Sir! There's Something Here!

As a member of the Daoist tradition, Ji Shiqing might have been seeing such feeble lightning manipulation for the first time in his life. He was afraid even breathing too hard would blow it out. After holding back for a long while, he asked:

"What is this?"

"Palm Thunder!"

"Is it?"

Ji Shiqing wanted to object, but after studying it closely for quite some time, he discovered that it really was the method for Palm Thunder!

It was simply that the "Upside-Down Candle" was so outrageous that its power approached nothing.

Holding the tiny, lighter-like spark in his palm, Xie Jinhuan also noticed the experts' disbelief and explained earnestly:

"This is Palm Thunder that I worked out myself. There is indeed some distance between it and Daoist Thunder Magic.

"Besides, this cultivation method of mine might look utterly useless, but it can blaze a different trail and achieve 'mastery of all teachings'!

"As long as I know the methods behind the world's divine abilities, barring any mishaps, I can use them. They're just a little weaker."

Integrating the arts of every teaching and school was the supreme realm sought by all cultivators of the age, for only upon reaching it could they draw infinitely close to the "One" spoken of by the Daoists.

Yet even Shang Lianbi, that peerless marvel hailed as the strongest of the age who single-handedly held Dragonbone Shoal in check, had merely dabbled in the "Immortal, Buddhist, Martial, Shaman, and Demon" paths. He would never dare speak of "mastery of all teachings."

The two experts on either side had considerable attainments. Once they understood Xie Jinhuan's thinking, they knew that his "Upside-Down Candle" could indeed achieve mastery of all teachings through a clever shortcut.

But what use was that?

Using extraordinary skill to "divide into five" the true qi he had already refined, then "keep one and discard four," left only twenty percent of his usable qi.

Even if he used that twenty percent to learn the finest Thunder Magic in the world, then doubled it with the divine weapon Zhenglun Sword, he could at most wield forty percent of his own strength...

As a full-fledged martial warrior, couldn't he simply slash someone with a saber if he had that much time on his hands?

Everyone exchanged looks, unsure whether to praise Xie Jinhuan as a heaven-sent genius or say he had strayed down the wrong path, using his world-shaking talent on the handle rather than the blade.

Xie Jinhuan himself, however, was quite pleased with this masterpiece. After all, it was still in the research stage, and its potential remained unknown. Seeing their peculiar expressions, he explained further:

"The first ancient forebear who tried climbing onto a horse's back, only to fall and bruise his face black and blue, must have been laughed at by his companions too.

"But if no one ever tried, how could we, their descendants, have what we do today? If this art reaches full fruition, I think founding a school would be no problem at all!"

The experts present were all knowledgeable enough to see how accomplished Xie Jinhuan was in this cultivation method. He must have spent many years honing it.

As long as he could fix flaws such as "keeping one and discarding four" and "drawing up qi too slowly," he would "embrace Immortal and Buddhist, unite Shaman and Demon." He could indeed found a school and become a new ancestor of the martial path.

But this road of "turning the Heavenly Gang upside down" was bound to be harder than ascending to heaven, with countless thorns along the way.

A hint of wonder in his eyes, Li Jing interjected:

"This road is difficult. Even the Martial Ancestor couldn't walk it to the end back then. You seem modest, lad, but your ambitions stand higher than heaven. Like that girl Zisu, you're a peerless, uncanny genius rarely seen in a century, so talented it makes a man's vision go black."

Having received this recognition, Xie Jinhuan cupped his hands slightly:

"You flatter me, Elder Li. Today really was a misunderstanding. I'll certainly be more careful next time. I'm truly sorry for inadvertently disturbing all of you seniors."

By this point, Tie Fengzhang and the others understood as well. Xie Jinhuan had been fooling around to impress a girl today, dispersing his own vital essence and blood in the process and accidentally producing blood baleful qi resembling a demonic art.

They had found nothing amiss so far, and it clearly would not be appropriate to disturb him further. Tie Fengzhang prepared to offer a few words of caution and withdraw his men.

But Zhou He, standing among the crowd, was rather baffled. After a little thought, he made an unobtrusive gesture.

The Scarlet Qilin Guard following behind immediately understood and asked quietly:

"Sir, Young Master Xie seems to be in the clear. Should we still search the residence as the regulations require?"

Zhou He promptly raised a hand. "All these seniors think there's no problem. What is there to search?"

"Oh..."

Quiet as their voices were, the experts present could clearly hear them.

Tie Fengzhang blinked his tiger-like eyes. Feeling that they had not strictly followed procedure, he thought it over and said:

"The Yamen has strict orders for investigating demons and evil entities. Although you aren't under suspicion, young friend Xie, we must still search the rooms according to procedure. My apologies."

Xie Jinhuan had been framed. Since the Yamen had come to search, he knew someone would steer matters toward the planted evidence inside.

Hearing the Scarlet Qilin Guard offer that roundabout reminder, Xie Jinhuan frowned inwardly, feeling that things were more complicated than he had imagined.

But he could not yet be certain whether the Scarlet Qilin Guard had done so innocently or deliberately. Still pretending to know nothing, Xie Jinhuan said openly:

"Please go ahead, gentlemen."

Tie Fengzhang was just about to order his men to search when a commanding, mature woman's voice suddenly came from high above the rear of the residence:

"Wait!"

Hearing the voice behind the residence, everyone present fell silent.

Xie Jinhuan knew his landlady had appeared. He turned to look, only to pause in surprise.

Several people already stood atop the rear courtyard's buildings, most of them guards. Steward Hou was among them, his shifty eyes darting around like a weasel's, as though to say-let me see what's going on here...

In front of them stood a young lady radiating nobility.

The young lady had a full, rounded figure and wore a warm yellow, chest-high hezi dress edged with golden cloud patterns. Beneath her translucent sleeved outer garment, her fragrant shoulders and lovely arms were as white as mutton-fat jade. Her generously sized bosom stretched the peacock embroidered alongside hibiscus on her bodice into a fat-headed peacock.

Her face was even more striking. Her ink-black hair was swept into a drifting-cloud bun, adorned with an ornate dangling hairpin inlaid with pearls and gemstones. Her little round face, the very picture of a peaceful and prosperous realm, radiated nobility in the setting sun, like a princess or noble consort from the palace.

Xie Jinhuan heard his landlady's voice every night and had assumed she was a seven-foot-tall, busty, mature beauty like the Nightly Great Succubus.

Discovering that, though her breasts certainly were not small, she had a plump, rounded build and a baby face that looked seventeen or eighteen at most truly surprised him.

Tie Fengzhang and the others hurriedly cupped their hands in salute:

"There was a small misunderstanding here. We beg Your Highness's forgiveness for the disturbance."

Commandery Princess Changning had a fiery temper and very much disliked anyone causing trouble on her turf. Yet she did not chase them out this time, merely saying calmly:

"Since I allowed Xie Jinhuan to rent a home here, I naturally investigated his background. There is no problem with him. Have you come rummaging through chests and cupboards because you believe I'm abusing my position and harboring Demon Bandits?"

Those words were meant for the Scarlet Qilin Guard.

Yesterday, Commandery Princess Changning had seen these three Red-Robed Plague Gods skulking outside Clear Spring Lane. Seeing the three follow the search party here today, she knew the Scarlet Qilin Guard had been meddling behind the scenes. Afraid Xie Jinhuan would fall into their trap, she had stepped forward to extricate him.

But Xie Jinhuan did not know the Scarlet Qilin Guard had come yesterday. Seeing his landlady act so loyally and leap out to cover for him left him with quite a favorable impression. Still, he had to follow his original plan and remain open in word and deed:

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. When the Yamen follows the rules, everyone should be treated equally. If this matter isn't thoroughly investigated, word getting out might bring criticism upon Your Highness. I stand straight and have no fear of a crooked shadow. What harm is there in letting our brothers from the Yamen take a look?"

Commandery Princess Changning wanted to warn Xie Jinhuan that someone had laid a trap for him, but such concealment would only make him look guilty. She therefore said no more.

Tie Fengzhang had already come to admire Xie Jinhuan greatly over the past two days. Seeing his open manner, he knew today was a misunderstanding, but in the interest of impartiality, he still waved a hand:

"Search the rooms carefully. Don't damage anything."

"Yes, sir!"

The Prince's Manor Guards, now gathered in numbers of no fewer than thirty, leaped into the courtyard and began carefully checking the various rooms. The Scarlet Qilin Guard helped as well.

Xie Jinhuan watched calmly from the side, while Tie Fengzhang made a little small talk to ease the awkwardness.

Behind them, Zhou He quietly awaited the results of the search.

The response came quickly. With more than thirty people searching the residence, only a moment passed before a voice rang out from a bedroom at the rear:

"Sir! There's something here."

To keep up the act, Xie Jinhuan let his expression stiffen naturally, put on a baffled look, and strode toward the rear courtyard, several experts following close behind...