Chapter 126: Appraising Jade

Anyu County, East.

The ‘Lin’an River’, which meanders and runs through nearly half of Anyu County, now has a riverbed that stretches for tens of meters, exposed and dry. The bottom of the river is arid and barren, and the slight silt is cracked like dried fields, devoid of any moisture.

But after an unknown period, the dry air, which made people’s lips crack, suddenly gained a bit of moisture and gradually spread out. All the dryness began to slowly recede.

At the end of the parched riverbed.

Unbeknownst to when, a winding stream quietly appeared, and then trickled downstream.

"It’s over."

Chen Mu walked along the riverbank, watching this scene, and lightly exhaled.

The dry air became moist again, the arid riverbed reappeared as a river, even if it was only a winding stream, it represented that this drought, which had lasted for nearly half a month, had finally come to a complete end.

Although the number of casualties throughout Yuzhou Prefecture in this drought was much less than during the great cold of the previous year, after all, everyone had water storage measures, unlike the great cold when the wind and snow were intertwined. Impoverished people could not afford quilts, could not repair their houses, and could hardly withstand the severe cold. But, in fact, in Chen Mu’s opinion, the drought was far more terrifying than the great cold.

Water is the source of life. If the drought lasted a little longer, reaching two or even three months, the resulting disaster would be difficult to predict. Let alone ordinary people, even martial artists would find it hard to avoid.

Fortunately, this drought was like others before.

"The highest excellence is like that of water."

"Water benefits all things without striving, dwelling in what people dislike… therefore, close to the Tao."

A saying from the Tao Te Ching from his previous life suddenly floated in Chen Mu’s mind, and as he looked at the winding stream that seemed to bring new life to this world, he spoke as if he was lost in thought.

At this time.

Xu Hongyu was right next to him, also gazing at the winding stream. Suddenly, upon hearing his words, she became dazed and lost in thought, and seemed to have had a comprehension as she stood still in place.

Chen Mu quickly noticed Xu Hongyu’s appearance, glanced at her, and then quietly stood aside, without taking any action or making any sound to disturb her.

After a while.

Xu Hongyu, who was lost in thought, lightly placed her slender, jade-like hand on her waist, drew out her close-fitting soft sword, and facing the direction where the stream was winding, swung her sword. The sword light turned white, without any sharpness or defense, without any direction. It was just like the stream, flowing downstream, acting in accordance with the trend, not striving and not fighting.

The third type of sword momentum that she had been pondering but had never comprehended, was now quietly understood, and she had stepped into mastery.

After swinging her sword several times again, Xu Hongyu thrust her sword forward. The sword light divided into three, and for a moment, three different types of sword momentum were separated, and then combined into one. As the sword light swept over, it cut off a piece of the riverbank.

"Good."

Chen Mu could not help but smile as he looked at this scene and praised her. It was unknown whether he was praising Xu Hongyu’s swordsmanship, or her elegant figure with the sword as she wore a light yellow silk robe.

After the battle in the wilderness, there had been no major incidents in Donghong Township for seven or eight days. Occasionally, there were outbreaks of demons of a certain scale, but they were quickly suppressed by him. It was only this morning that Xu Hongyu, who was practicing the sword techniques of the Kan Water Lineage, who was more sensitive to the Qi of water than Chen Mu, was able to predict the end of the drought ahead of time.

Thinking of the third sword technique ‘Floating Water Sword’ that Xu Hongyu was practicing, which she was unable to get a grasp on, Chen Mu suggested that Xu Hongyu walk along the riverbank to observe the waterway, in the hopes she would have a realization.

However, as it seemed at this moment.

Xu Hongyu was able to comprehend the third type of sword momentum, and it was more relevant to his phrase ‘The highest excellence is like that of water’. These words close to the Tao seemed to have a guiding effect in this world. It was just a pity that he had not been interested in these things in his previous life, and therefore, there was not much residual memory of various scriptures in his mind.

It would be great if a sentence like ‘the highest excellence is like that of water’ could allow Xu Hongyu to achieve enlightenment and enter the artistic conception immediately. However, that was clearly a fantasy. After all, even if scriptures were close to the Tao, pointing to the essence of the Tao, they were not as direct as the Artistic Conception Map.

Shua.

Xu Hongyu sheathed her sword and stood, a trace of joy rising in her beautiful eyes.

The third sword momentum that she had been unable to comprehend for so long was finally quietly understood, which also meant that next she could wholeheartedly comprehend the Kan Water Map and attempt to comprehend the Kan Water Artistic Conception.

Thinking of this, she could not help but look at Chen Mu. A luster appeared in her eyes: "No wonder you were able to comprehend two artistic conceptions in such a short time. You could even deduce the Xun Wind Artistic Conception without even having seen an Artistic Conception Map…"

The highest excellence is like that of water, water benefits all things without striving, dwelling in what people dislike, therefore close to the Tao.

She had never practiced the Kan Water Artistic Conception, and yet, she could have a realization just by seeing the drought subside and the stream reappear, and utter such words that almost directly pointed to the essence. This depth of understanding of the Taoist Truth of the world was something she had walked many more steps to achieve.

Chen Mu knew that Xu Hongyu had misunderstood his words as his own understanding. But at this moment, he did not bother to distinguish, and only looked at her face that carried a trace of joy, that had lost a bit of its coldness. Suddenly, he reached out and gently caressed that cheek. The skin was as smooth as jade, with a slight coolness.

It had been more than two years since he had first met the beauty before him. From strangers to acquaintances, then to trust, from subordinates to partners, then to standing side by side. From admiration to intention to action, if he still did not understand her feelings, then he would be too ignorant of people’s hearts. Some things always required him to be more proactive.

Xu Hongyu stood in place, just opening her clear eyes and looking at him. Her eyes only held a bit of ignorance, as if she did not know how to react at this moment.

Looking at Xu Hongyu’s obedient, ignorant, and somewhat bewildered appearance, Chen Mu’s heart stirred. He wanted to see the reaction of a cold jade, so he leaned closer, and with a probing intent, he gently lowered his head and captured those two tender pieces of red jade.

The sensation was still cool, but with a bit of wetness.

He clearly felt the beauty’s body stiffen slightly, but her expression remained unchanged, only her eyes widened slightly more. She still seemed a bit bewildered and ignorant, like a jade figure, without any action.

Chen Mu gently knocked and probed. He only felt that, although the beauty before him had no action or reaction, she also did not have the slightest resistance and opposition. Facing his knock, she gave way almost without resistance, letting him do as he pleased.

A few years ago, he was just a small yamen runner in the South District. He only existed in Xu Hongyu’s ears. Years later, he was able to gain her affection, and was able to taste this red jade. This was not a scene from a dream, it was something he had achieved step by step through martial arts, fighting the He family, providing disaster relief, rescuing, suppressing rebellions, slaying demons, care, guidance, and finally, he had reached this point.

After a while.

Chen Mu raised his head again, and looked at the beauty in his arms. He saw that her eyes were still the clear and elegant, without the slightest blur. She even blinked at him twice: "Wh…what happened?"

"Hmm…nothing."

Looking at Xu Hongyu’s appearance, Chen Mu felt a moment of wanting to scratch his head. The white jade was indeed very white, and very smooth, but it seemed that it would really take some effort to see that white jade turn red.

But this was not the right place, and other actions were not suitable.

Chen Mu gently released the beauty in his arms, and reached out and touched her head. In return, he received two blinks from those clear big eyes, like a bird flapping its wings.

"Come out, don’t hide."

Chen Mu glanced at the small hill not far away.

A figure turned out from behind the small hill, with both small hands covering their face, and said with their eyes tightly closed: "Deputy Commander is looking for you to come over. I’m just here to deliver a message. I only just arrived, and I didn’t see anything."

Looking at Xiao He’s appearance, Chen Mu said annoyedly: "Small maid, your mind is not at peace. After returning, face the wall for three days."

Xiao He’s face collapsed, and she looked pitifully at Xu Hongyu:

"Miss…"

"Hmm, very appropriate, let it be three days."

Xu Hongyu nodded slightly.

Xiao He ran away crying.

But after thinking of the scene she had peeked at earlier, it didn’t seem to be a big deal either. Although Chen Mu had finally taken the initiative, her Miss’s reaction was really a bit too… fortunately, judging by Chen Mu’s appearance, he was not unhappy.

Perhaps she had to find a way to help?

…

The Lin’an River was not far from the county government.

The group quickly returned to the Anyu County government.

"You’re here."

Deputy Commander Yu Jun looked at Chen Mu and Xu Hongyu, who were walking into the courtyard, and smiled, saying: "Chen Mu, the merits you obtained from this demon disturbance have been tallied and reported to the Demon Slaying Division. The total is 67,500 merits. After the Demon Slaying Division approves them, even if there are slight fluctuations, it should be around 65,000."

Sixty-seven thousand five hundred merits.

This was not too different from Chen Mu’s previous estimate.

"Thank you, Master."

Chen Mu bowed to Yu Jun.

Yu Jun smiled, saying: "No need to be so formal. You and Hongyu support each other, we’re all one family. I’m older than you, if you don’t mind, just call me ‘Uncle Jun’. With your achievements in this battle, after returning, the Demon Slaying Division should issue new appointments. The position of Deputy Commander is temporarily vacant, so it may still require you to temporarily serve as a White Uniform Guard for a while."

Chen Mu was not surprised by Yu Jun’s words. Although the Demon Slaying Division was different from other yamen, the positions of Deputy Commander and even Colonel could be temporarily added, but the strength he had shown earlier was only between a White Uniform Guard and a Deputy Commander.

It was indeed impossible to step directly into the position of Deputy Commander.

Unless he showed the limit of Tendon Transformation, his body tempering realm of the tiger and leopard thunder, or the two artistic conceptions of wind and thunder, then he would be able to directly cross the stage of the White Uniform Guard. Even if the position of Deputy Commander was not vacant, it could be temporarily added.

However, for him, whether he served as a White Uniform Guard or a Deputy Commander did not make a big difference. After all, in this world, where order had collapsed, status and power were far inferior to his own strength. He now just wanted to obtain the Bone Forging Pill smoothly, and cultivate peacefully for a period of time, and enter the Bone Forging Realm as soon as possible.

"The demon disturbance is over. Is it possible to return to Yuzhou City?"

Xu Hongyu looked at Chen Mu, and then spoke from the side.

She knew that what Chen Mu wanted now was a peaceful environment where he could cultivate for a period of time. Staying in Anyu County was also possible, but to prevent the He family from making trouble, returning to Yuzhou Prefecture was naturally safer.

"Yes, you can return in a few days, and there would be no harm in you returning today."

Yu Jun nodded slightly, but then his expression became serious and said solemnly: "However, after returning to Yuzhou Prefecture this time, you must act cautiously in all matters. The conflict with the He family must also be temporarily put aside, and stability must take precedence in this extraordinary period."

Seeing Yu Jun’s serious expression, Xu Hongyu was slightly stunned, and then asked:

"What… what happened?"

"According to the news received not long ago, in Qingzhou and Hanzhou, and in other prefectures bordering Yuzhou, the direct disciples of the Heavenly Sword Joyous Union and Blood Shadow Xuanji sects, have visited the Seven Profound Sect with the agreement that the four sects would reside in Yuzhou, using Yuzhou as the border. The result was four battles and four victories, and the powers of the four sects will soon be stationed in Yuzhou."

Yu Jun said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this.

Not only Xu Hongyu was slightly stunned, but even Chen Mu also revealed a strange expression.

He had also heard of the names of the Heavenly Sword Joyous Union and Blood Shadow Xuanji… These four sects. Although they had never crossed into the territory of Yuzhou, they were, after all, major sects based in several prefectures bordering Yuzhou, and their powers were not inferior to the Seven Profound Sect.

What surprised him was that the direct disciples of the four sects visited and challenged the Seven Profound Sect, and the Seven Profound Sect actually lost four times. However, after thinking about it, it seemed that it was also understandable. After all, compared to the outside world where conflicts had been ongoing for many years, the Seven Profound Sect had always adopted a ‘closed-door’ policy, sealing off the prefecture, not having contact with any prefectures outside, and not taking the initiative to step out, only seeking to develop within Yuzhou.

Although this was good overall, with a great deal of accumulated heritage, the direct disciples of the sect who had grown up in a peaceful environment were no match for the disciples of the other four sects from other prefectures who had been fighting everywhere.

Thinking about it this way.

Perhaps the Seven Profound Sect’s decision to close the door was not the correct one, but indeed it was this decision that enabled the seven prefectures of Yuzhou to maintain more than a decade of peace, including Yuzhou Prefecture itself.

If Yuzhou Prefecture had fallen into sectarian struggles as early as ten years ago, in that more chaotic world, maybe he would not have lived until now, and perhaps Chen Yue would not have even been born.