A Good Meal Was Worth More Than... (Two Chapters Combined, Begging for Monthly Votes at the Start of the Month!)

"You wretched slave! How dare you!"

Inside the great hall, Yu Youhan looked down at Chen Mo, her phoenix eyes fixed on him coldly.

Chen Mo hurriedly lowered his head. "This subordinate couldn't restrain himself. I beg Your Highness to forgive me!"

Heavens knew, he really hadn't done it on purpose!

But those soft, fragrant little feet had been offered right to his mouth. He simply couldn't control himself.

That heart-soothing, sweet fragrance had left his mind utterly blank, and, as if possessed, he had gently sucked on one...

A good meal was worth more than anything else—and the ancients had not deceived him!

"Outrageous!"

Yu Youhan's voice was as bone-chilling as the bitterest winter wind. Her clothes stirred without a breeze, and the aura around her, deep as an abyss and dreadful as a prison, nearly froze the air!

Boom!

Boundless pressure crushed down on him, pinning Chen Mo firmly to the floor. His bones and sinews creaked, as if in the next instant his skull would be shattered, his body pulverized, and he would become a puddle of mush!

At last, Chen Mo came to his senses.

Her tolerance and "special treatment" had gone to his head. He had nearly forgotten that she was the most terrifying being in Absolute Immortal!

A female devil who had slaughtered countless people!

She could grind him to dust with a single finger!

"This subordinate deserves to die! Please calm your anger, Your Highness!"

Chen Mo struggled to speak.

"Only when I allow you to touch me may you do so!"

"If you dare do this again, don't blame me for being merciless!"

Feeling the heat pulsing at her wrist, Yu Youhan gave a cold snort and withdrew her pressure.

"Thank you for sparing my life, Your Highness."

As if granted a pardon, Chen Mo lay on the floor, gasping hard. Cold sweat had soaked through his back.

"This man is getting more and more outrageous. He actually dared to lick me... He nearly made me lose control again!"

"If I don't teach him a lesson, who knows what else he'll do?"

"As long as I don't feel hostility toward him, Red Silk won't appear. I can put on a show and scare him a little without any trouble..."

Yu Youhan thought to herself. Her face remained expressionless as she said coolly, "Speak. What brings you to the palace so suddenly?"

Chen Mo took a moment to steady himself, then pulled a token from his robes and presented it to her.

A glint flashed in Yu Youhan's eyes. "The Flying Phoenix Token? How did this end up in your hands?"

"The Imperial Empress had Eunuch Jin deliver it to the Chen Estate..."

Chen Mo recounted everything that had just happened, leaving nothing out.

"I merely killed an evil demon, yet they promoted me to Principal Sixth Rank and specially bestowed the Flying Phoenix Token. Those rewards are far beyond what is appropriate."

"And that Jade Shatterer Blade..."

"She's clearly trying to poach someone from under my nose."

A mocking smile touched Yu Youhan's lips, and a trace of killing intent seeped from her eyes.

She could afford not to care about anyone else, but Chen Mo was different. This "Inner Demon" was her greatest weakness, the soft spot she could least afford to expose!

If the Imperial Empress succeeded in turning him against her, he would become the perfect weapon to use against her!

"Since the Imperial Empress values you so highly, what do you think?" Yu Youhan asked softly.

Chen Mo replied firmly, "Your Highness has given this subordinate a new lease on life. I would gladly lay down my liver and brain for you. I have absolutely no other loyalties!"

Yu Youhan nodded in satisfaction.

After receiving the Imperial Empress's reward, Chen Mo had come to the palace to report it at the first opportunity, without a moment's hesitation. That was enough to show where he stood.

"Good. You haven't disappointed me."

"Is there anything else?"

Chen Mo shook his head. "I wouldn't dare disturb Your Highness's meditation. This subordinate will take his leave."

With that, he bowed and started backing toward the exit.

Seeing his cautious manner, edged with a hint of distance, Yu Youhan paused. Once she understood why, her brows relaxed, and amusement flickered in her eyes.

"Stop."

Chen Mo halted and stood with his head lowered.

Yu Youhan saw this and curled her lips. "After the way I treated you just now, do you feel wronged?"

"This subordinate wouldn't dare."

"You are the only person who has ever touched my body..."

Yu Youhan paused, then said evenly, "I was only reminding you not to push your luck."

Chen Mo was taken aback.

Not even the emperor had touched her?

He had more or less guessed as much.

In Absolute Immortal's setting, Imperial Concubine Yu's origins were mysterious, and she had entered the palace to "steal the nation's fortune." The story never said much about her relationship with Emperor Wulie.

When Yu Youhan entered the palace, Emperor Wulie had not yet fallen ill.

But with her cultivation, no one could force her to do anything unless she willingly allowed it.

"What? You don't believe me?"

When he fell silent, Yu Youhan's voice cooled.

Chen Mo came back to himself and hurriedly said, "Of course I believe you, Your Highness."

There was no reason for Yu Youhan to lie about something like that.

But why was she suddenly telling him this?

"Come here."

Yu Youhan spoke.

Chen Mo did as he was told.

Then the legs crossed over one another lifted, and beneath her palace skirt, skin like polished jade showed as a pair of snow-white feet extended toward him.

Yu Youhan turned her lovely face aside. "Here."

"They're only feet. What's so good about them?"

"Never mind. He's so loyal... and my reaction just now was a little too intense. I'll let him do as he likes."

Yet after a long wait, Chen Mo still didn't move.

Yu Youhan glanced at him, her eyes darkening. "What, you don't want to touch them?"

Chen Mo asked cautiously, "This subordinate is worried..."

"Since I've given you permission, what is there to fear? You were doing that just now... so just continue."

Yu Youhan gave a soft snort.

Continue?

If he was acting on her orders, there shouldn't be a problem, right?

Chen Mo swallowed, hesitated for a moment, then reached out to support the arch of her foot and slowly bent toward it.

The fragrance was as pure as orchids, untouched by dust. The fine, smooth sensation made it impossible to stop.

Yu Youhan's heart gave a sudden leap!

This time felt different from the others...

A tingling sensation surged up from her toes, so intense that it spread through her entire body in an instant.

Her wrist burned, and an unprecedented, fierce flutter rose in wave after wave, like a stormy sea swallowing her whole!

"Your Highness?"

Sensing something amiss, Chen Mo looked up—and froze.

Yu Youhan's eyes had gone unfocused. A flush spread over her cheeks and gradually crept down her long neck. Against her white robes, she looked like a wild poppy blooming atop a snowy peak.

Poisonous, deadly, yet utterly bewitching.

Noticing his gaze, Yu Youhan bit her red lips, her voice trembling. "You wretched slave, d-don't look at me!"

"Yes."

Chen Mo had barely lowered his head when a rich, heady fragrance reached him.

He followed its source with his eyes.

It seemed to be...

Suddenly, his vision blurred. Yu Youhan vanished, leaving only her voice echoing through the air:

"It's late. I'm tired. You may leave."

"...This subordinate takes his leave."

Abruptly cut off, Chen Mo left the great hall with a lingering sense of dissatisfaction and a touch of disappointment.

"Compared with the Imperial Empress's empty promises, Her Highness's dumplings really are tastier..."

Not far behind him,

Yu Youhan leaned weakly against a pillar. Mist shimmered in her phoenix eyes, and springtime desire nearly spilled out of them.

"Heaven really did send him to torment me. Every time, he leaves me in such a humiliating state..."

"Next time..."

"Next time, I'll definitely hold back!"

The next day.

At the Heavenly Qilin Guard headquarters.

As soon as Chen Mo entered the Magistrate Office, the members of the Water Bureau crowded around him.

Qin Shou grinned so broadly that his cheeks bunched up. "Congratulations on your promotion to Centurion, Flag Chief!"

"Congratulations, Centurion! Our congratulations!"

Everyone shouted their congratulations in unison, their enthusiasm filling the place.

Chen Mo shook his head. "You people hear news quickly... But I've only been given the rank, not the post. Keep calling me Flag Chief, or people might get the wrong idea."

Qin Shou smiled. "There's just no vacancy in the Magistrate Office at the moment. I hear Centurion Shen may be promoted to Vice Thousand-Man Commander. Once that happens, won't you officially take over the Water Bureau as a matter of course?"

Liu Mang muttered from the side, "It's only a matter of time."

Chen Mo smiled but said nothing.

Easy for them to say. It wasn't that simple.

The Heavenly Qilin Guard was tangled in complex relationships; one tug could set the whole web trembling.

The merit of killing a Heavenly Demon alone wasn't enough to put him in charge of a bureau. Even receiving the honorary rank of Centurion was already an exceptional promotion.

Besides, there was an unwritten rule:

A Centurion had to be at the fifth rank of martial arts!

Otherwise, no one would accept him!

"What's so great about being a Centurion?"

"Being a little Flag Chief is much more comfortable. When trouble comes, someone else takes the blame."

Chen Mo thought to himself.

The Noble Consort could shoulder the big pot, and Centurion Shen could take the small one. As for him... sorry, he was nonstick.

"By the way, Boss, I still have the banknotes County Magistrate Li gave us..."

Qin Shou pulled Chen Mo aside and spoke in a low voice.

Chen Mo said, "Since it's for recuperation, don't pinch pennies. After work, take the brothers out to unwind."

"Understood!"

Qin Shou looked thrilled.

For hot-blooded martial artists like them, there was only one place to "unwind"...

The pleasure quarters!

Damn it, always the pleasure quarters!

"A new batch of songstresses just arrived at the Music Bureau. They're top quality!"

"One performer in particular is quite famous. She's a master of the zither, painting, and calligraphy, and her looks are stunning—worthy of a leading courtesan!"

"Why not come along and enjoy yourself, Flag Chief? We can celebrate your promotion, too."

Qin Shou said with a grin.

Chen Mo thought it over and didn't refuse. A change of scenery now and then wasn't a bad thing.

"Invite those people from the Ding Fire Bureau, too. They all contributed, so they deserve a share of the money."

"Yes."

Qin Shou answered.

At the Ding Fire Bureau office.

Li Yuan stood by the window, her eyes unfocused as she stared into space, lost in thought.

"Flag Officer Li... Flag Officer Li?"

A voice called out, bringing her back to herself. She saw an officer standing in front of her, studying her with a strange look.

"What is it?" Li Yuan asked.

The officer handed her a document. "This is the written transfer of duties. Centurion Chu has already approved it. The five squads under Flag Chief... ahem, Yan Liang, will temporarily be placed under Flag Officer Li's command."

Yan Liang had been thrown into the Imperial Prison, leaving the Flag Chief's position vacant.

Until a new successor was chosen, Li Yuan would be responsible for all the bureau's affairs.

In other words, the entire burden of the Ding Fire Bureau now rested on her shoulders.

"Understood."

Li Yuan took the handwritten note and said nothing more.

The officer felt that something was off.

Ever since they had returned from Tongling County, Li Yuan had seemed completely out of sorts. She often sat alone, staring blankly out the window as if something had shaken her to the core...

How could I do that in front of Chen Mo...

That was so embarrassing!

Whenever Li Yuan thought of it, she wanted nothing more than to find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.

Back then, on horseback, Chen Mo's slap had seemed to flip a switch. The feeling that followed—shameful, yet impossible to describe—was unlike anything she had ever experienced.

If that slap on... that spot earlier was meant to wake me from the illusion, I can just about understand it. But why did he slap me again on horseback?

What did he mean by that?

And ever since we got back, he seems to have been avoiding me... Am I really that scary?

Without realizing it, Li Yuan had started to feel anxious and uncertain.

She wanted to find Chen Mo and get things straight between them, but she couldn't find the chance and had no idea how to face him.

"Flag Chief..."

Just then, several constables came up to her, looking rather uneasy.

"What is it?" Li Yuan asked.

"We..."

They hemmed and hawed, unable to get to the point.

Li Yuan furrowed her brow. "If you have something to say, say it. If not, get lost. Why are you stammering?"

They exchanged glances. One of them finally mustered up the courage to speak. "That county magistrate gave us five hundred taels for recuperation, right? ... After we finish for the day, Flag Chief Chen asked us to go to the Music Bureau with him and unwind..."

Chen Mo had kept his word in the Tongling County case, submitting all their names.

It was an achievement without precedent!

Never mind how generous the court's rewards might be. Just the reputation alone would be a huge boon to their future advancement!

They had received his kindness, so naturally they didn't want to slight Chen Mo.

Besides, what man could turn down a free night with women?

But relations between the Ding Fire Bureau and the Water Bureau were strained, and just a few days ago, one of their flag chiefs had been sent to the Imperial Prison... Without Li Yuan's approval, they wouldn't dare attend a gathering like this on their own.

"The Music Bureau? Chen Mo asked you to go?"

Li Yuan's expression turned cold.

The group nodded, bracing themselves.

Flag Officer Li had always loathed brothels and taverns, and she and Flag Chief Chen were like fire and water. It looked like they were out of luck this time...

"Since it's recuperation money, my share is in there too."

"I'm coming with you."

Li Yuan said it coolly.

"Uh... what?!"

They stared at Li Yuan, dumbfounded.

"Flag Officer Li is... is coming too?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Not exactly..."

"Wait for me after you finish for the day. Whoever dares leave without me will have their legs broken!"

"..."

Chu Liang had been in a foul mood lately.

He had never expected Chen Mo's "wild boast" from a few days ago to become reality so quickly!

He had slain the Tenth Heavenly Demon, been promoted to a hundred-household commander, and risen to Principal Sixth Rank!

In terms of rank alone, he was now Chu Liang's equal!

And the decree had come directly from the Imperial Empress!

"This reward is clearly far beyond the norm. It makes no sense at all!"

"The Chen Family are obviously Imperial Concubine Yu's lapdogs. Why does Her Majesty favor him so much?"

Chu Liang couldn't make sense of it.

"But fortunately, the position is only provisional. He has no real authority."

"The Heavenly Qilin Guard's positions are already fixed, and there aren't any vacancies for a hundred-household commander. There's no need to worry too much."

"For now, I should focus on handling matters at the Magistrate Office..."

After Yan Liang was thrown into the Imperial Prison, the work had piled up. They had to choose a new flag chief as soon as possible.

But there wasn't a suitable candidate to be found.

"Fortunately, there's still Li Yuan."

Li Yuan was not only strong, but also decisive in handling affairs. She commanded considerable respect in the office and could temporarily shoulder the burden of the Ding Fire Bureau.

"Where's Flag Officer Li? Have her come see me."

"I need to go over the bureau's affairs with her."

Chu Liang said to the officer beside him.

The officer hesitated for a moment, then said, "Flag Officer Li has already left..."

Chu Liang asked in confusion, "She just finished for the day and left? Doesn't she usually practice her sword at the Training Grounds?"

Seeing the officer's evasive expression, Chu Liang knitted his brows and said sternly, "Where exactly did she go? Tell me the truth!"

The officer shuddered and said quietly, "It seems she went with Flag Chief Chen and the others to the Music Bureau..."

"Cough, cough!"

Chu Liang nearly choked on his own spit, his old face turning bright red.

"She went to the... the Music Bureau?!"

"What's a woman doing in a place like that? And with Chen Mo, no less?!"

The officer shook his head. "This subordinate doesn't know..."

Chu Liang's heart sank.

Since when had Li Yuan gotten so close to Chen Mo?

One of the two flag chiefs in the Ding Fire Bureau had been sent to the Imperial Prison, and the other had been spirited away by Chen Mo... Wasn't Chu Liang practically being left powerless?

"Could Chen Mo be waiting for me to die so he can take the provisional hundred-household commander position?"

Chu Liang felt his scalp prickle.