Chapter 337 - 325: Origin

Chapter 337: Chapter 325: Origin

「As night fell.」

A figure melted into the darkness, quietly returning to Liyang.

The night was deep and still, the lights in every home extinguished.

Chen Li didn’t alert anyone, not even using the main gate of the Zhou Mansion.

Arriving outside the high walls, his body shifted just slightly, and he vaulted over them soundlessly, landing in his own courtyard without stirring the slightest breeze.

He had just sat down at the table and poured himself a cup of tea when he heard light footsteps outside the door.

"Father."

Chen Shouheng and Zhou Shuwei arrived together.

Chen Li hadn’t deliberately concealed his aura completely. With their current Cultivation at the Divine Hall Realm, coupled with their familiarity with his Qi, they could naturally sense his return.

"Come in."

The door was gently pushed open, and Chen Shouheng and Zhou Shuwei walked in side-by-side.

Chen Li gestured for them to sit opposite him, then took a sip of his tea. "What happened at the Governor’s Mansion?"

Chen Shouheng recounted how He Zhanglin and her Brother Tian had attacked them in the rear courtyard of the Governor’s Mansion, how he and Zhou Shuwei had driven them back, and how Governor Zhao Yuanhong’s attitude had clearly changed, with him explicitly offering his assistance in the sale of the Sun Family’s assets.

After listening, Chen Li’s expression showed no surprise. He simply nodded slightly and said, "I am already aware of this."

Today, Chen Li had been on the west side of the city, monitoring the small courtyard where He Zhanglin was staying.

From the arrival of that Brother Tian to the pair leaving the courtyard, rushing to the Sun Mansion, breaking into the Governor’s Mansion, and finally retreating in defeat... he had seen their every move.

"Father, we tried to track He Zhanglin afterward, but the place was empty. We fear they’ve returned to their sect."

Chen Shouheng was a little worried.

Chen Li said flatly, "They will never have the chance to go back."

Chen Shouheng and Zhou Shuwei’s gazes sharpened. They instantly understood what Chen Li meant, and after exchanging a look, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

After hurriedly leaving the Governor’s Mansion, the two had tracked He Zhanglin to her courtyard.

But unexpectedly, the pair had been so alert that they had already left after only a short while.

Since his father, Chen Li, had made a move, this major threat was considered temporarily resolved.

"I found this on them. You two are well-versed from your time at the He Niu Martial Arts Academy. Have you ever seen or heard of something like this?"

Chen Li took a palm-sized, antique-style Copper Mirror from his bundle and handed it to Chen Shouheng.

While dealing with the bodies, Chen Li had found quite a few things, but aside from some gold and silver, most were ordinary items like spare clothes.

Only this mirror was truly special.

After Chen Li channeled a sliver of Inner Qi into it, four small, crooked words had appeared on its surface: "How is the situation?"

The sudden change had instantly put him on alert.

Chen Li realized this was no ordinary Copper Mirror, but likely an Exotic Treasure with an unknown function, which was why he brought it back to Liyang.

Chen Shouheng and Zhou Shuwei stared at it intently, both looking puzzled.

They examined it carefully again but found nothing.

After a moment, Chen Shouheng handed the Copper Mirror back to Chen Li. "Father, I am uninformed. I have never seen or heard of such an item."

Zhou Shuwei also shook her head gently. "I do not know either."

Chen Li pondered for a moment, then asked Chen Shouheng to go and fetch Jiang Nanyue.

In about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Jiang Nanyue entered gracefully, led by Chen Shouheng.

She had already retired for the night and was now wearing only an outer robe, her black hair slightly undone, giving her a lazy, charming allure.

"Master?"

Jiang Nanyue gave a graceful curtsy.

"Look at this."

Chen Li wasted no words, handing the Copper Mirror directly to her.

Jiang Nanyue stepped forward, took the Copper Mirror, and frowned slightly.

After she channeled a sliver of Inner Qi into it, the words that appeared on the mirror surprised her greatly.

Jiang Nanyue’s gaze fell upon the Copper Mirror, at first with a look of scrutiny. But when she saw the writing clearly, she asked in confusion, "Could this be... a Cloud Mirror from the Qingtian Bureau? Master, where did you get this?"

"Qingtian Bureau? Cloud Mirror?"

Chen Li’s brow twitched. This was the first time he had heard these two terms.

He gestured for her to explain in detail. "What kind of power is this Qingtian Bureau? And what’s so special about this Cloud Mirror?"

"Replying to the Master, the Qingtian Bureau is not a Court Government Office, and it has no connection to the government. It’s a very unique Jianghu organization that calls itself ’Qingtian.’ You can’t call it a Sect, as it has no fixed headquarters or lineage. You can’t call it a gang, as it’s very loosely organized. In short, it’s a faction formed by a group of... lunatics who fancy themselves righteous heroes and take it upon themselves to uphold justice in the Jianghu."

Jiang Nanyue organized her thoughts and explained, "They often interfere in Jianghu disputes and the grudges of Noble Families everywhere. They even hunt down and kill those they deem heretics or unjust individuals. Because they often act based on their own whims and love to stick their noses where they don’t belong, they have a rather complicated reputation in the Jianghu, and many find them annoying."

"However, most major powers in the Jianghu are angry but dare not speak out against them. This is because while the Qingtian Bureau’s actions may be odious, no one dares to underestimate their strength. It’s said that to formally join the Qingtian Bureau, one needs a Cultivation of at least the Grandmaster Realm just to qualify as an official member."

"A Grandmaster at minimum?"

Chen Shouheng and Zhou Shuwei drew in a sharp breath.

A Grandmaster could establish their own sect and preside over a region, yet in the Qingtian Bureau, that was merely the entry-level requirement?

’Then what kind of figures must be at the core of this Qingtian Bureau?’

They exchanged a look. If He Zhanglin and her companion had escaped today, the consequences would have been unthinkable!

"That’s right."

Jiang Nanyue affirmed, "As for this Cloud Mirror, it’s rumored to be the Qingtian Bureau’s communication Token, a replica of an ancient Divine Artifact. Its greatest function is long-distance communication over a thousand li, which is exceptionally miraculous. Those four words are likely an inquiry."

’Communication from a thousand li away?’

’That ability is simply heaven-defying!’

Chen Li’s expression also changed slightly. He immediately asked, "Besides communication, does this item have any other functions?"

Jiang Nanyue said, "There are rumors that these Cloud Mirrors can faintly sense one another, allowing for tracking. Master, this item... must not be kept on your person! If someone from the Qingtian Bureau finds you, the trouble will be endless."

Chen Li nodded. He immediately re-wrapped the Copper Mirror in the cloth, handed it to Chen Shouheng, and told him to leave the city, find an animal, and shove the Cloud Mirror inside its body.

Chen Shouheng accepted the order and left, and Zhou Shuwei also took her leave.

The door was gently closed, leaving only Chen Li and Jiang Nanyue in the room.

Jiang Nanyue lifted her eyes and spoke in a soft voice, "Master, since the matter here has come to a temporary close, if you have no other orders, Nanyue plans to take her leave and return to Jiangzhou first."

Seeing Chen Li’s gaze turn to her, she explained, "With Nanny Zhang executed, the Xiang Sect in Jiangzhou is without a leader. Nanyue must return as soon as possible to stabilize the situation. Only then can I quickly take control of the Jiangzhou Xiang Sect’s power and serve you faithfully in the future. If I delay, I’m afraid complications will arise."

Chen Li didn’t agree immediately. He contemplated for about a dozen breaths before speaking, "There’s no rush to leave in the next day or two. First, come with me on a trip back to Lingxi."

’Why are we going to Lingxi?’

The tip of Jiang Nanyue’s slender eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly as several thoughts flashed through her mind.

However, all her questions and speculations were fleeting. Without showing even a moment’s hesitation, she replied obediently, "Yes, Nanyue will obey."

「The next morning, an ordinary, green-canopied carriage departed from Liyang.」

Chen Li and Jiang Nanyue traveled light, not alerting too many people as they set off on the road back to Lingxi.

The journey was smooth and uneventful.

After a day and a half, Lingxi was already in sight.

The carriage headed straight for the villa.

The carriage stopped before the mansion’s gate, and a sharp-eyed gatekeeper had already come forward to greet them.

Chen Li disembarked first, and a maid also hurried over.

"Master, you’ve returned."

"Mm," Chen Li nodded and instructed the maid, "Prepare a quiet guest room and show Miss Jiang there to rest."

"Yes, Master."

The maid replied respectfully. She curiously stole a glance at the graceful and charming Jiang Nanyue following behind Chen Li but didn’t dare ask any questions, quickly leading the way.

Chen Li, on the other hand, returned to the old residence. He didn’t go looking for his wife or the others, but went straight to the secret room in his study.

A moment later, he emerged with a small Jade Box.

Then, he went to the room in the villa where Jiang Nanyue was staying.

"Master."

She curtsied, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over the Jade Box in Chen Li’s hand.

Chen Li didn’t waste words. He opened the box, took out an Elixir, and handed it to Jiang Nanyue, saying flatly, "Take it."

Jiang Nanyue was slightly taken aback. But without the slightest hesitation, she carefully picked up the Elixir with her fingers and placed it in her mouth.

The Elixir entered her mouth and slid straight down her throat.

The next moment.

"BUZZ...!"

Jiang Nanyue’s delicate body trembled violently as if struck by lightning.

A roar echoed in her mind, as if some barrier had been instantly shattered.

The Divine Hall Acupoint, which had always been ethereal and elusive, was now reflected in her senses with absolute clarity.

"This... is..."

Jiang Nanyue was both shocked and overjoyed, almost crying out in alarm.

She had been stuck at the Inner Mansion Pass, the Third Level of the Spirit Realm, for several years. The tempering of her five organs had long since reached Perfection, and her Inner Mansion Little World was also very stable.

She was only stuck on the crucial step of condensing her Divine Sense: finding and opening her Divine Hall Acupoint.

The location of each person’s Divine Hall Acupoint is profound and unpredictable. One can only rely on the Water Grinding Technique, sensing it little by little and carefully guiding Inner Qi to probe and strike at it.

The entire process is like a blind man trying to describe an elephant. The slightest mistake could result in damage to one’s Divine Sense. A serious error could even damage the Divine Hall Acupoint, leaving behind an incurable injury to one’s foundation and destroying all hope of ever reaching a higher Realm.

It not only tested a Cultivator’s aptitude and foundation but also involved a great deal of luck.

All these years, Jiang Nanyue had not dared to make a reckless attempt, patiently honing her skills and waiting for an opportunity.

She had never imagined that the Elixir bestowed upon her by Chen Li would have such a heaven-defying effect, directly showing her the way through the most difficult and dangerous checkpoint on the path to the Grandmaster Realm.

With this, breaking through the Divine Hall Pass was now almost a natural and effortless success for her.

The greatest obstacle had been swept away by this single Divine Pill.

"Nanyue is eternally grateful for this divine gift, Master."

Her delicate body trembled with excitement, her eyes filled with both shock and gratitude as she bowed deeply to Chen Li.

Chen Li responded calmly, "Since you can sense it, go into seclusion immediately and break through this pass in one go. No one in Lingxi will disturb you."

"Nanyue... will certainly not fail to live up to Master’s generous gift."

Jiang Nanyue suppressed the joy in her heart, took a deep breath, and without further delay, began her secluded Cultivation.