"Mm, that was prejudice on my part. This Yuan isn't that yuan."
"Maybe this time it won't be his Zhu family that succeeds, so there'll be no need to worry about this sort of thing."
Ge Huolang muttered to himself, then looked again at the treacherous young man named Yang Bi.
This man might one day become Zhu Hongwu's Chief Spy. The first signs of his crafty, shameless nature were already showing.
He'd started by painting Ge Xian a grand and tempting picture. Not only did he intend to freeload on the Secret Intelligence Ge Xian had worked so hard to uncover, he also wanted to force Ge Xian to offer up a token of loyalty.
In the blink of an eye, Ge Xian understood it all.
So he kept a delighted smile on his face, while inwardly cursing:
"His origins may be impressive, but his nerve is even bigger. He won't give me a single benefit, yet expects me to fall at his feet and pledge myself to him?"
"All brains and no heart, greedy and arrogant to boot. No wonder his end is so miserable."
Cursing him was one thing, but Ge Xian still had to deal with the man and send him on his way.
Even though he had reached Foundation Establishment, he couldn't beat this man if they fell out.
Their years of cultivation and the resources behind them were worlds apart. There was no comparing them.
Fortunately, this was what Ge Huolang excelled at most.
He didn't even bother to use the Dao Qi within him. He simply said what he'd already been thinking, voicing his loyalty and showing that he was willing to submit. Then he gave the two men the other half of the secrets about Lu Hualong Couple that he'd deliberately concealed, along with the shocking intelligence that Qiantang County might be sold off—all for free.
As expected, even Yang Bi, a Chief Spy, was delighted by secrets outsiders could hardly uncover.
When he looked at Ge Xian again, his gaze had already turned to one of admiration.
The look made Ge Xian worry that he might be forcibly carried off.
Fortunately, the man had clearly come on a mission. He soon composed himself, nodded, and praised him with a smile:
"Good, good, good... You're a promising talent. Once you join my ranks, you'll receive every opportunity to grow."
"Unfortunately, I still have some matters to attend to these next few days. I need to investigate the Ancient Tomb Sect's Sect Leader Li Wa and find out whether the so-called 'Mortal Transformation Secret Technique' really will be made public."
"If it's true, my lord can use the Guǐ Wǔ Sect [Ming Cult], which has already come to offer its allegiance, to recruit martial artists in great numbers. He can also raise another army of Guǐ Wǔ cultivators..."
As Yang Bi spoke, he eyed Ge Xian quizzically.
The peddler understood at once. The man was still hoping to freeload on his intelligence.
Since he'd already started the act, Ge Xian didn't hold back. He shook his head and said:
"Reporting to you, sir, I was there that day. I saw the Ancient Tomb Sect's Sect Leader Li and her disciples devour the demons inside Leifeng Pagoda, then all advance in cultivation. With a single breath, she turned the whole Sunset Mountain into qi-jade. That must be some kind of Innate Divine Ability that can only be wielded after reaching the Mortal Transformation Realm."
Yang Bi was delighted to see how quick and cooperative Ge Xian was.
There wasn't a trace of suspicion left in his eyes, only admiration.
Before leaving, perhaps the man felt that giving no benefit at all was simply too miserly, and would also reflect poorly on Zhu Hongwu.
But he was a little short on funds to offer any rare treasures.
It wasn't that his nature was truly so bizarre. It was just that Zhu Hongwu wasn't among the top powers at present, and as a subordinate, Yang Bi wasn't exactly flush with resources either. Besides, he'd come in a hurry on a spur-of-the-moment decision, so naturally he hadn't brought many fine things with him.
As for his boasts that "the Myriad Laws All Spirits Gods had sent spirits and demons to pledge themselves" and that "the peddler could even go to the Myriad Laws Celestial Pivot Supreme Minister Spirit God to enter the Dao," those were nothing but sales talk.
The first claim was easy enough to understand. To put it in terms from Ge Xian's previous life, it was just angel investment from the Myriad Laws Spirits. Zhu Hongwu wasn't the only one to get the first round of funding.
Fortunately, Yang Bi was clever too. As he was leaving, he thought it over, then took a slim booklet from his robes and handed it over.
"Little brother, with your talent, you may well become an extraordinary spy who can roam the world."
"But you've seen little of the world so far and only know the powers around Qiantang County. This nameless booklet is my own work. It records the major powers within the Dayuan Dynasty."
"It includes the Myriad Laws Spirits, Evil God Dao Lineages, the great holy lands, Rebel Armies, and the like."
"Give it a cursory read over the next few days. Once everything is settled, come with me to meet my lord and secure yourself a bright future."
"Thank you, Brother Yang!"
Ge Xian's thanks were utterly sincere, straight from the heart.
It was easy to understand why!
To Ge Xian, this booklet was far more valuable than those prayer beads, cudgel, jade flask, and other items Yang Bi had mentioned earlier.
Well now! It turned out that someone who was short on funds could offer even greater benefits.
And so, after Ge Huolang's heartfelt performance, host and guest parted on the best of terms.
Ge Xian closed the door and was on his way back, clutching the "Spy Manual," when he suddenly saw the pretty young widow drifting out of the Soul Residence, looking at him with concern.
In the end, the Broom Spirit couldn't help asking timidly:
"Master, what you're doing... is it really all right?"
"These rebel cultivators seem much scarier than Bamboo Lady, Green Umbrella Woman, and Lady Painting. If you're exposed one day, won't they hunt you down?"
Ge Xian clearly hadn't expected that one day a spirit would worry about whether he lived or died.
He couldn't help laughing at that. Then he reassured her, "Don't panic. I can handle it. You're a Broom Spirit, so it's only natural you don't understand human affairs... For spies and informants, it's always better to have more than one patron backing you. If you only work for one side, it's all too easy to be sold out."
The pretty young widow listened and found she couldn't argue.
She really didn't understand the Mortal World, so she drifted back into the Soul Residence.
But before she went, she still seemed uneasy and timidly reminded him:
"If you have to flee, Master, don't forget to take me with you."
"No problem. Whether I'm staying home or going out, I can't do without you."
Only after hearing Ge Huolang's reply, half amused and half helpless, did the pretty young widow return to her residence in peace.
The interruption did nothing to dampen Ge Xian's spirits.
He returned to the bed and was about to open the manual and see just how many powers existed within the Dayuan Dynasty.
But just then, he sensed something again.
This time, when he sensed who the visitors were, his expression almost changed on the spot. He nearly bolted.
"Fox Ghosts?"
"More than one, too. What are they here for?"
Ge Xian wondered in alarm.
At first, he thought he'd been exposed and that the County Magistrate's Wife had come with a crowd to arrest him.
But after a moment's thought, he realized that if that were the case, Yelü Yuyan or even Lu Hualong would have come. There was no reason for it to be merely a few Fox Ghosts of the Dao Entry Realm.
Once he realized this, he quickly stuffed the manual, the jade flask, and the Ancient Book Log he'd been carrying into a wooden chest.
Then he got up quickly and went out to open the door himself.
These weren't spies from the Rebel Army. There was no need to be so secretive.
He had barely taken his place in the little courtyard when, a few breaths later, the strange scent of Foul Fox Fragrance filled the air. Demon Qi surged, and four Fox Ghosts appeared before him, each with a fox's head and a human body, borne aloft by Ghost Mist, with Fox Fire hovering behind their heads.
Two males and two females. The one leading them was a vixen who'd covered her snowy-white chest with nothing but Red Silk.
When the vixen saw Ge Xian had come out to meet them, her Fox Charm Eyes lit up. She laughed shrilly:
"Looks like those two blockheads weren't lying. Zhang Buzu and Zhao Wuyou really did hide a mortal with what seems to be the [Understanding] Talent."
"Young man, are you married? What do you think of me, Sister?"
The two remarks had nothing to do with each other.
But coming from the mouth of a vixen Fox Ghost, they made a strange kind of sense.
As she spoke, the Fox Ghost floated over, her furry arms reaching out to try and pull Ge Huolang into her embrace.
Well, now!
If the original owner, who'd been very fond of this sort of thing, had faced this scene, he would probably have trembled with excitement and thrown himself into her arms.
Ge Xian, on the other hand, pretended to be an innocent young man and let the Fox Ghost embrace him.
Fortunately, the other Fox Ghosts had a mission to carry out and couldn't stand to watch this scene.
They rushed over with shrill laughter and explained things all at once:
"Sister, stop getting all hot and bothered. The young man's already been reserved by our master. She wants to use him to catch that despicable Dragon Girl. Take him over to report in, already."
"Exactly, exactly. If we're even a moment late, all four of us will be punished."
"That's right. It's not like you'd dare take his Primordial Yang, Sister, so why keep flirting with him?"
"Hmph, can't I just enjoy myself? This young man's so handsome. Can't I at least touch and hug him?"
Amid the racket, the four Fox Ghosts seized Ge Xian together, raised a cloud of Fox Mist, and headed for the familiar Willow Oriole Alley.
The reason Ge Xian didn't resist at all was that he'd heard why Yelü Yuyan had suddenly sent Fox Ghosts to seize him.
He hadn't been exposed!
Just like the spies working for rebel powers such as Liu Futong, Zhang Shicheng, and Zhu Hongwu, she'd taken a liking to his rare Perception Talent. She thought he could help her catch the "Dragon Girl" who'd brought her such profound humiliation.
If that was the case, there was no need for him to run. He shouldn't run.
"But what's this supposed to be?"
"I... catch myself?"
Deep in Willow Oriole Alley was the same familiar quiet chamber.
The four Fox Ghosts soon brought Ge Xian before Yelü Yuyan.
Several days had passed since Ge Huolang had last seen her in his "true face." Now he once again saw the stunning young lady of the Yelü Family, her eyes brimming with tenderness, as though she were some frail and gifted young woman.
She was still drenched in sweat, lying wetly on the soft couch. Who knew what she'd been doing before?
The alluring aura she gave off was enough to set both men and women stirring.
From her appearance alone, who could guess that her True Form was actually a Heart Devouring Fox of the Mortal Transformation Realm?
Judging by the terrifying Demon Body he'd seen on Dragon Slaying Night, even Lu Hualong might not be a match for this vicious woman in a fight.
Fortunately, Ge Xian had already gotten into character before he arrived!
Now he was nothing but an honest peddler. He hurriedly glanced at Yelü Yuyan, let a look of amazement cross his face, then quickly lowered his head, looking frightened and uneasy... His performance was so lifelike that no one could find even the tiniest flaw.
Ge Huolang was fairly handsome.
Add in his youthful air, and he could stir a vixen's desire at first sight.
But Yelü Yuyan had peculiar tastes. Her expression didn't change at all. She glanced at Ge Xian and asked lazily:
"Ge Huolang, since you're mixed up with Zhang Buzu and Zhao Wuyou, you can probably guess who I am."
"I brought you here because I want to make use of you. If you can get the job done, you'll be richly rewarded."
"With your talent, can you sense where 'this woman' is now?"
As she spoke, she suddenly waved her hand. Demon Qi surged, and she conjured the appearance of an Ugly Dragon Girl along with some of her qi signature.
As he studied the image, Ge Xian felt reassured. Once again, he confirmed that while he was in human form, he could conceal all traces of his qi with unmatched skill.
At the same time, he couldn't help grumbling to himself:
"This woman really is deranged."
"I've clearly shown myself to be an ability like a radar, but this crazy woman wants to use me like a satellite. If I could do that, why would I be a peddler?"
He could curse all he liked; it didn't stop him from keeping up the act.
He looked frightened and uneasy, then shook his head nervously. "Reporting to you, Madam, I only have a bit of a sensing ability. I don't have the wondrous power to lock onto a living creature at a distance just by looking at it."
A look of disappointment appeared on Yelü Yuyan's face.
She shook her head too, then said dismissively:
"I thought you were another [All-Understanding] or [Omniscient] Talent. If that were true, it would be quite the pleasant surprise. I might even personally send you to the [Myriad Laws Celestial Pivot Supreme Minister Spirit God Temple] and train you to become a renowned minister of the age, like Tuotuo, a sacred manifestation powerhouse."
"But you're not. You're probably something like [Mind's Eye] or [Inspiration], a good deal inferior. You can't worship the Celestial Pivot Prime Minister. At best, you can worship the Kaiming Spirit God."
"Forget it. You'll have to do."
"Take him away. Have him sniff the Skin Sac the Dragon Girl left behind. Don't let him go unless he finds something."
With a few words, she decided what Ge Xian would do next, never once asking whether the young peddler was willing.
Of course, given her status, she didn't need to ask.
She summoned another sexy beauty named Qiu Niang and ordered her to take Ge Xian away.
Ge Huolang kept acting. In his heart, he grumbled again: "Sniff it? So now I'm a tracking dog?"
He could curse as much as he liked, but he didn't dare make a move.
He let the Fox Woman lead him away, and a scene much like the last time began to unfold.
The difference was that now Ge Xian was in his true face.
Unfortunately, Yelü Yuyan trusted her instincts too much and was completely caught in a blind spot. She was convinced that the person who'd made her lose face so badly, while also delighting her, was actually a Dragon Girl in disguise.
But that was hardly surprising. Her tastes were peculiar; only women could excite her. Men were out of the question.
How could she have known the world had a "Male Daji" like Ge Xian?
The first time, she'd suffered a minor loss and felt utterly humiliated.
The second time, she'd actually invited the wolf into her home. Who knew how Ge Xian would toy with her this time?
As soon as they left the quiet chamber, the Fox Woman called Qiu Niang, wearing a cold, imperious face, ordered the young peddler to follow her and sniff the Skin Sac.
They hadn't gone more than a few steps when Ge Xian was about to use the same trick again, using his "charm" fragrance to deal with Qiu Niang.
Suddenly, Lu Hualong appeared ahead of them.
The Qiantang County Magistrate came over, his face full of anger. The source of his fury seemed to be none other than Ge Xian.
When he saw the young peddler, the mighty County Magistrate gave a sinister smile. Suddenly, a gigantic tiger head appeared, and with a gust of fierce wind, it lunged to swallow Ge Xian.
Only then did his strange voice ring out:
"My dear wife, if you wanted to use someone under my command, why didn't you tell me first?"
"This peddler's only a mortal. He can't take much of a beating, and might die by accident. Why don't I refine him into a tiger's thrall first, then send him over to serve you?"
"Lu Hualong, cut the bullshit!"
Bang!
Amid the muffled impact, a bloody, mangled fox tail appeared out of nowhere and whipped the Devouring Tiger Head back.
When the clash of Demon Qi subsided, a delicate figure stood before Ge Xian. It was Yelü Yuyan.
Before Ge Xian could think, the husband and wife had already begun trading barbs.
After hearing only a few lines, Ge Xian understood the reason.
His eyes filled with disbelief, and he couldn't help cursing inwardly:
"What a pair of married people who only pretend to get along!"
"They seem to have suffered some other major setback lately. Their already fragile relationship is now on the verge of collapse."
"So every day, they pick some trivial matter and use it as an excuse to have a huge row. And today, I, Ge Xian, am their 'excuse.'"
Before you continue