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Two hundred years of True Qi...
What kind of monstrous being, cultivating what kind of Internal Cultivation Methods, could possess True Qi equivalent to two hundred years of ordinary practice?
Even the Shangqing Dao known across Jianghu for its Qi-nurturing techniques—its Sect Leader is rumored to have three hundred years of True Qi. But that is a Sect Leader blessed with the Shangqing Heart Method.
"At this rate, Vice Director Xue can fight against two enemies simultaneously. Even considering hidden cards, he remains a remarkable martial arts prodigy."
Wu Qingsheng, his direct personality showing, sighed with emotion.
Song Tong added:
"Perhaps so. Or perhaps… that master simply sought amusement and allowed Vice Director Xue to exchange his life for theirs."
Wu Qingsheng furrowed his brows lightly, then shook his head and laughed wryly:
"No matter how much we speculate now, we'll never find an answer.
The Ming'an Divine Sect, which originated from the Western Region, has existed for centuries in the Central Plains. That it might have produced an unparalleled master is hardly surprising.
Let's consider the brighter side. At least, for the moment, the Demon Sect Saintess is dead, the sect has suffered heavy losses, and that master dares not act recklessly."
Song Tong broke into a bitter smile upon hearing this and nodded:
"Vice Director Wu speaks the truth."
Urgent footsteps echoed through the government office.
A constable burst through the doorway, loudly reporting:
"Vice Director, Grand Secretary Lin has sent someone to request a meeting."
Wu Qingsheng frowned slightly and muttered:
"Grand Secretary Lin certainly has sharp ears.
He has already caught wind of the Eastern Factory incident so quickly."
Soon after, he said aloud:
"Let them in."
Moments later, a young Confucian scholar, dressed in a silk robe, entered the room and saluted Wu Qingsheng.
Seeing the visitor, Wu Qingsheng revealed a trace of surprise and said,
"I never expected Second Young Master Lin to visit personally."
Even though Wu Qingsheng held little respect for Grand Secretary Lin, even harboring disdain, he still rose to return the salute.
The reason was simple: Lin Yan's status spoke for itself.
"Sorry to disturb. My father, having heard of this heinous and catastrophic event, sent me to inquire."
Lin Yan spoke politely.
Song Tong quickly chimed in:
"I've already sent word to your residence."
Lin Yan turned to Song Tong and said:
"The Eastern Factory personnel—my father has already seen them—but…"
The sentence broke off here, but both men present understood clearly. The so-called inquiry was nothing more than a formal pretense.
Lin Yan bluntly revealed:
"But with the Eastern Factory Director position now vacant, I wonder if the two of you have a candidate in mind for temporary appointment?"
Wu Qingsheng furrowed his brows and replied:
"Such matters are naturally decided by the Heavenly Family."
It was no wonder Lin Yan had been specifically sent.
Before his death, Eastern Factory Director Xue Youge had close ties with the Lin estate. Now, upon hearing of Xue Youge's demise and the ensuing power vacuum, the Lin estate clearly intended to seize control swiftly, ensuring the Eastern Factory did not drift away from their influence.
Lin Yan responded courteously:
"Even decisions by the Heavenly Family must first be proposed by the cabinet.
My father says, as servants of the Heavenly Family, we should naturally discuss and collaborate harmoniously as one."
Wu Qingsheng replied seamlessly:
"If that's the case, then let Vice Director Song temporarily assume the role until the Heavenly Family appoints the next Director."
Lin Yan glanced at Song Tong.
Song Tong was startled, sensing the threat in Lin Yan's gaze, and hurriedly declined.
Lin Yan turned and said:
"Since Vice Director Song firmly refuses, my father has a candidate in mind.
West Factory Hundred Household Chen Yi, Chen Zunming, has made significant contributions in the recent events. Why not elevate him to Thousand Household and temporarily appoint him as Eastern Factory Director?"
Wu Qingsheng frowned deeply and said:
"But there's only one Thousand Household."
Yet, Song Tong unexpectedly urged:
"It's said that during this incident, no one saw Thousand Household Min. Let's submit a memorial to demote him to Eastern Factory Overseer and vacate the Thousand Household position for Chen Yi.
He enjoys Grand Secretary Lin's trust, and besides, it's merely a temporary appointment as Director. Eventually, the Empress Dowager will send someone from the Directorate of Ceremonial to oversee matters."
Upon hearing this, Wu Qingsheng mulled it over and began to waver.
Finally, he slowly said:
"Not impossible."
This decision was not solely due to pressure from the Lin estate.
It was also because Wu Qingsheng noticed that the West Factory Hundred Household seemed to have undergone a subtle change in behavior.
Initially assuming Chen Yi to be a corrupt and self-serving individual—his close ties with the Lin estate being evidence—Wu Qingsheng had observed unexpectedly upright conduct from him during this recent affair.
Even under the heavy pressure from the Eastern Factory, including an attempt by Hundred Household Li to suppress and undermine him, Chen Yi had stood firm, defending the Eastern Factory's honor rather than exploiting its weaknesses or tarnishing its reputation.
Upon reflection, Wu Qingsheng couldn't help but reassess Chen Yi.
Perhaps this man was truly an upright and resolute figure; his prior misconduct merely strategic sacrifices for a greater cause—small flaws within unblemished righteousness, all for an eventual restructuring of the Capital.
Such latent ambition was truly remarkable...
As for the Demon Sect master and Chen Yi, Wu Qingsheng did not link the two together.
Any lingering doubt he might have harbored had dissipated under Song Tong's remarks.
A mere West Factory Hundred Household couldn't possibly possess two hundred years of True Qi.
Even for martial arts families, someone in this rank at that age would at most be of seventh grade.
..............
"You're awake?"
Chen Yi gazed at Yin Tingxue.
She rubbed her eyes, the flickering light from the oil lamp revealing the figure of the man standing by the bed. Instinctively, she froze.
Chen Yi gave her a sinister smile:
"Do you know your mistake now?"
Yin Tingxue lowered her gaze and hoarsely replied:
"I do…"
Chen Yi reached out, holding her by the back of her head, and asked again:
"Will you dare to run away again?"
The princess hesitated silently.
Chen Yi's dark expression became sharper, his glare making her tremble.
"If you try to escape next time, not only will I claim you, but I'll also burn Yintai Temple to the ground."
Startled and frightened, Yin Tingxue looked at him before lowering her gaze again.
"I won't dare…"
After some time, she shook her head and replied with trembling voice:
"I will serve you."
Chen Yi relaxed his brow.
After a long pause, he spoke:
"The Demon Sect Saintess is dead."
The princess appeared momentarily startled.
Chen Yi reached out, tickling her chin like one would with a cat, and said:
"The past is over."
Yin Tingxue couldn't fully grasp the meaning behind these words and softly asked:
"What does that mean?"
Chen Yi smiled faintly, not answering.
The young woman turned her face, clutching his sleeve and leaning forward to probe:
"What exactly does that mean?"
Chen Yi pondered for a moment before explaining:
"After this battle, the Demon Sect in the Capital has been entirely eradicated. No remnants remain, and no one will try to bring you back there anymore.
Moreover, I found a corpse and disguised it as you. To the world, the Saintess is dead, and this matter is closed."
Yin Tingxue listened silently. Not fond of the Demon Sect and recalling her mother's dying wish, she had no desire to be the Saintess.
Yet, despite this, she frowned slightly and pouted, her despair evident as she lowered her gaze. She understood clearly: she truly had no way out anymore.
It was gone—all gone.
A bitter smile emerged on her face as she turned away, her eyes growing red as she curled up on the bed, small and fragile, her shoulders occasionally aching.
After all… she had signed her death contract.
After all… she hadn't even dreamed of an escape to begin with...
She truly belonged to him now,
entirely bound to her husband's house, without a family to return to.
Yin Tingxue resigned herself to her fate, curling into a ball. She heard the sound of clothes being undone behind her—a heavy hand pressed against her waist. It was Chen Yi climbing onto the bed, pulling her into a tight embrace.
The princess tried to edge toward the wall, only for Chen Yi to inch closer, holding her to prevent her escape.
Yin Tingxue bit her silver teeth and quietly closed her eyes in sorrow. She had defied him and now faced punishment—forced into acts she didn't wish for, humiliating and degrading. She comforted herself internally:
Let him do as he pleases...
After all, this villain doesn't like women—not in the slightest!
She emphasized this in her heart, striving to convince herself fully.
But she didn't think deeply, nor did she dare to:
If he didn't like women, why would he take her as his concubine?