Chapter 33: Nothing Tastes Better Than… (2-in-1, begging for monthly votes at the start of the month!)

"You dog of a servant, you have some nerve!"

Inside the great hall, Yu Youhan looked down from on high, her phoenix eyes coldly fixed on Chen Mo.

Chen Mo hurriedly lowered his head and said, "This subordinate could not restrain himself. I beg Her Ladyship to forgive me!"

Heaven bear witness — he truly did not do it on purpose!

But those fragrant, soft little feet had been delivered right to his lips — he simply could not hold back!

That heart-permeating, sweet, faint fragrance left his mind a blank, and as if possessed he gave a light sip…

Nothing tastes better than feet — the ancients truly did not deceive me!

"How dare you!"

Yu Youhan's voice cut like the bitter wind of the coldest days of winter; Ling Yishan stirred of its own accord, and her abyssal, hellish aura made the air nearly freeze solid!

Boom!

Boundless might came crashing down, pinning Chen Mo hard against the floor. Every sinew and bone in his body let out a creaking sound, as if the next instant his skull would shatter and his flesh turn to pulp!

At that moment, Chen Mo finally came to his senses.

Until now, the Empress's tolerance and "special attentions" toward him had left him a little giddy, so much so that he had nearly forgotten — this one was the most terrifying existence in *Jue Xian*!

A murderous she-devil!

One flick of her finger could grind him into dust!

"This subordinate deserves death; may Her Ladyship calm her wrath!"

Chen Mo forced the words out with great difficulty.

"Only when I permit you to touch may you touch!"

"If there is a next time, do not blame me for being ruthless!"

Feeling wave after wave of searing heat at her wrist, Yu Youhan gave a cold snort and withdrew her pressure.

"Thank Her Ladyship for the mercy of not killing me."

Chen Mo, as if granted a great pardon, lay prostrate gasping violently; his back was already soaked through with cold sweat.

"This fellow grows more and more brazen — he actually dared to lick… and nearly made me lose face again!"

"If I don't teach him a lesson, who knows what outrageous thing he'll do next!"

"So long as I harbor no hostility, Red Silk will not appear. Putting on a show to frighten him a little is no problem…"

Yu Youhan thought to herself, her face expressionless, and said coolly, "Speak — why have you suddenly entered the palace?"

After a moment to steady himself, Chen Mo drew a token from his breast and presented it.

Yu Youhan's eyes flashed. "A Flying Phoenix Token? How did this come to be in your hands?"

"The Empress had Eunuch Jin deliver it to the Chen residence…"

Chen Mo recounted everything that had just happened, in full and in order.

"Killing a single evil cultivator, and the reward is a promotion to Rank 6 (Official) plus a Flying Phoenix Token — such a reward far exceeds the usual scale."

"And that Jade-Shattering Blade…"

"It's plain as day she means to poach my people."

Yu Youhan curled her lips in a cold smile, a flash of killing intent passing through her eyes.

She could afford to ignore anyone else, but Chen Mo was different — this "inner demon" was her greatest weakness and soft spot!

If the Empress successfully turned him, he would become the perfect weapon against her!

"Since the Empress holds you in such high esteem, what do you make of it?" Yu Youhan asked in a clear voice.

Chen Mo said firmly, "Her Ladyship's grace to this subordinate is like being reborn. I would gladly lay down my life for Her Ladyship — never any second thoughts!"

Yu Youhan nodded in satisfaction.

After the Empress's reward, Chen Mo had not hesitated for a moment but gone straight to the palace to report — that alone proved his stance.

"Not bad. You have not disappointed me."

Yu Youhan raised her hand and tossed the Flying Phoenix Token back. "Since the Empress gave it to you, keep it… I rather want to see what other tricks she can come up with!"

"Besides this, is there anything else?"

Chen Mo shook his head. "I dare not disturb Her Ladyship's cultivation. This subordinate will take his leave first."

Having spoken, he bowed and began backing out.

Watching his manner — restrained, with a trace of distance — Yu Youhan was briefly taken aback. Once she figured out why, her brow smoothed out and a faintly amused look entered her eyes.

"Stop."

Chen Mo's steps halted; he stood where he was with his head lowered.

Yu Youhan curved her lips. "After the way I just treated you, do you feel wronged?"

Chen Mo said quietly, "This subordinate would not dare."

"You are the only person who has ever touched my body…"

Yu Youhan paused, then said coolly, "I am merely reminding you — do not push your luck."

Chen Mo was startled by the words.

Not even the Emperor himself had touched her?

In truth, he had already half-guessed as much in his heart.

In the story background of *Jue Xian*, Consort Yu's origins were mysterious; her purpose in entering the palace was to "steal the fortune of the realm," and there was no detailed description of her relationship with Emperor Wulie.

When Yu Youhan entered the palace, Emperor Wulie had not yet fallen ill.

But with her cultivation, so long as she was not willing, no one could force her.

"What — you don't believe it?"

Seeing him fall silent, Yu Youhan's voice cooled by several degrees.

Chen Mo came back to his senses and hurriedly said, "This subordinate naturally believes Your Highness."

Regarding such matters, Yu Youhan had no need to lie.

But what did she mean by suddenly telling him all this?

"Come here."

Yu Youhan spoke up.

Chen Mo walked over as instructed.

He saw those crossed legs lift, the skin beneath the palace skirt fair as jade, a pair of snow-white delicate jade feet extended before him.

Yu Youhan turned her head aside. "Take them."

"It's just a pair of feet, I don't know what's so good about them?"

"Enough, considering his loyalty just now… this Palace's reaction earlier was indeed a bit excessive, let him be."

But after waiting half a beat, Chen Mo made no move.

Yu Youhan glanced at him, her eyes slightly darkening. "What, you don't want to touch them?"

Chen Mo said cautiously, "This subordinate is worried…"

"Since this Palace has given permission, what is there still to worry about? You were so… so… just now… continue."

Yu Youhan said with a light snort.

Continue?

Since he was acting on imperial decree, there shouldn't be any problem, right?

Chen Mo's throat bobbed; after a moment's hesitation, he reached out and cradled the arch of her foot.

A fragrance pure as orchid, untouched by dust, the delicate and silky touch impossible to resist.

Yu Youhan's heart gave a sudden leap!

This time seemed different from the previous few…

A tingling numbness surged from her toes, spreading through her entire body in almost an instant.

Her wrist burned scalding hot; an unprecedented, intense throbbing came wave after wave, engulfing her like a raging storm!

"Your Highness?"

Chen Mo sensed something was off, looked up, and froze on the spot.

He saw Yu Youhan's eyes gone vacant, a flush of crimson blooming from her cheeks and gradually spreading down her slender neck — yet her bearing remained noble and commanding, like a wild poppy blooming atop a snow-capped peak.

Poisonous, lethal, but enchantingly beautiful.

Noticing his gaze, Yu Youhan bit her Zhu Chun, her voice trembling. "You wretched dog of a servant, d-don't you dare look at this Palace!"

"Yes."

The moment Chen Mo lowered his head, he caught a thick, rich fragrance.

He followed the source of the scent with his eyes.

It seemed to be…

Suddenly, his vision blurred; the figure of Her Highness vanished, leaving only her voice echoing in the air:

"The hour is late, this Palace is weary. You may withdraw."

"…This subordinate takes his leave."

The sudden stop left Chen Mo unsatisfied, and he walked out of the great hall with some disappointment.

"Compared to the pie-in-the-sky the Empress draws, Her Highness's feet are far more delicious…"

Not far behind him.

Yu Youhan leaned limply against a pillar, her phoenix eyes misty with moisture, the flush of spring about to spill over entirely.

"Truly heaven sent to torment this Palace, every time leaving this Palace in such a wretched state…"

"Next time…"

"Next time I will absolutely be able to endure it!"

……

……

……

The following day.

Heavenly Lin Guard Headquarters.

The moment Chen Mo stepped into Lin Siya, he was surrounded by the people of the Guishui Division.

Qin Shou grinned broadly, the flesh on his face bunching together. "Congratulations, Chief Banner, on your promotion to Hundred-Man Commander!"

"Congratulations, Hundred-Man Commander! Best wishes, Hundred-Man Commander!"

The crowd congratulated him in unison at the top of their lungs, the atmosphere electric to the extreme.

Chen Mo shook his head. "Your information is certainly well-informed… it's merely a title without an actual post. Keep calling me Chief Banner from now on, lest people get the wrong idea."

Qin Shou said with a smile, "It's just that there's no vacancy in Lin Siya for the moment… I heard Commander Shen is likely to be promoted to Deputy Thousand-Man Commander. When the time comes, won't your formally taking over the Guishui Division be only natural?"

Liu Mang muttered from the side, "Inevitable, sooner or later."

Chen Mo smiled and said nothing.

Easy to say — how could it be that simple?

The internal relationships within the Heavenly Lin Guard were intricate and complex; pull one hair and the whole body moves.

Merely the merit of slaying a Heavenly Demon was not enough to let him command a division; being granted the empty title of Hundred-Man Commander was already an exceptional promotion.

Besides, there was an unwritten rule here:

The post of Hundred-Man Commander required reaching the Fifth Rank of the Martial Dao!

Otherwise, how can you win the loyalty of others?

"What's so good about being a Hundred-Man Captain?"

"Isn't it more comfortable being a Squad Leader? When trouble comes, someone else takes the blame."

Chen Mo silently pondered.

The big blame falls on the Imperial Concubine, the small blame on Sergeant Bai, and as for himself… sorry, buddy doesn't stick to blame.

"By the way, Boss, the silver notes from County Magistrate Li are still with me—what should I do with them?"

Qin Shou pulled Chen Mo aside and whispered.

Chen Mo waved his hand and said, "Since it's compensation for recuperation, don't skimp. After dismissal, take the men out to relax."

"Yes, sir!"

Qin Shou's eyes lit up, his expression excited.

For men like them, brimming with vigor, the only place to "relax" was one…

Brothels!

Damn brothels!

"The Teaching Bureau just welcomed a new batch of courtesans—beautiful, graceful, top quality!"

"One of them is especially famous—she excels in music, calligraphy, and painting, and her beauty is breathtaking, rivaling the top courtesan!"

"Why not join us, Squad Leader? Consider it a celebration of your promotion."

Qin Shou smiled warmly.

Chen Mo thought for a moment and didn't refuse; occasionally changing his mood wasn't bad.

"Bring along the men from Dinghuo Office too—they all contributed, so this money includes their share."

"Understood."

Qin Shou replied.

…

Dinghuo Office.

Li Yi held her long blade, standing by the window, eyes unfocused, lost in thought.

"General Li… General Li?"

A call snapped her back to reality; she realized a Captain stood before her, eyeing her with a strange expression.

"What is it?" Li Yi asked.

The Captain handed her a document: "This is the official transfer of authority—Sergeant Chu has already approved it. General Yan… cough, Yan Liang's five squads are temporarily placed under your command, General Li."

Yan Liang was imprisoned in the Imperial Prison; the position of General is vacant.

Until a new successor is chosen, all duties fall temporarily to Li Yi.

In short, the entire burden of Dinghuo Office now rests on her shoulders.

"Understood."

Li Yi took the document, said nothing more, and turned away silently.

Watching her back, the Captain found it odd.

Since returning from Tongling County, Li Yi has been distracted, often staring blankly out the window, as if traumatized…

…

"I actually… in front of Chen Mo…"

"How humiliating!"

Every time she recalled it, Li Yi wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground.

On horseback, Chen Mo's slap had seemed to flip a switch—she had never felt such shame, yet strangely indescribable.

"If his earlier strike… there… was meant to wake me from the Illusion Realm, I could barely accept it—but why that final slap?"

"What did he mean by it?"

"And since we returned, he's been avoiding me… am I really that terrifying?"

Li Yi's emotions churned, unconsciously slipping into anxiety and doubt.

She wanted to find Chen Mo and clear things up, but never found the chance, and didn't know how to face him.

"General…"

At that moment, several constables approached her, looking uneasy.

"What is it?" Li Yi asked.

"We…"

They stammered, unable to speak clearly.

Li Yi frowned. "If you have something to say, say it. If not, get out. Why hesitate?"

They exchanged glances; one finally gathered courage and said, "The county magistrate gave us recuperation funds, right? After dismissal, Sergeant Chen invited us to the Teaching Bureau to relax…"

In the Tongling County case, Chen Mo truly kept his word—he listed all their names.

This was unprecedented merit!

Not to mention the imperial court's generous rewards—just the reputation alone would greatly benefit their future promotions!

Grateful for his favor, they didn't dare offend Chen Mo's face.

Besides, which man could refuse free pleasure?

But Dinghuo Office and Guishui Office were tense; just days ago, one General had been sent to prison… Without Li Yi's approval, they dared not join such gatherings privately.

"Teaching Bureau? Chen Mo invited you?"

Li Yi's expression turned cold.

The crowd braced themselves and nodded.

Before they came, they had already steeled themselves — Chief Flag Officer Li had always despised the pleasure quarters, and he was utterly incompatible with Chief Flag Officer Chen. This time, it was almost certainly hopeless...

"Since it's convalescence expenses, there's a share for me in there too."

"I'm going too."

Li Yuan said coolly.

"Mm... huh?!"

The crowd froze, staring at Li Yuan with dumbfounded expressions.

"Ch-Chief Flag Officer Li is going too?"

"Is that not allowed?" Li Yuan retorted.

The crowd exchanged glances. "Well, no, it's not that..."

Li Yuan snorted coldly: "Wait for me after shift ends. Whoever dares leave first — I'll break their dog legs!"

"..."

Chu Zhuo had been in a foul mood lately.

Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that Chen Mo's "wild boasts" from a few days ago would become reality so quickly!

Slaying the Tenth Heavenly Demon, promoted to Hundred Household, holding the rank of Rank 6 (Official)!

In terms of official rank alone, he was now on equal footing with him!

And it was by the Empress's own decree!

"These rewards clearly far exceed the standard — it makes no sense at all!"

"The Chen family is clearly Jade Consort's lapdog. Why would Her Highness favor him so?"

Chu Zhuo's brow furrowed tight; he racked his brains but couldn't figure it out.

"But fortunately it's only a pending appointment, with no real authority."

"The positions in the Celestial Lin Guard are already fixed, there's no vacancy for a Hundred Household at all — no need to worry too much."

"For now, I should handle the affairs in Lin Siya first..."

After Yan Liang was thrown into the Imperial Prison, a huge backlog of official business had piled up — a new Chief Flag Officer had to be appointed as soon as possible.

But a suitable candidate couldn't be found at the drop of a hat.

"Fortunately there's still Li Yuan."

Li Yuan was not only strong enough, she also handled affairs with thunderous efficiency, and her prestige within Lin Siya was quite high. Temporarily shouldering the load of the Ding Fire Division posed no problem.

"Where's Chief Flag Officer Li? Tell her to come see me."

"I need to brief her properly on the division's affairs."

Chu Zhuo spoke up.

The Captain beside him hesitated a moment, then said: "Chief Flag Officer Li has already left..."

Chu Zhuo was somewhat puzzled at this. "She left right after shift? Doesn't she usually practice her saber at the training ground?"

Seeing the Captain's evasive manner, Chu Zhuo's brow furrowed. He said in a low voice: "What's actually going on? Tell me the truth!"

The Captain gave a shudder and said quietly: "This subordinate heard... it seems she went to the Court of Entertainment with Chief Flag Officer Chen and the others..."

"Cough cough!"

Chu Zhuo nearly choked on his own saliva, his old face flushing crimson.

"The Court of Entertainment?!"

"A Miss like her going to a place like that? And with Chen Mo?!"

The Captain shook his head: "This subordinate doesn't know either..."

Chu Zhuo's heart sank.

When had Li Yuan gotten this close to Chen Mo?

Of the two Chief Flag Officers of the Ding Fire Division, one was sent to the Imperial Prison, the other was led off by Chen Mo... wasn't he, the Hundred Household, essentially a bare-bones commander, completely stripped of real power?

"Wait a moment..."

"The Hundred Household seat Chen Mo is pending for — isn't it waiting for me?!"

Chu Zhuo's scalp involuntarily prickled.

PS: It's the start of the month, begging for some monthly tickets, love you all, mua~