Refining the Mountains and Rivers

The bone-piercing chill had really pierced into the bones. The man who had run all the way here fell onto the snow even before he could make a sound. He continuously rolled on the ground while screaming and wailing.

"Great Shaman, spare me! Please spare me!"

Before him, there was a particularly eye-catching black temple that stood out amongst the white snow.

A calm voice rang out from the temple that sounded slightly helpless, "Stop your pretense. This bit of cold power is not enough to kill you."

The figure who was rolling in the snow thought for a while and felt that he had indeed overdone it. Wouldn't he just be fooling around with the Great Shaman now? Startled, he quickly turned over, got up, and said respectfully, "Yes."

"Iron Wire, you have caused a lot of trouble this time. It's okay if you're not in any danger, otherwise…I'm afraid I can only kill you myself to atone for whatever you've done."

This man's name was Iron Wire. He was a middle-aged man of unusual origin. At this moment, his eyes widened and he looked like he was at a loss.

I…I haven't even met that person…how have I caused any trouble…Great Shaman Mengshan, who was in the temple, did not bother to explain himself much. "Go, tell her to get to the Imperial Capital as quickly as possible."

The space suddenly started to distort, causing Iron Wire to be distorted along with it. Then, he disappeared.

The mountain was very quiet. There was only the sound of the wind and snow. A sigh came from the black temple.

A storm is coming!

I just hope His Majesty can safely get past this storm, otherwise…he can only go against the thirteenth floor with his pitiful life.

……

Min Xiangtai felt extremely sleepy again not long after he woke up, as if he had been messing around all night yesterday.

He tried to ignore the sleepiness, but finally, with a 'plop' sound, he fell asleep on the table once again.

The two female servants in the study, Shi Shu and Shi Qi, seemed like they were under a spell too as their bodies suddenly weakened and they collapsed on the ground.

With a squeak, the door was pushed open. Lord Min walked in. He frowned and his face was extremely gloomy.

He walked to the round table, poured himself a cup of tea, and gulped it down instantly, only to realize that the tea was extremely hot. He immediately stuck his tongue out and fanned it with his hand.

"Even drinking tea has caused me to scald my tongue. How unlucky!" Lord Min exclaimed miserably as he turned around and walked to the side with a sullen face.

He raised his head, glanced at one of the precious and rare books on the shelf and smiled wryly, "Miss, you have already been in my foolish son's study for so many days, when are you going to come out to say hi to me?"

A wisp of smoke poured out and it condensed to form a woman's figure. Her eyes were as clear as water. Yingying curtsied respectfully and said, "I have been rude, please do not blame me, Lord Min."

Lord Min's eyes lit up as he quickly raised his hands to cover his eyes. He swallowed his saliva as he said loudly, "Miss, you can wear more clothes. I'm already old, and I won't be able to overcome this mental battle."

The lady lowered her head and glanced at her snow-white and soft skin. She suddenly laughed coquettishly a few times and walked over, "Lord Min, this is interesting and unexpected. I came over uninvited, disturbing the peace of your house, so I'll let you have a few glances as a form of repayment."

After a pause, she took a few more steps towards him, leaned forward slightly, and looked slyly at him, "Alternatively, Lord Min, you can have a few touches too."

Gu-dong -

A loud gulp could be heard clearly. Lord Min moved his hand away, and his adam's apple moved up and down as he stared at the snow-white, soft skin in front of him. He endured for a while until he could not hold back any longer. His hands trembled as they reached out to touch her body.

"Ah!"

The woman suddenly screamed in pain. Her figure flashed, and she instantly appeared behind the desk. Staring at Lord Min, her eyes were filled with coldness and resentment, and there was also a bit of shock and anger.

On her chest, there were now several bruises. It was even more obvious due to the contrast between the purple bruises and her pale skin.

With a calm expression on his face, Lord Min slowly retracted his hand. He raised his head to glance at the lady opposite him, but was now staring at a nine-tailed demon fox instead.

"I am indeed horny and like all kinds of beauties, whether they are young or old. If you come up to me of your own accord, surely I will not hold back. I will directly grab you and rush to the bed.

"However, I like humans. I have no interest in coquettish foxes like you at all. I was a bit heavy-handed this time, so that I could teach you a lesson not to try and seduce me. It won't be so simple next time."

The corners of his mouth were upturned and he smiled as he said, "Do you understand?"

The nine-tailed fox exclaimed, "Who are you exactly?"

"Your ancestor," Lord Min replied blandly.

The nine-tailed fox gritted her teeth. Her eyes turned bloodshot and a fierce light surged violently within. She wished she could show her true body and tear this old man in front of her to shreds with her claws. However, for some reason, she felt uneasy and terrified.

Looking down at the bruises on her chest, she clenched her jaw and suppressed her anger. A wisp of smoke flashed past, and she turned into a white-clothed fairy with a calm demeanor.

With a slight smile, she curtsied respectfully, "Lord Min, I will do as you please."

"Clever." Lord Min smiled, "So, remember the wise decision that you made today and don't forget it in the future.

"For the next few days, stay in the study properly. You are not allowed to go anywhere else. Leave as soon as the storm has passed."

Getting up, Lord Min's face was full of disdain as he looked at his hand that touched the nine-tailed fox just now. "I have to go and take a shower. This smell is unbearable."

The nine-tailed fox watched expressionlessly as he left, but her eyes showed that she was deep in thought.

The fox clans in this world had always had the reputation of being wise and clever, and everyone knew this. Everything that happened just now - the viciousness that she showed - was merely an act.

Her intention was to test him.

It was a pity that Lord Min was hard to read. Without a question, he was indeed an outstanding person. Otherwise, who else could easily harm her demonic body with just the touch of a hand?

After much consideration, the nine-tailed fox took in a deep breath. She turned and transformed into a wisp of smoke, returning to that precious and rare book that sat on the shelves. The West Desolate's Imperial Clan was still chasing after her for now. Since her wounds had not healed completely yet, she would have to stay here to recover for the time being.

As for the future…of course she would have to wait and judge the situation. If there was an opportunity, she definitely would not mind setting this Min Residence on fire!

Min Xiangtai and the two female servants woke up one after another. They looked at each other, but they only thought that they fell asleep because of the warm weather and did not think too much.

Turning back to look at the shelf and realizing that the book was still there, Min Xiangtai smiled, feeling assured in his heart. Then, he turned back to continue studying.

This was because the fairy in the book had promised him that they would become husband and wife as long as he succeeded in his studies and at the examinations.

Once he thought about this promise, Min Xiangtai felt that he was filled with energy once again.

……

The Old Ancestor from the Li Family who came from Parasol County, Li Zicheng, came to request an audience with the West Desolate King.

Perhaps because it was a reasonable request, or because of the promise that was made back then, the Imperial Palace had no reason to reject this meeting. Very quickly, the palace doors were opened for him. Madame Wu, whom he had met a few times before, respectfully greeted him and started to lead the way.

Looking at Madame Wu's back, his face was slightly alarmed, like he was suspecting something. It was not clear what he thought about, but he did not say anything in the end.

They did not meet any obstacles along the way. Madame Wu stopped outside the Hall of Longevity and bowed slightly, "Ancestor Li, His Majesty is waiting for you inside."

She was courteous enough to him, and her eyes were calm.

Li Zicheng cupped his hands and said, "Thank you." He glanced again at the cold and sharp old lady who had excused herself to the side, before walking into the hall.

"Ancestor Li, after saying goodbye last time, it has been about a thousand years since we've met, right?" His Majesty's laughter rang out, sounding like a spring breeze.

They started to have a long conversation and were going to end this meeting on good terms.

This Old Ancestor from the Li Family had proposed to investigate the murder of Li Cangzhou thoroughly, and was quite satisfied when His Majesty agreed to this proposal.

They also talked about some stuff regarding Parasol County and the Li Family in the Central Desolate, before the old ancestor got up to leave.

The West Desolate King personally escorted him out which was the highest courtesy that could be offered to any guest. Li Zicheng smiled as he was walking out, telling the king that he did not need to do this, yet he happily let the king walk all the way out of the Hall of Longevity.

"Your Majesty, it's enough to escort me up to here. Otherwise I would not dare to come to the Imperial Palace anymore."

The West Desolate King smiled and nodded, "Fine. Then, Madame Wu, please escort Ancestor Li out of the palace on my behalf. I still mean what I said: if you need the Imperial Clan to be involved, you just have to say the word."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ancestor Li cupped his hands.

Madame Wu greeted the West Desolate King first, before extending her arm outwards, "Ancestor Li, this way please."

Ancestor Li nodded his head as he left the Hall of Longevity with Madame Wu leading the way.

Standing outside the hall, watching those two silhouettes leaving, the West Desolate King sighed and said softly, "I really want to chop his head off and let him realize the might of an empire's ruler."

Behind him, the young eunuch walked out slowly and said softly, "Your Majesty, you need to bear with this for a while longer. The Li Family from Parasol County are not worth much, but they are still someone else's chess piece. If you make a move against them now, it will only invite trouble."

"You're right, and that's why I am still putting up with him." The West Desolate King raised his head and looked at the view of the vast Imperial Palace in front of him. A cold smile appeared on his lips, "Having to put up with outsiders even in my own house…after all, I am not powerful enough. Otherwise, who would dare to do anything to me even if I threw out a punch?

"I want to be the one who throws the first punch, but there are many mountains weighing down on me, and under my feet is a smelly swamp. I don't know when any of this will end."

The young eunuch maintained his silence for a while before saying, "As long as Your Majesty is willing to put in the effort bit by bit, there will be a day when you achieve your goal."

The West Desolate King turned around and pointed at the young eunuch. He started to chide him in a joking manner, "You old man. When I first ascended to the throne, that's what you told me. Now, things are still the same, but I am no longer that young man I used to be. I don't have so much patience anymore, nor do I have as much time anymore."

Waving his hand casually, as if to sweep away the despair and unhappiness in his heart, the West Desolate King changed the topic, "How are your investigations going?"

The young eunuch replied, "We've already completed the investigation. Li Cangzhou entered the Imperial Capital through the Xuanzhen Gate and went straight to Marquis Chongwu's residence. This matter was leaked by the city defense guard who was in charge that day, General Yuan Yibo."

The West Desolate King frowned and said, "This name sounds slightly familiar."

The young eunuch said, "It was one of the candidates that you selected in the year you ascended to the throne, but because of an incident, he was never promoted and wasted his life until today."

The West Desolate King looked calm as he spoke blandly, "Indeed, even I can be a poor judge of character at times. You can learn from these instances that reputation and promises are the kinds of things that rulers in this world should not have."

The young eunuch accepted this teaching willingly and bowed, "Your Majesty is absolutely right."

Outside the Imperial Palace, Li Zicheng wanted to say something but he hesitated.

Madame Wu only said, "Ancestor Li, take care."

Then, she turned and left.

Watching Madame Wu's back, there was a complicated look in Li Zicheng's eyes. He then sighed and left as well.

……

The death of one of the sons in the Li Family from Parasol County happened so unexpectedly. His murder case was like a big asteroid that slammed into the depths of the Imperial Capital. The tortoises in the deep pool that was located in the Imperial Capital slowly opened their eyes in shock, wondering what the truth of the mysteries behind this murder case was. After all, Li Zicheng had even personally made a visit to the Imperial Capital; this alone was enough to prove that there was something unusual about this case.

Everyone was waiting for the latest news. When the general stationed at Xuanzhen Gate, Yuan Yibo, was taken away by the Justice Division to be interrogated, it pretty much confirmed that Li Cangzhou's body had been stolen and occupied after his death, and after that, the perpetrator had entered the Imperial Capital.

Very quickly, big news followed - Li Cangzhou, whose body was stolen and occupied by someone else, had gone somewhere after entering the Imperial Capital before leaving. His whereabouts after leaving were still being tracked down, but as for now, no one was in the mood to pay much attention to that.

That was because the place that 'Li Cangzhou' visited was Marquis Chongwu's residence!

In recent years, within the West Desolate's ruling class, it was no doubt that this new marquis was the most outstanding person.

Not only was he promoted very quickly, becoming a great general of the empire's military, even a single rumor in the Imperial Capital could spread General Jinwu Ning Qin's name far and wide, and now, fewer people dared to challenge him. Even the dignified Later Ye Family, one of the pillars of the military, were suppressed by the Imperial Clan because of him.

Instantly, countless eyes looked in the direction of Marquis Chongwu's residence, eager to know about the latest developments.

Common people were probably not familiar with the power, background, and strength of the Li Family from Parasol County, but the court ministers were very educated on it.

If Marquis Chongwu was implicated in Li Cangzhou's murder case, there would definitely be an uproar!