As night fell over Ye City, the cooking fires died down, and countless lights flickered to life across its thousand streets and hundred alleys, spreading like embers to the horizon.
In the Wei King’s Mansion, the Heir’s chambers.
Ji Yanqing sat cross-legged on his bed, focusing his breath in his dantian, circulating the sparse spiritual energy in his body according to the Soul-Coagulating Nether Art.
Since his comprehension tripled, the once-obscure ancient texts became clear—not easy, but decipherable word by word.
“Shape the soul, form the body; three souls ethereal and elusive, six spirits shadowy and unpredictable. Three and six unite to prove my divine power!”
As he spoke, his spiritual sense, previously spread over a hundred meters, condensed sharply, unleashing a powerful wave of energy.
Through the slight slit of his eyes, Ji Yanqing glimpsed an object materializing before him—a sword, or rather, a bladeless, edgeless sword.
The second stage of the Soul-Coagulating Nether Art allowed one to condense their soul and spirit into a “soul weapon” for combat.
Unlike ordinary weapons, soul weapons had an unmatched advantage: they could pierce all physical defenses, directly attacking the soul, and could solidify for defense when needed—truly unpredictable.
But they had a fatal flaw: “If the soul weapon breaks, the person dies.”
Ji Yanqing grasped his unique soul weapon, examining it. It was pitch-black, without blade or edge, resembling a heavy ruler.
The soul was tied to one’s fate. Ancient texts said a knife signified a thug’s life, a spear a hegemon’s, and a sword a king’s.
Yet his sword, devoid of ornamentation or sharpness, looked utterly ordinary.
As a “yellow-haired villain,” he was grateful it wasn’t a cow horn or fairy wand. He had no right to complain.
With a thought, the black sword vanished. Ji Yanqing took a deep breath, stabilizing his realm.
During his cultivation, warm spiritual energy cycled through his meridians, gradually absorbing years of accumulated medicinal power in his body.
Though he absorbed only a tenth, it propelled his cultivation to the seventh level of Qi Condensation. Fully absorbing it could push him to the peak of Gathering Spirit, perhaps even Radiant Sun.
Without the system boosting his abysmal aptitude, reaching Qi Condensation’s peak would’ve required rituals and prayers to thank the heavens.
After about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, a knock came at the door, followed by a crisp, lively female voice: “Your Highness.”
“Hongyuan, why are you here?” Ji Yanqing asked knowingly. As Auntie Xie’s personal maid, she rarely came for anything else.
“Young lord, the lady has been waiting in her courtyard and wishes you to visit and discuss some matters.”
Ji Yanqing’s heart sank, fearing Auntie Xie might grind him down, but after weighing his options, he steeled himself and headed to her courtyard.
The Heir’s chambers were near Xiaochun Lake, just a hundred steps along the shore. Sneaking in at midnight over the wall would likely go unnoticed.
The evening breeze rippled the lake, swaying the red lanterns along the distant courtyard wall.
Holding an ornate rouge box, Ji Yanqing slipped through the side gate, familiar with the route. When no one was around, he dipped a finger into the rouge, tasting it lightly.
[Ding! Option task completed. Reward: Host has gained mastery of Hypnotic Illusion Technique.]
Crossing the courtyard gate, he heard the splash of water. Two maids bustled with wooden buckets, steam rising in the chilly night.
Ji Yanqing turned to leave, avoiding the awkward scene, but Hongyuan grabbed his sleeve, saying respectfully, “Young lord, the lady is bathing. Please wait a moment.”
“Mm,” Ji Yanqing replied, folding his snow-white sleeves, standing outside, trying to maintain a junior’s proper mindset.
Soon, Hongyuan returned, and an exasperated voice came from within: “Yanqing, come in.”
Ji Yanqing froze, bewildered, staring at the courtyard’s wilted grass, his mind racing through possibilities.
‘Auntie Xie always treated me like a brother. That’s normal.’
Normal, my foot! What kind of twisted pseudo-incest plot is this?
If he stayed, he’d surely err. A transmigrator with a mature mind, nearly eighteen post-reincarnation, was no child.
Frowning, he prepared to cite Confucian ethics— propriety cannot be discarded, men and women must not touch—but before he could, Xie Lingwan’s stern voice cut in: “Hurry up! You won’t even listen to your aunt?”
Her tone suggested she found her request perfectly reasonable.
[If you can’t resist temptation, indulge boldly. Stop pretending to be a gentleman and admire the exquisite artwork!]
Ji Yanqing lowered his head, cautiously following Hongyuan into the west wing, meticulous in his etiquette.
Don’t misunderstand—he just wanted to test his weaknesses.
The room glowed with dim yellow light. A screen embroidered with fish at play cast the silhouette of a woman—sultry, curvaceous, her slender waist and legs exuding feminine allure.
Ji Yanqing lowered his gaze further, smiling awkwardly. “Auntie Xie, I can wait outside. No need to come in.”
“How’s that fine? It’s cold in late autumn. What if you catch a chill?” Xie Lingwan’s soft voice carried a maddening hint of charm.
Cold outside? It’s hotter than a neon-lit district in here!
🥵🥵🥵
Gauging the mindset of a twenty-five-year-old widowed beauty, Ji Yanqing ventured, “Auntie Xie, why did you call me here?”
“Earlier today, you broke… some young master’s legs at Yuegui Studio?”
“I know I was wrong,” he said quickly.
“Oh? Tell me, what exactly was your mistake?”
“…I hit too hard.”
“Completely wrong!” Xie Lingwan said, exasperated. “You weren’t harsh enough! Hongyuan said he often harasses women and bullies the weak. If I were you, he wouldn’t have left Yuegui Studio alive.”
“You’re right, Auntie. I’ll do better,” Ji Yanqing said, wiping cold sweat, wondering when Xie had become so ruthless.
Splash, splash—
Two maids helped her dress, moving carefully. With a creak, the screen parted.
Fresh from her bath, Xie Lingwan was half-draped in sheer silk, her ample chest partially exposed, dark hair cascading over her collarbone, exuding a rose-like fragrance. Her snow-white back flickered in and out of view, sensual and alluring.
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