Sword God Supreme

Chapter 26: Unexpected Gains

Deep night settled over the Chen residence. Within his quiet courtyard, Chen Mo sat cross-legged. His vital essence flowed through his meridians in a practiced rhythm, meticulously tempering his muscles. This was the Flesh Refining stage of the Cloud Crane Tempering Method, the second tier of the foundational Blood Moving Realm.

“Progress is noticeably slower than during the Skin Refining Stage,” Chen Mo murmured as he opened his eyes after a long session, a slight frown creasing his brow. It wasn’t impatience slowing him, but the diminishing returns. Two reasons stood out: the common-grade medicinal herbs he consumed day and night were insufficient, and Flesh Refining, by its nature, demanded far more effort than the initial Skin Refining stage.

“At this pace, achieving perfection in Flesh Refining will take at least half a month,” he calculated. Half a month wasn’t long, but any time saved on cultivation was valuable. “I wonder about the quality of those Seven-Leaf Royal Ginseng roots Zhao Haifeng gifted…” The thought trailed off as he shook his head. He knew his mother-in-law, Qin Wan, too well. Once treasures like that reached her hands, retrieving them was nearly impossible.

The timing proved uncanny. The distinct sound of the courtyard gate being pushed open abruptly cut through the night, followed by Qin Wan’s sharp, imperious voice:

“Chen Mo! Get out here! Now!”

Chen Mo stood, momentarily surprised by the coincidence, and stepped out of his room. Moonlight revealed Qin Wan. Clad in a rich emerald gown, her figure retained a mature grace. Though middle-aged, her complexion was flawless, her beauty striking, a testament to meticulous care and undoubtedly the source of her daughters’ renowned looks.

“What do you need?” Chen Mo approached. In the year since his marriage into the Li family, he had never addressed Li Chang'an or Qin Wan as parents. Qin Wan, for her part, had never seemed to care. Today, however, was different. Fu Shan’s and Zhao Haifeng’s presence at the birthday banquet had given her unprecedented face among the city’s elite. Her mood was buoyant, and even her usual disdain for Chen Mo felt slightly muted.

“You know those gifts,” she stated bluntly, dispensing with pleasantries. “Zhao Haifeng gave us the pair of Seven-Leaf Royal Ginseng, and Lord Fu Shan delivered that sealed box. I need to know what you intend to do with them.” Her directness surprised Chen Mo. Why would the shrewd Qin Wan consult him?

“I have nothing to say on the matter,” he replied casually.

Qin Wan snorted, her good mood fraying slightly. “Hmph! I don’t know what the Old Matriarch was thinking, handing such treasures over to you!” The complaint clarified everything. The Old Matriarch understood the gifts from Fu Shan and Zhao Haifeng were intended for Chen Mo personally. Letting Qin Wan hoard them risked serious consequences; if the powerful donors discovered their gifts diverted, the Li family would bear their wrath. She glared at Chen Mo. “Listen carefully. These gifts are for you and Li Qingyue. That means you only get your share!”

She produced the two gift boxes. Opening the first, a fresh, invigorating fragrance instantly filled the courtyard. Inside lay two snow-white ginseng roots, their fine, crystalline rootlets resembling spun silk. Just one breath lifted the spirits.

Qin Wan swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on the precious roots, resentment bubbling anew at the Old Matriarch’s intervention. Without it, not a single tendril would have reached Chen Mo! “Pick one,” she ground out, forcing an air of nonchalance.

Chen Mo almost smiled. The inner turmoil, the feeling of her heart bleeding, was plain to see. “You choose,” he offered smoothly. “I’ll take the remaining one.”

Qin Wan’s expression softened a fraction. “Hmph. Shows you have somefilial sense, not completely wasting the food we’ve fed you this past year!” Eager to capitalize before he reconsidered, she snatched one root – noticeably smaller than the other – and thrust it towards him. “Here. Take it.”

Chen Mo’s eyes held a flicker of wry amusement as he accepted it. Assessing the quality of spirit materials like Seven-Leaf Royal Ginseng wasn’t about mere size. This smaller root actually possessed superior spiritual essence… a nuance Qin Wan, devoid of cultivation knowledge, entirely missed.

She snapped the lid shut on the box containing the larger root, clutching it possessively. “This one stays for Li Qingyue. She’s at Tianshu Academy now; she’ll have better use for it.” She then produced the second box. “This one was from Lord Fu Shan. He insisted only you or Li Qingyue should open it. Go on.” Her curiosity was palpable, mirroring the mystery that had captivated the banquet guests. Who was the powerful figure capable of commanding Fu Shan?

Chen Mo applied pressure, the intricate seals on the rare dark jade box yielding. As it opened, a soft golden luminescence spilled out, radiant against the darkness. Qin Wan gasped, eyes widening, her breath catching. Shock, greed, and intense fascination warred on her face.

Nestled within were two rings. Crafted from a deep, lustrous purple-gold, they shimmered with inner light. The left ring featured an intricately carved, lifelike phoenix, its eyes tiny, brilliant rubies. The right ring coiled a majestic dragon, its head raised proudly, its eyes gleaming chips of deepest black crystal. A pair symbolizing harmony: Dragon and Phoenix Auspicious Pair.

“Fortune… immense fortune! These are priceless treasures!” Qin Wan’s heart hammered against her ribs, her eyes blazing with desire, her face openly covetous.

Even Chen Mo felt a pulse of surprise. These rings were extraordinary. Made from top-grade Purple-Veined Red Gold – a potent spirit material – they naturally resonated with spiritual energy. The phoenix’s ruby eyes were Crimson Spirit Diamonds, minuscule yet worth a king’s ransom. The dragon’s eyes were Obsidian Spirit Crystals, rich with concentrated spiritual power – truly priceless treasures within Great Xia.

“Xiao Yuanshan and Hong Ling… quite the generous gesture,” Chen Mo thought. In the Vast Nine Provinces, such items might be mundane, but here in Great Xia, they were undeniably rare marvels.

Qin Wan suddenly cleared her throat, her gaze fixed on the rings with possessive intensity. “Chen Mo… perhaps I should safeguard this pair for you? I’ll return them when Li Qingyue comes back.” Her suggestion was transparent.

Chen Mo smiled faintly, seeing through her ploy instantly. “Do as you see fit,” he agreed readily.

Qin Wan’s expression flickered through frustration and calculation. What did he mean by ‘as she saw fit’? She desperately wantedto keep them, but the Old Matriarch’s authority was absolute. “Such treasures… wasted on a freeloader like you!” she spat, venom lacing her words. She snatched the dragon ring and thrust it at him. “Take it! And don’t you dare lose it!”

“I’ll accept it then,” Chen Mo said, reaching for the ring.

He was certain. Qin Wan, despite her sharp tongue and schemes, wouldn’t dare defy the Old Matriarch’s explicit command.

“Huh? There’s a letter here too,” Qin Wan noticed, pulling a sealed envelope from the box’s depths. Her eyes widened as she read the inscription: ‘For Master Chen’. “Master Chen? Who’s that?”

“It’s for me,” Chen Mo stated, taking the letter from her hand.

“You? Master Chen?” Qin Wan burst into derisive laughter, as if hearing the most absurd joke. Yet, as Chen Mo was the only person surnamed Chen in the Li household, and the gift was designated for him and Li Qingyue, she couldn’t genuinely doubt its destination. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll retire,” Chen Mo offered a slight smile, ignoring her mockery, and turned back towards his room.

“When Li Qingyue returns… I mustget that other ring back!” Qin Wan vowed silently, stamping her foot in frustration before storming out.

Back in her own chambers, the sight of the mountain of gifts heaped in a corner instantly lifted her spirits. The banquet had been a triumph! She and Li Chang'an had basked in the limelight, received overtures from prominent figures, and been showered with presents. Surveying the lavish haul, Qin Wan beamed, her phoenix eyes crinkling with delight. Truly, her daughter Li Qingyue was her greatest pride!

“Darling, shouldn’t we retire?” Li Chang'an approached, his arm snaking around Qin Wan’s slender waist, his lips seeking the smooth skin of her neck. He too was in high spirits after the celebrations, slightly flushed from wine and feeling amorous.

Smack!

Qin Wan slapped his hand away and shrugged off his embrace. “Go away! Every time you just leave me hanging. Come back when you’ve actually built up some stamina.” She turned her attention back to the glittering pile of gifts, beginning to sort through them with relish.

Li Chang'an could only sigh in resignation.

Under the same moonlit sky…

Chen Mo sat at his desk. He broke the seal on the letter and unfolded the single sheet of paper. The script was Xiao Yuanshan’s, the tone respectful, filled mostly with pleasantries. Only at the end did he reveal the purpose: urgent clan matters had called him and his granddaughter Hong Ling away to Qinghe County. Should Chen Mo need anything, Fu Shan remained at his disposal. It was, in essence, a farewell note.

After reading it, Chen Mo held the corner of the paper to the candle flame, watching it catch and curl into ash. He understood Xiao Yuanshan’s and Hong Ling’s motives – building and reinforcing a connection. It held little significance for him.

“This Seven-Leaf Royal Ginseng, however… this will save me considerable cultivation time.” Chen Mo’s gaze shifted to the desk, where the smaller, snow-white spirit root lay.

Spirit medicines were ranked, with Nine being the highest. A Grade Two spirit medicine like the Seven-Leaf Royal Ginseng was a treasure coveted even by experts in the Qi Gathering Realm!

“Zhao Haifeng spared no expense to mend fences,” Chen Mo acknowledged inwardly. A pair of Grade Two spirit medicines was an extravagant offering, impossible to find in the markets of Linfeng City.

His eyes then fell upon the dragon ring, crafted from precious Purple-Veined Red Gold. A thoughtful expression crossed his face. The spirit materials hummed faintly with potential. Tonight’s unexpected gains had indeed been substantial.