Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Some people say that prostitutes and murderers are the two oldest and longest-lasting professions in the world.

Regardless of whether this saying was true or not, these two professions had always existed in this world, never really disappearing for good.

At most, there were different names for these two jobs, like a shell that concealed their true form.

The Huicui Pavilion was the most powerful killing organization in the Great Desolate.

There was no other organization that could match up to them.

They had an ordinary name, and it even sounded rather old-fashioned, which was quite unexpected for a killing organization.

Yet, in actual fact, the Huicui Pavilion was extremely terrifying. Its motto had always been that as long as you were able to pay the price, you could get a strong target killed.

The ‘strong’ did not only refer to physical strength, it also referred to one’s status, rank, and so on.

In short, as long as the price was paid, there was no one that the Huicui Pavilion did not dare to kill.

There were many small and large incidents in history that proved this point. Otherwise, it would be impossible for Huicui Pavilion to have the reputation it had today.

The most shocking rumor was that three thousand years ago, the death of the South Desolate King who passed suddenly due to illness was actually the Huicui Pavilion’s doing.

Naturally, the South Desolate did not acknowledge such a rumor, but neither did they try to dispel the rumor, even though it concerned the dignified reputation of a king.

Huicui Pavilion, too, neither admitted to nor denied such rumors. The ordinary attitude of both parties made many people’s hearts race in fear.

The occupational relationship between a prostitute and a murderer was explained previously. Still, no one could have imagined that in a wide valley southwest of the West Desolate Imperial Capital, a brothel that had a red light hanging high above the guests was actually one of the buildings owned by the Huicui Pavilion.

Swept by a red wave, there was a lot of touching. When the panting gradually subsided, the guest turned over and got out of bed.

The woman, whose face was flushed and was sweating profusely, had a tender and charming gaze. She propped up her sore body and helped her guest to get dressed.

A moment ago, this guest was having an intimate moment with her in bed. Now he looked indifferent. He pushed the door and left.

The woman wiped the sweat from her forehead and turned to sit on the bed. She rubbed her palm lightly and caught a cyan jade cicada.

The carving was exquisite and very vivid, as if it was going to fly away in the next moment.

The woman stood up and walked behind the screen at the end of the bed. She sat on the toilet bowl to do her business, and then threw the jade cicada into the copper ventilation pipe.

The ‘ding-dong’ sounds that were produced as the jade cicada bounced against the pipe walls, slowly faded until there it was completely silent.

……

Old Ye Family.

The cunning and sharp Old Ancestor who was present on the night of the Heaven Inquiry had regained his old and senile appearance.

However, there was an occasional glimmer of light that flashed past in the depths of his eyes which made people tremble in their hearts.

“Ye Bohu has the most potential, strategy and wisdom out of everyone else in these few generations. Even I am unable to see through his methods. Therefore, even though there has been turmoil in the Imperial Capital lately, the Later Ye Family will still be stable for a short period of time.”

Picking up the watering can and drenching the flowers and plants, the old patriarch looked calm as he said, “Send ten of our iron guards to stay by General Jinwu’s side.”

The general behind him bowed and excused himself.

The Old Ye Family’s iron guards were not the strongest soldiers, but with ten of them working together, they could go against a peak-level Ruler.

They might not be able to kill a peak-level Ruler, but temporarily blocking one was not a problem at all. In the Imperial Capital, as long as a peak-level Ruler was blocked for a while, they would not be able to attack General Jinwu successfully any more.

The Old Ancestor’s arrangement was just right.

……

Imperial Palace.

Behind the bead curtain, the West Desolate King was busy dealing with government affairs. He had always been diligent. Ever since he took to the throne, there was not one day when he slacked off.

Lord Chengtian bowed and said, “Your Majesty, the Old Ye Family has dispatched ten of their iron guards and they are now standing guard outside Marquis Chongwu’s residence.”

A faint smile appeared at the corners of the king’s mouth. He stopped writing and said, “Ye Bohu will be able to judge the situation and won’t make any big moves now. However, with his violent tendencies, he would definitely try to do something to Ning Qin.

“It does not matter whether or not his attempt is successful. What matters to him is that the Later Ye Family is able to send out a message to the outside world that says, ‘You can kill your own dog and eat it, but if you aren’t careful, you will be bitten too’.” The king leaned back and smiled even wider as he continued, “Simply put, they are trying to give me a warning.”

Lord Chengtian pondered for a moment before saying, “Your Majesty is wise indeed.”

“This is not that complicated to understand. Lord Chengtian, your flattery is unnecessary.” The king laughed for a while before saying, “Go to the You Pavilion and pass on my will. Get Ding and Shu, the two Old Four Claws, and put them under General Jinwu’s command. They will stay by his side from now on.”

Ye Bohu was going to make a move as a warning to His Majesty, but as long as they were cautious, nothing could go wrong.

……

Wearing python robes, with the four claws that could be seen under the abdomen area of the robes, was the origin of how these people came to be known as the ‘Old Four Claws’. As the most despicable and crippled eunuchs in the Imperial Palace, it was an impressive thing to be able to continue wearing their robes instead of being sent away even after experiencing a dynasty change.

Therefore, these Old Four Claws that looked ordinary on the surface were actually very remarkable people.

They cultivated an extremely secret method in the Imperial Palace known as the Heavenly Silkworm Sutra. It was the most suitable cultivation method for their ‘incomplete and crippled’ bodies.

Of course, not all eunuchs in the palace were qualified to cultivate this method.

For example, Wei Wei, who committed suicide but was still unable to save his mistress, was far from qualified to receive this cultivation method.

Lord Chengtian had come personally to the General’s Mansion. Behind him were two hunched Old Four Claws who had sharp auras. Their heads were lowered, as if they were going to fall asleep at any time.

“Greetings, Lord Chengtian!” Qin Yu cupped his hands in greeting.

Beside him, Hundred Saint cupped his hands respectfully as well.

Zhou Chengtian smiled, “Marquis Chongwu, I have come here today under His Majesty’s orders to bring these two Old Four Claws.”

“Greetings, Marquis.”

These two Old Four Claws had eyes that were like slits. They cupped their hands casually, in a manner that was by no means respectful.

Qin Yu frowned, “Lord Chengtian, this…”

Lord Chengtian said, “There has been a lot of turmoil in the Imperial Capital lately. His Majesty was worried about your safety. These two Old Four Claws are confidants of the Imperial Palace and they can definitely be trusted. Marquis Chongwu, please do not worry.”

“Your subject, Ning Qin, thanks Your Majesty!” Qin Yu stood up and bowed in the direction of the Imperial Palace. When he straightened up, he had a smile on his face, “Lord Chengtian has taken care of me many times. Since you’re here, would you like to come in for a while?”

Zhou Chengtian smiled, “It’s not that I don’t want to, but I really can’t today! I have other matters to deal with that I can’t postpone. Next time, I will definitely come and pay a visit.”

He came and went in a hurried manner. Lord Chengtian, who was deeply trusted by His Majesty, quickly said his goodbyes and left.

After Qin Yu bid Lord Chengtian goodbye, he turned to look at the two Old Four Claws behind him and started to contemplate something.

They seemed to detect his dilemma, so one of them opened his eyes and laughed, “Marquis, you don’t have to care about us too much. Just arrange a place for us to settle in, and we will take care of the rest ourselves.”

Qin Yu smiled and nodded, “Okay. Hundred Saint, help these two Old Four Claws settle in and make sure they are comfortable.”

Hundred Saint obeyed his orders and cupped his hands as he said to the two Old Four Claws, “Please follow me.”

“Hmph!”

A humph came from behind Qin Yu. He turned around to see Rourou, not at all surprised by her sudden presence.

“I’ve had enough of this place. When are we leaving?”

Qin Yu thought for a while before replying, “In a few days there will be a big political meeting at the imperial court. After I attend it, it won’t be long before we are allowed to return to the border army.”

Rourou was not used to being in the Imperial Capital, where there were restraints in every corner.

In actual fact, Qin Yu disliked being here too.

For people staying here, even though everything seemed to be magnificent and splendid, many of them were just chess pieces in the big political game. Whether they lived or died was not in their control.

Rourou looked at him, “Be careful. It’s okay if you fail to get what you want, but don’t get too involved.”

Qin Yu smiled in return, “Don’t worry about me.”