Chapter 295
Chapter 295
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Unnumbered]
Chapter Title: Night of the Inner City
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In the Xijing Bureau of Astronomy, the Supervisor issued an order: All officials of the Bureau—Spiritual Platform Attendants, Chief Clerks, Seal Keepers, Water Clock Masters, Supervisors, Calendar Officers, Dawn Officers, Doctors, and the host of minor clerks without official rank—were to cease activating the various treasures monitoring the inner city, such as the seismoscope, armillary sphere, Myriad Phenomena Instrument, Heavenly Scriptures, Earthly Scriptures, and others. Even the earth spirits and land gods were ordered to stand down and rest.
At the same time, a secret directive came from the Gongtian Prefecture: All constables were relieved of duty for the night and sent home to rest. Whatever happened in the inner city, the prefecture knew nothing and would investigate nothing. The constables received the order with awe and returned to their homes.
The Divine Machine Battalion soldiers guarding the inner city also received the message: Guns pointed outward only—no firing a single shot or shell into the inner city, no stepping foot inside even half a pace.
A chain of secret orders rippled out, silent and traceless, without the slightest disturbance. Officials from every office retired to their dreams, and the inner city remained as quiet and harmonious as ever. Xijing's inner city was lined everywhere with official roads, no civilian alleys; the streets were smooth and perfect for carriages. But it was now the Zi hour—midnight—and no vehicles stirred on the avenues.
Even the night watchmen's cries had fallen silent. No dog barks could be heard.
On Qianyang Street leading to the Chen residence, several figures appeared: Chief Clerk Shui Xuanzhi of the Fuzheng Pavilion, Left Adjutant Qin Su, and Right Adjutant Fan Peng.
The three walked unhurriedly toward the Chen residence at the end of the road, their steps light. The inner city was filled with the mansions of high officials—every one at least a third-rank minister, some even the estates of the Three Dukes or Pillar of State. Disturbing these terrifying figures would spell trouble.
The mansions lay shrouded in darkness, not a single lamp aglow, only the moonlight from the sky casting their shadows on the ground—mere two or three feet long. Beneath the eaves by the roadside, in the shadows, a green sheep leaned against the wall, muttering to the door gods of that mansion.
It was the estate of the Junior Tutor. The door gods hanging there were no ordinary wards, slayers of evil and spirits; any malevolent entity approaching would be beaten half to death by the pair. Yet now, those two door gods lay sprawled on the ground, bound in the inverted hogtie position, utterly immobile.
They had indeed sensed an evil presence.
But the evil was too powerful. Not only could they not stop it—they'd been given a thorough thrashing.
"I've told you, my target isn't your house. But you wouldn't listen and insisted on fighting."
The green sheep was still muttering when it spotted Shui Xuanzhi and the others. Its sheep ears perked up. It stepped out from the shadows and laughed.
"Little Chen Tang was right—trouble's here after all. You three little things, stay with Grandpa Green Sheep!"
Shui Xuanzhi, Qin Su, and Fan Peng halted and looked toward the shadows on the other side of the street. There stood a delicate young woman holding a flower basket, smiling at them.
"The Six Great Villains of the Five Lakes: Loose Practitioners Chen Yindu, Green Sheep, Du Yiran, Hu Xiaoliang, Qiao Zhu, and Sha Qiutong."
Shui Xuanzhi said calmly,
"Qiao Zhu keeps bees at Great South Lake, Du Yiran carves inscriptions on Yellow Stone Mountain. Chen Yindu is dead, turned demon in the underworld. Of the six villains, only the Rakshasa woman Sha Qiutong remains—abandoned after killing her son—the evil spirit Green Sheep, who died from grave wounds, and the cowardly Hu Xiaoliang, hiding in the Ghost God Domain out of fear of death. The three of you, clinging to life, huddling together for warmth. With Rakshasa and the evil sheep here, surely the cowardly Hu Xiaoliang is nearby too?"
No sooner had he spoken than a nine-tailed fox emerged from the rooftop above Granny Sha's head, strolling along the wall toward them.
"You're the Fuzheng Pavilion Chief Clerk? You know quite a bit."
Shui Xuanzhi smiled faintly.
"I've always kept close tabs on you Loose Practitioners. Knowing the three of you would block my path, how could I come unprepared?"
At that, two middle-aged men stepped forward from behind them, one left, one right—broad-shouldered, pot-bellied, with the distinctive guts and sturdy frames of generals. Their faces were identical twins, divine lights faintly manifesting behind them: clearly Void Return Realm experts.
These two were the Left and Right Commanders of the Five Armies Battalion, first-rank grandees commanding hundreds of thousands of troops.
Born of the Xia family, Xia Fanghe and Xia Shouying were twins, two pinnacle Void Return Realm masters. Granny Sha, Green Sheep, and the Heavenly Fox grew slightly grave, their gazes fixed on the commanders.
Shui Xuanzhi and his group strode past. The three did not block them.
"Play a game with this lady in the underworld!"
Granny Sha stomped. Yin and yang realms parted; the entire street sank into the underworld while Qianyang Street in the yang world remained above, as if another street had submerged. Since regaining her youth, her cultivation and strength had grown even greater!
Xia Fanghe and Xia Shouying smiled faintly, each blooming their Void Great Realms. They stepped forward together, an unmatched aura crushing down!
Shui Xuanzhi's group advanced dozens of paces when a wooden wheelchair blocked the road's center. A pale-faced, beardless eunuch sat in it, smiling at the approaching trio.
"Golden Mountain Loose Practitioner Shui Xuanzhi—I've heard the name."
Eunuch Feng Tianhuan sat in the chair and chuckled.
"Among Loose Practitioners, you're the youngest. You entered Void Return at forty-three. Now fifty-one, you broke through to Great Ascension in just eight years. Your speed is unprecedented; few geniuses in the world surpass you. What benefits did the Young Master give you to earn such unwavering loyalty?"
Shui Xuanzhi did not reply, continuing evenly,
"Seal-Holding Eunuch Feng Tianhuan, also East Factory Chief. These years, you've single-handedly opposed the Thirteen Great Families. Eleven years ago, wounded by Chen Yindu, left crippled. Seventeen months ago, you allowed Young Master Xiao to steal the Western King Jade Seal. Eight months ago, when Maker Little Five came to the capital, you resigned as Seal-Holder and East Factory Chief."
Eunuch Feng was astonished.
"You know quite a bit. But don't slander me—I never allowed Young Master Xiao to steal the seal!"
Shui Xuanzhi said coldly,
"Eunuch Ma, you're a lousy chess player, yet you fancy yourself maneuvering the world as a chessboard against the Thirteen Families. You should have realized: once you step down, there's no coming back."
Footsteps sounded from behind him.
New East Factory Chief Yan Shuangtian and new Seal-Holding Eunuch Bai Sihai approached.
These two grand eunuchs possessed immensely profound cultivation and formidable strength. Moreover, they were Eunuch Feng's adopted sons.
Eunuch Feng had no heirs and favored taking god-sons; these two were his most valued, the earliest followers, the ones he trusted most!
Eunuch Feng's expression shifted slightly as he looked at Yan Shuangtian and Bai Sihai, frowning.
"Shuangtian, Sihai—you know the purpose of us eunuchs' existence. Without us, the Thirteen Families would have claimed kingship long ago. For men like us, born lowly, eunuchdom is the only path. Siding with the Thirteen Families cuts off your future!"
Yan Shuangtian laughed.
"Godfather, we're not siding with the Thirteen Families—we're siding with the True King."
Bai Sihai smiled too.
"Godfather, you've sat in those seats too long. Time to step aside. You want to return—where will that leave your sons?"
Eunuch Feng's face darkened, then he smiled broadly.
"Good, good—you've all grown up. As long as you don't side with the Thirteen Families, the East Factory and us eunuchs still have a place."
Shui Xuanzhi led Qin Su and Fan Peng past him. Eunuch Feng did not stop them, letting them go as his gaze fell on his two ungrateful sons.
"Godfather, what you taught us is outdated."
Yan Shuangtian lunged forward laughing.
"We learned better from the Young Master!"
Bai Sihai hid behind him; their figures intertwined as they charged straight at Eunuch Feng!
Eunuch Feng sighed, rising from the wheelchair with a cold laugh.
"Your father teaches to the student— what I passed to you is the best!"
Shui Xuanzhi's trio pressed on. There, by the roadside, stood a pair like golden boy and jade girl: the man handsome and elegant as a jade tree in the wind, the woman in fiery red robes, stunningly beautiful with a proud figure.
"Young Master Xiao, Jin Hongying."
Shui Xuanzhi smiled faintly.
"Young Master Xiao, are you fit to be a Zhu? The Young Master is your peer, both Zhu clansmen, tasked with reviving the imperial line and invigorating New Continent. Yet you betray from within, aiding outsiders! If you have any pride left, hand over the Western King Jade Seal—to the Young Master!"
Young Master Xiao's face was impassive.
"The emperor's not worried—why should a dead eunuch be? Zhu family business is none of your concern."
Shui Xuanzhi's expression darkened as he turned to Jin Hongying.
"Jin Wuchen, you've truly betrayed the Divine Machine Battalion. Women in office are easily swayed by romance."
Jin Hongying shot him a delighted glare and laughed.
"Romance? As if! Don't slander me!"
Shui Xuanzhi snorted. From the alley emerged two Commanders—their direct superiors in the Divine Machine Battalion.
Young Master Xiao raised an eyebrow.
"Without Divine Machine cannons, you two aren't our match."
The two commanders sneered coldly and advanced. Left Commander Ma Weimin said flatly,
"Young Master Xiao, you've progressed quickly. But how quick? How much of the True King's arts have you mastered?"
Jin Hongying said excitedly,
"Xiao, finish these two commanders, and the Divine Machine Battalion is ours! Even if we really get together, no one will dare gossip!"
Shui Xuanzhi led Qin Su and Fan Peng around Xiao and Jin, continuing onward.
Ahead, before the Chen residence gates, stood a carriage—the vehicle of Grand Secretary Zhang Fuzheng.
Faced with it, Shui Xuanzhi dared not speak.
He could banter with anyone, save Grand Secretary Zhang Fuzheng. The cabinet's head minister, top authority under the True King, supreme power in the open in West Ox New Continent! Even as a Great Ascension expert, facing such towering authority left him faintly fearful. He bowed and waited silently.
Former Grand Secretary Yan Xizhi approached slowly and reached the carriage. Zhang Fuzheng personally opened the door, inviting him in.
Yan Xizhi boarded unhurriedly, bowing as he entered the carriage.
Shui Xuanzhi exhaled, proceeding to the Chen residence gates. Qin Su stepped forward and pushed—the door wasn't latched and swung open easily.
The three entered directly. The front courtyard was modest: parlor, two side chambers, kitchen. For a Right Vice Minister, third-rank grandee, it was rather small.
In the parlor, Chen Tang sat upright, tea set before him as he drank. On the table lay a plain sword, still sheathed.
"You two wait outside."
Shui Xuanzhi instructed Qin Su and Fan Peng. They halted outside the parlor, waiting quietly.
Shui Xuanzhi walked straight to the table, pulled out a round stool, and sat. Chen Tang poured him tea.
Shui Xuanzhi lifted the cup, gazing into the water, and smiled.
"Lord Chen, dubbed King of Accommodation, once accommodated every rival in the metropolitan exam. I'd love to summon your old rival, now Cabinet Minister Fei Zhong—but back then, Minister Fei was no match for you, nor today. So I didn't invite him."
Chen Tang's face remained stern, unsmiling as ever.
"Minister Fei's cultivation has advanced by leaps; from a great family, cultivating supreme arts from the Chenzhang Anthology—the later stages, the deeper the power. Who am I to claim more than a draw with him?"
Shui Xuanzhi laughed.
"If you can draw with me, I'll turn and leave."
Chen Tang said,
"You've reached Great Ascension—hard for me to draw even."
"Shall we try?"
Shui Xuanzhi laughed.
Chen Tang said,
"Very well—let's try."
He drew the sword abruptly. The instant the sword light leaped from the sheath, the Chen parlor seemed to turn transparent. The light pierced the four walls, illuminating the Xijing inner city! Outer city folk still awake saw their shadows stretched long by the blinding glare; buildings' shadows elongated toward the horizon!
This brilliant sword light filled Shui Xuanzhi's eyes: countless sword qi forming a Void Great Realm, hidden in the sheath, loath to show itself lightly. Today, unsheathed, it transformed the sky-filling sword qi into a streak of flowing light, displayed for him!
Behind Shui Xuanzhi emerged his Void Great Realm. Primordial spirit fused with flesh, Void Great Realm with flesh—ten thousand changes returning to one. Flesh was spirit, spirit was realm; the realm's power his to wield! This was Great Ascension, near-immortal realm!
A realm Chen Tang had yet to achieve!
Shui Xuanzhi raised his right hand, two fingers clamping the sword light. The two sat at the table, unmoving.
Chen Tang sheathed the sword smoothly; the light slid back into the sheath on the table like flowing clouds and waters. Shui Xuanzhi withdrew his fingers, clenched his fist, lifted the teacup with his other hand, and drained it. He set down the cup, rose, and walked out.
Qin Su and Fan Peng, baffled, hurried after. Qin Su whispered,
"Brother Dao, shall we fight?"
Fan Peng said,
"Brother Dao, could he really draw even with you?"
Shui Xuanzhi shook his head lightly. His right hand trembled; fresh blood trickled from between index and middle finger.
"Not even. He'd been nurturing that sword light too long—injured me."
He exited the Chen residence.
Fan Peng hesitated, then stopped.
"I'll kill Chen Shi!"
Shui Xuanzhi shook his head.
"Don't. He's injured too, but has strength to spare— he'd kill you."
Fan Peng frowned, then whirled and dashed into the Chen residence.
"Shua—"
Brilliant sword light pierced the clouds, the glow fading slowly. Qin Su waited, face paling.
Fan Peng did not emerge.
"Let's go back."
Shui Xuanzhi exhaled turbid air.
"You going wouldn't help either. I don't know his other tricks, but his sword showed no panic—his follow-ups are thunderous, fiercer now. This..."
He headed toward Xieshou Pavilion, murmuring,
"...can only be for the Young Master to contest himself."
Qin Su hurried after him.
The next day, Chen Shi awoke from meditation, flying out from the Minor Heavens.
The Chen residence was as usual, unchanged—only the maids and servants now showed far greater respect to Chen Tang. After breakfast, Chen Tang escorted him to the Ministry of Rites yamen.
"Little Ten, do your best on the exam!"
Granny Sha and the others called from outside the gate.
Chen Shi nodded and entered the yamen. Glancing back, he saw Chen Tang chatting amiably with Granny Sha, Eunuch Feng, and the rest.
"They're definitely hiding something from me."
Chen Shi thought.