Xie An had spent a long time with the Eldest Princess.
Previously, Xie An's strength was insufficient, and he rarely inquired about matters unrelated to himself. This was Xie An's first time inquiring about the High Priest.
After all, he was about to reach the level of the High Priest and Li Changchun, so more understanding… seemed very necessary.
Having a martial arts grandmaster at home, why not ask?
Before answering, Su Yuqing asked Xie An a question: "How long until you reach the nineteenth section of the Bright Jade Skill?"
Xie An didn't hide this, "If all goes well… at the earliest, half a year, at the latest, a year."
Su Yuqing nodded slightly, "The High Priest's nineteenth section of the Bright Jade Skill, in terms of combat power alone, is comparable to a non-ranked grandmaster. If you really want to make a comparison… about four High Priests can compare to one ranked grandmaster. However, strength and speed are indeed greatly enhanced. If it's an assassination, they can kill a ranked grandmaster."
Xie An wasn't too surprised by this answer.
He was mentally prepared for this.
Although the Bright Jade Skill has a great enhancement effect on the five senses, strength, and speed, it is, after all, a body-nourishing skill and not primarily for killing. It's reasonable that it's comparable to a non-ranked grandmaster.
Being able to reach one-fourth of a ranked grandmaster, and even kill a martial arts grandmaster with assassination, is already quite remarkable.
Seeming worried that Xie An would misunderstand, Su Yuqing added, "I'm comparing it to the lowest-ranked ninth-grade grandmaster!"
This was the first time Xie An had heard of the strength ranks of grandmasters, and he couldn't help but be curious: "Ninth-grade grandmaster?"
Su Yuqing said, "Martial arts grandmasters are in the process of opening the nine major secret vaults of the human body. The strength of a grandmaster also corresponds to nine grades. The lowest is ninth grade, and the most powerful is first grade. Any grandmaster, if they want to serve the imperial court, can at least be conferred a second-grade official position. If they have made meritorious service, they can easily obtain a noble title. At least a county duke title. They own land and fiefdoms and can pass it down to their descendants."
Xie An clicked his tongue in amazement.
The Great Qian Dynasty was indeed a dynasty that established the country through martial arts, and the degree of importance attached to martial artists reached a height that ancient times in his previous life could not match.
As long as one was a martial arts grandmaster, entering the court would grant a second-grade official position. With just a little meritorious service, one would be granted the title of county duke.
Although county duke was the lowest of the three ranks of dukes, it was still much higher than a marquis.
They possessed private land and fiefdoms, which included the laboring people on the land. For example, if Xie An was a county duke of Qingwu County, then the entire Qingwu County would belong to Xie An.
They had autonomous taxation and could train troops within the amount stipulated by the imperial court… Xie An would be a local emperor here. As long as he didn't oppose the imperial court, he could occasionally submit memorials to convey his support to the emperor, and do whatever else he wanted.
A title with a fiefdom was a real fiefdom. It wasn't just a nominal position.
This was extraordinary.
How many officials who entered the officialdom worked hard for a lifetime but couldn't get a high official position. Even a first-grade official of the imperial court, serving the imperial court until old age, at best the emperor would be grateful for their loyalty and hard work and give them a nominal title, with a salary, to be passed down to their descendants. But there was no fiefdom.
In the end, the imperial court needed loyal ministers, but it didn't lack them.
What the imperial court lacked were grandmaster-level pillars of the nation.
To be valued, one ultimately needed to have value and strength. The scarcer the strength, the more benefits one would receive.
Rather than working hard in the officialdom, flattering, and fighting bravely in intrigue, it would be better to directly cultivate into a martial arts grandmaster and reach the sky in one step, which would be more pleasant and straightforward.
And Xie An was not far from this step of martial arts grandmaster.
Thinking of this, Xie An felt that the Great Qian, a dynasty that combined enfeoffment and prefectures and counties, was quite suitable for him.
He rubbed his hands, feeling a little more anticipation in his heart, "Does the imperial court have any preferential treatment in terms of noble titles for ninth-level martial artists?"
Su Yuqing shook her head, "No, there isn't. Although the imperial court attaches importance to cultivating ninth-level martial artists and has preferential treatment in all aspects, noble titles won't be given easily."
Alright.
It still had to be a martial arts grandmaster!
But thinking about it, it was understandable. There were only two martial arts grandmasters in the entire Southern Prefecture, which showed the scarcity of grandmasters.
Su Yuqing said, "Breaking through to martial arts grandmaster is not easy. Out of a hundred ninth-level martial artists, it would be amazing if one of them broke through. That's one in a hundred. Since the founding of my Jingtai Dynasty nearly a hundred years ago, only He Nanfeng has been born as a grandmaster in the entire Southern Prefecture."
Perhaps afraid of dampening Xie An's enthusiasm, Su Yuqing didn't forget to encourage him, "I'm optimistic about you. Work hard and break through to grandmaster as soon as possible, and I'll ask for a noble title for you."
Faced with the Eldest Princess's encouragement, Xie An felt a burst of speechlessness in his heart, but said, "I'll work hard."
What's more, the Qingwu Demon Suppression Division wasn't just from the Eldest Princess's faction, but also from the Huainan King's faction. Xie An still had to pay attention to some influences, so as not to be caught and attacked.
What made Xie An feel puzzled was that the Deputy Chief and the Circuit Censor of the Southern Prefecture had not yet taken office.
Arriving at the martial arts field, he still saw Chenxi instructing the Demon Suppression Guards.
However, this time was different from usual.
Before she finished instructing, Chenxi left the Demon Suppression Guards and quickly walked to Xie An, "Chief Xie."
So actively leaning in?
Xie An became a little more vigilant, but on the surface, his expression was as usual, "Miss Chenxi, what's the matter?"
Chenxi said lightly, "I heard that you have interrogated Huang Silang for three months, but you haven't gotten any results. I happen to have a method of interrogation that may be able to share the worries of the Chief."
It just so happened that Xie An came to the Demon Suppression Division today to ask about Zhao Qing'er's interrogation progress.
Chenxi took the initiative to help?
This was too abnormal.
This woman had been hiding in the Demon Suppression Division for three months, with no performance at all. She could really endure.
But after thinking about it, Xie An felt that the Eldest Princess was also someone who could endure…
They were not simple.
Could it be that Chenxi couldn't bear it anymore?
Xie An said, "Miss Chenxi, what method do you have?"
Chenxi took out a small emerald green bottle, shook it in front of Xie An, and a "clang clang" sound came from inside, as if a few pills were colliding with each other.
"This is… the Southern Prefecture's unique Muddle Pill. After a person takes it, they will be muddled and confused, and they will let go of the subconscious self-protection thoughts. If you don't say that they will answer whatever you ask, it's seven or eight percent accurate. At least after taking it, people won't lie."
Muddle Pill?
Truth serum?
After all, it was something given by the Fairy Queen, Xie An didn't immediately take it, but observed the bottle with his five senses. There was nothing special about it. And Chenxi looked at him with a calm face. Many Demon Suppression Guards around were looking sideways.
In public, people took the initiative to help, and it was not appropriate for Xie An, as the Chief, not to accept.
"Then thank you, Miss Chenxi."
Xie An took the small green bottle, exchanged a few pleasantries, and left.
In the southwest office, Xie An found Zhao Qing'er, who was practicing her sword.
Xie An didn't immediately go up to disturb her, but stood at the door and watched for a while.
Very exquisite swordsmanship.
The transitions between starting, continuing, turning, and combining were as smooth as silk, and as torrential as the water of a great river, continuous. Xie An estimated that if he didn't use the Bright Jade Skill, he was afraid that he would not be her opponent.
If he added the Bright Jade Skill, then there would be no problem.
But Zhao Qing'er was only in her thirties, and it was already remarkable that she had achieved this.
After Zhao Qing'er finished practicing the complete set of swordsmanship, she put away her sword and came to Xie An, with a bit of showing off, "Chief Xie, how is my swordsmanship?"
"Exquisite."
"I heard that Chief Xie received the Seventh Level Inner Strength Pill a while ago, so his martial arts must be great. Why don't we spar a few moves?"
Xie An quickly waved his hand, "I'm old and don't like fighting and competing. I wonder where County Princess learned this exquisite swordsmanship from?"
He was already fifty-eight years old, and it was inappropriate to fight and compete with a young man in his thirties…
Zhao Qing'er put the sword back into its scabbard, making a "clang" sound, "This is the Eldest Princess's self-created swordsmanship, called the Great River Swordsmanship. Unfortunately, I have been practicing it for more than ten years, and I have only barely entered the door, and I have not obtained the true meaning."
Xie An was quite surprised.
The Eldest Princess could even create her own swordsmanship… the Great River Swordsmanship.
As expected of a martial arts grandmaster!
He then echoed, "The Eldest Princess is truly a generation of sword master."
Zhao Qing'er led Xie An into the door while proudly saying, "That's right, the Eldest Princess is a rare sword dao grandmaster in the Great Qian. The self-created Great River Swordsmanship is especially amazing, especially the last three stances, which are famous in the capital."
"Which three stances?"
“Great River Sword Qi, Azure Sea Tide Generation, Moon Rising from the Sea. It is said that when one cultivates to Azure Sea Tide Generation, one can release thousands of sword qi, like a surging tide, unstoppable. In the final stance, one can even see the spectacle of the moon rising from the sea. But I haven't seen the Eldest Princess use it, what a pity…”
Xie An secretly noted it in his heart, feeling that he had underestimated the strength of this Eldest Princess.
No wonder the Eldest Princess said that catching a Fairy Queen wouldn't be a big problem… So she has such a sword technique as her trump card.
Truly a monster!
Entering the hall, Zhao Qing'er proactively brewed a cup of tea for Xie An, and then they exchanged pleasantries.
After several months of getting along, Xie An and this Zhao Qing'er were already very familiar with each other. They worked together very happily, without any awkwardness or conflicts of interest.
Xie An admired Wei Haoran and Zhao Qing'er, these two descendants of workaholic families, and Zhao Qing'er also recognized Xie An as her superior.
After some pleasantries, Xie An asked about the interrogation situation of Huang Silang.
Eh.
Zhao Qing'er shook her head and sighed: "This Huang Silang looks like a spineless person, confessing everything. But once you ask about the Dog Demon, he won't say a word even if he dies. I've used the Demon Suppression Division's tortures countless times, but he just stubbornly refuses to budge. I personally feel that Huang Silang definitely knows more about the Dog Demon. It's just a pity that Qingwu County has limited conditions. If we were in Kyoto, I could find a great sorcerer to help and make him tell the truth."
Xie An clenched the small green bottle in his pocket, "Take me to see Huang Silang in prison."
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Arriving at the prison, Xie An saw Huang Silang.
He was tortured beyond recognition, covered in blood, and had already fainted.
Xie An clicked his tongue as he watched.
Falling into the hands of the Demon Suppression Division is truly miserable.
"Is there any way to wake him up?"
"He's already on the verge of death. If you want to wake him up, you'll have to use the Demon Suppression Division's top-grade pills, which will take three to five days to work. Even if he wakes up, he won't live long. It's not worth it."
Xie An took out the small green bottle and handed it to Zhao Qing'er, "Try this one last time. Give him this 'Muddle Pill' when he wakes up, and try interrogating him again. If there's any news, come to the Xie residence to inform me."
…
Leaving the Demon Suppression Division, Xie An walked home against the wind and snow.
He pondered why Chenxi would proactively help.
Finally, he thought of a more logical possibility: Chenxi seemed to be researching him all the time, wanting him to form the palm print of the Immortal Box sooner, open the Immortal Box… and then intercept it halfway?
The more Xie An thought about it, the more he felt that this was the case.
How insidious!
However, Xie An felt that there was also a good side to it. At least it meant that Chenxi wouldn't attack him before the Immortal Box was opened, and might even provide him with some help.
Then, could he start with the Fairy Queen? For example, ask the Fairy Queen about the Dog Demon?
Su Yuqing had said that the Fairy Queen was the only person in the Corpse Refining Hall who had contact with the Five Old Demons.
Compared to the little information Huang Silang knew, the Fairy Queen definitely knew more.
If he could take advantage of it, it would be of great benefit to him.
However, the Fairy Queen would definitely try to snatch his Immortal Box in the end. If he had enough means to prevent the Fairy Queen from snatching it… then there would be no problem.
Xie An rubbed his temples, "This matter is of great importance and needs to be carefully considered. Let's see how the interrogation results from Huang Silang's side turn out first."
It was already evening when he returned to the Xie residence.
The two disciples had also returned from the Weisheng Martial Arts Hall. Chunlan had already prepared dinner, and Yuhe had also returned. The five of them gathered together to eat.
Although Xie An was a fifth-rank Chief, he never put on airs at home, nor was he stern as an elder. The atmosphere at dinner was naturally very good, and everyone talked about the affairs of the county town.
Chunlan had also integrated well into the life here and got along well with the neighbors. "Recently, there were rats in the neighborhood, and we had a lot of rats at home. Grandpa Li and Grandma Wang even gave me some rat poison. But before I had time to use the rat poison, it's been quiet these past two days. Grandpa Li also said that there were many rat corpses in his house, and there were even more rat corpses in our house. Every morning, I have to dispose of a dozen dead rats."
Ancient buildings were not as scientifically sound as modern ones, and the disposal of leftovers was not as clean as in modern times, so it was common for rats to enter the house.
But having to dispose of a dozen dead rats every morning was an exaggeration.
Han Li said, "Just now, the hunting dog at home went crazy for some reason, suddenly barking non-stop and even biting me. This hunting dog used to be very humane, I don't know why it became like this. If it continues like this, I'll kill it and eat it."
Xie An listened to their chatter, but felt puzzled in his heart.
There was a hunting dog at home, a Sichuan East hunting dog, a very powerful breed of hunting dog, extremely humane. It was very unusual for it to suddenly go crazy and bite its owner.
Xie An didn't say anything, but kept it in mind.
After dinner, Xie An returned to the courtyard bedroom as usual to sit in meditation and overwork on the Bright Jade Skill.
With the foundation of the Fetal Breath Skill, Xie An could now completely overwork on the Bright Jade Skill while resting in the fetal breath state. It wasn't as comfortable as sleeping, but it could indeed barely replace the function of sleeping.
This saved a lot of effort and greatly improved efficiency.
Around dawn, Xie An was interrupted by a burst of frantic barking.
Woof woof woof!
A very sharp howl, very ear-piercing.
Huh?
Xie An suddenly opened his eyes, not even bothering to put on a coat, and rushed out of the room in his underwear and bare feet. Then he saw an astonishing scene:
The Sichuan East hunting dog stood at the entrance of the Hanging Flower Gate, barking frantically in the direction of the precious plant stump. Next to the precious plant was a white fox, bigger than a cat, gnawing on something.
A white fox?
I haven't seen it before.
It's actually gnawing on my precious plant!
Just as Xie An was about to take action, he suddenly saw the hunting dog rush towards the white fox, as if to bite it to death.
Xie An also felt that the Sichuan East hunting dog was much bigger than the white fox, and it wouldn't be a problem to bite the white fox to death. However… the white fox turned its head and glared at the hunting dog, and the hunting dog seemed to be possessed, walking shakily, and fell to the ground foaming at the mouth after only a few steps.
Whoosh!
The white fox rushed over and bit the hunting dog's neck.
The hunting dog whimpered twice and died.
After biting the hunting dog to death, the white fox wagged its tail and returned to the precious plant to gnaw on it.
A fox demon with charm techniques?
This was Xie An's first instinct.
Even if you're a fox demon, you can't eat my precious plant.
You must know that Xie An had put a lot of effort into cultivating this precious plant over the past three months, selling two inner strength pills and buying various precious medicinal materials to crush and water it as fertilizer.
How could I let you benefit?
Xie An grabbed the Demon Suppression Blade and rushed over, "Evil creature, give me your life!"
Because he had seen the fox demon's charm techniques, Xie An had already activated the Bright Jade Skill to the eighteenth level of Frost Descent. How terrifying was his speed and strength? He instantly rushed in front of the white fox.
However, the white fox actually dodged it with ease.
Even a seventh-level martial artist couldn't dodge it… but it dodged it!
Looking up, he saw the white fox clinging to the windowsill, glaring angrily at Xie An, making a hoarse roar.
What a beautiful white fox.
"Don't even think about charming me!"
Xie An's heart ached for the precious plant, and he rushed over to slash again, but was dodged by the white fox again. Then the white fox nimbly leaped onto the courtyard wall, jumped out, and scurried away.
Huh?
Xie An clearly felt that the white Dao talisman in his mind was glowing and vibrating.
It activated the Longevity Life Destiny!?
After a little weighing, Xie An jumped out of the courtyard wall and chased after the white fox.
The wind was strong at night, and it was snowing.
There was no one on the streets at dawn. The white fox's speed was astonishing, and even Xie An, who was pushing the Bright Jade Skill to its limit, couldn't close the distance. Finally, near the City God Temple on the southeastern edge of the county town, the white fox disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Huff huff huff.
Xie An stopped and gasped for breath, "This evil creature runs too fast… Old man, I've never been so tired before, huff huff… Don't let me catch you next time."
Xie An carried the knife and walked back, panting heavily.
Chasing it all the way was too tiring.
Even chasing an eighth-level martial artist wouldn't be this tiring.
I don't know where this white fox came from, but it can actually activate the Longevity Life Destiny.
A demon?
That's not right, the Longevity Life Destiny was activated after killing the Dog Demon before. This white fox hasn't even died yet… how was it activated?
Also, those dead rats were probably also bitten to death by this fox.
Foxes are omnivores and eat rats.
Returning home, the sky was already faintly bright. Han Li and Chunlan were handling the hunting dog's corpse, very sad. Xie An comforted them with a few words and entered the courtyard, but saw Yuhe squatting next to the precious plant stump.
"Master, come and see, this precious plant has actually grown blood-colored buds, but something has eaten them…"
