Chapter 20

The green dragon in the sleeve emphasizes concealing the blade.

Conceal the blade's intent within the body; when drawn, it erupts with the might of a slumbering dragon awakening, its roar shaking a thousand mountains!

Merely leaking a fraction of killing intent was enough to strip Li Yan of her ability to resist—this is the terrifying power of "Dao Yun"!

"For now, she won't come bothering me."

Chen Mo glanced at his attribute panel.

Name: Chen Mo

Title: None

Realm: Sixth Rank Tuifan · Guiyuan Realm

Cultivation Technique: Hunyuan Strengthening Body Decree · Perfected

Martial Art:

Chiyuan Eight Cuts · Perfected

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

Wind-Thunder Dash · Proficient (75/100)

Divine Ability: None

True Spirit: 31

……

"Heaven-grade martial arts require 200 points per stage to breakthrough—twice as much as Earth-grade martial arts."

"That night, slaying the Bronze Puppet gained me 10 points, plus an extra 30 True Spirit… but such opportunities are rare—this is the Imperial City; where would I find so many monsters to farm?"

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

Chen Mo mused inwardly.

It's easy to go from frugality to luxury, hard to return from luxury to frugality.

Having experienced the sensation of rapid power growth, it's hard to calm one's heart and train methodically again.

As for obtaining Dao Yun Crystals, aside from triggering random events, the only way is through system rewards given by the female leads.

So far, he has encountered two female leads.

Gu Manzhi is missing; the other is Li Yan…

Chen Mo's expression turned serious.

Forget it—I'll just train properly. I don't want to get tangled up with that tigress.

……

As soon as Chen Mo entered the Lin Siya, he heard a "crackling" sound.

Looking up, he saw Shen Zhixia seated on a chair, hugging a bag of roasted wheat grains, her cheeks bulging like a hamster's.

"Shen Zhixia? What are you doing here?"

Chen Mo asked, puzzled.

Shen Zhixia froze, a flicker of panic in her eyes.

Then she silently turned away, facing her back to Chen Mo.

"Crack-crack~"

Chen Mo: "…"

What, you think I'm going to steal from you?

He walked over and sat down, grabbing a handful from the bag without hesitation and shoving it into his mouth.

Watching Shen Zhixia's pained expression, he couldn't help but smile.

Roasted wheat grains—dry-roasted barley kernels, similar to popcorn from his past life, though without butter or powdered sugar, tasting instead of a clean wheat fragrance.

Under their silent competition, the bag was emptied in no time.

Chen Mo was still hungry.

After the foot massage, his energy had been heavily depleted—he needed replenishment.

"Got any other food?"

Shen Zhixia hesitated, then pulled out two Fu Ling cakes from her chest.

She handed him one, stammering:

"Only this much left—I can only give you one…"

Looking at the thin cake flattened into a half-sphere, Chen Mo's expression grew awkward.

He'd seen Shen Zhixia soaked wet—he knew how substantial this girl's assets were…

At least a D-cup level.

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

Chen Mo asked, biting into the cake.

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

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

She'd intended to return it when she went to the Chen residence, but an "accident" happened…

Every time she recalled it, her face flushed and her heart raced.

So embarrassing!

Chen Mo reached out and took it, pondered for a moment, then gathered emerald essence in his palm, enveloping the pendant.

The already exquisite jade seemed reborn—lustrous, smooth, like congealed fat, with faint internal light flowing within.

"Here, it's yours."

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

"Give it to… me?"

Shen Zhixia was stunned.

"Just consider it a trade for your birdfeed and flatbread."

Chen Mo said with a smile.

That was naturally a joke.

Back then Shen Zhixia had saved him at the Jiaofang Si, and later helped him calm his qi and blood and stabilize his realm… let it pass as a thank-you gift.

This jade pendant was after all not a magic artifact, with none of those strange abilities.

But pure life essence had been fused into it; worn against the skin, it could subtly improve the constitution and repair hidden injuries, which suited Shen Zhixia, a martial cultivator, perfectly.

Staring at the radiant jade in her hand, brimming with vigorous vitality, Shen Zhixia was momentarily lost in thought.

At that moment, Chen Mo leaned close to her ear and said softly, "Also, I haven't forgotten you, Sister Chong'er."

The two had been playmates since childhood.

Chen Mo was one year older, and Shen Zhixia always followed him around, never leaving his side.

Other children laughed at her, calling her a "little shadow."

She took no shame in it, but pride instead, and said in her childish voice that she would forever be Chen Mo's "Sister Chong'er."

Hearing that name, Shen Zhixia's body trembled, and her cheeks flushed red at a speed visible to the naked eye, like a ripe apple.

"I-I-I still have things to do, I'll be going first."

Shen Zhixia didn't dare look at him, rose, and fled in panic.

Chen Mo waved and called, "Take it slow, don't fall, Sister Chong'er."

Bang!

Shen Zhixia crashed head-first into the doorframe.

……

"Zhixia?"

Shen Shuqiu happened to walk over.

Shen Zhixia didn't spare him a glance, and vanished in the blink of an eye.

"This girl, what's she flustered about…"

Shen Shuqiu found it odd, shook his head, and stepped into Lin Siya.

"Lord Shen."

Chen Mo greeted him.

Seeing his haggard expression, Chen Mo hastened to show a subordinate's concern for his superior. "You haven't rested well, my lord? Though official duties are heavy, you must take care of your health."

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

"Don't even mention it. The Yan Liang case has already spread."

"In just half a day, who knows how many people have pressured me openly and in secret, probed for information, and even…"

At that point, Shen Shuqiu thought of something, looked up at Chen Mo, and asked suspiciously, "Did you little rascal know all along about that sixth-rank sorcerer's background? And deliberately let me take the blame?"

Although he had guessed the figure behind that sorcerer had a powerful background, he hadn't expected it to be connected to the Prince's Residence.

Now one could say he was caught between a rock and a hard place…

"You're the backbone of our Gui Water Si. As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility—how could that be called taking the blame?"

"Besides, you have the Princess Consort backing you up. What is there to fear, my lord?"

Chen Mo laid on the flattery with a thunderous crack.

Shen Shuqiu shot him an annoyed glare.

Easy for you to say, standing there.

With me out front taking the lightning, of course you're not afraid!

Watching Chen Mo's leisurely, carefree manner, Shen Shuqiu's anger flared, and he said, "There's a case in the western suburbs. It was originally Ding Fire Si's responsibility, but now that Yan Liang has been arrested by you, they're short-handed. Go along with them."

Chen Mo frowned at the words. "Doesn't Ding Fire Si still have Li Yuan? Even if they're short-handed, there's still Bing Fire Si. How does it fall to me?"

"Everyone else already has assignments."

"This case was tossed over from the government office. It's a bit tricky. You and Li Yuan go together."

Shen Shuqiu said.

"Partnered with her?"

Chen Mo's brow furrowed even deeper. "That doesn't seem quite appropriate, does it?"

Shen Shuqiu said in all seriousness:

"Handling cases is handling cases. Set everything else aside for now."

"As the mainstay of Gui Water Si, I trust your ability. After all, with great power comes great responsibility…"

Saying so, he patted Chen Mo's shoulder and walked off with his hands behind his back.

"……"

Chen Mo sighed.

This man was far too petty. It was plain as day that he was using public business to settle a private grudge…

"My lord, my lord!"

At that moment, Qin Shou came running over in high spirits and whispered, "Recently a new batch of beauties arrived at the Jiaofang Si—gorgeous figures, real stunners! I've already booked a spot. Want to go together tonight…"

I've got to work overtime, and you want to go flower-hunting in the pleasure quarters?

"The Jiaofang Si is out of the question."

Chen Mo said coldly, "There's a case coming up later. You're coming with me!"

Qin Shou: "..."