Chen Lingxi, an Unpolished Martial Gem?

Jiang Yuan turned his head, and his sharp, hawk-like eyes fell upon Chen Lingxi beneath the corridor.

His gaze first swept over the tranquil flower arrangement in Chen Lingxi's hands, pausing slightly before fixing tightly upon him.

It was as if he wished to see the bones beneath that thin layer of winter clothing.

Jiang Yuan's brow gradually furrowed. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes, soon turning into curiosity.

"Hmm?"

Another low murmur escaped his throat.

The two murmurs were not loud, but in the silence of the courtyard, they sounded exceptionally clear.

Everyone was stunned. Following Jiang Yuan's gaze, they saw only the young official slave holding an arrangement, his head lowered in meek obedience.

Lin Longyue also noticed Jiang Yuan's unusual behavior. Her gaze shifted to Chen Lingxi, a trace of confusion passing through her eyes.

The Yunhe Commandery Princess, who had been quietly speaking with the maid beside her in the eastern hall, stopped as well and looked over curiously.

He Duan was puzzled.

He knew Jiang Yuan to be proud and exceptionally discerning. Just moments ago, he had found much to criticize among the carefully trained youths of the western courtyard. He rarely took an interest in ordinary people, so why had this official slave provoked such an expression from him today?

Feeling that sharp gaze, tangible as though it had substance, Chen Lingxi's heart tightened slightly. Yet he maintained his respectful posture, eyes lowered and body still.

Jiang Yuan ignored everyone else and strode toward the corridor!

He stopped before Chen Lingxi, his tall figure radiating an invisible pressure.

"You," Jiang Yuan said in a deep voice. "Raise your head."

Chen Lingxi obeyed, slowly lifting his head to meet Jiang Yuan's scrutinizing gaze.

At close range, Jiang Yuan carefully examined Chen Lingxi.

The youth's complexion was still somewhat pale, but it no longer looked sickly. Instead, it carried the warm luster of jade.

His features were refined, yet an inescapable air of melancholy lingered between his brows.

What concerned Jiang Yuan most was that although the youth appeared thin, his back was naturally straight, his shoulders relaxed, and his breath long and subtle. It was as though he had blended into the cold wind around him, without the usual shrunken, listless manner of a laborer.

"Who are you?" Jiang Yuan asked.

"This official slave is Chen Lingxi, a menial servant of the western courtyard. By Miss's order, I have come to present this flower arrangement."

Chen Lingxi's voice was steady, and his answer was flawless.

"Official slave Chen Lingxi..." Jiang Yuan repeated the name, then suddenly reached out.

He was actually going to examine Chen Lingxi's bones!

At once, everyone was baffled.

Low murmurs of surprise arose.

"Mr. Jiang wants to examine an official slave's bones?"

"Official slaves can barely eat or keep warm. What good bones could they possibly have?"

The astonishment on He Duan's face could no longer be concealed.

Zheng Qingya frowned slightly, his gaze upon Chen Lingxi gaining several degrees of incomprehension.

Jiang Yuan's expression became incomparably focused as his large hand settled on Chen Lingxi's body.

This time, his movements were slower and more solemn than when he had examined anyone else's bones.

His first finger landed near the Baihui acupoint atop Chen Lingxi's head and pressed lightly.

Chen Lingxi felt a warm yet intensely penetrating force seep in through the crown of his head and instantly travel downward.

Jiang Yuan's fingers then moved along Chen Lingxi's cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, and lumbar vertebrae, pressing down one segment at a time.

It was as though his fingertips had grown eyes, able to see every minute shape and density of the bones, as well as the fit of every joint.

That strange force delved deeper along with them, probing the vitality hidden deep within the marrow and the paths through which blood and vital energy flowed.

The courtyard was utterly silent. Everyone held their breath and watched Jiang Yuan's iron-like hands slowly move across Chen Lingxi's body.

From his spine to his shoulder blades, from his arm bones to his knuckles, then to his waist, hips, leg bones, and ankles...

Jiang Yuan's expression grew increasingly grave, and the astonishment in his eyes deepened.

He could feel that the foundation of the body beneath his hands was indeed not outstanding. In some places, he could even detect the faint traces left by long-term strain and malnutrition.

But!

Those places that should have been stiff, sluggish, and fragile instead possessed a miraculous elasticity and vitality.

Especially the great dragon of his spine and the major bones of his limbs—their inner toughness far exceeded what his appearance suggested!

The pathways through which his blood and vital energy circulated were also much broader and smoother than those of an ordinary martial artist just entering the path.

And that resilient vitality hidden deep within the channels of his blood and energy felt even clearer under close examination!

This was anything but ordinary!

Time passed bit by bit.

A thin layer of sweat actually appeared on Jiang Yuan's forehead.

Of all the people whose bones he had examined, this was the first time he had expended so much concentration.

At last, he withdrew his hand.

Silence.

Utter silence.

Everyone watched Jiang Yuan, waiting for his verdict.

Jiang Yuan let out a long breath. In the cold air, it condensed into a straight white arrow.

When he looked at Chen Lingxi again, there was a touch of delight in his eyes.

"Commandery Princess!" Jiang Yuan's voice was slightly hoarse, yet it rang out like a bell across the courtyard. "This Chen Lingxi is also fine material, far superior to the others in this courtyard!"

"His blood and vital energy are enduring and tenacious, his meridians broad and unobstructed. Rarer still, hidden within his bones is an unyielding resilience and vitality. He is more suited than Zheng Qingya to cultivate my Mountain-Crushing Force!"

His words were sonorous and forceful.

The courtyard... fell even quieter.

He Duan, the instructor of the western courtyard's martial hall, drew a deep breath.

He looked at Jiang Yuan, then at the silent, thin official slave, finding the whole thing absurd.

This official slave was actually an unpolished martial gem with excellent bones?

Yet how could the judgment and bone-reading technique of someone at the peak of the Silver Bone Realm be wrong so easily?

Zheng Qingya stood rooted in place. The joy of having just been chosen had not yet faded, but this sudden turn of events left him dazed.

I can't cultivate Mountain-Crushing Force anymore?

Jiang Yuan had already turned back to Chen Lingxi.

"Are you willing to cultivate the martial path with me?"

Chen Lingxi looked toward Lin Longyue.

Lin Longyue nodded silently, her authority oppressive.

I had only wanted to meet Jiang Yuan. It would have been best if I could make contact; if not, I would find another chance. I never expected things to go so smoothly.

It seems that spiritual qi changed my constitution. Have I really become a martial arts prodigy?

Suppressing the joy in his heart, Chen Lingxi bowed and knelt.

"Chen Lingxi is willing!"

Jiang Yuan nodded in satisfaction, though there was some regret in his eyes.

This youth surnamed Chen has extraordinary bones, yet he is merely an official slave. He will likely never regain his freedom. Otherwise, I could take him as my disciple.

Thinking this, he could not help glancing again at Lin Longyue before the eastern hall.

His eyesight was exceptional, and he could see that Lin Longyue's blood and vital energy blazed like a furnace. The meridians throughout her body had nearly become channels for blood and energy, forming a complete web of flame!

This was a sign that she had reached the peak of the Copper Crimson Realm and was about to enter the Silver Bone Realm.

The Lin family's young miss is not yet eighteen, yet she is already about to enter the Silver Bone Realm. At the very least, she will likely become a Golden Body powerhouse in the future. The Baosu Marquis Residence summoned me here and granted me generous rewards. What harm is there in giving her an official slave death warrior to cultivate Mountain-Crushing Force?

That was what he thought.

Lin Longyue turned slightly. "The matter has been settled. Mr. Jiang must surely be tired.

Liu Que, take Mr. Jiang back to his courtyard and see that he is properly attended to."

Liu Que, the western garden steward, was not holding the Suanni hand warmer before Lin Longyue. He respectfully acknowledged the order.

Jiang Yuan smiled and saluted Lin Longyue, then said to Chen Lingxi, "You may rest today. Come to my courtyard before dawn tomorrow."

Liu Que led Jiang Yuan away.

Lin Longyue was clearly in a good mood. When she looked at Chen Lingxi, there was a trace of pleasant surprise in her eyes as well.

Yet the Yunhe Commandery Princess seemed more interested in the flower arrangement Chen Lingxi had brought. As she examined it carefully, she said lazily, "Longyue, it seems your luck is quite good. Who knows how many official slaves there are in the Duguan Office of the Ministry of Justice.

The overwhelming majority are useless trash, yet you happened to acquire one like this. He can arrange flowers, and he even has some martial talent."

Lin Longyue smiled at the Yunhe Commandery Princess. "Chen Lingxi, come with me."

She entered the eastern hall and took the seat of honor. Chen Lingxi followed her into the hall and saluted her.

"Your luck is not bad." Lin Longyue held a porcelain tea bowl, lifted its lid, and gently blew away the jasmine flowers floating on the surface. "Jiang Yuan is a martial arts expert at the peak of the Silver Bone Realm.

All two hundred-odd bones in his body have turned silver-white, and his silver marrow blood and vital energy surge fiercely. His combat power is incomparably formidable.

Most especially, the Mountain-Crushing Force he cultivates. When unleashed, it is like a mountain collapse—a true killing move.

If you can obtain even a fraction of his true teachings, you will become useful to me."

Chen Lingxi listened with his head lowered.

Lin Longyue took a sip of tea and lightly swept her sleeve. "I have already sent someone to transfer your slave registration from the Duguan Office to my Baosu Marquis Residence.

From now on, you need not report to the Duguan Office every month. Once every two months will suffice.

If you can render meritorious service in the future, I may show mercy and remove your status as an official slave, allowing you to become a frontier household or even a miscellaneous household. What would be the harm?

Then, once there is a grand pardon from the Sage, you may return to the status of a free commoner. Your Chen family will no longer have to remain slaves generation after generation!"

Hearing Lin Longyue's words, Chen Lingxi sneered inwardly.

The capital and its surrounding prefectures were the places most tightly controlled by the imperial court. As an official slave, he had little chance of escaping within this region.

If he truly made something of himself through martial arts and became useful to the Baosu Marquis Residence, then he would likely be even less able to escape the cage in the future, becoming a death warrior of the marquis residence and doing nothing but dirty work.

How could those who stood so high above possibly show mercy and set someone like him free?

He sneered inwardly, but delight appeared on his face. He even stepped forward and saluted Lin Longyue.

"I am willing to serve Miss with my life."

Lin Longyue nodded lightly, her gaze turning cool once more.

"Cultivate diligently under Mr. Jiang. Let me see whether you truly are the fine material he claims you to be."

"From now on, your monthly allowance will be ten taels of silver. Your daily meals will be supplied by the martial hall, and you may also enjoy a medicinal bath once each month."

"You may leave."

These were tangible benefits, and Chen Lingxi felt even more delighted. He bowed and withdrew.

The Yunhe Commandery Princess emerged from behind the screen with a smile. "Ever since the dense mist that never dispersed from the mountain west of Yuan River Prefecture cleared away, martial arts experts in Yuan River Prefecture have become increasingly numerous.

Your duel with the prefectural lord's daughter is drawing closer. Jiang Yuan alone will likely not be enough to defeat her."

"Would you like me to lend you several experts?"

The image of the prefectural lord's daughter, Chu Linzi—arrogant and detestable—rose in Lin Longyue's mind, and her eyes gained a trace of disgust.

If she borrowed people, then even if she won, that Chu Linzi would surely mock her.

Lin Longyue shook her head, then seemed to recall something. "Commandery Princess, has that locust branch arrangement been sent to Mirror Palace?"

"How could it be that easy?" the Yunhe Commandery Princess said. "There are countless important figures sending flower arrangements to Consort Chun's Mirror Palace.

Consort Chun accepts all such arrangements, but she only admires four or five each day. We still have a long wait ahead of us."

Lin Longyue frowned with some concern.

The Yunhe Commandery Princess knew what Lin Longyue was worried about. "Don't worry. I have already informed the Court Garden Bureau. They will take proper care of it and will not let the arrangement die."