Master of Time Management

The room was filled with a refreshing fragrance, which at first whiffed like flowers, but upon closer inspection, it seemed even more sophisticated. After smelling it for a while, one would enter a very comfortable state, wishing one could take a good nap and wash away all fatigue.

This is Mu Nanzhi's unique body fragrance, which contains a slight Spiritual Essence of the Undying Tree, allowing the creatures living around her to be free from fatigue and pain, and to prolong their lives.

Xu Qi'an glanced at the woman lying on the bed, but didn't rush to get on. He went around to the screen and looked inside. The bathtub was full of water, with white chrysanthemums and red rose petals floating on the surface.

It was clearly the bathwater Mu Nanzhi had used before taking a bath.

It usually happens on the second day.

He immediately took off his robe and boots, stepped into the bathtub. The water in the tub had long since cooled down, and the coolness made him feel even more comfortable. Xu Qi'an leaned against the side of the tub, looked up at the ceiling, and cleared his mind, trying not to think about anything.

A little over half an hour later, outside the screen, on the brocade couch, came Mu Nanzhi's angry voice:

"Are you done washing?"

Xu Qi'an's gaze remained fixed on Liang Mu, and he snorted:

"Fine, since you've been awake for so long, why aren't you serving your husband your bath? Don't you have any respect for family rules?"

"Husband?" Mu Nanzhi sneered.

"The woman you married with great pomp and circumstance is sleeping soundly in the neighbor's yard. What does that have to do with me? To me, you're nothing more than a disrespectful junior."

Xu Qi'an's expression immediately changed. He leaped out of the bathtub, scurried onto the bed with a cheeky grin, and said:

"Aunt Mu, this junior has come to serve you in bed."

During the jog, the water evaporates automatically.

"Roll!"

Mu Nanzhi couldn't do anything about his shameless behavior, so she rolled herself up in the blanket, curled herself up like a chicken roll, and turned the back of her head towards him.

Xu Qi'an, throwing another tantrum, glanced at the thin blanket and threatened:

"Believe it or not, I'll poke you with a toothpick."

Mu Nanzhi ignored him.

Xu Qi'an forced his way in, and a moment later, there were sounds of struggle and resistance coming from inside the quilt. Then, silk pajama bottoms and pajamas were thrown out, followed by a light pink undergarment.

With a muffled groan from Mu Nanzhi, all movement ceased. A few seconds later, the carved bed began to creak.

The bed curtains swayed gently, and the thin blanket rose and fell.

Before they knew it, an hour had passed. The noise in the room subsided and returned to calm. Mu Nanzhi lay on the pillow, her arms under her chin, her eyes half-closed, her face flushed as if she were drunk.

Xu Qi'an lay on her back, kissing her neck, her fragrant shoulders, and her smooth, silky back.

"Tsk, Aunt Mu's Zizhen irresistible."

Xu Qi'an joked.

Mu Nanzhi ignored him, enjoying the peace after the storm.

"Let's continue our travels across the Nine Provinces after the great calamity ends, perhaps to the Western Regions or the Northeast," Xu Qi'an said softly.

Mu Nanzhi opened her eyes, opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she only let out a soft "hmm".

After a while, she said:

I miss home.

She was referring to that small courtyard, where she once lived the life of an ordinary woman, worrying every day about cooking, cleaning, and washing clothes. When she had free time, she would wonder why that stinky man hadn't come yet.

If he missed the deadline, she secretly vowed to herself that if he didn't come back, she would buy arsenic, pour it into the soup, and feed it to him.

"Let's wait until later!" Xu Qi'an said, inhaling the delicate fragrance of her hair.

"But you still have to do the laundry, cook, raise chickens, and grow flowers."

Mu Nanzhi hurriedly said:

"Then you'll need two maids."

"Okay!" Xu Qi'an nodded.

She thought for a moment and added:

"It has to be ugly."

"Good"

Mu Nanzhi was finally relieved and hummed in response:

"I can't wear this bracelet all the time, but if I take it off, your aunts, sisters, and lovers will feel ashamed."

If any other woman had said that, Xu Qi'an would have spat in her face.

But what can you do when she's the Flower God?

Xu Qi'an rolled off her back, rummaged around in the blankets for a moment, and pulled out a soft pillow from between Mu Nanzhi's legs. He looked at the pillow, which was covered in water stains, and then helplessly tossed it aside.

Let's share a pillow.

He held Mu Nanzhi in his arms, her delicate and soft body pressed tightly against his without any clothes.

Time passed quietly, and the sky gradually turned light in the east. Xu Qi'an gently pried open Mu Nanzhi's arms that were wrapped around his neck.

The latter's eyelashes fluttered, and she woke up.

"I have urgent business to attend to and need to go out immediately," Xu Qi'an said in a low voice.

Knowing that these were turbulent times, the Flower God asked no further questions, offered no attempts to stop her, and withdrew her hand.

Xu Qi'an put on his clothes, raised his hand to make the large eye on his wrist light up, and disappeared from Mu Nanzhi's boudoir. The next moment, he arrived at Yeji's boudoir.

It was not yet dawn, and the sky was already dark.

As dawn broke in the east, officials gathered Meridian Gate.

"The Grand Secretariat issued an order yesterday, commanding the provincial Provincial Administration Commission of Lei and Chu prefectures to relocate 100 people from 24 border counties eastward. What is the reason for this?"

"But are the kingdoms of the Western Regions going to war with our Great Feng?"

"We haven't received any news yet; today's court assembly must be about this matter."

"Why is war breaking out again? The court finally quelled the rebellion in Yunzhou, and this time, less than a year later, how can it withstand such turmoil? If His Majesty intends to recklessly resort to force, we must remonstrate with him to the death."

The ministers gathered in small groups, whispering amongst themselves.

The eunuchs who were overseeing discipline nearby pretended not to hear.

While waiting for the court assembly, officials were not allowed to talk. Even coughing and spitting would be recorded. However, this system gradually became a mere formality. As long as they did not make loud noises or fight in public, the eunuchs would not record it.

Yesterday, the Grand Secretariat issued a decree that most officials in the capital couldn't understand—the people of twenty-four counties along the border of Lei and Chu prefectures were to be relocated eastward!

This is utterly ridiculous!

Although Lei and Chu prefectures are sparsely populated and have little to no large counties or prosperous cities due to their barrenness, they are still largely undeveloped.

However, the combined population of the twenty-four counties still exceeds one million.

Leaving aside how to settle these people, the relocation itself is a massive undertaking, costing both manpower and resources.

The imperial court had finally caught its breath, and everything was in dire need of rebuilding; how could it withstand such turmoil and disruption?

What pained some officials the most was that the Grand Secretariat actually agreed.

It's laughable that Wei Yuan was incompetent, Zhao Shou was muddleheaded, and Wang Zhenwen held a position without doing any work!

Does he truly understand how to govern the country and handle government affairs?

"Lord Yang is right, we must remonstrate to the death!"

"How dare you be so absurd! I will remonstrate to the death!"

The ministers spoke with conviction.

Members of the Wang Faction and Wei Faction couldn't understand the two leaders' actions and shook their heads in disbelief.

As the bells and drums sounded, at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), the officials entered through the two side gates of the Meridian Gate. After crossing the Golden Water Bridge and the square, the officials entered the Golden Throne Hall, while the remaining ministers lined up on both sides of the Danbi (Imperial Steps) or in the square.

A few minutes later, the Empress, dressed in a dragon robe and with exquisite makeup, arrived with her hands behind her back, ascended the throne, and sat high on the dragon chair.

"His Majesty!"

After the audience began, the supervising Ministry of Revenue acted as the initiators, stepping forward and bowing.

"The twenty-four counties of Lei and Chu prefectures have a large population. Relocating them eastward would be a waste of resources and manpower, and is not advisable. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree."

Immediately afterwards, officials from various departments began to advise and urge Huaiqing to retract his decision.

The purpose of the Censor was to dissuade the emperor from inappropriate behavior.

In the eyes of the censors, the Empress has just committed a colossal mistake, and this is the best opportunity for her to make a name for herself in history or achieve fame.

Seeing this, Liu Hong, a key figure in Wei Yuan's group, glanced at the immovable man in blue robes in front of him, hesitated for a moment, and stepped forward, saying:

"Your Majesty, the ministers are right."

"The Mahayana Buddhism will soon arrive at the settlement designated for them by the imperial court. There are more than 200,000 of them. They will be fed and grazed by the imperial court."

"Besides, the autumn harvest is just around the corner. How can we relocate the people of those twenty-four counties to the east at this crucial moment?"

Huaiqing listened quietly and said gently:

"The day before yesterday, the Buddha came to Leizhou, intending to annex Great Feng!"

A simple sentence struck the ears of the officials in the hall like a thunderbolt, startling them so much that they looked up in disbelief at the Empress on the throne.

The Buddha himself came to Leizhou, intending to annex Great Feng?!

The officials in the hall were all scholars, and the cultivation of the nobles was not particularly strong, but those in high positions understood very well what the Transcendent Rank represented.

It represents invincibility!

Therefore, upon hearing that the Buddha intended to annex Great Feng, the ministers were suddenly startled, and a suffocating fear surged within them.

But then she immediately sensed something was amiss. If the Buddha intended to target Great Feng, would the Empress still be sitting so calmly on the throne?

Will the Grand Secretariat do nothing, not deploy troops, but simply relocate people from the eastern border?

Before the gentlemen could remain puzzled for long, Huaiqing told them the answer:

"Silver Gong Xu has advanced to the level of Half-Step Martial God. He fought against Buddha in Leizhou the night before and defeated him."

"However, although the Buddha has retreated, he could return at any time. A battle between Transcendent Rank and Half-Step Martial God can easily destroy the heavens and the earth. Therefore, I am going to relocate the people of the twenty-four counties to the east."

Another thunderclap.

The officials stared blankly at Huaiqing for a long time, and then someone quietly picked at his ear.

The Ministry of Revenue who was the first to stand up and advise Huaiqing asked in bewilderment:

"Your Majesty, I... I do not understand."

"What? Half-Step Martial God?"

The term "Martial God" sounds unfamiliar, and it took the generals a lot of effort to remember that the pinnacle of the Martial Warrior System is called the Martial God.

The name was personally chosen by the Confucian Sage, but since the Confucian Sage passed away more than 1,200 years ago, no Martial God has ever appeared in the world.

Wei Yuan turned around, looked around at the assembled officials, and spoke in a gentle yet firm tone:

"All you need to know is that Half-Step Martial God can contend with Transcendent Rank Martial God and easily kill First Rank Martial Warrior."

The Ministry of Revenue in the Ministry of Revenue were buzzing.

Has Silver Gong Xu become this powerful?!

If I remember correctly, when the Imperial Preceptor—no, Daoist Chief Luo Shou—was undergoing his Tribulation Transcendence, he and Silver Gong Xu both advanced to the First Rank. How long has it been? He has already grown into a figure who can rival those of the Transcendent Rank. Amidst their shock, the officials felt inexplicably much more at ease.

The fear and panic brought about by Huaiqing's words had dissipated considerably.

At least when facing the Transcendent Rank, Great Feng is not without a fighting chance.

Liu Hong said in a deep voice:

Why did the Buddha take action against the imperial court?

The officials all frowned, as this was something they couldn't understand.

Since ancient times, more than 1,200 years after the Confucian Sage, no matter how the Great Feng and the Shaman God Cult fought, the Shaman God always remained indifferent, as did the Buddha.

Why would they suddenly seize and annex the Central Plains without any reason?

Huaiqing had already given his explanation, his voice clear and resonant:

"Liu Aiqing believed that the reason why Buddhist Order suddenly broke with the Central Plains and supported the Central Plains was because the Buddha intended to annex the Central Plains, and this was already evident in the chaos in Yunzhou."

"With the defeat at Yunzhou, Silver Gong Xu and the Imperial Preceptor were promoted to the First Rank, so the Buddha naturally had to take action personally."

The men nodded and asked no further questions.

War between two countries doesn't require your consent; annexation is an eternal truth.

Liu Hong's question was simply a question about why the Buddha, who had always secluded himself from the world, would suddenly appear in person.

Huaiqing's gaze swept across the hall, and he asked:

"Are there still dissenting voices?"

The officials in charge of various departments remained silent, and the other officials had no reason to refute them.

Huaiqing nodded slightly and then brought up the second matter:

"Last night, Silver Gong Xu personally went to Jingshan City and forced the Shaman God to take all the witches of the three kingdoms into his body for protection. From now on, there will be no more witches in the Nine Provinces, and the three kingdoms of Yan, Jing, and Kang will be taken over by our Great Feng."

The third thunderclap has arrived!

If the Buddha's personal intervention weighed heavily on the hearts of the officials, then upon hearing of the "annihilation" of the Shaman God Cult and the complete return of the Three Kingdoms' territory to the Great Feng, their expressions were a mixture of ecstatic joy and astonishment.

The unexpected stroke of good fortune nearly knocked these scholars unconscious.

"Your Majesty, is it true?!"

It wasn't a civil official who spoke, but Prince Yu. This prince, whose temples were slightly gray, had an unusual flush on his face, his lips trembled slightly uncontrollably, and his eyes stared blankly at Huaiqing.

The most excited were the members of the royal family.

Huaiqing nodded:

"In the Golden Throne Hall, how could I speak lightly?"

Expanding territory, expanding territory. These were the only four words in Prince Yu's mind.

"Your Majesty has accomplished something that even our ancestors could not achieve; your merit will be remembered for generations to come."

A prince wept with joy.

"This is also thanks to Silver Gong Xu," a prince standing nearby quickly corrected.

A commotion broke out in the Golden Throne Hall, with the officials whispering among themselves, their faces full of excitement.

The chief eunuch gripped the whip in his hand, but this time, he did not crack the whip or reprimand the eunuch.

Looking at the excited and impatient courtiers, Huaiqing smiled:

"Gentlemen, what do you think is the best way to take over the Three Kingdoms?"

Amidst the fervor of the civil and military officials, and as the court assembly reached an unprecedented climax, Xu Qi'an began the third step of his time management.

In her boudoir, Yeji on the bed immediately awoke with a start. Opening her beautiful eyes, she saw that the uninvited guest was Xu Qi'an. Unsurprised, she smiled seductively.

"Xu Lang!"

Xu Qi'an glanced at the undergarment hanging on the screen and chuckled:

"You certainly know how to make things easier for me."

The curtains swayed, and the brocade couch, which had been resting for months, began to groan in pain again.

After the rain stopped and the clouds dispersed, Yeji lay sweaty in Xu Qi'an's arms, her head resting on his chest, and said with a smile:

"What does Xu Lang think of the Empress?"

Xu Qi'an countered with a question:

Which aspect are you referring to?

Yeji blinked her beautiful eyes, "The Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan likes strong people, especially women, who have no resistance to powerful men. Xu Lang is already Half-Step Martial God, so I suppose the Empress has been eyeing you for a long time."

"Hasn't Xu Lang considered marrying the Lady? Besides, Yeji's seven younger sisters will also be part of her dowry."

Why marry her? Just to cause trouble at home? Xu Qi'an thought to himself.

Although the fox spirit had a slender waist, long legs, a pert bottom, a face as beautiful as a flower, and an alluring charm that could captivate all beings, making her a rare beauty, her personality was truly a headache.

If she enters the fishpond, Mu Nanzhi and Luo Yuheng will have to join forces, Huaiqing and Lin'an will have to put aside their past grievances, and Li Miaozhen will be in charge of fighting in the wild, together fighting against the fox spirit and the eight fox spirits under the fox spirit's command.

Oh no, seven vixens.

One of them has passed away, and as for Baiji, she was just a child.

Xu Qi'an said righteously:

"My relationship with the king is merely that of ordinary fellow Daoists; having you is enough."

Yeji looked regretful.

"What a pity. Why do Xu Lang? Yeji knows that if so many sisters come as part of your dowry, outsiders will gossip about your Xu Lang ways, which will damage your reputation. But Yeji won't care."

Xu Lang shook his head:

"No need to say anything more."

Yeji obediently responded, and as she lowered her head, a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

The aroma of tea in the room rivals that of Lingyue's. Xu Qi'an remarked to her, then, seeing that dawn was breaking, said in a deep voice:

"I have to go out on errands. You get some rest."

The inner hall of the Xu Residence.

Xu Lingyue, dressed in a pink dress and accompanied by her head maid, entered the hall with delicate, light steps. After looking around for a while, she saw her mother arranging potted plants on a tall stand.

My mother's sworn sister, Aunt Mu, was also nearby, whispering something to each other.

Xu Lingyin, the younger sister, stared blankly at the red tangerines displayed by the door.

Lina, the guest, squatted by another red orange tree, lost in thought.

Lin'an, the sister-in-law, was wearing a high-necked, narrow-sleeved shirt and talking to her aunt Ji Baiqing, who had come over for tea.

Xu Lingyue said in a soft voice:

"Mother, where is my eldest brother?"

Seeing all the women in the room looking over (except for Xu Lingyin), Xu Lingyue quickly explained:

"My elder brother asked me to help him make a robe. I created a new cloud pattern and wanted to ask him if he liked it, but when I went to look for him in the room this morning, he wasn't there."

"He went out on errands," Lin'an and Mu Nanzhi said in unison.

The inner hall fell silent for a moment, Ji Baiqing quickly smiled and said:

"Your elder brother is very busy; he probably left before dawn, Your Highness Lin'an. Am I right?"

Lin'an gave a curt "hmm" with no expression.

The other women remained composed, it was unclear whether they accepted Ji Baiqing's explanation or were merely pretending to.

At this moment, the elder brother's concubine Yeji, entered the inner hall, swaying her hips, accompanied by a maid.

Xu Lingyue glanced at her, then moved away expressionlessly. Suddenly, the tea master frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

She raised her head again, scrutinized Yeji once more, then glanced discreetly at her sister-in-law Lin'an and Aunt Mu, finally realizing what was amiss:

They were all wearing turtlenecks.

These conservative clothes are usually worn when going out, and although autumn is here, it's still warm, so it's not the season for wearing turtlenecks yet.

They're dressed so warmly, not to keep warm, but to cover up something shameful.

Xu Lingyue was a very clever person; her thoughts shifted, and her gaze immediately darkened.

At this moment, Auntie sighed:

"Is there going to be another war? Otherwise, your older brother wouldn't be so busy."

Numinous Treasure Temple.

The busy older brother placed his hands on her fair, delicate shoulders and gently massaged them:

"Imperial Preceptor, I have been at sea for several months, and I have missed you every moment. I imagine you miss me just as much."

Luo Yuheng squinted, enjoying the massage, and said calmly:

"In no mood."

Her clothes were disheveled, her feathered robe loosely wrapped around her body, and her face was still flushed; clearly, her body was not as tough as her mouth.

Xu Qi'an had her completely under his control.

Luo Yuheng has a queen complex, so Xu Qi'an coaxes her, calling her Imperial Advisor and referring to himself as his humble servant, which gives her a thrill.

Sweet words that follow will have a remarkable effect.

If Xu Qi'an had called her by her maiden name, she wouldn't have let him touch her today.

"Have you figured out how to advance to Martial God?" Luo Yuheng asked.

"Easier said than done," Xu Qi'an sighed.

"If you cannot advance to the Martial God level when the great calamity comes, I will not die with you. The world is vast, and we can go anywhere," Luo Yuheng said coldly.

Her words sounded just like the countless times she'd said before, "I don't like dual cultivation."

"Please do as you please. How could I possibly control the Imperial Preceptor's thoughts?" Xu Qi'an readily agreed.

Luo Yuheng gave a satisfied "hmm," thought for a moment, and then said calmly:

"I aim to be promoted to the Mid-Level First Rank within three months."

Her face was fair and serene, with a bright red dot between her brows. Her hair was loosely styled, and she wore a feathered Daoist robe. She looked like a fairy or a beautiful woman, very alluring.

Xu Qi'an understood her implication and said in a deep voice:

"This humble official will do everything in his power to help the Imperial Preceptor break through."

"My holy child, I understand your suffering. No matter how well you manage your time, it's never enough. "Xu Qi'an picked her up and carried her to the bed.

He finally understood the Holy Son's predicament.

Leizhou, Panshan County!

After a long and arduous journey, the first group of Mahayana Buddhism finally arrived at their destination.

Zhu Lai was among the first group of Mahayana Buddhism to arrive.

The leader of the group was a young Jingsi.

What kind of place will the Central Plains court arrange for us?

This is the question that has been the biggest concern for every Mahayana Buddhism along the way.

P. S.: Typos will be corrected later.