Chapter 316: Chapter 114: Indeed Useful (Vote for Monthly Ticket)
The jade box on the table was a gift from Xun Qu. It seemed no different from an ordinary jade box, but when he had previously placed the Tiankui Inner Core inside it, the box had sealed and suppressed about eighty to ninety percent of the inner core’s power and aura. Only a trickle of power seeped out. In Shen Changqing’s view, the jade box must be the right container for holding Essence Blood. Otherwise, he had nothing else on him suitable for the task.
He employed the same technique. With the experience from the first time, Shen Changqing was already prepared to endure the intense pain when he cut the petal in his Sea of Consciousness for the second time. Therefore, there was no obstacle. When the acute pain struck, he had already severed the petal. Then, following the previous method, he merged the severed Spiritual Power with his physical strength, and finally, it fused with a drop of Essence Blood. Immediately after, he forced that drop of Essence Blood, infused with Spiritual Power, out from his index finger.
As the Essence Blood appeared, Shen Changqing immediately placed it inside the jade box and sealed it once more. The powerful aura from the originally potent Essence Blood was diminished by over ninety percent once the jade box was sealed. Though a faint aura still emanated, it wasn’t overly strong. In his perception, it was, at most, equivalent to the Pulse Condensation Realm.
"As expected, it works!" Seeing the Essence Blood successfully sealed, Shen Changqing finally let his tense heart relax.
With his spirit eased, the sharp pain in his head rushed back—a side effect of the gap created in his spirit. Compared to the severe pain from cutting, this current ache was relatively milder. Once the pain subsided, Shen Changqing finally took a deep breath.
In my current Spiritual System, I haven’t even reached the peak ranges. Being able to sever my Spiritual Power is already no easy feat. When I undergo the transformation into a Divine Soul, tasks like this probably won’t be so troublesome anymore!
This was just his speculation; he had no substantial basis for it.
After taking a moment to recover, Shen Changqing put away the jade box. He picked up Tiankui, who was soundly asleep on the table, slung it over his shoulder, then pushed open the door and walked out.
Tiankui let out a soft groan, clearly not fully awake yet. One claw clutched at Shen Changqing’s clothes, while the other paw rubbed its eyes in a human-like way, looking completely drowsy.
By now, it was already broad daylight; the night had long passed. Shen Changqing hadn’t gone far when he saw someone dressed as an arrest officer heading towards him. He vaguely remembered the man’s name. Wei Quan!
Wei Quan also noticed Shen Changqing and stepped forward respectfully, bowing with clasped hands. "Greetings, Lord Shen!"
"Mm, where is Lord Chang now?"
"Lord County Magistrate is handling affairs in the front hall of the Yamen. If Lord Shen has urgent matters, you may go to the front hall to see him," Wei Quan replied respectfully.
The front hall? Shen Changqing nodded. "Alright, this officer understands."
"Take care, My Lord!" Wei Quan stepped aside, watching Shen Changqing depart.
「In the front hall.」
Chang Cai, dressed in official attire, sat at his desk, holding a Court Gavel in one hand as he interrogated the criminals kneeling below. To his left and right stood a line of Government Officials, brandishing Commanding Batons. This was the scene that greeted Shen Changqing upon his arrival.
It was nothing unfamiliar to him. After all, he had served as the County Magistrate in Lin’an City for some time; if not an expert on Yamen affairs, he was at least very familiar with them.
He didn’t interrupt, simply standing to one side and watching the proceedings.
Chang Cai, however, noticed Shen Changqing’s arrival. He immediately slapped the Court Gavel and loudly ordered, "The criminal is to be given twenty heavy strokes and imprisoned for three months as a warning to others! Court dismissed!"
After speaking, he rose from his seat. The Government Officials forced the criminal to the ground and began beating him with the Commanding Batons, eliciting continuous screams of pain.
"Lord Shen, this is not the place to talk. Let us go to the inner hall and sit," Chang Cai said, turning a deaf ear to the screams, a smile reappearing on his face.
Hearing this, Shen Changqing nodded slightly. "Very well."
The two men proceeded to the inner hall together.
After they were seated, Shen Changqing wasted no time. As soon as he sat down, he spoke directly, "This officer has found a method to deal with the Demon Evil from Fengqiu Mountain. I now hope to borrow a few Pulse Condensation Realm experts from Lord Chang to assist me in eliminating this Demon Evil."
"Lord Shen, is this true?" Chang Cai exclaimed, his spirits lifting. He hadn’t expected Shen Changqing to devise a plan to deal with the Demon Evil in just one night.
No sooner had the words left his mouth than he realized his slip of the tongue. Chang Cai hurriedly explained, "Lord Shen, please don’t misunderstand. I was merely excited for a moment; I am not doubting your words!"
"Lord Chang is wholeheartedly dedicated to the people; this officer can understand," Shen Changqing said, waving his hand.
Upon hearing this, Chang Cai’s anxious heart finally settled. A smile reappeared on his face. "Borrowing some Pulse Condensation Realm experts shouldn’t be an issue. However, there are only so many Martial Artists in my Yamen. I’m not sure if we can meet Lord Shen’s needs."
"Not too many are needed; three or four will suffice."
"Then there’s no problem." Chang Cai nodded. He could still provide three or four Pulse Condensation Realm Martial Artists.
"Attendant!"
"What are your orders, My Lord?" a Government Official asked, entering from outside.
Chang Cai said, "Immediately summon Lv Anxin, Luo Yuan, and Huo Qian!"
"Yes, My Lord!"
Soon after the Government Official relayed the message, three people walked in from outside: two men and one woman.
"Greetings, My Lord!"
"Lord Shen, allow me to introduce them. These individuals are top experts from our Qutai County Yamen, and they also hold notable reputations in the Jianghu." While speaking, Chang Cai pointed to an elder dressed in brown. "This is Luo Yuan, an expert at the late stage of Pulse Condensation."
"Greetings, Lord Shen." Luo Yuan bowed with a cupped fist.
Shen Changqing nodded slightly.
Chang Cai then pointed to the remaining young man and woman. "This is Lv Anxin, and this is Huo Qian. Both are experts at the mid-stage of Pulse Condensation. The three of them are among the strongest in the Yamen. If there is anything you need, Lord Shen, please feel free to instruct them."
"Greetings, Lord Shen!" the two echoed, also offering a cupped fist salute.
"You’re too kind," Shen Changqing replied.
For a county Yamen to possess one late-stage and two mid-stage Pulse Condensation Realm experts is already considerable strength. It would be rare for other county Yamens to have such power. Take Lin’an City, for example. It was supposedly a level higher than a regular county, yet the actual power it wielded was, frankly, difficult to put into words.
Looking at the group, Shen Changqing said, "This officer has found a method to deal with the Demon Evil. However, a prerequisite is to lure that Demon Evil out. Therefore, I hope the three of you can act as bait and enter Fengqiu Mountain once."
Act as bait!
The expressions of all three changed.
Luo Yuan’s expression was hesitant. "My Lord, it’s not that we cling to life and fear death, but Fengqiu Mountain is tall with dense forests, and its terrain is vast. With that Demon Evil’s strength, even if the three of us join forces, we might not be able to hold out for long. If by any chance—"
Everyone fears death. Although they were recruited by Chang Cai, it was primarily for the benefits. Risking their lives to eliminate the Demon Evil was beyond what they were prepared to endure.
Shen Changqing said, "You can rest assured. This officer will not send anyone to their deaths needlessly. Although you will act as bait in the mountains to attract the Demon Evil, I will also provide you with a means to protect yourselves. If nothing else, I believe you will have no problem holding out until I arrive."
As his voice fell, he took out the jade box containing his own Essence Blood and placed it on the table.
Instantly, the gazes of Luo Yuan, the others, and Chang Cai were all drawn to the jade box. With their keen perception, they could clearly feel a potent aura emanating from it.
Shen Changqing placed his right hand on the jade box, his expression calm. "Inside this jade box is the life-saving measure I am providing for you. If the Demon Evil appears, simply open the jade box, and you will be safe."
"However, there is one precondition."
"That is—"
"Unless the Demon Evil truly reveals itself, you must absolutely not open the jade box. Otherwise, all our efforts will be wasted."
He spoke with an air of mystery, which only heightened the others’ curiosity.
Chang Cai coughed lightly, unable to resist asking, "May I ask, Lord Shen, what exactly is inside the jade box?"
"It cannot be revealed. If I tell you, its efficacy will be lost," Shen Changqing replied, shaking his head and deliberately keeping them in suspense.
Hearing this, Chang Cai didn’t dare to press further. However, the curiosity in his heart was like a cat’s paw incessantly scratching, making him quite restless.
Meanwhile, Shen Changqing had already handed the jade box to Luo Yuan.
"There is only one jade box, so when the three of you enter Fengqiu Mountain, it’s best not to separate. If you find that the people around you suddenly disappear, do not panic. Bite the tip of your tongue hard enough to draw blood, and you should be able to break the illusion. If the three of you do separate, aside from the person holding the jade box, this officer cannot guarantee the safety of the other two," he warned again.
Demon Evils excelled at illusionary attacks. Sometimes, even if a Martial Artist’s strength was not inferior to the Demon Evil’s, they would ultimately perish due to illusions. After all, illusions could bewilder the mind; it wasn’t strange to lose one’s life through a moment of carelessness.
A jolt went through each of them, and they hurriedly nodded in response. "Thank you for the warning, My Lord. We will be careful."
Luo Yuan, in particular, tightened his grip on the jade box. Although they were unsure if the protective measure within the jade box was truly effective, at this point, refusal was clearly out of the question.
Shen Changqing stood up. "There’s no time to delay. Let us depart now."
"Wait!" Chang Cai interjected. "Lord Shen, isn’t it too few people with just the four of you going? Perhaps this official should bring more men to accompany you!"
"That won’t be necessary. In the face of a Demon Evil, dozens of ordinary people won’t make much difference. The four of us will suffice. Lord Chang, please remain here," Shen Changqing replied, shaking his head in refusal.
Afterward, he left with Luo Yuan and the other two.