Chen Xu held Ah Shi in his hand, watching it use its little paws to hold the Red Vermilion Robe.

There was a smile in his eyes, seeing the little mouse eating with relish.

With each bite, Ah Shi's eyes brightened, praising, "So sweet, this fruit brings warmth, squeak squeak squeak..."

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The footsteps outside grew closer, and Ah Shi suddenly stuffed the remaining Red Vermilion Robe into its mouth with one bite, then quickly slipped into Chen Xu's sleeve.

Chen Xu felt a furry little creature clearly pressed against the side of his left forearm.

Obviously, this time using the Vast Qi to help Ah Shi dispel the Disease Fiend had made its body much healthier than before.

This was an effect that couldn't be achieved by merely using the Life-Reflected Fiend to absorb the Disease Fiend.

Excellent, the rise in Literary Qi, the infusion of Vast Qi, indeed provided a greater boost to the little mouse.

Chen Xu felt a particular joy in his heart, and as for the footsteps growing closer outside, he wasn't too concerned initially.

He recognized clearly, those were the footsteps of the porter from the side residence.

The porter came to announce, with a hint of surprise in his tone, "Mr. Chen, the Ghost-Faced Officer from the Prison Control Department, Gongsun Jiuniang, has come to visit!"

So it was Gongsun Jiuniang who came!

Chen Xu had experienced much in the past couple of days.

First, yesterday Lv Ji came to visit, bringing the Great Li's Splendor Record, then he encountered the mysterious Kongcan, and later tried out the All Things Transform Talisman, and also made a trip to the Ghost Market...

The trip to the Ghost Market was rather fruitful, and Chen Xu spent a long time digesting it.

Going in and out of the Fire and Smoke Kitchen over and over, in that short night, he had actually cultivated for "half a month" at least.

Now looking back at yesterday, it feels like a lifetime ago.

But in reality, only a single day had passed!

A day's storm, like a sudden rainstorm, lightning flashing back and forth.

Chen Xu instructed the porter to bring Gongsun Jiuniang to the main hall of the side residence, while pondering in his heart: Why has Gongsun Jiuniang come?

Thinking it over, it's likely related to the cave ghosts of Pufeng Mountain. The Great Li's Splendor Record leaked the matter of Chen Xu eradicating Xie Huaizheng.

At the time, Chen Xu instinctively concealed his act of vengeance, fearing that his ability to exterminate ghosts just after not long into cultivation would attract suspicion and covetousness.

As the saying goes, a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall; this was an unconscious act of self-preservation.

But now, since the Great Li's Splendor Record has revealed this matter, and after experiencing much since, Chen Xu's mindset had unconsciously shifted.

The sword of the world, dust and clouds, a poem of the rivers and lakes times.

Joy in life, death without fear.

Be cautious when necessary, be bold when necessary.

Chen Xu now possessed the courage to face any storm.

He remains vigilant, reflecting thrice daily, never lightly seeking trouble for himself, yet he won't shy away from trouble.

If one becomes timid and hesitant at the prospect of obstacles, then what is the point of cultivation?

Thus, a quarter of an hour later, when Gongsun Jiuniang, carrying a delicate umbrella, met Chen Xu in the main hall of the side residence, she found him composed, his demeanor flawless.

For a moment, the Ghost-Faced Officer from the Prison Control Department was at a loss for words.

She had been prepared to take the initiative, probing into Chen Xu's depth.

Yet as Chen Xu with leisurely strides, his large sleeves fluttering, walked into the main hall, Gongsun Jiuniang suddenly realized that each step he took seemed to resonate with the rhythms of heavens and earth.

Including the sunlight at this mid-morning hour, the shadows cast by its rays, the branches and leaves dancing in the breeze outside the main hall, the scattered rocks in the small garden, the occasional chirping in the grass...

Everything formed a unique rhythm.

Ordinary people walking here seem unrelated to this inch of heaven and earth.

But as Chen Xu approached, it seemed as though he was clothed in light and shadow, embraced by the wind, even the chirping at this time appeared to be accompanying his footsteps.

This distinctive rhythm carried an indescribable sense of detachment, making Gongsun Jiuniang momentarily gazing, feeling as though what approached was not a mortal but the vast sea of clouds, the endless sky.

Or perhaps a weapon that had unraveled the breath of heavens and earth, suddenly slicing through the mundane gleam, revealing itself and startling the observer.

At this moment, Gongsun Jiuniang's mind couldn't help but conjure four words:

Unity of Heaven and Man!

She actually felt a fleeting sense that this person before her might possess the legendary realm of Unity of Heaven and Man.

But how could that be possible?

Gongsun Jiuniang almost lost her heart and spirit, she hurriedly steadied her mind, refocusing, only to find all the previous peculiar feelings had vanished.

The young man approaching was still extraordinary in demeanor, yet clearly a man of the world.

Transcendent and detached, Unity of Heaven and Man, how could it be so simple?

Even if the other party had the ability to annihilate a cave of ghosts on Pufeng Mountain, the realm of Unity of Heaven and Man was indeed too astonishing, no wonder Gongsun Jiuniang found it hard to believe.

In the main hall, Chen Xu cupped his hands to Gongsun Jiuniang, inviting her to sit and apologized for his tardy greeting, asking the Ghost-Faced Officer not to take offense.

Every word and action was courteous and measured, not disgracing his status as the top candidate of the courtyard examination.

Gongsun Jiuniang inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief, overturning all the prepared conversation rhythms and directly speaking:

"Mr. Chen, I have two purposes for coming here."

Her tone was sonorous, faintly carrying a sword-like intent.

Chen Xu gestured for her to speak, and without hesitation, Gongsun Jiuniang immediately said, "The ghost cave of Pufeng Mountain has been entrenched in Yunjiang Prefecture for over ten years.

The reason it has not been eradicated is, on the one hand, due to the Ghost King's formidable strength, and on the other, due to his somewhat unique status."

Xie Huaizheng's status is unique!

Indeed, having glimpsed his memories during their battle, Chen Xu naturally knew this.

Xie Huaizheng's uniqueness was not about an extraordinary origin—

In fact, Xie Huaizheng came from a downtrodden Humble Family, not truly a special background.

Xie Huaizheng's issue was that in life he had been a close minister to the emperor, a prominent official stirring the currents of the court.

He had been a Champion Scholar, an imperial envoy, even though ultimately fallen, his death was a grand affair.

Such a character even after death as a ghost, his life's traces couldn't be completely erased.

Indeed, Gongsun Jiuniang said, "The Ghost King of Pufeng Mountain, his enemies during his lifetime held immense power, yet after his death as a ghost, they did not seek to finish him.

Is it that the powerful enemies didn't know he became a ghost on Pufeng Mountain? Or for some other reasons, I do not know.

Secondly, despite being a fallen ghost, he had many former students and acquaintances."

Gongsun Jiuniang paused slightly here.

She looked to Chen Xu, her gaze inevitably carried a bit of inquiry.

Some words, though Gongsun Jiuniang hadn't spoken too clearly, were nearly akin to an explicit revelation.

Why did no one seek to kill Xie Huaizheng? Because he was a hot potato!

Killing him might not bring immense benefits, but it would undoubtedly bring unforeseeable troubles.

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