"Shishu…"
There were indeed many Daoists from Ciyun Temple who had long been wandering outside. But returning at such a critical time—it was hard to believe it wasn't connected to the "Immortal Medicine" and the "Incense Burner." Maybe this so-called shishu was the real mastermind behind it all.
If that person arrived, it would only complicate matters. The incense burner might even be taken away entirely.
He couldn't delay any longer.
He had to move while Ciyun Temple was empty.
"Thousand-Commander Li is right."
Chen Sanshi didn't forget to respond casually, "I've been there twice myself. The old priest only ever preached hollow nonsense."
"Right? That's what I said too."
Li continued talking about other recent events.
The Witch God Sect had become even more rampant. Major sects were forming private teams to hunt down cult members on their own. Many even insulted the Liangzhou army, calling them useless trash.
The master of Splitting Moon Manor, Wen Zhi, had lost two of his favorite disciples. The man had gone half-mad, patrolling day and night, swearing to Heaven he'd root out every last Witch God cultist.
"All right, we'll talk later."
Chen Sanshi clasped his hands and said, "I've got a few things to take care of."
"Go on," Li chuckled. "Lord Chen, with this victory, your merit's unquestionable. Maybe not enough for a grand title, but you'll surely be promoted at least one rank—probably to Lieutenant General. Next time I see you, I'll have to call you Lieutenant General Chen."
"Ha, I'll take your good words, Thousand-Commander Li."
Chen Sanshi smiled. "Once things settle down, I'll invite all our brothers to the Immortal Crane Pavilion for a drink."
"Hah! Don't think you'll get off cheap then—we'll drink you dry!"
"Deal! See you then."
By the time he finished his duties and left the barracks, it was close to midnight.
When Chen Sanshi returned home, Lan jie'er was nursing the baby. There wasn't even a space for him on the bed—Yunxi was sleeping there too, clearly because Lan jie'er didn't want the little girl to feel lonely.
"Papa."
Chen Yunxi greeted him softly.
It had taken them over a month to travel back from Mingzhou to Liangzhou.
After spending that long together, they'd grown close.
"All right then, Yunxi, stay here and keep your mother and little brother company," Chen Sanshi said gently. "In a few days, you can move back to your room. I'll sleep in the back courtyard for now."
It would also make his upcoming plans easier.
"Okay."
Yunxi nodded obediently.
In the back courtyard, after a hot bath and fresh clothes with Siqin's help, Chen Sanshi lay down to rest. Then, he took out the strange bead.
This thing could generate a mysterious energy he called profound qì, which strengthened formations. So for now, he'd named it the Mystic Pearl.
During the journey home, there had been too many people around to examine it carefully.
Now, finally, he could.
Ever since he'd taken possession of the Mystic Pearl, the energy within it had kept growing—what was once a faint thread had now condensed into a small white mist, still thickening by the day. He had no idea how or why.
Holding the bead in his hand, Chen Sanshi closed his eyes and focused, entering the same meditative state he used when practicing the Sword Qi Technique. Soon, he sensed a strange resonance forming between himself and the pearl.
Through it, he could control the internal energy and channel it into himself.
But… it didn't enhance his personal strength at all.
He tried using it to boost his Sword Qi cultivation—still useless.
It seemed the pearl's power only worked on military formations.
Even so, it was definitely a treasure.
Maybe it wasn't valuable to lone martial artists, but for a commander—it was priceless.
The Red Brows Army's greatest victory had been achieved using this very pearl. Their power had skyrocketed, rivaling even the Eight Northern Garrisons. And that was a force barely a year old, with many of its elite cultivators recruited from various sects.
Later, for unknown reasons, the energy inside the pearl dwindled, and the Red Brows Army's strength declined sharply. Even so, in that battle outside Meishan Prefecture, their ferocity had nearly overwhelmed his troops.
If the Mystic Pearl could store enough energy again, and that energy was unleashed all at once in a decisive battle…
The results would be unimaginable.
"I just don't know how to recharge it…"
"It seems there are many kinds of profound qì in this world. We barely understand any of them."
"Never mind. I can't use it now anyway. Since it's still growing on its own, I'll just let it build up for now."
"As for the Heavenly Book…"
He'd hand that over to Father Hou in a few days. He was tired of getting dragged into unwanted attention and interrogation every time something surfaced.
With that decision made, Chen Sanshi closed his eyes and rested.
When the second night-watch hour came and the house had gone quiet, he quietly rose, armed himself, and headed toward Ciyun Temple.
The sooner this was done, the better.
The benefits from the Sword Qi Technique were enormous—and that was only at the beginner stage. Once he reached Minor Achievement, he might even stand his ground against experts in the Profound Manifestation Realm.
Lingwu Mountain was silent as death.
Ciyun Temple had no night patrols.
Chen Sanshi had already rehearsed his infiltration route in his mind countless times. With the help of [Breath Concealment and Hiding] and the [Sword Qi Technique], he moved through the shadows undetected until he reached the main hall.
Before him stood the great incense burner, glowing faintly with violet light.
After making sure no one was around, he stepped forward carefully.
He had intended to simply grab the burner and leave.
But as he drew closer, he noticed a faint red gleam beneath it.
Blood.
Chen Sanshi froze, instantly alert.
The placement of the blood was deliberate—clearly a mark, likely some sort of tracking or protective spell to prevent theft.
"Hm…"
Just as he was deciding what to do, the Mystic Pearl in his chest pouch began to react.
It seemed…
It could absorb incense power!
Chen Sanshi immediately pulled it out.
Sure enough, a mysterious force began to pull. The violet incense energy that had been gathering in the burner for who knows how long was drawn into the Mystic Pearl in waves. Inside, it mixed with the white profound qì without interference.
He also noticed that the pearl now masked its internal energy completely. Unless one held it in their hand, no one could sense what was inside.
"This bead… it can even do that."
Within the time it took to brew a cup of tea, the violet incense energy was gone—completely absorbed. Not a wisp remained.
With the incense power secured, Chen Sanshi turned to leave—but hesitated.
The black-iron cauldron he'd been using couldn't withstand strange flames, and few places sold proper replacements. Buying new ones constantly would only draw attention.
He needed a vessel—one that could handle true fire.
Though the incense within the burner had been completely exhausted, it felt wasteful to just leave the thing there.
But taking it away might expose him—what if whoever was behind this had left some method to track it?
After a brief moment of thought, Chen Sanshi made up his mind.
He decided to take the incense burner after all. Leaving Ciyun Temple behind, he rode straight toward the Luotian Mountain Range. Along the way, he gathered a large amount of spiritual grain. Instead of returning to his usual hidden base, he found a random tiger's den, killed the sleeping beast inside, and began refining medicine right there using his immortal treasure.
"If it can't be kept for long, then I'll make enough in one go to last!"
"Boom—!"
A red dragon of fire roared to life, wrapping around the incense burner in an infernal blaze.
Even under such scorching heat, the burner didn't twist or melt like the black-iron cauldron had. Clearly, it wasn't an ordinary object. Yet the effect on the spiritual grain wasn't much better than before.
Everything had its purpose.
The burner was meant for absorbing incense energy, not refining medicine. It could do in a pinch, but that was all.
Maintaining the flame, Chen Sanshi continued boiling batch after batch of spiritual-grain ointment. Before long, every single water pouch left behind by Deputy General Yu was stuffed full. He also filled all the gourd bottles he'd prepared in advance.
Altogether, it was enough to last a year or more.
With that done, the incense burner didn't hold much further use. He couldn't exactly waltz into temples and steal incense openly—that would be courting disaster. But returning it was out of the question too.
He'd find another use for it.
After tidying up the scene, Chen Sanshi hefted the burner onto his shoulder and headed back toward the city.
Since he was the one responsible for patrols, he knew exactly which parts of the city were quiet. That was the advantage of a "thief from within"—he easily made his way to a grand mansion.
Even without a plaque hanging on the gate, it was clearly a noble household.
This was the residence of Cao Fan.
Chen Sanshi planned to give the incense burner—with its blood-mark curse—as a gift to him.
That way, if the real owner came looking, they'd trace it straight to Cao Fan instead.
If not for the eunuch by Cao Fan's side—a man who had reached Major Achievement in the Meridian-Connecting Realm—Chen Sanshi would've taken matters into his own hands tonight, disguising himself as a Witch God Sect assassin and killing him outright.
Unfortunately, even dealing with a minor Meridian-Connecting expert had been hard enough before. A major one would be suicidal until he reached that level himself.
That old eunuch had stayed behind during the Mingzhou campaign, protected by Sha Wenlong, since he held no real post—just a personal attendant to the heir.
If the incense burner's owner came and killed them both, that would save Chen Sanshi quite a bit of trouble.
And it would give him the chance to see who was truly behind collecting incense fire.
He vaulted silently onto the rooftop. Using the Qi Observation Technique, he located the eunuch's position inside the mansion—fast asleep. Confirming that, he slipped into the rear courtyard.
The estate was vast, with a pond in the back garden.
Chen Sanshi gently lowered the incense burner into the water. Then, without a sound, he was gone.
Back home, he sat cross-legged on the bed and played with the Mystic Pearl.
He didn't dare cultivate the Sword Qi Technique yet.
From his senses, the purple incense energy inside could somewhat substitute for spiritual qi—but what side effects it might have once absorbed into the body, he didn't know. Best not to take risks for now.
If necessary, he'd ask his Fourth Senior Brother later.
The problem was, no one knew when they'd return. The gyrfalcon had flown off to find Ninth Senior Sister after the war, and even if he had it, he didn't dare use it to send messages about immortal arts. If such a message fell into the emperor's hands in the capital, it'd be a disaster.
For now, the best option was to casually probe the people from Seeking Immortals Tower. He still had unfinished business with them, so visiting once more wouldn't seem suspicious.
"This incense fire… doesn't seem like much," he muttered.
Sensing the Mystic Pearl, Chen Sanshi realized the stored incense energy was far less than expected. It felt as though someone had already taken a portion of it—like a warehouse that'd been emptied once before.
It made sense. If someone was collecting incense, someone else must also be using it.
"I'll just wait and see."
After the great battle, Chen Sanshi finally enjoyed a few days of rest.
Besides training, he spent most of his free time with the children.
Yunxi was heartbreakingly sensible.
On her second day home, she woke earlier than Siqin and Mohua, went straight to the kitchen to make porridge for everyone, and when not cooking, she was sweeping, cleaning, or washing clothes.
Eventually, to stop her from overworking, they sent her to the Grand Commander's Residence to begin basic studies.
Time passed.
More than ten days went by in a blink.
[Technique: Dragon Spear of Nation-Suppression · Transforming Strength (Minor Achievement)]
[Progress: 1855/2000]
Just a little more, and he'd reach Major Achievement in Transforming Strength—ready to break through into the Meridian-Connecting Realm.
…
One morning, right after breakfast, a messenger arrived at the door.
All soldiers were ordered to gather at the military city.
"Qianxun, what's wrong with you?"
Chen Sanshi immediately noticed the White Swan horse under him was restless.
"…All right, I get it."
Through their bond, he realized Qianxun was angry—because during the river crossing, he'd promised to share his spiritual grain but had ended up eating it all himself.
"I'll give you some tonight, okay? Stop pouting and let's go."
As he urged the horse forward, hooves striking the cobblestone, he spotted a familiar face.
"Lord Chen!"
Zhao Zhao glared at him mockingly. "You really are something—been back for so many days and still haven't visited my lady?"
"I was just about to," Chen Sanshi said calmly.
He had promised to share intelligence and also asked her lady for help finding bow materials. With the incense matter as well, he'd already planned to visit.
"Tell your lady I'll come tonight," he added. "And you—try talking to me with some respect. Or maybe you want another scar on that face of yours?"
"You…"
Zhao Zhao's lips trembled. She wanted to retort but remembered he was the kind of man who'd actually do it. She puffed up her cheeks, glaring. "Fine! You wait—I'll get my revenge someday!"
Leaving her threat hanging, she stormed off.
Chen Sanshi couldn't be bothered. He rode Qianxun straight to the barracks.
The entire Reserve Camp was already assembled at the martial field.
The Mingzhou campaign had been fully concluded.
Lü Ji and the others had returned.
Today—
Was the day of rewards and recognition.
Eunuch Hou stood on the high platform, holding the imperial decree in his hands, and began to read aloud the Emperor's edict.
Every surviving soldier of the Reserve Battalion received a reward.
The last name read out—was Chen Sanshi's.
"Promote Chen Sanshi to Third Rank, General of Distant Loyalty, to serve as Deputy General."
'That's it?'
Those kneeling below exchanged confused glances.
Their commander had accomplished something earth-shattering—yet this was all? Not a single mention of gold, silver, or honorary rank?
Before their confusion could grow, Eunuch Hou continued reading:
"Furthermore, Chen Sanshi is to remain stationed in Liangzhou, awaiting reassignment. On an appointed date, he shall enter the capital to receive formal imperial commendation!"
Enter the capital to receive reward!
This—
That meant it was no ordinary honor.
An audience with the Emperor himself was on a completely different level than receiving an edict in the field.
"Brother Chen… looks like you're about to rise straight to the heavens," Yan Changqing thought to himself.
When the imperial decree finished, everyone bowed low.
"We subjects thank His Majesty's boundless grace! Long live the Emperor—ten thousand years!"
…
"Eunuch Hou!"
Chen Sanshi took advantage of a pause to step forward. "May I ask about Deputy General Yu Song and Five-Hundred Commander Qian Cheng—what rewards were given to them?"
"Yu Song?"
Eunuch Hou furrowed his brows before replying, "That man disobeyed orders on the battlefield. If not for Lord Chen's miraculous intervention, Mingzhou might have fallen into eternal ruin!"
"The situation at that time made attacking Yangchun Prefecture impossible—it wasn't deliberate disobedience."
Chen Sanshi's tone hardened. "And the plan we used was one we discussed together. If it's disobedience you're condemning, then all of us disobeyed together."
"That's right," Lu Shuhua was the first to speak up. "Eunuch Hou, General Chen speaks the truth."
In truth, they too had been against crossing the river, forced into defying orders under pressure. But now, they all deeply admired General Yu Song.
"Eunuch Hou, General Yu was loyal to the Great Sheng Dynasty. He deserves a reward, not silence!"
Xie Sishu added, "His wife and children deserve justice too!"
"Please clear General Yu's name!"
Nearly everyone with an official post knelt and joined in.
Only Yan Changqing remained silent.
"Eunuch Hou!"
Chen Sanshi's voice carried firm conviction. "Without Deputy General Yu's final charge at Luotian Pass—without him frightening Liang Jinian into retreat—there would have been no victory at all!"
"Of course the court knows that," Eunuch Hou replied in his sharp, nasal voice. "That's precisely why he isn't being punished. Otherwise, disobedience warrants execution. If his actions had brought disaster, even the extermination of his nine clans wouldn't be excessive.
"If Lord Chen truly feels pity, you can always grant his family some silver privately."
"Eunuch Hou!"
"This isn't about silver," Chen Sanshi said coldly. "Deputy General Yu went to Luotian Pass of his own accord, not for personal gain."
"Lord Chen, I truly admire your sense of righteousness," Eunuch Hou said, his voice lowering slightly, "but you must also understand—disobedience is still disobedience. It's an iron rule. Sure, it turned out well this time, but what if everyone decided to do the same? The army would descend into chaos."
He paused, then leaned closer, voice dropping. "And if what you said is true—that the plan was your suggestion—then let's be honest. Without Deputy General Yu taking the blame for you, you'd be the one punished right now."
"Eunuch—"
"Lord Chen, enough."
Eunuch Hou cut him off. "If you're truly dissatisfied, you can write a memorial and submit it through the Secretariat to the Grand Council. You can argue all day with me, but I can't change this decree."
"…I understand."
Chen Sanshi's expression darkened.
Yu Song's 'disobedience' was punished—yet Sha Wenlong and Cao Fan, who had tried to kill him, weren't even mentioned.
Instead, they were credited for splitting the army, praised for their 'cautious command' and 'preserving the main force.'
It was utter nonsense.
But he couldn't refute it—there was no evidence.
A bitter fire burned quietly in his chest.
One had a Meridian-Connecting Major Achievement bodyguard. The other, a general in the Profound Manifestation Realm.
He was still too weak.
If only he had the strength to handle things cleanly—what difference would the Cao family name make?
Before, he hadn't had the power.
But soon… he would.
"Eunuch Hou, may I have a private word?"
He gestured politely.
Eunuch Hou didn't refuse, though he muttered as they walked aside, "If this is about Deputy General Yu again, then I really can't—"
"I'd just like you to deliver something to His Majesty for me."
Chen Sanshi handed him several thin golden scrolls.
"This… this is the Heavenly Book?"
Eunuch Hou's eyes widened. "I was planning to ask you about this privately, but it seems you've brought it yourself."
Chen Sanshi recited the excuse he'd prepared long ago. "I could never forget His Majesty's grace for even a moment. During the campaign, I came across these and dared not keep them hidden."
"Ah, Lord Chen, truly a loyal minister—a godlike general!"
Eunuch Hou smiled and probed, "Tell me, have you studied it yourself?"
"To be honest, I tried for several days," Chen Sanshi said, expression calm. "But the writing was incomprehensible—scribbles like ghost symbols. I couldn't discern a thing. Truly, it lives up to the name 'Heavenly Book.'"
It was a believable story. He'd kept the thing for months—claiming ignorance was the only sensible move.
Back when he met the Martial Saint Jiang Yuanbo from the capital, he'd been told to hand it to Eunuch Hou personally. That was enough proof of how deeply trusted this eunuch was by the Emperor.
He paused, then added, "I imagine only His Majesty himself can understand it."
"I'll keep it safe for now. The palace will send someone to retrieve it shortly," Eunuch Hou said with satisfaction. "If this truly is the Heavenly Book, that's another great merit for you!
"Tsk tsk… You've only been in the army a few years, yet you've already achieved more than most generals do in a lifetime. Truly, Heaven blesses the Great Sheng Dynasty—our nation's fortune is endless!"
"You flatter me, Eunuch Hou," Chen Sanshi replied smoothly. "I'm merely a humble servant of the court."
He hesitated briefly, then asked, "But could you tell me—when His Majesty summons me to the capital, what exactly does it mean?"
"What else could it mean? It's an enormous honor!"
Eunuch Hou chuckled softly. "Lord Chen, you don't know—His Majesty adores you! He praised you before the entire court of civil and military officials. You, my good lord, are about to rise higher than you can imagine."
Chen Sanshi asked, "So, when did His Majesty say I'll be summoned?"
"That hasn't been decided yet," Eunuch Hou replied with a sigh. "The past two years have been restless—every border is stirring. Even His Majesty has been closing himself off for cultivation less often. Once he finds a moment of calm, he'll summon you naturally."
"Thank you, Eunuch Hou."
Chen Sanshi discreetly slipped out a silver note.
"Lord Chen, no, no—you can't do that," Eunuch Hou said with a grin, gently refusing. "I wouldn't dare take your silver. If you truly wish to show goodwill, just remember me if you rise higher in the future. That alone will be enough gratitude."
"In that case, I'll take my leave."
Chen Sanshi saluted and turned away.
There was no point pressing the eunuch further about Yu Song. It'd be better to write a memorial himself and submit it through official channels.
As for the Heavenly Book…
There was no chance they'd suspect anything.
After all, the book was real. If the Emperor truly practiced immortal cultivation, he'd recognize it immediately. Of course, only half of it had been delivered—the other half remained in Chen Sanshi's hands.
And that secret—apart from Liang Jinian—perhaps only the immortals themselves knew.
Speaking of that…
Chen Sanshi found his thoughts drifting.
Had Liang Jinian really met an immortal?
Where had he seen one?
At first, he'd doubted it.
But recalling how his Fourth Senior Brother once said that even their Master had met an immortal, he began to think it might be true.
If so…
Were immortals really beginning to descend into the mortal world more often?
What were they planning?
"Shame Master isn't around," he murmured. "Otherwise, I'd ask about Liang Jinian myself."
He shook his head. "Forget it. Better to focus on cultivation for now."
…
After Chen Sanshi departed, Eunuch Hou sought out Yan Changqing and showed him the golden scrolls. "Young Master Yan, take a good look. Isn't this the same as the Heavenly Book Liang Jinian once held?"
"No mistake," Yan said firmly. "It's genuine."
"Good."
Eunuch Hou clicked his tongue in admiration. "It seems Lord Chen truly has no selfish motives at all."
…
The next day, after handling military affairs, Chen Sanshi led a few brothers into the city.
Along the way, white lanterns hung outside many homes. The streets were strewn with ashes and paper offerings.
They stopped in front of a three-courtyard residence. Before they even stepped through the gate, the sound of weeping reached their ears.
Inside the courtyard stood a coffin, surrounded by women and half-grown children dressed in mourning. Every so often, soldiers from the Liangzhou army arrived to pay their respects.
Chen Sanshi walked in quietly and burned a handful of paper money before the brazier.
Lu Shuhua and Xie Sishu followed his lead.
"You must be Lord Chen Sanshi?"
A middle-aged woman stepped forward. After he nodded silently, she bowed deeply, followed by her family.
She was Yu Song's widow, Madam Song.
"Madam, my condolences," Chen Sanshi said softly. "If you ever need help with anything in Liangzhou, send word to me. I live on Clear Spring Alley."
"Yes, yes," Xie Sishu added quickly. "Anything we can do, we will."
Lu Shuhua nodded as well. "To the Tongxuan Sword Sect, Madam will always be a respected guest."
"Thank you, my lords." Madam Song dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. "Please, don't grieve too much for my husband. It may sound unseemly, but for him… dying on the battlefield was perhaps the best way to go."
"Wuuh…"
A concubine beside her sobbed softly. "Yes… my lord's greatest wish in life was to make his mark in battle—to earn glory and fame."
"This time, such great achievements were made. The first merit belongs to Lord Chen, but the second… must surely be my lord's. He finally fulfilled his dream."
"…"
"Lord Chen!"
A small voice piped up from the side.
A boy, about fifteen, stood with reddened eyes. "Isn't there… isn't there supposed to be a plaque?"
"A plaque?"
"Yes—the Plaque of Loyalty! It was Father's greatest wish…"
The youngest child added, "Wu Er Gouzi always shows off the plaque his family got!"
"…"
Chen Sanshi looked at them, unsure how to answer.
Normally, when a general died honorably in battle, the court would issue a public notice. If his deeds were significant, he'd be granted a noble title and posthumous honor. Even if not, a plaque inscribed "Loyal and Brave" would be awarded to hang at the family's gate.
If the children later trained in martial arts and reached sufficient cultivation, they could even inherit their father's position.
But Yu Song… had received none of that.
Not a single honor. Not even a plaque.
All because of that so-called "disobedience."
'Disobey what, damn it?!'
Lu Shuhua, Xie Sishu, and the others all lowered their heads, guilt heavy in their hearts.
None of them dared linger longer. After offering condolences, they quietly departed.
Chen Sanshi stood silently for a long moment, his mind turning over possible drafts for a memorial—how to write it so that Yu Song's so-called crime could be washed clean.
"I'll write it tonight."
After leaving the Yu residence, he went straight to the Red Sleeve Pavilion, slipping in through the back door with practiced ease.
Tonight, he came armed—with his sword.
He thumbed the guard slightly, revealing a glint of cold steel, warning Ningxiang not to throw herself at him.
"Playing coy now?"
Ningxiang teased, draping a sheer scarf over her bare shoulders. "You're just afraid I'll use some immortal technique to trick you. If not for that, would you ever pass up a beauty? You've got lust in your heart but no courage to match it."
"You're not that special."
Chen Sanshi had been here several times before. They were familiar enough for blunt words. He sat at the table, checked the wine jug to make sure it was untouched, then poured himself a cup.
"Not that special?!"
Ningxiang blinked in disbelief, then snapped, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"The literal meaning."
Chen Sanshi took a sip, then bit into a pastry.
"You bastard."
Ningxiang's cheeks flushed with irritation. "One of these days, I'll teach you a lesson."
"Enough flirting," Chen Sanshi said flatly. "Let's talk business. The Heavenly Book matter's over. I've already handed it to the court. Turns out, it has nothing to do with reaching the Immortal Realm. It's only useful for leading armies and fighting wars."
Their deal had always been about "the way to ascend to the Immortal Realm" and the traces left by immortals. Anything beyond that was unnecessary to discuss.
When the topic came up, Ningxiang's teasing smile faded. "And what about the immortal who gave Liang Jinian his treasure? Have you ever met him?"
Chen Sanshi shook his head.
"I see." Ningxiang looked a little disappointed. "Such a pity. I never got to see that Heavenly Book myself. And after General Chen came back, you didn't even think to show it to me first."
"Show it to you? Aren't you afraid His Majesty might come knocking on your door?"
Chen Sanshi smoothly changed the subject. "What about the arrowhead material I asked you to find? Any progress?"
"General Chen is truly lucky," Ningxiang replied, her lips curling into a sly smile. "After asking around a bit, I actually managed to get my hands on what you wanted from one of the branch pavilions of Seeking Immortal Tower."
She shot a glance toward her servant.
Zhao Zhao pouted, grumbling under her breath as she rummaged through a chest full of silken undergarments. Finally, she pulled out a dark, heavy lump of metal and dropped it on the table with a dull thud. "Here. Take it."
"What's this?"
Chen Sanshi picked up the lump, its black surface gleaming faintly. It wasn't something he'd ever seen in books. From its texture and weight, it resembled black iron, but it clearly wasn't the same.
"This thing doesn't have a name," Ningxiang explained. "If I had to classify it, I'd call it a special form of black iron. It was formed in an unusual place, nourished by a unique kind of profound qi, giving it properties ordinary black iron doesn't have.
"Normal black iron can only conduct inner strength. But this one can actually store it—only for a few breaths, of course. Still, that's remarkable. It's extremely rare, and that lump there is all we could find. Barely enough to forge a single spearhead."
Chen Sanshi channeled his inner strength into the black metal and immediately sensed it—his energy lingered inside for a brief moment before dissipating. It truly could hold power, albeit briefly.
The amount was small, but it was perfect.
For arrowheads—it was ideal.
If he could also find the ghost-vein wood he'd seen illustrated in the Hundred Herbs Compendium before the Mingzhou campaign, he could create arrows that carried inner strength upon release.
In Mingzhou, his bow had been nearly useless against high-realm cultivators—only effective for clearing out lower-level warriors below the Refined Viscera stage.
He couldn't even scratch that monstrous beast in the Luotian Mountains.
No wonder few high-level warriors used bows. The higher one's cultivation rose, the less effective they became. Most preferred melee weapons for hunting beasts rather than relying on arrows.
But if he could store inner strength—everything would change.
And he could still accumulate energy himself.
"Ningxiang," Chen Sanshi said, setting the lump back on the table. "Tell me—what do you want in return?"
They'd made the deal before going to Mingzhou. This was just business.
"I thought you were going to try freeloading again."
Under the table, Ningxiang crossed her long, pale legs, slipped off her embroidered shoes, and brushed his knee with her toes. Her tone turned silky and playful. "Taking it's easy—spend a night with me, General. I've been curious how your Vajra Body feels."
"Mm. Fine." Chen Sanshi nodded, his expression calm. "Though you're rather average, I'll endure it for the sake of the iron."
Ningxiang's flirtatious smile vanished instantly. She kicked him sharply under the table. "You think I'm desperate for you? Forget it! Take the metal—it's yours. In exchange, I need you to help me find an herb in the Luotian Mountains. It's called Severed Renewal Grass. It's used for treating external injuries. Shouldn't be too hard for you, right?"
Chen Sanshi immediately recalled its use. Combined with several precious ingredients, it could reconnect severed limbs. But the herb itself was exceedingly rare.
"I can't promise I'll find it," he said honestly.
"Just do your best," Ningxiang replied. "Even if you don't, the iron is still yours."
"I'll try." Chen Sanshi packed away the black iron carefully. "Anything else you wanted to tell me?"
"So you noticed," Ningxiang murmured, eyes glinting.
"Tell me, General Chen," she said slowly. "Have you ever heard of the Fragrant Fire God Sect?"
"Fragrant fire…"
Chen Sanshi's expression stiffened slightly. He hadn't even begun his own investigation, yet she'd brought it up herself. "Never heard of it. Go on."
"There are countless cultivation paths in the world," Ningxiang explained. "The Fragrant Fire Divine Path is one of them. Among its branches, there's a group called the Incense God Sect. They have a strange technique that lets them steal the incense offerings meant for deities and convert them into their own power.
"They're elusive, hard to trace. What little is known suggests they like to hide in provinces where incense is abundant—though sometimes they deliberately lurk in remote temples where faith is weak to mask themselves."
"Incense… can be used for cultivation?" Chen Sanshi asked, seizing the chance to probe deeper. "Is it the same as using spiritual qi? Or is it something different?"
"Of course it's different," Ningxiang replied patiently. "Cultivation can be divided into two states—entering the Dao and not entering the Dao.
"If you haven't entered the Dao, incense can be used as a substitute for spiritual qi to some extent. But once you do enter the Dao, you can't switch paths again. And they say that cultivating through incense carries a certain price—but no one knows what that price truly is."
"Enter the Dao?" Chen Sanshi frowned. "What exactly does that mean?"
"When you use your spiritual root to draw in qi and store it within your dantian, you've entered the Dao," Ningxiang explained. "Those who only use spiritual energy to perform small arts—without storing or transforming it within the dantian—are not considered to have entered the Dao. The same rule applies to incense cultivation."
Chen Sanshi understood immediately.
If he only used the Sword Qi Technique, he wasn't entering the Dao. So he didn't need to worry about incense energy harming him—he could use it safely.
"Let me show you a small technique," Ningxiang said, beckoning with a finger. "Zhao Zhao, come here."
"Me? No way."
Zhao Zhao barely got the words out before Ningxiang's black pupils shimmered faintly pink, glowing under a ripple of Azure Profound Qi. The girl froze, her expression going slack, then hugged Ningxiang's thigh like a dazed child, drooling.
"…"
Chen Sanshi stared. It did look like hypnosis—or illusion.
No wonder the rumors said that those who met Ningxiang couldn't recover for three days afterward.
Chances were… they weren't just bewitched. They'd lost a few brain cells along the way.
Ningxiang raised a slender finger and tapped Zhao Zhao lightly on the forehead. The girl blinked a few times, and her vacant gaze finally returned to normal.
Ningxiang smiled charmingly. "Well, General, what do you think? Want to join the Seeking Immortal Tower? I could teach you personally."
"Not interested."
Chen Sanshi asked, "By the way, you suddenly started talking about the Incense God Sect and incense flames. Don't tell me…"
"General really is sharp," Ningxiang interrupted with a sly look. "You've already guessed what I was going to say. According to reliable sources, the Incense God Sect has a branch right here in Liangzhou."
She turned her gaze toward the window. "Those two daoists who died recently at Ciyun Temple? They were probably from the Incense God Sect. After their deaths, word is that disciples from the capital have already set out this way in haste. Their purpose—unknown."
That almost certainly referred to the so-called "Senior Uncle" from Ciyun Temple.
Chen Sanshi frowned slightly. "Ciyun Temple has existed for decades. If they were part of the Incense God Sect, how come no one knew?"
"There were suspicions, but no proof," Ningxiang explained. "We don't understand how incense energy works, and we wouldn't dare rashly investigate without evidence. Besides, you never asked me before."
She crossed her arms beneath her chest and continued, "I'm telling you this now because it seems they're planning something big. You'd better stay alert."
"Something big?" Chen Sanshi asked. "Does it have to do with Liangzhou?"
"No." Ningxiang slowly shook her head. "It's about the capital. Our sources say the Incense God Sect has been collecting items from all over the provinces and sending them toward the capital. Most likely incense fire—but why gather so much of it there? That's the part we can't figure out."
Gathering incense and sending it to the capital…
Chen Sanshi's first instinct was that it had something to do with that old emperor.
Just like the Witch God Sect before.
Still, it was only a suspicion.
Ningxiang said the same. "We've been able to trace some of their movements, but who they meet and what they do privately—we have no idea."
"I see. Probably has nothing to do with me," Chen Sanshi said casually. "But thank you for the warning, Miss Ningxiang."
Maybe it had nothing to do with him.
But it definitely had something to do with Cao Fan.
After all, the incense burner from Ciyun Temple was still soaking in the pond behind his estate. And the incense within had already been completely absorbed. Who knew how the Incense God Sect would react when they found out?
"If there's nothing else, I'll be taking my leave."
Chen Sanshi cupped his fists politely, slung his sword over his shoulder, and walked out.
But he didn't go home. Instead, he changed directions and spent the night at another brothel.
Cao Fan's mansion was in one of the wealthiest districts of the city.
Conveniently, a tall brothel nearby offered a clear view of his residence.
Chen Sanshi decided to watch from there—to see if the Incense God Sect would really come searching.
He trained during the day and stayed at the brothel at night.
Two full days passed without incident.
Then, on the third night—just past midnight—he finally saw movement.
Two shadowy figures slipped over Cao Fan's wall and disappeared inside.
…
Two daoists crept silently through the darkness, one leading, one following.
"Who would've thought those two under Qiu Mingzi would turn traitor," the younger whispered. "Colluding with the Witch God Sect, and before we could even question them, both ended up dead in prison! Master, what is the Witch God Sect scheming here in Liangzhou?"
"It likely ties to something deep within the Luotian Mountain Range," the elder murmured. "Ignore that for now. Our main priority is the capital. Once that's settled, we can deal with Liangzhou."
"I still can't believe someone had the guts to steal the incense burner."
In front of the heir's mansion, they halted.
"Master, are we sure we're not mistaken? How could the burner end up here?"
"Do you doubt my Bloodlight Technique?"
Their voices were soft as insects as they approached the rock garden at the rear of the estate.
The elder stared into the pond and said quietly, "It's down there."
"Got it."
The younger man slipped soundlessly into the water and resurfaced moments later—barely a few breaths—carrying the heavy incense burner in his arms. "Master, it's here. But… the incense fire inside is gone!"
"What?!"
The old daoist snatched the burner and examined it closely. His expression darkened instantly.
"Master!" the younger hissed. "Could it be that heir, Cao Fan? I'll go question him right now!"
"Don't move!"
The old daoist's brow furrowed. "This matter is top secret. Don't draw attention. Whether it was Cao Fan or not, we'll find out once we return and report."
"You're right," the younger said reluctantly. "But if it was him, why hide it in the pond? He could've just told us. Then again, who else in Liangzhou understands incense techniques?
"Seeking Immortal Tower? No, they don't even know how incense power works.
"Sun Xiangzong? Impossible—he's never studied incense, and he's not even in Liangzhou anymore. Not even the Emperor knows where he's gone. So who else could it be? No matter how I think about it, the most likely one is still Cao Fan."
A faint creak echoed through the night—the sound of a distant door opening.
Both daoists froze.
In an instant, they leapt to the top of the courtyard wall and vanished into the shadows.
…
Inside the brothel, Chen Sanshi sat by the window, watching the scene unfold.
"Nothing?"
He frowned. He had expected a spectacle tonight, but after days of waiting, there was nothing but silence.
So many incense fires stolen—and the Incense God Sect didn't even make a fuss?
Were they afraid of Cao Fan?
Or was there something deeper going on?
"Forget it…"
He exhaled softly.
If he wanted revenge for himself and Yu Song, he'd have to take matters into his own hands.
For now, he'd focus on breaking through—achieving Major Achievement in Transforming Strength—while continuing to cultivate the Sword Qi Technique in parallel.