Two Small Matters, and Visiting Beibei's Parents

"Why wouldn't chicken legs catch my eye?" Chen Xuan said carelessly, taking a bite. "If you won't eat it, I'll eat it myself."

Elder Lin set down the booklet in her hand, lifted her teacup, and took a sip. "Go on. You didn't come running over this early in the morning just to bring me chicken legs."

Chen Xuan chewed on the chicken leg and said vaguely, "Two matters."

Elder Lin said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"First, I need people. Does the Underground City in the Sun Moon Empire have any capable Soul Engineers? Get a few for me. Don't tell me you don't know anything; you must have informants there."

Elder Lin smiled at that, though the smile never reached her eyes. "You came specifically to give me a difficult problem."

"How is that difficult?" Chen Xuan said. "Quite a few of those people in the Underground City have grudges against the Sun Moon Empire's authorities and mingle with the underworld. Just give me the list. I'll handle the negotiations myself."

Elder Lin set down her teacup and spoke slowly. "There are people. But they're all untamed wolf cubs.

"It'll be easy enough for you to bring them back, but getting them to obediently teach classes and make equipment won't be so simple."

"Whether I can keep them under control is my business."

Chen Xuan set the chicken bone aside and said seriously, "You only need to give me the list.

"How many people there are, what they cost, where they come from—write it all down clearly. Give me an answer within three days."

Elder Lin pondered for a moment before nodding. "All right."

Chen Xuan pulled out the old booklet again and slid it over to her.

"Second, help me investigate the accounts. The names of everyone who handled pensions, equipment, and food subsidies for the Inquisitorial Legion over the years are all in there.

"I've already gone through half the public accounts, but only your side can clearly trace the hidden transactions."

Elder Lin accepted the booklet without opening it. She merely glanced at him. "What happens after you find something?"

"Once we find it, we deal with it as it should be dealt with," Chen Xuan said. "Those who should pay it back will pay it back, those who should be punished will be punished, and not a single one who ought to be made an example of will get away."

Elder Lin watched him for a while, then suddenly smiled. "You never used to concern yourself with this."

Chen Xuan snorted. "That was because I hadn't seen it before. Now that I have, I'll see it through to the end."

Elder Lin put away the booklet, her tone calm. "I'll give you both answers in three days."

Chen Xuan rose to leave. After thinking for a moment, he turned back and added,

"One more thing. I told the Inquisitorial Legion that they must carry Soul Tools whenever they go on missions from now on.

"As for equipment, we'll need to draw on the Treasure Gathering Pavilion's stock. Save some good items for me—don't sell them all."

Elder Lin glared at him. "When has my Treasure Gathering Pavilion ever shortchanged the academy? You make it sound as if I hoard all the good things and refuse to let anyone use them."

Chen Xuan laughed heartily. "All right, all right, I misspoke. Who doesn't know that your Treasure Gathering Pavilion is Shrek's lifeline? With you here, I can rest easy."

Elder Lin could not be bothered with him and lowered her head to continue reading her own booklet.

Chen Xuan strode out of the Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

It was fully light outside now, and more pedestrians were filling the streets. Standing on the steps, he touched the wine gourd at his waist, took another small sip of fruit wine, and let out a satisfied breath.

Next, it was time to visit Beibei's parents in the Inner Court.

He needed to keep an eye on this family himself.

With a light tap of his toes, he shot away toward the Inner Court.

By the time Chen Xuan returned to the Inner Court, the sun had already climbed halfway into the sky.

He strolled leisurely along the stone path beside Sea God Lake, carrying an oil-paper packet in one hand while the other rested on his wine gourd.

The lake breeze carried the damp scent of water and vegetation, mingling with the faint sweetness of fruit wine in his mouth. It was rather pleasant.

He did not return to Sea God Pavilion. Instead, he turned toward the cluster of residences on the eastern side of the Inner Court.

That was where Beibei's parents lived.

The man was named Mu Yunshan. Not yet twenty-six, he was already a rank seventy-eight Soul Sage.

Though he could not compare to Mu En's astonishing brilliance in his youth, his talent was already exceptional among Shrek's current generation.

The woman was called Su Qian. Not yet twenty-five, she had reached rank seventy-four and had likewise been a renowned female prodigy at the academy in her day.

Standing together, they were handsome and beautiful—a truly well-matched couple.

When Chen Xuan arrived, he saw Mu Yunshan tending several pots of flowers in the courtyard.

Su Qian sat beneath the veranda, holding a small bowl in her hands and drinking something unknown.

Sunlight slanted over the courtyard wall and fell across her still-flat belly.

He did not knock. He simply pushed open the half-closed courtyard gate and walked inside.

Hearing the movement, Mu Yunshan looked up, quickly set down his pruning shears, and came forward. "Elder Xuan."

Su Qian hurriedly put down her bowl as well and rose to bow. "Elder Xuan."

"Sit, sit." Chen Xuan waved his hand and strode beneath the veranda. "You're pregnant. Don't stand on ceremony with me."

He looked at the contents of her bowl. It was plain porridge with two small side dishes, hardly touched. He asked, "Just pregnant? How's your appetite?"

Su Qian smiled somewhat shyly. "Yes, it's only been a little over a month. My appetite is fine, though I feel a little nauseous when I get up in the morning."

Mu Yunshan added from the side, "Elder Zhuang came by yesterday. He said the pregnancy is still in its early stages and told her to rest well and not overexert herself."

The moment Chen Xuan heard that Elder Zhuang had visited yesterday, he felt much more at ease.

He showed nothing on his face, merely grunted in acknowledgment before examining Su Qian's face again.

Her complexion was acceptable, though her lips were slightly pale, carrying the weariness of early pregnancy.

He turned to Mu Yunshan. "Your wife has only just become pregnant. The first few months are the most important.

"Take on more of the household matters. Don't let her touch cold water, and don't let her worry herself."

Mu Yunshan answered with a smile, "Rest assured, Elder Xuan. I arranged everything long ago. I won't let her lift a finger."

Chen Xuan nodded and sat beneath the veranda. When Su Qian moved to pour him tea, he stopped her with a wave. "Don't move. Let your man do it."

Mu Yunshan smiled and went inside to make tea.

Only the two of them remained under the veranda. Su Qian seemed somewhat uneasy, lowering her head without speaking.

Chen Xuan did not rush to speak either. He simply stared absently at the flowers and trees in the courtyard.

After a while, he asked as if making casual conversation, "Has there been any discomfort with the pregnancy? Other than morning nausea, anything else?"

Su Qian shook her head lightly. "I'm all right. I've just been sleepier than usual, and I have less energy than before."

"Sleepiness is normal," Chen Xuan said. "Sleep whenever you want. Don't force yourself to stay awake. The sleep you get now helps nourish the child's blood and vitality."

Su Qian responded softly. Her hand unconsciously rested on her still-flat belly, and her brows already carried the gentleness of an expectant mother.

Mu Yunshan came out carrying tea and set it beside Chen Xuan. Chen Xuan took a sip, set the cup down again, and looked at him.

"You don't need to go to the Inquisitorial Legion for a while. Staying home and keeping your wife company is more important than anything."

Mu Yunshan froze. "Elder Xuan, this..."

"What do you mean, this?" Chen Xuan thumped the teacup onto the veranda bench.

"Your wife has only just become pregnant, and you're the only man in the household. Why are you still running around outside?

"I'll speak to the Inquisitorial Legion myself. Just focus on taking good care of her."