Chapter 29: Who Is Thinking of Me?

"Squawk..."

The grey falcon swooped down, and Yuwen Chengxiang's face changed once more. Ye Ziyan's words still echoed in his ears—that she wouldn't mind turning the grey falcon into soup. After the Purple Gold Medical Decree had been issued, his grandfather had even written to him, explicitly warning him never to let the falcon fall into Ling Xuan's hands. Though he didn't know the reason, he knew his grandfather must have his own justifications.

Without a word, a silent understanding passed between them. Ling Xuan reached out, and Yuwen Chengxiang, not daring to expose Ling Xuan’s true identity, handed over a thousand taels of silver. "I know you like money. How about a thousand taels?"

Ling Xuan accepted the silver with a smile, losing interest in him immediately. He flicked the reins and snapped his whip. "Young Master Yuwen, do remember to come to me if there are any more such good opportunities in the future!"

The other soldiers along the imperial road hadn't seen clearly and were confused by the exchange. "What... what is going on? How could that bald kid and his wife make the arrogant Young Master of the Yuwen family cave in?"

Hou Junji, however, had witnessed the entire scene. His eyes widened in shock, and they darted back and forth. "Young Master, let me drive the carriage."

"Weren't you unwilling? Didn't you say I was forcing you?" Ling Xuan tossed the thousand taels toward the carriage cabin with a playful grin. "The Yuwen family's young master is truly a generous man, knowing I lack the silver to buy clothes for my wife."

"Young Master, what exactly is your identity?" Hou Junji asked eagerly.

"Shut up. A driver should have the sensibilities of a driver," Ling Xuan waved him off. "Little one, come back. If Yuwen Chengxiang keeps his eyes on you, I wonder how much longer you can run wild, little white ape?"

A flash of white light later, the little white snake darted over and coiled obediently around Ling Xuan's wrist, closing its eyes to rest.

"I concede," Hou Junji said, finally truly convinced. He was only at the Great Zhou Heaven stage himself; how could he dare to offend such powerful figures of the imperial court?

Sun Tianxin watched with interest. "Do you know what it means to ask for a 'favor'? It means making someone’s teeth itch with frustration, yet they have no choice but to give in, and they even have to pretend they are doing it willingly."

"Brother Sun, so you are a man of my own heart," Ling Xuan said with a grin, lifting his Purple Sky Divine Flute. "Tell me, what melody should I play to liven things up?"

"Don't disturb my rest," Ye Ziyan hummed softly. "Other people play for money; you play for one's life. What a mess."

"My wife is right to reprimand me," Ling Xuan said, chewing on a blade of grass. "Brother Sun, if you want to listen, you must pay first—one hundred taels of silver per song!"

Sun Tianxin closed his eyes to regulate his breathing, ignoring him and returning to his usual expressionless demeanor. Hou Junji quickly took the reins. This bald kid was not only dangerous but seemed even thicker-skinned than he was—he was practically shameless.

"Little white ape, do you want to listen?" Ling Xuan teased.

"Please, no, I don't have any money," Hou Junji shook his head repeatedly. It was exactly what he feared!

Ling Xuan ignored him. "Tell me, where did you learn that pickpocketing skill of yours?"

"Young Master, you're interested?" Hou Junji was delighted. "That is the Ape-Striking Technique I practice."

A White Ape Spirit manifestation, practicing the Ape-Striking Technique? Ling Xuan thought of his own hands; when he threw his needles, they were sometimes as soft and boneless as a snake. He was slightly stunned. Could his "Spirit Snake Entwining the Moon" require the practice of the Snake-Form Piercing Hand?

***

There were more important matters at hand, so Ling Xuan changed the subject. "Whenever you practice, do you feel a lack of fluidity, or perhaps a sense of restriction?"

"How did you know?" Hou Junji was shocked.

Ling Xuan pulled out the two silver needles he had previously driven into Hou Junji’s shoulders and chuckled, "Try it again."

Hou Junji extended his hand, moving it with the agility of an ape. He rotated his shoulder twice and felt that the restriction was significantly less than before. His face instantly lit up with a smile. "Young Master, were you helping me all along?"

"Just testing my needles occasionally," Ling Xuan grinned. "Remember, what you owe me must be repaid."

"Repaid, of course, I will repay it!" Hou Junji nodded vigorously. "From now on, I will follow you and never ask to leave. I will do whatever you command. Please, Young Master, show your divine needles once more and unlock all my restrictions."

Ling Xuan glared at him and tapped the Purple Sky Divine Flute against his palm. "All the other soldiers have weapons; why don't I see yours?"

"I've never had one that felt right," Hou Junji explained. "But I like blades—short, sharp ones."

"Are you eyeing my wife's Twin Spirit Blades?" Ling Xuan asked, surprised.

"I wouldn't dare! The Madam's Twin Spirit Blades are too short; they aren't the type I like," Hou Junji quickly clarified. "I have a bit of a knack for weaponry; I know at a glance if it's the right type for me."

"Then why did you steal my divine flute?" Ling Xuan asked deliberately. "Did you take a liking to it?"

Hou Junji shook his head like a rattle-drum and poured out his heart. "I like short blades that can be hooked onto the fingertips; that's the only way to complement the Ape-Striking Technique."

"You know how to forge weapons?" Memories didn't contain such records, and Ling Xuan was overjoyed. "Or do you know how to design them?"

"I can do both," Hou Junji said, looking rather proud. "And I've noticed, Young Master, that you don't seem to handle the Purple Sky Divine Flute with complete ease."

He could even see that? Ling Xuan felt a ripple of excitement. Had he stumbled upon a treasure? During the battle against the Bone Demon at the Luo River, he had realized it himself—while the flute could fire silver needles, it was not as responsive as an extension of his own arm. It was even worse underwater, far less agile than Ye Ziyan's Twin Spirit Blades.

However, the Twin Spirit Blades and the Purple Jade Phoenix hairpin could combine into the Purple Phoenix Treasure Bow, which best unleashed the power of Ye Ziyan's Purple Phoenix Spirit manifestation; he didn't even need to think about that. At the Prince of Changping's estate, looking at Qiu Rui's collection, he and Ye Ziyan had both failed to find anything they liked or found easy to use.

Still, the Purple Sky Divine Flute was a gift from Yang Xuangan, and since he was keeping the little white snake, he had to keep it on him to put on a show. For him, the weapon he needed had to not only conceal needles but also deceive others while being highly flexible. Although he hadn't fully grasped the martial arts behind "Spirit Snake Entwining the Moon," Qiu Rui had reminded him that it was not a style based on raw strength, but rather on agility and unpredictability, making it perfect for close-quarters grappling.

A thought struck him: perhaps only by choosing the right weapon would he truly master the martial art. He tilted his lips. "Then what kind of weapon do you think suits me?"

"A weapon depends on personal preference. You must already have your own ideas, Young Master. If you have any thoughts, I can design it for you and forge it," Hou Junji offered his loyalty.

Ling Xuan understood. "We'll talk when we reach Zhuojun. The Heavenly Workshop in the military camp should have plenty of materials. Keep your eyes peeled when we get there."

The Heavenly Workshop?

***

Hou Junji’s eyes rolled. "Young Master, can you get me some materials?"

"Asking for favors again, are you?" Ling Xuan laughed. "We'll see how you perform."

"Understood!" Hou Junji was delighted. "Young Master, sit tight!"

With a crack of the whip, the carriage sped off, kicking up clouds of dust.

The sun shone brightly, and magpies chirped in the trees. At the Prince of Beiping's mansion, Prince Luo Yi had summoned everyone in the estate, waiting in the grand hall. At the main gate, several horses galloped up. An imperial envoy leaped down, rushed into the mansion, and read the Divine Emperor's decree:

"By the grace of the Heavens, the Divine Emperor decrees: The Prince of Beiping, Luo Yi, has governed his troops with excellence. He is hereby appointed Commander of the Vanguard for the Demon-Conquest Army, responsible for the unified training of the Demon-Conquest forces..."

Prince Luo Yi accepted the decree and turned to look at the cold-faced, handsome young man behind him. "Cheng'er, don't you often complain about not having the opportunity to make a name for yourself?"

"Father, are you letting me join the Demon-Conquest Army?" The frost on the face of Luo Cheng, the Heir to the Prince of Beiping, melted instantly, like a blooming plum blossom.

"Indeed. You have always felt you lacked a divine weapon that suited you. Joining the Demon-Conquest Army will allow you to accumulate military merit and visit the Heavenly Workshop to exchange for what you need," Luo Yi nodded.

Facing this son, Luo Yi had almost turned white with worry. The Prince of Beiping's estate was wealthy and prestigious, and his son was incredibly talented, having broken through to the Qi Sea stage at a young age, yet he had never found a weapon that felt right. Luo Yi had wanted to use his own influence to help, but Luo Cheng was stubborn and insisted on earning it through his own strength.

This time, as the various military camps gathered in Zhuojun to form the Demon-Conquest Army, the Divine Emperor had specifically dispatched the Royal Heavenly Workshop to boost morale. The Royal Heavenly Workshop gathered the best craftsmen and the rarest minerals of the Great Sui Divine Empire, housing countless divine weapons. Even if you didn't see one you liked, as long as you could describe it, they could forge it for you. It had always been a sacred site in the hearts of soldiers.

A suitable divine weapon was the dream of every soldier. A weapon forged by the Royal Heavenly Workshop could even become a family heirloom.

With his father's permission, Luo Cheng’s eyes burned with fervor. He couldn't wait any longer. "Father, I shall set out at once."

"Remember, the Zhuojun camp is not the Prince of Beiping's mansion. Don't go throwing your young prince temper around," Luo Yi warned. "The young princes and heirs from all the other dukes and princes will be there."

Luo Cheng looked cold and arrogant. "Father, are you afraid I will lose to those fools?"

Fools?

Prince Luo Yi shook his head slowly. "Cheng'er, a military camp is not just a place for killing; it requires strategy. Leaving others aside, take the Prince of Changping’s heir—during a visit to the Luo River, he discovered the Xuan Water Black Snake Soul stealing the nation's destiny and earned the Divine Emperor's appreciation."

"The Heir of Changping? Is he that strong?" Luo Cheng sneered. "If I meet him in the camp, I will certainly make him taste my strength and expose that fool for what he really is."

"Achoo..."

In the carriage on the imperial road, Ling Xuan let out a sudden sneeze. He whispered to himself, "This damn charm of mine—who is thinking of me now?"