"Indeed."

Qin Qianlian said calmly, his expression unchanged: "You'd best surrender voluntarily."

"I was thinking the same,"

Qin Baihuang sneered coldly.

"Honestly, I must admit, I've never cared about the position of 'Qin Family Master,'…"

He exhaled a breath of turbid air, then mocked: "You've spent years cultivating in the Taoist sects, while I've remained here, immersed in my artifact refining technique. Whether it's martial arts or other aspects of the Great Dao… none of it interests me."

Qin Qianlian furrowed his brows slightly.

"You probably don't understand the burden of being the 'legitimate eldest son.'"

Qin Baihuang gave a sarcastic smile: "The Qin Ancestor values bloodline inheritance. The position of Family Head is only passed to the legitimate son. As your elder brother, from childhood I had to do countless unwelcome and unwilling things… If you were to become the 'legitimate eldest son,' no matter how much you loved Daoist skills, it wouldn't matter. You'd never have the chance to leave the Imperial City."

Only now did Qin Qianlian come to realize.

After joining the Refining Department, Qin Baihuang had practically never left the Imperial City. In a sense, he was similar to Chen Jingxuan… both destined to remain as "Watchers" stationed in the Imperial City.

All freedom comes at a price.

Qin Baihuang's ability to immerse himself in artifact refining within the Refining Department.

Was because he had paid a price.

He traded one form of freedom for another.

"No wonder."

Qin Qianlian mocked coldly in return: "… Fawning over Jiang Miaoyin of Da Sui Sword Palace, yet only daring to express your affections through letters."

This, too, was a joke.

A scandal passed around by countless tongues.

Ridiculed by countless mockers.

Qin Baihuang, the legitimate heir of the Qin Family, was seen by many as nothing more than a "source of amusement."

"Amusing, isn't it?"

Qin Baihuang raised an eyebrow and said coolly: "A fair maiden is admired by a gentleman. Through all these years, I've only written love letters to Miss Miaoyin. Even if she rejected me, so what? Is there truly a fault in liking someone?"

For a moment, Qin Qianlian was at a loss for words.

"Regardless of your true purpose for coming here today…"

Qin Baihuang rested a hand against the iron wall and struggled to stand.

The heavy armor that had been shattered fell off piece by piece, clattering to the ground, exposing the black shirt underneath.

He chuckled softly: "I must thank you."

"?"

Qin Qianlian narrowed his eyes.

Qin Baihuang spoke hoarsely: "After being stuck in this dull Refining Department for so long, I've truly grown weary. I've always wanted to do something fun… and you've just given me quite a good idea."

"Something that no one wants… no matter how precious, is never appealing."

"But when there are enough people who want it, even something as tasteless as leftover chicken ribs becomes something worth fighting over."

...

...

The grand feast at Yuanqing Building.

Jiang Qihu sat at the very top floor, surrounded by the elite of society. Recently, he had been commanded to travel to the South Border to oversee affairs related to the "Demon Sweeping" operation, an immensely taxing endeavor. But not long after, he was urgently summoned back to the Great Chu Imperial City… the reason being simple: the sudden "daytime vanishing" of Imperial City Chief Yuan Jimo had thrown the entire Imperial City Department into chaos.

The assassination incident near Qu River was being tightly covered up.

But the truth could not be concealed forever.

The culprits behind the assassination of the Fan Yin Temple envoy included not only specialists from the Imperial City Department, but also True Master Xiao You from Southern Border Yin Mountain, along with the "Scattered Soul" of the Red Immortal.

The news that Yuan Jimo was dead and his existence erased had already spread among renowned families and clans across the Great Chu Imperial City.

Since the incident was too scandalous to come into the open,

Ren Shou Palace refrained from issuing any imperial decrees, leaving everyone to "pretend ignorance" despite their understanding.

However, one thing was clear to everyone… the Imperial City Chief was dead, and the position needed a successor. With Yuan Jimo gone, the chief's seat would undoubtedly fall to Jiang Qihu. As the sole heir of the Jiang Family, his cultivation realm and leadership ability were unparalleled, backed by Qing State, with a clean family history and a legacy of loyalty.

The banquet, ostensibly, was meant to welcome the second young master, Qin Qianlian.

However, because Qin Qianlian had yet to arrive,

the guests began mingling and drinking to Jiang Qihu's health, and the atmosphere gradually grew peculiar.

Jiang Qihu had long wanted to leave.

But alas.

Upon reaching high positions, one loses their freedom.

The Great Chu Imperial City had its rules—rules Jiang Qihu could not defy. Among them was the principle that the guest follows the host, and the Qin Family Master seated in the host chair seemed utterly indifferent to his son's "tardiness," repeatedly lifting his cup to invite more drinks. Jiang Qihu found himself unable to decline. But shortly afterwards, his expression suddenly shifted.

The Ruyi Order trembled.

Sang Zheng of the Black Scale Guards, stationed outside the Book Tower, had sent word.

The second young master of the Qin Family, Qin Qianlian, who should've appeared at Yuanqing Building, had unexpectedly visited the Book Tower—

The first half of the message.

Seemed inconsequential.

It was the latter half that truly alarmed Jiang Qihu.

Sang Zheng's later report stated that upon leaving, Qin Qianlian triggered the teacher to activate the Book Tower's grand formation and bar all outsiders.

Although Jiang Qihu was rough around the edges,

his mind was uncommonly sharp and perceptive.

As a disciple of the Taoist Longevity House, Qin Qianlian naturally drew Jiang Qihu's attention. Among all Taoist sects, Jiang Qihu monitored Longevity House the most. Ten years ago, its most promising disciple, Yan Xie, had competed against Chen Jingxuan for the [Roundness Instrument]. After failing and resorting to employing a Forbidden Artifact, Yan Xie was punished and expelled from the sect. Recently, there had been unconfirmed rumors about Yan Xie's presence in the Imperial City.

Despite Jiang Qihu's private investigations,

He hadn't found any conclusive evidence.

He had long suspected.

Yan Xie's arrival at the Imperial City was likely tied to ambitions for the once-lost "State Preceptor" position… The teacher, now close to being officially appointed as the "State Preceptor," had only one step left to ascend.

This single step.

In the eyes of many, seemed natural and inevitable.

But Jiang Qihu would allow no room for accidents.

Upon receiving Sang Zheng's report, Jiang Qihu's Heart Lake inexplicably stirred with unease.

He harbored a subtle yet disturbing premonition.

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed elders, brothers, colleagues—"

Jiang Qihu took a deep breath, stood, drained his cup, and spoke earnestly: "The Imperial City Department has received urgent news... I regret that I cannot continue drinking and enjoying myself with all of you. Your forgiveness, please—I must take my leave."

Upon hearing this, no one could reasonably object.

Jiang Qihu departed in haste.

Riding swiftly, he made for the Book Tower. Not long after, he arrived at his destination.

He saw the array patterns rising around the Book Tower, while Sang Zheng squatted outside the formation, his expression complicated.

"Mr. Jiang, you've finally arrived."

Sang Zheng's eyes brightened upon seeing Jiang Qihu.

"Qin Qianlian skipped the banquet at Yuanqing Building and came to the Book Tower instead?"

Jiang Qihu dismounted, his voice low: "Tell me everything—why did he come, and what did he say to the teacher?"

"Mr. Jiang, it's truly strange."

Sang Zheng replied earnestly: "Just today, the imperial message from Ren Shou Palace arrived, and I came to report it. The teacher instructed me to rest well… He said that matters had settled and that we should celebrate, but the teacher seemed far from joyful, even subtly troubled. I wondered if I should request more tasks to share his burdens, so I left briefly but then hurried back—just in time to see Qin Qianlian visiting accompanied by others."

"Accompanied?"

Jiang Qihu's expression grew grave: "... Who?"

"I couldn't make them out."

Sang Zheng chuckled bitterly: "By the time I approached the Book Tower, the doors had already closed, and then the grand formation activated. After about half a cup of tea's time, Qin Qianlian left, but the formation remained intact. I waited here for ages before I couldn't bear it anymore and sent you the message."

Hearing this, Jiang Qihu's composure faltered.

He strode rapidly into the Book Tower.

The Ruyi Order pulsed urgently, the surrounding formation rippling in response.

The Tower's array patterns had been crafted by the teacher's own hand… While Jiang Qihu and Sang Zheng as "trusted elites" could breach the formation without opposition.

Nonetheless,

Both deeply respected the teacher.

Now concerned for Chen Jingxuan's safety, Jiang Qihu moved swiftly, drawing his long blade as he approached the gates.

"Clatter…"

The formation dissipated voluntarily.

The Book Tower's doors opened.

Jiang Qihu froze, his gaze fixed on the scene within the main hall.

Countless golden lights scattered in all directions.

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