Chapter 6006 - 6007
Ming Li quickly brought two close black-clad guards, both of whom were still unconscious.
“They have followed Fei Qing for many years and are his trusted henchmen. They know Fei Qing best.”
“Ming Li, can you use your ‘Netherworld Mind Control Spell’ in conjunction with my Chaos Restriction to temporarily control them, making them obedient to me for a certain period of time and preventing them from actively revealing any abnormalities?”
A glint flashed in Ming Li’s eyes as he stepped forward to carefully examine the condition of the two guards. He pondered, “Their souls were injured by my soul threads and are already weak. Furthermore, they are sealed by your Chaos Power, Master.”
“If we use the ‘Netherworld Mind Control Spell’ to penetrate deep into the core of their souls and plant a restriction, and then supplement it with your Chaos Power to seal key memories and rebellious consciousness, it should be feasible to control them to obey commands for a short period of time.”
“However, this method cannot last, and once they encounter intense stimulation or terror far exceeding their tolerance limits, the restriction may loosen or even backfire.”
“It’s enough for now.” Kai nodded. “We don’t need them to be obedient all the time. We only need them to cooperate with me to return to the Jade Immortal Mansion and deal with the initial questioning and attention we may encounter.”
“Once we enter the inner palace, I will find an opportunity to send them away or deal with them properly.”
Ming Li said no more and immediately began casting a spell.
He formed complex and strange hand seals, chanting obscure ghost clan incantations. Streams of gray-black soul power, like fine threads, burrowed into the brows of the two guards.
At the same time, Kai flicked his fingers, shooting out two extremely fine chaotic gray rays that entered the guards’ dantian, connecting with the chaotic seals within their bodies, forming a double layer of protection.
A moment later, the two guards shuddered and slowly opened their eyes.
Their eyes were slightly dazed, but upon seeing Kai, they immediately showed respect and obedience, struggling to stand up and bowing: “Grand Steward.”
Their voices were somewhat stiff, but there was nothing unusual about them.
Kai nodded in satisfaction and said to Lianxing and Mingli, “I will take them back to the Jade Immortal Mansion now. You two wait here, remain hidden, and do not act rashly without my signal.”
“Mingli, be on standby at any time; I may need your backup.”
“Yes!” the two replied solemnly.
Kai adjusted his expression and posture one last time, recalling Fei Qing’s usual walking manner and demeanor, and then said to the two guards, “Let’s go back to the mansion.”
With that, he walked out first. The two guards followed silently behind him, like two silent shadows.
Watching the three figures disappear into the secret passage, Lianxing and Mingli exchanged a glance, both seeing deep shock and worry in each other’s eyes.
“Senior Mingli, Senior Chen… can he succeed?” Lianxing asked softly.
After a long silence, Ming Li slowly said, “Mr. Chen’s actions, though seemingly risky, are actually meticulously planned and far-reaching.”
“Since he dared to go, he must have some confidence. Let’s… wait for good news. At the same time, we must prepare for the worst and have backup.”
…
On the west side of the Jade Immortal Mansion, beneath the hidden vines at the base of the wall,
Kai appeared quietly with two guards. He used the same method to open the hidden entrance, and the three quickly entered, the entrance closing behind them.
They couldn’t enter openly through the main gate, as there was no record of Fei Qing’s entry or exit. If Kai led people in through the main gate at this time, the guards would be suspicious.
Returning along the underground passage, Kai deliberately slowed his pace, rapidly organizing and digesting the complex information he had gleaned from Fei Qing’s memories.
Especially the details regarding the personnel arrangements at the Jade Immortal Mansion today, Yu Wuji’s possible location, and how to deal with different people. When the three emerged from the hole in the abandoned garden near Tingsong Path, Kai had fully assumed the role of Fei Qing.
His face bore his usual somber and weary expression as he instructed the two guards, “Keep quiet about today’s events. After returning to Qingxin Pavilion, you may go and heal your wounds and rest. Do not show yourselves unless summoned by me.”
“Yes, Grand Steward,”
the two guards replied mechanically.
The three no longer concealed themselves but walked openly towards Qingxin Pavilion in the core area of the Inner Palace.
Qingxin Pavilion was Fei Qing’s daily office and residence, located in the eastern part of the Inner Palace, a secluded and heavily guarded area.
Along the way, they indeed encountered several patrolling guards and Inner Palace stewards.
Upon seeing Fei Qing, everyone bowed respectfully, addressing him as “Grand Steward.”
Kai merely nodded slightly, expressionless, occasionally responding or giving brief instructions in Fei Qing’s usual slightly impatient tone, without a trace of unease.
The guards and stewards also failed to notice anything amiss.
However, just as they were passing through a garden filled with exotic flowers and plants, imbued with spiritual energy, and about to reach Qingxin Pavilion, a clear, melodious voice, like that of a nightingale, yet tinged with a touch of capriciousness, suddenly came from the side:
“Uncle Fei! Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you!”
Kai paused slightly, a thought striking him.
According to Fei Qing’s memory, the owner of this voice was none other than Yu Wuji’s only daughter, the eldest daughter of the Yu Xian Mansion, Yu Ranran!
He turned around and looked in
the direction of the voice. He saw a stunningly beautiful young woman gracefully walking along the flower-lined path.
She appeared to be around sixteen years old, wearing a pale yellow fairy dress with delicate silver cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, shimmering with light as she moved.
Her long, black hair was styled into a lively flying fairy bun, adorned with a delicate jade hairpin, pearl earrings, and a golden bell on her wrist.
Her skin was as white as snow, her features exquisite, and her clear, bright eyes sparkled with charm. Her cultivation aura was pure and solid, indeed reaching the fifth rank of the Upper Immortal Realm.
At this moment, she was pouting slightly, with a hint of dissatisfaction and coquettishness, and walked quickly towards Kai.
Behind her followed two maids with bowed heads.
This woman was Yu Ranran.
In Fei Qing’s memory, this young lady was exceptionally talented and deeply loved by Yu Wuji. Her personality seemed lively and spoiled, but in reality, she was intelligent and sensitive, and had an extraordinary interest and attainment in ancient classics and esoteric arts.
She had a relatively close relationship with Fei Qing, the steward who had watched her grow up, and would often ask him questions about ancient texts or formations. Fei Qing, in order to please Yu Wuji, would always try his best to answer her questions or help her find answers.
“Greetings, Young Lady.”
Kai bowed slightly, offering a slightly stiff smile. “This old servant was just handling some trivial official business and kept you waiting, Young Lady. May I ask what business you have with me, Young Lady?” Yu Ranran approached, scrutinizing Kai, her delicate brows slightly furrowed. “Uncle Fei, you don’t look too well today? Is it because there’s been too much going on at the manor lately, and you’re exhausted?”
Her keen observation was indeed remarkable; she had noticed the underlying fatigue in Kai’s deliberately maintained but undeniably strained demeanor.
Kai felt a slight chill, but his face remained impassive. He sighed, “Thank you for your concern, Miss. There have indeed been some complicated matters at the manor recently, and the city lord has strictly ordered increased security. This old servant dares not slacken, and perhaps I’m simply a bit lacking in energy. May I ask what your instructions are, Miss?”
Yu Ranran seemed to accept this explanation, her attention shifting to the matter she was concerned about.
She waved her slender hand, signaling the two guards and maid to step back, then leaned closer, lowered her voice, and said with a mixture of excitement and confusion, “Uncle Fei, the other day I secretly… um, borrowed an ancient fragment from my father’s study.”
“It’s said to have come from some divine ruins, recording some secret techniques about the resonance between ‘celestial power’ and ‘earthly veins’.”
“There’s a passage in it that’s incredibly obscure; I’ve studied it for two days, but I still can’t grasp it. You’re so knowledgeable, please help me!”
With that, she took out an ancient jade slip from her storage bracelet and handed it to Kai.
Kai took the jade slip and probed it with his divine sense.
It was indeed an extremely ancient scripture, written in some nearly lost ancient divine script, its content involving the complex interactions and attraction methods between the movement of stars, the earth’s veins, and the tides of spiritual energy—truly profound and obscure. However,
with Kai’s accumulated knowledge of formations, understanding it wasn’t a problem.
But Kai was currently posing as Fei Qing, and based on his understanding of Fei Qing’s memories, he shouldn’t be particularly familiar with the situation!
Moreover, in Fei Qing’s memories, when faced with this situation, he would usually first comfort Yu Ranran, then say he needed time to consult classical texts or ask knowledgeable friends before giving a reply.
This would both demonstrate his dedication and buy him time, preventing him from appearing inexperienced in front of the young lady.
Kai was preparing to follow Fei Qing’s example and imitate his reaction.
However, Yu Ranran stared intently into his eyes and suddenly asked, “Uncle Fei, do you think the phrase ‘Tianxuan draws the stars, Dique opens and closes’ has anything to do with ‘Stars shift and constellations turn, acupoints connect to the hidden realm’ mentioned in the *Ling Shu Mi Lu*?”
“I always felt that it seemed to contain a lost method of ‘drawing stars into the body and tempering acupoints,’ rather than a simple array or feng shui technique.”
This question was quite professional and insightful, directly touching upon the essence of the text.
Based on Fei Qing’s past behavior, he would likely first acknowledge Yu Ranran’s intelligence, then cautiously express that the conjecture was interesting and needed further verification, rather than immediately giving a positive or negative conclusion, because he genuinely wasn’t certain.
Following Fei Qing’s pattern of recollection, Kai pondered, “Miss is intelligent; this thought is quite insightful. This scripture is indeed extraordinary, and this old servant cannot fully decipher it in a short time.” ”
However, the technique of ‘drawing stars into the body’ was indeed rumored in ancient times, mostly used by ancient cultivators with special physiques or those practicing star-related techniques. It is extremely risky, and most of the methods have been lost.”
“Whether this passage contains this method requires careful consideration and comparison with more classic texts…”
He considered his answer to be adequate, consistent with Fei Qing’s status and level of understanding, and also addressing Yu Ranran’s question.
However, upon hearing this, a very faint hint of doubt flashed across Yu Ranran’s eyes.
She had discussed ancient text problems with Fei Qing many times and was very familiar with his way of speaking, his thought process, and even subtle nuances in his tone, pauses, and word choices.
The “Uncle Fei” in front of her gave a seemingly correct answer, but it always gave her a feeling that was too “fluent” and “standard”. It lacked the cautiousness that Fei Qing had, which was a bit pretentious and hesitant, and he was also afraid of saying the wrong thing. Was she really tired, hence the different reaction?
Yu Ranran harbored doubts, but didn’t show them immediately.
She blinked her beautiful eyes, suddenly changing the subject, her tone slightly coquettish: “Uncle Fei, is there any progress on that ancient annotated copy of *Yunji Qiqian* that you promised to help me find last time?” ”
Also, I heard that Wanjuanlou in Xicheng recently acquired a batch of rubbings of fragmented steles unearthed from ancient battlefield ruins. There might be some interesting things in them. When would you be free to go with me to see them?”
These two questions, one about a past promise, the other about a last-minute invitation, were excellent opportunities to test the other party’s reaction and memory.
Kai’s alarm bells rang slightly.
He quickly searched Fei Qing’s memories.
An ancient annotated copy of *Yunji Qiqian*?
Fei Qing did indeed remember this; Yu Ranran had mentioned it about half a month ago, and Fei Qing had promised to keep an eye out, but there was no definite news yet.
As for the Wanjuanlou’s new acquisition of fragmented steles… Fei Qing had no relevant information. Either Yu Ranran had just learned of it, or she was testing him!
In a flash, Kai made a judgment.
His face showed appropriate apology and helplessness: “Please forgive me, Miss, I have asked many people to inquire about the ancient annotated edition of the *Yunji Qiqian*, but there is still no definite news.”
“As for the new rubbings from Wanjuanlou…”
he hesitated slightly, then smiled wryly, “I have been busy with household affairs these past few days and have not heard of it. If Miss is interested, I can send someone to investigate later and then report back to you, and arrange a time to accompany you, would that be alright?”
This answer acknowledged the lack of progress on the *Yunji Qiqian* matter while also showing a willingness to investigate the new rubbings from Wanjuanlou despite being unaware of them—the safest approach.
However, Yu Ranran’s doubts deepened.
She clearly remembered mentioning to Fei Qing three days ago that Wanjuanlou might have new stock, and Fei Qing had smiled and said he would keep an eye out.
Even if Fei Qing had forgotten these past few days, his reaction shouldn’t be one of complete ignorance.
Moreover, although “Uncle Fei” was trying his best to imitate her, there were still some things about his tone and word choice that made Yu Ranran feel…something was off.
It wasn’t a matter of voice or appearance, but rather a deeper, unique quality and thought process belonging to “Fei Qing” himself, which seemed to have subtly changed.
Could it be…that there was something wrong with the Uncle Fei before her?
Once this thought arose, it spread like wildfire in Yu Ranran’s heart.
But she had no evidence, and she couldn’t question the head steward of the manor based solely on her feelings.
Besides, if Uncle Fei was really being impersonated or controlled, that would be too terrible!