novelapdf Chapter 264 Watermelon VS Millstone
Chapter 264 Watermelon VS Millstone
Watching Yang Sanchang's figure disappear at the end of the official road.
Jiang Mu opened the envelope, glanced at it, casually crushed it into a ball of powder, and turned to Ling Ye, saying:
"Sister Ling, it seems we'll have to postpone our plans to return to Huzhou City for a bit. We need to go to Xiyun Town first."
Ling Ye looked at him, her cold eyes filled with confusion.
She hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking:
"Little Jiang, I don't understand. Haven't you already attained the Star Lord rank? Since you've already entered the seventh realm, how can you continue to attain a new Star rank?"
This situation completely overturned Ling Ye's understanding.
In her worldview, the laws of nature are absolute.
One radish, one hole.
Who can simultaneously attain two completely different star positions within their body, like stacking people on top of each other?
This is outrageous!
Of course, if Ling Ye knew that Jiang Mu now has four star positions within her body, he would probably be even more confused.
Jiang Mu shrugged and smiled:
"Well, it's because of my unique constitution, so I can't really explain it to you. Anyway, I hope you can keep this a secret, Sister Ling." Ling Ye gave him a deep look but didn't delve any further into the matter.
No matter what earth-shattering secret this kid is hiding, as long as he's safe and sound, that's better than anything else.
"I will keep your secret to the death."
Ling Ye spoke solemnly, giving his instructions.
"Actually, it would be best if you continued to conceal your true cultivation level. The imperial court currently believes you are at the sixth realm, and although the star-level missions they have assigned you are somewhat difficult, they are actually within their control."
But if you reveal all your secrets to the commander-in-chief, it's like handing over your lifeline.
There's no guarantee that the court won't sell your intelligence to others one day when it sees you as no longer useful, or when it feels you've become too powerful and threatens its authority.
The safest approach is to keep your cards in your own hands and control your own destiny.
"I understand. You can't be too careful."
Jiang Mu nodded in deep agreement.
This is precisely why, after Zhou Yuanzhi's death, he decisively suppressed his cultivation from the seventh realm back to the sixth realm, desperately concealing his true abilities.
The seventh-realm star position that Yang Feifei left him is his biggest trump card at present.
Unless absolutely necessary, the imperial court must not be informed.
If the court turns against him in the future, or stabs him in the back, he will still have a chance to turn things around.
He dared not underestimate the power of the imperial court now.
Who knows if the Yangmen star position he was asked to seize was a bait deliberately laid out by the imperial court?
But it's quite a coincidence.
The star position he is currently assigned by the imperial court to seize is the Yangmen, a subordinate star position within the Kangjinlong system of the Seven Mansions of the Eastern Azure Dragon. Not long ago, he personally killed Zhou Yuanzhi, a cultivator at the Eighth Realm.
I obtained a star pill belonging to the [Kang] star position from her.
That means we've already collected two Star Cores.
Only one more of the same system is needed to prove the complete [Kang Jinlong] body star position.
The progress bar was immediately filled to half full.
Jiang Mu put aside her thoughts, looked at Ling Ye beside her, and said softly:
"Sister Ling, I can handle this rough work of killing people and stealing stars in Xiyun Town by myself."
Why don't you go back to Huzhou City first?
"Aren't you at the crucial moment of obtaining the [Bi Yue Wu] Constellation Star Position? Go back and cultivate in seclusion, break through as soon as possible, and don't waste your time here."
Ling Ye shook his head decisively without even thinking:
"It's alright, I won't miss a few days. I'll go to Xiyun Town with you."
She said it wouldn't make a difference of a few days, but she knew very well what was going on.
The so-called "not bad" is just that we can't bear to part with it.
I'm reluctant to part with this annoying guy; even staying a few more days would be nice.
"That's fine too. With Sister Ling, a master of the eighth realm, by my side as my bodyguard, I feel much more at ease."
Jiang Mu chuckled.
The two were preparing to go to the stable to fetch their horses and leave side by side.
"Little Jiang!"
Suddenly, a familiar, sweet voice that sent chills down one's spine came from outside the post station.
His voice carried a mixture of urgency and joy.
That sound...
Jiang Mu froze, looking in the direction of the sound.
In the afterglow of the setting sun, a very familiar, plump figure stood not far away, looking travel-worn.
A light blue dress clung tightly to her voluptuous figure, exuding an irresistible mature charm that would captivate any man's gaze. The dress was still stained with mud from her journey.
Her hair was slightly disheveled, clearly indicating that she had rushed here without stopping.
And that stunningly beautiful face was now filled with urgency and tenderness.
Her phoenix eyes were slightly red.
It looked like she was about to burst into tears.
Who else could it be but Shui Miaozheng, the magistrate of Fazhou City?!
"Holy crap?"
Jiang Mu was completely dumbfounded.
Aunt Shui?
How did she suddenly appear here like a paratrooper?
However, the one who was even more astonished was Ling Ye, who was standing next to Jiang Mu.
You should know that the other party is currently competing with her for the same [Bi Yue Wu] Constellation Star Position.
Why is this woman here instead of focusing on her career?
Ling Ye turned his head almost instinctively, his cold, frosty eyes looking directly at Jiang Mu.
His gaze seemed to conceal two sharp little knives.
They pierced Jiang Mu's body with a whoosh.
Didn't this guy previously swear that his relationship with this Water Master was completely innocent, just a normal senior-junior relationship?
In the blink of an eye, they had chased him all the way to this desolate wilderness.
Heh heh, you big liar!
If she's innocent, then she should write her name Ling Ye backwards.
Meeting Ling Ye's murderous gaze, Jiang Mu felt a chill run down her spine.
He steeled himself and stepped forward:
"Aunt Shui, what brings you here?"
Seeing the little man she had been worrying about standing safely in front of her, Shui Miaozheng's eyes welled up with tears, and a thousand words welled up in her heart, almost spilling out.
But out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a dark figure not far away.
Shui Miaozheng's movement of rushing forward to hug him froze instantly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, followed by a subtle change in her expression.
She and Ling Ye weren't exactly close.
The last time they met was when she was rushing back to Huzhou City for Jiang Mu's sake, and she happened to bump into this inspector at the city gate.
At the time, the two only exchanged a few simple pleasantries about Jiang Mu's situation.
At that time, Shui Miaozheng's keen sixth sense told her that the woman's eyes seemed a little strange when she mentioned Xiao Jiang.
But then I thought about it again, and Ling Ye was known as the "iceberg and iron tree" in the Demon Slayer Division.
She deeply despises all men in the world.
How could I possibly fall for a mere boy?
So she didn't think about it too deeply.
But now it seems...
In this desolate wilderness, there was a man and a woman, both handsome and beautiful.
This scene looks ambiguous no matter how you look at it.
I traveled all this way to find this young man, only to have you, this ice queen, beat me to it?
The face is gone.
Having spent many years navigating the complexities of officialdom, Shui Miaozheng quickly suppressed the surging emotions within her.
She reached up and tidied a stray strand of hair that had been blown about by the wind, a dignified and gentle smile playing on her lips.
"I had some official business to attend to, and I just happened to be passing by when I bumped into you. What a coincidence!"
As she spoke, her gaze swept over Ling Ye, her tone remaining gentle:
"By the way, what are you doing with Envoy Ling?"
Aunt Shui, are you trying to fool a three-year-old?
Jiang Mu rolled her eyes inwardly.
In this desolate wilderness, what official business could they possibly have? They've clearly come specifically to see me.
Jiang Mu stated frankly:
"Aunt Shui, did you hear something? Did you hear that the General Headquarters canceled my trial qualification and was afraid that I would do something rash, so you came here to find me?"
Aunt Shui, don't worry, you're overthinking it. Not only am I perfectly fine, but I've actually made a breakthrough.
breakthrough?!
Shui Miaozheng was taken aback, and then focused her attention to examine the aura on Jiang Mu's body.
She was so excited before that she was only thinking about the child's situation that she didn't have time to look closely.
Now, let's calm down and take a look.
The little man in front of her, who made her heart ache so much, clearly possessed the aura of a sixth-level cultivator!
Her news was already delayed.
When she learned from Ran Chun'er that Jiang Mu had been deemed useless by the Chief Commander, she was extremely anxious and rushed over immediately.
Fearing that the child might be upset or have suffered some injustice, I planned to comfort him.
She was even prepared to support him for the rest of her life.
The result is now one
Not only did this guy break through to the next level without any problems, but he also gained a beautiful woman as a companion.
So Auntie's trip was all for nothing?
However, after a brief moment of surprise and a touch of inexplicable disappointment, Shui Miaozheng's heart was filled with immense joy.
The huge weight that had been hanging over my heart for days has finally been lifted.
As long as Xiao Jiang's future is not ruined and he is safe and sound, that is more important than anything else.
She once again suppressed the urge to pull Jiang Mu into her arms in front of Ling Ye, and said softly:
"I'm glad you're alright, but what exactly happened?"
Jiang Mu then recounted the whole story, picking and choosing the parts that came to mind.
He omitted some details, only saying that the headquarters had made a mistake and that they had now sent someone with intelligence and resources. He was planning to go to Xiyun Town to seize Shen Hufei's star position.
"I see………"
Shui Miaozheng breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this, then her eyes flickered slightly as she glanced at Ling Ye.
"Then... what is this, Inspector Ling...?"
Jiang Mu let out an "uh," caught between the two women, momentarily speechless, unsure how to explain.
Ling Ye, however, had already taken light steps and stepped forward.
Her cool, expressionless face remained blank as she spoke calmly:
"I also happen to have some urgent official business to attend to in Xiyun Town. Since it's on the way, I've decided to travel with Xiao Jiang."
If the Water Master is busy with official duties, we won't disturb your enjoyment any longer. Xiao Jiang and I will take our leave now.
These words were spoken.
The air seemed to be filled with the clanging sound of clashing swords.
A fire suddenly ignited in Shui Miaozheng's heart.
Why should I be the one to do the work?
Why are you two living happily ever after while I'm left out?
Think beautiful!
Shui Miaozheng smiled instead of getting angry, her red lips curving slightly, her smile becoming even more gentle:
"That's quite a coincidence. Actually, I was too embarrassed to say this earlier, but I also happen to have a cold case to investigate in Xiyun Town."
Since we're all going to the same place, why don't... Xiao Jiang, the three of us go together?
That way, we can look out for each other on the road, don't you think?
She wanted to follow along and see for herself what was going on between this famously icy beauty from the Demon Slayer Division and Xiao Jiang.
Ling Ye narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, pursed her thin lips, but said nothing more.
Jiang Mu stood between the two women, looking left and right, feeling as if invisible sparks were crackling in the air.
He secretly groaned inwardly.
孽 孽!
Sure enough, when two stunningly beautiful wives of similar age and charm meet, a palace intrigue drama can unfold in no time.
Jiang Mu could only force a dry laugh:
"Since we all have to go to Xiyun Town on business, let's... go together, that way we can look out for each other."
And so, a naive young man, walking on thin ice, embarked on a journey to Xiyun Town with two stunningly beautiful women, each with their own unique charm and hidden motives.
Jiang Mu specially found a horse-drawn carriage.
Unfortunately, in such remote places, it's impossible to find a magical horse capable of traveling a thousand miles a day, so two ordinary horses have to be used instead.
Then, a rather bizarre scene unfolded.
A simple horse-drawn carriage bumped along the official road.
Jiang Mu sat on the carriage shaft, acting as the coachman, his hands trembling as he held the reins, but his ears were perked up, eavesdropping on the sounds inside the carriage.
However, the carriage was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Ling Ye and Shui Miaozheng each occupied a corner, both with their eyes closed in a state of rest.
Ling Ye, holding his long sword, sat upright like a pine tree, exuding a cold aura that kept people at a distance.
Shui Miaozheng leaned against the carriage wall, one hand supporting her cheek, her posture languid yet exuding the unique charm of a mature woman.
No one spoke first, and there wasn't even any eye contact.
It was so quiet that the only sound was the wheels rolling over the road.
In the evening, the carriage finally entered Xiyun Town.
Jiang Mu first went to the only decent inn in town and booked a room.
Since the matter of seizing star positions involves secrets, it is not advisable to make a big fuss about it; naturally, the fewer people who know about it, the better.
Moreover, according to intelligence, today happens to be Shen Hufei's mother's 80th birthday.
The Shen family is going to hold a big banquet tonight.
With so many people around, it'll be a perfect opportunity to sneak in and find out what's going on.
Take action only after confirming that the intelligence is correct.
Jiang Mu booked three rooms.
However, he regretted it after placing the order.
We should secretly slip the shopkeeper some silver beforehand and give him a signal, saying that there's only one room left in the shop.
Who knows, there might even be an unexpected three-way sleeping arrangement.
After all, given the current competitive and competitive nature of these two beauties, they might actually reluctantly agree to share a room with each other in order not to be outdone by the other.
What a miscalculation!
However, the room has already been booked, so there's no use regretting it now.
At worst, we can sneak over to someone's house in the middle of the night.
As long as you're quick and efficient, running between two rooms in one night is no problem for time management master Jiang.
"Sister Ling, Aunt Shui, I'm going to take a shower first to get rid of this fatigue."
Jiang Mu held up the room key and said to the two women,
"You guys go back to your rooms to wash up and rest for a while. We'll go check out the Shen family's place later."
After saying that, he rushed into his room.
In the corridor, only Ling Ye and Shui Miaozheng remained, standing facing each other.
Surprisingly, none of them turned back to their rooms to rest. Instead, they turned around at the same time and walked up the stairs towards a secluded backyard outside the inn.
A cool night breeze rustled through the leaves of several unknown exotic flowers and plants in the backyard, releasing a faint, delicate fragrance.
The two stopped beside a quiet artificial hill.
Ling Ye, with his hands behind his back, looked up at the bright crescent moon in the night sky and broke the silence first.
His tone was cool and detached, tinged with a sense of感慨 and reminiscence:
"Just now, outside the post station, I heard Xiao Jiang calling you 'Aunt Shui' repeatedly, and I suddenly realized that time waits for no one."
In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed.
My memory of the Water Master seems to still be that of the beautiful and spirited young girl who was the head of the capital back then.
Now, however, she is worthy of being addressed as an elder.
Hearing this veiled mockery, Shui Miaozheng's red lips curled into a bright smile, and she laughed:
"Inspector Ling has a really good memory."
However, if I remember correctly, Ling Xun is... only a year or two younger than me, right?
Time is fair to everyone.
That kid, Xiao Jiang, keeps calling you "Sister Ling," which suggests he's not quite sure of Inspector Ling's age and has some misunderstanding about seniority.
The implication is that
You're about the same age as me, both of us are old cows, why are you pretending to be a young grass?
Faced with Shui Miaozheng's sarcastic tone, Ling Ye smiled faintly:
"Master Shui is joking. I have actually corrected Xiao Jiang many times, trying to get him to call me 'Auntie' to avoid confusing the generations."
But he just wouldn't have it.
He said that compared to others, I looked very young and didn't look like a woman in her thirties at all.
I'm rather curious. Chief Shui looks even younger than me, yet Little Jiang insists on calling you "Auntie." I wonder what he's thinking.
Shui Miaozheng narrowed her phoenix eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them.
He then chuckled softly:
"Perhaps this child is just born liking to call someone 'auntie'."
After all, as you know, he used to favor older women when he was in Huzhou City.
Although she's toned down her temper a bit now, she probably still feels nostalgic deep down. Calling her "Auntie" shows that they're closer.
If I called her "sister," it would seem too formal, right?
Come on, let's continue with yin and yang, let's hurt each other.
I've seen it all, do you think I'm afraid of you?