Chapter 40: The Tiger-Taming Expert Chen Mo!

The sun rose in the east, and the sky brightened fully.

The Tianlin Guard stood in the small courtyard of "Qingya Zhai," chatting idly.

"Brother Qin, how was the battle last night?" asked a Squad Leader.

Qin Shou, short and stout, stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "I used my family's staff technique against the demoness. We fought three hundred rounds, and finally I unleashed 'Jiao Dragon Emerges from the Sea,' sending her reeling in defeat, begging for mercy."

The Squad Leader marveled, "I've long heard of Brother Qin's exceptional staff skill—possessing the bearing of a master. Truly, your reputation is well-deserved."

"What about Brother Zhang? Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Heh."

That Squad Leader pulled a porcelain bottle from his sleeve and shook his head. "I prepared three Dragon-Tiger Pills, hoping to brave the Dragon's Den and Tiger's Lair, test the depths—but I only needed one. The opponent collapsed without a fight."

Qin Shou clapped his hands. "Brother Zhang's mastery of pillcraft rivals even the Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau. I am in awe."

The two exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Battle beans—awesome!

The others looked refreshed, faces full of satisfaction.

The Tianlin Guard's salary is very generous: even a common constable earns seven taels of silver per month, not counting other gray income… yet even so, it's nothing against the gold-sinking dens of the entertainment quarter.

Last night, the girls we hired were all "Hua Fu" or "Hua Yan" grade.

Normally, it would take months of saving.

"It's so much better working under Chief Chen."

"Just run errands, earn a Great Achievement, and get to play with girls… What more could a man ask for in a leader?"

The Dinghuo Division men shook their heads and sighed.

Although Chief Li is reliable in handling affairs, he's rigid, lacks flexibility, and has a terrible temper…

Most importantly—he never takes us to brothels!

"It's already this late—why hasn't Chief Chen come out yet?"

"If we wait much longer, we'll miss roll call."

At that moment, faint "pa-pa" sounds drifted from inside the room.

Moments later, the "pa-pa" sounds grew faster, like a sudden storm—just listening made one feel breathless!

Qin Shou and the Squad Leader exchanged glances.

Damn, is there another expert?!

"Has the Chief not finished yet?"

"From last night… all the way to now?"

Everyone stared at each other in silence.

Qin Shou had once received a stern rebuke from Chen Mo—he knew just how extraordinary Chen's stamina was—and now he worried: could Jade, a frail woman, endure such punishment?

Would she be forced into early retirement?

After a long wait, the door opened, and two figures stepped out.

"Chief… you…"

Qin Shou took a step forward, then froze—his face turned as if he'd seen a ghost.

"L-L-Li Chief?!"

Behind Chen Mo walked a woman, dressed in a blue-and-white hezi dress, cinched at the waist with a green silk sash that accentuated her slender figure, making her full chest appear even more prominent.

Her snow-white, delicate face flushed pink; her once sharp brows and eyes now resembled a spring pool, shimmering with every glance.

She looked as if…

She'd been well-watered?!

The entire courtyard fell utterly silent.

Everyone lost all composure, mouths gaping wide, staring dumbly at the two.

"Ah!"

Li Yan hadn't expected them all to be waiting outside—she panicked, but couldn't retreat back into the room, so she sidestepped and hid behind Chen Mo.

?!

Isn't that covering one's ears while stealing a bell?

Seeing her shy, bride-like demeanor, the Dinghuo Division constables collapsed on the spot.

Is this really the cold, impartial Chief we remember?!

Chen Mo's lips twitched. He whispered, "Chief Li, your character arc just shattered."

Li Yan lowered her head, ears blazing red, and twisted his waist hard. "It's all your fault!"

Chen Mo: "..."

"No wonder Chief Li came along—she was after the boss, wasn't she?"

"Feeding herself to the tiger—now that's a real man!"

"So does that mean Chief Chen fought two last night…?"

Chen Mo's enhanced spiritual sense heard every whispered remark clearly. He frowned coldly and said:

"What are you all muttering about? Chief Li got drunk last night and slept alone in an empty room."

"Shut your mouths tight! If even one rumor leaks out, I'll peel your skins off!"

"Yes!"

Everyone responded, their expressions saying, "Don't worry—we totally get it."

The more he explained, the worse it sounded. Chen Mo gave up, saying nothing more.

The group walked out of Qingya Zhai toward the alley's mouth; from time to time, disheveled guests emerged from the houses on either side.

Li Yan's face flushed crimson, barely holding her composure, but she dared not quicken her pace—her legs were still weak… She could only lower her head and follow closely behind Chen Mo.

Qin Shou, seeing this, silently gave a thumbs-up.

Boss really is a master at taming tigers…

…

In the bedroom, "Yu Er" was doing stretching exercises, constantly adapting to the body.

Now she was merely a hollow shell, a paper puppet infused with a wandering soul; to be identical to the original host was unrealistic.

But as long as Gu Manzhi kept pouring in her influence—or simply took direct control—it could achieve about seven-tenths similarity; those not intimately familiar would hardly detect the flaw.

Moreover, Xu the Minister's household had been seized, some dead, others exiled. Aside from a few female relatives also cast into the Imperial Entertainment Bureau, there were no familiar faces left in Ducheng…

But Gu Manzhi had no mood to consider these things now; she sat on the bed, hugging her knees, her startled, radiant face resting upon them, her autumn-water eyes shimmering with unspoken tears.

"Last time I got slapped on the chest, now I've been whipped on the buttocks—he's nearly worn me down completely."

"That Miss just now was strong—certainly at least a Sixth Rank martial cultivator; young masters of such caliber are rare…"

"And he never used to be this promiscuous—he never frequented tea houses before…"

But thinking of her own past actions, Gu Manzhi sighed—it must have been after being utterly wounded by her that he changed so drastically; she couldn't blame him…

Sssss—

A gust of wind howled as a figure wrapped in a gray robe flashed into the room.

Gu Manzhi didn't look up. "Ye Henshui, why aren't you gone yet?"

The gray-robed man shrugged. "Last mission failed, identity exposed—Master is furious with you. From now on, I'm in full charge of affairs in Tiandu City… Tsk, can't you stop threatening me with the Radiant Thunder Incantation? Come on, just strike me dead already—we'll all die together!"

Gu Manzhi clutched a jade talisman, her gaze icy. "You think I won't?"

The gray-robed man knew her temperament well—when pushed too far, she'd do anything.

Helplessly, he yielded. "Fine, you can stay… but you must tell me what your next move is."

Gu Manzhi spoke coolly. "Chen Mo is now a favorite of the Imperial Concubine. To strike at Yu Youhan, we must still target Chen Mo."

The gray-robed man's interest sparked instantly. "Oh? Elaborate."

Gu Manzhi's lips curled slightly, her eyes gleaming. "I've decided… to turn Chen Mo—to bring him over to our side!"

…

The gray-robed man fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "He's noble-born, lives in luxury, and holds the rank of Hundred-Commander of the Tianlin Guard—why would he associate with a bunch of outlaws like us?"

"I have my own plan. Don't meddle."

Gu Manzhi had decided: she would spare no effort to "seduce" Chen Mo!

This time, not with the Paper Puppet Art—but with her own body!

Little Chen Mo, you have no idea what the power of the Extreme Yin Chai Body can do!

"By the way, if you dare secretly harm him, don't blame the heavenly thunder for its blindness!"

Gu Manzhi tossed out these cold words, then rose and left.

The gray-robed man remained silent.

He had a strong feeling this Gu Holy Maiden would once again stumble in the gutter…

She walked to the bed and sat down, watching "Yu Er" hopping up and down with "heiyi heiyi" sounds, her palm pressing against the bedding—then she froze slightly.

"Huh? Why is this sheet wet…"