novelapdf Chapter 217 Shangguan Luoxue's Apology
Chapter 217 Shangguan Luoxue's Apology
Chapter 218 Shangguan Luoxue's Apology (Second Update)
After Jiang Mu finished helping Duanmu Li and Yuan Aqing regulate the spiritual energy in their bodies, she was about to go back to the house to drink some water to moisten her throat when she heard the courtyard gate being pounded on loudly.
The person who arrived was clearly in a hurry.
Jiang Mu opened the door, and there stood Ran Qingshan.
At this moment, the other person looked anxious, and even their usually meticulously combed hair was a little disheveled.
Clearly, they received a message from the Divine Sword Sect and rushed over in a great hurry.
Seeing that Jiang Mu was safe and sound, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Mu initially had some issues with this guy, but seeing the genuine concern in his eyes, her dissatisfaction dissipated.
He led Ran Qingshan into the living room, poured him tea, and said, "Lord Commander, remember what I said before? Escorting the Prince is never a good thing."
Now what do you say? It's come true, hasn't it? Even the people are gone.
Ran Qingshan was also quite speechless.
Who would have thought that such a simple escort mission, a round trip of only a few hours, could lead to this?
He even suspected that Jiang Mu was a born jinx, a jinx.
He had spent most of his life in the Demon Slayer Division and had never seen anything like it.
No matter where I go, something big always happens.
Ran Qingshan sighed and asked seriously, "Is Prince Sheng really dead?"
Jiang Mu nodded: "Anyway, I saw with my own eyes that his corpse was gnawed to pieces by the monster."
Although I myself felt that this matter was eerie, I couldn't believe that a prince would die so hastily.
But his legal wife, Zhou Yuanzhi, personally examined the body and raised no questions, so it's assumed he's dead.
Ran Qingshan felt a dull ache in his back molars, and his testicles were incredibly painful.
The dignified Prince Daqing, the current emperor's own uncle, was actually killed right on the territory of Huzhou City.
Last time he wanted to thoroughly investigate the Divine Sword Sect, but the General Headquarters insisted on suppressing it, saying it was for the sake of the overall situation and to appease the famous martial arts sects.
The results of it.
Now that the prince is dead, the higher-ups will definitely hold him accountable.
"That Divine Sword Sect deserves to die!"
Ran Qingshan gritted his teeth in anger.
Jiang Mu remained relatively calm and tentatively asked, "My lord, the assassination attempt on the prince might implicate me as well, wouldn't it?"
I observed that Lord Zhou handled the matter quite amiably, and he didn't seem to blame me at all.
Ran Qingshan shook his head: "It won't implicate you. If anyone should be held accountable, it should be me first, since I'm the one in charge."
Besides, you are now a key figure being groomed by the headquarters, treated like a precious gem. Unless you commit a heinous crime of treason, the blame for "inadequate protection" cannot be placed on you.
At most, a verbal reprimand.
At this point, Ran Qingshan rubbed his temples, his expression grave.
"but----
Although Zhou Yuanzhi is Prince Sheng's first wife, the couple had a falling out years ago and have been like strangers for many years.
Her sudden arrival in Huzhou City, accompanied by Mo Huaisu from the Dao Sect—
They definitely didn't come for the prince.
I suspect that her real purpose in coming here is most likely to target the garrison commander of our Huzhou City.
"The garrison commander?"
Jiang Mu frowned slightly. "Are you looking for General Shangguan?"
"well----"
Ran Qingshan sighed, his tone filled with regret and helplessness, "General Shangguan injured her foundation in the Great Dao while defending against the Mist Demon in Yan City. Although she has been in seclusion for some time, her condition is not optimistic. I'm afraid she won't be able to hold on for much longer—"
Once she can no longer hold on, the star position within her body will inevitably collapse and be lost, causing her to fall completely to the mortal realm.
Huzhou City is even more important to Daqing than Yan City. Absolutely no problems can be allowed to occur here.
Therefore, the imperial court's dispatch of Zhou Yuanzhi this time was definitely to secretly assess and appoint a new garrison commander, in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.
"A new garrison commander? Who could it be?"
Jiang Mu pressed for more information out of curiosity.
Ran Qingshan gave him a strange look: "I didn't know who the Chief Commander's trump card was before. But today, considering the series of events that have happened in the Divine Sword Sect, I have a bad feeling about it."
Jiang Mu was taken aback at first, then her expression changed drastically, and she blurted out, "He Qingyang!?"
Ran Qingshan nodded slightly: "The position of 'Governor' is not something that just anyone with high cultivation can sit on."
It must be a place that has all the advantages of timing, location, and people, and be able to bear the fate of a city and the nation.
As a local strongman in Huzhou City, He Qingyang was a Grandmaster of the Ninth Realm and occupied a Feng Shui treasure land with profound foundations like the Divine Sword Sect. Naturally, he could enjoy the blessing of this area's fortune more easily than outsiders.
I suspect that the commander-in-chief had already been in secret contact with him.
After hearing this, Jiang Mu was completely distraught.
That kind of trashy old scoundrel who would sacrifice living people to forge swords actually managed to be favored by the imperial court.
Go and become a garrison commander to protect the people of this region?
This world is truly magical.
Moreover, if that old dog He Qingyang really becomes the garrison commander, then his situation will be very bad.
Not only did they kill the other party's two grandsons and seize the legitimate star position, but today they also took the opportunity to uproot their family's spiritual vein.
Once the other party becomes the garrison commander, they will definitely settle accounts with him.
Ran Qingshan saw the worry in Jiang Mu's eyes and comforted her, "But don't worry too much."
Although He Qingyang is an excellent candidate, he is only one of the candidates.
Souji and his group never put all their eggs in one basket. In the end, it's really uncertain who will emerge victorious.
Jiang Mu, however, was not so optimistic.
"It's better to be safe than sorry. If he takes over, I'd better pack my bags and run away."
O
"Why run the road?"
Ran Qingshan glared at him, puffed out his beard, and cursed, "Can't you be a little more dignified? With me here to protect you, what are you afraid of!"
Even if He Qingyang really got lucky and became the garrison commander, I, Ran Qingshan, am not one to be trifled with.
As long as you remain under my control, anyone who wants to harm you will have to step over my dead body first.
Jiang Mu said, "It seems that stepping over your corpse wouldn't be a difficult task for him."
"————"
Ran Qingshan had nothing to say.
As the two were chatting, Bai Xiang returned carrying a vegetable basket.
She had met Zai Qingshan before and knew he was Jiang Mu's superior, so she took the initiative to step forward, bowed slightly in a graceful manner, and then turned and went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Looking at this housekeeper with an exceptional temperament but only a pretty face, Zai Qingshan was also a little curious.
After Bai Xiang entered the kitchen, he whispered to Jiang Mu, "I heard from Yan Fenghuo that you often brag about how amazing your housekeeper's cooking skills are?"
Jiang Mu nodded with a hint of pride: "It's alright, just average, the best in the world. What, would you like to try some, sir? Why don't you stay and have some?"
'
Upon hearing this, Ran Qingshan immediately coughed twice, feigning reluctance, and said, "Ahem—this, this is so embarrassing. As a superior, it wouldn't look good if word got out that I'm having a meal at my subordinate's house."
"Oh, since you think it's inappropriate, then I won't insist."
Jiang Mu said, "Please take care on your journey, sir."
Ran Qingshan:
After seeing her sullen boss out of the courtyard, Jiang Mu stretched and strolled into the kitchen.
The kitchen was steaming hot.
-
Bai Xiang was facing away from the door, wearing an apron, chopping vegetables.
Jiang Mu pulled the woman's slender waist into his arms from behind.
His chin rested naturally on the fragrant crook of her neck, he took a deep breath, and sighed, "Xiang'er—"
"It seems we need to seriously consider moving and running away. The waters in Huzhou City are getting increasingly murky; we probably won't be able to stay here any longer."
Bai Xiang paused slightly as she chopped the vegetables.
She turned her head, a hint of doubt in her clear, autumn-water-like phoenix eyes, and quietly looked at him.
It seems to be asking silently: Why?
Jiang Mu tightened his arms around her, pulling her closer, and said in a low voice, "The situation is too chaotic right now, it's hard to say."
However, it's always good to be prepared. If I really can't stay in Huzhou City, I'll have to flee for my life.
Would you like to come with me?
Upon hearing this question, Bai Xiang was completely stunned.
Would you like to go with him?
My originally clear mind was suddenly disturbed, as if a pebble had been thrown in, creating ripples.
Her purpose in coming to Huzhou City was clear from the beginning.
It was to find the Pisces Jade Pendant, which was crucial to the restoration of the Mirror Kingdom and to her ability to solidify her position in the harem.
This was her destiny and responsibility as an empress.
But now, this man suddenly asked her if she was willing to give up everything and leave with him to wander the world.
From a rational perspective
Of course she should refuse without hesitation!
After all, at best, she and he were just friends living under the same roof.
At most, it's just this scoundrel friend who likes to hug and kiss her sometimes.
Why would she give up her dream of restoring her kingdom for the sake of a friend?
But----
I don't know why.
When the obvious "I don't want to" was already on the tip of her tongue, Bai Xiang found that she couldn't bring herself to make the gesture of refusal.
It felt like something was stuck in my throat.
In her mind, all she could think of were the warm and cozy scenes of the two of them bickering and cooking in this little courtyard, and snuggling together for warmth on the rooftop.
If I really leave him —
Can I still adapt to that kind of lonely life?
Bai Xiang didn't answer, but silently lowered her head and continued to swing the cleaver.
"Tap tap tap—"
The sound of chopping vegetables was exceptionally clear in the quiet kitchen, but it couldn't mask the turmoil in her heart.
Seeing her silent demeanor, Jiang Mu turned her around to face him.
She feigned deep sorrow and said, "Really? You really wouldn't bear to abandon your husband?"
Bai Xiang was amused by his exaggerated acting, and her previously conflicted emotions dissipated considerably.
"Come on, I'll give you a chance today."
Jiang Mu cupped the woman's face in his hands, forcing her to look directly into his eyes. "Answer me properly, ask yourself in your heart. Do you really want to stay with your master?"
Under the man's deep gaze, Bai Xiang felt a little guilty.
She finally gave in and made a small gesture in front of Jiang Mu's chest:
[I will follow you.]
I don't believe it.
Jiang Mu said, "I won't believe you're being sincere unless you kiss me right now."
Bai Xiang gave him a big, charming eye roll, turned away, and refused to talk to him anymore.
"It seems you really don't want to."
Jiang Mu shook her head and sighed, "Forget it, forced love is never sweet, I won't force you."
However, even close brothers should keep clear accounts.
Speaking of which, you still owe me 382 taels of silver. I calculated that the daily interest is 20 taels.
Your current monthly salary as housekeeper and head chef is two taels of silver.
Once you've paid off this debt, we'll go our separate ways, never see each other again, and never return.
Bai Xiang slightly widened her beautiful eyes.
Seeing the woman's adorably bewildered expression, Jiang Mu magically produced a piece of paper and waved it in front of her, making a rustling sound: "Here you go, it's in black and white, your indenture is right here. Even if you want to run to the ends of the earth to renege on your debt, you won't get away with it."
After saying that, Jiang Mu walked towards the kitchen door with her hands behind her back, humming a little tune.
Just as he reached the door, he suddenly turned back as if he remembered something and, with lightning speed, planted a kiss on Bai Xiang's cheek.
"A kiss is worth one penny; prices are clearly marked, and there is no deception of the young or old."
After saying that, he slipped out of the kitchen, satisfied, leaving Bai Xiang standing there alone.
1
Bai Xiang felt the lingering warmth and moisture on her cheek.
I raised my hand and gently touched it.
Looking at the empty kitchen doorway, she was first taken aback, then the corners of her lips curved upwards into a beautiful arc.
Her cool, phoenix eyes reflected the firelight, brimming with an indescribable tenderness.
That scoundrel—
Night falls, and the stars and moon shine together.
After dinner.
Instead of strolling around the yard to digest her food as usual, Jiang Mu returned to her bedroom early.
He sat cross-legged on the futon and began his breathing exercises.
He now felt an urgent need to improve his cultivation level.
He didn't know when the headquarters would send someone to pick him up and take him to the so-called "blessed land" for secluded cultivation.
Therefore, I've decided to personally go and ask Lord Zhou for clarification tomorrow.
If he couldn't go in the short term, he planned to take advantage of this downtime to go and find the old man named Dong Wanhai himself, as previously planned.
Let's see if we can trade with him for the whereabouts of another Heavenly Gang-level orthodox star position.
All we need is to obtain another legitimate Heavenly Gang member.
If the four demonic shadows can achieve true "full-core drive", cultivation will be much faster.
Before we knew it, it was already past midnight.
Just as Jiang Mu finished circulating his energy through one major cycle, a familiar pulling sensation, accompanied by a wave of dizziness, shot straight to the top of his head.
"here we go again."
Jiang Mu muttered to himself.
next second.
He was now inside the familiar ancient temple hall.
Peach petals fluttered down from the sky.
Accompanied by a faint fragrance, it added a touch of eerie and bewitching beauty to this solemn Buddhist hall.
And in the very center of the main hall.
Shangguan Luoxue maintained her aloof and unapproachable demeanor.
That peerless face, untouched by worldly dust, exuded an unassailable aloofness and majesty, like that of a true deity.
only.
As Jiang Mu's gaze shifted downwards, the corner of her eye twitched slightly involuntarily.
Because he saw it.
There were several specially made hemp ropes at the other person's feet.
Jiang Mu immediately recalled certain special contents recorded in the "Purple Mansion Cantong Qi" cultivation method.
I almost forgot.
Among the forty-nine methods of Daoist practice, there are indeed a few moves that require the assistance of ropes or similar implements for practice.
Shangguan Luoxue noticed Jiang Mu's strange gaze.
The cold, purple eyes remained unmoved as she spoke calmly, "The previous fellow cultivators, due to your own poor cultivation foundation, failed to achieve a complete Yin-Yang union, which greatly displeased me."
"Therefore, this time I hope you can adopt the right attitude. Give me your full energy and resources, and cooperate with me completely."
Hearing these remarks, Jiang Mu was speechless.
Not satisfied?
Sister, who was it that rolled their eyes during the discussion before?
Who is sticking out their tongue and making that "rhyme" sound?
Instead, they think I'm not good enough?
Of course, he was unaware of Shangguan Luoxue's thoughts.
As the garrison commander of Huzhou City, he was naturally aware of Zhou Yuanzhi's arrival during the day and the earth-shattering incident that occurred at the Divine Sword Sect.
She must have understood that the imperial court had sent the chief inspector to assess the candidates and prepare to abandon her.
She wouldn't be angry about it.
She would not feel that the imperial court had betrayed her.
Because in the world of spiritual practice, there is never any true act of helping someone in need; there is only pure exchange of benefits and measurement of value.
Everyone is just getting what they need.
Wasn't it through her exceptional talent and irreplaceable value that she was able to stand out from other competitors and take the position of garrison commander by stepping over the corpses of those who failed?
The cultivation world is a melting pot where the strong prey on the weak.
Natural selection, survival of the fittest.
Similarly, she did not intend to reveal at this time that she was secretly cultivating the *Zifu Cantongqi* with others.
The matter was revealed to Zhou Yuanzhi or the imperial court.
Before the injury has fully recovered.
Any act of weakly begging for mercy or revealing one's hand is meaningless.
Only when she had completely stabilized the precarious position of the star.
To return to or even surpass one's former peak cultivation level!
Only then will she have the right to stand back at the mahjong table and negotiate with the imperial court on equal terms!
and so.
She is very anxious right now.
Originally, she had planned to proceed gradually and work together with Jiang Mu according to the progress of the cultivation technique.
But clearly, reality no longer allowed her to dawdle.
She had to speed things up and take drastic measures.
However, the only thing that made this proud female general uneasy was...
Can this kid withstand this acceleration?
Will it work?
Can you eat it?
Seeing the disdain and worry in the woman's eyes, Jiang Mu chuckled.
Not satisfied, huh?
You think the firepower isn't strong enough?
Alright, then I'll just have to give it my all!
Half an hour later, pink peach petals swirled wildly in mid-air, sweeping across every corner of the main hall.
It's standard.
I'll still roll my eyes.
I don't know how much time passed.
Having barely caught her breath, Shangguan Luoxue's tone finally became pleading: "—I was wrong."