Chapter 604: Evil Eagle and Poisonous Snake

Pei Ye was silent for a while before sending: "Why did you suddenly send me 'Swing Rope'... whose story is this that you wrote?"

Xu Chuo did not speak, and the blue bird on the left folded its wings and dimmed.

Pei Ye frowned and tilted his head.

"False Edict..." Pei Ye turned away from the dissipating 【Knowing Intent】 and looked at the purple bamboos standing around him. "This Mind-Spirit Art is quite interesting, but why add a 'Small' in front of it? Is there a 'Great False Edict'?"

"Because you only picked one leaf from the bamboo forest." The black cat appeared on his shoulder. "The heavier the power of the Edict Map used, the deeper the effect of the False Edict—if you fell a root of purple bamboo and carve it into a wooden plaque, you can carve 'Great False Edict'."

"This purple bamboo forest is boundless. Is there a big difference between a bamboo and a leaf?"

"Between the reality and illusion of the Edict Map, one cannot look at it only from reality." The black cat stated calmly. "Bamboo leaves grow in spring and summer, and they have a cycle of falling. If you don't pick them, they will wither anyway. It can be considered a naturally overflowing power, and it is easy to take. But the purple bamboo grows in it forever, and every plant can take root and multiply into a bamboo forest. Therefore, no matter how huge the forest is, if you fell one, you are truly cutting the source power of the Edict Map."

"Hmm." Pei Ye understood a little. With a thought, the Chi Fire on his hand had condensed into a small axe.

With a "thud," he exerted his strength to fell it. The purple bamboo in front of him shook as if trembling, and only a grain-sized notch appeared on the bamboo body.

"..." He did indeed feel the pressure that the Edict Map fed back to the Mind-Spirit Realm again in an instant.

"That's right. In the future, when you are free, don't always wander outside and think about this and that. Come in and chop some bamboo, and first get a 'Great False Edict' to keep." The black cat said calmly. "There will always be a time when it comes in handy."

Pei Ye sighed lightly, but rolled his eyes and said: "Little cat, I think this name is still a bit sloppy and cannot reflect our brand."

The black cat glanced at him.

"It's better to add a prefix in front." Pei Ye could continue without a response. He dissipated the Chi Fire in his hand and retreated from his Mind-Spirit. "Like 'Heart-Slaying' Liuli, 'Yellow' Feicui, 'First Moon' Beiyu, they are all like this."

"What do you want?"

"How about calling it Pei Jun False Edict."

"Call it Divine Chi False Edict."

"Then combine them, call it Pei Divine False Edict."

"Call it Chi Jun False Edict."

"Then don't change it, just call it 'Small False Edict'."

The black cat snorted.

Pei Ye looked back at the room. Guo You was still sleeping soundly on that bed. There must be many mysteries about this old man that had not been revealed, but that was not for tonight. Pei Ye held the sword and the little cat in his arms, leaned against the pillar in front of the eaves, and closed his eyes.

After dozing for two hours, the sky brightened. The sound of people outside the alley spread into the courtyard. Pei Ye stretched and stood up. It was between the hours of 3:00 and 7:00 AM. He carried his sword and walked out of the gate.

Ye Ting Palace, Music Bureau.

The women who practiced dance and music looked like the most pampered group in Ye Ting, but they were actually often the first group to get up. Although they didn't have to endure hard labor and cold most of the time, the strict training was also from morning to night. If it could be said that the servants of Ye Ting Palace had no way to control their own destiny, then the Music Bureau must be the most precarious group among them. Their day-to-day training was precisely to be displayed in the field of vision of the powerful. Sometimes the good or bad thoughts of these viewers were enough to turn their destiny.

If they had a choice, not many people would be willing to face those people above. They would rather do hard labor in the depths of Ye Ting for a lifetime. A simple life was at least stable, and only in stability could some relaxation grow.

But some people would also choose to come here.

For example, this batch of young women who arrived recently, as many as nineteen, had already been organized into a new class. They all had good appearances and superior upbringing—it was because of the rise of Prime Minister Yuan and the changes in the court. Many officials fell from power, and those with serious crimes had their female relatives sent here. This was the first batch.

Some people had superior appearances and were immediately assigned here. Some people could have chosen, but after glancing at the swollen hands and rough clothes of the maidservants, they were already afraid, or they were thinking that they could still meet the Imperial sons and powerful nobles, and it was not impossible to have a day to turn over... But no matter what, the first month of entering was always accompanied by crying.

Li Xianfang was actually a bit tired of it. She leaned against the door, lowering her head and picking at her nails, listening to the lecture repeated by the nanny inside. As one of the best in dance and music in the past two years, she always had to be used as a benchmark for these newcomers. After the lecture, she would go in and dance once, and then teach whoever did it poorly. A day's work was considered finished.

When the palace didn't summon dance and music, a great dancer like her was indeed quite comfortable and relaxed, sometimes better than a top courtesan who didn't receive guests.

She was already very satisfied with such days. She had reached the top in the Music Bureau. When summoned to perform, she would bind her chest, draw her makeup older, and avoid the interest of men as much as possible. When she came back, she could mix for a few months of relaxed days.

Isn't living just like this? She thought. The mice in the wall come out every night to steal food, all risking the risk of being beaten to death with a stick and being pressed by a cat, only to get a day of sleep. People are the same. If you survive a hurdle, you will live for a few more days. If you ask what is the goal of living, that can't be talked about.

Therefore, she was equally weary of those who chased after her begging to be taught how to dance in a way that was beautiful and alluring, and those who came in and acted as if they were dying or lived their lives in tears; one type was accustomed to dreaming, the other could not wake up.

It just so happened that these two kinds always accounted for more than 90% of the newcomers.

She yawned, listening to the nanny's reprimand inside slowing down, probably entering the stage of earnest advice, so she lowered her head and straightened her skirt, preparing to go in.

But at this moment, her eyes paused slightly. She saw a few figures in robes approaching outside the door. Before she could see clearly, her body had tensed up instinctively, and some bad premonitions surged in her brain. She withdrew her gaze, turned around, and walked into the hall with big strides, wanting to avoid this unkind visitor by taking the opportunity to go to the back hall to drink tea.

After taking boiling water in the back hall and slowly pouring herself a cup of tea, blowing on the heat and drinking it slowly, she poured another cup, carried the teacup and walked back, stopped behind the screen, and looked toward the front hall.

A lazy young master leaning against the table, in royal blue silk clothes, flower brocade lining, hair braided into small braids, a pair of eyes as beautiful as a woman's, and a gorgeous and exquisite red snake climbing on the emerald small staff in his hand, looking noble and dissolute.

Behind him followed two expressionless people with swords.

... Yu Ziliang.

Li Xianfang read this name in her heart, pursed her lips, and stepped back slowly.

... This person was not here for the first time, and it was definitely not the last time.

"I intend to find two with delicate skin and flesh, appearance is secondary." Yu Ziliang picked the little snake in front of his eyes, teasing with a smile. "And they must be obedient. Usually, just cut meat to feed my little treasure, no other work needs to be done."

"Young Master Yu, this is the new batch, all raised in the boudoir, and haven't suffered any hardship." The big nanny had already rushed over, the wrinkles on her face piled up in layers, smiling in front of Yu Ziliang's chair. "You can look at them as much as you want."

Old witch, Li Xianfang rolled her eyes.

The Music Bureau also had its own way of survival. In the past few years, the managing nanny always hung affairs under the Empress's palace. The female officials in the Empress's palace did things in an orderly manner. The Music Bureau was, after all, an official place. Although this Yu Ziliang also came, he mostly restrained himself.

Now the manager had changed, only caring about fawning. She didn't know how happy she was when someone like Yu Ziliang came once. It was just right to send the girls out in exchange for old-age peace.

'Sooner or later, find a way to kill this old thing.' Li Xianfang thought while drinking tea.

This person was vaguely incompatible with her. If it didn't go well, she would be sent out next time.

Yu Ziliang narrowed his eyes and looked, suddenly pointing at one with a smile. The young girl had already collapsed on the ground with a pale face.

Li Xianfang lowered her head and looked at her arm, thinking that the interests of these beasts were really hard to guard against, and she would have to blow and dry more later.

Then at this time, she heard with a cold body: "Young Master Yu, our Music Bureau has another treasure girl, whose skin is even more delicate than this little chick. Her figure is better, and her dancing is second to none."

The big nanny lay on the armrest of the person's chair and smiled kindly. "The old woman has been keeping her well, just waiting for Young Master Yu to come."

"Hmm?" Yu Ziliang was indeed interested, raised an eyebrow and said, "Where is she now?"

"Right in the bureau." The big nanny giggled, turned her head and shouted, "Please invite Miss Xianfang to come quickly."

'Fuck your mother, old thing.' Li Xianfang stood stiffly behind the screen with a blank face, her hands and feet cold for a while.

Her name was called in the pavilions. She took a deep breath, lowered her head and looked at the tea in her hand, squeezed out a smile and walked out.

She smiled gently at Yu Ziliang and offered with both hands: "Xian'er just went to pour a cup of clear tea for the young master."

Yu Ziliang did not speak, stared at her body aggressively, took the teacup and put it down, and slowly changed his sitting posture.

After a while, he tilted his head and smiled: "Such a good girl, why haven't I seen her in the past few times?"

The big nanny said kindly: "Perhaps Xianfang is shy and hid away."

Li Xianfang swept past her at the end of her vision, thinking that if she was planted, she would be planted. If she could leave some energy, she would kill this old thing first.

Yu Ziliang stood up, picked up her chin with a thin jade staff, and the red snake sniffed curiously between her lips.

Li Xianfang's body was stiff and motionless.

She had already thought at this time, if this snake had always been eating human flesh... then where did the previous feeder go? Could such a small snake eat a person up?

Yu Ziliang smiled and leaned to her face: "It's really a good expression. Before the little treasure tastes it, I must taste you first."

Tilted his head and said: "Prepare a warm room for me quickly."

The big nanny smiled: "Oh, to be favored by Young Master Yu, Xian'er is really lucky."

Li Xianfang smiled coquettishly at her: "Yes, the nanny is old and ugly, so she can only envy."

Yu Ziliang laughed, picked up the small jade staff and went upstairs.

Li Xianfang followed silently behind.

Foraging is not the only risk a mouse must take. Even if it has already shrunk into the mouse hole, sometimes it has to face the disaster of being drilled into by a snake unexpectedly.

It may not be the injustice of fate, it's just that living is like this. Snakes have to eat every day. If they don't drill into this mouse hole, they have to drill into that one; if they don't eat mice, they have to eat toads.

In the past, others died, now she dies herself, that is also very normal... Li Xianfang shook her trembling fingers.

Having lived here for a long time, she should have been very familiar with it, but until Yu Ziliang smiled and pushed open the door, she didn't notice which room she walked into.

She subconsciously looked at the young man walking and swaying in front, whose body had absolute relaxation, swaying the small staff, with a smile on his side cheek... For him, this day was probably a wonderful beginning, facing the bright morning light, first enjoying the beauty obtained by surprise, and then going to the palace to hunt or drink, until the stars gradually rose...

Sometimes she also thought, perhaps not everyone's "living" is like this.

Perhaps there is no need to cross any hurdles to deserve a period of peace, and every day can be wandered in this world like visiting a back garden.

Although mice are afraid of snakes and cats, what snakes are afraid of is probably only eagles, and above eagles...

When her thoughts went here, Yu Ziliang closed the door.

This was a very deep and quiet room, and it was also very wide. The two guards with swords also walked in. Li Xianfang suddenly realized at this time that she might be naked in front of three people. She was thinking of two interesting ways—biting off something of this young man, making him become like his father, or serving him well, in exchange for letting him kill that old thing...

Then a bright but not dazzling thing flashed across her iris in an instant.

For a moment, she thought it was some strange reflection of a mirror, just like washing her face on a sunny day and turning her head, sometimes she could sweep across the rainbow hanging on her eyelashes.

But the next moment she saw that mirror deep in the room, and it was not facing here... Then she heard the sound of two people falling to the ground behind her.

Yu Ziliang turned his head sharply, staring at her with astonishment and anger. The long sword at his waist had been pulled out. She was also astonished... Then a hand reached out from beside her cheek, catching Yu Ziliang's blade in his hand.

A phantom-like black robe floated forward. Without seeing any movement, Yu Ziliang had already stumbled back and fell to the ground, and the sword was in the hands of this black robe.

Li Xianfang only smelled the extremely strong bloody smell at this time. She turned her head and froze in place. The two people with swords twitched and fell to the ground, their throats each cracked open with a standard bloody mouth, and the severed tendons and throat tubes showed fresh wriggling.

"Some questions, I ask, you answer." The person in the black robe leaned against the table and played with the sword in his hand. When Yu Ziliang was about to open his mouth, he stepped on his mouth with one boot, and the rotten flesh almost splashed out from the sole of the boot. "When I don't ask, don't speak."

She turned her head unconsciously. On that person's face was a play mask painted with blue and white flowers, and the voice was very light and cold.

"Now I ask you, how did you enter the Phantom Tower last night." The person in the black robe raised his foot slightly.

Yu Ziliang was shocked and angry, trembling: "I... I am Yu Ziliang, my father is the Three Palaces Inspector Yu Sicheng—woo! woo! woo! woo woo woo—"

His miserable cry was stepped to death under the sole of the boot. The black robe stood the sword in his hand and nailed it into his left wrist, and then slowly cut off the whole hand.

"I'll say it again." The person in the black robe said in a low and gloomy voice, "I ask, you answer, understand?" ===== CHAPTER 605 =====