Chapter 49: Zhou Jingan

Night was ink-black, without stars or moon.

The capital city was shrouded in heavy rain, its ten thousand lanterns dim and yellowed.

Chen Mo leaned against the wall, raindrops falling like threads from the eaves.

After the black sedan departed, he leaped forward, stepping across rooftops, trailing far behind Zhou Jingan.

Though he was curious about the person inside the sedan, his sharp spiritual sense detected a hint of danger, so he did not act rashly, still prioritizing the Empress's mission.

【I heard whispers—Zhou family may be illegally mining outside the city. Go investigate. Try to obtain evidence.】

The Great Yuan strictly controls mineral veins; whether common metal or rare spiritual ore, all are jointly managed by the Ministry of Works and the Metallurgy Bureau. Illegal mining is equivalent to treason.

If we catch even a trace of evidence, it will deal a crushing blow to the Zhou family!

The events of today made Chen Mo sense something amiss—whether or not related to illegal mining, Zhou Jingan was certainly plotting something.

He followed him all the way to the East City, where Zhou Jingan entered a three-court mansion.

Chen Mo stood in the shadow of an alley corner, compressing his spiritual sense into a fine thread, gliding along wall cracks into the Zhou mansion.

Drawing on past experience, he was extra cautious, ready to sever his spiritual sense and flee at any moment.

Fortunately, Zhou Fu's defenses were far less stringent than the imperial palace's; he encountered no high-level experts along the way.

Gliding deep into the mansion, avoiding several powerful auras, he searched for a long time before finally hearing Zhou Jingan's voice beside a bedroom window.

His spiritual sense slipped through the window frame—and the scene before him nearly broke his composure.

The bed shook violently; Zhou Jingan was engaged in motion with a woman dressed in black, her appearance strikingly similar to a Tianlin Guard.

"Kneel! I told you to kneel!"

"You dog, how dare you humiliate me just because you have the imperial medal?"

"You want to write a memorial accusing me? I'll let you write, I'll let you write… write!"

Chen Mo: "..."

Spiritual victory method, huh? Now you're into roleplay…

Chen Mo had never in his life imagined he'd become the "female lead."

As Zhou Jingan's breathing grew rapid and his pace quickened, Chen Mo could no longer bear to watch and withdrew his spiritual sense.

He wandered through Zhou Fu, memorizing a few places with unusual auras, then lay hidden in the shadows, waiting patiently.

…

Boom! —Boom! Boom!

Until the third watch drum sounded, Zhou Fu remained silent.

The bedroom's breathing was even; "revenge-seeking" Zhou Jingan had fallen into deep sleep.

"It seems I won't uncover anything tonight."

"The city is on edge lately—he'll grow even more cautious."

"All I need to do now is watch him, and wait for him to slip up…"

Chen Mo retracted his spiritual sense, leapt into the air, his toes lightly tapping the eaves as he soared away like a hawk.

…

Jiaofang Si, Qingya Zhai.

The wine house was packed with guests; dancers moved with graceful, slender figures.

A woman in a pale pink gauze dress sat on stage, her slender fingers brushing the strings of a qin; her clear, lingering tones flowed like mountain streams, leaving the audience entranced.

After the piece ended, they remained lost in its lingering resonance, unable to return to reality.

Clap. Clap—

Long after, applause rose, gradually growing enthusiastic.

"Bravo! What a magnificent 'Spring Courtyard Moon'! Truly moving—it captured a woman's secluded sorrow perfectly!"

"It made my eyes water without me even noticing."

"Miss Yu's qin skills have improved so much!"

"Are her skills not nearly equal to Gu Manzhi's?"

Guests burst into praise, compliments pouring endlessly.

Yu Er rose, bowed gracefully, then turned and stepped into the inner chamber.

The little maid beside her frowned. "Can't you just practice your qin properly? Every time I have to control it—I'm exhausted."

Yu Er pouted. "I'm just dumb, I can't learn it~"

For her, daily social interactions were manageable, but playing the qin was far too difficult.

"Lately I've been drained—my body can't hold out much longer."

Yu Er extended her left hand; a faint black line was visible at her fingertip. "By now, it should be time. Has our master forgotten about us?"

The little maid rolled her eyes. "Get this straight—I'm your master! I gave you your life!"

Yu Er pouted. "But without the master's essence, my body would've rotted away long ago…"

"…."

The little maid was furious.

Whether because of the life essence or not, this girl had grown increasingly rebellious—now she even talked back!

She pushed open the door and stepped into the bedroom—both froze.

The window stood wide open; a black-clad man sat at the table, pouring himself tea.

"This tea isn't good enough—too low-grade…"

"Master!"

Yu Er's face lit up with delight; she sprinted forward, her embroidered slippers flying off as she barefooted herself into Chen Mo's arms.

Chen Mo grabbed her arm and threw her out the window.

Plop!

Outside happened to be a pool; Yu'er fell into it, soaked through to the skin.

"Boohoo, Master is so mean~"

Chen Mo's brow furrowed slightly. "How did she end up like this?"

The little maid sat across from him, shaking her head. "This remnant soul's brain might not be quite normal…"

As she spoke, azure light flashed across her brow, her features blurred for a moment, and that stunningly exquisite face was revealed.

"Any movement from the Young Lord lately?" Chen Mo asked.

Gu Manzhi nodded. "The day before yesterday he sent someone to find Yu'er, telling her to diligently practice her charm arts and make sure to keep you firmly tied down."

Chen Mo asked curiously, "Charm arts?"

"I skimmed through it briefly — it's basically a bedchamber technique of yin-yang union, no cultivation foundation required, even ordinary people can practice it." Gu Manzhi's expression was somewhat unnatural.

That "Cultivation Technique" — she had read through it once; the various moves inside were detailed to the extreme — what Mountain Goat Against Tree, Cinnyan Cave Phoenix Tour, Howling Ape Embracing Tree…

It even came with illustrations — that was utterly absurd!

"What have you been up to lately? It feels like the Young Lord values you more now." Gu Manzhi said.

"Lately?"

Chen Mo's gaze flickered slightly.

Could the matter of the yao race also be connected to the Young Lord?

Thinking of that mysterious black palanquin, he turned it over silently in his heart.

"Right, what's the maximum number of paper figures you can control at the same time?" Chen Mo inquired.

Gu Manzhi said, "If it's only the most basic synchronized information, about ten or so. But for fine control, two is already the limit."

She blinked. "What, do you need my help?"

Chen Mo nodded. "I'm secretly watching someone; relying on myself alone, I might be spread too thin."

Gu Manzhi said with a beaming smile, "Why should I help you? When all's said and done, the two of us are still enemies."

"Naturally I wouldn't let you help for nothing — a fair trade. You help me keep watch, and I can help you take back the 'Azure Void Seal.'" Chen Mo said.

Hearing this, Gu Manzhi sprang to her feet abruptly, her apricot eyes wide, the curve of her chest swaying.

"The Azure Void Seal?!"