Chapter 467 - 449: Edict, Re-entering the Inner City

"All that’s left is this Blood Flame Profound Lingzhi!"

Su Yu took out the blood-red Lingzhi and placed it on the stone table in his backyard. His eyes were fixed on it, a contemplative look flashing within them.

Over the past few days, he had consulted ancient texts and made inquiries with powers like the Hundred Herbs Pavilion, confirming the identity of this Lingzhi as a rare treasure from antiquity.

’This Profound Lingzhi has an astonishing amount of Spiritual Qi. According to Zhen’Er’s perception, the amount of Spiritual Qi is likely almost double that of the Forgetful Intoxicated Immortal Fruit.’

’With such an astonishing amount of Spiritual Qi, if I were to consume it, I could probably accumulate more than two Breakthrough Points directly.’

Su Yu didn’t consume it immediately. With a flip of his hand, he stored it away again.

’No need to rush. I’m at a Martial Arts Limit Break right now with no suitable target, so I can save this for later. I’ll just use up all the Treasure Medicines Zhen’Er purchased these past few days first.’

...

「In a wealthy merchant’s mansion in Black Stone City’s Inner City.」

The Merciful Saintess, clad in a black sect robe that concealed her graceful figure, sat in the seat of honor with a cold and aloof air.

In the seat just below her sat an ordinary-looking man with a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. He looked up at the Merciful Saintess in the seat of honor and spoke respectfully.

"Your Holiness, our objectives for this operation align. Would it be possible for you to have the Protectors support us?"

Beneath her veil, the Merciful Saintess’s lips curled into a slight, mocking smile. The man who spoke was a Black Lotus Envoy of the Holy Sect, named Wu Feng.

The rank of Black Lotus Envoy was higher than that of a Hall Master, a position within the Holy Sect that could only be held by those in the Divine Storage Realm.

Ordinarily, the Merciful Saintess wouldn’t have minded cooperating with him. After all, the Formless Earth King was responsible for the infiltration of Black Stone City.

The Cultivation Technique this man practiced was from the Formless Earth King’s lineage, specializing in altering one’s appearance and bone structure. He was clearly a core disciple of the Formless Earth King.

However, she had recently heard that the bitch Miaoyin was also coming to Qing Province, and that the Formless Earth King had sided with her. This greatly displeased the Merciful Saintess.

Still, she had to maintain appearances. Her red lips parted as she said, "It is all for the great cause of the Holy Sect. Naturally, it is possible."

"Protector Feng Han, you will support Black Lotus Envoy Wu Feng in this operation."

Feng Han’s expression froze. He was the weakest one here, so why would the Saintess assign him to this operation?

Besides, he had just returned to her side. Did the Saintess truly trust him enough to assign him such an important task?

Despite his many doubts, he stepped forward and said respectfully, "I will obey the Saintess’s decree!"

After Black Lotus Envoy Wu Feng had left, the Merciful Saintess had Feng Han stay behind alone.

She crossed her long legs, extending her right one forward, revealing a section of her calf, as white and smooth as jade, from beneath her black skirt.

Feng Han’s face instantly stiffened. Gritting his teeth, he knelt at her feet, allowing her to press her foot down on his head as she pleased.

"Protector Feng Han, your main task in this operation is to uncover Su Yu’s background. Don’t let me down with your status as a double agent."

Having climbed his way up from the bottom, Feng Han immediately understood her meaning. He breathed a sigh of relief internally and said, "I will obey the Saintess’s decree."

...

"Commander Su, the dredging of the canal is crucial for the future trade between the Inner and Outer Cities. There can be no mistakes."

Pang Xuan personally gave Su Yu these strict orders.

"You will oversee this matter together with the two Great Commanders from the Inspection Bureau. This will be the first joint operation between our Public Security Bureau and the Inspection Bureau, so be mindful of your conduct."

Su Yu nodded and accepted the order, then headed to the Inner City to meet with the two Great Commanders.

「City Lord’s Mansion, Inspection Bureau.」

This was Su Yu’s second time here, and he was once again struck by the elegant surroundings.

Octagonal pavilions of red jade were scattered about, with small bridges arching over babbling brooks. White marble railings snaked through the gardens, where White Jade Snow Soul Flowers and Cinnabar Soul-Gathering Flowers bloomed all around.

The red and white flowers complemented each other under the dappled light and shadows, creating a scene like a paradise on earth.

Su Yu was in a good mood as he arrived at an office pavilion within the Inspection Bureau.

"Sir, which Commander are you here to see?"

A pretty maidservant in red stepped forward and asked with a slight smile.

"Great Commander Su Yu of the Public Security Bureau, here to see Great Commanders Shi Yueshan and Liu Wu."

"Please wait a moment, my lord!"

Upon hearing Su Yu state his name and title, the maidservant’s expression immediately changed to one of shock. She had initially thought, given his youth, that he was some junior visiting one of the commanders, not a Great Commander himself.

She hurried inside to announce him, not forgetting to glance back at Su Yu one more time as she left.

’So young, and so handsome!’

A short while later, the maidservant in red came out again. Her attitude was even more respectful as she gave a graceful bow and said, "Lord Su, Commander Shi invites you in."

Su Yu gave a slight nod and calmly followed the maidservant into the pavilion, eventually arriving at an office on the second floor.

The dark mahogany doors were open, and Su Yu walked straight in.

"Commander Su, please have a seat."

A middle-aged man stood up to greet him. He had a square face and a stern, solemn expression.

"You must be Commander Shi Yueshan?"

"That is I. Please wait a moment, Commander Su. Commander Liu will be here shortly."

Shi Yueshan personally picked up the teapot and poured some tea for Su Yu. As steam rose from the hot water, the fragrance of Spiritual Tea immediately filled the air.

Su Yu nodded and began to quietly sip his tea, taking the opportunity to observe the room.

The room’s furnishings were simple. There was a square, brown locust wood desk. In front of it was a tea table with two small round stools.

Besides that, there was only a curio shelf, upon which sat a Pixiu bronze censer. Sandalwood incense was currently wafting from it, releasing a peculiar, refreshing fragrance.

Although the entire room was simple, it was wiped spotlessly clean, without a speck of dust, and even gleamed slightly.

Furthermore, Shi Yueshan’s eyes kept glancing at the soles of Su Yu’s shoes. When he seemed to spot a trace of dirt, his expression stiffened.

Su Yu shifted the position of his feet, and Shi Yueshan’s eyes unconsciously followed the movement.

He looked like he wanted to say something several times but held back, probably feeling it would be impolite to point it out to Su Yu.

’OCD... he’s not a Virgo, is he...?’

Su Yu couldn’t help but roast him internally, finding the situation rather amusing.

Fortunately, Shi Yueshan wasn’t left to agonize for too long. A fragrant breeze wafted in from the doorway, and a woman with a long, thick braid walked in.

The woman had a pretty, cute face and was clearly not very old.

’This must be Commander Liu Wu.’

Su Yu didn’t underestimate her. He had already reviewed the files on Shi Yueshan and Liu Wu before coming. Both were powerful experts at Jiao Tendon Realm Perfection and had placed in the top twenty of the Martial Examination. Their strength was by no means ordinary.

Moreover, Liu Wu came from the prestigious Liu family and seemed to be related to Liu Longyu.

"Commander Shi, this must be Commander Su, right?"

Liu Wu stared at Su Yu with wide, curious eyes, seeming a little surprised at how young he was.

"Commander Liu, a pleasure to meet you. I am Su Yu, here to carry out the canal dredging mission with you."

Su Yu stood and clasped his fist, showing no lack of courtesy.

Liu Wu smiled and said, "Commander Su, you really are young. You look a year or two younger than me. May I ask what Realm you’re at currently?"

Hearing this, Su Yu knew that Liu Wu most likely hadn’t even read his file. He wasn’t angry, however, and stated directly, "I am currently at the Tiger Tendon Realm."

"Oh... just the Tiger Tendon Realm? That’s a bit low."

Liu Wu sat down to the side, sounding a little disappointed. "I heard Commander Su was the number one genius of the Outer City. I didn’t expect you to only be at the Tiger Tendon Realm."

"Oh, oh, don’t be angry, Commander Su. I didn’t mean to mock you, I was just a little surprised."

Liu Wu seemed to realize she had misspoken, pouting slightly as she offered an explanation.

Su Yu’s expression remained calm. He had long known that those from the Inner City looked down on the Outer City.

He had also anticipated how he, the supposed number one genius of the Outer City, would be perceived after entering the Inner City.

Most people’s first reaction would be nothing more than disdain.