Merit Deserves Reward

However, even though he had the imperial edict in hand, Yin Yunze couldn't simply accept it and then disregard Liu Zhengyuan.

After all, Yin Yunze's future development in Anqing Prefecture still depends on maintaining a good relationship with Prefect Liu Zhengyuan.

Therefore, even though Yin Yunze wished he could rush to Qingling County immediately, stand in front of the City God, and smash the imperial edict on the City God's head, Yin Yunze still needed to remain calm and continue to receive Liu Zhengyuan, exchanging pleasantries with him.

Fortunately, Liu Zhengyuan was sensible enough that he stopped bothering Yin Yunze after realizing that Yin Yunze wasn't very interested.

Liu Zhengyuan also understood that Qingnü was, after all, a demon goddess, and it was very important to maintain a proper distance if he wanted to get along with her.

After all, between humans and gods, it is always humans who seek help from gods more often.

God doesn't care about age. If you don't get along with a prefect, you can just wait a few years and replace him with a new one.

But for a prefect, these past few years have been everything; if he misses this opportunity, there won't be another one.

So, noticing that Yin Yunze seemed a bit listless, Liu Zhengyuan offered to have Xu Han show him around the village.

Once outside the Qingnü Temple, Yin Yunze no longer needed to accompany them. Watching Liu Zhengyuan lead the group out, Yin Yunze glanced at Lord of Du Mountain was still clearing out the accounts at the table. Noticing the disabled figure in the crowd, Yin Yunze thought for a moment and then quietly pulled Zhang Liuyun into the Dao Field.

When Zhang Liuyun first entered Yin Yunze's Dao Field and found herself all alone after everyone else had suddenly disappeared, a look of surprise and doubt appeared on her face.

However, when Zhang Liuyun saw the non-human with Nine-Tailed Fox ears appear, her heart was filled with joy, but then it sank, and she was filled with mixed feelings of joy and worry.

Zhang Liuyun walked slowly but surely to Yin Yunze, knelt down, and bowed her head, saying, "I have been delayed in my duties, Your Liuyun, please forgive me."

Looking down at Zhang Liuyun, Yin Yunze smiled slightly and asked, "Are you apologizing or asking for a reward?"

It must be said that Zhang Liuyun demonstrated great initiative in handling this matter, and her outstanding performance in completing the task was commendable.

Yin Yunze was initially worried that if he encountered a difficult prefect, things might get messy and unpleasant.

It now seems that Zhang Liuyun probably investigated Liu Zhengyuan's personality before bringing him to Yin Yunze as a surprise.

No wonder, what was supposed to be a matter of just a few days has dragged on for so long.

As for Liu Zhengyuan's somewhat obsequious attitude towards Yin Yunze, it's not only because Yin Yunze himself has genuinely grown and acquired some new abilities.

Clearly, Zhang Liuyun played a significant role in this.

It can only be said that an old hand is indeed an old hand. Zhang Liuyun is even more capable than Peng Shulan, who has been a constable for most of his life.

"Whether it's merit or demerit, it's entirely up to Her Majesty to decide."

Not surprised that Yin Yunze could see through her little scheme, Zhang Liuyun still respectfully said, "If Your Majesty thinks that I, Liuyun, am guilty for acting on my own initiative, then Liuyun am guilty. If Your Majesty thinks that my accidental actions have pleased Your Liuyun and I deserve a reward, then I, Liuyun, would naturally not dare to refuse."

Ultimately, the most important reason for inviting Liu Zhengyuan was Yin Yunze's own supernatural abilities and the money he offered.

Zhang Liuyun felt that she did play a role in it, but she didn't think she was irreplaceable.

His apology was actually three parts sincere.

To be honest, with such a long delay, who knows if it has affected Yin Yunze's plans?

Having missed too much information, Zhang Liuyun really didn't dare to speculate on Yin Yunze's thoughts.

"Since that's the case, whether it's a reward or punishment, you shall accept it."

As he spoke, Yin Yunze raised his hand, and a gust of wind and snow pulled Zhang Liuyun into the air.

Just as Zhang Liuyun was filled with surprise and doubt, she saw Yin Yunze gently turn his hand towards her right leg.

The next moment, Zhang Liuyun felt a piercing pain in her right leg.

Realizing that Yin Yunze had broken her leg, Zhang Liuyun broke out in a cold sweat from the pain. "Your Majesty, I—"

"Don't talk, you might bite your tongue."

Let Zhang Liuyun feel the pain slightly as a gentle tap, then Yin Yunze explained, "Your right leg has been dislocated for too long. If it's not broken and reset, even my nectar might not be able to restore it. Alright, open your mouth—"

As he spoke, Yin Yunze revealed Mutton-Fat Jade Purification Vase and poured out a drop of nectar.

Yin Yunze let the drop of nectar linger on his left fingertip for a moment, then with a flick of his finger, the drop of nectar flew toward Zhang Liuyun.

Upon seeing this drop of nectar, an intense longing instantly ignited in Zhang Liuyun's eyes.

After all, Zhang Liuyun had witnessed Liu Zhengyuan regain his youthful appearance and was naturally aware of the miraculous effects of the nectar.

Zhang Liuyun didn't dare to dream that even when the prefect came to beg, Yin Yunze would only give him a single drop of nectar. Yet Yin Yunze actually gave her a single drop.

Of course, Zhang Liuyun was unaware that although the yield of this sweet dew was not high, it was not as low as she had imagined.

Yin Yunze said that simply because he didn't want people to know that the nectar could be produced at a fixed rate.

For many things, once the actual production volume is known, it will only cause the value to decrease needlessly.

The same therapeutic effect, but whether the yield of this nectar is one drop a year, one drop a month, or one drop a day, it has three different values.

Conversely, once people overestimate its value...

Therefore, when used normally, it can produce utility far exceeding its original value.

As the nectar entered her mouth, Zhang Liuyun immediately felt a warm flow into her body, making her feel warm and comfortable all over.

The broken leg, which had been throbbing with excruciating pain, now felt a warm, tingling sensation.

Seeing the carefree expression on Zhang Liuyun's face, Yin Yunze thought for a moment and then removed the remaining eyeball.

Of the two eyeballs that Judge Li removed, one was previously given to the little fox girl.

Yin Yunze felt that the remaining one was better given to Zhang Liuyun than used for refining weapons.

Compared to using it on living people, using it for weapon forging always felt strange to Yin Yunze.

After all, Yin Yunze wasn't some crazy person who liked to use his own body parts to forge weapons.

Trimming a bit of tail hair and occasionally drawing blood was the limit Yin Yunze could accept.

Although he is Innate Holy Spirit, and possesses the healing power of nectar, any damaged parts can quickly grow back.

However, using one's own body parts to forge weapons is strange in every sense of the word!

As Yin Yunze implanted the eyeball into Zhang Liuyun's eye socket, Ganlin's effects began to truly take hold.

The repaired broken right leg and the implanted right eye were still small; the most effective use of the nectar was in the missing right hand.

Even through a layer of clothing, Yin Yunze could still see what was happening to Zhang Liuyun's right shoulder.

The person who injured Zhang Liuyun was extremely ruthless.

Zhang Liuyun's right hand, along with her entire right shoulder, was severed.

At this moment, Zhang Liuyun's wound had healed first on her right shoulder, and then a small, fleshy hand-like growth had sprouted from her right shoulder.

To be honest, these tiny fleshy hands look quite peculiar.

Fortunately, with each breath, the tiny bud grew into a small, complete right hand.

As time went by, this right hand continued to grow until it reached the length of a normal person.

Although he had expected it, Yin Yunze was still slightly shocked to actually see the severed arm regenerate.

After repairing the right arm, the effects of the nectar were mostly depleted.

The remaining small portion was used to treat and repair some long-standing hidden injuries in Zhang Liuyun's body before being completely consumed.

With Zhang Liuyun as the test subject, Yin Yunze roughly estimated that although this nectar could regenerate severed limbs, one drop would probably only restore about one leg at most. If it were an injured person who had lost all four limbs, it would probably take four drops to be enough.

Seeing that Zhang Liuyun's injuries had been healed, Yin Yunze put her body back on the ground.

My eyes—my legs—my hands—

Somewhat incredulously, he touched his eyes, then his hands, and finally his legs.

Holding her overly pale and delicate right hand in front of her eyes, Zhang Liuyun shed tears of joy.

"Do you now feel that I'm rewarding or punishing you?"

Seeing Zhang Liuyun's expression, Yin Yunze couldn't help but tease her.

"Your Majesty's kindness to Liuyun is like giving her a second life!" Zhang Liuyun finally realized what was happening and quickly knelt down again, whispering, "Both thunder and rain are divine blessings. Even if Your Majesty whips Liuyun, it is still Liuyun's good fortune—"

Wow, girl, you're doing something pretty fancy!

With just one sentence, Yin Yunze once again experienced the speechless feeling he had when he first chatted with Zhang Liuyun.

Yin Yunze had originally considered whether to appoint Zhang Liuyun, who was quite capable, as the fifth Subordinate Deity.

After all, as his territory expands, Yin Yunze now really lacks trustworthy and capable people under his command.

However, looking at the pink incense still emanating from Zhang Liuyun's body, and her ability to leave Yin Yunze speechless with just three sentences, it was quite a sight.

After thinking it over, Yin Yunze gave up the idea.

Anyway, if Zhang Liuyun really needs to do the work, why does she have to be a follower of the Subordinate Deity?

While Yin Yunze remained silent, Zhang Liuyun hesitated for a moment before softly saying, "Your Majesty, my newly grown eyes seem to be able to see some things—"

The little fox girl had mentioned a similar situation before, and Yin Yunze replied with practiced ease, "That's because your right eye is actually implanted in me. Therefore, compared to your ordinary eye, it possesses some supernatural properties—"

"So, it's the Empress's eyes?" Upon hearing this, Zhang Liuyun completely ignored Yin Yunze's subsequent explanation of the supernatural phenomena. Instead, she touched her right eye, her face slightly flushed. "The Empress's eyes are inside my body—"

"So now, I'm actually seeing all things through the eyes of the Empress. If I look at myself in a mirror in the future, will it be the same as being constantly watched by the Empress?"

As she spoke, Zhang Liuyun actually pulled a mirror out of her pocket.

Looking at her green right eye in the mirror, Zhang Liuyun was momentarily mesmerized.

Seeing Zhang Liuyun's reaction, which was completely different from that of the little fox girl, left Yin Yunze speechless.

Yin Yunze immediately regretted it. If he had known, he would have preferred to use these eyes to refine weapons!

No, even if it rots in the ground, it's better than giving it to Zhang Liuyun!

"Liuyun, I suddenly feel that these eyes don't suit you—how about—"

Looking at Zhang Liuyun, Yin Yunze began to try to salvage the situation.

"Your Majesty, is it because you think Liuyun is not qualified? --"

Sensing Yin Yunze's intention, Zhang Liuyun quickly covered her right eye with her hand and said resolutely, "If Your Majesty feels that Liuyun is unworthy, then kill Liuyun! I only beg Your Majesty to bury this eye with Liuyun, so that Liuyun can have a complete corpse—"

Okay, Yin Yunze realized that she really wasn't good at dealing with these strange people.

You try to talk to her nicely, but she acts crazy. How can you communicate properly like that?

Seeing Yin Yunze remain silent, Zhang Liuyun quickly changed the subject, saying, "Your Majesty, I heard from Fei'er that you are interested in martial arts? Although Fei'er has already mastered most of my True Disciple, I still have a set of Spring Breeze Brushes Clouds Hand that I haven't taught Fei'er yet—"

Actually, it wasn't that Liuyun was being secretive and unwilling to teach. Rather, it was a martial art that required the use of both hands to practice.

Back then, I only had one arm, so it wasn't appropriate to demonstrate and teach her. Now, thanks to Your Majesty's grace, I have both arms, which is perfect for demonstrating to Your Majesty—"

Before Yin Yunze could reply, Zhang Liuyun began to demonstrate the Spring Breeze Brushes Clouds Hand.

Compared to Zhang Liuyun's madness here, Yin Yunze was much more willing to watch the Spring Breeze Brushes Clouds Hand. It was indeed Zhang Liuyun's trump card skill, and the Spring Breeze Brushes Clouds Hand was truly exquisite. Every movement seemed to be just a gentle caress, like dancing, but in fact it was a set of finger techniques that contained acupressure, grappling, and massage.

A seemingly casual brushstroke can produce several different changes.

If you don't understand the intricacies, you might get your vital points hit a dozen times, and you'd think the girl was giving you a massage.

Of course, the requirements for practicing this finger technique are also extremely high.

At the very least, the flexibility and dexterity required for this kind of finger fraud is something that ordinary people cannot achieve through staged accidents.

If someone is not suited for the task and forces themselves to practice, they might break their fingers before even getting to the point.

Upon seeing this set of finger techniques, Yin Yunze immediately thought of the hand seals and Law Technique used by the Hungry Ghost Path.

Inspired by the "Spring Breeze Brushes Clouds Hand" technique, Yin Yunze discovered that she seemed to have found a way to perform two hand seals simultaneously.

As long as your fingers are flexible enough, it is not impossible to form a mudra with one hand, or even form two mudras at the same time.

Zhang Liuyun originally only intended to demonstrate it once, but she never expected that when she used it again after twenty years, it would become unstoppable.

Originally, Zhang Liuyun thought she had mastered the Spring Breeze Brushes Clouds Hand technique to perfection, but this time, she gained new insights from using it.

Or perhaps, this is Zhang Liuyun's way of repaying the Spring Breeze Brushes Clouds Hand technique, even though she had been decadent for twenty years.

With each demonstration, Zhang Liuyun gained new insights and experiences.

He used the Spring Breeze Brushes Clouds Hand five times in a row, but each time it was completely different from the last, as if it were five different martial arts techniques.

The first time, the Spring Equinox Clouds Brushed with 108 moves, the second time it dropped directly to 72 moves, the third time to 38 moves, the fourth time to 18 moves, and the fifth time it was only 9 moves.

However, each of these nine simple techniques has dozens of follow-up variations when executed.

At first glance, Yin Yunze even felt that what he saw was not a hand, but a gentle breeze that was completely unaware of him.

After the fifth demonstration, Zhang Liuyun stopped and stood quietly in the Dao Field.

However, in contrast, Zhang Liuyun's aura was constantly rising.

Upon noticing Zhang Liuyun's condition, Yin Yunze immediately drew upon the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

As Zhang Liuyun's aura connected with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, Zhang Liuyun finally entered the Innate Realm.