"The guan-guan call of the lovebirds on the river islet. Graceful and fair maidens, gentlemen seek them..."

On the way back to the chamber, Xia Zhiqing softly recited this poem, and a touch of blush inevitably appeared on her flawless cheeks.

As Qingzhou's foremost talented woman, Xia Zhiqing quickly understood the poem's meaning after reading it a few times; how could it portray anything other than a man's deep pursuit of a woman?

Especially since Chen Mo recited it to her, asked her to write it down and compose music for it, Xia Zhiqing mistakenly thought he wrote it for her.

"What kind of person do you take me for? Treat a sister like this—I could never fancy you." This was Xia Zhiqing's true feeling; she could never be drawn to her sister's enemy.

"But this poem is indeed well-written. For my sister's sake, I'll seriously compose the music for it..." She carefully folded the paper containing the poem and tucked it into her bosom.

When she returned to the chamber, Xia Zhining had already dressed, her cold eyes fixed intently on her.

Xia Zhiqing inexplicably felt a little flustered and spoke warmly, "Zhining, blame me for not being here earlier, letting him bully you again."

Xia Zhining bit her lip and stared at her sister, her voice cold, "You have nothing to say to me?"

Xia Zhiqing knew what her sister was asking and replied, "Zhining, don't misunderstand. The reason I drew for him was his promise. After I finished drawing, he would reduce... ten lashes."

"Should I be thanking you then, sister." Xia Zhining's voice was as clear and cold as water in a winter pond; she didn't believe her sister at all, "If it were just that, why did you hide it from me, not tell me?"

"I...was worried you might misunderstand, Zhining." Xia Zhiqing lowered her brows, expecting this to happen, now that her sister indeed misunderstood.

"Ha."

Xia Zhining sneered coldly, "Do you think you can trust the words of that scoundrel? Didn't we agree to kill him together; reducing the lashes...what's the use? You've been deceived by his sweet talk."

"I did not." Xia Zhiqing quickly calmed her emotions, "His words aren't wholly unreliable, at least those he promised me, he...fulfilled."

"See, you're already speaking for him, claiming not to..." Xia Zhining looked at her sister angrily.

"I did not..."

"What did that scoundrel ask you to do just now?" Xia Zhining reprimanded.

"He..." Xia Zhiqing bit her cherry lips, hesitating; if she mentioned the poem, Zhining would surely misunderstand again, but keeping it from her—this matter truly couldn't be explained.

Afraid and hesitant, Xia Zhiqing ultimately took the paper from her bosom and handed it to her sister, "He wrote this poem, and asked... me to compose music. Said if it was composed well, he'd reduce twenty lashes."

The fact that the youth called her Zhiqing was still kept a secret by Xia Zhiqing.

"The guan-guan call of the lovebirds on the river islet..."

After Xia Zhining opened the paper and looked for a while, her eyebrows raised, "He wrote this?"

Xia Zhiqing slightly nodded and candidly said, "Although shameless and vile, he does have talent—otherwise, he couldn't have written this poem. If not for the times...he could at least gain a scholar's reputation."

Xia Zhining knew her sister adored scholars and darkly spoke, "Are you falling for him?"

Though Xia Zhining's talent couldn't match her sister's, she was also well-read and understood the poem's sentiment; a sudden affection from the scoundrel toward her sister, now using poetry to pursue.

"Impossible." Xia Zhiqing's reply was straightforward, yet her heart felt strangely stirred.

"Well then, since the scoundrel deeply admires you, even using poetry to pursue you, there's a good chance my plan will succeed." Xia Zhining leaned to her sister's ear and said, "Sister, if you truly want to help me, then next time, you should..."

Upon hearing this, Xia Zhiqing's body trembled gently, her porcelain-like face turned crimson, and she said, "Why let...me, not..."

In her sister's previous plan, it was her sister's role to seduce Chen Mo, and when he was at his weakest, she would seize the moment and finish him off.

As her sister sensed Chen Mo's favoritism towards her, the youth wouldn't guard against her like against her sister, making success more achievable.

But now, her sister wanted her to reverse roles, becoming the one who seduces...

"The scoundrel likes you, sister. If you play my role, he'll surely be delighted. People are most vulnerable when highly excited, making it easiest to let down their guard. Besides, I'm stronger than you, making it easier to succeed."

And one more thing, Xia Zhining feared that her sister might hesitate at the crucial moment or fail to act.

As for herself, she was certain she wouldn't hesitate.

"But... but..." Contemplating losing her purity, Xia Zhiqing hesitated momentarily.

Xia Zhining said, "Would sister be unwilling? Didn't sister say she'd replace me at the beginning?

Indeed, sister never truly intended to help me."

"It's not like that." Xia Zhiqing's bright eyes slightly widened, lifting her hands to clasp them tightly at her chest, then softly said, "Alright, I...agree. But if it doesn't work this time, you must follow my plan afterward."

"Good."

...

In the main hall, Chen Mo had consumed all the remaining Purple Sun Turtle; perhaps due to being in the Sage period, he suppressed the turmoil it caused entirely.

[Name: Chen Mo.]

[Age: 17.]

[Cultivation Technique: Purple Sun Transformation Skill (Small Success 2816.7/5000).]

[Realm: Qi Refining (Sixth Grade).]

[Power: 282.]

[Skills: Great Sun Qi Slash (Basic 306580/5000000), Wind-Chasing Arrow (Advanced 1213/2000).]

Gained over a hundred experience points; according to Chunhong's statements earlier, ten pounds of Purple Sun Turtle were ordered this time.

Considering this, finishing the remaining thirty or so pounds of Purple Sun Turtle could increase experience points to over three thousand one hundred.

If the sun were to shine every day, it could support six to seven days of cultivation.

...

In the afternoon, Chen Mo practiced archery in the yard, sensing the restlessness within.

[Archery count +1, Wind-Chasing Arrow experience +1.]

[Archery count +1, Wind-Chasing Arrow experience +1.]

…

Chen Mo stood a hundred paces away, hitting the bullseye with every arrow.

This commotion naturally drew the attention of the two women in the annex building. Xia Zhining quietly approached the windowsill, dipped a finger on her lips, pierced the window paper, and observed everything happening in the yard.

"This commoner, his strength is one thing, but why is his archery so excellent as well?"

In the past few days, Xia Zhining had learned from the maids' gossip that this commoner was only seventeen years old this year.

So young, yet a middle-grade martial artist and also a child student.

It must be noted that cultivation is a tedious, time-consuming process. To become a middle-grade martial artist by seventeen, in her experience, one must start from age five, cultivating daily without rest, and supplementing with powerful medicines. Where would he find the time to study...

After all, one must pass county and prefecture exams to be called a child student, which undoubtedly requires several years of academic accumulation.

Yet he not only had time to study but also to learn archery.

A hundred paces away, hitting the target 100% of the time, usually takes at least four to five years.

What is this...

"Genius." The thought floated in Xia Zhining's mind; only legendary martial arts geniuses could achieve this.

Such individuals are rare even in the capital.

"Why would such a martial arts genius be such a person..." Xia Zhining tightly clenched her fists, her sharp nails deeply biting into her palms, bringing stinging pain, yet she seemed unaware.

Suddenly, the youth in the yard noticed someone seemed to be watching him and turned around but saw nothing.

Behind the window, Xia Zhining panted heavily, her heart racing. She had often threatened to kill him, but now being caught spying would be mortifying.

...

Two days later.

Outside the county town, seventeen or eighteen donkey and ox carts full of money and goods headed into the city.

Zhang River wore a straw hat, riding a poor horse, following the convoy.

Upon arriving at the government office, the convoy stopped, and Zhang River was about to enter with the cargo list when Sun Meng blocked him. Only after reporting was Zhang River allowed inside.

The operation had expanded, no longer just the small workshop in the village; everyone had to follow the rules.

Inside the government office, Zhao Daoxian was reporting to Chen Mo about fertilization work in the fields outside the city.

Northern areas generally plant two-season rice, planted in spring and harvested in early July.

"Have Wu Mountain watch closely; make rounds to prevent malicious individuals from damaging the fields," Chen Mo instructed.

"Understood."

After Zhao Daoxian withdrew.

Zhang River entered: "Brother Mo..."

He was quickly interrupted by Chen Mo: "Use titles for work, call me County Magistrate or Immortal Master Chen; privately, Brother Mo."

"Understood, Brother Mo... no, County Magistrate." Zhang River handed over the cargo list, saying: "Here's the list of goods this time."

As Chen Mo reviewed it, Zhang River curiously asked: "County Magistrate, why aren't we buying grain this time and instead purchasing iron and what... saltpeter?"

Chen Mo looked up and smiled at Zhang River: "Money not spent on military development ends up as war reparations."

Zhang River seemed partly understanding, partly puzzled.

Without further explanation, Chen Mo finished reviewing the list, raised an eyebrow: "Didn't I ask you to purchase a batch of crossbows? Why isn't there a single one?"

"Well, Quanyang County has started guarding against us, selling no military wares. If not for us being major customers, even this iron might not be sold to us," Zhang River explained.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo lightly tapped the table, murmuring: "Relying solely on Quanyang County already can't meet our needs; we'll have to open new sales channels.

"Do this: go and bring Lu Yuan to me."

"Understood."

Soon, Zhang River brought Lu Yuan over.

"County Magistrate, you wanted to see me?" Lu Yuan said.

Chen Mo nodded, saying, "You used to be the Chief of the Escort, surely you've traveled to many places?"

Lu Yuan nodded.

"I have a task for you. Take your old escort agency brothers and make a trip south. Find a way..." Chen Mo stood up, whispered slowly beside Lu Yuan's ear.

Hearing this, Lu Yuan shuddered: "I guarantee to complete the mission."

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