"...In the blink of an eye, Qin Wuxiang transformed, revealing her true form—a World-Shaking Fierce Demon, five hundred zhang tall, with eight heads and sixteen arms!"
"Each head was as big as a house! One stomp made the four city gates tremble! One breath sent the entire county yamen flying!"
Jade Pot Pavilion.
The teahouse was packed to the rafters, with people even crowding the entrance.
Some peddlers had abandoned their stalls, aprons still tied around their waists, and were craning on tiptoe to peer inside.
On the platform in the middle of the hall, a storyteller with a neat mustache was holding forth:
"Meanwhile, Flag Chief Chen remained calm, his hands steady. With a cold laugh, he declared: 'Heaven would be plunged into eternal night if I, Chen Jinyan, had never been born! Bring me my blade!'"
"That slash dazzled the ages and put even celestial beauties to shame!"
"That slash cut across the sky, and all creation bowed its head..."
Smack!
The storyteller's block cracked against the table.
He picked up his teacup and moistened his throat.
"To find out what happened next, come back for the next installment."
The audience had been listening with rapt attention. To have the story cut off just as it reached its climax left them hanging in unbearable suspense.
"Just finish the story!"
"You old coot, you're deliberately keeping us in suspense, aren't you?"
"Have you no shame?"
"May the whole family of every cliffhanger dog die!"
The storyteller stroked his mustache and half-closed his eyes, turning a deaf ear to the curses flying around him.
If you couldn't even handle this much pressure, what business did you have telling stories?
In their line of work, the tea money was only a small part of the income. The real money came from tips.
First, tell a bit for free to whet the audience's appetite. Then, just when everyone was hooked, stop dead...
Want to hear more?
That depended on how generous they felt like being.
There was nothing shameful about making money!
Thud!
Just then, a glint of silver dropped from the second floor and struck the platform, rolling to a stop at the storyteller's feet.
He looked down, and his eyes lit up.
Well, well—a fifty-tael ingot of Longheng Treasure Silver!
Whoever had tossed it was clearly a wealthy patron. It looked like today was my lucky day!
The storyteller bent down, picked up the silver, and tucked it into his sleeve. Smiling, he said, "Since you'd like to hear more, my lord, I'll carry on. Picking up where we left off..."
"No need. Just answer two questions for me."
A slightly hoarse voice came from upstairs. "Are you sure Qin Wuxiang is dead?"
The storyteller nodded. "Of course. Word has spread throughout the city, and the Heavenly Demon Ranking has already been updated. The Tenth Heavenly Demon, Qin Wuxiang, has officially been removed!"
The Heavenly Demon Ranking was public, and anyone could look up the information on it.
Whether they were wandering heroes or disciples of a sect, anyone who captured or killed a demon on the list could turn them over to the Capital Yamen. Once their identity was verified, the bounty would be theirs!
Since Qin Wuxiang had been removed from the list, the imperial court must have confirmed her death.
The person upstairs fell silent for a moment, then asked, "And my second question... who is that Flag Chief Chen?"
The storyteller paused, then suddenly understood. "You must be from out of town, sir. There aren't many Aristocratic Clans surnamed Chen in Heaven Capital City."
"The one who killed Qin Wuxiang is the son of the Censor, a Flag Chief of the Heavenly Qilin Guard. His surname is Chen, his given name is Mo, and his courtesy name is Jinyan."
"I hear he's a Sixth-Grade Mortal Shedding martial artist, with strength on a par with the Ten Prodigies. But the Azure Cloud Ranking hasn't been updated yet, so no one can say for certain..."
"Is there anything else you'd like to know? I can throw in a few extra answers for free."
The storyteller was all smiles.
He was thinking that if he kept this wealthy patron happy, he might toss him a few dozen taels. Then he could retire in comfort for a few years!
He waited for a long while, but no reply came.
Just as he began to wonder what was going on, angry shouts rose from the audience below:
"What are you muttering to yourself for? Are you going to tell the story or not?"
"Muttering to myself?"
The storyteller jolted awake and hurriedly reached into his sleeve.
The treasure silver, which had felt so heavy a moment ago, weighed nothing at all. It crumpled in his fingers—turning out to be a paper ingot used for funeral rites!
"You bastard!"
"You tricked me with money for the dead! I'll be damned if I don't—"
The storyteller choked mid-curse. His face turned livid, and he toppled sideways onto the platform.
"Ah!"
"Someone's dead!"
The teahouse erupted in screams. People scrambled about, sending the place into utter chaos...
Outside, a figure wrapped from head to toe in a black robe walked away at an unhurried pace.
A faint veil seemed to shroud the figure's face, making it impossible to see clearly.
"Chen Mo..."
Chen Estate.
Chen Mo sat cross-legged in the training room, with his attribute panel displayed before him:
Name: Chen Mo Title: Fierce Ghost Buster Realm: Sixth-Grade Mortal Shedding · Origin Return Realm Cultivation Method: Primordial Body Forging Art · Great Accomplishment Martial Skills: Blazing Flame Eight Slashes · Great Accomplishment Azure Dragon in Sleeve · Beginner (55/200) Wind-Thunder Leap · Minor Accomplishment (0/100) Divine Abilities: Soul Absorption · Elementary (1/0) True Spirit: 151
He had reaped a bountiful harvest from his trip to Tongling County.
Besides the True Spirit, title, and divine ability, his battle against the Faceless Demon had also given him a deeper understanding of the blade.
"Draw in my aura, conceal the blade within my body."
"At the instant of the strike, I poured my life essence into it, and it triggered some kind of transformation..."
Remembering the Azure Dragon Blade Intent, which had roared as if it were alive, Chen Mo felt he had brushed against something. But whenever he tried to grasp it, it vanished like flowers reflected in a mirror or the moon's shadow on water.
"Was that Dao Rhyme?"
"Too bad. It seems I'm still a little short..."
"My realm isn't high enough yet. There's no need to fret over it."
Chen Mo didn't get hung up on it.
悟道 depended on fate and opportunity.
Besides, even if he couldn't comprehend it, as long as he filled his True Spirit, he could still reach Great Accomplishment.
"Even touching the edge of Dao Rhyme has benefited me greatly."
"My progress with Azure Dragon in Sleeve has gone up by nearly fifty points. I wonder how long that would have taken through bitter cultivation."
If Chen Mo wanted, he could raise Azure Dragon in Sleeve to Proficient right away.
But there was no need.
"The higher the level of a martial skill, the harder it gets to improve. Spending True Spirit on it in the early stages is a waste. Just cut down a few more people and it'll go up on its own."
"I also need to keep some True Spirit in reserve, in case something unexpected happens."
That night, when he tracked down the Rat Bride, if he hadn't had just enough True Spirit left to upgrade Wind-Thunder Leap, he might not have caught the creature.
If the Rat Bride had chosen a different target and transformed into a fierce baleful spirit, the outcome would have been impossible to predict.
"Besides that, there's the divine ability Her Highness bestowed upon me..."
Divine abilities could be upgraded too, but only with Dao Rhyme Crystals.
That stuff was much harder to come by than True Spirit.
"Oh, right. I haven't opened my favorability reward yet."
Chen Mo's thoughts stirred, and a prompt appeared before him:
["Li Yuan" favorability has reached the required threshold. First-stage reward unlocked.] [Obtained special item: Dao Rhyme Crystal.]
"Now that's satisfying."
Chen Mo's lips curled into a smile.
The process had been a little absurd, but the result wasn't bad...
Knock, knock, knock.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. The steward A-Fu called from outside:
"Young master, someone from the palace is here."
"Oh?"
Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. "Could Chief Xu have come to see me?"
He left the room and crossed into the courtyard. The Chen Estate's people were gathered there, but the person standing before them wasn't Xu Qingyi. It was an elderly eunuch with graying hair at his temples.
He wore a blue satin robe embroidered with waves, cliffs, a sun, and flowing clouds. Golden python patterns adorned his sleeves and chest.
When Chen Mo approached, the old eunuch gave him an appraising look and praised him. "Your servant has long heard of Flag Chief Chen's distinguished bearing. Seeing you in person today, I find you every bit as handsome and refined, as if untouched by the dust of the world. What a fine young gentleman, polished like jade."
The string of flattery caught Chen Mo completely off guard.
You're this good with idioms—are you studying for the imperial examinations?
Chen Zhuo glanced at him and said, "This is Eunuch Jin, Jin Wu, the chief eunuch of the palace and Imperial Guard Commander."
Chen Mo understood at once.
So he was one of the Empress's people.
"Jin Wu? Might as well call him Eunuch Sun."
Chen Mo grumbled to himself, then cupped his hands. "So you're Eunuch Jin. I've heard much about you."
Eunuch Jin smiled. "Flag Chief Chen has just cracked the Barbarian Slave Case and slain the Tenth Heavenly Demon, saving the people of Tongling County from the depths of suffering. Your achievements are as towering as a mountain!"
Chen Zhuo looked at Chen Mo with a complicated expression.
The Ministry of Revenue corruption case had been planned by the Ministry of Justice for a long time. They'd caught the Consort Faction completely off guard. By the time they realized what was happening, the case had already been made airtight.
They had thought there was no way to turn things around and that they'd just have to grit their teeth and swallow the loss.
But Chen Mo had reversed the situation, even dragging the Yan Family into the mess!
Now he had slain the Tenth Heavenly Demon, an unprecedented feat!
"This brat... he really has surprised me time and again."
After exchanging pleasantries, Chen Mo asked, "May I ask what brings you here, Eunuch Jin?"
"Look at this old brain of mine. I was so busy chatting that I nearly forgot the important business."
"Ahem. Heavenly Qilin Guard Flag Chief Chen Mo, receive the decree."
Eunuch Jin held up both hands, and a radiant golden scroll appeared out of thin air.
As the scroll slowly unfurled, its light flared like a blazing sun. Its majestic might was so overwhelming that no one dared look directly at it!
"By decree of the Eastern Palace: Chen Mo, a loyal and upright servant, possessed of both virtue and talent, has repeatedly rendered meritorious service and stands as a pillar of the state."
"He is hereby promoted to a hundred-household officer of the Heavenly Qilin Guard and bestowed five pieces of Spirit Marrow, ten Golden Pills, ten bolts of Thousand-Weave Cloud Brocade, five hundred taels of gold, jewelry..."
As Eunuch Jin read aloud, several armored imperial guards entered the courtyard. Yellow silk was tied around their collars, and they carried in chests brimming with jewels and bolts of brocade.
"A hundred-household officer?"
Chen Mo frowned.
Even if he had earned merit by slaying an evil demon, the reward seemed far too generous.
"Eunuch Jin, given my age and experience, I'm afraid I'm not qualified to serve as a hundred-household officer. And besides, Centurion Shen..."
Eunuch Jin smiled. "I know what you're thinking, Flag Chief Chen. There are no vacancies among the Heavenly Qilin Guard's hundred-household officers at present. You're merely next in line, and will receive the salary of a hundred-household officer until a position opens up and you can be formally promoted."
"Besides that, Her Majesty the Empress has another gift for you. It simply wasn't included in the decree."
Eunuch Jin took a token from his robe.
It was golden all over. A Singing Phoenix Facing the Sun was carved into its face in openwork, every detail vivid and lifelike.
Chen Mo froze. "This is..."
Eunuch Jin said, "This is the Flying Phoenix Token. With it, you can enter and leave the Imperial Palace at will."
"If you have urgent business in the future, Flag Chief, you can go directly to Zhaohua Palace and report to Her Majesty in person."
The moment he said that, the air fell deathly silent!
Chen Zhuo's face remained expressionless, but his hands had clenched tight inside his sleeves!
A mere hundred-household officer, going to Zhaohua Palace... to report to the Empress in person?
What kind of joke was this?
"Flag Chief Chen?"
Seeing that Chen Mo didn't react, Eunuch Jin raised an eyebrow slightly.
"This subordinate thanks Your Highness for her grace."
Chen Mo fell silent for a moment, then reached out and accepted the token and the imperial edict.
Eunuch Jin nodded in satisfaction. As if remembering something, he asked, "By the way, I heard that Flag Chief Chen is most skilled with a blade, and has achieved considerable mastery of the blade path?"
Chen Mo shook his head. "I've only picked up the barest rudiments. I'm not particularly proficient, Eunuch. You flatter me."
"Flag Chief, there's no need to be modest. To slay the Tenth Heavenly Demon at the sixth-grade realm, your blade technique must have reached the pinnacle."
"I happen to have a little something that would suit Flag Chief Chen..."
Eunuch Jin held out his right hand, as if grasping something in the air.
As he slowly moved his hand, a ringing clang broke out, and a blade gradually materialized out of thin air!
The blade was narrow and slender, its entire length a lush jade green, as if carved from jade. Fractured ice patterns ran along its spine, and even from a great distance, one could feel its bone-piercing chill!
What a fine blade!
Chen Mo's eyes lit up with admiration. At a glance, he could tell it was no ordinary weapon.
"This blade is called Jade Shatterer. I have no use for it, so I'll give it to Flag Chief Chen."
Eunuch Jin handed the long blade to Chen Mo.
At the name, Chen Mo's pupils suddenly contracted!
"This is far too precious. This subordinate can't accept it..."
Eunuch Jin smiled meaningfully. "A treasured blade chooses its master, and a fine bird settles in a tree. In my view, this blade and Flag Chief Chen are a perfect match. There's no need to refuse."
"I still have some matters to attend to at the palace, so I can't stay long."
"Please, don't see me out."
With that, he didn't wait for Chen Mo to refuse, but turned and left on his own.
Silence returned to the courtyard.
"Slaying a Heavenly Demon was certainly a great feat, but it hardly warranted such a grand display. They even sent the palace's chief eunuch to deliver the imperial edict in person?"
"The rewards may seem plentiful, but they're all bark and no bite."
Chen Mo gave a cold laugh.
The position of Deputy Commander was an empty title, with no real authority.
The Flying Phoenix Token merely allowed him to enter and leave the Imperial Palace. It meant nothing to him.
As for that Jade Shatterer Blade...
Its name said it all!
"The Imperial Empress is using this as an excuse to stir things up. She clearly wants to drive a wedge between us."
"If this reaches Her Highness's ears, she'll inevitably grow suspicious. The seed of doubt has already been planted. All that remains is to wait for it to take root and sprout—and it might even affect the entire Chen Family..."
"But there's no way to refuse. It's an open, aboveboard scheme."
Chen Zhuo's face darkened.
Just then, Chen Mo got up and headed for the door.
Chen Zhuo asked, "Where are you going?"
Without looking back, Chen Mo replied, "Into the palace. I'm going to see Her Highness!"
You think you can drive a wedge between Her Highness and me?
Dream on!
Ganqing Gate.
Xu Qingyi looked at Chen Mo and frowned. "You come here far too often, don't you?"
The frequency of his visits to the palace was absurd. No one had ever been able to see Her Highness so often.
Did he think the harem was his own household?
"Something's happened..."
Chen Mo sighed.
Xu Qingyi couldn't help asking, "What happened?"
Chen Mo wore a helpless expression. "The Imperial Empress has her eye on me. Now I'm like a thong—I can only survive in the cracks."
"..."
Xu Qingyi asked in confusion, "What's a thong?"
Chen Mo glanced at her. "I'll give you one someday, if I get the chance."
Looking at Xu Qingyi's cool, composed features, he imagined what she might be wearing under that immaculate white robe—
Ahem. He was letting his thoughts run wild.
"I don't want one."
Xu Qingyi gave a cold snort.
She had a feeling this fellow was up to no good.
When they reached the entrance to Cold Night Palace, Chen Mo took two steps back. Under Xu Qingyi's bewildered, astonished gaze, he slid into the hall on his knees.
"Your Highness!"
"This subordinate has an urgent matter to repor—"
A pale, jade-white foot pressed against his face, cutting off the rest of his words.
Yu Youhan sat on the Phoenix Throne with her legs crossed, their curves pressing together. Massaging her brow, she said, "You're so noisy. Can't you let me have a moment's peace?"
"Mmph, mmph!"
Chen Mo blinked.
"What are you saying..."
Suddenly, Yu Youhan's expression changed. "Stop that! Don't lick!"
Before you continue