Chapter 20: Partnering with a Tigress?

The Green Dragon in the Sleeve focuses on hiding the blade.

By concealing the blade intent within the body and unleashing it in the instant of drawing, it possesses the spirit of a dormant dragon startled from sleep, a single roar shaking a thousand mountains!

Merely leaking a sliver of killing intent was enough to make Li Yuan lose the ability to resist; such is the terror of "Dao Rhyme"!

"In the short term, she shouldn't come looking for trouble with me again."

Chen Mo glanced at his attribute panel.

Name: Chen Mo

Title: None

Realm: Sixth Grade Mortal Shedding · Returning Origin Realm

Cultivation Method: Primordial Body Tempering Art · Great Success

Martial Arts:

Blazing Flame Eight Slashes · Great Success

Green Dragon in the Sleeve · Entry (10/200)

Wind-Thunder Dash · Proficient (75/100)

Divine Ability: None

True Spirit: 31

……

"Heaven-tier martial arts require 200 points to break through each stage, exactly double that of Earth-tier martial arts."

"Slaying the copper puppet that night increased it by 10 points and granted an additional 30 points of True Spirit... but such opportunities are rare; after all, this is the Imperial City, where would I find so many monsters to grind?"

"If only I could get a few more Dao Rhyme Crystals."

Chen Mo pondered in his heart.

It is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury to frugality.

Having experienced the feeling of his strength rapidly improving, it was hard to settle his mind and cultivate in a rigid, step-by-step manner again.

As for how to obtain Dao Rhyme Crystals, besides triggering random events, the only way is through system rewards for conquering heroines.

Currently, there are two heroines he has come into contact with.

Gu Manzhi is nowhere to be found, and the other is Li Yuan...

Chen Mo’s expression turned solemn.

Forget it, he had better just cultivate honestly; he didn't want to get involved with that tigress.

……

Just as he walked into the office, Chen Mo heard a "crunch" sound.

Looking up, he saw Shen Zhixia sitting in a chair, holding a bag of roasted wheat grains in her arms, her cheeks stuffed like a hamster.

"Shen Zhixia? Why are you here?"

Chen Mo asked in confusion.

Shen Zhixia’s expression froze, and a flash of panic crossed her eyes.

Then she silently turned around, facing away from Chen Mo.

"Crunch, crunch~"

Chen Mo: "……"

What is this, afraid I’ll snatch them from you?

He walked over, sat down, and unceremoniously grabbed a handful from the bag, stuffing it into his mouth.

Watching Shen Zhixia’s pained expression, he couldn't help but find it amusing.

Roasted wheat grains are just dry-fried wheat kernels, not much different from popcorn in his previous life, though without butter or powdered sugar, they had a light, wheaty fragrance.

Under the "covert struggle" between the two, the bag hit the bottom in no time.

Chen Mo was still left wanting more.

After all, he had just finished a foot massage, his physical exertion was quite high, and he urgently needed to replenish energy.

"Are there any other snacks?"

Shen Zhixia hesitated for a moment before taking two Poria cakes from her bosom.

She divided one for him and mumbled:

"This is all that's left, I can only give you one..."

Looking at the thin cake that had been pressed into a hemispherical shape, Chen Mo’s expression was slightly awkward.

He had seen Shen Zhixia when she was soaked, so he knew how well-endowed this girl was...

At the very least, she was at the level of a D-cup.

"By the way, you still haven't answered me, why did you suddenly run over here?"

Chen Mo asked while gnawing on the cake.

"To see my brother... and to return this to you."

Shen Zhixia took out a jade pendant and handed it to Chen Mo.

She had wanted to return it to him last time she went to Chen Fu, but an "accident" had occurred...

Every time she thought of that, her face would flush and her heart would race.

It was too embarrassing!

Chen Mo reached out to take it, pondered for a moment, then condensed emerald essence in his palm, wrapping the jade pendant within it.

The jade, which was already of excellent quality, seemed to be reborn, becoming warm and lustrous like congealed fat, with light faintly visible flowing within.

"Here, this is for you."

Chen Mo returned the brand-new jade pendant to her.

"For... me?"

Shen Zhixia was stunned.

"Consider it an exchange for your roasted wheat grains and cake."

Chen Mo said with a smile.

This was naturally a joke.

Shen Zhixia had saved him at the Music Bureau, and later helped him calm his blood and stabilize his realm... consider it a thank-you gift.

After all, this jade pendant was not a magic treasure and lacked various peculiar abilities.

But it was infused with pure life essence; wearing it close to the body could subtly improve one's constitution and repair hidden injuries, which was just right for a martial artist like Shen Zhixia.

Looking at the vibrant, life-filled jade in her hand, Shen Zhixia was momentarily dazed.

At this moment, Chen Mo leaned into her ear and whispered, "Also, I haven't forgotten you, little sister Buggy."

The two had been playmates since childhood.

Chen Mo was a year older, and Shen Zhixia always followed him like a shadow.

Other children teased her for being a "tag-along bug."

She didn't feel ashamed, but rather proud, saying in a milky voice that she would always be Chen Mo’s "little sister Buggy."

Hearing this nickname, Shen Zhixia’s body trembled, and her cheeks turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye, like a ripe apple.

"I, I, I have something to do, I'm leaving first."

Shen Zhixia didn't dare look at him, stood up, and fled in a panic.

Chen Mo waved and said, "Slow down, don't trip, little sister Buggy."

Bang!

Shen Zhixia slammed headfirst into the door frame.

……

"Zhixia?"

Shen Shuchou happened to walk over.

Shen Zhixia didn't even pay him any mind and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"This girl, why is she in such a rush..."

Shen Shuchou found it strange, shook his head, and walked into the office.

"Lord Shen."

Chen Mo greeted him.

Seeing his haggard appearance, he hurriedly expressed a subordinate's concern for his superior, "Is my lord not well-rested? Although official business is busy, you must take care of your health."

Shen Shuchou leaned back in his chair and rubbed his brow wearily.

"Don't mention it, the case of Yan Liang has already spread."

"In just half a day, I don't know how many people have been pressuring me and probing for information, both openly and secretly, and there's even..."

Speaking of this, Shen Shuchou thought of something, looked up at Chen Mo, and asked suspiciously: "Did you know the background of that sixth-grade warlock all along? Did you intentionally let me take the fall?"

Although he guessed the figure behind the warlock had a prominent background, he didn't expect it to involve the Prince's Mansion.

Now it could be said he was in a dilemma...

"My lord is the backbone of our Gui Shui Office; as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility, how can you call it taking the fall?"

"Besides, you have the Imperial Consort backing you, what is there to fear?"

Chen Mo laid the flattery on thick.

Shen Shuchou glared at him irritably.

It’s easy to talk when you’re not the one standing.

With Laozi out in front taking the lightning, of course you aren't afraid!

Watching Chen Mo’s leisurely and relaxed appearance, Shen Shuchou grew furious and said, "There is a case in the western suburbs that was originally the responsibility of the Ding Fire Division. Now that Yan Liang has been thrown in by you, they are short-handed, so you should go along."

Chen Mo frowned upon hearing this and said, "Doesn't the Ding Fire Division still have Li Yuan? Even if they are short-handed, there is still the Bing Fire Division; how could it possibly be my turn?"

"Everyone else has tasks on their hands."

"This case was dumped over by the government office and is a bit tricky, so you and Li Yuan will go together."

Shen Shuchou said.

"I'm to be her partner?"

Chen Mo’s brows furrowed even deeper, "Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Shen Shuchou said with a straight face:

"Handling a case is handling a case; put other matters aside for now."

"As a pillar of the Gui Water Division, I believe in your ability. After all, with great ability comes great responsibility..."

After saying this, he patted Chen Mo on the shoulder and walked away with his hands behind his back.

"..."

Chen Mo sighed.

This man is too petty; it’s clearly a case of settling a personal score under the guise of public duty...

"My lord, my lord!"

At this moment, Qin Shou ran over excitedly and whispered, "A new batch of entertainers just arrived at the Music Conservatory; they are beautiful and shapely, really something! I’ve already booked a spot, do you want to go together tonight..."

Laozi has to work overtime, and you still want to go to the brothel to scout for talent?

"Forget about the Music Conservatory."

Chen Mo said coldly, "There is a case in a while, you are coming with me!"

Qin Shou: "..."