Chapter 266: 276. New Blessing and New Sword Technique

276. New Blessing and New Sword Technique

Ouyang Rong finally managed to mix this topic away.

He secretly thought, I can't teach Xiao Shimei everything in the future.

Xiao Shimei might be a bit green and clumsy in terms of feelings, but once she summarizes the empirical laws, with her ice-snow intelligence and this ability to draw inferences, it's really a bit hard to handle.

It is said that feeding the Xiao Shimei full, starved the Ru Shixiong to death.

A moment later, the corridor returned to silence.

The pair of Ru Shixiong and Xiao Shimei had expressions as if nothing had happened, only the occasionally wandering gaze vaguely hinted at the abnormality of the atmosphere just now.

The two returned to business.

Walking to the entrance of Yilanxuan, before separating, Ouyang Rong turned his head and exhorted:

"Set off after dinner. I will have someone from the County Magistrate's Office send a road permit later. It will be more convenient for you to travel. Although the prosperous Guangzhou Prefecture at the southernmost end is prosperous, most of the Lingnan Circuit is remote and closed, full of swamps and poisonous miasma."

Ouyang Rong stopped, reached out and took the Mo family sword box from Xie Lingjiang's back, pulled out a moonlight long sword from it as usual, and handed it out:

"Xiao Shimei, have a safe journey."

"Hmm."

Xie Lingjiang made a nasal sound, took the sword, and tied it to her slender waist.

"Ru Shixiong, also pay attention to safety."

Ouyang Rong smiled crookedly, carried the sword box, swung it in the air, and turned away freely.

The corner of his eye vaguely caught the figure of the Xiao Shimei standing at the door, reluctant to enter, and her hesitant posture under the sunset.

"What's wrong?" His tone was a bit helpless.

"Ru Shixiong officially entered the mansion today, but chose the study in Juxian Garden where Eldest Brother is. What is the deep meaning?"

"No deep meaning, just a shallow meaning," Ouyang Rong said straightforwardly: "This branch of the deposed Xunyang Prince, if he ascends to the top one day, I stand with Eldest Brother."

"Li Fusu is the legitimate eldest son after all. Why does Ru Shixiong emphasize this so early?" Xie Lingjiang bit her lip:

"Moreover, everything is just a deduction and guess for now. Is Ru Shixiong so sure that the bet is right?"

Ouyang Rong smiled: "No way, the obsessive-compulsive disorder developed from playing chess before, I'm used to taking one step and looking ten steps ahead."

After a pause, the young Magistrate restrained his expression. Under the dim sunset, his face was as quiet as marble carving:

"According to our Confucian standards, benevolent ruler, virtuous ruler, wise ruler, sage ruler.

"Uncle Li is indecisive, benevolent to women, easily influenced and swayed by those close to him, and mediocre in ability, but he is kind and generous, has a sea of tolerance, and is a good person. To those close to him, including you and me, he is extremely indulgent. This point is better than Gao Zong... barely a benevolent master."

"Li Fusu is one step further, kind and good, respects teachers and respects the way, is good at listening and following, but not weak. He has principles and bottom lines, can implement benevolent government, inherit the business and keep the success, has the posture of a benevolent ruler, and a virtuous ruler can be expected."

"Ru Shixiong thinks so far." Xie Lingjiang muttered, and asked suddenly: "Then who is the ruler in Luodu now?"

Ouyang Rong looked at the Xiao Shimei.

The next moment, he cupped his hands toward the north, righteously:

"Of course, it is a sage ruler through the ages, not losing to Taizong, looking at his back."

Looking at the Ru Shixiong who was serious and blinking in front of her, Xie Lingjiang laughed, also cupped her hands, looked sideways and praised:

"As expected of the young third-place winner promoted by the Saint at the Apricot Garden Banquet, Zhou Bangxian is happy, Rong has Lianghan, hmm, the person is handsome, and the words are good... After waving his arms, he walked out of the study and became a loyal official of the Zhou court again."

Ouyang Rong didn't blush or have a fast heartbeat, nodded, and accepted the praise.

"Ru Shixiong." Xie Lingjiang asked curiously: "I have one more thing I don't quite understand. Why is Ru Shixiong so relaxed and free in refusing the imperial decree from the Ministry of Personnel?"

She said softly:

"The position of Censor is a pure and noble errand in front of the direct descendants of our Wang and Xie families under thirty, not falling into the family style, let alone the scholars of the White Deer Cave Academy, who are flocking to it.

"But Ru Shixiong, how can you not care so much during the day.

"Although Ru Shixiong decided to enter the 'Su Mansion' as a strategist, refusing this opportunity to be promoted back to the capital, do you really want to stay in Longcheng forever?"

Xie Lingjiang said this, frowned and thought carefully, and worried:

"Although Ru Shixiong also said in the study that most of us are not Imperial Scions and must be careful about trial and error.

"This time, it was not easy to have the opportunity to be promoted back to the capital, but this refusal once, brushing the faces of those people in Luoyang, they will go with the flow and no longer reward you. Won't this hard work of flood control be in vain?"

Ouyang Rong looked at the Xiao Shimei who drew inferences again, and suddenly said:

"This Censor position is actually a test."

"Test, what do you mean?"

Ouyang Rong said calmly: "Someone wants to test my quality, or rather, test my attitude and position."

"Who is testing, Empress Wei?"

"No, the imperial decree for the appointment of a Grade 6 official can be drafted by the Secretariat itself."

"Ru Shixiong means... the Master?"

Ouyang Rong didn't answer, and said to himself:

"This imperial decree, in a sense, is the same thing as the jade Jue sent by the Saint to Uncle.

"They are all questions, going around in circles with me.

"Then I will go around too."

He smiled, turned his head and said:

"Don't worry, this question is not the two answers of agreeing or refusing. Although it looks like it, after the first refusal, there will be no echoes from Luoyang, there must be follow-ups.

"Whether I happily accept the decree and take up the post in Luoyang; or repeatedly resign from the official position and cultivate a clean reputation; or resign halfway and half-push and half-accept the official position, all correspond to different answers."

"Then what is the optimal solution..."

Xie Lingjiang asked halfway, paused, and she, who had seen some scenes at the entrance of the County Magistrate's Office during the day, asked in a low voice:

"So Ru Shixiong prepared a memorial in advance, and after refusing the imperial decree, submitted it?"

Ouyang Rong nodded, looking north at the Divine Capital, and said softly:

"Next, let's see how that noble person goes around in circles."

The red-clad woman was pretty, and looked north together.

Not long after.

The night was getting deeper.

Ouyang Rong said goodbye to Xie Lingjiang at Yilanxuan.

He walked on the plum blossom path and returned to the Plum Blossom Courtyard.

Pushing the door into the room, the sound of the slightly rusty wooden bolt was a bit harsh in the night where the cicadas were long and singing.

The summer night was lonely.

Ouyang Rong placed the Mo family sword box horizontally on the table.

This long and narrow sword box, which had a single-digit number in the world, had been repackaged by him a few days ago, and he had asked a carpenter to add a layer of thin wooden boards.

Now it looked ordinary, slender and narrow, like a wooden box for storing calligraphy, paintings, or long flutes and small zithers.

The room was dark, with only moonlight on the ground.

Ouyang Rong didn't light the lamp, walked to the desk and sat down, tapped the table with his fingers, and closed his eyes in the dark.

Consciousness sank, entered the Merit Tower, Ouyang Rong first looked at the Blessing Bell that was shrouded in purple mist and trembling.

And looked at the blue-gold font:

Merits: 2101

"It rose by nearly five hundred."

The twenty-year-old strategist who returned from the study in Juxian Garden muttered.

After sending off the imperial envoy Song Hao and his party in the afternoon, this new blessing worth two thousand merits kept ringing.

Made Ouyang Rong feel quite strange.

Originally, at that time, it was still four hundred merits short, but unexpectedly, it was all gathered now, but the new blessing was still there, lasting until now, without signs of fading.

"I don't know what kind of blessing it is... related to the resignation?" He muttered.

As for the five hundred merits that appeared in the afternoon, most of them came from the gratitude of the Li Xian family, and the gratitude and submission of the crowd after he offered advice.

Ouyang Rong was also not sure whether his participation and assistance this time had slightly moved the strings of fate and vaguely changed the trajectory of this family's fate.

Besides that, there were some merits from Xiao Shimei.

This, Ouyang Rong really didn't expect, feeding Xiao Shimei with Sushan also increased merits.

Hmm, continue feeding next time.

As expected of Xiao Shimei, she is an old merit extractor, and I don't know how much juice has been squeezed by the black-hearted Ru Shixiong, but she still continues to shine and heat in terms of selflessness.

A sense of guilt couldn't help but rise in his heart.

In front of the table, Ouyang Rong smiled embarrassedly.

But it wasn't intentional today. This wave of five hundred merits was an unexpected gain, which could be considered an unexpected joy.

"Should I save it, or use it."

Ouyang Rong's face was slightly hesitant, rubbing his face and muttering:

"In Longcheng now, all matters are settled, and the new ferry is gradually stable. Most of the people live and work in peace and contentment.

"And merits are mostly obtained once. Now there are no new growth points, and it is becoming more and more difficult to rise. I don't know if the Buddhist pagoda donated and newly built can also contribute a wave...

"Forget it, merits can be saved, blessings are hard to get, let's change it and try."

Ouyang Rong raised his head again, leaned back on the chair, and closed his purple eyes.

About half a stick of incense later, he opened his eyes, and his eyes returned to normal.

The sound of a great bell rang in his ears.

Inside a certain Merit Tower, above the small wooden fish, there was only a sparse line of blue-gold font left.

Merits: 101

The next day.

Ouyang Rong went out early, first went to the Su Mansion next door as usual, and was warmly entertained by Wei Mei.

"Has Xiao Shimei left?"

Ouyang Rong was polite for two sentences, and then learned that Xiao Shimei had already received the road permit and had gone south under the stars and moon.

Li Fusu and Li Xian were not seen in the mansion.

They received the task assigned by Ouyang Rong yesterday evening, didn't delay at all, and boarded Mount Dagu overnight.

At this moment, they should still be at Donglin Temple, discussing the donation of money to build a pagoda with Master Venerable Shan Dao.

Seeing that all matters were advancing in an orderly manner. 【266-

Ouyang Rong nodded slightly, declined Wei Mei's invitation to stay for a meal, and returned to the government office alone to begin his daily shift.

In the morning, dressed in his official robes, he sat upright in the main hall, burying his head in official business. Before long, Yan Liulang's hurried figure appeared at the entrance, holding a scroll of documents in his hands.

"Magistrate, these are the files and rosters you requested, regarding the seller and the occupants of that residence opposite the Su Fu..."

"Put them down," Ouyang Rong ordered without looking up.

Yan Liulang set down the documents and withdrew. Ouyang Rong put down his brush and rubbed the sides of the bridge of his nose. A moment later, he opened his eyes, grabbed the documents, and lowered his gaze to study them carefully.

After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the young magistrate put down the documents and slowly stood up. "So this is the old place..."

Muttering to himself, he reached into his sleeve, felt a cold bronze object, and silently went out.

Leaving the government office, Ouyang Rong quickly returned to the Mei Lu Yuan.

In the small plum blossom courtyard, the young magistrate's figure appeared before the storage cabinet in the inner room. Opening the cabinet, he took out a black iron token engraved with the character "Wei."

It was precisely the spoils of war he had obtained from Wei Shaoxuan back then.

Ouyang Rong tucked it into his sleeve, carried it along with the Mirage Beast mask, and quietly went out...

Deep in Lu Ming Street, opposite the Su Fu, stood a residence whose owners rarely showed their faces.

At this moment, inside the deep mansion's main hall, a Persian merchant was pacing back and forth anxiously, his boots treading upon an expensive Western Regions carpet.

He clutched a stack of urgent letters from Luoyang in his hand; the letter paper was expensive and gold-leafed, yet it had been crumpled into a wrinkled mess.

Boss Li lowered his head from time to time to unfold the letters and take a glance, the anxiety in his eyes growing ever more intense.

Since the day the Xin Dingjian was forged, he had lost contact with Wei Shaoxuan, Qiu Shenji, and the others for over a month. They had originally agreed to wait at the "old place," but there had been no sign of them for a long time.

Boss Li's mood was like a kettle gradually coming to a boil. Urged on by the inquiries from the Wei Wang Fu in Luoyang, he grew increasingly restless, his heart ringing with alarm, and he even harbored some ominous suspicions.

Yet, he had searched all of Longcheng and found no trace of Wei Shaoxuan and his party. "How am I supposed to explain this!"

The Persian merchant sighed and lamented. These days, he tossed and turned every night, unable to stop his wild imagination. Could it be...

"Boss Li! The Sixth Young Master is back! The Sixth Young Master is back!"

Suddenly, a sturdy servant ran in from outside the door, reporting the news with joy.

Boss Li felt a jolt of shock, followed by joy, and hurried forward to welcome him.

"Where? I'll go welcome him!"

"No need, this young master knows how to walk."

Boss Li immediately saw a feminine-looking young man in snow-white brocade robes walking leisurely from outside the door. He had a black iron token tied to his waist and carried a long, narrow wooden box on his back, striding into the main hall with great momentum.

The Persian merchant was overjoyed:

"Sixth Young Master! You've finally returned! Why have you been away for a month? You've given this humble one quite a search.

"It's the same with the Wei Wang Fu. His Highness was overjoyed to learn you had obtained the new Xin Dingjian and sent multiple secret letters urging you to return to the capital immediately to plot great things.

"With you not in Longcheng, I had no choice but to help you make excuses... If you didn't return, the Prince and the others would think I was hiding something and would hold me accountable."

Wei Shaoxuan sat down and let out a long breath, looking travel-worn and weary. He gulped down a cup of tea, took a handkerchief to wipe the corners of his mouth, and said indifferently:

"What's the rush? Neither I nor the Xin Dingjian are going anywhere. I just went out to take care of some business."

He glanced at the Persian merchant and, following his memory, called out his name: "Li Li, how did you reply to them?"

Being addressed by his name, Boss Li didn't mind and said cautiously:

"I reported the truth, saying that the Sixth Young Master had discovered clues to a new sword art and was delayed in returning, and that you might have gone to the Yunmeng Ze area."

"Hmm, Yunmeng Ze..." Wei Shaoxuan asked calmly: "How did you know that?"

Boss Li thought to himself that it was as expected, but seeing Wei Shaoxuan's sharp gaze, he admitted with a sheepish smile:

"Before you left last time, I accidentally overheard a little... I hope the Young Master will forgive me."

"So that's it. It's no matter; I was going to tell you upon my return anyway."

"Sixth Young Master, what about Master Qiu and Liu Fu? Why didn't they return?"

Wei Shaoxuan put down his teacup, habitually rubbed his chin, and mused:

"Hmm, they are still in Yunmeng Ze. We haven't obtained the sword art yet. We've made so many arrangements, so we naturally can't leave easily; someone has to keep watch... However, I was afraid my father would be anxious, so I came back first to replenish some supplies."

Boss Li asked in a low voice: "Where in Yunmeng Ze is the new sword art? Could it be related to the Yunmeng Jian Ze and the Wu Yue female cultivators?"

Ouyang Rong narrowed his eyes, as if he hadn't heard, skipped the topic, and asked softly:

"Li Li, let's talk about Longcheng first. How is the situation recently?"

Boss Li immediately became solemn and reported with cupped hands:

"There hasn't been anything major recently. However, on the fifteenth of last month, after you took the Xin Dingjian, I discovered that female cultivators from the Yunmeng Jian Ze had been wandering around Mount Dagu for many days. It is suspected that the Great Lady Xue Zhongzhu was among them, likely searching for you and the Xin Dingjian.

"With you and Master Qiu away, my men and I couldn't withstand a single finger of theirs, so I haven't dared to get close to Mount Dagu."

Wei Shaoxuan raised an eyebrow: "Oh? There's such a thing?" He paused, then nodded: "That's normal. This Xue Zhongzhu didn't know where she got the news of the Xin Dingjian's emergence either. That day, she fought fiercely with my foster father; it was truly annoying. Sooner or later, I will deal with her!"

"It's fine, as long as the Sixth Young Master didn't run into them. I was quite worried." Boss Li let out a long sigh of relief:

"With the Sixth Young Master not returning for so long, I almost thought something had happened, like encountering the ladies from the Nujun Dian. They have many people and Xue Zhongzhu to hold the field; Master Qiu might not be able to hold them off."

Wei Shaoxuan smiled: "Can't beat them for now, but can't I run away? The Xin Dingjian and I are right under their noses now. This is what they call 'darkest under the lamp'."

"Sixth Young Master is brilliant!" Boss Li continued: "Also, a few days ago, Xie Xun of the Chen Jun Xie clan led disciples from the Bai Lu Dong to Longcheng."

"Oh? Xie Xun is a member of the Baoli Sect. What are they doing here?" Wei Shaoxuan frowned in a convincing manner.

Boss Li immediately analyzed: "On the surface, it's to visit the academy's top student, Ouyang Lianghan, but secretly, they are of course investigating the birth of the Xin Dingjian. However, these pedantic Confucian scholars of the Baoli Sect are truly slow."

The Persian merchant sneered with disdain: "Heh, the Xin Dingjian and the sword art are already in your pocket, and they only just arrived. They are truly a bunch of trash. What do they have to fight the Prince with? Hmph."

Wei Shaoxuan looked at the smug Li Li and nodded in agreement.

"By the way, Sixth Young Master." Boss Li changed his expression quickly. He bowed and scraped to the young man in brocade robes and reported:

"That Longcheng Magistrate surnamed Ouyang, I don't know how, but he actually managed to save his life, while the Liu family members all died, including Liu Zilin.

"Hiss, logically speaking, Liu Zilin should have lived and the one surnamed Ouyang should have died. In the chaos that day, I don't know who saved that brat and killed Liu Zilin. Tsk tsk tsk, fortune and misfortune are truly unpredictable."

"Oh? There's such a thing." Wei Shaoxuan raised an eyebrow, his two fingers slightly curled, tapping leisurely on the black iron token at his waist.

Boss Li nodded: "However, although Ouyang Lianghan survived, he is critically ill. He spent some time recuperating at Donglin Temple recently. Because there are still female cultivators wandering around Mount Dagu, I haven't gone to observe the situation on the ground."

Wei Shaoxuan smiled: "Such trivial matters are irrelevant for now."

"I think so too, but Liu Zilin's death... Sixth Young Master, should we clear his name and avenge him? This person was a bit stupid, but regardless, he was serving our Wei clan..."

The young man in brocade robes suddenly waved his hand and ordered: "No, trash is trash. Pass the order down: do not investigate the Liu family matter for now!"

"This..."

Wei Shaoxuan said with cold eyes:

"The news of the new Xin Dingjian is spreading faintly, and Longcheng is at the center of the storm. Many people are watching Butterfly Creek. Since the Xin Dingjian is already in hand, the top priority is to hide my tracks. You must withdraw from Longcheng immediately and do not linger, lest you expose my whereabouts."

"Yes!"

"As for Ouyang Lianghan, he comes from a humble background, just a small character. Previously, he secretly clung to and flattered the Li Lixian family, wanting to 'warm a cold stove'. Heh, where is he any kind of gentleman? I truly overestimated him before; he is merely a hypocrite.

"Besides a handsome face, what else does he have? Nothing much.

"Cousin Li is also young; she was actually bewitched by him before. Fortunately, I descended from the heavens to let her know what a real man is, and what a 'flowery pillow' is."

Wei Shaoxuan flicked his sleeves, looking disdainful:

"For such a hypocrite, once the benefits arrive, he will fence-sit. No need to pay attention to him for now."

"Uh... yes!"

Boss Li had wanted to remind him not to underestimate this young man, as he still had some ability. But looking at the high-spirited Sixth Young Master before him and the Mo family sword case by his side, he hesitated slightly and nodded vigorously:

"Young Master's insight is brilliant! Compared to you, this brat is indeed like a firefly competing with the bright moon.

"By the way, Sixth Young Master, the Li Lixian family has also returned and is currently at the Su Fu. That little Miss Li is also there."

"Oh." Wei Shaoxuan reacted indifferently.

Boss Li asked calmly: "Did the Sixth Young Master let them go?"

Wei Shaoxuan said with a smile: "They are quite obedient now. That Cousin Li is also the same; having witnessed my heroic bearing, she admires and adores me.

"This family is quite sensible and willing to secretly submit to our Wei clan... You notify all parties that they are not allowed to harm them for the time being.

"Also, you write a letter back to the Wei Wang Fu for me, saying... the Li Lixian family has lived in a corner for many years and has no grudge against the Wei clan, unlike the blood feud with the Xiang Wang Fu.

"They have secretly expressed goodwill toward me, and Cousin Li is also captivated by my heroic bearing. Father can consider showing mercy. Don't deliberately obstruct some things, so as not to hurt the harmony. Who can say what will happen in the future? Why not plan slowly?

"After all... this Li Lixian, although blood is thicker than water with Xiang Wang Li Lun, who says their bond is definitely stronger than gold? There are many twists and turns."

Wei Shaoxuan chuckled.

"So that's it. Young Master is wise." Boss Li hesitated: "But this matter is of great importance. Why doesn't the Sixth Young Master return to the capital to report it in person?"

Wei Shaoxuan shook his head: "I have great things to do; I must enter Yunmeng again."

"Yes, this humble one... obeys!"

Wei Shaoxuan stood up, picked up the sword case, and walked out coldly.

Boss Li wanted to say something but stopped:

"Could the Sixth Young Master reveal what great things... His Highness the Prince, and I am worried about your safety. Moreover, as long as the Xin Dingjian does not return to Luoyang, everyone will not be at ease."

"I have already obtained the Hanshi Sword Art and advanced to a Grade 9 Sword Wielder, but I am stuck at the Grade 8 threshold.

"It is now confirmed that there is a new sword art in the Yunmeng Jian Ze. Meat at the mouth, how can there be any reason not to eat it?"

Wei Shaoxuan's reasoning became more and more fluent:

"Rest assured, with Master Qiu and Liu Fu there, it will be safe. Once I obtain the new sword art and advance to Grade 8, I will immediately return to Luodu. Sharpening the knife won't delay the woodcutting; you and my father just wait for me in peace."

He paused and casually planted a flag:

"When I return to the capital as a high-grade Sword Wielder carrying a Xin Dingjian, I will surely shake the Divine Capital and completely end the Li-Wei dispute! At that time, I will cleanse my enemies one by one."

Boss Li's spirit was lifted, and he nodded vigorously, but couldn't suppress his curiosity:

"Which sword art is the new one hidden in the Yunmeng Jian Ze?"

Wei Shaoxuan blurted out nonsense: "The Longevity Medicine."

Boss Li was thoughtful, and the next moment, his eyes lit up:

"So that's it! The Longevity Medicine is the first Xin Dingjian. I heard that the Lady Yue Chuzi was also involved back then. The Yunmeng Ze hides the sword art of the Longevity Medicine; it matches up!"

"..." Wei Shaoxuan coughed and nodded: "You are indeed smart. Sometimes, I really want to reward you with something."

Boss Li was overjoyed: "Sixth Young Master is too kind. Being able to serve you is my good fortune. Whatever you order, I will do my best to complete it, even if it means sacrificing my life!"

Wei Shaoxuan raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?" His expression was slightly awkward and embarrassed:

"Then fine, do you have any Qi-replenishing elixirs here?"

Boss Li was stunned: "I do have one. It was purchased by the Prince at a great price for Master Qiu..."

"Bring it to me." Wei Shaoxuan waved his hand, looking heroic: "I will give it to my foster father for you; he will definitely be happy."

"Uh, okay."

Boss Li hesitated for a moment, nodded in agreement, and hurried away.

A moment later, he returned to the main hall, holding a sandalwood box in both hands, looking solemn.

Someone glanced at it; the sandalwood box was the size of a palm and extremely exquisite.

Wei Shaoxuan flicked open the box with his index finger, and immediately a medicinal fragrance wafted out.

Inside the box was red cloth, and in the center of the red cloth lay a dark green elixir, surrounded by a pile of strange auxiliary medicinal leaves.

The dark green elixir body had a faint ghostly light flashing across it.

"Sixth Young Master, please enjoy. This elixir is called 'Ink Flood Dragon', one of the top-grade Qi-replenishing elixirs. It was purchased by the Prince at a great cost from Gezao Mountain. This quality of Qi-replenishing elixir is very rare; the success rate is low, and it requires Yuqing Daoist priests to consume precious platinum talismans. Gezao Mountain only produces one furnace a year, with only a few pills..."

Boss Li's expression was slightly pained, and he said regretfully:

"If Master had taken this elixir that day, he might have been able to withstand Xue Zhongzhu's vast sword Qi and not fall into such a disadvantage.

"It's a pity that you and Master Qiu took the fast boat of the Luoyang Palace people and arrived in Longcheng ahead of schedule, not following the plan to go south to Jiang Nan and pass through Gezao Mountain to get the elixir. I sent someone to get it, but it was too late; it only arrived in my hands not long ago..."

Wei Shaoxuan glanced at the ghostly green treasure elixir named "Ink Flood Dragon."

Good heavens, if Qiu Shenji had taken this medicine, his spiritual energy would have surged in a short time, and his protective true Qi would have been endless. Then his Merit Purple Mist and "Unfair Qi" might not have been able to compete with him. That was close... the person wearing the mask muttered in his heart.

"It's fine, this elixir is just so-so."

Wei Shaoxuan looked indifferent, took the elixir box from Boss Li's hand, and stuffed it into his sleeve under the other's lingering, reluctant gaze.

Boss Li whispered:

"Um, Sixth Young Master, could you apologize to Master Qiu for me? The 'Ink Flood Dragon' arrived a step late, affecting his clash with the Great Lady..."

Wei Shaoxuan nodded solemnly, guaranteeing:

"Rest assured, my foster father is generous. He will laugh off such a small matter and won't make things difficult for you.

"Hmm, it's not too late to send the treasure elixir now; it's just what is needed. You just wait. Next time we meet, my foster father might reward you heavily."

"That's good, that's good." Boss Li let out a long sigh of relief.

Wei Shaoxuan rubbed his chin and glanced at the Persian merchant who looked quite like a fat sheep.

Why does he look more pleasing to the eye the more I look at him?

I'm even a bit reluctant to leave.

Wei Shaoxuan suddenly asked:

"Where is Emperor Wen Huang's sword art? Can it be retrieved?"

Boss Li was stunned and shook his head:

"Emperor Wen Huang is in Luoyang. The sword art is an absolute secret of the imperial court and cannot be spread. I heard the inheritance method is special; one must go in person to observe it."

The Persian merchant asked curiously: "Didn't His Highness the Prince tell you before? The Prince's mansion has obtained a precious opportunity for observation, waiting for the Sixth Young Master to return to the capital in person."

"Hmm, I was just asking, I need it urgently right now, to see if it could be more convenient. Never mind."

Wei Shaoxuan chuckled and turned to go out.

"Sixth Young Master, please stay." Boss Li looked at the sword case and hesitated: "Um... could you bestow upon this humble one the chance to observe the new Xin Dingjian?"

Wei Shaoxuan: "You doubt me?"

"No, it's just that the Wei Wang Fu has been urging and questioning..."

As Boss Li was speaking, Wei Shaoxuan snorted and flicked his sleeves, striding out of the threshold. He interrupted:

"Look up."

The Persian merchant looked up, suddenly opening his mouth in shock.

An "arc" hung from the roof, silent and soundless.

He didn't know when it had appeared or how long it had lasted.

The sword hung over his head, yet he was unaware.

As Boss Li was shocked, a cold voice came faintly:

"Ask again next time, and your dog head will fall."

With a thud, Boss Li knelt on the ground, a "Xin Dingjian" hanging over his head. He trembled all over, kowtowing desperately, respectfully seeing off the back of the young man in brocade robes who was swaggering away outside the door.

"This humble one wouldn't dare! Young Master, walk slowly! Whatever you order, I will surely handle it properly!"

The Persian merchant felt as if he had been fished out of a cold pool, his inner shirt soaked with cold sweat, and he dared not doubt again.

(End of chapter)

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