Seduction

[Two: Anything else?]

Perhaps because of the identity of Number Three, the members of the Heaven and Earth Society automatically ignored the crucial information that "the cousin is a student of the Cloud Deer Academy".

"Your tacit silence is making me feel guilty," Xu Qi'an said after a moment, hoping that Number Five would "expose" him to confirm the attitude of the Heaven and Earth Society members.

But Number Five surprisingly remained silent.

Um, Number Five is still a child, don't expect too much from her.

While Xu Qi'an pondered, Number One answered Number Two's question: [This person enjoys Wei Yuan's deep trust and high regard.]

He was deeply trusted and valued by Wei Yuan. This short sentence caused a great uproar among the members of the Heaven and Earth Society. Wei Yuan's name was known to everyone in Great Feng, and it carried great weight even in the Nine Provinces.

Aside from his lack of cultivation skills, Wei Yuan was a true polymath. Of course, his talents in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were merely icing on the cake. What truly made Wei Yuan stand out among the major powers of the Nine Provinces was his talent for commanding armies in battle.

Wei Yuan was originally a palace eunuch. Because of his superb chess skills, he gained the appreciation of Emperor Yuanjing and was promoted.

In the 13th year of the Yuanjing era, General Dugu, who was guarding the north, passed away. Three major barbarian tribes gathered an army of 60,000 and invaded the border. Within half a month, they swept across three thousand miles of the border, burning, killing, and looting, leaving thousands of miles of barren land and countless corpses. The imperial court urgently dispatched troops to curb the barbarian's rampage, but the war situation was still not optimistic.

At the time, the Prince of Zhenbei was just a rising star among princes.

At that time, Emperor Yuanjing was struggling to govern and was facing a headache. Wei Yuan volunteered for the war. He made a pledge that if he could not drive out the barbarians within three months, he would die to atone for his sins.

The young Emperor Yuanjing was very decisive and immediately appointed Wei Yuan as Vice Minister of War and concurrently Left Commander-in-Chief, in charge of the five armies.

As expected, Wei Yuan lived up to the emperor's favor. In just one and a half months, he routed the barbarian tribes, leaving only a little over five thousand survivors who fled back to the north.

This bond between ruler and subject is still often talked about with great interest today.

Wei Yuan's achievements are not limited to this. The most famous one is the Battle of Shanhai nineteen years ago. At that time, the Prince of Zhenbei was already a world-renowned master. However, he could only be a sharp blade in Wei Yuan's hand, driven to kill the enemy.

The commander-in-chief of the three armies was still this powerful eunuch who commanded respect throughout the land.

At Shanhai Pass, which borders the Western Regions, northern barbarians move south while various ethnic groups from the Southern Frontier move north. At Shanhai Pass, a fierce battle is fought between the allied forces of the Great Feng and the Buddhist Kingdom.

In just six months, millions of lives were lost, making it one of the most devastating battles in recorded history.

As the Left Great Feng Dynasty, Wei Yuan once again demonstrated his unparalleled leadership abilities to the world.

"I was so stupid, really, I still underestimated Xu Qi'an."

At this moment, Li Miaozhen, who had already removed her light armor and was wearing a white undergarment, was sitting cross-legged on the embroidered bed, muttering to herself.

If I'm not mistaken, the reason Cloud Deer Academy exudes such a pure and noble aura lies with Number Three, who is very likely Xu Qi'an's cousin. Xu Qi'an himself is highly regarded by Wei Yuan. In a few years, a prominent Aristocratic Clan will emerge in the capital. Number Four was filled with mixed emotions.

Having been away from Beijing for many years, I feel a sense of melancholy, as if things have changed and people are no longer the same.

After everyone had processed the news, Number One continued, "[His weakness is obvious—he's a womanizer! When he was in the capital, Imperial Academy of Music and had affairs with many courtesans. Number Two, if you want to deal with him, you might as well use a honey trap.]"

I didn't, I'm not a lecher, don't wrong me. Xu Qi'an denied it three times in a row, refusing to admit that he was a lecher.

Then, feeling a little guilty, he mentally explained: I frequented Imperial Academy of Music not because I was lustful, but because I wanted to let dopamine rush into my brain and fill the emptiness in my soul.

Number One is truly despicable; not only did he/she sell my information without my permission, but he/she also slandered my character. Hmm, he/she is acting strangely, unlike his/her usual behavior. Xu Qi'an used his finger as a pen, just about to defend "Xu Qi'an," when he suddenly thought, "Xu Qi'an is a lecherous man; what does that have to do with me, Number Three?"

I'll continue with my online dating, it won't stop me from flirting with number two and number five. Of course, number two's looks are already vouched for by this seasoned womanizer, she's definitely worth pursuing. Number five remains to be seen.

[Two: Ha, you don't need to test me. I haven't hidden my gender. But seduction is one option, and I happen to have a stunningly beautiful woman at my disposal.]

While delivering the message, Number Two recalled Xu Qi'an's deep dark circles under his eyes, and combined with Number One's words, it was almost certain that he was a seasoned lecher.

He has major flaws in his personality. Although he's intelligent, sometimes a man's lower body has more power than his brain! Number Two smirked.

Ha, Number One clearly doesn't understand me. Xu Qi'an didn't consider himself a lecher; he was just like most men, liking Sleeping Beauty, but not indulging in lust.

At this moment, Number Four suddenly remarked as he sent a message: [Xu Qi'an is a man of deep cunning and skillful at concealing his true intentions; a honey trap will likely not work on him.]

This immediately attracted the attention of the members of the Heaven and Earth Society.

[Part Two: How can this be proven?]

[Four: What No. One said is true. Xu Qi'an is obviously very capable, but he was content to be a mediocre handyman for many years. It was not until the tax silver case concerned his own safety that he calmly and decisively took action.]

He then joined the Nightwatchers, solving numerous strange cases and accumulating a distinguished record—a stark contrast to his performance on Kuaishou. Ah, he's probably been waiting for this opportunity all along. Joining the Nightwatchers was his stage to truly realize his ambitions and soar to great heights.

So that's what I was thinking. I'm a very calculating person. How could I not know that? Number Four really has an international level of understanding. Xu Qi'an almost covered his face.

[Second: That makes sense.]

Everyone agreed with Number Four's analysis, and Xu Qi'an's image became increasingly vivid and clear in their minds.

[Six: Xu Qi'an is a good person, and this humble monk does not wish for anything to happen to him in Yunzhou. Number Two, I hope you will not harm him, and even more so, do not allow the Yunzhou Commander to harm him.]

After a long silence, Number Six suddenly sent a message.

Number Two and Number Six have a fairly good relationship. They exchanged a message, puzzled. "[How come you also have dealings with him?]"

[Six: I met him during the Sangbo case. After learning about the Yangshengtang (a traditional Chinese medicine clinic), he borrowed more than forty taels of silver from me and promised to provide me with three qian of silver daily without compensation. When he left the capital, he sent me twenty taels of silver through someone.]

At this moment, everyone couldn't help but sigh, "Human nature is truly complex. This person is actually a lecher."

[Second: I understand. I will do my best to ensure his safety.]

[Six: Thank you.]

For a long time, no one spoke. Just when Xu Qi'an thought that another rude group member had gone offline, number five sent a message:

[Um, Number Three, is your promise to send the Great Feng Princess and the Imperial Preceptor as a package still valid?]

"???" Xu Qi'an stared at the message for a long time, thinking to himself, this definitely doesn't count. You can't even tell the difference between casual conversation and empty talk.

[Three: Heh, I'll talk about that when I become a first-grade expert.]

[Five: Hmph, I knew you were lying. My elder brother has been bothering me these days, asking me about the Princess of Great Feng, and even asking me who is more beautiful, the princess or the Imperial Preceptor?]

Since this is the topic, Xu Qi'an was willing to chat with her a little longer, and sent a letter saying:

[There were four princesses in total in the Great Feng Dynasty. The eldest princess, Huaiqing, and the second princess, Lin'an, were outstanding beauties. As for the Imperial Preceptor, I don't know much about him; I've heard of him but never seen him.]

After thinking it over, he concluded that the students of the Cloud Deer Academy would likely never be able to meet the Imperial Preceptor, Luo Yuheng.

[Four: The Imperial Advisor is indeed very beautiful, I think even more so than the two princesses. Any man who has seen her will be captivated by her beauty.]

[Five: Oh, so your Great Feng's Grand Preceptor is a vixen.]

[Four: You bastard!]

[Five: She's a vixen.]

[Four: This makes some sense, but it's not due to the Grand Preceptor; it's a secret of the Human Sect. I can't say more about it.]

[Two: Ha, what can't be said? The Human Sect, as the name suggests, has a great relationship with the fate of the human world. When one cultivates to a certain level, one will be entangled by the seven emotions and six desires. Therefore, Luo Yuheng will arouse men's desires without them.]

The previous generation's leader of the Human Sect originally had the opportunity to reach the first rank. He moved the Lingbao Temple to the capital, hoping to use the fortune of the human world to achieve the first rank, but the supervisor disagreed. As a result, he died helplessly and failed to overcome the tribulation.

[By the time of his daughter, Luo Yuheng, Emperor Yuanjing was engrossed in cultivating immortality, and being a female immortal, she only needed to cultivate with Emperor Yuanjing, and given time, breaking through to the first rank would not be difficult.]

[Three: But I remember that Master Jinlian said that Luo Yuheng did not engage in dual cultivation with Emperor Yuanjing.]

Xu Qi'an wished he could tag Master Jinlian and have him come forward to confirm that Luo Yuheng was still a virgin.

Master Jinlian probably went out to catch and eat mice in the middle of the night and didn't reply. It was Number Four who jumped in to answer, "[Indeed, the Imperial Preceptor never practiced dual cultivation with Emperor Yuanjing; the reason is unknown.]"

Number Four used to be an official, and he had connections with the Imperial Advisor, so it's not surprising that he knew these things. But how did Number Two know so much?

Xu Qi'an hesitated for a long time before finally asking the question in the Earth Book chat group.

This matter clearly involves the identity of Number Two, which is a rather sensitive issue among members of the Heaven and Earth Society, and Number Two may not be willing to answer it.

Even if he answers, he might still demand Equivalent Exchange.

He was currently in Yunzhou, and it was inevitable that he would cross paths with Number Two because of Yang Chuannan's case. At that time, he could just probe indirectly.

There's no need to "pay" any more money.

Xu Qi'an thought for a moment, then decided he should say something. He sent a message: "[With Xu Qi'an's quick wit and intelligence, although he's only just arrived in Yunzhou, he's probably already reaped considerable rewards. Number Two, if you want to seduce someone, hurry up."]

This was a reminder out of concern for the group members, not because Xu Qi'an himself was particularly fond of beautiful women.

Number Two did not reply to him.

Then, the Earth Book chat group fell silent, and no one continued to send books.

Xu Qi'an carefully put away the small jade mirror, intending to practice breathing exercises and meditation to calm his mind, putting aside his research on the code left by Zhou Min for the time being.

The next morning, Governor Zhang, accompanied by Jiang Luzhong and a group of Nightwatchers, left the post station to investigate the local conditions in Yunzhou. They might also visit the surrounding prefectures and counties, with Provincial Governor Song leading the team to accompany them.

Considering Xu Qi'an's barely concealed dark circles and the weariness in his eyes, Governor Zhang kindly allowed him to stay at the post station and rest, but instructed him to remember to decipher the clues left behind by Zhou Min.

"Although being used as a tool is unpleasant, staying at the inn suits me perfectly. When you're extremely exhausted, you hate going out. Why isn't my mental energy at its limit yet? I want to sleep!"

While eating breakfast, Xu Qi'an rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.

Besides him, there were fewer than five Nightwatchers behind, while the Tiger Guards numbered thirty.

Song Tingfeng yawned as he walked downstairs. He wasn't carrying a gong or a standard-issue longsword. He looked around and asked, "Why is it so quiet today? Where are they?"

Xu Qi'an ate the hot and sour rice noodles on his plate without looking up. "The governor has gone to inspect the people's conditions; the rest of the entourage are accompanying him."

Song Tingfeng's eyes lit up. "I have a bold idea!"

Xu Qi'an immediately interrupted, "Stop with your audacious ideas, because the governor has a strict set of laws governing punishments here."

"How boring!" Song Tingfeng sat at the table, ordered the courier to bring breakfast, and sighed.

"Come to think of it, we haven't been with a woman for half a month."

"That's you. I haven't been with a woman for eighteen days. I'm definitely a bit hungry." Xu Qi'an sighed as well.

"Eat more if you're hungry." Song Tingfeng glanced at the oily rice noodles.

Old Song still wasn't quick-witted enough. Xu Qi'an ignored him and focused on filling his stomach. A few minutes later, Zhu Guangxiao also came downstairs.

"Guangxiao, let's go to the Imperial Academy of Music later," Song Tingfeng urged his colleague.

"Alright, alright. Stop acting like a spoiled wife and causing me trouble. You can wander around the city, but you can't go to the Imperial Academy of Music. Discipline is discipline," Xu Qi'an said irritably.

"Is there any way to circumvent the rules?" Song Tingfeng asked jokingly.

"Yes," Xu Qi'an glanced at him, "I suggest you resign."

Resigning was something he did in his past life, but while working in the bureau, he was very disciplined. Otherwise, he wouldn't have chosen to resign based on a single sentence in Ji Xianlin's diary, rather than...

After having breakfast, the three changed into casual clothes and left the post station.

"See that guy? He looks like he's been ruined by alcohol and women. Your task is to seduce him."

On the street, in a teahouse, Li Miaozhen, who had also changed into casual clothes to avoid attracting attention, stood at the window of a private room on the second floor, watching the three people strolling leisurely in the distance.

Beside her stood a charming woman dressed in an exquisite silk dress, with flowing black hair and beautiful jewelry.

The woman had a delicate face, smooth skin, and bright, black eyes that resembled black pearls. Her small lips were painted with vibrant red lipstick.

She has a graceful figure and is incredibly charming.

"And then what?" The beautiful woman covered her mouth and chuckled, staring at the "time assassin" as if sizing up her prey.

"Get close to him, monitor his every move, and subtly probe his gains," Li Miaozhen warned after speaking.

"But don't drain his energy; his body is probably severely depleted and can't withstand your exploitation."

As for whether Mei's true form would be exposed, neither of them was worried. The crude martial artist had no ability to control ghosts and was not very sensitive to Yin Qi. Back when she seduced Zhou Chixiong, a martial artist in the Spirit Refining Realm, in the mountain stronghold, Mei was not exposed.

As long as the hostility is not exposed and the spiritual senses of a Refining Spirit Refining Realm martial artist are not aroused, there is no possibility of being discovered.

"Master, then I'll be off!" Mei Yanran smiled and swayed away.

PS: Long chapter, please vote with monthly tickets. I'll update first and revise later.