Teaming Up with a Tigress?

Azure Dragon in Sleeve focuses on concealing the blade.

By hiding the blade intent within the body and unleashing it the moment the blade is drawn, it possesses the spirit of a dormant dragon waking from its slumber, a single roar shaking a thousand mountains!

Merely leaking a sliver of killing intent was enough to strip Li Yuan of her ability to resist; such is the terrifying nature of "Dao Rhyme"!

"She shouldn't come looking for trouble with me in the short term."

Chen Mo glanced at his attribute panel.

Name: Chen Mo

Title: None

Realm: Sixth Grade Mortal Shedding · Origin Return Realm

Cultivation Method: Primordial Body Forging Art · Great Success

Martial Arts:

Blazing Flame Eight Slashes · Great Success

Azure Dragon in Sleeve · Entry (10/200)

Wind-Thunder Leap · Mastery (75/100)

Divine Ability: None

True Spirit: 31

"For a Heaven-tier martial art, each stage requires 200 points to break through, exactly double that of an Earth-tier martial art."

"Slaying that Bronze Puppet that night increased my points by 10 and granted an additional 30 True Spirit... but such opportunities are rare. After all, this is the Imperial City; where would I find so many monsters to grind?"

"If only I could get my hands on a few more Dao Rhyme Crystals."

Chen Mo pondered inwardly.

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury back to frugality.

Having experienced the sensation of rapid growth in strength, it was hard to settle his mind and return to practicing in a rigid, step-by-step manner.

As for the methods of obtaining Dao Rhyme Crystals, aside from triggering random events, the only other way was through system rewards for conquering heroines.

Currently, he had come into contact with two heroines.

Gu Manzhi was nowhere to be found, and the other was Li Yuan...

Chen Mo's expression turned solemn.

Forget it, he had better just practice honestly; he had no desire to get entangled with that tigress.

Just as he walked into the office, Chen Mo heard a series of "crunching" sounds.

Looking up, he saw Shen Zhixia sitting in a chair, clutching a bag of roasted wheat to her chest, her cheeks stuffed like a hamster.

"Shen Zhixia? Why are you here?"

Chen Mo asked, puzzled.

Shen Zhixia's expression froze, a flicker of panic flashing in her eyes.

Then, she silently turned around, presenting her back to Chen Mo.

"Crunch, crunch~"

Chen Mo: "..."

What, is she afraid I'm going to steal from her?

He walked over, sat down, and without standing on ceremony, grabbed a handful from the bag and stuffed it into his mouth.

Seeing the pained look on Shen Zhixia's face, he couldn't help but find it amusing.

Roasted wheat was essentially dry-fried wheat grains, not unlike the popcorn from his previous life, though without the butter and powdered sugar; it had a clean, wheaty fragrance.

Under their "covert struggle," the bag was bottomed out in no time.

Chen Mo was left wanting more.

After all, he had just finished a foot massage, which had consumed quite a bit of stamina, and he was in urgent need of replenishing his energy.

"Do you have anything else to eat?"

Shen Zhixia hesitated for a moment before taking two Poria Cakes from her bosom.

She divided one and gave it to him, murmuring:

"This is all that's left, I can only give you one..."

Looking at the thin cake that had been pressed into a hemispherical shape, Chen Mo's expression turned slightly awkward.

He had seen Shen Zhixia drenched before and knew exactly how well-endowed this girl was...

At the very least, she was at a D-cup level.

"By the way, you still haven't answered me. Why did you suddenly run over here?"

Chen Mo asked aloud while gnawing on a flatbread.

"To see my brother... and to return this to you, by the way."

Shen Zhixia took out a jade pendant and handed it to Chen Mo.

She had wanted to return it to him during her last visit to the Chen Estate, but an "accident" had occurred...

Every time she thought of that incident, her heart would race and her face would flush.

It was too embarrassing!

Chen Mo reached out to take it, pondered for a moment, then condensed emerald essence in his palm, enveloping the jade pendant within it.

The jade, which was already of excellent quality, seemed to be reborn; it became warm and lustrous like congealed fat, with a faint, flowing radiance visible within.

"Here, it's for you."

Chen Mo handed the rejuvenated jade pendant back to her.

"For... me?"

Shen Zhixia was stunned.

"Consider it a trade for your roasted wheat and flatbread."

Chen Mo said with a smile.

This was naturally a joke.

Back then, Shen Zhixia had saved him at the Music Bureau, and later helped him calm his blood and stabilize his cultivation realm... let this be a token of gratitude.

After all, this jade pendant was not a magical artifact and possessed no strange abilities.

However, it was infused with pure life essence; wearing it close to the body could subtly improve one's constitution and repair hidden injuries, making it perfect for a martial artist like Shen Zhixia.

Looking at the vibrant, life-filled jade in her hand, Shen Zhixia was momentarily dazed.

At this moment, Chen Mo leaned into her ear and whispered, "Also, I haven't forgotten you, little sister Chong'er."

The two had been playmates since childhood.

Chen Mo was a year older, and Shen Zhixia had always followed him around like a shadow.

Other children mocked her, calling her a "tag-along bug."

She took no shame in it, but rather pride, saying in her milky voice that she would always be Chen Mo's "little sister Chong'er."

Hearing this nickname, Shen Zhixia's body trembled, and her face turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye, looking like a ripe apple.

"I, I, I have things to do, I'm leaving first."

Shen Zhixia dared not look at him; she stood up and fled in a panic.

Chen Mo waved his hand and said, "Slow down, don't trip, little sister Chong'er."

Bang!

Shen Zhixia slammed headfirst into the door frame.

"Zhixia?"

Shen Shuchou happened to walk over.

Shen Zhixia ignored him entirely and vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.

"This girl, why is she in such a rush..."

Shen Shuchou found it strange, shook his head, and stepped into the office.

"Lord Shen."

Chen Mo greeted him.

Seeing his haggard expression, he quickly expressed a subordinate's concern for his superior, "My Lord, did you not rest well? Even if official business is busy, you must take care of your health."

Shen Shuchou leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples wearily.

"Don't even mention it. The case of Yan Liang has already spread."

"In just half a day, I don't know how many people have been pressuring me, openly or secretly, to pry for information, and there are even..."

At this point, Shen Shuchou thought of something, looked up at Chen Mo, and asked suspiciously, "Did you know the origin of that Rank 6 Warlock all along? Did you intentionally let me take the fall?"

Although he had guessed that the person behind the warlock had a significant background, he hadn't expected it to be linked to the Prince's Mansion.

Now, he could be said to be in a dilemma...

"My Lord is the backbone of our Water Bureau. As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility; how can you call it taking the fall?"

"Besides, with the Empress backing us, what is there to fear?"

Chen Mo laid the flattery on thick.

Shen Shuchou glared at him, annoyed.

It's easy to talk when you're not the one standing.

With me taking the heat at the front, of course you're not afraid!

Watching Chen Mo's leisurely and relaxed demeanor, Shen Shuchou felt his anger flare up. He said, "There's a case in the western suburbs that was supposed to be handled by the Ding Fire Bureau. Now that Yan Liang has been thrown in jail by you, they're short-handed. You're going to go along with them."

Chen Mo frowned upon hearing this. "Doesn't the Ding Fire Bureau still have Li Yuan? Even if they're short-handed, there's still the Bing Fire Bureau. How does it fall to me?"

"Everyone else has their own assignments."

"This case was dumped on us by the magistrate's office, and it's a bit thorny. You and Li Yuan are going together."

Shen Shuchou stated.

"I'm partnering with her?"

Chen Mo's brow furrowed even deeper. "Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Shen Shuchou said with a straight face:

"Official business is official business; put other matters aside for now."

"As a pillar of the Water Bureau, I believe in your capabilities. After all, with great power comes great responsibility..."

Having said that, he patted Chen Mo on the shoulder and walked away with his hands behind his back.

"..."

Chen Mo sighed.

This man is too petty; it's clearly a case of using public office for private revenge...

"Sir, Sir!"

At this moment, Qin Shou came running over excitedly and whispered, "A new batch of beauties just arrived at the Music Bureau. They're gorgeous and have great figures—really something else! I've already booked a spot; do you want to go together tonight..."

I have to work overtime, and you want to go scouting for flowers at the brothel?

"Forget about the Music Bureau."

Chen Mo said coldly, "There's a case in a while; you're coming with me!"

Qin Shou: "..."