Chapter 72: Transmission in Dreams

Outside the Princess's Mansion.

Yang Dabiao and others were fully equipped and ready to depart, waiting outside the mutton soup stall, while Meiqiu squatted nearby begging for alms.

Upon learning that Xie Jinhuan was going to Jingcheng, Linghu Qingmo could not sit still; she also abandoned her best friend, packed her things early, and waited in the group.

Lin Wan'er waited alone in the courtyard, diligently wiping the tables and chairs, occasionally glancing toward the gate to see if Xie Jinhuan had returned.

After waiting for an unknown duration, a figure flipped over the wall, landed on the main house roof, and still held a piece of clothing in hand.

Hoo~

Lin Wan'er hurried forward, discovered Xie Jinhuan holding a jade tally, and her eyes could not help but show surprise:

"The Pill King has appointed you to an official post? What is the position?"

Xie Jinhuan placed the clothes on the table:

"Halberdier of the Marriage Bureau, specifically to protect the Princess."

Lin Wan'er picked up the jade tally to look at it, frowned, and said:

"The Princess's martial arts are so high; does she need your protection? The Pill King must be trying to recruit a son-in-law. With this tally, you can go to the Pill King Pavilion to view the Martial Divine Scripture; surely no one will stop you..."

Xie Jinhuan sat on the chair, shook his head, and sighed:

"I just asked about the situation regarding the Martial Divine Scripture..."

"How is it? Did they give it to you?"

"They did give it, but..."

Xie Jinhuan detailed the problem: it only had the first layer, was unintelligible without Rank 1 strength, could not be learned, and could not be copied.

Since joining the Moonless Villa, Lin Wan'er had worried for many years about the Martial Divine Scripture; suddenly hearing such bad news, she was as if struck by lightning:

"Are you sure? Don't you dare fool me..."

"Why would I fool you?"

Xie Jinhuan sat on the Arhat couch and comforted her softly:

"The Princess's jade pendant, you dare not give it to the Wu Sect even if you took it, otherwise we would both be finished. The only way to succeed currently is to wait until both of us enter Rank 1. With my strength, it will not exceed three years. As for you..."

Lin Wan'er was self-aware; to reach Rank 1 within three years, she would have to become the Zhaqing Demoness, adopt the Wu Sect's dual cultivation secret method, use Xie Jinhuan as a supplement, and continuously drain the pond to catch the fish.

But in that case, she could be ranked in Rank 1, while Xie Jinhuan would become medicinal dregs, and the plan still could not be completed.

Discovering a dead end, Lin Wan'er naturally felt aggrieved:

"So, you cannot give me the complete Martial Divine Scripture within three years, and it is impossible for me to learn it even if others teach me?"

That was what Xie Jinhuan meant.

But if he truly cut off all of Wan'er's hopes, Wan'er would likely cut off the supply.

He still needed divine objects like Dragon Blood Pill and Vital Dragon Pill; he could not do without Lin the Beauty, this female patron, so he was currently in a dilemma.

But fortunately, there was still a female ancestor by his side who could help at a critical moment.

Just as Xie Jinhuan was thinking of a countermeasure, the red-clad ghost floated up from behind, sitting beside Lin Wan'er:

"I have seen the cultivation technique; I can help teach it to her, but teaching is quite troublesome. For her to remember it, it will take considerable time..."

Lin Wan'er was waiting for Xie Jinhuan's response, discovered he was distracted again, and was looking at her side; she became suspicious, turned her head to look:

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing, just thinking."

Xie Jinhuan withdrew his gaze, thought for a moment, and said earnestly:

"There is not absolutely no way to transmit this technique. I remember my master once taught me a secret art that should be applicable here."

Lin Wan'er's eyes lit up, and she sat closer:

"What secret art?"

Xie Jinhuan listened to the ghost wife's introduction and explained seriously:

"It is similar to 'Transmission in Dreams', which is to transmit the technique I see to you through dreaming..."

"Didn't you say you couldn't understand it?"

"Uh... I cannot understand the meaning, but I remember the content, so I can definitely transmit it to you. However, the Martial Divine Scripture is too profound; for you to remember it is a bit difficult and may take a long time. Moreover, without cultivation above Rank 1, even if you remember it, you cannot learn it, nor can you transmit this technique to others."

Lin Wan'er had never heard of the term 'Transmission in Dreams', but her master's cultivation was profound; as long as she remembered it, there should be a way to obtain it...

However...

Lin Wan'er thought again and felt something was wrong:

"Transmission in Dreams... then doesn't that mean I have to sleep with you?"

"?"

Xie Jinhuan's gaze sharpened; he hadn't thought in that direction, and at this moment, he glanced sideways at the ghost wife beside him.

Ye Hongshang's response was very direct:

"Sister just needs to sleep with her; whether you, this pendant, are there or not is irrelevant."

How could I not be there?

If I'm not there, wouldn't it become a yuri story...

Xie Jinhuan responded earnestly: "About right. However, sleeping in the same room is enough; no need to get into the same quilt."

"..."

Lin Wan'er was somewhat hesitant; after all, a single man and a single woman sleeping in one room—could they not end up with something happening?

Just two days ago, Xie Jinhuan had dared to kiss and touch her; by then, he might even dare to rub against her...

But she had no other way to obtain the Divine Scripture; after a brief consideration:

"When... when do you plan to start transmitting the technique?"

Xie Jinhuan was urgently headed to Jingcheng to clear wilderness and boost his economy, and asked:

"There's only the first level right now—are you in a hurry? If not, you could wait a month or so…"

Lin Wanyi had searched for many years; even the first level would suffice to report back, and to avoid trouble, securing it sooner was always better.

Besides, she now had to sleep with him—delaying a year or half a year wouldn't change that, would it?

"Hmm… it's up to you. Whenever you give me the cultivation technique, I'll order the herbs from the Southern Frontier for you. And I've seized all of Zisu's pills—you won't get a single thing from her."

"?"

Are you trying to kill me?

Xie Jinhuan was currently desperate for Zisu's pills, and hearing this, he naturally panicked:

"I still have to go to the capital to investigate a case—demons and evils can't be delayed. Why don't you go home for a visit? It's not far—I'll handle official business by day and come at night to transmit cultivation to you; neither will be delayed."

Beyond Huaijiang lies the Jingzhao Prefecture; take the canal with the wind at your back, and you'll reach Jingcheng in half a day.

Lin Wanyi pondered briefly, then nodded: "Alright… you go ahead. I'll return to give notice. Come to Lin Fu on Changle Street tomorrow night—come quietly, don't make us look suspicious again in Jingcheng."

"Fine. Hurry back and pack. Leave a door open for me tomorrow night—I'll slip in quietly."

"?"

Lin Wanyi found that remark odd, and didn't respond…

——

Nightfall, Jingzhao Prefecture.

"Yah…"

Clip-clop, clip-clop…

Five swift steeds galloped along the highway, three government office runners trailing behind, with Xie Jinhuan and Seeing Mo Mo leading; perched on the saddle sat Meiqiu, yearning for home.

As Mount Riluoxi sank below the horizon, the majestic city, surrounded by three rivers, appeared at the edge of sight.

Xie Jinhuan had lived in Luojing for sixteen years; logically, he should have been accustomed to Jingcheng's splendor, yet upon seeing this metropolis of over two million souls again, his eyes still flickered with awe.

Night had just fallen; thousands of streets and alleys in Jingcheng glowed with lanterns, the roads teeming with fragrant carriages and fine horses, young masters and noble ladies; towering buildings lined the avenues, stretching to the horizon, with flying corridors and sky-bridges crisscrossing overhead—seen from afar, they resembled a divine capital of heaven.

Yang Dabiao had served in Jingcheng for years, his eyes filled with nostalgia; along the way he warned his men:

"Jingcheng isn't Danyang—throw a stone carelessly and you might hit two seventh-rank officials. Once inside the city, behave yourselves. Whoever causes trouble, I'll peel their skin off…"

"Understood…"

Linghu Qingmo, seeing they were nearly there, turned to ask:

"Xie Jinhuan, do we go to the county government office first, or pay respects to the Wang Shizi first?"

The Wang Shizi Linghu Qingmo referred to was Zhao De, the Heir Apparent of the Prince of Dan; he had some fame in Danyang, and even rumors circulated in the streets that he was the son of Housekeeper Hou…

Too absurd to be true, the Prince of Dan feared he might accidentally kill his own son, so two years ago he sent him off to Jingcheng.

Xie Jinhuan had left early and never heard Zhao De's story; he only knew this mission required staying at Wang Fu for a while, and after thinking, replied:

"It's still early—let's go to the government office first."

"Alright…"

……

——

Buzheng Street, Wanan County government office.

County Magistrate Wu Yuanhua sat beside a tea table, flipping through the juan sect documents sent from Danzhou, his brow heavy with sighs:

"They say girls change greatly with age—so do boys. The last time I saw Xie Jinhuan, he was a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old brat; back then I thought him clever, studious, and charming—but now, in just a few years, he's grown into this…"

Across the tea hall, two others sat.

One wore a simple yellow monk's robe, bald and barefoot, a string of brown Buddhist beads around his neck; the court and common folk called him an Immortal Official, though his official title was "Astronomical Doctor."

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau had only thirty-six Immortal Officials and seventy-some Astronomical Students—few in number, yet even the weakest were fourth-rank; the strongest was Zhang Sect Lu Wu Zhen of the Danding Sect.

The other wore a crimson Chi Lin Guard robe, a gauze cap on his head, a silver badge at his waist; he held the rank of Company Commander, named Lu Qian—Han Jingchuan was his direct superior, Zhou He had been his partner.

Normally, when the Chi Lin Guard moved, it meant confiscating property and exterminating families; when Immortal Officials moved, they left not even a wisp of residual soul. For both to be dispatched together was exceedingly rare.

Their gathering today clearly meant the government office faced a dire situation.

Wu Yuanhua set down the juan sect documents, his eyes filled with worry:

"Since spring, similar cases have occurred repeatedly—the killer left no trace whatsoever, making investigation impossible.

"In Danyang, demonic disturbances were resolved in half a month, all demon bandits exterminated.

"When this reached Taihua Palace, His Majesty was first pleased, then furious, ordering Prefect Chen to swear a military oath: solve the 'Corpse Case' within a month, or resign his post and retire home.

"If Prefect Chen loses his office, I fear I'll be reassigned to Lingnan to watch demonic beasts gnash their teeth…"

The monk's dharma name was Jingguan, from TianTai Temple, the foremost Buddhist sect of the Great Qian; his features were gentle and benevolent, his demeanor soothing, and he knew how to comfort:

"Everything should be viewed with detachment. Though the Southern Frontier is rife with demons and evils, it also has beautiful mountains and rivers. Director Wu, after years of labor in the capital, could find peace in the south in old age, enjoying the splendor of Shanhe along the way—it's a blessing."

"…"

Wu Yuanhua's eyelid twitched slightly; he wanted to curse this bald monk for speaking so lightly—he thought:

Your Buddhist mastery is profound, so you're not afraid of demonic beasts gnashing teeth—but we mere mortals? We'd be crunching under one bite. What chance do we have to see beautiful mountains and rivers?

As the group conversed, a government office runner hurried to the door and bowed to report:

"My lord, the Danyang contingent has arrived. Young Master Xie has returned as well."

"Oh?!"

County Magistrate Wu, having heard how Danyang's government office swiftly solved the case with Xie Jinhuan's help, had been envious for days; he immediately said:

"Send Jinhuan straight to the morgue—the two senior officials are here already; let's examine the case together…"

"Yes."

……

(End of this chapter)