Chapter 1363: Gamble (Double Chapter)

"Huff, huff, ha, hahaha————"

His chest heaved violently as breath cycled through him; the stifling summer heat rushed into his lungs. His gaze followed the Yellow Shahe eastward, locking onto the sinking sun.

Golden light interwove and shimmered, meshing together like fangs.

Liang Qu had never felt his path ahead so open—open like galloping a horse on a bed, sleeping soundly on the grasslands, dancing amidst a clamoring crowd.

The path to salvation lies right within!

On the bank of the Yellow Shahe, Si Nan saw the Huai Wang nod and then shake his head, looking deeply worried.

He's only been back on duty for two days—how did it come to this? Are some people just destined not to clock in? Every strand of their hair dipped in ink could write a "one day on, three days off" schedule.

"No!" Liang Qu rubbed his face, reining in his emotions and thoughts, suppressing the fantasy. "A-Shui, calm down. Promoting a Position Fruit is never that simple; if it were, everyone would do it.

I'm not the only one governing the Yellow Shahe, and even if I were, fixing it in two years is impossible. Once a Position Fruit is hooked and refined, it might not revert to Governance Degree. What if I refine it but fail to promote? Or if I succeed in promoting but because of the refinement————"

"But the yield this time is too high! Success means ten points of Governance Degree times five. Heaven's timing, earth's advantage, human harmony—fortune is on my side.

If the River God Sacrifice in the water succeeds, that's forty points of Governance—not bad. The remaining twenty have the Feng Fruit and Yi Fruit as backup. If needed, they can be thrown back in the furnace to make sixty.

If it fails, I'll be waiting till kingdom come—whether I even have a 'kingdom come' to wait out is the question————"

Bang! Bang.

Two little figures accompanied by a puff of white smoke quietly appeared on Liang Qu's shoulders, pressing against his ears to whisper.

One urged him to take a gamble, hook the Position Fruit now—villa by the sea.

The other told him not to gamble; if he lost, he'd have nothing—E Ying would kick him out of bed.

Of course, E Ying isn't that kind of person. If he really lost the bet, she could only kick his spirit tablet.

"To gamble or not to gamble?"

Liang Qu struggled endlessly.

Life, a lifetime—never fears taking it slow; what it fears most is not being given the chance to take it slow at all!

A Martial Saint lives eight hundred years. With normal annual sacrifices, Governance Degree gains over one point a year. Step by step, decades would accumulate enough to evolve—equivalent to a normal person living eighty years, saving a few years' wages to buy a little donkey. If that were the case, Liang Qu would never take risks; it's not like he couldn't endure the wait.

The key is, the damn situation isn't like that!

The Whale Emperor, Great Li's Taizu, the Mirage Dragon, the Old Dragon Lord————

Not a single one is human; all are howling for sustenance at the critical juncture of the 120-year cycle.

The Southern Frontier, Great Shun, the Northern Court—who knows if the immortals, open and hidden, harbor the same thoughts? Yes, immortals number three thousand, three thousand, and three thousand more, with endless lifespans. But if they could avoid the danger of hibernation, why wouldn't they?

Who would give him decades? With bad luck, he might not even have four or five years to develop. The Great Hunt of the East Sea is his deadline!

The sun sank below the horizon; the last trace of light vanished from heaven and earth.

Darkness descended.

Several rounds of struggle, several rounds of ferocity.

【Calamity becomes flood; rivers overflow, the Right of Chang moves, three rivers boil and surge.】

【Reward Obtained: Consume 10 Governance Degree to hook the Right of Chang Fruit.】

【River Governance Degree: 21.4 (River Favorability: 92.0499)】

"Damn it, fuck! The timid starve, the bold gorge. Gamble! From today on, I'm living in the Yellow Shahe!"

Liang Qu gritted his teeth. Right in front of Si Nan and the surrounding River Patrol Office officials, he plunged back into the Yellow Shahe with a loud *putong*.

Si Nan hurried to the riverbank and peered down.

Avoiding the crowds, leaving the settlements behind.

Liang Qu connected with the Marsh Cauldron; with a thought, he spread his arms.

"Come forth, my Right of Chang! Super Evolution, Wu Fruit, *deng~ deng~ dengdengdeng~*"

The sound of the tide swelled. Providing his own super-evolution soundtrack, brilliant, beautiful radiance erupted from the center of the Marsh Cauldron.

【Yin and Yang swap places; the time is not right, not in the Huai River, cannot hook.】

「？」

*Huala. *

Si Nan tilted her head back, dodging the splashing water. She stared in shock at Liang Qu, who had just gone down and then pulled up his pants and jumped back up—the whole process took less than three breaths.

"So fast————"

Liang Qu shook off the water, tossed his hair, and scanned Si Nan staring at him. "What are you looking at? Worked all day, covered in sweat, can't I go for a swim? Let me tell you, I'm a married man—I'd be drowned in a pig cage."

The corner of Si Nan's mouth twitched.

"Hah, just a joke, don't be mad. By the way, arrange work for me, get me some leave. Me and the White Ape need to take a trip back to Jianghuai.

Short trip three days, long trip five to ten days. Help me file a report, the faster the better—try to let me leave the day after tomorrow."

「6

」

"How come you went silent? Yes or no, give me an answer."

"Fine. The Huai Wang wants leave; I can't stop him." Si Nan picked up the register, charcoal pencil drafting the memo.

"Deal! Ho, starting to write already? Nice, swift and decisive." Liang Qu gave a thumbs up. "Who says women are inferior to men? This is the female power of our River Patrol Office—a capable minister and efficient official! I see a boundless future for you, girl—you'll sit in Magistrate Qian's Governor seat someday!"

"Really?"

"Really!"

Si Nan's wrist didn't stop, her tone flat. "Then is the Huai Wang willing to give up his leave, focus on governing the Yellow Shahe, achieve merit early, and add a political achievement to my record so I can get promoted and rich?"

"Look at you, rushing again. 'When heaven is about to confer a great responsibility on a person, it must first frustrate their spirit.' Young people, more tempering is a good thing. I'm training your adaptability—what if the leader leaves? How do you arrange work then?

Thirty-something, nearly forty, still a Rank Six official. Though you're the Governor's confidant—low rank, high power—why not high rank *and* high power?

Back when I was your age—oh wait, I'm not even your age yet. Anyway, more tempering is how I got to where I am today. Enough talk, off to water control."

*Putong! *

」

「」

"Hey, Si Nan! You're here, perfect timing — just got off duty, come on, let's eat together!" Xiang Fang Su came running over cheerfully. "Today Xu Laoda caught a fish, a rare miracle, he specially spent money to have Otter Otter bring it over to grill."

Si Nan murmured to himself: "It seems the Huai King is about to break through again."

"Hm?" Xiang Fang Su looked around, not seeing Liang Qu. "How do you know? Did he tell you?"

"No, I sensed it. The Huai King's emotions are more excited than usual." Si Nan put away the register pages, turned to look at Xiang Fang Su. "Does Lord Xiang like me?"

"Ah? What, what? Hahaha—— you've misunderstood, right."

Si Nan counted calmly: "These three days you've treated me to two meals, half a month you've called for seven, supporting the flood control for most of a year—— several clerks all say Lord Xiang's heart, everyone on the road knows."

"Stop stop stop." Xiang Fang Su was completely flustered, palms sweating, wiping them behind his back again and again.

Ever since the Guimu Sect disappeared, the imperial court ordered vigorous management of the Yellow Shahe, and the Huai East Heposuo often came to assist.

In the past, Ko Wenbin, Liang Qu, and him — the three of them were the well-known little triangle at the Heposuo. Result: Ko Wenbin and Su Xiaoran went off being lovey-dovey, Liang Qu and Long Eying went off being lovey-dovey. As cultivators, one after another they betrayed their colleague, married early, leaving him alone. In a new environment, he couldn't help but start considering major life matters.

Can't deny it, coming to this Yellow Shahe was right.

Chief Clerk Si Nan, he just likes this kind of clean and decisive type, someone with a serious drive. Result: now he's too clean and decisive.

Xiang Fang Su's teeth ached, his mind spun a few circles, and he simply stopped pretending: "Then what do you think of me? Am I okay or not?"

"Okay-ish."

"What do you mean okay-ish?"

"Not good, not bad, but not the middle either. Upper-middle, that's what okay-ish means. But not enough to directly move the heart, decide on marriage. We can get to know each other and see."

"Cough, then you——"

"Let's try."

Smack!

Si Nan closed the register pages, said calmly.

Wang Yue Lou.

Tan Yi Feng and Liao Lan Qing, same as every day, routinely absorbed sun radiance and moon essence to cultivate.

Deep night, quiet people, thoughts scattering.

After completing one full circulation, Tan Yi Feng quietly opened his eyes. At Liao Lan Qing shrouded in moonlight, skin lustrous like jade, suddenly stirred his heart.

My own wife is truly beautiful, not inferior to the Huai King's consort.

Celestial Couple, what a resounding title.

The former "Yin Yang Spirit Seed Art", Mang Zhong, Star Fruit, Moon Fruit, Sun Wheel — four levels. No matter how long already accumulated, even from Mang Zhong to Star Fruit, just one step short of successful transformation, a few hours could transform, still one release and all previous effort wasted. And the harvest was still the Mang Zhong harvest, not a bit more, no different from the effect of just forming Mang Zhong.

——

Cultivation back then, called a torture.

The whole person like the horses breeding at the Imperial Stables, when time came they just came, all poured out in one go, drained to skin and bones, legs trembling. Before the time came on their own, completely letting the technique mutate into livestock.

But with the Huai King's help, after the immortal improved the technique, the Spirit Seed hung on the tree, no more worries. Accumulate as long as you want, thoroughly transformed from livestock into a human, stood up.

Moonlight like water.

A large hand reached out from the shadows, came into the moonlight. Index and middle fingers crossed into a "little person", hopping and jumping, arriving at the cushion's edge. Then the "little person" stepped on the cushion, lightly jumped onto the back of the other hand, stretched out "feet", scratched a scratch.

Smack!

Palm slapped down, slapped empty air. The finger "little person" did a backflip, lightly landed, swayed left and right, smugly, dancing beside her.

Liao Lan Qing laughed out loud. Tan Yi Feng's spirits rose, realizing he had a chance. Danced for a moment, manipulating the "finger little person", about to jump to——

"Lord Tan, Lady Liao, have you rested?"

"Who is it? Middle of the night."

Tan Yi Feng displeased, threw on his coat and went forward to open the door.

Middle of the night, don't I have a wife? Wang Yue Lou doesn't let anyone in or out once night falls. How can someone be so tactless?

Creak.

Light and shadow flowed, a blue gauze hat poked into view.

"Lord Li?" Tan Yi Feng startled. This visitor really meant no playing with the wife. Hastily called Liao Lan Qing over, together they saluted. "How did you come? Is it His Majesty's decree?"

"Not His Majesty's decree. However, there is an important matter, needing you two, husband and wife, to know clearly." Eunuch Li waved his horsetail whisk.

Tan Yi Feng bowed: "Please speak, Lord Li. I listen with washed ears."

"First, the 'Yin Yang Spirit Seed Art' from today is listed as a Top Ten Secret Art. Not to be transmitted casually. Transmission requires separate report to the imperial court. Redemption requires ten Great Merits."

"Ten? Are you sure, Lord Li?"

Tan Yi Feng shocked. Ordinary top-tier supreme techniques only cost one or two Great Merits. Up to five, those are absolute arts. A dual cultivation technique requires ten?

Who would be willing to exchange? Ten Great Merits for a great pill wouldn't be fragrant?

"It is the Scripture Pavilion's intention."

"Scripture Pavilion—————— fine. This matter, we husband and wife understand."

"Second, the advanced version 'Yin Yang Spirit Tree Art', in the future not only requires reporting, but also requires imperial court approval before transmission. Not entering the ordinary redemption sequence."

"Understood."

"Third, the 'Yin Yang Spirit Seed Art' has great merit for the imperial court. Rewarding you two, husband and wife, two hundred Great Merits."

"How many?" Tan Yi Feng suddenly cracked voice.

"Two hundred."

"Small Merits?"

"Great Merits."

Tan Yi Feng's brain crashed.

"One hundred each?" Liao Lanqing asked, pressing for clarification.

The eunuch Li smiled, extended his palm, and pressed down his thumb: "It's two hundred per person, totaling four hundred."

Silence.

Dead silence.

"My lords?"

Tan Yifeng and Liao Lanqing's dazed pupils swiveled, letting this sudden news strike them dizzy and disoriented.

Damn!

Damn! Damn! Damn!

What, what situation is this, sitting in Wangyuelou and having merit fall from the sky? And there's too much of it? Killing a lower realm Entering Zhen Xiang only earns a dozen or so great merits!

Four hundred?

Even the frontline grandees don't necessarily accumulate that much.

"Lord Li, this, could you conveniently reveal, exactly why————"

Eunuch Li shook his head: "I don't know this, Your Majesty's stink patrol is out, the news came specially via the Zidian ship, once I received it, I informed you two, no matter what, this is good news, isn't it?"

Tan Yifeng was dazed for a while, Liao Lanqing lightly nudged him with her elbow, Tan Yifeng struggled to regain composure, then pulled out a banknote from his mountain pouch: "Yes yes yes, thank you Lord Li, for coming to tell us so late, thank you for your hard work, we ought to go eat some late-night snacks."

Eunuch Li smiled and departed.

The thirtieth floor fell silent, Tan Yifeng and Liao Lanqing swallowed saliva, took deep breaths, stared at the newly appeared golden patterns on the page, counted them several times, confirmed no mistake, and locked eyes with each other.

"Huaiwang?" Liao Lanqing guessed.

"Should be, no, definitely is, whoever cultivates this art, Huaiwang is the most formidable, the most unexpected, if not Huaiwang, then the sunwheel is something you and I deduced, never seen before, and we didn't even know the sunwheel could break its shell and sprout, growing into a great tree."

"It really is————" Liao Lanqing clicked her tongue.

This is just a gust kicked up by walking, yet it blew them, the couple, flying away.

Tan Yifeng scratched his head, scratched his scalp raw, still couldn't figure out the reason.

What is Huaiwang doing with the Yin-Yang Lingzong Art? This is clearly a dual cultivation art? And not the kind that harvests yin to supplement yang.

Even if it were harvesting yin to supplement yang, Liang Qu wielding this art, becoming the number one lecher in the public domain, plucking the Saintess of Choujiang and the A-shi of Beiting into desiccated corpses, letting the Choujiang tusi and the Beiting khan lose all face, becoming a laughingstock, still no one heard that such merit could fall to the creator's head————

Can Huaiwang become an immortal relying on this thing?

Ravishing three maidens, ascending in broad daylight?

"How was this art given to Huaiwang back then?"

Tan Yifeng pondered: "It seems Huaiwang was seeking a dual cultivation art that suited both parties well, Lu Jia that brat came to us, paid money to buy it, we gave the art, and also condensed two seeds, sparing the beginners the arduous foundational practice."

"Change the public request to invite Lu Zhaowu to our home for a meal."

"Lu Zhaowu fathered a fine son, four hundred great merits, I don't even know how to spend them." Tan Yifeng rejoiced.

Back then Liang Qu was just a snot-nosed brat, only famed for tiger-hunting, encountering a Entering Zhen Xiang meant squealing like a pig, in the blink of an eye, I don't know what miraculous means he used, but he flung this full four hundred great merits across space.

No way.

Could this dual cultivation art harbor unknown wonders?

Lovely time and beautiful scenery, suddenly encountering joy, excitement overwhelming.

The two locked gazes, Tan Yifeng immediately bolted the door, delving deep into discussion.

Moonlight splashed, shadows blurred, piece after piece of shadow fell.

Dry kindling and fierce fire, not to be spoken of to outsiders————

"Finally returned."

Liang Qu stood with hands on hips, surveying Jianghuai.

Unexpectedly, this position fruit still needs to return to Huaijiang to establish connection.

Thinking about it, his patronage paintings and rule paintings all correspond to Huaijiang, the Changyou fruit should also be taken from Jianghuai, I was careless.

"There's some commotion on the Huangsha River, best to inform Your Majesty first, to avoid causing a stir when the time comes, the imperial court unprepared————"

"Eh, Ashui, you're back? Just in time, I was just about to look for you." Hu Qi waved from the dock.

"What's up, senior brother?" Liang Qu jumped off the plank, "I'm back, things to do, busy or not, if not urgent, wait till I finish."

"Don't know if urgent or not, but it shouldn't take too much effort, it's the grand master seeking you, the grand master is at Pingyang Temple, I intended to take the waterway to find you."

"Seek me?"

"Yes."

"Alright, senior brother, you help me tidy up."

"Hurry along."

Establishing the Changyou connection isn't necessarily something that can be settled in a short time, the old monk and delayed matters sought, Liang Qu can only set it aside for now.

Pingyang Temple.

Scarface pressed palms together.

Liang Qu nodded, entered the Sutra Pavilion with practiced steps, lifted the teapot to pour water for his own self, then filled the old monk's cup.

"Grand master, I just returned, Hu senior brother said you sought me?"

The old monk nodded, set down the teacup, drew from his sleeve a long, rectangular treasure box.

Liang Qu didn't stand on ceremony, took it.

Opened it for a look.

Three gleaming sarira arranged neatly, profound and endless, as if entwined with Buddhist chants.

Liang Qu startled: "Dharma's sarira? Three pieces? Grand master, what is this? Has the Suspension Temple run its course?"

"That day you told me, you had nurtured the embryonic form of the position fruit, but the root sea was insufficient, fearing dissipation risk, I thus sent word back to the Suspension Temple, the Dharma sarira also belongs to yang-natured objects, you also mentioned, after the embryonic form is born, the Dharma sarira dims. These three, or can temporarily fill the deficit, prolong the embryonic form's existence, rest assured, the monk has not spoken of the position fruit, only spoken of its great use, idle brush bamboo shoots were."