Xiantian

"Company Commander Cao, our work is done. Now we can drink to our hearts' content."

With a big fish in the net, Feng Bao was delighted.

The Bright Sect valued its Holy Maiden. As long as she was alive, they would surely send people to rescue her. This was a perfect chance to catch them all in one sweep.

Cao Jinxing was happy to take it easy.

The tables and chairs were promptly put back in place, and all the chefs and attendants of the Heavenly Fragrance House returned to their posts to prepare a banquet for the two officials.

"The Heavenly Fragrance House is an imperial establishment. It normally serves high officials, nobles, and members of the imperial family. Neither of us would ordinarily qualify to sit here, but since we're on official business, I imagine it won't matter."

Feng Bao smiled modestly.

He was fishing for a compliment.

Cao Jinxing chuckled inwardly, but naturally knew how to respond. "You're too modest, Eunuch Feng. You're Eunuch Lü's adopted son and head of the Judicial Review Office. Even the most prestigious restaurant ought to receive you as an honored guest. I'm the one with a low rank and a humble post. It's only thanks to your favor that I have the pleasure of enjoying this meal."

Feng Bao slapped his thigh.

Just listen to that!

Now here's a man who knows how to talk!

Nothing was more tedious than wasting words on someone who couldn't appreciate them. Cao Jinxing could read between the lines, a clear sign of his inner intelligence.

He really wanted to bring him into the Judicial Review Office!

An assistant like this would save him so much trouble!

"Come, come, drink! Thirty-year-old Huadiao wine isn't something you get to taste every day."

Feng Bao raised his cup.

Cao Jinxing raised his own and drained it.

"Today, you helped me protect Shunü, then helped me capture the Bright Sect's Holy Maiden. That's a major achievement! Normally, it would warrant promotion to deputy battalion commander, but you've only just become a company commander. And then there's the fact that you beat up your former superior as soon as you were promoted..."

Feng Bao shook his head with a laugh.

Cao Jinxing sighed helplessly. "You certainly hear things quickly."

"Don't take offense, Company Commander Cao," Feng Bao said with a smile. "I'm not deliberately needling you. We haven't known each other long, but we hit it off immediately. You're not someone who resorts to violence for no reason. The trouble is, others may not see it that way. Promoting you to deputy battalion commander now would inevitably invite suspicion. An open attack is easy to dodge; a hidden one is harder to guard against. Better to keep a low profile for the time being."

Cao Jinxing cupped his fists. "Thank you for the warning."

"You're a sensible man, Company Commander Cao," Feng Bao said. "Still, the capable shoulder more work, and those who work more deserve more rewards. The Eastern Depot won't shortchange anyone who renders meritorious service. I expect my adoptive father will reward you with some treasures. If there's anything you want, just say the word. I'll pass the request along!"

Cao Jinxing noticed that he had used the ordinary word for "I."

The distinctive form of "I" used by Ming eunuchs came from a military term in western Shanxi referring to one's own troops and horses. It had a distinctly martial character and conveyed masculine spirit.

Some eunuchs insisted on using that form at every opportunity to emphasize what they had lost, but Feng Bao clearly wasn't one of them.

Cao Jinxing saw none of the effeminacy or servility associated with eunuchs in him.

The eunuchs of the Jiajing era were not yet as arrogant and domineering as those of the late Ming-with such a shrewd, sharp-eyed master, they couldn't afford to be.

When Cao Jinxing had read Ming history before, his impression of them had been fairly favorable. Seeing one now, he found him genuinely impressive.

He wondered whether the introduction of martial arts into this game world had given them greater confidence in their speech and bearing.

"A reward..."

There really wasn't anything Cao Jinxing particularly wanted. As he considered it, something suddenly stirred within him. His true qi surged, poised to break through!

"Why not ask for a few Fuling Pills? You're at the peak of Houtian now, so this kind of spiritual medicine would be just right..."

Before Feng Bao finished speaking, he noticed that Cao Jinxing had gone utterly still, wine cup in hand.

He was about to ask what was wrong when a powerful aura radiated from Cao Jinxing and enveloped the entire Heavenly Fragrance House, cold and chilling!

Feng Bao started.

Was this... a breakthrough?

Here? Now?!

Everyone else approached a breakthrough with extreme caution, cultivating in seclusion. Yet this Company Commander Cao had started pushing into the Xiantian realm right in the middle of a meal!

Didn't he know how dangerous that was?

And this internal cultivation...

Shock and uncertainty flashed through Feng Bao's eyes.

An unknown amount of time passed.

The cold enveloping the building dispersed.

Cao Jinxing blinked, then drained the wine that had been "chilled" in his hand.

The Xiantian realm!

His five senses had sharpened dramatically!

The reserves of true qi in his dantian had increased fivefold!

"That feels pretty good..."

Cao Jinxing smiled. Everything had fallen into place naturally. His body felt light, his spirit brimming and his qi abundant. It was wonderfully refreshing.

Only upon reaching Xiantian did one truly step through the doorway of martial arts.

"Congratulations, Company Commander Cao."

Feng Bao's gaze was complicated, both envious and astonished. "You've truly opened my eyes today! Advancing to Xiantian while drinking and chatting-it's unheard of! You certainly won't need any Fuling Pills now..."

"You're too kind."

Cao Jinxing suddenly thought of something. "Actually, there is something I'd like."

"Oh? What is it?"

Feng Bao's interest was piqued.

"I'd like a few antidote pills. To be honest, poison was the greatest threat on my last mission. I value my life very much. If I can avoid that danger, all the better."

"Hahaha!"

Feng Bao laughed heartily, inwardly relieved. This man was neither servile nor overbearing, and he didn't let favor go to his head. He was exactly the sort Feng Bao liked. "I thought some difficult problem had stumped you, Company Commander Cao. That's easily arranged. The imperial palace has no shortage of antidotes! Come, let's drink to your advancement to Xiantian!"

He drained his cup first as a toast.

Cao Jinxing raised his cup after him.

As their conversation grew lively, a eunuch from the Judicial Review Office suddenly strode in and approached Feng Bao. He glanced at Cao Jinxing, looking hesitant.

Feng Bao waved a hand. "Company Commander Cao is one of us. Speak freely. Have those people from the Bright Sect made their move?"

"Yes."

The Judicial Review Office eunuch replied respectfully, "Just as you anticipated in your earlier arrangements, Battalion Commander, Bright Sect rebels launched an ambush along the route and attempted a rescue. They are now completely surrounded."

"Excellent!"

Feng Bao drew the word out and sprang to his feet, his eyes shining with excitement at the achievement within his grasp. "Since these rebels are seeking their own deaths, I'll oblige them! Company Commander Cao, sorry for the trouble, but please guard the Heavenly Fragrance House. I'll go deal with those traitors!"

"I wish you a swift victory."

Cao Jinxing rose and cupped his fists.

Feng Bao hurried away.

Cao Jinxing sat back down, gazed at his wine cup, and smiled faintly. "It probably won't go that smoothly... If the Bright Sect dared to send their Holy Maiden in here, they most likely had a backup plan. Still, that's no longer my concern. Mm, the food and wine are excellent..."

Cao Jinxing was left drinking alone in the vast hall of the Heavenly Fragrance House, yet he showed no trace of awkwardness and remained completely at ease.

The attendants waiting around him exchanged glances.

They had served plenty of high officials, but few carried themselves with such ease in the imperial Heavenly Fragrance House, much less someone of only the sixth rank.

He's no ordinary man.

Cao Jinxing took in their expressions and recalled a few lines he had once read:

-The world has no troubles until fools make them. With an expansive heart, heaven and earth grow wide, and lofty ambitions will surely be fulfilled.

"What is my lofty ambition?"

Cao Jinxing searched his heart, then smiled freely. "To level up to the top, of course, and then become invincible."

Feng Bao was gone for six hours and did not return until the early hours of the morning, his face a mixture of joy and worry.

Cao Jinxing smiled. "Judging by your expression, you must have netted plenty of big fish. Unfortunately, a few slipped away, leaving the job unfinished. Am I right?"

"I admire your perceptiveness, Company Commander Cao."

Feng Bao came to the table and sat down with a sigh. "Although the Holy Maiden is the Bright Sect's symbol, she isn't irreplaceable. They've changed Holy Maidens frequently in recent years. I thought assigning a Dharma King to protect her already showed considerable regard. I never imagined I'd underestimated her so badly."

"Oh?"

"This Holy Maiden actually had the Left Envoy of Light, two Dharma Kings, and three Banner Envoys protecting her. Every one of them was willing to trade their life just to wound an opponent, all to get her out! Protection on that scale rivals the sect leader's. I truly don't know what's so special about her that she's worth such extraordinary effort."

"..."

Cao Jinxing was a little startled too. "I certainly couldn't tell. Did she escape?"

"Yes..."

Feng Bao sounded rather helpless. "The Left Envoy of Light already has combat strength at the peak of Tongyou. If I hadn't invited two senior brothers to assist beforehand, even I might have fallen there... But they fared far worse! Three Banner Envoys and one Dharma King were killed outright, and the Left Envoy of Light was captured. Only the Phoenix King escaped with that woman, thanks to supreme lightness skills, and even then suffered serious injuries. It'll be at least three years before the Phoenix King can fight again. The Bright Sect's senior ranks suffered grievous losses rescuing their Holy Maiden, so this battle could be called a great victory! It's just that there's something strange about this Holy Maiden. Given how much the Bright Sect values her, her escape takes some of the shine off our victory."

"She's probably a descendant of the Bright Sect's leader."

Cao Jinxing reassured him, "There's no need to worry too much. She's not very bright. Her scheme was riddled with holes. At that level, she won't be much use even if she got away."

"..."

Feng Bao's expression turned odd, and he nearly burst out laughing. This Company Commander Cao really was an entertaining fellow.

"True enough."

"I was going to warn you to watch out for retaliation from the Bright Sect," Feng Bao said. "But now that you've reached Xiantian, I imagine that Holy Maiden can no longer do anything to you."

Cao Jinxing gave a disdainful smile, tipped his head back, and drained his wine. "I could take two of her!"

"Hahaha!"

Feng Bao couldn't help clapping his hands and laughing. "You really are an entertaining fellow, Company Commander Cao. Come, let's keep drinking!"