Chapter 29: Don’t Tell Anyone
Shi Hao’s voice was low and serious, “Blood Lion?”
Old Qiu said, “You may not know, Righteous Hao, but ‘Blood Lion,’ whose real name is Zong Hai Xiong Tu, was the most famous general of the barbarian court eighty years ago.
“At that time, the people of Chu Yin Province suffered terribly under barbarian oppression. The Chu Yin martial world united and led the people in a rebellion against the barbarian court. It was Zong Hai Xiong Tu who led the troops to suppress the uprising.
“In that single campaign, he slaughtered over two hundred thousand of our people. The Chu Yin martial world was almost completely eradicated, corpses strewn across the fields, rivers of blood flowing, a truly horrific sight.
“Like the Yue Ke Tai clan, the Zong Hai clan is one of the four great barbarian families. Zong Hai Xiong Tu was the most trusted general of Emperor Lie Zunyi. He cultivated terrifying demonic techniques like the ‘Great Handprint’ and the ‘Blood Sand Tempest.’ He earned the name ‘Blood Lion’ for personally killing over ten thousand people during the suppression of Chu Yin.
“Because of his countless atrocities against our people, some righteous martial artists from the Central Plains secretly united and planned an assassination attempt on Zong Hai Xiong Tu in the capital. Almost all the participating martial artists perished in that battle, but Zong Hai Xiong Tu was also critically injured, near death.
“However, over the years, there have been reports confirming that he didn’t die in that battle. He went into hiding in the Vast Sea and has somehow survived until now, possibly with the help of some supernatural ability. No one knows what he’s been doing there, but the Vast Sea is now filled with a terrifying, blood-red aura, and it’s now called the ‘Blood Sea.’
“Zong Hai Xiong Tu is even the grandfather of the current head of the Zong Hai family, Zong Hai Hao Han. If those children are really being sent to the Vast Sea, they have little hope of survival.”
Shi Hao nodded, “I see.”
He wasn’t particularly surprised.
When Yue Ya’er said, “This case can’t be investigated any further,” he had suspected that other powerful barbarian families might be involved at the Vast Sea.
Just like in the history of another world, when a certain president’s son went after “tigers” (corrupt officials), his investigation stalled as soon as it reached the four most powerful families.
Yue Ya’er, as the daughter of the Yue Ke Tai family, naturally knew more about the situation at the Vast Sea than outsiders.
She was just a young lady from the Yue Ke Tai family, while the person there was an elder of the Zong Hai family.
Despite this pressure, she still had the courage to mobilize troops to eliminate the Shu Tiger Gang and rescue those children. She was far more courageous than that “president’s son.”
Shi Hao said, “I need more information. Tonight, the Shu Tiger Gang will definitely gather the children they’ve captured in various locations at a single point before sending them away.
“But Miss Yue Ke Tai will make a move to disrupt their plans. In the ensuing chaos, some children might be transported, but most will be left behind. I need you to find out the location of their transit point during this chaos.”
Old Qiu said, “Rest assured, Righteous Hao. We’ll take care of it.”
After giving his instructions, Shi Hao hurriedly left, changed back to his original appearance, found Du Yuejiao, and returned to Ming Kun Monastery with her.
Before noon, Du Yuejiao brought him the Great Cold Peony Immortal Bud, the Water Moon Exquisite Lotus, and three Blazing Sky Leaves.
The Great Cold Peony Immortal Bud and the Water Moon Exquisite Lotus were each placed in a separate jade box.
The bud, crimson and translucent, radiated a chilling aura, causing ice to form inside the jade box.
The lotus was a translucent green stem, radiating a faint moonlight, its appearance exquisite.
The three Blazing Sky Leaves were wrapped in a handkerchief. Each leaf, shaped like a maple leaf, was fiery red, its veins glowing with a faint firelight.
Shi Hao took the three immortal ingredients and said, “Thank you, Yuejiao.”
Du Yuejiao shook her head gently, “I’m glad I could help, Brother Shi. Are you preparing to advance to the seventh rank?”
Shi Hao smiled, “Indeed! So I might be away for a few days, finding a secluded mountain to cultivate in seclusion.”
Daoist advancement required harmonizing internal and external elixirs. Cultivating in seclusion allowed one to first purify their internal elixir before consuming the external elixir, achieving a balance between internal and external refinement.
Therefore, it was natural for him to seek seclusion in an undisturbed mountain. Du Yuejiao didn’t think much of it.
Having obtained the main ingredients for the seventh-rank Immortal Formula, Shi Hao gathered the supplementary ingredients at noon.
This was much easier. The White Peony Courtyard had everything he needed, and he had familiarized himself with the ingredients while learning alchemy.
In the afternoon, Shi Hao cultivated alone in his room.
Daoist and demonic energies circulated in his upper and lower dantians, completing thirty-six cycles in a short time.
As evening approached, he slowly opened his eyes, his mind clear, his gaze sharp.
The energy of the Immortal Ice Technique, in his upper dantian, had condensed into an elixir.
The energy of the Mysterious Charm Technique, in his lower dantian, had formed a swirling sea of fire, mysterious and ominous.
He had finally mastered both techniques simultaneously.
He was elated. If it weren’t for being in Ming Kun Monastery, he would have let out a celebratory roar.
He left the White Peony Courtyard and noticed something unusual.
Soldiers were stationed throughout the monastery, and Yingzhao beasts circled overhead. Armored riders patrolled the sky, maintaining a tight security perimeter.
In the distance, Abbot Song Cui, Daoist Lan Ke, and Recluse Zhuo were escorting a tall, burly general towards the Golden Crucible Hall.
Shi Hao tried to approach but was stopped by soldiers. He pondered for a moment, then circled around and headed towards the Wei Xiang Pavilion.
It wasn’t dark yet. The setting sun cast a golden glow over the elegant pavilion and the surrounding flowers and plants, like a beautiful painting on silk.
The door to the Wei Xiang Pavilion was closed. Shi Hao knocked on the red door, “Yuejiao?”
He hadn’t expected her to be inside, but Du Yuejiao’s clear voice came from within, “Brother Shi, wait a moment.”
After a while, the red door opened.
Du Yuejiao stood inside, her hair loose, wearing a pink wrap-around robe and embroidered slippers, revealing her delicate ankles and slender calves.
The robe, crossed over her chest, was slightly loose, and the knot at her waist was hastily tied. Tiny water droplets clung to her fair neck.
Shi Hao whispered, “Am I disturbing you?”
Du Yuejiao shook her head, “Not at all.” She invited him in.
He followed her to the second floor, where the guest rooms were located.
Shi Hao looked up the elegant wooden staircase towards the third floor and suddenly asked, “Yuejiao, can I see your room?”
His unexpected request made the girl blush. A young lady’s boudoir wasn’t a place for a man to enter casually.
Shi Hao looked at her, “If it’s not convenient…”
“It’s… it’s alright,” the girl said, slightly flustered. As if afraid he might be offended, she instinctively grabbed his sleeve.
He followed her to the third floor. The door was open, but a beaded curtain separated the room.
She reached out and parted the curtain, the white pearls clinking together musically.
Entering her room, Shi Hao looked around. A glass-inlaid bed with pink embroidered bedding sat in one corner, a delicate red dressing table with a glass lamp and a bronze mirror beside it.
On the other side was a beautiful wardrobe and an elegant square table. A pile of recently discarded undergarments lay haphazardly on a low stool.
There were also paintings, candlesticks, and other items typically found in a young woman’s room.
After pretending to admire the room’s decor, Shi Hao walked to the window and looked out.
Through the pink gauze curtains, he saw the riders flying over the rooftops and the soldiers stationed around the monastery, their presence giving the lavish, opulent temple a somewhat menacing atmosphere.
He said casually, “I noticed the entire monastery seems to be under lockdown, with soldiers everywhere. What’s going on?”
Du Yuejiao came to his side, looked outside, and said, “It’s nothing. They’re just retrieving something from the Golden Crucible Hall.”
Shi Hao smiled, “What is it that requires such a large-scale operation? I saw the abbot, Senior Lan Ke, your master, and even a general sent by the court. This seems quite serious.”
Du Yuejiao hesitated, “Well…”
“Hmm,” Shi Hao suddenly turned, leaned closer to her neck, and sniffed, “Strange!”
The girl blushed and turned her head slightly, “Brother Shi, what… what is it?”
Shi Hao whispered in her ear, smiling, “I always smell a fragrance on you. I thought you used perfume, like other girls. But you just bathed and changed your clothes. Why do you still smell so fragrant?”
The girl blushed and whispered, “It’s the Divine Orchid Technique Master taught me. When cultivated to a high level, the true energy transforms into a musk-like fragrance that emanates from the skin. I… I’m almost at the peak of the eighth rank. In a few days, I can consume an external elixir and advance to the seventh rank. So, the fragrance is stronger these days.”
“Is that so?” Shi Hao leaned closer, his nose almost touching her ample bosom, and inhaled gently, “No wonder it smells so good.”
She hadn’t expected this usually polite, albeit arrogant, and often considerate young man to act so boldly, like a lecherous scoundrel.
But despite her embarrassment, his praise filled her with a strange sense of joy.
His head was bowed before her chest, his forehead almost touching her lips. She shyly tilted her head back, but her breasts, inexplicably, pressed closer to his face.
Her own reaction embarrassed her even more.
The sweet fragrance filled Shi Hao’s senses.
He looked up and pulled her into a tight embrace. The girl placed her hands on his chest, halfheartedly trying to push him away, but her strength was gone.
Shi Hao smiled and whispered in her ear, “You’re so beautiful and you smell so good. I couldn’t resist. Are you angry?”
The girl blushed and shook her head slightly. Seeing she wasn’t angry, he grew bolder, lifting her into his arms and carrying her to the bed.
She hadn’t expected him to go this far. She struggled slightly, but her feeble resistance was useless.
He placed her on the bed and gently removed her embroidered slippers, his hands caressing her delicate ankles and arched feet. Embarrassed, she covered her face with her hands.
Shi Hao turned and joined her on the bed, pulling her into his arms, but he didn’t go any further.
He teased her, “When I first met you, you were so arrogant. But I liked you even then. You’re so beautiful, so lovely, but you were also quite mean.”
The girl nestled in his arms, her heart fluttering, and whispered, “I… I’m just used to acting that way. It wasn’t directed at you…”
Shi Hao stroked her back and smiled, “And now?”
The girl blushed, wrapped her arms around his waist, and whispered, “You know.”
“I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking,” Shi Hao said, leaning over her, gently caressing her body, his tone playful and teasing. “I’m asking you, and you have to answer honestly, or I’ll be angry. Do you like me now?”
Lost in his touch, the girl whispered, “Yes.”
Shi Hao asked again, “Then tell me, when is your birthday? I want to get you a present.”
“January… the third of January,” she mumbled, revealing her birthdate, something traditionally only shared after engagement, her face buried in his chest, overcome with shyness.
Shi Hao continued, “Were you born in this prefecture? I want to know more about you.” He continued caressing her body.
The girl whispered, “I’m from Tong City in Jiangzhe.”
Shi Hao asked, “Jiangzhe Province? I heard it’s a beautiful place. By the way, you just bathed, and your calves are exposed. Are you not wearing trousers under your robe?”
The girl said shyly, “I’m wearing knee-length trousers.”
Shi Hao whispered in her ear, “What color are they?”
The girl covered her face with her hands, “Y-yellow.”
Shi Hao asked, “Are there any patterns on them?”
The girl said, “They have… auspicious frogs.”
Shi Hao, listening to the commotion outside, asked, “By the way, what’s going on outside? It’s so noisy. What are they doing in the Golden Crucible Hall?”
Lost in a daze, the girl whispered, “I… I’ll tell you… but don’t tell anyone!”
