Holding a porcelain jug, Zhao Ping moved through a series of secluded alleyways, his expression composed. His steps were swift, as if wind were at his feet, moving extremely fast. With each step, he could vault several meters into the air. Clearly, he was also a martial artist, versed in techniques of light-body leaping.

Turning a corner, Zhao Ping suddenly felt a cool sensation on his face, as if it had been immersed in a cloud of mist.

What's going on...

Before he could finish speaking, a large hand emerged from nowhere, gripped his neck, lifted him into the air, and slammed him hard against the wall. Plaster dust showered down, and the porcelain jug he was holding fell into the hands of his assailant.

Interesting. Not using cultivators, but employing warriors from the mundane world instead. Reversing the expected strategy to catch one off guard, is that it?

A figure materialized from the mist. Qi Xiu glanced at the terrified and astonished man before him. He was an ordinary martial artist of the Condensation Realm, over forty years old, with nothing else particularly notable about him.

Someone in your role is just a runner, a [Foot]. You probably don't know any important information. Oh well, I'll ask anyway.

With a thought, Qi Xiu knocked the man unconscious and began to question him from various angles about what he knew.

But it was just as he expected: this man, Li Ping, was nothing more than a runner serving the Sun Ji Foot Messenger Company. In his memory, he only knew that on the seventh day of each month, he had to go to Tranquil Heart Pavilion on time, retrieve the porcelain jug, and deliver it to Xin Ji Congee Shop. He knew absolutely nothing else.

His gaze fell on the porcelain jug in his hand. Qi Xiu narrowed his eyes slightly and, activating his Body-Protecting True Gang, opened the jug.

This is...

Seeing the contents of the jug, which resembled a brain, pulsating nonstop as if it were alive, Qi Xiu's brows furrowed.

Could it be that Liu Liansheng built all those industries and secretly created those bizarre infants, all to manufacture this substance?

Feeling as though he had touched upon the main thread of the matter, Qi Xiu put Li Ping into his Spirit Pill pouch. Then, with a shake of his body, he transformed into the likeness of Li Ping.

Xin Ji Congee Shop, huh?

Xin Ji Congee Shop was an unremarkable and simple shop in Rain Alley Square. It was located in the most secluded and impoverished market district of Jiang'an Prefecture, nestled between two mountain ranges. The geography trapped the flow of energy, leading to frequent rainfall. Mudslides, rolling stones, and landslides were common occurrences. Aside from the poor, few chose to make a living there. Consequently, it was a place with little presence throughout Jiang'an Prefecture.

SLAP!

Holding a flyswatter, the congee shop owner, Chen Wu, wearing an apron and yawning, listlessly swatted at the hovering flies, thoroughly bored.

Just as he successfully killed the seventeenth fly of the day, a figure rushed into the shop, holding a porcelain jug.

Seeing the person with the jug, the sleepy Chen Wu perked up immediately.

"Old Chen, time to collect the goods."

Placing the jug casually on the table, the newcomer wiped the sweat from his face, grabbed the teapot on the table, and gulped down some water.

"Alright then." Taking the jug from the table, Chen Wu didn't even look at it. He stuffed it into the wooden cabinet behind him, then retrieved another empty jug and handed it to the newcomer. "The reward money is all in this jug," he said.

Lifting the jug's lid slightly and seeing the shiny silver coins inside, the visitor's eyes curved into a smile. "Alright then," he said, "see you next month."

Throughout the afternoon, dozens of people came to Xin Ji Congee Shop. They carried porcelain jugs, dropped them off, picked up their reward money and empty replacement jugs, then left. Chen Wu was only responsible for collecting the jugs. He seemed not the slightest bit curious about what was actually inside them.

As evening approached, Chen Wu pushed an empty jug toward the runner he knew as Li Ping. "The reward money is in the jug," he said, stretching. He was about to return to his seat when he noticed that this runner didn't seem to intend to take the money and leave. Instead, Li Ping was staring at him thoughtfully.

"You there, not taking your money and leaving...?"

Mid-sentence, Chen Wu's eyes rolled back, and he slumped into a dazed state, pliable to anyone's manipulation.

After rendering Chen Wu unconscious, Qi Xiu interrogated the congee shop owner as he had done before. Similar to the runner Li Ping, this congee shop owner also only followed orders. He was responsible for storing the jugs brought by the runners each month, then giving the empty jugs and the reward money to the runners. The collected jugs would be taken away by someone that same evening, and empty jugs would be left in their place.

Separated layer by layer. Even if one link is caught, the function of the previous one remains unknown. A good arrangement, a good structure. But I am quite curious, and I really want to see what exactly you are doing, going to all this trouble to conceal yourselves in so many layers.

After tucking the unconscious congee shop owner and Li Ping into the woodshed in the backyard, Qi Xiu activated his Water Escape Light, completely concealing his form. He then sat in the main hall of the congee shop, waiting for the one who would come to collect the jugs.

BANG! BANG!

The sound of the night watchman's clapper came from outside. It was now Zishi, the middle of the night.

Sitting quietly in the congee shop, Qi Xiu waited calmly, neither hurried nor agitated, for the next link in the chain to appear.

Two more hours passed.

Just as everything outside had quieted down and nearly everyone had peacefully fallen asleep, a covert, pitch-black Escape Light swiftly shuttled through the streets and, in an instant, arrived at Xin Ji Congee Shop.

They've arrived.

Hearing the movement, Qi Xiu's eyes stirred slightly.

The visitor moved with practiced ease. Upon entering the main hall of the shop, they took out a piece of dark brown wrapping cloth and, with a sweep, gathered all the porcelain jugs from the cabinet into it. Then, the person took out another wrapping cloth and, in the same practiced manner, refilled the cabinet with empty porcelain jugs.

After all was done, the figure turned and left. The entire process was as smooth as flowing water, without a hint of delay. It was clear they had done this many times before.

In the silent depths of the night, two streaks of Escape Light weaved through the streets at great speed.

Completely unaware that someone was tailing him less than five meters behind, the cultivator who had collected the porcelain jugs made his way back to a residence.

Qi Xiu halted his steps in front of the residence. He looked up at the plaque with a black background and golden edges, upon which dragons and phoenixes seemed to dance. Three large, glaring, and dazzling characters were inscribed on it: [Censorate Residence].

"My dear, your inauguration ceremony is almost upon us, and soon your name will echo throughout the entire Dianchuan Province," Nian Yiyi murmured, nestled in Gan Xingba's embrace, gently stroking his chin, her eyes brimming with love.

"All this is thanks to you," he replied. Embracing his soft, pliant wife, whose body exuded a subtle fragrance, Gan Xingba looked utterly content.

"I was reluctant when my Master asked me to descend from the mountains to temper myself in the mortal world. In hindsight, that was quite foolish. No matter how wonderful the mountains are, they cannot compare to the diverse and vibrant mortal world. Moreover, if I hadn't descended, we would never have met."

As he spoke of this, Gan Xingba embraced his wife more tightly, as if he wished he could meld her into his own body.

"We are fated to be; we would have met no matter what," Nian Yiyi said, gently stroking her husband's arm. "But speaking of which, would your Master approve of you taking an official position?"

"Don't worry. My Master has always doted on me. I am entering the bureaucracy to benefit the populace, not succumbing to demonic ways and bringing disaster to a region. He would be overjoyed; how could he disagree?" Gan Xingba waved his hand dismissively, seemingly unconcerned about any impropriety in taking an official post.

"That's good," Nian Yiyi murmured. Pressing tightly to Gan Xingba's chest, her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and a strange glint flickered in her clear, bright eyes.

In a dim palace, Nian Yiyi knelt prostrate on the smooth, pitch-black marble floor. Before her, five figures sat on thrones, their faces obscured by shadows.

"That child... he hasn't noticed anything, has he?" one of them asked.

"No," Nian Yiyi replied. "Xingba has a pure and simple temperament; he's straightforward, open-hearted, and holds nothing back from me. He isn't resistant to taking office; in fact, he's quite happy about it."

"That's good. We chose this child precisely because of his pure and innocent heart," one of the figures said in a deep voice. "Yiyi, once he is inaugurated, you must support him well. We will arrange everything, ensuring his fame spreads far and wide."

"By the way, you should eat more of the infant marrow," another figure said. "That utterly vile and evil substance can only be digested by you. It will increase the concentration of your Yin Primordial Blood. Your Yin Primordial Blood is highly beneficial to that child. Not only can it enhance his Cultivation, but it also lowers the threshold for him to step into the Blood-Stained Realm. Aside from him developing a certain dependency on you, there are no other side effects."

"I understand," Nian Yiyi stated. "As long as it benefits Xingba, I will do anything."

The sky was clear and the sun bright over a vast expanse. Within the Censorate Residence, notable figures from Jiang'an Prefecture had gathered. Gorgeous embroidered drapes hung on the towering red walls of the official residence.

Following a prolonged herald's call, the grand and imposing entrance procession commenced amidst a reverent and solemn atmosphere. Officials walked at the forefront, holding high golden scrolls and official robes on ceremonial plaques, while announcers proclaimed the achievements and virtues of the official about to assume his post. They were followed by drummers, lion dancers, and flag bearers, creating a lively and boisterous spectacle.

When the ceremony concluded, the doors of the main hall slowly opened. Gan Xingba stepped out, impeccably dressed and radiating an impressive aura. Dressed in brocade clothes with a jade belt and wearing a silk kerchief cap, he appeared awe-inspiring in the sunlight.

At this moment, everyone congratulated him. Gan Xingba felt he had reached the pinnacle of his life. He glanced back over his shoulder. His wife stood just inside the hall doorway, watching him with a look of proud encouragement.

"Please, Lord Censor, accept the investiture documents and your official jade seal!"

Adjusting his attire, Gan Xingba's expression solemn, he slowly reached out to receive the official documents and seal symbolizing his status and authority as the Censor of the prefecture.

But just as his hand was raised to accept them—

BANG!

A deafening crash! Everyone, startled, looked towards the source of the sound.

The grand doors of the Censorate Residence had been kicked open. A tall, poised figure stood impassively in the doorway.

"Insolence!" several armored, stern-faced cultivators at the peak of the Initiate Realm instantly rose to their feet, bellowing. "On the day of the Lord Censor's investiture, what reckless cur dares to cause trouble!"

The figure at the door stepped forward, coming into everyone's view. This handsome, fair-skinned young Daoist surveyed the surroundings, then slowly raised a token:

"Qi Xiu, direct disciple of the Shenxiao Sect! By order of my Master, I am here to apprehend the criminal, Gan Xingba!"

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