Chapter 121: Prying into the Palace Master

Chapter 121: Spying on the Palace Master

Suburban villa.

First-floor living room. Li Xianzong pulled over a high-backed chair and sat in the guest position.

On the plush sofa, a mature, intellectual woman lay reclining lazily. She wore black-rimmed glasses, her features cold and beautiful, her stern, aloof posture the very image of a head teacher.

But beneath the sheer gauze dress, her graceful figure formed a striking contrast with her demeanor.

To ordinary men, such a bewitching beauty would leave them parched and throbbing with desire; even among fellow practitioners, countless would gladly suffer for a taste.

Yet Li Xianzong remained utterly unmoved by her beauty, stating plainly the purpose of his visit:

"I need an artifact that can restrain high-level spirits, at least Saint-tier."

Yi Chuanmei lay on her side, a snow-white arm propping up her lovely head, her voice crisp and cold: "Twenty million in cash, or an artifact or materials of the same grade."

Li Xianzong curled his lip: "No money."

If one disregarded morality, for a Bewitching Yaoguai, the fastest way to make money was to establish a "sect," bewitching masses of commoners into offerings, amassing vast sums in short order.

The more reliable route was to bewitch the populace, gather followers, then establish a company to earn money through legal means.

But that brought the risk of official detection, likely reducing years of effort to nothing. Besides, most Bewitching Yaoguai lacked the energy, interest, or ability to run a corporation.

Yi Chuanmei had anticipated this, mocking: "Among the three major professions, only you War Priests are the poorest, heads full of nothing but killing and destruction."

Right before Li Xianzong's eyes, she slipped her hand into the snowy cleft between her breasts and produced a needle case. Inside lay three pitch-black fine needles.

"I recommend a consumable. Three Soul-Shattering Needles, three million cash, or equivalent artifacts and materials in trade. They can severely wound a Level 4 spirit, and a Level 5 spirit would suffer significant injury. As for Level 6..."

She chuckled lightly: "I imagine you have a brain. You wouldn't provoke an enemy of that caliber."

"Deal. Three days." Li Xianzong said.

"No, no, no..." Yi Chuanmei wagged a finger:

"You still owe me ten robust Lawful Walkers. That was your promise to me. Only when you deliver those Lawful Walkers to me can we proceed with the next transaction.

"To block Fu Qingyang for you, I suffered no light injuries. Fu Qingyang truly deserves his reputation as one of the strongest of the younger generation in the Five Elements Alliance."

As she spoke, a flush rose on her face, her thighs clamping tight, her expression rapturous:

"His sword momentum was unstoppable, like a mountain collapsing, like a tsunami. So good... this is the ultimate experience..."

Li Xianzong watched her pathological expression and cursed inwardly: Pervert!

"Fine. I'll get you ten Lawful Walkers within half a month."

He had to obtain an artifact targeting high-level spirits, even if only a consumable. Only then could he counter Yuan Shi Tianzun's trump card.

Before the large-scale Killing Dungeon opened, he had to improve himself as much as possible.

Hunting Yuan Shi Tianzun would first hone himself, rapidly raising his strength. Second, the bounty was generous, the rewards and artifacts tempting enough. Third, that kid carried many artifacts, rich as flowing oil.

Even without this trial mission, Li Xianzong would have attempted to hunt Yuan Shi Tianzun.

……

Huayu Hotel.

In the café with an open-air balcony, beneath a parasol, Xie Lingxi pinched a small silver spoon, gently stirring her coffee; ice cubes chimed crisply against the glass walls.

"Brother Yuanshi, it's been so long since you contacted me."

Xie Lingxi pouted, aggrieved: "I stayed in Songhai just for you, so why have you been giving me the cold shoulder all this time?"

Zhang Yuanqing, across the small table, suddenly realized: "So that's how it is. That was my fault; I shouldn't have neglected you. Come, I'll take you back to the room and show you just how warm this brother can be."

"Hateful~" The little green tea covered her mouth and giggled, then suddenly wrinkled her nose: "Brother Yuanshi, you look nothing like a handsome man like this; I still prefer your original face."

Zhang Yuanqing had disguised himself as Wang Tai again—ordinary features, a stiff, socially inept look plastered across his face.

"Better safe than sorry; you should know Li Xianzong has his eyes on me." Zhang Yuanqing took a sip of coffee.

Xie Lingxi said: "Brother Yuanshi, I heard that yesterday you stormed the hospital alone, killed the villains single-handedly, and held off Li Xianzong, making a tremendous contribution to the official rescue of the hostages. You're truly amazing."

Look at that, the perks of a green tea! Zhang Yuanqing sighed:

"No matter what, I still got taught a lesson. The gap between me and Li Xianzong is huge."

"It's because Brother Yuanshi hasn't reached Level 3 yet. Once you come out of the Spirit Realm next time, you'll be able to defeat Li Xianzong easily." Xie Lingxi rested her chin on one hand, stirring her coffee with the other; beneath her long lashes, her eyes were moist and bright:

"I've always believed in Brother Yuanshi."

Zhang Yuanqing felt inexplicably at ease: "Did you use Soothe on me?"

"Of course not; I'm speaking from the bottom of my heart~"

Amidst Xie Lingxi's flattery, the coffee was gradually finished, and Zhang Yuanqing's mindset had completely recovered, with no trace of frustration or heaviness left.

A Musician's Soothe ability is indeed effective, but the price is that my favorability toward Xie Lingxi has risen quite a bit... Zhang Yuanqing examined his heart; the gloom was entirely gone.

At this moment, Xie Lingxi picked up the exquisite clutch bag beside the table, unzipped it, and fished out a piece of black jade, its interior flowing with dreamlike, fantastical colors.

"Brother Yuanshi, this is my gift to you."

Zhang Yuanqing froze for a moment, "You're giving this to me?"

"I can't use it anyway," Xie Lingxi smiled charmingly: "I'm just a weak, cute little girl, far removed from strife; holding onto a jade talisman would be a waste. Better to give it to Brother."

This gift is a bit too precious... Although Zhang Yuanqing had secretly schemed about how to swindle her jade talisman, it was just a passing thought; he never intended to actually act on it.

It seems she's also worried I'll be assassinated by Li Xianzong. No matter what she says, the realistic gap truly exists.

So far, whether the officials, friends, or even unrelated wild Walkers, none believed he was a match for Li Xianzong; they all thought Yuanshi Tianzun being targeted by Li Xianzong spelled big trouble.

"You keep it; I haven't fallen so low as to need this."

Zhang Yuanqing pushed the jade talisman back, fearing that if he accepted it, he would lose the determination and perseverance to train in martial arts with his back against the wall.

Xie Lingxi didn't press further, taking the talisman back, and said softly:

"Brother Yuanshi, the Palace Master is also in the hotel; she wants to see you."

"Huh? That crazy... that sister, beautiful as the wind, is in the hotel too?"

Zhang Yuanqing started, thinking with relief that he wore Wang Tai's face; had he shown his true visage, that madwoman's lust might well have flared, and she'd have spirited him off to be her boy-toy — a most unpleasant prospect.

Xie Lingxi rose, linking her arm through "Brother Yuanshi's," and left the café, returning to their room.

Arriving at the presidential suite, Xie Lingxi pressed the key card into Zhang Yuanqing's hand and whispered, "You go on in."

Seeing she had no intention of accompanying him, Zhang Yuanqing asked, "Aren't you coming?"

Xie Lingxi shook her head vigorously, retreating several steps.

*Little sister, you've got me inexplicably nervous looking like that…* Zhang Yuanqing watched the "little green tea" hurry off. He didn't swipe the card immediately; instead, he produced the "Eye of Insight."

Come to think of it, he'd never had a chance to use this artifact — to peer into a big shot's innermost thoughts.

Perfect opportunity to test the Palace Master of Cessation's attitude toward him, and gauge just how deep her madness ran.

Zhang Yuanqing donned his sunglasses and swiped the door open.

*Beep-beep~*

The door swung wide. Stepping into the foyer, he saw, behind the desk facing the entrance, the Palace Master of Cessation clad in a crimson traditional gown, its bodice and sleeves embroidered with gold-thread clouds and dragons.

Magnificent, yet possessed of a subtle charm.

"The Palace Master wishes to see me?" Zhang Yuanqing inclined his head.

Behind the silver mask, bright, lively eyes assessed him, and she smiled faintly: "Beaten by Li Xianzong, yet your mindset holds steady. I thought you'd be despondent for days."

"Isn't that why I came to Xie Lingxi for therapy?" Zhang Yuanqing replied. "The little lass is a natural at comfort; with her, one feels an inexplicable joy."

Finished speaking, observing her closely, he keenly caught certain details:

Her eyes told him she was displeased, her ire directed at him… *I haven't provoked her, have I…*

The Palace Master of Cessation sat composed behind the desk, toying with her sleeve, and spoke softly: "I must leave Songhai soon, heading north on business. Before I go — shall I kill Li Xianzong for you? I'd hate to return and hear you'd died by his hand, seeing as you're my designated consort.

"Xie Lingxi is a younger sister I'm rather fond of. You'd do well to stay close to her."

Her concern was genuine, not mockery, yet it concealed a tangle of emotions — as if she *didn't* want him to agree… She urged him to draw near Xie Lingxi, yet her tone and gaze carried a thread of warning…

"You'd help me?" Zhang Yuanqing's eyes lit up.

The Palace Master of Cessation dipped her chin slightly: "Five million. I'll kill him for you."

Five million? *Even selling myself wouldn't net five million… Huh, why did she feel a flash of vengeful pleasure when she named the figure…* Zhang Yuanqing studied her, deducing a new thought:

She kept staring at my glasses, her gaze growing ever more dangerous… *Bad — she wants to hit me. She's sensed me prying…*

Zhang Yuanqing's heart jumped. Without betraying himself, he removed his glasses and said: "No need. My own troubles, I'll settle myself."

At those words, the Palace Master of Cessation's eyes curved in a smile, as if thoroughly satisfied with his answer, and she laughed:

“To become a powerhouse who stands alone at the summit, one cannot forever rely on external crutches; the path to the peak must be trodden step by step, on one’s own. Li Xianzong is a formidable foe, but he is not an invincible one.

“If you cower from the crushing defeat at the hospital, if fear takes root in your heart and you accept my bargain… I will be deeply disappointed.”

So she *was* testing me just now…

The Lord of the Slaughter Palace spoke again: “You may go. Fetch that dead girl for me.”

I didn’t even need my glasses to see the “malice” dripping from those words. Poor little green tea bitch… Zhang Yuanqing nodded and left the room.

He had just stepped out the door and turned toward the elevator when he saw Xie Lingxi waiting there, a look of wicked amusement plastered across her face.

“Huh? Brother Yuanshi came out so fast?” She looked crestfallen, unwilling to accept it. “Didn’t Palace Master Sister bully you?”

“Why would she bully me?” Zhang Yuanqing asked.

“That’s just how she is. She loves bullying people—stringing them up at the drop of a hat… I was already gearing up to charge in and rescue Brother Yuanshi.”

“Does she bully you often?”

“Mhm. Whenever she’s in a foul mood, she takes it out on me. Every time she wants to bully me, she calls me ‘dead girl.’”

“Oh. So the ‘dead girl’ is you.”

“Brother Yuanshi… what do you mean?” The smile on Xie Lingxi’s face slowly vanished.

Zhang Yuanqing gave her a look of pity: “The Palace Master just said, ‘Go help me call that dead girl over.’”

Xie Lingxi’s little face went pale.

…

Zhang Yuanqing left the Huayu Hotel, donning a baseball cap and a mask. He glanced left and right, confirming no tail, before shoving his hands in his pockets and strolling down the street.

This afternoon, he planned to find Guan Ya to learn combat techniques, as agreed upon this morning.

The training ground was in Fuhuawan. There were dedicated sparring facilities there, and under the Centurion’s very nose, he needn’t worry about assassination or ambush.

He didn’t dare go to the Public Security Bureau much these days.

Zhang Yuanqing was confident. With his physical constitution, picking up combat skills wouldn't be hard. Add in the personal instruction of Old Master Ji, the so-called combat genius, and a meteoric rise in his melee ability in the short term was entirely possible.

Provided he was willing to put in the grunt work.

“Once I get my combat skills up to par, the next target is waiting for the Spirit Realm to open…”

Just as he was thinking, the phone in his pocket rang. It was Fu Qingyang.

“Centurion, I was just about to head over.” Zhang Yuanqing answered.

Fu Qingyang said: “Elder Gou has returned from the Capital. Come to me immediately.”

“Is my artifact issue resolved?” Zhang Yuanqing was overjoyed.

Fu Qingyang hummed in assent, his tone faintly strange: “Hurry up. Don’t keep the Elder waiting.”

*Don’t keep the Elder waiting?* What did that mean… Zhang Yuanqing didn't understand. He thought to himself, for a trivial matter like this, was it really necessary for an Elder to wait for him personally?