Azure Dragon in Sleeve was all about concealing the blade.
He hid his blade intent within his body, then unleashed it in an instant as he drew his sword, with the imposing force of a hibernating dragon roused from slumber, its roar shaking a thousand mountains!
Just leaking the slightest trace of killing intent had robbed Li Yuan of any ability to resist. That was the terrifying power of Dao Rhyme!
She probably won't come looking for trouble with me again anytime soon.
Chen Mo glanced at his status panel.
Name: Chen Mo Title: None Realm: Sixth-Grade Mortal Shedding · Origin Return Realm Cultivation Art: Primordial Body Forging Art · Great Accomplishment Martial Skills: Blazing Flame Eight Slashes · Great Accomplishment Azure Dragon in Sleeve · Beginner (10/200) Wind-Thunder Leap · Proficient (75/100) Divine Ability: None True Spirit: 31
"Heaven-tier martial skills take 200 points to advance at each stage—twice as much as Earth-tier skills."
"Killing the Bronze Puppet that night gave me 10 points and an extra 30 True Spirit... But opportunities like that are few and far between. This is the imperial capital, after all. Where am I supposed to find that many monsters to grind?"
"If only I could get my hands on a few more Dao Rhyme Crystals."
Chen Mo pondered.
It was easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but hard to go the other way.
After experiencing the feeling of his power surging by leaps and bounds, it was difficult to calm himself down and return to steady, step-by-step cultivation.
As for obtaining Dao Rhyme Crystals, apart from triggering random events, the only way was through system rewards for winning over the heroines.
So far, he'd met two heroines.
Gu Manzhi was nowhere to be found, and the other was Li Yuan...
Chen Mo's expression turned solemn.
Forget it. He'd better just focus on cultivating. He didn't want to get involved with that tigress.
As soon as Chen Mo entered the Magistrate Office, he heard a series of crunches.
He looked up. Shen Zhixia was sitting in a chair with a bag of roasted wheat kernels in her arms, her cheeks bulging like a hamster's.
"Shen Zhixia? What are you doing here?"
Chen Mo asked, puzzled.
Shen Zhixia froze, a flash of panic in her eyes.
Then she silently turned around, facing away from Chen Mo.
"Crunch, crunch~"
Chen Mo: "..."
What, was she worried he'd steal them?
He sat down beside her and reached into the bag without so much as a by-your-leave, grabbing a handful and stuffing it into his mouth.
Seeing how pained Shen Zhixia looked, he couldn't help but laugh.
Roasted wheat kernels were just dry-fried grains, a bit like the popcorn of his previous life, except without butter or sugar. They had a fragrant, wheaty taste.
After their "fierce rivalry," the bag was empty in no time.
Chen Mo was still hankering for more.
After all, he'd just gotten a foot massage and had burned a fair amount of energy. He needed to replenish it.
"Got anything else to eat?"
Shen Zhixia hesitated, then pulled two Poria Cakes from her robes.
She gave one to him and murmured,
"This is all that's left. I can only give you one..."
Chen Mo looked at the thin cake, which had been squashed into a half-sphere, and felt a little awkward.
He'd seen Shen Zhixia soaking wet before. He knew just how well-endowed she was...
She was at least a D-cup.
"By the way, you still haven't answered me. What brought you here all of a sudden?"
Chen Mo asked as he munched on the cake.
"To see my brother... And to return this to you."
Shen Zhixia took out a jade pendant and handed it to Chen Mo.
She'd meant to return it to him the last time she visited Chen Estate, but then an "accident" had happened...
Whenever she thought about it, her face flushed and her heart raced.
How embarrassing!
Chen Mo took the pendant. After a moment's thought, he gathered verdant essence in his palm and enveloped it.
The jade had already been of excellent quality, but now it seemed reborn, its surface warm and lustrous, as smooth as Ningzhi. A faint gleam seemed to flow within it.
"Here. It's yours."
Chen Mo handed the rejuvenated pendant back to her.
"Yours... to give to me?"
Shen Zhixia was stunned.
"Consider it a trade for your roasted wheat and cake."
Chen Mo said with a smile.
Of course, he was joking.
Shen Zhixia had saved him at the Music Bureau, then helped him settle his qi and stabilize his realm... He could treat it as a token of thanks.
The pendant wasn't a magical artifact, after all. It had no special abilities.
But pure life essence had been infused into it. Worn close to the body, it could gradually improve her constitution and heal hidden injuries. It was just the thing for Shen Zhixia, a martial cultivator.
Shen Zhixia stared at the precious jade in her hand, brimming with vitality, and momentarily lost herself.
Then Chen Mo leaned close to her ear and whispered, "And I haven't forgotten you, Chong'er."
They'd been playmates since childhood.
Chen Mo was a year older, and Shen Zhixia had always followed close behind him.
The other children had teased her, calling her his "little shadow."
She hadn't been ashamed; she'd been proud. In her childish voice, she'd declared that she would always be Chen Mo's "little Chong'er."
At the nickname, Shen Zhixia shuddered. Her face visibly reddened, like an apple ripening on the branch.
"I, I-I have something to do. I'm leaving."
Shen Zhixia couldn't bring herself to look at him. She got to her feet and fled.
Chen Mo waved. "Easy now. Don't fall, little Chong'er."
Thump!
Shen Zhixia ran straight into the doorframe.
"Zhixia?"
Shen Shuchou happened to be walking over.
Shen Zhixia didn't even acknowledge him. In the blink of an eye, she was gone.
"What's gotten into that girl? Why was she in such a hurry..."
Shen Shuchou muttered, puzzled. He shook his head and walked into the Magistrate Office.
"Lord Shen."
Chen Mo greeted him.
Seeing how haggard he looked, Chen Mo promptly voiced the concern a subordinate ought to show his superior. "Didn't get enough rest, my lord? I know the workload is heavy, but you still have to take care of yourself."
Shen Shuchou leaned back in his chair and tiredly rubbed his brow.
"Don't get me started. Word of Yan Liang's case has already spread."
"In half a day, I've had who knows how many people trying to pressure me and fish for information, openly and behind the scenes. And there's even..."
At that, Shen Shuchou recalled something. He looked up at Chen Mo, suspicion in his voice. "Did you know all along who was behind that Sixth-Grade Occultist? Did you deliberately make me take the fall?"
He'd guessed the person backing the Occultist had powerful connections, but he hadn't expected them to reach all the way to the Prince's Mansion.
Now he was caught between a rock and a hard place...
"My lord, you're the backbone of the Water Bureau. As the saying goes, the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. How can you call it taking the fall?"
"Besides, Her Majesty has your back. What are you afraid of?"
Chen Mo laid it on thick.
Shen Shuchou shot him an exasperated glare.
Easy for him to say. He wasn't the one taking the hits.
With me out front absorbing the blows, of course you're not worried!
Looking at Chen Mo's carefree, languid manner, Shen Shuchou grew even more irritated. "There's a case in the western suburbs. The Ding Fire Bureau was supposed to handle it, but now that you've arrested Yan Liang, they're short-handed. Go with them."
Chen Mo frowned. "Doesn't the Ding Fire Bureau still have Li Yuan? Even if they're short-handed, there's the Bing Fire Bureau. Why would it have to be me?"
"Everyone else is already occupied."
"The case was dumped on us by the authorities. It's a bit tricky. You and Li Yuan can go together."
Shen Shuchou said.
"Me and her?"
Chen Mo's frown deepened. "That doesn't seem like a good idea."
Shen Shuchou replied with a straight face,
"Focus on the case. Put everything else aside for now."
"As a mainstay of the Water Bureau, I have faith in you. After all, the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility..."
With that, he patted Chen Mo on the shoulder and walked away with his hands behind his back.
"..."
Chen Mo sighed.
What a petty man. He was obviously getting revenge under the guise of official business...
"My lord, my lord!"
At that moment, Qin Shou came running over, brimming with excitement. He leaned in and whispered, "A new batch of songstresses just arrived at the Music Bureau. Pretty faces, great figures, the whole package! I've already booked a spot. Want to go together tonight...?"
I have to work overtime, and you're off to the brothel to pick flowers?
"Forget the Music Bureau."
Chen Mo said coldly. "There's a case to handle in a bit. You're coming with me!"
Qin Shou: "..."
Before you continue