Chapter 32: The Empress's Wiles! The Lady Smells So Fragrant… (2-in-1 Chapter)

"... It happened in the blink of an eye—Qin Wuxiang shook his body and revealed his dharma-form true body, a world-shaking fiend demon five hundred zhang tall, with eight heads and sixteen arms!"

"Each head was the size of a whole house! One stomp and the four city gates trembled! One breath and the entire county government office was flipped over!"

Jade Pot Pavilion.

The teahouse was packed to the rafters, even the doorway was crammed with people.

Some peddlers had even abandoned their stalls, aprons still tied at the waist, craning their necks on tiptoe to peer inside.

On the stage at the center of the main hall, a storyteller with a neatly trimmed mustache was holding forth with great gusto:

"Now look at Squad Commander Chen—his heart didn't panic, his hands didn't tremble. He let out a cold laugh: 'If Heaven does not give birth to me, Chen Jinyan, then the Dao of the Blade is an eternal night for ten thousand ages! Blade, come!'"

"That one blade—astounding across all ages, putting even celestial maidens to shame!"

"That one blade—spanning the firmament, all creation bowing low…"

Crack!

The warning block struck.

The storyteller picked up his teacup and moistened his throat.

"If you wish to hear what happened next, wait for the next installment."

The audience below had been utterly absorbed; cut off right at the climax, they were left in an unbearable limbo.

"Why don't you finish the story?"

"You old fossil, deliberately stringing us along, aren't you?"

"Simply inhuman!"

"May the chapter-cliffhanger bastard's whole family perish!"

Facing the cursing abuse around him, the storyteller stroked his beard with perfect composure, eyes half-closed, turning a deaf ear.

Without even this much mental fortitude, how could one call himself a storyteller?

In their trade, the tea money was only a trifle—the real income still had to come from tips.

First tell a free segment to hook the audience's interest, then stop dead just as everyone is getting into it…

Want to keep listening?

Then it depends on whether the tip is generous enough.

Though being cursed at was routine, one had to make a living—no shame in that!

Thud!

At that moment, a streak of silver light fell from the second floor, landing on the stage with a clatter and rolling to the storyteller's feet.

The storyteller looked down, and his eyes immediately lit up.

Oh ho, fifty taels of Longheng treasury silver!

Such lavish spending—clearly a wealthy patron. Today this old man is fated to strike it rich!

The storyteller bent down, picked up the silver, tucked it into his sleeve, and said with a smile: "Since the master wishes to hear more, this old man shall continue. Picking up where we left off…"

"No need. Just answer me two questions."

A slightly hoarse voice drifted down from above: "Are you certain Qin Wuxiang is dead?"

The storyteller nodded: "Naturally. The news has already spread—who in the streets doesn't know? Just yesterday at noon, the Heaven Demon Ranking was updated. The tenth-ranked Heaven Demon, Qin Wuxiang, has been formally struck off the list!"

The Heaven Demon Ranking was always open to the public; anyone could look up the relevant information.

Whether wandering knights or sect disciples, as long as one captured or slew a fiend on the list and brought them to the Ducheng government office, after verification one could claim a generous bounty!

Being struck off the list meant the imperial court had already confirmed the identity beyond doubt.

The person upstairs was silent for a moment, then asked: "Second question—who is this Squad Commander Chen?"

The storyteller was startled, then said with sudden realization: "You must be from out of town, sir? There aren't many Chen-family clans of note in Tiandu City."

"The one who slew Qin Wuxiang is precisely the son of the Imperial Censor my lord—Squad Commander of the Celestial Qilin Guard, Chen Mo, courtesy name Jinyan."

"I hear he's a sixth-rank Transcendent Mortal martial artist, strength comparable to the Ten Heroes tier, but the Green Cloud Ranking hasn't been updated yet, so no one can say for certain…"

"Is there anything else you'd like to know, sir? This old man can throw in a few extra questions for free."

The storyteller was exceedingly enthusiastic.

He was thinking: keep this patron happy, and a casual tip of a few dozen taels would let him rest easy for several more years!

He waited half a beat—no response.

Just as he was feeling puzzled, he suddenly heard discontented cursing from below:

"Old coot, what are you mumbling to yourself about? Are you going to keep telling the story or not?"

"Mumbling to myself?"

The storyteller jolted awake and hurriedly reached into his sleeve.

The heavy treasury silver from moments ago weighed nothing in his hand—squeeze it and it crumpled. It was a paper ingot used for offerings to the dead!

"You bastard!"

"Using dead men's money to swindle this old man—may your mother…"

The storyteller couldn't catch his breath, his face turning blue-purple, his neck twisting to one side as he collapsed onto the stage.

"Ah!"

"Someone's dead!"

A chorus of shrieks erupted, and the teahouse instantly descended into chaos—feathers flying, people tumbling…

Outside the door, a figure wrapped entirely in a black robe walked slowly away.

A thin veil seemed to hang over his face, making it impossible to see clearly.

"Chen Mo…"

…

Chen Mansion.

In the training hall, Chen Mo sat cross-legged, his attribute panel displayed before him:

Name: Chen Mo

Title: Ghost Slayer

Realm: Sixth Rank Transformation of the Mortal, Return to Origin

Cultivation Technique: Hunyuan Strengthening Body Decree · Perfect

Martial Art:

Fiery Eight Cuts · Perfect

Green Dragon in Sleeve · Beginner (55/200)

Wind-Thunder Dash · Minor Success (0/100)

Divine Skill:

Soul Seizure · Basic (0/1)

True Spirit: 151

……

The trip to Tongling County yielded rich rewards.

Besides True Spirit, the title, and the Divine Skill, his battle with the Formless Demon deepened his insight into the Dao of the Blade.

"Conceal your qi, hide the blade within your body."

"At the moment of striking, pouring life essence into it triggered some kind of transformation…"

Recalling the deafening roar of the Green Dragon's blade intent, alive and terrifying, Chen Mo felt he had touched upon something—but when he tried to grasp it, it vanished like a reflection in water or a moon in a mirror.

"Is this the Dao's resonance?"

"Pity, it seems I'm still a little short…"

"My realm isn't high enough yet; no need to trouble myself over it."

Chen Mo didn't obsess over it.

Awakening the Dao requires opportunity.

Moreover, for him, even without awakening it, as long as he filled his True Spirit, he could still reach the Perfect state.

"Merely touching a thread of Dao's resonance has already benefited me immensely."

"The progress of Green Dragon in Sleeve increased by nearly fifty points—how many years of hard training would that equal?"

If Chen Mo wished, he could immediately raise Green Dragon in Sleeve to "Proficient."

But there was no need.

"The higher the rank of a martial art, the harder it becomes to improve; wasting True Spirit early is foolish. Just keep slashing people—it'll rise on its own."

"Besides, I need to keep some True Spirit in reserve, for unforeseen needs."

That night, when chasing the Rat Bride, if I hadn't had just enough True Spirit left to upgrade Wind-Thunder Dash, I might never have caught that demon.

If the Rat Bride had chosen another target and successfully transformed into a fierce evil spirit, the outcome would have been unpredictable.

"Besides that, there's the Divine Skill bestowed upon me by Her Majesty…"

Divine Skills can also be upgraded, but only with Dao Essence Crystals.

"Soul Seizure" is currently a Basic Divine Skill; only one Dao Essence Crystal is needed to upgrade it.

"This stuff is far harder to get than True Spirit."

"Oh, I forgot to claim the affection reward."

Chen Mo's mind stirred, and a prompt appeared before him:

【"Li Yan's" affection has reached threshold. First-stage reward unlocked.】

【Obtained special item: Dao Essence Crystal.】

"That's better."

Chen Mo's lips curled upward.

Though the process was absurd, the outcome was decent… Boys who get their bottoms slapped never have bad luck!

……

Knock knock knock.

At that moment, the door knocked, and the steward Fu's voice came from outside:

"Young Master, someone from the palace has arrived."

"Oh?"

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. "Could it be Secretary Xu coming to see me?"

He stepped out of the room into the courtyard, where all the Chen household had gathered. Before them stood not Xu Qingyi, but an elderly eunuch with streaks of white at his temples.

Dressed in blue satin sleeves, embroidered with ocean waves, rivers, sun, mountains, and drifting clouds; golden python patterns stitched along the sleeves and chest.

Seeing Chen Mo approach, the old eunuch sized him up and praised: "This servant has long heard that General Chen is a man of noble bearing, a dragon among men. Today, seeing you in person, you are truly refined, elegant, and otherworldly—a perfect jade gentleman."

The flood of flattery caught Chen Mo off guard.

You using so many idioms—are you taking the GRE?

Chen Zhuo glanced at him and spoke: "This is Eunuch Jin Wu, Chief of the Imperial Household, also serving as Head of the Imperial Bodyguard."

Chen Mo instantly understood.

So he was the Empress's man.

"Jin Wu? Just call him Sunlight Eunuch."

Chen Mo muttered inwardly, then bowed: "So you are Eunuch Jin Wu. I've long heard of you."

Eunuch Jin smiled and said, "Chief Chen has just solved the Barbarian Slave Case and slain the Tenth Evil Demon, rescuing the people of Tongling County from fire and water—truly, your merits are illustrious, towering like mountains!"

Chen Mo replied calmly, "Eunuch Jin, you overstate it. This was not my doing alone—Chief Li is equally indispensable, and so are these ten constables. A full list has already been submitted to Lin Siya."

"Act without clinging; achieve without claiming."

"Good. Very good."

Eunuch Jin's expression grew even more appreciative.

He had come here only after thorough investigation.

Whether from Li Yan, the accompanying constables, or the Tongling County officials, every account was identical—

The Evil Demon was slain; Chen Mo alone delivered the decisive blow! He deserves top credit!

Chen Zhuo looked at Chen Mo, his eyes complex.

The previous Ministry of Revenue corruption case had been long planned by the Ministry of Justice, catching the Noble Consort's faction off-guard; by the time they reacted, it was already a sealed case.

We had thought there was no chance to reverse it—only to grit our teeth and swallow this hidden blow.

Yet Chen Mo turned the tide—and even dragged the Yan family into it!

Now he has slain the Tenth Evil Demon—an unprecedented feat!

"This brat… really has given me too many surprises."

…

After some polite exchange, Chen Mo asked, "May I ask, Eunuch, what brings you here…?"

"My, my, such a foolish head—I got lost in chatter and nearly forgot the main matter."

"Cough, cough. Chief Chen Mo of the Heavenly Phoenix Guard, receive the imperial edict."

Eunuch Jin cupped his hands in the air, and a brilliant golden scroll materialized before him.

As the scroll slowly unfurled, its light blazed like the sun, its majestic aura too overwhelming to meet directly!

"By order of the Crown Prince: There exists a loyal and upright minister, virtuous and talented, who has repeatedly earned merit, standing as a pillar of the state."

"Therefore, he is promoted to Hundred-Commander of the Heavenly Phoenix Guard, granted five blocks of Spirit Marrow, ten Jin Dan, ten bolts of Thousand-Weave Cloud Silk, five hundred taels of gold, jewels…"

As Eunuch Jin spoke, several royal guards entered the courtyard, clad in armor with yellow silk at their collars, carrying chests radiating gemstone luster and rolls of brocade.

"Hundred-Commander?"

Chen Mo frowned slightly.

Even with his merit in slaying the Evil Demon, such rewards were excessively lavish.

"Eunuch Jin, given my age and seniority, I fear I am unfit for the position of Hundred-Commander, especially since Senior Commander Shen…"

Eunuch Jin smiled. "I know what Chief Chen is thinking. The position of Hundred-Commander in the Heavenly Phoenix Guard is not yet vacant—Chief Chen is merely on standby, receiving the salary of a Hundred-Commander, and will be formally promoted once a vacancy opens."

"Moreover, the Crown Prince has another gift for you, though it is not recorded in this edict."

Saying this, Eunuch Jin pulled a token from his robe.

Entirely golden, its surface intricately carved with a phoenix facing the rising sun, every detail lifelike.

Chen Mo froze. "This is…"

Eunuch Jin said, "This is the Flying Phoenix Token. With it, you may enter and leave the Imperial Palace at will. Should you have urgent matters, you may go directly to Zhao Hua Palace to report face-to-face to the Crown Prince."

At these words, the air turned instantly silent.

Chen Zhuo's face remained expressionless, but his hands inside his sleeves clenched tight.

A mere Hundred-Commander—even on standby—to go to Zhao Hua Palace and report directly to the Empress?

What nonsense!

The Empress's move must have another intent!

"Chief Chen?"

Seeing Chen Mo's silence, Eunuch Jin raised an eyebrow.

"Your servant… thanks the Crown Prince's grace."

After a pause, Chen Mo reached out and accepted the token and the edict.

Eunuch Jin nodded in satisfaction, then seemed to remember something. "By the way, I hear Chief Chen excels in the blade, with high mastery of the Dao of the Sword?"

Chen Mo shook his head. "Merely crude basics, nothing profound. Eunuch, you jest."

"Chief Chen, no need for modesty. To slay the Tenth Evil Demon while only at the Sixth Rank suggests your blade art has reached To the Apex of Mastery."

"I happen to have a small trinket… well-suited for Chief Chen…"

Eunuch Jin extended his right hand, as if grasping something in the air.

As his palm slowly moved, a sharp ringing rang out—and inch by inch, a blade materialized from nothing!

The blade was straight, narrow, and elongated, forged entirely of emerald-green jade, its back etched with shattered ice patterns; even from afar, a bone-chilling cold radiated from it!

A fine blade!

Chen Mo's eyes widened in awe—he instantly recognized its rarity!

"This blade is called Shattered Jade. I have no use for it—I bestow it upon Chief Chen."

Eunuch Jin handed the long blade to Chen Mo.

Upon hearing the name, Chen Mo's pupils shrank sharply!

"This is too precious—I cannot accept…"

Eunuch Jin smiled warmly, as if implying something. "A precious blade chooses its master; a wise bird perches on the right tree. In my view, this blade and Chief Chen are perfectly matched—do not refuse."

"I have some palace matters to attend to—I cannot linger."

"Please, do not see me off."

Saying this, without waiting for Chen Mo's refusal, he set down the blade and walked away.

The courtyard fell silent again.

"Even if you truly earned merit by slaying the Heavenly Demon, there's no need for such a grand spectacle—why send the Chief Eunuch himself to deliver the imperial edict?"

"It looks like a generous reward, but in truth it's meaningless—this Empress is truly a master of drawing cakes."

Chen Mo's eyes turned icy.

The position of Hundred-Man Captain is merely an honorary title, with no real authority.

The Flying Phoenix Token only grants entry to the imperial palace—it holds no meaning for him.

As for that Broken Jade Knife…

The name alone says it all!

"The Empress is exploiting this incident—clearly trying to sow discord."

"If this matter reaches the Lady's ears, she will inevitably grow suspicious. The seed of doubt has already been planted—it will one day take root and sprout, and may even affect the entire Chen family…"

"Yet we cannot refuse—it's an open, legitimate scheme."

Chen Zhuo's expression turned grim.

Chen Mo's foundation is still shallow; he has not yet earned the Lady's trust. His path ahead will be difficult.

At that moment, Chen Mo rose and walked toward the door.

Chen Zhuo asked, "Where are you going?"

Chen Mo did not look back. "To the palace—to see the Lady!"

You want to turn me against the Lady?

Dream on!

…

Qianqing Gate.

Xu Qingyi looked at Chen Mo and frowned. "You come here too often."

No one has ever visited the palace so frequently—no one has met the Lady so often.

Does he treat the inner palace like his own home?

"Something's happened…"

Chen Mo sighed.

Seeing his dejected expression, Xu Qingyi couldn't help asking, "What happened?"

Chen Mo spread his hands helplessly. "The Empress is targeting me—I'm now like a thong, stuck in a crack, barely surviving."

"…"

Xu Qingyi frowned. "What's a thong?"

Chen Mo glanced at her. "I'll get you one someday."

Looking at Xu Qingyi's cold, refined features, he imagined the immaculate white robe concealing a thong…

Cough, cough—got carried away.

"I don't want one."

Xu Qingyi sniffed.

She always felt this guy had no good intentions.

Arriving before Hanshao Palace, Chen Mo stepped back two paces—and, under Xu Qingyi's confused and stunned gaze, slid forward on his knees into the hall.

"Lady!"

"Your servant has urgent news to report…"

A pale, delicate foot pressed down on his face, silencing the rest.

Yu Youhan sat upon the Phoenix Throne, legs crossed, shaping a lush curve, her slender fingers massaging her temples. "Noisy. Can't you let me have peace for a few days?"

"Mmm!"

Chen Mo blinked.

"What did you say…?"

Suddenly, Yu Youhan's expression changed. "Shut up—don't you dare lick!"