Squeeze Dry

Certainly.

The Thread-Pulling Puppet is not without its flaws.

After all, as a "Fate-Grade Skill," once a puppet is forged, it becomes an extension of Qin Muye himself. Unless the puppet is destroyed, there is no way to sever the connection of the five senses.

Although the puppets are independently powered and do not drain much from Qin Muye, an influx of too much junk information can leave his mind in a chaotic mess.

This is indeed quite annoying, which is why he must control the number of puppets and deploy them only to key users.

However...

Qin Muye has also discovered a very useful way to play.

Upon seeing his paper puppets finish crafting another, he immediately left his room, opened the window to Bai Yuji's quarters, and confirmed it was empty. He then retracted the two paper puppets and swaggered off toward the training hall.

This was formerly the training hall of Qin Kaijiang, and now, only Qin Muye is permitted to enter.

Once inside, Qin Muye glanced at the materials on the table. These were items he had his paper puppets purchase while cloaked over the past few days. Among them was a large quantity of Wood Tendon Silk, which, when combined with metal skeletons, could replicate human anatomy to the greatest extent.

He released the paper puppets and lay down on a recliner to rest.

About an hour later, two puppets with exposed muscles and bones were completed. They exchanged a glance, grabbed a blade and a sword respectively, and without a moment's hesitation, charged at each other.

They were using the blade techniques and swordsmanship of the Qin Family.

Qin Muye watched the battle while sipping tea. Although his cultivation realm did not drop after his marrow offering, and he could burst forth with the strength of an Eighth Grade for a short time, his stamina was abysmal, making sustained training impossible.

But with the puppets, it was different. With shared senses and his own mental copies integrated into the puppets, he could participate through three perspectives simultaneously—the two combatants and his own observation. This accelerated the improvement of his combat awareness to an absurd degree.

Of course, training in this manner does not directly affect his physical body.

However, as long as he adds points to his physique, he can at least enter a brief seclusion to bring his combat state to its peak in the shortest possible time.

Using this method to bridge the gap ensures he doesn't waste the time spent dealing with Bai Yuji.

"Sleepy!"

After watching for a while, Qin Muye stretched and left the training hall, leaving only the two auxiliary training puppets to continue their duel inside.

On the outskirts of the capital.

The Ghost Market.

The tavern lights were dim and yellow.

A woman wearing a bamboo hat walked silently toward the counter.

"Shopkeeper, I want a catty of your finest Thousand-Foot Brew."

"I don't have a catty, only seven taels."

"Seven taels isn't enough, I want half a catty."

"Then it will have to be watered down."

"Watered down is fine, just don't let anyone taste it."

"Then follow me to get the wine, traveler!"

The two exchanged a look and walked one after the other toward the backyard.

Entering the back hall, the shopkeeper turned the incense burner, and an arcane formation immediately appeared behind the Buddha statue.

The woman did not hesitate and stepped directly into the area shrouded by the formation's light.

The next moment, the light and shadows twisted, and when they returned to normal, she had arrived at a temple.

Seeing the woman appear, the people in the temple knelt and bowed: "Greetings, Princess!"

Bai Yuji took off her bamboo hat and hurriedly helped the Great Elder up: "Everyone, please, no need for such grand gestures. I am short on time and only have a few words to say before I must leave!"

Only then did the group stand up.

The Great Elder He Xifeng asked curiously: "Princess, why did you summon us so urgently today?"

Bai Yuji flipped her palm, conjuring a box out of thin air: "Inside are spirit stones and silver, totaling about eleven thousand taels."

"Princess, where did you get so much money?"

He Xifeng was startled. She exchanged a look with the other elders, and they all saw the pleasant surprise in each other's eyes.

Although there are many experts among the Nanzhao Remnants, they dare not own any overt businesses for fear of exposure, as it would be easy for someone to follow the trail and root them out.

Thus, they lived lives defined by poverty.

It wasn't until they connected with their benefactor, Li Runyue, through the organization that their lives became less strained.

If not for Li Runyue's financial power, she would never have held such a high position in the organization, nor would Bai Yuji have been forced to swallow her pride after being cheated once.

But having been cheated once, they realized they could no longer be held hostage.

That is why they have been searching for new sources of wealth these days, accumulating the capital to eventually turn against Li Runyue.

But... money is never that easy to earn, is it?

Yet, the princess had suddenly brought back so much of it.

Bai Yuji said indifferently, "Qin Muye auctioned off all the birthday gifts he received, and I took ten thousand taels."

"So that's how it is!"

He Xifeng suddenly understood. She had heard a bit about the birthday event and knew that Bai Yuji would take the opportunity to demand money.

It was just that the risk of selling birthday gifts was quite high; surely many people would be keeping a close eye on Qin Muye.

She hadn't expected Qin Muye to actually go through with it, and to share so much with Bai Yuji at that.

She felt a sense of admiration: "The princess is truly brilliant, to have actually managed to bring that useless heir to heel so thoroughly!"

"Hmm?"

Bai Yuji looked a bit puzzled: "To heel?"

He Xifeng nodded: "Previously, this subordinate was worried that since the useless heir's temperament had changed drastically, he might use the fact that your lives are bound together to trip you up in all sorts of ways! I never expected him to be so cooperative and hand over so much money. How did you manage that, Princess?"

Bai Yuji was silent for a moment: "I asked him for it, and he gave it. I didn't use any methods."

"Ah?"

He Xifeng was stunned, and the several elders exchanged glances.

Bai Yuji thought about it; it did seem a bit strange. Ten thousand taels was not a small sum. If Qin Muye hadn't wanted to give it, he could have easily refused on the grounds that selling birthday gifts would damage his reputation.

Yet, he hadn't shown the slightest hesitation when handing over the money.

Why was that?

As she pondered, the clever Second Elder had already reached a conclusion: "Perhaps that useless heir has fallen for the princess?"

Bai Yuji's expression tightened: "There is absolutely no such possibility."

The Second Elder smiled and retorted: "How is it impossible? The princess is kind-hearted, stunningly beautiful, and has a graceful figure. Which man wouldn't be moved upon seeing you?"

Bai Yuji rubbed her temples: "In his eyes, I am nothing but a kidnapper. How could that possibly be linked to being kind-hearted? Qin Muye is a man whose life has been full of twists and turns; he is not one to trust others easily. We must never let our guard down, or we will be the ones to suffer."

He Xifeng nodded: "The princess is right. We must not underestimate others."

Bai Yuji nodded slightly: "Is there anything else?"

He Xifeng hurriedly said: "Princess, you must prepare well for the Gan Kingdom's Ten Thousand Races Imperial Examination at the end of this year."

"Ten Thousand Races Imperial Examination?"

Bai Yuji frowned slightly. Ever since the arrival of the Demon Race, the imperial examination had become a grand event for foreign demon clans as well.

It was held every three years, and each time, a portion of official positions was released to the demon clans that had submitted to the kingdom.

She was a bit puzzled: "What does this have to do with us?"

He Xifeng said meaningfully: "The wars have been quite intense in recent years, and the surrounding countries are struggling to cope. This subordinate has heard rumors that they all have thoughts of peace talks. Those demon clans allied with the Gan Kingdom are also coming to demand annual tributes. This Ten Thousand Races Imperial Examination should be very lively."

Bai Yuji's eyes lit up: "Does the Great Elder mean that this is a good opportunity to form an alliance?"

He Xifeng nodded, fully agreeing with this assessment.

The reason the Gan Kingdom was able to enjoy a resurgence was because they had formulated a national policy of winning over some while attacking others. To this day, the surrounding small nations were buckling under the pressure, yet very few were willing to submit from the heart. Even if they entered the capital under the guise of peace talks, it would be nothing more than diplomatic negotiation.

Previously, the Nanzhao Remnants were struggling to survive; not only were they penniless, but their nation had also fallen, so they didn't even have the qualifications to extend an olive branch. But now, things were different.

He Xifeng said in a deep voice: "Princess! If we can achieve success this time, it might truly be possible to avenge the Fall of the Nation, or even restore it. This subordinate has some thoughts, though I do not know if I should speak them!"

Bai Yuji hurriedly said: "Great Elder, please speak freely!"

He Xifeng took a deep breath: "This subordinate believes that to succeed this time, we should make full use of Qin Muye and even the entire Qin Family."

Bai Yuji: "..."

On the way back to the Southern Pacification Mansion, Bai Yuji's thoughts were in a state of disarray.

Why was Qin Muye so proactive in giving money?

Was it because his father had destroyed Nanzhao, and he felt guilty toward her?

Or was it that... he had truly fallen for her?

For no reason at all, she thought of the scene from that afternoon.

At that time, Qin Muye had looked at her with eyes full of helplessness and asked, "Bai Yuji, can I hug you?"

This...

The more someone bared their fangs and brandished their claws, the more fragile they were.

So, was she really going to drain him and the entire Qin Family of their value, just as the Great Elder had said?

As Bai Yuji thought about this, she quietly returned to her bedroom, but she didn't expect that as soon as she jumped in through the back window, she would see someone sitting at the table.

"You haven't slept yet?"

"I was waiting for you!"

"..."