Before leaving, Murong Yu used the Confucian technique Seeking a Steed by Its Picture once more to examine the Demon Cultivators' corpses.
However, the clues ended right there, leaving no way to trace any other Demon Cultivators from the Red Blood Sect.
Just as Confucianism had its Confucian techniques, the demonic sect possessed its own curses and arts.
It seemed those cunning Demon Cultivators, who forever lurked in the shadows, had anticipated this long ago and used curse magic to erase all remaining traces.
With no other choice, Murong Yu could only harvest a portion of the Six-Armed True Demon's remains.
Given the formidable abilities of the Grand Confucians at Water Cloud Academy, there might still be a chance they could uncover a lead.
Before long, Xiangqin carried the three of them back to the Imperial Capital.
There were no restrictions on flying entities in the outer reaches of the Imperial Capital, but strict regulations governed the inner city—especially near the Imperial Palace.
Anyone who entered its airspace was to be executed without mercy.
Thus, upon reaching Yixiang Pavilion, Xiangqin transformed back into her human form.
“Brother Chen, I shall take the True Demon's remains back to hand over to the academy's Grand Confucians first. Once I secure the Noble Scholar rank, I will be sure to inform you immediately.”
“Young Master Chen, I must also return to continue investigating the case files. For Demon Cultivator disciples to exist so close to the Imperial Capital... it seems the chaotic presence of demons and evil spirits in the capital cannot be taken lightly.”
Murong Yu and Qin Heng took their leave one after another.
As the backs of the two men gradually faded into the distance...
Xiangqin curtsied slightly to Chen Ning, her face filled with gratitude.
“Xiangqin offers her deep thanks to Young Master Chen. Had it not been for Young Master Chen's intervention, I fear we would still be coerced by those Demon Cultivators, forced to act as their accomplices against our will...”
Xiangqin truly lived up to her reputation as a breathtaking top courtesan, one for whom countless high officials, wealthy nobles, scholars, and Confucian scholars in the Imperial Capital were willing to throw away fortunes just for a single meeting.
Not only was her beauty otherworldly and ethereal, making her an absolute siren of the mortal world, but her light red sheer dress bloomed like a fiery lotus, accentuating her exquisitely graceful and alluring curves.
Chen Ning suddenly remembered something and inquired, “By the way, if I remember correctly, is your Cyan Luan clan related to the Phoenix?”
Xiangqin nodded gently. “According to rumors, we Cyan Luans were indeed descendants of the Phoenix. However, because our bloodline has thinned over time, there are barely any similarities left. In my case, my bloodline unexpectedly experienced a bit of ancestral reversion. That is why not only am I slightly stronger than others of my kin, but a portion of my feathers is also crimson.”
“I see. In that case, I might have a way to help you grow stronger,” Chen Ning spoke after pondering for a moment.
Xiangqin was his mount, while Xiao Jiu was his pet.
Xiao Jiu often got to devour his Sword Qi, so naturally, he couldn't mistreat Xiangqin, who served as his mount.
Besides, helping her become stronger would also increase her flying speed.
“Try absorbing this wispy flame. If I'm not mistaken, it should benefit you.”
Chen Ning lightly tapped a wispy golden flame, ignited from his Divine Phoenix Bloodline, onto the center of Xiangqin's brow.
As the golden flame merged into her brow, Xiangqin instantly felt a scorching surge of energy race through her meridians.
Although the burning sensation brought a touch of pain, everywhere it passed, the impurities within her bloodline were completely erased.
When the golden flame circulated through her body and gradually faded, Xiangqin felt as though she had just emerged from a hot spring bath.
Not only did fine beads of sweet sweat glisten across her skin, but a warm, exhilarating sensation pervaded her entire body.
Coming back to her senses, Xiangqin was astonished to discover that the purity of her bloodline had surged significantly!
The demon race did not possess as many techniques as humans, so for them, the strength of their bloodline was far more critical than a human practitioner's talent.
To elevate one's bloodline purity was a monumental opportunity that any demon could only dream of encountering.
This favor was nothing short of a second birth!
Eyes rippling like autumn waters, Xiangqin curtsied deeply in overwhelming gratitude. “Thank you, Young Master Chen... No, I should call you Master now, shouldn't I?”
Chen Ning chuckled softly. “I have as much of this golden flame as I could ever need. Take your time digesting it here in Yixiang Pavilion. If I need you, I will call for you.”
Seeing Chen Ning turn to leave, Xiangqin spoke up in haste, “Master, wait!”
Her cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment. “Master has just returned after a grueling ordeal. Do you not wish to stay for a cup of tea first? I can perform songs and dances to ease your fatigue...”
“No need. I have a silly maid waiting for me at home. Let's leave it for next time.”
Chen Ning smiled faintly, turned, and departed.
“A silly maid? So Master has another woman in his home...”
A strange, sour pang welled up in Xiangqin's heart.
It was an indescribable feeling she had never experienced before.
...
“Young Master, you're finally back!”
The moment Chen Ning walked through the door, Qing Yan pounced on him with joy, her delicate arms wrapping instinctively around his neck.
She pressed so close against him that Chen Ning could even feel a pair of soft mounds pressing against his chest. He couldn't help but chuckle. “Silly girl, why are you so excited today?”
“Of course I am! Look how long you've been gone, Young Master!”
Glancing at the fiery red sunset outside, Qing Yan pouted aggrievedly. “You walked out and left me alone at home for the entire day! What in the world did the academy's Grand Confucians test you on that took so long?”
At the mention of this, Chen Ning felt a sudden wave of guilt.
Though he had a clear conscience, he could hardly tell a girl as innocent as Qing Yan that he had spent the day visiting a brothel.
He cleared his throat hastily and made up an excuse on the fly. “It was nothing much. A Grand Confucian's assessment is full of dry, boring stuff. You'd probably fall asleep after a couple of sentences, so I'd better not bore you with it.”
“Oh, so that's how it is.”
Hearing this, Qing Yan blinked her clear eyes, taking his word without the slightest suspicion.
Thank goodness this girl is easy to fool.
Chen Ning breathed a long sigh of relief.
Right at that moment, however, Qing Yan suddenly leaned in closer to Chen Ning.
After taking a quick sniff, a hint of confusion rippled across her liquid autumn eyes.
She then leaned in further, sniffing intently near Chen Ning's sleeves, neck, and chest.
In the next moment, Qing Yan's lovely face suddenly shifted color. “Young Master, why is there the scent of rouge and perfume on you? Young Master... where exactly did you go?”
The air seemed to freeze instantly.
He had never expected Qing Yan's nose to be so sharp.
I almost forgot—this girl is a fox demon!
If he had been upfront about it from the beginning, it wouldn't have been a big deal. But having lied about going to a brothel only to be caught red-handed, no amount of explaining would ever clear his name!
Chen Ning's brain worked at full speed, running through every possible excuse and outcome.
Finally, a stroke of genius struck him.
“Ahem... I didn't want to say anything, but truth be told... this scent came from Murong Yu.”
Qing Yan was bewildered. “But isn't Young Master Murong a man? Why would he wear something like that?”
Chen Ning replied, “That's because... uh, the guy actually has a passion for the cut sleeve. But make sure you don't breathe a word of this to anyone. After all, he's always been deeply self-conscious about it.”
Rate on N.U.
