The candlelight flickered, casting a dim, yellow glow.
Yu'er climbed in through the window, her hair dripping wet. Her thin gauze dress clung to her body, revealing glimpses of her springtime beauty.
She was just about to act coy when she sensed something was amiss. Quietly, she crouched in a corner, not daring to make a sound.
Gu Manzhi gazed at Chen Mo, her slender brows slightly furrowed.
The Azure Underworld Seal was the founding treasure of the Moon Radiance Sect, capable of deducing all manner of techniques. The Green Jade True Scripture had evolved from it, and it was the foundation that had allowed the Moon Radiance Sect to hold its place among the Eight Great Sects.
On that day, the sect had been destroyed and its mountain gate had crumbled. The Azure Underworld Seal had vanished without a trace--
As the mastermind behind it all, Yu Youhan almost certainly had it in her hands!
"You can get the Azure Underworld Seal back? That's a priceless treasure. Imperial Concubine Yu would never show it to just anyone," Gu Manzhi said.
Chen Mo replied blandly, "That thing is a treasure to you, but it's worthless in Her Highness's eyes. How could the path she cultivates be deduced by some mere magical treasure?"
Gu Manzhi was displeased by his words, but she had to admit they were true.
Yu Youhan's cultivation had reached another level. Otherwise, her master wouldn't have turned pale at the mention of Yu and never once set foot in Heaven Capital City.
"Even if she can't use it herself, she could use it to bolster her forces. Why would she hand it over to you?"
Clang--
Chen Mo pulled a purple token from his robes and tossed it onto the table.
At the sight of the purple Luan Phoenix soaring with wings outstretched, Gu Manzhi's pupils contracted slightly.
She knew that Insignia all too well!
"You don't know how much weight I carry in Her Highness's eyes. The Purple Luan Token, Vitality Essence, the Soul Absorption technique... She gave them all to me."
"As long as you're willing to cooperate, getting the Azure Underworld Seal won't be difficult."
Chen Mo began painting her a rosy picture.
Gu Manzhi fell silent for a moment, then bit her lip. "You haven't become Imperial Concubine Yu's male companion, have you?"
A man as handsome as him could easily have caught that demoness's eye. No wonder she doted on him so much...
?
Chen Mo shook his head. "I wouldn't call myself a male companion. I'm more like... a masseur."
Her Highness's personal foot masseur!
Come to think of it, given Her Highness's cultivation, her physical constitution was outrageously strong. Even blades and swords could hardly harm her. He wondered if she'd be like a sheet of tempered glass...
Chen Mo's thoughts began to wander.
Gu Manzhi looked suspicious, but didn't press him any further.
Getting the Azure Underworld Seal back would be an enormous achievement, and might even give them a chance to rebuild the sect!
They couldn't let even the slightest opportunity slip by!
"I might as well use this chance to get closer to Chen Mo and lay the groundwork for turning him against her later..."
"Sorry, Imperial Concubine Yu, but I want both the Azure Underworld Seal and Chen Mo!"
An incense stick later.
Yu'er lay on her stomach, watching the little Paper Dolls scurry around. Her bright, glossy eyes were full of curiosity.
Gu Manzhi's face was a little pale as she said, "These ten Paper Dolls can share their senses. Keep one with you and place the others around the people you want to monitor. You'll immediately sense anything unusual within a ten-mile radius."
"Don't resist."
Chen Mo flicked a finger, and a wisp of emerald light entered Gu Manzhi's brow.
She felt her exhaustion vanish, her energy and spirit restored. Even the old internal injuries she'd sustained had healed completely.
"Consider this the interest paid in advance. I'll find a way to get the Azure Underworld Seal," Chen Mo said.
Gu Manzhi nodded. "I hope you keep your word."
"I want some too~"
Yu'er crawled in front of Chen Mo and stuck out her pink tongue like a little dog.
Chen Mo squeezed out a drop of essence and let it fall into her mouth. She savored it as if it were some heavenly delicacy, rolling her eyes back in delight.
"..."
Chen Mo frowned. "Why did you train her to be like this?"
Gu Manzhi replied irritably, "She taught herself. What does that have to do with me?"
It was already past midnight, and the night outside the window was thick as ink.
Chen, who'd been busy all day, couldn't be bothered to go home. He got up and headed for the bathhouse.
Gu Manzhi asked in confusion, "What are you doing?"
"Bathing, then sleeping... Hmm, perfect. The water's still hot."
"...Wait, I already used that!"
The next morning.
The sun rose in the east, birds chirped in the emerald-green trees, and sunlight streamed through the window lattice, scattering patches of light and shade.
Chen Mo slowly woke up, feeling a warm, soft smoothness in his palm. When he opened his eyes, he saw Yu'er nestled obediently in his arms. She wore only a thin undergarment, and her fair skin was almost dazzling.
Gu Manzhi sat up straight, already transformed into a little maid.
"Why's she sleeping next to me?"
"How should I know..."
Gu Manzhi was a little guilty.
She'd slept on the other side last night, then quietly climbed out of bed at dawn...
Strangely enough, lying beside Chen Mo made her feel inexplicably safe. She'd slept soundly through the night without a single dream.
Chen Mo pulled his hand out of Yu'er's undergarment.
Yu'er woke up with him, rubbing her eyes. Her delicate, fair cheeks were rosy.
"Master, you're awake? Let me help you get dressed~"
After helping Chen Mo change, she fetched warm water and attended to his morning wash...
Watching Yu'er wait on him so eagerly, Gu Manzhi let out a sour little snort:
"Such a simp!"
"I'm Master's simp. I could lick him forever and never get tired of it~" Yu'er said in a soft, sultry voice, gazing at Chen Mo adoringly.
?
Gu Manzhi clenched her teeth. "Xu Yuqiong, I'm seriously going to have to put a leash on you!"
After the two left, she took a deep breath to calm herself, then sat cross-legged. An ancient jade book appeared between her brows.
Chen Mo's strength was rising too quickly. If she wanted to prove her worth, she had to break through to the fifth rank as soon as possible...
Whoosh--
Just then, a breeze swept by, and the shadows in the corner twisted.
Gu Manzhi's eyes were half-closed. "What are you doing here again?"
"Why, I'm here to visit my dear senior sister, of course... Chen Mo came by last night?"
The Grey-Robed Person walked to the bed and sat down, feeling the bedding. This time, it was dry.
"Elder Yu sent word asking about the mission's progress. What exactly are you planning?" the Grey-Robed Person asked.
Gu Manzhi opened her eyes, a glimmer of light flashing in them. "The plan has changed. We're going to revive the sect!"
The Grey-Robed Person: "?"
At Qingya Pavilion, guests who'd spent the night gradually emerged from the courtyard.
"Brother Li, how was the dancer last night?"
"In one word: juicy!"
"Qingya Pavilion certainly lives up to its reputation. It may not have a number-one courtesan, but its dancers and musicians are top-notch."
"Too bad Miss Yu'er only plays the zither now. She won't drink with guests anymore."
"Be content. Just hearing her play one piece is a blessing."
The guests chatted in little groups.
Even a courtesan who'd kept herself pure would receive guests after being formally initiated, but Yu'er was an exception. No matter how much anyone offered, she remained unmoved.
At first, some had called her a pretentious prude who was holding out for a higher price. But after hearing her play a single piece, every doubt vanished.
With such extraordinary mastery of the zither, she certainly had reason to hold herself above the crowd.
Just then, the main doors opened, and a tall, upright man stepped out.
His black robe was embroidered with subtle gold patterns. He wore black boots, a jade pendant hung at his waist, and his handsome face was brimming with noble air.
Yu'er followed behind him barefoot, wrapped in a cloak. She rose on tiptoe and pecked him on the cheek.
"Master, remember to come visit me often~"
The man looked impatient. "All right, enough of that. I really don't know what's going on in that head of yours..."
"Master's all I think about~"
"Be quiet."
?
Everyone stared at the scene, dumbfounded.
The air turned deathly still. Not a sound could be heard.
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