As soon as these words were spoken, Min Ming clenched her fists.
Yet her temperament only allowed her to lower her delicate head, remaining silent.
Min Ning stepped forward to greet his elder sister; his grip on the knife hilt involuntarily loosened.
[Negative Emotion: 30]
Seeing her negative emotions drop sharply, Chen Yi was quite pleased.
It seems she has started to change her opinion about him.
A change in opinion is good.
The more her opinion changes now, the deeper her hatred will grow later. The deeper the trust, the stronger the resentment.
However, Chen Yi had no intention of doing anything harmful for this reason.
If this were still just a game, just a series of data, pursuing the greatest benefit in the initial stages wouldn't matter. But this isn't a game anymore—or rather, the game has become reality. Chen Yi has a line he will never cross.
Hurting others just to generate hatred.
How lowly that would be.
Am I such a lowly person?
I have a more sophisticated method.
Min Ning looked at her sister with concern. She was taller than Min Ming and placed her hands on her elder sister's shoulders. From the outside, they appeared as a handsome pair of siblings.
After confirming that Min Ming was unharmed, Min Ning finally started to believe Chen Yi's words, though she still couldn't entirely figure it out.
But… why did her elder sister's face look ashen, filled with hatred?
Could it be... something even more terrifying than manipulation?
[Negative Emotion: 35]
Min Ning's hatred surged as she said:
"Chen Baihu, if you dare harm your colleagues' relatives, I'll report you according to the law. You'll face forty strokes and be dismissed from office."
Chen Yi furrowed his brows,
"I really didn't do anything to her."
Min Ning snorted coldly,
"I will investigate myself."
Then, as if something had crossed her mind, she slightly opened her mouth but hesitated to speak.
Chen Yi spoke directly:
"Whatever you have to say, say it quickly."
Min Ning struggled visibly, then calmed herself, and commanded:
"The Prince of Xiang has colluded with the magic cult. Although the main culprit has been captured, remnants of the cult are still active in the Capital City. I now order you to gather men and join me in hunting down these villains…"
As these words left her mouth, Min Ning regretted it slightly. But she had no other choice. Being ostracized by the Eastern and Western Factories left her only with Chen Yi as an option. She had even prepared herself to be met with a cold response.
However, instead, she saw Chen Yi slightly nod and say:
"The cult remnants must not be spared."
Min Ning felt puzzled but seized the opportunity, hurriedly ordering:
"Exactly. A group of cult remnants has gathered at the South Bank Ferry. I order you to take people there and capture them quickly."
From these words, Chen Yi sensed something amiss,
"Wait, aren't you supposed to be overseeing the Eastern Factory, as half of their personnel? Why are you instructing the Western Factory to act? Where are the Eastern Factory people?"
Min Ning was momentarily speechless, then replied with some difficulty:
"There are rumors circulating that Eastern Factory Supervisor Xue Youge is secretly colluding with the Prince of Xiang's Mansion…"
Realizing that her tone was too weak, she adjusted her expression and coldly added:
"Baihu, don't refuse. If I, as a Qianhu, report you, there won't be pleasant consequences for you."
After speaking, she held out two fingers, signaling "at least twenty strokes."
Listening to her threat, Chen Yi narrowed his eyes,
"Rank is power, crushing even the mighty."
Min Ning looked at him uneasily. If he didn't agree, heading out alone would mean throwing her life away.
For this mission, she had even prepared her remaining annual stipend—twenty taels of silver.
"Let me wash my face first."
Chen Yi adjusted the Brocade Spring Blade at his waist, turned around, and scooped water from the barrel.
Min Ning knew he was stalling but still pricked up her ears.
"Alright, I'm ready. Let's go."
"If the Eastern Factory won't handle this, the Western Factory will."
[Negative Emotion: 15]
......
Upon arriving at the Western Factory, several guards hurriedly greeted them with cupped hands, bowing respectfully.
"Gather some brothers and head to the South Bank Ferry."
Chen Yi ordered decisively.
The guards exchanged glances. Among them, a guard named Zeng appeared hesitant.
"This… might not be a good idea,"
Zeng said.
"What exactly is 'not good' about it?"
Chen Yi asked in return.
"Sir, don't you remember that we received some drinks money from Elder Li just ten days ago?"
Zeng gestured with his fingers, rubbing them together to indicate a small bribe.
Yes, a tiny amount.
Chen Yi suddenly recalled.
Indeed, during the early days of his stint, he had led people to extort the magic cult for maximum benefit.
A total of one thousand taels of silver, half of which he pocketed himself, while the rest was shared among the group.
Zeng's action caught Min Ning's eye, and her delicate brows furrowed tightly, a trace of indignation flashing through her phoenix-like eyes.
[Negative Emotion: 25]
Chen Yi coughed twice,
"A tiny drinks money—how could that be enough for the brothers?"
He then patted Zeng's shoulder.
"So, what are you suggesting?"
Zeng tentatively asked.
Chen Yi replied bluntly:
"Extort them again. Increase the amount this time."
Several Western Factory guards' eyes lit up, though they hesitated somewhat.
After all, they had just extorted the cult ten days earlier...
"Miss out on this opportunity, and you'll regret it later."
Chen Yi reminded them.
The guards turned their heads and responded repeatedly:
"These vile cultists dare defy the law under the Emperor's watch?"
"I've long wanted to punish evildoers. Today's words, Baihu, are like a wake-up call!"
"Zeng, I suddenly feel enlightened—I, too, should aspire to sainthood."
A hearty laugh erupted among the group of men.
Min Ning's gaze remained uneasy. Her straightforward nature couldn't grasp the true intentions of these people.
Chen Yi wrapped an arm around her shoulders and led her aside.
"What are you doing? Such disrespect!"
Min Ning glared at him after being pulled away suddenly.
Chen Yi leaned closer to her ear, lowering his voice:
"I, a man of dignity, would never stoop to their level.
This is what's called 'building a bridge in the open while sneaking across in secret.' Right now, we're creating a diversion to catch them off guard."
Min Ning immediately understood.
People always prefer compromise. If the Western Factory guards were directly told to kill the cultists, these seasoned veterans would certainly refuse. But if the task involved extorting money from the cult first, they would undoubtedly agree.
Ingenious...
Min Ning couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration.
[Negative Emotion: 18]
Suddenly, something brushed against her ear, and she flinched as if shocked.
She abruptly pushed Chen Yi away, though his expression was one of innocence.
Min Ning touched her earlobe, which was hot and burning, her Heart Lake rippling uncontrollably.
[Negative Emotion: 23]
......
After some preparations, several Western Factory guards mounted their warhorses, while over a dozen subordinates followed on foot, stepping out of the Western Factory's gates.
Chen Yi led the procession on his tall horse, with Min Ning riding closely alongside him.
While passing the City God Temple, Chen Yi saw drums beating, bustling crowds, and plenty of people in Taoist robes walking about.
Judging by the timing, it seemed they were approaching the first major event in Capital City.
It was also the first instance in "Heavenly Realm"—the Purge Evil and Exorcism Praying Place.
Two prestigious orthodox sects would host a venue in Great Yu's Capital City, purging evil and exorcising demons.
As the first major event, the rewards offered were incredibly generous. He recalled from his first playthrough that, even with multiple poor choices and several dead ends that forced him to reload saves, the rewards were still astonishing.
That was the Shangqing Heart Method from Shangqing Dao. After practicing it, one could achieve clarity, tranquility, acute senses… Simply put, bullet time.
Imagine facing off in a duel—being able to perceive each of your opponent's moves in slow motion, while to your opponent, you are as fast as lightning…
In martial arts, speed is the ultimate weapon.
Aside from Martial Arts Grandmasters who could overpower technique with sheer force, the more skilled one is, the more emphasis is placed on the speed of their strikes.
"Isn't the Praying Place still half a week away?"
Chen Yi asked.
This time, he planned to clear it perfectly.
"Approximately fifteen to sixteen days. Yin Sword Mountain and Shangqing Dao will join forces to host it."
Min Ning replied. With Chen Yi being so cooperative today, her mood had improved, and she added:
"Everyone in Jianghu speaks of the top ten martial artists as near-mythical figures. Setting aside the extraordinary skills of the 'Three Heavenly People,' even the lowest-ranked figures in the top three tiers are renowned sect founders. This time, Yin Sword Mountain will send Zhou Yitang, the undisputed first in Sword Dao."
The mention of "Zhou Yitang" made Chen Yi's mind stir.
Min Ning didn't notice and continued,
"At just twenty-six, she ascended to the ninth spot on the martial rankings. Although Yin Sword Mountain has always practiced Taoist and Martial Dual Cultivation, this is the first time someone so astonishing has emerged. It's hard to imagine who in Jianghu will be her match ten years from now.
They say that when she was twenty and formally recognized as a swordmaster, her grandmaster bestowed a phrase on her: 'The sword holds profound truths, capable of breaking eight hundred winds of the mortal world.'"
Listening to Min Ning, Chen Yi's thoughts drifted.
Zhou Yitang, styled Zhu Yu, the Sword Armor of Yin Sword Mountain.
He had resolved not to harm Yin Tingxue because he had once hurt her.
It was during his first playthrough—or perhaps… his past life?
Forget it. He didn't want to dwell on it. If they met again, he'd treat her well. She couldn't possibly remember those events.
"Didn't you ask me about Yin Sword Mountain some time ago?"
Min Ning turned her head, interrupting Chen Yi's thoughts, and chuckled softly,
"Don't tell me you're planning to join Yin Sword Mountain? They only accept female disciples."
Chen Yi shook his head and said:
"Abandoning the killing blade to pursue the life-giving sword? I don't intend to do that—unless Sword Armor herself chooses me."
Min Ning snorted coldly, her face showing disdain as she said:
"If Sword Armor herself chooses you, Yin Sword Mountain's hundred-some female disciples—would you have the fortune to handle them all?"
Chen Yi casually replied:
"For her, I'd waste away willingly."
Min Ning was dismissive of such flirtatious words.
Chen Yi, unconcerned, paid no mind to his superior's indifference.
At some unknown moment, a hand—hard to distinguish whether it belonged to a man or woman—extended toward him.
It held a silver note.
Chen Yi turned to look at the hand, his expression curious,
"What's this for?"
Min Ning stammered slightly and said,
"It's… to express gratitude for your assistance. Consider it your superior's… small gesture of kindness."
While handing it over, she made an effort to maintain her gaze, avoiding lowering her head.
It was her leftover annual stipend—thirty taels of silver after all expenses. A Jinyiwei who refrained from corruption and abuse had little else, and this stipend was all included.
"Take it back."
"You're giving this away… huh?"
Min Ning looked at Chen Yi, surprised.
"I said take it back."
Chen Yi sneered and said:
"Min Qianhu, do you think you're the only one with a heart of chivalry?"
Min Ning's expression became startled, then complicated. Stripped of layers, there seemed to be a tinge of guilt.
She kept muttering under her breath…
Has this man lost himself to madness? What caused such a drastic change in him?
Or perhaps…
Was I wrong about him?
Was he deliberately hiding his brilliance?
[Negative Emotion: 15]