rank warlocks have the ability to divine the future, so why couldn''t they find Liang Youping''s whereabouts? Additionally, warlocks have the ability to kill with curses. If Liang Youping was their aplice, the most prudent choice upon learning of his disappearance would be to kill him to prevent him from leaking secrets.¡¿ ¡¾FOUR: I''ll answer that. Warlock curse spells can only target individuals with lower cultivation levels. Given Liang Youping''s status, someone must be protecting him. It¡¯s unclear who, as many people could do this. ¡¾As for divination, high-ranking experts from various systems have ways to counter divination against themselves, but they can¡¯t provide protection for others, except for one system.¡¿ At this point, Number Four paused for a few seconds before continuing: ¡¾The Sitianjian arcanists.¡¿ It was like a bolt of lightning striking everyone''s minds. *The Sitianjian arcanists?* Xu Qi''an was shocked. ¡¾TWO: Number Four, are you saying that Liang Youping was kidnapped by Sitianjian arcanists?¡¿ ¡¾FOUR: Haha, all these spections hinge on the premise that Liang Youping is missing.¡¿ ¡¾ONE: If Liang Youping was indeed taken by Sitianjian arcanists, why wouldn''t Inspector Zhang know? Or, is he deliberately hiding it from Number Two?¡¿ ¡¾TWO: It doesn''t seem like they''re hiding it. They probably really don¡¯t know.¡¿ ¡¾FOUR: That makes it even more intriguing. But there¡¯s one thing you should be wary of. If we can figure this out, so can the Church of the Warlock God, given that arcanists counter divination and curses. Hence, tonight''s dream interrogation to test if Liang Youping fell into the Nightwatcher''s hands. ¡¾Such tests won¡¯t happen just once or twice. We can turn this to our advantage and trace the mastermind. Inform Inspector Zhang, he will know what to do.¡¿ Number One thenmented: ¡¾Additionally, the fact that they came to test suggests they¡¯re prepared for Liang Youping falling into the Nightwatcher''s hands. At least in their eyes, falling into the hands of the Sitianjian arcanists is the same as falling into the Nightwatcher''s hands. ¡¾In that case, they must be ready to go down together.¡¿ These words made Xu Qi''an and Li Miaozhen shiver. *If that''s the case, then we must strike first to gain the upper hand and capture the leader¡­* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. *But for now, the priority is to identify the mastermind behind the scenes. Otherwise, the enemy is in the dark while we are in the light, and that¡¯s a losing battle.* At this moment, Number One asked: ¡¾ONE: Although this case is troublesome, with Xu Qi''an''s abilities, he shouldn''t bepletely helpless, right?¡¿ *Number One, if you can speak, say more; you could even write a book...* Xu Qi''an felt ttered and quite pleased. Li Miaozhen replied: ¡¾He is attempting to break through to the Refining Spirit stage, and his condition is very poor.¡¿ ¡¾SIX: Is Sir Xu already trying to break through to the Refining Spirit stage? When he left the capital, he was just short of reaching the peak of the Refining Qi stage. I thought he would take until spring to reach Refining Spirit. Truly a surprising talent.¡¿ Only Xu Qi''an knew the real reason. As he reached Refining Qi, he suddenly had a massive amount on his te, leaving rtively little time for cultivation. On the journey to Yunzhou however, apart from bragging with colleagues, most of the time was boring, so he could only cultivate. Hence, the rapid progress. ¡¾ONE: No, such talent would shake the world.¡¿ Initially, everyone wasn''t too concerned. After all, a seventh-rank warrior at the Refining Spirit stage wasn''t a big deal. The members of the Heaven and Earth Society were all talented, intelligent, and articte. A Refining Spirit stage warrior wouldn''t cause much of a stir. But hearing Numbers One and Six speak so highly of him piqued everyone''s interest, including Li Miaozhen, who had met Xu Qi''an in the real world. ¡¾FOUR: Judging by your tone, this Bronze Gong seems quite exceptional, a prodigy even?¡¿ Monk Hengyuan thought for a moment and replied: ¡¾Not exactly. When he left the capital, he saw me, and given his condition at that time, he should have broken through to the Refining Spirit stage by spring. I didn''t expect it to happen so quickly. Number One knows him better.¡¿ ¡¾ONE: I mentioned his background before, but I didn''t tell you that when Xu Qi''an joined the Nightwatchers, he was only at the Refining Vitality stage. Up till now, it¡¯s been only two months.¡¿ No need to say more, everyone knew the significance of this statement. Crossing a rank in two months was top-tier talent, regardless of the system or faction. Number Four couldn''t help but think that Number Three, suspected to be Xu Qi''an''s cousin, might have something to do with this brilliant cousin. Now, with such an outstandingly talented Xu Qi''an, the Xu family in the capital might soon be a rising star. Daoist Jinlian giving the Earth Book fragment to that cousin might have been a n to benefit both brothers. Li Miaozhen was shocked. What Number One had told her that day was all about Xu Qi''an''s prowess in solving cases, but he hadn''t mentioned his innate talent. ¡­How many sleepless nights must he have endured? Li Miaozhen suddenly became very curious about this question. ¡¾FIVE: It''s alright, crossing one rank in two months.¡¿ Number Five, who had been unable to get a word in, sent this evaluation. ¡¾THREE: That''s already quite impressive.¡¿ Xu Qi''an used his alternate ount to boast about himself. ¡¾FIVE: Yes, I didn''t say it wasn''t. I also crossed a rank in two months. Now I''m preparing to cultivate the Life Gu, which is a sixth-rank. It took me just over four months to go from the eighth rank to the sixth rank.¡¿ ? A big question mark appeared in everyone''s mind. *Crossing two ranks in four months and one rank in two months, it makes sense...* The members of the Heaven and Earth Society seemed to understand why Daoist Jinlian invited Number Five to join. Li Miaozhen excitedly rolled on the table, clenched her fist, and waved it vigorously. Indeed, seeking help from the members of the Heaven and Earth Society was the right choice. With the deep-thinking Number One, the experienced Number Four, and the extremely intelligent Number Three, they quickly sorted out the details of the case. They even provided her with a n for the next steps. ¡­ The next day, Xu Qi''an, sporting dark circles under his eyes, arrived in the hall for breakfast. Before long, Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong also came down. Li Miaozhen was thest to appear, dressed in soft armour, carrying a silver spear, and with a sword at her waist. Her high ponytail swayed stylishly. Behind her followed the stunningly beautiful demon. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao tacitly turned their backs, presenting the back of their heads to Susu. Li Miaozhen went straight to the table of Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong, nced at Xu Qi''an first, then raised her sharp chin proudly and said, "I''ve solved the case!" Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong exchanged a look, with the former''s eyes flickering slightly, "Let''s talk in the room. Ningyan, youe too." In the room, Li Miaozhen vividly recounted the "chat log," leaving Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong bewildered. "General Li, your attention to detail is impressive. I am in awe," Inspector Zhang said, feeling invigorated and shedding much of his overnight fatigue. Jiang Lyuzhong also began to see this beautiful, almond-faced female general in a new light. Li Miaozhen smiled reservedly, then suddenly turned to Xu Qi''an, "You don''t seem to be convinced by this general''s reasoning?" *Nonsense, we are in the same group. Why put on airs in front of me¡­ Acting when you don''t need to...* Xu Qi''an cooperatively disyed a look of shock and admiration, praising, "General Li''s ability to solve cases and reason is far superior to mine. I am deeply impressed." Li Miaozhen smiled faintly, "This general didn''t expect to have some talent for solving cases." She felt ecstatic to be able to outshine Xu Qi''an, a skilled expert, in his presence. Xu Qi''an also felt quite pleased because when his identity was revealed in the future, he wouldn''t be the only one to suffer social death. For some reason, he suddenly felt that the future was bright¡­ Xu Qi''an smiled. ... After breakfast, Inspector Zhang was about to head to the Headquarters of the Military Command when a Huben Guard came in to report: "Inspector, Commissioner Song is here with a group of officials to visit!" Inspector Zhang immediately exchanged a silent nce with Jiang Lyuzhong and the other two. Clearly, the Yunzhou officials hade regarding the arrest of Commissioner Yang Chuannanst night. But after their earlier conversation, they were more cautious. Perhaps this was also a probe¡ªa probe from the mastermind behind the scenes. Chapter 220: Trust Between People Chapter 220: Trust Between People # 220. Trust Between People "You arrived quite early," Inspector Zhang said with a smile, leaving with Jiang Lyuzhong. Xu Qi''an did not follow. Instead, he called over the three white-robed arcanists, who preferred not to dine with martial artists and were thus eating breakfast in their rooms. "Master Xu has arrived." The three white-d arcanists hurriedly stood up and respectfully invited Xu Qi''an to sit. "I have something to ask you..." Xu Qi''an deliberated for a moment, then said, "Besides you three, who else from our Sitianjian came to Yunzhou?" To foster a sense of camaraderie, he intentionally said "our Sitianjian." The three white-d arcanists exchanged nces: "No one else, just the three of us." Xu Qi''an''s face darkened: "Are you looking down on me?""...Master Xu, really, it¡¯s just the three of us," the arcanists exined. *I wonder if using qi-watching on arcanists would work¡­ return the favour in kind¡­* Xu Qi''an nodded: "Got it." He was just thinking; the three juniors wouldn¡¯t deceive him. Moreover, arcanists must have ways to shield their own qi, being professionals after all. "Right now, there are officials visiting Inspector Zhang. You three go upstairs and watch how their qi changes, then report back to me." After giving instructions, Xu Qi''an led the three white-robed arcanists to hide at the corner of the stairs on the second floor. .... In the hall, Inspector Zhang received the various officials of Baidi City. Anyone with a significant position had gathered here. With such amotionst night, anyone who wasn¡¯t blind or deaf would know about it, let alone these city officials who closely watched every move of the Inspector. After some pleasantries, Commissioner Song, dressed in scarlet robes, got straight to the point: "This morning, the soldiers reported thatst night, you went directly to the Headquarters of the Military Command and arrested Lord Yang?" Commissioner Song, with slightly high cheekbones and a habit of squinting when smiling, widened his eyes and stared intently at Inspector Zhang. The other officials did the same. Inspector Zhang nodded, speaking in a deep voice: "The Qi Clique colluded with the Church of the Warlock God, smuggling military supplies. I arrested him and brought him back to the post station for interrogation." "This¡­" The officials'' expressions changed slightly. Commissioner Song frowned, lowered his voice, and earnestly said, "Inspector, be cautious, be very cautious." He leaned closer to Inspector Zhang and continued, "Lord Yang is the Commander-in-Chief. Do you have solid evidence? Without it, it will be hard to convince everyone." Even with the Inspector''s authority, taking action against a dignified second-rank Commander-in-Chief required concrete evidence. Without evidence, it would be a severe taboo. Firstly, the Yunzhou bureaucracy would not agree. Secondly, the military units under the Military Command wouldn''t agree. The former might just talk, but thetterprised a group of soldiers and ruffians. Evidence was definitely needed; without an exnation, it would cause trouble. However, Inspector Zhang did not immediately produce evidence. He smiled and said: "Gentlemen, you have served in Yunzhou for many years. What are your impressions of Commander Yang Chuannan?" Upon hearing this, the officials'' expressions varied as they shared their thoughts. At the stairwell corner, Xu Qi''an whispered: "Watch, watch carefully." A momentter, he asked, "Who''s lying? That shifty-eyed one on the left, he seems unreliable. The second one in the back row, he doesn''t look like a good person¡­." After speaking, he found the three white-robed arcanists silently staring at him. Xu Qi''an, feeling annoyed, said, "Why are you looking at me? Speak up." One of the white-d arcanists mumbled, "None of them are telling the truth¡­." Xu Qi''an opened his mouth but couldn''t find words to say. This was too damned real; this is the officialdom! The so-called "not a single truthful word" meant that what the officials said didn''t match what they thought. But this didn¡¯t mean they were "wolves." In the officialdom, falsehoods and pretences were rampant. Saying ten sentences, with one being false, would be considered falsehood by the Sitianjian¡¯s qi-watching technique. Qi-watching also had its limitations; it couldn¡¯t precisely time events down to the second. Next, Inspector Zhang spoke to the officials about the ount books but did not reveal them publicly. ¡­The officials exchanged subtle nces. How long had the Inspector''s team been in Yunzhou? Less than half a month. Three days were spent inspecting outside. Yet, in such a short time, they found evidence of Yang Chuannan¡¯s crimes? For a moment, the officials felt a chill. Who could say they had no issues after being a clean official for three years and collecting ten thousand taels of silver? If Inspector Zhang targeted them, none of them would escape unscathed. An official swallowed nervously and asked, "Inspector, your team is full of talent. Who contributed significantly to this achievement?" As he spoke, he nced at the Nightwatchers. The other officials discreetly scrutinized the Nightwatchers, all specting. Commissioner Song¡¯s eyes flickered, and he said with a smile: "I recall, the Bronze Gong who is skilled in agriculture did not apany the Inspector on the inspection that day." This reminded the officials. Senior-level officials began purposefully searching for Xu Qi''an. Some looked at Inspector Zhang. "Indeed, it was him!" Inspector Zhang nodded. Actually, with the officials'' intelligence, even without the Inspector¡¯s confirmation, they could guess. Few Nightwatchers remained at the post station, and Xu Qi''an, a Bronze Gong with a unique sabre, was clearly special. "Humph!" Xu Qi''an appeared at the right moment, coughed, and silently stood behind Inspector Zhang. Noticing his uniqueness before, they didn¡¯t expect a Commander-in-Chief to fall at the hands of a Bronze Gong... Many officials now looked at him with a mix of wariness and respect. ¡­ On the second-floor hallway, Li Miaozhen rested her hands on the railing, overlooking the people below. Beside her, Susu pouted, "Always showing off." From their vantage point, they could see Xu Qi''an and the white-d arcanists hiding. Earlier, the credit for solving the case was subtly pointed out by Commissioner Song, and after Inspector Zhang acknowledged it, that obnoxious man immediately tidied up and made a grand entrance. Susu didn¡¯t know the appropriate modern ng for ¡°showing off¡±, else she would have used it perfectly. "Men care about their reputation; it''s human nature." Li Miaozhen was gradually changing her view of Xu Qi''an, thinking that aside from his lecherousness, he was impable in every other way. He was upright, spoke well, was good at solving cases, and was highly capable. "You seem to have quite a prejudice against him, yet you don¡¯t really dislike him," Li Miaozhen nced at the female ghost and frowned, "You used to be disdainful of men, but now you seem to be at odds with him." Susu didn¡¯t admit it and hurriedly argued, "I¡¯m just angry! But Master, you seem to like him quite a bit." Li Miaozhen admitted generously, "Xu Qi''an is indeed quite good." Susu then said, "He promised mest night that he would help me rebuild my body, but he had one condition." "What condition?" "To be his concubine for a few years." "¡­Xu Qi''an is indeed of vile character, incorrigible." After the discussion ended, the officials apanied Inspector Zhang to the Headquarters of the Military Command to audit the ounts and verify their authenticity. Auditing ounts was not Xu Qi''an''s expertise, so he didn¡¯t join in the excitement. Instead, he was assigned to the post station to guard Yang Chuannan with other Nightwatchers. When everyone had left, Xu Qi''an stood in the hall, looking up at the two beauties on the second floor, and smiled: "When are you two leaving? Are you nning to rescue Yang Chuannan while Gold Gong Jiang is away?" Susu snorted coquettishly, "My master is the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect, the one and only Lady Flying Swallow, and she keeps her word." Xu Qi''an shrugged, "Trust between people is fragile, like paper, easily torn." Susu retorted loudly. "Come down, and I¡¯ll show you," Xu Qi''an beckoned. Susu leapt lightly from the railing,nding gracefully in the hall in front of Xu Qi''an. "See, I told you," Xu Qi''an poked her chest with a finger, like piercing through a piece of paper. "You vile man, I''ll kill you," Susu was furious. "See, I was right." Susu furiously expelled yin energy to attack Xu Qi''an, but with his martial alertness, he easily dodged every attack, causing holes to appear in Susu''s body, including her chest, back, and abdomen. This body was quickly ruined. Li Miaozhen had to take out another paper figure for Susu to possess. Ghosts, without a physical body, would suffer severe damage or even dissipate under the scorching sun. The paper figure had Taoist symbols on it to nourish the ghost and seal the yin energy. "Hey, General Li, you still carry paper figures with you? Where do you hide them?" Xu Qi''an pretended to be curious. "I have my methods," Li Miaozhen said. "What methods? The legendary mustard seed technique?" Xu Qi''an widened his eyes, like a bumpkin who had never seen the world. *What is a mustard seed technique...* Li Miaozhen was initially confused but felt satisfied with Xu Qi''an''s admiration, so she nodded and said: "It''s a simr spell." "General Li is indeed the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect," Xu Qi''an admired. Li Miaozhen acknowledged with a reserved "Hmm." *...Just keep pretending. Isn''t it just a fragment of the Earth Book? The more you show off now, the harder you''ll fallter.* Xu Qi''an smiled genuinely. At noon, Xu Qi''an invited the two beauties for lunch, estimating that Inspector Zhang would be back soon. Instead of the Inspector, they saw a soldier who guarded the city rush into the post station on horseback, shouting, "I have urgent business with Inspector Zhang!" The Huben Guards stopped him, scolding, "Do not trespass into the courier station." The city guard soldier was anxious and shouted, "Inspector Zhang, I have an urgent matter!" Themotion in the yard alerted the Nightwatchers inside the post station. A Silver Gong led two Bronze Gongs out and frowned, "Inspector Zhang is not here. Speak to me." The city guard soldier swallowed his saliva and urgently said, "The military forces of Headquarters are assembling outside the south gate, threatening that if Inspector Zhang does note out to meet them, they will enter the city." Chapter 221: This Official is Xu Qian Chapter 221: This Official is Xu Qi''an # 221. This Official is Xu Qi''an ¡°These Yunzhou soldiers dare to rebel?¡± The Silver Gong''s eyebrows immediately rose as he shouted, ¡°What¡¯s the situation outside the city now?¡± The soldier, having rushed here on horseback, had lips turned blue and cracked from the cold wind, his mouth dry and voice hoarse, ¡°The south gate of the city is already closed¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t rush, catch your breath first!¡± Hearing themotion, Xu Qi''an came downstairs and poured a cup of cold water for the soldier. The soldier quickly took it, gulping it down in one go, and felt his throat much relieved. He gave Xu Qi''an a grateful look and then spoke quickly: ¡°The garrison has gathered three thousand troops outside the south gate. Theirmander, Xu Huchen, is threatening that if the Inspector General doesn¡¯t release the Military Commander and give them an exnation within half an hour, they will enter the city!¡± A military intervention!Xu Qi''an, well-read in history, immediately thought of this term. Military intervention is the use of force to persuade a ruler or superior toply. In simple terms, it''s using fists to force submission. The difference between a military intervention and a coup lies in the intent, though the actions are the same. Xu Qi''an''s most vivid memories of military interventions were the death of Yang Yuhuan at Mawei Slope and the Young Marshal brandishing a small pistol at Chiang Kai-shek. Both interventions were sessful, one changing the future of the Tang Dynasty, the other changing the future of Modern China. However, military intervention was ast resort, used only when absolutely necessary. ¡°The audacity of these dogs!¡± Several Silver Gongs who hade to investigate were instantly furious upon understanding the situation. Such an incident was unheard of in the capital. The surprise and anger they felt upon hearing the news were beyond words. ¡°The Inspector General has gone to the Military Command and can¡¯t possibly reach the south gate within half an hour,¡± a Silver Gong said, gripping his sword hilt tightly, ¡°How many city defense troops are there at the south gate?¡± ¡°Less than a thousand,¡± the soldier replied. *They probably can''t hold the gate¡­* ¡°In that case, we¡¯ll lead the Huben Guards to the south gate. If those soldiers dare to rebel, we¡¯ll cut them down. I¡¯m sure we can hold out until the Inspector General and reinforcements arrive,¡± one Silver Gong proposed. Several battle-hardened Nightwatchers immediately showed their eagerness. The Huben Guards were battle-tested veterans, and with the Nightwatchers who were at the Refining Qi stage, they could coordinate with the city defense troops to hold off the garrison¡¯s attack. ¡°What about Yang Chuannan? He¡¯s a key criminal of the court; we can¡¯t abandon him,¡± Xu Qi''an reminded the hot-headed Nightwatchers. ¡°Take him with us,¡± a Bronze Gong suggested. ¡°Do you think the garrison won¡¯t fight us to the death if we do that?¡± Xu Qi''an raised an eyebrow. ¡°They are besieging the city for that exact reason,¡± the Bronze Gong scoffed, ¡°They think they can force the Inspector General and us to yield with force? We¡¯ll show these Yunzhou brutes what Nightwatchers are made of.¡± This was what infuriated the Nightwatchers the most. They were always the ones supervising officials and punishing corrupt ones, but now someone dared to challenge them at their doorstep, even threatening the Inspector General toe out within half an hour or they would storm the city. This was tant disregard for the Nightwatchers, trampling their dignity. The schrs could endure it, but the martial artists could not. The arcanists could endure it, but the martial artists still could not. To hell with it. Seeing the situation getting out of hand, Xu Qi''an knocked on the table and said sternly, ¡°Everyone calm down, force won¡¯t solve this problem.¡± The Silver Gong who first received the soldier was the most irritable. He red at Xu Qi''an and swore, ¡°I can¡¯t stand it! With Jiang Gold Gong not here, the Silver Gongs are in charge. Brothers, let¡¯s go, and bring Yang Chuannan.¡± Li Miaozhen stood aside, watching coldly. Bang! With a loud bang of fist on table, Xu Qi''an stood up. The Nightwatchers who were about to leave the post station stopped in their tracks, stunned. Xu Qi''an pointed at the Silver Gong¡¯s nose and cursed, ¡°I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re a Silver Gong. Don¡¯t try to fucking pull rank on me. Can you suppress me? Go ask that guy named Zhu if he can suppress me! ¡°If you escte the conflict, what do you expect the Inspector General to do? Kill all three thousand soldiers? What if you can¡¯t hold them off and the fighting spreads to the city, affecting ordinary citizens? Can you take responsibility?¡± The Silver Gong stood with his neck stiff, beard bristling in anger, ¡°Xu Qi''an, do you think you can take responsibility?¡± ¡°At least my shoulders are broader than yours!¡± Xu Qi''an shouted. For a moment, no one could refute. A Bronze Gong¡¯s outrageous im had silenced the entire room of Nightwatchers. Susu, the female ghost, watched in amazement, finding it hard to understand. ¡°You all stay here and guard Yang Chuannan. He is a key criminal of the court and must not be lost. Leave the outer city defenses to me,¡± Xu Qi''an stated his n since no one continued to argue. ¡°You?¡± Everyone looked skeptical. Xu Qi''an pinched his brow, exining clearly, ¡°The garrison¡¯s troops are at the city gates, not to attack but to demand the Inspector General release Yang Chuannan. This means there is room for negotiation. ¡°If you rush there with Yang Chuannan, it will be seen as a provocation, escting the conflict and leaving no room for retreat for either side. ¡°Of course, I alone can¡¯t persuade the garrison¡¯s soldiers, but General Li can.¡± Xu Qi''an pushed Li Miaozhen forward, smiling, ¡°I believe General Li doesn¡¯t want this situation to worsen and leave Yang Chuannan with no way out.¡± Li Miaozhen seemed to have been waiting for this oue. She let out a slow breath, stopped watching coldly, and nodded, ¡°I will do my best to hold out until the Inspector General arrives.¡± ¡­ Li Miaozhen and Xu Qi''an each took a fast horse and hurried towards the south gate, with Susu the paper doll hugging Li Miaozhen''s small waist and sitting behind her. "You¡¯re quite capable for a little Bronze Gong!" Susu tilted her head, examining Xu Qi''an who was riding alongside. "It''s not that I''m capable, it''s mainly because..." Xu Qi''an coughed, speaking in a tone of divulging a secret, "Actually, Zhang Inspector and I are half-brothers." Susu immediately seized on the key point: "Oh, you¡¯re the Inspector¡¯s brother?" "How else would I have such authority?" "I see..." Susu realized, feeling like she had discovered a big secret. Li Miaozhen twitched her mouth, wanting to remind her maid that not a single word Xu Qi''an said could be trusted. His authority came from the trust and appreciation of Wei Yuan, giving him an unusual status in the office. But how could information from the Heaven and Earth Society have anything to do with Li Miaozhen? ... When they arrived at the south gate, they showed their tokens and climbed onto the city wall, where the garrison¡¯s Centurion personally received them. "Why hasn¡¯t the Inspector General arrived yet?" The Centurion, a burly man with a square face and triangr eyes holding a military-issue sabre, looked towards the empty street, unable to hide his disappointment. "The Inspector General is investigating a case at the Military Command Headquarters and can¡¯te for now. The General and I came first to buy some time," Xu Qi''an exined. Standing on the city wall, he looked down. Outside the city, there were two formations. Therger one was the garrison''s army, with cavalry in front, infantry behind, and artillery in the middle. With gs fluttering, three thousand soldiers stood silently, exuding an indescribable ferocity. Xu Qi''an was now one step over the threshold of Refining Spirit, but facing this battle-hardened army, he still felt a strong urge to avoid confrontation. What kind of martial artist could achieve such a feat? He sighed internally. "Yunzhou¡¯s army is incredibly fierce, ready to cause trouble without fear of death," Li Miaozhen said, holding a silver spear and standing beside him. "I rushed to the stationst night because I feared the Inspector General might act too aggressively, pushing things to an irreversible point." Xu Qi''an nodded. Yunzhou''s bandit troubles were rampant, so it was no surprise the soldiers were fierce. Soldiers who had fought for years were often hard to control, only respecting theirmanders who fought alongside them. Unlike soldiers from peaceful areas who cherished their lives more. "That smaller formation over there, which garrison does it belong to?" Xu Qi''an asked. The troops besieging the city belonged to the Baidi City''s City Garrison Command, also just known as the Garrison. The smaller formation beside them, looking like four or five hundred men, Xu Qi''an guessed was from a county-level "garrison." Li Miaozhen looked a bit embarrassed: "That¡¯s my Flying Swallow Army." *Another traitor?* Xu Qi''an looked at her with distrust. Li Miaozhen exined, "I did think about using my army to put pressure on them. It¡¯s a bad habit I picked up from the Yunzhou army." She med it on the Yunzhou army. "So what do we do now, go out of the city?" Xu Qi''an tested. "Yes," Li Miaozhen nodded. "Can I not go?" "You represent the Inspector General," Li Miaozhen red at him. "The Garrison Commander Xu Huchen is hot-tempered and obstinate. If you want to resolve the conflict, you must be patient." "Your presence alone isn¡¯t enough?" Li Miaozhen snorted, "If I weren¡¯t here, he might just cut down a Bronze Gong like you." "Hey, soldiers really are unreasonable." The city gate creaked open, and the Centurion of the City Defense Army saw them off, waving his hand, "Take care." Xu Qi''an, on horseback, looked back, "Centurion Sir, why note with us?" The Centurion replied, "The wind is too strong here, sir, I can¡¯t hear you... Oh, did you say close the gate? Alright, I won¡¯t open it even if I die." The gate slowly closed. "...," Xu Qi''an thought: *motherfucker*. Li Miaozhen didn¡¯t head directly to the Garrison but instead turned towards her Flying Swallow Army, summoning several dozen riders to lead the way as they approached the Garrison''s three thousand troops. "In my Flying Swallow Army, the lowest level of cultivation is the Refining Vitality stage, totalling four hundred and thirty-seven men. The squad leaders are at the peak of Refining Vitality, the toon leaders at the Refining Qi stage, and thepanymanders are at the Copper-Skin and Iron-Bone stage." Li Miaozhen¡¯s voice was clear and pleasant, with a hint of pride as she introduced her private army to Xu Qi''an. *Four sixth rank, forty Refining Qi... my god, this woman is terrifying!* Xu Qi''an gulped, "Such an army doesn¡¯t exist anywhere else in Yunzhou, right?" Li Miaozhen gave a reserved nod, "They all followed me to Yunzhou because of my influence." How influential are you? Xu Qi''an turned to look at the beautiful warrior with a high ponytail on horseback, reevaluating her strength. His initial impression of Li Miaozhen was as the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect, followed by her identity as Lady Flying Swallow. But now it seemed that Lady Flying Swallow shoulde first. Li Miaozhen''s connections in the martial world were probably deeper than he had imagined. *Everyone in the Heaven and Earth Society is so talented. I, a little Bronze Gong, need to step up my game... Hmm, I should set a small goal first, like bing Wei Yuan¡¯s son¡­* "What is Xu Huchen¡¯s cultivation level?" Xu Qi''an suddenly asked. "At the peak of the Refining Spirit stage," Li Miaozhen replied. ¡°Lower than I thought,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said with some surprise. ¡°And Wei Yuan is an ordinary person, yet he became the field marshal of the three armies," Li Miaozhen shook her head and said, "Leading an army isn''t about being brave and reckless. High-ranking martial artists can fight hundreds, even thousands, but that doesn''t mean they canmand a thousand-strong army. "My ability caps atmanding five hundred men, but Xu Huchen can lead three to five thousand. On the battlefield, I would undoubtedly lose in a direct confrontation." Violence is an aesthetic, but war is an art¡ªtwo entirely different concepts. Li Miaozhen stopped five *zhang* away from the garrison army and called out loudly, "Commander Xu,e here and talk." A single rider emerged, the leading general standing eight feet tall. His steed wasrger than ordinary horses, and he wielded a long spear. Anyone who used a long spear was a formidable and valiant general. Xu Huchen, holding his long spear with a piercing gaze and a freshly shaven dark blue chin, nodded slightly towards Li Miaozhen: "General Li, are you also here to rescue the Commander?" Li Miaozhen shook her head: "Lord Yang is fine. Commander Xu, you are too impulsive. Do you know the consequences of your actions?" "At worst, I''ll die." Xu Huchen replied bluntly, grinning, "My life was saved by the Commander. If the court wants to punish him, I''m willing to risk my life." Xu Qi''an suddenly asked, "How did you get this information?" Xu Huchen gave Xu Qi''an a sidelong nce and sneered, "So you''re ackey of Wei Yuan." *It''s one thing to insult me, but insulting my patron is too much...* Xu Qi''an flicked his thumb, revealing half an inch of his ck gold long knife, and said in a deep voice: "Commander Xu, do not challenge the authority of the court. Ie with sincere intentions. If you fail to recognize this, you would have already been cut down from your horse." Li Miaozhen''s lengthy exnation conveyed one main point: Don''t try reasoning with soldiers. Reasoning is for schrs. Soldiers respect strength; you only have dignity if your fists are strong. Xu Qi''an''s idea was to first disy his strength, gain respect, and intimidate these fearless men. Only then could they talk things out properly. Commander Xu was polite to Li Miaozhen but coldly sarcastic to him, showing ack of respect. But cutting someone down directly wouldn''t work¡ªit would only escte the conflict. He turned his horse around silently and rode to the other side. Xu Huchen and Li Miaozhen, along with several dozen riders from the Flying Swallow Army, watched him closely. "Hmph! I want to see the Inspector. Does a Bronze Gong deserve to talk to me?" Xu Huchen sneered disdainfully, ¡°A youngd who thinks this is the capital where everyone fears the Nightwatchers? "General Li, how is the Commander?" Li Miaozhen shook her head, merely watching Xu Qi''an''s back. Xu Huchen grew impatient, his naturally vtile temper ring. He was already extremely dissatisfied with the Inspector avoiding him and sending a mere Bronze Gong to deal with him. He even had the urge to kill the Bronze Gong to make a statement to the Inspector. Out of respect for General Li Miaozhen, he was willing toe and talk. At this moment, the Bronze Gong stopped and looked back at Xu Huchen with a cold smile. Then, he flicked his thumb, making the de protrude half an inch, gripped the hilt with his right hand, gathered strength for a brief moment... "ng!" The sharp sound of the de unsheathing echoed in the air. To Xu Huchen and his men, it seemed as if the air twisted slightly, as if something had sliced through it. The next moment, with a dull thud, a fine crack appeared on the ground, stretching from Xu Qi''an''s feet to the front of the army, extending over sixty feet. Agitation arose in the front ranks of the cavalry, their horses seemingly frightened. Xu Huchen''s eyes widened in disbelief. *He... really could have cut me down from my horse just now.* This battle-hardened general felt a tinge of awe and began to acknowledge Xu Qi''an''s sincerity. Li Miaozhen stared at Xu Qi''an in surprise, a huge question mark shing in her mind. With her Heaven Sect Holy Maiden''s insight, she judged that this de strike was so sharp and swift that even a newly advanced sixth-rank Copper Skin and Iron Bone martial artist couldn''t withstand it with their body alone. Could a Refining Qi stage martial artist deliver such a strike? She immediately recalled what Number One had said: Xu Qi''an once killed a Silver Gong, and that Silver Gong was at Refining Spirit. *Back then he could kill someone of higher rank, and now he¡¯s halfway to refining spirit.* *If he were a genius, why didn''t Daoist Jinlian invite him into the society but chose his cousin instead? That cousin must be... terrifyingly strong.* "Whoa." Behind her, the experts of the Flying Swallow Army gasped in astonishment. The little Bronze Gong rode back, suppressing his fatigue, and said lightly, "Commander Xu, this official is Xu Qi''an, here on behalf of the Inspector to discuss matters with you." "..." Xu Huchen replied in a solemn voice, "Please, go ahead." Chapter 222: Platitudes and Hostilities Chapter 222: titudes and Hostilities # 222. titudes and Hostilities *Fuck me, I feel like I''m about to drop dead¡­* Xu Qi''an''s current state was akin to staying up for 72 hours and then being forced to run a thousand metres. His heart pounded violently, teetering on the edge of overloading. Fortunately, his solid foundation in the Refining Vitality stage granted his body great resilience and endurance. If it were his past self, he would''ve been lining up at the funeral home¡ªor rather, he would''ve gone smiling to the afterlife around the fourth or fifth day of overexerting himself. *At least I''ve earned their respect and can nowmunicate properly¡­ The most annoying thing is non-violent non-cooperation. Wouldn''t it be better if everyone was a bit more gentle, sat down for some tea, and chatted?* Xu Qi''an thought to himself, outwardly maintaining a calm demeanor as he spoke loudly: "General Xu, do you know what case Commander Yang Chuannan has gotten involved in?" Xu Huchen nodded, his voice deep, "This matter has already spread throughout the Yunzhou officialdom, but the Commander is innocent." "Innocent or not, it''s not up to you to say. It''s not even up to the Inspector General to say¡ªwe need to investigate to find out." Xu Qi''an patiently exined, ¡°The Inspector hase specifically for this case. We do have some very incriminating evidence against Lord Yang, but the Inspector has not acted rashly. He has gone to the Military Command to verify the evidence.¡°By bring three thousand troops to the city gates without any regard, lord Xu, is pushing Lord Yang into a dead end.¡± Xu Huchen snorted, ¡°Don''t try to pin abel on me. Last night, we received a secret report that the Inspector led a team to forcibly attack the Commander''s residence. Lord Yang was gravely injured by a Gold Gong, leaving him on the brink of death. "Even if Lord Yang is guilty, he should face a trial by the three judicial offices. You break into his residence instead of following legal procedures¡ªaren''t you just trying to force a confession?" *You don''t understand¡ªthis is called rapid deployment, not giving the opponent time to react... If Yang Chuannan is indeed the mastermind, he would have already rebelled by now*. "The Inspector has his own methods. I know you''re not afraid to die, but I must remind you, General Xu, if you wish to intervene, you certainly may, but do not act impulsively. Three thousand troops cannot overthrow Baidi City, let alone Yunzhou." After Xu Qi''an finished speaking, he saw Xu Huchen ring at him, seemingly enraged by his words. He calmly added, "But think about Lord Yang¡ªhe''s still safe at the courier station, with no conclusive evidence against him. Are you going to prematurely judge him, General Xu?" Xu Huchen frowned, indeed showing some hesitation, unlike his earlier impulsive and violent stance. "See, the case hasn''t even been rified yet, and you''re already like this, General Xu. When the Inspector reports to the court, saying Yang Chuannan is holding troops and threatening with force¡­ At that time, it won''t just be the Inspectoring." After the threat, Xu Qi''an then reassured him, "General Li is a close friend of the Commander. If you don''t trust my words, you surely trust hers." Seeing both sides turning their gazes toward her, Li Miaozhen pondered for a moment before saying, "The current situation indeed puts the Commander at a disadvantage, but using military force is not the right way. General Xu, don''t act impulsively. Give the Inspector some time." Yang Chuannan was herrade, and naturally, Li Miaozhen''s heart was with him. However, resolving problems required proper methods. If military interventions could work, Li Miaozhen would have tried it long ago. But the problem was that it wouldn''t work. The Military Command could only mobilize the "City Garrison Command" under Baidi City. Although the garrisons in the rest of Yunzhou were nominally under the Military Commandmission, thetter did not have the authority to give orders to the former. During wartime, the court would appoint generals temporarily. Due to these limitations, Li Miaozhen''s Flying Swallow Army came into being. With only three to five thousand troops from the "City Garrison Command," they couldn''t shake the Inspector''s authority and would only sacrifice themselves in vain. "Hmph! I can wait, but if Inspector Zhang cannot give me a satisfactory answer, even if I agree, the thousands of brothers under me won''t." Xu Huchen relented somewhat. *Phew¡­ settled!* Xu Qi''an sighed in relief. When dealing with such conflicts, one must not act impulsively but learn to smooth things over. Handling it like the other Nightwatchers would have made this situation troublesome. Detective Freeloader Xu instinctively resisted war, as it would result in many deaths. This issue did not necessarily need to be resolved through war. As for how to handle the aftermath, that would be the Inspector''s problem. ... Meanwhile, at the Military Command headquarters. Having just finished reviewing the ounts, Inspector Zhang was still in a state of anger, mming the table and scolding the officials, ¡°Useless, all of you are useless. ¡°Yang Chuannan deserves to die. Even if he''s not the mastermind, his dereliction of duty is enough to exile him. "And you, too¡ªthe Military Command supplying military supplies to mountain bandits in such rming amounts, and the entire Yunzhou officialdom is oblivious? You all deserve to die." After checking the ounts, they were shocked to find that nearly a quarter of the military supplies sent to Yunzhou by the Ministry of Industry each year had disappeared, including bows and crossbows, gunpowder, firearms, iron ore, and more. The officials bowed their heads, silently enduring Inspector Zhang''s spittle, not daring to talk back. After venting, Inspector Zhang took a sip of tea, ready to continue his tirade when hurried footsteps approached from outside. A Bronze Gong barged in without announcing, shouting, "Inspector General Sir, the city garrison of Baidi City¡ªGeneral Xu Huchen has gathered three thousand troops outside the southern city gate, threatening to enter the city if you don''t release the Commander." Entering the city was a euphemism; it meant attacking the city. Inspector Zhang stood up in shock, and the dozen or so officials present stirred in panic. "When did this happen? What''s the current situation?" Inspector Zhang asked urgently. ¡°That Xu Huchen said, he demanded that Sir go and see him within the hour, but the hour has passed¡­¡± the Bronze Gong finished, and seeing the officials¡¯ faces all turn, hurriedly added: ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an and the roaming cavalry general Li Miaozhen went to negotiate, the current the current situation is unclear.¡± Hairs stood up on Inspector Zhang¡¯s head. He didn¡¯t realise that Yunzhou soldiers would be so hot-headed, and not listen to reason. At this moment, he was both angry, but also anxious to the extreme. Although Xu Qi¡¯an excelled at case solving, Inspector Zhang knew that he was still wet behind the ears, having barely killed anyone, let alone trying to negotiate with an unreasonable army. "Who allowed him to go? Who allowed him to go?" Inspector Zhang mmed the table in anger. The Bronze Gong pouted, "Xu Qi''an insisted on stepping forward. The Silver Gongs'' n was to hold the city and wait for reinforcements. "Xu Qi''an said he would take responsibility." In all fairness, Xu Qi''an''s approach was more stable and correct. The court typically handled mutinies by cating the troops first and then executing the leaders to set an example. Avoid using force whenever possible. However, Inspector Zhang knew that this situation was beyond Xu Qi''an''s scope of expertise. "Master Song, immediately notify the Five Cities Troops, gather forces to the south gate. All government offices deploy personnel to maintain order in the city¡­." Inspector Zhang quickly made arrangements, demonstrating the qualities expected of an Inspector General despite the chaos. ¡­ "Hyah, hyah¡­" Inspector Zhang spurred his horse forward, nearly rattling his old bones apart. He didn''t even dare to open his mouth toin to Jiang Lyuzhong, fearing the cold wind would gush in, so he could only shout "Hyah" a few times. Originally, in Inspector Zhang''s n, Jiang Lyuzhong was supposed to head to the south gate first, as a Fourth Rank Gold Gong was best suited to hold the line. But Jiang Lyuzhong, as steady as a dog, refused to leave the Inspector''s side, fearing that potential assassins might im the Inspector''s life, thus bringing honour to themselves by drawing first blood. Jiang Lyuzhong was also worried, but not about the Guard Commander''s troops attacking the city; rather, he was concerned about the life of Xu Ningyan, that scoundrel. As a Gold Gong who had been to the battlefield, he knew well how troublesome and unreasonable the military could be. No matter Xu Qi''an''s impressive presence in the capital or the fact that he had killed at the Ministry of Law¡¯s gates. It was precisely because he was in the capital that the court officials were wary of him. But this was Yunzhou, a ce gued by bandits. Anyone who risked their necks, whether bandit or soldier, was not a pushover. The likelihood of drawing swords over a disagreement was very high. As they approached the south gate, Jiang Lyuzhong''s ears twitched slightly. He listened intently for a moment and then, relieved, said, "Inspector, there''s no need to rush. Slow down." Inspector Zhang didn''t want to speak, treating Jiang Lyuzhong''s words as wind in his ears, not responding. "The battle hasn''t started," Jiang Lyuzhong said. Huh? Inspector Zhang was taken aback. He indeed slowed down, reining in his horse to a trot. "Really?" "Yes." Jiang Lyuzhong, being a high-ranking martial artist, would sense if there was a fierce battle outside the city. "It seems the situation is rtively stable," Inspector Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Xu Ningyan with newfound respect, "Did Xu Ningyan stabilize the situation?" Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head, "We''ll find out when we get to the south gate." Half an incense stickter, they saw the outline of the city wall. Inspector Zhang squinted and saw that the city defense troops on the wall were on high alert, with soldiers ready at the ballistae and cannons. Inspector Zhang urged his horse forward, reining it in at the foot of the city wall. He lifted the hem of his official robe and hurriedly climbed the stairs. His crimson official robe symbolized his status, and no one dared to stop him. "Inspector, you''re finally here." A square-faced, triangr-eyed Centurion felt a great weight lifted off his chest upon seeing Inspector Zhang, letting out a long sigh of relief. Inspector Zhang, who had been anxious on the way here, collected himself upon reaching the city wall. He adopted a stern expression, hiding all emotions behind a mask of authority. He stood on the city wall for a while before instructing, "Lower me down in a basket." The Centurion said, "We can open the city gate directly. Just now, that Bronze Gong and the Lady Flying Swallow went out through the gate." *Nonsense¡­* Inspector Zhang''s mouth twitched, "If the Guard Commander''s troops really intended to attack, the city gate would already be lost." The Centurion immediately bowed his head. "No need for the basket. I''ll take the Inspector down," Jiang Lyuzhong said, cing a hand on Inspector Zhang''s shoulder. The next moment, Inspector Zhang felt a blur in front of his eyes and found himself outside the city, just ten meters from Xu Qi''an and the others. Noticing Jiang Lyuzhong and Inspector Zhang''s arrival, the group had mixed reactions. Li Miaozhen remained unchanged, while Xu Qi''an''s tense expression rxed slightly. Xu Huchen instantly tensed, his grip on his long spear tightening. The Inspector was not terrifying; it was the Gold Gong by his side that was. Inspector Zhang shouted, "Xu Huchen, dismount and speak." Xu Huchen frowned, gripping his long spear tighter. After a moment''s consideration, he hung his spear on the saddle hook and walked towards Inspector Zhang with empty hands. "Inspector!" Xu Huchen cupped his fists. "You''ve got some nerve," Inspector Zhang sneered, "Even if I ordered Gold Gong Jiang to kill you on the spot, I could still subdue the three thousand soldiers behind you." Xu Huchen remained silent. "All this fuss, isn''t it just to save Yang Chuannan? Let me ask you, if Yang Chuannan is guilty of a capital crime, will you still save him?" "Master Yang is innocent." "I''m asking you, save or not?" "Save!" Inspector Zhangughed heartily, "You''re a man of courage. I admire that. Yang Chuannan''s case is still under investigation. If you trust in Master Yang''s character, I promise you, if he''s innocent, I will clear his name." After a pause, Inspector Zhang suddenly changed his tone, his words sharp and severe, "But leading troops without orders, besieging the city, is a capital offense!" Reluctantly, Xu Huchen cupped his fists, "I¡­ acknowledge my guilt. As long as the Inspector clears Master Yang''s name, I am at your disposal." "Very well, considering you haven''t acted rashly, return your troops to camp, and I will overlook this incident," Inspector Zhang said magnanimously. "Since the Inspector has given his word, I trust you," Xu Huchen got the answer he wanted, turned, and nodded slightly at Xu Qi''an. Thanks to this Bronze Gong''s mediation, the situation didn''t escte to an irreversible point. Xu Huchen came to make a scene because he wanted a result or a promise, fearing that the Inspector from the capital would falsely use the Commander for his own merit. Now, the Inspector had promised, and the case was still under investigation. The Commander had not been convicted. This result was already very good. Next, Inspector Zhang began tofort the soldiers, disying a respectful and humble attitude, which made Xu Huchen feel both ttered and grateful. Rough men are like this¡ªthey don''t flinch on the battlefield, but when someone shows concern, they be grateful and lose their fierceness. Especially when someone as high-ranking as the Inspector shows such concern. In the end, everyone was satisfied. Xu Huchen had an answer for his soldiers, and Inspector Zhang resolved the military intervention without causing amotion. ¡­ On the way back to the station, Inspector Zhangvishly praised Xu Qi''an, "You truly understand human nature and know how to resolve conflicts. Ningyan, you''ve made another contribution." Xu Qi''an waved his hand, too exhausted to engage in conversation. Li Miaozhen did not follow them back to the station, instead leading her personal soldiers back to the military camp. Jiang Lyuzhong frowned and said, "Inspector, your stalling tactic will only work for a while." Inspector Zhang sneered, "I know. Gold Gong Jiang. Tonight, go to the Guard Commander''s camp and invite Xu Huchen and the other leaders to the city, saying I have a secret matter to discuss regarding the case of the Commander." Xu Qi''an''s heart sank. Inspector Zhang continued calmly, "Once they''re out of the camp, kill them all, leave no one alive." "Inspector Sir¡­" Looking at the Inspector''s sudden turn of face, Xu Qi''an felt as if he had swallowed a dead rat, finding it hard to describe his feelings. Inspector Zhang seemed not to hear and went on, "Without their leaders, the regr soldiers will be a disorganized rabble, easily pacified. Yang Chuannan''s key supporters are the three to five thousand soldiers of the Guard Command. Eliminating this threat will make dealing with Yang Chuannan worry-free." "But this case clearly has other hidden aspects," Xu Qi''an said in a serious tone. "That''s another matter. If the truthes out, I''ll clear Yang Chuannan''s name. But Xu Huchen''s rebellious intent is firm, and I must nip it in the bud," Inspector Zhang said softly, "I will summon troops from the various guard units in Yunzhou. This won''t happen again." The Inspector had the authority to mobilize troops from the garrisons. After giving his instructions, Inspector Zhang nced at Xu Qi''an and sneered, "Ningyan, kindness doesn''tmand troops. Whether in court or on the battlefield, hesitation leads to defeat. Soft-heartedness harms both oneself and others." *I understand the reasoning...* Xu Qi''an sighed silently. Having weathered many storms, Jiang Lyuzhong remained unfazed and asked, "Mobilizing troops from various garrisons¡ªInspector, are you nning to use this incident to suppress Yunzhou''s officialdom?" Inspector Zhang nodded slowly, "If Yang Chuannan isn''t the mastermind, then the real culprit is in the city. Any official of fourth rank or above is suspect. I''m making preparations to prevent them from acting desperately." Upon returning to the station, they barely had time for a cup of tea before the Huben Guard on duty came in to report, "Inspector, Governor Song and several other officials request an audience." Inspector Zhang dismissed the bystanders and received the officials in the hall. They hade regarding Yang Chuannan''s case. "Since the evidence is conclusive, we hope you will make a decision soon," Governor Song said. The Yunzhou Prefect and other officials echoed his sentiments. *Herees the "pressure to decide"¡­* Xu Qi''an thought. *If the mastermind is among these officials, their haste to pressure the Inspector into a decision makes sense, especially after he has reviewed the evidence.* *But they''re too hasty¡­* The garrison troops had just withdrawn, and they were already eager to pressure the Inspector into concluding the case. This didn''t seem like the move of a seasoned schemer. It could only mean that Liang Youping had found no leads, making them anxious to push Yang Chuannan out as a scapegoat. *The more anxious they are, the more likely they are to reveal themselves¡­ Once Jiang ughters Xu Huchen and the other leaders, and troops from the guard units are mobilized, the Inspector will be secure and can take his time dealing with the mastermind. So, stalling for now is sufficient¡­* Xu Qi''an''s thoughts raced. Sure enough, Inspector Zhang agreed to the officials'' demands but imed he needed to interrogate Yang Chuannan in private today and would hold a formal trial tomorrow. He just needed to get through today. After dismissing the officials, Inspector Zhang sipped his tea and sighed, "Our time is running short." Killing Xu Huchen would stabilize the Yang Chuannan line, while mobilizing troops would secure the line against the real mastermind. Once the truth was revealed, the mastermind would undoubtedly resort to desperate measures. Xu Qi''an pondered, "After Gold Gong Jiangpletes his task tonight, we can have someone disguise themselves as Liang Youping to lure the snake out of its nest." Just as he finished speaking, the Huben Guard on duty entered again and said, "Inspector, there''s a group of armed guards outside iming to be from the Fushun Escort Agency, requesting an audience." "Fushun Escort Agency?" Inspector Zhang frowned, having no impression of this agency. Chapter 223: Wanted by Court Chapter 223: Wanted by Court # 223. Wanted by Court ¡°Fushun Escort Agency?¡± Zhu Guangxiao, who was standing not far away, asked for confirmation, attracting everyone''s attention, including Inspector Zhang''s. Inspector Zhang frowned and asked, "Do you know this agency?" Zhu Guangxiao replied, "Fushun Escort Agency is the same caravan that was massacred by bandits on our way to Yunzhou. Fushun Escort Agency is also known as Fushun Trading Company." As he spoke, he nced at the two ggards, Song Tingfeng and Xu Qi''an. That day, these two shirked the responsibility, leaving him to handle the aftermath. He was in charge of returning the belongings of Zhao Long, the owner of the tradingpany, to his family. Following the address, he found this Fushun Escort Agency. "Maybe they know the Inspector General is back from an inspection and came specifically to express their gratitude," a Silver Gong spected. If they hadn''t eliminated the bandits and retrieved the goods, the Fushun Escort Agency would have probably gone bankrupt.Therefore, it was understandable that the remaining caravan escorts and Zhao Long''s family members came to see the Inspector to express their gratitude. This was the first good deed Inspector Zhang had done since arriving in Yunzhou. He stroked his beard and smiled, "Then let them in." Soon, three middle-aged men dressed in thick blue cotton coats with matching belts, ck boots, and fur hats were led in by the Huben Guards. Their chests were embroidered with the red characters "Fushun." The three men were empty-handed, having had their weapons confiscated at the entrance. Xu Qi''an squinted his eyes and scanned the three men. The bearded leader was in the Refining Qi stage, while the other two were in the Refining Vitality stage. "Commoner Zhao Rui, the new head of Fushun Escort Agency, greets Inspector Zhang," the bearded man bowed and cupped his fists. In Confucian etiquette, one only kneels to heaven, earth, the emperor, parents, and teachers. Amoner only needed to bow to an official, not kneel, except in court. *No wonder he is in the Refining Qi stage; he is the new head of the escort agency... Only someone in the Refining Qi stage could support arge security force...* Xu Qi''an withdrew his scrutinising gaze. Inspector Zhang nodded and asked, "What is your rtionship with Zhao Long?" Zhao Rui replied with sorrow, "Zhao Long was my elder brother. Upon hearing of his passing, my family was in mourning. I thank the Inspector for avenging my brother." With that, he knelt and kowtowed. Inspector Zhang epted the kowtow calmly, nning to say a fewforting words and some pleasantries before dismissing them. Unexpectedly, Zhao Rui, after rising, said, "I came not only to thank the Inspector but also to make a delivery." A delivery?! Everyone was stunned and re-examined the three men, realising they were in escort uniforms, not casual clothes. Inspector Zhang pondered, "What do you mean?" Zhao Rui cupped his fists, ¡°Yesterday, a mysterious guest came to our agency, saying he wanted to send a ''package'' to the Inspector General. He also said that the package contained a wanted criminal of the court and that I must deliver it personally to the Inspector¡­ "Thismoner knows this is not in ordance with the rules; a wanted criminal should be handed over to the authorities. But¡­ he gave us too much money." *A wanted criminal of the court...* Inspector Zhang turned to look at Jiang Lyuzhong and Xu Qi''an. Jiang Lyuzhong''s eyes showed a mix of surprise and anticipation, clearly realising something. Xu Qi''an''s eyes, however, were cloudy, his pupils dted, appearing somewhat distracted. *Choosing to advance to the Refining Spirit stage at this time is unwise...* Inspector Zhang thought to himself, but then he remembered that for most people, ten days was the limit; Xu Ningyan should have advanced sessfully upon arriving in Yunzhou. Who could have predicted he would be so exceptional? "Bring it in!" Inspector Zhangmanded in a deep voice. Zhao Rui obeyed and, with his twopanions, left the posthouse, heading straight for the carriage parked at the entrance. Around the carriage stood over a dozen strong escorts. Seeing Zhao Rui emerge, the escorts understood and pulled a man with a sack over his head from the carriage, dragging him into the posthouse. The man seemed to have an injured foot, limping heavily as he walked. Once inside, everyone''s eyes were fixed on the man with the sack over his head, especially Xu Qi''an and the others who knew Liang Youping''s background. Inspector Zhang stood up and, with a somewhat urgent tone, loudly said, "Quick, remove the sack¡­" Without waiting for the Huben Guards, Zhao Rui swiftly pulled off the sack, revealing the man''s face. His face was thin, skin rough, and his light brown eyes sharp. Liang Youping, the Clerk of the Military Command Office. The one from the Qi Clique who handed the ledger to Xu Qi''an. "So easy to find after all this effort¡­" Inspector Zhang murmured, taking a deep breath and ordered, "Verify his identity!" A Bronze Gong stepped forward, pinching Liang Youping''s face to examine it carefully. He reported back, "It''s him." Themon disguise techniques used in the Jianghu usually involve human skin masks, which were easily detected by sharp-eyed observers due to their stiffness andck of expression. More advanced disguise techniques often involve high-level experts and were not easily attainable by ordinary people. Phew¡­ Inspector Zhang exhaled lightly, looked at Zhang Rui and hispanions, and smiled, "This person is indeed a wanted criminal of the court." He then nced at Xu Qi''an. Thetter understood immediately and hurried upstairs to drag out the three reclusive arcanists. "Keep an eye on the three escorts downstairs and confirm if they are lying." "Yes, Master Xu." Downstairs, Inspector Zhang asked, "What is the identity of that mysterious guest?" "I don''t know," Zhao Rui shook his head. "He was wearing a cloak with a hood, so his identity was hidden." "He''s not lying!" The white-robed arcanists'' eyes shed with light. This answer made sense. Regardless of the guest''s purpose, he would have disguised himself when entering the escort agency. In those days, there were no regtions requiring identification for sending parcels. As modern-day couriers without benefits or insurance, if the escorts didn''t understand the unspoken rules and dared to ask for identification, they might have met a swift end. As couriers of the day, without any benefits nor insurance, if they didn¡¯t know the rules and asked: Please give your identity and sign for the parcel ¡ª then they might have been presented with a dagger to the stomach. "Escort Zhao!" Xu Qi''an suddenly shouted from upstairs. Everyone in the hall looked up. Xu Qi''an pondered and asked, "Did that mysterious guest say anything specific?" Zhao Rui cupped his fists and replied, "He just asked us to deliver this person to the posthouse and hand him over to the Inspector, saying he was a wanted criminal of the court." "Anything else?" Xu Qi''an prompted, "For example: ''Picking the stars with the moon in hand, there are none like me upon thisnd.''" Zhao Rui looked puzzled, "No." "Did he turn his back on you?" "No," Zhao Rui felt a bit frustrated. "What kind of strange questions are these?" Xu Qi''an nodded, indicating he understood. Xu Qi''an suspected this was all the work of the Posturing Master Yang Qianhuan, but he had no evidence. Despite the denial of his questions, it didn''t rule out Yang Qianhuan. Because once Liang Youping was delivered to the posthouse, they would certainly probe the "sender''s" identity. Although the Posturing Master seemed to have some quirks, he wasn''t foolish and wouldn''t leave such obvious clues. What puzzled Xu Qi''an was why he didn''t reveal himself. By rights, this kind of heroic opportunity was what Yang Qianhuan craved most. Imagine, just as the case hit a dead end and the Inspector and others were at their wits'' end, Yang Qianhuan suddenly appeared, dramatically dering: "Picking the stars with the moon in hand, there are none like me upon thisnd." Standing proudly, with Liang Youping at his feet! Instant fame. The best of the best, MVP! "Was there apelling reason preventing you from revealing yourself?" Inspector Zhang continued to ask probing questions before instructing the Huben Guards to see the guests out. "Bring him to my room. I want to interrogate him personally," Inspector Zhang said with his hands behind his back, as he ascended the stairs to the second floor. As Inspector Zhang passed Xu Qi''an, he asked, "Did you discover anything?" "No," Xu Qi''an shook his head, then added, "They weren''t lying." Inspector Zhang nodded and said, "Follow me into the room." Xu Qi''an, along with the three white-robed arcanists, followed Inspector Zhang into the room. Jiang Lyuzhong dragged Liang Youping in next, throwing the cripple on the floor like garbage before shutting the door behind him. Liang Youping, with his hands bound, didn''t get up. He resignedly sat on the floor. "You are Liang Youping?" Inspector Zhang sat behind the desk, ring sternly at the crippled former official. "Inspector, it seems you know me quite well," Liang Youping sneered. "You killed the butcher at Ding No. 15 Huangbo Street, disguised yourself as the contact, and handed the ledger to us to frame Yang Chuannan. Who is behind you? Confess everything," Inspector Zhang demanded in a deep voice. "If I confess, will the Inspector spare my life?" Liang Youping sneered again. "Death is unavoidable, but we can make your death less painful," Jiang Lyuzhong, sitting on one side and holding a cup of tea, smiled coldly: "Otherwise we could introduce you to all the ways the Nightwatchers have of extracting information out of officials." Chapter 224: Suicide to Escape Punishment Chapter 224: Suicide to Escape Punishment # 224. Suicide to Escape Punishment In the Nightwatchers Constabry, the one in charge of interrogations was Nangong Qianrou. This sinister femboy was exceptionally cruel and has invented hundreds of inhumane torture methods, with over a hundred new torture devices crafted by artisans. These methods had greatly enriched the torture techniques of the Great Feng. One such method was called the Standing Punishment. Arge iron weight was hung around the prisoner''s neck, and over time, the prisoner''s neck gradually bes sore and painful, unable to bear the weight. Yet the prisoner was not allowed to rest and is forced to remain standing, making life unbearable. Within two days, the prisoner usually dies in unending agony. There was a torture method too simr to Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s pushing of himself to his limit in cultivating immortality, supposedly inspired by the process of achieving Refining Spirit. The excruciating pain of this method was something Xu Qi¡¯an could sorely rte to. He only barely managed to endure it through meditation and focus, but the suffering for an ordinary person would be unimaginable. In Nangong Qianrou''s authored *Compendium of Torture Techniques,* there were over a hundred such slow and excruciating methods. Though Jiang Lyuzhong was not an interrogation expert like Nangong Qianrou, who was well-versed in a hundred and eight torture positions, he was familiar with several techniques from mere observation.Liang Youping silently met Jiang Lyuzhong''s gaze. Both men''s eyes were sharp as eagles, but Liang Youping, whocked significant cultivation, quickly looked away. He averted his gaze and smiled self-deprecatingly, "It seems I have no other choice." Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong remained silent, staring at him expressionlessly. Since he had fallen into their hands, even if he were as stubborn as a rock, they would make him talk. Liang Youping nced at Xu Qi''an and, patting his crippled leg, said slowly, ¡°I wasn''t lying when I said this leg was broken by someone, but the person who saved me was not Zhou Min. ¡°I was born in Yunzhou, and from as far back as I can remember, I knew Yunzhou was gued by bandits, and the people suffered greatly. As a child, my dream was to learn martial arts and be a hero wielding a sword to kill bandits. "But martial arts training is expensive, and my poor family couldn''t afford it, so I turned to studying. After failing the imperial exam twice, I abandoned my studies and joined the army." *Dreams crushed by reality before they even began... Fortunately, I had my second uncle supporting me with hundreds of taels of silver every year. Otherwise, I''d have ended up like Eng, studying endlessly... It''s understandable that Aunt dislikes me.* Xu Qi''an sighed inwardly. And given Xu Qi¡¯an''s talents, what could he achieve by studying? Probably not much more than Xu Lingyin. ¡°One year, in Baidi City, I saw a bureaucrat''s son bullying a woman in the street. Enraged, I intervened, but I was outnumbered and his bodyguards broke my leg. Feeling annoyed, the bureaucrat''s son ordered that I be taken out of the city and buried alive. It was then... "That lord appeared. He ordered his guards to save me, arrested the bureaucrat''s son, and gave me justice." Xu Qi''an and the others realised that this ¡°lord¡± was likely the one Liang Youping served, most probably the mastermind behind everything. Liang Youping lifted his head and, meeting Inspector Zhang''s gaze, said clearly, "The Governor of Yunzhou, Song Changfu." "......" The room fell silent. Inspector Zhang''s expression was quite peculiar¡ªboth surprised and unsurprised. After all, in Baidi City, any official above the fourth rank could be the mastermind. The Inspector had mentally prepared for this, so there was no reaction of "great shock." "It''s him...." However, Inspector Zhang''s heart was still heavy. The Director Yang Chuannan was already implicated. Now, there''s another official, the Governor, involved. The Yunzhou bureaucracy is rotten to the core. "Who captured you?" Xu Qi''an took the opportunity to ask. "I don''t know," Liang Youping shook his head, his face bewildered. "That day, after you left, I let go of the private prostitutes in my shop, locked up, and left. Just as I walked out of Huangbo Street, someone knocked me out. "When I woke up, I found myself locked in a small dark room with a sack over my head, unable to call for help.... Eating, drinking, and relieving myself all in that small dark room, with someone delivering food at regr intervals. Later, I was taken to the escort agency and sent to you." "You didn''t see the person''s face?" Xu Qi''an asked again. Liang Youping shook his head. *... Liang Youping disappeared after we left, and three dayster, the Church of the Warlock God interrogated him in a dream to check if he had fallen into the Nightwatcher''s hands... Because during those three days, Governor Song apanied Inspector Zhang on an inspection tour, he didn''t notice Liang Youping''s disappearance until they returned to Baidi City and found him missing... I understand now.* Xu Qi''an had a sudden realisation. Inspector Zhang tapped his fingers on the table. "Continue." "Since then, I''ve been following Governor Song. At that time, he wasn''t yet the governor of an entire province..." Liang Youping''s eyes reflected nostalgia as he spoke of the past: ¡°As Song Changfu''s career advanced, I, a cripple, also rose in ranks, eventually bing a Supervising Clerk, a sixth-rank official. ¡°It was also through Song Changfu''s rmendation that I joined the Qi Clique. But this identity was hidden; Zhou Min was the Nightwatcher''s undercover agent, while I was the Qi Clique''s. "The Qi Clique supplied military provisions to the mountain bandits, which had to pass through the Supervision Office. Over the years, I have been working for Song Changfu, falsifying records and embezzling military supplies..." "Earlier, you kept saying your dream was to be a hero and kill bandits. Now, you''ve be an aplice to evil." Xu Qi''an couldn''t help but sneer. Liang Youping had be the very person he once despised. Liang Youping chose to remain silent in response to Xu Qi''an''s mockery. Inspector Zhang squinted his eyes and asked, "What about Yang Chuannan? He''s also part of the Qi Clique. Why did you frame him?" Liang Youping shook his head. "I don''t know the details. I only know that he was not closely connected to the Qi Clique. Song Changfu hinted that Yang Chuannan was a pawn for the Qi Clique, one that could be discarded at any time." *A scapegoat...* Xu Qi''an silently categorised Yang Chuannan as such. "If it weren''t for Zhou Min, Yunzhou''s conspiracy would have continued unnoticed." Liang Youpingughed bitterly. ¡°This might be the heavens'' way of ensuring justice. I had a good rtionship with Zhou Min, and we often drank together after our shifts. "I just never thought he was an agent for the Nightwatchers, while I was the Qi Clique''s agent. It just goes to show how unpredictable people''s hearts are." Liang Youping seemed to have opened a floodgate, and without needing further questioning from Inspector Zhang, he started revealing everything he knew. "Zhou Min was a very clever person, extremely sensitive to numbers. When we noticed he had discovered discrepancies in the ounts, I personally tried to recruit him with substantial promises..." Jiang Lyuzhong leanedfortably in his chair. "Did he refuse?" "No," Liang Youping chuckled. "He readily agreed to join us. But he didn''t realise that the recruitment was just a fa?ade, a test to see what he had discovered. "Zhou Min''s agreement was merely a dying tactic. He immediately wrote a secret report exposing the issue." *Now, this is how a smart undercover agent should act... In TV dramas, the agent would have righteously refused...* Xu Qi''an, trying to keep his mind sharp through sarcasm, couldn''t help but say: "He probably sensed that you would kill him to silence him." "Smart people naturally have smart instincts. He could have tried to escape, though it wouldn''t have worked." Liang Youping raised his chin. These words seemed to refer to himself as well. He was also someone who foresaw his fate and, knowing he couldn''t escape, didn''t bother trying. "After the n was exposed, Song Changfu followed the predetermined strategy, using Yang Chuannan as a scapegoat. While secretly making arrangements, he waited for Inspector Zhang''s arrival." Inspector Zhang, hearing this, questioned, "Then why did you personally stay at the Ding No. 15 Dogmeat Shop? There must be incriminating evidence against Song Changfu in the ounts, right?" "Yes, there are records of several military provisions being transferred from the Governor''s Office to the Commander-in-Chief''s Office. As for why I stayed at Ding No. 15, that was the order I received," Liang Youping answered. *...This doesn''t make sense!* Xu Qi''an frowned and looked at the three white-d arcanists. "Can we trust what he''s saying?" The three white-d arcanists shook their heads. "We can''t tell. His qi is obscured, and our techniques can''t see through it." Our techniques can''t see through it... Xu Qi''an was initially surprised, then realised that someone had tampered with Liang Youping, obscuring his energy. Number Four mentioned that arcanists have ways to counter warlocks. This obscuration must be what protected Liang Youping from curses and divination. "Ningyan, do you have anything to say?" Despite Xu Qi''an''s reduced mental acuity, Inspector Zhang still wanted to hear his opinion. "Having Liang Youping stay at the dogmeat shop was a mistake. I think someone as cunning as Song Changfu wouldn''t make such a basic error." Xu Qi''an spoke confidently: ¡°Of course, it''s possible this was a provocation. After all, if that mysterious expert hadn''t abducted Liang Youping midway, even if we knew something was wrong, we wouldn''t have found anything. "In the end, we would have only had solid evidence to bring Yang Chuannan back to the capital." Whether it''s provocation or something else remains uncertain for now. The only way to know for sure is to confront Song Changfu directly. As for that mysterious expert, Xu Qi''an suspected it was none other than the Master of Posturing, Yang Qianhuan. First, he only knew of this one high-ranking arcanist. Second, while there were rogue arcanists out there, few had the ability to obscure qi and fate and evade Jiang Lyuzhong''s detection. Such skill wasn''t something an ordinary wandering cultivator could possess. It''s like in the previous world; those who could enter the Chinese Academy of Sciences were highly educated talents, and there were no self-taught wild geniuses. As for why he suspected Yang Qianhuan, it was simply because he could only think of him. *Hmm, this guess still needs confirmation...* "Finding out the reason isn''t difficult," Inspector Zhang sneered. "Issue orders immediately, mobilise all forces, and arrest Governor Song Changfu. Remember, speed is crucial!" Using the same tactic as with Yang Chuannan, but it works well. A surprise action can catch the enemy off guard, leaving them no time to respond. Before long, the Huben Guards were fully mobilised. Inspector Zhang took only Jiang Lyuzhong and a few Nightwatchers with him, leaving the other Gold and Bronze Gongs to guard the post and watch over Yang Chuannan. Xu Qi''an also stayed at the post, citing rest and recovery as the reason. He had just fought valiantly outside the city and was now physically weakened, unsuitable for action. ¡­ Bang! The main gate of the Governor''s residence crashed open, and Jiang Lyuzhong led the Huben Guards into the mansion, subduing the resisting guards one by one. Unexpectedly, Governor Song wasn''t found like Yang Chuannan. Instead, the Huben Guards found him dead in his bedroom. Governor Song was lying on the ground with a dagger in his chest. Blood had pooled around him, soaking his clothes and half his face. "Inspector, he''s dead." After checking, the Huben Guards reported respectfully. "Did hemit suicide to escape punishment?" Inspector Zhang walked to the corpse, his face stern. Song Changfu was really dead? He pondered for a moment and ordered, "Send someone to the prefecture constabry and summon an experienced coroner to conduct an autopsy." ... The coroner arrived quickly, apanied by the Prefect of Yunzhou. The Prefect was visibly anxious and, upon seeing Governor Song''s corpse in the bedroom, he fell to the ground in shock. "Inspector, this, this..." The Prefect''s face was pale, and his lips trembled, unable to form aplete sentence. "Calm down." Inspector Zhang nced at Song Changfu''s corpse and then led the Prefect to the study, exining the reversal of the case. "So, Governor Song was the real culprit, colluding with the Church of the Warlock God and supplying military provisions to the mountain bandits?" The Prefect was stunned, struggling to digest this shocking news. "This matter should be announced as soon as possible to prevent unrest among the officials in Yunzhou." Thinking from his position, Inspector Zhang was focused on stabilising the officials and maintaining order. If Xu Qi''an were here, his priority would be to scrutinise the body and the case until there were no loose ends. As they were speaking, a Huben Guard came in to report, "Sir, the coroner has finished the autopsy." "Bring him in," Inspector Zhang ordered. The coroner hurried in, head lowered. "Report." "Yes!" The coroner began to speak, "The deceased is Song Changfu, aged forty-five, six feet one inch tall. The head, skin, and bones show no injuries. Apart from the knife wound in the chest, there are no other injuries on the limbs and torso. "The mouth and throat show no unusual color or smell, indicating no poisoning. The cause of death is the chest knife wound, which is self-inflicted." Inspector Zhang nodded, "Preserve the body properly." Then he turned to the Prefect and said, "Summon all officials of rank six and above in Baidi City to the Governor''s Office. I have something to announce." After making the arrangements, Inspector Zhang frowned in thought for a long time before calling a Bronze Gong and instructing: "Return to the post station immediately and report everything that happened here to Xu Qi''an, including the coroner''s autopsy report, and get his opinion." ... At the post station. "What? Governor Song is dead?!" Xu Qi''an was shocked, his eyes wide open. "The Inspector wants to hear your opinion," the Bronze Gong who delivered the message said, sitting casually at the table, feet on a stool, sipping tea. "That Song fellow knew he was doomed when he heard us breaking in andmitted suicide out of guilt. The Inspector sent me back to ask for your thoughts on this." *Yuanfang, what do you think...* Xu Qi''an''s mind reflexively recalled this famous line.[^1] Song Changfu''s suicide to escape punishment was unexpected. He had hoped for a chance to confront Song Changfu in court with Liang Youping. Xu Qi''an, feeling extremely fatigued, tried to think things through one by one: *Was it the Inspector''s "speed is of the essence" strategy that made Song Changfu feel the game was up and choose suicide?* *But normally, shouldn''t he wait until thest moment to give up... This isn''t a game where you give up just because you''re at a disadvantage... His death seemed too impulsive. It could also be the mysterious Warlock of Dreams silencing him.* *No, the Warlock of Dreams silencing him would require the exposure of the plot... But how would he know the plot was exposed?* Suddenly, it was as if a bolt of lightning struck Xu Qi''an''s mind. "There must be spies around the station, monitoring our every move. It could even be the fourth-rank Warlock of Dreams. When the escorts from Fushun Escort Agency brought Liang Youping in, despite being in a sack, his limp would have been obvious." "Song Changfu must have known that Liang Youping had been captured..." Xu Qi''an concluded. He realised what was wrong. They had been interrogating Liang Youping at the post station for over half an hour. Then, the Inspector led a team to the Governor''s residence. Even with the Huben Guards'' speed, it would take at least forty minutes from the post station to the Governor''s residence. Would Song Changfu really sit at home and wait for death during that long period? But Song Changfu was indeed dead, and the coroner had confirmed it... Damn it! "Shit! It''s a trap!" Xu Qi''an blurted out. --- [^1]: From *Master Detective Di Renjie* Chapter 225: Xu Qians Helpless Choice Chapter 225: Xu Qi''an''s Helpless Choice # 225. Xu Qi''an''s Helpless Choice The corpse couldn''t possibly be Governor Song, because he had enough time to escape. There was no reason for him to sit at home and wait for death. The possibility of the Warlock of Dreams silencing him is unlikely, as it hadn''t reached the point where he needed to be silenced. There was ample time to retreat; there was no need to go to such extremes. So why create the illusion of a guilty suicide? Xu Qi''an had two guesses: First, Governor Song was also a scapegoat. Killing him to silence him would cut off the clues while fabricating the illusion of a suicide to confuse Inspector Zhang. Second, Governor Song was stalling for time. During previous discussions of the case, Xu Qi''an, Inspector Zhang, and others had reached a consensus that if they pushed the enemy into a corner, it would definitely result in a bloody confrontation. Therefore, Inspector Zhang had twiceunched surprise attacks, not giving the enemy a chance to react. But this time, it seemed the enemy was a step ahead.*If it''s a stall for time, then Governor Song''s corpse is a fake. As an experienced coroner, how could he not detect a disguise? Unless the coroner is a werewolf...* Based on this hypothesis, the Inspector would be in danger. At this moment, Inspector Zhang had only the Huben Guards and Jiang Lyuzhong with him. Most of the Nightwatchers were stationed at the post. Jiang Lyuzhong was formidable, but let''s not forget, there was also a fourth-rank Warlock of Dreams on the enemy side. If Jiang Lyuzhong were entangled by the Warlock of Dreams, how could the Huben Guards alone protect the Inspector? The formidable Silver Gongs and Bronze Gongs were the backbone of this escort team. *Governor Song had been entrenched in Baidi City for many years. With Yang Chuannan now a prisoner, he had no rival among the local forces... Although he couldn''t mobilize the garrison troops, the Five City Troops within the city were under the Governor''smand...* Thinking of this, Xu Qi''an immediately summoned all the Nightwatchers at the post and shared his suspicions with them. Upon hearing this, the Nightwatchers'' expressions turned grave. Though some remained sceptical, considering the Inspector''s safety, they preferred to believe it rather than dismiss it. "Four of you stay behind to guard the post, the rest follow me,"manded a Silver Gong. He nced at Xu Qi''an, "Xu Ningyan, you stay at the post." Everyone knew Xu Qi''an''s current condition wasn''t suitable for high-intensitybat. He wouldn''t be able to contribute significantly in a fight. Bringing their horses, more than a dozen Nightwatchers rode swiftly towards Song Changfu''s mansion. ... "Ningyan, why did things turn out this way?" Song Tingfeng''s face was grim, filled with unease and anxiety. As a Bronze Gong, he wasn''t privy to the case''s secrets. To Song Tingfeng and other Nightwatchers, the progress of the case seemed disjointed and abrupt. After returning from an inspection, Xu Qi''an had solved the mystery, and Inspector Zhang had arrested Commander Yang Chuannan. After Li Miaozhen visited the post, the case seemed to take a turn, but they still didn''t know the specifics. Then today, a group of escorts brought a crippled man. After the Inspector''s secret interrogation, it turned out Governor Song was the mastermind. Only just now did Xu Qi''an give a brief overview to the Nightwatchers, making everything clear. Now aware of the case''s progress and the current situation, Song Tingfeng needed time to process the sudden news. "There''s a saying that the battlefield changes in an instant. It''s the same with investigations. The enemy won''t wait for you to gather evidence step by step and prepare thoroughly before surrendering." Xu Qi''an remained calm, given Jiang Lyuzhong''s presence and the powerful Nightwatchers. "Tingfeng, go out of the city immediately and find Li Miaozhen. Tell her everything that happened here." To be safe, Xu Qi''an decided to seek help from the Flying Swallow Army. Li Miaozhen''s private army was extremely powerful, consisting of martial experts from all over the country. "Alright!" Song Tingfeng got up and walked out but quickly returned, running upstairs. A few minutester, he came down inmoner clothes. *Smart...* Xu Qi''an secretly praised him while reflecting on his own oversight for not reminding him to change. Song Tingfeng mounted a small mare that wouldn''t get stuck in traffic and rode off. But half an hourter, he galloped back, rushed into the post, and said with a grim face, "Ningyan, the city gates are closed." ... Xu Qi''an silently stared at him, feeling his heart sink to the bottom. "I have a bad feeling about this." Xu Qi''an couldn''t sit still. He got up and started pacing in the hall. "What could happen? Gold Gong Jiang is a fourth-rank martial artist. If thrown into the Jianghu, he would be a formidable hero. Moreover, our colleagues have also gone there," Song Tingfengforted. He was alsoforting himself, trying to boost his confidence. Even with the power of the Great Feng, currently, there was only one third-rank martial artist, the Zhenbei King. A fourth-rank martial artist can indeed roam the Jianghu unchecked. Xu Qi''an had seen many fourth-rank experts in the capital, but that was the capital, the heart of the Great Feng. Of course, the waters of the Jianghu are deep, and it could be hiding one or two old monsters deep beneath. "The other three city gates must also be closed. Governor Song... or the Church of the Warlock God behind him, is clearly trying to trap us," Xu Qi''an paced back and forth, saying, ¡°Have you thought about it? They must know that Gold Gong Jiang is fourth-rank, yet they still dare to act, which means they are fully prepared. ¡°They might have started plotting since they interrogated you and Guangxiao in the dream. We didn''t lock onto Governor Song, so they could endure and stay put. "But once we knew Governor Song was the mastermind, they would overturn the board without hesitation." "And then?" Song Tingfeng''s voice trembled, "Even if they kill the Inspector, aren''t they afraid the court will send troops to annihte them?" "The Qi Clique and the Church of the Warlock God have been plotting for years, nning for this exact scenario," Xu Qi''an looked at him. "If not for rebellion, why would they go to such lengths?" Song Tingfeng felt a bit panicked, but as a veteran Nightwatcher who had seen many storms, he wasn''tpletely lost. "We must find a way to get the information out and mobilize the garrison troops," he said. "The Inspector originally nned to have Gold Gong Jiang kill Xu Huchen and other officers tonight. They are lucky to have escaped." Xu Qi''an grunted a response and then fell into deep thought. Old Song was right. They needed to get the message out. Yunzhou ultimately didn''t belong to Song. Otherwise, the Qi Clique and the Church of the Warlock God wouldn''t need to act so secretly. In Baidi City, at least, Yang Chuannan''s garrison could contend with Governor Song. *Governor Song framing Yang Chuannan might have also been to eliminate dissent... Misfortune lies where fortune rests...* Xu Qi''an thought of this possibility. But Yang Chuannan was currently a prisoner, and his suspicion hadn''t been cleared. Moreover, even if Xu Qi''an wanted to use him, injured Old Yang couldn''t leave the city. "What about breaking out of the city?" Zhu Guangxiao, who had been silent for a long time, suggested. This route was very dangerous, but it was the only way he could think of. "Currently, there are only four Bronze Gongs at the post. Facing hundreds of city guards, or even more, it''s very challenging," Song Tingfeng shook his head, rejecting the idea. The city guards weren''t a disorganized mob; they were well-equipped, with crossbows and muskets. There were also probably some experts among them. Relying on just the four of them, even if they could break out of the city, it would take considerable effort. *By the time they reached the barracks, informed the Flying Swallow Army, and fought their way back...* the chaos in Baidi City might already be over. There was another way! Xu Qi''an touched the small jade mirror in his pocket, feeling conflicted: *I really don''t want to die socially...* "I have a way to notify the Flying Swallow Army," Xu Qi''an said, then quickly added, "You don''t need to ask more. Tingfeng and Guangxiao, you two stay at the post to guard Yang Chuannan and Liang Youping. If either of them makes any move, kill them immediately!" "What do you mean by that?" Song Tingfeng was stunned. "I have to get to the Inspector... I don''t know why, but I have a bad feeling," Xu Qi''an said in a low voice. After speaking, he left the post, grabbed a horse, and headed towards Governor Song''s mansion. The streets were bustling with people. The citizens were going about their usual activities,pletely unaware of the impending upheaval. But it had nothing to do with them. Whether Yunzhou changed rulers or not, they would continue their daily lives. Xu Qi''an held the reins with one hand and took out a jade fragment with the other. He didn''t directly message Number Two but first @ed Daoist Jinlian. ¡¾THREE: Daoist Jinlian, have your injuries healed?¡¿ He guessed that Daoist Jinlian''s injuries should have healed by now. After all, it had been almost a month since he asked Luo Yuheng for medicine. If the injuries weren''t healed by now, it would be too difficult. ¡¾NINE: Thank you for your concern, I have long since recovered.¡¿ "Phew..." Xu Qi''an breathed a sigh of relief, considering it a small blessing amid the misfortune. ¡¾THREE: Please block everyone else. I have urgent business to discuss with TWO.¡¿ What''s so secretive that Number Three needs to talk to Number Two alone? The scattered members of the "Heaven and Earth Society," located all over the the world, watched themunication in the mirror with curiosity filling their chests. But after waiting for a long time and finding no further messages from the fragments of the Earth Book, they realized their fragments had been temporarily blocked and couldn''t receive any information. This secret technique was only mastered by the Daoists of the Earth Sect. Back then, Daoist Zilian used the same method to block them all. "This technique is so annoying!" The Southern Barbarian Girl angrily threw the small jade mirror on the ground. With a "boom," the ground trembled, and the jade mirror embedded itself in the earth. ¡¾NINE: THREE, you can speak now. No one can see your messages except me and TWO.¡¿ *Have they disconnected from thework... Daoist, I actually didn''t want you to see my messages either. Although you''ve been watching my moves coldly, the fewer people present during my social death, the better...* Xu Qi''an muttered to himself, slowing his horse''s pace. Using his finger as a pen, he sent a message: ¡¾THREE: TWO, Can you see this?¡¿ Li Miaozhen, who was waiting, instantly replied to his message: ¡¾What do you need to discuss with me?¡¿ Using her sixth sense, she thought the matter might be rted to his cousin, Xu Qi''an. Otherwise, one being in Yunlu Academy in the capital and the other in Baidi City, Yunzhou, separated by thousands of miles, what could there be to discuss? ¡¾NINE: Do you need me to step back?¡¿ ¡¾THREE: Yes, Daoist, thank you.¡¿ ¡¾NINE: Heh, it seems to be an extremely important matter. Rest assured, this poor Daoist won''t spread it.¡¿ *...Damn you!* Xu Qi''an''s face went nk. *Daoist, do you still like cats? If so, please keep that habit. I will definitely expose it in the future...* Xu Qi''an took a deep breath and sent a message: ¡¾THREE: TWO, what I''m about to say is very important. You must not hesitate or question it. Once you hear me out, act immediately.¡¿ *Also, don''t pay too much attention to my social death. Old Xu still cares about face.* ... Chapter 226: Come the Warlock of Dreams Chapter 226: Come the Warlock of Dreams # 226. Come the Warlock of Dreams *Number Three''s words were strange. Although he was far away in the capital, it felt as if the situation was urgent and happening right beside her...* Li Miaozhen''s slender, delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. She actually had something to do tonight. After the turmoil of the soldiers'' protest during the day, with the keen intuition of a practitioner of the Heaven Sect, she vaguely sensed the killing intent hidden beneath Inspector Zhang''s smiling facade. Therefore, she nned to visit the ry station before dusk to negotiate and see if there was any room for maneuver. But Number Three was aizen she valued highly¡ªhonest, brave, intelligent, and wise. He was an admirable schr. She couldn''t ignore his troubles. Just as she thought of this, a line of text slowly appeared on the mirror surface of the jade mirror: ¡¾The true mastermind behind the Yunzhou case is Inspector Song. Inspector Zhang has uncovered the truth and originally nned to apprehend Song Changfu with lightning speed. ¡¾But Song Changfu sensed the danger in advance, devised a n to confuse Inspector Zhang and the Nightwatchers, and secretly sealed the city gates. Now, Baidi City is full of murderous intent, and Inspector Zhang''s team is in danger. TWO, you must quickly send troops to help.¡¿ *The mastermind is Inspector Song?!*Li Miaozhen felt as if she had been struck on the head with a heavy hammer and was stunned for a moment. Song Changfu was the mastermind, which meant that the Qi Clique colluding with the Church of the Warlock God was led by Song Changfu. Song Changfu was a member of the Qi Clique? There was no time to think about it now. If what Number Three said was true, then the turmoil in Baidi City was about to erupt, if it hadn''t already. If Inspector Zhang had an ident, the entirety of Yunzhou would slide into uncontroble chaos. Jiang Lyuzhong was a fourth rank martial artist. Once the battle started, themon people in the city would inevitably be affected. And this was only the beginning of the turmoil. Come spring next year, the court would definitely send arge army to attack Yunzhou. Under the mes of war, countless civilians would suffer. Li Miaozhen stood up abruptly, grabbing the silver spear leaning against the table. But then she suddenly froze. A series of big question marks shed through her mind, then merged into one sentence: *How does Number Three know about this?* *Number Three was far away in the capital. How did he know about what was happening in Yunzhou?* *She had a vague guess, a guess that caused a great shock in her heart, no less than the shock of Song Changfu''s rebellion.* So Li Miaozhen paused, stood still, and sent a slightly trembling message: ¡¾How do you know about this?¡¿ After sending the message, no one responded for a long time. Li Miaozhen''s eyebrows rose, and she turned her head to the ghost girl Susu, who was sitting by the bed reading a book, and said, "Pass my order, rally the Flying Swallow Army." Susu''s elegance while reading was like that of a gentle, well-educated, and cultured youngdy. That kind of grace was engraved in her bones. If she wasn''t reading "The Romantic History of X and X," it would be perfect. "Oh!" Susu reluctantly put down the "Little Liu Bei" in her hand and walked out, swaying her slender waist. She was a bit depressed. The male protagonists in the book were all handsome schrs, gentle and elegant, with vast knowledge. And if she were to restore her physical body in the future, she would have to be a concubine for that lecherous Xu Qi''an. The gap was too wide. Watching the ghost maid go out to mobilize the troops, Li Miaozhen, who didn''t waste time, said with a stern face: ¡¾If you don''t exin, I won''t send a single soldier.¡¿ This was, of course, just a threat. Li Miaozhen now wished she could sprout wings and fly to Baidi City. ¡¾THREE: Actually, I took on a mission from the academy and secretly came to Yunzhou.¡¿ ¡¾TWO: Do you think I''m an idiot?¡¿ Number Three was a student of Yunlu Academy, and it was well known that the spring examination was approaching. It was the time for schrs all over the country to leap through the dragon gate. Number Four had mentioned before that Number Three was going to take the spring examination, and Number Three had not denied it. What could possibly make Number Three abandon his precious study time and head south? What mission from the academy was so urgent? A student from Yunlu Academy going south yet knowing the Yunzhou case so thoroughly was too unreasonable. Unless someone leaked the information... Xu Qi''an might indeed reveal it to his cousin. If Number Three was that cousin... There was one more way to verify if Number Three was lying, which was to ask Number One to investigate at Yunlu Academy. But that would take too much time, and in the current situation, time was of the essence. So Number Two asked directly, hoping Number Three would tell the truth. ¡¾THREE: Alright, I''lle clean. I am Xu Qi''an, and I am Number Three.¡¿ *Number Three is Xu Qi''an!?* Li Miaozhen turned into stone on the spot, her pretty oval face as stiff as a statue. It felt as if something within her was copsing, crumbling, and shattering. An upright, kind-hearted schr (¡Á) A despicable, shameless, and lecherous Nightwatcher (¡Ì) The image of Number Three in her mind went through a copse, reorganization, and a series of processes. Upon hearing the bad news, Li Miaozhen''s anger surged. She felt deceived, her feelings toyed with, treated like a fool. To be honest, she had a good impression of Number Three. He wasn''t as deep-minded as Number One, who always loved to lurk. He wasn''t as seemingly gentle yet extremely proud as Number Four. As for Numbers Five, Six, and Nine, they each had their characteristics, but in terms of overall impression, none were as good as Number Three. But it was all a lie. At this moment, Li Miaozhen recalled Number Three''s evaluation of Xu Qi''an. "Shameless, absolutely shameless..." She tightly gripped her silver spear, her chest heaving violently. In modern terms, Li Miaozhen would be the protagonist of a legal drama, with the headline: "Eighteen-Year-Old Girl Deceived by Online Lover." Wait! Amid her anger, Li Miaozhen suddenly remembered something unpleasant: If Number Three was Xu Qi''an, then when she earnestly sought help from the Earth Book group to analyze the case... And the next day, proudly boasting in front of Inspector Zhang and Xu Qi''an that she had solved the case... Thinking of this, Li Miaozhen''s chest heaved even more violently, her face turning red with embarrassment, feeling the urge to draw her sword and end it all. At that time, Xu Qi''an must have beenughing at her in his heart. She covered her face with her hands, her voice trembling, "Bastard..." ¡­ Far away in the capital, Daoist Jinlian stared at the fragment of the Earth Book, waiting for a long time, but Number Three and Number Two did not continue their conversation. "At least let me know when your private chat is over," Daoist Jinlianined. Xu Qi''an, that brat, always boasted without any sense of caution. Now, his identity was exposed, and he must be feeling ashamed. But this was nothing. Daoist Jinlian had cultivated for decades and had seen all kinds of storms and waves. He wouldn''t lose hisposure over such a small matter. "Hehehe..." A few minutester, an orange cat jumped onto the courtyard wall, cautiously peering inside, seemingly nning to sneak into the kitchen to steal food. But then, the orange cat suddenly froze, staying still on the wall. A few secondster, its amber eyes regained their liveliness, and it happily walked away, tail up. Inside the house, Daoist Jinliany on the bed, his face serene. ... Xu Qi''an took onest look at the jade mirror. Number Two did not ridicule, me, or curse him but instead maintained an eerie silence. Somewhat unexpected, yet anticipated. "She probably remembered the boastful things she said that day. This is the benefit of us all being in the same boat," Xu Qi''an thought. Then, he calmed his mind, focused his spirit, and called out to Monk Shenshu in his mind, "Master, Master..." "Master, I am in a crisis and hope to get your help." He called Monk Shenshu for a long time, but there was no response. Xu Qi''an started to panic. The reason he dared to rush to the scene first was that he had confidence¡ªShenshu was his confidence. Back then, the two had agreed that Xu Qi''an would offer his body to nurture the broken arm, and Monk Shenshu would help him in critical moments. But now, it seemed his "cheat" had run away? "From deathes rebirth." In his mind, the ethereal voice of Master Shenshu came through. *From deathes rebirth? What do you mean? Are you helping me or not?* Xu Qi''an tried tomunicate with Monk Shenshu again, but the damned monk had gone back to sleep and couldn''t be awakened. ... At the rear courtyard of the Commissioner of Civil Affairs'' office. nging and banging came from the Huben Guards searching for evidence. Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong stood in the courtyard, with the Prefect of Yunzhou standing respectfully by. Inspector Zhang smelled a faint fragrance, unlike plum blossoms, a scent he had never encountered before. In his search, he easily found the source¡ªa white flower that looked no different from the wildflowers by the roadside, but it emitted a rich and lingering fragrance. "In the middle of winter, there''s a flower blooming?" Inspector Zhang remarked in surprise. The Prefect nced at it and, not caring much, shook his head, "It must be a special variety. I don''t recognize it, but Commissioner Song¡ªwell, Song the traitor¡ªwas a flower lover." Inspector Zhang nodded slightly. The Huben Guards found no useful evidence. "Strange..." Inspector Zhang frowned. The Song residence and the Commissioner of Civil Affairs'' office were too clean, as if deliberately tidied up, leaving no incriminating evidence. However, Song Changfu''s actions might be concealed elsewhere. It''s not surprising they couldn''t find evidence. Before long, the summoned officials gathered at the office. ... In the main hall, Inspector Zhang stood under the eaves, hands behind his back. In the courtyard, over a dozen high-ranking officials stood in two rows, silently observing him. "Gentlemen!" Inspector Zhang''s sharp gaze swept over the officials, his voice stern, ¡°Song Changfu colluded with the Church of the Warlock God, embezzled military supplies, and harboured bandits. The livelihood of the people around Yunzhou has deteriorated, and unrest is frequent. ¡°I am here by the Emperor''s decree to investigate thoroughly. After the incident, Song Changfumitted suicide to escape punishment. "From today, this official will handle all military and political affairs in Yunzhou. Those who colluded with this traitor must immediately report to me. Their punishment will depend on the severity of their involvement." "Sir yes sir!" The officials bowed. Just then, Inspector Zhang saw a group of Nightwatchers rushing into the hall, led by a Silver Gong carrying someone. The officials looked towards themotion. "Why are they here?" Inspector Zhang looked at Jiang Lyuzhong beside him. Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head. "Inspector, we have a serious problem." The Silver Gong, even before reaching the front, shouted urgently. Jiang Lyuzhong squinted, recognizing the person in the Silver Gong''s hand¡ªit was the coroner from the yamen. "What''s going on?" Inspector Zhang''s gaze fell on the coroner, his expression turning grave. The Silver Gong handed the coroner to a Bronze Gong, quickly stepped forward, and whispered in Inspector Zhang''s ear. After hearing Xu Qi''an''s analysis, the Nightwatchers hurried to Commissioner Song''s residence, only to find it empty, with the Inspector already gone. Inquiring at the residence, they learned the Inspector had gone to the Commissioner of Civil Affairs'' office. The experienced Silver Gongs, remembering Xu Qi''an''s analysis, reexamined Song Changfu''s corpse and discovered the bloodstained face was a human skin mask. The deceased was indeed not Song Changfu. The Nightwatchers immediately apprehended the coroner and rushed to the Commissioner of Civil Affairs'' office. "I see!" Inspector Zhang''s expression changed from shock to seriousness, then to a calm, expressionless demeanor. He slowly scanned the officials, looked at the coroner, and asked, "Who instructed you?" The coroner was terrified, frequently ncing towards the back, where the Prefect of Yunzhou stood. "Your Excellency, it was me," the Prefect said, bowing his hands, admitting calmly. Inspector Zhang snorted coldly and, without wasting words, waved his hand, "Arrest him..." His hand barely moved, a simple gesture, yet it felt like lifting a thousand pounds. Immediately, he fell limply to the ground. Jiang Lyuzhong instinctively tried to support him but stumbled. The dignified Fourth Stage martial artist was dragged down by Inspector Zhang. *Poisoned...* Jiang Lyuzhong realized. "Inspector! Gold Gong Jiang!" The Nightwatchers were rmed, rushing forward. In the courtyard, the officials were panicked. At this moment, the Prefect of Yunzhou seemed so unfamiliar to them. "Bastard!" A Bronze Gong drew his sword, ready to kill the Prefect. The prefect''s face was expressionless as he raised his hand to form a seal. "Hehehe..." The coroner, who had been thrown to the ground, suddenly transformed. His muscles swelled, his eyes turned red, and a beast-like growl erupted from his throat as he charged at the Bronze Gong who had drawn his sword. sh! The sword cut into the coroner''s shoulder, severing his entire arm, but he seemed unfazed, crashing into the Bronze Gong''s arms. Everyone heard the sound of bones cracking. The Bronze Gong was sent flying, his sword ttering to the ground. The quick-witted Nightwatchers caught him, but it couldn''t change the oue. The light in the Bronze Gong''s eyes dimmed rapidly as his life extinguished. "A Warlock of Dreams!" Jiang Lyuzhong said sternly. "So you''re the fourth rank Warlock of Dreams of the Church of the Warlock God. Did you kill Zhou Min?" The prefect smiled, "Indeed!" "Ah..." The officials quickly retreated, watching the prefect warily. The mysterious Warlock of Dreams had been hiding among them all along? What method did he use to evade the Sitianjian''s Qi-watching technique? The coroner, now a red-eyed, feral being, picked up his severed arm and pressed it to the stump. Scarlet, pulsing veins shimmered, blood-red threads binding the arm back together. A Blood Puppet! This was a secret technique controlled by Ninth Grade warlocks, capable of refining living beings into puppets and, at the cost of burning their own blood, turning them into fearless warriors with unparalleledbat strength. Therefore, Ninth Grade warlocks were also called "Blood Spirits." Of course, the enhancement of a puppet''sbat power by a Ninth Grade Arcanist was limited and couldn''t extend to reattaching limbs. "What poisoned me?" Jiang Lyuzhong seemed unwilling to ept his fate. ¡°This poison is called Pine Flower White Worm. When the worms are burned, they release a colourless, odourless poison. It won''t affect the body immediately but will linger for up to ten days. During this period, if the poisoned person smells a flower called the Pine Flower, their body will be weak and powerless, like amb to the ughter. This is a poison from the Southern Marches¡¯ Shaman Tribes. "Jiang Lyuzhong, to deal with you, I spared no effort. As a high-rank martial artist, ordinary poisons are ineffective on you and easily detected. Only thisbination of Shaman poison, with its gentle and lingering nature, could ensnare you." The prefect looked proud. Inspector Zhang weakly gasped, "The flower in the rear courtyard?" "Exactly." "So, you deliberately led us to the rear courtyard." "Your intelligence, Inspector, came a bit toote." The prefect sneered. "And the poison of the white worm?" "The candles you''ve been burning every day. You guarded against everything but never thought the poison would be in the candles. During your inspections, the candles in the ry stations were quietly swapped." It was impossible to guard the ry stations at all times, especially during inspections, making it easy to switch the candles. Inspector Zhang forced himself to ask, "Where is Song Changfu?" "Once you''re all dead, he''ll take over the Yunzhou officialdom," the prefect said coldly. "After taking control of Baidi City, the bandits stored in various ces will attack the prefectures and counties. By the end of the year, Yunzhou will split from the Great Feng." At this moment, they heard the sound of loud, chaotic footsteps approaching. "The poison will subside after two sticks of incense, but unfortunately, you won''t live that long." The prefectughed. Chapter 227: The Sacrifice Chapter 227: The Sacrifice # 227. The Sacrifice The sounds of battle erupted immediately as the Huben Guards and the traitors from the Five Cities garrison shed outside. The twang of bowstrings, the crack of muskets, and the sh of swords echoed clearly in everyone''s ears. With rebels outside and a Warlock of Dreams nearby, the situation seemed hopeless. The Nightwatchers'' faces turned grim as their hearts sank. Fortunately, they were all experienced Nightwatchers, ustomed to bloodshed and ughter, and their minds remained resolute. "Escort Gold Gong Jiang and the Inspector General into the inner hall," Silver Gong Zhao shouted, drawing his sword. Jiang Lyuzhong grabbed Zhao''s sleeve, wanting to say something, but Zhao spoke first. "Boss, I understand. Dream Warlocks aren''t skilled in closebat. As long as we avoid giving him hair or flesh, he can''t use his curse techniques." Silver Gong Tang grinned, "Yeah, boss. We can''t beat a Fourth Grade warrior, but we can''t handle a Fourth Grade Warlock of Dreams? That would be too embarrassing." Seeing their superiors so confident, the Bronze Gongs rxed slightly.They knew the Warlock of Dreams had strange and bizarre methods but were not good at directbat. To their surprise, Jiang Lyuzhong didn''t let go. This usually godlike Gold Gong could barely stand, yet he still clung tightly to Zhao''s sleeve. "Go!" Jiang Lyuzhong said. Zhao turned back and grinned, "Boss, you want us to take the Inspector General and leave, but we can''t do that." Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head, "You can''t escape with the Inspector General. I''m telling you to go." "Gold Gong Jiang, how do we know we''ll lose if we don''t fight?" a Bronze Gong shouted, trying to encourage himself. Silver Gong Zhao jerked his sleeve back, causing Jiang Lyuzhong to stumble. Silver Gong Tang caught him and sighed, "When we get back to the capital, boss, you owe us a drink." Thest Silver Gong said nothing, only sped his fists towards Jiang Lyuzhong. Zhao raised his sword with one hand and his crossbow with the other, pulling the trigger. The bowstring twanged, and the arrow shot out. Thwack, thwack, thwack... The other Nightwatchers followed suit, lifting their crossbows to shoot. The transformed coroner, now a puppet, roared and blocked the arrows for the prefect. The arrows pierced his body, the tips protruding from his back. "Die!" Silver Gong Zhao leaped high, the limestone bricks cracking underfoot, and flew over fifty metres. The air around his sabre twisted with energy. sh! The puppet was cut in half, blood spurting and trying to reassemble, but failing. The Warlock of Dreams-prefect dodged the de''s edge, the sharp energy tearing the ground, extending to the steps at the hall entrance with a loud bang. The other two Silver Gongs'' attacks followed, sprinting low and dragging shadows, coordinating to strike at the Warlock of Dreams. As they attacked, information about the warlock system shed in their minds. The Great Feng asionally shed with the Church of the Warlock God. Information on warlocks below and including Fourth Grade was detailed in the Nightwatchers'' archives. Ninth rank warlocks could turn living people into puppets, using secret techniques to burn their own blood, giving ordinary people immense strength. The more power they gained, the faster their blood burned until they died. They could also boost theirpanions'' potential at the cost of burning blood, earning the name "Blood Spirits." Eighth rank warlocks mastered curses, using birthdates, horoscopes, personal items, and bodily fluids to kill targets. They were called "Master of Curses." Their strength was in their mysteriousness, making them hard to guard against. Their weakness was that they could only curse targets weaker than themselves. Seventh rank warlocks, known as "Spirit Mediums," could control corpses and spirits. Both the Great Feng and northern Yao tribes suffered at the hands of Spirit Mediums on the battlefield. Sixth rank warlocks, called "Masters of Divination," excelled in divination, avoiding misfortune. The warlocks of this rank could be described by one word: cautious! Fifth rank warlocks, "Miracle Priests," could summon ancestral war spirits to possess them. If the spirit was a warrior, the priest became a warrior, and so on. The restriction was that they could only summon spirits of the same rank. Fourth Grade warlocks, like the prefect, were "Warlock of Dreams," able to walk in dreams and kill invisibly. The best way to deal with them was to avoid sleeping. "Don''t give him time to set up a ritual or summon a war spirit, and we can win!" Zhao encouraged himself. Suddenly, he heard a murmuring voice and turned sharply. An overlooked official was cutting his wrist, drawing aplex pattern with blood on the ground while chanting obscure sybles. Zhao''s heart sank. The next moment, a strong energy emerged from the prefect, a wisp of ck smoke forming above his head, vaguely resembling a human figure. Simultaneously, the two Silver Gongs'' des struck. The des cut the prefect''s clothes, shing against his skin with a metallic sound. The ck smoke above him wavered. Bronze Skin and Iron Bones. "Who said only warlocks could set up rituals? Puppets can too," the Warlock of Dreams-prefect sneered, grabbing the two Silver Gongs by the neck. With a "crack," both Silver Gongs died instantly. A fourth rank warrior killing two Silver Gongs was as easy as crushing ants. "Bastard!" A heart-wrenching roar came from the hall, like an old beast''s desperate howl. It was Jiang Lyuzhong, his eyes red and face twisted with helpless anger. The surviving Bronze Gongs were terrified, finally realising that the Silver Gongs had just been boosting morale. Warlocks might not be good at closebat, but a Fourth rank was still a Fourth rank, an insurmountable gap. Theirck of closebat was rtive to other systems of the same grade. "Are you scared?" Zhao shouted, jolting the Bronze Gongs. At that moment, this Silver Gong, proficient in all vices, still held his battle de high, like a warrior facing death calmly. "Two sticks of incense. We need to buy Gold Gong Jiang two sticks of incense''s time. It''s still early," Zhao shouted. "Riffraff." But reality was harsh. The Warlock of Dreams disguised as the prefect raised his hand, gathering energy in his palm, and pressed down. A shockwave spread through the air like ripples. Zhao and the other Nightwatchers were hit in the chest, spitting blood as they flew back. With a single move, the Warlock of Dreams incapacitated them all. Jiang Lyuzhong seemed to expect this, closing his eyes. He was no longer angry, knowing they would soon meet in another world. The Warlock of Dreams clenched his fist, knowing his time with the war spirit was limited. He didn''t intend to waste words with Jiang Lyuzhong. The real tasky ahead: taking Baidi City, gathering bandits, attacking prefectures, and counties, and conquering Yunzhou before the court could react. The Church of the Warlock God had plotted for years; today was the day to reap the rewards. A punch roared out, qi battering the air, producing a deep, frightening roar, aimed at the hall. A figure stood in the way¡ªSilver Gong Zhao. He gripped his long sword with both hands, lowered his stance, and shed out with a roar. It was the most powerful sh of his life. Sword qi copsed, the long sabre shattered, the silver gong at his chest breaking into a myriad pieces. The frightening surge of energy pushed Silver Gong Zhao into the great hall, as the entire building shook. Jiang Lyuzhong''s heart also trembled as he hurriedly crawled over and cradled his dying subordinate in his arms. The moment he touched Silver Gong Zhao, Jiang Lyuzhong knew there was no hope of saving him. Every bone in his body was shattered, and his internal organs were equally devastated. Perhaps the Sitianjian had miraculous cures that could bring back the dead, but there were none in Yunzhou. The only reason Silver Gong Zhao hadn''t died immediately was likely due to thest stubbornness of a martial artist. Silver Gong Zhao had always been a very stubborn person, often acting against Jiang Lyuzhong''s orders, just as he had forcefully shaken off his hand earlier. "Do you have anyst words?" Jiang Lyuzhong asked softly. Silver Gong Zhao''s bloodied face forced a smile, his mouth full of blood, and he spoke haltingly, ¡°Boss, actually, I took another concubine this year, she''s eighteen, so young and tender. ¡°But I was afraid you''d find out, so I didn''t keep her at home. You often summon us Silver Gongs for meetings and repeatedly order that we can''t embezzle more than five hundred taels a year, extort more than ten cents from peddlers, or more than three cash from shops and taverns. ¡°You know, we secretlyugh at you, for setting rules even for corruption. There''s no one else like you in the whole world. On the surface, we follow your orders, but behind your back, we embezzle as we please. How else could we afford so many concubines? Sorry, Boss, for disappointing you. "So, don''t be sad for people like us. ording to the rules set by Duke Wei, I should be dragged to the marketce and beheaded. ¡°Old Tang likes to drink. If you survive, remember to pour him a few extra cups every Qingming. "And onest request... I don''t want to die in a foreignnd, take me back to the capital." The light in Silver Gong Zhao''s eyes faded. "Aye!" Inspector Zhang sighed deeply, ming himself, "It''s my fault, I was careless..." "What''s the use of saying that now?" Jiang Lyuzhong said this with a smile, but the sorrow in his eyes couldn''t be hidden, flowing out as hot tears. The Warlock of Dreams walked over slowly,ughing heartily, ¡°To be honest, we didn''t n to split Yunzhou, support bandits, and hoard troops. It was just a contingency n, to be used at the most critical time, not now. ¡°Though that guy surnamed Zhou discovered the ount book issue, ording to our n, we would have just pushed Yang Chuannan out to take the me. ¡°I didn''t expect the Qi Clique to be so foolish, exposing our cooperation. They drew you here. ¡°What surprised me even more was that a mere Bronze Gong managed to disrupt my ns to this extent. I had no choice but to attack you, to prematurely upy Yunzhou. me that Bronze Gong if you must, if it weren''t for him ruining things, you wouldn''t have to die. "Now, you go first. I''ll find that Bronze Gong and kill him." As soon as he finished speaking, two arrows flew towards him. The Warlock of Dreams raised his hand and shattered the arrows. On the wall, a tall and proud Bronze Gong stood, holding a military crossbow given by Song Qing of the Sitianjian. But now, it was just a normal weapon. It could only be fired three times in its lifetime. "¡®That Bronze Gong¡¯ ¡ª Is my name so worthless to you?" He had blood on him, but it wasn''t his own. He had fought his way here. Xu Qi''an finished speaking, his gaze falling on the two dead Silver Gongs and the injured Bronze Gongs. The yful and mischievous air he usually had suddenly vanished. His eyes darkened, his face expressionless. ... At the West Gate, a silver light descended from the sky, striking the city wall with a loud crash, sending bricks flying and dust rising. Wearing fish-scale armor, her hair tied in a high ponytail, with a crimson cloak billowing behind her, Li Miaozhen stood on the spear shaft, staring at the soldiers ready to shoot. She said in a deep voice, "Why is the gate closed?" *Number Three... That bastard Xu Qi''an was right, the gate was indeed closed.* But Li Miaozhen didn''t recklessly break in, shended on the wall to question them. "Kill her!" Amander drew his sword and pointed at Li Miaozhen. They didn''t exin, just attacked. There was nothing more to say. Li Miaozhen''s eyes turned cold. The bowstrings twanged, and dozens of arrows shot towards her. She didn''t dodge. With a flick of her hand, a gust of wind emerged from her bag, wrapping around the arrows and altering their paths. The arrows brushed past Li Miaozhen, turning the archers into outline artists. "ng!" The flying sword at Li Miaozhen''s waist unsheathed, transforming into a silver lightning that darted through the necks of the soldiers, reaping their lives. The sound of hooves echoed, and the Flying Swallow Army charged, kicking up clouds of dust. Four centurions of the Bronze-Skin Iron-Bones realm led the Refining Spirit realm officers onto the wall, assisting Li Miaozhen''s flying sword in clearing the soldiers. "Master, you haven''t used the flying sword for a long time..." The female ghost Susu floated down onto the spear shaft, hugging Li Miaozhen from behind. The flying sword was a weapon given to Li Miaozhen by the Heaven Sect. She rarely used it, but every time she did, it meant she was in a very bad mood. "I''m very angry," Li Miaozhen said. "Because the Inspector was ambushed?" "No, because of a bastard." "....." Susu frowned, hesitant to speak. Had Li Miaozhen forgotten she was the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect? The Heaven Sect''s principle was to be free of emotions, but in the years since she descended the mountain, Li Miaozhen had be more impulsive and fiercely opposed to injustice. She had turned herself into the righteous Lady Flying Swallow. The title Lady Flying Swallow partly came from her flying sword''s swiftness, and partly from her righteous nature. Wherever there was injustice, she would fly there. The Flying Swallow Army once again demonstrated their unbeatable prowess, swiftly clearing the wall and then breaking open the gate under the lead of a bronze skin iron bones martial artist. Li Miaozhen leaped down, pulling out the spear, and with it,nded on the ground. Under her lead, the Flying Swallow Army stormed into the city. ... "Heaven had a path for youid out, yet you decided to break into hell instead" The Warlock of Dreamsughed after a brief moment of shock. Xu Qi''an leaped down, holding the ck-gold long de given to him by the Jianzheng, gritting his teeth, "The one who should go to hell is you, you son of a bitch." "Xu Ningyan, why are you here?" Jiang Lyuzhong''s face changed, "Are you here to die? You can''t save us, go, leave now." *Do you think I still can*... Xu Qi''an thought to himself. He really couldn''t leave. The Warlock of Dreams had locked onto him, preparing to strike. "Ningyan, why..." Inspector Zhang closed his eyes, "Why do this?" Xu Qi''an wasn''t panicking, he wasmunicating with the monk in his heart: "Master, help me kill this person." "Master?" "Damn it, Master, are you there? Don''t mess with me now." "Master, damn it..." The fist wind came roaring, the sound of thunder in his ears. At this moment, a sigh echoed through the hall: "Picking the stars with the moon in hand, there are none like me upon thisnd." Under Xu Qi''an''s feet, a formation lit up, raising a translucent barrier. "Boom!" The qi exploded on the surface of the barrier, the st was deafening, and the stone bricks on the ground lifted instantly, creating a terrifying scene. Half of the Prefect Manor hall copsed with a rumble. After a long ringing in his ears, Xu Qi''an heard Jiang Lyuzhong''s roar, "Yang Qianhuan, you''re also in Yunzhou! Why did you stand by and watch, why didn¡¯t you act earlier?" Xu Qi''an turned abruptly and saw a figure in white standing with his hands behind his back, facing away from them. Xu Qi''an wasn¡¯t surprised by Yang Qianhuan''s appearance, he just wanted to say, "You motherfucker, you finally showed up." Xu Qi''an had long suspected that the arcanist who had abducted Liang Youping was one of Sitianjian''s senior brothers, most likely Yang Qianhuan. Sure enough. *In my life, I, Yang, never need to exin my actions to others.* This thought shed through Yang Qianhuan''s mind, but he didn''t say it aloud. Instead, he sighed and exined, "I came to Yunzhou under the orders of my master. I was not here just now." The Jianzheng had tasked him with: Keeping an eye on Xu Qi''an. Wherever Xu Qi''an was, he would be. He wasn¡¯t present when the Silver Gongs were killed. "I''ll take you away," Yang Qianhuan''s footwork expanded, enveloping Xu Qi''an, Inspector Zhang, and others. "Hmph!" The Warlock of Dreams shattered the formation with a single step, "Yang Qianhuan, you are not qualified to save people from me." Yang Qianhuan responded, "Picking the stars with the moon in hand, there are none like me upon thisnd." "Arrogant!" The Warlock of Dreams'' goat whisker beard trembled as if enraged. "Go or not?" Yang Qianhuan''s voice rang in Xu Qi''an''s ears, "I can only take you, too many people will cause the formation to break." Xu Qi''an grinned, "There''s another way, take this guy out." "There are hundreds of rebels outside." Yang Qianhuan warned. "I know." Xu Qi''an replied. After a brief silence, Yang Qianhuan said, "Alright." He stomped hard, the formation quickly spread, this time enveloping only the Warlock of Dreams. Just as the Warlock reacted, the two disappeared. "Fight outside of the city." Xu Qi''an shouted to the sky. There was no reply. Xu Qi''an brought the bodies of the two Silver Gongs into the hall and gently ced them at Jiang Lyuzhong''s feet, "Sorry, I waste." "You shouldn''t havee." Jiang Lyuzhong said in a low voice. *But I still came...* Xu Qi''an wanted to make a joke, but the words turned into a bitter smile. The Bronze Gongs helped each other into the inner hall, sitting down to meditate and heal. Jiang Lyuzhong nced at the surviving Bronze Gongs, feeling somewhat relieved, but the faint sounds of fighting outside were ending, making him realise they weren¡¯t out of danger yet. "What''s the situation outside?" Inspector Zhang looked towards the hall entrance. "Probably four or five hundred rebels left. When I fought my way in, the Huben Guards were almost wiped out." The Bronze Gongs opened their eyes wide, their expressions filled with despair. "Forget it, forget it..." Inspector Zhangughed bitterly, "It seems there''s no escape, I have failed the emperor and Duke Wei''s trust." "You didn''t fail them, you failed these three dead Silver Gongs." Xu Qi''an nced at him, then walked to the threshold. "Ningyan, go. With your strength, you can escape from the back hall." Jiang Lyuzhong, eyes red, urged, "Go, go quickly. Today, I will die here with my subordinates. If you die here, Duke Wei will dig up my grave." "There¡¯s hope. As long as we hold on, reinforcements wille." Xu Qi''an could already see the figures of the rebels, they were making their way closer. He turned back, bowing to Inspector Zhang, "Inspector General Sir, you are a good official, even though you have your own schemes, you put the people first. I hate this world, but seeing good officials like you makes me happy. So I don¡¯t want you to die." Then he bowed to Jiang Lyuzhong, "You are a good superior, a master of drinking and flowers at Jiaofangsi. If there¡¯s a chance, I''ll take you to Jiaofangsi again, any oiran except Fuxiang, of course." He looked at the bodies of the three Silver Gongs, "No matter what kind of people they were in life, at least in death, they didn¡¯t disgrace the Nightwatcher title." Finally, he cupped his fists above his head, "Duke Wei has treated me with great kindness, favoring me everywhere. I can''t charge forward in times of benefit and hide in times of danger." With that, he closed the hall door. Jiang Lyuzhong was moved, hoarsely shouting, "Ningyan!" A Bronze Gong¡¯s lips trembled, murmuring, "It''s impossible, impossible, he¡¯s breaking through to Refining Spirit, he can¡¯t hold on¡­." Inspector Zhang struggled to stand, weak as he was, but he stood firmly, bowing deeply towards Xu Qi''an''s back. They couldn''t see what was happening outside, but amidst the sounds of crossbows firing, weapons shing, and chaotic shouts, a young, impassioned chant reached them: *A young man¡¯s valour, brings heroes from five capitals old!* ¡°*With loyal heart, with just hand. With words of iron, life or death,* ¡°*A promise is worth a thousand tons of gold!*¡± ¡­.. Xu Qi''an stood by the courtyard entrance, as his de rose and fell, rose and fell¡­ when a rebel soldier came, he cut them down. Armor seemed like paper against the Jianzheng''s long sabre alone flesh and blood. At first, he felt uneasy, terrified by the blood on his hands, but after killing many, he became numb. The rebels were mostly ordinary people, with a few Refining Vitality experts. For Xu Qi''an, who was half a step into Refining Spirit, there wasn''t much difference. But the endless waves of enemies, coupled with his poor state, wore him down. After ying dozens, Xu Qi''an became exhausted, his stomach churned, and his arms went numb. The most troublesome were the crossbows, their dense volleys impossible to block with a single de. Fortunately, the magic bronze gong on his chest protected him from most attacks, leaving the rest to his reflexes. After beheading fifty enemies, Xu Qi''an reached his first limit. His vitality depleted, vision blurred, and he felt on the verge of copse. Yet, pushing through this limit, he found to his surprise his dry pool of vitality suddenly welled up with newfound energy, nourishing his spirit. The surroundings became clearer, every detail of the soldiers'' faces, their taut muscles, the arcs of their swinging swords... all vividly imprinted in his mind. *¡­Is this the Refining Spirit stage, perceiving everything around?* *No, not yet, I can push further.* *From deathes rebirth!* Xu Qi''an suddenly understood Shenshu¡¯s meaning. The relentless exhaustion of the primordial spirit itself is a kind of rebirth from death. But it is not enough. If the primordial spirit is likened to an iron billet, an ordinary warrior advancing to the Refining Spirit stage is like striking the hammer once. Xu Qi''an, however, was repeatedly hammering, tempering his primordial spirit, breaking through the limits on the edge of life and death each time. After beheading a hundred people, he faced the limit again. After forcing himself through, new springs gushed forth, and his spiritual power advanced rapidly once more. *No, I can''t hold on much longer... Damn monk, I''m leaving my life to you, don''t trick me... There are still many beautiful girls waiting for me in the capital...* After ying two hundred people, the new springs stopped gushing forth. Because Xu Qi¡¯an had reached his limit. Because the exhaustion had caught up with him. The rapid growth of the spirit had nothing to do with the physical body. Each time he exhausted his spirit, he also exhausted his body. The spirit could well, but the body could not. Finally, this god of deathid down his de, leaning on its slender form. The rebels did not dare continue. Their swords were tightly gripped, their expressions twisted, cautious, scared. Scared of what he had just done. "Shoot him with crossbows," a loud voice shouted from the crowd. Thrum... The bowstrings vibrated, and crossbow bolts shot out. Whether due to exhaustion or tension, the bolt that was aimed at Xu Qi''an''s forehead missed, grazing his scalp. But the rebels cheered. "He''s dead, he''s dead... Hahaha, this bastard is finally dead!" "Chop him up, chop him up to avenge our brothers." They surged forward. At this moment, a flying sword pierced through the air, slicing through the crowd and killing the soldiers at the forefront. Immediately after, four warriors like deities broke through the wall, leading a group of armored soldiers into the courtyard. At this time, the rebels still had over three hundred people, but against this heavenly army, they fared no better than chaff. Lives were harvested one by one, and soldiers fell, the thick smell of blood making people nauseous. The Flying Swallow Army, after clearing the rebels, witnessed an unforgettable scene. At the courtyard entrance, a young man stood proudly, his body full of arrows, standing on a mountain of corpses, leaning on his sword. Lifeless. Li Miaozhen, cloaked in crimson, stood in front of him, her figure seeming somewhat deste. Full of resentment and anger, Li Miaozhen had imagined that when they met again, she would fiercely teach him a lesson. But now, she felt a lump in her throat. Li Miaozhen, with reddening eyes, said, "I''m sorry, I camete." "Miaozhen..." A centurion walked over, but his gaze lingered on Xu Qi''an. ng... He stood straight, his armor clinking as he cupped his fists towards Xu Qi''an. ng, ng... The sound of armor clinking spread as over four hundred Flying Swallow soldiers cupped their fists in unison. They didn''t even know who this young man was or what his name was, but they respected him from the bottom of their hearts. "Go in and see if the Inspector is alive or dead," Li Miaozhen''s voice was somewhat hollow. "Yes!" The centurion bypassed Xu Qi''an and rushed into the courtyard. In the crowd, the stunningly beautiful Su Su stood quietly in the corner, staring nkly at Xu Qi''an. "Are you an idiot¡­." ¡­.. Bang... The centurion pushed open the door, seeing the Nightwatchers sitting cross-legged on the ground and the pale but unharmed Inspector Zhang. Despair was evident on their faces. The centurion was stunned and quickly said, "I am Li Hu, a centurion of the Flying Swallow Army. You are safe now." Flying Swallow Army?! The Nightwatchers looked at each other, puzzled as to why the Flying Swallow Army appeared here, but the sounds of fighting outside had indeed ceased. They were safe. A reprieve from the brink of death. "Whew..." Inspector Zhang staggered, finally rxing his tense nerves. He had to lean on the table to keep from falling. "Where is Ningyan...?" Inspector Zhang asked, "Where is that Bronze Gong outside?" The surviving Nightwatchers all looked over. The centurion suddenly felt evasive, not daring to meet their eyes, filled with hope and longing for good news. "He... died in battle." ¡­¡­ Inspector Zhang stumbled out of the hall, crossed the courtyard, and came to Xu Qi''an. But what he saw was only a broken human form, covered in arrows and de wounds, without any sign of life. Inexplicably, he heard the young man''s final chant in his ears: *A young man¡¯s valour, brings heroes from five capitals old!* *With loyal heart, with just hand. With words of iron, life or death,* *A promise is worth a thousand tons of gold!* At this moment, the Inspector copsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face. ¡­ Outside the City Rows of bed ballista fired, the sound of bowstrings echoing sharply, and cannons roared, their thunderous booms deafening. At Yang Qianhuan''s feet, various formations and patterns lit up, each with different functions. Sometimes they enveloped arrows in a whirlwind, increasing their pration or altering their trajectory to pursue enemies. Other times they summoned mes, enhancing the explosion of cannonballs. asionally, they purely summoned heavenly lightning to strike down enemies. "I am proficient in thirty-six types of formations, twenty of which are offensive techniques. Killing you, a mere ant, is just a flick of my finger," Yang Qianhuan sneered. "But if you take back what you said earlier¡­" "What did I say?" The Warlock of Dreams, who had summoned battle spirits several times, looked dishevelled. Despite his unparalleledbat power, he could not touch Yang Qianhuan, who had mastered teleportation formations. "You said earlier that I''m not qualified to save someone from your hands. Man, you have sessfully ignited my anger." "What if I take it back? What if I don''t?" "If you take it back, I''ll leave your body intact. If you don''t, I''ll turn you to ashes. You warlocks aren''t good at killing, the battlefield where corpses pile up is the domain of warlocks. As for here, I''m in charge." "If I want to leave, you can''t stop me." The Warlock of Dreams struck a cannonball from afar, causing it to explode. He was pushed back by the intense st wave, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth. "Now Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong are dead. When the amassed troops in the mountains arrive, you''ll have no choice but to slink back to the capital." At this point, the Warlock of Dreams suddenly felt a pang of unease. He furrowed his brows, retreating while calcting with his fingers. For a diviner, such unease signified an omen. "How is this possible¡­" The Warlock of Dreams eximed in shock. He had sensed danger, a danger originating from Jiang Lyuzhong. However, Jiang Lyuzhong was supposed to be dead with no signs of life. Before taking action, he had divined an omen which indicated that everything would go smoothly today. But now, everything had changed. The omen now showed a sign of great misfortune. Who had obscured heavenly secrets? Boom Boom Boom¡­ At the edge of the horizon, a figure came running wildly. One moment he was in the distant sky, the next he was close at hand. It was Jiang Lyuzhong, his face twisted, his eyes blood-red. The violent aura surged like tidal waves, announcing the boundless fury of its owner. ¡­ Post Station, Main Hall Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were guarding the main hall, with only one Bronze Gong left upstairs to watch the prisoner. Their sabres were ced on the table, neither speaking, sitting in silent stillness. This atmosphere had persisted for half an hour. Suddenly, their ears twitched simultaneously, hearing the rumbling sound of wheels stopping at the post station entrance. Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao grabbed their sabres and rushed out, seeing Inspector Zhang, the Bronze Gongs, and Li Miaozhen with her high ponytail. Their faces were etched with sorrow, silent and speechless. "Where is Xu Qi''an? Where is Xu Qi''an?" Song Tingfeng looked around in the crowd, not seeing his colleague. "Outside," a Bronze Gong said softly. Song Tingfeng''s heart sank. He rushed out desperately, and then he saw Xu Qi''an in the carriage outside the post station. His face was covered with a robe, but Song Tingfeng recognised him by the unique sabre. Song Tingfeng reached out, trembling, and pulled off the robe. Half an hour ago, hispanion had been full of life. Now, there was no expression, forever gone. Song Tingfeng stood there, head lowered, perhaps for five or six seconds. Suddenly, he cried out, a heart-wrenching wail. "Condolences¡­" a Bronze Gong approached, tears in his eyes. "Get lost!" Zhu Guangxiao kicked him away. Song Tingfeng was still wailing, "To hell with your condolences, my brother is gone, and you tell me condolences¡­ Give me back my brother, give me back my brother¡­" ¡­ In the hazy world, Xu Qi''an saw the small temple again, and inside sat a handsome young monk. "Master¡­" Xu Qi''an said in grief and anger, "I seem to be dead. I want to greet all the women in your family, is that convenient?" Chapter 228: On the Day of Spring (Triple Length) Chapter 228: On the Day of Spring (Triple Length) # 228. On the Day of Spring (Triple Length) Xu Qi''an was furious; anyone in his situation would be. If he hadn''t known he couldn''t win, Xu Qi''an would have already gone up to cause trouble, grabbing his cor with one hand and pping with the other, while questioning: "Weren''t you supposed to save me, you bald bastard? You owe me a life!" This damn monk hadpletely betrayed his trust. They had agreed that if Xu Qi''an gave his body, the monk would help him kill his enemies. Even though their agreement was verbal, couldn''t there be some contractual spirit going on here? At this moment, Xu Qi''an very fittingly thought of a song: *You sold my love, burdened with a debt of conscience, when I finally learned the truth, tears fell from my eyes.* "What should I do now? Can I still live? Should I reincarnate or possess a body to be reborn? Is there reincarnation in this world?" Xu Qi''an, nervously suppressing all his emotions, asked the monk Shenshu in a calm and polite manner.The situation hade to this point; there was no use turning hostile. He should consider how to face the future. This wasn''t cowardice; it was the adult way of thinking. Between reincarnation and possessing a body to be reborn, Xu Qi''an preferred thetter. After all, growing from 8D to 8====D would take a very long time. A grown man''s soul trapped in an infant''s body would drive him mad from boredom in a few years. While Xu Qi''an was lost in thought, Shenshu opened his eyes, his expression serene. "You seem to be ming me?" *No, I''m not ming you, just myself for trusting the wrong person...* Xu Qi''an retorted in his heart. "How much do you know about the martial artist system?" Shenshu smiled. Xu Qi''an thought for a moment, "Open the floodgates and fuck until dawn?" Monk Shenshu''s expression paused slightly, as if he hadn''t heard, and he continued calmly, "Martial artists temper themselves to use human strength against the forces of heaven and earth. This ''self'' refers not only to the body but to the unity of vitality, qi, and spirit." *You damn monk can''t even follow a joke, not fun at all...* Xu Qi''an nodded in realisation, "So, Master, even though you were sealed in Sangpo for five hundred years, your spirit remained intact because of this principle?" That makes sense. If it was just about tempering the body, martial artists would have too obvious a weakness. Systems like Daoism, which specialise in the primordial spirit, could easily possess a martial artist''s body. Although martial artists didn''t have the shy abilities of other systems, they seem to be the most stable in theter stages, at least more so than Daoists. Look at the three Daoist sects¡ªwhat a mess, good at nothing and the first to fall apart. Shenshu nodded, "But below the third rank, martial artists mainly focus on tempering their bodies and practicing qi. Only at the seventh rank, the Refining Spirit realm, do they temper their primordial spirit." Upon hearing this, Xu Qi''an suddenly realised something was amiss. If essence, qi, and spirit were equally important, why was only the seventh rank dedicated to tempering the primordial spirit? "Now you understand the importance of the Refining Spirit realm," Monk Shenshu exined. "Ordinary martial artists in the Refining Spirit realm are just beginning to explore their limits, this is the lower ss. Continuously breaking through limits in desperate situations is the upper ss. The more solid your foundation at this stage, the deeper your background will be when you reach higher ranks." "Master, the seventh rank Refining Spirit,ys the foundation for which rank?" Xu Qi''an''s heart stirred. "The second rank, Hedao, union of the Dao." *That''s too distant for me. Who knows if I''ll ever reach that height in my lifetime...* Xu Qi''an thought, "The reasoning is sound, but in the end, I still died." He felt that sacrificing his life for the uncertain second rank foundation was too much of a loss. "To be reborn, one must first die. If you don''t die, how can you be reborn?" Monk Shenshu smiled. "So, will I reincarnate or possess a body to be reborn?" Xu Qi''an asked, pondering, ¡°If I can choose, I''d prefer to possess a body. I don''t have many requirements, well, firstly, I must be exceptionally handsome. Secondly, I must be the legitimate son of a prominent family, born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Of course, my cultivation should be at the Refining Qi realm, definitely not the Refining Vitality realm. I don''t want to live through those hard days of sighing with my hand on my crotch again. ¡°Lastly, I''d like to have a foxy older sister in her prime, the kind who goes ''ying ying ying''.¡± Monk Shenshu ignored his requests, his face bearing an ancient and unchanging serenity. "A third-rank martial artist can regenerate severed limbs and is extremely hard to kill. At the highest level, they are known as indestructible. By fortune, I have reached such a level." Xu Qi''an''s heart stirred, and he heard Shenshu say, "Before you died, I preserved yourst bit of vitality. By using your body to nurture my broken self, I can also give back to you. I will grant you a drop of my essence blood. Once you refine it, you wille back to life." *So thisst bit of vitality is me now...* That''s why I''m here? Xu Qi''an asked, "Thank you, Master. When will I wake up?" "This is a long process," Monk Shenshu replied. *Luckily, this world doesn''t practice cremation, otherwise, I''d be done for... No wonder Master Shenshu didn''t save me earlier. So ''reborn from death'' means this... You should have said so earlier. I could have shouted a few more slogans and acted more awake...* Confirming that he could be revived, Xu Qi''an''s mood brightened, and he began joking cheerfully to himself. ¡­ Outside the City! A crude martial artist charged head-on, causing the Warlock of Dreams to momentarily lose his breath, as if facing an avnche or a tsunami. At this moment, confusion and regret were useless emotions; killing the enemy was his only way out. The Warlock of Dreams formed seals with his hands and chanted, his body bursting with blinding blood light, his aura rising. The Blood Spirit technique, burning his essence blood to temporarily boost hisbat power. Jiang Lyuzhong''s unparalleled fist intent arrived. The Warlock of Dreams countered with his fist. Their fists collided silently at first, but secondster, the thunderous boom was like a thunderbolt exploding. The ground beneath them sank simultaneously, dust rising instantly, enveloping hundreds of meters. Yang Qianhuan, unable to dodge in time, hastily stomped the ground, activating formation patterns that formed barriers but shattered the next moment. The posturing master felt as if someone had struck him hard on the back of the head and mmed him into a carriage. The pain nearly made him cry out, but he held it in because it didn''t suit his image. Bang, bang¡­ After two more punches, the blood light around the Warlock of Dreams dispersed, ck smoke erupted from his head, and he flew backward like a cannonball. Jiang Lyuzhong''s rage had overtaken his reason. Now, he was perfectly aligned with the martial artist''s mindset, fearless against heaven and earth. Suddenly, it felt as if a steel nail had been driven into Jiang Lyuzhong''s brain, and his heart was split in two. He spat out blood, the sudden change preventing him from continuing his pursuit. The curse of death! Just now, the Warlock of Dreams stole a piece of his clothing to use a curse of death. If it had been a lower-rank martial artist, they would have died on the spot. In battles between high-ranking experts, such interference can almost determine the oue. Victory lies in a split second. However, the Warlock of Dreams decisively gave up this opportunity because the opponent was a martial artist. With skin as tough as bronze and bones as hard as iron. All major systems disliked martial artists, considering them crude and simplistic, only capable of brute force. Another reason was that martial artists were hard to kill. They could afford to make ten or even twenty mistakes, and you can''t kill them easily; you have to slowly wear them down. But if you make a single mistake, they will bash your brains out. They might even lift your skullcap, take a look at your brain, and then walk away disappointed. Pah, crude martial artist. After the curse of death took effect, the Warlock of Dreams quickly retreated, fleeing into the distance. "Bang!" He then collided with an invisible wall. "Yang Qianhuan!!" the Warlock of Dreams roared in anger. "In the formations I specialise in, six of them are trapping techniques. Go ahead and break this formation; there are five more waiting for you." Yang Qianhuan appeared not far away, his back facing the Warlock of Dreams. In this scene, just looking at his back, anyone would sigh and say: "An otherworldly expert!" The Warlock of Dreams had no opportunity to break the formation. He wasn''t a martial artist; his margin for error was too low. Jiang Lyuzhong charged in, and with the war spirit shattered in the previous three punches, the Warlock of Dreams was no longer a "martial artist." As everyone knew, in closebat, all systems were like little brothers in front of martial artists. "Poof!" Jiang Lyuzhong punched the Warlock of Dreams in the face, causing his head to explode, with red and white fragments and shattered bones flying everywhere. The headless corpse stiffened and then slowly copsed. "Bastard, bastard¡­." A phantom appeared in the air, looking down at Jiang Lyuzhong and Yang Qianhuan, its face twisted. That was the soul of the Warlock of Dreams. After high-ranking experts die, their souls can linger for a few days. In the field of souls, warlocks are second only to Daoist sects. "What do we do with this guy?" Yang Qianhuan asked. Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head: "I have no way to deal with souls; I can''t kill him. Nor can I trap him." If it were a physical body, he could kill with a single punch, but souls are special, immune to physical attacks. Energy vibrations can harm souls, but the effect was limited. If the soul of the Warlock of Dreams wanted to escape now, Jiang Lyuzhong couldn''t stop it. Yang Qianhuan said proudly: "I can trap him! There¡¯s a girl in the city who is from the Heaven Sect; she can refine this spectre." Then he said leisurely: "Picking the stars with the moon in hand, there are none like me upon thisnd.¡­" Boom! Primordial energy surged wildly as the Warlock of Dreams self-destructed. Jiang Lyuzhong slowly turned his head, staring at the white-robed arcanist, and said word by word: "He self-destructed." "¡­ Too impatient." Yang Qianhuan said gloomily. "Isn''t the real issue that you talked too much and missed the timing?" "Farewell!" "Yang Qianhuan¡­." Jiang Lyuzhong shouted, but the white-robed arcanist had already vanished, and his remaining words were unspoken. Xu Qi''an had sacrificed himself. ... Late at night, a sorrowful atmosphere pervaded the post station. The bright candlelight dispelled the darkness but couldn''t illuminate the gloom in people''s hearts. It was the third quarter of midnight. The severely injured Bronze Gongs stayed at the post station. The Inspector General wasn''t there, and neither was Yang Chuannan because he had been released. The Inspector General personally released him. When the disheveled but expressionless Inspector General Zhang returned, he asked Yang Chuannan if he was willing to redeem his sins through meritorious service. Yang Chuannan immediately agreed, not because he was eager to clear his name, but because at that moment, Commander Yang saw a storm brewing in the eyes of the schr that made his heart tremble. Yang Chuannan then left the post station, ordered to mobilise the military forces of the garrison to enter the city, and cooperated with the Flying Swallow Army to annihte the remaining rebels of the other three gates. In the process of suppressing the rebel factions, Zhu Guangxiao and Song Tingfeng led the charge, ughtering enemies left and right, but they had to return to the post station to heal after being hit by several arrows. After taking over Baidi City, Yang Chuannan and Li Miaozhen led troops to surround the Five City Army Headquarters. From the sixth-rank "Commanders" down to clerks, they were all arrested. Then, Inspector Zhang forcibly summoned all the officials with ranks in Baidi City and ordered the white-robed arcanist to interrogate them one by one, exposing 34 members of Song Changfu''s rebel clique. Including the officials and clerks of the Five City Army Headquarters, and the captured soldiers, there were 408 people in total. There were no subsequent interrogations or imprisonments. Inspector Zhang arbitrarily executed all the rebels at the execution ground. An inspector had the authority to act expediently, but it didn''t include executing officials without trial. However, given the current emergency, any overstepping actions could be justified post-facto by the need to eliminate rebels. As long as Inspector Zhang quelled the rebellion in Yunzhou, the court would onlymend him. Heads rolled and blood flowed like a river at the execution ground. The matter wasn''t over yet. ording to the Warlock of Dreams, who had his head blown off by Jiang Lyuzhong, the rebels'' n was to kill the inspector first, take Baidi City, and then cooperate with the mountain bandits to conquer Yunzhou. Inspector Zhang had already sent messengers to various prefectures and counties, instructing the local garrisons to be on high alert for bandit attacks. Li Miaozhen and Yang Chuannan actively prepared for the city''s defense, recruiting militia, transporting and repairing siege weapons, readying themselves for the enemy. But they waited untilte at night without seeing a single figure, and the scouts sent out did not return with any reports. At the southern gate, in the walled enclosure built into the city wall. Inspector Zhang, Jiang Lyuzhong, Yang Chuannan, and Li Miaozhen sat around a table discussing matters. Jiang Lyuzhong squinted at the city defense map. Li Miaozhen appeared gloomy and silent. Inspector Zhang nced at the two of them and finally looked at Yang Chuannan, humbly seeking advice: "Commander, is it possible the mountain bandits called off the attack after receiving news of the failed coup?" He was a schr, and though he had read some military texts, his armchair strategies were worth little. The two martial artists and the Daoist disciple present were all seasoned veterans. Yang Chuannan''s face was still pale, and his chest ached faintly. Fortunately, he was a skilled strategist. Although his cultivation had temporarily been destroyed, personal martial prowess was secondary to the ability tomand troops in battle. *When they need me, they call me Commander, but when they don''t, they call me a traitor...* Yang Chuannan couldn''t help but grumble internally, though outwardly, he remainedposed and serious, saying: ¡°In multi-front warfare, information doesn''t travel that quickly. Even if the forces attacking Baidi City received the news, the other forces wouldn''t synchronise their information. "By now, if what the Warlock of Dreams said is true, there should already be battles in various prefectures and counties. Let''s wait another hour. If no rebels attack Baidi City, we will dispatch troops to support the counties." Yang Chuannan looked at the close friend of the Flying Swallow Lady, "Miaozhen, what do you think? Miaozhen, Miaozhen..." Li Miaozhen snapped back, seeming toe to her senses, and asked, "What?" Yang Chuannan repeated the question, then asked with concern: "What''s wrong with you?" "Nothing." Li Miaozhen shook her head, but her mind was once again filled with the image of that young Bronze Gong, standing resolutely at the courtyard entrance. It was both tragic and sorrowful. But what truly lingered in Li Miaozhen''s mind wasn''t just the sheer impact of the scene, but the realisation that she hadpletely misjudged that man. She had always thought he was a lecherous scoundrel, yet in the moment of crisis, it was he who stood up while the other Bronze Gongs were focusing on healing. The shock from this stark contrast was the strongest of all. Every time she recalled the scene of him standing with his sword, Li Miaozhen felt a pang of sadness. Perhaps even yearster, the memory of this day would still be vivid and sharp. "Where''s Yang Qianhuan?" Inspector Zhang asked. "Gone. I couldn''t keep him here," Jiang Lyuzhong replied. He felt a bit of resentment toward Yang Qianhuan. Whenever he thought of the sacrifices of his three subordinates, Jiang Lyuzhong was filled with impotent rage, hating himself and projecting some of that anger onto Yang Qianhuan. Even though Yang Qianhuan had given a brief exnation. The guilt and regret would stay with him for a long time, until time could wash away the pain and he could finally move on. "Why did hee to Yunzhou?" Inspector Zhang frowned. Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head. Suddenly, Jiang Lyuzhong''s ears twitched, and he turned to look into the pitch-ck night. Li Miaozhen, a second slower, also turned her head. "They''re here!" Jiang Lyuzhong said in a deep voice. Everyone immediately rushed out of the room, climbed onto the city wall, and peered into the distance. They saw a long stretch of lights appearing in the darkness, slowly moving like a flowing river. Horns red and drums thundered, echoing through the quiet, cold night. Soldiers who had been dozing off by the parapets woke up, grabbed their spears, crossbows, shields, and other weapons, and got into battle positions. Li Miaozhen stood on the wall, squinting into the distance, suddenly tensing up. She shouted, "Watch out!" As her words fell, a silver light broke through the sky, the spearhead slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. A fourth-rank martial artist! And a peak fourth-rank martial artist at that! Li Miaozhen was shocked. Yunzhou had such high-level experts? Were there such powerful figures among the bandits? What happened next stunned her even more. Jiang Lyuzhong stepped forward to meet the silver spear, reaching out leisurely to catch it. He showed none of the seriousness or caution that one should have when facing a formidable foe. To her surprise, the seemingly fierce and unmatched spear turned out to be soft and weak, willingly falling into Jiang Lyuzhong''s hand. Li Miaozhen focused her eyes. This was a heavy silver spear, its silver paint chipped and weathered by time, but its spearhead gleamed coldly, the blood on it still fresh. Compared to the ordinary silver spear she held, this one was a true battle weapon. Li Miaozhen''s primary weapon was a flying sword, and she used a spear mainly because, after joining the army, she needed a weapon that matched her status. In the distance, with a loud crash, a figure leapt hundreds of meters, drawing a high arc in the air beforending on the walkway of the city wall. This person wore a dark Nightwatcher uniform, with a Gold Gong bound to his chest, his expression as hard as a sculpture. "What are you doing here?" Jiang Lyuzhong, both surprised and delighted, threw the silver spear over. "By father''s order, I''vee to Yunzhou to eliminate the bandits," Yang Yan replied concisely as he caught the spear. Inspector Zhang was taken aback, sensing something, and asked, "What did Duke Wei say to you?" "Father said the bandits in Yunzhou would cause trouble and ordered me toe secretly," Yang Yan said. "I took control of the local garrison forces a few days ago, nning to eliminate the banditster. But this evening, several groups of bandits attacked different ces. After I led a team to wipe them out, I guessed there might be trouble in Baidi City and rushed over. "Sixty miles from Baidi City, I encountered a force of two thousand men and just finished killing them." Li Miaozhen nced at the spearhead and thought, *no wonder there''s still blood on it.* Inspector Zhang felt relieved. So we were just the revealed pieces on the board, while Duke Wei had secretly made other arrangements. Yang Yan''s eyes swept over the crowd, searching for someone. He frowned, "Where''s Xu Qi''an?" Inspector Zhang''s face suddenly turned grim, and the joy in Jiang Lyuzhong''s eyes faded away. Yang Yan felt a sinking feeling in his heart. His already expressionless face grew even colder. "He..." Inspector Zhang''s eyes filled with sorrow as he said, "He died in battle." Li Miaozhen lowered her head slightly and sighed. *Crack...* The stone bricks under Yang Yan''s feet suddenly shattered, as uncontrolled energy spilled out, revealing his inner turmoil. His eyes sharp as knives, his face, usually a mask of indifference, now twisted in rare fury. He squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth, "How did he die?" Inspector Zhang recounted the events of the day in detail to Yang Yan. When he finally spoke of how Xu Qi''an had stood firm, refusing to retreat, to protect everyone, the inspector''s eyes reddened: "He was hit by thirty-one arrows, with over sixty sword wounds... He stood to the end, saying he wouldn''t retreat... A promise is worth a thousand tons of gold, a thousand tons of gold!" Jiang Lyuzhong exhaled slowly. Seeing the inspector''s grief-stricken expression, he felt a twinge of guilt and said in a deep voice: "It was my dereliction of duty. I''m sorry..." Without warning, Yang Yan''s spear swept across, its shaft bending as it mmed into Jiang Lyuzhong''s chest. Boom! A resounding explosion echoed through the sky and earth. Jiang Lyuzhong crashed through the parapet, hurtling away. Yang Yan stomped down, shattering half the city wall, and soared into the air, his roar echoing far and wide: "Jiang Lyuzhong, you useless scum, I''m going to kill you today!" ... In the posthouse, in the main hall. The bodies of Xu Qi''an and three Silver Gongsy in the centre of the hall, covered with white cloths. The arrows had been removed from Xu Qi''an''s body, and his blood-stained face had been cleaned. The sleepless Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao came downstairs in silent agreement, fetched two chairs, and sat beside Xu Qi''an. They didn''t speak, just silently kept vigil. Men''s grief was silent. During this time, Song Tingfeng said two things: "Consider this a vigil for you." "See you in the next life, brother." Zhu Guangxiao said one thing: "In the end, it''s just the two of us." As the candles burned down, the wax dripping and solidifying, in this atmosphere of sorrow, Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao didn''t say another word. Until the sound of heavy footsteps came from outside the posthouse. A team of Nightwatchers entered, led by Yang Yan, looking battered and worn. Behind him were several Silver Gongs who hade to Yunzhou with him, all of whom Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao recognised. Xu Qi''an would have recognised them too, like Min Shan and Yang Feng, with whom he had once investigated the Sangpo case ¡­ and his superior, Li Yuchun. Li Yuchun looked like a walking corpse, taking small, slow steps toward Xu Qi''an, as if the short distance was filled with thorns, each step causing piercing pain. Li Yuchun reached out, lifted the white cloth... and his body swayed. "Boss!" Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao hurried to support him. Looking down at Xu Qi''an''s face, Li Yuchun said, "I heard Ningyan died in battle, but I don''t know the specifics. Can you two tell me?" Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao exchanged a nce, both a bit worried about how calm the Boss was. Song Tingfeng recounted the events to Li Yuchun, who listened quietly and then nodded slowly. ¡°As expected of a Bronze Gong I trained. Goodd, he didn''t disgrace me. ¡°He always did things that pleased me, like when he beheaded that little bastard surnamed Zhu. He never coveted money, which is better than both of you. You should learn from him. "The only bad thing was that his cultivation was too scattered, and he often sneaked off to the brothels to listen to music while patrolling. People came to me toin several times." He babbled on about trivial matters, reminiscing about the past. It was mostly calm, which made Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao breathe a sigh of relief. They knew the Boss valued and appreciated Xu Qi''an highly. He had dared to publicly disgrace Wei Gong over the matter of Xu Qi''an cutting down a Silver Gong. However, when he lifted the white cloth and inspected Xu Qi''an''s attire, he suddenly flew into a rage: "Which son of a bitch dressed him, which son of a bitch dressed him? Thepels aren''t symmetrical, thepels aren''t symmetrical¡­." He cursed loudly, looking as if he wanted to draw his sword and kill someone, seemingly thinking that this way, others would overlook the tears welling up in his eyes. "Boss," Song Tingfeng called out. "Thepels aren''t symmetrical, thepels aren''t symmetrical." Li Yuchun held his face in his hands, his shoulders trembling, trembling... ... Li Miaozhen returned to her residence in Baidi City and sat alone in the study for a long time, a small jade mirror ced beside her. Several times, she wanted to pick it up and inform everyone of Number Three''s death, but she held back. Just let him retain a bit of dignity... Li Miaozhen sighed and finally picked up the jade mirror, sending a message: ¡¾Daozhang, I need to speak with you alone.¡¿ Awakened in the dead of night by the jade mirror''s transmission, the members of the Heaven and Earth Society were very annoyed. Seeing Number Two''s message made them even more annoyed. Again? ¡¾NINE: I''ve already blocked the others.¡¿ ¡¾TWO: The matter in Yunzhou has been settled.¡¿ ¡¾NINE: That¡¯s good news.¡¿ ¡¾TWO: I already know that Number Three is Xu Qi''an.¡¿ Daoist Jinlian chuckled: ¡¾NINE: That¡¯s good news.¡¿ ¡¾TWO: Xu Qi''an died in battle.¡¿ ¡¾NINE: ???¡¿ ¡¾TWO: I will find a way to retrieve the fragment of the Earth Book. Next spring, I will leave Yunzhou and go to the capital.¡¿ ¡¾NINE: Are you sure Xu Qi''an is dead?¡¿ ¡¾TWO: Yes.¡¿ ¡¾NINE: That¡¯s impossible.¡¿ ¡¾TWO: Why do you say that, Daozhang?¡¿ ¡¾NINE: Xu Qi''an has great fortune and is not destined to die young.¡¿ ¡¾TWO: But he is indeed dead. I personally prepared his corpse.¡¿ Daoist Jinlian asked: ¡¾Did his soul scatter?¡¿ Li Miaozhen frowned: ¡¾When I arrived, he was already dead. Besides, he hadn''t reached the Refining Spirit stage, so his soul wasn''t strong. It could have dissipated on the spot due to the malevolent energy and blood.¡¿ With her Heaven Sect Holy Maiden standards, would she not be able to tell if a body still had any vitality? Daoist Jinlian was silent for a long time before replying: ¡¾I understand. You don''t need to worry about the fragment of the Earth Book. I will verify whether Xu Qi''an is dead or alive personally.¡¿ Li Miaozhen raised her eyebrows. Daoist Jinlian clearly did not trust her judgment. However, she did not argue. The message had been delivered, whether believed or not was the Daoist''s matter. However, the fragment of the Earth Book was a treasure of the Earth Sect, and Li Miaozhen felt that Daoist Jinlian was too casual in his handling and not taking it seriously enough. Ending the block, Number One immediately sent a message: ¡¾Two, has the Yunzhou case been resolved?¡¿ Li Miaozhen replied: ¡¾If you want to know the details, we can exchange for equivalent information.¡¿ ¡¾ONE: Alright, no problem.¡¿ ¡¾TWO: The person truly colluding with the Church of the Warlock God and supporting the bandits was Minister Song Changfu. After the scheme was exposed, he sealed off Baidi City and gathered rebel forces to attack Inspector Zhang. Although they failed, the Nightwatchers also suffered heavy losses. ¡¾Our...the Xu Qi''an we''ve often talked about sacrificed himself.¡¿ She ultimately did not reveal that Xu Qi''an was Number Three. *Number Three will never appear again...* Li Miaozhen added in her heart, feeling a bit sad. Xu Qi''an sacrificed himself? Among the Heaven and Earth Society members, the one who reacted most strongly was Number Six, Hengyuan, followed by Number Four, who simply regretted the loss of talent. Hengyuan the monk was different. He once again felt the grief he experienced when his junior brother Henghui died. ¡¾TWO: Next spring, I will go to the capital. ONE, I want to know all the information about the younger disciples of the Human Sect.¡¿ Number One did not reply to her again. ... Yunzhou was now aplete mess. There was a huge upheaval in the officialdom of Baidi City, and people were panicking. As the court-appointed inspector, Inspector Zhang could not leave. He wrote a memorial detailing the Yunzhou case and sent it to the court. Then, he stayed in Yunzhou to oversee the situation, waiting for the court''s instructions and the arrival of a new Minister. Only then could he return to the capital. Jiang Lyuzhong and Yang Yan stayed in Yunzhou to eliminate the bandits and ensure Inspector Zhang''s safety. However, Xu Qi''an and the three Silver Gongs'' bodies needed to be transported back to the capital. They were heroes and should not be buried in a foreignnd. In the bitter cold of winter, the bodies would not dpose quickly but could not remain in Yunzhou for long. The task of escorting the four bodies back to the capital was assigned to Silver Gong Min Shan. Li Yuchun and the others decided to stay in Yunzhou to participate in the bandit suppression, venting their grief. At the same time, deep down, they feared facing Xu Qi''an''s family. Inspector Zhang prepared coffins for the four fallen Nightwatchers, deeply bowed, and did not rise for a long time. When sealing the coffins, Inspector Zhang ced four letters from the capital on Xu Qi''an''s chest. ... February 2nd, the Spring Festival. This world did not have a New Year, but it had a simr festival called the Spring Festival, celebrating the first day of Spring. On this day, the emperor led the civil and military officials in offering sacrifices to heaven, praying for favourable weather and national peace and prosperity in theing year. It was the most important day in the Great Feng. Every household followed in offering sacrifices, ughtering sheep and cattle. Even the busiest people would return home on Spring Festival to reunite with their families. Amid the lingering winter chill, thin ice floated on the canal as the official ship slowly headed north on its return journey. And on that day of spring, Xu Qi¡¯an finally woke up again. Chapter 229: Replies to Letters Chapter 229: Replies to Letters # 229. Replies to Letters *So dark... Where am I... Who am I?* He thought groggily, unable to remember who he was or where he was. Woo woo woo... Boom boom boom... Xu Qi''an heard the sound of horns and drums. Gradually, he heard other sounds: the overwhelming shouts of battle, the deep and chaotic sound of horse hooves, the explosions, and the sharp sh of des. All kinds of sounds intertwined, forming a clear picture in Xu Qi''an''s mind. A battlefield! As soon as he thought that, the darkness before his eyes split open, light pierced through, and indeed, he saw a battlefield.A dense mass of troops charged, like swarming ants, with high-ranked martial artists rampaging on the battlefield, just like humans trampling on an anthill. This battlefield was not just filled with humans; there were giant beasts two stories high, serpents dozens of meters long, and fierce birds circling the sky... Above the melee were monks chanting sutras in the air; there were mighty barbarian warriors who could move mountains; there were fearless undead armies; there were rows of artillery troops; and there were brave cavalry riding fearsome beasts... *What kind of battlefield is this? It''s too exaggerated, too many people dying,* Xu Qi''an thought nkly. His gaze swept over the battlefield, over the undead army, over the artillery troops, and looked towards the high sky at the rear of the battlefield, where a group of flying beasts hovered. A man in azure robes stood proudly on the head of a beast, hands behind his back, looking indifferently at the fierce battlefield below. "Wei Yuan?!" Xu Qi''an''s heart trembled, suddenly remembering who he was. At that moment, the battlefield scene copsed and returned to endless darkness. Xu Qi''an opened his eyes and still saw darkness. *Damn, it''s so stuffy...* He didn''t get up immediately but concentrated on sensing his surroundings. Then, he "saw" the dark cabin, the neatly arranged five coffins, the slowly moving official ship, and the rippling waves on the canal. This was the supernatural ability he gained after reaching the Refining Spirit stage. He didn''t know how other Refining Spirit martial artists were, but Xu Qi''an''s mental power could, to some extent, act as eyes. Even if his titanium dog eyes were blinded someday, he wouldn''t be afraid. *The dream I just had... no, it shouldn''t be a simple dream, how could a dream be so clear? An undead army, high monks... I''ve never encountered these things, how could I dream of them?* *Why was Wei Yuan in the dream? He looked so young... at least his temples weren''t grey. Dad really was handsome when he was young, just as handsome as me...* Lying in the coffin, Xu Qi''an recalled the scenes he saw in the dream: the vast army covering the mountains and ins, the massive scale of the battle. Multiple forces shing. Combining this with Wei Yuan''s appearance and his deeds, Xu Qi''an immediately had a guess ¡ª the Battle of Shanhai Pass. *Among Wei Yuan''s deeds, the most famous was the Battle of Shanhai... nations shing,rge-scale, perfectly fitting the historical records of the Battle of Shanhai Pass... but why would I dream of the Battle of Shanhai Pass? How did my weakling second uncle survive? He must have been ying dead in the pile of corpses...* Xu Qi''an thought, pushing open the coffin lid. Fresh air rushed in. He took a deep breath and sat up. Suddenly, a delighted voice came from the dim cabin: "You''re awake." Xu Qi''an was startled. Only then did he notice a man in white sitting three meters to his left, with his back to him... Well, identity revealed, it''s Yang Qianhuan. This guy was the only man Xu Qi''an could recognize just by his back. Without responding immediately, he pondered for a few seconds before saying, "Where are we?" Yang Qianhuan''s tone was quite cheerful, showing he was in a great mood. "On the road back to the capital, oh no, on the water." "The Yunzhou case is over?" Xu Qi''an''s face showed joy. "Ah, this damn case is finally over. I no longer have to stay upte and work overtime. "I died once, I wonder if Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao were sad for me, maybe they were more sad about missing out on five free rides... "Ah, I never got to trick Susu intoing home as my paper wife. Li Miaozhen probably wants to kill me, good thing I died first, otherwise it would have been really awkward..." Yang Qianhuan patiently listened to his ramblings. "By the way, why are you on the ship too?" Xu Qi''an asked. ...Yang Qianhuan thought for a moment and said, "I was sent by my master to handle matters in Yunzhou. Now that it''s done, naturally I''m returning. I happened to see the Nightwatchers sending your corpses back to the capital, so I sneaked on board. "Then, I discovered the wounds on your body were strangely healing, so I figured you weren''t dead. After waiting for a few days, hey, you really came back to life." Yang Qianhuan spoke calmly, but his psychological journey was far more tumultuous than his tone suggested. Upon hearing the news of Xu Qi''an''s death, he thought, *I''m finished. When I return to the capital, teacher will shut me under the Stargazing Tower, never to see daylight again.* He was so scared he almost ran away from his sect. At the same time, he felt it was a pity, such an interesting guy, how could he die, how could he be so foolish, sacrificing his 20-year-old life for an old man''s. Inspector Zhang was already half a foot in the coffin, the old man. He followed all the way, sneaked onto the official ship, opened Xu Qi''an''s coffin lid, and found that things took a turn for the better. The injuries on this kid''s body were miraculously healing, his heartbeat gradually recovering, showing signs of revival. So, Yang Qianhuan happily stayed by the coffin, not even having time to poop. Of course, these things could not be told to Xu Qi''an. *...Did he open my coffin? Otherwise, how would he know my wounds were healing... Why would he open my coffin... I feel like he has some unspeakable purpose...* Xu Qi''an thought, but showed a smile on his face: "What did Jianzheng send you to Yunzhou for?" Just at that moment, Yang Qianhuan asked, "How did youe back to life?" After asking, the two of them stared at each other, falling silent. A few secondster, feeling guilty, they both tacitly changed the topic: "The weather is nice today." "The wind is quite noisy today." Xu Qi''an and Yang Qianhuan fell silent again. *It''s a bit awkward...* Just as Xu Qi''an was thinking of changing the topic and talking about something else, he suddenly found four letters in his arms. Whose letters are these? The coffin was stored at the bottom of the cabin, with only weak light prating through the gaps in the deck. The deck lets light through, this ship needs proper repairs... Xu Qi''an grumbled, casually opening a letter and reading it by the faint light. Now, his eyesight allowed him to see in the dark without any obstacles. After reaching the Refining Spirit stage, his body''s attributes had improved in all aspects. *Big Brother:* *We received your letters. Mum and dad are all very happy, Lingyin is also very happy. Mum was especially pleased, she didn¡¯t expect you to write a letter for her, she was smacking the table with joy. It¡¯s good to know that Big Brother is safe. I don¡¯t need to worry any more.* The words were thin and slender, Lingyue¡¯s handwriting. *Auntie¡¯s probably smacking the table and cursing out myte mother¡­ but are you happy, sister¡­* Lingyue¡¯s slender and graceful face appeared in Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind. Imagining her slightly lowering her gaze, with a shy and bashful expression on her face, the corner of his mouth curled up slightly, and he continued to read: *Not long after you left, Lingyin was made to enter the school. Everything was arranged for by second brother. Now, Lingyin can recite nine characters from the Three Character ssic. When mum and dad found out, they were nearly moved to tears.* Lingyin can read nine characters now? Xu Qi¡¯an was nearly moved to tears. *However it seems she was bullied. Mum bought her a jade bracelet once, that cost ten taels of silver, and it disappeared a few days ago. There were some light bruising on her wrist, someone seems to have pulled it off.* *But Lingyin doesn¡¯t know better, when we asked who had done it, she didn¡¯t say, didn¡¯t even think it was an issue. Maybe in her heart except for food, there was nothing else important.* *The Spring Festival is soon arriving, dad gets homete every day, or staying overnight at barracks elsewhere, not having time to manage things in the family. Mum hasn¡¯t told him yet, and went to go ask the teacher at the school herself, but the teacher said that he didn¡¯t know, and maybe that Lingyin had lost it herself. Mum was shaking with anger, but she couldn¡¯t do anything.* *If big brother were here, then this wouldn¡¯t have happened right? If second brother were here, he would definitelyment the teacher out of the city.* *However second brother has also been really angry recently. From what dad said, he was freezing in the winter wind for half a night, and after returning home the next day for money and food, he hasn¡¯t talked to us since. Second brother is so stingy, it¡¯s not big brother¡¯s fault that you forgot to write a letter, big brother is also very busy.* Sis, Xinnian is your direct blood brother¡­ it seems that not only have your legs taking a wrong turn, your heart has taken a wrong turn right to me¡­ please continue on this trajectory. Reading up to here, Xu Qi¡¯an had to cover his mouth with his hand to stop himself fromughing out loud. It¡¯s a shame that I couldn¡¯t see Eng in that state, hehehe¡­ *Oh also, mum said after spring, she would find me a husband. I hate it, why doesn¡¯t she go marry herself? Lingyin misses you, she asks for you every day. I¡­ I also miss you. What are you saying, it¡¯s not as if Auntie can remarry, Auntie is a member of our Xu family, alive or dead¡­ big brother misses you too. Finishing the letter, Xu Qi¡¯an folded up the paper, and put it back into the envelope with satisfaction. He nced at Yang Qianhuan, but this character still had his back turned, quiet like a statue. ¡°What are you looking at me for, where else would I be?¡± Yang Qianhuan said grumpily. Xu Qi¡¯an ignored him, and opened the second letter. *Dearest,* *You and I have been twenty days apart, and the thought of you is like a crackling me, ever getting brighter. Everything at the Jiaofangsi is good, every day I nap, then go pick plum blossoms, and walk around. I¡¯ve brewed a cask of plum blossom wine, for us to share when youe home.* This was the Madam Oiran¡¯s letter. *asionally I would go drink a few drinks with guests, listening to their conversations, but really your servant wants to hear about you. Yet, the capital and Yunzhou are a myriad miles apart, and information does not travel easily.* *Those wretched men, they boast about being schrs, but are really only fit for gorging and boozing, with not a drop of talent, hardlyparable to my dearest. Your servant has thought many times, that meeting Master Xu was heaven¡¯s greatest gift to me.* *Some days ago, the maids brought a message, I heard that you have written a new poem in Qingzhou, treated as an utmost treasure by Ziyang Jushi, and carved onto stone stele to admonish all who would cause trouble. To know the person who wrote it makes your servant unbelievably happy.* *Dearest Master Xu, your servant misses you every night, my nails are even trimmed down.* Miss me all you want, just don¡¯t get it all over your hands¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an chuckled, before carefully folding up the paper and putting it back in its envelope. There were two more letters left. He thought back through his remaining spare tyres: Chu Caiwei, Huaiqing, Lin¡¯an. There were clearly three people ¡ª three tyres, but why were there only two letters. Xu Qi¡¯an was a little indignant, thinking who didn¡¯t write me a letter? Is it that my tyre-raising skills are toocklustre, or that my ocean king¡¯s trident isn¡¯t urate enough? He picked one at random, and opened to read: *Running dog.* *When¡¯s the Yunzhou case over? We don¡¯t miss you per se, but considering the Spring festival is near, many guards have gone on holiday, and we have fewer servants by our side.* Just from the first sentence, a wave of coquettish, bitchy yfulness hit him at full force. Is her highness reallycking attendants¡­ mn, Biaobiao has remembered to reply, not bad, not bad¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an continued reading: *Your five-in-a-row has made its mark in our hands, everyone is praising my inventiveness and sharp wit, even Huaiqing has admitted defeat to me on this one, on all fours at that. Privately she said to me: Lin¡¯an, your intelligence far bests mine, Huaiqing admits your superiority.* *But of course she wouldn¡¯t admit it in public. I¡¯m just gossiping, don¡¯t take it to heart ok? Huaiqing is still a princess after all, gotta let her have some of her pride.* *But we do not take advantage of our subordinates. With the spring festivaling, Father gifted me some gold, silver, and jade, as well as some silk and jewellery. When you get back,e to our stores to pick some out.* Haha, bless your heart, Lin¡¯an, to think that I told her that to support my martial arts, uncle had to get loans and scrape by, she just up and believed it, and is still finding ways to give me silver, how innocent¡­ keep it up, you¡¯re doing great! Xu Qi¡¯an smiled happily. *What¡¯s up with the chicken bouillon, didn¡¯t you invent it? Why is everyone out there saying that the Sitianjian¡¯s Chu Caiwei invented it? We were so angry that we went and raised a storm at the Sitianjian.* *Those white cloaks didn¡¯t dare touch me, but they had the gall to go tell on me to Father, and I ended up getting a heavy scolding. When youe back, we can go back to the Sitianjian, make things fair and square.* Um¡­ admittedly the chicken bouillon really was invented by Chu Caiwei, I only gave her the prompt. We¡¯ve already agreed that she can use the refinement of chicken bouillon to reach the Master of Alchemy rank. Xu Qi¡¯an was somewhat moved, Biaobiao is really quite protective of her own. He put Lin¡¯an¡¯s letter back in its envelope, and taking a deep breath, opened thest letter. Huaiqing or Caiwei, which one of you is the traitor, we¡¯ll find out now! *Bronze Gong Xu.* *The situation in Yunzhou isplex, and banditry has been endemic for decades. The Qi clique and the Church of the Warlock God have conspired for many years, and they likely have a lot of power in Yunzhou.* *Remember to act carefully. Even if you have the fourth rank Gold Gong Jiang with you, you are notpletely safe. If you have your target, you must move with lightning speed, lest you give him time to respond.* *I surmise that Duke Wei has arranged secret orders, but likely they will not cross paths with you. Perhaps Inspector Zhang knows, perhaps not. Although your skill in deduction is unparalleled, your strength is still limited, remember to not act alone.* It¡¯s Huaiqing, huh. Complex feelings coursed through Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind. He was feeling both disappointment and pleasure, disappointed that that big eyed kawaii beauty was not up to par, that all that effort was for naught. To let her into his fish pond, and yet not so much as to respond. Pleased that Huaiqing was most certainly up to par, she still had this Bronze Gong in her heart. But both sides of the hand are made of flesh, and so Xu Qi¡¯an could not weight one feeling over the other. *Huaiqing¡¯s really scary, a little too intelligent no? No, this isn¡¯t just intelligence, this is a deep analysis of the situation, an ability to predict people¡¯s intentions, she even managed to predict Duke Wei¡¯s ns¡­ fuck, if I go out of line even a little I¡¯ll have no chance of getting away with it.* As he remembered it, Huaiqing was still half a disciple of Wei Yuan, so to have that ability was admittedly not out of the question. Xu Qi¡¯an narrowed his eyes, and continued reading: *A few days ago, Caiwei came to have lunch at my gardens. When we were chatting, we started chatting about you. She said that recently she was struggling over how to reply to you, because she didn¡¯t like to read, and was afraid that her clumsy writing would make youugh.* *She also said: ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an is really thoughtful, he even sent me a red lotus petal to me from Qingzhou, saying that I¡¯m as pretty as the lotus in the wind.¡±* *When Caiwei was talking about this, she wore much a smile¡­ and so I decided to tell Caiwei: We will write a letter for you, and she happily agreed.* *Heh, Master Xu is very suave indeed. Sending a flower to two people, with different phrases in each, and in such a way as to perfectly please the recipient.* *We admire your talent.* ¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an stared at the paper with a stupefied expression. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Yang Qianhuan asked. ¡°The cart¡¯s overturned¡­¡± Freeloader Xu¡¯s face reddened, so embarrassed that he wanted to jump into the river, and swim back to Baidi city. *Fuuuuck¡­ I forgot that Caiwei hadn¡¯t really started thinking about romance. And she¡¯s on good terms with Huaiqing, she could share such gossip without so much as a thought.* *Huaiqing already has some prejudice to me, she wouldn¡¯t even see me when I left the capital, and now that Miss Caiwei has let the cat out¡­ Huaiqing must have already stuck a ¡°Scumbag¡±bel on me."* Even the tips of Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s ears turned red. *Old Xu still has some sense of pride, how could I have any face to show at the capital now¡­ oh right, I¡¯m dead. That¡¯s okay then.* At the same time, he also felt relieved because Huaiqing couldn''t see the letters from Biaobiao, Fuxiang, and Lingyue. Thetter two need no exnation, as they had no interaction with Huaiqing. And Biaobiao was her sister, they were like water and fire and would never share such intimate letters. It was even less likely that she would show off. No matter how innocent and naive Biaobiao might appear, she was still a royal princess and wouldn¡¯t be foolish enough to show such letters around. *Luckily, I know Chu Caiwei is a blockhead and didn''t flirt with her, just talked about the local delicacies along the way... Perhaps because of this, Princess Huaiqing was unhappy but still wrote to remind me. After all, what I wrote to her were love (bootlicking) letters, while what I wrote to Caiwei were normal letters.* *Hehe, Huaiqing, you thought I was on the second level, but I was actually on the fifth.* "Who wrote the letter?" Seeing that Xu Qi''an finally finished reading, Yang Qianhuan started talking again. "A friend from the capital," Xu Qi''an said calmly. "Must be your lover," Yang Qianhuan remarked. Xu Qi''an immediately became vignt. "Did you peek at my letters?" Yang Qianhuan sneered, "I, Yang Qianhuan, would never stoop to such lowly deeds." After all, he was a fourth-ranked Arcanist... Xu Qi''an nodded and said, "By the way, your junior sister Caiwei is truly a blockhead. At her age, she should have romantic feelings. I couldn''t even flirt with her; when I wrote to her, she still..." Xu Qi''an sighed deeply. Yang Qianhuan agreed, "Junior sister Caiwei is indeed slow to mature. She treated it as regr correspondence between friends and told Princess Huaiqing. It''s not that she has no feelings for you; at least you are a very important friend to her." Xu Qi''an''s gaze suddenly became sharp. "How the hell do you know she told Huaiqing?" "..." Yang Qianhuan. The King of Posturing didn''t speak for a long time, realizing he had been tricked. He finally understood the shame Xu Qi''an had felt earlier. *Not only did you peek at my letter, but you also stuck the envelope back...* "Forget it. Considering you helped me capture Liang Youping, I won¡¯t fuss about it," Xu Qi''an warned. "But you mustn''t spread the word about the letters." Since things hade to this point, Yang Qianhuan had already read the letters, so he couldn¡¯t turn back time. He might as well pretend to be generous. Yang Qianhuan was puzzled. "I didn''t help you catch Liang Youping." A cold breeze blew through the deck''s gaps, hitting Xu Qi''an''s neck. He shivered slowly, his hair standing on end, and even his voice carried a hint of tremor. "What did you say?" ... In the warm winter sun, Nangong Qianrou drove a carriage to the outer pce. After parking the carriage, he handed the reins to a Yulin Guard who came up, bent down to take out a wooden stool, opened the carriage door, and said, "Father, we''ve arrived." Wearing a luxurious azure robe and with graying temples, Wei Yuan emerged from the carriage and stepped down onto the wooden stool. The two of them entered the pce and headed for the Imperial Study. "Father, I heard there was an urgent message this morning?" Nangong Qianrou asked. The intelligence levels of the Great Feng were divided into three-hundred-mile urgency, four-hundred-mile urgency, six-hundred-mile urgency, and the highest eight-hundred-mile urgency. Among them, eight-hundred-mile urgent information was sent directly to the cab, which then passed it to the emperor. Before it reaches the cab, no one except the messenger was allowed to handle it. Otherwise, it was considered treason. Wei Yuan nodded solemnly. After the eight-hundred-mile urgent letter was sent to the pce, the emperor had called a small court meeting in the Imperial Study shortly after. An eight-hundred-mile urgent letter must be a major event, but it was unclear which province it came from. "Truly a troublesome time!" Wei Yuan sighed lightly and then asked, "How is the preparation of the rhino armor going?" "The materials have been collected, just waiting to be taken to the Sitianjian for forging," Nangong Qianrou said sourly. The rhino armor was a gift Wei Yuan intended for Xu Qi''an. The rhino armor was impervious to des and fire. If the alchemists and formation masters of the Sitianjian were to forge it into a magical item, it would be an unparalleled defensive treasure, difficult even for a fifth-rank martial artist to break through easily. Nangong Qianrou understood Wei Yuan''s intentions. He wanted to cover Xu Qi''an''sst weakness, to protect this sapling that had yet to fully grow. As they neared the Imperial Study, Nangong Qianrou was stopped by the imperial guards, and Wei Yuan proceeded alone. Wei Yuan stepped over the threshold and entered the Imperial Study. He casually nced at the ministers on either side and immediately frowned. All the ministers were looking at him with an inexplicable and obscure gaze. Emperor Yuanjing was also looking at Wei Yuan, but the old emperor was deep in thought, showing no expression. "Your Majesty," Wei Yuan bowed and saluted, then naturally joined the ranks, standing in his ce. Chapter 230: Compensation Chapter 230: Compensation # 230. Compensation Wei Yuan, who had stood firmly in the officialdom for decades, could keenly sense even the slightest change in the atmosphere. Even though Emperor Yuanjing only nced at him when he entered and the officials had already retracted their gazes, Wei Yuan knew that this small court meeting was likely rted to him. The Spring Festival had just concluded, and in a few days, the results of the official evaluation would be out. During this period, the lists for review from various provinces had been sent to the Ministry of Personnel, awaiting Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s final approval. The assessment results from the capital had already taken shape under the supervision of the Minister of Personnel. The formation of this assessment list was apanied by intensepetition and struggles, which the officials in the hall and Emperor Yuanjing were well aware of. They wouldn''t overturn it at this juncture. Since it wasn''t about the official evaluation, what other major matter could involve him? Wei Yuan''s mind raced, and two words appeared in his thoughts¡ªYunzhou! *The eight-hundred-mile urgent report came from Yunzhou¡­ it seems Yunzhou has indeed rebelled. With Jiang Lyuzhong and Yang Yan¡¯s abilities, and Zhang Xingying¡¯s prior efforts, Yunzhou shouldn''t have descended into chaos¡­* Wei Yuan pondered.After waiting for another quarter of an hour, the ministers eligible to attend the small court meeting arrived one after another. Emperor Yuanjing, looking down at the ministers below, said, "This morning, there was an eight-hundred-mile urgent letter from Yunzhou. The Yunzhou case has concluded. The one colluding with the Church of the Warlock God, supporting mountain bandits, and transporting military supplies was the Provincial Governor of Yunzhou, Song Changfu." It was as if a bomb had been dropped; the ministers exploded into an uproar, their faces pale with shock. Following this were uncontroble discussions and angry denunciations. However, some people were not surprised, such as the Wang Clique. Urgent documents must first pass through the Cab, which then transfers them to the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for conveying the emperor¡¯s orders and reporting the petitions and appeals from the popce as well as military and disaster information. The Cab is the domain of the Prime Minister, and while they have no right to privately open urgent documents, the emperor¡¯s first act after reading them is to inform the Cab and then hold a meeting. Thus, the Wang Clique had the first-hand information. "Silence!" The chief eunuch beside Emperor Yuanjing shouted several times to quiet the ministers. "My lords, please listen," Emperor Yuanjing said. The white-haired, brocade-robed senior eunuch nced at a corner eunuch and nodded slightly. That eunuch stepped forward, unfolded the document in his hand, and read aloud: ¡°Your servant Zhang Xingying reports: ¡°The Yunzhou case concluded on the 24th of January. The traitors, Song Changfu, Yang You, Chen Ming¡­ thirty-four individuals in total, have all been executed.¡± A string of names followed, all officials of various ranks. ¡°Yunzhou is now under control, and the major case has been resolved. This is due to the court¡¯s proper governance and the emperor''s virtuous guidance. ¡°Gold Gong Jiang Lyuzhong protected me throughout, working diligently... ¡°Gold Gong Yang Yan, risking his life, led the army to fiercely attack the rebels, ying a crucial role in suppressing the rebellion, preventing the rebels from burning, killing, and plundering Yunzhou¡¯s people... ¡°Silver Gongs Zhao Bin, Tang Shanhu, and Li Yun died protecting me at the hands of the Warlock of Dreams from the Church of the Warlock God. Their loyalty and heroic spirit are trulymentable... ¡°Bronze Gongs Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao made significant contributions during the investigation, helping Xu Qi¡¯an find evidence. To protect this evidence, they even risked their lives and suffered severe injuries... In the process of quelling the rebels, they led by example, showing no fear of death, their patriotism moving to tears...¡± From Gold Gongs to Bronze Gongs, Inspector Zhang praised them one by one, writing in great detail and with much care. Wei Yuan listened silently, his expression unchanged even when hearing of the three Silver Gongs'' deaths. The mighty minister who never showed his emotions remained stoic. ¡°Bronze Gong Xu Qi¡¯an, during his journey south, uncovered the iron mine smuggling case. This matter has been previously reported and will not be detailed again. However, in the Yunzhou case, Xu Qi¡¯an single-handedly deciphered numerous clues and found the evidence... It was he who detected Song Changfu¡¯s conspiracy, reversing the case and preventing the wrongful usation of loyal officials. ¡°When the plot was exposed, Song Changfu, in a desperate act, gathered rebel forces, closed the city gates, and besieged your servant in the Provincial Governor¡¯s office. At the moment of crisis, Xu Qi¡¯an fought the rebels alone, killing over two hundred enemies before sumbing to exhaustion. "Your lowly servant dares to request his posthumous ennoblement. "Your servant is still in Yunzhou, hoping to meet Your Majesty soon. Zhang Xingying bows and submits." After reading, the eunuch rolled up the long memorial and stepped back. Emperor Yuanjing nced at the ministers who couldn''t stop whispering and discussing, and finally fixed his gaze on Wei Yuan. This legendary eunuch, hailed as the most powerful official in the five hundred years of Great Feng, who won the Battle of Shanhai Pass and subdued neighbouring countries, whomanded the Nightwatchers and supervised officials with a notorious reputation¡­ Was actually daydreaming during the court meeting. "What do you think of Zhang Xingying¡¯s report, my dear ministers?" Emperor Yuanjing asked, "Wei Yuan, Wei Yuan, Wei Yuan..." He called out three times, each louder than thest. Wei Yuan shuddered, seemingly startled. He responded with a light "Ah?" Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s lips curled slightly. "It seems Lord Wei is not in good spirits. Zhang Xingying has quelled the Yunzhou rebellion in its infancy, and this is also your achievement. Are you not pleased, Wei Yuan?" Wei Yuan did not answer. The Censor-in-Chief of the Ministry of Rites jumped out to scold, "Wei Yuan, His Majesty is speaking to you." Wei Yuan still did not answer. "Enough!" Emperor Yuanjing was in a good mood, waving his hand to discuss the merits of the Nightwatchers based on the memorial. When it came to Xu Qi¡¯an, there were disagreements about granting him a posthumous title. A small number of ministers agreed, while most objected. In truth, it wasn''t inappropriate. Titles were rewards for meritorious service and a means for the court to win hearts. Xu Qi¡¯an''s situation warranted a posthumous title, a mere honour after death. But Xu Qi¡¯an was Wei Yuan¡¯s confidant, and opposing Wei Yuan was second nature for the civil ministers. Additionally, Xu Qi¡¯an had made many enemies. From the tax silver case to the Sangpo case, from the Pingyang Princess case to the Yunzhou case. Because of him, the Minister of Revenues from the Wang Clique fell; the Liang Clique was wiped out; the Minister of Rites from the Wang Clique was brought down; the Minister of Industry from the Qi Clique was executed along with his nine generations¡­ The number of people who hated him was countless. Even if it was posthumous honour, they did not want to give it to him. Among the most vehement were the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Rites, both from the Qi Clique, who passionately argued, pointing out ws, essentially saying: Xu Qi¡¯an did not deserve it. Although the Minister of Justice was from the Qi Clique, there was no evidence linking him to the Church of the Warlock God, which allowed him to remain unaffected. Cliques were political allies, not familial rtives. The Minister of Rites was from the Wang Clique, whose superior had been brought down by Xu Qi¡¯an in the Sangpo case. The most hateful thing was that the new Minister of Rites was Wei Yuan¡¯s man. The ministers'' attitudes made Emperor Yuanjing hesitant. From his perspective, the death of a Bronze Gong who constantly annoyed him was hardly enough to make the emperor ecstatic, but truthfully, it felt quite satisfying. Like getting rid of a buzzing fly. However, Emperor Yuanjing agreed with granting a title, as Xu Qi¡¯an had indeed made significant contributions. Bestowing a title would demonstrate his fairness in rewards and punishments. Emperor Yuanjing was most lenient to the deceased. But if the majority of ministers disagreed, Emperor Yuanjing would not insist. Just as he was about to conclude the discussion and reject Zhang Xingying¡¯s suggestion, he saw Wei Yuan step forward. The grand eunuch walked straight to the Minister of Rites and, raising his hand, gave him a great p! The loud p echoed through the Imperial Study, instantly silencing the ministers¡¯ debates and drawing astonished gazes. "p!" The Minister of Justice also received a p, stumbling and falling, his hairpin falling off, leaving him disheveled. "Whoa..." The astonished looks turned into an uproar, and the Imperial Study erupted. In the history of Great Feng, there were quite a few instances of hot-tempered officials fighting in the court. But this was the Imperial Study. The fact that the one hitting was Wei Yuan made it even more absurd and bizarre. In the minds of the ministers, Wei Yuan, as a eunuch, holding the power over the Nightwatchers and the Metropolitan Inspection Bureau, withbels of cunning, treacherous, and scheming, et cetera. But he was never ¡°impulsive and reckless¡±, else someone would have easily gotten leverage over him, and sent him packing. What was Wei Yuan plotting? Was it intentional? The ministers¡¯ thoughts were racing, but the supervising secretaries didn''t need to think so much. Several of them from the Six Ministries rushed out, shouting: "Your Majesty, Wei Yuan struck people in the court, showing no respect for Your Majesty or thew. Please decree his execution." The secretaries didn''t need to think much; they just seized the opportunity and pressed hard. Immediately, many officials echoed their sentiments. Wei Yuan paid no heed to the ministers¡¯ usations. He bowed and said in a deep voice, ¡°Your Majesty, the Qi Clique''s matter is not yet resolved. Although the Minister of Industry has been dealt with, his associates are still hiding within the court. In the Sangpo case, the Minister of Rites colluded with the Yao tribes, and his aplices remain. "As the official evaluation approaches, I suggest dying the evaluations until all these matters are thoroughly investigated and resolved." What does he mean? The courtiers were taken aback, looking at Wei Yuan in disbelief. His words implied he wanted to dy the official evaluations, and he nned to stir up more trouble? Since the beginning of the year, the capital¡¯s officialdom had gone through a period of tension, cautious observation, and intense power struggles, leading to widespread exhaustion. Even the most cunning plotters wanted the official evaluations to end soon so they could recuperate. Wei Yuan, however, seemed intent on continuing the strife. Is- is he mad? Even the Prime Minister, Wang Zhenwen, couldn¡¯t help but turn his head, astonished at Wei Yuan. Azure Cloak Wei remained expressionless, as usual. As an old adversary, Wang Zhenwen found himself unable to fathom Wei Yuan''s intentions at this moment. Was it a moment of anger? No, Wei Yuan could never be swayed by emotion. Besides, where would the angere from? Emperor Yuanjing stared at Wei Yuan for a moment before realizing that the death of the bronze gong named Xu Qi''an held significant weight in Wei Yuan¡¯s heart. He raised his hand to quiet the ministers and slowly said, ¡°Such aplex case solved by Xu Qi''an in just a month is truly remarkable. ¡°The death of such talent is a loss to our court. We shall follow Zhang Xingying¡¯s proposal. "As for Wei Yuan striking an official in court, this is a breach ofw and order. He shall be fined a year¡¯s sry. As for the official evaluation, it will proceed ording to the ancestral system, with no changes." The ministers were not surprised by Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s light punishment. Though they felt disappointed, they knew that such an incident wouldn¡¯t bring down the grand eunuch. Given Wei Yuan''s importance, the emperor''s tolerance for his mistakes was very high. Striking an official a few times warranted only minor punishment. What surprised them was that Wei Yuan did not pursue the matter of the official evaluations further, ceasing all discussion about it. This made the ministers realize that the suggestion to dy the examinations was merely an excuse for Wei Yuan to vent his anger. While the emperor gave only a light punishment, the ministers were greatly intrigued by the reason behind Wei Yuan''s loss ofposure. It seemed that even the usually invulnerable Wei Yuan had something that deeply affected him. The debate over posthumously granting Xu Qi''an a noble title then began, with many opinions voiced. After much discussion, Xu Qi''an''s title was decided: Viscount of Changle County. Viscount! It was a non-hereditary title. ... The small court session ended, and the ministers dispersed. Wei Yuan walked ahead silently, his steps fast and determined, not allowing anyone to see his expression. "Father." Nangong Qianrou approached, intending to ask about the small court session and the urgent document from Yunzhou. However, he froze. Wei Yuan¡¯s face was devoid of expression, yet it was easy to sense his sadness. His eyes, worn by the years, revealed deep sorrow. Without greeting or even nodding, Wei Yuan silently walked past Nangong Qianrou, continuing forward in silence. The hem of his azure robe swayed gently. His silhouette was lonely and deste. *What happened...* Nangong Qianrou was stunned. He nced at the ministers following behind, suppressing his urge to ask questions and quickly caught up with Wei Yuan. The carriage wheels rumbled on the way back to the Nightwatchers¡¯ headquarters. Nangong Qianrou held back his questions throughout the journey, finally speaking as they neared the headquarters: "Father, what happened?" Inside the carriage, Wei Yuan''s deep, hoarse voice responded, "Xu Qi''an has died in action." *This...* Nangong Qianrou¡¯s expression froze. He turned his head, discreetly ncing inside the carriage. Despite the door blocking his view, he couldn¡¯t help but slow his movements, fearing Wei Yuan might notice. Everyone in the Nightwatchers¡¯ headquarters knew Wei Yuan valued Xu Qi''an, but only Nangong Qianrou and Yang Yan understood the extent. Wei Yuan ced great expectations on Xu Qi''an, like a craftsman discovering a perfect piece of raw jade. He cherished it, constantly thinking of sculpting it into a world-ss gem that would amaze everyone. Though unspoken, Nangong Qianrou knew this anticipation and importance far surpassed his own as an adopted son. Now that Xu Qi''an had died in action, it was understandable how Wei Yuan felt... Nangong Qianrou sighed inwardly. He thought he would secretly rejoice at this news. Xu Qi''an''s presence made him jealous and uneasy, and he had often wished that man had never appeared. If only he was still the one his father focused on the most. Now, hearing about Xu Qi''an''s death, Nangong Qianrou found no joy but rather a sense of loss and emptiness. At that moment, the reins in his hands slipped. Nangong Qianrou was startled to realize he had unconsciously crushed them into powder. Upon returning to the constabry, Nangong Qianrou followed Wei Yuan up to the seventh floor of the Tower of Noble Spirit. At the entrance of the tea room, Wei Yuan stopped and said softly: "You go out first. I want to be alone for a while." Nangong Qianrou hesitated but then bowed and left. However, he didn¡¯t go far and waited outside the tea room. The tea room was silent. The afternoon sunlight streamed in through the observation deck, making it spacious and bright. Wei Yuan, as usual, reviewed the documents, as if nothing had happened. He remained theposed and imperturbable grand eunuch. As the sun moved west, its orange-red glow coloured the clouds as if they were burning. Wei Yuan hadn¡¯t turned a single page of the document in his hand. He sat still for five hours. Finally, he closed the document and rubbed his temples, calling out, "Qianrou." "Father..." Nangong Qianrou entered, his delicate face filled with concern. "Summon all the Gold Gongs in the constabry," Wei Yuan ordered. Nangong Qianrou left and soon returned with six Gold Gongs. Wei Yuan stood in the center of the tea room, silently observing the Gold Gongs. "Duke Wei." The Gold Gongs cupped their hands. Wei Yuan nodded slightly and slowly said, "Send orders to all undercover agents, infiltrate the northeastern countries. By early summer, I want the southwest border defense map of the Church of the Warlock God at all costs." Gold Gong Zhang Kaitai was taken aback. "Duke Wei..." The other Gold Gongs were equally shocked. Wei Yuan said calmly, "After the autumn harvest, I will wage war against the Church of the Warlock God." *As expected...* The Gold Gongs carefully observed Wei Yuan and finally noticed a subtle difference in the demeanor of this grand eunuch. Previously, Duke Wei had always maintained a serene demeanor that matched his status and intelligence, holding an aura of control and calm. But today, he was different. Those eyes, usually filled with the wisdom of ages, now burned with a sharp determination and fighting spirit. This kind of fighting spirit and resolve had only been seen during the battle at Shanhai Pass. The Gold Gongs lowered their heads in unison and replied formally, "We will obey yourmand." The Gold Gongs then left the Tower of Noble Spirit. Once outside, one of the Gold Gongs frowned and said, "The court is unlikely to start a war lightly." Nangong Qianrou sneered, "The court may not start a war lightly, but the Church of the Warlock God and the northeastern countries will. As long as we send the confidential information through secret channels, we need not fear that the Church of the Warlock God won¡¯t take the bait. When the borders are disturbed, His Majesty and the court officials won''t be able to turn a blind eye. With the means of my foster father, if he wants to fight the Church of the Warlock God, it depends on whether he wants to, not on whether His Majesty wants to." Zhang Kaitai looked at Nangong Qianrou and asked with a frown, "Did something happen in court today? Duke Wei seems a bit unusual." Nangong Qianrou nodded, "This morning, there was an urgent report delivered from Yunzhou by Zhang Xingying. As father predicted, Yunzhou has indeed rebelled." Pausing, he scanned the Gold Gongs, and said in a lowered voice, "Xu Qi¡¯an has died in action." The Gold Gongs suddenly looked up at the Tower of Noble Spirit. ¡­¡­ At that moment, Xu Qi¡¯an was still drifting on the water. The one who took Liang Youping wasn¡¯t the King of Posturing?! Xu Qi¡¯an felt an indescribable horror, akin to taking a selfie in an abandoned house, developing the photo at home, and then discovering a ghostly figure with dishevelled hair in the background. That kind of horror chilled him to the bone and made his scalp tingle. "Are you sure you didn''t take Liang Youping?" Xu Qi¡¯an confirmed. "When have I, Yang Qianhuan, ever lied?" the King of Posturing said indifferently. His teacher had assigned him the task of secretly protecting Xu Qi¡¯an. Although the King of Posturing didn''t know why his teacher had given such an order, he was always a rule-abiding disciple, very reliable in his duties! If he promised to protect Xu Qi¡¯an, he wouldn¡¯t do anything unnecessary. The Yunzhou case had nothing to do with him; solving it was the Inspector General''s responsibility. Later, when Xu Qi¡¯an threw himself into the trap, he had no choice but to intervene and save him, thus revealing himself. *Get lost, you just lied about not peeking at the letters...* If Xu Qi¡¯an weren''t in such a mood, he would have pped the King of Posturing¡¯s face swollen right there. *If Liang Youping wasn''t taken by Yang Qianhuan, then the whole case would have to be reconsidered... Could it be that the mastermind behind the scenes wasn¡¯t Song Changfu, but someone else, like Yang Chuannan?* The Yunzhou case originally started when the undercover agent Zhou Min discovered that Yang Chuannan was embezzling military supplies and supporting bandits. Only when Xu Qi¡¯an stumbled upon it by ident, did they uncover the collusion between the Qi Clique and the Church of the Warlock God, leading to the subsequent investigation by the Inspector General in Yunzhou. *Could the truth of this case be:* *Yang Chuannan realized that his plot was exposed by the Nightwatcher''s undercover agent, so he had the Warlock of Dreams kill Zhou Min to silence him, decode the ciphers, and destroy the evidence... Then he set up this ruse, with Liang Youping as the key to the reversal.* *He deliberately let Liang Youping wait for me at the dog meat shop, and then used Li Miaozhen to reveal Liang Youping¡¯s identity, drawing my attention... Then had someone deliver Liang Youping to the Inspector General, using this twist to make us believe the mastermind was Song Changfu, allowing himself to escape?* *At that time, Liang Youping¡¯s qi was indeed blocked, preventing Sitianjian''s Qi-watching technique from determining if he was lying.* Xu Qi¡¯an thought for a while and rejected this hypothesis for three reasons: First, there was no need to go through so much trouble. Making the case soplicated only exposed more ws. The simpler the case, the harder it was to solve. As the saying goes, the stranger your weapon, the quicker your death. The same principle applied to cases. Yang Chuannan only needed to destroy the evidence. Even if everyone suspected him, without evidence, Zhang Xingying couldn¡¯t touch a second-grademander. This was the safest method. Second, Zhang Xingying and others, including Xu Qi¡¯an, believed Liang Youping¡¯s words mainly because they thought the person who helped was Yang Qianhuan. Reviewing the case, when Liang Youping was delivered to the station, Zhang Xingying and others were doubtful of his testimony. At that time, Zhang Xingying¡¯s response was to first arrest Song Changfu and confront Liang Youping. As a result, Song Changfu mitted suicide to escape punishment," followed by the rebellion of Yunzhou¡¯s forces. The events were too closely connected, leaving no time to verify the truth of the case. Until Yang Qianhuan appeared, everyone suddenly understood that the mysterious arcanist was Yang Qianhuan, which made sense. So, Liang Youping¡¯s "surrender" had a reasonable exnation. Unfortunately, after Yang Qianhuan helped Jiang Lyuzhong kill the Warlock of Dreams, he immediately left, making it impossible to verify the follow-up. Xu Qi¡¯an included this point as a reason because Yang Chuannan couldn¡¯t have known that Yang Qianhuan was in Yunzhou. Therefore, this mysterious arcanist was an inexplicable doubt in the minds of Zhang Xingying and others. Although he could use the subsequent rebellion to eliminate Zhang Xingying, but if he could eliminate Zhang Xingying, why bother with such a convoluted plot? Instead, the Warlock of Dreams¡¯ exnation made sense. The reason for hiding was to push Yang Chuannan to take the me. When things fell apart, thest resort was to silence everyone. Third, if Yang Chuannan was the mastermind, those rebels who followed him would have long revealed it. The traitors in Yunzhou¡¯s officialdom would certainly know who their leader was. This was a rebellion, not some street gang affair. *The mastermind should indeed be Song Changfu, but what about that mysterious arcanist?* *A wild arcanist reaching such a level?* It was important to know that the arcanist system had only existed for about six hundred years, unlike warriors and other systems, which had been around for a long time and have many wild practitioners. Moreover, even established systems like Confucianism had strict controls on cultivation methods. Only warriors, who had no dad (no beyond-rank entities), were found throughout the world. This was another reason other systems look down on warriors. *Also, why did this mysterious arcanist help me? What is his motive?* Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly thought of something. Could the arcanist from the tax silver case, the one who created the counterfeit silver, be the same as the one in the Yunzhou case, or from the same faction? *If that¡¯s the case, helping me can be ruled out... These bastards almost got me exiled and nearly got my second uncle executed...* Xu Qi¡¯an rubbed his temples, feeling a headache. The Sitianjian was not so simple. "Ah-hem..." Xu Qi¡¯an coughed. "I need to tell you something, Brother Yang." "Go ahead." Xu Qi¡¯an then detailed the existence of the mysterious arcanist to Yang Qianhuan and asked, "Is our Sitianjian hiding some secret?" "Our Sitianjian?" Yang Qianhuan, still facing away from him, asked. ¡°I mean, Miss Caiwei will be married to me sooner orter eh.¡± ¡°Heh.¡± Yang Qianhuan sneered before speaking in a serious tone: ¡°The Sitianjian indeed has some secrets. For example, our teacher never talks about our grandmaster, but I know that our teacher once killed his master.¡± *Killed his master...* Xu Qi''an recalled the investigation into the Sangpo case and the information about the first Jianzheng. The first Jianzheng supported the old royal line five hundred years ago. After the then Pinghai King,ter Emperor Wuzong usurped the throne, the Jianzheng position was passed on to the current one. Information about the first Jianzheng had been erased from history. Erasedpletely clean, so much so that even Princess Huaiqing, a schrly genius who could be a professor of history, couldn''t find any information. It was only through the Buddhist teachings from five hundred years ago that they found some clues. *So it turns out that the Jianzheng really did kill his master. What was once spection is now confirmed...* Xu Qi''an said: ¡°Are you suggesting that the Arcanist who appeared in Yunzhou is connected to the first Jianzheng?¡± Yang Qianhuan shook his head: ¡°I don''t know about that. Don''t ask too much. You don''t understand the Arcanist system. Even someone as unique as me doesn''t know the names of first and second-rank Arcanists.¡± Xu Qi''an was no longer a rookie. Typically, this meant that knowing information about first and second-rank Arcanists would reveal many secrets of the Arcanist system, secrets that couldn''t be shared with outsiders. ¡°Do you know what rank an Arcanist needs to be to conceal someone''s aura? Can you do it, Brother Yang?¡± Xu Qi''an probed, unwilling to give up. ¡°This I can tell you,¡± Yang Qianhuan said. ¡°Concealing one''s own aura is easy for any Arcanist. Concealing someone else''s aura requires a sixth rank or higher. ¡°But if it''s as you said, that Liang Youping could conceal his aura from a fourth-rank Warlock of Dreams'' divination and curses, there''s only one rank in the Arcanist system that can do that. Liang Youping''s aura wasn''t just concealed; his fate and heavenly secrets were masked.¡± He paused before continuing, ¡°A third-rank Arcanist, a Master of Heaven¡¯s Secrets.¡± *... Third rank?! The Arcanist involved in the Yunzhou case is a third rank?!* Xu Qi''an was stunned, feeling like his brain wasn''t working. *The Yunzhou case involved a third-rank Arcanist!* *If that were the case, then of course the fourth-rank Master of Formations Yang Qianhuan couldn''t do it. Damn, if I''d known this crucial information earlier, I... I would have pretended to know nothing.* Xu Qi''an thought to himself that even if he saw through the ns of a third-rank Arcanist, he couldn''t reveal them. This wasn''t cowardice; it was the mindset of an adult. They needed to give each other some face. ¡°Keep this confidential and don''t spread it around, especially about our teacher killing his master.¡± Yang Qianhuan paused before adding: ¡°I''m not afraid of our teacher. I just think that at his age, he deserves to keep his dignity. I want to leave him some respect.¡± *The more you exin, the guiltier you look... I wouldn''t dare say anything. The Jianzheng could crush me with one finger...* Xu Qi''an nodded, agreeing: ¡°I also think we should give the Jianzheng some respect.¡± Yang Qianhuan smiled and said, ¡°You are indeed an interesting man, just like me.¡± The Sitianjian''s history wasn''t long, and much about it could actually be easily investigated, unlike the Confucian and Daoist sages, the former of which lived several thousand years ago, and thetter beyond written history. Xu Qi''an nned to secretly investigate the Sitianjian when he returned to the capital, and also look into Susu''s family history ¡ª definitely not because he lusted after her body. She didn''t have a body, after all. ¡°Gurgle gurgle...¡± Xu Qi''an''s stomach growled. He immediately got out of the coffin and said, ¡°I''m going to find something to eat.¡± Yang Qianhuan asked, ¡°How do you n to exin your resurrection?¡± Xu Qi''an suddenly froze. Yes, how was he going to exin his resurrection? The old dogs in the capital weren''t easy to fool, and he was no longer the little Constable from Chang''an County. Oh, he still was a Constable this year. He was the little Constable back then. Xu Qi''an quietlyy back in the coffin: ¡°I won''t show up for now. I''ll ask dad''s opinion when we get to the capital. Brother Yang, I''ll have to trouble you with the food.¡± Yang Qianhuan nodded, indicating he had no problem, then asked in surprise: ¡°Weren''t you an orphan raised by your second uncle?¡± ¡°Actually, I''m Wei Yuan''s illegitimate son.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Yang Qianhuan was shocked. *Xu Qi''an is Wei Yuan''s illegitimate son? Wei Yuan actually has an illegitimate son?* ¡­.. The Xu Family Manor, in the Inner City. Early the next morning, Nangong Qianrou, apanied by two Bronze Gongs, knocked on the gate of the Xu Manor. The side door was already open, but with his status as a Gold Gong, he naturally had to use the main entrance. The doorman, Old Zhang, opened the main door and saw three Nightwatchers. He quickly lowered his head and said, ¡°Sirs, what brings you here?¡± Because the eldest son was a Nightwatcher, he had some understanding of the hierarchy and uniforms of the Nightwatchers. This female Nightwatcher had a gold gong embroidered on her chest, indicating a status much higher than Xu Qi¡¯an. At this moment, just after dawn, Nangong Qianrou nced at Old Zhang and looked towards the interior of the residence, saying, ¡°Is Baihu Xu Pingzhi of the Imperial Guard present?¡± He was here under his adoptive father''s orders to deliver a condolence payment to Xu Qi''an''s family, three hundred taels of silver. That''s the set amount for a Bronze Gong. Rules were rules. But Nangong Qianrou knew that the benefits Xu Qi''an''s family would receive in the future would be immeasurable. For example, Xu Pingzhi''s position in the Imperial Guard could be promoted. The schr from the Yunlu Academy, who would be taking the spring examination, wouldn''t be sent to a remote county in the future. ¡°Yes, he is. The master and mistress are having breakfast in the back hall. Please wait in the front hall, sirs, while I inform the master.¡± Old Zhang respectfully led the three Nightwatchers to the front hall and instructed the servants to serve hot tea. The two Bronze Gongs politely thanked him and were very friendly. Nangong Qianrou did not take the tea, saying, ¡°No need to waste time. Lead me to him.¡± Chapter 231: A Gift From the Jianzheng Chapter 231: A Gift From the Jianzheng # 231. A Gift From the Jianzheng It seemed urgent. They were Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s colleagues ¡ª did something happen to him? Old Zhang, the doorman, bowed and nodded, "Please, follow me, sirs." Nangong Qianrou stood up and, under Old Zhang''s guidance, walked through the front hall and into the backyard. From a distance, they saw a young child, dressed in simple clothes, being led by a stunning young woman in a long dress. The child pouted, looking unwilling, as she walked alongside the woman. The two groups met, and the young woman stopped, staring in surprise at the three Nightwatchers. "These gentlemen are here to see the master," Old Zhang exined. Xu Lingyue nodded politely and averted her gaze, pulling the child aside. Xu Lingyin, holding her sister''s hand with one hand, raised the other, pointed at Nangong Qianrou, and shouted:"A beautiful big sister, just as pretty as mummy." *Beautiful big sister?!* Nangong Qianrou, who usually had an expressionless face, almost lost hisposure. He looked incredulously at Xu Lingyin, his eye twitching. *Is this child an idiot? Are her eyes just for decoration?* He slightly raised his head, trying to make the child see his Adam''s apple. But the foolish child didn''t understand, repeatedly saying: "Sister, you''re as pretty as my mum." She seemed to think that being as beautiful as her mother was the highestpliment. Nangong Qianrou left with a flick of his sleeve. If it were anyone else calling him a woman, they''d be in big trouble. But as a dignified Gold Gong, he didn''t stoop to argue with a child. Xu Lingyue watched Nangong Qianrou and hispanions enter the main hall. "Sister, why did we stop?" Xu Lingyin looked up, her small face full of curiosity. "They''re our big brother''s colleagues; we''ll go to schoolter." Xu Lingyue replied softly, leading her sister back. In the back hall, Xu Pingzhi, who had just finished eating, hurriedly stood up to greet them. He was a bit puzzled and fearful, cupping his hands in salute, "Gold Gong." A Gold Gong visiting the Xu family was something Xu Pingzhi had never expected. With the noble status of a Gold Gong, even though Xu Qi''an was thriving in the Nightwatcher''s office, it was unlikely for someone of such high rank to visit a Bronze Gong''s home. Unless it was something urgent. *This Gold Gong was quite handsome, almost mistakable for a woman from afar,parable to Eng''s effeminate looks...* Xu Pingzhi thought. "Pretty sister." The little child, following Xu Lingyue back, stood at the threshold, calling out tteringly. *Annoying brat, you wont be so bubbly soon¡­* Nangong Qianrou frowned, his heart suddenly bing heavy at the thought of Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s death. His gaze swept past Xu Pingzhi andnded on the beautiful woman at the dining table. The child''s words weren''t wrong; she was indeed a beautiful woman. "To what do we owe the honor of your visit, Gold Gong?" Xu Pingzhi asked. Nangong Qianrou withdrew his gaze, paused for a moment, and said solemnly, "Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an fell in the line of duty in Yunzhou. I am here to deliver his condolence payment." As he spoke, he opened his hand, and the Bronze Gong behind him silently handed over the silver. Nangong Qianrou then handed the three hundred taels of silver to Xu Pingzhi, who did not take it. He stood frozen, like a statue, unmoving. Even his eyes seemed fixed in ce. Xu Qi''an fell in the line of duty... Nangong Qianrou''s words struck Xu Pingzhi like a thunderp, shattering his soul and breaking his heart. In an instant, it felt like the world lost its color, his mind filled with the tragic news, leaving him utterly despondent. Xu Qi''an was his nephew, his elder brother''s orphan, whom he had raised for twenty years. They were like father and son, or perhaps even closer. Uncle Xu had always felt a strong sense of responsibility towards Xu Qi''an because he was thest of his brother''s line, the only continuation. Raising him, seeing him marry and have children, and continuing the family line was Xu Pingzhi''s greatest wish. Now, his nephew was gone, just like that? In a daze, Xu Pingzhi suddenly heard a sound of someone copsing. He turned around to see his wife fainting. "Sister, what does ''fell in the line of duty'' mean?" Xu Lingyin didn''t understand. She looked up at Xu Lingyue. Xu Lingyue didn''t answer, standing there motionless, like a lifeless paper flower, beautiful yet pale. Old Zhang, the doorman, began to cry, "It means he''s dead!" Nangong Qianrou sighed inwardly, ced the silver on the table, and said, "In three to five days, the body will be returned to the capital. You should prepare for the funeral." The urgent message had naturally arrived in the capital before the body. After saying this, Nangong Qianrou turned to leave. "You''re lying!" A roar like a little lion''s came from behind. Xu Lingyin blocked the path of the three Nightwatchers, ring fiercely at Nangong Qianrou. A six-year-old child already understood what death meant. Nangong Qianrou ignored her, sidestepping Xu Lingyin and continuing to walk away. But Xu Lingyin wouldn''t let him go, chasing and hitting him, shouting, "You''re lying, you''re lying..." A child''s mind was simple: as long as you make the liar take back his words, big brother wille back. As long as you beat the liar, big brother wille back... Nangong Qianrou had to quicken his pace, leaving the Xu residence with the two Bronze Gongs. Even from a distance, he looked back uneasily. The child had followed them, standing alone at the gate, crying loudly, her small body trembling. Like a little beast abandoned by the world. Nangong Qianrou suddenly felt regret. He should have waited a bit, informing them of Xu Qi''an''s death after the child had gone to school. "Take her back and have her family take good care of her," Nangong Qianrou ordered the Bronze Gong on his left. "Yes, sir." At the Xu residence, Xu Pingzhi, after carrying his fainted wife to the bedroom, returned to the front hall to find his daughter. He intended tofort her, but Xu Lingyue sat silently at the table, her eyes hollow, not moving an inch. Uncle Xu sighed deeply, called over Old Zhang, and said in a deep voice, "Send someone to the academy to inform Eng and have him return home as soon as possible." Old Zhang wiped his tears and nodded, retreating. In fact, few servants in the household knew how to ride a horse. Considering the importance and urgency, it would have been more appropriate for Xu Pingzhi to go to the Cloud Deer Academy himself. But Old Zhang knew that the master couldn¡¯t ride a horse any more. ¡­ From the capital to Qingyun Mountain and back takes four hours on horseback, and if one¡¯s horse was not a good breed, then it may even take longer. Xu Xinnian returned home at noon, alone, leaving the messenger behind. Galloping to the gate, Xu Xinnian abruptly pulled on the reins, causing the horse to halt and rear up. Before the horse''s front hooves couldnd, he dismounted and rushed into the house, his face pale. He stumbled over the threshold, fell hard, and cut his forehead. Unaware, he staggered up and stumbled into the house, seeing his family in the back hall¡ªhis tearful mother and his sister with vacant, lifeless eyes. He also noticed Xu Lingyin sitting alone on the steps outside the front hall, scribbling aimlessly on the ground with a dry stick. The adults were immersed in their grief, neglecting the child''s feelings. Xu Lingyin didn''t dare to ask or speak, sitting silently and alone on the steps. Xu Pingzhi, with red-rimmed eyes, looked at him and said in a low voice, "Eng, your brother... he''s gone." Xu Xinnian''s body swayed, and he nearly cked out. ... Just after noon, the sky darkened, and a biting wind swept through. Soon, it began to snow heavily, the first snowfall since the Spring Festival. In no time, snow nketed the rooftops, treetops, and paths, draping the world in a thinyer of silver. In the Imperial Pce, in the Imperial Garden, the Crown Prince invited the Second, Fourth, and Sixth Princes and the three princesses to watch the snow in Qingji Pavilion. A fire burned brightly, and the table wasden with fine wine and food. The Crown Prince took a sip of wine and said with a smile, "It snowed only oncest year. I thought we''d have to wait until the end of the year to see snow again. I didn''t expect it toe so soon after the Spring Festival." The Third Princessughed, "I''ve heard that therger the snowfall before spring, the better the harvest in the autumn. I don''t know if it''s true, but this snow dide before spring, even if it was after the spring festival." The Crown Prince nodded with a smile, then looked at the Fourth Prince and asked, "What''s wrong with Huaiqingtely? She stays in her quarters all day and ims she''s unwell whenever we invite her out for a drink." The Fourth Prince grunted and shook his head, "I don''t know." Huaiqing hadn''t been seen for a while. She used to asionally meet with her royal siblings, but recently she had shut herself awaypletely. Although they were siblings, Huaiqing''s aloof personality made it hard for them to be close. *Hmph, she must be too ashamed to show her face under my brilliance...* Lin''an thought proudly, taking another sip of wine. The widespread poprity of Five in a Row had made her famous in the capital. How could an insignificant Huaiqing dare to step out under her illustrious reputation? With this thought, Lin''an happily took a few more sips, her rosy cheeks and slightly hazy eyes adding to her charm. The princes couldn''t help but steal a few more nces. Having such a beautiful sister was indeed a delightful thing. Although her intelligence could be debated, her extraordinary beauty was undeniable. To Xu Qi''an, Lin''an fit the image of a young, beautiful girl in a club who wasn''t very bright, reminiscent of a stunning girl in school who was often pursued by boys but wasn''t academically strong. She was the kind of girl who would frown and scratch her head over math problems, yet her beauty attracted the admiration of boys and the envy of girls, who secretly called her a "vixen." Huaiqing, on the other hand, was the cold and intelligent type, full marks with a flick of a pen, though her aloofness made her unpopr among the girls, who would privately grumble, "What''s so great about her?" The only difference between a cold, intelligent girl and a vixen was that the former could dominate the other girls in ss, while thetter could only pout in frustration. "This snow is a good omen. Do you know about the urgent message from yesterday?" The Crown Prince changed the topic. "Is it about Zhang Xingying suppressing the rebellion in Yunzhou?" the Fourth Prince asked. The Crown Prince nodded, "The Minister of Industry from the Qi Clique colluded with the Church of the Warlock God to build power in Yunzhou. Their intentions were treacherous. Fortunately, Inspector Zhang is capable and uncovered the plot, eliminating the rebels." He paused and then looked at his sister, Lin''an, "Xu Qi''an yed a crucial role in this case and has been posthumously honored as the Viscount of Changle. It''s well-deserved." "Of course, Xu Qi''an is my...." Lin''an had been pleased to hear her brother praise Xu Qi''an and instinctively wanted to boast. But as she listened, she suddenly froze. "Brother Crown Prince... what, what did you say?" Her charming face and sweet smile froze, her peach blossom eyes widening but looking vacant as she stared nkly at the Crown Prince. "Oh, you didn''t know?" The Fourth Prince sighed, "That Bronze Gong, Xu Qi''an, died in the line of duty. It''s a pity." Crash... the wine cup shattered on the ground. Everyone looked at Lin''an. Lin''an seemed unaware of her loss ofposure. Her delicate, pale hand clutched the Crown Prince''s sleeve, trembling and sobbing, "Brother Crown Prince, please don''t joke with me..." Her eyes were filled with tears and a pitiful plea. The Crown Prince was taken aback, his expression darkening. He brushed off Lin''an''s hand and said sternly, "It''s true. Father has already issued a decree. When the body is returned to the capital, he will posthumously confer the title. Lin''an, remember your status." A princess of the Great Feng, losingposure over the death of a subordinate like this was unbing. The Crown Prince assumed Lin''an was simply sentimental and didn''t want to think deeper into it. Lin''an silently withdrew her hand, stood up without a word, and walked into the snowstorm. "Lin''an, Lin''an..." The Crown Prince called after her, but she kept walking. That red figure walked on, snowkesnding on her hair. The Crown Prince turned to Lin''an''s maid and barked, "Why are you not holding an umbre for the princess." The maid, who had just picked up the umbre, hesitated at his words, bowed, and hurriedly followed Lin''an. In the pavilion, the other princes and princesses were still in a daze, their expressions puzzled. Meanwhile, the maid, who had once been spanked by Xu Qi''an, held the umbre and cautiously nced at Lin''an''s profile, not daring to speak. *What a pity that Bronze Gong died...* the maid sighed inwardly. Suddenly, she heard soft sobs and looked in surprise to see Lin''an''s face covered in tears. "Princess?!" The maid''s voice trembled as she called out, anxiously ncing around. Fortunately, the snowstorm ensured no one was around. She lowered her voice, "Why are you crying? Is it because of him?" "I don''t, I don''t know...." Lin''an murmured, tears falling as she clutched her chest. It felt empty there. ¡­ "It''s snowing! I love snowy days. When the snow stops, I can have a snowball fight with my senior brothers and build snowmen and snow horses." At Princess Huaiqing''s residence, in a warm tea room, Chu Caiwei held a cup of tea and ate pastries while gazing at the heavy snow outside. She had a slight dimple and enjoyed the leisurely afternoon with hot tea, delicious pastries, and a snowy view. Princess Huaiqing, dressed in a white pce gown, was wearing summer attire that entuated her figure, as she had long been immune to the cold. Ignoring her friend''s chatter, she held a book in her hand but was lost in thought as she gazed at the snow. "Princess Huaiqing, what''s wrong with you these days? You''ve been so absent-minded," Chu Caiwei said, feeling ignored and annoyed. Princess Huaiqing, her bright eyes reflecting the white snowkes, said softly, "Caiwei, the letter we wrote for you may never reach its destination." Chu Caiwei, still munching on pastries, asked, "Why?" "He... has fallen in the line of duty." Chu Caiwei''s hand trembled, and the pastry fell to the ground. ... At the Stargazing Tower, on the Bagua tform. Chu Caiwei, feeling dejected, climbed the steps to the top of the Stargazing Tower. The heavy snow was falling, covering the Bagua tform with a thinyer of snow. The Jianzheng was sitting cross-legged in front of the desk, and within a radius of three feet, no snowkes fell. Chu Caiwei stopped behind Jianzheng and, with a voice full of grievance, sobbed, "Teacher..." "Ever since you were little, whenever a senior brother bullied you, you woulde running here crying to tell me," Jianzheng said without turning around, smiling as he drank a cup of wine. "No senior brother bullied me," Chu Caiwei pouted and then burst into tears, "Xu Qi''an is dead, Xu Qi''an is dead, and I''m so sad..." Jianzheng was silent for a moment, then turned his gaze to the south, seemingly focused on something. Suddenly, he chuckled and said, "It''s a good thing." Chu Caiwei cried even harder, stomping her feet and cursing, "You old man, rotten old man, my friend is dead, and you say it''s a good thing? Why don''t you go die?" "How can you talk to your teacher like that? I''ve lived for five hundred years and haven''t lived enough yet. I want to borrow another five hundred years from heaven," Jianzheng said angrily. "But... but what you just said doesn''t seem like something a teacher should say," Chu Caiwei sobbed. "If I say it''s a good thing, then it''s a good thing," Jianzheng said. "Remember the Pill of Rebirth I gave you a few years ago?" "What Pill of Rebirth?" Chu Caiwei wiped her tears. "The Pill of Rebirth, of which only three pills are made every sixty years. Even Emperor Yuanjing begged me for it, but I didn''t give it to him," Jianzheng said, even more annoyed. "Oh, it''s in my pouch," Chu Caiwei sniffled. "I forgot about it. I don''t have any use for it anyway." Jianzheng nodded and smiled, "Remember, you gave the Pill of Rebirth to Xu Qi''an." "I didn''t." "You did." "I didn''t; it''s in my pouch." "Shut up, you gave it. If anyone asks, just say that." "Oh." Chu Caiwei continued to cry, "Teacher, Xu Qi''an is dead." She had a habit ofing to Jianzheng to cry whenever she encountered something sad, just like a child would go to their parents toin when they were wronged. "You''ve just reached the sixth rank not long ago; don¡¯t go out for the time being," Jianzheng instructed. After Chu Caiwei left, Jianzheng opened his palm, revealing a translucent, orange pill. Then he pulled out a white strand of hair and gently blew on it. The strand of hair floated in the wind, rising higher and higher, suddenly expanding and transforming into arge white bird. The bird let out a deste cry, circled in the air, then dived down and grabbed the Pill of Rebirth from Jianzheng''s hand. ... "Do you trust Wei Yuan so much? Willing to tell him all your secrets?" In the dimly lit cabin, Yang Qianhuan sat cross-legged, facing away from the coffin. Xu Qi''an being Wei Yuan''s illegitimate son was clearly false, as Xu Qi¡¯an was twenty, and Wei Yuan had been a eunuch in the pce for over twenty years. "Calling him ''Dad'' was just a joke," Xu Qi''an sighed from inside the coffin. "Of course, I trust him. Duke Wei has been very kind to me, willing to cultivate me. It''s no exaggeration to say he''s been like a father. But I do feel a bit hesitant to tell him all my secrets." "Why?" Yang Qianhuan asked. "Well, Duke Wei''s thoughts are too deep; you can never see through him. You never know what he''s thinking or how he''ll react if I tell him my secrets," Xu Qi''an exined. "That''s true. Wei Yuan and my teacher are both terrifyingly deep thinkers. Even someone like me, who can pluck the moon and stars, can''t see through them," Yang Qianhuan admitted. "But, why are you willing to talk to me about your innermost thoughts?" "Because Senior Brother Yang is a man with a child''s heart," Xu Qi''an said with a smile. *Except for his penchant for showing off, he doesn''t care about anything else.* Yang Qianhuan nodded but then felt something was off, "It sounds like you''re notplimenting me... Have you considered leaving the capital? After all, you''re officially dead now; you could go anywhere." "But my family is in the capital. If I can return, I want to," Xu Qi''an sighed. "I''ve always longed for the life of a wandering swordsman, but no matter where you go, having a home to return to is reassuring. If I leave the capital, I might nevere back." After spending some time together, perhaps out of boredom, the two had gone from casual banter to discussing more serious matters. "That''s true. When I''m away, just thinking about my senior and junior brothers and my teacher at the Sitianjian makes me feel secure. It''s not really being homeless, just traveling," Yang Qianhuan nodded slightly. Xu Qi''an''s mention of consulting Wei Yuan was more to appease Yang Qianhuan, as he was still weighing the pros and cons of revealing his secrets. Wei Yuan had been kind to him, but Xu Qi''an couldn''t predict whether Wei Yuan would choose to re-seal the demon monk Shenshu or turn a blind eye to his existence if the secrets were revealed. After all, he wasn''t Wei Yuan''s real son. But he was also reluctant to leave the capital, feeling caught between a rock and a hard ce. Additionally, the demon monk Shenshu had instructed him to keep his existence a secret, and Xu Qi''an couldn''t predict Shenshu''s reaction if the secret were revealed to Wei Yuan. Just because a powerful figure always wore a kind face didn''t mean they were a benevolent saint. "Hey, Pos¡­ Senior Brother Yang, are you married?" Xu Qi''an asked. "No," Yang Qianhuan shook his head. "Women are a burden; I don''t need one." *I see. I was wondering if you''d not allow your wife to look at you during... Well, if so, you''d have two choices: either be like the lesser saint of the Cloud Deer Academy, always standing behind your wife, or be a man of strong moral character,* Xu Qi''an thought, chuckling to himself. Just then, a deste bird''s call sounded from outside the boat, echoing like an owl''sment. Yang Qianhuan was first stunned, then shocked, eximing, "That''s my Teacher''s aura." ... --- Trantor Note: For ease of organisation we will keep the incrementing chapter numbers, and not reset the count for a new volume. Chapter 232: Moving Corpse Chapter 232: Moving Corpse # 232. Moving Corpse The Jianzheng''s aura? Xu Qi''an was momentarily stunned, unable to question further as Yang Qianhuan''s figure vanished before his eyes. Soon after, the deste sound of birdsong outside ceased. Then, the white-d arcanist reappeared in the cabin, still with his back to Xu Qi''an, his head lowered as if examining something in his palm. "My teacher sent me a Pill of Rebirth," Yang Qianhuan''s voice carried a tone of confusion and bewilderment. "A Pill of Rebirth?" Xu Qi''an asked. "Oh, do you know the story of breaking out of a cocoon and transforming into a butterfly?" Yang Qianhuan said. "That''s not a story; it''s an overused clich¨¦, asmon as a post-rain story. Senior Brother Yang, just get to the point." Xu Qi''an waved his hand, cutting off Yang Qianhuan''s attempt at showing off. Yang Qianhuan''s disy was awkward and uninteresting."Oh... well..." Yang Qianhuan didn''t mind. He was actually a straightforward and gentle person,cking the arrogance of higher-ranked experts, though he did have a tendency to show off. ¡°The main ingredient of the Pill of Rebirth is the pupa of the Nine-Winged Golden Silk Butterfly, refined with a secret form into a pill. Taking it can extend one''s lifespan and rejuvenate the body. ¡°It''s not just a myth; taking this pill induces a state of deep sleep, like a pupa forming a cocoon. All vital signs are reduced, a person enters a state like daeth, and even the soul bes still. "During this process, the old body is like a cocoon, nurturing a new body. Hence, the name ''Pill of Rebirth.'' However, this pill is a life-saving elixir, meant to be taken only when the body is severely injured and on the brink of death." Xu Qi''an wondered if taking such a pill would mean he was a virgin again. He eximed, "That''s amazing!" "Marvelous indeed, but not very practical," Yang Qianhuan shook his head. "Anyone capable of killing me wouldn''t give me the chance to take the Pill of Rebirth. High-ranked martial artists fight to the death." "What about taking it normally?" Xu Qi''an asked. "It would only extend one''s lifespan and improve overall health. It''s beneficial but not worth its high cost of production. My teacher has only managed to refine one batch, three pills, in sixty years." Xu Qi''an nodded in realization, puzzled, "Why would Jianzheng send you this..." As he finished speaking, Xu Qi''an froze. Yang Qianhuan also froze. After a long silence, they spoke in unison: "Could it be for me?" "Is it for you?" Another silence ensued. *My teacher sent me to Yunzhou to watch over Xu Qi''an, and now he''s sent a Pill of Rebirth... But I don''t need it, and even Sister Caiwei, a lower-ranked arcanist, wouldn''t typically use it... If it''s not for Xu Qi''an, then who else?* Just as Xu Qi''an had recently returned from the dead and was troubled about how to exin his situation, the Pill of Rebirth arrived at this time... Yang Qianhuan''s thoughts flickered. *This Pill of Rebirth seems tailor-made for me, perfectly resolving the current issue... But Brother Yang wouldn''t need this kind of pill... But how did the Jianzheng know I needed the Pill of Rebirth?* *Does he know my current situation, know I returned from the dead? Then, the Jianzheng must also know about the severed arm of Monk Shenshu inside me?* In that instant, Xu Qi''an''s mind raced, rapidly recalling many details of the Sangpo case. The Jiaofangsi had hidden demons, yet the Jianzheng turned a blind eye. Shenshu''s severed arm escaped from Sangpo, but the Jianzheng feigned illness and did nothing. Henghui wreaked havoc in the capital, destroying the Earl Pingyuan''s mansion. Even with an artifact to conceal his aura, could it hide from a first-ranked arcanist like the Jianzheng? *The remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom released Shenshu''s severed arm and secretly sent it to my residence, letting it parasitize me and nurture the arm... This implies that only I can nurture Monk Shenshu in the capital... And the biggest secret about me is my peculiar luck.* *In other words, the demons know about my peculiar luck, but I''ve hardly had any dealings with the demon n in my life, apart from encountering a reptile and a gray fox.* Wait! *Jianzheng knew about my peculiarity, gave me the ck Gold Longsword, and secretly sent me the ultimate skill "One de from heaven and earth"... Damn, the more I think about it, the more terrifying it gets.* Two spections arose in Xu Qi''an''s mind: First, the Jianzheng was colluding with the Yao. Second, the Jianzheng knew the Yao'' ns but chose to do nothing for some reason. Xu Qi''an leaned more towards the first spection because if the Jianzheng hadn''t revealed the secret within him to the Yao, how would they know about his peculiarity? He hadn''t had close contact with them. While Xu Qi''an would be grateful for Wei Yuan''s gifts and ept them with ease, Jianzheng''s gifts made him think of a popr saying: All gifts from fate have long been secretly marked with a price. Yang Qianhuan flicked his finger, sending the Pill of Rebirth into Xu Qi''an''s hands. ¡°Take it, and you can safely return to the capital. If anyone asks, say it''s a pill from the Sitianjian, and you took it preemptively, knowing your life was uncertain. "Then the pill¡¯s effects will kick in, putting you into a state of rebirth, resembling death. Inspector General Zhang and others thought you died in battle, but you were just in a deep sleep." "This is the best solution for now. Please thank Jianzheng for me," Xu Qi''an picked up the orange-yellow, translucent Pill of Rebirth, holding it in his palm, not taking it, but instead taking out a few letters, smiling: "This sleep mightst until I reach the capital. A clever person like me won''t let himself die socially." After a pause, Xu Qi''an added, "At least not a second time." He finished, releasing his qi, shredding the letters into fluttering pieces. The official ship sailed through the curtain snow, breaking through thin ice, slowly heading towards the capital. ... At ten in the morning, after snowing for a day and a night, the snow finally stopped. The Crown Prince, draped in a fox fur cloak, walked through the snowy scenery. He was tall and handsome, with a very good appearance. Although Xu Qi''an had once mocked the sons of Emperor Yuanjing, saying none of them were anypetition... Hisparison wasn''t with himself but with his younger brother, Xu Xinnian. In fact, the Crown Prince was very handsome. Emperor Yuanjing had been quite handsome in his youth, and Noble Consort Chen was a stunning beauty, resulting in a beautiful daughter like Biaobiao. Naturally, the Crown Prince, her elder brother, wouldn''t becking in looks. Arriving at Consort Chen''s residence, the Crown Prince removed his fox fur cloak and handed it to the maid who came to greet him. Entering the room, it was as warm as spring inside, with a faint fragrance permeating the air. Noble Consort Chen, apanied by two maids, greeted him with a smile, "Why didn''t Lin''ane?" The Crown Prince waved his hand and sat down, drinking wine and eating dishes served by the maid. "Hmm... This wine tastes quite good." The Crown Prince remarked in surprise. "It was sent by the Empress, a ''Hundred Days of Spring'' wine, good for health. Drink more," Consort Chen smiled warmly and instructed the maid to pour more wine. The mother and son chatted and dined, the atmosphere pleasant. Because Emperor Yuanjing was obsessed with cultivating immortality and distant from women, the harem had long be a stagnant pond, filled with loneliness and boredom. The concubines, even if they wanted to engage in pce intrigue, found no reason to start. Thus, the Crown Prince and Lin''an often visited their mother, keeping herpany and relieving her loneliness. "Is Lin''an unwell? The people I sent to invite her reported that she was hiding in her room and wouldn''t see anyone," Consort Chen frowned slightly. "She... Sigh..." The Crown Prince sighed. "Mother, do you think Lin''an is of age to marry?" Consort Chen was taken aback and reluctantly nodded, "His Majesty is engrossed in the Dao and indifferent to your marriages. As the stepmother, the Empress rarely leaves her quarters, indifferent even to the matters of the Fourth Prince and Huaiqing, let alone Lin''an." The Crown Prince chewed his food and nodded, "I think it''s time to arrange a marriage for Lin''an." Consort Chen carefully observed the Crown Prince, frowning, "Why do you say that?" The Crown Prince did not answer, downing his wine. He was very sure that Lin''an had developed some feelings for that Bronze Gong. At her age, with her wilful and simple nature, she was easily swayed emotionally. Ordinarily, no one dared to get close to her, so there hadn''t been any signs. But once a man she fancied appeared, those feelings would grow and flourish. Lin''an''s recent mncholic demeanor was proof of this. Fortunately, that Bronze Gong had already died in the line of duty, but the Crown Prince realized that Lin''an was at the age where she needed to be married. "Drink less, drink less..." Consort Chen urged with a frown. With worries about his sister''s feelings weighing on his mind, the Crown Prince unknowingly drank too much. He felt a burning sensation in his lower abdomen. The nearby pce maids, with their delicate features, suddenly seemed quite alluring. "Mother, I''m heading back," the Crown Prince said, belching slightly and rising to take his leave. The cold wind hit his face as he stepped outside, refreshing him. He felt much better as the chilly air cleared his mind. As he made his way back with his guards, he saw a pce maid waiting by the roadside. Upon spotting the Crown Prince''s group, she immediately approached and bowed, saying: "Your Highness, Consort Fu requests your presence." ... In Shaoyin Pce, Biaobiao opened the window, gazing out at the courtyard nketed in pure white snow. Her eyes were red and swollen like peaches. She had been reading a letter from the "running dog" and couldn''t help but cry. The words in the letter were a mix of sincerity and yful humor, making her imagine the "running dog''s" expressions and voice. But Lin''an knew she would never see that smile again. That person had died in Yunzhou and would return silently in a cold coffin, traveling thousands of miles back to the capital. What saddened her even more was that, as a princess, she couldn''t even attend his funeral. The cold wind stung her face, making her shiver. When she touched her face, she realized she was crying again. "Why cry for just a ''running dog''? It''s just a ''running dog'' who died..." Biaobiao angrily wiped away her tears, but the more she wiped, the more they flowed. "Your Highness, Your Highness..." A frantic voice came from outside. Lin''an''s personal maid burst through the door, her face blue from the cold, and her thick shoes covered in dirty water and snow. Lin''an hurriedly turned away, hastily wiping her tears, but the maid''s next words left her stunned. "The Crown Prince has been imprisoned." A bolt from the blue, Lin''an cried out in shock, "What?!" ... In the Imperial Study, Emperor Yuanjing sat on the dragon throne, his face dark with anger. The Chief Justice of the High Court, Wei Yuan, and the Minister of Law stood in the hall, representing the highest legal authorities of the Da Feng dynasty. Wei Yuan was the Left Censor-in-chief of the Censorate. "Your Majesty, this is the coroner''s report. Please review it," the Minister of Law handed over the autopsy report of Consort Fu. The chief eunuch received the report and presented it to Emperor Yuanjing, who barely nced at it before asking expressionlessly, "Was Consort Fu vited?" "Well..." the Minister of Law hesitated, "The coroner only conducted a preliminary examination, not wanting to disturb Consort Fu''s body. Perhaps we should have the elderly nannies in the pce verify it." Emperor Yuanjing asked in a low voice, "Where is that beast?" "The Crown Prince is confined in his pce, awaiting your decision." "Send him to the High Court," Emperor Yuanjing ordered, ring at the three officials, "I want results in three days." "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance; three days may not be enough," the Chief Justice said. "You have three days," Emperor Yuanjing said coldly. "Your Majesty, Lord Wei has many capable men under him who have solved major cases. Perhaps this case should be handed over to the Censorate," suggested the Minister of Law. The Chief Justice agreed. "And who, pray tell, are these capable men?" Wei Yuan asked calmly, ncing at the two officials and then at Emperor Yuanjing. "The one who could handle this case died in Yunzhou." The Minister of Law and the Chief Justice exchanged looks. The bronze gong who had solved numerous cases had indeed died in Yunzhou, which they had secretly celebrated. But now, with no one to carry the pot, they felt conflicted. Consort Fu had died. Perhaps after being assaulted by the crown prince, in a fit of despair she threw herself from the balcony, breaking the fence, and falling to her death. The case seemed straightforward: the Crown Prince had drunk at Consort Chen''s pce and somehow ended up at Consort Fu''s residence. Then, Consort Fu, in disarray, fell to her death. This scandal not only concerned the royal family''s reputation but also the legitimacy of the Crown Prince, involvingplex interests. Neither the Chief Justice nor the Minister of Law wanted to handle this hot potato. Emperor Yuanjing frowned. He knew Wei Yuan was referring to Xu Qi''an, the Bronze Gong who had died in Yunzhou. He had always found the Bronze Gong annoying. But now, facing a major case, Emperor Yuanjing suddenly realized the Bronze Gong''s importance. It was a great loss. Bang! Emperor Yuanjing pped the table in anger, "Is my Greath Feng so bereft of talent that we can''t solve a case without a Bronze Gong?" "Forgive us, Your Majesty." The three officials bowed in unison. At that moment, an eunuch hurried to the entrance of the Imperial Study, bowing low without crossing the threshold. This indicated that there was something important outside, and since Emperor Yuanjing was seated facing the door, he could see the eunuch but would only summon him if he wished. "What is it?" Emperor Yuanjing''s voice was thick with suppressed anger. The chief eunuch quickly called the eunuch inside. "Reporting to Your Majesty, Princess Lin''an requests an audience," the eunuch announced. Princess Lin''aning at this time was obviously about the Crown Prince. Emperor Yuanjing pinched the bridge of his nose, "Send her away. I won''t see her for the next few days." ... The eunuch ryed the order outside the Imperial Study. At the foot of the high steps, Princess Lin''an, draped in a red fox-fur cloak, waited anxiously. Her face was round and delicate, her demeanor charming and passionate. She was apanied by two personal maids. "Second Princess, His Majesty will not see you. Please return," the eunuch said softly. Lin''an bit her lip, stubbornly refusing to leave. She waited and waited outside the Imperial Study. Soon, the heads of the three judicial branches emerged. The Minister of Law eximed, "Your Highness, it''s freezing cold, you mustn''t be stubborn. Take care of your health and avoid catching a cold." The Chief Justice added, "The snow is melting; it''s the coldest time. Your body can''t withstand the cold. Why are you standing there? Quickly, take Her Highness back." Lin''an shook her head, unwilling to leave. Her two maids were at a loss. Wei Yuan wrapped his robe tighter and approached Lin''an. Her nose was red from the cold, but her fair skin made it appear a soft pink, giving her a rather cute look. The senior official spoke gently, "I have a few questions for Your Highness." Wei Yuan was one of the few courtiers who dared to use "I" when speaking to royal family members. Lin''an''s slightly dazed eyes moved, "Please ask, Lord Wei." "Does Your Highness and the Crown Prince often visit Noble Consort Chen?" "My brother and I often apany our mother," Lin''an replied, sniffing. "Do you drink there?" "Yes." "Does the Crown Prince often get drunk?" "Not often, but my brother does enjoy his drink." "Has he had any interactions with Consort Fu? Does he often visit other parts of the harem?" "Of course not," Lin''an said loudly, "My brother knows he is a consort¡¯s son and has always been cautious. How could he possibly do something so outrageous?" Wei Yuan bowed, turned, and left. The Minister of Law and the Chief Justice followed. The cold wind howled, and Lin''an shivered, biting her lip. Her shoulders were thin, and her red cloak, contrasted against the pure white snow, made for a beautiful yet mncholic scene. She waited there for two hours. Her body gradually froze, her legs numb, and her lips turned blue. Lin''an''s heart felt as if it had frozen too. "What are you still doing here?" A familiar voice sounded behind her. She stiffly turned her neck to look back. It was the annoying Huaiqing. Huaiqing was dressed in a beautiful white pce gown, embroidered with vivid red plum blossoms. She had a slender waist and a cold, ethereal demeanor that blended perfectly with the snowyndscape. She looked like an immortal untouched by the mortal world. Even without a mirror, Biaobiao knew she looked like a pitiful quail shivering in the cold wind. The difference between them was stark. "You came tough at me?" Biaobiao turned her head away, holding back tears. Huaiqing looked coldly at the two pce maids and said, "How dare you serve the Second Princess like this? Men, drag them out and beat them to death." "Yes Your Highness!" A guard stepped forward from behind Huaiqing. "Stop!" Lin''an turned her head sharply, intending to intervene, but she overestimated herself; her legs were numb from the cold, and she stumbled, falling to the ground. Lin''an, panicked, cried out, "Huaiqing, you dare kill my people?" Huaiqing walked over, looking down at her, and said indifferently, "If I kill these negligent maids right now, Father wouldn''t say a word against me. You have two choices: either continue standing here, and I''ll have them killed, or go back and stop disgracing yourself." Biaobiao stood up with the help of the pce maids. Perhaps out of a desire not to lose in front of Huaiqing, she wiped away her tears, pushed the maids aside, and stared at Huaiqing: "I don''t believe my brother the Crown Prince would do such a thing." "What does that have to do with me?" Huaiqing said coldly. Biaobiao was momentarily speechless, biting her lip. She staggered a few steps forward, paused, and without turning around, said unwillingly, "If he were still here, he would definitely clear my brother''s name." The figure in red stumbled away. Watching Lin''an''s retreating figure, Huaiqing Princess exhaled. "Your Highness, the Second Princess did not appreciate your gesture; was it worth it?" The guard captain sighed helplessly. "Do I need her gratitude?" Huaiqing snorted coldly. "His Majesty is truly heartless, leaving the Second Princess standing outside for so long," the guard captainmented. Huaiqing''s eyes suddenly sharpened. "Go back and receive fiftyshes." The guard captain, realizing his mistake, felt a cold sweat break out on his back despite the winter chill. "Your servant deserves punishment." ... When the snow melted, the official ship transporting the corpses of the deceased Nightwatchers arrived at the customs checkpoint outside the capital. After inspection, the ship entered the capital via the canal and docked at the city pier. Three Bronze Gongs from the ship unloaded the coffins containing their colleagues'' bodies, hired a few carts, and somebourers to transport them. Silver Gong Min Shan squinted, standing at the pier, gazing at the still-bustling capital, feeling a profound sense of change and nostalgia. This round trip to Yunzhou had imed the lives of several colleagues. The shifting fortunes of the world and the changes of fate were beyond control. Returning to the constabry, they handed over the five coffins to the department responsible for handling the deceased Nightwatchers. Silver Gong Min Shan entered a side hall and poured himself a cup of hot water. In the inner hall where the coffins were ced, several clerks opened the coffins, releasing a faint smell of decay. Although the cold weather had preserved the bodies rtively well, they had begun to dpose. The clerks, ustomed to handling corpses, had taken antidotes to ward off evil and poison and wore cloths over their mouths and noses. As they verified the identities of the deceased, they chatted casually. "Losing three Silver Gongs at once is quite a heavy loss." "With Yunzhou in rebellion, this is actually a minor loss. But it''s a pity about Xu Qi''an." "Yes, though he only joined recently, he had be quite the figure in the constabry. Everyone knew he was favored by Duke Wei, and now he''s gone." "Sigh, what do you think the Jiaofangsi courtesans will do when they hear Xu Qi''an is dead?" "What kind of sentiment can you expect from women in the pleasure quarters?" "But Fuxiang was Xu Qi''an''s lover." "How does everyone know about Xu Qi''an and Fuxiang?" "Who in the capital doesn''t know?" "Eh? Xu Qi''an''s body is the best preserved, with barely any odour." "Let me see... Ah, the skin breaks with a touch. Cover him back up!" A stick of incenseter, the clerks, having washed their hands and faces, found Min Shan and said, "Silver Gong Min, the number of belongings matches the list, and the identities have been verified. You may leave now." Min Shan nodded slightly and left. Tower of Noble Spirit. The sound of footsteps echoed as a ck-d clerk climbed the stairs. After whispering a few words to the colleague guarding outside, he turned and descended the stairs. The guard entered and respectfully reported, "Duke Wei, the official ship from Yunzhou has arrived. The bodies of the three Silver Gongs and two Bronze Gongs have been returned to the constabry, verified without error." Wei Yuan looked up, was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Deliver each to their families." He did not mention the matter of belongings, though he knew the shattered piece of the Earth Book was with Xu Qi''an. ... Stargazing Tower, Bagua tform. A figure in white appeared on the tform, apanied by a clear and long chant: "Picking the stars with the moon in hand, there are..." The voice suddenly faltered, unable to continue. A few secondster, Yang Qianhuan said weakly, "Teacher, I''m back." "Mmm," the Jianzheng did not turn around. The master and disciple stood back-to-back, with no embrace. "Xu Qi''an has safely returned to the capital. This trip to Yunzhou was fraught with danger but ended without incident," Yang Qianhuan said. Seeing Jianzheng remain silent, he asked, "What''s the matter with Xu Qi''an? How can hee back to life, and why do you value him so highly? And also, there''s a third-rank arcanist in Yunzhou¡ªat least third-rank. But where else in the world could such an arcaniste from besides our Sitianjian?" Jianzheng chuckled, "You needn''t concern yourself with Xu Qi''an; I will handle it." *Junior Sister Caiwei was right, you''re just an old man, rotten to the core...* Yang Qianhuan thought to himself. "As for that person in Yunzhou, you don''t need to worry about it. Even if I tell you, you wouldn''t hear it," Jianzheng said. Yang Qianhuan was about to leave when Jianzheng''s voice, tinged with helplessness, came from behind, "Release Song Qing for me." "What did Song Qing do this time?" "He made a person." "..." Yang Qianhuan clicked his tongue in amazement. "To have developed alchemy to this extent, Song Qing is indeed the first in history. However, his personality is deeply wed¡ªstubborn, unwilling to advance." *As if you''re much better...* Jianzheng''s mouth twitched. "Keep an eye on him for me, don''t let him do anything stupid. In a few days, your Fifth Junior Sister wille out of seclusion. Since Second Brother is not in the capital, look after your junior brothers and sisters," Jianzheng said. "Fifth Junior Sister is out of seclusion? Has she sessfully advanced to the fourth rank, bing a formation master like me?" Yang Qianhuan asked excitedly. "Not yet." "In that case, isn''t Fifth Junior Sister risking her life?" Yang Qianhuan was startled. "Her opportunity to advance has arrived," Jianzheng said, with a profound look. ... Xu Manor. A white mourning banner hung above the gate que, and the rednterns had been reced with white ones. After receiving thepensation, the Xu family began preparing for the funeral, though they still did not know when Xu Qi''an''s body would arrive. The household had not yet donned mourning clothes. These past few days, the atmosphere in the mansion was heavy. The master became silent and reserved, thedy wept frequently, Eng tried to remainposed but often stared nkly, Miss Lingyue lost her vitality, and little Miss Lingyin had grown thin and gaunt. In the first couple of days, Little Pea often woke up crying at night, calling for her big brother. A child''s world is small, consisting only of a few family members. When one is suddenly gone, the world bes iplete. This morning, the Xu family finally received Xu Qi''an''s body. Hey in a coffin, brought back to the mansion on a cart. Xu Pingzhi, upon receiving the news, rushed out, but seeing the coffin, he hesitated to approach. He walked to the coffin, ced his hand on the lid... The Bronze Gong who had delivered the body nced at him and said softly, "Master Xu, let''s go inside first." Xu Pingzhi snapped out of his daze and took a deep breath. "Yes," he responded hoarsely. Upon seeing the body, the family would likely be overwhelmed. Crying and mourning at the gate would be unseemly for both the living and the dead. The coffin was carried to the mourning hall. The atmosphere there made the Nightwatcher feel suffocated, unwilling to stay longer. He cupped his hands and said, "Master Xu, I will take my leave now." Xu Pingzhi responded hoarsely, "I won''t see you out." In the mourning hall, Auntie, Eng, Miss Lingyue, and her sisters silently stared at the coffin, as if waiting for something. Xu Pingzhi knew that as the head of the family, certain things had to be done. For instance, he had to be the first to face the body of In the mourning hall, Auntie, Eng, and the Xu Sisters silently watched the coffin, as if waiting for something. Xu Pingzhi knew that as the head of the family, there were certain things he had to do. For instance, being the first to face his nephew''s remains and confront the overwhelming grief. The coffin lid was slowly pushed open, revealing Xu Qi''an lying inside. His skin was shrivelled, dull, and his lips had lost their color. He had been dead for some time. The faint hope in their hearts shattered. Despite being mentally prepared, an overwhelming surge of grief enveloped the family. Auntie and Xu Lingyue clung to the coffin, wailing uncontrobly. Uncle Xu staggered slightly, his lips trembling. Xu Xinnian turned his head away, refusing to look at his brother''s face, his hand clenched into a fist inside his sleeve, knuckles white. Xu Lingyin leaned forward slightly, her small body leaning towards the coffin, hands behind her back, making "waah, waah" crying sounds. *So noisy... Who the heck is disturbing my sleep...* Xu Qi''an thought in frustration. He felt like he was floating in an endless void, unattached to heaven or earth, with nothing to hold onto. The only sound was the noisy crying around him. *I should be home... This crying, is it Aunt''s? Huh, Aunt actually cries for me? Isn''t her usual saying: "Xu Ningyan, you little rascal, you''re my nemesis from a past life, here to collect a debt in this life..."* Xu Qi''an thought drowsily. He could distinguish the cries of his aunt and his two sisters from the rest. The cryingsted a long time, then turned into sobbing and sniffling. Time passed, and night fell. Xu Qi''an learned this from the conversation between Second Uncle and Xinnian. Friends and rtives of the Xu family woulde to pay their respects to Xu Qi''an tomorrow; tonight, the family would keep vigil over his body. *This should be the second time I''ve died. The first time was from alcohol poisoning... fuck, I didn''t delete my 120GB wife... How embarrassing... Fortunately, this world doesn''t haveputers or phones. Oh, there are brothels and the Jiaofangsi here, so no use for a hard drive wife.* *Tomorrow the whole vige wille to my house for a meal... Huaiqing and Lin''an are princesses, so they probably can''te due to their status... Caiwei will definitelye. If she doesn''t, I''ll divorce her when I wake up... Will Fuxiange? Oh, she probably doesn''t know about my "death" yet.* "Mother, you should go back to your room and rest. Second Brother and I will stay here to keep watch over Big Brother," Xu Lingyue said tearfully. Then Auntie spoke, "Your big brother floated on the river for so long, but he''s finally home; we can''t leave him alone. Mum¡¯s fine; Mum will stay here." "When your father handed him to me, he was just a baby. I had no experience taking care of children at that time. Your father was a soldier, and we had no money to hire a wet nurse. I fed him goat''s milk, clumsily taking care of him day by day..." At this point, Auntie was ovee with sadness. Xu Qi''an suddenly realized that his aunt actually loved him, despite theter tension and unpleasantness between them. He felt touched. "The older he got, the more annoying he became. Of the three of you, he was the ugliest and the most troublesome. Whenever I showed you and Eng some care, he''d get jealous, thinking I didn''t like him and that he was a motherless child..." "Stop talking," Uncle Xu said angrily. "Why can''t I say it?" Auntie screamed, "I raised him with all my heart, and now he''s gone. If I''d known, I''d have raised a rat instead." She burst into tears. "Master, Madam," Old Zhang from the gate hurriedly ran in, standing outside the mourning hall, "A youngdy is outside, saying she wants to keep vigil for Dng." *Who?* This question shed through Xu Qi''an''s mind and the minds of Second Uncle and Auntie. "She says her name is Fuxiang," Old Zhang said. Uncle Xu and Xu Qi''an''s faces turned dark at the same time. *Xu Qi''an, who avoided brothels, the gentleman Xu Eng, and the devoted husband Xu Pingzhi...* Xu Qi''an bitterly smiled. Uncle Xu nced at his wife and nodded slightly, "I''ll go see her outside." Auntie wiped her tears and asked her son, "Eng, who is Fuxiang?" From the name alone, she didn''t seem like a girl from a respectable family. Xu Eng, his voice thick with emotion, said, "Fuxiang is the top courtesan of the Jiaofangsi. She supposedly greatly admires Big Brother''s poetry." Xu Lingyue, perceptive as she was, frowned. Coming sote at night to keep vigil hinted at a rtionship more intimate than she had imagined. In the front hall, Uncle Xu met Fuxiang. She was dressed in a simple white dress, with a small white flower on her head, looking very in. At the sight of her, Uncle Xu''s anger dissipated. The woman was visibly grief-stricken, her eyes red, with genuine sorrow etched on her face. "Miss Fuxiang, what brings you here at this hour?" Uncle Xu asked in a deep voice. "Master Xu, I wish to keep vigil for Master Xu..." Fuxiang stood up and bowed. "That''s not appropriate," Uncle Xu refused immediately. The Xu family, though not a schrly family, was respectable. Fuxiang, having no official status in the family, had no right to keep vigil. "When I entered the mansion, I dismissed the Jiaofangsi attendants. Now I can''t return to the inner city, and it''s unsafe outside the city. If you insist on turning me away, I''ll leave," Fuxiang said softly. ... Xu Pingzhi sighed. This woman truly had deep feelings for Dng. Arriving at the mourning hall, at the sight of Xu Qi''an''s body, Fuxiang, who had been holding herself together, broke down. She had learned of Xu Qi''an''s death just today from the madam of the Jiaofangsi. She fainted on the spot, and after waking up and crying for a long time, decided to see him onest time. Xu Lingyue, listening to Fuxiang''s wailing, suddenly understood the nature of her rtionship with her brother. Fuxiang did not stay at the Xu residence for the vigil and sensibly left. Xu Pingzhi had thought to let her stay overnight, but Fuxiang''s earlier words had been a lie. The Jiaofangsi would never let a courtesan out of sight. She had said that only to ensure she could see Xu Qi''an onest time. ¡­¡­. The next day, friends and rtives of the Xu family came to pay their respects. Xu Qi''an''s grandfather only had two sons, and the eldest had died in battle twenty years ago. Now, his son had also passed away, leaving no descendants. The Xu family rtivesmented. Apart from the Xu family, Xu Qi''an''s former superior, County Magistrate Zhu of Changle County, and Head Constable Wang, along with other colleagues, also came. After viewing the body, Magistrate Zhu sighed, "Ningyan died young, such a pity, such a pity." Head Constable Wang and the others looked sorrowful, sighing. "Did Ningyan leave anyst words?" Magistrate Zhu asked. Xu Pingzhi shook his head. *If possible, I''d like to experience a Nigerian coffin dance...* Xu Qi''an joked to himself, his consciousness gradually returning, though his body was still in a death-like state. "Miss Caiwei, what are you doing?" Suddenly, Xu Eng''s voice, tinged with anger, rang out. Then Chu Caiwei''s voice followed, "I just wanted to confirm..." She sounded sad. Gold Gong Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai also came to pay their respects. Viewing the body, Old Zhang sighed, "Such a talented individual dying young, no wonder Duke Wei has been in a foul moodtely." Zhang Kaitai was one of the few who knew Xu Qi''an''s talents. "Bad person." Xu Lingyin shouted at Nangong Qianrou, but was quickly taken away by L¨¹''e. At that moment, Xu Qi''an suddenly heard a gasp, "Your humble servant greets Princess Huaiqing." Inside and outside the mourning hall, there was a brief silence, followed by a chorus of "Greetings, Princess." The Xu family was stunned. What''s going on? The funeral of Xu Qi''an had even attracted a princess? At that moment, the Xu family''s sense of loss and regret was more intense than ever. It turned out that Dng had connections with a princess. If not for this tragedy, he could have risen to great heights in the future. The Xu family might have be a prominent family in the capital, perhaps even elevating the entire n''s status. *My Lotus girls, gathered here... Three of them...* Xu Qi''an suddenly remembered a joke from his past life: A *fu¡¯erdai* died unexpectedly, and at his funeral, all his girlfriends came. One had had an abortion for him; another was pregnant with his child; this one was only eighteen but had been with him for three years; another had left her husband for him... Gradually, the funeral turned into a roasting of said *fu¡¯erdai*. Fortunately, the *fu¡¯erdai* had actually died. *Don¡¯t talk about the letter, don¡¯t talk about the letter, else I¡¯ll have no face to live any more¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought anxiously. But fate decided to have fun with him that day. Chu Caiwei said sadly: ¡°In Qingzhou, he even wrote me a letter, telling me about all the delicacies there. When I finished reading, I was so angry I wanted to stab him to death with my chopsticks, but I never thought¡­ that he would actually die.¡± Hearing this, Xu Lingyue looked at her in surprise, sniffling slightly: ¡°Big brother wrote me a letter too.¡± Huaiqing said calmly: ¡°I also received one.¡± Afterwards, the three girls simultaneously fell into silence: Xu Qi¡¯an: ¡­ Huaiqing suddenly had a thought, her eyes shing, asking: ¡°Then did he¡­¡± Just then, a blood-curdling cat¡¯s shriek echoed, attracting the attention of everyone in the mourning chambers. A ginger cat with its tail raised ran through the crowd, into the chamber, andunched itself towards Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s coffin. A member of the Xu family shouted: ¡°Grab that cat! If a cat jumps over a corpse, the corpse will move!¡± The expressions of the other family members turned. Those nearest to it being Huaiqing, Lin¡¯an, and Chu Caiwei, did not believe in such superstitions, and so did not immediately react to catch it. ¡°Meow~¡± The ginger cat flew towards Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s head, making a horrendous noise. A voice exploded in Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s consciousness: ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an, wake up!¡± *It¡¯s Daoist Jinlian¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s spirit shook, as he felt his soul and body begin toe together and merge. The next moment, his senses returned to him, and he felt in control again of his body. *I can move¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought with delight, and sat up from the coffin. The chamber became deathly silent. *H- h- h- he sat up!?* In everyone¡¯s eyes, this was both hair-raising and petrifying. ¡°H- h- holy shit! It¡¯s moving!¡± Someone screamed. Chapter 233: Rebirth Chapter 233: Rebirth # 233. Rebirth A moment ago, the Xu n members were stillmenting Dng''s untimely death, mourning the shattered dreams of the Xu family''s rise, their hearts heavy with sorrow. But when they saw Xu Qi¡¯an actually sit up from the coffin, their legs moved faster than their thoughts, and with a flurry of movement, they all rushed to a distance, trembling as they watched. "He''s moving¡­ he¡¯se back from the dead! Xu Dng has reallye back from the dead! Quick, report it to the authorities!" "Report to whom? Every official here outranks the County Magistrate." The chaotic voices rose and fell, as the Xu n members were both terrified and frightened. But because of the presence of the princess and several other high-ranking officials in the courtyard, they felt emboldened and didn''t flee in panic. Some people stepped back in fear, while others instinctively moved forward, yet hesitated, confused and unsure of what was happening¡ªpeople like Xu Xinnian, Xu Lingyue, Chu Caiwei, and Huaiqing. *So itchy¡­* Xu Qi''an felt a tingling itch on his scalp, as if lice were crawling all over it. He reached up to scratch, peeling off arge chunk of scalp along with his hair."Ah!!!" The timid auntie shrieked, pushing Xu Lingyue in front of her as a shield. Xu Lingyue was also terrified. Even though this was her most beloved elder brother, under such circumstances, with her brother suddenly rising from the coffin, she felt a chill run down her spine. Instinctively, she wanted to scream and run away. But she didn''t. Her face streamed with tears as she trembled, her voice quivering with sobs, "Big Brother, do you have any unfulfilled wishes, anything you couldn''t let go of¡­" Her sorrow overcame her, and she wept like a flower drenched in rain. After a brief moment of shock and confusion, a few people in the room quickly realized what was really happening to Xu Qi''an. These individuals were none other than refining qi level Princess Huaiqing; Chu Caiwei from the Sitianjian; the high-ranked martial artists Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai; and Xu Pingzhi. Chu Caiwei knew qi-watching, and could distinguish between the living and the dead. Coupled with something her teacher, Jianzheng, had once said, she, though not particrly clever, now began to piece things together. *...Is this the effect of the Rebirth Pill? No wonder the teacher mentioned it when I gave the pill to Xu Qi''an. But how did the teacher know Xu Qi''an woulde back to life¡­ and how did Xu Qi''an even take it¡­* Chu Caiwei couldn''t quite figure it out. As for Xu Pingzhi and the others, it was simply due to the keen hearing and sharp eyes of martial artists. They heard Xu Qi''an''s heartbeat and saw the slight rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. Their expressions were varied but shared amonality¡ªthey were both astonished and overjoyed. Xu Pingzhi''s eyes gradually widened, his otherwise ordinary face showing a mix of overwhelming joy and sadness. A grown man, he burst into tears before everyone present. Zhang Kaitai, too, was both excited and delighted, his emotions written all over his face. *Xu Ningyan hade back to life? He had reallye back to life?* Since stepping into the Xu residence, Princess Huaiqing, who had maintained her usual cold and aloof demeanour, suddenly revealed a gentle warmth on her fair face, her eyes and brows filled with joy. Anyone familiar with her would have been greatly surprised. Nangong Qianrou, however, looked suspicious. *Unfulfilled wishes¡­* Xu Qi''an''s heart stirred. Remembering how his aunt had criedst night, saying he was the ugliest, he replied in a sorrowful, trembling voice, "Auntie treated me badly, I want her to apologize¡­" His aunt let out a wail and burst into tears. "The sage says: do not speak of strange events, the power of spirits, or unnatural beings!" Lacking the keen hearing of a martial artist or the Qi-viewing ability of an Arcanist, Xu Xinnian, who was only at the eighth-rank Self-cultivator level in the Confucian path, believed that his brother had indeed be a vengeful spirit. He stepped forward, chanting the scriptures. He intended to use the rudimentary power of ws followmandments" to make his brother lie back down. "Go!" But his father suddenly smacked him down with a p. Xu Pingzhi, ovee with both grief and joy, rushed to the coffin as if approaching a rare and priceless treasure. "Wait." Nangong Qianrou stopped Xu Pingzhi, squinting as he scrutinized Xu Qi''an, who was scratching his head and peeling off chunks of flesh. "The body may havee back to life, but whether the soul is still the same person is uncertain." Nangong Qianrou sneered. Everyone''s heart tightened. Recalling the strange orange cat, they immediately sensed that something was amiss. The orange cat had leaped over Xu Dng''s body, and then Dng had reallye back to life. It was hard not to think that the one who had revived wasn''t actually Xu Dng, but someone or something else. Nangong Qianrou, Princess Huaiqing, and the others were all well-informed people. They had either seen or heard of cases involving soul possession. "No, he must be Dng." Xu Pingzhi''s tone was firm. He had no reason to doubt. He could only ept that Dng hade back to life. Any other exnation was one he couldn''t face or endure. The knife had already cut through his heart once. "Second Uncle, it''s me. I''m not dead," Xu Qi''an said. *Huh... Why has his voice changed?* Xu Pingzhi''s expression shifted slightly. This "Second Uncle" was spoken in a clear, resonant voice, more maic and pleasing than Xu Qi¡¯an had ever sounded. Xu Pingzhi''s heart immediately sank. Clenching his fists, he stared at his resurrected nephew and demanded, "How can you prove that you''re Xu Qi''an?" Xu Pingzhi''s questioning tone heightened the suspicions already present in the minds of everyone else. *Good thing I don''t have a mother, or I''d have to prove she''s my mother too¡­* Xu Qi''an inwardlyined. After a moment of thought, he replied, ¡°Though green oranges are sour and astringent, uncle still finds it to have marvellous use.¡± Xu Pingzhi''s face instantly stiffened. Xu Eng still couldn''t believe that his brother hade back to life. He nced at his father''s troubled expression, took a deep breath to steady his emotions, and asked, "Are you really Big Brother?" At this moment, Xu Qi''an''s face was a grotesque mix of fresh and decayed flesh, terrifying to behold. Yet, his gaze toward his little brother was deep and affectionate as he said, "If heaven births not I, Xu Xinnian, then the Great Feng forever will be night that never ends." He silently added in his mind: _And if one morn the women home leaves, Reflecting Plum Pavilion bes a ce for three._ *If heaven births not I, Xu Xinnian, then the Great Feng forever will be night that never ends¡­* Hearing this, both Second Uncle and Auntie became even more convinced that the awakened one was indeed Xu Qi¡¯an. These small, intimate details of life were something only someone who had lived through them could know. Inside the mourning hall, the attention of the others immediately shifted to Xu Xinnian. Chu Caiwei thought to herself, _This phrase better not reach Senior Brother Yang''s ears, or else my fellow disciples at the Sitianjian and I will have to endure endless brainwashing._ _This arrogance rivals that of that fool Yang Qianhuan¡­_ Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai frowned, feeling that this schrly Xu family member was far too conceited, and martial artists detest such arrogance. Princess Huaiqing remained silent, but she observed Xu Xinnian with a thoughtful gaze. "¡­.." Xu Eng''s handsome face turned beet red, even his ears blushing. Having these words overheard by his family was already embarrassing, but for his brother to recite them in front of so many outsiders¡ªthis level of shame was more than Xu Eng could bear. He wished he could push his brother aside and lie in the coffin himself, ending it all. _Sigh..._ Seeing that his son had drawn the fire and be the center of everyone''s attention, Xu Pingzhi let out a sigh of relief and felt a bit pleased. "It''s really Big Brother!" Xu Lingyue cheered, rushing over without hesitation and wrapping her arms around her brother''s neck, crying uncontrobly. "Big Bwother, Big Bwother..." Xu Lingyin was overjoyed, hopping around the coffin and stretching out her arms, hoping her brother would pick her up too. But Xu Qi''an was busyforting his sister, holding her soft body close, andpletely ignored Little Pea. Xu Pingzhi, too, rushed forward, hugging his daughter and nephew tightly, afraid that if he let go, they would disappear again. Xu Eng lifted his face, refusing to let the tears fall from his eyes. In front of so many people, there was no way he would disy such a sentimental gesture. "Hmph!" Auntie turned her sharp, snow-white chin away in disdain, but then she immediately covered her mouth and began to cry. Nangong Qianrou silently observed the falling dead flesh¡ªit wasn''t just dead skin, but chunks of decaying flesh. He frowned and asked, "How did youe back to life?" "I never actually died¡­" Xu Qi''an began to exin but was interrupted when Chu Caiwei raised her hand. The beauty with big eyes and an oval face asked sweetly, "Did you take the Rebirth Pill I gave you?" Xu Qi''an was momentarily stunned, then quicklyposed himself, adopting a grateful expression. "Miss Caiwei, your kindness is beyond words. Xu Ningyan is eternally grateful and would dly offer his life in return." "Pah!" Chu Caiwei blushed. In truth, she felt somewhat ashamed¡ªbeing an innocent foodie, she had a strong moralpass and wasn''t good at lying. Unlike Xu Qi''an, who was a habitual liar and not very good at managing rtionships, often nearly drowning in his own deceit. Xu Qi''an looked around at the others, knowing they needed an exnation. After a moment of thought, he said, "During the rebellion of Yunzhou, the rebel army besieged the Provincial Administration, putting the Governor and others in mortal danger. Knowing that the battle could end in my death, I remembered the Rebirth Pill that Lady Caiwei gave me, so I decided to gamble with it¡­ heh, the situation was dire, and I had no other choice. "I suppose the Inspector General must have thought I was dead, leading to this whole misunderstanding." _The Rebirth Pill¡­ so that''s what happened¡­_ Nangong Qianrou and the others nodded in understanding. Princess Huaiqing nced at Xu Pingzhi and the others, who were still confused, and exined calmly, "The Rebirth Pill is a miraculous medicine crafted by the Jianzheng of the Sitianjian. Taking this pill is like a cicada shedding its old skin and being reborn in a new body. "Even if one suffers a mortal wound, they can emerge from their cocoonpletely anew." The pill''s efficacy lies in using the old body as nourishment to cultivate the new one. Just like a caterpir transforming into a butterfly. But there are significant drawbacks, such as its "prohibitive cost" and the stringent conditions required for its use. The pill''s effects kick in an hour after consumption, and the person must die within that hour¡ªif they don''t, the pill will force them to die. It''s easy to imagine tragic scenarios where someone ends up delivering themselves to death. If someone were decapitated or died instantly, the Rebirth Pill wouldn''t be able to save them. In short, it''s a case of the pill''s effect kicking in at the exact moment when one''s life is hanging by a thread. Understanding the pill''s effects, Nangong Qianrou and the others could only marvel at Xu Qi''an''s incredible luck. To the Xu family, Dng''s resurrection was entirely due to the life-restoring elixir given by Miss Caiwei of the Sitianjian. "Miss Caiwei, your great kindness is beyond words," Xu Pingzhi said, cupping his fists. "Dng owes you his life. If you ever need him to scale mountains or tread through boiling oil, just say the word. If he refuses, I, his Second Uncle, will tie him up and send him to you." _I did nothing and gained a life debt. Damn, Chu Caiwei has the protagonist''s luck¡­_ Xu Qi''an yed along, cupping his fists and expressing his deep gratitude. "Alright, Lingyue, help your brother out of the coffin. The living shouldn''t stay in a coffin; it''s bad luck." Xu Pingzhi said, clearly in a good mood. "Mhm," Xu Lingyue responded, but instead of helping her brother out immediately, she began peeling the dried chunks of flesh from his face. After removing the skin and flesh from his face and head, Xu Qi''an felt a cool breeze on his forehead. His heart sank¡ªdamn, my beautiful hair, nurtured for twenty years, is ruined. He then noticed Xu Lingyue staring at him in a daze. "What''s wrong with my face?" Xu Qi''an''s heart tightened, and he quickly touched his own face. Xu Lingyue''s pretty face flushed with two spots of red, and she looked down without saying a word. Xu Qi''an had no choice but to step out of the coffin himself and face Princess Huaiqing, Nangong Qianrou, and the others. He clearly saw their expressions freeze. The Xu Qi''an before them had perfectly chiseled facial features, exuding masculine vigor, with thick eyebrows, a high nose, and piercing eyes. His lips were perfectly shaped and curved. His features hadn''t changed, but they had be more refined and wless. _Is this the boy I raised?_ Auntie''s rosy lips parted in disbelief as she stared at Xu Qi''an. Nangong Qianrou let out a dismissive "tsk." Even Chu Caiwei, who had never experienced romantic feelings, couldn''t help but nce a few more times, finding Xu Ningyan more handsome after his transformation. Princess Huaiqing''s gaze lingered on his face for a few seconds before she subtly turned her head, moving her eyes away as if trying to deceive herself. "Big Brother looks so handsome," Xu Lingyin said happily. Although her brother hadn''t hugged her, her love for him remained unchanged. "I looked like this when I was younger too," Xu Pingzhi said, pleased. After speaking, he noticed his family staring at him in silence. Feeling a bit awkward, he added, "More or less, more or less¡­" "Dng isn''t dead?" Among the Xu n, an elderly man called out from a distance. Second Uncle Xu immediately went over to share the joyous news that Xu Qi¡¯an hade back to life and exined the reasons behind it. The Xu n members then realized it wasn¡¯t a case of corpse moving; Xu Qi¡¯an hadn¡¯t died at all. Instead, it was the Sitianjian''s miraculous pill that had saved him. Themoners in the capital were quite familiar with the Sitianjian. Many of the city¡¯s pharmacies and clinics were owned by the Sitianjian, and ninth-grade Arcanists often took turns practicing their skills in these clinics, providing high-quality and affordable medical services. After exining everything, Second Uncle Xu led Xu Qi''an around to pay respects to the elders. The Xu n members were overjoyed. The fact that a younger member of the n had returned from the dead was cause for celebration. Moreover, recognizing Xu Qi''an''s potential and connections, the n naturally hoped he would climb even higher. In an instant, the atmosphere of the funeral was filled with happiness. After reassuring the n members, Xu Qi''an saw off the two Gold Gongs, sent off Chu Caiwei, and bid farewell to Princess Huaiqing before heading to the bathhouse. The Xu n members remained at the Xu residence, helping to dismantle the funeral arrangements. ... After filling the bathtub with water, Xu Qi''an rested his hands on the edges, looking down at the reflection of his face in the water. ¡°How handsome, now this feels right. Though, it¡¯s not quite up to the standard of my previous life," Xu Qi''an eximed in satisfaction. At this moment, his facial features were still vaguely the same, but they had be more refined and perfect, with a significant increase in his attractiveness. Sinking into the cool water, Xu Qi''an let out afortable moan and then ruefully rubbed his now bald head. Just then, an orange cat nudged open the door and, with an elegant stride and tail held high, walked into the bathhouse. ¡°Tsk, I¡¯ve long heard of the impressive effects of the Rebirth Pill, and now that I¡¯ve seen it, it truly lives up to its reputation. It¡¯s transformed an ordinary person like you into someone quite distinguished.¡± *So in your heart, Daoist, I was just a in Bronze Gong all along...* Xu Qi''an felt a bit disheartened and replied: ¡°Daoist, it seems you''ve developed too much of a fondness for cats.¡± ¡°Don''t dwell on such trivial matters,¡± Daoist Jinlian said, raising a paw to tap the floor. The orange cat leaped onto the edge of the bath barrel, then onto a stool meant for clean clothes, where it sat and spoke in the human tongue: ¡°I never believed you would actually perish. When I heard about your funeral today, I came by to see. Sure enough, though your body had no signs of life, there was a faint trace of a soul''s presence.¡± This faint soul presence was something only a Daoist adept in cultivating the Yin Spirit could detect, not something a Martial Artist could sense. ¡°I just gave you a little push to help you return to your body sooner.¡± ¡°Thank you, Daoist,¡± Xu Qi''an said sincerely. If it weren¡¯t for the Daoist¡¯s intervention, flying in with his majestic stride and eximing with that startling cry, there would¡¯ve been little joy even if he hade back to life. Indeed, the blessed are always protected; the Pond Master has divine providence. ¡°However, Miaozhen mentioned that she didn¡¯t sense any soul presence in you and that you seemed utterly dead,¡± Daoist Jinlian continued. Is ¡°utterly dead¡± really the right term here? Xu Qi''an pondered for a moment before saying: ¡°On the journey back from Yunzhou to the capital, I had no consciousness at all and only began to regain a faint awarenessst night.¡± He implied that the faint soul presence had only appeared recently, a sign of his revival. Daoist Jinlian nodded, then nced down, pressing his paw on the fragment of the Earth Book, and let out a ¡°tsk¡±: ¡°Wei Yuan didn¡¯t reim the Earth Book fragment.¡± Wei Yuan is fishing? Xu Qi''an was startled but listened as Daoist Jinlian continued: ¡°However, getting you to join the Heaven and Earth Society was merely a minor move for him, a step in his broader strategy. Those who are skilled in nning think long-term. After your supposed death, he might have be somewhat disheartened and didn¡¯t want to involve himself in the Heaven and Earth Society¡¯s affairs anymore. Whether the Earth Book fragment stayed with you or was retrieved by me, it likely didn¡¯t matter to him.¡± *Daoist, you and Wei Yuan really seem to be on the same page. But openly revealing my double agent status in front of me is a bit awkward¡­* Xu Qi''an forced augh. ¡°By the way, could you not tell Li Miaozhen about my resurrection just yet?¡± Xu Qi''an asked while ying with the water. Daoist Jinlian fixed him with a stare, his amber cat eyes gazing intently: ¡°You should be honest, young man.¡± *Motherfucker, who hasn¡¯t boasted online before? Back in the day, when I was browsing forums, I used to pose as a high-educated talent, with my catchphrase being: ''Thanks for the invite, but I''m in the U.S., just got off the ne.''* Xu Qi''an forced anotherugh, then, recalling the events in Yunzhou, asked, ¡°Daoist, the Yunzhou case had signs of an Arcanist''s involvement, and at least a third-grade one at that. How much do you know about the Sitianjian?¡± He proceeded to inform Daoist Jinlian about the mysterious Arcanist involved in the Yunzhou case. Daoist Jinlian quickly grasped Xu Qi''an''s implication and mused, ¡°The Sitianjian has only one third-grade Arcanist, named Sun Xuanji. ¡°But I don¡¯t think the Arcanist who acted in Yunzhou was him; it¡¯s likely someone else.¡± ¡°Who?¡± Xu Qi''an asked eagerly. Daoist Jinlian nced at him: ¡°Do you think I would know?¡± *... What use are you then?* Xu Qi''an forced a smile and said, ¡°Daoist, in my mind, you¡¯ve always been a wise elder, knowledgeable in all matters under the heavens.¡± *And a cunning LYB.* Daoist Jinlian shook his head and corrected, ¡°It¡¯s the Arcanists who are knowledgeable about the heavens, and the schrs who are knowledgeable about the earth. ¡°However, the Jianzheng certainly knows the background of that Arcanist, but no one can fathom that old man''s thoughts.¡± With that, Daoist Jinlian scrutinized Xu Qi''an and remarked, ¡°Your vitality and qi are several times stronger, and your spirit isplete. You¡¯ve made significant progress since you left the capital. The Rebirth Pill¡¯s effects are indeed extraordinary.¡± *It¡¯s just too expensive¡­* Daoist Jinlian thought with regret. ¡°Just lucky, lucky... Stepping into the Refining Spirit realm in three months, such dull talent, dull talent indeed,¡± Xu Qi''an said modestly. ¡­ The orange cat turned and left, leaving behind a partingment: ¡°Go find Wei Yuan. The resources needed for the Copper-Skin Iron-Bone realm would bankrupt you several times over, but he can provide them.¡± After finishing his bath and changing into dry clothes, Xu Qi''an mounted his horse and rode out of the estate, heading straight for the Nightwatchers constabry. Chapter 234: Your Majesty, please grant me death. Chapter 234: Your Majesty, please grant me death. # 234. Your Majesty, please grant me death. The Tower of Noble Spirit. Upon returning to the constabry, Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai immediately headed to the Tower of Noble Spirit. With Wei Yuan¡¯s adopted son Nangong Qianrou leading, they didn''t need to be announced and could go straight up to see him. Wei Yuan stood before arge map hanging on the wall, his hands sped behind his back, eyes narrowed, and silent. He had maintained this posture for an hour. The map provided a bird''s-eye view of the entire northeastern region, marking the headquarters of the Church of the Warlock God and the locations of various northeastern nations. This kind of mapcked precision and was only useful for a general overview, so it wasn''t considered valuable. More urate maps were the kinds of secret items that nations would go to war over, fighting tooth and nail to acquire or protect them. Footsteps sounded behind him, followed by the voices of Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai: "Father." "Duke Wei."Without turning around, Wei Yuan spoke in a deep voice, "Xu Qi''an''s body has been floating in the canal for over ten days; it shouldn''t be kept any longer... Let his family bury him soon." If one listened carefully, there was a trace of sorrow in the low voice. Nangong Qianrou understood perfectly well why her foster father refused to look at Xu Qi''an''s corpse. As a person in power and a strategist, his heart should be hard, cold even. Only those who are ruthless and detached can be invincible. Wei Yuan was expected to be such an invincible person, unaffected by emotions. Both the Nightwatchers in the constabry and the outside world hoped that Wei Yuan was such a person. "Foster Father¡­" Nangong Qianrou cleared her throat and said, "Xu Qi''an is not dead." Wei Yuan whirled around, the movement so sharp that his blue robe billowed. At that moment, the Grand Eunuch''s face was aplex mix of emotions, his eyes reflecting surprise, confusion, joy, and hope... Nangong Qianrou had never seen such aplicated expression on his foster father''s face. But it was only a fleeting moment. The Grand Eunuch quickly regained hisposure, calmly walked over to the table, sat down, and asked in a somewhat stern tone: "What happened?" Nangong Qianrou then recounted Xu Qi''an''s exnation. Wei Yuan listened quietly, then immediately said, "Have hime see me at once." Nangong Qianrou nodded and nced at therge bird''s-eye map of the northeastern region. "And what about that spy¡­" Xu Qi''an''s resurrection raised the question: Should the n to attack the Church of the Warlock God still proceed? "We attack the Church of the Warlock God after autumn harvest; the n remains unchanged." Wei Yuan''s expression was cold, and his tone was filled with strong confidence. Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai took their leave. The former intended to visit the Xu residence again, but as soon as they stepped out of the constabry, they ran into Xu Qi''an, who was riding in. "You''re pretty tactful," Nangong Qianrou said with a click of her tongue. "Anyone who doesn''t know better might think that Father has taken in another adopted son." Xu Qi''an retorted, also clicking his tongue, "You¡¯re well versed in ambiguity." Nangong Qianrou was suddenly furious, mistakenly thinking that Xu Qi''an was mocking his androgynous appearance, and furrowed his brows: "Why didn''t you just die in Yunzhou?" As soon as the words left his mouth, an image shed in Xu Qi''an''s mind: Nangong Qianrou raising his right hand and swinging his arm to p him... With a sudden burst of intuition, Xu Qi''an lowered his body and dodged Nangong Qianrou''s p by the narrowest of margins, then quickly darted into the constabry. "Can''t be bothered to argue with you. I''m off to see Duke Wei." In front of a fourth-rank Gold Gong, that was the best move Xu Qi''an could pull off. Any further dy would have resulted in a severe beating. Nangong Qianrou stood there, slightly dazed as he watched Xu Qi''an''s retreating figure, then looked down at his hand¡­ He dodged? In the Refining Spirit realm, a martial artist''s perception of danger was extremely sharp, allowing them to easily detect hostility or ambushes around them. Even with their eyes closed, they could fight in the chaos of battle. For a martial artist, reaching the Refining Spirit realm signifies a peak in individualbat ability. However, with Nangong Qianrou''s fourth-rank cultivation, even if he held back, he should have easily been able tond a p on a Refining Spirit martial artist before they sensed the danger and reacted. "How is that possible..." Nangong Qianrou frowned slightly. ... As Xu Qi''an made his way through the constabry, he received countless astonished looks. Whether they were Nightwatchers or clerks, everyone stared at him, dumbfounded. The news of Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an''s death in the line of duty had long since spread throughout the constabry. For the past few days, it had been the topic of conversation during breaks. If one were to write a headline using the style of his previous life, it would read: **#Shocking! Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an Returns, Duke Wei is Astounded!** **#What Did the Promising Bronze Gong Do in Yunzhou That Ruined His Life?#** But now, seeing Xu Qi''an, who had been dead for half a month, striding through the constabry alive and well, and even waving cheerfully at everyone, the Nightwatchers were left with a flurry of questions. "In broad daylight, can ghosts really enter our constabry? And how did someone be so handsome after dying?" "What do we do? This might be Xu Ningyan''s ghost; we can''t just attack him, right? It wouldn''t be good if his soul was scattered." "Are you blind? Do ghosts have shadows? That might be Xu Ningyan''s brother. Xu Ningyan was never this good-looking." Amidst the murmurs, Xu Qi''an arrived at the Tower of Noble Spirit, where the guards stared at him in disbelief. "I need to see Duke Wei. Report to him immediately." The guard, turning back several times as he went, entered the building. A momentter, he returned and said, "Duke Wei will see you now... Sir Xu, weren''t you, weren''t you¡­" Xu Qi''an touched his face and replied in a rich voice, "I am Xu Qi''an''s brother, sent by Duke Wei to take over my brother''s duties." "Oh, I see. May I ask your name, sir?" "Xu Qian."[^1] The guard thought to himself, _Why does that sound like a woman''s name?_ Outwardly, he respectfully said, "Please,e in." Upon entering the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qi''an ascended to the tea room on the seventh floor and met with Wei Yuan, whom he hadn¡¯t seen for over a month. Wei Yuan was still dressed in his elegant green robe, his temples tinged with grey, and fine crow''s feet at the corners of his eyes. Despite his age, he remained a refined and handsome old gentleman. *With my looks now, I¡¯ll definitely be no less charming than Wei Yuan when I¡¯m old¡­* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. He cupped his fists and said loudly, "Subordinate Xu Qi''an pays his respects to Duke Wei." Wei Yuan seemed momentarily lost in thought but responded warmly, "Sit down." In an unprecedented gesture, Wei Yuan personally poured him a cup of hot tea and said calmly, "Tell me everything about what happened in Yunzhou." It was a long story, so Xu Qi''an recounted the events in Yunzhou in detail, including the identities of Li Miaozhen as the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect. He withheld nothing except for matters concerning the monk Shenshu, which were of too great significance. Wei Yuan was too perceptive; hiding too much would be easily detected. Moreover, the Grand Eunuch genuinely valued and nurtured him, so Xu Qi''an repaid his kindness with trust. As expected, after taking a sip of tea, Wei Yuan said, "Yang Qianhuan has been following you throughout." Xu Qi''an was initially stunned, slightly taken aback. He wasn¡¯t foolish and quickly realized what this might imply. He asked, "Why would Brother Yang be following me?" "He wouldn''t follow you without reason. From what I know of him, apart from indulging in odd and quirky things, he isn¡¯t particrly concerned about anything else," Wei Yuan said with an inscrutable smile. "But what if it was Jianzheng''s idea?" *Jianzheng knows my secret¡­ If it was at his behest, then it makes sense.* Xu Qi''an discreetly nced at Wei Yuan, wondering if this highly astute individual had also noticed something. Wei Yuan didn''t dwell on the topic and continued, "As for that third-grade Arcanist, let''s temporarily consider him as such. I don¡¯t believe he is Sun Xuanji from the Sitianjian. However, this matter does remind me of something else." Xu Qi''an perked up, "Please enlighten me, Duke Wei." *Duke Wei is reliable, unlike Daoist Jinlian, who always speaks in riddles. Wei Yuan almost never withholds anything from me.* "You''re familiar with Chu Caiwei of the Sitianjian, as well as Song Qing. Do you know their true identities?" "Jianzheng''s personal disciples?" Xu Qi''an replied uncertainly. The White-Robed Arcanists of the Sitianjian weren¡¯t all Jianzheng''s disciples. It was simr to the great Confucians at the Cloud Deer Academy who often lectured but had few personal disciples. Song Qing, Chu Caiwei, and Yang Qianhuan were indeed Jianzheng''s personal disciples. "Yang Qianhuan is Jianzheng''s third disciple, Song Qing is the fourth, and Chu Caiwei is the sixth. The White-Robed Arcanists refer to her as Little Junior Sister," Wei Yuan exined. *¡­ What''s the problem with that?* Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t understand. "But Jianzheng only has five personal disciples," Wei Yuan said softly. ¡­ Xu Qi''an''s pupils contracted as he finally understood Wei Yuan''s implication. Jianzheng had only five disciples, yet Chu Caiwei was the sixth. So where is the missing disciple? What happened to that disciple? "Sun Xuanji is the second disciple," Wei Yuan added. "Then, the identities of the first and fifth disciples remain unknown," Xu Qi''an said. For a moment, the two men didn''t speak, and the tea room fell into a brief silence. After finishing his cup of tea, Wei Yuan continued, "You woke up at a bad time." "What do you mean by that, Duke Wei?" Xu Qi''an didn''t understand. "Zhang Xingying submitted a memorial, requesting the court to posthumously honor you. After discussing the matter, His Majesty and the officials decided to grant you the title of Viscount of Changle County. The imperial edict will be issued in a few days." Wei Yuan sighed, "Now that you''re alive, the cab will likely revoke the edict, and His Majesty will probably agree." "That''s no big deal. As long as I don''t miss out on the reward money, I''m fine," Xu Qi''an said with a shrug. *Viscount of Changle County¡ªsounds like a junior title¡­ No, a son¡¯s title.*[^2] *In the future, if I meet an official from Changle County, and they introduce themselves, saying: Hello, I¡¯m xxx from Changle County.* *And I say: I¡¯m the Viscount of Changle County.* People unfamiliar with titles might think I''m their son. Wei Yuan gave him a look, ¡°Money is just an external possession. The significance of a title can''t bepared to silver. Even if you be a Silver Gong and hold power, your status won''t be high enough to make it to the top. Only a title can truly separate you from themoners and establish your family among the nobility. If you''re ennobled, the Xu family will no longer be ordinary but part of the elite. "In the future, when you marry,moner women won''t be eligible. Only daughters of noble families will be a match for you." "Can I marry a princess?" Xu Qi''an asked quietly. ¡­ Wei Yuan nodded, "Theoretically, yes." A princess could never marry amoner; her future husband must be a noble. Although a viscount''s title isn''t high, it''s still a title. "But for some reason, His Majesty doesn''t like you. If he doesn¡¯t agree, there''s nothing anyone can do," Wei Yuan said, then smiled: "Fortunately, you''re not without merit and still have some room to manoeuvre." "Please advise me, Duke Wei." "A few days ago, something major happened in the pce. Consort Fu died unexpectedly, falling from a tower in disarray. At the time, the only person in the room was the Crown Prince, who was drunk. The case is particrly tricky as it concerns the royal family''s reputation and involves the potential dethroning of the Crown Prince. The three legal departments are reluctant to get involved and will likely handle it passively." *Oh holy fuck¡­ The Crown Prince vited the emperor''s consort?* Xu Qi''an shook his head quickly, "Duke Wei, you¡¯re setting me up. How can I meddle in the royal family''s scandal?" "No need to worry," Wei Yuan waved dismissively. "This matter is already known to all the civil and military officials. One more person won¡¯t make a difference. If you can uncover the truth, great. If not, you can just back out." "If your abilities fall short, at most, you''ll receive a minor punishment. Even if His Majesty dislikes you, he can''t just execute a viscount. The noble faction wouldn''t allow it." *I see. Duke Wei''s advice is to persuade Emperor Yuanjing to grant me the title first. Then, when the timees, I can im my abilities are insufficient and bow out.* *At worst, I''ll get a minor punishment but still walk away with a title. Duke Wei is¡­ truly cunning (a damn LYB!).* "The Crown Prince is Princess Lin''an''s elder brother," Xu Qi''an suddenly remembered the charming and affectionate little fish he had taken in. The little queen of the night market must be heartbroken and helpless now. "You haven''t gotten entangled with Princess Lin''an, have you?" Wei Yuan squinted at him. "No, no," Xu Qi''an quickly shook his head. Wei Yuan nodded in relief. ¡­ The Next Day, in the Imperial Study. "The three-day deadline has passed, and your response to me is simply ''The case isplex with many uncertainties, please may we more time''?" Emperor Yuanjing furiously mmed several memorials onto the three ministers in front of him. The memorials submitted by the Chief Justice of the High Court, the Minister of Law, and Wei Yuan were strikingly simr, as if they had copied each other''s work¡ªand copied the wrong answers at that. Emperor Yuanjing was so angry that he pounded the table. The Minister of Law, feeling ashamed, said, "Your Majesty, this case is filled with doubts and shrouded in mystery. Your servant has already exerted all his efforts. Please grant us a few more days." The Chief Justice added, "Your lowly servant is incapable and requests to retire to the country." "You¡­" Emperor Yuanjing waved hisrge hand, sweeping all the memorials, inkstones, and brushes off the table, trembling with rage: "I''ll have you all executed." The three ministers immediately knelt down and cried out, "Your servant''s death is of no consequence, but Your Majesty must take care of your dragon body." _Did they rehearse these lines?_ Emperor Yuanjing was livid. The other ministers on both sides kept their eyes down, focused on their noses, and those who usually enjoyed arguing with Wei Yuan kept silent. This case had to be handled, of course, but opinions from different factions had yet to align. The Crown Prince¡¯s supporters were thinking about how to exonerate him, while the other factions were considering which prince should be the future heir if the Crown Prince were deposed. Though their opinions differed, everyone agreed on one thing: to dy. Consort Fu''s death wasn¡¯t the main issue; the real concern was the battle for the imperial session that would follow this case. It was a conflict that promised to be as bloody and tumultuous as the imperial evaluation. Each clique needed time to deliberate, to take sides, and to make arrangements. In such a situation where the court''s objectives were aligned, even Emperor Yuanjing could do nothing but seethe with impotent rage, unless he decided to ignore the truth and deposed the Crown Prince on the spot¡ªbut that would most likely be rejected by the cab. "Your Majesty, please calm yourself. This minister has something to report." Prime Minister Wang stepped forward, casually setting aside the case of Consort Fu and said, "ording to what this minister has learned, the Bronze Gong of the Nightwatchers, Xu Qi''an, did not die. He strangely revived yesterday, so the matter of his ennoblement should be revoked." The Imperial Study filled with the murmurs of ministers. _That Bronze Gong surnamed Xu is still alive?_ The Chief Justice and the Minister of Law had mixed feelings. Emperor Yuanjing was momentarily stunned, then he suppressed his anger, turned to Wei Yuan, and asked in a deep voice, "Lord Wei, is the Prime Minister''s statement true?" "It is indeed true," Wei Yuan replied with a bow. Immediately, one of the Censors stepped forward and loudly said, "Zhang Xingying falsely reported the case, deceiving His Majesty. Please, Your Majesty, punish him." Emperor Yuanjing ignored this and continued looking at Wei Yuan, asking, "Why is this?" "Xu Qi''an did not die. Before engaging the rebel forces, he took the Sitianjian''s Pill of Rebirth. After exhausting his strength, he fell into a state of feigned death and only awoke yesterday. Zhang Xingying mistakenly believed Xu Qi''an had died, so he cannot be med," Wei Yuan exined. _Pill of Rebirth¡­_ Emperor Yuanjing felt as if he had swallowed a fly. He had once asked Jianzheng for this pill, but Jianzheng refused, iming it was no longer avable. Yet now, a mere Bronze Gong had managed to obtain this rare and miraculous elixir. "How did he acquire such an elixir?" Emperor Yuanjing''s lips twitched. "It was a gift from Chu Caiwei of the Sitianjian," Wei Yuan replied. Emperor Yuanjing pondered for a few seconds, then slowly nodded, "The ennoblement is to be revoked. Also, summon Bronze Gong Xu Qi''an to see me immediately." Wei Yuan nodded calmly and bowed, "As youmand." ¡­ Xu Qi''an received the summons and, byte morning, was galloping towards the pce. After the Huben Guards confirmed his identity, he was allowed inside. Inside the pce gates, Wei Yuan, d in a blue robe, stood with his hands behind his back, waiting with Nangong Qianrou by his side. Xu Qi''an hurried forward and called out, "Duke Wei." Wei Yuan nodded, "His Majesty has summoned you regarding Consort Fu¡¯s case." He paused, then added meaningfully, "The ennoblement has been revoked." _They really revoked it, huh?_ *The news had been out for three days, and they still managed to pull it back.* _How irregr¡­_ Xu Qi''an grumbled internally but said aloud, "I understand." Following Wei Yuan into the Imperial Study, they found that Emperor Yuanjing was not there. An elderly eunuch in a robe with a python design said, "His Majesty is meditating at Lingbao Temple with the National Teacher. He will return after noon; please wait." This waitsted for two hours. --- At Lingbao Temple, after finishing his meditation, a refreshed Emperor Yuanjing opened his eyes and sighed, "National Teacher, when will I be able to form my Golden Core?" Beneath her robe, which couldn''t fully conceal her voluptuous figure, the enchantingly beautiful Luo Yuheng kept her eyes closed and replied in a melodious and maic voice, "Your Majesty will achieve it soon, as long as you can set aside worldly affairs and devote yourself to cultivation." Emperor Yuanjing stared at the breathtakingly beautiful Daoist nun before him. Her features were stunning, with an allure that could captivate any soul. The vermilion mark on her forehead only enhanced her ethereal presence¡ªan immortal, yet one who could be defiled. Emperor Yuanjing sighed again. Actually, all it would take for him to progress was dual cultivation, but even as an emperor, he couldn''t force the leader of the Human Sect¡¯s hand. Not only was she a second-rank master, but even if he could overpower her with force, dual cultivation required mutual alignment of techniques, which couldn¡¯t be achieved by force. "When will the National Teacher reach the first rank?" Emperor Yuanjing asked. Luo Yuheng gently shook her head. "Sigh, Jianzheng''s intentions are bing harder for me to understand. I once asked him for the Pill of Rebirth, and he refused, yet today I find that even a mere Bronze Gong can enjoy this miraculous medicine." Luo Yuheng opened her eyes and curiously asked, "A Bronze Gong?" Emperor Yuanjing waved dismissively, "This person is of no consequence. I¡¯ll return to the pce first. Tomorrow, I¡¯lle again to meditate and seek enlightenment with the National Teacher." After returning to the pce and learning that Xu Qi''an had been waiting in the Imperial Study, Emperor Yuanjing still did not go there immediately. Instead, after a thorough bath, he finally made his way to the study. Inside the Imperial Study. Xu Qi''an called out loudly, "Your lowly subordinate pays his respects to Your Majesty." Emperor Yuanjing stared at him sharply. Without mentioning the Pill of Rebirth or praising the Bronze Gong¡¯s contributions in Yunzhou, he went straight to the point: "A few days ago, Consort Fu fell from a tower to her death. There are hidden truths behind this case. I give you three days to uncover them. If you fail, you will be severely punished." Xu Qi''an immediately bowed deeply, bending at a ny-degree angle, and shouted, "Your Majesty, please grant me death." --- [^1]: Qian Ù», one syble, ¡°graceful¡±, incidentally the same Qian in Nangong Qianrou. Contrast with Qi¡¯an Æß°², two sybles. [^2]: The rank of viscount, fourth in Chinese nobility, is the same word as ¡°son¡±: ×Ó Chapter 235: Hengyuan: Three, Ive Known Your True Identity Long Ago Chapter 235: Hengyuan: Three, I''ve Known Your True Identity Long Ago # 235. Hengyuan: Three, I''ve Known Your True Identity Long Ago ¡­ Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s words choked in his mouth; he waspletely caught off guard by Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s response. Usually, when he was difficult, officials would plead, "Your Majesty, I beg for retirement," which was a standard tactic of seasoned bureaucrats. But this little Bronze Gong was even more straightforward¡ªhe asked for death. Emperor Yuanjing''s face instantly darkened. Rulers often used harsh words to assert their authority, whether it was an emperor or a county magistrate, they liked to say, "Do this for me, or else I''ll (We¡¯ll) have you dealt with severely." This was not unusual; after all, the hierarchy was clear, and ministers and subordinates could only ept orders and obedientlyply. But who would have thought that this Bronze Gong would dare to push back, making Emperor Yuanjing feel ufortable. Especially seeing the significant changes in Xu Qi''an, Emperor Yuanjing was even more displeased, though at the same time he sighed at the extraordinary power of the Pill of Rebirth, this rare miracle medicine. So difficult to make that in sixty years the Jianzheng had only managed to produce three. Emperor Yuanjing sternly asked, "Xu Qi''an, do you think we won¡¯t kill you?"Emperor Yuanjing had ruled for thirty-six years, and his imperial might was overwhelming. The air in the Imperial Study seemed to grow colder, causing the eunuchs present to immediately lower their heads, not daring to look at the dragon visage. The only one who could remainposed in the emperor''s presence was Wei Yuan. Xu Qi''an naturally wouldn¡¯t continue to push back. Without any fear in his heart, he immediately shifted from his aggressive stance to a more submissive one, saying in a humble tone: ¡°Your Majesty, please forgive me. Your humble servant fought to protect the Provincial Governor in Yunzhou, battling the rebel army and personally killing two of theirmanders. ¡°Your humble servant worked tirelessly in Yunzhou, uncovering the collusion between the Provincial Administrator Song Changfu and the Church of the Warlock God, and clearing the name of Commander Yang Chuannan. ¡°All these things are insignificant, and your humble servant would never bring them up to im credit. As for the Sangpo Case and the Pingyang Princess Case, your humble servant has long forgotten and will never bring them up again. "However, your servant¡¯s vitality is greatly diminished, and his spirit is weakened. Since waking up, he has often suffered from severe headaches and are truly incapable of assisting Your Majesty further." Emperor Yuanjing stared at him, for a moment unable to say anything harsh. This little Bronze Gong deliberately mentioned a whole series of cases to emphasise his achievements, first securing his position as a meritorious official, and then citing his physical ailments to avoid further responsibilities, demonstrating his deep understanding of court politics. Wei Yuan immediately spoke up, "Your Majesty, Xu Qi''an is just a Bronze Gong. Even if he is exceptionally capable, his vitality, Qi, and spirit is severely depleted. His life may be of little consequence, however dying the investigation and leaving Consort Fu¡¯s case unresolved would be a serious matter." After a pause, he looked at Xu Qi''an and said, "You may go back and rest. His Majesty will not send an underfed soldier into battle." *The emperor does not send underfed soldiers...* Emperor Yuanjing nced at Wei Yuan, pondered for a moment, and said, ¡°Xu Qi''an, the Sitianjian has many prescriptions for nourishing the spirit. Lingbao Temple also has no shortage of spiritual pills. If you are unwell, we can grant you some of these medicines. "We remember your contributions in Yunzhou and am considering bestowing upon you the title of Viscount. The imperial grace is vast; do not disappoint it." In the end, Xu Qi''an was just a minor figure, not worth Emperor Yuanjing''s deliberate targeting. When the cab proposed revoking the title, Emperor Yuanjing went along with it. But now that Xu Qi''an was needed, Emperor Yuanjing didn¡¯t mind offering some rewards. Though, he was very clear; he had been outmanoeuvred. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your boundless grace. Your Majesty is wise and mighty, a monarch for the ages," Xu Qi''an loudly dered. Emperor Yuanjing nodded slightly, "I want the truth of this case as soon as possible." "Your humble servant will do his utmost until his death." Seeing the Bronze Gong being so tactful, Emperor Yuanjing felt somewhat satisfied and casually dismissed him, "You may withdraw." ... As they left the Imperial Study and walked across the empty square, Wei Yuan squinted, looking straight ahead with a faint smile, "Did you learn something?" "I did," Xu Qi''an replied. He had genuinely learned something, not like in his school days when the teacher would ask, "Have you all understood?" and all the students would loudly reply, "Yes!" while actually understanding nothing. The lesson Wei Yuan wanted to teach was simple: the emperor is also human, the emperor has weaknesses, and the emperor is bound by rules, unable to act arbitrarily and recklessly. At the same time, the emperor is not omnipotent; he also has needs. As long as you possess something the emperor "needs," there is a lot of room for maneuver. Take this case, for instance. The three departments were all shirking responsibility and dying the investigation. What could Emperor Yuanjing do? At most, he could impose punishments, but he couldn¡¯t truly dismiss or execute them. In such a situation, Xu Qi''an, who had solved several major cases and offended many officials, was the perfect candidate to investigate. Since the emperor wanted to use you, it was necessary to reasonably negotiate benefits for yourself. And once he became a Viscount, Xu Qi''an could make a symbolic effort, but failing to solve the case due to "insufficient ability" would still be reasonable. After all, he wasn¡¯t a celestial. At that point, Emperor Yuanjing''s anger would be expected, but as a Viscount, Xu Qi''an would at most face some punishment, such as flogging, sry reduction, or even demotion. However, a noble title is not something that can be taken away easily. It is a means for the court to win people''s hearts and can only be granted to those who have made great contributions. ordingly, the conditions for stripping a noble title are also strict; it cannot be revoked just because the emperor says so. Otherwise, the title would be too cheap and would notmand respect. As for whether Emperor Yuanjing would go back on his word, neither Xu Qi''an nor Wei Yuan had considered it. A dignified emperor would not be so shameless. Even if Emperor Yuanjing wanted to renege, Xu Qi''an could still stall the investigation. For every tactic, there is a counter-tactic. "Sir Xu, please wait." A shrill voice called from behind. Xu Qi''an and Wei Yuan stopped and turned around. It was the old eunuch by Emperor Yuanjing''s side, running up with a gold token in his hand. "This is the gold token bestowed by His Majesty. Sir Xu can enter the pce to investigate at any time, but you must be apanied by a pce attendant." The old eunuch presented the gold token. Xu Qi''an took it and weighed it in his hand. It was quite hefty. This gold token was different from the one he had received before. The front of this token had an additional character ¡°Inner¡± [ÄÚ], signifying that it allowed him to move within the inner pce, a level higher than before. "Thank you, milord," Xu Qi''an cupped his hands. The old eunuch nodded and said no more, turning to leave. "Wait a moment, milord." Xu Qi''an called after him. The old eunuch turned back. "His Majesty''s grace is boundless. I will begin the investigation today. Please may milord assign a pce attendant to assist me," Xu Qi''an said. A pce attendant was the lowest rank among the eunuchs... in fact even using the term "eunuch" wasn¡¯t urate; eunuchs had positions and titles. A pce attendant was the lowest rank... essentially the one who cleaned up after others. The old eunuch appreciated Xu Qi''an''s enthusiasm for his work, and his smile deepened as he asked, "If I may ask, Sir Xu, where do you n to start?" Xu Qi''an grinned, "I''ll start with Princess Lin''an." The old eunuch returned to the Imperial Study, and shortly after, a young eunuch hurried out to greet Wei Yuan and Xu Qi''an. Xu Qi''an nodded, escorted Wei Yuan to the pce gates, and then, apanied by the pce attendant, headed towards Princess Lin''an''s Shaoyin Courtyard. ¡­ Shaoyin Courtyard. In the deste back garden, Lin''an sat in a pavilion, staring nkly at the still pond. The pond had frozen over the previous night, and now, under the warm sunlight, it was gradually thawing, with only a few patches of floating ice remaining. In just five days, Lin''an had grown noticeably thinner; even her once plump, oval face now seemed a bit gaunt. Her peach blossom eyes, which had once been bright and slightly dreamy, always casting enchanting nces at everyone, nowcked their former sparkle. From a young age, except for being beaten up by Huaiqing, she had always been carefree and favored by fate. Because Emperor Yuanjing had devoted himself to cultivation early on, he did not have particrly many children, hence the infighting among the princes and princesses wasn''t as fierce as it could have been. Moreover, with her elder brother as the Crown Prince and her own coquettish charm, she had always had a smooth ride. But the continuous stream of bad news in recent days had deeply troubled her, leaving her devastated. Earlier today, she had cried her heart out in front of her mother, both mother and daughter worrying about the Crown Prince''s future. After returning, Lin''an had sat in the pavilion, lost in thought. *If it were Huaiqing, she would undoubtedly be incredibly strong, the kind of woman who wouldn¡¯t be defeated by anything... big brother would definitely not do such a thing, but who would frame him... The Fourth Prince, Huaiqing''s full brother?* This thought suddenly shed through Lin''an''s mind. Although she wasn''t as smart as Huaiqing, was poor at studying, and needed the tutor to threaten her with a bamboo rod before she would grudgingly recite a few scriptures through tears, she wasn''t stupid. Given her conviction that her elder brother was innocent, it didn''t take much thinking to figure out that the biggest beneficiary if the Crown Prince were deposed would be the most suspicious. With this thought, Lin''an''s eyes regained a bit of their former brightness as she began to think more deeply, pondering over many questions. For instance, how did the Fourth Prince secretly kill Consort Fu and frame her elder brother? Who were his aplices¡ªthe Empress? Huaiqing? And so on. But the more she thought, the more confused she became, until her thoughts were in such a tangle that she frustratingly smacked her own head. ¡°If only he were here, he would definitely solve the case in no time,¡± Lin''an stamped her foot in frustration. But the next moment, her face fell, her eyebrows drooping as she lost her spirit. But... he¡¯s not here anymore. ¡°Your Highness, Your Highness.¡± A guard with a sword hurried over, stopping at the pavilion to bow. ¡°Bronze Gong Xu Qi¡¯an requests an audience¡­ He¡¯s waiting in the front courtyard.¡± Lin''an reacted as if someone had struck her. She was stunned for three or four seconds before suddenly standing up and striding over to the guard, ring at him with her beautiful eyes. ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°Bronze Gong Xu Qi¡¯an requests an audience,¡± the guard repeated. Blood rushed to Lin''an''s face as she flew into a rage, yanking the guard''s sword from its scabbard and gritting her teeth. ¡°You dog! How dare you y tricks on me? The Crown Prince hasn''t been deposed yet!¡± Her real anger was fueled by the fact that the guard had dared to make a joke about Xu Qi¡¯an. The guard quickly retreated, thinking it would be terribly unjust if he got shed for this. As he backed away, he exined, ¡°It really is Sir Xu. He¡¯s right in the front courtyard. Your Highness will see him for yourself.¡± Lin''an didn¡¯t even drop the sword as she hurried towards the front courtyard. From a distance, Xu Qi¡¯an was the first to spot the furious, sword-wielding Lin''an. Seeing her charging like she was ready for battle, he was taken aback. _I barely made it back from the brink of death, sis are you nning to send me right back?_ He quickly stowed away the little trinket he had prepared to amuse her and hid behind a rockery. ¡°Where is Xu Qi¡¯an, where is Xu Qi¡¯an?¡± Lin''an looked around the front courtyard with the sword in hand, but she didn''t see the familiar figure. Her bright eyes gradually dimmed. ¡°Your Highness, Sir Xu is behind the rockery,¡± whispered the eunuch that came with him. Lin''an¡¯s peach blossom eyes instantly lit up again as she eagerly walked towards the rockery. Sure enough, she saw... Xu Qi¡¯an? She hesitated. The person before her was handsome and robust, with strong brows and bright eyes, a tall nose, and sharply defined lips. Then, her attention was caught by the two puppets Xu Qi¡¯an was holding¡ªa man and a woman. The woman was dressed as a nobledy, and the man was an imposing general in armour. Xu Qi¡¯an cleared his throat and manipted the general, making it speak in a deep voice, ¡°Your Highness, I¡¯ve returned after having my face redone in Korea.¡± Then, he switched to a high-pitched voice for thedy, ¡°Where is Korea?¡± General: ¡°Oh, it¡¯s Yunzhou. I misspoke.¡± Lady: ¡°Didn¡¯t you die in Yunzhou?¡± General: ¡°I did die, but because I was thinking of Your Highness, I moved the King of Hell to let me return.¡± Lady: ¡°Oh, you¡¯re so annoying.¡± Lin''an found this amusing and burst outughing, only to suddenly feel something cold on her face. Unknowingly, tears had started rolling down her cheeks. Feeling embarrassed, she quickly turned away and angrily exined, ¡°The wind is a bit strong today, blowing sand into my eyes.¡± As a lively, coquettish girl who loved to pout, Lin''an was easily taken in by such antics. Lacking any romantic experience, her ability to spot such lowly tactics was poor, making her a prime target for charmers. Of course, Xu Qi¡¯an was definitely not one of those. Xu Qi¡¯anughed, ¡°How strange, the sand only got into Your Highness¡¯s eyes. Could it be because Your Highness is so beautiful?¡± Caught out, Lin''an snapped angrily, ¡°You running dog.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a running dog.¡± ¡°You are a running dog, Running Dog Xu Qi¡¯an.¡± ¡°Dog-sun Lin''an.¡± ¡°Dog- dog what?¡± Princess Lin''an didn¡¯t know ¡°sun¡± was a verb.[^1] ¡°Nothing,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an took advantage of her not knowing the vocabry. ¡°Did you just insult me?¡± Lin''an demanded, her face stern. ¡°No, that was just me expressing my deepest hopes for Your Highness,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied, dead serious. Coming out from behind the rockery, Biaobiao returned the sword to the guard and led Xu Qi''an into the hall. The servant following them shot a strange look at the Second Princess. The Second Princess''s beautiful, lively eyes were red and swollen, clearly showing she had just cried. After they took their seats, pce maids served tea and snacks. Xu Qi''an waved his hand dismissively and said, "Little eunuch, you may leave. The princess and I have a private matter to discuss." "This..." The young eunuch hesitated. "Get out, shoo shoo shoo!" Biaobiao''s willow-like brows furrowed, and she sharply scolded, "We have words to speak with Sir Xu. Who are you to eavesdrop? Believe me, I¡¯ll have you dragged out and flogged a hundred times." The young eunuch had no choice but to leave. "Why is he following you? And how did youe back alive? Didn''t Huaiqing say you were dead?" Biaobiao asked, watching the eunuch''s retreating figure cross the threshold and disappear, before turning her gaze back to Xu Qi''an, a smile forming on her pretty face. "He''s here to keep an eye on me," Xu Qi''an replied, sipping some hot tea and nibbling on a pastry. He had waited in the imperial study for over two hours, missing lunch. "As for how I survived, that''s a long story..." He began recounting the events of the Yunzhou case to the Lin''an Princess, slightly modifying the details. Of course, he wasn''t making things up¡ªjust embellishing his role and downying the contributions of others. Biaobiao loved listening to stories. Immediately, she was engrossed, and gradually she felt as if she was living the tale herself. When Xu Qi''an exined how he stayed up all night to solve the puzzle left by the secret agent Zhou Min, her small hand pped the table hard, and she loudly praised him. She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand, and listened intently. Xu Qi''an discreetly nced at the princess''s chest and couldn''t help feeling a bit disappointed. Compared to her elder sister, Lin''an was stillcking. A woman who can''t make the table bear the pressure wasn''t a good woman. When she heard about the female ghost trying to seduce Xu Qi''an and hispanions, with two of his colleagues falling under her spell while Xu Qi''an resisted through sheer willpower, Biaobiao expressed her admiration, praising him: "As expected of someone I value highly. When I first saw you, I knew you were no ordinary person." Xu Qi''an thanked her highness for her discerning eye, while inwardly he mocked, *Weren''t you just trying to recruit me topete with Huaiqing?* Finally, Xu Qi''an began to describe his solo confrontation with thousands of soldiers, how he was surrounded by countless enemies, facing a rain of arrows and a forest of spears, yet didn''t retreat a single step, cutting down two hundred foes before reinforcements arrived. Biaobiao was moved to tears, her nose turning red from crying. "Your Highness, you should have seen the scene at the time. With one shout, I terrified the thousand rebel soldiers. They only fought me because they had no choice. If I hadn''t been in a bad state then, none of them would have survived." Biaobiao nodded vigorously, fully believing him. After all, she had heard about Xu Qi''an''s deeds from her royal brother before. Everyone said Xu Qi''an had heroically sacrificed himself, saving the Inspector and the Gold Gong from the Nightwatchers. Having finished his boast, Xu Qi''an remembered the main issue and said, "By the way, I''m here this time under the Emperor''s orders to thoroughly investigate Consort Fu''s case." Biaobiao''s eyes suddenly lit up, and she said joyfully, "I knew it! You''re back, and now you can clear my brother the Crown Prince''s name." "I will always serve you, Princess, as your most loyal servant," Xu Qi''an said sincerely, boosting his favor with Lin''an. "I have a few questions for you, Princess. What did Consort Fu look like?" "Naturally, she was very beautiful." *The Emperor really wasted a treasure...* Xu Qi''an thought to himself and then asked, "Is the Crown Prince a womaniser?" "Of course not," Lin''an denied immediately. "Other than the Crown Prince¡¯s main consort, he only has sixteen other consorts, concubines, and maidsbined." "......" *It turns out I''m a truly good man. The ultimate good man is me, and I am Xu Qi''an!* Xu Qi¡¯an thought. "Has he ever caused trouble while drunk?" "No." "What kind of wine was he drinking?" "Bairichun, a wine known to boost virility. It was sent by the Empress to my mother. Do you think she framed him?" Lin''an whispered. Xu Qi''an pondered for a moment and said, "I understand." Lin''an was overjoyed and asked in a sweet voice, "What do you understand? Xu Ningyan, have you solved the case?" ¡­¡­ The Xu Manor. Exhausted, Xu Xinnian didn''t immediately return to the academy. Today was the 10th of February, and with the imperial exams only five days away, there was really no need to return. These days, he stayed at home, waiting for the exams to arrive. After lunch, he helped his father, Xu Pingzhi, see off the Xu n members. Xu Xinnian, drained both mentally and physically, had no desire to study. He only wanted to go back to his room and sleep. But then, Old Zhang from the gate hurriedly ran in, saying, "Eng, there''s a monk outside who calls himself Hengyuan and wants to see you." "Hengyuan?" Xu Eng frowned, feeling the name was familiar but not recalling where he had heard it. As a disciple of Confucianism, he didn''t believe in Buddhism and had no connections with the Buddhist house. "He also said he''s an acquaintance of yours," Old Zhang added. Xu Eng snorted and looked at Xu Pingzhi. "Father, perhaps he''s here to offer funeral services after hearing of our mourning. You should prepare some copper coins to send him away. I¡¯m going to rest." Old Zhang took a silver coin and went out of the mansion, handing it to the burly middle-aged monk. "Master, the household doesn''t need any rites. Please take your leave." Master Hengyuan waved his hand, saying, "I am not here to solicit alms." But he still took the silver coin, adding, "Is the second young master really not going to see me?" *What''s wrong with Number Three?* Even though they had never met in person, the monk had helped him multiple times, and with his brother Xu Qi''an''s connection, regardless of the circumstances, he should at least meet him and pay his respects, especially if this could be hisst chance to see Xu Qi''an. *Hmm, he might still be trying to keep his identity secret, thinking I haven''t realised who he truly is, so he''s pretending not to know me?* *Hmph, he''s underestimating my wisdom.* Master Hengyuan pressed his palms together, bowed slightly, then stepped aside. He pulled out the fragment of the Earth Book from his robe and, using his finger as a pen, sent a message: ¡¾Daoist Jinlian, could you block the others? I have something to say to Number Three.¡¿ --- [^1]: ¡°Sun¡± ÈÕ (ng, vb) to Fuck Chapter 236: Autopsy Chapter 236: Autopsy # 236. Autopsy *I Understand that your brother the crown prince is a lecher¡­* Xu Qi''an had only casually replied without thinking, but Biaobiao mistakenly thought he had already solved the case. "It¡¯s too early to say whether His Highness the Crown Prince is innocent." Xu Qi''an shook his head. As the saying goes, "a drunk man''s actions often reveal his true nature." When a man drinks too much, he can be reckless and do things he wouldn''t normally dare. If the Crown Prince had been as cautious and meticulous as Lin''an described, the more he suppressed his desires, the more explosive they would be when he was intoxicated. "Why do you think it was the Fourth Prince and the Empress who framed the Crown Prince?" Xu Qi''an asked, partly wanting to gossip and partly to investigate. The Fourth Prince was Huaiqing''s full brother, both born of the Empress. Although the Fourth Prince was not the eldest son overall, he was still a son by the empress. By rights, his im was more justified than Lin''an''s brother. However, due to the session crisis two hundred years ago, which was still recorded in history and remained a significant event in the minds of the Great Feng¡¯s schrs, there was a psychological shadow regarding any conflict for the throne. Therefore, Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s decision to make the eldest son of a concubine the Crown Prince was not entirely without reason. "The Empress naturally wants the Fourth Prince to be the Crown Prince. Let me tell you, among all the royal brothers, only the Fourth Prince and the Crown Prince care most about state affairs. Would the Fourth Prince be this enthusiastic if he didn¡¯t want to be the Crown Prince?""It is indeed against convention for His Majesty to appoint the eldest son of a concubine as the Crown Prince when the Empress has a son." Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t hold back in front of Biaobiao. These matters would typically be sensitive to inquire about, even with the official mandate to investigate. But with Biaobiao, he could ask freely. After all, she was one of his own. "That''s because my mother was the most favoured and the most beautiful back then." Biaobiao proudly lifted her chin, her face as pretty as a picture. *Based on what I saw at the ancestor worship ceremony, it was clear that the Empress was superior to Imperial Concubine Chen. That demeanour, that beauty¡ªeven though she had passed the prime of her life, her charm still surpassed that of ordinary women. If she were twenty years younger, she would likely outshine both Lin''an and Huaiqing¡­* *But being favoured isn''t solely about looks; there are many factors involved, such as personality, skill, and other techniques¡­ It¡¯s all quiteplicated.* *Did Emperor Yuanjing really dislike the Empress so much as to appoint a concubine''s son as Crown Prince?* Seeing Xu Qi''an lost in thought, Biaobiao suddenly became wary. "Do you think Huaiqing might be secretly manipting this?" Xu Qi''an looked at the radiant beauty of the Second Princess and asked, "What if she is?" Biaobiao first raised her delicate brows, like a proud little hen, but then quickly deted, her brows drooping: "I still have to admit that Huaiqing is cunning and unscrupulous..." Sheined, "I can''t outsmart her." *Hmm, for the Princess to openly admit in front of me that she can''t outmatch her rival Huaiqing, it shows she¡¯s increasingly trusting me...* Xu Qi''an nodded slightly, feeling somewhat satisfied. At that moment, he suddenly felt a pang in his heart, knowing that someone in the Earth Book chat group had just spoken up. "Your Highness, I need to visit the restroom. Please wait for me." Xu Qi''an stood up and left the hall. The little eunuch waiting outside saw hime out and immediately followed, but stopped when he realised Xu Qi''an was heading towards thetrine, deciding not to continue. In thetrine, Xu Qi''an took out the small jade mirror and checked thetest message. ¡¾SIX: Daoist Jinlian, could you block the others? I have something to say to Number Three.¡¿ *Why is Hengyuan looking for me...* The members of the Heaven and Earth Society had mixed reactions upon seeing Six''s message. After the previous transmissions, some had already guessed that Number Three was the cousin of thete Xu Qi''an in Yunzhou. Perhaps only Number Five was calm and clear-headed, without much "distraction." Number Four thought: That Xu Qi''an, who recently died in Yunzhou, just passed away, and now Hengyuan wants to "talk privately" with Number Three. It seems he too has guessed Number Three''s true identity. Number Two, Li Miaozhen, felt a pang of sadness. They all believed Number Three was Xu Qi''an''s cousin, but in truth, Number Three was Xu Qi''an himself. And he had died in Yunzhou. The Heaven and Earth Society no longer had a Number Three. Number One observed silently, notmenting. Number Five didn''t think much of it, ncing at the message before putting the Earth Book fragment aside. ¡¾NINE: Okay.¡¿ Li Miaozhen was momentarily surprised but then understood. Daoist Jinlian was probably going to exin the situation to Number Six in private. In the Heaven and Earth Society, Daoist Jinlian was the only one who knew everyone''s identities. Xu Qi''an waited a few seconds, then saw the small jade mirror disy Hengyuan''s message: ¡¾SIX: Three, I wish to see Sir Xu onest time.¡¿ *You could have just seen him, so why message me¡­ Ah, Hengyuan still doesn''t know I¡¯ve been revived¡­* Xu Qi''an carefully replied: ¡¾He has already been revived. If you wish to see him, you can find him at the Nightwatchers'' office.¡¿ There was a long silence on the other side before three words finally appeared: ¡¾Is that true?¡¿ In just three words, Xu Qi''an could feel Hengyuan''s overwhelming excitement and disbelief. It took him so long just to type out those three words. ¡¾Yep.¡¿ Xu Qi''an''s reply was just as brief and firm. ¡¾No wonder you wouldn''t see me. I was even somewhat resentful earlier¡ªwhat a sin, what a sin. Sir Xu is a good man, and good deeds are rewarded. Amitabha, I am overjoyed, overjoyed.¡¿ Xu Qi''an then concisely exined the process of his "cousin''s" revival to Master Hengyuan. ¡¾Master, I do not wish for my identity to be revealed. I hope that when we meet in the future, we can simply smile in recognition.¡¿ ¡¾The humble monk understands.¡¿ Hmm, you can smile at Xu Eng. Sorry, Master, I had no choice before, but now I want to avoid another social death. After putting away the Earth Book fragment, Xu Qi''an returned to the hall. Biaobiaoined, "That took so long." "I was pondering the case. My thoughts became absorbed." Xu Qi''an casually exined, then asked, "Your Highness, I need to go inspect the remains of Consort Fu. Would you like toe?" Biaobiao immediately stood up. "Yes!" ¡­ Consort Fu''s body was stored in the ice cer of the Imperial Pce. Judging by Emperor Yuanjing''s attitude, it would be difficult for Consort Fu to beid to rest until the case was thoroughly investigated. Xu Qi''an, holding the Gold Token, arrived at the ice cer under the guidance of Biaobiao and the little eunuch. The eunuch on duty led them inside. In the cold ice cer, Consort Fuy quietly on a wooden b, covered by a white cloth. Biaobiao shivered slightly, tightening her fox fur cloak. "Your Highness, why don''t you wait outside?" Xu Qi''an suggested, concerned both that she might catch a cold and that Biaobiao might not have seen a corpse before. Biaobiao stubbornly shook her head. "I also want to be involved and do something for my brother, the Crown Prince." Xu Qi''an instructed the young eunuch to uncover the white cloth. Then, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he suddenly grasped the princess''s soft hand, infusing it with his warm Qi. Biaobiao''s delicate body stiffened, instinctively trying to pull her hand away as if she had been stung by a scorpion. But that rough, warm hand held her firmly, like an iron mp. A shy emotion welled up in her heart¡ªshe, a dignified Second Princess, pure and chaste, had never been so disrespected by a man. *How could he do this...* Biaobiao felt both embarrassed and angry, and a bit wronged. The next moment, warmth flowed from her palm, spreading up her arm, warming her entire body, driving away the chill of the ice cer. She no longer felt cold, and even felt azy desire to stretch. She heard the running dog¡¯s low voice by her ear: ¡°Your Highness, the ice cer is terribly cold. If you insist on staying, this is the only way I can help. "Although investigating the case is important, it pales inparison to your precious health." *He held my hand to keep me warm... Compared to my body, the case is unimportant...* Biaobiao, who liked hearing sweet words, suddenly felt less angry, though she was still shy. She sneakily nced at the two eunuchs ahead, then lightly tutted before discreetly moving closer to Xu Qi''an, using the wide cloak to hide her held hand. *Damn, the princess¡¯s hand is so soft, so smooth, so tender¡­* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. To charm a girl, you must take the initiative, be bold in your approach, and asionally tease her. Over time, you¡¯ll leave a deep impression on her heart. Of course, this only works on innocent girls. If the other party is like a high-mileage car with multiple spare tyres, this tactic won¡¯t be effective. In that case, it¡¯s simpler¡ªjust crash a luxury sports car into her tail lights. "Sir Xu, please look." The young eunuch lifted the white cloth, quickly retreating to the side, avoiding looking at Consort Fu''s body. Xu Qi''an released Lin''an''s delicate hand and approached the body, examining the ill-fated consort. She was a beautiful woman. Despite the pallor that marred her face, her features were strikingly attractive. She wore a in white garment that entuated her curvaceous figure. Xu Qi''an reached out to loosen Consort Fu''s clothing but was stopped by the young eunuch, who shook his head in terror. "Sir Xu, you mustn''t..." *As expected, this won¡¯t work¡­ I even wanted to perform an autopsy...* Xu Qi''an understood and turned to the eunuch guarding the ice cer, saying: "Bring me the autopsy report and the case file." The eunuch left immediately, returning shortly with the documents, which he handed to Xu Qi''an. *No signs of rape... bruises on the wrists and arms, suggesting they were forcibly gripped... her clothes were disheveled at the time of death, indicating violent struggle... her hair was disordered, consistent with resisting violence...* *Attempted rape followed by death from a fall¡­* Xu Qi''an made a preliminary judgment. As he continued reading, a subtle detail caught his attention: She fell face up! *Hmm? Fell face up?* Typically, when someone jumps to their death, they face the ground as they leap. The dramatic backward jumps seen on television, facing the crowd, were actually umon. Thus, a person who falls would typicallynd face down, back up. Of course, if someone falls from a tall building, factors like air resistance and wind can cause their body to turn mid-fall. But the pavilion from which Consort Fu fell, ording to the case file, was only two and a half stories high. So, the position during the fall would likely be the same as at the moment of impact. Could it have been the Crown Prince who pushed her? *This doesn''t align with the judgment that Consort Fu, unwilling to be humiliated, jumped to her death... If the Crown Prince wanted to taste what his father had exclusive rights to, it wouldn''t make sense for him to push her off the building. Although, it¡¯s possible he became violent out of shame and anger, or perhaps he was drunk.* Thinking along these lines, Xu Qi''an reached out once more toward Consort Fu¡¯s body. ¡°Lord Xu!¡± The little eunuch stopped him, warning, ¡°You must not disturb Consort Fu¡¯s body.¡± She was the Emperor¡¯s woman. Even in death, her body was not something a subject can defile. ¡°Get lost!¡± Xu Qi''an kicked him aside. ¡°I¡¯m investigating on imperial orders. First, you won¡¯t let me touch this, then you won¡¯t let me touch that¡ªcut it with the bullshit!¡± Xu Qi''an prided himself on his basic manners, even in his choice of words. The young eunuch, having been kicked, didn¡¯t dare make a sound. Xu Qi''an lifted Consort Fu¡¯s neck, feeling the back of her head, then ran his hands down from her shoulders to her back, and finally to her hips. Her plump buttocks made it necessary for him to press and squeeze a few times to feel the bones. ording to the structure of the human body, if someone falls on their back, the first parts to hit the ground would be the head and shoulders, followed by the most protruding part¡ªthe buttocks. Since she was the Emperor¡¯s woman, Xu Qi''an couldn¡¯t undress her to check if there was damage to the flesh, so he could only confirm it by touch. ¡°She did indeed fall on her back...¡± he concluded. This ruled out the possibility that someone tampered with her body after death to stage the scene. ¡°What did you find?¡± Biaobiao immediately asked. Xu Qi''an shared his findings and thoughts with Biaobiao, though it was also meant for the young eunuch who was overseeing him. ¡°So, Consort Fu didn¡¯t jump to her death on her own?¡± Biaobiao quickly grasped the key point. *Not too dense after all...* Xu Qi''an thought admiringly. ¡°Your Highness is exceptionally intelligent, a cut above the rest.¡± Biaobiao beamed with happiness at his praise. After leaving the ice cer, Xu Qi''an washed his hands with the help of the eunuchs before departing with Lin''an. ¡°Your Highness, it¡¯s gettingte. Let¡¯s stop here for today, and I¡¯ll return tomorrow to continue the investigation,¡± Xu Qi''an said, ncing at the sundial. It was *shen* 1-*ke* (3:15 PM). ording to the regtions of the Great Feng Dynasty, after the Spring Festival, the end of the workday was in the middle of *shen*. After the Autumn Equinox, it was at the beginning of *shen*. Although the Spring Fesetival had passed, the Spring Equinox had not yet arrived, so dismissal was still at the start of *shen*. Now, the workday had already ended a quarter-hour ago. Since Emperor Yuanjing wasn¡¯t paying him overtime, Xu Qi''an decided to call it a day and waved goodbye to Lin''an. ... At that moment, Emperor Yuanjing was sitting in his bedchamber, deeply engrossed in the Daoist scriptures in his hands. Compared to the tedious memorials and the endless state affairs, the Daoist scripture in his hand, which contained the secret to immortality, was far more enticing and captivating to Emperor Yuanjing. What is the most alluring thing in the world? Power! But the lifespan of a mortal is limited, no more than a few decades. Even if one holds great power andmands the four seas, what does it amount to in the end? Ultimately, one still sumbs to time, turning into nothing more than a handful of yellow earth. Only eternal life and unending youth are truly desirable, for they represent the ability to hold power forever. Emperor Yuanjing put down the book, closed his eyes, and pondered the mysteries within it. He then picked up his ginseng tea, took a sip, and exhaled softly. Seizing the moment, the Grand Eunuch reported, ¡°Your Majesty, Xu Qi''an has left the pce.¡± Emperor Yuanjing thought for a moment before asking, ¡°What did he do in the pce today?¡± Having just appointed Xu Qi''an as the lead investigator, Emperor Yuanjing was quite interested in how this little Bronze Gong would conduct the investigation. The Grand Eunuch immediately summoned the little eunuch and led him into the bedchamber. The little eunuch kept his head down, bowing low. Emperor Yuanjing, seatedzily, nced at the young eunuch and asked lightly, ¡°What did Xu Qi''an do? Has there been any progress in the case?¡± The Grand Eunuch immediately prompted, ¡°Tell His Majesty everything in detail.¡± Chapter 237: Seeing the Crown Prince Chapter 237: Seeing the Crown Prince # 237. Seeing the Crown Prince The little eunuch kept his head down and said, "Young Master Xu first went to Princess Lin''an''s Shaoyin Courtyard. They talked for a long time behind the rock garden, and when they came out, Princess Lin''an''s eyes were red, as if she had just cried..." At this, Emperor Yuanjing frowned and interrupted, "What were they doing behind the rock garden?" The Grand Eunuch nced at Emperor Yuanjing''s expression and realised that the Emperor was displeased. The princess and Xu Qi''an had gone to the secluded area behind the rock garden, and then the princess emerged with reddened eyes. This was indeed suggestive. "Speak truthfully," the Grand Eunuch red. "It was... because Princess Lin''an came out with a sword. As soon as Bronze Gong Xu saw her, he hid behind the rock garden. It was this servant who told Her Highness where Bronze Gong Xu was hiding," the little eunuch hurriedly exined, trembling and not daring to withhold anything. The Grand Eunuch immediately looked at Emperor Yuanjing, seeing that the anger in his eyes had subsided. The Grand Eunuch breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Continue." "Afterward, Sir Xu and the Princess went into the hall, and I was sent out. They spoke inside the hall for about half an hour. I don¡¯t know what they talked about," the little eunuch said, finally expressing his own grievances: "It''s not that I neglected my duties, it''s just... Sir Xu was too forceful."After speaking, he carefully nced at Emperor Yuanjing out of the corner of his eye. To his disappointment, Emperor Yuanjing showed no expression. The little eunuch had no choice but to continue, "After that, Sir Xu took me and Princess Lin''an to see Consort Fu''s body. "During the process, Sir Xu wanted to touch the consort''s body, and I tried my best to stop him, but I failed. I even got kicked by him." As expected, the little eunuch clearly remembered that kick and was just waiting for this moment to give Xu Qi''an some trouble. Sure enough, Emperor Yuanjing frowned. The Grand Eunuch, who had been by the Emperor¡¯s side for decades, spoke on his behalf: "How did he examine her?" "He just kept feeling around for a long time," the little eunuch answered. He didn''t dare exaggerate because if the Emperor became enraged, all it would take was someone to verify the details or question Xu Qi''an, and the lie would be exposed. The crime of deceiving the Emperor was not one the little eunuch dared tomit. The Grand Eunuch asked, "And then?" "Then... he left," the little eunuch said. "But Sir Xu did say that there¡¯s something suspicious about Consort Fu''s death." "Suspicious?" Emperor Yuanjing finally spoke again, straightening up slightly and leaning forward, staring at the little eunuch. "Sir Xu said that a normal suicide by jumping would have the personnding face-down, not on their back. But Consort Fu was indeed found lying on her back. It¡¯s very likely that she was pushed." The little eunuch faithfully repeated Xu Qi''an''s analysis to Emperor Yuanjing. *Pushed to her death...* Emperor Yuanjing squinted, gazing up at the ceiling as he pondered for a long time before saying, "You may go." The little eunuch bowed and left. The Grand Eunuch smiled obsequiously and said, "This Xu Qi''an truly lives up to his reputation. The three departments investigated for several days with no progress, but as soon as he took over, he immediately found a clue. The case might be solved soon." Emperor Yuanjing snorted coldly, "It''s not that the Three Departments don''t know how to handle a case; they just don''t want to. However, Xu Qi''an does have some ability." He was satisfied, nheless. After a pause, Emperor Yuanjing said, "Issue our decree. Have the Cab draft an edict to resume the process of ennobling Xu Qi''an." The Grand Eunuch received the order and exited the bedchamber. Instead of going directly to the Cab, he first found the little eunuch who had been supervising Xu Qi''an''s investigation and pped him hard across the face. "Godfather?" The little eunuch covered his face, feeling aggrieved. "At a time like this, you''re still ying tricks on me? Do you think His Majesty didn''t see through it? Do you realise you just walked through the gates of death?" The Grand Eunuch scolded harshly, "The matter of Consort Fu is something His Majesty is already troubled by. You dare to y games in front of him now? The only reason you''re not dead is because you''re lucky. "When I tell you to supervise Xu Qi''an, you do so properly. Don''t add any of your own thoughts or biases. The people he interacts with and the things he does in the inner pce involve consorts, princesses, and princes. You cannot afford to let your personal views or feelings affect your duties, or you¡¯ll be meddling in the affairs of the royal family." What Xu Qi''an did or didn''t do would be judged by the Emperor himself. If the little eunuch added his own spin, it would be akin to interfering in the affairs of the Emperor''s household. The little eunuch bowed his head, trembling, "I understand, Father." The Grand Eunuch snorted, "Sir Xu kicked you out for your own good. If you had overheard something you shouldn''t have, the day the case is solved would be the day you lose your head." The little eunuch was stunned at first, but after a few seconds, he understood. His face turned pale, and cold sweat broke out on his back. His grudge against Xu Qi''an for that kick dissipated instantly. ... Dusk. Xu Qi''an rode his beloved mare, which trotted along with a rhythmic "da da da." He squinted against the orange sunlight, humming a tune: ¡°Walk the path of men; carry the g against the wind. Don¡¯t seek pleasure, don¡¯t be greedy, just be a good official, and the people will remember you¡­¡± His mare trotted into the alley leading to the Jiaofangsi. Upon reaching the alley''s entrance, Xu Qi''an dismounted and tossed the reins to a blue-robed servant standing there, along with a piece of broken silver. The gate to Reflecting Plum Pavilion was tightly shut, as if it was closed for business. Xu Qi''an nced at the fading light in the west and thought to himself, "At this hour, the Jiaofangsi should be open." "Bang, bang, bang..." He knocked heavily on the gate of Reflecting Plum Pavilion. After a while, the gate opened slightly, and a blue-robed servant inside said, "Reflecting Plum Pavilion is not receiving guests. Sir, please visit another pavilion..." When the gate fully opened and the servant saw Xu Qi''an, he froze, stammering, "You... you are..." "I''m yourdy''s esteemed guest," Xu Qi''an raised an eyebrow. "A ghost!" The servant shrieked and tried to run, his legs moving rapidly but getting nowhere as Xu Qi''an grabbed him by the cor. "Why are you shouting? I''m still alive," Xu Qi''an said, giving him two light but resounding ps on the face. "Isn''t my hand warm?" Feeling the hot sting on his face, the servant realised Xu Qi''an was indeed alive, though he was puzzled by the changes in his appearance and the fur hat he was wearing. "You¡¯ve finally returned! Lady Fuxiang has been washing her face with tears every day, growing thinner and more sorrowful," the servant quickly tried to earn favor for his mistress. Though curious about Xu Qi''an''s apparent resurrection, he didn''t dare ask. "I''ll go inform her right away that you¡¯ve returned." "Just tell her there''s a guest and see if she''lle out to apany me," Xu Qi''an instructed. The servant quickly went deeper into the courtyard, standing outside Fuxiang''s bedroom and calling out, "Lady, a guest has arrived. Will youe out to apany him?" There was no response from Fuxiang. Instead, a maid''s scolding voice came from inside, "Thedy is unwell and won''t be apanying guests. Who told you to open the door? Do you want to lose your hands?" Xu Qi''an coughed, "So Lady Fuxiang isn''t receiving guests? In that case, I''ll be on my way." The room suddenly fell silent, then Fuxiang''s trembling voice called out, "Dear Xu?" His voice had changed significantly, so Fuxiang didn''t dare to be sure. Xu Qi''an chuckled, "It''s me." There was a loud crash inside, as if something had been knocked over, followed by the maid''s startled exmation, "Mydy, slow down..." The next moment, the door flew open. Fuxiang, dressed in a white long dress, her snow-white feet bare, and her jet-ck hair cascading loosely, rushed out, shoving the door aside. One stood under the eaves, the other in the courtyard, the scene momentarily frozen. Xu Qi''an sighed, "It''s cold out here. Let''s go inside." Fuxiang let out a wail and threw herself into his arms, crying bitterly. ¡­ "So it was just like that, not only did I not die, I had great fortune from the hardship, and benefited quite a lot." Xu Qi''an sat at the table, drinking the fine wine from the Jiaofangsi as he exined the details of his resurrection to Fuxiang. Fuxiang, sitting on the edge of the bed, had her skirt slightly parted, revealing a long, pale leg with a bruise on her calf. A maid was carefully applying ointment to the bruise. She had hurt herself earlier when she ran too quickly. Fuxiang¡¯s emotions wereplicated at the moment, filled with the joy of regaining what was lost, yet unable to conceal her lingering sadness and unease. There was still an emptiness in her heart. "Every time I think about your death, my heart still feels empty," she murmured. "Don¡¯t worry, soon it¡¯ll feel very full." By the time the sun had fully set, a group of maids entered, bringing with them a table full of exquisite dishes¡ªflying creatures, swimming creatures, and crawling creatures alike. The two of them sat at the table, drinking wine, and their conversation meandered without a fixed topic. "In fact, many schrs in the capital greatly admire you," Fuxiang said. "Yesterday, a maid overheard from some guests at the Jiaofangsi that when they heard of your death, those schrs were deeply regretful, saying that the fall of Xu Ningyan was the fall of the future of the Great Feng poetry scene." "Come to think of it, when I was facing thousands of rebels that day, fighting alone until I was exhausted, I did indeedpose a poem," Xu Qi''an said, holding his wine cup. Fuxiang¡¯s eyes sparkled with delight, and her face lit up with a radiant smile, filled with anticipation. "I would love to hear it," she said eagerly. *I always get a bit embarrassed giarising others¡­ I am one right and proper guy¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s heart said, but when it came time to show off he was going to put on a show. He paused for a few seconds, adopting a solemn demeanor, and then recited: ¡°*A young man¡¯s valour, brings heroes from five capitals old!* ¡°*With loyal heart, with just hand. With words of iron, life or death,* "*A promise is worth a thousand tons of gold!*" Fuxiang gazed at him in a daze, her beautiful eyes shimmering with water, both enchanting and dazed. As she savoured the iplete poem, images of him standing against thousands of rebels, ready to die, shed through her mind. She became even more infatuated with this man, unable to extricate herself. "Don¡¯t just sit there daydreaming. There¡¯s a reason I shared that with you," Xu Qi''an tapped the table with his finger. "A reason?" Fuxiang blinked, looking at him in confusion. "Help me spread the word. The Jiaofangsi is the perfect ce to propagate such glorious deeds." How could Inspector Zhang not have included his poem in the report to the court? It was almost negligent. The entire capital¡¯s officialdom and literary circles must be anxiously waiting to read his masterpiece. "¡­Oh." After dinner, the maids prepared hot water, intending to help Xu Qi''an bathe. "You may go," Xu Qi''an dismissed the maids, leaving Fuxiang alone in the room with him. Once Fuxiang had stepped into the bath, draped in a thin veil, Xu Qi''an took off his fur hat. Apletely bald head was revealed. "Pfft¡­" Fuxiang couldn¡¯t help herself and burst intoughter, leaning against the edge of the tub, herughter causing her body to shake. *What¡¯s so funny? Even though I¡¯m bald, I¡¯ve also gotten stronger¡­* Xu Qi''an red at her. It would probably take at least half a year for his hair to grow back. ... Fuxiang''s chest wasn¡¯t just a chest; when Xu Qi''an rested his head on it, it became a pillow. And if he turned over, it could be called a face wash. The two of themy in bed after the bath, chatting. Fuxiang felt a bit stifled and short of breath, so she pushed away therge, bald head resting on her chest with a pout. "Puff!" Xu Qi''an flicked a spark of Qi, extinguishing the candle. The next day, after being dressed by the Oiran, Xu Qi''an said his farewells to the reluctant but heavily sleep-deprived Fuxiang. The maids of Reflecting Plum Pavilion watched as Xu Qi''an¡¯s figure disappeared out the courtyard gate, whispering among themselves: "Master Xu is incredible. I think the bed in Madam¡¯s room needs to be reced." "Yes, it creaks with every movement, almost falling apart. Poor Madam." "Hurry and heat some water; Madam needs a bath. Also, prepare some loquat syrup; her voice is hoarse." Leaving Reflecting Plum Pavilion, Xu Qi''an was invigorated by the cold spring air that met him. He walked toward the stables. Suddenly, he stepped on something hard. Looking down, he saw it was a pouch. *Have I reached the Refining Spirit realm and gained the power to find purses¡­* Xu Qi''an thought with some delight, naturally bending down to pick it up and nning to pocket it. He suddenly froze. This pouch was identical to the one hanging from his waist, with fine stitching and an embroidered pine tree, made by Lingyue, his little sister. Second Uncle? Just as the thought urred, Xu Qi''an saw a young man in schr¡¯s robes rushing from the direction of the stables. The young man was handsome, with bright eyes, white teeth, and well-defined features¡ªclearly inheriting his mother¡¯s excellent genes. *This I did not expect¡­* Xu Qi''an mused. The handsome young man¡¯s eyes searched the ground until theynded on Xu Qi''an. Then, he froze. Xu Qi''an¡¯s lips twitched into a smile as he raised his hand in greeting. "Good morning." ¡­Xu Eng looked at him, his lips moving slightly. "Good¡­ morning¡­." The two brothers stood in awkward silence, gazing at each other. After a moment, Xu Qi''an broke the ice, stepping forward to return the pouch to Eng: "Be more careful next time. Fortunately I was the one who found it." Xu Eng took it calmly, nodding. "Thank you, big brother." The two brothers found themselves at a loss for words again, so they walked side by side toward the stables, leading their horses out and riding slowly out of the Jiaofangsi. The sun had just risen, and apart from the vendors and peddlers, there were few people on the streets. "Yesterday, I was with my ssmates¡­." "Yesterday, I was with my colleagues¡­." The brothers spoke in unison. Xu Qi''an nced back at the Jiaofangsi alley, then at his younger brother. "ssmates, huh?" Xu Xinnian stared straight ahead, his tone indifferent. "Colleagues, huh?" And just like that, the brothers had nothing to say again. Xu Qi''an remembered when he had returned home from prison, and Xu Xinnian had socially died because of the "the Great Feng forever will be night that never ends" incident, faking unconsciousness out of shame. Now, though, even when caught red-handed at the Jiaofangsi, he didn¡¯t bat an eyelid. *It wasn¡¯t just me who grew; Eng¡¯s skin has thickened a lot too¡­ Maybe he¡¯s just gotten used to dying in front of me so many times¡­* Xu Qi''an thought as he saw a vendor selling green oranges by the roadside. He quickly reined in his horse. "Wait a moment." Xu Xinnian followed suit, reining in his horse and looking over curiously. Xu Qi''an bought a pound of green oranges and called Xu Eng off his horse. As they peeled the oranges and rubbed the juice on their clothes, Xu Qi''an exined: "The Jiaofangsi girls wear too much makeup. Use the juice of the green oranges to mask the scent; even the most sensitive woman won¡¯t be able to detect it." Xu Eng, while deftly applying the orange juice to his clothes, took the opportunity to unleash his sharp tongue, saying sarcastically: "You really missed your calling by not bing a schr, big brother." Xu Qi''an nced at him. "Second Uncle taught me this trick." Xu Xinnian acted as though he hadn¡¯t said anything, lowering his head to carefully rub the orange juice into his clothes. Once finished, Xu Qi''an handed the green oranges to Xu Xinnian. "I¡¯m heading to the pce to investigate a case. You can take these back home." Xu Eng frowned. "Investigating a case? What are you getting involved in now?" "The case of Consort Fu''s death. The emperor threw it at me," Xu Qi''an exined. "Why are you meddling in that nonsense?" The Cloud Deer Academy had its own informationwork, and no event in the capital could escape its notice. "I couldn¡¯t refuse." Xu Xinnian sneered, "Why not have Father give you a good knock on the head? Then you could use injury as an excuse to get out of it. Besides, this case is bound to be difficult to solve." *Looks like Eng is well-suited for a career in officialdom; he¡¯s certainly scheming enough¡­* Xu Qi''an thought with a smile. "Actually, pce cases are the easiest to solve." Because the pce was filled with masters, and as their of Emperor Yuanjing, those flowery and shy external systems couldn¡¯t intervene. The case of Consort Fu was probably the most "normal" case he has handled since arriving in this world. Xu Xinnian nodded, looking disdainfully at the green oranges, ¡°These are sour and bitter, no one at home would eat them.¡± "We can''t let them go to waste; give them to Lingyin." "Good idea." ... The High Court. At the grand entrance of the High Court, Xu Qi''an sat on horseback and nced at the three gilded characters "The High Court." The High Court was responsible for handling criminal cases and trials, equivalent to the Supreme People¡¯s Court in Xu Qi''an''s previous life. Along with the Censorate and the Ministry of Law, it was one of the Three Judicial Offices, the three departments. In major cases, the Emperor would often have the Three Departments jointly investigate alongside the Nightwatchers. This showed just how powerful Wei Yuan, who simultaneously oversaw the Nightwatchers and the Censorate, really was. Emperor Yuanjing used only him to bnce the civil and military officials. Likewise, it showed how lucky Xu Qi''an is. He just happened to join the Nightwatchers and just happened to gain Wei Yuan¡¯s favour. From a small fast bailiff in Changle County, he had be a person who could walk sideways in the capital. "Quickly go find the Chief Justice and have hime out to see me," Xu Qi''an shed his gold token and said to the bailiff on duty at the entrance. "If he doesn''te out, I will go to the pce andin to His Majesty, saying that he is deliberately making things difficult and obstructing the investigation." The bailiff hurried inside. A quarter of an hourter, the Chief Justice, apanied by two vice ministers and several High Court officials, came out to meet him. "Sir Xu, apologies for noting out to greet you sooner," the Chief Justice said with a smile. Xu Qi''an dismounted, warmly stepping forward to meet him, "Ah, how could I trouble Minister Pei toe out personally? I''m ashamed, truly ashamed." Xu Qi''an had intentionally made the Chief Justicee out to greet him to embarrass him. For one of the nine chief ministers to personallye out to greet a lowly Bronze Gong was a huge loss of face... The two had a history, and he couldn¡¯t miss the opportunity to make things difficult. "It was necessary, necessary." The Chief Justice led Xu Qi''an inside, saying, "Sir Xu''s return is timely. The case of Consort Fu is yours alone. However, I must warn Sir Xu that this case is dangerous, so be careful not to get too deeply involved." This was said with a tone of schadenfreude. The case of Consort Fu¡ªif solved¡ªwould offend the Crown Prince¡¯s Clique. If unsolved, it would offend Emperor Yuanjing. *At least I will get a viscount title out of it, so offending the old emperor is no big deal...* Xu Qi''an replied cheerfully: ¡°No matter, no matter. Before I get too deeply involved, I¡¯ll make sure to drag down those old bats who get in my way. After all, I have the gold token with the power to execute first and reportter; no reason not to use it.¡± The Chief Justice squinted, ¡°Sir Xu, you do have a way with words. "Is Sir Xu here for the Crown Prince?" "Indeed." ... Xu Qi''an met the Crown Prince in the "cell", which was actually a clean and tidy room. It wasn¡¯t luxurious, but it had all the necessary furnishings. The Crown Prince was confined in this room, unable to leave until the case was resolved. *As expected of the Crown Prince, even prison is different for him...* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. Once the officer left and closed the door, Xu Qi''an cupped his hands and said, "Your humble servant Xu Qi''an greets Your Highness." ¡°You''re here to interrogate me, right? Father has appointed you to preside over this case?¡± The Crown Prince sat at the table, scrutinising Xu Qi''an. "The Three Departments all shirked responsibility and didn¡¯t want to get involved, so they found me, this unkible rascal. After all, I¡¯ve already offended enough people." Xu Qi''an shrugged, sat down at the table, and poured himself a cup of water. All these actions were noted by the Crown Prince. ¡°Please, Your Highness, describe in detail what happened that day.¡± The Crown Prince nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and then slowly said, ¡°That day, I had lunch at my mother¡¯s residence. The snow had not yet melted, and I was returning to the Eastern Pce with my guards when I encountered a maid from Consort Fu¡¯s quarters. The maid said that Consort Fu had invited me for a chat. ¡°So, I followed her to Qingfeng Pce, which is Consort Fu¡¯s residence. Upon entering, the maid led me upstairs, asking me to wait in the outer hall, saying that Consort Fu was changing clothes. ¡°I had drunk too much wine at that time and was very thirsty, so I drank some tea on the table to quench my thirst. Somehow, I then felt dizzy and fell asleep. ¡°Later, I was awakened by a scream, only to find that Consort Fu had fallen to her death, and I had be the prime suspect.¡± Xu Qi''an asked expressionlessly, "There were no maids in the hall at that time?" "No, there weren¡¯t in the outer hall. As for inside, I don''t know." "And that maid?" "She disappeared." *Disappeared, huh...* Xu Qi''an''s eyes shed with a sharp light. He leaned forward on the table, staring intently at the Crown Prince, "How does Your Highness know the maid disappeared?" For a moment, the Crown Prince was actually intimidated by the fierce aura of this small Bronze Gong. ¡°Although I am confined here, I have my ways of gathering information,¡± the Crown Prince replied coldly, maintaining a stern expression. He was annoyed at himself for being momentarily daunted. Judging by the Crown Prince''s calm demeanour when he first saw him, Xu Qi''an believed his words. ¡°Does Consort Fu usually have any interaction with Your Highness?¡± Xu Qi''an asked. ¡°Of course not.¡± The Crown Prince tly denied it. As the heir apparent, he couldn''t and shouldn''t have any private interactions with the Emperor''s concubines. "Then why did you, without a second thought, go to meet Consort Fu when she sent someone to invite you?" Xu Qi''an struck right at the heart of the matter. "I... had drunk too much at the time and wasn''t thinking clearly," the Crown Prince replied, his expression slightly uneasy. *Pah! He just couldn¡¯t resist her allure.* As a man, Xu Qi''an understood the Crown Prince''s mindset quite well. Consort Fu was a beautiful and elegant woman, and it was likely that the Crown Prince had harboured thoughts about her in the past. On that day, he had coincidentally drunk a wine that was known to enhance vitality and virility. Anyone who has experienced a slight intoxication knows how it can make a person feel emboldened, daring to do things they normally wouldn''t. Things one wouldn''t dare to think about suddenly seem possible; words that would normally remain unspoken slip out without hesitation. And when Consort Fu extended her invitation¡ªor rather, didn¡¯t even need to¡ªhis thoughts led him there... "It sounds like someone set a trap for Your Highness," Xu Qi''an analysed. "Naturally, someone is framing me. Sir Xu thinks so too, right?" The Crown Prince sighed in relief. "No, no, no. Investigations can¡¯t be so subjective. I''m merely presenting one possibility. There''s also another possibility," Xu Qi''an said, leaning on the table, inching closer to the Crown Prince, and speaking slowly, word by word: ¡°That day, after drinking too much, Your Highness found your thoughts wandering and couldn''t help but think of Consort Fu, whom you had long coveted. Knowing that His Majesty is engrossed in Daoist practices and disinterested in women, Your Highness''s desire red up, leading you to turn towards Qingfeng Hall with the intention of defiling Consort Fu. ¡°However, Consort Fu was steadfast and refused to yield, resisting until the end. During the struggle, you identally pushed her off the pavilion, causing her to fall to her death. Afterward, you secretly had a maid eliminated to fabricate the story that you were being framed.¡± "Nonsense!" The Crown Prince mmed the table, rising in fury. "Xu Qi''an, how dare you nder me! How dare you falsely use me!" "Please, calm down, Your Highness. This is just a hypothesis from your servant. The truth is yet to be determined," Xu Qi''an responded with a beaming smile, cating the Crown Prince. *Tsk, the Crown Prince''s self-control isn¡¯t deep enough. Is he too concerned about his position? How can he hope to be emperor with such a disposition?* Neither the Crown Prince nor Princess Lin¡¯an were particrly brilliant. Xu Qi''an grew increasingly suspicious that Emperor Yuanjing had ulterior motives in appointing his eldest son, born of a concubine, as the Crown Prince. After the Crown Prince calmed down, Xu Qi''an asked, "Have any arcanists from the Sitianjian examined Your Highness?" "This matter involves me, Consort Fu, and the very foundation of the Great Feng. Do you think Father would trust the arcanists of the Sitianjian?" The Crown Prince retorted with a cold sneer. Xu Qi''an nodded. After spending so much time in the capital, he could discern some of the underlying dynamics. Although the Sitianjian was dependent on the royal family and the dynasty''s fortune¡ªevident from how Chu Caiwei needed the approval of the people in the capital to advance to the sixth rank¡ªthe Jianzheng of the first rank was simply too powerful. Thus, the Sitianjian was not purely subservient, functioning more like a partner with the Feng dynasty. When ites to matters involving the heir apparent, Emperor Yuanjing may not fully trust the Sitianjian. Moreover, the Sitianjian might be reluctant to get involved in such a messy situation. "I still need to examine Your Highness¡¯s body. I hope Your Highness will cooperate." Xu Qi''an took hold of the Crown Prince¡¯s hand, inspecting his wrist, arm, and then his neck... There were no scratches or w marks. "I will uncover the truth as quickly as possible. If Your Highness is innocent, I will naturally restore your name," Xu Qi''an said as he stood and cupped his hands in salute. "Wait!" The Crown Prince called out, his voice serious, "Sir Xu, have you be too close with Lin¡¯an?" Chapter 238: The Scene of the Crime Chapter 238: The Scene of the Crime # 238. The Scene of the Crime *What the hell do you mean?* Xu Qi''an thought to himself, his expression darkening slightly. In rtionships between men and women, both parties were usually aware of any romantic inclinations, even if they were slow to realise it. Eventually, even the most oblivious would catch on. Biaobiao was a bit naive when it came to matters of the heart. First, shecked experience, and second, she instinctively avoided confronting her own feelings. So, she might not have realised that she had developed feelings for this little Bronze Gong. But would Xu Qi''an not know? Impossible! Whether in his past life or this one, Xu Qi''an had always been a man rich in romantic experiences. The asional trust and closeness shown by Biaobiao, a youngdy in the prime of her youth, were clear signals to him: This girl likes me.The Crown Prince was also a man, so there was no point in Xu Qi''an denying it in front of him. ¡°What does Your Highness think?¡± Xu Qi''an asked in return. ¡°I heard that Father originally intended to grant you the title of Viscount of Changle County, but upon learning of your revival, he cancelled it?¡± the Crown Prince said. ¡°His Majesty promised me that if I thoroughly investigate Consort Fu¡¯s case, a title is just around the corner,¡± Xu Qi''an replied. The Crown Prince pondered, ¡°A viscount¡¯s position is still somewhat low. If you can clear my name, I can help elevate you further. You must know that in some matters, a viscount isn¡¯t enough.¡± Xu Qi''an chuckled, ¡°Your Highness, why not just reward me with a thousand taels of gold? That would be more practical than making empty promises.¡± The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow, ¡°You don¡¯t trust me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t trust you, Your Highness, but what you can offer me, Duke Wei can also provide. What you cannot offer, Duke Wei can still give me.¡± ¡°Xu Qi''an, Wei Yuan is a solitary minister. Look through the history books, which solitary minister ever met a good end?¡± the Crown Prince said sternly. Xu Qi''an bowed respectfully and left the room. ¡­¡­¡­. The Xu Manor. ¡°Where¡¯s Big Bwother? Why¡¯s he missing again?¡± Xu Lingyin asked, her mouth full with a pork bun as she looked around. ¡°Your big brother isn¡¯t here,¡± Auntie replied as she put a small cloth bag around her youngest daughter¡¯s neck. ¡°If Big Bwother isn¡¯t here, I¡¯m not going. I want Big Bwother,¡± Xu Lingyin said angrily. ¡°Don¡¯t try to pull that trick on me. You¡¯re just looking for an excuse to skip school,¡± Auntie said, poking Little Pea¡¯s forehead. Little pea was shocked. She had thought long and hard about this n, only for her mother to see through it instantly. *Mummy¡¯s so smart., so why does Big Bwother always make her so mad?* ¡°Mummy, how about I stay home and study with Second Brother?¡± Xu Lingyin said sweetly. ¡°You¡¯re the ugliest and think the prettiest,¡± Auntie scolded. ¡°Your second brother is about to take the spring imperial exams. He doesn¡¯t have time to look after a silly child like you.¡± ¡°What are the spring imperial exams?¡± ¡°They¡¯re the civil service exams.¡± ¡°What are the civil service exams?¡± ¡°They¡¯re tests.¡± ¡°What are tests?¡± ¡°Xu Lingyin, are you trying to drive me crazy?¡± Auntie shouted, exasperated. At this moment, Xu Eng walked into the house with a bag of green tangerines. He saw his mother scolding his sister but didn¡¯t pay much attention. He handed the tangerines to his sister, saying, ¡°Lingyin, take these to school to eat.¡± Xu Lingyin happily epted them, but her face scrunched up when she saw they were green tangerines. She frowned and said, ¡°Second Brother, these tangerines don¡¯t taste good.¡± Xu Eng was surprised, ¡°Have you eaten them before?¡± Auntie exined, ¡°Your father bought these green tangerinesst time.¡± Xu Eng looked deeply at Auntie and said, ¡°Mum¡­¡± Auntie looked at him puzzled, ¡°If you have something to say, just say it. Don¡¯t beat around the bush.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal,¡± Xu Eng said casually. ¡°I saw big brother give Dad fifty taels of silver yesterday. You should take it before he squanders it away.¡± Auntie¡¯s eyebrows shot up, ¡°That Xu Ningyan, how infuriating.¡± In truth, Xu Eng was lying to Auntie. He said it to ensure his mother would drain their father¡¯s private funds. To appease his wife, his father would grit his teeth and hand over his private savings, leaving him unable to squander money elsewhere. Then, for a long time, their annoying big brother would be on Auntie¡¯s bad side. Killing two birds with one stone, perfect! Satisfied, Xu Eng went back to his study to continue his reading. ¡­¡­.. The Imperial Pce. Holding his token, Xu Qi''an made his way unimpeded into the pce and to Shaoyin Courtyard to meet Biaobiao for the investigation. Today, Princess Lin¡¯an was wearing a bright red pce dress. The colour was the same as yesterday, but the style was different. She happily skipped over, her oval face beaming with a sweet smile, her peach blossom eyes filled with a radiant charm. After meeting Lin¡¯an, Xu Qi''an realised that a seductive beauty need not have a sharp, pointed chin. A woman with an oval face can also be alluring and captivating. It¡¯s a pity that the era limited Lin¡¯an¡¯s potential. Otherwise, with a head of wavy curls, denim shorts, and a halter top, she would undoubtedly be a sultry goddess. She would fit right in at a nightclub. Biaobiao skipped over and twirled lightly, her skirt fluttering. She was deliberately showing off her beauty to Xu Qi''an, perhaps without even realising it. Xu Qi''an wondered, ¡°Why do you always wear red dresses?¡± As soon as he spoke, Biaobiao¡¯s face fell. ¡°Hmph, you running dog, didn¡¯t you say I look especially beautiful in dresses?¡± Lin¡¯an huffed. Xu Qi''an suddenly covered his eyes and cried out in pain. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Biaobiao asked with concern. ¡°Your Highness is just too beautiful, radiant, blinding to my eyes,¡± Xu Qi''an eximed. Biaobiao¡¯s frown turned into a smile. ¡°Xu Ningyan¡¯s words are so sweet, so interesting.¡± ¡°Your Highness, I¡¯m nning to visit Qingfeng Pce today,¡± Xu Qi''an said. Lin¡¯an nodded and replied sweetly, ¡°We¡¯re waiting for someone.¡± She had a proud look in her eyes, her chin raised, revealing her long, white neck. Xu Qi''an suddenly felt uneasy. No way, no way, it couldn¡¯t be what I think, could it? In just a few minutes, Princess Huaiqing arrived, wearing a white pce dress, looking cool and absolutely stunning, her every movement exuding charm. Xu Qi''an thought to himself, ¡°...¡± Princess Lin¡¯an put her hands on her hips, mimicking a proud little hen, and said, ¡°Huaiqing insisted on joining our master and servant pair to see the investigation. I decided to fulfill her wish. Running... Xu Ningyan, what do you think?¡± She emphasised the words ¡°master and servant¡± as if dering ownership over someone. Xu Qi''an internally shouted, *I think this is a damned disaster!* *When did I be your servant...* He smiled and said, ¡°Your servant has no objections to anything.¡± Princess Huaiqing¡¯s clear eyes nced over, and she said lightly, ¡°Then I¡¯ll ept Sir Xu¡¯s kindness.¡± *Princess, it¡¯s not what you think. Lin¡¯an and I are clean. I¡¯m still loyal to you.* Xu Qi''an¡¯s mouth twitched. He hadn¡¯t expected Huaiqing to get involved in Consort Fu¡¯s case, but on second thought, it seemed inevitable. First, Huaiqing was very interested in investigating and solving cases, but as a noble and distinguished princess, she previously had no reason nor environment to get involved. During the Sangpo case, Huaiqing often summoned Xu Qi''an to the pce to inquire about the case details and even apanied him in poring over historical records to find clues. Now that such a major case had urred in the pce, it was understandable that Huaiqing was paying attention, and had developed a strong interest. Previously, the investigation was led by the Three Departments, so Huaiqing couldn''t intervene. But now that Xu Qi''an was the chief investigator, Huaiqing naturally came along. Of course, Xu Qi''an suspected that this also involved some mischief by Biaobiao. For example, running to Huaiqing and boasting: "My Running Dog is back, and the Running Dog listens to me the most..." and so on, showing off in every way possible. Xu Qi''an, a servant of three surnames, felt very embarrassed. So on the way to the Qingfeng Pce, he quietly followed behind the two princesses, staying silent to reduce his presence. *Damn, if Biaobiao keeps this up, one day I''ll end up splitting because of my two-timing and hurt myself...* On the way, he asked the on-duty guards to find the little eunuch from the previous day. The little eunuch''s attitude had greatly changed. After greeting Huaiqing and Lin''an with respect, he also bowed to Xu Qi''an: "Sir Xu, I hope you won''t hold any grudge for my previous offenses. I deeply appreciate the kindness you showed me yesterday." Xu Qi''an was taken aback, thinking, *What kindness did I show you? What are you talking about?* But he didn''t show any emotion, simply nodding in acknowledgment. The group proceeded toward Qingfeng Pce, with the two princesses leading the way. One in white and the other in red, both were exceptionally stunning beauties. Their beauty wasn''t just in their looks and aura; their figures were also a crucial part of their charm. *Lin''an''s hips aren''t asrge as Huaiqing''s...* *Her legs aren''t as long as Huaiqing''s, and Huaiqing is half a head taller than Lin''an...* *Ah, Biaobiao, you can''tpare with your sister in anything. What a useless girl.* *Huaiqing indeed lives up to my image of a cold goddess in the workce, making people feel a strong desire to conquer her, wanting to make her cry...* For the first time, Xu Qi''an could quietly appreciate the two sisters'' beauty. As he admired them, he realised that in terms of fullness of hip shape, Huaiqing seemed to have an edge. However, the amplitude of her swaying waist and the fluttering of her skirt were more exaggerated in Lin''an. This indicated that Biaobiao was better at swaying her hips than Huaiqing. Huaiqing had cultivation, and under her loose pce attire, she probably had a slender waist and a sexy toned abdomen. But Biaobiao''s serpentine waist seemed boneless, swaying back and forth, back and forth. She was an inherently charming woman, not deliberately coquettish, but her asional unconscious movements and the subtle allure of certain parts of her body were much more enticing than those of women who were well-versed in seduction techniques. For instance, her eyes, full of springtime charm, always carried a hint ofnguor when looking at others. Or, as in the current moment, her soft, flexible serpentine waist and the swaying allure of her buttocks. When Xu Qi''an first met her, he thought she perfectly fit the image of a little nightclub queen. It wasn''t a rash judgment but one based on his extensive experience. Soon, the group arrived at Qingfeng Pce. Qingfeng Pce had been cordoned off by pce guards, with the maids and eunuchs confined to the courtyard. Neither the influence of Princess Lin''an nor Princess Huaiqing worked here. It was only when Xu Qi''an showed his gold token and revealed his identity that the guards let them in, respectfully guiding them inside. The so-called Qingfeng Pce was actually a two-tiered pce courtyard. The front courtyard housed low-ranking maids and eunuchs, while the back courtyard was for the close confidants of Consort Fu. The main hall was a two-story pavilion with flying eaves and interlocking brackets, grand and magnificent. The guardrail on the viewing tform on the second floor was broken, likely where Consort Fu fell to her death. Xu Qi''an estimated the height, roughly six to seven meters. From such a height, falling would depend on whether the King of Hell wanted to take you. If Consort Fu fell with the back of her head hitting the ground, it could be exined as the King of Hell coveting her beauty and summoning her down to apany him, leaving no one able to save her. The main hall was also sealed off, with four guards standing at the door to protect the scene. "Where exactly did Consort Fu fall?" Xu Qi''an asked the head guard. The head guard pointed to where Lin''an was standing, "Consort Fu fell right there." Biaobiao, like a nimble, startled rabbit, quickly hopped away. Xu Qi''an stood at the spot where Consort Fu''s body fell, looked up at the pavilion, and then back down, saying, "Has anyone entered the pavilion?" "The Three Departments'' people have been inside." "Did they take or damage anything?" "No, your servant was watching closely the entire time. The broken railing was also kept in the storeroom and wasn''t taken by the Three Departments." *Someone supervising... Forbidding the removal of evidence from the scene... Emperor Yuanjing, a master of power maniption, haspletely blocked the possibility of the Crown Prince''s Clique cleaning up the mess for the Crown Prince.* Xu Qi''an said, "Open the door; I need to go up." Entering the pavilion, he ascended the stairs to the second floor. Xu Qi''an and Princess Huaiqing scanned every corner of the scene with sharp eyes. Biaobiao nced at them, then pretended to be "seriously searching." Their first attention was drawn to the overturned round stool by the table, the cold cup of tea on the table, the dishevelled bed, the torn bed curtain, and the wall painting on the east side... Xu Qi''an sniffed around, his nose twitching. "What are you sniffing?" Biaobiao couldn''t hold back anymore. "Don''t interrupt; I''m smelling for deoxyribonucleic acid." "De-what acid?" Biaobiao was confused. Xu Qi''an didn''t respond. In reality, he was just checking for any residual scent in the air, not necessarily ¡°DNA¡±. Given that so many days had passed, the smell couldn''t possibly have remained. But a proper examination still needed to be conducted. Xu Qi''an pointed to the bed and asked the head guard, "Was the bed this messy?" "It was searched by the Three Departments, but it was already in a mess when they first came," the head guard replied. *It''s a pity that I can''t test DNA; otherwise, this case would be solved instantly... How I miss the advanced technology from my previous life...* he thought as he went to the viewing tform. After inspecting the broken guardrail, Xu Qi''an sat cross-legged in the viewing tform, closing his eyes. His powerful mental strength greatly enhanced his profiling ability. Based on the current details from the scene, he started sketching dynamic images in his mind: The Crown Prince, drunk, climbed the pavilion. Consort Fu, standing by the table, poured a cup of hot tea to help him sober up. But the Crown Prince didn''t touch the teacup; instead, he touched Consort Fu''s hand or another part, causing her to panic and knock over the stool. Then, the Crown Prince, using force, dragged Consort Fu to the bed. During the intense struggle, the bed was thrown into disarray, and a corner of the bed curtain was torn off. Consort Fu somehow broke free from the Crown Prince''s grasp and ran towards the viewing tform to call for help, knocking down the wall painting along the way... Seeing the situation, the Crown Prince, driven by malice, pushed Consort Fu off the viewing tform. He then went to the outer room to sleep, pretending he hadn''t done anything. Xu Qi''an opened his eyes and exhaled. Huaiqing and Lin''an, who had been watching him closely, immediately asked, "What did you find?" "The case isn''t too difficult, but there are a few points I need to confirm first," Xu Qi''an replied. Chapter 239: A Great Breakthrough Chapter 239: A Great Breakthrough # 239. A Great Breakthrough *Some points need confirmation¡­*Biaobiaoblurted out, "What are they?" Huaiqing pursed her lips, pondering what discoveries Xu Qi''an might have made while also paying close attention to him. Although she had been meticulously searching through the room, her mind was still a jumble, and she hadn''t found anything particrly useful or significant. "First, if Consort Fu had indeed been assaulted by the Crown Prince, she would have definitely cried for help. So why didn''t the attendants and pce maids in Qingfeng Pce hear anything? Let''s go downstairs first¡­ you go and gather all the pce maids and attendants in the courtyard," Xu Qi''an said to the head attendant. The group immediately descended to the courtyard, where all the attendants and pce maids of Qingfeng Pce, totalling twelve individuals¡ªfour maids and eight attendants¡ªwere gathered. "Listen up, this is Sir Xu, who has been tasked with investigating the case. He is fully in charge of the investigation into Consort Fu''s murder. You must answer his questions honestly and without concealment," the head attendant said in a deep voice. "Yes!" The crowd responded with bowed heads. The head attendant nodded with satisfaction and looked towards Xu Qi''an.Xu Qi''an singled out a graceful pce maid, gesturing for her toe closer. The young maid shuffled forward with her head bowed. "A little closer." The maid stepped up to Xu Qi''an, who whispered a few words into her ear, then said, "Go ahead." The maid quickly scurried into the pavilion. What is he up to? Biaobiaoand the supervising eunuch were perplexed, while Huaiqing seemed to be deep in thought. Xu Qi''an turned to the other maids and attendants, "Why was there no pce maid attending to Consort Fu on the day of the incident?" The pce maids and attendants exchanged nces, appearing hesitant and afraid to speak. Xu Qi''an''s gaze sharpened as he reprimanded, "Anyone who conceals or withholds information will be treated as a suspect in Consort Fu''s murder and will be imprisoned in the Nightwatchers¡¯ dungeon." A young eunuch quickly replied, "My lord, we dare not approach the pavilion." *Dare not approach the pavilion?* Xu Qi''an sensed he had found something. A man entering Consort Fu''s bedroom, yet the attendants in the courtyard did not dare to approach¡ªwhat does that imply? It implies the Emperor has quite the situation on his hands. Xu Qi''an secretly thought with anticipation. The young eunuch exined, "Consort Fu loved to drink. After getting drunk, she would often scold and beat the attendants of Qingfeng Pce. We feared being caught in her outbursts, so whenever she drank, we kept our distance." "Is it always like this?" Xu Qi''an asked. "Yes, without exception," the eunuch replied. "When did this start?" The eunuch hesitated for a moment before shaking his head, "Ever since I entered the Qingfeng Pce, Consort Fu has always been this way." *Little chicken, your experience iscking...* Xu Qi''an scanned the group and asked, "Who is Consort Fu''s personal maid?" "It''s your servant..." A slightly older maid stepped forward. "You answer my previous question," Xu Qi''an directed his gaze at her. "Well, it''s just that..." The older maid hesitated, "A few years ago, Consort Fu was fine, but over the years, her personality became more and more peculiar. She would often stand alone on the pavilion, gazing at something unknown. When drinking, she liked to recite mncholic poetry..." She spoke with subtlety, likely not daring toment on Consort Fu or the Emperor''s private affairs. But Xu Qi''an and Huaiqing were both sharp and understood the underlying meaning. *This is the sorrow of a lonely woman... s, Emperor Yuanjing is quite the character, with so many beautiful women in his harem, and yet he chose to practice cultivation and abstinence...* Xu Qi''an sighed and continued, "On the day of the incident, did anyone hear Consort Fu''s cries for help?" Everyone shook their heads. Xu Qi''an didn''t say anything but looked towards the direction of the pavilion, nodding slightly. Following his gaze, they saw the young maid who had entered the pavilion earlier standing on the observation deck. At Xu Qi''an''s signal, the maid closed thettice door of the observation deck, and momentster, faint cries for help could be heard from inside. By this point, even the less astute Biaobiaounderstood Xu Qi''an''s intention. "Outrageous! You dare lie! The cries for help were clear as day!"Biaobiaoscolded. The attendants in the courtyard were startled and hurriedly tried to exin. Xu Qi''an gestured for them to calm down, then turned to the head attendant, "Bring out the broken section of the railing..." Next, he looked at the older maid and said, "You stay. The rest can leave." The older maid looked a bit flustered, wringing her hands nervously. "Little eunuch, you go to the outer courtyard. I''ll call you back in a bit," Xu Qi''an anticipated a rebuttal from the seemingly obtuse young eunuch, preparing to bring Huaiqing and Lin''an to bear. However, the young eunuch said nothing and obediently left. "What have you found?" Huaiqing was the first to speak once they were alone. The aloof and proud princess had her own theories. Earlier, when the maid cried for help inside the pavilion, it was faint but audible from the outside. There were two possibilities: either Consort Fu didn''t call for help at all, or she was silenced. "What is the Crown Prince''s cultivation level?" Xu Qi''an asked. "He''s trained in martial arts for a few years, skilled in archery and horseback riding," Huaiqing replied. *Oh, a weakling...* Xu Qi''an nodded. The Crown Prince''s cultivation was at the Refining Vitality level, perhaps not even that. This made sense; for a prince, continuing the lineage was paramount. What was individual martial prowesspared to that? The Emperor needn''t lead charges in battle. Moreover, the ability to resist temptation was a significant test. Especially for a Crown Prince surrounded by beautiful women, it would be challenging to remain chaste in the impulsive years of youth. Xu Qi''an mused that it was only someone with great willpower, like himself, who could stay single for neen years. "Although the Crown Prince''s cultivation is shallow, overpowering a frail woman would still be easy, so it''s possible that Consort Fu never had the chance to call for help," Xu Qi''an surmised. "My brother the Crown Prince would never do such a thing," Biaobiaoretorted immediately, showing a disy of stubbornness that a sister ought. Xu Qi''an didn''t respond to Biaobiao, who was pouting her cheeks in defiance. Instead, he coldly looked at the older maid, "You weren''tpletely truthful earlier, were you?" A sh of panic crossed the maid''s eyes, and she shook her head, "Everything I said was the truth. I didn''t lie. Please believe me." "You didn''t lie, but you didn''t tell the whole truth, right?" Xu Qi''an tapped her leg with the scabbard, "I''m not very patient. If you don''t speak, you''ll be taken to the Nightwatcher''s dungeon to confess. I can''t guarantee how the guards there will treat you." These young maids and eunuchs were cunning but timid, so intimidation was the best approach. The maid bit her lip and, after a moment of hesitation, said, "Your Highnesses, Lord Xu, please follow me." She turned and entered the pavilion, with Xu Qi''an, Huaiqing, and Lin''an following behind. Returning to the bedroom, the pce maid went straight under the bed and, with some effort, pulled out arge wooden box. From beneathyers of old clothes, she retrieved a small wooden case. With her head bowed and trembling slightly, the pce maid presented the wooden case. Xu Qi¡¯an took it, opened the case, and upon seeing what was inside, one single word filled up his mind: *Woah!* Had it not been for Lin¡¯an and Huaiqing standing beside him, he might have let out an exaggerated whistle. Inside the wooden boxy a jade-carved object, 15 centimetres long and 4 centimetres in diameter, with a mischievous-looking head and a slender body. Xu Qi¡¯an immediately understood why the pce maid was hesitant to speak. This item was forbidden within the pce, far more taboo than the small ¡°Little Liu Bei¡±[^1] often found in women¡¯s chambers. The moral implications were one reason, but more importantly, this was the imperial pce. Has the emperor no face? Once discovered, the consequences could be severe, from banishment to the cold pce to demotion in rank. *Thus, Consort Fu¡¯s outbursts while drinking, aside from a frustrated woman¡¯s imbnce, were a prelude to some private indulgence¡­ Such things, of course, were not for the servants to see. Aside from her closest maid, everyone else would be dismissed¡­ Thankfully, I sent the young eunuch away; otherwise, Emperor Yuanjing would have me silenced¡­ He¡¯s actually being betrayed by a fake, pfff¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an almost couldn''t hold back hisughter. "What is this thing?" Princess Lin¡¯an asked with a frown. Xu Qi¡¯an nced at her, then at Huaiqing. The aloof princess was expressionless, examining the ¡°jade sceptre¡± with confusion in her eyes. *No way, not even Huaiqing, with her extensive knowledge and upbringing, recognises it? Don''t you read any naughty texts?* Xu Qi¡¯an coughed and exined, "It¡¯s a man¡¯s vital part." Lin¡¯an let out a startled "ah" and stepped back a few paces, her round face turning red, with her neck and ears also flushed. Xu Qi¡¯an thought, *Is this all it takes to scare you? I have a bigger one.* Huaiqing recoiled as if touched by electricity, turning her head away, her fair face lightly blushed. "H- h- how could consort Fu- how could she hide such a thing? It¡¯s disgraceful. Quick, put it away¡­" Lin¡¯an stammered in her reprimand. *Don¡¯t be so quick to judge. Maybe your mother also has one under her bed¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an closed the box and handed it back to the pce maid, saying, "Put it back, don¡¯t taint the princesses¡¯ eyes." The pce maid obediently followed his instructions. Xu Qi¡¯an asked, "On the day Consort Fu fell from the tower, was this item on the bed or in the box?" "It should have been in the box," the pce maid replied. *If it were on the bed, the report wouldn¡¯t have left it out¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded and asked again, "Was the missing maid also one of Consort Fu¡¯s close attendants like you?" The pce maid nodded. "Alright, you may go now." After she left, Xu Qi¡¯an sat at the table,menting that he couldn¡¯t take the "jade sceptre" for examination while he exined to the two inexperienced princesses: "On the day Consort Fu fell from the tower, the servants in the courtyard didn¡¯t hear her call for help. There are two possibilities: either the Crown Prince subdued her, or Consort Fu willingly had an affair with the Crown Prince." Huaiqing shook her head, "If it were a willing affair, why were there signs of resistance and struggle in the room?" "You clearlyck experience¡­" Xu Qi¡¯an smiled and said, "There are still two possibilities: First, Consort Fu resisted at first but the Crown Prince somehow coerced her. Second, sometimes, male and female affection doesn¡¯t have to take ce on the bed." Both princesses blushed and spat in embarrassment. "Then why did Consort Fu fall from the tower? You said she was pushed," Huaiqing questioned. ¡°I can¡¯t answer that right now," Xu Qi¡¯an analyzed, "On the day of the incident, Consort Fu had been drinking. What she would do next is take out the ''jade sceptre'' to¡­ let out some frustration. ¡°If I were the Crown Prince, I would use that to coerce her into a long-term secret rtionship. A woman who¡¯s been alone for a long time might be half-hearted about it, and there¡¯s no need to push her out of the tower. Even if the Crown Prince sobered up and wanted to kill her to silence her, it shouldn¡¯t be after the act, because during the time of rity afterwards, a man is the calmest and wouldn¡¯t act on impulse. ¡°Another point of doubt, Consort Fu, needing to do such a thing, dismissed the pce maids and attendants from the tower. It makes even less sense to then send a personal maid to invite the Crown Prince, unless they had an affair long before. "But ording to the investigation of the Three Departments and the testimonies of the servants and maids in the courtyard, there was no prior rtionship between Consort Fu and the Crown Prince." "So, my brother the Crown Prince was truly wronged." Lin¡¯an¡¯s eyes sparkled with hope. "That¡¯s quite possible, but it¡¯s too early to conclude." Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. Huaiqing asked, "How did you know the pce maid was hiding something?" Her clear and bright eyes were fixed on Xu Qi¡¯an. It seemed like she was asking for guidance but also found it hard to swallow her pride. *Consider studying the psychology of microexpressions¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an said, "A person¡¯s facial and body movements can reveal their inner thoughts to a certain extent; they are more honest than words." Huaiqing frowned, "I¡¯ve never seen a book documenting such knowledge." "I figured it out myself." Huaiqing slowly nodded, somewhat impressed, "You really are a genius at solving cases." *¡­ In reality, solving cases isn¡¯t about talent, it¡¯s about experience and knowledge. Without those, even a genius at deduction wouldn¡¯t make it past the threshold.* Xu Qi¡¯an smiled, "Your Highness tters me." At this moment, the head attendant called from downstairs, "Sir Xu, we¡¯ve brought the items." Xu Qi¡¯an immediately stood up and said, "Now, I¡¯ll test one of my theories. We might soon find out how Consort Fu died." The three went downstairs, where Xu Qi¡¯an took the broken railing from the guard and carefully examined the break, inspecting it repeatedly. He fell into deep thought. The red-dressed and white-dressed princesses, understanding his need for concentration, did not interrupt him. Even though Lin¡¯an¡¯s feet under her skirt were nervously shuffling, showing her anxiousness. Because Xu Qi¡¯an had mentioned that the truth of Consort Fu¡¯s death would soon be revealed. Since it concerned her brother¡¯s innocence, she was very eager. Yet she dared not disturb his thinking. "Let¡¯s go to the icehouse. Princess Huaiqing, please summon a nanny." Xu Qi¡¯an led the group away from the Qingfeng Pce, and Huaiqing instructed the guards outside the pce to fetch the old nanny. Arriving at the icehouse, they left the guards outside. Xu Qi¡¯an, Huaiqing, Lin¡¯an, the supervising little eunuch, and the old nanny entered the icehouse and once again saw Consort Fu¡¯s body. "Please remove Consort Fu¡¯s clothing and turn her over," Xu Qi¡¯an requested. The nanny hesitated, but seeing Xu Qi¡¯an respectfully turn his back, she looked to Princess Huaiqing for approval, not to Lin¡¯an. Huaiqing nodded, "Do as Sir Xu says." A few minutester, the maid said, "It¡¯s done." Xu Qi¡¯an turned around. Consort Fuy naked, prone on the wooden board, her pale back covered in livor mortis, but without the marks Xu Qi¡¯an had expected to see. "That¡¯s all." He nodded. Leaving the icehouse, they gathered in a side room. Lin¡¯an couldn¡¯t wait and asked, "So, how did Consort Fu die? My brother, the Crown Prince, is innocent, right?" Xu Qi¡¯an nced at the supervising young eunuch, then at the two princesses, and said solemnly, "Consort Fu likely fell from the tower by herself." "How do you know?" Huaiqing raised an eyebrow. This conclusion surprised everyone. ¡°The railings of the Qingfeng Pce pavilion are not rotting, rather they are very sturdy. If Consort Fu was pushed down, her body would inevitably leave bruises on her back from hitting the railings. "But the examination just now showed that Consort Fu''s back did not have any long-shaped bruises, only livor mortis and block-shaped bruises from the fall," Xu Qi''an said. Huaiqing pondered, "But she did indeed die from breaking through the railings... Are you saying someone tampered with the railings?" Xu Qi''an nodded. ¡°Besides, after Consort Fu fell, she had been drinking. The pce maid at Qingfeng Pce said she often watched the scenery from the lookout tower... I guess she was watching to see if His Majesty woulde, though that¡¯s not important. ¡°The important thing is that when people drink, they instinctively lean or rest on the railing. Consort Fu fell on her back, so she must have been leaning on the railing. But because the railing was tampered with, she fell to her death. ¡°I asked earlier, the jade sceptre wasn''t taken out during the incident. This means that Consort Fu didn''t use the jade sceptre immediately that day... you know what I mean. So, the possibility of her standing at the lookout tower is very high. "The coroner''s report that she wasn''t vited also serves as evidence. The maids of Qingfeng Pce didn''t hear any cries for help because Consort Fu wasn''t assaulted and naturally didn¡¯t need to cry out." Huaiqing and Lin''an suddenly understood, thetter genuinely happy because the suspicion on the Crown Prince lessened significantly. The former fell into deep thought, mulling over Xu Qi''an''s analysis like a top student digesting a teacher''s lecture. The supervising little eunuch bowed his head, silently noting down every word Xu Qi''an said to report to his father eunuchter. At this point, the old nanny interjected, "Sir, it was this old servant, not the coroner, who examined Consort Fu." "Oh, it was nanny. That''s perfect, I have some details to ask." He pulled the old nanny aside and whispered, "Nanny, your standard for determining whether someone was vited is based on the man''s... emission, or¡­?" He asked his question quietly. The old nanny whispered a brief exnation. "Oh, I see," Xu Qi''an said. This further confirmed that Consort Fu was not raped but indeed died from an ident, a meticulously arranged ident. Since it wasn''t a crime of passion, the Crown Prince¡¯s suspicion was very light. After receiving confirmation, Xu Qi''an said, "The only one who could have done this must be that close pce maid." Of course, the pce maid wouldn¡¯t kill Consort Fu and frame the Crown Prince without reason. Even Lin''an could figure this out. "Who would instruct the pce maid to do this?" Lin''an nced at Huaiqing with distrust. Huaiqing sneered, and Lin''an immediately shrank behind Xu Qi''an. Not bothering to argue with Lin''an, she frowned and asked, "Then how do you exin the mess in the room?" "The pce maid couldn¡¯t have deliberately messed up the room in front of Consort Fu before she fell. And after Consort Fu fell, the Qingfeng Pce servants would have noticed immediately." "Maybe Consort Fu was in a terrible mood and messed up the room herself. Or maybe there was something wrong with the alcohol, like hallucinations," Xu Qi''an exined. Unfortunately, without an autopsy on Consort Fu, this spection cannot be confirmed. "Let¡¯s call it a day. I want to go back and think things over, sort out the case," Xu Qi''an said. He couldn''t say he was cking off. After sending Princess Lin''an back to Shaoyin Courtyard, Xu Qi''an saw Princess Huaiqing waiting outside, and he knowingly walked over. The two walked silently, the guards trailing far behind. "I didn¡¯t expect that once you got involved, Consort Fu''s case would immediately have a breakthrough," Princess Huaiqing praised. "This case isn¡¯t actually difficult. At least proving the Crown Prince''s innocence isn''t hard," Xu Qi''an said, pausing for a few seconds before continuing, "The Three Judicial Departments don¡¯t seem eager to prove the Crown Prince¡¯s innocence." Xu Qi''an always felt that the reasoning skills and investigative methods of this era weregging, but he couldn''t deny that there were still many talented people in the Three Departments. The Consort Fu case wasn¡¯t as detailed as the tax silver case, as strange as the Sangpo case, or as mind-bending as the Yunzhou case. It didn¡¯t involve too many cultivation systems. Proving the Crown Prince''s innocence was somewhat challenging, but not impossible. Princess Huaiqing looked ahead, silent for a dozen seconds, and then said, "This matter boils down to two possibilities: one, the Crown Prince is the real culprit. Two, the Crown Prince is being framed." Xu Qi''an responded with a "hmm." ¡°If the Crown Prince is the real culprit, then he will be deposed. The official evaluation has just ended, and the national session struggle is about to begin. Neither His Majesty nor the entire court would want such a thing to happen. Besides, it would make the Crown Prince Clique resentful, creating unnecessary enemies. "If the Crown Prince is being framed, then who in the harem has the capability to do so? Who dares to frame even the Crown Prince? The Three Judicial Offices would rather not provoke them. After all, this is ultimately His Majesty''s family matter." Xu Qi''an answered bluntly, "All princes eligible to inherit the Eastern Pce are possible suspects." Huaiqing said, "But the biggest suspects are my full brother and my mother." Because the Fourth Prince is the legitimate eldest son and the first in the session. "Suspicion is inevitable. If there¡¯s a death of a prince in the pce, all those favoured concubines are suspects. But as long as evidence is destroyed, no matter how great the suspicion, what can be done?" Pce intrigue is actually quite straightforward and brutal; not every concubine in the harem is a far-sighted, cunning strategist like Zhuge Liang. Huaiqing slowly nodded. "There¡¯s something I don¡¯t understand. The Fourth Prince is the legitimate eldest son. Why did His Majesty appoint Lin''an''s full brother as the Crown Prince?" When Xu Qi''an asked this question, he stared closely at Huaiqing. If she showed signs of annoyance or resistance, it would indicate that his behavior of having a foot in two boats had made her feel uneasy and not considered him a confidant anymore. Huaiqing pondered for a moment, then shook her head, "No one can guess Father¡¯s mind. But once, by chance, I heard some rumors..." Xu Qi''an quickly interrupted, "Your Highness, your servant wishes to live a long life, have children and grandchildren, and die peacefully." Uncharacteristically, Huaiqing smiled slightly, "It¡¯s not some top secret; it doesn¡¯t matter if you hear it." After a pause, she continued, ¡°It is said in the pce that the reason the Crown Prince is the Crown Prince is because Noble Consort Chen was the most favoured in her youth, thus Father broke the rules by appointing a son born of a concubine as the Crown Prince. "But my elder brother onceined to me privately. In his childhood, Father treated him extremely well and often instilled in him the principles of being a ruler... So, if Father never intended to make him the Crown Prince, why would he say such things?" Xu Qi''an turned around, waved at the distant guards, and then walked a bit further with Huaiqing. Then, unable to contain his curiosity, he rubbed his hands and asked: "Then why was the son of a concubine ultimately made the Crown Prince?" --- [^1]: Erotic material? Why? Because Liu Bei had the title Royal Uncle ¡°Huangshu¡±, which is cognate with ¡°yellow books¡±, which means erotic material. Chapter 240: Xu Pingzhi: You Two Wait Chapter 240: Xu Pingzhi: You Two Wait # 240. Xu Pingzhi: You Two Wait "There was one year when, for some reason, Father became furious and sent Mother to the Cold Pce, even attempting to depose her. But the civil and military officials vehemently opposed it, and at that time, I was too young to remember," Princess Huaiqing said helplessly: ¡°Although Mother was released from the Cold Pce the following year, Father never visited her chambers again. Because of this, Fourth Brother was also neglected. And since I was born, Father never showed much affection for me. ¡°Noble Consort Chen is actually a very jealous and petty person. Even though the Eldest Prince waster made Crown Prince, she was always insecure and held a deep hostility towards Fourth Brother and me. "This isn''t just my narrow view. Do you know why Lin¡¯an and I don''t get along?" Xu Qi¡¯an felt a spark of insight. "Consort Chen instigated it?" Huaiqing nodded slowly. "Lin¡¯an is deeply loved by Father and spoiled in every way. In the early years, Noble Consort Chen was worried about the Crown Prince¡¯s unstable position and often incited Lin¡¯an to cause trouble and make things difficult for me." *Poor Lin¡¯an, she must have been bullied by you quite badly...* Even though Lin¡¯an started it, Xu Qi¡¯an still felt sorry for her. It wasn''t about favouring one wife over another; all are equally cherished. He just felt that with Lin¡¯an¡¯s level of skill, she would have been no match for Huaiqing. On second thought, this might have been exactly what Noble Consort Chen wanted. The more she understood her daughter, the more she encouraged her to provoke Huaiqing, to achieve the desired effect.Imagine: Emperor Yuanjing doted on Lin¡¯an, but if she constantly cried from being bullied by Huaiqing, how could he not dislike Huaiqing? "What was the reason for His Majesty wanting to depose the Empress?" Xu Qi¡¯an asked. "There was no reason, which is why the officials strongly opposed it." Huaiqing shook her head. Deposing an Empress was simr to deposing a Crown Prince. It was not only the emperor¡¯s family matter but also a national issue. The schr-official ss were not allowed to easily divorce or dismiss their primary wife, let alone the Emperor with his Empress, who was the mother of the nation. Without a reason, how could the civil and military officials agree to Emperor Yuanjing deposing the Empress? However, without a reason, would Emperor Yuanjing suddenly get furious and want to depose her? There must be more to this than meets the eye. "What year did this happened in?" After asking, Xu Qi¡¯an realized he was being too gossipy and added, "It might be rted to the case of Consort Fu... ah no, I don''t mean to suspect Her Majesty." Princess Huaiqing nced at him and said calmly, "If you''re curious, just ask. There¡¯s no need for so many excuses." ... Xu Qi¡¯an felt a bit embarrassed. "In the thirteenth year of Yuanjing." Huaiqing withdrew her gaze and looked into the distance. "As for the reason, I don¡¯t know. Even though I asked Mother many timester, she never answered." *The thirteenth year of Yuanjing sounds familiar...* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. "Thank you, Princess, for telling me." He had thought that Emperor Yuanjing didn''t appoint the Fourth Prince as Crown Prince because the Crown Prince was a bit dull, but now it seems there might be deeper reasons behind it. *Yes, the Crown Prince may not be particrly clever, but could the Fourth Prince be much better... Hmm, it¡¯s possible the Fourth Prince is just ying dumb...* *I¡¯ll ask Duke Weiter. With his sharp insight, what he says about the Fourth Prince will be urate.* After walking a few steps, Huaiqing suddenly said, "Why did you end it so quickly today? With your ability, there¡¯s no need to go home to ¡®ponder¡¯." Xu Qi¡¯an felt that since Huaiqing was quite open with him, he should also be candid, which would help maintain a good rtionship. "I''m just trying to buy time," Xu Qi¡¯an said. "Buy time?" Huaiqing frowned. "Yes," smelling the faint fragrance from the princess, Xu Qi¡¯an said helplessly, ¡°I¡¯ve offended too many people during the Sangpo and Yunzhou cases, and His Majesty doesn¡¯t like me either. He originally intended to confer the title of Viscount on me, but it was cancelled because I survived. "Later, His Majesty promised to reinstate my title as Viscount of Changle County if I do a good job in investigating Consort Fu¡¯s case." *I¡¯m really having a tough time.* "Do you think Father will go back on his word?" Princess Huaiqing agreed. "This is a good n. One day without the title, you dy one day." Xu Qi¡¯an looked at her in surprise. *No wonder she¡¯s Wei Yuan¡¯s student; they think alike.* The saying ¡°The emperor has no idle words¡± doesn¡¯t mean the emperor won¡¯t lie. It refers to national policies and imperial edicts. So, as long as Emperor Yuanjing doesn¡¯t confer the title, Xu Qi¡¯an will dy, lest the Dog Emperor goes back on his word. "It¡¯s gettingte, I should return to my residence now." Xu Qi¡¯an nced at the sky. If he heads back now, he can still catch lunch. "Mm." Huaiqing nodded. ... Meanwhile, in Emperor Yuanjing''s sleeping quarters. Half an hour before lunch, Emperor Yuanjing, having finished his meditation, returned to his quarters. The grand eunuch hurried in, grinning from ear to ear, and announced, "Your Majesty, there has been a major breakthrough in Consort Fu¡¯s case." Emperor Yuanjing was taken aback, immediately putting on a serious expression. "Speak," he said in a deep voice. The old eunuch ryed the information reported by the little eunuch, word for word. Emperor Yuanjing listened silently, without showing any reaction. "Your Majesty..." The old eunuch bowed his head. "May I be so bold as to ask, does this mean the Crown Prince is innocent?" Emperor Yuanjing shook his head slightly. "It¡¯s too early to tell... Within just two days, Xu Qi¡¯an has managed to grasp the initial details of the case. He truly is talented, but perhaps a bit too cunning." He snorted coldly. "Urge the cab to draft the edict quickly. There¡¯s no need to choose an auspicious date." Last time, when he had the grand eunuch convey his orders to the cab, they had epted but dyed, citing theck of an auspicious date. "As youmand." ¡­ Uncle Xu, who was in charge of the day patrol, returned home with his helmet in his arms, the sabre by his waist swaying with each step. There was an hour of rest at noon, and as a *Baihu*, Xu Pingzhi would return home for lunch during this time, taking the opportunity to have some tea. The kitchen was still busy preparing lunch, and Auntie was in the backyard nting newly purchased bush lilies. She wore a light blue silk dress with a matching pleated long skirt, intricately embroidered with swirling cloud patterns. As she bent over to nt the lilies, her slender waist and curvy hips were entuated by her clothes. Uncle Xu stood not far away, holding his helmet, and cleared his throat. ¡°Dearest, I¡¯m hungry. Could you hurry the kitchen along?¡± Auntie continued nting flowers, ignoring him. ¡°Dearest?¡± ¡°What are you calling me for?¡± Auntie responded coldly. ¡°Is Master Xu going to entertain colleagues tonight and not return home?¡± Uncle Xu was taken aback. ¡°What are you talking about, dearest?¡± Auntie finished nting thest lily, dusted her hands, and put her hands on her hips, giving a cold smile. ¡°What¡¯s the saying? Right, blood is thicker than water. Your dear nephew, even after his sess, hasn¡¯t forgotten you. He knows to secretly give you money.¡± Uncle Xu was astonished and thought to himself, *It¡¯s been so long since Daluang gave me money. It was before he went to Yunzhou, so why are you bringing up this old matter?* ¡°There¡¯s no such thing. Dng just came back from the dead yesterday and went out for the day, not returning home. How would he have time to give me money?¡± Of course, Uncle Xu wouldn¡¯t admit it even if it were true, let alone something that¡¯spletely unfounded. Auntie, hearing this, erupted, her brows furrowing, and she raised her voice, ¡°Xu Pingzhi, you really are nning to hide fifty taels of silver and secretly go to the brothel. ¡°Eng told me this morning that Xu Ningyan secretly gave you fifty taels. I thought if you admitted it, we could let it go. I didn¡¯t expect you to actually want to keep it hidden. ¡°You¡¯re not going to admit it, are you? Would Eng lie to me? Xu Pingzhi, you ungrateful man. I¡¯ve managed this household with all my heart, even helping raise your unfortunate nephew, and this is how you repay me?¡± ¡°Where¡¯s Eng? Bring him out here.¡± Uncle Xu was angry. ¡°Pfft, Eng is catching up on sleep. Don¡¯t disturb him and don¡¯t change the subject. Are you going to hand over the fifty taels or not?¡± ¡°¡­ I¡¯ll hand it over, just don¡¯t be angry, dearest.¡± Uncle Xu, crestfallen, went into the bedroom, moving quickly to prevent Auntie from discovering where he hid his banknotes. Once in the bedroom, he went straight to Xu Lingyin¡¯s annex, lifted his daughter¡¯s bedding, and underneath was all his private money, a total of eighty taels. Uncle Xu gritted his teeth and resolutely pulled out two twenty-tael and two five-tael notes. At this moment, he suddenly noticed a bag of green oranges on the small table by the bed. Green oranges, in Xu Pingzhi¡¯s eyes, were not just simple oranges, which immediately aroused his suspicion. *Green oranges are sour and bitter, usually used for medicinal purposes. Why buy them for no reason? And why are they in Lingyin¡¯s room?* With doubts in his mind, Uncle Xu left the small room and returned to the courtyard, obediently handing over the banknotes. Auntie¡¯s expression softened slightly, and she hummed as she pulled out a small, elegant purse and put away the notes. Xu Pingzhi took the opportunity to ask, ¡°Why are there green oranges on Lingyin¡¯s table? Did Dng buy them?¡± ¡°Eng bought them,¡± Auntie replied, satisfied now that the fifty taels were ounted for. *Eng bought them? Why would he buy these things¡­ His reason for buying green oranges must be different from mine¡­ No, wait!* Uncle Xu¡¯s mind stirred. ¡°Eng didn¡¯te home all night, just like Dng, right?¡± ¡°Eng went out to entertain with colleagues. As for your nephew, god knows where that damned boy went.¡± Auntie rolled her eyes. If it weren¡¯t for the previous instances of social death, Xu Pingzhi would have agreed wholeheartedly with his wife. But now, he knew exactly what kind of person his son was. *Dng didn¡¯te home all night, and neither did Eng¡­ From what I know about Dng, he most likely went to the Jiaofangsi, but the green oranges were bought by Eng¡­* ¡°Eng smelled of oranges, didn¡¯t he?¡± Xu Pingzhi asked casually. Auntie nodded, not paying much attention, as she admired the bush lilies she had nted. *The answer was clear¡­ It was Dng who taught Eng. Without a doubt, Dng betrayed me, and Eng fabricated the private money story to get me¡­ These bastards, even daring to scheme against their father.* Xu Pingzhi said solemnly, ¡°It seems Eng has been having headaches recently.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Auntie looked over, confused, but she was very concerned about her son. ¡°Green oranges can soothe the nerves and relieve headaches, among other benefits. Otherwise, why would anyone sell such sour and bitter things?¡± Xu Pingzhi exined. Green oranges do have medicinal value, but treating headaches was something Uncle Xu made up. After all, his wife, who rarely touched domestic chores and hadn¡¯t read much, wouldn¡¯t be able to see through it. ¡°It must be the stress of the imperial examinations,¡± Auntie said, immediately feeling sorry for her son. ¡°Dearest, Eng is not married yet. As his mother, you need to take good care of him and not just spend your time tending to flowers,¡± Uncle Xu admonished. ¡°This was something Eng gave to Lingyin. I thought it would be a waste to throw it away, so I left it in her room for her to eat after her studies,¡± Auntie exined. ¡°Alright, no more talk. Quickly take the green oranges to the kitchen and have the cooks make soup. Eng will need it when he wakes up. Also, make a bowl for Dng,¡± Xu Pingzhi said, quickly adding: ¡°This soup won¡¯t taste good, so Dng probably won¡¯t want it. You, as his aunt, can¡¯t force him. Have Lingyue make it together. When hees back tonight, he won¡¯t dare refuse.¡± Auntie nodded and swayed her waist as she went to get the green oranges. Just as lunch was prepared at home, Xu Dng returned, removed his Bronze Gong and dagger, tossed them on the ground, and sat by the table, calling out: ¡°Second Uncle, you¡¯re having lunch at home now?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll being home for lunch from now on. I just received my appointment this morning. Starting tomorrow, I¡¯ll be patrolling the inner city instead of the outer city.¡± Xu Pingzhi said rather coldly while sipping his soup. From the outer city to the inner city ¡ª though his title didn¡¯t change, the treatment he received was tantamount to promotion. ¡°That¡¯s good, that¡¯s good!¡± Xu Qian took the bowl and chopsticks handed to him by Lyu¡¯e and thought to himself, *What¡¯s up with Second Uncle today? He looks so unhappy.* At this moment, Xu Xinnian came out, still sleepy. He nced at his older brother, and the two brothers understood each other without words. ¡°Dad, did you and Mom have a fight today?¡± Xu Eng probed, sitting down as he spoke. ¡°Hmph, none of you give me any peace of mind, except for Eng, who truly is his mother¡¯s child.¡± Auntie red at her nephew and son. Xu Eng¡¯s lips curled slightly. Xu Pingzhi calmly looked at Auntie¡¯s personal maid and said, ¡°Lyu¡¯e, go to the kitchen and check if the soup is ready.¡± L¨¹¡¯e obediently responded and walked out of the side hall. ¡°What soup is it?¡± Xu Qian, who had spent all his money the previous night, asked with great interest. ¡°It¡¯s to nourish you and Eng,¡± Auntie replied. Xu Qian and Xu Eng exchanged a nce, feeling something was off. How did Auntie (Mum) know that we needed nourishment? Before long, Lyu¡¯e came in carrying arge pot of soup, and a strong sour smell wafted through the air. Therge porcin bowl was ced on the table, with slices of green oranges floating in the yellowish soup, not even peeled. Auntie personally served Xu Eng some soup,ining, ¡°Eng, why didn¡¯t you tell Mum about your headache? The Spring Examinations are approaching. It¡¯s my fault; I didn¡¯t take good care of you. ¡°This green orange soup is something I specially prepared for you.¡± Green orange soup?! *This¡­ isn¡¯t this the green oranges I bought?* Xu Eng looked bewildered, thinking, *How can green oranges be made into soup? This could kill someone.* ¡°Mom, my headache is just from drinking too much. Last night, I was out with colleagues¡­¡± Xu Eng nced guiltily at his older brother. *Green orange soup¡­ Who came up with this dark cuisine?* Xu Qian almost burst intoughter and said seriously: ¡°Green orange soup is highly nourishing. Eng, you should drink more.¡± ¡°You have some too,¡± Uncle Xu Er said lightly. ¡°This soup was painstakingly prepared by Lingyue and your Auntie.¡± ¡°?¡± A big question mark appeared in Xu Qian¡¯s mind. ¡°I, a dignified warrior at the Refining Spirit level, need this stuff?¡± Xu Qian retorted. ¡°Big Brother!¡± Xu Lingyue said softly, ¡°Just have a bowl. We¡¯ve been cooking it for a long time.¡± Xu Qian couldn¡¯t help but look at his younger brother. His younger brother was also looking at him. The two brothers were hoping the other would rise up in rebellion. ¡°¡­..¡± ¡°Gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp¡­.¡± In the end, both of them drank a big bowl, tears streaming from their eyes, their stomachs churning. ¡°Hahaha, eat up, eat up.¡± Uncle Xu Er sipped his liquor, revealing an innocent smile. Chapter 241: Xu Lingyins Anger Chapter 241: Xu Lingyin''s Anger # 241. Xu Lingyin''s Anger *Damn Xu Eng, it must be because of him. Otherwise, Second Uncle, who cares so much about me, wouldn¡¯t make me drink this awful stuff¡­* Xu Qi''an put down his bowl, wiped away the tears that had been choked out of him, and looked at Xu Eng with a smiling face but inwardly cursing. *It¡¯s all Big Brother¡¯s fault. If he hadn¡¯te up with that lousy idea of making me bring back the green oranges for Lingyin to eat, I, Xu Xinnian, wouldn¡¯t have ended up shooting myself in the foot¡­* Xu Eng frowned secretly, silently cursing his big brother a hundred times. The two brothers lowered their heads to eat, trying to fill their stomachs that were churning with sour water. ¡°Look at them, the two brothers suddenly got their spirits up and are eating so heartily,¡± Second Uncle Xu said, adding fuel to the fire,ughing heartily. Xu Qi''an and Xu Eng ignored this middle-aged man, who looked honest on the outside but was actually an insidious character. After suppressing the urge to vomit with food, Xu Eng slowly let out a breath and slowed down his eating pace. ¡°Cijiu, Big Brother has a question for you.¡± Given that the boat of friendship between him and his little brother was on the verge of sinking, Xu Qi''an was very polite with his words.¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Xu Xinnian, resembling his mother, lifted his chin haughtily. He seemed to remember something and added, ¡°I won¡¯t do anything unreasonable.¡± For instance, the matter of where Big Brother¡¯s Diao Chan[^1] is. This trivial matter had long been forgotten by Xu Qi''an because Fuxiang was very satisfied with his waist strength, so Freeloader Xu was very confident in his abilities and gradually let go of this sudden idea. ¡°You¡¯re well read in history, do you know that Emperor Yuanjing once deposed the Empress?¡± Xu Qi''an asked. ¡°Hey!¡± Xu Pingzhi tapped the edge of his bowl with his chopsticks, producing a clear sound, and warned, ¡°Even at home, you should address His Majesty respectfully to get into the habit, so you don¡¯t identally blurt out something improper outside and cause trouble.¡± Yuanjing was the era name. Using the era name to refer to the emperor was considered very disrespectful, just like many people in the martial world liked to refer to Wei Yuan as Azure Cloak Wei. ¡°Emperor Yuanjing deposed the Empress? Yes, I know, it was said to have caused quite a stir back then,¡± Xu Eng said. ¡°Hey, you¡­¡± Second Uncle Xu looked at his son. But his nephew and son tacitly ignored him and continued their conversation. ¡°Why did he depose the Empress?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. The history books didn¡¯t mention it, but it was quite a big deal at the time. The entire court, both civil and military officials, were passionately remonstrating, and the censors and attendants were so agitated that they almost wanted to climb on top of Emperor Yuanjing to make a point,¡± Xu Eng said, picking up a piece of food with his chopsticks and eating as he spoke: ¡°In the end, the passionate remonstrance was sent back. Although the Empress wasn¡¯t deposed, she was confined to the cold pce and didn¡¯te out until the fourteenth year of Yuanjing.¡± Normally, the emperor¡¯s every word and action, and his demeanour in court, would be recorded by the historians. For the first few years that Emperor Yuanjing was practicing Daoism, the historians¡¯ records were: The Emperor was practicing Daoism, neglecting state affairs! Emperor Yuanjing, after seeing this, was furious and demanded that the historians change their records. The historians, however, were unwilling to be 404¡¯ed even in the face of severe punishment. After three consecutive historians were beaten with rods and one was dismissed, the historians finally bowed in humiliation and changed it to: The Emperor was practicing Daoism without neglecting state affairs. However, inter years, when future generations revised this part of history, Emperor Yuanjing was likely to be reverted to his true colours and even vilified. ¡°So why was she releasedter?¡± Xu Qi''an was too embarrassed to ask Huaiqing about it at the time, after all, it was a painful chapter in her parents¡¯ lives. But then again, whose parents haven¡¯t threatened divorce? ¡°That year, Wei Yuan achieved a great victory against the northern barbarians and returned in triumph. Emperor Yuanjing then granted a general amnesty, and conveniently pardoned the Empress as well,¡± Xu Eng said. *No wonder Yuanjing 13th year sounded so familiar to me. It was the year Wei Yuan became famous¡­ Sorry, Duke Wei, I didn¡¯t mean to disrespect you.* *So that was the year Wei Yuan first showed his remarkable talent. On the way to Yunzhou, Number Four once said that in the 13th year of Yuanjing, after the autumn harvest, Wei Yuan was given the task and led the army north. In just a month and a half, he defeated the northern barbarians¡¯ cavalry.* *No wonder Huaiqing became Wei Yuan¡¯s disciple. It turns out the Empress had received Wei Yuan¡¯s favor¡­* Xu Qi''an suddenly realized. *Although I didn¡¯t figure out why the Empress was deposed, it wasn¡¯t a total loss.* At least Detective Freeloader Xu could deduce from this that even if the Empress made a mistake, it wasn¡¯t a serious one, or else Emperor Yuanjing wouldn¡¯t have pardoned her so conveniently. ¡°Ningyan, if you have time after your meal, go pick up Lingyin.¡± Auntie had an attitude of not getting along with her unlucky nephew, but she was not polite at all when ordering him around. There were only so many introductory books for children, and they couldn¡¯t be made to study all day. Plus, kids are naturally yful, and being confined to the ssroom all day might not be beneficial. So usually, ss ended right after quarter past midday. ¡°Why doesn¡¯t Cijiu go?¡± Xu Qi''an tried to shirk. ¡°Cijiu has to study in the study room in the afternoon,¡± Auntie said, displeased. ¡°I ask you to do something, and you just try to avoid it.¡± Xu Qi''an nced at her, ¡°Auntie, why don¡¯t you return all the silk to me?¡± Auntie squeezed out a sweet smile, ¡°Oh, Ningyan, we¡¯re family. Come on, eat up, eat up. Have a piece of chicken.¡± Ever since Xu Qi''an got promoted, got rich, and bought a new house, Auntie couldn¡¯t stand up straight in front of him. Her words were no longer as firm and confident. After asking for the address, Xu Qi''an continued, ¡°Lingyue, why don¡¯t youe with me? It¡¯ll be a good opportunity to take you sisters for a stroll in the inner city and buy some jewellry or something.¡± Hearing this, Auntie said, ¡°Ningyan, why doesn¡¯t Auntiee along too?¡± *You¡¯re just trying to rip me off, aren¡¯t you¡­* Xu Qi''an scrutinized Auntie¡¯s beautiful face with a questioning look, ¡°Sure, but we¡¯re not buying jewellery.¡± This brat is so stingy¡­ Auntie said with a stern face, ¡°I won¡¯t go then.¡± ¡°Second Uncle, you see, Auntie just wants to take advantage of me. It¡¯s pitiful that I haven¡¯t even married yet. I need to save up for a wife,¡± Xu Qi''an immediatelyined. Second Uncle Xu said helplessly, ¡°Didn¡¯t I just give you fifty taels?¡± ¡°How dare you mention those fifty taels,¡± Auntie said angrily, mming the table. ¡°Where did you get so much silver? Isn¡¯t it given by someone?¡± Xu Qi''an understood. *No wonder Second Uncle was in a bad mood today. It turns out Auntie confiscated his private stash¡­ But you shouldn¡¯t take it out on me.* Heined in his heart. ¡­ Qingyun Hall. The name "Qingyun Hall" has a dual meaning: firstly, it implies "soaring high" in life, and secondly, it rides on the poprity of Qingyun Mountain just outside the capital. The private school was run by an elderly schr named Li Bingyi. At the venerable age of fifty, his eyesight was beginning to fail, which was why he had humbled himself to educate young children. The tuition fees were quite steep and paid every three months. Mr. Li Bingyi had a rule: if there were schrs in the family, the tuition was halved; if there were officials, it was halved again. Of course, this only applied to civil officials, not military officers. Using this rule, Mr. Li Bingyi turned Qingyun Hall into a "primary school of the nobility." Wealthy families, who were not short of money, found this rule interesting as it highlighted their status. Besides, Mr. Li Bingyi was indeed a capable teacher. Thus, families who didn''t have time to teach their children themselves were willing to send them to Qingyun Hall. A month or so ago, Mr. Li Bingyi encountered the biggest challenge of his teaching career: the most difficult student he had ever taught. "Xu Lingyin, stand up!" Mr. Li, standing at the lectern, grabbed a bamboo stick and pounded the desk loudly. There were over twenty young children sitting in the ssroom. In the corner on the east side, a little girl with her hair tied up in a child¡¯s bun obediently stood up. Her features were ordinary, with a round face resembling a bun, but her eyes were bright and spirited. "Recite the _Three Character ssic_," Mr. Li instructed calmly, sitting cross-legged. "When people are born, their nature is good. Their natures are simr..." At this point, the little girl got stuck. Mr. Li was used to this and didn''t get angry. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, "Why is it that after half a month, you can still only recite these three lines?" This kind of slow child wasn''t worth getting angry over. Xu Lingyin responded in a sweet voice, "My dad says, ''Master one thing and it will serve you everywhere.''" *Is that saying even applicable here...?* Mr. Li was taken aback, but then he remembered that this child''s father was a coarse warrior, and so he let it go. "Every day during the readings, you''re the loudest. You have no trouble recognizing the characters. So why, when it''s time to recite, do you freeze up? The sage said, ''Investigate everything and understand its reason.'' Have you reflected on yourself?" Xu Lingyin looked confused, "But sir, you''ve only taught me these three lines." The entire ss burst intoughter. Mr. Li, feeling exhausted, waved his hand, "You may sit down." In this child''s family, only her second brother was a schr, and he was a student at the Cloud Deer Academy. It was really hard to understand how such a diverse set of children coulde from the same household. ncing at the water clock, it was time for lunch. Mr. Li cleared his throat, "You have half an hour for your meal. Remember, do not speak while eating." With that, he left the ssroom and went to the back courtyard for his lunch. The children were immediately freed, chatting andughing as they took out their food from their small cloth bags. Xu Lingyin''s lunch was particrly sumptuous today, with crystal dumplings, plum blossom pastries, fish balls, and some of the best cakes from Guiyuelou. Her meal was two to three times the amount of the other children¡¯s. Xu Lingyin meticulously arranged her food and swallowed, having thought about the food in her bag all morning. No one in the entire ss had a morevish or expensive meal than Xu Lingyin, but there was a reason for her bountiful lunch. Yesterday was the memorial day for Xu Dng. The Xu family had purchased top-quality ingredients for a grand funeral. Who would have thought that Xu Dng would return? After entertaining the Xu n members, there was plenty of delicious food left over. "Your food is mine." A chubby boy approached Xu Lingyin''s desk, looking down at her arrogantly. The chubby boy was the king of the ssroom, the tallest and strongest, a year older than Xu Lingyin, making him seven years old. Not only was he the tallest and strongest, but his family background was also the most prominent. While his parents weren''t notable, his grand-uncle was a Minister of Personnel, a fifth-rank official. The Ministry of Personnel was acknowledged as the foremost of the Six Ministries, and the Personnel Division was responsible for appointments, rivaled only by the Examination Division within the Ministry. "No!" Xu Lingyin protected her food, ring fiercely. "Do you want to get beaten again?" The chubby boy widened his eyes. The bracelet on Xu Lingyin''s wrist was taken by him. At first, the little girl didn¡¯t want to give it up, but after he pushed her to the ground and hit her twice, he took it by force. The foolish little girl neither cried nor made a fuss, as if the bracelet being gone was no big deal. The chubby boy went home and lied to his mother, saying the bracelet was found. His mother was pleased because the bracelet fetched eight taels of silver at the pawnshop. Later, the foolish girl''s mother came to the school to confront him, but since Xu Lingyin didn''t point him out, her fierce mother was turned away by Mr. Li. Thus, the chubby boy knew that taking this "ssmate''s" bracelet was safe. He could make money, and wouldn¡¯t get punished by the adults. For the first few days, he kept staring at Xu Lingyin''s wrist, but after that incident, she stopped wearing bracelets. This foolish girl was easy to bully, but previously not worth bullying. This time was different. The chubby boy recognized the Guiyuelou pastries at a nce. He had been to Guiyuelou and found their pastries to be delicious. The chubby boy wanted to eat her food and was determined to get it. The children in the ss were all afraid of him, and no one dared to go against him. "Go away!" Xu Lingyin yelled, ring and baring her teeth like a little beast protecting its food. The chubby boy was stunned, seemingly not expecting the normally timid girl to suddenly stand up to him, even daring to challenge him. He became angry. ¡°You wanna go?¡± He clenched his fist, gritted his teeth, and swung at Xu Lingyin¡¯s head with all his might,nding two heavy blows. Xu Lingyin clutched her head in pain. The chubby boy pushed her hard, sending her sprawling to the ground. Satisfied, he grabbed the box of pastries and held them proudly in his arms. ¡°If you¡¯d been sensible sooner, you wouldn¡¯t have had to suffer so much. Does your family have any more of these delicious treats? If so, bring them tomorrow.¡± He strutted back to his seat. The children nearby watched the scene, some envious, thinking that if they had joined in earlier, they too would have the delicious snacks now. Xu Lingyin, in her six years of life, had never experienced such an unprecedented surge of anger. She got up quietly, without a word, and walked over to Mr. Li¡¯s lectern, grabbing the hard and thick bamboo stick. ¡°She¡¯s going to hit you with the teacher¡¯s stick,¡± a child behind the chubby boy warned, tapping him on the shoulder. The chubby boy looked up and saw the usually quiet little girl raise the bamboo stick high, her small chest swelling with a powerful shout: ¡°Ya!¡± Crack! The bamboo stick came down hard on the chubby boy¡¯s head, the force so strong that the stick broke on impact. The chubby boy¡¯s eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness, copsing backward, still with a pastry in his mouth. Xu Lingyin¡¯s small hand was reddened by the recoil of the bamboo stick. The children in the school were stunned, some scared, some unsure of what to do. But a clever child quickly ran to the back courtyard to find Mr. Li. Mr. Li was having lunch with his wife, with two maids standing by. ¡°Sir, sir¡­ that silly girl has killed someone.¡± A boy burst in, breathless, shouting with all his might. Li Bingyi, a man of letters with a calm demeanor, frowned and asked, ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°The silly girl beat the chubby boy to death with your bamboo stick,¡± the boy exaggerated, pointing outside. ¡°I¡¯ll go take a look.¡± Mr. Li set down his chopsticks, stood up, and led the boy back to the ssroom. Crossing the inner courtyard, he entered the main hall and saw a group of children surrounding the chubby boy, who was sprawled on the ground, seemingly lifeless. He was immediately startled and called for his wife to help look after the chubby boy, sending a servant to the nearest clinic to fetch a doctor. Fortunately, the school was in a good location, and the clinic was nearby. The doctor arrived quickly. After examining the boy, the doctor¡¯s expression was serious. ¡°He¡¯s not in any mortal danger, but he will need to rest in bed for a few days.¡± Mr. Li was relieved. ¡°How did this child get hurt?¡± the doctor asked. ¡°Just some roughhousing between children¡­¡± ¡°Children¡¯s roughhousing, and yet the injury is this severe?¡± Mr. Li could no longer contain his anger. He grabbed Xu Lingyin by the cor and dragged her over, shouting, ¡°Xu Lingyin, why did you maliciously hurt your ssmate?¡± Xu Lingyin shouted back, ¡°He stole my food.¡± Mr. Li was even angrier. ¡°You nearly beat someone to death just because of that?¡± Xu Lingyin stubbornly replied, ¡°He stole my food.¡± This foolish and stubborn girl pushed Mr. Li to the brink of fury. Just as he was about to reprimand her, a shout came from outside: ¡°Where is my young master? Who bullied our young master?¡± Two strong servants burst in. --- [^1]: Reference to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms Chapter 242: Big Bwother, Am I Your Little Sweetheart Chapter 242: Big Bwother, Am I Your Little Sweetheart # 242. Big Bwother, Am I Your Little Sweetheart Those two servants were familiar to Mr. Li; they were the household staff from the chubby boy¡¯s residence, responsible for picking him up from school. The two had apparently received word from some ¡°little spies¡± outside, informing them that their young master had been beaten, and the situation seemed quite serious since the private school had called a doctor. With a clear goal, they stormed into the inner courtyard and entered the house, immediately spotting the unconscious chubby boy lying on the bed. ¡°Young Master¡­¡± One of the servants gasped and rushed to the bedside, checking for breath¡­ he was alive. Only then did their tense bodies rx, followed by a surge of anger. Even though the young master was beaten in the school, the master and mistress weren¡¯t judges; they would only think that the young master was injured while studying, and the servants responsible for protecting him would be punished. The two servants red at everyone, focusing on Mr. Li, and shouted, ¡°Which little brat beat our young master?¡± Mr. Li coughed and calmly said, ¡°This is a misunderstanding. Please take him home first, and I will personally visitter.¡±He nned to wait for Xu Lingyin¡¯s family to arrive, then discuss going to the residence to apologize. He intended to mediate and resolve the matter peacefully. After all, it was an incident of severe fighting among children in his private school, and it would negatively impact his reputation if it escted. Servants were cruder than martial artists. ¡°Spare me your excuses. All I know is that our young master was beaten. If you don¡¯t hand over the culprit, I¡¯ll report to the authorities,¡± the servant shouted. Another servant blocked the courtyard entrance, preventing anyone from leaving. Mr. Li sneered, ¡°ording to the *Imperial Statutes ¡¤ General Provisions*: ¡®Those under fifteen or with physical disabilities convicted of crimes punishable by exile or below may pay a fine. Those under ten, if convicted of rebellion or homicide and sentenced to death, shall be pardoned upon review; theft and assault are also subject to fines.¡¯ ¡°The government office is half an hour¡¯s walk to the right from the school. Feel free to go and return quickly.¡± In summary, children¡¯s crimes could be substituted with fines. The two servants, unable to argue with Mr. Li on legal grounds, were both furious and angry, rolling up their sleeves to fight. At this Mument, a boy pointed at Xu Lingyin and shouted, ¡°It was her who did it! She used the bamboo stick to beat him.¡± ¡°So, it was you!¡± At this point, the servants finally noticed Mr. Li subtly blocking a little girl. In truth, they hadn¡¯t noticed her at all, as their attention was focused on a few robust-looking boys. The little girl, in and not particrly clever-looking, was thest person they¡¯d suspect of being the culprit. However, upon realizing it, the servant noticed the girl¡¯s sturdy physique, round face, round belly, and round hands and feet. A bundle of strength¡­ ¡°Take her away!¡± One servant picked up the chubby boy, while the other moved to grab Xu Lingyin by the cor. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Mr. Li huffed, ring at them. ¡°Move!¡± The servant pushed him aside, yelling, ¡°I don¡¯t care about yourws; she needs to be held ountable. We¡¯re taking her back to the estate for the master and mistress to deal with. You¡¯d better notify this brat¡¯s family toe to Zhao¡¯s estate to bail her out.¡± He sneered, ¡°If they¡¯rete, missing limbs won¡¯t be our fault.¡± At the very least, she¡¯d get a beating. Hurting their young master couldn¡¯t be settled just with money. Back at the estate, the girl would undoubtedly face a severe punishment. ¡°I won¡¯t go; I won¡¯t go! I want to wait for my Mum.¡± The little one was lifted, kicking in protest. ¡°tui, tui¡­¡± The little one spat at him. ¡°Behave.¡± The servant, already seething, raised his hand to p her. But Mr. Li, quick-eyed and quick-handed, blocked the p. His beard and hair bristled as he roared: ¡°I¡¯m a schr with academic credentials. If you darey a finger on her, I¡¯ll sue you to high heaven!¡± The servant scoffed, ¡°So what if you¡¯re a schr? Every New Year and festival, plenty of schrs and even officialse to our estate. You, old man, are nothing. Move aside.¡± He shoved Mr. Li aside and, with hispanion, walked out. ¡­ Xu Qian rode his horse, trotting along under the warm sun, grumbling: ¡°All this fuss over a damned bracelet. Auntie¡¯s been obsessing over it for so long. Why doesn¡¯t she ask Uncle to handle it?¡± Auntie still insisted oning along, thinking about the bracelet she bought for Xu Lingyin that went missing. Now that Xu Qian was back, she wanted to rely on him to reason with the teacher at the private school. ¡°Recently, His Majesty held the Spring Festival. Your Second Uncle didn¡¯t have time to deal with such trivial matters.¡± She opened the curtain, revealing her sharp chin and lips adorned with bright red lipstick. No matter the era, women confident in their beauty would always wear makeup when going out. ¡°Isn¡¯t Eng back?¡± Xu Qian casually replied. She rolled her eyes at her nephew, ¡°Eng is preparing for the Spring Examinations. His mind isn¡¯t on this. Besides, Eng doesn¡¯t have a title yet. He¡¯s not like you martial artists who can fight. All he has is his eloquence.¡± Xu Qian thought to himself, *Eng¡¯s ¡°eloquence¡± could infuriate a martial artist to the point of spontaneousbustion; it¡¯s very deadly* Poor Eng, despite Auntie¡¯s constant nagging about how ¡°Eng needs to prepare for the Spring Exams,¡± and ¡°Eng, Mother will take good care of you.¡± But in her everyday life, she¡¯d go about her entertainment as usual. At most, she¡¯d give him an extra meal during dinner and offer some verbal concern. *A mother as unique as Auntie in this era was truly rare¡­* Xu Qian kept quiet, taking in the scenery along the street. He thought of his maternal grandfather, who probably knew his daughter wasn¡¯t cut out to be a noblewoman in a wealthy family. So, he married her off to a household of modest background that would cherish her beauty, rather than letting her suffer in a noble family. Thus, she wasn¡¯t taught to read or write. Auntie closed the curtain, leaned toward Xu Lingyue, and whispered, ¡°After picking up Lingyin, Lingyue, take your big brother to the jewelry store for a stroll.¡± ¡°And then help Mum buy some jewelry, right?¡± Xu Lingyue nced at her mother. ¡°No need, I¡¯ll choose for myself,¡± Auntie said. ¡°¡­.¡± Xu Lingyue sighed, ¡°Mum thinks big brother is more reliable, right? That¡¯s why as soon as he¡¯s back, you¡¯re eager to have him stand up for justice.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t say that,¡± Auntie denied. Xu Lingyue smiled, not exposing her. In this family, even though Second Brother had a promising future, he hadn¡¯t yet made a name for himself. Father, after years in the bureaucracy, had be a seasoned official, not easily angered or prone to making enemies. Relying on him to make a fuss over a bracelet was impossible. Only Big Brother was bold and shameless. Plus, as a Nightwatcher, he held real power. Coupled with his extensive connections, he wasn¡¯t afraid of trouble. But after all these years of fighting with Big Brother, Auntie would never admit she relied on her unlucky nephew. They soon arrived at the private school. The carriage stopped by the roadside, and the driver took down a small wooden stool, saying, ¡°Madam, Miss, we¡¯re here.¡± Auntie and Lingyue lifted the curtain and got out of the carriage. Xu Qi¡¯an said, ¡°I¡¯ll go tie up the horse and buy some snacks for Lingyin, Auntie, and Lingyue; you two go in first.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you just buy them after we pick her up?¡± Auntie asked, holding her daughter''s hand. *The surprise is different, especially for a little foodie¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an smiled and didn¡¯t exin. Auntie pursed her lips and, along with Xu Lingyue, entered the private school. As soon as they walked in, Auntie heard her youngest daughter crying and saw her being carried out by a burly man. Xu Lingyin struggled hard but couldn¡¯t break free from the adult¡¯s grasp. ¡°Who are you, and what are you doing with my daughter?¡± Auntie blocked the two servants, her eyebrows raised in anger. ¡°Mum, Mum, they¡¯re bad people, they¡¯re bad people. Tell Big Bwother to beat them up,¡± Xu Lingyin shouted, spitting enthusiastically at the servants in between her cries. ¡°Are you this girl¡¯s mother?¡± The servant looked Auntie up and down, unable to take his eyes off her; he had never seen such a beautiful woman in his life. Then, his gaze fell on Xu Lingyue, and he was even more surprised. However, seeing no servants apanying Auntie and Xu Lingyue, the servant felt relieved and put on a fierce face: ¡°Your girl hurt our young master, so we¡¯re taking her away.¡± Of course, Auntie wouldn¡¯t agree. She blocked their way, but the servant was more of a scoundrel. He deliberately used his body to push Auntie, forcing her to step back. The other servant followed suit, pushing Xu Lingyue. The two servantsughed wildly. Xu Lingyue, flustered and panicked, backed up to the courtyard gate, stumbled over the threshold, and fell with a cry, bumping into a warm, solid shoulder. She turned to see Xu Qi¡¯an and immediately teared up, ¡°Big Brother¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an, holding a skewer of fried fish balls and a meat pie, steadied Xu Lingyue and squinted at the two servants, ¡°She¡¯s my sister.¡± With a man now supporting them, Auntie felt relieved and leaned towards her nephew. The servants stopped their ruckus but remained adamant, ring at Xu Qi¡¯an: ¡°Your sister injured our young master; he¡¯s barely hanging on to life.¡± In fact, the doctor had exined earlier that there was no danger to his life. But the servants wouldn¡¯t admit it; maintaining the moral high ground was the key to speaking with confidence. Even vige bumpkins know that trick. ¡°A disgrace, a disgrace to schrhood!¡± At this moment, Mr. Li also came out, relieved to see Auntie. ¡°Mr. Li, what¡¯s going on here?¡± Auntie asked loudly. Mr. Li exined the situation and sighed, ¡°Your family is indeed at fault. Please give this old man some face and resolve this matter peacefully.¡± *So, it was about food being snatched away¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded and said, ¡°Alright, put my sister down, and go call the boy¡¯s parents over.¡± He figured they¡¯d have to paypensation, but as long as the little one didn¡¯t suffer, that was fine. Xu Qi¡¯an was always a reasonable person. ¡°Screw you you son of a ¡­¡± The servant holding Xu Lingyin let out a torrent of swear words and said, ¡°What if you run off? We must take this girl. Even if the jade emperor himself came, it wouldn¡¯t matter.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be rash, don¡¯t be rash. How about this, I¡¯ll go with you to the Zhao residence¡­¡± Mr. Li quickly tried to mediate. Before he could finish, he felt a blur in front of his eyes; the young man¡¯s figure disappeared. Then, there was a loud pping sound from behind, followed by a heavy thud, as if someone had fallen. The old man immediately turned around and saw the young man holding Xu Lingyin under his arm, with a servant lying at his feet, unconscious. A few broken teeth were scattered on the ground, and blood was flowing. ¡°Pah, for a mere servant to be so arrogant. Let¡¯s see who your master really is.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an was always a very reasonable person. The other servant, holding a child, was spared Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s wrath. He red at him, ¡°Go fetch your master.¡± The servant, wary of Xu Qi¡¯an, silently ran off. ¡°Big Bwother!¡± Xu Lingyin stopped crying instantly. Held upside down under Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s arm, she wriggled like a fish. Auntie, displeased with how her daughter was being handled, took Xu Lingyin and carefully checked her, ¡°Are you hurt anywhere?¡± Xu Lingyin nonchntly rubbed her head, ¡°My head hurts. He punched me twice.¡± Auntie¡¯s face darkened. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s eyes narrowed, ¡°Who hit you, that little fatty or an adult?¡± ¡°The little fatty.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an let out a casual ¡°Oh,¡± walked over to Li Bingyi, and asked, ¡°Sir, how do you think we should handle this?¡± He wanted to get the schoolmaster¡¯s opinion first. Li Bingyi pondered, ¡°Zhao Que was somewhat injured; I reckon he¡¯ll be bedridden for a few days. Be polite andpensate them to resolve it. That kid¡¯s great uncle is a director of the Selection Division in the Ministry of Revenue.¡± The implication was clear: you can¡¯t match their background. If this esctes, you¡¯ll lose. ¡°We¡¯re not paying,¡± Auntie, hands on her hips, stood her ground with her nephew backing her up, ¡°Who cares what director he is.¡± ¡°He¡¯s a proper fifth-rank official,¡± Li Bingyi said. ¡°Xu Ningyan, let¡¯s go home,¡± Auntie said, turning to her nephew. *Do we really have to back down so quickly¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an, annoyed, said, ¡°Why go home? If theye to our house, it¡¯ll be even more embarrassing. We should settle it here.¡± After an hour, more parents came to pick up their children. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s ears perked up, picking up on the sound of noisy footsteps. The servant had returned, apanied by a middle-aged man dressed as a wealthy gentleman, a woman adorned in gold and jewels, looking like a noblewoman in her thirties. And about a dozen servants wielding sticks. ¡°Master, that¡¯s the girl who hit the young master. And that guy over there, not only did he cover for her, but he also attacked one of us,¡± the servantined. As soon as the noblewoman saw Xu Qi¡¯an and the others, she started hurling insults. The middle-aged man, suppressing his anger, looked Xu Qi¡¯an up and down, ¡°Who are you, and which office does your elder work in?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied, ¡°I am Xu Qi¡¯an, and¡­¡± He didn¡¯t get to finish saying ¡°Nightwatcher¡± before the middle-aged man cut him off coldly, ¡°I asked about your elders.¡± ¡°My uncle, Xu Pingzhi, is a Baihu of the Imperial Guard.¡± The middle-aged man dragged out an ¡°Oh,¡± clearly unimpressed. Just the daughter of a mere Baihu of the Imperial Guard dared to injure his precious son. This matter wouldn¡¯t end so easily. ¡°I¡¯ll give you two choices: one, pay 500 taels of silver inpensation. Two, I¡¯ll take this girl to the authorities.¡± ¡°Five hundred taels?¡± Auntie eximed, ¡°Even if your son were killed, it wouldn¡¯t be worth that much. Don¡¯t even think about it.¡± ¡°Wench, watch your mouth,¡± the noblewoman, who had just paused her tirade, was enraged again, pointing at Auntie and spitting out her words, ¡°Look at this family, not a single decent person among them. No wonder the daughter is so wild, with a seductive mother like that. They¡¯re all no good.¡± Auntie, hands on her hips, retorted coldly, ¡°Look at yourself, all twisted and ugly, and you still dare to show your face? Pah! I spit on you!¡± The woman was furious and rushed forward, raising her hand to p Auntie. Auntie let out a sharp scream. ¡°p!¡± Xu Qian pped the woman hard, making her stagger and her face turn bright red. ¡°You¡­¡± The woman red angrily. ¡°p!¡± Xu Qian pped her again. The woman lost her bnce, fell to the ground, and cried out, ¡°Husband, why are you still waiting? I¡¯m going to be beaten to death!¡± The middle-aged man was already simmering with anger. Seeing that the situation couldn¡¯t be resolved peacefully, he frowned and waved his hand, ¡°Get them!¡± The servants rushed forward. The woman pointed at Auntie and screamed, ¡°Beat this wench to death!¡± Xu Qian pulled Auntie and Lingyue behind him and kicked the leading servant. The baton flew out of the servant¡¯s hands, and the over one-hundred-pound man was sent flying out onto the street. He used a clever technique with that kick. The group of servants all stopped in their tracks, gripping their batons and not daring to advance. That kick¡¯s power wasn¡¯t something an ordinary person could manage¡ªthis guy was clearly trained. *So, he¡¯s a martial artist¡­* The middle-aged man whispered a few words to a servant beside him, who immediately ran off. ¡°This is the capital; violence won¡¯t solve your problems. Young man, your sister injured someone; you have to provide an exnation,¡± the middle-aged man said with a dark expression. ¡°Your son also snatched my sister¡¯s food,¡± Xu Qian smirked. Auntie was soothing her youngest daughter whileforting the frightened Lingyue. She looked up at Xu Qian and felt a strong sense of security. It wasn¡¯t for nothing that I raised him. ¡°He¡¯s just a child. What child doesn¡¯t have a sweet tooth? Why are you being so petty with a kid? Aren¡¯t you ashamed?¡± the woman said loudly, though she was somewhat apprehensive and didn¡¯t dare to be too aggressive. Xu Qian ignored her. ¡°So, what do you want?¡± the middle-aged man asked. ¡°Your son first stole my sister¡¯s food and then hit her. Therefore, I¡¯m only willing to pay ten taels of silver,¡± Xu Qian stated his stance. He could reason things out both logically and physically, but it was a fact that Xu Lingyin had hurt someone, even if there was a reason. Based on his past experience as a police officer in his previous life, such incidents should be judged based on the extent of injuries. However, it was just a matter of paying somepensation; there was no way he would pay more. The middle-aged man sneered. After a moment of confrontation, a team of city guards arrived. Leading them was a middle-aged man with piercing eyes and a serious face. Three guards followed behind him. He quickly surveyed the crowd in the courtyard and said in a deep voice, ¡°What¡¯s going on here?¡± The servant who had reported the incident imed that someone was causing trouble, but the constable of the guards hadn¡¯t made up his mind yet. ¡°I am Zhao Shen, and my uncle is a bureau director in the Ministry of Personnel,¡± the middle-aged man said with a bow. The constable of the guards quickly returned the salute, ¡°Master Zhao.¡± The middle-aged man nodded out of habit and pointed at Xu Qian, ¡°This man is encouraging his sister to seriously injure my son and even attacked my servants. Please, officer, uphold justice.¡± The constable stared at Xu Qian for a moment. The man was handsome and seemed familiar, but he couldn¡¯t remember where he had seen him before. ¡°Arrest him.¡± Two guards pulled out ropes and approached Xu Qian. ¡°Constable, are you sure you want to listen to a one-sided story?¡± Xu Qian frowned. The constable raised his hand, signaling the guards to stop, ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°What else is there to say? My son just took a bit of his sister¡¯s food, and that wicked girl beat him up. He not only refused to admit his mistake but also hurt my servants. Is there no justice?¡± the woman cried out. The constable looked at Mr. Li and the doctor who hadn¡¯t left yet. ¡°It¡¯s true, but the Zhao family¡¯s arrogance was also quite extreme,¡± Mr. Li gave a bnced response. The doctor added, ¡°That child will have to stay in bed for a few days to recover.¡± The constable nodded slowly. It was normal for the family to be angry when their child was hurt. ¡°Arrest him!¡± the constable said sternly. Seeing the officers trying to arrest her big brother, the little one got angry and shouted, ¡°He was the one who first stole my food. Tui tui tui¡­¡± She spat at the guards, trying to prevent them from arresting her brother. ¡°He even took my bracelet,¡± Xu Lingyin cried out. ¡°What?!¡± Auntie was shocked and furious. So, the one who stole the bracelet was that little boy from this family. Thinking about how he had snatched Lingyin¡¯s food today and punched her, Auntie¡¯s eyes turned red as she gritted her teeth: ¡°This is too much, too much.¡± Huh? Xu Qian was stunned. He turned and asked, ¡°Was the bracelet also taken by that little brat?¡± Xu Lingyin nodded vigorously, ¡°Yes, Big Bwother.¡± If this conflict was just a squabble between children, Xu Qian naturally wouldn¡¯t hold it against a kid and would just pay some medical expenses to settle it. That¡¯s why he hadn¡¯t revealed his identity or used his status to oppress them. But clearly, the situation wasn¡¯t like that. That brat wasn¡¯t bullying Xu Lingyin for the first time. He was clearly venting his violence on her because she seemed easy to pick on. He just happened to hit a wall this time, triggering Xu Lingyin¡¯s fierce retaliation. This was bullying and couldn¡¯t be tolerated. ¡°So, it was your child all along, bullying my sister and stealing her priceless bracelet. This time, seeing her food was expensive, he tried to snatch it and then hit my sister,¡± Xu Qian grinned: ¡°And now, you¡¯re using your power to ckmail me for five hundred taels of silver.¡± ¡°What bracelet?¡± The middle-aged man snorted, ¡°This is baseless.¡± His wife¡¯s eyes flickered as she seemed to think of something. Xu Qian turned to the constable of the guards and said, ¡°Officer, here¡¯s what happened: the Zhao family¡¯s boy repeatedly bullied my sister and stole her jade bracelet. This time, he snatched her food, and my sister couldn¡¯t bear it, so she fought back. ¡°That bracelet was of considerable value. You should arrest them, not me. Please help me retrieve the stolen item.¡± The woman shouted, ¡°What bracelet? Nonsense! My son is well-behaved and educated. How could he do such a thing? Master, not only did they injure our son, but they¡¯re also ndering us.¡± The middle-aged man¡¯s face darkened, and he bowed, ¡°Officer, please arrest this man. I will ask my uncle toe and ensure justice is served.¡± Thatst statement was crucial. The constable, upon hearing it, no longer hesitated and ordered, ¡°Arrest him and take him to the magistrate¡¯s office.¡± Just as he finished speaking, he saw the young man in front of him take out something yellowish-orange from his pocket and toss it over. The constable instinctively wanted to dodge, but as the golden object spun through the air, he caught sight of it. His face changed drastically, and as he caught it, he knelt with a thud. He held the gold medallion in both hands, his voice trembling, ¡°S- sir¡­¡± As a constable in the city¡¯s police force, he often assisted the chief constable in handling significant cases and had seen the pce¡¯s gold token a few times. *What¡¯s going on?* The Zhao couple''s expressions changed instantly. Although they didn''t recognize the golden token, the head constable''s reaction served as the best reference. *Weren''t the elders in the family said to be a Baihu in the Imperial Guards? What''s going on? Does this kid have a high status? Why didn''t he say so earlier?* As these questions shed through their minds, they quickly remembered their uncle, a fifth-ranked official in the Ministry of Personnel''s Selection Division, whose authority couldmand respect even from fourth-ranked officials. This thought brought them some peace of mind. Xu Qi''an stared at the head constable and asked, "What''s your name?" The head constable kept his head down, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead as he reflected on his earlier choices. "This subordinate is Zhu Ying." Xu Qi''an nodded. "I am investigating a case by imperial decree, and this is the golden token bestowed by His Majesty. Zhu Ying, you are a talented person. I appreciate you and have decided to involve you in this case. You will safeguard the token for me." He paused before adding, with a hint of menace, "Lose the medallion, and your entire family will face execution." A bead of sweat the size of a bean rolled down, hitting the ground. Zhu Ying trembled as he responded, "This subordinate epts the order." Xu Qi''an nodded in satisfaction. "Continue kneeling." Then, he pointed to the Zhao couple andmanded, "Take these two away." This order was directed at the three bailiffs. The three young bailiffs looked at Zhu Ying, who kept his head lowered, both angry and anxious. His voice trembled as he barked, "What are you standing around for? Carry out the order!" The bailiffs quickly restrained the Zhao couple. "My uncle is a fifth-ranked official in the Ministry of Personnel''s Selection Division! Fifth rank!" Zhao Shen eximed in a mix of anger and shock. One bailiff hit him with the scabbard, and only after being struck did he quiet down, turning to shout at his family servants, "Go fetch my uncle!" Xu Qi''an, leading his aunt and sisters away from the school, sighed, "We can''t y today. I need to go back to the Nightwatchers Constabry to handle this matter. Auntie, would you like toe with me, or return home first?" Auntie nced at Little Pea, and considering it involved her daughter, she gritted her teeth and said, "To the constabry." Those two earlier were too hateful. Going home now would only make me angrier. ¡­ After they left, Mr. Li reflected on his earlier actions, feeling somewhat relieved as he confirmed he had not made any mistakes. He approached the constable, still kneeling, and asked, "Sir, that esteemed¡­ gentleman earlier, which department is he from, and what rank?" "I don''t know," Constable Zhu, filled with regret, wished he could draw his sword and end it all, muttering, "What does rank matter? That was a golden token, do you understand?" *A golden token...* Mr. Li''s body trembled, and his hands shook. *That silly girl''s family has such a person?!* He felt incredibly fortunate for his fair treatment andck of bias towards the Zhao family, otherwise, his reputation and life might have been forfeit. With this realization, he looked at Constable Zhu with a gaze full of pity. ¡­ On the way to the Nightwatchers Constabry, Xu Qi''an rode with Xu Lingyin in his arms. She held a meat pie in one hand and a bag of fried fish balls in the other, eating happily. "About what just happened... Lingyin, do you feel satisfied?" Xu Qi''an tested, "Big brother helped you beat them. They won''t escape unscathed." In cases of bullying, the most upsetting part isn''t just the physical hurt but the psychological scars left on a young heart. "Lingyin, Lingyin?" Xu Qi''an nudged his sister. Xu Lingyin looked up from her food with her big, bright eyes, "What did Big Bwother say?" "Do you feel satisfied?" "Mhm." "Do you know what satisfaction means?" "Mhm." "Big brother helped you teach a lesson to that chubby kid''s parents." "Mhm." "Your second brother died." "Mhm." "¡­" *She''s just brushing me off. I''m so foolish, really. I can''t believe I''m worried about this silly child''s mental health.* They continued for a while, and after Xu Lingyin finished eating, she frowned and looked up, saying, "Big brother, I¡­" Xu Qi''an lowered his head, concerned, "What''s wrong?" Xu Lingyin suddenly vomited into his arms, then looked regretfully and said, "I feel like throwing up." "Why didn''t you say so earlier?" Xu Qi''an''s mouth twitched. "It''s the same if I say it after." "It''s not the same at all." "I think it is." "No, it''s not about what you think, it''s about what I think. You should have mentioned feeling ufortable because of the horse ride¡­ Forget it, I''ll deal with you when we get home." Xu Qi''an was exasperated. "Then I''ll just eat again." Xu Lingyin blinked her eyes, seeking her big brother''s approval. "You¡­" Xu Qi''an was heartbroken, "How could my Xu family have such a silly, greedy child?" He turned his head towards the carriage and shouted, "Auntie, your daughter just vomited on me. Pass me your handkerchief." Auntie lifted the curtain, gave a disdainful look, and handed over a handkerchief. Xu Lingyue was shocked, "Mom, that''s my handkerchief!" "I know, Lingyin vomited, so let Dng wipe himself." "¡­ Why not use yours?" Xu Lingyueined. "It¡¯s gross." "¡­" Auntie changed the topic, frustrated, "I was just too soft-hearted earlier. I should have blocked that shrew''s p and hit her back, instead of hiding behind your big brother. The more I think about it, the angrier I get." Many people often regret not responding better during such moments, leading to increasing frustration. Xu Lingyin watched her big brother clean off her mess andmented, "They came out on their own." "Don''t worry, you got your money''s worth." Xu Qi''an patted her head, "You can have lunch again, unlike usual when it''s just once. From now on, eat and throw up; your belly will never be full, so you can always keep eating." "Really?" Xu Lingyin''s eyes sparkled with excitement, thinking her big brother was indeed smart. "Really." Xu Qi''an nodded. *Although, you might end up being scolded half to death by your mother.* "Big brother, am I your little sweetheart?" Xu Lingyin asked. Xu Qi''an was surprised, "Where did thate from? You¡¯re blunter than big brother." Little Pea replied, "Last night, I heard Dad call Mom ''sweetheart,'' but no one ever calls me that." "That''s because you''re not a little sweetheart." Little Pea looked disappointed, "Then what am I?" Xu Qi''an lowered his head, scrutinizing his chubby little sister, "You''re a fatty sweetheart." ¡­ Before long, they arrived at the Nightwatchers Constabry. Chapter 243: Wei Yuans Astonishment Chapter 243: Wei Yuan''s Astonishment # 243. Wei Yuan''s Astonishment From ancient times, the people have had a natural reverence for officials. Looking at the imposing government constabry, the sword-bearing guards, and the serious-looking Nightwatchersing and going, Auntie and Xu Lingyue felt a bit intimidated. It was Auntie¡¯s first time visiting the constabry, and she was very nervous. She held Xu Lingyin tightly in her arms, rubbing her vigorously to ease her tension. The little girl¡¯s face changed into various shapes under Auntie¡¯s hands. Xu Lingyue quietly moved closer to Xu Qi''an. "Ningyan¡­" A somewhat familiar Bronze Gong came over to greet them, his gaze lingering on Auntie and Xu Lingyue, clearly drawn by their beauty. "This is my sister," Xu Qi''an nodded, introducing Xu Lingyue. The Bronze Gong immediately smiled in acknowledgment, then looked at Auntie, ¡°Is this your older sister?¡±Auntie was momentarily stunned, then her face lit up, her eyes curving into crescent moons. Xu Qi''an rolled his eyes, "Have you ever seen a 36-year-old older sister?" ¡°Xu Ningyan!¡± Auntie said, trembling with anger. Her age had been revealed! Auntie took a deep breath, telling herself not to get angry¡­ she had to maintain herposure in front of others and resist the urge to w her nephew¡¯s face. The Bronze Gong took a few more reluctant nces at Auntie and Xu Lingyue before walking away. Xu Qi''an led the three female family members to Chunfeng Hall. Along the way, they encountered many colleagues who warmly greeted Xu Qi''an, with several mistaking Auntie for Xu Qi''an¡¯s older sister. A roundaboutpliment about her youth and beauty. Reaching the side hall of the Chunfeng Hall, he ordered the clerks to serve tea and water, which immediately calmed Auntie¡¯s nerves. Sheughed and said, "Every Nightwatcher in the office is handsome and speaks so nicely." *Auntie, that sounds a bit odd¡­* Xu Qi''an thought to himself, "I¡¯m going to go wait at the entrance to the constabry for a moment." He waited at the entrance for a quarter of an hour before three prefecture office bailiffs and the Zhao couple arrived. ¡°Sir, the suspects are here,¡± the young bailiff said respectfully, cupping his hands. ¡°Hmm!¡± Xu Qi''an nodded, took the rope, and said, "Wait here, I¡¯ll take the suspects to the dungeon and return the ropeter." The Zhao couple was scared out of their wits. In the capital, who didn¡¯t know the reputation of the Nightwatchers? More so, everyone knew that the Nightwatchers'' dungeon was a ce of no return. Even if one managed toe out, they would be scarred for life, spending the rest of their days in pain. This was all Nangong Qianrou¡¯s doing. He single-handedly created the notorious reputation of the Nightwatchers¡¯ dungeon. Zhao Shen¡¯s wife copsed on the ground, crying and shouting, ¡°I won¡¯t go into the Nightwatchers¡¯ constabry. Just kill me, kill me.¡± This woman was clearly used to throwing tantrums at home. Her nature was hard to change. Even in the Nightwatchers¡¯ office, she remained as unreasonable and defiant as ever. Xu Qi''an¡¯s gaze sharpened as he snatched the scabbard from a guard and gave her a hard smack. Thud¡­ the woman spat out three big teeth, her mouth full of blood. She covered her face, seemingly stunned by the blow. ¡°If you want to die, it¡¯s not difficult. I¡¯ll fulfill your wishter,¡± Xu Qi''an sneered. ¡°When you were bullying others, did you ever think you¡¯d end up like this?¡± With that, he yanked the rope and dragged the couple into the office. The three bailiffs remained where they were. One of them suddenly said, "Doesn¡¯t that sir look familiar?" ¡°¡­ Sir Xu? Before constable Lyu was promoted, I worked with her and had seen Sir Xu once. He¡¯s changed a lot. I almost didn¡¯t recognise him." ¡°I¡¯ve seen him too. No wonder he looked familiar. Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be dead? Back then, Constable Lyu was in a terrible mood, alwaysshing out.¡± ¡­¡­¡­.. Along the way, the Bronze Gongs watched and joked, "What kind of suspects is Sir Xu escorting? They¡¯re crying their eyes out." Xu Qi''an replied, "Two bullies who abused their power. Today, they¡¯ll taste the consequences of their actions." Upon reaching the Nightwatchers'' exclusive dungeon, "ng¡­" the door opened, and the dark, damp air rushed out. Zhao Shen¡¯s face turned pale, his eyes filled with despair and terror. This was the moment he regretted the most in his life. He never expected a small matter to lead to such a disaster. The woman finally broke down, crying, "I pawned the bracelet. I¡¯ll pay you back, just don¡¯t put me in the dungeon¡­" Zhao Shen widened his eyes, looking at his wife. He finally understood the reason for the mysterious man¡¯s anger. It turned out his son had been bullying the man¡¯s sister repeatedly. It turned out the bracelet theft was real, and his wife knew everything. It¡¯s over. Caught by the Nightwatchers, even officials with rank would be scared, let alone him. Would his uncle dare to offend the Nightwatchers for his sake? He regretted not rifying the matter first, not handling it properly, and relying on his uncle¡¯s power to bully somemoners and low-ranking officials. Zhao Shen burst into tears, muttering, "It¡¯s over, it¡¯s over¡­" Suddenly, he flew into a rage, kicking his wife to the ground and cursing, ¡°It¡¯s all your fault, it¡¯s all your fault¡­¡± He kicked and cursed, wishing he could divorce her, provided he could get out alive. The woman wailed loudly. Xu Qi''an summoned the jailor to imprison the couple, then called for the warden and instructed, "For the couple that was just locked up, show them some colour, but keep to the limits." "About those limits... do you want them to stay alive or just keep their legs?" the warden asked, feeling troubled. "... Just keep them alive, but make sure they get a beating every day. Be careful not to break any limbs; I still have use for them. Understand?" With this, the jailor understood Xu Qi''an only wanted to give them a hard time, and make their stay in prison an unpleasant affair. *That''s all? This is the Nightwatchers'' prison, after all,* the jailor thought. Such a minor matter wouldn''t usually warrant imprisonment here. "This is called ¡®reform throughbour¡¯. As a Nightwatcher, it''s my duty to safeguard the capital and serve the Emperor''s trust by educating the ignorant." "You are wise, sir." After leaving the dungeon, Xu Qi''an spent time chatting with his Auntie and sister in Chunfeng Hall until a ck-d clerk reported that an official iming to be a Director from the Department of Personnel requested an audience. This was within Xu Qi''an''s expectations. The concept of family lineage in this world was much stronger than in his past life. In the past, if a nephew encountered such troubles, it was uncertain how much an uncle would help. After all, Xu Qi''an was no ordinary Nightwatcher; he was one holding a gold token. "Bring him to Chunfeng Hall," Xu Qi''an instructed. He then left the side room and entered Li Yuchun''s "office," sitting in his chair. *I should be a Silver Gong soon. With ten Bronze Gong spots avable, who should I recruit? One for my Second Uncle, one for Auntie, one for Eng, one for Lingyue, and oh, Lingyin needs one too. Haha, the whole family can get paid for doing nothing,* he mused to himself. The doorway darkened as a clerk led in an official with a goatee, who was over fifty, dressed in a blue official robe with a silver pheasant embroidered on the chest, and a grey streak in his hair beneath the official hat. As he stepped into Chunfeng Hall, the usually stern and silent elder official broke into a spring-like smile. "Sir Xu, I''ve heard of your great name for a long time. Ah, my humble position has never afforded me the chance to meet you. I''ve heard you''re a frequent guest of the Imperial Study." Xu Qi''an responded indifferently, "If you wanted to see me, you could have just visited the Jiaofangsi." Director Zhao was taken aback. Xu Qi''anughed heartily, "Lord Zhao, you''re easier to tease than the girls at the Jiaofangsi... haha, please sit. Someone, serve tea." Director Zhao''s remarks, seeminglyplimentary, actually suggested that Xu Qi''an was troublesome and made many enemies. Xu Qi''an, on the other hand,pared him to a courtesan. After this verbal skirmish without any real blows, the clerk served hot tea, and Lord Zhao, after a sip, got straight to the point: "Sir Xu, may I ask what crime my unworthy nephew hasmitted?" "The matter is quite serious!" Xu Qi''an replied with a troubled expression, as if concerned for Director Zhao, ¡°He directed his son tomit acts of extortion and robbery, and after the incident, he gathered servants to plot harm against me and my family. "Lord Zhao, as colleagues in the court, we should give each other face, but... thew shows no mercy!" Having navigated the bureaucracy for years, Director Zhao remainedposed, even showing a hint of regret: "It''s my fault for not keeping him in line, allowing him to act recklessly." He then pulled out a banknote from his sleeve and ced it on the table, sincerely apologising, "Sir Xu, please be lenient." Xu Qi''an nced at it. The amount was a hundred taels. He sighed, "My sister was slightly hurt." Director Zhao pulled out another note. Xu Qi''an sighed, "My Auntie was slightly hurt." Director Zhao pulled out another note. Xu Qi''an sighed, "My sister was slightly hurt." "But Sir Xu, your sister was already hurt." "Oh, I have two sisters." Director Zhao pulled out another note. Xu Qi''an sighed, "I was also slightly hurt." Director Zhao''s mouth twitched as he took out another hundred taels. "The bracelet that was lost was a gift from the Emperor..." Another note. Now, five hundred taelsy on the table. Even Director Zhao, with his decades of experience in the officialdom, couldn''t help but twitch his mouth. Xu Qi''an didn''t push further, not because he wanted to stop, but because Zhao Shen had earlier extorted five hundred taels. Now, he was merely returning the favor. "Well, I forgive them," Xu Qi''an carefully collected the banknotes and pocketed them. "Then... Sir Xu, please release them." Director Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. "That won''t do," Xu Qi''an shook his head. Director Zhao''s face suddenly darkened. Xu Qi''an took a sip of tea, smiling, "Debts must be repaid, and there''s interest too. These five hundred taels are the interest; you haven''t paid the principal yet." Director Zhao stared at him intently, then took a deep breath, "What do you want, Sir Xu?" He was a powerful Director, in charge of the deployment of officials. This authority was quite significant, determining the fate of government officials across the country. Apart from the Commanders, the Ministers, and the Censors, the appointment of all other local officials had to pass through the Department of Personnel. But Xu Qi''an was a unique case. The Nightwatchers were an institution established to monitor officials, inherently conflicting with his position. Besides, appointments didn''t fall under his department. Moreover, this young man was a tough nut to crack. He had the backing of Wei Yuan and was frequently entrusted by the Emperor with cases. Even the ministers on the court, while secretly spitting at him in their hearts, could do nothing about him. "It''s not a big deal, really. Come, Lord Zhao, have a seat," Xu Qi''an gestured for him to sit and raised his teacup in a toast. When Director Zhao reluctantly sipped his tea, Xu Qi''an asked with a smile: "I hear the Department of Personnel is in charge of appointing officials?" Director Zhao nodded. "In a few days, the Spring Examinations will be held. My cousin, who is exceptionally talented, will undoubtedly pass with flying colours," Xu Qi''an said. "In that case, what does Sir Xu need from me? You can rest assured," Director Zhao understood his implication. "Well..." Xu Qi''an chuckled, "He''s a disciple of Cloud Deer Academy." *A Cloud Deer Academy disciple?* Director Zhao frowned deeply. "Don''t worry, I won''t make things difficult for you. Just ensure that after the Spring Examinations, he''s retained in the capital and treated the same as other schrs. I''ll be immensely grateful," Xu Qi''an coaxed. "Your nephew and niece-inw will naturally be released by then. I won''t hold it against them, and as for the Emperor''s bracelet, let''s just say it was lost." From the moment Li mentioned that the backing was the Director from the Department of Personnel, Xu Qi''an had this n in mind. *This was a transaction...* Director Zhao pondered for a long time before slowly nodding, "Alright, I hope Sir Xu keeps his promise." Seeing Director Zhao off, Xu Qi''an exhaled and thought, *Eng, of all my siblings, you''re the one I dote on the most.* With that, he headed to the Tower of Noble Spirit. The guard downstairs, seeing Xu Qi''an, said with a hint of resentment and sarcasm, "Sir Xu Qian, you''re here again. I heard your big brother came back from the dead?" Xu Qi''an nced at him, "Who is Xu Qian? I''m Xu Xinnian. Stop the nonsense and go report." The guard hurriedly went upstairs and soon returned, saying, "Lord Wei invites you up." ... Seventh Floor. Wei Yuan stood before a terrain map, lost in thought. Upon hearing footsteps, he didn¡¯t turn around and casually asked, "Did Director Zhao from the Department of Personnel Selectione to see you?" *Coming to the Tower of Noble Spirit was indeed the right decision¡­* Xu Qi''an cupped his hands, "Nothing escapes Lord Wei." Wei Yuan nodded but still didn¡¯t turn around. "What¡¯s the matter?" Xu Qi''an briefly described the course of events, "If nothing unexpected happens, my second brother will be exiled to a deste ce. My second uncle only has one son; how can he be treated like this?" With a slight smile, Wei Yuan asked, "Why not ask me for help?" Silence was his response, and Wei Yuan did not press him. After a long pause, Xu Qi''an frankly replied, "I want to leave a path for the Xu family; he shouldn¡¯t be in the same camp as me." After a pause, he added, "I owe a great debt to Lord Wei, and I will not hesitate to charge forward." Often, circumstances drive you forward, and by the time you realise it, there¡¯s no turning back. Of course, Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t regret it; there was always a price to pay for what you gain. He just felt that having an extra path was beneficial for the future. A lone minister has no good end! This sentence from the Crown Prince made Xu Qi''an wary. A smart person didn¡¯t put all their eggs in one basket. Xu Qi''an hoped that among those who could support the Xu family in the future, there would be Xu Xinnian. Although as a cousin, Xu Xinnian would bear some imprint of him, this could notpare to the rtion he had with Wei Yuan. This little thought was not hidden from Wei Yuan, so the added sentence was to express his stance. Wei Yuan slowly nodded, "It¡¯s only human nature. By the way, you¡¯ve sessfully advanced to the Refining Spirit stage, haven¡¯t you? How strong is your primordial spirit?" "That¡¯s hard to say¡­" Xu Qi''an scratched his head. "You might as well take Li Yuchun as the standard. He¡¯s a veteran at the Refining Spirit stage, still a ways from Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, but hisbat strength is solid." Wei Yuan continued staring at the geomantic map. Xu Qi''an pondered, "I could take on two with a single strike." Wei Yuan turned around, stunned, "Huh?" He squinted, staring intently at Xu Qi''an, "What did you say?" "Lord Wei, after advancing to the Refining Spirit stage, I haven¡¯t had a chance to test my strength. I¡¯m not sure where my primordial spirit strength stands within the Refining Spirit stage." Xu Qi''an modestly said. "Aren¡¯t you proficient in the Buddhist Lion¡¯s Roar?" Wei Yuan thought for a moment, pointing to the observation deck, "Go out there and give us a shout." "Lord Wei, the Lion¡¯s Roar doesn¡¯t discriminate between friend and foe," Xu Qi''an hesitated. The AoE skill doesn¡¯t differentiate between enemies and allies. "Don¡¯t worry about me," Wei Yuan waved his hand. "Yes sir." Xu Qi''an crossed the tea room and headed for the observation deck. Bathed in warm sunlight, he gathered his breath in his *dantian*. In his mind, he visualised a golden lion roaring, apanied by unique breathing and energy cirction techniques. After a brief pause¡­ he let out a deep roar towards the entire Nightwatcher office below. "Roar!" This roar didn¡¯t sound like an animal cry or a human shout; it was more like a p of thunder exploding in the Nightwatcher office. The rolling sound waves raged. Within the Tower of Noble Spirit, the clerks'' eyes rolled back, and they experienced temporary deafness and darkness. Those further away felt an overwhelming fear upon hearing the roar. Numerous auras surged from various parts of the office. The Gold Gongs within the premises were all alerted. Figures dashed out of rooms, gathered in the courtyard, leapt onto rooftops, or headed towards the Tower of Noble Spirit. At this moment, the entire office was on alert. "Lord, Lord Wei¡­ seems like I¡¯ve caused too muchmotion." Wei Yuan realised, gazing at the embarrassed-looking Xu Qi''an. This is a young lion, sharpening its ws and slowly growing its fangs. He hadn¡¯t fully matured yet, but one day, his roar will shake all Jiuzhou. Chapter 244: Woman’s Corpse Chapter 244: Woman¡¯s Corpse # 244. Woman¡¯s Corpse Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t wait for Wei Yuan¡¯s response; instead, he first encountered the Gold Gongs. Powerful presences appeared on the seventh floor, and among them were two familiar faces. Nangong Qianrou and Zhang Kaitai. ¡°Duke Wei, are you alright?¡± A sturdy and robust Gold Gong, wielding a purple-gold hammer, swept his bell-like eyes around the surroundings as if facing a formidable enemy. ¡°We failed in our duty, not realising an external enemy had intruded. Please forgive us, Lord Wei.¡± As Zhang Kaitai spoke, he spread out his spiritual sense to detect any potential dangers or enemies. Gradually, the experienced Gold Gongs sensed something amiss. First, with their foundation at the Refining Spirit stage, if there were any crises around, their intuition would respond. But there was none.The entire Tower of Noble Spirit was peaceful, although the clerks inside were currently in chaos. Second, if a formidable enemy had invaded and could hide from their senses, Lord Wei would certainly not be unscathed. Could it be true, as the legends say, that a master lurks in the shadows beside Lord Wei, guarding him? This spection arose in the minds of the Gold Gongs. None of them connected it to Xu Qi''an. It was simple; the roar they heard earlier, although not remarkable in terms of spirit strength, was incredibly potent and rming. It was definitely not something a neer to the Refining Spirit stage could unleash. At this moment, they heard Nangong Qianrou ask Xu Qi''an, ¡°Was it you causing trouble earlier?¡± Nangong Qianrou knew Xu Qi''an was no ordinary Refining Spirit stage practitioner. *Causing trouble? I¡¯m not Ning Caichen¡­* Xu Qi''an looked at Wei Yuan, and seeing him nod, he openly admitted, ¡°It was me. Lord Wei wanted to test my primordial spirit¡¯s strength, so I roared a little.¡± The tea room fell into a brief silence. The Gold Gongs silently gazed at him, their faces expressionless. After a long pause, Zhang Kaitai tentatively asked, ¡°Xu Ningyan, you advanced to the Refining Spirit stage in Yunzhou, right?¡± As early as when Jiang Lyuzhong¡¯s secret letter reached the capital, they learned that Xu Qi''an had advanced to the Refining Spirit stage. At that time, Lord Wei was in an exceptionally good mood. However, even so, he had only been at the Refining Spirit stage for over half a month, and the intense and pure primordial spirit wave from earlier shouldn¡¯t have been from someone at this level. This talent is truly astonishing. With that in mind, the Gold Gongs looked at Xu Qi''an as if examining a peculiar artifact. ¡°I suddenly understand why Jiang Lyuzhong and Yang Yan fought so fiercely for him,¡± a Gold Gong muttered. A sudden realisation! The Gold Gongs¡¯ gazes grew increasingly fervent. ¡°Don¡¯t get the wrong idea¡­¡± Xu Qi''an waved his hand. ¡°I advanced to the Refining Spirit stage at thest moment before death.¡± This¡­ The Gold Gongs reevaluated him. After a brief silence, they said in unison, ¡°Duke Wei¡­¡± Wei Yuan shook his head, ¡°Xu Qi''an remains under Yang Yan¡¯smand. Whoever wants him, go and ask Yang Yan.¡± ¡°Agreed!¡± Except for Nangong Qianrou, the six Gold Gongs responded in unison. *It doesn¡¯t matter whosemand I¡¯m under, but Gold Gong Yang is going to face the brunt of this¡­* Xu Qi''an hoped Yang Yan would dy his return to the capital, at least until the excitement died down. Imagine, Yang Gong returning to the capital after a hard-fought campaign to suppress bandits, only to be greeted not with cheers but with the fists of his colleagues. And then there¡¯s the backstab from Jiang Lyuzhong once he hears of this. Zhang Kaitai walked to the lookout hall, looked outside, and helplessly said, ¡°The Nightwatchers and guards are all gathered downstairs.¡± Wei Yuan said, ¡°Disperse them. This matter stays within us and must not be spread.¡± ¡°Yes Sir!¡± ¡­¡­¡­. After the guards and Nightwatchers outside dispersed, Xu Qi''an leisurely drank a cup of tea before taking his leave of the Tower of Noble Spirit and returning to Spring Breeze Hall. Auntie and Xu Lingyue were sitting at the table waiting, with Xu Lingyin curled up in her mother¡¯s arms, asleep. ¡°Big brother, where did you go?¡± Xu Lingyue approached, her delicate brows furrowed with lingering fear, ¡°Why was there thunder just now? Mother and Lingyin were frightened.¡± Xu Lingyue, a scheming and somewhat sly sister, had also been scared pale, but in front of her big brother, she wanted to maintain a perfect image. Cleverly using her sister and mother. ¡°A sudden p of thunder on a clear day, it happens often.¡± Xu Qi''an pulled out a hundred taels silver note from his pocket, ¡°The matter is resolved. This is thepensation from the Zhao family. You don¡¯t need to worry about this anymore.¡± Auntie looked at the silver note in disbelief, ¡°For me?¡± Xu Qi''an nodded firmly, ¡°Auntie has worked hard for the family. This is what you deserve. Unfortunately, it¡¯s only a hundred taels, considering the strong backing they have.¡± Auntie took the silver note, looked at him, and was a bit moved, saying in a low voice, ¡°Ningyan, I just like toin. Don¡¯t take some of the unpleasant things I say to heart.¡± ¡°We are family.¡± Xu Qi''an said sincerely. ¡°Oh, by the way, I have something tonight, so I won¡¯t being home.¡± ¡°Something?¡± Auntie put away the silver note and said, ¡°Since you returned from Yunzhou, you haven¡¯t rested at home for a single day. What is it?¡± *I¡¯m going to develop two mountains and a canyon with someone, investing billions in gold¡­* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. ¡°Big brother didn¡¯te homest night either. It can¡¯t be another social gathering tonight.¡± Xu Lingyue was a bit skeptical. Relying on her woman¡¯s intuition, she asked: ¡°Father said big brother likes to go to the Jiaofangsi.¡± ¡°Shoo, shoo.¡± Auntie spat at her, ¡°Your big brother isn¡¯t like that. Eng might be messing around, but your big brother isn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Then, big brother, swear to me that you¡¯ve never been to Jiaofangsi.¡± Xu Lingyue pursed her lips, her eyes stubborn. *You, as my sister, where do you get the right to question me¡­* Xu Qi''an solemnly said: ¡°I, Xu Qi''an, have never spent money in the Jiaofangsi.¡± Xu Lingyue smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling. ¡°Lingyue, when you get home, you can question Eng like this too.¡± Xu Qi''an, feeling a bit unbnced, encouraged her, ¡°I believe Eng, like me, is also an upright gentleman.¡± ¡°Of course, Eng wouldn¡¯t go to Jiaofangsi.¡± Auntie was full of confidence, thinking that when Xu Pingzhi returned home tonight, she would question him like this and see if he dared to swear. After seeing off Auntie and his sisters, Xu Qi''an nned to return to Qingyun Hall to retrieve his gold token, but it had been delivered back. ¡°Sir Xu, the chief constable of the prefectural office, Lyu Qing, requests an audience.¡± A clerk from Spring Breeze Hall came in to report. ¡°Invite her inside.¡± Xu Qi''an turned and reentered Brother Chun¡¯s office. Not long after, as he sat behind the desk, he heard hurried footsteps, as if in pursuit. Immediately afterward, the athletic female constable crossed the threshold and entered the hall. At the moment she saw Xu Qi''an, Lyu Qing, with her clear and delicate face, was filled with surprise and excitement, and she froze, staring at him in confusion. Xu Qi''an also looked at his long-unseen friend. Her eyes were bright and lively, her skin was a healthy tan, her nose was high, her eyes wererge, her lips were rosy, and her cultivation seemed to have advanced. Her official bearing was also more imposing than before. ¡°Constable Lyu, long time no see, how have you been?¡± Xu Qi''an greeted her with a smile. ¡°Sir, Sir Xu?¡± Constable Lu stared intently at Xu Qi''an. ¡°While in Yunzhou, I took the pill of rebirth, narrowly escaping death, though it changed my appearance,¡± Xu Qi''an exined. Lyu Qing nodded, forcing a smile as she took out the gold token from her pocket. ¡°The constables at the constabry told me about the private school incident. I decided to send constable Zhu back and deliver the gold token personally to Sir Xu. I also wanted to check in on you. I hope you can grant me this small favour.¡± As she spoke, Lyu Qing''s delicate eyes fixed intently on Xu Qi''an, ready to apologise and leave if she detected any displeasure on his face. ¡°The token isn¡¯t important,¡± Xu Qi''an tossed the token onto the table and smiled, ¡°It¡¯s been a while. Shall we have a drink tonight?¡± Lyu Qing shook her head and gently declined, ¡°Sir, I am a woman after all¡­¡± _If you were a man, I would have suggested we go to the Jiaofangsi for a drink._ Xu Qi¡¯an thought to himself. The two of them sipped tea and chatted, losing track of time until the distant sound of the watchman''s pper signalled the end of the workday. Lyu Qing suddenly snapped out of her trance, entranced by Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s ¡°charms,¡± and stood up to bid farewell. ¡°Then I¡¯ll take my leave, sir,¡± Lyu Qing cupped her hands and left. Xu Qi''an escorted her to the gate of the yamen, watching her slender figure disappear. He couldn¡¯t help but stroke his chin. *Could it be that Lyu Qing is interested in me? Song Tingfeng said she¡¯s still unmarried. Although in this era she¡¯s considered an old maid, for me, a woman under thirty is in her prime.* *Forget it, Lyu Qing is a respectable woman, different from the girls at the Jiaofangsi. The world of respectable women isn¡¯t a ce you can just enter and exit as you please. You have to keep going in and out.* This was something Xu Qi''an certainly couldn¡¯t do. ... As the sun set, Xu Qi''an rode his horse leisurely down the wide ancient streets and entered the Jiaofangsi. Fuxiang was sick, suffering from a cold, lying pale and groggy in bed. Seeing Xu Qi''an, she was delighted and tried to get up. This made Xu feel quite guilty for his freeloading. He gently pressed Fuxiang¡¯s shoulders, feeling remorseful, and said, ¡°It¡¯s my fault for overworking my beauty.¡± Fuxiang¡¯s eyes were half-closed, her voice soft and drowsy, ¡°Any girl in the courtyard, you may choose at your leisure to serve you in my stead.¡± In the bedroom, three dainty maidservants brightened up instantly. Xu Qi''an shook his head and declined earnestly, ¡°With you ill, mydy, how could I have the heart for revelry? I will transfer some Qi to you.¡± He held Fuxiang¡¯s wrist and sent a gentle stream of Qi into her. Qi can unblock the meridians, invigorate the vital organs, and boost the body¡¯s resilience. A mere cold would be no match. Fuxiang coughed violently, her face flushed red. After a quarter of an hour, herplexion visibly improved. ¡°Dear master, I feel much better,¡± Fuxiang¡¯s eyes sparkled with gratitude as she gazed at him. The three maidservants were also pleased. ¡°Madam had taken medicine but showed no improvement. Yet, with Sir Xu¡¯s arrival, her colour instantly brightened. It¡¯s trulyforting to have a man to rely on.¡± ¡°Rest well. I¡¯lle back tomorrow to check on you.¡± Xu Qi''an pinched her cheek and left the Reflecting Plum Pavilion. Once he confirmed he had left, Fuxiang opened her eyes and softly said, ¡°You may all leave. No need to stay in the room.¡± The three maidservants left in response. As the bedroom door closed gently, Fuxiang¡¯s previously bright face quickly grew haggard again. A soft sigh echoed in the bedroom. ... Xu Qi''an then headed to the Azure Pond Pavillion, where another Oiran, Mingyan, resided. Mingyan was petite and delicate, a typical southern maiden. Last time, Xu Qi''an had enlightened her on how to ¡°touch her knees while lying down,¡± which led to a profound exchange, sharing heartfelt stories. Mingyan was originally from the *Jiangnan* region, south of the river. In her youth, she followed her father, who moved to the capital for a promotion. What they thought was the beginning of their rise ended up in ruin. The next year, her father, having backed the wrong side, was exiled three thousand miles away and never heard from again. Mingyan was sent to the Jiaofangsi. ¡°Sir Xu!¡± Having been informed by a young pageboy of Xu Qi''an¡¯s visit, Mingyan, dressed in a light blue ornate long dress, adorned with precious jewellry, weed him with a vibrant smile. Upon seeing Xu Qi''an, her smile turned to surprise, nearly mistaking him for someone else. ¡°A day apart feels like three years,¡± Xu Qi''an smiled and nodded, ¡°We can talk about my change in appearanceter. It¡¯s been over a month since Ist saw Mingyan; it feels like a lifetime ago... Ah, it seems our fate spans three lifetimes.¡± _What a sweet talker..._ Mingyan¡¯s eyes glistened with joy, her smile growing sweeter, her gaze full of affection. _Sigh, I¡¯m getting better at these irresponsible sweet words..._ Xu Qi''an felt a pang of guilt. But a ce like the Jiaofangsi was meant for seasoned yers to thrive. There was no room for a straight shooter here. Mingyan led Xu Qi''an inside, speaking in a soft voice, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you stay at the Reflecting Plum Pavilion, Sir?¡± As she spoke, she lifted a wine jug with one hand and gathered her sleeves with the other, pouring Xu Qi''an a drink. ¡°Because I missed you, Mingyan,¡± Xu Qi''an answered sincerely. Mingyan, delighted, turned to her maidservants and instructed, ¡°Close the courtyard gates. We won¡¯t be holding any tea gatherings tonight.¡± She nestled against Xu Qi''an, lifting her bright, delicate face, staring at him with admiration. Having not seen him for over a month, Xu Qi''an¡¯s transformation was astounding. If she was initially drawn to his talent, now Mingyan was quite tempted by his charm. Xu Qi''an recounted the events in Yunzhou, speaking with confidence and eloquence: ¡°...At the time, eight thousand rebels besieged the Yunzhou Administration. Shadows of people were everywhere, and the Provincial Governor was trapped inside, his life hanging by a thread. ¡°Having no other choice, I stood alone with a de, facing eight thousand rebels. One came, I struck one; two came, I struck a pair. Who can stand firm with a de? I believe it¡¯s only me, Xu Qi''an. ¡°I fought for half an hour without blinking. Finally, reinforcements arrived.¡± As they conversed, they moved from the hall to the bedroom, then to the bath, and eventually to the bed. ¡°Sir, didn¡¯t you promise to watch me dance?¡± Mingyan pouted, yfully. ¡°Then, how about a Latin dance?¡± In Azure Pond Pavillion, Mingyan¡¯s bed swayed till the wee hours. ... The next day, a rejuvenated Xu Qi''an left Azure Pond Pavillion, riding his horse to the pce. From a distance, he spotted the eunuch tasked with supervising him, pacing anxiously near the pce gate. ¡°Hey, little eunuch, you seem quite polite today.¡± Xu Qi''an teased from atop his horse. ¡°Sir, you¡¯re finally here!¡± The little eunuch hurriedly approached, speaking as he walked, ¡°Something happenedst night. They found a woman¡¯s body in the well.¡± Chapter 245: Huang Xiaorou Chapter 245: Huang Xiaorou # 245. Huang Xiaorou "A woman¡¯s body?" The urgency in the eunuch''s voice as he waited anxiously at the pce gate indicated something serious had happened. Considering that the only connection between him and the eunuch was the case of Consort Fu, the body likely had something to do with that. Squinting his eyes, Xu Qi''an spected, "Is it the missing pce maid from the Consort Fu case?" The eunuch was taken aback, then quickly expressed his admiration, "Sir, you truly have divine foresight. This servant is utterly in awe." The words were both ttery and sincere praise. After observing Xu Qi''an over the past two days, the eunuch hade to realise that despite his outwardly mboyant demeanour, Xu Qi''an was a brilliant and perceptive detective. *This isn''t divine foresight, just simple deduction...* Xu Qi''an nodded, "Take me to see the body." The little eunuch promptly led the way. "Which well was the body found in?""In the courtyard behind Xie Pavilion." "Xie Pavilion?"[^1] *What sort of name is that...* Xu Qi''an mused. "Xie Pavilion is where the pce maids reside," the eunuch exined. Pce maids were also divided into different ranks. The higher-ranking ones were known as female officials and even have official titles and ranks, such as *Jieyu, Meiren, Cairen, Yunu, Cainu,* and so on. These pce maids might hope for the Emperor''s favour and a rise in status. However, during the reign of Emperor Yuanjing, none of them had such luck. The next rank included those who served the consorts. The lowest rank were the ones who lived inrge dormitories, doing menial tasks. Xie Pavilion was one such dormitory. Talking as they walked, they soon arrived at the mortuary within the pce grounds, a secluded courtyard in the south used for storing the bodies of those who died from execution, illness, or idents. On a simple wooden by a corpse, slightly bloated from being submerged in water. "Fetch me some tools. I need to perform an autopsy," Xu Qi''an ordered. He was somewhat eager at the prospect. In his previous life working at the police station, he often observed and assisted the coroner in autopsies, gaining a lot of professional knowledge and experience. From initial fear and nausea, he gradually became ustomed to it, eventually bing unfazed while assisting. Xu Qi''an hade to realise he rather enjoyed the process. Sinceing to this world, he had encountered numerous cases, but opportunities for autopsies were rare. "Consort Fu is off-limits, but I can certainly dissect this little pce maid... If only it were fresher," he mused while unbuttoning the pce maid''s clothing. "Running dog, running dog, why didn''t you inform me you were entering the pce..." Princess Lin''an''s cheerful voice rang out from outside, followed by a sh of red as she rushed to the door. "What are you doing?" Lin''an''s smile froze when she saw Xu Qi''an holding the deceased maid''s undergarments. Behind her, Princess Huaiqing, dressed in a white gown, gracefully stepped over the threshold. She nced at Xu Qi''an, then at the undergarments in his hand. *This is awkward...* Xu Qi''an remained calm. "Examining the body, preparing for an autopsy." "Don''t touch such disgusting things!" Lin''an stomped her feet in frustration, quickly averting her gaze from the maid''s exposed upper body. Huaiqing shared the same sentiment and offered a suggestion, "Why not have the coroner do it?" *Because I enjoy it...* Xu Qi''an shook his head solemnly and exined earnestly, "Your Highnesses, you know your servant always handles matters personally and meticulously. Where others see diligence, your servant sees nothing but ordinary duty. In truth, it''s no big deal." Lin''an was impressed by Xu Qi''an''s work ethic. Huaiqing, however, remained expressionless, seemingly unconvinced. "I suggest the two highnesses return to have some tea and wait outside. It won''t take long," Xu Qi''an tried to usher them out. Huaiqing did not leave. Instead, she gracefully stepped forward to examine the corpse. "The body was retrievedst night. It was identified as Huang Xiaorou, and was then taken away by Eunuch Chang," Huaiqing said. "I want to stay and observe. Perhaps there are clues to be found in the body." *Huaiqing seemed to have a strong interest in intellectual tasks¡ªying chess,piling histories, and now solving cases...* Xu Qi''an turned and quietly observed her clear, bright eyes. Sensing his gaze, Huaiqing slightly narrowed her eyes and met his, her voice as crisp as clinking ice, "Hmm?" With just a single "Hmm," she conveyed: *Little brother, do you have an issue?* Xu Qi''an quickly looked away, avoiding Huaiqing''s wless face, and turned to Lin''an. "What about you, Your Highness?" Lin''an nced at Huaiqing, hesitated, and then said, "There''s nothing to it. I''ll stay as well." "Alright then!" Xu Qi''an promptly stripped the corpsepletely. Lin''an''s face flushed bright red, then turned pale. She covered her face and fled. "Your Highness, aren''t you staying to watch?" Xu Qi''an called out. With her face still covered, Lin''an murmured, "I''m leaving, I''m leaving..." Huaiqing nced at the corpse. Although she hid it well, Xu Qi''an still caught a flicker of embarrassment in her clear, deep eyes. It was a simr kind of embarrassment to what Xu Qi''an had felt when watching TV with his parents in the past, only for the show to cut to an intimate scene... *A perfect appearance and top-tier configuration, but almost zero mileage...* Xu Qi''an mentally evaluated. If Huaiqing were a top-ss sports car, fresh off the line... Then Lin''an would be a model car: dazzling on the outside, but with an engine that leaves much to be desired... But for most men, it''s the coquettish, inwardly alluring, and not-too-bright women like Lin''an who were more attractive. "What''s this?" Huaiqing discovered a strip of dull yellow silk in the pce maid Huang Xiaorou''s personal belongings. Embroidered on it was a vivid red lotus flower and a line of small characters: "The spring of the thirty-first year of Yuanjing." "Keeping this close even in death suggests it was something very important to her." Huaiqing looked at Xu Qi''an, as if seeking confirmation. "What do you think, Sir Xu?" Xu Qi''an simply replied, "Hmm." Huaiqing''s lips curved into a faint smile. ¡°Your Highness is so clever¡ªwhy don''t you take a look at this body and see what you can discern?¡± Huaiqing nced at him, seeing that Xu Qi''an was clearly testing her, which made her suppress her smile and brought out apetitive streak. ¡°Judging by the degree of pallor and swelling, she wasn¡¯t thrown into the well right after the incident,¡± Huaiqing deduced. ¡°Within two days,¡± Xu Qi''an provided a more precise answer. ¡°There are no obvious external injuries on her body, so she probably drowned, possibly after being knocked unconscious.¡± After speaking, the elegant and refined princess subconsciously looked at Xu Qi''an. Seeing that his face remained expressionless and he offered noment, the princess felt a bit displeased and subtly pouted when she lowered her head. ¡°Is there anything else?¡± Xu Qi''an asked. Huaiqing thought for a moment and then slightly shook her head. ¡°You missed the most important step. Normally, when examining a female corpse, even if the cause of death seems clear, you should never forget to check¡­¡± Xu Qi''an raised an eyebrow at Huaiqing, giving her a mischievous grin. Huaiqing was momentarily puzzled, then saw Xu Qi''an¡¯s gaze drift toward a forbidden area. Being as astute as she was, she immediately understood. Whoosh¡­ Her fair face instantly turned red as she furrowed her brows and gritted her teeth. ¡°Xu Ningyan, how dare you tease me!¡± Xu Qi''an quickly apologised, his tone sincere. ¡°Your servant had no intention of offending you, Your Highness. Please forgive me.¡± Huaiqing turned aside, indicating she was not epting his apology, clearly upset. *Teasing a proud and aloof princess feels much more satisfying than teasing Lin¡¯an¡­ Huaiqing¡¯s anger has a unique charm¡­* Xu Qi''an coughed lightly and continued: ¡°She did drown, but not in the well. She was suffocated by being forcibly held underwater.¡± ¡°How can you tell?¡± Huaiqing doubted his words and turned back to question him. *Hmm, it seems that discussing academic matters can temporarily quell her anger¡­ Even female schrs have their weaknesses¡­* Xu Qi''an silently noted, maintaining aposed expression as he exined: ¡°Look at her face, it¡¯s purplish-red. A typical drowning victim¡¯s face would be pale and swollen. Only when someone is held underwater, with their head facing down, does the blood flow back to the head, causing the face to be engorged.¡± Huaiqing furrowed her brows in thought. ¡°And another thing,¡± Xu Qi''an said, lifting the corpse¡¯s wrist. ¡°Look at her hand, clenched into a fist, which is typical of drowning victims. But if you examine closely, there¡¯s no sand or algae under her nails.¡± Huaiqing leaned in to observe and saw that the nails were indeed clean. ¡°This indicates she was drowned, but not in the well?¡± she asked. ¡°Your Highness is exceptionally wise. Compared to you, Princess Lin¡¯an is just a younger sister,¡± Xu Qi''anplimented, cupping his hands in admiration. Though she knew he was ttering her, Huaiqing still felt pleased. People enjoy hearing praise, even sages. And Huaiqing, being proud, might outwardly dismiss ttery but secretly revel in it. She gave a reserved ¡°hmm¡± in response. ¡°So, she was silenced,¡± the princess then added. Xu Qi''an nodded, just as he heard the faint sound of footsteps. He looked toward the doorway and saw a little eunuch hurriedly approaching with the tools for dissecting the corpse. The eunuch rushed into the room, and his first reaction upon seeing the corpse was to let out a sharp ¡°Ah~¡± ¡°Never seen a woman before, little eunuch? Come, let me give you a lesson in human anatomy,¡± Xu Qi''an teased in a rascal tone. The eunuch, embarrassed, lowered his head and ced the tools on a long table. There were six knives in total, varying in size and thickness, wrapped in thick bup. Xu Qi''an wanted to lick his lips to show his anticipation, but he felt that would be too indecent in front of Huaiqing, so he restrained himself. *Honestly, I don¡¯t like being watched when I¡¯m indulging in my little hobbies¡­* He selected a single-edged knife, about the size of a dagger, and ced the tip at the corpse¡¯s throat, slicing open the windpipe. A slightly murky liquid flowed out. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± The pink flesh exposed to view made the little eunuch cover his mouth, unable to stop dry heaving. Xu Qi''an then switched to arger knife and cut open the chest, revealing the lungs¡­ ¡°Ugh¡­¡± The little eunuch fled the room. *Can''t handle this? Guess teaching anatomy to eunuchs really is a futile effort.* Huaiqing¡¯s otherwise serene, jade-like face showed a vivid expression of shock and disgust. Her eyshes fluttered as she averted her gaze. ¡°The lungs are also filled with water. The cause of death is confirmed¡ªshe drowned,¡± Xu Qi''an said, setting the knife down. Huaiqing nodded, asking, ¡°Is there anything else to check?¡± ¡°No, Your Highness, we can leave now,¡± Xu Qi''an said, but then suddenly let out a ¡°Huh?¡± Huaiqing, who had already turned to leave, looked back. Seeing what Xu Qi''an was doing, she suddenly frowned. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Xu Qi''an appeared to be fiddling with the left breast of the female corpse, at least in Huaiqing¡¯s eyes. ¡°She was injured,¡± Xu Qi''an frowned as he spoke, lifting the breast to reveal whaty beneath for Huaiqing to see. Huaiqing was momentarily stunned. This pce maid, named Huang Xiaorou, had a deep scar beneath her left breast, directly over her heart. Huaiqing immediately realised she had wrongly used Xu Qi''an and understood his concern: How did a pce maid suffer such a dangerous injury? The strangest part was that she had survived it. Xu Qi''an spread out the rough bup again, picked up thergest knife, and sliced open the woman¡¯s chest along the scar. Huaiqing looked like she wanted to watch but was hesitant due to the gruesome nature of the scene. Xu Qi''an removed the heart, squinting as he examined it for a moment before considerately exining, ¡°Judging by the scar, the wound was deep, likely caused by scissors or another sharp object. It prated the heart, and she should have died from massive blood loss.¡± Huaiqing nodded, her gaze shifting to the outside as she analyzed, ¡°The medicine capable of healing such a wound would only be essible to the Empress or consorts of high rank. ¡°Anyone else who needed such a life-saving pill would require the Empress¡¯s permission, or they must have been directly rewarded by the Emperor, so there¡¯s no need to requisition from the imperial storehouse.¡± Naturally, when she mentioned ¡°anyone else,¡± she didn¡¯t include princes or princesses. As they left the mortuary, there was a well in the courtyard. Xu Qi''an drew a bucket of water and carefully washed his hands. Afterward, he vigorously scrubbed the yellow silk he found on the corpse and spread it out to dry by the well. "Notify the attendant in charge of the morgue that the body inside is still needed and should be sent to the icehouse," Xu Qi''an ordered the young eunuch. "Xu Ningyan, help me fetch a bucket of water," Princess Huaiqing stood nearby, her tone delicate and reserved. Based on how she addressed him, Xu Qi''an could tell that her mood was rtively good. When she was formal and distant, she would call him Sir Xu. When she was angry, it was always Xu Ningyan. Since her tone now didn¡¯t carry anger, this "Xu Ningyan" sounded more like a friend¡¯s address. Xu Qi''an fetched a bucket of water for her. Huaiqing squatted down, rolled up her sleeves, and dipped her fair, slender hands into the water, her long, jade-like fingers gracefully moving. *Such beautiful hands...* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. After soaking her hands, Huaiqing took out a silk handkerchief to dry them. "I''ll take you to the Imperial Pharmacy," she said. Xu Qi''an was about to nod in agreement when a thought suddenly crossed his mind: *Why was the body thrown into the well at Xie Pavilion?* There were many other wells in the pce, some in more hidden ces, like the Cold Pce or the morgue''s well. "We should go to the Xie Pavillion well first." From a distance, Princess Lin''an saw the two of them emerge and walked over with a spring in her step. "Did you find anything?" she asked. "We did make some discoveries," Xu Qi''an replied, recounting the findings from the autopsy. Lin''an nodded as she listened, but it was clear that she lost interest as soon as he finished speaking. Lin''an pointed to the pale yellow silk drying by the well and eximed, "Running Dog, doesn¡¯t the lotus pattern on this look like..." Before she could finish, Xu Qi''an suddenly let out a loud cry, clutching his head and rolling on the ground in pain. Both Lin''an and Huaiqing were startled, rushing to his side. "What''s wrong?" they asked urgently. "My head... it hurts so much..." Xu Qi''an groaned in pain, holding his head tightly, even letting his mink hat fall off to reveal his bald head, which showed he was indeed in severe pain. "Stay here; I''ll fetch the imperial physician immediately," Lin''an said anxiously. She turned and quickly ran off, her waist swaying as she went. Seeing her annoying younger sister leave, Huaiqing finally dropped her regal demeanor and knelt down beside Xu Qi''an, feeling his pulse. "We know a bit about medicine..." she began. As soon as she touched his pulse, she felt it racing, confirming that Xu Qi''an''s heart was indeed beating rapidly. "Your Highness..." Xu Qi''an grabbed Huaiqing¡¯s soft hand, speaking in a pained voice, "Ever since your servant entered the Refining Spirit stage, I''ve been gued by these headaches. Duke Wei said it''s due to agitation of the primordial spirit, and that I might die from the soul leaving the body at any moment." Huaiqing was shocked. She hadn¡¯t known about this, so she didn¡¯t immediately withdraw her hand. When Lin''an returned after instructing the guards to fetch the imperial physician, she found Xu Qi''an calmly brushing off the dust from his clothes, while Huaiqing was washing her hands by the bucket. "You¡¯re fine now?" Lin''an asked, puzzled. "I''m fine; it was just a sudden pain that subsided quickly," Xu Qi''an replied, waving his hand tiredly. *Phew... That was a close call. Fortunately, I reacted quickly. If these sisters found out I wrote them the same love letter and gave them identical lotus petals, Huaiqing would never tolerate it, and neither would Lin''an... Their favorability towards me would plummet...* Xu Qi''an praised himself inwardly for his quick thinking, not only stabilising the situation but also managing to hold Huaiqing¡¯s hand... He silently congratted himself. Huaiqing kept her head down, not saying a word, her hand still red from the pressure, as if it still held Xu Qi''an''s warmth. Biaobiao eyed him suspiciously. ... Xie Pavillion was located on the west side of the pce, far from the residences of the consorts, in arge *siheyuan*. At this time of day, the pce maids had already left Xie Pavillion to attend to their duties elsewhere in the pce. Only an old nanny, the overseer, was lying in arge chair, basking in the early spring sun. The age spots on her face were clearly visible in the sunlight. Her body had be plump and out of shape, her hair gray, simply pinned up with a jade hairpin. "Nanny Rong, Nanny Rong..." The young eunuch called out a few times, waking the old nanny from her light sleep. *Nanny Rong?!* Xu Qi''an¡¯s childhood memories were suddenly stirred, and he couldn¡¯t help but think of a famous line: *"Your Majesty, do you still remember Nanny Rong by the banks of Lake Daming?"* "Her Highnesses are here," the eunuch announced. Nanny Rong blinked her eyes to focus and indeed saw the two most beautiful princesses in the pce, visiting together. She got up with surprising agility for her age, bowing deeply as she greeted them. "This old servant greets Your Highnesses." Huaiqing looked at her and said, "I''m here to assist Sir Xu in investigating a case. It concerns the female corpse pulled from the well today. Tell us everything you know." Nanny Rong nodded in agreement. Seeing this, Xu Qi''an spoke up, "Who discovered the body, and when?" "It was Xiaoyu who found it. Early this morning, she went to the well to fetch water and noticed something wrong with the sound of the bucket hitting the water¡ªit sounded dull. She looked into the well for a long time and, oh my, it turned out to be a corpse," the old nanny exined, her expression animated. Xu Qi''an pointed to the stone well under the locust tree. "That one?" "Yes." He walked to the well and looked down. The well was deep, and the view was dim, with the water surface reflecting like a mirror. With ordinary eyesight, it would indeed take a long time to notice a corpse in such a dark well. "No one noticed anything yesterday?" Xu Qi''an frowned. The pce maid Huang Xiaorou''s body had clearly been in the water for more than 24 hours. "That¡¯s the annoying part. When the body was found this morning, those silly girls said they had noticed something odd about the sound when drawing water the day before..." The old nanny was infuriated at the memory, cursing, "None of them had the sense to check, and they let this old woman drink corpse water for two days." Biaobiao made a face of disgust. Xu Qi''an''s eye twitched. "Nanny, do you know a maid named Huang Xiaorou?" The old nanny was momentarily stunned. "Huang who?" "Huang Xiaorou," Xu Qi''an repeated. The nanny widened her eyes. "Who Xiaorou?" Xu Qi''an snapped, "I''m not asking about Ma Dongmei; there''s no need for you to respond like that." The nanny thought for a long time before suddenly realising, "Oh, this old servant was just making sure. Yes, I know Huang Xiaorou, I know her." Huaiqing''s eyes lit up as she realised why Xu Qi''an hade to the Xie Pavillion well. This little Bronze Gong really has a sharp mind, turning so quickly. "You know her?" Xu Qi''an prompted, "She was a maidservant of Consort Fu. How is it possible that you would know her?" --- [^1]: Crab pavillion Chapter 246: Daoist Jinlian: Let Xu Qian Deal With It Chapter 246: Daoist Jinlian: Let Xu Qi''an Deal With It # 246. Daoist Jinlian: Let Xu Qi''an Deal With It ¡°The old servant does indeed recognise her. Xiaorou used to work at Xie Pavillion. Three years ago, when Chunfeng Pce needed more maids, I noticed that she was both pretty and quick with her hands, so I rmended her for the position¡­¡± ¡°When the body was pulled out, didn¡¯t you go to take a look?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly asked. ¡°How could I dare? This old servant is too old to handle the sight of the dead.¡± ¡°Oh. Continue telling us about this Huang Xiaorou.¡± Perhaps due to her age, Nanny Rong''s emotions were rather vtile. She suddenly became angry: ¡°That ungrateful girl! If it weren¡¯t for this old servant¡¯s rmendation, how could she have be one of Consort Fu¡¯s head maids? After all these years, she never even came back to visit me. ¡°Even those uncultured men still remember to show respect to their godfathers. Hmph, when women are heartless, nothing is more chilling.¡± ¡°Nanny, please don¡¯t say that. You¡¯re too old to dodge the crafty attacks of a boxer.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an joked, then asked, ¡°During the autopsy, I discovered that Huang Xiaorou had a fatal wound on her left chest. Do you know anything about that?¡± Nanny Rong thought for a while, her expression one of deep recollection: ¡°A wound¡­ There was indeed such a thing. I think it happened the year before she was transferred to Chunfeng Pce. For some reason, she got up in the middle of the night and stabbed her own chest with a pair of scissors.¡°Fortunately, the maid who shared a room with her discovered it early, called for the imperial physician, and saved her life.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an and Princess Huaiqing frowned simultaneously. There was a w in Nanny Rong¡¯s story. The scar Xu Qi¡¯an saw reached the heart and was clearly a fatal wound. The cost of treating such an injury would have been far beyond what a maid could afford. ¡°As the saying goes, those who survive a great disaster are destined for good fortune. Xiaorou was lucky to escape death, and the next year she was transferred to Chunfeng Pce, no longer having to do menial tasks. She was very beautiful and had a chance of being favoured by the Emperor, you know.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an recalled Huang Xiaorou¡¯s swollen face after her death, and his lips twitched. Whoever saved Huang Xiaorou, one thing was clear¡ªunder such massive blood loss, she would not have had much time left. Whoever it was that saved her must have been watching her closely. If Nanny Rong was telling the truth, then the issue must be with¡­ ¡°What was the name of that maid?¡± Princess Huaiqing asked the question before Xu Qi¡¯an could, adding, ¡°The one who shared a room with Huang Xiaorou.¡± ¡°Your Highness, let me think¡­¡± Nanny Rong said, pondering for a while before she responded uncertainly, ¡°I think her name was¡­ He¡¯er?¡± It was obvious to Xu Qi¡¯an that Princess Huaiqing¡¯s pupils suddenly contracted. *She recognises this maid named He¡¯er¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an concluded silently. ¡°I¡¯ve finished my questions. Do either of Your Highnesses have anything to add?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an turned to look at Princess Huaiqing and Princess Lin¡¯an. Lin¡¯an shook her head cooperatively, while Huaiqing seemed lost in thought, not responding. Just as Xu Qi¡¯an was about to leave and proceed to the Imperial Pharmacy, Nanny Rong suddenly said, ¡°Sir, this old servant has something to say to you.¡± Saying this, she got up and walked a few steps away. Xu Qi¡¯an followed her. Nanny Rong gazed at the distant figures of Princess Huaiqing and the others, then looked back at Xu Qi¡¯an with a solemn expression and said: ¡°Sir, there are too many secrets buried deep within the inner pce. Once you set foot in it, you¡¯ll keep sinking deeper.¡± ¡°Nanny, you¡¯re so simple-minded, like a firefly in the night. Your grey hair, the age spots on your face, and yourrge belly have all deeply impressed me.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an praised her. *Go on, tell me all your secrets.* ¡°Sir has such a sweet tongue. It¡¯s only because you¡¯re so handsome that I¡¯m telling you this.¡± Nanny Rong slowly returned to her recliner and stopped speaking. Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t move, surprised. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± Nanny Rong shook her head. ¡°This old servant knows very little. The secrets of the inner pce are not something one should know.¡± *¡­ Heh, this old woman! Wasting my time! I thought she had something significant to reveal.* In Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind, if Nanny Rong had called him aside, there had to be some "unspeakable secret" waiting for him. But it turned out to be just a word of caution! As they left the courtyard of Xie Pavillion, Xu Qi¡¯an noticed that the vibrant red-robed Princess Lin¡¯an was still waiting outside, but Princess Huaiqing was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Where is the Eldest Princess?¡± Lin¡¯an immediately looked displeased, raising her eyebrows, ¡°It¡¯s always Huaiqing, Huaiqing! Have you forgotten who you are? I¡¯m standing right here, and you pretend not to see me.¡± In the sunlight, her round, delicate face had a soft glow, her cheeks a rosy hue, like a piece of wless jade without a blemish. Her raised eyebrows and the discontent in her charming peach blossom eyes only added to her adorableness. Even when she was angry, she was more cute than anything. ¡°I¡¯m d the Eldest Princess has left. Now we can be alone together,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said cheerfully. Lin¡¯an¡¯s face turned slightly red as she nced nervously at the nearby guards. In a low voice, she said, ¡°Running Dog, don¡¯t talk to me like that.¡± As an unmarried princess, she wasn¡¯t used to such sweet-talking and felt both shy and flustered whenever she heard such flirtations. ¡°Your Highness, you¡¯re too modest. You¡¯re like a light in the darkness, so radiant that even the sun can¡¯t outshine your brilliance¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an switched to a different metaphorical expression, once again using it on Princess Lin¡¯an. Lin¡¯an was both delighted and embarrassed, a bit helpless as well. She didn¡¯t know when it had started, but she gradually found herself unable to control this little Bronze Gong. When she had first taken him from Huaiqing, he was obedient and swore to sever ties with Huaiqing, vowing to be her loyal servant. But over time, she realised that she couldn¡¯t keep this man in check. Although he appeared humble and respectful, whenever they were alone, she always ended up on the back foot. And yet, somehow, she never seemed to mind this dynamic. Even in front of Huaiqing, she had always been apetitive woman. Thinking of this, Lin¡¯an raised her beautifully curved chin and questioned him, ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say that when Huaiqing was around?¡± *How could I say the same thing in front of both of you¡­? If it were Huaiqing, I¡¯d have to change my approach: ¡®Your Highness, you¡¯re like a pure white snow lotus blooming in the cold wind. Your peerless beauty, your long and graceful legs, and your impressive 36D chest¡­ have all deeply moved me.¡¯* Xu Qi¡¯an changed the subject, ¡°Where did the Eldest Princess go?¡± ¡°How should we know?¡± Lin¡¯an replied. Biaobiao seemed like she wanted to roll her eyes, but mindful of her etiquette, she forced herself to hold back and said, "We should hurry to the Imperial Pharmacy; solving a case is like putting out a fire, there¡¯s no time to waste." Xu Qi''an looked at her and spected, "Are you worried that Huaiqing might destroy the evidence?" Biaobiao pretended not to hear, walking ahead with light steps, the sway of her skirt asionally revealing the peach-like shape of her hips. *When God spread wisdom across the earth, this princess, like Lingyin, was clever enough to use an umbre... Dealing with her is indeed simpler and easier than dealing with Huaiqing... But she¡¯s just so devious, it¡¯s hard to guard against.* Xu Qi''an muttered internally as he apanied the princess to the Imperial Pharmacy. ¡­ Lingbao Temple. In a tranquil room filled with the scent of sandalwood, two women of extraordinary status were sitting across from each other, drinking tea. Sunlight filtered through thettice windows, casting neat square patches of light on the floor. Dust motes danced in the beams. Luo Yuheng sat on a meditation cushion backed by the character "Dao," holding a *fuchen* in one hand and a teacup in the other. She took a sip, her beautiful eyes narrowing in enjoyment, highlighting her long, thickshes. "Tea grown by Nanzhi is truly different from ordinary varieties. If I could drink a pot of this every day, I wouldn''t want to be a celestial being," Luo Yuheng sighed. The woman sitting opposite Daoist Luo wore aplex dark blue gown and ornate headgear, her face hidden behind a light veil. Only the contours of her cheeks were faintly visible, with just her clear, bright eyes and finely shaped eyebrows exposed. "This tea matures every three years, and only yields three pounds. Most of it is tribute to the pce," the veiled woman said in a soft, seductive voice, rich with the maism of a mature woman. She lifted her veil slightly, took a sip, and then asked, "Has anything interesting happened in the capitaltely?" Luo Yuheng sighed helplessly, "You''re not interested in court struggles, but aren¡¯t they the most thrilling and captivating? As for cases, from the tax silver case to the Sangpo case, you''ve heard about them several times... This is the capital, how many cases can I tell you about?" "Hasn''t Consort Fu''s case yet to be concluded?" The veiled woman¡¯s eyes curved slightly, as if smiling. "That case is still being handled by that Bronze Gong. I don¡¯t know the details," Luo Yuheng downed her tea in one gulp and poured herself another cup. "After all, it¡¯s the Emperor¡¯s family matter. If you''re interested, you can ask Princess Huaiqing." "Forget it, I don''t feel like dealing with the royal family," the woman shook her head and then added, "I¡¯ve seen that Bronze Gong twice. He''s rather annoying." "You¡¯ve met him?" Luo Yuheng was taken aback. The veiled woman made a sound of acknowledgment, dipped her jade-like finger in the tea, and drew a pig''s head on the table, her eyes curving again as she hummed, "He took my sachet and wouldn¡¯t return it." Luo Yuheng nodded, following the topic, "That person is not ordinary. He is highly regarded and nurtured by Wei Yuan. Given time, another high-ranking martial artist will rise in the Great Feng, with boundless potential." Under the veil, the woman curled her lips dismissively and said, "How high can he rise? With the Zhenbei King around, no martial artist in Great Feng can truly lift their heads. He¡¯s just a Bronze Gong, after all." Luo Yuheng smiled slightly. That Bronze Gong was indeed talented, and with Wei Yuan''s appreciation and being chosen by the Earth Sect as a holder of the Earth Book, he was among the more outstanding heroes of the world. Still, he was just one of many exceptional individuals. "I do admire his ability to solve cases. So many major cases, with their twists and turns, the process is quite interesting," the veiled woman said. Luo Yuheng was about to reply when her cheeks suddenly flushed with ayer of intoxicating red. She frowned, put down her teacup, and whispered, "Nanzhi, you should leave now..." The veiled woman looked at her, nodded slightly, stood up, and walked to the door. Just before leaving, she turned back and said helplessly, "If it bes unbearable, just submit to Emperor Yuanjing. Or find a man; if this monthly fire continues to torment you, I¡¯m really afraid you¡¯ll turn into a nymphomaniac." Luo Yuheng ignored her, her frown deepening. The veiled woman opened the door of the tranquil room, stepped onto the eaves, and followed the stone path out of the courtyard. "Whew¡­" Luo Yuheng exhaled a scorching breath, bracing herself against the table as she stood up. When her full chest brushed against the edge, she let out an irresistibly seductive moan, her legs weakening as she nearly copsed. She stumbled out of the tranquil room, her exquisite face flushed, her eyes glistening with desire, irresistibly beautiful. Ssh... Luo Yuheng leaped into the small pond in the backyard. The icy water engulfed the mature and voluptuous body of the stunning Daoist. Momentster, there was a series of crackling sounds as a thickyer of ice formed on the pond''s surface. The chill spread to the surrounding rockery and pavilion, coating them with a thin, transparentyer of frost. After a quarter of an hour, the ice began to melt, wisps of steam rising from the water. Then, bubbles began to churn and burst on the surface with a "pop." Gurgle, gurgle... More and more bubbles boiled up, the steam thickening until the entire pond seemed to be boiling. This process continued for a full half hour. The water level dropped by several inches, and when the pond finally calmed down, warm, humid air lingered over the backyard for a long time. Luo Yuheng emerged from the water, her hairpin dislodged, letting her dark hair cling to her fair cheeks. Her eyes were still misty, her face flushed as if intoxicated, incredibly alluring. "Meow~" A soft meow sounded as an orange cat gracefully leaped over the courtyard wall, its movements agile as it perched on the rockery behind Luo Yuheng. "This evil fire will destroy your Dao foundation, Luo Yuheng. At most, you can endure for another three years," the orange cat spoke in a warm, ancient voice. "Why has Senior Brothere?" Luo Yuheng asked, half-closing her starry eyes as she soaked in the water. "Let me offer you some advice," the orange cat said. ¡°The Sitianjian has a pill called the Rebirth Pill that can alleviate your symptoms. Right now, you''re dealing with lust, but soon, you''ll have to face greed, anger, ignorance, and hatred... It won''t be easy for you. "Sigh, of the three Daoist sects, only the Heaven Sect is free from the burdens of worldly affairs. Perhaps the Heaven Sect''s philosophy is the correct one." Luo Yuheng opened her eyes and sneered, "The Heaven Sect is heartless and merciless, assimting with heaven and earth, devoid of joy, sorrow, love, or hate. Even if one ascends to immortality, they lose their self in the process. That is heresy." She paused, frowning slightly. "Of course I know the Rebirth Pill can ease my symptoms, but the Jianzheng has never liked my Human Sect, and he would never give me such a pill." The orange cat spoke unhurriedly, ¡°Xu Qi''an has taken the Rebirth Pill, and its effects have not yet dissipated. A bowl of his vital blood could be used as a medicinal guide. Although the resulting pill would not be as potent as the Rebirth Pill, it could at least solve your immediate problem. "He would be willing to do this small favor for a poor Daoist like me." Luo Yuheng was silent for a moment before she retorted, "You should focus on yourself. The demonic aspect you split off has imed most of your power. With just your remaining soul, trying to destroy the demon is nothing but wishful thinking." The orange cat chuckled, "When the timees, I will need my junior sister''s help, of course. But by the time I am confident enough to subdue the demon, the holders of the Earth Book fragments will likely have grown strong. All you''ll need to do is stand by as support." Luo Yuheng frowned, "Senior brother should know that unless I reach the first rank, in my current state, if I get entangled in karma, it will most likely lead to my demise." "That is why I will assist you in reaching the first rank." Luo Yuheng turned her head sharply, her beautiful eyes burning as she stared intently at the orange cat, saying nothing. "Why don''t you practice dual cultivation with Emperor Yuanjing?" the orange cat suggested, raising a paw as if to lick it, but then stopping, reason winning over instinct. "His fortune isn''t sufficient," Luo Yuheng replied. For the first time, she revealed why she refused to practice dual cultivation with Emperor Yuanjing. The orange cat nodded slowly, then frowned, "So you''re only using his fortune to suppress your karmic fire without going further. And after that? Surely you have a n for the future?" Luo Yuheng nodded, "I will wait for the new emperor to ascend." The orange cat understood, but then hesitated, "Given the current weakened state of the Great Feng, each generation is likely to be worse than thest. None of Emperor Yuanjing''s heirs has the potential to revitalise the empire, and you know this better than I do." Luo Yuheng smiled, "Revitalisation doesn''t necessarily depend on the monarch. With someone like Wei Yuan, the empire''s patcher, as long as he survives the purge and controls the new emperor after Emperor Yuanjing''s death, the empire will eventually recover and flourish." "So, you n to wait until the national strength is restored before practicing dual cultivation with the new emperor...," the orange cat mused, nodding at first but then shaking its head. "There is no rush for that. The reasons behind the Great Feng''s decline areplex, with implications so vast that they are terrifying to contemte." Luo Yuheng frowned, "In terms of strategy, senior brother, you''re no less capable than Wei Yuan." "This Poor Daoist is just specting; things are still unclear," the orange cat said, then added, "By the way, Li Miaozhen ising to the capital." "Just have Number Four deal with it. As a disciple of the Human Sect, it''s his duty to handle the Heaven Sect Saintess." "Well... They are all members of the Heaven and Earth Society. It''s not good to have them kill each other." Luo Yuheng turned her head away in a haughty gesture. *Fine... When the timees, I''ll just push Xu Qi''an to mediate...* the orange cat thought to itself. ... At the Imperial Pharmacy. The elderly eunuch in charge pulled a ledger from the bookshelf and handed it to Xu Qi''an, who hade to investigate the case. His voice was sharp, "The records of the Imperial Pharmacy''s expenditures are cleared every five years. If you''de a few yearster, you wouldn''t have found anything." In the side hall, Biaobiao was holding a bowl of tea, her lively eyes following the ledger. Xu Qi''an thought she wanted to see it, so he asked, "Would Your Highness like to take a look?" "We have no interest in such things; they give us a headache just looking at them," she said crisply. Xu Qi''an couldn''t understand how Chu Caiwei, that foolish girl, had be best friends with Huaiqing. Logically, shouldn''t people with simr dispositions naturally gravitate towards each other? Chu Caiwei clearly should have been best friends with Lin''an; the two of them would have been a much better match. "Your Highness is incredibly wise; it''s just that your talents lie in other areas," Xu Qi''an said as he opened the ledger, adding, "I have a younger sister at home who is just as clever as Your Highness, though her talents don''t lie in studying." "Where do her talents lie?" "In memorising recipes." "...." This ledger recorded all the pills and medicines distributed by the Imperial Pharmacy in the thirty-second year of Emperor Yuanjing''s reign. Given Huang Xiaorou''s injuries, there were only a few pills that could have saved her, so finding them should have been easy. He just needed to figure out which life-saving pills the Imperial Pharmacy had, then trace the name to find them. It should have been a simple task. However, after searching for an entire tea session, Xu Qi''an found nothing suspicious. "In the thirty-second year of Yuanjing, the Sitianjian and Lingbao Temple provided a total of 364 types of pills, amounting to 790 bottles. Of these, only three were top-grade pills, which were awarded by His Majesty to outer ministers in the thirty-second, thirty-third, and thirty-sixth years." Xu Qi''an closed the ledger and looked at Lin''an, saying, "I haven¡¯t find the pill that saved Huang Xiaorou." Upon hearing this, the clever Lin''an pondered for a long time before suggesting, "Could the pill not havee from the Imperial Pharmacy?" Xu Qi''an shook his head, "In the entire Great Feng, only Lingbao Temple and the Sitianjian can produce pills. So the pill must havee from one of these two ces. "Huang Xiaorou, a mere pce maid, would have surely died without someone powerful saving her. But in the harem, who could bypass the Imperial Pharmacy and obtain pills from the Sitianjian or Lingbao Temple?" There was only one possible answer: Emperor Yuanjing! *It couldn''t have been him. The Imperial Pharmacy belongs to Emperor Yuanjing, the entire pce is his. The Imperial Pharmacy is where he draws his pills from; he has no reason to bypass it. That would be like having my sry deposited in a bank ount but then opening a separate ount to secretly stash some pocket money...* Xu Qi''an suddenly thought of a possibility. Chapter 247: Heart Sword Chapter 247: Heart Sword # 247. Heart Sword ¡°Little eunuch, help this official out and go investigate this ¡®He¡¯er¡¯.¡± Xu Qi''an put down the ledger and turned to instruct the little eunuch who had been assigned by Emperor Yuanjing to monitor him. The little eunuch obediently left. After he had gone, Xu Qi''an resumed looking through the ledger, turning the pages with great care. *I really can''t stand these ancient ledgers... So few words, yet so many strokes¡ªreading it strains my eyes...* Xu Qi''an spent an entire hour meticulously reviewing the records for the entire year. He closed the ledger and looked at the elderly eunuch in charge, saying, "Where''s thetrine?" The elderly eunuch replied, "In the backyard." Xu Qi''an immediately went to thetrine, but instead of taking out his 8======D, he retrieved the Earth Book fragment and found the Confucian version of a spellbook gifted to him by the great schrs.He tore out a page of the Qi-watching Technique and burned it. His eyes emitted a sharp, clear light, which then gradually faded. After casting the Qi-watching technique on himself, Xu Qi''an returned to the side hall and nonchntly asked the elderly eunuch, "I noticed something wrong with the ledger. You''ll need to give me an exnation." "Please, do tell, Sir." The elderly eunuch responded calmly. "In the thirty-second year of Yuanjing''s reign, there should have been daily deliveries of medicinal pills to the inventory, correct?" "Well... it''s been four years. I can''t quite remember." The elderly eunuch felt uneasy under the copper gong''s intense, deep gaze, which seemed to hide a vortex. *No lies¡­* Xu Qi''an continued, "While inspecting the ledger, I noticed that the records for February 10th and February 20th of that year are missing. Were there no medicinal pills delivered on those days?" The elderly eunuch still shook his head, wearing a troubled expression, "I honestly can''t recall, Sir." *Still no lies... And this old eunuch likely doesn''t have an artefact that can block his qi... Old age really isn''t forgiving, memory fades...* Xu Qi''an returned the ledger to the elderly eunuch and instructed him, "Give me the records of the Imperial Pharmacy''s transactions within the past five days. I''ll arrange for someone to assist you." The so-called "assistance" meant supervision. Xu Qi''an had already decided who would oversee this: the little eunuch that Emperor Yuanjing had sent to monitor him. This little eunuch was Emperor Yuanjing''s spy, and every bit of progress Xu Qi''an made would be reported back to the emperor in detail. Lin''an leaned in close to Xu Qi''an''s ear and whispered, "Are you suspecting that someone tore pages from the ledger?" "When the old eunuch retrieved the ledger, the cover was covered in dust, except for a few new fingerprints. I''m certain they were made no more than five days ago." Impressive! Second Princess secretly praised him, growing increasingly confident in Xu Qi''an. At that moment, the little eunuch hurried back, his face pale and hesitant to speak. "You may go now," Xu Qi''an dismissed the elderly eunuch who managed the Imperial Pharmacy. The little eunuch still didn''t speak, cautiously ncing at Lin''an. "We cannot listen to this?" Lin''an became angry, her eyebrows shooting up in indignation. *As expected, though Biaobiao may not be very clever, she certainly doesn''tck the spoiled, stubborn traits of a princess. She just favors me more...* Xu Qi''an frowned and said, "Speak." The little eunuch swallowed, took a moment to gather himself, and then whispered, "He''er is from the Empress''s pce." For a brief moment, the side hall fell into dead silence. *He''er is from the Empress''s pce... No wonder Huaiqing''s mood changed when she heard the name... In other words, the person who saved Huang Xiaorou was the Empress... In other words, Huang Xiaorou owes a great debt to the Empress.* *Yet in this case, she yed the role of an agitator, leading the charge to frame the Crown Prince for consorting with a concubine and plotting against the throne... The Empress is in trouble.* "Hu-hu..." Lost in thought, Xu Qi''an suddenly noticed Lin''an''s heavy breathing beside him. *This is bad...* "I''m going to find Father." Lin''an, gritting her teeth, left this sentence behind, then abruptly stood up and stormed out. Xu Qi''an quickly grabbed her hand, trying to soothe her, "Your Highness, it''s too early to jump to conclusions." "Isn''t it obvious? He''er is the Empress''s maid, and Huang Xiaorou owes her a great debt. The Empress has always wanted to harm my Crown Prince brother so her own son can inherit the title of Crown Prince. The motive is clear as day, isn''t it?" Lin''an turned her head, ring at him: "You''re stopping me because you still have feelings for Huaiqing?" She was referring to the "defection" situation, given that Xu Qi''an was someone she had "snatched" from Huaiqing. *Crap, what you said makes it sound like I ate Huaiqing and then ate you too. If this gets back to Emperor Yuanjing, he''ll order my execution¡­* Xu Qi''an nced at the little eunuch and said sternly: ¡°This matter involves the Empress. You can''t just rush out and use her of murdering Consort Fu and framing the Crown Prince. ¡°What if it turns out that the Empress is innocent?¡± Lin''an loudly retorted, "I don''t care, I don''t care! The Crown Prince is my brother." "Your Highness!" Xu Qi''an red at her, his tone sharp. "...Hmph!" Lin''an subdued her temper, dissatisfied but no longer defiant, "Then what do you propose?" Those familiar with her personality would be shocked to see the spoiled and stubborn Second Princess so obedient in front of a mere bronze gong. "Keep investigating, Your Highness. Simply watch and wait." Lin''an huffed again, clearly unhappy with this oue, but she didn''t continue to throw a tantrum. Xu Qi''an turned to the little eunuch and said, "Today''s findings must be reported to His Majesty in full detail. However, be sure to keep it simple¡ªstick to the case, nothing else." *And please omit the interactions between Lin''an and me...* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. The little eunuch recalled his godfather''s warning from the other day and was suddenly moved. Although Sir Xu''s temper wasn''t great, he was very kind-hearted and considerate of little people like him. "Rest assured, Sir Xu, I will only report on the case and won''t say a word more," the little eunuch dered loudly. *This little eunuch knows the drill...* Xu Qi''an nodded and added, "Afterward, go find the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Pharmacy and obtain a list of those who entered and exited within the past five days. Then, quietly cross-check it with the guards." "Understood." After leaving the Imperial Pharmacy, it was about 11:00 AM, and Lin''an mentioned that she would be having lunch with her mother, cruelly abandoning her yet-to-be-married fianc¨¦. Xu Qi''an had no choice but to join the eunuchs for a meal. The Imperial Kitchen prepared meals for the masters, while the eunuchs and pce maids ate at the Small Kitchen. As they were halfway there, someone suddenly called out from behind: "Sir Xu¡­" Xu Qi''an turned to see a blue-robed Daoist rushing over, saying with delight, "Sir Xu, I finally found you." Knowing that any daoist who could enter the pce must be a Daoist from Lingbao Temple, Xu Qi''an sped his hands and said, "Daozhang." "Please, there''s no need for such formality," the Daoist approached and respectfully returned the gesture, "Master Xu, the sect leader has requested your presence." "This¡­." Xu Qi''an hesitated. Luo Yuheng was someone Emperor Yuanjing had his eyes on, and Xu Qi''an was already entangled with his daughter. He didn''t want to further displease Emperor Yuanjing by getting too close to another woman. Moreover, Luo Yuheng was a second rank powerhouse. Xu Qi''an didn''t want to be too close to a top-tier expert with whom he wasn''t familiar, in case she discovered the existence of Shenshu... *Oh no, she might realise I''ve already be a monk''s vessel!* *Then they''ll seal me in Sangbo for five hundred years, waiting for a monk to fetch the scriptures and release me.* *The undying Shenshu can survive five hundred years, but can I? I can''t exactly ask heaven for five hundred more years.* "The National Teacher is waiting for you. She''d like to invite you for a meal," the Daoist said. "Alright!" Xu Qi''an agreed. *Mainly because Luo Yuheng. She... she''s just too tempting.* ¡­ This is the second time Xu Qi''an has visited Lingbao Temple. Thest time was to help Daoist Jinlian obtain a pill, during which he met Luo Yuheng. This head of the Human Sect seems to have taken a liking to him, as she had once made a very suggestivement. Unfortunately, Xu Qi''an, being a man of virtue, chose to ignore her advances. Xu Qi''an was directly led into a meditation room, which contained only two meditation cushions, a small table, a small brazier, and a "Dao" character boldly written on the wall. The simple setup left no room for anything superfluous. A Daoist child brought arge tter of temple food, with ck rice, corn, and millet, along with three tes of vegetable dishes. "Sir Xu, please enjoy your meal. The sect leader will be here shortly," the Daoist child said respectfully before retreating. Xu Qi''an didn''t start eating immediately. He nced at the two bowls and pairs of chopsticks on the table and nodded with satisfaction. If this meal had been intended for him alone, he would have left right then and there. Creak¡­ With a soft creak, the sliding door, which had just been closed, was pushed open again. The female National Teacher entered, dressed in a dark Daoist robe, carrying a horsetail fuchen on her arm. Her ck hair was tied simply with a Daoist hairpin, with a few strands hanging down her forehead, giving her a slightly alluring look. The red mark on her forehead, however, added a touch of ethereal purity, creating a peculiar blend of different kinds of charm. "National Teacher!" Xu Qi''an stood up and cupped his hands. Luo Yuheng nodded and gestured, "Sir Xu, please eat." "National Teacher, please enjoy the ¡®eel," Xu Qi''an replied politely. The two of them sat down, served themselves a bowl of rice, and began eating in silence. Xu Qi''an couldn''t quite gauge the beautiful National Teacher''s intentions, so he remained cautious and said nothing. asionally, he would nce at her, finding her quite pleasing to the eye. This woman, at first nce, seemed to be a tender twenty-year-old. But the more you looked, the more she resembled a thirty-year-old woman, full of vitality. And if you looked even longer, you''d realise she was actually an exquisite beauty in her forties, with a mature and voluptuous figure and a gaze that couldn''t hide her sensuality¡ªtruly a man-killer. Xu Qi''an was reminded of the feeling he had the first time he saw her: a woman who could be a friend''s mom, a kind aunt, or an English teacher with a soft heart. He couldn''t help but wonder, "Is this woman cultivating Daoism, or some kind of bewitching magic?" He frowned slightly. These illusions weren''t his fault. It had to be rted to the cultivation method of the Human Sect, as confirmed by Daoist Jinlian. None of the three sects of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity were without their quirks. The Earth Sect was burdened by karma, often falling to demons. The Human Sect''s situation was unclear, but it also seemed to have its side effects. As for the Heaven Sect, the path they followed was problematic from the start. The heavens are emotionless, and thus evesting. But if a person is emotionless, how are they different from a corpse? ording to Xu Qi''an''s understanding, the union of Heaven and Man meant bing a rule orw. "Daoist Jinlian mentioned that Sir Xu took a Rebirth Pill in Yunzhou?" Luo Yuheng broke the silence. *Why did Daoist Jinlian tell her that...* Xu Qi''an was startled. "Yes." "This Poor Daoist would like to borrow a bowl of your blood as a medicinal guide, to refine a pill to alleviate a stubborn ailment," Luo Yuheng said. *What kind of ailment needs my blood as a medicinal guide?* Xu Qi''an nced at her, not responding immediately as he internally searched for a way to politely decline. Blood in this world could be used for various purposes far beyond what it was used for in his previous life. The most memorable example for him was the curse-killing technique of the Sorcerer Sect. Luo Yuheng seemed to anticipate his reaction and calmly added while taking a bite of rice, "It was Daoist Jinlian''s suggestion." Xu Qi''an nodded. "I need to confirm this." Luo Yuheng inclined her head in agreement. Xu Qi''an took out the Earth Book fragment right in front of her, about to send a message, but then he remembered that he was currently "dead" and couldn''t speak. At that moment, Luo Yuheng''s gaze shifted to the doorway, and she said softly, "He''s here." Xu Qi''an turned his head and saw an orange cat squatting at the threshold, its amber eyes watching them intently. "Daoist, how have youe here... wait, aren''t you unable to enter the Imperial City?" The orange cat, with its tail erect, walked gracefully and silently across the floor, jumping onto the table. Xu Qi''an lightly swatted it away, saying, "We''re eating. Watch out for cat hair." The orange cat had no choice but to squat on the ground, looking up at them as it spoke in a warm tone, "After recovering from my injuries, I can enter the Imperial City freely now. But I still can''t enter the pce." *So Daoist Jinlian''s power is even greater than I thought...* Xu Qi''an mused. He wasn''t a novice anymore and knew that to sneak into the Imperial City without being detected, one would need at least the strength of the fourth rank. Of course, this didn''t apply to martial artists. Due to the characteristics of the martial artist''s system, even a first-rank martial artist couldn''t silently infiltrate the Imperial City without being noticed; they''d likely be detected. However, if it were a first-rank martial artist, they could probably solo the entire "Great Feng Capital" dungeon. "What about the blood..." Although Xu Qi''an trusted Daoist Jinlian, he was still a bit hesitant. This is like someone asking to use yourputer. Even if it''s a good friend or rtive, you''d still feel reluctant. After all, who doesn''t have a few hundred gigs of "wives" stored on their hard drive? "We need to borrow the medicinal properties of the Rebirth Pill in your blood," Daoist Jinlian exined after ncing at Luo Yuheng and seeing no reaction from her. He continued, "The path of the Human Sect is fraught with difficulties, as you may have already understood to some extent. Daoist Luo suffers monthly from the burning of karmic fire, enduring the agony of the seven emotions and six desires. The Rebirth Pill can shed the old and bring forth the new, temporarily easing her symptoms." Xu Qi''an nodded slowly and boldlymented, "No wonder I find the National Teacher to have an extraordinary charm." If Daoist Jinlian weren''t present, he would never have dared to make such a remark. Daoist Jinlian responded with a smile, "The Dao of the Human Sect, when cultivated to a high level, reveals the appearance of all beings, allowing you to see the aspect you most desire in your heart... I''m referring to matters of love and affection." As he spoke, the orange cat''s face disyed a human-like smile. "What did you see?" Luo Yuheng looked up at Xu Qi''an with an expressionless face. Xu Qi''an''s face suddenly froze. This reaction... Daoist Jinlian was taken aback, then became interested and pressed, "It seems you were deeply affected." *I thought I was into ck stockings, mature women, elder sisters, and lolis. But in the end, I realised I was just a simple lecher... I''ve never felt so deeply about this realisation before...* Xu Qi''an forced augh and casually changed the subject, "Since Daoist Jinlian is acting as the intermediary, I''m naturally willing to do my part." Luo Yuheng nodded in satisfaction and softly said, "If there''s any pill you need, feel free to ask. Consider itpensation for your blood." Daoist Jinlian spoke up before Xu Qi''an could, "No rush. Take your time to think. The favour of the head of the Human Sect is not something easily granted." Luo Yuheng nced at the orange cat with a hint of disdain. ¡­ Jingxiu Pce. Lin''an, apanied by her guards, arrived at her mother¡¯s residence. She rushed into the room, her red dress fluttering as she called out, "Mother, Mother..." Inside the room, Consort Chen was secretly wiping away her tears. When she saw her daughter running in, she quickly turned her face away to hide the tear stains. The usually lively Lin''an suddenly became quiet. She walked slowly to Consort Chen''s side and held her hand, a sh of concern crossing her enchanting peach blossom eyes. "Mother, Brother Crown Prince will be fine. The innocent will clear themselves. Please don''t cry." Lately, her mood had been terrible¡ªpartly because of Xu Qi''an''s death, and partly because of the Crown Prince¡¯s predicament, which had caused Consort Chen to cry daily. As a daughter, it pained her to see her mother so despondent, but she felt powerless to help. A maidservant standing beside them whispered, "In the past few days, some kings from the royal family came to see Madam. They said that the ministers outside are discussing the matter of establishing a new Crown Prince." Hearing this, Lin''an''s anger red up. "Those short-sighted dogs, why would they tell Mother about this?" She was so furious that she cursed her uncles as "dogs." "Lin''an, don''t speak nonsense." Consort Chen grasped her daughter''s hand tightly, her expression sorrowful. "Your brother, the Crown Prince, was born of a concubine. Over the years, people have always said he ascended improperly. Maybe it¡¯s better if he is deposed. At least then, we wouldn¡¯t have to live in constant fear." This statement ignited a fire in Lin''an''s heart. She knew her mother was referring to that scheming mistress of the harem. The head maid sighed, "If only the case could be thoroughly investigated and the truth revealed. But so many days have passed, and there¡¯s been no progress." The investigation had to be kept confidential, something Xu Qi''an had repeatedly emphasised to the two princesses. But now, seeing her mother growing more emaciated and her eyes red and swollen, Lin''an couldn¡¯t hold back any longer. She blurted out, "Who said there¡¯s been no progress? Xu Qi''an has already uncovered most of the truth." Consort Chen¡¯s eyes brightened, and she stared intently at her daughter. "Is it true? Has that Xu Qi''an really almost solved the case?" In her excitement, she gripped Lin''an''s hand tightly. "Mother, you¡¯re hurting me." Since she had already spoken, Lin''an didn¡¯t bother hiding anything anymore. "Mother, it was the Empress who framed Big Brother the Crown Prince. It must be her." Consort Chen''s face turned pale. "Lin''an, don¡¯t speak such nonsense." "Mother, don¡¯t worry. Lin''an has solid evidence..." She then recounted the entire course of events to Consort Chen. "So it was really her... If not for her unfaithfulness back then, how could His Majesty have demoted her to the Cold Pce, and how could my son have be Crown Prince?" Consort Chen broke down in tears. "His Majesty is so kind-hearted, remembering their old rtionship and not deposing herpletely. Yet she dares to scheme for the Crown Prince¡¯s position again after all these years." Consort Chen¡¯s words struck Lin''an like a bolt of lightning. What had she just heard? The Empress was unfaithful? Her father intended to depose her? When had this all happened? How did she not know? Images of the Empress, with her gentle nature but perpetualck of smiles, floated through Lin''an''s mind. Although she resented the Empress for framing her big brother, deep down, Lin''an didn¡¯t believe she was an unfaithful woman. But after hearing this shocking news, many past details she hadn¡¯t paid attention to suddenly made sense. For example, the Empress had always kept a low profile, rarely involving herself in pce affairs. Lin''an also realised that since she could remember, she had never seen the Empress smile. Additionally, the Empress had always been cold and indifferent toward Huaiqing and the Fourth Prince, showing none of the love that Consort Chen showed to her and the Crown Prince. "Mother, what...what exactly happened? The Empress was unfaithful... Who was the man?" Lin''an gripped Consort Chen''s hand tightly, burning with rage. As the daughter most loved by the Emperor, it was natural for her to be furious upon hearing this news. "Don¡¯t... Don¡¯t ask anymore..." Consort Chen realised she had misspoken and shook her head tearfully. "This is His Majesty¡¯s taboo. You must not speak of it to anyone." ¡­¡­. "I don''t like owing favors. Sir Xu, just tell me directly what you want." Luo Yuheng was not inclined to go along with Daoist Jinlian¡¯s n. _Auntie, I don''t want to struggle anymore¡­_ Xu Qi''an screamed internally. As for the reward, he couldn¡¯t think of anything specific for the moment, so he couldn¡¯t help but nce at the orange cat, seeking its advice. The orange cat pondered for a long time before saying, "The Human Sect is renowned for its swordsmanship across the Nine Provinces. Perhaps a sword technique would make a good gift." "But I use a sabre," Xu Qi''an reminded it. "Who says sword techniques can¡¯t be applied to a saber?" Daoist Jinlian responded with a chuckle. *That¡¯s true. As long as the essence of the technique is extracted, it can be applied to the sabre just the same. It¡¯s like how I canbine One de from Heaven and Earth with the Lion''s Roar to defeat enemies.* Xu Qi''an slowly nodded. Luo Yuheng raised her hand and lightly swept it across the table. Three thin booklets appeared on the table. The National Master¡¯s pleasant voice said, "I have three sword techniques here: _Heart Sword_, _Qi Sword_, and _Sword Control_. "_Heart Sword_ requires the assistance of the Primordial Spirit for cultivation. The spirit is used as a whetstone for the sword, which must be sharpened daily without rest. It cannot cut the flesh, but it is deadly against the Primordial Spirit." Hearing this, Xu Qi''an instinctively looked at the orange cat. The orange cat hissed and extended its sharp ws, warning, "Sir Xu, don¡¯t provoke me." Xu Qi''an quickly looked away. Luo Yuheng continued, "_Qi Sword_ is the opposite of _Heart Sword_. It is a top-tier offensive technique. When mastered, the sword energy is endless and invincible." Xu Qi''an couldn¡¯t help but ask, "A sword¡¯s breath travels three thousand miles, a lone sword¡¯s light chills the nine provinces?" Luo Yuheng couldn¡¯t help but nce at him, her beautiful eyes, as clear as a limpid autumn water, lingering on Xu Qi''an for a while. She praised, "It is said that Sir Xu''s poetic talent is unparalleled, and it¡¯s true. This line is full of grandeur and boundless imagery." *That wasn¡¯t my line. It was written by a famous writer who¡¯s famous for filling manuscripts with water...* "As for _Sword Control_..." Luo Yuheng waved her hand lightly. The doors and windows instantly flew open, and a sword light shot out from her sleeve, whistling as it danced above the courtyard. It moved as swiftly as thunder and as gracefully as a fish. Xu Qi''an marveled, "Sword Control is truly an immortal technique. In that case, I choose _Heart Sword_." Luo Yuheng was taken aback for a moment but then nodded. "Alright." Though _Sword Control_ was shy and powerful, Xu Qi''an felt that _Heart Sword_ was more suitable for him. The reason was simple: his One de from Heaven and Earth technique was an extremely extreme saber technique¡ªnothing in the world could withstand it. If something could, then it was time to run for his life. So, when he cultivated, his priority was not to add more techniques but to perfect One de from Heaven and Earth. Or maybe after mastering the Lion''s Roar, this belief had be even more firm. He had control techniques and physical damage covered, but what hecked now was an attack in the Primordial Spirit domain. Luo Yuheng retracted the _Qi Sword_ and _Sword Control_ manuals and pushed the _Heart Sword_ manual toward him. "If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, you maye to Lingbao Temple to seek my guidance. I can offer you assistance three times." "Thank you, National Teacher," Xu Qi''an thanked her sincerely. Then, Luo Yuheng took out a jade bowl from her sleeve and pushed it to Xu Qi''an, holding it between her slender fingers. The bowl wasn¡¯trge, only about three times the size of a teacup. Xu Qi''an felt relieved; he had been worried it would be arge bowl like the one Xu Lingyin used to eat. After obtaining the blood, Luo Yuheng hurried off to refine her elixir. The quiet room was now left with just the orange cat and Xu Qi''an. "Daoist, please help me block the others for a moment. I need to privately contact Li Miaozhen." Taking advantage of the opportunity, Xu Qi''an nned to inform Number Two about his resurrection. To this request, Daoist Jinlian simply responded, "Hehe." "What¡¯s the problem?" Xu Qi''an frowned. "Li Miaozhen mentioned that she woulde to the capital after the start of spring. Given the situation in Yunzhou, it would likely be after the bandit exterminations have finished. In any case, she¡¯ll be here soon, why do you need to hurry?¡± Daoist Jinlian responded. He was anticipating the moment when Li Miaozhen, after realising that Xu Qi¡¯an had resurrected, would be so angry that she would go fight him instead, thus disrupting the battle between heaven and man and sorting out the conflict between the two sides. ¡°Indeed!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. Chapter 248: Assassination Attempt Chapter 248: Assassination Attempt # 248. Assassination Attempt Leaving Lingbao Temple, it was already the quarter to two. Xu Qi''an entered the imperial pce, requesting a message to be delivered. He waited at the pce gate for a quarter of an hour, and by two, the little eunuch finally arrived. "Sir Xu, how should we proceed with the investigation?" the little eunuch asked. "We''ll head to Feng Pce[^1] to see the Empress... There''s no need to inform His Majesty in advance if I''m going to see the Empress, right?" Xu Qi''an asked. The little eunuch quickly shook his head. "His Majesty has said that within the harem, you may go wherever you wish. Of course, the condition is that a servant apanies you, especially when meeting with the Noble Consort or the Empress." Xu Qi''an nodded. It wouldn''t be appropriate to meet the Emperor''s women in private, after all. The full name of Feng Pce was Fengqi Pce, thergest and most luxurious hall in the harem¡ªexcluding the Emperor''s sleeping quarters.When they arrived at Fengqi Pce, they were informed that the Empress was taking a nap. Xu Qi''an and the little eunuch waited in the outer corridor for nearly half an hour before a graceful pce maid came to inform them: "The Empress is awake; Sir Xu, pleasee in." Xu Qi''an followed her into the hall, where he saw the Empress, the mother of the nation, in the luxuriously decorated main hall. She was dressed in a dark robe embroidered with golden phoenixes, wearing an exquisite phoenix crown. Her eyebrows were as delicate as a painting, her lips full and soft. Though she was no longer young, her face was full of cogen, showing no signs of aging. This added a mature charm to her wless beauty. *Among the beauties I''ve seen, she ranks second. Luo Yuheng ranks first, but the National Teacher has an inherent allure, a buff of sorts, while the Empress relies on her natural assets... With such a woman as the Empress, no one else in the harem could stand a chance.* Xu Qi''an quickly bowed his head, maintaining the proper etiquette and decorum expected of an external official. "Indeed, a young talent," the Empress, evidently a connoisseur of appearances, scrutinized Xu Qi''an and nodded approvingly. "Huaiqing often mentions you to us, and speaks highly of you. We have also heard of your achievements in solving cases in the capital." The first impression on both sides was good. Whether it was due to his self-confidence, Xu Qi''an felt that the Empress held him in high regard and didn''t treat him as an outsider at all. "Wei Yuan is fortunate to have such an outstanding subordinate as you," the Empress said softly. "Serve tea for Sir Xu." A pce maid presented him with steaming tea. Xu Qi''an epted it with both hands but did not drink it, instead getting straight to the point: "This lwoly official is here regarding the Consort Fu case and has a few questions for Your Majesty." "Please ask, Sir Xu." "Does Your Majesty know a pce maid named Huang Xiaorou?" "We do not know her," the Empress shook her head. "Then, in Your Majesty''s pce, is there a pce maid named He''er?" "There is." The Empress remained silent for a few seconds before slowly nodding. "Nanny Rong from Xie Pavilion said that four years ago, Huang Xiaorou once attempted suicide for no apparent reason. The pce maid who shared a room with her saved her, and that maid was He''er from Your Majesty''s pce." "He''er has never been to Xie Pavilion," the Empress tly denied. Xu Qi''an continued, "After examining the body, this humble official found that Huang Xiaorou sustained fatal injuries, beyond the abilities of an ordinary maid to save, and not even the imperial physicians could have cured her. It must have been a miraculous elixir that brought her back to life." The Empress stared at Xu Qi''an and said coldly, "Does Sir Xu have any evidence for these ims?" "The body itself is evidence." "And what about the elixir?" "...There is none," Xu Qi''an shook his head. *Was the Empress the one who destroyed the records in the Imperial Pharmacy?* The Empress nodded and softly said, "We are tired now, escort Sir Xu out of the hall." *But you just finished your nap...* Xu Qi''an''s lips twitched as he reluctantly rose and left Fengqi Pce with the pce maid. ... Xu Qi''an nced at the sky. "Little Eunuch, have you finished collecting the list I asked for?" The little eunuch pulled a folded sheet of xuan paper from his sleeve. "I was just about to hand it over to you, Sir Xu." *Not bad, efficient as always, the pce trained you well.* Xu Qi''an unfolded the list and quickly scanned it. It contained the names of a dozen or so pce maids, servants, and guards. "We''ll investigate them one by one, following the list," Xu Qi''an said. "And what about the Empress..." "We won''t be able to investigate her." Xu Qi''an sighed. Though Emperor Yuanjing had given him great authority, allowing him to investigate anyone he wished, if the Empress refused to cooperate, there was no way for Xu Qi''an to force her hand. But one thing is clear: the Empress has something to hide. *Could it really be the Empress who did this? If so, wouldn''t Huaiqing be pitiful? Should I continue investigating? But if I don''t, wouldn''t Biaobiao be pitiful? Here ites, the ssic two-choice dilemma...* Xu Qi''an sighed silently. *But speaking of which, the Empress is incredibly beautiful. Even at her age, she still has such grace¡ªhow stunning must she have been when she was younger? No wonder she became the Empress.* *Huaiqing does resemble the Empress in certain features.* *Comparing the two, I still think Luo Yuheng is superior because she satisfies my varied tastes... Oh, Su Su is also nice.* Xu Qi''an couldn''t help but recall what Daoist Jinlian had just said: Luo Yuheng possesses the image of all beings, allowing men to see the type of woman they prefer. For Xu Qi''an, that was a youngdy in her twenties, a woman in her thirties, and a maturedy in her forties... *I really don''t want to admit that I''m a lecher.* In the next two hours, Xu Qi''an arranged for the investigation of the people on the list. Due to time constraints, he had to leave the pce before the gates closed, so he only managed to investigate a third of them. Amid the loud closing of the pce gates, he left the imperial pce, retrieved the ck-gold long sabre gifted by the Jianzheng from the Imperial Guard, and leisurely rode out of the imperial city. By this time, only thest rays of the setting sun remained. The curfew had begun, and the streets were already deserted. Dressed in his Nightwatcher uniform and with the golden token in hand, he could pass through anywhere except the inner pce. "Clip-clop, clip-clop..." His mare trotted down the empty streets as Xu Qi''an contemted the threads of the Consort Fu case. *Consort Fu was the biggest victim in this entire case, a pawn sacrificed to frame the Crown Prince. The one who acted was the already silenced Huang Xiaorou.* *Huang Xiaorou had once been gravely injured but was saved by the Empress, so she owed the Empress a great debt.* *The Empress¡¯s fourth son is a legitimate heir, while the current Crown Prince is of concubine birth. The Empress was unwilling to see the Crown Prince''s position taken by another, so she devised a scheme to frame him and reim the position of the heir apparent.* *The motive is clear, and the entire case makes sense, except for theck of evidence.* *Yes, to convict the Empress, more evidence is needed.* *Nanny Rong was right; the secrets in this deep pce are too many. Once you step in, you can''t pull yourself out. I thought this case would take some time, but I didn''t expect it to progress so quickly. Now I don''t even have the chance to drag it out. Damn it, Yuanjing Emperor still hasn''t issued the decree to grant me a title. I''ll request leave tomorrow.* At that moment, a picture formed in Xu Qi''an''s mind: to his left, a ck-d figure crouched behind the roof ridge, and to his right, another ck-d figure was simrly hidden. Ahead, a ck-d man with a sword stood in the alleyway. Thanks to the unique abilities of a Refining Spirit martial artist, Xu Qi''an immediately sensed the danger. *I''m being ambushed...* The thought shed in his mind just as the sharp sound of something slicing through the air reached his ears. ¡­ Dusk. Emperor Yuanjing had just finished his evening meal and was nning to visit Lingbao Temple to meet with Luo Yuheng, to meditate and listen to her Daoist teachings. A eunuch stationed outside suddenly reported, "Your Majesty, Noble Consort Chen is requesting an audience." *What could she want at this hour...* Emperor Yuanjing frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Let her in." If Consort Chen hade to his quarters at this time a few years ago, Emperor Yuanjing might have thought she was offering herself to him, seeking to spend the night. In the first ten years of his cultivation, the consorts in the harem persistently sought his favor, requesting to serve him in bed. Emperor Yuanjing ignored them all, and those with stubborn tempers would kneel outside his quarters all night. Eventually, when they realized that his heart was resolute and they could not regain his favour, the consorts gave up and settled into their lives peacefully. Now, they were quite buddhist about the matter. Each lived their own life, and sometimes they would even gather to chat and socialize. The imperial harem under Emperor Yuanjing''s reign was probably the most harmonious in five hundred years of the great Feng Dynasty. After the eunuch left, Emperor Yuanjing sat cross-legged on the bed, closed his eyes, and began his breathing exercises. Not long after, Noble Consort Chen rushed in, crying as she spoke: "Your Majesty, you must seek justice for me, and for the Crown Prince." So she''s here for the Crown Prince. This oue did not surprise Emperor Yuanjing¡ªin fact, he had anticipated it. With his rejuvenated ck hair, Emperor Yuanjing opened his eyes and looked calmly at Consort Chen. "The matter regarding the Crown Prince is still under investigation. Beloved Consort, please return. The truth will naturallye to light." "Still under investigation? But hasn¡¯t the case been solved already, Your Majesty? I heard it from Lin¡¯an." Consort Chen dabbed at her tears with a silk handkerchief, speaking in a sorrowful tone: "The Crown Prince has been wronged. He¡¯s been wronged!" Hmm? Emperor Yuanjing frowned and asked, "What did Lin¡¯an tell you?" "That that Sir Xu has already uncovered the truth..." Emperor Yuanjing was taken aback. He knew that earlier today, a drowned body was pulled from the Xie Pavilion''s well¡ªthe missing pce maid from Consort Fu¡¯s entourage. But he never expected Xu Qi''an to uncover the truth so quickly. Between sobs, Consort Chen ryed the information she had learned. After listening, Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s expression grew dark. He turned to the chief eunuch and ordered, "Bring the one monitoring Xu Qi''an to us." The old eunuch in the serpent robe responded and left, returning in less than a quarter-hour with the little eunuch. The little eunuch nced around. Emperor Yuanjing sat cross-legged on the bed, his expression unreadable, while Consort Chen knelt by the bedside, sobbing softly. Emperor Yuanjing asked calmly, "What progress was made in today¡¯s investigation?" The little eunuch, having already prepared his report, responded without hesitation: "After entering the pce, Sir Xu immediately went to examine the body. He concluded that the pce maid, Huang Xiaorou, was first drowned by someone pressing her into water before being thrown into the well." He then detailed the process of the autopsy to substantiate this conclusion. "Moreover, Sir Xu also found that the pce maid, Huang Xiaorou, had previously sustained a fatal injury to her chest several years ago, which should have killed her. However, she was saved by a miraculous pill... He then went to the Xie Pavilion to question Nanny Rong..." This time, the little eunuch wisely stuck to the facts, avoiding any personalmentary or mentioning the interactions between Xu Qi''an and the two princesses. He had realized that while reporting these incidents could cause trouble for Xu Qi''an, his own use of the princesses to snitch would likely displease the Emperor even more. You harm others and harm yourself, why bother? Besides, Xu Qi''an had always treated him well, caring about him. Even though he had a bit of a temper, he was otherwise good-natured. "The records from the Imperial Pharmacy were confirmed to be tampered with?" Emperor Yuanjing asked for confirmation. "That is what Sir Xu said," the little eunuch replied, still withholding any personal judgment. Emperor Yuanjing slowly nodded. "Notify the coroner to enter the pce immediately and re-examine Huang Xiaorou''s body. We must have an answer tonight." Half an hourter, the chief eunuch returned with the coroner''s autopsy results, which corroborated Xu Qi''an''s findings without a doubt. Emperor Yuanjing was momentarily lost in thought, not speaking for a long time. The vast pce was enveloped in silence. Finally, Consort Chen, still prostrate on the floor, cried out, "Sir Xu dares not investigate the Empress. Only Your Majesty can intervene in this matter. Your consort begs Your Majesty to seek justice for the Crown Prince and for me." --- [^1]: Phoenix Pce Chapter 249: Court Assembly Chapter 249: Court Assembly # 249. Court Assembly The arrow transformed into a fleeting shadow in the darkness, too swift for Xu Qi''an''s eyes to follow. However, his powerful spiritual sense locked onto the faintly cyan arrow. Refining Spirit was considered a minor peak in a martial artist''s strength¡ªa statement that¡¯s not made lightly. Martial artists at this stage possessed a hypersensitive intuition when it came to danger. Upon reaching the Refining Spirit stage, one typically bade farewell to the fate of being ambushed, taken by surprise, or attacked unawares. A military crossbow from the Sitianjian ¡ª a lethal weapon that could even kill Refining Spirits! Xu Qi''an immediately identified the origin of the weapon, as he had once possessed such an artefact. Instinctively, he thought to leap off his horse to dodge the arrow. "No, my little mare can''t die here¡­" This thought shed through his mind, and he changed his n. Reaching to his lower back, he unsheathed his de with a clear, sharp sound and, with a reverse sh, precisely cut the arrow in half.In the faint sound of sliding tiles, two men in ck leaped from the rooftop, attacking Xu Qi''an from both sides. They wielded standard-issue long sabres, their overwhelming force distorting the air as they aimed to cut down both Xu Qi''an and his horse. "Hyah!" Sensing the danger, Xu Qi''an squeezed his legs against his horse¡¯s belly, urging his beloved mare into a mad dash forward, narrowly avoiding the pincer attack. At the same time, he vaulted off the horse,nding lightly on the roof of a tavern. "Boom!" The two ck-d men¡¯s sabre auras struck empty ground, carving deep grooves into the earth. Refining Spirit... Xu Qi''an nced down, making a mental assessment. What concerned him even more was the man in ck hiding in the alley ahead¡ªsomeone likely even stronger than a Refining Spirit martial artist. A Strategic retreat! This was the Inner City, patrolled by the Nightwatchers and the Five Guards of the Imperial City in shifts. These three assassins couldn''t linger long; the time they had was even less than what the Chinese national football team had left on the clock. As long as he didn¡¯t engage them in prolongedbat, they wouldn¡¯t be able to take him down quickly, and they would retreat on their own. Then, he could immediately use the Qi-watching technique, join forces with the Nightwatchers, and turn the tables on them. At that moment, another image shed through Xu Qi''an¡¯s mind: the tall man in ck had mysteriously appeared behind him, throwing a punch at the back of his head. *Damn, when did he get behind me...?* Xu Qi''an''s body reacted faster than his mind, instinctively diving off the rooftop. Simultaneously, the sound of a fist breaking through the air echoed like a thunderp behind him. Boom! The punch, wrapped in powerful qi, exploded into rippling shockwaves in mid-air. Having missed the strike, the expert seemed surprised, not expecting this newly advanced Refining Spirit martial artist to be so keenly perceptive. As Xu Qi''annded, he was immediately met with attacks from the two Refining Spirit fighters. _ng, ng..._ He parried their shing sabres, and as soon as he touched down, he quickly fled. Moving across rooftops was too dangerous; skillfully using narrow alleys, buildings, and other obstacles was a more prudent approach. But before he had run far, the sound of something breaking through the air rapidly closed in from behind. His mind instinctively presented an image of the ck-d man attacking. Xu Qi''an gritted his teeth, twisted his waist, and turned to sh back. _ng!_ His ck-gold long saber shed against a fist, sparks erupting from the contact. The force caused the skin of Xu Qi''an''s right hand to crack, and his legs skidded along the ground, sliding back over a dozen metres. The thick soles of his shoes were torn from its body with a sharp screeching sound. A Sixth-rank martial artist ¡ª Bronze Skin and Iron Bones. Though he had anticipated it, Xu Qi''an''s heart still sank. *The mastermind behind this attack knew his capabilities, sending assassins that could almost guarantee his defeat...* They also knew his usual route, ambushing him on the inevitable path. *Who wants to kill me?* Now wasn¡¯t the time to ponder this, as the two Refining Spirit experts were already closing in. The trio was clearly a well-coordinated team, with the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones expert leading the charge, supported by the two Refining Spirit martial artists. Their attacks were seamless and relentless. *Within fifty moves, I¡¯ll be dead...* This terrifying realization shed through Xu Qi''an¡¯s mind. In his desperation, he abruptly halted, ignoring the attack from the left, and feigned a reckless strike of mutual destruction with the one on the right. Strangely, the man on the right met his strike head-on without hesitation, while the one on the left, who could have attacked, withdrew his sabre defensively. Xu Qi''an swiftly turned and shed at the ck-d man on the left, striking precisely on the edge of the man''s saber. _Thunk..._ The man on the right stabbed Xu Qi''an in the left shoulder with his long de. "Damn it!" Xu Qi''an cursed under his breath. His true target had been the man on the left, with the reckless strike against the man on the right being a mere feint. Unfortunately, the opponent, also at the Refining Spirit stage, had sensed the danger in advance. Trying to steal a chicken, only to lose the bait. Xu Qi''an kicked the man on the right away. At that moment, the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones expert had already charged forward in an instant, gathering qi in his fist and smashing it into Xu Qi''an''s chest with ferocious force. _Bang!_ Xu Qi''an felt something shatter in his chest. The next moment, he was sent flying as if hit by a heavy truck. _Cough, cough, cough..._ Steadying himself, Xu Qi''an coughed up blood. The shattering sound in his chest came from the Nightwatcher-issued bronze gong and Song Qing¡¯s protective heart mirror. With the dualyered defence, he barely survived the full-force strike of the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones expert. "Standard weapons, the Sitianjian¡¯s military crossbow, and daring to kill in broad daylight in the Inner City¡ªyou must be suicide warriors of some high-up figure." As he spoke, Xu Qi''an discreetly scanned the surroundings. The three ck-d men ignored Xu Qi''an''s words, showing no awareness of being typical viins, and continued their relentless pursuit. Xu Qi''an turned and ran, darting into a narrow alley on the right. The three ck-d men chased him into the alley, only to find Xu Qi''an standing at the far end, his razor-sharp long saber already sheathed. "Why aren¡¯t you running?" the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones assassin asked, his voice hoarse, clearly disguised. "No point in running, so I¡¯ve decided to kill you here," Xu Qi''an said, squinting his eyes in satisfaction at the alley¡¯s narrow width, which could only amodate one person at a time. One strike¡ªhe had only one chance. The Bronze Skin and Iron Bones expert frowned, concentrating to sense his surroundings, but detected no sign of the Nightwatchers or patrolling soldiers. Yet Xu Qi''an''s confidence made him instinctively wary. Is he bluffing? At this moment, he saw the newly advanced Refining Spirit martial artist, the Bronze Gong, slowly ce his right hand on the hilt of his sabre. Focusing on a single point, reaching his peak. All emotions receded, all qi dampened, like the sea retreating before a tsunami. At that moment, the three ck-d men felt a premonition of danger. Their Refining Spirit instincts screamed: Danger, danger, danger... Without hesitation, they followed their warrior instincts and began to retreat from the alley. But just then, a roar pierced their eardrums and shook their spirits, causing their consciousness topse into a brief chaos, losing control over their bodies. Immediately after, they heard the sharp sound of a de being drawn from its sheath, like a dragon¡¯s cry. The Bronze Skin and Iron Bones assassin was the first to break free from the Lion¡¯s Roar¡¯s effects, only to see a thin line of de light shing towards him. He barely had time to cross his arms, summoning his qi and muscles to rely on his indestructible body to take the blow head-on. ... ¡°Patapata...¡± A Bronze Gong at the Refining Qi level was sprinting across the rooftops, following the trail of destruction until he reached the alley. He leaned over to look into the alley and saw four figures in a standoff. The three ck-d men stood motionless, while across from them, Xu Qi¡¯an was leaning on his de, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat, with wisps of steam rising from the back of his head. ¡°Over here!¡± The Bronze Gong shouted, holding a sword in one hand and a military crossbow in the other as he jumped into the alley, standing beside Xu Qi¡¯an. Two more Bronze Gongs arrived on the adjacent rooftops and entered the alley. ¡°Sir Xu, are you alright?¡± The patrolling trio expressed their concern. They attuned their senses and, not hearing any heartbeat from the ck-d men, concluded that the assassins were already dead. ¡°Just a little hurt, nothing serious.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an panted. Before hisrades arrived, he had already taken a Strength Pill, and his strength was gradually recovering. However, it would take at least another quarter of an hour before he could walk properly again. The de gifted by the Jianzheng was a perfect match for the *One de from Heaven and Earth* technique. The three Bronze Gongs nodded slowly, looking at the ck-d men. The fact that they had forced Xu Qi¡¯an, who had just entered the Refining Spirit realm, into such a dire situation suggested that at least one of them was at the Refining Spirit level. At that moment, the sound of heavy footsteps approached as a fifty-man squad of the Imperial Guards arrived. ¡°Sir Xu, please return to the constabry for treatment. We¡¯ll handle these three.¡± One of the Bronze Gongs stepped out of the alley and instructed the Imperial Guards who had just arrived, "Escort Sir Xu back to the Nightwatcher constabry. Leave ten men here to assist me with the bodies." The squad leader cupped his fist and responded, "Understood." After Xu Qi¡¯an left, the three Bronze Gongs returned to the alley. When they touched the bodies, the motionless ck-d men suddenly split in half, their upper and lower bodies separating with a diagonal cut at the waist, leaving a mess of organs and blood on the ground. The Bronze Gongs frowned, feeling both disgust and surprise. ¡°I recall that Xu Ningyan¡¯s signature move is a powerful de technique. He once injured Silver Gong Zhu with a single strike.¡± ¡°Yeah. Judging by the scene, his technique has grown even more formidable. He killed three men with one sh, and among them was surely someone at the Refining Spirit level.¡± The three simultaneously looked at the foremost ck-d man. It was clear that he was the strongest of the three. ¡°Wait, where¡¯s his weapon?¡± The other two ck-d men were equipped with standard long sabres and military crossbows, but this man¡¯s hands were empty, with no weapon in sight. Did Xu Ningyan take it? With doubts in their minds, they inspected the body separately. When they touched the remains, they felt a metallic texture under their fingers. The corpse had retained its tension from when the man had gathered his strength just before death. ¡°Huh?¡± Simultaneously, a series of question marks popped into their minds. It took them a few seconds to process, and when they did, they were overwhelmed by a mix of disbelief and shock. ¡°Bronze¡­ Bronze Skin and Iron Bones¡­.¡± One of the Bronze Gongs murmured. ... An hourter, at the Nightwatcher constabry. The Divine Sword Hall. Zhang Kaitai, who was on duty tonight, had gathered all the Silver Gongs to discuss the assassination attempt on Xu Qi¡¯an. The Silver Gong who had just returned from inspecting the scene reported, ¡°From the time of the attack to the moment the enemies were killed, the entire incidentsted no more than eight minutes. It seems the assassins knew Xu Ningyan¡¯s route in advance and ambushed him on a path he had to take. ¡°After a brief skirmish, they chased Xu Ningyan into an alley, where they were all killed by a single sh. The execution was swift and clean.¡± Zhang Kaitai nodded and looked at another Silver Gong, who was in charge of examining the bodies. The Silver Gong spoke in a deep voice, ¡°The assassins used the mostmon standard long swords. These are used by the Three Great Imperial Armies and the Five Royal Guard Divisions. Even some household guards of the nobles and ministers use such swords. We can''t trace anything specific from the weapons. ¡°Additionally, we found a magical artefact ¡ª a military crossbow on one of the assassins, powerful enough to threaten someone at the Refining Spirit level. But this too doesn¡¯t offer any leads. ¡°Corruption is rampant in both the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of War, and it¡¯smon for nobles and officials to privately trade military supplies. Over the years, the amount of leaked artefacts and weapons is countless. It¡¯s impossible to trace. ¡°If we attempt to investigate, it could implicate half the officials in the capital. Even if His Majesty personally orders it, we might end up with nothing.¡± Zhang Kaitai nodded, as if he had expected this, and asked, ¡°What about the cultivation levels of the three assassins?¡± ¡°Two were at the Refining Spirit level, and one was at the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones level.¡± *To kill both Refining Spirit and Bronze Skin and Iron Bones experts with a single sh...* The hall fell into a deathly silence. After what felt like an eternity, Zhang Kaitai spoke, ¡°Where is Xu Ningyan?¡± ¡°He passed out after we treated his wounds.¡± Zhang Kaitai nodded, then nced around at the Silver Gongs, coughing to clear his throat, ¡°You don¡¯t need to focus too much on certain details. As Silver Gongs, you are all top talents of Great Feng, second to none. asionally¡­ asionally, there are one or two freaks among us, but you shouldn''t measure yourselves against them.¡± The Silver Gongs forced out a few words of agreement, their smiles strained. Zhang Kaitai shifted the topic, ¡°Who do you think sent the assassins?¡± A Silver Gong frowned and replied, ¡°We don¡¯t yet know who Xu Ningyan has recently made enemies with. Based on the information we have, if we rule out personal grudges, it¡¯s highly likely rted to the Consort Fu case.¡± ¡­ The next day, at six. Zhang Kaitai first went to visit Xu Qi¡¯an. Seeing that he was still asleep, Zhang Kaitai didn¡¯t disturb him and instead retrieved the dossier on the ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an Assassination Attempt¡± that had been prepared by the clerksst night. He then headed to the Tower of Noble Spirit. After being announced, he entered the tower and met Wei Yuan in the tea room on the seventh floor. This high-ranking eunuch¡¯s movements were limited to two ces: the Imperial Pce and the Tower of Noble Spirit. Thanks to the Nightwatchers¡¯ intelligencework, Wei Yuan could learn about events across the empire without ever leaving his quarters. ¡°Duke Wei, Xu Ningyan was ambushed after leaving the Imperial Pce yesterday,¡± Zhang Kaitai said, handing over the dossier. Wei Yuan took the dossier but didn¡¯t open it immediately. Instead, he asked, ¡°How is he?¡± ¡°He sustained some injuries, but nothing serious. His energy is severely depleted, so he¡¯s still asleep,¡± Zhang Kaitai replied. Wei Yuan nodded before finally opening the dossier. After quickly reading through it, he looked up at Zhang Kaitai, ¡°Two at the Refining Spirit level, and one at the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones level?¡± He seemed to be seeking confirmation. *Even someone as wise as Duke Wei was often left surprised by that kid¡­* Zhang Kaitai gave a nod, ¡°Bronze Skin and Iron Bones.¡± Wei Yuan was silent for a long time before he suddenly chuckled, ¡°Not bad, not bad at all.¡± Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Kaitai asked, ¡°Could this be rted to the Consort Fu case?¡± ¡°The Consort Fu case is His Majesty¡¯s private matter. It¡¯s not appropriate for an outside official to interfere, but I will report this matter,¡± Wei Yuan replied as he closed the dossier and frowned slightly. He had few spies in the pce; after all, the Imperial Pce was Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s domain. nting too many spies there would only provoke the emperor¡¯s wrath. Ever since three of his informants were removed, Wei Yuan had temporarily ceased his surveince of the pce. There should always be a degree of tacit understanding between ruler and subject. Emperor Yuanjing had clearly signaled to him: ¡°Stop prying into the pce affairs.¡± However, after Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s assassination attempt, Wei Yuan felt a surge of anger. He decided to reactivate his pce informants and personally oversee this case. Footsteps echoed from the stairway outside, drawing Wei Yuan¡¯s attention, and Zhang Kaitai turned to look as well. A ck-d clerk entered the tea room with his head lowered and respectfully reported, ¡°Duke Wei, there¡¯s an order from the pce ¡ª court assembly, eight o¡¯clock.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Wei Yuan nodded. ¡°Seems like something major¡­¡± Zhang Kaitai tactfully stood up, ¡°Then your servant will take his leave.¡± Court assemblies weren¡¯t held every day. Generally, a diligent monarch would hold a grand court assembly every three days at a fixed time. A more negligent monarch might hold court every five to ten days. Under Emperor Yuanjing, early morning court sessions had be rare. He would only call for one when in the mood to address state affairs, typically notifying officials a day in advance. When a court assembly was called on such short notice, it usually signified something important. After finishing his tea, Wei Yuan called for Nangong Qianrou and entered the pce with his adopted son. By quarter to eight, they arrived at the Meridian Gate. The za was already filled with capital officials, who were whispering among themselves, specting on the reason for Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s sudden court assembly. Most were guessing it had to do with the Consort Fu case. It was the most significant issue recently. This case was tied to the Crown Prince and the stability of the state. Only such a matter could prompt Emperor Yuanjing, who had long neglected state affairs, to suddenly call a court assembly and summon his ministers for discussion. ¡°Duke Wei.¡± The Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate approached cautiously, ncing around nervously before whispering, ¡°There¡¯s news from the pce. Last night, His Majesty went to the Fengqi Pce, but left in a furious rage.¡± Wei Yuan¡¯s expression subtly changed, and he nodded slowly, ¡°I see.¡± Chapter 250: Brainstorming Chapter 250: Brainstorming # 250. Brainstorming On the dot of eight, the side gate of the Meridian Gate slowly opened. An elderly eunuch walked to the entrance and loudly announced, "Court is in session!" The noise instantly ceased, and the civil and military officials entered the side gate in an orderly fashion, with the civil officials on the left and the military officials on the right, clearly separated. After entering the Meridian Gate, officials of the fourth rank and above proceeded into the hall, while those below the fourth rank remained at the entrance, and those below the sixth rank stayed in the za. The ministers entered the hall and waited for a quarter of an hour before Emperor Yuanjing finally arrived, fashionablyte. A cluster of gazes fell upon their emperor, trying to discern clues from his expression or demeanour. All attempts failed. Emperor Yuanjing had been on the throne for thirty-seven years, his mind was unfathomably deep, and his experience vast. There were very few in the court who could match wits with him. Perhaps only Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang. This court session started off no differently than usual, with the ministers presenting their reports and the emperor responding as usual."Your Majesty, thousands have frozen to death in Chuzhou during the harsh winter. The Provincial Administration Commissioner has exhausted the funds allocated for disaster relief. We humbly request Your Majesty to issue a decree, instructing the Ministry of Revenue to allocate funds..." "The national treasury is empty. For disaster relief, you may seek donations from the local gentry..." Emperor Yuanjing replied. "Your Majesty, the northern barbarians have repeatedly vited our borders. As spring approaches, border conflicts are bing increasingly intense. We must remain vignt." "Your Majesty, the Zhenbei King has ignored the barbarian raids on our borders, stubbornly defending the city without deploying a single soldier. This has led to widespread discement and heavy casualties among the border popce. We beseech Your Majesty to hold him ountable." Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanjing looked at Wei Yuan, his voice void of emotion, "Duke Wei, what is the situation with the northern barbarians?" Wei Yuan frowned slightly and replied, "At the end ofst year, the north experienced heavy snowfall for several months, killing countless livestock. I anticipated at the time that the barbarians would raid southward." Emperor Yuanjing suddenly remembered this and frowned, "And what of the aftermath? The barbarians invaded the border, so why did the Nightwatchers not receive any prior intelligence?" "It was your servant¡¯s oversight," Wei Yuan replied. In truth, he had withdrawn his informants from the north, redeploying them to the northeast. Emperor Yuanjing coldly dered, "For failing to detect the invasion south of the northern barbarians, Wei Yuan is relieved of his duties as Left Censor-in-Chief and will forfeit a year''s sry." The hall fell silent for a moment as countless questions swirled through the ministers'' minds. Although the Nightwatchers were responsible for gathering intelligence, this was only a secondary duty. Furthermore, with the northern barbarians invading, and the Zhenbei King refusing to fight, even knowing in advance wouldn''t have made much difference. How could this me be pinned on Wei Yuan? However, since it was rare for Emperor Yuanjing to target Wei Yuan, the civil officials seized the opportunity, quickly attacking Wei Yuan and loudly praising the emperor''s wisdom. A censor stepped forward and emphasised, "Your Majesty, the Zhenbei King turned a blind eye to the people''s suffering caused by the military disaster. We implore Your Majesty to hold him ountable." Emperor Yuanjing''s response was a mere three words, "We are aware." The censor reluctantly retreated. As the court session neared its end and the piled-up administrative matters were resolved, the ministers ceased their petitions. Emperor Yuanjing raised his index finger and gently tapped the table. An elderly eunuch, dressed in a serpent robe, stepped forward and surveyed the ministers. *It¡¯sing...* The ministers inside the hall all felt a twinge in their hearts. The earlier proceedings had been routine, and while it was surprising that Wei Yuan was relieved of his position as Left Censor-in-Chief, Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s sudden call for a court session was definitely not for this "small matter." The elderly eunuch unrolled the imperial decree in his hands and read aloud, ¡°We have thoroughly investigated the Consort Fu case. It has been found that Empress Shangguan orchestrated the murder of Consort Fu by instructing pce maid Huang Xiaorou and framing the Crown Prince... ¡°After rigorous questioning, Empress Shangguan has confessed to her crimes. The Empress has lost her moralpass and is unfit to bear the Mandate of Heaven. She is hereby stripped of her seal and will retire to Changchun Pce." Changchun Pce was the Cold Pce. Inside and outside the hall, there was a dead silence. From the First Rank Grand Ministers down to the ministers outside the hall, everyone who heard the contents of the decree was stunned. In the midst of the silence, a low voice broke out: "Your Majesty, this cannot be." Emperor Yuanjing squinted his eyes, expressionless as he looked at the azure cloak who had just stepped out of line. Wei Yuan, with greying temples and eyes reflecting the weariness of countless years, locked gazes with Emperor Yuanjing. It was unclear how much time passed before the Minister of Law and the Chief Justice of the High Court simultaneously stepped forward, loudly dering, "Your Majesty, the Consort Fu case has not been examined by the Three Judicial Offices. It cannot be decided lightly." Emperor Yuanjing replied slowly, word by word, "This is our family matter." The newly appointed Minister of Rites swiftly stepped forward, bowed, and loudly proimed, "Your Majesty, deposing the Empress is also a matter of state importance. It must not be done hastily. We beseech Your Majesty to submit the Consort Fu case to the Three Judicial Offices for review before making a final decision." Though the decree stated that the Empress had confessed, deposing the Empress was a serious matter. Without knowing the full circumstances, the ministers were unwilling to support Emperor Yuanjing in this decision. "Very well!" ¡­¡­¡­ In the early morning, Xu Xinnian finished washing up and headed to the back hall for breakfast. From a distance, he saw Xu Lingyin, dressed in her little skirt, sitting on the steps outside the hall, pouting angrily. Her small figure looked lonely and pitiful. "Lingyin, why are you sitting here?" Xu Xinnian asked. Xu Lingyin looked up at him but didn¡¯t respond. "Second Brother is asking you a question." Xu Xinnian frowned. "Mother kicked me out and even hit me," Xu Lingyinined. "Second Brother, can you scold Mother for me?" Xu Xinnian shook his head. The little girl¡¯s expression turned to one of resignation as she scrunched her nose and said, "If Big Brother were home, it would be better. Big Brother likes to bully Mother the most." Xu Xinnian entered the hall and sat in his usual spot. After Lyu''e served him a bowl of porridge, he asked while eating, "Mother, did Lingyin make you angry again?" "No, it¡¯s your Big Brother who made me angry," Auntie replied coldly. "Big Brother hasn¡¯t evene home..." Auntie sneered, "That¡¯s exactly your Big Brother¡¯s skill. He can make me furious even when he¡¯s not here." Xu Xinnian nced at his sister and father, who were both silently eating their porridge, and asked, "What happened?" Xu Lingyue whispered, "Lingyin was eating buns this morning. She took a bite and then spit it out, saying that this way she wouldn¡¯t get hungry and could keep eating forever." "Did Big Brother teach her that?" Xu Xinnian twitched at the corner of his mouth. Xu Lingyue nodded. Uncle Xu added, "After Lingyin spat it out, she felt it was a pity and tried to pick it up to eat it again, which got her a beating from your mother." Xu Xinnian: ¡­ He looked under the table and indeed found a few chewed-up pieces of bun. "Big Brother didn¡¯te homest night either," Xu Lingyue said gloomily. Xu Eng and Xu Pingzhi exchanged a nce and said in unison, "He¡¯s definitely at the Jiaofangsi." ¡­ Xu Qi''an woke up in a side room at the Nightwatcher constabry. The spacious courtyard was quiet, with only an old clerk hunching over to sweep the yard. *This duvet hasn''t been washed in ages; it smells awful. Public dormitories are the worst.* He disdainfully tossed the duvet aside, unsteadily got out of bed, and opened the window to let the sunlight in. This was the public dormitory of the Nightwatcher constabry, a ce for clerks and Nightwatchers to rest when they worked overtime. Only Gold Gongs had their own rooms; the rest of the rooms were shared. The hygiene wasn''t great, and who knew how many generations of people had been buried under those thick cotton nkets. Thanks to the Sitianjian''s miraculous medicine and his own robust physique, the prating wound in his left shoulder had already scabbed over and would heal in a few more days. However, the exhaustion from using the "One de from heaven and earth" hadn''t fully recovered, leaving him feeling drained. Xu Qi''an poured himself a cup of tea to rinse his mouth, then went to the yard to fetch a bucket of icy clear well water to wash his face before heading to Spring Breeze Hall. "Ah, much better..." After finishing the hearty breakfast delivered by a clerk, Xu Qi''an patted his bulging belly and contentedly sprawled in Li Yuchun''s chair, propping his feet up on the desk. Only now did he have time to think aboutst night''s assassination attempt. *Usually, I leave the pce at four, but yesterday, I left after six because I was checking the list of people who had entered and exited the Imperial Pharmacy.* *It''s not surprising that the assassins knew my route home; I take that road every day. But how did they time it so perfectly?* *Nightwatchers frequently patrol the rooftops, so the three assassins couldn''t have been lying in wait for me all along, or they would have been spotted by the night patrols.* *Clearly, they knew exactly when I left the pce... The mastermind is likely someone from within the pce; otherwise, how could they have known this detail?* *Is it the Empress? Yesterday, I uncovered something unfavorable to her, and she immediately sent people to kill me... Does she want to stop me from investigating further?* *If it really was the Empress, then I''ll have no choice but to divorce Huaiqing.* Xu Qi''an rubbed his temples. At that moment, a ck-d clerk entered Spring Breeze Hall. Seeing Xu Qi''an inside, he breathed a sigh of relief. "I just went to the back courtyard looking for you, Sir Xu, but couldn''t find you. I thought you had left the constabry." Xu Qi''an, still reclining with his legs on the desk, half-closed his eyes. "I''m not going to the pce to investigate today; I''ll wait until my injuries are healed." The clerk nodded and said, "Duke Wei is looking for you. Please go to the Tower of Noble Spirit first." *Ah, it seems that Duke Wei has already learned about the assassination attemptst night. He must be amazed at my achievements...* Xu Qi''an put his legs down, stood up from the chair, and said, "Lead the way." Following the clerk to the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qi''an skilfully climbed to the seventh floor, only to find that besides Wei Yuan, there were two unexpected guests in the tea room. Princess Huaiqing, as elegant and noble as a snow lotus; and the Fourth Prince, Emperor Yuanjing''s proper son, who was handsome and reserved. Though he was Huaiqing''s elder brother, the Fourth Prince''s features bore little resemnce to his sister''s, though he did bear a slight resemnce to Emperor Yuanjing. Huaiqing, on the other hand, looked somewhat simr to the Empress, though their temperaments were vastly different, making the resemnce barely noticeable. All three of them looked extremely grim. Wei Yuan held a teacup, head bowed in silence, seemingly unaware of Xu Qi''an''s arrival. The Fourth Prince turned at the sound and nodded slightly at him. Huaiqing also did not look at Xu Qi''an, her brows furrowed in deep thought. "Duke Wei," Xu Qi''an cupped his fists. Wei Yuan finally raised his head, pointed to the seat beside Huaiqing, and said warmly, "Sit down." Xu Qi''an took a seat. "You were attackedst night?" Wei Yuan pushed the teapot toward Xu Qi''an, indicating that he should pour himself some tea. Having just eaten his fill, Xu Qi''an poured a cup of tea but did not drink it. He nodded and said, "The mastermind behind it is rted to the Consort Fu case and is someone within the pce." "You suspect the Empress?" Wei Yuan''s question was too direct, and for a moment, Xu Qi''an didn''t know how to respond. He cautiously nced at Huaiqing. Huaiqing still did not look at him, lost in thought. *Right now, the Princess looks just like a woman facing a divorce...* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. "Today, His Majesty proposed deposing the Empress during the court session, iming that the real culprit behind the Consort Fu case was the Empress," Wei Yuan said. "???" Xu Qi''an stared at him in shock, his first thought being: *How long did I sleep?* How could everything have changed so drastically after just one nap? It felt like he had slept for a century. He had personally investigated the Consort Fu case, meticulously piecing together each clue. He wasn''t even certain that the Empress was the culprit, so how could Emperor Yuanjing be so sure? Did he think he was Conan or Di Renjie? But then, something Princess Huaiqing said left Xu Qi''an even more bewildered. "Mother admitted to it." *The f- what did you say?* Xu Qi''an waved his hand, "Sorry, I need a moment to process this..." He thought for a long time before tentatively asking, "His Majesty wants to depose the Empress because the real culprit behind the Consort Fu case was the Empress, and the Empress actually admitted to it?" The Fourth Prince nodded. "Could she have been forced to?" Xu Qi''an spected. "No," Wei Yuan shook his head, his eyes, filled with the wear of years, looking at him as he spoke in a deep voice: ¡°You personally investigated the Consort Fu case. No one knows the clues and details better than you. Think carefully, is there anything suspicious or unreasonable about it? Today, Their Highnesses came to the headquarters not only to discuss the deposing of the Empress with me but also with the intention of asking for your help. "His Majesty hasn''t revoked your golden token yet. The officials need time to confirm this matter, so you still have time to investigate the case." Huaiqing and the Fourth Prince both looked at Xu Qi''an. The Fourth Prince sped his hands and bowed, "We must trouble you, Sir Xu." Xu Qi''an ignored him and looked at Huaiqing instead. The Princess, as graceful and pure as a lotus flower, scrutinised him with her autumn water-like eyes, "How are your injuries?" She didn''t mention the case but rather expressed concern for Xu Qi''an''s injuries. *Considering your sincere apology, I won''t go through with the divorce...* Xu Qi''an nodded, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Your servant is fine." After a pause, he continued, "In the Consort Fu case, the Empress indeed had ample motive and reason to frame the Crown Prince. And based on the clues I uncovered yesterday, the mastermind indeed points to the Empress." The Fourth Prince interrupted excitedly, "Impossible, Mother would never do such a thing." "Calm down, Your Highness, I haven''t finished," Xu Qi''an said, turning his gaze to Huaiqing. "Does His Majesty have any evidence?" Huaiqing shook her head, "No, it was Mother who admitted to it." Xu Qi''an frowned, "That''s odd. If His Majesty has no evidence, why would the Empress admit to it? And since the Empress has already confessed, why would she still send someone to assassinate me?" That creates a paradox. The Fourth Prince sighed and said, "It''s precisely because we don''t know that we''vee to you. Sir Xu, you''ve solved many perplexing cases. If there''s anyone in the capital who can uncover the truth quickly and clear our mother''s name, it''s you." Xu Qi''an took his first sip of tea since sitting down and slowly responded, ¡°When I first took over this case, I thought the Consort Fu case had only two possibilities: One, the Crown Prince did indeed lose control after drinking and killed Consort Fu. ¡°Or two, someone framed the Crown Prince to seize the position of Crown Prince. ¡°After investigating the Qingfeng Pce where Consort Fu resided, I could confirm that the Crown Prince was indeed framed. So, the case falls into the second category¡ªsomeone wanted to frame the Crown Prince. ¡°Following this line of reasoning, all the clues inevitably pointed to the Empress. To be honest with both of you, just now, I was also suspecting the Empress, thinking she might have sent assassins to kill me. ¡°But after learning that the Empress confessed to being the mastermind, I started to doubt the case. The mastermind''s goal isn''t just to frame the Crown Prince¡ªit''s a plot with moreyers. "But here''s a question: The Empress lives a reclusive life, and the Fourth Prince isn''t the Crown Prince, so why would the mastermind target the Empress? What could they possibly gain? It can''t be for the position of the chief consort in the harem, can it?" After all, with an Emperor who has been abstinent for over a decade, does the title of the chief consort even hold any significance? Wei Yuan put down his teacup and sighed, "Firstly, whether the Fourth Prince is the Crown Prince or not, he is still the legitimate eldest son of the Emperor. Secondly, the mastermind is targeting me." "???" Xu Qi''an looked at him in confusion. Wei Yuan paused for a moment, then exined, "The Wei family and the Shangguan family are old family friends. The Empress''s surname is Shangguan." *I see, so Wei Yuan and the Empress are political allies, making Wei Yuan an inw of sorts... No wonder Princess Huaiqing is half a disciple of Wei Yuan... So the Consort Fu case, on the surface, is a scheme to frame the Crown Prince, but in reality, it targets Wei Yuan?* *Wei Yuan undoubtedly belongs to the Fourth Prince¡¯s Clique... Taking down both the Crown Prince Clique and the Fourth Prince Clique with one case¡ªimpressive...* Xu Qi''an marveled internally. "Today, during the morning court assembly, the Emperor dismissed Sir Wei from his position as Left Censor-in-Chief," Princess Huaiqing said. *Hmm, that doesn''t make sense... Even if the mastermind wanted to weaken Wei Yuan by taking down the Empress, that would be a roundabout way to reduce his power. But why would the Emperor immediately strip Wei Yuan of an important title the moment the Empress was in trouble? It almost seems like the Emperor himself is the mastermind... Wait a minute, assuming the Empress is the mastermind behind framing the Crown Prince and her intent was to support the Fourth Prince as the Crown Prince.* *Once the Emperor learned of this, he immediately weakened and admonished Wei Yuan... What does this imply?* It implies that the Emperor is wary of Wei Yuan. Xu Qi''an suddenly understood why the Emperor chose to make a son of a concubine the Crown Prince rather than the Fourth Prince, who was born of the Empress. *The Empress and Wei Yuan are political allies; if I were in his shoes, I''d be uneasy too.* Reining in his wandering thoughts, Xu Qi''an focused on the case again, mentally retracing the Consort Fu case. As Xu Qi''an sank into contemtion, the tea room fell silent, with only the soft sounds of the four breathing. *The Crown Prince drank with Noble Consort Chen and encountered Huang Xiaorou on his way back. He was invited to Consort Fu''s Qingfeng Pce... At that moment, the Crown Prince indeed had improper thoughts about his father''s woman.* *Then Consort Fu fell to her death, and the Crown Prince became a suspect, detained by the High Court.* *After I discovered that Consort Fu had been murdered and that the Crown Prince was framed, Huang Xiaorou''s body was found at the Xie Pavilion the next day... too convenient, far too convenient.* *No wonder I felt something was off at the time. Huang Xiaorou was silenced, not a suicide. So why did the perpetrator choose to dispose of the body at Xie Pavilion?* *If the aim was to silence her, secretly burying the body would have been better than throwing it into a well. Even more, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of stone wells in the inner pce¡ªwhy choose a well in a busy, popted area like Xie Pavilion?* *This was intentional, deliberately leading us to discover the connection between Huang Xiaorou and the Empress.* *Was my initial guess wrong? Huang Xiaorou wasn''t the killer of Consort Fu; she was just a tool, a decoy to make us suspect the Empress?* *No, Huang Xiaorou did indeed lure the Crown Prince to Qingfeng Pce. The Crown Prince might lie, but his guards wouldn''t. This is too easy to verify. Also, setting up the scene, sabotaging the railing, being familiar with Consort Fu''s habits, and knowing she would be affectionate with the ¡°fake husband¡±¡ªall of this had to be the work of a close maidservant.* *If the Empress wasn''t behind all this, why did she confess? Perhaps there''s something that forced her to admit it.* *What is the Empress afraid of? It must be rted to this case. The three key people involved are Consort Fu, the Crown Prince, and the maid Huang Xiaorou.* *And among these three, the only one connected to the Empress is Huang Xiaorou...* *Huang Xiaorou?!* Various chaotic thoughts and spections shed through Xu Qi''an''s mind as he pieced together the clues from the case, step by step. Realising something, Xu Qi''an pulled out a piece of dull yellow silk cloth from his robe. Embroidered on it were bright red lotuses and the words: "Spring, 31st year of Yuanjing" Princess Huaiqing''s eyes were fixed on the yellow silk cloth. "This was found on the body of the maid Huang Xiaorou." "That''s right!" Xu Qi''an nodded, ncing at the three people present, finally focusing on Princess Huaiqing. In a solemn tone, he said, "Your Highness, we only know that the Empress saved Huang Xiaorou, but there are two more crucial points to note, did your Highness see them?" Princess Huaiqing shook her head. "First, why did the Empress save Huang Xiaorou?" "My mother has always been kind-hearted. It''s not surprising that she would use precious elixirs to save a maid," Princess Huaiqing replied. *The Empress might be a good person, but that''s not the main point...* Xu Qi''an shook his head and said, "Then why did the Empress take a particr interest in a maid and even assign someone from Fengqi Pce to watch over her?" "We asked, but my mother refused to answer," Princess Huaiqing frowned. "Second, why did the maid Huang Xiaorou take her own life?" Xu Qi''an pointed at the yellow silk cloth and said in a grave tone, "The answer lies right here." ... Chapter 251: Common Medical Knowledge Chapter 251: Common Medical Knowledge # 251. Common Medical Knowledge Huaiqing¡¯s elegant brows furrowed slightly, as following Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s hand, she looked at the dull yellow-coloured silk cloth, her cold clear voice tinged with urgency: ¡°What did you discover?¡± Xu Qi''an shrugged, "I suspect the key lies in this piece of cloth, but I don¡¯t yet know what secret it holds." A look of confusion shed through Huaiqing''s beautiful eyes, unsure why he had spoken so firmly earlier. Wei Yuan''s gaze followed the yellow silk cloth and he said, ¡°This material can only be used by imperial concubines ranked above third grade.¡± In the pce, concubines also had ranks. At the top were the Empress, the Imperial Noble Consort, and the Noble Consorts. Those with fixed titles, like Consort Fu, held the First Grade. Below them were madams, nobledies, and esteemed attendants, all within the Third Grade. The hierarchy of beauties in the harem touched upon Xu Qi''an''s knowledge blind spot, but it wasn¡¯t a big problem. He asked, "So, how would a pce maide to have such material?" The Fourth Prince responded, "Either it was bestowed by someone of high rank, or it was stolen."Xu Qi''an nodded. Wei Yuan took the dull-coloured, somewhat aged yellow silk cloth and examined it, "Spring, 31st year of Yuanjing¡­" "Was there any significant event that year? I mean in the pce," Xu Qi''an had a sudden idea and directly asked if anything major had happened that year. This inspiration came from thest time when the Empress was deposed. In the 13th year of Yuanjing, the Empress was banished to the Cold Pce. The following year, Wei Yuan went on an expedition, decisively defeating the northern barbarians and returning in triumph. The Empress was then released from the Cold Pce. If not for this understanding, Xu Qi''an would have racked his brains, only to guess that Emperor Yuanjing had pardoned the Empress out of old affection. So, the material left by the pce maid Huang Xiaorou, embroidered with "31st year of Yuanjing," might hold clues from the major events of that year. Wei Yuan and Huaiqing shook their heads simultaneously. "Think again?" Xu Qi''an was unwilling to give up. The two still shook their heads. *Alright, if these two academic powerhouses dismissed it, there was probably no hope¡­ After all, how could a mere pce maid be connected to significant events?* Xu Qi''an licked his lips, feeling a bit excited. The Consort Fu case had finally entered a challenging phase. The previous clues had all been intentionally thrown out by the mastermind, making the case itself not too difficult. In other words, even if he hadn¡¯t taken over the case, someone else could have figured it out¡ªthe difference would only be in the time it took. But now, stepping out of the mastermind¡¯s guidance, it was finally Freeloader Xu¡¯s turn to showcase his skills. *Wait¡­* Suddenly, a sh of insight struck Xu Qi''an, and he realised he had overlooked a detail. He straightened his back, his expression serious, "Duke Wei, I have something I need to ask." Seeing his favored Bronze Gong being so serious, Wei Yuan put down his teacup and replied warmly, "Speak." "Before your servant returned to the capital, the Consort Fu case was being dyed, with the three departments shirking responsibility, unwilling to investigate. If, hypothetically, I had died, would this case have been pinned on the Crown Prince?" Initially, Xu Qi''an thought the case was so significant that the three departments didn¡¯t want to take it on. It wasn¡¯t until he was resurrected and happened to take over this hot potato that he reconsidered. When he saw the Crown Prince that day, the High Court Minister had also sarcastically remarked that he was just a pawn. Wei Yuan picked up his teacup again, took a slow sip, and said, ¡°Today, the Emperor wants to depose the Empress, but the three departments and the ministers do not agree. They believe the three departments should first verify the facts before discussing the deposition. It shouldn¡¯t be the Emperor¡¯s decision alone. "The ministers'' reasoning can be summarised in three points: First, the deposition of the Empress is a major event and should follow proper procedures, not be done hastily. Second, the ministers despise such sudden incidents, which make them feel they don¡¯t have enough control over the court. Third, they need time to n for the aftermath of the Empress¡¯s deposition." *So, the rtionship between the monarch and his ministers has always been like a chess game¡­* Xu Qi''an understood, "So, the Crown Prince''s situation is simr?" Wei Yuan nodded, "The matter of the Crown Prince concerns the foundation of the nation. How could it be resolved in just three days as the Emperor says? The three departments are not refusing to investigate; they are telling the Emperor they need time." "¡­So, I was never needed. Even if I hadn¡¯t returned, someone would have taken over this case in a few days. Then, following the clues provided by the true mastermind, they would have traced it step by step back to the Empress." Xu Qi''an¡¯s words made the Fourth Prince widen his eyes in surprise. Wei Yuan seemed lost in thought. "So, the assassination attempt on youst night was because the mastermind doesn¡¯t want you to investigate further. They are afraid." Princess Huaiqing pierced through to Xu Qi''an''s suspicion. "Afraid?" The Fourth Prince was puzzled. "Sir Xu''s resurrection was beyond the mastermind''s expectations, and his reputation is too great. The mastermind doesn¡¯t dare let him continue investigating. Thus, when the clues pointed to the Empress, they immediately sent assassins to eliminate Sir Xu." Huaiqing exined to her brother. "I see." The Fourth Prince then asked, "So, how do we proceed with the investigation?" Wei Yuan and Huaiqing didn¡¯t speak, looking towards Xu Qi''an. They were all extremely intelligent, but solving the case required a professional. Just like how Xu Qi''an often thought his intelligence rivaled Einstein¡¯s, but he would admit that building an atomic bomb was just a tad beyond him¡ªit required professional scientists. Meeting their gazes, Detective Xu Ningyan said in a deep voice, "I must conduct an exhumation." ¡­ Imperial Pce. The Fourth Prince and Princess Huaiqing escorted Xu Qi¡¯an into the pce. As the carriage passed through the pce gates, Xu Qi¡¯an lifted the curtain and suggested, "We should inform that little eunuch. After all, this is a rule set by His Majesty." The Fourth Prince thought for a moment, then nodded. "Indeed, Sir Xu is a man who abides byws and regtions, loyal to the Great Feng and to my father, the Emperor." *You''re overthinking it. I''m just being cautious...* Xu Qi¡¯an was touched and said, "The Fourth Prince has a keen insight." Princess Huaiqing was in another carriage; after all, it would be improper for an unmarried princess to ride in the same carriage as a young man. If not for the presence of the Fourth Prince, Xu Qi¡¯an might have thickened his skin and tried to request to share a carriage with the princess. The Fourth Prince immediately sent someone to inform the eunuch. A quarter of an hourter, the little eunuch, dressed in light blue flying fish robes, came running over. He looked at Xu Qi¡¯an in confusion and said, "Sir Xu, hasn''t the case already been closed?" Xu Qi¡¯an replied, "As long as His Majesty hasn''t revoked the gold token, I will continue to investigate." "Al- alright then¡­" The little eunuch didn''t want to take on this task again; he still wanted to live a few more years. But with Princess Huaiqing and the Fourth Prince both present, he didn''t dare refuse and reluctantly followed Xu Qi¡¯an to the icehouse. As they neared the icehouse, Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly ordered, "Go fetch an old nanny." After dismissing the little eunuch, Xu Qi¡¯an, Princess Huaiqing, and the Fourth Prince entered the icehouse and saw the corpse of the pce maid, Huang Xiaorou. The incision marks on her neck and chest had already been sewn up. "His Majesty re-examined the body," Xu Qi¡¯an said, staring at the corpse of the pce maid. Seeing the bloated, pale corpse, the Fourth Prince frowned repeatedly and looked away. "What more do you need to examine?" Princess Huaiqing asked, her expression unchanged. "Do you remember the ''rule'' I mentioned to you during yesterday¡¯s autopsy?" Xu Qi¡¯an called over the eunuch in charge of the icehouse and said, "Take her outside; the light here is too dim." Princess Huaiqing hesitated for a moment, then understood Xu Qi¡¯an''s intent, a faint blush creeping onto her pale cheeks. She knew what Xu Qi¡¯an intended to do. Two eunuchs came in from outside, carried out the crude wooden nk, and ced the corpse in the courtyard, exposed to the sunlight. Xu Qi¡¯an let the corpse sit in the sunlight for a moment until the little eunuch returned with an old nanny, which made Xu Qi¡¯an grin. It was the old nanny whose driving skills surpassed even his own. Upon seeing Princess Huaiqing and the Fourth Prince, the old nanny quickly bowed. Then, she quietlyined to Xu Qi¡¯an, "Sir, why have you called this old servant to examine the body again? I''m not a coroner; this is making me lose my appetite." As she got closer and saw the bloated, ugly female corpse, the old nanny eximed, "Ah!" and covered her eyes. "I can''t examine this! Please, Sir, don''t make things difficult for me." The Fourth Prince frowned and was about to reprimand her when Xu Qi¡¯an waved his hand and then took out a piece of broken silver, about five cash in weight, ced it in his palm, and spread his hand out, smiling, "Nanny, can you examine it?" "This old servant is always happy to serve you, Sir," the old nanny said pleasantly. "What would you like me to examine?" Xu Qi¡¯an pointed at the female corpse, "Examine whether she was intact." The old nanny wrapped her hands in rough cloth, separated the legs of the female corpse... The Fourth Prince and Princess Huaiqing both turned away, not watching the process. About ten secondster, they heard the old nanny exim, "This body was not a virgin." *Not a virgin...* Princess Huaiqing and the Fourth Prince exchanged nces, both shocked and astonished. The so-called three thousand beauties of the harem included the pce maids. Throughout history, there were countless examples of emperors favouring pce maids, and in the five hundred years since the founding of the Great Feng, there were many concubines who had once been pce maids. Although Huang Xiaorou was an insignificant pce maid, she was, in essence, one of the Emperor''s women, the private property of Emperor Yuanjing. All the women in the harem belonged to the Emperor. Whether they were favored or not was one thing, but the system was set up this way. Xu Qi¡¯an''s eyes lit up, as if a certain suspicion of his had been confirmed. He stepped forward and said, "Nanny, take a look and see if she was ever pregnant." "This¡­" The old nanny nced at the bloated female corpse, her wrinkled face scrunching up. "This old servant can''t tell." *What use are you? Give me back the silver¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an grumbled in his heart, hesitated for a moment, then sighed, "Forget it. Move aside, I''ll do it myself." He then took over from the old nanny and separated the female corpse¡¯s legs himself. ¡­ A quarter of an hourter, in the courtyard, Xu Qi¡¯an had his hands submerged in a bucket of water, scrubbing them vigorously over and over. A square piece of soap in his hands was getting smaller and smaller with each use. Princess Huaiqing, dressed in a white pce robe and standing tall, was beside him. The cool breeze tugged at her skirt and gently tousled her hair. Her appearance was pristine and of extraordinary beauty. "How much longer are you going to wash?" Huaiqing''s voice carried a hint of exasperation. "Until I scrub off ayer of skin," Xu Qi¡¯an retorted. Though his middle and ring fingers had once traversed muddy roads, they did not deserve the indignity they had just endured. "It''s all that old nanny''s fault. She has little skill and yet swindled me out of five qian of silver. Your Highness, you should reimburse me," Xu Qi¡¯an grumbled. Ignoring hisints, Huaiqing asked, "You said she had been pregnant. What evidence do you have?" "There are several indicators. When a woman bes pregnant, faint stretch marks, known as striae gravidarum, appear on the lower abdomen and inner thighs." "If that''s the case, why didn¡¯t that old nanny notice them earlier?" Huaiqing asked. "With proper care, stretch marks can fade. The ones on Huang Xiaorou were very faint, and with the body being bloated from water, they became even harder to discern. Even I couldn¡¯t be sure, so it¡¯s understandable that the nanny couldn¡¯t see them either," Xu Qi¡¯an exined while still scrubbing his hands. "Another point¡ªduring yesterday''s autopsy, I showed Your Highness the scars beneath Huang Xiaorou''s breasts... remember the gesture I made?" Xu Qi¡¯an mimicked the upward flipping motion he had used. Huaiqing blushed slightly. This man always behaved so improperly in front of her. No matter how unconcerned she appeared, she was still an unmarried princess. "Of course, some women with exceptional physical traits can also achieve that size, so this point is only a reference," Xu Qi¡¯an added in his mind: *Your Highness, you happen to be one of those women with exceptional traits.* "Then why did you personally examine the body just now?" Huaiqing inquired. If it was only for those two points, there was no need for Xu Qi¡¯an to act himself. Xu Qi¡¯an fell silent. Aside from stretch marks, whether a woman has given birth can also be determined by the shape of the cervix. This was not an easy topic to discuss; it was too academic, like when he had once exined to Xu Lingyin the differences between boys and girls growing up, using simple and understandablenguage. "Before a woman gives birth, it''s like a young bird with its mouth open, waiting to be fed. After giving birth, it bes satisfied, and the mouth closes," Xu Qi¡¯an carefully worded his exnation. "???" Huaiqing looked at him, bewildered. Xu Qi¡¯an scratched his head, "Princess, have you read any medical books?" Huaiqing gave him a cold look, "Yesterday, when you suddenly had a headache during the autopsy, didn¡¯t I tell you that I have some knowledge of medicine?" "Oh, oh, that makes it simple," Xu Qi¡¯an pped his hands and smiled, "A woman who hasn¡¯t given birth has a cervix shaped like an ''O''. After giving birth, it bes a horizontal line." This exnation was easily understood by the intelligent Princess Huaiqing, but recalling his earlier crass description, she felt unwilling to engage further with him. The Fourth Prince, whocked medical knowledge, nodded vaguely, "Sir Xu, you are indeed learned and talented." This piece of knowledge came from a case of passion-driven murder in Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s previous life. The victim had been a woman involved with two men at once, following in the footsteps of Brother Cheng. The old forensic doctor had dissected the body and said, "Even though she wasn¡¯t married, someone had already lived in her house." At that time, Xu Qi¡¯an, serving as an assistant, had asked the old doctor to teach him more, leading to this bit of knowledge. "I¡¯ve had Huang Xiaorou investigated. She entered the pce in the 28th year of Yuanjing..." Xu Qi¡¯an nced at the two royals. The implication was that someone had dared to infringe upon Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s territory. By the 28th year of Yuanjin, the old emperor had long since practiced abstinence and cultivation. He had refrained from touching even the most beautiful empress and the stunning Noble Consort Chen, so how could he possibly have taken interest in a mere pce maid? "Who could it be?" The Fourth Prince fell into deep thought. Xu Qi¡¯an silently observed him. "Why are you looking at me like that?" The Fourth Prince felt insulted. Xu Qi¡¯an averted his gaze and analyzed, "This person is actually easy to identify. He must meet two conditions: First, he must have rtively free ess to the inner pce, which fits a member of the royal family. "Second, he must be bold and act with impunity; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t dare target a pce maid." At this moment, Huaiqing suddenly said, "Brother, we wish to speak with Sir Xu privately." The Fourth Prince frowned, nced at his sister, and slowly nodded, "Very well, we¡¯ll take our leave." After watching the Fourth Prince leave, Huaiqing cast a cold nce at Yuanjing Emperor¡¯s spy¡ªthe little eunuch. "Get out." The little eunuch bowed his head and left silently. Once everyone had been dismissed, Huaiqing fixed her gaze on Xu Qi¡¯an, her expression solemn, "Sir Xu, Huang Xiaorou¡¯s suicide, and my mother¡¯s confession, are most likely rted to this man." Xu Qi¡¯an stirred the water in the bucket, his pupils dting as he lost focus, ¡°Your Highness is being too subjective. Investigations must be conducted calmly, forming hypotheses based on clues. We¡¯ve now discovered that Huang Xiaorou was once pregnant, so let¡¯s assume that the man involved was not His Majesty, but someone else. ¡°Assuming that Huang Xiaorou¡¯s suicide and the Empress saving her, even confessing, were all because of this man. Then he must meet another condition: ¡°This man has a close rtionship with the Empress but little connection to His Majesty. He can enter the inner pce, but if he causes trouble, His Majesty would not hesitate to execute him. ¡°The Fourth Prince is His Majesty¡¯s legitimate son. Even if he molested a pce maid, His Majesty wouldn¡¯t kill him in anger. The Empress wouldn¡¯t have to ''confess'' because there would be no need.¡± At this point, he looked up and met Huaiqing¡¯s clear, autumn-like eyes, "Does Your Highness have anyone in mind?" Huaiqing¡¯s face darkened, and she coldly replied, "I have someone in mind." Chapter 252: The Truth Chapter 252: The Truth # 252. The Truth As expected, Huaiqing, as the Empress¡¯s daughter, surely had some clues about the man her mother was so determined to protect, even at the cost of being banished to the Cold Pce. *If I¡¯m Sherlock Holmes, then Huaiqing, you¡¯re my Watson¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded and pressed, ¡°Who is it?¡± Huaiqing¡¯s already cold face grew even more expressionless, her tone detached as she uttered two words: ¡°Imperial Uncle.¡± The mention of "Imperial Uncle" was like the key that unlocked the entire mystery, making everything suddenly clear to Xu Qi¡¯an. The Consort Fu case finally made sense. ¡°This Imperial Uncle would be the Empress¡¯s younger brother or elder brother, right.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an clicked his tongue. Only a full-blooded sibling could make the Empress take the me to protect him. Princess Huaiqing gave a slight nod, ¡°The Imperial Uncle is mother¡¯s younger brother, a debauched scoundrel, frivolous and uneducated, overly indulgent in women. The maids at Fengqi Pce despise him because whenever he visits my mother, he always harasses them.¡± In her words, there was clear disdain and loathing for this uncle of hers.¡°Only now do we recall a few things. The Imperial Uncle used to visit my mother asionally, but a few years ago, he suddenly stopped. Looking back, it all makes sense now.¡± Apart from the Imperial family, rtives of the Empress, Noble Consorts and regr Consorts could also enter the pce to visit them, as long as they reported to the pce beforehand. Xu Qi¡¯an squatted down, his hands soaking in the bucket of water, staring at the sky at a 45-degree angle, murmuring: ¡°Pce maid Huang Xiaorou was raped by the Imperial Uncle and became pregnant. She was so devastated that she tried to kill herself, but the Empress had people watching over her and saved her in time¡­ No, that¡¯s not right.¡± Huaiqing, on the contrary, looked down at her feet and softly asked, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say she gave birth? But what about a miscarriage? If she miscarried, would the¡­ cervical opening also close? ¡°A maid¡¯s pregnancy is hard to hide, but if Huang Xiaorou managed tost until now, it means the child wasn¡¯t born.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an responded with a hum, ¡°Stretch marks would have appeared after three or four months, and after a miscarriage, the cervical opening would close. I¡¯m more inclined to think the Empress had the child aborted because allowing the child to be born would have been the end for the Imperial Uncle.¡± Huaiqing nodded, ¡°So, pce maid Huang Xiaorou bore a deep grudge and teamed up with someone behind the scenes, superficially framing the Crown Prince but actually implicating the Empress and Duke Wei?¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, Huang Xiaorou must have hated the Empress deeply. Well, it makes sense¡ªafter all, there¡¯s no greater hatred than having one¡¯s child killed. But I still feel like it¡¯s not that simple.¡± ¡°What do you want to ask?¡± ¡°You are extremely clever, Your Highness¡­ Why didn¡¯t the Empress simply kill Huang Xiaorou? That would have solved everything.¡± ¡°My mother is too soft-hearted.¡± Huaiqing sighed, her tone expressing both disappointment and regret. *So the Empress is a soft-hearted woman¡­ If Huaiqing had been in her ce, she probably would have killed Huang Xiaorou right away to eliminate future troubles¡­ Huaiqing is a woman who can achieve great things; that much I can confirm.* Xu Qi¡¯an raised his hand to stroke his chin, paused halfway, then jabbed it back into the water and said: ¡°Now the case is clear. The Empress must be paying close attention to the Consort Fu case. When she discovered that Huang Xiaorou was behind it, she realised that the person behind the scenes intended to use the Imperial Uncle to take her down. ¡°This is an open plot. She must either sacrifice the Imperial Uncle or sacrifice herself. But, thinking about it, the Empress is truly a ¡®brother-supporting demon.¡¯[^1]¡± Huaiqing frowned, ¡°Brother- What does that mean?¡± ¡°It means she¡¯s willing to be banished to the Cold Pce for the sake of an unworthy brother. Once she¡¯s deposed, the Fourth Prince will no longer be the legitimate son, making him lose his im to the throne.¡± Huaiqing nced at him and sneered, ¡°For women in the harem, what¡¯s the difference between living in the Cold Pce and not?¡± ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an met Huaiqing¡¯s gaze. This was the first time the Princess had shown discontent towards Emperor Yuanjing in front of him. ¡°My mother has never cared about harem affairs and doesn¡¯t cling to her title as Empress. Trading her position for the Imperial Uncle¡¯s life is something she¡¯d willingly do. But the Fourth Prince will surely harbour resentment.¡± ¡°Is that why you sent the Fourth Prince away?¡± Huaiqing nodded and asked, ¡°What about the yellow silk cloth?¡± ¡°The spring of the 31st year of Yuanjing should be when pce maid Huang Xiaorou was assaulted¡­ Wait, there¡¯s something odd. Huang Xiaorou¡¯s suicide happened four years ago, and Yuanjing 31 was five years ago. We shouldn¡¯t count Yuanjing 37, as it¡¯s just begun.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly frowned. Princess Huaiqing understood his implication and said in her pleasant voice, ¡°Based on the timeline, it happened after she was forced to have an abortion. After my mother aborted Huang Xiaorou¡¯s child, she assigned He¡¯er to care for her.¡± ¡°That matches our findings, but doesn¡¯t it seem strange to you, Your Highness? You just mentioned that pregnancy and childbirth in the pce are impossible to hide. What gave Huang Xiaorou the audacity to do this, unless she had someone powerful backing her?¡± ¡°It couldn¡¯t have been Father.¡± Huaiqing shook her head. Xu Qi¡¯an agreed. Given Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s obsession with immortality and Daoist cultivation, there was no way he would be involved with a mere pce maid. ¡°Let¡¯s pay a visit to this Imperial Uncle. There¡¯s no point in guessing further,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an suggested. Princess Huaiqing agreed without hesitation, as though she had been thinking the same. The two immediately left the ice cer and spotted the little eunuch¡¯s distant figure. He hadn¡¯t left yet. *This little eunuch is quite diligent¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an approached him and said, ¡°Princess Huaiqing and I are leaving the pce for a while. You may rest now, and don¡¯t be too quick to report today¡¯s events to His Majesty.¡± The eunuch looked at him, hesitant to speak. ¡°If you have something to say, just say it. Don¡¯t beat around the bush.¡± ¡°Sir Xu, your humble servant is a little afraid.¡± *Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be gentle¡­* Xu Qi¡¯anughed heartily, ¡°Rest assured, I won¡¯t involve you in matters you shouldn¡¯t know about. Just follow orders and you¡¯ll be fine.¡± Only then did the eunuch breathe a sigh of relief, ¡°With your reassurance, your servant can rest easy.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an had originally thought he would ride in the carriage with Huaiqing, but to his surprise, the cold and indifferent princess had merely given him a fine steed. Riding the horse and following the princess''s carriage to the Imperial Uncle''s residence, Xu Qi¡¯an couldn¡¯t help but think of his beloved little mare. After being ambushed yesterday, he had driven the mare away. After killing the three assassins, he had gone to the constabry to tend to his injuries. Until now, he still didn¡¯t know the whereabouts of his mare. However, before entering the pce this morning, he had instructed his colleagues to search for it. The carriage window opened, and Huaiqing poked her head out. Her features were wless, with a delicate nose and vivid red lips, and the corners of her mouth were as refined as if carved. Her beautiful eyes were like a clear autumnke, pure and transparent. "Even if Mother did indeed take the me for Imperial Uncle, the person behind the scenes is still yet to be found," she sighed. Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t answer but instead asked, "What I don¡¯t understand is, why did the person behind the scenes wait until now to act against the Empress?" Neither spoke further. ... The Imperial Uncle''s residence was located within the Imperial City. When Xu Qi¡¯an and the eldest princess arrived, they asked the guards, only to learn that the Imperial Uncle was not in the Imperial City but at his old residence in the Inner City. "Go ask when the Imperial Uncle moved to the old residence," Huaiqing ordered the apanying guards from the open carriage window. The guard asked around and reported, "This morning." *This morning? Emperor Yuanjing had proposed deposing the Empress during this morning''s court session¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an instinctively nced at Huaiqing, only to find that the princess was also looking at him. "To the old Shangguan residence," Huaiqingmanded coldly. The luxurious carriage made of golden silk and *zhennan* wood slowly exited the Imperial City, taking over an hour to reach the Shangguan family¡¯s ancestral home. Surprisingly, the old residence of the Shangguan family was merely an ordinary threeyer courtyard house, not much grander than the mansion Xu Qi¡¯an had purchased. Of course, in terms of refinement and luxury, it certainly outssed the Xu estate. Moreover, there were many guards stationed here. As the carriage slowed to a stop, Xu Qi¡¯an discreetly pulled out a piece of paper with the qi-watching technique he pre-prepared for the trip, and lit it with his qi. Once the carriage halted outside the Shangguan residence, Huaiqing stepped down onto a small stool and walked directly into the residence. The guards at the door did not dare to stop her. On the way, Huaiqing recounted the history of the Shangguan family. The Shangguan n was not a particrly wealthy or powerful family. Huaiqing¡¯s maternal grandfather, Shangguan Qing, had risen to the position of Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and concurrently held the post of Grand Academician of the Eastern Pavilion. However, this was only after Huaiqing¡¯s mother had entered the Fengqi Pce as the Empress. Before that, the Shangguan family was a small n, and her maternal grandfather, Shangguan Qing, had only held the position of Assistant Director of Revenue, a mere sixth rank. "The Wei family and the Shangguan family were long-time friends. When Duke Wei was young and impoverished, he once studied in the Shangguan household. Grandfather could be considered half his teacher," Princess Huaiqing said. Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. It was only today that he learned of the connection between Wei Yuan and the Empress. "Then Duke Wei¡­" He hesitated, but eventually asked the question weighing on his mind, "How did he enter the pce?" Huaiqing shook her head. As they passed through the front yard, the sound of string and woodwind instruments reached their ears. In the distance, they saw that the rear hall doors were open, and seven or eight dancers dressed in sheer veils were gracefully performing, while musicians yed seductive tunes. Xu Qi¡¯an widened his eyes. To be honest, he was ustomed to such scenes at the Jiaofangsi, but even the dancers in the Jiaofangsi didn¡¯t dress as boldly as these women. These women wore neither undergarments nor loincloths, just a thinyer of gauze. Their movements exposed their intimate areas, unting their charms. In the main hall, a middle-aged man with fair skin and fine features, sporting a small mustache, sat in the central seat, holding a beauty in each arm. He leered at the dancing women with lustful eyes. To the sides sat several other revelers, all thoroughly enjoying themselves. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s understanding of the Imperial Uncle''s debauchery deepened. His elder sister was about to be deposed, yet he still indulged in such pleasures. Even more absurdly, the Empress was taking the me for him. Disgusted and irritated, Xu thought to himself, *When will enablers like these finally be held ountable?* Princess Huaiqing stopped outside the hall, nced sideways at Xu Qi¡¯an. Xu, understanding the gesture, removed his sword and approached the door, banging the hilt against the frame and shouting, "House inspection! Men to the left, women to the right! Hands on your heads, and have your ID cards ready!" The revellers, immersed in their pleasure, were startled and only now noticed Xu Qi¡¯an and Princess Huaiqing standing at the entrance. The dancers halted their movements, the musicians stopped ying, and the Imperial Uncle, with his moustache, froze for a moment before furrowing his brows. Huaiqing stepped over the threshold and into the hall, her voice as cold as a winter storm, "Everyone, leave this hall immediately. Anyone whoes within a hundred paces will be executed." Xu Qi¡¯an responded loudly, "Yes, Your Highness!" With a flick of his thumb, his sword unsheathed half an inch, and he swept his gaze over the crowd, barking, "Get out!" The musicians, dancers, and guests scattered in a panic. "Don''t go, don¡¯t go..." the Imperial Uncle shouted, but he couldn''t stop the fleeing crowd. Stomping his foot in frustration, he pointed at Xu Qi¡¯an and cursed, "Which burrow did youe out of, you running dog? Guards! Guards!" Xu Qi¡¯an frowned and thought, No wonder Huaiqing despises this uncle so much. No wonder she suspected him immediately. This is a 24K pure good-for-nothing. After a few shouts and realising no one wasing to his aid, the Imperial Uncle stopped yelling. He squinted his eyes and turned to Huaiqing, "Huaiqing, what brings you from the pce to your uncle¡¯s ce?" "Are you aware that Father is nning to depose the Empress?" Huaiqing¡¯s voice was as cold as the harshest winter wind. "This morning, Father proposed deposing the Empress, yet here you are, drinking and making merry." "Of course I know." the Imperial Uncle suddenly grew agitated. "But what can I do? I¡¯m not Wei Yuan. Do you think just because I say the Empress shouldn¡¯t be deposed, His Majesty will listen?" "Do you know why Father is deposing the Empress?" Huaiqing asked. "Isn''t it because my sister is scheming to make the Fourth Prince the crown prince by framing the Eastern Pce?" the Imperial Uncle scoffed disdainfully. Xu Qi¡¯an cautiously nced at Huaiqing. Throughout, she remained calm, or rather, indifferent. Just as he was about to press the Imperial Uncle about Huang Xiaorou, he noticed Huaiqing gesture with her hand. The Princess coldly smiled, "Uncle, by royal decree, we are here to arrest you." the Imperial Uncle was stunned. "Arrest me? On what grounds?" Huaiqing finally revealed a chilling smile. "On the grounds of the pce maid Huang Xiaorou." At these words, the Imperial Uncle was struck as if by lightning. His entire body trembled, and fear flickered in his eyes. He forced himself to hold on, stammering, "Huang Xiaorou? What are you talking about, Huaiqing? What nonsense are you spouting?!" His stammer turned into an angry roar. "Not until the coffin is in sight will one shed tears," Huaiqing remarked as she extended her hand, and Xu Qi¡¯an passed the dull yellow silk cloth to her. She grabbed it and flung it forcefully at the Imperial Uncle''s face. "In the spring of the 31st year of Yuanjing, you know full well what you did to Huang Xiaorou." The Imperial Uncle froze. The yellow silk slipped off his face, as if stripping away thest trace of colour. His pupils dted, and fear clouded his expression. "Who told you? Who told you about Huang Xiaorou?" the Imperial Uncle muttered. "Naturally, it was Her Majesty the Empress," Xu Qi¡¯an chimed in, ying along. "Nonsense!" the Imperial Uncle''s reaction was surprisingly intense. Blood rushed back to his face, though it was unclear whether it was from agitation or rage. He shouted: "I am the only son of the Shangguan family! How could she betray me? How dare she? How would she face our father in the afterlife? Don¡¯t try to deceive me." Xu Qi¡¯an replied, "Because Huang Xiaorou was implicated in the Consort Fu case, her past was exposed, and the Empress had no choice but to confess. In the spring of the 31st year of Yuanjing, you vited Huang Xiaorou in the pce." He spoke with certainty. "Impossible! Huang Xiaorou has long been dead. My sister promised me she would silence her," the Imperial Uncle said in shock. *The truth was, the Empress did not kill her. She merely forced Huang Xiaorou to abort the child¡­ Huaiqing was right; the Empress was far too soft-hearted¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an nced at the Princess. Huaiqing remained expressionless, her demeanor as cold as ever. "Confess truthfully to us. It would be far better than doing so in the Nightwatcher dungeon. Or does Imperial Uncle wish to experience the punishments the Nightwatchers deal in?" The Imperial Uncle slumped into his seat, defeated. ¡°Yes, Huang Xiaorou and I had an affair, but she was willing. She thought I was the Emperor. ¡°I have always enjoyed thepany of beautiful women, but I grew tired of the women from the brothels and the Jiaofangsi. The concubines in my household no longer excited me. Gradually, I realised that the women in the pce were far more alluring than those outside. ¡°It¡¯s all my sister''s fault. Her Fengqi Pce has so many pce maids, yet she wouldn¡¯t even let me touch one. The Emperor has been obsessed with Daoism for years and has long ceased visiting the harem. So what¡¯s wrong with me taking a few maids? ¡°She is the mistress of the harem. As long as she agrees, who can stop me? I¡¯m not asking for the Emperor¡¯s concubines. That day, when I visited Fengqi Pce to see the Empress, I saw a pce maid cleaning. She was delicate and lovely, utterly captivating. I thought she was a new maid in the pce, so I made advances. "She mistook me for the Emperor, blushing with embarrassment, but didn¡¯t dare refuse, allowing me to have my way." *Huang Xiaorou entered the pce in the 28th year of Yuanjing, and by then, the Emperor had already turned to Daoism and no longer visited the harem... A mere pce maid would have had no idea what the Emperor looked like...* Xu Qi¡¯an mused, the effects of his Qi-gazing watching still active, confirming that the Imperial Uncle wasn¡¯t lying. "When I saw that no one was around, I took her to a side chamber and shared a night of pleasure. Afterward, she was filled with joy, thinking she had served the Emperor, convinced that she was the one who had made him break his celibacy. Not just her¡ªevery woman in the harem, from concubines to maids, fantasises about being special enough to be favored by the Emperor." *Impersonating the Emperor to seduce pce maids... No wonder the Empress was so desperate to protect you. Even ten lives wouldn¡¯t be enough to atone for this...* the Imperial Uncle swallowed nervously. ¡°Later, I became addicted to the experience, often using visits to the Empress as an excuse to rendezvous with Huang Xiaorou. The feeling she gave me was unlike any other woman. But I never expected her to get pregnant¡­ "At that point, I panicked and told the Empress. She scolded me harshly, forbidding me from entering the pce again. She promised to silence Huang Xiaorou and clean up the mess." Xu Qi¡¯an said distantly, ¡°So, Huang Xiaorou believed she was carrying the Emperor''s child. When the Empress forced her to abort, she hated the Empress to the core. But when sheter discovered that the man who had deceived her wasn¡¯t the Emperor but you, the Imperial Uncle¡­ The child was already gone, and the truth was out. Powerless to defy the Empress, she took her own life in shame and anger. "But the Empress was too soft-hearted. She felt guilty for your actions and retrieved a miraculous elixir from the Imperial Pharmacy to save Huang Xiaorou''s life. Yet, no one could have predicted that four yearster, this buried secret woulde back to haunt her." "It''s all her fault! If she had killed Huang Xiaorou back then, none of this would be happening now!" the Imperial Uncle cried out in rage. "It¡¯s her fault! She ruined me!" "You lie!" Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly interrupted, his voice sharp. "If it were just Huang Xiaorou, the Empress wouldn¡¯t need to take the fall. Huang Xiaorou is dead, and the dead tell no tales. The Empress could easily deny it. "Since she confessed, it means that besides Huang Xiaorou, there¡¯s another piece of evidence in someone else¡¯s hands." ¡­ --- [^1]: This pun is impossible to trante, so I¡¯ll have to let it go: ¡°Brother-supporting demon¡± has the same pronunciation as Voldemort. Chapter 253: Take a Door to the Face Chapter 253: Take a Door to the Face # 253. Take a Door to the Face "When I wanted to show my ''status'' back then, I secretly took a piece of fabric from the Empress''s pce..." As the Imperial Uncle spoke, his eyes shifted to the yellow silk cloth. Xu Qi¡¯an understood. So, the yellow silk that Huang Xiaorou had was obtained this way. *However, many concubines in the pce likely had ess to such material. Relying on just this piece of fabric wouldn''t be strong enough evidence¡­* Just as Xu Qi¡¯an was pondering this, he suddenly heard Huaiqing¡¯s calm voice: ¡°Sir Xu was able to trace the clues from the autopsy to lock onto the Imperial Uncle. How much more likely is it that the mastermind, who already knew the inside story, would be able to do so? "If my mother hadn''t confessed, evidence would naturally emerge to help Sir Xu trace it back to the Imperial Uncle. Besides, with our Uncle''s ''unbreakable resolve,'' he''d surely confess everything after just one night in the Nightwatcher prison." A cold smirk yed on the corners of Huaiqing''s mouth. *She has a point. I was trapped in a fixed mindset. This bastard must have a lot of dirt on him. The key issue isn¡¯t how much dirt he has but rather the Empress''s decision...* *Although he¡¯s a useless fool, he¡¯s still the only brother. If Eng were constantly bullying and harassing women, would I save him if political enemies used him to attack me?*In Xu Qi¡¯an''s mind, he imagined Xu Xinnian receiving a group of bodyguards, surrounding several young beauties, grinning lewdly as they were lead to him¡­. *What a beautiful scene... It''s giving me goosebumps. Well, with Eng''s looks, he wouldn¡¯t need to use force. There would be plenty of respectable women eager for him¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an muttered internally. "I want to see the Empress, I must see the Empress..." the Imperial Uncle, excited, lunged toward Huaiqing like a child who had made a mistake but hoped for someone to shield him. "The Emperor can depose her if he wants, she doesn''t care about him anyway. The Empress''s position means nothing to her. But Huaiqing, I¡¯m your only uncle." "Silence!" Huaiqing, rarely angry, rebuked sharply, her tone fierce: "Father and Mother''s love is not something you can nder!" *Damn, what a talent! It¡¯s not that he¡¯s overly bold, but rather his sheer stupidity. He never thinks things through, always assuming someone will clean up his mess¡­ Just like those reckless youths who believe they¡¯re invincible.* *In my time, he''d bebelled a man-child, someone who has never faced the harsh realities of life¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an clicked his tongue twice in thought. *The crucial thing is, while deceiving the Emperor and seducing pce maids is a thrill, this Duke is the only one daring enough to actually do it.* *No matter whether the Empress is deposed or the Imperial Uncle faces punishment, it¡¯s a family matter for the Emperor. It doesn¡¯t really concern him.* *So he can be very rxed. At most, he¡¯ll feel sorry for Huaiqing somewhat, but given Huaiqing¡¯s loathing for her uncle, even if his head was chopped off I doubt wifey would be very upset about it.* Suddenly, a light bulb went off in Xu Qi¡¯an''s head. The Empress may not be able to truly punish her brother, but how could Duke Wei tolerate such an ipetent ally? Even if the two families were old friends, with Duke Wei¡¯s skill, keeping a scumbag in line and making him behave should be easy. "Does Duke Wei know about this?" Xu Qi¡¯an asked. At this, Huaiqing immediately nced at him, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "Wei Yuan?" Just moments ago, the Imperial Uncle had been panicking and helpless, but now his expression turned vicious and angry. He sneered, "Yes, it must be Wei Yuan behind all of this. It has to be him. "He killed my father, and now he¡¯s after me. That heartless bastard deserves to die without an heir." Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s small mind suddenly filled with big questions. Before entering the estate, Huaiqing had told him that the Wei family and the Shangguan family were old friends. But judging from the Imperial Uncle¡¯s attitude, they seemed more like mortal enemies than family friends. Xu Qi¡¯an immediately turned to Huaiqing. She furrowed her brow, clearly just as perplexed by the Imperial Uncle¡¯s words and unsure of the underlying truth. Clearing his throat, Xu Qi¡¯an took the initiative to ask, "What do you mean? Why would Wei Yuan want to harm you?" the Imperial Uncle shot him a nce and chuckled coldly, "Do you dare to listen? Do you know what Wei Yuan did all those years ago¡­" "p!" Before the Imperial Uncle could finish, Xu Qi¡¯an pped him, cutting him off. "Enough, I don¡¯t want to hear it. Right now, I only want to take you back to the Nightwatcher constabry," Xu Qi¡¯an said as he nced at Huaiqing, seeking her approval. Princess Huaiqing nodded and said, "Take him away." "Huaiqing, Huaiqing, you can¡¯t treat me like this... I¡¯m the only son of the Shangguan family. Your mother wouldn¡¯t allow you to do this..." Xu Qi¡¯an dragged the Imperial Uncle out of the estate. Following Huaiqing¡¯s orders, the Imperial Uncle was handed over to a few guards, who escorted him to the Nightwatcher constabry. As Xu Qi¡¯an mounted his horse, Huaiqing opened the window of her carriage and called out in her cold voice, "Sir Xu, why not ride with us?" *Oh no, this isn¡¯t appropriate. A man and woman, alone together, sharing a carriage? I¡¯ve never even ridden with my younger sister or my aunt¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an quickly dismounted and climbed into the luxurious gold thread and zhennan wood carriage. With a crack of the whip, the coachman urged the two horses forward, and they galloped swiftly and steadily away from the Shangguan estate, heading toward the imperial city. Inside the carriage, soft woollen carpets covered the floor. At the far end was a couch, draped with azure *kui*-patterned cushions, tworge chairs, and a fixed tea table. The eldest princess retrieved some tea leaves from a wooden cab beneath the table, lit some smokeless ¡°beastmetal¡± charcoal, and began brewing tea. "Does Sir Xu have any suggestions?" she asked. *This is like the ancient version of a limousine¡­ This carriage alone must be worth thousands of taels of silver¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an mused inwardly, then responded thoughtfully, "Your Highness surely has an idea already." Huaiqing nodded slowly. "I have never liked Imperial Uncle. Since this matter started with him, it should end with him." The unspoken message was clear: she was prepared to hand over the Imperial Uncle. "But even so, the Empress is still guilty of shielding him." Xu Qi''an frowned. This matter could be either serious or trivial. If Emperor Yuanjing were magnanimous and forgiving, a small punishment would suffice, and there would be no need to depose the Empress. On the other hand, Yuanjing could use this as a pretext to depose her, as the crime was sufficient. From what Xu Qi''an knew of Emperor Yuanjing, he was possessive and power-hungry. People like him were deep thinkers but couldn''t tolerate any blemish. "Who said my mother shielded him? It was the Imperial Uncle who, after learning about Consort Fu''s case, realised his misdeeds were about to be exposed. He then sent people to desperately plead with my mother. Out of familial ties, though she despised Uncle''s disgraceful behaviour that brought chaos to the inner pce, she still chose to take the me for him." Princess Huaiqing¡¯s expression and tone were as calm as ever, her face practically reading, "Yes, that¡¯s exactly what happened." Xu Qi¡¯an sighed inwardly. "Your highness has a point." *Damn, if I married a woman like this, it would be nearly impossible to cheat or be unfaithful.* "We are quite curious about what the Imperial Uncle was going to say before Sir Xu interrupted him. Why did you stop him?" The Princess asked casually. Xu Qi¡¯an calmly examined Huaiqing¡¯s exquisitely carved features. "What was the Imperial Uncle about to say? I have no idea, Your Highness. If you''re curious, I could interrogate him for youter." He had intentionally interrupted the Duke earlier because the matter involved Wei Yuan. For Xu Qi¡¯an, there were two things he should avoid. The first was pce secrets, which needed no further exnation. The second was anything rted to Wei Yuan¡¯s secrets. As Wei Yuan was his superior and his biggest backer, if Xu wanted to keep his footing in the capital, he had to maintain a good rtionship with him. Thus, any secrets regarding Wei Yuan were things Xu Qi¡¯an shouldn''t know about¡ªunless Wei Yuan told him personally. Huaiqing smiled lightly and shifted the topic. "Sir Xu need not worry about the Empress. Duke Wei will handle it. What you need to do is find the mastermind behind all this. Do you have any thoughts?" Xu Qi¡¯an furrowed his brow, staring at the purple y teapot being licked by the blue-red mes, silent for a long time. ... Nightwatcher Constabry, the Tower of Noble Spirit. A ck-d official entered the tea room and respectfully said, "Duke Wei, Princess Huaiqing¡¯s guards have brought the Imperial Uncle to the constabry. The Imperial Uncle is mouring to see you." Without looking up from the memorial he was reading, Wei Yuan responded indifferently, "There¡¯s no need to meet a dead man. Notify Gold Gong Nangong and have him take good care of the Imperial Uncle." After the official withdrew, Wei Yuan closed the memorial and slowly paced to the observation deck, his deep and weathered gaze fixed on the distant imperial pce. ... Back at the imperial pce, Princess Huaiqing headed straight for Fengqi Pce. Xu Qi¡¯an, intending to continue investigating the names on the list, called for a young eunuch to assist him. Following the list, tracking the clues one by one, he hit a snag when he reached thest person. It was a pce maid from Jingxiu Pce. "Sister Lang¡¯er is currently attending to the Noble Consort. Sir Xu should returnter," the gatekeeping eunuch blocked Xu Qi¡¯an. Xu Qi¡¯an nced at the sky and spoke kindly, "When would be a good time for me toe back, then?" The eunuch responded coldly, "Who knows, maybe tomorrow." "The case is urgent, and I can¡¯t afford such dys. I just need to ask a few quick questions. It¡¯ll only take a moment." Xu Qi¡¯an pulled out a banknote for five taels of silver and handed it over. The eunuch took the money, turned around, went inside¡ªand never came back. "How dare he!" The young eunuch apanying Xu Qi¡¯an was outraged and angrily said, "Sir Xu, that running dog is toying with you." "If I forced my way in, what would happen?" Xu Qi¡¯an asked, expressionless. "Oh no, you mustn''t!" The young eunuch quickly stopped him, urging, "Breaking into a consort¡¯s chambers is a serious crime." Xu Qi¡¯an nodded, then turned to leave. The young eunuch hurried after him and said, "Might as well give up. It¡¯s gettingte. Sir, you should head back." "No, I¡¯m going to see Her Majesty Princess Lin¡¯an for reimbursement." Chapter 254: She Wasnt Lying Chapter 254: She Wasn''t Lying # 254. She Wasn''t Lying Shaoyin Pce. Lin''an was in a good mood. Today, Emperor Yuanjing had raised the issue of deposing the Empress in court, and within half a day, the news had spread throughout the entire government of the Great Feng. Naturally, Lin''an, being in the pce, had heard about it as well. The second princess, dressed in a splendid red dress, hummed a little tune as she sat on a swing under a grapevine trellis, her small, delicate embroidered shoes swinging joyfully beneath her skirt. Her happiness was justified. The Empress had admitted to framing the Crown Prince and murdering Consort Fu. Soon, her dear brother, the Crown Prince, would be released from the High Court, and her mother would no longer be weeping every day. And also, the running dog had returned alive. In just half a month, everything had turned around in her favour. Lin''an felt a sense of tranquility, as if time itself had slowed to a peaceful halt. *Huaiqing must be feeling very sad right now. Hmph, serves her right for her mother''s framing of my brother, the Crown Prince¡­ Hmm, since we are in a good mood, we won''t go rub it in for a few days.*Her mischievous heart was eager to act, but knowing that Huaiqing''s fists wererger than hers, Lin''an decided to follow her heart''s desire and wait a bit before provoking her sister. When the timees, she''ll bring the running dog with her¡ªafter all, he''s a hero who fought against thousands of enemy troops, so he should be able to protect her. A guard walked over from outside the courtyard, stopping several meters away before bowing with sped fists. "Your Highness, Sir Xu has arrived." Lin''an¡¯s face instantly lit up with a bright smile. "Quick, invite him in." She remained seated on the swing but turned her head expectantly, eagerly waiting. Xu Qi''an entered, followed by the little eunuch. He casually sat at the stone table beneath the grapevine trellis, helping himself to the fruits prepared for Lin''an, the pastries made by the imperial kitchen, and the tea specially supplied to the pce. "Hey..." The pce maid standing nearby called out softly. "Hmm?" Xu Qi''an looked at her, confused. "That''s Her Highness''s tea," the maid whispered, her voice as soft as a mosquito''s buzz. "Oh, my deepest apologies." Xu Qi''an said as he took another sip from the cup. At this, Lin''an could no longer hold it in. Her face flushed pink as she huffed, "Xu Ningyan!" Just then, a gust of wind stirred the grapevine, causing the sunlight to dapple through the leaves, falling on her round, fair face. Her lips were rosy, her nose delicate, and her charming, flirtatious peach-blossom eyes hinted at words unspoken. With the blush on her cheeks, she exuded an indescribably alluring charm. A naturally seductive woman. *Huaiqing and Lin''an were both exceptional beauties¡­ It¡¯s a pity the other two princesses, though quite pretty, fell far short of being "peerless beauties"¡­* Xu Qi''an thought with regret. Otherwise, he would have done everything possible to gather all of Great Feng''s princesses under his wing. *Sir Xu is favoured by both the eldest princess and the second princess, his future prospects were limitless¡­* the little eunuch thought to himself. In this vast capital, aside from the royal princes and princesses, there was likely no one else who could interact with Princess Lin''an like this¡ªexcept Sir Xu. In recent days, the little eunuch had followed Xu Qi''an during his investigation, witnessing first-hand his interactions with Princess Huaiqing and Princess Lin''an. Even a blind man could see how much both princesses valued and appreciated Xu Qi''an. "The case isn¡¯t solved yet?" Lin''an asked in her crisp voice. "Running dog, why are you still investigating inside the pce?" She had deduced that Xu Qi''an was still working on the case, judging by the presence of the little eunuch. Otherwise, he would havee to Shaoyin Courtyard alone. "The case is far from over..." Xu Qi''an sighed deeply, putting on a sorrowful expression. "Your Highness, am I not one of your people?" "Of course!" Lin''an nodded without hesitation. "I¡¯ve been bullied," Xu Qi''an said, covering his face as if ovee with grief. "My family is really struggling. Since I was young, my second uncle always told me that children from poor families must grow up early¡­ "But that damned dog from Jingxiu Pce extorted ten taels of silver from me." Though Lin''an had a yful and sassy nature, she was still loyal and righteous. Upon hearing this, she immediately became furious and sprang up from the swing, her delicate eyebrows raised high. "Let''s go to Jingxiu Pce! We will demand justice for you." The silver was a minor issue, but bullying her people was a big problem. Xu Qi''an "obediently" followed beside the princess, wearing a wronged expression. After a while, he casually asked, "Your Highness, is there a pce maid named Lang''er serving by Noble Consort Chen''s side?" "Yes," Lin''an nodded. "Has this maid been serving in Jingxiu Pce for a long time?" "Indeed. She¡¯s been serving Mother Consort ever since she entered the pce." "Could Your Highness tell me more about her? Perhaps what she likes or dislikes, or anything noteworthy she¡¯s been involved in recently?" "Why would we care about a mere pce maid''s recent activities?" Lin''an responded righteously. After thinking for a moment, she added, "But she does love green bean cakes. I often see Mother Consort giving her leftover green bean cakes, which she eats with great delight." As they spoke, they arrived at Jingxiu Pce. In the distance, they spotted the gatekeeping eunuch who had just extorted ten taels from Xu Qi''an. Xu Qi''an strode forward and pped him across the face. Pointing at the eunuch who was now clutching his face, Xu said, "Your Highness, this is the one who extorted me." "You¡­" The gatekeeping eunuch covered his burning cheek, both angry and shocked. He hadn''t expected Xu Qi''an to return with the second princess to cause trouble. After all, he was a servant in Consort Chen¡¯s pce. Even an insignificant gatekeeper serving a consort carried some weight. Typically, external officials wouldn¡¯t dare confront pce eunuchs so boldly. If they suffered a loss, they would usually swallow their pride. "p him again." Maintaining the poise of a princess in front of others, Lin''an coldlymanded. Xu Qi''an delivered another p, sending the gatekeeper stumbling, his ears ringing. "Dare to extort one of Our people? We''ll spare you this time out of respect for Mother Consort. If you ever dare show disrespect to Sir Xu again, you''ll be demoted and made to do hardbour." Lin''an''s delicate face was covered in a frosty expression as she ordered, "Hand over the silver." *She¡¯s willing to give the gatekeeper a chance, Lin''an is really a rather kind-hearted person, much more innocent than most of the royal family¡­* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. It was precisely because of this nature that she was susceptible to being taken advantage of by scoundrels. *Lin''an and I have a good rtionship; I must keep a close eye on her to prevent her from being harmed by such people.* Though the gatekeeper was unwilling, five taels of silver were worth more than a month''s wages. Yet, he dared not disobey the second princess, so he could only take out the warm silver banknote and present it with both hands. "This servant was blind. Please, Sir Xu, don''t hold it against me." Xu Qi''an didn''t take it. "I gave you ten taels." *Ten!?* The gatekeeper lifted his head, at a loss for words. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, before trying to retort: ¡°It was clearly five tales, how could Sir Xu wrong this servant?¡± Xu Qi''an immediately turned to Biaobiao and said loudly, "Your Highness, look at this duplicitous running dog,pletely disregarding your authority." Lin''an red at him with her charming peach blossom eyes that couldn''t muster any true fierceness. "This servant wouldn''t dare, wouldn''t dare..." The gate eunuch fumbled around for a while before producing three taels of silver and some loose change, his face full of grief. "This servant only has this much left." Xu Qi''an cheerfully pocketed the silver. ¡°Doing good deeds doesn''t always bring rewards, but not doing them will surely lead to reckoning one day. "Consider this silver as a tuition fee for today''s lesson." *Some people always think that simply apologising is enough when they do wrong, and if others continue to press the matter, it''s their fault for being unreasonable. If apologies were enough, what need would there be for thew? You cheated me out of five taels, and now you think returning it is enough? Wishful thinking.* He then turned to gaze at the graceful profile of Biaobiao and said, "Since we''re already here, Your Highness might as well take me into Jingxiu Pce. I need to wrap up the case concerning Lady Fu." Biaobiao then led him across the courtyard gate into the inner grounds. "Your Highness, I need to speak with a pce maid named Lang''er. Could you summon her for me?" Xu Qi''an followed a pce maid into a side hall while Biaobiao went to visit her mother, the concubine. As he watched the back of her crimson dress disappearing, he called that out to her, and without turning her head, she responded yfully, "Got it." In the side hall, a young pce maid stood nearby. "Where''s the outhouse?" Xu Qi''an asked. "Please wait a moment, Sir." The pce maid replied softly, then went out and returned with a little eunuch, who guided Xu Qi''an to the outhouse on the southern side of the courtyard. After closing the door, Xu Qi''an pulled out the Confucian version of the "magic book" from his ground book fragment and tore off the page recording the Qi-watching technique, igniting it with his qi. Two beams of clear qi shot out from his pupils, then quickly faded. *The magic book is getting thinner the more I use it. This won''t do. It''s so useful that I must keep using it. After the spring exams, I''ll visit Cloud Deer Academy and meet my three teachers... I should prepare some verses to ''borrow'' from them in advance...* Returning to the side hall, he sipped tea as he awaited Lang''er, the pce maid. ... Inside the main house of the inner courtyard, Concubine Chen loungedzily on a soft couch, with two close pce maids attending to her. One massaged her shoulders while the other kneaded her legs. There were no Imperial-Noble Consorts in Emperor Yuanjing''s harem, which made Concubine Chen second only to the Empress, reigning supreme over all other concubines. Moreover, before long, her position in the harem would truly be unrivalled. Holding a scroll, Concubine Chen smiled and said, "This _Spring Courtyard Moon_ is so well written. We find ourselves liking it more and more." Lang''er covered her mouth and giggled. "It''s because you''re in a good mood, madam, that the book seems better." The other maid chimed in with augh, "Yes, though the Crown Prince hasn''t been released from the High Court yet, it''s only a matter of time. You''ve been weeping day and night recently, and it''s been breaking our hearts." Lang''er whispered, "Who would have thought the Empress, of all people, would be so ruthless? To harm Madam Fu and frame the Crown Prince... We all thought she was truly kind and benevolent." Concubine Chen frowned and reprimanded, "Do not speak ill of the Empress." "You''re too cautious, madam. His Majesty has already proposed deposing the Empress in court. Once the officials approve it, she will no longer be Empress," the other pce maid giggled. "Maybe ourdy will soon be the Empress herself." Concubine Chen furrowed her brow again, about to scold the two loose-tongued maids, when the sound of light footsteps echoed. "Mother, Lin''an is here." The shadow of Lin''an''s figure flickered across the door, her fiery red dress like a me swaying in the wind. The two senior maids immediately fell silent, ending the conversation. Concubine Chen''s expression softened into a loving smile as she straightened her slender waist and beckoned, "Lin''an, didn''t you just visit this morning?" "I missed you, Mother. I could stay in Jingxiu Pce all day if it meant I could keep youpany." Lin''an was a girl who knew how to act coquettishly. With her beauty and sweet words, both Emperor Yuanjing and Concubine Chen were very fond of her. "Then keep mepany for a while. When you feel bored, you can go back to Shaoyin Pavilion," Concubine Chen said, pulling her daughter to sit by her side. "Alright!" After sitting down, Lin''an chirped, "I mainly came to see you, Mother, but also to handle some business." Concubine Chen''s smile remained as she asked softly, "What business?" Lin''an nced at Lang''er and instructed, "Sir Xu has something to ask you. He''s waiting for you in the side hall. Go see him." Then she exined to her mother, "It''s the Nightwatcher I trained, Xu Qi''an. Mother should remember him. He''s handling the case of my brother, the Crown Prince. He seems to have some questions for Lang''er, but the gatekeeper wouldn''t let him in." Concubine Chen pondered for a moment and waved her hand, "Lang''er, go meet with him." "Yes ma¡¯am," Lang''er replied, cing her hands neatly in front of her waist. She stepped gracefully over the threshold, leaving the courtyard. Lin''an withdrew her gaze and continued, ¡°Mother, we must thank Xu Qi''an for helping clear my brother''s name. You have no idea how hard I''ve worked to train him. "You always say Huaiqing is good at nurturing talent and building her ownwork, but I''m not bad either. When I first met him, he was just a small bailiff in Chang''le County. Now, after all my efforts, he''s be quite exceptional." Concubine Chen, slightly surprised, asked, "How did you meet a small bailiff?" "Ah, don''t worry about the details. The point is, the talent I cultivated saved my brother, right?" "Right, right. All thanks to Lin''an. If it weren''t for the person you groomed, your brother would have been in grave danger," Concubine Chenughed, yfully pinching her daughter''s soft, rounded cheeks. ¡­ In the side hall, Xu Qi''an sat in a chair, holding a teacup, gently blowing on it. Even the tea served to guests here in Jingxiu Pce was far more fragrant than the finest tea his aunt treasured. *But it still can''tpare to the tea Lin''an drank earlier. I''ll ask her for a few taels of tea leavester, so my second uncle and aunt can also try some of these tributes.* With that in mind, Xu Qi''an happily took a sip, then nced at the little eunuch standing nearby and smiled. "Little Eunuch, you¡¯re here by His Majesty''smand to monitor me. In official terms, that makes you a royal inspector. Sit down, don¡¯t just stand there." The little eunuch had some sense and helplessly replied, "Only when outside the capital am I a royal inspector. Here in the pce, I''m still just a servant. It''s like those provincial governors¡ªimpressive outside, but back in the capital, they¡¯re just minor censors." This remark amused Xu Qi''an. "Prating insight, truly." If Governor Zhang returned to the capital, he¡¯d be just anotherckey, but out in the provinces, even high-ranking officials like the Provincial Administrator and Military Commander would treat him with utmost respect and call themselves "subordinates." "By the way, Little Eunuch, you serve in His Majesty¡¯s chambers, right?" Xu Qi''an asked. The little eunuch nodded. "After you reported yesterday, did His Majesty go to the Empress''s Fengqi Pce?" Xu Qi''an had been harboring a question for a while. Yesterday, after finding the connection between Huang Xiaorou and the Empress in Xie Pavilion, the clues began pointing to the Empress. However, the records in the imperial pharmacy had been torn, so there was no solid proof that the Empress had saved Huang Xiaorou. Given Emperor Yuanjing''s intelligence andposure, he wouldn¡¯t rush to confront the Empress before the case was clear. If Yuanjing were truly that impulsive, he would have already deposed the Crown Prince when the case first broke. "No..." The little eunuch shook his head, hesitated for a moment, and then whispered, "It was the Noble Consort Chen who went to His Majesty¡¯s chambers in tears, using the Empress of framing the Crown Prince. Out of affection for the Noble Consort, His Majesty then went to Fengqi Pce to question the Empress. It was then that I was summoned for questioning, before I even made my report." *How did Noble Consort Chen know about the progress of the case?* *No need to ask¡ªit was definitely Lin''an who told her. The little brat couldn''t help but share the joyful news with her mother once the case had made a breakthrough and the Crown Prince''s vindication was in sight.* As they were chatting, a woman in a pale green pce gown stepped across the threshold into the side hall. She had delicate features and fair skin, around twenty-four or twenty-five years old. Her eyes were round like apricots, simr to Chu Caiwei¡¯s, though not quite asrge. Chu Caiwei''s big eyes always reminded Xu Qi''an of those two-dimensional anime waifus. Combined with her round, soft face, she had an irresistibly cute appearance, worthy of the title of "big-eyed cutie." The pce maid entered the side hall, performed a graceful salute, and said, "Greetings, Sir Xu." "Sister Lang''er," Xu Qi''an smiled and returned the greeting. Lang''er stood in the hall, nodding slightly. "What does Sir Xu wish to ask? The Madam is still waiting for me to attend to her." Xu Qi''an immediately responded, "Apologies, but I¡¯m just performing my duties." Without further ado, he got straight to the point. "Sister Lang''er, did you go to the imperial pharmacy a few days ago?" Lang''er nodded. "What for?" "Since the Crown Prince''s incident, Her Highness has been crying daily and feeling unwell. That day, she had a headache, so I went to the pharmacy to get some soothing medicine," Lang''er replied frankly. "Did you tear the pharmacy¡¯s financial records?" Xu Qi''an asked directly. He had asked the other eunuchs and maids on the list in the same straightforward manner. With the Qi-watching technique, it was like having a wless lie detector, even more reliable than surveince. Though the technique had many limitations¡ªit could be blocked by magical artefacts, was ineffective against arcanists, and couldn¡¯t be used to use officials above the fourth rank or in cases involving national affairs like this one¡ªit was still an invaluable tool for questioning eunuchs and maids, as no such restrictions applied. It was like being able to first identify the "wolf" and then investigate from there, much easier than following clues step by step. Lang''er was momentarily stunned, seemingly surprised by how blunt Xu Qi''an was. She shook her head. "No." *She¡¯s telling the truth¡­* Watching her aura, Xu Qi''an sighed inwardly. It seemed he was wrong. The person who tore the records hadn¡¯t entered the pharmacy in the past five days but rather much earlier. As for sneaking into the pharmacy, that was unlikely. The imperial pharmacy stored rare elixirs and pills, treasures that the Dog Emperor used his private funds to concoct. Calling the pharmacy a treasure trove wasn¡¯t an exaggeration. Since it was such a treasure trove, it was naturally heavily guarded. It wasn¡¯t a ce one could simply sneak into. "There are two possibilities: either the culprit entered the pharmacy more than five days ago, or there¡¯s a traitor within the pharmacy. I¡¯ll have to question the maids and eunuchs working there soon..." With that thought, Xu Qi''an stood up, sped his hands, and said, "I¡¯ve finished asking. But since the case isn¡¯t over yet, I may have to visit again." He was preemptively smoothing things over to avoid being turned awayter. Lang''er''s expression showed clear impatience upon hearing this. Xu Qi''an quickly added, "I¡¯ll send Sister Lang''er a small giftter. The green bean cakes from Guiyuelou in the capital are their specialty." He knew Lang''er liked green bean cakes. Lin''an had mentioned it on their way to Jingxiu Pce. "No need," Lang''er shook her head, her tone distant and slightly resistant. "Your servant doesn''t like green bean cakes." *Am I being disliked¡­? Hmph, this woman is at the age where she''s practically like a wolf, yet she treats a rare beauty like me with such hostility.* *Is it because the Pill of Rebirth''s effects aren''t potent enough, or is it that her flower garden has never had a guest, so she can¡¯t appreciate a real man¡¯s value?* "Since that¡¯s the case, this official won¡¯t bother you¡­" Suddenly, Xu Qi''an froze. In his Qi-watching view, Lang''er¡¯s emotions were calm¡ªshe wasn¡¯t lying. She wasn¡¯t lying?! Chapter 255: Frank Admissions Chapter 255: Frank Admissions # 255. Frank Admissions At that moment, Xu Qi¡¯an couldn''t conceal the shock and surprise on his face. What the Qi-watching technique showed him made him instantly alert, and countless thoughts collided in his mind, sparking all kinds of realisations. Two possibilities came to mind quickly: First, Lang''er might genuinely not like green bean cakes, and her previous disy of liking them was merely to curry favour with Consort Chen. Second, she was lying, and the Qi-watching technique hadn''t detected it, which meant she was wearing an artefact that could shield against it. The first possibility couldn¡¯t be confirmed right away. The second possibility, however, sent chills down Xu Qi¡¯an''s spine and made his adrenaline surge. How could a pce maid from Jingxiu Pce possess an artefact that could block the Qi-watching technique? Why would she wear such an artefact?Unless she needed it to cover her tracks for something she had done recently. Unless she knew she would be questioned. What had she done recently? She had been to the imperial pharmacy! As for the possibility that the person standing in front of him wasn¡¯t Lang''er, but rather an imposter in disguise¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an considered it unlikely. A human skin mask wouldn¡¯t have escaped his scrutiny. If it were a high-level expert using advanced transformation techniques, it would be even more impossible. This was the imperial pce¡ªno high-level expert could sneak in here undetected. "Sir Xu?" Lang''er frowned, narrowing her eyes as she scrutinized Xu Qi¡¯an, who had lost control of his expression. *I can''t jump to conclusions. Maybe she really just doesn¡¯t like green bean cakes and unintentionally spoke the truth*, Xu Qi¡¯an thought, trying to maintainposure. Instead of calming his emotions, he allowed his face to show some frustration. He red at Lang''er and said in a somewhat indignant tone: "Lang''er, even though you serve by Consort Chen''s side, your attitude is rather disrespectful. I¡¯ve shed blood for the court and earned merit through my aplishments, and yet you treat me with such disdain. Do you have something against me?" Lang''er nced at him, then responded coolly, "Sir Xu, you''re overthinking. I have no ill feelings towards you." After a pause, she curtseyed slightly. "I must return to serve the consort." With that, she stepped out of the threshold and left. Watching her retreating figure, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s heart sank to the bottom. Just now, the Qi-watching technique still showed that Lang¡¯er hadn¡¯t lied. Hisst question had been both an attempt to cover his ownpse and a trap, hoping Lang''er would slip up. Xu Qi¡¯an could confirm that Lang''er was impatient with the questioning and had little regard for him. She clearly wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. Under normal circumstances, when faced with a question like "Do you hate me?" most people would, out of politeness, deny it, which would constitute a lie. But ording to the Qi-watching feedback, Lang''er¡¯s emotions remained calm, and no lie was detected. This almost certainly confirmed that Lang''er was carrying an artefact that blocked the Qi-watching technique, which indirectly validated her guilt and intent to evade interrogation. At this point, a terrifying truth began to unfold in Xu Qi¡¯an''s mind. *She was the mastermind!* *Consort Chen?!* In an instant, countless details and clues floated to the surface of Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s thoughts, information rushing like boiling water. *I didn''t see thising... I need to leave here quickly and report my findings to Duke Wei and Princess Huaiqing...* Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t want to stay in Jingxiu Pce a moment longer. The feeling was akin to entering a deste mountain inn in the dead of night, only to discover it was a haunted house. The innkeeper was a terrifying ghoul, with rotting flesh and maggots crawling all over. The food on the table was nothing but worms, faeces, rotten meat, and human heads. Xu Qi¡¯an was the hapless person who had identally uncovered the secrets of this ghost house, and now, all he wanted was to act as if nothing had happened and escape before the ghoul realized he had found out. "I¡¯m done here. Little Eunuch. Let¡¯s head back." Xu Qi¡¯an took a deep breath, masking his unease with calmness as he suggested they leave. "Yes, sir!" The little eunuch, unaware of anything amiss, replied lightly and followed Xu Qi¡¯an as they crossed the threshold. Wait! Xu Qi¡¯an''s body suddenly stiffened. If Consort Chen was behind this, then the empress was destined to pay the price¡ªstripped of her title and banished to the Cold Pce. Whether or not the crown prince would be deposed was uncertain. Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t care about the crown prince. What he cared about was: What would happen to Lin¡¯an? She had been so happy today because the case was on the verge of being solved, and the crown prince would soon be exonerated. *But what would happen next? I might personally send her mother into a bottomless abyss.* *She¡¯s bound to hate me once she finds out.* Compared to Huaiqing, Lin¡¯an was the type of girl who couldn¡¯t handle such devastating news. Her mother could end up in the Cold Pce or worse, sentenced to death by white silk or poison. Leaving aside the emperor¡¯s affection for Consort Chen, in terms of rank alone, a consort was far inferior to an empress. The empress might survive after plotting against a concubine, but what about a consort? Could Consort Chen enjoy such protection? "Sir Xu, Sir Xu?" The little eunuch¡¯s voice snapped Xu Qi¡¯an out of his thoughts, but he still couldn¡¯te up with a solution that would satisfy everyone. Meanwhile, some lingering doubts remained unsolved even after discovering that Consort Chen was behind everything. "I¡¯ll go back first¡­ I won¡¯t report this to Duke Wei yet. For Lin¡¯an''s sake, I need to think this through¡­" As they approached the pce gate, the eunuch guarding it shot Xu Qi¡¯an a resentful nce. However, when Xu Qi¡¯an came near, the eunuch immediately straightened up and acted respectfully. "By the way, you took my silver. Did you pass along my message inside?" Xu Qi¡¯an stopped in front of the gatekeeper eunuch. "Of course!" The eunuch sighed helplessly. "I passed on your message, but Lang''er said she wouldn''t see you. I didn¡¯t want to return the banknote, but I also didn¡¯t know how to exin it to you¡­" So, she was prepared for this... Xu Qi¡¯an nodded and was about to leave when Lang''er¡¯s voice called out from behind. "Sir Xu, wait!" "Lang''er." Xu Qi¡¯an''s back muscles tensed involuntarily, but he turned around with a calm expression. "What is it?" The beautiful pce maid stopped in her tracks, offering a faint smile. "The consort wishes to thank you in person for solving Consort Fu¡¯s case and for clearing the crown prince''s name. She invites you toe and speak with her." ¡­Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s recently rxed muscles tensed once more. Maybe because he felt like a guilty thief, his scalp began to tingle. "I have important duties to attend to and can''t stay long. Solving Consort Fu''s case was just my duty. There¡¯s no need for the consort to thank me." He really didn¡¯t want to meet with Consort Chen now. "Sir Xu is too modest." Lang''er covered her mouth with a slight smile and added yfully, "The consort said if you don¡¯t see her, she won¡¯t let you take half a step out of Jingxiu Pce." *¡­you motherfucker!* Xu Qi''an''s heart suddenly sank. He quietly dispersed his primordial spirit to sense the surroundings, confirming that no "danger signals" were detected. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. *I haven''t told anyone about my discovery, and even Lang''er didn''t notice anything unusual. There''s no way Consort Chen could know that I''ve seen through her scheme. She probably just wants to thank me and put on a show... After all, this is the imperial pce. Outside, there are the Imperial Guards, and inside, there''s Lin''an, along with this little eunuch sent by Emperor Yuanjing to supervise me. Consort Chen wouldn''t dare do anything to me here...* *Besides, my cultivation is at the level where I could take down two Li Yuchuns with one strike. I''m no pushover.* "Alright, may I trouble Miss Lang''er to lead the way." Xu Qi''an turned to the little eunuch and said, "You follow as well." The two of them followed behind Lang''er, dressed in a lotus-pink pce dress, through the corridors of the front courtyard and into the rear. The main building of Jingxiu Pce was a delicately constructed two-storey pavilion, withyers of ck tiles, flying eaves, and intricately carved roof beams. Four corners of the roof were guarded by twelve animal-shaped roof ornaments. The second floor had a watchtower, ideal for drinking wine and admiring the scenery during the spring blooms or autumn breezes. Upon entering the inner courtyard, the little eunuch coughed lightly as a signal. Xu Qi''an understood the gesture and stopped in the courtyard. Lang''er continued walking into the inner room. Shortly after, Xu Qi''an caught her delicate voice saying, "Madam, Sir Xu has arrived." Consort Chen responded with a soft "hmm" and said gently, "I have some words for Sir Xu. You all may leave, go to the outer courtyard." Then came Lin''an''s voice, protesting in a yful tone, "Huh? Even I have to leave? I don''t want to leave." "Lin''an, be obedient." "...Hmph." *... What does Consort Chen mean by this? Why dismiss everyone? What could she possibly need to say that can''t be discussed openly in broad daylight? Xu Qi''an frowned.* Soon after, Lin''an and two pce maids stepped out of the room. As they passed by Xu Qi''an, Lin''an mischievously stuck out her tongue and whispered, "Remember to report back to uster." The little eunuch hesitated, unsure of what to do, until Lang''er said, "Madam said everyone must leave. Didn''t you hear?" "Ah." The little eunuch nodded inpliance and turned to follow them. "Wait," Xu Qi''an called out, admonishing, "You''ve been assigned to supervise me by His Majesty. You should carry yourself with the dignity of a special envoy¡ªstand up straight." He then raised his voice, saying, "I am, after all, an outsider. It would not be proper for me to meet with Consort Chen in private. This eunuch is tasked with supervising me under His Majesty''s orders." Though outwardly addressed to Lang''er, these words were meant for Consort Chen inside. After a brief silence, Consort Chen''s voice came from within: "Then let him wait outside." "Stand back... a little farther," Xu Qi''an waved the eunuch away. The little eunuch obediently retreated to a distance. Standing in the courtyard, Xu Qi''an pretended to tidy his appearance, but in reality, he was using the brief moment to weigh the pros and cons, specting about what might happen next. *If it''s merely to thank me, there''s no need to dismiss everyone. In other words, what Consort Chen wants to say to me mustn''t be heard by others.* *By having the eunuch stand farther away, I offer a form ofpromise to Consort Chen. From a distance, the eunuch won''t hear our conversation, but he will still be able to clearly see all our actions inside the room.* *This prevents Consort Chen from pretending to be the victim, and framing me for bullying a consort... Even though that would be a rather crude manoeuvre, I can''t be too cautious."* With his thoughts settled, he stepped into the room and saw Noble Consort Chen sitting on a cushioned tform, dressed in a magnificent pce gown. This was the second time Xu Qi''an had seen Noble Consort Chen. The first time wasst year''s ancestral worship ceremony, where he had loudly copsed Yongzhen Shanhe Temple and then pretended to offer his loyalty, getting a close look at the Emperor''s women. Consort Chen had the same face shape as Lin''an¡ªa ssic oval face with perfectly proportioned features, including her eyebrows, lips, and nose. In terms of pure beauty, Consort Chen was slightly inferior to the Empress, but her dignified and gentle demeanor exuded more warmth and approachability than the Empress. However, the luxurious embroidered gown and her borate, expensive headdress diminished some of that approachability. Of all the women Xu Qi''an had seen, only Lin''an could pull off such extravagant clothing and jewelry. The morevish the attire, the more her charm shone through. It¡¯s simr to how some women look better without makeup, but when they overdo it, they appear garish. Lin''an, on the other hand, looked even more captivating the more ornately she was dressed. In this regard, the mother and daughter were quite different. "This morning, His Majesty brought up the matter of deposing the Empress in court. Sir Xu must have heard," Consort Chen said, her voice softer and more refined than a young girl''s, with the warmth of a mature woman, making one feel as if bathed in a gentle spring breeze. "Your subordinate is aware," Xu Qi''an nodded tersely. "Then why has Sir Xue to Jingxiu Pce?" she asked. "There are still some doubts in this case." "Oh?" Consort Chen replied with a faint smile, "What doubts?" "This... your servant is ignorant, and has no clear leads yet." The room fell silent as Consort Chen stared at Xu Qi''an for a long time, her smile gradually fading. After a pause, her face became cold as frost, and she said, word by word: "You are lying!" Those three words struck Xu Qi''an''s heart like a heavy hammer and exploded like thunder in his ears. *How does she know I¡¯m lying?* His eyes instinctively shed with cold light, and his breath quickened. But in the next moment, he reined in all his emotions, feigning confusion as he asked: "Madam, what do you mean by that?" "You can use the Qi-watching technique to observe others, but others can also use it to observe you." Consort Chen calmly sipped her tea before continuing, "We invited you here today merely to probe, but your lie has left us with no choice but to abandon any lingering hope. Sir Xu is sharp-minded, and to you, even the most intricate case is just a trivial game." *Consort Chen... is an Arcanist?! That''s impossible.* *Why is she confessing this to me? Isn¡¯t she afraid I¡¯ll report it to Emperor Yuanjing?* *What is her true intention in summoning me here?* A flood of thoughts crossed Xu Qi''an''s mind, but they all culminated in a sigh: "Madam, why? I can pretend to know nothing." Then, mentally, he added: *Andter, I¡¯ll inform Duke Wei and Princess Huaiqing to deal with you...* At this point, the two of them had essentiallyid their cards on the table. Consort Chen¡¯s forthrightness surprised Xu Qi''an. He knew this could only spell trouble. "When did you figure it out? Just now?" Consort Chen asked casually while sipping her tea. "Yes, your subordinate noticed Lang''er¡¯s disguise." "But you were already suspicious before that, weren''t you? Tell me." Consort Chen smiled slightly. Xu Qi''an pondered for a moment before replying, "As I reviewed the details of the Consort Fu case, certain doubts arose. Why would Madam, for no reason, ce the Baichun wine, gifted by the Empress, on the table? This is, after all, the inner pce. Why would you serve such a tonic to make the Crown Prince tipsy, without fear that he might act inappropriately? It doesn¡¯t align with Madam''s cautious nature." Back when Princess Huaiqing recounted the Empress¡¯s fall from grace, she had mentioned how Consort Chen was meticulous and protective of the Crown Prince¡¯s position, but also narrow-minded and overly cautious. This had sparked Xu Qi''an''s initial doubts. He continued, ¡°Although the Empress could have bribed Huang Xiaorou to set a trap for the Crown Prince, how could she guarantee that the Crown Prince would go to Qingfeng Hall? But you, as the Crown Prince''s biological mother, know him best. You knew he still had feelings for Consort Fu, so you sent Huang Xiaorou halfway through to wait for an opportunity... this reasoning makes much more sense. ¡°After that, from the discovery of Huang Xiaorou''s body to the clues your subordinate found pointing to the Empress, the signs of maniption were too obvious. If Huang Xiaorou had just disappeared, it wouldn''t have been enough to frame the Empress. "At that time, I still thought the Empress was the prime suspect. What puzzled me was why you would send someone to tear up the ount books from the Imperial Pharmacy, which should have been the most incriminating evidence against the Empress. Instead of helping, it revealed your involvement." The Consort shook her head. ¡°It wasn''t redundant. That evidence was deliberately left behind. If the official in charge of the investigation hadn''t been you, it would have been one of the most useful pieces of evidence against the Empress. ¡°But your miraculous survival caught uspletely off guard. If both Huang Xiaorou''s body and the pharmacy''s records had been discovered together, the signs of maniption would have been too obvious. We feared you might notice something and report it directly to His Majesty, so we had someone destroy the books. ¡°That''s why you had doubts but didn''t outright use the Empress of being wrongly framed. If His Majesty had known in advance, my tearful plea yesterday wouldn''t have been as effective. "Then, by learning about the investigation''s progress through Lin''an, I applied pressure on His Majesty while sending assassins after you. As long as you died and the Empress confessed, everything would have been seamless." Xu Qi''an nodded slowly. This morning, he still thought the Empress was the most likely to have ordered the assassination and was determined to divorce Huaiqing. It wasn''t until Wei Yuan told him about the Empress''s confession that he realized something else was at y. *So it was Consort Chen who wanted me dead. Well, there''s nothing more to say¡ªI must divorce Lin''an now.* "I have two more questions, Madam. Can you answer them?" Xu Qi''an asked. "Go ahead," the Consort replied indifferently. "The Crown Prince is already the Crown Prince. Why go to such lengths?" The Consort smiled, but it was aplicated smile, as if she were mocking Xu Qi''an, or perhaps mocking herself. "The Crown Prince may be the Crown Prince, but as long as he doesn''t ascend the throne, there will always be a chance for someone else to take his ce. The Empress will always be the Empress, and the Fourth Prince will always be the legitimate son. What if I told you that His Majesty originally intended for the Fourth Prince to be Crown Prince? If His Majesty hadn''t realised the Empress never truly loved him, the Fourth Prince would already be the Crown Prince." Xu Qi''an keenly noticed that when Consort Chen said this, there was both satisfaction and resentment in her eyes. "But even so, after all these years, the Crown Prince''s position has remained unchanged. Aren''t you worrying too much?" "What do you know about court politics?" Consort Chen scoffed. ¡°As long as Wei Yuan is around, the Fourth Prince will always have a better chance than my son. Wei Yuan has always dreamed of controlling the court and wiping out the old ills. To fulfill his ambitions, he would undoubtedly push the Fourth Prince onto the throne. "I''m just a woman; I can''tpete with Wei Yuan. I can only strike through the Empress. The Empress is the mistress of the inner pce, the role model for all women, the highest honor a woman can achieve. As a woman myself, of course, I covet her position." Xu Qi''an, having some understanding of Wei Yuan''s ambitions, believed her words. "Onest question, madam. Who is the person behind you?" Xu Qi''an asked. Consort Chen was visibly startled. She remained silent for a long time before shaking her head with a smile. ¡°I am growing more and more fond of you. It seems Lin''an has inadvertently discovered a treasure. "How did you figure out I had someone behind me?" Xu Qi''an lowered his gaze, contemting, and then said, ¡°If Madam had known about the Imperial Uncle''s actions for a long time, why wait until now to act? And if Madam had only recently learned of what the Imperial Uncle and Huang Xiaorou were up to, who told you? It certainly wouldn''t have been Huang Xiaorou. She wouldn''t suddenly change her stance after enduring for so many years. There must have been someone acting as a bridge. "Furthermore, Madam knew I was lying earlier. The Qi-watching technique of the Sitianjian isn''t something just anyone can perform. I recently came up with another possibility." Xu Qi''an lifted his head and gazed at the beautiful face of Consort Chen. "Your target is the Empress, but the person or faction behind you aims for Wei Yuan." Consort Chen''s smile disappeared. She narrowed her eyes and studied Xu Qi''an for a long time before suddenly asking, "What do you think of Lin''an?" *Very nice¡­* Xu Qi''an''s heart skipped a beat, but he said nothing. "The Crown Prince once told me that Lin''an has reached the age to marry. I kept an eye out, and soon noticed that ever since she met you, the person she talks about most when visiting Jingxiu Pce is you." Consort Chen gently urged, ¡°Young girls fall in love easily. I understand this well, having experienced it myself. I heard you will soon be ennobled. Although a viscount isn''t a high title, it means you''ve stepped into the ranks of nobility. "I can promise you that within three years, your rank will rise. By then, I will marry Lin''an to you." This was a tant attempt at recruitment, which also exined why she had been so forthright with him. Xu Qi''an hesitated. Sensing this, Consort Chen pressed on, "Even though you know my secret, you cannot use me. I could simply say that Lang''er has fallen ill recently and passed away despite the court physicians'' efforts. What do you think of that?" *How could such an innocent and adorable Lin''an have a mother like you? You think I''ll be fooled by such empty promises¡­* Xu Qi''an thought. He replied, "Three years is too long. How do I know Madam won''t deceive me?" Consort Chen frowned, "Two years, then. Ennoblement isn''t a small matter. You should understand that." "That''s not what I meant," Xu Qi''an waved his hand, shing a bashful smile. "I meant, if marriage has to wait three years, can we at least consummate it first?" Chapter 256: Xu Qian: Ive Contributed Again Chapter 256: Xu Qi''an: I''ve Contributed Again # 256. Xu Qi''an: I''ve Contributed Again "Are you mocking us?" "Ice" slowly crept onto Noble Consort Chen''s face¡ªher expression, her gaze, and her tone of voice all turned cold. "Would you look at that," Xu ''s shrugged and sneered, "No matter how sweetly someone paints a picture, the moment real payment is required, they immediately turn hostile." *Good thing you didn''t agree¡ªotherwise, I''d rather see Lin''an heartbroken than let you win.* Noble Consort Chen took a sip of tea, and when she set the cup down, her face had returned to its usual calm. ¡°Our greatest w is Lang''er. As long as she is no more, there will be no evidence left to prove anything. "And with the blink of an eye, Fengqi Pce is about to copse. As they say, a wise bird chooses a good tree to nest in. Sir Xu is a clever man; surely you know the right choice." Xu Qi''an nodded in agreement, "The Crown Prince remains the Crown Prince, and the Empress is about to be deposed. You, Madam, have promised to marry Lin''an to me... so, I choose Duke Wei." Noble Consort Chen''s expression stiffened, and her grip on the teacup tightened. It took a long time before she resisted the urge to either ssh the hot tea in his face or smash the cup."So, Sir Xu intends to take Lang''er away from Jingxiu Pce and bring us down?" Noble Consort Chen''s beautiful eyes locked onto Xu ''s. The atmosphere in the room dropped to freezing, and a deadly pressure enveloped him. Though Xu ''s, at his Refining Spirit level, couldn''t detect the exact moment of danger, the instincts of a seventh-rank martial artist screamed: Danger! *If I insist on taking Lang''er, it''s be a mutual destruction¡ªNoble Consort Chen will have no choice but to throw caution to the wind. She won"t care that this is the harem and will strike at me. My life wouldn"t be guaranteed... Though I still have Master Shenshu as ast resort..*. Xu ''s smirked, straightening his posture with a look of disdain. "I, Xu ''s, once faced thousands of rebels alone, cut down thousands of enemies, and remained standing even in death. Does Madam think a mere threat would scare me? "A servant fears not death. How could one intimidate me with it?" *A servant fears not death. How could one intimidate me with it...* Noble Consort Chen''s eyes showed surprise. She nodded slowly. "Well said. Sir Xu is truly a hero. To fall at your hands..." The consort tightened her grip on the cup, as if ready to smash it as a signal. Suddenly, Xu ''s said loudly, "But my heart is sincere towards Lin''an. I do not wish to see her heartbroken. I can pretend today''s events never happened." *Even if I n to expose the consort, I must first make sure I walk out of Jingxiu Pce alive¡­* Xu ''s thought with regret. Noble Consort Chen studied him for a moment, then set down her teacup, nodding with satisfaction. "You"re not lying. It seems you truly care for Lin''an. If that''s the case, why not join us?" *Do you take me for a fool? If I join you, I''m as good as dead. In the capital, the only person I can rely on is Duke Wei. Even Princess Huaiqing can only be trusted halfway. As for Lin''an, she''s just a powerless princess¡ªthere''s no way she could protect me.* "Madam, one does not win loyalty with empty promises but through tangible actions. I serve Duke Wei because he treats me with sincerity. I trust him." With that, Xu ''s turned slightly, casting a nce at the eunuch waiting outside the courtyard. "It''s not that I am helpless against Madam, but I don"t think Madam can do much to me either." Once the mutual destruction scenario was off the table, Noble Consort Chen wouldn"t dare push him further. Though the eunuch was just ackey, he was currently Emperor Yuanjing''s eyes, serving as surveince. Everything that happened here would be reported to the emperor without fail. Unless Noble Consort Chen killed him outright, any plot or scheme against Xu ''s would be useless¡ªthe eunuch could testify on his behalf. That was precisely why Xu ''s had insisted the eunuch stay. Noble Consort Chen took a long, deep look at him, her beautiful eyes narrowing. "We are tired. You may leave... The doors of Jingxiu Pce will always be open for you." "Your servant takes his leave." Xu ''s cupped his hands and bowed before exiting the room. As he stepped into the courtyard, the eunuch hurried over. "Sir Xu, what did the Noble Consort say to you?" "Don"t ask. If you do, you''s lose your head," Xu ''s replied irritably. The eunuch''s face turned pale. In the outer courtyard, Lin''an sat in a pavilion, resting her chin in her hand while idly toying with a teacup. Two pce maids stood by her side. Upon seeing Xu ''s, her round face lit up with a radiant smile. Her almond-shaped eyes curved into crescent moons as she waved and called out in a sweet voice, "Running Dog,e here!" There was no authority behind her words¡ªshe sounded more like she was pouting. Xu ''s took a deep breath, suppressing the surge of emotions, and forced a smile as he said casually, "Your Highness, I"m back." Lin''an immediately asked, "What did my mother say to you?" "Her Highness mentioned that you"re nearing the age to be married and asked if I knew of any suitable young talents to rmend. She said she would help find a match for you." Lin''an blinked, and a faint blush crept across her cheeks. Suspicious, she asked, "Would my mother really say that to you?" *...Eh, why aren''t you falling into my trap? When did you get so clever? I was nning to rmend myself next¡­* Xu ''s had no choice but to say, "I was just joking." Lin''an''s eyebrows shot up. "Running Dog, how dare you tease us!" She ced her hands on her hips and red at him. "I"m still a child, Your Highness¡ªI don"t even know what teasing means." Lin''an pouted and yfully tutted, but then found Xu ''s''s words amusing,ughing with a tinkling sound like a little hen clucking. Herughter was both innocent and alluring, as if she herself was a beautiful scene. Xu ''sughed along with her, but deep down, he sighed. Earlier, he had nned to feign ignorance, leave Jingxiu Pce first, and then report his findings to Duke Wei, who could swiftly arrest Lang''er, catching Noble Consort Chen off guard. But due to Lin''an, he hesitated. Although he remained clear-headed in the end and would still expose Noble Consort Chen, his moment of hesitation had been costly. *Noble Consort Chen is skilled. As soon as I leave, Lang''er will "fall ill" and die, leaving her with no ws. This way, Noble Consort Chen will have no more weaknesses to exploit.* "Noble Consort Chen is indeed apetent royal consort... But Lin''an, this silly girl¡ªgrowing up within these pce walls, I can"t tell if it''s a blessing or a curse." Reflecting on Noble Consort Chen''s earlier moves, Xu ''s had to admit her sharpness. First, she called him to test the waters. Sure enough, she sensed something amiss. Then sheid everything out in a seemingly open-hearted manner, but in truth, she was unafraid because she knew that once Lang''er was dealt with, Xu ''s would have no leverage. Moreover, Xu ''s wouldn"t be able to take Lang''er with him unless he wanted to die. Once she realized the threat, she decided to be straightforward, gaining his trust in the process. Then, she dangled the carrot¡ªher beautiful daughter¡ªas bait. *Had I been the lecherous type, I might have fallen right into her trap...* *I have Master Shenshu to protect me, so I may not die on the spot. However, it would expose me, and that dog Emperor Yuanjing would undoubtedly seal me under Sangpoke. In the end, the result remains the same¡ªmutual destruction.* After leaving Jingxiu Pce, Xu Qi''an excused himself from Biaobiao''s invitation to y Five-in-a-row, iming he had urgent business to attend to. "Little Eunuch, my work in the pce isplete. When you report to His Majestyter, there are some things you should say, and some things you should not. Let me advise you." Xu Qi''an spoke solemnly. The eunuch straightened his posture at the seriousness in Xu Qi''an''s tone. "Sir, please go ahead." ¡°Regarding Jingxiu Pce, you must report everything to His Majesty, word for word. Tell him this: After questioning the maid, Langer, Sir Xu looked extremely upset, as if he did not wish to linger in the pce any longer, not even to drink tea. "Yet before Sir Xu could leave, Consort Chen suddenly called him back and invited him to the rear courtyard. The Consort dismissed everyone and had a private conversation with Sir Xu in the room. Though I could see them, I couldn''t hear what they discussed." After Xu Qi''an finished, he took out a five-tael silver note, along with another five taels he extorted from the pce gatekeeper eunuch, making a total of ten taels, and handed them to the eunuch without any fuss. The eunuch, while epting the money, protested, "Sir, I cannot ept this," even as he pocketed it. After carefully reflecting on Xu Qi''an''s instructions and finding no issues, he nodded. "Your servant will follow your orders to the letter." With that settled, Xu Qi''an left the pce and quickly rode back to the Nightwatchers Constabry on the horse Princess Huaiqing had lent him. After being announced by the guards, he ascended to the seventh floor of the Tower of Noble Spirit and entered the tearoom. Wei Yuan was not in the tearoom but on the balcony connected to it. Sitting in arge chair with his hair down, a ck-robed officer wasbing his hair. Wei Yuan gestured for Xu Qi''an toe over. "Come,b my hair." The ck-robed officer tactfully handed theb to Xu Qi''an and left the room. "Why is Duke Wei having his hairbed at a time like this?" Xu Qi''an asked as he ran theb through Wei Yuan''s hair, finding it surprisingly smooth and free of tangles. "In Buddhism, hair symbolizes worldly troubles," Wei Yuan said, his eyes half-closed as he basked in the warm sunlight. "Combing through it wipes away past troubles, leaving them behind." *What does that mean?* *Wei Yuan seems a little off today. What did he mean by "leaving the past behind"?* "Combing seems pointless. How about I massage your head instead?" Xu Qi''an offered. Wei Yuan chuckled. "Go ahead, try." Xu Qi''an pocketed theb and began gently massaging Wei Yuan¡¯s head, focusing on the pressure points. Wei Yuan¡¯s breathing gradually slowed. The warm sunlight bathed them both, and the serene atmosphere made Xu Qi''an feel as if he had returned to the mortal world, far from the pce intrigues. "Not bad," Wei Yuan said with a smile. *Of course, this is a massage technique from barbershops back home. I should get you a shampoo chair someday¡­* Xu Qi''an cleared his throat and said, "Your servant has something to report." "Go ahead." "Your servant has discovered the person behind everything." Wei Yuan opened his eyes but remained silent for a while. "It¡¯s Consort Chen!" Xu Qi''an said softly. "Today, while investigating Jingxiu Pce, I found out that her maid, Lang¡¯er, was the one who destroyed the Imperial Pharmacy records¡­" He then ryed the entire story, including Consort Chen''s attempt to recruit him. Wei Yuan patted his hand, signaling him to stop, then got up and walked to the edge of the observation deck. With both hands resting on the railing, he gazed into the distance. "Who do you think is backing Consort Chen?" *How would I know¡­* Xu Qi''an shook his head. "It might be connected to the Sitianjian." This was his deduction based on the existence of the Qi-watching technique. "It¡¯s not the Sitianjian," Wei Yuan said with certainty. *Not the Sitianjian¡­* It took Xu Qi''an a few seconds to process this before he eximed, "Duke Wei, you knew Consort Chen was plotting against the Empress and you?" "Initially, I didn¡¯t suspect her. But she¡¯s ruthless enough to drag the Crown Prince down with her. After I handed this case over to you, I stopped paying attention to it. It wasn¡¯t until this morning, after hearing the Empress had confessed, and listening to your ount, that I realized it was her." Xu Qi''an stared at Wei Yuan¡¯s back for a long time. He used to think that Wei Yuan and Daoist Jinlian were both crafty schemers, but now he realized that Daoist Jinlian was quite pure-heartedpared to Wei Yuan. If it¡¯s not the Sitianjian, how could Consort Chen use the Qi-watching technique? Who else besides the Sitianjian can use that? Suddenly, Xu Qi''an¡¯s mind clicked. "Duke Wei, I just remembered something." "The third rank Arcanist who appeared in the Yunzhou case?" Wei Yuan asked. "Duke Wei, your wisdom is unparalleled¡­" Xu Qi''an was impressed. "I''s looked into that person but found nothing. Do you know what the title of a third grade Arcanist in the Sitianjian is?" Wei Yuan asked. "Master of Heaven¡¯s Secrets." Xu Qi''an replied, having heard it from the King of Posturing. ¡°A Master of Heaven¡¯s Secrets can shield their presence from the heavens. They can erase all traces of their existence, making their parents, spouses, and children forget them, and even wiping out all written records about them. This is their ability. "Moreover, a Master of Heaven¡¯s Secrets can alter others¡¯ memories of them, leaving only a vague impression in their minds that no amount of recall can fully restore." Wei Yuan gazed into the distance. ¡°During the Sangpo case, you tried to find information about the first Jianzheng, but there was no trace, not even a whisper. Keep in mind, Emperor Wuzong could alter history, but he couldn¡¯t silence the people or suppress folk tales. "It was Jianzheng who erased all traces of the first Jianzheng. He¡¯s like someone who never existed. Even I sometimes mistakenly think Jianzheng founded the Sitianjian and created the Arcanist system. "Then, the gaps in history remind me that there was another, the first Jianzheng." "How can we investigate this?" Xu Qi''an was dumbfounded. Once again, he realized how terrifying the top-level masters in this world could be. "To investigate, you¡¯d need Jianzheng¡¯s help," Wei Yuan said. *That makes sense. Only magic can defeat magic. Duke Wei''s thinking is spot-on¡­* Xu Qi''an nodded inwardly. "But the Jianzheng refused," Wei Yuan sighed. *As expected. The Sitianjian holds many secrets, and Jianzheng is like an old man guarding them¡­* Xu Qi''an pursed his lips and curiously asked, "Duke Wei, do you know what the titles for the first and second ranks of Arcanists are?" Wei Yuan shook his head. "The Jianzheng and I have always been at odds. The Great Feng is like a chessboard. He ys, and so do I. We often sh due to our differing strategies." This was the first time Wei Yuan had discussed such "high-level" matters with Xu Qi''an. Perhaps, in Wei Yuan¡¯s eyes, the Jianzheng was his greatest political rival. Xu Qi''an tentatively asked, "How do you n to save the Empress?" ¡°I¡¯ll have to push the Imperial Uncle to take the fall. Whether that works or not remains to be seen. The Emperor enjoys bncing power and will consider deposing the Empress, as that would leave the Crown Prince without an adversary. But recently, the Emperor has been reminded of some unpleasant memories, and he might not be thinking clearly¡ªunless we can make him suspicious of Consort Chen¡­ "The Empress has too soft a heart. She should have consulted me before making this move." Wei Yuan''s voice held a trace of helplessness. *Is Duke Wei indirectly calling the Empress an unreliable teammate?* Xu Qi''an''s eyes lit up. It seemed that his earlier efforts in the pce had not been in vain. He might have even contributed. "Duke Wei, your servant must confess¡ªI took matters into my own hands earlier." Wei Yuan turned and frowned slightly. "What did you do?" Chapter 257: Inquiry Chapter 257: Inquiry # 257. Inquiry "Before leaving the pce, your subordinate took the liberty of doing something extra. I instructed the little eunuch overseeing us for His Majesty to¡­¡± Xu Qi''an ryed to Wei Yuan exactly what he had taught the young eunuch to say. Seeing Wei Yuan fall into deep thought, Xu Qi''an quickly added, "Your servant acted on his own initiative without permission. Please could Duke Wei give judgement on the situation." Upon hearing this, Wei Yuan smiled and nodded. "Though it was done without orders, you did well. His Majesty is suspicious by nature and adept at maintaining bnce. Your words, once ryed to him, will sow seeds of doubt toward Noble Consort Chen in his mind. This will prompt him to reconsider the entire case of Consort Fu, weighing the benefits and drawbacks from all sides, and reflect on the delicate bnce he¡¯s been maintaining." Xu Qi''an was still somewhat unsatisfied and said hesitantly, "But what if His Majesty sees through it? Or if the little eunuch confesses to epting bribes and passing along my message?" "There''s no w in your ount¡ªeverything you told him genuinely happened," Wei Yuan replied with a smile. "As for the other issue, the eunuch revealing your bribe would only expose his own corruption, which would harm him without offering any benefit. After all, anyone smart enough to serve within His Majesty''s inner chambers isn''t likely to be that foolish." *Hehe, I already knew that¡­* Xu Qi''an inwardly praised Wei Yuan''s wisdom, saying admiringly, "Duke Wei, you are indeed supremely intelligent. Your subordinate is truly in awe." Wei Yuan shot him a knowing nce, then shook his head with a quietugh.Feeling light-hearted, Wei Yuan returned to the tea room and personally poured two cups of tea. "Now that you''ve entered the Refining Spirit stage, don''t stop honing your primordial spirit. Once you feel pressure building up in the Outer meridians, you can start training your physical body ahead of schedule." *Outer meridians¡­ oh, he''s referring to the temples.* Xu Qi''an was momentarily puzzled before realizing that the "Outer meridians" referred to what he knew as the temples¡ªthough in this world, there was no such term as "temples." *"Outer meridians" sounds so much more high-ss and sophisticated¡­* Xu Qi''an never really liked the term "temples" anyway, as it always felt more like a verb to him.[^1] When the topic shifted to body tempering, Xu Qi''an knew that his recent actions had been well-received. Wei Yuan, in a good mood, was now ready to reward him. That seemingly apologetic yet subtly boastful gesture Xu Qi''an made earlier? Wei Yuan, with his keen mind, had seen through it instantly. But leaders always appreciate subordinates who elevate their position¡ªand even someone as brilliant as Wei Yuan wasn¡¯t immune to that charm. Had Xu Qi''an simply said, "Duke Wei, I¡¯ve done something big again, haha!" the reaction would have been entirely different. Wei Yuan might have chastised him for arrogance and reminded him to remain humble. "Body tempering?" Xu Qi''an asked. Training the body was the main focus of the Refining Vitality stage¡ªbasically, abination of aerobic and anaerobic exercises, pushing one''s physical limits again and again. Every three days, it was necessary to see a physician to ease muscle strain, and one had to continually consumerge amounts of meat and nourishing herbal tonics. Xu Qi''an had ¡°eaten¡± nearly a hundred taels of silver in a year during his training¡ªabout half of what his uncle earned annually. Having reached the Refining Spirit stage, the methods from the Refining Vitality stage were clearly no longer effective, and Xu Qi''an was unsure how to continue training his body. "I''ve told you before, the martial system was not developed overnight. It has been constantly refined by countless predecessors to form the Nine Ranks of martial artists we know today." Wei Yuan sipped his tea, settling into a reflective conversation. "The earliest method for achieving Bronze Skin and Iron Bones was to repeatedly strike the body with sticks and clubs, much like a cksmith hammering raw iron into refined steel. The process was long and arduous, and if the foundation was not solid, one could die from a blow to a vital area." *Duke Wei, are you referring to* that *kind of vital area¡­?* Xu Qi''an couldn''t help but think of a disastrous scenario¡ªchickens flying and eggs smashed. "Later, someone invented medicinal baths using rare natural ingredients as the mainponents. Martial artists would sit inrge cauldrons, breathing and resisting the heat, while absorbing the medicinal essence to temper their bodies and achieve Bronze Skin and Iron Bones." "How dangerous was that?" Xu Qi''an asked. "It was still very risky. Sometimes, the person would be¡­cooked," Wei Yuan answered. "¡­" Xu Qi''an''s mind immediately conjured an image: he was sitting in arge cauldron surrounded by boiling water, while the medicine-savvy Chu Caiwei kept adding seasonings like star anise, beans, cinnamon, and spring onions¡­ Meanwhile, Xu Lingyin stood beside the cauldron, tears flowing from the corners of her mouth. "Is there a safer method?" he asked, swallowing nervously. "With the emergence of sessive geniuses, a method was eventually developed¡ªone that used Qi refining as the foundation and body tempering as a supplement. The core of this method lies in a unique Qi-circting technique that tempers the body from the inside out. Whenbined with strikes or medicinal baths, the risks are greatly reduced." Wei Yuan unfolded a piece of paper and wrote the words "Mixed Primordial Art" on it. He then said, "The Nightwatchers'' most advanced technique is called the Mixed Primordial Art. Every Gold Gong uses this technique. If this were to be leaked to the Jianghu, it would cause a storm of bloodshed." Once again, Xu Qi''an realized the immense benefits of working under Wei Yuan and joining the Nightwatchers. Here, he had ess to the finest techniques and the most luxurious resources¡ªthings that wandering martial artists could only dream of. For Xu Qi''an, they were readily avable. Including that visualisation drawing¡ªit, too, was top-tier. Xu Qi''an had reached the Refining Spirit stage so quickly thanks to his impressive talent, but Wei Yuan''s resources had yed an equally crucial role. The martial artist''s path truly is one of hardbour. To break it down with modern knowledge, the ninth rank is the "brick-carrying" stage; the eighth rank adds Qi techniques to brick-carrying; the seventh rank is about breaking one''s body with sheer effort. And the sixth rank? It''s straight-up chest-breaking feats... Xu Qi''an sighed and asked, "Duke Wei, is there a Qi-circting technique that can achieve Bronze Skin and Iron Bones without the need for medicinal baths or stick strikes?" "There is!" Wei Yuan''s answer took Xu Qi''an by surprise. Xu Qi''an was first delighted, then tentatively asked, "In dreams, perhaps?" ¡­Wei Yuan looked at him in silence for a few seconds, then said gently, "Buddhism has simr techniques. Some say that the martial artist''s Bronze Skin and Iron Bones were derived from the Buddhist Vajra Body. Others believe that the Buddha himself modelled his techniques after the martial artist''s system, creating the path of the warrior monk." *So, the warrior monk system includes a method for achieving Bronze Skin and Iron Bones without needing medicinal baths or stick strikes. This is perfect¡ªI''ll just get some tricks from Number Six next time...* Xu Qi''an unconsciously revealed a pure and innocent smile. ¡­ The Emperor¡¯s Bedchamber Emperor Yuanjing sat cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed as he practiced his breathing. A thin column of incense smoke rose from a burning stick at the corner of the bed, straight and slender. An old eunuch stood to one side, head lowered, eyes downcast, making not a single sound. At this moment, footsteps echoed from outside. A young eunuch stopped at the entrance to the bedchamber. ncing at the Emperor, who was entering a state of tranquillity, the old eunuch shuffled over to the door and lowered his voice, "What is it?" "Godfather, the Daoist Leader from Lingbao Temple has sent someone to invite His Majesty," the young eunuch whispered. The old eunuch was visibly taken aback, silently counting the days on his fingers. He thought to himself that the timing was right. Every month at this time, the National Teacher would retreat to recuperate, as her body became indisposed. Even the Emperor couldn''t disturb her, and would stay in his bedchamber to practice his breathing exercises. "I see. You may leave." After sending the young eunuch away, the old eunuch slowly returned to the Emperor''s side and softly called out, "Your Majesty..." Emperor Yuanjing opened his eyes. "The National Teacher has sent for you, inviting Your Majesty to join her in meditative reflection," said the old eunuch. A hint of surprise shed across Emperor Yuanjing''s face. Then, for the first time, his usually calm, deep eyes gleamed with an unusual brightness. "Prepare our carriage, quickly!" Every month, the National Teacher suffered from the torment of karmic fire, her seven emotions and six desires surging uncontrobly. During this time, she would retreat into istion, and no one was allowed to enter Lingbao Temple. But Emperor Yuanjing knew that if there was ever a day the National Teacher agreed to dual cultivation with him, it would surely be during this period. He had been waiting for this day for a long time. Though his ck hair had regrown, and his body was as strong as a man in his prime, he had still not attained immortality. If he wanted to go further, the only way was through dual cultivation with the National Teacher, to absorb her spiritual essence. Only then could he achieve true longevity and be the eternal Emperor of Feng. Leaving the bedchamber, he boarded his dragon pnquin, urging the bearers along. Before long, they arrived at Lingbao Temple. But when he saw the National Teacher, a woman, his hopes were dashed as he realized that she had merely invited him for their usual meditation, much like their previous practice sessions. The female National Teacher, with a vermillion dot between her brows, her features as delicate as a painting, sat cross-legged on a prayer cushion. Her soft voice rang out, "Your Majesty, please sit." Her jet-ck hair was tied up with a lotus crown, entuating her wless, fair face. Not a single strand of hair was out of ce. Emperor Yuanjing was unwilling to ept this and said in a low voice, "If the National Teacher does not wish to engage in dual cultivation, why summon Us at this time?" Luo Yuheng, eyes still closed, responded calmly, "This month, We are not tormented by the karmic fire. This poor daoist has promised to teach Your Majesty the method of immortality. We dare not shirk our duty, not even for a day." Emperor Yuanjing was silent for a moment. He sat on his designated prayer mat but did not immediately close his eyes. Instead, he said, "National Teacher, the materials for the Rejuvenation Pill have been prepared. Tomorrow, We will send them to Lingbao Temple." Luo Yuheng opened her eyes and studied Emperor Yuanjing. After a moment, she sighed, "Your Majesty''s ck hair has returned, and after years of cultivation, you are immune to all illnesses. There is no longer any need to refine that divine Four Seasons medicine." Emperor Yuanjing ignored her, closing his eyes and resuming his breathing exercises. Every year, Emperor Yuanjing would refine fourrge batches of pills, corresponding to the four seasonal transitions of spring wind, summer solstice, autumn equinox, and winter solstice. Each batch of these pills was worth a fortune, equivalent to three years of taxes from a county¡ªone that was particrly wealthy at that. In addition to the fourrge batches, there were thirty-six smaller batches of pills. The sheer amount of silver consumed was staggering. None of this silver came from the imperial treasury managed by the Ministry of Revenue. Instead, it was from the Emperor¡¯s private coffers. As for how the silver ended up there, every court official knew, yet no one spoke of it. By the time the meditation session with the National Teacher was over, the sun had already set. Emperor Yuanjing, in a foul mood, returned to his bedchamber and fell silent. Remembering that the case involving Consort Fu was still unresolved, he impatiently said: "Grand Companion, have the Cab draft an edict. The case of Consort Fu has been dyed for over ten days now. Order the Three Judicial Offices to present their findings within two days." The findings on whether the Empress was guilty or not. "Yes, Your Majesty." The old eunuch hesitated for a moment before softly adding, "That Xu Qi''an, came to the pce again today." Emperor Yuanjing''s brow furrowed. "What is he doing here again? Have someone retrieve his gold token from the Nightwatcher constabry tomorrow." The Empress had already confessed, and the Consort Fu case was nearly closed. There was no reason for that Bronze Gong to keeping to the pce. The old eunuch nodded and cautiously asked, "Shall I summon the eunuch to report today¡¯s findings?" Emperor Yuanjing thought for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Summon him." The old eunuch left the bedchamber and returned shortly, bringing in the young eunuch who had been monitoring Xu Qi''an. The young eunuch kept his head lowered, his body bent, standing obediently before the Emperor. Seated behind his desk, Emperor Yuanjing gazed down at the young eunuch from above and asked, "What did Xu Qi''an investigate in the pce today?" --- [^1]: This is an innuendo that I have no hope of tranting. Chapter 258: Bring Honour to the Family Chapter 258: Bring Honour to the Family # 258. Bring Honour to the Family ¡°Today, Sir Xu had a list of individuals to inquire about who had entered and exited the Imperial Pharmacy¡­¡± The little eunuch narrated smoothly, going through the list step by step. Emperor Yuanjing remained silent, his gaze distant, making it hard to tell whether he was listening intently or his thoughts had wandered elsewhere. ¡°Thest person on the list was the head pce maid from Jingxiu Pce, by Consort Chen¡¯s side. Sir Xu attempted to question her but was refused entry.¡± At this point, Emperor Yuanjing''s previously frozen eyes flickered slightly, as if his attention was drawn back. ¡°Sir Xu, with no other options, then went to Shaoyin Pce and sought the help of Princess Lin¡¯an¡­¡± The little eunuch recalled Sir Xu¡¯s instructions and continued naturally, ¡°After questioning Consort Chen''s maid, Lang¡¯er, Sir Xu''s expression darkened, and he seemed eager to leave, not even staying for tea before quickly departing with your servant¡­¡± ¡°But before he could leave Jingxiu Pce, Lang¡¯er returned and said that Consort Chen invited Sir Xu to speak with her, to thank him for solving the case of Consort Fu. Sir Xu was initially reluctant, but Lang¡¯er would not let him leave.¡± The little eunuch paused briefly, then continued, ¡°After that, Consort Chen dismissed everyone, and I, too, was not allowed inside and had to wait in the courtyard¡­¡±¡°Stop!¡± Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s eyes regained their sharpness as he interrupted the eunuch, staring at him thoughtfully for a few seconds before slowly asking, ¡°Dismissed everyone?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty.¡± ¡°What did they talk about in the courtyard?¡± The little eunuch replied, ¡°I was too far away to hear clearly. All I could do was watch from a distance as Sir Xu and Consort Chen spoke inside.¡± Emperor Yuanjing ced a hand to his lips, deep in thought, and suddenly said, ¡°You mentioned earlier that Sir Xu¡¯s expression turned grim after questioning Lang¡¯er?¡± Before the little eunuch could respond, the elderly eunuch¡¯s face darkened as he scolded, ¡°You blithering idiot! Did you not listen to your teachings?¡± When reporting, never insert personal judgments, and don¡¯t try to mislead the Emperor. Your job is to be impartial and objective. Emperor Yuanjing raised a hand, signalling the elderly eunuch to stop his reprimand. Encouraged by this, the little eunuch continued, ¡°It was indeed grim.¡± Emperor Yuanjing nodded, pondering for a moment before asking, ¡°Sir Xu wanted to leave, but Lang¡¯er stopped him?¡± ¡°¡­Yes, your Majesty.¡± Sensing a shift in the Emperor¡¯s attitude, the little eunuch cautiously added, ¡°Sir Xu said he was carrying out his duty, and there was no need for Consort Chen to thank him. Lang¡¯er replied that if Sir Xu didn¡¯t meet with the Consort, he wouldn¡¯t be able to leave Jingxiu Pce.¡± Hearing this, Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s eyes gleamed brightly. This time, he remained silent for a long while. The atmosphere in the chamber became eerily quiet, as the two eunuchs, one old and one young, held their breaths, afraid of disturbing the Emperor¡¯s deep and unfathomable thoughts. Atst, Emperor Yuanjing slowly asked, ¡°How was Sir Xu¡¯s demeanor when he left?¡± The little eunuch remembered Sir Xu¡¯s instructions but feigned hesitation, as if recalling, before finally saying, ¡°Sir Xu left the pce looking very troubled.¡± To bolster his story, he added, ¡°Usually, Sir Xu would chat a bit with me, full of cheer, but today he said not a word.¡± Emperor Yuanjing waved his hand. ¡°You are dismissed,¡± the elderly eunuch immediatelymanded. After the little eunuch left, Emperor Yuanjing sat in silence for a long time before finally speaking, ¡°Go and summon Lang¡¯er from Jingxiu Pce.¡± The elderly eunuch acknowledged the order and slowly withdrew from the bedchamber. ... The elderly eunuch, apanied by a squad of guards, walked through the pce walls, bathed in the waning light of the setting sun, arriving at Jingxiu Pce. A eunuch stationed at the entrance recognized the elderly eunuch from a distance and hurried over, saying, ¡°Please wait, I will inform Consort Chen¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯re in a hurry.¡± The elderly eunuch pped him aside and led the guards into the courtyard. As they approached the inner chambers, they could hear sobbinging from inside. Standing in the courtyard, the elderly eunuch called out loudly, ¡°Consort Chen, this old servant requests an audience.¡± From within Consort Chen''s chambers, a pce maid with slightly red eyes stepped out and softly said, ¡°The Consort invites you in.¡± Following the maid, the elderly eunuch entered and found Consort Chen sitting in arge chair, clutching a silk handkerchief, asionally dabbing at her eyes, her face filled with sorrow. ¡°What has happened, Madam?¡± the elderly eunuch asked, surprised. ¡°A servant girl by my side suddenly fell ill and passed away. The imperial physician couldn''t save her,¡± Consort Chen replied sorrowfully. ¡°This¡­¡± The elderly eunuch tried tofort her, ¡°Madam must not be too saddened. What was the name of this maid?¡± ¡°Lang¡¯er.¡± ¡°!!!¡± The elderly eunuch¡¯s expression froze. ¡°And what brings you to Jingxiu Pce, Grand Eunuch?¡± Consort Chen asked softly. With a forced smile, the elderly eunuch replied, ¡°His Majesty sent me to offer his condolences to the Madam, knowing that you¡¯ve been on edgetely.¡± Turning her head away, Consort Chen said with a hint of grievance, ¡°His Majesty cannot evene to see his concubine himself?¡± The elderly eunuch chuckled awkwardly, avoiding anyment on the Consort¡¯sint. After a few more idle exchanges, he casually asked, ¡°Wasn¡¯t Lang¡¯er still quite young?¡± Though Lang¡¯er was an old servant of Jingxiu Pce, it had been many years since Emperor Yuanjing had favoured any of the consorts, so the elderly eunuch had little impression of this maid who had passed so suddenly. ¡°A pitiful child,¡± Consort Chen said, her expression full of sorrow. Taking his cue, the elderly eunuch offered, ¡°May we take a look?¡± As the manager of pce affairs, the elderly eunuch had authority over all eunuchs and maids within the pce, though this role wasrgely symbolic due to his duties as the Emperor¡¯s closest attendant. Bidding farewell to Consort Chen, he was led by a pce maid to the south wing, where Lang¡¯er¡¯s bodyy. She appeared pale and lifeless on the bed. ¡°Did the imperial physician examine her?¡± ¡°Yes, Grand Eunuch, the physician said it was a brain ailment, beyond any cure.¡± The elderly eunuch stared at Lang¡¯er¡¯s body for a long while before giving his orders. ¡°Let us have the body.¡± He instructed the guards to carry away Lang¡¯er¡¯s corpse and hurried back to report to the Emperor. Upon returning to Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s chambers, the old emperor was still seated behind his desk, covered in golden silk, his face expressionless as he stared at the entrance. When the elderly eunuch crossed the threshold, the Emperor didn¡¯t even react. ¡°Your Majesty, Lang¡¯er is dead¡­¡± the elderly eunuch reported softly. After what seemed an eternity, Emperor Yuanjing finally responded with a simple, ¡°Hmm.¡± The emperor, who had reigned supreme for nearly half a century, disyed neither joy nor sorrow. ¡­ The next day, Emperor Yuanjing convened the court assembly once again. As the dim light of dawn spread, all civil and military officials entered the Meridian Gate in an orderly manner. Some remained in the square outside the Jinluan Hall, while others stood on the marble steps just outside. Only a select few entered the hall itself¡ªthose referred to by storytellers as: "the noble lords atop the temple." Once the officials had gathered, Emperor Yuanjing appeared from behind the hall, a quarter of an hourter than the start of court, and took his seat on the dragon throne. After the usual exchanges between the emperor and his ministers, the Minister of Justice stepped forward and announced loudly, ¡°Your Majesty, the Three Judicial Offices havepleted their investigation, and it has been confirmed that the Empress was indeed the mastermind behind the plot against Consort Fu. "The Shangguan family is unworthy of their position. The Empress conspired to harm a consort and framed the Crown Prince. We urge Your Majesty to punish her severely." The Minister of the High Court immediately stepped forward in support. Inside the hall, the civil officials, military officers, and certain noble families all voiced their agreement, theirbined voices forming a unified chorus. This signalled that they had already reached a consensus the day before. Deposing an empress is far less significant than deposing a crown prince, which concerns the foundation of the nation. Deposing the empress, however, is a personal matter of the emperor. As long as there is valid reasoning¡ªproving that the Empress has indeedmitted a serious offense and that it isn¡¯t just a case of the emperor tiring of her¡ªthe ministers have no reason or need to oppose it. The only thing at stake with deposing the Empress is the status of the Fourth Prince, as he is Emperor Yuanjing''s only legitimate son. Many have ced their hopes on him. Those who did not voice their support belonged to the Fourth Prince''s clique. Before Emperor Yuanjing could respond, Wei Yuan stepped forward, and the hall fell silent immediately. "Your Majesty, there are deeperyers to the plot against Consort Fu. The Empress is not the mastermind. The true culprit is Huang Xiaorou, who murdered Consort Fu and tricked the Crown Prince into the Qingfeng Hall, staging this entire case." No sooner had Wei Yuan finished speaking than a chief supervising secretary, a professional court critic, leaped forward to refute: "Nonsense! How could a mere pce maid pull off such a massive conspiracy? And why would Huang Xiaorou frame the Crown Prince? Wei Yuan, do you take His Majesty and the dignitaries of this court for fools?" As an afterthought, he added, "I urge Your Majesty to execute this scoundrel." Other ministers joined in, denouncing Wei Yuan, and the hall descended into chaos. The elderly eunuch cracked his whip, and a sharp "snap" echoed through the hall, silencing the uproar. "Silence!" he ordered. The Minister of Justice and the Minister of the High Court sneered at Wei Yuan. The other officials also cast nces his way¡ªsome mocking, some scornful, and some expressing confusion or helplessness. Thetter came from those in the Fourth Prince''s clique. Unperturbed by the criticisms or the Censor''s insults, Wei Yuan continued, "Yesterday, the bronze gong leading the investigation into Consort Fu''s case, Xu Qi''an, discovered that Huang Xiaorou had been pregnant before¡­" Before he could finish, an uproar erupted once again in the hall. A pce maid, Huang Xiaorou, had been pregnant?! In the pce, the only men capable of impregnating a woman, aside from the emperor, were the guards. But that was highly unlikely, as only the most loyal and rigorously selected guards were assigned to the pce, often in groups that supervised one another. The idea of a guard secretly engaging in an affair with a pce maid was out of the question. This left only one possibility¡­ Suddenly, the dignitaries began casting sidelong nces at Emperor Yuanjing, their expressions subtly shifting with meaning. Emperor Yuanjing''s stern face twitched slightly. He red icily at Wei Yuan, who had deliberately paused mid-sentence, and said in a deep voice: "Wei Yuan, continue!" Wei Yuan spoke slowly, "After further investigation, it was discovered that the one who forced Huang Xiaorou into pregnancy was none other than the Imperial Uncle, Shangguan Ming¡­" Wei Yuan proceeded to tell the court a carefully crafted story: Pce maid Huang Xiaorou was vited by the Imperial Uncle, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy. After secretly undergoing an abortion, she harbored a deep grudge and silently waited for years before plotting her revenge. Using her position as a maid close to Consort Fu, she tampered with the railings of the observation tower. When the time was right, she tricked the Crown Prince into Qingfeng Hall, setting in motion one of the most shocking conspiracies the harem had seen in over a decade. Upon learning of the plot against Consort Fu and realizing that Huang Xiaorou was involved, the Imperial Uncle, fearing his vile actions would be exposed, sought refuge with the Empress. Only then did the Empress learn of the heinous acts her brother hadmitted. Out of familial love, she tearfully took responsibility for his crimes. Finally, Wei Yuan summarized the case: "This is how the events unfolded. The Imperial Uncle has already confessed. Your Majesty may interrogate him at any time." "Nonsense!" The Minister of the High Court snorted coldly, bowing to the emperor. "Your Majesty, ording to what I know, Huang Xiaorou was murdered. If she were truly the mastermind, then where is the murderer?" The ministers echoed his sentiments. Without a change in his expression, Wei Yuan calmly exined, "Huang Xiaorou had aplices who helped her carry out the plot, framing the Crown Prince and indirectly implicating the Empress." Hearing this, many ministers were struck with a sudden realization, and they began to piece together their own theories. Had it not been for the revtion about the Imperial Uncle''s abuse of Huang Xiaorou, everyone would have assumed that the Empress had confessed because the evidence was irrefutable. But now, with the Imperial Uncle''s confession, the case had taken a sharp turn. Whether the Empress was truly innocent or not remained to be seen, but with the Imperial Uncle''s admission of guilt, there was now room for maneuvering. The Fourth Prince¡¯s clique, which had been disheartened moments before, seized the opportunity and began speaking out in support of Wei Yuan, denouncing the Imperial Uncle. Gradually, the hall was reduced to two voices¡ªthe Crown Prince¡¯s faction and the Fourth Prince¡¯s faction¡ªengaged in a war of words. The Crown Prince''s supporters were led by the Right Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, while the Fourth Prince''s supporters wereposed of various smaller factions. Among therger factions, some might have secretly supported the Crown Prince, but they would nevere forward openly. The biggest yers always remain hidden beneath the surface. After a fierce exchange, Wei Yuan called out loudly, "I ask Your Majesty to make a decision." The bickering stopped, and the officials joined in, "We ask Your Majesty to make a decision." Wei Yuan''s memorial had already been submitted to the pce the previous day. Typically, when court matters are discussed, memorials are sent to the pce a day in advance. Emperor Yuanjing had thus already seen the Imperial Uncle''s confession. Today, if Emperor Yuanjing wished to conclude the matter of Consort Fu''s case, he could settle it here and now. If not, he could order further investigation. As the ministers ceased their arguments, Emperor Yuanjing finally spoke, his voice calm and deliberate: "Shangguan Ming has disturbed the harem and is sentenced to immediate execution. The Empress is equally guilty for failing to report the crime, but considering her familial loyalty, she will be confined to reflect on her actions for three months." The ministers thought this was the end, but Emperor Yuanjing paused and continued, "The Crown Prince is guilty of drunkenly barging into Qingfeng Hall and failing to conduct himself properly. He will be confined to reflect on his actions for six months. Noble Consort Chen encouraged the Crown Prince''s drinking, leading to this catastrophe. She shall be demoted and stripped of the ¡®Noble¡¯ title." The hall fell into silence. The ministers exchanged bewildered nces, unable to understand why the Empress was only confined for three months, while the Crown Prince for six. Moreover, Consort Chen, who seemed to have no direct involvement, was demoted from Noble consort to regr consort, a two-rank drop.[^1] *Could this case have something to do with Consort Chen¡­?* The seasoned officials began to ponder. ¡­ Court was adjourned. Soon after, the elderly eunuch promptly went to Fengqi pce and Jingxiu Pce to deliver the imperial decree. Upon hearing the news, the Empress copsed over her desk, weeping bitterly. As for Noble Consort Chen, she epted the decree with a stiff face. The moment the elderly eunuch left, she swept everything off the table in a fit of rage, including the decree itself. The sounds of crashing reverberated through the room as her heaving chest betrayed her fury. Her usually dignified oval face turned livid with anger. Through gritted teeth, she spat, ¡°Wei Yuan¡­¡± Then, clenching her delicate fist, she spat out each word with utmost venom: ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an!¡± By now, she had figured it out. The emperor¡¯s sudden shift in attitude was absolutely rted to the events of the previous day. Yesterday, the elderly eunuch hade by under the guise of offering some constion. That alone wasn¡¯t unusual. But in light of today¡¯s changes in court, the hidden truth was easy to surmise. The emperor was suspicious of her... And the only person she''d ever exposed herself to was Xu Qi¡¯an. It was clear now that this wretched little Bronze Gong had yed some underhanded trick behind her back. All her carefullyid ns had fallen apart because of a mere Bronze Gong. A few minutester, the crashing sounds resumed from the room, and the pce maids and attendants outside froze in fear. ... The day after the conclusion of the Noble Consort Fu case, Xu Qi¡¯an finally recovered his beloved mare. This was a horse with a troubled destiny. After narrowly escaping death that day, it had run off in panic. As it galloped through the city, it was spotted by the *Yudao* City Guards patrolling the streets. Seeing the branding on the horse¡¯s nk, the guards immediately recognized it as one of their own and brought it back to their garrison. Indeed, this mare was a military horse used by the City Guards. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s second uncle had obtained it through his connections at a discounted price. After owning it for only a few years, he had passed it on to his nephew. Through some inquiries, the Nightwatchers were able to trace the horse back to the City Guards, leading to the recovery of Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s cherished mare. That morning, Xu Qi¡¯an was sitting with his family, having breakfast in the hall. Little Pea had the day off from school and was ecstatic, thoroughly enjoying her breakfast. ¡°You act like you¡¯ve struck gold just because you have one day off,¡± Auntie remarked disdainfully. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such a foolish daughter in my life.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve only had two daughters in your whole life,¡± Second Uncle chimed in, standing up for his youngest daughter. But not wanting to openly quarrel with Auntie, he muttered hiseback under his breath. ¡°You dare say that? Lingyin¡¯s foolishness is entirely your doing,¡± Auntie retorted, sticking to her oldint that Second Uncle was to me for Lingyin¡¯s slow development. ¡°But I just don¡¯t want to study,¡± Lingyin said pitifully. ¡°Lingyin, you¡¯re not dumb. Don¡¯t listen to your mother,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an reassured her, patting her on the head as he recalled a method his teachers had taught him in his previous life. ¡°When you don¡¯t feel like studying, just imagine you¡¯ve got two little people in your mind...¡± ¡°What?! There are people in my head?¡± Lingyin gasped, covering her head with her pudgy hands. ¡°...Just imagine,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an sighed, trying to keep calm. ¡°One little person doesn¡¯t want to study, but the other one should insist, ¡®I love studying! I love studying!¡¯ Keep that up, and eventually, you¡¯ll start to enjoy it.¡± ¡°Self-suggestion!¡± Xu Xinnian nodded approvingly. ¡°That¡¯s a good method. I used to do the same when I stayed upte reading. When I got sleepy, I¡¯d convince myself that I wasn¡¯t tired. It worked.¡± Auntie¡¯s attitude shifted immediately. With her own son vouching for the method, she now had hope for her daughter¡¯s future. ¡°Lingyin, try it!¡± The simple-minded Lingyin tilted her head in deep thought before slowly nodding. ¡°Well? How did it go?¡± Auntie eagerly asked, clearly more concerned about her younger daughter. ¡°One little person says, ¡®I don¡¯t want to study, I don¡¯t want to study.¡¯ And the other one says, ¡®Okay, okay!¡¯¡± Auntie sighed, covering her face in exasperation. ¡°Maybe studying just isn¡¯t for her, Auntie. There¡¯s no need to force it,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an consoled. ¡°The spring exams are the day after tomorrow, right?¡± Second Uncle suddenly asked. ¡°Mm!¡± Xu Xinnian nodded confidently. Auntie immediately peeled a boiled egg and ced it before her son. ¡°With our Eng¡¯s knowledge, passing the imperial exams is a certainty. Our family¡¯s moment of glory has finally arrived.¡± Though Xu Qi¡¯an had gained the favor of Wei Yuan and even established a connection with the princess, at the end of the day, he was still a martial artist. In this era, where ¡°all pursuits are inferior to the schr''s path,¡± the true way to bring honour to one¡¯s family was through academic sess. Even Xu Lingyue, who usually favoured her eldest brother, agreed with their mother¡¯s perspective. She believed that the future of the Xu family rested on her second brother¡¯s performance in the uing imperial exams. ¡°Second Brother, the future of the Xu family¡¯s status as part of the schr-official ss rests on you,¡± Xu Lingyue said with a smile, offering Xu Xinnian a dish. Xu Xinnian raised his chin proudly. Xu Qi¡¯an, however, couldn¡¯t help but feel frustrated inside. _Why is the world so unfair? When will us martial men ever stand tall?_ Everywhere he went, he encountered disdain for martial artists. It made him want to sigh in exasperation. His thoughts drifted to the conversation he¡¯d had with Wei Yuan the other day. The martial system had been refined and passed down through generations, leading to the current nine ranks. But even now, the system hadn¡¯t reached its peak. The path to transcending the ranks remained unexplored. This was why the martial arts system had yet to produce a Martial God. ¡°It doesn¡¯t make sense,¡± he pondered. ¡°So many people follow the path of martial cultivation. With such arge pool of talent, there should have been some genius who broke through, someone who became a Martial God after all these generations. Maybe it¡¯s just too early to dwell on this. If I can reach the Fourth Rank in my lifetime, I¡¯ll be more than happy.¡± After breakfast, Second Uncle grabbed his helmet and strapped on his sword, ready to head out the door. ¡°Hold on, Second Uncle, you¡¯re the elder of the family. You must stay home today,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an called out to him. Second Uncle looked back, confused. ¡°Is it some kind of holiday today?¡± Auntie shook her head. Xu Lingyue and Xu Xinnian also looked at Xu Qi¡¯an in bewilderment. Xu Qi¡¯an nced at Auntie, then lifted his chin proudly. ¡°It¡¯s not a holiday, but it is the day that honour is brought to the Xu family name.¡± --- [^1]: The consort rankings are a whole shitshow, even more difficult to trante than the various titles in the imperial Chinese bureaucracy. Please just take as-is. Chapter 259: Leave the Capital Chapter 259: Leave the Capital # 259. Leave the Capital ¡°Bring honour to the family?¡± Auntie didn¡¯t quite grasp the meaning at first, thinking that New Year''s top ranking in the imperial exams would take at least another month. But once her nephew revealed his smug expression, she realised he was boasting. Auntie rolled her eyes and scoffed, ¡°Oh my, has our dear first young master been given a noble title?¡± One could tell from the tone alone that she was dripping with sarcasm. ¡°I¡¯ve heard from the neighbours that only schrs can rise to high positions. No matter how much you get promoted, you''re still just a Nightwatcher.¡± Although Auntie had graduallye to terms with things and wasn¡¯t as resentful as before, she still held her ground on one point: her son was destined to be more sessful than her nephew. Unlike her husband Xu Pingzhi, who considered both his son and nephew to be equally important since they were raised in the same household for twenty years, Auntie saw a clear distinction. She could not stand the way Xu Qi¡¯an would asionally show off and parade around in front of her, so from her perspective, Second Brother had to outshine the First. ¡°You don¡¯t believe me, Auntie?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an raised an eyebrow.¡°I believe you, it¡¯s probably just a promotion,¡± Auntie responded dismissively. Recently, Uncle Xu had also been promoted, transferred from patrolling the outer city to the inner city, gaining a fixed patrol area. The residents there were wealthy families who, in pursuit of peace and security, would bribe the city guard to maintain good rtions. Thus, Uncle Xu had been raking in extra cash, thus even if he had recently surrendered fifty taels of silver to Auntie, he still had money to throw at the Jiaofangsi. Of course, Uncle Xu never initiated these visits¡ªit was always because of social obligations. On the other hand, Dng and Eng, being of a certain age and unmarried, asionally went to the Jiaofangsi for relief. ¡°It¡¯s not just a promotion; it is a noble title!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said gravely. Auntie couldn¡¯t help butugh, her delicate shoulders shaking with mirth. ¡°Oh, stop exaggerating,¡± Uncle Xu waved dismissively, ¡°Back in the day, I fought at the frontlines of the Shanhai Pass, charging through battlefields from south to north and back again, drenched in blood. Even I didn¡¯t get a title.¡± *From south to north and back again, doesn¡¯t your arm get tired¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an mentally retorted. Xu Xinnian shook his head, ¡°Titles of nobility are a big deal. Thest time someone was ennobled was twenty years ago during the battle of Shanhai Pass. In times of peace, where would you find the merits for such a thing?¡± ¡°Merit doesn¡¯t always require battlefields.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an patted Little Pea on the head, ¡°Right, Lingyin?¡± Little pea ignored him, her tiny mouth pressed against the bowl as she slurped her porridge. ¡°Oh, stop it. I know exactly how capable you are.¡± Auntieughed scornfully, ¡°If you¡¯re not off today, you¡¯d better head to the constabry soon. You¡¯re going to make your unclete for his morning role call. ¡°As for bringing honour to the family, you don¡¯t need to worry yourself with that. When our family gets an imperial schr after the spring exams, then we¡¯ll throw a great banquet to celebrate.¡± The exams hadn¡¯t even started, but Auntie was already bursting with pride. *Damn, this is exactly the kind of start I wanted. An uncle who ys favourites, an aunt who¡¯s sharp-tongued, a cousin who looks down on me because he¡¯s a schr, one sister who disrespects me, and another who steals my food¡­ and then, I return as a war god, get ennobled, and force them to live in a doghouse...* Xu Qi¡¯an mused, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction. Uncle Xu picked up his helmet again, nodding: ¡°It¡¯s gettingte, I need to get to the constabry.¡± As for the ennoblement, he had taken it to be Xu Qi¡¯an joking around. If the Xu family were to gain a noble, then even their ancestors¡¯ tombs would be bursting with azure clouds. Only if Eng would ce top of his cohort and pass with flying colours, could he hope to gain the same reverence. Just then, Uncle Xu noticed the housekeeper, Old Zhang, rushing towards them in a panic, as if something was chasing him. ¡°M-m-m-m-master...¡± The housekeeper stammered, excited, ¡°A decree from the Emperor!¡± ¡°A de-what?¡± Uncle Xu hadn¡¯t heard clearly. ¡°A decree!¡± ¡°What -ree?¡± Second Brother asked, confused. ¡°A decree! A decree of enfeoffment!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nced at his dumbstruck Auntie, then nudged Uncle Xu towards the courtyard. ¡°The Emperor¡¯s decree is here.¡± Yesterday, after the case of Consort Fu had been resolved, Wei Yuan had mentioned that the imperial decree for his ennoblement had already been drafted, and it was to be issued today. Xu Pingzhi¡¯s journey from the inner courtyard to the outer courtyard felt like a lifetime. His emotions were a whirlwind of anxiety, excitement, hesitation, and fear¡ªsimr to how he had felt on his wedding night. In the distance, he saw a eunuch dressed in a serpent robe standing in the courtyard, nked by armoured guards. The eunuch held an imperial edict embroidered with golden dragons in his hands. Thump, thump, thump¡­ Xu Pingzhi could hear his own heart pounding like a drum. As he approached, the eunuch slowly unfurled the edict and announced, ¡°Bronze Gong Xu Qi¡¯an, receive the decree.¡± Uncle Xu was the first to kneel, dragging Xu Qi¡¯an down with him. Uncle Xu shot him a re¡ªhow could he kneel so reluctantly in front of an imperial decree? ¡°Bronze Gong Xu Qi¡¯an, present.¡± The eunuch nodded and read aloud, ¡°By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees... military leaders and brave generals are the pirs of the state... Xu Qi¡¯an has solved multiple major cases, and at Yunzhou, he slew two hundred rebel soldiers¡­¡± Two hundred rebels? Xu Qi¡¯an was taken aback. *I killed thousands of them, didn¡¯t I? How did it turn into two hundred?* Then he realised he¡¯d been exaggerating so much that he¡¯d started to believe his own lies. ¡°...Thus, Xu Qi¡¯an is hereby granted the title of Viscount of Changle, thirty acres of fertilend, and five hundred taels of gold. Thus decreed.¡± ¡°Long live the Emperor¡¯s grace!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an shouted the ritual phrase, rising to ept the decree. ¡°Congrattions, Sir Xu¡­ Oh, I mean, Viscount Xu.¡± The eunuch in the serpent robe said with a smile. ¡°Thank you, milord,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an responded, taking the decree and simultaneously slipping a hundred-tael silver note into the eunuch¡¯s hand. When the eunuch in the serpent robe left with his guards, Second Uncle snatched the imperial decree and stared at it for ages, flipping it over repeatedly, despite being barely literate. As he looked and looked, Second Uncle''s eyes reddened. "We¡¯ve been enfeoffed... We''ve been enfeoffed... The Xu family now has a viscount!" He clutched the decree and rushed to the backyard, shouting, "Dearest, write to the rtives right away! Our family now has a viscount! We¡¯re throwing a grand banquet, one that willst three days and nights! Hahaha..." Xu Qi¡¯an hugged the chest of gold andnd deeds bestowed by Emperor Yuanjing and sneaked back to his room. *Second Uncle is such a fool. What''s a decreepared to gold?* ... After storing the gold in the Book of the Earth fragment, Xu Qi¡¯an returned to the inner courtyard, where he saw Second Uncle and Eng fighting over the imperial decree. The two nearly came to blows. Eng, annoyed, said, "Anyone who didn¡¯t know better would think the decree was meant for you, Father." Second Uncle: "Get lost, get lost!" Eng, growing angry, said, "I just want to see how it''s written." Second Uncle: "Get lost, get lost!" Eng, furious now, said, "Father, give me a look at the decree!" Second Uncle: "Get lost, get lost!" *Hmph, an uncultured warrior¡­* Eng flung his sleeves and stormed off to his study to read. What''s a mere viscountship? He aimed to achieve the top schr title, the *zhuangyuan*, otherwise, his elder brother would steal all the family''s glory. "Is it really true? Have we really been enfeoffed?" Auntie asked, her wide carn-blue eyes staring at the document. Her mind hadn¡¯t quite processed the situation, and she felt as if she was in a dream. "Of course it¡¯s true. There''s the imperial seal on it, and His Majesty even bestowed 500 taels of gold and 30 acres of fertilend!" Xu Pingzhi boomed, as though afraid others wouldn''t believe him. *Five hundred taels of gold and 30 acres of fertilend...* Auntie''s eyes sparkled gold. "Dng, is this true? Why does it feel like I''m dreaming?" Auntie grabbed Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s arm. Xu Qi¡¯an brushed her off, replying coolly, "Madam, no need to act so familiar. You should call me Viscount." Xu Lingyue looked at her elder brother with adoring eyes. After sufficiently annoying Auntie, Xu Qi¡¯an pulled and deed from his robe, pped it on the table, and said, "I''ve stored the gold myself. As for these 30 acres ofnd, Auntie, since I''m still unmarried, I''ll trouble Lingyue to manage it for me." Auntie¡¯s hand froze mid-reach. There was nothing she could do about Xu Qi¡¯an, so she stomped her foot in frustration and turned to Second Uncle for support, eximing, "Xu Pingzhi¡­" Unable to deal with his nephew, Auntie had no choice but to direct her ire toward her husband. Second Uncle chuckled, "Ningyan is teasing you. Lingyue doesn¡¯t know how to managend." Xu Lingyue softly interjected, "Father, I¡¯ve studied for a few years, and I also know some arithmetic." Besides, managingnd typically required trustworthy household servants to handle the fieldwork, while the master only needed to handle the ounts. Suddenly, Auntie felt a sense of crisis. Her previous imaginary rivals had been the future wives of Dng and Eng. Only now did she realise that her real enemy was her own daughter, Xu Lingyue, who had the audacity to rise against her andpete for power in the household. "Why are you looking at me like that, Mother?" Xu Lingyue felt uneasy under Auntie''s burning gaze. "I¡¯m not looking at you; I¡¯m looking at that ingrate." "¡­" Xu Lingyue remained speechless. ... As for the Stargazing Tower, the impression people in the capital¡ªand throughout the Great Feng¡ªhad of it could be summed up in only one word: tall! To those in the jianghu, beyond its towering height, the Stargazing Tower was also a forbidden ce in Great Feng, for it housed the empire¡¯s sole first-rank powerhouse. Few ever thought about what might lie beneath the tower. ng, ng, ng... In the dim underground, an iron door slowly rose, revealing a winding stone staircase leading downward. Every ten steps, an oilmp on the walls cast a dim glow. Tap, tap, tap¡­ The sound of footsteps echoed through the still air, growing clearer by the second as a shadowy figure ascended from below. The figure''s hair was disheveled, hiding their face, and they wore a simple hemp robe. Barefoot, they asionally revealed a full chest as they walked, indicating the figure was a woman. A woman with ample curves. "I''m still a bit short of reaching the fourth rank as a formation master. Why has teacher summoned me¡­?" the shadowy figure muttered. She nced upward, where, at the top of the stairs, light poured down like a tide¡ªa long-lost sunlight. Emerging from the iron door, the figure stood silently in a hall, closed her eyes, and stretched her arms wide, embracing the sunlight. She hadn''t been outside in five years, ever since Jianzheng had confined her beneath the Stargazing Tower. Walking through the corridor on the first floor, the disheveled woman ascended the stairs. As she reached the second floor, the sound of rapid footsteps came from above. A white-robed arcanist descended, carrying a tray filled with bottles and jars. The two came face to face. The arcanist froze, hisplexion turning pale, as if he had just encountered something terrifying. For a few seconds, he stood there, motionless. Then he turned and fled in panic. The disheveled woman, in good faith, called out, "Junior Brother, slow down, be careful not to slip." The moment her words left her lips, the arcanist lost his footing and tumbled down the stairs, crashing into her. Both of them rolled down together. Bang, bang... The bottles and jars in the tray shattered, releasing clouds of multicolored dust. "Help¡­ help¡­" The arcanist''s face flushed, his skin gradually turning an ominous shade of ck and blue. He clutched his throat, struggling to speak. "This¡­ this is¡­ Senior Brother Song Qing¡¯s¡­ poison¡­" The woman clutched her own neck and struggled to reply, "Senior Sister didn''t bring any antidote..." "The antidote... is right there..." The arcanist, seemingly paralyzed, fixed his eyes on a shattered jar on the ground, staring intently at the spilled powder. With the woman''s help, the arcanist managed to ingest the antidote. He scrambled down the stairs, rushing into the main hall on the first floor, where several other white-robed arcanists were brewing and refining medicine. He shouted: "Senior Sister Zhong is out!" ng¡­ The arcanists dropped their porcin bottles, spoons, and other tools. Stiffly, they turned their heads, staring nkly in her direction. The disheveled woman continued her ascent, passing the seventh floor. Just as she did, the alchemy room on that floor exploded with a "boom," shaking the floors and walls, causing dust to rain down. "Why did it explode? Why did it explode?!" came Song Qing¡¯s angry roar. Ignoring it, the woman pressed on, finally reaching the top of the Stargazing Tower, the Bagua tform. There, seated behind a desk, was Jianzheng, d in white robes, his beard long and flowing, giving him the air of an immortal. He was lost in thought, staring at the distant horizon with a cup of wine in his hand. "Teacher." The woman greeted him respectfully, her gaze drifting toward the fine wine and delicacies on the table. "Zhong Li, the opportunity for you to advance to the fourth rank has arrived," Jianzheng said softly. The woman¡¯s body trembled slightly, and she raised her head, revealing her sharp, snow-white chin. ¡­ The nobility of the Great Feng were split into five levels: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. Each rank is further subdivided into five grades (tiers) Xu Qi''an¡¯s full title was the "Third Grade Viscount of Changle County." This was a noble title that, while not at the top, was still respectable. It didn¡¯te with much real power but did grant him a monthly stipend. However, the significance of a noble title wasn¡¯t about authority; ity in the honour it represented and the social status it conferred. Passing the Imperial Exams and holding office is powerful, but that power is fleeting. The true,sting distinction frommoners and entry into the noble ss is a hereditary title. Of course, Xu Qi''an¡¯s title was not hereditary, but as long as he held it, the Xu family was nobility and no longermoners. In the future, if the Viscount of Changle County were to marry amon woman as his main wife, officials in the pce would immediately submit memorials impeaching him. The ministers would say: "Is a princess not good enough? Are the nobledies not beautiful enough?" How could he marry amoner as his wife? In short, for the first time in hundreds of years, the Xu family had produced a Viscount,pletely shedding their status asmoners and joining the ranks of the nobility. For Xu Pingzhi, the head of the Xu family, this was probably *the* crowning moment of his life. He immediately took Xu Qi''an to pay respects at the ancestral tomb. Upon their return, he nned to send out invitations and host a grand banquet, inviting family and friends to the manor for a celebratory feast. But Auntie thought it inappropriate and said, "The imperial exam is the day after tomorrow. This will disrupt Eng''s studies." Indeed, the day after tomorrow was the spring imperial exam ¡ª a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leap into the ranks of the elite. Holding a grand banquet at home would certainly disrupt Eng¡¯s studies. Xu Pingzhi agreed that his wife made a valid point and decided to have Xu Eng move to the old house outside the city to focus on his studies, while the banquet would continue as nned. Xu Lingyin thought this was a great idea. Xu Eng cursed as he "left the live broadcast" and, with one servant and one maid, cheerfully moved back to the old house. After returning from the ancestral tomb, Xu Qi''an generously allocated seventy taels of silver for the expenses of tomorrow''s banquet. Seventy taels was an enormous sum ¡ª it¡¯s the equivalent of a moderately well-off family¡¯s savings from three years of living frugally; two years¡¯ worth of brothel visits; or Xu Qi''an¡¯s sry for an entire year. ¡°I¡¯ve been back for a while and still haven¡¯t visited Master Hengyuan¡¯s Welfare Hall. I should donate some money to help the needy¡­¡± Xu Qi''an rummaged through a square cab and pulled out five cash of silver, intending to visit Hengyuan to see if he could get some free physical training techniques on the side. Suddenly, a deep, distant voice echoed in his mind ¡ª it was the voice of the monk Shenshu: "Leave the capital." Leave the capital?! *What does that mean..*. Xu Qi''an¡¯s expression turned serious. Shenshu never initiatedmunication and usually remained dormant within him. But now, he was telling him to leave the capital. *Is something going to happen in the capital, or is something going to happen to me?* As these thoughts shed through his mind, Xu Qi''an''s vision changed, and he found himself looking into a misty, grey world. The fog thinned, revealing a dpidated temple, where Shenshu, with his clear, gentle features, sat cross-legged at the entrance. This mysterious monk, hands sped in meditation, gazed at Xu Qi''an with warm brown eyes and spoke in that distant voice: "Leave the capital." Chapter 260: Master of Prophecy Chapter 260: Master of Prophecy # 260. Master of Prophecy After Xu Qi¡¯an resurrected in Yunzhou, performed great merit, and was enfeoffed, his rtionship with Lin¡¯an and Huaiqing saw a huge leap. As for the Nightwatchers, Wei Yuan had promised to promote him to Silver Gong. No matter in status, money, or rtionships, his future was seemingly boundless. *I can predict, in a few years time, I¡¯ll be a duke, marry a princess, and reach the peak of human life¡­ it¡¯s definitely possible.* The capital has always been prosperous since the times of antiquity. Its resources were abundant, its healthcare, social care, and quality of life were all much more advanced than anywhere else. People liked big bustling cities, and Xu Qi¡¯an was no exception. Long ago, he had also wandered north for a while.[^1] And it was not as if he couldn¡¯t leave, but he didn¡¯t want to. *Master, you¡¯re really not making things easy for me¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an frowned, asking: ¡°Master, why must we leave the capital?¡± The monk Shenshu tilted his head, looking into the distance: ¡°I can feel that the western sect ising.¡±*The western sect?* Xu Qi''an was momentarily stunned before realising that Shenshu was referring to the Buddhist sect from the Western Regions. *That''s right, back during the Sangbo case, when the monk Panshu of Qinglong Temple learned that Master Shenshu had escaped, he immediately left the temple and headed west...* *So, the Buddhist sect hase to seek justice?* *No wonder Shenshu is telling me to leave the capital. If the big bald monks from the West find out that Shenshu is inside me, I might really end up being trapped under a mountain for five hundred years.* *And unlike the Monkey King, I don¡¯t have a massive and indestructible staff to defend myself. I wouldn''t even have the chance to resist.* "So you''re asking me to temporarily leave the capital?" Xu Qi''an''s face showed some concern. Shenshu slowly nodded. "Alright, we''re in this together now. By the way, Master, I¡¯ve heard that the Buddhist sect has mystical body-refining techniques, ones that allow you to attain an indestructible body without the need for hard training. Could you teach me some?" *Gotta grab any benefits I can first.* Shenshu shook his head. "I am but a remnant soul." *Whether you''re a remnant soul or not, I only know that you want to freeload off me for free...* Xu Qi''an''s lips twitched slightly. A thin mist closed in, enveloping the dpidated temple, and then gradually faded away... Xu Qi''an opened his eyes, finding himself back in his room, still sitting by the bed in the same posture. *It''s easy to guess: the Western Buddhist sect hase for Shenshu. It¡¯s been more than a month now, and they¡¯ll at most review the case records and understand the sequence of events. They won¡¯t stay in the capital for long.* *That means leaving the capital is only temporary, and I might not even need to stay away for too long."* Xu Qi''an nodded slightly to himself. In that case, he could ept it. He could treat it like a vacation, a chance to rest, and spend a few days living the mundane yet wealthy life in some prosperous city. *The tricky part is getting a leave of absence. Leaving the capital for no reason isn¡¯t allowed under the office regtions. Besides, Wei Yuan won¡¯t be able to manage without me.* *If I just say, ¡°The world is so vast, I want to explore it,¡± it¡¯ll definitely get rejected. Old Wei doesn¡¯t understand my jokes.* *Oh, right. I could discuss this with Daoist Jinlian, and have hime up with some excuse, like saying that someone in the Earth Book group chat is in trouble and needs my help...* Xu Qi''an nned to consult Daoist Jinlian, telling him that he wanted to leave the capital for a while but that the Nightwatchers¡¯ office had strict rules preventing casual leave. Mainly, he needed a valid excuse for Wei Yuan. However, before that, he still had some matters to wrap up ¡ª attending tomorrow''s banquet, instructing the prison guards to keep an eye on that couple, and whether Xu Eng could stay in the capital after the imperial exams depended on them. And then there was the matter of probing Wei Yuan about how he nned to retaliate against Noble Consort Chen. Though the Consort Fu case had concluded, the enmity had been established. Wei Yuan would undoubtedly take further action to investigate the forces behind Noble Consort Chen. The Empress, having lost her only brother, was unlikely to maintain her passive stance. The imperial harem was bound to be embroiled in a fierce struggle among the women. Xu Qi''an was curious about how intense their conflict would get. He didn¡¯t want to return to the capital only to find that either Noble Consort Chen or the Empress had perished. If that were the case, Lin''an and Huaiqing would surely be mortal enemies, and there would be no chance of them remaining sisters. His dream of a carefree, romantic life with the two of them at Daming Lake would be thoroughly shattered. Just then, a servant came to the door and called, "Master Xu, Lady Caiwei from the Sitianjian is here to visit." *What is she here for?* Xu Qi''an replied, "Got it. Have Auntie entertain her for now. I''ll be there shortly." He tucked his diary, silver, and other personal items into the Earth Book fragment in preparation for leaving the capital. After confirming that nothing important was left behind, he breathed a sigh of relief and went out to meet Chu Caiwei. ... In the living room, Chu Caiwei was rapidly stuffing pieces of water chestnut cake into her mouth. Her ravenous eating looked as if someone were fighting her for the food... In fact, someone _was_ fighting her for the food. Sitting opposite her was Xu Lingyin, also holding a piece of water chestnut cake in each hand, stuffing her mouth just as quickly, trying to out-eat Chu Caiwei. Between the two were seven or eight kinds of snacks, richly varied and plentiful in quantity. Chu Caiwei had brought arge bag of food to the Xu residence today, eating while waiting for Xu Qi''an. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a little girl appeared, staring at her with wide, eager eyes. The big-eyed beauty remembered her ¡ª Xu Ningyan''s little sister, a child who could eat a lot and was always craving food. "Take whatever you like. Big sister has plenty here..." Chu Caiwei remembered saying that. At first, the two foodies coexisted peacefully: you eat yours, I eat mine, both enjoying the snacks together in harmony. But as they ate, Chu Caiwei suddenly noticed, this little girl is eating faster than me. No way, that¡¯s not fair! I need to eat faster, too. Seeing this, Xu Lingyin thought, This big sister suddenly started eating faster, she¡¯s obviously trying to take more than me! No way, that¡¯s not fair! I need to eat even faster! Without a word exchanged, the food war between them had quickly escted into an intense battle. The start to the peak of this war could be summed up in two sybles: _Ora ora ora ora ora ora..._ When Xu Qi''an entered the hall and saw this scene, he was stunned. "Hey, hey, hey, you can''t eat like that." Xu Qi''an nced at Little Pea¡¯s now round belly and lifted her aside, looking around. "Where¡¯s Auntie?" Auntie wasn¡¯t in the hall, likely busy preparing for tomorrow¡¯s banquet. Otherwise, she would never let Little Pea eat like this. "Big brother, big brother, this water chestnut cake is so delicious..." Xu Lingyin struggled, clearly anxious, as the big sister on the other side had already snatched several more pieces in just a few moments. "It''s not going to kill you." Xu Qi''an pointed at the pastries on the table and said irritably, "Quick, pack them up... Miss Caiwei, what brings you here?" He suspected that Chu Caiwei hade to y. Ever since his resurrection, he had been busy investigating the Consort Fu case, and it had been almost ten days since theyst met. *Considering my current peak-level charm, it''s no surprise she''s still thinking about my good looks...* Xu Qi''an chuckled to himself. "My teacher asked me to invite you to Stargazing Tower," Chu Caiwei said as she took a sip of tea and began repacking the remaining pastries into a small deerskin pouch at her waist. *The Jianzheng is inviting me to the Stargazing Tower...* Xu Qi''an frowned inwardly, but he didn¡¯t resist the idea too much. He couldn¡¯t figure out what level the Jianzheng was on, but the Jianzheng certainly knew exactly where he stood. The two of them left the Xu residence together, each riding a horse toward the Stargazing Tower. "Those pastries were bought for me by Fifth Senior Sister, but your little sister ate more than half," Chu Caiwei said, holding the reins and looking ahead as she spoke with a yful and girlish tone. "Xu Ningyan, you owe me money." "Talking about money hurts feelings. The rtionship between us can''t be measured by silver." Xu Qi''an lightly squeezed his horse¡¯s belly and said, "Let¡¯s not keep Sir Jianzheng waiting. Hiyah, hiyah..." He urged the horse to run faster. When they arrived at the Sitianjian, Xu Qi''an acted as though the matter of the pastries had never happened, not waiting for Chu Caiwei as he casually entered the building. "Huh, why is the Sitianjian so empty today?" The first floor''s main hall was practically deserted, with only a few physicians on duty. Their expressions were odd, and they asionally nced toward the staircase as if afraid some sort of monster mighte down. Hearing Xu Qi''an''sment, a physician at the door dressed in white replied, "Master Xu, they¡¯ve all gone to the surgery for consultations." "What¡¯s special about today?" Xu Qi''an asked. The physician awkwardly smiled but didn¡¯t answer. Xu Qi''an, still puzzled, made his way upstairs. By the time he reached the seventh floor, he noticed that the alchemy room had been blown up. Normally teeming with activity, not a single alchemist was in sight. He reached the Bagua tform smoothly. The first thing he saw was the Jianzheng¡¯s back ¡ª dressed in white, his white hair hanging down, sitting on the edge of the tform, facing outward. Then, he noticed a disheveled woman sitting beside the Jianzheng, wearing a simple hemp cloth robe, hunched over as she ate and drank. The reason he could tell she was a woman was that a man wouldn¡¯t have such a curvaceous figure, even when hunched over. "Greetings to the Jianzheng!" Xu Qi''an stopped a fair distance away and cupped his fists in salute. "Not bad, your fundamentals are very solid," the Jianzheng remarked. At that moment, footsteps echoed from the staircase as Chu Caiwei, her skirt fluttering, came up carrying several bags of pastries. She ced the pastries on the table and pushed them toward the woman who was hunched over and eating. The woman nced over and said, "So little?" "They were eaten by a foolish little child," Chu Caiwei deflected the me onto Xu Lingyin. The woman nodded and resumed eating. Fifth Senior Sister? At this moment, Xu Qi''an finally understood and recalled a previous conversation with Wei Yuan. The Jianzheng had five disciples. The fifth disciple was often in seclusion, and those unfamiliar with the Sitianjian assumed that Chu Caiwei was the only female disciple there. "So it''s her..." Xu Qi''an thought to himself. Just then, the Jianzheng¡¯s deep voice rang out, "How is that sabre working out for you?" "Very well. Thank you, Sir Jianzheng," Xu Qi''an replied respectfully. At the same time, he grumbled inwardly: *That saber was practically tailor-made for my One de From Heaven and Earth. Isn¡¯t this all part of your n? Why bother with the small talk?* "How did the Rebirth Pill work?" the Jianzheng asked again. "It worked extremely well," Xu Qi''an responded carefully, "except for the fact that my change in appearance has caused me some trouble. I¡¯m not as low-key as I was when I looked refined and gentle." "Is that so..." the Jianzheng nodded and smiled. "I could restore you to your original appearance." *Huh? I can even change back?* Xu Qi''an was momentarily stunned but quickly waved his hands. "I wouldn¡¯t dare trouble you, Sir Jianzheng." *To be honest, being a naturally handsome man feels more fitting for my current persona!* In front of the Jianzheng, he didn¡¯t dare make any lewd jokes, so he just joked inwardly to himself. The Jianzheng slowly nodded and said, "Zhongli is my fifth disciple, a fifth-rank Master of Prophecy. She will apany you for some time during your training." Chu Caiwei was taken aback. She nced at the Jianzheng, then turned to look at Xu Qi''an. So a fifth-rank Arcanist is called a Master of Prophecy... But why must she follow me during my training? Xu Qi''an cautiously asked, "May I know the reason for this arrangement?" The Jianzheng didn¡¯t answer his question but called out, "Zhongli." The woman in the linen robe stood up and saluted Xu Qi''an. "Teacher said my luck isn¡¯t good, but if I follow you, my misfortune will decrease to some extent. You are my opportunity." Her voice was quite pleasant and sweet. Xu Qi''an stared intently at her face, but she kept her head slightly lowered, her messy, thick hairpletely covering her features. "Misfortune?" he asked in return. Zhongli paused for a moment before sincerely replying, ¡°Masters of Prophecy can peer into the workings of the heavens, but they suffer the bacsh of the Heavenly Dao, bing entangled in misfortune. Only by surviving 3,600 tribtions can one advance. If they can''t endure, they perish, body and soul destroyed. "Those who can withstand the bacsh of the Heavenly Dao are all people of great fortune." Upon hearing Zhongli''s exnation, the first thing Xu Qi''an thought of were two things. First, he finally understood why there were so many sixth-rank Alchemists in the Sitianjian, but above sixth rank, he had only ever met one¡ªYang Qianhuan. The second thing was that even that master of posturing was someone with great fortune. Unbelievable, truly unbelievable. *Masters of Prophecy can peer into the workings of the heavens? Hmm, this must be the prerequisite profession for a Master of Fate...* Xu Qi''an, curious, asked, "In what form does this ¡®bacsh¡¯ appear? I need to evaluate how dangerous this so-called bacsh is, given that I¡¯m just an ordinary Bronze Gong." He had guessed correctly that the Jianzheng knew about the strange luck he carried. Zhongli thought for a moment and then said, ¡°Disaster follows words. Sometimes an unintentionalment of mine turns into a tangible catastrophe, affecting those around me, including myself. "Sometimes a casual action also invites unforeseen disaster. The scale of the disaster is uncontroble; it could be something as simple as taking a step backward that leads to a life-threatening cmity." As she spoke, she symbolically took a half-step back. And with that simple motion, an ident urred. The dignified fifth-rank expert suddenly slipped, tumbling off the edge of the Bagua tform, falling, falling... "Someone save her!!" Xu Qi''an''s expression changed dramatically as he instinctively shouted. The Stargazing Tower stood a hundred meters tall. A fall from such a height would be fatal, even for Xu Qi''an himself, if he hadn¡¯t reached the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones level. As for Arcanists, their physical bodies were rtively weak, far inferior to martial artists. At the same time, a line from a song popped into Xu Qi''an¡¯s mind uncontrobly: _Was your half-step back really necessary? Such a small action, but it caused so much harm..._ The Jianzheng sighed and extended his hand from under his wide sleeve, gently catching Zhongli in mid-air. Zhongli was lifted back up, spared from falling to her death. She kept her head down, her ck hair hanging loose, and her voice was calm as she said, ¡°Actually, if I had been prepared, even jumping from the Stargazing Tower wouldn¡¯t have hurt me. But just now, for some reason, my mind went nk, and I had no thought of saving myself... "Also, if someone else tries to help me resolve my misfortune, it won¡¯t work. I have to personally endure the trial." *So, I¡¯m the one with good fortune who has to help you minimise your bad luck...* Xu Qi''an suddenly understood the real reason the Jianzheng had called him here. "Sorry." Xu Qi''an shook his head and refused, "I¡¯m about to leave the capital for important matters. It¡¯s not convenient for me to bring someone along." Suddenly, a cup of wine flew toward him through the air. As Xu Qi''an reached out to catch it, he heard the Jianzheng¡¯s voice in his ear, "Drink it, and you won¡¯t need to leave the capital." *The Jianzheng knows why I want to leave the capital? He really does know that Monk Shenshu is inside me... This wine seems ordinary enough, but what does he n to do for me...* Xu Qi''an drank the wine, forming a hypothesis. It¡¯s to block the prying of fate! A ssic skill of the Arcanists. ... In Yunzhou, far from the capital, outside the military camp of Baidi City. Inside the Flying Swallow Army¡¯s tent, Li Miaozhen removed her light armor and set aside her silver spear, changing into the Taoist robe of the Heavenly Sect. She looked just as she did when she first descended the mountain. The paper effigy Susu directed a group of ghosts, helping to pack her belongings. --- [^1]: to Beijing. Chapter 261: Guessing Topics Chapter 261: Guessing Topics # 261. Guessing Topics "Master, everything has been packed," said Susu in a sweet voice. She wore a white, intricatelyyered dress, her makeup wless, looking as stunning as ever. Li Miaozhen nodded slightly, opening the sachet tied to her waist. A whirlpool-like suction emerged, pulling in the dozen or so ghosts inside the tent. "It''s such a pity that you still haven''t broken through to the fourth rank," Susu sighed and continued, "Otherwise, with the skills of a disciple from the Human Sect, no one would be your match." "The Nascent Soul isn¡¯t so easily attained," Li Miaozhen replied with a helpless sigh. She had been stuck at the Golden Core stage for two full years. The bandit problem in Yunzhou had been dealt with, thanks to Li Miaozhen working alongside the local army and two Gold Gongs to raze thergest bandit camps and eliminate dozens of smaller ones. Of course, banditry in Yunzhou was like a parasite that had infested thisnd for hundreds of years. It couldn¡¯t be wiped out entirely. In a few years, the remnants would likely revive, sprouting new roots. But the current oue was the best the local army could achieve. Yunzhou would enjoy a few years of peace, and Li Miaozhen was satisfied with that.Now, she had to move on to her own mission¡ªthe struggle between Haven and Man! Every sixty years, the Heaven Sect and Human Sect held a great debate. Before the main event, the outstanding young disciples of both sects would engage in confrontations to set the stage for the contest. Li Miaozhen was one of the most exceptional disciples of the Heaven Sect in her generation. Another was her senior brother, also a member of the Heaven and Earth Society, who held the Number Seven fragment of the Earth Book. However, that guy was currently in the northeast, and had whored his way off the radar. "It''s a shame that annoying bastard is dead, or he could¡¯ve helped me investigate the Su family''s massacre," Susu suddenly said. Li Miaozhen looked at the charming demon who had grown up with her, feeling a slight pang. In truth, Susu¡¯s family was not in the capital, and even if that man had wanted to investigate, he couldn¡¯t have left the capital to track down such an old case from so far away. Susu understood this too, but she often brought it up. It wasn¡¯t really about the massacre; she wasmenting the loss of that shameless man. _That¡¯s why one must detach from emotions¡­_ Li Miaozhen sighed internally. When loved ones pass, grief is overwhelming. When lovers¡¯ hearts change, resentment lingers... The seven emotions and six desires of the human world are like a raging fire. No wonder they say deep affection leads to short lives. Only by being emotionless can onest forever. Leaving the tent with Susu, Li Miaozhen saw the four hundred soldiers of the Flying Swallow Army assembled in the square, waiting quietly. All four hundred soldiers were removing their armor. Li Miaozhen slowly surveyed them. Some were changing into casual clothes, others into coarse cloth outfits, some looked like wealthy merchants, while others appeared as ragged as beggars... this was their true, original appearance. The Flying Swallow Army was a ragtag group, its members from all walks of life¡ªbeggars, wandering martial artists, and chivalrous thieves who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. They had all gathered in Yunzhou for one reason: the heroine, Lady Flying Swallow. Now that Li Miaozhen was leaving, this army would naturally disband as well. After the bandit suppression, Yang Chuannan had privately approached Li Miaozhen, hoping to incorporate the Flying Swallow Army into the regr forces and turn it into Yunzhou¡¯s elite troops. He asked her to convince them to stay. But not a single one wanted to remain. ¡°For over a year, we fought side by side, rooting out hundreds of bandit camps and killing thousands of bandits. Wherever we went, themon people could live in peace, without fear. Wherever we went, merchants could trade and provide for their families. Wherever we went, the light of justice shone... ¡°I, Li Miaozhen, am deeply grateful to all of you brothers for sticking by my side. But, as they say, all good things muste to an end. The journey in Yunzhou is over, and I will continue forward, while you should return home to reunite with your families and friends. "Life¡¯s path is long, filled with ups and downs, joys and sorrows. I hope you all remember our time in Yunzhou and never forget why we set out on this journey." At this, Li Miaozhen looked at the four hundred soldiers and sped her fists, her voice strong and clear: "Do good, don¡¯t worry about the future." The four hundred soldiers returned the gesture, their voices rising like a tidal wave: "Do good, don¡¯t worry about the future." This was the Lady Flying Swallow they were willing to follow and serve. ... In the southern marches. The shaman ¡°Gu tribe¡± ns, often called barbarians, was not so named because they ate raw meat or drank blood, but because they lived in harmony with *Gu* insects, with their cultivation system and lifestyle revolving around these creatures. Only through such a bond could they raise and nurture Gu, bing one with them. In more precise terms, the shaman ns followed a "Gu-centric" way of life, which is why their level of civilizationgged behind the "human-centric" Great Feng, the Western Regions, and the north-eastern kingdoms. The gap was visible in all aspects, most notably in culture and architecture. The shaman ns still used ancient hieroglyphs and lived in mud and thatched houses. Their vases and crafts were made from pottery rather than precious stones. However, their clothing was not much different from that of the people of the Great Feng. The shaman ns was skilled at cultivating silkworms, producing silk that was several times higher in quality than that up north''s. But they weren¡¯t good at weaving, so merchants from the Great Feng often bought their high-quality silk at low prices or traded it for ready-made cloth. High mountains stretched for hundreds of li, their riches plenty. The mountains were filled with wild game and herbs, and the ins below were fertile, crisscrossed with rivers. The main settlement of the Strength Gu Tribe was here. The Strength Gu Tribe cultivated thousands of acres ofnd on these ins. Some tribe members farmed, while others hunted, bartering their goods and living in prosperity. Mosang returned from a hunt with a team of young men, carrying a horned bow. Some bore heavy wild boars weighing hundreds of pounds, while others carried brightly coloured pheasants. They were returning triumphantly. As he approached the fields at the foot of the mountain, Mosang spotted his sister Lina, picking vegetables with the women. Lina wore a simple cloth dress, her long, slender legs exposed. The southern border¡¯s hot climate made the Great Feng¡¯s long skirts and sleeves impractical here, so the shaman ns had adapted their clothing by cutting and modifying it. The hem of her skirt barely reached her knees, and her sleeves were shortened to her elbows. "Lina!" Mosang called out. When his sister looked up, he continued, "The Heaven Gu Grandma sent a message yesterday by snowhawk, asking you to visit her today. Why are you still dawdling here?" Lina froze for a moment, then pped her forehead, "Oh no, I forgot! Mosang, why didn¡¯t you remind me earlier?" The men behind Mosang burst intoughter, and the women in the fields joined in. The air was filled with joyousughter, but Mosang felt a bit embarrassed. He turned and scolded the men, "What are youughing at?" Meanwhile, Lina, wearing soft cloth shoes, washed her hands by the stream and prepared to head to the Heaven Gu tribe, a hundred miles away. Seeing her leave, Mosang called out, "The Heaven Gu tribe''s dam has a breach. Make sure you help fix it." "Got it!" Lina responded brightly as she ran off. ¡­ Compared to the Strength Gu tribe, the Heaven Gu tribe resembled more like a county seat from the Great Feng. Although somewhat simple, they had moved beyond grass huts, building mostly with yellow y and tile houses. The Heaven Gu tribe was situated at the foot of Mount Luoxia, with terraced fields rising inyers from the foot to the mountainside. There was a dam on the mountain, which suddenly burst yesterday, washing away the terraces. Having often yed in various tribes during her youth, Lina climbed Mount Luoxia with ease. After trekking for a while, she saw the copsed dam. She also saw dozens of members of the Heaven Gu tribe standing at the edge of the reservoir, led by the white-haired Heaven Gu Grandma. Lina¡¯s gaze swept past them toward the reservoir, where the body of a strange creature floated on the water. The monster was over a hundred feet long, its body covered in ck scales, with a pointed head, a thin, long neck, and webbed ws. The Heaven Gu Grandma noticed Lina and waved her over. Lina lightly leaped between the rocks and approached the Heaven Gu Grandma, speaking in a sweet voice, ¡°Granny, what kind of monster is that?¡± ¡°A wyrm!¡± The Heaven Gu Grandma smiled kindly. ¡°I don¡¯t know where it came from, but it destroyed the dam, and the rice seedlings we just nted have all been washed away.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± It was Lina¡¯s first time seeing a wyrm, though she had heard of them before. These monsters lived in the densely intertwined waterways of Southern marches, frequently traveling along underground rivers. It was said that one of Lina¡¯s uncles was eaten by a wyrm while swimming. ¡°Help gather some stones, so we can patch the breach as soon as possible,¡± the Heaven Gu Grandma said. ¡°Got it!¡± Lina was best at hardbour. She immediately ran off, and within less than a moment, the others heard a dull thudding sound. Following the sound, they saw a ¡°stone mountain¡± slowly moving. This stone mountain stood over sixty metres tall, enough to cause towering waves if thrown into the reservoir. The mountain wasn¡¯t moving on its own but was being carried by Lina, who looked as small as an ant inparison. The people of the Heaven Gu tribe remained unfazed, as if used to such a sight. Among the seven tribes of the shaman ns, the Strength Gu tribe was renowned for their immense strength. Lina¡¯s father, Longtu, was the real mountain mover. During the war with the Great Feng years ago, he once threw a mountain at the enemy army, crushing thousands. The giant rock slowly made its way to the dam, and with a loud boom, Lina set it down. The onlookers atop the dam looked down and saw Lina steady herself, sinking into a horse stance. After a few moments of preparation, she suddenly let out a shout and punched the surface of the massive rock. With a cracking sound, spiderweb-like cracks spread across the surface of the rock, quickly expanding. In an instant, it shattered into smaller pieces. Now, there was plenty of material to repair the dam. The tribe members no longer needed to collect stones, saving a lot of time and effort. Leaving the tribe members to repair the dam, the Heaven Gu Grandma led Lina down the mountain, returning to her residence, a four-sided courtyard with a skywell in the center. Grandma¡¯s daughter-inw was in the courtyard, drying the corpses of Gu insects for use as medicine. Her son was in the backyard raising Gu. The Heaven Gu Grandma took Lina straight into the house, retrieving a wooden box from a cab. With a ¡°click,¡± the box opened, revealing a jade-like insect resembling a scorpion, with six segmented legs and two ck eyes on its head, giving it a somewhat cute appearance. ¡°This is the Sevenfold Gu granny¡¯s husband refined. Before he passed, it was only halfplete. Granny has spent twenty years finishing it,¡± she said, pushing the box toward Lina. ¡°Now, I¡¯ll entrust it to you.¡± ¡°For me?¡± Lina was surprised. ¡°Not for you, but for you to keep safe. One day, you¡¯ll give it to someone destined to have it.¡± A series of question marks shed through Lina¡¯s mind. She didn¡¯t understand how things had taken this turn, where she was suddenly given the Sevenfold Gu and tasked with passing it on to some ¡°fated¡± person. The Heaven Gu Grandma closed the box and said, ¡°Do you remember the story I told you about those two thieves?¡± Lina nodded vigorously. ¡°I remember.¡± She also thought of Number Three. Speaking of which, Number Three hadn¡¯t sent any messages in a long time, and the Earth Book chat group had returned to its previous quiet state. ¡°There¡¯s a legend in the Heaven Gu tribe,¡± the Heaven Gu Grandma continued. ¡°On the day the Gu God awakens, all of the Southern Marches, even the rest of Jiuzhou, will be turned into a world of Gu. Although our shaman ns survive by raising and refining Gu, Gu are just tools. We are still human.¡± Her eyes reflected aplex emotion. ¡°This isn¡¯t just a legend; it¡¯s the result of generations of prophecy from the Heaven Gu tribe. Many of our predecessors suffered heavenly bacsh trying to glimpse this future. ¡°To prevent the Gu God from ever awakening, your grandpa came up with an idea twenty years ago. He set off to steal something that could suppress the Gu God, ensuring it would stay asleep for eternity. ¡°So, he left the Southern Marches and was never heard from again. Not long after, the life Gu he left behind with the tribe withered, and I knew he had died.¡± ¡°What was he trying to steal?¡± Lina asked, holding the wooden box, her ocean-blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. The Heaven Gu Grandma shook her head and patted Lina¡¯s hand gently. ¡°Granny¡¯s too old to withstand the bacsh of revealing heavenly secrets.¡± That¡¯s why they say the workings of heaven cannot be divulged. ¡°Last night, I glimpsed a change in fate. That item is about to resurface, and Lina, you are connected to it,¡± the Heaven Gu Grandma said, her gaze intense. ¡°Me?¡± Lina blinked her blue eyes, unable toprehend how a child as ordinary as herself could be part of Granny¡¯s ¡°story.¡± ¡°Go to the capital. Your cultivation is strong enough, but youck experience. This is the perfect opportunity to journey into the world of men,¡± the Heaven Gu Grandma said, adding, ¡°I¡¯ve discussed this with your father. He agrees.¡± *Go to the capital¡­* Lina looked down at the wooden box in her hands, realizing she wasn¡¯t too opposed to the idea. The first people who came to her mind were Number Three, Number One, and Daoist Jinlian. ¡­ Noon. Warm sunlight bathed the sky, and the Xu Residence was filled withughter and joy. Tables of banquet food were set up in the courtyard. To the left sat the Xu family members, while to the right were Xu Pingzhi and Xu Qi''an¡¯s colleagues and old friends. Among the guests were the county magistrate of Changle County, the bailiffs of the constabry, and of course, the head constable, Lyu Qing. Unfortunately, Li Yuchun, Song Tingfeng, and the others were stationed in Yunzhou and could not attend the banquet. Xu Pingzhi and Xu Qi''an moved from table to table, offering toasts. Xu Qi''an had intended to just go through the motions, but hearing everyone congratting him and calling him ¡°Viscount,¡± he suddenly found himself enjoying the attention. At the magistrate Zhu''s table, the portly officialmented, ¡°I have a niece, eighteen years of age, and quite the beauty. I was nning to match her with Ningyan, but it seems that¡¯s no longer possible.¡± Magistrate Zhu¡¯s daughter was already married, or else she might have been a suitable match for Xu Qi''an. As for the niece, her status simply wasn¡¯t high enough. Head Constable Wangughed and chimed in, ¡°Now that Ningyan is a viscount, only ady from a prominent family or the daughter of a wealthy household would be a fitting match.¡± Everyoneughed heartily. Sitting at the neighboring table, Lyu Qing overheard this conversation and couldn¡¯t help but feel dejected. Initially, with her position as the head constable of the county office, she would have been more than qualified to marry a Nightwatcher. After all, they were in the same profession¡ªwhat a perfect match. But now that Xu Qi''an had been enfeoffed, entering the ranks of the nobility, it would no longer be proper for him to take a female constable as his wife¡ªit would be a vition of protocol. The banquet continued until around 1:30 p.m., when the guests finally began to leave. Xu Qi''an and Second Uncle Xu helped see the guests off, while Auntie directed the servants in cleaning up the aftermath. By the 3:45 in the afternoon, Xu Eng returned home with the servants and maids. Auntie, being the attentive mother she was, instructed the cook to heat up some leftovers for her second son. ¡°Eat well and get plenty of rest, Eng. You need to be up early tomorrow for the exams,¡± Auntie said, diligently cing more food on his te. Though it wasn¡¯t quite time for dinner yet, Xu Eng had to eat early and rest up, as ack of sleep could affect his performance in the exams the following day. Xu Qi''an, sitting nearby and sipping tea, suddenly spoke up, ¡°Eng, what topics will they test in the exams?¡± Between bites of food, Xu Eng answered simply, ¡°Policy questions, ssical texts, and poetry.¡± After a pause, he added, ¡°Since the time of thete emperor, poetry was removed from the civil service exams. But in the eleventh year of Yuanjing¡¯s reign, thanks to Wang Zhenwen¡¯s push after entering the cab, poetry was reinstated.¡± During the two hundred years of the Confucian orthodox debates, poetry had declined to the point of being considered for removal from the sybus. ¡°If you were to take the exams, big brother, there¡¯s no doubt you¡¯d revive the poetry scene,¡± Xu Eng remarked with admiration as he sipped some wine. Then, turning to his father, he added wistfully, ¡°Ever since the end ofst year, as big brother¡¯s fame in poetry circles has soared, father, your name has also be more well-known.¡± Xu Pingzhi, who was ying with his daughter Xu Lingyin on hisp, froze for a moment before his face lit up with joy. He burst intoughter, saying, ¡°Actually, it¡¯s all because of Dng¡¯s innate talent. I didn¡¯t teach him much at all. Schrs just love to exaggerate things. So, how exactly are they praising me?¡± Xu Eng¡¯s lips curled slightly, ¡°They¡¯re saying you are ¡®unworthy as a father.¡¯¡± ¡°???¡± Xu Pingzhi mmed the table in anger. ¡°Outrageous! What gives them the right to say that?¡± Xu Eng nced at his older brother, then chuckled, ¡°The more poems big brother writes, the worse your reputation grows. Who knows, maybe your name will be passed down in the histories.¡± That night, Xu Pingzhi couldn¡¯t sleep, troubled by the thought. Auntie scolded him, ¡°You¡¯re still alive, and you¡¯re already worrying about your reputation hundreds of years from now. You¡¯re worrying over nothing.¡± ¡°You¡¯re being short-sighted,¡± Xu Pingzhi huffed, still uneasy. ¡°Eng has the potential to be prime minister, and Dng will likely leave his mark on history too. But when ites to me, history will only remember four words: ¡®unworthy as a father.¡¯¡± Auntie mumbled, ¡°At least it¡¯s still making a name in history¡­ By the way, what if Eng gets posted somewhere far away? Can¡¯t you think of a way to keep him in the capital?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even think about it. He¡¯s a student of the Cloud Deer Academy, and external appointments are inevitable. Let¡¯s just hope it¡¯s not too far away,¡± Xu Pingzhi replied helplessly. Students from Cloud Deer Academy typically had no hope of entering the political center of the capital. Most were assigned to provincial or regional posts, and even those who stayed in the capital were given minor, insignificant roles. ¡°How about you ask Ningyan for help? He¡¯s a Nightwatcher and even knows princesses. Surely he could figure something out,¡± Auntie suggested, curling her legs as she sat on the bed, her brows knitted in concern. ¡°This is a matter for the Ministry of Personnel. What does it have to do with the Nightwatchers?¡± Xu Pingzhi whispered. ¡°The Nightwatchers oversee government officials, which makes them disliked by the civil bureaucracy. Ningyan getting involved would only make things worse.¡± Auntie flopped onto the bed, clutching a pillow, still looking troubled. ¡­... ¡°Knock, knock, knock¡­¡± Wearing a white inner robe and about to go to bed, Xu Eng heard a knock at his door. Opening it, he found Xu Qi''an standing outside. ¡°Big brother, what brings you here?¡± Xu Qi''an eyed his younger brother, who was handsome and refined, and grinned, ¡°I came to help you guess exam topics.¡± Chapter 262: Two Poems Chapter 262: Two Poems # 262. Two Poems "Guess exam topics?" Xu Eng asked in confusion but quickly understood what Xu Qi¡¯an meant. He calmly poured his elder brother a cup of hot water, wrapped himself in an extrayer, and sat down in a chair. "No need," Xu Xinnian replied, "the great schrs of the academy have already predicted the topics for us." After the establishment of the Imperial Academy, students'' minds became confined to the Four Books and Five ssics, losing the creativity of their predecessors. One consequence was that poetry and prose faded away in the Great Feng. But there was one advantage: predicting exam topics became easier. The so-called predicting topics was akin to Xu Qi¡¯an''s past life when teachers would underline key points before an exam. With limited content and set answering methods, the imperial examination topics could be somewhat ¡°pre-determined¡±. Aside from topic prediction, there were also shady practices¡ªbuying questions. Even worse than buying the topics was the ¡°prearranged candidate¡± practice. Such individuals could pass smoothly even if their writing was utter nonsense, all thanks to prior arrangements with the examiners. The method was simple: bribing the examiner and agreeing on a secret code in advance. For example, thest word of the first line would be "old," thest word of the second line would be "bloke," and lines four, five, and six would be "666." When the examiner saw the code, they would know this was their candidate. The name-concealing and transcription procedures couldn¡¯t prevent such cheating.Xu Qi¡¯an had heard these underhanded tricks from Wei Yuan and marvelled at the wisdom of the ancients. Unfortunately, bribing an examiner was not an option. Xu Xinnian was a student of Cloud Deer Academy, meaning he was destined to miss out on the titles of *Zhuangyuan*, *Bangyan*, and *Tanhua*. He may not even make it into the top third. Before meeting Zhong Li, Xu Qi¡¯an only thought of helping his brother cheat subtly and avoiding being caught by the supervisors. After much thought, he came up with a ridiculous idea: copying the essay onto his ¡°little brother¡±. This idea was inspired by a humorous tale from the inte in his previous life. Someone was bragging that when women saw a single ¡°zhi¡± tattooed onto him, they would think that it¡¯s his ex-girlfriend¡¯s name. However when the spirit was excited and a pir rose to heaven, it became ¡°[REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED]¡± Though the story was absurd, Xu Qi¡¯an found it rtable¡­ Not that it mattered. What did matter was that Xu Eng could absolutely pull off this trick. With his Self-cultivator rank, Xu Eng could simply say, "Behold my Diao Chan," and then he could write a 500-character essay on there. The examiners would never discover it. However, Xu Eng was far too proud to ever resort to such tactics¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an nodded slowly, "What about poetry then?" Xu Xinnian frowned, "I¡¯m not focusing on poetry. It¡¯s not my strength." His preparation was focused on the essays and ssics, like most other schrs. Poetry was something he would leave to fate. "Better safe than sorry. I came here exactly to guess poetry topics," Xu Qi¡¯an said. "And how do you n to guess?" "We¡¯ll draw lots," Xu Qi¡¯an said with a mysterious smile. ¡­ "Mother, I want an orange." In the inner room, Little Pea walked out in her loose nightgown. "Oranges at night? Your teeth will rot. The oranges are in the hall; go get one yourself." Auntie was too preupied with discussing Xu Eng¡¯s future. Little Pea quietly went to the hall, ate the orange in the corridor, and returned, satisfied, to her bed. Second Uncle and Auntie continued to discuss Xu Xinnian¡¯s career prospects. The more they talked, the more Auntie regretted sending Xu Xinnian to Cloud Deer Academy. Eng had been a prodigy since childhood, with an excellent memory. When Cloud Deer Academy was recruiting, Second Uncle had taken him to Qingyun Mountain to take the exam, and Eng had passed with flying colors. "If only we had sent him to the 1Academy," Auntiemented. "Women¡¯s foolishness. Cloud Deer Academy is the true orthodox of Confucianism," Second Uncle retorted. ¡­ Xu Xinnian cut a piece of Xuan paper into small squares, each with a different theme, such as "birds," "flowers," "fish," or "insects," then shuffled them together. "Elder Brother, your turn." Xu Xinnian thought his brother was being ridiculous, but given his enthusiasm, he couldn¡¯t refuse. He wanted to send his damned brother off quickly so he could sleep, but he was also curious to see if his brother couldpose a poem on the spot. Xu Qi¡¯an closed his eyes and drew two slips at random. "Two?" Xu Xinnian noticed that his brother had drawn two slips at once. "Let¡¯s take both then. We can use the extra one as backup." Xu Qi¡¯an opened the slips: "Ode to Aspiration" and "Patriotism." Xu Xinnian looked at his elder brother with some anticipation. "Uh... Let me think about it and get back to you tomorrow," Xu Qi¡¯an scratched his head. After saying goodbye to Xu Xinnian, Xu Qi¡¯an returned to his room, lit a candle, and sat down at the table. He looked up at the beam of the ceiling and said, "Aren¡¯t you a Master of Prophecy? Can¡¯t you just predict the topics for the exam?" Lying on the beam was a woman with disheveled hair, dressed in a simple linen robe. She replied, "A Master of Prophecy especially must know when to keep secrets. I don¡¯t have great fortune, and if I were to reveal the imperial exam topics, I might meet my end tomorrow." "I¡¯ll protect you. Didn¡¯t Jianzheng say I have great fortune?" Xu Qi¡¯an coaxed. "If you have great fortune, then the topics you¡¯ve drawn by lot are surely the exam topics. Why do you need me to take the risk?" *Good point...* Xu Qi¡¯an then asked, "Why not help me with the essay and ssics questions?" "The fewer variables, the easier to predict," Zhong Li said. Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t press further and started to rummage through his memory for poetry from his high school days. Despite it being so many years ago, some poems were still etched clearly in his mind. Of course, he couldn¡¯t remember longer works or ssical texts fully, like Li Bai¡¯s _Bring in the Wine,_ where he could only recall a few lines like "The waters of the Yellow Rivere from heaven." But simple poems like _Spring Dawn_ were unforgettable, even to death. *The most famous ode to aspiration is probably Cao Cao¡¯s* Though the Tortoise Lives Long, *but considering Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s desire for immortality, writing this might displease him.* *As for patriotism, there are plenty of poems. The problem is that the patriotic poems I remember were born in times of national copse, like* Iron horses ride through frozen rivers in my dreams, *or* The country falls, but the mountains and rivers remain, *or* Singing girls care not for the hatred of a fallen nation. *This is tough...* In the middle of the night, Xu Qi¡¯an was sleeping soundly when he suddenly heard a thud and then the moans of someone in pain. He jolted awake, instinctively reaching for the sword by his bedside. "Sorry, I tripped..." Zhong Li muttered, trying to endure the pain. *Falling over from this too? You''re a Fifth-Grade Arcanist after all¡­* Xu Qi''an¡¯s mouth twitched as he let out a long sigh. "No worries, this must be part of your misfortune too, right?" "This is still manageable. If I weren''t near you, I probably would''ve broken a leg," replied Zhong Li, the Fifth Disciple of the Jianzheng, in a matter-of-fact tone, which made her words all the more heartbreaking. "It''s fine. I''m used to it." With that, she stood up quietly and headed toward the door. "I''ll meditate outside, so I don''t disturb your sleep." "¡­" Xu Qi''an watched her leave and closed the door behind her. He turned over and tried to go back to sleep. However, the door opened again, and Zhong Li returned. "Hmm?" Xu Qi''an made a confused and slightly annoyed noise. Zhong Li spoke in a low voice, "Some bastard threw an orange peel in the corridor. I slipped on it and hit my head. I figured it¡¯s safer to stay indoors." *Orange peels too? That¡¯s rough...* Xu Qi''an couldn''t help but feel a surge of sympathy for her. ¡­ The next morning, before dawn, the Xu household was already brightly lit. Auntie, with dark circles under her eyes, was personally helping Xu Eng prepare his exam materials, including ink, paper, brushes, as well as cakes, steamed buns, jerky, and water for the examination. "Mother, there''s no need to bring so much food. Each session onlysts one day, and I''ll be out by dusk," Xu Xinnian tried to stop his mother, who was constantly stuffing food into his pack. The imperial exams had three sessions, eachsting one day, with a three-day interval between sessions, making the whole process span nine days. Once everything was ready, Xu Pingzhi, his wife, daughter, and nephew escorted Xu Xinnian to the examinationpound. Xu Qi''an and Xu Pingzhi carriednterns, one leading and one following behind. Soon, they arrived at the examination hall, where arge number of schrs had already gathered. Soldiers with torches lined the street, maintaining order. "Eng, here are the poems I wrote for you. Read them and burn them afterward," Xu Qi''an handed two slips of paper to his brother. Xu Xinnian discreetly epted them, opened them, and after a long look, he could barely make out what was written¡­ his brother''s handwriting was truly unique, especially when writing smaller characters. But these are good poems! Despite the struggle to read them, Xu Xinnian couldn¡¯t help but admire his brother¡¯s talent. *If these happen to match the exam topics, I might really shine this time.* After memorizing them, Xu Xinnian tore up the slips of paper. As he was about to bid farewell to his family, he suddenly heard someone chanting Buddhist scriptures in the distance. Turning to look, he saw a towering, bald man with his hands sped together, giving him a knowing smile. *Do I know him¡­?* Xu Xinnian felt a flicker of confusion but returned the gesture with a polite smile. The bald man nodded slightly and turned to leave. ¡­ After seeing Xu Xinnian off, Auntie and Lingyue suggested returning home to catch up on sleep, while Xu Lingyin proposed going to Guiyuelou for breakfast. Xu Lingyin¡¯s suggestion was unanimously ignored by the group. Xu Qi''an, on the other hand, was concerned about Zhong Li back at the house, and worried that if he returned toote, she might have already passed away. By the time they returned home, the sky had lightened with the break of dawn. Xu Qi''an pushed open the door to find Zhong Li sitting cross-legged on the ground with her hair draped down, obscuring her face. *Why does she always have her hair down? I wonder what she really looks like¡­ the Jianzheng¡¯s disciples are all so strange. The foodie chick somehow is the most normal one¡­* Xu Qi''an cleared his throat and said: ¡°You don¡¯t need to hide. I can introduce you to my family.¡± ¡°That would bring them misfortune. It won¡¯t be anything major, but small mishaps will happen continuously,¡± Zhong Li replied. ¡°Misfortune always affects those around me. But as long as they don¡¯t know about my presence, they¡¯ll be fine.¡± *Ah whatever.* There was still some time before dawn, so Xu Qi''an decided to meditate for a while. Suddenly, he felt a jolt in his heart¡ªsomeone from the Earth Book chat group had sent a message. "Could you turn around?" Xu Qi''an asked. "Alright." Zhong Li obediently turned her back to him and continued meditating. *It¡¯s a little inconvenient having someone around¡­* Xu Qi''an then retrieved his fragment of the Earth Book, using the candlelight to read thetest message. ¡¾TWO: I¡¯m heading to the capital.¡¿ The first to respond to Li Miaozhen¡¯s message was the rarely active Daoist Jinlian: ¡¾NINE: Have you finished eradicating the bandits?¡¿ *Finished with the bandits? That means Brother Chun and the others should be returning soon too¡­* Xu Qi''an felt a surge of joy. ¡¾TWO: Yes, Daoist. ONE, you still haven¡¯t provided me with the information about the standout disciples of the Human Sect.¡¿ Back then, she had exchanged the information on the Yunzhou case with Number One, hoping to get a list of the outstanding disciples of the Human Sect from him. However, Number One had inexplicably gone silent for a long time. Even now, the promise had yet to be fulfilled. A few minutester, a long message from Number One arrived in the chat: ¡¾ONE: The disciples of the Human Sect from this generation are not particrly strong. The highest-ranking among them is ''Jingchen,'' who''s only at the Seventh Grade. But there is one person, though I¡¯m not sure if he counts as part of the younger generation.¡¿ ¡¾TWO: Who is this person, and what is their level of cultivation?¡¿ ¡¾ONE: He was originally a schr, the top-ranked *zhuangyuan* in the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjing. In the twenty-ninth year, he suddenly resigned from his official post and became an ordinarymoner. He has a unique rtionship with Daoist Lingyun, Senior Brother to Luo Yuheng, seeing him as both mentor and friend. Under Lingyun''s guidance, he learned the sword techniques and Heart ssic of the Human Sect. ¡¾This person is highly talented. After abandoning literature to focus on the sword for only three years, he reached the state ofplete sword mastery. Afterward, he challenged Gold Gong Chen Kaitai but was soundly defeated. Following his defeat, he wandered the world and was praised by Wei Yuan as the number one swordsman in the capital. ¡¾Although he and Daoist Lingyun never officially became master and disciple, their rtionship is effectively that. I''m not sure if that qualifies him as a Human Sect disciple.¡¿ *A schr turned swordsman, the number one swordsman in the capital, with a mentor-disciple rtionship with a Daoist from the Human Sect..*. Why does this feel so familiar? Xu Qi''an paused, thinking of someone, but it seemed too absurd. At that moment... ¡¾FOUR: Heh, I¡¯ve returned to the capital.¡¿ *It really is him. Daoist Jinlian is stirring the pot again. Knowing the Human Sect and Heaven Sect are like fire and water, he still drags them both into the Earth Book fragments.* Xu Qi''an muttered inwardly. *This was getting interesting. Number Four and Number Two were bothing to the capital¡­ Wait a minute, if it were just Li Miaozhening, I could still handle it. After all, the exnation for my resurrection could be attributed to the Rebirth Pill.* *Plus, both Li Miaozhen and I have faced social death in some form, so we wouldn¡¯t hold onto it too much.* *But if Number Four is alsoing to the capital...* Xu Qi''an''s expression changed. Just then, Number Five chimed in: ¡¾FIVE: What a coincidence, I¡¯m also leaving for the capital tomorrow for a little adventure. Once I arrive, let¡¯s all have a drink together.¡¿ Xu Qi''an: "???" *What''s going on? Why is Number Five also heading to the capital? With her intelligence, Numbers Four and Two definitely won¡¯t feelfortable letting her travel alone. When they meet up in person, they¡¯ll certainly have to log off and meet face to face.* *And I¡¯m in the capital too. Li Miaozhen already knows my true identity¡­* *No way, I have to make sure Eng carries this pot.* ¡¾ONE: Why is FIVE going to the capital?¡¿ ¡¾FIVE: For an adventure, of course.¡¿ Suppressing her shock, Li Miaozhen joined the conversation: ¡¾TWO: Number Five, remember not to reveal your identity as part of the shaman ns. The people of Feng hate shamans. The martial world is dangerous, and even if you¡¯re tricked or harmed, if the authorities find out you¡¯re from the shaman ns, they¡¯ll likely turn a blind eye. ¡¾In the eyes of many in the underworld, it¡¯s seen as justified to use any means necessary against the shamans.¡¿ During the battle of Shanhai Pass years ago, the Southern and Northern barbarian tribes had formed an alliance against the Great Feng. Since then, the Southern tribes have frequently harassed the Great Feng¡¯s borders to reim lost territory, leading to deep-seated animosity between the two. The shaman ns of the Southern Marches were seen as part of the Southern barbarians. Lina thought about it and figured that since she wasn''t afraid of poison or brute force, there wasn¡¯t much to worry about. But since Number Two was so kindly reminding her, she replied with thanks: ¡¾FIVE: Got it, I¡¯ll be careful.¡¿ Then, Li Miaozhen added: ¡¾TWO: FOUR, though we¡¯re both members of the Heaven and Earth Society, the grievances between our sectse first. I won¡¯t hold back when we meet.¡¿ ¡¾FOUR: Life and death, each bears the consequences.¡¿ *This¡­ Isn''t this a bit too much? We¡¯re all part of the same group chat, after all.* Xu Qi''an sighed. After the conversation ended, Xu Qi''an put away the Earth Book fragment and looked up, ncing at Zhong Li, who was still sitting with her back to him. *Could it be that this woman¡¯s misfortune is affecting me? ¡­ Maybe I should ask the Jianzheng for a refund¡­* Chapter 263: Xu Xinnian: Im Meeting a lot of Nutcases this Year Chapter 263: Xu Xinnian: I''m Meeting a lot of Nutcases this Year # 263. Xu Xinnian: I''m Meeting a lot of Nutcases this Year In a small courtyard, Daoist Jinlian put away the Earth Book fragment, frowning silently. Each member of the Earth Book chat group was a person of great fortune. The loss of any one of them was something he did not wish to see. *The conflict of Heaven and Man is a matter for the elders; there¡¯s no need for the younger generation to fight to the death. But if no one intervenes, with Li Miaozhen¡¯s stubbornness and Number Four''s sharpness, I fear it will end with one dead and the other seriously injured.* *Our Earth Sect cannot meddle in the Heaven and Human Sects'' dispute. Number Six is not one for words, and Number One¡¯s status makes it inconvenient for him to intervene¡­ It seems I¡¯ll have to push Xu Qi''an into the middle to smooth things over. Let him involve himself in the conflict of Heaven and Man, to lessen the hostility between Li Miaozhen and Number Four. This way, I can give the sect an exnation without needing them to fight to the death.* *But his cultivation level is still too low. He¡¯s not qualified to interfere in a fight between Li Miaozhen and Number Four unless he can quickly cultivate to Bronze Skin and Iron Bones.* Cultivating Bronze Skin and Iron Bones in a short time was indeed a difficult task. Daoist Jinlian furrowed his brows, pondering for a long time withouting up with a suitable n, until he heard a sharp cat''s meow from the courtyard. ¡­ Shortly after, an orange cat left happily, tail held high.Inside the house, Daoist Jinliany on the bed, his face serene. ... After breakfast, Xu Qi''an rode his mare, bringing Zhong Li with him to the Nightwatchers Constabry. "I can¡¯t guarantee you¡¯ll be allowed into the constabry, especially not the Tower of Noble Spirit," Xu Qi''an said, turning his head to Zhong Li. She wasn¡¯t riding a horse but was instead walking beside his mare, leisurely as if taking a stroll after a meal. _Is this a Shrinking Ground spell?_ Xu Qi''an silently envied as he watched her. As soon as they entered the Constabry, a Silver Gong hurried out with a dozen Bronze Gongs, running into Xu Qi''an. The Silver Gong stopped to greet him, noticing the disheveled, hemp-d Zhong Li, and asked, "Is this a Jianghu criminal who vited thew? Why isn¡¯t she bound?" Xu Qi''an was momentarily stunned, then asked, "What makes you say that?" The Silver Gong exined, ¡°You weren¡¯t on duty yesterday, so you wouldn¡¯t know. Duke Wei issued a promation yesterday. In three months, it will be the once-in-sixty-years conflict of Heaven and Man. ¡°Before that, the outstanding disciples of both Heaven and Human sects willpete first. For many martial artists, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. "As a result, many people of the Jianghu have flocked to the capital, eager to witness the duel between the disciples of Heaven and Man. My colleagues are stationed at the city gates, registering those entering and screening for potential spies from other nations." _Hmm? So Number Four and Number Two hold such high positions in the martial world?_ Xu Qi''an thought, feeling he hadn¡¯t noticed before. _Perhaps it¡¯s because I¡¯m from a eunuch''s family¡­_ He nodded and bid farewell to the Silver Gong. He arranged for Zhong Li to stay at Li Yuchun¡¯s Spring Wind Hall, while he headed to the Tower of Noble Spirit. Zhong Li, being the fifth disciple of the Jianzheng, held a rtively high status, but it was useless. She couldn¡¯t meet Wei Yuan. After the guard announced his arrival, Xu Qi''an ascended to the tea room on the seventh floor. Wei Yuan stood in front of a giant geomantic map, still dressed in his usual azure robe. His hair was simply tied with a ck jade hairpin, hands behind his back, and his sleeves hung low. In terms of bearing, looks, and talent, Wei Yuan was unrivaled among the middle-aged and elderly men Xu Qi''an had met. Among the younger generation, in terms of appearance, Eng and Nangong Qianrou were the best. But in terms of overall capability, Xu Qi''an believed that the elder Xu brother was superior, and naturally the undisputed leader. "Your appointment letter is on the table. Take it to the Ministry of Personnelter and get your badge and uniform," Wei Yuan said without turning around, simply pointing to the desk. Xu Qi''an nced at the desk and indeed saw a promotion letter stamped with Wei Yuan¡¯s seal. The Nightwatchers'' affairs were entirely under Wei Yuan¡¯s control. He could promote or demote anyone at will, so Xu Qi''an had no concerns about his promotion to Silver Gong. "Once you be a Silver Gong, you won¡¯t need to patrol the streets anymore. You¡¯ll be able to sit in the office, giving you more time to manage as you see fit," Wei Yuan hinted. "Your talent is good, and your time shouldn¡¯t be wasted on routine duties." _This is the first time I¡¯ve ever heard a boss tell his employee, ¡®You shouldn¡¯t waste your time on something as trivial as work.¡¯_ Xu Qi''an thought,menting that he hadn¡¯t met such a leader in his previous life, where he had dutifully worked as a corporate ve for nearly ten years. He picked up the promotion letter and was about to take his leave when Wei Yuan said, "Don¡¯t be in a rush to go. The disciples of the Human Sect and Heaven Sect will soon duel. The capital will likely be unstable during this time, with troublemaking martial artists appearing here and there." "Understood, sir. Your subordinate will ensure the inner city remains secure," Xu Qi''an immediately replied. Wei Yuan nodded slowly and continued, "You¡¯ve had contact with Li Miaozhen in Yunzhou. What¡¯s your impression of her?" Li Miaozhen¡¯s identity as a disciple of the Heaven Sect had already been disclosed to Inspector Zhang and Jiang Lyuzhong in Baidi City. After Xu Qi''an''s death, Inspector Zhang had sent a memorial to the capital during the bandit suppression campaign, highlighting Li Miaozhen''s outstanding contributions. He had even requested that the court grant her an official position. Naturally, the request had been denied. After all, Luo Yuheng was the National Teacher of the Great Feng, and the Human Sect and Heaven Sect were like fire and water. This wasn¡¯t a matter to be taken lightly. _My impression of her¡­_ Xu Qi''an pondered, feeling it could be summed up in one line: _We unbound the general¡¯s armor and shared a warm spring night in the bedchamber._ "They¡¯re just two disciples. Does Duke Wei need to be so concerned?" Xu Qi''an asked. "The attitudes of the disciples will determine the attitudes of their sect leaders," Wei Yuan replied, turning to look at him with a serious expression. "The Heaven Sect¡¯s leader is a first-rank." This revtion left Xu Qi''an both shocked and unsurprised. Among the three Daoist sects, the Heaven Sect was the most powerful. The leaders of the Human Sect and Earth Sect were second-rank. If the Heaven Sect didn¡¯t have a first-rank leader, then how could ite to dominate? But this also meant that Luo Yuheng was destined to lose, didn¡¯t it? Xu Qi''an wasn¡¯t particrly interested in whether Luo Yuheng would win or lose. He understood Wei Yuan''s implication: if the duel between the disciples wasn¡¯t handled properly, the leaders of the Heaven and Human Sects might fight to the death. First- and second-rank cultivators were the pinnacle of power in the world. Even Wei Yuan, with his unparalleled intellect, couldn¡¯t afford to be careless. Meanwhile, the Jianzheng, the hidden trump card of the capital, was only a first-rank. "Sir, there¡¯s something I haven¡¯t reported to you yet," Xu Qi''an said, preparing to share the secrets of the Heaven and Earth Society. Wei Yuan gave a soft hum, signaling him to continue. "Li Miaozhen is a member of the Heaven and Earth Society and holds Fragment Number Two. The disciple sent by the Human Sect should be the swordsman you once praised as the best in the capital," Xu Qi''an reported. This news took Wei Yuan by surprise. He left the geomantic map, returned to his desk, and sat down, his voice steady as he said, "Tell me everything in detail." Xu Qi''an immediately recounted the chat history from the "Earth Book" group chat from the previous night. "Your timing is impable," Wei Yuan nodded approvingly. His "favour" toward this Bronze Gong, Xu Qi''an, wasplex and multi-faceted. The first factor was character¡ªreliable and trustworthy. Talent was the second factor¡ªXu Qi''an''s potential was something Wei Yuan believed was worth cultivating. Then, there was Xu Qi''an''s personality, which differed from character. He was clever, slick, and knew how to tter, but maintained his principles. Lastly, Xu Qi''an always managed to surprise Wei Yuan, whether in solving cases or providing valuable intelligence, constantly proving his worth. Wei Yuan was pleased that Xu Qi''an wasn''t like some prodigies who, despite their immense talent, were utterly useless when it came to real-world tasks. "Try to cooperate with Daoist Jinlian as much as possible," Wei Yuan said out of the blue. Seeing Xu Qi''an¡¯s confusion, he exined, "Daoist Jinlian founded the Heaven and Earth Society and has been searching across Jiuzhou for worthy holders of the Earth Book fragments. His original intent was to clean his house and eliminate the sect leader who had fallen into the demonic way." Xu Qi''an nodded; Daoist Jinlian had personally informed Wei Yuan of his motives. "Thus he won''t just stand by and watch the holders of the Earth Book fragments fight themselves. He''ll try to mediate, but since he¡¯s from the Earth Sect, which has always remained neutral, he can¡¯t interfere directly. He¡¯ll likely ask for your help." "What on earth can I help with... ha, haha..." Xu Qi''an began tough, but his smile slowly froze. Unaware of how Xu Qi''an had been boasting in the Earth Book chat group, Wei Yuan didn''t notice the shift in his expression. Instead, he said, "The Western Sect is also on its way to the capital." Xu Qi''an was taken aback and wondered how Wei Yuan knew this... but soon realized that a formal visit from the Western Sect to the capital of the Great Feng wouldn¡¯t go unnoticed. It was like a diplomatic visit between two nations¡ªeverything had to be arranged in advance. *With the imperial examinations, the Western Sect, and the impending conflict of Heaven and Man... things are gettingplicated,* Xu Qi''an thought, feeling the weight of the situation. At that moment, the sound of drums and gongs echoed from outside, apanied by distant shouts of, "Fire! Fire!" A fire?! Xu Qi''an had been a Nightwatcher for almost half a year, and this was his first time encountering such an incident. His heart sank as a sense of foreboding filled him. "Duke Wei, I must take my leave!" he said hastily. He quickly stood up, cupped his hands in salute, and rushed out of the Tower of Noble Spirit, scanning the area. He soon spotted clerks and Nightwatchers carrying buckets and rushing toward the direction of Spring Breeze Hall. ... Fifteen minutester, a Golden Gong on duty managed to extinguish the fire, but Spring Breeze Hall had been reduced to ashes, now nothing but a charred ruin. Thankfully, there were no casualties. The Golden Gong, clearly upset, ordered the Nightwatchers to investigate the cause of the fire. In a quiet courtyard nearby, Zhong Li sat on the ground, her hair singed and curled. Her linen robe was burned through in several spots, revealing patches of her pale skin. "I was just sitting in the room, minding my own business, and somehow the fire started. If you had been a littleter, I might have been roasted..." she said, still shaken. "You''re a Fifth-grade Arcanist, surely ordinary fire couldn''t harm you?" "I was meditating and had a Qi deviation," Zhong Li exined. "..." Feeling sorry for her, Xu Qi''an said, "Let me take you to bathe and change into some clean clothes." ... As dusk fell, Xu Xinnian, having finished his first round of the imperial exams, left the examination hall. Following the other schrs out onto the street, he looked around and realized that his father, brother, and sister hadn¡¯te to pick him up. "Father and Brother are probably still on duty, and Mother and Sister likely didn¡¯t feelfortableing out alone," he consoled himself. He slung his book box over his shoulder and began walking home, casting a minor spell on himself as he did. With a soft pat on his leg, he activated his literary aura and chanted: "Light as a swallow!" An invisible force wrapped around him, and he moved with the speed and grace of a gust of wind, walking as fast as a carriage. Suddenly, a voice called out from ahead, "What a good ¡®light as a swallow¡¯!" Xu Xinnian stopped in his tracks and turned toward the voice. Standing by the roadside was a young swordsman in an azure robe, carrying a sword on his back. He had a handsome, unruly look, and though he appeared young, the lock of white hair at his forehead hinted at a life full of experiences. Before Xu Xinnian could respond, the swordsman smiled and said, ¡°The first round of the imperial exams is over, and if it were up to my past habits, the next three days would be spent drinking and celebrating with ssmates at the Jiaofangsi. ¡°That was nine years ago. By now, the courtesans of that time must be past their prime or have found good husbands. But I¡¯ve heard there¡¯s a new Oiran in the capital, famous for her poetry and music. I think I¡¯ll go and see for myself. "Brother, why don¡¯t we go together?" Xu Xinnian listened in silence, thinking only one thing: *This man is an idiot.* The way he spoke, so familiarly, as if they were close friends, and then the way he winked at Xu Xinnian... But Xu Xinnian was absolutely certain that he had never met this person before. *What¡¯s with today? First, a strange monk before the exam, and now a foolish swordsman after...* Ignoring the man, Xu Xinnian quickly ran away. Boys need to protect themselves out in the world. ... The sun slowly set, casting a red glow across the sky. Xu Qi''an led Zhong Li to the Jiaofangsi. "I wonder if Fuxiang has recovered from her illness. Women of this era are so delicate, falling ill at the slightest chill," Xu Qi''an mused as he brought Zhong Li along to check on Fuxiang''s condition. Zhong Li, still in her linen robe, had just bathed, but her hair was a tangled mess, hanging down to cover her face. Xu Qi''an guessed that she might be disfigured or have some sort of scar, which is why she never showed her true face. Chapter 264: Two Brothers Two Talents Chapter 264: Two Brothers Two Talents # 264. Two Brothers Two Talents "Is Fuxiang your lover at the Jiaofangsi?" Zhongli asked. Xu Qi''an was taken aback, "How did you know?" Zhongli nodded slightly, lowered her head a bit, and walked leisurely. "If she wasn''t someone important to you, why would you invite me to treat her illness? You''re a man of great fortune; you wouldn''t be like those other men who be ves under their oiran¡¯s skirt." *Fifth Senior Sister, you¡¯ve got a knack for being a detective¡­* Xu Qi''an let out an "mm" and said, ¡°Well, Fuxiang is sort of like my confidante. When I was younger, I was talented, with an excellent memory, a natural-born schr. ¡°But my second uncle nned my life early on, causing the Great Feng to miss out on a literary giant¡­ When I was fourteen, I attended a literary gathering organised by students of the Imperial College with my cousin. It was snowing and raining that day¡­ You know what a literary gathering is, right? It''s a schrly meeting where Jiaofangsi girls are invited to y music, and Fuxiang was among them. "I made a stunning debut at the gathering, and everyone praised my poetry. Fuxiang, too, was captivated by me. Since then, we''ve exchanged letters, engaging in a purely tonic romance. tonic, meaning spiritual love, with absolutely no vulgar physical rtionship¡­" Zhongli interrupted coldly, "Why are you telling me all this?" "Promise me, don''t tell Caiwei.""Oh." Zhongli turned her head to nce at him briefly, then turned back and continued walking. As they neared Reflecting Plum Pavilion, she said, "I know the Qi-watching technique." "¡­¡­" Before they even reached the pavilion, Xu Qi''an could already hear the sounds of flutes and strings. *Huh, why is Reflecting Plum Pavilion hosting a gathering so early today?* He walked with Zhongli to the courtyard gate and found the two ck-painted doors tightly shut, with the musicing from inside. _Bang bang bang_... Xu Qi''an knocked on the door. "The pavilion is booked for a private event," a voice from inside responded. "It''s me," Xu Qi''an said. The gate opened, and a young servant in a azure robe greeted him with joy, "Young Master Xu, you''re finally here! There''s quite an extraordinary guest inside tonight." Hearing this, Xu Qi''an frowned. "An extraordinary guest?" To him, anyone below the rank of three wasn''t "extraordinary." Officials of that stature rarely visited the Jiaofangsi. The servant chuckled mysteriously, ¡°As soon as he arrived, he came straight to Reflecting Plum Pavilion and asked to witness ourdy''s skill on the qin. Initially, she wasn''t nning to apany him, but after a long private discussion with the madam, she reluctantly agreed. "Even more surprising, twelve Oirans from the Jiaofangsi came uninvited to apany him." Xu Qi''an was astonished. Not even an old fox like Prime Minister Wang would have this kind of treatment. Then again, the old man probably didn''t have the time or energy for such pleasures anymore. *Interesting, seems like there''s still someone of this calibre in the capital. No way, Jiaofangsi is my turf. I have to meet this guy.* With that thought, Xu Qi''an calmly nodded, "Take me to see him." ¡­ Inside the banquet hall where the guest was being entertained, Fuxiang sat in the centre, her head slightly bowed as she yed the qin. She looked both elegant and enchanting, exuding a kind of beauty that transcended her role as an Oiran, more akin to a nobledy from a great family. The guests were seated in rows, each with an oiran beside them, except for the man in the azure robe with a streak of white hair at his forehead. He sat alone, calm and unperturbed. After finishing her piece, Fuxiang rose gracefully and bowed, "I¡¯ve embarrassed myself." "Lady Fuxiang is far too modest. Among the Jiaofangsi, none can rival your skill on the qin," said a man with a goatee and casual attire, smiling. "Come, join us, we''ve been waiting for you," added a rotund man beside him. The guests started to coax and cheer. One of them even made a teasing remark, "Since that poem praising plum blossoms, Lady Fuxiang no longer apanies guests, but since Brother Chu is here, things may change. Lady Fuxiang, don''t keep him waiting." Fuxiang''s gaze swept across the guests. Each of them held significant status¡ªeither officials with real power in the Six Ministries or respected schrs in the Hanlin Academy and the Censorate. And as for the man in the azure robe, he was not just any man. He was the *zhuangyuan* from the 27th year of Yuanjing, now hailed as the capital''s number one swordsman. He embodied the romantic fantasy of the Jiaofangsi women, being both a literary genius and a renowned swordsman. When word of his visit to the Jiaofangsi spread, twelve Oirans hade voluntarily to apany him. "Please forgive me, gentlemen. I am not feeling well today and am unfit to drink," Fuxiang said, smiling demurely before moving to an empty seat. Several officials frowned, their displeasure evident. Although Fuxiang was famous throughout the capital, her self-regard seemed excessive. They were only asking her to apany them for drinks, not to do anything untoward. The azure-robed swordsman, however,ughed it off, showing no sign of being offended. All the guests were schrs from the 27th year of Yuanjing, and they had good rtions with him. Tonight¡¯s gathering at the Jiaofangsi was both a reunion and a chance to witness the famed Fuxiang¡¯s talent. To Zhuangyuan Chu, her appearance was secondary; it was her reserved demeanour that impressed him. Mingyan nced around with a bright smile, warming up the atmosphere, "Ever since Lady Fuxiang got together with Sir Xu, she no longer apanies guests. She''s still waiting for Sir Xu to redeem her, so let''s not make things difficult for her, shall we?" Though all the guests present were powerful officials, in front of a Nightwatcher, they were all like younger brothers. Especially before Xu Qi¡¯an, who had just been granted a noble title ¡ª they were like the younger brothers of younger brothers. As expected, the guests suppressed their displeasure and lowered their heads to drink. Zhuangyuan Chu raised an eyebrow, "Sir Xu? Which Sir Xu?" For certain reasons, the name "Xu" struck a chord with him. He recalled a conversation in the Earth Book chat group when Number Two asked Number One for information on a certain Bronze Gong with the surname Xu. Number One had replied with a description of the man¡¯s greatest w: "He''s a lecher, involved with many Oiran from the Jiaofangsi¡­" Then, connecting this to Number Three, whom he had just met yet pretended not to know him, he realised that this person indeed had a cousin of exceptional poetic talent. His cousin was the one whoposed *its subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk* and gave Fuxiang her fame. Mingyan waited for a moment, and seeing no one else speaking, smiled and began to exin, "This Sir Xu is truly an extraordinary figure. He rose to prominence duringst October''s tax silver case..." She proceeded to recount Xu Qi¡¯an''s various exploits with pride and familiarity. "When he was in Yunzhou, he stood alone, facing eight thousand enemy troops, fighting alone for an entire hour¡­" Though the Oiran had heard this tale several times, they still listened with fascination, their hearts captivated by the romance of the story. Fuxiang felt a mix of pride and delight as she lifted her chin slightly, her voice soft, "At the moment when dear Master Xu was exhausted, he stood facing thousands of enemies." Another Oiran, Xiaoya, quickly joined in, her crisp voice reciting, "A young man¡¯s valour, brings heroes from five capitals old! With loyal heart, with just hand. With words of iron, life or death, A promise is worth a thousand tons of gold!" "What beautiful words!" Zhuangyuan Chu praised loudly, though a question arose in his mind: *Didn''t Number Two say that the rebels who besieged the Provincial Governor''s Office numbered more than four hundred, and Xu Qi¡¯an died after ying two hundred of them? How had the number suddenly be eight thousand?* An official remarked, "Indeed, what a fine verse. Such a talent¡ªit''s a shame he didn''t pursue his studies further. That Xu Pingzhi is truly despicable." The other guests nodded in agreement, one adding, "What a pity that Xu Qi¡¯an isn''t here at the Jiaofangsi today. He should witness the talents of our Zhuangyuan Chu." Hearing this, Zhuangyuan Chu''s mind filled with confusion: *Hadn''t Xu Qi¡¯an died in Yunzhou? After all this time, it was impossible that the capital hadn¡¯t received the news.* Just then, Fuxiang''s delighted voice broke the tension, "Master Xu!" ... The servant in blue led Xu Qi¡¯an into the courtyard and toward the main hall. As they walked, he said, ¡°Not to stir things up, but the guest inside is even more popr than you. "I asked the sisters in the courtyard about him. Turns out, he''s a legend. He was the top schr in the imperial exam of Yuanjing 27. Later, for some reason, he resigned and became a wanderer in the Jianghu. Afterward, he made a name for himself, gaining great fame in the capital, and was praised by Duke Wei as the top swordsman in the capital." Xu Qi¡¯an''s steps suddenly halted as he thought, _Fuck, is Number Four in there?_ *What¡¯s going on with these zhuangyuan? Are they all seasoned veterans of the Jiaofangsi?* *Number Four knows I¡¯m Number Three¡¯s cousin and that I supposedly died in Yunzhou¡­ Now when he sees I¡¯m still alive, he¡¯ll report it back to the Earth Book chat group, and then Li Miaozhen will remember how she had socially died thanks to being "guided" by Number Three¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an hadn¡¯t anticipated his social deathing so soon. "Dear Xu!" Fuxiang''s excited shout sent a chill down Xu Qi¡¯an''s spine, realising his social death wasing even sooner than expected. In the main hall, the guests and oirans all turned their heads, their gazes falling upon him. *Given the current tense rtionship between Number Two and Number Four, they probably wouldn¡¯t engage in conversation too quickly. Better y it safe¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an swiftly repressed all emotion, donned a smile, and stepped into the hall, bowing courteously. "Apologies for interrupting, everyone." The officials greeted him warmly, calling him ¡°Viscount,¡± and invited him to join them as if they were old acquaintances. The Oiran¡¯s eyes sparkled with delight. "Dear Xu." Fuxiang¡¯s smile was radiant as she took his hand, guiding him to a seat and eagerly pouring wine. As Xu Qi¡¯an sat, he nced back and noticed Zhong Li was nowhere to be found. _She¡¯s probably hiding somewhere... Don¡¯t stray too far, or the Jiaofangsi might get burned down by morning¡­_ With these thoughts in mind, Xu Qi¡¯an turned his gaze toward Number Four, calmly sizing him up. Number Four was a handsome man with a streak of white hair at his forehead, adding to his charm. He carried himself with a rxed, unassuming air, showing no sharpness. Zhuangyuan Chu also sized up Xu Qi¡¯an. His appearance alone made him believe this Nightwatcher must indeed be Number Three¡¯s cousin. Both brothers were undeniably handsome. _How is he still alive¡­_ Zhuangyuan Chu nodded slightly and said, ¡°Chu Yuanzhen, courtesy name Zizhen.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an cupped his hands, ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an, courtesy name Ningyan.¡± Next came drinking games. The Oiran Xiaoya acted as the game master, leading them in rounds of poetic matching and word games, keeping the atmosphere lively. The only disappointment was that Xu Qi¡¯an didn''t participate, leaving everything to Fuxiang while he simply ate and drank. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s purpose foring to the Jiaofangsi tonight was to check on Fuxiang. Seeing that she was in good spirits and health, he was reassured that it had merely been a slight cold, and he¡¯d worried for nothing. "With such a beautiful scene tonight, Sir Xu truly mustpose a poem for us," one of the officials urged, trying to coax Xu Qi¡¯an into making a poem. Xu Qi¡¯an declined, saying his inspiration was dried up. This left the officials disappointed, and even the oirans expressed regret. In truth, Xu Qi¡¯an wasn¡¯t unwilling topose poetry, he simply hadn¡¯t found the appropriate poem to recite. Today, Wei Yuan had tasked him with mediating the situation between Number Four and Number Two, ensuring their duel would end without a decisive oue. To aplish that, he needed to raise his favor with Number Four. "Brother Chu, I heard from my colleagues in the constabry that with the uing conflict of Heaven and Man, the disciple of the Heaven Sect, Li Miaozhen, will being to the capital soon. As a sword cultivator of the Human Sect, I imagine¡­" Xu Qi¡¯an trailed off, but the implication was clear. Zhuangyuan Chu smiled, "I will represent the Human Sect in the contest against the disciple of the Heaven Sect." He was well aware that Xu Qi¡¯an had be acquainted with Li Miaozhen in Yunzhou and that, being a favored Bronze Gong of Wei Yuan, it wasn¡¯t surprising he knew about these things. Taking the opportunity, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s gaze fell on the long sword leaning against the table, curiosity in his eyes, "May I have the honour of seeing this sword¡¯s brilliance?" Chu Yuanzhen shook his head, "Since my defeat by Zhang Kaitai, this sword has remained unsheathed." ¡°Then it¡¯s over; this sword is going to rust away in its scabbard,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an blurted out. ¡°What?¡± Chu Yuanzhen looked confused. ¡°I mean to ask why you don¡¯t draw your sword.¡± Chu Yuanzhen smiled gently, without any arrogance, and exined, "I am nurturing my sword¡¯s energy. When it is drawn again, its brilliance reach ten thousand feet." Xu Qi¡¯an nodded slowly, suddenly feeling a spark of inspiration. He grasped his wine cup, furrowing his brows as if in deep thought. ¡°Is something the matter?¡± Number Four asked. Xu Qi¡¯an sighed and said, "Earlier, I was uninspired, but after hearing Brother Chu¡¯s words, my mind has suddenlye alive, and I can¡¯t help butpose a poem." The guests and Oiran¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, watching eagerly. Chu Yuanzhen, equally surprised and pleased, straightened his posture, "I await your verse with great anticipation." Chapter 265: Pot-Carrying Hero Chapter 265: Pot-Carrying Hero # 265. Pot-Carrying Hero As he copied more and more poems, Xu Qi''an gradually figured out the secret of schrs "manifesting their sacredness." Answering questions directly is something only a fool would do. You must keep people in suspense, tantalise them. Just like now, from Number Four to the wine patrons, from the patrons to the courtesans, from the courtesans to the maidservants attending at the banquet, everyone was watching him, eyes filled with anticipation. Under everyone''s gaze, Xu Qi''an rose, pacing slowly in the hall. After seven steps, he stopped and calmly said, "A sword honed ten years long." Chu Yuanzhen was momentarily stunned. He had just mentioned nurturing his sword, and Xu Qi''an immediately followed up with this line¡ªthere was no doubt, this poem was made just for him. Number Four was moved. He had never met Xu Qi''an before, yet after a few drinks, he was willing topose a poem for him. His friendliness and sincerity put others to shame. Number Three was a schr with a chivalrous heart. Although he had some minor ws, being somewhat profit-driven, overall, he was someone worth befriending. His cousin, Xu Qi''an, was even more warm-hearted and kind¡ªa true brother. At the same time, Chu Yuanzhen thought of Ziyang Jushi''s example, and his heart began to burn with excitement. He, too, was a schr who loved poetry. Faced with such a rare opportunity, how could he not feel anticipation?Xu Qi''an scanned the room and recited the second line: "Its icy edge not tested." *A sword honed ten years long, its icy edge not tested*¡­ The officials present savored the poem, smiling, their eyes shining. This couplet was perfectly structured. Whether in its charm or its meaning, it surpassed Xu Qi''an''s previous works. Yet the beauty of poetry lies not only in its rhythm and imagery. A sword honed ten years long, its icy edge not tested! With such a simple phrase, ambition and passion leapt from the page. A sword honed ten years long¡ªthis sense of self-assuredness could onlye from someone as young and sessful as him. Chu Yuanzhen''s eyes brightened, and he unconsciously straightened his back, leaning forward in anticipation of the next line. It was so fitting, too fitting. Over the years, he had travelled far and wide, broadening his horizons, nurturing his sword qi. This supreme weapon of the Human Sect had remained sheathed, never shown to the world. But its time to be unsheathed woulde. Yet Chu Yuanzhen himself hadn¡¯t thought about what kind of situation would lead him to draw his sword. It wasn¡¯t until recently, when the Daoist leader of the Human Sect sent a flying sword message summoning him back to face the challenge from the Heaven Sect disciple Li Miaozhen, that Chu Yuanzhen finally realised: this was the moment he had been waiting for. However, a sense of regret lingered. This sword, once unsheathed, would certainly shake the heavens and the earth. But using it to cut down Li Miaozhen was not what he desired. ¡°What will the next line be? When will the sword, honed for ten years long, finally be drawn?¡± Chu Yuanzhen pondered, eager for inspiration. At this moment, Xu Qi''an sighed and shook his head: "I haven''t thought of the next line yet." "!!!" "Wait, what? How can there be no next line? It can''t just end like this! A poem can''t only have the first couplet." "Sur Xu, don''t be capricious; we''re still waiting." "What¡¯s the next line? Think about it, think¡­" In the hall, everyone widened their eyes, unable to ept the abrupt ending. Xu Qi''an shrugged, holding his wine cup as he returned to his seat, helplessly saying, "Truly, I haven''t thought of it yet. How about this: I''llpose half a poem now, and I''ll finish the other half for Brother Chuter. How''s that?" "...That¡¯s all we can do then," Chu Yuanzhen replied, disappointed. The others reluctantly epted this oue. The drinking games continued. Although the elegant games were refined, the atmosphere was somewhat dull, so Fuxiang suggested a game of finger-guessing, which received unanimous approval. The courtesans yed finger-guessing with the wine patrons, and everyone was having a great time. ¡°How about we y pitch-pot instead?¡± suggested Zhuangyuan Chu, who didn¡¯t have a beauty by his side. This banquet was held specifically to wee him, as he was the guest of honour. His suggestion naturally stood. Pitch-pot followed simple rules. A pot was ced in the middle of the hall, and each patron was given three arrows. Those who missed had to drink, while those who hit the target couldmand anyone present to drink. After a few rounds, the officials, now slightly tipsy, gradually shifted from yers to spectators, and then from spectators to cheering onlookers. Only Xu Qi''an and Chu Yuanzhen remained in the pitch-pot game, hitting the mark with every shot. It was as if they were locked in a silentpetition, neither willing to concede. The courtesans cheered on both sides. Whenever either Xu Qi''an or Chu Yuanzhen scored, they pped and shouted with flushed, excited faces. Such an intense pitch-pot duel was rarely seen. At first, the courtesans cheered impartially, but gradually, they divided into two factions¡ªone supporting Chu Yuanzhen and the other bing Xu Qi''an''s fans,prised entirely of women he had slept with, like Fuxiang, Mingyan, and Xiaoya. "This game isn¡¯t decisive. I suggest we blindfold ourselves," said Xu Qi''an. Chu Yuanzhen thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Even blindfolded, I will hit every shot. My suggestion is: each of us gets twenty arrows, and whoever finishes first wins." What a clever idea! The wine patrons and courtesans brightened up, enthusiastically agreeing with the proposal. Fuxiang ordered a maidservant to bring silk scarves and blindfolded the two of them. Xu Qi''an noticed that the scarf was translucent, allowing him to vaguely see the outline of the pot. He silently turned around, his back facing the target. Chu Yuanzhen was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and followed suit, also turning his back. The atmosphere in the hall grew even livelier. Not only were they blindfolded, but they were now shooting with their backs turned¡ªthis was a game none of them had seen before. "How can they y like this?" Mingyan giggled. "Who could possibly hit the target?" Another courtesanughed, "Whichever one of the two masters wins, Mingyan will serve him tonight." Mingyan blushed and let out a soft "tsk," stealing a nce at Xu Qi''an. Xu Qi''an, ever cheeky, burst intoughter from beneath his blindfold, "No, no, that''s too little of a prize. I want all of you." The courtesans didn¡¯t shy away. Giggling, they responded, "Tomorrow, Sir Xu will surely need to hold on to the walls when he goes to the constabry." Laughter erupted from all sides, the women¡¯s voices chirping like birds. "Number Three rejected my invitation, showing that he''s a proper man who never visits brothels. But his elder brother is theplete opposite," thought Chu Yuanzhen, amused. This Xu Qi''an was indeed a mboyant character, at ease in the Jiaofangsi, more open than any schr. For the current literati, the Jiaofangsi and brothels were more social venues, ces to entertain colleagues and ssmates. Ordinary taverns were formoners¡ªpeople of real status preferred the Jiaofangsi. With talented and outstanding courtesans acting as the hosts, and demure maids serving wine, this was the epitome of style. But schrs, mindful of their reputations, would not indulge too much. Xu Qi''an, however, was different. "Better to die under a peony than live a boring life!" Xu Qi''an said, holding Fuxiang by her slender waist. The sudden aphorism made everyone present silently admire him. How could someone have such terrifying talent, able to spout clever lines and fine poetry at will? If this man studied, he would surely be a grand Confucian schr. Xu Pingzhi was truly despicable. ¡°Thud!¡± An arrow precisely hit the pitcher, snapping everyone out of their scattered thoughts and refocusing their attention. After throwing his first arrow, Xu Qi''an smiled and said, "Brother Chu, it''s started." "Alright!" Chu Yuanzhen responded calmly. While speaking, he casually tossed an arrow backward, hitting the target perfectly. ¡°Woah¡­.¡± Mingyan eximed, her eyes widening in amazement. Thud, thud, thud¡­ Xu Qi''an and Chu Yuanzhen took turns throwing arrows, each one hitting its mark. With every sessful throw, the oiran cheered in awe, as if witnessing something beyond their expectations. This simple game of pitch-pot had been transformed into a spectacrpetition by the two of them. Arrow after arrow flew, and by the time Xu Qi''an had thrown his tenth, Chu Yuanzhen had already thrown thirteen, with only seven arrows left in his hand. When Xu Qi''an had five arrows left, Chu Yuanzhen had only two remaining. It seemed the winner was clear. The oirans who supported Xu Qi''an, like Fuxiang and Mingyan, looked disappointed, unable to hide their sense of loss. Meanwhile, those rooting for Chu Yuanzhen began apuding early, ready to celebrate the top schr of Yuanjing 27. The officials watching seemed unsurprised by the oue, their smiles calm andposed. To them, Chu Yuanzhen was a legendary figure. Even during his time as a schr, he stood out among his peers, excelling in both talent and appearance. Later, when he abandoned his literary pursuits to practice Daoism, no one believed in him. A close friend even severed ties with him out of frustration. But who would have expected that within just a few years, he would rise to fame, challenging the Golden Gong Zhang Kaitai and, despite his defeat, earning the admiration of Wei Yuan as the greatest swordsman in the capital? Such a genius, they thought, naturally outshone someone like Xu Qi''an, who was merely good at solving cases. By this time, Chu Yuanzhen had already thrown his second-tost arrow, whichnded precisely in the pitcher. Fuxiang nced away from the pitcher and looked at Xu Qi''an, only to be stunned by the faint smile on his lips¡­ She knew that smile well. Xu Qi''an always smiled like that whenever he was confident of his victory. Could he still turn things around?! Just as the thought crossed her mind, she witnessed something absurd. Xu Qi''an threw all five of his remaining arrows simultaneously. They flew in a perfect arc through the air,nding neatly in the pitcher. The five arrows made a single sound: Thud! The hall instantly fell into silence, with everyone¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Did that just happen? ¡°Ah!¡± Mingyan screamed in excitement, throwing herself into Xu Qi''an¡¯s arms. ¡°Sir Xu, your servant loves you to death!¡± Fuxiang frowned slightly. ¡°Incredible skill!¡± one censor praised. ¡°Who knew pitch-pot could be yed like this? Truly eye-opening,¡± another official agreed with a smile. The oirans, gazing at Xu Qi''an, were now filled with admiration. Chu Yuanzhen removed his blindfold and smiled. ¡°Impressive, very impressive.¡± The banquet continued until nine, with the oirans yawning and bidding farewell, their skirts swaying gracefully as they moved. Though they were tired, the women were still reluctant to leave, finding the gathering far too entertaining with both Xu Qi''an and the capital¡¯s top swordsman in attendance. Unfortunately, such high-quality guests were rare. Mingyan discreetly scribbled a message on Xu Qi''an¡¯s palm, inviting him to her residence at Azure Pond Pavilion, only to be sarcastically teased by Fuxiang with a few cold remarks before she was seen out. Chu Yuanzhen did not stay the night at the Jiaofangsi and soon took his leave. Xu Qi''an personally escorted him out of the courtyard. *Number Four is so indifferent and carefree, with the integrity of a true schr... I can''t find any way to make him socially embarrassed at all...* Xu Qi''an watched the figure of the schr-swordsman in the green robe with some regret. Still, every schr had their weakness ¡ª such as poetry. He decided to hold onto the second half of the poem and reveal it at the right moment. After the servants finished cleaning up, Fuxiang took Xu Qi''an¡¯s arm and led him into the bedroom. Xu Qi''an sat by the table, sipping tea when his ears caught a sound. He nced at the screen, where the flickering candlelight cast a graceful silhouette. Behind it, he saw her slowly removing her clothes and changing into a light, gauzy robe. As they bathed together, Xu Qi''an suddenly said: ¡°I¡¯ll buy your freedom in a few days.¡± Fuxiang paused, her intelligent eyes shing with aplicated emotion before settling into a calm smile. ¡°Dear Master Xu, you¡¯ve just be a viscount. Taking a concubine now wouldn¡¯t be good for your reputation.¡± ¡°Alright then,¡± Xu Qi''an chuckled, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. After their bath, the two tumbled onto the bed. Just as the passionate battle reached its peak, there was a sudden cracking sound followed by a jolt as the bed copsed. Fuxiang shrieked, wrapping her legs tightly around Xu Qi''an like a coiled snake. *¡­Zhong Li, I want a refund from the Jianzheng!* Xu Qi''an was fucking furious. ¡­ Outside Reflecting Plum Pavilion, Chu Yuanzhen lightly tapped his sword, and the longsword on his back came to life like a swimming fish, freeing itself from its bindings to hover in front of him, still in its scabbard. Chu Yuanzhen stepped onto the scabbard and softlymanded, "Go." The sword hesitated for a moment before piercing the night sky, soaring upwards. As he flew into the night, Chu Yuanzhen felt countless gazes from within the capital locking onto him, only to shift away just as quickly. The one that sent chills down his spine came from the towering Stargazing Tower. He soon left the inner city, heading south toward the outer city. If he remembered correctly, Number Six, Hengyuan, should be at the Welfare Hall. He lowered his altitude and searched for a while before finally finding the hall in the southern part of the city. Chu Yuanzhen wasn¡¯t a native of the capital. He studied at the Imperial Academy and passed the imperial examinations, living in the inner city all this time. He had never been to the poverty-stricken outer city. Lowering his sword, hended lightly in the courtyard of the Welfare Hall. As he stepped off the scabbard, he heard the sound of a Buddhist chant from under the eaves: ¡°Amituofo.¡± Gripping the hilt of his sword, Chu Yuanzhen sheathed it and followed the sound, spotting a burly monk dressed in simple blue robes standing under the eaves. The monk had thick eyebrows,rge eyes, and rugged facial features. "Master Hengyuan?" Chu Yuanzhen greeted with a smile. "That is this poor monk. Sir must be Number Four?" Hengyuan sped his hands in a salute, quietly assessing him. The two, meeting for the first time, remained calm, neither too distant nor too familiar. Hengyuan led Chu Yuanzhen into the room, lit an oilmp, and pulled out a jar of wine from under the bed, along with two porcin bowls. He wiped the dust off with his sleeve. Chu Yuanzhen never turned down wine. He downed it in one gulp but couldn¡¯t help asking, ¡°Monks can drink?¡± Hengyuan answered steadily, ¡°Warrior monks don¡¯t have dietary restrictions.¡± There was an unspoken implication: Warrior monks don¡¯t follow the precepts. ¡°I met Number Three today.¡± Chu Yuanzhen slightly regretted not bringing some peanuts. Drinking without snacks always feltcking. Hengyuan nodded. "Number Three pretended not to recognise me... With his intelligence, I''m sure he recognised me immediately. I wonder why he acted as if we were strangers." Shaking his head, Chu Yuanzhen sighed, "Eighth Rank, Self-cultivator. His cultivation is a bit shallow." However, he knew Number Three''s secret. Number Three was linked to the clear aura rising to the sky from the Hall of the Lesser Sage, so one couldn¡¯t judge him by mere appearances. Master Hengyuan took a sip of wine and pondered, "Compared to Number Three, I find myself more in tune with Sir Xu. You might not know, but he didn''t die in Yunzhou..." After Number Six exined the story of Xu Qi''an¡¯s miraculous survival, Chu Yuanzhen nodded. ¡°The Pill of Rebirth is indeed potent, but its limitations are too great. His survival was due to his own luck. "I just saw Xu Qi''an at the Jiaofangsi. I find him quite agreeable, perhaps because I''ve heard so much about him through the fragments of the Earth Book that he doesn''t feel like a stranger." After a pause, Number Four smiled, "I haven''t spent much time with Number Three, but Xu Qi''an definitely suits my taste." Finishing the jar of murky wine, Chu Yuanzhen suggested they visit the child. After seeing the child, his mood became somber. "Though I don''t like Buddhism, they do have a saying that rings true¡ªthis world is like a sea of suffering, and all beings struggle within it," Chu Yuanzhenmented. Master Hengyuan nced at him. Chu Yuanzhen quickly added, "No offense meant." Only then did Hengyuan withdraw his gaze. "In three days, it will be the second session of the imperial exam. Let''s go see Number Three together," Hengyuan said. "Number Three does not wish to reveal his identity to us. He said that if we meet, a simple nod and smile will suffice." "Ah, I see," Chu Yuanzhen said, understanding dawning. ... Time passed swiftly, and three dayster, the sky was just beginning to lighten as Xu Eng arrived at the imperial examination hall, apanied by his family. "Confucians of the Ninth Rank have an eidetic memory. This round tests ssics and doctrines, so Eng should be under no pressure," Xu Qi''an said, patting his shoulder encouragingly. Uncle Xu and Auntie both smiled. ording to Eng, he had performed well on the first day''s policy question exam. Since he excelled in policy discussions, he was confident about the ssics portion as well. In the eyes of Uncle Xu and Auntie, Eng''s path to bing a sessful schr was nearly guaranteed. Xu Xinnian raised his chin slightly, pride evident in his voice, "The world is full of talented schrs, and I must not let my guard down. There may still be those stronger than me." *May still be...* Xu Qi''an thought, amused. *No one boasts quite like you.* After bidding farewell to his family, Xu Xinnian walked towards the examination hall, ready to line up. Just then, a loud voice rang in his ears, "Amituofo." Xu Xinnian turned his head and saw two figures standing by the street¡ªa burly monk and a swordsman in an azure robe. Seeing him look over, both the monk and the swordsman smiled mysteriously. ¡­Xu Xinnian''s face stiffened, and he quickly lowered his head, hurrying back to the safety of his father and elder brother''s side. A sense of security washed over him. "Father, Big Brother, I suspect someone is plotting against me," Xu Xinnian said solemnly. Upon hearing this, Xu Pingzhi¡¯s eyebrows shot up, his gaze sharp as a de, "Who?" As an officer of the Imperial Guard, he knew that recently,rge numbers of jianghu wanderers had flooded into the capital, posing a significant threat to public order. The most obvious sign was the increasing number of thieves. These rogue martial artists, having squandered their money in the capital, often turned to theft and robbery as their first recourse. "A monk and a swordsman," Xu Xinnian replied, pointing to a spot behind them. Xu Qi''an stared for a moment, then said, "Where? I don¡¯t see anyone." "???" Xu Xinnian''s face filled with shock and fear, "They were just there!" "Alright, alright. You say you''re not stressed, but you''re clearly seeing things," Xu Qi''an said, patting his little brother on the shoulder. "Eng, remember, if youe across unfamiliar people acting strangely, don''t engage with them." As he spoke, he gave a light push on Xu Xinnian''s back. Xu Xinnian looked behind him, confused, "What''s that supposed to mean, Big Brother?" "Nothing, just making sure you''re carrying your pot well," Xu Qi''an replied with a grin. Chapter 266: Chu Yuanzhen: Do You Need Me to Withdraw Chapter 266: Chu Yuanzhen: Do You Need Me to Withdraw # 266. Chu Yuanzhen: Do You Need Me to Withdraw The beginning of Spring. Much wind, many rain. A three-mast ship sailed through the waves, its sails billowing under the force of the wind. After lunch, Song Tingfeng, with one hand resting on his sword, stepped onto the deck and gazed northward toward the capital. Over the course of more than a month, the fires of war had sharpened the contours of his face, and the bloodshed had honed his gaze. His entire demeanor had changed significantly. Footsteps approached from behind. Without turning around, Song Tingfeng pointed north and said, "In about ten days, we¡¯ll reach the capital." Zhu Guangxiao grunted in acknowledgment and stood beside Song Tingfeng, also looking north. He remained as silent and taciturn as ever, though his aura had be more steady and grounded. Other than that, he hadn¡¯t changed much. On the other hand, the once glib and slick Song Tingfeng seemed like a different person altogether. "With the military achievements I earned in Yunzhou, I can exchange them for a Refining Spirit realm visualisation image¡­." Song Tingfeng smiled. "I¡¯m nning to advance to the Refining Spirit realm."In the past, Zhu Guangxiao would have been surprised. After all, they had been colleagues for years, and he knew Song Tingfengcked ambition. Reaching the rank of Bronze Gong had already satisfied him¡ªpatrolling the streets by day, visiting the Jiaofangsi by night, living a carefree life. The military merits he had earned in Yunzhou were enough to let him live in the Jiaofangsi for a whole year if he converted them into silver. "Mm." Zhu Guangxiao nodded. At that moment, another group of Bronze Gongs who had just finished their meal came out onto the deck to enjoy the breeze,ughing and chatting, their faces full of joy and anticipation at the thought of returning home. "Tingfeng, once we¡¯re back in the capital, let¡¯s go to the Jiaofangsi for a drink," one of the familiar Bronze Gongs came over, putting an arm around Song Tingfeng¡¯s shoulder. Song Tingfeng acted as though he hadn¡¯t heard and continued to silently look north. The Bronze Gong, sensing no interest, walked away feeling awkward. Song Tingfeng exhaled a long breath and said, ¡°My natural ability is decent. I¡¯ve been stuck at the peak of the Refining Qi realm for years now, and my foundations are solid enough. By the end of the year, advancing to the Refining Spirit realm shouldn¡¯t be difficult. "This whole time, I¡¯ve been thinking: What if I hadn¡¯t been sozy? What if I weren¡¯t so useless? What if I had already been at the Refining Spirit realm when I went to Yunzhou¡­." Lowering his head, Song Tingfeng murmured softly, "I¡¯m not going to the Jiaofangsi anymore. Never again." Zhu Guangxiao said nothing, only patting him on the shoulder. ... The imperial exams proceeded in an orderly fashion. At first, Uncle Xu and Xu Qi''an were quite concerned about Xu Eng''s condition, constantly asking about his well-being, just as Xu Qi''an''s parents had fussed over him back during his own high school exams. However, the increasing chaos in public security soon left Xu Pingzhi, a Baihu Captain in the Imperial Guard, and Xu Qi''an, a Nightwatcher, both swamped with work. The people of the Jianghu liked to prove their strength. While some were true heroes who upheld justice, more often than not, they were riffraff from the lower echelons of society. No respectable person would voluntarily mix in the Jianghu. Once they ran out of money, they would target disreputable wealthy families, and if they could help a few impoverished souls struggling to get by, they¡¯d consider themselves righteous thieves. True heroes like Li Miaozhen, who genuinely sought to aid the world and uphold justice, were a rare breed. In just four or five days, Xu Qi''an alone had apprehended several drunken brawlers from out of town. ording to Uncle Xu, thieves were caught in the outer city every night, though the inner city remained peaceful. This was because the inner city had a curfew. The capital''s five guard divisions patrolled the streets at night, and if they encountered someone traveling after dark, they would sound a warning with their bows. If the person chose to flee, they would be shot on sight. For those suspicious individuals walking on rooftops, there was no need for a warning. The patrols had the authority to kill first and reportter. For minor offenders causing trouble, they were usually thrown into jail, awaiting bail from theirrades. These petty crimes were the most bothersome. One day, Xu Qi''an was patrolling the streets with two Bronze Gongs. As they passed a brothel, the sound of roof tiles breaking suddenly caught their attention. Looking up, they saw two jianghu men fighting fiercely on the rooftop. A crowd had gathered below, pointing and shouting, some cheering, others jeering. "Damn it, these bastards are still causing trouble even after we confiscated their weapons." Xu Qi''an cursed and ordered the Bronze Gongs beside him, "Go, bring them down and take them all back to the constabry." Since there were civilians watching, it wasn¡¯t appropriate to sound the gongs, as the sonic waves of the enchanted instruments could harm the bystanders. The two Bronze Gongs leaped up and shouted, "Fighting is prohibited in the inner city. Come with us to the constabry." This was their way of warning the fighters not to resist, simr to the sounding of a bow. However, the two warriors were too caught up in the heat of battle to care. Once a martial artist¡¯s blood was roused, they didn¡¯t care who was standing in front of them¡ªeven government officials were fair game. One of the Bronze Gongs barely dodged a vicious kick aimed at his groin, and enraged, he drew his sword with a ng, channeling his Qi and shing downward. Though Bronze Gongs were the lowest rank of Nightwatchers, those in the Refining Qi realm were still formidable fighters in the Jianghu. Ordinary Jianghu warriors were no match for them. ng! A burst of Qi from below deflected the Bronze Gong¡¯s de. The Jianghu man who had narrowly escaped death instinctively gave it his all, kicking the Bronze Gong in the chest. The Bronze Gong tumbled from the roof but managed to perform a neat backflip,nding steadily. Xu Qi''an narrowed his eyes, his thumb flicking the ck-gold long knife. Sensing his killing intent, someone in the crowd shouted, "Stop!" The shout came from a group of well-dressed outsiders, including some young noblemen and a few strikingly beautiful female warriors. Behind them stood some older men and elders. At their master¡¯smand, the two martial artists ceased their fight. Xu Qi''an, hand on his sword, walked over with a swagger that showed he feared no one. "Officer, my name is Lu Chun, of the Lu family of Jingzhou." A handsome young man in white, elegant attire cupped his hands in greeting. Several of the beautiful women in the group cast interested nces at Xu Qi''an. Xu Qi''an nodded and turned to the other group. "And you?" The leader of that group, a man with a sinister aura, snorted coldly. The old man beside him quickly answered, "Reporting to this official, we are from the Zhao family of Jingzhou." The Lu and Zhao families were renowned in Jingzhou, each with powerful members both in officialdom and the Jianghu. They held sway over both ck and white. In more straightforward terms, they were local gentry. In fact, families like the Lu and Zhao ns had grown far beyond the scope of typical gentry¡ªthey lived lives of extreme wealth and luxury. In Jingzhou, the two families were bitter rivals. They fought each other both in the courts and on the battlefield, their feud spanning generations. By chance, they had encountered each other on the streets of the capital. The two sides exchanged a few sarcastic remarks, anger simmering between them. But they managed to restrain themselves, sending only two of their trained experts to the rooftop to duel. Although disturbing the peace vited thew, since no innocent bystanders were hurt and no significant damage was caused, both families had enough power to easily smooth things over. "Who released their Qi earlier?" Xu Qi''an scanned the crowd. The delicate-looking young man with an air of arrogance tilted his chin up. "It was me." Xu Qi''an slowly nodded, his gaze sweeping over both groups. "Alright, all of you areing with me to the Nightwatcher constabry." The handsome young man from the Lu family frowned slightly. "What?" The delicate young man sneered, "We didn''t fight in the street. You can take those two back to constabry." Xu Qi''an spat back, "I said you''reing, so you''reing. You keep yapping, and I''ll cut you down right here." Merely Attacking Nightwatchers was enough to put your head on the block. These outsiders were far too arrogant. "On what grounds? Under the Emperor¡¯s rule, even you Nightwatchers have to follow thew," the delicate man retorted, unafraid. ng! Xu Qi''an¡¯s ck-gold sabre left its sheath, a dark golden sh came and went. Before the delicate man could react, he was nearly sent to the Yellow Springs. But a graceful woman standing beside him was quicker, pulling a silver hairpin from her head and blocking the sword Qi. Bang! The hairpin shattered, and the sword Qi sliced into her delicate hand. Xu Qi''an leapt forward, kicking the woman aside. As she flew back, he delivered a spinning kick to the delicate man, sending him crashing to the ground. That kick used hidden force, enough to severely damage the man''s internal organs without breaking any bones. Ignoring the fallen man, Xu Qi''an pointed his long sword forward and sneered, "Even a Bronze Skin Iron Bones cannot leave the capital unless I say so." The old man¡¯s face turned ashen as he looked down at his chest. Xu Qi''an turned to the Lu family. "Are youing or not?" The members of the Lu family nced at the old man¡¯s chest, where a faint red stain had started to seep through. The Bronze Skin and Iron Bones¡­ was broken. They now re-evaluated Xu Qi''an. This young Silver Gong was already impressive just for his rank at such a young age, but to casually defeat a Refining Spirit expert like the Zhao family¡¯s youngdy and easily break through the defences of someone in the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones stage? His cultivation was terrifying, and his talent even more so. This was the capital, after all. Even a random Silver Gong here could be considered a prodigy elsewhere. "We¡¯ll follow the officer''s orders," the handsome young man from the Lu family said, not daring to defy him. ... After escorting the two groups back to the constabry, Xu Qi''an found a clerk and said, "For these two groups, make each person pay one hundred taels of silver. Not a single coin less." "Three hundred taels go on record. Fifty taels you and the others can split. As for the two Bronze Gongs who patrolled with me, give them fifty taels each. The rest, bring to me at Spring Wind Hall tomorrow." "Understood. I¡¯ll make sure it''s handled," the clerk quickly assured him. Satisfied, Xu Qi''an nodded and then headed to the stables to fetch his beloved mare. Mounting up, he rode off in the direction of the Imperial City. The sun was high in the sky, and he nned to stop by Lingbao Temple for lunch and ask Luo Yuheng for advice on the _Heart Sword_ technique. He had already gotten the basics of the technique, and to him, it wasn¡¯t particrly difficult. The key was attaching spiritual energy to the sword, simr to infusing it with Qi. The tricky part was smoothly blending the two forces. It was like drawing a circle with one hand¡ªeasy enough on its own¡ªbut when using both hands at the same time, the brain would struggle to keep up. Oftentimes, his sword strikes would falter, either forgetting to channel Qi or to apply spiritual power. Now that he was a Silver Gong, Xu Qi''an had free ess to the Imperial City. shing his token, the guards let him pass without issue. Arriving at Lingbao Temple, a young Daoist boy went to announce his presence. Soon after, the boy returned. "The Daoist Leader is expecting you." Xu Qi''an nodded and followed the boy through the corridors, finally arriving at a quiet meditation room where his "kind aunt" Luo Yuheng awaited him. But she wasn¡¯t alone. A swordsman in an azure robe, exuding a carefree aura with a single white lock of hair at his forehead, sat cross-legged on a cushion beside her. The streak of white in his hair only added to his mature and charismatic appearance. *Damn, Number Four is here too...* Xu Qi''an thought immediately. *Damn, Luo Yuheng knows I¡¯m the holder of a fragment of the Earth Book...* was his second thought. "National Teacher!" Xu Qi''an kept his face expressionless and bowed in greeting. Then he smiled at Chu Yuanzhen, the number one schr. "Master Zhuangyuan!" Chu Yuanzhen smiled back, looking surprised to see Xu Qi''an there. After all, someone of Xu Qi''an¡¯s rank wasn¡¯t typically allowed into Lingbao Temple to meet with the Daoist leader. "How do you know the National Teacher?" Chu Yuanzhen asked, voicing his curiosity. Luo Yuheng was about to answer when¡ª _Cough cough..._ Xu Qi''an coughed forcefully, desperately trying to signal her with his thoughts. But his mental transmission was blocked. He tried again, and again his thoughts were pushed back. A third time, and his "kind aunt" once more denied the private conversation. Luo Yuheng¡¯s message was clear: _We¡¯re not that close. Don¡¯t DM me._ Attempting tomunicate telepathically with someone like the National Teacher was clearly overstepping... Xu Qi''an grew a bit anxious. Chu Yuanzhen nced between Xu Qi''an and Luo Yuheng, then smiled. "Do you need me to withdraw for a moment?" Xu Qi''an felt a bit embarrassed. Chapter 267: Xu Qians Ultimate Skill Chapter 267: Xu Qi''an''s Ultimate Skill # 267. Xu Qi''an''s Ultimate Skill Fortunately, Luo Yuheng, the dignified second-rank Daoist leader, didn¡¯t care much about Xu Qi''an''s little schemes, nor was she interested in answering Chu Yuanzhen''s question. Her intelligent eyes nced at Xu Qi''an and said indifferently, "What is it?" "I encountered some difficulties while practicing the ''Heart Sword'' technique. I would like to seek guidance from the National Teacher," Xu Qi''an respectfully replied. "Indeed, the ''Heart Sword'' is difficult to master," Luo Yuheng nodded and said, "Yuanzhen, assist me in guiding Sir Xu. I must meet the Emperor." *The Emperor? Is that old man Emperor Yuanjinging here too...? Daoist Leader, my ''Heart Sword'' has already been mastered. I¡¯m not here to ask about the multiplication table, I¡¯m here for calculus...* Xu Qi''an silentlyined. The reason he didn¡¯t voice his thoughts was because Luo Yuheng¡¯s figure had vanished. The door didn¡¯t open, nor did the windows. This woman had simply disappeared from the meditation room before his eyes. "What kind of supernatural power is that?" Xu Qi''an muttered enviously. "It¡¯s not a supernatural power," Chu Yuanzhen shook his head and exined, "That was just a fragment of the Daoist Leader¡¯s consciousness. She merely retracted it." *The methods of high-rank experts are god-like...*Xu Qi''an was able to enter Lingbao Temple today mainly because Zhong Li, that unlucky girl, had to return to the Sitianjian for some errand. Otherwise, with her in tow, entering the temple would have been impossible, and leaving her outside, she would likely suffer some sort of cmity ¡ª or more likely, some disaster would befall the entire Imperial City. For instance, if the Spirit dragon suddenly went berserk and wreaked havoc in the Imperial City. Ever since returning to the capital from Yunzhou, Xu Qi''an had frequently entered the Imperial City to investigate cases, but he hadn¡¯t once visited the spirit dragon. This mythical beast held too much symbolic significance for the royal family, and Xu Qi''an dared not approach it. If word spread that the spirit dragon had be hispdog, he might lose his head. "The ''Heart Sword'' is indeed challenging, especially for a martial artist unfamiliar with the domain of the Primordial Spirit..." Chu Yuanzhen was about to exin the mysteries of the ''Heart Sword'', but just as he began, he was interrupted by Xu Qi''an. "Brother Chu, I¡¯m sorry for the misunderstanding," Xu Qi''an said with restraint. "I¡¯ve already understood the basics of the ''Heart Sword''." Chu Yuanzhen nodded, not paying much attention, and asked, "How long have you been practicing it?" Xu Qi''an thought for a moment. "About ten days." Chu Yuanzhen froze, carefully examining Xu Qi''an before saying in a calm tone, "Don¡¯t joke around." Mastering the ''Heart Sword'' in ten days¡ªwhat kind of Primordial Spirit would that require? Even a disciple practicing Daoist techniques wouldn¡¯t dare im to master it in such a short time. "I never joke," Xu Qi''an smiled slightly. "Your talent is astonishing, Sir Xu. It¡¯s a pity you don¡¯t cultivate the methods of the Human Sect," Chu Yuanzhen said in surprise. *Please, don¡¯t start thinking along those lines, or the Human Sect might also curse: ¡°Xu Pingzhi is despicable!¡±* *My poor, innocent uncle.* ... Chu Yuanzhen was a man of restrained arrogance. He possessed the integrity of a schr and the unbridled nature of a swordsman, but he never let these traits show in his words. *Compared to the proud and aloof Xu Eng, Number Four seems more like a seasoned and mature socialite...* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. Of course, a seasoned socialite isn¡¯t necessarily calm andposed. Xu Qi''an himself was an example. He understood the ways of the world, yet still enjoyed witty banter, much like the young man in his past life who loved to splurge on QQ microtransactions¡ªsome things never change. "What does Brother Chu think of the differences between Jiaofangsi across various regions of the Great Feng?" The discussion was clearly meant to be serious and professional, yet Xu Qi''an suddenly interjected with a casual question. Chu Yuanzhen, though a bit puzzled, still answered truthfully: "After abandoning the schrly path andmitting to Daoism, I have not stayed overnight at any Jiaofangsi." The implication was clear: I¡¯ve taken a vow of celibacy. Soon after, Xu Qi''an asked again, "The time for the Daoist debate draws near. What is your opinion of Li Miaozhen of the Heaven Sect?" Chu Yuanzhen pondered and then said, "She has a chivalrous heart, and I greatly respect her." *Damn, no slip-ups...* Xu Qi''an smiled, "Let¡¯s continue." But shortly after, Xu Qi''an, once again interrupting, asked, "Brother Chu, the National Teacher suffers greatly from karmic fire. Do you also endure such torment?" Chu Yuanzhen was startled, "How did you know that?" Xu Qi''an quickly patched up his lie, "Duke Wei mentioned it to me." *Ah, that makes sense. Wei Yuan did take great care in mentoring him, treating him as a confidant...* Chu Yuanzhen nodded, epting the exnation as reasonable. After all, Number One had once said that Xu Qi''an was highly regarded by Wei Yuan. "I only practice the sword techniques of the Human Sect, not their mental methods." "What do you mean?" Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t understand. "In the martial arts system, I would be at the Refining Spirit stage, but I primarily practice the Human Sect¡¯s Heart Sword, Qi Sword, and Sword Control techniques." "Then how do you advance? What¡¯s the next rank?" The three sword techniques were methods ofbat, not a foundational system, meaning that Chu Yuanzhen wasn¡¯t following the Daoist system but was instead using the martial system as his base, primarily focusing on Human Sect sword techniques. "I don¡¯t know." Chu Yuanzhen was carefree, adopting a ''cross the bridge when I get there'' attitude: "The path lies ahead; I¡¯ll walk it when the timees." "Let¡¯s continue discussing the practical applications of the ''Heart Sword''..." Initially, the conversation centered around the ''Heart Sword''. Gradually, however, Chu Yuanzhen realised that Xu Qi''an¡¯s understanding of cultivation was quite shallow, far below what someone at the Refining Spirit stage should possess. *Oh, right. After the Tax Silver Case in Octoberst year, he was still at the Refining Vitality stage... In just half a year, he skyrocketed to be a seventh-rank martial artist. His talent is truly frightening...* Chu Yuanzhen recalled Xu Qi''an¡¯s information. With this realisation, his curiosity piqued, and he eagerly said, "Talking theory is quite boring, Sir Xu. How about we spar a bit?" He enjoyed sparring with geniuses, observing their strengths and absorbing their insights. Xu Qi''an thought for a moment, realising this was a good opportunity to gauge Number Four¡¯s abilities. He nodded, "Alright, but Brother Chu, please remember to go easy on me." ¡­ On the other side, Emperor Yuanjing and Luo Yuheng sat facing each other, with a steaming pot of tea ced on the table between them. "That child from the Heaven Sect ising to the capital. Does Chu Yuanzhen have the confidence to defeat her?" Emperor Yuanjing sipped his tea, the rising steam slightly obscuring his face. "Hard to say." Luo Yuheng, holding her own cup, maintained a cool expression. "Although Li Miaozhen is fifth rank, she¡¯s quite likely to use this opportunity to step into the fourth rank Nascent Soul stage. If Chu Yuanzhen doesn¡¯t draw his sword, it¡¯s hard to predict the oue." "Either way, they are both outstanding talents. It has been a long time since anyone in my Great Feng caught our attention," Emperor Yuanjing said with a sigh. "What does Your Majesty mean? Chu Yuanzhen was the *zhuangyuan* in the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjing," the female national teacher chuckled lightly. Emperor Yuanjing shook his head. Chu Yuanzhen had abandoned his official position, bing a mere wandering swordsman, no longer under the court''smand. It was rather strange. In the past decade, not only had the Great Feng¡¯s national strength gradually declined, but the emergence of talented individuals had also dwindled. Especially in recent years, Emperor Yuanjing had not encountered any promising young people to his satisfaction. "What is the national teacher''s n for dealing with the Heaven Sect Daoist leader?" Emperor Yuanjing asked, shifting the conversation. He clearly wasn¡¯t concerned about Li Miaozhen¡¯s arrival specifically. His worryy in the uing conflict of Heaven and Man. "Thest time the conflict of Heaven and Man urred, the Daoist leader of Heaven Sect had yet to step into the First rank. Your father fought him to a standstill, with no clear winner," Emperor Yuanjing said sombrely. As he spoke, his gaze grew sharp, lingering on Luo Yuheng''s refined and ethereal beauty, his meaning unmistakably clear. *Dual cultivation was a mutually beneficial arrangement, far from the sinister techniques of leeching the other party¡¯s vitality.* If Luo Yuheng wanted to make rapid progress in a short period, dual cultivation with him was her only viable option. At that moment, a sudden wave of powerful qi fluctuation disrupted Emperor Yuanjing and Luo Yuheng¡¯s conversation. There was a fight within Lingbao Temple? This was the first time Emperor Yuanjing had encountered such an urrence. Luo Yuheng sensed it briefly and smiled faintly. "National teacher, what¡¯s going on?" Emperor Yuanjing frowned. "It¡¯s Chu Yuanzhen sparring with Xu Qi¡¯an," Luo Yuheng exined. Hearing the name "Xu Qi¡¯an," Emperor Yuanjing looked puzzled. He couldn¡¯tprehend how this lowly Bronze Gong could have ended up at Lingbao Temple, much less how he got involved in anything rted to the temple. Luo Yuheng borated, "His cultivation technique is somewhat unique. Wei Yuan brought him here to learn some swordsmanship, so I taught him a couple moves." Both the national teacher and Wei Yuan had sessfully shifted the pot onto each other for their respective prot¨¦g¨¦s. Emperor Yuanjing nodded, epting this exnation. After sensing the battle for a moment, he was slightly astonished. "Xu Qi¡¯an can actually hold his own against Chu Yuanzhen?" Luo Yuheng, now tired of his repeated attempts to convince her to dual cultivate, promptly suggested, "If Your Majesty is interested, why not apany me to watch the fight?" Emperor Yuanjing thought for a moment. "Very well." The two left the tea room side by side, walking through a garden, across two winding corridors, and arrived at the other end of Lingbao Temple. From a distance, they could see Xu Qi¡¯an and Chu Yuanzhen fiercely engaged in battle within a small garden. _ng! ng! ng!_ Xu Qi¡¯an''s ck-gold saber whirled around, creating an imprable defense as it deflected the branches that continuously shot at him. Each collision reverberated like muffled thunder, sending waves of energy rippling through the air. Several tree branches darted through the garden, attacking Xu Qi¡¯an from various angles. Chu Yuanzhen stood atop a rockery with his hands behind his back, smiling slightly and asionally nodding, seemingly quite impressed with Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯sbat abilities. But in truth, Chu Yuanzhen was more surprised than anything else. Although he was only using his Sword Control technique, the fact that Xu Qi¡¯an could hold his ground in the face of so many "flying swords," all without showing any ws, was astonishing. Especially considering Xu Qi¡¯an had only just entered the Refining Spirit stage¡ªthis indicated that his mental faculties were exceptionally strong. Chu Yuanzhen was starting to believe that Xu Qi¡¯an had indeed grasped the basics of the "Heart Sword" technique in just ten days. Emperor Yuanjing, stunned by this scene, was taken aback. In his mind, Xu Qi¡¯an had always been a minor figure known for his investigative skills. He had first heard of him during the Tax Silver Case, when Xu Qi¡¯an was still just a low-ranking fast bailiff in Chang''an County''sw enforcement. After that, Xu Qi¡¯an rose higher and higher, solving major cases like the Sangbo Incident, earning Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s approval. But this was all unrted to martial prowess. To Emperor Yuanjing, Xu Qi¡¯an was a capable investigator, not a warrior. Seeing him now, fiercely fighting against Chu Yuanzhen, left Emperor Yuanjing astonished. It was as if he were watching a bookish schr from the Hanlin Academy suddenly brandish a spear and charge into battle. "National teacher..." Emperor Yuanjing stared at the courtyard and couldn¡¯t help but ask, "What is Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s cultivation level?" "Refining Spirit," Luo Yuheng responded calmly. *Refining Spirit...* Emperor Yuanjing nodded in realisation. From his perspective, a Refining Spirit martial artist was nothing remarkable and didn¡¯t warrant much attention. Still, for someone who had been a lowly fast bailiff in Chang¡¯an County just half a year ago to reach this stage wasn¡¯t too bad. Yet, with Chu Yuanzhen as the benchmark, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s aplishments paled inparison. Watching the two of them spar now, it was clear: one was rxed, the other struggling to keep up. The difference in skill was evident. "The Human Sect¡¯s swordsmanship is unparalleled. Such divine techniques can toy with a martial artist at will," Emperor Yuanjing sighed. "Silver Gong Xu is not bad either. Your Majesty just mentioned theck of promising new talents in the the Great Feng court. I believe this Silver Gong Xu is quite the outstanding talent," Luo Yuheng said with a smile. Herment, however, only reinforced Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s perception. In his eyes, Chu Yuanzhen was the true genius, and Xu Qi¡¯an merely the supporting character. Frowning, Emperor Yuanjing remarked, "His techniques are toocking. Didn¡¯t you say you taught Xu Qi¡¯an swordsmanship?" "I taught him the Heart Sword technique. The intricacies of the Human Sect swordsmanship take time to grasp, and even mastering the basics is not something that can be done overnight," Luo Yuheng exined. "Still, it¡¯s barely satisfactory..." Emperor Yuanjing shook his head, his impression of Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s talent now more firmly established. Stronger than the average person, yes¡ªbut far from a true prodigy. ¡­ At this moment, Xu Qi''an, trapped within the sword formation, felt immense pressure. Dozens of tree branches, like sharp flying swords, whistled toward him, infused with powerful Qi. Although Xu Qi''an had already reached the Refining Spirit stage, allowing him to detect all hostile and killing intent in his surroundings, automatically feeding the information to his mind, he still struggled. No matter how sharp his senses were, he only had two arms and a single de, making it difficult to fend off all the attacks. *So, the next level is Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, specifically designed to counter overwhelming assaults... The martial artist''s path truly symbolises personal might¡­* Xu Qi''an had gained a deeper understanding of the martial artist system. Each stagepensated for a previous weakness, and if someone could reach the Martial God realm, they would likely be invincible. _Shhrrip..._ A tree branch grazed Xu Qi''an¡¯s armpit, tearing his uniform. As time passed, more of these "stray fish" slipped through his defences. Xu Qi''an had at least three ways to resolve the current predicament. The first was the final strategy from the _Thirty-Six Stratagems_.[^1] The second was to use the Confucian version of a spellbook, which recorded several techniques specifically designed to counter encirclements. The third option was to ignore his own injuries and unleash a One de from Heaven and Earth at Chu Yuanzhen. But since this was just a sparring session, the first two options were unnecessary, and the third was a life-risking move that would defeat the purpose of a friendly duel. *Something¡¯s off... No matter how smoothly the Qi flows, there should still be some inertia when the flying swords change direction... Yet Number Four¡¯s flying swords move wlessly, defying thews of physics. Doesn¡¯t Newton get any respect? Oh, wait... this isn''t Newton¡¯s domain¡­* Xu Qi''an pondered for a moment and came to a realisation. He swung his ck-gold sabre, fending off six branches in front of him, and concentrated his mental energy, channelling it into the de. He spun around and shed. As the dark-gold de collided with the iing tree branches, Xu Qi''an suddenly grasped the technique of dispersing mental energy upon impact. _Buzz..._ Invisible mental power radiated outward in a fan shape, enveloping the flying swords behind him. The tree branches paused slightly, then losing some kind of invisible support, fell limply to the ground. _It worked..._ Xu Qi''an felt a surge of joy in his heart. Using the same technique, he sprayed his mental energy forward, cutting down all the remaining flying swords. With that, he broke through Chu Yuanzhen''s sword formation. "How did you figure out that my mental power was attached to the flying swords?" Chu Yuanzhen asked, surprised. _Phew..._ *Because I actually paid attention in middle school physics...* Xu Qi''an leaned on his saber, panting as he looked at the *zhuangyuan* on the rockery. "This is probably... just natural talent." Outside the courtyard, Emperor Yuanjing nodded slightly. He turned his head to nce at Luo Yuheng, the National Teacher. A trace of surprise shed across his face when he saw her stunning features. ¡°National Teacher?¡± Luo Yuheng withdrew her gaze and praised, ¡°This young man has extraordinary talent.¡± ¡°What do you mean by that?¡± Emperor Yuanjing rarely saw the National Teacher give such high praise to a junior. Although she hadplimented Xu Qi''an earlier, it was mostly out of courtesy. Now, however, it was genuine admiration, which piqued the emperor¡¯s interest. ¡°I mentioned to Your Majesty earlier that I taught Silver Gong Xu the technique of the _Heart Sword_. That was a mere ten days ago.¡± After Luo Yuheng spoke, she noticed Emperor Yuanjing showed no particr reaction, so she exined further, ¡°The threshold for the _Heart Sword_ is incredibly high. Even for the most outstanding disciples of the Human Sect, it typically takes six months to a year to grasp the basics.¡± With this rification, Emperor Yuanjing understood. Xu Qi''an had only taken ten days. Emperor Yuanjing looked over at Chu Yuanzhen on the rockery. ¡°And what about him?¡± ¡°Like Xu Qi''an, he learned the Human Sect sword technique as a martial artist. It took Chu Yuanzhen one month.¡± The emperor''s smile began to widen, but then Luo Yuheng added, ¡°One month to master the basics of three sword techniques simultaneously.¡± The emperor fell silent again. At this moment, he heard Chu Yuanzhenughing, ¡°What¡¯s your trump card?¡± ¡°My trump card?¡± Xu Qi''an echoed. ¡°Indeed. From start to finish, you haven¡¯t used your ultimate technique. Without revealing something special, this duel would be too dull,¡± Chu Yuanzhen said. ¡°Well¡­¡± Xu Qi''an hesitated, then said: ¡°You¡¯re about to face Li Miaozhen soon. I fear I might identally injure you and affect the conflict of Heaven and Man.¡± This was an undeniably arrogant statement. Both Luo Yuheng and Emperor Yuanjing shifted their gazes from the *zhuangyuan* to Xu Qi''an. --- [^1]: Run away Chapter 268: Number Fives Message Chapter 268: Number Five''s Message # 268. Number Five''s Message Chu Yuanzhen''s eyes brightened. Instead of getting angry, he smiled expectantly and said, "Our sparring earlier was rather dull. If you have any ultimate skills, feel free to use them." Xu Qi''an nodded and added, "I¡¯ll only use one move. After that, our sparring will be over." This was to prevent Chu Yuanzhen from retaliating after taking a strike and turning Xu into a human pincushion. Otherwise: *Xu Qi¡¯an, deceased, twenty years of age.* Chu Yuanzhen pondered for a moment and asked, "After you use this move, will you enter a weakened state?" *As smart as expected of a zhuangyuan, quick-witted...* Xu Qi''an sighed inwardly and nodded, "Yes." "What move is it?" Emperor Yuanjing, who overheard the conversation, looked towards Luo Yuheng beside him. Luo Yuheng shook her head. She actually knew, but didn¡¯t want to waste her breath exining to Emperor Yuanjing.Her calm and indifferent demeanour made Emperor Yuanjing secretly frown. As the ruler of a vast empire, with the power of life and death over his subjects, he felt powerless in front of this woman. He had long desired to dual cultivate with the National Teacher to achieve immortality, but every time he brought it up, Luo Yuheng would either ignore or evade the topic. Before this Daoist leader, he felt like a poor young man with little to offer, which deeply frustrated him. _ng!_ In the garden, Xu Qi''an sheathed his ck-gold sabre. He then stepped forward, his knees slightly bent, and ced his right hand on the hilt, preparing for a drawing technique. His breath steady, his emotions calmed, he was like the coastline before a tsunami, pulling in all his energy. Chu Yuanzhen''s expression grew solemn. With a flick of his fingers, he summoned a branch and held it as a sword. _ng!_ At the moment Xu Qi''an''s thumb flicked his ck-gold sabre, he visualised a roaring golden lion in his mind. With a thunderous roar, the de shed out. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s ears rang as if a lightning bolt had exploded overhead. In that instant, a thin line of saber energy shed by. At the critical moment, the zhuangyuan leisurely extended his branch. _Boom!_ The moment the branch touched the sabre energy, a violent shockwave swept through the entire garden. The rockery under Chu Yuanzhen''s feet exploded first, followed by the pavilion behind him, its four pirs snapping and its roof flying into the sky. The once calm pool erupted in waves, ready to copse the meditation room behind them. Luo Yuheng parted her red lips and softly uttered, "Halt!" The violent shockwave instantly froze and then disappeared. In the garden, Xu Qi''an sat cross-legged, his saber resting across his knees, looking exhausted. Chu Yuanzhen''s sleeve was shredded, revealing his muscr forearm. He clenched and unclenched his fist several times to ease the pain, then sighed, "Impressive, truly impressive... If you were at the fifth rank, this strike would have severely injured me." *Damn it, I gave it my all, and all I managed to do was cut through air...* Xu Qi''an silentlyined, raising his head and imitating Xu Eng''s indifferent expression, saying, "It''s no wonder you''re capable of duelling with Li Miaozhen. I admit defeat." *Xu Qi''an was also a proud man, no less so than the schrs of Cloud Deer Academy...* Chu Yuanzhen smiled and nodded. Emperor Yuanjing nced at the garden and then turned to Luo Yuheng. The stunningly beautiful National Teacher was gazing steadily at Xu Qi''an. Seeing this, Emperor Yuanjing smiled broadly, saying, "Chu Yuanzhen is indeed a remarkable disciple of the Human Sect. His cultivation is impressive. Xu Qi''an still has a long way to go, but after all, he''s just a Silver Gong. There¡¯s room for improvement." Though it seemed like he was praising Chu Yuanzhen and belittling Xu Qi''an, it was actually the opposite. A mere Silver Gong had shredded Chu Yuanzhen''s sleeve, and there were many such Silver Gongs in the Nightwatcher¡¯s Office. Luo Yuheng forced a smile. Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s mood lifted even more. He chuckled, "I still have matters to attend to in the pce. National Teacher, please see me off." Luo Yuheng gestured for him to proceed. At this moment, Xu Qi''an suddenly called out, "Your servant bids farewell to Your Majesty." Chu Yuanzhen also bowed but said nothing. Emperor Yuanjing and Luo Yuheng had no choice but to stop. The former gave Xu Qi''an a rare approving nod and said, "An impressive duel. Xu Qi''an, your talent ismendable. Do not disappoint the court''s expectations." Xu Qi''an responded smoothly, "Thank you for Your Majesty¡¯s guidance. Your servant shall serve with utmost loyalty until myst breath." Emperor Yuanjing nodded in satisfaction and left with Luo Yuheng. *Empty praises with no real reward...* Xu Qi''an watched their departing figures and pouted. Once they were out of sight, Chu Yuanzhen said, "Wait a moment, Brother Xu. I''ll go change clothes." He then turned and entered the meditation room. A few minutester, the door opened, and Chu Yuanzhen called out, "Brother Xu,e in for some tea." Xu Qi''an stepped over the threshold to see Chu Yuanzhen seated at the table, now wearing a light-coloured robe. The tattered azure one was nowhere to be seen. "Hmm, where did you get those clothes? What happened to the azure one?" Xu Qi''an pretended to look around. "I have a storage artefact," Chu Yuanzhen exined warmly as he poured tea. *...uhh... I was about to say: Wow, Brother Chu, is this the legendary Sleeve Universe technique? Who''s this honest, huh? You¡¯re even more straightforward than Li Miaozhen!* Xu Qi''an grumbled inwardly, but his expression remained unchanged as he asked, "Can I take a look?" Chu Yuanzhen shook his head, "The elder who gifted it to me instructed that I must not show it to others." Even his rejection was frank and aboveboard. "No problem, no problem," Xu Qi''an said regretfully. Simrly, Daoist Jinlian had warned him not to show his treasures lightly, especially to guard against Daoists of the Earth Sect. Although the sect had splintered long ago, its foundation was still formidable. One mustn¡¯t be careless. "Brother Chu, you''re not a student of Cloud Deer Academy, are you?" Xu Qi''an asked. "I studied there once butter moved to the Imperial College." Chu Yuanzhen didn¡¯t hide anything, exhaling, "In my youth, I was full of ambition, brimming with talent, and wanted to serve the empire. Knowing that schrs from Cloud Deer Academy weren¡¯t valued in the court, I left for the Imperial College." "Why did you resign from your positionter?" "Because a schr''s talents are of little use. Literature can''t save the Great Feng, so I resigned and wandered the world with my sword," Chu Yuanzhen sighed. *I know a guy who thought studying medicine couldn¡¯t save the country, so he switched to writing instead...* Xu Qi''an pped the table in admiration, "How carefree!" *No wonder Chu Yuanzhen had merely bowed politely when he saw Emperor Yuanjing without saying a word...* He had noticed this detail earlier. Linking it together now, it seemed that what truly disillusioned Chu Yuanzhen was this very Emperor obsessed with cultivation. As they sipped tea and chatted, it was mostly Chu Yuanzhen talking, sharing stories of his travels over the years. ¡°Though the Northern Barbarians only number a million, and one of our provinces alone holds tens of millions of people, for centuries they have remained a persistent thorn in our side. Do you know why? "It''s because the Northern Barbarians carry the bloodline of ancient gods and demons." "Ancient gods and demons?" Xu Qi''an asked, confused. ¡°It is said that when the world was first created, a group of gods and demons with the power to move mountains, fill seas, pluck stars, and snatch the moon were born. Later, they mysteriously went extinct. The Northern Barbarians being called descendants of gods and demons isn¡¯t baseless. They are naturally endowed with strong physiques and immense strength. asionally, their tribes give birth to children disying ancestral traits: scales on their skin, a single horn on their foreheads, massive serpentine tails, standing two metres tall by the age of three¡­ These strange phenomena all serve to support this im. ¡°The historians of the Great Feng have used these signs to specte that during the dark ages, there must have been an era where gods and demons roamed freely. In that era, humans were as insignificant as ants, only able to survive by clinging to these deities, which is how the Northern Barbarians came to be. "And we are the humans who rose to powerter." *Hold on... don''t deities and humans have reproductive istion?* Xu Qi''an silently grumbled in his mind but asked, "I suspect they might be hybrids of humans and *yaoguai*, rather than gods and demons. After all, the Northern Barbarians and the Northern Yao Tribes are allies." Chu Yuanzhen pondered for a long moment before replying, "As for whether gods and demons truly exist, I once heard a theory that the Gu God, which slumbers in the Abyss of the Southern Marches, is a surviving ancient deity, and possibly thest of its kind." *The Gu God is an ancient deity? This might be something I can ask Five about...* Xu Qi''an suddenly had a thought. "Hence during the battle of Shanhai Pass, the Southern and Northern Barbarians were allied?" "That¡¯s a solid line of reasoning. We¡¯ve always thought that the Northern and Southern Barbarians maintained a rtively friendly rtionship simply because they were separated by the Great Feng, with both sides eyeing this greatnd like a coveted pie, making them natural allies. But it could also be that their shared heritage has kept them on good terms." Chu Yuanzhen nodded, clearly excited. "If the historians knew of this theory, they''d be ecstatic." The conversation continued. "Beyond the Northern Barbariannds, further north lies the northern extreme, where the cold is so severe it can freeze a person from the inside out. Yet, there are still signs of life. I once encountered a strange race with human heads and fish bodies. They possess intelligence but cannot speak humannguages; theymunicate through hand gestures. ¡°In their tribes, females outnumber males, and one male is often assigned multiple females for reproduction. Outside of mating, the males have no other duties, as the females handle hunting." *I am so jealous right now¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought. "But due to overwork, the males often don''t live past twenty years, and their offspring are mostly female." *This is why boys should preserve themselves, protect their virtue, and not let women lust after their bodies...* Xu Qi''an thought. "Every sixty years, their tribe faces the threat of extinction because all the males die off, leaving no one to impregnate the females... And coincidentally, I visited the far north during one such year." Xu Qi''an was shocked. "And then you managed to get the females pregnant?" "Pfft..." Chu Yuanzhen spat out his tea, spraying Xu Qi''an in the face. "Why would you think that?" Chu Yuanzhen asked, passing him a handkerchief, still in shock. "Uh... please continue," Xu Qi''an waved off the question, refusing to answer. ¡°That year, it was the males'' extinction cycle. To ensure the survival of their race, some of the females transformed into males, courageously shouldering the burden of reproduction. "Their queen was the first to undergo the transformation. It was her duty to do so. Once she became the king, she gathered her daughters into her harem." Xu Qi''an was left speechless, his mind swirling with disbelief, sighing: "The wonders of creation truly leave one in awe." After another fifteen minutes of conversation, Chu Yuanzhenughed. "Enough about me. Brother Xu, you''re quite the celebrity in the capital now. Your illustrious deeds are surely the talk of the town, eagerly discussed in teahouses and taverns alike." He leaned in with interest. "Why don¡¯t you share some of those cases with me?" "This is going to be a long story..." Xu Qi''an adjusted his posture. ¡°Let me start with the case of the stolen tax silver. When my second uncle was implicated in the missing silver, he knew his days were numbered, and that he had dragged down others with him. Upon learning this, I told him, ''Second Uncle, fear not, this case is riddled with ws. In my eyes, it¡¯s nothing more than a minor trick. I¡¯ll solve it within a single incense stick''s worth of time.'' "However, I must admit, I was too young and arrogant at the time, underestimating the heroes of the world." "Oh? What do you mean by that?" Chu Yuanzhen asked, intrigued. "It actually took me two incense sticks of time to solve the tax silver case." ¡­ Xu Qi''an then recounted the series of cases, from the tax silver to the Imperial Consort''s affair. Chu Yuanzhen sat with his teacup, not drinking a drop, listening intently, engrossed in the tale. Whenever he encountered something puzzling, his brow furrowed in confusion, only to smile in realisation when Xu Qi''an exined the details. "Brother Xu, you are truly a master of solving cases. I am impressed." At that moment, Chu Yuanzhen recalled Xu Qi''an''s younger cousin, the third of the family. He had previously spected that Xu''s cousin might be connected to the soaring clear qi of the Lesser Saint Hall and believed Daoist Jinlian had given him a fragment of the Earth Book because of this uniqueness. Having now witnessed Xu Qi''an¡¯s own remarkable abilities, Chu Yuanzhen grew even more convinced of this theory. *Daoist Jinlian is indeed a man of great foresight.* Suddenly, Chu Yuanzhen felt a strange sensation, realising a message hade from one of the Heavenly Book fragment holders. He promptly excused himself, saying, "I need to use the restroom." Simultaneously, Xu Qi''an stood up as well, saying, "I also need to use the restroom." They paused, staring at each other for a moment before Xu Qi''an, without a change in expression, gestured for Chu Yuanzhen to go first. Chu Yuanzhen nodded and left the quiet room. He estimated that themunication among the members of the Heaven and Earth Society would take some time, and it would be awkward if Xu Qi''an returned and caught him in the act. Once Chu Yuanzhen''s footsteps faded away, Xu Qi''an took out his small jade mirror to check the message. ¡¾FIVE: I¡¯ve been scammed out of my silver. What should I do?¡¿ *This... is bothpletely expected and entirely within reason...* Xu Qi''an''s mouth twitched. Given that he was supposed to be dead, he refrained from responding right away. After a few seconds, Chu Yuanzhen replied: ¡¾FOUR: What happened? How did your silver get scammed?¡¿ ¡¾SIX: Five, where are you now? How far are you from the capital? How much silver did you lose? If you don¡¯t have anywhere to eat, see if there¡¯s a temple nearby and beg for alms.¡¿ Xu Qi''an almost burst outughing, covering his mouth. Only monks beg for alms, but if Five goes to a temple to beg, how would the monks feel? ¡¾TWO: Losing silver is one thing, but make sure you don¡¯t lose yourself¡­ Seriously, how could your tribe send a young girl all the way to the Great Feng without an elder to apany you?¡¿ ¡¾ONE: Just remember not to do anything that vites the Great Feng¡¯sws.¡¿ ¡¾NINE: Oh, Five, if you¡¯re still near the Southern Marches, you should just go back. The road is dangerous, and the world is full of treachery.¡¿ *Everyone seems genuinely worried about Five...* Xu Qi''an¡¯s fingers hovered over the mirror, itching to join the conversation but resisting the urge to speak. ¡­ Chapter 269: The Last Day of the Exams Chapter 269: The Last Day of the Exams # 269. The Last Day of the Exams Lina was deeply moved by the concern of the Heaven and Earth Society, and began recounting her story of being deceived: ¡¾FIVE: Thank you all for your concern. I''m currently in Yongzhou. This morning, I met an old Daoist priest who told me that I had extraordinary bones and was a one-in-a-million prodigy. I thought he must be a true master, otherwise, how could he see my uniqueness among the masses¡­¡¿ *Wait, that¡¯s just the typical con artist line! Are you really that gullible, or just overconfident?* Xu Qi''an restrained himself from sending a message to ridicule her. ¡¾TWO: And then you just let him scam you without any precautions?¡¿ Li Miaozhen asked, clearly exasperated. She was furious at hearing about such injustice, yet feeling helpless that she couldn¡¯t rush over to help. This feeling of powerlessness was infuriating, making her want to stomp her feet in frustration. Lina hurriedly defended herself:¡¾FIVE: Of course I¡¯m not that foolish.¡¿ *If you''re not foolish, then who is?* The members of the Heaven and Earth Society silently scoffed.¡¾FIVE: This Daoist was indeed capable. Not only did he recognize that I was a prodigy, but he also figured out that I¡¯m from the Southern Marches. When I left, I changed into the Great Feng¡¯s attire,pletely disguising myself as a local woman.¡¿ ¡¾FOUR: What about your ent? Did you manage to change that?¡¿ ¡¾FIVE: What ent?¡¿ ¡­¡­.. The group chat fell into brief silence before Master Hengyuan replied: ¡¾SIX: No problem, Five, go on.¡¿ ¡¾FIVE: The old Daoist said that when traveling, the most important thing is having enough money. He asked where I was heading, and I told him I was going to the capital. He then asked how much silver I had, and I told him sixty taels. ¡¾He said, ''The journey to the capital is long, and sixty taels won¡¯t be enough.''¡¿ By now, everyone knew where this was going. ¡¾FIVE: The old Daoist said he had a Treasure Bowl that could multiply money. Put in one coin, and by the next day, the bowl would be filled with copper coins. Put in one tael, and by the next day, the bowl would be full of silver.¡¿ ¡¾FOUR: And you believed him?¡¿ ¡¾FIVE: At first, I didn¡¯t. But the old Daoist demonstrated it for me. He asked me to put in a piece of broken silver, covered the bowl with a cloth, and after an hour, there were indeed several more pieces of silver. ¡¾The Daoist said his treasure was only for those destined, and sold it to me for a mere sixty taels¡­ ¡¾I put myst two copper coins in the bowl, and it¡¯s been over two hours now, but no silver has appeared.¡¿ *Her level of gullibility is simply touching...* Xu Qi''an chuckled. It seemed that tricking the little barbarian girl out of her money had to be done through deceit¡ªstealing or robbing wouldn¡¯t work; only scamming was effective. ¡¾TWO: Five, treasures are priceless and hard toe by. How could someone just give one away for free? Remember this lesson.¡¿ ¡¾FIVE: But Daoist Jinlian gave me the Earth Book Fragment for free, saying treasures are for those destined.¡¿ ¡¾TWO: me it on Daoist Jinlian.¡¿ Daoist Jinlian: "¡­¡­¡­." ¡°Hahaha!¡± Xu Qi''an snorted like a pig. ¡°The purpose of Heaven and Earth Society is to support one another, not to mock each other.¡± Suddenly, a soft and charming voice, filled with the allure of a mature woman, sounded from behind him. The pig sounds were abrutly cut short. Feeling slightly embarrassed, he turned to see Luo Yuheng, who had appeared unnoticed, and quickly stood up, ¡°National Teacher.¡± Luo Yuheng was dressed in a magnificent feathered robe, embroidered with a yin-yang on her back. Her silky ck hair was tied up with a ck jade hairpin, and her fairplexion resembled porcin, with delicate features that were breathtakingly beautiful. The red cinnabar dot on her forehead added to her ethereal charm. Her gaze fell on the Earth Book Fragment, and with a slight smile in her eyes, she said calmly, ¡°So, Five is from the Southern Marches?¡± *How do you know that? How long have you been listening¡­* Xu Qi''an honestly replied, ¡°It seems she¡¯s from the Strength Gu Tribe.¡± Luo Yuheng nodded slowly andmented, ¡°Their strength is unmatched.¡± Xu Qi''an snuck a nce at the National Teacher¡¯s delicate lips, ¡°Stronger than a martial artist?¡± With an air of cold elegance, Luo Yuheng resembled a jade statue of a beautiful woman. She returned to her seat on the prayer mat and said, ¡°In terms of pure strength, martial artists fall far short of the experts from the Strength Gu Tribe. ¡°The seven shaman ns each have very specialized abilities. Individually, any one of them is not much of a threat, but when united, even the Buddhists would have to show caution.¡± *It sounds simr to my one de from heaven and earth, an extreme approach rather than a well-rounded development...* Xu Qi''an nodded thoughtfully. The beautiful National Teacher was in a chatty mood today, continuing, ¡°Earlier, I overheard Chu Yuanxian and you discussing the ancient gods and demons. Indeed, the Gu God is thest surviving deity of that era.¡± ¡°There really were gods and demons?¡± Xu Qi''an was taken aback. ¡°Except for the yao-monsters and humans, all other surviving strange beasts in Jiuzhou are descendants of gods and demons. Haven¡¯t you been to Yunzhou? That legendary beast in Baidi City is a descendant of those deities. The spirit dragon in the imperial pce, the wyrms of the Southern Marches¡­ all of them trace their lineage back to those beings.¡± *So these gods and demons are like ancient dinosaurs...* Xu Qi''an probed further, ¡°How did they go extinct?¡± *It can¡¯t have been a volcanic eruption or a meteor strike, right?* Luo Yuheng didn¡¯t respond, closing her beautiful eyes and remaining silent. Xu Qi''an took this opportunity to secretly admire her beauty. Though the National Teacher could show many different appearances, depending on the observer¡¯s inner desires¡ª¡®a white-haired little sister¡¯, ¡®a childhood sweetheart¡¯, or ¡®a mature 36D big sister¡¯¡ªwhat he saw most often was her true self: a kind-hearted auntie. A woman in her thirties or forties, with a delicate and graceful face thatcked the vivacity of a young maiden and the sultriness of a voluptuous woman. Instead, she exuded an icy calm and the dignity of an elder. Xu Qi''an admired her openly, knowing that Luo Yuheng was well aware of her charm. No man could resist it, and there was no point in being secretive. Besides, his furtive nces would never escape her perception, so he figured he might as well be upfront. At that moment, he noticed that Daoist Jinlian had sent a message: ¡¾NINE: I¡¯ve temporarily blocked Five from receiving messages. Let¡¯s discuss how we should handle this situation.¡¿ *¡­¡­.. Did I miss something while I was admiring the National Teacher?* Xu Qi''an reluctantly shifted his attention back to the group chat. ¡¾NINE: I suggest we don¡¯t intervene and let her learn from the hardships of the world. From the Southern Marches to the capital, she will undoubtedly gain valuable experience and grow from it.¡¿ Li Miaozhen disagreed with Daoist Jinlian¡¯s approach and argued: ¡¾TWO: Daoist, the world is full of dangers. Though Five is powerful, she¡¯s too naive. Intelligence is always more valuable than raw strength.¡¿ The zhuangyuan added his thoughts:¡¾FOUR: Although Five is indeed naive and inexperienced, she¡¯s not foolish. She knows how to avoid danger and understands what¡¯s worth protecting. I think Daoist Jinlian¡¯s suggestion has merit.¡¿ *Daoist Jinlian¡¯s tough love is wise¡ªletting her face the harsh realities of the world will force her to grow quickly¡­* Xu Qi''an silently agreed, thinking the n was quite sound. ¡¾SIX: I believe our immediate concern shouldn¡¯t be her long-term growth, but rather how she¡¯ll find food and shelter for the night.¡¿ ¡­¡­¡­ That remark seemed to conclude the discussion, and for a while, the group chat remained silent. The small meeting within the Heaven and Earth Society could be summarized as: FIVE: "I''m stuck in a foreignnd with no money, where do I eat and sleep? Urgently seeking advice, online now!" What could anyone do? After all, they were just online friends, scattered across different regions of the world. It wasn''t like WeChat or Alipay existed for them to send money. Not even immortals could help here. ¡¾TWO: Why not have Five perform on the streets? The ''smashing rocks on the chest'' act is quite popr withmon folk. You can smash your way to the capital and earn your travel expenses.¡¿ ¡¾SIX: She could seek alms from temples and ask for lodging. But since temples are scarce in the Great Feng, it won''t help in the immediate future.¡¿ ¡¾FOUR: In times of need, one could resort to some light pilfering.¡¿ Chu Yuanzhen''s suggestion was to target some rich folk and steal a bit of silver. ¡¾NINE: Five doesn''t know how to steal. If you force her into it, it''ll just turn into a mugging.¡¿ After all, she was from the Strength Gu tribe. Just as everyone was about to offer more suggestions, they found themselves blocked and unable to send or receive messages. At the same time, Xu Qi''an received a message from Daoist Jinlian: ¡¾Three, do you have any suggestions?¡¿ Though he talked about letting Five suffer some of society''s beatings, Daoist Jinlian seemed genuinely concerned about the holders of the Book of the Earth fragments. Xu Qi''an thought for a moment and then replied: ¡¾"Is Five pretty?"¡¿ ¡¾NINE: Her looks are decent.¡¿ *Well, that''s easy then...* Xu Qi''an wrote back, exining his n: ¡¾She should be a king of the sea.¡¿ ¡¾What does that mean?¡¿ Daoist Jinlian was confused. Question: *How do good-looking men and women travel across countries without a penny to their name?* Answer: *By stringing along admirers.* Xu Qi''an ryed his idea to Daoist Jinlian and added, ¡¾Teach Five this phrase: ''Rabbits are so cute, why eat them?'' ¡¾Young chivalrous men on the road will fall for it. Master this skill, and she''ll never worry about food or lodging again.¡¿ Daoist Jinlian chose to ignore him after that. Whenmunication resumed, Daoist Jinlian shared everyone''s thoughts with Five, urging her to protect herself and have a safe journey. As for Xu Qi''an''s suggestion, Daoist Jinlian decided to brush it off. While it might have been a bit shameless, it was actually practical. However, it was clear that Five wasn''t capable of pulling off such an advanced maneuver. That was Three''s own specialty. Not long after, Chu Yuanzhen returned, bowed to the meditating Luo Yuheng, and then said, "Brother Xu, it''s your turn." Xu Qi''an calmly walked out, circled the outhouse once, and then returned. As he entered, he saw a young Daoist leading a middle-aged general in armor, striding swiftly in their direction. The general''s expression was one of anxiety, as if something urgent had urred. The young Daoist stopped outside the quiet chamber and called out, "Sect Leader, the Captain of King Huai''s Guards requests an audience." *King Huai... that¡¯s the title of the Zhenbei King, right?* Xu Qi''an paused upon hearing this and discreetly observed the armoured general. This man had abundant vitality, restrained divine energy, and considerable cultivation. However, his brow was furrowed in worry, clearly troubled. The Zhenbei King was a ¡°prince¡± ¡ª brother to the Emperor ¡ª and Huai was his official feudal title. "Zhenbei King", ¡°Protector of the North¡± was merely an honorific earned through military achievements. "What is it?" came Luo Yuheng''s soft, enchanting voice from within the chamber. "Master, the Princess Consort has gone missing. I¡¯ve searched the entire royal city, but there¡¯s no sign of her. Since she was on good terms with you, I came to inquire if you might know where she went," the general said in a low voice. *The Zhenbei King''s consort... the famed beauty of the Great Feng?* Xu Qi''an perked up. He had seen many beautiful women, including powerful ones like the Empress and peerless ones like the National Teacher. Now, his curiosity was piqued to see what the so-called greatest beauty in the Great Feng looked like. "What business do I have with the Princess Consort? She is not here at Lingbao Temple. You''d better search elsewhere," Luo Yuheng answered. The general, still filled with concern, took his leave. *The Princess Consort is missing?* Xu Qi''an watched the guard captain''s departing figure with great interest. ¡­ After lunch at Lingbao Temple, Xu Qi''an returned to his post at the constabry, and lead his patrol on the streets. One silver and two bronze coins patrolled the streets with high spirits, dedicated to their duty. Those two groups of wandering swordsmen had already paid a hefty fine of silver to "ransom" back themselves. Now, Xu Qi''an carried six hundred taels of silver notes close to his chest, feeling immensely satisfied. Every time he spotted someone with the attire of a wandering warrior, it was as if he were eyeing a fat sheep. Unfortunately, he didn¡¯t encounter a single brawl that afternoon. After his shift ended, Xu returned home for dinner. While eating, Uncle Xu mentioned some amusing news from the day: "Today, the Zhenbei King''s consort ran away from home. The Five Guards of the capital were all deployed, and even the white-cloaks from the Sitianjian helped in the search. They spent the whole afternoon looking but couldn''t find her." Auntie, biting her chopsticks, asked, "And what happened after that?" "She returned home by herself, so yeah, she just ran away from home. The guards at the pce were panicking, thinking someone had kidnapped her." Second Uncle shook his head, exasperated. "Women, I tell you, they''re just so wilful! They had thousands of people searching the whole city." Auntie rolled her eyes and sneered, "Thousands of soldiers, and you couldn''t find one woman. The court should just rece you all with dogs." Xu Qi''an raised his thumb and praised, "Auntie''s verbal strikes are truly sharp!" Auntie, with her sharp features, didn''t quite understand her nephew¡¯s odd phrasing and gave him a sideways nce. Xu Eng furrowed his brow and pointed out the oddity: "Although King Huai is a royal, his consort is still just that. It''s unusual for this to mobilize all five of the capital''s guards." After all, such arge-scale search was a privilege reserved for the imperial household. Second Uncle nodded, "That puzzled us as well. When we asked a *Qianhu*, even he didn¡¯t know. He just said it was a direct order from His Majesty." *Emperor Yuanjing must really care about this sister-inw of his... Could it be an old me?* Xu Qi''an wondered briefly before dismissing the thought. After all, the princess consort had once been one of Yuanjing''s concubines, but she entered the pce ratherte, long after the emperor had embraced celibacy. Later, she was bestowed upon the Zhenbei King as his consort. *There might be some hidden stories behind this...* But Xu Qi''an didn''t care to dwell on it. Instead, he turned to Eng and asked, "Is tomorrow thest day of exams?" Xu Eng nodded. "Do well. When ites to poetry, your big brother can proudly say, ''Five millennia long across all Jiuzhou, none can match my hand!''" Xu Qi''an said with confidence. ¡­ The next morning, before dawn broke, Xu Eng, apanied by his father and older brother, arrived at the examination hall,ntern in hand. Once again, he spotted the bald monk and the swordsman in blue robes. This time, however, he remained calm, having grown used to their presence. He even returned their gaze with a cool smile. "Number Three is quite arrogant with that smile," Chu Yuanzhen remarked. "It''s the final round of the metropolitan examination. He''s probably confident that it''s in the bag," Hengyuan exined. "For a moment, I thought it was a provocation." Hengyuan chuckled, "Let¡¯s go. The next step is to wait for the results to be posted. Then we can focus on your duel with Li Miaozhen." Chu Yuanzhen nodded and walked alongside Hengyuan. ncing at the monk, he asked, "Master, what''s your currentbat strength?" Hengyuan thought for a moment, then shook his head, "I rarely engage inbat." Chu Yuanzhen simply responded, "I see." Both he and Number Six were hard to gauge by normal rank. By the standards of a martial artist, Chu Yuanzhen was just a Seventh Rank Refining Spirit, yet his true strength far exceeded that. Hengyuan, on the other hand, was an Eighth Rank Warrior Monk, but his actual power was deep and mysterious. ¡­ Elsewhere, after the security frisk, Xu Eng entered the small, sealed room and awaited the final round of the metropolitan examination. Poetry! Chapter 270: End of the Spring Exams Chapter 270: End of the Spring Exams # 270. End of the Spring Exams The examination hall for the Spring Imperial Examinations consisted of rows of small dark cells known as *haoshe*, ¡°numbered rooms¡±. Once a candidate entered, the supervising *haobing* ¡°number guards¡± would lock the door, leaving only a small window for delivering the exam papers. For the entire day, candidates had to eat, drink, and attend to nature¡¯s calls inside the small, dimly lit rooms. Under the faint glow of the flickering candle, the tiny room was bathed in a warm, yellowish light. Xu Eng sat at his desk, slowly adding water to the inkstone, preparing to grind ink. There was still plenty of time before the examination began, and this interval was enough for him to calm his mind and think. Historically, the Imperial Examinations emphasized the Confucian ssics while paying less attention to poetry and prose. Moreover, the poetry scene of the Great Feng had long been in decline. Thus, for most candidates, the final round of the examinations was merely a formality. When entering the examination hall earlier, the schrs Xu Eng was acquainted with had beenughing and chatting, rxed and carefree. Unlike the first two rounds, where they had worn serious expressions, tense and focused as if marching into battle. Others could afford to rx, but Xu Eng knew he couldn¡¯t afford to be careless. He was a student of Cloud Deer Academy, and given the court''s attitude toward the academy¡¯s schrs, even if he passed and became a *jinshi*, he would either be sent to a remote, impoverished area or left tonguish without an official post.Xu Eng had his ambitions. He neither wanted to be exiled to a deste region nor left in the capital to be shelved. *The road ahead is long¡­* Xu Xinnian sighed. Just then, the haobing knocked on the small window and called out in a muffled voice, ¡°Master, your exam paper has arrived.¡± The candidates for the Spring Imperial Examinations were all *juren*, schrs with the qualifications to be officials, so the guards addressed them as ¡°Master.¡± Xu Xinnian received the paper and spread it out on the desk. By this time, the sky was starting to brighten, although the sun had not yet risen. Under the warm glow of the candlelight, Xu Xinnian read the question: a line from *Chengzi ¡¤ Warfare*: ¡°The three armies can be deprived of theirmander, but the will of amon man cannot be taken away.¡± A well-read schr like Xu Eng instantly grasped the theme: Ode to Aspiration! He stared at the paper, momentarily dumbfounded, his eyes wide with disbelief. ¡°Did my brother step in dog shit before entering my room that day?¡± Xu Eng muttered to himself. How could he have guessed this correctly? Xu Eng had brushed off the matter of drawing lots that day as merely humouring his annoying older brother. Though it was possible to predict questions for the ssics and policy essays based on clues and trends, poetry topics were entirely at the whim of the examiners. They could choose anything, even something as random as a roadside flower. And yet, he had guessed it? Unless his brother had stepped in dog shit the night before, Xu Eng couldn¡¯t think of any other exnation. *Wait a minute¡­* Xu Xinnian¡¯s shock, confusion, and bewilderment all transformed into tion and excitement. *Big brother had guessed the question right. He guessed it right!* He straightened his back, barely restraining the urge to let out three long cries of joy to express his overwhelming excitement. *With my brother¡¯s poetic talent, since he guessed the question, I, Xu Eng, shall dominate this third round of the exams. Perhaps... I could even vie for huiyuan!* In the metropolitan examination, those who passed were called *gongshi*, and the top candidate among them was called *huiyuan*. His reasoning was sound. First, the metropolitan exams were marked anonymously, so his identity as a Cloud Deer Academy schr wouldn¡¯t be revealed, sparing him from being sidelined. Second, Xu Xinnian was a natural schr, the favoured student of the great Confucian Zhang Shen. Moreover, with the support of the Confucian path¡¯s eidetic memory and clear thinking, his abilities far surpassed those of the schrs from the Imperial Academy. Lastly, to prevent cheating, the Great Feng had appointed three chief examiners and several assistants, each representing different factions¡ªperhaps even hostile to one another. Even if someone managed to bribe one examiner, they certainly wouldn¡¯t be able to bribe the other two. Thus, every metropolitan examination became a battle of wits among the examiners themselves, leading to eventualpromise and the final decisions. ¡°If heaven birthed not I, Xu Xinnian; the metropolitan exams would be a night that never ends!¡± Even someone as proud as Xu Xinnian couldn¡¯t contain his emotions in this empty room. He waved his arms andughed like a fool. If there were a bed, he would be rolling on it. If not, he might just writhe around like a worm in his excitement. ¡°My brother is truly my lucky star! Calm down, calm down. What was the poem Big Brother gave me to express aspiration again¡­?¡± Xu Xinnian took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. Luckily, as an eighth-ranked Confucian, he had long mastered the ability to recall anything at will. The poem his brother had given him was excellent, and he remembered it well. He dipped his brush into the ink, spreading out the manuscript paper. It was then that he realized his hands were still trembling slightly. *Noposure. It¡¯s just the metropolitan exams, why am I so excited? Father always said I had the potential of a prime minister.* With a wry smile at his own reaction, Xu Xinnian rxed a little. His hands stopped shaking, and he swiftly began writing on the paper: *Clear wine in golden goblets, ten thousand cash a cup,* *Delicacies on jade tters, a myriad silver more.* *Yet I spurn my drink and toss my chopsticks, food left untouched,* *Drawing my sword, with empty heart and unclear thoughts.* *I want to cross the Yellow River, yet it¡¯s bound with ice,* *I want to climb the Taihang Mountains, yet the snow lies deep.* *So idly I fish by a shallow limpid stream,* *Dreaming of sailing towards the sun¡¯s far reach.* *Oh, travelling is hard! Travelling is hard!* *So many crossroads; which to choose?* *When the winds are high and the waves are tall,* *I¡¯ll hoist my sails over the ocean blue.[^1][^2]* After finishing the poem, Xu Xinnian read it over several times to make sure there were no mistakes. However, a new doubt crept into his mind. *What is the Yellow River? And what is Taihang? So idly I fish by a shallow limpid stream, dreaming of sailing towards the sun¡¯s far reach¡­ is there some kind of folk tale associated with these lines?* As a well-read schr, Xu Xinnian racked his brain but couldn¡¯t figure out where these ces were. Based on his understanding of poetry, ¡°So idly I fish by a shallow limpid stream¡± and ¡°Dreaming of sailing towards the sun¡¯s far reach¡± seemed to be allusions. *Big brother, really¡­ writing a poem without annotations. How am I supposed to understand his mindset or his profound meanings?* *Yellow River and Taihang must be the names of a river and a mountain. These can be reced. As for the other two lines, even if they¡¯re not allusions, they¡¯re easy enough to grasp in meaning. It shouldn¡¯t be a problem.* With that, Xu Xinnian reced ¡°Yellow River¡± and ¡°Taihang¡± before picking up his brush to title his poem: *Ode to the Difficult Road* ¡­ The chief examiners for this Spring Imperial Examination were Zhao Tingfang, Grand Academician of the Eastern Pavilion; Liu Hong, the Right Censor-in-Chief; and Qian Qingshu, Grand Academician of the Wuying Hall. Unlike the schrs, the chief examiners and their assistants had not stepped out of the Examination Compound since the start of the imperial exams. The gates were locked tight, and unless they sprouted wings, leaving was out of the question. To prevent collusion and cheating between examiners and candidates, the examiners were not allowed to leave thepound until the list of sessful candidates was finalised. Compared to the frantic atmosphere of grading during the first two rounds, the mood among the assistant examiners had shifted dramatically. ¡°This is absolute nonsense. What rubbish poetry dares to show its face at the imperial exams?¡± ¡°Using bamboo as a metaphor to express one''s willpower is a decent angle, but the poem focuses more on the bamboo than the actual theme. It''s putting the cart before the horse.¡± ¡°Sigh, I¡¯ve been reading for hours, and there¡¯s not a single poem that stands out.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it always like this? We¡¯ve all gotten used to it by now.¡± The examiners, also known as ¡°curtain officers¡±, were grading whilementing aloud. Although the atmosphere seemed tense at first nce, in reality, this was the most rxed part of their work. Poetry wasn¡¯t taken seriously¡ªif it turned out well, it was a pleasant bonus; if not, it didn¡¯t really matter. The students¡¯ poems were mostly average at best, and an ordinaryposition was considered a rare gem. None of it was enough for the examiners to treat seriously. In the capital, there was one person whose name was inextricably linked with poetry¡ªNightwatcher Xu Qi''an, hailed by the literati as the champion of poetry or, as some would say, the savior of the Great Feng poetry scene. ¡°If Xu Qi''an were participating in this exam, there would be no doubt. At the very least, this year would see a masterpiece that could stand the test of time.¡± ¡°Who wouldn¡¯t agree? But s, Xu Qi''an isn¡¯t a schr. When future generations read about the famous poems of the Yuanjing era, and find that they alle from a martial man, where will we schrs hide our faces?¡± The literati held mixed feelings about Xu Qi''an. On the one hand, they were grateful for his rise, which had given the past two centuries at least a few respectable poems, saving future generations from shame. On the other hand, theymented that he was a warrior, not a schr, for this too would lead to future disgrace. In the two hundred years of the Great Feng, with millions of schrs, none couldpare to a mere warrior. ¡°All of this is Xu Pingzhi''s fault.¡± At that moment, an examiner unfurled a newly transcribed paper, nced at it for a few seconds, and suddenly froze in ce. His body turned rigid, and he stood still as if turned to stone. But his lips kept moving, repeating the same words over and over. After a few minutes, the examiner abruptly stood up, looked around at his colleagues, took a deep breath, and dered, ¡°Who says that the schrs of Great Feng can¡¯t produce good poetry? Who says it?¡± The other examiners turned to him in confusion, unsure of what had gotten into him. It was a well-established fact that the poets of this era were mediocre at best, and no one was disputing it. Bang! The examiner pped the paper onto the table, his chest heaving with excitement. ¡°I swear, this poem will be remembered throughout the ages. This year¡¯s exam will certainly be noted by the historians.¡± Another curious examiner stepped over and picked up the paper. After just a nce, he too began to tremble in excitement. ¡°What a masterpiece! What a poem! Ha ha ha, who says the schrs of the Great Feng can¡¯t produce good poetry?¡± Now the other examiners realized that a true gem had appeared. They crowded around, passing the paper among themselves, offering animated critiques and praise. ¡°Such a poem deserves a grand toast.¡± ¡°¡®When the winds are high and the waves are tall, I¡¯ll hoist my sails over the ocean blue.¡¯ This is the kind of poetry a true schr should write.¡± ¡°How could a mere studentpose such a world-weary and profound piece?¡± ¡°Perhaps this was written by someone who has failed many times and wishes to express their resolve through poetry.¡± The appearance of this poem, *Ode to the Difficult Road*, was like a golden phoenix among a flock of hens. Its value was unmatched, and the examiners couldn''t stop passing it around and excitedly discussing it. ¡°Ahem!¡± A cough came from the doorway, where the white-haired Grand Academician of the Eastern Pavilion stood with his hands behind his back. The noise had drawn him over. At once, the examiners fell silent. ¡°What sort of behaviour is this, making such a racket?¡± Grand Academician Zhao Tingfang reprimanded them before asking, ¡°I heard someone say that this poem will be remembered for generations?¡± An examiner immediately stepped forward, respectfully handing over the paper. Zhao Tingfang gave them all a sharp look before taking the paper and squinting at it¡­ His hand trembled as he held the poem. Anyone could tell that this was an exceptional work, one that stirred the soul. But experience changed how a person was moved. This poem was not only about ambition¡ªit was about a life marked by hardship and struggle. From the lines of bewilderment at the difficulty of the road to the triumphant cry of riding the wind and waves, anyone who had faced simr challenges would be moved. The final line encapsted not just ambition but elevated the entire poem¡¯s sentiment to a profound level. *This child is a great talent. If their answers in the ssics and Policy questions are also excellent, I shall certainly name them the huiyuan!* Zhao Tingfang thought to himself. ¡­ The day after the Spring Imperial Examination ended, Xu Xinnian noticed that his family¡¯s treatment of him had taken a sharp downturn. Every morning before, his mother would have the kitchen prepare a steaming bowl of fresh milk for him. At lunch, he¡¯d have rich, aromatic chicken soup, and in the evening, it would be ginseng broth. His mother would check in on him throughout the day, offeringfort. His father and elder brother would also ask how he was doing during meals. His younger sister, Xu Lingyue, would do the same, and even his youngest sister, Xu Lingyin, would asionally cheer him on, saying, ¡°Second brother, work hard!¡± But since the final round of exams, the milk had vanished, the chicken soup was gone, and so was the ginseng broth. After they asked when the results would be posted, everyone stopped paying much attention to him. At the dinner table, Xu Qi''an asked, ¡°Why does Eng look so upset? Did thest round not go well?¡± Xu Xinnian said nothing. After the meal, he dragged his brother into the study and stared at him intensely. ¡°Big brother¡­ you guessed the question.¡± Xu Qi''an was both surprised and not surprised by this oue. He nodded and asked, ¡°Was it patriotism or aspiration?¡± ¡°Aspiration!¡± Xu Xinnian asked for rification, ¡°Where are the Yellow River and Taihang? And what about ¡®So idly I fish by a shallow limpid stream¡¯ and ¡®Dreaming of sailing towards the sun¡¯s far reach¡¯ ¡ª what allusions do these lines have?¡± *...Huh? Those lines have historical allusions? I don¡¯t remember that!* Xu Qi''an was utterly bewildered. ¡°¡®So idly I fish by a shallow limpid stream¡¯ is because I enjoy fishing. And ¡®Dreaming of sailing towards the sun¡¯s far reach¡¯ is¡­ it¡¯s¡­ Hey, why are you asking so many questions? The exam is over, stop worrying about it! ¡°Hurry up and tear up those Four Books and Five ssics. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll take you to Jiaofangsi for some fun.¡± Xu Qi''an grumbled and escaped. Back in his room, he found Zhong Li sitting on the bed, bandaging her head, with faint traces of blood seeping through. ¡°Did you fall again?¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Zhong Li nodded pitifully, then added, ¡°I¡¯ve discovered that your sister¡¯s fortune is incredibly resilient.¡± ¡°Which sister?¡± Xu Qi''an asked. ¡­ --- [^1]: ¡¶ÐзÄÑ¡· *Travelling is Hard* by Li Bai. Trantion Mine. [^2]: Author¡¯s note: Poetry in the civil service examinations are usually not of the *qiyan* format. I¡¯ve slightly modified the process in this alternative world for narrative purposes Chapter 271: Princess Linans Life-Threatening Situation Chapter 271: Princess Lin''an''s Life-Threatening Situation # 271. Princess Lin''an''s Life-Threatening Situation "The little one!" After bandaging her head, Zhong Li took off her two embroidered shoes, hugged her knees, and lowered her head as she spoke, ¡°I''ve stayed in your esteemed household for quite some time. From your uncle to the servants, everyone''s luck has worsened. "Only that child remains unaffected, showing no change in fortune." *So it''s not Lingyue, huh? Makes sense. Heaven has already blessed her with Auntie''s beauty. If she were favoured any more, Little Pea would be too pitiful...* Xu Qi''an thought. "Does this mean my little sister has great fortune as well?" Xu Qi''an asked. Zhong Li slowly shook her head. "Those with fortune are blessed and benefit wherever they go. She clearly isn''t one of them. Her fortune is simply that resilient that she can¡¯t be affected by bad luck." "The whole household''s luck has worsened... hearing you say this, I wonder if the reason I haven''t found any silver on the street these past few days is because of you?" Ever since taking in Zhong Li, this inauspicious star, Xu Qi''an had stopped stumbling upon silver cash."I don''t know," Zhong Li answered honestly. *I suddenly have an idea. If Lingyin is immune to your bad luck, I can bring her along when I go out, and I might start finding silver again,* Xu Qi''an pondered and suggested, "How about we test it?" "How will we test it?" Zhong Li asked. "Just wait here." Xu Qi''an left the room, went to the front hall, and carried out a flowerpot of orchids, Auntie''s cherished possession. He ced it on the roof ridge of the corridor. Then he walked toward the eastern wing, listening for a moment before knocking on the door and calling out, "Second Uncle, is Lingyin asleep?" Second Uncle''s puzzled voice came from within. "She''s still tossing about in bed. What''s going on?" "Nothing, just bring Lingyin out," Xu Qi''an replied. Without further question, Second Uncle carried Little Pea out. Xu Qi''an, being mindful since this was his second uncle and aunt''s bedroom and it was alreadyte, stepped back a few paces. "Big Bwother..." Little Pea spread her tiny arms and instinctively leapt into Xu Qi''an''s embrace. Holding her, Xu Qi''an headed toward his room. Reaching the corridor where the flowerpot was perched overhead, he set Lingyin down and said, "Sit here and eat some snacks. Once you''re done, we''ll head back." Ordinarily, Little Pea would have wondered why she had to sit outside to eat. But the moment she heard there were snacks involved, her already limited intelligence took a nosedive. "Okay!" she responded cheerfully. Thus, Xu Qi''an ced the tiny Little Pea on the step beside the corridor, and as if by magic, producing a little cake from somewher and handing it to her to eat. "With my bad luck, the flowerpot is bound to fall," Zhong Li whispered. "Mm-hmm," Xu Qi''an nodded. He was testing Lingyin''s fortune. If Zhong Li was wrong, no harm done¡ªhe would simply intercept the pot before it could hurt Little Pea. A few secondster, a soft "thud" sounded from the roof ridge, and sure enough, the flowerpot tumbled down. At that exact moment, a ginger cat darted out from the flowerbed, leaping up and batting the flowerpot aside, sending it toward Xu Qi''an. Xu Qi''an dodged to the side, but Zhong Li wasn''t so lucky... The pot shattered on Zhong Li''s head. "I knew this would happen. I''ll go back to my room to bandage up," Zhong Li muttered as she quietly walked away. "Kitty! Kitty..." Little Pea, with her mouth full of snacks, pointed excitedly at the ginger cat. "Alright, alright. Big Brother will take you back to bed," Xu Qi''an said, scooping her up and carrying her back to the east wing, handing her over to Second Uncle. He then reminded him to make sure she brushed her teeth. Remembering that the shattered pot had been Auntie''s beloved orchid, Xu Qi''an collected the shards, the flower, and the soil and carefully returned them to the hall. After finishing everything, he went to the backyard, scanning around until he saw the ginger cat sitting on the well''s edge, its amber eyes glowing as it stared at him. "Daoist." Xu Qi''an greeted as he approached. "What were you doing just now?" The ginger cat spoke in a human voice. "Just a small experiment," Xu Qi''an replied. The ginger cat slowly nodded. "Was that the Sitianjian¡¯s Master of Prophecy earlier?" "Mm-hmm," Xu Qi''an confirmed, then added, "With your discerning eyes, you must have seen the dark clouds gathering over her head." "It''s more than just dark clouds. She seems like someone cursed by the heavens..." The ginger cat lifted a paw, stroking its whiskers. "Unlike a Master of Prophecy, a Master of Divination from the warlock ns seems favoured by the heavens. They only need to endure eighty-one tribtions, and if they survive, they can be a true Master of Divination." Hearing this, Xu Qi''an chimed in, "Whereas a Master of Prophecy must endure 3,600 cmities... hmm?" Xu Qi''an suddenly paused, confused. "Master of Prophecy... Master of Divination... aren''t they essentially the same thing? Just with different names." As he spoke, he looked to Daoist Jinlian for confirmation. It was precisely because the terms were different that he hadn''t connected "Master of Prophecy" and "Master of Divination" before. But after hearing Daoist Jinlian¡¯s words, it dawned on him that the two were probably referring to the same thing, just under different names. Much like how "goddess" and "yer" refer to different roles but share the same purpose: maintaining rtionships with multiple suitors or lovers. The ginger cat lowered its paw and sat neatly on the well¡¯s edge, looking rather cute, though its voice remained that of an old man. ¡°Heh, it seems you still don¡¯t know. ¡°The Arcanist system has six hundred years of history, rising alongside the Great Feng. But isn¡¯t it strange, that whilst the martial system has been perfected over millennia, there still isn¡¯t a martial god? As for the Warlocks, Buddhists, Daoists, and Confucianists, they all have history stretching back thousands of years, ¡°In a mere six hundred years, apart from a beyond-rank, the Arcanist ss has produced everything from nine to one, a perfect set.¡± *Right, after only six hundred years the Arcanist system has be pretty muchplete. If it really were a system created from nothing, then what kind of prodigy was the first generation Jianzheng, and why wouldn¡¯t such a person attain beyond-rank status?*¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an astutely noticed a problem with the history, and asked, confused: ¡°So, why¡¯s this?¡± The ginger cat didn¡¯t respond directly, ratherughing: "Let me tell you a bit of history, and you can reflect on it yourself." After licking its paw again, the cat continued, ¡°The founding emperor of the Great Feng faced many hardships, and was nearly pushed to the brink several times. One year, he went to the northeast to seek help from the Church of the Warlock God, promising them that if he seeded in overthrowing the corrupt dynasty and founding a new one, he would make their religion the state religion. ¡°That would mean bringing the Central ins into the warlocks'' domain. The Church of the Warlock God agreed, lending him 200,000 elite soldiers, along with many of their masters. ¡°In the end, that founding emperor toppled the decaying old dynasty, defeated the various warlords, and unified the Central ins. But the Church of the Warlock God did not achieve their goal of bing the state religion. "Because the Great Feng gained a Sitianjian, and thus the Arcanist system was born." Xu Qi''an was left with only two words in his mind: _Oh Fuck!_ *Daoist Jinlian was ostensibly recounting the dark history of the founding emperor of Great Feng burning bridges after crossing them... although, it¡¯s hard to consider it ¡°dark history,¡± as founding emperors throughout history have always been ruthlessly pragmatic and morally dubious figures. True gentlemen could never achieve such feats... However, Daoist Jinlian was actually hinting at the true origins of the Arcanist system.* *The Arcanist system originated from the warlocks!* This was the conclusion Xu Qi''an deduced based on his nine years ofpulsory education in readingprehension. No wonder the abilities of a Master of Prophecy and a Master of Divination are so simr. *In fact, there¡¯s a parallel case with the Martial Artist system and the Warrior Monk system! If Arcanists truly evolved from warlocks, it¡¯s not an impossible notion...* Xu Qi''an suddenly realized. Moreover, he began to connect the dots, suspecting that the first Jianzheng might have been among the warlocks who assisted Great Feng back then. *Though Arcanists evolved from warlocks and had a foundation based off them, establishing a brand-new system is no easy task. The deeper truths behind this are probably only known to the first Jianzheng and the founding emperor of Great Feng... I suspect this might be rted to the secret the Jianzheng is guarding. It might also unveil the mystery behind the mysterious arcanists in Yunzhou.* Xu Qi''an voiced his suspicions, hoping that the well-informed Daoist Jinlian could provide some rity. Unfortunately, Daoist Jinlian,cking any intention of imparting wisdom to Xu Qi''an, pretended not to hear him. *I guess I can only seek out Wei Yuan or the Eldest Princess to ask about this¡­* Xu Qi''an shifted the topic, asking, "What brings you here, Daoist?" The orange cat stared at him quietly for a moment before speaking. ¡°Passing by, I noticed that your good fortune has disappeared, so I came to check on you.¡± What immediately appeared in Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind was: ??? A momentter: !!! His second reaction came as he realized what had happened. No wonder he hadn¡¯t found any silvertely¡ªit was all due to the Jianzheng¡¯s ¡°`404` Technique¡±. ¡°But after seeing that girl, I understood the reason,¡± said the orange cat. *Daoist Jinlian believes that Zhong Li¡¯s misfortune has cancelled out my good fortune?* Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t bother exining and remained silent. He also had no interest in teaching an old Daoist about his fortune. ... After bidding farewell to Daoist Jinlian, Xu Qi''an returned to his room with a sour expression, ring at Zhong Li without saying a word. This woman, her head wrapped in bandages and her face covered, looked pitiful. Noticing the change in Xu Qi''an¡¯s demeanor, she asked in a soft voice, "What did that Daoist master tell you?" ¡°None of your business.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± She lowered her head slightly. But Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t let it go, snapping, ¡°Did you know I used to find silver cash every day?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t know, but I can understand.¡± Zhong Li replied honestly. ¡°Because of you, Jianzheng has kept me in the capital and blocked part of my fortune.¡± Xu Qi''an reasoned that it was only part of his fortune, as he could still ward off disasters for Zhong Li. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± *Is "sorry" enough? I¡¯m losing hundreds of thousands every day...* Xu Qi''an seethed. ¡°You¡¯ll have topensate me.¡± ¡°I... I don¡¯t have any silver.¡± Zhong Li shamefully lowered her head. ¡°If you don¡¯t have silver, then spend the night with me. My bed is sturdy and won¡¯t break.¡± ... The next morning, Xu Qi''an woke up feeling refreshed and thoroughly satisfied. The bed had not copsed. Of course, this had nothing to do with Zhong Li. What he had said the night before was just angry talk. Though Jianzheng¡¯s actions pained him, he had never actually intended to subject Zhong Li to such an experience. This woman had already suffered enough. Xu Qi''an¡¯s conscience wouldn¡¯t allow him to harm her further. However, Zhong Li had agreed to give him two magical artifacts aspensation, which made Xu Qi''an happy, and he slept especially well. After washing up, he went to the front hall for breakfast, where he heard Little Pea¡¯s wailing from a distance. Stepping over the threshold, Xu Qi''an entered the room and saw Auntie pressing Xu Lingyin onto a stool, whipping her with a feather duster across her little bottom. Xu Ershu, Xu Lingyue, and Xu Eng continued eating unfazed, ignoring their sister¡¯s (or daughter¡¯s) cries, their focus solely on porridge, buns, and vegetables. Seeing the injustice, Xu Qi''an loudly shouted, ¡°Stop!¡± Auntie didn¡¯t pay him any mind. This was her own daughter, so what business was it of his? ¡°Auntie, this is too much,¡± Xu Qi''an said, snatching the feather duster. ¡°Lingyin is still young. You can¡¯t hit her like this.¡± ¡°Big bwother¡­¡± That ¡°big bwother¡± was shouted with such anguish and emotion, like the cry of a child to their father. ¡°Big Brother,¡± Xu Lingyue exined, ¡°Mother¡¯s beloved orchid was broken and can¡¯t be saved. She suspects Lingyin broke it.¡± Xu Qi''an handed the feather duster back to Auntie, patting her on the hand. ¡°You have to discipline children early. If you don¡¯t, it¡¯ll be tooteter. Auntie, you¡¯re doing the right thing. Please, continue.¡± ¡°Waaah...¡± Xu Lingyin cried even harder, heartbroken. As expected, this child has no good fortune¡ªshe¡¯s purely relying on her tough fate. ¡­ As more and more martial artists flooded into the capital, the city¡¯s public order deteriorated rapidly. To address this issue, Wei Yuan devised a clever solution. He ordered the construction of four sturdy white marble tforms, located in the northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest corners of the outer city, naming them the "Heroic tforms." These tforms were specifically created for the ¡°what¡¯re you lookin¡¯ at¡±, ¡°you wanna go¡±, ¡°chattin¡¯ shit mate¡± wandering martial types to resolve their disputes. Before long, people arriving in the capital flocked to the Heroic tforms. If they had an enemy in the capital, they would jump onto the tform and shout, "XXX, do you dare toe up and fight? If you don''t, you''re a yellow-bellied coward!" If XXX heard this challenge, they woulde to the tform the next day to fight. This provided a venue for jianghu heroes to settle their feuds without involving ordinary citizens. It also gave the capital''s residents constant entertainment and increased local dining revenues, as people gathered to watch. *Wei Yuan really knows his stuff; he¡¯s an official who can get things done,* Xu Qi''an nodded to himself, listening to Uncle Xu recount stories from his patrols. In addition, young jianghu men without grudges would often take to the tform to spar and gain fame. Meanwhile, the female wanderers of the jianghu had little interest in showing off their skills on the stage. Instead, they preferred to chat andugh with renowned male heroes, attend banquets, and find ways to curry favour with influential officials in the capital or flirt with promising young schrs. This revealed the stark difference between what men and women sought. Men wanted instant fame, women wanted instant poprity. Because of the many flirtatious cougars outside, Uncle Xu strictly forbade Eng from wandering the streets unnecessarily. "We can''t let those coarse jianghu women get tempted," Uncle Xu warned. Xu Qi''an immediately grasped Uncle Xu¡¯s real point: _Eng should stay at home, while I, as his father, will handle those temptresses._ ¡°Uncle, have any famous female heroes arrived in the capital recently?¡± Xu Qi''an asked, noticing Auntie and Xu Lingyue¡¯s suspicious looks. He quickly added, ¡°I¡¯m just asking to prevent trouble.¡± Auntie and Xu Lingyue then turned to Uncle Xu, who frowned andined, ¡°You rascal! How would I know about such things? Do you think I¡¯d pay attention to that?¡± Xu Eng scoffed, unimpressed by his brother and father¡¯s antics. After finishing breakfast, Xu Qi''an and his uncle set off together, leading their horses. Uncle Xu patted the mare and remarked, ¡°Since you started riding her, she seems to have more energy.¡± ¡°She¡¯s been well cared for,¡± Xu Qi''an replied. ¡°Huh?¡± Uncle Xu looked puzzled. ¡°I mean, the Nightwatcher¡¯s office feeds her high-quality grains¡ªbarley, soybeans, eggs, and coarse salt,¡± Xu Qi''an exined. Hearing this, Uncle Xu grew envious. ¡°Let¡¯s switch horses. Send mine to the Nightwatchers to improve her diet.¡± Xu Qi''an waved his hands quickly. ¡°I¡¯m not switching.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s get back to talking about the female heroes, Uncle,¡± Xu Qi''an said eagerly, driven by his fascination with the jianghu, perhaps a remnant of his past life. Uncle Xu smiled knowingly. ¡°They say the capital is full of beautiful wanderers, but the most outstanding ones are four in particr. First, there¡¯s the daughter of the head of the Luya Sword Pavilion, known as the ¡®Butterfly Sword.¡¯ Not only is her cultivation exceptional, but she¡¯s also stunningly beautiful. ¡°Then there¡¯s Liu Qingyang from Hongxiang Pavilion, nicknamed the ¡®Soul-Stealing Hand.¡¯ From what my colleagues say, she¡¯s a seductress no man can resist.¡± _Soul-Stealing Hand?!_ Xu Qi''an¡¯s thoughts immediately jumped to a more indecent interpretation of the nickname. ¡°Then there¡¯s a female thief known as the ¡®Thousand-Faced Thief.¡¯ No one knows what she really looks like, as she¡¯s a master of disguise. She always appears as an exquisite beauty.¡± Usually, that meant she was probably not attractive. ¡°And finally, there¡¯s a famous female swordswoman who wields twin sabres. She¡¯s a disciple of the Shuangdao Sect from Leizhou. A real hero of the martial world. If I were twenty years younger... I¡¯d still choose your Auntie,¡± Uncle Xu concluded. Xu Qi''an nodded, sensing Uncle Xu¡¯s deep affection for Auntie. Patting his uncle on the shoulder, he said, ¡°Leave those female martial artists to your twenty-year-younger nephew.¡± Upon reaching the Nightwatchers constabry, Xu Qi''anpleted the morning roll call and then practiced breathing techniques at Silver Gong Minshan¡¯s hall for half an hour. He nned to patrol the streets with his two Bronze Gongs afterward¡ªSpring Breeze Hall had burned down, and the reconstruction was still iplete. ¡°Boss, where should we patrol today?¡± one of the Bronze Gongs asked. ¡°Do you know where the female martial artists usually hang out?¡± Xu Qi''an asked. ¡°Naturally, at the Heroic tforms! The four tforms in the outer city are lively these days. Even citizens from the inner city are flocking there to watch the excitement.¡± ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll head to the southern Heroic tform today,¡± Xu Qi''an decided. Just as he was leaving the office, he saw a rider approaching at full gallop. The rider, dressed in the pce¡¯s livery, was one of Lin¡¯an¡¯s guards. ¡°Sir Xu!¡± The guard, overjoyed to see Xu Qi''an, yanked his horse to a sudden stop. ¡°Sir Xu, the Second Princess urgently summons you to the pce!¡± ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Xu Qi''an asked calmly. ¡°The Second Princess says it¡¯s a matter of life and death. Her fate is now in your hands,¡± the guard said gravely. ¡°???¡± As Xu Qi''an instructed the Bronze Gongs to fetch his horse, he asked, ¡°Has something happened in the pce?¡± Chapter 272: Another Purse Chapter 272: Another Purse # 272. Another Purse The guard did not respond, his face showing hesitation. He was just a small guard, how could he dare to interfere in pce matters? Xu Qi''an did not press further, ncing around before asking, "Zhongli?" "I understand, I''ll head back to the Sitianjian first," Zhongli peeked out from behind the wall and obediently said. "Will... anything happen on your way back?" Xu Qi''an asked. "Let''s, let''s leave it to fate," Zhongli stammered nervously. The guard scrutinized the woman in a linen robe with dishevelled hair, sensing a pitiable aura that made her seem particrly endearing. _Clip-clop, clip-clop..._Soon, a Bronze Gong returned with a small mare. Xu Qi''an patted the mare''s mane, and she snorted and nudged her owner. "Let me give you a blessing," Xu Qi''an said, patting Zhongli''s head. She had made several solo trips back to the Sitianjian before without incident. Xu Qi''an estimated that while minor trouble might arise, nothing major would ur. After all, the Sitianjian wasn¡¯t far from here¡ªperhaps only half an hour''s ride. Mounting his beloved mare, Xu Qi''an rode alongside the guard from Shaoyin Courtyard and headed toward the imperial city. The guard swung his whip to clear the way, asionally ncing at Silver Gong Xu. This favoured attendant of the Princess showed no expression, his gaze focused on the road ahead. Though he was silent, there was a certain gravity between his brows. *Emperor Yuanjing''s harem must be in utter chaos. The Empress, seeking to avenge her brother¡¯s death, would not spare Noble Consort Chen¡ªno, now it was just Consort Chen. And thetter had long harboured deep resentment toward the Empress, treating her as a sworn enemy for many years...* *Dammit, why do I, a lowly Silver Gong, have to worry about Emperor Yuanjing''s family matters? It¡¯s all because your daughters are so beautiful,* Xu Qi''an cursed internally. They galloped swiftly into the imperial city, where they were stopped by the Yulin Guards at the pce gate. While the Princess¡¯s guard was allowed to enter as part of their normal duties, he did not have the authority to bring people in. Xu Qi''an presented the jade token that Biaobiao had given him earlier, and immediately, one of the Yulin Guards came over to lead him inside. ording to pce protocol, when an outsider was summoned to the pce, a Yulin Guard had to apany them to ensure they didn¡¯t wander. The journey was silent as they passed through pce gates, crossed squares, and walked through pce walls until they finally arrived at Shaoyin Courtyard, where Lin''an resided. The Yulin Guard waited outside the courtyard, while Biaobiao¡¯s personal guards led Xu Qi''an inside. After crossing the front yard, they entered the reception hall, where he saw Lin''an. Second Princess Lin''an was still in her intricate red gown, her hair adorned with borate gold hairpins, agate sps, and even a small phoenix cor that was not entirely proper ording to pce rules. Her round, delicate face and charming peach-blossom eyes were expressionless as she sat there, resembling an Eastern version of a finely crafted Lolita doll. Seeing that she was unharmed, Xu Qi''an exhaled silently. "Your Highness, what¡¯s wrong?" Lin''an waved her hand to dismiss the guards and handmaidens, leaving only Xu Qi''an. Biaobiao stared at him for a moment, then suddenly burst into tears, her voice full of grievance as she sobbed, "Huaiqing wants to kill me!" *... I think I understand now!* Xu Qi''an sighed. *I knew it¡ªLin''an, being Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s most beloved daughter, wouldn¡¯t have any real danger. It turns out this so-called life-threatening crisis was just this.* "You went to provoke the Eldest Princess again, didn¡¯t you?" While crying, Biaobiao red at him. "What do you mean _I_ went to provoke her? You need to exin yourself!" Xu Qi''an rephrased, "Did Second Princess go to uphold justice with Princess Huaiqing again?" Biaobiao gave a firm "hmm," sniffled, and said, "The Empress, that wicked woman, wants to kill mother consort. I went to confront Huaiqing, but who would have thought she¡¯s heartless too? She even hit me." "Hit you?" Xu Qi''an frowned, scrutinizing Lin''an. "Where?" "She whipped me with a cane." Biaobiao rolled up her sleeve, revealing a section of her pale, tender arm. Two faint whip marks marred her snowy skin. "Outrageous!" Xu Qi''an was furious, shaking his head in anger like a heromenting the injustice of the world. _The shame of Lin''an remains unavenged, how could this minister''s wrath ever subside?_ "Your Highness, rest assured. I will seek justice for you. I will not spare Huaiqing." "There''s no need for you to act..." Seeing Xu Qi''an¡¯s righteous fury and a demeanor of loyalty that suggested he would die for her honor, Biaobiao was moved. She said, "After all, Huaiqing is still a princess. If you attack her privately, the pce guards will shoot you down." *Thank heavens, Your Highness, your intelligence is still intact...* Xu Qi''an shook his head and said gravely, "If a single hair of yours were harmed, it would be an unbearable humiliation to me. Even if it costs me my life, I must seek revenge on Huaiqing." Biaobiao slowly nodded, sniffled, and said, "I summoned you to the pce today precisely for this matter. I¡¯ve been thinking: at the time, I could have resisted, I could have scratched Huaiqing¡¯s face. But I hesitated. Upon reflection, it must be because Icked a capable bodyguard. You¡¯lle with me to Huaiqing''s Chunteng Courtyard again." ... Xu Qi''an''s expression froze, feeling like he had just shot himself in the foot. _Cough cough!_ He cleared his throat. "Your Highness, please calm down and tell me what happened, so I can consider the situation carefully." *Consider how to quietly slip away...* he thought to himself. Biaobiao then recounted, in great detail, the harem¡¯s infighting after the conclusion of the Consort Fu case. As expected, the Empress despised Noble Consort Chen, constantly finding fault with her. It was only now that everyone realized the Empress was truly skilled in the eighteen arts of pce scheming¡ªshe just hadn¡¯t had the opportunity to use them before. Every day, at the break of dawn, the Empress summoned Consort Chen to pay her respects and mercilessly criticized her, instructing her maids to "rebuke" her, making her theughingstock of the pce. There were also kneeling punishments, and corporal punishment using the rattan rod. "Do you think the Empress is venomous?" Biaobiao pounded the table in fury as she spoke of her hatred. *Your mother killed her brother, of course the Empress would want revenge... though the Imperial Uncle deserved his fate.* Xu Qi''an frowned. "Is there more?" "Of course! Just yesterday, my mother suddenly got poisoned and was on the verge of death. The servants from Jinxiu Pce rushed to call for an imperial physician, but who would¡¯ve guessed? The imperial physician was taken away by servants from Fengqi Pce." "What? What happened then?" Xu Qi''an was shocked. Biaobiao still had lingering fear as she said, "Fortunately, my mother had antidote pills stored in her pce. That¡¯s the only reason she survived." Xu Qi''an let out a meaningful "oh." The poisoning must have been a ruse by Consort Chen, intended to frame the Empress. But the Empress, grieving for her brother, chose to retaliate head-on by intercepting the imperial physician, forcing Consort Chen to resort to her own antidotes. "What did His Majesty think of all this?" he asked. "Father didn¡¯t say anything." Biaobiao frowned, snorting with frustration to express her dissatisfaction. *Hmm, Emperor Yuanjing must be well aware of everything. He¡¯s just letting them fight it out... though perhaps it''s not entirely urate to say he''s doing nothing¡ªat least I don¡¯t see any signs of Duke Wei''s involvement. If he had intervened, Consort Chen might already be done for.* Xu Qi''an spected that Emperor Yuanjing had probably issued a private warning to Wei Yuan. _My women fighting each other is my business. You, an outsider, are not to interfere!_ Xu Qi''an thought Emperor Yuanjing was a scoundrel. Compared to that man, he felt much better about himself, since he was actively dealing with the back pce''s firestorm. After mulling it over for a moment, Xu Qi''an cautiously asked, "Why is the Empress targeting Consort Chen? Does Your Highness know?" Biaobiao pretended not to hear, her eyes flickering with a trace of sadness. Xu Qi''an understood and sighed inwardly. "Let¡¯s go. I¡¯m going to teach Huaiqing a lesson." With that, Lin''an pulled a rattan cane from under the desk. _You were already prepared!!_ Xu Qi''an was dumbfounded. "Your Highness, please calm down..." Just as he was about to persuade her, Lin''an pouted and red at him. "I know your heart sides with Huaiqing." "Nonsense!" Xu Qi''an reacted dramatically, pounding his chest. "Let¡¯s go, then!" The two of them, along with their maids and guards, stormed toward Huaiqing''s Chunteng Courtyard. In the warm morning sunlight, trees sprouted new buds. Princess Huaiqing, dressed in a simple pce gown, sat in a pavilion, holding a scroll in her hands. Her back was graceful, her posture upright, and her ck hair contrasted with her white dress, giving off an air of elegant schrly grace. Xu Qi''an and Lin''an marched up with fierce determination, but the serene Princess Huaiqing seemed oblivious, engrossed in her reading. In a cool tone, she gave orders to her guards: "If any idle people disturb my reading, kill them without mercy." Several guards, their hands resting on their swords, stepped forward, matching Lin''an¡¯s intensity. They dared noty a hand on the princess but shifted their hostility to Xu Qi''an, making it clear that he was an expendable target. Xu Qi''an immediately halted his steps. Seeing him forced to retreat, Lin''an lost half her courage. Without herckey to back her up, she definitely wouldn''t dare challenge Huaiqing on her own. Pointing her cane at Huaiqing, Lin''an shouted, ¡°Huaiqing, get out here! ¡°Huaiqing,e out right now! "You shameless Huaiqing, if you have the guts,e and face me!" Huaiqing paid no attention whatsoever, continuing to read her book with evident enjoyment. A quarter of an hourter, Lin''an and Xu Qi''an slinked away, tails between their legs. ncing back at Lin''an, who was grinding her teeth in frustration, Xu Qi''an sighed and said, "Let it go, Your Highness. The gap is too big." The gap in intelligence was simply too vast. With just a simplemand, Huaiqing had already broken the confrontation. *It¡¯s probably for the best, sparing me an awkward situation¡­ Huaiqing is really my protective little shield, helping me resolve this situation¡­ but actually hitting Lin¡¯an might be a little far¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought appreciatively. Lin''an, however, was not satisfied, stamping her feet in frustration, her bright red dress swishing in agitation. After escorting Lin''an back to Shaoyin Courtyard, ying a few rounds of Five-in-a-Row with her, and telling her some stories, Xu Qi''an finally excused himself near midday. As an official from outside the pce and Lin''an being an unmarried princess, he couldn¡¯t linger too long, much less dine with her. "Next time, I¡¯ll summon you to the pce again," Lin''an said. She couldn¡¯t frequently call an external official to the pce either, as that could spark rumors. Exiting the pce gate, Xu Qi''an retrieved his mare from the Yulin Guards and rode her out of the city with a clip-clop. *The conflict between the Empress and Consort Chen is clearly irreconcble. Consort Chen, unable to defeat the Empress on her own, will undoubtedly incite Lin''an, using her as a tool against the Empress.* *ording to Huaiqing, Lin''an was even more foolish in her younger years. Whenever Consort Chen pointed, Lin''an would charge in that direction. If Huaiqing didn''t retaliate, she would only get bullied; but if she fought back, Lin''an would end up getting beaten. And this was precisely what Consort Chen enjoyed seeing.* *Because Lin''an is favoured, if she gets bullied, Emperor Yuanjing won¡¯t stand idly by... If Lin''an gets bullied again, today¡¯s situation is bound to repeat itself.* *As a king of the sea, I can¡¯t let the situation get out of hand. I need to think of a solution... think of a way...* Even after returning to the Nightwatchers Constabry, Xu Qi''an had yet toe up with a solution. Frustrated, he smacked the mare¡¯s nk. It was all her fault for trotting so bouncily, preventing him from settling his thoughts. After lunch, Xu Qi''an took two Bronze Gongs with him to patrol the outer city. The distance was too great to walk, so they had to ride. Xu Qi''an was most familiar with the southern city, where his family¡¯s old residence was located. There was also a welfare hall here, Number Six Hengyuan¡¯s turf. *Sigh, I wonder when my ¡®European emperor luck¡¯ will return. I still have to regrly send silver to Master Hengyuan for his charity work...* With that thought, Xu Qi''an felt even more dejected. ... The white marble arena in the southern part of the city was built in the za by the river. In just two or three days, the surface of the arena was already pockmarked with countless footprints from duels and cracks left by shes of des and strikes of axes. On the stage, two jianghu folk were engaged in a fierce fight. One was a burly, muscr man wielding an iron staff, while the other was a young swordsman with decent looks. The two exchanged blows with great enthusiasm, much to the delight of the spectators. A crowd had gathered around the stage, including curious onlookers and some more experienced martial artists. Regarding weapons, ordinary martial artists would have to hand over their weapons when entering the city. The constabry would issue a voucher, which could be used to retrieve their weapons when leaving. However, since the arenas appeared, the constabry rxed this rule. Martial artists wanting to fight could request their weapons back, but they were required to return them the next day or be wanted city wide. For young heroes and heroines from prestigious sects, their sect¡¯s endorsement allowed them to keep their weapons, but if theymitted crimes, the sect would be held responsible. Xu Qi''an scanned the area but didn¡¯t spot any particrly outstanding heroines. "Sir Xu, the people watching out here are justmoners. Those with status are watching from the nearby teahouses and taverns," exined one of the Bronze Gongs. _You¡¯re quite knowledgeable, little brother¡­_ Xu Qi''an nced at the nearby teahouses and taverns and saw that many spectators were indeed watching from the second-floor balconies. "Let¡¯s go. We¡¯ll find ourselves a tavern as well... that one over there will do," Xu Qi''an said, spotting an especially beautiful heroine. Just as he was about to take a step forward, his foot hit something hard. Looking down, he saw a small purse. The purse was light green, embroidered with matching patterns and a delicate orchid, exuding a faint, fragrant scent. It was clearly a woman¡¯s personal item. ¡°Huh?¡± Xu Qi''an paused in surprise. _Wasn¡¯t my money-finding buff 404ed by that old Jianzheng?_ "Wow, it feels pretty heavy too." With a smile, Xu Qi''an pocketed the pouch. He then noticed a child nearby staring at him, clearly upset that someone else had found the pouch first. "What are you looking at? Whose child are you?" Xu Qi''an raised his hand as if to hit him. The child, frightened, immediately turned and ran. Xu Qi''an burst outughing. _You¡¯re way too timid. I was nning to buy you a candied hawthorn stick._ Entering the tavern, Xu Qi''an found a table on the second floor and ordered food and drinks. He wasn¡¯t interested in the fight on the stage, so he narrowed his eyes and began to size up the heroine at the next table. She wore a pink gauze dress that revealed her fair neck and delicate corbone. The thin fabric entuated her impressive chest. Her clothing was bold, her makeup borate, with bright red lips andrge almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with life. Though her features were naturally beautiful, it was her seductive charm that truly captured men¡¯s attention. If Biaobiao was a dignified little queen of the club, this woman was the true queen of the club. The seductive woman noticed Xu Qi''an¡¯s brazen stare but wasn¡¯t angered. Instead, she threw him a flirtatious nce, causing the young men at her table to look over. Seeing that Xu Qi''an wore the Nightwatcher¡¯s uniform, they quickly pretended nothing had happened and turned their heads back. The waiter arrived, bringing dishes like beef, peanuts,mb, and a jar of fine wine. "Sirs, here¡¯s your food and drink. Enjoy." "Waiter, bring a jar of your finest 82-year-old Lafite to that table. It¡¯s on me." Xu Qi''an winked at the seductive woman. The waiter looked confused, not understanding the reference. "A jar of Chunyi Nong," Xu Qi''an corrected himself, naming the most expensive wine in the tavern. "Right away." Noticing Xu Qi''an¡¯s interaction with the "goddess," the young men at her table grew jealous but didn¡¯t dare challenge the Nightwatcher. Instead, they took it out on the waiter. "Waiter, we¡¯ll have five more pounds of beef." "I¡¯m sorry, but we don¡¯t have that much left." "Why do they get two pounds, but we only get one pound with so many of us?" Beef was a luxury item in this era, usuallying from old or sick cows that had to be ughtered with official approval. The tavern had limited stock, and Xu Qi''an¡¯s table had already ordered two pounds. The waiter rolled his eyes and said with the typical arrogance of a capital native, "They¡¯re officials. You clearly didn¡¯t check the mirror before leaving home this morning." "..." The two Bronze Gongs burst intoughter. "These guys are such fools." Just then, Xu Qi''an noticed a woman climbing the stairs. She scanned the room and walked straight toward him, ring down at him with fury in her eyes. "Return my purse." ... Chapter 273: Challenge a Silver Gong Chapter 273: Challenge a Silver Gong # 273. Challenge a Silver Gong The woman appeared to be in her thirties, with an average figure and in looks. Xu Qi¡¯an had seen plenty of beautiful women in the same age range, such as Imperial Concubine Chen, the Empress, or even his own Auntie. In terms of both looks and figure, each one of them could easily outshine this woman. However, she had a certain boldness, something these noblewomencked. Spoiled... yes, that was the word¡ªspoiled and headstrong. It was rare to see this kind of temperament in an older woman. Xu Qi¡¯an understood now but denied it out loud: "What purse?" "The pale green purse with twenty taels of gold inside." The woman pressed her hands on the table, leaning over Xu Qi¡¯an with gritted teeth. "Give it back." *Gold¡ªtwenty taels of gold?!* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s heart skipped a beat, though he maintained a calm exterior, even feigning confusion. "Ma¡¯am, what does your lost purse have to do with me?""Ma¡¯am?!" she shrieked. The woman¡¯s face turned bright red with anger, her ears flushed, and she red at Xu Qi¡¯an with eyes full of fury. *What kind of reaction is this? Doesn''t she know how old she is?* Xu Qi¡¯an waved dismissively, trying to get rid of her. "I didn¡¯t pick up your purse, now go away." The woman took a deep breath and turned around, shouting, "Come here!" At the staircase, a child peeked out, the same one Xu Qi¡¯an had scared off earlier, and the same one who had seen him pick up the purse. "It was him! He picked up the purse and threatened me!" The child pointed at Xu Qi¡¯an and loudly used. The surrounding customers turned their heads to look. Even the seductive woman nced over with a smile, clearly enjoying the scene. "Come here, kid." Xu Qi¡¯an beckoned. The child shook his head, keeping a wary eye on Xu Qi¡¯an. Xu Qi¡¯an took out a small piece of silver from his pocket, flicked it with his fingers, and the silver rolled over to the child. With a smile, he said, "Say that again. I didn¡¯t quite catch what you said earlier." The child grinned widely as he picked up the silver, then loudly proimed, "I didn¡¯t see anything! I don¡¯t know anything!" Xu Qi¡¯an burst outughing, "Go buy yourself some candied hawthorns." The child happily ran downstairs. The two Bronze Gongsughed along with him, casting teasing nces at the in-looking woman. The surrounding patrons lost interest in the drama and returned their focus to the fighters on the stage. Even neers to the capital knew that Nightwatchers were not to be trifled with. This woman was clearly ignorant of the local power dynamics. Forget about someone picking up your purse¡ªif a Nightwatcher decided to take you into a private room, and you didn¡¯t have any backing, there¡¯d be nothing you could do about it. The woman stared at Xu Qi¡¯an for a moment, then suddenly smiled, a smile that carried an unexpected hint of charm. She calmly sat down, picked up the unused utensils on the table, and began eating as if nothing had happened. She seemed genuinely hungry, eating quickly at first. Once her hunger was satisfied, her eating became more refined. After drinking a cup of wine, she nced at Xu Qi¡¯an and sneered, "Hmm, this Sir won¡¯t tie me up and drag me to the constabry?" Xu Qi¡¯an replied calmly, "Ma¡¯am, it¡¯s just a few bites of food. No need for that." This woman must have been hungry. When she couldn¡¯t find her purse, she retraced her steps and ended up here. *Ma¡¯am...* She gritted her teeth again. "Hmph, I bet he¡¯s just some privileged brat riding on his elders'' achievements. How else could he be a Silver Gong at such a young age?" a young swordsman at the next table whispered bitterly. The middle-aged woman, hearing this, nced provocatively at Xu Qi¡¯an. "Exactly. Anyone who would covet a mere purse from an older woman must not be a good person," another young man muttered. The woman, expressionless, said, "You¡¯re a Silver Gong after all. Don¡¯t you feel angry when others nder you behind your back?" *This woman is quite petty...* Xu Qi¡¯an smiled and asked, "What do you think I should do?" The woman snapped, "Lock them all up in the Nightwatcher¡¯s prison." The young men overheard her, but they didn¡¯t dare argue and fell silent. In the end, they didn¡¯t want to provoke a Nightwatcher. "That would be excessive. They¡¯re just gossiping a little." Xu Qi¡¯an added, "Besides, they look pretty poor. One could hardly squeeze a few taels of silver out of them." The young men were furious but dared not speak. The woman stopped paying attention to Xu Qi¡¯an. She sipped her wine and ate her food in small bites, clearly enjoying the battle unfolding on the stage. Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t chase her away because he found her far more interesting than she appeared. To be clear, her appearance was indeed ordinary¡ªno alluring curves, no stunning beauty. However, her status was likely not as ordinary. Regr people didn¡¯t carry so much silver on them. Twenty taels of silver was roughly equivalent to a year''s savings for amon family. If it was gold, even a small amount would be a fortune beyond imagination. As for this middle-aged woman, she wore simple clothes, her hair neatly tied with a wooden hairpin. To put it in modern terms, she was dressed like a bargain hunter from a street market, nothing costing more than a hundred yuan. Yet this ordinary woman didn¡¯t seem overly upset about losing such arge sum of money. Instead, she was more angry at the dishonesty of the Nightwatcher than at the loss itself. Is that the demeanor of amoner? Twenty taels of silver¡ªif it were Xu Qi¡¯an, he¡¯d be fighting tooth and nail with anyone who dared take his money. And if it were twenty taels of gold, well, Jack Ma himself would be calling the police. "This Sir, may I have the honour of sharing a drink with you?" At that moment, the seductive woman holding a cup of wine swayed her hips as she approached with a sultry smile. Xu Qi¡¯an noticed for the first time that she was wearing a tight-fitting dress, with a ribbon highlighting her slim waist. That figure... impressive... He instinctively nced at the in woman beside him. She was dressed much more conservatively, wearing thick, modest clothing. And given her age, it was unlikely her figure would be anything worth noting. "Of course." Xu Qi¡¯an quickly gestured for her to sit, but there was a problem¡ªthere were only four seats, all upied. The woman with the seductive almond-shaped eyes looked around, unwilling to take a seat. Not daring to offend the two Bronze Gongs, she turned her soft gaze toward the in woman,ughing lightly, "Madam..." The in woman snapped her head around, her gaze sharp and aggressive. After sizing up the alluring woman, she let out a disdainful "hmph" and turned back to watching the fight. *What was that look? The way she just looked at me was full of disdain...* The seductive woman narrowed her eyes. This was the first time another woman had looked at her that way. Wherever she went, men¡¯s gazes followed her. Every move she made was filled with allure in the eyes of men, enchanting them and capturing their hearts. Women envied her, hated her, and gossiped about her behind her back. But this older woman had just looked at her with open disdain. Xu Qi''an nced at the Bronze Gong on his left. The Bronze Gong was quite perceptive, immediately grabbing his sabre and respectfully saying, "Sir, your subordinate will now patrol the streets." Xu Qi''an nodded with a smile and gestured courteously, "Miss Heroine, please have a seat." The alluring woman smiled charmingly and gracefully sat down, pressing her dress down as she did. She had been observing Xu Qi''an for a long time. This man was an interesting prey: handsome, with finely sculpted features, eyes that sparkled like stars, and a sharp, resolute gaze. His tall nose and thick, dark sword-like eyebrowsplemented his chiseled, masculine face, exuding a strong sense of masculinity. What intrigued her even more was his status as a Silver Gong. To have reached such a position at a young age, he was either extraordinarily talented or had influential family connections. Either way, he was worth getting close to. "I haven''t had the pleasure of knowing Sir''s name," she said. "Xu Qi''an... And your name, Miss?" Xu Qi''an responded. "Rongrong." Miss Rongrong, huh? Do you have a title, by chance...? Xu Qi''an smiled and said, "A lovely name, like that of a celestial beauty, befitting such a heavenly person." Miss Rongrong giggled, covering her mouth and added, "I also have another title ¡ª people call me ''Soul-Stealing Hand.''" Xu Qi''an put down his wine cup and sized up Miss Rongrong. She didn''t mind his brazen gaze; on the contrary, she straightened her chest. "I''ve heard much about you." Xu Qi''an thought to himself, *Am I really so lucky today? Just this morning, my second uncle told me about the four most beautifuldy heroes in the capital, and by noon, I''ve already run into one.* "Ahem!" He set down his wine cup and introduced himself, "So it''s the famous ''Soul-Stealing Hand'' Miss Rongrong. Let me reintroduce myself. I''m Xu Qi''an, and my uncle serves in the Imperial Yudao Guard." Upon hearing this, Miss Rongrong felt a little disappointed. While the Yudao Guard was one of the five guard garrisons in the capital, the level of power an office held was determined by its rank, and the Yudao Guard was not a particrly prominent post. But Xu Qi''an''s next words changed her perspective. ¡°My uncle once served under Duke Wei and earned numerous merits during the Battle of Shanhai Pass. It¡¯s due to that connection that I managed to secure a minor official position in the Nightwatchers. "King Yu is also my father''s close friend. My father, the Earl, passed away early, and we didn¡¯t manage to secure a hereditary peerage. So now, I''m just a small Viscount." *Uncle was a trusted confidant of Duke Wei, father was a close friend of King Yu, and Xu Qi''an himself was both a Silver Gong and a Viscount...* Miss Rongrong was taken aback and stared at Xu Qi''an without blinking her beautiful eyes. She had heard stories about the many nobles in the capital, where you could casually bump into someone and find out they held an official title. But how many officials couldpare to Duke Wei in power? How many titles could be more prestigious than that of King Yu? In an instant, Miss Rongrong became even more enthusiastic. In his past life, Xu Qi''an had spent a lot of time in nightclubs for work purposes and had grown skilled at dealing with women like this. He wasn¡¯t interested in her body; he simply enjoyed the familiar feeling of the game. asionally throwing in a suggestive remark or teasing her a little, this so-called Miss Rongrong, with the title "Soul-Stealing Hand," didn''t seem to mind. If she had been a properdy, she would have already blushed and spat at him, saying, Shameless rogue! If she were a little more fiery, a 24k titanium alloy p would havended on his face by now. At that moment, Rongrong turned her gaze to the arena, asking a question that was half inquisitive, half testing him: "What does Sir Xu think? Who will win?" "Obviously, the young swordsman will win," Xu Qi''an replied without hesitation. "Even a fool can see that," the olderdy huffed, inserting herself into the conversation. The young swordsman had been dominating the axe-wielding man from the start, his swordy refined and precise, eliciting cheers from the onlookers from time to time. "Before reaching the Refining Qi stage, physical strength determines superiority. The axe-wielding man is clearly stronger and more physically imposing than the young swordsman. So why is he losing? The swordsman''s techniques are merely for show," Xu Qi''an exined. The olderdy didn''t respond, but she was clearly paying close attention. "My guess is that he''s an actor," Xu Qi''an revealed the truth. "An actor?" Miss Rongrong hadn¡¯t heard that term before. "It means he''s just putting on a performance," Xu Qi''an rified. Rongrong suddenly understood and admired him, saying, "I see. Sir Xu has sharp eyes indeed." She deliberately disyed a look of admiration in her gaze. *She''s quite the seasoned yer...* Xu Qi''an thought, but he didn¡¯t expose her. Instead, he grinned smugly in return. Miss Rongrong was skilled, keeping her true strength hidden, definitely not someone to be underestimated. She had likely seen through the charade on the stage long ago. Only the middle-ageddy still hadn¡¯t figured it out and remained doubtful about Xu Qi''an¡¯s words. At that moment, the young swordsman on stage parried the man''s axe with his sword, then kicked him squarely in the chest. The man¡¯s axe flew out of his hands and off the stage. After that, no one else came forward topete for quite some time. "I''m full. Give me back my purse," the olddy reluctantly tore her gaze away from the stage and red at Xu Qi''an. Xu Qi''an pretended not to hear. She didn¡¯t push the matter, instead staring at him for a long time before silently getting up and heading downstairs. "She¡¯s got quite the figure," the remaining Bronze Gongmented wistfully. After speaking, he realized both Xu Qi''an and Miss Rongrong were looking at him with disdain. "Were you deprived of maternal affection as a child or something?" Xu Qi''an patted the young Bronze Gong on the shoulder, then reached into his robe and pulled out a light green purse. He opened it to reveal several bright golden ingots. "Wow, it really is gold!" The Bronze Gong''s eyes widened with joy. "Sir, we''ve struck it rich!" Xu Qi''an tied up the purse¡¯s tassel and said, "Forget about ill-gotten gains like this." With a light toss, he threw the purse out of the window. Immediately after, a woman¡¯s scream came from below. The purse had squarely on the middle-aged woman¡¯s toes. She squatted down, her skirt spreading out, tears welling in her eyes as she looked up at the second floor, gnashing her teeth in anger. "Ma¡¯am, you''d better go home," Xu Qi''an kindly advised. The olddy bit her lip, picked up the purse, and limped away. ¡­ Xu Qi''an continued his verbal sparring with Miss Rongrong. Both were trying to reel each other into their respective "ponds." Women like her, who flirted shamelessly and cultivated admirers, were ancient equivalents of modern-day "green tea"s. Xu Qi''an hadn¡¯t encountered a "green tea" woman in a long time and was thoroughly enjoying the exchange. About a quarter of an hourter, a furious roar erupted from the direction of the arena: "Xu Qi''an, get down here, you coward!" "???" Xu Qi''an looked out in confusion and saw a burly man dressed in coarse cloth standing on the stage. The man was eight feet tall, with a bushy beard and eyes like bronze bells. Standing proudly on the stage, he exuded a powerful aura. Even the onlookers could sense that this man''s presence was entirely different from the other fighters. Xu Qi''an was bewildered. *Who the hell are you?* "Does Sir Xu know him?" Miss Rongrong asked, her red lips pursing slightly in worry as she eyed the man. Xu Qi''an shook his head. "No idea." "Then just ignore him," Miss Rongrong said softly. "That man''s body gleams with a divine glow ¡ª he¡¯s an expert in the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones realm... Sir Xu surely wouldn¡¯t be afraid of him, but with so manymoners around, a fight might harm the innocent." Her words were tactful, allowing Xu Qi''an to save face. But Miss Rongrong knew full well that ten Xu Qi''ans wouldn¡¯t be able to take on this master. After all, Xu Qi''an had secured his Silver Gong title due to his family background. "Nightwatcher Silver Gong Xu Qi''an, get out here and kneel to apologize, or your old man will crush your balls today!" The man roared. The crowd immediately erupted in shock and excitement. So Xu Qi''an was a Nightwatcher ¡ª and a Silver Gong at that? Finally, so many days after the Heroic tforms¡¯ construction, someone was challenging the pigs! The young heroes at nearby tables were stunned, then quickly turned to look at Xu Qi''an. Their expressions were almost identical: gloating delight. "Come out and call me Daddy! Kowtow and apologize, or I¡¯ll shout every day until you do. Nightwatcher Silver Gong Xu Qi''an, your father is calling ¡ª son, get out here!" The man¡¯s loud, booming voice echoed throughout the area, drawing even more people from nearby taverns and teahouses to witness the spectacle. ¡­ Chapter 274: Thief! Chapter 274: Thief! # 274. Thief! Xu Qi''an stood up and approached the balcony. With one hand resting on the railing, he squinted as he scrutinised the man on the stage. He was certain that he did not know this loudmouthed warrior, nor could he recall having an enemy at the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones stage. *Enemies don¡¯t appear out of nowhere. I just can¡¯t remember who it might be...* Xu Qi''an stroked his chin, pondering who might be targeting him. As a person, he always upheld the principles of kindness and persuading others through virtue. As an official, he adhered to the creed of being upright and just, serving the country and the people. Such a good man shouldn''t have enemies. *Consort Chen is a devious woman. If she wanted revenge on me, she would prefer assassination, not such a grand spectacle... As for the court officials, while certain factions may wish me dead, this doesn¡¯t seem to align with the style of the schrs¡­* "He''s scared.""No shit. That¡¯s a Bronze Skin and Iron Bones expert. With that skinny body of his, one punch would obliterate him." "That¡¯s why those pampered boys who rely on their family¡¯s influence can strut around the capital, but when they meet real experts, they¡¯re nothing." To the young heroes at the table across from him, Xu Qi''an''s "hesitation" seemed like fear and cowardice. They immediately felt a sense of schadenfreude, their thoughts akin to bringing a stunning 9/10 beauty to a club, only for some rich Master Zhao to appear, dering, "Tonight, Master Zhao will foot the bill!" The 9/10 beauty, swayed by Zhao¡¯s wealth, throws herself into his arms... And just as this happens, with a thunderous crash from the heavens, the real big boss descends, pping Zhao across the face and saying: "You¡¯re not worthy!" Although it wasn¡¯t the young heroes delivering the p, the scene still filled them with glee. Watching a silver-spooned officer from the constabry get humiliated and lose face hit their sweet spot. At this point, they all turned to look at Miss Rongrong, eager to see disappointment in her eyes, to witness the moment when a pampered noble lost his shine. And then she¡¯d remember that they were the true promising candidates, and switch her attention to them. But Miss Rongrong clearly wasn''t as shallow as the young heroes imagined. She showed a look of genuine concern, even though the Silver Gong, who was all but handsome and nothing more, had his back to her. Just then, Xu Qi''an turned around, cing one hand on the hilt of his sword, and said, "This official shall meet him." "Hey!" Miss Rongrong suddenly moved closer, lightly tugging Xu Qi''an¡¯s arm. Before he could frown, she released him, offering a sheepish smile. "Why bother with a meremoner?" Xu Qi''an ignored her, shaking his head as he made his way downstairs. "Even if you have incredible backing, shouldn¡¯t you at least get some help first? Going up there like this is just asking for a beating," Miss Rongrong muttered. Leaving the tavern, Xu Qi''an walked towards the stage, lightly flicking his thumb, releasing a sliver of _Qi_. The Bronze Skin and Iron Bones warrior, along with the Jianghu guests in the crowd, immediately sensed it and turned to look. Upon seeing Xu Qi''an in his Silver Gong uniform, they understood. The main yer had arrived. They instinctively stepped aside. But themon folk watching had no such awareness and continued to block the way. "Move it!" Xu Qi''an spotted a man in simple clothes and delivered a fierce kick, sending him fleeing in panic. Only then did themoners shrink back in fear, creating a path. "Move, all of you!" Xu Qi''an removed his sword sheath, striking anyone in his way, regardless of age or gender. ¡°Everyone, back up ten _zhang_. Do not approach... Hey, old man, don''t think your age gives you an excuse. Want to taste a p from the younger generation? "Whose brat is this? If no one takes him away, I¡¯ll sell him... Why are you crying? Do you want me to kick you? Auntie, have you made lunch yet? Washed the dishes? Why are you here for the spectacle... What¡¯s wrong with hitting you? If you were twenty years younger, I¡¯d sell you to a brothel!" Back at the tavern, on the balcony. The young heroes, hands resting on the railing, watched as Xu Qi''an bullied themon folk, their faces filled with righteous indignation. "This scum, taking out his anger on the people." "If you have the guts, fight on the stage! Bullyingmoners¡ªwhat kind of Nightwatcher is he?" "Just a weakling." With Xu Qi''an gone, they could vent freely. A young hero with fine features turned and walked over to Miss Rongrong, speaking softly, "Miss Rongrong, let''s go back and drink. I¡¯ll tell you more about my teacher¡¯s adventures in the north, where he cut down countless barbarian tribes." "Yeah, what¡¯s the point of drinking with that pampered second generation? Look at him, only bullying themon folk," the other young heroes echoed. Miss Rongrong, seated calmly, scanned the group of young men and smiled gently. "You think he''s bullying themoners?" "Is he not?" they retorted. Miss Rongrong blinked and asked curiously, "Haven¡¯t you heard the Jianghu saying: when experts duel, bystanders retreat? It refers to the fact that the qi fluctuations of high-level martial artists can easily kill ordinary people. Surely, you knew that, right? Right? Right?" ... The young heroes'' faces immediately flushed red. "Then why not exin the situation outright? He¡¯s clearly just using this as an excuse to vent his frustrations on the people," the young hero who had invited Miss Rongrong stubbornly argued. Miss Rongrong lowered her head, sipping her drink to hide the disdain in her eyes. Themon folk are incredibly ignorant. Exining things to them kindly, do you think they¡¯d listen? Do they even understand the saying "when experts duel, bystanders retreat"? Not only are themon folk ignorant, but there are also plenty of ruffians among them. They only fear the authorities. Dealing with them with kind words is far less effective than using arge stick. These young heroes, who came from decent families or had respectable sects, may sneer at others for relying on their ancestors¡¯ achievements, but they¡¯re not even as capable as Silver Gong Xu. ¡­ After driving away the oblivious civilians around the stage, Xu Qi''an leaped onto the tform, resting his hand on his de, gazing down at the man who stood a head taller than him. He asked, ¡°Whose man are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m your mother¡¯s man,¡± the eight-foot-tall man sneered. *Oh, throwing insults at me? Fine, I¡¯ll spare his life for now and drag him to the Nightwatcher¡¯s dungeon. He¡¯ll talk eventually...* Xu Qi''an hung his sword back at his waist, hand resting on the hilt, and said, ¡°To deal with a mere sixth-rank ant like you, this official needs only one strike.¡± How arrogant! The nearby martial artists were stunned. A sixth-rank martial artist was no small figure in the Jianghu, and in some counties, they would hold the position of a sect leader or local overlord. Even though the capital was filled with experts, including the legendary first-rank Arcanist, a sixth-rank warrior was not someone to be easily dismissed. ¡°Hahaha!¡± The eight-foot man, with his muscr frame,ughed menacingly, ¡°Not only will I crush your pathetic bones, but I¡¯ll also cut out your tongue and use it as a beer snack.¡± Back at the balcony, Miss Rongrong nced at the Bronze Gong who continued eating and drinking without a care. She frowned and said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to call for help?¡± Even as his superior was about to be humiliated, he was still eating so casually. It was hard to believe he worked in the constabry with such little regard for decorum. ¡°Rx!¡± The Bronze Gong waved dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s just someone at the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones stage. You have no idea how strong our Sir Xu really is.¡± ¡°Is Sir Xu also at the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones level?¡± Rongrong recalled, but quickly dismissed the thought. She had observed Xu Qi''an closely before, and he didn¡¯t show the unique glow associated with that stage. The Bronze Gong smirked at the young martial artists nearby, ¡°Sir Xu isn¡¯t at the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones level, but there was a time when he was ambushed in the street by two Refining Spirit practitioners and one Bronze Skin expert. Want to guess what happened?¡± Rongrong shook her head. Obviously, nothing happened to him; Xu Qi''an was alive and well. She knew the Bronze Gong wasn¡¯t just talking about that. ¡°One strike!¡± The Bronze Gong held up one finger. ¡°What?¡± The seductive Miss Rongrong didn¡¯t quite understand. The Bronze Gong pointed outside. ¡°See for yourself.¡± Bang! The sound of the white jade floor of the stage cracking echoed across the area. Rongrong whipped around to see the eight-foot man shattering the tform beneath his feet, turning into a ck blur. On the other side, Xu Qi''an bent his knees slightly and lightly flicked his thumb. _Shing..._ The sound of the de being drawn filled the entire space, clear and resonant. With Rongrong''s sharp eyes, she barely caught a glimpse of a dark-golden streak sh by, followed by a burst of sword energy scattering like invisible steel needles, puncturing shallow holes all over the ground and stage. Had Xu Qi''an not driven the civilians away earlier, a good number of them would have been dead by now. For the ordinary citizens and most martial artists watching, they only saw Xu Qi''an seem to draw his sword. When they looked again, the sword was already sheathed, firmly at his side. But the towering man, who moments ago was full of swagger, had frozen in ce¡ªstanding a full ten feet away from Xu Qi''an, staring down in disbelief at his own chest. The next moment, a thin cut opened across his chest, blood gushing out. The man slowly knelt to the ground, his face gradually paling. Xu Qi''an coldly dered, ¡°I said one strike, so it is one strike.¡± ¡°Wow!¡± The crowd erupted in noise, exactly as the onomatopoeia described. Cheers followed swiftly, themoners loudly apuding, their voices deafening. A few called out to fetch a doctor from the clinic. Martial artists with some cultivation, however, saw the deeper meaning. After the initial shock, they collectively fell silent. One strike! One strike to shatter a Bronze Skin and Iron Bones expert¡¯s body. This Silver Gong¡¯s strength was likely of the fifth rank, perhaps even higher. ¡°Nightwatcher Silver Gong Xu Qi''an¡­¡± They silentlymitted the name to memory. ¡°Well? I didn¡¯t lie, did I?¡± The Bronze Gongughed as he stood, ncing at the stunned Miss Rongrong. He said, ¡°This is a prodigy handpicked by Duke Wei. A mere sixth-rank warrior is nothing. Even the officials in the imperial court treat Sir Xu with the utmost respect.¡± With that, he cast a mocking nce at the dumbfounded young martial artists and grabbed his de, heading downstairs. ... After cutting down the man, two Bronze Gongs immediately climbed onto the stage and asked for instructions. ¡°What should we do with him?¡± ¡°Take him to the clinic to have his wounds treated, then bring him back to the Nightwatcher¡¯s constabry. Make sure to seal his acupoints with bull-hair needles. Even a dying camel is bigger than a horse,¡± Xu Qi''an ordered. He nced toward the restaurant but noticed that Miss Rongrong was gone. ¡°Where¡¯s Miss Rongrong?¡± he asked. ¡°She was just here,¡± replied the Bronze Gong who had gone downstairs, turning around to check, only to confirm she was indeed missing. *This doesn¡¯t make sense. I put on such a great show, she should¡¯ve been swooning by now¡­* Xu Qi''an thought with some regret. *Oh well, I wasn¡¯t really nning on anything happening anyway.* Xu Qi''an led the severely injured man to a nearby clinic, had the doctor bandage him up, and then headed back to the Nightwatcher¡¯s constabry with the unconscious man in tow. Halfway there, he suddenly felt something was off. He checked himself¡ªhis token, sword, and pouch were all still there. Then he reached into his inner pocket and finally realised what was wrong. The fragment of the Earth Book was gone. ¡°Sir, is something the matter?¡± asked the Bronze Gong riding alongside him, holding the unconscious man on horseback. ¡°Shut up!¡± Xu Qi''an closed his eyes, mentally retracing his steps. His clothes weren¡¯t torn, ruling out the possibility of losing the Earth Book fragment while walking. With his sharp hearing, he would have noticed it drop. There had been no intensebat, only a single sh¡ªso that wasn¡¯t it either. That left only one possibility: it had been stolen. *That Auntie was too simple-minded to pull this off... the only person who got close to me was Miss Rongrong, and she grabbed my arm right before I went downstairs¡­* Xu Qi''an snorted. *No wonder she left so abruptly earlier¡ªit turns out she¡¯s a damned thief! ¡®Soul-stealing hands,¡¯ huh? So that¡¯s what it means.* Since leaving the tform, half an hour had already passed. By now, she must have gotten far away. The capital was huge, and recovering his stolen item seemed a slim hope. *Out of all the things you could steal, you choose to steal the Earth Book. Well unlucky for you, this little baby has GPS positioning.* Xu Qi''an smirked and instructed, ¡°You take him back. I have something else to take care of.¡± He needed to return to the scene and then seek out Daoist Jinlian. Chapter 275: Another Person Chapter 275: Another Person # 275. Another Person At the same time, in the southern city, at the Heroic tform. A group of jianghu folk hurried over. They had heard the news that a Silver Gong had injured a Bronze Skin and Iron Bones martial artist with a single sh. As people of the jianghu, they were naturally intrigued by such rumours, and being nearby, they immediately rushed over to satisfy their curiosity. However, the conflict had already ended, and the crowd had mostly dispersed, leaving only a few idle onlookers loitering around. This group of jianghu folk arrived at the Heroic tform and observed the scene for a while, finding the rumors somewhat credible. The reason? The tform was too well-preserved. With the strength of a Bronze Skin and Iron Bones expert, if the fight had been evenly matched, the damage would be obvious and clear. At the very least, the tform wouldn''t have remained intact. "Look here, and over there... what are these small holes?" one of the young heroes asked."They look like sword energy, sharp and fine. I''ve never heard of such a sword technique." The speaker was an enchanting beauty, her bright almond-shaped eyes shining like autumn waters. Her lips were painted a vivid red, and though her makeup was a bit heavy, it did not appear vulgar. Instead, it added to her seductive allure. The young hero who had asked the question nodded. If it had been caused by qi, the damage would have been more widespread and cracked. The alluring woman turned her head toward another young hero and said with a charming smile, "What do you think, Young Master Liu?" Young Master Liu had a handsome face, with de-like eyebrows and starry eyes, carrying a Seven-Star Sword on his back. In the capital, those who could carry weapons openly were people of status. This Young Master Liu hailed from Jianzhou, a sacrednd of martial arts in the Great Feng, from a sect called the "Ink Pavilion." Among this group of jianghu folk, his cultivation was the highest, making him the core of the group. Most importantly, he was a swordsman. "It might not necessarily be sword energy. These holes are unevenly distributed, as if ink was sttered. It seems more likely that sword or sabre energy scattered and shot in all directions," Young Master Liu said. After speaking, he waved over an idle man, tossed him a small piece of silver, and asked, "I heard that a Silver Gong only made one move and injured his opponent?" The idle man squeezed the silver between his fingers, his expression filled with ttery and joy, and he nodded repeatedly, bowing as he spoke, ¡°You young masters missed quite the sight. That one sh was unbelievable... "The holes in the ground appeared right after that official drew his de, like rain falling from the sky." He vividly recounted what he had witnessed. "The scattered de energy... So the opponent was indeed a Bronze Skin and Iron Bones," the alluring woman nodded in agreement. Only someone with that kind of body could survive such de energy. A martial artist below the sixth rank would have been cleaved in two. "From what I know, most of the Silver Gongs in the Nightwatchers'' headquarters are of the Refining Spirit realm, with only a few at the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones level," another young heroinemented. She hailed from one of the thirteen counties under the capital''s jurisdiction, making her a semi-local, and had some knowledge of the famous Nightwatchers. "Does this count as the first sh between the constabry''s experts and the jianghu''s martial artists? I¡¯d love to witness the splendor of that de," the alluring woman chuckled. Just then, the sound of hooves reached their ears, and a young man dressed in the uniform of the Nightwatchers rode up on a swift horse. The jianghu folk nced at him briefly, assuming he was a Nightwatchering to inspect the scene, but what the young Nightwatcher did next left them both shocked and angry. _ng!_ The Nightwatcher drew his de and charged at them on horseback. Young Master Liu''s expression shifted slightly. He stepped in front of hispanions and patted his back, causing the Seven-Star Sword to ng out of its scabbard, spinning in the air to block the iing de. The young Nightwatcher lightly flicked his wrist, and the Seven-Star Sword was cut in two, falling to the ground with a dull ng. "You..." Young Master Liu was both shocked and furious. His sect''s gifted magical weapon had been destroyed, and the pain was unbearable. Xu Qi''an pulled on the reins, pointed his de at the alluring woman, and sneered, ¡°How dare youe back, Miss Rongrong. After stealing this official''s treasure, instead of hiding away, you have the audacity to return so brazenly. I guess you¡¯ve never experienced the harshness of the world. "I''m giving you two choices: one, hand over the treasure and be my concubine. Two, hand over the treasure, and I¡¯ll sell you to the Jiaofangsi." She stole his treasure?! The young heroes and heroines looked at the alluring woman in shock. The notorious ''Soul-Stealing Hand,'' Miss Rongrong, whose face was always adorned with a charming smile, faltered visibly. She frowned and subtly shook her head at herpanions. Forcing himself to ignore his broken sword, Young Master Liu cupped his fists and said, "Sir, you must be mistaken." "Get lost!" Xu Qi''an scrutinised Miss Rongrong. Her hairstyle, dress, and makeup were identical to before¡ªthere was no mistake. "My patience is limited. I''ll give you three breaths of time. If you don''t hand over the treasure..." He let out a coldugh. The young heroes were enraged. Miss Rongrong took a step forward, fearlessly facing Xu Qi''an''s de, and said softly, "Sir, I have never met you before, and I have no idea what treasure you are talking about. Please, exin clearly." Seated on his horse, Xu Qi''an looked down at her and spoke slowly, "Just an hour ago, you and I met in a restaurant, drinking and chatting. Then, when I went downstairs to fight, you silently stole my treasure." Before Miss Rongrong could respond, Young Master Liu, furious, spoke up, "That¡¯s impossible! Miss Rongrong has been with us the whole time. She never went anywhere near you." The other young heroes immediately backed him up. Xu Qi''an frowned. Was this a group of con artists? But judging by their tone and demeanor, they didn¡¯t seem to be lying. With his expertise in microexpressions and psychology, Xu Qi''an was confident in his ability to tell if someone was lying. *Unless they were all Oscar-worthy actors... If only the Confucian spellbook wasn¡¯t in that fragment of the Earth Book, I could have just used the Qi-watching technique to see if they were lying...* Xu Qi''an pondered for a moment, then said: "You¡¯ll alle back to the Nightwatchers'' headquarters with me. Whether you''re lying or not, I''ll be the judge of that." No way! The young heroes'' faces changed. They began to doubt Xu Qi''an''s true intentions. As members of prominent sects, they had enough experience to know that when it came to trickery, those with official backing were often the most devious and ruthless. They used their power tomit all kinds of crimes, effortlessly oppressing others. Miss Rongrong, with her beauty, had gained some fame in the capital. Who knew if this young Silver Gong was lusting after her, using the excuse of a stolen treasure to take them to the headquarters for some other nefarious reason? Entering someone else''s territory, life and death are decided with just a word. "Do you really think we''re fish on a chopping block?" Young Master Liu squinted his eyes, sneering coldly. The rest of the young swordsmen didn''t speak but simultaneously ced their hands on the hilts of their swords and des. Although those from the martial world feared the constabry, they were equally proud and untamable. If truly pushed to the edge, they would fight even officials to the death. Worst-case scenario, they''d be ouws and wander the martial world as fugitives. After all, they said martial artists broke thew by force. At this moment, a bystander, perhaps incentivised by the silver coin, cautiously reminded them, "That man is the very Silver Gong who shed and severely injured his opponent with just one strike earlier on the arena." The young swordsmen froze, their expressions stiffening. They turned back mechanically to nce at the bystander. Then, slowly, they twisted their necks again, staring at Xu Qi''an. The previously tense atmosphere suddenly dissipated, and the resolve for a desperate fight drained from them. Miss Rongrong, took a deep breath and said reluctantly, "Sir, since I stole your treasure, I will go with you back to the constabry. This has nothing to do with the others." "No!" herpanions protested anxiously. Rongrong smiled bitterly and transmitted her voice to them, "You should focus on contacting our elders, so they can find a way to rescue me." Young Master Liu''s face darkened as he nodded gravely. *If you truly did steal my treasure, not even the gods can save you...* Xu Qi''an watched as Rongrong finished speaking telepathically, then patted his horse, saying, "Get up here." Rongrong hesitated for a moment, biting her crimson lips, then leaped onto the horse''s back. Seizing the moment, Xu Qi''an gently poked her soft waist. The beauty let out a soft "hmm," her body going limp as she copsed into his arms. "Hyah!" Xu Qi''an pulled the reins, turned the horse around, and rode off, leaving behind a group of young heroes too furious to act. Lying against Xu Qi''an''s broad, firm chest as the scenery sped by, Rongrong gritted her teeth and whispered, "How does Sir n to deal with me?" "ording to thews of Great Feng, thieves are punished with fiftyshes and must return the stolen goods. Those unable to repay will have a toe severed. As I am a Viscount and the stolen item is a treasure, your crime is multiplied threefold¡ªone hundred fiftyshes, toe severing, and three years of imprisonment." Rongrong''s face paled. "Is this really the punishment for thievery in the capital?" This wasn''t what she had heard. "No, I made that up just now." "....." Xu Qi''an could feel the beauty in his arms rx slightly, as though relieved, but he sneered and added, "But once you''re in the Nightwatcher''s constabry, how you''re punished is entirely up to me." Her body tensed up again, and she said tearfully, "I swear, I didn''t steal your treasure!" Xu Qi''an chuckled. "Let''s see what makes the famous Soul-stealing Hand so special." Rongrong didn''t respond. Xu Qi''an made a stern noise in response. Rongrong gritted her teeth. "So you do lust after my beauty after all." "?" Xu Qi''an had simply wanted to understand how she managed to steal the _Earth Book Fragment_ without him sensing it. "Though Miss Rongrong may be naturally beautiful, don''t underestimate men. If we''re talking about looks, I have two women at home far more beautiful than you." As he spoke, his hands roamed over her body in search of the stolen item. Rongrong''s face flushed red, her eyes welled with tears. She had an idea of the fate that awaited her and could only hope herpanions would inform their elders in time to save her. Huh, the _Earth Book Fragment_ isn''t on her¡­ Xu Qi''an''s mare was a warhorse-grade steed, and she galloped swiftly, carrying both of them at high speed towards the constabry. Arriving at the gates, Xu Qi''an handed the reins to a guard and dragged Rongrong inside, heading straight for Silver Gong Min Shan''s hall. He ordered the officers to bind her tightly. "Go to Sitianjian and call for a white-robed arcanist, tell them it''s under my orders." "Yes." After the constable left, Min Shan stood up, circling Rongrong and inspecting her. "Where did you find this beauty? Look at her figure and that face¡­ tsk tsk." "Sell her to the Jiaofangsi, train her for a year or so, and she could be an Oiran," Xu Qi''anmented. "An Oiran isn''t just about looks," Min Shan shook his head. "Talentes first, beauty second." "Never mind then, we can keep her here for our brothers to enjoy." Rongrong forced herself to remain calm, though her face had already turned pale. After exchanging some banter, Xu Qi''an exined the situation. "This woman stole my treasure. As expected from the Soul-stealing Hand, she managed to do it without me even noticing." "She''s the Soul-stealing Hand?" Min Shan finally realised, then wondered, "What does the Soul-stealing Hand have to do with theft?" "Hmm?" Xu Qi''an was puzzled. "Every martial artist entering the capital is documented. Soul-stealing Hand Rongrong hails from the Wanhua Tower in Qinghai County, Yuzhou. That''s a sect of women notorious for using seduction to ruin men. It¡¯s tied to their cultivation methods." "Dual cultivation?" Xu Qi''an asked. "No, they say it involves manipting a person''s lust, making them lose their will to fight. Their supreme technique is supposedly called¡­" Min Shan couldn''t quite recall. "The Grand [Censored] Art of the Six Desires," Rongrong said, lifting her chin slightly. "Then how did you steal my treasure?" "I didn''t steal your treasure." Not long after, the constable returned with a white-robed arcanist in tow. Xu Qi''an pointed to Rongrong. "Ask her if she stole from me." The arcanist''s eyes glowed with mystical light. After questioning her, he shook his head. "Sir Xu, she didn''t lie." ¡­.. Xu Qi''an was dumbfounded. "Search her, see if there''s any technique concealing her aura." "Nothing, Sir Xu." "Ask her if we drank together at the tavern." "Nothing, Sir Xu." Xu Qi''an feltpletely baffled. Had he seen a ghost? After his initial frustration, he began analysing the situation calmly. The one who stole from him was definitely Rongrong. It couldn''t have been that older woman¡­ The biggest issue here was that there seemed to be two Rongrongs. The one before him had never met him, yet he had clearly encountered her. *Her hairstyle, clothing, and appearance were identical, even her demeanour and mannerisms¡­ could it be a twin? Impossible, twins wouldn''t be exactly the same.* Was it a disguise? But if it was, it wouldn''t fool his sharp eye. As he puzzled over it, Rongrong suddenly spoke, "I know, I know who it was." Chapter 276: Bail Chapter 276: Bail # 276. Bail Xu Qi''an satfortably in therge chair, sipping his tea slowly. "Go ahead, exin," he said calmly. Miss Rongrong pursed her red lips and said, "Since Sir Xu has heard of my reputation, you must also be familiar with the Thousand-faced Thief, right?" "I''ve heard of her," Xu Qi''an stroked his chin, eyeing her. "So, you''re saying the one who stole my treasure was actually that Thousand-faced Thief?" "Silver Gong Min, could you fetch me the file on that woman," Xu ordered. Min Shan immediately instructed a clerk to retrieve the file. After a cup of tea''s time, the clerk returned with a booklet, opened to the relevant page, and handed it to Xu Qi''an. The file on the Thousand-faced Thief was brief. It only noted that she was an exceptionally skilled thief, always working alone, with no known master or background, havingmitted countless crimes without ever being caught. From this entry, Xu Qi''an gleaned two pieces of information: first, that the thief was no ordinary criminal, capable of pulling off major heists without failure. Second, her domain was limited to theft; shecked destructive power, which was why the Nightwatchers had only recorded a few lines about her, not considering her a serious threat. "Quite a specialist," Xu Qi''an closed the booklet and handed it back to the clerk, then turned to the tightly bound Miss Rongrong. "Why did the Thousand-faced Thief disguise herself as you?"Miss Rongrong sneered, "Who knows? Maybe she''s jealous of how charming I am." *...Seems like they''ve had some bad blood before, and now it''s payback.* Xu Qi''an picked up his sabre and hooked it back onto his belt. "Min, she''s your responsibility now. No one releases her without my permission, no matter who it is." After some final instructions, Xu Qi''an hurried out of the constabry, mounted his beloved mare, and rode towards the outer city. The only option was to seek Daoist Jinlian¡¯s personal intervention. Fortunately, Xu knew where Jinlian lived, though he had never visited. As the sun gradually dipped lower, curfew loomed an hour away. Xu needed to find the female thief and retrieve the earth book fragment before curfew, or else he''d have no choice but to return to the constabry and ask Wei Yuan to issue a search warrant. Daoist Jinlian resided in a small courtyard by the river in the northern city. The telltale sign was the tiny straw doll perched atop the roof of the main house. Xu Qi''an arrived and knocked on the courtyard gate. Silence. No one responded. *Is the Daoist out?* Xu Qi''an vaulted over the wall, entered the courtyard, and pushed open the door of the main house. The interior was clean and orderly. On the bedy Daoist Jinlian, his face peaceful as though he had passed away. Xu Qi''an called out "Daoist" a few times. Seeing that Jinlian remained unresponsive, he realised the old man must have slipped into his cat form again. *Why has he suddenly developed this strange habit...? What should I do now?* After pondering for a moment, Xu Qi¡¯an had an idea. He casually walked to the bed, raised his hands, and began pping the Daoist''s face back and forth with a crisp "smack smack smack." As a seasoned veteran of the martial world, Daoist Jinlian surely had measures in ce to protect his body. If his physical form suffered harm, he would immediately sense it and... "Smack smack smack!" The sound of ps filled the room. After some time, a calm, emotionless voice came from the doorway. "What are you doing?" The pping stopped instantly. Xu Qi''an turned around with delight. "Daoist, you''re back!" At the threshold stood an orange tabby cat, staring at him coldly. Seeing the Daoist remain silent, Xu hurriedly exined, "I have an urgent matter to discuss with you, but you weren''t in. I figured you must have left some safeguard on your body, so I had no choice but to wake you this way." The tabby cat¡¯s voice remained t. "Did you ever consider that I sensed your presence the moment you entered the courtyard?" *So, Daoist Jinlian sensed my arrival as soon as I entered the courtyard...* Xu Qi''an blinked. "I had no idea." The orange cat nodded, gracefully trotting into the room and leaping onto the bed. "What do you need?" "My earth book fragment was stolen." Xu Qi''an quickly recounted how he had been duped by the Thousand-faced Thief and mistakenly captured Miss Rongrong. "The earth book fragments, once bonded to their owner, cannot be seen or essed by others. You need not worry," the orange cat said calmly. "Then, when I obtained it from you, it was a neutral object?" "The imprint had been erased by the Daoist of the Earth Sect." Xu Qi''an nodded, already aware of this. "Time is of the essence; we must retrieve the fragment." "Follow me." The orange tabby hopped off the bed and dashed out of the house. Xu Qi''an followed, noticing the cat sitting on his mare''s back, its head tilted as if waiting for him. *Why isn''t the Daoist using his human form? Even if he enjoys being a cat, this is serious business... Could it be that to him, it makes no difference whether he uses his physical body or his spirit?* With lingering doubts, Xu untied the reins, patted his mare''s face, and mentally apologised for making her carry someone else. Clip-clop, clip-clop... The mare galloped through the spacious streets. Pedestrians quickly moved aside¡ªno one in their right mind would block his path. This was an era where people made way for vehicles. "Turn left!" the orange cat suddenlymanded. Xu Qi''an steered the mare into a sharp drift, smoothly turning left. Following the Daoist''s directions, Xu Qi''an rode from the northern city to the eastern city, stopping outside an inn. "The earth book fragment is inside," said the orange cat. As he spoke, Xu Qi''an felt a faint connection with the fragment, a subtle, almost mystical sensation of closeness, confirming the fragment¡¯s location. The earth book fragment would resonate with its host at close range. ... Inside a room in the inn, a woman with heavy makeup,rge almond-shaped eyes, and a seductive gaze sat at a table. One hand propped up her chin while the other yed with a small jade mirror. "Why can''t I use this treasure?" The impostor Rongrong scrutinised the earth book fragment. Though it appeared unremarkable at first nce, her keen instincts as the only heir to the Thieves Guild told her otherwise. Finding treasures was a natural skill for disciples of the Thieves Guild. The fragment¡¯s surface was etched with strange patterns¡ªa chest, silver banknotes, a military crossbow, silver ingots... Drawing on her years of "treasure hunting" experience, she quickly deduced its nature: This was a blood-bonded magical artefact with storage capabilities. Immediately, her heart surged with excitement. She had hit the jackpot, not only acquiring a magical item but also discovering a fortune inside. "How do I get the items out...?" The fake Rongrong knocked the fragment on the table, thinking. For blood-bound magical items, she knew the basic rule: if you destroyed the item, everything stored inside would be released. However, this particr item was clearly of extraordinary value¡ªdestroying it to ess its contents would be like killing the goose thatid golden eggs. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" The fake Rongrong frowned. She hadn¡¯t called for hot water, and her room fees were paid up. "We¡¯vee to read your water meter," came a man''s voice from outside.[^1] Upon hearing the voice, the expression of "Rongrong" changed drastically. Without thinking, she grabbed the jade mirror, stuffed it into her pocket, and rushed toward the window. ¡°Bang!¡± She opened the window, preparing to escape, only to find an orange cat sitting by the window, its amber eyes quietly watching her. "Rongrong" felt as though her brain had been pierced by steel nails, ripping through her soul. She clutched her head and groaned, slumping to the floor. The door opened, and Xu Qi''an, one hand resting on his sword, strode in with an air of indifference. The orange cat leaped from the windowsill into the room. ¡°It¡¯s you after all!¡± Xu Qi''an drew his ck-gold sword and rested it against "Rongrong¡¯s" neck, sneering, "The Thousand-Faced Thief." ¡°Sir, what are you talking about?¡± "Rongrong¡¯s" lively eyes darted about, seemingly searching for a way out. Xu Qi''an extended his hand and lightly grasped the air. The fragment of the Earth Book flew out from "Rongrong¡¯s" pocket andnded automatically in his hand. "Rongrong" let out a startled "Ah!" and reached out in an attempt to grab it back, but a sharp pain in her neck forced her to give up the idea. This man was powerful. Even ten of her wouldn¡¯t be able to withstand a single strike from him. After inspecting the Earth Book fragment and confirming that nothing was missing from it, Xu Qi''an let out a sigh of relief, as though a weight had been lifted off his chest. The treasures within the fragment, including the silver notes and hard metals, were his entire savings. After six months of hardship in this world, it had taken him great effort to amass this wealth. It was, after all, his dowry fund. He tucked the Earth Book fragment back into his chest, sheathed his sword, pulled up a chair, and sat down with a yful grin as he eyed the now defeated female thief. "Huh, aren¡¯t you going to try denying it?" ¡°Caught red-handed, what¡¯s there to deny?¡± The thief rolled her eyes, muttering, "I¡¯ve roamed the Nine Provinces for years and never thought I¡¯d fall in the capital. They say it¡¯s the greatest city under heaven, so I suppose I can¡¯tin¡­¡± Her tone and demeanour had shifted dramatically from the coquettish act she had put on in the restaurant. Now, her real persona, a seasoned rogue, had emerged. At the restaurant, she had been ying a role. This was her true nature. Xu Qi''an, like a cat toying with a mouse, teased, ¡°Come on, try to talk your way out of it. Maybe if you make meugh, I¡¯ll let you go.¡± The thief¡¯s expression changed in an instant, bing pitiful and tearful. "I¡¯m just a poor woman. I was sold to a brothel at the age of three, forced to serve customers by the time I was ten, and at fifteen, I was taken in by my master. I thought my suffering had finally ended, but then, on a dark and stormy night, he¡­ he¡­¡± Her acting was so convincing that Xu Qi''an wasn¡¯t sure whether to believe her or not. ¡°Alright, alright, I sympathise with your story, but thew is thew. I¡¯ve got a few questions for you. Answer them honestly,¡± Xu Qi''an said. ¡°How did you manage to steal my treasure without me noticing?¡± ¡°That¡¯s my specialty. Below the fourth rank, I can steal from anyone, however I please.¡± ¡°And how did you disguise yourself?¡± Xu Qi''an leaned closer, pinching her chin as he scrutinised her face. ¡°This isn¡¯t a human skin mask, but this face clearly isn¡¯t yours.¡± ¡°This is a unique technique from my Thieves¡¯ Guild called the ''Veil of Heaven.'' It¡¯s not just a disguise; it actually alters one¡¯s appearance, far superior to ordinary techniques.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Daoist Jinlian suddenly interrupted, his amber eyes fixed on the thief. "What did you just say? What school are you from?" Sensing the deadly aura, the thief weakly replied, "The Thieves¡¯ Guild¡­" Daoist Jinlian turned to Xu Qi''an, his voice cold, "Might as well just kill her." *This was likely the most humiliating moment for the Daoist sect¡­* Xu Qi''an, barely able to suppress a smirk, replied solemnly, "Do you have any idea who this is in front of you?" The thief shook her head. ¡°He¡¯s a high-ranking member of the Daoist Earth Sect.¡± ¡°From now on, we¡¯ll change our name to the Divine Hand Sect.¡± Her survival instincts were strong. *Changing the name of a sect just like that?* Xu Qi''an was momentarily stunned, but seeing that Daoist Jinlian had no furtherment, he returned to his questioning. ¡°Hand over the secret manual.¡± With a resigned look, the thief said, ¡°It¡¯s not something you can learn from a manual. It¡¯s a skill taught personally by the master from a young age. I started training when I was four and only mastered it after over a decade.¡± "Didn¡¯t you just say you were sold to a brothel at three, served customers at ten, and became your master¡¯s personal little girl at fifteen?" "...Perhaps Sir Xu misheard?" Xu Qi''an realised then that you couldn¡¯t believe a single word out of a rogue¡¯s mouth. ¡°Hand over the disguise manual.¡± The thief nodded in defeat, ¡°It¡¯s in the wardrobe. I¡¯ll go get it.¡± Seeing Xu Qi''an nod in agreement, she walked over to the wardrobe and took out a bundle. "The manual is inside." Xu Qi''an opened the bundle, but the moment he did, a green mist erupted from it. Caught off guard, both he and Daoist Jinlian inhaled a few breaths of the mist, and instantly fell unconscious. Having held her breath in advance, the female thief pulled out an antidote from the bundle, took it, and then inhaled deeply before smirking triumphantly. ¡°You dare go up against me? You¡¯re still far too green.¡± She then kicked Xu Qi''an a few times out of spite and rummaged through his robes to retrieve the jade mirror. Suddenly, she felt something hard pressing against her lower back. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s voice came from behind her: ¡°Looks like I¡¯ll have to kill you after all.¡± The "Rongrong" impostor looked down in shock to find that the Silver Gong lying on the ground had vanished. She dared not move, realising that what was pressed against her back was a sword. ¡°I told you, this is a high-ranking Daoist of the Earth Sect. You didn¡¯t even realise you¡¯d fallen under an illusion,¡± Xu Qi''an chuckled. "Nice ass though." The thief hadpletely given up at this point. ¡°By the way, what¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Ge Xiaojing.¡± ¡­¡­¡­ Xu Qi''an sealed the female thief Ge Xiaojing''s acupoints, tied her up tightly, and threw her onto his horse. He bid farewell to Daoist Jinlian. The orange cat nodded slightly and advised, ¡°Be careful on the road.¡± With that, it walked away elegantly. Xu Qi''an loosened the reins, about to mount his beloved little mare, when suddenly the horse went wild. It spun around, lifted its head, and delivered a swift kick, sending Xu Qi''an flying through the air. With a neigh, the horse galloped off into the distance. ¡°???¡± Xu Qi''an, covered in dirt, chased after it, managing to stop the horse just before it collided with pedestrians. After calming it down for a long while, the mare finally became docile again. ¡°Little mare, don¡¯t you love me anymore? Ever since that old Daoist Jinlian rode you, you¡¯ve been neglecting me.¡± Xu Qi''an sat on the horse, thinking to himself that he wouldn¡¯t try to y tricks anymore¡ªafter all, ginger gets spicier as it ages. ¡­ Back at the Nightwatcher Constabry, Xu Qi''an threw the female thief into the dungeon, warning the guards not toy a hand on her, as she still had use to him. By now, the curfew had been in effect for two hours, and the sky was dark. However, for a Silver Gong, curfew meant little. ¡°I can release the Soul-Stealing Hand Rongrong, but it¡¯s already curfew. She can¡¯t leave the inner city. I¡¯ll deal with her tomorrow¡­¡± The next day, Xu Qi''an rode back to the Constabry, where a clerk was waiting for him at the entrance. Upon seeing him, the clerk jogged over and said, ¡°Sir Xu, a group of Jianghu people hase to the Constabry to bail someone. They¡¯re asking about the girl you brought in yesterday. She¡¯s with Silver Gong Min now.¡± *Only now theye to bail her out? If I were one of those lecherous people, I could have filled the child¡¯s bedroom several times over by now¡­* Xu Qi''an clicked his tongue and said, ¡°I see.¡± --- [^1]: A Chinese Police ssic Chapter 277: Zhong Li the Worker Chapter 277: Zhong Li the Worker # 277. Zhong Li the Worker Young Master Liu and hispanions were not having an easy time. After Miss Rongrong was taken away, the young heroes, led by Young Master Liu, quickly returned to the inn to inform the elders about what had transpired. After a brief discussion, the elders decided not to rush to the Nightwatchers Constabry to demand her release. Instead, they used their connections and tried to handle the matter through official channels. Upon learning that it was the Nightwatchers who had taken her, those ¡°connections¡± in the capital, who held no insignificant positions, showed hesitation. Yet, after being begged with heavy bribes, they reluctantly agreed to help. However, as soon as they heard the name of the Nightwatcher who had arrested her¡ªXu Qi''an¡ªtheir faces turned pale. They waved their hands repeatedly, eximing: "Impossible! Can''t be done!" Thus, the whole afternoon was wasted. By the next morning, they had no choice but to brace themselves and visit the Constabry, hoping that this infamous Silver Gong might show some mercy. Miss Rongrong''s teacher was a charming middle-aged woman, with a round and graceful face that hinted at the beauty she must have been in her youth. Her heart was full of worry, knowing all too well the nature of men. After a whole night, who knew what sort of torture Rongrong might have endured... Losing her chastity was one thing. Worse would be if she had fallen into the hands of a greedy man who would lock her up in a grand mansion as his ything. That would be a woman''s true tragedy. Young Master Liu''s master, on the other hand, was aposed middle-aged swordsman, distinguished by his deep nasbial lines and bright, piercing eyes.The two elders exchanged nces, seeing the same worry and helplessness in each other''s gaze. Even the most arrogant martial artist would keep their temper in check and their ws sheathed within the expert-filled Constabry. They waited anxiously for the length of two incense sticks until a young man in a Silver Gong uniform, with a special sword hanging from his waist, stepped into the room and entered the side hall. "Who here is the teacher of Miss Rongrong?" Xu Qi''an scanned the room before speaking. The middle-aged woman rose and bowed. "It is this old woman." *No need to be so modest, Auntie...with a figure and face like yours, how could you call yourself old?* Xu Qi''an nodded and said, ¡°I¡¯ve investigated the matter. It wasn¡¯t Miss Rongrong who stole my artifact but the Thousand Faces Thief, Ge Xiaojing. "The culprit has been apprehended. You may take Miss Rongrong with you." Hearing this, the two elders sighed in relief. The young heroes who hade along were also overjoyed. However, unlike their more innocent younger counterparts, the elders harboured no illusions. Rongrong was likely... But for Xu Qi''an to release her after a night of indulgence was already better than they had hoped. They would just have to ept their misfortune. "Thank you, Sir!" the middle-aged woman said gratefully. At that moment, Miss Rongrong, led by one of the clerks, entered the side hall. Her emotions were calm. She cheerfully called out, "Master!" without any sign of breaking down in tears or throwing a tantrum. The middle-aged woman took this in without showing emotion, only saying, "It¡¯s all right now. This gentleman here is perceptive and has not wronged you." Miss Rongrong curtsied gracefully and sweetly said, "Thank you, Sir Xu." The middle-aged swordsman cleared his throat and sped his fists, "Then, we shall not linger any longer." He let a stack of silver notes slide from his sleeve and on to the table. "Take the notes with you," Xu Qi''an said lightly. He didn¡¯t feel right epting them. After all, Miss Rongrong hadn¡¯t caused trouble, nor had she stolen anything. The whole affair was merely a misunderstanding. The middle-aged swordsman, surprised, scrutinised Xu Qi''an with disbelief. Finally, he cupped his fists again, "Many thanks, Sir." The group of jianghu guests then prepared to leave. But just as they were about to cross the threshold, Xu Qi''an''s voice called out from behind, "Hold on!" The middle-aged swordsman paused, a hint of disdain crossing his face along with a wave of relief. It was only natural for officers to be unable to resist money. Turning back, he reached into his sleeve for the silver notes, ready to offer them once again. But what he saw was Xu Qi''an unfurling a piece of rice paper and dipping his brush into the ink to write something. Once he had finished writing, Xu Qi''an pressed his thumb into the ink and left a fingerprint. Everyone was puzzled, unsure of what he intended. "This official does not like owing other people." Xu Qi''an said. "Yesterday, I broke this young man¡¯s magic weapon. Take this note to the Sitianjian and find Song Qing. He¡¯ll give you a recement weapon on my behalf." Xu Qi''an flicked the paper toward the middle-aged swordsman. The man caught it, thanked Xu Qi''an, and left. As the group walked out of the Nightwatchers¡¯ Constabry, the beautiful woman held Miss Rongrong¡¯s hand without saying a word. Finally, one of the young heroes spoke up, his tone a little worried, "Rongrong, did he... Did he bully youst night?" The young heroes froze for a moment, then stared at her expectantly. The middle-aged swordsman barked, "Stop spouting nonsense!" Although he and the woman had long assumed Rongrong¡¯s chastity had beenpromised, they had purposely avoided mentioning it. After all, honour was as important to those in the jianghu as to anyone else. "He didn¡¯t do anything to me. I spent the night alone in a room at the Nightwatchers'' constabry," Rongrong shook her head, exining, "Though the bedding smelled a bit musty." After a night had passed, her fear and anxiety had dissipated. She now understood that the Silver Gong was a man of honour. Since the topic had been broached, the beautiful woman no longer held back her curiosity and asked, "If he didn¡¯t bully you, then why did he arrest you?" "Well, the item belonging to Sir Xu really was stolen, but the thief was Ge Xiaojing. The reason he arrested me was that Ge Xiaojing disguised herself as me when shemitted the theft, which led to the misunderstanding," Rongrong exined. That made sense... The beautiful woman frowned. "And why did Ge Xiaojing disguise herself as you?" Rongrong angrily exined, ¡°The day before yesterday, while drinking with Young Master Liu and the others at the restaurant, I mentioned her by name, saying that the Thousand Faces Thief was a petty criminal, only fit for sneak thievery. How could she possibly bepared to me? "I suspect that my words reached her ears, and she decided to get back at me by stealing in my guise." "That sounds about right," Young Master Liu and the others nodded. Now the story made sense. The Silver Gong was also a victim; arresting Rongrong was just a misunderstanding. He wasn''t abusing his authority or being lecherous. The young knights breathed a collective sigh of relief. The middle-aged swordsman nodded. "Earlier, I offered him silver notes, but he refused. It''s good to see that the young man still holds onto his righteousness." His tone was full of approval. Young Master Liu pondered for a moment before asking, "Master... What about the matter of the magic weapon?" The middle-aged swordsman nced at his disciple and chuckled, "In the capital, the Sitianjian outranks even the Nightwatchers. Though the Silver Gong has a respectable position, to think he could simply present a note and receive a recement weapon from the Sitianjian¡ªsuch a thing is preposterous." Young Master Liu couldn''t hide his disappointment, "Then why did he..." "Young men are always concerned about saving face," the middle-aged swordsmanughed. "There¡¯s no need for us to take it seriously." The beautiful woman¡¯s eyes glimmered, and she suggested, "Well, since we have some time on our hands, why don¡¯t we pay a visit to the Sitianjian anyway? We can show the children the tallest building in all of Great Feng." "Sure, why not." ¡­ Xu Qi''an held an ancient, yellowed book in his hand as he emerged from the dungeon, having just finished interrogating Ge Xiaojing, the infamous female thief. He had asked her about the secrets of the "Veil of Heaven" technique. "This thief is quite talented. I''ll keep her around; she''ll be useful in the future. Ha, stealing my treasure? I''ll squeeze every bit of value out of you, andter, I''ll drive you like an ox or a horse. Of course, I''ll let you graze in the meantime." Since the Spring Breeze Hall was still under construction, and his office was also being being built, he was currently a Silver Gong without an office, forcing him to once again head over to Min Shan''s Gold Jade Hall to borrow a bit of his space. Upon entering the side hall, he ordered the clerks to bring hot tea and began to read the yellowed book with great interest. The art of disguise in the Thieves'' Guild¡ªno, the Divine Hand Sect¡ªwas indeed mysterious. Unlike ordinary disguise techniques, it didn''t involve making a lifelike human skin mask. Instead, it directly altered one''s appearance. The method involved applying a special potion to the face for the duration of half an incense stick, causing the flesh to heat up and "melt." Then, using a unique qi technique, one¡¯s facial features could be reshaped. The effectsted for twenty-four hours, though it could also be undone voluntarily. For a warrior in the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones stage, the potion''s dosage needed to be tripled, and the soaking time extended by an additional quarter of an hour. After all, their skin was exceptionally thick. *The hardest part of this secret technique is careful observation and repeated practice. It''s like painting¡ªbeginners start by copying, while advanced artists can freely create, perfectly capturing someone''s likeness after just a nce.* *It''s a craft that requires diligent effort. The person I''m most familiar with is Second Uncle and Eng. Since Second Uncle is an elder, I''ll start with Eng.* At that moment, a clerk entered, bowing respectfully. "Sir Xu, Duke Wei requests your presence." ... On the seventh floor, inside the tearoom. Wei Yuan stood by his desk, holding a brush in hand. His eyes were focused, and he was deeply immersed in his painting. Without looking up, Wei Yuan continued his strokes and asked, "Have you offended anyone recently?" Xu Qi''an joked, "Following you, it''s impossible not to offend people. I can''t even count the enemies I''ve made." Wei Yuan gave a nonchnt "hmm" and said, "With that awareness, your future achievements will know no bounds." After a pause, he added, "The sixth-rank you brought back yesterday was taken away early this morning. Think carefully again¡ªhave you offended anyone?" Xu Qi''an sighed in frustration. "I can''t remember, which is why I brought him back. Why did you release him?" He wasining about Wei Yuan. In the Nightwatchers Constabry, only two people dared speak to Wei Yuan in such a manner¡ªone was Xu Qi''an, and the other was the Vinegar Jar. Wei Yuan remained silent, slowly sketching on the paper. Finally, he set down the brush and exhaled deeply. "The painting is done." "What did you paint, Duke Wei?" Xu Qi''an eagerly leaned in. The painting depicted a beautiful woman in pce attire, wearing a luxurious dress adorned with numerous ornaments. She held a delicate silk fan in her slender hand. Her beauty was indescribable, not in her facial features but in her aura. Seeing that it wasn¡¯t the empress, Xu Qi''an grew bold and asked, "Thisdy is so beautiful. Is she betrothed to anyone? Do you know her, Duke Wei? Your humble subordinate is still unmarried." Wei Yuan shook his head with regret. "No one in this world can truly capture her beauty, not even I." In the end, he didn¡¯t reveal who the woman in the painting was, nor did he mention the matter of offending others again. Instead, he waved Xu Qi''an out of the Tower of Noble Spirit. ... At the base of the Stargazing Tower, the group led by the Soul-Stealing Hand Rongrong was once again awed by the towering structure. This was the first time they stood so close to the tallest building in all of the Great Feng. Previously, they had observed it from a distance, noting how it soared into the clouds, seemingly piercing the heavens. But seeing it up close, they truly understood its majestic grandeur. The foundation alone, rising above the ground, was as tall as a two-storey building. Each stone block forming the foundation wasrger than a carriage. Standing before this towering structure, they were keenly aware of their own insignificance. "Master, shall we enter?" Young Master Liu quietly swallowed, his throat dry from nervousness. "Enter?" The middle-aged swordsman nced at his disciple, then shook his head. "I¡¯ll go in alone. You all wait outside. Entering the Sitianjian is no easier than stepping into the imperial pce." Given that they wereing with a "let¡¯s see what happens" attitude, if anything went wrong, it would be better for him to bear the embarrassment alone. After all, if he faced disgrace by himself, it didn¡¯t count. But if his juniors witnessed it, that would be true humiliation. The middle-aged swordsman straightened his robes, puffed out his chest, and began ascending the long marble steps. "Senior Hua..." Young Master Liu asked the woman beside him, "Do you think my master can acquire a new magical artefact?" He was still unwilling to give up hope. The Seven Star Sword, which ranked highly even within the Ink Pavilion, had been destroyed. When he returned to his sect, he would surely be punished. More importantly, there was no way he could obtain another magical artefact. The Sitianjian was renowned across thend. Every martial artist dreamed of obtaining an artefact crafted by the Sitianjian. The longing was so great that even knowing the odds were slim, they still indulged in such daydreams. "Do you know why your master said the note was just the young man''s attempt to save face and told you not to get your hopes up?" the woman asked, turning to the group of juniors. Young Master Liu and the others shook their heads. "Because Song Qing, whom your master seeks, is the Jianzheng''s direct disciple. His status in the Great Feng Jianghu isparable to that of the emperor¡¯s sons. Do you understand now?" They understood. It became clear that the young Silver Gong¡¯s note was indeed just a superficial gesture. How could someone with the status of a martial prince be swayed by a mere note? Meanwhile, the middle-aged swordsman ascended the marble steps and entered the first floor, where the ninth-grade physicians gathered. A strong herbal scent filled the air. White-robed arcanists were busy with various tasks¡ªsome were brewing potions, others copying herb diagrams, while others sorted and categorised materials. "Who are you?" A white-robed arcanist approached. The middle-aged swordsman quickly lowered his head, cupped his hands, and respectfully said, "I am Yang Yuzhuo of the Ink Paviion in Jianzhou." *Jianzhou¡¯s Ink Paviion? Never heard of it...* The arcanist waved his hand dismissively. "Just state your business." "I seek an audience with Master Song Qing. This note was given to me by a Silver Gong from the Nightwatchers Constabry named Xu." The middle-aged swordsman humbly presented the note. If Young Master Liu had seen his master at this moment, his feelings would have been conflicted. The same master who often harshly rebuked his disciples now appeared obsequious in front of a mere physician with little cultivation. The white-robed arcanist took the note, nced at it, and immediately adopted a serious expression. He uttered a few words¡ª"Wait here!"¡ªand hurried upstairs. The middle-aged swordsman froze for a moment, surprised by the unexpected reaction. *Wait, can this note really exchange for a magical weapon? How is that possible?* Soon enough, the white-robed arcanist returned, holding something in his hand, answering the swordsman¡¯s doubts perfectly. It was a sword with a in appearance,cking any ornate tassels or gold iys on the scabbard and hilt. It was simple and unadorned. "Here!" The arcanist handed it over, and as the swordsman fumbled to receive it, the arcanist turned and resumed his duties. *I should leave now¡­* The swordsman, without inspecting the treasure, held it close and quietly exited the Sitianjian. "Master hase out!" Young Master Liu eximed excitedly. "Is that¡­ is that really a magical weapon?" Rongrong noticed the sword held tightly by the swordsman. Reaching his disciples, the swordsman nced at the weapon in his arms, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Let''s leave this ce." The beautiful woman nodded, her gaze never leaving the unadorned sword. After walking for a while, distancing themselves from the towering Observation Tower, the swordsman finally stopped in a secluded spot and inspected the sword in his arms. "Master, please, take a look..." Young Master Liu''s heart raced, more excited than seeing a stunning beauty awaiting him in bed. The swordsman grasped the hilt and slowly unsheathed the sword. A resounding _ng_ followed, and a dazzling, snow-bright gleam flooded their eyes, forcing everyone to close them reflexively. The sword, four feet long, bore natural cloud patterns across the de, exuding an intense cold aura. A mere touch would cause sword energy to tear open one''s finger. "Sword energy, self-generated¡­ it¡¯s self-generated sword energy¡­" The swordsman¡¯s hands trembled with excitement, his gaze fervent. "This is a supreme magical weapon. Even our sect master¡¯s sword ¡ª the *Cold of Autumn Rain* is no match for this." _Thump-thump, thump-thump¡­_ Young Master Liu could hear his own rapid heartbeat. Self-generating sword energy¡ªsuch a sword was considered top-tier in the Jianghu. "Master, let me have a look, please!" Young Master Liu reached out eagerly. Smack! The swordsman pped his hand away. Even he was surprised by his own reaction, as if the sword were his wife, not to be desecrated by others. "Master, why did you hit me?" Young Master Liu asked, feeling wronged. The swordsman thought for a moment, then said earnestly, ¡°This sword is a top-tier magical weapon. They say a man with a treasure is guilty of his possession. This is not a good thing for you. ¡°I''ve made a difficult decision. For now, I¡¯ll keep this sword safe for you and bear the risks. When your cultivation is advanced, I¡¯ll return it to you. "It¡¯s settled. Don''t say any more, your teacher¡¯s heart is made up. Topensate you, I''ll give you my cherished sword that¡¯s been with me for twenty years. Take care of it¡ªit¡¯s like my wife." "..." Young Master Liu looked at him with a deep sense of betrayal. If Xu Qi''an were present, he¡¯d surely feel a connection with Young Master Liu, recalling how his parents used simr reasons to confiscate countless red envelopes and allowances during his childhood, causing a deficit exceeding ten billion. "Who exactly is this Young Master Xu?" Rongrong muttered. No one had an answer for her. The group fell into silence, each person likely picturing the bold, handsome Silver Gong in their minds. The beautiful middle-aged woman admired the sword, then nced at her alluring disciple¡­ Suddenly, she realised that nothing happeningst night might have been her greatest loss. ¡­ After sending off Rongrong and the other martial artists, Xu Qi''an stayed in the side hall, practicing breathing exercises, visualisation, cultivating his heart-sword, and studying the Veil of Heaven technique. Before he knew it, it was past lunch. It was only when his stomach growled that he realised his hunger. *Though learning more techniques benefits me greatly, I feel like there isn¡¯t enough time¡­* *I mustn¡¯t take on any more techniques. Greed leads to inefficiency. I should focus on mastering One de from Heaven and Earth while supplementing it with some auxiliary skills.* *I finally understand why emperors throughout history didn¡¯t pursue martial arts or cultivation. There simply isn''t enough time. A day has only twelve hours, and governance takes priority. Even the most talented person would be overwhelmed.* After lunch, Zhong Li arrived. This disciple of the Jianzheng, Chu Caiwei¡¯s senior sister, was dressed in a coarse long robe, with her dishevelled hair hiding her face, head slightly lowered. "I''m so d you''re unharmed." Xu Qi''an patted her on the shoulder. "Thank you for your concern." Zhong Li replied politely. Judging by her voice, she was likely between 20 and 25 years old. Girls under 20 had crisp, sweet voices, while those over 20 began to develop a sensual tone, characteristic of a woman¡¯s mature charm. "Did you face any danger yesterday?" Xu Qi''an asked. "I encountered thirty-six crises in total: twenty minor, ten major, and six life-threatening. But I managed to survive all of them." Zhong Li recounted, her tone suggesting familiarity with the situation. *This¡­* the casual way she spoke about it made Xu Qi''an feel unexpectedly sympathetic. He patted her shoulder again. "You¡¯ve had a hard time. Oh uh, how¡¯s your calligraphy by the way?" "It¡¯s passable." "Great, Senior Sister Zhong. I need a favour from you." Xu Qi''an smiled mischievously. Chapter 278: Reveal the List Chapter 278: Reveal the List # 278. Reveal the List Generally, as long a Xu Qi¡¯an did not make requests such as ¡°Sleep with me tonight¡± or ¡°Give me a son¡±, Zhong Li would always try to fulfil it. Of course, if the Jianzheng were to say: "Zhong Li, if you dual cultivate with this boy, you''ll definitely ovee the tribtion," then, as long as Xu Qi''an''s requested positions weren''t too difficult, Zhong Li could still fulfil his wishes. But Xu Qi''an wasn''t the type of person to take advantage of someone in a vulnerable situation. If Zhong Li were to propose dual cultivation, he would certainly refuse, especially since she was Chu Caiwei''s senior sister. Zhong Li obediently sat by the desk. Following Xu Qi''an''s instructions, she spread out the paper specifically for book drafts, ground the ink, picked up the brush, and said, "Go ahead." "Don''t rush, I need to gather my thoughts..." Xu Qi''an sat to the side, holding a steaming cup of tea, feigning deep thought. To prevent further conflict between Lin''an and Huaiqing, Xu Qi''an, stuck in the middle as a man caught between three families, pondered for a long time and finally came up with a n. Since Lin''an loves stories, Xu Qi''an would tell her one. There were plenty of love stories circting among themon folk, even involving tales of young Liu Bei, which could satisfy Lin''an''s tastes. But Xu Qi''an, being a seasoned yer, felt that he should seize every opportunity to make sure his "fish" couldn''t swim away."The title of the book will be _Great Sage of Love_." Seeing that she hadn''t started writing, he added, "Senior Sister Zhong? Is your hair too long to see properly? Should I help you brush it aside?" Zhong Li slowly shook her head. "That''s a strange title." Most stories and novels of the time used titles with words like "Records," "Chronicles," or "Annals," simr to the naming conventions of lyric forms, following well-established standards. "Don''t worry about it. Just write as I say." Xu Qi''an waved his hand and began to narrate his story. _Great Sage of Love_ told a love story that took ce in the heavens. The heroine was the daughter of the Heavenly Emperor, named the Zixia Celestial. The male lead was a guard in the heavenly court, but he belongeg to the demon *yao* race. His name was Long Aotian. In the heavenly court, yao were the lowest of the low, despised by the immortals, and could only serve asbourers and guards. His hobbies included singing, dancing, and rapping. "There''s a problem here..." Zhong Li interjected, "The name Long Aotian seems inappropriate. Given the heavenly court''s emphasis on hierarchy, such a name doesn''t fit." Xu Qi''an thought for a moment and then said, "We don¡¯t need to worry about these details." The story continued: Despite the vast gap in status, these two unlikely individuals fell in love. One was like a celestial flower, and the other, wless jade. "Wait," Zhong Li paused her writing, frowning, "The celestial flower refers to the Zixia Celestial, right? So the wless jade would be Long Aotian... but he¡¯s a lowly demon. His background doesn¡¯t match the phrase ''wless jade.'' I think this needs to be revised." *You''re such a nitpicker...* Xu Qi''an was furious, his mouth twitching. "Are you trying to teach me how to write?" Sensing his rising frustration, Zhong Li wisely stopped arguing. The story resumed: The two would meet secretly in the heavenly pce, from holding hands and watching the sunset clouds, to hugging and kissing, and finally, rolling around in a secluded chamber. Xu Qi''an described the progression in detail, from beginning to end, without sparing any specifics. In this era, certain banned books had simrly detailed descriptions, often paired with poetry. While Xu Qi''an could copy poetry, writing it himself was impossible, so he didn¡¯t attempt to show off. However, the romance between the Zixia Celestial and Long Aotian was soon discovered by a lecherous divine official who coveted the Zixia Celestial''s beauty. He reported them to the Heavenly Emperor. Furious, the Heavenly Emperor had Long Aotian skinned and his bones removed, banishing him to reincarnate as a dumb beast for eternity. the Zixia Celestial was also imprisoned in the Moon Pce for all eternity, condemned to a life of cold istion. The story ended there. "How many words?" Xu Qi''an asked as he sipped his tea, moistening his throat. Zhong Li quickly calcted. "Around 80,000 words." Zhong Li wrote quickly, continuously for two hours without pause, often finishing writing as soon as Xu Qi''an finished speaking. Ordinary people couldn¡¯t keep up with that speed.[^1] *As expected of a fifth-rank Arcanist...* Xu Qi''an marvelled, very satisfied. The story itself was fairly average¡ªat least in Xu Qi''an''s opinion. But sincemercial novels hadn''t yet emerged in this era, even his crude story would be more engaging than most folk tales. *If only I had met Zhong Li six months earlier. I could dictate, and she would be my voice recognition system. I could open a bookstore and make a living selling storybooks...* Xu Qi''an quickly dismissed the idea. First, with his current status, he no longer needed to run a business. Second, the annual dividends from his share in the Chicken Bouillon enterprise were enough to support a life filled with wives and concubines. Lastly, in his previous life, this kind of story wouldn¡¯t have been a big deal. But in this era, it would get him executed. Not worth it, not worth it. "This will do for now. I¡¯ll refine the second halfter. Let¡¯s move on to the next book." Zhong Li''s fingers trembled slightly... The second book was about the love story between a demonic empress and a human schr. Xu Qi''an directly borrowed the form of the domineering CEO trope from his past life, but reversed the gender roles. The demonic empress was domineering, powerful, wise, and cold. The human schr was knowledgeable, kind, and polite. A ssic Domineering Lady CEO versus Innocent Sweet Schr dynamic. Without a doubt, this story was meant for Huaiqing. The book for Lin''an featured a heavenly princess and a humble guard, deliberately misleading Lin''an¡¯s perceptions of love and values. When she became absorbed in the story, she would fantasize about a charming, capable, and witty "guard" figure. Lin''an would soon realize: "Oh! Isn''t my running dog just like that? My true love is right here by my side." This was very usible. After all, the nobledies confined to their boudoirs were often obsessed with stories of talented schrs and beautifuldies, dreaming that their future husbands would be just like those in the tales... the best example of this phenomenon. As for Huaiqing, she was a tough nut to crack¡ªsmart, calm, and opinionated. Such a woman was hard to guide. Xu Qi''an even suspected that Huaiqing didn¡¯t read those low-brow works. But of course, nothing was absolute. Huaiqing had the personality of a domineering CEO, and in a male-dominated world, it was almost impossible to find a novel like _Domineering Lady Empress Falls for Me_. Xu Qi''an believed this would definitely pique Huaiqing''s reading interest. ¡­ After dusk, at the dinner table. Xu Eng noticed that his elder brother was acting strange, staring at him constantly, with an intense and affectionate gaze, as if examining a treasured item. ¡°Big Brother, why do you keep staring at me?¡± Xu Eng could no longer bear it and asked in a low voice. ¡°I¡¯ve recently taken an interest in painting and want to use you as a model,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an casually exined, continuing to stare at Xu Eng intently. *So that¡¯s what it is¡­* Xu Eng slightly raised his chin and nodded, ¡°If you can capture even one-tenth of my handsomeness, consider yourself having made it.¡± Uncle Xu couldn¡¯t listen any longer. He tapped the table with his finger and changed the subject, ¡°Yesterday, I heard you cut down a sixth-rank martial artist with one stroke?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied humbly, ¡°Just a small fry.¡± ¡­ Uncle Xu nced at his son, then at his nephew, thinking to himself, _This arrogance and self-importance certainly aren''t part of the Xu family tradition._ ¡°Tomorrow is the day the exam results are released, right?¡± Auntie looked at Eng. ¡°Hmm,¡± Xu Eng nodded. ¡°You¡¯re definitely going to be the *huiyuan*,¡± Auntie said happily, serving her son more food. Uncle Xu nced at his plump and beautiful wife and suddenly realized, _Ah, it¡¯s this woman who has spoiled the family values._ ¡°When the plum list is out,[^2] let¡¯s all go and take a look together,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said. Hearing the words ¡°plum list,¡± Xu Lingyin immediately perked up. ¡°It¡¯s not something to eat,¡± Xu Lingyue patted her head. Xu Lingyin lowered her head and continued eating dinner. After dinner, Xu Qi¡¯an finished washing himself, and pulled the cork from a porcin bottle. Mixing it with the water, he dunked his face into the concoction. After soaking his face for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, his skin began to heat up, and his facial features showed signs of ¡°melting.¡± He immediately went to the bronze mirror and began practicing the qi cirction method he was not yet skilled in, attempting to change his facial features. ¡°Make the lips thinner, narrow the nose a bit¡­ shrink the cheekbones¡­ round out the eyes a little¡­¡± After a quarter of an hour, the counterfeit Xu Eng stood before the mirror. To be precise, it was Xu Eng¡¯s long-lost brother. ¡°Looks about halfway there.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an admired himself in the mirror. *Looking like this, if I went and called Auntie ¡°mother,¡± the whole family would believe it... no, no, put away such dangerous thoughts. It wouldn¡¯t be good if Uncle and Auntie got divorced¡­* Thinking of this, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s lips curled into a smile, as countless mischievous ideas shed through his mind. Of course, if I were to disguise myself as Eng and meet the members of the Earth Book chat group in real life, that would be quite amusing. It wasn¡¯t because he feared social death, he simply thought it would be fun. ¡°Life is so dull, one must find ways to entertain oneself... It¡¯s been a while since I went to the brothels to listen to music.¡± ¡­ The Spring Examination results were also called the ¡°Plum List¡± because it coincided with the blooming season of plum blossoms. On the twenty-seventh day of the second month, at dawn. There was no curfew that night, the city gates were wide open, soldiers patrolled the streets, and almost all of the Nightwatchers¡¯ Bronze Gongs were out in force. Countless schrs flocked to the Inner City, gathering at the gate of the Imperial Examination Hall, eagerly awaiting the posting of the results. This year¡¯s Spring Examination was particrly lively, not only because of the thousands of anxious schrs but also because of the Conflict of Heaven and Man within the Daoist sects, drawing a flood of Jianghu figures into the capital. Jianghu folk had one defining trait: they loved gossip! Wherever there was excitement, they would gather. This created enormous pressure on the city¡¯s Five Guards, the local government, and the Nightwatchers to maintain public order. In the end, even Xu Pingzhi couldn¡¯t apany his son to see the results because the area he was responsible for was too far from the Examination Hall. Simrly, Xu Qi¡¯an had his own district to patrol. Jianghu folk were a mixed bag. If there were spies or anarchists among them, the schrs could be in danger. Auntie, Lingyue, and Lingyin also wanted to join in on the excitement, so Second Uncle had no choice but to arrange for the family guards to apany them. Xu Qi¡¯an, on the other hand, believed that since his patrol area was near the Examination Hall, he could keep an eye on both. It wasn¡¯t a big deal. ¡°The Spring Examination results day has always been this lively. The court has nurtured schrs for years, and it alles down to today.¡± The middle-aged swordsman, leading Young Master Liu and other juniors, walked through the crowded streets, speaking at length, ¡°Back in my youth, while traveling through the capital, I happened to witness this scene during the Spring Examination. ¡°The top scorer at that time was a man named Chu Yuanzhen, whoter became the zhuangyuan. When I arrived in the capital this time, I inquired and learned that the former top schr had since resigned from office. ¡°Ah, time flies, a decade has passed in the blink of an eye.¡± ¡°Oh, he resigned?¡± The woman with the ¡°Soul-stealing Hand,¡± Rongrong, asked curiously: ¡°Why is that? I¡¯ve heard that those who rank in the top tier can enter the Hanlin Academy and eventually be Prime Ministers. Why give up such a bright future?¡± The middle-aged swordsman shook his head. As they continued walking, they found it increasingly difficult to move forward, surrounded by schrs in Confucian robes and numerous Jianghu figures. The soldiers were struggling to maintain order, shoutingmands loudly. "Master, why don''t we leap across the rooftops to get a better view?" Young Master Liu suggested. "Do you want to be cut down by the Nightwatchers with a single sh, or pierced through the heart by the Huben Guards'' arrows?" The middle-aged swordsman retorted with irritation. In an open space closer to the Examination Hall, a sedan chair draped in red silk had stopped. Surrounding it were armed guards, along with two petite maids. "Chun''er, how much longer until the results are posted?" A melodious, gentle female voice came from within the sedan. "Miss, there''s still thirty minutes," replied the maid named Chun''er, who stood on tiptoe to nce at the sundial in the distance. Thedy in the sedan was the daughter of Wang Wenzhen, the current Grand Secretary of the court. She loved attending poetry and literary gatherings hosted by schrs and had a natural inclination for joining lively events like the announcement of the Spring Examination results. This Miss Wang was known for her literary talent. Though not as dazzlingly brilliant as Princess Huaiqing, had she been born a man, passing the provincial examination would have been effortless for her. "I wonder who will be the _huiyuan_ this year," Chun''er said sweetly. Miss Wang smiled and shook her head gently. Spring Examination fraud was rampant, although not as tant as before, the maniptions were still considerable. The title of _huiyuan_ might seem impressive to themon folk, but to those truly in the know, they could only salute and say: "Brother, you¡¯re loaded!" Of course, every now and then, a golden phoenix mightnd in the chicken coop, and there would still be deserving talents who would im the crown. At that moment, the other maid, who had remained silent, suddenly pointed into the distance and eximed, "What a handsome schr!" Miss Wang lifted the curtain, revealing a small gap, and peeked outside. She quickly spotted the schr the maid had mentioned, as he was so strikingly handsome that even though he frowned while being jostled by the crowd, his beauty was still unblemished. His eyebrows were delicately long, his eyes shone like stars, his lips were rosy, and his teeth gleamed white. His fair skin was even more exquisite than that of most women. Behind him was a noblewoman with an oval face, dressed in luxurious clothing, her hair adorned with a golden hairpin. Beside the noblewoman was a graceful and elegant young girl, whose beauty even made Miss Wang, confident in her own looks, feel a moment of awe. ... Auntie, protected by a group of guards, wasn¡¯t pushed around by the crowd, but she began to regreting out to join the excitement. Besides the noisy schrs, there were also many coarse and fierce Jianghu figures with brutish faces. This made Auntie, who only dared to strike heavy blows at her nephew and husband at home, feel anxious. Whenever she went out, she was often ogled by some lecherous men, though they were more discreet. However, the rough Jianghu folk around them were tantly leering. Auntie furrowed her delicate brows, feeling the helplessness of being a natural beauty unable to escape such attention. "Let¡¯s stop here," Xu Eng said,ing to a halt. "Once the results are posted, someone will announce them aloud. We can listen from here." Auntie breathed a sigh of relief and took Eng¡¯s hand, saying, "Your mother has worked hard for your sess." "¡­Thank you, Mother," Xu Eng responded. The Plum List was posted on the east wall of the Examination Hall, also known as the "Wall of Fame." As time passed, the moment for the announcement finally arrived. First, they revealed the secondary list. Even the secondary list alone stirred the crowd of schrs. Some cheered, others wept bitterly, presenting a vivid disy of human emotions to all present. "Reveal the list! It¡¯s time to announce the Plum List!" The schrs shouted excitedly, their collective enthusiasm building to a fever pitch. --- [^1]: If you¡¯re curious, 80,000 words in 2 hours is 666 wpm [^2]: The *almond list* is the name of the results of the metropolitan examinations (the second level imperial exams). Like then as now, the Chinese tradition on results day is to publicly disy and announce all candidates and their scores in descending order. Chapter 279: Can’t Bring Myself to Cut Your Head Off Chapter 279: Can¡¯t Bring Myself to Cut Your Head Off # 279. Can¡¯t Bring Myself to Cut Your Head Off ¡°Rank 460: Yang Zhen, of the Imperial Academy. Rank 459: Li Zhuming, of Hushui Commandery, Qingzhou¡­¡± The official standing under the "Wall of Fame" loudly announced the rankings. As soon as he began, the once noisy crowd of schrs immediately quieted down in unison. Thousands of students pricked up their ears, listening intently. Upon hearing their own names, some burst into tears of joy, while others cheered wildly. ¡°Eng, why haven¡¯t we heard your name yet?¡± Auntie asked anxiously. ¡°Mother, they¡¯ve only just reached the hundreds.¡± Xu Lingyueforted her. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say Second Brother would be the _huiyuan_?¡± Auntie red at her daughter. This cheeky girl even dared to tease her. ¡°Eng, they haven¡¯t called you yet.¡± When they reached the fifties, Auntie became even more nervous, her brows furrowed tightly.¡°Just wait a little longer,¡± Xu Eng said, frowning. As they approached the top ten, Auntie¡¯s face turned pale, feeling that her son was very likely to fail. Xu Xinnian, meanwhile, was both anxious and excited. It was a moment of make-or-break. Thinking of his elder brother''s poem *Travelling is Hard* and his own diligent efforts, he still had a bit of confidence. Finally, the voice called out: ¡°This exam¡¯s _huiyuan_, Xu Xinnian, of Cloud Deer Academy, native of the capital.¡± Auntie felt a loud "boom" in her ears, like a p of thunder. Her whole body trembled. That same thunderous sound echoed in the ears of the thousands of schrs and Nightwatchers nearby. Their first thought was: Impossible! It was impossible that a student of Cloud Deer Academy had be the huiyuan. The conflict between the orthodox schools of Confucianism had spanned two hundred years, and students from Cloud Deer Academy were notoriously suppressed in officialdom. This was an undisputed fact. In such a context, how could the _huiyuan_ possibly be from Cloud Deer Academy? Thest time a student from Cloud Deer Academy achieved the title of _huiyuan_ was twenty years ago with the schr Ziyang Jushi. But Ziyang Jushi was no ordinary person. He was a Confucian master of the fourth rank. Looking back twenty yearster, it made sense that he had be _huiyuan_ and even the _zhuangyuan_. He was, after all, a hidden dragon. But now, considering that this student from Cloud Deer Academy had fought his way through thousands of contenders to be _huiyuan_, could it be that he too possessed the potential of a great Confucian? At this moment, many hearts were moved. These were wealthy families or officials eyeing prospective sons-inw from the examination results. Matchmaking after the examination results had always been a tradition. Though it wasn¡¯t as popr during the era of Yuanjing, many families still waited by the Plum List to find a suitable son-inw. They were looking for a schr with outstanding talent, someone with the potential of a hidden dragon¡ªlike the _huiyuan_ Xu Xinnian. This practice, known as list matchmaking, referred to wealthy families scouting out promising schrs after the examination results were posted. They would then send a matchmaker to the schr¡¯s family to propose marriage. Timing was crucial¡ªonce the match was made, the marriage was settled, and no one else could take the schr away. In an era where decorum andw were paramount, no one could back out of a marriage without severely jeopardizing their future, unless they were prepared to forsake their ambitions. ¡°Which one is Xu Xinnian?¡± ¡°Who is Xu Xinnian¡¯s father?¡± Voices of inquiry arose from the crowd. A student turned his head and, scanning the sea of people, spotted the dazed face of Xu Xinnian. Immediately, he shouted, ¡°Congrattions, Cijiu! Xu Xinnian is over there.¡± A wave of people rushed forward, but surprisingly, it wasn¡¯t the schrs leading the charge¡ªit was those interested in list matchmaking, apanied by their guards, who quickly surrounded Xu Xinnian. ¡°Does the _huiyuan_ Xu Xinnian have a fianc¨¦e? I have a daughter, aged sixteen, as beautiful as a flower, who would love to marry such a fine gentleman.¡± ¡°I too have an unmarried daughter at home, skilled in music, go, calligraphy, and painting.¡± Xu Xinnian kept backing away. Chun¡¯er stood on tiptoe, watching the scene for a moment. Delighted, she said, ¡°_List matchmaking_ is really interesting. Miss, I didn¡¯t expect that the _huiyuan_ would be that handsome schr.¡± Before her voice had even faded, the window curtain was suddenly lifted, revealing sweet Miss Wang, with a schrly air and a hint of baby fat on her cheeks. She peeked out for a brief moment and then said, ¡°Chun¡¯er, let¡¯s head back.¡± Meanwhile, Xu Xinnian, who had never seen such amotion before, frowned. Just as he was about to yell at the unruly crowd to back off, he noticed several shady Jianghu men pushing against the guards, trying to harass his mother and sister. The guards were forced to retreat step by step, and Auntie and Lingyue screamed in fright. ¡°Stop!¡± Xu Eng shouted loudly. But it was no use. He couldn¡¯t stop so many people. ¡°Hmph, such scoundrels. No real skill, but they sure know how to take advantage of chaos,¡± the middle-aged swordsman observed from afar, sneering. He didn¡¯t pay much attention though, as such small disturbances would soon be dealt with by the Nightwatchers and the constables. However, those two stunningly beautiful women might get a bit of a fright. ¡°Stop!¡± Suddenly, a deafening voice boomed. This time, it wasn¡¯t just metaphorical thunder, but an actual explosion of sound. The thousands of people present were left dizzy and disoriented, their ears ringing. Themotion came to an abrupt halt. On the wall of the Examination Hall stood a young man dressed in the uniform of a Nightwatcher, with a silver gong on his chest. He rested one hand on his sword, his sharp gaze sweeping over the troublemaking Jianghu men. At the same time, the constables and Nightwatchers finally forced their way through the crowd and arrived. The moment Auntie saw Xu Qi¡¯an, she felt an overwhelming sense of relief, as if she had found her anchor. Both mother and daughter sighed in relief. ¡°Take those troublemakers away,¡± Xu Qi¡¯anmanded, pointing out the Jianghu men one by one. The nearby Bronze Gongs immediately stepped forward to apprehend them. The schrs below recognized Xu Qi¡¯an and were delighted, shouting, ¡°It¡¯s Master Poet Xu!¡± ¡°Greetings, Master Poet Xu!¡± Many of the capital¡¯s schrs greeted him with respectful salutes, as if meeting a senior or mentor. In truth, Xu Qi¡¯an indeed deserved such respect. With his renowned poems alone, even the proudest of schrs dared not act haughtily in his presence. However, schrs from outside the capital didn¡¯t know his identity. Seeing him dressed as a Nightwatcher, they initially looked down on him. But the capital schrs¡¯ attitude made them realize this young Silver Gong was no ordinary figure. ¡°Brother, who is this? He looks so mboyant, must be just a military man, right?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t recognize him? Ah, you¡¯re not from the capital. This gentleman is Xu Qi¡¯an¡ªthe one who wrote *subtle fragrance drifts with the rising moon at dusk.*¡± ¡°¡­So it¡¯s him. Indeed, he is a man of extraordinary presence, a true dragon among men, inspiring awe at first nce.¡± With that, the schrs from outside the capital realized who he was. Xu Qi¡¯an had many admirers, and thanks to the poems he had "borrowed," he had amassed a huge following among the schrs of the Great Feng Dynasty. At once, countless schrs greeted him, hailing him as ¡°Master Poet Xu.¡± ¡°So impressive¡­¡± Xu Lingyue murmured. ¡°So impressive¡­¡± From afar, Miss Rongrong gazed at the young man on the wall with admiration in her eyes. ¡°Clearly I¡¯m meant to be the protagonist here¡­¡± Xu Xinnian tutted softly. ¡­ Xu Xinnian not only passed the metropolitan exam, but ranked first as Huiyuan! This was something no one in the family had anticipated. Auntie was so overjoyed she nearly fainted, much like the female version of Fan Jin in that famous tale. Second Uncle was also ted, deciding to host a grand banquet at home, inviting rtives and colleagues for a celebratory feast. Now that the Xu family was quite well-off, they could easily afford a three-day-long banquet. After lunch, Xu Eng set down his chopsticks, looked at Xu Qi''an, and said, "Big Brother, are you going to patrol the streets today?" Xu Qi''an shook his head. He was a Silver Gong, and patrolling the streets was typically at his discretion, not a mandatory duty. Besides, now that the rankings had been posted, the thousands of schrs had returned home, relieving some of the morning''s security pressure. Xu Eng nodded, stood up, ced one hand on his abdomen, the other behind his back, and said lightly, "Then, Brother, I''ll trouble you to guard the door. This afternoon, I''m sure there will be some annoying flies buzzing around. I won¡¯t see anyone!" His posture resembled that of a highly respected teacher or official. *Hey, this little rascal is really getting into character...* Xu Qi''an''s lips twitched. Xu Xinnian''s prideful personality was clearly inherited from Auntie. However, his sharp tongue was self-developed¡ªAuntie''s scolding skills were quite average; otherwise, she wouldn''t be so easily infuriated by Xu Qi''an. Xu Qi''an returned to his room, sat at his desk, and started pondering Xu Eng''s future. *Eng being named Huiyuan was beyond my expectations. Next is the pce exam in a month. After that, I can activate the back-up n I nted (through Minister Zhao of the Ministry of Personnel)¡­* *Staying in the capital is only the first step. If I want Eng to be someone useful to me, I need to find him a solid backing. Otherwise, with his status as a student from Cloud Deer Academy, he¡¯ll be stuck in a low-ranking post for life¡­* *Duke Wei isn''t the Left Censor-in-Chief anymore. I wonder if he can regain such an important position. But Eng can¡¯t rely on Wei Yuan. Any association with him would brand him with the same stigma as me¡ªthe ¡®Eunuch Clique¡¯.* He frowned. *I can''t put all my eggs in one basket. I need to find another patron for Eng. Only then can we, as brothers, hope to dominate the court together.* Xu Qi''an had once joked about grooming Xu Xinnian to be the Prime Minister of the Great Feng. While it had been a jest, he was serious about elevating Xu Eng''s position. After everything that had happened and all the enemies he had made, this n had be even more necessary. First of all, Xu Eng had exceptional talent and was following the orthodox Confucian path. He also had a decent grasp of political maneuvering. With a few years of experience, he would be an invaluable ally. But the downside of being from the orthodox Confucian tradition was clear¡ªhe was an orphan in the politicalndscape. "Princess Huaiqing, while capable, is a woman. I suspect she is secretly building her own power, but Eng needs a strong patron, not someone leading an underground faction. "As for the Crown Prince, after the incident with Consort Fu, I¡¯ve fallen out with his mother, so he¡¯s not an option. Besides, the Crown Prince¡¯s rank is too low¡ªhe doesn¡¯t match up with my Eng. The Fourth Prince is simrly out of the question." After mentally reviewing the options, Xu Qi''an realized he couldn''t find a suitable patron in the civil servants. _Sigh¡­ This isn¡¯t urgent. After the imperial exam, Eng¡¯s matters will be put on hold for now. What I need to focus on is the Buddhist envoy, and Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhens¡¯s "Conflict of Heaven and Man"¡­ This kind of doctrinal struggle is always troublesome,_ Xu Qi''an rubbed his temples, muttering: "For me, though, the most important thing is to quickly advance to the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones stage." After washing his face, Xu Qi''an left his house. As a busy Silver Gong, he had no time to stand guard for someone like Xu Eng. He rode his little mare, carrying the two novels Zhongli had written, and quickly made his way to the imperial city. Presenting the jade pendant gifted to him by Princess Lin''an, he was led by the Imperial Guards to Shaoyin Courtyard. Princess Lin''an was delighted by Xu Qi''an''s sudden visit, instructing her maids to serve the best tea and pastries to entertain her "Running Dog." "How has Your Highness beentely?" Xu Qi''an asked. Lin''an sighed, her charming peach blossom eyes dimming as sheined, "My mother consort cries to me every day, saying she¡¯s bullied by the Empress in the pce and can hardly go on." _What about the people backing Consort Chen? Aren¡¯t they stepping in to help¡­? Hmm, Consort Chen is a capable pce schemer. She can¡¯t be doing that poorly. She¡¯s probably just putting on an act for Lin''an, hoping for a roundabout way to solve her problems¡­_ Xu Qi''an mused and then asked curiously: "Has the Empress gone too far? Can Your Highness not stand up for Consort Chen?" "What can I do against Huaiqing? Besides, I don''t think my mother is as pitiful as she ims," Lin''an pouted, clearly feeling wronged. "Why don¡¯t you ask His Majesty for help?" Xu Qi''an suggested cautiously. "Everyone, leave us," Lin''an waved her hand, dismissing the maids. The room fell silent, with no one speaking for a long time. "Running Dog¡­" Her soft, weary voice finally broke the silence. "Yes, Your Highness, I¡¯m listening." "When the Crown Prince was imprisoned in the High Court, I went to plead with Father, but he refused to see me. I stood in the cold for two hours before Huaiqing sent me away¡­" Lin''an lowered her head, looking like a small, dejected animal, and said quietly, "That was when I started to think that maybe Father doesn¡¯t love me as much as I thought. After the Crown Prince got into trouble, none of my brothers and sisters yed with me anymore. That¡¯s when I realized they never truly liked me¡­" Her eyebrows drooped, and her once-clear and enchanting peach blossom eyes were now dim, her head slightly bowed. She no longer looked like a princess, but a wronged and pitiful girl. Xu Qi''an understood that this was how much Lin¡¯an trusted him. She was shedding the pride of a princess, revealing not a particrly foolish girl, but not too clever either. These feelings had probably been bottled up inside her for a long time... likely since the Crown Prince¡¯s downfall, when she first realized this harsh reality. Yet she had hidden it well, maintaining her princess¡¯s pride. It wasn¡¯t until after the Consort Fu case was resolved that she fully grasped the truth behind the matter¡­ What must her emotions have been like then? Sadness, helplessness, disappointment? This princess, who appeared arrogant and spoiled on the outside, was in fact like a paper tiger¡ªblustering and loud when wronged, but quietly enduring the real heartaches. Essentially, she was a beautiful yet fragile woman, strong in appearance but weak inside. Lin''an''s eyes gradually grew misty. Speaking these words made her feel better. Even though her "Running Dog" couldn''t really help her, and he hesitated even to stand up to Huaiqing on her behalf, the fact that he was willing to offend Huaiqing for her sake had already made her quite happy. Suddenly, a hand pressed gently on her head and ruffled her hair. Startled, Lin''an looked up, only to see that her "Running Dog" had, at some point, walked over to her side. His gaze held a mixture of pity for her misfortune and frustration at her helplessness. "Your Highness, I¡¯ll be here with you," he said softly. Lin''an''s face slowly turned red, and in a voice as soft as a mosquito''s whisper, she murmured, "You... you shouldn''t touch my head¡­ I''ll get mad." Xu Qi''an, inplete defiance of the princess''s orders, ruffled her hair even harder, messing it up entirely. Lin''an opened her peach blossom eyes wide, ring at him as if trying to use her royal authority to drive him away. But though her eyes were charming and full of emotion, they had no real power to intimidate. Then, Lin''an lowered her head again. _Hmm, for girls with this kind of personality, a mix of assertiveness and persistence works best... If it were Huaiqing, I¡¯d probably have been stabbed by now¡­_ The atmosphere between them grew charged with subtle emotion. Sensing it, Xu Qi''an withdrew his hand just in time. He reached into his robe, took out the storybook _"Great Sage of Love"_, and ced it in front of Lin''an, smiling. "This is a book I came across by chance. It''s quite interesting. Since you like stories, I think you¡¯ll enjoy reading it. Just make sure no one knows it came from me." Lin''an''s attention immediately shifted to the book. "If life in the pce ever gets too dull, you could always move to Lin''an Mansion. That way, I could visit you every day and even sneak you outside," he suggested yfully. After a few more words, he prepared to take his leave. "Xu Qi''an!" Lin''an called after him, puffing out her cheeks and threatening in a fierce but adorable tone, "Today''s events must not be mentioned to anyone. Otherwise, otherwise¡­" She wanted to say "I¡¯ll have your head cut off," but she couldn¡¯t quite bring herself to say it. "Understood," Xu Qi''an replied with a grin. ¡­ After leaving Shaoyin Courtyard, Xu Qi''an approached the Imperial Guards and said, "I have urgent business with the Eldest Princess. Lead me to her." "That''s against the rules," the guard replied, shaking his head. "I can wait outside the pce gates. That way, it''ll be within the rules," Xu Qi''an said, slipping a ten-tael silver note into the guard''s hand without a change in his expression. The guard epted and led Xu Qi''an out of the pce, letting him wait outside while he went to deliver the message. In less than the time it took to burn a stick of incense, the guard returned and said, "Princess Huaiqing will see you." Xu Qi''an''s lips curled into a smirk as he pressed his hand to his chest, thinking to himself, _Huaiqing, oh Huaiqing, get ready to experience the power of the domineering boss and the sweet, innocent schr routine. It¡¯s bound to hit all your weak spots._ Chapter 280: A Poem Chapter 280: A Poem # 280. A Poem Following the Yulin Guard to Dexin Pavilion, Xu Qi''an was informed that Princess Huaiqing had just finished her sword practice and was currently bathing, so he had to wait outside. *Heh, did she hear I wasing and deliberately decided to take a bath¡­* Xu Qi''an''s thoughts ran wild. After waiting outside Dexin Pavilion for about half an hour, a young maid in a pale yellow pce gown stepped over the threshold and softly said, "Sir Xu, Her Highness will see you now." Upon entering the elegant courtyard, he saw Princess Huaiqing in the reception hall. Having just bathed, her exquisitely beautiful face was tinged with a light flush, and her eyes sparkled brightly. There was a new, softer allure about her, less of the lofty coldness she usually exuded. It was like a jade statue of a beauty had suddenlye to life. *This is what true feminine charm looks like,* Xu Qi''an thought. *Keeping up the icy, noble princess act every day isn''t cute at all¡­* He cupped his hands in greeting: "Your humble servant greets Your Highness." Huaiqing motioned for the maid to serve tea, her voice as clear and cold as ever, "What brings you here, Sir Xu?""My cousin has just passed the metropolitan exam, but he hails from Cloud Deer Academy. I am concerned for his future prospects," Xu Qi''an earnestly exined. "Does Your Highness have any wise counsel?" If there''s a problem I can¡¯t figure out, asking a clever person is the best course of action. *One must learn to use every tool at their disposal. If the princess has no ideas, I¡¯ll ask Wei Yuan.* Huaiqing¡¯s gaze flickered, and she sipped her tea thoughtfully. She immediately grasped Xu Qi''an¡¯s meaning¡ªhe didn¡¯t want his cousin to be branded as part of the Eunuch Clique. Clever people never put all their eggs in one basket. *Xu Ningyan may be a martial artist, but he¡¯s incredibly sharp¡­* Huaiqing smiled faintly. "You¡¯ve been to Qingzhou¡ªhow well do you know the situation there?" "The governance is clear, and Ziyang Jushi has managed Qingzhou meticulously¡­¡± As he spoke, Xu Qi''an suddenly understood Huaiqing¡¯s point. With Ziyang Jushi holding supreme authority in Qingzhou, any Cloud Deer Academy schr sent there would have ample room to showcase their talents without fear of being suppressed. "Qingzhou is a safe haven Ziyang Jushi has carved out for his Confucian schrs," the Princess exined without further pretence. *But I only have this one precious little brother. I don''t want to send him off to a faraway ce like Qingzhou¡­* Xu Qi''an sighed inwardly. "I understand, Your Highness." *Fine, I''ll have him stay in the capital for now and figure something outter. Who knows, maybe he''ll find his own backer.* "By the way, does Your Highness enjoy reading novels?" Xu Qi''an¡¯s true intent finally emerged. "I¡¯ve never been interested in such things." The princess¡¯s haughty tone was akin to a top schr saying: *Web novels? Hah, I don¡¯t read that kind of thing!* "I happened toe across an interesting book. If Your Highness ever has some free time, perhaps you might find it enjoyable¡­ But please, keep it secret." Xu Qi''an pulled out _Domineering Lady Empress Falls for Me_ and ced it on the table. Huaiqing didn''t even nce at it, offering only a polite nod. After Xu Qi''an left, Huaiqing was about to instruct the maid to put the novel away, but as her eyes fell on the cover, she suddenly froze. _Domineering Lady Empress Falls for Me_¡­ Lady Empress?! *Such a scandalous title¡­* Huaiqing¡¯s interest was piqued, and since she had nothing pressing to do, she figured a brief nce wouldn''t hurt. She sat down again, opening the outrageously titled novel. The story told of a schr who, by ident, ended up in the demon realm. Though brilliant and full of literary talent, the demons intended to eat him, preparing to fry him in oil. At that moment, the Empress appeared¡ªthe only well-read figure in the demon realm, known for her vast intelligence and knowledge. She saved the schr and kept him in her harem, where they exchanged poems and discussed the ssics. Throughout, the Empress maintained a cold and domineering attitude, though deep down, she cared for the schr. Her favourite phrase was: "You¡¯re ying with fire." Huaiqing had never encountered such an amusing novel before. Itcked any real depth or intellectual value, utterly unlike theplex, abstruse works she usually preferred. Yet somehow, this simple, day-to-day story carried a strange charm. Huaiqing found herselfpelled to see how the Empress¡¯s ¡°public shows of dominance¡± would y out next. Yes, public shows of dominance¡ªthat was it. Despite her cold and ruthless fa?ade, the Empress harboured a tender heart. The schr, on the other hand, doted on her, always considerate of her feelings. He would even get jealous when she drank with the demon generals. Before she knew it, dusk had fallen¡ªshe¡¯d been reading for over two hours. Huaiqing also realized another benefit of this novel: it required no brainpower. It was pure entertainment. When she finished, however, a wave of anger surged within her. *What was I doing?* *Reading a book devoid of intellectual nourishment for two whole hours?! Wasn''t that just a waste of life? How could I squander my time on something so frivolous and vapid?* She felt a deep sense of guilt. "Just a trivial read¡­" Huaiqing muttered dismissively, tossing the book aside as she got up to leave the reception hall. But a few minutester, she returned, tucked the book into her sleeve, and took it with her. It definitely wasn¡¯t because she nned to review it again before bed, but rather because such a book could not be seen by others. It was like a secret novel for the boudoir¡ªunfit for public view. ¡­ At the same time, in Shaoyin Pavilion, Lin¡¯an was fully engrossed in *Great Sage of Love*. "So¡­ this is what romance between men and women is like¡­ Ah, how could running dog give me such a book?" Lin''an rolled around on her bed, her face flushed red. Reading the 5,000-word scene where Zixia Celestial and Long Aotian shared an intimate moment, she blushed furiously, muttering, "How awful, how terrible¡­" Yet she read every word, carefully visualizing the entire scene in her mind. She felt her body heat up, her legs asionally rubbing against each other. Her round, tender face blushed like a ripe apple, and her alluring peach blossom eyes¡ªalready captivating¡ªgrew hazy with a soft, seductive mist. But the bedroom activities were only a part of the story. At its core, it was the tale of Zixia Celestial and Long Aotian¡¯s love. The first two-thirds were sweet and tender, but thest third¡­ a knife to the heart. When Long Aotian was skinned alive, his bones pulled out, and he was condemned to be reincarnated as a beast forever, while Zixia Celestial was imprisoned in the Pce of Eternal Cold, Lin¡¯an realized her pillow was soaked with tears. Sniffling, she grumbled, "Why isn¡¯t there any more? Running dog, why isn¡¯t there any more?" After venting her frustration, she summoned her maids and said, "Prepare hot water, we wish to bathe." "Now? But it¡¯s almost time for dinner¡­" the maid asked, confused. Lin''an''s cheeks flushed even deeper. "Do what we say!" Soon, the water was heated, and the maids prepared the bath. Lin''an slipped her delicate body into the warm water, which was scattered with flower petals, her smooth shoulders and elegant corbones peeking above the surface. "Tell me," she suddenly asked, "among the guards at my side, who do you think is the most handsome, the most talented, and the most loyal to me?" "They¡¯re all very loyal, Your Highness. As for who¡¯s the most talented or interesting, I¡¯m not sure¡­ But if it doesn¡¯t have to be a guard, I think I have someone in mind." "Who?!" Lin''an immediately perked up. "Sir Xu, of course! Sir Xu is handsome, talented, and always makes youugh. He¡¯s not a guard, but you¡¯ve recruited him as a close confidant. And though he¡¯s a Nightwatcher, not a schr, he could still be considered a sort of protector, right?" Lin¡¯an bit her lip and gently stirred the petals. The water rippled, casting a blurry reflection of her face¡ªdelicate, rosy, and shy. ¡­ The Imperial City, Wang Manor! Golden-red sunset streamed through thetticed windows of Prime Minister Wang¡¯s study. The fifty-something Wang Zhenwen finished reviewing his dossiers and swept them aside into a corner. He thenid out a piece of paper, pressed it with a paperweight, and picked up a brush to begin writing... At that moment, the eldest daughter Miss Wang entered, carrying a bowl of goji and ginseng soup. Wang Zhenwen ignored her and, riding the surge of inspiration swelling in his chest, began to write. _"Clear wine in golden goblets, ten thousand cash a cup,_ _Delicacies on jade tters, a myriad silver more...."_ _"Oh, travelling is hard! Travelling is hard!,_ *So many crossroads; which to choose?* *When the winds are high and the waves are tall,* _I¡¯ll hoist my sails over the ocean blue."_ Miss Wang ced the soup down and leaned over to take a look. She couldn''t move her gaze for a long time, murmuring, ¡°Father, you¡¯ve penned a masterpiece destined for the ages. "When this poem is published, it will surely shake the court." As a literature enthusiast, her appreciation skills were still sharp. Miss Wang was utterly captivated by the grandeur of this poem. Wang Zhenwen shook his head, took a sip of the ginseng soup, and exhaled contentedly. ¡°This was not written by me. It wasposed by the new _huiyuan_. Didn¡¯t you visit the examination halls today? Didn¡¯t you see him? "They say he¡¯s quite the striking figure, a rare handsome young man." "I didn''t meet him. I was just mingling in the crowd," Miss Wang denied quickly, her eyes flickering toward the desk. "When I reinstated poetry into the civil examinations years ago, it took no small effort. The opposition was fierce," Wang Zhenwen tapped the paper with his fingers, his smile broad. "Now that such a fine work has emerged, I can finally hold my head high. It¡¯s a vindication for the schrs of the world, and for our ancestors. We didn¡¯t let the treasure of poetry fade into oblivion." After the publishing of the Plum List, Xu Xinnian¡¯s poem *Travelling is Hard* quickly spread among the examiners, who praised it with enthusiasm, calling it stirring and inspiring. In a few more days, after it had time to percte, this poem would be sung and celebrated throughout the capital. "I heard that this huiyuan is a schr of the Cloud Deer Academy," Miss Wang said "offhandedly." Wang Zhenwen paused for a moment, then sighed. "What a pity." The civil servants of the court were dismissive of the schrs from the Cloud Deer Academy. As the head of the civil officials, the Prime Minister could not relent on this stance. The more talented Xu Xinnian was, the more wary Wang Zhenwen became¡ªand the less likely he would make use of him. "Dad!" As Miss Wang helped gather the memorials, she said, "I would like to host a literary gathering at our residence and invite some of the well-known schrs of the capital. Under your name, of course." The organizer of a literary gathering must be someone of high status and reputation, something Miss Wang didn¡¯t have on her own. However, she had organized many gatherings in the past, all under Wang Zhenwen¡¯s name. With the spring exams just over, it was the perfect time to hold such an event. Wang Zhenwen nodded. "Very well." ¡­ Qingyun Mountain, Cloud Deer Academy. As thest rays of sunlight lingered, a rider sped down the main road, raising clouds of dust. The horse stopped at the foot of the mountain, and a student in a schr''s robe leapt off, holding a list in his hand, and sprinted toward the peak. "Good news, good news!" He shouted as he ran, soon reaching the academy. Along the way, several students heard themotion and came out to ask what was going on, but the messenger ignored them all, heading straight for Great Schr Zhang Shen''s study. Hearing the noise, Zhang Shen was already waiting outside, his faceposed as he watched the approaching student. "A schr must maintain a calm mind. Neither great joy nor great sorrow should sway one¡¯s heart." After this gentle reminder, Zhang Shen smiled. "Judging by your excitement, I assume all our students passed the exams." "Sir, not only did they pass," the student eximed, "Xu Xinnian ced first as the huiyuan." Zhang Shen thought he had misheard and asked sternly, "The huiyuan?!" The student nodded emphatically. "The huiyuan, it¡¯s true! I have the names of the academy''s students from the Plum List¡ªXu Xinnian is at the top, without a doubt." Zhang Shen snatched the list and looked it over. He saw the list of candidates, with their academies and backgrounds, ranked in order. At the top: Xu Cijiu, first ce, huiyuan. Zhang Shen stared at the list for a long moment, then suddenly let out a loud cry: "Dean, Chen Tai, Li Mubai... My student got the huiyuan, my student got the huiyuan!" The messenger was dumbfounded. Soon enough, Dean Zhao Shou and two other Great Schrs, Li Mubai and Chen Tai, arrived on the scene, appearing at Zhang Shen¡¯s study by sheer force of bullshit will, despite the distance. The elderly, scruffy Dean Zhao Shou was the first to ask, "Is it true? Which student ced first?" "Xu Cijiu!" Zhang Shen dered proudly. Zhao Shou frowned, pondering for a moment, then remembered. "Ah, the student who¡¯s never lost an argument?" "...This shows his eloquence is unmatched," Zhang Shen replied. "Congrattions, congrattions!" Li Mubai and Chen Tai, though genuinely pleased, couldn''t help but feel a twinge of envy. It was only natural for all the schrs at Cloud Deer Academy to celebrate when one of their own became the huiyuan, and the teachers would be no exception. In fact, they might even dance and drink the night away. Yet their envy lingered, as Xu Cijiu was Zhang Shen¡¯s student. Zhao Shou frowned again. "In theory, he shouldn¡¯t have won first ce. What kind of essay did Xu Cijiu write?" Based on previous exams, there was certainly cheating going on this year. As a schr from the Cloud Deer Academy, Xu Cijiu wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to cheat. Yet to think he won purely by merit seemed a bit far-fetched. Zhang Shen, having calmed down somewhat, admitted, "Xu Cijiu''s essays were excellent, but to call them extraordinary might be an overstatement." Yet how could a merely ¡°excellent¡± essay have won over two of the three examiners? Just moments ago, when the student brought the news, even Zhang Shen had doubted it. Li Mubai, noticing the messenger still present, waved him over and asked, "What other news from the capital?" It was a casual question, but the messenger quickly nodded. "There is indeed more, sir. After copying the Plum List, I found Xu Xinnian''s achievement rather unusual, so I invited one of the examiners for a meal. "The ¡®meal cost¡¯ came to fifteen taels, which I¡¯ll be expensing from the academy." The Great Schrs nodded approvingly. Cloud Deer Academy students were resourceful and capable, not rigid or overly conservative. The messenger continued and took out a slip of paper from his robe. "The examiner said that Xu Xinnianposed a poem during the third session, which deeply impressed the Grand Schr of the Eastern Pavilion. The other examiners were also convinced, and since his previous exam scores were outstanding, that¡¯s how he became the huiyuan." "A poem?" The Great Schrs exchanged nces. Chapter 281: Light of the Buddha Chapter 281: Light of the Buddha # 281. Light of the Buddha The three great schrs tacitly refrained from taking the paper and instead exchanged knowing nces. Seeing this, Dean Zhao Shou reached out, took the folded rice paper, and slowly unfolded it. He then fell into a long silence. Sensing something unusual, Zhang Shen cautiously asked, "Dean?" But Zhao Shou ignored him, mumbling softly to himself, caught in some emotion he couldn''t immediately shake off. After a while, Zhao Shou stroked his beard and smiled. ¡°What a fine poem! I will personally have this inscribed in the Hall of the Lesser Sage, making it a part of Cloud Deer Academy''s legacy. In the future, when descendants look back on this history, this poem alone will suffice. "Tonight, the three of you shalle to my residence. We''ll drink and celebrate until dawn." The three schrs found it hard to believe. For Zhao Shou, the leading figure of Confucianism in this era, to be so moved by a single poem was almost unheard of. Even when praised with masterpieces like "Drunk, he knows not if the sky floats in the water; His dreamden boat sailing atop the Milky way", Zhao Shou had merely smiled in approval."See for yourselves!" Zhao Shou handed over the paper. Zhang Shen took it and read it together with the other two great schrs. Their expressions froze, and they, like Zhao Shou earlier, were overwhelmed by emotions they couldn''t immediately shake off. ¡°¡®Oh, travelling is hard! Travelling is hard! So many crossroads; which to choose? When the winds are high and the waves are tall, I¡¯ll hoist my sails over the ocean blue.¡¯¡± Li Mubai suddenly broke into tears,menting, "This poem speaks of our Cloud Deer Academy." Zhang Shen and Chen Tai clenched their fists in agreement. They now understood why Zhao Shou had lost hisposure. Li Mubai was right¡ªthis poem was written for the Cloud Deer Academy. Looking back on the past two centuries since the Imperial Academy was founded, Cloud Deer Academy had entered its darkest period. Its students burned the midnight oil, striving for greatness, but their efforts were met only with suppression. Their burning passion and vast talents were left with nowhere to be disyed. *Yet I spurn my drink and toss my chopsticks, food left untouched, Drawing my sword, with empty heart and unclear thoughts.* But those final two lines were truly a stroke of genius, filling the great schrs with a renewed sense of grandeur and a surge of excitement. The greatest power of poetry is its ability to evoke shared feelings, and it had struck right at the hearts of Zhao Shou and the three schrs. "Dean..." Zhang Shen coughed, breaking free from the intense emotions. He said softly, "Xu Cijiu is my student. I worked painstakingly to teach him." "You have worked hard, Jinyan," Zhao Shou said with gratitude. "Training talented individuals for the Academy is my duty; there is no hardship in that," Zhang Shen said righteously. "But I do have a small request that I hope you will consider." Chen Tai and Li Mubai immediately grew cautious. Zhao Shou smiled warmly. "What is your request?" "When you personally inscribe this poem, please make sure to add a few small words after Xu Cijiu''s name: ''Student of Zhang Shen, style name Jinyan, from Jingzhou.''" Before Zhao Shou could respond, Chen Tai and Li Mubai objected, "I oppose this!" Zhang Shen was furious. "He is my student! What does this have to do with you? Who are you to object?" "Nonsense!" The two schrs red at him, not holding back as they exposed the truth. "You know your student¡¯s capabilities as well as anyone! How dare you pretend not to know who really wrote this poem?" Zhang Shen knew all too well. Xu Cijiu was his student, and as his teacher, he was well aware of his abilities. As for how Xu Cijiu managed to guess the exam topic, Zhang Shen assumed that Xu Qi''an had sought Wei Yuan''s help. "Hmm?" Zhao Shou raised a brow in suspicion, cutting off the hearing of the messenger student nearby. "What were you just saying? Xu Cijiu didn''t write this poem?" Chen Tai snorted. "Xu Cijiu excels in policy discussions, but his poetry is mediocre. How could he produce such a soul-stirring masterpiece?" Li Mubai chimed in, "It was undoubtedly written by my student, Xu Qi''an." "When did Xu Qi''an be your student?" Zhang Shen scoffed. "If anything, he¡¯s my student. So no matter what, it''s still my name that belongs on the poem." The three great schrs began to argue noisily. Zhao Shou listened for a moment, then slowly understood. This poem had not been written by Xu Cijiu, but rather by his renowned cousin, who had beenuded as the Master of Poetry in the literary world. In that case, Xu Cijiu had cheated as well. "By the way, what is our huiyuan''s specialty?" Zhao Shou asked. In Confucianism, character was paramount, especially for the higher-ranking schrs. Every great schr upheld a strong moralpass. But that didn¡¯t mean they were all sages¡ªunless they had explicitly set "sageness" as their defining mission in life. Otherwise, small transgressions could be overlooked. But cheating was not a minor offense. "His specialty is governance and military strategy," Zhang Shen said, as he himself was a great schr known for his expertise in military matters. Governance was a fundamental subject every Confucian schr had to study, but beyond that, they could choose one or two areas to specialize in. Some schrs focused on the _Book of Rites_, while others delved into the _Doctrine of the Mean_. Xu Cijiu''s area of expertise was military strategy. Upon hearing this, Zhao Shou nodded in relief. Specializing in military strategy meant there wouldn''t be any issues with his future advancement. "You needn''t argue over a single poem. I believe that Xu Qi''an used his cousin''s hand to offer this poem to the Academy. That is the greatest gift we could receive," Zhao Shou said. "Our Dean speaks the truth," the three great schrs said in unison. They also silently added in their minds: *That sneaky bastard Yang Gong!* ¡­ The next day, the Xu Residence hosted a grand banquet, inviting friends and family. As per Xu Xinnian''s arrangements, the guests were divided into three groups: the front yard, the back inner yard, and the central courtyard. In the central courtyard sat his ssmates and friends, while the inner courtyard, which was off-limits to outsiders, was reserved for family members. The front yard was for Uncle Xu and Xu Qi''an''s colleagues. The three groups of guests were perfectly separated, each enjoying their own drinking and banter. The schrs ignored the rough martial artists, and the martial artists paid no attention to the schrs'' pretentious airs. "Eng truly has the mind of a schr, arranging everything so neatly," Xu Qi''an remarked while escorting his younger brother around to toast the guests. "Why didn''t our teachere?" he added. Xu Eng, his face slightly flushed from a few drinks, sighed as he exhaled the scent of alcohol. "The servant who delivered the invitation this morning brought back word that Teacher got into a fight with two other great schrs and was injured." "Another fight?" Xu Qi''an thought to himself, wondering if all Cloud Deer Academy schrs had such bad tempers. The two brothers then made their way to the inner courtyard, where their family members were seated. Auntie and Second Uncle remained at the table, keepingpany with the Xu n. A few children, having eaten their fill, yed in the courtyard, envious of the Xu Family''srge estate. Xu Lingyin, too shy to join her ymates, had been eating non-stop and would rather die than move from her seat. The Xu n members were overjoyed. Not long ago, Xu Dng had been ennobled, and now, Xu Eng had just passed the metropolitan examination as the huiyuan. These were clear signs that the Xu family was on the rise. While the younger generation was excited, many of them also thought about how they might benefit from this great pir, hoping that one day they might achieve sess and fame themselves. The joy of the elders was more straightforward. Some wept with happiness, proiming that their ancestors must have blessed them and that the Xu n was destined to be a great family. "Lyu Er¡¯dan," one of the n elders stood up, patting Xu Pingzhi on the back of his hand, speaking with gratitude. "With Dng and Eng both turning out so well, you deserve much of the credit. One schr and one warrior, both trained by you. You''re even better than the Confucian teachers! I have a pair of grandsons at home. Er''dan, could you help guide them for a few years?" Lyu Er''dan, ¡°Second donkey egg¡± was Second Uncle Xu Pingzhi¡¯s childhood name. Hence Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s father would naturally be called: Lyu Yidan, ¡°First donkey egg¡±. Only the elderly members of the n still used these childhood names. "Hahaha, no problem! Uncle, feel free to send those two rascals over to me!" Xu Pingzhi, riding high on the praise, beamed with pride. He even began to feel that Xu Cijiu and Xu Ningyan''s sesses were thanks to his own efforts. _What effort? You''re no more than a reckless man, Xu Pingzhi..._ Xu Qi''an thought with a smile, mocking him internally. _Father truly has no self-awareness. You''re just a coarse warrior,_ Xu Xinnian silently grumbled in his heart. Auntie, sitting silently, felt disgruntled that no one praised her for raising such talented children. But remembering her past conflicts with her nephews, she knew that if she tried to take credit, she''d surely be rebuked. ... The western gate, the Capital. The soldiers on guard suddenly heard faint chanting of Buddhist scriptures, as ifing from the heavens. A soldier scratched his ear, only to realize the chanting still echoed in his mind. "Hey, do you hear something strange...?" Before he could finish his question, he noticed hisrades around him doing the same, digging into their ears. Just then, someone atop the city wall shouted, "Buddha''s light! In the west, there¡¯s Buddha¡¯s light!" The soldiers below instinctively tightened their grips on their spears, looking out warily into the distance. A few secondster, they saw a golden light slowly rising from the west, glowing like the first rays of dawn¡­ but purer, and moreforting. Unknowingly, the soldiers began to loosen their grips on their spears, their eyes filled with devotion and serenity, as if their hearts had been cleansed by the light. The centurion in charge bit his tongue hard, the pain shocking his brain back into temporary rity, allowing him to resist the "devotion" welling up inside him. He stumbled over to the dazed soldiers, pushing them aside as he grabbed the hammer and pounded it against the war drum, striking it again and again. _Boom, boom, boom..._ The dull sound of the drum reverberated through the air, echoing in the hearts of the guards, echoing in the hearts of the people of the western city. ... "They''ve arrived!" Xu Qi''an, in the middle of raising a ss to toast a guest, suddenly heard the murmurs of the monk Shenshu in his mind. *Arrived? What has arrived?* Xu Qi''an froze for a moment before realizing¡ªThe emissaries from the Buddhist sect have arrived. *Finally... the monks from the Western Regions have arrived in the capital.* *They hade because of the Sangpo case, because of the monk Shenshu.* Their intentions were far from friendly. Xu Qi''an had been in this world for more than half a year, and this would be his first direct encounter with the high monks of the Western Buddhist sect. _The Jianzheng has already shielded me from the heavens, so the monks shouldn''t be able to detect the existence of Shenshu. But as the lead investigator of the Sangpo case, there''s no way I can avoid interacting with these monks..._ _I¡¯ve heard the Buddhist sects possess all sorts of strange abilities, like mind-reading techniques. If that¡¯s true, could they hear my thoughts?_ Xu Qi''an felt as though he were facing a formidable foe. Chapter 282: Li Yuchun’s Lifelong Enemy Chapter 282: Li Yuchun¡¯s Lifelong Enemy # 282. Li Yuchun¡¯s Lifelong Enemy The sun was high, and the banquet was in full swing. After making a round of toasts, Xu Qi''an excused himself under the pretext of going to the toilet and returned to his study, pondering how to handle the emissary from the Western Region¡¯s Buddhist sect. Zhong Li sat at the square table, head bowed, taking small bites of her meal. Based on the research he had done recently, Xu Qi''an believed that the emissaries from the Buddhist sect had two main objectives in visiting the capital. The primary goal, of course, was to investigate the Sangpo case¡ªthis was the main reason for their visit. *The question is, whether the baldies are just here to gather information, or if they intend to stay in the capital and actively search for clues on Shenshu... I suppose they''ll only make that decision after they get a clearer picture of the situation,* Xu Qi''an mused, twirling his brush. Their secondary objective might be toe and demand answers. The rtionship between the Buddhist sect and the Great Feng wasplicated. They¡¯re allies in name but harbour animosity underneath. Take, for example, the Battle of Shanhai Pass. The Buddhist Kingdoms of the West and the Great Feng were allies, part of the victorious coalition. Meanwhile, the Southern Marches and the Northern tribes were among the defeated.However, after experiencing that dream of life after death, Xu Qi''an realized that the Battle of Shanhai Pass was far moreplex than the historical records made it seem, especially since the Church of the Warlock God of the northeast was also involved. *The barbarian tribes of the Southern Marches, the northern barbarians, the Northern Yao Tribe, and the Church of the Warlock God in the northeast... If the remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom were involved too, then the defeated side had a truly massive coalition*. *In other words, how powerful was the Great Feng back then? How strong was the Buddhist sect? And just how skilled was Wei Yuan atmanding armies? The more I think about it, the more terrifying it seems.* But this alliance wasn''t solid. Over the past twenty years, the Northern tribes and the Southern Marches had repeatedly invaded the Great Feng''s borders, and despite the court¡¯s pleas for help, the Buddhist sect turned a blind eye. Setting the northern barbarians aside for now, nowadays half of the territory in the Southern Marches had fallen into the hands of the Buddhist sect¡ªthe formernds of the Wanyao. If the Buddhist Kingdoms truly cared about their alliance, they would have directly gone for the enemy crystal. Would the barbarians from the Southern Marches still dare to attack the border? Of course, the Great Feng wasn¡¯t meless either. Years ago, Cloud Deer Academy spearheaded the campaign to exterminate the Buddhist sect. More recently, when Shenshu broke free, Jianzheng, that cunning old man, pretended to be ill. *But their grievance has nothing to do with me. I¡¯m just a humble Silver Gong; it¡¯s up to the court officials and Emperor Yuanjing to worry about this. I wonder if the Jianzheng will intervene... That sly old man probably won''t.* *As the officer in charge of the Sangpo case, I will most likely have to interact with the Buddhists... To be safe, I should go see the Jianzheng.* *Also, this visit from the emissaries is both a crisis and an opportunity. The Buddhist sect know Shenshu the best. I can use this chance to indirectly probe for more information, which will help me give Shenshu a proper exnation.* A bold n began to take shape in Xu Qi''an''s mind. "Zhong Li, let¡¯s go." Immediately, he donned his Nightwatcher uniform, put on his mink hat, and left the Xu manor. Riding his ever-reliable little mare, who never got stuck in traffic, he quickly arrived at the Stargazing Tower. He tied up the mare by the steps and climbed the tower alongside Zhong Li. Just as he finished climbing the stone steps and entered the first-floor hall, a figure in white appeared before him, reciting in a resounding voice: "Picking the stars with the moon in hand..." "¡­there are none like me upon thisnd." Xu Qi''an interrupted. ... Yang Qianhuan paused for a moment, then resumed his line, his tone leisurely: "Picking the stars with the moon in hand..." "there are none like me upon thisnd," Xu Qi''an interrupted again, adding, "Senior Brother Yang, we need to see the Jianzheng. Please don''t block our way." Yang Qianhuan fell silent for a long while before saying, "I¡¯m here for that reason. Teacher sent me to inform you." Jianzheng already knew I wasing? Xu Qi''an nodded and said, "Please say." Yang Qianhuan gathered his energy and bellowed, "Piss off!" ¡­ Xu Qi''an rubbed his ears as he untied the reins of his little mare, muttering, "Does the Sitianjian practice the Buddhist Lion''s Roar too? What if I get tinnitus? Will I go deaf?" As he finished speaking, he saw Zhong Li silently making hand gestures: _I¡¯m deaf. I need to go back and take my medicine, or my ears will stop working._ "..." Xu Qi''an pointed at his ears, then at himself, as if asking: _Did I cause this?_ Zhong Li shook her head (a weary shake, not wanting to argue with Xu Qi''an). Xu Qi''an nodded in understanding. It seemed this was yet another of Zhong Li¡¯s misfortunes, and he was merely caught up in her bad luck. *Jianzheng didn¡¯t want to meet me, which suggests the cover he put on the heavens is strong enough to deal with the Buddhist monks...* Having gotten the answer he sought, Xu Qi''an breathed a sigh of relief. After waiting for a moment downstairs, Zhong Li returned, having taken her medicine. "Are your ears better?" Zhong Li nodded. "Mhm." The two then headed straight for the Nightwatcher Constabry and went directly to Min Shan¡¯s Gold Jade Hall. A burly Silver Gong with a scar across his cheek, Min Shan, looked at them with irritation and said, "Your One de Hall has already been repaired. Why are you here again?" The One de Hall was Xu Qi''an''s "office," a name he had chosen himself, symbolizing that "no hero in the world can withstand one de of mine." "Anything happening in the capital today?" Xu Qi''an asked casually. "You''ve heard?" Min Shan snorted. ¡°The Western Region¡¯s emissaries have arrived. They say there''s a high monk among them, and for ten miles around, the sky was filled with Buddhist light. Many of the guards on duty at the city gates witnessed it. "After they entered the city, themoners went mad, shouting praises of the holy monk. When ites to manipting people¡¯s hearts, the Buddhist sect has no equal." *This must be the ability of a seventh-grade Dharmacarya. I remember reading in the records that a seventh-grade Dharmacarya master can preach and make ordinary people achieve sudden enlightenment, leading them to renounce the world and ¡°pass through the empty door¡±[^1]...* Xu Qi''an feigned confusion: "What are the Buddhist emissaries doing in the capital?" "Who knows?" Min Shan was unaware of the deeper connection between the Sangpo case and Shenshu, nor did he understand the underlying stakes. ... A canal boat slowly docked at the docks. On the deck of a three-masted ship stood dozens of Nightwatchers. Gold Gong Yang Yan and Jiang Lyuzhong led the group off the official ship. As they gazed at the long-lost capital, their hearts swelled with excitement. Especially for Jiang Lyuzhong and the vanguard led by Governor Zhang¡ªthey had been away from the capital for over two months. They had left in the dead of winter, and now, upon their return, willow branches were budding, and new life was sprouting everywhere. Li Yuchun waved to Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, saying gravely, "After we report to our superiors, let¡¯s visit Ningyan''s grave." Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao nodded, their expressions somber. It had been over a month since Xu Ningyan''s death. The tidal wave of grief they felt at the time had now settled into their hearts, leaving them with the memory of a fallen colleague or subordinate, someone they would always remember. Yearster, when they looked back on that young, brash man, they would still feel a faint sadness and regret. Yang Yan, walking ahead, turned back with a nk expression, though his voice was low and solemn: "I will go too." Governor Zhang sighed. "I must go see His Majesty, so I won''t be joining you. Tomorrow, I will personally visit with my wife and children." His duties would likely keep him busy tomorrow, so he wouldn¡¯t have time to visit Xu Ningyan¡¯s grave. This group had been away since their time in Qingzhou, drifting on the water. They hadn¡¯t received any letters from the court, and thus were unaware that Xu Qi''an had alreadye back to life. Not only had Xu Qi''an revived, but he had also casually solved a pce murder case. Soon, they arrived at the Nightwatcher Constabry. ¡­ On the way out of the Gold and Jade Hall, Xu Qi¡¯an was preparing to visit his own office when Zhong Li suddenly noticed that he had stopped in his tracks. She nced at Xu Qi¡¯an before following his gaze to the gate of the Constabry, where a group of dust-covered Nightwatchers were crossing the threshold... and froze on the spot, as if turned to stone statues. *Who is that man, and why does he look so much like Xu Ningyan¡­* *Do we even have a Bronze Gong like this in our Constabry¡­* *Must be seeing things. I swear I just saw Xu Ningyan. But wait, Xu Ningyan wasn''t this handsome¡­* *Are they brothers? But Xu Ningyan didn¡¯t have any siblings¡­* One question after another appeared in the minds of the returning Nightwatchers. There¡¯s nothing worse than an awkward silence or the sudden resurfacing of painful memories. Xu Qi¡¯an felt that the lyrics from a certain song perfectly fit the mood right now. With an awkward yet polite smile, he said, "Hello everyone, my name is Xu Qian." There was bound to be a reunion eventually, but in Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind, the ideal scenario would have been: Yang Yan and the others would return to the capital and learn from their colleagues in the Constabry that he had miraculouslye back to life. Overwhelmed with joy, they would race over like unleashed wild dogs and hug him while weeping uncontrobly. This awkward reunion, however, was something he hadn¡¯t anticipated. *It must be Zhong Li¡¯s bad luck rubbing off on me.* Li Yuchun stared hard at Xu Qi¡¯an, summoning all his strength before tremblingly asking, "Y-you¡¯re Xu Ningyan?" The others said nothing, merely watching him silently while holding their breath. "It¡¯s me. I didn¡¯t die," Xu Qi¡¯an said with a smile. Upon hearing his confirmation, silence stretched for ten full seconds before Song Tingfeng suddenly let out a loud yell and rushed forward, throwing himself into Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s arms and hugging him tightly. "How are you not dead? You were definitely stone-cold dead." "And what¡¯s with the change in appearance? How did youe back to life? Tell us everything." "He¡¯s alive, really alive¡­ warm and breathing." The Nightwatchers surrounded Xu Qi¡¯an, bombarding him with questions, their faces full of excitement. "I¡¯ll exinter,ter¡­" Xu Qi¡¯an pushed them back gently and with a grin pointed at the Silver Gong insignia on his chest, addressing Li Yuchun, "Boss, I¡¯m a Silver Gong now." Li Yuchun sped his hands behind his back, maintaining aposed demeanor as he nodded approvingly, "Not bad, all that effort I put into training you wasn¡¯t wasted." Xu Qi¡¯an waved to Zhong Li, calling her over, "Zhong Li,e here. Let me introduce you to my boss." Only now did Li Yuchun notice Zhong Li¡­ Her hair was dry and messy, her coarse robe covered in wrinkles, and her embroidered shoes clearly hadn¡¯t been cleaned in ages. He couldn¡¯t even see her face. Li Yuchun felt as though a cold serpent was slithering up his spine, and his scalp tingled inch by inch. His face twisted in horror, and he retreated a few steps, shouting, "Whose girl is this? Whose girl is this!!!" Xu Qi¡¯an hurriedly sent her off, "Zhong Li, head over to my One de Hall. Just take a right ahead." "Okay," Zhong Li muttered, head hanging low as she walked away, looking quite aggrieved. Li Yuchun let out a long breath of relief, the goosebumps on his arms slowly dissipating. Afterward, Xu Qi¡¯an gave a detailed exnation of how he hade back to life. "The Pill of Rebirth? The one that allows someone to shed their old body and gain a new one? I heard even His Majesty once requested one from Jianzheng, but Jianzheng wouldn¡¯t give it to him¡­ Wait, is Chu Caiwei your lover?" Jiang Lyuzhong eximed in amazement. The Nightwatchers who hadn¡¯t known about the Pill of Rebirth were now enlightened after his exnation. Once the excitement of his colleagues began to settle, Xu Qi¡¯an wrapped an arm around Song Tingfeng¡¯s shoulder, "Let¡¯s hit the Jiaofangsi for some fun tonight." To his surprise, Song Tingfeng shook his head, "I won¡¯t be going to Jiaofangsi anymore." He gave Xu Qi¡¯an a stern look, dering, ¡°I¡¯m not who I used to be. The Song Tingfeng of today is a man of ambition and diligence, focused on his cultivation. "Ningyan, you¡¯ve changed, and so have I. You can¡¯t look at me with the same eyes as before." Xu Qi¡¯an scrutinized him in disbelief. It seemed that in the month since his "death," Song Tingfeng had indeed be much moreposed and resolute. Li Yuchun nodded approvingly, "Tingfeng is right. Out of all of us, his growth has been the most significant during this mission to Yunzhou. I¡¯m quite pleased." Song Tingfeng smiled quietly, full of pride. Xu Qi¡¯an pped his hands together and looked around at everyone, "Well, after you all report in, let¡¯s gather tonight at Jiaofangsi for drinks. My treat." Then, he grabbed Zhu Guangxiao by the shoulder, saying, "I still owe you five visits to Jiaofangsi. We even signed a contract." The rest of his colleagues were thrilled at this. Song Tingfeng swallowed hard, "Ningyan, my contract¡¯s part of it too¡­ Tonight, I¡¯lle to Jiaofangsi." "You can¡¯t go." Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face turned serious, and he said righteously, "You¡¯re not the same Song Tingfeng anymore. Indulging in debauchery and living recklessly are things Guangxiao and I will handle. You, on the other hand, are a man of ambition and focus now." ... The Buddhist emissary team stayed at Sanyang station, thergest courier station in the outer city. It was a two-courtyardplex with three ancient willows in the courtyard, from which the station got its name. A station clerk stepped out from the main gate, nced around, and quietly slipped into a nearby alley. In the alley stood a young Nightwatcher, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, the other fiddling with a piece of silver as he leaned against the wall, waiting. "Sir, here¡¯s the list of emissaries from the Western Regions. The leader is a monk by the name of Du¡¯e." The clerk handed over a note, his eyes darting to the piece of silver before he spoke again, "Master Du¡¯e has been summoned to the pce and isn¡¯t at the station." "Good job." Xu Qi¡¯an flicked the silver piece, which arced through the air and was caught skillfully by the clerk, who beamed with gratitude. "Thank you, sir!" After sending the clerk away, Xu Qi¡¯an quickly shed his Nightwatcher uniform and retrieved a monk¡¯s robe from his Earth Book Fragment, slipping it on. He touched his freshly shaved head, gritting his teeth as heforted himself: *It¡¯ll grow back.* A few minutester, a handsome monk with an upright bearing strolled out of the alley, his robe swaying gently. At the station gate, two young monks were on guard duty instead of station clerks. "This brother, may we know your name?" the monks stepped forward, blocking his way. Xu Qi¡¯an pressed his palms together and recited a prayer, "Amitabha. This humble monk is Hengyuan from Qinglong Temple. Upon hearing that fellow disciples havee from the Western Regions, I¡¯vee to pay my respects." "Brother Hengyuan from Qinglong Temple¡­?" The two monks were not easily fooled and scrutinized Xu Qi¡¯an carefully, "But hasn¡¯t Brother Hengyuan broken his vows?" "This humble monk is a martial monk," Xu Qi¡¯an replied, his tone carrying the air of one sharing a sect secret with fellow insiders. The two monks immediately understood, their attitude bing much more respectful. "Please, Brother Hengyuan,e inside!" --- [^1]: Buddhist terminology. Be a monk/nun. Chapter 283: Master, Take Care Chapter 283: Master, Take Care # 283. Master, Take Care Under the guidance of the monks at the gate, Xu Qi¡¯an passed through the front courtyard and entered the inner courtyard. The young monk stopped in the yard, pressed his palms together in a gesture of respect, and said, "Brother Hengyuan, please wait here for a moment while I notify Sect-Uncle Jingchen." Xu Qi¡¯an returned the greeting with a Buddhist gesture, saying, "Thank you, Brother." As the young monk entered a room, Xu Qi¡¯an reflected on the names listed on the roster. The Western Region emissary had a total of twenty-one members. The innkeeper had to arrange rooms for the delegation, and since the inn''s rooms varied in quality, monks of higher status would naturally get the better rooms. It wouldn''t make sense for a novice to stay in a presidential suite while the leading elder was ced in a windowless single room. Thus, the innkeeper had a clear understanding of each monk''s standing. The most senior monk was, of course, the delegation''s leader, "Master Du''e." However, the innkeeper wasn''t sure about his exact level of cultivation.Following him were two monks, "Jingchen" and "Jingsi," who appeared to be fellow disciples, judging by their dharma names. As for the other monks, their statuses seemed rtively equal. *One is called ''Capital City,'' and the other ''Nearsighted.''[^1] These two disciples sure have interesting names,* Xu Qi¡¯an thought to himself. At that moment, the young monk returned and invited Xu Qi¡¯an inside. Following the monk into the room, Xu Qi¡¯an noticed the scent of sandalwood in the air. A monk with a round face and plump earlobes sat cross-legged on a mat, smiling at the door. The monk''s aura was restrained, making him seem no different from an ordinary person. "Senior Brother Jingchen," Xu Qi¡¯an greeted with palms pressed together. "Junior Brother Hengyuan," the middle-aged monk returned the greeting. He then gestured for the young monk to serve tea. After Xu Qi¡¯an had taken a sip, the monk finally spoke, "Brother Panshu just returned to the temple." *This was an indirect way of saying that the monks from Qinglong Temple had only just learned about the arrival of the delegation in the capital. Brother Panshu had just returned to Qinglong Temple, and unless there were special circumstances, he wouldn¡¯t send the monks to pester the delegation¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an immediately grasped the implications and realized this was a subtle test. He had anticipated this and calmly replied, "This poor monk has been away from the temple for many years." Monk Jingchen smiled and asked, "What brings you here today, Brother Hengyuan?" His voice carried a strange power, making Xu Qi¡¯an instinctively resist lying. He feltpelled to reveal his true purpose. *A fifth-rank Scarya?*[^2] Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s heart skipped a beat. The abbot of Qinglong Temple, Panshu, was also a fifth rank. Monks at this level were like walking "rules"; they would consciously or unconsciously influence those around them. A monk does not lie, a monk must be abstinent, a monk must not kill, etc, etc¡­ having already restricted themselves under such rules for so long, a Scarya could consciously or unconsciously influence those around them. Xu Qi¡¯an had never witnessed a Scarya in battle, but when he investigated the Sangpo case at Qinglong Temple, he had specifically studied the profiles of Buddhist experts. Scaryas¡¯bat prowess stemmed entirely from their adherence to monastic discipline, somewhat resembling the Confucians'' "Laws followmandments," though not as flexible. In simple terms, a Confucian might dere, "Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s Diao Chan is riding his waist!"¡ªand this could actually materialise, though with serious side effects for the caster.[^3] In contrast, a Buddhist Scarya might dere, "Xu Qi¡¯an, reverse smoking is a scorn to God!"[^4]¡ªwhich would only result in his lips being burnt, without much other consequence. Confucians could alter reality through their words, whereas Scaryas made others follow preexisting rules, making the two fundamentally different. Xu Qi¡¯an pressed his palms together and recited a Buddhist prayer: "Brother, have you and your fellow disciplese to the capital because of the sealed object from the Sangpo case?" His words were like a boulder thrown into a calmke. Monk Jingchen narrowed his eyes but remainedposed, smiling as he asked, "Did Brother Panshu tell you this?" Before Panshu had returned to Qinglong Temple, Master Du''e had strictly instructed everyone not to reveal the existence of the sealed object, even to the monks of Qinglong Temple. Master Jingchen was trying to set a trap. Xu Qi¡¯an shook his head and sighed, "It wasn¡¯t my master. To be honest, I also yed a part in the Sangpo case..." A golden gleam seemed to sh through Monk Jingchen¡¯s serene eyes. "I have a junior brother, his dharma name is Henghui. We grew up together, deeply bonded. Over a year ago, Henghui suddenly disappeared and stole a spell from the temple that conceals one¡¯s aura. After much investigation, I discovered he had likely been abducted by a criminalwork..." Xu Qi¡¯an adopted a sorrowful expression, as if overwhelmed by grief, and had to recite a Buddhist prayer to soothe his emotions: "Amitabha." Monk Jingchen, engrossed in the story, noticed Hengyuan¡¯s sadness and felt moved. "Is there more to this case?" "Indeed, Brother Henghui fell in love with a female devotee, and they made a privatemitment to each other. Thus, he stole the temple¡¯s artefact and fled with her." Jingchen frowned, puzzled. "Even if they eloped, why would he need to steal the artifact?" Xu Hengyuan sighed and exined, "The woman was the daughter of King Yu. King Yu is the emperor''s brother, a noble king. Without the artifact to conceal their auras, they could never have escaped the capital." *This...* Monk Jingchen was at a loss for words, unable to refute the reasoning. Xu Qi¡¯an then briefly recounted how the two naive young lovers were deceived, dragged into court politics, and ultimately met tragic ends. "Amitabha!" Monk Jingchen pressed his palms together, his face showingpassion as he recited the Buddhist prayer. After a few moments of silence, he asked, "But how does this rte to the Sangpo case?" Good question! Xu Qi¡¯an smirked inwardly but maintained hisposed expression, answering, ¡°This case is far moreplicated than it appears on the surface... At the end ofst year, the Yongzhen Shanhe temple in the Sangpo Lake was suddenly destroyed in an explosion, and the evil entity sealed beneath theke was released. "The emperor was furious and ordered the three judicial offices to investigate thoroughly. I became involved because that evil entity took refuge in my junior brother, Henghui." "What?!" Master Jingchen¡¯s face changed dramatically, and he hurriedly asked, ¡°Where is the evil creature now? Is Henghui still alive? How did Great Feng handle this? Did the Jianzheng not intervene? Or has the evil been sealed again by the Jianzheng?¡± He bombarded Xu Qi¡¯an with a barrage of questions,pletely losing the serene demeanor of a monk. "Brother Jingchen, don''t rush, allow me to exin slowly..." Xu Qi''an began to exin the intricate details of the Sangpo case and the Pingyang Princess case, carefully dissecting their connection and the secrets entwined within, revealing everything to Master Jingchen. Master Jingchen remained silent for a long time, seemingly overwhelmed by theplex and interwoven nature of the cases. These hidden truths were unknown even to Abbot Panshu, who had merely journeyed west to inform the Buddhist sect of the Sangpo seal''s breach. *His uncle had gone to the pce to meet the emperor and understand the details, yet I, who stayed behind at the ry station, am now the first to know the entire story...* Jingchen sighed deeply: ¡°This case is indeedplicated and strange, and the person who unravelled it even more remarkable. How did Brother Hengyuane to know such detailed information?¡± Xu Qi''an knew that this was a question bound to arise. He remained calm, forcing himself to fight the instinct not to lie, and replied: ¡°Though the case was officially handled by the Three Judicial Offices, the one who truly uncovered the Sangpo case and the Pingyang Princess case was a Silver Gong from the Nightwatchers named Xu Qi¡¯an. I share a deep friendship with Sir Xu and was drawn into the case due to Henghui, which is how I came to know it so well.¡± *Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an...* Jingchenmitted the name to memory and quickly inquired, ¡°Who exactly is this Silver Gong Xu, Brother Hengyuan? Tell me more about him.¡± "Ah!" Hengyuan did not speak at once but let out a long sigh. ¡°Brother, why this sigh?¡± "I was just thinking of Xu Qi¡¯an, and I am filled with deep emotions." ¡°Oh? What do you mean?¡± Hengyuan said slowly, ¡°Brother, you don¡¯t know, but Xu Qi¡¯an is the most extraordinarily gifted person I have ever encountered. In the way of cultivation, he possesses peerless talent, unmatched by almost anyone in Great Feng. ¡°In matters of justice, he refuses to take anything from the people, dedicating himself solely to upholding righteousness. ¡°In solving cases, despite Great Feng being full of experts, none can match him. ¡°As for poetry, he is hailed as the greatest poet of the past two centuries in Great Feng. It¡¯s said that the oiran of Jiaofangsi are madly in love with him, yet he remains indifferent.¡± Master Jingchen was dumbfounded, never expecting that such a person existed in the capital. ¡°Does such a person really exist in this world? It¡¯s a pity he hasn¡¯t entered our Buddhist sect,¡± Jingchen remarked, a sharp glint shing in his eyes. *¡­ Damn it, I¡¯ve overdone it! Is this guy trying to convert me to Buddhism? What do I need this iron rod for then?* Xu Qi¡¯an, now on high alert, casually shifted the conversation and made his intentions clear: ¡°The reason I¡¯vee to you, Brother, is to inquire about the nature of the evil sealed beneath Sangpo. "I know it¡¯s connected to our Buddhist House, but I can¡¯t understand why it had to be sealed under Sangpo in the Great Feng.¡± "This..." Jingchen''s face showed hesitation. "Brother, is there something you can''t say?" Hengyuan asked directly. ¡°This matter is a Buddhist secret, Brother. It¡¯s best not to ask further,¡± Jingchen responded. "Hah!" Hengyuan sneered, ¡°I see now. I thought of the Western Buddhist sect as family, but in the eyes of my fellow disciples, I¡¯m just an outsider. ¡°Fine, fine, it was my mistake for thinking otherwise. I¡¯ll take my leave. The Western Buddhist sect is the Western Buddhist sect; Qinglong Temple is Qinglong Temple¡ªdifferent entities.¡± With that, he got up to leave. ¡°Stop!¡± Jingchen called out, his face showing a trace of anger, ¡°We are all disciples of the Buddha, worshipping the same Buddha. We are one family. Brother, your words earlier attack the heart. Don¡¯t say such things again.¡± *There''s a chance...* Hengyuan remained expressionless but inwardly smirked as he gave a cold grunt. That grunt was infused with the Buddhist "Lion¡¯s Roar," causing the sound to reverberate through the room. *Warrior Monks¡¯ tempers have always been this fiery¡­* Jingchen sighed in his heart and gestured for him to sit. ¡°Please, Brother. I will share with you what I know.¡± Qinglong Temple was thest remnant of the Western Buddhist sect in the Great Feng. If the Western sect wished to continue spreading its teachings in the Central ins, Qinglong Temple was an indispensable force. Given this context, the Western Buddhist sect highly valued its "family" rtionship with Qinglong Temple, and any rift must be mended and avoided. ¡°That evil creature is indeed connected to our sect. ording to Master Du''e, it was a traitor of the Buddhist sect.¡± ¡°A traitor of the Buddhist sect?¡± *As I expected. Shenshu was a buddhist, yet sealed by the buddhists. If not a traitor, what else could he be?* ¡°Who was this traitor?¡± Hengyuan asked. ¡°That I do not know,¡± Master Jingchen shook his head. ¡°This is a closely guarded Buddhist secret. Even I am not privy to such details.¡± *I wish I could use the Qi-watching technique to see if he¡¯s lying¡­ It¡¯s Shenshu, the traitor monk¡¯s name was Shenshu...* Hengyuan pressed further: ¡°Why was he sealed instead of being put to rest?¡± *Buddhism speaks of mercy, but surely they wouldn¡¯t be so lenient with a traitor?* ¡°When Abbot Panshu ryed the news back to the West, the arhats and bodhisattvas took it very seriously,municating through thunderous promations. This level of formality hasn¡¯t been seen since the battle at Shanhai Pass twenty years ago.¡± Jingchen pondered for a moment and added: ¡°Along the way, I overheard Master Du''e mention that the demon monk cannot be killed.¡± *Cannot be killed?!* This passage contained a wealth of information that forced Xu Qi''an to pause his inquiries and reflect deeply. *So, Shenshu was sealed in Sangpo not because the Buddhist sect showed mercy, but because they couldn¡¯t kill him.* *Shenshu had once said that he had miraculously entered the highest realm of "immortality."* *But let''s not forget, Buddhism has the existence of the Buddha, a being beyond the nine ranks. Could even the Buddha not kill Shenshu?* *My goodness, Shenshu is even more terrifying than I imagined. What kind of monster is he...?* Xu Qi''an muttered inwardly. *Could it be that he could easily take out the old Jianzheng with a single punch?* "I see, so it''s because he can''t be killed. No wonder they had to dismember and seal him," Xu Qi''an said in a deep voice. "But why was Sangpo chosen for the seal?" he asked again. Sealing such a dangerous traitor, a dire threat, within the ally state of the Great Feng''s borders surely must have been due to some unavoidable reason. Otherwise, sealing him within their own domain would have been more secure. "This question also puzzled me, and I asked Uncle Du''e about it on our journey. He told me that it stemmed from an agreement made 500 years ago with the the Great Feng¡¯s Emperor Wuzong," Jingchen exined. *An agreement from 500 years ago... During that time, Buddhism was spreading across the Great Feng, with temples springing up everywhere. So there was indeed a hidden truth behind this. But most of the records from 500 years ago had either been destroyed, altered, or concealed.* *Well damn, there¡¯s no way to investigate further.* After a bit more conversation, Xu Qi''an confirmed that he couldn''t extract any more information, so he stood up to take his leave. Monk Jingchen personally escorted him out. As soon as they exited the room, they saw a handsome monk walking down the corridor toward them. "Senior Brother!" the handsome monk pressed his palms together in greeting. Jingchen returned the gesture and introduced him, "This is Senior Brother Hengyuan from Qinglong Temple. Address him as Senior Brother." Then, introducing the younger monk to Xu Hengyuan, Jingchen said, "This is Junior Brother Jingsi." *¡°Nearsighted¡± is so young?* Xu Hengyuan was a little surprised. "Senior Brother Hengyuan." The handsome monk bowed. Xu Qi''an returned the greeting and then said to Jingchen, "Senior Brother, there''s no need to see me off." As he watched Xu Qi''an''s figure disappear into the distance, Jingsi lingered in thought, his gaze following for a long while. "What''s on your mind, Junior Brother?" Jingchen asked. "For some reason, I feel that he has an aura that draws people closer," Jingsi said. ... Xu Qi''an left the courier station, walking quickly along the street. *Though I still don''t know Monk Shenshu''s identity, I''ve at least confirmed a few things: First, he is indeed a Buddhist traitor¡ªthis is undeniable. Second, his cultivation level is far higher than I anticipated¡ªso high that even the Buddha couldn''t kill him, though there''s no evidence that the Buddha tried... I''ll assume that for now.* *Third, I¡¯m only responsible for helping him uncover his identity and recover his memory. As for his enmity with the Buddhist sect, I won''t get involved, not unless I be a Martial God¡ªbut that''s impossible.* *Fourth, I must cling to this major opportunity and extract as many benefits as I can.* *Fifth, the existence of Shenshu must not be revealed to anyone, not even Wei Yuan. This matter is too great.* *Sixth, since it''s still early, I should visit theGon for some music.* Suddenly, Xu Qi''an spotted a familiar figure among the crowd ahead. It was a burly and tall monk, his chin sporting a bluish-ck stubble, as if he had just shaved. The loose monk robes he wore seemed to fit perfectly, concealing the muscles beneath. *Fuck, Hengyuan!!* A thousand fucks ran through Xu Qi''an''s mind. Master Hengyuan also spotted him and, despite his surprise, couldn''t help but feel puzzled by Xu Qi''an''s attire. "Sir Xu, why are you dressed like this?" "Performance art..." Xu Qi''an maintained a straight face. ¡°?¡± "Are you on your way to the Sanyang Post Station?" "My fellow disciples have arrived, so I must go see them." "Could... could you not see them?" Xu Qi''an forced a smile, trying not to let his facial muscles twitch. "Why?" Hengyuan was baffled. *Because you might end up getting beaten up...* Xu Qi''an chuckled dryly and shook his head. Hengyuan looked at him a few more times and then nodded. "I just came from the Xu residence after having a meal." *Huh? You went to my house? Oh, you went to congratte Eng on passing the national exam, didn¡¯t you? And he didn¡¯t kick you out?* Xu Qi''an suddenly felt a deep sense of guilt, realizing he had set up both his little brother and the kind-hearted Master Hengyuan, truly feeling unworthy. He vowed to be a better person. "Master..." Xu Qi''an pulled out a ten-tael banknote from his sleeve and sincerely handed it to Master Hengyuan. "This is my contribution to the elderly and children at the Welfare Home." If it were for himself, Hengyuan would not ept it, but knowing it was meant to help the elderly and orphans, the kind-hearted Master Hengyuan couldn''t refuse. "Amitabha, Sir Xu is truly a great benefactor," Hengyuan said, full of admiration. "It''s what I should do, it''s what I should do..." Xu Qi''an waved goodbye, walked a few steps, and then couldn''t resist calling out, "Master!" Hengyuan stopped and turned back, "Sir Xu, do you have more to say?" "...Take care!" ... Xu Qi''an found a secluded alley, changed back into his Nightwatcher uniform, and, familiar with the route, entered a Gon. "Sir, are you here for a room or a meal?" a servant in green greeted him. "Get your most beautiful girl toe and give me a massage," Xu Qi''an went straight to the second floor. The private rooms on the second floor were reserved for VIPs, where those with standing woulde to enjoy music and performances. Meanwhile, Master Hengyuan arrived at the gate of the station. The gatekeepers exchanged nces, wondering if Buddhism had flourished so greatly in the Great Feng. "Which temple does this Senior Brother practice at?" Filled with doubt, one of the gatekeepers stopped Hengyuan. Master Hengyuan pressed his palms together, "I am Hengyuan of Qinglong Temple. I heard that my fellow disciples have arrived in the capital, so I came to pay my respects." After he spoke, he keenly noticed that the two gatekeepers'' eyes widened, as if they had seen a ghost. "Is something wrong?" Hengyuan asked, puzzled. "Heh heh, nothing is wrong. Senior Brother, please wait here while I go inform them." The gatekeeper gave Hengyuan a deep look before turning inside. Momentster, he returned, expressionless. "Please,e in." --- [^1]: Capital city: ¡°Jingcheng¡±; Nearsighted: ¡°Jingshi¡±. Southern Chinese ents are known to not differentiate -ng vs -n and sh- vs s- very strongly if at all. [^2]: A wkeeper¡±, who upholds rules and discipline [^3]: Diao Chan, famed beauty who seduced despot Dong Zhuo (three kingdoms), in case you forgot after so many chapters [^4]: ¡°·´Ïò³éÑÌÈüÉñÏÉ¡± Almost impossible to trante; it¡¯s a reference to a very popr TV drama *To Live* (based on the book of the same name) Chapter 284: Question and Answer Chapter 284: Question and Answer # 284. Question and Answer Hengyuan frowned, sensing something was amiss. Ever since he introduced himself, the expressions of the two gatekeeper monks had been strange. After delivering the message, there was an unspoken hostility. "Please lead the way!" Hengyuan said humbly, lowering his eyes. Under the lead of the monks at the gate, they passed through the front courtyard and main building, arriving at the rear courtyard. Under the eaves, standing in the corridor, was a middle-aged monk. He wore the rough attire of a wandering monk, his face was round, and his earlobes thick. He looked expressionless as he scrutinised Hengyuan. "Are you Hengyuan from Qinglong Temple?" Monk Jingchen''s sharp gaze examined Hengyuan. "Yes, that is this poor monk," Hengyuan responded. Hengyuan was also observing Jingchen. By this point, he had already realised that the group of monks from the Western Region held some undefined hostility toward him. Hengyuan had no idea where this hostility came from, as they had never had any contact before."A monk does not lie!" Monk Jingchen said sternly. Upon hearing these words, Hengyuan''s immediate instinct was a warning bell ringing in his ears. He couldn''t lie and had to answer honestly. "Yes, that is me." Hengyuan sped his hands together and replied calmly. Monk Jingchen fell silent. He had just used the power of the Scarya, confirming that this monk who imed to be Hengyuan wasn''t lying. Unless the other party was also a Scarya who could alter monastic precepts himself, he couldn''t have lied. The question now was, if this person was indeed Hengyuan, who was the other monk earlier? What was their purpose? Jingchen carefully reviewed the conversation, suddenly realising with rm that the earlier monk hade for the sealed object at Sangpo. If that was the case, the nature of this matter was far more serious than simply someone impersonating Hengyuan. It involved the demon monk, and he needed to handle this with great caution. "The monk earlier also knew the Buddhist Lion''s Roar. Even if he isn''t Hengyuan, he must be a Buddhist... But even if this one before me is truly Hengyuan, is he really here just for a visit with no other intentions?" With these thoughts shing through his mind, Monk Jingchen made a decisive move. Pointing at Hengyuan, he shouted, "Seize him!" Immediately, two monks dressed in azure *kasaya* robes stepped forward, pressing down on Hengyuan''s shoulders. Bang! Hengyuan''s Qi surged, easily sending the two monks flying. In the corridor, Monk Jingchen sped his hands together in a seal, chanting, "The body cannot move, the hands cannot shift, the mouth cannot speak." As his voice fell, golden ripples, gentle yet firm, spread from his hand seal and swept over Hengyuan. In an instant, Hengyuan seemed trapped in a mire. Though his mind remained sharp, his body hadpletely lost its ability to move. _Boom, boom, boom..._ Around Hengyuan, waves of air erupted, like tiny explosions of fireworks. He was trying to resist the precepts with brute force, attempting to break free from the trap. Jingchen frowned, realising that this monk iming to be Hengyuan was far stronger than he had anticipated. He shouted urgently, "Capture him now!" More monks rushed out of the rooms, including warrior monks, dharmacarya, and dhyanacarya. Thetter two had limitedbat abilities, leaving it to the warrior monks to handle the physical confrontation. However, before they could encircle him, Hengyuan broke free from the effect of the recepts and moved with lightning speed, leaving an afterimage as he charged at Monk Jingchen. Hengyuan was furious and intended to teach this Western sect brother a lesson. At that moment, a figure stepped in front of Jingchen. It was a young, handsome monk in azure robes¡ªMonk Jingsi. With a calm expression, Jingsi looked at the approaching Hengyuan and struck out with his palm. The moment the palm was thrust, there was nothing unusual, but during the movement, a mote of goldencquer spread from his palm, quickly covering his hand and arm. In an instant, Jingsi looked like a golden statue. _ng!_ Jingsi''s palmnded squarely on Hengyuan''s chest. Hengyuan, as if struck by a battering ram, was sent flying, smashing through the courtyard wall and crashing into the main building''s walls. The station''s staff were terrified, trembling and hiding in their rooms, not daring toe out. These monks had just moved in, and they were already fighting someone. If this continued, wouldn''t they tear the ce down? _Cough, cough..._ Amidst pained coughing, Hengyuan emerged, staring at Jingsi without saying a word. Jingchen said indifferently, "You will stay in the station. When Uncle Du''e returns, he will have questions for you." Hengyuan nodded. "Very well." Just as the word "well" was uttered, Hengyuan once again became an afterimage, charging fiercely¡ªthis time, not at Jingchen, but at Jingsi. The golden-hued Jingsi raised his palm again to strike Hengyuan, but this time Hengyuan intercepted his arm, and his fist, asrge as a y pot, hammered repeatedly at Jingsi''s face, producing a resounding "ng, ng, ng." Staggered by the blows, Jingsi responded with a headbutt, forcing Hengyuan back. The two exchanged more than a dozen rapid blows before Hengyuan once again gained the upper hand. Grabbing Jingsi''s wrist, Hengyuan roared and performed an over-the-shoulder throw, smashing Jingsi into the ground. _Boom!_ The gstones in the courtyard erupted,unching into the air, as the ground cracked open. Hengyuan knelt, pressing his knee against Jingsi''s throat, and began pummeling his head with a flurry of punches. _ng, ng, ng..._ The sounds echoed like temple bells, apanied by gusts of air, wreaking havoc across the courtyard. Tiles shattered, flowerbeds exploded, and willow trees snapped¡ªchaos ensued. Jingsi, unable to resist, could only cover his face and endure the relentless beating. "That''s enough!" Jingchenmanded. Only then did Hengyuan stop, shaking off his bloodied fist and ring coldly at Jingsi. "Thick skin, that''s all." Finally, the warrior monk''s fiery temper had subsided. Xu Qi''an had always misunderstood Hengyuan, thinking he was a simple and gentle "Lu Zhishen," when in fact, Hengyuan was a brute wrapped in a gentle and honest exterior. Only someone with a fierce temper could storm into the Pingyuan Earl''s mansion at night, kill everyone inside, and walk away without a care in the world. However, in Hengyuan''s mind, Sir Xu was a kind and charitable man¡ªa good person who deserved to be treated with gentleness. After entering the station, Hengyuan had faced hostility at every turn. He hade with goodwill, only to be met with aggression. His anger had been simmering, and this young monk had dared to act superior, as if Hengyuan were a mere weakling. But in the end, Jingsi was just a monk with thick skin. ¡­ Just past three PM, the early spring sun hungzily in the western sky. Master Du''e, holding a monk''s staff and draped in a gold and red kasaya, strolled leisurely back to the courier station. He paused for a moment at the entrance before stepping inside and making his way to the inner courtyard. The courtyard was a mess. The station workers were ondders,ying roof tiles, while the warrior monks were tamping down the cracked ground with soil. Among them, the most industrious one was an unfamiliar bald man. Master Du''e nced at him a few times but said nothing. Master Du''e was a gaunt old monk with dark skin, a face full of wrinkles, and a body so withered that he lookedical wrapped in his oversized kasaya. "Senior Uncle!" Monk Jingchen came out of the house and began speaking in thenguage of the Western Regions: "While you were in the pce, something happened..." He detailed the entire incident involving the two versions of Hengyuan. "Hengyuan beat Jingsi without giving him a chance to fight back?" Master Du''e nced at Hengyuan, who was still working hard. "Yes," Jingchen nodded, then added, "But Junior Brother Jingsi wasn''t hurt. The Vajra Sutra[^1] isn''t something just anyone can break through." There was a hint of pride in his voice. Master Du''e didn''tment on that, instead asking, "Did the first Hengyuan reveal any information about the evil object? For instance, did he know anything specific about it or its origins?" Jingchen thought for a moment and shook his head. ¡°He only mentioned that the sealed object under Sangpo was rted to the Buddhist sect and, when discussing the case, said he had seen the severed hand possess Junior Brother Henghui. "Uncle, this matter can be easily verified by questioning the Hengyuan outside." But Master Du''e asked again, "He truly didn¡¯t reveal anything about the evil object to try and coax you into giving more details?" Jingchen shook his head again. "No." Master Du''e hummed in acknowledgment. "I know who he is now. Go to the Nightwatcher Constabry and find that officer, Xu Qi''an. I have something to ask him." ... Xu Qi''an emerged from the Gon brothel feeling light as a feather, his bones practically melting from rxation. A massage while watching performances and listening to music¡ªit was a life of pure bliss. In just one hour, the gon''s girls hade and gone in waves, entering with bright smiles and leaving with trembling hands. *Too bad the girls here specialise in something else and aren''t professional masseuses. Their skills could use some work. This era has brothels, the Jiaofangsi, and entertainment districts, but no foot spas or massage parlors. What a shame.* By this time, his shift was long over. There was no need to return to the constabry, so Xu Qi''an hired a carriage to head back to Xu Manor. "You''re finally home, Dng! Someone from the constabry has been waiting for you here for quite a while. They''ve already had two pots of tea," Old Zhang, the gatekeeper, greeted him hurriedly. *The constabry is looking for me?* Xu Qi''an thought for a moment, guessing it must be someone from the Western Buddhist sect. When he entered the reception hall, he saw a ck-d clerk sitting on a chair, sipping tea while ncing frequently outside. "Ah, Sir Xu! You''re finally back!" After countless nces, the clerk was overjoyed to see Xu Qi''an. "If you''de back anyter, I''d have been forced to stay overnight at your manor after the curfew." "What''s the matter?" Xu Qi''an got straight to the point. "A high monk from the Buddhist sect came to the constabry looking for you not long ago. Since you weren''t there, they went to see Duke Wei. Duke Wei sent me to wait for you here," the officer said. *It''s just a monk¡ªdoes Wei Yuan really need to treat this so seriously? These Westerners aren''t a big deal. When will my Central ins stand tall again?* Xu Qi''an clenched his teeth in frustration but kept his expression nk. "Understood, I¡¯ll go see him shortly." The Nightwatchers clerk sighed in relief, ready to take his leave. Suddenly, he remembered something and smiled. "By the way, Duke Wei heard you''ve been out gallivantingtely instead of ready at the constabry or patrolling the streets. He¡¯s quite angry and said your sry for the next three months is gone." *...Dad, we can talk about this!* Xu Qi''an''s face stiffened. After seeing the clerk off, Xu Qi''an remembered that his horse was still at the Nightwatcher Constabry, so he instructed a servant to fetch Xu Eng¡¯s horse for him. The Xu Manor had three horses¡ªone each for Xu Pingzhi, Xu Qi''an, and Xu Xinnian. There was also a carriage for the women of the household. Xu Xinnian, having heard his older brother had returned, rushed out of his study with a worried look. "Elder Brother, after you left today, those two shady characters came again." "What?" Xu Qi''an was confused for a moment. "A swordsman in azure robes and a monk who looks more like a butcher. They showed up uninvited to congratte us. Father said guests should be treated kindly, so he invited them in for wine." Xu Xinnian frowned. "I couldn''t help but feel the way they looked at me was strange." Xu Qi''an suddenly recalled that Hengyuan had mentioned earlier he had juste from the Xu Manor after a drink. "Eng, don''t bother with such nobodies. You¡¯re the huiyuan now¡ªyour vision should be set on greater heights." Xu Qi''an wasn''t quite sure how tofort his little brother, so he patted him on the shoulder. "I need to borrow your horse for a bit. I''ll bring it back tomorrow." Just then, a servant led the horse to the front gate. Xu Qi''an mounted up and left swiftly. By the time he arrived at Sanyang Station, the sun was already setting, casting a magnificent red-gold glow across the horizon. "You..." The two monks guarding the gate felt deceived. They red at Xu Qi¡¯an with open hostility. "I¡¯m Xu Qi''an, the officer in charge of the Sangpo case. Master Du''e summoned me. Lead the way." Xu Qi''an smiled as he handed over the reins. Suppressing their anger, one monk took the reins, while the other gestured for him to enter. Following the gatekeepers, Xu Qi''an was led into the inner courtyard. *Looks like there was a fight here¡­ and Hengyuan¡¯s here working. I¡¯m so sorry Master Hengyuan, I promise, I¡¯ll be a good person from now on.* He lowered his head in shame, not daring to look at Hengyuan. Under the guidance of the monks, he entered a room. There were three monks in that room, the one in the centre sat on the armchair was a dark-skinned old monk, with a face full of wrinkles, and a body so thin that it lookedical under his oversized kasaya. Left and right of him were Jingchen and Jingsi, all familiar faces. Jingchen looked at Xu Qi¡¯an with an unfriendly gaze. ¡°Master Du¡¯e!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an sped his hands together in the buddhist style, and bade his regards. The old monk bowed back, and said warmly: ¡°Sir Xu, why did you impersonate Hengyuan, a monk from Qinglong Temple?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied with utmost sincerity: ¡°I wanted to find out what was sealed under Sangpo Lake.¡± The old monk narrowed his eyes, silently watching him. His calm, gentle gaze seemed to prate deeply, as if he were scanning Xu''s inner being. In front of this monk, Xu Qi¡¯an dared not let his thoughts run wild. He calmed his mind and spoke again: ¡°The Sangpo case was one that I personally investigated. I discovered many secrets, including that the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple was built upon a great formation, and something evil was sealed within it. After the explosion at the temple, the evil escaped. I personally dove into theke to investigate and found that the remaining pirs of the formation had Buddhist inscriptions. ¡°At first, I thought the thing sealed under Sangpo was the former Jianzheng, but as the case progressed and Henghui appeared, I realised the thing sealed was a severed hand.¡± ¡°I deduced that the severed hand was rted to the Buddhist House. However, neither the Jianzheng nor the royal family were willing to speak openly about this matter. ¡°I, Xu Qi¡¯an, have solved many major cases in the capital, and there is no mystery I cannot uncover. But this matter has be a thorn in my side, keeping me awake at night.¡± Master Du''e slowly nodded. ¡°So that was the reason for your earlier test?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied. This exnation was something he had prepared when impersonating Hengyuan. He portrayed himself as a ¡®madman¡¯ obsessed with solving the mystery, losing sleep over the severed hand¡¯s origins and the secrets behind it. That¡¯s why he pretended to be Hengyuan when the Western Buddhist delegation arrived. His actions made sense ¡ª all of his inquiries were cautiously phrased, never revealing any information about the monk Shenshu, portraying himself as a lead investigator who only knew half of the story. Master Du''e smiled gently. ¡°Do you wish to know more about the evil creature?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s heart leaped with joy, and he allowed a hint of curiosity to show. ¡°Would the master be willing to tell me?¡± The emaciated monk smiled. ¡°I could, but only if you join our Buddhist order and be my disciple.¡± *Get lost...* Xu Qi¡¯an''s face twitched slightly as he shook his head. ¡°This official is a martial artist, and so cannot follow the Buddhist heart.¡± Master Du''e seemed to have anticipated this response. He said calmly, ¡°You could be a warrior monk.¡± *A warrior monk... So my guess was correct,* thought Xu Qi¡¯an. The Buddhist sect¡¯s warrior monk system was designed for ¡®outer disciples,¡¯ confirming his long-held suspicion. What is the next rank after an eighth-rank warrior monk? ¡°Can warrior monks marry and have children?¡± Xu asked. ¡°Though warrior monks are not bound by the precepts, they cannot marry or have children. It¡¯s not a matter of cultivation but a rule of the Buddhist order,¡± Master Du''e replied, shaking his head. ¡°Once you enter the Buddhist path, you are considered a monk, and no monk may start a family.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an put on a look of regret. ¡°I greatly admire the Buddhist path, but s, I am the only heir in my family for nine generations... It seems I have no fate with Buddhism. What a great regret.¡± Master Du''e was visibly pleased, not expecting Xu Qi¡¯an to show such friendliness toward Buddhism. ¡°If Sir Xu ever has any questions, feel free to visit the station and ask. I will tell you what I can. There is no need to disguise yourself as a Buddhist monk.¡± ¡°This official apologises for his previous transgression.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said. Master Du''e nodded and instructed Jingsi to see him out. Once Jingsi had returned after escorting Xu Qi¡¯an out, Master Du''e said gravely, ¡°Summon Hengyuan.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Jing Chen went outside to fetch him. Before long, Hengyuan, covered in dust, returned with Jing Chen. Master Du¡¯e smiled and said, ¡°Panshu calls me uncle, so you, as his disciple, may call me grand-uncle.¡± In truth, there was no hierarchical connection between the Western Buddhist order and Qinglong Temple, but out of courtesy, Jing Chen had earlier referred to Xu as a junior brother. ¡°Grand-Uncle,¡± Hengyuan greeted, sping his hands together. Master Du¡¯e nodded and asked, ¡°I heard from Jing Chen that the Silver Gong, Xu Qi¡¯an, imed to be close friends with you?¡± Hengyuan replied, ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°And despite the misunderstandings caused by this man, you bear no grudge against him?¡± Master Du¡¯e asked, fixing Hengyuan with a prating gaze. ¡°No matter what Sir Xu does, this disciple can always forgive and understand him,¡± Hengyuan replied. He owed Number Three two lives and Xu Qi¡¯an one life ¡ª a great debt of gratitude. Master Du''e nodded again. ¡°What kind of man is he?¡± --- [^1]: Also known as the Diamond Sutra Chapter 285: Unbreakable Diamond Chapter 285: Unbreakable Diamond # 285. Unbreakable Diamond Hengyuan pondered for a moment and said, ¡°I met Sir Xu during the Sangpo case. At that time, my junior brother Henghui was involved in the case, and the Golden Gongs of the Nightwatchers had surrounded the ce where we were hiding. "I thought that even if I escaped death, I would be imprisoned. Unexpectedly, Sir Xu, as the official in charge, after finding out that I was implicated and not a co-conspirator with Henghui, immediately released me." Here, Hengyuan made some modifications, concealing how Xu Qi''an had tricked him... Of course, Hengyuan still doesn''t know Xu Qi''an tricked him. "He''s not a bad person after all!" Monk Jingchen snorted coldly. But also a shameless one. Earlier, when asked what kind of person Xu Qi''an was, Monk Jingchen remembered how shameless Xu Qi''an was in his self-praise, to the point that even Monk Jingchen felt embarrassed for him, yet Xu Qi''an spoke so confidently. *It''s not about being good or bad... how to put it, he has an indescribable personal charm..*. Hengyuan continued: ¡°After I left Qinglong Temple, I stayed at a welfare hall in the southern part of the city, which shelters a group of homeless elderly and children. When Sir Xu found out, he generously gave money, frequently sending silver to help them. ¡°To know, his monthly sry was only five taels of silver, and at that time, he was just a Bronze Gong. Yet, he neverined and evenforted me, saying that the silver was just picked up off the ground."Heh, I¡¯ve secretly investigated him. Unlike other Nightwatchers, he never used his power for personal gain or exploited themon people. That silver, it was saved through his own frugality." Hearing this, Monk Jingchen fell silent. He remembered Xu Qi''an''s boastful words, iming he''d never taken even a needle or thread from themon people. Master Du''e remained indifferent, saying calmly, "Doing good deeds doesn''t necessarily make one a good person. People have many faces." Hengyuan frowned slightly, feeling displeased, and continued, ¡°Then let me tell you another story, Senior Uncle. Before the Sangpo case, he once almost beheaded a superior who was trying to defile a young girl he didn''t even know. Because of this, he was imprisoned and sentenced to be executed by chopping at the waist. "If not for the destruction of the Yongzhen Shanhe Temple at that time, and the court urgently needing manpower, he would already be dead." Master Du''e pondered for a long time and then asked, "What special qualities does he have?" *Special qualities...* Hengyuan carefully considered his response: "Other than his extraordinary talent in martial arts, he has no particrly special traits." Master Du''e seemed a bit disappointed, nodding slightly, "You may go about your business." Hengyuan pressed his hands together and left the room. "Senior Uncle, Hengyuan didn''t lie. It seems that Xu Qi''an is indeed a good man, although his way of doing things can be rather hateful," Monk Jingchen said. Whether as an official or a person, that Xu Qi''an was a man of good character. Although he had his moments that made him extremely unlikeable, it didn''t diminish his integrity. Master Du''e hummed in agreement. The handsome Monk Jingsi immediately asked, "Then could he still be involved with the demonic creature?" Master Du''e shook his head and said in a deep voice, "The mastermind behind this case is a remnant of the Wanyao Kingdom, as well as Emperor Yuanjing and the Jianzheng. The former only half-heartedly acts, while thetter watches coldly. It has little to do with that Silver Gong. Since he is a good man, we need not make things difficult for him." Jingchen snorted, "The Feng Dynasty is untrustworthy and has repeatedly broken its promises. Why should we ally with them? I don''t understand what the Arhats and Bodhisattvas are thinking." As one of the Arhats, Master Du''e nced at his junior disciple and said slowly, ¡°The northern barbarians have the bloodline of the demon gods, and have been allied with the northern yao n for thousands of years. ¡°The southern barbarian tribes are numerous, and the seven strongest shaman tribes are also considered descendants of the demon gods. In the northeast, the Church of the Warlock God has a Warlock Deity who has surpassed the nine ranks. "If we want the Buddha''s light to shine throughout thend of Jiuzhou, we can only ally with theGreat Feng." *Only ally with the Great Feng...* Jingchen and Jingsi extracted a crucial piece of information from their master''s words: The reason the Buddhist Sect is allied with Great Feng is that Great Feng has no beyond-rank beings, and is not entangled with the ancient gods and demons. Of course, thousands of years ago, there was a Confucian sage in the Central ins who surpassed first rank. But back then, there was no Great Feng. Returning to his thoughts, Jingchen tentatively asked, "What should we do next? Should we continue to track the demonic creature? Should we just let things go with the Feng?" Master Du''e smiled mysteriously and said, ¡°I''ve heard that due to the Daoist conflict between Heaven and Man, many martial artists have flocked to the capital recently, and the government has built four arenas in the outer city. ¡°We''ll take two of them. Jingsi, you''ll challenge the capital''s martial artists with your Vajra body. Jingchen, you can take an arena at random and preach there. "As for me, since I''m here in the Great Feng, I will pay a visit to the Jianzheng." After Master Du''e finished speaking, he stepped out of the room and gazed at the setting sun in the west, murmuring, "The Central ins have not felt the might of our Buddhist sect for a long time." ¡­ Late at night, Xu Qi¡¯an went to the Jiaofangsi with his colleagues. As always, Song Tingfeng shamelessly tagged along, still the same young man he used to be. Among them were also Li Yuchun, who oncemented that "the beds in the Jiaofangsi are never in sync," and Yang Yan, who imed, "I''m just here for a drink." Fuxiang was deeply attached to Xu Qi¡¯an. Every time he brought people to the Reflecting Plum Pavilion, she would always appear with her qin in hand, graciously performing a piece. Several Oiran, who had close ties with Xu Qi¡¯an, also joined the fun, giving Freeloader Xu the chance to be embraced from both sides. But Freeloader Xu was far from happy. While others were joyfully drinking until dawn, he was calcting in his head: *Motherfucker, this little outing will cost me at least a hundred taels of silver.* When he came to Jiaofangsi alone to indulge in love with the Oirans, it was all very elegant and pure, with no vulgar exchanges of money for favours. However, bringing along so many colleagues for drinks¡ªthere was no way it could be free. Even though Fuxiang was willing to cover the "costs" out of her own pocket, how could Xu Qi¡¯an, a dignified seven-foot man, who prided himself on never taking advantage of themon folk, agree to such a thing? _In the future, I must be more cautious when treating others, especially at a money-pit like the Jiaofangsi... Tomorrow, I''ll try expense it from Duke Wei. Hopefully, he¡¯ll approve, seeing how loyal I¡¯ve been._ Forcing a smile, Xu Qi¡¯an raised his cup and said, "Drink up, everyone! Don¡¯t be polite, we won¡¯t leave until we¡¯re all drunk!" _Get wasted, everyone, so I can save on paying for the women!_ However, despite drinkingte into the night, this group of warriors stubbornly refused to get drunk. Xu Qi¡¯an had no choice but to end the party with a forced smile and an internal curse, saying, "To make sure boss gets a good night''s sleep, everyone should follow the rhythm when shaking the beds tonight. Don''t go off-beat." Li Yuchun: "..." ... The next day, Xu Qi¡¯an, riding Eng¡¯s horse, galloped back to the Constabry. Upon arriving at One de Hall, he picked up a brush and ink¡­ and made the clerk write an expense request. *Participants in the event:* twenty-one. *Activities:* Praising the court, praising Duke Wei (drinking, merrymaking, and spending the night with women). *Total cost:* one hundred and sixty-four taels, three cash silver. After writing the note, Xu Qi¡¯an pondered for a moment. Realizing that Silver Gong Xu had a reputation to uphold, he had the clerk send the request to the Tower of Noble Spirit. Not long after, the clerk returned, reporting, "Duke Wei said the note wasn¡¯t written by you personally, showing ack of sincerity." _Whew..._ This implied that Wei Yuan wasn¡¯t happy but was still willing to reimburse him. Xu Qi¡¯an chuckled to himself, _Rest assured, Duke Wei, I¡¯ll repay your great kindness with unwavering loyalty!_ Xu Qi¡¯an immediately rewrote the reimbursement slip, dried the ink, and folded it neatly, having the clerk deliver it once more. Soon after, the clerk returned with a new message: Not approved! _...Is he messing with me?!_ Xu Qi¡¯an, fuming, asked, "What did Duke Wei say?" The clerk hesitated for a long time, cautiously replying, "He mocked your poor handwriting. Does that count?" _Wei Yuan, you son of a..._ Furious, Xu Qi¡¯an kicked the clerk out of the room. ... After the spring imperial examinations, the most anticipated event should have been the pce examination a monthter. The phrase "first rank on the golden list" had always stirred the hearts of many, frommon folk to the Emperor and his ministers. However, in the 37th year of Yuanjing, there were especially many disruptions. First, there was the Conflict of Heaven and Man within the Daoist sects, a once-in-sixty-years event, which was far more captivating than the imperial exams. Later, a diplomatic mission from the Western Regions arrived in the capital, causing yet another stir. Buddhist temples in Great Feng were sparse, and high-ranking Buddhist monks were rare. However, stories about Buddhist masters had been passed down in the Jianghu for generations¡ªtales of reincarnation, indestructible golden bodies, relics that could break all magic, and so on. Jianghu folk were filled with curiosity about Buddhism, and the Western delegation didn¡¯t disappoint. The next day, a young and handsome monk appeared on a tform in the southern part of the city. He arrogantly dered that he would use the Buddhist Vajra ¡°Diamond Body¡± to challenge the martial artists of the Central ins. This immediately attracted waves of Jianghu warriors, but none were able to break his Vajra Body and left in shame. In the northern part of the city, opposite the southern tform, another high-ranking monk from the Western Regions took over the stage. However, instead of challenging Great Feng¡¯s martial artists, he began preaching. Citizens flocked to hear the monk¡¯s sermons, entranced by his words. Some wayward individuals wept bitterly, criminals repented for their sins, and men who had been thest of their lineage for generations were struck by sudden enlightenment, deciding to be monks... Rumors of all sorts spread through the streets, bing more and more bizarre. The crowd grew as more people gathered to listen to the monk¡¯s teachings. In the inner city, at a restaurant. Agroup of Jianghu guests were discussing the monks from the Western Regions. What started as a conversation between two people gradually drew in more participants, until evenmoners joined the discussion. ¡°It¡¯s been three days now, and that young monk hasn¡¯t lost a single match. Aren¡¯t you Jianghu people supposed to be experts? Howe you can¡¯t even beat a monk?¡± ¡°What do you know, youmoner? That¡¯s no ordinary monk; he¡¯s a high monk from the Western Regions. Even their children can¡¯t be underestimated.¡± ¡°So that¡¯s how it is. The Western Buddhist monks are indeed powerful. Compared to them, we¡¯re far behind.¡± ¡°Hmph, aren¡¯t the Nightwatchers supposed to be the guardians of the capital? Every Gold Gong is said to be a top-tier expert, so why haven¡¯t they stepped in?¡± ¡°You outsiders don¡¯t understand. The Nightwatchers are busy dealing with corrupt officials. When ites to external threats, they be cowards,¡± a local citizen scoffed. A Jianghu warrior, offended, retorted, ¡°Nonsense! Just a few days ago, I saw with my own eyes a Silver Gong injuring a sixth-rank expert with a single sh.¡± To this, the local replied, ¡°But didn¡¯t you just say that even children from the Western Regions¡¯ Buddhist sects can¡¯t be underestimated? How can our Great Feng martial artistspare?¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s true. I¡¯ve travelled the Jianghu for many years and have never seen such a powerful Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, glowing like gold. The Western masters are indeed formidable.¡± On the second floor, Young Master Liu withdrew his gaze from the railing and muttered in frustration, ¡°A bunch of frogs in a well! Master, what¡¯s the deal with that little monk¡¯s body?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a unique body-strengthening technique in Buddhism, far beyond the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones of a sixth-rank martial artist,¡± the middle-aged swordsman sighed. ¡°Let the immortals fight. We¡¯re just here to enjoy the show,¡± a beautiful woman chuckled. Unwilling to ept this, Young Master Liu looked at his future sword, which currently belonged to his master, and asked, ¡°Can this weapon, forged by the Sitianjian, break through his body?¡± The middle-aged swordsman snickered and didn¡¯t bother answering his disciple¡¯s naive question. With her heavy makeup, which was striking but not vulgar, Miss Rongrong frowned and said: ¡°For the past three days, most of those who havee to the stage are people from the Jianghu. asionally, there are a few experts from the government, but their cultivation levels aren¡¯t very high. Why haven¡¯t any high-ranked warriors stepped up?¡± ¡°You said it yourself¡ªhigh-ranked warriors,¡± the middle-aged beauty shook her head and replied. ¡°We went to see that young monk yesterday. His cultivation isn''t high, but thanks to his Vajra Art, he stands invincible. High-ranking experts have their pride. Winning wouldn¡¯t bring them any glory, and if they have to exert too much effort to break his body¡¯s defences... that would be very embarrassing.¡± The middle-aged swordsman nodded in agreement, adding, ¡°The court hasn¡¯t sent any experts either for the same reason. If the other side just sends a young monk to the arena and the court hurriedly deploys high-ranked experts to suppress him, who would look more foolish? The dignified Great Feng must maintain at least this muchposure.¡± ¡°So we just have to suffer in silence?¡± Young Master Liu frowned. Although he usually roamed the Jianghu, spouting insults about corrupt officials and calling the emperor ipetent, he felt a surge of righteous indignation whenever an outsider came to humiliate the Great Feng. ¡°It depends on whether the Great Feng has any talented young experts,¡± the middle-aged swordsman said as he sipped his wine. ¡­ At the same time, in Southern City, a tavern. Xu Qi¡¯an, dressed in his Silver Gong uniform, stood on the lookout tform, watching the fights on the stage below. To his left was the azure-robed swordsman, Chu Yuanzhen, and to his right was the tall, burly ¡®Lu Zhishen¡¯ Hengyuan. Currently, a young swordsman in white was facing off against Monk Jingsi. The young man¡¯s cultivation was not bad, at the peak of the Refining Qi stage, though it was unclear which prestigious sect he hailed from. The white-d swordsman¡¯s techniques were unpredictable, aiming directly at Monk Jingsi¡¯s vital points. However, Monk Jingsi stood unmoving, allowing the iron sword to strike his body and produce sparks, asionally batting away strikes aimed at more sensitive areas like his crotch or eyes. Though his body was like unbreakable diamond, his clothes were not, and he still had to protect his waistband. After hundreds of exchanges, the white-d young hero exhausted his strength. Reluctantly, he sheathed his sword and cupped his hands, saying, ¡°I admit defeat!¡± A chorus of boos erupted from the crowd. Both the citizens of the capital and the Jianghu folk were disappointed. ¡°That one seems to be the senior brother of Butterfly Sword,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, pointing to the side of the stage at a spirited, beautiful female warrior. Butterfly Sword of the Luya Sword Pavilion was one of the Four Flowers of the martial world, alongside Miss Rongrong, the Thousand-faced Thief, and the female sabre expert from the Shuangdao Sect. She was indeed a striking beauty, the kind that immediately caught the eye. Hengyuan and Chu Yuanzhen nced over at her but quickly lost interest and looked away. ¡°Hengyuan, this is the unique body refinement technique of the Western Buddhist sects, part of the warrior monk system,¡± Chu Yuanzhenmented. ¡°Aren¡¯t you tempted?¡± ¡°Of course I am,¡± Hengyuan replied. Hearing this, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s heart stirred. Could the body refinement technique demonstrated by Monk Jingsi be a method that, without the need for cooking or pounding the body, could rival the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones stage? ¡°I¡¯m tempted too,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, swallowing. Hengyuan nced at him. ¡°The Vajra Sutra is not something that just anyone can master. Without a foundation in Buddhist teachings, it¡¯s impossible to learn it. Unless you have natural Buddhist roots.¡± *Are we talking about proper "Buddhist roots" here...?* Xu Qi¡¯an silently ridiculed in his mind. ¡°Little monk, let¡¯s ¡®ave a go!¡± At that moment, a burly man squeezed through the crowd and leaped onto the stage. This man¡¯s body emitted a subtle, divine light invisible to the naked eye, marking him as a warrior of the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones stage. The crowd, which had just been disappointed and booing, immediately grew excited. The little monk from the Western Regions had dominated the arena for three days, and finally, a true Bronze Skin and Iron Bones expert hade to challenge him. ¡°This is going to be interesting,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said with a smile. As he spoke, his gaze swept through the crowd, and to his surprise, he spotted a familiar face. It was a middle-aged woman dressed in in clothes, her hair pinned with a simple wooden hairpin. She had a somewhat plump figure and a stern expression, staring intently at the stage without blinking. Chapter 286: Aspect of the Dharma Chapter 286: Aspect of the Dharma # 286. Aspect of the Dharma "Oh, I¡¯ve spotted someone I know, I¡¯m gonna go meet them." Leaving that one sentence behind in the air, Xu Qi¡¯an turned to go downstairs, discreetly circling around the crowd from a distance, making his way toward the middle-aged woman in in clothes and a simple wooden hairpin. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s eyes followed him, and when he saw that Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s target was an older, rather in-looking woman, he immediately burst outughing: ¡°Xu Ningyan¡¯s tastes are quite... unique.¡± Hengyuan furrowed his brow, about to defend Sir Xu, when he noticed from afar that Xu Qi¡¯an was sporting a rather roguish grin, chatting with the woman. The woman ignored him, even giving him a scornful look, but Xu didn¡¯t seem to mind, chattering away incessantly. Seeing this, Hengyuan lost the confidence to defend him, awkwardly saying, ¡°Youthful indulgence might not be a bad thing.¡± Chu Yuanzhenughed heartily. ¡°The Oirans of Jiaofangsi may be beautiful, but they always feel like they¡¯recking something. But a married woman like this... there¡¯s a certain charm to it.¡±Hengyuan sighed helplessly, silentlymenting Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s misfortune. Sir Xu was excellent in every regard, except his reputation for being a womaniser. Thanks to Number One¡¯s propaganda within the Heaven and Earth Society, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s image as a lecher had been deeply ingrained in the hearts of those who held fragments of the Earth Book. ¡°Auntie, why are you here again? From your attire, you don¡¯t seem like a woman from a wealthy household. Aren¡¯t the daily necessities of life¡ªrice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea¡ªappealing to you? Why are you always out here looking for excitement?¡± ¡°The man up on the stage¡ªis he your husband?¡± ¡°How much silver did you bring with you today? Be careful not to get robbed. Come,e, this official will take you somewhere less crowded.¡± Other than that coquettish roll of the eyes at the start, the auntie didn¡¯t respond to him at all, letting him ramble endlessly in her ear. She showed great disdain for the dashing Xu Qi¡¯an. Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t take offense, merely shifting his focus to the ongoing duel on the stage. This time, Monk Jingsi no longer held back, choosing to engage the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones-ranked warrior in a brutal melee,nding heavy blows. _ng! ng! ng!_ The sound of their punches and kicks echoed like the continuous ringing of a bell or the hammering of a cksmith¡¯s anvil, with bright sparks asionally flying from their collisions. The crowd of onlookers cheered in excitement, their apuse and shouts never-ending. A child, captivated by the fight, excitedly ran toward the stage, shouting enthusiastically. ¡°Beat it!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an swept his leg, sending the child flying. The kid soared several meters through the air beforending lightly in the arms of a man, presumably his father, who red at Xu in anger and shock but didn¡¯t dare act out. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± the man asked anxiously. ¡°It didn¡¯t hurt at all!¡± the child said with a cheeky grin. The auntie turned her head to nce at Xu Qi¡¯an, then immediately turned back to watch the fight, her face expressionless,pletely absorbed in the battle. The fight on stage didn¡¯tst long. After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the match was decided. The Bronze Skin and Iron Bones warrior couldn¡¯t withstand three punches from Monk Jingsi and his hardening technique was finally broken. ¡°The Vajra Body of the Buddhist sects truly lives up to its reputation.¡± The man cupped his hands in acknowledgment before swiftly leaping off the stage, clearly embarrassed, and quickly departed. The auntie lightly stomped her foot in frustration. Xu Qi¡¯an was a little surprised. This auntie, how to put it¡­ she always disyed expressions and mannerisms one would expect from a young girl. His own aunt asionally acted this way, but never to such an exaggerated degree. *This is a woman whocks self-awareness about her age...* Xu Qi¡¯an concluded in his heart, smiling as he said: ¡°This is like two des shing. When their strength is about equal, the better quality de wins. The Buddhist sect¡¯s Vajra Body is said toe from the Buddha himself, while the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones of warriors varies in quality. His loss wasn¡¯t unfair.¡± The auntie turned her head, looking at him disdainfully, and said, ¡°You sound so confident. Why don¡¯t you get up there? Didn¡¯t you once cut down a sixth rank martial artist with a single strike?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an squinted his eyes and asked in return, ¡°Oh? Didn¡¯t you leave that day? How do you know I cut down a sixth rnak with one strike?¡± The auntie responded with a cold sneer, ¡°I¡¯m not deaf or mute. Unless there was another Silver Gong in Southern City that day.¡± ¡°Hey, were you the one who called someone to provoke me that day? Auntie, which household do you belong to? Which department does your husband serve in?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an stopped pretending and cut straight to the point. On that day, a sixth rank martial artist dressed like someone from the Jianghu had inexplicably challenged him on stage, even calling out his name. He could have arrested the man directly, but for the sake of pos... putting on a show, he chose to ept the challenge. Afterward, before he had a chance to interrogate the Jianghu martial artist, someone had taken the man away. Who could have done that except someone ¡°on the inside¡±? It had to be someone from the military or a retainer of some important figure. Xu Qi¡¯an suspected it was this very auntie, whose appearance belied her status. And on that day, he had indeed offended her, though it wasn¡¯t a serious matter. Still, considering a woman¡¯s petty nature, that was another story. He had reason to believe that the sixth rank martial artist that day had been acting on this auntie¡¯s orders. Hearing his usation, the auntie smiled sweetly and said, ¡°If you get up there and cut down that little monk, I¡¯ll tell you.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an shook his head. ¡°Afraid?¡± The disdain in her eyes deepened. *Yes, I¡¯m afraid. I¡¯ve finally managed to slip out of the Buddhist emissary¡¯s notice, and I have no desire to get entangled with their monks...* But Xu Qi¡¯an couldn¡¯t help resting his hand on the hilt of his de as he pondered. ¡°I can¡¯t break through his Vajra Body.¡± *Well, it¡¯s about time you learned that there¡¯s always someone stronger!* The auntie pouted, her eyes a mix of disappointment and smugness. At that moment, a swordsman in azure robes leaped lightly from a nearby tavern andnded on the stage. The crowd of onlookers perked up once more, eager to see another challenger face the little monk, and began to specte about the identity of this azure-robed swordsman. ¡°Chu Yuanzhen...¡± Xu Qi¡¯an heard the auntie mutter under her breath. *She knows Chu Yuanzhen? Well, Chu Yuanzhen was once the zhuangyuan, so he''s not unfamiliar to the higher circles of the Great Feng... If Zhuangyuan Chu steps in, it''s likely to be a sure win.* Xu Qi''an let out a sigh of relief. That little monk, Jingsi, had been monopolising the stage, which didn¡¯t look good for the court¡¯s reputation. "Little monk, I will only make one strike. If you can block it, I¡¯ll consider myself defeated," Chu Yuanzhen said with a calm smile, staring directly at Jingsi. More hisses came from the crowd. The bystanders, seeing the swordsman in azure robes acting so arrogantly, immediately thought less of him. Everyone had seen how invincible this little monk from the Western Regions was. The arrogant words of the swordsman naturally led people to suspect him of being a fame-seeking opportunist. "Please, benefactor!" Jingsi sped his hands in a serene manner, showing no fear. "Interesting," Chu Yuanzhen smiled, not showing any eagerness to win. He seemed more like someone just here for fun, much like the crowd around him. Then, Chu Yuanzhen made a move that no one understood. He reached his hand towards the sky, palm open. The sword on his back remained motionless. Just when the crowd thought he was bluffing and were about to mock him, someone noticed a pebble rise from the ground. More and more pebbles began to float, rushing toward Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s outstretched hand like a swarm of bees. With a series of thudding sounds, the pebbles began to fuse together, forming a sword hilt. As the stones continued to gather, a four-foot-long stone sword took shape. Wow... A wave of astonished gasps swept through the crowd. Most of the onlookers were here just to be entertained, and the more showy the techniques, the more impressive they seemed. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s shy disy of forming a sword from stones was a technique that seemed almost magical, far more entertaining than watching the Western monk take hit after hit without striking back. "Amazing!" The older woman¡¯s eyes sparkled as she couldn¡¯t help but cheer. Once the stone sword had fully formed, Chu Yuanzhen gripped it and thrust forward. In an instant, wind and thunder surged as a violent gust rose from the ground, nearly toppling the surrounding crowd. The sword came too fast for Jingsi to evade. With his hands sped, the monk neither retreated nor dodged. Ding... Boom boom boom... First came a sharp, piercing sound, followed by the deep rumble of qi explosions. Waves of force spread like tides, sending the distant crowd flying. Luckily, after witnessing such ¡°energy ripples¡± over the past three days, the onlookers had learned to keep their distance from the stage. Thus, no one was injured, though quite a few had their eardrums pierced from the shock. Before the first sharp sound could be heard, the older woman¡¯s ears were already covered by Xu Qi''an, and in the following explosion of energy, she found herself pressed tightly into Xu Qi''an¡¯s arms. Perhaps never having been embraced by a stranger before, the older woman struggled violently, stomping hard on Xu Qi''an¡¯s foot. When all finally calmed down, the swordsman in azure and the little monk from the Western Regions still stood on the stage. The monk¡¯s golden body had lost its lustre, appearing dull and dim. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s sword was gone, and only sand and gravel remained between the two. *He lost.* Xu Qi''an thought regretfully. Then, he saw the older woman shove him away, swinging a p at him. Xu Qi''an raised his hand to block it and grumbled, "You, Auntie, at your age, why are you still so...?" He didn¡¯t finish his sentence, for he caught sight of her pale wrist adorned with a string of Bodhi prayer beads. "???" A string of question marks shed through Xu Qi''an¡¯s mind. He stared at the older woman with a gaze that slowly turned more bewildered. He recognized this Bodhi prayer bead bracelet. On that day in the inner city, when he encountered Daoist Jinlian, he had "won" a piece of the Earth Book Fragment and a string of Bodhi prayer beads from him. That bracelet had been bought by a noblewoman sitting in a gold-embroidered nanmu wood carriage. *It¡¯s her?!* "Let go..." The older woman, furious and humiliated, gritted her teeth. Obediently, Xu Qi''an released his hand. The older woman pped him in return before storming off angrily. *No way... no way... That woman, whom Daoist Jinlian praised as someone who would have a deep connection with me in the future, is her?!* *A woman with the right to sit in a golden nanmu carriage¡ªcould she be Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s cousin or the wife of some prince?!* *What kind of connection could a woman like that possibly have with me? Could it be... No, no, I can¡¯t let my thoughts go down that path. Maybe she has a daughter who¡¯s beautiful and destined to be with me... But with her ordinary looks, could she really have a daughter that¡¯s beautiful as a flower?* Recalling the woman¡¯s in appearance, Xu Qi''an quickly dismissed the thought of a youthful mother-inw, telling himself that the connection may not necessarily be romantic. There could be other types of fate. *Come to think of it, I¡¯ve seen her twice in just a few short days, and her background is as unclear as ever. She¡¯s not part of my world, not connected to my work or social circle. In such circumstances, we keep crossing paths... Daoist Jinlian was right. I¡¯m definitely fated to meet her.* By this time, the crowd had begun to recover from the aftershocks of the duel. Some kept pping their ears, speaking loudly as if deaf. Those lucky enough to avoid ear injuries simply sighed with regret. "He still didn¡¯t win?" "Are the monks from the Western Regions really that strong?" Yet, no one criticized Chu Yuanzhen. After all, that sword strike had been nothing short of divine. ¡­ Xu Qi''an led the little mare, walking slowly alongside Hengyuan and Chu Yuanzhen. "Zhuangyuan Chu, how much strength did you use in thatst strike?" Xu Qi''an asked curiously. Chu Yuanzhen shook his head and answered with a non sequitur, "That little monk is on the same path as you, yet quite the opposite." Xu Qi''an suddenly understood. Chu Yuanzhen meant that the monk Jingsi relied solely on his unbreakable Vajra Body, which was simr to how Xu Qi''an only had his one powerful strike. The difference was that one focused on offense, the other on defense. "So, Zhuangyuan Chu, do you think my spear can break his shield?" Xu Qi''an asked. "You can," Chu Yuanzhen nced at him and smiled, "but also, you can''t." Xu Qi''an gave him a nk look. "Schrs are just as annoying as Buddhists." "Why is that?" Chu Yuanzhen asked, surprised. Xu Qi''an chuckled, "Figure it out yourself." Chu Yuanzhen''s face immediately turned sour. After a few seconds, he suddenly understood, shaking his head with augh. "Engaging in word games is indeed pointless. Only self-righteous people do such things." Pausing for a moment, he offered some advice: "Your _One de from Heaven and Earth_ is powerful. After incorporating the essence of the Heart Sword, it has no ws. But in my opinion, itcks a soul." *A soul?* Xu Qi''an was dismissive of the term. "You wield the _One de from Heaven and Earth_, but it''s just that¡ªa technique. When I wield my sword, it''s not just swordsmanship; it''s imbued with my spirit. When I''mzy, my sword energy iszy. When I''m gentle, my sword energy is gentle. But when I''m angry, my sword intent can pierce the heavens," Chu Yuanzhen said in a deep voice. "That is intent! That is the soul! That is the true essence of a fourth-rank martial artist!" Xu Qi''an recalled the imposing ¡°divine auras¡± of the Gold Gongs at the Constabry and nodded in understanding. "But as you said, that''s the essence of a fourth-rank martial artist." *I¡¯m only a seventh-rank Refining Spirit Silver Gong.* "I can teach you how to cultivate intent. At a high level, it would be akin to gaining a fourth-rank martial artist''s ability in advance. Of course, the effect would be much weaker. But paired with your _One de from Heaven and Earth_, it should be enough to break that Buddhist monk¡¯s Vajra Body." "Mastering an ultimate technique isn¡¯t something that can be done in a day," Xu Qi''an remarked. What he truly wanted to ask was: *Can I learn this skill for free?* "The basics are easy to grasp!" Chu Yuanzhen said with a smile. "I developed this technique within a year of learning the sword. It only takes two or three days to learn the basics, but reaching a high level is incredibly difficult." "Please, Zhuangyuan Chu, teach me," Xu Qi''an said eagerly. "I''ll start with the key points. It''s not difficult. The idea is to infuse your spirit into your sword or de energy. Simple emotions like joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are the foundation," Chu Yuanzhen exined openly. "The Human Sect follows a simr path. What I¡¯ve done is develop a new method based on their teachings." ... Lingbao Temple. In a quiet backyard, Emperor Yuanjing was ying a game of Go with the National Teacher. The aging emperor, who now had a head of fresh ck hair, held a Go stone in his hand and sighed. "Chu Yuanzhen lost too." The National Teacher, a woman with a strikingly beautiful face and a vermilion mark between her brows, possessed a bewitching blend of youthful purity and mature allure. Her approach to the game was casual, rash even, seemingly cing pieces without thought. She responded: ¡°An off-hand strike, is that really a loss?¡± Emperor Yuanjing nodded. "But regardless, it has elevated that little monk¡¯s fame, and by extension, the reputation of the Western Buddhists." Although Emperor Yuanjing remained in the pce, he was well-informed about everything happening in the capital, especially regarding the Western delegation. "Does Your Majesty feel a sense of guilt?" The National Teacher, Luo Yuheng, furrowed her elegant brows as she noticed she had slowly yed herself into a losing corner. In the midst of their conversation, she slyly shifted two chess pieces. "Guilt?" Emperor Yuanjing scoffed, then sighed. "There¡¯s some guilt, yes, but more than that, it''s frustration. The monk is so young and already so powerful. The capital has no rising talents to match him. What can I do?" "It¡¯s not as though I can send out elite fighters from the Imperial Guard. That would only make us look worse." Luo Yuheng realized that Emperor Yuanjing was ming Chu Yuanzhen for holding back, failing to decisively defeat the monk, and instead bing a stepping stone for his fame. "The baldie didn¡¯te here with good intentions. I doubt he''ll return to the West easily," Emperor Yuanjing continued. "If there''s something you want to say, just say it directly, Your Majesty," Luo Yuheng replied. "A few days ago, Master Du¡¯e sought an audience with the Jianzheng, but was refused. The Jianzheng has been long secluded in the Stargazing Tower, indifferent to worldly affairs. If he continues to ignore the high monks from the West... I hope the National Teacher will step in when the timees." Luo Yuheng nodded slowly, discreetly moving two more chess pieces. Having lost three games in a row, Emperor Yuanjing left Lingbao Temple in frustration. On his way back to the pce, he instructed the elderly eunuch, "Have Wei Yuan find someone. I don¡¯t want to see that little monk on the arena stage again." His expression was dark and cold. The eunuch obediently replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!" ... In the southern district, at the Welfare Hall. In the backyard, Xu Qi''an and Chu Yuanzhen sat cross-legged as Chu exined the principles of cultivating intent. Master Hengyuan didn¡¯t shy away either, sitting nearby, eavesdropping on the lesson. "It sounds simple enough, but how do you actually infuse ¡®intent¡¯ into a de?" Xu Qi''an asked as he stood up, swinging his ck-gold saber. Following Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s instructions, he tried to channel his intent into the de. But it didn¡¯t work. "Your emotions are too calm. There¡¯s no joy, no anger, no sorrow... how can you nurture intent like this?" Chu Yuanzhen said helplessly. "It¡¯s my fault. I possess an inner calm, unmoved by even a mountain copsing before me," Xu Qi''an remarked. True intent, at its core, was an emotional state. After a moment¡¯s thought, Chu Yuanzhen suggested, "Actually, there¡¯s a quicker way." Xu Qi''an''s eyes lit up. "Please, Zhuangyuan Chu, tell me." "Come here," Chu said with a mischievous smile. Xu Qi''an immediately stepped forward. _Smack!_ Chu Yuanzhen pped him across the face. *You motherfu¡­* Xu Qi''an was furious. "Zhuangyuan Chu, you did that on purpose, didn¡¯t you?" "Can you channel intent now?" "No effect at all," Xu Qi''an said, rubbing his stinging cheek. "Then it means you''re not ready yet." Suddenly, Chu Yuanzhen lunged at him, pping him repeatedly. Xu Qi''an struggled to dodge, darting left and right, but still received a dozen ps. Faced with Chu¡¯s relentless assault, Xu Qi''an grew genuinely enraged. At that moment, he felt a sudden surge of inspiration, an urge to release his pent-up anger. _Whoosh!_ A sharp de of energy shed through the air, distorting the atmosphere. Chu Yuanzhen seemed unwilling to directly sh with the sharp momentum, tilting his head to avoid it. The de energy shot into the sky, gradually dissipating. "It really works!" Xu Qi''an was delighted. That sh just now had exceeded the usual limits of his sabre qi. If used inbination with _One de from Heaven and Earth_, its power would undoubtedly rise to another level. "You truly are a prodigy," Chu Yuanzhen marvelled. As he had said, it could be learned in a day or three. Xu Qi''an had mastered it in just one hour. *No, the real prodigy is you as a teacher...* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. "But if every time I unleash this sh, I need to get hit first, wouldn''t that be a bit too much of a loss?" Chu Yuanzhen responded, "That''s why I said it''s easy to begin, but difficult to master. Your current Intent needs external stimtion; you can''t summon it at will." *Ah, yet another secret technique to train... But I''m still that boy who is left helpless after one sh...* Xu Qi''an felt as though his path of cultivation had fallen into an irreversible state. The more techniques he learned, the stronger his potential burst of power, but his means of dealing with opponents remained limited and extreme. *However, the power I can unleash is growing stronger and stronger. I wonder if one day, I''ll be able to truly defeat any master in the world with a single sh?* ... That evening, Xu Qi''an wasn''t surprised to hear his second uncle mention the battle at the Southern City''s arena. "They say a highly skilled swordsman took action, but still didn''t defeat the monk from the Western Regions," Second Uncle sighed. "With so many experts in the capital, no one can defeat a little monk?" Auntie said, joining the conversation casually while eating. "There are many experts in the capital, but word would spread poorly if they used their strength to bully someone weaker. There are plenty of young talents, but they say that the monk has the invincible Vajra body. Even against someone a rank higher, it''s not certain that they could break through," Second Uncle exined, giving his less informed wife a lesson. Auntie was infuriated after hearing this. "In this huge capital, they can''t even find one outstanding young person? If only our Eng practiced martial arts, he''d knock that little monk out with one punch!" Xu Eng quickly waved his hands. "No, no, mum, I can''t do that." After a pause, he added, ¡°The delegation from the Western Regions is indeed getting arrogant. Recently, I was drinking with my ssmates, and they were all quite indignant about this. There''s a monk in the Northern City who preaches every day, drawing thousands ofmon folk to listen for hours at a time. But those people are all poor. How can they afford to waste time like this? "And then there''s that little monk in the Southern City, spouting off arrogant words just because of his thick skin. Yet the martial artists in the capital seem unable to deal with him. My ssmates are saying that the martial artists here are only good at lording over others within their own circles." Thisment simultaneously offended Xu Dng and Second Uncle. "You schrs only know how to p your mouths with your empty theories," Xu Qi''an scoffed. "True." Xu Pingzhi gave his nephew a nod of approval and, at the same time, deted his son''s ever-growing ego since getting number one in the metropolitan exam. "Eng was never suited for martial arts. But Lingyin here, with her chubby arms and legs, has plenty of strength¡ªmore talent than him." Xu Lingyue nced at her sister, who was busy devouring her meal, and covered her mouth tough softly. "If that were true, we''d be eating ourselves poor in no time." After some more idle chatter, Second Uncle sighed. "It''s not just the schrs. Even my colleagues in the City Guard are resentful. The monks from the West have be far too arrogant." *The arrogance of the Buddhists has its reasons¡ªthey''re here to hold the imperial court ountable, after all...* Xu Qi''an thought silently. ... Night fell. A monk wearing azure robes returned to the guesthouse and went straight to see Master Du''e, sping his hands in respect. "Senior Uncle, the Jianzheng still refuses to meet with you." In the soft orange candlelight, Master Du''e''s wrinkled face was half illuminated by the me and half hidden in shadow. "I see. You may leave." The monk bowed and exited. Master Du''e closed his eyes again, and from the crown of his head, a beam of golden light shot skyward. The golden light rose slowly, cutting through the night sky and disappearing. After a few seconds, the clouds above the city began to churn, and thunder rumbled across the heavens. Amid the rolling ck clouds, a strand of golden light appeared, and then a torrent of radiant gold surged, enveloping the entire capital. The clouds trembled violently, revealing a massive Buddha face, its eyes wide open, its brows furrowed in anger. The face of this manifestation was enormous, its sheer size covering half the capital. Within the city, themon folk remained oblivious, but all the cultivators felt a simultaneous surge of fear and dread in their hearts, as if they were small animals cowering before a thunderstorm. Xu Qi''an was startled awake from his sleep, his face pale as he rushed outside. Looking up at the sky, he saw the golden Buddha looming over the capital. Such a sight was beyond anything he had ever seen in his life, as if a Buddha had descended to overlook the mortal realm from the heavens. "Bang..." The doors of the east wing and the neighboring rooms flew open at the same time. Second Uncle and Xu Eng rushed out, their legs trembling as they looked skyward. "Father, Brother... Is the Western Region''s Buddhist sect making a move on the capital?" Xu Eng asked in a trembling voice. Xu Pingzhi was dumbstruck, having never seen such a terrifying scene in his life. "Jianzheng, why do you not dare to face me?" At that moment, the manifestation spoke, its voice booming like thunder, reverberating throughout the capital. "Good heavens... The high-level powers of this world are truly terrifying..." Xu Qi''an muttered, his legs shaking as he stood there in awe. Chapter 287: The *Wrathful Vajra* Chapter 287: The *Wrathful Vajra* # 287. The *Wrathful Vajra* Xu Qi''an suddenly had an urge to joke around and shout, "Wife,e quick and see the Buddha!" However, he didn''t have a wife, and the oppressive might exuded by that dharma aspect left him with no other emotions, only an instinctive desire to kneel in worship. "Jianzheng, why do you not dare to face me¡­" As the thunderous inquiry echoed, Xu Pingzhi''s knees buckled, and he copsed to the ground. Amidst the fear, a surge of humiliation rose within him. Supporting himself with both hands on the ground, Xu Pingzhi gritted his teeth and growled, "Ningyan, Ciqiu, don''t kneel! Stand up, stand up!" Thest two words were shouted out. After shouting, Xu Pingzhi received no response from his nephew or son. Looking up, he saw his son gripping a pir, veins bulging on his forehead, seemingly struggling to remain standing. His nephew leaned against the doorframe, both hands holding his sabre, stubbornly raising his head to gaze at the towering dharma aspect in the night sky. Then, both his son and nephew looked over at him.For a moment, the atmosphere froze. Fortunately, Xu Ciqiu and Xu Ningyan discreetly looked away. *Whew... these two brats still know how to save my face!* Xu Pingzhi¡¯s awkwardness subsided. *Look at Second Uncle being so pathetic¡ªseems like all his energy is drained by Auntie!* Xu Qi''an mocked inwardly. *Father is so embarrassing! If you''re going to kneel, just kneel, but why shout about it? At least there¡¯s no one else here!* Xu Ciqiu silently resented his father''s disgraceful behaviour. "Big brother, w-what is that high monk nning to do? You work as a Nightwatcher, surely you know something about this?" Xu Ciqiu stammered, doing his best to keep his voice steady. He assumed that a disagreement had arisen between the Western Regions and the Great Feng, which led to the delegation from the Western Regionsing to the capital. From the actions of the monk tonight, it was evident that the Western Regions were furious. If this wasn¡¯t handled properly, the alliance between the Western Regions and the Great Feng could fall apart, potentially even leading to war. As a schr, Xu Xinnian had an instinctive curiosity about such significant matters. Xu Qi''an pondered and replied, "There¡¯s been some disagreements, but not as serious as you would think¡­ as for what it is, I¡¯m not so sure. At-" He stopped mid-sentence. The reaction of the Buddhist high monk had also caught him off guard. Suddenly, he realized something important¡ªwhen the monk Shenshu was sealed in the Great Feng years ago, perhaps it wasn''t just an act of mutual assistance between allies. There might be more to the story. If it were purely an act of assistance between allies, why would the Buddhist sect be so angry and make such a grand show of force? ... The Tower of Noble Spirit! Wei Yuan, draped in an azure robe, stood on the watchtower, looking up at the giant Buddha face that covered half of the capital. Its body was infinitely vast, hidden within the rolling ck clouds. "The Arhat of Execution!" His eyes remained calm, his posture upright, and his azure robe billowed fiercely in the wind, as though locked in a stare-down with the dharma aspect. Inside the teahouse behind him, Yang Yan and Nangong Qianrou sat cross-legged, heads bowed, struggling to resist the overwhelming pressure of the dharma aspect. The higher their cultivation, the greater the oppression they felt. "The Buddhists remain as powerful as ever," Wei Yuan sighed. He nced back at his two adopted sons and said faintly, "If Xu Qi''an were here, I can guarantee that no matter what, he would still be standing." Yang Yan and Nangong Qianrou were both ashamed. ... In the imperial pce, Emperor Yuanjing, wearing his dragon robe, emerged from his chambers with the old eunuch. He raised his head to gaze at the Buddha face hanging over the pce. The Buddha''s eyes, which exuded an innate majesty, seemed to be staring right at Emperor Yuanjing. Within the pce, the Imperial Guard stood with spears in hand, alert but unafraid. Not a single one knelt, nor did they show any sign of fear. The entire pce seemed immune to the might of the dharma aspect. "Hmph!" Emperor Yuanjing snorted coldly and returned to his chambers. ... The capital, with its poption of millions and countless martial artists, including the recent influx of jianghu figures, trembled like it was the end of days that night. A deep fear and panic gripped their hearts. At the same time, they couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªthis is the capital, the core of the Great Feng. How is it that no one can stop this disy of Buddhist dominance? First, the young monk fought on the arena for four days without defeat. Tonight, a massive dharma aspect descended, shaking the entire city and questioning the Jianzheng from on high. The Jianzheng was the guardian deity of the Great Feng, the only first rank cultivator. How could the court¡¯s dignity remain intact after this? How could the Jianzheng''s dignity remain intact? How could the dignity of the millions of people in the capital remain intact? Countless people were hoping the Jianzheng would act. At Sangpo Lake, within the newly built Yongzhen Shanhe Temple, the brass sword belonging to the founding emperor hummed and trembled, as though waiting for its master¡¯s call. Amid the fervent anticipation of the masses, a crisp, clear voice echoed: ¡°Such mour!¡± The voice was melodious and sharp. Luo Yuheng, adorned with a lotus crown, wearing a robe embroidered with yin-yang koi, and a cinnabar mark on her brow, stepped out of her chamber, her hair wildly fluttering in the wind. She looked up at the Buddha face, extended her fair right arm, and suddenly clenched her fingers. From the pond, a rusty iron sword shot out of the water andnded in her palm. With a casual toss, Luo Yuheng sent the sword flying, saying, "Go!" The sword light soared upward in arge arc, initially resembling a faint me, like a meteor rising against the heavens. Before long, the tip of the sword pushed up a hundred-meter-wide cone of disturbance, caused by the air being pushed up in front of it. Momentster, the fiery red light illuminated the golden sky, intertwining with the dharma aspect''s brilliance. What had started as a faint line had grown to an unimaginable size. It was like a torrent of red me. The dharma aspect snorted coldly, and from the rolling ck clouds emerged two colossal golden hands, reaching out to grasp the sword light. The two massive golden hands closed in, trapping the sword light between them. In the next instant, a p of thunder roared over the capital. The dharma aspect¡¯s hands crumbled into golden particles, followed by the copse of the Buddha face. The red sword light mingled with the golden glow, blending into a magnificent array of colors that danced in the night sky. For the people of the capital, this breathtaking scene was likely something they would never witness again in their lifetime. "Thud..." Just as Xu Pingzhi managed to stand up, he knelt again. Xu Qi''an and Xu Xinnian once more turned their heads away, avoiding the sight of their (second uncle¡¯s) father¡¯s disgrace. *So that was Luo Yuheng? As expected of a second rank Daoist leader. If that sword hade for me¡­* Xu Qi''an felt aplex mix of emotions. He had interacted with Luo Yuheng several times and, despite knowing that she was a second rank Daoist, hecked a clear understanding of her true strength. It wasn¡¯t until this moment that Xu Qi¡¯an fully realized just how powerful a second rank Daoist was. *If I had known from the start that this woman was so fierce, I would never have dared to stare at her chest back then¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an shivered, feeling like he had been flirting with death all along. Half an incense stick''s timeter, the sky returned to calm. The red and golden lights faded, the clouds dispersed, and a crescent moon hung on the horizon. It was as if nothing had ever happened. The three men of the Xu family let out sighs of relief. Xu Qi¡¯an sat on the threshold, Xu Xinnian on the horizontal railing of the corridor, and Xu Pingzhi slowly rose to his feet, his voice steady as he said: ¡°Ah, to be young. Your bodies are still strong, unlike mine. When caught off guard, I can¡¯t even stand properly. "But back in the day, your father was a warrior, iron-boned and indomitable, charging through the battlefield without flinching." He looked up at the sky and snorted, "This time I was prepared. If it happens again, I definitely won¡¯t lose face like that¡­" Just as he finished speaking, the sound of Buddhist chanting filled the air, and the once-calm clouds began to churn again. From deep within the clouds, a glimmer of golden light appeared, apanied by chanting. The clouds surged, and another divine figure materialized. Unlike the previous one, this figure was more lifelike, more vivid, and the Buddha¡¯s face was even more menacing. Naturally, its aura was entirely different, far more oppressive than before. Plop. The iron-boned Xu Pingzhi knelt once again. However, this time, neither Xu Xinnian nor Xu Qi¡¯an mocked him. Xu Xinnian copsed directly onto the ground, drenched in sweat, while Xu Qi¡¯an half-knelt, hands pressing against the ground. In his mind, he envisioned the towering giant, filling his heart with defiant,bative energy, and slowly, he straightened his back, standing tall with his de in hand. *Does Du''e really intend to battle the Jianzheng¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an''s heart sank. The capital, with its millions of people, could not withstand such a conflict. Bang! The sound of a door opening broke the tension. Xu Lingyin, rubbing her eyes, stepped over the threshold and asked, "Daddy, it''s so noisy outside¡­" "Get back inside, quickly!" Xu Pingzhi shouted. Xu Lingyin tilted her chubby face upward, pointing to the sky with her pudgy finger, "There¡¯s an immortal in the sky." She waspletely enraptured, utterly unaffected by the pressure of the divine figure. ¡­ "The Vajra¡¯s re?!" Luo Yuheng pursed her lips and turned back into her meditation chamber, paying no more heed. Among the nine major Dharma Aspects of Buddhism, one was the Vajra¡¯s re, a form that only a first rank Bodhisattva could manifest. She left it to the Jianzheng to handle; it had nothing to do with her. At this moment, atop the Stargazing Tower, on the Bagua tform. The elderly Jianzheng, dressed in white robes with white hair and beard, stood at the edge of the tform, hands behind his back. The night wind blew through his beard. "The agreement from back then was between you and the royal family. What does it have to do with me?" Jianzheng retorted irritably. The enormous, boundless dharma aspect spoke, its voice like rolling thunder, though only Jianzheng could hear it: ¡°If it weren¡¯t for the intervention of my Buddhist sect back then, would you have reached first rank? "And now, with Shenshu¡¯s return, if you don¡¯t give our House a proper exnation, I will personallye to the capital one day." "If you daree to the capital, I¡¯ll send you back into samsara," Jianzheng sneered. Then, he asked, "What do the Buddhists want?" "It¡¯s not what we want; it¡¯s what you need to do. You should know how disastrous Shenshu regaining his body would be for our Buddhist House," the Wrathful Vajra roared. "And do you know how disastrous it would be for my Great Feng if Shenshu continues to be sealed in Sangpo?" Jianzheng countered. The Wrathful Vajra said, "This is your Sitianjian¡¯s own mess¡ªdon¡¯t expect us to clean it up." "At this point, saying things like that is pointless. You¡¯ve not got ten minutes left to maintain this dharma aspect. Hurry up and finish your business; don¡¯t disturb the capital¡¯s citizens¡¯ sleep," Jianzheng said impatiently. "Two things: First, track down the remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom and recover Shenshu¡¯s severed arm. Second, our House wants to borrow your Disk of Heaven¡¯s Secrets for three years." "If you have the guts,e and take it," Jianzheng said coldly. "Very well!" The Wrathful Vajra dharma aspect dissipated. ¡­ "Huh, there¡¯s no fight this time?" Xu Qi¡¯an looked up at the sky, where the divine aura of the Wrathful Vajra dharma aspect had already faded. There had been no earth-shattering sh like before. The figure had merely lingered in the sky for a while before vanishing. Xu Pingzhi and Xu Eng both exhaled slowly, their bodies feeling utterly drained. "Lingyin, stop standing there like a fool. Help your father and your brother back to their rooms," Xu Qi¡¯an called out. "Go away!" Xu Pingzhi scolded his nephew and grumbled, "Get over here. What¡¯s the point of raising you for twenty years if you¡¯re not going to help?" Xu Qi¡¯an quickly hurried over to assist. After helping his uncle and cousin back to their rooms, Xu Qi¡¯an reached out mentally to the monk Shenshu: "Master, master¡­ Did you see what just happened?" Chapter 288: The Deal Five Centuries Ago Chapter 288: The Deal Five Centuries Ago # 288. The Deal Five Centuries Ago "What is the matter?" A distant and ethereal voice echoed in Xu Qi''an''s ears. He saw a dense fog, swirling and shifting, and as he passed through it, a dpidated temple emerged. Sitting cross-legged at the entrance was the handsome monk Shenshu. "Master, it''s nothing much... I just witnessed a big scene and thought I''de to share it with you," Xu Qi''an said earnestly. "Don''t call my name in your heart when you''re in front of masters of the Buddhist sect," Shenshu warned. "Understood, Master. I won¡¯t hold you back." Xu Qi''an recounted the events that had unfolded in the night sky over the capital and marvelled, "The Jianzheng''s technique for concealing the secrets of heaven is truly impressive." "As a Rank One, it¡¯s naturally impressive," Shenshu replied warmly. "However, it may be due to my fragmented memory, but I don''t recall anything about the Arcanist system." *Well... that¡¯s understandable. The Arcanist system only appeared after Shenshu had been sealed for a century.*Xu Qi''an said, "Master, a few days ago, I probed the monk from the Western Regions and gained some understanding of your identity." Shenshu''s gentle face turned solemn as he focused intently on Xu Qi''an. "What did you find?" Xu Qi''an replied, "The monks of the Buddhist sect say that you are a traitor, and because they couldn''t kill you, they sealed you instead." "A traitor of the Buddhist sect¡­" Shenshu murmured the words to himself, his expression slowly changing, a mixture of sadness and anger flickering deep in his eyes. The fog in this hidden world trembled, flowing like a raging river. "You¡¯ve done well. I''ve remembered some things," Shenshu said after a long pause, his emotions settling. What memories? Could you share them with me, Master? Xu Qi''an thought silently. As soon as the thought arose, the fog before his eyes closed, obscuring the dpidated temple and the monk Shenshu. Then, the entire world began to fade. The scenery shifted, and the furnishings of the room came into view as Xu Qi''an returned from Shenshu''s mysterious world. *That old aunt has some connection with me. I¡¯ll ask Daoist Jinlian about itter. Otherwise, it¡¯s going to nag at me like a bone stuck in my throat¡­* *The Buddhist delegation, I don''t know when they¡¯ll leave. I should keep a low profile during this time. Master Du''e is stronger than I anticipated.* *My mental strength has reached a peak. I can probably attempt a breakthrough, but after witnessing the profound mystery of the Buddhist Vajra Pce, I find myself looking down on the martial artists¡¯ Bronze Skin and Iron Bones¡­* *Master Shenshu¡¯s memory is iplete, and he doesn¡¯t know this technique. Hengyuan¡¯s not a lucky child; there¡¯s no way he¡¯ll learn such profound skills.* Lying in bed, Xu Qi''an¡¯s thoughts wandered. Suddenly, a familiar pang flickered in his heart. As he reached under his pillow to retrieve a fragment of the Earth Book, he sat up, lit the oilmp, and settled at the table to check the messages. ¡¾ONE: Daoist, what rank is Master Du''e, the leader of the Western Regions delegation?¡¿ It was rare for the lurking maniac, Number One, to send a message proactively. ¡¾NINE: Du''e is a Rank Two Arhat, with the Executioner *ph*[^1].¡¿ A Rank Two Arhat¡ªjust as I suspected¡­ but what is the Executioner ph? Xu Qi''an pondered for a moment, confirming that there was no record of "ph" in the archives of the Nightwatcher¡¯s constabry. ¡¾FOUR: The so-called ph are a concept in Buddhism. Arhats have three great ph: Execution of evil, Non-returning, and the grand Arahat, with the Grand Arahat being the highest. ''Execution'' and ''Non-returning'' are considered equal.¡¿ *I see... Though I don¡¯t fully understand, it sounds quite powerful!* Xu Qi''an slowly nodded. After the exnation, Number Four added, ¡¾However, I felt that the second Dharma aspect that appeared tonight was outrageously powerful.¡¿ The first Dharma Aspect was formed by Du''e¡¯s Executioner Ph, representing his own power. The second Dharma Aspect¡¯s aura was even grander and more imposing. ¡¾NINE: That was the Wrathful Vajra Aspect, one of the nine great Dharma Aspects of Buddhism.¡¿ ¡¾FOUR: No wonder, so it was a Bodhisattva¡¯s intervention.¡¿ *A Bodhisattva¡ªa Rank One Bodhisattva?!* Xu Qi''an gasped and instinctively looked around, a chill running down his spine, feeling like a thief hearing police sirens. If a Rank One hade to the capital, Xu Qi''an thought his situation had just be much more precarious. *Stay calm, stay calm. Every system has its own unique strengths. Concealing the secrets of heaven is an Arcanist¡¯s specialty. I must trust in the Jianzheng¡¯s power...* He could onlyfort himself this way. At that moment, Li Miaozhen chimed in, sending a message: ¡¾What are you all talking about? What do you mean by Dharma Aspects appearing tonight?¡¿ Number One usually shed with Number Two, and Number Four avoided her because of the conflict between Heaven and Man. Daoist Jinlian had yet to respond, so the conversation fell silent for a while. Finally, Number Six, Hengyuan, sent a message to exin: ¡¾The Buddhist delegation arrived in the capital, causing a bit of a stir. Tonight, Dharma Aspects appeared over the city.¡¿ A few secondster, Li Miaozhen sent another message: ¡¾Are they here for the Sangpo case?¡¿ The sealed object beneath Sangpo involved the Buddhist sect, something Number Three had previously revealed to the Heaven and Earth Society. Thinking of Xu Qi''an¡¯s death, she felt a pang of sadness. ¡¾SIX: Yes.¡¿ Li Miaozhen sighed, sending a message: ¡¾The Buddhist sect is indeed powerful, worthy of being the greatest religion in Jiuzhou.¡¿ *So the Buddhist sect is the greatest force in Jiuzhou¡­ I hadn¡¯t thought of it that way before. I should go to the constabry tomorrow to check the records.* ¡¾FOUR: Li Miaozhen, why haven¡¯t you reached the capital yet?¡¿ ¡¾TWO: Heh, isn¡¯t it better for you to live a few more days?¡¿ *Hey, hey, miss, speak more kindly¡ªlead with virtue!* Xu Qi''an silently mocked. ¡¾TWO: I chose to travel bynd to the capital, and along the way, I¡¯ve been ridding the world of corruption, ying a few corrupt officials and local tyrants.¡¿ No one in the Earth Book group chat replied for a while. Then Daoist Jinlian chimed in: ¡¾By the way, how has Number Five been doingtely?¡¿ There was no response from Number Five. ¡¾TWO: Daoist, you should message her privately. I think that girl has run into trouble again.¡¿ Daoist Jinlian sighed and replied: ¡¾Alright.¡¿ Number Five''s adventures could probably fill a book titled _The Adventures of Number Five_ or _Number Five¡¯s Bizarre Journey_... Thinking of this, Xu Qi''an¡¯s lips curved into a slight smile. After sleeping soundly until morning, Xu Qi''an mounted his little mare and headed to the Nightwatcher¡¯s constabry. He went directly to the archives and arrived at the "Bing" section of the archives. He instructed the clerk managing the records, "Bring me all the documents rted to the Buddhist sect." "And while you''re at it, fetch me a cup of tea," he added. The amount of information rted to the Buddhist sect was vast, stacking higher than a person on the table. After filtering through them, Xu Qi''an eliminated the strange anecdotes and "legends" and focused on regionally relevant books such as _Geography of the Nine Provinces_ and _Geography of the Western Regions_. About an hourter, he found what he was looking for. "As expected, in terms ofnd area, the Buddhist sect ranks first in Jiuzhou. The entire Western Region is filled with Buddhist kingdoms, and its territory is twice the size of the Great Feng, three times the size of the Northern Provinces, and three to five times the size of the Northeastern Provinces. "Of course, the Western Region is vast but sparsely popted and not fertilend. And, if we include the Southern Marches and the hundred-thousand mountains that were once the territory of the Wanyao Kingdom, the Buddhist sect''s ''empire'' would be terrifying." Next, he asked the clerk to bring him paper, ink, and brushes, and he began writing keywords like "Sangpo," "State Religion," and "Eradicate Buddhism" on a piece of Xuan paper. He recalled a piece of history Daoist Jinlian had shared with him about the founding emperor. Back then, to overthrow the decaying dynasty in the Central ins, the founding emperor of the Great Feng borrowed troops from the Northeastern Church of the Warlock God, with the price being that the church would be the state religion. ording to records in _Geography of the Western Regions_, Buddhism was also the state religion. ¡°Judging by the information Princess Huaiqing and I have uncovered, 400 years ago, Buddhism was spreading like wildfire across the Central ins, clearly on the path to bing the state religion. However, Confucianism was in its ''With all due respect, everyone here is trash'' peak phase at the time. ¡°They directly pushed for the eradication of Buddhism, and despite the momentum, Buddhism did not overreact but instead withdrew from the Central ins. I have two theories here: One, Confucianism was indeed so powerful back then that it could not be challenged. Two, the Buddhist sect didn''t dare directly confront the Great Feng because they still relied on the empire to seal Shenshu. "If Confucianism hadn''t declined, and considering the strength of the Confucianists and the Sitianjian, Great Feng would undoubtedly be the strongest in all Jiuzhou." Xu Qi''an used his Qi to destroy the paper and left the archives, heading straight to the Tower of Noble Spirit. After receiving permission to enter, he ascended to the seventh floor. In the tea room, he didn''t hear Wei Yuan''s voice, so he habitually looked toward the balcony, and sure enough, he saw Wei Yuan there. The eunuch with whitening temples, hair dishevelled, was lying on a reclining chair, dressed in an azure robe, leisurely basking in the sun. "Did you kneelst night?" the eunuchughed. "Not even a twitch in my legs," Xu Qi''an scoffed. "Come over and give my head a rub," Wei Yuan beckoned. Xu Qi''an nced around, confirmed that Nangong Qianrou wasn''t present, and confidently approached. Like a possessed master masseur, he began massaging the acupoints on Wei Yuan''s head. "The unsealing of the sealed artefact under Sangpo was Great Feng''s fault, however one puts it. The Buddhist high monks were just throwing a tantrum; there''s no need to worry," Wei Yuanforted him. *He thinks I''m here because ofst night''s events... Duke Wei, you think I''m at the firstyer, but I''m actually on the eighteenth! Not only do I know a Bodhisattva intervenedst night, but I also know the whereabouts of Shenshu...* Xu Qi''an cut to the chase and asked: "Why did the Great Feng help the Buddhist sect seal an evil entity?" By now, he was already Wei Yuan''s confidant, and many secrets that couldn''t be publicly discussed could be shared freely. "Did you discover something?" Wei Yuan raised an eyebrow. "When I was investigating the Sangpo case, I stumbled upon a piece of history. Five hundred years ago, the crown prince was ying in Sangpo, fell into the water, andter developed hysteria, eventually passing away. "Also, five hundred years ago, Emperor Wuzong seized the throne. Five hundred years ago, the Buddhist sect from the Western Regions suddenly began proselytizing in the Central ins, and within a century, Buddhist temples flourished everywhere. Then, a centuryter, Confucianism pushed for the eradication of Buddhism. "The formation beneath Sangbo is engraved with Buddhist scripture. Based on these clues, I specte that the evil entity was sealed five hundred years ago, right?" Wei Yuan pondered for a long time before slowly nodding. ¡°Indeed, the thing sealed beneath Sangbo is tied to a transaction between the Buddhist sect and Emperor Wuzong. "At that time, Emperor Wuzong was a brilliant strategist with numerous skilled generals under hismand. However, when it came to seizing the throne, there was one obstacle he could never bypass. And that obstacle could have caused his grand ambitions to vanish into thin air." A figure shed through Xu Qi''an''s mind: *the first Jianzheng!* ¡°The first Jianzheng of the Sitianjian, a first-rank arcanist. As long as the Jianzheng was there, no one could shake the imperial throne as long as the dynasty''s fate remained intact. Facing such an unbeatable and immovable obstacle, Emperor Wuzong chose to ally with the Buddhist sect of the Western Regions. "That marked the beginning of the alliance between the Buddhist sect and Great Feng. The Buddhist sect helped Emperor Wuzong kill the first Jianzheng, and in return, Emperor Wu allowed Buddhism to spread in the Central ins and agreed to seal the evil entity for them. The current Jianzheng, having coldly watched from the sidelines as Sangpoke was blown up, is as good as having torn up said deal" *Fuck!* *So that''s what happened! I always wondered¡ªif Emperor Wuzong seeded in seizing the throne, what happened to the first Jianzheng...? It turns out that the Buddhist sect was involved back then. With the presence of a Buddha, someone beyond the mortal ranks, it''s reasonable that they could kill a peak arcanist like Jianzheng.* *Wait, then what role does the current Jianzheng y in all this?* As these thoughts swirled, Xu Qi''an began to tremble slightly, feeling a twinge of regret for asking Wei Yuan in the first ce. "The Jianzheng, why... why did he allow the evil entity to escape...?" After a long hesitation, Xu Qi''an finally asked the burning question. Because this question was likely tied to his own fate. The Jianzheng knew about the plot of the Wanyao Kingdom''s remnants, yet he chose to turn a blind eye; Jianzheng knew that Shenshu''s severed arm had been attached to him, yet he chose to ignore it; Jianzheng had even secretly helped him! *What is the Jianzheng''s goal, and what is he scheming?* *Isn''t he afraid of the Buddhaing after him with furious divine retribution?* Wei Yuan chuckled. "Who knows?" He closed his eyes, enjoying the massage from his loyal subordinate, and said, ¡°At this morning''s court session, Master Du''e proposed apetition and debate with the Jianzheng, wagering the Disk Heavenly Secrets and Diamond Sutra. He hopes His Majesty will agree. "His Majesty has sent word to the Sitianjian, and Jianzheng has agreed. In the afternoon, there will be an imperial decree announcing it to the entire capital. We''ll have some excitement to look forward to." For some reason, Xu Qi''an suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. A sense of unease crept in, and he asked cautiously: "How will theypete?" Wei Yuan shook his head. "We''ll find out today." --- [^1]: (sanskrit) lit. [fruit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ph). The fruit or fruition of one¡¯s actions. Chapter 289: Borrow Someone Chapter 289: Borrow Someone # 289. Borrow Someone *Why would such a powerful Buddhist sect choose to seal its own traitor in the Great Feng? The reason either lies in some special property of Sangpo Lake or in Shenshu himself...* Xu Qi''an hesitated slightly before voicing his doubt. "I am just an ordinary man, and know nothing of such secrets," Wei Yuan shook his head, indicating hisck of knowledge. "Xu Ningyan, you''re twenty this year, correct?" Wei Yuan suddenly asked. "Yes, Duke Wei," Xu Qi''an was puzzled, feeling a strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu from this line of questioning. As expected, Wei Yuan followed up by saying, "It''s about time for you to start a family." In this world, people generally lived long lives unless afflicted by natural disasters or idents, easily living past sixty. Seventy or eighty was not umon. Therefore, the marriageable age range was broad. Some girls married as early as fourteen, their bodies not yet fully developed, which led to some awkward scenes. On the other hand, some women remained unmarried into their twenties, untouched by suitors, and equally pitiful in their own way. Xu Qi''an had seen both cases first-hand. His aunt married his uncle at sixteen, while Princess Huaiqing, already twenty-five, was still single. Reflecting on the question of lifespan, Xu Qi''an couldn¡¯t help but wonder why the Confucian Sage passed away at 82, which seemed a bit premature for such a remarkable figure.However, Wei Yuan was a frail little bird, and discussing such high-level matters with him felt unnecessary and pointless. Xu Qi''an tentatively asked, "What are you suggesting, Duke Wei?" "The Right Censor-in-Chief has a granddaughter who has also reached the age of marriage. She is quite beautiful," Wei Yuan said. "Quite beautiful¡­ I fear she might not be a suitable match for me," Xu Qi''an shook his head. "The fourth daughter of the Marquis of Weihai, aged seventeen, is also looking for a husband. You''re a viscount, so the match would be fitting," Wei Yuan suggested. "Your subordinate does not wish to boast, but a mere daughter of a marquis is hardly a suitable match for me," Xu Qi''an declined once again. "How about the niece of the Grand Commissioner of Canal Transport? I''m in need of funds, and if you marry into his family, it would solve my financial woes," Wei Yuan remarked, looking at him. *Wait a moment, I joke about being a eunuch¡¯s son, but you¡¯re not actually my father! The desire for a political marriage is too obvious here...* Xu Qi''an considered for a moment and asked, "Is she beautiful?" "Naturally, she is quite lovely," Wei Yuan replied. Upon hearing the phrase "quite lovely," Xu Qi''an immediately hit pass, shaking his head, "To be honest, Duke Wei, I¡¯ve saved up quite a bit of silver. My n is to redeem the oirans from the Jiaofangsi. If my wife is merely lovely, she won¡¯t be able to keep those beauties in line." Wei Yuan frowned slightly, "What kind of woman do you seek, then? Or perhaps... have you already set your sights on someone?" *Set my sights? That¡¯s an understatement...* Xu Qi''an pondered briefly and replied, "First and foremost, she must be stunningly beautiful. Secondly, her status must be noble. Lastly, she must possess considerable talent, someone who can be both a capabledy of the house and a skilled hostess." Wei Yuan chuckled, "Perhaps I should petition the emperor on your behalf to arrange a marriage with a princess." Xu Qi''an was suddenly excited, "Duke Wei, are you serious?" Wei Yuan nodded and gestured toward the door. "What orders do you have, Duke Wei?" "Out." ¡­ After being kicked out of the Tower of Noble Spirit by Wei Yuan, Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t return to his One de Hall but instead made his way to the newly rebuilt Spring Breeze Hall. Li Yuchun was about to lead Song Tingfeng, Zhu Guangxiao, and several Bronze Gongs on a patrol. Themotion caused by the Buddhist monksst night was still a hot topic, and the citizens of the capital were abuzz with discussion this morning. Some marvelled at the power of the Buddhist monks, while others expressed outrage at the religion¡¯s audacity, calling for the court to take action and wage war. From nobles tomoners, everyone was talking about it. If there were an inte in this era, millions of the Great Feng¡¯s citizens would be shouting: *Bring me my sword!* ¡ª ready to fight the Western Region¡¯s Buddhists with their keyboards. To prevent troublemakers from taking advantage of the chaos or spreading rumours, the constabry had increased their patrols. "Yoku yoku!" Xu Qi''an intercepted Li Yuchun and the others, returned to One de Hall to gather his own team of Bronze Gongs, and led a dozen men, all walking with arrogant swagger, to patrol the streets together. After about half an hour, as they passed by a Gon, Xu Qi''an said, "Boss, you take my men and patrol over there. I¡¯ll take Tingfeng and Guangxiao to the other side." Li Yuchun asked, "Why make such a confusing arrangement? You take your men, and I¡¯ll take mine. There¡¯s no need to mix things up like this." Xu Qi''an thought for a moment and said, "Boss, you take the Bronze Gongs to patrol, and I¡¯ll take my brothers to another area. That way, it won¡¯t be confusing." Li Yuchun considered it and found it to be much better, nodding, "Go ahead." Watching Li Yuchun and the others walk away, Xu Qi''an led his two colleagues into the Gon. Familiar with the ce, he secured a private room on the second floor, called for a few beautiful girls to pour wine, and the three of them began enjoying food, music, and performances, as if returning to their leisurely patrol days. "Ningyan¡­" Song Tingfeng sighed, "I was once a repentant rogue, but I¡¯m always surrounded by badpany." *Come on, we all know you''re still the same old you!* Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t bother to tease him and instead focused on enjoying the music, opening his mouth to let the delicate girl beside him feed him a peanut. As the saying goes, diligence is temporary, butziness is eternal. During the campaign to suppress the bandits in Yunzhou, the tough environment forced Song Tingfeng to practice diligently every day, but once back in the hedonistic capital, his innateziness and desire forfort returned. Still, he had grown more stable and determined than before, and his cultivation had advanced significantly, which was ultimately a good thing. _ng!_ Suddenly, the sound of a cup smashing came from downstairs. A drunk swordsman stood up, huping as he angrily cursed the crowd: ¡°I¡¯ve long heard that the capital is rife with decadence. From high officials tomoners, all are lost in luxury. At first, I didn¡¯t believe it, but in just ten days in this city, I¡¯ve seen nothing but wine and meat and rednterned streets! "In the North and South City arenas, monks are parading their power, yet no expert dares challenge them. What a disgrace!" Hispanions quickly stepped forward to pull him back, throwing a few taels of silver on the table as they dragged the drunken man out of the Gon. The performance continued, but the conversations in the hall quickly shifted to the Buddhist delegation. "That Buddhist sect really is brazen to the extreme. We¡¯ve suppressed them for four hundred years, and now they dare preach in the capital. I heard some families in the North City have already converted, even going as far as donating all their wealth to build temples for the monks." "Why doesn¡¯t the court intervene? Are we really afraid of the Buddhists? Twenty years ago, during the Battle of Shanhai Pass, we were so much stronger." "Perhaps the court is considering their alliance¡­ But these days, the government is bing more and more corrupt." "Shh, be careful what you say." "Forget about themotionst night; those were spats between celestials. But hasn¡¯t anyone challenged the young monk in the southern city who has been sitting on the stage for five days? Has our Great Feng lost all its heroes?" Song Tingfeng put down his cup, pushed aside the woman nestled in his arms, and muttered quietly, "What a mood killer." "Let''s just enjoy ourselves and not worry about such matters. Even if the sky falls, it¡¯s not our concern," Xu Qi''an said with a smile. Let the grandmasters give it their all and embarrass Emperor Yuanjing even more. It would be perfect if the historians recorded something like: _In the 37th year of Yuanjing, the delegation from the Western Regions arrived in the capital. A young monk held a challenge for five days without defeat, and an old monk summoned a divine aspect to question the imperial court._ *Hehe, that would add another stain to Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s legacy!* At that moment, a bailiff ran past, holding a bronze gong, banging it as he went, shouting, ¡°The Sitianjian will face off against the Buddhist monks in a duel! The Sitianjian will face off against the Buddhist monks in a duel... "Everyone, go to the bulletin board to see the imperial announcement!" ¡­ When Xu Qi''an arrived at the city gates¡¯ bulletin board with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao, the wide square was already packed withmoners and martial artists. Soldiers guarding the gates and a few Nightwatchers were maintaining order. Xu Qi''an took off his sabre and used its scabbard to p away some of the more irritable, rough-mannered martial artists, helping maintain order while listening to themoners in the front row recite the announcement. The gist of the promation was simple: the delegation from the Western Regions hade a long way and was warmly weed by the court. After friendly negotiations, both sides had agreed to a sustainable development initiative, deepening the rtionship between the two nations for mutual progress and prosperity. Then, the Buddhist monks proposed a duel of magic with the Sitianjian as a "technical exchange," and the Sitianjian had agreed. The duel would take ce tomorrow at the Grand za outside the Stargazing Tower, where citizens could watch the spectacle. "Typical government statement, full of rambling nonsense. It still doesn''t exin how the duel will happen... But why is there so much fanfare? Was this Master Du¡¯e¡¯s request?" As Xu Qi''an pondered, he noticed Li Yuchun approaching with his team. He must have been nearby ande over after hearing the bailiff''s announcement. "Boss!" Xu Qi''an walked over to greet him. Li Yuchun, seeing the orderliness of the crowd, nodded with satisfaction. "Since returning from Yunzhou, you three have finally shaken off your oldziness and be more mature and responsible." "That just shows we¡¯ve grown," Xu Qi''an responded with a grin. ... By noon, under the scorching sun, arge pavilion was erected outside the Sitianjian, providing shade for the capital''s nobles and officials. Over a thousand imperial guards surrounded the za, keeping onlookers at bay. Commoners and martial artists could only watch from the outer edges. After lunch, the Western delegation, led by Master Du''e, left the bustling streets of the outer city and made their way to the grand za outside the Stargazing Tower. Chu Caiwei stood on the edge of the Bagua tform, looking down at the approaching group of monks. Among the sea of azure kasayas, there were a few figures draped in red and yellow. Leading them was the Arhat Du''e, a withered, dark-skinned old man. "Teacher, the monks are here to stir up trouble," Chu Caiwei said, excitedly pulling out a piece of cake and getting ready to watch the show. "Let theme," the Jianzheng sipped his wine and basked in the sunlight, utterly rxed. "Teacher, are you going to handle this personally?" "If I take action, the Bodhisattva will have toe personally. Du''e isn¡¯t here to challenge me directly." "Then who will you send out?" Chu Caiwei tilted her head, analyzing the situation. "Senior Sister Zhong Li is cursed with bad luck¡ªshe¡¯d harm herself more than the enemy. "Senior Brother Song and I are alchemists, not fighters. Second Senior Brother isn¡¯t even in the capital¡­ Only Senior Brother Yang is left." The Jianzheng sighed. "Why the sigh, Teacher?" "Unfortunately, your Senior Brother Yang had a mishap in his cultivation yesterday, and can¡¯t fight." "What?" Chu Caiwei was stunned, the cake in her mouth suddenly tasteless. She frowned, worried, "What do we do now?" "I¡¯m troubled too. That¡¯s why I need you to go to the pce and ask His Majesty for a person." ¡­ Soon after, a woman in a yellow dress rode swiftly into the pce. Just past noon, Emperor Yuanjing was at Lingbao Temple, studying Daoist scriptures while listening to the National Teacher exin its profound principles, but he couldn¡¯t concentrate. "Is Your Majesty worried about the uing duel?" Luo Yuheng asked softly. Emperor Yuanjing hesitated for a moment before saying, "I have full confidence in the Jianzheng, but¡­ the Buddhists havee prepared. If we lose this duel, what face will my Great Feng have left?" "The arcanist system is unique, not focused onbat power. It does seem somewhat inappropriate," Luo Yuheng nodded. Among all the systems of cultivation, the arcanist system had the weakestbat power. Its strengthy not in individual might but in its ability to enhance national strength. The reason Great Feng¡¯s military was so formidable was partly due to its superior weaponry¡ªwar machines, cannons, and ballistae, all crafted by the Sitianjian. No other system could replicate that. A ninth-grade physician could save lives; an eighth-grade qi-watcher, and a seventh-grade master of feng-shui could improve thend''s arrangement. Even fourth-grade masters of formations specialized in creating magical devices rather than fighting. Arcanists needed the dynasty; their fates were intertwined. Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s worry deepened. "Why not ask the dean of Cloud Deer Academy to help? Among all the systems, martial artists are the strongest in terms of raw power. But if there¡¯s one system that¡¯s the mostplete, with no weaknesses, it¡¯s Confucianism. The Confucians can handle any situation, no matter how formidable the Buddhists are," Luo Yuheng suggested. Yuanjing¡¯s eyes brightened, but he quickly shook his head. "I tried to bring Dean Zhao into the courtst year, but he refused." In other words, the emperor couldn¡¯t persuade the schrs of Cloud Deer Academy to help. As they spoke, the elderly eunuch hurried in, bowing, "Your Majesty, a message from the pce: Chu Caiwei of the Sitianjian seeks an audience on behalf of her master." "Let here to Lingbao Temple," Yuanjingmanded. The eunuch left, and Yuanjing turned to Luo Yuheng, "The Jianzheng is surelying about the duel. Stay and advise me, National Teacher." Though he was the emperor, Yuanjing had little expertise in the mystical arts. He needed Luo Yuheng¡¯s guidance to make informed decisions. Chapter 290: Is This a Relative’s Child? Chapter 290: Is This a Rtive¡¯s Child? # 290. Is This a Rtive¡¯s Child? Chu Caiwei received the summons and immediately left the pce, riding with a guard to Lingbao Temple. They passed through gardens and ancestral halls dedicated to the Human Sect patriarchs, arriving at a secluded courtyard deep within the temple. "Miss Caiwei, please enter," said the eunuch in a python-robe standing at the gate, gesturing with a smile. Chu Caiwei nodded, stepping lightly into the courtyard, her skirt gently swaying as she entered the quiet room. Inside, Emperor Yuanjing and Luo Yuheng were seated across from each other at a tea table, with a Taoist text and a small incense burner emitting delicate wisps of smoke. Caiwei nced around, disappointed to find no snacks on the table. She withdrew her gaze and greeted them with a bow: "Greetings, Your Majesty, greetings, National Teacher." Emperor Yuanjing studied the young disciple of the Sitianjian, noting her bright almond-shaped eyes, round and sweet face¡ªan open and cheerful girl who could easily lift one''s spirits. "Jianzheng sent you to see us. What is the matter?" "It¡¯s like this¡ªyesterday, Third Senior Brother Yang Qianhuan experienced a Qi deviation during his cultivation. Second Senior Brother is not in the capital, and both Senior Brother Song and I are not skilled inbat..." Before she could finish, Emperor Yuanjing interrupted her with a frown, "What? Yang Qianhuan suffered from Qi deviation during cultivation?"The old emperor¡¯s expression darkened, as if disaster had struck one after another. Luo Yuheng raised an eyebrow, her delicate gaze resting on Chu Caiwei, sensing that something was off. Unperturbed, Caiwei continued, "So, Teacher Jianzheng asked me toe and borrow someone from Your Majesty to represent the Sitianjian in the duel against the monks from the Western Regions." *Borrow someone?* The shrewd emperor did not immediately agree but pondered for a moment, unable toe up with a suitable candidate. He then asked, "Who does the Jianzheng want?" "A Nightwatcher, Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an," Chu Caiwei replied crisply. The room fell into silence. After a long pause, Emperor Yuanjing, somewhat incredulous, asked, "Xu Qi¡¯an, Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an?" "Yes, the one who¡¯s good at solving cases and who died once on his return from Yunzhou," Chu Caiwei said brightly. Waving his hand, Emperor Yuanjing sighed, "Of course we know who he is. What we meant is, why Xu Qi¡¯an?" The Jianzheng¡¯s female disciple seemed a bit too simple-minded, requiring everything to be spelled out. Chu Caiwei innocently shook her head, "I don¡¯t know." The emperor let out a breath and dismissed her. "We understand. You may leave." "Okay." Chu Caiwei left briskly, nning to visit Princess Huaiqing¡¯s Dexin Courtyard for some tea and snacks, eager to share her recent experience. After she left, Emperor Yuanjing sat silently for a long time, holding his teacup. In a heavy tone, he asked, "National Teacher, what do you think?" "Xu Qi¡¯an is indeed talented, but as a mere martial artist, he stands no chance in a duel of magical arts against the monks of the Buddhist sect," Luo Yuheng¡¯s voice was calm, her features delicate and wless, as if carved from jade. "However, the Disc of Heavenly Secrets is Jianzheng¡¯s personal magical artefact, which he would never casually lend. There may be some other reason at y." Emperor Yuanjing sighed. "Whatever, as he wishes. We can never see through that old man. We have other matters to attend to, we¡¯ll return to the pce." Of all the people in the Great Feng, Emperor Yuanjing had the most distaste for the Jianzheng. His status was such that he could look down upon all civil and military officials, and even someone as esteemed as Luo Yuheng addressed him as an equal. But the Jianzheng? He was the one man the emperor truly had to look up to, someone he could never fathom. For an emperor who wielded ultimate power, this was a bitter pill to swallow. As he boarded his sedan, Emperor Yuanjing ordered, "Summon Xu Qi¡¯an to the pce." ... "His Majesty wishes to see me?" Xu Qi¡¯an was outside the Stargazing Tower, watching the spectacle of Arhat Du¡¯e and his monks. "Yes, a pce guard is waiting for you at the constabry. You should hurry, Sir Xu," urged the Bronze Gong who brought the message. *If I¡¯mte, I wont have any annual sry left...* Without another word, Xu Qi¡¯an mounted his little mare and hastily rode back to the constabry. After meeting the pce guard there, Xu Qi¡¯an silently followed him into the pce, through the Eastern Gate, to the Imperial Study. Six thick red pirs supported the lofty ceiling of the study, with arge yellow silk-covered desk at the centre. The room was empty. Xu Qi¡¯an waited quietly for a quarter of an hour before Emperor Yuanjing finally arrived, dressed in a Taoist robe with his hair tied up in a Taoist pin. Instead of sitting on his dragon throne, he stood before Xu Qi¡¯an, scrutinising him with narrowed eyes. *...That gaze¡ªthere¡¯s something strange about it, as if he were sizing me up like a potential son-inw, part apprehensive, part unfriendly!* "Have you heard about the duel between Jianzheng and Du¡¯e?" Emperor Yuanjing asked the small Silver Gong before him. "Yes, Your Majesty. I just read it on the Imperial Bulletin," Xu Qi¡¯an replied respectfully. "A duel can be either literary or martial. Du¡¯e and the Jianzheng are both peerless masters and will not fight personally. Such matters are typically left to their disciples." *That makes sense. The big shots sit back and direct, while their disciples do the fighting. But what does this have to do with me?* Xu Qi¡¯an wondered. The emperor¡¯s next words struck like a thunderbolt. "The Jianzheng requested you to represent him in the duel." "...?" Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s head snapped up, staring at Emperor Yuanjing in stunned disbelief. The emperor locked eyes with him. "What do you think?" *Jianzheng, you old bastard! You know that the divine monk Shenshu resides within me, yet you¡¯re sending me straight into the Buddhist bald-headedir...* Xu Qi¡¯an immediately said, "Your Majesty, I am unworthy,cking the strength and wisdom required for such a task. I fear I cannot fulfill this duty. Please, allow me to decline." The emperor snorted. "Since the Jianzheng has made his decision, he won¡¯t change his mind. We did not summon you here to listen to excuses. We summoned you to tell you that this duel is a matter of great importance to the empire¡¯s honour. You must win, no matter what." *How am I supposed to win?* Xu Qi¡¯an thought bitterly, his face expressionless as he saluted and replied, "Your servant will obey hismand." ¡­ Lingbao Temple. Not long after Emperor Yuanjing left, a woman dressed inyers of intricate white robes, wearing exquisite jewellery and with her face veiled, entered the Lingbao Temple under the protection of a squad of guards. Without needing an announcement, she headed straight into the depths of the temple and sat down in a pavilion. Next to the pavilion, atop the pond, sat National Teacher Luo Yuheng, her legs crossed in mid-air, her beauty unmatched. The veiled woman picked up a small stone and yfully threw it at Luo Yuheng. When the stone approached within three feet of her, a shield of Qi bounced it back, hitting the veiled woman squarely on the forehead. "Oww!" she yelped, clutching her forehead as she crouched down, annoyed. "So what if you''re a Rank Two expert? Does that give you the right to bully people?" Luo Yuheng opened her eyes, sighed, and said, "Why are you here? Don''t disturb my cultivation if there''s nothing important." The veiled woman lifted her skirt and excitedly walked over to the edge of the pond. "The Buddhist Sect is going to duel the Jianzheng. There will be a spectacle tomorrow!" "Then go watch it." "Of course I want to watch, but Emperor Yuanjing forbade me from leaving the pce. I''ll have to disguise myself and sneak out. But I want a close-up view," sheined. "You can disguise yourself and have someone take you in," Luo Yuheng suggested with a smile. "Once I disguise myself, no one will recognise me! How could anyone lead me in?" she grumbled. Annoyed, she switched topics and said, "By the way, that Xu Qi''an is so annoying. I''ve run into him a few times now. He''s just a brazen, shameless scoundrel." "With your beauty, isn''t that only natural?" Luo Yuheng responded. ¡°See, see! You''re not even talking sincerely. You''re just saying whateveres to mind... There''s no way I''d ever show my true face. If I did, that lecher would definitely fall in love with me on the spot. "I disguised myself as a woman with average looks, but one who had an exceptional air and charm..." Luo Yuheng interrupted, growing impatient. "If you had such exceptional charm, wouldn''t it be normal for him to act flippantly?" She was left speechless for a moment... "Forget it!" she said, turning away in a huff. She would never admit that, after disguising herself, she appeared as nothing more than an ordinary woman of modest beauty. Yet, even when she looked like that, Xu Qi''an still showed interest. That man truly was an undiscriminating, brazen scoundrel. A lowly man. "Do you know who will be representing the Sitianjian in the duel against the Buddhist Sect tomorrow?" Luo Yuheng suddenly asked. The veiled woman perked up her ears. "Xu Qi''an," Luo Yuheng answered directly. "Huh?" The veiled woman immediately turned around, her eyes wide open. "Him? He''s representing the Sitianjian?" Luo Yuheng nodded. The veiled woman was suddenly outraged, sitting down with her hands on her hips. "Does the Great Feng have no one else? How could they let a mere stinky boy represent the Sitianjian in a duel?" After fuming for a while, she calmed down when she saw that Luo Yuheng had resumed her meditation. She sat there quietly, her eyes shifting as if deep in thought. ¡­ At the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qi''an sipped tea and recounted the information he had gathered from the pce to Wei Yuan. Wei Yuan, indifferent, said, "Just do your best." "I''m definitely going to be punished by the Emperor if I lose," Xu Qi''an said, full of worry. Wei Yuan chuckled, "Don''t worry. Tomorrow''s duel may not be as difficult as you think." Xu Qi''an''s eyes lit up. "Duke Wei, do you know something?" Wei Yuan nced at him. "Use your brain!" The grand eunuch interjected, "What''s the wager for this duel?" "The Diamond Sutra and the Disc of Heavenly Secrets." "The Disc of Heavenly Secrets is the Jianzheng''s personal artifact, unique in this world. If the duel is lost, you may be punished, but Jianzheng will lose a priceless treasure. Do you think he''d ask the Emperor for you if he wasn''t confident?" *Am I really that amazing? Howe I didn''t know this about myself...?* Xu Qi''an thought. That evening, Xu Qi''an shared with his family that he would be representing the Sitianjian in the duel with the Buddhist Sect. He added, "If you want to watch the excitement, you can take my badge and go to the Nightwatchers¡¯ area." Xu Pingzhi frowned. "Is it dangerous?" "It''s just a duel. It should... probably be fine," Xu Qi''an said uncertainly, still unclear on the exact details of the duel. "Oh, can we really watch?" Auntie, always carefree, said excitedly. "I want to go! I want to go!" Xu Lingyin raised her hand eagerly, between bites of food. "You want to watch the excitement?" Xu Qi''an was surprised. His dim-witted sister rarely spoke while eating. "Where there¡¯s excitement, there must be good food," Xu Lingyin dered with certainty, a life philosophy she had developed over her six short years. "Why did the Jianzheng choose Big Brother?" asked Xu Xinnian, the family''s only schr and the resident voice of reason. Xu Qi''an could only shrug helplessly. "Who knows what the Jianzheng is thinking? Do you know? Because I sure don''t." Xu Xinnian shook his head, indicating that even he, sharp as he was, couldn''t guess Jianzheng''s intentions. After dinner, Xu Qi''an practiced his breathing techniques, preparing himself to reach an optimal state for tomorrow''s battle. Once he felt ready, he stopped meditating, eager to enjoy a good night''s sleep and recharge for the duel. *It seems like not going to the Jiaofangsi thesest few days was the right choice. A man has to know when to conserve his strength.* Just as he closed his eyes and was about to fall asleep, he felt a familiar jolt in his heart. With a sigh, he took out his fragment of the Earth Book, lit a candle, and checked the messages. ¡¾FOUR: Tomorrow is the duel between Jianzheng and Du¡¯e. I heard a surprising piece of news from the National Teacher.¡¿ ¡¾What news?¡¿ The other members of the Heaven and Earth Society all chimed in. Only Xu Qi''an''s expression changed dramatically. *Shut the fuck up! Shut up!* Using his finger as a pen, Chu Yuanxian wrote: ¡¾It turns out that the Sitianjian has chosen Silver Gong Xu Qi''an to face Du¡¯e.¡¿ After sending the message, Chu Yuanxian expected the other members to be shocked and offer their thoughts. Instead, there was no reaction at all. "...?" Chu Yuanxian frowned. Did they already know? ¡¾TWO: What¡¯s going on with Four? Deliberately keeping us in suspense?¡¿ ¡¾SIX: Four isn''t that type of person. Maybe something came up unexpectedly.¡¿ *Four got caught up in something... Haha, thank the heavens! He didn¡¯t expose my situation. Otherwise, if Two found out I wasn¡¯t dead, she would¡¯ve revealed my identity to the whole group on the spot...* Xu Qi''an sighed in relief. At this moment, he saw a message from Daoist Jinlian in the mirror: ¡¾NINE: I''ve temporarily blocked everyone, including Four.¡¿ *Daoist Jinlian blocked Four?!* Xu Qi''an was startled and immediately replied: ¡¾Thank you, Daoist.¡¿ ¡¾NINE: Wee.¡¿ *You¡¯re wee, huh? If Li Miaozhen knew about my revival, when she arrives in the capital she could focus her whole energy on preparing for the battle. And you you shit-stirrer, would be useless.* ¡¾NINE: But a paper cannon cannot produce fire. You''re a smart person; you must understand what I mean.¡¿ ¡¾THREE: Everything¡¯s under control.¡¿ Xu Qi''an nned to talk to Li Miaozhen in person, to discuss their shared social-death past, hoping she would agree to keep his identity a secret. *Daoist Jinlian, you think I''m at the second level, but actually, I''m at the fifth.* ¡¾THREE: By the way, Daoist, I seem to have encountered that woman who has a connection to me.¡¿ ¡¾NINE: Heh, you two were bound to meet sooner orter. It means your fates are intertwined.¡¿ *Fates intertwined...* Xu Qi''an swallowed nervously, sending a message with a mournful expression: ¡¾Is this fate something serious? She¡¯s old enough to be my aunt.¡¿ *That old woman... she¡¯s only a few years younger than my Auntie, and Auntie is 36 this year.* ¡¾NINE: I don''t think I ever mentioned the power of that Bodhi bracelet to you. Well, it can obscure one''s fate and change appearances. The Buddhist sect excels at concealing one¡¯s fate. ¡¾I obtained the bracelet during my travels and charity in the Western Regions. I won it from a monk in a debate.¡¿ *I see... If the olddy happens to be a charming mature woman, I guess I could ept that. Plus, from my experience in my previous life, women in their thirties are at their prime... Wait, no! I can¡¯t let my thoughts stray. Why am I already assuming I¡¯m doomed to have some twisted fate with her?* *This must be Daoist Jinlian¡¯s influence, subtly messing with my thoughts.* ¡¾THREE: Daoist, what do you mean by ¡®connection¡¯?¡¿ ¡¾NINE: Connectionse in many forms. Affection between two people creates a connection. But affection can mean friendship, it can mean camaraderie, or it could be as benefactor and recipient.¡¿ *Whew...* Xu Qi''an breathed a sigh of relief. Ending the conversation, he wrapped himself in a thin quilt and drifted into sleep. ... The next morning, Xu Pingzhi, having taken the day off, returned home to take the women of the family out. He personally drove the carriage to take them to the Stargazing Tower to watch the excitement. Xu Eng rode a horse alongside the carriage. Just as they exited the small alley leading from their house and turned onto the main road, a in-looking woman stepped out from a simple carriage parked by the roadside and raised her hand to stop Xu Pingzhi''s vehicle. Xu Pingzhi frowned and examined the woman. "Who are you?" "Are you Xu Qi''an¡¯s second uncle?" "I am." "Heading to the Stargazing Tower?" "Yes." The woman nodded, then, without waiting for an invitation, climbed onto the carriage. "Take me to the Stargazing Tower and tell Xu Qi''an that the matter about picking up my purse is cleared." Second Uncle originally wanted to throw the woman off the carriage, but after hearing her words, his expression turned somewhat strange. It sounded like this woman had some entanglement with his nephew? *With Ningyan¡¯s status and talent, he shouldn¡¯t be mixed up with a woman this much older. I must be overthinking things¡­* Xu Pingzhi decided to hold off on asking Ningyan about it untilter. After the olddy climbed into the carriage, she noticed the voluptuous beauty of Auntie and the ethereal elegance of Lingyue, hesitating for a moment. ncing back at the young man outside, whose handsome appearance was unmatched, she grumbled internally: *This whole family has good looks.* Then, she spotted the ordinary-looking Xu Lingyin, sitting on the long bench with her short legs dangling,pletely absorbed in gnawing on a piece of dried meat. Auntie, scrutinising the olddy, gracefully asked, "Which family are you from, madam?" The olddy smiled warmly, ¡°Just amon household. I wanted to see the excitement at the Sitianjian, but I couldn''t get in. I happened to know... Sir Xu¡¯s nephew, so I¡¯m here to tag along." Auntie nodded. As long as this woman had no ties to her husband, she didn''t care. The two women, close in age, exchanged a few casual words before Auntie realised that, despite calling herself amoner, this woman¡¯s demeanour was anything but ordinary. She spoke elegantly, smiled with reserve, and was clearly not someone from a typical household. *She must be a woman from a notable official¡¯s family, someone acquainted with Ningyan... But where is her husband?* At this point, the olddy nced at Xu Lingyin and casually asked, ¡°Is this a rtive¡¯s child?¡± Chapter 291: A High-Key Entry Chapter 291: A High-Key Entry # 291. A High-Key Entry ¡°That¡¯s my daughter!¡± Auntie frowned, picked up Lingyin, and ced her on herp. "Doesn''t she look like me?" Auntie asked, slightly displeased. *How does she resemble you at all? She looks like she has nothing to do with you...* The elderlydy¡¯s smile froze briefly, but in an instant, she regained her gentle expression and said softly: "Looking closely, her brows and eyes really do resemble you a bit. I must have been mistaken." Hmm, those brows and eyes do resemble that coachman outside. The journey continued in silence. Xu Pingzhi drove the carriage to the vicinity of the Stargazing Tower. First, he heard a noisy hubbub, and turning the corner, he saw a sea of people.At a nce, the crowd numbered at least one or two thousand, and that was just a small part of themon people present. One could only imagine how many people radiated outward from the Stargazing Tower¡ªit was an overwhelming number. "This is even more lively than the Spring Festival¡­" Xu Pingzhi reined in the horse, stopping the carriage outside. "Why did you stop?" came Auntie''s voice from inside the carriage. "No more road ahead, it''s all people," Xu Pingzhi exined. "We¡¯ll get off here." Auntie lifted the carriage window and, with her husband''s help, got out. Xu Lingyue also dismounted with her father¡¯s assistance, and Little Pea was carried down by Xu Pingzhi. The elderlydy frowned. Normally, when she got on and off a carriage, a maid would bring a small wooden stool. She was not used to this. Luckily, the carriage was simple, and the bottom was close to the ground, unlike her luxurious golden nanmu carriage, which had a floor as high as a person''s waist. She jumped down with ease. Xu Pingzhi waved to a nearby *Yudao* City Guard and instructed, "Watch the carriage." While speaking, he shed his City Guard token. The young Yudao Guard responded respectfully. Xu Pingzhi led his wife and children through the crowd toward a cleared passage created by the Imperial Guards. Along both sides of the passage, Imperial Guards stood, keeping themoners at bay and forming a "safe passage" for officials and nobles. At the entrance to the passage, two Imperial Guards crossed their spears, blocking their way. Xu Pingzhi took out the token given to him by Xu Qi''an. After a nce, the Imperial Guards let them through. "Ningyan¡¯s status is getting higher and higher," Auntie said happily. "Husband dear, I never dreamed we¡¯d one day sit with the capital''s officials and nobles." Xu Xinnian couldn''t help but grumble jealously, "Mother, you¡¯ll soon be a titleddy." Xu Pingzhi delivered a quick verbal jab: "You should first think about how to stay in the capital." Xu Xinnian immediately deted. The academy¡¯s n was to send him to Qingzhou, away from the capital, to make his mark. But Xu Xinnian didn¡¯t really want to go. Going to Qingzhou meant being far from his parents, his brother, and his sisters. If he couldn¡¯t return to the capital after his three-year term, he¡¯d have to serve elsewhere for another three years. Three years after three years, he¡¯d only be able to see his family when returning to report on his duties. There was also another reason: if he couldn¡¯t get into the Hanlin Academy, his path to the Cab was practically sealed off. Father¡¯s "My son has the potential to be Prime Minister" would turn into an empty boast. After walking through the "safe passage," the family looked around and saw arge official area with many shaded pavilions. Civil officials, military officers, and nobles sat in their respective zones in an orderly yet distinct manner. Moreover, there were many noblewomen and youngdies, most of them bringing their families to watch the contest. For these aristocratic women, the Great Feng''s reputation was secondary¡ªbeing entertained was the real priority. As Xu Pingzhi scanned the area, he led his family to the Nightwatcher Constabry''s section, where the main seat was upied by a man with greying temples in a billowing azure robe. nking him was a sea of Gold, and behind the Gold Gongs were Silver Gongs. The Bronze Gongs had been assigned to guard duty and were not qualified to watch the contest from under the pavilion. Xu Pingzhi approached with his family, cupped his hands in a salute, and quickly led his family to their seats without drawing attention. The famous Wei Yuan and the Gold Gongs ignored him, much to Uncle Xu¡¯s relief. Blending in as an invisible figure was preferable. The middle-ageddy also sighed in relief. Being a nobody was really good. ¡­ Among the many shaded pavilions, the most extravagant one was arge tform covered with yellow silk. Tables were arranged beneath the pavilion, where members of the royal family sat. Even the empress, who had shed with Consort Chen in the harem, was there. Everyone was chatting andughing, appearing like harmonious sisters without any past discord. The four princesses were present, with Huaiqing sitting at the head, and Lin¡¯an by her side. As for the princes, the crown prince was still confined and couldn¡¯t attend, but the others were all present. This magical duel, to the royal family, was not only an entertaining spectacle but also concerned the court¡¯s reputation and their own honour. "Where is Xu Qi''an? Why hasn¡¯t hee out yet? Can he beat those bald monks? How are the monks going topete in the contest¡­" Lin¡¯an chattered nonstop, her sparkling peach-blossom eyes darting around. Not seeing herckey, she deted. "No chance!" The seventh prince shook his head. "That Xu Qi''an is just a martial artist. How can he contend with the Buddhist monks? Besides, with his meagre cultivation, can he really cope?" The third prince chuckled in agreement: "Unless theypete in poetry." The two princesses and the other princes couldn¡¯t help butugh. Lin¡¯an, furious, red at her brothers and sisters and snapped, "Are you so happy if he loses? Should We order a Buddha statue for each of you?" The third princess frowned, "We were just talking. What¡¯s the matter with you, Lin¡¯an?" The other princes all frowned. Ever since the Fu Consort case, Lin¡¯an had grown more irritable and had be increasingly rude to her siblings, speaking sharply. Huaiqing said calmly, ¡°If it were a Daoist contest, the strongest would naturally win. The same applies to other systems. But Buddhism is different. Buddhism values enlightenment, a pure heart, and Zen wisdom. "Xu Qi''an may only be a seventh-grade martial artist, and there are many who surpass him in cultivation. But what good is higher cultivation? Can anyone''s cultivation be higher than that of Arhat Du¡¯e?" Huaiqing¡¯s words always left people speechless, unable to refute. The princes and princesses fell silent. ¡­ The canopy adjacent to the royal pavilion was where Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen sat, sipping his wine. He noticed that his daughter''s gaze kept wandering toward the area where the Nightwatchers were seated. Frowning, he asked, "Mu¡¯er, what are you looking at?" Miss Wang withdrew her gaze and replied with a faint smile, "It¡¯s my first time seeing the famous Duke Wei in person. His bearing is indeed extraordinary." After speaking, she nced out of the corner of her eye at a certain exceptionally handsome young man. "By the way, why haven¡¯t I seen His Majesty?" she asked nonchntly, diverting her father''s attention. Prime Minister Wang nced over at the royal pavilion and chuckled, "With the two women in the pce at each other¡¯s throats, His Majesty finds it bothersome and didn¡¯t want toe down. He¡¯s likely observing everything from the Bagua tform." Miss Wang responded with a light "Oh," then continued, "Father, what is the reason for the Western Region delegation¡¯s visit to the capital this time? Their sudden challenge to a duel seems rather perplexing." An emissary group doesn¡¯t just arrive without reason; there must be a purpose behind it. The intense atmosphere surrounding the Buddhist sect these days made it clear that the delegation''s visit was far from friendly. "It might be rted to the Sangpo case," Wang Zhenwen remarked casually. Miss Wang furrowed her brow, extracting two pieces of information from her father''s response. First, even as the prime minister, he wasn¡¯t fully aware of the situation. Second, the Sangpo case likely concealed deeper secrets. Just as she was about to probe further, Wang Zhenwen waved his hand impatiently. "You¡¯re just a youngdy¡ªdon¡¯t concern yourself with matters of the court. All those clever little tricks of yours will be better put to use on your future husband." Miss Wang pouted her lips, but said no more. Sexing the moment while her father wasn¡¯t paying attention, she shifted her gaze back toward the Nightwatchers. *When this duel is over, I''ll host a literary gathering at the manor...* she thought to herself. On the other side, Xu Pingzhi, drawing on his years of experience working in the capital, scanned the various canopies, identifying prominent figures he recognised. Of course, there were far more he didn¡¯t recognise. Still, he noted that the closer to the royal pavilion one was seated, the higher the person''s status. Suddenly, he had a sense of standing on the stage of imperial power in the capital, and it was all thanks to Ning Yan¡­ After this duel, if Ning Yan emerges victorious, he will be famous in the capital, renowned throughout the Great Feng... But if he loses, he will be ridiculed for a long time. And should the event be recorded in history, he might bear the scorn of future generations. Thinking of this, Uncle Xu felt aplex mix of emotions. "Dear, is that princess over there the one who came to offer prayers for Ning Yan that day?" Auntie asked, recognising the serene and radiant Princess Huaiqing from the crowd. Xu Pingzhi gave a small grunt in acknowledgment. Auntie continued, "The princess next to her, wearing the red dress, is quite pretty too, though... her gaze seems rather flirtatious. She doesn¡¯t look very proper." Xu Pingzhi was startled and hastily whispered, "Stop talking nonsense. Don¡¯t speak ill of the princess in public like this¡ªdo you want our entire family executed?" Auntie quickly shut her mouth. "What¡¯s so unspeakable about it? There¡¯s not a single decent person in the royal family of the Great Feng," the olderdy said indifferently. *We don¡¯t even know you. Go mind your own business...* Xu Xinnian thought inwardly. Xu Pingzhi let out a long breath, forcing himself to ignore the woman, and instructed his family, "In asions like this, it''s best to look, listen, and say little. Do nothing, and nothing will go wrong¡­ Lingyin!?" The two words "Lingyin" came out in a high-pitched tone. At some point, Xu Lingyin had toddled over to the azure-robed eunuch. She stood there, looking up at him with wide eyes, pointing at the food on the table, and asked with innocent anticipation, "Uncle, can I eat your food?" Seeing this, Xu Pingzhi felt a numbness shoot up his spine from his tailbone all the way to the top of his head. The Gold Gongs around Duke Wei furrowed their brows simultaneously, wondering where this child hade from with so little sense of propriety. Zhang Kaitai, who had attended the memorial for Xu Qi¡¯an, recognised the little girl and quickly exined, "Duke Wei, this is Xu Ningyan''s youngest sister." The Gold Gongs'' expressions softened as they sized up Xu Lingyin, thinking that this child, unafraid of strangers and with such boldness, would surely achieve great things one day. Wei Yuan picked up a piece of candied fruit and handed it to her. Xu Lingyin took it and gobbled it up in a few bites. "That¡¯s not how you eat candied fruit. The longer you keep it in your mouth, the longer the sweetnesssts," Wei Yuan said with a smile. "If I wait too long, all the sweets will be eaten by someone else," Xu Lingyin frowned. "If I just keep eating, it will always be sweet¡­ Uncle, I want more." Wei Yuan chuckled and gave her a few more pieces of candied fruit. After eating for a while, Xu Lingyin shyly asked, "Uncle, why aren¡¯t you eating?" Wei Yuan shook his head, smiling. "You¡¯re not eating because you don¡¯t want to," Xu Lingyin blinked her clear, innocent eyes and cautiously tested, "If you¡¯re not eating, I¡¯ll finish all of them." "You think you can eat all of them?" Wei Yuanughed, ncing at Xu Lingyin¡¯s small belly and then at the table filled with fruits, candies, and exquisite pastries. "Duke... Duke Wei¡­" Xu Pingzhi nervously approached, bowing low and trying to steady his trembling voice. "My daughter is mischievous. Please don¡¯t take offense." Wei Yuan raised his sleeve and handed a yellow pear to Xu Lingyin. Jiang Lyuzhong, observing the scene, smiled and said, "Lord Wei is just chatting with the child. You can go back now." Xu Pingzhi nced at Little Pea, then at Wei Yuan, who paid him no mind. Left with no choice, he turned and walked away. "Father, why are you so worried? Big Brother is a Silver Gong, well-regarded by Lord Wei. Lingyin won¡¯t get into trouble," Xu Eng reassured. Xu Pingzhi sighed. Young people didn¡¯t understand how terrifying Wei Yuan is. Anyone who lived through the Battle of Shanhai Pass knew that Wei Yuan was far from the amiable person he appears to be. Time passed slowly. The food in front of Wei Yuan dwindled as he nced at Xu Lingyin¡¯s small belly. He frowned and ced his hand on her head, then pressed various parts of her body for a while. "What a shame," Wei Yuan said regretfully. "Father, what¡¯s wrong?" Yang Yan asked. "This child¡¯s bones are strong, and her natural foundation is excellent, but her tendons and ligaments are too inflexible. She¡¯s not suitable for martial arts training," Wei Yuan sighed. "No wonder she eats so much. Is this girl a bottomless pit?" Nangong Qianrou teased. "Ptui ptui ptui¡­" Xu Lingyin spat at him, her little eyebrows shooting up. "You¡¯re a bad person." She still remembered this pretty sister, the one who tricked her family into thinking her big brother was dead, making her parents cry for so long. Nangong Qianrou snorted, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the spit off her trousers. Before they knew it, the time hade. Master Du¡¯e, who had been meditating cross-legged under the pavilion, opened his eyes and said in a resonant voice, "Jianzheng, do you know of the Sumeru Mustard Seed?" "A mere parlour trick!" A mockingugh echoed from above the heavens. In that moment, whether among the dignitaries or themoners outside, everyone¡¯s spirits soared with excitement. The main event had begun! Master Du¡¯e drew a golden alms bowl from his sleeve and gently tossed it forward. Boom! The bowl, heavy as a thousand pounds, crashed into the stone floor, cracking it deeply and embedding itself in the ground. A pure golden light shot up from the bowl, and in the sky above, a towering mountain appeared. Winding stone steps led deep into a forest, with a temple faintly visible at the mountain¡¯s peak. "A divine technique..." Auntie was dumbfounded, her eyes wide and mouth agape. Except for the martial artists who had cultivation, none of the ordinary people who witnessed this scene could manage their expressions, and the crowd erupted in amazement. "Father, what is the Sumeru Mustard Seed?" Nangong Qianrou furrowed her brows. "This is a Buddhist parable." Wei Yuan nced at Xu Lingyin, who was oblivious to everything around her, and said indifferently: "Mount Sumeru hides mustard seeds, while a mustard seed contains Mount Sumeru. It is said that Buddha had a mountain called *Sumeru*, which was his domain. Wherever he went, the domain followed." Yang Yan recalled the Battle of Shanhai Pass twenty years ago, and the scene of Buddhist monks transporting armies. He suddenly understood: "A Buddhist realm within the palm of one¡¯s hand?" Wei Yuan nodded. "Within the golden bowl, there indeed hides a mountain." "Jingsi, enter the mountain and guard the second pass," Master Du''e ordered. The handsome monk dressed in azure stood up, pressed his palms together in a gesture of respect, and then, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, stepped into the golden bowl. The next moment, on the vast scroll unfurled in the sky, a young monk appeared, climbing the mountain. He climbed the steps at a steady pace, reaching the mountainside where he sat cross-legged. Golden light descended from the sky, converging on him. In an instant, his body was covered in a radiant golden glow, as though he had been cast in gold. ... "So this world really has the Sumeru Mustard Seed," Xu Qi''an was speechless. Yang Qianhuan, with his back to Xu Qi''an, nodded. "the Sumeru Mustard Seed, also known as a Buddhist realm in one palm. However, this should be an ownerless world, hidden within the golden bowl." "If it were a realm with an owner, then victory or defeat would be decided by its owner''s will, how would that be fair." Chu Caiwei stuffed a bag of pastries into Xu Qi''an''s arms and said sweetly, "Xu Ningyan, take these and eat them on your way up the mountain." "...Thanks, but I''m not hungry." Xu Qi''an politely declined. Behind him, a group of white-robed arcanists cheered him on: "Go, Young Master Xu! Though we don''t know why Jianzheng chose you, the teacher must have his reasons." "You must return triumphant, Young Master Xu!" *We''ll see if I return triumphant... but for now, let me show off in front of the whole capital...* Xu Qi''an patted Yang Qianhuan on the shoulder and said: "Senior Brother Yang, after today, you will understand what it means to perform be a saint amongst men!" ... Outside the arena, on the rooftop of a tavern, swordsman Chu Yuanzhen and the burly bald-headed Hengyuan stood side by side, gazing at the radiant young monk Jingsi. The top schr smacked his lips and said: "A Gold-cast body... This Sumeru world has enhanced Jingsi''s Vajra Body. With Xu Ningyan''s current strength, it would be impossible to break it." Hengyuan felt conflicted. As a Buddhist disciple, he should have stood with the Buddhists. But at the same time, he was a citizen of the Great Feng, and it was Sir Xu the Benevolent who was fighting. "What happenedst night? Why didn¡¯t you receive my message?" Chu Yuanzhen asked. "Daoist Jinlian blocked it," Hengyuan replied. Earlier this morning, Chu Yuanzhen hade to watch the ''show'' with Hengyuan and also inquired aboutst night''s missed messages. Afterparing notes, they both concluded that Daoist Jinlian had blocked Number Four''s message. "I knew it was Daoist Jinlian who blocked it, but why?" Chu Yuanzhen said, puzzled. "Daoist Jinlian didn¡¯t want you to reveal that Xu Qi''an was representing Sitianjian in the duel?" "Hmph, do you think that makes sense?" Chu Yuanzhen sneered. "It doesn''t," Hengyuan shook his head. "I have a feeling there''s more to this." Chu Yuanzhen pondered, but he didn''t dwell on the matter and instead asked: "You stayed at Sanyang Station for three days. Did you gain anything?" "The Diamond Sutra can''t be passed down easily. Uncle Du''e told me that if I wanted to view the Diamond Sutra, I could return to the Western Regions with him and practice at Mount Sumeru for three years," Hengyuan said. "So you could fully be a Buddhist and sever all ties with the Great Feng?" Chu Yuanzhen smirked. "Not exactly," Hengyuan defended. "The Diamond Sutra isn''t something just anyone can cultivate. Aren''t you curious why it''s Jingsi who came to fight, and not someone else?" Chu Yuanzhen''s mind stirred. "Is Jingsi the only one in the Western Regions delegation who mastered the Diamond Sutra?" Hengyuan nodded. "Either one is born with a Buddha-nature, able toprehend its profound meaning, or one must go to Mount Sumeru to listen to Buddhist teachings for a chance to understand the Diamond Sutra." Suddenly, Chu Yuanzhen pped his hands and eximed with frustration, ¡°So even if Xu Qi''an wins this duel and obtains the Diamond Sutra, it would be useless? "Because a lustful person like Xu Qi''an could never possess any Buddha-nature." Hengyuan was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. As they talked, they heard Master Du''e announce loudly, ¡°This contest will be a mountain climb! If one reaches the top, enters the temple, and still does not convert to our Buddhist faith, then we shall admit defeat. The Sitianjian has three attempts.¡± Hearing this, Wei Yuan smiled. "A mountain climb..." Yang Yan murmured. "The path will undoubtedly be fraught with challenges. One wrong step, and it will be an instant defeat." After Master Du''e finished speaking, he closed his mouth and meditated silently. Both inside and outside the arena, the audience waited for a long time, yet Sitianjian still did not send anyone topete. For a time, rumours and discussions broke out. "Why hasn''t Sitianjian acted? Are they afraid?" "Where is the Jianzheng? Say something, Jianzheng!" "What¡¯s going on? If Sitianjian was scared, why did they agree to this duel in the first ce? Do they want to embarrass the Great Feng even more?" Suddenly, someone eximed excitedly, "Look! Someone''sing out of the Stargazing Tower!" In an instant, countless heads turned, and all eyes were on the gate of the Stargazing Tower. From the hall on the first floor, a cloaked figure slowly walked out, holding a wine jar and wearing a hood, head lowered, face obscured. The moment the cloaked figure stepped down the stairs, a deep chant echoed across the arena, carried by a surge of energy that reached everyone''s ears. ¡°*At fifteen and twenty, a sword in hand, I wandered the Jianghu far.*¡± As the cloaked figure took his second step, the deep voice suddenly grew impassioned: ¡°*One day I soared, the wind rose high, like a roc nine-thousand li.*¡± *This...* In the pavilions, one after another, civil officials instinctively stood up, and paid their respects to the figure. On the third step, the cloaked figure pointed to the heavens, his voice turning from passionate to majestic: ¡°*Where the seas end the heavens make shore, I stand atop the warrior¡¯s peak!*¡± Inside and outside the arena, the eyebrows of many martial artists shot up, their expressions odd. Some among the Jianghu crowd outside even stirred their energy in response. On the fourth step, the cloaked figure let out a long howl: ¡°*I fought across three thousand miles, one de against a million men.*¡± Wei Yuan raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly forward. The generals all rose abruptly to their feet. On the fifth step, the figure let out a soft sigh: ¡°*If the heavens birthed not Xu Ningyan, then all Jiuzhou will be night that never ends!¡± Xu Xinnian was fucking furious. This was the greatest poem he had ever written, born from the depths of despair. *How shameless, big brother!* He nced around and saw the stunned faces all around him. They were all gazing intently at the cloaked figure, utterly captivated. *When I recited this poem, my family mocked me, but when my brother does it, he is admired by the masses, respected by everyone...* Xu Xinnian fumed. In his anger, he looked to the woman beside him. She was staring at the cloaked figure, entranced. Princess Huaiqing was gazing at the cloaked figure, her eyes radiating light. For the first time, she thought how captivating this man was. Xu Qi''an said no more, carrying his wine jar as he slowly entered the arena, finally stopping beside the golden bowl. Then, he removed his hood and drank deeply. The wine flowed down his chin, soaking his clothes. It was wild and carefree. Suddenly, he smashed the wine jar to the ground,ughing heartily as shards scattered. ¡°*Today heroes emerge from our ranks, spending years roaming the Jianghu deep. Chatting and scheming about grand ambition, yet nothing beats a drunken feast!*¡± Amid his wild, arrogantughter, he leapt into the golden bowl. At that moment, the entire arena fell silent. After a long while, a sudden, overwhelming wave of cheers and mour washed over the audience. ¡°The Great Feng will win!¡± ¡°The Great Feng will win!¡± Such a high-key entry, line after line of poetry to be remembered throughout the ages, in an instant beat down the grandeur of the Buddhist sect, looking down on them from high above. And restoring faith to themon people. The civil and military officials slowly nodded their heads, showing expressions of praise and admiration. Such an act by Xu Qi¡¯an had much deeper goals. To rouse the spirits, and raise the banners. Chapter 292: The Power of the Masses Chapter 292: The Power of the Masses # 292. The Power of the Masses Chu Caiwei pursed her lips, her bright almond-shaped eyes following that figure until he disappeared into the golden bowl. The big-eyed beauty still couldn¡¯t shake off the scene she had just witnessed. *So majestic...* she thought. "Young Master Xu is simply a divine being," the white-robed arcanists sighed in genuine admiration. To them, such a disy of grace and grandeur was too avant-garde, too innovative. It left an immense impact on their hearts. Inparison, their Senior Brother Yang, who could only repeat his catchphrase, "There are none like me upon thisnd," seemed utterlycking. As this thought crossed their minds, both the white-robed arcanists and Chu Caiwei instinctively turned to look at Yang Qianhuan, only to see him trembling all over. ¡°So this... this is how it can be done... This is how it can be done... In front of countless people from the capital, before the great officials and nobles of the Great Feng, to drink boldly, to recite poetry with grandeur, and to face battle valiantly. ¡°Just imagining it makes my brain tremble. This... this is the extreme I have been pursuing, the feeling I desire... I never imagined he could achieve it so easily.¡°No... this was my opportunity... my chance... Jianzheng... You... you... deceived me.¡± On the rooftop of a nearby tavern, Chu Yuanzhen sighed, "Impressive, truly impressive. This kind of showmanship can be said to be the pinnacle throughout history. Even when I seeded in scoring the zhuangyuan in the Pce Exams, I wasn¡¯t this celebrated." ¡°Amitabha, this is why Sir Xu is a unique individual,¡± Hengyuan said with a smile. Sir Xu''s personality was far more interesting than the rigid schrs and much more agreeable than the brash martial artists who resorted to violence at the slightest disagreement. This was likely one of the reasons why the oiran of the Jiaofangsi were so fond of him. It wasn¡¯t just his poems that attracted them, but his personal charm too. ¡°He''s gone inside.¡± Amid the crowd, amoner pointed towards the ¡°painting¡± projected in the air. At the foot of the towering mountain, a cloaked figure had appeared. ... *I''d give myself a 99/100 for that grand entrance, one mark docked for feeling awkward... But, if I pretend it wasn¡¯t awkward, then it''s a wless, gleaming golden performance... asionally indulging in some melodrama feels pretty good¡­* Xu Qi''an thought, reviewing his showy performance while surveying his surroundings. The world he entered felt as real as reality itself. Perhaps it was real¡ªa small world created by the profound powers of a great Buddhist figure. Before him was a towering Buddhist mountain, shrouded in clouds and mist, like a mystical realm beyond the mortal world. Faint chanting echoed in the air, calming the heart and inspiring peace. It made one forget all worldly concerns, leaving only tranquility and joy. Before him stretched a winding stone staircase, leading into the mist. Xu Qi''an extended his senses for a moment but detected no signs of life¡ªno insects, birds, or beasts. "Monk Jingsi is guarding halfway up the mountain, so the first trial shouldn''t be him. What could the first trial be?" With this thought in mind, he began his ascent. After walking for some time in peace, Xu Qi''an came upon a small stone tablet beside the stairs. On it were inscribed two characters: "Eight Sufferings." ... ¡°The Eight Sufferings of life¡ªbirth, aging, illness, death, separation from loved ones, encountering enemies, failing to attain desires, and the suffering of the five skandhas¡­[^1]¡± Master Du''e''s voice, filled withpassion and empathy, echoed in the ears of the audience, "This first trial is the ''Eight Sufferings Formation.'' Only those with firm resolve can continue the climb and be tested by further Buddhist teachings." At the Bagua tform, Emperor Yuanjing, d in a Daoist robe, stood at the edge, overlooking the square. He asked solemnly, "I have heard of this formation before. Jianzheng, how powerful is this ''Eight Sufferings Formation''?" "It''s not about power; it''s the kind of formation that wears you down," the Jianzheng replied, sipping wine as he exined to the emperor, ¡°If a child were to enter the formation, they would easily walk out. The more one has experienced in life, the harder it is to break through. In Buddhism, this formation is used to temper the minds of monks. "Some emerge with their hearts and minds moreplete than ever, while others are shattered by the Eight Sufferings, their Buddhist heart destroyed." Emperor Yuanjing immediately became serious. "Even high monks struggle with this formation. How can he possibly seed?" The Jianzheng chuckled, "How couldpeting with the Buddhists be so easy? Just a single ''Eight Sufferings formation''¡ªthere are few in the capital who could pass through unscathed." The emperor¡¯s brows tightened upon hearing this. If as the Jianzheng had said, the number of people who could make it through this formation was merely a handful, he didn¡¯t believe that Xu Qi¡¯an would be counted within that group. This had nothing to do with talent but with one¡¯s heart,prehension, and even the system they practiced. How could a martial artist survive an formation meant to temper a Buddhist monk¡¯s heart? If Buddhism advocated for an enlightened, pure heart, then martial artists were the opposite¡ªrough and unrefined. *If we lose this battle, our alliance, which was once equal, will begin to tilt¡­* Emperor Yuanjing thought. That was his true concern. Compared to twenty years ago, the Great Feng had grown considerably weaker and could no longerpare to the Western Buddhist Sect. This was an unspoken truth, but if they lost this match, it would be an undeniable fact written into history. Historians studying this era would conclude that in Emperor Yuanjing¡¯ster years, the Great Feng had declined in power, casting him not as a revivalist ruler but as an ipetent one. "We cannot lose. No matter what, we must win. We have three chances. If Xu Qi''an fails, you must select a capable candidate for the next attempt," Emperor Yuanjing said coldly. ... ¡°Is this formation really that terrifying?¡± Chu Yuanzhen, having listened to Hengyuan¡¯s exnation, was shocked. "With Xu Ningyan''s temperament, I¡¯m afraid he won¡¯t pass the Eight Sufferings test," Chu Yuanzhen muttered, deep in thought. "Perhaps you should be a little more confident and drop the word ''afraid,''" Hengyuan replied helplessly. "This ''Eight Sufferings formation'' is used to temper the hearts of meditating monks. For warrior monks, it can cause their minds to shatter, leading to madness or evenplete loss of reason." "Is the Buddhist sect really this ruthless? Are they trying to destroy Xu Ningyan?" ¡­ *There is no fluctuation of energy, no sign of danger. The Eight Sufferings Formation won¡¯t attack me,* Xu Qi¡¯an stood by the stone tablet, hesitating to take a step forward. *Well, never mind. Let¡¯s break the formation first.* Xu Qi¡¯an stepped onto the stone steps, entering the formation. In an instant, his surroundings changed. The sacred Buddhist mountain and steps faded, swallowed by darkness. ¡°Wah wah¡­¡± He immediately heard the cry of a newborn, the sound tearing through the darkness. He saw white walls, white bedsheets, and a crowd in white uniforms. A nurse was holding a newborn baby, carefully cleaning the child. Lying on the bed was a woman with a pale face, drenched in sweat¡ªher features delicate and all too familiar. ¡°Mum¡­¡± Involuntarily, Xu Qi¡¯an called out. This wasn¡¯t the birth of Xu Qi¡¯an of the Great Feng. It was the birth of Xu Qi¡¯an, who had grown up under a banner of red, in a New China. The child grew, enjoying a happy and carefree childhood before being forced into school. Day after day, year after year, schoolwork dominated his youth. Finally, he made it to graduation, reaching adulthood, ready to step into society. At this point, his noticeably aging parents patted his shoulder and said, with a hint of guilt, ¡°You¡¯ve finally graduated from the police academy. Your parents can¡¯t give you anything. You¡¯ll have to work hard yourself. Buying a house, a car, and getting married is all up to you.¡± He entered the workforce, working tirelessly day and night to save enough for a deposit on a house. After many years of grueling effort, he finally managed to make the deposit. Then another problem arose¡ªno money for renovations... Xu Qi¡¯an made a tough decision, leaving his job to go into business. After a failed venture, he spent the next decade struggling to get back on his feet. Ten yearster, he finally had a well-furnished home and some savings. It was time to start a family. But then, his father fell ill¡­ a serious illness that nearly drained him of all his savings. His father¡¯s health deteriorated, and Xu Qi¡¯an had to take on the responsibility of caring for both his aging parents. Because of this, his long-time girlfriend left him. *Isn¡¯t this where I should¡¯ve died from drinking too much...* He wanted tough at himself, but the weight in his heart only grew heavier. The scene shifted. Before the age of forty, Xu Qi¡¯an finally got married to a reasonably decent woman. The next year, they had a child. The couple quarreled endlessly over how to get their child into a better school. From that moment on, they lived solely for their child, raising him, supporting his education, until one day the child said, ¡°Mum, Dad, I¡¯m getting married, but I need a house. My fianc¨¦e doesn¡¯t want to live with you two. ¡°Oh, and before that, you need to prepare a hundred thousand yuan or so for the dowry. Dad¡¯s retirement funds will do.¡± Fine, they thought. They would cut back on their own spending and give their lifelong savings to help their son with the mortgage. That¡¯s what life was all about, wasn¡¯t it? So, their son got married, had a house, and began his own life. Then, a grandson was born. His wife moved in with their son to take care of him and his wife, leaving Xu Qi¡¯an to live a solitary life. Thest scene of this life was him lying in a hospital bed, nearing death. In his final moments, only his equally aged wife was by his side. At that moment, Xu Qi¡¯an felt an unexpected sense of relief, as if he could finally rest. One cycle ended, and another began. From birth to death, his entire life had been spent as a cog in the machine, always working to ¡°live.¡± In his youth, he bore the weight of endless schoolwork. In his young adulthood, he struggled for his future. By middle age, he fought for his child. Even in old age, he was still working for his children. Aside from those carefree childhood days, it wasn¡¯t until his final breath that he finally felt ¡°free,¡± as if he¡¯d shed all his burdens. *So this is the Eight Sufferings of Life¡ªbirth, aging, illness, death, separation from loved ones, meeting those you hate, unfulfilled desires, and the burning of the five skandhas¡­ What¡¯s the point of a life like this? This is not my life, not how it¡¯s supposed to be.* With each cycle, the urge to renounce worldly affairs and seek freedom grew stronger in Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind. A voice inside him kept saying: Rest, rest. A life like this is meaningless. Let go, and you will be free. *No, something is wrong¡­ my will is faltering¡­* He quickly realised that his thoughts were spiralling out of control, as if he were developing a split personality. One voice tempted him to give up and seek freedom, while the other firmly held onto his beliefs. The two sides shed within him, causing Xu Qi¡¯an to clutch his head in agony. *Think of something else¡­ think of Fu Xiang¡¯s snow-white bum¡­* ... Every expression that he was showing was visible to the onlookers outside the formation, many of whom were deeply worried for him. ¡°What¡¯s happening? He seems to be in great pain, yet nothing appears to be happening to him.¡± The Eight Sufferings Formation worked on the mind, and outsiders couldn¡¯t perceive Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s inner struggles, so they couldn¡¯t empathise with him. ¡°This is only the first stage, and he¡¯s already suffering like this. How is he supposed to climb the mountain?¡± A man from the Jianghu sighed. ¡°The difference in skill is clear. This duel seems like a lost cause.¡± They didn¡¯t understand what the Eight Sufferings Formation was, only that Xu Qi¡¯an had stepped into the ¡°scroll,¡± began climbing the mountain, and after only a few steps, ended up in this state. It was disappointing. In the royal pavilion, Princess Lin¡¯an clenched her fists tightly, her entire body tense as she stared unblinkingly at Xu Qi¡¯an, fully expressing the tension in her heart. Huaiqing held a teacup in her hand, never once putting it down. ¡°Mother, Big Brother seems to be in great pain,¡± Xu Lingyue said, her voice choking with tears. Auntie quickly looked toward her husband, but saw his expression was deep as an abyss. She dared not ask him anything and instead whispered reassurances to Lingyue, ¡°It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine. Your big brother is capable. He wasn¡¯t afraid of thousands of rebels in Yunzhou; why would he fear a few bald monks?¡± ¡°Uncle, what¡¯s happening to Big Brother?¡± Xu Lingyin asked, pointing at the sky. ¡°It¡¯s nothing.¡± Wei Yuan¡¯s voice was calm, but the veins bulging on the back of his hand, gripping the armrest, told another story. His body leaned forward involuntarily, his eyes never leaving the ¡°scroll.¡± ¡°The Eight Sufferings Formation!¡± Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen snorted. ¡°This formation is used by high-ranking Buddhist monks to temper their hearts. If a warrior falls into it and cannot break free, his spirit will shatter, leaving him as good as a cripple. If he passes the test, however, it shows that he has Buddha-nature. You¡¯d then take the opportunity to bring him into your Buddhist order. ¡°Arhat Du¡¯e is truly cunning. Such a blow to the Great Feng¡¯s dignity¡ªdo they not fear our million-strong army?¡± As the Prime Minister of the Great Feng, in the absence of the emperor, Wang Zhenwen was the one in charge. He possessed broad knowledge and sophisticated political manoeuvring skills, and with just a few words, heid bare the scheme of Arhat Du''e. Master Du''e chanted a Buddhist mantra, speaking serenely, "Taking refuge in Buddhism is a form of fortune." Only then did Chu Yuanzhen realise another function of the Eight Sufferings Formation, and why Number Six, Hengyuan, had hesitated earlier. Arhat Du''e''s n was indeed quite insidious. The first trial tested one''s Buddhist nature. If Xu Qi''ancked it, he would be destroyed¡ªno matter, for Buddhism would still win. But if he possessed Buddhist nature, more trials awaited, aiming to convert him. This way, Buddhism would not only win but also strike a humiliating blow to the Great Feng. Sending someone to engage in a contest only to have them converted into a Buddhist disciple would be a p in the face, delivered with maximum force. The dignitaries in the various pavilions immediately turned pale, and even the previously nonchnt noblewomen and youngdies stopped their idle chatter, growing serious. Biaobiao, suddenly anxious, widened her slightly upturned peach blossom eyes and urgently said, "Huaiqing, Huaiqing, the Prime Minister said if he can''t break the formation, running dog will be ruined. But if he breaks it, he¡¯ll be a monk. What should we do?" Huaiqing furrowed her elegant brows. Though she was well-read and knowledgeable, her cultivation was far from impressive, and the current situation was beyond her expertise. "So, do you want him ruined, or turned into a monk?" Huaiqing asked in return. "I..." Biaobiao opened her mouth but couldn¡¯t voice her true feelings. It wasn''t just the dignitaries who were furious, but also themon folk. Themoners of the capital, living at the heart of the empire, took pride in being part of the Great Feng. Because of the recent provocations by the Buddhist monks Jingsi and Jingchen, resentment had already been brewing in their hearts. Today, with the Sitianjian agreeing to the contest with Buddhism, the area had been crowded with onlookers since before dawn. "This is too much! The court is so weak, letting Buddhism walk all over us. Where are the experts? Why are they silent?" One by one, gazes filled with tension and held breath locked onto Xu Qi''an. Suddenly, Auntie heard a cracking sound¡ªthe sound of her husband''s grip crushing the armrest of his chair. She frowned, distressed. "Why did they pick Ningyan to enter the contest? What... what do we do now?" Her husband had spent twenty years painstakingly grooming their nephew to build his foundation. If, as the old official had said, failing to break the formation would ruin Xu Ningyan, those two decades of effort would be wasted. But even breaking the formation wasn¡¯t ideal. Xu Ningyan was the only heir of his branch. If he became a monk... Auntie nced back at her son and daughter. Xu Xinnian was furrowing his brows, and Xu Lingyue was biting her lip, her delicate face filled with worry. ... "There is a third way to break this formation." Amid the excruciating torment of his mental conflict, a voice entered Xu Qi''an''s mind¡ªit was the voice of Monk Shenshu. "Do not respond, do not think about anything rted to me. Just listen. This formation is designed to temper the heart and mind of Buddhist practitioners. For those who enter, there are only two possible oues: either their minds be clearer, or they are shattered. "If you are not of Buddhism, yet you can endure the Eight Sufferings Formation, it signifies that you possess a Buddhist nature." *No wonder I felt the urge to renounce everything and join a monastery... This formation is meant to break my will...* he thought while enduring the torment of his fractured mind. Monk Shenshu¡¯s voice came again: "Apart from the two oues I mentioned, there is another way¡ªbreak the formation with the power of the masses!" Xu Qi''an waited for a moment, but Monk Shenshu said no more. Cautious, he did not call out to him in his mind. *The power of the masses? What does that mean? The Eight Sufferings of life... so does this require the strength of the masses to ovee? But where would I get such power? That¡¯s clearly not something a martial artist should possess...* The cycles of life continued, and the Eight Sufferings Formation continued to "corrode" Xu Qi''an''s spirit. Worse, while his thoughts of renouncing everything had not intensified, the sh between the two "personalities" within him made his mental state grow increasingly twisted. This meant Xu Qi''an trulycked a Buddhist nature, and if he could not break the formation, his mind would be shattered. Xu Qi''an reviewed all his techniques: the Heaven and Earth One de sh, the Heart Sword, the Lion¡¯s Roar, the Face-Changing Technique, Nurturing Intent... *hmm?* *Nurturing Intent?* *The technique Chu Yuanzhen taught me, where I use my own emotions to empower the sword...* *My current emotions are terrible, but they aren''t enough to break the Eight Sufferings Formation... But what if I change my approach? Why must I only use my own emotions?* *Why not try borrowing the emotions of others? Using their emotions to nurture my sword intent?* Once this thought took root, it quickly blossomed. Closing his eyes, he used the secret technique Chu Yuanzhen had taught him to sense emotions, but this time, instead of focusing inward, he turned his attention outward. To his surprise, he sensed emotions from the outside world¡ªthose of the crowd watching in the capital. These emotions were like an ocean, filled primarily with tension and anger. *Are you all angry too?* *Then lend me your strength.* Xu Qi''an submerged himself in the ocean of emotions, absorbing the anger. Gradually, an intense and boundless fury surged within him. Like a wild tide, like thunder, like a raging fire. Unconsciously, his hand pressed down on the hilt of his sword, as if ready to draw it. "Not enough... it''s still not enough..." ... Qingyun Mountain, Cloud Deer Academy. Suddenly, the statue of the Lesser Sage began to tremble, as waves of vast qi surged into the sky. A red wooden box, suspended above the head of the Lesser Sage¡¯s statue, also began to tremble. Whatever was sealed inside seemed as though it wanted to break free. As the pure light flickered, the Dean, Zhao Shou, appeared in the temple, staring in astonishment at the red wooden box. Momentster, three beams of pure light shed as the three great Confucians, Li Mubai and the others, arrived to investigate. "What¡¯s happening? Why is the Lesser Sage statue moving again...?" Li Mubai''s voice abruptly stopped. He stared in disbelief at the red wooden box, stammering, "It... it¡¯s..." Academy Head Zhao Shou said softly, "Someone has invoked the power of the masses, and it is awakening." The three great Confucians looked at Zhao Shou as if he had gone mad. Zhao Shou ignored them, bowing deeply. "Please, remain calm, venerable one." The three great Confucians came to their senses and followed suit, bowing deeply. "Please, remain calm, venerable one." The red wooden box''s trembling subsided, and it gradually returned to silence. ¡­ ¡°He¡¯s about to draw his de!¡± someone rasped in the crowd. Among the onlookers, there was a sense of relief. Xu Qi¡¯an finally showed some action, no longer trapped in his pain. This settled the people, giving them peace of mind. Having a n of action was reassuring; the worst oue would be losing without any resistance. Wei Yuan was momentarily stunned, puzzled by Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s actions. It wasn¡¯t just him¡ªeveryone who understood the Eight Sufferings formation was confused by what Xu Qi¡¯an intended. The Eight Sufferings formation wasn¡¯t an enemy. What good was drawing a de? Was he nning to sh himself? ¡°Father, what¡¯s he trying to do?¡± Miss Wang asked quietly. ¡°He can¡¯t do anything,¡± Wang Shoufu shook his head in disappointment. ¡°The best oue is if he can withstand the Eight Sufferings formation¡­ I have no idea why the Jianzheng chose him.¡± From the tall building above, Emperor Yuanjing spoke in a low voice: ¡°Jianzheng, is this the person you¡¯ve chosen?¡± To him, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s actions seemed like a desperate move from a cornered beast. ¡°Your Majesty... have you felt nothing?¡± Jianzheng nced at him, his eyes full of thinly veiled disappointment. ¡°Draw your de! Draw it-¡± Biaobiao yelled out suddenly. But before she could finish, she was stopped by Consort Chen, who rebuked her: ¡°What racket, be proper.¡± ¡°Why won¡¯t he draw it? Hurry up and draw the de!¡± someone in the outer crowd shouted. ¡°Draw the de!¡± another voice echoed. Soon, more people joined in. The chant grew louder, and eventually, the calls for him to ¡°Draw¡± filled the air like a tidal wave. ¡°Draw! Draw! Draw!¡­¡± The voices crashed like waves. ¡­ ¡°Enough!¡± At that moment, Xu Qi¡¯an drew his de. Sching... In the serene Buddhist realm, a piercing light suddenly erupted. It was like the dawn breaking through the darkness, a beam of light splitting the chaos. This light wasn¡¯t drawn from Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s strength, but from the united will of tens of thousands ofmoners from the capital. The power of their solidarity. Crack! The stone tablet inscribed with the words ¡°Eight Sufferings¡± was covered in cracks before shattering with a resounding bang. Boom, rumble... The entire Buddha Mountain trembled as if it were about to copse. This strike didn¡¯t just cleave the Eight Sufferings formation. The formation drew its power from the Buddhist realm, so this de had sliced through the power of the entire realm. Crack! Another sharp sound echoed¡ªnot from the mountain, but from the outside world. Master Du¡¯e looked down in shock, noticing a crack had formed in the golden alms bowl. ¡°The golden bowl has cracked! It¡¯s cracked!¡± Biaobiao screamed, jumping up and pointing at the bowl, stomping her feet in excitement. Her shrill voice echoed through the air. Hearing her cries, the dignitaries in the pavilions instinctively lowered their heads to look at the golden bowl. Sure enough, they saw a crack running along its surface. ¡°What? The golden bowl has cracked?¡± Themon folk and the martial artists in the outer circle couldn¡¯t see the golden bowl clearly. Their hearts raced as they urgently sought confirmation: ¡°Is it true? Has the golden bowl really cracked? We can¡¯t see clearly.¡± Some of the martial artists at the front stood on tiptoes, shoving those around them to adjust their view. Finally, they caught sight of the golden bowl beside Master Du¡¯e. Peering intently, they saw a crack on its surface. ¡°It¡¯s true! The golden bowl has really cracked!¡± With that confirmation, a wave of cheers surged through the crowd, louder and louder, cresting over itself. ¡°Damned monks, you think you¡¯re so strong! Hmph! Did you really think our Great Feng has no one capable of standing up to you?¡± ¡°Go back to the Western Regions! The capital isn¡¯t a ce for you to throw your weight around!¡± The crowd roared with joy. While themoners focused on shouting insults, the martial artists were more interested in Xu Qi¡¯an himself. Somehow, another brilliant young talent had emerged from the capital¡ªsomeone no one had heard of before. ¡­ On the Stargazing Tower, Emperor Yuanjing watched the cheering crowds below, a smile spreading across his face. ¡°Not bad at all,¡± he remarked approvingly, then turned to ask, ¡°Jianzheng, what was that de? Since when has Xu Qi¡¯an be so powerful?¡± The Jianzheng ignored him. In the pavilion, Miss Wang bit her lip and turned to her father, Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen, asking quietly, ¡°Father, didn¡¯t you say he was sure to lose? You said the only way through the Eight Sufferings formation was to...¡± ¡°Enough, enough!¡± Prime Minister Wang hurriedly interrupted, waving his hand. ¡°Father admits he misjudged the situation. Happy now?¡± Despite his words, there was no trace of anger in his expression. He rxedly sipped his tea and added, ¡°Wei Yuan has gained yet another fierce general.¡± For the first time, there was a hint of frustration in his voice. Back in the Nightwatchers'' area, Wei Yuan exhaled slowly, gently patting Xu Lingyin¡¯s head. ¡°That strike was decent. Adequate, I suppose.¡± ¡°Still,¡± he asked with a smile, ¡°if it were any of you, could you have broken the formation with a single strike?¡± The Gold Gongs lowered their heads in embarrassment. Battle-obsessed Yang Yan couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°How did he do it?¡± Wei Yuan¡¯s expression froze slightly, then quickly recovered its usual calm demeanour. ¡°You can ask him when hees out.¡± *So, Duke Wei already knew¡­* No wonder he¡¯s been so calm this whole time. Realisation dawned on the Gold Gongs. The happiest person was still Xu Pingzhi, who beamed with joy, theplete opposite of his earlier state. ¡°Not bad at all,¡± the middle-aged woman muttered to herself. That rascal was indeed impressive, she had to admit it. Atop a nearby inn, Hengyuan sighed. ¡°What an incredible strike¡­ How did Sir Xu manage it?¡± He turned to look at Chu Yuanzhen, only to find Number Four staring nkly, muttering repeatedly, ¡°Impossible... impossible...¡± It was as if he had gone mad. What kind of impact had Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s strike delivered to make Number Four react like this? Hengyuan was bewildered. At that moment, Master Du¡¯e¡¯s voice rang out, each word clear as it reached everyone¡¯s ears: ¡°The Eight Sufferings formation is only the first test. The second is the Vajra formation. This humble monk wonders, after unleashing such a strike, does this Silver Gong still have the strength to pass the second test?¡± Upon hearing this, everyone immediately looked up at the ¡°painting.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an was sitting on the steps, gasping for breath, his face deathly pale. Even ordinary onlookers with no knowledge of cultivation could tell that Xu Qi¡¯an was in terrible condition. It dawned on them that they had celebrated too soon. This was only the first test; he was still at the foot of the mountain, with a long way to go before reaching the top. --- [^1]: Buddhist terminology; the [¡°five aggregates of clinging¡±](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skandha) Chapter 293: Buddhist Allegories Chapter 293: Buddhist Allegories # 293. Buddhist Allegories Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s state was like a bucket of cold water poured over the crowd¡¯s hearts, causing the previously high spirits to fall, and the cheers to gradually fade. "The monk halfway up the mountain, he¡¯s the one who sat on the Southern City¡¯s Heroic tform for nearly a week." "They say he¡¯s a Buddhist Unbreakable Vajra, and truly unbreakable at that. Over five days, many heroes and warriors challenged him, but none could break his golden body." At this moment, the citizens of the capital, as well as the Jianghu folk from afar, recalled the fear they felt from being dominated by Jingsi¡¯s Vajra body. They remembered the strength of this delicate-looking monk. Some citizens who weren¡¯t from the Southern City and were less familiar with the situation, asked around, and after hearing the exnation, they reacted intensely: "Is this really true? Don¡¯t be taken in by hearsay¡ªcity gossip loves to exaggerate, and it¡¯s never reliable." "It¡¯s no exaggeration. I even know that some days ago, a very powerful swordsman took action. They say he summoned stones to form a sword¡ªa truly remarkable skill. But even he lost to this monk." "The Buddhists are too powerful. Compared to them, it feels like our people are struggling and facing difficulty with every step."The citizens of the capital felt deted. From Jingsi and Jingchen¡¯s matches and their lectures, to the appearance of the Dharma aspectst night, the Buddhists had made a deep impression on the capital¡¯s people, leaving them awed by their power. ¡­ "From what this poor monk recalls, Xu Ningyan¡¯s ultimate skill is ''One de from Heaven and Earth''. Yet does he have the strength to unleash another sh?" Number Six Hengyuan, shaking his head, sped his hands together, sighing: "The second stage, the Vajra Formation, is the true trial ofbat. He only has the strength for one sh, but in the Eight Sufferings Formation, he has already exhausted his power." Chu Yuanzhen couldn¡¯t help butugh. "Number Six, you¡¯re too rigid in your thinking." Hengyuan frowned, confused. Chu Yuanzhen didn¡¯t answer and continued, "But unless he can deliver a second sh, one that could break through another Eight Sufferings formation, he won¡¯t be able to shatter Jingsi¡¯s golden body." ¡­¡­¡­¡­ Within the pavilion, an intense debate was unfolding. "Resting to recover strength is possible¡ªthere¡¯s no time limit on this duel. As long as Xu Qi¡¯an can unleash another sh as powerful as thest one, breaking through the Vajra Formation shouldn¡¯t be a problem," a nobleman expressed his opinion, immediately drawing opposition from others. The one who refuted the Earl of Weihai was another noble, equally powerful in cultivation: "Do you really think thatst sh was something a mere seventh-rank martial artist could produce?" The gathered dignitaries and officials listened intently to the two men¡¯s arguments. Biaobiao waved her hand, her crisp voice ringing out: "Earl Weihai, Earl Pingding, exin clearly. How likely is it that Xu Qi¡¯an can break the Vajra Formation?" Earl Pingding, a burly man in his early forties, stood up and cupped his hands. "Your Highness, in your servant¡¯s opinion, Xu Qi¡¯an has no chance of winning." Biaobiao frowned. "Why do you say that?" Earl Pingding sighed. "Xu Qi¡¯an is merely a seventh-rank martial artist, while Jingsi¡¯s golden body couldn¡¯t even be broken by Chu Yuanzhen. How could Xu Qi¡¯an possibly do it?" A civil official interjected, frowning. "Earl Pingding, you may not know, but Xu Qi¡¯an, though a seventh-rank, is exceedingly strong. He has twice defeated sixth-rank Bronze Skin and Iron Bones." Earl Pingding shook his head. "The Buddhists¡¯ Unbreakable Vajra Body cannot bepared to a martial artist¡¯s Bronze Skin and Iron Bones. Besides, that little monk has been stationed in the Southern City for nearly a week. If Xu Qi¡¯an could win, he would have acted long ago. Why did he hold back?" The civil official nodded in acknowledgment. Earl Pingding had participated in the great battle of Shanhai pass twenty years ago. His insight was not to be underestimated, and what he said was likely true. Biaobiao thought for a while but couldn¡¯te up with a rebuttal. She became frustrated and said, "Earl Pingding, how could you boost the morale of others while undermining your own? What benefit is there to you if Xu Qi¡¯an loses?" Earl Pingding responded helplessly, "Your servant is not trying to encourage others at the expense of our own. Xu Qi¡¯an represents the Sitianjian in this duel, and by extension, the court. I too hope he wins, but¡­ his chances are slim." Most of the civil officials and female spectators were non-experts in martial matters. After witnessing Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s earlier sh breaking through the formation, their confidence had surged, and smiles had bloomed across their faces. However, now that they¡¯d heard Earl Pingding¡¯s analysis, they realized the situation wasn¡¯t as hopeful as they had initially thought. Earl Weihai snorted and loudly said, "Earl Pingding, how do you know Xu Qi¡¯an can¡¯t unleash a second sh?" At that moment, Jingchen, who had been sitting silently in meditation the whole time, spoke, ¡°That sh just now¡ªsurely it was the Jianzheng lending him power. Otherwise, how could a seventh-rank martial artist produce such a fearsome sabre energy? "A seventh-rank martial artist¡¯s physical strength is limited. How could he withstand the infusion of such power again?" Earl Pingding shook his head, as if to say this was exactly what he meant. The pavilion quieted down. The civil and military officials lowered their heads to drink, while thedies deliberately turned away, avoiding looking at the monks. They had no more to say, but their hearts were still filled with dissatisfaction. "Father, what do you think?" Miss Wang, smiling brightly, looked at the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Wang spoke calmly, "Watch more, say less. It¡¯s too early to make a final judgment now." He believed Xu Qi¡¯an had little chance of winning, his mind was already considering the next candidate. However, after being proven wrong once, the Prime Minister wouldn¡¯t make the same mistake again. As a dignified Prime Minister, he wouldn¡¯t stumble in the same ce twice. "I¡¯ve just had a thought," Miss Wang said with a smile. She nced at Jingchen and raised her voice, "Master, the Eight Sufferings Formation is a tool for refining the Buddhist heart, unrted tobat power. Even a high-ranked martial artist would struggle to break through it, is that correct?" Jingchen nodded. "Rather than sending a high-ranked martial artist into the formation, it would be better to send in a child." Miss Wang smiled brightly. "Master Du''e mentioned earlier that the court has three chances, correct?" "Indeed." Miss Wang¡¯s gentle, elegant face lit up with a radiant smile. "Now that the Eight Sufferings Formation has been broken, even if Xu Qi¡¯an is exhausted and unable to pass the Vajra Formation, if the court sends a high-ranked martial artist to break through, can the Vajra atop the mountain stop them?" Jingchen was momentarily stunned, then frowned and remained silent. The eyes of the surrounding people brightened, as if suddenly enlightened, their thoughts racing. None of them knew why the Jianzheng had chosen a seventh-rank Silver Gong for the duel, leaving them puzzled. Now, after seeing Xu Qi¡¯an break the Eight Sufferings Formation and hearing Miss Wang rify the situation, their thinking suddenly broadened. "It turns out that Xu Qi''an is just a front-line pawn, right? Then shouldn''t he step aside now? We could send a high-ranked martial artist to break the formation." "Yes, there are plenty of high-ranked martial artists in the capital. Surely one of them could shatter the Buddhist Vajra Body." "If we''re talking martial artists, the Zhenbei King is undoubtedly the greatest of all in the Great Feng." The topic gradually shifted to the Zhenbei King. Miss Wang had taken the spotlight. She nced casually towards the Nightwatcher area and noticed that Xu Xinnian was also looking at her. Her heart fluttered briefly. But before their eyes could meet, she discreetly shifted her gaze. "Was the person who spoke earlier a woman from the household of Prime Minister Wang? It seems like it was his daughter..." Xu Xinnian averted his gaze with disdain; his impression of the Wang family was poor. This was because the Wang Clique and the Wei Clique were political enemies. The Wang Clique had persecuted his elder brother several times, and Xu Xinnian had already marked them as his future adversaries. "The Zhenbei King has been praised as the most talented martial artist the Great Feng has seen in two centuries. It''s a pity he isn''t in the capital; otherwise, these bald monks wouldn''t be so arrogant." Xu Xinnian overheard the middle-ageddy nearby making her evaluation. *This woman is quite knowledgeable. Her insight isn''t something an ordinary housewife would possess. I wonder where my brother met such a married woman* Xu Xinnian mused. "My big brother is also a martial arts prodigy," Xu Lingyue added. The woman smiled but did not argue. However, Xu Lingyue could hear the meaning behind the smile. It was the kind that dismissed any need to debate, like someone holding the truth, unwilling to bicker with someone who was clearly wrong. ¡­ On the Buddhist Mountain. Xu Qi''an rested for a moment before continuing his ascent. He encountered no more obstacles and arrived directly before Monk Jingsi. At this moment, Monk Jingsi''s entire body seemed as if cast in gold, emitting faint glimmers of golden light. Jealousy arose in Xu Qi''an''s heart. _If only I could learn this divine technique, my whole body would shine like gold..._ His mind conjured up a phrase: *"Indomitable Golden Spear!"* "Master Jingsi!" Xu Qi''an stopped, sitting on the steps below, and asked, "Can I rest for a while?" The young monk Jingsi, sitting cross-legged, smiled and nodded, "Please feel free to take your time, benefactor." Xu Qi''an raised an eyebrow, "Aren''t you afraid I might strike again?" Monk Jingsi smiled, "At this moment, benefactor¡¯s meridians are burning like fire. Can you still endure that same energy?" "It''s not really a matter of endurance, it''s just that the skill is on cooldown," Xu Qi''an grinned. The body is like a vessel, and after withstanding an overwhelming external force, he was now in a ''post-power'' phase. But this was only part of the reason¡ªhe couldn''t summon the power of the masses again for now. It was like he could only ''pick up money'' once a day, and he''d have to wait until tomorrow to continue. Hence, the cooldown timer. *Using Number Four''s secret method to harness the power of the people... the method must be just a means; the core issue lies with me. It''s I who can summon the people''s power... I suspect this is an upgrade of my strange luck... It''s clear that Monk Shenshu knew about this ability of mine, and so must the Jianzheng...* *I remember Shenshu once said that he and I are the same kind of person, and that''s even why he parasitised my body... It''s a little terrifying when you think about it.* Xu Qi''an pondered to himself. "Master, did you enter the temple at a young age?" Xu Qi''an asked casually. Monk Jingsi nodded. "Do you practice Zen or martial arts?" "Both Zen and martial arts," Jingsi replied. *Zen and martial arts together? This little monk¡¯s talent is quite remarkable...* Xu Qi''an nodded and said, "I''ve heard that Buddhism emphasizes first entering the world before leaving it. You entered the temple as a child and never had a family. What world did you leave?" Monk Jingsi, hearing Xu Qi''an''s intent to debate Buddhist philosophy, remained wholly unafraid and said, ¡°Leaving the world refers to cutting off worldly attachments and entering the temple. The Benefactor need not twist words. "From a young age, this poor monk practiced Buddhism, travelled through the Western Regions, and experienced the suffering of the world, as well as the Eight Sufferings of life." _What nonsense about experiencing the Eight Sufferings! You''ve never dealt with house payments, car loans, or exorbitant dowries, and you''re talking about the Eight Sufferings?_ Xu Qi''anmpooned. "Master, what do you think of women?" Xu Qi''an asked. "A de that cuts to the bone!" Monk Jingsi concisely evaluated. "Such words are premature. You''ve never been with a woman. How do you know that women aren¡¯t the most wonderful thing in the world?" Their conversation was heard by the crowd watching from a distance, word for word. "Isn¡¯t this supposed to be the Vajra Formation? How did it turn into a discussion on Buddhism?" "They''re not discussing Buddhism¡ªthey''re talking about women! This sir''s words are like diamonds, they shine right into my heart." The men all smiled knowingly. The women blushed and quietly muttered under their breath. "Goodness, how can running dog say such things!" The Second Princess''s cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head slightly. "Mother, Big Brother is bing more and more improper," Xu Lingyue stomped her foot. Auntie remained silent, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Uncle Xu was both embarrassed and ashamed. _What nonsense is this boy spouting in front of all these officials and noblewomen? This ce is filled with dignitaries, and there are thousands ofmoners watching. Some things are best left unsaid in such an atmosphere._ ... "Indeed, this poor monk has not experienced women, but female charm is as fierce as tigers. This has been passed down by generations of monks. Benefactor, please do not twist words to suit your argument," Monk Jingsi remained unshaken. "As the saying goes: Without entering the tiger¡¯s den, how can one obtain the tiger''s cub!¡±[^1] Xu Qi''an countered. Monk Jingsi was taken aback. "What do you mean by this, benefactor?" Xu Qi''an said nothing further. ¡°Without venturing into the tiger''s den, how can one capture the tiger cub... what does this have to do with beauty? "Perhaps there is a profound truth hidden within that we simply cannotprehend?" The crowd outside felt a sh of doubt in their hearts. ... "Well then, I have a few questions I''d like to ask master," Xu Qi''an stared at him, sneering: ¡°Have you ever supported your parents? Have you ever worked hard to manage a household? Have you ever taken up a hoe to farm the fields? ¡°Buddhism doesn''t produce anything, spending all day reciting scriptures and chanting, relying on offerings fromymen to survive. Tell me, what scripture are you chanting, what Buddha are you calling? ¡°To merely walk through the world as a bystander and im to understand the sufferings of all beings? Of life''s eight sufferings, you have only experienced birth, while the rest you''ve never encountered. "You¡¯re nothing more than a fake monk." Jingsi was silent in contemtion for a long while before answering: "The Buddha sees all in the world, and naturally understands the suffering of the world." "Good!" Xu Qi''an nodded, drawing his ck-gold long de and shing a deep, bloody wound on his arm. Clutching the wound, he looked at Jingsi: "Master, do you think I feel pain?" "The de has touched your body, how could it not hurt?" Jingsi sped his hands together. "But do you know how much pain I feel?" Xu Qi''an asked again. Jingsi remained silent. He had Vajra body, which des could not prate, and indeed, he could not answer. "Master, don¡¯t you understand yet?" Xu Qi''an sighed, ¡°This is your so-called ''observation.'' You know that I am in pain, but you do not know how much I am in pain. You know that the world suffers, but you surely do not know how deep that suffering runs. "If you cannot evenprehend the suffering of the people, how can you possibly talk about delivering them from it? Isn''t that a joke? Let me tell you a story." Jingsi said nothing but adopted a posture of listening. "One year, there was a great drought, and the people had no rice to eat. Countless starved to death. A young master from a wealthy family heard of this and was shocked. Do you know what he said?" Jingsi asked, "What did he say?" Xu Qi''an fixed his gaze on the young monk, a mocking smile spreading across his face as he enunciated each word clearly: "Why. Not. Eat. Mincemeat?"[^2] Jingsi looked as though he had been struck by lightning, his pupils dting and his face going nk. "Well said!" "The young monk is at a loss for words! Look, the young monk has no response!" The crowd outside erupted in cheers. Monks were renowned for their skill in debate and rhetoric, able to make their words bloom like flowers, out-talking anyone. Yet here, Xu Qi''an¡¯s words had rendered the young monk from the Western Regions speechless. It felt as if he had bested the Buddhist sect in the very area they excelled in most. From the perspective of the onlookers, the satisfaction was even greater than watching Xu Qi''an wield his de. Morale soared. The officials in the court remained silent, observing. Breaking the Vajra Formation with words was impossible, but they were curious to see what Xu Qi''an¡¯s true aim was. At this moment, Xu Qi''an tossed the ck-gold long de in front of Jingsi and said in a low voice, "Master, if you believe I am wrong, if you truly think you can understand the suffering of the people, why not experience it for yourself?" Jingsi raised his head, murmuring, "Experience it?" Xu Qi''an nodded, "Lay down your Vajra body, and cut yourself with the de. Then you will understand my pain andprehend the true meaning of Buddhism, rather than asking ''Why not eat mincemeat.''" "No, no..." Jingsi shook his head, as if trying to convince himself not to attempt it: "If I dismiss my Vajra body, I will lose." "A monk should let go of all earthly attachments, yet Master, you seem so attached to victory and defeat. You have already fallen to the lower path." Xu Qi''an gently coaxed: "Losing a duel of skills, yet gaining a broader understanding of the world, experiencing the true Dharma¡ªMaster, weigh the importance for yourself." *A monk should let go of all earthly attachments, yet Master, you seem so attached to victory and defeat¡­ "Why don''t they eat meat porridge¡­"* The young monk''s expression grew increasinglyplex, showing signs of inner conflict and struggle. Slowly, he reached out and gripped the ck-gold long de. Xu Qi''an''s lips curled slightly. "I see now," Chu Yuanzhen praised, "Jingsi was raised in the Buddhist sect from a young age. While his understanding of the Dharma may be profound, hecks the worldly experience and seasoning of the human realm. That is his weakness. Xu Ningyan truly is clever." Jingsi was like the scion of a noble family, groomed in his n from a young age, with the strength butcking the maturity and experience born of hardship and trials. "Amitabha." Hengyuan recited the Buddha''s name, feeling a sense of mncholy. He thought of his junior brother Henghui, whom he had raised by his own hand. Henghui too was a highly talented disciple of the Buddhist sect but had sumbed to worldly desires, leading to great tragedy. *Nicely done!* The civil officials'' eyes lit up, quietly apuding. To conquer a city is lesser; to conquer hearts is greater. This move aligned with the art of war, perfectly executed. Compared to brute force, Xu Qi''an''s tactic of breaking the Vajra Formation in this way resonated much more with the civil officials. They couldn''t help but think once again: *it¡¯s a shame he¡¯s not a schr!* Instinctively, the next thought arose: *Xu Pingzhi is an unworthy man!* Prime Minister Wang quietly nodded; Xu Qi''an''s manoeuvre gave him a sense of rity. This was a solution he hadn''t considered before. During the Tax Silver Case, he had not known about Xu Qi''an. It was only after the Sangpo Case that he started paying attention to this youth. He suddenly realized that this young man had limitless potential. Unfortunately, he was under Wei Yuan''smand. In the future, they could only be enemies, not allies. At that moment, apanied by the chanting of a Buddha''s name, a voice echoed in the sky: "Jingsi, you are fixated on appearances." As the voice rang in everyone''s ears, it also reached inside the painting, resounding in Jingsi''s ears. The handsome young monk awoke from his trance, pulling his hand back as if shocked by lightning. He hurriedly sped his hands together and chanted the Buddha''s name repeatedly. Gradually, rity returned to his eyes. "Bastard!" Prime Minister Wang threw his cup to the ground and rose in fury, "Du''e Arhat, are Buddhists so incapable of epting defeat?" Behind Wei Yuan, nine Gold Gongs stood up in unison, gripping their sword hilts. The monk Jingchen spoke calmly, "If the Jianzheng can secretly assist, why can''t we?" He was implying that Xu Qi''an''s earlier strike had been aided by Jianzheng in secret or that some method had been imnted in him beforehand. Prime Minister Wang sneered, "Is this world governed by the rules of your Buddhist sect? You im the Jianzheng assisted, so did the Jianzheng assist." The high officials and nobles wore expressions of anger, though they maintained theirposure. But the crowd of onlookers and the unruly jianghu folk were far less restrained, shouting curses and even shing with the imperial guards. "Shameless bald donkeys, this is clearly cheating! We don''t care, the Vajra Formation has already been broken." "If the mighty Buddhist sect wins today''s duel through this, we won''t ept it." ... Du''e paid no attention to the thunderous insults, ncing at Jingchen and saying indifferently, "You too are fixated on appearances." "Junior acknowledges his mistake." Jingchen bowed his head. ¡­ *The monks outside could hear the conversation between me and Jingsi¡­ Is this even allowed? In a duel of both wit and strength, each side relies on their own abilities, but for the outside to forcibly interfere¡ªthis is too much¡­* Xu Qi''an fumed silently. He immediately stopped talking and sat cross-legged, regting his breath. A quarter of an hourter, Xu Qi''an opened his eyes, picked up the ck-gold long de, and sheathed it. Gripping the hilt, Xu Qi''an announced loudly, "I will make only one strike. After that, all rests on fate." His voice passed through the scroll, reaching the outside. *Only one strike?!* Whether an expert or an amateur,moner or noble, everyone who heard this was astonished. *Was it just talk?* Xu Qi''an let all his emotions settle, gathered all his energy, and directed his internal qi to copse inward. His *dantian* became like a ck hole¡ªan essential step in preparing for the one de from heaven and earth. *Since you all are cheating, don''t me me for breaking the rules too¡­* He closed his eyes, and his spiritual energy retracted as well, connecting to a massive well of blood and vitality within him. It was the essence of the monk Shenshu. On the journey back to the capital from Yunzhou, Xu Qi''an had absorbed this drop of blood essence, reviving himself with the power of an undying martial artist. However, part of that power still remained dormant within him. The moment he saw Arhat Du''e allowing Jingsi to enter the formation, Xu Qi''an immediately realized that there was no way he could bypass this "Vajra." And with the invulnerability granted by the Buddhist secret realm, it was impossible for him to break through with his own strength. At that time, while hiding in the Sitianjian, hemunicated with Monk Shenshu. The Sitianjian, being the arcanists'' domain, ensured that Arhat Du''e wouldn¡¯t detect it. Monk Shenshu''s suggestion was: channel the blood essence within you and unleash the residual power that couldn''t be digested. This power wouldn¡¯t reveal Shenshu¡¯s existence, as the monk had long stripped it of its "attributes" to allow Xu Qi''an to absorb its undying essence. Now, it was purely the concentrated power of a martial artist. The dormant strength within Xu Qi''an awakened, merging into his limbs and bones, transforming into raw qi. Even though there was no wind within the Buddhist realm, Xu Qi''an''s long hair started to move on its own. He remained with his eyes closed, like a dormant tyrant slowly awakening. The heavens and earth seemed to tremble and shudder at his reawakening. "What¡¯s going on? Am I seeing things, or is the world shaking?" "It¡¯s the Buddhist Mountain. The Buddhist is shaking¡­" Outside, someone suddenly cried out in rm, "It¡¯s Xu Qi''an! He¡¯s about to draw his de!" No one was blind¡ªthey all could see that the tremors of the Buddhist Mountain were caused by Xu Qi''an. "Amitabha!" Jingsi formed a hand seal, remaining steadfast, but the mists within the Buddhist realm began to shift, raining down fine threads of golden light that merged into his golden body. As a result, his golden body shone even brighter, radiating with countless beams of light, like a rising sun. They were now evenly matched. Huaiqing abruptly stood, stepping out of the pavilion to look up. Her eyes, reflecting the dazzling golden light, were fixed, her breath held. More people stood up, stepping out of the pavilion, lifting their heads, and staring with wide eyes, forgetting to breathe. Among them was Prime Minister Wang. Wei Yuan rose slowly and strolled outside the pavilion, leisurely reciting, "One day I soared, the wind rose high, like a roc nine-thousand li." *Is this within your calctions too, Lord Wei?* The Gold Gongs stared at his back. Sching! The sound of a de being drawn echoed like thunder, reverberating through heaven and earth. There was no de in the world like this, so captivating, pulling at the hearts of countless people. There was no de in the world as resolute, as if determined to sever everything, willing to shatter like jade. There was no de in the world as fast, so fast that the naked eye couldn¡¯t follow it. But the eyes of the people outside clearly saw the golden body shatter, theyers uponyers of golden light scattering like mist, driven away by the invincible de intent. This holy Vajra, unbeaten at the southern city for five days, this golden body that had haunted the citizens for five whole days, had finally fallen. On the field, Xu Qi''an stood tall and proud. Jingsi sat heavily on the ground, a deep de wound running through his chest and abdomen, exposing damaged organs. His face was ashen, unable to maintain his meditative posture. The fine threads of golden light gathered once more, flowing into his wound, healing his flesh. "I told you, I would make only one strike," Xu Qi''an said calmly. At that moment, the capital fell into silence. For four or five seconds, there was absolute quiet. Then suddenly, a wave of sound erupted. Some screamed, some cheered, and some were moved to tears, washing away days of frustration. "My Great Feng is the true righteous ruler of Jiuzhou! The first in both governance and martial might!" A schr shouted hoarsely. "Xu the Poet is at the pinnacle of martial arts, the first under heaven!" At this moment, everyone recalled the words spoken from within the mysterious realm: "I will make only one strike!" It was only now that they understood the confidence and audacity within those words. Emperor Yuanjing, standing atop the Stargazing Tower, faced the wave of sound, witnessing his citizens'' rising passion and fervour. "The Vajra Formation has been broken." The old emperor revealed a genuine smile, "Jianzheng, you truly had confidence. Very good. Xu Qi''an is also very good, not unworthy of the court''s nurture." "Since ancient times, heroes have always been young¡­" Miss Wang heard her father muttering softly. *Indeed, he is an extraordinary hero...* Miss Wang thought. She scanned the area, noticing many familiar nobledies staring at the proud young man standing on the steps of the Buddhist Mountain, their eyes filled with admiration. Some of them were even middle-aged noblewomen, their gazes intense and unblinking, fixated on the youth with predatory eyes. *Even the top-ranking schrs weren¡¯t as dazzling as him,* Miss Wang added silently in her heart. *Thump, thump, thump...* Huaiqing heard her own heartbeat pounding like a drum, more intense than it had ever been in her twenty-plus years. Even Xu Lingyue was slightly dazed, staring at her big brother, who was shining so brilliantly. Auntie clicked her tongue and said, "Husband dear, after this duel, our door will be flooded by matchmakers¡­ Dear?" Xu Pingzhi''s eyes were brimming with tears, his face full of appreciation. *Big brother is growing stronger and stronger, advancing relentlessly in martial arts. I can''t fall too far behind either...* Xu Xinnian secretly clenched his fist. *Even King Huai in his youth wasn¡¯t as dazzling as him,* the older woman thought. ... "Master, take good care of yourself." Xu Qi''an sheathed his de and continued his ascent. He wandered through the mist-shrouded mountain forest for a while, before the path opened up. Before him was a sparse area of rugged rocks and sparse vegetation, with a towering Bodhi tree under which an old monk sat cross-legged. Xu Qi''an knew this was the third trial. And now, he was nearing the mountain summit. *Passing this trial, there would likely be one final challenge at the peak¡­* Xu Qi''an put his palms together, "Master, what will this trial test?" The old monk chanted a Buddhist mantra and said slowly, "The benefactor''s heart is not at peace." *Starting with some old Zen sayings¡­* Xu Qi''an mentally grumbled, then asked, "Why must it be peaceful?" "When the heart is at peace, there is Dharma. When there is Dharma, there is Buddha. With Buddha, one can transcend the sea of suffering," the old monk replied. "Why transcend the sea of suffering?" Xu Qi''an countered. "Why not transcend?" the old monk shot back. "Why transcend," Xu Qi''an retorted. "Why not transcend," the old monk said again. ... "What are they talking about?" "They''re discussing Zen allegories. You don¡¯t understand." "You understand? Then exin it to me." "Of course not. If I could understand it, I would be a high monk. But it''s precisely because I don''t understand it that there¡¯s hidden meaning in it." "I see." The crowd outside whispered to each other, each reacting differently. Some frowned, carefully chewing over the dialogue in search of deeper meaning. Others nodded or shook their heads, acting as if they had grasped something profound. And then, everyone, from royal kin tomon folk, heard Xu Qi''an say: "Master, honestly ¡ª I was just spouting nonsense at you. Let¡¯s speak inly now." --- [^1]: Chinese proverb: there is no reward without risk. [^2]: Said by the ipetent Emperor Hui of Jin, equivalent to ¡°Let them eat cake¡± in the west Chapter 294X. *Mahayana* Chapter 294X. *Mahayana* # 294X. *Mahayana* ¡°All things in the world have heart. If one holdspassion, and resonates with the hearts of all things, then why be restricted by the words of man?¡± The old monk sped his hands together, remaining calm and unperturbed by Xu Qi''an''s words. *Then why the hell are you speaking to me in the Great Feng Mandarin rather than a western regionnguage eh?* Xu Qi''an thought to himself, then said bluntly: "Let¡¯s cut to the chase. How will wepete? Don¡¯t waste my time with philosophical nonsense." "You are too attached to appearances. Why must there be apetition?" The old monk smiled faintly. "It was clearly your Buddhist sect that proposed thispetition. Isn¡¯t your unreasonable behaviour a disgrace to the face of Buddhism?" Xu Qi''an frowned. "Moments ago, you mentioned at the mountainside: ''A monk should let go of all earthly attachments.'' If all earthly attachments are gone, then what is ¡®face¡¯?" The old monk''s face remained serene as he slowly spoke. "Fine, then how does master n to test me?" Xu Qi''an held back his impatience.He began to feel troubled. Worse than a person who always argues is someone who doesn¡¯t speak like a normal person. An arguer will at least cling to your words to counter-argue, but someone who doesn¡¯t talk sense will ignore everything you say and only speak their own lines. If you can¡¯t understand, it¡¯s your problem. But even if you try hard to understand, it¡¯s pointless, because they¡¯ll still ignore you. "Life itself is a form of cultivation. By entering this secret Buddhist realm, you are also cultivating," the old monk smiled. "How should I cultivate? Please, master, enlighten me." "Cultivation depends on the individual. Why ask me?" *Cultivate your mother¡¯s c***! Fine, you don¡¯t want to speak sense? I¡¯m done with this.* Xu Qi''an suddenly felt a surge of anger, turned around, and began to walk away. But a barrier blocked his path. "I have an idea," Xu Qi''an sneered, gripping the hilt of his sabre, "I wonder if a master who ims to renounce all worldly things can take just one of my strikes?" "Amitabha, then let us try," The old monk lowered his gaze, his voice calm. "I am but a remnant fragment of thought left behind by Bodhisattva Wenyin before attaining enlightenment." *Bodhisattva Wenyin, a first-rank Bodhisattva?!* Xu Qi''an¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change as he released his grip on the saber. "Master, where were we in our conversation just now?" The old monk replied honestly, "You asked if I could take one strike." "Master!" Xu Qi''an harshly scolded, sitting down cross-legged across from the monk, sping his hands together in mock prayer, and criticising him: "Is the Buddhist sect only about fighting and killing? Does your sect rely on violence to save all beings? Master, let''s actually get onto the same page." ... "Did Running Dog... just wimp out?" Lin''an whispered, turning to look at Huaiqing. Huaiqing shot her a sidelong nce, her expression cool, her tone even, "He merely changed his strategy. The *Art of War* says: the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy¡¯s ns. The same applies in a duel." Lin''an suddenly understood, thinking she had been narrow-minded. Running Dog wasn¡¯t scared; he was wisely changing his approach. *He was just scared... Lin''an, you¡¯re just too gullible!* Huaiqing shook her head, ncing pityingly at her younger sister. Upon hearing that the opponent was a remnant of a ''Bodhisattva'', Xu Qi''an wisely de-escted the situation. This move surprised many of the spectators. That was incredibly astute. However, this act made his image more vivid and entertaining. At least among the noblewomen, they found this Silver Gong quite amusing and interesting. "He certainly knows how to adapt. If he had tried to solve this through violence, he would have certainly lost," Nangong Qianrou snorted coldly. *This kid...* The Gold Gongs shook their heads helplessly, some finding it amusing but aware that the setting was inappropriate forughter. Sometimes, it felt like Xu Qi''an wasn¡¯t a martial artist at all, able to back down without any pressure or psychological burden. Yet, paradoxically, he was also an outstanding martial arts prodigy. "Father, what¡¯s the hidden challenge of this round?" Yang Yan asked. The Gold Gongs all looked at Wei Yuan, awaiting his answer, as if assuming Wei Yuan, though not an insider of Buddhism, would somehow know what the third round entailed. Wei Yuan ignored them. At this moment, from the royal pavilion, a girl in a fiery red pce dress cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Hey, baldies, what¡¯s the challenge for this round? Is it an Old-Monk formation?" The girl had a round face and watery peach-blossom eyes, giving off a seductive and alluring aura at first nce. Although Arhat Du¡¯e did not want to respond, since the one asking was a princess, he exined out of courtesy, "In the third round, there is no content." This statement left all the dignitaries present astonished. "What do you mean by ¡®no content¡¯?" Lin''an mmed the table with both hands, expressing her dissatisfaction. Arhat Du''e simply shook his head, smiling without boration. The Gold Gongs suddenly realised the truth. No wonder Wei Yuan hadn¡¯t said anything¡ªthere was no real challenge in this round. But how could they win if there was no content? In the midst of everyone''s confusion, Huaiqing spoke, her clear voice as crisp as jade clinking together, pleasant and substantive: "An untitled challenge?! Does this mean that no matter how Silver Gong Xu responds, the Buddhist sect can either refuse to acknowledge it or deem it invalid, trapping him in the secret realm until he admits defeat?" Her words woke the crowd from their reverie. In various pavilions, civil and military officials¡¯ expressions shifted. Upon closer reflection, they realised it was true. No matter how difficult a challenge might be, as long as there was a set goal, it could be ovee. But the most frustrating and unsolvable dilemma was a challenge with no content. The Buddhist sect could always veto Xu Qi''an¡¯s approach, whether he chose martialbat or a battle of wits. The Buddhist sect was perpetually in an invincible position. "This is nothing but trickery! If you want apetition, theny out the terms. Whether it''s a battle of wits or strength, you Buddhists can make the call. What is this nonsense?" "A win through trickery isn¡¯t an honourable victory." "Prime Minister Wang, His Majesty is not here. You should speak up." One hot-tempered military officer mmed his cup in anger, pointing at Arhat Du''e and the others, cursing them openly. Whether in a battle of wits or martial prowess, they weren¡¯t afraid. The capital was filled with experts; both sides couldpete based on their abilities. But this third round was a dead end. If Xu Qi''an couldn¡¯t solve it, could anyone else? "What''s going on? The officials in the pavilion seem very angry." "It sounds like they¡¯re using the Buddhist sect of cheating?" "How did the Buddhist sect cheat? Ugh, it¡¯s killing me not to know¡ªdoes this third round have some hidden trick?" Amidst the murmurs, a man from the Jianghu spoke up with a solemn expression, his voice loud and clear: "Everyone, I overheard just now. Here''s the situation..." Martial artists had keen hearing, and although themon folk couldn''t make out the conversation, those near the front could hear it clearly. Immediately, the hidden trick in the third round was revealed to all. "Shameless!" A schr exploded in fury, "I''ve studied for over a decade, yet I''ve never encountered such despicable behavior. For the dignified Buddhist sect to resort to such vile tactics just to win a duel¡ªit''s truly disgraceful. "Could it be that they''re afraid of our Schr Xu''s sabre skills and thus deliberately use such underhanded means? In any test or contest, one should face it openly. A person should not, or at least cannot..." "Even the imperial examinations have questions!" Themoners, now riled up, began to vocally condemn the Buddhist sect''s shamelessness. They cursed, wishing they had rotten eggs and vegetables to throw at the monks. Thanks to Xu Qi¡¯an''s earlier disy of skill, themoners had shifted their view from ¡°the Buddhist sect is formidable¡± to ¡°the Buddhist sect is nothing special.¡± This shift in confidence and pride was something Xu Qi¡¯an had instilled in them. Now, seeing the Buddhist monks setting a trap to sabotage Xu Qi¡¯an, themoners were enraged and began to push against the imperial guards, as if ready to rush in and take down the bald monks themselves. ¡°Amitabha, no question is also a question. Life is full of uncertainties, will there always be a ¡®question¡¯ at every turn?¡± Arhat Du''e''s serene voice spread across the venue, carrying a calming force that seemed to soothe the hearts of the masses, making them momentarily quiet and feel he had a point. It was the power of a seventh-rank monk¡ªa Dharmacarya. Not just themoners but even the nobles in the pavilions restrained their anger, nodding slightly in acknowledgment. "Shameless!" Suddenly, an indignant shout broke the silence. Everyone turned toward the source of the voice and saw a handsome, unfamiliar schr descending from one of the pavilions. He walked calmly into the square, sneering at the monks. "No wonder you monks are bald. Turns out it¡¯s because you''ve stuffed your heads with filth! On the outside, you appear virtuous, but inside, you''re full of corruption. Disgraceful!" Monk Jingchen furrowed his brows. "This benefactor..." "Who¡¯s your benefactor? This Xu won¡¯t give you even a single copper coin. You go around calling everyone benefactor¡ªshameful!" "You..." "You what? You monks sure are brash, are you also all just figments of the Buddha''s pre-enlightenment delusions,?" *Figments of the Buddha¡¯s delusions?!* Jingchen was taken aback, then flew into a rage. This was outright nder! "Benefactor, as a schr, speak only in insults. Is this the virtue of the schrs of Great Feng?" "I never insult people¡ªall those I insult are not people." The monks¡¯ faces darkened with anger, their eyes ring daggers at Xu Xinnian. ¡°What? Not happy? You monks came all the way here to challenge us, and the Great Feng, being and of courtesy, only sent a Silver Gong to meet you. That alone was showing you respect. ¡°But who knew your faces are thicker than the walls of the capital. No wonder the battle at Shanhai Pass was won twenty years ago¡ªit was thanks to your thick-skinned faces. Even after ten years, the allied armies of the southern and northern barbarians couldn¡¯t breach the defenses of your faces. "And you all act like you¡¯re unaware of this. No matter how much you look in a mirror, you¡¯ll never get it." "How dare you!" Monk Jingchen stood up abruptly, his robes billowing as his eyes zed with the fury of a wrathful vajra, his aura intimidating. Xu Xinnian, undaunted, snickered. "What a fine master empty of worldly desires¡ªempty my fucking arse, pah!" Monk Jingchen''s expression froze. Arhat Du''e spoke calmly: "Jingchen, your mind is disturbed." Monk Jingchen¡¯s face went pale, and he slumped back down, hands sped in prayer, his voice trembling. "Your disciple has be too attached." The Western Buddhist delegation had arrived with the intent to exact retribution, already harbouring anger. After two rounds, Xu Qi¡¯an''s triumph had ced immense psychological pressure on the monks. Now, Xu Xinnian¡¯s sudden insults ndering their very moral character ¡ª even a Buddha would feel a flicker of anger, so how could these mortal disciples not? Xu Xinnian scoffed and walked back to his seat. All eyes were on him, filled with a mixture of surprise and admiration. His words might have been uncouth, but they were satisfying. He¡¯d rendered the monks speechless with his scathing remarks. That felt good! Moreover, the nobles, who prided themselves on decorum, would never dare to say such things in public, making Xu Xinnian the mouthpiece of their inner thoughts. *Smart!* Lady Wang silently praised. She saw through Xu Xinnian¡¯s strategy. The insults were merely a fa?ade; his true goal was to unsettle the monks, deliberately provoking them to break their focus and leave them vulnerable to a decisive blow. Not only did he vent their frustrations, but he also dealt a heavy psychological blow to the monks. Additionally, Lady Wang spected that Xu Xinnian''s bold move served another purpose¡ªto showcase his talents before the capital¡¯s nobility and perhaps even the Emperor himself,ying the groundwork for a promising future after the imperial exams. "He has some wit." At that moment, Lady Wang heard her father, Wang Zhenwen,ment in a calm voice. A smile bloomed on her lips. *What a thrill!* Xu Xinnian returned to his seat, immensely satisfied. Indeed, there¡¯s nothing more exhrating than hurling insults. The little interlude over, the contest resumed, though the crowd outside still felt a heavy weight in their hearts. ¡­ Under the Bodhi tree, Xu Qi''an sat facing the old monk, discussing the Dao. He nodded along, going ¡°Mm-hmm, ah yes,¡± saying, ¡°Master¡¯s words are indeed profound, enlightening me greatly,¡± while in reality, he was pondering the solution to the third trial. The Buddhists were truly cunning. This round had no explicit question, meaning the right to interpret ity entirely with the Buddhist monks. Would they let him win? The answer was obvious: no. How to break the stalemate? After careful thought, Xu Qi''an devised two strategies: first, to convince with reason; second, to convince with reason. *In my current state, I can¡¯t even muster a second sh. Even if my energy were restored, without the support of... it would be impossible to break the barrier.* The old monk in front of him was a fragment severed by Wenyin Bodhisattva before attaining enlightenment. Thus, the first "convincing with reason" needed to be carefully thought through. The second "convincing with reason" meant using any means other than physical force to deal with the old monk. If he dealt with the old monk, this trial would be broken. *There¡¯s no way I can out-argue him on Buddhist teachings. This old monk is a fragment of thought of a Bodhisattva, far beyond the level of a novice monk like Jingsi. He can only deceive me, never the other way around¡­ How do I deal with him?* Xu Qi''an pretended to listen to the sermon while plotting his response. ¡°Master, you mentioned you are a fragment of thought of the Wenyin Bodhisattva. What thought is that?¡± Xu Qi''an suddenly asked. ¡°The highest state of Buddha,¡± the old monk replied. *The highest state of Buddha¡­ Starting with such a profound topic. I had hoped to tackle the obsession itself, but it seems that''s not possible... Wait, perhaps I should first hear what he has to say and then see if my ''keyboard warrior'' knowledge can offer any loopholes!* Xu Qi''an followed up with another question: ¡°What is the highest state of Buddha?¡± The old monk remained silent for a long time before saying, ¡°I don¡¯t know. But Wenyin believed it was the Buddha. And so he severed me off, cutting off this obsession. From that moment, his heart was as clear as ss, free of mortal stains, and he attained the Bodhisattva path.¡± Upon hearing this, Xu Qi''an fell silent. He knew little of this world''s Buddhist teachings, but had some understanding of Buddhism from his previous life. However, there were significant differences between the two. The most obvious being that in this world, there was no Buddha Tathagata, only a Buddha. ¡°Why is the highest state of Buddha the Buddha? Does that mean other Buddhas are not true Buddhas?¡± Xu Qi''an frowned and asked. At that moment, a detail urred to him: in the Buddhist hierarchy, second-rank are Arhats, first-rank are Bodhisattvas, and above that is the transcendent Buddha. There seemed to be no other Buddhas. The old monk answered, ¡°Buddhism has the Arhat ph, and the Bodhisattva ph. Only the Buddha attains the supreme ph. Thus, the Buddha is the highest state of Buddha, a unique existence. The Buddha is the Buddha, and there is only one.¡± ¡°There is nothing to say that Arhats and Bodhisattvas cannot attain the supreme ph,¡± Xu Qi''an said. The old monk nced at him and shook his head. ¡°You are not of the Buddhist sect, so it¡¯s understandable you don¡¯tprehend the ph.¡± Xu Qi''an adopted a disciple¡¯s posture, sping his hands together. ¡°Please, Master, enlighten me.¡± *Please let me freeload more Buddhist knowledge.* ¡°Do you know why Bodhisattvas are Bodhisattvas and Arhats are Arhats? In Buddhism, fourth-rank are *Sadhu*, ascetic monks, and such individuals must make a great oath. ¡°The size of the oath is closely tied to their *ph* ¡ª the fruit of their achievements. Those who vow monumental oaths attain the Bodhisattva ph, while those with lesser oaths attain the Arhat ph. Furthermore, the Arhat ph is divided into three levels: Executioner of Evil, Non-returning, and Grand Arhat. ¡°Once a ph is condensed, it cannot be changed nor improved.¡± Xu Qi''an was stunned, remaining silent for quite some time. The amount of information in those words was overwhelming, and it took him several minutes to fully digest it. *So Bodhisattvas and Arhats are essentially unrted. They are both advancements from fourth-rank Sadhu¡­ Wait, after fourth-rank is second-rank or first-rank, so what about third-rank Vajra?* *Fourth-rank Sadhu skip over the third rank and directly achieve Arhat or Bodhisattva ph¡­ Does this mean the third-rank Vajra belongs to a different Buddhist system?* Xu Qi''an''s mind sparked with realisation, forming a new theory: eighth-rank warrior monk¡ªthird-rank Vajra! *What the¡­ Eighth-rank directly jumps to third-rank? The Buddhist system is so strange, it doesn''t follow a gradual promotion path at all.* Reviewing the Buddhist hierarchy, Xu Qi''an suddenly understood many things. *In Buddhism, from ninth-rank to first-rank, the eighth-rank warrior monk corresponds to the third-rank Vajra. No wonder Master Hengyuan, despite his formidablebat prowess, was only an eighth-rank warrior monk¡ªbecause his next rank would be a Vajra.* *Moreover, no wonder second-rank is Arhat, first-rank is Bodhisattva, and the Buddha is above even that, in the beyond-rank category. The reason for this naming convention is that once a ph is determined, it cannot be altered.* *So in this world, unlike in my previous one, where there are numerous Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, there is only one Buddha: the Buddha.* *The world respects only one Buddha¡­ Wait a minute, fuck, this is Theravada Buddhism!*[^1] *I know how to break this trial!* Xu Qi''an slowly rose to his feet, fixing his gaze on the old monk. His lips curled into a smirk, which gradually grew into a wide grin, until it erupted into full-blownughter. ¡°Hahaha¡­¡± Heughed so hard his body bent forward and backward,ughing wildly and arrogantly. ¡°What¡¯s heughing at? Has he gone mad?¡± The crowd outside looked up in confusion at Xu Qi''an, who stood beneath the Bodhi tree,ughing uncontrobly. ¡°Is he about to admit defeat¡­?¡± someone asked worriedly. The Buddhist monks frowned slightly, unsure of the reason behind Xu Qi''an''s outburst. In the pavilion, the civil and military officials, the noblewomen, the Imperial Guard, and everyone present showed expressions of bewilderment. Those who were familiar with Xu Qi''an felt a surge of concern, fearing that something had happened to cause him to act so erratically. Emperor Yuanjing, standing beside the Jianzheng, looked up at theughing figure in the painting with a frown. He nced back at the Jianzheng, only to find that the Jianzheng had stopped drinking, now watching Xu Qi''an with a solemn expression. Wei Yuan tapped his fingers unconsciously, gazing at the Buddhist Mountain without saying a word. ¡­ ¡°What is the benefactorughing at?¡± Under the Bodhi tree, the old monk voiced the question on everyone¡¯s mind. Xu Qi''an clutched his belly, struggling to suppress hisughter. His expression became arrogant and insolent as he said, ¡°I¡¯mughing at the narrow-mindedness of Buddhism and the hypocrisy of the Buddha.¡± *Arrogant!* The old monk¡¯s face darkened with anger, and the Bodhi tree began to sway even though there was no wind. Outside, Arhat Du''e, who had remained expressionless throughout, finally frowned. If even Du¡¯e reacted this way, there was no need to mention the rest of the Buddhist monks. But Xu Qi''an¡¯s next words extinguished the old monk''s raging anger under the Bodhi tree. ¡°Master, you im not to know the highest state of Buddhism? Then allow me to tell you!¡± His voice was firm and powerful. Golden light shed in the old monk¡¯s eyes. ¡°I once believed that Buddhism was profound and that every Arhat and Bodhisattva was a person of greatpassion. But now I realise they are nothing more than selfish individuals. It turns out your Buddhist sect practices Hinayana Buddhism,[^2]¡± Xu Qi''an dered loudly. Hinayana Buddhism?! This unfamiliar term had never been heard before, and while it sparked anger among the monks, it also piqued their curiosity. If there was _Hinayana_ Buddhism, did that mean there was _Mahayana_ Buddhism as well? ¡°Hmph, what Hinayana Buddhism? He¡¯s clearly spouting nonsense just to belittle our Buddhist sect.¡± ¡°What does a martial artist know of Buddhism? How dare he dere such unfounded distinctions of Mahayana and Hinayana? Senior uncle, this man is insulting our Buddhist sect and cannot be easily forgiven,¡± the monks rebuked Xu Qi''an angrily, certainly not admitting to his statement ... ¡°Are you saying that I¡ª¡± ¡°Master, where do you hail from?¡± ¡°The Western Regions.¡± ¡°And why do Buddhist monks cultivate?¡± ¡°To attain ph and transcend the sea of suffering.¡± ¡°This is Hinayana Buddhism. Cultivation solely for oneself, even attaining ph is for self-gain, benefiting oneself but not others,¡± Xu Qi''an said. The old monk was taken aback. This time, he fell into deep thought for a long while and, surprisingly, did not be angry. Instead, he asked, ¡°The benefactor ims this is Hinayana Buddhism. Then, what is Mahayana Buddhism?¡± ¡°You are not a monk of the Western Regions; you are a monk of Jiuzhou, a monk of the entire world. A monk¡¯s cultivation should not be for personal liberation but to help all beings in the world escape the sea of suffering. ¡°Four hundred years ago, why did Confucianism seek to extinguish Buddhism? They weren¡¯t destroying Buddhism; they were destroying Hinayana Buddhism. ¡°Hinayana Buddhism is ultimately limited to one sect and one school. Only Mahayana Buddhism can save all beings. So, what is Mahayana Buddhism?¡± The old monk¡¯s breathing quickened, and his eyes, once indifferent and serene, were now turbulent. His voice trembled as he asked: ¡°What is Mahayana Buddhism?¡± Outside, the Buddhist monks stared intently at Xu Qi''an, their breathing also bing rapid. ¡°Why is there only one Buddha?¡± Xu Qi''an questioned. All the monks, including the old monk, suddenly felt their breath catch. Arhat Du''e stood up abruptly, as if he already knew what Xu Qi''an was going to say. Taking a deep breath, Xu Qi''an slowly said, ¡°All beings in the world are Buddhas. Across the three worlds and ten directions, there are countless Buddhas. This is Mahayana Buddhism. Why should there be only one Buddha in this world?¡± It was like a bolt from the blue! *All beings are Buddhas¡­.* The old monk sat petrified, as if turned to stone. ¡°All beings are Buddhas, all beings are Buddhas¡­ Mahayana Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism¡­ If it were Mahayana, and all beings were Buddhas, could Confucianism still have destroyed Buddhism?¡± Monk Jingchen muttered to himself, as if his life¡¯s beliefs had been shattered and his Buddhist heart suffered a tremendous blow. ¡°I¡¯ve been practicing Hinayana Buddhism, I¡¯ve been practicing Hinayana Buddhism¡­ Hahaha¡­ So, all beings can be Buddhas. Yes, all beings are Buddhas. This is Mahayana Buddhism¡­¡± Suddenly, a monk went mad. He rushed into the crowd, his expression wild and crazed. His Buddhist heart had shattered. --- [^1]: *Theravada* ¡°doctrine of the elders¡±, also known as *Hinayana* ¡°lesser vehicle, the older Buddhist school and practiced primarily in South East Asia and India. Contrast with *Mahayana*, ¡°greater vehicle¡±, the most prevalent form of Buddhism, and the one practiced in China and East Asia. Note that Tibet has its own branch of Buddhism known as *Vajrayana*, which is seen in Tibet and Mongolia. [^2]: While Theravada is the preferred and moremon name in English, Hinayana (or its chinese equivalent, С³Ë), is the moremon name and more appropriate here to contrast. Chapter 295: A New School of Thought Chapter 295: A New School of Thought # 295. A New School of Thought Arhat Du''e sped his hands together, and a sound like the ringing of a morning bell echoed: "Clear away all vexations, and the Buddha heart shall be serene." The crazed monk seemed as if struck by a heavy blow, his movements stilled. Then, he slowly sat down, crossing his legs in meditation. Though his face still bore traces of inner struggle, he no longer appeared consumed by madness. Arhat Du''e withdrew his gaze and lifted his head to look toward the Buddha mountain in the mystical realm. His weathered face, rarely expressive, now showed an unmistakable anger. ... *This really is a fragment of obsession left behind by a Bodhisattva. I merely proposed a vague concept, yet he seems to have inferred a lot from it!* *In Jiuzhou, the Buddhist sect seems to ce more emphasis on power and attaining Ph rather than on true Buddhist teachings... Perhaps it differs from the Theravada of my world, but it certainly falls short of Mahayana.* *At the very least, they have no concept of Mahayana Buddhism.* Seeing the old monk standing in stunned silence, appearing to have grasped some insight, Xu Qi''an figured that he had likely passed this stage.¡°What just happened? Why did that monk suddenly go mad¡­?¡± ¡°Could it have been something that Silver Gong said earlier?¡± ¡°Could mere words have such power? Don¡¯t talk nonsense.¡± Themon folk had no understanding of the terms ¡°Mahayana Buddhism¡± and ¡°Hinayana Buddhism,¡± so they were perplexed by the monk¡¯s sudden madness. Not everyone had heard the monk''s mutterings just before he lost control. At this moment, the old monk suddenly smiled with profound enlightenment, his body radiating an aura of Buddha''s wisdom. ¡°Thank you, benefactor, for clearing my doubts. I have achievedplete understanding,¡± the old monk said, smiling and sping his hands together. *You really achieved enlightenment?! I can¡¯t believe that with just a few random words, I helped a great monk achieve full realisation¡­* Xu Qi''an felt conflicted. Before he could respond, the old monk continued, ¡°When Wenyin was still a fourth-rank Sadhu, he was puzzled as to why he could not be a Buddha. ¡°This obsession lingered in his heart for countless years. As his life was nearing its end, he finally realised that there is only one Buddha in the world, and that is the Buddha himself. So, he cleaved me from his mind, and attained the Ph of a Bodhisattva. ¡°I have sat in this secret realm for many years, unable toprehend how to be a Buddha or why I could not.¡± The old monk gazed intently at Xu Qi''an, but it was as though he was looking past him to see himself in the distant Western Regions. Finally, he sped his hands together again and said to himself: ¡°I am Buddha, and Buddha is me. Amitabha!¡± Wenyin¡¯s obsession had been to transcend his rank and be a peer to the Buddha. Now, he had finally realised that bing a Buddha had nothing to do with ranks. ¡°Thank you for your guidance, benefactor.¡± ¡°Master, you have attained enlightenment through your own nature; this is not due to me,¡± Xu Qi''an replied sincerely. While his words had triggered the monks enlightenment, it was his vast experiences and deep contemtion that made the clouds scatter, and all be clear. It was just like the brief conversation earlier¡ªordinary people heard it with no particr reaction, but to the monks, it was like the ringing of a great bell. They understood immediately, and it resonated deeply within them, expanding into a greater realisation. Suddenly, a breeze stirred within the secret realm, and the old monk dissolved into a wisp of azure smoke, disappearing without a trace. _Shashasha..._ The Bodhi tree swayed, and green Bodhi fruits appeared, hanging heavily from its branches. These fruits emitted a radiant green glow, and anyone could tell at a nce that they were extraordinary. The Buddha realm was utterly silent, with only the faint rustling of the Bodhi tree. However, outside the realm, the crowd was growing noisy. By this point, the people of the capital were not just shocked¡ªthey found the whole situation utterly incredible. If they hadn¡¯t misheard or mis-seen, it appeared that this Silver Gong had guided the old monk into enlightenment. In gratitude, the monk had even thanked him. A martial artist, enlightening a high monk and allowing him to attainplete realisation?! Such an absurd and bizarre scene left the people of the capital utterly speechless. ¡°What on earth did he say?¡± On top of a restaurant, Chu Yuanzhen asked Master Hengyuan, who was standing beside him. ¡°Like seeing flowers through mist... Like seeing flowers through mist... Sir Xu, please exin it more clearly... exin it more clearly...¡± Master Hengyuan muttered as though in a daze. *Xu Ningyan¡¯s words have had such a profound impact on the monks of the Buddhist sect?* Chu Yuanzhen was astonished. ... *Have I passed this stage?...* Xu Qi''an felt a flicker of joy, though he was reluctant to leave the sight of the lush green Bodhi fruits. Better head to the temple at the mountain¡¯s peak first, he thought. Just as he turned to leave, a booming voice echoed throughout Buddha Mountain. ¡°What is Mahayana Buddhism, and what is Hinayana Buddhism? Benefactor Xu, please exin before you go.¡± Outside, everyone turned in surprise to look at Arhat Du''e. No one had expected an esteemed Arhat to intervene in this contest of minds. But at this moment, Arhat Du''e¡¯s expression was so serious, so grave, that it made people feel as though the sky was about to copse. No one dared to raise their voice or reprimand him. *What exactly are Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism?* *We don¡¯t understand any of it.* Themon folk were confused, but among the upper echelons of power in the capital, some were starting to grasp a little of what was going on. Such as Wei Yuan, such as Prime Minster Wang. *That¡¯s Arhat Du''e¡¯s voice¡­ It seems the outside world can indeed hear my words and see my actions. But why would he directly intervene in this debate?* Xu Qi''an frowned and let out a cold snort. ¡°Master, may I ask, what is a Buddha?¡± ¡°Before the Buddha, for 720,368 years, no one became Buddha. After the Buddha, for 3,491 years, no one became Buddha. ¡°The Buddha is the Buddha. How could all people be Buddhas?¡± Arhat Du''e¡¯s voice carried an interrogative tone. *So, in this world, the Buddhist sect has existed for 3,491 years. But why hasn¡¯t the concept of Mahayana Buddhism emerged here?* Xu Qi''an pondered for a moment and came to a conclusion: In the world of Jiuzhou, strength reigns supreme, and cultivation ranks are paramount. Whoever has the strongest fist is the one in charge, which has stifled the development of different schools of thought. *In my world, by contrast, we are all ordinary mortals. It¡¯s the sh of ideas, not power, that drives growth.* *A difference in environment makes a difference in development.* *Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll exin what Mahayana Buddhism is¡­ or at least my understanding of it,* Xu Qi''an thought before responding in a serious tone: ¡°So, in the eyes of the Buddhist disciples of this world, Buddha is the Buddha, but the Buddha is not Buddha. To me, this idea is utterlyughable.¡± This statement was so convoluted that, aside from the Buddhist monks outside, no one understood it. Monk Jingchen couldn''t help but interject, "What''s soughable? You must exin clearly." Arhat Du''e nced at him, said nothing, and shifted his gaze back to Xu Qi''an. ¡°Of course it''sughable. Take the Arcanists of the Sitianjian as an example: the Jianzheng is a First-rank Arcanist, but First-rank Arcanists are not the Jianzheng. This is a universally epted fact, right? Yet, in your Buddhist sect, you equate Buddha with *the* Buddha. Isn''t that absurd and strange? "Shouldn''t ''Buddha'' represent a supreme Ph, rather than just one individual?" Such words were nothing short of sphemy. The Buddha was the founding patriarch of the Buddhist sect, the only Buddha, the one they worshipped. An exalted, god-like figure ¡ª shouldn''t they indeed be the only Buddha? But Xu Qi''an''s words held a certain logic, which left the monks speechless for a moment. Xu Qi''an continued, "So, I would like to ask the master, what exactly is Buddha? Is it merely a way to gain power, or is it a way of thought?" Arhat Du''e''s expression remained stern, but his eyes softened, no longer angry. After a moment of serious thought, he replied, "Both." "That''s why I say, this is where the distinction between Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism lies," Xu Qi''an stated firmly. The monks below exchanged confused nces, itching to hear the entirety of Xu Qi''an''s theory. In the Stargazing Tower, on the Bagua tform, the Jianzheng''s eyes widened as he mumbled to himself, "That son of a bitch dares say anything! This is bad, this is really bad..." The Emperor Yuanjing turned and asked, "What did you say, Jianzheng?" The Jianzheng smiled, "Your Majesty, Xu Qi''an has given you a grand gift." Yuanjing frowned, puzzled. But the Jianzheng offered no further exnation. Wei Yuan slowly stood up, his hands clenched into fists under his long sleeves. It seemed he hade to a realisation. "Remarkable..." Prime Minister Wang muttered under his breath. *Remarkable?!* Miss Wang looked over, surprised, wanting to ask, but seeing her father so focused, she swallowed her curiosity. ¡°At present, in the Buddhist sect, strength is paramount, and rank is utmost. Every cultivator of the Buddhist path ultimately seeks to achieve ph, whether Arhat or Bodhisattva. In short, they seek to free themselves from samsara. As for freeing all sentient beings, thates secondary. Master Du¡¯e, am I correct?¡± Arhat Du''e remained silent for a long while before pressing his hands together in acknowledgement. This was his tacit agreement. "Therefore, with strength paramount, rank utmost, and the Buddha as Buddha, I call this Hinayana Buddhism." Xu Qi''an gazed at the sky and dered loudly: "Master Du''e, esteemed monks, am I wrong?" A monk objected, "If this is Hinayana Buddhism, then what is Mahayana Buddhism? Are you saying it¡¯s that ''everyone can be Buddha'' nonsense? That''s absurd." "You find it absurd because you practice Hinayana Buddhism, which fundamentally esteems rank above all; benefit for oneself. But what if instead the heart is utmost?" Xu Qi''an posed. "The heart is utmost?" Arhat Du''e murmured the phrase, pressing his hands together. "Please enlighten us, benefactor." "In your view, there is only one Buddha, the Buddha himself, and people cannot be Buddhas¡ªthey can only attain Bodhisattva or Arhat Ph. But, don¡¯t forget¡ªwas the Buddha born as a Buddha?" Xu Qi''an expounded confidently. ¡°I believe everyone has Buddha-nature; it''s just obscured by the mundane world''s impurities. But through cultivation, one can see their true self, and thus, everyone can be a Buddha. "Master, to see self is to see Buddha!" Boom! Suddenly, a bolt of thunder cracked across the sky, apanied by a faint sound of chanting. Everyone was shocked to see that Arhat Du''e¡¯s entire body began to glow with a golden light, resonating with the strange phenomena in the heavens. In the Buddhist sect, this signified a moment of enlightenment. "To self is to see Buddha, to self is to see Buddha..." Arhat Du''e was immersed in a profound state, his mind drunk in the revtion. A voice echoed within him: _Why is the Buddha, Buddha? Why can''t I be Buddha?_ *No,* everyone *can be Buddha.* This Buddha was not the rank of Buddha in cultivation, but rather, an inner Buddha. Xu Qi''an¡¯s words, though they might seem merely reasonable to outsiders, struck Arhat Du''e¡ªa long-time practitioner of Buddhism¡ªlike a thunderp. *Is Buddha truly determined solely by power?* *Can Buddha truly only be the Buddha?* *How narrow-minded is such thinking!* If this were the case, then "Buddha''s light shining across Jiuzhou" would be nothing more than an empty phrase. Only if everyone could be a Buddha would Buddha¡¯s light truly illuminate the world. This was the true essence of Buddhism. The Buddha represented the pinnacle of the Buddhist system, but Buddhist teachings should not be confined to the Buddha alone. The concept of Mahayana Buddhism had emerged, a new school of thought was born... ¡­ The other monks did not achieve enlightenment, but each had their own realisations, and some even felt a sense of rity, glimpsing different aspects of Buddhist teachings and new philosophical heights. Among them, Master Jingchen was the most deeply affected,pletely enthralled. In the Nightwatcher sector, the Gold Gongs suddenly heard a soft chuckle from Wei Yuan, who had stepped out from the pavilion. "Enlightenment... what wonderful enlightenment!" Wei Yuan said, word by word. "Brilliant, simply brilliant!" Prime Minister Wang stroked his beard with a smile. *What does this mean? Why are these two high-ranking officials finding amusement in this? Was Arhat Du''e''s enlightenment something to be happy about?* The Buddhist sect was an ally of the Great Feng, but tensions were high, and there was ongoing rivalry and contests of power. They were, in a sense, half-enemies. To the civil and military officials, this was certainly not something to celebrate. Atop the Stargazing Tower, on the Bagua tform. Emperor Yuanjing burst intoughter, a joy that he had never experienced before. ¡°Xu Qi''an has introduced the concept of Mahayana Buddhism. If Arhat Du''e hadn''t achieved enlightenment, that would be one thing. But now that he has, when he returns to the Western Regions, he will undoubtedly promote Mahayana Buddhism. "This will inevitably create a conflict between the doctrines of Mahayana and Hinayana. Debates will be the least of it; once a split urs... hahaha." He hadn''tughed so heartily in years. Only when powers are bnced can they be true allies. When one side grows stronger while the other weakens, the rtionship inevitably turns superficial. This was the current state of affairs between the Great Feng and the Buddhist sect. The frontiers of the Great Feng were being harassed by the southern and northern barbarians, while the Buddhist sect stood by, watching. If the Buddhist sect were to split, both factions would vie for the Great Feng''s support, allowing the Great Feng to increase its status and gain much benefit. "Jianzheng is right; this truly is a grand gift. Well done. Xu Qi''an''s gift has greatly pleased us." In the pavilion, many nobles raised their heads in surprise, looking toward the Sitianjian tower. "Is that His Majestyughing?!" "Why would His Majesty beughing? What''s so amusing about this? Strange. Duke Wei and Prime Minister Wang are behaving oddly, and now so is His Majesty." ... "Mahayana Buddhism... Mahayana Buddhism..." Monk Hengyuan was lost in a trance, muttering, "I too can be a Buddha. Warrior monks can also be Buddhas. Everyone in the world can be a Buddha. To deliver all sentient beings, to know that seeing one''s self is to see Buddha." "What did running dog say?" Biaobiao widened her eyes, looking at Huaiqing. She knew something important had happened but didn''t understand, so she turned to the knowledgeable Huaiqing for an answer. "I don''t know exactly what he said, but I do know what the consequences will be," Huaiqing replied. "Consequences?" Biaobiao blinked her peach blossom eyes. "From now on, the Buddhist sect will be divided into Mahayana and Hinayana," Huaiqing said with a hint of a smile. At the same time, Xu Eng exined to the Gold Gongs, "From now on, the Buddhist sect will be divided into Mahayana and Hinayana." The Gold Gongs'' eyes widened. No further exnation was needed; they already understood the implications of Xu Xinnian¡¯s words. They also understood why Duke Wei hadughed. Jiang Lyuzhong was overwhelmed with excitement, his voice trembling with joy, "This... this... the Buddhist sect is in trouble. What has Xu Ningyan done? What has he done? Hahaha." *With just a few words, he has divided Buddhist teachings into Mahayana and Hinayana... Xu Ningyan had done something truly monumental. Duke Wei, is this all within your calctions?* The in-looking woman¡¯s eyes suddenly gleamed. She despised the Buddhist sect, hated it even, more than one could imagine. That''s why she had specifically sent a sixth-rank martial artist to challenge Monk Jingsi. Her aim was to suppress the Buddhist sect¡¯s arrogance. Unfortunately, her subordinates had not lived up to her expectations. Not only did they fail to achieve anything, but they also became stepping stones for the opposition. Today, she had mingled with the Nightwatchers to watch the contest, partly for the excitement but mainly to see the Buddhists falter, to watch them lose in the duel. Xu Qi''an had not yet won, but this surprise alone was enough to make her roll with joy on her bed at home. *He truly is capable...* the woman thought to herself. At this moment, among the nobles, some were beginning to grasp the deeper implications, each of them widening their eyes as if they had just seen a stunning beauty undressing and waiting on a bed. The shock and delight were impossible to hide. When the civil and military officials looked at Xu Qi''an again, their gazes had changed. Although he was a member of the Eunuch Clique and naturally loathsome, they had to admit that he never failed to surprise. Whenever he was involved, things were somehow much more reassuring. Chapter 296: I will not Kneel Chapter 296: I will not Kneel # 296. I will not Kneel After the crack of thunder echoed through the sky, silence followed. The swirling clouds dispersed, and at the same time, the Buddhist radiance on Arhat Du''e''s body retracted. He opened his eyes, and a sh of wisdom shot from his gaze, only to be withdrawn in the next instant. Arhat Du¡¯e saw his Buddhist disciples, silent in thought, having entered a unique mental state. In Buddhism, this was the process of enlightenment. Eyes see, ears hear, and the mind realises. Of course, this was still a far far cry from Master Du¡¯e¡¯s own great enlightenment. Arhat Du''e did not interrupt his disciples''prehension. He sped his hands together and said loudly, ¡°The Sage once said, ''Learning knows no age; those who attain, achieve.'' This is an ultimate truth. "Although Benefactor Xu is not of the Buddhist sect, you possess great Buddhist roots, which have enlightened this poor monk, elevating my thoughts. This precisely validates the truth that all people have a Buddha-nature, and by seeing oneself, anyone can be a Buddha. "Thank you, Benefactor Xu, for enlightening me on the Mahayana Dharma. Benefactor Xu, you are worthy of being my teacher. You have won this third trial."The profound Buddhist teachings were beyond the understanding ofmoners, but they extracted the core message from Arhat Du''e''s words: Benefactor Xu is amazing, Benefactor Xu is my teacher, and Benefactor Xu has passed the third trial. "Just now, did that high monk from the Buddhist sect say that Benefactor Xu is worthy of being his teacher?" A man in the front row, dressed like a schr, stammered. *My teacher?* The Jianghu martial artists among the crowd became excited. For a long time, martial artists had been looked down upon by other systems. Martial strength vitedws, and crude warriors were seen as nothing more than violent brutes who caused destruction and killed people. Apart from being useful in war, they had no other purpose. In fact, they were seen as a destabilising force in society. But now, a dignified high monk of the Buddhist sect, a second-rank Arhat, had actually said that a martial artist should be his teacher. To the Jianghu folk, these words were immensely uplifting, making them want to shout to the heavens. "The entire Jianghu of the Great Feng should remember the name Xu Qi''an. He is a true warrior." "Atst, the martial system has produced someone capable. I''ve roamed the Jianghu for many years, and I''ve never seen a martial artsit be respected as a teacher by the pinnacle of another system." "When I return to my hometown, I''ll make sure everyone knows. Coming to the capital this time wasn''t in vain¡ªI¡¯ve seen something incredible." "Indeed. When I return home and drink with my friends and family, I¡¯ll be able to talk about this for three days and three nights... I''m suddenly eager to return." In one corner, a still-elegant aging woman reluctantly withdrew her gaze from Xu Qi''an and turned to her prized disciple, the Soul-stealing hand Rongrong. "Rongrong, I''ve made inquiries. This Sir Xu¡­ is a frequent visitor to the Jiaofangsi." Rongrong, with her heavily made-up yet not trashy features, bit her lip and looked back at her teacher. "Master, what are you implying?" "We Jianghu folk don¡¯t care about status," the woman said quietly. "Rongrong, with your beauty, it might be difficult to be Sir Xu''s wife, but bing his concubine wouldn''t be a problem." "I..." Rongrong wanted to refuse, but that man was too dazzling¡ªso dazzling that even someone like her, who prided herself on her beauty, couldn''t help but feel a little moved. ... Xu Qi''an ascended the steps, encountering no further obstacles along the way, until he reached the small square outside the temple at the top of the mountain. It was a standalone temple with a single-ridged roof and upturned eaves. There were no side halls or annexes, only the main hall. *The temple should hold the final trial. I remember Arhat Du''e saying that if I still refuse to convert to Buddhism after entering the temple, then the Buddhists will have lost...* Instantly, Xu Qi''an recalled the 108 techniques taught by the Jiaofangsi courtesans, using them to pollute his thoughts, letting his mind be tinged with the exclusive desires of the royal family. Satisfied with his transformation into a shameless degenerate, he nodded approvingly and pushed open the temple doors, stepping inside. ... Seeing this, Arhat Du''e sped his hands together and said, "Once inside this temple, even a stone can be enlightened and converted to Buddhism." What did he mean by this? The crowd frowned upon hearing this, then remembered the theme of this duel: conversion to Buddhism. The Western Region''s delegation not only wanted to win the Disc of heavenly secrets, but also to have the duelist convert to Buddhism, severely undermining the Great Feng¡¯s prestige. "Filthy monk, We demand to see what''s happening inside the temple!" Biaobiao¡¯s usually yful and coquettish eyes suddenly revealed a rare fierceness, as she and angrily dered, "Who knows what dirty tricks your Buddhist sect has set up inside to harm our Silver Gong!" She didn''t believe Xu Qi''an would just join the Buddhist sect, but the Buddhist methods were mysterious, and forceful conversion was possible. Unable to see what was happening inside, her mind kept conjuring worst-case scenarios of Xu Qi''an being coerced. She could no longer restrain herself. "Since this is a duel, it should be conducted openly and fairly. Arhat Du''e, please reveal the scene inside the temple for us to see," Huaiqing said coldly. The nobles under the pavilion also began to voice their agreement. "Indeed!" With a smile, Arhat Du''e sped his hands together and, with a wave of his wide sleeves, switched the Buddhist realm¡¯s view. The crowd saw the flickering candlelight in the temple''s grand hall. Inside the hall, a sixty feet golden statue sat cross-legged, its head nearly touching the ceiling. This Buddha statue had thick, drooping earlobes, a round face like a golden te, and half-closed eyes. It wore apassionate smile, yet exuded an indescribable majesty that reached into the soul. Merely looking at it made one want to sp their hands together and offer their prayers. "There are two manifestations of Dharma in the temple. This one is the Vajra Dharma Aspect. Benefactor Xu, the secret of the Diamond Sutra lies within this golden body. If you canprehend it, you can cultivate the Indestructible Vajra Body of Buddhism." Du''e Master''s voice transmitted into the hall. *The Diamond Sutra is hidden within this Dharma aspect...* Xu Qi''an''s eyes lit up. He had long coveted the divine Vajra body ability of Buddhism. If he could master this protective divine skill, he would be invincible in the sixth-rank warrior realm. Moreover, with this skill, Xu Qi''an would ovee hisst major weakness. After unleashing his mighty strike and bing exhausted, he could toss aside his de, lie on the ground, and tell his enemies: "Come at me, do it yourself." *No wonder the Jianzheng insisted I represent the Sitianjian in this duel... Jianzheng, was this all part of your n?* Xu Qi''an was both excited and chilled at the same time. The Jianzheng was truly terrifying. Outside, after hearing the words of Arhat Du''e, the gathered martial artists'' eyes lit up with excitement. They raised their heads, gazing intently at the Buddha statue as though they wished they could glue their eyes to it. Xu Qi''an sat cross-legged on the prayer mat, head raised, scrutinising the Vajra Statue. Meanwhile, Arhat Du''e was watching him. The Vajra Body was only suitable for warrior monks, and Zen monks who had not reached the Arhat level could not master it. Arhat Du''e was offering Xu Qi''an an enticing bait,ying the groundwork to draw him into the Buddhist order. To Arhat Du''e, this was not just a matter of cherishing a rare talent, but also because Xu Qi''an was the originator of Mahayana Buddhism. Arhat Du''e wanted to be the one to establish and spread these teachings. To better promote the Mahayana doctrine, it was essential to have Xu Qi''an, the trailzer of these ideas, join the Buddhist sect. This was crucial to legitimizing their "orthodoxy." *The Diamond Sutra is supposedly hidden in the statue? What nonsense¡­ there''s nothing here at all..*. Xu Qi''an stared at the statue for a full fifteen minutes without blinking, until his eyes started to ache. *I really am just a crude martial artist without a Buddha nature...* He mentally mocked himself. Suddenly, a warm current surged in his abdomen, rising from his Dantian, passing through the middle Dantian, and entering the upper Dantian. His brow pulsed, as if a thin stic film had been stretched and then broken. The statue before him began to change¡­ Though the Buddha statue remained seated and motionless, a profound aura of Zen spread around it, bing visible to Xu Qi''an. Surprisingly, he understood this Zen energy, and heprehended the Buddha''s aura contained within the Dharma Statue. *Is it¡­ helping me?!* The thought shed through his mind, and Xu Qi''an unconsciously adjusted his posture, joining his hands in prayer, his eyes half-closed, mirroring the statue. This processsted for an unknown amount of time. Suddenly, a spot of golden light appeared at the center of his brow, rapidly spreading like an invisible brush sketching over his body. In a matter of breaths, Xu Qi''an''s entire body was covered in radiant gold, transforming him into a golden statue himself. ¡­ Arhat Du''e was utterly stunned. "He¡ªhe''s transformed into a golden body?!" "Has he truly converted to Buddhism?" Seeing this, themoners nearly broke down, their faces instantly falling as if they''d been deted. Their previous joy and pride evaporated, leaving them utterly dispirited. This man had navigated the three trials, bringing great honor to the Great Feng and making the people of the capital proud. But now, it seemed he had been "converted" by the Buddhist sect. This move by the Buddhists hit hard, and the blow was ruthless. "The Unbreakable Vajra! He¡¯s mastered the Unbreakable Vajra!" A sharp voice suddenly burst from the crowd. The speaker was a man dressed as a Jianghu warrior. He pointed excitedly at Xu Qi''an, his lips trembling with excitement. "What Unbreakable Vajra? Isn''t he converting to Buddhism?" The people around him hurriedly asked. "Of course not! Not only has he not converted to Buddhism, but he¡¯s also mastered one of the Buddhist sect''s divine skills¡ªUnbreakable Vajra!" The martial artist exined, his hands gesticting wildly as heughed hysterically: ¡°Stealing a chicken but losing the bait! Haha! Haha! The Buddhists tried to lure him, but failed! This Silver Gong is a peerless genius, an absolute prodigy. "Given time, he may very well surpass the Zhenbei King and be the top martial artist of the Great Feng!" The crowd erupted in a tidal wave of noise, themoners, who did not understand cultivation, breathed a sigh of relief and beganughing again. It turned out that their young Great Feng genius had not converted to Buddhism but had instead mastered the Buddhists¡¯ invincible golden body. *"Given time, he may very well surpass the Zhenbei King¡­"* In the same area, a woman standing next to Xu Xinnian''s wife pricked up her ears, raising her head to gaze at Xu Qi''an with aplicated expression. *Nonsense. How could anyone in the Great Feng surpass the Zhenbei King in martial arts?* In the same region, the nine Gold Gongs all felt a bitter envy. Despite being as strong as Fourth-Rank martial artists, they too coveted the Unbreakable Vajra Technique. In a battle where strength was evenly matched, the one with the tougher body would prevail. *Unbreakable Vajra¡­* Wei Yuan frowned, then smiled. He didn¡¯t care about the deeper meaning; as long as Xu Qi''an could continue advancing in martial arts, he was content with turning a blind eye. The civil officials were less impressed, as martial arts wasn''t their domain, though they marvelled at Xu Qi''an''s terrifying natural ability. The military officials, however, stared wide-eyed, their envy directed not just at Xu Qi''an, but at Wei Yuan as well. Such an outstanding martial talent, and Wei Yuan had imed him. "Father, after today, people may stop calling you unworthy." Xu Xinnian said softly. A pleased Uncle Xu turned his head and asked, "Why?" "Because you raised an elder brother who is a martial arts prodigy," Xu Xinnian smiled. "From now on, all martial artists will praise you." "Hahaha!" Xu Ershu burst outughing. Xu Lingyue puffed out her developing chest, proud and radiant, sharing the glory¡ªthis was her elder brother. "Hehe!" Lin''an giggled happily. "Don¡¯t celebrate too soon. There¡¯s still one more Dharma aspect to go," Huaiqing said in a serious tone. On the rooftop of the restaurant, Hengyuan sighed in admiration, "The divine Unbreakable Vajra¡­" "It''s settled," Chu Yuanzhen pped Hengyuan''s shiny head with augh. "Ask Xu Ningyan for the Unbreakable Vajra Technique when this is over. With it, your path as a warrior monk will go further, and reaching the third-rank Vajra level won''t be impossible." The conversation between the old monk and Xu Qi''an had been heard by everyone outside. With Chu Yuanzhen''s wisdom, it wasn¡¯t hard to deduce that the next rank for an eighth-rank warrior monk would be third-rank Vajra. Amidst the cheering, Arhat Du''e chanted a Buddhist scripture. His voice, tinged with a smile, spread through the crowd: "This trial is called *Asura''s Heart." _Asura''s Heart_? Themotion quieted down, and all eyes turned from the Buddhist scene back to Arhat Du''e, including Wei Yuan,Prime Minister Wang, and even Emperor Yuanjing from the top of the Stargazing Tower. "This is a tale from our Buddhist sect¡­" Arhat Du''e began to tell the story. It was said that when the Buddha first founded his teachings in the Western Regions, thend was ruled by a barbarian tribe known as the Asura. They were a savage, bloodthirsty people, who ate raw meat and drank blood. They mercilessly ughtered the Buddhist monks in their quest for territory. After learning about the situation, the Buddha personally went to the Asura tribe''s territory and meditated for three days and nights. During this time, he neither resisted nor retaliated, allowing the Asura tribe to attack him. The savage Asura immediately assaulted him with weapons. With the first strike, his skin split, and blood gushed out, but from his flesh came a metallic sound. With the second strike, his flesh again tore apart, and golden light began to shine from within. After 3,600 strikes, the Buddha shed his mortal flesh and revealed his golden Dharma body. The Asura, during these three days and nights of continuous assault, finally attained enlightenment. They let go of their savage nature, renounced violence, and converted to Buddhism. The crowd of onlookers,mon folk from the streets, listened intently to the tale. However, high-ranking officials like Prime Minister Wang and the hereditary nobles turned pale. Though the Buddha wasn¡¯t physically present in the temple, this trial, named "Asura''s Heart," was bound to have a simr effect as the Buddha¡¯s enlightenment of the Asura tribe. If even the ferocious, bloodthirsty Asura could be enlightened, how could this not work on Xu Qi''an? Inside the temple, the once closed eyes of the Vajra Dharma statue suddenly opened. In that instant, the might of Buddhism crashed down like a mountain, like a tidal wave, engulfing Xu Qi''an with an overwhelming force that was impossible to resist. Xu Qi''an saw boundless Buddha light, but instead of bringing peace, this light felt tyrannical, oppressive. It instantly crushed his will and altered his heart. *Life¡¯s eight sufferings are meaningless. Joining Buddhism is the only true path¡­* *I am the pioneer of Mahayana Buddhism. This is where I belong.* *Why hesitate? Are you really content with being a crude martial artist?* One thought after another flooded his mind, extolling the virtues of Buddhism, and the worst part was that Xu Qi''an found them convincing. People¡¯s thoughts can change, though it usually takes a long time. But in this moment, Xu Qi''an¡¯s very core beliefs were altered in an instant. He began to long for Buddhism, to yearn for the Dharma. Even the allure of the Oirans from the Jiaofangsi lost its appeal. In full view of the crowd, Xu Qi''an slowly stood up. He unsheathed his ck-gold long saber and reached with his other hand to touch the sable hat atop his head... *Fuck! I can¡¯t take this off! I can¡¯t!* A deep sense of humiliation helped him regain a sliver of "self." Unsheathing the de, reaching for the hat¡ªthis was him preparing to ordain himself as a monk. But he had no hair to shave. If he took off the sable hat, his bare scalp would be exposed to the thousands in the crowd. ¡­ "This trip to the Great Feng was truly the best decision this poor monk has ever made," said Arhat Du''e, his voice filled with satisfaction. "In a single moment, not only have I gained insight into Mahayana Buddhism, but I have also acquired a naturally gifted disciple with immense Buddha-nature. Amitabha, truly, Heaven blesses Buddhism." The crowd seethed with anger. Yet instead of curses, they all focused intently on Xu Qi''an, holding their breath. Everyone could see that Xu Qi''an was struggling, fighting against the effects of the Asura''s Heart. "Hold on, hold on¡­" Lin''an whispered to herself, her small hands tightly twisting her dress. Huaiqing¡¯s pupils slightly dted. She had a single, clear thought. The thought took shape in two words: *Do not.* Xu Pingzhi stood up, fists clenched as if he were lending his strength to his nephew. "You don¡¯t seem too concerned about him bing a monk," said the in-looking woman, noticing that whilst everyone else was either angry or anxious, this cousin kept staring intently at Arhat Du''e instead of Xu Qi''an. "I am concerned," Xu Xinnian said. "Then why are you staring at Arhat Du''e?" "I¡¯m thinking about which angle would be best to stab him from," Xu Xinnian replied. At the top of the Stargazing Tower, Emperor Yuanjing suddenly turned and pointed toward Xu Qi''an in the mysterious secret realm, his voice urgent. "Jianzheng, We will not allow Xu Qi''an to enter the monastic order and be a Buddhist disciple. No matter what, you must stop this." Jianzheng smiled. "Your Majesty, you are the sovereign of thend. Why worry about a mere Silver Gong?" "No!" Emperor Yuanjing snapped, anger seething. "It has taken so long for the Great Feng to produce a prodigy of his calibre. How could we allow the Buddhists to take him away? Do whatever it takes to stop this, even if it means forfeiting the Disc of Heaven¡¯s Secrets." Jianzheng nodded. "Be calm, Your Majesty." He grasped his wine cup, and the wine inside remained still, reflecting the mountains, rivers, and the lives of allmon people. Jianzheng¡¯s elderly hand clenched the cup tightly, veins bulging as if he were gathering power. The Diamond Sutra was in his hands; his goal was already achieved. As for the "Asura''s Heart" test, only an external force could stop it. Xu Qi''an alone would never be able to resist the flood of Buddhist power overwhelming him. But just as Jianzheng was about to act, he paused and nced toward the distant Cloud Deer Academy¡­ ¡­ "Aha! Running dog resisted it!" Lin''an squealed with excitement. Inside the temple, Xu Qi''an let go of the sable hat. It remained on his head. He had regained control of his will, resisting the urge to join Buddhism and rejecting the thoughts that had been forcibly nted in his mind. *Phew¡­* This exhale came from countless people outside the temple. Arhat Du''e furrowed his brow, shaking his head. "Only by entering Buddhism can one transcend suffering and achieve immortality. Only through immortality can one enlighten others. You possess immense Buddha-nature, so why are you so stubborn?" Xu Qi''an¡¯s resistance seemed to have angered the Buddha statue. The mist around the Buddha Mountain trembled violently as an enormous Dharma aspect, towering above the heavens, materialized. It seemed to epass all things, making everything else appear insignificant. Clouds swirled around its form, and its face was hidden from view, too high to see with the naked eye. The temple beneath it was norger than the palm of its hand. The towering Dharma aspect slowly lowered its head, gazing down at the temple, and then, it gently extended a massive hand toward it. With a slow press! Inside the temple, Xu Qi''an''s shoulders suddenly sank, as if a mountain had been ced on top of him. The overwhelming pressure threatened to force him to his knees. *Don¡¯t kneel, don¡¯t kneel¡­* Xu Qi''an¡¯s instincts red. He knew with certainty that if he knelt, there would be no turning back. He would be a different person¡ªone who revered the Buddha and practiced Buddhism. Outside the temple, the Buddha¡¯s towering hand pressed down once more. _Crack, crack, crack¡­_ Xu Qi''an''s bones began to pop like firecrackers, especially his spine, which seemed on the verge of breaking through his skin. His head hung lower and lower, unable to lift. But despite everything, his knees remained unbent. *I won¡¯t kneel, I won¡¯t kneel! If I am to believe in Buddhism, it will be by my own choice! No one can suppress me.* His head lowered, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face flushed red, and sweat rolled down drop by drop. His eyes were bloodshot, his face twisted with exertion as he struggled against the immense pressure descending from above. He opened his mouth and stubbornly spat out, "I¡­ will¡­ not¡­ kneel¡­" ... Cloud Deer Academy. In the Hall of the Lesser Sage, a dense wave of clear qi shot skyward, and the entire hall trembled once more. Inside the academy, the schrs and professors either lifted their heads or stepped out of their rooms, looking toward the direction of the Lesser Sage Hall. Inside the hall, shes of light flickered repeatedly, and the Headmaster, Zhao Shou, along with three Grand Schrs, suddenly appeared. "What¡¯s happening? Why is the senior moving again?" Zhang Shen asked in bewilderment. The redwood box suspended above the head of the Lesser Sage statue was violently shaking. This time, the vibrations were extremely intense, as if something inside the box was urgently trying to break free. "Is someone calling upon the power of the masses again?" Li Mubai''s eyes widened in disbelief. Headmaster Zhao Shou frowned deeply and bowed, saying, "Senior, please be at peace." But the redwood box vibrated even more intensely. Seeing this, the three Grand Schrs immediately mustered their boundless righteous energy and, together with Headmaster Zhao Shou, attempted to suppress the box. They cupped their hands and said, "Senior, please be at peace." The box quieted down once more, but in the next moment... "Boom!" The redwood box exploded, sending a wave of clear energy throughout the hall. Zhao Shou and the three Grand Schrs were struck in their chests, vomiting blood, and sent flying through the air. A streak of clear light broke free from the box, pierced through the ceiling of the hall, and shot into the sky. Headmaster Zhao Shou rushed out of the Hall of the Lesser Sage, his gaze following the streak of light as it swept across the mountains and disappeared into the horizon. It was heading toward the capital... ... "Amitabha. I did not expect Benefactor Xu¡¯s determination to be so deep. I am sure that after joining the Buddhist order, his heart will be even purer," Arhat Du''e said, sping his hands together. Biaobiao red fiercely at Arhat Du''e, then suddenly stepped out of the pavilion and shouted, "Don¡¯t kneel to that bald donkey, you running dog, stand up!" Inside the Buddha Realm, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s shoulders were bloodied, and his neck bent at an unnatural angle. His agony was painfully clear to everyone watching from outside. What kind of conviction could allow someone to endure such overwhelming pressure and still keep their knees straight? Was this the same Xu Qi¡¯an? Was this the same flirtatious and lecherous Xu Qi¡¯an everyone knew? Those familiar with him felt a shock deep within their hearts. Suddenly, an elderly man in in clothes stood up from the pavilion. His eyes were red, and with a trembling voice, he shouted: "*A young man¡¯s valour, brings heroes from five capitals old! With loyal heart, with just hand. With words of iron, life or death, A promise is worth a thousand tons of gold!...* A man who could write such verses will not kneel!" It was Governor Zhang. Xu Pingzhi shouted, "Ning Yan, stand up straight, don¡¯t kneel!" Xu Lingyin suddenly let out a wail, "Big bwother..." Wei Yuan gently patted her head and finished her sentence, "Won''t kneel." Wang Shoufu stood up, his voice loud and clear, "A warrior of the Great Feng does not kneel." Among the crowd, someone suddenly raised a fist and roared, "Do not kneel!" This ignited a fuse, and the gathered citizens erupted. "Do not kneel!" "Do not kneel!" "Do not kneel!" One by one, two by two... More and more people began shouting, "Do not kneel." A father lifted his son onto his shoulders, and the child¡¯s crisp voice rang out, "Don''t kneel!" A husband grasped his wife¡¯s hand, and together they shouted, "The people of the Great Feng do not kneel!" From the pavilion to the open grounds, from nobles tomoners, in that moment, all of the citizens of Great Feng shouted in unison: "DO NOT KNEEL!" ... *I can feel the power of the masses again...* In his hazy consciousness, a pure thought surged into Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind, vast and chaotic. It conveyed a single message: Do not kneel! In an instant, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s eyes erupted with unprecedented brilliance, like a pilgrim lost in the darkness who had finally seen the dawn. He still couldn¡¯t straighten his spine, but as if moved by some unseen force, he raised his arm, as though to grasp something. Something wasing. At the same time, Xu Qi¡¯an shouted out with the voice of the tens of thousands in the capital: "I, Xu Qi¡¯an, WILL. NOT. KNEEL!" At that very moment, a streak of clear light shot through the sky, rumbling as it broke through the air, carrying an unmatched force as it crashed into the Buddha Realm. Sensing this, the towering Buddha statue withdrew its palm and brought it down to strike the iing light. At the moment of impact, both the clear light and the golden light dimmed for a brief second. Then, an explosion of radiant blue and gold burst forth. Only after that came the "boom" of the explosion, shaking the citizens of the capital, who covered their heads and fled in panic. Outside the arena, fierce winds howled. The towering Buddha statue shattered into pure golden light, dispersing back into the Buddha Realm. The clear light, having fulfilled its purpose, entered the temple andnded in Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s hand. It was a simple, ck carving knife. Slowly, Xu Qi¡¯an stood up, gripping the knife tightly. "All beings can be Buddhas, so why should I kneel to you?" With that, he calmly thrust the knife forward. Crack... A crack appeared on the Buddha statue¡¯s forehead. The fissure spread instantly across its entire body before it shattered into pieces. Boom! As the statue copsed, the Buddha Realm shook violently, mountains crumbling and the earth quaking. Crack! Arhat Du''e looked down in shock to see cracks spreading across his golden alms bowl before it shattered into dust. The Buddha Realm dissolved into nothingness. Two figures fell out¡ªan unconscious Jing Si, and Xu Qi¡¯an, standing tall, knife in hand. Xu Qi¡¯an nced slowly around the arena, then his eyes rolled back, and he fainted. But before he lost consciousness, he pressed his hand to his sable hat. It was a matter of pride. The entire field fell silent. Chapter 297X. Luo Yuhengs Surprise Chapter 297X. Luo Yuheng''s Surprise # 297X. Luo Yuheng''s Surprise At the top of Stargazing Tower, the Jianzheng had unknowingly left the Bagua tform and was now sharply watching the carving knife in Xu Qi¡¯an''s hand. "Have you chosen him too?" At that moment, the man who had presided over the capital for five hundred years, a figure regarded as a "god" by the people of the Great Feng, murmured to himself. "Hahaha¡­" Emperor Yuanjingughed heartily, hands sped behind his back as he stood on the Great Feng''s tallest tower, listening to the joyous cheers of the people. This was the Great Feng¡¯s victory, and his victory as well. The Buddhist Sect, this time, was beneath his feet. "What a fine ''I will not kneel,''" Emperor Yuanjing remarked. "How many years has it been since such an outstanding young hero has emerged in the capital?" "Ahhhhh¡­" Biaobiao let out an ear-piercing scream, stomping her feet in excitement. "He won, Huaiqing! Running Dog won! He''s my servant, he''s my servant!"Princess Huaiqing gazed at the unconscious Xu Qi¡¯an, her eyes filled with a trace of infatuation. She was a woman of extraordinary beauty and pride. Even a zhuangyuan was merely eptable in her eyes. Among the countless talented individuals in the capital, the only one who had ever truly earned her admiration was Wei Yuan. Dean Zhao Shou was a respectable junior but did not inspire her reverence. At this moment, Huaiqing recalled the many aplishments of Xu Qi¡¯an¡ªhow he had emerged during the tax silver case, secretly scheming to trap the Ministry of Revenue¡¯s vice minister¡¯s son Zhou Li,pletely eradicating any hidden consequences. Then he had joined the Nightwatchers, cutting down a Silver Gong, being imprisoned, and rising to the challenge to investigate the Sangpo case... He almost single-handedlypleted the investigation in Yunzhou, then returned to the capital, where he was tasked with the Consort Fu case. Throughout this time, he had produced one literary masterpiece after another, greatly inspiring the schrs of the Great Feng. And now, acting on behalf of the Sitianjian in a contest against the Buddhist Sect, he had twice drawn his de, restoring the capital¡¯s people¡¯s confidence with his courage. In a debate, he had freed an old monk from his obsessions under the Bodhi Tree, causing an esteemed Second-Rank Arhat to achieve enlightenment andprehend Mahayana Buddhism. Then, a streak of clear light had descended from the heavens, and with one strike, he had shattered the Buddha manifestation and destroyed the Arhat''s precious artefact. Princess Huaiqing had never seen such an extraordinary man before, never. The women cheered, the civil and military officialsughed¡­ and amidst the thunderous celebrations, Xu Pingzhi copsed into a chair as if all the strength had been drained from him. Just a little bit more, and the son he had raised might have been stolen by the Buddhists. As the capital¡¯s citizens roared with excitement, amidst the fervent shouts of victory, Xu Qi¡¯an, the hero of the hour, went unnoticed. Xu Eng quietly walked over and carried his older brother on his back. *In the end, I¡¯m the one to bear it all¡­* Xu Eng thought. Carrying Xu Qi¡¯an, he walked toward the Nightwatchers, his eyes catching sight of the carving knife tightly held in Xu Qi¡¯an''s hand. *What is this? It seems to be a carving knife?* Judging by its appearance, it looked like an ancient schr''s "pen." Back then, when paper had not yet been invented, schrs carved their wisdom into bamboo slips with knives. *Where did this carving knifee from...? I''ll just swipe itter when no one''s paying attention!* Xu Eng¡¯s eyes gleamed; the temptation of such an ancient artefact was hard for a schr to resist. Arhat Du''e stood dazed, not grieving over the destruction of his golden alms bowl but deeply regretting that such a naturally gifted disciple of Buddhism had not found his way to the fold. "Senior Uncle¡­" Monk Jingchen gazed at Xu Eng¡¯s retreating figure, at the unconscious Xu Qi¡¯an on his back, and said solemnly, "Master Xu is a heavenly talent bestowed upon us by the heavens, the founder of Mahayana Buddhism. Senior Uncle, you must take him back to the Western Regions." Arhat Du''e pondered for a long time before heaving a deep sigh. "It¡¯s alright. The time is not right." Monk Jingchen, unwilling to ept this, and as if having a sudden sword, turned to nce at the Stargazing Tower but ultimately remained silent. ... Though the contest between the Buddhist Sect and the Sitianjian had ended, the echoes of this magnificent event continued to reverberate. In a certain tavern, a middle-aged man in a worn blue robe, carrying an empty wine jar, stepped over the threshold and entered the hall on the first floor, heading straight for the counter. "Shopkeeper, I heard if you talk about the contest, you can get a free jar of wine?" The goatee-wearing shopkeeper smiled and nodded. "You can even drink while you talk. Our small shop will also offer a te of peanuts on the house." The middle-aged man hesitated for a moment. He had nned to take the wine home, but the shopkeeper was offering so much, so he said, "Alright, I''ll drink here. Quickly, bring the peanuts." The shopkeeper beckoned to a waiter, who promptly brought the man a jar of wine and a te of peanuts. The middle-aged man took a sip of wine and popped a couple of peanuts into his mouth before slowly beginning his tale: "When the Buddhist Arhat tossed the golden bowl to the ground, the wind and clouds shifted, lightning intertwined, and the sky transformed into a Buddhist domain. Within it were trials four: The first was the Eight Sufferings Array, a formidable challenge, said to be used by Buddhist monks to temper their hearts... ¡°This second trial was called the Vajra Array. Shopkeeper, do you know who the Vajra is?" The middle-aged man nced haughtily at the shopkeeper. "Wasn¡¯t it that young monk from the southern city?" the waiter scoffed. "Yeah, just a small monk," a nearby patron chimed in. "You all knew that¡­?" The middle-aged man was taken aback. "Didn¡¯t Xu Silver Gong slice him apart with one stroke? What Vajra? Nothing but a paper tiger!" The patron¡¯s expression was filled with the pride of a capital resident. Just a day earlier, at the mention of Monk Jingsi, they would have gnashed their teeth, furious that "the Great Feng, with its many powerful experts, couldn¡¯t even handle a young monk?" Helpless rage. But now, when the little Vajra body monk was mentioned, even themon folk puffed out their chests with pride, sneering, "Nothing special." This was all thanks to Xu Qi¡¯an, who had painstakingly regained the city''s honour and rebuilt their confidence throughout the contest. The middle-aged man in the blue robe looked at the shopkeeper in astonishment. "You knew about all this, so why set such rules?" "Different people see things differently. It''s about filling in the gaps," the shopkeeper replied with a sly smile. ¡°Today, I stayed at the tavern and missed the battle. It''s one of life''s great regrets. "I can only savour it afterward, with a little wine, and turn regret into pleasure." The blue-robed man nodded and continued, "¡­After that, Sir Xu walked out, reciting poetry with every step¡­" "Wait," the shopkeeper suddenly interrupted. "Was there really a line that went, ''Where the seas end the heavens make shore, I stand atop the warrior¡¯s peak''? Are you sure about that? Several others have recounted this part to me, but none mentioned this line." The blue-robed man nodded firmly. "There is, there is indeed, I¡¯ve got over a decade of study in me, how could I forget a few lines of poetry?" "Hmm¡­ that''s strange," the shopkeeper frowned. At that moment, a Jianghu man sitting nearby coughed and said in a low voice, "Shopkeeper, the ones who told you that were all Jianghu heores, right?" "Is that a problem?" the shopkeeper asked. "Hey!" The martial artist waved his hand, "It doesn''t matter to ordinary folks like you, but for those of us who practice martial arts, who would dare to say such things in public? That''s either asking for a fight or a beating." The shopkeeper suddenly understood. Martial artists were known for being hot-headed and often reacted violently if someone speaks too arrogantly. Even in the highly regted capital, such incidents happened frequently. "I''ve just collected another fine poem¡ªand one of Xu the Poet''s works at that! Quick, prepare me some paper and a brush," the shopkeeper excitedly ordered the waiter. ... The Hanlin Academy. The Hanlin Academy belonged to the Inner Cab, responsible forpiling books, writing histories, drafting imperial edicts, tutoring members of the royal family, and serving as examiners for the imperial examinations. It was one of the three most prestigious positions in the court, alongside the Censorate and the Six Ministries. The court¡¯s three most important upations were: a Censor from the Censorate, a Director from the Six Ministries, and a schr of the Hanlin Academy. In terms of status though, the Hanlin Academy ranked highest, as it also has another name: a nursery for Prime Ministers. All of the Great Feng¡¯s prime ministers hade from Hanlin Academy. To put it another way, only those from the Academy could enter the Inner Cab and be an Academy Chancellor or even take an official role as the Prime Minister. Only the nobility or the royal family could skip over Hanlin Academy and go immediately into the cab, wielding true political power. Regr civil officials however must go through the Hanlin Academy to advance. At this moment, a pce eunuch from Emperor Yuanjing''s pce was scolding the nobles gathered in the main hall of Hanlin Academy. "This victory in the contest¡ªwas it not due to His Majesty''s wisdom in choosing capable people? Was it not the court¡¯s merit in nurturing Sir Xu? Look at what you¡¯ve written. You¡¯re all graduates of the first rank, yet you can¡¯t even write a decent historical record." The eunuch tossed the books onto the ground. "Rewrite them." The faces of the gathered nobles darkened. They had rushed back to the Hanlin Academy without even stopping to eat, driven by passion, to write down their ounts of the day¡¯s events. Today¡¯s contest would undoubtedly be recorded in the annals of history and passed down to future generations. But how it was written would be a matter of great importance. For events that bring glory to the nation, the records would certainly be positive, symbolizing honour and prestige. Those in power, namely Emperor Yuanjing, naturally wanted to share in that glory. Of course, other emperors would make simr choices given such opportunities. A young editor from the Hanlin Academy spoke in a serious tone, "It was the Jianzheng who chose the man, and it was Sir Xu who fought in the contest. What does any of this have to do with His Majesty? As members of the Hanlin Academy, we do not write only for the court but also for future generations." The eunuch sneered. ¡°It was His Majesty¡¯s favour that allowed you to enter the Hanlin Academy. In time, you¡¯ll enter the Inner Cab¡ªyour future is bright, like the sun and moon shining down on you. ¡°But upset His Majesty, and you¡¯ll be sent far away. Then, even starlight will be hard toe by. ¡°His Majesty''s will is clear: keep the length unchanged, detail the contest and His Majesty¡¯s selection process, but as for praising Sir Xu, he is still young. There will be plenty of opportunities for that in the future. "Do you understand, my lords?" The young editor grabbed an inkstone and hurled it at the eunuch, hitting him in the chest. Ink spilled, staining the eunuch¡¯s robe. "How dare you hit us?" the eunuch roared. "Of course I bloody well dare!" the editor cursed, pointing at him. ¡°When the Western Region¡¯s delegation arrived in the capital, first a Vajra monk set up a ring in the southern city, and then a Scarya preached in the northern city. After that, the Dharma Aspect descended and questioned the Jianzheng. ¡°Then, the Sitianjian and the Buddhist sect engaged in a duel. Xu the Poet turned the tide and defeated the Buddhist attack. Without him, the court would have been utterly disgraced. So why shouldn''t we praise him? Why reduce the space dedicated to him? He is a young hero. If he were a schr, I would bow to him as my teacher. "Now get out! The Hanlin Academy is not a ce for a cock-less dog like you to throw your weight around." "Get out!" The other young nobles grabbed whatever they could¡ªink, paper, books, inkstones¡ªand hurled them at the eunuch, forcing him to flee the Hanlin Academy in panic. ¡­ Lingbao Temple. A woman dressed in a luxurious pce gown, the hem of her dress trailing on the ground, and adorned with precious jewellry, entered the inner courtyard. Her posture was graceful, and her voice gentle as she instructed: "You two may leave now. I have something to discuss with the National Teacher." The two maids who apanied her retreated from the courtyard. As soon as they were gone, the woman became lively, lifting the hem of her skirt and running into the meditation room, shouting, "National Teacher, why didn¡¯t I see you at today''s contest? Did you watch it?" Inside the quiet room, sitting cross-legged on a cushion, was Luo Yuheng, wearing a ck Taoist robe and a lotus crown, her hair neatlybed to reveal a smooth forehead and a face of stunning beauty. She looked at the woman who had burst in unceremoniously and said indifferently: "Not interested." "Then you missed a great show!" The veiled woman sat down by the table and said, "Today¡¯s contest was absolutely thrilling, more exciting than any performance by an opera troupe. Let me tell you about it¡­" She began to chatter away, vividly recounting the entire process of the contest to Luo Yuheng. "You¡¯re saying he broke the Eight Suffering Formation with a single sh?" Luo Yuheng frowned. "Yes, it was incredible! Why, is something wrong?" the veiled woman asked. _The Jianzheng helped him, he even helped him move the power of the masses¡­_ Luo Yuheng pondered for a moment before saying, "Go on." The veiled woman then told her about Xu Qi''an breaking the Vajra Formation with a single strike. Luo Yuheng didn¡¯tment, but when she heard about the conversation with the old monk and how Xu Qi''an led the Du''e Arhat to enlightenment, the woman remarked: "Although I still don¡¯t understand what¡¯s so impressive about Mahayana Buddhism, it sure sounds profound." _Mahayana Buddhism¡­ Does he really have suchprehension?_ A flicker of surprise passed through Luo Yuheng¡¯s beautiful eyes. "None of thatpares to the most exciting part¡ª the fourth challenge¡­ When the golden Dharma aspect appeared and forced that scoundrel to kneel, that¡¯s when the most interesting scene unfolded¡­" The veiled woman''s eyes sparkled as she poured herself arge cup of tea and downed it. Luo Yuheng smiled and said, "Drink slowly. Nanzhi, have you noticed something?" "What?" "In the past, whenever you came to my temple, you alwaysined about being bored and wanting to go out and y. But now, you no longer mention being bored. Not only that, but in everything you talk to me about, you always seem to bring up Xu Qi''an." The veiled woman was taken aback. She stared at Luo Yuheng for a moment, then collected herself, reverting to her usual reserved and dignified demeanor, with a hint of distance in her tone. "What are you implying?" Luo Yuheng shook her head with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m just reminding you that you are married. Your husband is Prince Huai, a third-rank martial artist. He guards the bordends, far from the capital. "But he has many confidants and spies in the capital. You should avoid too much entanglement with Xu Qi''an, or you¡¯ll only bring harm to him." The veiled woman snorted disdainfully, her tone proud. "How could I possibly have any entanglement with a scoundrel who frequents the Jiaofangsi? Are you insulting me?" "That¡¯s fine," Luo Yuheng nodded. "Actually, you don¡¯t need to tell me the rest of the story. I already know what happened next¡ªeither the Dharma Body inexplicably shattered, or the Jianzheng intervened." Just earlier, she had sensed a surge of the power of the masses, which then subsided into calm. It was either the Jianzheng helping in secret or acting openly. After all, in the capital, where Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s fortune wascking, and his cultivation weak, only an Arcanist, a first-rank Arcanist¡ªthe Jianzheng¡ªcouldmand the power of the masses. "It wasn¡¯t that." The veiled woman shook her head, her tone growing colder. _This woman is so touchy¡­_ Luo Yuheng chuckled, holding her teacup. "It wasn¡¯t?" ¡°A beam of clear light descended from the heavens and shattered both the Dharma Body and the Buddhist domain," the woman said quietly. "I was nearby at the time and saw it clearly. It was¡­ a carving knife." _A carving knife?!_ It was as if thunder had exploded in her ears. Luo Yuheng''s hand shook, and warm tea sshed from her cup. Her elegant face froze. _It wasn¡¯t the Jianzheng¡­ The Jianzheng could never wield the Confucian carving knife¡­_ Luo Yuheng¡¯s voice dropped as she asked, "A carving knife? Where is it now? What happened after that? Tell me everything in detail." Her tone was filled with urgency and a hint of uncontainable excitement. The veiled woman had never seen Luo Yuheng show such an intense emotional reaction before and asked curiously, "What¡¯s wrong with you?" "Just tell me!" Luo Yuheng leaned forward, almost shouting. "...The carving knife shattered the Dharma Body, that¡¯s all." "Did the carving knife disappear after breaking the Dharma Body, or did it remain on the scene? Did¡­ did Xu Qi''an touch the carving knife?" Luo Yuheng¡¯s eyes burned with intensity, as if this detail was crucial. "Yeah, he stabbed the Dharma Body in the temple with it," the woman said, raising her right arm and making a stabbing motion. Luo Yuheng froze, stunned. Chapter 298: Two Conversations Chapter 298: Two Conversations # 298. Two Conversations "National Teacher, National Teacher?" The veiled woman called out a few times, before noticing that Luo Yuheng¡¯s face was vacant and her gaze unfocused, like a jade statue ¡ª beautiful, but devoid of life. She reached out to push her, but was blocked by a wall of qi. ¡­¡­ In the outer city, in a small courtyard. A sh of light descended, invisible to ordinary people,nding in the courtyard and transforming into a stunning woman dressed in a ck Daoist robe and wearing a lotus crown. Her almond-shaped eyes and peach-like cheeks were exquisite, her features wless. Her ck, lustrous hair and the loose Daoist robe couldn¡¯t conceal her proud and shapely figure. Luo Yuheng pushed open the door and saw an old Daoist with graying hair lying on the bed, his face peaceful.She focused her mind and extended a pale hand from her loose robe, grasping abruptly. Momentster, a faintly transparent figure returned from afar and was drawn into her palm. With a flick of her sleeve, she sent it back into the old Daoist¡¯s body. Daoist Jinlian opened his eyes and sat up cross-legged, saying helplessly, "I was already on my way back." As he spoke, Daoist Jinlian eyed Luo Yuheng''s tall, curvaceous figure, and said, "Junior sister, your Yang Spirit has left your body, it must be urgent. What¡¯s the matter?" Luo Yuheng didn¡¯t waste words and asked bluntly, "Did you watch the duel today?" Daoist Jinlian nodded. "The Confucian carving knife appeared." ...Daoist Jinlian hesitated slightly before nodding again. "I want to know, who exactly is Xu Qi¡¯an?" Luo Yuheng stepped forward, her beautiful eyes burning with intensity. "A regr person," Daoist Jinlian¡¯s reply was unnaturally hesitant. "A regr person who can wield the Confucian carving knife?" Luo Yuhengughed coldly. Daoist Jinlian frowned and remained silent. After a long pause, he spoke slowly, ¡°When I first met him, I saw that he was someone with great luck, so I gave him a fragment of the Earth Book to borrow back some of his luck and avoid Zilian¡¯s pursuit. ¡°Afterward, I investigated his background and found it a bit strange. Whether it was Li Miaozhen, Chu Yuanzhen, or others, I gave them fragments of the Earth Book when they were already rising in power. "Only Xu Qi¡¯an was still in the Refining Vitality stage, and his family background was utterly unremarkable. Where did his lucke from? Luckes either from doing good deeds or from ancestral blessings. He had neither." Luo Yuheng listened patiently, not interrupting. "Then something happened that made me realise something was wrong with him¡­ One day, this child casually mentioned in the Earth Book fragment that he kept finding silver daily and wanted to know why." At this, Luo Yuheng couldn¡¯t help but interject, "That¡¯s not luck, is it?" Daoist Jinlian looked deeply into her eyes, his gaze bright and prating. He spoke each word clearly, "It¡¯s Fortune. Overwhelming Fortune." Though she had her suspicions, hearing Daoist Jinlian''s confirmation caused Luo Yuheng''s pupils to contract sharply. ¡­¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an slowly regained consciousness, feeling pain all over his body, especially a burning sensation around his neck. He rolled his eyes and scanned his surroundings¡ªwhite bed curtains, a brocade quilt embroidered with lotus leaves, and simple but elegant furnishings¡­ Sitting at the round table in the outer hall was an old man in a Confucian robe. The old man¡¯s disheveled white hair hung loosely, his Confucian robe was ck, and his white beard hadn¡¯t been trimmed for a long time. The entire man exuded a sense of despondency. *Who is this Cynic?* Xu Qi¡¯an wondered. "You¡¯re awake," the Cynic old man stood up with a smile and said, "I¡¯m Zhao Shou, the Dean of Cloud Deer Academy." *The Dean of Cloud Deer Academy¡­ Cijiu once said that the dean of the Academy is a third-rank Confucian in the Mandate Seeker stage!* Xu Qi¡¯an immediately sat up straight, cupping his hands respectfully: "Ah, Dean Zhao. The Dean¡¯s aura is extraordinary, cultured yet restrained. Truly a respected elder." After a pause, he added, "Why is the Dean in my room?" Zhao Shou didn¡¯t answer. His gazended on Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s right hand, where Xu realised he was still holding the carving knife. He was momentarily stunned, then quickly guessed: *This knife belongs to Cloud Deer Academy? Of course, what other system could carry such righteous qi?* "This carving knife is the Academy¡¯s great treasure. You¡¯ve been holding it in your hand the whole time, and no one could take it from you. So I had no choice but to wait here for you to wake up, and ask you some questions." After speaking, Zhao Shou nced at the ancient carving knife again, his expression almost saying: *Still holding it? Young man, you have no manners.* Xu Qi¡¯an obediently offered the knife with both hands. Zhao Shou didn¡¯t take it but looked at the table instead. Xu Qi¡¯an understood and threw the knife onto the table with a ng. Zhao Shou¡¯s brow twitched. He hurriedly bowed three times to the carving knife before taking a wooden box from his sleeve and carefully cing the knife inside. "Does Sir Xu know the origin of this knife?" Zhao Shou asked with a smile. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and he boldly guessed, "The carving knife of the Lesser Sage?" Zhao Shou shook his head. "This is the carving knife of the Sage." *The Sage¡¯s carving knife¡­ Could it be that Sage? The beyond-rank Sage¡­ uh, can I hold the knife a little longer? I haven¡¯t even taken a picture for my social media¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mouth hung open, his throat suddenly dry, unable to speak. "Since the Lesser Sage¡¯s passing, this carving knife has been dormant for over a thousand years. Although sessors could use it, they couldn¡¯t awaken it. I didn¡¯t expect it to break out of its box today to aid Sir Xu." Zhao Shou gazed intently at Xu Qi¡¯an and said solemnly, "There are some things I must mention to you in person." Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s heart sank, sensing the seriousness, and he got out of bed, bowing deeply. "Please enlighten me, Dean." ¡­¡­ "Impossible, impossible¡­" Luo Yuheng kept shaking her head, her delicate, long brows tightly knit. She argued: "I¡¯ve been in contact with him many times. If he had fate on him, I would¡¯ve sensed it. How could my sect not have noticed?" Daoist Jinlian asked, "What if heaven¡¯s secrets are being blocked? Even now, if you look at Xu Qi¡¯an again, you won¡¯t sense anything unusual." "Are you suggesting the Jianzheng?" Luo Yuheng took a deep breath, her frown still strikingly beautiful, her eyes sharp as knives as she spoke: "You¡¯ve investigated Xu Qi¡¯an, haven¡¯t you? He¡¯s just a lowly Silver Gong. His ancestors were no extraordinary figures. How could he bear such fate?" "I¡¯m sorry, I haven¡¯t figured that out either," Daoist Jinlian replied, rising from the bed. He walked to the table, poured two cups of water, and gestured for Luo Yuheng to sit. The female National Teacher ignored him. She had no mind for tea at the moment. Luo Yuheng thought for a long time before suddenly speaking, "If an arcanist has shielded away heavenly secrets, then logically speaking, you shouldn''t be able to see his fortune at all. The Jianzheng¡¯s schemes are as subtle as a snake hidden in the grass¡ªif he doesn''t want others to know, then no one will ever know. That''s the power of a first-rank arcanist." Daoist Jinlian, sipping his tea calmly, replied, ¡°Naturally, I had thought of that. Not long ago, I noticed his fortune had disappeared and went to check on him. I discovered that the Jianzheng had indeed concealed heavenly secrets, masking his uniqueness. That was when I knew something was off¡ªthere''s a great mystery hidden behind Xu Qi¡¯an. "When I left the Xu residence that day, I somehow found myself walking to the Bagua tform of the Star Observation Tower, where I met the Jianzheng." Luo Yuheng narrowed her eyes, "What did he say?" "Well water does not intrude on river water."[^1] Daoist Jinlian said solemnly. The alluring beauty, with her voluptuous figure, fell into silence for a while before gritting her teeth and venting, "The fall in the dynasty''s fortune must be linked to the Sitianjian." Daoist Jinlian frowned. "What do you mean?" Luo Yuheng finally sat down at the table, raising a cup of tea to her red lips and taking a sip. ¡°Some years ago, Wei Yuan visited Lingbao Temple and angrily called me a *femme fatale* to my face. ¡°He said that ever since the Emperor started cultivating the Dao under my influence, the Great Feng''s national strength had been declining, taxes and grain from the provinces were frequently not collected, and the people were suffering while corrupt officials ran rampant. "All this was because I had bewitched the Emperor into pursuing Daoist cultivation, causing him to neglect state affairs." *Isn''t that true though?* Daoist Jinlian thought, though he kept his thoughts to himself. "That was when I realised the dynasty''s fortune was slowly leaking away, like a dull knife cutting through flesh, imperceptible at first. If it hadn¡¯t been for Wei Yuan, with his talent for governance and keen understanding of civil matters, I might not have noticed until it was toote." Daoist Jinlian nodded but reminded her, "Let¡¯s not talk too much here. This is the Jianzheng¡¯s territory¡ªhe could be listening to everything we''re saying." "No need to worry," Luo Yuheng said with confidence, "He can''t hear us." *It''s not about whether he can hear¡ªit''s about whether I want to be involved in this mess at all...* Daoist Jinlian wisely changed the topic. "If, and this is just a hypothesis, Xu Qi¡¯an indeed carries immense fortune, would you consider dual cultivation with him?" Luo Yuheng froze, her expression stiffening again. ¡­¡­¡­¡­ "Do you know why the Sage''s carving knife emerged from its box? Why, aside from the Lesser Sage, no one inter generations has been able to awaken it, only use it?" Zhao Shou asked two consecutive questions. *I¡¯m just a crude martial artist, Dean...* Xu Qi¡¯an shook his head, indicating he had no idea. The Dean didn¡¯t keep him in suspense, speaking in a low tone, ¡°It¡¯s due to ack of fortune. This carving knife was wielded by a Sage. With it, he carved the *Spring and Autumn Annals,* the *Book of Rites*, the *Book of Music*, the *Book of Changes*, and more. "Those without a vast fortune gathered from the world, cannot use it." The Dean¡¯s exnation finally unravelled the mystery that had puzzled Xu Qi¡¯an for so long¡ªhis strange luck was, in fact, due to fortune. *Finding silver every day¡ªwhat else could that be if not the fortune of the heavens? Starting with one coin a day, then three, then five... it grows every day.* *No, rather growing, it¡¯s more like it¡¯s slowly awakening inside me...* Xu Qi¡¯an mused, feeling the weight of the realisation. There was a reason for his thoughts. As his cultivation advanced, his luck had gotten better and better. At first nce, it seemed like his luck was improving, but how could luck actually "level up"? The only exnation was that the fortune inside him was gradually reawakening. *But I¡¯m just a child from an ordinary family in the capital. The Xu family is nothing special. My second uncle and biological father were both low-ranking military men¡ªhardly anything remarkable.* *Unless... I¡¯m not really a child of the Xu family.* He had entertained this suspicion before, especially after that encounter in the pce with the simp dragon... (struck out) A spirit dragon that seemed overly fond of him. Daoist Jinlian had once mentioned that spirit dragons were drawn to those blessed with purple qi. At the time, Xu Qi¡¯an had thought, *Oh no, what if I¡¯m some long-lost illegitimate child of the royal family? I¡¯ve had my eyes on Huaiqing¡¯s beauty all this time¡­* But his pre-transformation face bore a striking resemnce to his second uncle¡¯s, and from a gic standpoint, they were clearly rted by blood. Xu Qi¡¯an was, without a doubt, the son of the Xu family, the offspring of Xu Pingzhi¡¯s brother. Even if he were an illegitimate child, he would still be surnamed Xu. There was no fundamental change. So where did this fortunee from? Dean Zhao Shou, his tone gentle, continued, ¡°This fortune is mysterious yet undeniably real. In Jiuzhou, there are three entities associated with fortune: first, the Confucians; second, the Arcanists; and third, the rulers of men. "The third group isn''t limited to the Great Feng. The Church of the Warlock God and the Buddhist sect of the Western Regions are included as well. As for the barbarian tribes of the north and south, the former are too scattered, and thetter too few in number to gather such fortune." *The Confucians have nothing to do with me, otherwise the Dean wouldn¡¯t be exining all this to me... So my fortune muste from one of two sources: the royal family or the Sitianjian.* *If I¡¯m a royal descendant, I¡¯m in trouble. Lin''an and Huaiqing would be my sisters, or maybe cousins. But based on the spirit dragon¡¯s reaction, I¡¯m unlikely to be of royal blood. If I were, wouldn¡¯t it favour the legitimate princes and princesses more?* *Besides, I¡¯ve never seen Lin''an or Huaiqing finding silver every day.* *Right now, I¡¯ve got a steady rtionship with Lin''an, and things are progressing well with Huaiqing too. I¡¯m also a viscount, and if I can raise my rank to earl in the future, I might even have a shot at marrying a princess.* *I absolutely cannot be rted to the royal family by blood!* Considering the Jianzheng¡¯s previous behavior and attitude, Xu Qi¡¯an suspected that this had something to do with the Sitianjian. No, it had something to do with the Jianzheng himself. Seeing that Xu Qi¡¯an seemed to havee to some realisation, Zhao Shou chuckled and asked, "Anything else you¡¯d like to know?" *Is there anything else¡­ Hmm, Dean, how about this: Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s staff will never fall¡ªwhat do you think of that? Would you say that to me?* Xu Qi¡¯an thought to himself. Outwardly, he shook his head. "No, thank you, Dean, for clearing up my confusion." Zhao Shou nodded. "There¡¯s an eunuch from the pce waiting outside. Let him in. His Majesty has some questions for you." An eunuch from the pce? After a moment of thought, Xu Qi¡¯an understood the eunuch¡¯s purpose. During the duel, he had twice disyed extraordinary power, breaking both the Eight Sufferings Formation and the Vajra Formation¡ªfeats far beyond his own abilities. Although some clever people might suspect the Jianzheng¡¯s secret intervention, routine questioning was inevitable. Moreover¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an nced at Zhao Shou. The first two miraculous feats could be attributed to the Jianzheng, but the appearance of the carving knife from the academy was beyond the Jianzheng¡¯s control. *Emperor Yuanjing is a ruler with a strong desire for control. He wouldn¡¯t overlook these details. If handled poorly, I could end up in trouble, revealing things I shouldn¡¯t¡ªlike the fact that the knife responded to my summons.* Xu Qi¡¯an dressed, donned his sable fur cap, and apanied Dean Zhao Shou to the hall. --- Trantor¡¯s note: there are multiple simr yet non-identical words in Chinese which all trante to some form of fate or fortune. They are distinguished very clearly in the original text but unfortunately difficult to convey well without deviating on meaning. [^1]: Stay out of each other¡¯s way Chapter 299: Crimson Lettered Iron Deed Chapter 299: Crimson Lettered Iron Deed # 299. Crimson Lettered Iron Deed "What? Junior Sister, if you do it, then you¡¯ll be able to extinguish your karmaic fire and step into the first rank very soon.¡± Daoist Jinlian smiled warmly, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be an immense blessing?¡± *In that case, my goal of ying demons is also within reach...* Daoist Jinlian added to himself. Luo Yuheng calmly said, ¡°Even if Xu Qi¡¯an is blessed with fortune, is he better than Emperor Yuanjing? Better than the future Crown Prince? Will the Jianzheng agree to me engaging in dual cultivation with him?¡± Her question struck at the heart of the matter, leaving Daoist Jinlian without a rebuttal. Daoist Jinlian nodded, ¡°Junior Sister, your Dao heart is pure, indeed more suited than your father to be a First Rank Earthly Immortal.¡± Luo Yuheng gave no response. After a moment of thought, Daoist Jinlian continued, ¡°Junior Sister, would you mind having a Daoistpanion?¡±Seeing the female National Teacher ring at him, he chuckled, ¡°With fortune on his side and cultivating martial arts, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s future achievements will be immense. If you n to dual cultivate with him, it won¡¯t be a short-term affair. You can start the dual cultivation and then nurture feelings over time. ¡°Your branch of the Human Sect will eventually require you to bear descendants. Given your personality, would you seek another Daoistpanion after dual cultivating with someone?¡± Luo Yuheng snorted coldly, ¡°An Earthly Immortal has an infinite lifespan. What need is there for descendants?¡± Daoist Jinlian smiled silently. Although Earthly Immortals were able to roam the sky and earth carefree, their longevity as long as the heavens above, unexpected idents could still happen, necessitating heirs to carry on their legacy. Besides, although the Junior Sister from the Human Sect was the leader of a Daoist Sect, she was still in the end a mortal woman. She hadn¡¯t cultivated the emotionless path of the Heaven Sect, and so showing some temper was natural. ¡°If you step down earlier, the history books might write more favourably about you,¡± Daoist Jinlian said with a mischievous smile. Luo Yuheng sneered, ¡°Since ancient times, the history books always portray women as the root of disasters, as ruiners of nations, while the real problem lies with men. Those spineless schrs dare not anger the emperor, so theyy all the me on women. It¡¯s trulyughable. ¡°Emperor Yuanjing cultivates for the sake of immortality. He wishes to be a long-living emperor. Even without the Human Sect, he would still cultivate. What does that have to do with me? ¡°That dog Wei Yuan used me of deceiving the emperor. All these years, I¡¯ve constantly told Emperor Yuanjing that the pills are no longer effective, but he continues to take arge pill every season and a small one every ten days, ignoring my advice. Deceiving the emperor? Where does that evene from?¡± ¡°Junior Sister speaks the truth,¡± Daoist Jinlian agreed, then added a bnced assessment: ¡°Your Human Sect seeks to borrow imperial fortune to cultivate and suppress karmic fire. It¡¯s a necessary evil, but it has indeed aided Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s cultivation. It¡¯s only natural for me to fall on you.¡± *You¡¯re trying to sit on the fence?* Luo Yuheng stared at him for a few seconds, then stood up to leave. When she reached the threshold, she looked back and said: ¡°The end of Yuanjing 36, the remnant soul of the Earth Sect Leader drifted into the capital. Instead of cultivation, it spent its days possessing cats and mingling amongst them, content with its life¡­ I¡¯ll be sure to add this to the Human Sect¡¯s chronicles.¡± With that, she turned into a faint light and disappeared. *Junior Sister, we can talk this through!!* Daoist Jinlian dashed out of the room and reached toward the sky, making a gesture as if to call her back... ¡°What a petty and vindictive woman,¡± Daoist Jinlian muttered. ¡­ Xu Manor. Xu Qi¡¯an left his room and, passing through the inner hall, saw Xu Lingyin happily running around, with Chu Caiwei chasing her. As she ran, Xu Lingyin made a sound like a little tractor. Auntie was tending to her potted nts on the side, while Xu Lingyue quietly sat on a chair, sipping tea and watching her younger sister y with the girl in the yellow dress. *This woman¡¯s back at my house again. Clearly, she¡¯s still thinking about my big brother...* Xu Lingyue silently profiled Chu Caiwei but didn¡¯t show it. When Chu Caiwei asionally looked her way, Xu Lingyue responded with a gentle smile. Xu Qi¡¯an bowed towards Dean Zhao Shou before stepping into the hall and asking, ¡°Miss Caiwei, what brings you here? Were you drawn in by my dashing looks?¡± ¡°Big brother, you¡¯re awake?¡± Xu Lingyue asked excitedly. Auntie also lifted her head from her beloved nts, observing her unlucky nephew. Xu Qi¡¯an had been unconscious for most of the day. By now, their initial excitement and relief had settled, and they no longer felt as anxious as before. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just here to deliver a message from teacher.¡± Chu Caiwei stopped chasing Xu Lingyin, nced around, and beckoned Xu Qi¡¯an over, ¡°Come here.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an obediently went over, and the girl in the yellow dress leaned close and whispered in his ear, ¡°My teacher said you can ask His Majesty for an iron deed.¡± *Iron deed?* It took him a few seconds to realize what she was talking about. Its formal name was a ¡°Crimson lettered iron deed,¡±monly known as a golden pardon. *What would I need that for? I¡¯d rather trade it for a few thousand taels of gold and a promotion instead¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought. ¡°I understand,¡± he nodded. Seeing the two of them whispering closely, Xu Lingyue puffed out her cheeks and called Xu Lingyin over, ¡°Lingyin, go y with Sister Caiwei.¡± Little Guard Dog Xu Lingyin waddled over on her short legs and headbutted Chu Caiwei¡¯s plump bottom, ¡°Sister Caiwei, let¡¯s keep ying¡­¡± Seeing this, Xu Qi¡¯an had no choice but to leave, heading to the front hall with Zhao Shou. ¡°Dean, the Jianzheng instructed me to request an iron deed from His Majesty.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an shared this with Zhao Shou, then observed his reaction. Only the wise could handle the wise. Zhao Shou nodded slowly, ¡°Indeed, a crimson lettered iron deed. It exempts one from all death sentences except for treason. However, after its use, one¡¯s titles and sry are stripped, and one is not permitted to retain their original holdings. But at least, it spares one¡¯s life.¡± *Not permitted to retain their original holdings but spares one¡¯s life... What does that even mean?* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face froze for a moment before returning to normal. He nodded and said: ¡°So that¡¯s what an crimson lettered iron deed means.¡± *I guess a golden pardon is fine too¡­ The Jianzheng specifically had Chu Caiwei deliver this message to me; there must be a reason... Hmm, I am a second-generation eunuch with many political enemies. It¡¯s a good safeguard.* Xu Qi¡¯an wasn¡¯t really afraid of Emperor Yuanjing anymore. With his cultivation steadily rising, his confidence had grown. If he encountered a situation like the Silver Gong conflict again, at worst, he could simply leave and wander the Jianghu. The only thing he couldn¡¯t bear to part with was his family. As they conversed, the two of them arrived at the outer hall. Seated in the main position was a eunuch in a python robe, a middle-aged man with a pale face and no beard. Xu Eng and Uncle Xu were seated below them, making casual conversation with the eunuch. "Is Ningyan awake?" Uncle Xu''s ears twitched as he nced toward the screen wall. Xu Qi''an and Zhao Shou stepped out side by side. "Dean!" Xu Eng quickly rose and bowed. The eunuch, who had been rather haughty while speaking to Xu Eng and Uncle Xu, immediately stered a smile on his face upon seeing Xu Qi''an emerge. "Sir Viscount is awake! How is your health? If you need any recuperation, just let us know, and we''ll bring something from the pce for you," the eunuch said with great enthusiasm. "Ningyan, this is Lord Chen from the Directorate of Entourage Attendance," Uncle Xu said, straightening his back unconsciously and speaking with more confidence. "Thank you for your concern, milord. We are fine," Xu Qi''an nodded. "That¡¯s good, that¡¯s good," Eunuch Chen beamed, eagerly giving up the main seat to Xu Qi''an and Zhao Shou. "We are here on behalf of His Majesty to visit you, Viscount. For your meritorious service to the court, His Majesty will certainly reward you handsomely." "It is all thanks to His Majesty''s recognition for giving this servant this opportunity. As they say, soldiers are trained for a thousand days, but are used in a single moment. It is due to the court¡¯s nurturing that I was able to achieve merit today," Xu Qi''an said humbly. "Therefore, please inform His Majesty that I do not wish to im any undue credit and instead request the bestowal of a Crimson-Lettered Iron Deed." Hearing this, Xu Eng and Uncle Xu had very different thoughts. Xu Eng felt his elder brother was rather self-aware; the iron deed¡¯s value far exceeded gold or silk. Gold would only make his brother more extravagant in the Jiaofangsi, and silk would just increase the number of fine garments worn by their mother and sisters. All were trivial inparison. Uncle Xu, on the other hand, could only think of the word "honour." Since ancient times, only meritorious officials were granted such an iron deed. Eunuch Chen was momentarily stunned before replying, "We will certainly ry your message to His Majesty. His Majesty is also curious about a few things and has sent me to inquire." *Here ites...* Xu Qi''an remained calm and smiled, "Please, milord, ask away." "During the duel, Viscount Xu drew his sabre twice, both times shocking the capital. However, those two strikes far exceeded your usual limits. His Majesty is curious as to how you managed that." Though Eunuch Chen¡¯s face was still adorned with a smile, his eyes never wavered from Xu Qi''an. "To be honest, I was gifted power by the Jianzheng," Xu Qi''an exined sinctly. He didn''t borate because such brevity aligned better with the Jianzheng''s mysterious persona. Over-exining would have seemed out of character. Besides, he had no fear of Emperor Yuanjing seeking confirmation from the Jianzheng. This amount of tact, that LYB Jianzheng surely had. Eunuch Chen nodded slowly, seemingly unsurprised. He then asked, "And what of the Confucian carving knife?" Just as Xu Qi''an was about to respond, Zhao Shou interjected calmly, "Four hundred years ago, Cloud Deer Academy was able to destroy the Buddhists. It can do so again today." Xu Qi''an immediately added, "I am grateful for the Dean''s assistance." Eunuch Chen nced at Dean Zhao and chuckled, "So, it was the academy that lent a hand." Though this technically counted as cheating in the duel, the Buddhist sect hadn''t exactly yed fair either. During the breaking of the Vajra Formation, Monk Jingchen had warned Monk Jingsi, and during the third round, Arhat Du''e had personally intervened in a debate on Buddhist teachings with Xu Qi''an. Thus, the Buddhist sect had conceded graciously, without fixating on the carving knife issue. "I see. Well, then, we shall not disturb Viscount Xu¡¯s rest any further," Eunuch Chen said, rising to leave. ... The imperial pce. Emperor Yuanjing, who had been meditating and consuming elixirs, heard faint footsteps. Without opening his eyes, he said calmly, "What is it?" The old eunuch whispered, "The servant sent to the Hanlin Academy reports that the schrs refused to amend the text and even beat him up." "Those mongrels!" Emperor Yuanjing opened his eyes, frowning. When it came to power ys, the emperor was a master. But dealing with the unyielding Hanlin schrs, who refused to budge, the only recourse was brute force. If you tried to engage them in a battle of wits and strategy, they would simply cover their ears and chant: "Not listening, not listening, the tortoise is preaching." "Forget it, we¡¯ll take our time with them," Emperor Yuanjing sighed. It was a minor issue, not worth causing a major uproar over, as it would damage his reputation too much. He nced at the still-present old eunuch and asked, "Is there something else?" The eunuch nodded, "Silver Gong Xu has awoken. Eunuch Chen from the Department of Entourage Attendance brought back his response..." The eunuch then ryed Xu Qi''an''s request for an iron certificate. "An iron deed?" Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s expression shifted with mild surprise before he let out a chuckle. "Rather than seeking promotion or wealth, he asks for an iron deed?" Though he made light of it, the emperor silently weighed the matter. He neither agreed nor refused. The eunuch smiled softly and said, "It shows that Viscount Xu understands the situation well. He acknowledges Your Majesty''s foresight and the court''s training, and does not presume to ask for more. If he had requested a title promotion... that would have been troublesome." *This boy''s wisdom surpasses that of the schrs at the Hanlin Academy...* The emperor, now convinced, no longer hesitated andmanded, "Approved." The eunuch had spoken truly. In peacetime, rapid ennoblement was rare; it only urred frequently during times of war. *The appearance of the carving knife¡ªdue to Dean Zhao Shou¡¯s assistance?* Emperor Yuanjing ponded this briefly, and driven by a sense of intuition, ended his meditation and ordered: ¡°Prepare my carriage to Lingbao Temple.¡± ¡­ Lingbao Temple. ¡°National Teacher, this victory in the duel has greatly elevated our Great Feng''s prestige. Soon, the Southern and Northern savages, and even the Church of the Warlock God will hear of it. "Having a Silver Gong participate in the duel will certainly sow doubt and fear among them, making them wary of our national strength. The impact is far greater than if Yang Qianhuan had stepped forward. National Teacher? National Teacher?" Luo Yuheng snapped out of her daze, her beautiful eyes regaining focus as she frowned and asked, "What did Your Majesty say?" Yuanjing Emperor stared at the bewitching and alluring National Teacher, suspicion clouding his gaze. "The National Teacher seems distracted. Is something troubling you? Speak freely, and We will resolve it for you." As the head of the Human Sect and a second-rank Daoist, Yuanjing had rarely if even seen Luo Yuheng in such a preupied state. Never before had she appeared so burdened. *Could it be that the Conflict of Heaven and Man is weighing on her mind? This woman¡ªwhy does she refuse to dual cultivate with Us? Our path to immortality is stuck precisely because of her...* His thoughts flickered as he noticed Luo Yuheng shaking her head. "Thank you for Your Majesty''s concern, I¡¯m alright." The Emperor nodded and didn''t press further. He proceeded to exin the true reason for his visit to Lingbao Temple. ¡°Does the National Teacher know that during the duel, Cloud Deer Academy''s carving knife appeared? "We know it to be a relic of the Sage, the Academy''s most prized treasure. Given its reappearance, could there be more to the story?" "Why does Your Majesty suspect this?" Luo Yuheng countered. "The Sage''s carving knife is no ordinary object, and Zhao Shou, being a third rank Mandate Seeker, may not even be able to wield it." Yuanjing''s insight was deep, especially given that Cloud Deer Academy once held sway over the court. The Imperial family had no shortage of information regarding the Academy and its mysteries. Luo Yuheng pondered briefly before smiling indifferently. ¡°Though Zhao Shou is third rank, the Academy still has three schrs of the fourth-rank Junzi Realm. Together, they could easily wield the carving knife. "Moreover, Confucianism has always had enmity with Buddhism. The Academy led the campaign to eradicate the Buddhists in the past. That they would act now is unexpected, but understandable." "We trust the National Teacher," Yuanjing Emperor said, his doubts finally eased. After sending the Emperor off, Luo Yuheng walked out of her meditation chamber and sat in a pavilion, staring nkly into space. ¡­¡­¡­ Xu Qi''an visited the Nightwatcher''s constabry to report his condition to Wei Yuan. Upon entering the Tower of Noble Spirit, he felt as if he were about to face a trial, with his heart beating fast as he rehearsed the lies he''d prepared to make them seem seamless. Unexpectedly, Wei Yuan did not question him. After hearing that Xu''s health had improved, Wei Yuan simply nodded with relief, invited him for tea, and talked about trivial matters. Leaving the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qi''an let out a sigh of relief. *After all, Duke Wei is just a regr person who doesn''t practice martial arts. Though his theoretical knowledge is solid, he can''t see through all the mysteries. Plus, he is a smart man. He likely believes he has everything figured out: the Jianzheng secretly helped me, and Cloud Deer Academy''s intervention caused the appearance of the carving knife.* With this thought, Xu Qi''an smirked, feeling as though he had won a small psychological victory over Wei Yuan. *Everyone else is still on the second level, while I¡¯m on the fifth.* ¡­¡­¡­ By dusk, Xu Qi''an, feeling quite rxed, returned home. As he passed through the outer courtyard, the rich aroma of freshly prepared dishes wafted into his nose. Auntie had ordered the kitchen to prepare avish spread, with even some dishes bought from a restaurant. It was clear the feast was to celebrate Xu Qi''an''s achievements. During dinner, Auntie grumbled, "I manage this entire household by myself, running around non-stop. It''s exhausting." Her casualint was immediately seized upon by Xu Lingyue, who said, "Then Mother, let me manage the household ounts." This "ount" referred to the household''s treasury, the fine silks, and thends and shops they owned. Auntie currently ¡°managed¡± it all, though she was illiterate and relied on Xu Lingyue to help with the bookkeeping. Xu Lingyue did much of the work, but Auntie held all the power. If Auntie decided to buy clothes for the family, everyone got new clothes. If she refused, no one did. "You? Manage the ounts? Even if they were to be passed down, they''d go to the wives of Dng or Eng, not you," Auntie retorted, squashing her daughter''s ambitions. *Even if it were Dng or Eng¡¯s wives, don¡¯t you dare think of taking my power¡­* Auntie added in her heart. After dinner, Xu Eng put down his chopsticks and suddenly said, "Big Brother,e to the study. I have something to discuss with you." Xu Qi''an nced at his younger brother. Eng''s face was serious, his brows furrowed. *What now?* Xu Qi''an muttered inwardly, following Eng to the study. Chapter 300: To Attend a Gathering Chapter 300: To Attend a Gathering # 300. To Attend a Gathering Entering the study and closing the door, Xu Xinnian stared at his older brother with an odd expression. *His expression¡¯s strange, but not anxious, it¡¯s not an urgent matter¡­* Detective Xu made a quick judgment, sat by the round table, poured himself a ss of water to quench the thirst caused by too much MSG, and casually chuckled: "Eng, men shouldn''t be hesitant. Just say what¡¯s on your mind." Xu Eng walked to the desk, picked up an invitation, and with a light tap, sent itnding urately in front of Xu Qi¡¯an. Xu Qi¡¯an unfolded the invitation, quickly scanned it, and understood why his brother had such a strange expression. The content of the invitation was for Xu Eng to attend a literary gathering, with an interesting footnote: Bring your sister along. The inviter was none other than Wang Zhenwen, the current Prime Minister. ¡°You are the Spring Exam huiyuan. It¡¯s perfectly reasonable for you to be invited to such a gathering,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an analysed.Xu Xinnian had two younger sisters, but this sort of event wasn¡¯t for children. Surely a grand family like the Wang family wouldn¡¯t be unaware of basic etiquette? As for women attending such gatherings, although the patriarchal society and the traditional virtues of women were still upheld in the Great Feng, the existence of cultivation meant that women could also be outstanding figures. Thus, while women¡¯s status was still beneath men¡¯s, it wasn¡¯t so low. Women didn¡¯t need to bind their feet or wear veils outside, and they could go out whenever they pleased. For instance, Auntie and Lingyue would often take some guards and go out shopping for jewellry every few days. It wasn¡¯t unusual for female guests to attend such literary gatherings. ¡°Foolish!¡± Xu Xinnian sneered. ¡°The court is like a battlefield. While there may be many ignorant fools in high positions, the officials of the central government are not among them. Wang Zhenwen is the cream of the crop. His every move, every word, and every expression is worth deep reflection. If we fail to consider them carefully, we might not even know how we end up dead. "Big Brother is Wei Yuan¡¯s man. Wang Zhenwen and Wei Yuan are like two fierce tigers at odds in the court, ipatible as water and fire. If he invites me to his residence, it¡¯s definitely not as simple as it seems on the surface." Xu Eng paced around the room as he thought out loud, ¡°I, Xu Xinnian, am the huiyuan of the Spring Imperial Exam, with boundless potential. The Prime Minister is wary of me and seeks to eliminate me before I grow strong... ¡°No, even if I were to achieve the highest honours, it would be easy for Wang Zhenwen to deal with me. The disparity in our positions is vast. If he wanted to, he wouldn¡¯t need schemes or tricks. ¡°So, could it really just be an ordinary literary gathering? If I think that, I¡¯d be underestimating my opponent and oversimplifying Wang Zhenwen¡­¡± Feeling frustrated, Xu Eng looked to his elder brother, frowning, ¡°Big Brother, say something.¡± *I think your imagination is running wild...* Xu Qi¡¯an frowned and said, ¡°Here¡¯s what you can do: ask your fellow candidates if they¡¯ve received invitations too. ¡°If they have, then it¡¯s just a regr literary gathering. But if you¡¯re the only one invited, as a student of Cloud Deer Academy, then there¡¯s definitely something fishy going on.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve thought of that already, but there¡¯s no time.¡± Xu Eng pointed to the invitation, ¡°Look at the time, Big Brother. The gathering is tomorrow morning. I don¡¯t have enough time to verify¡­ oh, I understand now,¡± ¡°Understand what?¡± asked Xu Dng. ¡°The Prime Minister is giving me no time to react. If I don¡¯t go, he¡¯ll spread rumors that I¡¯m arrogant and aloof, ruining my reputation. If I go, there must be some scheme waiting for me at the gathering.¡± Xu Eng gasped: ¡°Ginger is spicier when it¡¯s aged.¡± Hearing this, Xu Qi¡¯an grew more alert, thinking that after their family had finally produced a schrly talent, Wang Zhenwen was already out to get them. But something didn¡¯t feel right. He frowned and said, ¡°You mentioned earlier that if the Prime Minister wanted to deal with you, he wouldn¡¯t need to resort to schemes. Even if you became a top schr, you¡¯re just in the starter town, he¡¯s already got a level 100 ount.¡± Xu Xinnian was confused, ¡°What do you mean by ¡®starter town¡¯ and ¡®level 100 ount¡¯?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t go, rumors of your arrogance will spread, but if you go, there may be a trap... It¡¯s your decision, Eng.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an patted him on the shoulder in reassurance. ¡°When did you be as dimwitted as Lingyin, Big Brother?¡± Xu Eng wasn¡¯t pleased, ¡°I¡¯ve said so much, and you still don¡¯t understand? I want you toe with me.¡± ¡°No, you can¡¯t bring me along. You¡¯re my brother, but in the officialdom, we don¡¯t walk the same path. Eng, remember this:¡± Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s expression turned serious, as he solemnly said: ¡°You walk your own road, in your own direction. Don¡¯t have *anything* to do with me.¡± Xu Eng was an intelligent person after all. After a moment of silence, he replied with a small ¡°hmm.¡± Big Brother was actually warning him to avoid any entanglement with Wei Yuan. Should the daye when Wei Yuan falls from power, Big Brother would inevitably be implicated. But Wei Yuan¡¯s downfall would have nothing to do with Xu Xinnian, whose only connection to this would be as Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s cousin, not as Wei Yuan¡¯s subordinate. Xu Xinnian agreed with this reasoning. In history, even within prestigious families, their members weren¡¯t always united. They often belonged to different factions. This had the benefit of ensuring that even if one wing was clipped, the family wouldn¡¯t be destroyed. ... The next day, Xu Qi¡¯an rode his beloved mare, clopping through the morning mist as he made his way to the Nightwatchers¡¯ Constabry. After roll call, a few familiar colleagues, including Song Tingfeng, gathered around him. They drank tea, snacked on peanuts, and boasted for a while. Soon, they started urging Xu Qi¡¯an to treat them to a trip to the Jiaofangsi. "Piss off, piss..." Xu Qi¡¯an spat at them and cursed, ¡°All you think about is going to the Jiaofangsi. Didn¡¯t you watch my duel? What did that old monk beneath the Bodhi tree say? Lust is a bone-scraping knife, to be avoided. ¡°All you do is visit courtesans. Do you deserve your uniforms? It¡¯s all good you whoring away, don¡¯t drag me into it!¡± His colleagues knew his true nature and weren¡¯t the least bit afraid. They retorted, ¡°Who in the Constabry has been to the Jiaofangsi more than you?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an responded confidently, ¡°I never pay for it, so how am I whoring? You all may be my friends, but nder me like this again, and I¡¯ll report you to Duke Wei for defamation.¡± ¡°Bah!¡± they all spat at him. But deep down, they admired Xu Qi¡¯an. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t pay for courtesans; it was that the courtesans wanted to pay for him! ¡°Ningyan, I heard from Old Song that back when you were just a Bronze Gong, you and Miss Fuxiang were already together. Apart from that famous poem, do you have any other secret techniques?¡± a Bronze Gong eagerly inquired. The Bronze and Silver Gongs present all perked up at once. Who wouldn¡¯t want to be adored by the top courtesans? ¡°There¡¯s indeed a trick to it.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an gave a firm nod. ¡°What¡¯s the trick?!¡± The Nightwatchers leaned in, breathless with anticipation. Just then, a stern voice came from the entrance: ¡°Gathering and chatting during duty hours¡ªdo you have any sense of discipline?¡± The group turned and saw a Golden Gong standing at the door of the hall, his hawk-like eyes sharp as des, with faint crow¡¯s feet at the corners. It was Jiang Lyuzhong. ¡°Gold Gong Jiang¡­¡± Everyone immediately straightened up, dropping their yful postures, and respectfully exined, ¡°Xu Ningyan was teaching us how to sleep with an oiran without paying.¡± ¡°?¡± Jiang Lyuzhong''s sharp gaze swept over the group, then he sneered, "Dreaming your spring and autumn dreams... Alright, continue your chat, but don''t linger too long." With that, he turned and left, exiting the courtyard, and leaned against the wall while activating his fourth-rank martial artist¡¯s hearing ability. Inside the hall, the others nudged Xu Qi''an. "Ningyan, keep going." Xu Qi''an coughed. "A bit thirsty." Song Tingfeng handed him a cup of tea. After taking a sip to moisten his throat, Xu Qi''an began speaking again, brimming with confidence. "Indeed, Lady Fuxiang fancied me initially because of a poem. But what truly made her unable to leave me wasn''t the poem." "What was it?" the others eagerly asked. "Do you know what women despise most in men?" Xu Qi''an countered. The Nightwatchers offered their thoughts, suggesting things like "no money" or "no prospects." Xu Qi''an shook his head and looked around at his colleagues'' faces, before gravely saying, "It''s being overly familiar too soon." What sort of logic was that? Hearing this, the Nightwatchers fell into contemtion. "And how does this rte to Lady Fuxiang being unable to leave you?" Zhu Guangxiao frowned. "When we first met, behind closed doors, she asked me¡­" Xu Qi''an put down his cup, his expression bing serious andposed. He pronounced every word slowly and clearly: ¡°¡®Can you perform?¡¯ ¡°In the end, I proved I could. That¡¯s why she can¡¯t leave me.¡± In the ensuing silence, Song Tingfeng expressed his skepticism: "I suspect you''re lying to us, but we have no evidence." "That''s normal. This isn''t something the average person can grasp, especially mencking the necessary... abilities." Xu Qi''an patted his shoulder and addressed the others, "I''ve told you the trick; whether you canprehend it depends on your own insight." "Overly familiar too soon... whether you can perform..." Jiang Lyuzhong muttered to himself as he left, finding these two phrases straightforward on the surface but feeling there was a deeper, more elusive meaning behind them. *Better ask Duke Wei about this. With his intelligence, he should be able to grasp this small secret instantly.* ... After dismissing his colleagues, it wasn''t long before a clerk arrived. "Silver Gong Xu, Gold Gong Jiang sent me to ask if you still need medicinal ingredients for body tempering." *Did Old Jiang reallye to ask about this earlier? Couldn¡¯t he have just sent word? He¡¯s probably here for the indestructible vajra body but was too embarrassed to bring it up...* Xu Qi''an replied, "No need." "Understood." The clerk departed. Before long, the two key phrases "overly familiar too soon" and "whether you can perform" spread throughout the Nightwatcher Constabry. It was said that anyone who could grasp the deeper meaning behind these phrases would be able to visit the Jiaofangsi and sleep with an Oiran without paying. Don¡¯t doubt it¡ªthis came from the mouth of Silver Gong Xu himself. For a time, intense discussions broke out across the various divisions. At this moment, in Xu Qi''an''s hall, the culprit behind all of this was about to be summoned by a guard from Shaoyin Courtyard. "The Second Princess requests your presence." "I know. I have some matters to attend to first; I¡¯ll goter," Xu Qi''an said, still seated behind his desk, leafing through dossiers. The guard cupped his hands and left. About a quarter-hourter, Xu Qi''an finally set down the dossiers and sighed in relief. *More and more jianghu folk are flooding into the capital. Once word of the duel spreads, I¡¯m afraid even more martial artists wille to join the fun... While this greatly boosts the capital''s economy, incidents of swindling, kidnapping, and even home invasions are urring with increasing frequency.* *If this continues, we need to address the issue from two angles...* Xu Qi''an waved over a clerk and instructed, "Draft a report." Every Silver Gong''s division had at least three clerks serving as secretaries. After all, while Silver Gongs were great at cutting people down, writing was another story... Xu Qi''an was about average in that regard. Xu Qi''an submitted three proposals to Wei Yuan: first, to draw troops from the thirteen counties under the capital¡¯s administration to maintainw and order in the outer city; second, to petition the Emperor to have the Imperial Guards patrol the inner city; third, during this period, breaking and entering ¡ª execution! Robbery and mugging ¡ª execution! Provoking trouble and seeking conflict, causing injury or material damage to bystanders ¡ª execution! The first two were preparations for the third. Harsh punishment was needed to maintain order, but it would inevitably push criminals to take desperate actions, which would require substantial manpower and experts to suppress. This might lead to criminals bing desperate andmitting murder, but if they wanted to quickly restore order, they needed heavy punishment as a deterrent. After finishing the report, another guard arrived¡ªthis time from Dexin Courtyard. "Princess Huaiqing requests your presence, Sir." ... Xu Manor. Xu Eng, dressed in a refined pale white robe, had his hair tied up with a jade headpiece. Fine jade hung from his waist¡ªhis own, his father¡¯s, and his brother¡¯s... In short, he had adorned himself with the most valuable pieces of jade the men in the family owned. "Father and Big Brother are both martial artists. They don¡¯t even use these. Leaving them lying around is a waste," Xu Eng had exined to Auntie and Xu Lingyue. For the literary gathering hosted by Prime Minister Wang, which would surely be filled with the most talented schrs of the time, Xu Eng felt he needed to look his best. Auntie looked him over, satisfied, confident that her son would be the most handsome man at the gathering. "Why are you taking Lingyue with you to the literary gathering?" Auntie asked. Upon hearing the word "literary gathering," Xu Lingyin perked up. "The invitation was written that way. Consider it an opportunity for Lingyue to broaden her horizons," Xu Eng replied. Auntie grabbed her daughter''s hand, excitedly saying, "When you go to the gathering, keep an eye out. If you fancy any young gentleman, be sure to tell me when you return. With our family¡¯s current standing, marrying you into a noble house is well within our reach." "Mother, what are you talking about? I¡¯m not going," Xu Lingyue said, turning away in displeasure. Seizing the moment, Xu Lingyin pounced on Xu Eng. "If Sister isn¡¯t going, I¡¯ll go! Second Brother, take me, take me!" With that, she clung to Xu Eng¡¯s leg. Xu Eng tried shaking her off, but to no avail. The strength of Little Pea was truly terrifying. "Alright, but you need to change into a pretty dress, or I won¡¯t take you," Xu Eng said. "Okay!" Xu Lingyin nodded happily. With Auntie¡¯s help, she went to change. A few minutester, Little Bean had her hair done up like an adult, wearing a dashing suit... but her brother and sister were already gone. "Waaaaahhhhhhh!" Her cries echoed through the courtyard like a pig being ughtered. ... Basking in the warm spring sunshine, the carriage arrived at Wang manor. ... Chapter 301: Fight and Scheme Chapter 301: Fight and Scheme # 301. Fight and Scheme *Huaiqing also wants to see me!? Hmm, given my rtionship with the two princesses, it''s only natural that we meet after the magical contest¡­ But, should I see Huaiqing first or Lin¡¯an?* Xu Qi''an pondered briefly beforeing to a conclusion: Huaiqing first. His choice had its reasons. It wasn¡¯t about caring more for Huaiqing or less for Lin¡¯an. Xu Qi''an¡¯s decision was tied to the intelligence of the two princesses. Huaiqing was too clever to be easily deceived, and she was deep-minded. Even if she held a grudge, she wouldn¡¯t show it, but might strike back when you least expect it. Lin¡¯an, on the other hand, was rtively simpler. She was spoiled and often unreasonable, but she didn¡¯t hold grudges. Once her tantrum was over, it would be forgotten. ¡°Very well, this official will apany you to the pce,¡± Xu Qi''an said, instructing his clerk to deliver his memorial to the Tower of Noble Spirit. He then mounted his horse and followed the guard to the pce. After going through the necessary procedures, Xu Qi''an stepped into Dexin Courtyard, where he saw Huaiqing in the elegantly clean hall. She was wearing a white pce gown that suited her temperament, with her hair simply adorned with a golden pin, letting a few strands of jet ck hair cascade down. As cold as a celestial from a painting. The strands of loose hair, however, added a touch of warmth and human charm to her otherwise aloof appearance.¡°Are you well?¡± Huaiqing smiled faintly. ¡°No major issues. Your humble servant is as strong as an ox, a little rest is all I need to recover from such minor injuries,¡± Xu Qi''an smiled back. Huaiqing nodded with relief and invited him to sit. ¡°With your victory in the contest, the court is sure to reward you. However, a rank promotion is easy, a title promotion is hard. ¡°If you''re not in need of silver, you could make a request to the emperor, which would secure Xu Cijiu''s future.¡± *Whoever marries Huaiqing will be as lucky as Liu Bei getting Zhuge Liang!* Xu Qi''an marvelled inwardly. It was indeed a brilliant suggestion. Sacrificing some personal gain to secure Eng''s career would pave the way for his younger brother to rise as Prime Minister. ¡°Your servant has already requested a crimson lettered iron deed,¡± Xu Qi''an said with regret. ¡°A crimson lettered iron deed?¡± Huaiqing¡¯s delicate brows furrowed. ¡°What use is that? Once in a blue moon it may arise to miraculous effect, but more often than not, it''s worthless.¡± *So her point is, the interpretation of the deed¡¯s guaranteesy entirely with the emperor, and given Emperor Yuanjing¡¯sck of trustworthiness, it¡¯s as valuable as the paper it¡¯s written on¡­ to put it inly, it¡¯s like the fiat currency in my previous life. If a government had trust, then its currency had value. If a government didn¡¯t have trust, well, then you get the Zimbabwean dor¡­ For Huaiqing to speak so openly to me, it shows how candid she is.* Xu Qi''an smiled faintly. ¡°It may still produce miraculous effects.¡± Huaiqing didn¡¯t dwell on it further. She continued, ¡°Have you truly mastered the Unbreakable Vajra technique?¡± Xu Qi''an extended his hand, and his flesh quickly solidified with goldencquer, his entire arm radiating a soft golden glow. Huaiqing wasn¡¯t pleased, however, and said in a low voice, ¡°Do you realize how many martial artists would covet this Unbreakable Vajra?¡± Xu Qi''an¡¯s heart tightened, and he didn¡¯t reply. Huaiqing took a sip of tea and said, ¡°You¡¯re riding a wave of fame right now, so no one will target you openly. But watch those around you carefully, and take care not to expose any vulnerabilities.¡± She paused for a moment and then added, ¡°Duke Wei is not invincible.¡± *Given the immense power I disyed during the contest, the martial artists in the capital might salivate, but none would dare to act against me directly¡­ And the major figures of the martial world wouldn¡¯te here to interfere with the Conflict of Heaven and Man, so they wouldn¡¯t know about the duel... Huaiqing¡¯s warning is clear.* *Who in the capital would covet my Unbreakable Vajra?* *The civil officials might be interested, not for themselves, but for their household bodyguards and loyal henchmen.* *But it¡¯s not something directly valuable to them, so they wouldn¡¯t be overly eager.* *It¡¯s the nobles and the military!* ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Your Highness,¡± Xu Qi''an said sincerely. After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Huaiqing casually remarked, ¡°That storybook you gave mest time, my maids have been reading it, and they seem to find it quite amusing. ¡°Though we don¡¯t read such things ourselves, we couldn¡¯t deny their repeated requests¡­ Is there a sequel?¡± ¡°If Your Highness would like it, I can bring it to you in a few days,¡± Xu Qi''an said with a smile. Huaiqing nodded gracefully. ¡°No rush, it¡¯s just for a few maidservants. Hmm, tomorrow would be fine.¡± *Not in a rush, huh? You¡¯re absolutely dying to read it¡­ Alright, I¡¯ll have my typewriter Zhong Li work on it when I get back...* Xu Qi''anmpooned. After some light conversation, Xu Qi''an found a reason to excuse himself and left Huaiqing¡¯s courtyard. He returned to the pce gates, waited for the Imperial Guard¡¯s message, then re-entered the pce, heading toward Shaoyin Courtyard. ¡°Sir Xu, halt!¡± A guard raised his hand to stop him and said, ¡°The Princess Lin¡¯an has decreed that she will not receive guests today. Please return.¡± ¡°But the princess invited me. If you pass on the message, you¡¯ll see,¡± Xu Qi''an reminded him. The guard, however, remained firm and shook his head. ¡°Sir Xu, don¡¯t make things difficult for this subordinate. Please leave.¡± *Assaulting a guard in the pce is a serious crime¡­ Lin¡¯an is definitely angry. She knows I went to Huaiqing¡¯s courtyard first¡­* With these thoughts, Xu Qi''an quickly devised a strategy. Feigning anger, he said, ¡°The princess personally invited me herself, and you refuse to pass on the message? Fine, whatever, I¡¯ll just wait outside.¡± ¡­ A carriage of ordinary make stopped outside Wang Manor. Xu Xinnian opened the door, and stepped down onto the ground, on a stool that the driver had ced for him. Turning back, he extended his hand towards his graceful sister. With the guiding hand of her elder brother, Xu Lingyue stepped down steadily from the carriage. Brother and sister handed over their invitation to the gatekeepers, and under their lead entered the manor. ¡°Second brother, you¡¯ve had a lot on your mind the way here, are you nervous?¡± Xu Lingyue asked in a low voice. ¡°Even if your second brother were to see His Majesty today, he still won¡¯t be nervous.¡± Xu Cijiu replied lightly. His face was serious, his brows furrowed, as he lowered his voice: ¡°When we get to the gathering, speak less and listen more. You¡¯re only here inpany, nothing should happen to you, as for me¡­¡± *As for me, who knows, I may have topete with the Prime Minister.* In fairness, all else aside, just this ambition and fighting spirit alone would set Xu Eng at the top of his generation. Wang Manor was huge, and brother and sister walked or a long time, passing through long corridors, before finally reaching a garden, with blue water and elegant rockery, young leaves just sprouting in the early spring, and flower buds ready to open. It was a very pleasing sight. Within the garden came clear sounds of recitation, as well as much chatter andughter. Passing through the long corridor, Xu Eng and Xu Lingyue saw two groups seated in an orderly fashion. To the left sat a dozen or so schrs in traditional Confucian robes, each one energetic and dignified. To the right was a group of young, beautiful women, dressed in various coloured silk gowns. The moment the Xu siblings made their entrance, the atmosphere visibly froze, and the eyes of both the promising young schrs and the blooming maidens brightened. Xu Eng frowned slightly. This literary gathering was not quite what he had expected. In his imagination, the event would be presided over by Prime Minister Wang, where the schrs attending would nervously present their ideas and demonstrate their talents in front of the Prime Minister. If fortunate enough to gain the Prime Minister¡¯s favour, they would have a powerful backer for their future court careers. Yet who would have thought the atmosphere of the gathering would be so rxed, with fine wine, delicacies, fresh fruits, and... such arge number of young maidens. "Young Master Xu, Miss Xu, please, sit." A woman with refined features and an elegant demeanour stood up and gracefully bowed. She was tall, with a face that was calm and graceful, yet her bright eyes sparkled with a hint of yfulness. Xu Xinnian and Xu Lingyue returned the gesture, and after a brief nce, Xu Xinnian walked towards the left side and chose an empty seat. "Huiyuan Xu, long have we admired you." As soon as he sat down, the schrs around him raised their cups in greeting. *As expected, aside from myself, there are no other students from Cloud Deer Academy here. These must all be students from the Imperial Academy...* Xu Xinnian''s heart tightened, but outwardly he maintained a calm smile and raised his cup in return. He engaged in light conversation with the schrs for a while, somewhat surprised by their politeness. There was no subtle hostility or overt challenges. *With Prime Minister Wang''s cunning, openly provoking me would be too crude...* Xu Xinnian mused, nodding slightly. *As expected of Prime Minister Wang, his influence is palpable even in his absence, making me feel as though I¡¯m facing an invisible pressure.* On the other side, Xu Lingyue was seated next to Miss Wang, who smiled warmly at her, "How old are you this year, Miss Xu?" Xu Lingyue replied in a soft voice, "Seventeen." Miss Wang immediately said, "I¡¯m neen, so I¡¯ll call you little sister Lingyue. Is that alright?" *Who is she, acting like the hostess...* Xu Lingyue smiled politely, "As you say, big sister." Miss Wang''s smile grew warmer. "Then call me Sister Simu." After a few casual words, Xu Lingyue learned the identity of this gentle and affable young woman¡ªit was none other than the legitimate daughter[^1] of Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen. "Has sister Lingyue found a match yet?" Miss Wang suddenly asked. Blushing slightly, Xu Lingyue lowered her head, "I¡¯m not yet betrothed." If a man had asked her this, Xu Lingyue would have been annoyed, but surrounded by women, and given that the question was posed in a low voice by the daughter of the Wang family, she felt it was bearable. Miss Wang looked surprised. "Surely your brothers must be engaged by now. You should hurry as well." Xu Lingyue nced at her briefly and shook her head, "Neither of my brothers are married yet." *Neither are married?* Miss Wang maintained herposed expression, but subtly remarked, "With the talents of your two brothers, I¡¯d imagine they¡¯ve had marriage offers lined up." Around them, the youngdies perked up their ears. Whether it was the dashing and unmatched Xu Xinnian or the valiant Xu Qi¡¯an, thetter especially had just emerged victorious from a magical contest, making him a figure of immense curiosity among the noblewomen of the capital. Miss Wang smiled graciously. However, one exception existed¡ªa girl in a purple gown spoke in a sarcastic tone, "The Xu family has truly leapt through the dragon gate. Xu Qi¡¯an was originally just a fast bailiff in Changle County, and Xu Pingzhi was no more than a *Baihu* Captian in the Imperial Guard. For such a family, it would have been fortunate if Miss Xu could have married into a merchant¡¯s family. But now? Perhaps a noble match awaits." Xu Lingyue couldn''t discern this girl''s background, so she yed the role of the wronged, meek girl, lowering her head. Seeing this, the otherdies felt a touch of displeasure towards the girl in purple. Miss Wang squinted slightly and said gently, "Yan''er, speak more kindly... Lingyue, Yan¡¯er is the niece of the Minister of Law." *The niece of the Minister of Law...* Xu Lingyue thought to herself, recalling the incident when the son of the Assistant Minister of Revenue, Zhou Li, colluded with the Ministry of Law to imprison her eldest brother in their dungeons. *So, she¡¯s an enemy.* "Yan¡¯er is straightforward and means no harm," Xu Lingyue said with a forced smile, trying to suppress her inner grievances. "Indeed, my eldest brother is merely a martial man, and my second brother holds no official position." The girl named Yan''er was momentarily at a loss for words. If she continued down this path, she would be forced to insult both Xu Qi¡¯an and Xu Xinnian in front of everyone¡ªone of whom was present, and the other had just won great renown. "Alright, let¡¯s enjoy our tea," Miss Wang said, tactfully steering the conversation away. The literary gathering continued as the schrs shifted from discussing poetry to state affairs, asionally engaging in light banter with the noblewomen, creating a cheerful atmosphere. Xu Xinnian found himself unexpectedly enjoying the discussions and, after finding an excuse, took his wine cup and wandered off, ostensibly to admire the garden, while deep in thought about Prime Minister Wang¡¯s true motives. "The blooming season is nigh, yet they are withered?" He muttered as he stared at a pond of withered lotus leaves. At that moment, a soft voice came from behind him, "These are red lotuses from Qingzhou. They bloom in winter and wither in spring. However, the climate in the capital is quite different from Qingzhou, so the red lotuses do not thrive here and have little ornamental value." Turning around, he saw the woman with delicate features from earlier. Xu Xinnian had already learned of her identity, and bowed slightly. "Miss Wang." "Call me Simu," she corrected. "Miss Simu," he said politely. Wang Simu smiled faintly and cast her gaze over the schrs and noblewomen who had left their seats to explore the garden. In a soft voice, she said, "That poem of yours, _Travelling is Hard_, I have it mounted in my room and look at it every day." "In terms of poetry, my elder brother¡¯s work is the finest," Xu Eng said, before adding modestly, "But of course, true poetry is a natural gift, an asional stroke of brilliance. I, too, have had my moments of inspiration." Using his elder brother¡¯s poem to bask in the spotlight, Xu Eng did so with a clear conscience. *After all, we are family, and what''s my brother''s is also mine.* ¡­ Xu Lingyue sat by the pond, facing the gentle breeze, absentmindedly watching the scenery. The literary gathering was of little interest to her. She wasn''t part of that circle, and although the "young talents" her mother mentioned were decent, they couldn''tpare to her eldest and second brothers, even if these men were all tribute schrs. "Hmph!" A cold snort sounded behind her as the girl in purple approached, ring viciously at Xu Lingyue. "You little wretch, what kind of victim ying were you doing?" Xu Lingyue raised her head slightly, speaking in a soft voice, "What is Sister Yan''er saying? When did I ever act the victim?" The girl in purple sneered, ¡°You dare feign innocence in front of me? You know very well what you did! A wretched girl from a family of crude martial men, how dare you sit here with us? Do you think you belong at this table? "Get out of Wang manor, and don''t let me see your face again." Xu Lingyue frowned slightly, "Is Sister Yan''er angry with me because of my eldest brother?" The girl in purple snorted, "At least you know that much." Part of her anger stemmed from Xu Lingyue''s brother, Xu Qi''an, who had long been a thorn in her uncle¡¯s side. But another part of it was that this little wench had deliberately yed the victim earlier, drawing sympathy from the otherdies and making her look foolish. The girl in purple had never suffered such humiliation. Her anger surged as she thought about it, and her jealousy over Xu Lingyue''s beauty only intensified. She snapped, "A little whore like you, with no real tricks to your name other than your fox face, do you believe your old aunt won¡¯t sell you to a brothel and let you experience true misery?" Xu Lingyue felt a pang of grievance, "My second brother brought me to this gathering, and we were invited by the Wang family. How could I leave halfway? Perhaps, Sister, you could help me?" The girl in purple frowned upon hearing this. In that moment, Xu Lingyue discreetly reached out and pinched the girl''s waist, hard. The pain made the girl in purple turn pale, and instinctively she pushed Xu Lingyue. Xu Lingyue "fell" backward into the pond. "Help, help... I can''t swim, Second Brother, save me!" Xu Lingyue cried out, her panicked shouts echoing through the garden and drawing the attention of the other schrs anddies. "Someone fell into the water!" "Quick, someone save her!" Cries of rm filled the air as the crowd rushed over. Hearing the calls for help, Xu Xinnian looked up and saw Xu Lingyue iling in the water, clearly struggling. His face paled, and without even bidding farewell to Miss Wang, he dashed toward the pond. "Ssh!" He leaped into the water, grabbing Xu Lingyue around the waist and lifting her out of the water. With the help of Miss Wang and the others, they pulled her to safety. "Hurry, fetch my fur cloak," Miss Wang quickly instructed her maidservants. A momentter, they brought the cloak, and Miss Wang personally draped it over Xu Lingyue. Thetter, nestled in her brother''s arms, began to cry softly. The crowd gathered around, waiting to see how the situation would unfold. Xu Xinnian''s face darkened as he nced at the girl in purple, then turned to Xu Lingyue, asking, "What happened, Lingyue?" Xu Lingyue sniffled, her hair stered to her delicate face, making her look all the more pitiful. Between sobs, she replied, "I- I don''t know. This sister told me to get out of the Wang residence, saying I didn''t belong here. When I ignored her, she- she pushed me into the pond." The crowd immediately turned to the girl in purple. The schrs nced between the fragile, tearful Xu Lingyue and the arrogant girl in purple, frowning in disapproval. "I did not!" The girl in purple¡¯s face flushed with anger as she pointed at Xu Lingyue, shouting, "You wretch, how dare you use me! You pinched me first. Don''t believe her¡ªshe fell into the water on purpose. She''s trying to frame me!" A nearby youngdy frowned and whispered, "Yan''er may be a bit spoiled, but she wouldn''t push someone into the water." The girl in purple shot her friend a grateful look and pointed again at Xu Lingyue. "She did it herself! She fell into the water on purpose to frame me. This little wretch is wicked at heart!" The crowd exchanged uncertain nces. Xu Lingyue, ignoring the growing stares, let her tears fall and sobbed, "Second Brother, has Big Brother offended someone? Sister Yan''er said that Big Brother often goes against her uncle. Since she can''t do anything to him, she ns to sell me to a brothel." *Sell her to a brothel¡­* Xu Xinnian''s rage ignited, and he stared coldly at the girl in purple. "I didn¡¯t realize the youngdy hailed from such a powerful family." Miss Wang, feeling guilty, whispered, "Yan''er''s uncle is Minister Sun of the Ministry of Law." The tribute schrs suddenly understood, exchanging looks of realisation. Being well-versed in court matters, they were aware of the enmity between Xu Qi''an and Minister Sun. The most famous incident was the poem *The Case of Sangpo Lake, Given to Minister Sun* which still circted widely and would likely be remembered for generations toe, leaving Minister Sun''s reputation in tatters. With that in mind, the idea that this girl had a reason to push Xu Qi''an¡¯s sister into the water seemed all too usible. "You¡­" The girl in purple was left speechless. She had, in fact, said those very words. She wanted to deny it, but seeing the expressions of the surrounding schrs, she knew it would be useless. "You said my sister pinched you? Where?" Xu Xinnian asked. "My waist," the girl in purple spat, her eyes zing with anger. Xu Xinnian nodded slowly. "A clever scheme. You know that schrs are taught to avert their eyes from improper sights, so no one can verify your im. Everything depends on your word." The girl in purple froze. Suddenly, she realized why Xu Lingyue had pinched her waist, and now, there was no way to prove her im. "We could check," a youngdy suggested. Xu Xinnian nodded. "If she pinched you, there would be bruises. My sister is soft-spoken and poor at defending herself¡ªshe''d have no way to argue her case." The girl in purple and herpanion were rendered speechless by Xu Xinnian''s pointed words. Xu Xinnian smiled coldly, "If you don¡¯t give me an exnation today, this we won¡¯t rest with this matter." The girl in purple, her eyes red with fury, pointed at Xu Xinnian and screamed, "Don¡¯t be so arrogant! You''re just a mere huiyuan! Who do you think you are?" "Smack!" Xu Xinnian responded with a sharp p across her face. The purple-robed girl staggered a few steps, her cheek instantly swelling red. She covered her face, incredulous. "You... you dare hit me?" Everyone was stunned,pletely taken aback by Xu Xinnian''s decisiveness¡ªhe had not hesitated to strike a woman. "Everyone here is a witness. I''ll take her to see the officials right now, and I hope you all will serve as witnesses." After speaking, Xu Xinnian red at the purple-robed girl, his tone icy. "I won''t be taking her to the Ministry of Justice or the prefecture office. I''ll be taking her to the Nightwatchers Constabry." Everyone''s faces changed dramatically. What kind of ce was the Nightwatchers Constabry? Once someone entered that ce, not even the Minister of Law could save them easily. If the situation was taken seriously, pushing someone into the water could easily be interpreted as attempted murder. The Nightwatchers would have no problem with such a verdict. Even if the Minister of Law did his best to rescue her, the girl''s reputation would be ruined. After that, how could she marry into a respectable family? Fear flickered in the purple-robed girl''s eyes. She hurriedly walked over to Miss Wang and cried, "Sister Simu, please save me... I don¡¯t want to go to the Nightwatchers Constabry!" Wang Simu immediately looked at Xu Lingyue, but thetter coldly turned her head away. *This girl isn''t simple either...* Miss Wang thought, then turned to Xu Xinnian and softly said, "Sir Xu, Yan''er acted recklessly. I''ll have her apologize andpensate Lingyue for any damages. Could we settle this here, for my sake?" She was also in a difficult position. The literary gathering was being held at her estate, and if Xu Xinnian took someone away, it would strain the rtionship between the Minister of Law and her father. On the other hand, stopping Xu Xinnian wouldpletely offend him. Wang Simu preferred to handle the matter privately and avoid reporting it to the authorities. "Fine, for Miss Wang''s sake, I won¡¯t report it," Xu Xinnian agreed. With that, Miss Wang led the Xu siblings to a side room to discusspensation and an apology. "Yan''er is indeed spoiled and headstrong. She made a grave mistake and deserves to apologize andpensate... How about five hundred taels of silver?" Miss Wang suggested, her beautiful eyes gazing at Xu Xinnian. "Money is a small matter; it''s the attitude that counts," Xu Xinnian replied tly. Wang Simu nced at the purple-robed girl, who, full of grievances, lowered her head and apologized. Only then did Xu Xinnian nod. "One thousand taels. A single coin less, and this will be treated as attempted murder." "...Fine." Wang Simu said, maintaining her gentle smile. "Sir Xu, please take Lingyue home quickly to change into dry clothes. We wouldn¡¯t want her to catch a cold," Miss Wang urged, smiling warmly. She then ordered a thousand-tael promissory note to be brought, personally handed the banknote to Xu Xinnian, and escorted the Xu siblings out of the estate with many thanks. In the carriage, Xu Xinnian handed the banknote to Xu Lingyue. "Sister, keep this well. It will be part of your dowry in the future." He pressed his hand lightly on Xu Lingyue''s shoulder, and a warm sensation spread through her body, dispelling the chill. She exhaledfortably and whispered, "Second Brother, it''s my fault for causing you to leave the gathering early." Xu Xinnian waved it off. "Leaving early is for the best. To be honest, I wasn''t confident about going up against Prime Minister Wang. It''s best to leave before he arrives¡ªthis is called taking advantage and avoiding harm, the way of a gentleman." After a pause, he added, "But that Miss Wang, she''s not simple at all." Xu Lingyue said: "Miss Wang has an extraordinary demeanor and handled the situation methodically. She certainly kept things under control." From start to finish, she had managed the situation, even though it had nothing to do with her. Her attitude of taking responsibility wasmendable; she had the air of a leader. Xu Xinnian smirked. "That''s only part of it. After you fell into the water, she didn¡¯t let you change clothes at her estate. That was a disy for both that brat from the Ministry of Justice, and for us. "Lingyue, you deliberately fell into the water, didn''t you?" Xu Lingyue¡¯s voice was soft and sweet. "Second Brother, do you know why Big Brother is more likable than you?" Xu Xinnian¡¯spetitive streak red. "I''ve always been more likable than him." Xu Lingyue shook her head. "If it were Big Brother, he would be fussing over me, apologising for not protecting me better. He would understand everything but never say a word." Xu Xinnian¡¯s face froze instantly. ... "Why are you crying?" Miss Wang held a handkerchief, wiping away the purple-robed girl¡¯s tears, smiling as she said, ¡°You¡¯re the legitimate daughter of the family. You''ve been domineering at home since childhood, and no one has dared cross you. "You understand some things, but your temper¡ªcultivated since childhood¡ªmakes you prefer being blunt. That¡¯s not the right way to handle things. When you marry, you¡¯ll have a hard time." "It was that little tramp who fell into the water herself!" the purple-robed girl shouted in grievance. "That doesn''t matter. What matters is how everyone else sees it. If they think you pushed her, then you pushed her," Miss Wang said, smiling. "Sister, you¡¯re not helping me at all," the purple-robed girl fumed. "I can¡¯t win against those two siblings," Miss Wang replied, smiling serenely. Her mood was excellent. She had gained much today. First, Xu Cijiu hadn¡¯t married yet and had no betrothal. Second, she had gauged Xu Lingyue¡¯s personality. Third, although their interaction had been brief, Xu Xinnian¡¯s character and temperament had thoroughly impressed her. Good-looking, assertive, intelligent, resourceful, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªhe was willing to offend the Minister of Law to protect his family. Throughout history, there had been countless brilliant, cunning, and ruthless men, but none of them interested her. They only cared about their grand ambitions and rarely put their female rtives first. To have raised such intelligent children and nurtured a genius nephew, the mistress of the Xu family must be an extraordinary woman. A sharp glint of determination shed in Miss Wang''s eyes as fighting spirit filled her. --- [^1]: Been kinda skirting around this by sneaking editing for a hundred or two chapters but ¡°legitimate¡± does not imply that Wang Zhenwen has illegitimate children; rather ¡°legitimate¡± means from his wife and not any of his concubines. The ¡°legitimate¡± children would have priority in inheritance, though of course Emperor Yuanjing chose instead to make his eldest son (from Consort Chen and hence not ¡°legitimate¡±) the crown prince. Chapter 302: Treat Oneself Strictly Chapter 302: Treat Oneself Strictly # 302. Treat Oneself Strictly Tower of Noble Spirit Jiang Lyuzhong sat at the table, holding the tea brought by the clerk. Blowing on it to cool it down, he took a sip, and remarked: "I remember having tea here with Duke Weist year. It was refreshing to the mind, and the fragrance lingered on my lips for six hours." Standing in front of the bookshelf, flipping through books, Wei Yuan, with his back to him, said lightly, "That was tribute tea from the pce, only three pounds are produced every three years, and even His Majesty rarely drinks it." *No wonder...* Jiang Lyuzhong suddenly understood and curiously asked, "Such a miraculous tea, where is it grown?" "It¡¯s grown in the capital." "The capital has such fine tea? Howe I¡¯ve never heard of it?" "A woman grows it. She¡¯s in the capital, so the teaes from the capital," Wei Yuan¡¯s voice was gentle and mellow.Jiang Lyuzhong nodded and didn¡¯t ask further. Although the tea was good, he, being a warrior, wasn¡¯t particrly passionate about tea. He came to the Tower of Noble Spirit today with a clear and specific purpose. "Today, I heard Ningyan mention something. He¡¯s very popr in the Jiaofangsi, beloved by the oiran, and for a good reason," Jiang Lyuzhong said. "Beauties love poetry, especially women of the night," Wei Yuan chuckled. "It¡¯s not just that," Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head. ¡°Besides poetry, he has two other secrets: ''Deep words without deep connections'' and ''Are you able to?'' I''ve pondered these for a long time but gained no insights... Of course, it¡¯s not that I want to be that kind of person, I¡¯m just curious. "With your vast knowledge, Duke Wei, both in celestial matters and earthly geography, I came especially to seek your guidance. Surely, with your wisdom, you understand it well." After speaking, Jiang Lyuzhong saw Wei Yuan turn around and gaze at him deeply. After ten seconds of silent staring, Wei Yuan looked away and casually said, "Lyuzhong, you''ve been with me for nearly ten years, haven¡¯t you?" "Yes." "For these ten years, you''ve been diligent and conscientious. I¡¯ve seen it all and am quite pleased." Wei Yuan pulled out a book and said, "Alright, I need to continue reading. You may leave." Jiang Lyuzhong left in confusion, returning to his post. Before he had even settled down, a clerk came in, bowed, and said, "Gold Gong Jiang, Duke Wei has given an order." "But he just sent me away¡­" Jiang Lyuzhong asked, "What¡¯s the matter?" "Duke Wei said that Gold Gong Jiang has been diligent and conscientious and should continue to maintain that. For the next month, all night shifts are assigned to you." After a pause, the clerk continued, "Duke Wei also said he hopes Gold Gong Jiang will pack up and move into the constabry. You don¡¯t need to go home for the time being." "???" *Is this the kind of order for a diligent and conscientious subordinate? Is this human speech? A full month of night duty? Doesn¡¯t that mean I won¡¯t be able to visit Jiaofangsi or even see any women for the next month!?* Jiang Lyuzhong was dumbfounded. ... Xu Qi''an waited for two hours. Two full hours. Luckily, he hadn¡¯t drunk too much water, or it would¡¯ve been embarrassing¡­ The sun wasn¡¯t strong enough to highlight his sense of destion¡­ He waited patiently, withoutint or urging. However, Xu Qi''an did notice that every quarter of an hour, a pce maid would sneakily stand in the courtyard, peeking toward the door. Xu Qi''an pretended not to notice. The sun shone brightly, the spring breeze was warm, and after the start of spring, the back garden of Shaoyin Courtyard began to awaken, gradually revealing its beautiful and charming side. Likewise, the Second Princess Lin''an, who had alluring peach blossom eyes and a charming, flirtatious temperament, sat angrily in the pavilion, instructing her two personal maids on how to y Go. After ying for a while, she had developed a fondness for teaching others how to y. The two maids had no enjoyment in the game, but they dared not disobey the Second Princess, who was in a bad mood. "Princess, Sir Xu is still waiting outside," a young maid came to report at regr intervals. Lin''an responded with aposed "Mm," and there was no follow-up. The maid withdrew. After another quarter of an hour, she checked again and saw that Sir Xu was still there, which touched her heart. *Our princess always throws tantrums. Isn¡¯t she just pushing Sir Xu toward Princess Huaiqing¡­?* This thought crossed her mind as she saw Sir Xu suddenly sway and fall to the ground, unconscious. "Aiya¡­" The young maid panicked and rushed over to check. She saw that Sir Xu¡¯s face was pale, and he was frowning in pain. "Sir Xu, Sir Xu?" The young maid anxiously shook him, on the verge of tears. Xu Qi''an "weakly" regained consciousness. He clutched his chest, coughed a few times, and waved his hand, saying, "I''m fine, it¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s just that my injuries from yesterday¡¯s duel were severe, and I stood for too long. My wounds have reopened, but I''ll be fine after some rest." The young maid, both pained and moved, advised, "Sir Xu, you should go back first. The Second Princess is in a bad mood and won¡¯t see you." "Her Highness is upset?" Xu Qi''an was taken aback and asked, "What happened? Who upset her?" The young maid was momentarily at a loss, thinking to herself, *Aren¡¯t you the one who upset her?* She quietly replied, "The guards at Shaoyin Courtyard saw Sir Xu entering the pce and going to Dexin Courtyard." Xu Qi''an fell silent. Seeing that he didn¡¯t exin, the maid was a bit disappointed and urged, "Sir Xu, please leave for now. Come back when Her Highness is no longer angry." After saying that, she left Xu Qi''an and entered the courtyard. She hurried to the inner garden pavilion and urgently said, "Your Highness, Sir Xu just fainted." Lin''an suddenly raised her head, a mixture of surprise and concern shing across her face before she quickly suppressed it. She coolly asked, "Fainted?" "Sir Xu said it was because he stood too long and his injuries from yesterday¡¯s duel reopened," the young maid said with her head down. "I didn¡¯t ask him to wait¡­ You two fools can¡¯t even y Go properly," Lin''an angrily scolded before turning to the maid, "If he hasn¡¯t left yet, invite him in." ¡­ Xu Qi''an was brought to a side hall, where he drank cup of hot tea and waited for a long time before finally seeing the familiar figure in red walk in. She had a round face with delicate features, though her expression was cold. Her enchanting eyes feigned indifference as she scolded, ¡°Did I not say I wouldn¡¯t see guests? Why did you let him in?¡± With those words, Lin''an''s gaze fell on Xu Qi''an. After inspecting him, she seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and ordered, ¡°Since Sir Xu has served the court well, we cannot let you suffer for nothing. He''er, bring the items in.¡± The pce maid, whom Xu Qi''an had once yfully smacked, retreated and soon returned with other servants, carrying medicinal pills and tonics. ¡°These medicinal herbs and pills were taken from the Imperial Pharmacy. Sir Xu, please take them,¡± Lin''an said with measured dignity. ¡°Her Majesty had to plead for a long time before His Majesty reluctantly allowed it,¡± He''er added. ¡°Who asked you to speak?¡± Biaobiao''s delicate brows shot up, but after taking a deep breath, sheposed herself. ¡°He''er, show our guest out.¡± Xu Qi''an did not leave. A standoff ensued for a moment. Thick-skinned as ever, Xu Qi''an grinned and said, ¡°I¡¯ve studied the game of five-in-a-row for a long time and devised an unbeatable strategy. Would Your Highness dare to challenge me?¡± Biaobiao, predictably falling for the bait, agreed. Thus, a maid brought over the board and pieces, and she and Xu Qi''an engaged in a fierce game. Three roundster, Xu Qi''an was defeated each time, leaving him with no choice but to concede. ¡°Your Highness is truly brilliant. I am in awe,¡± Xu Qi''an smoothly ttered. Lin''an raised her chin slightly and responded with a reserved ¡°hmm.¡± But just as she was feeling pleased, she recalled the man¡¯s usual ingratitude and added with a huff, ¡°We¡¯ve finished the game. We won¡¯t keep you any longer.¡± ¡°Wait, I just thought of a new game. If Your Highness is interested, I can teach you,¡± Xu Qi''an teased, ying his old tricks. The once-quiet Shaoyin Courtyard suddenly became lively as Biaobiao began directing the guards to chop wood while Xu Qi''an split the logs into smaller sections. ¡°You, go fetch the dye¡­ And you, bring the carving tools...¡± Biaobiaomanded the guards and maids with a smile on her face, her enthusiasm evident. As the maids left, they whispered to each other: ¡°The princess was furious not too long ago, even throwing her teacup. Her eyes were red with anger... Yet look at Sir Xu. He didn¡¯t even say a word of apology, and she¡¯s already forgiven him.¡± ¡°She was just venting. It¡¯s not as if she¡¯s truly mad at Sir Xu. Mark my words, if he left, then she¡¯d really be heartbroken.¡± ¡°Ahem ahem!¡± came a low cough from behind them. Startled, the two maids jumped like frightened deer, turning to see Xu Qi''an standing behind them. ¡°Sir Xu, how could you scare us like that?¡± He''erined. Xu Qi''an bantered with the maids for a moment before getting to the point. ¡°Tell me, those pills are worth a city, when did her Highness prepare them?¡± ¡°They are the Emperor¡¯s personal supply, meant for replenishing qi and vitality. It¡¯s said that a sessful batch produces only twenty-four pills. The princess had to plead with His Majesty all night yesterday before he finally relented and gave her one,¡± He''er exined. ¡°And this morning, she immediately sent someone to fetch you, only to find...¡± another maid added before trailing off. ¡°Off with you now!¡± Xu Qi''an yfully swatted them on the buttocks and sent the maids away. Returning to his task, he began carving the logs into t discs. Lin''an joined him, and despite her limited abilities, she could still manage simple carving. Unbeknownst to them, the afternoon passed quickly, and by the time the sun began to set, Xu Qi''an had finished crafting a set of Chinese chess! Looking at the chess set they had made together, Biaobiao''s face lit up with a genuine smile, a smile so radiant that it seemed to outshine the flowers. ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I¡¯ll exin the rules to Your Highness, then I¡¯ll need to take my leave,¡± Xu Qi''an said, dismissing the maids with a wave. Biaobiao nced at the setting sun, her smile fading as she nodded quietly. Xu Qi''an carefully exined the rules of xiangqi, but Biaobiao seemed distracted. She had been furious earlier, and though she had to admit that her initial attraction to Xu Qi''an was born out of a desire to take something away from Huaiqing, she had grown fond of him over time. She gave him silver, treated him with sincerity, and asked for nothing in return except that he spend time with her. However, she could never shake the thorn in her heart¡ªhis ongoing ¡°inappropriate¡± rtionship with Huaiqing. Though he had promised to serve her, he continued to meet with Huaiqing in secret. She tried to ignore it, but today, after enduring her father''s scolding and humiliation just to secure a pill for him, she had reached her limit when she heard her guard¡¯s report: *He¡¯s gone to Dexin Courtyard.* For a fleeting moment, Lin''an felt utterly disrespected. She felt that she had been trodden over, that Xu Qi¡¯an had never even treated her with a mote of importance ¡ª even treating her as an idiot. So hurt that she cried. ¡°s...¡± Xu Qi''an suddenly sighed, and whispered: ¡°Your Highness, earlier I went to Dexin Courtyard.¡± Biaobiao¡¯s expression suddenly copsed, and she turned her head: ¡°I don¡¯t know a Dexin Courtyard. After you entered the pce, you came to find me.¡± ¡°No, I went to see Princess Huaiqing first.¡± ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an!¡± Biaobiao shouted, turning back, her eyes red. *He even wants to tear down a lie I wanted to believe myself, does he care about my feelings.* Xu Qi¡¯an sighed again, his eyes looking far towards the setting sun, his expression bing deep and mncholy, as if reflecting a countless number of years and experiences. One word at a time, he slowly said: ¡°Your Highness, do you know what they say?¡± Lin''an remained silent. "Throughout life, you will encounter many scenes and meet many people, but the final choice you make is what your heart truly desires." Biaobiao was momentarily stunned, staring nkly at him. "Today, both Your Highness and Princess Huaiqing invited me at the same time, and without hesitation, I went to see Princess Huaiqing first. Why? It¡¯s not because she holds more importance in my heart than you." Xu Qi¡¯an stood up, his expression somewhat animated. ¡°If I hade to Shaoyin Pavilion first, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to stay long. After exchanging a few words, I¡¯d have to leave and go to Dexin Pavilion. Ha, could I really ignore Princess Huaiqing¡¯s invitation? "But if I go to Dexin Pavilion first, I can stay here with Your Highness until the pce gates close. Isn''t it clear who holds more weight in my heart?" Biaobiao''s gaze gradually softened, her expression shifting from cold to gentle. Xu Qi¡¯an sat down again, looking at Lin¡¯an with the same profound gaze he had when watching the setting sun. In a soft voice, he said, ¡°Because I know, Your Highness, that what you need ispanionship.¡± This statement hit the softest spot in Biaobiao''s heart. Yes, she was lonely, isted. After the Crown Prince was confined, her mother constantly came to her in tears, filling her head with suspicions about the Empress. Her siblings grew increasingly distant as well. Her father, the Emperor, was still the Emperor. But Lin¡¯an was no longer the same. She had realized that her father¡¯s affection was only because she was harmless. On the outside, she was a charming, proud princess, but deep inside, she was a lonely, isted girl. Xu Qi¡¯an nced around to ensure that the pce maids he had dismissed earlier were nowhere near. Then he boldly held Lin¡¯an¡¯s soft hand, his tone sincere: ¡°Your Highness, I will always be by your side.¡± The warmth from his hand felt almost scalding. Lin¡¯an¡¯s cheeks flushed red, and a warm sensation seemed to flow through her heart. Time quietly passed as Xu Qi¡¯an held her hand, not letting go, and a sense of intimacy and ambiguity brewed between them. ¡°Your Highness, it¡¯s gettingte. I should take my leave. If you wish to see me every day, you could move to Lin¡¯an Manor instead of staying in the pce,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said in a low voice. ... In the fading light of the setting sun, Xu Qi¡¯an sat on his little mare, clop-clopping through the imperial city. ¡°Little mare, based on my many years of experience wooing girls, now that I¡¯ve held Lin¡¯an¡¯s hand, next time I¡¯ll be able to hug her... Girls, after all, must be pursued. If you don¡¯t chase them, they¡¯ll never be yours. ¡°I once heard a joke about a lecher who told his girlfriend: ''Your parents treat you well because you¡¯re their daughter, but only I love you genuinely.'' ¡°Although it¡¯s nonsense, I feel like there¡¯s some truth in it. Lin¡¯an¡¯s affection for me is pure and sincere, with no ulterior motives or self-interest. Of course, thetter might be more reflective of the adult world. ¡°Even though she¡¯s a bit foolish, she¡¯s a beautiful vase, and she¡¯s emptied herself to be kind to me. ¡°As for who¡¯s most suitable to be a wife, it''s still Chu Caiwei. Eating her soft rice is the best, with no side effects. Lin¡¯an and Huaiqing are much more dangerous. "To be honest, with my current status, I don¡¯t have many demands for women. I just hope they can strictly avoid any green tendencies."[^1] At this point, the little mare nudged him with her head and snorted twice. "Do you want me to set expectations for you too?" Xu Qi¡¯an thought for a moment and said, "For you, hmm... don¡¯t let small fish slip by!" ... At Wang Manor, after finishing his evening meal, Wang Zhengwen, who had returned from his duties, followed his routine of heading to his study to review memorials. At his age, women were already optional. Perhaps influenced by Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s rejuvenation, most of the senior officials on the court had distanced themselves from women, focusing more on health and longevity. However, Emperor Yuanjing had the Human Sect guiding his cultivation and making pills for him¡ªprivileges that the court officials could not enjoy. Wang Simu brought a nourishing soup for her father, using the opportunity of tidying the desk to sneak peeks at the memorials and annotations. asionally, she would even brazenly ask questions. "I heard from the servants that at today¡¯s literary gathering, the huiyuan from Cloud Deer Academy showed up?" Wang Zhengwen asked. "Yes, and he had a confrontation with Minister Sun''s niece." Wang Simu recounted the entire incident to her father, then snorted, "Father, I saw that Huiyuan Xu was a prodigy, which is why I invited him. But who would have thought he¡¯s a sentimental fool, unable to show restraint¡ªa mediocrity. Father, you should give him a good lesson, to vent for Sister Yan." Wang Shoufu didn¡¯t see things as superficially as his daughter and mused, ¡°A schr from Cloud Deer Academy, following the Confucian path, likely will not have too poor a temperament. "For him to achieve huiyuan as a student of Cloud Deer Academy means he¡¯s undoubtedly talented. As for the conflict among you youngsters, it¡¯s not something to take seriously." Wang Simu smirked and immediately said, "It seems your daughter¡¯s thoughts align with yours, Father. Do you think it¡¯s possible to recruit him?" "Recruit him? Why would we recruit him? Even if he is talented, there¡¯s no need to risk offending the civil officials from the Imperial Academy. Besides, I¡¯m the Prime Minister, a leader among civil officials." Wang Shoufu shook his head. "Precisely because Father¡¯s the leader of the civil officials, if you make a move to recruit him, there will be less resistance. If we can bring him under our wing, it would not only suppress the arrogance of Cloud Deer Academy but also add a capable man to our ranks¡ªa win-win." Wang Simu looked as if she was analysing the situation for her father¡¯s benefit. "Without apelling reason, recruiting him would do more harm than good." Wang Zhengwen shook his head. Wang Simu wanted to continue, but a nce from her father made her swallow her words. She knew when to stop. *Without apelling reason... Well, I need more time to observe him...* Wang Simu thought happily. ... The Welfare Hall, the Southern City. In the wood shed, golden sunlight slowly faded, and Monk Jingchen soothed the ¡°ck dog¡±, lulling him into a sweet dream. ¡°Amitabha!¡± The middle-aged monk with thick earlobes and apassionate face spoke in a deep voice, ¡°It¡¯s a miracle that this child has lived until now.¡± "The arcanists from the Sitianjian have treated him, all thanks to Sir Xu," Hengyuan said beside him. ¡°Over the years, I¡¯ve wandered the mortal world, witnessing countless sorrows and joys, realizing that all beings suffer. Often, I ponder why, with myriad Buddhamps, the darkness of the world remains so imprable. "Not until yesterday, when Iprehended Mahayana Buddhism, did I understand that seeking personal salvation, pursuing the fruits of an Arhat or Bodhisattva, is for the self¡ªsmall aspirations. To save all beings is Mahayana. If everyone harbourspassion, would there still be a need for Buddhamps? No, there wouldn¡¯t." Monk Jingchen sighed. Hengyuan nodded, pressing his palms together. ¡°Sir Xu is truly a divine being.¡± Monk Jingchen also pressed his palms together. ¡°He is a natural-born child of Buddha, a great gift to Buddhism from the heavens. This poor monk believes, one day, he will achieveplete enlightenment and renounce the world to join the monastic life.¡± ¡°I greatly look forward to that day,¡± Hengyuan replied, his heart burning. Monk Jingchen nodded and continued, ¡°This child¡¯s body is weak, and his mind has been damaged. He will not recover fully in the short term, nor can he endure long travels. My suggestion is to send him to Qinglong Temple. As for you, it¡¯s time for you to head west. ¡°You know, beyond the eighth rank lies the third, known as *Vajra*. If you don¡¯t practice the Vajra Divine Art, you will never reach the rank of Vajra.¡± Hengyuan hesitated for a long moment before slowly shaking his head. ¡°Just now, you said that cultivating oneself is the lesser vehicle, while saving all beings is the greater vehicle.¡± Monk Jingchen froze, then lowered his head in shame and pressed his palms together. ¡°What senior uncle said is true. You indeed have greater wisdom. Very well, very well.¡± Though he hadprehended the Greater Vehicle of Buddhism, *Mahayana*, the ingrained habits of decades weren¡¯t so easily changed. This was the difference between sudden enlightenment and not-sudden enlightenment. Arhat Du¡¯e had reached sudden enlightenment, so he no longer held onto such mental habits. ¡°Tomorrow, Senior Uncle will take us back to the Western Regions,¡± Monk Jingchen said. ¡°So soon? What about the matter of the evil creature? Won¡¯t we investigate it further?¡± ¡°The evil creature has been free for several months; there''s no rush. The Grandmaster wishes to return to the Western Regions first and spread the teachings of Mahayana,¡± Jingchen exined. After sending off Monk Jingchen, Hengyuan was about to turn when he suddenly noticed an old Daoist standing in the shadows of the courtyard, smiling at him. ¡°Daoist Jinlian?¡± ¡­ Xu Manor. The setting sun lingered on the western horizon, painting the sky in brilliant shades of crimson and gold. Xu Qi¡¯an rode his little mare back home, tossing the reins to a servant at the gate and stepping inside just in time for dinner. At the table, Xu Xinnian recounted the events of the literary gathering earlier that day, briefly mentioning how Lingyue had nearly fallen into a pond. ¡°What? Lingyue fell into the water?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an quickly turned his attention to his little sister, concerned. ¡°Are you feeling alright? Any headaches or fever? Could you catch a cold?¡± Xu Lingyue replied in a soft voice, ¡°No, big brother, don¡¯t worry. I took medicine when I got home, so I won¡¯t catch a cold.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an red at Xu Eng. ¡°How did you take care of her? She fell into the water at a literary gathering¡ªwhat good are you?¡± Xu Eng nced at Lingyue, who quickly came to his defence. ¡°It wasn¡¯t second brother¡¯s fault. He can¡¯t watch me every second. Besides, when I fell into the water, he immediately pulled me out. The one who pushed me was the niece of the Minister of Law, but she already apologised andpensated me.¡± The Minister of Law¡¯s niece... Xu Qi¡¯an raised his brows and sneered, ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll send someone to stake out the Sun family¡¯s residence. The moment she steps out, we¡¯ll run her over with a carriage and be done with it.¡± Then, looking guilty, he turned to Lingyue. ¡°Sister, it¡¯s my fault you got involved.¡± Lingyue puffed up her cheeks in a pout. ¡°Big brother, what are you saying? We¡¯re family; don¡¯t be so formal.¡± *What a sweet sister!* ¡­ After dinner, Xu Qi¡¯an embarked on his long journey of cultivation¡ªbreathing exercises, visualisation, studying the Heart Sword technique, meditation, and practicing the Invincible Vajra Art. It reminded him of the overwhelming workload from his school days. Suddenly, a thick fog enveloped his vision, and he found himself in the mist-shrouded world of Monk Shenshu. Passing through theyers of fog, he arrived at a dpidated temple and saw the handsome monk seated in meditation. Monk Shenshu looked at him with warm eyes and said, ¡°I am about to enter deep sleep and will not awaken for a while, so I won¡¯t be able to ensure your safety. I will give you another drop of my blood to help you practice the Invincible Vajra.¡± ¡°Your blood can help me cultivate the Invincible Vajra?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an was startled. Shenshu smiled. ¡°You should understand that my undying body is based on something. This technique is difficult and slow for others, but for you, progress will be swift. With it, you¡¯ll have enough strength to protect yourself.¡± With that, Shenshu flicked a drop of blood into Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s forehead. Xu Qi¡¯an was instantly ejected from the misty world, waking in his room. Crack, crack, crack¡­ His body made popping sounds like firecrackers as his skin bulged with muscles and veins, which quickly turned a gleaming gold under the candlelight. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind screamed, *Holy shit!?* His Invincible Vajra Art had already reached a profound level. Now, if he were to fight Monk Jingsi in hand-to-handbat, the oue would be uncertain. Of course, he couldn¡¯t let the Buddhist sect know about this. Xu Qi¡¯an dispelled the golden glow and sat at his desk, deep in thought. *Monk Shenshu, an immortal-like figure from the Buddhist sect¡­ surely he must have practiced the Invincible Vajra Art as well. And the Jianzheng allowed a Dharma battle, specifically naming me to represent the Sitianjian¡­* *Why is the Jianzheng paving the way for me so tantly? No, it feels like he¡¯s treating me like a crop to be harvestedter¡­* At that moment, a knock sounded on his door. ¡°Who is it?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an stood up and opened the door. Outside, under the night sky, stood an elderly Daoist with white hair, holding a horsetail whisk and smiling. Behind him were the swordsman in azure, Chu Yuanzhen, and the burly monk, Lu Zhishen. ¡°You¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an was stunned. *Why have they suddenlye to my house?* ¡°I have a young friend in trouble and would like Sir Xu¡¯s help,¡± Daoist Jinlian said. --- [^1]: Green is the colour of adultery (long story) Chapter 303: Frightening Bad Luck Chapter 303: Frightening Bad Luck # 303. Frightening Bad Luck *A young friend is in trouble¡­ is it Five, or some other junior acquaintance of Daoist Jinlian?* Xu Qi¡¯an showed an appropriate expression of confusion: "Where is your young friend, Daoist? Do you need me to mobilize the court¡¯s forces?" Daoist Jinlian shook his head and replied, "She¡¯s in Xiangzhou." *Xiangzhou lies to the south of the capital, about 400 kilometers away... not too close, but not too far either.* Xu Qi¡¯an frowned, saying, "Daoist, if you have business, I have no choice but to assist. However, I¡¯ll need to request a leave of absence from the yamen first, since the journey is long." Daoist Jinlian nodded, ¡°You can have a servant request leave on your behalf tomorrow. We¡¯ll depart tonight to save time¡­ Oh, by the way, what about the Master of Prophecy? "If we want to locate someone, we¡¯ll need the help of her Qi-watching technique." "She¡¯s at the Sitianjian..." Xu Qi¡¯an sighed, then added jokingly, "Alright, I¡¯ll go to her mum¡¯s house and drag her here." *This Master of Prophecy must be a woman¡­* Number Six Hengyuan and Number Four Chu Yuanzhen both made this mental deduction.The three of them waited inside while Xu Qi¡¯an went to the back courtyard, fetched his mare, and rode off to the Sitianjian. The lights at the Sitianjian never dimmed. Xu Qi¡¯an entered the grand hall on the first floor and asked the overworked physicians, "Can one of you senior brothers pass a message? I¡¯m looking for Senior Sister Zhong Li." The atmosphere immediately stiffened. The physicians exchanged nces before one of them replied, "Senior Sister Zhong Li is on the first underground level. Please wait¡­" One of the white-robed arcanists entered the inner hall, and a few secondster, a loud shout echoed: "Senior Sister Zhong Li, Young Master Xu is here to see you!" Having shouted, the arcanist fled in a hurry, as if a wild beast were chasing him. In the grand hall, the remaining white robes all dropped what they were doing and bolted for the stairs. In an instant, the hall was empty, save for Xu Qi¡¯an. After a few more minutes, Zhong Li appeared from the inner hall, her hair unkempt and draped over her shoulders. She wore a in robe and kept her head slightly lowered. The picture of a forlorn woman. "I need to leave the capital for a short while. I¡¯ll be back soon. I need your help," Xu Qi¡¯an said bluntly, without any pleasantries. "Ok." Zhong Li nodded sinctly, as obedient as a tool ready for use. The two left the Sitianjian side by side¡ªXu Qi¡¯an on horseback and Zhong Li walking. Her pace was no slower than his mare''s. Soon, they returned to Xu¡¯s residence and joined Daoist Jinlian and the other two members of the Heaven and Earth Society. Chu Yuanzhen spoke up, "It¡¯s not proper to fly within the inner city. We¡¯ll head to the outer city; Brother Xu, please lead us out." If it were just him alone, flying within the inner city would be permissible, and the city¡¯s experts, out of respect for the Human Sect, wouldn¡¯t intervene or attack. But with a group, they couldn¡¯t turn a blind eye, which would put them in a spot of trouble. With that, Xu Qi¡¯an led the three out of the mansion. With him, a Silver Gong, leading the way, the Nightwatchers and the City Guards merely asked a few routine questions without causing any issues. On the way, Daoist Jinlian looked at Xu Qi¡¯an and said gravely, "Number Five has gone missing." Chu Yuanzhen immediately turned to Xu Qi¡¯an. Xu Qi¡¯an looked puzzled, "Daoist, what are you talking about? Oh, by the way, why aren¡¯t you possessing a cat today?" Daoist Jinlian replied calmly, "Number Five is the serial number of a holder of a fragment of the Earth Book. You should be aware of this. Hengyuan was saved with much help from you. Uh, what¡¯s this about a cat?" Xu Qi¡¯an let out an "Oh," and said, "Nothing, I must have been mistaken." Daoist Jinlian nodded in satisfaction. Xu Qi¡¯an also nodded in satisfaction. Chu Yuanzhen nced at both of them and then at Hengyuan. With a smile, he said, "So it was during the Sangpo case that you saved Master Hengyuan?" Hengyuan put his hands together, "It was all thanks to Sir Xu back then." *Hengyuan had indeed been embroiled in the Sangpo case. He¡¯d mentioned in the Earth Book fragment that he owed his escape from the Nightwatcher¡¯s headquarters entirely to Xu Qi¡¯an. Now, it seems there¡¯s more than meets the eye¡ªDaoist Jinlian has connections with Xu Qi¡¯an through Three. This means Xu Qi¡¯an is aware of the Heaven and Earth Society and the existence of the Earth Book fragments.* *If so, then I¡¯m even more certain on my hypothesis. Although Daoist Jinlian gave the Earth Book fragment to the Cloud Deer Academy student Xu Xinnian, he really wanted them both.* Chu Yuanzhen smiled without saying a word. Once they reached the outer city, Chu Yuanzhen patted his back, and the Human Sect magical sword flew out, scabbard attached, and hovered in mid-air. Daoist Jinlian took a paper crane from his robe, tossing it lightly. The paper crane transformed into arge bird, about seven feet long, and began circling above them. "I¡¯ll go with you, Daoist!" Xu Qi¡¯an said quickly. Anyone could see the obvious choice¡ªChu Yuanzhen¡¯s sword was a standing ticket, while Daoist Jinlian¡¯s crane had a reserved seat. Hengyuan and Chu Yuanzhen jumped onto the sword, which shot into the sky with a whoosh. Xu Qi¡¯an and Daoist Jinlian settled on the white crane, but then they realized there wasn¡¯t enough room for Zhong Li. "Can Arcanists fly?" Xu Qi¡¯an asked the "forlorn woman" below. "No, only a fourth-rank Arcanist can use teleportation formations," Zhong Li replied, shaking her head. Xu Qi¡¯an nced around and then looked at his own thigh, offering, "How about sitting on myp?" "No need!" Daoist Jinlian removed his wooden hairpin and tossed it to Zhong Li. Zhong Li caught the hairpin, which guided her into the sky with a whoosh, closely following Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s sword. *Daoist, you¡¯ve missed an opportunity¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought to himself. The white crane pped its wings and soared. ... The sword, crane, and hairpin ascended higher and higher. Soon, thendscape below became a blur. Whoosh¡­ Breaking through the clouds, a sword and a crane burst into the open sky. The night sky was a deep, serene blue, with a crescent moon hanging overhead. Below them, a sea of clouds stretched out, unmoving. Everything was still, and silence reigned. "We¡¯ve reached the stratosphere," Xu Qi¡¯an transmitted his voice. The wind was so strong that he couldn¡¯t keep his eyes open, and his words would be torn apart by the gales if spoken aloud, so they had tomunicate telepathically. Daoist Jinlian also closed his eyes, using his spiritual sense instead. Hearing Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s transmission, he asked in surprise, "Stratosphere?" "I just made it up. Daoist, tell me about Number Five''s situation," Xu Qi¡¯an transmitted back. "After thest Heaven and Earth Society gathering ended, Number Five stopped responding. At that time, I could still sense the Earth Book fragment¡¯s location in Xiangzhou. The next day, however, I suddenly lost the connection with the fragment," Daoist Jinlian said gravely. "Did Number Five encounter the demon Daoists of the Earth Sect?" Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s expression darkened as he offered his guess. "It¡¯s possible," Daoist Jinlian nodded. *So that¡¯s why you invited me, Hengyuan, and Chu Yuanzhen to join you on this mission¡­ Daoist Jinlian¡¯s survival instincts are pretty strong.* Xu Qi''an nodded, evaluating their collective strength. On the surface, Chu Yuanzhen appeared to be a martial artist, but he was actually practicing the Human Sect''s swordsmanship. His truebat strength was likely at the fourth rank, and even if he hadn''t reached it yet, he was close. Hengyuan, who appeared to follow the Buddhist path, was actually a martial artist as well. It was hard to assess his true abilities, as they hadn¡¯t yet fought, and Hengyuan had littlebat experience. Then there was Daoist Jinlian. Xu Qi¡¯an recalled that he had been pursued by a fourth-ranked Zilian all the way to the capital, which meant Jinlian¡¯s strength couldn¡¯t have been worse than fourth. The reason was that Jinlian hadn¡¯t been wounded by Zilian but by the demonic Daoist leader of the Earth Sect. Even so, he had still managed to escape Zilian¡¯s pursuit. *If we encounter the demon Daoists of the Earth Sect, then, anyone under third rank would be good as dead¡­* Xu Qi''an thought. An hourter, Daoist Jinlian transmitted a message to everyone: "We¡¯ve arrived. The area within a hundred miles below us should be where Number Five disappeared. I still can¡¯t sense the Earth Book fragment." The group descended through the clouds, diving toward the ground. As they neared the surface, what was once blurry became clear. Xu Qi''an saw the outline of arge city to the east, with many viges and towns scattered around it like stars surrounding a moon. The four of themnded in a forest. Daoist Jinlian and Chu Yuanzhen sat down cross-legged to recover their energy. Hengyuan stood guard for them while Xu Qi''an wandered the forest, managing to catch two wild pheasants and a deer. When he returned to the group, he asked, "Did anyone bring a pot?" "I did," Chu Yuanzhen replied, opening his eyes. He was about to get up and fetch the iron pot from the nearby woods but changed his mind. Since Xu Qi¡¯an knew about the existence of the Earth Book fragments, there was no need for pretense. He pulled out his Earth Book fragment and took out the iron pot. The four of them set up two bonfires, one for boiling soup and the other for grilling. Regardless of their cultivation system, after expending energy, everyone needed to replenish it. No one could produce strength from thin air. "I also brought some wine..." Chu Yuanzhen said, producing two jars of liquor to go with their grilled meat and soup. He exined, "When traveling far and wide, there are two things you must always bring. One: pots and pans. Two: toilet paper." Xu Qi''an raised the porcin bottle he had and smiled, "Now there¡¯s a third: chicken bouillon." Chu Yuanzhen immediately nodded in agreement. *Xu Ningyan is quite the character, how interesting!* *Chu Yuanzhen doesn¡¯t have any weaknesses on him, but I can¡¯t give up, I must see him have a social death.* The two exchanged smiles. After a hearty meal, Daoist Jinlian casually grabbed a dry branch to tie up his greying hair, but then his face stiffened suddenly. "Where¡¯s that Master of Prophecy?" Hearing this, Xu Qi''an¡¯s expression turned stiff. *Fuck, where¡¯s Zhong Li?* "I remember she was beside us when wended, but then¡­ somehow, I just forgot about her¡­" Xu Qi''an turned pale. "She must be nearby. Let¡¯s search the area. We need to be thorough, and hurry up," Daoist Jinlian said seriously. "This is more urgent than rescuing Number Five. Number Five might still be fine, but if it¡¯s the Master of Prophecy, by the time we¡¯rete¡­" Hengyuan, unfamiliar with the Arcanist system, asked, "What will happen?" Xu Qi''an replied gravely, "She''ll be cold and stiff." Daoist Jinlian silently nodded. The four quickly spread out. After about a quarter of an hour, Xu Qi''an found Zhong Li. She had fallen into a deep pit when theynded and had been sitting there, unmoving, ever since. It wasn¡¯t until she heard Xu Qi''an''s voice that she climbed out. Back by the campfire, Zhong Li sat with her back to everyone, hugging her knees, her frail shoulders hunched, her silhouette exuding loneliness. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to forget you, please don¡¯t be mad,¡± Xu Qi''an apologized again and again, exining, ¡°It¡¯s just I¡­ I¡­ I identally forgot.¡± Zhong Li remained in her seated position, ignoring him. Chu Yuanzhen clicked his tongue, watching the scene unfold with an amused smile. Hengyuan, with his hands together in prayer, couldn¡¯t understand. "There was no danger nearby. Why didn¡¯t she juste out by herself?" "It wasn¡¯t dangerous for you," Zhong Li muttered softly. ¡°Based on my past experiences, staying put and waiting for rescue is the safest option. If I hade out on my own, I might¡¯ve encountered all kinds of dangers, like a meteor falling from the sky or a passing monster or evil cultivator. "Misfortune can¡¯t be predicted, nor can it be divined. It could happen at any time, like just now¡­¡± Before she finished speaking, the bonfire crackled suddenly, sending sparks flying that ignited Zhong Li¡¯s hair. ¡°Watch out!¡± Hengyuan¡¯s face changed, and in a reflex, he grabbed the boiling soup and sshed it toward Zhong Li. At that moment, Xu Qi''an leaped in front of her, using his Qi to sweep away the scalding soup. Zhong Li clung to Xu Qi''an¡¯s leg, trembling. Chu Yuanzhen was left speechless. The scene went silent. In the quiet atmosphere, Hengyuan pressed his palms together in pity and said, "Benefactor Zhong, even the thousands of Buddhamps in the world cannot illuminate the darkness around you. Amitabha." Daoist Jinlian and Chu Yuanzhen, following his lead, pressed their palms together and chanted, "Amitabha." *Daoist, aren¡¯t you from the Daoist sect? Why are you chanting Buddhist mantras?¡­ Zhong Li¡¯s situation may be tragic, but for some reason, I still feel likeughing¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an silently grumbled to himself. He reached out and patted Zhong Li¡¯s head as a gesture offort. ¡°When wended earlier, I noticed something off about the Feng Shui in the area. There¡¯s arge tomb beneath the mountains to the south,¡± Zhong Li said softly. Chapter 304: Teammates that Makes One Feel Secure (Long) Chapter 304: Teammates that Makes One Feel Secure (Long) # 304. Teammates that Makes One Feel Secure (Long) ¡°Arge tomb?¡± Upon hearing this, Xu Qi''an turned his head and gazed toward the mountain range in the south. In the dark of night, the mountainsy silently, nestled together, their contours resembling a blooming lotus. After a few nces, Xu Qi''an, who didn¡¯t understand Feng Shui at all, withdrew his gaze. However, he noticed that Daoist Jinlian, Chu Yuanzhen, and Hengyuan were all watching intently, their expressions serious and focused. *Compared to them, my foundation is still too shallow. I guess it''s also because the martial artist path is too low-ss... -hey, wait a minute, isn''t Feng Shui the specialty of Arcanists?* With that thought, Xu Qi''an asked, "Can any of you actually understand the Feng Shui of that mountain range?" Daoist Jinlian withdrew his gaze. "No." Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan both shook their heads as well. *You don¡¯t understand, yet you were looking so seriously, even more convincingly than me...* the corner of Xu Qi''an¡¯s mouth twitched, and then heard Daoist Jinlian frown and say, "Even though I don¡¯t understand Feng Shui, the flow of the earth''s veins still tells somewhat. Even if that mountain range is a Feng Shui treasure ground, it doesn''t necessarily mean there''s arge tomb there."*True, Daoist Jinlian makes sense; a Master of Feng Shui can only see the Feng Shui; how could they possibly tell there''s a tomb underground?* Xu Qi''an turned to Zhong Li. "The tomb has been excavated, and a thick Yin energy is rising to the heavens," Zhong Li''s eyes glimmered with a clear light as she observed the terrain, speaking as she did so. "The shape is like a lotus flower, with the main peak facing east to absorb purple Qi. Behind it is a river, which probably has underground currents. The base is nourished by ck water, forming a formation of three-flowers gathering at the top. If there is also iron ore in the mountains, then the five elements areplete." *The five elements areplete?* Xu Qi''an thought and asked aloud, "So?" "To choose such a Feng Shui treasure ground, the person buried in this tomb must not have been an ordinary person," Zhong Li replied. "I''m actually quite curious. Apart from Arcanists, no other systems understand Feng Shui. So, who selected this burial site?" Xu Qi''an scratched his head. Zhong Li answered, "Apart from Arcanists, Warlocks know a bit about Feng Shui, and the Daoist sects also have some knowledge." *Arcanists originated from the warlock system, so it makes sense that warlocks know a bit... But Daoists also understand Feng Shui?* Xu Qi''an couldn¡¯t help but nce at Daoist Jinlian. The others followed suit. Daoist Jinlian shook his head. ¡°The Earth Sect doesn¡¯t study such things, but the Heaven and Human Sects dabble in it. To be precise, the Heaven Sect gains this ability naturally after reaching a profound level of cultivation, bing attuned to the world and sensing all things. "As for the Human Sect, their cultivation involves karmic entanglements, requiring them to attach themselves to emperors, which leads them to actively study Feng Shui. However, they aren''t as proficient as Arcanists." *Dean Zhao Shou once told me that things rted to fortune and Qi are connected to three forces: Confucians, Arcanists, and the Imperial Court. Since the Human Sect depends on emperors for cultivation, why aren''t they listed?* Xu Qi''an pondered. Zhong Li continued, "There may be a rare treasure within the tomb, but it is also apanied by great danger." She stared intently at the southern mountains, both eager and fearful. Xu Qi''an exchanged nces with the members of the Heaven and Earth Society. Daoist Jinlian shook his head, saying, "Let''s focus on finding Five first. We can talk about the tomb afterward." *Once we find Five, we''ll return to the capital and pretend we never heard about this.* Hengyuan nced at Zhong Li and nodded. "The dead are gone; there¡¯s no need to disturb them." Chu Yuanzhen agreed, "Moreover, we are not fully prepared. The matter of entering the tomb should be considered more carefully." *Everyone¡¯s survival instincts are strong. It¡¯sforting to have teammates that make one feel secure...* Xu Qi''an felt deeply reassured. As for how to search for people, after a brief discussion, they decided to proceed in three ways: First, Xu Qi''an would use his identity as a Nightwatcher to mobilise the officials and militia of the local viges and towns for a search. Second, Daoist Jinlian and Chu Yuanzhen, capable of flying with swords (or other objects), would be responsible for covering the towns and viges surrounding the main city. Third, Master Hengyuan would inquire among the local martial artists andmon folk for information in the city. "Five is from the Southern Marches, with distinct features and an adorable, charming appearance. If anyone has seen her, they should remember," Daoist Jinlian said. *Adorable and charming...* Xu Qi''an took out a few pieces of broken silver from his pouch and handed them to Master Hengyuan. "The best way to gather information is with silver; the second best is with fists. Master Hengyuan, feel free to use both." Hengyuan epted the silver and nodded. ¡­ Xiangzhou governed eight districts and sixteen counties, with Xiangcheng being the provincial seat, home to over five hundred thousand people. Although it couldn¡¯tpare to the capital, it was still considered a first-tier city. At dawn, Xu Qi''an brought Zhong Li into the city. The streets were mostly empty, with only a few vendors setting up stalls and artisans starting their early work. Mostmoners were still in bed. However, the brothels and entertainment venues had already opened early, with clients yawning as they left, shivering in the chilly morning breeze before dispersing. *I wonder how the brothels in Xiangchengpare to those in the capital. Are the performances good? Are the women charming?* Xu Qi''an pondered, but resolutely left the brothels behind after asking a passerby for directions to the government office. Upon entering the government office, his Silver Gong badge granted him an audience with the magistrate of Xiangzhou. Magistrate Li was a rotund middle-aged man who greeted Xu Qi''an with utmost politeness. Xu Qi''an sipped his tea and said, "I need to find a young woman from the Southern Marches, very beautiful, with distinct features. I hope Magistrate Li can mobilise his people for a search. "Once there¡¯s any news, post an announcement at the city gate. I¡¯ll check it myself." Magistrate Li nodded, "Rest assured, Sir Xu. this official will see to it." Satisfied, Xu Qi''an took another sip of tea and asked, "Has anything unusual happened in the Xiangcheng area recently? Any strange individuals or battles nearby?" Magistrate Li thought for a moment before shaking his head. "None." After Xu Qi''an left, Magistrate Li summoned his deputy to ry the task. "Isn''t this like searching for a needle in a haystack? Though people from the Southern Marches are distinct, Xiangcheng isrge. How are we supposed to find her?" The deputy, hearing it was a thankless task, felt reluctant. "Silver Gong Xu Qi''an... I feel like I''ve heard that name before." Magistrate Li furrowed his brows. "Fetch yesterday''s court bulletin." The prefecture had received a bulletin from the imperial court the day prior, announcing a grand victory of the Sitianjian against the Western Region''s Buddhists, instructing all provinces and prefectures to publicly post the news. When the bulletin arrived, Magistrate Li''s eyes lingered on one particr line: "Silver Gong Xu Qi''an, standing in for the Sitianjian in the contest." The moment dawned on him¡ªthis was no ordinary visitor. He turned to the prefect''s assistant with a serious tone. "Handle this matter diligently. The Silver Gong who just left is none other than the renowned figure mentioned in the bulletin." The assistant nodded emphatically. "I¡¯ll see to it at once." ¡­ As the sun climbed higher, Xu Qi''an wandered the city with Zhong Li, inquiring among various martial artists, but no valuable clues surfaced. *Logically, if Five really encountered a Daoist from the Earth Sect, she¡¯s likely in grave danger¡ªor worse, captured...* *Daoist Jinlian wouldn''t have brought us all this way to search blindly unless he thought Five could escape from the Earth Sect. If that¡¯s true, there must be traces of battle in this area. But from what I gathered at the government office, no reports of such incidents have surfaced. If there had been a sh significant enough to attract attention, the authorities would have already been notified. Of course, it¡¯s possible Magistrate Li is concealing something, but after so much asking around, I haven''t heard a single strange tale. Common folk love to gossip, after all...* His thoughts drifting, Xu Qi''an looked towards a nearby Gon and led Zhong Li in. "We''ve been searching all morning¡ªlet¡¯s take a break, grab something to eat." Zhong Li hesitated for a moment but followed him obediently. "Wee, honoured guests." A young servant in blue clothes greeted them warmly, ushering them into the establishment. "Find us a private room on the second floor. Good food and fresh fruit," Xu Qi''an said smoothly, tossing a small silver piece to the servant, a move well-practiced by him. The servant nced at Zhong Li, his smile widening. "Please, upstairs this way." Usually, bringing a girl to the Gon would mean the guest was purely there to watch ys. However, there were exceptions ¡ª those who liked brining women from outside to y. These women were usually not of reputable backgrounds, and couldn¡¯t really appear around one¡¯s house ¡ª hence the Gon. *This guest is certainly handsome, who knew that he would like this kind of unkempt chick¡­* the blue-clothed servant thought, as he lead them with light steps to a quiet booth on the second floor. "Who exactly are you looking for?" Zhong Li asked softly between bites. "A member of a hidden organisation¡ªthe one founded by Daoist Jinlian of the Earth Sect." Xu Qi''an wasn¡¯t worried about revealing his secrets to his typewriter. Zhong Li chewed slowly, and Xu Qi''an could only see her small, rosy lips as she ate, not her face. Those lips, he noticed, were quite lovely. "His soul is iplete," Zhong Li suddenly remarked. "What?" Xu Qi''an was taken aback. Instead of borating, she continued, "It''s like yourpanion in the Jiaofangsi¡ªher soul doesn¡¯t fully align with her body." After a long silence, Xu Qi''an nodded, keeping his tone casual. "Oh." "Is that artefact in your possession the Earth Book?" she asked next. Xu Qi''an nodded again. "The Earth Book is an ancient treasure, said to date back to the era of the Human Sovereigns. It was a divine creation butter shattered," Zhong Li said. "How did it break?" Xu Qi''an¡¯s curiosity was piqued. "I once overheard Teacher Jianzheng mention that it was likely the Daoist Venerable who shattered it." Taking a sip of wine, she exined further, "The Sitianjian keeps a record of powerful artefacts in a special ledger¡ªit waspiled by Teacher himself." The Earth Book was critical to Daoist Jinlian¡¯s n to cleanse his sect. If it fell into the hands of the Earth Sect''s renegades, the consequences would be dire. Xu Qi''an knew this, and it was clear that Daoist Jinlian was likely anxious, even if he didn¡¯t show it. ¡­ Meanwhile, Daoist Jinlian, riding on a paper crane, soared across thends below, his face clouded with concern. Xu Qi''an had guessed correctly¡ªhe was indeed worried. When Five had failed to respond through the Earth Book, he¡¯d immediately sensed something was wrong. When the fragment itself fell out of contact, his worst fears were confirmed. *"Who could have foreseen Five''s luck being this bad? She¡¯s no weakling. Even if she encountered a demon daoist from the Earth Sect, she should¡¯ve been able to escape..."* After the incident with Zilian, the demon daoists wouldn''t be so careless as to parade the Earth Book fragments around. It was likely they would keep it hidden away in the Earth Sect. Without retrieving the fragment, Jinlian¡¯s grand n would be thwarted halfway. For now, all he could do was pray that Five hadn¡¯t been captured. If so, she might still be rescued. As for the fragment... "Fate can be cruel," Daoist Jinlian sighed bitterly to himself. Elsewhere, Chu Yuanzhen was flying rapidly on his sword, his sharp eyes scanning the ground for any sign of battle. *If we can¡¯t recover the Earth Book fragment, the newly restoredmunication in the Heaven and Earth Society will once again be silenced. Without the ability to exchange information, the members who¡¯ve grown close will drift apart. And most importantly, Daoist Jinlian¡¯s n to purge his sect will be in jeopardy.* *We promised to help him with this. Now, the risk has increased.* Just then, all the holders of the earth book simultaneously felt a lurch in their hearts. ¡¾TWO: I n to visit Jiangzhou to investigate a case, and afterward, I''ll head to the capital, eliminating evil along the way. Hmm, let¡¯s dy the Conflict of Heaven and Man for a few days. I¡¯lle to the capital after the pce examination.¡¿ *After the pce examination, that would be in twenty days¡ªnot toote...* Chu Yuanzhen had a vague suspicion that Li Miaozhen was about to break through, which was why she kept postponing. *This shows that she isn¡¯t very confident about the Conflict of Heaven and Man, which is good for me. But if she sessfully breaks through to the fourth rank, then it¡¯ll definitely be a life-or-death struggle that can¡¯t be avoided.* ¡¾SIX: Something happened to Number Five. She disappeared in Xiangzhou, and Daoist Jinlian lost the connection with the Earth Book fragment. It¡¯s very likely that she was captured by the demon daoists of the Earth Sect.¡¿ After a brief silence, Number Two¡¯s message came, long and urgent: ¡¾Are you sure she was captured by a demon daoist of Earth Sect? Xiangzhou, right? Is Daoist Jinlian in Xiangzhou too? I¡¯ll head over immediately to help find Number Five. She¡¯s been missing for several days, has Daoist Jinlian found any clues? How could that girl be so unlucky? What were the elders of the Southern Marches thinking, sending such an inexperienced girl abroad without protection? These barbarians truly are barbaric...¡¿ Number Two¡¯s nagging wasced with urgency, evident to anyone who heard it. ¡¾ONE: If she encountered a demon daoist of Earth Sect in Xiangzhou, then there must have been a fight. Seek help from the local authorities.¡¿ At that moment, Daoist Jinlian sent a message: ¡¾Number Two, you don¡¯t need toe. It¡¯s pointless. Number Four and Number Six are already in Xiangzhou.¡¿ A few secondster, Daoist Jinlian sent another message: ¡¾Do your best, the rest is up to fate.¡¿ Anyone could sense the helplessness in his words. The members of the Heaven and Earth Society were weighed down with worry¡ªboth concern over the treasured artefact falling into the hands of the demon daoists, and fear for Number Five''s safety. ... *Hmm, Daoist Jinlian didn¡¯t mention me. Looks like the identity of ''Cat Daoist'' really makes him wary. As I suspected, one should never reveal an entricity to others¡ªonce people know, it''s like handing them a weakness.* Xu Qi''an chuckled to himself. Then, he looked at Zhong Li, ¡°You full?¡± ¡°Mm!¡± Zhong Li nodded obediently. ¡°I have a bold idea,¡± Xu Qi''an suddenly said. ¡°I suggest you hide that bold idea,¡± Zhong Li said cautiously. A few minutester, the trembling Fifth Senior Sister of the Sitianjian was dragged by Xu Qi''an onto the bustling street. ¡°Just point us in the right direction using your Master of Prophecy abilities. I feel that we might find a clue.¡± ¡°Based on my experience, even if we find a clue, it will probably lead to a worse oue,¡± Zhong Li reminded him. Sunlight fell upon her, and her hair glistened with a rainbow of colours. She was actually quite clean, just unkempt, which made people mistake her for a scruffy girl. ¡°Don''t forget, I have great luck. I can offset some of your bad luck.¡± Zhong Li was sessfully persuaded. She had a naturally agreeable personalitycked firm opinions. She lowered her head, and her pupils took on a strange, fixed pattern, glowing faintly. After a few seconds, her voice became distant and hollow: ¡°Head three miles south, and you¡¯ll find a clue¡ªazure clothing¡­ a man¡­ anxious¡­ afraid...¡± After speaking, she copsed weakly. ¡°As a Master of Prophecy, I can only predict once per day, and after that, my bad luck esctes to divine retribution. Without great fortune or a special protection array, I won¡¯t survive four hours.¡± *Master of Prophecy... perpetually cursed with bad luck, and revealing the secrets of heaven leads directly to divine retribution? Knowing the Jianzheng¡¯s style, this whole Arcanist system feels like it was designed for schemers¡ªcunning maniptors behind the scenes...* Xu Qi''an thought, as he carried Zhong Li on his back. ¡°I¡¯ll carry you.¡± *She¡¯s unexpectedly well-endowed!* The sensation against his back, soft and ample, made him add a silent note in his mind. The three-mile journey was not uneventful. Xu Qi''an encountered a horse that ran wild in the street, two runaway carriages, and a martial artist who mistook Zhong Li for his eloping wife and tried to kill them in a rage. *Why does this feel like a journey to the West? Is this woman poisonous...* Xu Qi''an internally grumbled. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve dragged you into this,¡± Zhong Li said apologetically. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, really. I, Xu Qi''an, have weathered all sorts of storms. I certainly don''t me you,¡± he reassured her. ¡°I... I can use the Qi-watching technique...¡± she muttered. "..." Xu Qi''an pretended not to hear that. He scanned the area and spotted a man in azure clothing sitting cross-legged by the roadside with a sign in front of him. The sign read: "Urgent help needed from experts seventh rank or above. Generous rewards. No time-wasters." *What is this strong sense of deja-vu...* Xu Qi''an walked closer, staring at the man in azure for a moment before saying, ¡°Brother, what trouble are you in?¡± The man in azure gave him a cold look, didn¡¯t answer, and pointed at the sign. Just as Xu Qi''an was about to speak, a furious shout came from behind him: ¡°You bastard! You killed my entire family! Today, I¡¯ll have your blood for my blood!¡± Turning around, Xu Qi''an saw a burly Jianghu warrior charging at him with a steel sabre in hand. ¡°Hah!¡± The saber shed toward his head. The man in azure¡¯s expression changed, and he shouted, ¡°Watch out!¡± But Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t dodge. The saber hit his head with a ¡°ng,¡± and the de curled into a spiral. The man in azure stared wide-eyed, his voice trembling, ¡°S-s-sixth rank?!¡± The enraged martial artist also snapped out of it, realising that he had attacked a sixth-rank warrior with Bronze Skin and Iron Bones. His face turned pale as he dropped to his knees and begged for mercy, ¡°Forgive me, great hero! I made a mistake! I didn¡¯t realise who you were!¡± ¡°Fuck off!¡± Xu Qi''an kicked him away and then looked at the man in azure. ¡°My humble skills¡ªare they good enough to help?¡± ¡°Of course of course...¡± The man in azure was overjoyed, unable to contain his excitement. ¡°Please help me, hero. We can discuss the reward¡ªanything is fine.¡± He could hardly believe his luck. Meeting a sixth-rank warrior felt like a pork bun had just dropped from heaven. ¡°Hero, let¡¯s talk somewhere else,¡± the man in azure said. *Changing locations would only bring more trouble. Better to stay put¡­* Xu Qi''an suddenly understood why Zhong Li never crawled out of the pit. When faced with an unknown crisis, staying in ce and waiting for rescue was indeed the best option. She had that down so well, it was heartbreaking. ¡°Alright¡­ fine¡­¡± The man in azure finally gave in, coughed, and lowered his voice, ¡°My name is Qian You, and I¡¯m the helm master of the Houtu Gang.¡± _What a great name!_ Xu Qi''an asked, confused, ¡°Houtu Gang?¡± Qian You, a little embarrassed, exined, ¡°We specialise in excavating ancient ruins and tombs, bringing the buried treasures back to light.¡± _Oh, tomb raiders! No, wait¡­ grave diggers!_ Xu Qi''an understood. Qian You kept a close eye on Xu Qi''an''s expression and, seeing no disgust, continued, ¡°Latest year, our gang¡¯s guest elder discovered a feng shui treasure outside Xiangcheng. There was likely a grand tomb hidden beneath it. ¡°After some digging, we confirmed it. But our vice helm master warned that the tomb was filled with filthy miasma, likely harbouring evil creatures. Our Houtu Gang alone couldn''t handle it¡­¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Xu Qi''an interrupted, staring at him suspiciously. ¡°How did your vice helm master know the tomb was full of filthy miasma?¡± Qian You puffed up his chest proudly. ¡°Our vice helm master is an arcanist, a rare breed in the Jianghu.¡± _An arcanist?!_ Xu Qi''an nced at Zhong Li, noticing her expression remained unchanged. He remembered hearing about wild arcanists before. The arcanist system had existed six hundred years, which was extremely shortpared to other systems. But then the Dynasty of Feng was also six hundred years old. Apart from the Sitianjian, wild arcanists did exist throughout thend. ¡°What¡¯s his rank?¡± Xu Qi''an asked. ¡°A seventh-rank Master of Feng Shui,¡± Qian You replied. _Just as I thought. For wild arcanists, seventh rank is about their limit. Sixth-rank alchemists need to rely on the royal court and the people¡¯s ¡°approval¡±, something most wild arcanists can¡¯t achieve._ Xu Qi''an nodded. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°We spent three months preparing¡ªhiring experts, gathering tools, including items of pure Yang to suppress the filth and yin energy in the tomb. Only recently did we feel ready to enter. But¡­¡± Qian You¡¯s face turned pale, anxiety and worry flooding his eyes. ¡°But our gang leader and the others never returned. I know they ran into trouble, but I¡¯m too weak to help them. So I¡¯ve been here recruiting someone stronger to help.¡± _That tomb must be extremely dangerous if it managed to cause a group of professionals to overturn their boats¡­ The authorities typically don¡¯t handle these kinds of things, and they¡¯d likely arrest him if he tried. That¡¯s why he¡¯s ¡®set up shop¡¯ here¡­ Wait!_ Xu Qi''an¡¯s mind raced as he quickly asked, ¡°You mentioned hiring experts earlier. Did you happen to recruit a girl from the Southern Marches? Strong, skilled, and looks like a real fighter?¡± Qian You looked at him, confused. ¡°How did you know? There was indeed a young woman from the Southern Marches. She¡¯s incredibly strong but was penniless after her long journey. She hadn¡¯t eaten for three days. ¡°Our gang leader treated her to a big meal and promised her room and board if she helped us in the tomb. She agreed.¡± _So that¡¯s it. No wonder Zhong Li¡¯s prophecy pointed me to this guy. Five wasn¡¯t captured; she just got into trouble while tomb raiding¡­ But why did the Earth Book fragment get blocked?_ *For a meal and some traveling expenses, this foolish girl agreed to go down into a tomb.* _Is this what they mean by ¡®a beast-man will never be enved unless you provide room and board¡¯?_ Xu Qi''an mind was filled with curses. Seeing him lost in thought, Qian You hurriedly added, ¡°There are treasures in the tomb. If you¡¯re willing to help, not only will you get a share of the loot, but our gang will also reward you handsomely.¡± Xu Qi''an nced at him. ¡°Since you¡¯re out of options, reporting this to the authorities would be safer.¡± ¡°If I report this, I¡¯ll be the first one arrested. Besides, the officials wouldn¡¯t be in a rush to rescue anyone. It¡¯s not reliable,¡± Qian You shook his head frantically. ¡°I¡¯ll take the job,¡± Xu Qi''an nodded. ¡­ Half an hourter, Qian You followed the formidable sixth-rank martial artist out of the city. Surprisingly, they weren¡¯t heading to the southern mountains but toward the north. Qian You reminded him several times they were going the wrong way, but Xu Qi''an ignored him and exined, ¡°I¡¯m gathering a few friends to help.¡± Along the way, Qian You¡¯s confidence gradually turned to fear¡­ The reason? This sixth-rank martial artist was incredibly unlucky. First, they were nearly run over by a cart. Then someone mistook Xu Qi''an for an enemy, and finally, he was nearly arrested by constables who mistook him for a notorious bandit. Several times, Qian You himself was almost caught up in the bad luck. _Is this guy cursed? Can someone like this really go tomb raiding without causing even more trouble?_ As doubts filled his mind, Qian You quietly considered backing out. ¡°You should wait from a distance, and make sure to cover your ears,¡± Xu Qi''an instructed. ¡°Understood!¡± Qian You nodded and darted into the forest, fleeing as fast as he could. _This man is strong, but his luck is so bad even I can tell something¡¯s wrong¡­ I¡¯ll just return to the city and find a new ce to look for help¡­_ Qian You¡¯s mood grew heavy, but then a deafening roar erupted behind him, shaking the forest and nearly knocking him unconscious. Blood rushed to his head, his ears ringing, and he immediately crouched down and covered his ears. Several minutes passed before he regained his senses, shaking his aching head. _What just happened?_ he wondered in terror. Through the ringing in his ears, he vaguely heard a sharp whistling sound. Looking up, he saw a sword beam streaking through the sky, with a man in azure standing upon it. From another direction, a paper crane flew in, with an old Daoist sitting atop it. Both were clearly headed toward the unlucky sixth-rank martial artist. ¡°I- immortals¡­¡± Qian You muttered, stunned. He hadn¡¯t expected that the expert he casually encountered by the roadside was not only a sixth-rank master but also had friends capable of flying through the air and traversing the ground. It was like stumbling upon a treasure. With these powerful individuals assisting, how could they not rescue the gang leader and the others? _I need to go back, right now. I have to cling to this thigh for dear life!_ This thought took root in his mind with absolute certainty. _I can¡¯t use the Earth Book fragment, or I¡¯ll expose my identity. Luckily, I¡¯ve got a loud voice, I can shout loud enough..._ Xu Qi¡¯an nced at Daoist Jinlian and Chu Yuanzhen as they approached swiftly and said, ¡°Master Hengyuan is still in the city, Daoist. You should notify him.¡± Daoist Jinlian leaped off the paper crane and, while taking out his Earth Book fragment, urgently asked, ¡°Did you discover any clues?¡± Chu Yuanzhen looked at Xu Qi¡¯an expectantly. ¡°There¡¯s good news and bad news,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said after a moment of deliberation. ¡°The good news is, I know where your young friend is. She wasn¡¯t captured by the demon daoists of the Earth Sect, but she¡¯s in a different kind of trouble.¡± ¡°What kind of trouble?¡± Daoist Jinlian pressed. At that moment, Master Hengyuan arrived. He had heard the faint sound of a lion¡¯s roar while still in the city and guessed it was Xu Qi¡¯an calling for everyone. Considering the crowds in the city, he couldn¡¯t disy his full speed, so he patiently left the city before sprinting with all his might. Upon hearing that Xu Qi¡¯an had found a clue about Five, Hengyuan put his palms together in relief, chanting a Buddhist prayer before eagerly turning to Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°She¡¯s still in the Xiangcheng area, and she hasn¡¯t encountered the Earth Sect¡¯s demon daoists,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, pointing to the south with a grave expression. ¡°She went tomb raiding.¡± _Tomb raiding?!_ This answer took the three of them byplete surprise, leaving them stunned for a long while. From afar, Xu Qi¡¯an spotted Qian You returning, his face filled with excitement as he scrambled back,ughing, ¡°Perfect timing. Daoist, you can question him yourself.¡± After a round of interrogation, Daoist Jinlian and the others had no more doubts and epted the fact that Five had gone tomb raiding. ¡°Daoist, if Five is in the tomb, then why has the Earth Book fragment been blocked?¡± Chu Yuanzhen asked with a frown. ¡°Besides the Earth Sect¡¯s secret techniques, other methods can block the Earth Book fragment, though they¡¯re quite rare,¡± Daoist Jinlian said, narrowing his eyes as he gazed southward. ¡°There must be a powerful formation in the tomb, which is why the Earth Book fragment is being blocked, preventing her from receiving our messages.¡± _So it¡¯s like she¡¯s out of signal range,_ Xu Qi¡¯an thought. He then picked up on a detail¡ªthere was arge formation in the tomb, and everyone knew that Sitianjian specialised in formations. ¡°There¡¯s no time to waste. Let¡¯s head down immediately,¡± Daoist Jinlian urged, eager to move. ¡°No!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an shook his head. ¡°I mentioned earlier that there¡¯s also bad news.¡± The three of them stared intently at him. Meeting their gazes, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°Zhong Li used her prophecy ability to search for clues and is now suffering from the bacsh of heavenly retribution.¡± The three then turned their gaze to Zhong Li. In the quiet atmosphere that followed, Daoist Jinlian spoke slowly, ¡°Since we know Five¡¯s whereabouts, there¡¯s no need to rush. I believe we should take a brief rest and head into the tomb tomorrow.¡± Master Hengyuan put his palms together. ¡°This humble monk agrees.¡± Chu Yuanzhen nodded. ¡°Indeed, a wise choice.¡± *Everyone¡¯s survival instincts are so strong. They¡¯re all such reassuringpanions, free of troublemakers or drama seekers¡ªhow wonderful,* Xu Qi¡¯an thought with relief. Then he paused, suddenly realising that this sounded oddly familiar, like something he had just said not too long ago. Chapter 305: In The Tomb Chapter 305: In The Tomb # 305. In The Tomb Zhong Li was now suffering the effects of heavenly retribution, so it was out of the question to leave her outside. Xu Qi¡¯an was always a man withpassion for beauty. But bringing her into the tomb could carry the risk of a TPK. Therefore, Daoist Jinlian¡¯s decision was the safest option, and everyone unanimously agreed. That night, mishaps were frequent. As Zhong Li meditated cross-legged, arge wild boar suddenly burst out of the grass next to her, giving her a brutal charge. Birds flying overhead dropped a load of golden fertilizer right as they passed over her head. Arge tree was suddenly blown over by the wind, crashing down on her head with a loud thud; a stray arrow from a hunter on the mountain at night nearly killed her¡­ It was tragic, truly tragic. The men who witnessed Zhong Li¡¯s ordeal fell silent. The men were mute, the women in tears. Finally, they saw the light of dawn. Zhong Lipiled a list of items to ward off yin energy, and sent Qian You to buy them in the city.¡°I... I¡¯ll take a little nap¡­¡± Zhong Li reached out her small hand and tugged on Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s sleeve, ¡°Don¡¯t leave me.¡± When Qian You returned with the supplies, Zhong Li was still sleeping. Xu Qi¡¯an lifted her onto his back, following Daoist Jinlian and the others toward the mountains in the south. ¡°Mnn¡­¡± Zhong Li mumbled in her sleep. ¡°Keep sleeping. I¡¯ll wake you when we reach the tomb entrance,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an whispered. Comforted, Zhong Li continued sleeping soundly. After the time it takes for two sticks of incense to burn, Qian You led the group to a mountain hollow, where he expertly found the entrance to the tomb, hidden by a cover of branches. Qian You cleared away the branches, revealing a narrow passage just wide enough for one person. ¡°Let¡¯s head in,¡± Daoist Jinlian said. ¡°Alright.¡± Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan nodded, then turned to look at Xu Qi¡¯an along with Daoist Jinlian. ¡°Give me one good reason!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said seriously. ¡°A Refining Spirit martial artist¡¯s spirit sense can detect danger in advance,¡± Daoist Jinlian replied with a smile. ¡°The indestructible Vajra body¡¯s protection is unmatched,¡± Chu Yuanzhen added. ¡°...Fine, you¡¯ve convinced me.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an bent over and entered the passage with Zhong Li on his back. The four followed behind, keeping a rtively safe distance. The passage started narrow, just big enough to pass through, but after several dozen steps, it suddenly opened up. Exiting the tunnel, Xu Qi¡¯an stepped onto some bricks, probably from the wall when tomb robbers had dug their way in. ck, ck¡­ He dug out his flint and steel, and lit the torch he had prepared earlier. mes flickered. *This tomb has been opened for nearly three months, allowing air to exchange with the outside, the oxidation within the tomb is very high¡­ this won¡¯t do, it¡¯ll destroy all the archaeological artefacts in the tomb ¡ª there¡¯s things that will break down as soon as they touch oxygen¡­ heh, as if I really need to pass an audit, thinking such nonsense excuses¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an scoffed internally. Footsteps sounded behind him as Daoist Jinlian and the others emerged into the tomb, igniting their own torches to light up the darkness. Xu Qi¡¯an bent down and picked up a brick, squeezing it to find that its hardness was far greater than he expected. ¡°What kind of brick is this?¡± he asked. Daoist Jinlian moved his torch closer, studying it carefully for a few moments. ¡°Qinggang brick.¡± ¡°?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an looked at him, puzzled. ¡°It¡¯s a rare type of stone, known for its durability and resistance to weathering,¡± Chu Yuanzhen exined. ¡°I¡¯ve read about it in books, but this is my first time seeing it in person.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. ¡°This is probably just the edge of the main tomb. Judging by these bricks, the entire tomb may be constructed from Qinggang stone bricks. ¡°The tomb¡¯s owner must be even more distinguished than we expected.¡± _No wonder he¡¯s a genius at solving cases ¡ª sharp thinking, exceptional analytical skills,_ Chu Yuanzhen thought. The group searched the chamber and discovered twelve coffins, along with four corpses that had been there for a few days, giving off a faint odour of decay. ¡°Three of them are from the gang, and the fourth was a hired expert,¡± Qian You murmured. Though he was used to high risks and frequent crises in this line of work, he still felt a heavy weight in his heart. Xu Qi¡¯an set Zhong Li down, handed her a torch, and squatted to inspect the bodies. ¡°Faces ashen, lips ck, they died to poison.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no poisonous gas in the air,¡± Zhong Li observed. Xu Qi¡¯an nodded and quickly stripped the clothes off the deceased, revealing several small puncture marks on one of the arms, as if bitten by some kind of insect. ¡°They¡¯re in the coffins. These men must have disturbed the coffins,¡± Chu Yuanzhen suddenly said. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s ears twitched, picking up faint, dense wriggling soundsing from inside the stone coffins. It seemed the stone coffins were breeding grounds for venomous insects. ¡°Shall we open the coffins?¡± Hengyuan asked, looking at Daoist Jinlian. Daoist Jinlian, in turn, looked at Chu Yuanzhen. Chu Yuanzhen nodded, flicking a finger to release a burst of sword energy that struck the stone coffin, stopping the wriggling noise inside. With a wave of his sleeve, he opened the coffin lid, and a nauseating stench flooded the air. All present were experts, impervious to such toxins. Zhong Li opened her hand, revealing a brown pill and said to Qian You, ¡°This is an anti-poison pill.¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss,¡± Qian You said gratefully, swallowing it. The four members of the Heaven and Earth Society stood around the stone coffin, examining the interior. Countless jointed poisonous insects had been smashed to a pulp, ck and brown fluid sttering the coffin walls. In addition to the bugs crushed by Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s force, there was a severely deformed skeleton inside, its age indeterminate, though clearly ancient. _It¡¯s a shame there¡¯s no technology in this world to date this skeleton,_ Xu Qi¡¯an thought. ¡°There are no burial goods, so these coffins should be the ones belonging to the attendants buried with the tomb owner,¡± Chu Yuanzhen said. ¡°The Great Feng doesn¡¯t have a practice of burying the living with the dead, right?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked, curious. ¡°The custom of burying the living has been around since ancient times, though the exact origins are unclear. The practice of burial sacrifices was officially abolished 2,123 years ago in the Great Yi Dynasty, before the Confucian sage was born.¡± Without hesitation, Chu Yuanzhen recalled the relevant knowledge and answered without missing a beat. ¡°That means this tomb is over two thousand years old,¡± said Daoist Jinlian. After searching around fruitlessly, they left the chamber with their torches and ventured further inside. Along the way, they asionally encountered corpses, each fallen to some trap. After a while, they entered arger chamber. The ceiling was cloaked in shadow above, and darkness stretched endlessly before them. Xu Qi''an swung his torch, revealing bodies strewn across the ground. Some were recent, their flesh still intact; others were skeletal and dressed in ragged, unidentifiable clothing. None of the skeletal remains were whole¡ªheads torn off, limbs severed, bodies hacked to pieces. Here and therey opened coffins. Clearly, a fierce battle had taken ce. Grave robbers had disturbed the coffins, awakening the dormant corpses. ¡°What¡¯s with these zombies? Isn¡¯t corpse maniption the purview of the Church of the Warlock God?¡± Xu Qi''an the ¡°culturally ignorant¡± was the first to speak, casting his gaze toward unopened coffins in the distance. Zhong Li shook her head. ¡°These zombies have nothing to do with the Church of the Warlock God; they have merely been nourished by yin energy over time and transformed into undead. Fortunately, they¡¯re already destroyed, saving us a lot of trouble.¡± As soon as she finished, a series of loud ¡°bangs¡± echoed through the chamber¡ªthe sound of coffin lids being pushed aside and crashing to the ground. In the darkness, silhouettes rose, emaciated figures with sharp, ckened nails and eerie, emerald-green eyes glinting malevolently. ¡°Amitabha Buddha!¡± Hengyuan chanted a Buddhist prayer and strode forward, dispatching a zombie with a single, explosive punch to the head. After eliminating the zombies, they discovered murals on the walls on either side of the chamber. On the left wall, the mural depicted people in ancient attire, bowing and prostrating before a high tform. The mural on the right was far less conventional, showing countless pairs of men and women engaging in acts of intimacy. They maintained fixed postures, indulging in passion. Some of the positions were unfamiliar even to Xu Qi''an, despite his extensive tutge from his hard-drive wives. The bodies in the mural were outlined with meridian flow diagrams. ¡°This appears to be an ancient sexual cultivation technique,¡± said Daoist Jinlian solemnly. ¡°An ancient sexual cultivation technique?¡±[^1] Chu Yuanzhen had some understanding but not in depth, while Hengyuan and Xu Qi''an were both in the dark. After a moment of thought, Daoist Jinlian exined, ¡°The Daoist Venerable is revered as the origin of all magicks, possessing vast knowledge. The orthodox Daoist schools divide his teachings into the three Sects of Heaven, Earth, and Man, yet many lesser branches also emerged. ¡°One of these branches practiced dual-cultivation, blending yin and yang to pursue the great Dao together. At its height, this sect rivalled the three orthodox schools, attracting endless worshippers, including noble officials who longed for the path to immortality. Some noblewomen even lingered at Daoist temples, willingly offering themselves for dual cultivation. ording to the Earth Sect¡¯s records, even some women of high status were among them.¡± *Wow, this sect really knew how to party¡­ No, no, that¡¯s my mind going astray. For them, seeking the Dao was the main goal, with everything else mere distractions¡­* Xu Qi''an was shocked, examining the murals intently, trying to memorize both the postures and the flow of meridians. Hengyuan shook his head, his gaze clear as he looked at the murals, unmoved and unshaken in his Buddhist resolve. ¡°This technique could certainly aid cultivation, though finding a partner skilled in it would be difficult,¡±mented the Zhuangyuan. Dual cultivation required a partner adept in the art¡ªit was not as simple as picking someone at a brothel. ¡°Heaven and Earth, Yin and Yang, transforming into the Five Elements¡­ Dual cultivation was originally an orthodox path to the Dao. However, while technique is emotionless, people are not. The progress in dual cultivation was slow and required practitioners to remain firm and not be swayed by desire. ¡°Eventually, some among them, eager for quick results, created the art of ¡®essence absorption,¡¯ leading them into the demonic path. They deceived female followers, imprisoning them in the temple for absorption, and kidnapped women everywhere, inciting widespread anger. ¡°Finally, they provoked the imperial army and outraged Jianghu heroes¡­ and were thus eradicated. Today, fragments of dual-cultivation techniques still exist within Daoism, though as iplete pieces, they have little practical use. To think, this ce holds aplete version of the dual-cultivation technique.¡± Daoist Jinlian sighed. ¡°Why would aplete dual-cultivation technique be here, though?¡± asked Xu Qi''an. --- [^1]: See [this wikipedia page](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoist_sexual_practices) for further reading. Please do not open at work. Chapter 306: Labyrinths and Reunions Chapter 306: Labyrinths and Reunions # 306. Labyrinths and Reunions ¡°Wasn¡¯t this sect supposedly once very popr among nobility? The owner of this tomb clearly held a high status,¡± Chu Yuanzhen analyzed. The implication was clear: the tomb owner was a devoted follower of the dual-cultivation technique. ¡°Toe across aplete version of the lost dual-cultivation technique makes this trip worthwhile,¡± Daoist Jinlian sighed. ¡°But you don¡¯t engage in rtions with women, Daoist. This technique is useless to you,¡± Xu Qi''an smiled. Daoist Jinlian¡¯s face darkened. ¡°The clothing of those people in the mural is rather strange,¡± Chu Yuanzhen added, his interest more piqued by the other mural than the technique itself. ¡°It¡¯s so ancient that I can¡¯t even determine the dynasty.¡± Having already memorized the technique depicted in the murals, Xu Qi''an quickly urged, ¡°Let¡¯s go and find Number Five. That¡¯s the priority.¡± This was too valuable a find to share.The group continued deeper into the tomb, with Qian You listening intently to their discussion, aware that the mural contained the legendary dual-cultivation technique. *Such a treasure! Both bedroom activities and cultivationbined, neither disrupting the other.* For many men, this was a practically irresistible temptation. Especially for someone like Qian You, a man of the Jianghu, whocked resources,cked renowned mentors, andcked secret texts. He dropped back a few steps, waiting for the others to move on, then swiftly turned back to the mural. *I¡¯ll memorize it and then catch up. It won¡¯t take long¡­ it won¡¯t take long¡­* Holding his torch tightly, he walked briskly. Only his footsteps echoed through the empty, silent tomb. Gradually, Qian You realized something was wrong. He had been walking for a long time but hadn¡¯t yet reached the mural. *We didn¡¯t walk this far. Why haven¡¯t I reached the mural?* He swept his torch around, illuminating the empty, silent tomb. There was no mural, no coffins¡­ nothing. After a moment of shock, a cold sweat poured down his back. He stammered, his teeth chattering in fear. ¡°H-Heroes? I¡¯m right here! Don¡¯t leave me behind¡­¡± The sound echoed, distorting in the open chamber,ing back to him as if others were calling out. Fear tightened around him like a vice, his skin prickling with dread. mping his mouth shut, he dared not make another sound. He turned and walked quickly, hoping to catch up with Xu Qi''an and the others. His brisk steps turned to frantic running, his breathbored, but he never reached them. All alone in the silent tomb, his own footsteps echoed back at him. It was chilling, as if the tomb itself was drawing him into its icy depths. Suddenly, he tripped and crashed hard to the ground. Grimacing, he held his torch close, inspecting the ground. It was a corpse ¡ª half a corpse, to be precise. The body had been severed at the waist, the lower half missing. Its entrails had been emptied, leaving the wound a mangled mess of flesh and bone. Qian You screamed, scrambling backward in terror. *There¡¯s a monster, a monster that eats human flesh ¡­ just nearby, I could meet it at amy moment¡­* Panic erupted through him, draining the colour from his face. *Leave, I must leave this ce immediately.* Qian You¡¯s hand shook as he clutched his torch, taking a deep breath to steady himself. As a veteran in the Houtu Gang, he¡¯d ventured into many tombs and survived various dangers, but none like this. His courage held firm, but only just. *A torch might attract it, but without light, I¡¯d be blind to any danger. Besides, anything that¡¯s lived underground this long would have poor eyesight, sensitive to light.* *I don¡¯t need to extinguish the torchlight, but rather eliminate my scent.* From his pack, he retrieved a porcin jar containing a pungent powder, faintly reminiscent of corpse stench. Dousing himself in the powder, he raised his torch and began cautiously moving forward. His sense of direction was gone; he could only walk aimlessly. Suddenly, he heard a delighted voice from behind him. ¡°Qian You?¡± ¡­ The others continued for a while until Daoist Jinlian suddenly furrowed his brow. ¡°Are we missing someone?¡± Turning around, he scanned the empty space behind them, and his eyes narrowed. The Houtu Gang¡¯s chief was nowhere to be seen. Xu Qi''an, Chu Yuanzhen, and Hengyuan quickly noticed the same, their expressions shifting to rm. ¡°When did he disappear? I didn¡¯t notice anything at all.¡± Xu Qi''an closed his eyes, concentrating on his perception, then frowned. ¡°My spiritual sense hasn¡¯t been hindered. If something had taken him, I would have sensed its hostility toward us too. The moment it bore any hostility, my senses would have picked it up.¡± Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s expression grew grim. ¡°Not only that¡ªthe sound of his footsteps vanished without any of us noticing. That in itself is unusual.¡± Hengyuan frowned, remaining silent. Daoist Jinlian¡¯s expression changed. He retrieved his Earth Book fragment, studying it for a moment before saying in a low voice, ¡°The Earth Book fragment isn¡¯t working.¡± Xu Qi''an, Chu Yuanzhen, and Hengyuan each instinctively reached into their robes. Though thetter two pulled out their fragments, Xu Qi''an quickly stopped himself and instead scratched his chest absent-mindedly¡­ ¡°It really isn¡¯t working,¡± Chu Yuanzhen confirmed, his face darkening after a failed attempt to send a message. So that¡¯s why Number Five had gone missing near Xiangcheng. This tomb was blocking their connection to the Earth Book fragments. ¡°Um, I think I know where we are¡ªor rather, I know what our situation is,¡± Zhong Li raised her hand timidly. The four turned to her, and she lowered her head, speaking softly. ¡°In general, a tomb is divided into outer, middle, and inneryers. The innermost chamber houses the main tomb, where the master of the rests. The middleyer is for side chambers and corridors, where the master¡¯s importantpanions are buried. The outeryer is the tomb¡¯s defense. We¡¯re currently in the outermostyer, which is also the most dangerous. "This ce is filled with mechanisms, traps, and formations... if I''m not mistaken, we''ve been in a formation since entering the chamber with the murals." The four men looked at her simultaneously, and Xu Qi''an stared, "Why didn¡¯t you say so sooner?" "I forgot," Zhong Li lowered her head, aggrieved. "I don¡¯t know why, I just forgot." Hearing this, the men all fell silent, unwilling to scold her any further. "Do you know what kind of formation this is?" Daoist Jinlian asked. "It should be a type of Bewildering Formation. Theyout of the outer structure of the underground pce aligns with this kind of formation. We¡¯re inside a vastbyrinth, and we must find the correct path to escape. Otherwise, we¡¯ll be trapped here indefinitely," Zhong Li said. "Lead us out, quickly," urged Chu Yuanzhen. "I-I¡¯ll probably lead you into a dead end," Zhong Li muttered, lowering her head even further. The group: "¡­" *Poor poor Master of Prophecy...* Xu Qi¡¯an sighed inwardly. Chu Yuanzhen, frowning, nced at Xu Qi''an and found inspiration: "If we can¡¯t break the formation conventionally, a brute-force approach might be best, like Xu Qi''an''s two strikes during the duel." Daoist Jinlian dismissed the suggestion, his expression solemn. ¡°Until we understand who the tomb owner is, it¡¯s best not to act rashly. The outer structure is built entirely of Qinggang stone¡ªa luxury even the current Emperor Yuanjing couldn¡¯t afford. ¡°Moreover, the tomb contains the ancient art of dual cultivation, the most secret method of that sect. Typically, such a technique wouldn''t be given up so easily, yet it¡¯s here. "This Bewildering Formation is incredibly intricate, and it was set up at least two millennia ago, a time before arcanists. All these factors point to the tomb owner being anything but ordinary. Breaking the formation recklessly could lead to unpredictable consequences. Heh, if you were a third rank master, then forget I said anything." Chu Yuanzhen nodded silently. Hengyuan furrowed his brows and asked, "So, what should we do now?" Being a warrior monk, he didn¡¯t understand such matters. Chu Yuanzhen, though well-read as a schr, pursued the path of the sword and had limited knowledge of formations. Xu Ningyan was a mere martial artist; he was even less dependable. "The Daoist sect isn¡¯t specialized in feng-shui, but we have some knowledge of formations. I could attempt to guide us through," said Daoist Jinlian. The Daoist sects do know about formations; after all, when Zilian was battling Yang Yan outside the capital, he used arge formation he had set up to aid him. However, they weren¡¯t as adept as arcanists, who could conjure formations with just a step. After a quarter of an hour, Daoist Jinlian¡¯s face grew tense as he gazed into the deep darkness ahead, silent and contemtive. The Daoist had failed to find a path and was questioning his self-worth. *Even the Daoist is a fraud¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought bitterly. No one present knew that Daoist Jinlian was a remnant soul of the Daoist Earth Sect¡¯s leader, the virtuous aspect of his personality. They couldn¡¯t perceive the heavy truth hidden behind his solemn demeanour. They were in deep trouble¡ªvery deep. "Before arcanists, who else had such powerful expertise in formations?" Daoist Jinlian pondered, searching his mind for any likely suspects. "Is there really no solution, Daoist?" Hengyuan and Chu Yuanzhen exchanged nces, each seeing the gravity in the other''s eyes. *How reckless of us! We should have consulted the local chronicles in Xiangcheng or studied historical records to glean clues about this tomb beforeing in... Our team¡¯s strength could make even a fourth rank expert flee in terror. I let this overconfidence slip past me,* Chu Yuanzhen silently regretted. Hengyuan softly recited a Buddhist mantra, feeling guilty. Number Five had been missing for days, waiting for rescue in this dark, eerie tomb, yet here they were, stymied so soon. Daoist Jinlian sighed, looking at Zhong Li. "Do you have any suggestions? You don¡¯t need to make a choice¡ªjust borate on the intricacies of this formation." Zhong Li thought for a moment, ¡°This type of formation is usually established in enclosed spaces or underground, or else an entrant could easily orient themselves and discern the correct path. "Without the ability to orient oneself, the only way out is to rely on the enterer¡¯s experience and judgment. If... if my experience and judgment be muddled, it may lead to even greater trouble." Now, Daoist Jinlian also fell silent. The members of the Heaven and Earth Society finally felt Number Five''s despair: trapped underground, unable to leave, with no connection to the outside world, time slipping away bit by bit, their physical conditions gradually deteriorating... In the heavy silence, Zhong Li raised her hand slightly and softly said, "Actually, there is a reliable method." Chu Yuanzhen and Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s faces lit up, and they asked urgently, "What method?" Hengyuan looked at her, his eyes filled with hope. Daoist Jinlian¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Zhong Li poked Xu Qi''an with her finger and murmured, "If we let him lead, we can get out ¡ª most likely, anyway." *Him?!* Everyone¡¯s gaze shifted from Zhong Li to Xu Qi¡¯an. Chu Yuanzhen was somewhat sceptical as he scrutinised Xu Qi¡¯an. Thoughts raced through his mind¡ªXu Ningyan was just a martial artist, with no knowledge of formations. Relying on him to break a formation was less promising than trying himself. However, the Master of Prophecy wasn¡¯t one to joke lightly. So, was there something special about Xu Ningyan himself, or did he carry some item capable of dispelling formations? *Yet judging by Xu Ningyan¡¯s expression, he seemed equally baffled...* At this thought, Chu Yuanzhen nced at Daoist Jinlian and noticed a look of realisation on his face. *Daoist Jinlian knows too?* Chu Yuanzhen took note of this detail. *There seemed to be some mystery about Xu Ningyan... I¡¯m getting more and more curious about him.* "Sir Xu, are you familiar with formations?" Hengyuan, with fewer fanciful thoughts than the zhuangyuan schr, voiced his confusion directly. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mouth twitched slightly. "No." ¡­ Qian You whirled around, instinctively drawing his weapon and assuming a guarded stance. Squinting into the shadows ahead, he called out in a low voice, ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± Footsteps approached, and a figure came into view at the edge of the torchlight. A middle-aged man in his forties, his face gaunt and hollow-cheeked, bloodshot eyes deeply set in their sockets, gave him the look of someone who had just weathered a long illness. Unkempt stubble covered his jawline, casting a shadow that made him appear both disheveled and weary. ¡°Boss?¡± Qian You¡¯s eyes widened in wild delight. He raised the torch, illuminating several familiar faces¡ªbrothers from the Houtu Gang. *I can¡¯t believe that I¡¯ve found the boss, how fortunate is this¡­* Just as Qian You was about to rush forward, his expression shifted, and he levelled his weapon at the group, bellowing nervously, ¡°Stay back! Don¡¯t move, any of you, or my de might not recognise friends. Now, how can you prove it¡¯s really you?¡± The haggard leader gave an approving smile. ¡°Good. No signs of carelessness. Looks like that human skin-wearing ghoul we encountered two years ago under the ground in Jingzhou left asting impression.¡± The other gang members with him cursed, ¡°Qian, don¡¯t you know why we left you topside? With your lousy skills,ing down here would be a death sentence.¡± ¡°Ha! It really is you all.¡± Instead of getting mad, Qian Youughed and approached them eagerly. As he neared the sickly-looking gang leader, he suddenly scattered a handful of vermilion powder. ¡°Fucker, this stuff¡¯s only good against low-level spirits. It¡¯s useless against zombies.¡± The gang leader cursed as he brushed off the powder. Finally reassured, Qian You held the torch up, inspecting the group one by one. He saw the gang¡¯s second-inmand¡ªan old arcanist with salt-and-pepper hair, whose white robes were now filthy and torn. He looked haggard, with deep sunken eyes. Next, he noticed the young girl from the Southern Marches, her face much thinner than he remembered, with a sharp chin recing her once-round cheeks. Though still pretty, her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked exhausted, struggling to conceal her fatigue. After counting everyone, Qian You¡¯s mood grew heavy. Of the thirty-two men who had entered the tomb, only twelve remained. ¡°You must all be starving. I brought some provisions,¡± he said, unpacking the food and water from his baggage and distributing them among the group. Even the girl from the Southern Marches, along with the others, brightened at the sight of the provisions, staring at the food like it was a beautiful woman in the nude. Their food supplies had been exhausted days ago, and they¡¯d endured hunger in the tomb¡¯s depths ever since. As he handed out the rations, Qian You noticed that each of his brothers bore injuries, some missing an arm, with sleeves torn off and wounds hastily bandaged, blood faintly seeping through. ¡°Boss, what happened to you?¡± he asked. The men, who had been eating ravenously, froze at his words. The haggard leader spoke quietly, ¡°We¡¯ve run into some trouble.¡± *Well, that much was obvious,* Qian You thought. ¡°This ce is a maze; no matter how we go, we can¡¯t find the way out,¡± the leader exined. ¡°After we entered the tomb, we stumbled into a chamber full of zombies. We lost several brothers fighting them off. Without Lina¡¯s help, more of us would have died.¡± The sickly leader cast a nce at the girl, who was munching on a tbread, then continued, ¡°After entering that chamber, we¡¯ve been wandering without escape, going in circles for days as our food and water dwindled. ¡°The worst part came when, one day, we woke up to find that the ¡®night watch¡¯ had disappeared.¡± The men¡¯s faces fell, and the leader went on, ¡°Since then, two of us have vanished each day. The group has been in a constant state of panic, and tensions with the hired experts boiled over. After a fierce argument, we split up.¡± ¡°Not long after, we found that everyone who left had been killed¡ªmauled as if something had feasted on them.¡± Qian You felt a chill run down his spine, thinking back to the corpse he¡¯d nearly tripped over, too mangled to look at. The sickly leader took a swig of water, swallowing his food before continuing. ¡°It¡¯s some kind of monster, and a powerful one at that. Every day it hunts us, eating exactly two people¡ªno more, no less.¡± His voice quivered slightly as he spoke. ¡°We¡¯ve fought it off twice now, thanks to Lina. If it weren¡¯t for her, you wouldn¡¯t be seeing us.¡± The sickly leader¡¯s tone grew solemn. ¡°But Lina¡¯s state is deteriorating, and without food or water, our strength will soon be spent. By the way, why¡¯d youe down here?¡± Chapter 307X. Strangeness Chapter 307X. Strangeness # 307X. Strangeness Upon hearing the question, Qian You immediately perked up. He cleared his throat a few times to gather the attention of the gang members and announced, "Boss, everyone¡ªI¡¯ve brought reinforcements for us. Don¡¯t worry; we¡¯ll be out of here soon." At his words, the gang was overjoyed. They asked eagerly, "Is it the Gongsun family from Xiangzhou¡¯s martial world? Or is it Longshen Castle of ckwater river?¡± "If it''s either of them, we¡¯re saved." "Right, the Gongsun family head is a fifth rank, with countless experts in his ranks and no shortage of skilled masters in the arcane arts. Longshen Castle is even stronger. But the two of them are known to be greedy; we¡¯d likely have no share of any treasures from the tomb and would have to pay them a fortune." "Are you out of your mind? We¡¯re facing death here¡ªwhat good is money if we don¡¯t survive? If they can save us, we¡¯ll find a way to settle the costster." The gang boss let out a sigh of relief and nodded approvingly. "Qian You, you did well." Qian You stayed silent for a long time, then replied with a peculiar expression, "My¡­my reinforcements aren¡¯t from the Gongsun family or Longshen Castle." "What?"The group¡¯s enthusiasm dimmed instantly, their excitement vanishing. In the martial society of around Xiangcheng, the Gongsun family and Longshen Castle were unquestionably the leaders. Both held close ties with the Xiangcheng authorities, and many skilled martial artists in the area relied on them. If anyone in Xiangcheng could rescue them, it would surely be one of these two powers. The hopeful gleam in the gang boss¡¯s eyes dulled. The second-inmand, dressed in white robes, asked, "If it¡¯s neither Longshen Castle nor the Gongsun family, then who did you find? What level are they? Do they have any affiliation or are they just a rogue practitioner?" The second-inmand, Gongyang Su, was an Arcanist. It was well-known that aside from the Sitianjian, wandering Arcanists were as rare as phoenix feathers in the Jianghu. With his mastery of Qi-watching and feng-shui, Gongyang Su was practically a natural-born tomb raider. As such, he was considered a treasure of the Houtu Gang, and though he held the title of deputy leader, the entire gang respected his words. Once Gongyang Su spoke up, the gang fell silent, all looking toward Qian You. ¡°It¡¯s quite the coincidence, actually. I happened to run into these reinforcements by the roadside, but it seems they were looking for someone themselves¡­¡± Branch Leader Qian You looked over at the young girl from the Southern Marches, letting out a sigh as he said, "Miss Lina, they were looking for you." The others all turned to the Southern Marches girl. Lina, who had been struggling with her tbread, looked up, crumbs on her lips, clearly puzzled. "This is my first time in the Great Feng. None of my nsmen came with me," Lina shook her head, indicating that she was alone and without friends. Qian You exined, "One of the people I met was a Sixth Rank expert at the Bronze Skin and Iron Bones stage. He was exceptionally handsome and carried a woman with disheveled hair on his back¡­" Before he could finish, Lina quickly shook her head. "I don¡¯t know him." "But they were indeed looking for you. They even asked me if anyone in the tomb-raiding party was a girl from the Southern Marches. I figured that recently in Xiangcheng, you were the only one." The gang boss furrowed his brow. He didn¡¯t believe Lina would have any reason to lie or evade here, especially as they were all in dire straits, needing mutual aid more than ever. Besides, if she really had a Sixth Rank friend in the Great Feng, would she have been starving for three days and three nights? If he hadn¡¯t offered her a meal, she was almost ready to resort to robbery. Musing over this, the gang boss pondered, "Didn¡¯t you say there were several of them? Describe the others." Qian You nodded. "Aside from that man and woman, there was a burly, fierce-looking monk, and a swordsman in azure robes who could fly with his sword. It was like seeing an immortal¡¯s techniques." "Flying with his sword?" the gang boss eximed, having never heard of a martial artist able to fly by sword. ¡°Do you know who he might be?¡± Gongyang Su asked, looking at Lina. The young Southern girl shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± *Really, she didn¡¯t know them? How could that be? Those heroes and theirpanions were clearly here to find Miss Lina...* Qian You, feeling puzzled, continued, "There was also a Daoist priest. I heard the others calling him Daoist Jinlian." ¡°Daoist Jinlian?!¡± Lina suddenly shrieked in delight, her eyes lighting up as she repeatedly said, "I know him! I know him! Daoist Jinlian is a senior I trust deeply¡­ Oh, he came looking for me! Daoist Jinlian really is a kind soul!" *So she does know them...* the others were relieved. It seemed that Daoist Jinlian was the one who knew Lina personally, with the others simply apanying him as aid. *The burly bald-headed man is likely the monk Hengyuan, or Number Six... and the azure-robed swordsman has to be Number Four, currently in the capital due to the approaching Conflict of Heaven and Man¡­ But who is the handsome Sixth Rank martial artist? Do we have anyone like that in the Heaven and Earth Society?* Lina¡¯s not-so-bright mind worked hard, trying to match Qian You¡¯s ¡°friends¡± with familiar faces, but she couldn''t ce the ¡°man and woman¡± he mentioned. "Miss Lina," one of the gang members asked, his face alight, his eyes fixed on her, "How strong are your friends?¡± Lina, simple and straightforward, answered each question without hesitation. "Daoist Jinlian is a master of the Earth Sect. I¡¯m not sure exactly which Rank, but he¡¯s much, much stronger than me." The group¡¯s imaginations filled with scenes of her tearing zombies apart and battling the corpse-devouring monster, and since this Daoist was even stronger, they felt hope spring anew. ¡°The bald monk is a warrior monk of the Buddhist order; he¡¯s also quite powerful.¡± Lina didn¡¯t know much about Hengyuan and skipped over him, then continued, ¡°As for the swordsman in azure robes, his name is Chu Yuanzhen. He¡¯s a main contender in the Conflict of Heaven and Man, representing the Human Sect in his duel against the holy maiden of the Heaven Sect.¡± ¡°What?!¡± The group cried out in shock, and the gang boss looked utterly stunned. Xiangzhou was only a three-to-four-day horseback ride from the capital, and the uing Conflict of Heaven and Man had already made headlines across the capital and surrounding provinces. In Xiangcheng alone, many Jianghu folk were heading to the capital just to witness the event, even if it was merely a duel to the death between younger disciples of the Human and Heaven Sects. Now, hearing out of the blue that one of the protagonists in the ¡°Conflict of Heaven and Man¡± hade down into the tomb to save them¡­ The Houtu gang members felt much like farmers hearing that the Emperor hade to help them nt rice. It felt so surreal, making them doubt its authenticity. But this came from Lina herself. They knew her well enough¡ªa sweet, sincere girl, open-hearted and earnest, who wouldn¡¯t lie. Yet, that didn¡¯t make her a fool. The Houtu gang had once seen a member from another group attempt to assault her during the night, and that guy¡¯s head had been crushed like a watermelon with a single p. Daring to trek thousands of miles from the Southern Marches to the capital¡ªthere¡¯s no way she could have made it this far without skills of her own. ¡°A master of the Earth Sect, a Buddhist warrior monk, a disciple of the Human Sect in the Conflict of Heaven and Man...¡± A member of the Houtu Gang swallowed hard, eyes filled with excitement. ¡°Th-then what about that man and woman? Who are they? They must be legendary figures to apany such people, right, Miss Lina?¡± All eyes turned toward her expectantly, hoping for a famous name to fall from her lips. Lina tilted her head, thought for a moment, then replied, ¡°I don¡¯t know them.¡± *How¡­ how disappointing¡­* the crowd thought to themselves. Coughing lightly, Qian You then asked, ¡°Boss, you mentioned earlier that some creature has been hunting you. What sort of monster is it?¡± ¡°It looks like a gigantic lizard with a human face and sharp fangs. It moves quickly but makes no sound,¡± replied the sickly-looking Boss, a hint of fear flickering in his eyes. ¡°It craves internal organs. Any poor soul it kills is left with their limbs intact, but their insides arepletely hollowed out.¡± *That¡¯s strange,* thought Qian You, recalling the corpse he¡¯d seen, whose lower half had been bitten clean off. Frowning, he continued, ¡°And its size?¡± ¡°It¡¯s about seven feet long¡ªnot very big.¡± Suddenly, Lina¡¯s ears twitched. In the still darkness, she picked up on a strange sound. She immediately stood up and warned, ¡°Be careful. It¡¯s here again.¡± As her words echoed, a shadow sprang from the darkness, its tongue flicking out to snatch the nearest Houtu Gang member. Bang! With a roar, Linaunched herself like a cannonball, crashing into the creature. As the shadowy beast was knocked back, it whipped its tail at Lina¡¯s back with a sharp crack, tearing her clothing and exposing tender skin dotted with fine beads of blood. The creature slinked off into the darkness, as if it had vanished entirely. Lina, however, remained vignt, keenly listening for any signs of its return. ¡°Stay alert,¡± she warned. ¡°This vile thing is sly and only dares to attack when it thinks it has the advantage.¡± The Boss drew his weapon and, along with the others, held his stance, eyes scanning the shadows. In the past few days, one by one, members of the Houtu Gang had fallen to this creature, leading the survivors to grasp its brutal habits. The monster was unwilling to face Lina directly and would wait in the darkness for an opportunity to strike, retreating immediately after each sessful attack. Lina edged backward, snatching the torch from Qian You¡¯s hands. Her cute, delicate face had turned serious. She listened for a moment, then flung the torch into the distance. In the flickering light, they saw the creature¡ªa gigantic lizard clinging to the wall, its dull grayish-brown eyes fixed to the sides of its head, unresponsive to the firelight. Qian You finally saw it clearly: the beast was under ten feet long, its tail as long as its body, and its skin covered in thick scales and jagged horns. With a burst of energy from her meal, Lina showed her full strength, crouching in silence before springing forward so fast that the floor cracked a beat after she had disappeared. The wall-clinging monster noticed the disturbance and vanished into the shadows. Lina, with her extensive hunting experience in the Southern Marches, chased it down. One-on-one, she and the creature shed in the tomb chamber, echoes of battle and shouts piercing the darkness. Finally, silence fell. ¡°M- miss Lina?¡± called the Sickly Boss, forcing his voice to remain steady. From the depths of the darkness came Lina¡¯s groaning voice: ¡°Ow, that really hurts!¡± A momentter, she emerged, dragging the creature¡¯s lifeless body behind her. Cheers erupted as the Houtu Gang members wept with joy, shouting in relief from days of tension. Lina dumped the creature¡¯s corpse before them, asking cheerfully, ¡°Can we eat it?¡± The men frantically shook their heads. ¡°Miss Lina,¡± warned the Arcanist Gongyang Su, ¡°this creature grew in the tomb, feasting on poisons and rotting flesh, absorbing dark energy. It would be deadly for us.¡± ¡°Huff...huff...¡± A sudden gust of wind blew through the corridor ahead, a gust with a putrid smell, extinguishing their torches. The wind rose and fell rhythmically, like breathing. No, it was breathing. Gongyang Su¡¯s face turned pale as he rasped, ¡°Something¡¯sing. There¡¯s yin energy up ahead.¡± Just moments after surviving one crisis, everyone¡¯s hearts sank once more. ¡°Light the torches,¡± ordered the sickly-looking Boss, his face grim as he turned to Lina. ¡°Can you still fight?¡± Qian You hurriedly struck a spark against the firestone, trying to light a torch with trembling hands, but the me refused to catch. The breathing grew closer, the stench thickening. And still, no footsteps. ¡°Come on, hurry,e on!¡± Qian You was close to panicking as he struck the firestone again. A faint spark finally caught, setting the torch alight. ¡°Whoosh!¡± mes red, piercing the darkness. Grabbing the torch, Qian You hurled it forward. The light revealed a massive shadow crouching in the corridor, poised in hunting stance. This creature was three times the size of the previous one, of the same species, with dull gray-brown eyes and protruding fangs. Another one?! The torch¡¯s light zed only for a moment before fading, and the next thing the group knew, the creature had vanished. The sickly Boss felt a sudden chill as something fast brushed past him, and then he realized¡ªLina was gone. ¡°Lina!¡± The Boss shouted as he spun around. The others did the same. In the darkness, the monster had grabbed the Southern girl, shaking its head viciously in a deadly thrash. The Boss¡¯s eyes filled with rage as he bellowed, ¡°Save her! Kill that beast!¡± Lina¡¯s painful cries echoed through the darkness. At that moment, a voice shouted from the other end of the corridor, ¡°Stand back!¡± A young man in azure robes rushed forward, raising a ming torch. Holding his fingers to the torch, he drew a me with his fingers, letting it re to life before snapping it at the monster. The me shot through the darkness, drawing a streak of light, striking the creature¡¯s back. Bang! With an explosion, charred flesh filled the air. Caught off guard, the creature released Lina and turned, snarling, to charge at the young man. A figure stepped forward from behind the young man, meeting the monster head-on. A faint golden light spread from his brow across his entire body. With a low growl, he charged, head down, smashing into the creature. Duang! The sinister creature mmed into him, like smashing into an iron post. Its head shuddered violently, and its forward momentum froze. Meanwhile, a radiant golden figure was thrown backward, embedding itself in the wall with a crash, like a piece of divine metal. In that moment of pause, another figure sprang into the air. Seizing the creature¡¯s momentary dizziness, it leaped squarely onto its head. Chanting ¡°Amitabha¡± under his breath, he raised his fist, which was asrge as a cooking pot. Thud, thud, thud¡­ Amidst the rain of powerful punches, the creature struggled violently at first, then spasmed uncontrobly, and finally fell lifeless, its skull shattered. Daoist Jinlian appearedst, holding a torch, and spoke soothingly, ¡°Do not fear; we¡¯re here to save you.¡± Qian You shouted excitedly, ¡°They¡¯re friends of Miss Lina. I invited them as reinforcements!¡± The members of the Houtu Gang stared at Daoist Jinlian, captivated by his calm demeanor and profound presence, which matched their image of a peerless master. ¡°Thank you, Daoist, for saving our lives,¡± they eximed gratefully. With a slight nod, torch in hand, Daoist Jinlian surveyed the surroundings, spotting Lina lying in a pool of blood in the shadows. He stepped forward to assess her. Half her body was mauled, the wounds were so deep that her organs were faintly visible. But thin silver threads wove swiftly through the flesh, sealing wounds and starting to repair her skin. As long as one¡¯s Life Gu was intact; a shaman would not die. Daoist Jinlian exhaled in relief. Nearby, Zhong Li grabbed onto Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s foot, and leaning back at a forty-five degree angle, finally managed to yank him out. Xu Qi¡¯an deactivated his Vajra Body and called out loudly, ¡°Daoist, how¡¯s your friend doing?¡± ¡°She¡¯s injured but in no danger.¡± Daoist Jinlian gestured to Zhong Li, saying, ¡°Miss Zhong, do you have any healing pills?¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Zhong Li mumbled, pulling a porcin bottle from her rough robe and handing it to Daoist Jinlian. ¡°One pill a day, fully healed in three days.¡± Daoist Jinlian uncorked the bottle and sniffed. The pills were of extreme quality. *The Sitianjian is truly rich¡­ the poor Daoist hasn¡¯t had funds for alchemy in years¡­* thought Daoist Jinlian enviously as he gently pried Lina¡¯s mouth open and administered a pill. Xu Qi¡¯an, torch in hand, eagerly joined in, examining the fabled Number Five. Her hair was ck with chestnut brown streaks, slightly curled at the tips. Her lithe figure resembled that of a fierce young panther. Her features were delicate, with thin lips, a fine nose, and healthy sun-kissed skin¡ªquite the wild beauty from the Southern Marches. *Not bad¡ªher features are a bit more defined than Great Feng women¡­ quite the pretty online friend!* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded in satisfaction. Having confirmed that Number Five was fine, Xu Qi¡¯an and the others used their torches to inspect the remains of the evil creature. ¡°What kind of monster is this?¡± The uneducated Xu Qi¡¯an could only think: *What. The fuck.* ¡°It should be a Tomb Guardian Beast,¡± exined the knowledgeable Chu Yuanzhen. ¡°I¡¯ve read records about such creatures. After death, the ancients would ce strange beasts in their tombs to serve as guardians. ¡°At first, their numbers would be vast, and to survive, they¡¯d devour each other or feed on corpses. They eventually dwindled.¡± Daoist Jinlian added, ¡°Over generations, nourished by yin energy and corrupted by the poisons of the tomb, they¡¯ve be unrecognizable from their ancestors.¡± ¡°Is there any value in the corpse?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked. Daoist Jinlian shook his head. ¡°Zhong Li, take care of her. Carry her properly.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an pragmatically averted his gaze from the corpse, saying, ¡°Stay close to me, or I won¡¯t be able to protect you.¡± *Too far, and my invisible wings won¡¯t cover you!* Daoist Jinlian hesitated slightly at this arrangement. Given that Number Five was already injured, pairing her with the Sitianjian¡¯s Master of Prophecy seemed unduly harsh. *With this kid¡¯s luck, there shouldn¡¯t¡­ be any issues¡­ surely¡­* Daoist Jinlian thought, and then turned to the survivors from the Houtu Gang, offering them a fewforting words. Finally, he gestured to Xu Qi¡¯an to lead the way. The group, torches in hand, continued onward. The sickly Boss watched these experts¡¯ backs, recalling the battle just now. The swordsman in azure robes must be one of the protagonists in the ¡°Conflict of Heaven and Man.¡± That Buddhist monk was formidable indeed, killing the monster barehanded. Miss Lina hadn¡¯t mentioned his identity in detail; I¡¯d thought he was just an assistant, yet he turned out so powerful. *And the young sixth rank warrior seems¡­ rather ordinary¡­* the Boss mused. In his mind, a sixth-rank warrior with Bronze Skin and Iron Bones should naturally be resilient, so Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s performance hadn¡¯t stood out to him. As for the dishevelled woman, he couldn¡¯t make sense of her since she hadn¡¯t made a move. While deep in thought, the Boss heard one of his subordinates exim, ¡°We¡¯ve made it out of the maze!¡± At the end of the passagewayy an enormous burial chamber with a bronze coffin at its centre, along with a selection of burial goods¡ªgold, silver, pottery, and books, et cetera. Over the centuries, the silver had oxidized and wept like wax, while the gold remained rtively intact. The books and silks, however, would disintegrate at a touch. *So, this tomb isn¡¯t entirely sealed from oxygen¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an observed and asked, ¡°Is this the main burial chamber?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s an auxiliary chamber,¡± replied the Boss. ¡°It should be one of the many chambers surrounding the main tomb.¡± The Houtu Gang members eagerly collected the valuable gold and silver, ignoring the books and other items. This wasn¡¯t because they were uncultured, only seeing the precious metals, it was quite the opposite; the Houtu Gang were professionals, after all. They knew full well that in such ancient tombs, the books were too fragile to be removed. Chu Yuanzhen, with a natural interest in books, casually flipped through a few. The pages were so delicate that they turned to ash with a light touch. Nheless, he wasn¡¯t entirely disappointed¡ªhe had at least determined whoy buried here. ¡°This tomb is no ordinary one; it¡¯s the tomb of an emperor. His consort lies interred here,¡± Chu Yuanzhen stated. ¡°So, what¡¯s the n? Heading to the main tomb could be dangerous. If we turn back, though, we¡¯ll re-enter the maze,¡± he said, ncing at Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°I¡¯d say thetter is the safer choice.¡± Though curious about the tomb owner¡¯s identity, safety came first. Xu Qi¡¯an nodded in agreement with Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s suggestion. Aside from the unconscious Lina and the taciturn Zhong Li, the other members of the Earthly Society unanimously agreed that retracing their steps was the right call. Thus, leading the Houtu Gang followers, they headed back into the maze. ¡­ After an indeterminate amount of time, Xu Qi¡¯an led the group out of the corridor, arriving in another auxiliary chamber. ¡°Why are we back here?¡± The Boss frowned. The members of the Earthly Society were silent. ¡°Let¡¯s try again,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, looking at Daoist Jinlian and the others. ¡°Alright¡­¡± Chu Yuanzhen nodded, his expression grim. ¡­ After another stretch of walking, Xu Qi¡¯an once again led the group out of the corridor, back into an auxiliary chamber. ¡°We¡¯re¡­ back here again?¡± The Boss¡¯s voice trembled. The other Houtu Gang members grew visibly pale and terrified. ¡°Should¡­ should we try again?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an swallowed hard. ¡°... Alright,¡± Chu Yuanzhen replied, his voice strained. ¡­ The third time, they found themselves in the same auxiliary chamber once again. The group fell into a deathly silence. Xu Qi¡¯an stiffly turned his head to look at Zhong Li. She shook her head. Daoist Jinlian was silent for a long moment before he sighed deeply, saying, ¡°We¡¯ll have to go in. If we don¡¯t, we may never find a way out of this tomb.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an exchanged looks with Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan, gritted his teeth, and grunted: ¡°Alright.¡± Then he turned to the Houtu Gang members, warning them, ¡°Once we enter the main tomb, don¡¯t touch anything, don¡¯t speak carelessly. Understood?¡± Though greedy by nature, the tomb raiders knew survival came first and nodded vigorously. Just then, an elderly man in a filthy white robe looked at Zhong Li and said, ¡°Whatever you do, don¡¯t use Qi-watching technique here.¡± *This old man¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an studied him discreetly. Zhong Li nodded meekly: ¡°Mhm.¡± Chapter 308: Youve Come Chapter 308: You''ve Come # 308. You''ve Come *This old bloke is the wild Arcanist Qian You was talking about?* *It seems that he¡¯s noticed that Zhong Li is also an Arcanist, he must know then that she¡¯s from the Sitianjian. After all, wild arcanists are as rare as giant pandas, two of them showing up around one city would be nigh on unthinkable.* Xu Qi¡¯an mused. ¡°The owner of this tomb is no ordinary figure. Hehe, it¡¯s best not to see things you shouldn¡¯t. That¡¯s one of my hard-won lessons from years of tomb raiding. You Sitianjian Arcanists don¡¯t lower yourselves to such work andck some experience yet.¡± Gongyang Su chuckled. *A Sitianjian Arcanist?!* The members of the Houtu Gang looked at Zhong Li, astonished and surprised. So, it turns out she was the real deal all along; she¡¯s actually an Arcanist from the Sitianjian¡­ Often, these silent types are at the heart of things. *So it really is ¡°the sage presents as amon man¡±, she¡¯s actually an arcanist from the Sitianjian¡­ as expected, these silent characters are often at the heart of the matter.*The sickly Boss thought. Looking at Xu Qi¡¯an, he became more convinced that this man held the lowest standing among them. Firstly, as a martial artist, it was difficult to imagine him as a core member in such a group. Secondly, during the earlier fight with the evil creature, his role had simply been to act as a shield. It was a straightforward demonstration of his purpose. ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Zhong Li nodded, signalling that she understood. She would absolutely refrain from casting any spells and would certainly not participate in anybat. This was a principle distilled from a mature Master of Prophecy¡¯s experience. Chu Yuanzhen remained silent, his gaze asionally assessing Xu Qi¡¯an, then Daoist Jinlian. *Xu Ningyan is strange; he¡¯s not as simple as he appears.* *He¡¯se into this side chamber three times. There are only two possibilities: either he¡¯s doing it intentionally, or there¡¯s some special reasonpelling him back to this spot.* *What secret is Xu Ningyan hiding¡­ Hiss, Number Three is connected to Cloud Deer Academy¡¯s surge of noble energy, and he¡¯s a Confucian disciple. But his cousin also has another secret¡­ Daoist, your collecting skills are very good.* ¡­ The group, their spirits weighed down, entered the side chamber, which led to a passage stretching into the depths. ¡°Uh, so¡­ Daoist, why don¡¯t you take the lead? I¡¯m just a child.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an stood at the mouth of the passage, looking into the darkness, hesitating a bit. ¡°Are you sensing danger?¡± Daoist Jinlian asked, alert. *Not really; I just feel a bit spooked, dredging up memories of horror movies from my childhood¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an replied inwardly, taking a deep breath and raising his torch as he stepped into the passage. The passage was narrow, its stone walls bearing signs of human carving, tinged with the orange glow of the torchlight. Their footsteps echoed in the silence, emphasizing the tension within everyone¡¯s hearts. At the passage¡¯s end was a tall stone door, closed and untouched. Xu Qi¡¯an stopped before it, pressing both hands against the door. He applied force but didn¡¯t push hard, remaining still for a few seconds, sensing no premonition of danger. He withdrew his hands and nodded at Daoist Jinlian. ¡°No danger. Well, at least I don¡¯t sense any.¡± ¡°Open it,¡± Daoist Jinlian instructed. Crrrk! With a rough, heavy sound, the stone door gradually swung inward. The torch¡¯s light reached inside, illuminating only a few metres before being swallowed by the darkness. Xu Qi¡¯an noticed the torch flicker and said quickly, ¡°Wait a moment; there¡¯s no air in here.¡± Then he turned to Zhong Li, instructing, ¡°Do you have any anti-poison pills? Hand some out to the Houtu Gang brothers.¡± The white-robed, dirt-streaked Gongyang Su replied, ¡°No need to trouble yourself; we¡¯ve already taken poison-resisting medicine.¡± After waiting a quarter of an hour outside, Xu Qi¡¯an stepped half a foot into the tomb chamber. There was no warning of danger, and the torch remained bright, giving him a sense of relief. ¡°I¡¯ll take the lead; follow closely, and remember not to do anything unnecessary.¡± The Houtu Gang members nodded vigorously. By now, not only the sickly Boss but even the ordinary members had noticed Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s low status. Leading the way, probing for traps, and acting as the shield. Such was the role of a crude martial artist. *This manoeuvre of mine ought to make me stand out, being the most useful, with even the Daoist relying on me¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an smirked. At the same time, Xu Qi¡¯an recalled details he¡¯d previously overlooked. *Daoist Jinlian is indeed just a residual soul. I remember during the Sangpo case when we snuck into Earl Pingyuan Mansion and encountered Henghui being possessed by Shen Shu, the Daoist¡¯s solution was to attack head-on with his spirit.* *At the time, my ¡®education level¡¯ wasn¡¯t high enough to realize it, but in retrospect, it seems odd. Where were his magical artefacts? His spells? His Golden Core?* *Charging in with his spirit¡­ It¡¯s like taking off your pants and challenging someone with an iron gun with your flesh one. A suicidal move.* *But if he¡¯s a residual soul, everything makes sense. Even his fondness for cats makes sense; after all, neither human nor cat is his original body.* *But how has a residual soul survived this long? The Daoist sects truly are experts in ghost-craft.* Though his inner monologue was rich, Xu Qi¡¯an remained vignt, attentive to any hidden threats in the surroundings. Upon entering the main tomb chamber, the light from the five torches dispelled much of the darkness, gradually revealing the scene within. The main tomb was vast; if onepared it to a room, Xu Qi¡¯an and the others were now at the entrance. Yet even this entrance gave the impression of stepping into a temple. Massive pirs, requiring several people to encircle, supported a ceiling whose height was indiscernible. The walls on either side were at least twenty *zhang* apart¡ªmeaning the tomb¡¯s width was twenty *zhang* (60 metres). Its depth was unknown and awaited exploration. ¡°ording to the tomb¡¯syout, the centre must contain the tomb owner¡¯s sarcophagus. I suggest we avoid it for now, circle along the walls, estimate the tomb¡¯s size, and see if we can uncover any valuable information.¡± The sickly Boss approached Daoist Jinlian and suggested. *A seasoned tomb raider indeed¡­ But I¡¯m the leader here, so why not consult with me?* Xu Qi¡¯an thought to himself. ¡°Reasonable,¡± Daoist Jinlian nodded. Xu Qi¡¯an led the group to the left and began their cautious exploration until they encountered a massive mural. Before writtennguage, murals were the only way to record events; even now, the tradition of ¡°murals as records¡± persisted. Xu Qi¡¯an and Chu Yuanzhen, one in front of the other, raised their torches to illuminate the mural. The mural depicted a terrifying giant serpent rampaging through a human city, its coiled body towering higher than the city walls. Its crimson eyes glowed ominously, its face fearsome. At that moment, a Daoist riding a flying sword descended from the sky, ying the giant serpent. The emperor led his ministers out of the city to greet the Daoist, bowing low before him. The Daoist stood poised on his flying sword, hovering in mid-air and gazing down upon the emperor and his ministers below. ¡°Is such arge serpent a yao monster?¡± Hengyuan frowned. Chu Yuanzhen shook his head, uncertain. Although he travelled far and wide, the sixty-year extermination of the Yao had caused the great monsters to disappear. Though yao did resurface twenty years ago at the Battle of Shanhai Pass, Chu Yuanzhen had been just a child then. As for Xu Qi''an... he, along with the others, looked at Daoist Jinlian. "There are indeed certain gifted members of the yao n who can grow to vast sizes. But nothing quite as exaggerated as this. Furthermore, if you knew that yao condense demon cores at the fifth rank, you would not think the serpent on this mural is part of the yao,¡± Daoist Jinlian said with a lofty air, hands behind his back. The three each had their own thoughts. Xu Qi''an wondered, *So, fifth rank yao cultivate demon cores? Judging by the Daoist''s words, does that mean their bodies actually shrink after condensing a core? Or is it that yao cultivation doesn¡¯t rely on physical size?* Chu Yuanzhen, meanwhile, pondered what the serpent might be if not a yaoguai. A vague suspicion lurked in his mind. Hengyuan¡¯s thoughts were simpler: He couldn¡¯t beat this serpent; it was a menace not yet able to be subdued by Buddhism. Without holding back, Daoist Jinlian exined, ¡°A massive size isn¡¯t always an advantage. While it does provide a surge in power, it also reveals many vulnerabilities. In this world, beings known for their great size and formidable strength belong to the ancient gods and demons. "But in the primeval age when these ancient mythological beings were active, humanity was still in its infancy, living in tribes. Thus, the serpent depicted here is likely a descendant of those ancient gods and demons, not a true one.¡± Chu Yuanzhen nodded slightly, finding the Daoist''s words aligned with his suspicions. ¡°Even so, for this Daoist to have in such a massive serpent, his power must have been extraordinary,¡± Zhuangyuan Chu remarked. The wall resembled an unfolding scroll as they walked along it, examining the scenes depicted. In the next panel, they saw the emperor constructing a high tform to thank the Daoist. Together with his officials, he bowed in reverence. ¡°Isn¡¯t this the same scene we saw in the previous mural?¡± Xu Qi''an observed. The scene of ministers worshipping at the high tform was identical to one on an earlier mural. The next section, however, shocked them all: the Daoist with an indistinct face brandished his sword and killed the emperor, then donned the imperial robes and crown, effectively usurping the throne. *What the hell kind of story is this¡­* Xu Qi''an stared in disbelief. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s mouth hung open, equally stunned by the Daoist''s actions. Daoist Jinlian furrowed his brows. Master Hengyuan, looking troubled,mented, ¡°A man of such attainment shouldn¡¯t crave power. What would be the purpose of an emperor¡¯s title to him?¡± Before he finished speaking, Xu Qi''an and Chu Yuanzhen both chuckled, casting knowing nces at each other. Each realized the other had thought of Emperor Yuanjing. Moving on, the mural depicted war, with ck-armoured and white-armoured troops shing. Behind the white-armoured soldiers stood the giant figure of the emperor¡ªthe usurping Daoist. Meanwhile, the ck-armoured troops were without a figurehead. The emperor¡¯s army suppressed the rebellion, yet he seemed uninterested in being a just ruler. Instead, he began to engage in debauchery. The emperor was depicted high on a throne, a naked woman seated in hisp, and surrounded by more women, simrly unclothed. Further behind him were more men and women, countless in number, all engaging in simr activities. ¡°This is just like the mural we saw outside,¡± Xu Qi''an remarked, suddenly feeling a strange sense of deja vu. This "multi-person activity" mural was identical to the previous one, though itcked the qi-channelling anatomical diagrams. This mural¡¯s intent seemed to convey the emperor¡¯s descent into indulgence and a fanatical obsession with the Daoist dual cultivation arts. But wait¡ªhe was originally a Daoist who seized the throne! Xu Qi''an¡¯s mind raced with thoughts, then he heard Chu Yuanzhen murmur to Daoist Jinlian, ¡°Daoist, this emperor must have had a profound connection with the Daoist dual cultivation sect.¡± The Zhuangyuan was clever; he meant to imply that this Daoist could be the founding patriarch of that school. *Chu Yuanzhen is clever, I was thinking just the same¡­* Xu Qi''an nodded and looked to Daoist Jinlian. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± the Daoist tersely replied. They continued along the mural, the depiction of events revealing something astonishing. Perhaps Heaven, too, found the emperor¡¯s depravity offensive, for one day, dark clouds gathered, and a bolt of divine lightning smote him down. The emperor died. ¡°A Daoist usurping the throne and indulging in debauchery, only to be struck down by divine lightning¡­ it¡¯s all so very Gon,¡±mented the sickly Boss, shaking his head. By ¡°Gon,¡± he meant it was as though scripted for a performance. In this era, ys were often performed in Gon brothels and simr establishments. The faces of the Heaven and Earth Society members turned strange, for they thought of additional implications. From a more logical standpoint, Xu Qi''an analysed, ¡°Strange, there are some inconsistencies here.¡± Daoist Jinlian, Chu Yuanzhen, and the others, aware of Xu Qi''an¡¯s rare investigative talent, quieted their scattered thoughts to listen. ¡°If this tomb¡¯s owner was the emperor in the mural¡ªthe Daoist-turned-emperor¡ªthen this mural itself bes very strange,¡± Xu Qi''an said somberly. ¡°Even our most esteemed and sagacious emperor knows to alter historical records to cover his shorings. But here, we have such tant depictions¡ªis this mockery?¡± Even Xu Ningyan chooses his words carefully, avoiding outright disrespect, *Most esteemed and sagacious emperor, altering historical records to cover his shorings¡­ surely Xu Ningyan is too cautious, to be so careful to not leave a hint of ¡°great disrespect¡± even in a situation like this.* thought Chu Yuanzhen. ¡°Heaven smote him down, so, this tomb must be created by his servants. If they loathed him, wouldn¡¯t showing his sins be logical¡± Hengyuan mused. ¡°Master, you might build a tomb for your enemy, but others may not,¡± Xu Qi''an shook his head, adding, ¡°If his descendants hated him, such an borate tomb would be out of the question. Conversely, such a tomb would not feature these scandalous scenes¡ªunless the events depicted are unequivocally genuine.¡± The group nodded, epting his reasoning. Chu Yuanzhen spoke in a low tone, ¡°With such power, mere lightning could hardly kill a Daoist. Could this lightning carry another meaning?¡± At this, Daoist Jinlian finally spoke, his words deliberate and heavy: ¡°It was heavenly tribtion.¡± ¡°Heavenly tribtion?¡± The others turned to look at Daoist Jinlian, for this was an unfamiliar term to them. Daoist Jinlian nodded slowly. ¡°In the Daoist hierarchy, second rank is known as ¡®Transcending Tribtion.¡¯ Surviving the Heavenly Tribtion allows one to be a first rank, a true ¡®Earthly Immortal.¡¯ Ha! This is not something that can bepared to the Heavenly Retribution of the Arcanist Prophets in the Sitianjian. Thest head of the human sect was reduced to ashes by the Tribtion.¡± *So the Daoist second rank is ¡°Transcending Tribtion¡±, and the first is ¡°Earthly Immortal¡±.* the members of the Heaven and Earth Society noted this down in their heads with joy. Xu Qi¡¯an smacked his forehead. ¡°I remember now, Daoist. You once mentioned that damned head of the Earth Sect failed to cross the Tribtion, suffered demonic bacsh, and fell to be a demon Daoist.¡± After ying Zilian, Daoist Jinlian had visited Xu Qi¡¯an in the dead of night to have a frank and open discussion. ¡°So, this Emperor was of the second rank in Daoism, and at his peak, merely a hair¡¯s breadth away from bing an Earthly Immortal,¡± Chu Yuanzhen remarked. Daoist Jinlian suddenly exhaled, relieved. ¡°To die in the Tribtion, reduced to ashes¡­this tomb should be merely a symbolic burial, without much danger.¡± Everyone else rxed, with Xu Qi¡¯an making a lightheartedment, ¡°Daoist, overly confident judgments often bring about the opposite oue.¡± Daoist Jinlian, you better not go jinxing us now. Under Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s lead, they approached the opposite side of the main tomb chamber, only to be disappointed at theck of murals. With the exploration of the main tombplete, Xu Qi¡¯an held a torch and led the group to the center, where they found a broad, dark passage. The passage led straight to the central altar. Shallow pools of murky water lined both sides. ¡°Candles line both sides¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an raised his torch. Its orange glow illuminated the edges of the corridor, where candleholders, each as tall as a person, stood every ten paces, stretching all the way to the altar. The candles on the stands were made of a blood-red wax that glistened like rubies. ¡°This seems to be tallow refined from the Red Dragons of the Eastern Sea. A single candle can burn for decades without going out,¡± Daoist Jinlian remarked, sniffing to confirm itsposition. While he spoke, Xu Qi¡¯an and Chu Yuanzhen began lighting the candles, their mes illuminating the vast tomb with more light. Xu Qi¡¯an cautioned everyone to be wary of the pools, in case something sinistery within. Meanwhile, he went on lighting the candles along the corridor. Their torches wouldn¡¯tst much longer and would soon burn out; they needed to rece it with something else to continue their illumination. As they approached the altar, Xu Qi¡¯an abruptly stopped, his eyes widening at the sight of two lines of soldiers standing on the staircase leading up to the altar, gazing silently at the intruders. *Damn, scared me half to death¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an muttered to himself as he walked over to inspect the corpses, first listening for heartbeats, then examining the desated bodies. ¡°Just mummies. Don¡¯t touch anything and follow behind me.¡± After issuing his warning, he climbed the ny-nine steps to the altar. The first thing Xu Qi¡¯an saw on the altar was a massive bronze sarcophagus. At each corner of the tform stood towering figures holding various weapons, unmoved by the passage of countless years. Daoist Jinlian nced at the bronze sarcophagus and then turned away to examine one of the mummies standing nearby. This corpse was d in a scale armour, wielding a purple-gold hammer, and wore a bronze mask, revealing only its eyes. Each scale of the armour was connected with red thread and inscribed with strange symbols¡ªboth eerie and elegant. ¡°Is this a Daoist creation?¡± Chu Yuanzhen was also observing a mummy, though his had a tarnished bronze sword. Daoist Jinlian examined the four mummies, scrutinizing their armor before murmuring, ¡°Indeed, there are signs of Daoist influence. These ancient symbols¡­ The one on the western side is associated with metal, while those on the south, north, and east govern fire, water, and wood, respectively.¡± ¡°What about earth?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked. Daoist Jinlian didn¡¯t respond but directed his gaze at the bronze sarcophagus at the center. ¡°The center governs earth!¡± Chu Yuanzhen muttered. ¡°What does this arrangement signify?¡± ¡°Is it for reincarnation?¡± suggested the wild arcanist, Gongyang Su, ncing at Zhong Li. Zhong Li nodded. ¡°All things in Heaven and Earth are born of the Five Elements. Ancient people believed that if a Five Elements formation wasid within a tomb, the deceased would one day be reborn from the earth.¡± Everyone listened intently, though Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly felt a chill, saying, ¡°This doesn¡¯t add up, Daoist. Didn¡¯t you say he perished in the Heavenly Tribtion, reduced to ashes? How could he be reborn? What¡¯s the purpose of this formation?¡± Daoist Jinlian was momentarily stunned, his pupils narrowing as he whispered, ¡°Let¡¯s go. The main tomb is explored; there¡¯s no need to linger.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nodded, about to give the order to retreat when a sigh echoed from within the bronze sarcophagus: ¡°You¡¯vee¡­¡± A chill shot down Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s spine, making his hair stand on end. He swallowed hard, nced at the others, and noticed that, while their expressions were grave, they showed no fear. Daoist Jinlian, seeing Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s ashen face, asked, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°I heard¡­from inside the sarcophagus¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an stammered, each word escaping through gritted teeth: ¡°Someone¡­spoke.¡± Everyone felt a chill creep up their spines. Zhong Li shivered and almost copsed from fright. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s face turned pale as he said urgently, ¡°Let¡¯s go, leave the main tomb, quickly¡­¡± At that moment, they all disyed an intense survival instinct, wasting no time as they turned to leave. Creak! Just then, a rough, heavy grinding noise echoed from behind them. It was the sound of the bronze sarcophagus being opened. Chapter 309: Surprise! The Owner of the Tomb Appears Chapter 309: Surprise! The Owner of the Tomb Appears # 309. Surprise! The Owner of the Tomb Appears The moment the sarcophagus opened, an eerie, malevolent energy filled the chamber, and the temperature plummeted. The fire on their torches trembled violently. Those who had just started to turn away froze in ce¡ªnot by choice, but because their blood seemed to have solidified. Cloaked in a chilling air, they felt as if they were trapped in an icy realm, their bodies and blood locked in frost. Had Daoist Jinlian been in cat form, his fur would certainly be standing on end. ng! A deafening crash rang out as the coffin lid hit the ground. At that same moment, those who had their backs turned to the tform saw the helmeted corpse-guards on the steps below. Each one twisted their neck 180 degrees, their faces now staring silently at the group. The sight was nothing short of terrifying, igniting overwhelming fear in the hearts of the tomb-raiding members of the Houtu Gang. Crack... crack¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an could hear the popping sound of bones, not far from him, as the armored figures standing at the four corners of the tform also began to stir.He cautiously nced at hispanions to gauge their reactions. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s eyes were slightly widened, sweat beading on his forehead. The longsword on his back shivered now and then, as if eager to be drawn, but it was held back by an invisible force. Master Hengyuan¡¯s facial muscles twitched, his jaw clenched as he struggled to break free from the force suppressing him, to no avail. Daoist Jinlian¡¯s chest rose and fell, as if in a controlled breathing technique. He was calmest of all, though his eyes betrayed a hint of finality. *Is he preparing ast resort, ready to sacrifice himself to save us...?* Xu Qi¡¯an wondered, ncing at Zhong Li. Lina remained unconscious on her back, making Zhong Li the most ¡°rxed¡± person here. Unfortunately, poor Zhong Li was visibly shaking beneath her hemp robes. *Is this her fault, or mine...? Probably both!* Xu Qi¡¯an mused grimly. Then, a scene came unbidden to his mind: a withered hand, covered in green fur, emerging from the sarcophagus, pressing down on its edge. A figure slowly rose within¡ªa corpse dressed in a yellow robe, crowned in pure gold. The face, with skin stretched tight over the bone, had a nose that had long rotted away, leaving two dark holes. The eyes were sunken, as though they might fall out at any moment. The moment his senses captured the corpse¡¯s presence, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s head felt as if a steel nail had driven through it. He nearly cked out from the pain, the image shattering in his mind. *So, it is indeed that Daoist inside... a failed second rank, no wonder he¡¯s so powerful...* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s scalp tingled. Silence hung in the air for several seconds before the first sound of footsteps echoed¡ªthe corpse had left the coffin and was slowly advancing toward them. ¡°Buzz¡­ buzz¡­¡± Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s longsword trembled violently on his back but still refused to leave its sheath. Drip drip¡­ Finally, beads of sweat rolled down Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s forehead. Hengyuan¡¯s eyes bulged, veins pulsing on his temples and neck as he strained, his entire body convulsing in a futile attempt to break free from the suppression. Zhong Li quivered like a frightened quail, her head drooping lower and lower. A pungent odor filled the air, as several tomb raiders from the Houtu Gang lost control of their bowels in terror. But who could me them? Trapped in an ancient tomb thousands of years old, with something unholy emerging from the coffin and moving slowly toward them¡­ Just thinking about it sent a chill down the spine¡ªlet alone experiencing it firsthand. Daoist Jinlian closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, they held a calm rity. It seemed he had made up his mind. But just then, the footsteps ceased, and a hoarse, guttural voice filled every corner of the tomb. ¡°Wee back, my lord!¡± The clinking of armor sounded in unison as the corpse-guards in the four corners of the tform and on the steps all knelt, worshipping someone in the crowd. The sinister, horrifying energy rapidly receded, like a tide pulling back. Everyone was astonished to find they could move again. ¡°Don¡¯t act rashly!¡± Daoist Jinlian transmitted his voice to the others, including the grave robbers. Gulps and swallowing noises echoed as the tomb raiders, their legs trembling, held onto their senses. Experience had taught them to avoid panicked flight, which would only worsen things. Yet, one thought struck them all: ¡°My lord¡±? Who is this ¡°lord¡±? Judging by that corpse¡¯s stance, it seemed their ¡°lord¡± was here among them. The tomb raiders exchanged wary nces, each one scrutinizing theirpanions in an effort to identify the ¡°lord¡± the corpses were revering. The Sickly Leader instinctively looked to Daoist Jinlian. Based on the wall carvings, the tomb¡¯s master was a Daoist, and they just so happened to have a high-ranking Earth Sect master with them. It was an easy conclusion to draw: this elderly Daoist must be the corpses¡¯ ¡°lord.¡± *So that¡¯s his status¡­ No wonder this Earth Sect master entered the tomb; he wasn¡¯t solely here to rescue us. A true expert¡¯s motives are beyond the understanding of simple folk like myself.* The sickly Boss trembled. Arcanist Gongyang Su examined Daoist Jinlian with suspicion. Sensing the altered attitude of their leaders, the Houtu Gang members immediately focused on the most mysterious figure in the group: Daoist Jinlian. And, curiously, they found themselves feeling more at ease. The members of the Heaven and Earth Society stood close together, so for a moment, it was unclear whom the yellow-robed corpse was bowing to. By force of habit, Chu Yuanzhen looked first at Daoist Jinlian. Daoist Jinlian shook his head slightly. *Hengyuan was a martial monk, not of the Daoist sect, and despite his great talent, there was nothing particrly strange about him... Lina, a shaman of the Southern Marches, held no ties to this tomb¡­ Miss Zhong of the Sitianjian can also be dismissed... but that means¡­?!* Chu Yuanzhen abruptly turned and stared fixedly at Xu Qi¡¯an. He recalled the reason why the group had entered the main tomb¡ªit was due to three sessive "coincidences" orchestrated by Xu Qi''an that they had arrived here. *So it was not chance after all, but fate... Was Xu Ningyan truly the lord of the owner of this tomb?* This possibility surfaced in Chu Yuanzhen''s mind, filling him with a dreadful awe. His body began to tremble involuntarily. *Is he kneeling to me? Calling me ¡°my lord¡±?* As the person in question, Xu Qi''an could sense that the corpse¡¯s ¡°my lord¡± was directed at him. He was momentarily overwhelmed with shock and confusion, unsure how to react. For a second, he nearly blurted out, _Why are you calling me your lord?_ But rationality silenced him, since only two scenarios seemed possible here: First, that he truly was the yellow-robed corpse¡¯s lord, which would make his identity unimaginably terrifying. Or second, that the corpse had mistakenly identified him. Ignoring the first scenario for now, if it was the second, if the corpse had mistaken him for someone else, blurting out a question would surely expose him. Then they¡¯d all be annihted. Holding back his rising emotions, Xu Qi''an gazed expressionlessly at the yellow-robed corpse and said in a steady voice: ¡°Well done.¡± The corpse lowered its head even further. Witnessing this, the sickly Boss was stunned, his eyes widening. *So... so the "lord" the corpse had referred to wasn¡¯t the Daoist, but this sixth-rank warrior?* *This... this... but he''s merely a warrior!* Likewise, Arcanist Gongyang Su couldn¡¯t mask his shock, immensely relieved that he hadn¡¯t impulsively activated his Qi-watching technique on these ¡°allies.¡± Had he done so, he¡¯d likely have died on the spot, in for seeing what should not be seen. The Houtu Gang members held their breaths, dumbstruck as they watched Xu Qi''an. The corpse lowered its head further, its hoarse voice tinged with puzzlement: ¡°Why has my lord not ascended to immortality?¡± *Immortality?!* These words were like a thunderbolt in everyone¡¯s ears, from the weakest grave robbers to the seasoned Daoist Jinlian and, of course, Xu Qi''an himself. Waves of astonishment surged in their hearts. Compared to the grave robbers who¡¯d lost all control of their expressions, Xu Qi''an and hisrades were steadier, maintaining theirposure. Xu Qi''an, staring expressionless at the corpse, felt a tempest of thoughts swirling within. _Immortality? From my understanding, ¡®immortality¡¯ refers to transcending the ranks, right? An existence on par with Buddha, the Gu God, and the Warlock God._ _Who was this yellow-robed corpse''s lord, really?_ _After the age of gods and demons, only a handful of beings have attained beyond-rank. This tomb is over two thousand years old, yet could someone have achieved immortality within this time?_ _Or, maybe they failed to transcend, and this corpse simply doesn¡¯t know¡­_ _Fuck, who could¡¯ve guessed that our next tomb would be this level of nightmare... It must be Zhong Li¡¯s fault ¡ª definitely her fault¡­ What should I do? How am I supposed to respond?_ The corpse¡¯s eyes, sunken deep in its eye sockets, shifted, as though scrutinizing Xu Qi''an. Aware of the corpse¡¯s scrutiny, Xu Qi''an¡¯s gaze grew sharp, and he spoke slowly, ¡°Are you teaching me how to do things?¡± The corpse flinched, lowering its head with trembling humility. ¡°Forgive me, my lord¡­ Forgive me, my lord¡­¡± With that, the corpse undid its yellow robe, revealing its withered body beneath. Its chest was sunken, the ribs protruding visibly beneath taut skin. Additionally, Xu Qi''an noticed scorch marks on the corpse¡¯s body. ¡°Thud¡­¡± Then, unexpectedly, the corpse performed an act no one could have anticipated¡ªit raised a hand and pierced its own chest, extracting a piece of translucent jade, not a heart, but an intricately carved jade seal. ¡°Did my lord return to reim this seal? You left it with me, instructing me to nourish it well. I¡­ I have safeguarded it all this time, and now, I present it to you, my lord.¡± The corpse offered up the jade seal with reverence and asked in a hoarse, reverent tone, ¡°And now¡­ and now, what year is it?¡± ¡°The current dynasty is called Feng,¡± Xu Qi''an replied coolly. ¡°Feng¡­¡± the corpse murmured, bowing again. ¡°And how many years have I slept?¡± _How should I know? Why don¡¯t youe with me, and I¡¯ll hand you over to the authorities to get an answer¡­_ Xu Qi''an mentally grumbled. After a moment of thought, he chose not to answer the corpse directly and instead said coolly, ¡°Time holds no meaning for those like us, does it?¡± *Brilliant response!* Daoist Jinlian silentlymended him, impressed by Xu Ningyan¡¯sposure. He subtly signaled Xu Qi''an, indicating it was time to find an exit. Xu Qi''an caught on, extended his hand to receive the jade seal, and said, ¡°Return to your slumber.¡± There was no need for further words. First, because speaking too much could raise suspicions, and second, he was role-ying, and as the lord, retrieving his property required no exnation. He didn¡¯t actually want the jade seal, but from the corpse¡¯s reaction, it seemed vitally important. Refusing it might arouse suspicion. The jade felt firm and warm, like polished stone. As he turned it discreetly, he glimpsed the words inscribed on its base. But before he could make them out fully, the jade crumbled into fine white dust, slipping through his fingers. Then, a surge of indescribable power, like a tidal wave, traveled up his arm and coursed into his body. He felt his blood rush to his head, inducing a powerful dizziness. It was as if something within him was awakening. ¡°You are not my lord¡­¡± The corpse jerked its head up, its eyes burning with a rising blood-red glow. A hoarse, seething voice echoed through the tomb chamber, brimming with killing intent. ¡°Run!¡± Daoist Jinlian was the first to react, sweeping his sleeve to conjure a powerful gust, hurtling the Houtu Gang¡¯s grave robbers and Chu Yuanzhen off the high tform and toward the main tomb¡¯s exit. At the same time, he grabbed Xu Qi''an by the shoulder, attempting to throw him down to safety. He would remain behind, and face the wrath of the risen corpse. But Xu Qi''an shrugged off his hand, pressed his palm against Jinlian¡¯s chest, and muttered, ¡°Daoist, get them out of here. ¡°I¡¯ll stay.¡± Boom! A st of force surged from his palm, propelling Daoist Jinlian back. As he flew, Daoist Jinlian saw the corpse seize Xu Qi''an by the neck, lifting him high in the air. The armored guardians on each corner of the tform charged forward, weapons raised, prepared to shred the impostor to pieces. ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an¡­¡± murmured Daoist Jinlian. Chapter 310: Immortal Form Chapter 310: Immortal Form # 310. Immortal Form Daoist Jinlian spared no further nce. As hended, he kicked back Hengyuan, who was about to turn around to help, and shouted, ¡°Chu Yuanzhen, take Hengyuan and go! "The rest of you, evacuate the main tomb immediately." With that, he turned and whipped up a gust of wind, repelling the oing spears. These weapons, infused with an eerie aura, shattered upon impact, the malevolent energy gnawing at Daoist Jinlian¡¯s body. His face suddenly went pale, and his flesh-and-blood body nearly transformed into a spectral entity on the spot. Taking advantage of this opening, the Houtu Gang members, along with Chu Yuanzhen and Zhong Li, escaped from the main tomb. Hengyuan, whose meridians had been forcefully sealed by Chu Yuanzhen in a surprise attack, was forcibly taken along. Daoist Jinlian no longer lingered in battle. With a flicker of his shadow, he vanished instantly. Bang! The stone doors of the main tomb mmed shut.... ¡°You are not my Lord¡ªhow dare you seize my Lord¡¯s fate?¡± The corpse in the yellow robe raised both arms, lifting Xu Qi¡¯an high into the air, exhaling a dense, deathly breath from its dark, purplish mouth. The temperature in the tomb plummeted; frost crept over the tform and stone steps. Amid the crackling sounds, the puddles along the corridor froze solid. A golden lustre appeared on Xu Qi¡¯an''s brow, quickly spreading across his face and trickling down. But his neck, clutched tightly by the corpse, blocked the golden hue, preventing it from covering his body and activating his Indestructible Vajra Body. ¡°Lowly ant! You dare steal my Lord¡¯s fate? I will make sure you suffer for eternity¡ªconsume your flesh, gnaw your bones, and suppress your soul here in this tomb. ¡°Lifetime after lifetime, you shall know only torment!¡± The corpse¡¯s anger surged, its mouth suddenly gaping wide, splitting at the corners to reveal rows of sharp, jagged fangs. It lunged at Xu Qi¡¯an''s neck. ng! The sound of iron meeting steel reverberated as teeth that could easily shatter forged metal failed to pierce Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s flesh. Somehow, the golden lustre had managed to break past the corpse¡¯s grip and spread over his neck, turning it a radiant, golden hue. The golden gleam surged, covering Xu Qi¡¯an from head to toe. A resplendent, deity-like golden figure emerged, illuminating every corner of the main tomb. It was as if a god had descended. ¡°Lowly monster¡­ you dare to show such impudence in front of this monk!¡± The voice began as Xu Qi¡¯an''s but morphed halfway, distinctly belonging to someone else. Like a heavenly avatar, Xu Qi¡¯an stretched out his hand and slowly pried open the corpse¡¯s fingers, not with brute force but with an almost deliberate, intimidating slowness. The corpse¡¯s arms trembled; despite its formidable strength, it was unable to match his. ng! Its other hand shot toward Xu Qi¡¯an''s chest, but it, too, failed to breach the golden body¡¯s defense. The corpse clenched its fist, shifting from a thrust to a blow. In a deafening explosion of power, it sent Xu Qi¡¯an flying. ¡°Roar¡­¡± The corpse¡¯s mouth widened, transforming into a cavernous, insatiable vortex. Four corpses stationed at the tform''s corners were sucked into the bloodthirsty maw, tripping over each other as they were devoured. Then came the ranks of ghostly soldiers on the steps, each yanked into the mouth, whether willing or not. With resounding crunches, the corpse''s body expanded, its ckened ws extending, and dried, wasted flesh began to swell. Jagged armour-like chitin emerged, encasing it entirely. Dark green spines erupted from its head. The corpse, now transformed into a massive, ten-foot-tall humanoid monster, stood atop the tform, raising its head to gaze at the dazzling figure hovering in mid-air. Its gravelly voice resounded: ¡°A puny insect, how could you seize my Lord¡¯s fate¡­ it turns out you harbour a martial artist¡¯s soul inside you. It seems I¡¯ve slumbered for too long, that such a powerful body could appear in this era.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a Buddhist Golden Body,¡± Monk Shenshu responded. ¡°Buddhist?¡± The creature tilted its head, its fierce gaze scrutinising the golden form. ¡°Oh, you don¡¯t know of Buddhism. It seems your existence is from an age far too ancient,¡± Shenshu replied coolly. ¡°As it happens, I detest them.¡± A wave of golden energy burst forth mid-air as he plummeted down like a meteor. Boom! Their palms shed on the tform, and the ancient structure¡ªstanding for countless eons¡ªcracked, one fissure after another snaking outward. Finally, with a resounding crash, it copsed. The golden figure and the corpse plummeted together. The corpse headbutted the golden figure¡¯s brow, sending sparks of golden light scattering and leaving it momentarily dazed. Boom, boom, boom! The corpse struck with such speed that its fists blurred, continuously hammering Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s chest and forehead, producing an explosion of golden fragments. Xu Qi¡¯an clenched the corpse¡¯s wrists, his voice wincing. ¡°Ouch¡­ Ouch! Ow! Master¡­¡± Then, in a self-assured tone, he continued, ¡°Hmm, this spectre is formidable indeed. Now, I shall counterattack¡­¡± As soon as he finished, the corpseunched a kick, sending him flying upward. The golden glow streaked far away, colliding with the tomb¡¯s ceiling with a thunderous crash, dislodging chunks of stone that crumbled and fell. The corpse, standing amid the rubble, looked up at the ceiling, its knees bending in a stance of gathering force. Whoosh! A piercing whistle filled the air as a golden meteor once again hurtled down. Prepared this time, the corpse punched skyward, meeting the descending golden figure. In the stillness that followed, shattered stone and murky water surged upwards. Shockwaves rippled outward, battering the walls of the tomb, creating fractures from which boulders tumbled. The corpse¡¯s feet sunk deep into the ground. The golden figure seized the opportunity to strike, hammering it into the stone below. ¡°Master, take its head off!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an shouted. The golden form was about to advance when the corpse¡¯s gaping maw twisted, forming a vortex that devoured all in its path. The golden lustre dimmed, siphoned by the swirling darkness. In such a dire situation, the golden figure summoned the ck-gold sabre from the murky water, striking the corpse on the side of its face with a metallic ng, causing its head to wobble. Seizing the opening, the golden figure escaped the vortex¡¯s pull and delivered a sweeping kick to the back of the creature¡¯s head, shattering the bone-like scales there in a spray of golden fragments. Bang, bang, bang! A flurry of flying kicks struck the back of the zombie¡¯s skull in quick session, bursting into shockwaves as the chitinous armour shattered and splintered. At that moment, Xu Qi''an sensed a vision sh through his mind: an ancient, rusted sword rising from the murky water, aiming to stab him in the back. Without a second thought, he retracted his kick and rolled to the side. A sharp whistle rang out, and the ancient sword, missing its mark, was now clutched in the zombie¡¯s hand. Though still corroded and worn, it radiated an aura of deathly energy that made the golden glow between Xu Qi''an¡¯s brows pulsate in rm. ¡°This is my Lord¡¯s artifact,¡± the zombie rasped, voice low and hoarse. ¡°It has absorbed the Yin energy of this tomb for countless years¡ªperfect for shattering your powerful Yang-protective art.¡± As he spoke, strands of ckened Yin energy seeped from the putrid water, pooling into his body to restore the shattered chitin. *What do we do? The tomb was built atop a feng-shui confluence, effectively forming a natural formation that gave the zombie an overwhelming advantage¡­* While the monk Shenshu controlled his body, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind remained alert, instinctively analysing the enemy¡¯s weaknesses. He pondered how he might handle such a creature if it were just him. With palms pressed together, Shenshu¡¯s voice rang out, calm andpassionate: ¡°Lay down your butcher¡¯s knife; turn your head and see the shore.¡±[^1] The voice bore an irresistible power; the zombie¡¯s grip on the sword began to falter as if it could no longer hold the weapon steady. Both hands now clutched the hilt, arms trembling. Seizing the pause, the golden form rose into the air, hovering above the zombie. His hands flew through a rapid series of formations. A ¡°…d¡±[^2] symbol, full of metallic energy, formed above the golden figure¡¯s head, joined by more that spread out in a circr array, with the shining golden body at its centre. The golden figure closed its eyes, hands still weaving, moving so quickly they left afterimages. The ¡°…d¡± symbols shone brighter, emitting a searing golden radiance that illuminated every corner of the burial chamber with a brilliant golden halo. Then, the movements ceased, hands pressed together in a final seal. Boom! The air rumbled with a heavy shockwave as a golden pir of light shot from the array, enveloping the yellow-robed zombie. Hisss... ck smoke rose as if water had been poured onto hot oil, and the creature shrieked in agony within the searing light. As the golden light faded, Shenshu''s serene voice echoed, ¡°Forsake wrath, forsake anger,y down your arms.¡± The light dispersed, leaving the zombie¡¯s body scorched, its chitin cracked, revealing dark, necrotic flesh. But he showed no trace of anger or intent to kill, feeling only an inexplicable urge to make peace and resolve matters amicably. Shenshu, however, had no such inclination. Descending from the sky, he delivered a devastating palm strike to the zombie¡¯s head. His palm mmed down with a loud st, obliterating the chitin, exposing the ckened, pulsating brain beneath. In that instant, rity returned to the zombie¡¯s eyes, breaking free of the binding force. With a harsh grinding sound, his skull regenerated at a tremendous rate, his hand closing around the bronze sword as it burst from the murky water. The de shed upward. Thud... The ancient bronze sword, said to be his Lord¡¯s, easily pierced Shenshu¡¯s indestructible golden body, leaving a deep wound in his chest. But the blood that flowed wasn¡¯t golden or red¡ªit was pitch-ck, inky as night. *I¡¯ve been poisoned?!* Xu Qi''an¡¯s heart sank, as he felt waves of dizziness cloud his mind. The two powerful forms shed furiously within the echoing tomb, rubble cascading, and waves of dirty water roiling. The entire tomb quaked and trembled from the force of theirbat. Throughout the battle, Shenshu depleted the zombie¡¯s Yin energy with Buddhist incantations, while the zombie wielded the bronze sword to corrode Shenshu¡¯s golden body. The differencey in that this was the zombie¡¯s domain¡ªa tomb steeped in dense Yin energy¡ªwhile Shenshu, unable to draw power from his surroundings, fought like a castle built on sand. ¡°You cannot defeat me. Why don¡¯t you just flee?¡± The zombie stabbed his sword deep into the golden figure¡¯s chest, his voice booming like thunder. ¡°As you have awakened, if you do not die, every living creature nearby will suffer,¡± replied Shenshu. ¡°I don¡¯t wish to destroy this tomb. Return the Lord¡¯s fate to me, and I shall let you all go.¡± ¡°It cannot be returned,¡± Shenshu replied with a hint of regret. ¡°Then go to hell!¡± Just as the zombie moved to obliterate his opponent¡¯s internal organs, a drumming sound reverberated through the tomb. Boom, boom. Boom, boom. Boom, boom! The drumming grew louder, faster, faster¡­ The zombie suddenly felt his arm trembling¡ªit was the other¡¯s heartbeat, pounding fiercely. When the heartbeat reached a feverish pitch, a me-like demonic mark ignited between Xu Qi''an¡¯s brows, engulfed by jet-ck mes. His body began to swell, his healthy bronze skin darkening to an ominous ck, with bulging veins that looked ready to tear through his flesh. In mere seconds, he transformed from a man into a monster. The monster stretched, his body creaking, his face tilting back in pure satisfaction. ¡°Ahhh... this feels good...¡± He raised his ckened hand, effortlessly crushing the sword. *Fuck, I almost forgot about Shenshu¡¯s true form...* thought Xu Qi''an with a shiver. For so long, Shenshu had appeared to him as a gentle monk, and he had almost forgotten the demon-like figure that had taken over Henghui¡ªthe memory of that ghastly, ckened, severed hand filled with evil and horror. ¡°To tell the truth, I hate revealing my immortal form. It consumes too much energy, forcing me to constantly feed on the blood and flesh of living beings to sustain myself. But I detest ughter¡ªabsolutely detest it.¡± Shenshu¡¯s voice was calm, cold, his gaze piercing the zombie with the indifference of an ancient monarch reborn¡ªcold, confident, and utterly disdainful. ¡°What sort of person are you? No, what sort of monster are you?¡± the zombie roared, trembling with visible fear, his tone barely masking his terror. Shenshu¡¯s response was a steady hand that descended toward the zombie¡¯s head, pressing down with unstoppable force. The zombie recoiled, unwilling to ept his fate without a fight. But Shenshu seemed to ignore the distance, his hand moving slowly but inexorably, pressing onto the zombie¡¯s head, exerting a silent power. Boom! With a muffled explosion of Qi, the corpse¡¯s eyes went nk. Its malevolent form copsed limply, as though its bones could no longer support it, and it crumbled helplessly to the ground. ¡°Lord¡­ I¡­ I can¡¯t wait for you any longer¡­¡± it muttered, voice thick with reluctance. Monk Shenshu pressed a drop of blood from his fingertip and leaned down to trace a reverse sauwastika on the corpse¡¯s forehead. A golden light shed briefly and then settled deep into the corpse¡¯s body, sealing it from any chance of movement. Sensing the change within, the corpse, now fully aware of its entrapment, looked nkly before asking in a low, angry voice, ¡°Why don¡¯t you kill me?¡± Monk Shenshu, no longer able to sustain his indestructible form, allowed the fiery mark to dissipate, his darkened skin fading back to the form of Xu Qi¡¯an. The whole transformation had taken only a few seconds. With calm benevolence, Monk Shenshu said, ¡°Killing you would be no challenge; you¡¯re merely an abandoned husk. ¡°Who is your Lord?¡± ¡­ They fled the burial chamber, passing through corridors and returning to thebyrinth. Hearing no sounds of vengeful spirits behind them, the group felt a palpable relief. Chu Yuanzhen solemnly unlocked Hengyuan from his entrapment. Thud! The burly monk¡¯s fist, like a sledgehammer, crashed into Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s face. Without a word, he turned to head back toward the main tomb. Daoist Jinlian stopped him, voice heavy. ¡°You¡¯re going back to die?¡± Hengyuan¡¯s face was expressionless as he quietly replied, ¡°Move aside!¡± Jinlian¡¯splexion was ashen, his gaze cloudy, clearly in a disturbed state. He shook his head, saying, ¡°We¡¯re already in thebyrinth; you can¡¯t find your way back.¡± Hengyuan clenched his fist, veins bulging on his hand, his voice tight. ¡°Why did you drag me out here? I owed him my life; I owed him my life¡­¡± His voice, once heavy with bitterness, broke into a sob. No one had anticipated that the stoic warrior monk would suddenly tear up. ¡°Daoist, you shouldn¡¯t have brought him here.¡± Hengyuan shook his head slowly. ¡°When we joined the Heaven and Earth Society, we vowed to help each other. But this had nothing to do with Sir Xu; he wasn¡¯t one of us. You had no right to involve him. ¡°He¡¯s always been like this, in every crisis, always thinking of others before himself, sacrificing himself for others. But you can¡¯t take his kindness as some sort of obligation. ¡°Now that Number Five is found, not a single member of the Heaven and Earth Society is missing. But what face do we have to go back with? ¡°Daoist Jinlian, I¡¯m so deeply, deeply disappointed in you.¡± In the capital, when Hengyuan had learned through the fragments of the Book of the Earth that Xu Qi¡¯an had fallen in Yunzhou, he had crushed the prayer beads that had apanied him for years as he meditated. But that was a matter far away, and beyond sorrow, he could do nothing. This time was different. He had been part of the mission, he had witnessed everyone abandoning Xu Qi¡¯an, and a wave of grief and fury overwhelmed him. It made Hengyuan question his sense of self and hisrades. Daoist Jinlian hesitated, wanting to exin. Yet as he thought of the way Xu Qi¡¯an had pushed him back with a final shove, he held his silence. Chu Yuanzhen watched the argument between the two, dejected and listless, looking nothing like that gant swordsman in azure. He seemed more a defeated stray. The image of Xu Qi¡¯an staying back in the tomb to cover their escape reyed in his mind. Though he had not known Xu Qi¡¯an for long, he hade to admire the Silver Gong. Before they had even met, he had heard much about him from within the Heaven and Earth Society¡¯s messages. Hengyuan described him as a man of great kindness; Number One said he was a lover of women, and Li Miaozhen spoke of him as a man who overlooked the small and held to the grand, a true knight. But to Chu Yuanzhen, Xu Qi¡¯an was a friend worth having¡ªsomeone of worthy character and conviction. For a person like that to have stayed behind to save everyone, putting duty above all else¡ªthis was just like something he would do. How were they ever going to answer to Number Three¡­ Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s eyes burned, his vision growing blurry. ¡°He saved my life. I told myself I would repay him¡­¡± Hengyuan¡¯s face twisted, his voice a guttural mutter, ¡°What right do I have to go on living? What right do I have to go on living¡­¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t good¡ªhis Buddhist heart is fracturing.¡± Daoist Jinlian¡¯s face changed as he pressed his fingers to Hengyuan¡¯s brow, soothing his turbulent mind and helping him find peace. Hengyuan¡¯s gaze cleared somewhat as he shoved Daoist Jinlian¡¯s hand away roughly. ¡°Hengyuan, things aren¡¯t as you believe.¡± Daoist Jinlian¡¯s tone was firm. ¡°In truth, Xu Qi¡¯an, he is¡ª¡± He was about to reveal that Xu Ningyan was Number Three, a fellow holder of the Book of the Earth fragment and a member of the Heaven and Earth Society. At that moment, the entire underground pce began to quake, rocks crashing down from the vaulted ceiling. Daoist Jinlian¡¯s voice abruptly ceased, and he looked up with a frown. ¡°The tomb is copsing.¡± For some unknown reason, the entire structure seemed on the verge of destruction. Zhong Li suddenly said, ¡°The tomb¡¯s mechanisms have failed. The formations are breaking down¡­ We¡­ we can leave¡­¡± Then, she handed the unconscious Lina to Hengyuan. ¡°Help me carry her; take her out.¡± A massive boulder tumbled down straight toward Zhong Li and Lina. ¡°Watch out!¡± The impulse to save them overwhelmed his sorrow as Hengyuan pulled the two young women to safety, taking Number Five over his shoulder. In a low voice, he said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll get her out.¡± With Zhong Li¡¯s curse of misfortune, staying behind while the tomb copsed would indeed be unwise. The group fled, miraculously avoiding further disorientation. Amidst the raining debris, they made their way back to the burial chamber that connected to the tunnel. With a sense of aplishment, Hengyuan exhaled and halted, ncing back¡ªonly to see that Zhong Li was missing. She¡­ she went back¡­ Hengyuan froze in ce, his heart suddenly pierced with an excruciating sense of anguish. --- [^1]: Both buddhist sayings. ¡°Lay down your butcher¡¯s knife¡±es from ·ÅÏÂÍÀµ¶£¬Á¢µØ³É·ð *Lay down your butcher¡¯s knife, and be a Buddha where you stand*; ¡°turn around and see the shore¡±es from ¿àº£Îޱߣ¬»ØÍ·ÊÇ°¶ *The sea of bitterness sees no bounds, turn around and see the shore.* Both in a general sense means ¡°repent and ye shall be saved¡±. [^2]: A sauwastika. The left handed version of the right handed swastika. Swastikas are a sacred (and often representative) symbol of Buddhism, but have been used by all cultures in various forms through countless millennia (including a little angry german man who then proceeded to drag its image through the mud in much of the west). It may interest you to know that in Japan, buddhist temples are marked by Swastikas, like how churches in Britain are marked by crosses. Chapter 311: The Information Load is so Large, Brain Bluescreened Chapter 311: The Information Load is so Large, Brain Bluescreened # 311. The Information Load is so Large, Brain Bluescreened *An abandoned husk?!* Hearing the monk Shenshu''s words, Xu Qi''an did a double take, then swiftly connected the dots. ording to the murals, the master of this tomb was clearly that Daoist, yet the bronze coffin had yielded a withered corpse d in a yellow robe, positioning itself as a subordinate. A yellow robe... how could a mere subordinate dare to don that?[^1] That in itself was highly suspicious. Moreover, the corpse bore scars of burning¡ªconsistent with the effects of being struck by lightning. All these clues, revealed after the monk Shenshu¡¯s identification of the corpse, suddenly made sense. *Could this corpse be the old body left behind when that Daoist failed to transcend? If so, then where was the Daoist himself? Had he seeded, ascending to the First Rank, or perhaps taken over another body¡­?* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s thoughts couldn¡¯t help but turn back to the Daoist. *But there¡¯s something wrong here. Daoist Jinlian once said that during the Second Rank Tribtion, sess brought one to the rank of Earthly Immortal, while failure reduced one to ash. But this Daoist had managed to preserve his corpse. Did he somehow evade total annihtion, or was Daoist Jinlian simplycking in understanding, having exaggerated the nature of the tribtion?* ¡°You¡¯re trying to pry information from me about my Lord?¡± The withered corpse¡¯s fierce face twisted with disdain.Its speech was very close to the current mandarin of the Great Feng, though some of the pronunciations differed slightly in details. Humanity had lived in the central ins since ancient times, and though there were breaks in the historical records, the people still existed, and theirnguage had not changed significantly. *So, this creature is oddly loyal to its previous self¡­ Well, I guess that makes sense¡ªafter all, the former and current owners share the same body,* Xu Qi¡¯an thought to himself. Shenshu¡¯s tone was warm. ¡°A Daoist, a swordsman, and one who needs fortune to cultivate. Even if you choose not to speak, I can infer this Daoist¡¯s origin.¡± *The Human Sect!* *So that Daoist came from the Human Sect¡­ Now that exins why those murals had such a strong air of familiarity, and why he sought to kill the emperor and seize the throne. It¡¯s a pity Luo Yuheng wasn¡¯t born a man; otherwise¡­ Emperor Yuanjing would be in grave danger!* Xu Qi¡¯an thought this with a hint of regret. The corpse was silent for a moment, then replied without denial, ¡°For one of your standing, it wouldn¡¯t be difficult to see through that.¡± Shenshu nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to know your Lord¡¯s whereabouts? We could exchange information.¡± This time, the corpse did not hesitate. ¡°Very well!¡± *The key to negotiation lies in finding out what the other party wants. As long as there is a need, there is room for negotiation¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an mused, as he absorbed the exchanges between these two mighty figures. ¡°What era was your Lord from?¡± asked Shenshu. ¡°The Great Dynasty of Liang.¡± ¡°The Great Liang¡­ Do you know of it?¡± Shenshu frowned, hisst question directed at Xu Qi¡¯an. Then, without waiting for a reply, he answered himself in Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s voice: ¡°Master, I am but a crude warrior, not a disciple of the Confucianists. I haven¡¯t even read the history books of the Great Feng¡­¡± *I¡¯m just a martial artist; don¡¯t make me bear the weight of knowledge beyond my domain,* Xu Qi¡¯an quipped inwardly. ¡°It seems that my slumber was indeed excessively prolonged,¡± rasped the corpse, in a voice as if his vocal cords had mostly rotted away, ¡°The Great Liang existed many myriad years after the gods and demons had disappeared from the world. Back then, nations warred across the central ins. The bloodlines left by the gods and demons still roamed Jiuzhou, though they were a dwindling force, no longer a real threat. ¡°Besides humanity, the Yao tribes also held significant power. However, just as the human race was fractured, so too were the Yao, consisting of scattered tribes and ns. Although they would unite in battle against humans, they were, by andrge, a loose coalition.¡± *After the age of gods and demons came the era of human-yao struggle¡­ How long did that erast? Why do I get the sense that this world¡¯s history is utterly fragmented, with too many periods lost to time?* *Even a top schr like Chu Yuanzhen didn¡¯t recognize the clothing depicted on the murals.* *This world needs a Sima Qian¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an muttered to himself. ¡°How did the gods and demons fall?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an took the initiative, temporarily wresting control of the ¡°ount.¡± The corpse shook its head. *Alright then. There are too many gaps in history, with no coherent cultural continuity. Some of these mysteries may remain forever unsolved¡ªunless I venture to the Abyss in the Southern Marches to question the Gu God¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an pressed on: ¡°What rank did the gods and demons hold?¡± ¡°Rank?¡± the corpse echoed. *Oh, right¡ªthe current system of Ninth to First Rank was introduced by the Confucian Sage, who personally defined each level. This corpse dates from a much earlier age¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded, rephrasing his question: ¡°What level of strength did they possess?¡± ¡°Your question is too vague for me to answer. Each deity had a unique level of power, it would be impossible to generalise. The mightiest among them were immortal, capable of tearing apart heaven and earth.¡± *Then am I to understand that the strongest gods and demons possessed power beyond the Nine Ranks?* Xu Qi¡¯an pondered, lost in thought, without voicing another question. ¡°In your era, how many beings of the highest god-demon strength existed?¡± The monk Shenshu stepped in, seizing control of the ¡°ount.¡± ¡°The Gu God in the Southern Marches,¡± the corpse answered. At this, Shenshu frowned. ¡°And the Daoist Venerable?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an, too, sensed something amiss. Why were there no supreme beings in that era? The corpse¡¯sck of knowledge of the Buddhist path suggested that the Buddha had not yet achieved enlightenment in its era. The same logic applied to the Warlock God. Yet, given that there was a Daoist who usurped the throne, he must have appeared after the Daoist Venerable¡ªwho was, after all, the founder of Daoism. The Daoist Venerable must be a supreme being, surpassing all ranks. ¡°What Daoist Venerable?¡± The corpse¡¯s tone was bewildered. *This¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an was momentarily speechless, his mind nk with shock. He¡¯s never even heard of the Venerable¡ªnever even heard of the Venerable?! A Daoist practitioner, yetpletely ignorant of the Daoist Venerable. How could this be? ¡°You don¡¯t know the founding master of Daoism?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an demanded in a low voice. ¡°Daoism?¡± The corpse thought for a moment, then replied, ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of it. Perhaps it was founded after the Great Liang.¡± *It¡¯s never heard of Daoism, yet that Daoist from the mural was evidently real¡­ So does that mean the concept of the Daoist path wasn¡¯t even formalized at that time?* *Butplete ignorance of the Venerable himself¡ªnow, that is truly puzzling.* Xu Qi¡¯an was then reminded of Wei Yuan¡¯s description of the martial artist system. It hadn¡¯t materialized in one fell swoop but instead emerged over generations of strength practitioners, who used their own intelligence and talent to gradually develop the path. After countless eras, it became today¡¯s martial path. *Could it be that the Venerable wasn¡¯t the founder of Daoism? Back then, there may have been a nebulous framework that people followed, until the Venerable became its ultimate master, transcending ranks to reach divinity.* *Was that how the Daoist path came to be?* *I remember checking the three Daoist Sects¡¯ texts in the Archive once. They recorded that the Daoist Venerable''s birth era was unknown and impossible to verify¡­ which aligns with this historical discontinuity.* *What a shame. Without the Confucians back then, no one knew to record it, making the hypothesis about the Daoist Venerable being a master of all paths nearly impossible to confirm¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought regretfully, then heard Monk Shenshu say, ¡°Tell me about yourself.¡± ¡°After my lord failed his tribtion, his Yang Spirit shed his old body. He awakened the remnant soul within that body and collected wandering souls throughout the world toplete it. And thus, I was born. ¡°Afterward, he built this grand tomb and entrusted me with the jade seal bearing the fortune of the Great Liang. He instructed me to guard it carefully, promising to return someday to reim it. But ages passed, and he never came back, until you entered this tomb.¡± The withered corpse looked at Xu Qi¡¯an, its toneced with a touch of betrayed anger. ¡°Your fortune is identical to my Lord¡¯s. That¡¯s why I mistook you for him.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t all emperors bear fortune?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked. The corpse sneered, ¡°If I knew, would I have mistaken you?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied in Monk Shenshu''s voice, ¡°Indeed, emperors bear fortune, yet these do not belong to them but to their dynasties. Thus, emperors can change. ¡°You, on the other hand, possess refined fortune, uniquely yours. The Daoist must have been the same. Hence, he mistook you for the Daoist.¡± *Refined fortune¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an felt a chill inside. After answering Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s question, Shenshu continued, ¡°At present, the orthodox human dynasty is the Great Feng, likely separated from your era by over ten thousand years. ¡°As for your Lord¡¯s fate, I can tell you this: after the Great Liang, only a handful of beings at the peak of power existed, such as the Gu God, the Warlock God, the Buddha, the Daoist Venerable, and the Confucian Sage. ¡°Among them, the Confucian Sage died, the Daoist Venerable vanished after splitting himself into three, and as for the others¡­ well, let¡¯s just say each has had their share of troubles.¡± *That¡­ that line is chilling in its implications¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an felt a dull ache in his head as he tried to process the deluge of high-level information. Analyzing it too deeply was mind-breaking. ¡°Whether your Lord is among them, that¡¯s up to you to consider. If not, he has either perished or is still gathering strength. If he is, then why hasn¡¯t he returned for you? Heh, this too I do not know.¡± The corpse fixed him with a prating look, asking, ¡°Among these¡­ are you not one of them?¡± Shenshu shook his head, then said, ¡°I offer you two choices: one, I end you now. Two, you remain in the tomb and continue waiting. But this time, you¡¯ll not sleep; you¡¯ll endure unending istion and solitude.¡± ¡°I¡­ I will continue to wait. That is my mission,¡± the corpse said quietly, ¡°and the meaning of my existence.¡± *What a loyal Hachiko¡­*[^2] Xu Qi¡¯an couldn¡¯t help but feel moved, only to hear Monk Shenshu say, ¡°Within ten years, he will return your fortune.¡± ¡°Very well,¡± the corpse nodded. *¡­what are you doing?*[^3] Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face froze. At that moment, he heard strange footsteps, each fall of the foot differing in weight. Whoever approached seemed to have a limp. ¡°Someone¡¯sing,¡± Monk Shenshu frowned, his voice grave. ¡°I¡¯ll go back into my slumber. If I don¡¯t, I can¡¯t control my hunger. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me; the more fortune you consume, the better it is for me.¡± The voice faded and disappeared. The unsteady footsteps drew closer, and at the entrance to the ruined main chamber, a head of tangled hair cautiously peeked in. ¡°What are you staring at!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an shouted. She jumped, withdrawing her head quickly, only to peer back in after a few seconds, timidly. This time, Xu Qi¡¯an appeared right in front of her. Zhong Li fell back, terrified,nding hard on the ground. Xu Qi¡¯an knew she was too afraid to spy with the Qi-watching technique, so he decided to scare her instead, saying in a sinister voice, ¡°Just in time. I¡¯m hungry. Young, tender skin¡­ hehehe¡­¡± Zhong Li shivered, dragging herself backward with her injured leg, looking like a frightened little rabbit. ¡°What happened to your leg?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an frowned, switching to a normal tone. Zhong Li looked up, her eyes hidden beneath her disheveled hair. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re not dead¡­ you weren¡¯t possessed¡­¡± she stammered with some relief in her voice. ¡°I have a great fortune protecting me; I won¡¯t die.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nced at her leg. ¡°Why did youe back?¡± ¡°To look for you,¡± she answered, then looked down with some grievance. ¡°A rock fell and broke my leg on the way.¡± *¡­What else can I say? That¡¯s just an average Master of Prophecy event!* After a few silent seconds, Xu Qi¡¯an said, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head back together.¡± Zhong Li let out a sigh of relief, relieved she hadn¡¯t been scolded. With a limp, she followed him, her twisted leg bleeding through her trousers. To keep up with him, she was forced to hop, worsening her injury. Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly stopped and asked, ¡°Does it hurt?¡± ¡°Mm¡­¡± she whimpered softly. ¡°That¡¯s what you get for being brainless,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an grumbled, crouching down. ¡°I¡¯ll carry you out.¡± Zhong Li hobbled over, ready to jump onto his back. Just as she did, Xu Qi¡¯an abruptly stood up, his head colliding with her chin, causing her to cry out and fall backward. *Unbelievable¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought to himself. He picked up the poor Fifth Senior Sister in his arms, feeling a bit guilty as he exined, ¡°I¡­ I was just thinking if I carried you on my back, another rock might fall and split your head open.¡± Zhong Li, her tongue bleeding, mumbled, ¡°It¡¯th jutht my bad luck¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. ¡°So I thought better and decided to carry you like this.¡± Zhong Li muttered, ¡°It¡¯th jutht my bad luck¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an snickered, ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re really unlucky.¡± She flushed, burying her face in his arm. ¡°I took care of the tomb¡¯s corpse. I dared to remain because I naturally have a contingency n. I have my own sense of self-preservation, but you¡­ you really don¡¯t. Haven¡¯t you noticed how cursed you are?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an brought the conversation back, chiding, ¡°Next time, just run away. What if I survived, but you didn¡¯t?¡± ¡°I¡­ I couldn¡¯t bear to leave you,¡± she said. ¡°Save it; you¡¯re not my wife. Quit worrying over nothing.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an snorted. *I¡¯m going to be a prince consort, after all.* --- [^1]: In China, Yellow is the colour exclusive to royalty. [^2]: [See this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D) [^3]: The original text had this written verbatim in English for effect. Chapter 312: Truly a Divine Man Chapter 312: Truly a Divine Man # 312. Truly a Divine Man Dusk. The sun hung low in the west. One by one, members of the Houtu Gang crawled out from the tunnel¡ªthirteen in total. Counting the members of the Heaven and Earth Society, they were now sixteen. ¡°We finally made it out!¡± ¡°It feels like a lifetime has passed; I almost thought I¡¯d die in there¡­ What a pity, though, that we didn¡¯t get to bring out much.¡± The tomb raiders, exhausted but jubnt, slumped to the ground to savour their survival. Some simply revelled in the joy of having escaped death; others quietly counted their meagre loot from the tomb, musing over the low returns on this operation. The Heaven and Earth Society members, however, bore heavy hearts, showing no signs of relief. Hengyuan carefully set Lina down, staring nkly at the tomb entrance. In a low voice, he murmured, ¡°This poor monk is not even as courageous as a woman.¡± After sitting silently for a few moments, he put his palms together, and tears of grief poured down his face.His sorrow seemed no less than when his prot¨¦g¨¦ Henghui had passed away. *The impact of this experience on Hengyuan was profound, and when he advances to a higher realm, this will undoubtedly be his greatest inner weakness...* Chu Yuanzhen opened his mouth, wanting to console him, but no words came. He, too, needed time to process and calm his grief. Hengyuan, who had received so much grace from Xu Ningyan, had been ¡°cowardly¡± enough to escape at this life-and-death moment. The blow to him was unimaginable. Although Chu Yuanzhen hadn¡¯t directly benefited from Xu Ningyan¡¯s favour, he regarded him as a trusted friend. The thought of Xu Ningyan perishing in the tomb was heartbreakingly. *This shouldn¡¯t be. It shouldn¡¯t be¡­ He¡¯s a man of great fortune; he shouldn¡¯t fall here...* Daoist Jinlian, uncharacteristically dejected, stood in stark contrast to his usual, sage-like demeanour. He knew deep down that even those blessed with immense fortune were not immortal, especially when faced with high-tier adversaries. Does the loss of such a fortuitous person mean my own fate is sealed as well? Daoist Jinlian thought, ovee with mncholy. ¡°Daoist!¡± At that moment, the frail leader of the Houtu Gang approached. He looked even more haggard, his eyes sunken andplexion wan, yet his cloudy gaze sparked with sudden rity. ¡°Please, Daoist, tell us the name of our benefactor. Though we of the Houtu Gang may be lowly grave robbers and outcasts, we understand the value of gratitude. ¡°Since our benefactor has passed, we¡¯ll never have the chance to repay him in this life. But we wish to erect a monument in his honor, so that from this day forward, all members of the Houtu Gang will offer daily homage, forever remembering him.¡± With tears streaming down his face, Qian You wiped his eyes and sobbed, ¡°Please, Daoist, tell us the name of our benefactor.¡± ¡°Please, Daoist, reveal our benefactor¡¯s name,¡± the members of the Houtu Gang echoed fervently. ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an. His name is Xu Qi¡¯an, a Silver Gong of the Nightwatcher Constabry in the capital,¡± Daoist Jinlian sighed, then carefully instructed them on the exact characters of his name. *Xu Qi¡¯an¡­* The Houtu Gang members silentlymitted the name to memory. Just then, Daoist Jinlian, Hengyuan, and Chu Yuanzhen froze. They heard faint footsteps, moving away from the tomb¡¯s entrance. There was a moment of silence before Hengyuan grabbed Lina and tossed her toward the Houtu Gang, growling, ¡°Run, quickly!¡± Daoist Jinlian and Chu Yuanzhen retreated a few steps, forming a triangr formation with Hengyuan, all facing the tomb. The old Daoist murmured, ¡°Leave immediately, go as far as you can; the creature in the tomb... has emerged.¡± Hengyuan, far from being afraid, instead wore a look of relief, his tone rxed, ¡°Amitabha. This time, this poor monk will not flee.¡± *I still haven¡¯t fought in the Conflict of Heaven and Man¡­* Chu Yuanzhen muttered as he reached behind him to grip the sword he¡¯d never yet drawn. The Houtu Gang members paled in terror, their faces ashen, scrambling to flee without even looking back. In the chaos, no one thought to carry Lina, who remained unconscious. *These dogs¡­* the frail leader cursed inwardly, gritting his teeth as he turned back to retrieve Lina. He grabbed her hands and lifted her onto his shoulder, all the while keeping a wary eye on the tomb entrance, praying fervently that the terrifying corpse would not emerge. Then¡­ he saw a glistening, bald head. That bald head was drooping, carrying on its back a girl in a tattered hemp robe with dishevelled hair, forming a stark contrast that made him think: *Why not share some of that hair?* The sickly leader froze, still bent over with Lina slung over his shoulder, and dumbfounded, he stared at the pair emerging from the tomb. The three standing guard were equally stunned, motionless in disbelief. Chu Yuanzhen muttered, ¡°Is it really him?¡± *His fortune had grown even more potent; had the Jianzheng¡¯s technique to mask his fate failed? How did he escape the corpse¡¯s clutches¡­* Countless thoughts flitted through Daoist Jinlian¡¯s mind, his expression wooden as he finally said, ¡°It appears to be him.¡± At that moment, Xu Qi¡¯an beamed and called out, ¡°Everyone made it out, that¡¯s wonderful.¡± As he spoke, he jostled Zhong Li upward, adjusting her position on his back. The narrow path wouldn¡¯t allow for a princess carry, so he¡¯d switched to a piggyback. ¡°Sir Xu¡­¡± Bathed in the soft glow of dusk, Hengyuan felt the world was beautiful beyond words, a ce where kindness is repaid, and the Buddha¡¯s mercy is boundless. He tried to control his emotions, pressing his trembling palms together in prayer, his eyes red as he softly chanted a Buddhist mantra. ¡°Benefactor¡­ Benefactor, you¡¯re alive¡­ you¡¯re alive!¡± muttered Qian You, who had begun fleeing but now turned around upon seeing Xu Qi¡¯an safe. Ovee with joy, he made a swift U-turn and ran back. Though cautious and deathly afraid, this man had an admirable sense of gratitude. ¡°Our benefactor has great fortune and longevity; this is truly a blessing.¡± The Houtu Gang members followed suit, their faces filled with relief. Their ttery made Xu Qi¡¯an feel slightly embarrassed. He thought to himself, *had it not been that fortune prodding Shenshu awake, I would¡¯ve turned tail and ran with the rest of you¡­* When the Imperial Seal transformed into white sand andfortune surged within him, Xu Qi¡¯an felt something within him awaken. It was the severed hand of the monk Shenshu, which had been lying dormant but was now distinctly present. With this newfound confidence, he¡¯d dared to stay behind and cover their retreat. Otherwise, he would have simply prayed to outrun hispanions. After all, when facing a ¡°bear,¡± it¡¯s not the bear you need to outrun, just whoever was slowest. ¡­ Outside the city, in a valley far from the southern mountain range, by a stream, Xu Qi''an took the water passed to him by Qian You. *The water was drawn straight from the stream¡­ who knows if it¡¯s filled with bacteria and would cause stomach trouble¡­* thought Xu Qi''an as he gulped it down in one go. They had spent an entire day exploring the ancient tomb, and after the final showdown with the boss mob, he had lost a lot of stamina and needed to keep replenishing his fluids. Linay nearby, fast asleep. Zhong Li sat alone by the stream, tending to her injuries. The Arcanist system was not geared towardbat; her physique couldn¡¯tpare to that of a Martial Artist, who perfects their body. Fortunately, every Arcanist was a skilled healer, experts at wielding their talents to save lives. These minor injuries were something Zhong Li could handle on her own, which allowed Xu Qi''an to chat and boast a bit on the side. "At that moment, I wasn¡¯t thinking about anything else, just that everyone should leave quickly, and that I¡¯d take on all the danger myself¡­¡± Xu Qi''an narrated, spittle flying. The Houtu Gang members were moved beyond measure; recalling their own cowardly flight, each one felt deep shame. In private, Xu Qi''an exined to Daoist Jinlian and the others through voice transmission: "The Jianzheng left a safeguard within me. As to what it is, I can¡¯t say." *The Jianzheng actually left a safeguard within him¡­ just as I suspected, Xu Ningyan is a critical pawn for the Jianzheng. And it now appears that this pawn holds extraordinary importance.* Daoist Jinlian nodded in sudden realisation. *No wonder, no wonder the Sitianjian¡¯s girl Zhong Li would follow him¡­* Chu Yuanzhen nced at her slim figure by the stream, understanding dawning on his face. He also connected it with various other details: like why the Jianzheng had personally chosen him to represent in the contest against the Buddhist sect, or why Daoist Jinlian held Xu Qi''an in such high regard and favour. There was also the subtle cues he had noticed when navigating the maze. All signs pointed to Xu Qi''an being far from simple, a man with hidden depths and untold secrets. *Interesting.* Hengyuan''s thoughts were simpler: in his eyes, Xu Ningyan was a good man, and with him alive, the world was still, for the time being, beautiful. *It¡¯s a pity I haven¡¯t yet had the chance to cultivate the Unbreakable Vajra; reaching the Third Rank is still a distant dream,* Hengyuan mused. After finishing his stories, Xu Qi''an shifted his gaze to a certain "wild" Arcanist within the Houtu Gang, a white-haired elder of about fifty dressed in a filthy robe. "And how should I address you, senior?" "Not at all worthy of ''senior,'' I am Gongyang Su," the old wild Arcanist said, waving his hand. "How did you discover this tomb, Senior?" Xu Qi''an asked. ording to Qian You, the grand tomb beneath the southern mountain had been found by Gongyang Su, who was not only proficient in Feng Shui but also the deputy leader of the gang. This was strange. The tomb had been buried for thousands, if not tens of thousands of years. How was it uncovered at just this moment? "The tomb wasn¡¯t actually discovered by me but by my master. Arcanists of our lineage almost never have the opportunity to advance. Most of us are stuck at Seventh Rank, and as for the reason¡­¡±[^1] Gongyang Su shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s a mystery within our system, not something I can reveal.¡± *Because you need to rely on the court; I¡¯ve already figured that out¡­* Xu Qi''an sneered inwardly, refraining from interrupting as he continued to listen. ¡°One has to make a living, and there are only so many ways to do that. The most profitable of them, well, is making money off the dead. Since I was young, I¡¯ve traveled Jiuzhou with my master, and every time we came across a site with good Feng Shui, we would record it, hoping to dig it up someday. ¡°If there¡¯s a tomb, we¡¯d make a fortune; if not, we¡¯d introduce it to the wealthy. My master discovered this tomb when he was young and made a note of it. However, my master wasn¡¯t too keen on grave robbing, saying it would go against the will of heaven and bring down divine wrath. "And who would have thought, he was right¡­ If it hadn¡¯t been for your help, benefactor, I fear I¡¯d be resting eternally underground." *I can¡¯t tell if you¡¯re being honest or lying; as an Arcanist, Qi-watching techniques are useless on you¡­ The true trigger for this event was Number Five, not me. There are very few people who know I¡¯m a member of the Heaven and Earth Society, and there¡¯s one prerequisite: they must know Number Five''s whereabouts. This rules out the possibility of an intentional arrangement¡­ Sigh, I¡¯m developing Jianzheng-induced anxiety syndrome.* Xu Qi''an sighed inwardly. Then, recalling the mysterious Arcanist he encountered in Yunzhou, he couldn''t help but curse under his breath: *Damn, all Arcanists are sly old fucks.* *Mn, high-ranking Arcanists.* *A girl as scatterbrained as Chu Caiwei definitely chose the wrong path; the same goes for Zhong Li.* *Though, to be fair to Zhong Li, she might be unlucky, pitiable, and indecisive, but her intelligence is clearly a cut above Caiwei¡¯s.* Refocusing his mind, he asked with feigned curiosity, "Senior Gongyang, who is the ancestral master of your lineage?" Gongyang Su fixed a steady gaze on him and shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± *Now that''s a lie; the signs are too clear¡­* Xu Qi''an feigned a look of confusion, asking, ¡°Isn¡¯t it the First Jianzheng?¡± Gongyang Su¡¯s expression remained unchanged as he replied, ¡°The Arcanist lineage does originate from the First Jianzheng, but as for the ancestor of my specific branch, that, I truly do not know.¡± ¡°Probably a faction that broke away from the Sitianjian five hundred years ago.¡± Xu Qi''an¡¯s tone was casual. Gongyang Su¡¯s face shifted drastically. He opened his mouth, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing as he said, ¡°Young Master Xu, might I have a word with you in private?¡± *I don¡¯t even have a hard drive left, so how can I lend you one?*[^2] Xu Qi''an quipped internally, smiling as he stood up and strolled along the stream. Gongyang Su followed in silence. Stepping on the riverbed stones, Xu Qi¡¯an walked out about a hundred meters before stopping. This distance would ensure that their conversation couldn''t be overheard by Daoist Jinlian and the others. Although they were friends, Xu Qi¡¯an had no intention of revealing the secrets of the Arcanist system to them. Not without payment, at least. The footsteps behind him also stopped. Gongyang Su fixed Xu Qi¡¯an with a severe stare, probing, ¡°Young Master Xu, what else do you know?¡± ¡°I also know that the reason Emperor Wuzong managed to seize the throne back then was his alliance with the Buddhist Sect, which aided him in killing the First Jianzheng,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied, turning to meet his gaze, eyes burning with intensity. ¡°¡­You even know that. Who exactly are you? You have a Master of Prophecy by your side and even managed to escape from the cursed corpse in the ancient tomb.¡± ¡°Who I am is unimportant. I¡¯ll only ask: what role did the current Jianzheng y in those events?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an went straight to the point, asking the question that had troubled him for so long. ¡°Heh, isn¡¯t it obvious? Without cooperation from a high-ranking Arcanist, would the Buddhist Sect have been able to kill a first rank Arcanist so easily?¡± Gongyang Su sneered, his expression full of contempt, directed not at the Buddhist Sect, but rather at the current Jianzheng. *So, my guess is right. The Jianzheng indeed yed the role of a traitor back then, which led to his current position¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an sighed inwardly, a feeling of difort lingering. He was no moral purist, but acts of betraying one¡¯s teacher disgusted him on a visceral level. ¡°So, all the Arcanists who roam thend today came from factions that split off after the death of the First Jianzheng?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked steadily, his expression revealing nothing. ¡°After the division of the Sitianjian, six factions of Arcanists were formed, each led by one of the First Jianzheng¡¯s six disciples. The founder of my lineage was his fourth disciple, a fourth rank Master of Formations,¡± Gongyang Su exined. ¡°Do you still have contact with the other five factions? How are they doing now?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked immediately. Gongyang Su shook his head. ¡°Each went their own way. There is no contact between us. And even if there were, why would we reach out¡ªto form a secret society to oppose the Sitianjian?¡± He gave a bitter chuckle. ¡°The Arcanist system relies on the Empire for survival, increasingly so at higher ranks. This is why all six branches are in decline.¡± *But this doesn¡¯t add up. The Arcanist I encountered in Yunzhou was definitely a high-ranking Arcanist, yet he was not part of the Sitianjian. And these six branches supposedly can¡¯t ascend to high ranks¡­ There¡¯s a logical contradiction here.* Xu Qi¡¯an said gravely, ¡°I once encountered a high-ranking Arcanist in Yunzhou¡ªat least a Master of Heaven¡¯s Secrets. He was not affiliated with the Sitianjian.¡± Gongyang Su paused, his brows knitted tightly. ¡°That shouldn¡¯t be possible.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an pondered, ¡°Is it possible he pledged allegiance to another faction, simr to how the Sitianjian relies on the Great Feng?¡± Gongyang Su considered this. ¡°If so, then the Buddhist Sect or the Church of the Warlock God are the only likely options. As for the southern barbarians or the northern tribes, you may not know, but theyck the means to gather fortune.¡± *Oh, I do know; Dean Zhao Shou already told me¡­* *So it¡¯s just the Buddhist Sect and the Church of the Warlock God¡­ The Arcanist who helped me thwart the Church of the Warlock God¡¯s plot likely harbours ill will toward me. I suspect the mastermind behind the tax silver case to be among his group, though this remains to be confirmed¡­ Still, whether he meant me harm or not, he clearly isn¡¯t allied with the Church.* *So, only the Buddhist Sect remains!?* *I knew those bald donkeys from the West were up to no good¡­ but stay cautious; this is still just conjecture, no evidence¡­ but that won¡¯t stop me from dissing them.* Xu Qi¡¯an took a deep breath, realising just how turbulent the undercurrents ran between the major factions of Jiuzhou. ¡°I have onest question, Senior Gongyang,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said. ¡°You saved my life. If I know the answer, I won¡¯t hide anything,¡± Gongyang Su nodded. ¡°Are you aware that the Jianzheng has erased all information concerning the First Jianzheng?¡± Gongyang Su scoffed, ¡°Predictable. Even emperors throughout history have edited records as they saw fit.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s tone was puzzled, ¡°But the problem is, many people still remember the First Jianzheng existed, like you and I.¡± Gongyang Su contemted for a moment, his gaze following the rapid flow of the stream as he replied, ¡°Young Master Xu, what do you think it means to ¡®block heavenly secrets¡¯?¡± ¡°Erasing all traces rted to someone¡­ or masking something unique about them?¡± Drawing on his familiarity with the ¡°404 Doctrine,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an offered an answer. Gongyang Su looked back at him. ¡°So, what does it mean to erase all traces?¡± Without waiting for Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s response, he crouched and traced a line in the dirt with his toe, then pointed at the mark. ¡°It¡¯s simple to erase this mark, so that no one would ever know I drew a line here. But what if this line were magnified a thousandfold, bing a deep groove¡ªor even a canyon? ¡°And if that canyon were to run through the capital?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said in realisation, ¡°I understand. The First Jianzheng is that canyon¡ªeven if he¡¯s blocked from heaven¡¯s design, his influence is too vast, too obvious. The traces he left behind cannot be erasedpletely.¡± Gongyang Su nodded and continued, ¡°And, if the people closest to Young Master Xu¡ªlike your parents¡ªhad their existence erased, would you think yourself born from a rock? Would others see you as someone who sprang from a stone? ¡°The magic to block heavenly secrets must also follow the natural order, the great Dao and its invible truths. When ites to the closest of kin, it leaves a hazy impression, though they cannot recall specific details.¡± *I see. No wonder Wei Yuan said he frequently forgot about the First Jianzheng, only to remember him in fragmented glimpses when recalling information about the Sitianjian!* Xu Qi¡¯an hinted, ¡°You seem to know quite a bit.¡± Gongyang Su chuckled, his conscience clear. ¡°It¡¯s not that I know a lot; it¡¯s just that these are the only things my lineage knows. Since we¡¯vee this far, I may as well share some additional secrets of the Arcanist system. ¡°The titles for first and second rank Arcanists are incredibly mysterious. Even my founding teacher was unaware of the names or techniques of those ranks.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nodded slowly, ¡°Thank you for the insight.¡± Ending the conversation, Xu Qi¡¯an walked slowly toward Zhong Li, who was at the stream washing her wounds and applying a brown salve to her swollen, bruised leg. When the swelling had subsided a little, she pulled out two prepared sticks and tore off a strip of cloth, nning to set her own bone. Suddenly, Xu Qi¡¯an shouted behind her. Startled, Zhong Li jolted, dropping one of the sticks, which floated away downstream. Xu Qi¡¯an stood with his hands on his hips, looking pleased with himself. ¡°You¡­¡± Zhong Li was a little annoyed, gritting her teeth and muttering, ¡°I won¡¯te looking for you next time.¡± ¡°Alright, alright, what¡¯s so precious about a broken stick? When we get back to the capital, I¡¯ll get you a silver one,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, pulling her to her feet. He hoisted his unfortunate Fifth Senior Sister onto his back and shouted, ¡°Daoist, it¡¯s time to return to the capital.¡± In a moment, a flying sword and paper crane rose on the wind, soaring into the sky and vanishing from sight. With the setting sun behind him, Xu Qi¡¯an hoisted Zhong Li higher, cupping her thighs, and broke out in a boisterous song. The members of the Houtu Gang looked up, watching the masters depart, their spirits stirred. In the distance, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s song echoed: ¡°The light of justice shines upon the great tracts ofnd¡­¡± ¡­ Bathed in the sunset¡¯s afterglow, the Houtu Gang members arrived at the gate of Xiangcheng with just a quarter-hour to spare before it closed. ¡°Hurry, hurry! Let¡¯s find an inn to settle down in before the curfew hits,¡± urged the gang¡¯s sickly boss, pushing his men to quicken their pace. He looked back and noticed Qian You hadn¡¯t kept up. Instead, Qian You was standing dumbstruck at the notice wall by the gate, staring at the official bulletin posted there. ¡°Qian You, Qian You¡­ what the hell has you so transfixed? Do you see some woman on that wall? What¡¯s making you stop dead in your tracks?¡± the boss shouted irritably. Qian You turned, his expressionplex and hard to describe, and stammered, ¡°B-Boss,e over here¡­¡± The boss stormed over angrily, shouting, ¡°If there¡¯s no woman on that wall, I¡¯ll strip you naked and paste you up there!¡± Still cursing, he followed Qian You¡¯s gaze to the wall. Then, both men froze in ce. ¡°Boss, what¡¯s wrong with you two?¡± The other members walked over, thinking there must be an exceptional beauty on that wall to leave them both so stunned. They focused on the wall and saw that it held an official bulletin: ¡°In the year of Xinchou, on March 18, a Buddhist delegation arrived in the capital, intending to duel the Sitianjian. Xu Qi¡¯an, Silver Gong of the Nightwatchers, entered the fray, broke through the formation, slew the Golden Body, discerned the Buddhist doctrine¡­ and triumphed over the Buddhists, upholding the dignity of the Great Feng.¡± Qian You stammered, ¡°I-I remember the benefactor¡¯s name¡­ it was Xu Qi¡¯an!¡± ¡°Gulp.¡± An Adam¡¯s apple bobbed in one Houtu Gang member¡¯s throat. ¡°Gulp¡­¡± The sound of nervous swallowing rippled through the group. *Representing the Sitianjian in a duel, triumphing over the Buddhist Sect¡­* Gongyang Su¡¯s pupils shrank dramatically. He¡¯d suspected that the young man named Xu had an unusual identity. But he hadn¡¯t expected him to be someone of this calibre. The frail boss muttered, ¡°I was wrong, so wrong¡­ ¡°I foolishly thought he was a low-ranking warrior, but no, he¡¯s actually the most important person there¡­ Breaking through the formation, ying the Golden Body, discerning the Buddhist doctrine¡­ truly a divine man.¡± --- [^1]: Trantor note: the original text said ¡°fifth rank¡±. As the bottleneck is sixth rank (master of alchemy), we regard this as a typo and have corrected it. [^2]: One way of saying ¡°may I have a word¡± i.e. borrow a step is pronounced the same as ¡°borrow an episode¡±, of what you can imagine yourself. Chapter 313: Information for Medicine Chapter 313: Information for Medicine # 313. Information for Medicine Night, the stars were dark, mist shrouded the sky. Xu Qi¡¯an carried Zhong Li on his back, gazing down at the capital from high above. The greatest city in thendy still, dormant under the cover of darkness. At intervals along the city walls, bonfires burned brightly every twenty yards, illuminating the wall beneath. With the candlelight from the imperial pce, inner city, and outer districts, the sight was resplendent. ¡°It¡¯s so beautiful,¡± murmured Zhong Li, nestled on his back. ¡°Can¡¯t you see such a night view from Sitianjian¡¯s Bagua tform?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s not as pretty there. Besides, our teacher observes the stars at night, so we¡¯re usually not allowed on the tform at this time, except for Caiwei,¡± Zhong Li replied regretfully. ¡°Why is Caiwei allowed?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked with surprise. ¡°Maybe because she¡¯s the youngest and, well, not the brightest, so teacher has a soft spot for her,¡± Zhong Li guessed.*¡­Are you speaking ill of Caiwei? I didn¡¯t expect you to be like this, Zhong Li. Well, with the way she acts, it¡¯s likely true¡­ Seems like Caiwei¡¯s dimwittedness is a known fact at Sitianjian.* As he thought to himself, Xu Qi¡¯an changed the topic, speaking softly, ¡°I once dreamed of a city where lights illuminate the streets at night, winding through every corner of the city. ¡°I dreamed of a city filled with towering buildings, like stargazing towers, that glowed with lights of various colours. ¡°In my dreams, I saw a city where glowing carriages roamed the streets, vibrant and radiant, with lightssting all night until dawn.¡± Listening, Zhong Li was entranced and murmured, ¡°That must be a paradise.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t respond, only smiling with a touch of nostalgia and longing. The flying sword and paper crane didn¡¯t descend immediately, instead hovering over the outer city for a moment, signalling to the Sitianjian arcanists or skilled experts in the capital that they were allies, not foes. If they had rushed in unannounced, they might have triggered a defensive response from the city¡¯s experts. The flying sword and paper cranended in a secluded alley not far from the city gate. After exchanging farewells, Daoist Jinlian took custody of the unconscious Lina, given his position as leader of the Heaven and Earth Society, it was his responsibility to take care of her. Xu Qi¡¯an then carried Zhong Li toward the city gate, where his sturdy mare was tied up. Last night, when he left the city with Daoist Jinlian and others, he brought along his little mare, handing her off to a patrolling Imperial de Guard, who left her in the city guard¡¯s care. ¡°Little mare, your needleman is back.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an patted the mare¡¯s neck, untied her, and set off for the inner city with Zhong Li. Walking from the outer gate to Xu Manor in the inner city would take until midnight; riding the mare would be much faster, and Xu Qi¡¯an felt grateful for his foresight. Using his Silver Gong privilege to open the inner city gates, he returned to the Xu Residencete into the night. Zhong Li washed up briefly, then used a wooden rod Xu Qi¡¯an provided to reset her dislocated bones. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s my fault that you had to suffer like this,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an apologised. ¡°Take me back to Sitianjian tomorrow; our teacher will heal my leg,¡± Zhong Li murmured, rubbing her leg. ¡°To borrow your fortune and avoid cmity, I must also give something in return. As you would say, it¡¯s an equal exchange¡ªthe unchanging principle of alchemy.¡± ¡°Senior Sister Zhong, you¡¯re so understanding. It¡¯s truly touching¡­ By the way, Sister, are you tired?¡± Zhong Li shook her head. p! Xu Qi¡¯an ced a nk booklet before her. ¡°If you¡¯re not tired, could you help me write? Carrying you from Xiangcheng to the capital was exhausting. Equal exchange, right? The unchanging principle of alchemy.¡± Zhong Li was speechless. While grinding ink, Xu Qi¡¯an urged, ¡°Hurry up, I promised the Princess I¡¯d deliver her a story. I¡¯ve already kept her waiting a day.¡± ¡°¡­Oh.¡± Zhong Li gave a soft, obedient reply and hobbled to the table, sitting down and gripping the brush Xu Qi¡¯an handed her. ¡­ The next day, Xu Qi¡¯an dressed neatly, fastening his bronze gong and sheathing his sword, before escorting Zhong Li ¡°home.¡± After watching Zhong Li disappear into the Stargazing Tower, Xu Qi¡¯an heard a loud chant behind him: ¡°Where the seas end the heavens make shore, I stand atop the arcane peak!¡± *Has Senior Brother Yang changed his slogan? But really, here at the base of the Stargazing Tower? Does he realize what the Jianzheng might think?* Xu Qi¡¯an greeted him warmly, turning around to ask: ¡°Senior Brother Yang, what brings you here?¡± ¡°You seemed to have some troublest night. Need my help to sort it out?¡± Yang Qianhuan intoned mysteriously. Xu Qi¡¯an felt a chill down his spine, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized Yang Qianhuan¡¯s silhouette. *What does he mean by that? Is he referring to the fortune I acquired in the ancient tomb yesterday? Impossible¡ªhow could Yang Qianhuan detect anything unusual?* Still uncertain, Xu Qi¡¯an saw Yang Qianhuan standing with his hands behind his back. ¡°I¡¯m only passing on a message from our teacher. Share your thoughts with me, and I will ry them.¡± *My thought is to give you a good thrashing!!* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mouth twitched. *As expected, Jianzheng must have noticed my anomaly the moment I returned to the capitalst night. It makes sense¡ªan Arcanist at the peak of the First Rank, overseeing the city from above, could hardly fail to notice.* *By asking Senior Brother Yang to pass on his message, it seems the Jianzheng¡¯s concealment has already worn off. Perhaps it was the fortune¡¯s impact?* *Either way, I must refuse. With Arhat Du¡¯e now gone to the Western Regions, I have no reason to subject myself to the Jianzheng 404 technique. Every time I visit a brothel, my heart bleeds¡­ No longer freeloading would make life unbearable.* With that thought, Xu Qi¡¯an replied, ¡°No need; please thank the Jianzheng for me.¡± He clucked his mare forward and trotted off. On the way to the Constabry, bathed in the morning sun, Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly saw a carriage veer out of control up ahead. The horse pulling the carriage seemed spooked, bucking wildly as it charged through the street. The driver desperately tugged at the reins, but nothing could stop the frenzied horse. The runaway carriage careened toward a young child crouched by the roadside, ying, while his mother browsed a nearby stall, examining inexpensive jewelry. Caught off guard, no one had time to react. The young mother, alerted by the gasps of passersby, turned to see the carriage bearing down on her son. She let out a terrified scream. At that moment, a young man dressed in a Nightwatcher uniform appeared like a phantom, reaching out to press his hand on the horse¡¯s forehead. ¡°Neeigh¡­¡± The horse neighed loudly, dropping its front hooves to its knees. The young Nightwatcher didn¡¯t budge an inch. ¡°Thank you, sir, thank you!¡± The young mother hugged her son, overwhelmed with joy, bowing repeatedly in gratitude. Seeing this scene, the onlookers burst into loud apuse. ¡°Isn¡¯t that Sir Xu? Isn¡¯t that our Great Feng¡¯s hero?¡± Someone recognized him and shouted in surprise. Hearing this, other bystanders who had witnessed the magical duel also recognized Xu Qi¡¯an, cheering, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s Sir Xu! It¡¯s Sir Xu!¡± Now, even those who hadn¡¯t seen the duel knew that this handsome Silver Gong who hade to the rescue was the hero who had outshone the Buddhist monks in the duel. *So, I¡¯m already this popr? I¡¯m this adored by the people of the capital¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought with a sigh, sping his hands in thanks before riding off on his mare. Behind him, the chant of ¡°Sir Xu!¡± echoed for a long time. *This feels good,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an muttered to himself, ¡°What¡¯s that saying again? ¡®Posturing is innate, artfully acquired¡­¡¯* Soon after, he encountered a lost child. Fearing that it might be the work of kidnappers, he waited on the spot until the child¡¯s family came looking, earning heartfelt thanks and praise from the onlookers. Then there was the case of an elderlydy who had fallen on the street with no one to help her cross. Xu Qi¡¯an, being a model citizen, naturally took on this responsibility, receiving her thanks and the admiration of the bystanders. It then dawned on Xu Qi¡¯an that something was off: *Why is it that wherever I go, I end up in these situations? This isn¡¯t normal. After helping the olddy across, am I supposed to be giving Miss Qiu a back massage next?* Just as he thought this, a dishevelled woman ran out from a nearby alley, crying. Behind her came a man, who raised his hand and yelled in anger, ¡°I¡¯ll beat you to death, you shameless wench! I¡¯ll write you a divorce letter right here!¡± *This is strange¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an turned his horse around, spurring it towards Sitianjian in haste. On the way, he calmed himself and considered a usible theory. Originally, the strange fortune within him had been gradually awakening with his advancing cultivation. It was a slow, steady process. The result was an umtion of small windfalls, starting with silver coins from one cash to five¡­ But now, after seizing the luck contained within the Imperial Seal, it was as if his luck had spiraled out of control. *Zhong Li is constantly gued by misfortune, needing to guard against unexpected cmities. Meanwhile, I¡¯m entangled in fortuitous circumstances, always having to be on the lookout for these ¡®showy¡¯ incidents¡­ This is no blessing. And I¡¯m not sure if these incidents are naturally urring or are specifically engineered to provide me with ¡®prestige.¡¯ (posturing opportunity)* With that thought, Xu Qi¡¯an scoffed at himself: *Maybe I should write a book someday, call it: I Never Meant to Show Off.* Upon arriving back at Sitianjian, before he could dismount, he heard a deep chant behind him: ¡°One day I soared, the wind rose high, like a roc nine-thousand li! Plucking the stars with the moon in hand, there¡¯s no one in this world like me!¡± Following the resonant words, a piece of violet jade floated in front of Xu Qi¡¯an and hung suspended. Yang Qianhuan said, ¡°Teacher asked me to give this to you. He said you might encounter some minor troubles, and this jade pendant will help resolve them.¡± *Will this pendant suppress my fortune? Xu Qi¡¯an examined the piece of jade, which was disk-shaped and as big as Xu Lingyin¡¯s palm, warm to the touch¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an felt a surge of admiration. ¡°The Jianzheng is truly a divine man. He knew I woulde back today.¡± Yang Qianhuan shook his head, ¡°No, he gave this to me a while ago.¡± ¡°?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s expression froze. ¡°Then why didn¡¯t you give it to me earlier?¡± Yang Qianhuan replied as if it were obvious, ¡°The most important things must appear at thest moment, just as heroes always arrive in critical situations.¡± *I can¡¯t stand it anymore. Jianzheng, please beat this man senseless¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an mentally cursed Yang Qianhuan¡¯s ancestors for eighteen generations, his face dark as he spurred his horse away. ¡­ At Dexin Pavilion, Xu Qi¡¯an and Princess Huaiqing sat at a table, each holding a cup of hot tea, wisps of steam drifting up to Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s handsome face. He spoke. ¡°I hear Your Highness has read widely in history, and your talents rival those of any schr.¡± Huaiqing folded her hands over herp, her back straight, cool and detached. ¡°Rival any schr?¡± Her clear, autumn-water-like eyes scrutinized Xu Qi¡¯an for a few seconds. ¡°An inadequate description on your subordinate¡¯s part,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°I should have said your knowledge rivals even that of the Zhuangyuans.¡± Without responding further, Huaiqing brought the teacup to her lips and took a sip. ¡°What are you seeking?¡± *It¡¯s so easy talking with clever people¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought, ¡°Does Your Highness know of the Liang dynasty?¡± The ancient tomb outside Xiangcheng was an internal mission for the Heaven and Earth Society, and as Wei Yuan¡¯s nted agent within the Society, Xu Qi¡¯an was obliged to report this matter to his superior. But due to the unusual luck he¡¯d gained from the Imperial Seal, he intended to keep some details hidden. ¡°There have been three dynasties named ¡®Liang.¡¯ The earliest dates back some three thousand years, and the most recent was the short-lived Great Liang established by remnants of the previous dynasty with the support of the Church of the Warlock God after the Great Feng was founded. It was wiped out eighteen yearster by Gaozu, the founding emperor.¡± Huaiqing gave her answer immediately. ¡°And nothing further back than that?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an frowned. Huaiqing shook her head. *It seems that official records don¡¯t include anything from the era shown in the murals¡­* Though unsurprising, Xu Qi¡¯an still felt a twinge of disappointment. After the emergence of Confucianism, humanity had begun recording its history, but much of it was painted on walls, which didn¡¯t preserve well. A single war could obliterate such records. But only long after its orthodoxy, did schrs dedicate their lives to writing and preserving history, treating it as a noble and lifelong pursuit. ¡°Is there anything else Sir Xu needs?¡± Huaiqing prompted. ¡°No, that¡¯s all¡­¡± Xu Qi''an was lost in thought and subconsciously shook his head. "Nothing more?" Huaiqing¡¯s voice rose slightly. ¡°Oh, my memory!¡± Xu Qi''an smacked his forehead, taking a booklet from his robe and cing it on the table. ¡°I¡¯d promised to bring this storybook for Your Highness yesterday, but a matter at home dyed me. I hope your Highness wasn¡¯t kept waiting.¡± Huaiqing didn¡¯t even nce at the book, saying tly, ¡°It¡¯s merely the maids who wished to see it. How could _we_ be ¡®kept waiting¡¯?¡± ¡°Well, if there¡¯s nothing else, your subordinate shall take his leave.¡± Xu Qi''an was already thinking about his uing date at Lin¡¯an Manor. _Women are such a hassle. I hardly have time to cultivate; why do I keep so many of them around¡­_ Remembering Lin¡¯an¡¯s charming, seductive face, Xu Qi''an could hardly wait. ¡°No need to see me out.¡± Once Xu Qi''an left the hall, Huaiqing lifted her skirts, walked briskly to the table, and eagerly picked up the book. Flipping through it with a sigh of relief, her eyes sparkled with satisfaction at its substantial length. ¡­ Lingbao Temple. An orange tabby cat gracefully leapt onto the wall, casting a nce over the quiet courtyard before leaping down. With its tail high, it crossed a cobblestone path to the meditation room door and raised a paw, knocking lightly. The door slid open on its own, and Luo Yuheng¡¯s cool voice drifted out. ¡°Why are you here at Lingbao Temple again?¡± ¡°Ah!¡± The orange cat sighed, vibrating the air with an ancient-sounding voice. ¡°Sister, I¡¯m in urgent need of help. My physical body is on the verge of copse.¡± ¡°I thought you were rather fond of your current body,¡± Luo Yuheng teased. ¡°Please don¡¯t nder me, Sister,¡± the orange cat replied indignantly, his tone righteous. ¡°As cultivators, we do not fuss over trivialities.¡± ¡°Enough nonsense. What do you want?¡± Luo Yuheng grew impatient. A human-like smile crept onto the orange cat¡¯s face, and he thick-skinnedly said, ¡°I was hoping to ask you for two Blood Embryo Pills.¡± Luo Yuheng sighed. ¡°I¡¯m but a temptress who ensnares monarchs and disrupts the court. My elixirs are drawn from the fat of thend. Does Senior Brother not fear that consuming them will cause karmic fire to scorch you, leading to your demise?¡± _This petty, grudge-holding woman¡­_ Daoist Jinlian replied gravely, ¡°Sister, you are mistaken. Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s desire to cultivate has nothing to do with you. If a person of ill intent were to be National Teacher, that would be the true disaster for the court. ¡°Sister, you bear the burden of all sentient beings by taking on the role of National Teacher and personally keeping watch over Emperor Yuanjing. Otherwise, the court would have fallen into chaos long ago.¡± Luo Yuheng sighed wistfully, ¡°If only everyone understood things as clearly as you, Senior Brother. Actually, you¡¯re right. Since I have borrowed the court¡¯s fortune to cultivate, enduring public criticism is only fair.¡± ¡°So, about those Blood Embryo Pills¡­¡± ¡°One Blood Embryo Pill, thirty-eight taels of gold. But considering our shared history, I¡¯ll cut the change and give you two for sixty taels.¡± _If I had that much silver, would I being to you!?_ Daoist Jinlian¡¯s cat face froze. After a moment¡¯s pause, he leaped over the threshold into the meditation room. Watching the stunning beauty seated cross-legged on a mat, he suggested, ¡°I¡¯ll trade information for the Blood Embryo Pills.¡± Luo Yuheng didn¡¯t open her eyes, sitting in a meditative posture with five points aligned to the heavens. Her exquisitely sculpted face was like jade, and her red lips parted slightly. ¡°Although Senior Brother possesses much information, I am uninterested.¡± The orange cat¡¯s emerald-green eyes glowed as he stared at her. ¡°What if it¡¯s about Xu Qi¡¯an?¡± Luo Yuheng¡¯s eyes opened immediately. Chapter 315: Imperial Examination Fraud Chapter 315: Imperial Examination Fraud # 315. Imperial Examination Fraud "Xu Cijiu can¡¯t write poetry for shit. I could randomly scribble a few lines and put him to shame. If it hadn¡¯t been for his cousin Xu Qi¡¯an giving him a poem that day, that Ziyang Schr¡¯s jade pendant should have been mine." Zhu Tuizhi muttered bitterly, recalling that day¡¯s unpleasantness. ¡°Could it be examination fraud?¡± Liu Jue ventured cautiously. ¡°Nonsense!¡± The students from Cloud Deer Academy, outraged, red at him. *Examination fraud¡­* The term shed in Zhu Tuizhi¡¯s mind, as if suddenly connecting all his doubts, offering a reasonable exnation for why Xu Cijiu could write a masterpiece and im the title of Huiyuan. Zhu Tuizhi shook his head. ¡°Impossible. Poetry isn¡¯t like prose¡ªyou can¡¯t prepare in advance just by knowing the topic. Brother Liu, if I asked you topose a masterpiece with ¡®Spring Scenery¡¯ as the theme and gave you three days, could you do it?¡± Liu Jue shook his head. ¡°Honestly, even three years wouldn¡¯t be enough.¡± He took a sip of his wine, then smirked knowingly and lowered his voice. ¡°But think about it, brother Zhu. What if the person who wrote it was Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an?¡±The table went silent. Neither the students from Cloud Deer Academy nor those from the Imperial Academy refuted it right away; instead, they thought it over. Yes, if it was Xu the Poet, and if he knew the topic in advance, he could probably write it in a day, let alone three. The Cloud Deer Academy students remembered the poem Xu Ningyan wrote on ¡°Encouraging Learning,¡± which reportedly took him ten seconds topose¡ªa disy of astonishing talent. ¡°Still, how would Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an know the topic?¡± one student from Cloud Deer Academy challenged, though the doubt lingered in his mind. ¡°Who knows?¡± Liu Jue waved dismissively. ¡°It was just a drunken guess. But Xu Qi¡¯an is a Silver Gong and well-trusted by Wei Yuan¡­¡± He left his sentence hanging, not pursuing it further. This remark soured the atmosphere, and the Cloud Deer Academy students soon excused themselves and left the tavern. A quarter-hourter, Liu Jue returned to a horse carriage parked outside the tavern. Inside the carriage sat a middle-aged man dressed as a wealthy official, his thumb adorned with a jade ring, absent-mindedly fiddling with a walnut in one hand while holding a teacup in the other. ¡°Steward Zhao!¡± Liu Jue greeted him with a respectful bow. The middle-aged man nodded, then ced his cup down, picked up an inverted tea bowl from the small table, and poured a fresh cup of tea, wrinkling his nose. ¡°You reek of alcohol¡ªhave some tea.¡± ¡°Thank you, Steward Zhao.¡± Liu Jue cupped his hands around the bowl, took a sip, then spoke slowly. ¡°I managed to gather some information. From what those Cloud Deer Academy students said, Xu Cijiu has no real skill in poetry; his talent is miserable. That ¡®Ode to the Difficult Road¡¯ was almost certainly ghost-written. Of course, I have no proof.¡± The middle-aged man looked pleased, giving a faint smile. ¡°Proof isn¡¯t needed¡ªthis is enough.¡± ¡­ In the Outer City, inside a courtyard lined with willow trees. Daoist Jinlian had just taken the ¡°blood-embryo pill¡± and basked in the warm spring sunlight. He felt his body losing its chill and the tendency toward being a yin spirit receding, though a lingering trace remained. Another pill should be enough to dispel it. *This body isn¡¯t fullypatible with my primordial spirit and won¡¯tst long. Fortunately, the Golden Lotus of Creation will soon mature. Its seeds can reshape my physical body. I should leave the capital soon.* He hoped things would go smoothly. ¡­ ¡°Dng, that young woman¡­ she doesn¡¯t seem like she¡¯s from the Great Feng.¡± Old Zhang¡¯s son, pondering, added, ¡°She¡¯s a dark-skinned girl, sort of unattractive, with blue eyes. And her hair is strange¡ªit has curls.¡± *Number Five?!* *Fuck, what is she doing here? Did Daoist Jinlian send her? Does she know I¡¯m Number Three?* It was one thing for Daoist Jinlian to ask Xu Qi¡¯an to find Number Five instead of Number Three, as he could excuse it by saying, ¡°Number Three¡¯s rank is too low.¡± After all, in Confucianism, a schr¡¯s power doesn¡¯t be impressive until the sixth rank, when they can copy others¡¯ skills. *It seemed today would be another day of shirking work¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded and said, ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll apply for leave, then head back to the estate with you.¡± After arranging his leave, Xu Qi¡¯an mounted his horse and trotted toward the Xu family estate, with Old Zhang¡¯s son jogging along beside him. Half an hourter, they arrived at the Xu residence. Xu Qi¡¯an handed the reins to Old Zhang¡¯s son and headed straight inside. As he entered the outer courtyard, he noticed the cooks carrying steaming tes of hot dishes, steamed buns, and rice toward the inner courtyard. ¡°Dng¡¯s back¡­¡± The cooks looked relieved, ncing toward the inner courtyard. ¡°A youngdy¡¯s here to see you,¡± one of them said. ¡°When we asked her how she was rted to you, she couldn¡¯t exin clearly. Her ent¡¯s too thick, and we can barely understand one word in ten.¡± *One word in ten? Number Five¡¯s Southern Marches ent must be pretty strong¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an muttered to himself as he followed the cooks to the inner courtyard, where he heard Xu Lingyue¡¯s gentle voice: ¡°Miss Lina, you¡¯vee all the way from the Southern Marches to see my big brother?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not here to see your big brother. I¡¯m just here to find some friends and wander around¡­¡± came a light, melodious voice, thickly ented but pleasant to the ear. ¡°So you don¡¯t know my big brother?¡± ¡°No.¡± In a few words, Xu Lingyue had gauged the situation. This girl seemed somewhat dim-witted and clearly had no rtion to her brother¡­ Xu Lingyue continued to entertain Lina warmly. Auntie sat nearby, frowning slightly, scrutinizing Lina with a vaguely hostile gaze. This foreign girl could really eat¡ªan hour had passed, and she had devoured enough food to feed the family for three days. In silver, that was over ten taels. And Auntie had specifically asked the cooks to prepare steamed buns and vegetarian dishes. How much would she eat if served meat and fish? Who could afford a girl like this? ¡°Miss Lina? What brings you to my household?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an stepped across the threshold, eyeing the Southern Marches girl with surprise. Herplexion was notably better than yesterday when she''d looked pale from injury¡ªnow her face glowed with a healthy color, her bright eyes hinting that her wounds were mostly healed. ¡°Daoist Jinlian told me toe find you,¡± Lina quickly set down her chopsticks, swallowing her food, and looked Xu Qi¡¯an over with frank curiosity. ¡°He said I should stay here during my time in the capital. Thank you, Sir Xu, for saving my life.¡± She had originally thought her host would either be Daoist Jinlian himself, or someone like Three, Four, or Six. To her surprise, she found herself staying in the home of an unfamiliar man. Yesterday¡¯s events had already been exined to her by Daoist Jinlian, so she knew this young Silver Gong with an exceptionally handsome face was her savior. And since he was a trusted friend of the Daoist, she felt she could trust himpletely as well. *She¡¯s calling me Sir Xu, not Three...* Xu Qi¡¯an studied Lina for a moment, but her clear, innocent green eyes betrayed no ulterior motives. *Why would Daoist Jinlian arrange for her to stay with me? Is there a deeper reason here?* *That LYB didn¡¯t consult with me beforehand ¡ª based on my prior experience dealing with these bastards, if there was prior discussion, it usually meant no hidden agenda;* *If there wasn¡¯t, there was almost certainly something brewing under the surface.* So Xu Qi¡¯an asked, ¡°Did the Daoist tell you anything else?¡± Lina bit into a bun, speaking with her mouth half-full. ¡°Daoist Jinlian said you were his close friend in the capital, and I should feel at ease staying here.¡± Swallowing her bite, she added with a hint of frustration, ¡°Daoist Jinlian said I eat too much and he can¡¯t afford to keep me.¡± *Ah¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face froze for a second. *So the reason she was foisted onto me was simply because she eats too much?* It was an irrefutable reason. And if he thought about it, neither Six, who was staying at a welfare home, nor Four, who relied on friends¡¯ generosity for food and shelter, could afford to host this ravenous Southern girl either. *Damn it, being used as the rich guy to mooch off is not pleasant. Life in the jianghu: you either freeload off others or get freeloaded yourself. This is karma...* Xu Qi¡¯an sighed. ¡°I see.¡± ¡°Ahem!¡± His Aunt gave a loud cough, staking her im as the mistress of the household. But Xu Qi¡¯an ignored her, continuing, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll have someone arrange a room for you right away.¡± ¡°Xu Ningyan!!¡± His Aunt was screaming with fury, hands on her hips as she stared him down. ¡°I am your Aunt. Don¡¯t you think you should consult with me first?¡± Her gaze flickered repeatedly to the messy table, making it clear that this girl was a bottomless pit. Xu Qi¡¯an hesitated¡ªAunt had a point. The cost of living in the capital was high, and if this girl ate so much, it would really drain their silver. Besides, recently, his luck seemed to have shifted. Instead of finding silver, he was now collecting fame, and on top of that, Wei Yuan had docked his pay again. ¡°Big Brother, don¡¯t forget about the chicken bouillon business.¡± Xu Lingyue piped up and presented the numbers to Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°The Salt Office issued two thousand pounds of salt bondsst year, yielding a profit of five thousand taels, of which you have a ten percent share¡ªfive hundred taels. You¡¯ve yet to collect this silver from the Sitianjian. ¡°I spoke with a clerk at the Salt Office, and the court ns to establish at least ten more workshops to produce chicken bouillon this year. By the end of the year, we¡¯ll see an astronomical profit.¡± The ¡°salt bonds¡± she mentioned actually referred to chicken bouillon. Like salt, chicken bouillon had be a vital strategic asset to the court. Though production had been limitedst year, ns to expand this year meant the potential profits were unimaginable. *How could I forget¡­ That old rascal, the Jianzheng, must have blocked my thoughts of chicken bouillon to trick me out of my share.* Xu Qi¡¯an realized, much to his delight, that he was effectively bing this era¡¯s Jack Ma. Lina didn¡¯t quite understand the specifics, but it all sounded impressive. She¡¯d traveled far to the capital from the Southern Marches and knew how much a single copper coin could buy, as well as the hardship of earning silver. Unconsciously, she looked over at this ¡°Sir Xu¡± with admiration in her eyes, the kind of adoration a young girl might have upon seeing a neighbor¡¯s older brother with a shy hairdo, d in denim, and dancing in the courtyard. ¡°Howe I didn¡¯t know about this?¡± Aunt looked skeptical. ¡°Didn¡¯t you know, Auntie? I asked Lingyue to tell you.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an turned to his younger sister. Xu Lingyue looked puzzled. ¡°Perhaps Mother forgot?¡± Aunt opened her mouth, unable to respond. She wasn¡¯t sure if she¡¯d forgotten or simply missed hearing about such a massive source of profit. At this point, Lina looked at Xu Qi¡¯an with admiration and asked, ¡°May I know Sir Xu¡¯s esteemed name?¡± It was a turn of phrase she¡¯d picked up while wandering thends of the Great Feng. ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an!¡± ¡°Xu¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an¡­¡± Lina tilted her head, thinking for a moment before suddenly eximing, ¡°You¡¯re Xu Qi¡¯an? Weren¡¯t you killed in Yunzhou?!¡± Aunt and Xu Lingyue both nced over, suspicion on their faces. This foreign girl imed to know Xu Qi¡¯an, yet was unaware of his ¡°death and resurrection¡± ordeal. So why exactly had shee to his house? ¡°Could we speak privately?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an led Lina out of the side hall and stopped by a flowerbed. He exined, ¡°I didn¡¯t die; Li Miaozhen made a mistake. In truth, I¡¯m an auxiliary member of the Heaven and Earth Society. Though I don¡¯t possess a fragment of the Earth Book, I¡¯m well-versed in your affairs.¡± ¡°That¡¯s why Daoist Jinlian directed me to you.¡± Lina¡¯s expression brightened, and she smiled. She trusted him instinctively, not questioning his words in the slightest. *How gullible¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an said gravely, ¡°It¡¯s a secret. You mustn¡¯t reveal this to anyone, even to other members of the Heaven and Earth Society.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Lina smiled sweetly and nodded. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go eat.¡± *If only everyone were as simple and sincere as Five¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an sighed as he watched her skipping back, appreciating her pure and carefree nature. He still had many questions to ask her. For instance, how she knew that he was the one picking up the silver and not some phantom friend. But there was no rush¡ªstraightforward people were usually quite stubborn; if she agreed to keep something secret, she would. Besides, once she¡¯d eaten at his home for a few more days, her conscience would catch up to her. She¡¯d surely realize that freeloading like this wasn¡¯t quite proper. ¡­ The Inner Cab. Wearing his crimson robe, Wang Zhenwen bent over his desk, reviewing memos. He had been sitting for four hours, only taking brief trips to the restroom, dedicating all other time to his duties. The Inner Cab functioned as the Emperor¡¯s private secretariat, wielding immense authority, surpassing even the Six Ministries. Various state memorials, as well as suggestions frommoners, were gathered by the Office of Communications, reviewed by the Directorate of Ceremonies, and then presented to the Emperor, before finally reaching the Inner Cab. The Inner Cab would draft a proposed resolution, which the Directorate of Ceremonies would present to the Emperor for a final decision. The resolution would then be checked and distributed by the Six Ministries. By the reign of Emperor Yuanjing, the Office of Communications directly forwarded memorials to the Inner Cab, which drafted resolutions and then handed them to Emperor Yuanjing. This streamlined process eliminated an additional step. The reason was simple: Emperor Yuanjing found the extra process disruptive to his pursuit of the Dao. It was precisely this skipped step that left room for maniption. With this change, Emperor Yuanjing only saw the memorials the Inner Cab allowed him to see. Though Emperor Yuanjing was not an exemry ruler, he was skilled in power politics. To curb the excessive power of civil officials and prevent the undermining of imperial authority, he devised a mutually beneficial solution. This solution was named ¡°Wei Yuan.¡± On a grand scale, factions stood in fierce opposition to Wei Yuan¡¯s clique. On a smaller scale, each faction engaged in relentless rivalry. Emperor Yuanjing stayed aloof, carefully maintaining the bnce as he pursued his path of the Dao. Wang Zhenwen opened thest memorial, pondered over its contents, and then quietly sat in contemtion. After a while, he wrote his rmendation on a slip of paper and attached it to the memorial. By the time he finished, it was dusk. ¡­ That evening, Xu Lingyin¡¯s sworn enemy joined the Xu family dinner table. This ¡°big sister¡± who just appeared out of nowhere evoked a mixture of affection and resentment in Lingyin; affection because the family¡¯s meals had increased exponentially since her arrival, resentment because she ate far too much¡­ With her small mouth, Lingyin couldn¡¯t possibly keep up. Second Uncle Xu, his face darkened, scrutinized Lina and then turned to his nephew. ¡°Is she from the shaman ns of the Southern Marches, the Strength Gu tribe?¡± Lina looked up from her bowl, rice grains clinging to her mouth, and replied crisply, ¡°I am from the Strength Gu tribe. How did Uncle Xu know?¡± *Who¡¯s your ¡°Uncle¡±!* Xu Pingzhi snorted coldly. Back during the Battle of Shanhai Pass, he had personally witnessed the terrifying strength of the barbarians from the Strength Gu tribe, and he knew them well¡ªthey ate prodigiously. A strong strength Gu warrior could consume an entire cow in a day without issue. In those days, Wei Yuan would never capture or enve shaman warriors from the Strength Gu tribe; he simply ordered them killed to conserve provisions. ¡°Big Brother, there¡¯s something I need to tell you,¡± Xu Xinnian spoke suddenly. ¡°I figured you did¡ªhaven¡¯t seen your brow rx all night. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied as he fought Lina for some meat. ¡°Miss Wang has invited me to go boating tomorrow.¡± Xu Xinnian¡¯s voice carried a note of suspicion. ¡°What¡¯s your take on this?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked, deep in thought. Xu Xinnian let out a dismissive ¡°heh,¡± set down his chopsticks, and said with disdain, ¡°It¡¯s one of two reasons: either out of personal vengeance to regain face for the Ministry of Justice¡¯s Chief Minister¡¯s niece, or¡­ ¡°Or Prime Minister Wang doesn¡¯t want to let me off so easily, and has something else up his sleeve.¡± ¡°Then which ne do you think it is?¡± Xu Pingzhi took over the conversation. Xu Xinnian pondered for a moment, then added with regret, ¡°Although I may one day be a major threat to Prime Minister Wang, it¡¯s unlikely he¡¯d be this fixated on me already. I think it¡¯s Miss Wang trying to stir trouble.¡± Hearing this, Xu Lingyue put down her chopsticks, her small face serious. ¡°Second Brother, you¡¯re no good with women. I¡¯ll go with you¡­¡± She quickly nced at Xu Qi¡¯an and rephrased, ¡°I may not know much about thoseplicated disputes, but girls understand each other best.¡± Xu Xinnian sneered at his little sister¡¯s supposed intelligence. ¡°Who says I have to go? It was Miss Wang who invited me, not Prime Minister Wang. Since I¡¯m an unmarried man and she¡¯s an unmarried woman, going boating together would breach propriety. I¡¯ll just decline. ¡°In the art of war, if the enemy advances, we retreat. When the odds are against us, we avoid direct confrontation.¡± *Not bad. Solid strategy,* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded approvingly. ¡°If you¡¯ve already decided, then why ask me?¡± The family continued eating and chatting, enjoying a pleasant atmosphere. ¡­ The next day, Emperor Yuanjingpleted his morning meditation, spent an hour reading scriptures, took his medicine, and rested for the time it takes for incense to burn¡ªa daily routine that marked the end of his morning session. Only then would he set aside a little time to review memorials, though he wouldn¡¯t spend too long on them, as the Inner Cab had already ¡°ticketed¡± the proposals, and he only needed to add his final seal. He opened the first memorial, a report from the newly appointed Right Assistant Censor, using the Chancellor of the Eastern Pavilion, Zhao Tingfang, of epting bribes and leaking examination questions to Xu Xinnian, a schr from Cloud Deer Academy. The memorial also provided evidence that this schr¡¯s poems in the county examination were rated fourth ss (the lowest being fifth), which was at odds with himposing a masterpiece like *Ode to the Difficult Road*. At first, Emperor Yuanjing was unfazed. After all, poems weren¡¯t essays; if the exam involved essays, leaking questions would indeed be severe. But with poetry, knowing the topic was one thing; finding a poet capable of excelling at it was another. However, the memorial went on to note that this schr happened to have an elder cousin, a Silver Gong in the Nightwatcher¡¯s Constabry, named Xu Qi¡¯an. And as everyone knew, Xu Qi¡¯an was the Great Poet of Feng. Reading this, Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s eyes sharpened, though he refrained frommenting. He then removed the Inner Cab¡¯s ¡°ticket¡± and read their suggestion: ¡°The imperial examinations are the court¡¯s method of selecting talents and should be treated with utmost seriousness. Cheating in the imperial examinations is intolerable. We hope His Majesty will investigate rigorously.¡± Emperor Yuanjing pondered for a moment before dipping his brush and affixing his red seal. Chapter 316: A Way Chapter 316: A Way # 316. A Way Emperor Yuanjing tossed the petition he had just approved lightly to the old eunuch, chuckling, ¡°Grand Companion, tell us, did the huiyuan Xu Xinnian really cheat?¡± The old eunuch took the petition, quickly scanning it, then replied, ¡°Your servant may be foolish, but this matter indeed seems suspicious.¡± Emperor Yuanjing stared at him for a few seconds, thenmanded, ¡°Order the Prefecture Constabry and the Ministry of Law to handle this case. Be sure to investigate it thoroughly.¡± After the old eunuch epted the order and withdrew, Emperor Yuanjing sat back on his dragon throne, gazing out at the blue sky beyond the Imperial Library. Suddenly, he smiled. ¡°Three birds with one stone.¡± Leaving the Imperial Library, the eunuch in his python robe hurriedly walked a hundred meters before patting his chest, visibly shaken and muttering darkly to himself, ¡°He approved it but still asks me¡­ Wei Yuan, Wei Yuan, it¡¯s not that I won¡¯t help you, but my life matters most.¡± Shortly after, imperial orders were sent to the Ministry of Law and the Prefecture Constabry. Minister Sun of the Ministry of Law seemed to have anticipated this. Upon receiving the order, he immediately sent men to arrest Xu Xinnian. When Prefecture Magistrate Chen received the order from the pce, he sighed and shook his head. ¡°When the winds are high and the waves are tall¡­ just pray a huge wave doesn¡¯te and wreck your ship and drown you.¡±He immediately called for the Deputy Prefect and ordered, ¡°Send someone to arrest Xu Xinnian and bring him back to the Constabry for questioning. Make sure you get him before the Ministry of Law does¡­ and notify Silver Gong Xu.¡± ¡­ Xu Manor. In the gentle spring sunlight, Xu Xinnian had his desk set up under a tree, where sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating dappled patterns on the table, his book, and his strikingly handsome face. Beside him were tea and snacks. Auntie, along with Xu Lingyue, Xu Lingyin, and Lina, who was staying with them, was preparing to go out. When Lina saw Xu Xinnian under the tree, she openly praised, ¡°Xu Eng is so handsome. In my tribe, the women would fight each other bloody to win him.¡± Auntie immediately grew wary, as if she¡¯d seen a pig attempting to root up her own cabbage. _Is this Southern girl hinting at something? Does she fancy Eng? Hah, what a delusion. A toad lusting after a swan._ Auntie shot Lina a sharp look and urged, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte; let¡¯s head out early.¡± They weren¡¯t going out with guards. A hundred guards couldn¡¯t match the Southern girl¡¯s strength, which had been witnessed by both Xu Eng and Xu Dng. Auntie had also personally seen the girl casually crush a fist-sized rock into powder. Lina immediately forgot about handsome Xu Eng and eagerly headed out. She couldn¡¯t wait to explore the capital of the Great Feng. Back in the Southern Marches, she¡¯d often heard her tribe elders mention that the capital of the Great Feng was the most prosperous city in the world. _This little glutton who thinks improper thoughts about my Eng¡ªI''ll find a way to get rid of her¡­_ Auntie thought. This foreign woman, arriving out of nowhere, had sparked Auntie¡¯s instinctive hostility. Just then, a squad of constables barged into the residence, pushing the gatekeeper Old Zhang aside and heading straight toward the inner courtyard. The lead constable, holding a portrait, matched it with Xu Xinnian under the tree, then pointed and shouted, ¡°That¡¯s Xu Xinnian! Arrest him!¡± ¡°What do you people want? Why are you arresting my Eng?¡± Auntie, horrified, immediately stepped forward, her brows raised in a protective stance before the constables. ¡°You dare obstruct a Ministry of Law¡¯s arrest? Take her too!¡± The head constable waved his hand, and his men moved to tie her up. ¡°Thud!¡± Lina stepped forward and lightly pushed the two constables, sending them flying with cries of pain. ng! The constables drew their swords, pointing them at Lina. The Southern girl licked her lips, excitement gleaming in her eyes¡ªshe could kill them all in ten breaths. Terrified, Auntie took shelter behind Lina, realizing how reliable and strong this ¡°little dark-skinned¡± girl was. ¡°Stand down.¡± Xu Xinnian ordered sharply, setting his book aside and stepping forward, casting a cold gaze over the constables. ¡°I am the huiyuan, with official rank and title. Barging into my residence and drawing your weapons is a serious crime.¡± The two constables Lina had thrown aside got up, clutching their chests. Seeing they were not seriously injured, the head constable hesitated, sheathed his sword, and presented a warrant. ¡°We are here under orders from the Ministry of Law to bring Huiyuan Xu in for questioning.¡± Xu Xinnian frowned. ¡°What crime have Imitted?¡± ¡°Come with us, and you¡¯ll find out.¡± The head constable waved his hand. ¡°Take him away.¡± Lina was about to intervene, but Xu Xinnian stopped her. He faced the constables. ¡°I will go with you.¡± Auntie and Xu Lingyue chased after them to the entrance, watching as the constables led Xu Xinnian away down the street. Lina whispered, ¡°Did Xu Eng rob money too?¡± She knew that robbing money would lead to arrest by the constables. At that moment, the doorman old Zhang brought Xu Xinnian¡¯s horse and said, ¡°Madam, Miss, I will go inform the master.¡± Auntie and Xu Lingyue turned around simultaneously and said, ¡°Go find Dng (Big Brother).¡± ¡­ ¡°What? The Ministry of Law came to arrest Eng?¡± Xu Qi''an, who was at the Nightwatcher¡¯s constabry, was taken aback, caught off guard. ¡°Dng, please think of something; Madam and Miss are in tears.¡± Old Zhang¡¯s son looked anxious. ¡°What¡¯s the reason for his arrest?¡± Old Zhang¡¯s son shook his head and said, ¡°A squad of constables stormed in, shoved my father aside, and took Eng away.¡± ¡°I understand. Return and tell Auntie and Lingyue not to worry; I will handle it.¡± ¡°Dng, you should go tell them yourself.¡± Old Zhang¡¯s son insisted. Xu Qi''an nodded, waved him off, and sat by his desk in thought. After a moment, he got up and left the One de Hall, nning to head to the Ministry of Law and find out why they had arrested Xu Eng. *It can¡¯t be that the Minister of Justice is causing trouble for his niece. If it¡¯s personal, that¡¯s actually easier to handle. Eng has official rank, and they can¡¯t harm him over trivial matters¡­* *But if it¡¯s a move by the higher-ups, then even if it¡¯s to avenge his niece, they would have evidence and make a precise strike only when certain of sess.* *Which means Eng must have gotten into something serious¡ªI just don¡¯t know what¡­* With these thoughts, he left the courtyard, intending to fetch his mare from the stable, only to see Chief Constable Lyu Qing of the Constabry entering with two quick-moving constables. ¡°Sir Xu.¡± The two encountered each other head-on. Lyu Qing¡¯s face lit up with delight, which was quickly reced by worry as he urgently said, ¡°The Prefect sent me to inform you that Huiyuan Xu is in trouble.¡± ¡°I¡¯m aware¡ªhe was taken by the Ministry of Law not long ago,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied, nodding steadily. ¡°Looks like the Ministry got there first.¡± Lyu Qing sighed. ¡°Inspector Lyu,e in, there¡¯s something I need to ask.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an abandoned his n to go to the stables and led Lyu Qing back into the One de Hall. Lyu Qing took the tea offered by the clerks, taking a perfunctory sip before getting straight to the point. ¡°His Majesty has issued an edict to investigate Huiyuan Xu for imperial examination fraud.¡± The words ¡°imperial examination fraud¡± made Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s brow twitch. *That poem Ode to the Difficult Road was indeed something I gave him. But is that really considered cheating? The exam question was something I happened to anticipate. The court doesn¡¯t encourage predictions, but it¡¯s never prohibited them, and in the schrly world, predicting questions is amon custom. Technically, it¡¯s not cheating... No, the issue isn¡¯t really about cheating.* Xu Qi¡¯an sensed the makings of a conspiracy and said gravely, ¡°Is it His Majesty¡¯s order?¡± Lyu Qing nced at the clerks around them and replied in a low voice, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know. Sir Xu should avoid making assumptions.¡± ¡°My apologies.¡± *But this is really important! If Emperor Yuanjing himself wants to target Eng, this will be hard to resolve. His entire future could be ruined. Those who lose imperial favour are finished as schrs...* thought Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°Thank you for the reminder, Inspector Lyu. I must hurry to deal with this matter, so I won¡¯t keep you.¡± ¡°Sir Xu, would you mind escorting me out,¡± Lyu Qing said with a knowing look. The two left the One de Hall together, walking side by side toward the gate. Lowering his voice, Lyu Qing said, ¡°Sir Xu would do well to visit the Ministry of Law. Once they have him, they can press him at will. If you¡¯rete, he may have confessed to everything already. That¡¯s all I can say.¡± Lyu Qing, who had practiced martial arts from a young age and served in the Constabry for years, had seen many simr cases and was well-versed in the political intrigue of the bureaucracy. After seeing Lyu Qing off, Xu Qi¡¯an turned toward the Tower of Noble Spirit to seek Wei Yuan¡¯s help. His intuition told him this matter wasn¡¯t simple. Hecked experience in the cutthroat manoeuvring of the court, but fortunately, he had a powerful leg to hug. In the tea room within the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qi¡¯an ryed the situation to Wei Yuan and asked for guidance. ¡°Please, Duke Wei, teach me.¡± Wei Yuan held his teacup, lost in thought. ¡°I haven¡¯t received word from the pce, meaning His Majesty does not want me to know about this¡ªor at least not immediately.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Does His Majesty want to get me?¡± ¡°How crude, to use the term ¡®get¡¯.¡± Wei Yuan scoffed, then shook his head. ¡°You Xu brothers aren¡¯t significant enough to warrant His Majesty¡¯s direct involvement. This is more likely a result of someone filing charges against you. ¡°As for motives, well, let¡¯s look at the precedence of cheating scandals. Typically, such cases involve a test examiner leaking questions. This year, the three chief examiners were Zhao Tingfang, Chancellor of the Eastern Pavilion; Liu Hong, Right Censor-in-Chief; and Schr-in-Attendance Qian Qingshu. We can ignore the smaller fish. ¡°Among these three, we can eliminate Qian Qingshu.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an frowned. ¡°Why?¡± Wei Yuan replied, ¡°The impeachment report would have had to go through the inner cab first, which is Wang Zhenwen¡¯s territory. And Qian Qingshu is one of his men. Understand?¡± *So if Wang Zhenwen didn¡¯t veto the report, that means Qian Qingshu is uninvolved...* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. ¡°I understand.¡± Wei Yuan continued, ¡°Next, your cousin Xu Xinnian belongs to Cloud Deer Academy. The factions in court are many, but they all share an unspoken agreement to suppress the academy¡¯s students. That is the main reason for this cheating allegation.¡± ¡°The Academy¡¯s great schrs¡­ never reminded me?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an frowned. ¡°Suppression is a given, but it¡¯s not always done under the pretence of cheating. Even if Xu Xinnian had topped the exams, he could still be cornered into insignificance. There are countless ways to go about it, and you can¡¯t guard against everything.¡± Wei Yuan shook his head. ¡°Finally, Xu Xinnian is your cousin, and you are my confidant. When ites to matters affecting his future, wouldn¡¯t youe to me for help? If I refuse, it could breed resentment between us. If I agree, then they¡¯ll haveid the perfect trap.¡± Wei Yuan sneered. ¡°Our Emperor relishes seeing me sh with the civil officials. Hence, news of this investigation didn¡¯t reach me.¡± *Two birds with one stone... No, considering the examiner who leaked the question, the mastermind is aiming for three. As for Eng, if he¡¯s implicated in cheating, there are three possible oues: first, conclusive evidence and exile or execution; second, conclusive evidence but a lighter offense, stripping him of titles and a lifetime ban from office; third, cleared of charges but with his reputation ruined after missing the pce examination.* Xu Qi¡¯an took a deep breath, his head pounding. *Schrs are a nasty lot. If we have a disagreement, let¡¯s just draw des and settle it right there. Simple and direct.* *Instead, they indulge in these underhanded, venomous tactics.* ¡°Duke Wei, what should I do?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an humbly asked. When it came to criminal investigation, he was confident, but when it came to political scheming, he was like a silver-rank yer facing champions. *Thank goodness I have an elite-level backer in this field.* ¡°I can step in, but if I do, then Xu Xinnian bes my man. Thatbel will never wash off,¡± Wei Yuan replied, sipping his tea as he gazed at Xu Qi¡¯an. *This is indeed a tricky situation. Even if Duke Wei intervenes to free Eng, it¡¯ll likely cost him dearly. After all, the opposition isn¡¯t just one clique¡ªit¡¯s probably an agreement among several...* *If Eng ends up branded a eunuch clique member like me, he might be better off leaving the capital...* Xu Qi¡¯an frowned deeply, sitting in silence for a long time before asking reluctantly, ¡°Duke Wei, is there any other way?¡± ¡°There is.¡± The answer startled and delighted Xu Qi¡¯an. But then Wei Yuan¡¯s tone changed, and he shook his head. ¡°But you cannot aplish it.¡± Chapter 317: How to Solve This? (Long) Chapter 317: How to Solve This? (Long) # 317. How to Solve This? (Long) Half an hourter, Xu Qi''an stepped out of the Tower of Noble Spirit. He paused at the base of the tower, took a moment to collect himself, and then left with a decisive aura. Leaving the constabry, he mounted his mare and galloped along the city¡¯s vast central avenue, speeding toward the Ministry of Law. This main road was over a hundred meters wide and led directly to the Imperial City. Its width primarily served to prevent assassins from setting up ambushes; in the event of an attack, the broad path would give the imperial guards ample time to react. Before long, he arrived at the Ministry of Law. From a distance, Xu Qi''an spotted his Second Uncle, Xu Pingzhi, who was d in armor and wielding a weapon. He must have received the news while on patrol and rushed over immediately. Xu Pingzhi was blocked at the entrance by the guards of the Ministry of Law. Two guards berated him loudly, and one of them gave Xu Pingzhi a fierce shove. Unable to retaliate, he staggered back. ¡°What? A mere Captain of the Imperial Guard thinks he can force his way into the Ministry of Law?¡± One guard sneered, pointing at Xu Pingzhi''s nose. ¡°Get lost, or don¡¯t me me for getting rough.¡±Xu Pingzhi, who was in the Refining Qi stage, clenched his fists tightly, swallowing his frustration as he said in a low voice, ¡°I am Xu Xinnian¡¯s father. I have the right to see my son.¡± The other guard mocked him, ¡°An examination fraud criminal is not allowed visitors. That¡¯s always been the rule. A coarse man like you wouldn¡¯t understand.¡± Xu Pingzhi truly didn¡¯t know¡ªthe intricacies of examination fraud cases were far removed from his world. ¡°Then why did you ask me for thirty taels?¡± Xu Pingzhi¡¯s brow furrowed with anger. ¡°We just felt like extorting you. So what? This is the Ministry of Law. You dare start something here? Go ahead and try.¡± The guard smirked. ¡°Hah¡­ tui!¡± The other guard went a step further, spitting in Xu Pingzhi¡¯s direction. Xu Pingzhi quickly sidestepped it. The two guards burst into raucousughter. ¡°Whew¡­¡± Xu Pingzhi took a deep breath, looking at the two rows of soldiers inside the gate. It was clear that if he caused a scene at the Ministry¡¯s gate, he would get the worst of it. ¡°Get lost!¡± The guard looked down on him with disdain. Just then, the rapid tter of hooves echoed from afar. They turned to see a swift steed charging towards them, brazenly barreling toward the entrance of the Ministry of Law. It charged straight at the two sneering guards. Bang! One guard, unable to dodge in time, was struck in the chest by the mare and sent flying,nding heavily and struggling before copsing, too injured to get back up. Someone actually dared tomit violence outside the Ministry of Law? ¡°Ningyan!¡± Xu Pingzhi¡¯s face lit up in relief when he saw his nephew. ¡°ng¡­¡± The sound of drawn des filled the air as guards within the Ministry of Law rushed out, intent on slicing the audacious Silver Gong who dared cause a ruckus at their gates. But when they recognized Xu Qi''an on the horse, they all froze. The lead guard sheathed his de, cupped his fists, and said sternly, ¡°Sir Xu, this is the Ministry of Law. Be aware that assaulting guards here could lead to imprisonment, exile, or even execution.¡± Ignoring him, Xu Qi''an dismounted, then kicked over the other guard who had managed to dodge the mare¡¯s charge. ¡°Ow¡­¡± The guard cried out, rolling on the ground. Xu Qi''an unfastened his saber and held it in his hand, using the scabbard to administer a thorough beating. The dull thuds of scabbard against flesh made everyone¡¯s heart skip a beat. The guard cried out incessantly in pain. ¡°Sir Xu!¡± the lead guard finally shouted. ¡°Address me as Viscount,¡± Xu Qi''an corrected coldly. The guard captain hesitated, ignored the correction, and shouted, ¡°Do you truly believe the Ministrycks experts? Do you not fear the Emperor¡¯s wrath or thews of the Great Feng?¡± ¡°Send whoever you like,¡± Xu Qi''an sneered. ¡°If I can¡¯t settle this matter, I may as well leave the capital in disgrace.¡± He continued to thrash the guard. At first, the guard tried to evade or block the strikes, but after a dozen blows, his eyes began to roll back, barely clinging to consciousness. The guard captain gritted his teeth, his hand gripping his sword tightly, yet he dared not move against this fierce Silver Gong. He still remembered the scenes from the contest that had only recently taken ce. Xu Qi''an''s reputation was yet fresh in everyone¡¯s minds, and no one would want to provoke him at such a time. More importantly, this man bore an imperial pardon, protecting his life even if he caused a bloodbath at the Ministry¡¯s gates. At most, he would be stripped of his position, but his life would remain secure. Once the guard was on hisst breath, Xu Qi''an finally stopped and sheathed his saber. ¡°Thirty taels will cover the doctor¡¯s fees and medicine for the two of you,¡± he said calmly. With that, he turned to the captain. ¡°Go inside and inform them I wish to see Xu Xinnian.¡± Without protest or response, the captain signaled for his men to carry the two injured guards inside for treatment. He cast a long look at Xu Qi''an before retreating into the Ministry. After a short while, the captain returned and said, ¡°Minister Sun has granted you an audience.¡± Xu Qi''an tied his horse to the stone lion at the entrance, then gestured to Xu Pingzhi. ¡°Second Uncle, let¡¯s go in.¡± Xu Pingzhi followed in silence. The guard led the uncle and nephew through the outer court and corridors, where Xu Pingzhi, wanting to say something, ultimately held his tongue. They entered a side hall, where Minister Sun, dressed in a scarlet robe, awaited with a stern expression. ¡°Greetings, Minister Sun,¡± Xu Qi''an said with a bow. Minister Sun¡¯s gaze remained cold, as if he didn¡¯t even see Xu Qi''an, and he replied, ¡°You left out two words.¡± Xu Qi''an stared at him for a moment before bowing lower, adopting a subservient tone. ¡°This humble servant greets Minister Sun. I wish to see Xu Xinnian.¡± Seeing this, Xu Pingzhi¡¯s eyes reddened slightly. Minister Sun, satisfied, replied, ¡°Examination fraud is a grave crime, but family visitation is understandable.¡± Then his tone shifted abruptly, ¡°Denied.¡± ¡­ Xu Pingzhi gritted his teeth in frustration. Without sparing them another nce, Minister Sun lifted his tea, signaling the end of the audience. ¡°Sorry to trouble you, Minister Sun.¡± Xu Qi''an turned to leave. Watching the uncle and nephew depart, Minister Sun remarked coldly, ¡°There are some cane switches in the courtyard. I heard, Sir Xu, that you have mastered the Buddhist Golden Body. Care to try them?¡± Xu Qi''an walked on without looking back. As they exited the Ministry, Xu Pingzhi cursed, ¡°That son of a bitch! Wanting you to kneel and beg with a cane? I¡¯d sooner draw my de on him!¡± ¡°How did you arrive so quickly, Second Uncle?¡± Xu Qi''an asked. ¡°You took too long! I hurried home to console your Auntie and Lingyue after receiving the news, but it was pointless¡­¡± Xu Pingzhi sighed. ¡°All they did was cry and wail. Ningyan, what are we going to do about this?¡± Though Xu Pingzhi was just a rough military man, he knew of the long-standing rivalry between the Imperial Academy and Cloud Deer Academy. Along the way, he¡¯d thought things through and figured this arrest of Eng likely had something to do with it. ¡°This situation is veryplicated. Second Uncle, you should head back. I have other matters to handle.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t want to waste time, so he mounted his little mare and rode swiftly along the street, the clip-clop of hooves echoing as he went. In his mind, he recalled Wei Yuan¡¯s words: *Step one: prevent the Ministry of Law from extracting a confession by torture. The prefectural magistrate, Magistrate Chen, is a slick official who maneuvers deftly between different factions. If this case is pinned down, he¡¯ll likely refrain from offending Minister Sun.* *Minister Sun loathes me deeply. The imperial examination scandal gives him the perfect opportunity for revenge. It¡¯s possible he even orchestrated this, or at the very least, isplicit. Hoping he¡¯ll treat Eng fairly is almost out of the question.* The little mare worked up a sheen of sweat, panting as it finally halted before a courtyard in the outer city. ¡°Daoist! Daoist, help me!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an pushed open the gate and strode into the inner room, finding Daoist Jinlian lying peacefully on the bed, as if fast asleep. *Again¡­ again with the cat body¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an, who had been anxious just moments ago, couldn¡¯t help the twitch in his mouth at the sight. Remembering thest time his little mare had kicked him in irritation¡ªand mindful that he had a favour to ask¡ªXu Qi¡¯an refrained from waking Daoist Jinlian by force, choosing instead to sit at the table and wait quietly. In less than three minutes, a slender figure appeared at the doorway. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Daoist Jinlian squatted at the threshold, his voice calm and gentle, seemingly used to conversing in this feline form. ¡°My cousin, Xu Xinnian, has been caught up in an imperial examination scandal¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an exined the sequence of events and then added, ¡°Daoist, I need your help.¡± The amber eyes of the orange cat gleamed as it regarded him, voice resonating through the air, ¡°I don¡¯t know enough about the inner workings of the Great Feng¡¯s bureaucracy to offer effective advice. You shouldn¡¯t be asking me for this. Wei Yuan is the true master of political manoeuvring. If court politics were divided into ranks, Wei Yuan would be second rank.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an, initially anxious, couldn¡¯t help but follow this tangent, ¡°Only second rank? Then who¡¯s first?¡± The orange cat chuckled, ¡°Naturally, Emperor Yuanjing. In terms of imperial strategy, he¡¯s unmatched. Wei Yuan and Wang Zhenwen both have the potential to reach first rank in political strategy, but their philosophies differ, and their views are ipatible. ¡°Emperor Yuanjing deliberately ced two tigers in the court, standing back himself as the ultimate spectator, watching the tiger fight unfold.¡± *That makes sense¡­ Wait a minute, didn¡¯t you say you weren¡¯t well-versed in court affairs?* Xu Qi¡¯an silently cursed, but aloud he asked, ¡°So, Daoist, do you think there¡¯s a level of political mastery that transcends ranks?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Daoist Jinlian lifted his paw and licked it thoughtfully. ¡°The highest level of political mastery is to crush all opposition with sheer power, to speak with unchallengeable authority that no one dares defy. Every founding emperor of a dynasty has possessed this quality.¡± *The Daoist seems to be getting more influenced by his cat instincts¡­ Indeed, every creature is ruled by its body, with its hormones dictating its actions. When hungry, you eat; when tired, you sleep; when thirsty, you drink. When the treasury is full, you distribute wealth to your female devotees. So, here¡¯s the question: does Daoist Jinlian prefer kitties or cats?* At that moment, the orange cat sighed, lowering its paw, and said, ¡°You seem to enjoy walking on a knife¡¯s edge.¡± *And dancing along it repeatedly?* Xu Qi¡¯an thought of this phrase instinctively but hurriedly steered the topic back, saying, ¡°Daoist, I¡¯d like to ask for a favour¡­¡± ¡­ Following the canal south of the capital, about ten li out of the city,y ake. Mist veiled the surface, and lush mountains bordered it. Lotus flowers spread across theke, creating a breathtaking scene. Thekeshore was dotted with farmers¡¯ homes, teahouses, and wine pavilions. As it was close to the capital and easily essible by boat, the area bustled each spring with young schrs and nobledies eager to admire the scenery. A graceful embroidered boat rested by the shore, where Wang Simu, dressed to impress, awaited in a current fashion: a wide-sleeved, gauzy gown. The subtle, intricate patterns, with matching colors, were elegant yet restrained. Her makeup was delicate, her hair arranged in an borate chignon adorned with golden pins and jade hairpieces, a full ensemble for a date. Yet an hour had passed, and while others had alreadypleted a round-trip of theke, Miss Wang¡¯s boat remained at the dock, souring her mood. ¡°Miss, let¡¯s go back,¡± her maid urged quietly. ¡°It seems Huiyuan Xu won¡¯t being.¡± ¡°Did you not deliver the message properly?¡± Wang Simu shot her maid a gentle re, refusing to ept reality as she tried to pin the me on Xu Xinnian. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare! I delivered it for sure,¡± the maid replied, aggrieved. Wang Simu sat in silence for a long time, her gaze dimming as she murmured, ¡°Fine, let¡¯s go back.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± the maid replied, then hurried to the back of the boat to inform the boatman to turn around. The boatmen raised anchor and rowed in unison, guiding the embroidered boat down the canal toward the capital. Once at the capital dock, Wang Simu climbed into the waiting carriage, instructing, ¡°Lan¡¯er, head to the Xu residence right away. Tell them I¡¯m visiting Miss Lingyue.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll wait here for half an hour before setting off.¡± ¡°Miss, why do this?¡± the maid frowned, confused. ¡°Even if he has no interest in me, I¡¯ll find out for sure.¡± Miss Wang was determined. ¡­ Xu Xinnian, first-ranked in the spring imperial examination, was arrested by the Ministry of Law on suspicion of cheating and thrown into prison. This case, bound to rock the capital, spread from the prefectural office and the Ministry of Law, through the Six Ministries, and soon permeated the entire capital¡¯s official circles. In the following days, the story would undoubtedly reach everyone¡¯s ears. During the noon break, officials and clerks who knew each other gathered in teahouses and winehouses, discussing the scandal. ¡°I knew it. The schrs of Cloud Deer Academy scoring the highest rank in the imperial exams? The civil servants would never let that stand. And now, here it is.¡± ¡°You¡¯re only half right. There¡¯s more to this than meets the eye. Xu Xinnian is Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s cousin. Xu Qi¡¯an, the Great Feng¡¯s Poet Laureate, wrote the masterpiece *Ode to the Difficult Road*¡­ To say there¡¯s no foul y? I don¡¯t buy it.¡± ¡°Ridiculous! Is Xu Qi¡¯an the only one capable ofposing poetry? Are we schrs incapable of a sh of brilliance?¡± ¡°Enough. Arguing about this is pointless. Huiyuan Xu¡¯s future is over, guilty or not. I recall in the twelfth year of Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s reign, there was a simr cheating case. Three schrs were implicated. After two years, they were cleared, but their reputations were ruined, and their studies wasted.¡± ¡°In Yuanjing¡¯s twentieth year, there was another case. That one was proven, and the schrs and the chief examiner involved were executed by imperial decree.¡± ¡°If this case is upheld, considering Xu Xinnian¡¯s affiliation with Cloud Deer Academy¡­ tsk, no way he can escape. Do you think Duke Wei will intervene?¡± ¡°Very likely. Xu Qi¡¯an is Duke Wei¡¯s confidant; he¡¯ll certainly ask Duke Wei for help.¡± ¡°What if Duke Wei does nothing?¡± ¡°If Duke Wei won¡¯t act, who can save Huiyuan Xu? That martial artist Xu Qi¡¯an? Solving cases, ying enemies¡ªhe may be skilled in those areas. But the nuances of bureaucracy? They¡¯re beyond the grasp of a mere warrior.¡± Staying at a friend¡¯s home, Chu Yuanzhen also learned of the matter during lunch from a friend who had just returned from the Constabry. *Number Three has be embroiled in the civil service exam scandal¡­ Number Three is undeniably brilliant, but the conflict between Cloud Deer Academy and the Imperial Academy is an unstoppable force, beyond the reach of mere intellect¡­ The best possible oue is for his rank to be stripped, and for Number Three to be barred from office¡ªa great loss to the court¡­* "I heard that the new Right Censor-in-chief submitted the impeachment, but I suspect that¡­ yes, each Clique is either observing from the sidelines or covertly offering support. Xu Xinnian is in grave danger," said a friend. Chu Yuanzhen sighed, his tone grave. "It was precisely my distaste for interparty conflict that led me to leave the court. Since ancient times, factional strife has sapped national strength, and emperors pursuing the Dao harm the realm¡¯s fortune." His friend¡¯s face changed drastically. "Yuanzhen, be cautious with your words." "What is there to fear? I¡¯m already a free schr, living my own life." Chu Yuanzhen chuckled but then sighed. "I¡¯ve thought on this matter for a long time and found no solution. Unless Wei Yuan intervenes¡­ Given Xu Ningyan¡¯s potential, Wei Yuan should make a move. "But¡­ that¡¯s likely what those people are hoping for. s, there¡¯s no solution." ¡­ The imperial pce. In Dexin Courtyard, Princess Huaiqing, dressed in a in pce dress, sat behind her desk and nodded at the captain of the guards inside the room. "We understand. You may withdraw." Once the guard left, Huaiqing rose, walked to the window, and frowned in contemtion. "If it were me, how would I solve this?" She pondered for a long time, then shook her head with a sigh. Then, she suddenly thought¡ª*if it were Xu Ningyan, what would he do?* ¡­ In a restaurant in the inner city, Sun Yaoyue had reserved a booth to host his ssmates from the Imperial Academy, primarily to share a piece of news that would soon rock the schrly circles of the capital. "The Spring Examination¡¯s champion, Xu Xinnian, was arrested this morning on charges of cheating and bribing the examiners. My father sent people to take him in." "Is this true?" The Imperial Academy students were stunned. "Of course it¡¯s true. I went to the Constabry to confirm it myself and asked my father directly. Although he chased me out, Minister Zhu hinted as much to me. Xu Xinnian is in prison, awaiting trial." Sun Yaoyue swept his gaze across his friends, speaking with great satisfaction. As the only legitimate heir of Minister Sun, Sun Yaoyue performed decently in his studies, far better than most spoiled noble sons, but he had a major w¡ªhe loved gossip. He was both envious and resentful of Xu Xinnian, a Cloud Deer Academy student, winning the spring exams, and now that he was in prison for exam fraud, Sun couldn¡¯t have been happier. "That Silver Gong Xu Qi''an is a scoundrel, relying on the support of Wei the Eunuch to strut around the capital, even writing a poem to insult my father. He deserves a thousand cuts." Sun Yaoyue mmed the table andughed maniacally. "If we can¡¯t cut him, we¡¯ll cut his cousin instead! Hahaha, drink up!" The students from the Imperial Academy, upon hearing this news, were a mix of surprise and satisfaction. Exactly! How could they let a Cloud Deer Academy student win the Spring Examination¡¯s champion title? Where¡¯s the dignity of the Imperial Academy schrs? It had to be cheating. Absolutely cheating. No other reason was eptable. "Brother Sun, it¡¯s better to share this joy than to savor it alone. Such delightful news should spread far and wide!" "You¡¯re absolutely right. That¡¯s what we¡¯ll do. Tonight, at the Jiaofangsi." After the feast, a drunken Sun Yaoyue left the restaurant and climbed into a carriage, with attendants helping him in. Just as he intended to nap briefly, he saw a sleek, slender orange cat curled up on the cushioned seat, amber eyes gazing at him coolly. The carriage continued moving without any disturbance. Suddenly, the window opened, and the orange cat leaped out, tail upright, its little feline stride fast as it vanished into the bustling crowd. ¡­ The Ministry of Law. Minister Sun summoned a clerk and asked, "Go to the prison and see if Xu Xinnian has confessed yet." The clerk nodded and left, returning a few minutester to report, "Minister, Xu Xinnian has quite the backbone¡ªno matter how much he¡¯s beaten, he refuses to confess." "Then they haven¡¯t beaten him hard enough," Minister Sun snorted coldly. "There¡¯s no shortage of torture methods here at the Ministry of Law. Let him experience every one of them. Even a stone can be made to blossom¡ªjust leave him with his life." "Yes, sir." The clerk withdrew, and momentster, an elderly man hurried into the room, dressed in the style of a wealthy household steward. He even stumbled over the threshold in his haste. "What are you doing here at the Constabry?" Minister Sun frowned. The man was the Sun family¡¯s steward, a long-serving old servant who had been with Minister Sun for decades. "Master, terrible news¡­" The steward¡¯s face was ashen, his voice quivering. "Young Master¡­ he¡¯s missing." "What do you mean, missing?" Minister Sun¡¯s expression changed. He strode forward, fixing the steward with a piercing stare. "What do you mean, missing?!" "The servants who went out with him just returned to report. Today, Young Master entertained his ssmates at a restaurant, then entered his carriage¡­ but then he disappeared. The carriage returned to the manor, but no one was inside." The steward scratched his head in panic, cautiously suggesting, "The manor¡¯s guest schrs say, perhaps¡­ perhaps it¡¯s because you recently offended someone?" There was an unspoken rule in the Great Feng court: political battles were political battles, and should never affect one¡¯s family members. This wasn¡¯t out of any high moral ground but because, if you break the rule, others could retaliate in kind. Anyone viting this rule would be ostracised by the entire political ss. This unspoken rule held such authority that even the royal court acknowledged it, though it was never formally decreed. One of the Great Feng''s policies required that any official who took office in the capital had to bring their family along. Why did this policy exist? To pave the way for this unspoken rule, underscoring its immense authority. *Offended someone¡­* Minister Sun muttered to himself, and a certain loathsome name, Xu Qi''an, surfaced in his mind. "Fool!" Minister Sun roared, his hair and beard bristling with fury. He bellowed, "Does he think that by kidnapping my son, he can make me submit? Ignorant wretch, a fool! "If my son suffers even the slightest harm, I¡¯ll raze the entire capital! No, I¡¯ll see his entire family dead." After his furious tirade, he swept the memorials off the desk, smashing a teacup to pieces, ink and paper scattering across the floor. The steward stood rooted in terror, barely daring to breathe. His master had served as an official for many years and cultivated an unshakeable temperament. For him to lose control like this had only happened twice¡ªonce over a deeply insulting poem, and both times due to that impudent Xu Qi''an. Minister Sun suddenly gathered his robe and, with an agility that belied his age, stormed out of the room. "Master, if there¡¯s anything you need, just say the word, and this old servant will take care of it¡­" The steward chased after him, shouting. Minister Sun ignored him, shouting instead, "Someone, someone¡ªget to the prison. No torture, absolutely no torture!" His cracked voice echoed high above the Ministry of Law¡¯s headquarters: ¡°No torture!¡± ¡­ A quarter of an hourter, the initially agitated Minister Sun returned to the hall, panting and slightly calmer, taking the hot tea offered by the old steward and drinking deeply. ¡°You ignorant, foolish brat, to dare to threaten me! Idiotic, moronic!¡± After cursing, Minister Sun¡¯s tone shifted as he ordered the steward, ¡°Head to the Nightwatcher¡¯s constabry immediately and have that damned dog of a rogue meet me here.¡± Though he resented the breaking of rules, Minister Sun was no longer in a position to maintain his bravado. Negotiating would be the best option; his priority was ensuring his son¡¯s safety, while settling scores with that scoundrel Xu could wait. The steward nodded, about to leave when a guard entered, cupping his hands. ¡°Minister Sun, Xu Qi¡¯an has arrived.¡± Perfect timing! A gleam sparked in Minister Sun¡¯s eyes as he straightened up and ordered, ¡°Let him in.¡± Soon, the guard escorted Xu Qi¡¯an, wearing his Silver Gong uniform, into the hall. The son-of-a-bitch Xu wore a smug expression, strolling in with a carefree air, quite unlike his earlier visit when he had worn a grim face, suppressing his anger. Now, Minister Sun¡¯s expression mirrored the previous look on Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face. ¡°My son, Sun Yaoyue¡ªwhere is he, Xu Qi¡¯an? Release him immediately, and I shall pretend this never happened,¡± Minister Sun dered, looking past Xu Qi¡¯an as though the man did not truly exist. ¡°What do you mean? I don¡¯t understand,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied, feigning innocence, then suddenly widened his eyes in mock horror. ¡°Ah, so Minister Sun not only falsely uses my cousin of exam fraud, but now wishes to implicate me as well. Unbelievable¡ªI never knew that such a base and vile person existed in this world.¡± ¡°You¡­¡± Minister Sun finally looked directly at Xu Qi¡¯an, dismissing the other attendants from the hall. Then, he leaned forward, speaking deliberately, ¡°I¡¯m giving you a chance. If you intend to remain in government in the capital, release my son at once.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an shook his head. ¡°Minister Sun, you must be mistaken. This official truly has no idea what you¡¯re talking about.¡± Pausing as though he¡¯d had a sudden realisation, he put on a look of concern. ¡°Are you saying that Young Master Sun has gone missing? Has he been kidnapped? You should¡¯ve informed me right away¡ªI¡¯m always willing to act in the public¡¯s interest, and no one matches my skill at solving cases. If Minister Sun asks, I promise to find him within a day.¡± *ying dumb with me¡­* Minister Sun felt his rage mounting and spat, ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an, do not forget you have family too.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an sighed, his expression darkening. ¡°It appears you misunderstand me, Minister Sun. I lost both parents in my youth, and my uncle raised me.¡± ¡°Yet, my aunt mistreated me, insulted and humiliated me, eventually driving me out at fifteen to live in a kennel. Unfortunately, unlike some, I do not have a father leading an army of a hundred thousand, nor a father with a wry mouth¡­.¡± ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an!¡± Minister Sun cut him off, ring at him for a long moment before speaking in a low voice. ¡°What do you truly want? The exam fraud case is a matter ordered by His Majesty himself, overseen by the Ministry of Law and the Magistrate¡¯s Office, with all eyes upon it. If you think you can use my son to manipte me, then you¡¯re a fool. I will notpromise.¡± *In this world, the one with greater resolve wins¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought, knowing that a cousin was never as vital as one¡¯s own child. He could be ruthless, but Minister Sun would never have that luxury. Narrowing his eyes, he moved closer to Minister Sun and spoke in a low tone. ¡°I have only one request. During Xu Xinnian¡¯s imprisonment, he is not to be tortured, nor coerced into a confession. If he loses a single finger, I will take one from your son. For every wound on him, I will mark your son the same way. ¡°When the investigation ends¡ªwhether or not Xu Xinnian is found innocent¡ªI will release your son.¡± ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an¡­¡± Minister Sun started to rebuke him, but Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face turned menacing, his voice harsh. ¡°Address me properly¡ªas Viscount.¡± Reluctantly, Minister Sun softened his tone. ¡°Viscount, why should I believe you?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an casually picked up a pastry from the table and took a bite. ¡°Do you have any other option, Minister Sun? Whether you trust me or not, you¡¯ll still do as I ask. Unless, of course, you no longer care about your own son¡¯s life. I¡¯m not asking you to help Xu Xinnian escape judgment, only to refrain from further intervention. That¡¯s all.¡± He walked in front of the minister, and brushed crumbs off his fingers onto his crimson robe, saying in a cold voice, ¡°Just as you said, I have family, too.¡± This tactic, inspired by Wei Yuan, was Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s own invention. Wei Yuan had offered no suggestions. Doing nothing and hoping the opposition would show mercy was naive, and Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s earlier humiliation at the Ministry of Law was proof enough of that. To bring down an enemy, one must target their weaknesses, and for most people, family was that weak point. Nheless, implicating family was taboo, and knowing where to draw the line was critical. Thus, he didn¡¯t naively believe a single hostage could guarantee Xu Xinnian¡¯s release. It was merely a bargaining chip to prevent Minister Sun from taking further action, reducing the stakes and easing the overall nature of the transaction. Minister Sun took a deep breath. ¡°Very well. I won¡¯t have Xu Xinnian tortured, but my son better return unscathed, or there will be consequences.¡± ¡°Naturally,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an scoffed. ¡°However, I need assurance as well. I want to see Xu Xinnian. Make the arrangements.¡± With that, he strode toward the door, suddenly turning back with a smirk. ¡°And, by the way¡­ ¡°Viscount¡±? It has a nice ring to it, you said it well.¡± Minister Sun¡¯s face darkened, his beard trembling in fury. ¡­ Clink, clink¡­ The sound of chains sliding echoed as the jailer unlocked the heavy door to the dungeon, where a damp, decaying odor filled the air. Following the jailer through a dim passageway, Xu Qi¡¯an reached the cell where Xu Xinnian was held. Xu Xinnian sat with his eyes closed, leaning against the wall to rest, dressed in prison garb, his face pale and covered in bloodstains. Seeing his cousin¡¯s wretched state, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face turned dark¡ªhe had arrived toote; Xinnian had clearly suffered in the cell. He murmured gently, ¡°Eng¡­ Eng¡­¡± Xu Xinnian blinked, surprised, as he opened his eyes in disbelief. Chapter 318: Auntie and Miss Wangs Ranged Duel Chapter 318: Auntie and Miss Wang''s Ranged Duel # 318. Auntie and Miss Wang''s Ranged Duel Within the dim corridor, beyond the bars, his older brother stood there in his Nightwatcher uniform, squinting at him. Eng¡¯s eyes lit up instantly, and he got up from the straw mat, the chains clinking as he moved. ¡°How did you get in? How could Minister Sun even allow you?¡± Xu Xinnian was both surprised and delighted. Seeing this, Xu Qi¡¯an rxed, withdrew his scrutinising gaze, and exhaled. *Seems like it¡¯s only superficial injuries.* Then, he nced at the jailer and said coolly, ¡°You¡¯re dismissed.¡± The jailer wisely retreated. Xu Xinnian spat and cursed, ¡°Those bitches, their whips sting like hell.¡± *Is Engining to me¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. ¡°Rest assured, Big Brother will find a way to get you out.¡±Just has he finished, Xu Xinnian waved him off, emphasizing, ¡°Big Brother, you may not fully understand, but this isn¡¯t just a cheating scandal¡ªit¡¯s the sh between the Imperial Academy and Cloud Deer Academy.¡± *No, I understand it perfectly¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought to himself. But Eng didn¡¯t give him a chance to speak, chattering on, full of conviction and spirit, obviously only suffering minor injuries. ¡°Actually, I anticipated this. A student from Cloud Deer Academy achieving the huiyuan in the metropolitan exam, how could things be just allowed to be? But I¡¯m not afraid. For Cloud Deer Academy to return to the court and expand its influence, someone must lead the charge and pave the way for those toe.¡± Xu Xinnian said gravely, ¡°And I am that person zing the trail.¡± *Oh, Eng, people don¡¯t admire the first to ze the trail¡ªthey admire the one who widens it¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an gave a quiet nod, ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve actually figured out how to solve this,¡± Xu Xinnian continued proudly, ¡°After all, the schemes and intrigues of the court are my expertise.¡± Raising his chin in pride, he went on, ¡°The academy¡¯s great Confucians can¡¯t meddle in court affairs without official rank. But Wei Yuan can. You should go seek his help. I don¡¯t expect him to exonerate me immediately¡ªthat would be too difficult and could cause severe bacsh, as it¡¯s akin to dering war on the entire court of officials. ¡°My request is simply this: strip my honors but let me retain the right to take the imperial exams. Or keep me detained until after the final imperial exam, and I¡¯ll take the metropolitan exam again in three years. ¡°The Imperial Academy officials are aiming to suppress Cloud Deer Academy, not just me.¡± He paused and, seeing his elder brother¡¯s stunned look, sighed, ¡°Yes, I know this might be hard for big brother to grasp. Just do as I say. Even in confinement, I can still strategize.¡± *Oh, Eng, you think you¡¯re on level eighteen, but you¡¯re really only scratching the surface¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an cleared his throat. ¡°Big Brother has a different take on things.¡± Xu Xinnian was taken aback, and then, in a ¡°humble¡± gesture, he nodded, ¡°Let¡¯s hear it.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an then ryed Wei Yuan¡¯s ¡°three birds with one stone¡± analysis to Xu Xinnian, and the cell sank into a long silence. ¡°So that¡¯s it¡­ there¡¯s such aplex web of schemes behind this. Am I¡­ am I doomed?¡± Xu Xinnian looked devastated. It was unclear whether his despair stemmed from his predicament or the realization that his earlier analysis had been overly shallow, belying his self-proimed high rank in political scheming. ¡°Rest assured, Brother will do everything possible to get you out,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an consoled him. This was not the ce for lengthy discussions. Xu Xinnian let out a bitterugh. ¡­ Bidding farewell to Xu Xinnian, Xu Qi¡¯an decided to return home to reassure his sister and auntie. He¡¯d been out all day, and the two women at home must have been anxious all this time. From afar, he heard Auntie crying in the hall, ¡°Why hasn¡¯t Dnge back? Eng¡¯s locked up in the Ministry of Law; who knows what kind of suffering he¡¯s enduring¡­ we at least deserve some word¡­¡± Xu Lingyueforted her, ¡°Mother, Big Brother must be working hard to make connections. Don¡¯t worry. He¡¯ll let us know when hees home in the evening.¡± ¡°How much longer must we wait? Every passing minute is tormenting me.¡± Auntie sobbed, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear what your father said? Dng went to the Ministry of Law to plead for help, but he was rebuffed and humiliated.¡± Then came Xu Pingzhi¡¯s sigh. *Although Auntie could be petty and thought of herself as a ¡°little cutie¡± despite her age, she hadn¡¯t berated Second Uncle for failing to save her son. No wonder Second Uncle spoils her so much¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly noticed this endearing detail he hadn¡¯t seen before. ¡°Ahem!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an coughed as he entered, drawing the family¡¯s attention. Xu Lingyue, who had clearly been calm and collected just a minute before, suddenly had tears welling up in her eyes. She looked at Xu Qi¡¯an, unable to speak. Seeing her, Xu Qi¡¯an patted her shoulder and said gently, ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Xu Lingyue whispered softly, ¡°Big Brother¡­¡± Then Auntie¡¯s voice, loud and piercing, drowned her out. She looked at him with a mix of expectation and worry, crying, ¡°Ningyan, how is Eng? Please, find a way to save him! Only you can help him.¡± Xu Pingzhi heaved another sigh. ¡°I¡¯ve seen Eng; he¡¯s fine and hasn¡¯t been seriously hurt.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an patted Auntie¡¯s hand, then Lingyue¡¯s, trying tofort them. Auntie looked at him intently, tears glistening in her eyes. ¡°Dng, you¡¯re not lying to me, are you?¡± Ignoring Auntie, Xu Qi¡¯an turned to Second Uncle and spoke in a low voice, ¡°I¡¯ve had to take unconventional measures¡¯¡ªI¡¯ve kidnapped Minister Sun¡¯s son.¡± Xu Pingzhi¡¯s face turned pale. ¡°Ningyan, you¡¯ve broken the rules.¡± ¡°Rest assured; he has no evidence. I didn¡¯t ask him to clear Eng¡¯s name. That would be too risky and would spiral out of control. I merely insisted he avoid using torture. For Minister Sun, this is a minor concession. And when weighed against a life-or-death standoff, he cares far more for his son¡¯s life.¡± Though this had indeed broken the rules, handled with caution, the fallout would be limited. Moreover, Minister Sun truly had no evidence. After all, it wasn¡¯t Xu Qi¡¯an who personally took his son. Not to mention, he wasn¡¯t concerned about Sitianjian¡¯s Qi-watching technique. In the Princess Pingyang¡¯s case, King Yu had had no evidence when his daughter vanished without a trace¡ªhe didn¡¯t even know who his enemy was. Of course, in the end, the Liang Clique paid with the annihtion of their entire house. *As long as it works, even if it was a rule enshrined in thews of the Great Feng, some would still take risks¡ªlet alone an unspoken rule!* With that thought, Xu Qi¡¯an looked over at Lina and Xu Lingyin, who were casually enjoying snacks, and said, "Don¡¯t go out today, either of you. Lina, during the day, the safety of the women in the household depends on you." "Got it!" Lina agreed cheerfully. *Though this little dark-skinned girl wasn¡¯t too bright, she really can fight¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an trusted her well enough. As for being ostracised by the bureaucracy¡ªwhether or not Minister Sun would spread word of this incident didn¡¯t matter. He wasn¡¯t afraid. As Wei Yuan¡¯s trusted confidant, Xu Qi¡¯an already had plenty of enemies. Afraid of being isted? Xu Qi¡¯an wasn¡¯t an official schr on the path to fame; he was a Nightwatcher. The two roles were fundamentally different. The former required reputation and eptance in the officialdom. A Nightwatcher didn¡¯t. As long as Wei Yuan stood, he would too. If Wei Yuan fell, so would he. Xu Pingzhi opened his mouth, but offered no opinion. He felt both a bittersweet loss and relief¡ªa relief that his nephew had grown and was no longer the boy whose head he used to pat so casually. But a little regret¡ªhe could never pat the back of that head again. Auntie, meanwhile, cried with joy, gripping Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s hand tightly. "Dng, you really are the most promising one in this family. It wasn¡¯t in vain that I raised you so diligently." *Really? Auntie, are you sure your conscience doesn¡¯t ache saying that?* Xu Qi¡¯an wondered skeptically. Xu Lingyue whispered, "But¡­ what about the aftermath?" Auntie¡¯s joy froze on her face, suddenly reminded¡ªright, there¡¯s still the aftermath. "I¡¯ll figure something out," Xu Qi¡¯an replied solemnly. The second step Wei Yuan had taught him was still brewing in his mind, a half-formed idea. Disheartened, Auntie took Xu Lingyin away. Her jade-like fingers poked the little girl on the forehead as she chided, "All you know is eating. Why did I even give birth to you? I¡¯d have been better off birthing a rat." "But mum, I¡¯m hungry," Xu Lingyin protested, looking up pitifully. "When are you ever full?" Auntie snapped, disappointed. "Your big brother¡¯s in trouble, and you¡¯re still here eating without a care in the world. Thoughtless creature." Xu Lingyin nced at Xu Qi¡¯an. "But big bwother is fine. Mum just doesn¡¯t want to give me food. She wants to hide it and eat it all herself." Auntie wobbled with anger. Xu Qi¡¯an, Xu Lingyue, and Xu Pingzhi felt awkward. Lina nudged her eating buddy and whispered, "You have another big brother too, remember?" Xu Lingyin thought for a moment, realising she indeed had another brother, and immediately started bawling, crumbs falling from her mouth. "Is second brother dead too? I don¡¯t want second brother to die! Waaa¡­" Just then, the Gatekeeper Old Zhang came in and announced, "There¡¯s a youngdy outside, asking to see Miss Lingyue." The whole family turned to Xu Lingyue. Xu Lingyue furrowed her brows slightly. "A youngdy? Which family is she from? What does she want with me?" Old Zhang shook his head. "Bring her in," Xu Lingyue said. After a moment, Old Zhang returned, leading in a young woman in a pink dress. She wore her hair in a servant girl¡¯s style, though her clothes were of finer material than those of an ordinary wealthydy. "It¡¯s you?" Xu Lingyue recognised her, looking surprised. "The servant¡¯s name is Lan¡¯er. Mydy wished to visit Miss Lingyue today, if Miss Lingyue is avable," said the graceful maid called Lan¡¯er, curtseying. "This is the maid of Miss Wang Simu, the daughter of Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen," Xu Lingyue exined. She trusted her elder brother¡¯s sharpness to catch the implication. *Wang Zhenwen¡¯s daughter¡¯s maid? What is she doing here? Here to mock us?* Influenced by Eng, Xu Qi¡¯an assumed Wang Simu hade to gloat, kicking someone while they were down. He was suddenly a bit annoyed. *Just a girl, and she dares to be so arrogant... I, a staunch advocate of gender equality, will not hesitate to deal with green tea schemers¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an scoffed inwardly. "I have ns today. Perhaps I can visit her another day," Xu Lingyue said coldly, her gaze suddenly sharp. "Please tell Sister Wang that I¡¯m rather fond of her and would love a good chat next time." In the next instant, however, her gaze softened, transforming her back into a delicate younger sister. With teary eyes, she said, "Big Brother, if you have things to handle, please go. Eng¡¯s matter is in your hands." Just as Xu Qi¡¯an was about to nod, Lan¡¯er, looking worried, asked, "What¡¯s happened to Huiyuan Xu?" The siblings ignored her, their expressions icy, when suddenly Auntie spoke up: "Your youngdy is the daughter of the Prime Minister? Oh, that¡¯s wonderful! My Eng has been falsely used of exam fraud and locked in the dungeons of the Ministry of Law. Youngdy, could you please ask your young mistress to help Eng?" Xu Qi¡¯an and Xu Lingyue froze, horrified, looking at Auntie. *Is mum (auntie) really this clueless?* *In desperation, you don¡¯t go running to the enemy for help! Does she want us to die faster, for them to twist the knife?* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s expression darkened as he said icily, "Lan¡¯er, goodbye." The puzzled and increasingly anxious maid finally left. ¡­ Wang Simu sat on the plush couch of the spacious carriage, asionally lifting the curtain to nce outside or checking the orange embers licking the teapot at the bottom. Her anxious heart was on full disy. Over half an hour had passed, and that wretched girl Lan¡¯er still hadn¡¯t returned. Waiting was the hardest part. If the Xu family¡¯s youngdy rejected her visit, it likely represented the family¡¯s stance¡ªand by extension, Xu Xinnian¡¯s stance as well. *Should I keep visiting, or should I back down?* Backing down didn¡¯t sit well with her; but if she pressed forward¡­ she was, after all, an unmarried youngdy, the Prime Minister¡¯s daughter. She had to consider her reputation and couldn¡¯t just keep knocking at their door. As her thoughts flitted about, she lifted the curtain and was delighted to spot Lan¡¯er¡¯s little carriage approaching. The carriage rolled to a stop, and the maid Lan¡¯er hopped down nimbly, hurrying over, climbing up, and entering Wang Simu¡¯s grand carriage. ¡°You troublesome girl! Coming back sote¡ªdo you even know the time?¡± Wang Simu snapped, venting her restlessness. Taking a deep breath, she asked, ¡°What did the Xu family¡¯s youngdy say?¡± Lan¡¯er shook her head. Wang Simu¡¯s face instantly fell, the brightness in her eyes fading. She then noticed Lan¡¯er swallowing nervously and, after catching her breath, said, ¡°Miss, it¡¯s serious¡ªHuiyuan Xu was arrested by the Ministry of Law for cheating on the civil service exam.¡± ¡°What?¡± Upon hearing the news, Wang Simu was flooded with mixed emotions. First came shock and concern for Xu Xinnian¡¯s future and safety. And then¡­ a small surge of relief. *So, he hadn¡¯te because he was indifferent to me, but because he was detained by the Ministry of Law and couldn¡¯t break free.* *I misjudged him.* With that, Lan¡¯er recounted everything she had seen and heard at the Xu mansion, including Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s icy demeanour and Xu Lingyue¡¯s aloof posture. *Minister Sun of the Ministry of Law is in the same clique as my father. So, they think my father¡¯s behind this? If my father really was the one orchestrating it, then¡­ wouldn¡¯t that make me¡­?* Wang Simu felt a pang of bitterness. Lan¡¯er huffed indignantly, ¡°They¡¯re so rude and yet expect you to help Huiyuan Xu. The Xu family truly has no shame.¡± Wang Simu frowned. ¡°Mind your words.¡± She paused, her expression turning serious. ¡°Did Xu Qi¡¯an ask for this?¡± *No, that can¡¯t be right. I¡¯ve only met Huiyuan Xu once and exchanged just a few words. Xu Qi¡¯an is a clever man¡ªthere¡¯s no way he¡¯d ask me, the Prime Minister¡¯s daughter, for help.* *There¡¯s no way he could know what I¡¯m thinking. Not even Father knows.* The astute Miss Wang quickly sensed something was amiss. Lan¡¯er shook her head. ¡°It was a request from thedy of the Xu family, that beautiful woman we saw that day.¡± *The Xu family¡¯s matron made this request¡­* Wang Simu¡¯s expression turned solemn as she ruminated, analysing and considering¡­ *She is Huiyuan Xu¡¯s mother. Faced with such a situation, she must have a poor opinion of me, of the Wang family. Why, then, would she ask me for help?* *A woman who could raise a daughter with such deep wit, a nephew of unrivaled valor, and a son of extraordinary talent¡ªshe¡¯s no ordinary woman.* *I must think carefully, very carefully; I cannot be careless¡­* ¡°Lan¡¯er, did that matron¡­ say anything negative about me, or my father? What was her attitude?¡± Wang Simu asked. ¡°She was the politest of the whole family. She made the request very earnestly,¡± Lan¡¯er replied. *This¡­* Wang Simu¡¯s eyes widened slightly, a possible answer dawning on her. *The first time I invited Huiyuan Xu to a literary gathering under my father¡¯s name, there was nothing unusual about it. But then, I invited him again, almost immediately, to go boating¡­ As a careless man, he might not think much of it, but a woman¡ªa wise woman¡ªcould hardly miss the hint of something more.* *Even if she couldn¡¯t be sure of my intentions, she could still suspect¡­ so, this request might be both a test and an opportunity?* *She doesn¡¯t hold ill will toward me; she doesn¡¯t resent or despise me for being the Prime Minister¡¯s daughter.* *By making this request, she¡¯s giving me a hint.* *Indeed, the Xu family¡¯s matron is a woman of great wisdom¡­ She¡¯s the only one in the family who has seen through my feelings¡­* Wang Simu clenched her delicate fists, her body even trembling a little. And at the same time, she felt a thrill at meeting a worthy opponent. ¡°Lan¡¯er, go to the pce. I¡¯m going to the constabry to find my father,¡± Wang Simu dered, enunciating each word. Chapter 319: The Hidden Mastermind Surfaces # 319. The Hidden Mastermind Surfaces Wang Zhenwen was the Grand Academician of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and so it was only natural that Wenyuan Pavilion served as the office for him and other officials of simr rank. Inside, Wang Zhenwen, dressed in a crimson robe, his hair streaked with grey, was diligently at work at his desk. Other civil officials and clerks bustled about, each absorbed in their own tasks. asionally, there was a hushed discussion, but overall, the atmosphere was peaceful and harmonious. When differences arose, the officials would move to a side chamber to argue fiercely, trying to settle the dispute. However, in the world of schrs, arguments rarely led to persuasion¡ªmore often than not, neither side would yield. In the end, a superior would need to make the final decision. ¡°Prime Minister Sir, Miss Simu is here to see you,¡± an attendant outside announced softly, treading carefully so as not to disturb the quiet. Wang Zhenwen¡¯s brush paused mid-stroke, causing ink to blot on the paper, spreading into a dark stain. *How did she get into the pce¡­ and what business does she have here in the Pavilion¡­?* These two questions shed through his mind one after another. Wenyuan Pavilion was situated on the eastern side of the pce grounds, not enclosed within the high walls but still under pce jurisdiction. Guards were posted outside, and no one without clearance could enter.Even the Prime Minister¡¯s daughter fell under the category of ¡°unauthorised individuals.¡± ¡°Tell her I won¡¯t see her¡­ No, let her in, through the back door. I¡¯ll meet her in the side chamber,¡± Wang Zhenwen set down his brush, sped his hands behind his back, and, with one hand resting on his abdomen, strode steadily to the side chamber. A few minutester, Wang Simu, poised and graceful, entered carrying a food container. She set it gently on the table, smiling sweetly. ¡°Father!¡± Wang Zhenwen responded with a curt ¡°hmm,¡± a stern expression on his face. ¡°Weren¡¯t you out boating with your friends? What are you doing here in the Pavilion, and who let you into the pce?¡± Wang Simu smiled, unhurriedly opening the food container and carefully lifting out a bowl of fragrant fish soup. Her voice was soft as she exined: ¡°While your daughter was on theke, I noticed the carp looked plump, so I had a few caught. While they were still fresh, I brought them back to the estate and personally made some fish soup for you. ¡°Father, you work so hard; you need to take care of yourself and drink more nourishing soup.¡± Wang Zhenwen¡¯s expression softened slightly. The rich aroma made his mouth water, and after tasting a small spoonful, he revealed a look of satisfaction, praising: ¡°There¡¯s chicken bouillon in this fish soup. Truly is a delightful vour. This is indeed a blessing for the people of the Great Feng, thanks to the Sitianjian¡¯s ingenuity.¡± Since the introduction of chicken bouillon by the Sitianjian, it had taken the city by storm, finding favour among nobles, wealthy merchants, and even asionally amongmoners to enhance the vour of their dishes. Wang Zhenwen hadn¡¯t seen anything as beneficiale from the Sitianjian in many years. Taking advantage of the moment, Wang Simu remarked, ¡°I once heard a rumour that it wasn¡¯t actually the Sitianjian that invented chicken bouillon, but someone else.¡± Wang Zhenwen raised an eyebrow. ¡°Someone else?¡± Wang Simu smiled. ¡°ording to Princess Lin¡¯an, the real inventor of chicken bouillon is none other than Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an. The Sitianjian merely improved upon it.¡± Wang Zhenwen, who hadn¡¯t paid much attention to such matters, was momentarily stunned, taking a while to process this before returning to his soup. ¡°That young man is exceptionally intelligent¡­ truly a rare talent¡­¡± Wang Zhenwen murmured with admiration, shaking his head as he resumed sipping the soup. Wang Simu continued the conversation casually. ¡°Originally, I nned to ask the Imperial Guards to bring the soup to you. But on the way, I happened to run into Princess Lin¡¯an, so I came in with her.¡± With this, she had answered Wang Zhenwen¡¯s two questions. Not waiting for him to finish the soup, Wang Simu stood up to take her leave. ¡°Father, enjoy the soup slowly, and remember to bring the bowl back after court. Since women aren¡¯t allowed in Wenyuan Pavilion, I won¡¯t stay any longer.¡± And with that, thest question was answered¡ªshe hade merely to bring soup for her dear father. Wang Zhenwen smiled, his tone softening. ¡°Go on, dear. Your filial piety is touching.¡± *Father is such a cunning fox; dealing with him is exhausting¡­* Wang Simu felt a subtle relief, smiled demurely, and turned to leave the side chamber. But she didn¡¯t truly leave Wenyuan Pavilion. Instead, she signaled to the maid waiting outside. The maid quickly brought over another food container, and the pair proceeded to another schr¡¯s office. ¡­ In another side chamber, Wang Simu set the food container on the table, lifting out the fragrant fish soup with a smile. ¡°Uncle Qian, I was out on theke today and noticed the carp were exceptionally plump, so I caught a few and made this soup for you and Father.¡± Qian Qingshu was a tall, slender elder. Unlike the stern and dignified Wang Zhenwen, he had a warm and approachable demeanor that put people at ease. Qian Qingshu and Wang Zhenwen were ssmates and passed the civil service exams together, where Qian was a first-division *tanhua*[^1], while Wang Zhenwen was in the second division before being selected for the Hanlin Academy as a junior schr. ¡°When the emperor sought talent, I was but a withered branch; when he sought fish, I was but an empty valley¡­ True delicacies indeed.¡± Qian Qingshu tasted the soup, his eyes lighting up. ¡°Mmm, it¡¯s delicious.¡± Amid his busy day, he could finally take a break and enjoy a bowl of fish soup. How wonderful! ¡°Uncle, I recently heard a bit of news. They say that Schr Xu was arrested for fraud on the civil service exam?¡± Wang Simu feigned casual curiosity. Qian Qingshu¡¯s expression shifted slightly as he nodded slowly. ¡°The new Left Censor Impeached Grand Academician Zhao Tingfang for taking bribes and leaking exam questions to Xu Xinnian. ¡°And that ¡®Ode to the Difficult Road¡¯ poem by Xu Xinnian was supposedly written by his cousin, Xu Qi¡¯an.¡± *Xu Xinnian¡¯s poem was ghostwritten by Xu Qi¡¯an? And this involves Grand Academician Zhao Tingfang¡­* Wang Simu¡¯s expression flickered as her mind raced, but she quickly masked her thoughts and asked, ¡°Uncle Qian, please enjoy the soup, and enlighten your niece on the details of this matter.¡± Qian Qingshu hesitated, frowning before sighing. ¡°Ah, epting food makes one weak¡­ But you must promise me, not a word of what you hear today is to leave this room.¡± Wang Simu nodded eagerly. ¡°Of course. I always keep my promises.¡± ¡­ Xu Manor. In the study, Xu Qi''an sat behind his desk, pondering his next steps. Taking down a Minister of Law was nothing; getting Eng¡¯s sentence revoked was just the first step in his n. Now, he needed to identify the true enemy among the civil officials. *If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.*[^2] *Princess Huaiqing may be nobility, but all she can do is watch the ns of the ministers; she has no real power to interfere. At best, she might have a few confidants in the shadows...* *Duke Wei''s attitude toward this matter isn¡¯t particrly active either. He¡¯s mainly testing my ability. If I can¡¯t handle it and go to him for help, he¡¯d surely assist, but I¡¯d inevitably lose a bit of his esteem.* *How can I obtain some inside information? Inspector Zhang is a suitable candidate, but since he¡¯s under Wei Yuan, he¡¯s likely watched by the civil officials in the opposing faction and may not know too much¡­* As he was thinking, he caught the sound of footsteps approaching. ¡°Knock, knock¡­¡± The footsteps halted outside the door, followed by a knock and a voice: ¡°Dng, a youngdy hase to see you.¡± *A youngdy? Who could that be?* *Ah, I have too many female friends to even guess¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an responded, ¡°Show her to the guest hall. I¡¯ll be right over.¡± He took a few more minutes to reassemble his interrupted thoughts, then took a sip of tea to moisten his throat before heading out. In the parlor, he saw a young maid in a light green dress. Little Pea was circling her with ease, saying familiarly, ¡°Sister, let¡¯s y! Let¡¯s y! I¡¯ll give you some water chestnut cakes.¡± The maid forced a polite smile, seemingly not used to handling children. ¡°Miss Lan¡¯er?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an stepped through the door. Just an hour earlier, this maid had been here. ¡°Sir Xu,¡± Lan¡¯er curtsied before pulling a folded note from her sleeve, handing it to him. She said in a low voice, ¡°Mydy sent this. I¡¯ll take my leave.¡± Without giving Xu Qi¡¯an a chance to keep her or read the note in her presence, she quickly left. Xu Qi¡¯an sat down, opened the note, and scanned it quickly, his face turning shocked. *This¡­* His expression grew serious. The information on the note was crucial¡ªitid out the entire background of the civil exam scandal. The one who had filed the impeachment for ¡°exam fraud¡± was the newly appointed Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong. Since taking charge of the Censorate in Wei Yuan¡¯s stead, he had engaged in fierce battles with the faction of ¡°Eunuch Clique¡± remnants led by the Right Censor-in-Chief. By all logic, Liu Hong, the Right Censor-in-Chief, was Yuan Xiong¡¯s main target since he was also one of the chief examiners. Yet in this scandal, the one implicated was Eastern Pavilion Academic Schr Zhao Tingfang. The reason was that if Yuan Xiong had directly impeached the Right Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong, he would have faced Wei Yuan head-on. Even with the pretext of suppressing Cloud Deer Academy, most factions would have stood by indifferently, with limited support to offer. After all, even if Xu Xinnian were to attend the pce examination and enter office, the ministers would have ways to marginalise and suppress him. Thus, the second conspirator in this affair emerged: Assistant Minister Qin Yuandao of the Ministry of War. The former Minister of War¡¯s family had been executed in connection with the case of Princess Pingyang. Qin Yuandao, as Assistant Minister, had been the first in line to seed him. However, the Emperor assigned a minor faction¡¯s head to take the role of Minister of War instead. With no prospect of advancement, Qin Yuandao changed his strategy, aiming to enter the cab by ousting Zhao Tingfang, the Eastern Pavilion Academic Schr whocked backing and personal influence. For Yuan Xiong, suppressing Xu Xinnian meant not only targeting a student of Cloud Deer Academy but also the younger cousin of Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an. If Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t want his cousin¡¯s reputation destroyed, he would surely seek Wei Yuan¡¯s help. Once Wei Yuan was involved, Yuan Xiong would have an easier time dealing with Right Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong. Furthermore, the note provided by Wang Simu also hinted that the Duke of Cao Song Shanchang had stirred up trouble as well. *On the surface, this is a coboration between Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong and Assistant Minister Qin Yuandao, plus a few of their followers. But actually, besides Eng¡¯s affiliation with Cloud Deer Academy, his connection as my cousin invites all those I¡¯ve offended in past cases¡ªlike the Sangpo case, Princess Pingyang¡¯s case, and Yunzhou¡¯s case¡ªto seize this opportunity for revenge. Minister Sun is a prime example.* *And with his connection to Cloud Deer Academy¡­ the situation looks grim. Also, what is Duke Cao¡¯s involvement? The civil officials wanting to meddle is one thing, but you¡ªa crude military noble¡ªhave joined in as well? What could your motives be?* *And why should I trust Wang Zhenwen¡¯s daughter? Why would she share this information with me? From an observer¡¯s perspective, Eng is done for this time; she should be standing by, amused. There¡¯s no reason for her to do more. That maid also acted suspiciously, delivering the note and then fleeing¡ªcould it be a guilty conscience?* *Either this Miss Wang is a fool, or she thinks I am¡­ But ording to Eng and Lingyue¡¯s analysis, she doesn¡¯t seem like a fool at all. So, am I the fool here?* *If in doubt, consult Wei Yuan. Hmm, I¡¯ll present it as if I found out on my own and ask him to verify it. That way, he¡¯ll respect my caution, and even if I was deceived, it won¡¯t matter¡ªI¡¯ll have shown due diligence by not blindly trusting anyone.* ¡­ In the afternoon, as Xu Qi¡¯an left the Tower of Noble Spirit, Wei Yuan¡¯s words echoed in his mind: ¡°The Duke of Cao and Zhenbei King wear the same pair of trousers.¡± The previous evening, after receiving Wang Simu¡¯s ¡°confidential note,¡± he had spent a long time contemting it alone, finding it credible but refraining from fully trusting it. After lunch, he sought confirmation from Wei Yuan and received an affirmative response. The Zhenbei King has nothing to do with me, so this must be Duke Cao¡¯s own n. But what does he have against me? *The Vajra Divine Technique¡­* The thought crossed Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind. On his way back to One de Hall, he encountered an official, who happened to be looking for him and said, ¡°Sir Xu, there¡¯s someone outside looking for you.¡± ¡°Who?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s eyes flickered. ¡°A man from King Huai¡¯s household,¡± the official replied. *King Huai¡¯s household¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an let out a breath. ¡°Understood.¡± He immediately turned and walked toward the front gate. Once there, he saw a luxurious carriage parked by the roadside, guarded by two lines of armored soldiers. As soon as Xu Qi¡¯an stepped out, one of the guards came forward to ry a message, ¡°Are you Silver Gong Xu?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. ¡°General Chu is waiting for you inside,¡± the guard said. ¡­ After a brief hesitation, he followed the guard to the carriage, where he heard a man¡¯s deep voice from inside: ¡°Come in and speak.¡± There was amanding tone, as if issuing an order. Xu Qi¡¯an climbed into the carriage and entered thepartment. Inside the spacious carriage sat a man with a square face, dark skin, and a bristly beard. His light purple robeplemented his piercing gaze, which was sharp as lightning. The man made a gesture, inviting Xu Qi¡¯an to sit, and spoke in a deep, resonant voice: ¡°I heard that your cousin has been caught up in the imperial examination fraud scandal.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an looked at him, probing, ¡°And you are¡­?¡± The man replied concisely, ¡°Chu Xianglong, deputy general of the Zhenbei King.¡± *The deputy general of the Zhenbei King¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an narrowed his eyes slightly. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t the general be guarding the northern borders? What brings you back to the capital?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a question for a mere Silver Gong to ask,¡± Chu Xianglong replied coolly. He paused, then continued, ¡°I¡¯m here to offer you a deal.¡± ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± ¡°Hand over the training method of the Vajra technique, and I¡¯ll get your cousin out of prison,¡± Chu Xianglong said, his gaze intense. *So, it¡¯s really the Vajra technique they¡¯re after. It figures¡ªwhat warrior wouldn¡¯t covet a body-refinement technique like this? The indestructible body of the monk Shenshu also relies on the Vajra Technique. Even high-rank warriors would be tempted¡­* So, the Duke of Cao and Chu Xianglong are using this opportunity to extort the Vajra technique from me¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an reminded him, ¡°The indestructible body of the Diamond Sutra is not for ordinary people. It requires a significant destiny.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need you to remind me. Since you¡¯ve already mastered the Vajra technique, you¡¯veprehended its essence. Just record the principles of the Vajra technique for me. Whether I seed in learning it or not is my own concern.¡± Chu Xianglong then gave him a reassuring promise: ¡°Once you hand over the principles, I¡¯ll handle your cousin¡¯s release.¡± This guy wants to take everything I have and y me for a fool in the process? Xu Qi¡¯an sneered inwardly and asked: ¡°May I ask, General, how you n to secure his release?¡± ¡°I have my ways,¡± Chu Xianglong responded steadily. ¡°This case is highly entangled with political forces. Those civil officials aren¡¯t likely to heed you. Don¡¯t treat me like a three-year-old child,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an retorted with a cold sneer. ¡°I said I¡¯d get him out, not that I¡¯d clear his name,¡± Chu Xianglong shot back, his steely gaze fixed on Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°He¡¯s just a minor figure; no one will pursue him relentlessly. I¡¯m confident that I can secure a lighter sentence for him. At most, he¡¯ll be barred from taking the imperial exams for three years. After that, Cloud Deer Academy¡¯s base in Qingzhou would be the perfect ce for him.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s eyes flickered, and he said, ¡°Fine! But my condition is that you secure his release first.¡± Chu Xianglong nodded. ¡°Agreed.¡± After leaving the carriage, Xu Qi¡¯an stood expressionless by the roadside. By now, he could confirm the true intent behind the Duke of Cao¡¯s involvement. *So, these sons of bitches have been eyeing my Vajra technique all along. They held back before because my influence was strong, but now they¡¯re using the examination fraud scandal against Eng to force me toply¡­ fine, let¡¯s see how they n to y this game.* As the carriage disappeared from view, Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t return to the Nightwatcher Constabry. Instead, he vanished down the long street. ¡­ The next day, rumors about the examination fraud case had spread widely, spurred on by various interested parties. Everyone, from nobles tomoners, was discussing the scandal as a hot topic over meals and tea. The schrs were particrly fervent in their debates. While some refused to believe Xu Xinnian would cheat, many celebrated, apuding the court¡¯s firm stance on punishing fraud and demanding justice for all schrs. Xu Xinnian¡¯s reputation took a sharp dive. Once praised as an outstanding schr, he was now branded a pariah. However, in his cell, Xu Xinnian was oblivious to all of this, as he faced his first interrogation by the Ministry of Law and the prefectural authorities. *ng, ng...* A jailer knocked on the cell bars with a stick, barking: ¡°Xu Xinnian,e with me. The officials are ready to question you.¡± Meanwhile, in the interrogation room, the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Law and the Deputy Magistrate of the Prefectural Office sat behind a table, sipping tea and discussing the case. ¡°Assistant Minister, why aren¡¯t we allowed to use torture?¡± the Deputy Magistrate asked, puzzled. ¡°Order from Minister Sun,¡± the Assistant Minister exined with a hint of disdain. ¡°That Xu Xinnian¡¯s still wet behind the ears. I¡¯ll start with a stern reprimand to shake him up, and then we¡¯ll proceed slowly. Deputy Magistrate, I¡¯ll need you to y the ¡®good cop.¡¯¡± The Deputy Magistrate nodded, ¡°We could also threaten him with torture. Young schrs may be eloquent, but they often turn pale at the sight of blood.¡± The officials shared augh; seasoned interrogators, they were confident they could easily break a young schr. The jailer led Xu Xinnian from the cell to the interrogation room, where he bowed to the officials seated inside and announced: ¡°Sirs, the suspect Xu Xinnian is here.¡± With that, he stepped out tactfully. Xu Xinnian stood by the doorway, surveying the scene. Two crimson-robed officials sat at the main table¡ªthe Assistant Minister of Law and the Deputy Magistrate of the Prefectural Office. Several additional officials were present to assist in the interrogation, along with clerks taking notes, and even a white-robed Arcanist from the Sitianjian. *Bang!* The Assistant Minister struck the table with his gavel, saying sternly, ¡°Xu Xinnian, you have been used of bribing Chief Examiner Zhao Tingfang¡¯s housekeeper with three hundred taels of silver to obtain the examination questions in advance. Do you deny it?¡± Xu Xinnian shook his head. ¡°Utter nonsense.¡± The Assistant Minister sneered and continued, ¡°You bribed Zhao Tingfang¡¯s housekeeper, Zhu You, through an intermediary. The housekeeper has already confessed. Here¡¯s his testimony; have a look.¡± He pulled a written confession from his sleeve and had a clerk hand it to Xu Xinnian. Xu Xinnian read it carefully. The testimony was detailed, even including precise times for the alleged ¡°transaction.¡± It appeared airtight. ¡°The Ministry of Law lives up to its name, I¡¯ll give them that. Even I, the used, find it hard to spot ws. But I also have evidence of my own. Would you like to see it, sirs?¡± Xu Xinnian said. ¡°What evidence?¡± the Assistant Minister asked. ¡°Bring me paper, ink, and a brush,¡± Xu Xinnian replied calmly. At once, a clerk brought a small table andid out writing materials. Xu Xinnian, shackled hand and foot, stood by the table, dipped the brush in ink, and began to write vigorously. In a moment, the paper was filled with tiny characters. He pressed his ink-stained thumb on the page, tossed aside the brush, and said, ¡°Please review, my lord.¡± The Minister of the Criminal Court ordered it to be retrieved. ncing over it, his expression froze, his breathing grew heavy, and he abruptly tore up the paper, pointing at Xu Xinnian in fury. ¡°Administer punishment! Administer punishment at once!¡± The Assistant Magistrate hesitated¡ªthis wasn¡¯t the n. The prisoner hadn¡¯t lost hisposure, yet the minister had lost his. The officials present cast curious nces at the torn paper, wondering what Xu Xinnian could have written to provoke such anger from a dignified minister. ¡°Ah, the Deputy Minister sir agrees that this student can also speak nonsense?¡± Xu Xinnian sneered, spreading his hands. ¡°If I were to detail the time, ce, people, and exact events, with a fingerprint to seal it¡ªwould that prove I bribed some housekeeper? ¡°Then, Minister¡ªno, my dear son, hear you father out? What I your father did with your motherst night, I can also write out in every detail.¡± The officials exchanged looks, now understanding what might have been written on the torn paper. ¡°Punish him! Use all the instruments, I¡¯ll make him beg for death!¡± The Minister¡¯s face twisted with fury. A mere schr had dared insult histe mother, a lowly licentiate had the audacity to humiliate a fourth-ranked minister publicly. The Minister¡¯s blood surged to his face, his anger roiled like boiling water. ¡°Please calm yourself, Deputy Minister Sir. The Minister forbids the use of torture,¡± an official from the Ministry of Law whispered as he approached. ¡°Hmph!¡± The Minister took a sip of tea, forcing himself to control his anger but fell silent. The Assistant Magistrate coughed, assuming the lead. ¡°Xu Xinnian, did you engage in cheating?¡± Xu Xinnian¡¯s voice was firm. ¡°No. I have conducted myself with honour and integrity and have never engaged in cheating or fraud of any kind.¡± The Assistant Magistrate looked to the Sitianjian Arcanist present for verification. *This person is Master Xu¡¯s cousin, Master Xu hade to the Sitianjian today to inform us that anything Xu Xinnian said is true¡­* The Arcanist nodded. ¡°He is not lying.¡± The Assistant Magistrate continued, ¡°And the poem ¡®Ode to the difficult Road¡¯? Is that your own work?¡± Xu Xinnian straightened with pride. ¡°It was indeedposed by this student.¡± The Arcanist¡¯s voice was steady. ¡°No lies.¡± The Assistant Magistrate exchanged a look with the Minister of the Criminal Court and then said, ¡°This case isplicated. Shall we defer further examination?¡± The Deputy Minister nodded. ¡°Very well.¡± They exited the cell and moved to the side hall to discuss the case over tea. ¡°As expected, the Sitianjian is shielding Xu Xinnian,¡± the Deputy Minister muttered. The Assistant Magistrate smiled nomittally. The Constabry was maintaining a neutral stance in this examination scandal, simply observing the situation as it unfolded. ¡°We won¡¯t need the Sitianjian¡¯s assistance tomorrow,¡± the Minister said. ¡°Understood,¡± the Assistant Magistrate nodded. ¡­ The next day, the Assistant Magistrate of the Prefecture Constabry arrived at the Ministry of Law for the interrogation of Xu Xinnian, only to be summoned to meet Minister Sun. ¡°Please, take a seat,¡± Minister Sun said, smiling as he gestured. ¡°Your subordinate greets the minister sir.¡± The Assistant Magistrate saluted, then took his seat. Minister Sun took a sip of hot tea, savouring it before saying, ¡°The Emperor is greatly concerned about this case, and he has urged us repeatedly to uncover the truth as soon as possible. ¡°Now that Zhao Tingfang¡¯s steward has confessed, we only need to make Xu Xinnian speak, and the case will be closed. Don¡¯t you agree?¡± The Assistant Magistrate sat up straighter, though with some hesitation. ¡°But... if you do not wish to use torture, will Xu Xinnian confess?¡± Sun smiled calmly. ¡°Getting a confession does not always require torture.¡± The Assistant Magistrate appeared conflicted but understanding. Sun¡¯s smile softened. ¡°No need to rush. You may wish to discuss this with Magistrate Chen before proceeding.¡± --- The Assistant Magistrate returned to the Constabry to convey Sun¡¯s words to Magistrate Chen. Magistrate Chen responded without hesitation. ¡°Very well, let¡¯s do as Minister Sun suggests.¡± The Assistant Magistrate hesitated. ¡°My lord, this seems irregr. What if Xu Xinnian is innocent...¡± Magistrate Chen sneered from behind his desk. ¡°Whether Xu Xinnian is innocent is irrelevant. He¡¯s a minor figure. The higher-ups want ¡®evidence,¡¯ not the truth. ¡°With evidence, they¡¯ll have the advantage in court; with evidence, they¡¯ll have legitimacy. The Emperor himself will acknowledge their validity. Tomorrow, there¡¯ll be a show at court. ¡°If we refuse, this case will stagnate here¡ªand your position may not endure it.¡± The Assistant Magistrate nodded reluctantly. ¡°You have great insight, my lord.¡± Magistrate Chen shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s strange that Duke Wei hasn¡¯t made a move... Send Lyu Qing to the Nightwatcher¡¯s Constabry and hint to Xu Qi¡¯an about this development.¡± The Assistant Magistrate returned to the Ministry of Law and ryed Magistrate Chen¡¯s reply to Minister Sun. Minister Sun smiled, satisfied. ¡°Assistant Magistrate, after this case concludes, I¡¯ll be hosting a banquet at my residence. Several esteemed gentlemen wish to make your acquaintance.¡± ¡­ The following day, as dawn broke, the civil and military officials passed through the Meridian Gate in silence and orderly fashion to attend the morning court assembly. A quarter-hourter, Xu Qi¡¯an, wearing the attire of a Nightwatcher, walked slowly down the path, nked on his left by Huaiqing in a simple pce gown, as ethereal as a celestial from a painting. On his right was Lin¡¯an, in a fiery red dress, her allure captivating and her gaze mesmerising. ¡°How confident are you?¡± Huaiqing turned slightly to look at Xu Qi¡¯an. Xu Qi¡¯an nced at the horizon and murmured, ¡°Fifty-fifty.¡± --- [^1]: Third ce [^2]: From the *Art of War* Chapter 320: Alone Halting the Many Servants (Long) # 320. Alone Halting the Many Servants (Long) ¡°Fifty-fifty?¡± Lin''an batted her charming eyes and eximed in surprise, ¡°Running Dog, you sure are quite confident.¡± Then, with a quick, mischievous nce at Huaiqing, she scoffed, ¡°If you wanted to enter the pce, you could¡¯ve juste to me. Why bother bringing some irrelevant people along?¡± ¡°Growing bolder these days, I see.¡± Huaiqing nodded and stepped forward. Usually, Lin''an would jump in fright at this point, hop like a little rabbit, and make her escape. But this time, she stood her ground, proudly puffed out her small chest, put her hands on her hips, and boldly challenged Huaiqing with a crisp voice, ¡°So what? Did *we* say anything wrong?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an discreetly positioned himself between the two princesses, forcing a wry smile as he said, ¡°Your Highnesses, please don¡¯t quarrel. We¡¯re surrounded by outsiders. Let¡¯s not be aughing stock.¡± *Are you not an outsider yourself?* Huaiqing gave him a slight sideways nce. The statue-like Huaiqing, with her well-developed figure and ice-cold goddess-like demeanour, frowned slightly, realizing the rapidly intensifying rtionship between Silver Gong Xu Ningyan and Lin''an.For instance, when Xu Qi¡¯an intervened between them, he instinctively had his back to Lin''an, facing her instead¡ªa protective gesture toward the former. Not to mention, when they arrived together, Lin''an walked very close to Xu Ningyan, viting the etiquette typically observed between a princess and her subject. It was clear: Xu Ningyan was gradually gravitating toward Lin''an. This discovery stirred an inexplicable irritation within Huaiqing, leaving her feeling deeply unsettled. ¡°Didn¡¯t we ask you previously about your n for handling this case?¡± Huaiqing said. ¡°At the time, you refrained from answering because you weren¡¯t sure. But now, you¡¯ve taken all necessary steps, leaving sess to fate.¡± Redirecting the conversation to avoid any further quarrel, Xu Qi¡¯an saw he¡¯d caught the attention of both princesses. Smiling, he continued: ¡°At first, my concern was how to prove Eng¡¯s innocence, to show he hadn¡¯tmitted any fraud, and I racked my brain over it. Butter, I realised that his innocence doesn¡¯t even matter.¡± Xu Xinnian was simply a tool¡ªa pretext, or rather, a weapon wielded by the civil officials for political machinations. To put it inly, Xu Eng was the sacrificial pawn in a game of political strife. Therefore, the crux of the issue, the key to breaking the deadlock, lies in ¡®political strife.¡¯ Only by winning this battle can Eng hope for a fair trial. Otherwise, would an individual without any allies at court really have their innocence acknowledged? Huaiqing nodded slightly and said, ¡°What you need is an ally capable of prevailing in the court¡¯s power struggle. That¡¯s the challenge here. ¡°As a student of Cloud Deer Academy, he¡¯s destined to be a drifting weed without roots. It¡¯s already a blessing if the many officials don¡¯t kick him while he¡¯s down; there¡¯s no chance they¡¯d actively side with him. ¡°If Duke Wei were to intervene, even the neutral officials would get involved. No one wants to see Duke Wei aligning with Cloud Deer Academy. Prime Minister Wang likely wouldn¡¯t ignore such a move.¡± These underlying intricacies were clear to Huaiqing. The issue troubling her was the word ¡°ally.¡± Without Wei Yuan, how could Xu Qi¡¯an possibly identify a faction powerful enough to counter the Left Censor-in-Chief, Minister Sun, the Duke of Cao, and Deputy Minister Qin? All his confidence, at its core, rested on Wei Yuan alone. *In this game, the Emperor Yuanjing is merely the referee¡­ As long as he doesn¡¯t directly target Eng, I can still give it a shot¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought to himself. ¡­ The officials filed into the Jinluan Hall, maintaining silence. After a quarter of an hour, Emperor Yuanjing made his dyed entrance. With his jet-ck hair restored, the elderly emperor wore a simple Daoist robe, his long sleeves floating elegantly¡ªmore a Daoist than a sovereign. After the regr proceedings, Minister Sun of the Ministry of Law suddenly stepped forward and dered, ¡°Your Majesty, this subject has a petition to present.¡± In an instant, all eyes focused on the red-robed figure before them. The previously stagnant atmosphere within the court now surged with concealed currents, eddies swirling among the gathered officials. Ripples of tension swelled, passing between factions within the assembly. The pre-show had ended, the main event was about to begin. Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong and Deputy Minister Qin Yuandao, who had orchestrated this matter, straightened their postures, exuding an intense aura of resolve and confidence. The factions backing this cause¡ªsuch as the High Court Minister and his clique¡ªsmirked in anticipation, eager for the show to begin, but also eager to exact revenge on Xu Qi¡¯an and Wei Yuan. Prime Minister Zhao Tingfang¡¯s faction, isted and outnumbered, furrowed their brows. Under normal circumstances, they would be unperturbed by such provocations, unfazed by Deputy Minister Qin. However, now that the Deputy Minister had entered the court wielding ¡°momentum,¡± he bound the Prime Minister to the students of Cloud Deer Academy. To exonerate the Prime Minister would equate to clearing Xu Xinnian, pitting them against a formidable array of adversaries. Inside and out, the remaining neutral factions watched the scene unfold in tacit agreement, their stance naturally inclined toward Minister Sun of the Ministry of Law, not toward Cloud Deer Academy. ¡°My Lord, speak.¡± Emperor Yuanjing sat high on the dragon throne, his presence grand. ¡°Under Your Majesty¡¯s edict, your servant investigated the case of Prime Minister Zhao Tingfang epting bribes and leaking examination topics to Xu Xinnian. Today, the truth is clear, and the facts havee to light. The parties involved are three: Xu Xinnian, a student of Cloud Deer Academy; Prime Minister Zhao Tingfang; and his steward, who served as the intermediary. ¡°Furthermore, ording to Xu Xinnian¡¯s own ount, he became acquainted with the Prime Minister through his brother, Xu Qi¡¯an.¡± Minister Sun concluded his report. The corresponding testimony had already been presented to the emperor for review in advance. Anything discussed at court had its memorial submitted a day prior. Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong shifted slightly, his expression impassive as he cast a brief nce at Wei Yuan. The other officials also turned their gazes toward Wei Yuan, awaiting his response. Minister Sun¡¯s move was a bold y, directly dragging Wei Yuan into the fray, forcing him to engage rather than remain a bystander. ¡°Your Majesty, if your servant may speak.¡± Just then, an elderly censor with graying hair stepped forward¡ªnone other than Zhang Xingying, who had rendered meritorious service in Yunzhou. Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s response remained unchanged, his voice deep: ¡°Speak, my Lord.¡± Casting a quick nce at Minister Sun, Zhang Xingying dered loudly, ¡°Your Majesty, I wish to use the Minister of Law Sun Min, of abusing his authority to force confessions under torture. I request that Your Majesty order a trial by the Three Courts and reopen the examination fraud case.¡± This was a ssic tactic in the court: the stalling strategy! The final oue of this maneuver ultimately depends on the Emperor¡¯s will. ¡°Is that all?¡± Minister Sun sneered, retorting, ¡°This case was personallymanded by His Majesty, with joint oversight by both the Ministry of Law and the Prefecture Office. How could there be any forced confessions? ¡°Those three suspects are still detained. If there¡¯s any sign of forced confessions, His Majesty can have someone investigate.¡± The Emperor nodded slowly and, without sparing another nce at Censor Zhang, asked, ¡°My Lords, what do you think should be done about this case?¡± Zhang Xingying stood there, disheartened. Minister Sun nced back at Prefect Zhang, his gaze tinged with slight disdain. Was that weak rebuttal meant to signal surrender? At the same time, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of disappointment. The Emperor¡¯s stance was clear: stalling wouldn¡¯t work, but he also hadn¡¯t immediately passed judgment on the case. The Emperor was granting Wei Yuan and Zhao Tingfang¡¯s clique a chance to retaliate. But Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong, who had been eager to drag Wei Yuan into the fray, suddenly perked up and stepped forward, bowing. ¡°Your Majesty, your servant believes that this case is exceedingly severe. After days of scrutiny, the entire capital is aware, and students are seething with resentment, while themon folk are outraged. If we don¡¯t handle it strictly, we¡¯ll fail to appease the public.¡± At this moment, the High Court Minister stepped forward, shaking his head, ¡°But that Xu Qi¡¯an just performed meritorious deeds on behalf of our Sitianjian; we cannot simply discard him.¡± This was a deliberate attack on his character, intended to portray Xu Qi¡¯an as arrogant andcent because of his achievements¡ªsomething the Emperor couldn¡¯t ignore. If he didn¡¯t take action, it would only reinforce the idea of Xu Qi¡¯an as an unruly figure, setting a terrible example. Zhao Tingfang¡¯s clique immediately stepped forward to refute him. The other officials waited, astonished, when they realized Wei Yuan wasn¡¯t speaking up, nor did any of his censors raise their banners. Was he nning to abandon his trusted Xu Qi¡¯an? Thoughts raced through the minds of the officials as the winds began to shift. An official from the Ministry of Personnel stepped forward and cautiously spoke up: ¡°The High Court Minister¡¯s point is valid. This case must be handled severely and without leniency; otherwise, the court¡¯s authority, and Your Majesty¡¯s, will bepromised.¡± In an instant, officials from the Six Ministries began stepping forward to support the High Court Minister¡¯s view. Without yet voicing his opinion, Assistant Minister of War Qin Yuandao turned to look at the Duke of Cao. Now that the civil officials had taken a stance, the Duke of Cao, a noble of the highest rank, could intensify matters. If he added his support, the Emperor would have no reason to oppose such a powerful alliance just to defend a single academic. The Duke of Cao stepped forward, drawing the attention of the surrounding ministers and nobles. It was clear he¡¯d helped fuel the fires in the ¡°exam fraud scandal¡± and, by publicly supporting it, could now solidify the alliance. *If he acts on behalf of the nobles, Wei Yuan will find it nearly impossible to regain control of the situation¡ªan oue that might not matter much in terms of Xu Xinnian¡¯s fate, but it would sow an irreparable rift between Wei Yuan and Xu Qi¡¯an¡­ t*he ministers thought to themselves. Once the Duke of Cao was standing alongside Minister Sun, he bowed. ¡°Your Majesty, your servant believes that the Ministry of Law and the Prefecture Office have handled this case too hastily. Senior Academic Official Zhao Tingfang is known for his integrity; why would he ept bribes? ¡°Moreover, although Xu Xinnian is but a student, the Cloud Deer Academy has not seen a huiyuan in years. Handling this case so quickly¡ªwould the great schrs of the academy sit idly by?¡± In short, the Duke of Cao was saying that Xu Xinnian was a student that Cloud Deer Academy valued highly, and in dealing with him, they should consider the academy¡¯s position and proceed cautiously. Minister Sun¡¯s head turned slowly, disbelief etched on his face as he stared at the Duke of Cao. Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong and Assistant Minister of War Qin Yuandao¡¯s expressions shifted. Before filing their impeachment, the two had discussed this at length. the Duke of Cao had even taken the initiative to offer his support, throwing the nobles behind their cause. It was a carefully orchestrated alliance to strike together. At this moment, Yuan Xiong and Qin Yuandao felt the anger of someone ¡°betraying the revolution.¡± *How could this be!?* The many officials in the pce could not hide their shocked expressions, *the Duke of Cao has turned coat? Then what¡¯s the point of pushing the tide¡­* Stunned, the officials turned their gaze toward Wei Yuan. *When did Wei Yuan win the Duke of Cao over? What promise had he made?* Just then, Wei Yuan turned his head, visibly surprised as he nced at the Duke of Cao. *Wei Yuan seems surprised, does he not know either¡­* This subtle detail left the ministers even more puzzled. For a moment, the atmosphere in court grew tense, shrouded in intrigue. Most ministers fell silent, choosing to observe the situation as it unfolded. But the Assistant Minister of War could no longer hold back. He stepped forward and dered in a solemn voice: ¡°Your Majesty, the Duke of Cao¡¯s remarks are deeply concerning. If we go easy on Xu Xinnian simply because he is a student of Cloud Deer Academy, what would the schrs of the Imperial Academy think? What would all the schrs across the nation think? ¡°Long ago, Emperor Wenzu established the Imperial Academy, expelling Cloud Deer Academy students from the court. Why? Because Cloud Deer schrs defied the throne and disrupted thew. ¡°Lesser Sage Cheng engraved a monument at Cloud Deer Academy, bearing the words, ¡®Serve with loyalty and righteousness, honour the Emperor with heroic deeds that will echo through the ages.¡¯ It was to instruct future generations on how to be loyal and patriotic. ¡°Are any of you willing to let Emperor Wenzu¡¯s helplessness repeat itself?¡± The Emperor narrowed his eyes, his cid demeanour giving way to that of a ruler wielding power. Impressive! Minister Sun and the High Court Minister smirked slightly. This clever twist of the narrative drew a line through the court, with Imperial Academy schrs on one side and Cloud Deer Academy on the other. A conflict of doctrines¡ªhow to choose? Now, any official who spoke for Xu Xinnian would have to consider their own standing, contemting whether their words would alienate them from the court and the officials. Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong almost chuckled with satisfaction. This move would force Wei Yuan¡¯s hand, as only he¡ªa non-schr¡ªcould tackle this without concern for academic allegiances. If Wei Yuan was drawn into the fray, how would Prime Minister Wang respond? And what of the neutral civil officials? Dragging Wei Yuan into the mess and then crushing him with momentum, forcing him to concede and surrender control of the Censorate, was a key part of Yuan Xiong¡¯s recent ns. ¡°Hmph!¡± Just then, a cold huff filled with boundless fury rang out in the hall. Everyone turned toward the sound, only to see it was the usually unremarkable King Yu, who strode forward wearing his dark yellow, dragon-patterned robe. His face was grim, with grey at his temples and deep crow¡¯s feet etched around his eyes, lending him an exceptionally aged appearance. Seeing King Yu step forward, the fervour in Assistant Minister of War Qin Yuandao¡¯s heart instantly sank. ¡°Two hundred years ago, not once did we hear of a Cloud Deer Academy schr attempting to harm a princess. Is this the ¡®loyalty and patriotism¡¯ preached by you schrs from the Imperial Academy?¡± King Yu rebuked loudly, ¡°Hypocrites!¡± He then turned to Emperor Yuanjing and bowed. ¡°Your Majesty, as for the truth behind the examination scandal, your servant-brother cares not. I simply believe that the Ministry of Law officials are a disgrace, wallowing in ipetence. ¡°If they knew how to handle cases, would my poor Pingyang have died with such greviance? If not for the Nightwatcher¡¯s Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s thorough investigation, her injustice might have remained buried to this day. ¡°This scandal is of grave consequence; I hope Your Majesty orders a retrial, jointly handled by the Three Courts and the Nightwatchers.¡± Emperor Yuanjing frowned, momentarily silent. King Yu immediately burst into tears. ¡°Your Majesty, my poor Pingyang¡­¡± *Shameless!* Minister Sun of the Ministry of Law, the Minister of the High Court, Left Censor-in-Chief, the Assistant Minister of War, and others turned pale. The case of Princess Pingyang¡¯s death was a sensitive issue between the civil officials and Emperor Yuanjing. The Assistant Minister of War had informed Emperor Yuanjing of the unruliness of Cloud Deer Academy schrs. Now, King Yu was suggesting that Imperial Academy schrs also harbor treacherous intentions toward the royal family¡ªand would act on them. Wei Yuan smiled inwardly. The fact that that kid could seek King Yu¡¯s help was expected. But as to the reason why the Duke of Cao switched sides, although he had a vague guess, he could not confirm it yet. Xu Ningyan mightck experience in factional struggles, but his keen insight saw the situation clearly. At this moment, the Duke of Cao and the other nobility chimed in, standing faintly opposed to the civil officials. Prime Minister Wang watched coldly but was secretly taken aback. Even he hadn¡¯t anticipated that the situation would pit the nobles directly against the civil officials. the Duke of Cao and King Yu were not allies, and neither were these two aligned with Wei Yuan, but their joint stand was an undeniable fact. *Who was manipting events from the shadows?* This hidden strategist seemed to have a clear grasp of their opponents and was able to devise strategies, aligning with forces capable of countering their adversaries. *King Yu¡­ the case of Princess Pingyang¡­ Could it be him?* A guess shed through the Prime Minister¡¯s mind, and his expression subtly changed before returning to normal. The situation had taken a drastic turn, and Minister Sun¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Should a retrial proceed and the Nightwatchers join in, all their efforts and schemes would be for naught. It would lead to protracted disputes and a deadlock. While Xu Xinnian might be barred from participating in the final pce examination, who cared if a mere huiyuan missed it? Minister Sun, a core figure of the Wang Clique, repeatedly cast pleading looks at the Prime Minister. *Big brother, what are you doing? We¡¯re on the front lines, fighting for our lives, while you¡¯re saying nothing back there?* The Prime Minister noted Minister Sun¡¯s look and frowned. From his perspective, the oue of the case mattered little. Firstly, Wei Yuan hadn¡¯t intervened; secondly, Xu Xinnian couldn¡¯t represent the entirety of Cloud Deer Academy. If he became troublesome, he could simply be reassigned to a remote corner. But Minister Sun, as a key figure of the Wang Clique, had waded into the fray. If he stood by silently, it would damage morale. Such were the inevitable entanglements of cliques. Oftentimes, one was simply not at liberty to act. ¡°Your Majesty, your servant has a method to quickly resolve this case,¡± the Prime Minister stepped forward, bowing as he slowly suggested. ¡°As for whether Grand Academician Zhao Tingfang leaked the questions, we need only test Xu Xinnian. Your Majesty can summon him here and examine him in poetry in front of the lord at court. ¡°If his famous ¡®Ode to the Difficult Road¡¯ was truly his own work, we shall see it immediately. And as for hisprehension of the ssics, with the final examination approaching, Your Majesty can determine his true talents after reviewing his essays personally. ¡°If he is indeed a fraud, then it confirms both the leak and the corruption. He should be severely punished.¡± Emperor Yuanjing looked at the Prime Minister for a moment, then smiled. ¡°Well reasoned. We shall follow my Lord¡¯s advice.¡± Minister Sun and the others smiled broadly. Though the Prime Minister¡¯s words seemed impartial, his stance was clear. Having the emperor himself test Xu Xinnian¡¯s poetry skills would require him topose verse before the officials. In the entire nation, only Xu Qi¡¯an, the ¡°Poetry Champion,¡± was capable of such a feat. If Xu Xinnian couldn¡¯t pass this test, how could he face the pce exam? King Yu immediately argued, ¡°Your Majesty, this approach is too hasty. Such a legendary work could not be produced at will.¡± Zhang Xingying quickly agreed. Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiongughed and said, ¡°The constraints of time apply just the same on an examination. If Huiyuan Xu could create one such masterpiece, why can he notpose a second?¡± ¡°King Yu¡¯s argument is wed. Xu Xinnian¡¯s ability to produce timeless work demonstrates his prowess in poetry. When heposes another verse here, the truth will be in for all to see.¡± ¡°Your Majesty, this is an excellent approach.¡± The Six Chambers¡¯ officials first voiced their support, followed closely by the rest of the civil officials. the Duke of Cao remained silent; he had only agreed to ensure a light punishment for Xu Xinnian, not to exonerate him. King Yu¡¯s expression darkened as he prepared to continue his protest, but Emperor Yuanjing waved him off. ¡°Our decision is made, King Yu. You need not speak further.¡± ¡­ A stick of incenseter, a guard, d in armor, stepped into the Golden Hall and respectfully announced, ¡°Your Majesty, Xu Xinnian has been brought.¡± The previously tense atmosphere suddenly became animated, and the court officials straightened, their spirits revived. Emperor Yuanjing nodded, his voice stern, ¡°Bring him in.¡± The guard withdrew, and a few minutester, the spring examination¡¯s top scorer, Xu Xinnian, dressed in prison garb and possessing strikingly refined features, entered the hall. Slowly, he walked down the scarlet carpetid out between the assembled officials, advancing toward Emperor Yuanjing. *This¡­ Is this the famed Jinluan Hall?* *Is this where the court officials hold their morning discussions?* *Why was I summoned here¡­?* A cascade of questions swirled through Xu Xinnian¡¯s mind as excitement surged within him, his hands and feet trembling slightly with anticipation. In a low murmur, he cast a calming buff upon himself. ¡°Remain unshaken before andslide!¡± In an instant, Xu Eng¡¯s heart stilled like undisturbed water, calm and unwavering, his gaze unclouded as though he held the gathered officials in no regard. He bowed deeply. ¡°Student Xu Xinnian greets Your Majesty.¡± The guard stepped forward at once. ¡°Your Majesty, his identity has been verified.¡± The Emperor Yuanjing scrutinized the young man with a face so striking it defied reason, giving a slight nod as he spoke in a deep tone: "We ask you¡ªdid the Grand Academician of the Eastern Pavilion ept bribes to leak the examination questions to you?" Xu Xinnian raised his voice, dering, "Your Majesty, I am innocent!" Ignoring his plea, the Emperor interrupted in an indifferent tone, "We will give you one chance. If you wish to prove your innocence,pose a poem here in Jinluan Hall. I shall personally choose the topic. Xu Xinnian, do you dare?" *I don''t dare, I don''t dare...* Xu Xinnian''s face paled slightly. He hadn''t expected that, after being brought to Jinluan Hall, he would face such a challenge. "Ode to the Difficult Road" had been ghostwritten by his elder brother, not his own creation. Although he had changed two words, and could still proudly im, "This poem is mine," being asked topose another one on the spot¡ªhe simply wasn''t capable. *To pull off something like that would require a saintly presence¡­* Inwardly, Xu Xinnian felt utter despair, even considering confessing everything and hoping the court would show leniency. But reason reminded him that if he admitted "Ode to the Difficult Road" wasn''t his work, he would be dragged into a chasm with no escape. *What should I do, what should I do? Is this first time in Jinluan Hall really myst?* He fully grasped now the peril and intrigue of officialdom. *Big Brother, what should I do¡­* Xu Xinnian''s expression, the changes in hisplexion¡ªeverything was visible to the watching officials and to the Emperor. Minister Sun''s eyes shed with satisfaction. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s poem had once nailed him to the pir of shame, but now the tide had turned, and it was time for payback. Qin Yuandao, Assistant Minister of War, exhaled silently, feeling that the oue was certain. With Zhao Tingfang toppled, his next step would be to manoeuvre for the Eastern Pavilion academic position. With the Cab under Prime Minister Wang, and Minister Sun being a core member of the Wang Clique, it was all but assured. Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong cast a nce toward Wei Yuan, frustrated by hisck of intervention. Although it dampened his ns, losing one of Wei Yuan¡¯s valuable aides wasn¡¯t aplete loss. *Things have reallye to this¡­* Wei Yuan sighed inwardly. Initially, he thought Xu Xinnian¡¯s involvement in the examination scandal was manageable. Later, when Xu Qi¡¯an confessed to ghostwriting the poem, Wei Yuan advised him: Seek leniency in sentencing. It was a fatal w. *Xu Ningyan seems to have something else up his sleeve; he hasn¡¯t said so, but I can feel it¡­* Wei Yuan spected, but had no clue how Xu Xinnian would handleposing a poem on the spot. From his high seat, Emperor Yuanjing gazed down at Xu Xinnian, his voice stern and solemn, "Do you not dare?" Gulping, Xu Xinnian swallowed his nerves. Whether he stepped forward or stepped back, he would face the de either way. Gritting his teeth, he dered, "Your Majesty, please assign the topic." The Emperor''s smile was faint as he said calmly, "Loyalty and sacrifice to serve one''s ruler¡ªyes,pose a poem on ''Loyalty and Patriotism.'' You have one incense stick''s worth of time." Hearing the Emperor¡¯s topic, Minister Sun and several others couldn¡¯t help but smirk. The Emperor knew that Xu Xinnian was a schr of Cloud Deer Academy, yet he chose such a topic¡ªclearly, it was intentional. Moreover, the great works on loyalty and patriotism throughout history were often written in times of national crisis. In times of peace, few memorable works had beenposed on this theme. It was a challenging topic! *A poem on loyalty and patriotism¡­* Xu Xinnian stood there, stiff and motionless. On that fateful day, his brother had drawn two topics, one on "Aspirations," the other on "Patriotism." The aspiration-themed poem had served him well in the metropolitan exam, securing him the title of huiyuan. So, the poem on patriotism had remained unused. He never imagined that the Emperor¡¯s topic would match so precisely¡ªa poem on loyalty and patriotism. *Could it be¡­ Could it be that¡­ His Majesty and my elder brother have conspired together? Otherwise, how could such a coincidence ur?* The Emperor''s impassive gaze fell upon the Spring Examinations'' Huiyuan. Observation was a skill the Emperor had mastered since his princely days. Xu Xinnian¡¯s expressions, his eyes¡ªall revealed his inner fear and despair, rendering him as motionless as wood. King Yu, having walked a simr path as a young prince, cleared his throat and spoke solemnly, "Your Majesty¡­" "King Yu!" Qin Yuandao, Assistant Minister of War, interrupted loudly, saying, "The time for one incense stick is limited; don''t distract Xu Xinnian. The officials are all waiting." King Yu''s face darkened. The expressions of the officials varied¡ªsome looked worried, others amused, some smiled coldly, and others watched indifferently. In the midst of this silence, Xu Xinnian suddenly raised his voice, dering, ¡°No need for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. This student thanks His Majesty for granting him the chance. My elder brother, Xu Qi¡¯an, is the Empire¡¯s foremost poet andposes verses at the snap of a finger. "Naturally, I won''t disgrace him." *Hmm?!* The sudden confidence took the court by surprise, from the Emperor down to the officials and King Yu. Then, in a sonorous and rhythmic voice, he recited: ¡°*ck clouds weigh on crumbling walls, The sh of armour like golden scale.*¡± With that short line, the minds of all were drawn to a vivid image of battle¡ªa relentless enemy, like dark clouds, looming over the city; atop the walls, soldiers stood at the ready, their armour glinting in the sunlight. Xu Xinnian looked back, his gaze sweeping over the gathered officials as he recited: ¡°*The sound of horns cry o''er autumn ins, Blood on the fortress making purple trails.*¡±[^1] The noblemen stood stunned. Though this schr had never seen a battlefield, how did he describe it so intimately, so strikingly? ¡°*Red banners half-furled o''er the River Yi, The heavy frost making drum-beats fail.*¡± "What a line, ''The heavy frost making drum-beats fai!'' This takes me back to my days guarding the borders, swathed in iron and blood," eximed the Marquess of Weihai, entranced in the imagery. The other nobles, too, were lost in the magic of the verse. The civil officials, on the other hand, frowned, ncing disdainfully at the crude warriors who interrupted the poem with their exmations. Minister Sun looked to Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong, who nced at Assistant Minister of War Qin Yuandao, whose face darkened as he turned to the Minister of the High Court. The four exchanged silent nces, their hearts sinking. The High Court Minister said gravely, ¡°This poem¡­ is indeed quite fine, but what does it have to do with loyalty to the sovereign? You merely write about war and the battlefield. A Huiyuan who cannot even align his work with the given theme¡ªwhat else can this be but cheating?¡± ¡°Precisely!¡± Qin Yuandao echoed loudly. Ignoring them, Xu Xinnian turned sharply, bowed to Emperor Yuanjing, and spoke in a resounding voice that filled the hall: ¡°*For the Emperor''s grace atop the golden tower, With dragon-sword in hand, I wee death''s veil!*¡± The High Court Minister¡¯s breath caught as he stared, feeling an invisible p across his face; anger red within him. Minister Sun and others, faces dark with fury, veins bulging, shared a simr reaction. ¡°For the Emperor''s grace atop the golden tower, With dragon-sword in hand, I wee death''s veil¡­¡± Emperor Yuanjing savoured these words, his expression slowly turning into a broad smile, his heart brimming with satisfaction. ¡°Excellent poem, excellent poem. A worthy Huiyuan, and as expected of the talent who wrote ¡®Ode to the Difficult Road¡¯.¡± His tone and expression left no doubt¡ªHis Majesty was in excellent spirits. Pausing, Emperor Yuanjing asked, ¡°But tell me, what does this ¡®golden tower¡¯ mean?¡± *The golden tower¡­ must be a high tower d in gold¡­* Xu Xinnian bowed and offered his interpretation. ¡°In my loyalty to Your Majesty, I am willing to give my life; not only a golden tower, but even a jade one would be within my grasp.¡± Emperor Yuanjing nodded slowly, his smile deepening. ¡°Well said. The court has always been clear on matters of rewards and punishment, and we have never wronged those who serve us well. We, too, abide by this.¡± He continued, ¡°Huiyuan Xu¡¯s poetic talent is not inferior to his brother¡¯s. The work *Ode to the Difficult Road* is indeed your own. As for your essays and thesis, we will personally review them during the pce examination. Do not disappoint us. ¡°Should you ce within the second ss, we are prepared to appoint you to the Hanlin Academy as a Junior Schr.¡± The Hanlin Academy, also known as the ¡°nurturing ground of prime ministers,¡± granted even a junior schr, albeit lower than a first-ss schr, qualifications for future entry into the cab¡ªone of the most esteemed positions of the court. Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang, one ncing to the left and the other to the right, simultaneously nced at Xu Xinnian. Xu Xinnian, relieved, suppressed his joy and replied, ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty.¡± Emperor Yuanjing dered, ¡°We are weary. Court dismissed.¡± It was over. The cheating scandal surrounding the imperial examination hade to a near-conclusive end. Unless Xu Xinnian performed poorly in the imperial examination, an unlikely prospect given his standing as a student of Cloud Deer Academy and the top scorer in the metropolitan exams, this scandal would have no further repercussions. The key factor was that His Majesty appeared to appreciate the young schr, which was the crux of the matter. The assembly, with faces full of mixed emotions, did not expect the case to conclude this way. *Trying to catch the thief but losing face in the end¡­* Minister Sun¡¯s expression soured. After the pce examination concludes, the case will be officially closed, and opportunists were bound to pounce on him for abuse of power and nder. The members of the Six Ministries, the Supervisory Offices, and other high-ranking officials felt a collective sense of disappointment and dissatisfaction. This discontent only heightened when they heard Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s promise to admit Xu Xinnian into the Hanlin Academy. *What qualifies a student of Cloud Deer Academy to enter the Hanlin Academy?* In the two hundred years since the founding of the Imperial Academy, such a precedent was unheard of. The ministers inside the hall, as well as the officials outside, dispersed withplex emotions. Crossing the wide za, they saw a Silver Gong standing by the main gate, leaning on his de. He faced the meridian gate, facing the many servants. Princess Huaiqing and Princess Lin¡¯an stood at a distance, not standing beside Xu Qi¡¯an. On one side were hundreds of resplendently dressed officials, wielding real power in the capital. On the other was a lone, uncouth Silver Gong, a Nightwatcher. One man blocked the path of the most powerful group in the kingdom. The officials took notice of this lone Silver Gong, recognising him at once¡ªno one among them was unfamiliar with his identity. *What does he want to do* *Did this coarse man want to unt his triumph, to show off?* The Ministers of the Six Departments, their deputies, the Supervisors of the Six Offices, the members of the royal family, the nobles¡­ one by one, their gazes fell upon Xu Qi¡¯an, scrutinising him. *A mere brutish warrior dares to stand in our way?* One man, one de, stood at the meridian gate, halting the many servants. Xu Qi¡¯an met the gaze of the assembled officials, his eyes sweeping over all of them. Then, he let out a derisiveugh, drew a deep breath, and intoned with a voice as resonant as thunder: ¡°Though your bodies and names may perish, the rivers and mountains will endure for eternity¡­ *pah!*¡± He spat heavily on the ground, lifted his de, and walked away at a steady pace. Scorn for them all! Inside and outside the meridian gate, there was sudden, deathly silence. --- [^1]: Li He¡¯s *As a Commander of Yanmen Pass* (Tang dynasty) Chapter 321: Taking a Disciple # 321. Taking a Disciple Inside and outside the Meridian Gate, a deathly silence reigned. Hundreds of officials seemed collectively struck dumb, their ears still echoing with the biting sarcasm of that one line of poetry. Only the literati among them could truly grasp the how sharp the ridicule contained in that verse was, a barb aimed straight at their heart. Schrs do not fear being insulted, nor do they fear arguments; some even revel in seeing arguments as a path to understanding, priding themselves on the exchange. Those of lower rank enjoy quarreling with higher-ranked officials, while renowned schrs seek out arguments with those of equal standing¡ªand sometimes even the emperor. When the emperor loses his temper, they would point at him and say, ¡°Look, look, he¡¯s lost hisposure¡­¡± Among them, the supervising secretaries excelled in this art. Yet schrs, particrly those in high office, fear being condemned by three things. First, by historical records. Second, by essays. Third, by poetry.For these three touch upon what schrs value most: their reputation. Their reputation now and after death. ¡°Though your bodies and names may perish, the rivers and mountains will endure for eternity¡­¡± This was a condemnation aimed at the heart, one no schr could endure without pain. It was a verseden with venomous scorn, cruelly given. At that moment, hundreds of officials felt blood rush to their faces, experiencing the sting of humiliation. It was not just the verse itself but also the fact that the one insulting this gathering of schrs was none other than a lowly nightwatcher. Only after the figure with the short cloak and upright bearing had walked some distance did an official, voice trembling, speak: ¡°Arrogant knave! Wretched, uncouth boor¡­ How dare he disgrace us so! Honored officials, is this not intolerable? Summon the troops and strike down this dog at once!¡± The speaker was Yuan Xiong, the Left Censor-in-Chief. With all his schemes unravelling, his mood had plummeted into an abyss, and he felt like a powder keg ready to explode. The deliberate insult from Xu Qi¡¯an outside the Meridian Gate drove a searing pain into his heart. Yuan Xiong felt that Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s verse was aimed at him personally, determined to nail him to the pir of shame. The next to lose hisposure was Qin Yuandao, Deputy Minister of War. In a rage, he strode forward a few steps, shouting harshly: ¡°Guards! Where are the guards? Seize that dog who dares disgrace the officials of the court! This officialmands you to stop him!¡± But unfortunately, the guards of the Inner Pce only took orders from Emperor Yuanjing, not even the princesses or princes couldmand them. Minister Sun felt aplex surge of emotions. He was furious, of course, but he also experienced a faint sense of relief, knowing that Xu Qi¡¯an hadn¡¯t singled anyone out by name. He had nailed them all to the pir of shame together, spreading the insult so that no one¡¯s humiliation felt quite as piercing. Minister Sun couldn¡¯t quite understand why he felt this way, but he hadn¡¯t read Lu Xun¡¯s books, after all. ¡°Wei Gong has truly nurtured a capable subordinate.¡± Prime Minister Wang smirked, his toneced with sarcasm. Even someone asposed as Prime Minister Wang couldn¡¯t help but feel stung; the verse¡¯s impact was a testament to its power. Officials all around red at Wei Yuan, demanding an exnation with their eyes. Wei Yuan, as if just realising what had happened, calmly responded, ¡°What¡¯s thismotion for, my lords? Have you all taken it personally?¡± ¡­The officials froze, feeling as if Wei Yuan had just turned the tables on them with a casual remark. ¡°But¡­ how should this be recorded in the historical records?¡± murmured a young schr from the Hanlin Academy. No sooner had the words left his mouth than several officials turned to stare at him with a look that seemed to say: Did all your reading dull your wits? The Hanlin schr shrank back and said, ¡°Such a trivial matter is hardly worthy of the annals.¡± Wei Yuan replied tly, ¡°The court has adjourned. It is improper to gather at the Meridian Gate. I suggest we disperse.¡± With that, he led the way out. After walking a short distance, Wei Yuan could no longer hide the smile tugging at his lips and let out a small, schadenfreude-filled chuckle. After leaving the pce gates and entering his carriage, Wei Yuan, in high spirits, recounted the events at the Meridian Gate to his effeminate adoptive son, Nangong Qianrou, who was driving. Nangong Qianrou chuckled, ¡°Father, weren¡¯t you also among the officials at that time?¡± Wei Yuan¡¯s smile gradually faded from his face. Outside the Meridian Gate, Princesses Huaiqing and Lin¡¯an remained, watching the backs of the officials as they dispersed. ¡°Though your bodies and names may perish, the rivers and mountains will endure for eternity¡­¡± Huaiqing murmured, her eyes fixed on the officials¡¯ retreating forms, but her thoughts were on the upright figure of Xu Qi¡¯an, leaving with his de in hand. Xu Ningyan was different from usual martial artists. He understood exactly how to strike at someone¡¯s most vulnerable point, wielding the sharpest attack against his enemies without putting himself in danger. To strike at the heart with poetry, hitting schrs where it hurt¡ªthis was a skill unique to Xu Ningyan. ¡°Running dog was truly awe-inspiring¡­¡± murmured Princess Lin¡¯an. In her mind, there was only one image: that of her running dog, with a lightly said verse, making the civil and military officials fly into a rage yet remain helpless. To Lin¡¯an, not even her father could achieve such a feat. Her father could wield his power to oppress others, but he could not do so with the effortless grace of Xu Qi¡¯an. Her alluring peach blossom eyes sparkled with pride as she straightened her chest, managing to rival Huaiqing for a rare moment. ¡­ In the pce, Emperor Yuanjing, having concluded the morning court, sat with a Daoist scripture in hand, listening silently as the old eunuch reported everything that had happened at the Meridian Gate. ¡°What boldness,¡± Emperor Yuanjingughed, his tone somewhere between praise and ridicule. However, the old eunuch could sense one thing with certainty: Emperor Yuanjing was aware of Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s brashness, yet he had no intention of punishing him. The old eunuch could guess the emperor¡¯s thoughts. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s actions aligned him more closely with the path of a lone minister, walking the road once taken by Wei Yuan. And a lone minister was often the emperor¡¯s most trusted. A talented young man, capable and gifted, was far more useful as a lone minister than if he were to curry favour, forming cliques wherever he went. ¡°Though your bodies and names may perish, the rivers and mountains will endure for eternity!¡± Emperor Yuanjingughed heartily, an amused expression crossing his face, ¡°What fine verse! Our Great Feng¡¯s premier poet indeed! Great Steward, ry our order to the Hanlin Academy to record this event in the annals¡ªWe will review it Ourselves.¡± This was His Majesty¡¯s revenge on the schrs of the Hanlin Academy. Both poems by the Xu brothers had greatly pleased His Majesty. The old eunuch took his leave. ¡°Though your bodies and names may perish, the rivers and mountains will endure for eternity¡­¡± Emperor Yuanjing murmured the verse again, his expression shifting, as the longing for immortality burned even more intensely within him. ¡­ At lunchtime, Chu Yuanzhen listened as an old friend recounted the events in court, particrly the scene where Xu Ningyan, standing alone with his sabre, confronted the officials and mocked them with poetry. *This¡­ so this is how he broke the deadlock... To pit the military nobles against the civil officials¡ªan interesting approach, but incredibly difficult to execute. How did Xu Ningyan and Number Three pull this off? Indeed, those two are true brothers, with an extraordinary talent for poetry.* *It¡¯s unfortunate that Number Three¡¯s wings haven¡¯t fully grown yet. His rank is still low, far beneath that of his cousin, Xu Qi''an. Otherwise, he would surely have been among those who entered the tomb. But, considering how weakened the Confucian system has be, it makes sense that Number Three''s rank remains low.* Chu Yuanzhen gave a word of praise for the poem Number Three recited in court, then let the matter drop. Though it was a fine piece, he found the final line unsatisfactory. In contrast, Xu Ningyan¡¯s mocking verse stirred his blood, inspiring him to down three cups of wine in quick session. ¡°I¡¯ve long wanted to curse those idle seat-warmers. But s, poetry isn¡¯t my forte. Xu Ningyan truly deserves to be called the Great Feng¡¯s Prime Poet¡ªhis words cut to the bone.¡± Chu Yuanzhenughed heartily. Feeling ted, he had an urge to seek out Xu Ningyan for drinks and revelry, but, mindful of the work Xu Ningyan still had to handle from his cousin¡¯s examination fraud case, he held back. ... Wang Manor. Wang Simu, who had been following the case closely, gathered information through her own channels about the fierce sh in court that morning and about the mocking verse recited at the Meridian Gate. ¡°I knew it. Huiyuan Xu is unmatched in talent¡ªhow could he possibly cheat in the imperial exams? Hmm, and his cousin, Xu Ningyan, went even further, working behind the scenes to gain the support of the Duke of Cao and King Yu, securing the backing of the court¡¯s nobles for Huiyuan Xu. ¡°That¡¯s quite an impressivework. I¡¯m also pleasantly surprised that Wei Yuan didn¡¯t intervene. He remained a bystander from start to finish. This way, Huiyuan Xu avoids being branded as a eunuch¡¯s ally, which will have asting impact on his future.¡± *Of course, that¡¯s also a benefit to me...* Miss Wang smiled sweetly. Beside her, her maid Lan¡¯er listened with feigned attentiveness, although she was thoroughly confused. ¡°Lan¡¯er, go to the Xu residence and arrange for Huiyuan Xu to... No, that would seem too forward, as if I were seeking credit,¡± Miss Wang shook her head, dismissing the idea. She thought to herself that remaining silent would better demonstrate her poise and foresight. Rushing to im credit might make her seem petty in the eyes of the Xu family¡¯s matriarch. Between wise people, one didn¡¯t need to be too obvious¡ªunderstanding each other¡¯s intentions was enough. ... At the Sitianjian. As Yang Qianhuan passed by the alchemy room on the seventh floor, he overheard his junior disciples discussing the events in court that morning. Normally, he paid no attention to such matters, dismissing them as trivial, but upon hearing ¡°Xu Ningyan,¡± he slowed his steps. His instincts told him that this might be another chance to expand his knowledge. ¡°Master Xu¡¯s poem was truly satisfying! I¡¯d say it¡¯s the first mocking verse of its kind in centuries.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t exaggerate, but yes, it was very refreshing. Especially when he stood at the Meridian Gate, saying it to everyone¡¯s faces...¡± *A poem? What poem?* Yang Qianhuan moved closer, his voice low. ¡°What are you all talking about?¡± The alchemists in white were startled,ining, ¡°Senior Brother Yang, you always sneak up like that. It¡¯s terrifying!¡± Ignoring them, Yang Qianhuan pressed on. ¡°What did Xu Ningyan do this time? One man blocking the entire court at the Meridian Gate? The first mocking verse in history?¡± The alchemists exined the events of the day to him. Yang Qianhuan stood frozen as if struck by lightning. A vision formed in his mind: as the officials left the court, they were halted by a lone figure in white standing at the Meridian Gate, blocking their path. Outraged, they berated him for his audacity. The white-d arcanist ignored their insults, and then, with a booming voice, he recited, ¡°Though your bodies and names may perish, the rivers and mountains will endure for eternity.¡± The civil and military officials were left speechless, dumbfounded on the spot. As he pictured this, Yang Qianhuan felt an electric current course through him, his body trembling with excitement, goosebumps rising from his neck to his arms. *Why... why is it always Xu Ningyan, achieving one feat after another that others can only envy? Standing alone against four hundred rebels in Yunzhou, dueling with the Buddhist monks before thousands... It¡¯s too unfair, too unfair.* *When is the next court assembly? I... I have to be at the Meridian Gate. I must go.* ... At noon, at the Jiaofangsi. Xu Qi''an and Fuxiang sat across from each other, sipping tea. He recounted the events in court, including Xu Xinnian¡¯s patriotic poem and his own cutting verse at the Meridian Gate. As a lover of poetry, Fuxiang was captivated, especially by Xu Qi''an¡¯s stand against the court officials. Her eyes glistened with admiration. ¡°I need you to do something for me. Spread the news about today¡¯s court events.¡± With that, Xu Qi''an made his request. The Jiaofangsi was the most efficient and swift way to disseminate information. ¡°And what reward does my dear Sir Xu n to offer me?¡± Fuxiang didn¡¯t refuse, her gaze steady and longing as she looked at Xu Qi''an. Her affection for him was in as day. Half an hourter, Xu Qi''an visited Mingyan, Xiaoya, and other well-known oiran, asking them to share today¡¯s events in court during their tea gatherings. Then, he mounted his mare and rode home. The fraud scandal in the imperial examinations was a devastating blow to Xu Xinnian¡¯s reputation. With deliberate spreading, now all of the capital¡¯s schrs andmoners alike believed that Xu Xinnian had won the top schr title through dishonest means. This impression would take root over time, and once it solidified, even if the courtter proved his innocence, it would be difficult to reverse public perception. Moreover, the scandal wasn¡¯t over yet; in five days, the pce examination would take ce. Xu Qi''an had to guard against Minister Sun and his allies, who might make a desperate move on the eve of the examination. For instance, they might incite the students of the Imperial Academy to cause a disturbance. If public opinion could be turned around quickly, the students of the Imperial Academy would have no justified cause, and any nned trouble would amount to nothing. When everyone knows that Xu Xinnian was wronged, even if you pretend not to notice, you won¡¯t gain the support or approval of the people. Whether in war or in strategy, the ancients valued just cause. *The favor from King Yu has been used up, but it was worth it. Fortunately, King Yu long abandoned his ambition for fame and gain; otherwise, he might not have supported me¡­ As for the Duke of Cao, I still owe him the promised benefits. Given the forces of a duke and the deputy general under the Zhenbei King, reneging on my word would surely backfire on me¡­* *It¡¯s highly likely the Zhenbei King is unaware of this scheme¡ªit¡¯s a n devised by his deputy general and the Duke of Cao. But as a mere Silver Gong, even if the Zhenbei King found out, he wouldn¡¯t me his deputy. Besides, the Buddhist¡¯s Vajra Invincibility technique would tempt even a high-ranked warrior. After all, it enhances one¡¯s defences and, at advanced levels, might even push one¡¯sbat ability to new heights. There¡¯s no reason he wouldn¡¯t covet it* *So, I¡¯ll have to deliver on my promises. But perhaps¡­ I¡¯ll write the Nine Yin Manual in reverse¡­*[^1] ¡­ After dusk, a joyful atmosphere filled the Xu family dining table. Auntie enthusiastically served Xu Xinnian and Xu Qi''an, treating them both as if they were her own sons. Of course, this attitude wouldn¡¯tst long. Inevitably, when her nephew exasperated her again, Auntie would recall her old grievances, and things would return to normal. But at this moment, Auntie¡¯s gratitude was as genuine as 24-karat gold. Xu Lingyue enjoyed the warmth of this family atmosphere, her admiration for her elder brother deepening. Her lively eyes lingered on Xu Qi''an. ¡°Uh, I have something to say.¡± Lina swallowed her food and, with an unusually serious expression, looked at Xu Qi''an and Second Uncle Xu. ¡°What is it?¡± Xu Qi''an asked as he ate. Second Uncle lifted his wine cup, took a sip, and nced at the dark-skinned girl from the Southern Marches out of the corner of his eye. Lina¡¯s little face grew solemn as she nced at Xu Lingyin, then said, ¡°I want to take Lingyin as my disciple.¡± ¡°Pfft¡­¡± Xu Qi''an spat out his food. ¡°Pfft¡­¡± Second Uncle sprayed his wine. The family was caught entirely off guard. Xu Xinnian brushed the rice off his clothes with a look of disdain, shifting a bit farther from his elder brother before turning to Lina. ¡°Exin your reasoning.¡± --- [^1]: Reference to *Legend of the Condor Heroes*, where **(Spoilers)** Huang Rong wrote the Nine-Yin manual backwards for Ouyang Feng, which lead to him learning a bastardised version that corrupted his mind. Chapter 322: Honour a Promise # 322. Honour a Promise ¡°Lingyin is a prodigy, a rare prodigy. I can¡¯t let such an unpolished jade go to waste.¡± Lina¡¯s ocean-blue eyes fixed intently on Xu Lingyin, as if gazing upon a precious treasure. *A prodigy?* Xu Pingzhi exchanged nces with his nephew and shook his head. ¡°My daughter has no talent. Her bones and tendons aren¡¯t strong enough; she¡¯s just got a bit of brute strength.¡± When Xu Qi''an began martial arts training and Xu Xinnian dedicated himself to studying, it was Xu Pingzhi¡¯s decision. Xu Xinniancked martial talent but was exceptionally intelligent, while Xu Qi''an was the opposite. After Xu Lingyin was born, Xu Pingzhi examined her bones and, over years of observation, became certain that his youngest daughter was not only dull but also physically unsuitable for martial arts. At the very least, she would struggle immensely with the Refining Vitality stage. Xu Qi''an also shook his head. His eye for talent was sharper than his second uncle¡¯s. If Xu Lingyin truly were a martial arts prodigy, he would¡¯ve already started grooming her as the Great Feng¡¯s rising star.As for studying, Xu Xinnian had given up on her at age four. His assessment: ¡°zed eyes, no focus¡ªshe¡¯s got no mind for study.¡± And Xu Lingyin certainly didn¡¯t disappoint her second brother; every teacher who tried teaching her ended up questioning their life choices. If Little Pea had any talent, it would probably be¡­ eating? Lina countered Second Uncle Xu¡¯s words, saying, ¡°But she can eat!¡± *Are you messing with us?* The whole family squinted at the dark-skinned girl from the Southern Marches. Lina, seeing the odd expressions around her, asked in surprise, ¡°Have none of you realised she¡¯s a prodigy?¡± Xu Xinnian and the others turned their heads to look at Xu Lingyin, who was currently peeling an egg. She tapped one end of the egg on the table, pressed her little palm down on it, and rolled it with quick, confident motions until the shell fell off effortlessly. *For her age, it was truly¡­ prodigious.* The family couldn¡¯t help but cover their faces. Xu Qi''an coughed, gently reminding Lina not to joke around. ¡°Eating might be a talent, but not one worth boasting about. What exactly would you teach her? ¡°How to peel an egg in three breaths? How to fit an extra bowl of rice into every meal?¡± Lina¡¯s healthy, tan skin suddenly flushed as she waved her hands in defence. ¡°I¡¯m not teaching her how to eat; I want to teach her shaman Gu techniques.¡± Xu Pingzhi¡¯s face changed as he looked at Xu Lingyin with wide, startled eyes. ¡°You didn¡¯t eat any bugs, did you?¡± Xu Lingyin looked intrigued and asked, ¡°Can you eat bugs?¡± ¡°Nonononono!¡± Xu Xinnian and Second Uncle Xu both waved their hands in unison. The thought of her learning Gu techniques immediately brought to mind one question: *did Little Pea eat bugs?* Xu Qi''an inwardly sighed, then asked with interest, ¡°You mean she¡¯s a natural prodigy in shaman cultivation?¡± Lina nodded, then rified, ¡°To be precise, she¡¯s a prodigy for the Strength Gu. Lingyin has robust bones and vigorous qi and blood. In our Strength Gu tribe, such a prodigy appears only once in decades. ¡°Isn¡¯t it strange to you all? For such a little child, she eats an astonishing amount.¡± *Isn¡¯t that just because she¡¯s a glutton?* The Xu family thought, then had a sudden realisation. By anyone else¡¯s standards, she¡¯d have eaten herself sick by now, yet here she was, perfectly lively. Lina restrained her appetite and exined, ¡°In our Strength Gu tribe, training starts in childhood. We choose a Strength Gu to swallow, allowing it to reside within. ¡°In the early years, the Strength Gu absorbs the host¡¯s essence and energy. A child without a strong constitution grows frail, and because the Strength Gu shares life with its host, it won¡¯t drain them entirely but will weaken alongside them. ¡°This causes innate weakness.¡± She said this while gazing passionately at Xu Lingyin. ¡°But she¡¯s different. She could provide a perfect home for the Strength Gu, building a solid foundation from a young age. With her strong bones and natural strength, even if she doesn¡¯t cultivate her spirit, her power already surpasses her peers. With proper training, she could soar to incredible heights.¡± The family exchanged looks. After a moment of consideration, Auntie tentatively asked, ¡°Would she be as¡­ strong of appetite as you?¡± Lina shook her head. ¡°No, no.¡± Auntie breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear the little dark-skinned girl modestly say, ¡°She¡¯ll eat even more than me.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Auntie didn¡¯t even need to think; ¡°Absolutely not. Husband, dear?¡± Xu Pingzhi turned to his son and nephew, seeking their opinions. ¡°What do you two think?¡± Xu Qi''anmented, ¡°Since she¡¯s hopeless with books andcks the foundation for martial arts, why not give it a try?¡± Auntie pped the table in irritation, feeling offended and cold. ¡°Xu Ningyan, how could you say that? Isn¡¯t Lingyin your little sister?¡± It seemed Auntie would be able to recall her past grievances today, right now, bringing an end to any motherly affection she might have had toward her nephew. Xu Lingyue murmured, ¡°Mum, Big Brother isn¡¯t wrong¡­¡± Auntie, caught off guard, was suddenly stabbed in the back by her own daughter. Xu Xinnian said, ¡°Taking her as a disciple is fine, but I have a question. How long does it take for a Strength Gu practitioner toplete their training?¡± Lina answered without hesitation, ¡°As short as five years, or as long as twenty, depending on the person¡¯s talent.¡± Xu Xinnian nodded and nced at Lingyin. ¡°So, would you be able to stay in the capital for five, even twenty years?¡± Lina¡¯s mouth worked faster than her mind. ¡°As long as you feed me, I could stay forever.¡± ¡°Absolutely not!¡± The Xu family responded in unison. *¡­It¡¯s just a few grains of your rice,* she thought to herself, feeling wronged by their reluctance to feed her. In the end, Xu Pingzhi, as the head of the household, made the final decision. ¡°Then we¡¯ll entrust Lina with teaching my little daughter.¡± Xu Xinnian and Xu Qi''an looked at each other, puzzled. Were they really going to let Lina stay in the capital for five, even twenty years? Wouldn¡¯t the tuition fees be prohibitively high? To this, Xu Pingzhi chuckled. ¡°Lingyin is just a girl. She¡¯s not aiming to be the greatest warrior. Learning a little is enough. Even if she doesn¡¯t fully master it, it doesn¡¯t matter. ¡°You two, however, always want to reach the top in everything you do.¡± Xu Xinnian and Xu Qi''an had no further arguments, thinking that their second uncle (father) had a point. Lina patted Xu Lingyin¡¯s head and said, ¡°If you came with me to the Southern Marches, my father would take you on as his personal disciple. In just ten years, you¡¯d be able to lift a mountain.¡± Xu Qi''an imagined the scene: ten yearster, a grown Xu Lingyin, carrying a mountain, her every step causing tremors, happily eximing, ¡°Big Bwother, I¡¯m back! I brought you a mountain. Catch!¡± *A daughter of the Xu family grows up, strength enough to move mountains¡­* Xu Qi''an shivered at the thought. ¡­ On the eve before dawn, the sky was a deep indigo. A ginger cat, moving with graceful strides, roamed the empty, silent streets until it reached the gates of Sun Manor. It lightly leapt onto the rooftop of a street-side building, gazing around, then jumped back down, swiftly darting to the entrance of the Sun Manor. The ginger cat¡¯s throat rolled, revealing a round shape within, and slowly forced it out. It was a small jade mirror. As it emerged, rather than falling, it hovered in mid-air, shed with a radiant light, and out dropped an unconscious young noble. The ginger cat opened its mouth wide, took the jade mirror back into its belly, raised its tail, and quickly left. A quarter of an hourter, the yawning gatekeeper opened the main doors, and upon seeing the finely dressed young man lying on the ground, he gasped. Recognizing the young master¡¯s face, he rushed inside, calling for help. Soon, several servants hurried over, lifting the young noble and carrying him indoors. Minister Sun rushed in after hearing the news, his heart pounding when he saw his son lying unconscious on the silk couch. ¡°Master, the young master is merely unconscious and hasn¡¯t sustained any serious injuries,¡± reported the old butler by the bedside. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®no serious injuries¡¯?¡± Minister Sun raised an eyebrow. ¡°The young master¡­ wasshed dozens of times, his skin torn and bruised, but thankfully, they¡¯re all superficial wounds. With medicine applied, he¡¯s already on the mend.¡± The butler lowered his head. ¡°Outrageous! A betrayal of their word!¡± Minister Sun¡¯s face turned ashen, a mix of pain and anger in his expression, but then, as if remembering something, his fiery anger suddenly faded. After a moment of silence, Minister Sun sighed, ¡°It¡¯s good that he¡¯s back.¡± ¡­ The Tower of Noble Spirit, in a tearoom. ¡°King Yu has long lost any ambition for fame and power, which is why he was willing to repay my favour. Had he been the same King Yu as before, he likely wouldn¡¯t have agreed so easily. As for the Duke of Cao, he has joined forces with the Zhenbei King¡¯s deputy general, scheming against my invincible vajra. ¡°I remember Duke Wei saying that court battles are essentially struggles over interests and that one must learn topromise. So I agreed to their terms.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an held his teacup, sitting in the well-lit tearoom, and turned his head to look at Wei Yuan, who was basking in the sunlight and enjoying the scenery from the lookout tower. ¡°Not bad. You have the mental ability, but your temper makes you unfit for the court,¡± Wei Yuan nodded. ¡°It¡¯s mostly due to your excellent guidance, Duke Wei,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied modestly. Wei Yuan chuckled, cing his hands on the railing, gazing at the sunnyndscape. After a long pause, he asked, ¡°You¡¯ve been running around for the imperial examination fraud case, hardly spending any time at the Constabry. It must have been tiring.¡± ¡°But I¡¯ve learned a lot, too,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied, slurping a sip of tea. Wei Yuanughed, ¡°Try understand my main point.¡± Freeloader Xu froze, a feeling of dread creeping in, ¡°Tiring?¡± Wei Yuan shook his head, without turning around, and said warmly, ¡°Hardly spending any time at the Constabry.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Wei Yuan continued smoothly, ¡°So, this month¡¯s sry is forfeited.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an stared nkly at Wei Yuan¡¯s back, his face crestfallen, ¡°Duke Wei, I¡¯ve already lost my sry for this month.¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± Wei Yuan paused, then slowly nodded, ¡°Then next month¡¯s is forfeited too.¡± ¡°???¡± *Did I somehow displease him¡­?* The clever Freeloader Xu didn¡¯t pursue the topic, knowing it was futile to argue with a superior. ¡°Duke Wei, why did the Zhenbei King¡¯s deputy return to the capital?¡± ¡°Tensions are rising in the north, and there¡¯s a shortage of supplies. He¡¯s here to request funds,¡± Wei Yuan replied. ¡°What kind of person is the Zhenbei King?¡± ¡°A domineering man.¡± *Domineering types are often unreasonable, and as a royal king, he can ignore protocol to some extent¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought. After bidding farewell to Wei Yuan, he mounted his little mare, felt the weight of a bulging sack in the saddle, and trotted off toward King Huai Manor. Now, he had to fulfill his promise to meet the Zhenbei King¡¯s deputy. *It¡¯s strange, though. Chu Xianglong told me toe to the Zhenbei King¡¯s Manor after matters were settled, which suggests he¡¯s staying at the manor rather than his own home during his time in the capital.* *Most likely, he¡¯s spending most of his time at the Zhenbei King¡¯s Manor. And since the Zhenbei King is stationed at the frontier, the manor houses only his consort, renowned as the most beautiful woman in the kingdom¡­* *From the Zhenbei King¡¯s perspective, he would never allow his lieutenant to stay under the same roof as his widowed consort.* *Yet Chu Xianglong is doing exactly that, openly and without concealment. This implies he has the Zhenbei King¡¯s approval.* *Why would the Zhenbei King permit this?* *His trust in his deputy must far surpass his trust in the consort¡­* ¡­ King Huai Manor, in the outer hall. A woman, veiled in gauze and dressed in a resplendent pce gown, sat at a table, arranging a tea set. In the hall, Chu Xianglong, d in armor with a sabre at his waist, stood with a resolute gaze fixed on the consort, speaking in a low tone: ¡°ording to the guards here, the consort has gone missing twice recently without exnation?¡± The veiled woman paid him no heed, focused on her tea set with delicate, graceful movements. ¡°How did you elude the guards? And how did you slip past the Sitianjian arcanists? Whom have you been meetingtely, and what events have you encountered?¡± ¡°Annoying!¡± The veiled woman¡¯s brow furrowed, her voice chilly, ¡°Are you interrogating me?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± Chu Xianglong lowered his head, speaking calmly, ¡°This time, I¡¯ve returned to the capital not only to request military funds from His Majesty but also to escort the consort north, to reunite with His Highness. You should prepare.¡± After a pause, he looked up, his gaze fixed on her bright, delicate eyes, ¡°Your servant will be staying here during this period. If the consort wishes to leave, I¡¯ll apany you.¡± The veiled woman said nothing. At this moment, a guard entered the hall and saluted, ¡°General Chu, Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an requests an audience.¡± Chu Xianglong nodded, nced at the consort, and cupped his hands in farewell as he exited the hall. *Xu Qi¡¯an¡­ what is he doing here?* The veiled woman lowered her head, her eyes sparkling with slyness, plotting something unknown. Chapter 323X. L # 323X. L In the reception hall, Xu Qi¡¯an sat quietly with a cup of tea poured by a servant girl, a cloth sack standing at his feet, as tall as his knee. After a few minutes of silence, his ears picked up a faint sound of clinking scales. Momentster, he saw Chu Xianglong stride across the threshold, entering straight into the room. ¡°My thanks to General Chu and the Duke of Cao for your assistance.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s tone was hardly sincere¡ªhe didn¡¯t even bother to stand up, taking a sip of tea as he spoke. Chu Xianglong didn¡¯t mind. He looked Xu Qi¡¯an over and then cast his gaze down to the cloth sack at his feet. ¡°Is it here?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an set down his teacup, opened the sack, and revealed a stone-carved Buddha statue with crude, amateurish craftsmanship. Chu Xianglong¡¯s eyes zed with interest, staring intently at the statue. Despite its rough appearance and barely defined features, it emanated a faint sense of Buddhist aura, subtly giving away its underlying magic. ¡°I¡¯ve inscribed the essence of the Vajra Body technique into the Buddha statue. Whether or not you can master it is your concern,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said.¡°Of course.¡± Chu Xianglong withdrew his gaze, nodded with satisfaction. ¡°You¡¯re a man of your word.¡± *Ha, if I weren¡¯t, you¡¯d probably just say, ¡®You, a mere Silver Gong, dare to go back on your word? Not even Wei Yuan could protect you!¡¯* Xu Qi¡¯an sneered inwardly but maintained a calm facade. ¡°Actually, this technique is worth next to nothing to me. If you¡¯d just offered five hundred taels, General Chu, I would¡¯ve sold it outright and saved us all the trouble.¡± Chu Xianglong stepped forward, wrapped the Buddha statue back in the cloth sack, and lifted it with a look of mockery and scorn. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t spend five hundred taels on something I could obtain with a little trickery. Of course, the Buddhist Vajra Body technique is worth a fortune.¡± He gave a slight nod and added, ¡°Safe travels, Silver Gong Xu. I won¡¯t see you out.¡± *So the Vajra Body is priceless, but I¡¯m not worth spending money on, huh?* Xu Qi¡¯an remained unfazed, smiling. ¡°Green mountains are constant, and rivers run long.¡± With that, he turned and walked out. He was passing through the courtyard when a maid approached him in a hurry. ¡°Are you Xu Qi¡¯an, Silver Gong Xu?¡± ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. ¡°My Lady, the Princess Consort, wishes to see you,¡± said the maid. *The Zhenbei Princess Consort wants to see me? The famed number one beauty of the Great Feng wants to see me? I could get used to this¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an was quite curious about the woman renowned for her beauty. *It¡¯s just a meeting, nothing to worry about¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an smiled. ¡°Please lead the way, sister.¡± The maid led Xu Qi¡¯an through winding corridors, past courtyards and gardens, until they finally arrived at their destination¡ªa pavilion with curtains hanging down on all sides. Through the drapes, he could just make out a graceful silhouette reclining on a lounge, holding a book. Xu Qi¡¯an strained to see her face, only to realize there was an additional veil within the pavilion. ¡°So, you¡¯re Xu Qi¡¯an?¡± A mature woman¡¯s voice, both cool and maic, came from within the pavilion. Even though he couldn¡¯t see her face, her voice was enchanting. Xu Qi¡¯an cupped his hands. ¡°What does the Princess Consort wish of me?¡± The woman inside the pavilion scoffed coldly. ¡°I heard that you blocked a hundred officials outside the Meridian Gate, mocking them with poetry. Is this true?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied, ¡°I am young and reckless; it was a moment of impulsiveness. Shameful, shameful.¡± *Can you even feel shame? Hah!* The woman inside the pavilion paused for a moment, then said indifferently, ¡°See him out.¡± *That¡¯s it?* Xu Qi¡¯an looked at the pavilion, a bit bewildered, then turned to follow the maid out. Just then, a gold ingot flew out of the pavilion and hit Xu Qi¡¯an square on the back with a thud. ¡°Why did the Princess Consort throw this at me?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an turned, nced down at the gold on the ground. He hadn¡¯t sensed any danger, which meant there was no threat involved, but he was a bit irked. The woman in the pavilion gave him no response. A hint of curiosity shed in Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s eyes. Seeing that the Princess Consort offered no exnation, he bent down to pick up the gold and pocketed it without hesitation. ¡°If the Princess Consort ns to throw anything at me in the future, please make sure it is also a gold brick.¡± With a final jab, Xu Qi¡¯an followed the maid and left. ¡­ In the quiet of his chamber, Chu Xianglong shut all the doors and windows tightly. He set the stone-carved Buddha statue on the table, concentrating on it intently for a long while. He could feel a distinct flow of Buddhist aura, mysterious and profound. But no matter how much he tried toprehend, he could not extract the technique from it. ¡°The Buddhist Vajra Body indeed requires a certain affinity, as well as a foundation in Buddhist teachings. Xu Qi¡¯an has some talent to have achieved the Unbreakable Vajra. But still, he¡¯s just a nobody; a slight trick was enough to make him fall in line.¡± Chu Xianglong smirked, both satisfied and disdainful. A so-called martial prodigy, a talent said to rival the Zhenbei King. If not for the Jianzheng¡¯s hidden assistance, how could he have fought against a Buddhist arhat? Of all the rumors circting in the capital, the ones Chu Xianglong despised the most were thoseparing Xu Qi¡¯an to his liege. A mere bailiff turned Silver Gong, the lowly son of a military household¡ªhe¡¯s not worthy! ¡°The Vajra Body aside, there¡¯s little left to squeeze out of him. Otherwise, I would¡¯ve squeezed everyst bit of silver from him.¡± Chu Xianglong and the Duke of Cao had nned to obtain the Vajra Body for a reason. Given their status, rank, and insight, how could they be oblivious to the profundity of the technique? In his youth, Chu Xianglong had served in the army, and during an expedition against roving bandits, he once encountered a wandering monk from the Western Regions. The monk had tried to enlighten the famished bandits with Buddhist teachings but was captured by them, with ns to cook and eat him. Chu Xianglong had saved the monk, and in gratitude, the monk had given him a bronze amulet etched with Buddhist scriptures. Whenever Chu wore the amulet, he felt a sense of calm, as if his hostility and rage melted away, entering a state of enlightenment. After each fierce battle, Chu Xianglong would wear it, dissipating his aggression and contemting the mysterious profundities of Buddhism. ¡°Creak¡­¡± He opened the bedside cab and took out a small sandalwood box. Lifting the lid, he saw a bronze talisman the size of his palm wrapped in red silk. ¡°Though I¡¯m not one of the Buddhist sect, this talisman is incredibly mysterious. It helps me enter a meditative state, which may allow me to grasp the profundities of the Vajra Divine Art. ¡°If I can master the Invincible Vajra, my strength on the battlefield will increase exponentially. Above all, a body far surpassing that of an average warrior will allow me to survive better inbat. "Moreover, if I can use the bronze talisman to master the Vajra Divine Art, His Highness will surely reward me handsomely." With that thought, a fervent light gleamed in Chu Xianglong¡¯s eyes, and he was eager to delve into the Buddha statue¡¯s mysteries. Taking a deep breath, he took the time of a cup of tea to calm his mind, quieting his heart and thoughts. Then, he grasped the bronze talisman and began to meditate. Gradually, he felt a vast, serene aura that cleared his mind, allowing him to calmly scrutinize his seven emotions and six desires, undisturbed by stray thoughts. Once he achieved this state, Chu Xianglong opened his eyes, focusing intently on the Buddha¡¯s aura emanating from the statue. This time, he distinctly saw the statue move, shifting into various postures, each apanied by a unique technique of energy cirction. *It really works¡­* Overjoyed, Chu Xianglong almost lost his ¡°detached¡± state. Instinctively, he attempted to imitate the statue¡¯s postures and the unique method of circting his energy. A golden sheen appeared at the center of his brow, swiftly spreading over half his body. Suddenly¡­ a surge of energy burst within him, like a volcanic eruption, tearing through his meridians and dantian. ¡°Pfft!¡± Chu Xianglong spat out a mouthful of blood as veins burst across his body. His dantian was shattered by the violent energy, and he was grievously injured. His face turned crimson, beads of sweat rolling down as he looked at his body in shock, watching as the golden sheen gradually faded from his arms. ¡°How could this happen¡­ even with the bronze talisman¡­?¡± The thought flickered through Chu Xianglong¡¯s mind before he copsed unconscious. An hourter, one of his trusted aides came looking for him and finally discovered his master, barely clinging to life, lying unconscious. "Assassin! There¡¯s been an assassin¡­!" ¡­ After hearing the guard¡¯s report, the Zhenbei Princess Consort suppressed her delight and asked, ¡°A Qi deviation while practicing martial arts? He¡¯s perfectly healthy, how did that happen?¡± The guard shook his head. ¡°This humble servant doesn¡¯t know.¡± The Princess Consort¡¯s joy was barely concealed as she asked, ¡°Did he die?¡± The guard shook his head again. ¡°His life is not in danger, but he¡¯s severely wounded. The arcanists from Sitianjian say he¡¯ll be bedridden for a month before recovering. Furthermore, due to thete discovery, his energy flow reversed, breaking all his meridians, so he might be left with chronic injuries.¡± Princess Consort¡¯s face fell in disappointment. ¡°However, this servant has heard it might be rted to the Buddha statue sent by Silver Gong Xu.¡± The guard hesitated before adding. *So it¡¯s connected to him? That rascal has actually done something to dden the heart¡­* thought the Princess Consort with a gleeful smile. ¡­ On a rugged mountain path, Li Miaozhen, dressed in Daoist robes with her hair bound by a jade crown, walked with a sword gifted by her sect strapped to her back. The roadside was aze with wildflowers under the bright sun. The mountains were serene, the water clear, and she took in the sights with a contented heart. Beside her trailed a scarlet oil-paper umbre. Beneath it was the strikingly beautiful Susu, her ink-ck eyes, vivid red lips, and snow-white skin framed by an borate, luxurious gown. Li Miaozhen¡¯s beauty was breathtaking, but her presence was too fierce. In contrast, Susu appeared every bit the exquisite and elegant noblewoman, her alluring gaze filled with an elusive charm. ¡°We¡¯re eighty li from the capital, Mistress. Shall we stay there for a while?¡± Susu looked south with anticipation. ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with Sitianjian, and with Xu Qi''an gone, you really think Song Qing will bother with you?¡± Li Miaozhen scoffed, not sparing herpanion¡¯s feelings. ¡°Then¡­¡± Susu¡¯s eyes sparkled mischievously. ¡°I¡¯ll just say I¡¯m Xu Qi''an¡¯s fianc¨¦e.¡± Li Miaozhen gave a cold snort. ¡°Perfect. Then they¡¯ll perform a blessing and send you to join him in the afterlife.¡± Pouting, Susu stopped at the roadside. ¡°Fine, I¡¯m going back to the Heaven Sect. I¡¯m going back!¡± Her petnt stance could melt any man¡¯s heart¡­ if Li Miaozhen were a man. Instead, she swatted the back of Susu¡¯s head. ¡°Are you going or not?¡± Susu obediently quieted down. ¡°Fine, just don¡¯t hit my head so much; it¡¯s all going t.¡± At that moment, Li Miaozhen sniffed the air, her face turning solemn. ¡°I smell blood.¡± After a brief survey of the area, she focused her gaze on a patch of grass ahead. Chapter 324: Li Miaozhen Enters the Capital # 324. Li Miaozhen Enters the Capital Master and servant, human and ghost, parted the tall grass, searching for a while before finding a corpse in the knee-high thicket. The body was dressed in a ck, tight-fitting outfit, decapitated, with a rolled steel de still gripped in one hand. The wound on the neck, wide enough to fit a bowl, had dried and ckened¡ªindicating he had been dead for at least two hours, if not longer. ¡°This must be the result of some jianghu grudge, the resentful energy still hangs strong. We should bury him to prevent his body from rotting away under the open sky. In seven days, he may transform into a malevolent spirit,¡± Susu suggested. As a "Mei" demon, she sensed a thick aura of resentment. Such intense resentment could easily turn the deceased into a vengeful ghost in seven days. Of course, such spirits couldn''t exist for long¡ªthey would vanish within a few hours to several days. However, this mountain path wasn¡¯t deserted. If travellers passed by before the spirit dissipated, they might be attacked¡ªfalling gravely ill or even dying. Susu believed it was best to prevent such a situation from happening. ¡°With resentment this deep, something significant must have happened to him in life, leaving him unwilling to let go. I¡¯ll try summoning his soul to find out what it was,¡± Li Miaozhen pondered aloud. ¡°No way, no way, Master, do you really think of yourself as a heroine?¡± Susu hopped on the spot, saying, ¡°You¡¯re the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect. In the future, you''re supposed to transcend emotions. Matters of life and death, love and hate¡ªthese are but passing clouds to you. You must act with detached justice, untouched by feelings or emotion.¡°The heroine act is just a disguise we¡¯ve adopted, that¡¯s all. Heaven¡¯s highest virtue is to use personal gains for the public good. When you can observe the love and hate of the world with cold eyes, unaffected, neither stopping nor interfering, then you¡¯ll have achieved true enlightenment.¡± ¡°Shut up already!¡± Li Miaozhen snapped impatiently. ¡°Do you need to lecture me on the core philosophy of the Heaven Sect? Yes, detachment is the goal, but how can one forget feelings without first understanding them? Do you think detachmentes from mere wishful thinking?¡± Besides, she saw nothing wrong with helping the oppressed. Why do some people alwaysment the coldness of the world? It¡¯s because too few are willing to meddle in the affairs of others. If everyone had a heart for justice and a willingness to intervene, the world would not be so cold. Li Miaozhen moved the body to the roadside and ordered Susu to take out three bamboo tubes containing ck sludge, ck blood, and many yin-aspect medicinal herbs. The ck sludge was mainlyposed of the mud dug from a mass grave, mixed with various yin-based materials. The ck blood was primarily menstrual blood, drawn from virgins born at a yin hour, supplemented by other yin ingredients. The herbs were ones that grew in ces of extreme yin. Since the corpse had been dead for a while and left exposed, it was impossible to directly summon the spirit. Furthermore, attempting to forcibly summon it in the presence of sunlight would cause it to instantly dissipate. Susu deftly mixed the three materials into ¡°ink¡± and pulled out a brush with a handle made from a finger bone, dipping it in the concoction before handing it to Li Miaozhen. Li Miaozhen painted strange characters on the corpse, some mboyant and distorted, others subtle and restrained, chanting all the while. As the formation took shape, gusts of cold wind swirled around them, and the sun seemed to lose its warmth. When the final stroke waspleted, the cold wind gathered fragments of a soul, converging from the roadside, the thicket, and the sky itself¡­ until a shadowy figure formed above the body. It was a thin man, his gaze vacant, hovering listlessly over his corpse. Li Miaozhen furrowed her brow. The Daoist path was well-versed in dealing with spirits, and with a single nce, she could tell this spirit was severely damaged¡ªlikely specifically attacked with soul-damaging attacks before death. Yet, the attacker was probably just a martial artist,cking the means topletely annihte the spirit. ¡°Who are you?¡± Li Miaozhen asked, extending a finger to feed a wisp of yin energy to nourish the soul. The spirit¡¯s expression softened slightly under the influence of the yin energy, and he mumbled, ¡°Blood runs three thousand miles¡­ blood runs three thousand miles¡­ we plead the court¡­ send troops¡­ to suppress¡­¡± No matter how many times Li Miaozhen questioned him, the spirit repeated this single phrase and said nothing more. ¡°Blood runs three thousand miles¡­¡± Li Miaozhen repeated with a serious expression. ¡°What should we do with him?¡± Susu had sensed the gravity of the situation. ¡°His soul is iplete. To extract more information, it needs to be nurtured, but that¡¯s a long process. We can¡¯t rely on it in the short term.¡± Li Miaozhen¡¯s gaze shifted to the body, and she had a sudden inspiration: ¡°If we can identify who he is, perhaps we can uncover more about what he was trying to convey.¡± ¡°Master is right,¡± Susu nodded obediently, then asked, ¡°How do we investigate?¡± *How would I know¡­* Li Miaozhen fell silent, racking her brains and recalling the time in Yunzhou, when she worked alongside Xu Qi¡¯an to solve a case. She tried to imitate Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s way of thinking to unravel the mystery of this corpse, but failed. In the ensuing silence, Susu whispered, ¡°If that boy were still alive, he¡¯d definitely have a way.¡± *So you thought of him too?* Li Miaozhen nodded imperceptibly and said, ¡°He¡¯s the best investigator I¡¯ve ever met. Yes, let¡¯s take the corpse back to the capital and hand it over to the Constabry. ¡°This person was killed not far from the capital¡ªhe was most likely intercepted.¡± With that, Li Miaozhen pulled out a fragment of the Earth Book, holding it up to the body. A sh of light, and the corpse vanished. Then, she opened the scented sachet at her waist, gathering the fragmented soul inside. The unexpected interruption made the pair lose interest in their leisurely stroll. Li Miaozhen tucked Susu into the sachet, summoned her flying sword, and leapt gracefully onto the de. With a ¡°whoosh,¡± the flying sword shot through the sky. A quarter of an hourter, she saw the imposing silhouette of the capital, and the viges and towns surrounding it like a constetion of stars. Li Miaozhen descended from her flying sword,nding just outside the city. The sentient sword sheathed itself automatically. ¡°Whoosh!¡± She shook a small jade mirror, and from its reflective surface emerged a lifelike paper doll, with bamboo strips for bones and a delicately painted face. A puff from her sachet, and Susu, in the form of a greenish mist, floated into the paper doll, animating it. The paper doll suddenly came alive¡ªits eyes seemed to twinkle, and the paper body transformed into flesh, donning a billowing gown. The master and servant exchanged a knowing smile and entered the capital. ¡°Master, it¡¯s my first time in the capital! They say it¡¯s the most prosperous city in all of the Great Feng, the prime of thend!¡± Susu chirped, eagerly looking around after passing through the city gates. ¡°Compose yourself. Yourbined years of life as human and spirit add up to nearly forty,¡± Li Miaozhen said, making her way to the bulletin board by the city wall. In every city she visited, she had the habit of checking the notice board. It would have official announcements, including edicts from the court and wanted posters. ¡°Master, you¡¯re at it again! This is the capital, where experts are as numerous as clouds. Even if there were wanted criminals, it¡¯s not your job to enforce justice.¡± Susu said, twirling her red paper parasol to shield herself from the sun. At this moment, she saw Li Miaozhen''s body suddenly go rigid, her eyes slowly widening, staring at a certain notice on the wall with an expression of disbelief. It was rare for her to lose herposure like this. What did she see? Curious, Susu moved closer to stand alongside Li Miaozhen and look at the promation. The next moment, she opened her almond-shaped eyes wide, her rosy lips slightly parted, as if she had seen a ghost... No, thatparison wasn¡¯t right¡ªmore like seeing a Daoiste to deliver divine justice. Whether it was due to shock or excitement, the hand holding the red umbre trembled slightly. ... The afternoon sun was quite intense. Xu Qi''an led a patrol of Bronze Gongs through the streets. Not long ago, Wei Yuan had adopted his suggestion, and on that basis, organised a temporary squad¡ªa teamposed of jianghu individuals. Their task was to maintain order in the capital, and the imperial court provided them with generous remuneration and rewards. This policy was brilliant because it addressed the root of public disorder. Why were theft and robbery so frequent? It was because most jianghu wanderers were vagrants without a stable livelihood. With the high cost of living in the capital, how could they survive without stealing? Providing them with a way to earn a living¡ªletting them maintain public order¡ªwas using one weapon to defeat another. Of course, each team of jianghu enforcers would be monitored by official forces, just in case they themselves turned corrupt. After several days of a severe crackdown, the jianghu folk who had flooded into the capital had be much more obedient. So, Xu Qi''an decided to visit the Gon for some music. *When one''s basic needs are met, the next pursuit is a higher level of enjoyment¡ªspiritual satisfaction. This world has noputers, no games to y, no movies to watch. The only way to maintain a respectable lifestyle is to go to the Gon, watch performances, and listen to music...* Xu Qi''an led the Bronze Gongs into the district, requested a private booth, and sipped tea while eating fruits, watching the show in the main hall. Suddenly, he felt a familiar lurch in his heart. Xu Qi''an turned his back to the others to shield their view, and pulled out his Book of the Earth fragment. A nce left him utterly astonished. ¡¾TWO: Xu Qi''an is still alive?!¡¿ ¡¾TWO: Why didn''t anyone tell me that Xu Qi''an was still alive? Why didn''t you tell me?!¡¿ After these two messages, there was only silence. ¡¾FOUR: Hmm? Li Miaozhen didn¡¯t know Xu Qi''an was still alive?¡¿ Chu Yuanzhen''s transmission expressed confusion. ¡¾ONE: After the Yunzhou case, she¡¯s been roaming around constantly. Not knowing about Xu Qi''an''s resurrection is normal. However, with the news of the contest, it was only a matter of time before she found out. Heh, she formed a deep bond with Xu Qi''an in Yunzhou, so it''s not surprising she¡¯s so worked up.¡¿ Why does One sound like they¡¯re gloating? Xu Qi''an felt his heart sink. ¡¾SIX: Why isn¡¯t Two saying anything?¡¿ Hengyuan also joined the conversation. After a moment of hesitation, Xu Qi''an carefully phrased a message he intended to send: ¡¾THREE: Two, I have something I need to tell you...¡¿ Before he could transmit the message, everyone in the chat group saw a transmission from Daoist Jinlian: ¡¾Li Miaozhen has already arrived in the capital.¡¿ After that, no more messages were received. On the street, Li Miaozhen, her body trembling, held the Book of the Earth fragment in a shaking hand, slowly typing out a message: ¡¾Xu Qi''an, you bastard! How long were you nning to deceive us?¡¿ The transmission was sent, but there was no response. Li Miaozhen grew even more furious, her body quivering with indignation as she typed: ¡¾Could it be... you all knew he was Number Three and conspired to deceive me?¡¿ That was the only exnation for why no one had mentioned Xu Qi''an''s survival, and why everyone had fallen silent at that moment. ¡¾NINE: Miaozhen, they didn¡¯t know Xu Qi''an''s true identity. As for how he survived, it¡¯s a long story. I''ll give you an addresse and find me.¡¿ Li Miaozhen finally received Daoist Jinlian¡¯s mesage. Li Miaozhen stared at the message on her mirror, her emotions a jumble, unsure whether she felt angry, happy, or perhaps... embarrassed? "Master, is that kid really alive?" As the transmission ended, Susu couldn¡¯t wait to ask, her wless face disying a mix of nervousness and joy, as if the man''s life meant a great deal to her. Li Miaozhen stifled her anger and nodded curtly. Recalling how she¡¯d oftenmented the heavens'' cruelty with her ghostlypanion, how tragic it was for Xu Qi''an to die so young, she now felt an overwhelming desire to cover her face and disappear from shame. Susu felt the same, so master and servant exchanged nces, and then, tacitly, both looked away. ... ¡¾NINE: Li Miaozhen is already in the city. Do you want to meet her? I managed to block her, but what''s inevitable is inevitable.¡¿ In the entertainment district, Xu Qi''an received Daoist Jinlian''s transmission. *Nicely done, Daoist!* Xu Qi''an''s brows lifted, a smile crossing his face, and he replied: ¡¾I¡¯m willing to see her.¡¿ ¡¾NINE: Come to my residence.¡¿ Xu Qi''an put away the Book of the Earth fragment and tossed a few pieces of silver onto the table. "I have some business to attend to. After you¡¯ve finished drinking, continue your patrol." "Yes, Boss." ... In the outer city, outside a small courtyard shaded by willow trees. Dressed in Daoist robes, Li Miaozhen lightly knocked on the door. After a few breaths, the gate opened of its own ord, and Daoist Jinlian¡¯s gentle voice came from inside: ¡°Please,e in.¡± Li Miaozhen, with her ghostly servant Susu, entered, passing through the courtyard and stepping over the threshold to see Daoist Jinlian seated cross-legged inside. His hair was streaked with gray, hanging in loose strands, as casual and disheveled as ever. ¡°Excellent, you truly live up to being one of the most gifted disciples of the Heaven Sect. You¡¯ve already entered the Nascent Soul stage,¡± praised Daoist Jinlian. Daoist rank four: Nascent Soul! ¡°Chu Yuanzhen''s swordsmanship is extraordinary. Without reaching the fourth rank, it would have been hard for me to beat him,¡± Li Miaozhen replied. ¡°I remember your senior brother reached the Nascent Soul stage long ago. Is there still no news of him?¡± Daoist Jinlian asked. ¡°Who knows. Perhaps he died at the hands of a vengeful woman, or maybe he¡¯s been locked away by an old me, kept as a pet. I couldn¡¯t care less,¡± Li Miaozhen replied indifferently. Daoist Jinlian fell silent, then said, ¡°Honestly, I hope you and Chu Yuanzhen won¡¯t engage in a deadly battle. I don¡¯t even want to see you two cross swords.¡± Li Miaozhen¡¯s tone was cold. ¡°It¡¯s the fate of the Daoist sects. The Heaven Sect and the Human Sect have shed countless times, never resolving the conflict. Now that the sect leader has reached First Grade, the time has finallye to settle this struggle for the Daoist legacy.¡± Daoist Jinlian smiled faintly, letting the topic drop. Taking a deep breath, Li Miaozhen gritted her teeth and asked, ¡°What¡¯s going on with Xu Qi''an?¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t die. That day, he took the Sitianjian¡¯s Elixir of Rebirth, merely feigning death...¡± Daoist Jinlian gave a brief exnation of the circumstances. ¡°Why keep it from us for so long?¡± Susu pouted indignantly. ¡°That, you¡¯ll have to ask him yourself,¡± Daoist Jinlian said with a chuckle, ncing towards the courtyard. The tter of hooves came from outside. Xu Qi''an, on horseback, arrived at the courtyard gate. He dismounted, tethered the mare, and entered the courtyard, stepping into the room with a slightly embarrassed but polite smile. ¡°It¡¯s been a while. General Li, why the change of attire?¡± Then, ncing at Susu, whom Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao had idolised in her paper form, he teased, ¡°Miss Susu, have you made up your mind yet? Would you like to be my concubine?¡± ¡°Hmph!¡± Susu shot him a re and turned her head away, feigning disdain. ¡°I¡¯m a disciple of the Heaven Sect. With the Conflict of Heaven and Man, this is the proper attire.¡± Li Miaozhen¡¯s face was expressionless, but then her tone hardened. ¡°I¡¯m going to reveal your identity as Number Three to every holder of the Book of the Earth fragment!¡± Chapter 325: Little Friend, Im a Ghost # 325. Little Friend, I''m a Ghost Xu Qi''an chuckled, showing not the slightest bit of intimidation, and took a seat at the table. Pouring himself a ss of water, he took a sip and said: ¡°Whatever General Li intends to do, I certainly have no way to stop you. However, it just so happens that there are plenty of things I haven¡¯t shared with them either. Like all the details about Yunzhou, or¡­ perhaps, the General''s self-proimed talent for solving cases. And there¡¯s much, much more.¡± *Come on, let''s hurt each other! See who''s afraid of who!* ...Li Miaozhen maintained a stoic expression, suppressing the embarrassment welling up inside. In a cold voice, she said, ¡°I don¡¯t mind teaching you a lesson before the Conflict of Heaven and Man.¡± With a sharp p of her small hand on the table, the flying sword behind her shot out, curving in a semi-arc in mid-air, aimed straight at Xu Qi''an''s rear. Susu¡¯s face was filled with schadenfreude at his impending misfortune. Out of the corner of her eye, Li Miaozhen observed Daoist Jinlian, expecting him to intervene. But what she saw was the Daoist stroking his beard with a smile, making no move to stop her. *Humph, it seems the Daoist also finds this guy detestable and wants me to teach him a lesson...* As this thought crossed her mind, she saw that Xu Qi''an, without even turning around, stretched out his hand to catch the sword.Xu Qi''an¡¯s palm quickly turned a deep, lustrous gold. With a ¡°ding,¡± a sharp metallic ng echoed as the flying sword collided with his hand. Li Miaozhen abruptly stood up, her beautiful eyes widening as she stared at Xu Qi''an¡¯s arm in disbelief. In a voice tinged with amazement, she said: ¡°The Buddhist Golden Body?¡± Xu Qi''an grinned and said, ¡°Indeed, it¡¯s the Diamond Sutra I won during the contest. General Li, your sword is a bit soft; put more strength into it.¡± *The Diamond Sutra I won during the contest*... Li Miaozhen was stunned. There was no mention of this in the court¡¯s promation. ¡°Master, he¡¯s looking down on you,¡± Susu immediately fanned the mes. Her previous concern had been genuine, but her current egging on was also heartfelt. ¡°I¡¯ve been wanting to experience a Daoist¡¯s flying sword,¡± Xu Qi''an raised an eyebrow. ¡°Fine.¡± Li Miaozhen no longer held back and attempted to make the flying sword break free from Xu Qi''an''s grip. "Buzz...buzz..." The sword trembled violently but couldn¡¯t escape his hand. The Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect¡¯s expression grew serious. She formed a mudra with one hand, and the sword changed its motion from retreating to advancing, pressing forward little by little. Xu Qi''an¡¯s jaw muscles tensed, veins popped on his forehead and hand, as if he were arm-wrestling someone. The sound of his palm grinding against the de was teeth-clenching. For a few seconds, the silent contest continued until there was a thunderous ¡°boom.¡± The roof was blown away by a violent surge of Qi, shattered beams and tiles ttering down, while the doors and windows were blown apart in an instant. Susu, an experienced ghost of twenty years, managed to raise a barrier of Yin energy, barely withstanding the shockwave. ¡°Don¡¯t overdo it! Don¡¯t overdo it¡­¡± Daoist Jinlian''s heartache was evident as he called for a halt. Xu Qi''an and Li Miaozhen exchanged a nce, one retracting his sword, the other his hand. *In just a few short months, his cultivation has progressed to this level...* Li Miaozhen¡¯s gaze toward Xu Qi''an wasplex. When they had met in Yunzhou, he had been an eighth-rank martial artist striving for the Refining Spirit Realm. To the fifth-rank Li Miaozhen at the time, that was considered a decent level of cultivation. Who would have thought that two or three monthster, he would have be this formidable? It was important to note that her own progress wasn¡¯t slow either. Now, she was a fourth-rank Nascent Soul of the Daoist Sect, an entirely different calibre. But now, Li Miaozhen felt an overwhelming sense of inadequacy, doubting her once-prized talents. ¡°Ahem!¡± Daoist Jinlian coughed, smiling, ¡°You used a flying sword against his physical body¡ªa contest of your weakness against his strength. It was just a spar; there¡¯s no need to take it to heart.¡± Li Miaozhen was a fourth rank expert, and the Heaven Sect¡¯s techniques had yet to be disyed. Flying sword techniques could easily y a sixth rank Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, but against the Buddhist Golden Body, it was somewhatcking. *Why did this kid¡¯s Vajra art advance so rapidly¡­* Daoist Jinlian nced at Xu Qi''an, a hint of doubt shing in his mind. ¡°If it were a real fight, I wouldn¡¯t be able to beat you. But breaking my Invincible Vajra Body would still cost you some effort,¡± Xu Qi''an said humbly, then added silently to himself: *Give me seven days. Once I fully absorb Monk Shenshu¡¯s blood essence, my Vajra body will reach the minor aplishment stage.* The true effect of Monk Shenshu¡¯s blood essence was to elerate the cultivation of the Vajra Body, because Shenshu himself was a Grandmaster of this very tique. His blood essence was a perfect match for the Vajra body. As long as Xu Qi''an absorbed the essence while practicing, he could elevate his mastery of the sutra. Li Miaozhen snorted, turning her head away. After that strike, the rage pent up inside her had dissipated somewhat, making her feel less agitated than before. At the same time, Xu Qi''an''s ¡°threat¡± made her hesitate. If she exposed Xu Qi''an¡¯s identity, her own words and actions in Yunzhou would also be revealed to the inner circle of the Earth Book... Such a damaging, mutually harmful move was not in line with the style of a Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect. She now understood why Xu Qi''an had insisted on keeping his identity secret. The boasts he made back then were far more exaggerated than hers. If they were exposed, he¡¯d be humiliated beyond repair. ¡°If Miaozhen doesn''t want to stay at an inn, she could lodge at Xu Qi''an''s residence. Number Five is there as well. The Xu Manor is in the inner city is a grand three tiered estate, quite impressive,¡± Daoist Jinlian suggested. *You again? Since when did my home be a shelter for Earth Book strays¡­* Xu Qi''an¡¯s face twitched. Susu¡¯s eyes brightened. Staying in arge estate was far morefortable than an inn. Plus, she was itching to cozy up to the man, hoping he¡¯d take her to the Sitianjian. Li Miaozhen, on the other hand, recalled the headless corpse. She was frustrated with her limited investigative skills. Turning the case over to the authorities felt repugnant because of her deep-seated distrust of the bureaucrats. She feared those worthless officials wouldn¡¯t take it seriously. This was a perfect opportunity to pass the case to Xu Qi''an and perhaps learn some useful investigative techniques in the process. Nodding, Li Miaozhen said, ¡°Alright, I¡¯d like to see Number Five as well. It must have been a tough journey north for her.¡± *I have a feeling Daoist Jinlian still has more to say to me...* Xu Qi''an sharply sensed the frequent scrutinizing looks from the Daoist. He maintained a calm exterior, even wearing a smile: ¡°General Li, shall we return to my manor?¡± Daoist Jinlian watched the trio¡ªtwo people and one ghost¡ªdepart, pondering to himself: ¡°Once the Conflict of Heaven and Man concludes, I shall leave the capital. Until then, I must find a way to disrupt this dispute.¡± ¡­ ¡°Miaozhen...¡± On horseback, as Xu Qi''an began to speak, he was immediately corrected by Li Miaozhen, the Heaven Sect¡¯s Holy Maiden huffed and said, ¡°You should still address me as General Li.¡± ¡°That seems a bit distant, don¡¯t you think? We¡¯re quite familiar with each other now,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied shamelessly, smiling. ¡°Regarding the Conflict of Heaven and Man, I have a question.¡± Li Miaozhen looked straight ahead, following the little mare at a steady pace, and ignored his question. *She¡¯s still holding a grudge and doesn''t want to speak to me...* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind whirred, and he casually said, ¡°I don''t think we''ve discussed the details of our search for Number Five in Xiangcheng.¡± At his words, Li Miaozhen turned her head, gritting her teeth. ¡°The Daoist has been shielding my earth book shard the entire time. I should have realized sooner¡ªhe was concealing the news of your resurrection.¡± Li Miaozhen was still annoyed with Daoist Jinlian for helping Xu Qi¡¯an ¡°deceive¡± her. ¡°That¡¯s not important. What matters is the tomb we discovered, ancient beyond reckoning. It belonged to a predecessor of the Daoist sects, most likely a human sect Daoist.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an dangled the bait. ¡°A human sect?¡± Li Miaozhen¡¯s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked at him. ¡°Yes, the human sect Daoist who seized the throne,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an''s smile widened. He then described their experiences in the ancient tomb in vivid detail, spinning a tale that was both borate and exciting. However, he omitted the dialogues with Monk Shenshu and the dried corpse. Li Miaozhen listened intently, her icy demeanor melting away as she engaged eagerly in the discussion. ¡°This reminds me of something my master once said,¡± Li Miaozhen began, ¡°He imed that of the three Daoist sects¡ªHeaven, Earth, and Human¡ªthe Human Sect was the most foolish, for they sought to align themselves with the fortunes of the mortal world. The Earth Sect was the second most foolish, cultivating merit and ruing blessings. Yet, the matters of this world have causes and consequences, and ¡®doing good deeds¡¯ alone can¡¯t exin everything. Thus, those of the Earth Sect, upon reaching the second rank, are often entangled in karmic threads, making them prone to falling into the demonic path.¡± *The Earth Sect''s leader is a prime example... Why is it that aligning oneself with the mortal world¡¯s fortunes is so foolish? Is the fortune of the human world untouchable? Hmm, so that Human Sect predecessor eventually shed his old body?* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. ¡°And what about the Heaven Sect?¡± ¡°The Heaven Sect follows the true path, transcending emotions to achieve the union of Heaven and Man¡ªthis is the Way of Heaven.¡± Li Miaozhen lifted her sharp chin. ¡°The Heaven Sect emphasizes transcending emotions, achieving the highest state of union with Heaven. By that logic, shouldn¡¯t they be detached and indifferent to all things? Why are they so obsessed with the Conflict of Heaven and Man, and so fixated on the orthodoxy of the Dao?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an seized the moment to voice the doubt that had been bothering him. Li Miaozhen gave him a surprised look. ¡°It¡¯s rare that you think so deeply.¡± After a brief pause, she shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. As you said, this intense obsession with conflict doesn¡¯t align with the Heaven Sect¡¯s principles. But the sect has its reasons. I asked once but received no answer.¡± *So, the Conflict of Heaven and Man, which seems like a struggle over ideology and orthodoxy, has a deeper reason. And even the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect isn¡¯t aware of it... The Daoist sects are moreplicated than they appear.* Half an hourter, they arrived at Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s residence. Susu, walking behind Xu Qi¡¯an, looked around with interest, clearly pleased with theyout and design of the manor. ¡°Not bad. Living in such arge house in the capital... You must have embezzled quite a bit of silver.¡± ¡°Exactly, so if you stay with me, you¡¯re guaranteed a life of luxury,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an joked offhandedly. As they entered the inner courtyard, they saw Lina and Xu Lingyin sitting on the threshold, each holding a te of steamed rice cakes. Lina spoke angrily, ¡°You have to practice horse stance! No horse stance, no rice cakes!¡± Little Pea replied, ¡°I¡¯m tired... I¡¯ll split my rice cakes with you, and I¡¯ll only do half the horse stance. Is that okay?¡± Lina responded excitedly, ¡°Okay!¡± ¡°Big Bwother!¡± Little Pea¡¯s eyes lit up at Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s return, and she charged at him, short legs pumping as she dove into his embrace. ¡°Is she Number Five?¡± Li Miaozhen scrutinized Lina. A very pretty girl with shoulder-length ck hair, slightly curled at the tips, healthy tan skin, and eyes as clear as the azure sea. Lina noticed Li Miaozhen too but said nothing, only staring at her silently. Xu Qi¡¯an gestured for her toe over. ¡°Lina, this is Number Two, the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect, Li Miaozhen.¡± Upon hearing this, Lina''s face lit up with a warm smile. She held up her rice cakes and bounced over energetically. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re Number Two... Would you like some rice cake?¡± *Still not the brightest...* Li Miaozhen shook her head and asked, ¡°The journey from the Southern Marches to the capital was long and arduous. You must¡¯ve endured quite a bit.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Lina nodded vigorously, recounting her hardships during her northward journey¡ªbeing cheated out of her silver, tricked into doing manualbor, working tirelessly just for a single meal. She was even ambushed with aphrodisiac smoke by rogue martial artists who lusted after her beauty. Thankfully, she was from the shaman ns, and poisons that would harm ordinary people had little effect on her. She found that being a beggar was the most leisurely and enjoyable job¡ªdoing nothing but sitting on the street with a broken bowl, waiting for kind strangers to give her copper coins. Li Miaozhen was left speechless after hearing her story. ¡°Big sister, you¡¯re so pretty.¡± Little Pea approached Susu, tilting her head back to admire the ghost¡¯s beauty. Susu found the child¡¯s clueless expression amusing and decided to tease her, baring her teeth in a mock snarl. ¡°I¡¯m a ghost...¡± Little Pea was stunned, staring nkly at Susu. Suddenly, she gulped audibly. Susu: ¡°???¡± Feeling sympathy and pity, Li Miaozhenforted Lina with a few words, then turned to Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°On my way to the capital, I found a corpse. It seemed like someone was silenced.¡± ¡°I summoned the remnant soul to question it and discovered something significant.¡± Significant? Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Let¡¯s discuss this in the study.¡± He grabbed Li Miaozhen¡¯s arm and led her towards the study. Susu, holding her red umbre, followed closely. After a few steps, she nced back. Little Pea was still staring at her, eyes filled with a strange mixture of longing and hunger. Chapter 326: The Identity of the Body # 326. The Identity of the Body ¡°Stinky man! Is there a problem with this child¡¯s brain?¡± Susu dashed into the study, and only then did the prickling feeling on her back fade away. It was really odd¡ªshe had felt extremely uneasy under the gaze of a merely five- or six-year-old child. ¡°You¡¯re the one with the problem. Your whole family has a problem. Oh, I forgot, your entire family has already been executed.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an retorted mercilessly, having long forgotten Auntie¡¯s casual joke, assuming that Susu was mocking Little Pea. ¡°Creak¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an closed the door to the study. He initially thought to pour Li Miaozhen a cup of tea, but considering that there might be a need for an autopsy soon, it wasn¡¯t the right moment for tea. Thus, he didn¡¯t serve any. Li Miaozhen, not wasting words, pulled out a fragment of the Earth Book, giving it a light shake. A dark shadow fell down andnded with a ¡°thud¡± on the study floor. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s sharp senses detected a strong scent of blood.He stared at the headless corpse for a moment before asking, ¡°What about his soul?¡± A headless body alone didn¡¯t reveal much. Since Li Miaozhen had said it was a major matter, she had likely used Daoist methods to summon the soul. Li Miaozhen patted her sachet, releasing a wisp of azure smoke that formed mid-air into the dazed, indistinct figure of a middle-aged man. He muttered, ¡°Blood runs three thousand miles¡­ blood runs three thousand miles¡­ we plead the court, send troops to suppress¡­¡± The Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect had a grave expression. ¡°His soul is damaged. If you want to know the rest, you¡¯ll have to nourish it. Judging by the degree of fragmentation, it will take at least two months.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nced at her, snorted, and said, ¡°Two months from now, the trail will be ice-cold.¡± Li Miaozhen red, ¡°Then what do you suggest?¡± She truly had no idea what to do. With only this single clue, headless and iplete, how could the truth be uncovered? Susu¡¯s beautiful eyes, clear as ck and white, settled on him expectantly. She knew that with Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s talent for solving cases, he wouldn¡¯t be as clueless as her master. Susu was both hopeful and curious to see what angle he would take in his analysis. After a brief moment of thought, Xu Qi¡¯an bent down and removed the corpse¡¯s clothing. After a thorough examination, he said, ¡°If I''m not mistaken, he should be a northerner.¡± Li Miaozhen¡¯s eyes immediately lit up. ¡°On what grounds?¡± she asked. She had observed shameless Number Three''s entire examination but had not drawn the same conclusion. ¡°Every region¡¯snd nurtures its own people. From appearance and skin, you can determine where someone is from. Without a head, and with the ghost¡¯s face too blurry... To determine where this headless corpse is from, we have to verify through body details.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an lifted the corpse¡¯s right hand. ¡°Look here. Besides the calluses on his palm, his index finger has a thickyer of callus as well. Using a sabre or sword wouldn¡¯t cause this kind of callus.¡± Susu and Li Miaozhen both scrutinised the finger and found it to be true. The stunning ghost blinked her beautiful eyes and asked coquettishly, ¡°Then what weapon did he use? Don¡¯t keep us in suspense.¡± Li Miaozhen, however, showed a look of realisation. ¡°A bow.¡± *Indeed, as a general with the military, she reacts quickly...* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. ¡°Correct, he was a skilled shot.¡± Susu tilted her head sceptically. ¡°How does that prove he¡¯s from the north? It sounds like you¡¯re making things up. There are plenty of people skilled with a bow. Couldn¡¯t he have been from the army?¡± Li Miaozhen nodded in agreement. ¡°Yes, Miss Susu makes a good point. For example, there''s someone skilled with shooting right beside you who isn¡¯t in the army.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an waggled his eyebrows yfully, his hands moving without pause as he parted the corpse¡¯s legs. ¡°Look closely here. There are no calluses on the insides of his thighs. If he were a soldier ustomed to long-term horse riding, his thighs would definitely have calluses. He¡¯s not a military man, yet he¡¯s proficient with a bow. This matches the characteristics of northern folk. Among the martial artists of Great Feng, those outside the north rarely favour the bow.¡± In the north, people were adept with bows. Even an ordinary man there can draw one. From what Xu Qi¡¯an knew, the martial artists in the northern regionsmonly carried both a sabre and a bow. Sometimes, they might even forego the sabre, using daggers or broken des instead, but they would never go without a bow. At this point, Susu came up with another counterargument. ¡°Or perhaps he was an archer?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an chuckled. ¡°Who would send an archer to deliver a message? If I''m not mistaken, this man was most likely a martial artist from the northern region. As to what he was trying to convey, who sent him, and who took his life¡ªthat I can¡¯t say.¡± Li Miaozhen let out a silent sigh of relief and said, with some satisfaction, ¡°Then I¡¯ll leave the matter to you. As a Silver Gong of the Nightwatchers, it¡¯s your duty to handle these affairs.¡± Susu also let out a small breath, feeling that while this stinky man was lecherous and annoying, his skills were undeniably impressive. His analysis was well-founded, and she grudgingly admired it. She and her master had been entirely stumped, with no idea how to proceed, but once it was handed over to this man, they immediately had a lead. Even though Susu oftenined about Li Miaozhen¡¯s tendency to meddle, and despite her penchant for draining men¡¯s vitality, she knew she herself was a kind-hearted ghost. If the matter of the headless corpse wasn¡¯t handled properly, both she and Li Miaozhen would be left burdened with it. Thus, this highlighted Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s strengths. He could bring just a small sense of security. ¡­ Having arranged guest rooms for Li Miaozhen and Susu, and instructing the cook to prepare some snacks, Xu Qi''an returned to the study, ced the corpse into the jade fragment, retrieved the remnants of the soul, and rode his little mare to the Constabry. *I remember that Duke Wei mentioned how the northern front has been in constant turmoil. The Great Feng has suffered consecutive defeats. Civil officials impeached the Zhenbei King, but Emperor Yuanjing forcefully shifted the me onto Wei Yuan, stripping him of his position as Deputy Chief Censor.* *Blood runs three thousand miles¡­ It''s unimaginable. Such a major incident... Why hadn''t I heard of it before? This is a matter of grave importance. I need to report to Wei Yuan immediately.* Riding his mare at full speed, Xu Qi''an arrived at the Constabry, handed the reins to the clerk on duty at the entrance, and hurried to the Tower of Noble Spirit. ¡°Silver Gong Xu, Duke Wei just ordered a carriage to be prepared. He¡¯s about to enter the pce,¡± the guard downstairs informed him. *Heading to the pce... Going to the pce means more squabbles with Emperor Yuanjing and the civil officials¡ªa waste of time...* Xu Qi''an¡¯s face turned stern. ¡°Spare me the idle talk, go announce my arrival.¡± ¡°Yes, sir...¡± The guard obediently ran into the building. After receiving confirmation from the guard, Xu Qi''an ascended the steps with a hand on his saber. He saw Wei Yuan sitting behind his desk, his eyes, seasoned by time, gazing at him calmly with a touch of warmth. He was still dressed in azure robes, but now embroidered with intricate cloud patterns, with an azure river dragon stitched over his chest. This was Wei Yuan''s court attire, worn when attending court or meeting the emperor. ¡°You have the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. If you have something to say, say it quick.¡± When addressing his confidants, Wei Yuan¡¯s tone was rarely polite. ¡°Since Duke Wei is in such a hurry, I¡¯ll get straight to the point.¡± Xu Qi''an wasn''t in a good mood either. He immediately produced the jade fragment and gave it a light shake. With a thud, a headless corpse fell onto the clean floor of the tidy tea room, sullying its immacte appearance. Wei Yuan was slightly taken aback, a muscle near his eye twitching as he spoke in a low tone, ¡°What is the meaning of this?¡± ¡°Li Miaozhen arrived in the capital today and is currently staying at my residence,¡± Xu Qi''an exined. ¡°Mm.¡± Wei Yuan nodded, showing no particr interest in that fact. His gaze remained fixed on the headless corpse as he asked indifferently, ¡°And what does this have to do with the corpse?¡± Xu Qi''an grinned. ¡°It''s very relevant. This corpse was found eighty li outside the capital, decapitated with a single, clean stroke. ¡°Li Miaozhen, being someone who loves to meddle, summoned the remnants of the soul to inquire about the circumstances. But...¡± He deliberately paused, wanting to keep Wei Yuan in suspense, but seeing his superior¡¯s expression darken, Xu Qi''an¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Fearing his next month¡¯s wages might get deducted for stepping out with the left foot first, he hurriedly continued: ¡°The spirit said something... Well, Duke Wei, see for yourself.¡± He took out the sachet given by Li Miaozhen, untied the red string, and a wisp of azure smoke drifted up, forming the vague figure of a nk-faced, vacant-eyed man in mid-air. The spirit repeated in a murmur: ¡°Blood runs three thousand miles¡­ blood runs three thousand miles¡­ we plead the court¡­ send troops¡­ to suppress¡­¡± Wei Yuan''s pupils contracted sharply as he fixed his gaze on the lingering spirit, his eyes sharp as daggers. He was silent for a few moments before saying, ¡°What clues do you have?¡± It wasn¡¯t a question but a statement. He seemed certain that Xu Qi''an must have discovered something. As expected, his favored Silver Gong never disappointed. Xu Qi''an reported, ¡°Based on my initial deductions, I believe he¡¯s a northerner, killed while traveling to the capital with important news.¡± He recounted his reasoning in detail. ¡°There has been no recent warfare in the Great Feng, except in the northern regions. Duke Wei, the situation up north might be worse than we imagine. And yet the court has received no reports?¡± ¡°None.¡± Wei Yuan shook his head, his brows furrowed slightly. ¡°Are you suggesting that the Zhenbei King is falsifying military reports?¡± Xu Qi''an nced at Wei Yuan. ¡°That wouldn¡¯t be surprising. What baffles me is, if the Zhenbei King is lying about the state of the front, why hasn¡¯t the Constabry received any intelligence?¡± The Nightwatchers¡¯ informants were scattered across Jiuzhou. An incident as significant as a bloodbath running over three thousand miles shouldn¡¯t go entirely unnoticed. ¡°At the beginning of the year, I reassigned most of our agents to the northeast. Only a few remain in the north, so information may be dyed,¡± Wei Yuan said with a hint of helplessness. *So Duke Wei has moved the agents to the northeast? Is he nning to deal with the Church of the Warlock God...* Xu Qi''an understood and stopped pressing. ¡°What does Duke Wei intend to do about this?¡± Wei Yuan nced at the water clock in the corner and said, ¡°I must first enter the pce to see the emperor. I¡¯ll take both the corpse and the spirit fragment with me. You don¡¯t need to concern yourself further with this matter.¡± After Xu Qi''an nodded in agreement, Wei Yuan added, ¡°Since Li Miaozhen has arrived in the capital, the Conflict of Heaven and Man will soon conclude, and the capital¡¯s security should improve. ¡°During this period, who knows how many spies have infiltrated the city. Fortunately, with the Jianzheng¡¯s oversight, they can¡¯t cause much trouble. ¡°Make sure to warn Li Miaozhen to be cautious. This is a sensitive time. Tell her not to leave the city recklessly and avoid unnecessary conflicts. Be on guard for potential dangers.¡± ¡°Potential dangers?¡± Xu Qi''an asked. Wei Yuan nced at the water clock once more, and with rapid speech, said, ¡°I¡¯ll tell you only this: the dangers she might face are twofold¡ªfirst, from the court; second, from foreign spies. Think about the reasons yourself. I really must go now.¡± He snatched the sachet from Xu Qi''an''s hand, strode out of the tea room, and instructed the clerks, ¡°Bring the corpse. We¡¯re entering the pce.¡± ... The Imperial Study. Aside from Emperor Yuanjing, there were Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen, the Minister of Revenue, and other third-rank officials, dukes, and nobles¡ªsixteen in total. Chu Xianglong, pale-faced, stood among them with his head slightly lowered, saying nothing. He had taken the pills provided by the arcanists of the Sitianjian, which quickly allowed him to stand up on his own. However, with his meridians severely damaged, he couldn¡¯t recover quickly. With proper rest and avoiding qi cirction, he¡¯d be fine in about a month. Emperor Yuanjing frowned. ¡°Wei Yuan isn¡¯t here yet. No need to wait!¡± Then he swept his gaze over the gathered officials. ¡°The Zhenbei King has requested three hundred thousand taels of military funds, and an additional two hundred and fifty thousand *dan* of grain, fodder, and supplies. What do you all think?¡± The Minister of Revenue was the first to step forward in opposition. ¡°In the 36th year of Yuanjing, there was severe flooding in Jiangzhou; In Jingzhou, a drought; followed by suffered a locust gue, and the court provided disaster relief multiple times. ¡°The surplus in the granaries of Yuzhou and Zhangzhou are nearly depleted. We simply cannot gather more.¡± Emperor Yuanjing mused, ¡°What about mobilizing supplies from other provinces?¡± The Minister of Revenue replied, ¡°Even with river transport, gathering supplies from various provinces is time-consuming andbour-intensive. By the time it reaches the border in Chuzhou, less than half would remain. It¡¯s not a viable n.¡± As he spoke, a eunuch arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Study and paused. Emperor Yuanjing raised his hand slightly, interrupting the Minister of Revenue, and looked towards the eunuch standing at the door: ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Duke Wei has arrived,¡± the eunuch reported. Emperor Yuanjing''s expression remained impassive. ¡°Let him in.¡± The eunuch withdrew, and a dozen secondster, Wei Yuan stepped into the Imperial Study, taking his usual ce without making a single sound. Emperor Yuanjing''s tone turned impatient. ¡°This is no good, that is no good¡ªare my ministers only here to contradict Us?¡± Yuan Xiong, the Left Censor-in-Chief, sensed an opportunity and stepped forward. ¡°Your Majesty, I have a suggestion.¡± Emperor Yuanjing nodded. ¡°Speak, Lord Yuan.¡± Yuan Xiong said, ¡°The court can temporarily impose a new corv¨¦e, called the Grain Transport Draft. Themon folk would be tasked with escorting the grain.¡± Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s eyes brighte ned slightly. It was indeed a clever n. The corv¨¦e, after all, was an unpaid service demanded by the court from all social sses. If themoners were responsible for transporting the grain, with the soldiers supervising, the court would only need to cover the expenses for the soldiers, while themon folk would provide their own food. This way, not only could they ensure that the grain would not be depleted before reaching the frontier, but they would also save a significant amount of transportation costs. ¡°This is a sound strategy!¡± Emperor Yuanjing said with a smile. Yuan Xiong let out a breath of relief. As long as the Emperor adopted his proposal, the favor of the Dragon Throne would be restored. This way, the repercussions from the Imperial Examination Scandal would be minimised. After the Pce Exam, if Xu Xinnian performed well, it was inevitable that Zhao Tingfang, the Prime Minister of the Eastern Pavilion, would retaliate, with Wei Yuan adding fuel to the fire. Yuan Xiong had only recently secured his position as the Left Censor-in-Chief, and there was a chance he might lose it. He needed to protect himself. Prime Minister Wang stepped forward, bowing: ¡°This n is a disaster for the nation, Yuan Xiong deserves punishment! ¡°Your Majesty, it is now the spring ploughing season, the busiest time for the farmers. We must not add another corv¨¦e. Since ancient times, the people have relied on food as their primary concern, and nothing should disturb them during spring ploughing. ¡°Furthermore,st year''s disasters were severe, and themon people have little surplus grain left. This proposal is akin to pouring oil on the fire, driving the people to their doom.¡± Yuan Xiong¡¯s brows twitched, ready to retort, when Chu Xianglong sneered, ¡°Prime Minister Wang, yourpassion for the people is admirable. But do themoners of Chuzhou not count as citizens of the Great Feng as well? ¡°Does the Prime Minister Wang disregard their lives entirely?¡± Prime Minister Wang calmly replied, ¡°The court has stationed 86,000 households of troops in the northern regions, each household granted six *mu* of fertilend. The military fields amount to five thousand *qing*.[^1] Each year¡­ ¡°¡­Chuzhou has been free of major conflicts for years, and the region has enjoyed favorable weather for several years running. Even without any grain requisitions, based on Chuzhou¡¯s stored reserves, they could hold out for several months. Why, then, are we suddenly short on funds and supplies? ¡°Could it be that certain individuals have encroached upon these militarynds?¡± Chuzhou was the northernmost province of Great Feng, bordering the territories of the northern barbarians. Chu Xianglong, relying on his support from a royal king, showed no fear and scoffed, ¡°Schrs only know how to move their mouths. Have any of you ever fought in a battle, or led troops? You sit here enjoying theforts of the capital, oblivious to the hardships endured by the border soldiers. ¡°Your Majesty, the barbarian tribes haveunched several major attacks since the end ofst year. His Highness is exceptionally brave, achieving victory after victory. If ack of supplies causes us to miss our window of opportunity, the consequences will be unimaginable.¡± Emperor Yuanjing nodded. ¡°The martial prowess of the Zhenbei King is known to Us. What is the current state of the war in the north?¡± Chu Xianglong sped his hands and said, ¡°His Highness¡¯s military ability is unparalleled, his bravery unmatched. After several crushing defeats, the barbarians do not dare to face our forces head-on. ¡°They can only rely on the mobility of their cavalry to raid and harass. While we hold the upper hand, our soldiers are growing exhausted. I urge Your Majesty to release funds and supplies to show the troops that the court remembers their deeds.¡± Prime Minister Wang frowned. After the end-of-year impeachment of the Zhenbei King for refusing to leave the city to engage the enemy, the reports from the northern frontlines indeed indicated that the Zhenbei King had won several victories, curbing the barbarian incursions. The Duke of Cao spoke up immediately: ¡°The Zhenbei King has rendered great service, and we must not hinder him. Your Majesty, the Grain Transport Draft is a mutually beneficial solution. Moreover, if the pay is not delivered, there may be mutiny within the army, leading to arger crisis. ¡°Even if there are ws in the proposal, they can be addressed in the autumn. Now is not the time to withhold grain and pay.¡± Several other noblemen echoed their support. In matters of war, they were the experts, more authoritative than the civilian officials. Prime Minister Wang said gravely, ¡°Your Majesty, this matter requires careful deliberation.¡± Emperor Yuanjing ignored him and asked, ¡°What do my lords think?¡± Seeing this, the officials one by one relented, answering, ¡°We will give our full support to the Zhenbei King.¡± The Emperor¡¯s preference was clear, and it was pointless to argue further. Several of the core members of the Wang Clique discreetly signalled to Prime Minister Wang to exercise caution. The Emperor¡¯s trust in the Zhenbei King was well known throughout the court. Otherwise, the Zhenbei King would never have been granted the Sword of State back then. Emperor Yuanjing turned to Wei Yuan. ¡°Lord Wei, you are a master of military strategy. What is your opinion?¡± Prime Minister Wang immediately looked towards Wei Yuan. --- [^1]: One *mu* is about 1/6 of an English acre. One *qing* is 100 mu. Chapter 327X. Recollections of the Su Family Chapter 327X. Recollections of the Su Family # 327X. Recollections of the Su Family Wei Yuan stepped forward, sped his hands, and dered in a resonant voice, ¡°In times of peace, military households can be self-sufficient from their fields. When war breaks out, the court must allocate provisions and supplies¡ªthis is a fundamental principle.¡± Prime Minister Wang squinted slightly, his gaze deep as he looked at Wei Yuan. Chu Xianglong smiled at these words. In matters of war, this group of schrs who could only wag their tongues couldn¡¯tpare to a single word from Wei Yuan. Obtaining supplies and military pay would already fulfill half of his mission for this trip to the capital. Meanwhile, Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong secretly breathed a sigh of relief, surprised that Wei Yuan would support his strategy. This would allow him to steer clear of thesting ripples of the exam fraud scandal and remain uninvolved. On second thought, this aligned with the emperor¡¯s intentions. The support of meritorious nobles within and ¡°pressure¡± from the barbarian armies outside made this a trend impossible to resist. Even those ministers opposing the n understood the situation clearly. Unexpectedly, Wei Yuan changed his tone and said, ¡°However, before proceeding, your servant has a matter to report to Your Majesty.¡± Everyone turned to look at him. Wei Yuan¡¯s expression remained impassive, paying no heed to the gazes of the officials.Emperor Yuanjing said, ¡°Speak.¡± Wei Yuan began, ¡°My subordinate Bronze gonds discovered a group of martial artists engaged in a deadly fight outside the capital. When they intervened to stop the conflict, therger group not only ignored the order but decapitated their opponent and fled.¡± Wei Yuan¡¯s words were as firm as iron, making the situation seem irrefutable. ¡°Before dying, the victim cried out, ¡®The North is in turmoil!¡¯¡± At these words, the expressions of all present¡ªincluding the Emperor Yuanjing¡ªchanged. Chu Xianglong snapped his head toward Wei Yuan but quickly averted his gaze, not daring to offend. He stiffened his neck and said, ¡°The North is, of course, in turmoil. The barbarians are looting and provoking conflict¡­¡± Wei Yuan¡¯s tone remained calm. ¡°So, the barbarians¡¯ massacre letting blood run three thousand miles in the North can be dismissed with mere words of looting and burning, General Chu?¡± This statement left everyone stunned. The Emperor Yuanjing rose from his throne, his piercing gaze fixed on Wei Yuan below. ¡°Wei Yuan, exin yourself! What do you mean by ¡®blood runs three thousand miles¡¯?¡± Chu Xianglong quickly interjected, ¡°Your Majesty, that is absolutely untrue¡­¡± ¡°Silence!¡± The emperor raised his hand to interrupt, giving Chu Xianglong a frosty nce before turning back to Wei Yuan. ¡°What evidence do you have?¡± Reaching into his robe, Wei Yuan produced a sachet, untied the red cord, and released a wisp of green smoke. The smoke coiled and formed the faint image of a man with indistinct features and lifeless eyes. The figure murmured, ¡°Blood runs three thousand miles¡­ blood runs three thousand miles¡­ we plead the court¡­ send troops¡­ to suppress¡­¡± Wei Yuan added, ¡°This man¡¯s corpse has been brought here and is currently outside the pce gates. Your Majesty may send someone to examine it. He is a resident of the northern regions.¡± The Imperial Study fell into silence. The Emperor Yuanjing slowly rose, his face as dark as a storm, and said in a measured tone, ¡°Examine the corpse!¡± The elderly eunuch bowed his head and hurried out to ry themand, almost as if fleeing, not daring to make a sound. Seated on his throne, the emperor maintained his stern expression without uttering a word. Below, the officials exchanged silent nces. Chu Xianglong¡¯s face turned ashen, and he red at Wei Yuan out of the corner of his eye. After an agonizing quarter of an hour, the elderly eunuch returned and whispered in the emperor¡¯s ear. The Emperor Yuanjing was silent for a long time before slowly saying, ¡°Summon the arcanists of the Sitianjian to the pce for questioning. We are weary. Ministers, please retire to the side hall for now.¡± He fixed his gaze on Chu Xianglong and said coldly, ¡°You stay.¡± With that, he rose first and left the study. The officials followed the eunuchs to the side hall to rest. ¡­ In the Side Hall. The Minister of Revenue sipped his tea and nced at Wei Yuan, whose expression was impassive. Testing the waters, he asked, ¡°Duke Wei, is this matter true?¡± The other officials turned to Wei Yuan. He maintained a serious demeanour and gave the minister a cold look. ¡°Does Minister Zhao think this official is joking?¡± ¡°No no, definitely not.¡± The Minister of Revenue sighed. ¡°If this ¡°blood runs three thousand miles¡± is true, how many lives must have been lost in the northern borders? The Nightwatchers have informants everywhere¡ªwhy was there no news?¡± Wei Yuan ignored the probing. Prime Minister Wang squinted slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the table as if lost in thought. Two sticks of incenseter, the elderly eunuch entered the side hall and announced, ¡°His Majesty summons the ministers back to the study.¡± In the Imperial Study, the white-d arcanists summoned from the Sitianjian questioned Chu Xianglong. The answers were unexpected¡ªeverything Chu Xianglong said was true. The Zhenbei King had indeed won a major victory against the barbarians, but their guerri tactics had severely strained the northern forces. The main barbarian army had been kept beyond the borders, so the supposed bloodbath of three thousand miles never urred. The atmosphere in the study instantly rxed, and everyone exhaled deeply. ¡°Hmph!¡± Chu Xianglong snorted coldly. ¡°I wonder where Duke Wei got his information, almost causing His Majesty and the ministers to misunderstand the Zhenbei King. Did His Highness offend Duke Wei somehow?¡± Wei Yuan ignored him and stepped forward, speaking firmly, ¡°This matter is of great importance. The man¡¯s im may be true, even if the northern situation does not entirely match.¡± Chu Xianglong bristled and was about to retort when Prime Minister Wang stepped forward to support him. ¡°Your Majesty, I believe Duke Wei is correct. Such a matter cannot be taken lightly. A thorough investigation is necessary.¡± With the Prime Minister and Wei Yuan leading the charge, the ministers quickly voiced their agreement. The Emperor Yuanjing pondered and asked, ¡°My lords, wow should we investigate this matter?¡± Prime Minister Wang suggested, ¡°Your Majesty could continue gathering provisions and funds for the north while sending a special envoy team to conduct a thorough investigation.¡± Wei Yuan added, ¡°Your servant seconds the motion.¡± The emperor nodded. ¡°So be it.¡± ¡­ Xu Manor. Susu sat under the eaves with her parasol shielding her from the sun, watching Little Pea practicing her horse stance in the courtyard. In the adjacent hall, Li Miaozhen chatted with the Xu Family¡¯s matron and daughter. Auntie and Xu Lingyue were initially displeased to hear about another guest staying over. Auntie worried the house was turning into a charity, while Xu Lingyue felt a threat to her own standing from the beautiful new arrivals. The Daoist-robed woman was striking enough, but the white-ddy outside, as pure as snow, made Xu Lingyue feel utterly inadequate. However, upon learning that Li Miaozhen was Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s savior, Auntie and Xu Lingyue¡¯s attitudes softened, and they expressed genuine gratitude. ¡°Truly a martial family,¡± Li Miaozhenplimented, gesturing toward the young girl in the courtyard. ¡°Starting her martial training so young¡ªit¡¯s admirable.¡± Auntie sighed and said, ¡°I only wish she¡¯d study a little instead. It doesn¡¯t need to be poetry, chess, calligraphy, and painting¡ªjust enough to be well-mannered. But s, she¡¯s a silly child.¡± *The child may seem slow-witted, but how could she be truly foolish? Wasn¡¯t Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s cousin a student of Cloud Deer Academy? Yet he doesn¡¯t teach his sister to read?* Li Miaozhen thought for a moment, then offered: "Since I¡¯m staying at the Xu residence for a while, I can help give the youngdy some basic education in my free time." Her reasoning was simple: Xu Xinnian was likely too busy with his studies to teach his younger sister, and Xu Qi¡¯an and Xu Pingzhi, both being warriors, would naturally emphasise martial training over academics for the family¡¯s youngdy. It wouldn¡¯t hurt to teach the child for a while¡ªit wouldn¡¯t interfere with anything else. Auntie paused, about to decline, when Xu Lingyue pre-emptively epted, her smile gentle and reserved. "Then we must thank Daoist Li." Li Miaozhen, finding the graceful young woman likable, returned the smile. "It¡¯s no trouble at all." After speaking, she noticed a hint of pity and sympathy in the gaze Auntie directed at her. --- ¡°Big Sister, Big Sister, are you really a ghost?¡± Xu Lingyin stood in a horse stance, her short, stubby legs trembling slightly. She craned her neck to look up at Susu on the roof. ¡°Yes, I am. I eat people. Aren¡¯t you afraid?¡± Susu tried to frighten her. ¡°I am!¡± Xu Lingyin¡¯s face showed a hint of fear. Susu chuckled smugly, humming a little tune as she stared off into the blue sky, daydreaming. Time passed, and before long, the two girls¡ªone big, one small¡ªwere gone from the courtyard. ¡°Big Sister, Big Sister¡­¡± A call came from below. Susu looked down to see the little girl standing at the base of the eaves, her bright, ck-and-white eyes staring up at her. ¡°Can youe down here?¡± the child asked. Susu drifted lightly into the courtyard and looked down at Xu Lingyin¡¯s little head. "What do you want?" she asked, annoyed. Xu Lingyin said nothing, waving her hand to beckon Susu closer. Confused but curious, Susu followed her all the way to the kitchen, the smell of cooking wafting through the air. Little Bean struggled to step over the threshold and turned back, saying, "Big Sister,e in." Inside, the Southern Marches¡¯ little dark-skinned girl was tending the fire, the pot above bubbling with hot oil. Xu Lingyin pulled Susu toward the pot and, face full of anticipation, asked: "Big Sister, can you get in by yourself?" Susu¡¯s expression suddenly froze. --- When Xu Qi¡¯an returned from duty, he introduced Li Miaozhen to Xu Pingzhi. At first, Second Uncle assumed this was just another of his nephew¡¯s friends and nodded solemnly, maintaining the airs of an elder. He asked steadily, ¡°Where does Daoist Li practice her cultivation?¡± ¡°She¡¯s none other than the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect, one of the protagonists in the Conflict of Heaven and Man,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an casually added. ¡°...¡± Xu Pingzhi nearly stood up to salute and shout, *Greetings, Miss Holy Maiden!* ¡°We met in Yunzhou¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an exined briefly. Xu Pingzhi nodded dumbly, his mind a storm of emotion. *Dng knows the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect? Hiswork keeps expanding, and his strength keeps growing. Meanwhile, I¡¯ve just broken into the Refining Spirit stage¡­ Truly, he is remarkable.* Second Uncle felt both pride and a twinge of loss at the growing disparity between himself and his nephew. But then he nced at his son, who was poised to be an official after the imperial exams. Though not as meteoric as Ningyan¡¯s rise, it was still an extraordinary aplishment. *I¡¯ve done well by the ancestors, though. It¡¯s a shame my elder brother didn¡¯t live to see his son and nephew achieve such sess¡­* Just then, Xu Xinnian said gravely, "Big Brother, Miss Wang has invited me for anotherkeside outing." *Is the Wang family girl interested in our Eng?* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s heart stirred, his suspicion growing stronger. During the civil service examination scandal, Miss Wang had tipped him off with urate and timely information¡ªa highly unusual gesture. And now, linking it to the second invitation, he was almost certain Miss Wang harbored feelings for Xu Xinnian and was making bold moves to show her interest. "Did you agree to go?" Xu Qi¡¯an asked with a smile. Xu Xinnian scoffed, ¡°I used the uing imperial exams as an excuse to decline.¡± "Well done, Eng." Xu Qi¡¯an patted his shoulder. "A role model for our generation." *Role model? What a poor choice of words¡ªssic uneducated Big Brother¡­* Xu Xinnian sneered internally, quietly mocking him in return. ¡­ After dinner, Xu Qi¡¯an approached Li Miaozhen¡¯s room. Just as he was about to knock, he overheard Susuining inside: "Master, the children here are terrifying. She¡­ she wants to eat me. She even heated a pot of oil." ¡°Childish talk and actions, nothing more. Don¡¯t take it seriously,¡± Li Miaozhen replied absentmindedly. ¡°No! I can feel she¡¯s not joking. The way she stared at me¡ªit was serious¡­¡± Susu rambled on. Noticing Li Miaozhen¡¯sck of interest, she huffed angrily and shouted, "Stupid man! Your sister wants to eat me!" As soon as she finished, the door swung open. Susu stood there, hands on her hips, cheeks puffed out, ring at him. *Ah, I remember now. Auntie told her once that fried ghosts were delicious, and the silly child took it seriously¡­ and remembered all this time.* *So why is her memory so sharp when ites to nonsense like this, but she can¡¯t memorise even the simplest ssics?* Xu Qi¡¯an silently grumbled, deflecting, "Susu, didn¡¯t you once say you¡¯d be my concubine for three years if I fulfilled two of your requests?" Li Miaozhen immediately shot Susu a sharp re. The coquettish ghost, more enchanting than her mistress, folded her arms and replied, ¡°That¡¯s right! Rebuild my body and uncover the truth behind my father¡¯s execution. "If you do, I¡¯ll not only be your concubine for three years¡ªI¡¯ll even bear you a son." In reality, whether or not she became a concubine was not important to him; the reason why Xu Qi¡¯an agreed to investigate for her was that he felt teasing a ghost was a little too much. *Obviously I have to get Song Qing to make her a 36D body, but I don¡¯t really care either way, however hard things are, I can¡¯t make things hard for my child¡­* he thought, before looking towards Li Miaozhen. ¡°First of all, tell me what you know already.¡± The Master and Servant¡¯s expressions became serious. Li Miaozhen said: ¡°Susu was born in Jiangzhou, her father was the Jiangzhou Prefect. In Yuanjing 15, he was indicted and beheaded, and his family¡¯s women were sent to the Jiaofangsi. ¡°Her mother had a strong personality, and refused to be a courtesan in the Jiaofangsi. Hence, she poisoned all the women in her family, including Susu. However, Susu did have one younger brother, who was far away studying, who managed to escape this cmity. ¡°Whening to the capital, I took Susu on a detour around Jiangzhou, to try investigate past happenings, and discovered something strange.¡± ¡­ Chapter 328: The Palace Examination # 328. The Pce Examination ¡°Something strange?¡± Xu Qi''an pulled out a chair and sat down, motioning for Susu to pour him some water. ¡°I¡¯m not your concubine yet, and you¡¯re already ordering me around¡­¡± Susu shot him a resentful nce but obediently went to fetch water. After all, the topic at hand was her family¡¯s massacre. She needed this man¡¯s help, as she and her master, Li Miaozhen, couldn¡¯t uncover a hair even if they had a decade to investigate. Once Xu Qi''an had taken a sip of tea, Li Miaozhen began, ¡°Susu¡¯s father was named Su Hang, a sessful candidate of the imperial examination in Zhende 29. In Yuanjing 14, for reasons unknown, he was demoted to serve as the prefect of Jiangzhou. The following year, he was executed on charges of bribery and corruption.¡± Xu Qi''an rubbed his teacup thoughtfully. ¡°Is there anything unusual about that?¡± ¡°There is,¡± Li Miaozhen replied, turning to Susu. ¡°She doesn¡¯t remember ever living in the capital. Susu¡¯s soul is intact. When my master found her, she was cultivating with the Yin energy from a mass grave, achieving a fair degree of power. A resentful spirit with her cultivation level wouldn¡¯t have memorypses unless her memories were erased while she was alive.¡± Susu interjected, ¡°Maybe¡­ maybe I really never lived in the capital.¡± Xu Qi''an shook his head. ¡°Any official who takes up a position in the capital is required to relocate their family there. I¡¯m more inclined to think there¡¯s an issue with your memories from when you were alive. Hmm, this is getting interesting.¡± The three of them fell silent for a moment before Xu Qi''an said, ¡°Since he served as a capital official, the Ministry of Personnel should have records on him¡­ but the Ministry of Personnel is Prime Minister Wang¡¯s domain, and he¡¯s Wei Yuan¡¯s political rival. Without a solid reason, I have no authority to ess their archives. So, don¡¯t rush¡ªwait for an opportunity.¡± Li Miaozhen and Susu nodded in agreement. Xu Qi''an sipped his warm tea before asking, ¡°What¡¯s your younger brother¡¯s name? How old was he when the incident happened?¡± Susu tilted her head in thought. ¡°His name is Su Chengzhi. He was about eleven or twelve when the tragedy struck.¡± *That would make him around thirty-one or thirty-two now. Finding this little brother is like searching for a needle in a haystack¡­ If only the Great Feng had an advanced public security system¡­* Xu Qi''an hinted, ¡°I¡¯ll try to help you locate him, but don¡¯t get your hopes up too high.¡± Susu nodded, understanding how difficult the task was and choosing not to press further. With that matter settled, Xu Qi''an brought up another topic. Looking at Li Miaozhen, he asked, ¡°When do you n to begin the Conflict of Heaven and Man?¡± Li Miaozhen didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°I¡¯ll issue a challenge first, then set a date. Let¡¯s say within seven days.¡± Xu Qi''an nodded slowly and bluntly offered his advice. ¡°Before the Conflict of Heaven and Man concludes, it¡¯s best that you don¡¯t leave the capital. No matter what letters you receive or whom you meet, stay put.¡± Li Miaozhen raised an eyebrow. ¡°You think someone would try to harm me?¡± ¡°That¡¯s obvious,¡± Xu Qi''an sighed. ¡°If something happens to you in the capital, would the Heaven sect¡¯s leader let it slide? A Daoist Grandmaster at the peak of the mortal realm is probably on par with the Jianzheng.¡± Susu puffed out her paper chest, her expression proud. ¡°Knowing our sect leader is at the pinnacle of cultivation, who would dare harm my master?¡± Xu Qi''an felt a pang of pity for the ghost¡¯s intelligence. ¡°Your father was a schr, but you seem to have inherited none of his smarts¡­ It¡¯s precisely because Miaozhen is the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect that she¡¯s a target. ¡°The Emperor is obsessed with Daoism, and to maintain his grip on power, he¡¯s fostered the current chaotic factional struggles in court. There are people deeply dissatisfied with this situation. For them, the Conflict of Heaven and Man is a golden opportunity. ¡°Additionally, this event has drawn widespread attention, attracting jianghu warrirors from across thend. Among them, there are bound to be spies from foreign powers, all of whom would love to see Li Miaozhen perish in the capital.¡± Susu suddenly understood. ¡°You¡¯re a fourth-rank Daoist. Ordinary opponents aren¡¯t a threat to you, and foreign experts above the fourth rank wouldn¡¯t dare enter the capital to assassinate you¡ªit¡¯s a fool¡¯s errand. As for the court¡¯s own experts, they wouldn¡¯t act unless they¡¯re prepared to die.¡± ¡°Thanks for the warning. I understand now,¡± Li Miaozhen said. ¡°I¡¯ll arrange for ghost sentries around the Xu residence. If anyone suspicious approaches, I¡¯ll be alerted immediately. In such a case, I¡¯ll act preemptively or leave the Xu residence to ensure your family isn¡¯t implicated. Though I think the chances are slim.¡± Then, unable to hold back, she muttered, ¡°That damn Emperor Yuanjing.¡± *Hey, watch your words! It¡¯s fine to rant online, but¡­* Xu Qi''an smiled and nodded, rising to his feet. ¡°In that case, this outsider will leave the twodies to their beauty sleep.¡± Under their somewhat bewildered gazes, he left the room. ¡­ The 27th March, an auspicious day for consecration, tailoring, travel, and marriage. Today was the day of the pce examination, exactly a month after the conclusion of the metropolitan exam. The sky was still dark when Auntie woke up. She dressed in an exquisitely embroidered long gown, her slightly dishevelled hair pinned back with a simple golden hairpin. Her pretty eyes looked drowsy, and her eye bags were puffy. Auntie busied herself instructing the kitchen staff to prepare breakfast for Eng while bringing her personal maid, Lyu''e, to knock on his door. Xu Eng, dressed in a light white robe and wearing the jade pendant gifted by Ziyang Jushi, was full of energy as he opened the door for his mother. ¡°Eng, up so early?¡± Auntie yawned and said, ¡°I¡¯ve asked the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Why not sleep for another quarter-hour? I¡¯ll wake you then.¡± ¡°No need,¡± Xu Eng replied, reassuring his mother. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mother. The pce examination ranks the candidates. With my title as huiyuan, my position won¡¯t be too low.¡± Auntie finally felt relieved. As she stepped out of the room with Lyu''e, she suddenly screamed. Xu Eng, startled, rushed out to check. In the courtyard stood a woman in white holding a crimson umbre. It was just past the third watch,[^1] and the sky was still inky ck. The woman, d in white and holding her red umbre, exuded an eerie aura. ¡°Madam Xu,¡± Susu greeted with a gentle smile, bowing gracefully. Auntie breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, *What is she doing outside at this hour instead of sleeping in her room? I almost thought she was a ghost.* Xu Eng, after a moment¡¯s scrutiny, calmly retracted his gaze and told Auntie, ¡°Mother, you should go back to bed.¡± After sending Auntie away, Xu Eng looked at Susu. ¡°Does my elder brother know your identity?¡± *Can he see through my charm? As expected of a Cloud Deer Academy schr¡­* Susu¡¯s smile deepened, revealing dimples as she said coyly, ¡°He does. He even promised to help me regain my body and let me be his concubine for three years.¡± *¡­ That¡¯s exactly the kind of thing my big brother would do. Has he grown tired of Jiaofangsi¡¯s oirans and set his sights on ghosts now?* Xu Eng was left speechless for a long moment. Knowing that today was the day of the pce examination, just after third watch the candles were already lit in Xu manor. Hearing about this, Li Miaozhen also came out to join in themotion. After everyone had breakfast, they apanied Xu Xinnian out of the manor. ¡°Eng, not only is today the exam that decides your future, but also a chance for you to prove your innocence and right this wrong that has been ced on you. You have to do well.¡± Xu Pingzhi, in his armour and helmet, advised Eng in a serious tone. Xu Xinnian walked and nodded: ¡°I know, don¡¯t worry, dad, I¡­¡± Thetter half of the sentence stuck in his throat. He looked at the street ahead with a stiff expression, as two ¡°familiar faces¡± stood there. One was a tall burly monk, with a kasaya bleached pale by countless washings; the other was an azure-robed swordsman, with a single lock of white hair loose on his brow, not young, but still giving off the sense of countless years of experience. *You two again, you two again!* Xu Xinnian¡¯s mind angrily roared. ¡°Those are Big Brother¡¯s friends¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an patted his younger brother¡¯s shoulder, soothing his anger. In the past, since he hadn¡¯t interacted with Number Four, Xu Qi¡¯an let Xu Xinnian carry the pot. But now, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s identity was gradually solidifying, and Chu Yuanzhen had started epting the persona of "Number Three¡¯s older cousin." Once preconceived notions take root, Chu Yuanzhen wouldn¡¯t bother to overanalyse, nor would he question, ¡°Is there something off about Number Three¡¯s persona?¡± People were always more inclined to trust friends and familiar faces¡ªthis is why. Hengyuan and Chu Yuanzhen exchanged polite nods and greetings before their gazes naturally shifted to Li Miaozhen. The Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect had a fair and pristine oval face, unadorned by cosmetics. Her eyes, as clear and bright as ck pearls, radiated purity. Her sharp brows entuated the subtle but distinct sharpness in her aura. *Rather than resembling the Holy Maiden of a Heaven Sect, she seemed more like a seasoned female general¡­ Right, she had spent a year serving in Yunzhou¡¯s army¡­* Hengyuan the monk sped his hands in a prayer gesture and smiled at Li Miaozhen. *Her aura is restrained, revealing not a hint of her cultivation. Though her level is indiscernible, her presence in the capital implies she has stepped into the fourth rank. Heh, it¡¯s been many years since my crushing defeat against Zhang Kaitai; I haven¡¯t crossed paths with another fourth rank since.* Chu Yuanzhen smiled faintly, his pupils alight with the quiet mes of battle-spirit. *The bald one is Number Six, and the sword-bearer is Number Four. Hmm, as Number One said, Number Four doesn¡¯t seem to follow the orthodox Human Sect path¡­* Li Miaozhen nodded slightly, acknowledging the greetings. As for Number Five, Lina, she was still sound asleep in her room, snoring away just like her disciple, Xu Lingyin. ¡°Clop, clop, clop¡­¡± The three men of the Xu family rode off, leaving Li Miaozhen to watch their retreating figures. From beside her came Hengyuan¡¯s voice: ¡°Amitabha, may Number Three rank in the top grade in the imperial examination.¡± Chu Yuanzhen snickered. ¡°Securing a spot in the second grade would already be impressive. After all, he¡¯s a student of Cloud Deer Academy. But¡­ Number Three hides great secrets.¡± Hengyuan was taken aback. ¡°Secrets?¡± Chu Yuanzhen nodded, his smile mysterious. ¡°If my guess is correct, the vision of pure qi soaring from the Lesser Sage Temple of Cloud Deer Academy is rted to Number Three. ¡°Of course, this is just spection¡ªtake it as you will.¡± Hengyuan seemed to grasp the implication. Li Miaozhen¡¯s expression turned odd. Number Four and Number Six had no idea that Xu Qi¡¯an was Number Three; they still thought Xu Xinnian was Number Three. *When they eventually learn the truth and recall today¡¯s conversation, would they feel as ashamed as I do, wanting to pummel Xu Qi¡¯an but also having no choice but to keep it under wraps?* *Because this way, everyone could pretend nothing ever happened.* Thinking this, she cast a sympathetic nce at Number Four and Number Six. ¡­ The darkness before dawn was the thickest. Four hundred tribute candidates gathered outside the Meridian Gate, waiting for the pce examination. nked by two rows of imperial guards holding torches, the schrs stood under the watchful eyes of the civil and military officials gathered nearby. asionally, the officials whispered amongst themselves, while the Ministry of Rites officials toiled to maintain order. For the third time, identities were verified, and numbers were checked. The Meridian Gate had five arches: three central gates and two side gates. On regr days, civil and military officials entered through the side gates, leaving the central gates exclusively for the Emperor and Empress. However, top scorers in the pce examination¡ªZhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua¡ªwould be granted the honour of passing once through the central gates. Standing at the forefront of the tribute candidates, Xu Xinnian, as the Huiyuan, held his head high with a stoic expression. His posture exuded an air of superiority, as if everyone else present were beneath him. Schrs were, surprisingly, very drawn to this attitude. Particrly when a brilliant Huiyuan adopted such a stance, even the distant officials couldn¡¯t help but silently praise him: *This young man is exceptional.* The drums sounded, thrice, signalling the start of the exams. Civil and military officials entered first, followed by the candidates, led by the Ministry of Rites officials, through the Meridian Gate, across the Jinshui Bridge, and into the square outside Jinluan Pce. Squinting at the distant hall, Xu Xinnian could only make out the officials on the dais. The inner proceedings of the pce were out of sight. After a long while, the officials exited the hall, signalling the start of the pce examination. Even Xu Xinnian couldn¡¯t suppress a flicker of nervousness at this moment. ¡°Gulp¡­¡± The sound of someone swallowing broke the tense silence among the schrs. Suddenly, amotion erupted behind them¡ªangry shouts and scolding voices. Turning around, they glimpsed through the archway a white-robed arcanist blocking the path of the civil and military officials. Standing with his back to the schrs, the arcanist seemed utterly indifferent to the mour around him. As a confucian schr of the eight rank, Xu Xinnian could just about make out the rebukes wer. ¡°Yang Qianhuan! Are you rebelling? Get out of the way this instant!¡± ¡°Yang Qianhuan, what are you doing? This is the Meridian Gate. Today is the pce examination¡ªare you here to disrupt it?¡± Amid the shouting came a low sigh. The white-robed figure slowly recited: ¡°Though your bodies and names may perish, the rivers and mountains will endure for eternity! Pah¡­¡± For a moment, silence reigned. Then the civil and military officials erupted in chaos, their uproar filling the air. ¡°What¡­ what just happened?¡± A schr murmured, bewildered. ¡°That¡­ wasn¡¯t that Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s poem mocking the officials? And that white-robed figure seemed to be from the Sitianjian¡­¡± ¡°He¡¯s gone¡­¡± The four hundred candidates could no longer maintainposure, whispering and turning to nce back at the Meridian Gate. ¡°Silence!¡± bellowed a Ministry of Rites official. ¡°This matter does not concern you. Focus on your exam! Anyone caught whispering again will be kicked out of the Meridian Gate and barred for three years!¡± The schrs fell silent at once. The officials, who had initially dispersed, returned with varying expressions¡ªsome dark and brooding, others animated or filled with righteous indignation¡ªas they re-entered Jinluan hall. Soon, the sound of heated argument emerged from within. A quarter of an hourter, the officials exited the hall once more and did not return. *Yang Qianhuan¡­ That name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?* Xu Xinnian mused. ¡°Xu Xinnian, candidate of Cloud Deer Academy, the Capital,¡± called a Ministry of Rites official. The announcement snapped Xu Xinnian back to reality. He stepped forward, collected his sealed examination paper from the Registrar Official from the Office of Protocol, and strode into Jinluan Hall with his head held high. ¡­ The pce examination consisted solely of policy questions andsted only one day, with submissions by sunset. As Xu Xinnian emerged from the pce under the golden glow of the setting sun, he spotted his elder brother mounted on a horse, holding the reins of a second horse, smiling as he waited. ¡°I told Uncle I¡¯de to fetch you,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said. ¡°How did it go?¡± ¡°Not bad,¡± Xu Xinnian replied coolly. ¡°If I were a student of the Imperial Academy, I¡¯d be guaranteed the top rank.¡± *¡­stop showing off, you¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded approvingly. ¡°Good. That way, you¡¯ll uphold Big Brother¡¯s prestige. In the future, no one will dare say elder tiger younger hound.¡± Xu Xinnian sighed. ¡°Big Brother may have fame, but you¡¯re not a schr. If the Xu family wishes to gain a firm footing and respect in the capital, we need a schr who seeds in the imperial exams.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an grunted. ¡°Work hard, Eng. By the way, I just came from Lin¡¯an Manor.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Xu Xinnian sped his hands in salute. He conceded; he still couldn¡¯t outdo his big brother in boasting. Xu Qi¡¯an tossed him the reins. ¡°Eng, you¡¯ve already emerged from the path of the imperial exams. Tonight, Big Brother will treat you¡ªlet¡¯s celebrate at the Jiaofangsi.¡± ¡°What about Mother and Little Sister¡­¡± Xu Xinnian frowned. ¡°I told Auntie I¡¯m on night patrol. As for you, isn¡¯t it perfectly normal to drink with your ssmates after finishing the pce examination?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an reasoned. ¡°Big Brother speaks the truth,¡± Xu Xinnian said, breaking into a smile. --- [^1]: Traditionally china had both a 12 division *shichen* system, which produces the double-hours which are normally used, but in the night the 10-division night watch *gengdian* system was used. (*geng* is the sound of the night watch bell, hence *dagengren* ¡ª ¡°the bell-strikers¡± are the nightwatchers). Third watch would be just after midnight, somewhere in the very early morning. Chapter 329: Challenge # 329. Challenge The Next Morning At the Reflecting Plum Pavilion, the spacious and luxurious bed cradled the still-sleeping Fuxiang, who murmured softly, her voice a blend of sweetness andnguor. Her long, curledshes quivered before she opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s sharp profile¡ªhis high nose and strikingly handsome face. He was already awake, gazing quietly at the ceiling. ¡°Good morning, Dear Xu,¡± Fuxiang said, her arms sliding out from under the nket to wrap around his neck, stopping his hand from continuing its yful squeeze. ¡°Morning? You should say, ¡®You were amazingst night!¡¯¡± Xu Qi¡¯an yawned and asked, ¡°What time is it?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tease me. Your servant can¡¯t say such things.¡± Fuxiang yawned as well, brushing her cheek against his and cooing, ¡°The water clock is by the foot of the bed; see for yourself.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an leaned halfway out of the bed to check, but upon ncing down, he jumped up abruptly. ¡°It¡¯s already eight! You little fox, I¡¯mte for work¡ªif I don¡¯t leave now, there goes half a year¡¯s sry!¡± Fuxiang propped her head up with her arm,ughing slyly. ¡°It¡¯s you who tormented your servant all night, yet you use me of tormenting you? Tsk.¡±Leaving the Reflecting Plum Pavilion, Xu Qi¡¯an headed to the stables and retrieved his mare. Unsurprisingly, his second brother¡¯s horse was already gone, indicating that Xu Eng had left the Jiaofangsi. Riding through the streets, Xu Qi¡¯an kept scanning for street vendors but found no green oranges for sale. ¡°Zhong Li is probably still at the Sitianjian. I should go pick her up,¡± he muttered, steering his horse toward the Sitianjian. ¡­ The sound of grinding echoed as Xu Qi¡¯an pulled a lever, opening the stone gate to the Sitianjian¡¯s underground chambers. He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, ¡°Zhong Li! I¡¯m here to get you!¡± His voice reverberated through the hollow underground. After a moment, the sound of footsteps came from the staircase leading below. Oilmps illuminated the figure of a dishevelled Zhong Li, her voice crisp and tinged with delight as it came through her curtain of hair. ¡°You¡¯re here!¡± ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go home,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, turning to leave. Zhong Li paused at the doorway, calling back into the darkness, ¡°Senior Brother Yang, reflect well during your confinement. Don¡¯t make Teacher angry again.¡± She then closed the stone gate, her expression unchanging. Curious, Xu Qi¡¯an asked as they walked, ¡°What did Senior Brother Yang do this time?¡± Zhong Li nced at him and replied in a hushed tone, ¡°Yesterday, he went to the Meridian Gate, blocked the way of the civil and military officials, and recited your poem. ¡°His actions enraged the court and His Majesty, who then reprimanded Teacher and demanded a harsh punishment for Senior Brother Yang. Teacher strung him up, gave him a thorough beating, and confined him underground for ten days to reflect on his mistakes. Only then did the court let it go.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an was stunned, his expression frozen in disbelief. *Someone would go to such lengths to show off?* *I can¡¯t believe I missed seeing Yang Qianhuan getting beaten by the Jianzheng. Such a wasted opportunity¡­* Thoughmenting, he didn¡¯t forget his priorities. After entering the main hall and seeing no staff around, he turned to Zhong Li. ¡°Do you have any powder to mask scents? I had some drinksst night. You might not know this, but my auntie and little sister hate it when I smell of alcohol¡­¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Zhong Li nodded obediently. ¡°Covering perfume odors is easy. Wait a moment; I¡¯ll get some incense for you.¡± *...Well, that¡¯s awkward.* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mouth twitched. Back at Xu Manor, he spotted Lina and Susu ying a game of go at the stone table in the courtyard, while Xu Lingyin practiced her stances nearby. ¡°Big Bwother!¡± Little Pea pretended to greet him with enthusiasm, clearly using the opportunity to take a break. Lina, wholly engrossed in the game, ignored her student¡¯s sneaky tactics. Her beautiful face was etched with seriousness as she focused. *This is rare¡­ it feels like watching two ckers attempt calculus.* Curious, Xu Qi¡¯an walked over and took a look. It turned out they were ying Five-in-a-Row. *Oh, never mind.* Having been warned about Susu beforehand, Zhong Li wasn¡¯t fazed by the sight of a ghost at the table. She merely cast a few curious nces. ¡°That¡¯s a *Mei* demon,¡± Zhong Li whispered. ¡°Quite rare.¡± *I know. They¡¯re pretty and lure travelers into forests to drain their essence. And by essence, I mean the non-suggestive kind¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded, signalling he understood. Satisfied, Zhong Li fell silent. Xu Qi¡¯an soon noticed that Li Miaozhen was missing. rmed, he ran to the courtyard and asked Susu, ¡°Where¡¯s your mistress?¡± Without looking up from the board, Susu replied sweetly, ¡°She went to Lingbao Temple.¡± ¡­ Outside the imperial city, Li Miaozhen, dressed in her Daoist robes, was halted by the Huben Guards. Calm and unhurried, she turned back, walking a short distance before she pped her hand on her back. With a resonant ng, her flying sword flew out of its sheath. The nearby guards assumed she intended to force her way in and drew their weapons, rmed. However, Li Miaozhen leaped gracefully onto the sword, which carried her upward until she hovered two hundred feet high. From this vantage, she could see the distant Lingbao Temple. The Huben Guardmander narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing her. Then, a realization struck. *A Daoist woman trying to enter the city¡­ She must be the Holy Maiden, Li Miaozhen, one of the central figures in the Conflict of Heaven and Man.* *Yet, if Li Miaozhen really were to stubbornly try to enter the imperial city, then all that waited her would be Nightwatchers and experts from the royal guard.* Li Miaozhen naturally knew that those experts had locked onto her, but she did not mind; she didn¡¯t intend to enter the city forcefully. Hovering in the air, Li Miaozhen called out, her voice clear and piercing: ¡°Heaven Sect Disciple Li Miaozhen,es on her teacher¡¯s orders to challenge the disciples of the Human Sect. ¡°The time and ce are yours to decide.¡± Her words reverberated across the imperial city, audible to all. Within the city walls, officials, nobles, and residents alike paused, drawn by the deration. Merchants and passers-by stopped in their tracks, gazing toward the source of the sound. A challenge had been issued, and the whole capital bore witness. Lin¡¯an Manor. Wearing ayered red pce gown and ying shuttlecock with her maids, Lin¡¯an suddenly paused, tilted her head, and listened carefully. She asked, ¡°Did you hear something?¡± The maids tilted their heads in unison, gazing quietly toward the imperial city. ¡°Yes, I heard it. Something about a Heaven Sect Disciple Li Miaozhen...¡± replied the pce maid whom Xu Qi¡¯an had once pped on the backside. As her words fell, a cool, melodious voice echoed from the opposite direction: ¡°Three days from now, at quarter to seven, at the banks of the Wei River outside the capital, the Human Sect¡¯s honorary disciple Chu Yuanzhen will take the challenge.¡± Lin¡¯an slightly parted her delicate lips, recalling Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s tales of extraordinary events. Among them was something called the *Conflict of Heaven and Man*. ¡°Three days from now, I must watch this. My little running dog must take me there!¡± Lin¡¯an¡¯s heart burned with excitement, and she nearly ordered her guards to summon her ¡°little running dog¡± on the spot. King Huai¡¯s Manor. In the blooming back garden, a woman in a lotus-green gown stood amidst the flowers, gazing toward the city gates. She softly murmured, ¡°Three days from now, at the quarter to seven, at the banks of the Wei River outside the capital...¡± Her brows arched slightly, and she smiled with delight. ¡°Another spectacle to enjoy.¡± There was no wind, yet the garden¡¯s flowers gently swayed, as if responding to her excitement. ¡­ Li Miaozhen had arrived in the capital and would, in three days, duel Human Sect¡¯s Chu Yuanzhen at the Wei River outside the city. This news spread like wildfire, circting through the capital within half a day. The most excited were the Jianghu martial artists who had arrived early in the capital. After waiting a full month, they were finally rewarded with the Conflict of Heaven and Man¡ªa battle between the brightest talents of the Daoist Human Sect and Heaven Sect. Even though many faced the embarrassment of dwindling funds, no oneined. Instead, they felt their early arrival was a stroke of luck and wisdom. For in the lead-up to the Conflict of Heaven and Man, they had already witnessed a duel of unparalleled magnitude. The regretful murmurs of those who arrivedte and missed the contest only proved how fortunate the early arrivals were. At a certain tavern, the Soul-Stealing Hand Rongrong dined with a graceful older woman, Young Master Liu, and his master. Seated by a window, they discussed the Conflict of Heaven and Man over their meal. Naturally, the two protagonists dominated the conversation. Rongrong poured wine for the elegant woman but turned to the middle-aged swordsman, asking curiously, ¡°I¡¯ve heard seniors mention this Chu Yuanzhen¡ªis he truly the zhuangyuan schr of Yuanjing 27?¡± The middle-aged swordsman sighed nostalgically. ¡°Indeed. Back then, I was traveling through the capital and happened to witness the spring rankings. He first became a huiyuan and then a zhuangyuan... Who would¡¯ve thought he¡¯d resign from his post, be an honorary disciple of Human Sect, and now represent them in this duel?¡± ¡°Master,¡± Young Master Liu chimed in, eyes gleaming at the mention of beauty. ¡°I heard that Li Miaozhen is a peerless celestial maiden. What Daoist rank is she?¡± His master shook his head. ¡°The Heaven Sect Holy Maiden rarely appears in the Jianghu, and her reputation is not widespread. Even I don¡¯t know her rank.¡± He paused, then added, ¡°However, there¡¯s a rumour that the so-called Lady Flying Swallow, who emerged two years ago, is none other than the Heaven Sect Holy Maiden.¡± ¡°Lady Flying Swallow is the Heaven Sect Holy Maiden?¡± Rongrong was taken aback. Lady Flying Swallow was a renowned name. Known for robbing the rich to aid the poor, she was either doing good deeds or en-route to her next one. Her exploits were sung in praise by many martial artists. However, she had vanished from the martial world a year ago, leaving her whereabouts a mystery. The swordsman chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s only a rumour. No one knows for certain. But it¡¯s true Lady Flying Swallow disappeared a year ago.¡± At a neighbouring table, a man in a blue robe interjected with a mocking tone. ¡°You¡¯re behind the times. Lady Flying Swallow went to Yunzhou to suppress bandits¡ªthat¡¯s why she vanished for a year.¡± *Suppressing bandits in Yunzhou?* Before the swordsman could ask further, the surrounding martial artists leaned in. ¡°How do you know Lady Flying Swallow went to Yunzhou?¡± The blue-robed man smirked, savoring his drink. ¡°Not only do I know she went to Yunzhou, but I also know she¡¯s the Heaven Sect Holy Maiden, Li Miaozhen.¡± Seeing the crowd¡¯s disbelief, he exined, ¡°I have a friend from Qingzhou who returned home this year. He spent thest year in Yunzhou, following Lady Flying Swallow in her crusade against bandits, improving his cultivation significantly. He told me she¡¯s the Heaven Sect Holy Maiden.¡± The swordsman¡¯s eyes glimmered with doubt. ¡°If that¡¯s true, why did your friend suddenly return home?¡± The blue-robed man scoffed. ¡°Obviously, because the bandit extermination was finished. Latest year, the court dispatched two Gold Gongs and a group of Silver Gongs to Yunzhou. They uprooted the bandits entirely. ¡°That Silver Gong Xu, from the Nightwatchers, was among them. They say he nearly died there.¡± Another jianghu person, better informed, interjected. ¡°Not nearly¡ªhe actually did die once.¡± ¡°Bullshit! How can someone die ande back to life?¡± ¡°Hah, I can tell from miles away that you broke fucks can¡¯t afford the Jiaofangsi. That Silver Gong Xu is a frequent visitor. Just ask any courtesan there, and you¡¯ll hear countless stories about him.¡± He added with a grin, ¡°They say that when the Yunzhoumander rebelled and surrounded the inspectors with tens of thousands of troops, it was Silver Gong Xu who single-handedly held the line against the entire army. He fought until the skies darkened and finally copsed from exhaustion¡ªbut his sacrifice bought enough time for reinforcements to arrive.¡± The tavern erupted in gasps. Even themon folk who overheard were stunned. ¡°One man against tens of thousands? Could such an expert exist?¡± ¡°Why not? Did you see that duel? Silver Gong Xu is a once-in-a-lifetime prodigy, even humbling a Buddhist Arhat!¡± ¡°I heard it was the Jianzheng who helped him.¡± ¡°Shut it! Silver Gong Xu defeated the Buddhists with his own skill. Don¡¯t insult a Great Feng hero!¡± ¡­ Lingbao Temple, in a quiet courtyard. Emperor Yuanjing stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the serene beauty of a Daoist nun meditating mid-air above a lotus pond, her eyes gently closed. He sighed deeply. ¡°National Teacher, after this battle, in as little as three months or as long as a year, the Daoist Leader of the Heaven Sect will arrive in the capital. When that timees, you will be in grave danger.¡± Emperor Yuanjing let out another sigh. ¡°The Jianzheng is unlikely to intervene in this matter.¡± If the Jianzheng could lend his protection,bined with Luo Yuheng¡¯s own strength, dealing with the Heaven Sect Leader would be manageable. However, the emperor knew such hope was unrealistic. First rank experts rarely shed without extraordinary cause. Moreover, the Jianzheng¡¯s indifference towards the Human Sect made it unlikely for him to act as a shield against the Heaven Sect¡¯s leader. ¡°If the National Teacher cannot ascend to first rank, then even if Chu Yuanzhen triumphs, it will ultimately mean little,¡± Yuanjing mused with a shake of his head. The conflict between the Heaven and Human Sects followed a strict custom: before their leaders shed, their disciples would duel first. The losing side would be obliged to allow the opposing leader three unchallenged moves in the decisive confrontation. Yet Luo Yuheng was only second rank, far below the Heaven Sect leader. Even if Chu Yuanzhen won the duel of the disciples and granted her the advantage of three moves, she would still likely lose in the end. ¡°Is there any way to postpone this Conflict of Heaven and Man?¡± Yuanjing asked. He didn¡¯t mention stopping it, knowing such a notion was impractical. Even as emperor, he couldn¡¯t halt a doctrinal struggle between a second rank and a first rank expert. Luo Yuheng opened her eyes, their brilliance shing like spiritual light, and spoke indifferently. ¡°The battle can end in a draw.¡± ¡°A draw...¡± Yuanjing mulled over her words before sighing. ¡°That would require Li Miaozhen¡¯s consent.¡± After a moment¡¯s contemtion, Luo Yuheng added, ¡°There is a simpler way...¡± ¡­ Xu Manor. Xu Dng was ying with Little Pea in the courtyard when he suddenly heard a sharp meow. Turning his head, he saw an orange cat perched gracefully atop the wall. ¡°Lingyin, go y with your master for a while. Big Brother has something to take care of,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, patting his younger sister¡¯s head. ¡°Okay! Big Bwother, I want Guiyuelou food tonight,¡± Xu Lingyin chirped, clutching his finger. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll bring you someter. Now run along.¡± He flicked her forehead lightly. Giggling, Xu Lingyin hopped away, her excitement showing in every step. The orange cat leapt gracefully into the courtyard, pacing elegantly toward Xu Qi¡¯an before speaking in a human voice: ¡°Li Miaozhen has issued the challenge.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied with a nod. The orange cat¡¯s mouth curled into a sly, human-like smile. ¡°I have a favour to ask.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said nothing, merely locking eyes with the feline. They stared at each other for a long moment before Xu Qi¡¯an broke the silence, murmuring, ¡°Daoist, are you trying to set me up again?¡± The orange cat shook its head. ¡°Sir Xu, when have I ever schemed against you?¡± *This...* Xu Qi¡¯an sighed. ¡°You showing up at a time like this doesn¡¯t feel promising.¡± Chapter 330: Xu Qian: No One Can Fleece Me # 330. Xu Qi''an: No One Can Fleece Me ¡°As someone blessed with great fortune, your intuition is quite sharp.¡± The orange cat chuckled softly. ¡°What?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an looked at it in surprise. *This person... this cat was able to say something so shameless with such boldness and honesty.* He answered cautiously, ¡°Daoist, you have the right to speak, but never forget¡ªI have the right to refuse.¡± ¡°I want you to help stop the Conflict of Heaven and Man.¡± The orange cat got straight to the point, delivering its words like a bolt from the blue. After a few moments of silence, Xu Qi¡¯an nodded steadily. ¡°Tell me your thoughts and reasons.¡± ¡°Do you know why the Conflict of Heaven and Man exists?¡± The orange cat jumped onto a stone table, crouching there as its amber eyes fixed on Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°It¡¯s a struggle for orthodoxy,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied.The orange cat gave a slight nod, then shook its head. ¡°It¡¯s said that long ago, the two founders of the Human Sect and the Heaven Sect shed during a debate on Dao, both sustaining severe injuries. They returned to their respective sects and soon passed away. ¡°They left behind the same final words: every sixty years, a Conflict of Heaven and Man. ¡°For thousands of years since, the leaders of the Human Sect and the Heaven Sect have duelled every sixty years¡ªsometimes with fatal consequences, sometimes merely injured, and asionally ending in a draw. ¡°Gradually, a tradition formed: before the leaders¡¯ sh, each sect¡¯s outstanding disciples would battle in their stead. The victorious side would earn three initial, unchallenged moves in the final duel.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an furrowed his brow. ¡°I heard from Miaozhen that there¡¯s a deeper secret behind the Conflict of Heaven and Man. Do you know anything about it, Daoist?¡± The orange cat nced at him askance, a faint smile in its voice. ¡°If I said I didn¡¯t know, would that mean you wouldn¡¯t agree?¡± With the same faintly mocking tone, Xu Qi¡¯an replied, ¡°If I didn¡¯t agree, would that mean you wouldn¡¯t tell me?¡± ¡°The true reason is known only to the leaders of the Human Sect and the Heaven Sect. However, clues from countless years allow for some spection,¡± the orange cat said, pausing for a few seconds before continuing: ¡°About two thousand years ago, a Sect Leader of the Heaven Sect went into seclusion to cultivate and missed the Conflict of Heaven and Man. Afterward... he vanished. ¡°Six hundred years ago, another the Heaven Sect Leader, for some unknown reason, ventured alone into the primary altar of the Church of the Warlock God. Severely wounded, he missed the Conflict of Heaven and Man during his recovery¡ªand he, too, disappeared. ¡°As for the Human Sect, they have never produced a first rank Earthly Immortal, but every Human Sect Leader who triumphed in the Conflict of Heaven and Man would immediately attempt to ascend to first rank soon after.¡± *Missing the Conflict of Heaven and Man leads to the disappearance of the the Heaven Sect leaders...* *Winning the Conflict of Heaven and Man leads the Human Sect¡¯s leaders to swiftly pursue the first rank? What in the world is going on?* Xu Qi¡¯an found himself realising that the waters of the Daoist world were deeper than he¡¯d imagined. ¡°You still haven¡¯t told me your reason,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, pulling his thoughts back and fixing his gaze on the orange cat. These secrets behind the Conflict of Heaven and Man were not the reason why Daoist Jinlian wanted him to stop Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen. ¡°I made a pact with Luo Yuheng,¡± the orange cat said, its gaze growing solemn. ¡°She will aid me in the future when it¡¯s time to cleanse the ranks of the Earth Sect. Therefore, I want to dy the conflict between the Heaven and Human Sects. Until the matter with the Earth Sect¡¯s Patriarch is settled, I don¡¯t want her to be put at risk. If the Conflict of Heaven and Man proceeds as scheduled, Luo Yuheng is unlikely to survive.¡± There was a heavy and serious look in the orange cat¡¯s eyes. *Daoist Jinlian is a true disciple of Earth Sect, willing to go to such lengths to cleanse his house...* Xu Qi¡¯an felt a tinge of admiration for the Daoist¡¯s sense of duty. Yet he still couldn¡¯t see how he could help with this matter. ¡°But how could a mere Silver Gong like me stop the Conflict of Heaven and Man?¡± He spread his hands helplessly. ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to stop the leaders of the Heaven Sect and the Human Sect,¡± Daoist Jinlian coaxed, ¡°but you could stop Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen. ¡°Sir Xu, don¡¯t you want a chance to make a name for yourself? Don¡¯t you want to shine in front of the gathered martial artists in the capital, to steal the spotlight?¡± *I¡¯m not Yang Qianhuan; I don¡¯t care about showing off...* Xu Qi¡¯an raised a skeptical eyebrow. ¡°Are you suggesting I participate in the Conflict of Heaven and Man? That¡¯s not a good idea. First, I can¡¯t beat them. Second, even if I manage to disrupt the duel three days from now, what about five dayster? Ten dayster? ¡°Daoist, your n won¡¯t work.¡± The orange cat shook its head gently, taking on the tone of a mentor guiding a younger student. ¡°One must have a strategy when making a move. You can¡¯t just rush in unprepared or without reason¡ªotherwise, Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen won¡¯t take you seriously. Even if you¡¯re lucky enough to disrupt the fight, you can¡¯t stop future duels. ¡°However, you can create a reason for yourself.¡± ¡°A reason?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an echoed. ¡°For example, you could im that the conflict between the Heaven Sect and the Human Sect seems insignificant to you, that their disciples are hardly worth mentioning, and that you¡¯re eager for a challenge. Then, in front of all those martial artists, you can issue a challenge to them: if they can defeat you, the Conflict of Heaven and Man will continue. If not, then it should be postponed until they can defeat you.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an was left speechless. ¡°Can you really do that? Such a contrived excuse...¡± Daoist Jinlian chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯ve never roamed the Jianghu. In the martial world, when issuing a challenge, it¡¯s often done bluntly. If someone doesn¡¯t ept, you simply humiliate them until they do. ¡°This is the polite way. The less civil approach would be to storm into their territory or smash their halls. ¡°Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen both have high opinions of themselves. If you publicly humiliate them, they¡¯ll likely ept your challenge. Once they do, the agreement is set. Even the elders of the Heaven Sect wouldn¡¯t have much to say¡ªthey would just pressure Li Miaozhen to end it quickly.¡± *The elders of the Heaven Sect wouldn¡¯t alle down from the mountains to p me one by one, would they?* Xu Qi¡¯an asked, ¡°If Li Miaozhen can¡¯t beat me, does that mean the Conflict of Heaven and Man won¡¯t happen?¡± The orange cat gave him another sidelong nce. ¡°One thing I admire about you, Sir Xu, is your confidence. I¡¯ve said before, the Conflict of Heaven and Man cannot be stopped, but it can be dyed. If you can buy us a year or so, that¡¯s enough. ¡°Of course, this will certainly offend the Heaven Sect. But for you, it¡¯s nothing you can¡¯t handle.¡± *It¡¯s either that I¡¯m fine, or you¡¯re insisting that I¡¯m fine¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face darkened. ¡°Why?¡± The orange cat chuckled softly. ¡°Because you¡¯re young enough. Because you have a rapport with Li Miaozhen. If it were someone else trying to get involved, the elders of the Heaven Sect might not personally intervene, but they would certainly order Li Miaozhen to kill any intruders. They might even bestow upon her powerful artefacts and elixirs. Don¡¯t doubt it¡ªHeaven Sect Daoists can be quite cold.¡± ¡°What¡¯s in it for me?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked. ¡°Trust me, if Luo Yuheng survives, you will receive an unimaginable reward in the future. That¡¯s one of the reasons I¡¯m asking for your help.¡± The orange cat spoke with a leisurely air. *This damn cat is dangling yet another promise before me...* Xu Qi¡¯an hesitated for a moment and then said, ¡°I need some time to think about it.¡± The orange cat nodded patiently. Xu Qi¡¯an sat down at the stone table, weighing the pros and cons of getting involved. *Let¡¯s set aside the empty promises (that so-called ¡®unimaginable reward¡¯).* *In the duel between Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen, it¡¯s not just a friendly spar¡ªit¡¯s a life-and-death battle bound by their sects¡¯ missions. Especially Chu Yuanzhen. Though not a true disciple of the Human Sect, his sword techniques stem from there. He owes a debt to that lineage and will fight with everything he has to secure three preemptive strikes for Luo Yuheng.* *Li Miaozhen¡¯s character is upright and upromising¡ªasking her to hold back in the Conflict of Heaven and Man would be nearly impossible. It¡¯s not just about her personality; it¡¯s also about the Heaven Sect¡¯s reputation.* *The best oue would be a draw with both sides suffering injuries. The worst? One dead, one severely wounded.* *But if I can prevent the Conflict of Heaven and Man, that oue can be avoided.* *The problem is, I¡¯m just a Sixth-Rank martial artist, while those two are formidable Fourth-Ranks. However... with the nourishment I¡¯ve gained from the blood of Monk Shenshu, my Vajra body has far surpassed its expected level.* *In terms ofbat power, I might be stronger than a typical Sixth-Rank, though certainly not enough to match a Fifth-Rank, let alone a Fourth-Rank. But when ites to defense... even Fourth-Ranks might not match me.* *Daoist Jinlian seems so sure I can help. It¡¯s almost as if he¡¯s seen through me... Did he notice something that day when I sparred with Li Miaozhen?* ¡°Daoist, I understand your reasoning. Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen are both members of the Heaven and Earth Society, but because of their sects¡¯mands, they won¡¯t hold back. Any casualties would be a loss to us all.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an sighed. The orange cat, satisfied, gave a nod¡ªlike an adult who had sessfully coaxed a child. ¡°As for the resentment from Heaven Sect elders, I trust it won¡¯t be too severe. Daoist, you wouldn¡¯t lead me into harm¡¯s way.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said. The orange cat nodded again with a smile. ¡°Therefore, I refuse.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an concluded. The orange cat¡¯s smile froze. ¡°Why?¡± The cat¡¯s tone grew anxious. ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an, mutual assistance is the foundation of the Heaven and Earth Society.¡± *So, when you need me, I¡¯m Sir Xu; otherwise, I¡¯m just Xu Qi¡¯an...* Xu Qi¡¯an recounted his bitter experiences. ¡°Last time we went to rescue Lina, we nearly died underground. Didn¡¯t gain any benefits, and almost lost our lives.¡± ¡°You did absorb the fortune from the Jade Seal.¡± The orange cat lifted its front paw and tapped the table. ¡°And what about this time? What would I gain?¡± Xu Qi¡¯anmented. ¡°Daoist, you should know my reputation wasn¡¯t easily earned. The citizens of the capital admire me, seeing me as a hero of the Great Feng. ¡°Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen are far stronger than I am. If you want me to get beaten up, it would tarnish my reputation¡ªthe same reputation I earned when I single-handedly faced down thousands of rebels. The same reputation I earned when I bested the Buddhists.¡± The orange cat sighed. ¡°What do you want?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face broke into a genuine smile. ¡°Two conditions. First, I want a treasure. I haven¡¯t decided what yet, so you¡¯ll owe me one. But when I do ask for it, you can¡¯t refuse.¡± The orange cat pondered briefly, then nodded. ¡°But you can¡¯t make unreasonable demands¡­ Fine. What¡¯s the second condition?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an straightened his expression. ¡°I want an Azure Pill.¡± ¡°!!!¡± The orange cat raised its paw and struck the table three times, saying indignantly: ¡°That¡¯s impossible. An Azure Pill is like a Rebirth Pill¡ªonly three can be refined in sixty years. The difficulty of crafting a Rebirth Pill lies in finding the ingredients, but the Azure Pill is even harder to make. It requires rare materials, and the refining process is incredibly intricate. Its cost is several times that of a Rebirth Pill.¡± *This kid should realise, if this old Daoist had an Azure Pill in his possession, I wouldn¡¯t have needed to send you to Lingbao Temple to ask Luo Yuheng for one, right?* The Earth Sectcked nothing¡ªexcept money. Xu Qi¡¯an rubbed his hands together and smiled warmly. ¡°Daoist, your words sound so formal. We¡¯re from the same organisation¡ªhow could I take advantage of you like that? ¡°You don¡¯t have an Azure Pill, but the Human Sect does. Everyone knows the Human Sect is as wealthy as a prince.¡± The orange cat hesitated for a long time before saying, ¡°I¡¯ll try. I¡¯ll give you an answer before dusk.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an hurriedly nodded. ¡°No rush. Tomorrow will do. The Conflict of Heaven and Man is still three days away.¡± The orange cat ignored him, dashed into the flowerbed, and vanished. *Daoist Jinlian, that old fox, always likes to fleece the younger generation. It¡¯s worse than just freeloading¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an muttered grumpily. The so-called Azure Pill was a miraculous elixir that purified and refines the body¡¯s essence, strengthening bones and sinews¡ªa description so overused that even sellers of counterfeit pills in the Jianghu disdain to employ it. Yet the Azure Pill¡¯s effects were on a different level. It can greatly enhance the defensive capabilities of a Sixth-Rank Bronze Skin and Iron Bones. *My Vajra body has hit a bottleneck. There¡¯s a small remnant of Monk Shenshu¡¯s blood left within me, but I can¡¯t seem to absorb it¡ªit¡¯s just going to waste within my body...* That was why he specifically consulted Wei Yuan. Of course, he only asked how to rapidly advance in the Vajra divine art, and Wei Yuan suggested two options: realbat and the Azure pill. *I was troubled before, wondering how to reach the Small Aplishment level in the Diamond Sutra. But now that Daoist Jinlian hase to me for help, I suddenly see a way¡­* *Looking at it from a different angle, could it be my formidable fortune at y? I need a breakthrough; I need the Azure Pill and a life-or-death struggle, and Li Miaozhen just so happens to be in the capital for the Heaven-Man agreement.* ¡­ ¡°What¡¯s the n?¡± Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s eyes brightened slightly as he looked towards the peerless beauty floating in the pool. Luo Yuheng¡¯s crimson lips parted, her voice a cool blend of allure and iciness. ¡°Send someone to put a stop to the Conflict of Heaven and Man. They must be of the same generation and unafraid of the Heaven Sect''s retaliation.¡± Emperor Yuanjing frowned and pondered. ¡°If we intervene forcibly, the Heaven Sect will undoubtedly send someone to demand an exnation. Perhaps we could interject in the form of a wager.¡± Luo Yuheng nodded, then shook her head softly. ¡°Once a wager is established, it won''t end until death. The cost is too high. Your Majesty, it¡¯s not worth sacrificing a young talent over this.¡± This was essentially getting entangled in the Conflict of Heaven and Man. What was initially an agreement between Heaven Sect and Human Sect would now be a three-way pact. The struggle between the Heaven Sect and Human Sect had its reasons, and they would abide by the rules. But to the Heaven Sect, an outsider who intervened would be nothing more than a nuisance. Heaven Sect¡¯s reaction would likely be one of two things: First, they would order Li Miaozhen to make quick work of them and provide some degree of ¡°assistance¡± to help the matter along. Second, a senior from the sect would simplye down and swat the meddler to death. There was no chance of retreating unscathed. If one tried to break the agreement and withdraw from the duel, not only would the objective not be achieved, but the Conflict of Heaven and Man would proceed on schedule, only dyed by a few days. Moreover, the Daoists of the Heaven Sect would hardly allow it. In that case, they would still swat the one who broke the agreement¡ªthis time with full justification. Emperor Yuanjing, ignoring these thoughts, moved his gaze from Luo Yuheng¡¯s face to the direction of Sitianjian and said: ¡°That¡¯s why Yang Qianhuan from Sitianjian is the ideal candidate. He does not fear Heaven Sect¡¯s retaliation and has sufficient skill to face Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen.¡± Luo Yuheng gave a slight nod. Emperor Yuanjing was right; Yang Qianhuan was indeed the best choice¡ªno one was more suitable. ¡°We shall summon the Jianzheng at once,¡± said the emperor, waving his hand to call an elderly eunuch from outside the courtyard, instructing him to invite the Jianzheng from Sitianjian. After two sticks of incense, the eunuch¡¯s envoy returned to report that the Jianzheng¡¯s response was: ¡°Yang Qianhuan is confined beneath the Star Observation Tower. Please, Your Majesty, choose another.¡± This oue was within the expectations of both Emperor Yuanjing and Luo Yuheng, though it was still a bit disappointing. ¡°The Jianzheng always follows ¡®rules.¡¯ Outside of that, he has no sentiment to spare,¡± Emperor Yuanjing said, shaking his head with a sigh of helplessness. What the Jianzheng was obliged to do, he did without fail. What he was not obliged to do, even the Son of Heaven could notmand him. ¡°We¡¯ll find another way,¡± the emperor said, returning to the pce. After Emperor Yuanjing returned to the pce, he sat in the imperial study, pondering for a quarter of an hour before grabbing a brush to write a list. ¡°Grand Eunuch, summon the individuals on this list to the pce.¡± ¡­ Under the guidance of an attendant, Nangong Qianrou crossed the za and entered the imperial study. He nced around. On the crimson carpet stood two young men d in light armor; besides them, there was no one else present. Nangong Qianrou recognised the two¡ªthey were both serving in the Imperial Guard. One hailed from a distinguished noble family, while the other was amoner who had risen to prominence as a martial artist. The two were visibly surprised upon seeing Nangong Qianrou. Nangong Qianrou had no personal connections with them, and his withdrawn and sullen demeanor led him to silently stand aside without greeting them. Before long, Emperor Yuanjing entered, examining the three of them as he walked, stopping finally in front of them. ¡°Do you know why We have summoned you three to the pce?¡± Nangong Qianrou remained silent. The martial artist ofmoner origins lowered his head slightly, while the young man from the noble family cupped his hands. ¡°Please, Your Majesty, instruct us.¡± The emperor nodded slightly, speaking slowly, ¡°Three days from now is the Conflict of Heaven and Man. We hope you will intervene and put a stop to it...¡± He informed them of the pros and cons of the matter before asking, ¡°Which of you is willing? Regardless of the oue, you will be promoted by one rank.¡± These three were the youngest fourth rank martial artists in the capital, and they all served the court. Fourth rank martial artists were rare outside the capital; in the thirteen provinces of the kingdom, only a handful existed. Yet in the capital, as the centre of power within the Great Feng, the number of fourth rank experts was far greater than one would imagine. However, there was only one third rank martial artist in the kingdom¡ªThe Zhenbei King. Third rank martial artists, capable of regenerating severed limbs, were beyond the realm of ordinary mortals; the gap between them and fourth rank was vast. Nangong Qianrou remained expressionless. Themon-born martial artist¡¯s eyes shed briefly with anger, while the noble scion looked hesitant and wary. Emperor Yuanjing said in a grave tone, ¡°A two-rank promotion.¡± The anger in themon-born guard¡¯s eyes red brighter, while the noble scion appeared tempted but ultimately shook his head and said in a low voice, ¡°Forgive me, Your Majesty, your servantcks the capability to undertake this task.¡± Themoner followed suit, bowing. ¡°Your servant, too, is unfit for the task.¡± Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s face remained calm as he nodded. ¡°You two may withdraw. Nangong Qianrou, stay.¡± The two men let out a sigh of relief and left the study. The emperor paced back to his throne and, after several moments, spoke, ¡°Those two¡ªone resents us for standing up for Human Sect, fundamentally because they disapprove of our pursuit of Daoism. ¡°The other treasures his life, already possessing wealth and honours, and wishes not to get entangled in the sectarian disputes between the Daoist sects.¡± Nangong Qianrou looked the emperor straight in the eye. ¡°Your Majesty kept me behind because you believe I will act?¡± The emperor nodded. ¡°Nangong Qianrou, I know your identity, and I also know what you desire.¡± Nangong Qianrou¡¯s pupils contracted, then quickly returned to normal. The emperor fixed his gaze on him. ¡°If you handle this matter for us, I will lend you twenty thousand elite soldiers.¡± Nangong Qianrou¡¯s expression wavered, clearly tempted, but in the end, he shook his head. ¡°Your Majesty, I gave Duke Wei my word. Until he returns my name, I won¡¯t leave his side. ¡°Furthermore, neither Li Miaozhen nor Chu Yuanzhen worries me individually. But if they join forces, I am powerless. To fulfill the terms of the Conflict of Heaven and Man, they are sure to work together to eliminate any outsider first. It is not forck of willingness, but forck of ability.¡± The emperor did not insist, merely waved his hand. Nangong Qianrou bowed and left the study. With a stern expression, the emperor instructed, ¡°Inform the National Teacher that we are powerless. She must fend for herself.¡± Such a stubborn woman¡ªwilling to face the Conflict of Heaven and Man, but unwilling to dual-cultivate with him. Very well then, let her face the Daoist Leader of Heaven Sect alone. ¡­ Lingbao Temple. A young eunuch bowed deeply and spoke softly, "National Teacher, His Majesty is powerless as well. None of the young fourth rank experts in the capital are willing to involve themselves in the Conflict of Heaven and Man. "You understand, His Majesty cannot force them." Luo Yuheng did not open her eyes and replied coolly, "I understand." The eunuch dared not linger and, after a formal salute, quickly departed. After a quarter-hour, a slender orange cat appeared on the courtyard wall, its amber eyes staring intently at the woman floating above the pool. "Junior Sister!" Luo Yuheng did not look up, and her tone was tinged with suspicion, "What are you doing here?" The orange cat hesitated, adopting a negotiating tone, "I have a question. Does the Human Sect have any Azure pill? This pill is difficult to refine and worth a fortune..." Luo Yuheng frowned and interrupted, "If you know it''s rare, why ask? And what use would an Earth Sect Daoist Leader have for an Azure Elixir?" The orange cat seemed a bit embarrassed, "In your eyes, am I just some poor rtive who onlyes to take? The Azure Elixir isn''t for me; I''m asking on behalf of someone else." Luo Yuheng gave a mockingugh, "You¡¯re not a poor rtive¡ªyou¡¯re a shameless stinking Daoist. My father once refined a batch of Azure pill. Two were taken by Emperor Yuanjing, and I have thest one. "But it¡¯s difficult to make and extremely valuable. I won¡¯t give it to you. Unless you trade me a fragment of the Earth Book." *There''s no way I''d give you the Earth Book fragment, not as if your Human Sect has any use for it¡­* He sighed in regret, "Forget it. I originally found someone to help you dy the Conflict of Heaven and Man. Their only condition was the Azure pill. Since you won''t agree, I¡¯ll have to turn them down." Luo Yuheng abruptly stood, shouting: ¡°Get back!¡± Her hand reached out to yank the orange cat from the wall, throwing it to the rock garden by the pool. Her beautiful eyes were sharp and intense as she asked rapidly, "Who is this person? How confident are you? Do you understand that once you get involved in the Conflict of Heaven and Man, it''s nearly impossible to withdraw?" As she spoke, she stared intently at the orange cat, her gaze urgent. "You¡¯re no stranger to him. You even considered dual cultivation with him," the orange cat replied leisurely while licking its ruffled fur. Luo Yuheng''s eyes dimmed, anger flickering in them. "He¡¯s only a rank six martial artist. Even with the Buddhist Vajra body, he barely possesses the strength of a fifth rank. "Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen aren¡¯t ordinary rank four experts." The orange cat, unhurried, said, "Don''t be upset. Xu Qi¡¯an''s Vajra body isn¡¯t something an average martial artist canpare to. I even suspect that a fourth rank¡¯s physical strength might not surpass his." Luo Yuheng sneered, "You suspect?" The orange cat nodded. "Because Li Miaozhen struck him with her sword at full power, and it didn¡¯t leave a mark." Luo Yuheng froze, finding this too outrageous to believe. She asked for confirmation, "Li Miaozhen''s full-powered sword attack couldn¡¯t harm him at all?" The orange cat nodded again. Luo Yuheng was utterly stunned. ¡­ Tower of Noble Spirit. Wei Yuan listened to Nangong Qianrou''s report, nodding with approval, "You handled it well. There¡¯s no benefit to involving yourself in the Conflict of Heaven and Man. It''s originally a dispute within the Daoist Sects, and outsiders forcing their way in are only asking for trouble." Yang Yan murmured an agreement, "The Human Sect¡¯s swordsmanship is unparalleled, and the Heaven Sect¡¯s Daoist techniques are elusive. If it were one-on-one, Qianrou wouldn¡¯t fear anyone, but facing two at once, he would surely lose." Nangong Qianrou said indifferently, "There isn''t a single rank four expert in the capital who could handle both of them simultaneously. Yang Qianhuan¡¯s teleportation formations might ensure he remains undefeated, but once engaged in directbat, he wouldn¡¯tst ten moves." Combat wasn¡¯t an arcanist¡¯s forte. Wei Yuan added, "You Gold Gongs should all attend the Conflict of Heaven and Man in three days. Consider it an opportunity to broaden your horizons. High-level battles between Daoists aren¡¯tmon." ¡­ At dusk, Xu Qi¡¯an heard the faint meowing of a cat. Following the sound, he found an orange cat perched on a tree branch in a secluded corner. The orange cat held a porcin vial in its mouth, which it gently released into Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s hand. "Plop..." He removed the wooden stopper and brought it to his nose. An indescribable fragrance filled his senses. "Luo Yuheng said that as long as you give it your all, whether you seed or fail, the Azure Elixir is yours," the orange cat said. *With this, along with the battle in three days, my Invincible Vajra Body will undoubtedly advance further. I can also prevent Number Two and Number Four from destroying each other¡ªkilling two birds with one stone...* Xu Qi¡¯an''s face lit up with joy. He sighed, "The National Teacher is truly wealthy." *Auntie, I no longer wish to strive.* The orange cat, gazing down at Xu Qi¡¯an from the branch, said, "To win, you need to understand your opponents. Both Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen are experts. I think you could use some intelligence." *That''s exactly what I was thinking. I even nned to probe Li Miaozhen for informationter...* Xu Qi¡¯an said, "Daoist, please continue." "You¡¯re already familiar with the Human Sect¡¯s swordsmanship, and you know about Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s Sword Nourishing Intent, so there¡¯s little more to add about him. The focus is on Li Miaozhen, as you know nothing about the Heaven Sect''s techniques." "Study everything untilpletion," Xu Qi¡¯an noted. "Study everything untilpletion... very apt," the orange cat coughed lightly before continuing, "Li Miaozhen also excels in Flying Sword techniques, which are among the supernatural abilities granted at the seventh rank, guiding qi. ¡°The Daoist Fifth Rank, Golden Core, can pierce through all illusions and remain unsullied by worldly corruption, so your Buddhist Lion¡¯s Roar won¡¯t work on Li Miaozhen." Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. "Additionally, shemands lighting magicks and techniques using the five elements, but these spells require favourable timing and environment. Since the duel is set by the Wei River, watch out for water elemental spells," the orange cat warned, then added with a serious tone: ¡°The Heaven Sect¡¯s core technique is the Unity of Heaven and Man. Its unique ability is to bestow spiritual awareness upon all things, creating a bond that allows them to obey. Simply put, your de might not remain your de, and your belt might strangle you with all its might. ¡°The stone at your feet might suddenly leap up and strike your knee. "Even your hand might unexpectedly rise and p you across the face." *What the hell, the Heaven Sect''s techniques are this insane? Is that what they mean by: ¡®Loyalty is irrelevant until you meet me¡¯? In my eyes, everything¡¯s a traitor?* Xu Qi¡¯an was startled, full of envy for the Heaven Sect''s bizarre techniques. After bidding farewell to Daoist Jinlian, he returned to his room and swallowed the Azure Elixir, beginning to refine its power. ¡­ Three days passed in the blink of an eye. As dawn broke, Chu Yuanzhen woke, dressed himself with practiced precision, strapped on his sword, and thoughtfully covered his old school friend with a nket. They had drunkte into the previous night, and his friend had hinted, more than once, that Chu Yuanzhen should hold back in the uing Conflict of Heaven and Man. Chu Yuanzhen knew well that, for many at court, the conflict was seen as an excellent chance to eliminate the Human Sect. Many believed that without the Human Sect, His Majesty would attend to state affairs diligently and abandon his pursuit of the illusory goal of immortality. *You don¡¯t understand. I saw it clearly a decade ago. Even without the Human Sect, there would be other Daoists, another National Teacher. And even if there were none of that, Emperor Yuanjing would still seek the Dao. His desire for immortality cannot be curbed.* Chu Yuanzhen shook his head and left the room. Upon leaving the estate, he saw the towering figure of Hengyuan standing by the street in the dim pre-dawn light. ¡°Sir Xu brought me here. I will go with you,¡± said Hengyuan, pressing his palms together in a gesture of respect. Chu Yuanzhen nodded in silence. As they walked side by side for a while, he nced at the middle-aged monk. ¡°What do you want to say?¡± Hengyuan¡¯s eyes fell on the sword strapped to Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s back, and he spoke quietly, ¡°I would ask you not to draw that sword.¡± Chu Yuanzhen made no promises. ¡°It would be disrespectful to the Heaven Sect and to Li Miaozhen,¡± he said. Hengyuan¡¯s expression grew sorrowful. ... In the pce, a contingent of Imperial Guards escorted two luxurious carriages out of the pce city, passing through the Imperial City and heading towards the outskirts. Lin¡¯an lifted the curtain of her carriage window. There were few people on the streets, and the breakfast vendors¡¯ stalls emitted plumes of steam, sending tempting scents wafting into her nose. She suddenly felt a craving to try themon folk¡¯s morning fare. In the carriage ahead sat Huaiqing. Lin¡¯an was tagging along under her cover¡ªafter all, only the Crown Prince and Huaiqing had the freedom toe and go from the capital without restrictions. None of the other princes or princesses had that privilege. Lin¡¯an loved a good spectacle and had no intention of missing the Conflict of Heaven and Man. She had nned to have that Running Dog secretly take her out of the city, disguised as an unremarkable housewife, so she could watch the excitement by the Weishui River. But who could have guessed the Running Dog would treat her like a ball and kick her over to Huaiqing? Fortunately, Huaiqing was decent enough to agree to bring her along. ¡°Hmph, just wait and see how I deal with running dogter,¡± Lin¡¯an fumed. Though, she had no idea where he was at the moment. ... The King Huai estate. The estate¡¯s guards were out in full force, escorting a luxurious carriage made of golden nanmu wood as it left the Imperial City. ... Xu Manor. Xu Xinnian had woken early. Leading his horse, he clip-clopped down the street until he turned a corner and saw avish carriage parked by the roadside. A dozen estate guards stood vigil on either side. The curtain of the carriage window was pulled back, revealing the charming face of Miss Wang, who smiled brightly and called out, ¡°Sir Xu,e aboard for some tea.¡± The pce exams were over, and Xu Xinnian was now a juniorpiler at the Hanlin Academy¡ªa far cry from the unranked schr he had been. This year¡¯s top schrs had particrlycked prestige, with all the attention stolen by the Conflict of Heaven and Man. Even themon folk of the capital had shifted their focus to the Daoist feud, excited by the news that the conflict urred only once every sixty years¡ªa rarity in a lifetime. By contrast, the imperial exams were held every three years, making it clear which event held more weight. Miss Wang had seized the opportunity to invite Xu Xinnian to watch the conflict with her, and this time, he didn¡¯t refuse. Miss Wang was overjoyed. Once Xu Xinnian boarded, she quickly instructed her maid to pour tea and said with a smile, ¡°I¡¯ve heard from father that the disciples of the Heaven and Human Sects are truly remarkable experts.¡± She paused, searching for aparison. ¡°They¡¯re not inferior to the Gold Gongs of the Nightwatcher¡¯s Constabry. And I¡¯ve also heard that the Heaven Sect¡¯s Holy Maiden is a peerless beauty, a woman of unparalleled charm.¡± Xu Xinnian nodded calmly. His cold demeanor dampened Miss Wang¡¯s enthusiasm. Tentatively, she asked, ¡°Doesn¡¯t Cijiu care about the Conflict of Heaven and Man?¡± Suddenly, she called him by his courtesy name. Xu Eng shook his head. ¡°I know who the Heaven Sect¡¯s Holy Maiden is. Since her arrival in the capital, she¡¯s been staying at my estate.¡± Miss Wang was taken aback, her eyes widening. ¡°Cijiu, don¡¯t joke like that. How could the Heaven Sect¡¯s Holy Maiden be at your estate? Are you old acquaintances?¡± The Heaven Sect was a renowned sect in the Jianghu, far beyond the reach of a family like the Xu''s¡ªor so it seemed. Chapter 331: Hes Come # 331. He''s Come "The Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect is friends with my elder brother. They met duringst year¡¯s Yunzhou incident, where the Holy Maiden fought bravely alongside him, ying rebels and rooting out bandits, sharing many hardships and forming a deep bond," Xu Xinnian exined, sipping his tea. These words were from his elder brother, and his mother had mentioned it as well. Over the past year, the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect had formed a private militia in Yunzhou to eliminate bandits... His mother knew because the Holy Maiden had told her this personally. *The Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect had developed a deep connection with Silver Gong Xu...* Wang Simu''s face brightened in realization, and she let out a soft sigh of relief. Her face then rxed into a gentle smile as she said, "I heard from a guest schr at my manor that the Holy Maiden Li Miaozhen of the Heaven Sect possesses a fourth rank cultivation. Since Chu Yuanzhen has dueled with her, his strength must beparable. In the capital, there are only a handful so young at fourth rank." *Chu Yuanzhen isn¡¯t exactly young¡­* Xu Xinnian nodded and said, "The two protagonists of the Conflict of Heaven and Man are truly dragons among men." Wang Simu followed up smoothly, "However, in a few more years, Silver Gong Xu will surely stand on equal footing with them. After the duel, people in the capital have been saying that Silver Gong Xu¡¯s talent is no less than the Zhenbei King¡¯s." Xu Xinnian raised his chin slightly, speaking with a tone of detached ease, "My brother''s cultivation is stillcking; these rumours are just ttery meant to harm." *He seems very proud... Indeed, ttering Xu Qi''an was a good way to gain favour with Xu Cijiu¡­* Wang Simu analyzed inwardly. The carriage moved slowly, and as they reached the city gate of the Inner City, they happened to encounter the retinue of Huaiqing and Lin''an. Two carriages, made of precious nanmu wood, had stopped at the gate.¡°Your Highness, isn''t that Miss Wang¡¯s carriage?¡± The maid, who had lifted the curtain to look outside, spotted Wang Simu''s carriage and excitedly turned to tell Lin''an. ¡°It really is Simu¡¯s carriage.¡± Lin''an leaned forward to confirm and smiled broadly. ¡°Go inform her toe over. I want to ride together.¡± The maid immediately raised her voice and called out. On the other side, inside the carriage, Wang Simu heard the shout and, surprised, lifted the curtain. She saw that on the yellow silk canopy of the opposite carriage, crafted from nanmu wood, were embroidered the characters for "Lin''an." She immediately responded with a smile, "Princess Lin''an." Lin''an pushed aside the maid, lifted the curtain with her delicate hand, and said cheerfully, "Sister Simu, are you also going to the Wei River to watch the Conflict of Heaven and Man?" Wang Simu sweetly replied with an "Mm." Lin''an''s joy grew, her peach blossom eyes curved into crescent moons, and she waved her small hand, "Come, join us in our carriage." Wang Simu was about to respond, but suddenly her brow furrowed, and she covered her mouth with a silk handkerchief, coughing a few times. Lin''an asked with concern, "What¡¯s wrong?" Wang Simu said helplessly, "I caught a cold a few days ago. I''ve taken several doses of medicine, and it¡¯s mostly gone. However, even if it''s just a lingering trace, it wouldn''t do to pass it to Your Highness." Lin''an''s face fell with disappointment, and she urged Miss Wang to take good care of herself. Wang Simu responded with a smile. Just then, she noticed that the carriage in front of them had its window curtains suddenly lifted. A pair of clear eyes, as deep as a cold pool, gave her a detached nce. In that instant, Wang Simu felt as if all her hidden thoughts and schemes had been seen through. Forcing a smile, she lowered the curtain. After the carriage had driven some distance, Wang Simu let out a sigh of relief, patted her chest, and said to Xu Xinnian, "I''m most uneasy in thepany of Her Highness Huaiqing; she is too clever." Xu Xinnian chuckled. A clear conscience and firm resolve allow one to face any situation calmly. Even if one''s inner thoughts are perceived, it doesn''t matter. This was something Xu Eng had learned through multiple instances of social death, honing his cunning. Life was the best teacher. The two nanmu wood carriages waited at the city gate for a long time until finally, a contingent of eight Gold Gongs arrived, leading over a dozen Silver Gongs and more than thirty Bronze Gongs, all riding in neat formation. Thest Gold Gong was on duty at the constabry these few days, and couldn''t leave. Seeing the arrival of the Nightwatchers, Lin''an showed a look of realisation. She had always felt that there were too few guards to ensure her and Huaiqing''s safety in a crowd of all sorts of people. Out of trust for Huaiqing, Lin''an hadn''t brought up this concern. *With so many Gold and Silver Gongs apanying us, even if we faced an army, Huaiqing and I would be safe.* Lin''an¡¯s heart settled, feeling much more at ease. Huaiqing lifted the curtain and scanned the Nightwatchers. She frowned, "Where is Xu Ningyan?" Jiang Lyuzhong shook his head and said with a wry smile, "That boy''s attendance is irregr; most of the time, he''s nowhere to be found. Who knows what he''s up to now?" Huaiqing nodded, lowered the curtain, and the procession began moving. After traveling half an hour along the official road, the carriages came to a slow stop. ¡°Your Highness, we can only proceed on foot from here.¡± The chief guard reported. Huaiqing and Lin''an each emerged from their carriages, both dressed in fitted outfits. The former''s ample chest and curvaceous figure highlighted her feminine charm. Thetter had tied a cloud-patterned ribbon around her slender waist, making her movements seductive and alluring. Though she did nothing provocative, she still appeared more bewitching than her elder sister, Huaiqing. Under the protection of the Nightwatchers and pce guards, Huaiqing and Lin''an left the official road and walked into a field overgrown with wild grass. After a quarter of an hour, Lin''an¡¯s trousers and little boots were covered with dew and grass fragments. "So many people..." Lin''an suddenly stopped and eximed in surprise. The Wei River, two hundred feet wide, would swell to three hundred during the rainy season. At this moment, both banks of the river were crowded with people, from jianghu martial artists tomon folk from the capital. There were also idle aristocratic sons, officials who had taken leave to witness the Conflict of Heaven and Man, and nobles from the elite ss. Naturally, students from the Imperial Academy and Cloud Deer Academy were present, along with nobledies like Wang Simu. These people each brought dozens of guards, arrogantly clearing the area to im exclusive spots. "Clear the area," Huaiqing ordered, choosing a prime location for her entourage. "Another big shot has arrived." "That woman is so beautiful... Wow, she has so many Gold Gongs guarding her?!" The disced martial artists, ustomed to such treatment, cursed under their breath as they moved to another area, gossiping about Huaiqing''s identity. "She is the Eldest Princess of our Great Feng, titled Princess Huaiqing," said a local from the capital. "Oh, I remember now, she was sitting in the imperial pavilion during the contest." "Our Great Feng¡¯s princess is such a stunning beauty! Has she married yet? Who is her consort?" "None of the four princesses in the royal family have married yet; they are all still waiting to be wed. The one beside her is the Second Princess, Lin¡¯an. Personally, I think Princess Lin¡¯an is..." He initially wanted toment further, but seeing the Gold Gongs with their keen senses, possibly overhearing the conversation, he shut his mouth, not daring to gossip about the princesses. Lin¡¯an, scanning the crowd left and right, furrowed her brows and asked, ¡°Where is running dog? Huaiqing, where¡¯s running dog?¡± Huaiqing ignored her. "Move aside, move aside¡­" Just then, a loud shout echoed. Lin¡¯an and Huaiqing turned to see several armored soldiers, wielding scabbarded swords, clearing the crowd. The soldiers escorted a woman wearing a veiled hat. The hat had a light gauze drape, and beneath it, another veil concealed her face. Even a martial expert with profound skills couldn¡¯t see through the doubleyers to discern her true appearance. ¡°The Princess Consort has arrived. Let¡¯s go and greet her,¡± Lin¡¯an suggested to Huaiqing. Huaiqing turned her face away with disdain. The Gold Gongs all turned their heads, scrutinizing the Princess Consort surrounded by guards, their eyes brimming with curiosity. The Zhenbei King Consort was renowned as the most beautiful woman in Great Feng, yet her true visage was rarely seen. Even the Gold Gongs present, who had encountered her before, had always found her appearance heavily guarded, never glimpsing her face. ¡°She¡¯s here, too. Last time, even the Buddhist contest didn¡¯t attract the Princess Consort,¡± Jiang Lyuzhong remarked. ¡°The Buddhist contest was too mysterious to be of interest. The Heaven Sect and Human Sect''s ¡®Conflict of Heaven and Man,¡¯ however, happens only once every sixty years. With a month¡¯s buildup, no one can resist the curiosity,¡± Zhang Kaitai replied. At this moment, it was still only six. In another three-quarters of an hour, the Conflict of Heaven and Man would begin. Along the banks of the Wei River, thousands of people had gathered, eagerly anticipating the uing battle. Themoners¡¯ expressions were festive, as if they were attending a fayre. On the outskirts of the crowd, temporary shelters were set up, selling tea and early meals at prices even higher than those found in the inner city. The Jianghu folk looked eager and excited. The Conflict of Heaven and Man was a grand event for the martial world of the Great Feng, second only to the great Martial Arts Tournament held every thirteen years. "Hey, look! Liu Yun from the Shuangdao Sect has arrived. Isn''t the person beside her the Sect Master, Cheng Hensheng?" someone called out. Following the voice, people turned to see a group of Jianghu figures dressed in martial attire approaching. Their defining characteristic was the two curved sabres they carried on their backs, and their sun-darkened skin and sharp features. Among them was a particrly beautiful young woman with a wheat-colouredplexion. Her eyes were lively and sharp, like a sleek female leopard exuding raw wildness. She followed behind a middle-aged man, whose restrained aura seemed less sharp than the juniors trailing him. ... ¡°The people from Luya Sword Pavilion are here too. Butterfly Sword Lan Caiyi is indeed beautiful¡ªtruly living up to her reputation.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the Sect Master Lan Huan¡¯s current rank? I heard rumoursst year that he advanced to a fourth rank martial artist.¡± ¡°I spotted Miss Rongrong from the Wanhua Tower¡ªha! She¡¯s truly a seductive little enchantress.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t those monks from the Azure Dragon Temple?¡± As the time for the duel approached, more and more experts from various Jianghu sects arrived. Unlike wandering cultivators, these figures were ¡°big names¡± with territory and fame. Lan Huan, the Sect Master of Luya Sword Pavilion, picked a prime location with a good view. He then nced at the Shuangdao Sect Master not far away, cupped his hands, and said: ¡°They say the Sect Master of the Shangdao Sect possesses unfathomable skill. Seeing you today, the rumours are well-deserved.¡± A typical opening pleasantry. The dark-skinned, stern Shuangdao Sect Master returned the gaze and replied coolly, ¡°Hall Leader Lan is too kind. I¡¯m not as capable as you.¡± He was still not at the fourth rank level. *What? The Sect Master of the Shuangdao Sect is inferior to the Sect Master of Luya Sword Pavilion?* The surrounding Jianghu figures perked up, thrilled to have discovered a juicy piece of gossip. This ¡°insider information¡± would make for excellent bragging material in future conversations with friends and acquaintances. Lan Caiyi, with her sweet appearance and lively demeanor, met the gaze of Liu Yun, the wheat-skinned female warrior of the Shuangdao Sect. Their eyes locked briefly, and Lan Caiyi proudly puffed out her chest. Liu Yun narrowed her eyes disdainfully and looked away. Lan Huan continued, ¡°Sect Master, regarding the Heaven Sect and Human Sect duel, which side do you think has the better odds?¡± ¡°The Heaven Sect and Human Sect have been rivals for thousands of years, with victories and defeats on both sides. It''s not for us to decide who is superior. However, between Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen, I believe Chu Yuanzhen has the upper hand,¡± said the Shuangdao Sect Master. ¡°Why so?¡± Lan Huan asked with a smile. ¡°Six years ago, Chu Yuanzhen was already praised by Wei Yuan as the best swordsman in the capital, while Li Miaozhen was not yet of age. Based on that alone, Chu Yuanzhen already surpasses Li Miaozhen,¡± the Sect Master exined. Lan Huan, however, had a different view. ¡°You might not be aware, but Chu Yuanzhen is only an honourary disciple of the Human Sect, following the path of the martial artist. He practices the swordsmanship of the Human Sect. ¡°There¡¯s something wed in his approach, while Li Miaozhen is the orthodox Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect.¡± *So there were these hidden details¡­* The spectators devoured every word with relish. Suddenly, a capital local shouted, ¡°How do these twopare to our Silver Gong Xu?¡± Lan Huan only smiled and said nothing. The Shuangdao Sect Master gave a mocking snort. ¡°Hey, you two fools, what¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± The capital locals were annoyed. Butterfly Sword Lan Caiyi surveyed the crowd and answered in a crisp voice: ¡°Although Silver Gong Xu is a rare talent, with potential akin to the Zhenbei King¡¯s, he is still only a Seventh rank martial artist. The two protagonists of the Conflict of Heaven and Man, on the other hand, are both fourth rank. Many years ago, the Human Sect¡¯s disciple Chu Yuanzhen could already contend closely with a fourth rank Gold Gong, though he was defeated. Now, after all these years, his abilities are likely no weaker than any fourth rank. ¡°Li Miaozhen wouldn¡¯t have dared to set a challenge at the capital if she weren¡¯t also fourth rank.¡± The capital locals might not understand the intricacies of cultivation, but they grasped the basic ranking distinctions. The hero they admired, Silver Gong Xu, was merely Seventh rank? And the two main contenders of the Conflict of Heaven and Man were clearly fourth rank experts. ¡°You¡¯re talking nonsense! How dare you nder Sir Xu¡ªeveryone, throw stones at her!¡± ¡°That girl may look pretty, but she¡¯s got a foul mouth, _ptui_...¡± Themon folk were sorely disappointed, their disappointment swiftly turning to anger, directed at the Butterfly Sword, Lan Caiyi. ¡°Hmph, Running Dog is clearly already a sixth-rank!¡± Biaobiao spat. She felt uneasy. In Lin''an¡¯s view, her Running Dog was a great hero, who had stood alone against thousands of rebels in Yunzhou and defeated a Buddhist Arhat in front of the Stargazing Tower. These were feats only someone of great stature could aplish. She had always believed that her Running Dog was the most exceptional. But now, hearing otherspare and analyse, she was suddenly confronted with the fact that his rank was only seventh-rank. This stark realization left her feeling rather discontented. ¡°In the capital of the Great Feng, there are fewer than five individuals of the younger generation with a fourth-rank cultivation,¡± a ck-robed Jianghu guest stated gravely. ¡°Indeed, Sir Xu will undoubtedly reach the fourth rank, but he is still too young at present. The gap between him and Chu Yuanzhen or Li Miaozhen is quite significant,¡± another Jianghu expert added. Bang! A stone flew and shattered against an invisible barrier. The Jianghu man¡¯s face darkened with rage, but he dared not retaliate. This was the capital, surrounded by dignitaries and skilled officials. If he dared to harm civilians, he would surely face severe punishment from the authorities. ¡°Rubbish! Sir Xu cleaved through a Golden Body with a single strike¡ªwhat courage and might! How could he possibly be only seventh-rank?¡± ¡°Exactly! If Chu Yuanzhen is so great, why doesn¡¯t he join the duel and shatter that monk¡¯s Golden Body?¡± ¡°In my eyes, among the younger generation of the capital, only Sir Xu is the finest. You Jianghu bumpkins are just jealous of his glory.¡± A chorus of curses rose, themon folk fiercely defending Sir Xu. Yet, as the insults piled on, they noticed that no Jianghu figures spoke in Silver Gong Xu¡¯s favor, nor did any officials or Nightwatchers say a word. Gradually, they began to ept the reality of the situation, and a wave of deep disappointment washed over them. Just then, the wind above suddenly howled, and a figure flew by on a sword, hovering over the Wei River. The figure was d in azure robes, his face fair and refined. Though young, a strand of white hair hanging over his forehead hinted at a life of trials and hardships. ¡°Chu Yuanzhen!¡± A joyous cry rose from the crowd below. As the voice faded, another whistle pierced the air. In the distance, a woman also flew on her sword, stopping opposite Chu Yuanzhen. The Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect was dressed in a simple Daoist robe, her hair tied with a ckwood hairpin. Her oval face was pale and elegant, her eyes deep and clear, and her lips delicate and thin. She was just as the rumors described¡ªa beauty that captured the gaze of all who saw her. Witnessing this scene, themoners who had been infuriated moments earlier suddenly fell silent. To fly on a sword and stand suspended in the air¡ªthese were the feats of immortals, only told in storybooks and by storytellers. Inparison, Silver Gong Xu¡¯s travel by horse seemed far less impressive. ¡°Let¡¯s give our all in today¡¯s fight,¡± Li Miaozhen said, her eyes fixed on the azure-d swordsman before her. ¡°Alright,¡± Chu Yuanzhen nodded. A duel between Daoist Leaders was their concern alone. The current Conflict of Heaven and Man was a matter between them. Chu Yuanzhen understood that if Luo Yuheng failed to break through to the first rank, the Conflict of Heaven and Man would have little chance of victory. If he chose to back down from this duel, the Human Sect would still send another disciple. Rather than see them lose face to Li Miaozhen, he preferred to take on the challenge himself. At the very least, they could seize the advantage in the first three moves. It would also repay the debt he owed the Human Sect for imparting the sword to him. ¡°Everyone, retreat one hundred feet!¡± Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s voice rang out. The banks of the Wei River filled with the rustling sound of the crowd stepping back. The Conflict of Heaven and Man was on the verge of erupting. Countless eyes were trained on the two figures suspended in mid-air, tense with excitement. Suddenly, a melodious tune arose¡ªclear and far-reaching, echoing above the Wei River and the fields touched by the first light of dawn. The music was so jarringly out of ce that it disrupted Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s and Li Miaozhen¡¯s rhythm, causing their rising momentum to abruptly dete. Chu Yuanzhen saw Li Miaozhen¡¯s face freeze, and he couldn''t resist ncing back... only to have his own expression stiffen as well. Following the sound, the onlookers saw a ck-sailed boat drifting closer, a tall young man standing proudly at the bow. He leaned on a sabre, his gaze distant as he looked upon the rippling river, his expression enigmatic. He had arrived, approaching slowly and deliberately, apanied by his own original backing track. Chapter 332: Minor Accomplishment # 332. Minor Aplishment The waters of the Wei River surged, and under the dawn sky, a tall figure, leaning on a sabre, sailed towards them. The background was filled with the melodious and captivating sound of a zither. The native people of the Great Feng had never seen such a dramatic entrance,plete with its own BGM, and they were momentarily stunned. Squinting their eyes, they tried to make out the man''s features amidst the intertwining light and shadows of dawn. Just then, a ray of morning light fell upon the man at the bow, illuminating a handsome and masculine face. ¡°It¡¯s Silver Gong Xu!¡± Finally able to see clearly, one of the nearbymoners shouted. ¡°Is he here to watch the fight too? As expected of Sir Xu, his entrance is unlike that of those Jianghu ruffians.¡± Although the remarks of the Jianghu figures earlier had left them both angry and disappointed, many of themon folk remained loyal. ¡°Running Dog has finally arrived.¡±Standing on her tiptoes, Biaobiao lifted her chin and peered into the distance, muttering, ¡°Always trying to steal the spotlight¡ªhe¡¯s already taken the stage from the two main characters. Huaiqing, call him over.¡± As a princess, she certainly wouldn¡¯t be shouting at the top of her lungs, so Lin''an pushed this task onto Huaiqing. Huaiqing frowned slightly, gazing at Xu Qi''an, who stood at the bow of the slowly approaching boat. She was puzzled. Xu Ningyan was a mboyant man, but only when the situation required it¡ªlike during the examination fraud case, or the Buddhist duel. The main characters of this Conflict of Heaven and Man were Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen. This had nothing to do with him. Given his usual personality, he should be standing beside her and Lin''an, or perhaps beside another woman, grinning while enjoying the spectacle. ¡°Haha, the kid¡¯se up with something new, sailing in on a boat with the apaniment of a zither¡ªa truly unique entrance that effortlessly outshines Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen.¡± Lyuzhong chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°If you didn¡¯t know better, you¡¯d think he was here to take part in the Conflict of Heaven and Man.¡± *If you didn¡¯t know better, you¡¯d think he was the main character of the Conflict of Heaven and Man...* The princess consort stood on tiptoe, peering at the man proudly standing at the bow, her heart mutteringints. She really didn¡¯t like Xu Qi''an¡ªtoo mboyant and licentious, chasing after any woman he saw, and his conduct was too brazen,cking any sense of moderation or restraint. Among the crowd, Xu Xinnian¡¯s face looked a bit dazed. He quickly cleared his throat and mumbled quietly, ¡°My brother... well, he likes to y around, a child at heart¡­¡± In his view, his elder brother¡¯s high-profile entrance was utterly embarrassing. A spectator should know their ce as a spectator. The more attention he attracted now, the more embarrassing it would beter when he had to slink back into the crowd. At that moment, a low, poetic voice filled the air, drowning out the noise of the crowd. ¡°Crossing the river Wei, sabre in hand; Not for love, nor for hate.¡± *Eh, is Silver Gong Xu going to recite another poem? Is he here to add a poetic touch to the Conflict of Heaven and Man? No wonder he arrived by boat.* Many people looked suddenly enlightened. Amidst the crowd, the schrs were the most excited. Yes, how could a Conflict of Heaven and Man, which only urred once every sixty years, go without poetic embellishment? Sir Xu¡¯s mind was as sharp as ever. *Was Xu Ningyan here to dedicate a poem? Not bad¡­* As a schr himself, Chu Yuanzhen nodded slightly in approval. *Why recite poems and disrupt my fight¡­?* Li Miaozhen grumbled inwardly, but her face showed a faint smile, knowing that her fellow Heaven and Earth Society member, Xu Ningyan, was trying to add some ir to the Conflict of Heaven and Man. Xu Qi''an surveyed the crowd and continued his recitation: ¡°Born with eyes that disdain all foes; Myriad battles, yet I draw not my de.¡± _Born with eyes that disdain all foes, Myriad battles, yet I draw not my de.¡­_ Chu Yuanzhen couldn¡¯t help but chuckle to himself. The poem did seem a bit like ttery, but as a schr, he found it satisfying and pleasing. Li Miaozhen, however, felt that the lines were meant for her, resonating with her experiences of quelling bandits in Yunzhou. Sir Xu¡¯s poetry was, as always, filled with grandeur. The crowd recalled the scene from the contest against the Buddhists when he had recited a poem with every step, advancing into the Buddhist domain¡ªeach verse a rare masterpiece, inspiring hot-blooded excitement. As everyone¡¯s thoughts raced, Xu Qi''an suddenly shifted his tone. There was a hint of righteous anger and pride in his voice as he raised it: ¡°To watch mere youths be new elites; I step into the ring, ready to strike.¡± The zither music followed his lead, suddenly bing more intense, like a war drum before battle, or the call of a rion. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s face froze instantly. He stared wide-eyed at Xu Qi''an. Li Miaozhen, less versed in literature, took a few seconds to grasp the meaning, her expression stunned. She wondered if she had misheard or if Xu Qi''an had misspoken. Instinctively, she nced at the spectators on both sides of the river and found many wearing the same expression¡ªsurprise and confusion. _To watch mere youths be new elites; I step into the ring, ready to strike¡­_ The meaning of the verse was clear: I have stood by and watched two upstart youths steal the limelight, bing the new darlings in everyone¡¯s eyes. Now, I am not content¡ªI intend to step forward and teach them a lesson. _How Arrogant!_ Li Miaozhen fumed inwardly. This man wasn¡¯t here to celebrate the event; he was here to provoke. The zither music climbed higher and higher, reaching a peak, and with a piercing ¡°twang,¡± Xu Qi''an¡¯s tone was firm, filled with supreme confidence, as he slowly said: ¡°One de I cleave life and death; Two hands subduing both Heaven and Man.¡± *Roar¡­* The chatter grew uncontroble, and the murmuring crowd exchanged opinions, trying to confirm if they had interpreted the poem correctly. ¡°Is Silver Gong Xu going to step in? Does he want to intervene in the Conflict of Heaven and Man and challenge the young elites of the two sects?¡± ¡°¡®Two hands subduing both Heaven and Man¡¯¡­ Even a fool like me can grasp the meaning. It¡¯s as clear as day.¡± In an instant, the Jianghu onlookers felt a shiver run down their spines, electrified by this sudden twist. ¡°Sir Xu wants to fight¡ªhe wants to join the Conflict of Heaven and Man! Now, let¡¯s see those who looked down on him realize that our the Great Feng hero is truly invincible.¡± Realizing that Xu Qi''an was about to participate in the Conflict, themon folk were first stunned, then brimming with excitement, shouting their support for him to enter the duel and defeat the young talents of the Daoist sects. To fiercely p the faces of those Jianghu critics who had disdained him. Besides all this, they also hoped that Silver Gong Xu could prove himself, dispelling their earlier ¡°doubts¡± about him and reaffirming their faith. This feeling was easy to understand ¡ª it was what Xu Qi''an would have called a fangirling mentality in his own time. Their idol was facing questions and repeatedly being humiliated by so-called ¡°experts¡± who had jumped out of nowhere. The fans (the capital''smon folk) were furious but powerless to refute them, so they could only curse or throw stones in frustration. ¡°Father, didn¡¯t you say that the power Xu Qi''an showed during the duel was due to the Jianzheng''s secret assistance?¡± Lan Caiyi looked up at her father and asked in a soft voice. ¡°I only said it was a possibility. Regardless of whether the Jianzheng intervened or not, Xu Qi''an alone couldn¡¯t have delivered those two strikes during the duel. He¡¯s just a Seventh-Rank warrior... Even if he¡¯s mastered the Vajra Body technique, he might have reached Sixth-Rank, but he¡¯s still far from the two main figures of this Conflict of Heaven and Man,¡± Lan Huan said calmly. *So... then where does he get the confidence to im he can overpower the two Sects of Heaven and Man? Has the smooth path he¡¯s walked made him so arrogant?* Lan Caiyi thought, wondering if this was all just because Xu Qi''an¡¯s journey had been too easy so far. She nced at the cheering crowd and thought: _The more passionate you are now, the greater your disappointment will be soon._ ¡°Running Dog certainly knows how to dress. Handsome as ever, not bad for someone I single-handedly raised up...¡± Lin''an Princess watched, satisfied, until the poem concluded. Then, a sudden realization dawned on her. *Was Running Dog about to involve himself in the Conflict of Heaven and Man, challenging the two main figures?* Her eyes widened slightly, and she quickly turned to Huaiqing for confirmation, ¡°Running... Running Dog wants to fight them?¡± Huaiqing''s eyes showed both surprise and a sudden understanding as she calmly replied, ¡°What else did you think?¡± ¡°But, he¡¯s only Sixth-Rank... Could it be... that Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen aren''t actually Fourth-Rank?¡± Lin''an felt a sudden surge of hope. If that were the case, Running Dog might just stand a chance. ¡°No, Your Highness. Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen are genuine Fourth-Ranks,¡± Jiang Lyuzhong said gravely. The other Gold Gongs nodded in agreement. That overwhelming aura they had just felt was a clear indication of the level of these two main figures in the Conflict of Heaven and Man. ¡°Then, how- how could he...¡± Lin''an was left baffled and looked to the ¡°professionals¡± for their insight. Nangong Qianrou snorted coldly and spoke first, ¡°Xu Qi''an stands no chance.¡± Yang Yan slowly nodded. ¡°He might have another purpose.¡± None of the other Gold Gongs spoke, but their opinions aligned with Nangong Qianrou¡¯s. They clearly remembered that Xu Qi''an had been ¡°specially recruited,¡± and his cultivation was only at the peak of Refining Vitality when he joined the Nightwatchers. The minimum standard for a Bronze Gong was Refining Qi. It hadn¡¯t even been a year. If Xu Qi''an couldpete on equal footing with two Fourth-Rank experts, it would mean he could actually take one on. That was simply impossible. Maybe in the future, but certainly not now. If it did happen, they''d dly chop of their heads and use them as footballs. In the Nightwatcher ranks, Li Yuchun, Song Tingfeng, and Zhu Guangxiao felt a surreal sensation ¡ª the world suddenly seemed illogical, an ungraspable illusion. Last year... had that young Bronze Gong really grown to the point where he could stand against Fourth-Rank experts? Under the wide-brimmed hat, the princess consort turned to look at Chu Xianglong beside her and asked calmly, ¡°How much of a chance does this Silver Gong have?¡± Despite her neutral tone, her delicate, intelligent eyes remained focused on Chu Xianglong. Chu Xianglong scoffed, ¡°No chance at all. Although he¡¯s mastered the Vajra Body technique, his rank is a clear limit. At best, he might be stronger than an average Sixth-Rank, perhaps even on par with a Fifth-Rank, but to a Fourth-Rank martial artist, he¡¯s still insignificant.¡± ¡°Heh, the Princess consort does not need to worry. The gap between Fifth-Rank and Fourth-Rank is a chasm no one can leap.¡± The Princess Consort believed him and gave a slight nod. At this moment, the boat Xu Qi''an stood on had drifted closer, within just thirty feet of the two main figures. Chu Yuanzhen spoke in a deep voice, ¡°Sir Xu, this is a matter between the Human Sect and the Heaven Sect. It has nothing to do with you. Don¡¯t recklessly interfere and bring unnecessary trouble.¡± He was giving Xu Qi''an a veiled warning. Li Miaozhen remained silent but secretly transmitted her voice to him, ¡°You idiot, get out of here. This isn¡¯t a ce for your antics. I know Daoist Jinlian encouraged you to disrupt the situation, but with your current strength, do you really think you can match my and Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s skills? ¡°Don¡¯t think just because we were evenly matched before, you can reallypete with me now. I wasn¡¯t even using my full strength.¡± ¡°How do you know I was using my full strength?¡± Xu Qi''an replied telepathically. Ignoring Li Miaozhen¡¯s puffed-up cheeks, he raised his voice: ¡°The Conflict of Heaven and Man is a grand event for the martial world, and both of you are among the elite of our generation. Though I am unworthy, I also wish to join in and test my martial path.¡± After a brief pause, he gathered his energy in his Dantian and let his voice roll like thunder: ¡°I, Xu, hereby challenge Chu Yuanzhen, honorary disciple of the Human Sect, and Li Miaozhen, Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect. If the two of you can defeat me, you may proceed with the Conflict of Heaven and Man as nned. ¡°But if you cannot, perhaps it would be wise to return and cultivate for a few more years. Of course, you may choose not to ept my challenge ¡ª given my reputation, it would be understandable if you were afraid.¡± Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen¡¯s eyes widened as they wondered if this madman had lost his mind, intending to make a name for himself at their expense. Chu Yuanxian scanned the audience on both riverbanks and transmitted his thoughts, ¡°What should we do?¡± At this point, anyone who valued their reputation couldn¡¯t back down. Besides, they were representatives of the Sects of Heaven and Man. ¡°ept his challenge, and then kick him out,¡± Li Miaozhen replied with a humph. ¡°I was looking for an excuse to teach him a lesson.¡± It would humiliate him, but he was bringing this upon himself. Their discussion concluded, and both main figures nodded, replying in unison, ¡°Very well, we ept your challenge, Sir Xu.¡± Xu Qi''an¡¯s face lit up with a dazzling smile. He stepped off the bow of the boat andnded gracefully on the riverbank. Three auras rose in tandem, shing and sending waves of wind that lifted the hems of the spectators¡¯ robes in the distance. The ck-canopied boat drifted farther and farther¡ªthirty feet, fifty feet, a hundred, two hundred... In the cabin, Fuxiang peeked out her pretty face, waving goodbye with a bright smile. Suddenly, Chu Yuanzhen struck, pointing a finger at the river''s surface. With a thunderous roar, the Wei River exploded, sending a water pir surging over a hundred feet high. The water did not fall back down but instead transformed into countless tiny swords, descending on Xu Qi''an like a storm of arrows, as if he were facing an army of thousands. From the very first move, it was a disy of divine power. The crowd watched, dazzled and terrified; they knew that if it were them in Xu Qi''an¡¯s ce, they would be torn apart by that rain of swords. Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t dodge. Instead, he brought his palms together above his head. Whoosh... A pale golden barrier suddenly expanded, and the dense rain of swords shattered upon hitting the shield, turning into a misty spray. This was the change that came with the near-perfection of Xu Qi''an''s Vajra divine technique. At this stage, it could generate a protective barrier, so he no longer had to rely solely on his body to withstand attacks. Of course, the barrier''s defense was slightly weaker than his physical form, but once the technique reached true perfection, the barrier would match his body''s resilience. *What incredible defense...* It wasn¡¯t just Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen who were shocked; the onlooking Jianghu experts and the Gold Gongs were also stunned by Xu Qi''an¡¯s formidable golden body. Especially the golden barrier¡ªsomething not even the monk Henghui had shown. *Indeed, this was the Vajra technique. He wasn¡¯t lying...* Chu Xianglong suddenly felt a surge of excitement. He recognized Xu Qi''an''s stance, having seen the exact same pose during his own failed attempt to learn the Vajra technique. After his meridians were shattered, he had suspected Xu Qi''an had given him a fraudulent manual. But without evidence and with no real knowledge of the technique to draw upon, he couldn¡¯t be sure. Now, seeing the familiar stance, he was more inclined to believe that it was his ownck of Buddhist foundation that led to the bacsh. Chu Yuanzhen stretched out his hand, pressing down, then pulling up slowly. The turbulent river raised a massive thirty foot long sword made of water. The huge water sword lifted, aiming at Xu Qi''an. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s azure robe billowed as he thrust his sword fingers forward. The giant sword flew forth with a roar, crashing into the golden barrier. The sound of the impact echoed like thunder, causing the barrier to tremble violently. At that moment, Li Miaozhen¡¯s eyes transformed into semi-transparent crystal, cold and detached. ¡°Ding!¡± The sabre at Xu Qi''an¡¯s waist suddenly unsheathed itself, shing at the barrier from within, working in concert with the giant sword to shatter the protective shell of the Vajra technique. The giant sword continued its charge, sending Xu Qi''an flying dozens of metres away away, tumbling in a chaotic mess. The two of them hadbined their efforts to break the barrier. Themoners were dumbfounded. The awe-inspiring Silver Gong Xu had barely made his entrance, only to end up in such a sorry state. They couldn¡¯t help but start to believe what the Jianghu folk had been saying¡ªthere was indeed a significant gap between the Seventh-Rank Silver Gong Xu and the two protagonists of the Conflict of Heaven and Man. ¡°What a powerful protective golden body¡ªit took both of them working together to break through.¡± The Shuangdao heroine Liu Yun squinted her eyes in surprise. Even though she didn¡¯t understand why Silver Gong Xu¡¯s sabre had ¡°betrayed¡± him, she could tell that it had taken thebined efforts of Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen to breach his barrier. ¡°But it¡¯s still not enough.¡± The leader of the Shuangdao Sect shook his head. Being able to take a beating wasn¡¯t a winning strategy; it only meant he couldst a bit longer. Silver Gong Xucked any decisive means of victory. Biaobiao¡¯s gaze had been fixed on Xu Qi''an the entire time. Seeing that he was battered but unharmed, she let out a sigh of relief and silently cheered him on. In mid-air, Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen resumed their fierce battle. Neither of them chose to continue attacking Xu Qi''an¡¯s golden body, as it was simply too difficult. Breaking the barrier had required a cunning maneuver; to break the golden body itself was another matter entirely¡ªthere were no sabres to aid from within. Their n was to whittle him down bit by bit during the ongoing duel, wearing him out gradually. ¡°Was that the Heaven Sect¡¯s ¡®Union of heaven and man¡¯ technique just now? Impressive, and very difficult to guard against,¡± Chu Yuanzhen asked with genuine interest. ¡°The Human Sect¡¯s swordsmanship isn¡¯t bad, either,¡± Li Miaozhen replied coolly. ¡°There¡¯s even better.¡± Chu Yuanzhen raised his arm, his sword fingers pointing to the sky. In an instant, every martial artist present felt their weapons begin to tremble, the vibrations growing stronger until, suddenly, the weapons wrenched themselves free from their owners'' grasps and flew skyward, swarming toward Chu Yuanzhen. Hundreds of weapons floated in the air, forming a grand spectacle. Far from being angry at losing their weapons, the martial artists disyed excited expressions, like children thrilled by a surprise. ¡°Whew... I almost lost you,¡± muttered Young Master Liu¡¯s teacher as he held onto the Sitianjian¡¯s artefact with all his might, narrowly preventing Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s forceful acquisition. ¡°Whew...¡± Young Master Liu, seeing this, also sighed in relief. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s sword fingers danced, manipting the mass of floating weapons into a sword formation that shifted gracefully in the air. Suddenly, they all pivoted sharply, crashing down in a series of shes against the Silver Gong, sending him sprawling once more. *What the hell, do you think I¡¯m a pushover? Believe me, I¡¯ll reveal the weak points in your formation if you keep this up...* Xu Qi''an¡¯s irritation grew. He had faced this technique before during a battle in Luo Yuheng¡¯s courtyard. Back then, Chu Yuanzhen had used this very formation, and the w was simple: a focused strike with the Human Sect¡¯s Heart Sword would disrupt the rhythm. However, Li Miaozhen did not know the Human Sect¡¯s Heart Sword, so she couldn¡¯t exploit this weakness. After striking Xu Qi''an, Chu Yuanzhen directed the sword formation towards Li Miaozhen. Yet within the formation, some of the swords turned traitor, suddenly reversing to strike at their ¡°ally.¡± The two halves of the sword formation shed fiercely in mid-air. ¡°ng!¡± Xu Qi''an¡¯s saber flew from its sheath. He soared into the sky, his de aimed ferociously at Chu Yuanzhen as he joined the battle with a fierce attack. At that moment, both halves of the sword formation seemed toe to an understanding and simultaneously converged, raining down upon Xu Qi''an in a relentless assault. Amid the sounds of ¡°bang, bang,¡± one weapon after another shattered, and goldcquer spattered from Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s body. As thecquer ked away, it revealed normal skin beneath¡ªonly for a freshyer of goldcquer to immediately cover him once more. *Good strikes...* Xu Qi¡¯an fended off the blows in a dishevelled manner, while simultaneously pushing his potential to ensure a steady flow of goldcquer enveloped his body. He needed a fight like this to temper his Golden Body, much like forging iron¡ªeach heavy blow would refine him further. As his strike missed its mark, Xu Qi¡¯an inevitably began to fall, turning him into an exposed target. Hundreds of shattered weapons rained down upon him, reducing him to a weathered, mottled statue resembling an ancient golden Buddha. Li Miaozhen seized the moment, her pupils once again transforming into a translucent ze, devoid of emotion and filled with an icy coldness. The ck-gold sabre in Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s grasp rebelled once more, wrenching free from his hand and shing fiercely at his chest. This sh finally breached his Golden Body, carving out a bone-deep wound. Man and de plummeted into the river. Ssh¡­ Water sprayed in all directions. ¡°That strike will be enough for him to bear, but it won¡¯t be fatal,¡± Li Miaozhen said in a calm tone. ¡°Indeed. Better for him to suffer a little now than for Heaven Sect to order you to eliminate him,¡± Chu Yuanzhen nodded. The two were no longer holding back, throwing themselves fully into their battle in mid-air. Sometimes sword qi cut through the air, while at other times, water dragons soared. The sh was fierce and evenly matched. ¡­ ¡°Si¡­ Silver Gong Xu has lost?¡± The gathered crowd struggled to ept this fact¡ªthe rapid defeat of Xu Qi¡¯an was too hard for them to reconcile. A wave of disappointment swept over them. They were beginning to realize that their idolized Xu Silver Gong was genuinely no match for the two main figures of the Conflict of Heaven and Man. ¡°He shouldn¡¯t have lost like this. Those two shes during the magical duel were so powerful¡ªwhy didn¡¯t he use them just now?¡± ¡°I heard... I heard that the Jianzheng was helping him during that duel.¡± The onlookers looked at each other, momentarily unable to find words to rebut. ¡°Better than I expected,¡± Lyuzhong praised. The other Gold Gongs nodded. To hold out this long under the full force of two Fourth-Rank experts¡¯ assault was a remarkable feat. Xu Ningyan¡¯s physical defence was, in fact, only slightly inferior to theirs. The gap between a Sixth-Rank and a Fourth-Rank was truly immense¡ªhe had done extraordinarily well. Huaiqing gazed at the river with a silent sigh. ¡°Running Dog should be fine, right?¡± the Princess asked anxiously. ¡°After all, he¡¯s a Sixth-Rank martial artist; that kind of injury isn¡¯t too serious,¡± Huaiqingforted her. After some thought, she added, ¡°This is already very good. Most Sixth-Ranks couldn¡¯t reach this level.¡± ¡°Mm,¡± the Princess nodded, though she still felt a slight pang of disappointment. Who wouldn¡¯t wish for the man they admired to be a one-in-a-million hero? For those deeply versed in martial arts, like Butterfly Sword Lan Caiyi and Twin-de Heroine Liu Yun, the oue was unsurprising. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s meteoric rise in the duel naturally drew interest, and information about his true strength and history became easily essible. It was simple to deduce his capabilities¡ªor even obtain urate intel. How could a Seventh-Rank martial artist contend with two Fourth-Ranks? That he hadsted this long was already remarkable. *He¡¯s exceptionally talented. In a few more years, breaking through to Fourth-Rank is inevitable,* mused Rongrong from Wanhua Tower. *But for now, he¡¯s not yet ready to face the best disciples of Heaven and Human Sects.* ¡°Foolish showoff!¡± The Princess spat lightly, her voice a barely audible whisper. Chu Xianglong was momentarily stunned, then frowned. ¡°What did you say?¡± The Princess coolly replied, ¡°None of your concern.¡± Chu Xianglong sensibly remained silent. Xu Xinnian unconsciously took a few steps forward, wanting to rush to the river to retrieve his elder brother, but he quickly regained hisposure and let out a helpless sigh. *With my brother¡¯s cultivation, these wounds are far from life-threatening... Foolish. Clearlycking strength, yet determined to make a grand show of himself. The fame earned during the contest has now dissipatedpletely.* Xu Xinnian inwardly scolded his brother¡¯s foolishness, his gaze fixed intently on the river surface. As soon as his brother emerged, he would take him back to the capital and get medicine from the Sitianjian. ¡­ In the darkness of the riverbed, turbulent currents surged as Xu Qi¡¯an steadied himself in the water. He sat cross-legged, his hands cupped at his Dantian. Crimson blood oozed from the gash on his chest, spreading like a cloud in the inky depths. At that moment, he felt as if his blood was boiling, and every meridian throbbed with burning pain¡ªa sensation he¡¯d experienced before when he swallowed the Azure Pill. Now, thetent medicinal power within his body, mingling with the residual essence blood of Monk Shenshu, was boiling all at once. The wound on his chest healed rapidly, and a spot of goldcquer appeared between his brows, swiftly spreading across his entire form. Thecquer emitted an intense glow, illuminating the dark waters. Xu Qi¡¯an looked like a figure sculpted entirely from pure golden light. *Such incredible power... I¡¯m going to dazzle them until their damned eyes burn.* With a powerful kick, the murky water churned like ink. Radiant Xu Qi¡¯an shot upward like an arrow. Above, as the crowd was just engrossed in the fight, the two Daoists both abruptly ceased and distanced themselves, looking down at the river¡¯s surface in uncertainty. ¡°Why did they stop fighting?¡± The audience,pletely engrossed in the spectacle, was baffled by the sudden halt. But the Gold Gongs among the Nightwatchers, the Jianghu elites like Lan Huan, and other strong practitioners seemed to sense something. One by one, their gazes shifted to the river. A faint gold glow emanated from the river, rapidly intensifying, turning the water into a golden soup. *Boom!* The river¡¯s surface exploded in a towering column of water, and a radiant figure burst forth¡ªbrighter than the zing sun, forcing everyone to squint. That glowing figure emerged from the waves andnded heavily on the riverbank, scattering stones like flying darts. On both sides of the Wei River, every eye locked onto him. As the golden light faded, Xu Qi¡¯an stretched his waist and leisurely said, ¡°Allow me a little stretch...¡± Chapter 333: Unexpected Move # 333. Unexpected Move *He¡¯s back?!* A few seconds of stunned silence were broken first by cheers from themon folk. ¡°¡®Allow me a little stretch¡¯? Does Silver Gong Xu mean he wasn¡¯t even serious just now?¡± ¡°Look at him! The wound on his chest is gone¡­ It¡¯s true¡ªhe wasn¡¯t serious! Haha, I told you, as long as Silver Gong Xu used half the strength he showed during the magical duel, there¡¯s no way those two could match him.¡± Thanks to that one line, ¡°allow me a little stretch,¡± themoners were thoroughly misled, convinced that Xu Qi¡¯an hadn¡¯t been serious from the start. The fact that his wounds hadpletely healed became further ¡°proof¡± that it was all just his warm-up. But to the top-tier experts observing the scene, the shock was something beyond what ordinary people couldprehend. *No matter what, that de wound on his chest would¡¯ve gone to the bone, how has itpletely healed in half an incense stick¡¯s time? Not even I could do that.* Nangong Qianrou narrowed his eyes, involuntarily stepping closer as if he needed a better look at Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s chest to confirm what had just happened.*Regenerating flesh and bone is the ability of a third rank, how did Xu Ningyan do this?* Jiang Lyuzhong was wide-eyed, a faint suspicion surfacing in his mind. *It must be the mystical properties of the Vajra Divine Art. That¡¯s the only exnation¡­ To think it grants the ability to regenerate even at lower ranks¡­* Chu Xianglong gulped, his Adam¡¯s apple bobbing as unrestrained greed flickered in his gaze. In that moment, a sudden urge rose within him¡ªa desire to hurry back to the bordends and present the Stone Buddha to the Zhenbei King. With the Zhenbei King¡¯s strength at the peak of the Third rank, even without practicing Buddhist techniques, he might be able to extract insights from the Vajra Divine Art. And if paired with the Bronze Talisman, there was even a chance the Zhenbei King could master the art fully. When that time came, as the one who brought him this gift, Chu Xianglong might even earn the chance to learn the technique himself. Hearing the sound of that vile man swallowing his saliva, the Zhenbei princess consort¡¯s heart skipped a beat. Hidden behind her veil, her eyes darted toward Chu Xianglong. *He¡ªhe¡¯s salivating over another man?!* After mentally ridiculing him for a moment, the Princess shifted her focus back to Xu Qi¡¯an, muttering to herself, _He¡¯s surprisingly strong. I knew it¡ªhow could a man who shone so brightly during the buddhist contest possibly lose so easily?_ ¡°Father, what¡¯s happened to him?¡± Butterfly de Lan Caiyi turned to her father, stunned. Lan Huan shook his head in silence. _Phew¡­_ Xu Xinnian breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze fixed on Xu Qi¡¯an as he spoke. ¡°My elder brother never does anything without confidence. If he dared to participate in the Conflict of Heaven and Man, he must have something to rely on. ¡°A gentleman ns before he acts¡ªthat¡¯s the principle I¡¯ve always taught him.¡± Wang Simu smiled faintly. ¡°Cijiu and Silver Gong Xu¡ªone excels in the literary, the other in the martial. Many must envy your family.¡± She could tell that Xu Xinnian¡¯s words carried a hint of boastfulness, but so what? He was handsome, talented, and had a likable personality. The more Wang Simu looked at him, the more captivated she felt. ¡­ ¡°How has your Vajra Divine Art improved so much? What happened?¡± Li Miaozhen widened her eyes, scrutinizing Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°Were you holding back earlier?¡± _No, no¡ªthat¡¯s not the point. The real question isn¡¯t whether he was hiding his strength. The question is¡ªhow could he have reached this level of mastery in the Vajra Divine Art?!_ _This doesn¡¯t make sense. It¡¯s impossible¡­_ Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s inner voice was roaring. Although his expression remained calm, his mind was in chaos, waves of shock crashing against hisposure. He had once encountered Monk Jingsi and had a basic understanding of the Vajra body. Compared to Xu Qi¡¯an now, Jingsi back then had been like a novice who had barely stepped through the door. ???£Î????? And yet, Jingsi had practiced the technique since childhood, while Xu Qi¡¯an had only acquired it during the magical duel. _At most, it¡¯s been a month¡­_ For the well-travelled and experienced *zhuangyuan*, this moment felt surreal, as though he had stepped into a dream. ¡°Miaozhen, it doesn¡¯t matter whether or not he was holding back. What you must never forget is this.¡± Chu Yuanzhen turned to the Heaven Sect Holy Maiden and spoke slowly, enunciating each word: ¡°He has only practiced the Vajra Divine Art for at most one month.¡± Li Miaozhen finally grasped the weight of the situation. Her pupils contracted slightly as her neck stiffened, and she turned mechanically to look at Xu Qi¡¯an. The Heaven Sect Holy Maiden had always been proud of her unmatched talent, but at this moment, she was genuinely awed. ¡°Thank you both for helping me clear my meridians and aiding me in achieving a minor aplishment in the Vajra Divine Art.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an cupped his hands in gratitude. _Ah, so Sir Xu deliberately took those hits to temper his Vajra Divine Art._¡­ Hearing this, the crowd had an epiphany. It perfectly exined why he had taken such a beating¡ªit wasn¡¯t because the two Daoist prodigies were exceptionally strong, but because Silver Gong Xu had needed their attacks. Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen exchanged nces, their previous disdain for Xu Qi¡¯an gone. The two felt pressure mounting. ¡°No matter the reason, we need to finish him off first. Let¡¯s work together to break through his Vajra Divine Art. If we wait until we¡¯re exhausted, it¡¯ll be almost impossible to breach his defence. At that point, we really might lose to him.¡± Li Miaozhen sent a mental transmission. ¡°I agree.¡± Chu Yuanzhen nodded grimly. In an instant, the pair shifted their positions, now standing side by side, facing Xu Qi¡¯an directly. ¡°Wow, they¡¯re teaming up against Silver Gong Xu again!¡± ¡°See that? If Silver Gong Xu weren¡¯t so overwhelmingly strong, why would they do this?¡± The crowd, growing more and more convinced of Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s superiority, cheered louder. Even the experienced martial artists who had been certain a mere Sixth- or Seventh-Rank like Xu Qi¡¯an couldn¡¯tpete with the prodigies of the Heaven and Human Sects now showed signs of doubt. ¡°Thanks to both of you, I¡¯ve reached a minor aplishment. Now, it¡¯s time for me to fight back.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an grinned. ¡°Fight back?¡± Li Miaozhen rolled her eyes and scoffed. ¡°Even if you¡¯ve made progress, what threat can you possibly pose to us? We¡¯re just going to beat up a stubborn rock.¡± Chu Yuanzhen chuckled lightly. ¡°Your One de from Heaven and Earth may have improved, but after one strike, you¡¯ll bepletely spent. A single attack won¡¯t take down a Fourth Rank.¡± As the two spoke, Xu Qi¡¯an silently retrieved a book, cing it between his teeth. He grinned through it and said, ¡°Time to show you the terrifying power of a Confucian¡¯s silver tongue.¡± _Bang!_ The ground copsed, and Silver Gong Xu shot upward like a cannonball, soaring into the air and lunging directly at Li Miaozhen. During this charge, he clenched his right fist tightly and pulled it back forcefully. Li Miaozhen, fully aware of the terrifying power of a Martial Artist in closebat, avoided a direct confrontation. She guided her flying sword upward, deftly evading Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s fist. As his lunge missed its mark, the flightless Xu Qi¡¯an inevitably began to fall. Right on cue, Chu Yuanzhen acted, forming a sword with his fingers and unleashing the Qi Sword Technique of the Human Sect. In an instant, countless sharp and unparalleled sword intents shot toward him. _Riiiip!_ Xu Qi¡¯an ripped a page from his book, igniting it with his Qi, and saying in a slow and casual manner: ¡°I have an invisible pair of wings.¡± As his words fell, a pair of invisible but very real wings appeared. Xu Qi¡¯an pped them, making a graceful turn midair to evade the oing sword energy with agility. His target remained unchanged¡ªLi Miaozhen. Li Miaozhen watched in astonishment as Xu Qi¡¯an, now like a swimming fish, weaved through Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s sword energy and glided sideways, closing in on her. She responded calmly, her pupils transforming into crystalline ss. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s clothing betrayed him at once. His belt, as if alive, tightened ferociously before snapping apart. His cor shrank, attempting to strangle him, while his mink hat dropped downward, covering his eyes. The mink hat had done its job. Li Miaozhen seized the opportunity to ascend once more. But just then, she heard Xu Qi¡¯an calmly issuing another promation: ¡°My speed shall triple.¡± His golden body caught up in an instant. Without needing to see, he rammed straight into Li Miaozhen. _Bang!_ Li Miaozhen was sent flying, blood welling in her throat, her arm fractured from the impact. _Confucianism¡¯s ws followmandments¡± is ridiculously useful¡­ If only this weren¡¯t the wrong asion, I¡¯d love to try dering ¡°Where is Diao Chan?¡±_ Xu Qi¡¯an mused internally. Li Miaozhen¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile as she formed a simple hand seal with one hand. A sh of light appeared at her brow, and a miniature version of herself shot forward, drilling into Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s forehead before emerging from the back of his head. Mid-flight, Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly froze, as though unconscious, and plummeted straight down. _ng, ng, ng!_ Chu Yuanzhen seized the chance to unleash waves of sword energy. Sparks flew as the strikes hit Xu Qi¡¯an, unable to pierce through his golden defence. However, the sword energy carried something else¡ªHeart Sword Techniques that attacked the spirit. This revtion came from Li Miaozhen¡¯s earlier actions. Both had realized Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s weakness: his spirit wasn¡¯t strong enough. A typical Martial Artist wouldn¡¯t have such a ring shoring, as their spiritual strength was honed through relentless training. However, Xu Qi¡¯an was like a severely lopsided student¡ªhis spiritual strength wasparable to someone who thought ¡°neen¡± was pronounced as ¡°*nai ting*[^1].¡± Though far superior to others in his rank, he was still miles behind a Fourth-Rank Martial Artist. This was his fatal w. ¡°End him in one blow,¡± Li Miaozhen, now visibly upset by her injuries, said coldly. With a flick of her wrist, she conjured ninemand gs and hurled them forward. _Thud, thud!_ The ninemand gs formed a Nine-Pce formation, enveloping Xu Qi¡¯an entirely. Li Miaozhen then tapped a pitch-ck sachet at her waist, releasing wisps of ck smoke that flowed into the array. In an instant, wailing ghosts and howling spirits filled the space, ck smoke swirling chaotically, at times forming human faces that screamed or wept in despair. The sight terrified the onlooking citizens of the capital. ¡°H- how many ghosts?!¡± ¡°Dear heavens, will these ghosts hurt us? That woman is so cruel to use such vile methods against Silver Gong Xu.¡± The princess consort retreated in fear, trembling. She hated ghosts the most, often imagining spectres standing by her bed at night, bloody and dishevelled. Even with her maids present, her fear remained. Biaobiao was so scared she ducked behind Huaiqing. Huaiqing, everposed, raised an eyebrow and chided, ¡°You¡¯re a royal daughter of the Great Feng, shrouded in auspicious purple Qi. Ordinary ghosts wouldn¡¯t dare approach you. They fear you, not the other way around.¡± Still, Lin¡¯an yelped. ¡°But I¡¯m scared! Will the ghosts eat the Running Dog?¡± Lan Caiyi, observing the crowd¡¯s fear and concern for Silver Gong Xu, found the situation amusing. People who were unafraid of Fourth-Rank experts trembled before mere ghosts. Yet, even the most confident citizens began doubting Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s chances. Lan Huan, noting his daughter¡¯s interest, exined, ¡°They fear not the ghosts, but the terror within themselves. For a Martial Artist to transcend limits, they must first ovee such fears.¡± Lan Caiyi nodded, then looked at the ghost array. ¡°So, does this mean Silver Gong Xu can¡¯t ovee his fears?¡± ¡°No, he¡¯s trapped by the Heaven Sect¡¯s formation. As expected of their Holy Maiden, she¡¯s struck his weak point,¡± Lan Huan replied. Usually silent and stoic, Yang Yan unexpectedly offered his thoughts. ¡°I faced a simr array while dealing with Earth Sect hereticsst year. It¡¯s highly troublesome, targeting a Martial Artist¡¯s spirit. If he can¡¯t break free, even the most resolute soul will eventually be worn down.¡± ¡°Everyone says Daoists are good at raising and nurturing ghosts. And they¡¯ve proven the sayings.¡±mented a noble loudly. ¡°Indeed. Even with his indestructible golden body, Silver Gong Xu cannot withstand the corrosive effects on his spirit,¡± another aristocrat remarked gleefully, still holding a grudge over Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s past humiliations of the court. Suddenly, a cacophony of ghostly screams filled the air, shrill and panicked, as if they had encountered a natural predator. All eyes turned to the ghost array, where beams of golden light pierced the oppressive ck smoke, dissolving it with a sizzling sound. The dense ck smoke thinned in an instant, the myriad wailing souls vanishing as the radiant figure of Xu Qi¡¯an came into view. He stood tall and proud, a resplendent golden core hovering above his head. The Daoist golden core¡ªreputed to be impervious to all impurities, untouchable by the filth of the world. ¡°Snap!¡± Silver Gong Xu snapped his fingers. The golden core detonated, unleashing a surge of energy that dispersed the lingering ck mist. The eightmand gs were either uprooted or snapped in half. The formation was broken. At that moment, Chu Yuanzhen appeared like a phantom in front of Xu Qi¡¯an, wielding a sword formed from fine gravel. Without hesitation, he struck Xu''s forehead. _Bang!_ The stone sword shattered, but a faint smile appeared on Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s lips. This strike was no ordinary attack¡ªit was a _Heart Sword_, a technique that shes not just the flesh but the very soul. However, Chu Yuanzhen suddenly heard the sound of burning paper. Bewildered, he looked down to find a piece of nearly burned paper in Xu¡¯s hand. ¡°What was recorded on this paper¡­?¡± Just as the thought crossed his mind, Chu Yuanzhen understood the answer, for an excruciating pain tore through his soul. _Rebound!_ No, it wasn¡¯t just a rebound. For Xu Qi¡¯an had murmured under his breath, ¡°I can reflect attacks. My soul is now ten times stronger.¡± Only Chu Yuanzhen felt the agony of his soul being torn apart. For Xu, whose soul had indeed been amplified tenfold, there wasn¡¯t the slightest problem. Seizing the opportunity, Xu mmed his forehead into Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s, sending blood streaming down and nearly forcing Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s very soul out of his body. Clinging to thest shred of rity, Chu Yuanzhen reached out and finally grasped the long sword behind him. _Damn it, number four¡¯spletely lost himself in the fight¡­_ Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s expression shifted. Leaning in close to Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s ear, he whispered something softly. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s body froze abruptly. Then, slowly, he loosened his grip on the sword. ¡°You¡¯ve lost.¡± Leaving those words behind, Xu pped his invisible wings and shot toward Li Miaozhen. Time was running out. The stronger the effects of the Confucianws followmandments, the more devastating the bacsh when the rules of reality reassert themselves. The bacsh of asserting that his soul was ten times stronger than it should be, would be so painful that he would rather die. The consequences of alteringws was based on their oue. For example, if Xu Qi¡¯an just wanted a invisible pair of wings, then the consequence suffered from the magic would be aching shoulders for a few days. But if he had asserted that his physical strength was ten times stronger, then afterwards he may have be a cripple, bedridden for months. Xu Qi¡¯an knew he had to subdue Li Miaozhen before the bacsh set in, or all his efforts would be in vain. The power of Laws follow Commandments was immense, but so too was its cost. Without hesitation, Li Miaozhen rode her flying sword away. As the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect, she didn¡¯t need an in-depth understanding of Confucian techniques to grasp the consequences of such a spell. Skimming low across the river¡¯s surface, her ss-like pupils glimmered, and the entire river answered her call, moving at hermand. Pirs of water erupted, attacking Xu and obstructing his path. Though the strikes couldn¡¯t harm him through his indestructible golden body, they seeded in buying her precious time. _Rip!_ Xu tore another sheet of paper, preparing to ignite it. But the paper betrayed him, splitting into countless fragments that scattered into the river like fallen leaves. ¡°Whoosh¡­¡± mes red from his palm. Another sheet of paper, hidden within his clenched fist, remained intact. The first was merely a decoy. He had anticipated Li Miaozhen¡¯s interference. As the paper burned to ash, Xu¡¯s voice echoed resolutely: ¡°Lay down your butcher¡¯s de; turn and see the shore.¡± Mid-flight, Li Miaozhen abruptly lost control and veered toward Xu Qi¡¯an, hurling herself into his embrace. _Bang!_ The two collided, tumbling into the river together. The entire Wei River roared to life, boiling and frothing. Waves as tall as ten stories crashed against the riverbanks, washing over the shores. No one could see what was happening beneath the water¡¯s surface, but everyone knew it must be an intense battle. The turmoilsted for a quarter of an hour. By then, the once-crystal-clear waters of the Wei had turned as murky as a ¡°Yellow River¡±. Gradually, the river¡¯s surface began to calm. The crowd¡¯s tension soared, their gazes fixed on the water without so much as blinking. _It has to be Silver Gong Xu who won. He¡¯s so strong¡­_ Themoners held their breath, scanning the river for any sign of movement. The Nightwatcher Gold Gongs kept their gazes locked on the river, their eyes unflinching. The leaders of various martial sects¡ªwhether it was the Master of Shuangdao Hall, the Leader of the Luya Sword Pavilion, or the elegantdy of Wanhua Tower¡ªwatched the river in silent, solemn anticipation. They understood that they were likely witnessing the birth of a legend. A low-ranked martial artist triumphing over a high-ranked Daoist. Frommoners and jianghu heroes to nobles and their entourages, nearly a thousand spectators had gathered. And yet, in this moment, they shared an unspoken agreement of silence. Even the sound of breathing seemed loud in the stillness. It had been a battle of unparalleled brilliance, filled with twists and turns, yet thoroughly exhrating. Biaobiao clutched her chest, hearing her own heart pound like a war drum, one beat after another. Huaiqing¡¯s hands, concealed within her sleeves, slowly tightened into fists. The Princess Consort, nervously bncing on her toes, scanned the riverbank with wide, restless eyes beneath her veil. _If Big Brother wins this fight, his waning influence in the capital will ignite once more, elevating him to new heights as the focus of every circle in the city¡­_ Xu Xinnian took a deep breath, trying to calm his rising excitement. In the midst of countless held breaths and eager eyes, the river surface finally broke. First, a hand emerged, followed by a head¡ªa head still wearing a mink sable hat, carefully held in ce by the hand to prevent it from falling. The figure gradually waded ashore, cradling an unconscious woman in Daoist robes in his arms. --- [^1]: ~ perky breasts Chapter 334: Report # 334. Report *He¡­ he actually won¡­* Nangong Qianrou¡¯s expression was a mixture ofplexity and disbelief, his cheeks flushing as if he''d been pped. *Although he relied on Confucian magic to secure victory, the fact that he defeated two fourth rank experts also means he could defeat us¡­* The other Gold Gongs¡¯ feelings were equally conflicted. After spending half their lives diligently training, the thought that they might still lose to someone who had only been at the Refining Vitality stage six months ago was a heavy blow, leaving them momentarily speechless. ¡°We won! We won!¡± Lin¡¯an let out a small cheer. If not for maintaining the princess''s dignity and decorum, she would have leapt three feet high, hopping like a jubnt little rabbit. The coquettish young royal sister could barely contain her glee. *During the conflict with the Buddhists, he had the Jianzheng backing him, so his victory wasn¡¯t surprising¡­ But this time, he used only the pure strength of a Sixth rank martial artist to defeat two Fourth rank opponents¡­* Huaiqing, though far less overt than Lin¡¯an, was no less shocked. ¡°Didn¡¯t you say the gap between ranks was enormous? How did he manage to win?¡± Beneath her veil, the Princess Consort¡¯s sharp gaze bore into Chu Xianglong with an usatory intensity. Chu Xianglong¡¯s mouth opened as if to exin, but recalling the earlier battle, he realized any argument he made would sound hollow and unconvincing.The Princess Consort¡¯s lips curled ever so slightly as she inwardly let out a smug hum. Cheers erupted like a wave, withmoners unabashedly showering the young man who had walked ashore with apuse and praise. A high-ranking noble, his expressionplex, sighed. ¡°It¡¯s been years since the capital has seen such a young man, someone so beloved by the people.¡± The exuberant crowd reminded the nobility of the triumph at Shanhai Pass, when soldiers returned in glory, and the citizens of the capital lined the streets to wee them. Only Wei Yuan, back then at the height of his influence, could have achieved something of this magnitude. Another noble spoke gravely, ¡°Have you noticed how, ever since the Buddhist contest, his renown has only grown?¡± ¡°Well, that contest was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Anyone who triumphed there would see their fame soar.¡± ¡°Hmm. Just his good luck, really.¡± *Big Brother actually won. And he did it using our Confucian magic¡­* Xu Xinnian felt a double sense of pride as he turned to nce at the still-shocked Wang family''s eldest daughter. With a mix of boasting and admiration, he said, ¡°My elder brother always aplishes feats others deem impossible.¡± *And I will strive to catch up with him...* Xu Eng added silently to himself. Wang Simu smiled and nodded. She appreciated Xu Eng¡¯s unwavering confidence. It was precisely this quality that allowed him to shine beneath his elder brother¡¯s towering achievements without sumbing to self-pity or discouragement. By the riverside, Xu Qi¡¯an held Li Miaozhen in his arms. His gaze swept across the fervent crowd, the stunned martial artists, and the varied expressions on countless faces. ?§¡???????? He gave a slight nod, then pped his invisible wings, ascending into the sky with Li Miaozhen in his embrace. Chu Yuanzhen watched his figure disappear into the distance. In his mind, a line of poetry echoed: ¡°*If today I show my de, who has grief unrested?*¡±[^1] This was thetter half of the poem Xu Qi¡¯an had said to him earlier, finally whispered in his year. For a brief moment, Chu Yuanzhen felt as if struck by lightning. His entire body trembled inexplicably. Then, he released his grip on his sword and stopped fixating on the oue of the Conflict of Heaven and Man. ¡°If today I show my de, who has grief unrested?¡± he murmured to himself. *For years, I¡¯ve cultivated my sword, and when it is finally unsheathed, it shall shine with unparalleled brilliance. None shall stand in my way¡ªneither gods nor Buddhas¡­ I intended to make my move during the Conflict of Heaven and Man, to defeat Li Miaozhen and repay the Human Sect for bestowing upon me this sword¡­ But I was wrong. Gravely wrong.* *Li Miaozhen, righteous and noble, does not deserve to die by my de. To kill such a virtuous person for my selfish desires would sow the seeds of a heart demon, haunting me for the rest of my life¡­ Xu Ningyan was saving me all along.* *He deliberately left thetter half of the poem unsaid back then, foreseeing today¡¯s events¡­ ¡°If today I show my de, who has grief unrested?.¡± This is the true essence of the intent behind my sword.* Taking a deep breath, Chu Yuanzhen felt a surge of emotion. He turned toward Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s receding figure and bowed deeply. ¡°Look! Chu Yuanzhen is bowing to Silver Gong Xu out of genuine respect!¡± ¡°Silver Gong Xu truly is a peerless talent!¡± Themoners cheered with uncontainable joy at the sight of Silver Gong Xumanding respect from his opponent. ¡­ *Better slip away now¡ªif I don¡¯t, everyone will witness the bacsh from the Confucian spell, and my image will be utterly ruined¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an pped his invisible wings desperately, racing back toward the capital. As he reflected on the pros and cons of his involvement in the Conflict of Heaven and Man, he thought: *My Vajra body has sessfully reached minor aplishment. It won¡¯t improve further until I ascend beyond Fourth rank¡­ But the upside is my defence now rivals, if not surpasses, that of a Fourth rank martial artist. Of course, my actualbat power is still far behind.* *I used five pages from the ¡®magic book¡¯ gifted by the great schrs: one recorded the Daoist Golden Core, one recorded the Buddhist Commandments, two were for the Confucian Laws Follow Commandments, and one was destroyed by Li Miaozhen¡­ The losses are significant. I need to find a chance to visit Cloud Deer Academy and mooch a bit more. I wonder how many of these treasures the schrs have in reserve¡­* *Daoist Jinlian still owes me a treasure. I¡¯ll have to collect on that debtter.* *Intervening in the Conflict of Heaven and Man this time will be moreplicated for the Human Sect, given that Luo Yuheng benefited from it. As for the Heaven Sect¡­* At that thought, he nced at Li Miaozhen, lightly patting her cheek and teasing in a low voice, ¡°So beautiful¡­ Why not be my concubine, huh? Haha¡­¡± No sooner had the words left his mouth than he felt his shoulders twitch¡ªhis wings had disappeared. Suddenly, a splitting headache overwhelmed him. His vision darkened as he plummeted from the sky. In his final moments of consciousness, he tightened his arms around Li Miaozhen, ensuring the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect would not fall to her death. ¡­ Lingbao Temple. Today, Luo Yuheng couldn¡¯t focus on her cultivation. She alternated between fiddling with tea sets, flipping through Daoist scriptures, and standing in the courtyard, gazing at the blue sky beyond the walls. Emperor Yuanjing tactfully refrained from seeking her out for cultivation or meditation. The temple disciples moved with hushed steps and whispered tones, their atmosphere tense and heavy. That was, until a figure in azure robes, carrying a sword, silently stepped into Lingbao Temple, passing through grand halls and gardens, heading toward its innermost depths. ¡°Chu Yuanzhen has returned?¡± ¡°The Conflict of Heaven and Man has ended¡­ Chu Yuanzhen, did you win or lose?¡± ¡°Chu Yuanzhen, did you manage to defeat Li Miaozhen?¡± The oppressive atmosphere broke as Human Sect Daoists gathered around Chu Yuanzhen, bombarding him with questions. Chu Yuanzhen shook his head and said solemnly, ¡°I lost.¡± The cacophony of voices abruptly ceased. The Human Sect Daoists exchanged dismayed nces, their faces filled with despair. Ignoring their dejection, Chu Yuanzhen strode toward Luo Yuheng¡¯s courtyard. Entering, he found her standing by the pond, her figure as ethereal as a celestial. ¡°National Teacher,¡± he said with a bow. Luo Yuheng nodded faintly. ¡°I already know the oue. You didn¡¯t draw your sword, and I¡¯m sure you had your reasons. I won¡¯t me you. The Human Sect relies on the dynasty¡¯s fortune to cultivate, yet its decline is swift and unrelenting. ¡°This is the will of heaven, beyond anyone¡¯s power to alter¡­¡± *I only said I lost, but I didn¡¯t say Li Miaozhen won¡­ Should I rify that the real victor was Xu Qi¡¯an? No, she might p me to death on the spot¡­* Chu Yuanzhen hesitated inwardly. Luo Yuheng noticed his conflicted expression and consoled, ¡°Don¡¯t me yourself. As I said, I don¡¯t hold you ountable for this.¡± Clearing his throat, Chu Yuanzhen replied, ¡°National Teacher, I did lose, but Li Miaozhen didn¡¯t win either. ¡°For some reason, Xu Qi¡¯an intervened midway, forcibly disrupting the Conflict of Heaven and Man and defeating both Li Miaozhen and me. ¡°The Conflict of Heaven and Man¡­ hasn¡¯t really begun.¡± --- [^2]: Thetter half of the poem *The Swordsman* by Jia Dao. It¡¯s full verse being: *A sword honed ten years long, its icy edge not tested.* *If today I show my de, who has grief unrested?* Chapter 335: Question # 335. Question Luo Yuheng froze, her beautiful eyes lighting up with a brilliant gleam. She looked at Chu Yuanzhen, pursed her lips, and said, ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an interfered in the Conflict of Heaven and Man... and defeated you and Li Miaozhen?¡± Chu Yuanzhen nodded and gave a wry smile. ¡°I don¡¯t know why he acted so suddenly.¡± In truth, he harboured a faint suspicion¡ªit was Daoist Jinlian who subtly incited him, likely to avoid a life-and-death sh between members of the Heaven and Earth Society. However, this theory was something he could not share with Luo Yuheng. ¡°Exin in detail. How did he defeat you?¡± Luo Yuheng nced at him briefly before casting her gaze toward the colorful flowers in the courtyard. Chu Yuanzhen noticed that the National Teacher seemed to brighten in an instant, like the blooming flowers in the courtyard. The oppressive mood she carried earlier had lifted entirely. ¡°In fact, his victory over me and Li Miaozhen was thanks to external assistance. He possesses a Confucian tome containing many spells. But swords and artefacts are also external tools. A loss is a loss,¡± Chu Yuanzhen said with a magnanimous tone. Luo Yuheng pondered aloud, ¡°Confucian techniques alone shouldn¡¯t have been enough to defeat both you and Li Miaozhen.¡± Her tone was resolute.Hearing this, Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s expression turned strange. He gazed at Luo Yuheng¡¯s peerless features and said in a low voice, ¡°This is precisely what I wish to consult the National Teacher about¡­¡± Pausing briefly, he continued in a tone of disbelief, ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an has advanced his Vajra Divine Art to the Minor Aplishment stage. Without unsheathing my sword, I couldn¡¯t break through his defences. ¡°But, National Teacher, he has only practiced the Vajra art for about a month. How could he have progressed to such a level?¡± This wasn¡¯t something that could be exined by simply calling him a ¡°prodigy.¡± After much deliberation, Chu Yuanzhen thought back to the time Arhat Du''e imed Xu Qi¡¯an was a Buddha¡¯s Son. Perhaps there was anotheryer of meaning to that deration. Luo Yuheng chuckled softly. ¡°Not long ago, a cat came to see me, asking for an Azure Pill, saying it could dy the Conflict of Heaven and Man.¡± *A cat? A cat demon? No, that didn¡¯t make sense. The yao race couldn¡¯t enter the capital, let alone Lingbao Temple¡­ A being capable of entering Lingbao Temple in feline form and discussing the Conflict of Heaven and Man with the National Teacher was either an old friend of hers or a fellow Daoist of some renown...* Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s sharp mind immediately pinpointed a suspect: Daoist Jinlian. From this, everything began to make sense. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s sudden interference in the Conflict of Heaven and Man was clearly incited by Daoist Jinlian. Chu Yuanzhen knew the efficacy of the Azure Pill. He couldn¡¯t help but recall how, during the battle, Xu Qi¡¯an smugly remarked that both he and Li Miaozhen had helped temper his body... Everything clicked into ce. Daoist Jinlian had struck a deal with the National Teacher: he would help dy the Conflict of Heaven and Man, and in return, she would pay a certain price. That price wasn¡¯t just the Azure Pill¡ªit had been given to Xu Qi¡¯an. Daoist Jinlian likely had other motives as well. Thus, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s rapid advancement in his Vajra Divine Art must have been due to the Azure Pill. *Hearing that Xu Qi¡¯an had defeated both him and Li Miaozhen, the National Teacher¡¯s surprise wasn¡¯t feigned... Hmm, it seems she wasn¡¯t entirely confident in the arrangement either...* Chu Yuanzhen cupped his hands and said, ¡°Li Miaozhen won¡¯t challenge the Conflict of Heaven and Man again until she breaks through Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s Vajra Divine Art. National Teacher, you can be rest assured.¡± Luo Yuheng nodded slightly. Seeing no need to linger, Chu Yuanzhen bid farewell and left. Shortly after he departed, an orange tabby leaped onto the courtyard wall, its amber eyes gazing at Luo Yuheng with an inscrutable depth. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect he could actually achieve this,¡± Luo Yuheng sighed softly. ¡°This only confirms my suspicions¡ªthere¡¯s a secret hidden within his body,¡± the orange tabby said gravely. ¡°That day, after escaping from the ancient tomb, he told me that defeating the ancient corpse was thanks to a safeguard left by the Jianzheng within him. Hah, he thought I was just an ordinary Earth Sect Daoist, so I pretended to believe his nonsense. ¡°When Iter saw how quickly his Vajra Divine Art advanced, it deepened my doubts. So, I nudged him into action to see how strong his physical body truly was. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect him to request the Azure Pill outright and absorb its power so effortlessly, advancing his Vajra Divine Art to Minor Aplishment.¡± Luo Yuheng¡¯s gaze turned serious as she looked at the orange tabby. ¡°What¡¯s your theory?¡± The orange tabby pondered briefly before replying, ¡°Based on my observations and the Jianzheng¡¯s scheming, I suspect the secret within him is connected to the Buddhist sect. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s strange that the Jianzheng specifically had him participate in the duel against the Buddhist sect? It¡¯s as if he deliberately sent him into the Buddhist realm to practice the Vajra Art.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not strange in itself, but whenbined with everything else, it bes rather suspicious,¡± Luo Yuheng murmured, her eyes unfocused as she stared at the still surface of the pond, lost in thought. ¡°Could the Buddhist sect have also gotten involved?¡± The orange tabby grinned mischievously. ¡°The Jianzheng¡¯s chess piece, the Buddhists¡¯ Buddha son, and that peculiar fortune apanying him¡­ My dear junior sister, if you don¡¯t make a decision soon, he might not agree to dual cultivation with you in the future.¡± Luo Yuheng shot the orange tabby a sultry re, her demeanor yful yet enchanting. ¡°You seem quite amused,¡± she said. ¡°Of course! The more secrets Xu Qi¡¯an has, the less ordinary he is. This only increases the odds that he¡¯ll help me y demons in the future,¡± the orange tabby replied leisurely. Luo Yuheng smirked and let out a soft ¡°hmph.¡± ¡°The gifts he¡¯s receivede with heavy costs. Senior brother, your optimism is premature.¡± Hearing this, the orange tabby¡¯s face froze, then it sighed deeply. ¡°His life is full of tangled debts. When the time for reckoninges, I only hope he can endure it. At that time, as his Daoist partner, you must stand by him.¡± ¡°Of course, I will¡ª¡± Luo Yuheng began to respond instinctively but then realised her slip. Annoyed, she snapped, ¡°Get out!¡± ¡­ The Imperial Pce. The elderly eunuch dashed into the emperor¡¯s bedchamber, his voice brimming with excitement. ¡°Your Majesty, Your Majesty, wonderful news!¡± The meditating Emperor Yuanjing opened his eyes instantly. Instead of chastising the eunuch for hisck of decorum, he sighed and remarked, ¡°It must be that Chu Yuanzhen won, heh¡­¡± And what if he won? At most, he has secured three moves¡¯ worth of advantage for the National Teacher. The gap between second and first rank could not be bridged in three moves. ¡°No, no!¡± The eunuch eximed joyfully. ¡°Your Majesty, the Conflict of Heaven and Man never took ce. Silver Gong Xu stopped it.¡± Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s pupils constricted slightly, startled by the unexpected news. Leaning forward, he pressed, ¡°Exin everything in detail.¡± The eunuch dutifully recounted everything conveyed by the guards¡ªXu Qi¡¯an¡¯s sudden intervention, his impromptu verse, the agreement he made publicly with Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen, and the ensuing battle. At the end, the eunuch beamed obsequiously and said, ¡°Now, Your Majesty need not worry about the National Teacher. Ah, Silver Gong Xu is truly remarkable¡ªhe inspires such confidence.¡± Just like in the Buddhist contest, and just like the numerous major cases during the official evaluation, whenever Silver Gong Xu was involved, everything seemed to resolve perfectly. After finishing his report, the eunuch noticed Emperor Yuanjing staring nkly into the distance, lost in thought. ¡°Your Majesty?¡± the eunuch probed cautiously. Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s eyes flickered with renewed focus as he emerged from his reverie. Half to the eunuch and half to himself, he murmured, ¡°We recall¡­ even the Zhenbei King wasn¡¯t this extraordinary in his youth¡­¡± The eunuch immediately lowered his head, not daring toment. ¡­ Somewhere else, the Gold Gongs, their minds in turmoil, returned to the Nightwatcher Constabry. After a moment of consideration, Jiang Lyuzhong suggested, ¡°Why don¡¯t we all go together to see Duke Wei and inform him of this?¡± Nangong Qianrou sneered, ¡°To help Xu Qi¡¯an im credit, is it?¡± Yang Yan, whose stoic expression seemed eternally chiseled into his face, replied coolly, ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt to talk it over.¡± The only thing capable of piquing this impassive man¡¯s interest was martial arts. To Yang Yan, if the cold world had a warm harbour, it wouldn¡¯t be the depths of desire that men yearn for, but the two words: _martial arts._ The eight Gold Gongs entered the Tower of Noble Spirit. In the tearoom, Wei Yuan sat holding a book, with tea and snacks arranged neatly beside him. In the dazzling morning sunlight, he read leisurely. ¡°You¡¯re back.¡± Without lifting his head, Wei Yuan continued, ¡°Let me guess who won. Hmm, Li Miaozhen has just advanced to the Fourth rank, her foundation is unstable. Chu Yuanzhen¡¯s cultivation path is unconventional; the two should be evenly matched. But I heard from Xu Qi¡¯an that Chu Yuanzhen has created a unique method for nurturing sword intent, with his three-foot de sheathed for years. If he unsheathes it¡­¡± As Wei Yuan mused aloud, like a strategist deducing the oue of the Conflict of Heaven and Man, Yang Yan, struggling to hold back, wanted to interrupt and inform his foster father: _You¡¯ve got it all wrong. Things aren¡¯t what you think._ But Jiang Lyuzhong and the others signaled him with their eyes or restrained him physically. ¡°So, I believe¡­¡± Wei Yuan, noticing their subtle gestures, paused. Seeing Yang Yan¡¯s troubled face, he frowned and asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Yang Yan immediately nodded and replied in a deep voice, ¡°Father, Xu Qi¡¯an won the Conflict of Heaven and Man.¡± Having said that, Yang Yan felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. No longer would he have to watch his adoptive father¡¯s misguided performance. ¡°???¡± Wei Yuan rarely showed surprise, but this time, he froze, his face nk with disbelief. He then asked, astonished, ¡°What did you say?¡± ¡°This morning at six, Xu Qi¡¯an forcibly intervened in the Conflict of Heaven and Man. Alone, he challenged the two outstanding Daoist disciples, dering that if they wanted to fight the Conflict, they would first have to defeat his Vajra Body¡­¡± Nangong Qianrou, knowing Yang Yan disliked long exnations, took over to recount the battle details for Wei Yuan. ¡°Although he relied on Confucian techniques to win against Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen, it¡¯s undeniable that Xu Ningyan¡¯s Vajra Body has grown strong enough to rival a Fourth rank martial artist¡¯s physique,¡± Jiang Lyuzhong remarked, full of admiration. The other Gold Gongs shared simr sentiments. Until today, their discussions of Xu Qi¡¯an had carried a tone of condescension. But after today, Xu Qi¡¯an, in their eyes, had ascended from a promising junior to someone who, though still slightly behind, was destined to catch up with them. Wei Yuan remained silent for a long time. Then, recalling his earlier analysis, he offered a rare exnation: ¡°Ah, I simply didn¡¯t anticipate this.¡± The Gold Gongs secretly found this amusing but maintained theirposure, trained not tough easily. Wei Yuan swept his gaze over them and said, ¡°You¡¯re dismissed. Leave me to my reading. I need peace.¡± As the Gold Gongs turned to leave, Wei Yuan picked up his brush and swiftly wrote several notes. Summoning a clerk, he ordered, ¡°Deliver these to the Gold Gongs.¡± ... ¡°Ha! It¡¯s rare to see Duke Wei make a blunder¡ªit¡¯s strangely satisfying,¡± Jiang Lyuzhong chuckled as they descended the stairs. ¡°me Yang Yan! He couldn¡¯t keep it to himself and got caught by Duke Wei,¡± Zhang Kaitai used. Even Nangong Qianrou allowed a faint smile to surface. He, too, found it oddly enjoyable to asionally see their foster father slip up. ¡°Hahaha,¡± the Gold Gongsughed together. ¡°Boring.¡± Yang Yanmented coolly. Just as Jiang Lyuzhong, Yang Yan, and the others reached the bottom of the stairs, a clerk¡¯s voice called out behind them, ¡°Gold Gongs, please wait! Duke Wei has notes for you.¡± The Gold Gongs exchanged confused looks before taking the notes. When they opened them, their expressions froze in shock. ¡°I have to take extra night watch shifts for a month, reason: frequently sneaking out of the Constabry at night... But I only went to the Jiaofangsi once!¡± Jiang Lyuzhong eximed, dumbfounded. ¡°My pay is docked for three months, reason: I tortured a death-row prisoner to death during interrogation¡­¡± Nangong Qianrou¡¯s lips twitched. ¡°I¡¯ve been docked two months. The reason? Chu Yuanzhen, who I once defeated, now possesses strength equal to mine. Duke Wei believes I¡¯ve growncent in my cultivation... But I¡¯ve already reached the peak of the Fourth rank! Without a great opportunity, breaking into the Third rank is impossible.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been docked one month¡¯s pay. And you think that¡¯s bad? My reason is that I step out with my left foot first when exiting the door, which Duke Wei interprets as disrespect¡­¡± The Gold Gongs simultaneously turned to look at Yang Yan. His hands were empty¡ªno note. ¡°Interesting!¡± Yang Yan remarked indifferently. ¡°¡­¡± The Gold Gongs. Back in the tearoom. ¡°A Vajra Bodyparable to a Fourth rank martial artist¡­ A Vajra Bodyparable to a Fourth rank martial artist¡­¡± Wei Yuan tapped his fingers on the table, muttering to himself. *Xu Qi¡¯an, oh, Xu Qi¡¯an.* With a sigh, Wei Yuan stood and, with his hands behind his back, walked out of the tearoom. ¡°Prepare the carriage. I must visit the Sitianjian.¡± ... Xu Manor. When Xu Qi¡¯an woke, it was well past lunchtime. As he opened his eyes, a flood of pain filled his mind, causing him to groan. ¡°You¡¯re awake.¡± Susu sat by the bed, smiling as she looked at him. Xu Qi¡¯an nodded and, clutching his head, sat up. ¡°I didn¡¯t sleep long, did I? Ah¡­ My head feels like it¡¯s splitting open. But the aftereffects of Confucian magic aren¡¯t as bad as I expected.¡± Hearing this, Susu sneered, ¡°Do you even realise you nearly died again?¡± _I nearly died again? Why do I keep dying without knowing it myself?_ Xu Qi¡¯an looked at the ghost maiden with a nk expression. ¡°Strictly speaking, your soul left your body. If it hadn¡¯t returned within seven days, you¡¯d have been truly dead,¡± Susu said, wrinkling her nose. ¡°It was my master who retrieved your soul. She repaid evil with virtue¡ªso magnanimous! And look at you¡ªshe treats you as a friend, and you stab her in the back. Hmph, despicable.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an reached out and poked Susu hard in the chest. With a soft _pop,_ the paper-thin form tore. Susu gasped in shock, clutching her chest as she ran out crying, ¡°Master! Xu Ningyan broke my chest! Fix it for me!¡± A few minutester, Xu Lingyin bounded in, holding a half-eaten chicken leg. She approached the bed and offered it to Xu Qi¡¯an, saying, ¡°Big Brother, eat this chicken leg.¡± ¡°Where did thise from?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked, slightly disgusted. ¡°It¡¯s covered in your saliva.¡± ¡°I saved it at lunchtime.¡± The Little Pea hopped in ce and said loudly, ¡°Eat it, and you¡¯ll get better! My master said so.¡± As she spoke, she frowned and exined earnestly, ¡°But I really wanted to eat it, so I secretly took a bite. Just pretend you didn¡¯t notice, okay?¡± When Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t respond, she repeated even louder, ¡°Okay?!¡± Xu Qi''an finally took the chicken leg and started chomping on it. Little Pea stood by the bedside, watching with wide, eager eyes, swallowing her saliva. When Li Miaozhen entered the room with her ghostly maid, she saw the pair sitting by the bed, taking turns biting into the chicken leg. She froze for a moment, her cold expression softening ever so slightly. She had finally changed out of her Daoist robe, wearing a light pink cross-cor long dress. A matching satin belt cinched her slender waist, and the intricate cloud patterns on her sleeves exuded elegance. Her posture was upright, and her slim figure radiated the charm of a well-bred young maiden. But her overly sharp aura disrupted the image. Xu Qi''an thought she would look better in light armor or uniforms like camouge or police attire¡ªsomething that would highlight her sharp and capable nature. The Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect sat at the round table, her face stern and icy as she said, "I need a reason." _A reason? Does she really need one?_ Xu Qi''an''s mind raced through a line from Stephen Chow''s movies, but he dared not utter it aloud for fear of being beaten to death by Li Miaozhen. "Daoist Jinlian asked me for help and offered an Azure Pill as payment. I had no reason to refuse," Xu Qi''an exined. "You knew the Conflict of Heaven and Man was inevitable. Why did you insist on getting involved? Is the Azure Pill more important than your life?" Li Miaozhen asked angrily. _You don¡¯t understand. I carry too many secrets. Strength is my only leverage¡­_ Xu Qi''an smiled and said, "If the Heaven Sect ordered you to kill me, would you?" "I wouldn¡¯t," Li Miaozhen replied without hesitation. She didn''t spout any nonsense about how hard it was to disobey her sect but instead told him seriously, "But if I can¡¯t beat you, the elders in the sect will act. Believe me, they won¡¯t kill you out of malice, but when they kill, they do it without any conscience. "And it¡¯s not just killing you. If necessary, they wouldn¡¯t blink at razing a city to the ground. Of course, they wouldn¡¯t stoop to such a thing lightly." _Fuck me, the Heaven Sect sounds scarier than an evil cult. At least evil cults know they¡¯re doing bad things or have some twisted justification for it. The Heaven Sect, on the other hand, is utterly emotionless¡­_ Xu Qi''an mused and then asked, "Will you be like that one day?" Li Miaozhen was startled. In his weary eyes, she saw genuine concern, untainted by any ulterior motive. They silently stared at each other for a few seconds before she nodded. "I will." Xu Qi''an gave a bitter smile. "That¡¯s a truly saddening thought." The room fell into a quarter-hour-long silence, with neither of them speaking. Meanwhile, Xu Lingyiny in her big brother''s arms, deeply engrossed in sucking on the chicken leg bone. "I''ll help you manage things with the sect. If it trulyes to that, surrender in time. Our Heaven Sect never holds grudges," Li Miaozhen said finally. _Because it''s not worth remembering, is it¡­_ Xu Qi''an nodded. "Alright." After Li Miaozhen left, Xu Qi''an gently patted Xu Lingyin on the head and said softly, "Help your big brother fetch Lina. I have something to ask her." "Okay!" Little Pea hopped off the bed, clutching the chicken bone, and waddled off, her little plump body swaying as she went. Before long, Lina, the Southern Marches girl, came in with a light spring in her step. Her vibrant energy filled the room as her perpetually smiling eyes curved, and she greeted him with a cheerful, "What¡¯s up?" She spoke in her thick Southern Marches ent. "Lina, you''ve been staying at my house for a while now. Is there anything you''re unhappy with?" Xu Qi''an asked with a kind smile. Lina tilted her head and thought for a moment before saying, "Nope." The food here is way better than in the Southern Marches. Even the vegetarian dishes taste so fresh and delicious. The streets are so wide, the houses so big, and the beds sofortable¡­ Honestly, Lina didn¡¯t even want to go back to the Southern Marches. As long as this family didn¡¯t kick her out, she could stay forever. "As long as you''re satisfied. We people of the Great Feng are very hospitable," Xu Qi''an said. After a pause, he looked into Lina''s eyes and continued, "There''s something I¡¯ve been meaning to ask you. How did you know I was the one who picked up the silver? What else do you know? Who told you?" Chapter 336: First Inferrences # 336. First Inferrences As soon as Xu Qi¡¯an blurted out that question that had been nagging him for so long, he immediately regretted it. It wasn¡¯t because the question itself was inappropriate, rather the way he asked it was problematic ¡ª he revealed too much. Number Five, Lina, didn¡¯t know he was Number Three. Xu Qi''an had only told her that he was a peripheral member of the Heaven and Earth Society. But his question just now had clearly exposed his true identity. _Ugh, it¡¯s all Li Miaozhen¡¯s fault. She made me feel as if my identity as Number Three was already public knowledge¡­ It¡¯s also because my mind is clouded and aching right now, making me less rational¡­_ With a slightly stiff expression, Xu Qi''an cautiously nced at Lina. ¡°No way!¡± Lina suddenly shouted, waving her arms excitedly. ¡°I promised Heaven Gu Granny that I wouldn¡¯t tell anyone about this or reveal that the information came from her.¡± _Oh, so the information came from Heaven Gu Granny¡­ Wait, she hasn¡¯t realised I just outed myself as Number Three?!_ _What a treasure¡­_ Xu Qi''an looked at Lina with admiration in his eyes. ¡°That¡¯s your choice. A gentleman never forces others,¡± Xu Qi''an said, nodding and appearing as though he wouldn¡¯t press the matter. But after Lina sighed in relief, he added casually, ¡°Now, let¡¯s tally up your expenses during your stay at the Xu residence.¡±He nced at the pretty dress Lina was wearing and said, ¡°My sister made you two dresses with top-quality imperial silk. The cost is ten taels of silver per bolt, plusbour. That¡¯s thirty taels of silver for the two dresses. ¡°Amodation costs three cash per night. You¡¯ve stayed here for several days, so let¡¯s round it to three taels. Then there¡¯s food¡ªMiss Lina, do I need to borate on your appetite? Altogether, you¡¯ve eaten forty taels of silver worth of food. ¡°In total, that¡¯s 120 taels. Please settle the bill.¡± Lina stared nkly at him, dumbfounded, and said, ¡°You¡¯re amazing! You calcted the total so quickly.¡± _Heh, I made all of that up. Do you think I¡¯d actually waste time calcting for a fool like you? You couldn¡¯t figure it out anyway¡­ Wait, I¡¯m being dragged into her pace._ Xu Qi''an patted the edge of the bed and said loudly, ¡°Focus on my main point!¡± The little ck-skinned girl from the Southern Marches said pitifully, ¡°But I can¡¯t break my promise. If I agree to something, I must follow through.¡± ¡°Very well. Then either pay up or leave!¡± Xu Qi''an said gruffly. ¡°I¡­¡± Lina¡¯s eyes reddened. She felt like a helpless outsider being bullied. Stamping her foot, she said, ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll leave! I¡¯ll go find Daoist Jinlian! Even if I starve to death, die in the streets, or be homeless, I won¡¯t betray Heaven Gu Granny!¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Xu Qi''an called after her, making onest effort. ¡°Heaven Gu Granny is in the Southern Marches, right? I¡¯m in the capital. Thousands of miles separate us. If neither of us says anything, how would that count as breaking your promise?¡± ¡°Is that true?¡± Lina asked hesitantly. ¡°Of course,¡± Xu Qi''an nodded solemnly. ¡°It¡¯s like going to the Jiaofangsi¡ªpaying for a woman¡¯spany is patronage. But if you don¡¯t pay, it¡¯s not patronage. Correct?¡± Lina froze, thought about it, and felt that Xu Ningyan¡¯s reasoning made sense. Xu Qi''an continued his persuasion, ¡°Besides, you¡¯re in a foreignnd, alone and helpless. What¡¯s sacrificing a little credibility for survival? No one will me you.¡± Lina hesitated, showing signs of wavering. Xu Qi''an delivered the final blow. ¡°Three days of food at Guiyuelou ¡ªall you can eat.¡± _Gulp._ Lina swallowed her saliva discreetly and said crisply, ¡°Deal. But you have to swear not to tell anyone.¡± Xu Qi''an nodded. Lina turned and jogged to the door. After poking her head out to check that no one was eavesdropping, she returned to the table and said, ¡°It wasst time, remember? Number Three used the Earth Book fragment to ask about a friend who frequently finds money. Our Heaven Gu Tribe knows everything¡ªheavenly patterns above, earthly veins below. They observe the stars and rivers; nothing escapes their sight. ¡°So, I asked the leader of the Heaven Gu Tribe, Heaven Gu Granny. She said that the person finding the money was definitely him, not his friend¡­¡± Suddenly, Lina froze mid-sentence. She stared at Xu Qi''an, her eyes widening in shock. Pointing a trembling finger at him, she screamed, ¡°You¡ªyou¡ªyou¡¯re Number Three?!¡± _You¡¯re only realising that now?_ In his heart, Xu Qi''an tipped his hat to her. With a nk expression, he said, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Number Three. But I promised Daoist Jinlian not to reveal my identity. Well, it¡¯s out there now, we¡¯ve both broken our promises, there¡¯s no issue to it.¡± Lina stared at him dumbly for a moment before finally epting that Xu Qi''an was Number Three. With that realisation, her guilt about breaking her promise lightened significantly. ¡°Heaven Gu Granny said that twenty years ago, two thieves stole something very precious from a prominent family. Some members of that family have realised it by now, while others remain oblivious. ¡°She also asked me where you were. When I told her you were in the capital, she seemed shocked, as if you absolutely shouldn¡¯t be here.¡± ¡°Hold on,¡± Xu Qi''an interrupted, leaning back against the pillows. After a moment¡¯s silent contemtion, he said, ¡°Continue.¡± ¡°Before I left the Southern Marches, Heaven Gu Granny told me that one of the thieves was her husband. In the Southern Marches, there¡¯s a legend that one day, the Gu God will awaken from the Abyss, destroy the world, and transform the Nine Provinces into a realm ruled solely by Gu. ¡°This prophecy has been passed down through generations of Heaven Gu seers and is destined to happen. To change this future, Grandpa came up with a n and left the Southern Marches. He never returned. ¡°The life Gu he left behind in the tribe withered away, signifying his death. ¡°Heaven Gu Granny also said that the stolen object is about to resurface. She foresaw that I would get involved and instructed me to seek opportunities in the capital.¡± Lina finished speaking, omitting only the existence of the Sevenfold Gu, which Heaven Gu Granny had entrusted her to gift to someone fated. Lina felt it had nothing to do with Xu Qi''an, so she didn¡¯t mention it. ¡°I see¡­ Lina, leave me for now. I need some time alone,¡± Xu Qi''an instructed. ¡°And remember, you mustn¡¯t tell anyone about today¡¯s conversation.¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Lina nodded vigorously, skipping to the door. Just as she opened it, she turned back and said, ¡°I¡¯ll take Lingyin to Guiyuelou now. Remember to settle the billter!¡± ¡°?¡± Even in his current foul mood, Xu Qi''an¡¯s mind filled with question marks. He stared at Lina in shock. ¡°But lunch wasn¡¯t that long ago, was it?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll practice the horse stance in a moment. Won¡¯t we get hungry then?¡± Lina waved her hand and left the room. _Mother of mercy, are you two nning to bankrupt me in one go? Can I retract my promise¡­_ Xu Qi''an opened his mouth, feeling an ache in his chest. Lina skipped happily out of the room, her thoughts filled with the delicacies of Guiyuelou. She quickly forgot about her earlier guilt. As for Xu Qi''an being Number Three, her attitude was simple: _Who cares who Number Three is? It has nothing to do with me. Life¡¯s about being happy¡ªwhy overthink it?_ If it were Number Four Chu Yuanzhen in her ce, he¡¯d probably be experiencing thunderstorms in his brain right now. Passing by the east wing, she heard the Xu Family matriarch whispering softly to her eldest daughter, ¡°Lingyue, have you heard any strange sounds at nighttely?¡± ¡°No, I haven¡¯t.¡± ¡°But mum always feels like someone is whispering outside the window at night, and sometimes I even hear roof tiles shifting. Do you think the house is haunted again?¡± ¡°Mother, stop saying such things. It scares people so much they can¡¯t sleep. I¡¯ll go ask Big Brother tonight to keep mepany at my door.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not making it up. You don¡¯t know this, but after every evening meal, Lingyin always goes out to the courtyard alone. When I ask her what she¡¯s doing, she says she sees lots of ghosts and wants to fry them to eat, but she can¡¯t catch them. I¡¯ve heard children¡¯s eyes can see unclean things.¡± ¡°Mother, is it that time of the month again? You¡¯re being so paranoid. Our house has Father, Big Brother, and Second Brother. What ghost would daree here? Besides, the Heaven Sect Holy Maiden is in our house. What¡¯s there to be afraid of?¡± ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± Her reasoning was so logical that Auntie believed her, then added, ¡°Lingyin also told me that the Susu girl is a ghost.¡± ¡°Lingyin is being so rude. She¡¯ll offend our guest.¡± ¡°Exactly, so I gave her a good beating.¡± Lina thought for a moment and decided not to tell the mother and daughter the truth, sparing them from unnecessary fear. She wandered around the residence and found her disciple hiding in the flowerbed, sucking on a chicken bone. ¡°What are you doing hiding here?¡± Lina put her hands on her hips, scolding angrily. ¡°cking off again?¡± Xu Lingyin nced at her, then quietly discarded the chicken bone and clutched her stomach, copsing to the ground. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Lina blinked, stunned. ¡°I ate a suspicious chicken leg. I¡¯m poisoned now. I can¡¯t do horse stance practice,¡± Xu Lingyin announced loudly. ¡°Nonsense! That chicken bone is from the drumstick you hid during lunch.¡± Lina cleverly exposed her lie. Xu Lingyin was taken aback, shocked that her n had been seen through so easily. Not bad for her master¡ªtruly smarter than her. Thinking quickly, she had an epiphany and dered, ¡°It¡¯s the chicken leg my brother ate. His saliva is poisonous, so I can¡¯t practice now.¡± ¡°Your brother¡¯s saliva isn¡¯t poisonous.¡± Lina exposed her again. ¡°You¡¯ve never eaten my brother¡¯s saliva, so how do you know it isn¡¯t poisonous?¡± Xu Lingyin retorted indignantly. Lina froze, unable to think of aeback. So, she gave Xu Lingyin a good beating. A master disciplining her disciplepletely justified. *This disciple is a bit too clever. If I don¡¯t discipline her now, I won¡¯t be able to control her in a few years!* ... In his room, Xu Qi''an endured a pounding headache as he sat at his desk, writing four characters on a sheet of paper: _Twenty Years Ago._ He didn¡¯t want to analyse or deduce in his current terrible condition, as it would lead to too many errors. But this was about the greatest secret of his life, and he couldn¡¯t wait another moment. After massaging his temples and taking a deep breath, he wrote a second phrase: _Two Thieves._ Pausing for a few seconds, he added a third line: _Only One Remains._ This seemed beyond doubt. The Heaven Gu Grandma wouldn¡¯t make such a mistake. As the current leader of the Heaven Gu tribe, she wouldn¡¯t blunder on something so significant. One of the two thieves from back then had already perished. Finally, he wrote: _Gu God, Apocalypse!_ Rising to pour himself a cup of cold water, he drank slowly before returning to his desk. Beside _Twenty Years Ago,_ he added: _Battle of Shanhai Pass._ *On the official ship returning to the capital from Yunzhou, when I woke up, I dreamt of the Battle of Shanhai Pass. I saw a young Wei Yuan¡­ This doesn¡¯t make sense. I was just born twenty years ago and couldn¡¯t have experienced the battle, let alone have memories of it.* Xu Qi''an¡¯s eyes gleamed as he added _Fortune_ next to _Two Thieves._ *The Heaven Gu Grandma insisted I was the one picking up silver and linked me to the two thieves from back then. And what¡¯s my greatest secret? My Fortune!* *So, back then, the two thieves stole the fortune of Great Feng? In the ancient tomb, Monk Shenshu mentioned that my fortune had been refined¡­* He dipped his brush in ink and wrote _Yunzhou Arcanist?_ next to _Only One Remains._ The question mark showed his uncertainty. *Dean Zhao Shou said the three major forces tied to fortune are the Confucians, the Arcanists, and the dynasty. The dynasty can be ruled out¡ªI¡¯m likely not of royal blood. The Confucians can also be ruled out since their strength lies in enforcingws frommandments, not using fortune.* *That leaves the Arcanists, the experts in manipting fortune. I suspect the first- and second-rank Arcanist professions are tied to fortune.* *So, who stole the Great Feng¡¯s fortune, refined it, and hid it in me?* Previously, Xu Qi''an had suspected the Jianzheng. After all, the Jianzheng had orchestrated everything about him so thoroughly. But now, he had doubts. *Would the Jianzheng be a thief? The mighty Jianzheng of the Great Feng, the most skilled fortune maniptor in thend¡ªwould he need to coborate with the Heaven Gu tribesman to steal fortune?* That would frankly, be insulting to a first rank Arcanist. *Compared to the Jianzheng, I¡¯m more inclined to suspect the Arcanist who appeared in Yunzhou¡ªa mysterious Arcanist of at least the third rank. He colluded with the previous Heaven Gu leader to steal the Great Feng¡¯s fortune.* *Because the two worked together, they briefly managed to deceive the Jianzheng? Twenty years ago, they stole the fortune, and the only major event of that time was the Battle of Shanhai Pass¡ªa massive battle involving all forces across the Nine Provinces, with over a million troops.* *The dream of the Battle of Shanhai Pass corroborates this. While I didn¡¯t participate in the battle, this might not be my memory but rather scenes revived by the fortune. If that¡¯s the case, then the battle was far moreplicated than it appeared. I need to investigate its origins¡ªmaybe I¡¯ll uncover more clues.* *But why was the fortune ced in me? I¡¯m just an ordinary Xu family son. Why entrust such an important thing to me?* *They gave me something so critical, yet for twenty years, it remained silent and undetected. Did they just give it to me for free?* Suddenly, Xu Qi''an trembled, his pupils contracting sharply. He froze like a statue for a long time, his hand trembling as he wrote three more characters: _Tax Silver Case!_ Chapter 337: Snake Trails in the Grass # 337. Snake Trails in the Grass Xu Qi''an''s face froze, and his heart surged with waves of realisation, bringing an overwhelming impact. At that moment, his mind felt electrified, countless pieces of information boiling within him, with countless overlooked details churning and surfacing. *Previously, I never thought the involvement of an Arcanist behind the Tax Silver Case was a serious point of suspicion... So it turns out, the Tax Silver Case was aimed at me all along?* Xu Qi''an felt his scalp tingle. Looking back at the Xu family''s situation during the Tax Silver Case: Xu Pingzhi failed to protect the tax silver, losing an entire 150,000 taels. Emperor Yuanjing¡¯s decree was: Xu Pingzhi would be executed publicly, while his male rtives across three ns would be exiled to the frontier, and the women consigned to the Jiaofangsi. In other words, if it weren''t for his transmigration and his subsequent heroic efforts to solve the case, Xu Qi''an¡¯s fate would have been exile. *Exiled to the frontier... then have the fortune within me taken back?**All this time, I thought the fortune within me awakened with my cultivation progress. At the ninth rank, I picked up one cash; at the eighth rank, three cash; at the seventh rank, five cash¡­* *But in hindsight, that''s not how it works at all. I started picking up silver coins after leaving prison, yet I was still at the Refining Vitality stage at that time. Why, then, didn¡¯t the original Xu Qi''an ever pick up silver?* *The truth is, the fortune hidden within me began awakening during that period, and so the mastermind orchestrated the Tax Silver Case to ''get me out'' of the capital.* *But there¡¯s a logical bug here¡ªif their goal was to remove me from the capital, they didn¡¯t need to go to such lengths. They could have simply abducted me. With the Jianzheng overseeing the capital, the mastermind dared not enter the city, for no method of concealing their aura would escape a first-rank Arcanist.* *However, kidnapping a mere bailiff from Changle County wouldn¡¯t require the final boss''s direct involvement; a handful ofckeys could¡¯ve done the job.* *Unless... my sudden disappearance would lead to certain uncontroble consequences. Therefore, they had to use the Tax Silver Case to reasonably drive me out of the capital.* *But again, I''m just an unremarkable bailiff. Who would care if I disappeared? The same question remains¡ªwhy is the fortune hidden within me?* A sudden sh of inspiration hit Xu Qi''an as he recalled something Lina had said: "Heaven Gu Granny was utterly shocked and confused upon learning of my presence in the capital." *I know why the fortune was hidden in me!* *The two thieves who stole the fortune secretly hid it in a newborn baby in the capital. Normally, anyone would think that something stolen would be taken away, not left behind. This created a blind spot.* *The two thieves used this trick to evade detection by the first-rank Jianzheng!* Xu Qi''an pinched his brow and summarized his thoughts on the paper: "Why was the fortune hidden in me? It could be coincidence or deliberate intent¡ªuncertain." *Once my fortune began awakening, the Jianzheng noticed me and started nning, treating me as an important piece on his chessboard.* *The Arcanist who appeared in the Yunzhou case is very likely connected to the mastermind¡­* As he wrote, Xu Qi''an suddenly paused, a new question arising in his mind: During the Yunzhou case, he had already left the capital and was outside the Jianzheng¡¯s sphere of influence. Why hadn¡¯t the mysterious Arcanist abducted him then? ? This was another logical w. Pressing a hand against his throbbing head, Xu Qi''an decided to stop pondering for now. He would revisit these thoughts once his primordial spirit had fully recovered and review everything thoroughly again. Redirecting his focus, Xu Qi''an returned to the chilling phrase he''d written earlier: "The Gu God awakens, apocalypsees." *The Heaven Gu tribe¡¯s seer prophesied that the Gu God would inevitably awaken, turning the world into one where there is only Gu... But that doesn¡¯t make sense. Even if the Gu God is a being beyond the ranks, it¡¯s not invincible.* The West had Buddha, the Northeast had the Warlock God, not to mention the missing Daoist Patriarch and the self-proimed deceased Confucian Sage. Leaving aside thetter two, just the Buddha and the Warlock God alone should be enough to deal with the Gu God. *But the Heaven Gu tribe¡¯s prophecy wouldn¡¯t be baseless. This means there are secrets I¡¯m not privy to. The Gu God is the only surviving entity from the ancient era of gods and demons. Now that I think about it, there¡¯s an interesting point¡ªduring ancient times, there must¡¯ve been other entities of the Gu God¡¯s level.* *So why was the Gu God the sole survivor? This could be the key to why its revival would bring about the end of the world. Perhaps this is why the former leader of the Heaven Gu tribe chose to steal the fortune to suppress the Gu God...* Xu Qi''an¡¯s eyes widened suddenly, as though struck by lightning. A long-forgotten detail surfaced in his mind. Number Five, Lina, had once mentioned in the Earth Book fragment that the Gu tribe discovered a statue of the Confucian Sage during their exploration of the Abyss. *The Confucian Sage¡¯s statue seems to be suppressing the Gu God¡­ The Confucian system is connected to fortune¡­ The former leader of the Heaven Gu tribe must¡¯ve drawn inspiration from that statue in the Abyss, leading to their n to steal the fortune of the Great Feng?* *So¡­ this is it?* Xu Qi''an exhaled deeply, feeling as though he had unearthed part of the mystery behind those events. *The former leader of the Heaven Gu tribe acted to suppress the Gu God, but what was the mysterious Arcanist group¡¯s objective? Never mind¡­ My head hurts. It¡¯s true that ignorance is bliss.* Xu Qi''an mocked himself. With his Primordial Spirit in pain, sleep was out of the question. Xu Qi''an decided to visit the Nightwatcher Constabry to investigate the trigger that lead to the Battle of Shanhai Pass and check the records of Zhou Xianping, the former Assistant Minister of Revenue. Zhou Xianping had masterminded the Tax Silver Case and must have ties to the mysterious Arcanists. As Xu Qi''an stepped out of his room, he saw Li Miaozhen holding a porcin bowl in one hand and a piece of xuan paper in the other. The Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect snorted coldly, saying, "Why did you poke Susu¡¯s chest? Lucky for you, she¡¯s just a paper doll. If she were a properdy of virtue..." "Then I would have to take responsibility?" "No, I¡¯d chop off your hand." "¡­" *Chop off my hand? My hand isn¡¯t as resilient as that of Monk Shenshu¡ªit won¡¯t grow back if severed¡­* Xu Qi''an grumbled internally, freezing mid-thought as a sudden realization struck him. *Monk Shenshu!* *Could it be that my safe return from Yunzhou was due to the Monk Shenshu within me? This must have deterred the mastermind, who feared provoking retaliation from Shenshu... Yes, during the Yunzhou case, the mastermind must have observed me up close and discovered the presence of Shenshu within me.* *The Jianzheng¡ªhe had nned all this from the beginning! After discovering the fortune within me, he beganying the groundwork. That¡¯s why he ignored the remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom¡ªbecause he knew Monk Shenshu would inevitably parasitise me.* *Was this the "bodyguard" he assigned to me?* *Through Monk Shenshu, the Jianzheng ensured the fortune stayed firmly within me, making it impossible for the mastermind to reim it...* *The Jianzheng is terrifying¡­* Xu Qi''an shivered. He truly understood what was a mastermind¡¯s ns, faint as snake trails in the grass, weaving their way through the decades. Upon arriving in the front hall, Xu Qi¡¯an saw a petite beauty in a yellow dress, with an oval face andrge eyes¡ªit was Chu Caiwei. On the round table were an assortment of cakes, desserts, and meat dishes, enough to satisfy five or six hearty men. Currently seated around the table and tackling the food were three seemingly delicate yet surprisingly voracious women. Chu Caiwei, Lina, and Xu Lingyin. "Miss Caiwei, long time no see," Xu Qi¡¯an greeted. _How many chapters has it been since this girlst showed up? Ever since your Fifth Senior Sister came into the picture, I¡¯ve been considering breaking up with you._ The three women all turned their heads to look at him, their eyes betraying the primal, food-protecting instincts ingrained in their genes. ¡°I visit the Xu residence often, but you¡¯re always at the Constabry during the day, so you never see me,¡± Chu Caiwei replied, her cheeks puffed out as she chewed, her words muffled by the food in her mouth. As for the evenings, it was, of course, inappropriate for an unmarrieddy to remain at someone else¡¯s house. Lina chimed in, ¡°Caiwei and I get along really well.¡± ¡°Me too! Me too!¡± Xu Lingyin said loudly. _Get along? Is it because your IQ levels are on the same level, or because you¡¯re all gluttons?_ Xu Qi¡¯an mused inwardly. Seeing the three women guard their food so defensively, he decided not to enter the hall to ask for anything to eat. _Ridiculous. I only had one chicken leg for lunch¡ªand even shared half of it with Xu Lingyin!_ He left the Xu residence, mounted his beloved little mare, and ttered off toward the Constabry. The little mare had be increasingly majestic¡ªits diet of high-grade warhorse fodder had given it a glossy coat, sleek curves, and plenty of energy. Upon arriving at the Nightwatcher Constabry, Xu Qi¡¯an first returned to One de Hall and instructed his subordinate Bronze Gongs to patrol the streets and avoid cking off. The Bronze Gongs muttered, ¡°Boss, you spend three days in the office and two days cking off, yet Gold Gong Yang never says a word. If we did the same, we¡¯d have been fired ages ago.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an sternly replied, ¡°Less talking, more working!¡± The Bronze Gongs, entirely unafraid of him, joked and bantered. One young Bronze Gong, around seventeen years old, hesitantly approached and stammered, ¡°Boss, I-I heard you¡¯re a regr at the Jiaofangsi... I was wondering if you could take me there tonight¡­¡± The othersughed, chiming in, ¡°Boss, this kid wants you to show him the ropes. He¡¯s still a virgin, just joined the Constabry after breaking through to the Refining Qi stagest year.¡± Hearing this, Xu Qi¡¯an felt a twinge of guilt¡ªhe¡¯d been neglecting his subordinatestely. ¡°Alright, after our shift ends, I¡¯ll take you there. It¡¯s on me. With your measly sry, how could you afford the Jiaofangsi? Stick with me, and you¡¯ll enjoy free indulgences for life,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, patting the young Gong¡¯s shoulder. The Bronze Gongs cheered, feeling they had lucked out with such a generous boss. Meanwhile, Xu Qi¡¯an couldn¡¯t help reflecting on the era¡¯sck of romantic freedom. Marriages were either arranged early by one¡¯s family or, for the unattached, limited to ces like the Jiaofangsi or brothels. This reminded him of a friend from his previous life in police academy. That friend had also lost his virginity in a simr establishment. ording to his friend, he had arrived at the academy as a na?ve, hungry youth, dragging his suitcase behind him. Starving after getting off the train at noon, he had encountered a middle-aged woman who asked, ¡°Want some fast food?¡± That day, his life changed forever. He grew up. ¡­ In the Constabry¡¯s *Ding*-Grade Archives, there were no records on the former Minister of Revenue, Zhou Xianping. However, Xu Qi¡¯an found rted files in the *Yi*-Grade section. ¡°Strange. For a disgraced official used of embezzlement, the files shouldn¡¯t be ssified at such a high level¡­¡± The *Yi*-Grade Archives were essible only to Gold Gongs. However, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s special status granted him unrestricted ess to all files except those in the *Jia*-Grade Archives, which required a personal written authorisation from Wei Yuan. After reading Zhou Xianping¡¯s dossier, Xu Qi¡¯an finally understood why they were ssified as *Yi*-Grade. *ording to the investigation, the former Minister of Revenue, Zhou Xianping, embezzled over two million taels of silver during his twenty-year tenure. Yet, when his estate was searched, only a few thousand taels were recovered. Where did the rest go?* *Even if he squandered it on pleasures over twenty years, in an era with such low living costs, there¡¯s no way he could have spent two million taels.* Zhou Xianping had died en-route to exile¡ªalmost certainly silenced. _The mastermind has infiltrated the court to some degree. Zhou Xianping was clearly one of their pawns, but are there more? If so, who could they be?_ Closing the files, Xu Qi¡¯an, mentally drained, massaged his temples and felt an unprecedented weight on his shoulders. _I can¡¯t keep coasting like this. Listening to music at brothels has dulled my edge. It turns out the Jianzheng has been shielding me from the raging undercurrents all along, but my actual situation is perilous._ _No matter who the mastermind is, they¡¯ll eventually try to reim the fortune within me. I can¡¯t sit idly by. Then there¡¯s also the fortune of the jade seal within me, belonging to that ancient Human Sect Daoist._ _Would he allow a mysterious Arcanist to steal his fortune? Doubtful. Still, I can¡¯t pin my hopes on an ancient human whose life or death is uncertain._ _Let¡¯s start small. Within two years, I need to raise my noble title and secure greater authority. Even though the Great Feng is in decline, it still has abundant talent, the Jianzheng, Wei Yuan, and crafty ministers¡ªalong with millions of troops. These are my assets._ _Second, by year¡¯s end, I must advance to Fourth rank. Strength remains my greatest asset. Only with strength can I shift from being a pawn to bing a yer._ Exhaling deeply, Xu Qi¡¯an summoned a clerk and said, ¡°Bring me all the files on the Battle of Shanhai Pass.¡± The clerk returned with a thick stack of records. Scanning the documents at lightning speed, Xu Qi¡¯an took an hour to finish. The files described the Battle of Shanhai Pass as triggered by a conspiracy between the southern and northern barbarian tribes, who sought to encroach on the Great Feng¡¯s territory. Sensing danger, the Great Feng had called upon its western ally, and together they defeated the southern and northern barbarian tribes. But Xu Qi¡¯an knew the story wasn¡¯t that simple. The battle had involved the Yao ns and the Church of the Warlock God, making it a conflict that engulfed all Jiuzhou¡¯s major factions. The adversaries were: the southern and northern barbarians, northern Yaoguai ns, remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom, and the Church of the Warlock God. The Great Feng and the Western Buddhists, a 2v5 alliance, emerged victorious. _This was basically Jiuzhou¡¯ version of World War I. A war of such massive scale couldn¡¯t have erupted without cause¡­ although, as far as I remember, World War I started rather absurdly?_ _That¡¯s not the point¡­_ Xu Qi¡¯an mentally corrected himself. _Why am I overthinking this? I should just ask someone who knows. Why am I stubbornly trying to figure it all out on my own?_ After struggling for so long, Xu Qi¡¯an smacked his forehead, abandoning his solo contemtion. He left the archives and headed for the Tower of Noble Spirit. Chapter 338: Yang Qianhuan Released Chapter 338: Yang Qianhuan Released # 338. Yang Qianhuan Released At the base of the Tower of Noble Spirit, Xu Qi''an tilted his head up to gaze at the towering structure. The eaves curled upward gracefully, and the levels stacked upon one another like a pagoda. Starting from the second floor, each level featured an open corridor for observation. With spring sunlight gracing the seventh floor, the view was picturesque. Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t ascend immediately. He stood dazed for a while, adjusted his mink hat, and, without much expression, turned to the guard and said in a low voice, "Announce me." Once the guard returned with a reply, Xu Qi''an ascended swiftly. Along the way, he encountered clerks who bowed in greeting, to which he only nodded slightly and replied with a short "Hm." Entering the tearoom, stepping onto the soft reed rug , Xu Qi''an knelt beside the tea table. A cup of steaming tea had already been prepared, and Wei Yuan sat calmly reading a book. "Duke Wei, I have something to report," Xu Qi''an began. "Speak," Wei Yuan responded. Xu Qi''an immediately exined the reasons for his involvement in the Conflict of Heaven and Man, detailing Daoist Jinlian''s instructions and the reward of the Azure Pill.Wei Yuan nodded slowly, his expression softening slightly. "I guessed as much." Xu Qi''an quickly adopted a respectful posture and said, "Your subordinate fears, that his reckless actions must have earned the resentment of the righteous in the court." He had originallye to inquire about the Battle of Shanhai Pass, but that would seem like treating his superior as a mere tool¡ªa foolish subordinate¡¯s behaviour. Instead, he chose a different order of priorities: today, his visit to the Tower of Noble Spirit was to report his actions, with the inquiry as a secondary matter. "Not necessarily," Wei Yuan replied, shaking his head. "While you dyed the Conflict of Heaven and Man, you didn¡¯t prevent it. Those who wanted Luo Yuheng dead might be irritated at best." _Then, Duke Wei, are you angry with me?_ Xu Qi''an let out a visible sigh of relief and continued, "Thanks to the effects of the Azure Pill, my Vajra Divine Technique has reached minor attainment." Wei Yuan wasn¡¯t surprised and simply responded with a brief "Mhm." Xu Qi''an waited for further remarks, but when none came, he spoke up, "Sir, how does one cultivate to fifth rank: Transforming Force?" Setting aside his book, Wei Yuan picked up the tea cup, took a small sip, then adjusted his posture and fixed his gaze on Xu Qi''an. "First, you need to understand what transforming force means. Strike left with your fist." Though puzzled, Xu Qi''an followed the instruction and swung his fist to the left. Wei Yuan picked up his book and tapped Xu Qi''an''s shoulder and arm, smiling. "Notice the distinct trembling here." "This... that''s unavoidable," Xu Qi''an replied. _You''re from ancient times, so I won''t bother exining difficult topics like Newton''s thirdw to you._ When throwing a punch, whether it hit the target or not, the arm inevitably experienced recoil, causing the shoulder and flesh to tremble. If contact was made, the arm also endured the counterforce. "A cultivator at Transforming Force shows no tremor. In this realm, martial artists can perfectly control their strength, wasting not even a sliver," Wei Yuan exined calmly as he resumed reading. "Do you now understand why all systems fear closebat with martial artists? It''s because of martial artists at fifth rank and above." _A Fifth-Rank martial artist can obliterate any other system in close quarters? But that defies physics..._ Xu Qi''an recalled the duel between Yang Yan and Jiang Lyuzhong over him in the constabry sparring ground. Neither showed anyg in their movements, nor did their strikes generate recoil. Back then, he had marvelled at the anomaly, suspecting it was a divine trait of some higher martial rank. Now he understood¡ªit was Transforming Force. "Since you¡¯ve reached this rank, I¡¯ll tell you more about the martial path," Wei Yuan said, still reading. ¡°Before fifth rank, natural talent contributes three tenths; effort another three tenths; and resources four tenths. Above fifth rank, natural talent contributes six tenths, effort two, and resources two.¡± "Why so?" Xu Qi''an asked. ¡°Mastering every ounce of one¡¯s strength relies on the martial artist¡¯sprehension. External aids are of little use. In the Nightwatcher Constabry, only a treatise titled _The Theory of Meridian Flow_ can offer some guidance, but achieving Transforming Force depends entirely on the individual. "Before Fifth Rank, so long as one has techniques and resources, even with mediocre talent, reaching higher ranks is feasible. Sixth Rank martial artists are asmon as oxen, but at Fifth Rank, their numbers dwindle. By Third Rank, in the entire royal court of the Great Feng, there¡¯s only one¡ªthe Zhenbei King," Wei Yuan exined. _Only one Third-Rank martial artist in the court of the Great Feng¡­_ Xu Qi''an caught on to Wei Yuan¡¯s implication and asked, "Are there Third-Rank martial artists in the Jianghu?" "The waters are deep and bastards aplenty. Don¡¯t underestimate the crass heroes outside court," Wei Yuan said with a chuckle. "But even so, their numbers are incredibly few. Most abide by the rules, and the court¡¯s stance is to appease them, allowing them to dominate their territories. If you ever have the chance, visit Jianzhou. It¡¯s where martial arts flourish most in the Great Feng." _No wonder Wei Yuan keeps encouraging me to explore the jianghu. It seems full of intrigue¡­_ Shaking off his thoughts, Xu Qi''an asked casually, "Duke Wei, your subordinate has been reading historytely¡ª" His words were interrupted by Wei Yuan''s mocking tone and half-smile. "You? Reading history?" _I can feel the disrespecting off this academic elite¡­_ Forcing a smile, Xu Qi''an replied, "Your subordinate does read on asion. After all, I¡¯m half a schr." In his younger days, he had excelled through nine years ofpulsory education, but as he grew older, his interest in books waned. Seeing no rebuttal from Wei Yuan, Xu Qi''an went straight to the point. "I¡¯ve noticed that aside from the ¡°Sixty-year extermination of the Yao¡± between Buddhist sects and the Wanyao Kingdom, the Battle of Shanhai Pass was a one of thergest wars in the history of Jiuzhou. "What caused this war? The historical records are vague. I figured you Duke Wei, as the former Commander of the Five Armies, would know better." Wei Yuan was silent for a long time, seemingly lost in memory. His eyes grew distant, and he began to recount in a measured tone: ¡°In the 13th year of Yuanjing, the southern barbarians, led by the shaman ns, suddenly attacked the Great Feng¡¯s southern border, capturing cities and counties, spreading poison for hundreds of miles. When the court received the report, it immediately dispatched troops southward to repel them. ¡°But in August of the same year, the northern barbarians and yao ns allied, assembling two hundred thousand cavalry and yaoguai soldiers tounch a southward invasion into the Great Feng. ¡°With enemies on both fronts, the court fought for a year, and in the 14th year of Yuanjing, it abandoned two northwestern provinces, yielding tens of thousands of miles of territory to focus on the southern barbarians. "In the same autumn, the Wanyao Kingdom upied those provinces and dered its restoration." Wei Yuan stood, walked to a political map, and drew arge circle in the Great Feng¡¯s northwest: ¡°If Chuzhou and Jingzhou were lost, the northern barbarians, northern yaoguai ns, and the Wanyao Kingdom would form a triangr alliance. Whether attacking Great Feng to the south or the Buddhist nations to the west, they¡¯d create a tightly coordinated front, supporting each other seamlessly. "So, in the 15th year of Yuanjing, the Buddhist nations of the Western Regions intervened. The tide of the war turned. United, the Buddhist nations and the Great Feng reimed Chuzhou and Jingzhou within three months. This allowed the Great Feng to regroup and allocate more forces southward to crush the southern barbarians led by the shaman ns." *As expected, remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom were indeed involved in the War of Shanhai Pass back then. The orphan of the Nine-Tailed Fox, the yao princess¡ªher ultimate goal was to restore her nation. The failure at Shanhai Pass made her realise the overwhelming power of Buddhism. To revive her nation, she must first weaken the Buddhist Sect... So, is that why she set her sights on Shenshu beneath Sangpo?* Xu Qi''an nodded slowly. Once the enemy''s objective was clear, many things fall into ce, making it easier to respond withposure. Then another thought struck him. The emergence of Mahayana Buddhism would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar in the West, leading to ideological conflicts and potentially a schism within the Buddhist Sect. What would the Nine-Tailed Fox think about that? After toiling for hundreds of years without sess, only for a small Silver Gong of the Great Feng to casually sow discord within the Buddhist sect and cause a schism... Wei Yuan said, "In the 16th year of Yuanjing, the northern and southern barbarian tribes, the northern yao ns, the remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom, and the northeastern Church of the Warlock God converged at Shanhai Pass for a do-or-die battle. They sought to challenge the Buddhist Sect and Great Feng in a decisive blow. Over a million troops from all sides were involved in a battle that raged on for half a year, culminating in a pyrrhic victory for the Great Feng and the Buddhist Sect. This event is known in history as the _Battle of Shanhai Pass_." "Duke Wei, why did the Church of the Warlock God intervene all of a sudden?" Xu Qi''an asked. "Naturally, because there was something to gain. The Church of the Warlock God... has always harbored resentment towards the Great Feng, rooted in an incident from the Great Feng¡¯s founding era," Wei Yuan replied. *I know about this. The founding emperor of Great Feng had used the Church of the Warlock God when he needed them, sweet-talking them with terms of endearment. But as soon as the nation was established, he turned on them like a spurned lover.* "Wouldn''t it have been better for the Church of the Warlock God to harass Great Feng''s northeastern borders directly?" Xu Qi''an questioned. ¡°Even during the Great Feng''s most trying times, we never rxed our defences in the northeast. The Church of the Warlock God knew that if theyunched a prolonged attack there, and the conflict at Shanhai Pass were resolved, Great Feng would have ample time and resources to reinforce the northeastern front. "Instead, borrowing a route through the northern barbarian and yaoguai territories to join the fight at Shanhai Pass offered a chance to determine victory or defeat in a single decisive battle." Xu Qi''an, holding his teacup, sank into contemtion. The Battle of Shanhai Pass was initiated by an alliance of northern and southern barbarian tribes, but it began with the shaman ns leading the southern tribes in an attack on the Great Feng''s borders, followed by the northern barbarian tribes moving southward. This indicates that the former leader of the Heaven Gu Tribe had mediated behind the scenes, stirring the shaman ns to provoke the war. This fits the pattern of the two thieves. One of them was an Arcanist, whose system originated from the Church of the Warlock God. Given that the Church of the Warlock Godter intervened in the Shanhai Pass Campaign, it¡¯s clear this mysterious Arcanist must have yed a catalytic role in the conflict. Xu Qi''an could imagine how the two thieves worked to lobby various factions, forging alliances and igniting one of thergest wars in history. *So, did the remnants of the Wanyao Kingdom know about the fortune within me because of those events? No, that¡¯s unlikely. The theft of the fortune was a secret plot between the two thieves. Before my fortune awakened, even the Jianzheng didn¡¯t detect it... Then how did the yao princess discover it?* *She must have known; otherwise, why would she have had Monk Shenshu parasitize me?* *Phew... let¡¯s not think of that for now. My long-term goal is to uncover the Arcanist¡¯s reason for stealing the fortune. The Heaven Gu Tribe sought fortune to suppress the Gu God, but the Arcanist may have had a different motive.* Lost in thought, Xu Qi''an heard Wei Yuan ask, "Is there anything else?" Xu Qi''an shook his head. "No, that¡¯s all." He refrained from revealing his possession of fortune to Wei Yuan. While the Jianzheng and Daoist Jinlian knew of it, that was because they had discovered it themselves. Xu Qi''an had never willingly shared this secret with anyone. He hesitated to tell Wei Yuan because he harbored a sliver of doubt. Wei Yuan was a national hero, someone who ced the Great Feng''s interests above all else, perhaps even above himself. Xu Qi''an didn¡¯t believe that he held more weight in Wei Yuan¡¯s heart than the Great Feng. If Wei Yuan learned that the nation¡¯s decline was linked to stolen fortune, which was then transferred to Xu Qi''an, how would he react? *He remains my greatest support, but I can¡¯t gamble my life on his judgment,* Xu Qi''an thought to himself. "Think carefully. Is there anything else?" Wei Yuan pressed, staring at him intently. "No, there¡¯s nothing else." Xu Qi''an met his gaze and shook his head. ¡­ In a dimly lit room, a pale hand holding a brush penned a secret letter: *Honored Master,* *Much has transpired in Great Feng recently. With the conclusion of the Official Evaluation, the factional struggles have begun to subside. Wei Yuan and Prime Minister Wang have joined forces to address the corruption among clerks.* *From certain back-channels, I¡¯ve learned that their next targets are the misappropriation of militarynd and tax evasion. Hah, the duo¡¯s alliance indeed sweeps through the court like a tempest.* *But as long as Emperor Yuanjing does not abandon his pursuit of immortality, he will remain an insatiable glutton, devouring the Great Feng¡¯s national strength. Any tax relief measures will inevitably face resistance.* *Rest assured, within the next decade, the Great Feng¡¯s strength will plummet to its lowest point. Without this powerful ally, even a strong Buddhist Sect will be isted and vulnerable. If another Battle of Shanhai Pass arises, we will surely be the victors.* *Ah, there is one piece of good news: during the Sitianjian¡¯s conflict with the Buddhist Sect, Silver Gong Xu Qi''an proposed the concept of Mahayana Buddhism, inspiring Arhat Du¡¯e¡¯s enlightenment. I predict that this year, the West may experience great upheaval, which will be an opportunity for us.* *He is a man of extraordinary talent and boundless potential. May I dare to ask, Master, what ns do you have for him?* The pale hand set down the brush, gazing silently at the letter for a long while. ¡­ The Sitianjian. The creak of stone doors echoed as the entrance to the underground opened. A Ninth-Rank Arcanist called down the dim corridor, "Senior Brother Yang, five days has passed. You maye out now." A momentter, a figure in white retreated backward up the stairs, stubbornly presenting the back of his head to the world. "I, Yang Qianhuan, finally return to the mortal realm. No one can suppress me," he said slowly. "Yes, yes¡­" the Ninth-Rank Arcanist responded absentmindedly, reminding him, "Next time, don¡¯t do anything stupid. The Jianzheng said if you keep imitating Xu Qi''an, he¡¯ll seal you underground forever." Yang Qianhuan snorted. "Why would I imitate him? He merely aplished what I intended to do." *Mental...* the Ninth-Rank Arcanist muttered inwardly. "Tell me, what happened in the world while I was in seclusion?" Yang Qianhuan asked, hands sped behind his back, his tone indifferent. Chapter 339: Its Nearly Done? # 339. It''s Nearly Done? ¡°Yes, the Conflict of Heaven and Man has concluded,¡± the white-cloaked Arcanist replied. He nced at the deep subterranean passage, confirming that Fifth Senior Sister had not emerged. Hastily, he activated the mechanism, and the stone gate slowly closed. In the depths of the Stargazing Tower, the formationsid down personally by the Jianzheng could shield Senior Sister Zhong from misfortune. However, the tribtions must eventually be faced unless one wished to remain underground forever. *The Conflict of Heaven and Man has ended?* Yang Qianhuan nodded with some regret. ¡°Chu Yuanzhen¡¯sbat prowess is formidable. As for Li Miaozhen, though I haven¡¯t met her, I imagine she is no weakling either. Not witnessing their duel is truly a pity.¡± His head shifted slightly. ¡°Who won?¡± As a Fourth-Rank Arcanist and a prodigy of his era, he was naturally curious about the oue of the contest. ¡°Neither of them won,¡± said the Ninth-Rank Junior Brother. ¡°A tie?¡±Yang Qianhuan was visibly surprised by this oue. ¡°No, the victor was Master Xu. He fought both exceptional disciples of the Daoist Heaven and Human Sects alone and defeated them under the watchful eyes of countless spectators, bing the centre of attention,¡± the white-cloaked physician replied. *Fought two Daoist prodigies alone and won under the gaze of thousands¡­* Yang Qianhuan¡¯s breath caught in his mouth. With years of experience basking in the limelight, he could fully appreciate the subtle brilliance of such a feat. Taking a deep breath, Yang Qianhuan spoke in a low, slightly trembling voice, ¡°Describe the events in detail. Spare nothing.¡± ¡°I only heard about it; I wasn¡¯t there to witness it,¡± the young physician said apologetically. ¡°The Conflict of Heaven and Man took ce by the Wei River outside the capital. It¡¯s said Sir Xu arrived on a small boat, apanied by the resonant melody of a qin¡­¡± *I can picture it now¡­* Yang Qianhuan closed his eyes, imagining the scene. Crowds thronged the riverbanks, and the two main contestants stood in tense confrontation. Suddenly, a stirring qin melody broke through the tension, shocking the onlookers. All eyes turned to the lone figure standing proudly at the bow of the boat. Ah, it was Yang Qianhuan of the Sitianjian. ¡°It¡¯s said Sir Xu recited a poem as well,¡± the physician said, pping his hands in delight. Yang Qianhuan¡¯s eyes sparkled, and his breathing grew heavy. His back seemed to burn as he urged, ¡°What poem? Quickly, recite it!¡± The young physician struck a contemtive pose before reciting: > ¡°Crossing the river Wei, sabre in hand; > Not for love, nor for hate. > Born with eyes that disdain all foes; > Myriad battles, yet I draw not my de. > To watch mere youths be new elites; > I step into the ring, ready to strike. > One de I cleave life and death; > Two hands subduing both Heaven and Man.¡± *Compared to Sir Xu¡¯s previous poems, this one seems rather average¡­* Just as the thought crossed his mind, he heard ragged breathing beside him. The young physician stared at Yang Qianhuan¡¯s back. ¡°Senior Brother Yang?¡± ¡°Excellent poem! Truly excellent!¡± Yang Qianhuan murmured. ¡°This masterpiece is among the top three of all the poems Xu Ningyan hasposed.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that great,¡± the Ninth-Rank physician waved his hand. ¡°Most say this one is mediocre.¡± Yang Qianhuan scoffed, ¡°What do those ignoramuses know? Poetry cannot be judged by its surface alone; one must consider the circumstances.¡± He continued with fervour, ¡°Think about it: the entire capital focused on the Conflict of Heaven and Man, their attention on Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen. Who would care about the once-celebrated Xu Qi¡¯an from the Buddhist duel? No one. That¡¯s why, at such a moment, he needed to proim, ¡®To watch mere youths be new elites; I step into the ring, ready to strike.¡¯¡± The Ninth-Rank physician pondered for a moment and found the reasoningpelling, feeling his blood stir. ¡°Though Xu Ningyan is merely a Sixth-Rank Martial Artist, far below Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen in rank, this makes the line ¡®One de I cleave life and death; Two hands subduing both Heaven and Man.¡¯ even more imposing. It showcases the poet¡¯s fearless spirit and indomitable will,¡± Yang Qianhuan dered. ¡°Brilliant!¡± The white-d Arcanist pped his hands. ¡°Senior Brother Yang, your schrly insight is unparalleled. I am in awe.¡± Yang Qianhuan sighed, ¡°The truly remarkable one is Xu Ningyan. He always manages to make himself the centre of attention, earning fame and glory. In this, I must admit, I am not his equal.¡± *If the world gave Qi¡¯an, then why should it give Qianhuan?* Ever since meeting him, Yang Qianhuan often found himselfmenting such things. ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an always finds such opportunities. What Ick is precisely that¡ªopportunity,¡± Yang Qianhuan mused aloud. ¡°Senior Brother Yang, actually, the Emperor sent someone to invite you for the Conflict of Heaven and Man, hoping you would intervene and stop the two from fighting. But the Jianzheng refused, citing your confinement underground,¡± the physician said. ¡°¡­?¡± Yang Qianhuan froze as if turned to stone. Momentster, he staggered, clutching the wall for support before copsing to his knees. ¡°Junior Brother¡­ is¡­ is this true?¡± he asked in a trembling voice. ¡°Of course, I wouldn¡¯t deceive my senior brother,¡± the Ninth-Rank replied, watching as Yang Qianhuan began to w at his head in despair. ¡°Senior Brother Yang? What¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°My¡­ my brain feels like it¡¯s trembling¡­¡± Yang Qianhuan let out a wail, grinding out each word: ¡°Teacher¡­ Jian¡­zheng¡­ has wronged me again!¡± ¡­ The next day, Xu Qi¡¯an returned from the Jiaofangsi, taking Zhong Li home before heading straight to his room to meditate and recuperate. Just as he settled in, the dishevelled Zhong Li walked over and gently shook his shoulder. ¡°Senior Brother Yang is here.¡± *What does Senior Brother Yang want from me?* Xu Qi¡¯an opened his eyes, nodded in acknowledgment, and rose to meet him. In the courtyard, he found Yang Qianhuan standing by a stone table, hands sped behind his back. Little Pea curiously watched Yang Qianhuan¡¯s back, asionally attempting to sneak around to glimpse his face. Each time she got close, she was mysteriously teleported back to her original position. ¡°Dng, is this your friend?¡± Auntie approached cautiously, muttering, ¡°When did he evene in? He¡¯s been standing there like a statue. What an odd person.¡± ¡°This is Senior Brother Yang from the Sitianjian,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an exined before addressing Yang Qianhuan directly. ¡°Senior Brother Yang, what brings you here?¡± ¡°To watch you,¡± Yang Qianhuan replied coolly. ¡°To watch me?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve stolen my spotlight time and again, taking opportunities meant for me. From now on, I¡¯ll watch you closely, seizing every chance you get,¡± Yang Qianhuan dered with determination. ¡°One day, Teacher Jianzheng will see¡ª¡®Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. Never underestimate the downtrodden.¡¯¡± Auntie nced at Xu Qi¡¯an, curling her lips. ¡°No wonder the two of you are friends. Hmph.¡± Auntie gave a diva-like scoff. Back when he was still an unlucky nephew, Xu Qi¡¯an had said something simr. "As you please." Xu Qi¡¯an shrugged, then noticed Old Zhang from the gatehouse entering the inner courtyard, calling out, "Dng, a few of your friends havee to visit." Following Old Zhang to the front hall, Xu saw Daoist Jinlian, Number Six Hengyuan, and Number Four Chu Yuanzhen seated, drinking tea. "Daoist Jinlian, Brother Chu, Master Hengyuan." *Hmm, why isn''t Daoist Jinlian in his cat form today...* Xu greeted them warmly, instructing Old Zhang to bring fruits and pastries. "Sir Xu, could you summon Li Miaozhen and Lina? I have something to discuss with all of you," Daoist Jinlian said with a smile. Xu Qi¡¯an promptly returned to the inner courtyard and called Li Miaozhen and Lina to join them. This was Lina''s first time meeting Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan; during herst encounter, she had been gravely injured and had note to consciousness. "Wow, aside from Number One, all the members of the Heaven and Earth Society are here!" The dark-skinned girl from the Southern Marches said excitedly. This statement didn¡¯t sound strange to anyone because they were at Xu Manor, and Number Three, Xu Xinnian, was also present. "By the way, where''s Number Three?" Chu Yuanzhen asked. Li Miaozhen immediately nced at Freeloader Xu. Lina also turned to him, but she quickly recalled their agreement not to reveal identities. *Oh no, I identally let it slip just now! What do I do what do I do¡­?* Lina panicked internally. Maintaining aposed expression, Xu Qi¡¯an replied, "He''s on a date with the Wang family¡¯s youngdy." Chu Yuanzhen was stunned. "A date?" "The type you¡¯re thinking of." Xu Qi¡¯an said inly. "Oh, oh, worthy of being a charming schr," Chu Yuanzhen chuckled. Indeed, Xu Xinnian was meeting with the Wang family''s youngdy. However, while she viewed it as a date, Xu Xinnian considered it merely an appointment. As everyone settled down with their tea, Lina began devouring the fruits and pastries, her mouth never resting. At this moment, Xu Lingyin waddled into the room with her short legs, joining the gathering. Lina scooped her up and ced her on herp, and the two started munching on melon together. Daoist Jinlian cleared his throat and said, "This poor daoist will be leaving the capital in the next few days." This announcement didn¡¯t surprise anyone. Daoist Jinlian had fled to the capital to avoid being hunted by the demonic cultivators of the Earth Sect. Having recuperated here for half a year, it was indeed time for him to leave. *If it were merely to announce this, Daoist Jinlian wouldn¡¯t have gathered everyone at Xu Manor...* Chu Yuanzhen sipped his tea, waiting for the continuation. *What scheme is this LYB plotting now...* Xu remained silent, curious about what Jinlian intended to reveal. _Amitabha, all banquets muste to an end..._ Hengyuan reflected with his hands sped in prayer. _That damned Daoist disrupted my duel. I didn¡¯t even want to see him today..._ Li Miaozhen harboured lingering resentment, her attitude toward Jinlian chilly. Lina: "This melon is so sweet, hahaha." Xu Lingyin: "Yes, yes, hehehehe." Daoist Jinlian sighed, recounting: ¡°The reason I infiltrated the Earth Sect back then was to steal a treasure known as the Nine-Coloured Lotus. This treasure can enlighten all things; even stones can gain sentience from it. ¡°The demonic cultivators of the Earth Sect have been hunting me, trying to retrieve the Nine-Coloured Lotus. While I¡¯ve stayed in the capital to mislead them into thinking the treasure is here, I¡¯ve already secretly moved it to a hidden location. ¡°However, as the Nine-Coloured Lotus nears maturity, its aura can no longer be suppressed, which may draw the Earth Sect¡¯s demonic cultivators to it. Thus, I must return to safeguard it." *The Nine-Coloured Lotus? Something that can even awaken stones? Whoa, Daoist, my silicone wife from my past life might need your help...* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s thoughts burned with excitement. If even stones could gain sentience, Xu Qi¡¯an could imagine himself bing the envy of otaku worldwide. _The Nine-Coloured Lotus... I think I¡¯ve read about it in some ancient text._ Chu Yuanzhen furrowed his brow in thought. _The Nine-Coloured Lotus? The Earth Sect¡¯s second greatest treasure? And it¡¯s about to mature?_ Li Miaozhen¡¯s eyes gleamed with interest. Lina: "Hahaha." Xu Lingyin: "Hehehe." Satisfied with everyone¡¯s reactions, Daoist Jinlian chuckled and said, "When the timees, demonic cultivators from the Earth Sect will undoubtedly follow its aura to its location. I n to set a trap for them, and I hope you all will lend me a hand." The reactions to this request varied among the members of the Heaven and Earth Society. Xu Qi¡¯an frowned. "Will the Earth Sect¡¯s Daoist Leader make a move?" Jinlian nodded. "He will, but his condition is dire. Most of the time, he remains in slumber, unable to do otherwise. Even if he does intervene, it will only be a projection or a wisp of his spirit¡ªhis strength will be limited." Hearing this, everyone sighed in relief. Li Miaozhen said, "Alright, but I want a lotus seed as payment." Everyone else¡¯s eyes lit up. Jinlian nodded. "Of course. Each of you will receive a lotus seed, and Xu Qi¡¯an will receive two." Hearing this, Li Miaozhen raised a finely arched brow, dissatisfied. "Why does he get two?" Xu Qi¡¯an snapped his fingers. "Because I defeated both you and Brother Chu. That was Daoist Jinlian¡¯s promised reward." Jinlian turned to Lina, frowning, "Number Five, what about you?" With her mouth full of food, Lina tilted her head, thought for a moment, and asked, "Is the lotus seed tasty?" ... Daoist Jinlian opened his mouth, stared at her for a moment, and finally said helplessly, "It¡ªit¡¯s not about taste. It¡¯s a rare treasure. But if you insist on eating it, I imagine it would taste sweet and fragrant..." Upon hearing this, Lina patted her chest and said, "No problem, Daoist. I¡¯ll help." The others felt a mix of admiration and exasperation. What a carefree, happy-go-lucky girl. Jinlian said appreciatively: "Before the Nine-Coloured Lotus matures, I will contact you all through the Earth Book fragments." He had been nning this for years, forming the Heaven and Earth Society. Atst, his efforts bore fruit. The other two members couldn¡¯t be relied upon for now, but those gathered here already formed a formidable group: Chu Yuanzhen, with his fourth-rankbat prowess; Li Miaozhen, a fourth-rank Daoist; Hengyuan, an eighth-rank monk with extraordinary real-world strength; and Lina, the immensely powerful girl from the Southern Marches. Of course, what delighted Jinlian most was the newest member of the Heaven and Earth Society: Xu Qi¡¯an. This boy, blessed with great fortune, excelled at everything he did. Moreover, he had cultivated the Vajra Divine Art to the minor aplishment stage, making him both durable and strong¡ªa significant asset in battle. Jinlian even thought that, given a few more years, this group might even grow strong enough to challenge himself. ¡­ Two dayster, the Imperial Study. Emperor Yuanjing privately received the Zhenbei King¡¯s deputy general, Chu Xianglong. "The first batch of provisions will take a few more days to prepare. No need to worry, General Chu," said Emperor Yuanjing. "Your Majesty, this humble servant has another task entrusted by the Zhenbei King," Chu Xianglong replied, bowing. "What task?" "The King has ordered me to escort the princess consort to the border." Emperor Yuanjing, usuallyposed, showed a rarepse in his demeanour¡ªnot out of fear or anger, but excitement. He masked his emotions well, ncing at the elderly eunuch nearby. "Leave us." The eunuch and other servants bowed and quietly withdrew. Only then did Emperor Yuanjing rise from his throne, striding quickly to Chu Xianglong, his tone tinged with excitement. "He... it¡¯s nearly done?" Chapter 340: Visiting the Sitianjian # 340. Visiting the Sitianjian "Yes, everything is ready now, save for the princess consort." Chu Xianglong lowered his voice, speaking in a tone only he and Emperor Yuanjing could hear. The old emperor''s usually stoic expression lit up with unrestrained joy. He took a deep breath, suppressing theughter bubbling in his throat, and slowly nodded. "Excellent. King Huai has not disappointed Us. Very good, very good!" Chu Xianglong continued, "Your Majesty, this humble servant has another request. I encountered a mishap during my training and can no longer fight prolonged battles or exert my full strength. I beseech Your Majesty to assign someone to escort the princess consort to the north." The old emperor scrutinised him sharply, his gaze piercing and questioning. "At such a critical juncture, you had a mishap during training?" Chu Xianglong immediately lowered his head and sped his hands in a gesture of fear and submission. "Your Majesty, please forgive me... Please forgive me..." He knew full well that the emperor was a man of suspicion. Without a clear exnation, even as a trusted subordinate of the Zhenbei King, he would not escape the emperor''s doubts.Thus, he recounted everything truthfully¡ªhow he had schemed to seise Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s _Vajra Divine Art_ in collusion with the Duke of Cao, leveraging the imperial examination fraud scandal to coerce him. "Foolish scoundrel!" Emperor Yuanjing roared in anger, kicking Chu Xianglong aside. His beard bristled with fury as he hissed in a low voice, "If We were still relying on you to handle matters, We would cut off your dog head right now." Chu Xianglongy prostrate, not daring to move. The emperor paced back and forth in the imperial study, deliberating aloud. ¡°Sending the imperial guards as escorts would draw too much attention. That will not do. The shipment of rations is progressing slowly and is not yet prepared. If she travels with it, she might not arrive in the north untilte spring, perhaps even early summer. "Moreover, the various cliques at court have been incessantly submitting memorials, demanding a thorough investigation of the ¡®bloodbath of 3,000 miles¡¯... In that case, let the princess consort apany the investigation team heading north. It will provide cover, and there will be experts to protect her." After speaking, the emperor shook his head again. "Still not ideal. The princess consort¡¯s extraordinary aura will be difficult to conceal, even with spells to obscure her presence. And her appearance..." Chu Xianglong¡¯s eyes brightened. "That can be solved, Your Majesty. The princess consort possesses a magical artifact capable of altering her appearance and concealing her aura, transforming her into an ordinary woman." The emperor frowned. "Where did she acquire such an artifact?" Chu Xianglong exined, "The princess consort said it was a gift from the National Teacher. She has used it to sneak out of the estate several times in the past." After a moment of silent contemtion, Emperor Yuanjing said, "Then it shall be so for now. We will discuss the finer detailster." ¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an walked toward the Sitianjian, nked by Zhong Li on his left and Li Miaozhen on his right. Behind him followed an entourage ofpanions: Hengyuan, Chu Yuanzhen, Lina, Susu, and others. Yang Qianhuan was absent from the group. He had returned to the Sitianjian ahead of them to avoid an awkward situation. If he joined the group, he would face a dilemma. If he walked in front of everyone, the disciples in the Sitianjian would see his face. But if hegged behind, the people in the streets would glimpse his profile. Over the years, Yang Qianhuan had carefully observed Wei Yuan and the Jianzheng, concluding that great figures never travelled on foot. The Jianzheng, for instance, never left the bagua tform except to drink wine or stare into the void. ? Thus, upon learning that Xu Qi¡¯an and his party were visiting the Sitianjian, Yang Qianhuan had made a tactical retreat. "Master, will I soon have a physical body again?" Susu asked, her excitement turning her paper face a rosy hue. Li Miaozhen didn¡¯t respond, but her eyes held a trace of anticipation. Helping Susu regain a body had long been her goal. Meanwhile, Chu Yuanzhen and the others were purely interested in seeing Song Qing¡¯s creations. Song Qing, the master alchemist of the Sitianjian, was renowned throughout thend. His name had long piqued their curiosity. As they approached the Sitianjian, a figure in a yellow dress darted out from the hall¡ªa girl withrge eyes and a sweet smile. It was Chu Caiwei, who came to greet them. Lina cheerfully rushed forward to meet her. "I packed a feast from Guiyuelou, waiting just for you," Chu Caiwei said, bouncing with excitement. "Does it include braised pork trotters, pine nut duck, fish roe soup¡­?" Lina eagerly bounced along with her. "Of course! Where¡¯s Lingyin?" "Her mother kept her home, and she cried and wailed about it." "Poor thing. But since she¡¯s not here, we can eat her share. Haha!" "I think so too! Hee hee!" The two girls linked hands and skipped away, leaving the group behind. ¡­ Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mouth twitched. "I¡¯m familiar with the Sitianjian. I¡¯ll show you around." He had already sent Yang Qianhuan ahead to inform Song Qing about their visit. As they entered the main hall, the sharp scent of medicinal herbs filled the air. White-robed alchemists were busy chopping herbs, brewing concoctions, and studying alchemical texts. Upon seeing Xu Qi¡¯an, all the alchemists simultaneously stopped their work and turned to greet him with respect. "Master Xu!" Their deference was no surprise to the others. Number One had already mentioned that Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an was skilled in alchemy and had a close rtionship with Song Qing. Furthermore, although arcanists were proud and haughty, with a vague simrity to to a confucian scr¡¯s mannerisms, ninth rank was still ninth rank, and the difference between them could not be equalised by the difference in system. *Xu Ningyan is the Jianzheng¡¯s chess piece. Perhaps in reality he does not know any alchemy, and this is all an illusion created by the Jianzheng to let him get closer to the Sitianjian in a reasonable manner, deceiving prying eyes¡­* Chu Yuanzhen thought even deeper. Xu Qi¡¯an nodded slightly. "Your hard work is very appreciated by everyone, junior brothers." After the greetings, he led Chu Yuanzhen and the others up the stairs, exining as they went. "The Sitianjian has nine levels. The first floor is where ninth-rank alchemists work, the second floor is for eighth-rank Qi-watchers, and so on. The ninth floor, known as the bagua tform, is the Jianzheng¡¯s domain." "I heard the Jianzheng has sat on that tform for years," Li Miaozhen said. *I get what you¡¯re saying, I also really want to know: does the Jianzheng not shit?* Xu Qi¡¯an thought but outwardly maintained a reverent expression. "It is said that the Jianzheng focuses entirely on observing the mortal realm." *Observing the mortal realm...* The group was filled with awe, feeling that the Jianzheng¡¯s stature had be even more imposing. Even the tone had shifted, elevating the atmosphere to one of profound respect. *The Jianzheng should be able to hear my ttery...* Xu Qi¡¯an thought. As they ascended, every white-robed alchemist they encountered greeted Xu Qi¡¯an with respect. But none acknowledged Zhong Li, the Jianzheng¡¯s fifth disciple. This subtle detail did not escape Chu Yuanzhen and the others, making them feel something was amiss. *¡­Hmm, maybe it''s because she''s gued by misfortune, and others are afraid of being tainted by it,* spected Chu Yuanzhen to himself. *I had merely assumed Sir Xu was on good terms with the Sitianjian Arcanists, but the reverence they disy toward him far exceeds what simple camaraderie could exin¡­* mused Number Six Hengyuan, in mild astonishment. *This brat actuallymands such authority within the Sitianjian?* thought Li Miaozhen, her eyes widening in surprise. *Wow, so this lecher Xu Ningyan wasn¡¯t lying about his sway here? But I heard that the Sixth-Rank Alchemists are the proudest of all. Would they even deign to give Xu Ningyan face?* Susu felt a mix of exhration and worry. ¡°The Alchemy Chamber is located on the seventh floor. This is also the main base of the Masters of Alchemy¡ªwhere they research, eat, and sleep,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an exined. The clever Susu picked up on the inconsistency and coquettishly asked, ¡°But didn¡¯t you say each floor corresponds to a rank? Sixth-Rank Alchemists should be stationed on the fourth floor, shouldn¡¯t they?¡± ¡°In theory, yes, but reality often deviates from theory. This is a question that Senior Sister Zhong might be better equipped to answer,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, turning his gaze toward Zhong Li, who followed them obediently, her dishevelled hair masking her expression. Zhong Li replied softly, ¡°The Sitianjian only has one Fifth-Rank¡ªme. There¡¯s also only one Fourth-Rank, Senior Brother Yang. And the Third-Rank belongs to Second Senior Brother.¡± Her voice was so soft that the group had to strain to hear her words as she shrank further under their gazes. Understanding dawned on them. High-ranking Arcanists were as rare as phoenix feathers. Assigning one entire floor to just one person was unnecessary and impractical. Hengyuan sighed, ¡°It seems advancing within the Arcanist system is truly difficult.¡± At this remark, both Hengyuan and Chu Yuanzhen turned to look at Zhong Li, recalling all too vividly her string of misfortunes. Zhong Li lowered her head sorrowfully. Susu, in a tense voice, asked, ¡°Did Song Qing¡¯s artificial human body really seed? Is he... is he really willing to offer it to me?¡± The group immediately turned to Xu Qi¡¯an for confirmation. _How could I possibly know? I¡¯ve been so busytely that I haven¡¯t had time to check up on Song Qing¡¯s bisarre experiments._ Xu Qi¡¯an cleared his throat and admitted awkwardly, ¡°I¡¯m not entirely sure.¡± Zhong Li, in her quiet voice, borated, ¡°Junior Brother Song did seed in creating a person. The Sixth-Rank disciples were ecstatic when it happened. What¡¯s more surprising is that even the Jianzheng didn¡¯t punish him. ¡°For a time, Junior Brother Song was quite proud of himself. However, no one outside of those who assisted him in the experiment has ever seen the results. To Song Qing, this marks a major milestone in his alchemy career, so he treasures it greatly and refuses to show anyone. ¡°Even I haven¡¯t seen it. Nor has Senior Brother Yang. Song Qing always says that only like-minded friends are worthy of witnessing his work; ordinary people are unworthy. Not that Senior Brother Yang cares to see it¡ªhe considers Song Qing a mundane fool.¡± At this, the group¡¯s collective gaze turned suspiciously toward Xu Qi¡¯an. In their minds, Song Qing was clearly a fanatic, obsessively protective of his creations. If even his senior brother and sister couldn¡¯t see his work, what chance did Xu Qi¡¯an, an outsider, have? The hope in Susu¡¯s eyes dimmed. Li Miaozhen cast her aforting look and used sound transmission to assure her, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. If ites to that, I¡¯ll figure out a way to get a glimpse of Song Qing¡¯s creation.¡± Susu nodded slightly and replied, ¡°As expected, my master is the most reliable.¡± As they continued to ascend, they finally arrived at the Alchemy Chamber. Inside the spacious hall, numerous Masters of Alchemy busied themselves at their individual workbenches, each cluttered with jars, instruments, and materials. ¡°Senior Brother Song, your new gunpowder form isn¡¯t working. It keeps exploding. I¡¯m beginning to suspect Senior Sister Zhong is cursing us,¡± someoneined. ¡°My new soap form is just one step away frompletion. If it doesn¡¯t surpass the current version, all my work will be meaningless.¡± ¡°My alchemy experiment is one step away from sess. If I fail again, my total losses will exceed a thousand taels¡­¡± At that moment, Song Qing looked up from his bench and noticed the group entering the chamber. He froze for a moment. Then his expression contorted, his features twisting in a mix of shock and outrage, and he bellowed, ¡°Senior Sister Zhong is here!¡± The entire chamber fell silent. Then, chaos erupted. ¡°Put out the fire! Quickly, put it out¡­¡± ¡°My furnace is ruined again¡­ Heavens!¡± ¡°Stop everything! Stop everything! If the Alchemy Chamber explodes, all this experimental gunpowder will go up with it¡­¡± The Alchemists scrambled in all directions, frantically trying to secure their workstations. Momentster, the chaos subsided, and everything returned to calm. ¡°It didn¡¯t explode?¡± ¡°Is it really Senior Sister Zhong? Could someone be impersonating her?¡± Amid the Alchemists¡¯ wary murmurs, Zhong Li hung her head low and shuffled off quietly, her lonely figure radiating sorrow. Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm. Zhong Li looked back to see Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s displeased face. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going? Without me, you¡¯re not going anywhere. Stay by my side. You¡¯ll be fine,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an scolded. Zhong Li stared at him nkly for a moment. Then her eyes, hidden beneath her hair, seemed to brighten slightly. She nodded firmly and replied in a small voice, ¡°Mhm.¡± Meanwhile, the Alchemists, having tidied up their stations, turned to scrutinise the neers. Their gazes carried a distinct sense of arrogance. Li Miaozhen felt a sinking feeling in her heart. It seemed their visit to the Sitianjian was likely to end in rejection. Still, with Xu Qi¡¯an and Zhong Li here, they might at least be able to hold a conversation. _The Sitianjian Arcanists really are insufferably proud¡­_ Just as this thought crossed her mind, Xu Qi¡¯an furrowed his brow and spoke in an imperious tone: ¡°Senior Brother Song, I heard you seeded in creating a human. My friend here would like to take a look.¡± _Idiot! Is that how you ask for a favour?!_ Li Miaozhen cursed inwardly. Susu stomped her foot lightly, her face pinched with anxiety. Suddenly, a burst ofughter filled the chamber, echoing off the walls. Song Qing opened his arms wide and approached Xu Qi¡¯an, his expression one of unrestrained joy, as if greeting a long-lost brother. ¡°Master Xu, you¡¯ve finally graced us with your presence! You¡¯ve been back in the capital for months, visited the Sitianjian countless times, yet all you do is frolic with Senior Sister Zhong, neglecting the great cause of alchemy!¡± The other Alchemists quickly crowded around, their earlier aloofness reced with fervent excitement. ¡°Master Xu, you¡¯ve finallye!¡± ¡°Our recent alchemy experiments are stuck at critical junctures. We¡¯ve been discussing endlessly without making progress, all the while eagerly awaiting your return!¡± ¡°Master Xu, please, we beg you! Could you spend more time at the Sitianjian? Alchemy needs you!¡± ¡°Master Xu, have you finished the next volume of the Blue Book? We¡¯ve been waiting for half a year!¡± Li Miaozhen was pushed aside by the throng, forced to yield her spot. She stood there, stunned, watching the once-proud Alchemists mor around Xu Qi¡¯an with smiles stered across their faces. Gone was their earlier arrogance. Now, their eyes brimmed with reverence and admiration. Especially when they mentioned the mysterious Blue Book, their attitudes became almost servile. For a moment, Li Miaozhen thought she might have misjudged reality. _This is absurd. Absolutely absurd._ Chapter 341: Life Alchemy # 341. Life Alchemy The rest of the members of the Heaven and Earth Clique were just as astonished as Li Miaozhen. Even the former schr-gentleman Chu Yuanzhen, looked visibly stunned, his expression frozen in disbelief. *Xu Ningyan is supposed to be the Jianzheng¡¯s pawn, but that¡¯s meant to be a closely guarded secret. The Arcanists of the Sitianjian shouldn¡¯t have known such confidential information. This meant that the overwhelming respect the alchemists had for Xu Ningyan stemmed from his own merits?* *What is this ¡°Blue Book¡±? Judging from their words, Xu Ningyan¡¯s alchemical prowess seemed to surpass even that of Song Qing. At the very least, the alchemists didn¡¯t disy this kind of humble and eager attitude toward Song Qing¡­* Chu Yuanzhen felt he had grasped a critical clue but found himself unable to ept the conclusion. Number Six Hengyuan already knew that Xu Ningyan was on excellent terms with the Sitianjian¡ªclose enough to even convince Yang Qianhuan to help treat that pitiable child. But he hadn¡¯t expected Xu Ningyan¡¯s influence to be this vast. This wasn¡¯t mere friendship; this was reverence, where the alchemists appeared toe and go at his beck and call. Even Susu was dumbfounded, staring nkly at Xu Qi''an as he stood surrounded by the white-robed alchemists. Just moments ago, upon hearing from Zhong Li about how much Song Qing cherished his creations, she had been utterly disheartened, thinking this visit to the Sitianjian would end in disappointment. Xu Ningyan, despite his close ties to the Sitianjian, might not be able to sway Song Qing, who was so unyielding that he didn¡¯t even spare face for his fellow disciples. There was no guarantee Song Qing would give him any special treatment. Yet, contrary to her expectations, Song Qing and the alchemists disyed fervent enthusiasm toward Xu Ningyan, reminiscent of the reaction of some stinky men when they caught sight of her.Xu Qi''an raised a hand, and the alchemists immediately quieted down. Clearing his throat, he announced, ¡°There¡¯s no update on the Blue Book for now, but I promise all of you that it will be delivered before the year¡¯s end. I¡¯ll also make an effort to visit the Alchemy Chamber more frequently to discuss alchemical theories with everyone.¡± ¡°Wonderful!¡± The white-robed Arcanists cheered, their faces alight with joy. Once the room calmed again, Xu Qi''an turned to Song Qing and asked, ¡°Brother Song, about your creation¡­¡± Susu immediately shifted her gaze to Song Qing, nervously clenching her fists. Li Miaozhen also nced at him, her eyes filled with expectation. Puffing out his chest, Song Qingughed heartily, ¡°Ever since Ipleted this creation, my biggest regret was not being able to receive Master Xu¡¯s evaluation and guidance. Today, that regret will finally be resolved.¡± *So¡­ humble?* While Susu let out a sigh of relief, her astonishment deepened. She found herself looking Xu Ningyan over several more times, incredulous. *If anyone ever says again that the Arcanists of the Sitianjian are arrogant and dismissive of others, I¡¯ll be the first to disagree,* Chu Yuanzhen thought. Led by Song Qing, the group left the Alchemy Chamber and passed through winding hallways to reach a sealed chamber. The door to the chamber was constructed from pure steel. Song Qing rapped on it lightly, exining, ¡°This door is impervious even to the attacks of a Fifth-rank martial artist. I forged it over ten days using high tempered steel. Its greatest strength lies in its durability¡ªan unparalleled safeguard against theft.¡± Chu Yuanzhen couldn¡¯t help but interject, ¡°But aren¡¯t the walls of your Stargazing Tower just regr walls? Any thief could simply bypass the door.¡± Li Miaozhen nodded in agreement. ¡°Besides, who woulde to the Stargazing Tower to steal anything? There¡¯s no historical precedent for such an urrence.¡± So what¡¯s the point of this ¡®theft-proof¡¯ door? ¡­Song Qing¡¯s face darkened as he replied coldly, ¡°Do you two have anything else to say? If not, you may excuse yourselves.¡± Both Chu Yuanzhen and Li Miaozhen immediately fell silent. Li Miaozhen sent a message to Zhuangyuan Chu via transmission: ¡°Why do I feel that all of the Jianzheng¡¯s disciples are so strange? There¡¯s the foolish Chu Caiwei who¡¯s on par with Lina, the misfortune-gued Zhong Li, and now this odd Song Qing. It seems like Yang Qianhuan is the only normal one.¡± Chu Yuanzhen snorted and replied, ¡°You¡¯re right about the first ones, but thest part of your statement is far too hasty. Everyone in the capital would disagree with you.¡± *You simply don¡¯t understand Yang Qianhuan yet. He and Song Qing are the two strangest of the lot. Chu Caiwei is merely limited by her natural talents, which make her a bit¡­ slow. Zhong Li¡¯s misfortunes have left her timid and self-abasing. But Song Qing and Yang Qianhuan? They¡¯re the ones with truly¡­ peculiar minds,* Chu Yuanzhen thought to himself. Li Miaozhen didn¡¯t argue but instead asked, ¡°What about the Jianzheng¡¯s second disciple?¡± Chu Yuanzhen shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve never met the second disciple. It seems they¡¯ve long since left the Sitianjian. Perhaps they¡¯re normal.¡± After a pause, he added cautiously, ¡°Probably¡­¡± Song Qing pulled out a key, unlocked the steel door, and led everyone into the sealed chamber. The space was spacious yet cluttered. Song Qing guided them to the left, where the walls were lined with various magical implements: crossbows, swords, muskets, and other weaponry, as well as unfinished metal nks. With pride in his voice, Song Qing introduced, ¡°Every weapon here is crafted from rare and unparalleled materials. Once enchanted with arrays by a Master of Formations, they will be artefacts sought after by all. ¡°But I dislike that idiot Yang Qianhuan, so he doesn¡¯t deserve to touch my creations. That¡¯s why none of these have be artefacts.¡± Among the group, aside from Susu and Zhong Li, Xu Qi''an, Hengyuan, Li Miaozhen, and Chu Yuanzhen all showed undisguised envy. ¡°These are mere mundane items and do not reflect my true achievements in alchemy. Follow me¡­¡± Song Qing led them deeper into the chamber until they reached a three-foot-tall ss tank. Grinning broadly, he said, ¡°Behold! This is my first sessful creation in the field of Life Alchemy.¡± Everyone leaned closer, peering into the ss tank filled with a mysterious liquid. Inside was a cat-like creature, its body etched with the patterns and growth rings of a tree. Its form resembled that of a cat,plete with a feline head. Its chest rose and fell faintly as though it were breathing. What set it apart further was its tail¡ªa thin branch adorned with vibrant green leaves. ¡°I call it the Tree Cat,¡± Song Qing announced. ¡°As the name suggests, it¡¯s a fusion of a cat and a tree. I managed to keep it alive, but the price is that it can only survive submerged in water and cannot exist in the outside world.¡± Song Qing proudly exined his progress in Life Alchemy, his tone brimming with aplishment. ¡°This embryo was created by crossbreeding a human and a horse. I once attempted to merge the body of an adult male with that of a horse but failed. So, I changed my approach and created this embryo. Fortunately, I seeded in crafting an embryo carrying both human and equine bloodlines. Regrettably, it only survived for three days, after which I preserved it in alcohol¡­¡± ¡°These organs were cultivated from scratch, starting at the cellr level and developing bit by bit. You probably haven¡¯t heard of the term ¡®cellr,¡¯ have you? That¡¯s a word coined by Master Xu¡­¡± At first, Chu Yuanzhen, Li Miaozhen, and the others approached these revtions with curiosity and a thirst for new knowledge. However, as the exnations continued, the smiles on their faces faded, reced by increasingly grim expressions. Their gazes toward Song Qing grew wary, as though they were staring at some monstrous aberration. *Chu Yuanzhen had been right¡ªSong Qing¡¯s mind isn¡¯t entirely sound. This person is dangerously unhinged. If this weren¡¯t the Sitianjian, I would have already carried out justice on behalf of the heavens¡­* Li Miaozhen thought, suddenly realising she couldn¡¯t stomach such grotesque experiments despite her initial purpose foring here. *I was wrong¡ªSong Qing is the most deranged of all the Jianzheng¡¯s disciples. Byparison, Yang Qianhuan merely suffers from a bit of arrogance¡­* Chu Yuanzhen thought. *It¡¯s a good thing I didn¡¯t send that child to the Sitianjian for treatment back then. Otherwise, he might have ended up in a jar¡­* Hengyuan thought, his gaze toward Song Qing filled with the disdain reserved for heretics. Susu¡¯s emotions were moreplex. She was both repulsed and strangely intrigued. Song Qing, meanwhile, was thoroughly pleased with their reactions, mistaking their expressions of horror for awe and admiration, akin to country bumpkins marvelling at the grandeur of a royal pce. Clearing his throat, Song Qing proudly dered, ¡°The reason I¡¯ve made such strides in the field of alchemical life creation is entirely due to Master Xu¡¯s support. It was he who taught me this knowledge and opened my mind to these possibilities.¡± The members of the Heaven and Earth Society slowly turned their heads toward Xu Qi¡¯an, their expressions now filled with suspicion. *So, the real culprit is you?!* *Could it be that Xu Ningyan is also a closet lunatic?* *The fuck- How is this my fault? I only taught you some basic biological principles!* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face twitched involuntarily. But he couldn¡¯t argue. It was true that he had provided Song Qing with the initial spark of inspiration and guided him down this path. Just like the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism, which might seem reasonable to most but would be earth-shattering to a master like Arhat Du¡¯e. ¡°Ahem!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an coughed lightly and said, ¡°Senior Brother Song, we¡¯re all eager to witness your grand transformation demonstration.¡± He tried to steer the topic with a touch of humor. The group¡¯s mood grew tense again, however, as they turned to see a figure lying on a simple rack ahead, covered by a white cloth. Song Qing stepped forward, pulling back the cloth to reveal a man-like figure. The "man" had a frail, emaciated frame with unremarkable features, and his chest rose and fell faintly with breath. *Whew¡­* Everyone collectively exhaled in relief. This creation seemed rtively normal; they had braced themselves for something far worse. ¡°When he was first created, his body was no different from an ordinary person¡¯s,¡± Song Qing exined. ¡°But he¡¯s been deteriorating day by day. I estimate he won¡¯tst more than three days before dying. Medication has proven ineffective.¡± *Medication is ineffective?* Xu Qi¡¯an stared at the humanoid creation, his mind racing. He hadn¡¯t expected Song Qing to actually produce a living organism¡ªthis was akin to wielding the power of a creator god. Hearing Song Qing¡¯s remarks, Xu Qi¡¯an couldn¡¯t help but ponder. Was it because the body couldn¡¯t absorb the medication? Or was it rejecting the world¡¯s natural substances altogether? Alternatively, could there be some inherent defect in the body¡ªsomething rooted in its gic makeup? Inheritance is crucial in the realm of life sciences. Humanity¡¯s ability to survive in nature and benefit from medicinal properties hinges on hereditary traits. Xu Qi¡¯an had once heard a theory: if modern humans were to travel back to ancient times, they might be walking vectors of disease, bringing devastation to the world. The essence of this theoryy in the idea that ancient humanscked immunity to modern viruses. Humans¡¯ resistance to natural pathogens was something passed down through generations. Perhaps the inability of this body to respond to medication was due to a simr reason. Li Miaozhen scanned the body with her senses, her eyes lighting up. ¡°This body is clean¡ªit has no soul or spiritual intelligence. It¡¯s even better than a living vessel, making it the perfect host for Susu.¡± This raised an important point: thepatibility of a soul and its body. Normally, a ghost possessing a living body would face ipatibility, leading to mutual rejection. The living host¡¯s yang energy would weaken, while the ghost¡¯s yin energy would dissipate, harming both parties. Once the host dies, their body inevitably decays, rendering it unsuitable for long-term use. But this vesselcked a soul. If Susu were to inhabit it, the body might even nourish her spirit, allowing her to function as if alive. Li Miaozhen turned to Susu. ¡°Why don¡¯t you give it a try?¡± Susu had been eagerly waiting for this moment. She immediately nodded and exited her paper doll form, slipping into the body. *Hey, wait a minute! You promised to be my concubine. This isn¡¯t what I had in mind! I wanted a jade dragon entering oceanic depths, not to be a shit-stirring rod¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s thoughts ran wild, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to voice them out loud. After all, he had to maintain his dignity. However, momentster, Susu was ejected from the body, returning to her paper doll form. Li Miaozhen furrowed her brows. ¡°What happened?¡± Susu shook her head, her expression one of disappointment. After a long silence, Li Miaozhen spected, ¡°I see now. This body differs from normal ones. Though it appears human, it¡¯s more akin to stone. ¡°A ghost like Susu can¡¯t attach herself to a stone.¡± Song Qing frowned. ¡°So, what I¡¯ve created is a human-like body that¡¯s essentially just a stone?¡± He looked thoroughly disheartened, struggling to ept the result. Li Miaozhen fell silent. Susu bit her lip, her once-bright eyes now dim with despair. *So it was all for nothing after all¡­* Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan exchanged a helpless nce and sighed. ¡°Master Xu, you¡¯re a genius in the field of alchemy. Your expertise in life alchemy surpasses all others,¡± Song Qing said as he bowed deeply, a full ny degrees. ¡°Please, teach me.¡± Susu¡¯s dim eyes reignited with hope, and she looked at Xu Qi¡¯an with anticipation. *That¡¯s right. Xu Ningyan was the one who taught Song Qing life alchemy. He even wrote a ¡®Blue Book.¡¯ The sixth-ranked alchemists all treated him with the utmost respect¡­* Li Miaozhen, Hengyuan, and Chu Yuanzhen immediately turned their eyes toward Xu Qi¡¯an. *How would I know? I mean, I could bluff my way through this, but this question is way out of my league¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought. Out loud, he said, ¡°Give me your notes on life alchemy first. I need to study them.¡± *To buy time to think of an excuse, of course,* he added silently. Chapter 342: Court Appointment # 342. Court Appointment Song Qing hurriedly dashed out of the secret chamber with lightning speed. Momentster, he returned, holding a thick blue book, which he respectfully handed to Xu Qi''an. Nowadays, the arcanists of the Sitianjian had adopted blue books as their personal journals. They hoped this would be a tradition, believing that in a few generations, blue books would be synonymous with alchemy. When outsiders mentioned the arcanists'' alchemical techniques, they would inevitably think of the blue book. The founding author of the first generation of blue books, Xu Qi''an, epted Song Qing¡¯s alchemy journal, opened it, and scanned a few lines. _Too long, didn¡¯t read¡­ and couldn¡¯t understand anyway¡­_ He pretended to read intently for a long while, asionally nodding or shaking his head. The members of the Heaven and Earth Society and Song Qing all had their eyes glued to him. When Xu Qi''an finally closed the book, Song Qing eagerly asked: ¡°Master Xu, is there anything amiss?¡± Li Miaozhen and the others adopted attentive postures, focusing their gaze on him.¡°There are still quite a few issues, Brother Song. This path is long and arduous. You must seek wisdom high and low without cking.¡± Xu Qi''an sighed, earnestly advising. ¡°And so, where exactly is the problem¡­¡± Before Song Qing could finish, Xu Qi''an interrupted him, saying, ¡°Brother Song, you must understand that alchemy has its limits. Regarding your creation, I have a suggestion for you to consider.¡± Song Qing¡¯s eyes lit up instantly, his attention sessfully diverted. He eagerly asked, ¡°Master Xu, I knew you would have a solution. If only you had been there when I was nurturing it, it would surely have turned out better.¡± _No, I would have just stood by one side and shouted, ¡°666!¡±_ Xu Qi''an cleared his throat, nced at the crowd, and fixed his gaze on Song Qing, saying: ¡°To my knowledge, there is a heavenly treasure called the Nine-Coloured Lotus. It can awaken all things, even granting a stone sentience. Your creation would require its enlightenment.¡± ¡°Nine-Coloured Lotus¡­ Nine-Coloured Lotus¡­¡± Song Qing murmured, ¡°Such a miraculous object exists in the world?¡± The Heaven and Earth Society members suddenly had an epiphany, believing Xu Qi''an''s suggestion to be usible. _Indeed, if the Nine-Coloured Lotus can enlighten all things, it should be able to awaken this body. Once it gains sentience, Susu could sessfully possess it¡­_ Li Miaozhen¡¯s face lit up with joy, her path forward now clear. Susu, on the other hand, yearned for the Nine-Coloured Lotus to ripen immediately so she could im her new body. _No, no, I want a female body! I want to be a woman... but if it¡¯s a male body, at least I won¡¯t have to bear Xu Ningyan¡¯s children¡­ what if he still wants me as his concubine¡­_ The image of herself in a male body being pinned under Xu Qi''an and subjected to his whims shed in Susu¡¯s mind, making her shudder violently. ¡°The Nine-Coloured Lotus is a treasure of the Earth Sect. In essence, it can be considered an alchemical material, as all things are alchemy,¡± Xu Qi''an remarked with a smile. ¡°All things are alchemy¡­¡± Song Qing was full of admiration and sighed, ¡°Master Xu, you truly are a genius in alchemy. There was a time I felt anger¡ªanger that your second uncle never sent you to the Sitianjian to study under its tutge.¡± _Please no, leave my second uncle out of this; he¡¯s suffered enough!_ For Susu, this trip to the Sitianjian was nothing short of a new chapter. For the others, their feelings were moreplex: they were simultaneously awed by Song Qing¡¯s achievements in alchemy and unsettled by his experiments in life alchemy. Before leaving, Xu Qi''an pulled Song Qing aside to a quiet corner and whispered, ¡°Brother Song, I have a request.¡± ¡°Speak.¡± Song Qing was eager to oblige Xu Qi''an¡¯s request. ¡°I need you to craft a female body for a certain spirit to inhabit. When the timees, I¡¯ll find a way to acquire the Nine-Coloured Lotus,¡± Xu Qi''an said. ¡°Of course, I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± Song Qing agreed readily, visibly excited at the mention of the Nine-Coloured Lotus. ¡°But I have conditions,¡± Xu Qi''an continued, lowering his voice even further. ¡°First, the female body must be beautiful. Exceptionally beautiful. And then¡­¡± He gestured vaguely at his chest and whispered conspiratorially, ¡°It must be¡­ ample.¡± Song Qing, indifferent to women, frowned and asked, ¡°What is your definition of ¡®ample¡¯?¡± He needed a reference point. Xu Qi''an thought for a moment and solemnly replied, ¡°Caiwei cubed.¡± ¡­ To Xu Qi''an, this trip to the Sitianjian was worthwhile¡ªa promise fulfilled. He was a man who valued his word, in both his past life and the present. As they left the Sitianjian, Chu Yuanzhen and Hengyuan bid their farewells. Xu Qi''an, apanied by Li Miaozhen, Susu, and Lina, headed towards the Xu residence. The bubbly Chu Caiwei, who had followed them all the way, decided to stay for dinner at Xu manor. After dinner, she made up her mind to stay the night, sharing a bed with Lina. The mood was brimming with camaraderie. After the meal, Xu Qi''an went to Eng¡¯s study, where he found his younger brother reading bymplight. Smiling, he teased: ¡°How was your time with Miss Wang today?¡± Xu Eng¡¯s expression turned peculiar as he replied gravely, ¡°Big brother, I believe Miss Wang desires over my looks.¡± *The wording is off, but the meaning is clear¡­* Xu Qi''an was a little surprised¡ªEng had finally caught on? Xu Eng wasn¡¯t stupid. His emotional intelligence was just as high; he merelycked experience with women. He had failed to notice the signs during their first few encounters because he was too engrossed in his (imaginary) intellectual sparring with Prime Minister Wang. ¡°She oftenpliments my appearance and behaves in a manner suggesting she wishes to be closer to me,¡± Xu Xinnian said, his brows furrowed. ¡°And what do you think?¡± Xu Qi''an asked. ¡°Prime Minister Wang is an enemy of Duke Wei, and you are Duke Wei¡¯s confidant. How can I entangle myself with Miss Wang?¡± Xu Xinnian dered, making his stance clear. _I¡¯ve always been cautious about letting Eng bebelled a ¡°eunuch clique¡± member. I¡¯m worried he¡¯llck a patron in court. But if he could align with Prime Minister Wang¡­_ Xu Qi''an deliberated carefully before replying: ¡°You must decide for yourself. The road ahead must be walked with your own two feet. In court politics, there are no eternal enemies. Didn¡¯t Duke Wei and Prime Minister Wang just join forces to root out bureaucratic corruption?¡± He continued, ¡°Moreover, even if you and Miss Wang end up together, it¡¯s she who will marry into the Xu family¡ªnot you marrying into the Wang family. That makes all the difference. You¡¯ll remain free.¡± Xu Xinnian looked embarrassed, his face flushing red. ¡°Big brother, you make it sound as though Miss Wang and I already have some improper rtionship.¡± He then frowned slightly and added, ¡°Besides, she only likes me for my looks. If I were ugly, would she still like me?¡± Xu Qi''an replied, ¡°That depends on how you interpret ¡®looks.¡¯¡± He didn¡¯t think there was anything wrong with Miss Wang admiring Xu Xinnian¡¯s appearance. After all, isn¡¯t falling for someone¡¯s face the most natural starting point for affection? He liked Lin¡¯an, Huaiqing, Caiwei, Li Miaozhen, Susu, Lina, and even the National Teacher because they were all beautiful. Even a mare as exquisite as his little mare stirred his affection¡ªhe missed riding her dearly if he went a day without it. As for Zhong Li, who always kept her face hidden under disheveled hair, Xu Qi''an reserved the right to withhold judgment. ¡­ Returning to his room, he practiced slow punches as described in _The Theory of Meridian Flow_, sensing the flow of qi in his body, the cirction of his blood, and the contraction and rxation of his muscles during each movement. After half an hour, Xu Qi¡¯an sat at the table and epted the warm tea Zhong Li handed him. Muttering to himself, he said: ¡°Too slow. _The Theory of Meridian Flow_ is, at best, an auxiliary method. Whether I can achieve Transforming Force depends entirely on myself... At this rate, by year¡¯s end, I¡¯ll be hard-pressed to reach the fourth rank, let alone the fifth. ¡°I must find a way to improve my strength. As my fortune awakens, the mastermind won¡¯t sit idly by. Even with the Jianzheng and Shenshu''s protection, I¡¯m far from absolutely safe. The enemy is at least a third-rank Arcanist, possibly backed by an even more formidable force. "Impatience leads to failure. While Transforming Force is challenging, at least I¡¯m making slow progress. What¡¯s harder for me is advancing my official rank and gaining more influence." Previously, he stayed in the capital because of its prosperity and resources, with a mindset of "If worsees to worst, I¡¯ll wander the world." But now, he sought greater power within the court¡ªhis strength and authorityplementing each other¡ªso he could one day face his "creditors" on equal footing. What hecked now was opportunity¡ªan opportunity to earn merit. "Unfortunately, the capital is calm now that the official evaluation year has passed. Opportunities for merit are few and far between," Xu Qi¡¯an sighed, redirecting his thoughts to improving his cultivation. Just then, inspiration struck him: "One de from Heaven and Earth focuses all qi into a single strike. _Transforming Force_ involves channelling all energy into one, minimising waste and maximising impact. The two are remarkably simr." The idea thrilled him, and he was eager to test it. Xu Qi¡¯an stood in the room, calming his emotions and reining in his qi. He began to focus... "No, no, I¡¯m not actually performing One de from Heaven and Earth right now." He stopped, dissipating his qi. This time, he executed the One de from Heaven and Earth technique using purely physical strength without involving qi. _Crack!_ His fist struck out, producing a crisp sound as the air burst. Without qi, the punch caused norge-scale destruction. *My arm still trembles slightly, but at the moment of impact, my energy does converge toward a single point. Though there¡¯s still significant leakage...* This realisation filled Xu Qi¡¯an with exhration. He had found the right path. By training this way, his advancement to the fifth rank could be greatly elerated. *It¡¯s far superior to The Theory of Meridian Flow. Ha! I¡¯m such a genius, finding another way...* His grin froze as a new thought struck him. One de from Heaven and Earth was a technique gifted to the Nightwatchers by the Sitianjian¡ªa subtle offering from the Jianzheng. _Did you anticipate all this, Jianjojo?_ ¡­ The Imperial Study. Shortly after dawn, the eunuchs sent by the Emperor summoned the court officials to the Hall. When all had gathered, Emperor Yuanjing, d in his daoist robes and exuding a calm demeanour, walked lightly to his throne behind the grand desk and sat down. "You¡¯ve repeatedly petitioned to investigate the ¡®Blood Runs Three Thousand Miles.¡¯ We share your concerns," the Emperor said, his tone measured as he looked down at the gathered officials. "We intend to form a delegation to the border to investigate this matter thoroughly. Do you have suitable candidates?" Prime Minister Wang stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, given the gravity of this case, it would be best handled coboratively by the Three Judicial Offices and the Nightwatchers." This arrangement, established over years, ensured that major cases were jointly managed by these offices, enabling both coboration and mutual oversight. Seeing no objections or additions, the Emperor nodded. "And the chief investigator? Do you have any rmendations?" In such joint investigations, leadership was crucial to avoid inefficiency. Upon hearing "chief investigator," the officials instinctively pictured a brash young man in a Silver Gong uniform¡ªa testament both to Xu Qi¡¯an''s reputation and his numerous aplishments over the past half-year. After a moment of contemtion, Prime Minister Wang proposed, "We could appoint Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an as the chief investigator." He didn¡¯t borate on Xu Qi¡¯an''s qualifications; there was no need. The Emperor nodded again, his gaze sweeping across the officials. "What say you, my ministers?" "Excellent!" the officials echoed in unison. ¡­ The Tea Room, the Tower of Noble Spirit. "What?! Me, the chief investigator for the Blood Runs Three Thousand Miles case?" Xu Qi¡¯an eximed, his eyes wide with surprise. This was entirely different from the Yunzhou case, where Inspector General Zhang had been the lead investigator, and he was merely part of the team. Here, he was the official leader in name and practice. The implications were clear: if the case seeded, he would im the most credit. If the massacre were real and he uncovered the truth, the rewards would be monumental. But failure would bring penalties. And worse, if the case implicated the Zhenbei King¡ªif the massacre were due to his false reports¡ªXu Qi¡¯an would face immense danger. "Duke Wei, the officials nominated me for this position with ulterior motives, right? Why would His Majesty choose a mere Silver Gong over an Inspector General for such a role?" Xu Qi¡¯an turned to the man in azure robes across the table, his tone pleading. "You¡¯ve got to send a Gold Gong to protect me, Duke Wei." Wei Yuan gently stroked his teacup, speaking warmly. "Good. You¡¯ve grown sharper. In the past, you wouldn¡¯t have considered the intentions of court officials or the Emperor." _No, I just relied on you, the master of political intrigue, to do the thinking¡­_ Xu Qi¡¯an replied humbly, "Please guide me, Duke Wei." Chapter 343: Northward Bound # 343. Northward Bound "Two reasons," Wei Yuan said as he ced the teacup down, analysing the situation for his trusted Silver Gong. ¡°An inspector general represents the court. His authority, at best, is on par with the Zhenbei King. His Majesty does not wish to appoint an inspector who might constrain the Zhenbei King, either out of personal motives or due to military concerns. "By appointing a Silver Gong as the lead investigator, such issues are avoided altogether." Xu Qi''an frowned. "Doesn''t that mean I''ll be greatly restricted in my investigation?" Wei Yuan smiled faintly. "A desirable task always draws eagerpetition. Why do you think the court officials unanimously rmended you? Blood runs three thousand li... if the Zhenbei King has falsified military reports to evade responsibility, and the lead investigator uncovers it..." *If it''s uncovered, won''t they kill me to silence the truth?* Xu Qi''an''s heart shuddered. "That''s the second reason those officials nominated you," Wei Yuan remarked with a tranquil tone. *These damned LYBs... Duke Wei doesn''t seem concerned at all?* Xu Qi''an quickly asked, "What should I do?" Though he had his own ideas, he was eager to hear Wei Yuan''s advice. Adopting sage counsel was always a good habit."Feignpliance, investigate covertly," Wei Yuan replied sinctly, offering his strategy in four words. He borated further: ¡°Once you''re in the north, avoid rash actions and minimise conflict with the Zhenbei King''s subordinates. Present yourself as weak to lower their guard. "If an investigation can be conducted in secret, avoid overt confrontations at all costs. Should you find evidence implicating the Zhenbei King, secure it and wait until you''re back in the capital to reveal it. If assassination attempts ur, it is unlikely that the Zhenbei King will act personally. I''ll assign Yang Yan to apany you." Wei Yuan paused, his calm gaze assessing Xu Qi''an. "Your own strength is no small matter. With your Vajra Divine Art already approaching mastery, I''m not overly concerned in that regard." *If the Zhenbei King were to act personally, no amount of Golden Gongs would make a difference. Though I don''t know exactly how powerful a third-rank martial artist is, the court has only one third-rank master, while fourth-rank experts are numerous...* Xu Qi''an nodded thoughtfully. "That''s precisely what your subordinate had in mind as well." In truth, Xu Qi''an was not afraid of assassination attempts. What he feared was the Zhenbei King intervening personally. In such a case, he''d have no choice but to summon Monk Shenshu, though facing a third-rank martial artist would drive the monk into a frenzied state, killing indiscriminately. This was something Xu Qi''an did not want to see. Moreover, he''d have to flee the court and live in the Jianghu, a scenario that would y right into the hands of the mastermind behind the scenes... Wei Yuan continued, "Bnce the situation as you see fit. If circumstances be untenable, you may abandon the case. At worst, upon your return to the capital, you''ll face reprimand." "I..." Xu Qi''an hesitated, the words "Blood runs three thousand li" shing vividly in his mind. "If the rumours are true... I cannot walk away or turn a blind eye," he said quietly, before adding, "But I won''t be reckless. You can trust me, Duke Wei." Wei Yuan regarded him silently for a long moment, his gaze a mix of appreciation, resignation, and eventually,fort. "Prepare yourself. You leave in three days." ¡­ King Huai Manor. The rear garden was in full bloom, the air alive with the hum of bees and the yful dance of butterflies. The air carried a heady floral fragrance as the veiled princess consort wandered through the vibrant flowers, a bamboo basket in hand, her elegant gown trailing behind her. She bent to pluck a fresh blossom, bringing it to her nose with a soft smile. Dressed in resplendent attire befitting spring, the consort''s graceful back and slender waist were outlined by her flowing ribbons. Her long hair was pinned up, with a few strands cascading down her fair, slender neck. Her figure alone was captivating; even if her features were not wless, she would still be considered an alluring beauty. The sound of clinking armour marked the approach of Chu Xianglong, d in light scale. He halted at a respectful distance, sping his hands in a salute. "The Emperor has decreed that in three days, Madam Consort must apany the investigation team to the northern border. Please prepare ordingly." The princess''s delicate expression turned cold, her fingers tightening around the flower stem until it snapped. She said icily, "Anything else? If not, get out." Chu Xianglong bowed and retreated. ¡­ Upon learning of his imminent journey north, Xu Qi''an left the constabry and returned home, riding his mare. He found Li Miaozhen meditating and called out, "Could you apany me to Cloud Deer Academy?" "No," Li Miaozhen replied bluntly. *Hey, can''t you be a bit softer? You''re too strong-willed...* Xu Qi''an cupped his hands and said, "It''s important." Li Miaozhen opened her clear, deep eyes, waiting silently for an exnation. "Do you remember the case you uncovered? Blood runs three thousand li," Xu Qi''an began, setting his de down and pouring himself a cup of water. "The court has appointed me as the lead investigator. In three days, I''ll head north to look into the matter." Li Miaozhen''s eyes lit up, and she shifted from a meditative posture to sitting upright. "I''ll go with you." *Sigh, a noble Holy Maiden with such zeal for justice¡ªwhat karmic debt could this be?* Xu Qi''an pondered. "The court has its rules. You hold no official position and cannot participate directly in the investigation." "How about this: You head north first, and we''ll meet there. We''ll coordinate via the Earth Book," Xu Qi''an suggested. He hade to her precisely because of her passionate sense of justice, knowing she would insist on joining. Having a fourth-rank Daoist from the Heaven Sect as an ally would significantly increase their chances of solving the case. "I have one condition," Li Miaozhen stated. "Go ahead." "When you''re investigating, I want to be by your side. If I can''t be present, you''ll need to recount everything to me afterward, including your reasoning and methods," she demanded earnestly. *She wants to learn my investigative skills? Hmm, makes sense. As someone dedicated to eliminating evil and righting wrongs, understanding crime-solving and reasoning would serve her well...* Xu Qi''an agreed, nodding solemnly. "Fine, but one more thing." Li Miaozhen straightened up, prepared to listen. "When you contact me via the Earth Book, make sure Daoist Jinlian screens out everyone else." "...!" The Heaven Sect Holy Maiden gave him a withering look. Momentster, they were on their way out of the city¡ªXu Qi''an on horseback, Li Miaozhen flying her sword. Their destination: Cloud Deer Academy. Arriving at Qingyun mountain, Xu Qi¡¯an greeted the three great schrs. With a face full of awkwardness, he said: ¡°ah, this student recently has experienced a great writer¡¯s block, and no matter what, I can¡¯t think of any good poetry, please may sirs forgive me.¡± The three schrs in billowing robes looked at him calmly: ¡°No matter, what brings you here?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an cleared his throat, and thickened his skin: ¡°The book of techniques that Master Li and Master Zhang gave me is about half gone, so I thought¡­¡± The ¡°spellbook¡± that Li Mubai and Zhang Shen gave to him was mostlyprised of some lower-ss techniques. The Sitianjian¡¯s qi-watching technique made up its majority. This was because these great schrs didn¡¯t have much saved to begin with; they needed to use high skilled magicks themselves. Furthermore, back then Xu Qi¡¯an was just Refining Qi, giving him too strong of techniques would only harm him. The strongest spells in the spellbook were Li Mubai and Zhang Shen¡¯s ¡°Laws follow Commandments¡±, the high art of the Confucians. Other systems at simr levels might has well have been absent. The three great schrs looked at him for a moment before Li Mubai said, "Lately, inspiration has run dry..." Zhang Shen: "My body feels unwell..." Chen Tai: "My spirit is is utterly drained..." *Anyone willing to be freeloaded off in such a manner must have been an angel with clipped wings in their past lives. Clearly, you three are not...* Xu Qi¡¯an responded, "In that case, I¡¯d like to trouble the three teachers to help me inscribe a Daoistmunication spell." "Very well!" The three great schrs nodded. Li Miaozhen frowned. "Communication spells require an array." Zhang Shen waved his hand dismissively. "You just need to cast it. Leave the rest to us." As he spoke, he pulled out a nk, brown-covered book and slowly began grinding ink. Seeing this, Li Miaozhen didn¡¯t waste words. From her earth-book fragment, she retrieved yin-element materials, arranged the array, and began performing the Daoist spell. Within the room, chilly winds arose, as if spring had abruptly transitioned into deep winter. Zhang Shen dipped his brush and began to write in the book with fluid strokes. Each time his pen touched the page, it emanated a gentle azure glow. The spirit-gathering array failed to summon any souls, as expected. No spectres could exist on Qingyun Mountain; under the vast righteous aura, all fiends and demons would be annihted. Zhang Shen paused at the appropriate moment and said, "It¡¯s done. Twelve pages have been inscribed¡ªwill that suffice?" "More than enough..." Xu Qi¡¯an nodded fervently while marveling inwardly at how absurdly overpowered the Confucian system was. It was like flipping through a book: once read, it could be remembered; once remembered, it could be copied into another. "I¡¯ve also inscribed a few Confucian spells for you. Be wary of their severe side effects¡ªyou¡¯ve likely experienced this firsthand. Do not use them unless absolutely necessary," Zhang Shen cautioned gravely. Xu Qi¡¯an epted the book with delight, then asked a question that had puzzled him for a long time: "Teachers, I don¡¯t understand. How do you avoid the bacsh from using Confucian spells?" Given the severe repercussions of Confucian magic, if the great schrs couldn¡¯t circumvent them, they couldn¡¯t possibly endure in long-term conflicts. To his query, Zhang Shen smiled and replied, "Confucians at the fourth grade are called ¡®*Junzi.*¡¯ Junzi cultivate vast righteous energy, which renders them impervious to all evils." *Impervious to all evils? So reaching the rank of Gentleman essentially nullifies or deflects the bacsh from spells? Isn¡¯t that ridiculously overpowered?* Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly regretted pursuing the martial path. Junzi who defeat their enemies with words rather than force¡ªthat¡¯s the aesthetic he always envisioned for himself. Li Mubai added, "If a spell is cast upon someone, that person will bear the consequences of the bacsh instead." Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s pupils contracted in rm as he silently celebrated not acting on his earlier whimsical thoughts. _"My Diao Chan rests upon my waist"_¡ªthe repercussions of such a spell could range from _shrunken yin into seams_, _iron wire coiled around the waist_, to even more horrifying oues... all of which could literally prove explosive. *My Diao Chan is in myp ¡ª the repercussions of such words could be my yang shrinking into a thread, iron wire around my waist¡­ or even¡­ my cock would explode.* *If this is the case, then my opinion of Eng has just drastically gone down, there¡¯s no making use of him¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an mocked internally. After bidding farewell to the three schrs, Xu Qi¡¯an left Cloud Deer Academy with Li Miaozhen. They descended the mountain path together. "The Confucian system truly is remarkable. Beyond theirws followmandments ability, their righteous qi rivals our Daoist Golden Core. They can even record spells from other systems..." Li Miaozhen couldn¡¯t help but marvel. "I can only imagine how powerful the Confucian school must have been at its peak. ¡®All pursuits are inferior; only study reigns supreme.¡¯ I now understand the weight of those words. Such a pity." "Indeed, a pity," a voice interjected from ahead. It belonged to a dishevelled old man in tattered Confucian robes. His greying hair was unkempt, yet his eyes were clear and bright, carrying the weight of age and wisdom. Li Miaozhen was stunned. Before the man spoke, she hadn¡¯t noticed his presence. "This Student greets the Dean," Xu Qi¡¯an quickly saluted. _He¡¯s the Dean of Cloud Deer Academy? The man once regarded as the foremost Confucian schr..._ Li Miaozhen straightened her posture in respect. Zhao Shou smiled gently and nodded in acknowledgment. "Are you heading to the Northern Border?" *Cloud Deer Academy indeed has its informants in the court. My casual remark turned out to be true...* Xu Qi¡¯an gave a soft grunt of affirmation. "To investigate a case." "Aren¡¯t you afraid of offending the Zhenbei King?" Zhao Shou probed further. "I am, but I want to see what¡¯s going on," Xu Qi¡¯an replied firmly. Zhao Shou studied him silently for a few moments before smiling, stroking his beard. ¡°You are not unworthy of the great destiny upon you, Xu Qi¡¯an. Remember, the essence of destiny lies in the word ¡®people.¡¯ At least, yours does. "It is themon folk who forge this destiny; it is all living beings who shape it." Xu Qi¡¯an quickly nced at Li Miaozhen, only to find her expression calm as she scrutinised Dean Zhao Shou. It seemed she hadn¡¯t heard a word. *Has the Dean blocked her hearing?* While these thoughts ran through his mind, he saw Zhao Shou wave a sleeve. A book floated over and hovered before him. "This is a record of spells from various systems that Ipiled during my youthful travels. I have no use for it now." Xu Qi¡¯an gratefully epted the book without opening it immediately. Bowing deeply, he said, "Many thanks, Dean." When he straightened, Zhao Shou had vanished. ¡­ Three dayster, at the capital''s dock, the northbound delegation boarded their official vessel. This missionprised two hundred members. Xu Qi¡¯an and Yang Yan led the group, apanied by four Silver Gongs, eight Bronze Gongs, one Head Constable from the Ministry of Law, twelve bailiffs, two Censors from the Censorate, a Deputy Justice from the High Court with twelve guards and attendants, and a hundred imperial guards¡ªa standard entourage for a patrol inspector. The rest were under Chu Xianglong¡¯smand. It wasn¡¯t until thest moment that Xu Qi¡¯an learned Chu Xianglong would also apany the delegation to the Northern Border. In the Constabry, Brother Chun, Song Tingfeng, and Zhu Guangxiao had wanted to join him but were refused. Though a major crisis was not guaranteed on this northwards journey, the potential danger was immense. Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t want them caught in it. After all, among the Nightwatchers, these three shared the closest bond with him. At the dock, Xu Xinnian and Second Uncle represented the family to see him off. Joining them were the azure-robed swordsman Chu Yuanzhen, Number Six Hengyuan, and Heaven Sect Holy Maiden Li Miaozhen. "Return home safely," Second Uncle said, patting his nephew¡¯s shoulder. That was his sole request. Chu Yuanzhen quietly handed over a talisman sword, whispering, "The National Teacher asked me to deliver this." *The National Teacher? We¡¯re not even close¡ªwhy send me this...* Curious but without asking further, Xu Qi¡¯an epted the talisman sword and replied via voice transmission, "Please thank the National Teacher for me." Hengyuan pressed his palms together and spoke a Buddhist intonation, "May Sir Xu return safe and sound." Li Miaozhen fixed her gaze on him and said clearly, "Do good deeds. Don¡¯t ask for oues." Then, in a voice transmission, she added, "I will go ahead and wait for you in the Northern Border." Xu Qi¡¯an smiled faintly. "¡®Do good deeds. Don¡¯t ask for oues.¡¯¡ªwell said." He responded telepathically, "See you in the North." Stepping aboard the ship, he watched as the sails unfurled. On the deck, Xu Qi¡¯an scanned the crowd below, his eyesnding on three familiar figures: Yang Qianhuan, facing him with the back of his head; Chu Caiwei, cupping her hands to shout daintily; and Zhong Li, silently waving goodbye. _Why are you here? Feels like the risks you¡¯ll face just returning to Sitianjian from the dock might outweigh my journey north..._ Xu Qi¡¯an sighed inwardly, caught between worry and amusement. Chapter 344: Brushing Chamberpots Chapter 344: Brushing Chamberpots # 344. Brushing Chamberpots Mid-spring. The warm breeze warmed the body, and the river teemed with a myriad vessels. Xu Qi¡¯an stood on the deck, gazing out at the slow procession of barge boats, official ships, and multi-decked pleasure boats. The sails bulged to their limits, filled with the steady wind, suddenly giving him deja-vu of the winter past. At that time, the biting winds off the river felt like des on his face. But now, the spring sun beamed brightly, and just off the shore, flocks of wild ducks dotted the scene, plump enough to make one¡¯s mouth water. _Too far away; my qi can¡¯t capture them..._ Xu Qi¡¯an sighed with disappointment. _The martial path is truly a low-tier system. A sixth-rank like me can¡¯t even fly._ Even using light-foot techniques, walking on water remained out of reach without floating supports. Perhaps at fifth-rank, when he mastered the art of Transforming Force, he could finally skim over water with his feet. *Without Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao around, this journey is dull beyond measure,* hemented. Just as this thought crossed his mind, his peripheral vision caught sight of a familiar figure stepping onto the deck. She looked about thirty to thirty-five, her features in, and wore a navy-blue dress in the style of a maid, but her demeanour carried a haughty air. Her lips curled into a faint smile, as if savouring the balmy river breeze.The two recognised each other at nearly the same moment, and the woman¡¯s expression instantly darkened. "Auntie, what are you doing here?" Xu Qi¡¯an asked, his disbelief evident. *Auntie¡­* the woman¡¯s face twitched slightly, as she coldly snorted: ¡°Destiny makes enemies meet.¡± _I should¡¯ve expected this. His reputation as a peerless investigator made him the obvious choice for the Blood runs three thousand miles case_. She had learned from Chu Xianglong that for secrecy and security, they would travel north under the guise of joining the investigation mission for the ¡°Blood runs three thousand li¡± case. She¡¯d heard of the case but had been too vexed at the time to inquire about the lead investigator. "Auntie, how could you end up here?" Xu Qi¡¯an pressed. "What does it matter to you?" she snapped, her expression icy. "And stop calling me Auntie! Who¡¯s your superior? Who¡¯s in charge of this mission? Call me that one more time, and I¡¯ll have you disciplined!" "Auntie, Auntie, Auntie, Auntie¡­" Xu Qi¡¯an rattled off. The woman¡¯s fury red. Her chest heaved as she red daggers at him. "You just wait," she hissed, storming off in a huff. ¡­ The Jiaofangsi, Reflecting Plum Pavilion. Fuxiang slept well past mid-morning, rising only when the sun was high. Draped in a sheer robe, she allowed her maid to assist with her bath and grooming. The maid chuckled. ¡°Is Sir Xu heading out of the capital again?¡± Startled, Fuxiang tilted her head. ¡°How do you know?¡± The maid stifled augh. ¡°Last night, the bed swayed until the third watch. Sir Xu is usually much gentler; it¡¯s obvious he¡¯s bracing for a long journey.¡± ¡°Impudent girl!¡± Fuxiang scolded, blushing. ¡°You¡¯re getting bolder by the day, daring to tease your mistress.¡± The two shared augh, but then the maid gasped, her face contorting into a mix of shock and unease. ¡°Mistress... you have a white hair!¡± Fuxiang¡¯s smile faded. Her voice turned calm andposed. ¡°Just pluck it out. There¡¯s no need to make a fuss.¡± After dressing and dismissing the maid, Fuxiang sat alone before the mirror, her delicate features reflected in the polished ss. She gazed at herself for a long time, her expression unreadable. ¡­ *Crash!* The woman in the maid¡¯s attire barged into Chu Xianglong¡¯s quarters, her hands on her hips. "Someone from the Nightwatchers angered me!" she dered. Seated cross-legged, Chu Xianglong opened his eyes. "Who was it?" She then feigned calmness, her words measured and deliberate. "Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an." She had been bullied by Xu Qi¡¯an multiple times. Though the debt of the gold coins had been repaid, the memory of him taking liberties whilst spectating the Monk Jingsi fighting on the arena still irked her. Now, as though emboldened by habit, he dared to call her ¡°Auntie¡± to her face. Chu Xianglong frowned. "What did he do?" "He insulted me," she replied coolly. Despite her maid¡¯s garb and unassuming face, her noble demeanour shone through. "Don¡¯t go too far; it¡¯s nothing major. Just have him be punished a little." She paused, observing hisck of response. Her tone turned frosty. "Even in the Northern Marches, I am still the Process consort." Chu Xianglong shook his head. ¡°You misunderstand, Process consort. That kid... he¡¯s the lead official for this mission.¡± The Process consort¡¯s mouth fell open slightly, her expression briefly stunned. "But don¡¯t worry," Chu Xianglong continued, his tone steady. "His moment of glory won¡¯tst. Even if the emperor himself appointed him, he¡¯s still just a Silver Gong. Event with a viscount¡¯s title, he¡¯s still a nobody.¡± As the Zhenbei King¡¯s trusted deputy, Chu Xianglong cared little for ordinary nobles or officials. To him, Xu Qi¡¯an was merely a minor obstacle. ¡­ Three days passed in a sh. The water journey was rtively smooth, asrge official ships like these rarely encountered river pirates. Their size and elegance made it clear they carried figures of significant status. Such dignitaries were typically apanied by experts and elite guards, making them an unappealing target. Ordinary river pirates preferred to prey on small merchant vessels or asionally attack less imposing government ferries. However, one thing troubled Xu Qi¡¯an. With the abundant spring rains, the river was turbulent and far from the tranquil waters of winter. Strong winds frequently brought waves crashing against the ship. For those staying in cabins, this was ufortable but manageable. But for the Imperial Guards stationed in the ship''s hold, the situation was dire. Several had already fallen ill. After lunch that day, as Xu Qi¡¯an sat cross-legged in his cabin meditating, there was a knock at the door. Hearing the approaching footsteps, Xu Qi¡¯an opened his eyes and frowned. ¡°Come in.¡± The door, unlocked, swung open easily, and a stocky man stepped in. He lowered his head and cupped his fists in salute. ¡°Sir.¡± The visitor was Chen Xiao, a burly butpact man and the Centurion leading the Imperial Guards on this journey. ¡°What is it?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked impatiently, displeased at having his practice interrupted by this boorish soldier. ¡°My lord, several soldiers have fallen ill. Please may you pay them a visit.¡± Chen Xiao spoke quickly, and fearing rejection, added, ¡°I worry it might lead to an outbreak, endangering the Sirs on board.¡± This concern caught Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s attention. He rose, donned his boots, and followed Chen Xiao to the ship''s hold. ¡­ Descending the wooden stairs, Xu was immediately assailed by a stifling stench¡ªa mix of sweat, mildew, and ammonia¡­ This was because the hold was poorly ventted, yet still packed with people, living, eating, and relieving themselves in tight quarters. Thus this ce teemed with bacteria, and add sea-sickness on top¡­ those of weaker constitution would easily fall ill. Those who were not sick appeared lethargic. At the sound of footsteps, many turned to look. Upon recognizing their superior and the mission¡¯s lead official, the soldiers straightened their backs and fell silent. Xu Qi¡¯an approached the bunk of a soldier who was coughing incessantly, his forehead warm with fever. The so-called "bunk" was nothing more than a narrow wooden nk, as space was limited. ¡°No serious issues,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an dered after some observation. ¡°I have some antidote pills from the Sitianjian. Dissolve one in water, and have each sick soldier take a sip. That will cure them.¡± Reaching into his pocket, Xu Qi¡¯an lightly tapped the surface of his jade mirror, and a porcin vial emerged. After dripping blood and assuming control of the earth book, a mysterious connection was established between owner and artefact, allowing him to retrieve items at will without worry of spilling all its contents. Handing a pill to Chen Xiao, Xu instructed him to grind it into powder and mix it into a water pouch, which was then distributed among the ill soldiers. The Sitianjian¡¯s high-grade medicine worked swiftly. The soldiers, to their astonishment, found their lungs no longer heavy, their coughs eased, and their minds clearing from feverish haze. Though still somewhat weak, they felt profoundly revitalized. ¡°I feel fine now¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s much better¡­¡± ¡°Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!¡± Gratitude and newfound energy shone in their eyes as they looked at Xu Qi¡¯an. Xu Qi¡¯an nodded slightly and cast a critical eye toward the chamber pot beneath one bunk. His expression darkened, as he barked: ¡°And why are all of you cooped up down here? Why not go above deck for fresh air? In this miasma, it¡¯s a wonder you¡¯re not all sick!¡± A hundred men, a hundred toilets, clearly seldom cleaned. This was akin to living inside the outhouse; the air was already stagnant, and spring was prime time for germs and viruses, how could they not fall ill? ¡°Em¡­¡± Faced with Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s question, Chen Xiao made a bitter face: ¡°General Chu has orders, forbidding us from leaving the hold and going above decks. The brothers usually eat dry rations here in the hold.¡± Hearing this, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face darkened more, staring at Chen Xiao: ¡°Why so?¡± ¡°General Chu said that there are women on board, who often walk the deck to admire the scenery. He¡¯s afraid we¡¯ll scare the women. Any vitors are met with twentyshes.¡± a sickly soldier nearby spoke up between coughs. Xu Qi¡¯an did not respond, as his gaze swept again through the dim hold, over each of the solders at attention, and the chamber-pots by their feet. The damp, foul smell in the air seemed to thicken hundredfold, making Xu Qi¡¯an want to escape this ce at once. Yet these solders had to sleep here, to rest here, and even to eat here. Chen Xiao stared at him silently. A hundred pairs of eyes stared at him silently. Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly understood. This visit wasn¡¯t just about illness. It was a plea for justice. These men had endured the squalor and humiliation, trusting him to advocate on their behalf. As the mission¡¯s lead official, appointed by imperial decree, he was their only hope. If even he dismissed their plight, what hope remained? Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°I have only one order.¡± Chen Xiao straightened. ¡°We await yourmand, Sir.¡± The soldiers stood, backs straight, fists cupped, awaiting his judgment. Xu pointed upward towards the deck. ¡°Get the fuck up there, and wash out your chamber pots!¡± ¡°Yes, my lord!¡± ¡°Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord!¡± Cheers erupted. Soldiers leapt to their feet, rushing to grab their pots. ¡°Go go go, let¡¯s clean out these chamber pots! I can¡¯t stand this stench any more!¡± Chapter 345: Draw blades # 345. Draw des Chu Xianglong finished his lunch and ordered his attendant to brew a cup of tea. Cradling the steaming cup, he took a light sip and asked, "How has the princess consort consort beentely?" "She¡¯s been staying in her room," the attendant replied. The luxurious and spacious room where the princess consort consort supposedly resided was, in fact, a fa?ade. The real princess consort would spend her days mingling among the maidservants, disguised as an ordinary maid. Sometimes, she would sneak into the kitchen to snatch food or enthusiastically watch the sailors cast theirs, asionally offering misguided instructions from the sidelines. The sailors, rather than being annoyed, found themselves developing a fondness for the seemingly in and older servant woman. A few unmarried sailors with some savings even started discreetly inquiring about her background. Such was the princess consort¡¯s charm. Even with her unremarkable appearance, prolonged interaction could still win over the hearts of men. This was precisely why Chu Xianglong strictly forbade the soldiers from going on deck or interacting with the princess consort in private. However, he couldn¡¯t openly express concern for a mere servant."We need to head north quickly. Once we reach Chuzhou and rendezvous with the troops sent by the Zhenbei King, we¡¯ll bepletely safe," Chu Xianglong said with a sigh. Blending into the investigation team had been a wise choice. Before departure, even key officials like Xu Qi¡¯an hadn¡¯t known the princess consort was among them. Suddenly, he heard amotion of heavy footstepsing from the deck, followed by the loud, hearty chatter of men. *Have the soldiers below deck alle out...* Chu Xianglong¡¯s face darkened, and anger surged within him. He had repeatedly ordered his subordinates to stay off the deck. Were his orders now being ignored? He left his quarters, walked through the corridor, and stepped onto the deck. There, he saw groups of soldiers dumping waste from chamber pots into the river. The wind carried the stench back toward him, making him wrinkle his nose. Standing amidst them was Centurion Chen Xiao, barking orders: "Make sure to clean those pots thoroughly after emptying them!" "Got it!" The soldiers responded enthusiastically, grinning as they worked. Chu Xianglong stood with his hands sped behind his back, his expression grim as he barked, "Who told you toe up here?" The noise abruptly ceased. The soldiers hastily set down their chamber pots, exchanged uneasy nces, and lowered their heads, not daring to speak. Chu Xianglong scolded, "Do you think numbers will save you from punishment? Since you¡¯re so eager toe up here, men, fetch the military rods, flog them." Momentster, the sound of hurried footsteps approached. Chu Xianglong¡¯s guards appeared from the opposite side of the deck, carrying rods in hand. "General Chu, this¡­ this..." Chen Xiao panicked. He hadn¡¯t immediately exined the situation because it would seem as though he was stoking conflict between two senior officials. Moreover, Xu Qi¡¯an had just returned to his quarters. If he truly intended to advocate for the soldiers, he would step forward. If not, it would mean he preferred to avoid shing with Chu Xianglong¡ªa deputy general under the Zhenbei King, a man with real power and influence. "General Chu, why the anger? I ordered them to clean the chamber pots." Finally, the voice the soldiers had been waiting for emerged from below deck. Xu Qi¡¯an, dressed in his Silver Gong attire and with one hand resting on his sabre, strode out confidently. ? Chu Xianglong turned to face him, his tone sharp and overbearing: "Did you not know of my orders? If you didn¡¯t, then ensure they nevere up again. If you did, then I demand an exnation." Chen Xiao, bracing himself, saluted and said, "General Chu, it¡¯s like this: some soldiers fell ill, and I was at a loss, so I sought help from Sir Xu..." *He¡¯s either extremely loyal or very shrewd...* Xu Qi¡¯an thought. Aloud, he snapped, "Is it your ce to speak? Stand down." Chen Xiao lowered his head and stepped back, gratitude flickering in his eyes. Silver Gong Xu was shielding him from the heat. After reprimanding the centurion, Xu Qi¡¯an turned to Chu Xianglong and said coldly: ¡°You want an exnation, General Chu? Why don¡¯t you go below deck yourself? Better yet, spend a few days down there for a more thorough understanding. "I¡¯ve decided: from now on, the imperial guard below deck maye up during the following times¡ªbetween six and eight in the morning, twelve to two at lunch, and four to six in the afternoon." Three intervals, for a total of six hours. This measure would greatly improve venttion and benefit the soldiers¡¯ well-being. The soldiers on deck exchanged delighted nces, their spirits lifted. The sweltering, foul-smelling conditions below deck had been unbearable, especially when they had to eat their dry rations there. Physical difort was one thing; the psychological toll was worse. Chu Xianglong¡¯s tone wasced with disdain as he countered, "Sir Xu, if you don¡¯t know how to lead troops, then refrain from meddling. Is this minor hardship worth fretting over? On the battlefield, you¡¯d eat mud and sleep amidst corpses." Chu Xianglong replied lightly: ¡°Sir Xu, you¡¯re inexperienced at leading soldiers, so kindly do not wantonly intervene. What is this little hardship? On the battlefield, you¡¯ll even need to eat mud, and like amongst corpses.¡± His words were apanied by a mocking smirk, not hiding one bit his disdain and contempt. Xu Qi¡¯an stepped forward, meeting Chu Xianglong¡¯s gaze head-on, and retorted: ¡°General Chu is a veteran of the battlefield, I certainly cannotmand better than you. But if you want to argue logic with me, we can talk about it. ¡°You talk about war. Can extraordinary times be the same as ordinary ones? Are General Chu¡¯s troops also living daily in the toilets, eating their dry rations over shit and piss? ¡°These are elite troops, they endure gruelling training and know how to fight. But hardship and suffering are not the same. One raises troops for a thousand days, only to use them in an instant. If you don¡¯t know how to care for your troops, then how can youmand them? How can you do battle? ¡°To put it inly, they¡¯re not your troops. That¡¯s why you don¡¯t treat them like people.¡± *Well said!* Chen Xiao roared inwardly. Over the past few days, he''d watched his soldiers grow more listless, and his heart ached deeply for them¡ªafter all, they were his men. Chu Xianglong didn¡¯t treat them like human beings, all because they weren¡¯t under hismand. *"Raise troops for a thousand days to use them in an instant." Silver Gong Xu is truly worthy of being Great Feng¡¯s Laureate of Poetry...* Chen Xiao felt genuine admiration. The more he reflected, the more he realized the profound truth in those words. The soldiers, heads lowered and teeth clenched, remained silent. Yet their tightly clenched fists revealed the indignation brewing within. Though they were at the lowest ranks and indeed had little status, soldiers were human beings, too. They had emotions. Chu Xianglong seemed to be enraged, his expression both defiant and fierce. He strode forward, closing the distance until his face was inches from Xu Qi¡¯an''s, and demanded harshly, ¡°Are you teaching me how to do my job? Just who do you think you are?¡± ¡°I was wondering, did I back down too quicklyst time, letting you get your way so easily? So much so that it gave you the wrong impression?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an stepped back a step, increasing the distance between him and Chu Xianglong. In Chu Xianglong¡¯s eyes, this retreat was a sign of cowardice. Indeed, his first impression of Xu Qi¡¯an was that he was an extraordinarily talented individual who coveted power. Such a person could be easily controlled or suppressed with greater authority. This impression was based on Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s behaviour during the imperial examination scandal: easily handing over the Vajra Divine Art without resistance, even delivering the Buddhist artefact to Chu Xianglong¡¯s door afterward. Many martial artists were willing to grovel despite their strength, bowing and scraping before high-ranking officials due to their lust for power. ¡°Isn¡¯t that the case?¡± Chu Xianglong sneered disdainfully. The words had barely left his lips when Xu Qi¡¯an, who had taken a step back, suddenly pivoted. Without any warning, his leg whipped out in a vicious roundhouse kick aimed squarely at Chu Xianglong¡¯s waist. The strike came without the slightest hesitation. Chu Xianglong crossed his arms to block, but with a loud bang, a ripple of energy exploded outward. It was as if he¡¯d been struck by a battering ram. His legs slid back, and his body mmed hard into the cabin wall, cracking the sturdy wood. A glint of golden light emerged between Xu Qi¡¯an''s brows, rapidly spreading across his entire body to reveal a radiant golden form. He enunciated, one word at a time: ¡°My temper is very short, shitstain.¡± Wei Yuan had advised him to maintain good rtions with the Zhenbei King''s men to avoid unnecessary obstacles during the investigation. However, Wei Yuan definitely hadn¡¯t intended for him to grovel or smile subserviently, offering the other cheek after being pped on one. After all, if the case led nowhere, Xu Qi¡¯an, as the court-appointed lead investigator, could simply return to the capital unscathed. On the other hand, if evidence detrimental to Zhenbei King were uncovered, even a sworn brotherhood with Chu Xianglong would be futile. Xu Qi¡¯an had long been disgusted with Chu Xianglong¡ªever since he¡¯d taken advantage of his brother¡¯s predicament to seize the Vajra Divine Art. Chu Xianglong¡¯s arms ached, and the shock of the blow agitated his old injuries. Staring at Xu Qi¡¯an in disbelief, he thought, _He actually dares to attack?_ Did Xu Qi¡¯an, a mere Silver Gong, really think he could afford to offend a high-rankingmander, a deputy to Zhenbei King who wielded genuine authority? ¡°General!¡± Chu Xianglong¡¯s guards roared in outrage, swarming forward with their flogging rods raised, ready to subdue the insolent Silver Gong. ¡°Sir Xu!¡± At the same time, a hundred Imperial Guards surged forward, rallying around Xu Qi¡¯an. Their expressions were cold and resolute as they faced off against Chu Xianglong¡¯s men. The Imperial Guards¡¯ stance was unequivocal. While they and the Silver Gong belonged to different offices and didn¡¯t usually interfere with one another, Xu Qi¡¯an was the lead investigator and the mission¡¯s highest authority. More importantly, his earlier words had earned their respect, making him someone they were willing to risk their lives for. ¡°Stand down, all of you!¡± Amanding shout rang out as several officials arrived in haste from the cabins below. The neers included two censors from the Censorate, the chief constable of the Ministry of Law, and a deputy justice from the High Court, each nked by their respective guards and officers. The two censors rushed to mediate, their voices ovepping in a flurry of cating words. ¡°Let¡¯s talk this over, both of you! There¡¯s no need for violence!¡± The High Court¡¯s deputy justice nced at the cracked wall and the glowing golden body of Xu Qi¡¯an. With a sarcastic tone, he said, ¡°Sir Xu, such impressive martial skills. It seems none of us aboard this ship could match you.¡± ¡°You¡¯vee at the right time,¡± Chu Xianglong growled. He shot Xu Qi¡¯an a venomous re before recounting the events to the officials. Pointing an using finger, he said, ¡°The soldiers were just a pretext. His true intention was to retaliate against me. How do you suggest we handle this?¡± The deputy justice immediately dered, ¡°There are women aboard. It is inappropriate for soldiers to loiter on the deck. General Chu¡¯s orders were entirely reasonable.¡± The chief constable of the Ministry of Law added indifferently, ¡°I believe Sir Xu should offer an apology, and the Imperial Guards should return to the hold and refrain froming up again. Let¡¯s put this matter to rest. Our journey north requires unity.¡± The two censors nodded in agreement. Their stance was straightforward: they disliked Xu Qi¡¯an, who had prior conflicts with all three judicial bodies. Additionally, maintaining good rtions with Zhenbei King¡¯s general was strategically beneficial for their mission. Meanwhile, themotion on the deck had reached the ears of the princess consort, who had been sipping tea in her cabin. She stepped out to find a group of pce maids gathered in the hallway leading to the deck. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she asked habitually, frowning. The maids nced at her, their expressions betraying some annoyance at the unfamiliar old servant¡¯s presumptuous tone. Chattering amongst themselves, they replied: ¡°General Chu and Silver Gong Xu had a conflict¡ªnearly came to blows!¡± ¡°It seems General Chu forbade the guards in the hold froming onto the deck, but Silver Gong Xu disagreed, and that¡¯s how it all started.¡± ¡°Hmph, that Silver Gong Xu doesn¡¯t know his ce. How dare he sh with General Chu, deputy to our King Huai? Now all the officials are siding with General Chu and demanding him apologise.¡± ¡°I admire Silver Gong Xu, but this time he¡¯s in the wrong. Those big, smelly soldiers are such an eyesore. Now we can¡¯t even go to the deck to enjoy the breeze!¡± The princess consort tried to push her way past the maids, but the girls who usually treated her with utmost respect did not yield. Instead, they reasonably blocked her way, forcing her back. The princess consort fumed internally, unable to catch a glimpse of what was happening on the deck. Fortunately, the maids quieted down, allowing her to hear Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s coldugh: ¡°Apologise? I¡¯m the emperor¡¯s personally appointed lead official. On this ship, **I** have the final say.¡± The High Court deputy justice countered, ¡°It¡¯s true that you¡¯re the lead official, but that doesn¡¯t mean you dictate everything in the delegation. Otherwise, what¡¯s the point of our presence?¡± The Ministry of Law¡¯s lead constable nodded. ¡°His Majesty¡¯s decree is for the Three Divisions and the Nightwatchers to coborate in this investigation. If Sir Xu intends to monopolise authority, then this official, for one, cannot agree.¡± The two censors from the Censorate concurred with the constable and the High Court minister. In an instant, all the pressure shifted onto Xu Qi¡¯an. Even if he stubbornly refused to apologise, his credibility would suffer if he was publicly isted and rejected by his colleagues. It would shatter his authority; no one in the delegation would take him seriously anymore. They might maintain a veneer of respect but would secretly look down on him. The princess consort quickly grasped the officials¡¯ intentions. She didn¡¯t believe this man, renowned for his bold manoeuvres in the Buddhist contest, would back down. But in the current situation, whether or not he conceded no longer mattered. Everyone could see that Silver Gong Xu, the lead official, was unpopr among his peers. He was being sidelined and suppressed. Once this perception solidified, his authority as lead official would crumble. No one would truly follow him. Even if they obeyed outwardly, they¡¯d scorn him inwardly. *If it were King Huai, he¡¯d never face such a predicament. I¡¯ve certainly never seen him in a simr bind,* the princess consort thought. For reasons she couldn¡¯t exin, she kept subconsciouslyparing King Huai to the young man on the deck. Upon reflection, though, she realized the two couldn¡¯t be equated. After all, King Huai was a noble and a third rank martial artist, far beyond Xu Ningyan¡¯s league. Still, she found herself wondering: *What will he do now?* *Surely, he won¡¯t back down... If he does, I¡¯ll look down on him¡­ But if he does apologise, I¡¯ll have plenty of ammunition to mock him¡­* While her thoughts raced, she suddenly heard Xu Qi¡¯an shout: ¡°Soldiers, hear mymand! As lead official, appointed by imperial decree to investigate this case of utmost importance, I hereby order the expulsion of idle and disruptive individuals. Chu Xianglong and his subordinates are to vacate the vessel!¡± Immediately, only four Silver Gongs and eight Bronze Gongs drew their weapons to support Xu Qi¡¯an. The hundred imperial guards on the deck remained silent, seemingly unwilling to get involved. The scene fell into a brief silence. Then, one soldier quietly retreated below deck. Then another, and another... Soon, more and more soldiers, heads lowered, began leaving the deck and returning to their quarters. In no time, the deck was cleared. ¡°Tch!¡± Chu Xianglong¡¯s derisive sneer rang out, particrly grating in the quiet. The High Court deputy justice wore a face of ridicule, clearly savouring Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s plight. The Ministry of Law¡¯s constable leaned casually against a wall, arms crossed, a smirk ying at his lips as he prepared to watch the show unfold. The two censors from the Censorate shook their heads in exasperation. Suddenly, the sound of chaotic footsteps echoed from the stairwell, thump, thump, thump, growing louder with each step. The hundred imperial guards returned¡ªbut this time, the chamber pots in their hands had been reced with military-issue sabres. They had gone below deck to arm themselves. Chen Xiao gripped the hilt of his saber as he strode to Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s side. In a deep voice, hemanded, ¡°Draw des!¡± *Sching...* The synchronized sound of des being unsheathed filled the air. The hundred soldiers brandished their sabres, pointing them squarely at Chu Xianglong and his men. ¡°Are- are you trying to mutiny?!¡± the High Court deputy justice bellowed, his face changing as anger and fear intertwined. Chen Xiao stayed silent, licking his lips as his sharp gaze locked onto the High Court official. Then he nced at Xu Qi¡¯an, as if awaiting the lead official¡¯s order to strike down the talkative bureaucrat. The High Court deputy justice shivered, instinctively retreating several steps. He dared not speak again. The Ministry of Law¡¯s constable, who had been watching with amusement, straightened his posture. His expression shifted from yful to grim as he tightened his grip on his saber, readying himself for the worst. As a martial artist, he recognized the unyielding resolve in the imperial guards¡¯ eyes. When they wielded their des, there was never hesitation. The veins on Chu Xianglong¡¯s forehead bulged as he clenched his jaw. He still couldn¡¯t believe that, as the Zhenbei King¡¯s deputy general, he was being subjected to such treatment. These lowly soldiers dared to draw their des against him. ¡°Yang Yan!¡± Chu Xianglong roared. ¡°Are the Nightwatchers nning a rebellion? I am traveling with the delegation under imperial orders!¡± ¡°Enough noise,¡± Yang Yan¡¯s icy voice drifted from the cabin. ¡°I do not know about this matter.¡± ¡°You¡ª¡± Chu Xianglong¡¯s face turned pale. His expression twisted through several shades before he fixed his furious gaze on Xu Qi¡¯an, grinding out the words, ¡°What do you want?¡± Standing tall in the sunlight, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face radiated defiance. He dered, ¡°Three things: ¡°First, my previous decision stands. The soldiers will have six hours of daily free time. ¡°Second, remember who I am. In this delegation, your words carry no weight. ¡°Any objections?¡± Chu Xianglong¡¯s face darkened as he slowly nodded. Xu Qi¡¯an stepped closer, his de in hand, a cold smile on his lips. ¡°Third, apologise to me.¡± For a moment, Chu Xianglong¡¯s face contorted, the veins on his forehead bulging, his facial muscles twitching. But in the end, he yielded, his voice low and strained. ¡°Sir¡­ Sir Xu, please be magnanimous, forgive my impropriety.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an sneered. ¡°Excellent.¡± Behind him, the hundred imperial guards grinned broadly, their smiles simple and unreserved. Chapter 346: Conversation in the Night # 346. Conversation in the Night The deck descended into an eerie silence. The officials of the three judicial departments and the guards were as quiet as cicadas in winter, not daring to provoke Xu Qi¡¯an. Especially the constable from the Ministry of Law, who had just used Xu Qi¡¯an of harbouring delusions of autocracy. Now, his cheeks burned with embarrassment. He finally understood the anger and helplessness of the Minister of Law toward this audacious child. He hated Xu Qi¡¯an to the bone but could do nothing about him. Of course, the one who suffered the greatest humiliation was Chu Xianglong. As the deputy general of the Zhenbei King, he wielded real power on the bordends. Even in the capital, he rarely had to defer to others. Not even the most powerful officials of the court intimidated him. After all, his life and career were controlled by the Zhenbei King, and no one else could truly deal with him. Over time, this nurtured his arrogance and brazenness¡ªuntil now, when he was utterly defeated under Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯smand. While struggling to suppress his resentment and anger, Chu Xianglong tried to convince himself to focus on the bigger picture. But he no longer had the face to remain on deck. After casting a deep, resentful look at Xu Qi¡¯an, he left without a word. He could feel the mocking gazes of the others boring into him, making it impossible to stay any longer. Both on the deck and within the ship, the gazes directed at Xu Qi¡¯an subtly shifted. Where once there had been scrutiny and a sense of watching the drama unfold, there was now respect and awe.The position of a Silver Gong wasn¡¯t particrly high; there were many in the envoy whose official ranks surpassed his. However, the authority Xu Qi¡¯an wielded and the imperial decree he carried as the principal investigator made him unquestionably deserving of his role as lead official. Anyone tempted to feignpliance or leverage their rank would now think twice, Chu Xianglong¡¯s humiliation serving as a cautionary tale. The princess consort remained blocked by her maids and couldn¡¯t see the expressions on everyone¡¯s faces. However, the change in tone was enough for her to grasp the situation. At first nce, his actions seemed domineering and rash, giving the impression of youthful impulsiveness. But in truth, they were well-calcted. He had anticipated the Imperial Guards'' support. No, that wasn¡¯t right¡ªshe had been misled by appearances. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s ability to suppress Chu Xianglong stemmed from acting in a manner aligned with justice. Thus, he could stand tall and act with dignity. As the saying goes, "Those who gain the Way have many allies; those who lose it have few." The consort had to admit that this was a man of great charisma and decisiveness, albeit one who was far too lecherous. With Chu Xianglong¡¯s capittion and retreat, themotion came to an end. Silver Gong Xu reassured the guards before heading toward the cabin. The maids blocking the entrance immediately stepped aside, their gazes tinged with apprehension. As he passed the elderly maid, Xu Qi¡¯an winked at her. She responded with a look of disdain, turning her face away with visible contempt. *Truly a lecher...* the princess consort thought to herself. In her current appearance, she was far from beautiful, her features in and unremarkable. Yet even so, this shameless and licentious Xu Qi¡¯an had the audacity to flirt. Entering the cabin, Xu Qi¡¯an ascended to the second floor and knocked on Yang Yan¡¯s door. ¡°Come in,¡± came the calm reply from Yang Yan, who had refrained from participating in the dispute from the beginning. Xu Qi¡¯an pushed the door open to find Yang Yan sitting cross-legged on the bed, with two pairs of boots neatly arranged at its foot. Yang Yan¡¯s meticulousness was evident, though it was distinct from the OCD of Brother Chun. Closing the door, Xu Qi¡¯an walked over to the table, poured himself a cup of water, and drained it in one gulp before speaking in a low voice. ¡°What¡¯s the story with those women?¡± ¡°Chu Xianglong is escorting the princess consort to the Northern Territories. To avoid drawing attention, they¡¯ve blended into the envoy. His Majesty and Duke Wei were informed, but it was only a verbal acknowledgment¡ªthere¡¯s no formal documentation,¡± Yang Yan exined. *So it really is the consort...* Xu Qi¡¯an frowned. His suspicions were correct; the woman Chu Xianglong was protecting was indeed the Zhenbei King¡¯s consort. That was precisely why he had only intimidated Chu Xianglong rather than truly expelling him. ¡°Why would the consort¡¯s journey to the Northern Territories require such secrecy?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked. Yang Yan shook his head. *There¡¯s definitely something suspicious here...* Xu Qi¡¯an lowered his voice. ¡°Boss, tell me about this princess consort. She seems mysterious.¡± Yang Yan frowned slightly. This question clearly posed a challenge for him. For someone who saw the pursuit of martial prowess as life¡¯s ultimate goal, gossip held no appeal whatsoever. ¡°I don¡¯t know much. I only know that after the Battle of Shanhai Pass, the consort was bestowed upon the Zhenbei King by His Majesty. For the next twenty years, she never left the capital.¡± *I already know that, and I even remember the poem describing her...* Xu Qi¡¯an realized he wouldn¡¯t be getting any juicy details and felt a pang of disappointment. ¡°You¡¯ve offended Chu Xianglong this time. Once we reach the Northern Territories, you can expect him to make things difficult for you. On the bright side, you¡¯ve firmly established your authority. No one will dare challenge you for the rest of the journey,¡± Yang Yan continued. ¡°As for the officials from the three judicial departments, they can¡¯t be trusted. Theyck enthusiasm for the case.¡± *That¡¯s obvious. Without personal risk, they¡¯ll investigate; but at the first sign of danger, they¡¯ll shrink back. After all, failure in their duties only leads to punishment, which is preferable to losing their lives...* Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. ¡°I understand. That¡¯s just human nature.¡± Yang Yan offered no further advice. He nodded, then looked at Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°Anything else? If not, leave. Don¡¯t disturb my cultivation.¡± *Boss, you¡¯re no fun at all. You¡¯re like those code monkeys from my previous life who, when faced with a woman undressing, would shout: ¡®404!¡¯* Half-joking and halfmpooning, Xu Qi¡¯an left the room. ¡­ That evening, after supper, beneath the azure night sky, Xu Qi¡¯an sat on the deck chatting with Chen Xiao and a group of Imperial Guards, spinning tales and exchanging banter. Xu Qi¡¯an regaled them with stories of how he had solved the tax silver case, the Sangpo case, the Pingyang Princess affair, and more. The guards listened in awe, genuinely impressed, regarding Xu Qi¡¯an as nothing short of a legend. As members of the Imperial Guard stationed in the capital, they had often heard of these cases but knew none of the details. Now, they were finally learning how Silver Gong Xu had unraveled them. For instance, in the tax silver case, Xu Ningyan¡ªthen just a constable of Changle County¡ªhad remained calm even when thrown into turmoil. He had addressed the prefect with poise: ¡°Do you wish to solve the case?¡± The prefect replied, ¡°Of course.¡± Xu Ningyan had said simply, ¡°Bring me the files.¡± The files were presented, and after just one nce, he had deciphered the puzzle that had stymied the Nightwatchers and the prefecture officials alike. Or take the Sangpo case¡ªa tangled and storied affair destined to be etched in history. Neither the Ministry of Law nor the constables of the prefecture had been able to make headway, lost in confusion. Yet Xu Qi¡¯an¡ªthen only a Bronze Gong¡ªhad boldly dered with his imperial token in hand: ¡°What the Ministry of Law cannot solve, I, Xu Qi¡¯an, shall handle. What they dare not do, I shall undertake.¡± The ipetents of the Ministry of Law had been so shamed they could only bow their heads. *Silver Gong Xu is incredible¡­* The guards¡¯ admiration for him grew ever deeper. Xu Qi¡¯an took a swig from his sk and, with a sweeping nce at the lean faces before him, said proudly, ¡°But all that pales inparison to my greatest achievement¡ªthe Yunzhou case.¡± He leaned forward, voice imbued with gravitas. ¡°That day, the rebel army of Yunzhou stormed the Provincial Administration Office. The Governor and his colleagues were on the verge of death. Alone, with just my de, I stood before eight thousand rebels. Not one passed me. ¡°I fought for an hour straight, broke dozens of des, and was riddled with arrows, but still, not a single rebel breached the gates.¡± ¡°Eight thousand?¡± Chen Xiao, a centurion, paused, scratching his head. ¡°I heard it was ten thousand.¡± ¡°I heard fifteen thousand.¡± ¡°No, no,¡± another soldier chimed in. ¡°My brother in the guards said it was twenty thousand!¡± The soldiers began to debate the numbers. *Uh¡­ this exaggeration is getting out of hand¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an coughed, drawing their attention. ¡°No, no, those are just rumours. The real number was eight thousand.¡± Eight thousand felt like a reasonable figure to Xu Qi¡¯an; anything more would be excessive. Even he sometimes wondered how many rebels he had truly faced that day. ¡°Ah, so it was eight thousand rebels.¡± The guards nodded in unison, firmly convinced of this ¡°truth¡±¡ªafter all, it hade straight from Silver Gong Xu himself. As the conversation wound down, it was time for the guards to stretch their legs. Xu Qi¡¯an pped his hands and said, ¡°Tomorrow we¡¯ll reach Jianzhou. From there, it¡¯s just a short journey north to the Jianzhou border. We¡¯ll rest a day at the Jianzhou waystation to replenish supplies. I¡¯ll give you half a day¡¯s leave tomorrow.¡± *Sir Xu is so generous¡­* The soldiers beamed as they filed below deck. The once lively deck quickly grew quiet, taking on a chill beneath the frost-like moonlight. Its glow touched the ship, the river, and the faces of the few who remained. ¡°Liar!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an, sk still in hand, turned to see someone beside him hurling the usation. He smirked shamelessly. ¡°You¡¯re just jealous of my excellence. How do you know I¡¯m lying? You weren¡¯t in Yunzhou.¡± The old auntie snorted, sharp-tongued as ever. ¡°How do you know I was talking about Yunzhou?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an was momentarily at a loss, then grumbled, ¡°Do you have anything better to do? If not, scram.¡± She snapped back, ¡°I won¡¯t. It¡¯s not your ship.¡± Having been seasick these past days, herplexion was pallid, with dark circles under her eyes¡ªa far cry from her usual poise. She had taken toing up for fresh air at night, often overhearing Xu Qi¡¯an and the guards chatting and only daring to step out after they dispersed. Xu Qi¡¯an ignored her, and she ignored him. One gazed at the shimmering river, the other at the bright moon above. When silent, there was a quiet beauty to her, like a crabapple flower blooming alone under moonlight. The light softened her in features, while shadows from hershes deepened her gaze, making it as vast as the sea or as pure as a polished onyx. Xu Qi¡¯an took another sip of wine and shifted his gaze from her to the heavens. He sighed and dered, ¡°I¡¯m struck by poetic inspiration. Consider yourself fortunate¡ªI¡¯ll grace you with a verse. You can use it to dazzle others in the future.¡± She scoffed, feigning disdain, though her ears perked up. As much as she wanted to mock this aggravating man, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to disparage his poetry, renowned throughout the capital¡¯s literary circles. Anyment would only make her appear foolish. She waited patiently, but when no poem came, she turned her head to see him watching her with a teasing glint in his eyes. She huffed in anger and quickly looked away. Finally, his voice drifted to her ears, half sigh, half recitation: ¡°Today¡¯s people cannot see the ancient moon, yet today¡¯s moon shone on ancient people.¡± *Today¡¯s people cannot see the ancient moon, yet today¡¯s moon shone on ancient people¡­* She blinked, her eyes widening as she repeated the lines under her breath, the words resonating within her. A spark of admiration lit her face. ¡°I finally understand why the schrs in the capital are so enamoured with your poetry,¡± she murmured. *They don¡¯t admire me¡ªI don¡¯t create poetry; I just regurgitate it¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an smiled and replied, ¡°You tter me. Poetry is innate. I¡¯ve always felt my mind brimming with immortal verses, ready to flow at a moment¡¯s notice.¡± This time, the prickly woman didn¡¯t argue or retort. Instead, she pressed, ¡°What¡¯s the next line?¡± *I don¡¯t remember the rest¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an spread his hands. ¡°That¡¯s all there is. No more.¡± She ground her teeth. ¡°I finally understand why so many people can¡¯t stand you.¡± Once again, silence reigned. The old auntie leaned against the railing, gazing at the gently rippling river. This posture inevitably caused her hips to lift slightly, and beneath her thin spring clothing, the round contours of her figure were distinctly visible. ¡°Large, round, but I can¡¯t tell if it¡¯s a peach or a full moon¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an instinctively evaluated in his mind before averting his gaze. He couldn¡¯t keep staring; it would make him seem lecherous. ¡°I heard you¡¯re heading to the Northern Frontier to investigate the Blood Runs Three` Thousand Miles case?¡± she suddenly asked. ¡°Mm.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nodded curtly. ¡°What kind of case is it?¡± she continued. ¡°I¡¯m not sure yet, but I suspect it¡¯s about the barbarian tribes invading the border,mitting arson and massacres, ughtering thousands of miles, while Zhenbei King remains holed up in his city,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied with his conjecture. ¡°Oh!¡± She nodded and remarked, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, aren¡¯t you afraid of offending Zhenbei King?¡± ¡°Of course I am.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an sighed. ¡°If the case hadn¡¯t been assigned to me, I would¡¯ve just turned a blind eye and minded my own business. But itnded on myp. Maybe it¡¯s fate, and if it¡¯s fate, I have to look into it.¡± She said nothing more, squinting her eyes and enjoying the cool breeze from the river. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s eyes glinted with mischief as he grinned. ¡°Last year, on a trip to Yunzhou, I encountered something strange on the river.¡± Her interest piqued instantly, and she tilted her head slightly. ¡°During the journey, a soldier came to the deck at night. Just like you now, he leaned on the railing and stared at the water. And then¡­ and then¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an fixed his gaze on the river, his expression turning into one of horror. She stared nervously at the river, fully engrossed. ¡°Then, a water ghost leapt out of the river!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an dered gravely. ¡°N- nonsense¡­¡± Her face paled as fear flickered in her eyes. Yet, she tried to maintain herposure. ¡°You¡¯re just trying to scare me.¡± _Ssh!_ Suddenly, a sound came from the water, sshing droplets everywhere. She screamed and fell on her bottom, hugging her head in fright. ¡°Ha ha ha ha!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an burst intoughter, clutching his stomach as he pointed at her disheveled state. ¡°Just a wine jar, and you¡¯re scared stiff.¡± The old auntie silently stood, her face icy with anger. Without saying a word, she turned and left. _Is she mad?_ Xu Qi¡¯an watched her retreating figure and called after her, ¡°Hey,e back! Let¡¯s chat some more, Auntie.¡± ¡­ At dawn, the government ship docked at the port of Huangyou County. As one of the few counties in Jianzhou with a port, Huangyou County¡¯s economy was rtively developed. The region was known for producing a translucent, yellow gem that resembled butter, aptly named Butter Jade. The ship was scheduled to dock for a day. Xu Qi¡¯an sent men ashore to procure supplies, dividing the imperial guards into two shifts¡ªone to stay aboard, the other to explore the city. The two shifts would swap at noon. *With some free time, I¡¯ll head to the city after lunch, find a gon, and bring some Nightwatcher colleagues along for fun. As for Yang Yan, let him stay aboard¡­* As these thoughts ran through his head, Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly heard the sound of retching from a corner of the deck. Turning his head, he saw a familiar roundness¡ªunclear if it was a peach or a full moon. The old aunt was hunched over the ship¡¯s railing, vomiting repeatedly. ¡°Auntie, are you pregnant?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an teased, pulling out a handkerchief and offering it to her. She ignored him, using her own embroidered handkerchief to wipe her mouth. Herplexion was pale, her eyes bloodshot, as if she hadn¡¯t slept all night. ¡°I noticed you didn¡¯t look well yesterday. What¡¯s wrong?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked. The old aunt red at him, swaying her hips as she returned to her cabin. She had spent the night too terrified to sleep, haunted by thoughts of fluttering bed curtains concealing ghostly eyes, hands creeping out from under the bed, or a disembodied head hanging outside her paper window¡­ Huddled under her nket, too scared to sleep, she had asionally peeked out to check her room, which only added to her exhaustion. With the ship¡¯s rocking and umted fatigue, her body finally gave in¡ªher head throbbed, she felt nauseous, and she was utterly miserable. _All because of that scoundrel!_ _Fine, ignore me if you want, but don¡¯t me me for enjoying the gon without you¡­_ Xu Qi¡¯an muttered to himself as he gathered hispanions and disembarked. Chapter 347: Analysing the Reason Why the Princess Consort has Come With Them # 347. Analysing the Reason Why the Princess Consort has Come With Them Since ancient times, port cities have thrived economically. Although the county city of Huangyou County was notrge in scale, its streets were broad and straight, bustling with a ceaseless flow of people. Xu Qi¡¯an stood on the pier, surveying the scene. Porters andbourers moved back and forth, sweating profusely under the sun. Sweeping his gaze across the area, he locked onto a foreman holding an ount book, leisurely sipping tea under a shaded canopy. With a casual stride, Xu Qi¡¯an approached, his hand resting on the hilt of his de as he looked down at the man. The foreman stared at Xu Qi¡¯an, then at the Nightwatchers behind him, noting the silver and bronze gongs on their uniforms. While he might not recognize the uniforms of the Nightwatchers, their reputation was well-known even amongmon folk. *A-¡­ are these the legendary Nightwatchers?* the foreman thought, both awed and nervous. He quickly stood up, bowing ny degrees: ¡°Sirs, how may I assist you?¡± As he spoke, he pulled out a handful of loose silver from his pocket and offered it with both hands. Xu Qi¡¯an ignored the gesture and cut straight to the point. ¡°Are you the foreman here?¡± The man nodded repeatedly, still bowing. ¡°Yes sir.¡±Xu Qi¡¯an slowly nodded, casting his eyes toward the busy porters. ¡°Have there been any refugees from the north recently?¡± ¡°Refugees?¡± The foreman paused, furrowing his brows in thought before shaking his head. ¡°No, sir. But I¡¯ve heard about it¡ªthe North is at war. The barbarians are burning, killing, and looting everywhere. Luckily, the Zhenbei King is holding the line. Without him, Chuzhou might have already fallen.¡± ¡°You hold the Zhenbei King in high regard?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked, his tone devoid of any particr emotion. ¡°Of course!¡± The foreman¡¯s face lit up with admiration. ¡°The Zhenbei King is the Military God of the Great Feng, the greatest warrior of our time. It¡¯s because of him that the North remains secure.¡± *When did the Zhenbei King be the Military God? The true Military God of the Great Feng is Duke Wei¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought to himself, leaving the foreman behind as he walked away with the Silver Gongs and Bronze Gongs in tow. Under the shaded canopy, the foreman watched their retreating backs, muttering to himself, ¡°They didn¡¯t even take the silver? Are they out of their minds?¡± After a couple hours of wandering the city, Xu Qi¡¯an had visited a teahouse, a gon, and even struck up conversations with beggars. His apanying Nightwatchers began to sense that Xu Qi¡¯an had ulterior motives on this outing. The supposed trip to the gon was clearly just a pretence. ¡°Sir Xu, what are you investigating?¡± one of the Silver Gongs finally asked. ¡°Refugees of course,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied, standing by the street with one hand resting on his de. His brows furrowed. ¡°Something is odd. Haven¡¯t you noticed?¡± One of the more seasoned Silver Gongs pondered for a moment before replying, ¡°No refugees? That¡¯s not strange. We¡¯ve only just arrived in Jiangzhou, and Chuzhou is still at least ten days away by water. If traveling bynd, it would take no less than half a month. Refugees wouldn¡¯t have made it this far yet.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an shook his head, giving the man a sidelong nce. ¡°Have you forgotten what case we¡¯re investigating?¡± The four Silver Gongs stiffened, realization dawning on them as they understood Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s point. An atrocity like the ¡°Blood Runs Three Thousand Miles¡± case would typically ur in a prolonged war involvingrge-scale troop deployments. Such devastation would inevitably create waves of refugees. Even if Jiangzhou was far from Chuzhou, it was unlikely that none had managed to escape and reach here. And yet, there were none... *This case is moreplicated than I anticipated¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s heart sank, and he couldn¡¯t help but feel a sense of heaviness. But as he nced at his colleagues¡¯ worried faces, he suddenly let out a light chuckle. In a tone exuding supreme confidence, he slowly said: ¡°Interesting. Now _this_ is a case worth investigating. Too simple, and it would be boring.¡± Despite his short tenure, Sir Xu¡¯s storied experiences far surpassed what most Nightwatchers would encounter in a lifetime. Recalling the many high-profile cases he had solved, the Nightwatchers felt their anxiety lessen, confidence returning. ? Before lunch, Xu Qi¡¯an returned to the official ship carrying a food box and several uncut pieces of butter jade. After cing the jade in his room, he carried the food box to the third floor and stopped before a corner room, knocking lightly on the door. ¡°Who is it?¡± The old auntie¡¯s weak yet irritable voice came from within. ¡°It¡¯s me,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied with a grin. Hearing his voice, there was no response from inside, nor was the door opened. It seemed the upant nned to ignore him. ¡°Fu Wenpei, open the door! I know you¡¯re in there. You¡¯re bold enough to seduce men, but not bold enough to open the door?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an was a despicable person. ¡°Bang!¡± The door flew open. Standing there was the old Auntie in her azure maidservant attire, her brows furrowed in anger. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting?¡± This rapscallion dared to use her of seducing men right outside her door! Outrageous! Even though she was just an ordinary maidservant now, a maidservant still had her reputation to protect. *Not as if anyone else heard¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an chuckled. ¡°Why are you so worked up?¡± Seeing her roll her eyes and attempt to shut the door, Xu Qi¡¯an quickly said, ¡°I brought you lunch.¡± The Auntie sneered, ¡°You¡¯re not that kindhearted.¡± ¡°I noticed you looked unwell this morning. You must not have slept wellst night and probably got seasick too. Since you likely missed breakfast, I brought you something to eat.¡± Ignoring her protests, Xu Qi¡¯an walked in, casually ncing around. The room was clean and tidy, clearly well-maintained. Setting the food box on the table, he opened it and beganying out the dishes. The Auntie peeked at the food, noticing unfamiliar dishes. Unable to hold back her curiosity, she asked, ¡°What¡¯s this one?¡± ¡°zed Lungs. Quite tasty, actually. It¡¯s one of the signature dishes from the best restaurant in Huangyou County. I also got you some of their other specialties,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an exined. ¡°I don¡¯t want to eat.¡± The Auntie¡¯s tone was indifferent She wasn¡¯t feeling well and had no appetite. Besides, having been pampered in the prince¡¯s manor for so many years, what delicacies hadn¡¯t she tasted? The rare and luxurious foods thatmoners could only dream of were mundane fare to her. ¡°But I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll like this dish.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an ced a bowl of soup on the table. The old maid nced at it, her face immediately wrinkling with disdain. The soup was dark and unappealing. ¡°What¡¯s this fawning¡­ what do you want? Just say it?¡± *Just what I was waiting for¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an sat down at the table, coughed lightly, and said, ¡°The princess consort is here too, isn¡¯t she?¡± At the mention of "princess consort," her brows twitched slightly. She remained calm and nodded. ¡°Mm.¡± ¡°Why is the princess consort in this delegation? And why was I, the lead official, unaware beforehand?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked with a sly smile. ¡°Do you think I¡¯d know?¡± the old maid retorted irritably, clearly unwilling to borate. She waved him off. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, leave. I¡¯m going to rest.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an had no choice but to take his leave. After the annoying scoundrel left, she closed the door. nning to pack away the food, she suddenly caught a whiff of tangy aroma. It was an enticing mix of sour and spicy, pulling at her appetite like an invisible hand. The scent came from the bowl of unappealing soup. *It might not taste too bad¡­* She sat down, scooped up a spoonful, and took a small sip. The sour and spicy vour immediately awakened her taste buds, stirring her appetite. Her throat involuntarily swallowed, and she drank several more spoonfuls in quick session. When she finished the soup, she finally felt hungry. The rest of the dishes on the table, which had initially seemed unappealing, now appeared more tempting. ¡­ _Knock, knock._ There was a soft rapping at the door, followed by Chu Xianglong¡¯s voice. ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± ¡°The door¡¯s unlocked. Come in,¡± she replied coldly and indifferently. Chu Xianglong pushed the door open and saw the princess consort seated at the table, eating with relish. He frowned slightly and spoke through voice transmission: ¡°What is your rtionship with him? Just nod or shake your head.¡± He knew the food had been delivered by Xu Qi¡¯an earlier. The princess consort shook her head. Chu Xianglong¡¯s gaze grew sharper. ¡°No rtionship, yet he brought you lunch?¡± She shook her head again. Chu Xianglong studied her for a moment, reluctantly epting her answer. Hemented inwardly about her overwhelming charm, which seemed to draw men to approach and curry favor. ¡°Please remember your identity, Princess Consort. Avoid getting too close to irrelevant individuals,¡± he admonished via voice transmission before leaving the room without a sound. Not a single noise was made during the entire exchange. The ship housed not only Gold Gong Yang Yan but also other martial artists. With their sharp senses, the saying ¡°walls have ears¡± couldn¡¯t be more apt. ¡­ *Not knowing anything is also a kind of information. It confirms my suspicions¡ªthe Zhenbei King¡¯s consort heading to the northern border isn¡¯t as simple as it seems...* *Her discreet travel arrangements, kept even from me as the lead official, and the unusually small number of guards make sense if they¡¯re trying to stay low profile. Traveling with the diplomatic mission ensures both discretion and adequate protection.* *But why go to such lengths?* Xu Qi¡¯an returned to his room, sat at his desk, and frowned in thought. *Why would the princess consort¡¯s journey to the north be shrouded in such secrecy? Is it because the title of ¡®The Nation¡¯s Most Beautiful Woman¡¯ draws too much attention? That can¡¯t be it. In the Great Feng, who would dare make a move on the Zhenbei King¡¯s legitimate wife? Even someone as uninhibited and free-spirited as me has never entertained such thoughts.* *Based on intent, this suggests that Yuanjing Emperor doesn¡¯t want news of the princess consort leaving the capital to spread widely. But that doesn¡¯t make sense. Why hide the travels of a mere princess consort visiting her husband?* *Unless this princess consort isn¡¯t as simple as she seems, and her journey involves some ssified mission? If so, there are two likely reasons for her covert departure with the delegation: one, it pertains to some secret operation requiring confidentiality; or two, her journey carries inherent danger, necessitating the delegation¡¯s protection.* At this thought, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s pupils contracted slightly, his gaze turning sharp. Chapter 348: Ambush # 348. Ambush Xu Qi¡¯an found himself both surprised and unsurprised by this conjecture. What caused him surprise was that he had always regarded the Zhenbei Princess Consort as a glorified vase¡ªa peerless beauty, yet fundamentally a mere woman who shouldn¡¯t be entangled in any matters of secrecy. What didn¡¯t cause surprise was noticing that Chu Xianglong had brought women on board. After hearing from Yang Yan that the Princess Consort was apanying them, he had already made mental preparations. *Since there¡¯s a chance of danger, I must take precautions and proceed cautiously... But no rush for now¡ªI have my own matters to attend to.* Xu Qi¡¯an picked up the cloth bag,id out the eight pieces of butter jade on the table, and took out his carving knife to begin carving. ¡­ After eating her fill, the old auntiey down on the bed for a nap. Her light sleep was soon interrupted by the noisy shouting andmotion from the pier. Irritated, she thumped her pillow a few times before getting up to tidy the dishes and pack them into the food container. She carried it out of the room and went downstairs to the second floor.Walking along the corridor, she looked left and right at the rooms, knowing that this floor was upied by Nightwatchers and officials from the Three Departments. She wasn¡¯t sure which room Xu Qi¡¯an was staying in, but it didn¡¯t take her long to locate the room of the notorious lecher Xu Ningyan; his door was wide open. Inside, the now remarkably refined young man was sitting at his table, meticulously carving pieces of butter jade. "Knock, knock." She rapped on the door. When he looked up, she stiffly said, "Here¡¯s your food container. Th-thank you..." Clearly not adept at expressing gratitude, her awkwardness showed in her rigid demeanour. "Just leave it by the door," Xu Qi¡¯an replied nonchntly, lowering his head to continue his work. The old auntie stepped into the room, set the container down carefully, and nced at the table. Therey several finished carvings: a miniature sword, two jade buns, an octagonal talisman, a seal, and a jade pendant. Curious, she asked, "What are you carving these for? The workmanship¡¯s rather crude." She chuckled to herself, as if amused by her own quip. "They¡¯re gifts for women," Xu Qi¡¯an replied. *Gifts for women?* She stared at the carvings on the table, her smile gradually fading. "Whenever I travel outside the capital, I send local specialties to the women who fancy me, along with a handwritten letter. It¡¯s inexpensive, yet it pleases them and makes them like me even more." ? Xu Qi¡¯an spoke with righteous conviction, detailing his well-honed skills in managing rtionships. The old auntie shot him a look of pure disdain, as if staring at the scum of the earth. "You truly are a despicable man," she sneered. Xu Qi¡¯an retorted, "Too bad there¡¯s nothing here for you." "Hmph, as if I care." She stormed out, seething with anger. Before long, all the jade carvings wereplete, imbued with meaning and purpose by Xu Qi¡¯an. He carefully set aside the miniature sword for safekeeping in the fragment of the Earth Book. This one was for Li Miaozhen and didn¡¯t need to be mailed¡ªhe would deliver it in person when they reunited in the North. Unrolling a sheet of prepared letter paper, Xu Qi¡¯an dipped his brush into ink and began to write. *Five days from the capital, we have arrived in Huangyou county. This ce is famed for its butter jade, a soft and shiny stone, that is warm to the touch. I became quite fond of it, so I bought some raw pieces and carved Your Highness a seal.* *The seal says: When you smile, the evening glow nkets heaven.* This was for Huaiqing. He put the letter and the seal into the envelope. The second letter was for Biaobiao: *Five days from the capital, we have arrived in Huangyou county. This ce is famed for its butter jade, a soft and shiny stone, that is warm to the touch. I became quite fond of it, so I bought some raw pieces and carved Your Highness a pendant.* *I am a hopelessly coarse and worldly man; mountains are just mountains, seas are just seas, flowers are just flowers, but when I see you, only four wordse to mind: for a thousand lifetimes.* He ced the jade pendant into the envelope. The third and fourth letters were for Caiwei and Lina, with nearly identical contents: *Five days from the capital, we have arrived in Huangyou county¡­ In the vast world, there are countless delicacies. I heard that there is a country far beyond the seas, where there is a heavenly treat known as ¡°Hujianese¡±.[^1] In the future, if we have an opportunity, I¡¯ll take you looking for it to the ends of the sky.* He tucked the jade buns into their respective envelopes. The fifth message was for Zhong Li: *Five days from the capital, we have arrived in Huangyou county¡­ While I¡¯m away from the capital, stay safe underneath the Sitianjian. Believe that the hard days will pass ¡ª just a bit more bitterness, just a bit more pain, one day flowers will bloom from your suffering.* *When that dayes, be my princess, and you¡¯ll only need to eat **** and not bitter fruit.* The octagonal talisman went into her envelope. The sixth letter was for Lingyue: *Five days from the capital, we have arrived in Huangyou county¡­ Your brother is safe and sound, though a bit homesick, missing my gentle and lovely little sister. When big brotheres home from this trip, I¡¯ll get you some more jewellery. In your brother¡¯s heart, Lingyue you are the most special, no one could rece you.* The seventh letter was for Fuxiang: *Some great Confucian once said: to find one true confidant in life, then that life has no regrets. Miss fuxiang is that confidant of mine, I hope our bondsts as long as heaven and earth, more permanent than gold.* *¡°Please let me freeload as long as heaven and earth¡­¡±* Every fish needed different words, to fully express his care and affection for them, to make them feel that they are the most important. Nothing could be brushed over. This was the essential work of a king of fishes. With everything ready, Xu Qi¡¯an stretched, feeling a great weighte off his shoulders. Looking at the seven letters on his table, he felt a deep sense of aplishment. Last time on the border of Qingzhou, he also wrote seven letters, but two of those were filler letters addressed to his uncle and auntie. Now though, all seven were for women. Put Li Miaozhen on top, that makes eight. Xu Qi¡¯an celebrated the growth of his "fishpond" enterprise with pride. ¡­ Satisfied, he secured the letters and set out for Yang Yan¡¯s room. "Boss, I have something to discuss with everyone. Can we meet here?" Yang Yan, who was just sat cross-legged in meditation, frowned at the interruption but slowly nodded. "Alright." Xu Qi¡¯an promptly instructed a Silver Gong to summon Chu Xianglong and the officials from the Three Departments. A few minutester, the group arrived. Their faces were cold, clearly displeased. One of the Censors, skilled in mediating conflicts, forced a smile. "Sir Xu, what do you wish to discuss?" "I want to change the route and travel bynd instead," Xu Qi¡¯an dered, dropping a bombshell. "Impossible!" Chu Xianglong immediately objected, his tone resolute. Learning from his past mistake, he stood with arms crossed, making it clear he wouldn¡¯tpromise. "Sir Xu, don¡¯t be reckless. In ten days, we¡¯ll reach Chuzhou by water. If we switch tond, it may take half a month or more," the Deputy Justice of the High Court said coldly. ¡°Although you¡¯re the lead official, you still can¡¯t make such capricious decisions.¡± For normal orders, they could work around them, and let Xu Qi¡¯an have his way, showing acknowledgment for his power as lead official. This did not, however, include changing the route. Switching tond travel would be a logistical nightmare, requiring arrangements for horses, carriages, and transport carts¡ªnot to mention feeding and amodating the 200-odd members of the entourage. It was precisely for these reasons that they had opted for the more efficient water route in the first ce. Moreover, in military operations or official delegations, changing routes was a serious breach of protocol, one that required the highest level of authority. Even though this was not a military mission, such a decision remained highly sensitive. The Chief Constable Chen of the Ministry of Law, turned to Yang Yan and said in a deep voice, ¡°Gold Gong Yang, what do you think?¡± Yang Yan¡¯s expression remained neutral as he replied, ¡°It is indeed inappropriate.¡± Even Yang Yan, a fellow Nightwatcher, disapproved of Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s decision. It was evident that if he insisted on proceeding, he would invite ridicule upon himself. Other Nightwatchers likely wouldn¡¯t support him either. ¡°Hmph!¡± Chu Xianglong snorted coldly and said, ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll take my leave. Next time, spare me such brainless ideas.¡± The constable from the Ministry of Law gave Xu Qi¡¯an a scrutinising look and said, ¡°General Chu, don¡¯t rush off. Perhaps we should hear what Sir Xu has to say.¡± Chu Xianglong turned back, surprised. A seasoned and perceptive officer, the constable had grown increasingly uneasy over the past few days. Initially, he thought Chu Xianglong¡¯s return to the Northern Border with the diplomatic mission served both as a convenience and as surveince on behalf of the Zhenbei King. After all, the investigation the mission was tasked with might implicate the Zhenbei King himself. But the more he thought about it, the less sense it made. If Chu Xianglong alone had been apanying them, it would have been usible. However, with the princess consort also traveling with the mission, why wasn¡¯t an imperial guard unit assigned to escort her? Why was she mingling with them? A royal consort aboard a vessel full of men was rather unconventional. The Deputy Justice of the High Court cast a nce at the constable from the Ministry of Law, frowning slightly, then looked at Xu Qi¡¯an and Chu Xianglong with growing suspicion. *Ah, as expected of the Ministry of Law¡¯s constable¡ªmuch sharper than these civil officials...* Xu Qi¡¯an unfolded the map he was holding and, looking at Chu Xianglong, asked: ¡°General Chu, why is the princess consort traveling with the diplomatic mission?¡± The constable of the Ministry of Law, the two censors from the Censorate, and the Deputy Justice of the High Court all turned to Chu Xianglong in unison. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s question voiced the doubts or curiosity lingering in their minds. ¡°The princess consort is traveling to the Northern Border to reunite with King Huai. What¡¯s the problem?¡± Chu Xianglong narrowed his eyes, staring sharply at Xu Qi¡¯an. He knew this matter had been kept under wraps from others on separate ships. And indeed, it wasn¡¯t necessary to conceal itpletely. As long as they quietly left the capital, no one would be the wiser. The purpose would still be achieved. ¡°Why was I, the chief official of the diplomatic mission, not informed of this in advance?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an pressed. Chu Xianglong replied indifferently, ¡°It¡¯s just a trivial matter. The princess consort is of noble status, and discretion is naturally preferable.¡± ¡°If her status is so noble, why wasn¡¯t a detachment of imperial guards assigned to escort her?¡± This time, the constable from the Ministry of Law interjected with a sudden question. ¡°Indeed, given the mixedpany aboard these official vessels, if the princess consort were traveling, another ship should have been prepared,¡± the Deputy Justice of the High Court added with a wry smile. ¡°Hmm... it does seem improper,¡± one of the censors murmured, frowning. *These old foxes...* Chu Xianglong swept his gaze across the officials from the three ministries, irritation ring in his heart. Just days ago, they had shown hostility toward Xu Qi¡¯an while subtly currying favor with him. Yet now, when faced with a situation that might jeopardise their positions, their attitudes immediately turned ambiguous. Seeing Chu Xianglong¡¯s silence, Xu Qi¡¯an sneered and addressed the group: ¡°As Chief Constable Chen pointed out, if the princess consort is traveling to the Northern Border to reunite with Prince Huai, His Majesty could simply dispatch imperial guards for her escort. There would be no need for this covert mixing with the diplomatic mission. Furthermore, why was this kept secret from us? Were any of you aware that the princess consort was aboard?¡± The Deputy Justice of the High Court and the two censors shook their heads. Xu Qi¡¯an continued, ¡°Do you know what this implies?¡± The Deputy Justice of the High Court quickly asked, ¡°Sir Xu, please speak inly.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s voice was resolute: ¡°It implies the possibility of danger¡ªsuch as an ambush ¡ª an ambush targeting the princess consort.¡± The expressions of the two censors and the Deputy Justice of the High Court changed, their faces turning grave. The constable from the Ministry of Law maintained hisposure, as if he had anticipated this. Chu Xianglong, realizing that outright denial would only iste him, snorted and said: ¡°The princess consort does indeed have another purpose for traveling north, but there¡¯s no need for Sir Xu¡¯s rmist talk. Her departure from the capital was unknown even to you. How could anyone else know? ¡°An ambush requires preparation. We¡¯re traveling north via the fastest water route, and the princess consort¡¯s presence was kept a secret. How could there possibly be an ambush?¡± The Deputy Justice of the High Court and the others nodded slowly, acknowledging the logic in Chu Xianglong¡¯s words. They, too, had only realised after departure that there were women aboard the ship and onlyter pieced together that one of them was the princess consort. If even they didn¡¯t know beforehand, how could a potential enemy prepare an ambush? There simply wouldn¡¯t be enough time. ¡°A false rm, a false rm¡­¡± The Deputy Justice of the High Court exhaled, visibly relieved. Xu Qi¡¯an smiled and said, ¡°Please calm yourselves, my sirs. Let me finish, and then you may decide.¡± He shifted his focus back to the spread-out map and pointed to a specific spot. ¡°At the speed we¡¯re traveling, we¡¯ll pass through this area by tomorrow evening at thetest.¡± The group gathered around to examine the map. It depicted a narrow stretch of river with turbulent waters, nked by high mountains on either side. ¡°If someone wanted to set an ambush on both banks, this location would be ideal. The swift current would prevent us from quickly changing course without risking capsizing. Meanwhile, enemies stationed in the mountains could block our escape tond. By simply lying in wait, they could easily trap us. In short, if there¡¯s going to be an ambush, it will happen here.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s analysis caused the officials¡¯ recently eased nerves to tighten once more. Chu Xianglong scrutinised the map for a moment before refuting, ¡°All of this assumes that an ambush exists. As I said earlier, the enemy wouldn¡¯t have had time to prepare. ¡°Once we pass through this area, we¡¯ll reach Jianzhou within ten days. There, we¡¯ll rendezvous with the king¡¯s forces, and the mission will be aplished. If we switch to thend route, it will take half a month, leaving us exposed to more risks.¡± Both sides presentedpelling arguments, leaving the Deputy Justice of the High Court and the censors hesitant. Each option carried its own risks and drawbacks, making neither entirely reassuring. *Then let me stoke the mes a bit more...* Xu Qi¡¯an sneered and said: ¡°Switching to thend route may be slower and more prone to minor dangers, but it gives us room to maneuver. If we¡¯re ambushed at this choke point tomorrow, it¡¯ll be total annihtion. No chance of survival.¡± This struck a nerve with the censors and the Deputy Justice of the High Court, visibly shifting their expressions. ¡°I agree with Sir Xu¡¯s decision to change the route,¡± dered the constable from the Ministry of Law without hesitation. ¡°I second Sir Xu¡¯s decision. Make the preparations immediately; we¡¯ll change routes tomorrow,¡± the Deputy Justice of the High Court promptly concurred. The two censors also sided with Xu Qi¡¯an, his argument hitting a vital concern for civil officials. Compared to the grueling challenges of a longernd route, the prospect of annihtion on the river was far more terrifying. No one dared to gamble with their lives. Chu Xianglong''s cheeks twitched, his fury barely contained as he red at Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an, this official wants to make a bet with you. If there is no ambush in the waters tomorrow, then what?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an pressed his hands firmly on the table, locking eyes with him without backing down. ¡°Then you can take full control of the mission from tomorrow onward. But if there _is_ an ambush, what will you do?¡± Chu Xianglong replied, ¡°If you say one, I won¡¯t say two.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an smirked dismissively. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare say two even now. Stop with the theatrics. Give me something substantial.¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°Three thousand taels of silver and the deployment records of the Northern Border garrison.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Chu Xianglong agreed without hesitation, already nning to renegeter. Once they reached the Northern Border, he would be the one in charge, with soldiers at hismand and the Zhenbei King as his backing. Xu Qi¡¯an sneered. ¡°Put it in writing.¡± ...Chu Xianglong, gritting his teeth, relented. ¡°Fine. But if you lose, you owe me three thousand taels of silver.¡± The two drafted the agreement but left the seals unsigned, waiting for the oue the next day. Xu Qi¡¯an then turned to Yang Yan and, in a consulting tone, asked, ¡°Boss, tomorrow, you¡¯ll take the boatmen to scout ahead. How many people can you take at most?¡± Yang Yan thought for a moment. ¡°Six.¡± *Six people clearly wouldn¡¯t be enough to handle the ship. If there really was an ambush, the remaining boatmen were as good as dead...* Just as Xu Qi¡¯an was weighing the dilemma, Yang Yan added, ¡°Tomorrow, I can use Qi to propel the sails and steer the ship, so there¡¯s no need for rowers. We¡¯ll only need a few people to manage the helm.¡± *With Boss¡¯s skills, steering the ship for a short time shouldn¡¯t be an issue¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an exhaled a breath of relief and said, ¡°Good, let¡¯s go with that n.¡± The n to switch routes was finalised. The officials of the three departments and an unwilling Chu Xianglong immediately began preparing for the shift, notifying the guards, female passengers, and other personnel aboard. Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t leave but instead sat at the table, sipping tea as he analysed, ¡°If there¡¯s no ambush tomorrow, it means the supposed enemies don¡¯t exist or didn¡¯t have enough time to prepare. In that case, we can rx a bit. And if no enemies exist, even if Chu Xianglong takes charge, it won¡¯t be too much of a problem. We¡¯d just have to endure him for a few days.¡± Yang Yan nodded. ¡°But if there is an ambush¡­¡± ¡°Then we¡¯re in trouble,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an sighed, lowering his voice. ¡°If it¡¯s that bad, I still have a backup n, Boss. I¡¯ll need to discuss it with you¡­¡± ¡­ The Next Morning A group of 200 left Huangyou County. The convoy consisted of four carriages, eighteen carts loaded with supplies, and forty horses. As for the Imperial Guard and Chu Xianglong¡¯s soldiers, they advanced on foot. The convoy followed the official road, kicking up clouds of dust as they headed north. *If Yang Yan encounters no ambush, we¡¯ll have to switch back to the water route after two days onnd. Thend route is exhausting, no doubt about that¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an muttered internally as he rode an ordinary brown horse, far inferior to his cherished mare. At this moment, he saw the curtain of a carriage behind him lift, revealing an unremarkable face. The person inside waved at him. Xu Qi¡¯an turned his horse around and approached the carriage at a slow pace, smiling. ¡°Auntie, what¡¯s the matter?¡± ¡°Why did we switch to thend route?¡± she asked from the slightly jolting carriage, her chest rising and falling with each bump, hinting at her concealed assets. ¡°For the safety of your princess consort,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied. She pondered for a moment and, surprisingly, didn¡¯t retort as usual. Instead, she nodded seriously, acknowledging his reasoning. ¡­ Evening. The Flowstone Shoals. The river was turbulent, sweeping away even stones, giving it its name. Arge three-masted ship slowly approached, navigating against the current. As it reached the middle of the shoals, the turbulent waters suddenly surged. A massive, ck-scaled creature broke the surface before quickly disappearing again. Momentster, a thunderous crash erupted, as the enormous ship was thrown high into the air. Underneath in the foam was a ck-scaled river dragon, its horns piercing through the ship hull, holding it in mid-air. ¡°Crack! Crack!¡± Fractures rapidly spread across the ship, which splintered into fragments, scattering into the river below. As the ship tilted, Yang Yan used his Qi to envelop six boatmen, propelling them into the air. A powerful burst of Qi under his feetunched him higher, carrying the group safely away. The dragon plunged back into the depths, sending a towering spray of foam into the air. Momentster, a man in a ck robe emerged, standing atop the water. His features were sharp and sinister, with an aquiline nose and narrow, vertical pupils radiating coldness. Fine scales lined his cheeks. The ck-robed man surveyed the drifting debris, sneering. His voice was cold and sharp. ¡°We¡¯ve been tricked.¡± ¡°They won¡¯t escape,¡± a calm voice replied from the dense forest along the riverbank. A young man in white stepped out, hands sped behind his back. The man in white, undisturbed by the failed ambush, spoke with serene confidence. ¡°We¡¯ve deployed enough forces this time. A mere fourth-rank like Yang Yan is no match for our numbers. The princess consort is as good as ours.¡± The ck-robed man frowned. ¡°Are you certain there are no other fourth-rank experts in the envoy?¡± The man in white nodded, pointing to his eyes. ¡°Trust my sight. And even if there is another fourth-rank, our deployment ensures wless sess.¡± --- [^1]: Fujianese people, no I don¡¯t know why either. Chapter 349: Whos going to save me # 349. Who''s going to save me After the sun had set, the sky lingered in a dusky azure hue for quite some time before it was reced by the veil of night. On a hill with amanding view, the delegation stopped to ignite bonfires and pitch tents. The women did not disembark, wrapping themselves in thin nkets to rest in the carriages. Xu Qi¡¯an and other senior officials stayed in tents, while the lower-ranking guards slept around the fires. Fortunately, the mid-spring season brought nights that were neither too cold nor too warm. The asional breeze felt refreshing, but the abundance of mosquitoes proved troublesome, especially for the ¡°plump sheep¡± that were the guards with their robust physiques. The frequent pping sounds filled the air as the soldiers cursed and swatted at the pests. Upon returning from his patrol, Xu Qi¡¯an witnessed the scene and immediately realised the delegationcked any herbal repellents. Their supplies consisted mainly of trauma ointments and antidote pills, with no room for such ¡°trivial¡± items as mosquito deterrents. ¡°Why are there so many mosquitoes?¡±ined the Deputy Minister of the High Court, emerging from his tent in a simple white robe. He muttered irritably, ¡°The buzzing is incessant! How can anyone sleep like this?¡± The pampered nature of the civil officials became apparent. Earlier on the ship, despite its rocking and shaking, they managed to endure. But the hardships of traveling ovend¡ªno beds, no tea tables, no fine cuisine, and now swarms of mosquitoes¡ªleft them grumbling.Two Censors heard the Deputy Minister¡¯sints and joined him outside,menting with furrowed brows. ¡°This is unbearable, absolutely unbearable.¡± At this moment, Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s decision to switch tond travel seemed like an error. Had they stayed on the water, they would still be drifting peacefully, with soft beds to sleep on and private quarters to rest in. Unbothered by mosquito bites thanks to his Bronze Skin and Iron Bones, Chu Xianglong scoffed. ¡°Since you chose the ovend route, you must ept the consequences. It¡¯s only been one day. If you regret it, we can still return to the waterway.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an pulled out a bundle of specially prepared incense and dered loudly, ¡°I have mosquito-repellent incense here. Toss a piece into the bonfire, and it¡¯ll keep the bugs away.¡± The soldiers were overjoyed and eagerly followed his instructions, throwing pieces of incense into the mes. The incense burned slowly in the fire, releasing a slightly pungent aroma. Within moments, the mosquitoes dispersed. ¡°Ha! No more mosquitoes! This is wonderful!¡± ¡°Now we can finally sleep in peace. Thank you, Sir Xu!¡± The soldiers gathered around the bonfires showered Xu Qi¡¯an with praise. His mosquito-repelling incense solved their immediate predicament, allowing them to restfortably. Happiness often stemmed from such small gestures. Under a different leader, it was unlikely these minor annoyances would have been addressed. No one else would consider that a restless night would lead to exhaustion the next day, creating a cycle that would weaken the entire team. By improving their mood and well-being, the soldiers became more loyal and respectful toward their leader. For instance, while the entire delegation grumbled in private about the switch tond travel, the hundred Imperial Guards voiced noints. This was approval. The two Censors and the Deputy Minister of the High Court also requested a piece of incense for their tents. Using a burner to light it, they quickly found relief from the ¡°buzzing.¡± ¡°Sir Xu even thought to prepare something as small as this. Truly a meticulous investigator,¡± one of the Censors remarked loudly. Meanwhile, in one of the carriages, the maids caught a whiff of the faint scent and eximed in delight. ¡°This smells quite nice! Let¡¯s go ask for some to burn and drive away the mosquitoes.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the point? Silver Gong Xu and General Chu are at odds right now. Don¡¯t embarrass yourself by asking,¡± another maid cautioned. ¡°Nonsense. Silver Gong Xu is quite friendly, especially toward women,¡± the first maid insisted. ¡°Tch! I¡¯m talking about General Chu. We serve the king¡¯s household; we must know our ce. No matter how kind Silver Gong Xu is, we cannot forget our identities.¡± ¡°Yes, and I heard it was Silver Gong Xu who insisted on switching to thend route. That¡¯s why we¡¯re suffering so much now. It¡¯s entirely his fault!¡± At this, the other maids voiced their displeasure, grumbling and berating Xu Qi¡¯an. In the corner, the princess consort snorted softly, amused by their ignorance. These shallow-minded maids could only see the mosquitoes in front of them, as blind as toads to the bigger picture. While she too felt tired and questioned whether the waterway truly posed a danger, she unwaveringly supported Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s decision. Better to endure some hardship than to face real danger. ¡­ The Deputy Minister of the High Court lifted the tent p and nced at Xu Qi¡¯an, who sat among the soldiers. He asked, ¡°Sir Xu, how confident are you?¡± He referred to the possibility of an ambush on the waterway, subtly reminding Xu Qi¡¯an to consider the stakes of their wager. *No confidence at all. Sending Yang Yan to test the waters was merely a stab in the dark.* Xu Qi¡¯an shook his head slightly without answering. One of the Censors chimed in, ¡°By now, Gold Gong Yang should have reached the Flowstone Shoals. Whether there¡¯s an ambush or not, he must have already found out. When will he regroup with us?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied, ¡°I left markers along the way. He¡¯ll follow them to catch up. With his speed, it won¡¯t take long¡ªperhaps by tomorrow morning, or even tonight.¡± Chu Xianglong and the other officials fell silent, each lost in thought, waiting for Yang Yan¡¯s return. An hourter, the camp settled into sleep. Snores rose and fell like the croaking of frogs. Xu Qi¡¯an remained awake, sketching diagrams in the dirt with a twig. He pondered his next moves once they reached the northern territory: how to investigate the case, how to collect evidence without alerting Zhenbei King, and how to smuggle that evidence back to the capital. The most vexing issue was that while Xu Qi¡¯an had no way to deal with the Zhenbei King, the reverse was not true. It was no wonder the High Court officials took such a passive stance. They likely intended to conduct a perfunctory investigation before returning to the capital to report back. *Blood runs three thousand miles, yet there isn¡¯t a single refugee. This doesn¡¯t add up... As we travel north, I¡¯ll observe carefully. Diving straight into the northern stronghold would be the act of a fool.* Chu Xianglong¡¯s staunch opposition to thend route might not be without ulterior motives. Perhaps he wanted to rush directly to the north, where Xu Qi¡¯an would be reduced to a puppet in their hands. Investigate the case in secret? You¡¯re dreaming. As thoughts surged through his mind, he suddenly caught a faint ripple of qi emanating from the distance. Xu Qi¡¯an sprang to his feet, his hand moving faster than his mind to grip the hilt of his ck-gold saber. On the other side, Chu Xianglong opened his eyes as well, his gaze sharp as a sword. Without exchanging a word, the two men simultaneously turned their attention southward. Out of the darkness, a lone figure approached, walking steadily with a silver spear slung across his back¡ªit was Yang Yan. The moment they saw him, Xu Qi¡¯an and Chu Xianglong each disyed their own mixture of tension and anticipation. Xu Qi¡¯an bent down, picked up a water pouch, and went to meet him. ¡°Boss, what¡¯s the situation?¡± Yang Yan took the pouch, downed it in one go, and said gravely, ¡°A river dragon ambushed us at Flowstone Shoals. The ship went down.¡± *So there was an ambush. What you fear wille to pass¡ªMurphy¡¯s Law applies across the universe...* Xu Qi¡¯an felt a heavy weight settle in his chest, extinguishing thest vestiges of wishful thinking. *There really was an ambush!?* Chu Xianglong tightened his grip on his sabre. The firelight reflected in his narrowing pupils. ¡°Boss, take a seat. I¡¯ll call the men from the Three Ministries to hear the details,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said, gesturing for Yang Yan to sit by the fire. He handed over a pouch of dry rations and then entered the tents one by one, waking the censors, the High Court deputy, and Constable Chen of the Ministry of Law. Constable Chen crawled out of his tent, and upon seeing Yang Yan, asked urgently, ¡°Gold Gong Yang, did you encounter an ambush?¡± The two censors and the High Court deputy stared intently at Yang Yan. ¡°There was an ambush at Flowstone Shoal,¡± Yang Yan replied, his expression somber. ¡°The ship was sunk. If we hadn¡¯t changed course, we¡¯d all have perished today.¡± *There really was an ambush¡­ there really was¡­!* The High Court deputy¡¯s heart sank like a stone. *We¡¯d all have perished?* The two censors¡¯ expressions changed dramatically. They turned abruptly to Xu Qi¡¯an and bowed deeply. ¡°We owe our lives to Sir Xu¡¯s foresight in predicting the ambush. You saved us all.¡± Constable Chen looked at Xu Qi¡¯an with newfound respect. For the first time, he felt genuine admiration for this adversary of his superior. ¡°We should discuss this inside the tent,¡± the High Court deputy suggested. Xu Qi¡¯an nodded, calling over Chen Xiao, who had already woken. He instructed, ¡°Stay alert tonight. Ensure everyone is vignt and patrols diligently.¡± Having overheard the entire conversation, Chen Xiao understood the gravity of the situation. His expression grew solemn as he nodded. ¡°Rest assured, Sir.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an then followed the officials into the tent. ¡­ The princess consort, curled up in the corner of the carriage, was roused from her sleep by the mor of hurried footsteps, clinking armor, and murmuring voices. The maids sharing the carriage were already awake, peeking out of the windows. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Everything was quiet earlier. Why is there such amotion now?¡± The princess consort felt a jolt of unease. Throwing off her thin nket, she rubbed her eyes, opened the door carefully, and stepped down from the carriage. She stopped a group of Imperial Guards preparing for patrol and asked, ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± The lead soldier gave her a brief nce before replying, ¡°Gold Gong Yang has returned. He reported an ambush at Flowstone Shoal¡ªthe ship was sunk.¡± Another soldier added, ¡°If not for Sir Xu changing our route, we¡¯d all be dead by now.¡± The princess consort¡¯s face turned pale with shock, her heart gripped by a profound sense of dread. *There really was an ambush, aimed at me¡­ Thank the heavens he was here¡ªthank heavens he reacted in time...* She patted her chest, overwhelmed by an unexpected sense of safety. The unremarkable-looking princess consort took a deep breath, turned, and climbed back into the carriage. ¡°Did you go ask? What¡¯s going on?¡± the maids hurriedly inquired. ¡°There was an ambush on the water. The ship sank,¡± the princess consort replied curtly. Gasps of shock filled the carriage as the maids¡¯ faces turned pale with fear. ¡°Why¡ªwhy would there be an ambush? Who would target us?¡± ¡°Thank goodness for Sir Xu¡¯s vignce, steering us tond in time.¡± Their whispers filled the air as they exchanged their fears. The princess consort wrapped the thin nket tightly around herself, curled up in the corner once more, hugging her shoulders, shivering slightly. In the pitch-ck night, she felt a chilling cold¡ªone that emanated from within. _Who¡¯s going to save me¡­?_ The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 350: Escape Plan # 350. Escape n Inside the tent, Yang Yan sat cross-legged on a cushion, epting the tea handed to him by the High Court Deputy Justice. He said, ¡°The attacker was a ck river dragon,[^1] likely from the dragon tribe of the northern yao ns. A powerful one; fourth rank, I cannot beat it on the water.¡± Being a man of few words, he sinctly summarised the situation, providing aparison of his own strength to his opponent¡¯s, before falling silent. Chu Xianglong¡¯s expression changed drastically. The mention of a fourth rank river dragon left the High Court Deputy Justice and the others visibly unsettled, a mixture of shock, fear, and worry crossing their faces. Chief Constable Chen furrowed his brows and asked, ¡°General Chu, do you know the background of this river dragon?¡± As he spoke, he narrowed his eyes, scrutinising Chu Xianglong closely. The others turned their gaze toward Chu Xianglong, the mounting pressure forcing him to break his silence. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he said in a deep voice, ¡°A ck river dragon, fourth rank... If I¡¯m not mistaken, it¡¯s the Lord of Tangshan.¡± *So he does know the river dragon...* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s eyes flickered with thought. The ambush at Flowstone Shoals had been orchestrated by the northern yao ns. If they had made a move, what about their usual allies, the barbarian tribes?Moreover, the princess consort¡¯s journey to the northern border had been conducted in utmost secrecy, with the official vessel traveling at high speed. The northern yao ns shouldn¡¯t have had the time to set up an ambush in advance. Unless they already knew the princess was heading north. *Our ¡°foremost beauty of the Great Feng¡± truly isn¡¯t simple. To think she warrants such an borate ambush deep within enemy territory... Chu Xianglong¡¯s earlier reaction suggested he was utterly shocked by the yao n¡¯s involvement. This indicates even he didn¡¯t anticipate their move...* As these thoughts raced through Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind, countless possibilities surfaced. Constable Chen spoke in a low voice, ¡°Gold Gong Yang, aside from the ck river dragon, were there any other enemies?¡± Yang Yan shook his head. ¡°None detected.¡± Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The High Court Deputy Justice, visibly more at ease, said, ¡°If it¡¯s just one fourth rank opponent, we don¡¯t need to worry too much...¡± Before he could finish, Xu Qi¡¯an let out a derisiveugh and said, ¡°The northern barbarians and yao ns are cut from the same cloth. If the yao ns have struck, can the barbarians be far behind? ¡°If I¡¯m right, each major checkpoint on the road to the northern border will have experts lying in wait. Trust me, unless we abandon our carriages and supplies and take a mountain path, we¡¯ll eventually fall into another ambush.¡± In these times, there were only so many official roads, while countless winding paths existed that even horses had trouble traversing, let alone carriages carrying supplies. In the past, highwaymen could earn a fortune simply by upying a single stretch of official road and robbing passing merchants and travellers. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s words made the two censors and the High Court Deputy Justice immediately look to Constable Chen. They had lost faith in Chu Xianglong and now sought Chen¡¯s judgment as someone more trustworthy and experienced. Chief Constable Chen nodded slightly and said in a low voice, ¡°Sir Xu¡¯s analysis is quite reasonable¡ªperhaps even entirely correct. I¡¯d go so far as to suggest that if there¡¯s a fourth rank expert in the waters, there may be fourth rank experts at other ambush points too, or even more of them. ¡°It¡¯s not beyond thebined forces of the northern barbarians and yao ns to field several fourth rank experts.¡± In the jianghu, a fourth rank expert was a figure of great renown, a local hegemon. Within the imperial court, while fourth rank experts weren¡¯t numerous, they certainly weren¡¯t rare. It was simple logic¡ªif the jianghu had more fourth rank experts than the imperial court, then it certainly wouldn¡¯t be the imperial court that ruled the world. The northern barbarians and yao ns were effectively a northern counterpart to the imperial court. ¡°What... What are we going to do?¡± The three civil officials were visibly panicked. If the enemy had two fourth rank experts, their group would be in peril. If there were three, it would mean certain annihtion. A heavy, solemn silence descended over the tent. The three civil officials and Chief Constable Chen furrowed their brows deeply. Even with the hundred-strong Imperial Guard outside, as well as their personal escorts, they felt no sense of security. In truth, the delegation¡¯s defenses were already formidable: one hundred Imperial Guards, dozens of escorts, several Silver Gongs, eight Bronze Gongs, and one fourth rank Gold Gong. With such a roster, they could travel unchallenged across the Great Feng, even to the northern or northeastern borders, without incident. When Inspector General Zhang led his delegation to Yunzhou, the scale was simr, and the journey had been entirely uneventful. But now, they seemed to be facing a coordinated ambush from the northern yao ns and barbarians¡ªbacked by the powers in the north. ¡°Why do the northern barbarians and yao ns want to assassinate the princess consort? And how did they manage to prepare an ambush in advance?¡± Chief Constable Chen fixed Chu Xianglong with a sharp gaze. ¡°That¡¯s none of your business,¡± Chu Xianglong retorted coldly. Chief Constable Chen snapped, ¡°If we¡¯d known in advance that the enemy was the northern barbarians and yao ns, why not dispatch the Imperial Guard to escort her? Why hide her within the delegation?¡± The dire situation had pushed him to the brink of anger, leaving him unafraid of confronting Chu Xianglong¡¯s authority. *Indeed, if there had been any expectation of an ambush, deploying the Imperial Guard directly would have been far safer. After all, this is the Great Feng¡¯s territory. Arge contingent of the Imperial Guard escorting the princess would leave even fourth rank experts from the northern ns powerless to act.* *After all, the Imperial Guard would certainly carry powerful weaponry, and the army itself boasted numerous experts.* *Yet Emperor Yuanjing had opted for the princess to secretly travel with the delegation, departing the capital under cover.* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mind raced, arriving at a chilling conclusion: They were guarding against enemies within the court itself! *Someone within the court doesn¡¯t want the princess to reach the northern border to meet King Huai... What will happen if she does? This conspiracy runs deeper than it seems.* *And how did the yao ns and barbarians learn of the n and set up an ambush?* The threads of this mystery were tangled and disorganized, leaving Xu Qi¡¯an with a headache. As the argument between Chu Xianglong and the three civil officials grew heated, Xu Qi¡¯an pressed his fingers to his temples, lost in thought. ¡°There¡¯s actually a simpler solution¡ªlure the enemy in and extract information directly from their experts,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an mused. The more he considered it, the more feasible it seemed. First, his Unbreakable Vajra Body rivaled¡ªor even surpassed¡ªfourth rank strength. Even if he couldn¡¯t defeat a fourth rank expert, it would be hard for one to kill him. After all, martial artists couldn¡¯t directly attack the soul. If it were a fourth rank Daoist, Xu Qi¡¯an wouldn¡¯t hesitate to flee¡ªhis soul cultivation was only at the sixth rank. Even though his soul was stronger than most of the same rank, it couldn¡¯t possibly contend with a fourth rank Daoist. Second, he had the Confucian magic book, akin to a rare skill scroll in a game. *Though I¡¯m low levelled, I can still rely on pay-to-win mechanics.* During the Conflict of Heaven and Man, the Confucian magic book¡¯s abilities had offset his weaknesses, allowing him to defeat Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen. Finally, within his body resided the monk Shenshu, his ultimate trump card. However, Shenshu¡¯s existence couldn¡¯t be revealed. If he had to summon the monk, it would only be in the absence of witnesses¡ªotherwise, killing to silence them would be inevitable... *Saving the princess alone wouldn¡¯t justify taking such risks.* Xu Qi¡¯an rubbed his chin thoughtfully. Rescuing the princess was secondary¡ªhis real goal was gathering intelligence. *The north is the domain of the Zhenbei King. Going straight there would mean plunging headfirst into his surveincework, with every move under his watchful eye.* *That would leave me with two options: either abandon the investigation or sh head-on with the Zhenbei King.* For a skilled detective with impable logic, it was impossible to let himself fall into such a passive position. He had to gather more clues and intelligence before arriving in the north. Only then could he formte a n and proceed with the investigation. At that moment, the arguing voices ceased. Chu Xianglong spread out a map on the ground and asked in a serious tone, ¡°Gold Gong Yang, have you been followed on this journey?¡± Yang Yan shook his head. As a peak-rank fourth rank warrior, few could track him unnoticed. The intuition of a martial artist wasn¡¯t just for show. Chu Xianglong exhaled in relief and nodded. ¡°Good, then we still have a chance. In this situation, going back is obviously not an option. We must reach Jiangzhou City as soon as possible to seek assistance from the Provincial Governor and the Jiangzhou Commander-General and mobilize the garrison troops for defense.¡± The others nodded slowly. Jiangzhou City was a provincial capital, well-stocked with troops and experts. Once inside the city, they would be safe. If the fourth-rank experts of the barbarians and demon tribes dared to attack within the city, they would be doomed to fail. ¡°If we can sessfully reach Jiangzhou City, we can either request reinforcements from the court or directly mobilize the Jiangzhou military to escort the princess to the north,¡± Chu Xianglong added. ¡°That makes sense,¡± the Deputy Justice of the High Court agreed. ¡°In that case, we need to n our route,¡± Chu Xianglong said, pointing to the map. ¡°The shortest way to Jiangzhou is the official road we¡¯re currently taking, which would take only two days. But it¡¯s also the most dangerous route. So, we¡¯ll have to take a detour.¡± Constable Chen shook his head in disagreement. ¡°The detour is just as dangerous. Our group is toorge, and we have heavy supplies and women with us, so we can¡¯t move fast. Meanwhile, the enemy is made up of highly skilled and mobile experts. It¡¯s only a matter of time before they locate and catch up to us.¡± Chu Xianglong chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s why we must abandon the carriages, horses, and part of the heavy supplies. We¡¯ll travel light and stay off the official roads, engaging them in guerri tactics.¡± One hated to admit it, but it was a smart decision. Though the enemy consisted of skilled experts, infiltrating deep into enemy territory for ambushes meant that they couldn¡¯t bring an army. This would leave them undermanned and incapable of conductingrge-scale searches. At this moment, Chu Xianglong truly demonstrated the qualities of an experienced general. Situations like this weren¡¯t umon in military campaigns, especially during retreats under pursuit. Everyone turned to Xu Qi¡¯an. *Not bad. To reach the position of Deputy General under the Zhenbei King, one couldn¡¯t be mediocre.* Xu Qi¡¯an also felt that Chu Xianglong¡¯s n was the best option under the circumstances. ¡°No objections from me,¡± he said tly. Chu Xianglong smirked, casting a challenging and disdainful nce at Xu Qi¡¯an, as if to say: _Still too young, kid. Watch and learn._ Without further dy, the officials left the tent, gathering their men and issuing orders to prepare for a night-time march. Chu Xianglong roused the maids and then approached the princess¡¯s carriage. Bowing deeply, he said, ¡°Princess consort, we have a situation.¡± A few secondster, a calm female voice came from inside the carriage. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°The ship was ambushed on the river and sank. We are still in danger, and the enemy will likely pursue us. I¡¯ve decided to take the mountain roads to evade them. Please prepare to depart immediately,¡± Chu Xianglong said in a low voice. The maids, rubbing their eyes as they disembarked from the carriage, gasped in rm at the news. An old maid, disguised among them, shrank back in fear, her face pale and her expression panicked. The princess remained silent. After a moment, the sound of movement came from within the carriage. The old maid hurried back into the carriage to pack food and supplies, driven by an intense survival instinct. The other maids quickly followed suit, busily preparing. ¡­ Abandoning part of their supplies, the group carried only food and water as they left the official road. Crossing fields, ins, and mountains, they embarked on a grueling journey. Yang Yan led the group at the front while Xu Qi¡¯an and the imperial guards covered the rear. At dawn, the group stopped at the foot of a mountain to rest briefly, replenish their food, and recover their strength. Xu Qi¡¯an gnawed on a nd pancake, drank some water, and silently thanked himself for not bringing along his beloved mare. Otherwise, his treasured steed would have been left behind. Soft footsteps approached. Looking back, he saw the tired face of the old maid. She hesitated for a moment before meeting Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s gaze. Gritting her teeth, she walked over and sat down beside him. In a low voice, she asked, ¡°Will we reach the northern border safely?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an replied, ¡°You¡¯re a servant of the royal household. That¡¯s a question you should be asking Chu Xianglong.¡± *I don¡¯t trust him¡­* she hugged her water sk, her worried gaze sweeping over the group as she whispered, ¡°I¡¯m scared.¡± Fear had driven her to seek out Xu Qi¡¯an. Perhaps in her heart, the one who gave her a sense of security in this envoy group wasn¡¯t Gold Gong Yang or Chu Xianglong, who was loyal to the Zhenbei King, but the young Nightwatcher who had been teasing her along the way¡ªthe Silver Gong who had shone brightly during the buddhist contest, the man who had subdued both Heaven and Man on the Wei River. ¡°Are you afraid of dying?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked, his face expressionless. She nodded, then shook her head. ¡°Chu Xianglong¡¯s n is solid. With some luck, we¡¯ll reach Jiangzhou safely. Once there, we¡¯ll be secure. Besides, what do you have to fear as a mere maidservant? If things look bad, just run. Do you think a fourth rank expert would bother chasing after you?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an mocked her for her cowardice. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t make it to Jiangzhou¡­¡± she sighed. After just two hours of the night march, her legs were already weak and she could hardly keep up. ¡°Want me to carry you?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an offered. She shook her head. ¡°If¡­ if the pursuers catch up to us, will you¡­¡± She changed her wording. ¡°Will the nightwatchers protect the princess consort?¡± Her hopeful gaze sparkled like starlight, as though Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s affirmation would be enough to ease her worries. ¡°Of course not,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an bluntly replied. ¡°We¡¯re here to investigate, not protect the consort. Her survival isn¡¯t our concern. If the enemy proves too strong, we¡¯ll just escape. Their target is her, after all.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± Her eyes dimmed as she silently rose and returned to her ce, hugging her knees. Among the crowd, she seemed lonely and pitiful, out of ce. ¡­ A quarter of an hourter, Chu Xianglong stood and called out, ¡°Move out!¡± The well-trained imperial guards and attendants silently rose, hoisting their packs, readying their weapons, and preparing to march. As the words left Chu Xianglong¡¯s lips, Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly felt his hairs stand on end. The next moment, an image appeared in his mind¡ªabove them in the mountain forest, a massive boulder was rolling down. Almost simultaneously, Yang Yan, at the front of the group, jerked his head upward, his gaze locking onto the mountain behind them. _Boom!_ A boulder, nearly twenty feet tall, crashed down from the mountainside, hurtling toward the core of the group. The other martial artists in the envoy reacted a beat slower. It wasn¡¯t until the boulder was already airborne that they sensed the danger. Ordinary soldiers and maids, meanwhile, had still not realised their impending catastrophe. --- [^1]: òÔ *jiao*, or flood dragons / river dragons, are a type of lesser dragon, usually associated with theing of floods. Chapter 351: The Divine and Majestic Silver Gong Xu # 351. The Divine and Majestic Silver Gong Xu ¡°Everyone on the ground!¡± Chu Xianglong shouted, his body instinctively moving to shield the unassuming maid, but he forcefully restrained himself, turning instead to protect the ¡°real¡± princess consort. The massive boulder descended with a deafening roar, its force cutting through the air like a gale. Yang Yan reached behind him, grasping the silver spear slung across his back. With a slight flick of the spearhead, the crimson tassel at its tip red out. With a loud crack, the colossal boulder, which could have crushed half the delegation into pulp, shattered into tiny fragments that rained down like gravel. The shards ttered harmlessly against the soldiers¡¯ armour and helmets. Unprotected maids huddled on the ground, clutching their heads as the guards shielded them from debris. After this probing attack, a brief silence fell. The enemy made no immediate move. Xu Qi¡¯an squinted and gazed upward. In the dense forest above, a towering figure stood. Its height exceeded ten feet, overshadowing the trees. Thick ck fur covered its massive body, which was not bulging with muscle butyered with a thick padding of fat. Its coarse features and hairy face twisted into a bloodthirsty grin as it licked its lips, gazing down at the delegation with murderous intent.Crunch, crunch... From the southern woods came the sound of trees copsing in session, as if some colossal creature was mowing them down. Momentster, a massive ck river dragon emerged from the forest. Its head alone was asrge as a two-story pavilion, adorned with a ck mane, ck scales, and branched horns. The portion of its body visible to the group stretched over sixty feet, and its full length likely exceeded a hundred yards. Cold, vertical pupils locked onto the delegation with chilling indifference. *This river dragon is enormous, this size body isn¡¯t even practical forbat¡­ I remember in the ancient tomb Daoist Jinlian said that the Yao race don¡¯t emphasise size¡­ this dragon is descended from ancient demons?* *Hm, perhaps the northern Yao ns all have some demonic inheritance, which is why they are two peas in a pod with the northern barbarians¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an started making guesses. *Gulp.* Xu Qi¡¯an heard someone swallowing nervously. ncing around, he saw the delegation¡¯s soldiers and guards frozen, their faces stiff with terror. Fear of stronger creatures was a primal instinct. Ordinary people, faced with a beast like this dragon, would likely soil themselves or flee in panic. *So none of these soldiers fought in the Battle of Shanhai Pass? Hmm, except Chen Xiao¡ªhe shows no fear...* Xu Qi¡¯an noted while appraising the ¡°ck bear¡± on the mountain and the river dragon to the south. *If it¡¯s just two rank fours, that¡¯s manageable. I¡¯ll teach them a lesson on how to be a man ¡ª um ¡ª a yaoguai.* But then, as dread mounted in the group over the river dragon¡¯s appearance, a silveryugh suddenly echoed. Another figure appeared. It was a woman in a crimson dress, her ck hair tied into a ponytail with a red ribbon. She strode gracefully through the overgrown wilderness, revealing red embroidered shoes with each step. Wherever she walked, grass wilted, leaving barren, lifeless ground in her wake. The arrival of this woman deepened the despair of the delegation. ¡°It¡¯s them. It really is them...¡± Chu Xianglong murmured, more dazed than shocked at the turn of events. At this point, one thing was certain: the barbarians not only knew about the princess consort¡¯s journey to the northern border but had urately predicted its timing and route. ? The barbarians were far from the dull-witted brutes they were often made out to be. What he was dazed by though was how on earth they knew of this in the first ce. ¡°Three... rank fours?¡± The High Court Deputy Justice gulped, his legs trembling slightly. The two censors were pale, nearing copse. Two rank fours might still be manageable, but three... The delegation¡¯s current strength couldn¡¯t contend with them. Even Yang Yan would likely be in grave danger. Officials were still officials. If this were a great schr from the Confucian Academy, the group might already be discussing how to counterattack or capture the enemy. ¡°Chu Xianglong, who are they?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an barked, his tone sharp. He reminded Chu Xianglong to provide intelligence. If these were northern barbarians or yao, Chu Xianglong would surely know their identities. The experienced general took a deep breath to calm himself, though despair still lingered on his face. ¡°The ck river dragon is Tangshan-Jun, Lord of Tang Mountain, one of the three leaders of the Dragon n, adept at manipting water. ¡°The one on the mountain is Zalmukha, leader of the Heishui Tribe. Known for their immense strength, the Heishui Tribe is second only to the Strength Gu n of the shamans. ¡°As for the woman... she¡¯s a serpent demon named Hongling. She and her kin are affiliated with the Qingyan Tribe. Hongling herself is the favored concubine of the tribe¡¯s leader.¡± Chu Xianglong hesitated before adding, his voice tinged with bitterness, ¡°All three are rank fours.¡± *So, they really are rank fours...* The High Court Deputy Justice nearly buckled, struggling to remain upright. Amid the crowd, the unremarkable princess consort raised her head, quickly scanning the three rank fours before lowering it again, her body trembling in fear. She was a timid woman, easily frightened even by ghost stories, and now found herself in a situation straight out of a nightmare. Stories of northern barbarians depicted them as savage brutes who raided the borders, eating the men, viting the women, and then eating them too. Her fate, should she fall into their hands, was all too clear. ¡­ The three powerhouses of the barbarian and yao ns silently listened as Chu Xianglong finished his exnation. The alluring woman named Hongling chuckled softly, her voice sweet and flirtatious. "Ah, isn''t this the Deputy General Chu under King Huai''smand? After the battle at Duonao three years ago, I''ve been thinking about you day and night," she said. Chu Xianglong snorted coldly. "The defeated have no right to boast." "That''s why I''m here today¡ªto rekindle our old me," she teased, her voice dripping with charm. Her sultry gaze swept over the envoy party, pausing briefly on the veiled princess consort before shifting away. After inspecting the group, she clicked her tongue and said: "What a pitiful bunch of misfits. Other than Yang Yan, only you, General Chu, are barely passable. Hand over the princess consort, and I''ll grant you a fleeting moment of ecstasy before you die." Xu Qi¡¯an''s Vajra Divine Art remained concealed, with no radiant glow on his body. "I want Yang Yan," boomed the towering figure in the treetops, his voice thundering like a storm. "The rest are yours¡ªkill, eat, or capture, I don¡¯t care." "How did you track the envoy?" a voice rang out from among the group. Tangshan-Jun, the ck river dragon, nced briefly at the speaker but offered no response. In contrast, Zalmukha, standing high above, kept his gaze fixed solely on Yang Yan. Only Hongling showed some interest. Seeing the speaker was the handsome Silver Gong, she fluttered her eyshes flirtatiously and giggled, "Why don''t you guess?" _Such a flirt,_ Xu Qi¡¯an thought, gripping his ck-gold saber tightly. He remained calm despite her taunts, lighting a piece of paper discreetly with his other hand. *To be crass, a woman in all red is a flirt or a romantic, a man in all white is a femboy or gay¡­ from what information Chu Xianglong revealed, none of these fourth ranks excelled at tracking¡­ so there¡¯s only two possibilities: we have a traitor, or they have unseen allies.* _Hm? There''s no trace of other strong presences nearby. That¡¯s strange._ Xu Qi¡¯an sneered. "I guess you have an Arcanist helping you." Hongling¡¯s smile froze, her gaze sharpening as she re-evaluated him. "How do you know that?" she demanded. Tangshan-Jun and Zalmukha both cast a surprised nce at Xu Qi¡¯an. _So it is an Arcanist,_ Xu Qi¡¯an thought. _Not too bright, are you? Gave it away so easily._ Outwardly, he remainedposed, though his heart sank. The mere mention of "Arcanist" triggered a near-automatic response of unease in him. The Jianzheng, who had manipted him so thoroughly, and the mysterious Arcanist suspected of imnting fortune into his body¡ªboth were unresolved threats looming over him. _Could this ambush involve the same Arcanist?_ he spected. _If so, the target is likely me, not the princess. But that doesn¡¯t align. They wouldn¡¯t act now, fearing the divine monk Shenshu within me._ Xu Qi¡¯an withheld any response, leaving Hongling visibly annoyed. Her smile turned cruel. "No matter, you''re just a little Silver Gong. When I kill youter, I''ll make sure to savour it." With that, she turned away, focusing her attention back on Tangshan-Jun and Zalmukha. "You can take Yang Yan. The rest, including Chu Xianglong, are mine," she said, grinning. Zalmukha scoffed. "I can deal with Yang Yan myself." Tangshan-Jun raised his head and unleashed an earth-shattering roar. The ground ahead of the envoy suddenly caved in, releasing a torrent of muddy underground water. The dirty stream spiraled upward, forming a massive water tornado that hurtled toward the envoy party. _An AoE attack right off the bat,_ Xu Qi¡¯an thought, biting down on the Confucian spellbook he carried. Yang Yan sprang into action, charging toward the water tornado with his silver spear. With a powerful thrust, he pierced into the vortex, his voice ringing out in a low growl as he twisted the spear. The water tornado instantly copsed, drenching the battlefield in filthy rain. As Yang Yan shattered the attack, Tangshan-Jun lunged forward, his colossal dragon body¡ªover a hundred meters long¡ªcharging like an unstoppable force. On the battlefield, such a charge could easily annihte a thousand cavalry. Meanwhile, Zalmukha leaped down from the treetops, his towering figure shaking the earth as he descended toward Yang Yan. "Ahaha¡­" Amidst the chaos, Hongling appeared, wielding twin des as she darted like a phantom toward Yang Yan. Their earlier words had been a ruse. Their true target was Yang Yan, whom they aimed to kill as swiftly as possible. The realisation struck the envoy party, filling them with dread and despair. "Loose the arrows!" bellowed Chen Xiao. Hundreds of imperial guards drew their crossbows, aiming at Tangshan-Jun and Zalmukha. Bolts struck their bodies but shattered harmlessly, unable to prate their defenses. At that moment, Chu Xianglong suddenly hoisted the veiled princess onto his shoulder and fled the battlefield, leaving the envoy party behind. Chu''s loyal guards followed suit, carrying the maidservants as they scattered in different directions. This was a contingency n Chu had devised long ago: if they faced an overwhelming threat, the guards would flee with the maids. That way, even if captured, the enemy would only seize a decoy princess. The real princess was hidden among the maids. With each group fleeing separately, the chances of her escaping safely increased dramatically. "Bastard!" the High Court Deputy roared in fury. Constable Chen of the Ministry of Law, clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot. If it weren¡¯t for Chu Xianglong, how could the delegation find themselves in this predicament? Last night, the official ship was ambushed, yet the envoy group did not expel Chu Xianglong. Instead, they analysed the situation and resolved to bear the brunt together, enduring hardships as one. But who would have thought that, when danger struck, Chu Xianglong would so ruthlessly abandon them without hesitation? To him, the hundred-plus people of the envoy group were merely expendable pawns, disposable chess pieces meant to shield him. In the moment of peril, he cast them aside to secure his own safety. "That beast!" the Censor cursed furiously. "We''re doomed, we''re doomed... What now?" The three civil officials wore despair on their faces. The hundred Imperial Guards, filled with righteous indignation, had already steeled themselves for death. Discarding their crossbows, they drew their battle des. At that moment, Xu Qi¡¯an said in a steady voice, "Boss, you handle the woman. Leave the other two to me." "You..." Just as Chief Constable Chen of the Ministry of Law was about to say, _How can you, a mere Silver Gong, take on two fourth-rank opponents?_ a thought struck him. He recalled Xu Qi¡¯an''s recent feats¡ªtwo hands suppressing both Heaven and Man. Without hesitation, Yang Yan dragged his silver spear into a sprint. Twisting his body mid-charge, he swung the spear in a sweeping arc. _Whoosh!_ The spear shaft bent slightly, whistling sharply through the air. _ng!_ The woman in the red dress crossed her daggers to block, fending off the horizontal sweep of the spear. Yang Yan released his grip on the spear, darted forward a few steps, and leapt with a fierce knee strike. The red-dressed woman was sent flying, spitting venom mid-air. But Yang Yan evaded each drop with ease. The venom hit the ground, corroding the earth. Yang Yan gripped the spear tip, spun, and swung it upward in a devastating arc. _ng!_ The spear struck the woman''s head, emitting a piercing metallic ring. Her pupils dted, as if her very soul had left her body. Seizing the opportunity, Yang Yan unleashed a flurry of hundreds of spear thrusts. The barrage of attacks, infused with spear intent, poured down like a storm. The woman¡¯s skin was covered with ayer of scales, and sparks flew with every strike. Though she was not in mortal danger, she reeled in pain under the fury of blows. "What are you doing? Help me!" the woman shrieked, her gaze darting toward the envoy group. The next moment, her expression froze, as if she had seen an illusion. On the other side, Xu Qi¡¯an flicked away some ashes and extended a hand toward the ck river dragon,manding, "Lay down your butcher¡¯s de; be a buddha where you stand." The ferocious river dragon, mid-charge, came to a screeching halt, its cold vertical pupils dazed with confusion. It seemed to regret its aggression, as if wondering why it was so impulsive and violent. _All life is precious¡ªnts, animals, and especially humans._ _tter!_ Weapons ttered to the ground. On the envoy''s side, the Imperial Guards collectively dropped their des, their faces reflecting deep introspection. _Could humans and yao not coexist peacefully?_ _Buddhist magic is truly toxic..._ Xu Qi¡¯an thought with a hint of mockery. He sank into a half-crouch and looked up at the giant Zarmukha, who was descending from the mountain like a thunderous avnche. "Take my Indomitable Vajra Headbutt!" With a rumble, the ground cracked beneath him as he shot skyward like a firework. A golden gleam spread from a dot on his forehead, racing across his body. _Boom!_ He collided headfirst with the giant, the impact sending waves rippling through Zarmukha''syers of fat. The two separated after the blow. By this time, the Buddhist restraining spell had faded. rity returned to the river dragon''s eyes, but instead of resuming its assault, it cautiously watched Xu Qi¡¯an, its vertical pupils gleaming with wariness. Landing with a ground-shaking thud, Zarmukha scrutinized Xu Qi¡¯an with suspicion. "An unbreakable Vajra? A monk of the Buddhist Sect?" the river dragon growled, speaking human words. mes of hatred ignited in its cold eyes. The yao race and the Buddhist Sect shared an ancient enmity¡ªgrievances and rivers of blood stretching across generations. "Did... Did Silver Gong Xu just fight two fourth-rank experts by himself?" the High Court Deputy Justice asked in a tone seeking confirmation. "He already did so at the Wei River... and he won!" Two censors eximed, joy lighting their faces as they recalled Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s feats. In that moment, they felt as though the impassable mountains had parted, revealing a bright path ahead. _He even has a Confucian spellbook!_ Chief Constable Chen¡¯s eyesnded on the scroll Xu Qi¡¯an held between his teeth. As a seventh-rank martial artist, Chen knew the significance of the battle at Wei River. Back then, he had been jealous¡ªjealous of Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s fame, of his Confucian spellbook. _Without that book, what is Xu Qi¡¯an but a sixth-rank martial artist? In the capital, he¡¯d be nothing!_ Yet now, seeing Xu Qi¡¯an with that spellbook, Chen felt a deep sense of relief. _Thank heavens he has that book. Thank heavens._ "Silver Gong Xu!" The hundred Imperial Guards lit up with awe, gazing at Xu Qi¡¯an as if he were a divine figure. In dire times, a leader who steps forth to turn the tide is more revered, more beloved, than the emperor himself. Chen Xiao picked up his sabre, swinging it high as newfound determination coursed through him. He roared, "Brothers, raise your des and fight alongside Sir Xu!" "Fight alongside Sir Xu!" the hundred Imperial Guards roared in unison, their morale soaring. Gone was their terror; their hearts brimmed with valour and fighting spirit. For soldiers, nothing is more glorious than fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with a leader they admire, even if it means dying on the battlefield. The High Court Deputy Justice and the censors¡¯ guards, inspired by the Guards¡¯ shouts, felt their own blood boil, their fear vanishing like morning dew. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone! Chapter 352: Xu Qians Scheme # 352. Xu Qi''an''s Scheme As the fervour of the crowd reached its peak, Xu Qi¡¯an suddenly lowered the scroll andmanded, ¡°Everyone, escort the officials away. Do not interfere in the fight.¡± It was as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over their heads. Chen Xiao protested anxiously, ¡°Sir Xu, I am willing to fight alongside you, even at the cost of my life.¡± The Imperial Guards growled in unison, ¡°We are willing to fight alongside Sir Xu, even at the cost of our lives!¡± *If you were equipped with cannons and ballistae, I wouldn¡¯t mind you assisting me. But with just crossbows¡ªmere pea shooters¡ªhow do you expect to contend with these behemoths?* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face darkened as he barked, ¡°That¡¯s an order!¡± The guards were both furious and confused, unable to fathom his reasoning. Xu Qi¡¯an, tense and alert against a sudden attack from the two fourth rank foes, saw Chen Xiao still refusing toply. His anger surged, and he snarled, ¡°If you stay, you¡¯ll only die in vain. If you don¡¯t leave now, I¡¯ll cut you down myself!¡± Chen Xiao finally understood. Sir Xu¡¯s insistence on their retreat was to protect them¡ªhe didn¡¯t want to watch his brothers die needlessly. Tears welled in his eyes as he bowed deeply. ¡°Sir Xu, please¡­ take care.¡±The Imperial Guards, too, realised Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s intent, and their eyes turned red with emotion. ¡°Sir Xu, your great kindness is beyond words. If¡­ if I survive this crisis, I will repay this debt in full,¡± the High Court Justice said, bowing deeply to Xu Qi¡¯an. The two Censors also offered solemn bows. ¡°Sir Xu, please take care.¡± To hear such reverence from these unyielding civil officials was rare. Chief Constable Chen cupped his hands silently, though the gratitude and respect in his eyes were no less profound. Behind him, the other constables also bowed with grave expressions. ¡°Leave!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an growled, cing the scroll back in his mouth. Tangshan-Jun and Zalmukha, the two fourth rank elites, did not stop them. Their cold gazes remained fixed on Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°His energy fluctuations are weak¡ªnot a fourth rank martial artist. But his Vajra Divine Art is formidable,¡± Tangshan-Jun observed, his serpentine body shifting as he assessed Xu Qi¡¯an. ¡°The scroll he holds contains Confucian magic. His personalbat strength hasn¡¯t reached fourth rank. Hmph, scrolls don¡¯tst forever. Kill him,¡± Zalmukha sneered. Tangshan-Jun¡¯s abdomen swelled, pushing a "sphere" up to his throat before he unleashed it in a violent spray. The air filled with a foul, sticky rain, covering a radius of several dozen meters and leaving Xu Qi¡¯an with no room to evade. A radiant golden orb emerged, its light dispersing the fetid liquid without leaving a trace. Thud, thud, thud¡­ Seizing the moment, Zalmukha charged with tremendous force, his towering figure aiming to snatch the scroll from Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mouth. ¡°Snap!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an snapped his fingers, igniting the paper he held between them along with a single ck hair embedded within. Zalmukha¡¯s massive frame froze mid-charge, as if struck by an invisible cudgel, and he copsed to his knees in agony. The curse of death! Xu Qi¡¯an prepared to capitalise on the opportunity and finish the downed foe, but the sound of rushing wind warned him. Tangshan-Jun¡¯s dragon head crashed down like a thunderp, sending Xu Qi¡¯an flying into the mountainside, where rocks cascaded around him. Momentster, he emerged unscathed, tearing pages from the scroll and holding them in his hands as he coldly stared at the two fourth rank adversaries. Apart from the magic scroll, his strongest attack was the One de from heaven and earth, but with his current cultivation level, he couldn¡¯t break through a fourth rank¡¯s physical defenses. Using it would only leave him in a weakened state. Thus, aside from the Vajra Divine Art¡¯s defense, he relied on the Confucian magic scroll to restrain his enemies. However, as the foes had pointed out, the scroll¡¯s power was finite. And fourth rank martial artists and yaoguai were notorious for their endurance. Xu Qi¡¯an had no illusions about defeating them with the scroll alone. Unless he used the Confucian Laws followmandments ability¡ªbut the repercussions of that skill were severe. During the Conflict of Heaven and Man, enhancing his soul tenfold had nearly cost him his life. It was only thanks to Li Miaozhen¡¯s soul-retrieval technique that he survived. *Yang Yan, that crude martial artist, clearly wouldn¡¯t possess such high brow abilities such as soul retrieval, getting him to dig the grave would be more appropriate¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an grumbled internally. Thus, the oue of this battle didn¡¯t hinge on whether he could kill the enemies¡ªit depended on how quickly Yang Yan could finish his fight. ncing over, he saw the woman in the red dress holding her ground despite being outmatched. No matter how fiercely Yang Yan struck with his spear, she endured and continued to counterattack. *Though fourth rank martial artists vary in strength, it would never be easy to win in an instant. This woman isn¡¯t just seductive; she¡¯s far more resilient than I expected¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an thought wryly. Keeping a calm facade, he spat out the scroll, held it in his hand, and waved it lightly. ¡°The scroll¡¯s magic may be limited, but it¡¯s more than enough for the two of you.¡± With that, he tore another page, burning it to ashes, which he then wiped onto his ck-gold sabre. In an instant, the sabre seemed toe alive, whistling through the air as it spiralled and darted toward Tangshan-Jun from various angles. Daoist seventh rank Guiding Qi: daoists at this rank could manipte magical weapons. The signature technique was the flying sword. Tangshan-Jun¡¯s massive frame was an advantage in strength, but it came with drawbacks. Apart from emitting shockwaves to repel the flying sabre, hecked effective counters. The de¡¯s sharpness bit into his scales, causing stinging pain. Meanwhile, Zalmukha hurled boulders at Xu Qi¡¯an, who darted through the mountains to evade the barrage of meteoric stones. The destruction caused by Tangshan-Jun¡¯s rampage only added to Zalmukha¡¯s arsenal of makeshift projectiles. ¡°Boom!¡± A boulder blocked Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s path, and Tangshan-Jun blocked Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s path, his massive dragon head looming as he roared, ¡°Got you.¡± His thousand-foot body shrank rapidly to only twenty feet long, coiling tightly around Xu Qi¡¯an to immobilise him. With his limbs restrained, Tangshan-Jun lunged to tear at Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s face, aiming to seize or destroy the scroll. His jaws snapped shut on empty air. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s figure had vanished, reappearing a hundred meters away. He raised his hand and blew the ashes from his palm. The Arcanists¡¯ teleportation array. ¡°Do you have everything?¡± the Lord of Tangshan roared. A cooked duck had flown away, leaving him seething with rage, barely able to suppress the urge to wreak havoc. *Too troublesome.* The spellbook in that Silver Gong¡¯s possession had spells far more numerous and varied than Tangshan-Jun and Zalmukha had imagined. A book like that was more precious than most magical artifacts. Who was he to own such a treasure? Since Xu Qi¡¯an was a martial artist, the two hadn¡¯t considered he might be a Confucian schr and instead suspected he had another, hidden identity. Suddenly, the woman in the red dress battling in the distance let out a sharp cry and broke away from Yang Yan, fleeing northward. It was a signal to retreat. Tangshan-Jun and Zalmukha reluctantly cast onest nce at Xu Qi¡¯an before following the woman in red. *Phew, finally gone¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an exhaled deeply, a heavy weight lifted off his chest. Any longer, and the ¡°magic book¡± Dean Zhao Shou had given him would really have beenpletely depleted. Even so, he had already used up a quarter of it, an amount that left him breathless with heartache. *Martial artists are truly troublesome. Unless the disparity in ranks is immense, there¡¯s no way to quickly settle a fight¡­ If I were fourth rank, I could be a unique kind of martial artist, one who only strikes once¡ªeither you die, or I do.* As he mulled over this, he turned to Yang Yan and called out, ¡°Boss, stick to the n. You find the envoy, and I¡¯ll rescue the princess consort.¡± Yang Yan nodded, hesitated for a moment, and asked, ¡°Will you be alright?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an grinned and said, ¡°I haven¡¯t even used the Confucians¡¯ws followmandments yet. That was just a warm-up. Rx, Boss, don¡¯t worry about me.¡± ¡°At my current level, if I want to escape, even Rank Four martial artists won¡¯t be able to stop me.¡± His Vajra body granted him a defence surpassing that of ordinary Rank Four martial artists. After parting ways with Yang Yan, Xu Qi¡¯anmunicated with the monk Shenshu in his mind. ¡°Master, remember not to destroy their souls when you kill.¡± Shenshu¡¯s gentle voice echoed in his head, ¡°This monk understands.¡± Since deciding to counterattack against the northern tribesst night, Xu Qi¡¯an had been trying to awaken Shenshu without sess. In frustration, he had shouted in his mind: Shenshu, fuck your mother. That had woken Shenshu instantly¡­ To Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s suggestion, Shenshu had agreed without hesitation. The vital essence of Rank Four experts was a rare and valuable elixir for him. Opportunities like this were exceedingly rare. In fact, Shenshu was more eager than Xu Qi¡¯an. If Yang Yan hadn¡¯t been present earlier, Tangshan-Jun and Zalmukha would already be desated corpses. ¡°There may be more than just three Rank Fours. They must have backup. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t have allowed Chu Xianglong to escape just now.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an spoke as he tore off a page containing the Qi-watching technique. Observing Qi could sometimes also be used for tracking. ¡°For this monk, the more, the better.¡± Shenshu¡¯s warm voice carried a hint ofughter. ¡­ Chu Xianglong sprinted through mountains and valleys, carrying the fake princess consort as he fled desperately. He was a fifth rank martial artist: Transforming Force. Among the generals under the Zhenbei King, his strength was only mid-tier. But when it came to leading troops, his abilities were outstanding, and his battlefield experience was vast. If he were handed a 50,000-strong army, the Zhenbei King would entrust it to him over any fourth rank in his retinue. *I¡¯ve taken the ¡°princess consort¡± and escaped, so naturally I¡¯ll be their primary target. Once they catch up, I¡¯ll throw the woman off my back.* When they reali*ze it¡¯s a fake, at most one of them will continue chasing me, or they might not bother at all and regroup to intercept the others.* *If it weren¡¯t for that qi deviation, I could run even faster¡­ I just hope Yang Yan can hold on longer. Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s Vajra Body makes his defenceparable to a fourth rank. Killing him won¡¯t be easy. With Yang Yan there as well, they should be able tost at least an hour.* *If Xu Qi¡¯an still has spells left in that Confucian book, he could dy them a bit longer. Heh, as if he¡¯d have any left. It doesn¡¯t matter. As long as they buy time, I can escape.* *As for the envoy, they¡¯re probably doomed. No matter. They¡¯re insignificant nobodies. How can theypare to the princess consort¡ªor my own life? Especially Xu Qi¡¯an, always working against me. He deserves to die.* As he ran, deep in thought, Chu Xianglong suddenly heard a sharp whistling sound. His instincts as a martial artist kicked in. Without needing to think, his fifth rank reflexes allowed him to leap sideways mid-sprint, evading an aerial attack. A bundle of white threads, resembling spider silk,nded where he had stood moments ago. Chu Xianglong looked up, and his face changed drastically. In the azure sky, a creature resembling a spider with wings hovered, its wings beating rhythmically. Standing on the creature¡¯s back was a man d in tiger skin, his robust frame and rugged features marking him as a typical northerner. Unlike ordinary barbarians, however, a lone vertical eye adorned his forehead. This was Tiang, ¡°Sky Wolf¡±, leader of the Jinmu Tribe, one of the twelve northern tribes. The Jinmu Tribe specialized in aerial cavalry. Each adult tribesman raised a feathered spider, making them natural scouts. In battles with the northern tribes, the Jinmu Tribe had always been the most vexing foe for the northern defenses. Everyone knew that below Rank Four, martial artists could not traverse the skies. Even at Rank Four, flight was limited in both duration and altitude. But what truly made Chu Xianglong¡¯s face darken wasn¡¯t the presence of another Rank Four enemy. Instead, it was the feathered spider¡¯s sharp fangs, from which dangled threads of silk, each thread binding a woman. Among the captives was the real princess consort. Chu Xianglong, who had believed himself the fisherman about to catch as the ms fight, now realized he was merely the mantis, with the oriole looming behind.[^1] Tiang unslung a powerful bow from his back, nocked an arrow, and drew it into a full crescent. The bowstring thrummed, and the arrow shot forth like a streak of light. Chu Xianglong clenched his teeth and lifted the woman he carried as a human shield. Thwack! The arrow suddenly veered away, burying itself in the soil nearby, deliberately avoiding the princess consort. Thrum! Thrum! Thrum! The vertical-eyed Tiang continuously loosed arrows from his bow. Some shot straight, while others curved mid-flight to strike at Chu Xianglong from all angles. However, as long as Chu Xianglong heartlessly used the princess consort as a shield, the arrows instinctively diverted. Chu Xianglong sprinted madly forward, relying not on his sight but on the warrior¡¯s innate instinct for danger to sense and evade the arrows. The ground erupted into craters around him as arrows struck, flinging dirt into the air. asionally, an arrow pierced through his shield and struck his body, causing him to stagger slightly. But even so, anxiety flooded Chu Xianglong¡¯s heart. *Tiang is a fourth-rank expert, and his arrows carry ¡°intent¡±. My Bronze Skin and Iron Bones won¡¯t hold up for more than ten arrows. If two arrows hit the same spot, my defence could be broken in just three shots¡­* *What to do¡­ What to do¡­* The situation was spiralling out of control. The real princess consort was already captured, leaving him with no chance to escape. The enemy wouldn¡¯t bother pursuing the scattered maids, focusing all their effort on eliminating him instead. Suddenly, Chu Xianglong noticed a patch of forest ahead, its foliage covered in a strange, snow-like white frost. Upon closer inspection, it wasn¡¯t frost but dense spider silk. Though non-toxic, the silk was highly adhesive. If he blindly rushed in, the strands would entangle him, rendering him sluggish. _Tiang drove me here on purpose. He¡¯s already set the trap¡­_ Thoughts raced as Chu Xianglong looked to his left at the open ins and to his right at the mountainous terrain. Without hesitation, he chose the mountains, veering abruptly in that direction. Abandoning his momentum, he darted toward the rocky slopes, aiming to lose himself among the rugged terrain and evade the aerial threat. Just then, his martial instinct screamed danger. Without thinking, Chu Xianglong leaped sideways to evade a preemptive arrow shot. _Ding¡­_ _Thwack¡­_ Two distinct sounds rang out. The first arrow struck his back and snapped, but the second followed instantly,nding in the exact same spot. This time, the arrow pierced through his back and into his heart. ¡°Urgh¡­¡± Chu Xianglong didn¡¯t die outright. A flicker of life remained. Tiang descended on his winged spider,nding beside the fallen Chu Xianglong. Gazing down at him, Tiang said indifferently, ¡°You¡¯re very lucky. Those two arrows weren¡¯t even meant for you¡ªyou ran straight into them yourself.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t put so much faith in a warrior¡¯s instinct. It can only sense malicious attacks, and only for an instant. If there¡¯s a second attack within that instant, there¡¯s no warning.¡± ¡°This¡­ you nned all this¡­¡± Chu Xianglong stared at him, unwilling to ept his fate. ¡°Isn¡¯t it a hunter¡¯s duty to set traps?¡± Tiang replied coldly, his tone devoid of gloat. He hoisted the trembling ¡°princess consort¡± over his shoulder, carried her back to the winged spider, and ced her alongside the other bound maids. Then he stood silently beside his mount, stroking its back as he waited. After about fifteen minutes, the red-dressed woman, the giant Zalmukha, and the now human-form Lord of Tangshan arrived together, propelled through the air by their explosive Qi. The trionded not far away. ¡°You look battered. Three of you couldn¡¯t kill Yang Yan?¡± Tiang remarked with no change in his expression. His gaze lingered on the red-dressed woman before shifting to their waists¡ªYang Yan¡¯s head was not among their trophies. ¡°We had a mishap. There¡¯s a tough one among the envoy,¡± Hongling said grimly. ¡°A tough one?¡± Tiang frowned. ¡°Yang Yan stabbed me, and these two were held up,¡± Hongling spat. Tiang turned his questioning gaze to Tangshan-Jun and Zalmukha. ¡°A mere Silver Gong, not particrly strong, but he had the Buddhist Vajra Body technique protecting him. He seemed like a warrior monk,¡± Zalmukha exined. ¡°He carried a Confucian book containing spells from various systems. It was extraordinarily troublesome. Even working together, we couldn¡¯t subdue him,¡± added Tangshan-Jun, his ck robe and serpentine eyes exuding a cold detachment. Tiang nodded, dismissing the matter. He then turned to the veiled princess consort, saying, ¡°This one¡¯s fake. The real one should be among these maids.¡± Hongling yanked off the imposter¡¯s veil, revealing a delicate face pale with fear, her eyes brimming with terror as her shoulders trembled uncontrobly. *¡°Thwip¡­¡±* Hongling¡¯s tongue darted out, forked and unnaturally long, licking the imposter¡¯s cheek. Smiling sweetly, she cooed, ¡°Tell me, who is the real princess consort?¡± ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± The imposter trembled violently, her face ashen. Stammering, she said, ¡°I¡¯m just a maid serving the princess consort. The real¡­ the real princess consort isn¡¯t here.¡± Hongling sighed, disappointed. ¡°I¡¯m very disappointed with that answer. Maybe I¡¯ll reward you with a kiss.¡± She lowered her head, locking lips with the imposter in a passionate kiss. In full view of the three men, she kissed deeply, her forked tongue entangling the maid¡¯s. The imposter¡¯s eyes widened in horror as her limbs convulsed violently, wracked with unimaginable pain. Her face quickly shriveled, her flesh dissolving until only a mummified corpse remained. Hongling let out a satisfied sigh, herplexion glowing. The maids, entangled in spider silk, turned ghostly pale. Some trembled uncontrobly as though in a seizure; others broke down into hysterical sobs, terrified that they might be next. Among them, the real princess consort sat frozen. She stared nkly at her personal maid¡¯s gruesome death, grief-stricken and despondent. Yet, in the depths of her heart, she felt an unexpected envy. Because she knew what her eventual fate would be. If she fell into the hands of the barbarians, death would be a vain dream. *No one can save me, no one can save me from these four northern experts, unless King Huai personallyes¡­* the princess consort thought, trembling. What they had feared hade to pass. When she left the capital, she was full of worry; worry both of finally seeing the Zhenbei King, and also uncertainty about the road ahead. Only when she saw that little Silver Gong on the decks, did she finally feel some sense of safety, feeling that at least the road ahead would be calm. This was a very strange feeling. In essence, perhaps it was because this kid¡¯s achievements were indeed impressive, giving her a sense of safety. And then, when the worry that the official ship would be ambushed turned out true, her heart rose again to her throat. That was why not long ago she had carefully tested Xu Qi¡¯an, asking him if he would give up the consort. His reply brought her great sorrow. At this point, the princess no longer harboured any hope. In the Great Feng, there were only a handful of people capable of rescuing her single-handedly from four fourth rank martial artists. No, perhaps only the Zhenbei King could aplish such a feat. And he was far away in the North. *From what I can hear, the emissary remains intact, they couldn¡¯t get past Xu Qi¡¯an. He¡­ he actually forced back two fourth ranks¡­*Tears welled up in the princess''s eyes, bringing her a sliver of sce. ¡°You know what, Deputy General Chu, why don¡¯t you tell me¡ªwho is the princess consort?¡± Hongling flung the barely-breathing Chu Xianglong onto the ground in front of the maidservants. Chu Xianglong swept his gaze across the gathered women and sneered, ¡°Who told you the princess is here? She never even left the capital. You¡¯ve fallen into a trap.¡± The princess felt a pang of sorrow, like a fox mourning a hare¡¯s death. Though she found the deputy general detestable, his loyalty to King Huai was undeniable. Tangshan-Jun''s voice was cold and sinister. ¡°Then I¡¯ll just eat them all.¡± ¡°Eat them, hurry up!¡± Chu Xianglong, gasping for air,ughed mockingly. The princess¡¯s heart sank. Chu Xianglong wanted her dead¡ªwhat King Huai couldn¡¯t have, he¡¯d rather see destroyed than let it fall into the hands of the northern barbarians. ¡°He¡¯s lying.¡± A voice rang out from the dense forest. The group turned their heads to see a young man in white stepping out, his hands sped behind his back and a faint smile on his face. ¡°You¡¯vee at just the right time,¡± rumbled the giant Zalmukha. ¡°Use your Qi-watching technique to tell us who the princess is.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t see,¡± the man in white replied, shaking his head. ¡°A Qi-concealing artifact?¡± Tiang mused. ¡°Think about it with your brains for once,¡± the white-robed arcanist scoffed, disdain flickering in his expression. ¡°The princess consort is a woman of unparalleled beauty, far beyond thesemon women. She must be carrying an artefact to mask her Qi.¡± The arcanist tilted his chin arrogantly, his tone condescending. ¡°Now, use your not-so-clever minds again: strip them of their clothes and essories, and you¡¯ll know who the princess is.¡± ¡°Excellent idea!¡± Hongling chuckled, herughter sweet and sharp. ¡°You arcanists are always so insufferably proud, but I like this suggestion. Tut tut, I heard that the Princess consort is the number one beauty in the Great Feng¡ªso dignified and elegant. I¡¯d love to see her stripped bare. Let¡¯s see how noble she looks then, and how she differs from usmoners.¡± The princess bit her lips tightly, her eyes filled with despair. Just then, a voice called out from a distance, replying to the crimson-robed woman¡¯s provocation: ¡°Perhaps the difference is like that between diamonds and ss?¡± *Who is it...* Hongling, Tiang, and the others whipped around to see a young man wearing a mink hat and carrying a long de standing amidst the grass dozens of feet away. *When did he arrive?* The moment the princess saw Xu Qi¡¯an, her dark, watery eyes lit up like never before, as if holding starlight. But in the next instant, her gaze shifted to worry and anxiety. *What is he doing here? To throw his life away?* ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you.¡± Hongling scrutinized him with suspicion, her eyes darting around warily. With a sweet smile, she asked, ¡°Where is Yang Yan? Where is he hiding? You two really aren¡¯t afraid of death,ing here to deliver yourselves.¡± ¡°Who is he?¡± Tiang frowned. ¡°The Silver Gong I just mentioned,¡± Tangshan-Jun answered icily, his vertical pupils glinting coldly. ¡°His cultivation isn¡¯t high, but he¡¯s incredibly troublesome, relying on a Confucian scroll.¡± The vertical-eyed Tiang smirked. ¡°A Confucian scroll is indeed a fine thing. Inbat, it can be exceptionally useful.¡± The giant Zalmukha nodded in agreement. He and Tangshan-Jun had firsthand experience with it, and their greed was evident. Hongling raised her hand, three pale fingers extended, and licked her lips. She smiled sweetly, ¡°Three breaths to deal with him. Don¡¯t give him a chance to activate his techniques. Otherwise, even if we snatch the scroll, it won¡¯t be enough to share.¡± Tangshan-Jun sneered, ¡°Whoever takes his head gets half the pages.¡± Zalmukha, Tiang, and Hongling slowly nodded. ¡°Agreed.¡± Tangshan-Jun added sinisterly, ¡°I wonder if that scroll contains Daoist or Warlock techniques for raising ghosts. I¡¯ll turn him into a vengeful spirit, carry him by my side, and torment him endlessly, denying him peace for eternity.¡± This brat had thoroughly embarrassed him. The four experts regarded Xu Qi¡¯an like a prized but doomed prey. ¡°Don¡¯t rush,¡± the white-robed arcanist interjected. ¡°Let me check first for any tricks. To dare venture here alone, he must have some reliance. Perhaps this is only an avatar.¡± With that, he activated his Qi-watching technique, observing Xu Qi¡¯an. Listening to the northern experts¡¯ discussion, the princess¡¯s heart clenched with fear. She screamed, ¡°Xu Qi¡¯an, you reckless fool! You damn scoundrel, get out of here now...¡± Her voice was abruptly interrupted by a pained cry. The white-robed arcanist clutched his eyes with both hands, blood seeping through his fingers. The princess stared nkly at him, not understanding what had happened. ¡°Run... run away... take me with you...¡± the white-robed arcanist managed to choke out through gritted teeth. Hongling, Tangshan-Jun, Tiang, and Zalmukha¡¯s expressions turned. --- [^1]: So this involves two separate Chinese fables. One is ¡°The river ms flight, and the fisherman wins¡± (Two parties in conflict letting a third party sweep in), the second one is ¡°The mantis hunts the cicada, the oriole [a bird] looms behind¡± (Thinking only of the benefits and little of any consequences) Chapter 353X. The Princess Consorts Secret # 353X. The Princess Consort''s Secret *Run Does he mean that the four of us, all fourth rank, have no chance of victory against this kid?* The hot-headed and bloodthirsty Zalmukha was not swayed. He narrowed his eyes, locking onto Xu Qi¡¯an. *What¡­ what did he see? Why would he tell us to run?* Tangshan-Jun, ever suspicious, stared at Xu Qi¡¯an with heightened vignce. If this boy were truly so terrifying, why had he been entangled inbat for so long just moments before? *The Qi-watching technique showed something that isn¡¯t meant to be seen?* The contempt on Tiang¡¯s face vanished as he readied himself, as if about to face a great adversary. *Something is wrong with this boy¡­* Hongling nced at the White-Robed Arcanist¡¯s miserable state, and a memory flickered in her mind, sharp as a dagger. It was from a conversation she once had with the arcanist while journeying to ambush the Zhenbei Consort. Back then, she had heard that the princess consort¡¯s beauty was so resplendent, that an Arcanist could see her Qi from tens of miles away. In a moment of curiosity, she had asked, ¡°What would happen if a third-ranked, second-ranked, or even first-ranked cultivator were viewed through Qi-watching?¡± The arcanist had answered her solemnly, ¡°A third rank would severely damage the observer¡¯s soul. A second rank would leave the observer blind and insane on the spot. As for a first rank¡­¡± He hadn¡¯t continued, but Hongling had gleaned enough from his grave expression¡ªthe result would undoubtedly be death.*Second rank? Could this boy be second rank? No, it¡¯s not him. It''s something on him, something tied to the power of a second rank¡­* Her heartbeat quickened uncontrobly, adrenaline surging and goosebumps erupting as her body was overwhelmed with the urge to flee. Xu Qi¡¯an raised his hand gently, making to press down. with that simple gesture, a breeze-like wave of Qi swept through, and every maidservant in the area copsed, unconscious. *Run, run now, or I¡¯ll die¡­!* The enormous fear detonated in her heart. Hongling forced herself to suppress her instincts and stered on a forced smile. ¡°What arrogance! Zalmukha, aren¡¯t you going to act? Or have you lost interest in the Confucian tome?¡± Zalmukha, ever eager for battle and already unconvinced by Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s supposed threat, gave a savage grin. He charged forward, the earth trembling under his enormous strides. Tangshan-Jun and Tiang were about to join him when they noticed Hongling darting away, abandoning them all. *What?!* The two fourth-ranked experts exchanged nces, their pupils contracting with realisation. A dreadful premonition gripped them. Then came the scream. Zalmukha¡¯s bloody scream. Whipping their heads back, they saw the towering giant on his knees, writhing in agony. His enormous wrist was trapped in a grotesquely ckened hand¡ªmuscr, veiny, and disproportionate, exuding a horrifyingly abyssal aura. Merely looking at it made their heads swim with vertigo. Now they understood why Hongling had fled and why the White-Robed Arcanist had screamed for them to escape. Crack! Crack! The sound of shattering bones rang out. Zalmukha¡¯s enormous frame shrivelled rapidly, his anguished cries silenced. The remaining two wasted no time. One leapt onto the feathered spider, while the other sprinted after Hongling, their retreat nothing short of frantic. ¡°Freedom from fear, freedom from delusion,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an intoned with a resonant voice. Buddhistmandments! This time, he didn¡¯t need the magic book. The force controlling his body was Shenshu. In an instant, themand took hold. Hongling, Tangshan-Jun, and Tiang found their panic quelled, their desire to flee snuffed out. Instead, an uncontroble urge to fight overtook them. When the edict¡¯s grip released two secondster, the fear and desperation returned¡ªbut it was toote. In two seconds, a Shenshu-possessed Xu Qi¡¯anpleted a devastating triple kill. He drew the ck-gold de from his back and hurled it. Without watching it fly, he vanished like a ghost, reappearing in front of Tiang. Grasping the man¡¯s neck, he unleashed a burst of Qi. Crack! His head was picked off its shoulders. Leaping high into the air, Xu Qi¡¯an descended with a thunderous kick, driving Tangshan-Jun into the ground before mming his palm atop the man¡¯s head. Bang! Tangshan-Jun¡¯s eyes rolled back as his reptilian pupils faded to ck. Farther away, a faint ¡°thunk¡± echoed as the ck-gold de pierced Hongling¡¯s chest, nailing her to the ground. Her vaunted fourth-rank physique proved as fragile as paper under Shenshu¡¯s immense power. ¡°No, no, don¡¯t kill me¡­ please¡­¡± Hongling gasped, blood frothing at her lips. She looked pitiable, trembling in the face of death. Regret surged through her. If only she hadn¡¯t joined this ambush. If only she hadn¡¯te to the Great Feng. She would never have encountered this monster¡ªa demon in the guise of a Silver Gong. Toote. She understood now, but toote. ¡°This monk does not kill. This monk is merely ushering your soul into the cycle of reincarnation,¡± Shenshu said with serene benevolence, turning to the false consort whose bloodless corpse nowy shrivelled. ¡°Just like her.¡± Hongling let out a final despairing scream, ¡°Who¡­ who are you?¡± ¡°Silver Gong of the Great Feng, Xu Qi¡¯an,¡± Shenshu replied. *Xu Qi¡¯an¡­* The name echoed in her mind, thest thought she ever had. With his adversaries in, Shenshu methodically drained their essence, leaving them as withered husks. ¡°Next time you face such foes, remember to call me...¡± Shenshu returned control of the body to Xu Qi¡¯an. *Shenshu boasts now? How dull. I didn¡¯t even get to truly experience the power of a fourth rank. They fell without a proper fight¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an sighed internally. The oue didn¡¯t surprise him. In fact, he expected nothing less. After all, Shenshu, even a mere severed arm, had once fought off four Gold Gongs and Yang Qianhuan. Now, nourished for half a year and further strengthened by the ancient tomb¡¯s fortune, it was only natural that fourth-rank enemies would fall with ease. *But could he match the Zhenbei King? A third rank¡­ The gulf between third and fourth rank is vast, like heaven and earth. While Shenshu can easily kill fourth ranks, third rank might be beyond him¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an mused, gripping his de tightly. Around him, only maidservants and two survivors remained: Chu Xianglong and the White-Robed Arcanist. ¡°You¡¯re about to die. Any parting words?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an asked, standing over Chu Xianglong. ¡°Who¡­ who are you?¡± Chu Xianglong rasped, his gaze clouded as he looked at the Silver Gong. His heart had been pierced by an arrow¡ªonly his formidable martial physique kept him alive. ¡°Didn¡¯t I already say? Silver Gong of the Great Feng, Xu Qi¡¯an.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not your voice¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an didn¡¯t answer. After a moment¡¯s silence, Chu Xianglong mustered his remaining strength to ask, ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered¡­ The stone Buddha you gave me¡­¡± ¡°It was fake. A cobbled-together piece, iplete andcking in weight,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an sneered. ¡°¡­you deserve a wretched death!¡± Chu Xianglong cursed. Thunk! The ck-gold de descended, severing his head. Then, he turned his gaze to the arcanist, whose mind had descended into madness. The man was beyondmunication, blood streaming from his eyes as he murmured repeatedly, "Run... run..." With a swift motion, Xu Qi¡¯an raised his de and ended the arcanist¡¯s life. After eliminating all witnesses, Xu Qi¡¯an retrieved the Confucian book, tore out the record of the Daoist "Yin-Gathering Formation," and ignited it with a burst of qi. In the dense forest, a chilling wind swept through, and the sunlight seemed to lose its warmth. Seven faint, unreal shadows materialised in midair, their expressions dull and lifeless. Before heading north, Li Miaozhen had told Xu Qi¡¯an that when a person dies, the heavenly and earthly souls leave the body, but the human soul lingers for seven days before dissipating. Until all three souls are united, the spirit remains dull and unresponsive. No matter the question, they would answer truthfully and could not lie. "How did you learn of the princess consort¡¯s journey north and prepare the ambush in advance?" Xu Qi¡¯an scanned the souls of the four northern experts and asked calmly. "Xu Shengzu told us," replied the towering Zalmukha, his face vacant. "And who is Xu Shengzu?" Xu Qi¡¯an pressed. "An arcanist¡­" Zalmukha answered with unwavering honesty. *An arcanist?* Xu Qi¡¯an''s gaze shifted immediately to the soul of the white-d arcanist, his thoughts churning. He continued, "Why ambush the princess consort?" When dealing with souls, Xu Qi¡¯an knew questions had to be asked one at a time. Overloading them would result in no answer. "To prevent the Zhenbei King from reaching second rank," Zalmukha replied. *To prevent the Zhenbei King from reaching second rank? What connection could there be between the princess consort¡¯s death and the Zhenbei King¡¯s advancement? Without her, would he truly be unable to achieve second rank?* This revtionpletely upended Xu Qi¡¯an''s expectations, leaving him pondering deeply. Initially, Xu Qi¡¯an had spected that the princess consort¡¯s journey north concealed some secret, perhaps tied to Emperor Yuanjing or a scheme involving the Zhenbei King. Indeed, there was a hidden agenda¡ªbut never would he have imagined that a mere woman could be crucial to the Zhenbei King¡¯s advancement to second rank. After a long period of reflection, Xu Qi¡¯an asked the same question to Hong Ling, Tangshan-Jun, and Tiang. Their answers were consistent. Their sole purpose in ambushing the princess consort was to prevent the Zhenbei King from advancing to second rank. Xu Qi¡¯an then asked, "What is so special about the princess consort?" Zalmukha murmured, "It¡¯s said that the princess consort possesses an exceptionally rare spiritual essence. Absorbing it would make advancing to third rank effortless." *This¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an''s pupils slightly contracted. He found the im hard to believe. If fourth rank warriors are still considered human, then third rank warriors transcend mortal limits¡ªa qualitative leap in life itself. Thus, the number of third rankspared to fourth ranks fell off a cliff. Xu Qi¡¯an had no idea how many fourth rank warriors the Great Feng had, but it was certainly many. Yet in third rank was only the Zhenbei King. The difficulty of such advancement was evident. *Could a mere princess consort enable a fourth rank warrior to advance to third rank?* At this thought, Xu Qi¡¯an couldn''t help but nce at the old auntie. *No wonder she had seemed so distraught after learning about the ambush on the official ship¡ªso unlike her usual proud demeanour. She must have known her unique nature and the fate that awaited her if she fell into the hands of the barbarians.* Then another discrepancy struck him. "Wait¡­ if the princess consort is truly so coveted, how has she survived all these years unscathed? The allure of advancing to third rank would be irresistible, not just to the northern barbarians but to fourth rank experts in the Great Feng as well, like Yang Yan." *Yang Yan, that martial arts fanatic, would surely go mad for such an opportunity¡­ Yet when I questioned him on the official ship, he clearly had no knowledge of the princess consort¡¯s peculiarities¡­ Hmm, if I were the Zhenbei King or Emperor Yuanjing, I would certainly keep her secret. But how did the northern barbarians find out?* Xu Qi¡¯an voiced this doubt. Zalmukha answered truthfully, "Xu Shengzu told us." *Again, an arcanist¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an turned the same question to Tangshan-Jun and the Tiang. Their answers matched Zalmukha''s. They were certain the princess consort harbored a spiritual essence capable of helping them advance to third rank. When it came to Hong Ling, however, Xu Qi¡¯an expanded on his question. The seductive woman, her eyes vacant, spoke in a low voice, "My lord has long coveted the princess consort. He ordered me to intercept her. Out of jealousy, I asked what was special about her. He said she harboured a spiritual essence and recited a poem." *¡­My lord? Chu Xianglong imed she was the favored concubine of the Qingyan Tribe¡¯s leader. That lord must be the tribe¡¯s leader?* Xu Qi¡¯an dismissed the thought quickly and asked, "What poem?" The seductive woman instinctively showed a trace of jealousy and said, ¡°A flower blooming makes all fragrance nd, beauty overflowing under the morning sun. Praised by all as the finest of the realm, entrancing themonfolk and heaven¡¯s son.¡± *This was the same poem Fuxiang had recited to me. It was said that the abbott of a temple had been so taken with the princess consort''s beauty in her youth that heposed this poem for her¡­* *This poem is certainly genuine, as it is widely known. Or could there be a deeper meaning behind it that most people are unaware of? When I return to the capital, I¡¯ll ask Dean Zhao Shou about it.* For now, most of the mysteries had been resolved. The Zhenbei King sought to advance to second rank and required the princess consort''s spiritual essence to ovee his final barrier. Emperor Yuanjing and Chu Xianglong were guarding against their enemies within the Great Feng, those who did not wish for the Zhenbei King to reach second rank. However, due to Xu Shengzu and the mysterious arcanist behind him, the barbarians learned of the matter and set their ambush to seize the princess consort. This had resulted in the current disparity between the attackers and the escort force. *So, the court''s internal enemies had yet to make their move?* *No, they already had¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an''s eyes suddenly brightened as certain details came to mind. Former Assistant Minister of Revenue Zhou Xianping orchestrated the tax silver case, which had involved a mysterious arcanist. That case proved to Xu Qi¡¯an that this mysterious arcanist controlled certain factions within the court. Zhou Xianping was the evidence. *How did the barbarians learn of the princess consort''s unique nature? It was this arcanist Xu Shengzu, who told them.* The traitors within the court were surely colluding with the northern barbarians. They shared amon link: the mysterious arcanist. *Sons of bitches, why are arcanists all fucking LYBs. The Jianzheng is scheming in secret, and so is this mysterious arcanist. One is more devious than the other. Wait¡ªthere¡¯s no way the Jianzheng doesn¡¯t know about this mysterious arcanist¡­* *Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s expression froze as a startling thought shed through his mind: Is the Jianzheng ying a game of wits against this mysterious arcanist?!* *Everyone is a pawn in their game, myself included¡ªeven Shenshu¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an exhaled slowly, deciding to set aside the matter of the Jianzheng and the mysterious arcanist for now. That was a challenge for the future, beyond what he could influence at present. Pawns had their advantages: they could grow through the gifts of their yers. When he was strong enough, he would overturn the game board. But before that, he needed to lie low and cultivate from other sources. Relying solely on the yers¡¯ gifts would never allow him to develop enough strength to upend the game. Shifting his focus, Xu Qi¡¯an asked about the primary goal of the barbarians¡¯ operation: "Was the Blood Runs Three Thousand Miles massacre your barbarians¡¯ doing?" Chapter 354: Bracelet Snatching # 354. Bracelet Snatching ¡°Blood runs three thousand miles...¡± Zalmukha''s expression remained dazed, his tone devoid of emotion as he responded, "What blood runs three thousand miles..." *Am I asking the wrong way?* Xu Qi¡¯an furrowed his brow and said gravely, "The massacre that ravaged three thousand miles of the Great Feng''s bordends¡ªwas it your barbarian tribes?" Zalmukha stared nkly ahead and muttered, "I don''t know." ... Xu Qi¡¯an''s breathing grew heavier. He took a deep breath and asked the same question to Tiang, only to receive the same answer. The leader of the Jinmu Tribe had no knowledge of it either. Refusing to give up, he turned to Tangshan-Jun and asked, "Was it your northern yao ns who ughtered the Great Feng''s bordends for three thousand miles?" Tangshan-Jun¡¯s expression was one of confusion as he answered, ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± *I Don¡¯t know?**I Don¡¯t know!* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s breath becameboured once more, his pupils slightly unfocused. He sat frozen for a few moments before asking in a deep voice, ¡°Chu Xianglong, do you know about the blood running three thousand miles?¡± Chu Xianglong¡¯s wooden expression showed no change. Upon hearing the question, he instinctively replied, ¡°Wei Yuan sought to frame King Huai. Using a corpse and a soul, he intended to fabricate evidence and send Silver Gong Xu Qi¡¯an to the border, scheming to concoct false charges and nder King Huai.¡± *That¡¯s not true. I didn¡¯t. Stop using me...* Xu Qi¡¯an vehemently denied it in his mind. *... Is this Chu Xianglong¡¯s perception? He believes the so-called ¡°Blood runs three thousand miles¡± is a scheme by Duke Wei and the imperial court against Zhenbei King?* *So, he yed along, using the envoy mission to escort the consort.* *If that¡¯s the case, Emperor Yuanjing must beplicit too¡ªmerely going along with the flow? This implies Emperor Yuanjing and the Zhenbei King are on the same side.* *After all, they are brothers born of the same mother.* *The northern barbarians and yaoguai had no knowledge of ¡°blood runs three thousand miles,¡± while Zhenbei King¡¯s deputy, Chu Xianglong, thought it was a plot by Duke Wei and the court officials. In other words, even he knew nothing about the massacre.* *Then... who is the true culprit?* *Hiss...* The case suddenly grew convoluted. For some reason, Xu Qi¡¯an felt a tinge of relief and turned to ask, ¡°What was your n for dealing with me once we returned to the north?¡± Chu Xianglong answered bluntly, ¡°Monitor or detain you, then drive you back to the capital after a while.¡± Such a straightforward approach. Xu Qi¡¯an asked again, ¡°What kind of person do you think the Zhenbei King is?¡± Chu Xianglong hesitated little before responding, ¡°Domineering, assertive, treats his subordinates well¡ªa master worth serving.¡± After some thought, Xu Qi¡¯an posed a bold question, ¡°Do you think Zhenbei King would rebel?¡± ¡°Never!¡± Chu Xianglong¡¯s reply was concise and firm. ¡°Why?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an was curious to hear his reasoning. ¡°King Huai is a naturalmander. He thrives on the battlefield and has no interest in court politics. He¡¯s a martial fanatic; besides the battlefield, his heart is set on cultivation,¡± Chu Xianglong said. ? *Hmm, true enough. The throne, while enticing, may not be everyone¡¯s aspiration. If King Huai is indeed a martial fanatic, the throne might seem like a shackle to him.* Xu Qi¡¯an reluctantly epted the exnation but remained skeptical. He would reserve judgment until he had met Zhenbei King in person. Disregarding further questioning, Xu Qi¡¯an lowered his head slightly andunched a fresh round of contemtion: *There are still two unresolved questions. First, if the consort is so extraordinary, why did Emperor Yuanjing gift her to the Zhenbei King instead of keeping her for himself? Second, though Emperor Yuanjing and King Huai are brothers, the emperor¡¯s suspicious nature wouldn¡¯t allow him to trust the king entirely.* *When ites to the throne, even brothers and fathers can¡¯t be trusted. But Emperor Yuanjing seems fully supportive of the Zhenbei King¡¯s advancement to the Second rank. He even gifted him the consort back then to set the stage for today.* Regarding the first question, Xu Qi¡¯an spected that the princess consort¡¯s spirit essence only benefited martial artists. Emperor Yuanjing practiced the Daoist path. In this clearly stratified world, different cultivation systems were vastly disparate. Something that served as a panacea for one system might be useless¡ªor even harmful¡ªto another. Of course, this hypothesis required further validation. As for the second question, Xu Qi¡¯an had no immediate answer. With Chu Xianglong¡¯s questioning concluded, his gaze fell on the two remaining spirits: the in fake consort and the white-robed Arcanist. The white-robed Arcanist appeared even more dazed and wooden than the others, muttering ceaselessly under his breath. ¡°What is your name?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an tested. ¡°Xu Shengzu...¡± The white-robed Arcanist mumbled his name amidst his ramblings. *So, you¡¯re Xu Shengzu? I thought it was the name of some boss...* Xu Qi¡¯an felt a wave of disappointment. This man had peered into Monk Shenshu¡¯s essence using Qi-watching techniques, shattering his sanity. This implied he wasn¡¯t of a high rank, allowing Xu Qi¡¯an to easily deduce that there was an organization or someone more powerful behind him. ¡°Who do you serve?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°What organization backs you?¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°What is your name?¡± ¡°Xu Shengzu...¡± *This... This is entirely umunicative. Apart from repeating his name, he can¡¯t answer anything else. This guy¡¯s basically a toddler...* Xu Qi¡¯an¡¯s mouth twitched. ¡°I remember there¡¯s a sachet in the Earth Book fragment that belongs to Li Miaozhen...¡± Xu Qi¡¯an retrieved the Earth Book fragment and tapped the back of the mirror. Sure enough, a sachet fell out. This sachet contained the remnant soul that repeatedly murmured ¡°blood runs three thousand miles.¡± Duke Wei had taken the sachet to use Zhenbei King in court, then returned it to Xu Qi¡¯an, who had since forgotten to return it to the Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect. The sachet, crafted by Li Miaozhen herself, was a small magical artefact with the ability to nurture and confine souls. Unless dealing with an ancient, cultivated ghost, newly deceased spirits like these couldn¡¯t escape its confines. *This Arcanist might prove useful in the future, even if he¡¯s an idiot now. Hmm, I¡¯ll hold onto him for now and give him to Li Miaozhenter. As a Holy Maiden of the Heaven Sect, she¡¯ll surely have ways to restore his rity.* *Well, this is the advantage of having a widework of connections¡ªor rather, the perks of being a sessful social butterfly... This sachet can house spirits. Let¡¯s call it the ¡®Yin Pouch.¡¯* Xu Qi¡¯an ced the Arcanist and the other spirits into the pouch, then stowed their corpses within the Earth Book fragment, tidying up the scene with minimal effort. Fortunately, there hadn¡¯t been any intense battles here; Monk Shenshu¡¯s overpowering strength had ensured a clean sweep. All that remained was to deal with the bodies. Lastly, Xu Qi¡¯an found himself troubled over how to handle the surviving maids. *Shall I kill them? To achieve great things, one cannot fret over trifles. Although these maids are unaware of theter events, they do know it was I who intercepted the northern experts.* *Yet, they have neithermitted heinous acts nor posed any threat to me. They are innocent lives¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an deliberated for a long time before ultimately deciding to spare the maids. On the one hand, his conscience would not permit such a heinous act of ughtering innocents. On the other hand, the motivation for silencing them wasn¡¯tpelling enough. Unless he intended to keep the princess consort hidden away forever, buried in secrecy, never seeing the light of day¡ªor if he nned to steal her spiritual essence for himself¡ªthere would be no need for such drastic measures. If that were the case, silencing witnesses would indeed be necessary; anything less would endanger both himself and his family. However, in Xu Qi¡¯an''s subsequent ns, the princess consort had a different, highly significant purpose. Thus, there was no reason to silence the maids. *Although I won¡¯t kill you to cover this up, your premature escape would disrupt my ns. Therefore¡­ you¡¯ll have to fend for yourselves.* ¡­ The night carried a faint chill. The old auntie awoke after a deep and restful sleep, her body refreshed and free from exhaustion. Having gone sleepless for days, her body had umted much fatigue, which was now alleviated by the invigorating rest. She slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was a massive banyan tree. Its leaves rustled softly in the night breeze. Shey beneath the tree on a grassy patch, wrapped in a robe, while the crackling sounds of a campfire provided warmth andfort. For a moment, she stared nkly before her pupils suddenly focused. Then, this pampered woman sprang up from the ground in a nimble motion, startling even herself. For someone of her constitution, such agility was a burst oftent potential. Her first instinct was to check her body. Finding her clothes intact, she breathed a sigh of relief, though she quickly grew rmed and nced around nervously. That¡¯s when she saw the young man sitting by the fire, his face lit by the flickering mes, as warm and gentle as jade. ¡°You¡¯re awake?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an, who was roasting a rabbit, didn¡¯t lift his head and said indifferently, ¡°There¡¯s a water pouch next to you. Drink if you¡¯re thirsty. The rabbit will be ready in about fifteen minutes.¡± Memories of what had happened before her unconsciousness shed through her mind. Her eyes widened as she stared at Xu Qi¡¯an in disbelief. ¡°Was it you who saved me?¡± ¡°Yup!¡± Xu Qi¡¯an was about to bask in her gratitude when he saw her shake her head and re at him warily. ¡°Impossible! Xu Qi¡¯an doesn¡¯t have such skill. Who are you, really? Why are you impersonating him? What happened to him?¡± One hand guarded her ample chest while the other scrambled around for a weapon to defend herself. She clutched the water pouch in a defensive stance, ready to strike. *Reasonable suspicion. Her brain isn¡¯t entirely useless¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an rolled his eyes and said irritably: ¡°Our first meeting was at a restaurant near the South City arena. I picked up your silver, and you stormed at me demanding it back. I even threw my coin pouch at your foot. ¡°The second time, it was still near the arena. I risked my life to protect you, and you repaid me with a beating.¡± There was a dull thud as the water pouch fell to the ground. The old auntie stared nkly at him before softly muttering, ¡°It really is you.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nodded. She stared at the young man by the fire, her gazeplex and filled with conflicting emotions. ¡°I saved you with all my might. As for the others, there was nothing I could do,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an exined offhandedly. ¡°Yes, yes¡­¡± A sorrowful expression emerged on her face as she whispered, ¡°The princess consort¡­ the princess consort is dead¡­¡± Xu Qi¡¯an nced at her, replying nonchntly, ¡°A femme fatale like her, it¡¯s good she¡¯s dead. Dead and gone, worthy of apuse.¡± Her eyes widened as she red at him angrily. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? The princess consort wasn¡¯t a femme fatale! She was a pitiable woman.¡± ¡°What¡¯s so pitiable about her?¡± Xu Qi¡¯an chuckled. ¡°Hmph!¡± She lifted her fair chin, turned her head away, and huffed, ¡°You¡¯re just a coarse martial artist; you wouldn¡¯t understand her suffering. I¡¯m not telling you.¡± Now that she was out of danger, her feisty arrogance resurfaced. *Both timid and stubborn,* Xu Qi¡¯an thought to himself, amused. He focused on roasting the meat. At first, the old auntie kept her distance, sitting quietly under the banyan tree far from Xu Qi¡¯an. But as the aroma of the roasting rabbit intensified, she began inching closer, drooling as she shuffled toward the fire. When the rabbit turned golden brown, Xu Qi¡¯an sprinkled some chicken bouillon and tore off the two hind legs, handing them to her. Her eyes lit up as she eagerly took them, biting into the meat. ¡°Hsss¡­¡± She winced as the hot meat burned her, but her hunger wouldn¡¯t let her spit it out. She kept nibbling while blowing on the meat to cool it, muttering, ¡°Hsss, ahh¡­¡± The chicken bouillon masked the gamey vor and enhanced the rabbit¡¯s taste. Though she normally despised the smell of game, she devoured the rabbit legs down to the bone. She then scurried back to the banyan tree, picked up the water pouch, and took a hearty drink. At that moment, she felt utterly content with life. After eating her fill, she returned to the fire, sighing wistfully. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯ve fallen so far that a few bites of rabbit meat make me feel happy.¡± *You¡¯re acting like you¡¯re in the post-meal blues, just like me after post-nut rity¡­* Xu Qi¡¯an suppressed the urge to ridicule her and focused on his meal. What an amusing woman. ¡°Oh? Your Bodhi bracelet looks quite interesting,¡± Xu Qi¡¯anmented casually, his gaze falling on her pale wrist. Her expression changed instantly. She quickly pulled her sleeve down to hide the bracelet and said nervously, ¡°It¡¯s just a worthless trinket.¡± *He didn¡¯t notice, did he? He definitely didn¡¯t notice. Who would remember an ordinary bracelet after all these months?* ¡°Let me take a look.¡± Xu Qi¡¯an reached for her wrist. ¡°You, you, you¡­ how dare you!¡± The old auntie was shocked. Her delicate hand was not something a man could casually touch. She hid her hands behind her back, kicking her legs frantically to move away. In the end, she grabbed the water pouch, ready to retaliate if Xu Qi¡¯an came any closer. Xu Qi¡¯an simply grabbed her ankle and dragged her back. Her legs iled, and she screamed loudly. It looked exactly like a crazed young man trying to assault an older woman. ¡°Let me see the bracelet. I¡¯m not going to steal it,¡± Xu Qi¡¯an said in confusion. ¡°Why are you so flustered?¡± ¡°No, no, no!¡± she shouted stubbornly. Finally, amidst her cries, the bracelet was snatched from her wrist. The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!