Scheming for the Demon Banner

On the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, the north wind was like a knife, swirling snowflakes that pattered against the blue tiles of the Marquis's mansion.

Before dawn, the mansion was already bustling with activity.

Several servants in the East Courtyard climbed a ladder and hung silk palace lanterns under the eaves.

The maids from the West Courtyard carried newly made curtains, brocade cushions, bronze censers, and incense boxes, running swiftly through the covered walkway.

Liu Que stood beneath the moon gate, clutching the booklet in his hand, his brow furrowed with barely suppressed anxiety.

The Imperial Concubine's carriage would arrive in a few days. Although the East Courtyard was almost completely prepared, he still felt that something was not quite right.

When Chen Lingxi came out of the servants' room in the West Courtyard, she bumped into Liuzhu carrying a stack of plain silk and hurrying towards the East Courtyard. Fine beads of sweat were seeping from his forehead, and the white fox fur collar around his collar was fluttering in the wind.

She saw him, nodded hastily, and without saying a word, went into the other side of the moon gate.

He didn't care, he just stood under the corridor, watching the busy figures of people in the mansion, as if watching a play through a thin mist.

Today is the day he presents the flower arrangement to Lin Longyue.

The wintersweet in the back garden was in full bloom, its yellow petals as thin as cicada wings, its cool fragrance floating in the chilly air, and it looked even more translucent when covered with snowflakes.

He carried a bamboo basket, cut a few branches of old plum blossoms, picked two or three holly leaves, found a piece of withered vine, and quickly arranged them into a vase.

The withered vines twisted and turned like dragons, the wintersweet sparsely adorned the branches, and the dark green of the holly pressed against the mouth of the vase. The whole vase of flowers was like a freehand painting of withered trees in the snow coming back to life, revealing an indomitable vitality in the desolation.

He carried the flower arrangement to the East Hall West Courtyard, and along the way he heard several servants whispering among themselves at the corner of the veranda.

"Have you heard? News from Silver Peace Court says that Steward Zhao missing for two days in a row. Miss is furious and has ordered a search, which has even alarmed many of the guest elders at Silver Peace Court."

Another person lowered his voice and chimed in, "That's right, Zhao Keqing and his men have been searching for two days, but they haven't found a single person. Isn't that strange?" Chen Lingxi continued walking without stopping, his expression unchanged, as if the name mentioned in those words had nothing to do with him.

In the East Hall, Lin Longyue was leaning against a warm couch, holding a cup of ginseng tea in her hands, a thin layer of weariness between her brows.

Today she wore a light purple long coat with a silver fur lining. The fur trim around the collar made her chin look even more pointed, but the color in her face was a little pale, and there was a hint of gloom under her eyes.

The servant brought in the flower arrangement that Chen Lingxi.

Lin Longyue glanced at the vase of flowers and softly praised, "This servant's skills are becoming more and more refined."

"These withered vines paired with wintersweet are the most ordinary things, but in his hands, they seem to have grown out of the snow, possessing a touch of wild, ethereal beauty."

As they were talking, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door, followed by Liu Que rushing in.

He first bowed to Lin Longyue, then said, "Miss, an urgent message has arrived from the Ministry of War. The eldest young master has been temporarily transferred to be an inspector and must depart immediately for Luyang Prefecture on official business."

Lin Longyue paused slightly, her brows furrowing. "So sudden? The Imperial Concubine's carriage is about to arrive. If he leaves at this time, won't the household be left without anyone in charge?"

Liu Que bowed and said, "The document from the Ministry of War bears the seal of the Metropolitan Commandery Office. The young master has already received the order and said that he cannot refuse."

He ordered Wang Chu to pack his belongings, and they would depart in half an hour.

Lin Longyue remained silent for a few moments, then placed the teacup on the table and said calmly, "I understand."

Liu Que acknowledged and withdrew.

Chen Lingxi had not gone far.

Having reached the Fourth Floor of Qi Circulation, coupled with his Golden Body cultivation, his five senses had become extremely acute.

Even from dozens of steps away, Liu Que's hurried words could be clearly heard.

"It's too much of a coincidence that Lin Suri was selected as an inspector at this time."

Chen Lingxi an eyebrow, recalling many things.

When he Sight-Roaming before, Lin Suri had been exchanging messages with Wu Mohe.

"What are these two cultivators plotting?"

"Is it the Cauldron Artifact Fragment that Consort Chun possessed, the one that could be Mirror Listening?"

Chen Lingxi recalled the letter Lin Suri wrote to Wu Mohe.

Consort Chun is about to travel to Yuan River Prefecture, which must be for the sake of the Ancestral Mountain Mother Qi. The Cauldron Artifact Fragment in her possession will surely come with her.

If we could obtain the treasure mirror, it would be of great help in finding the complete Cauldron Vessel.

He pondered to himself, "Thinking about it this way, Lin Suri's inspection tour of Luyang Prefecture must have been deliberately arranged by him through various means."

The purpose was either to seize the Cauldron Artifact Fragment or to temporarily avoid the wrath of Consort Chun.

"However, upon closer reflection, Consort Chun is unfathomable. She is staying in the East Courtyard of the Baosu Marquis Residence. I possess cultivation and am also in the Baosu Marquis Residence. Is it too risky?"

Chen Lingxi frowned as she thought about this.

The light snowfall had stopped, but the leaden clouds hung even lower.

"It seems I also need to temporarily avoid their sharp edge..." Chen Lingxi murmured to himself.

If I continue to stay in the Baosu Marquis Residence, and the Imperial Concubine discovers that I possess Qi Circulation Realm cultivation, I fear it will be a fatal disaster.

He is now at the Fourth Floor of Qi Circulation, and the spiritual liquid in his Qi Sea has begun to condense. Although the effect of the Concealed Edge Method has been further improved, it is still hard to guarantee that he will not be seen through.

"Prince Ying Chi once said that someone who has Qi Circulation Realm [Upper Three Floors] should be able to see through my cultivation level."

The Candle of Time Cauldron Venerable once mentioned the Twelve Levels of Qi Circulation.

The man in black, surnamed Chao, had mentioned [the Heavenward Third Floor].

Ying Chi once mentioned [Upper Three Floors].

By combining this information, Chen Lingxi had already figured out the division of the Qi Circulation Realm.

The first to third floors are the lower three floors, the fourth to Qi Circulation Sixth Floor are the middle three floors, the seventh to Ninth Floor are the Upper Three Floors, and above that is the Heavenward Third Floor.

He has only just stepped onto the threshold of the middle three floors. No matter how profound his Concealed Edge Method is, it may not be able to hide it from the eyes of the cultivators on the Upper Three Floors.

"Once discovered, even Consort Chun won't need to intervene."

He closed his eyes and pondered, and many images floated into his mind.

Yesterday, when he Sight-Roaming Lin Suri, he saw Lin Suri using his magical Heavenly Eye to observe the surroundings. In his field of vision, he saw that many powerful figures from the imperial court had arrived in Yuan River Prefecture.

Those people were dressed in official robes, and their auras were deep and profound. These people were probably court officials who accompanied and protected the imperial concubine.

"When one's cultivation of Qi and Blood reaches the Golden Body level, one becomes exceptionally powerful."

Chen Lingxi recalled the mysterious martial artist with qi Qi and Blood who had been ordered by Ying Chi to ambush him in the Total Perception Divine Chamber that day.

The man unleashed a palm strike, his jade-like Qi and Blood surging like clouds. Wherever his palm struck, it was like a tornado, shattering rocks and destroying vegetation.

Even with his current level of Golden Body Minor Accomplishment and Fourth Floor of Qi Circulation, even with all his resources, he still couldn't contend with such a powerful Qi and Blood expert.

"If that's the case, then let's leave the Baosu Marquis Residence and lie low in Yuan River Prefecture or on Inlaid Gold Mountain."

Chen Lingxi frowned again. "But... once I leave, it won't be so easy for me to come back and lie low."

It wasn't that Chen Lingxi liked the Baosu Marquis Residence.

However, Chen Lingxi still had schemes to plot within the Marquis's residence.

According to Zhao Yong's last words, the reason why Baosu Marquis Lin Zhongming was able to defy the laws of life and death and prolong his life in seclusion for thirty years was entirely due to a Demon Banner in his hand.

"That Demon Banner... is also a fortuitous opportunity."

"The great calamity of the Cave Heaven is approaching, and all living beings in the world will be transformed into the karmic fire within the Cauldron Vessel of the True Lord Xi Family's True Monarch." Chen Lingxi narrowed his eyes slightly.

Although he has now embarked on the path of cultivation, the road ahead remains uncertain. He can only improve his cultivation and Killing Power by competing for spiritual energy.

But how powerful was his opponent?

Lin Suri possesses the Six-Qi True Method, Ying Chi possesses the Purple True Treasure Bottle, Lu Baizhong possesses the Mysterious Thunder Method, and that Credit Peddler is even more unfathomable.

Those who competed with him for this fortuitous opportunity were either people from the Great World or chosen ones who carried the legacy of their sects.

If he, a local cultivator with no one to rely on, cannot seize every opportunity he can, how will he survive the great tribulation of the Cave Heaven?

"Since this Demon Banner can extend Lin Zhongming's life, it must be no ordinary object."

Even if it's not Cauldron Vessel, it must be an extremely rare and precious treasure.

"If I leave now, it won't be so easy for me to sneak back and plot against the Demon Banner."

"We still need to plan ahead."

Having made up her mind, Chen Lingxi did not return to her room in the West Courtyard. Instead, she used the excuse of looking after the flower arrangement and picking flowers and trees to stroll slowly through the Baosu Marquis Residence.

The East Courtyard was still bustling with activity, people coming and going. The Silver Peace Court was nearly deserted; they were probably all out searching for Zhao Yong.

The servants in the North Courtyard were still working hard.

He calmly took in all these scenes.

Finally, he stepped into the West Courtyard Garden once again.

As he was walking slowly along the stone path, he heard a very soft yawn coming from the octagonal pavilion.

Following the sound, they saw Lin Longyue sitting alone on a stone bench in the pavilion, holding a martial arts manual in her hand, but with her eyelids drooping and she yawning.

She had clearly rested for a long time today, but the weariness between her brows was not diminished at all. She yawned one after another, and there was even a bit of sleepy tears in the corners of her eyes.

Chen Lingxi stood behind a few short pine trees and squinted slightly.

Suddenly an idea formed in his mind. Without making a sound, he turned around, stepped through the snow, and returned to the servants' quarters in the West Courtyard.

"Let's wait until it gets dark."

That night, the moon hid behind the clouds, and the sky was as black as ink.

Lin Longyue, accompanied by Liuzhu and several personal maids, carefully inspected the layout of the East Courtyard again until she was certain that there were no further problems. Only then did she rub her temples and return to the main hall of the West Courtyard.

Her boudoir was decorated quite lavishly. A bed with a rosewood door frame was draped with a silver-red gauze curtain, and a gilded candlestick sat on a sandalwood desk, the candlelight illuminating the room warmly.

She felt that weariness growing heavier, and every movement she made carried an indescribable heaviness.

Liuzhu walked in carrying a bowl of medicine and said softly, "Miss, it's time to take your medicine."

Lin Longyue took the porcelain bowl and immediately smelled a rich medicinal fragrance.

This prescription was written by a renowned physician whom Yunhe Commandery Princess specially invited from the capital after examining her pulse. It is said to contain more than ten precious qi-tonifying and blood-nourishing ingredients, which can help her strengthen her constitution and replenish her vital energy.

She still remembered the old, white-haired, renowned doctor stroking his beard and sighing as he said to her, "Birth, aging, sickness, and death—not to mention a Silver Bones Martial Artist, even Nine Revolutions cultivator can hardly avoid them."

At that time, she thought it was because she had been practicing too hard and her Qi and Blood were weak, so she took the medicine every day according to the prescription.

Lin Longyue finished the medicine, circulated her Qi and Blood, and waited for the warm current to travel through her meridians for a long time before she felt her fatigue lessen. She then waved for Liuzhu to leave and lay down in the brocade quilt.

She closed her eyes, her breathing gradually became steady, and sleepiness washed over her like a tide.

In her dazed state, Lin Longyue suddenly heard a soft chuckle in her ear!