Xu Qi'an's diary, part two

"In the second year of Huaiqing, on the second day of the third month, today is the third day after my wedding. Counting on my fingers, I have been in this world for two and a half years. Let me formally introduce myself. I am Xu Qi'an, a trainee who has been practicing for two and a half years. I like fighting and killing, as well as listening to music in brothels."

I once heard someone say that men go through three stages: being single since birth, getting married and starting a career, and finally dying!

I'm now in the second phase, which I find very meaningful, and I feel I should record this period of time.

As is customary, on the third day after the wedding, Lin'an and I were to return to the palace to express our gratitude. Huaiqing would hold a grand banquet in the inner and outer courts to entertain the court officials. Except for Xu Lingyue and Mu Nanzhi, who were "recovering from illness" at home, the whole family went to the palace for the banquet.

Lingyue, your older brother believes you're a strong girl, and you can overcome this crisis of your public image collapsing. Hmm, there was a dish of monkey brains at the banquet that I remember vividly, because it was truly delicious.

"The third day of the third month in the second year of Huaiqing."

On the fourth day after our wedding, fearing that Lin'an was overworking herself, she slept on vegetarian food last night. Lin'an, oh Lin'an, you are the girl I can't bear to exert myself with in bed.

I gave Mu Nanzhi a place of spiritual refuge, a place where my heart finds peace, and I gave Luo Yuheng the opportunity to fulfill his long-cherished wish of "pacifying the flames of karma and advancing to the first rank."

All I can give you is a title, so I will spoil you even more.

Starting today, I'm no longer going to brothels to listen to music (cross out the whole paragraph), and I'll go to brothels less often in the future. Also, I'll temporarily stop fooling around with Mu Nanzhi, Luo Yuheng, and Fu Xiang. I need to stay and protect Lin'an, making sure she fully adapts to married life."

"The fourth day of the third month in the second year of Huaiqing."

Lin'an is too shy! She hasn't even mastered the basics of dual cultivation (positions) yet. This won't do; it will affect my cultivation.

Lin'an, you have to keep going!

"The fifth day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing."

Something big happened today. Caiwei said that Senior Brother Sun and Senior Brother Yang had a fight yesterday. Senior Brother Sun chased after Senior Brother Yang and hasn't returned yet. Strange, could it be a fight over the position of head of the Bureau of Astronomy?

But Senior Brother Sun isn't that kind of person.

Lina and Lingyin went to the Bureau of Astronomy with Caiwei.

After dusk, Lina and Lingyin still hadn't returned, and my aunt came to find me anxiously, asking me to go to the Bureau of Astronomy to check on the situation. When I arrived at the Bureau of Astronomy, I found Lingyin, Caiwei, and Lina squatting motionless in front of Song Qing's secret chamber.

The two of them stared intently at the door, as if it contained a priceless treasure. I said, "Xu Lingyin, your mother is calling you home for dinner!" She remained unmoved, maintaining her serene and affectionate posture, staring intently at the door.

So I asked Lina, and Lina told me that Protector Yuan had hidden in Song Qing's secret room. The door to the secret room was too sturdy, and she couldn't knock on it. So she and Lingyin were waiting there for Protector Yuan.

I suddenly realized it was all because of that monkey brain feast the day before yesterday. Was Huaiqing doing it on purpose? No wonder Chu Caiwei invited Lina and Xu Lingyin to the Bureau of Astronomy today; she was using them as a pawn to kill the monkey. Of the three foodie giants, Caiwei is still the smartest.

Wait, if I remember correctly, Song Qing's secret room, apart from this door, has ordinary brick walls. I take back my praise.

"The sixth day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing."

The Imperial Advisor hinted that I should engage in dual cultivation, but I reluctantly refused. I need to focus on tutoring Lin'an Chengcai so he can graduate smoothly. Similarly, I also rejected Nan Zhi's hint. By the way, ever since the wedding, my aunt's gaze towards the Flower Goddess has become strange.

"What's strange about this? Let me summarize: I treated you like a sister, but you wanted to sleep with my nephew!"

Time will heal the wounded, Amen!

"The eighth day of the third month in the second year of Huaiqing."

Lingyue finally emerged from her room; hopefully, she will step out of the shadows and turn her heart towards the light. Lin'an has finally gained initial mastery of the dual cultivation Secret Method, which greatly pleases his master. Lingyin and Lina went to the Bureau of Astronomy again to wait for Protector Yuan. Protector Yuan is so cute, why would they want to eat him?

Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao invited me to a brothel to listen to music, but I refused with righteous indignation. One must learn to grow up; I am no longer the boy I once was. I am a married man now.

"On the ninth day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing."

Today, a great gift was given to the Holy Son. The gift list includes: Chai Xing'er, Wenren Qianrou, Zhao Susu, Yu Hanxiu, Lan Lan, Mei'er (Rongrong's Master), and Yin Ling.

My dear son, brother, this is all I can do for you. I hope you find peace and tranquility.

"The tenth day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing."

The market established in Huaiqing has begun to show results, with a large influx of goods into the Central Plains, including cattle, sheep, medicinal herbs, and timber. As trade became more frequent, jobs continued to increase, providing livelihoods for the people of Great Feng. The demons, the Southern Frontier border, and the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons also obtained what they wanted.

How wonderful! Peace and prosperity reign throughout the land, and people live in contentment and happiness. This is the golden age I envision.

The only problem is that, according to Huaiqing, the children of the Ligu tribe refuse to bring their own food. What's worse, they send their newly weaned babies to public schools, which is utterly inhumane.

I'm planning to go to Southern Frontier soon to teach the unruly Li Gu tribe a lesson, and it's definitely not because Luan Yu wrote me a love letter. Hmm, there were a few spelling mistakes in the letter, I need to tutor her."

"The twelfth day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing."

Today, I went to the Heavenly Sect with the Grand Preceptor to fulfill the agreement regarding the battle between Celestial Person and Man. The extraordinary experts of the Great Feng all went to watch the drama unfold. The Heavenly Venerable seemed rather unhappy, but that might just be my imagination. The Heavenly Venerable is devoid of emotion; how could he get angry over such trivial matters?

"But to be fair, it was a bit much for Master Jinlian and the others to set up a table and drink on the side."

"The fourteenth day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing."

The battle between the Celestial Person and humans ended. The Imperial Preceptor was seriously injured, but I could clearly sense that after plundering the Celestial Venerable's essence, her karmic fire was almost completely extinguished. The Celestial Venerable was relatively better off; he became more like a "human."

I could sense that he actually wanted to kill Luo Yuheng and seize all the power of the source. If I hadn't been there, and things had progressed normally, the Grand Preceptor would have undoubtedly died in the battle between Celestial Person and man.

"That's good. After the battle between the Celestial Person and humans, the Imperial Preceptor's cultivation will be further enhanced, giving her a greater chance of staying in the capital when the surprise attack on Aranya takes place."

"The 17th day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing."

I don't know why, but I've been feeling down these past few days. I can't quite put my finger on it; I'm just a bit melancholic. I've tried to examine myself, but to no avail. Until this morning, I saw my second uncle and second son each carrying a bag of green tangerines back home.

"The 18th day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing."

Yesterday, having finally seen the light, I went to a brothel with Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao to listen to music. The atmosphere was familiar, the singing was familiar, the acrobatics were familiar, and the young ladies were familiar. In this world lacking entertainment, only listening to music in a brothel can give me a sliver of warmth.

As I write this diary entry, a thought suddenly flashes through my mind: I am still the same boy I used to be, without the slightest change.

"On the nineteenth day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, I listened to music in a brothel!"

"On the 20th day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, I listened to music at a brothel."

"On the 21st day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, I listened to music at a brothel."

"On the 22nd day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, I listened to music in the brothel. Today I had tea with Duke Wei. He asked about my cultivation. I said that I had made some progress, but it was still a long way from the mid-stage of the first rank. The first rank is really too difficult to advance."

Duke Wei expressed his concern, saying, "Leaving aside the great calamities to come, the Battle of Aranda alone cannot be taken lightly. I have deeply reflected on this and decided to devote myself to spiritual practice."

"On the 23rd day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, in the afternoon, Mu Nanzhi suddenly sent Bai Ji to find me, saying that her bracelet was lost and she was very frightened. So I went to her room to help search for it. I searched until dusk."

No way, Xu Ningyan! It's only been less than a month, and you've already lost control? How can you face Lin'an? Next time, no matter what reason Mu Nanzhi uses, I won't fall for it."

"On the 24th day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, I arranged flowers."

"On the 25th day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, I arranged flowers."

"On the 26th day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, I was arranging flowers. This afternoon, the Imperial Preceptor invited me to have tea at Lingbao Temple."

"On the 27th day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, I arranged flowers and played with jade!"

"On the 28th day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, I arranged flowers and played with jade!"

"On the 29th day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, I was arranging flowers and playing with jade in Lin'an. My husband was also cultivating himself so that I could prepare for the great calamity to come."

After several days of practice, the results are quite good. Also, Xu Yuanhuai started his job Nightwatchers today, which I think is great; going out to work is better than staying at home and sponging off his parents. I've asked Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao to look after this adopted younger brother; it's a way of giving my birth mother some closure."

"On the thirtieth day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, my birth mother came to me with great concern, saying that Xu Yuanhuai always smelled of perfume when he came home, and that he must have gone astray outside. He was not yet of age."

"Yes, he's still a child, how could he be allowed to visit a brothel? So I secretly taught Xu Yuanhuai the correct way to use green tangerines."

"On the 31st day of the third month of the second year of Huaiqing, my birth mother indeed did not come to complain, which was very good."

Actually, at Xu Yuanhuai's age, it's normal for him to be thinking about women. It's not surprising that he was led astray by Song Tingfeng and Zhu Guangxiao. Rather than abstaining from sex, he should be a more normal person. His and Yuan Shuang's upbringing was quite abnormal, which shaped their less-than-ideal personalities.

There's a saying that goes something like this: a bad childhood takes a lifetime to heal. Let the girls of the brothel heal him with their warm embrace.

I can't help but think back to when I was his age. I also had a girlfriend who was always being unreasonable. Every time she threw a tantrum, it was enough to make my scalp tingle. I had to keep her glued to the keyboard to stop her from showing off. Compared to her, Xu Yuanhuai was quite fortunate.

"On the first day of the fourth month of the second year of Huaiqing, I went to the Southern Frontier. The situation in the Abyss is relatively stable, but the crack in the Confucian Sage statue has reached the waist and abdomen. Within a year, the Gu God will definitely break free from the seal."

In other words, a great calamity is coming within a year, and at this time, one can't help but miss the Chief Inspector. How is that old geezer doing now? Did Ara take him to romantic Turkey, or to Tokyo and Paris?

"Hmm, Luan Yu tastes really good."

"On the second day of the fourth month of the second year of Huaiqing, Lin'an was already able to chat and laugh with his aunt and had a good relationship with his birth mother. Although his spoiled nature had not changed, his aunt and birth mother could tolerate it."

I only occasionally have a match with Lingyue, and I almost never win. She's bad at it but has a huge addiction to it. Sigh, wouldn't it be better to bully Lingyin and Lina a little? She always has to cause trouble for Lingyue. Fuxiang is much better; she hasn't caused me any trouble."

"On the third day of the fourth month of the second year of Huaiqing, Li Miaozhen officially became a disciple of the Earth Sect. Daoist Jinlian gave her a Daoist name, Lanlian. What the hell is Lanlian? Now, every time I see Li Miaozhen, the image of 'Blue Lotus' echoes in my mind, ah, ah~"

April 7th, the second year of Huaiqing.

Inside the palace.

Inside the magnificent palace, the doors and windows were tightly shut, and all the palace maids and eunuchs were cleared out.

Xu Qi'an was in his bedchamber, his feet resting on gleaming floor tiles, and the golden beast by the window emitted wisps of sandalwood incense.

On the dragon bed, the bright yellow bed curtains embroidered with dragon patterns were rolled up. Huaiqing was dressed in imperial casual clothes, his cool and beautiful appearance mixed with the charm of men's clothing.

Men in women's clothing are unattractive, but women in men's clothing are quite charming. It's so unfair. Hmm, Li Lingsu, Erlang, and Nangong Qianrou in women's clothing would definitely outshine most women. Xu Qi'an thought to himself, then asked:

Are you ready?

After more than a month of preparation and accumulation, Huaiqing adjusted his condition to its best and prepared to make his attempt at the third rank today.

"That's enough!" Huaiqing said.

"Now that I've ascended to the extraordinary realm, those annoying flies should be kept at bay for a while."

As the world gradually returned to peace, the most pressing matter for all officials, both civil and military, was the Empress's marriage.

The reason this matter is so difficult to suppress is because it is indeed very important. Of course, there are ambitious nobles and ministers who want to "marry" the Empress, but some members of the Wei faction and the Wang faction are also urging Huaiqing to get married.

They were precisely the kind of people who didn't want to establish a crown prince. If Huaiqing didn't get married and "establish an empress" sooner or later, the position of crown prince would eventually go to someone else. It would be fine if the son of another prince was chosen.

If Emperor Yongxing's son were to become the crown prince, half of the officials in the court would be purged in the future.

"Don't worry about them," Xu Qi'an said with a smile.

He then took out the fragment of the Earth Book, while Huaiqing took out the Blood Pill from his pocket.

In an instant, a rich and vibrant life force filled the palace. The potted plant in the corner first grew lush and green, then quickly withered and died silently.

The Blood Pill contains immense life force, but it is a deadly poison for mortals and humans.

"Bite!"

Xu Qi'an gently tapped the surface of the Earth Book Mirror, and a thick, almost tangible dragon aura burst forth, baring its fangs and claws as it rushed toward Huaiqing, whose chest rippled with golden light.

After absorbing the dragon's energy, Huaiqing picked up the blood pill and examined it intently.

The blood pill was crystal clear and warm to the touch. As she smelled its aroma, she felt her blood boil, her heart race, and her pores open, as if she had just finished a vigorous workout.

Two blushes rose on her cheeks, and she felt a surge of heat within her.

Huaiqing swallowed hard, no longer suppressing his appetite, and opened his mouth to swallow the blood pill.