"I've heard about you..."
After leaving Prince Xiang's mansion, Yin Tingxue regained her composure and probed:
"Chen Yi, a Hundred Households of the West Factory, backed by the Lin Party, notorious for extravagance and corruption, and... your martial arts skills are just for show, completely superficial?"
Chen Yi chuckled:
"As expected of royalty. It only took you four idioms to insult someone."
Yin Tingxue hadn't even managed to snort in response before Chen Yi turned his head, leaning toward her face.
"But it's people like me who can take the lofty daughter of Prince Xiang as a concubine."
Yin Tingxue's face turned pale, her heart simmering with resentment a moment later.
Even so, you're still undeserving of your position! Just wait—sooner or later, you'll face retribution.
Chen Yi ignored her and continued walking his path.
Turning at a street corner, passing through an alley, Chen Yi's steps slowed.
At the edge of the alley, barely wide enough for three people to pass side by side, the sound of scattered footsteps echoed.
Three Qingyi Guards in official uniforms appeared before Chen Yi, walking at a deliberate pace.
In this desolate, desolate place... well, what a fine spot.
"Chen Hundred Households, interrogating a criminal without authorization—doesn't that violate regulations?"
A deep voice rang out as Song Shengbao, an Eastern Factory officer built like a mountain, stood resolutely. Two undercover agents stepped to his sides, their appearances so similar they seemed like brothers.
The two Eastern Factory agents glanced at Yin Tingxue, their gazes radiating a fervent admiration. Then, when they looked at Chen Yi, their eyes overflowed with hostility.
Turning his face slightly, Chen Yi saw Yin Tingxue wearing an expression of schadenfreude.
"Retribution has come!" she whispered softly.
Clearly, the Saintess had recognized the identities of these Qingyi Guards.
Undercover cultists!
Chen Yi raised his eyes and said calmly:
"According to regulations, the West Factory has authority to bypass the Eastern Factory. By rank, I'm Hundred Households—by what rule are you blocking my way? Get out of here; I'm heading back to the West Factory."
Song Shengbao's face was expressionless, though the two Eastern Factory agents couldn't suppress their amusement upon hearing Chen Yi's words.
In the West Factory, Eastern Factory, and Qingyi Guards, who didn't know how Chen Yi came to hold a Hundred Households rank?
Ordinary Hundred Households earned their titles through martial arts prowess or meritorious service, but Chen Yi had ascended to his position solely through the Lin Party's misdeeds.
"We only want this criminal woman. You may leave if you wish. Here's a bit of silver, a token of respect for Hundred Households."
As he spoke, Song Shengbao pulled out several silver notes, simultaneously issuing a veiled threat:
"Chen Hundred Households, we all know your worth—don't act impulsively. Let's avoid unpleasantness!"
Chen Yi laughed:
"I didn't expect... that cult members would infiltrate the Qingyi Guards."
The three were visibly startled, though Song Shengbao quickly masked his reaction, his face darkening as he spoke:
"How did you find out..."
Chen Yi smiled:
"Because I opened it."
From the very beginning, he had known their identities. He hadn't exposed them earlier because he was preparing to eliminate the cult in the capital in one fell swoop.
In the alley, the three men remained uncertain of his meaning, though their eyes gradually revealed murderous intent.
The atmosphere transformed sharply.
The two agents advanced slowly toward Chen Yi.
"Be wise—step aside. Pretend nothing happened."
Murderous intent permeated the air, death loomed closer. Chen Yi felt it closing in. He spoke even as he moved his thoughts and injected True Qi into his blade techniques without hesitation.
[You infuse True Qi into the cultivation technique, circulating each word and sentence through your meridians.]
[Inside your mind, the Beheading Flood Dragon Blade Technique begins to simulate itself.]
In his mind's eye, a faint image of himself appeared, holding a blade, attacking and withdrawing repeatedly.
[In the third year, you captured the essence—no matter how ferocious, a snake still has its weak point at seven inches. To kill a snake, you must strike at seven inches. You've begun learning the basics of the Beheading Flood Dragon Blade Technique.]
[In the sixth year, you mastered the fundamentals, took a step toward the next realm, and began showing small progress.]
[In the eighth year, you attempted to reach the Great Achievement Realm of the blade technique. You failed but gained insight.]
[In the tenth year, you caught a thread of enlightenment. The blade technique became like a coursing flood capable of cutting down defiling dragons. You achieved mastery and reached the Great Achievement Realm.]
As Chen Yi remained motionless, Song Shengbao's expression wavered darkly, his mind racing to calculate the fallout of killing a Hundred Households.
This man had gained his position by aligning with the Lin Party, rising in a single leap to Hundred Households, ill-secured in the West Factory. Killing him would provoke investigation, but not too deeply—greasing palms and finding a scapegoat could blur the truth...
Song Shengbao's mental calculations continued.
Chen Yi, however, stepped forward first.
The young woman watched him pass her, slowly unsheathing his blade step by step. Its glimmering edge exuded an icy chill, and confusion showed on her face.
What was he doing? Had playing the bully for so long made him truly believe himself invincible?
In the next moment, Chen Yi gripped his blade with both hands and lunged forward with lightning speed.
Nobody expected Chen Yi to strike first, suddenly launching an attack.
Shhh—
The Qingyi Guard standing closest tasted blood in his throat as the sharp blade pierced through, swiftly withdrawing.
Perhaps it was familiarity with bloodshed from previous battles or nights witnessed in hellish slaughterhouses, but Chen Yi remained expressionless, devoid of any terror from his first kill.
Blood trickled along the blade's spine as the second agent stared in shock, frozen until his comrade's corpse collapsed. Then he roared with rage, his eyes red as he drew his blade to charge forward.
Chen Yi was quicker, though. His hand darted out, fingers clenched, pressing down on the agent's hand as he drew his blade.
While the blade was halfway sheathed, the agent didn't expect Chen Yi's speed. His eyes widened, shock immobilizing him before Chen Yi thrust his blade into the agent's abdomen.
Then, Chen Yi twisted the blade savagely.
The intestines spilled out like rolling streams from the wound. In agonizing pain, the agent clutched his abdomen, trying to push them back in, but the slippery entrails leaked through his fingers.
In an instant, Chen Yi had efficiently dealt with two men. Song Shengbao froze in terror, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
Earlier, he had calculated the consequences of committing murder, momentarily losing focus. The one thing he had not fathomed was that the three of them could not kill this seemingly unimpressive Hundred Households!
Battle-hardened as he was, Song Shengbao retreated two steps, drawing his blade and adopting a defensive stance.
At that moment, Chen Yi charged forward, holding his blade horizontally. With a sweeping arc like the crescent moon, the blade glimmered coldly as it slashed directly at Song Shengbao's throat.
Song Shengbao, long concealed, had risen to Qingyi Guard Banner Command before his transfer to the Eastern Factory. Among the leaders, his martial arts ranked among the top. In an instant, his blade lifted to intercept the incoming attack, the edge clashing forcefully with Chen Yi's.
A surge of power radiated from their blades' intersection. Song Shengbao stumbled back over three steps, his eyes widening in horror at Chen Yi, who merely retreated half a step.
In this single exchange, Song Shengbao instantly recognized Chen Yi's blade technique—it belonged to Min Ning, the Thousand Households of the West Factory!
Its purity... How had he learned it?!
"How do you... know Min Thousand Households' Beheading Flood Dragon Blade Technique?!"
Before his thoughts could settle, Chen Yi swung his blade again.
The overwhelming sharpness paralyzed Song Shengbao. He advanced, countering with a sidelong thrust to intercept Chen Yi's strike. But as their blades collided again, the immense blade momentum intended to cut through a flood dragon shattered his defensive impulse.
Chen Yi loosened his grip briefly before clamping down again with force, his hands twisting violently. The Brocade Spring Blade crushed Song Shengbao down along with his weapon. Following that, Chen Yi released one hand and delivered a brutal punch to his face.
Song Shengbao's nose cracked, his head rolling back. His grip on his weapon faltered momentarily, giving Chen Yi the opportunity to drive his blade once more toward Song Shengbao's throat. Song Shengbao hastily lifted his blade to block.
The collision of their weapons sent vibrations through the blade, bending it into an exaggerated arc. Then a crisp "crack" rang out—the blade had snapped in two.
"You!"
Song Shengbao clutched the broken blade, collapsing to the ground. Panic engulfed him as he saw Chen Yi's blade nearing his face; he raised a hand, gripping the broken blade, attempting one last desperate maneuver.
The icy wind grazed his skin, sending chills down his spine.
Chen Yi twisted his grip, plunging his blade into Song Shengbao's hand.
"Mercy! Hundred Households, have mercy!"
Blood sprayed everywhere as agony tore through Song Shengbao, eliciting gut-wrenching screams.
Chen Yi, drenched in blood, quietly watched Song Shengbao's cries of pain, catching a fleeting hint of the pleasure Yin Tingxue must have felt killing him. He asked:
"Weren't you so confident about my worth just now? Go ahead, tell me—how much, exactly?"
Song Shengbao's face turned ashen, horrified as he gazed up at him.
Wasn't he purely dependent on the Lin Party for his rank?! The corruption, incompetence, and lack of merit—was all that just a deliberate facade?!
As chaotic thoughts filled his head, a chill shot down his spine. Stammering, Song Shengbao pleaded:
"Don't act impulsively—don't... don't let things get ugly. If you kill me, the Eastern Factory will investigate. I'm an officer after all—you won't be able to handle it! Spare my life! Let's just forget this ever happened!"
A cold smile appeared on Chen Yi's face, tinged with hostility.
Then Song Shengbao heard words colder than death itself.
"Spare your life? Then who spared mine?"
Chen Yi pressed a hand against Song Shengbao's head, driving his blade straight into his heart.
[Song Shengbao harbored twenty years of True Qi from an external source.]
Within seconds of his demise, Chen Yi had completely absorbed the True Qi contained within him.
The foreign Qi surged within his body, causing excruciating pain that forced Chen Yi to clench his teeth tightly, enduring it until finally, the violent energy subsided.
Chen Yi turned his attention to Yin Tingxue, who had been observing the entire ordeal.
The daughter of Prince Xiang was now as pale as a ghost, witnessing a killing for the first time.
As Chen Yi approached her, her heart raced anxiously in her chest, regret washing over her.
Did he hear what I said just now?
Yin Tingxue gripped her hands tightly and shrank back.
"Weren't you gloating just now? Hmm?"
Chen Yi leisurely wiped the blood from his blade and asked with a smile:
"Weren't you wishing for my death?"
Yin Tingxue froze and stepped back instinctively. Before she could retreat further, Chen Yi grabbed her with one hand.
"Relax. I'm not ready to kill you yet."
As he spoke, her arm ached under his vice-like grip. Tears welled in her eyes, her teeth chattering in fear.
Chen Yi sneered coldly.
Under his gaze, Yin Tingxue trembled, her tear-streaked face glowing with fear as she let out weak sobs.
"What... do you want?"
She had seen him once in her dreams. It was he who had severed her Longevity Bridge in that dream. It was he who had helped bring disaster upon her family. She hated him, the man who had taken her as his concubine.
"What... do you want? Don't do this..."
Looking into her eyes, full of both grievance and hatred, Chen Yi's breath grew heavier, and the cold expression she wore on that fateful day flashed through his mind.
Touching her shoulder, Chen Yi felt resistance. Smirking, he leaned forward and kissed her.
Mm.
Yin Tingxue stiffened completely, trying to evade, trying to push him away, but Chen Yi held her down so firmly that her delicate body shuddered wildly, emitting fragmented sobs of despair—the humiliation of royalty and the helplessness of absolute defeat. She wanted to resist but could not.
This first kiss felt like her most horrifying nightmare.
All the while, he relished her struggle and sorrow beneath his lips.
After a long moment, their lips parted. Yin Tingxue swayed feebly, her face burning—not with affection, but with an unbearable flush as her limbs turned icy cold. Chen Yi deliberately smiled at her mockingly:
"You're mine now."
Yin Tingxue quivered in fear and loathing as she gazed at him.
Her mind was in turmoil, overwhelmed by a grief she couldn't express. Silent tears rolled down her cheeks, yet she dared not resist Chen Yi.
She failed to understand why this man must demean her, why he had forced her to become his concubine. She hadn't done anything wrong, hadn't committed any sins.
"Why do you have to bully me?" she asked timidly.
So weak. The enemy who had slaughtered and ruined her family—so this was her true nature, so frail and weak?
Regardless, he had finally kissed this nemesis's lips.
Chen Yi turned his head slightly, looking at the system interface.
[Negative Emotions: 80]
[Condition met, Resentment Yin-Yang Technique triggered]
[Resentment Yin-Yang Technique beginner level activated, twenty years' external True Qi detected—three years absorbed. Yin Tingxue's negative emotions grant three additional years of True Qi.]
[Total True Qi received: nine years.]