"Hmm?!"
The words ca to an abrupt halt, Ling Ningzhi’s beautiful eyes widening, frozen like a statue.
Chen Mo unfolded his right hand, in his palm a golden tree branch appeared, with a fresh green leaf hanging from it.
Instantly, a dense vitality spread throughout, even the air in the Alchemy Room beca incredibly refreshing.
"It shouldn’t take long for this fruit to mature." Chen Mo said casually.
"Is this... the Creation Golden Branch?! You actually possess the Creation Golden Branch?!" Ling Ningzhi exclaid, finally showing emotion in her previously calm eyes.
The Creation Golden Branch is the inherent spirit of the Creation Ancient Tree.
If the ancient tree’s lifespan is exhausted, the Golden Branch will sink underground, drifting within the earth’s veins, then root in unknown places, absorb nutrients, and break the soil again...
Such a rare object, has Chen Mo actually refined it?
The fresh green leaf is evidently a symbol of blossoming and fruiting!
So, it might not be long before Chen Mo can "artificially cultivate" a second Heavenly Primordial Spirit Fruit!
"Daoist, now, are you going to sign this contract or not?" Chen Mo asked again.
Ling Ningzhi’s breathing was rapid, unable to hide her excitent, "I can sign, but this Spirit Fruit..."
Chen Mo flicked his wrist, the Golden Branch vanished, smiling, "Sorry, that’s a separate price."
Ling Ningzhi: "..."
...
"Strange, where did the Daoist go?"
Shen Zhixia changed her clothes, searched around the courtyard several tis, but couldn’t see Ling Ningzhi’s figure... Given her personality, she wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye.
Just as she passed through the backyard, the door of the Alchemy Room suddenly opened, and a figure in a Moon White Daoist Robe erged.
"Qingxuan Daoist?"
Shen Zhixia asked curiously, "I’ve been looking for you for a long ti, what are you doing here?"
"I..."
Ling Ningzhi’s eyes wandered, a hint of panic in her expression.
At this mont, a tall and slender figure walked out of the Alchemy Room, Shen Zhixia paused slightly, "Brother Chen Mo?"
Chen Mo remained composed, "Just now I was practicing alchemy, exchanging insights with Daoist Qingxuan on the Alchemy Dao."
"I see."
Shen Zhixia nodded.
Recently, Ling Ningzhi has been imrsed in studying the "Green Lotus Pill Scripture," so she didn’t think much of it.
"Zhixia, open your mouth."
"Huh?"
Shen Zhixia instinctively opened her cherry lips, a pill entered her mouth, and soon spread warmth throughout her body.
Her already beautiful face seed to be covered with a layer of jade glow, becoming more refined and ethereal, the radiance in her eyes srizingly captivating.
"What is this?"
Feeling the strange energy, Shen Zhixia curiously asked.
Chen Mo smiled and said, "It’s the Youthful Elixir I personally crafted, just fresh out of the oven, still warm."
"Youthful Elixir?"
Shen Zhixia naturally knew the value of this item.
The Youth-Preserving Pearl she gifted He Yuzhi back then, only had the effect of delaying aging, was already priceless, and the Youthful Elixir is even more miraculous, a priceless treasure that keeps one’s youth eternal!
"Thank you, Brother Chen Mo!"
Shen Zhixia’s eyes curved into crescents, her heart full of joy and excitent.
Compared to the effect of the Spirit Pill, what truly made her happy was feeling Chen Mo’s favoritism.
While Ling Ningzhi wasn’t paying attention, she tiptoed and pecked Chen Mo’s cheek, saying softly, "Brother, you’re so good to ~"
Suddenly, her face flushed.
A numbing sensation from her lower body made her legs weak, she quickly held down the mischievous hand.
"Stop, stop ssing around, the Daoist is still here..."
"..."
Ling Ningzhi lowered her head, pretending not to have heard anything.
"Zhixia, Qingxuan."
At this ti, He Yuzhi approached, saying, "I’ve arranged lunch in the dining room, after dinner, why don’t we three go out and shop around, just right to pick so fitting clothes for Qingxuan."
As a loyal patron of Jinxiu Workshop, all the noble ladies around her have been thoroughly introduced to it, now the new-style underwear is so popular, Mrs. He Yuzhi has made an indelible contribution.
?!
Thinking of that embarrassing underwear, Ling Ningzhi hurriedly said, "I have matters at ho, and it’s inconvenient to stay long, I was just about to bid farewell to Madam."
"This... Alright."
He Yuzhi saw this and didn’t insist on keeping her.
Just as Ling Ningzhi was about to leave, Chen Mo cleared his throat and said:
"Daoist, finally you co once, don’t rush to leave."
"..."
Ling Ningzhi’s body suddenly stiffened, silently standing still.
He Yuzhi asked puzzled, "Didn’t you say there were matters at ho, Daoist?"
Ling Ningzhi whispered, "There’s no matter now."
He Yuzhi: ???
A hint of a smile flickered in Chen Mo’s eyes.
Initially, he wanted to stay as far away from Tianshu Pavilion as possible, to avoid attracting trouble.
But after encountering Ling Ningzhi once again in the Cangyun Mountain Secret Realm, he realized one thing: the world line had already shifted, events were gradually slipping out of control, and often, it wasn’t sothing he could evade just because he wanted to.
In that case, why not create more variables and turn passive to proactive?
And it all starts with taming Ling Ningzhi!
"Daoist."
"Hmm?"
"Rember to choose a few nice pieces of underwear, wear them every day, and I’ll check randomly."
"..."
Upon hearing the ssage, Ling Ningzhi’s cheeks flushed a shade of crimson, and she tightly grasped her Daoist robe.
She suddenly realized in her heart that this guy saying he wanted her to fall into the mortal world, to roll around in the dust... it seed he wasn’t just talking!
...
...
The following day.
Sky Scale Guard, Fire Departnt Court.
An elderly man with white hair and a wrinkled face sat on the chair, sipping tea with a leisurely deanor.
Below, the Fire Departnt Constables stood with their heads lowered, and the atmosphere was heavy.
Li Yuan and Qiu Longgang were among them, and they exchanged worried glances.
What happened in Donghua Region had spread, causing a sensation within the Sky Scale Guard!
Although Jian Yinsan was demoted, he was still a Standard Sixth Rank official.
Harming colleagues was already a severe cri, let alone beheading them publicly, which made it even worse! Even with Chen Mo holding a Death Exemption Token, he might not be able to escape safely!
"Death penalty can be spared, but living punishnt is hard to avoid."
"Households Commander Bai ca early in the morning, clearly indicating that the punishnt has been decided."
"If it’s just demotion, that’s fine, but what if it’s exile..."
Li Yuan frowned, glancing at Bai Lingchuan, hoping to discern so hint from his face, but finding none.
Tap, tap, tap—
At this mont, a steady, unhurried set of footsteps echoed.
Everyone looked up to see a figure in a black robe, tall and erect like a pine tree, slowly entering the court.
It was Chen Mo, who had been away for several days.
"Lord..."
"Hundred Household Officer Chen!"
Li Yuan was about to give a reminder when he saw Bai Lingchuan stand up, stride over with a kindly smile on his aged face:
"You’ve been travel-worn all this while, why not rest a few more days? Let the Departnts below handle things."
Chen Mo was slightly taken aback.
Though he had never t this elder, sitting in the Fire Departnt’s chair already indicated his status.
"I greet Mr. Bai," Chen Mo bowed in salute.
Bai Lingchuan helped him up, praising, "In just a few months since taking office, you’ve solved major cases repeatedly, sweeping away old problems, and managing Ding Fire Departnt in excellent order, indeed such admirable youth!"
He patted Chen Mo on the shoulder, "Having you is a blessing for the Fire Departnt!"
???
The people present wore puzzled expressions.
Wasn’t Households Commander Bai supposed to co and hold him accountable today? Why start with such words of praise... could it be to elevate him before a harsher fall?
Even Chen Mo couldn’t quite grasp the old man’s intentions, so he reciprocated the courtesy, bowing and saying: "Your praise is overwhelming, all thanks to your wise leadership, how dare I claim credit?"
Bai Lingchuan shook his head, sighing: "I’m getting on in years, soon to retire, ultimately it’s up to the young like you for this Fire Departnt."
The implication behind these words was extraordinary.
Typically, when a Thousand Households retires, they would promote soone from the Deputy Thousand Households.
But now, with the death of Jian Yinsan and Li Kui not adept at handling administrative tasks, and with no ambition in his career path... the ownership of the Thousand Households position has beco uncertain.
"Back to the main point."
Bai Lingchuan cleared his throat, changing his tone: "The purpose of my visit this ti is to deliver the decree from the Eastern Royal Palace."
With these words, the atmosphere suddenly beca serious.
Bai Lingchuan took out a Yellow Decree from his sleeve, unfolded it, and read aloud:
"Upon thorough investigation, Jian Yinsan, officer of the Experience Departnt of Sky Scale Guard, abused his power, overstepped his authority, intended to harm his colleagues, and committed heinous cris."
"Hundred Household Officer Chen Mo acted in self-defense, and is without guilt."
"However, his actions were excessive, resulting in a negative impact, deserving slight admonishnt, punished three months’ salary, he should reflect upon himself, and avoid arrogance and rashness in future duties..."
The site fell into dead silence.
Everyone’s faces were filled with confusion and disbelief.
This concluded like that?
Killing a Sixth Rank official publicly, with rely a light salary deduction for three months?!
"No guilt?"
Even Chen Mo was stunned; in this case, didn’t even have to use that Death Exemption Token?
"After the incident of Fire Burning Red Cliff, I thought she’d punish severely, but it turned out so lightly, it’s sowhat unreasonable..."
"Could it be implying for to increase efforts? How about bringing a 3.0 version next ti?"
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