My Wife Is The Leader Of A Demonic Cult - Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Chapter 122 Relic Refining Golden Bone Birth (Thanks to the Alliance Hierarch Fengxue Zhi Ye De Man!)

An Jing heard Tan Yun’s words and said irritably, “Are you an early bird? You’re an early pig!”

“Son-in-law, you… you’re impolite.”

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun’s face turned bright red instantly.

Did the son-in-law actually call her an early pig!?

She had gotten up before dawn today, washed clothes, slaughtered a chicken, and had been busy until now. An Jing didn’t even praise her but instead called her a pig.

Seeing Tan Yun’s indignant cheeks, An Jing couldn’t help but pinch her cheeks and said, “Forget it, I, being magnanimous, will not remember the offenses of the petty. Considering you also work hard every day, I won’t hold the fact that you drank the chicken soup without permission against you.”

Tan Yun bit her lip and said, “Son-in-law, you’re talking nonsense, who drank your chicken soup?”

“Didn’t you drink it?”

Upon hearing this, An Jing became somewhat puzzled.

Tan Yun quickly explained, “The chicken soup was in the clay pot. I was worried it would get cold, so I put it inside the cupboard.”

“In the cupboard, really?”

Upon hearing this, An Jing turned back to Jishi Hall.

“How could I lie to you?”

Tan Yun also hurriedly followed him.

“Husband, why are you hurrying?” Zhao Qingmei, seeing An Jing return, couldn’t help but say.

“I’m looking for the chicken soup.”

After saying this, An Jing hurried toward the kitchen.

“Creak!”

Upon opening the cupboard, there was indeed a clay pot inside, and a rich aroma wafted out.

Tan Yun said from the side, “See, you wronged me, son-in-law. I didn’t drink your chicken soup.”

Not only had she not drunk it, but she had also, fearing the chicken soup might cool, put it in the cupboard to keep it warm.

Thinking about this, she suddenly felt aggrieved.

“It smells so good.”

Upon hearing this, An Jing let out a dry chuckle.

Tan Yun had not secretly eaten it; it seemed he indeed had wronged her.

Tan Yun pouted and said, “Son-in-law, is this how you see me?”

Isn’t that so?

An Jing muttered to himself, then soothed her, saying, “Alright, alright, I wronged you, you are a diligent bird.”

“But I still feel so sad.”

Tan Yun’s head drooped slightly as she spoke in a low voice, “I never thought that in your eyes, I would be seen as such an unworthy person, someone who only steals food.”

“And son-in-law, you actually said that about me just for a pot of chicken soup.”

At that moment, she looked extremely disheartened, standing helplessly and sadly.

“Woof! Woof!”

Xiao Heizi kept barking by her side.

After all, he had misunderstood her and even said she was an early pig, which, admittedly, seemed rather hurtful…

An Jing touched his nose: “How about this, I’ll share half the chicken soup with you.”

“No,” Tan Yun said, looking down, “add a chicken leg, too.”

An Jing: “….”

Afterward, Tan Yun, holding the clay pot carefully, came to the front of the hall.

“What’s the matter?”

Zhao Qingmei asked upon seeing this.

“Let’s drink the chicken soup together.”

An Jing came out holding three bowls and said, “After all, madam, you stewed it for so long, and I can’t finish this chicken alone.”

Upon opening the clay pot, a particularly rich fragrance emanated, and the golden color of the chicken soup sparkled, the white of the broth appearing before their eyes. An Jing, holding a delicate blue-and-white porcelain bowl, also put a chicken leg in it, then served a bowl in front of Zhao Qingmei.

“Madam, you’ve worked hard.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingmei’s mouth curled into a smile, “This was my work.”

“Am I not offering Buddha with borrowed flowers?” An Jing laughed.

The chicken soup was made with goji berries, Codonopsis Pilosula, and Astragalus among other herbs, making it clear it was a nutritious delicacy.

An Jing helped himself to a bowl, took a sip, and immediately his taste buds tingled with an indescribable flavor that lingered long, and after swallowing, the taste was long-lasting, with a faint medicinal scent mixed with the unique taste of chicken, filling him with energy.

“Really delicious,” An Jing couldn’t help but praise.

Tan Yun couldn’t wait to take a sip too, then a satisfied smile appeared on her face.

“Woof! Woof!”

Little Blackie placed his two front paws directly on Tan Yun’s calves, staring eagerly at the chicken leg in Tan Yun’s hand.

“This was earned through my own hard work. You still want a free meal?”

Tan Yun kicked Little Blackie away, who then scurried to the corner.

Little Blackie rolled over twice on the ground and then quickly followed after Tan Yun.

“Hm!?”

At that moment, An Jing sensed a change in the Earth Book, causing his heart to skip a beat.

Purple!?

This was the first time he had seen a purple opportunity.

A blue opportunity had granted him the puppetry technique worth a fortune and a favor from a mysterious and unpredictable grandmaster. What kind of treasure could this purple opportunity be?

What divine presence was hidden inside the Willow Wood Mansion to possess such a purple opportunity!?

“Once I’ve refined my Golden Bone to perfection, I really should go and explore,” An Jing thought, taking a deep breath.

This purple opportunity was too tempting, too intriguing.

“What are you thinking about?” Zhao Qingmei, seeing An Jing lost in thought, could not help but ask.

“Oh… nothing, I was just thinking how delicious this chicken soup is. By the way, where did this chicken come from?”

“That lad Han Wenxin sent it.”

“He’s been quite busy these days. I’ve barely seen him around.”

“That’s right. With all the Jianghu people in Yu State City now, he’s naturally busy.”

…..

Three days later, Yujing City.

In the outer city, Baihua Well Alley.

As the capital of the Great Yan Dynasty, the prosperity of Yujing City was incomparable, with a never-ending stream of people at the city gate.

Especially after the year’s end, with the imperial examination approaching, students from all over gathered.

At the entrance of the alley, there was a dilapidated courtyard.

Jiang Sanjia held a piece of white paper in his hand, glanced at it twice, then couldn’t help but laugh, “Brother Zhou has truly not disappointed me. It seems he had been hiding his talents all along.”

A person endowed with great destiny couldn’t possibly die so young. By that reasoning, the trap he had laid might actually work.

Thinking of this, a glint of light shone in Jiang Sanjia’s eyes.

“Thump thump!”

Suddenly, at that moment, a noise came from outside the door.

“Come in.”

Jiang Sanjia said flatly.

As the courtyard door opened, an eunuch with a hunched back walked in.

Seeing the old eunuch, Jiang Sanjia’s pupils sharply contracted.

“Lord Jiang, it has been a long time. Ping De greets you,” the old eunuch bowed to Jiang Sanjia.

This old eunuch was none other than Ping De, the chief eunuch of Kunning Palace.

“What brings Chief Eunuch Ping De here this time?”

Jiang Sanjia tried to maintain his composure, though his voice still trembled slightly.

“Imperial Concubine Rong has requested to see you, saying she has matters to consult with Lord Jiang,” said the old eunuch.

“Very well.”

Jiang Sanjia took a deep breath, “Then I’ll trouble Chief Eunuch Ping De to lead the way.”

The person inside the deep palace was finally willing to see him.

“There’s no trouble; it’s what this servant should do.”

Ping De nodded, then turned and walked towards the courtyard exit.

The two of them left Baihua Well Alley, entered the Inner City, and arrived within the Imperial City.

As Jiang Sanjia walked, observing the high palace walls and the minor palace maids and eunuchs on either side, he couldn’t help but say, “So many years have passed. It seems some things have changed, yet some have not.”

“This servant has been here all my life. I wouldn’t know much about what Lord Jiang means,” Ping De said with a grin. “All I know is that we have had many new minor maids and little eunuchs, several batches of dignitaries, and the palace walls have been renovated twice.”

People come and go, some stay, some leave.

In this deep palace, for some, it was like a prison confining them, but for someone like Ping De, who had spent a lifetime here, all that remained was habit.

Jiang Sanjia looked ahead and spoke softly, “Yet the Human Emperor seated aloft has not changed.”

“Sir Jiang, such words should not be spoken.”

Ping De, the eunuch, slightly changed his expression and hastily said.

This place is the Inner Forbidden Palace. In addition to the patrolling Forbidden Army, it is unknown how many masters within the Inner Palace and secret agents are present. If one speaks out of turn, it could indeed endanger one’s life.

Having spent his entire life here, Ping De was naturally well versed in the rules of the palace.

Here, it is best to speak less and do more, to listen when appropriate, and not to listen when not appropriate.

Although Jiang Sanjia was considered unsociable by nature and had a strained relationship with the Zhenyi Sect, making his life in the imperial court quite unsatisfactory, Ping De still had some understanding of him due to his role as the Chief Eunuch of Kunning Palace and, hence, held a certain sympathy for him.

In his own words, although we eunuchs have no bird, we still have a sense of humanity.”

“Hahahaha!”

Jiang Sanjia laughed loudly, “Eunuch Ping De, let us go.”

“Please.”

Ping De extended his hand.

With Eunuch Guang De leading the way, their journey was smooth and unobstructed, and the two exchanged words now and again.

One was alone in the palace, without any support, while the other was destitute and homeless outside the palace, with no place to call his own.

Just then, a figure appeared ahead.

The man had a handsome appearance, with an effeminate beauty, his eyes cold and aloof. The depths of those dark, calm eyes were filled with tranquility, and his black hair fell by his ears. The chilly aura around him was so strikingly beautiful it was breathtaking.

He wore a long black robe, embroidered with a green python, and held an ancient, vast longsword in his hand.

This sword was none other than the Great Yan Emperor’s Sword!

Jiang Sanjia’s pupils shook slightly.

In this Forbidden Palace, the one who could hold the Great Yan Emperor’s Sword was none other than one of the current Human Emperor’s top three eunuchs, Sword-bearer Eunuch Zhong Binru.

He was also one of the top five Sword Immortals of the present realm, who had reached the Grandmaster Realm last March and was renowned throughout the world.

Jiang Sanjia had seen this man twice before, but on those occasions, Zhong Binru had been standing next to the Human Emperor, and he hadn’t taken a close look.

It was rumored that this man had an exceedingly strange personality….

“Lord Zhong.”

Upon seeing the newcomer, Ping De quickly bowed and said.

“Hmm.”

Zhong Binru nodded indifferently, then walked toward the exit of the palace, not sparing Eunuch Ping De or Jiang Sanjia another glance.

It seemed as though he cared about nothing.

Jiang Sanjia watched his back and whispered softly, “Is Lord Zhong going outside the city?”

“Yes.”

Ping De leaned in and whispered softly, “This Sword-bearer Eunuch goes to Wangjing Mountain every month to pay tribute to his wife.”

Jiang Sanjia nodded, aware of this, as Sword-bearer Eunuch Zhong Binru had indeed been a peerless swordsman before entering the palace. After the death of his wife, he had entered the palace out of despair and become the Human Emperor’s Sword-bearer Eunuch.

After entering the Forbidden Palace, he practiced swordsmanship day and night, focusing on nothing but his swordplay.

It was said that in order to keep his mind off things and focus solely on his swordsmanship, he had even castrated himself and become a eunuch.

In terms of his mastery of the Sword Dao, he was even superior to Lin Yiyang.

“Let’s go.”

Jiang Sanjia did not say anything more.

Ping De nodded, and then the two walked leisurely to the main hall in front of Kunning Palace.

“Sir Jiang, please come in.” Ping De extended his hand and gestured for him to enter.

Jiang Sanjia took a deep breath to calm his emotions, then slightly lifted his foot and walked into the main hall.

The hall was grand and imposing. In the corner stood a censer, wafting out sandalwood. Directly ahead was a half-concealed screen.

Behind the screen was a lovely silhouette. Although the face of the beauty was not visible, the figure alone was enchanting.

“This humble official pays respect to Imperial Concubine Mu!”

Jiang Sanjia bent slightly toward the screen and said.

“You may dispense with the formalities.”

From behind the screen came a clear, pleasant sound.

Behind this screen was indeed Mu Xiaowan’s sister, the current Imperial Concubine Mu Xiaoyun.

Jiang Sanjia stood up straight, his mind full of words, yet he did not know how to express them at that moment.

Mu Xiaoyun said, “Sir Jiang, you have suffered.”

“Your Highness, you flatter me.” Jiang Sanjia bowed his head.

“But now, you have finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Mu Xiaoyun laughed lightly, “You have been in Yujing City for some time now, and I have not seen you. Do you blame me?”

“This humble official dares not.”

Jiang Sanjia’s heart trembled as he spoke.

“…I dare not.”

Mu Xiaowan murmured softly, “Sanjia, you still harbor resentment towards me.”

Jiang Sanjia fell silent and did not speak.

Mu Xiaowan sighed and asked, “Where is my sister now?”

Jiang Sanjia paused before answering, “Dongluo Pass.”

“Dongluo Pass!?”

Mu Xiaowan’s tone rose slightly.

Dongluo Pass was the territory of the Demon Sect, known to everyone in the world. Others might not understand Mu Xiaoyun, but how could Mu Xiaowan not be clear that Mu Xiaoyun was about to join the Demon Sect?

Mu Xiaowan waved her hand dismissively and said coldly, “Let those who seek death find it themselves if the heavens wish to rain and a mother wishes to marry off.”

“Everyone has their own choices, and right or wrong are matters of the heart,” Jiang Sanjia said slowly.

Afterward, neither of them spoke, and the great hall fell into a brief silence.

After a long while, Mu Xiaowan took a deep breath and said, “Sanjia, I need a favor from you.”

Jiang Sanjia smiled bitterly and replied, “Your Highness the Imperial Concubine, you are too kind. Assuaging your worries is my duty.”

He knew that if it were not for something important, Mu Xiaowan would not have sought him out.

Mu Xiaowan said, “With the Demon Sect and Buddhism emerging, chaos is beginning to unfold. I want to understand the great movements of the world…”

“The great movements of the world?”

Jiang Sanjia shook his head and said, “Your Highness is joking. How many can truly see through the great movements of the world?”

“Can’t the Ghost Valley Divine Calculation predict it?”

“Has Your Highness not heard the saying, ‘The Dao cannot be fully calculated’?”

Hearing this, Mu Xiaowan fell silent for a while before saying, “This is the only thing I ask of you, and besides, as a member of the Qintian Bureau, should you not calculate the national fortunes for Great Yan?”

“This is not only my own word but also what Grandmaster Zhao Tianyi instructed me to tell you.”

Jiang Sanjia sighed inwardly and replied, “Her Highness’s words are clear to me. Let me prepare for a while, and then I will try it out on the Qintian Platform.”

Zhao Tianyi knew Jiang Sanjia’s character, and only Mu Xiaowan could make him relent.

Mu Xiaowan breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Thank you for your troubles. The plum wine on this table is your favorite. I have nothing else to offer, so please take it.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Jiang Sanjia glanced at the plum wine on the table, then, picking up the cup and jug, he bowed and said, “Then I will take my leave first.”

Saying this, he exited the great hall.

Outside the hall, the air was calm and the sky cloudless. Standing on the jade-paved steps, one could see the vast expanse below.

Chief Eunuch Ping De stood at the doorway, the scene reminiscent of many years ago.

“Ping De, join me in this drink, it’s fine wine gifted by the Imperial Concubine.”

Jiang Sanjia smiled, filled a cup, and handed it to Chief Eunuch Ping De.

“This…”

Chief Eunuch Ping De hesitated, instinctively taking the cup but not daring to drink it.

After all, it was wine bestowed upon Jiang Sanjia by the Imperial Concubine.

“Hahahaha! Indeed, it is fine wine.”

Jiang Sanjia took a big gulp from the jug, then burst out laughing and headed down the steps.

Watching Jiang Sanjia’s carefree silhouette, Chief Eunuch Ping De seemed lost in thought for a long while before he followed.

“Master Jiang, please wait. Allow this old servant to accompany you a bit further.”

……

In Yu State City, on Fulu Street.

An Jing carried the fishing rod and basket left by Li Fuzhou, heading towards Qinghe Pier.

“I didn’t expect the after-effects of the Ghost Transformation to be so severe; I still feel somewhat dizzy even now.”

His internal injuries had mostly healed, and the loss of essence blood needed time to recover, but the lingering effects of the Ghost Transformation were frightening to An Jing.

During the past three days, he felt his mental state was far worse than before, feeling weak and sluggish no matter what he did.

Now that he was feeling somewhat better today, he planned to find a quiet place to refine the Shariputra to completely refine his bones into perfection.

The Thousand-year-old Black Boa was still at Qinghe Pier, and he needed it there to protect him in case the bone refining met with any mishaps.

It did not take long for An Jing to leave the city. Walking along the official road, it took him nearly half an hour to reach Qinghe Pier.

“Doctor An, are you also going fishing?”

At that moment, a voice came from behind him.

Upon hearing it, An Jing turned around to see that it was Lord Jiang from Mazi Lane.

He was dressed in coarse cloth, holding a fishing rod and basket as well.

An Jing smiled and said, “Ah, Mr. Jiang, you’ve come to fish today as well?”

There were many places to fish within Yu State City, and the Qinghe Pier was some distance from the city. Although fishermen often changed spots for enjoyment, the coincidence of their meeting seemed a bit too perfect.

“Today is my day off, so I specifically came here to the Qinghe Pier to fish,”

Mr. Jiang smiled and asked, “Together?”

“Sure.”

An Jing did not refuse, but his heart slightly sank.

Was Mr. Jiang following him on purpose, or was it unintentional?

The two sat by the shore, where the ice was gradually melting, and the water under the sunlight looked sparkling.

An Jing appeared relaxed, yet he was cautiously on guard against Mr. Jiang beside him.

Mr. Jiang, seemingly without any distractions, calmly watched the water surface.

“Swoosh!”

Before long, his fishing rod shook slightly, and Mr. Jiang skillfully reeled in, his rod bearing a fish the size of a palm.

“The luck isn’t bad today.”

Mr. Jiang smiled and then placed the fish in his creel, continuing to cast his line.

The two were silent, quietly fishing.

Mr. Jiang continuously caught fish, one after another, while An Jing’s fishing rod remained still.

“Dr. An’s mind seems not calm enough,”

Mr. Jiang said with a beaming smile.

An Jing’s heart tightened, and he asked indifferently, “Oh? What do you mean by that?”

“Fishing is all about a calm mind. If your mind is calm, the fish will bite the hook. If it’s not, how could the fish willingly bite?”

After saying this, Mr. Jiang continued to watch his fishing rod.

The rod consistently reeled in and let out line, with fish continuously entering his creel, soon almost too many to fit.

“Mr. Jiang really has excellent technique.”

An Jing noted this with admiration.

Mr. Jiang’s fishing technique was indeed more skillful than Jiang Sanjia’s by a great deal.

The two men had a different approach to fishing. Jiang Sanjia fished with indifference toward whether the fish bit, embodying an attitude of letting nature take its course.

It felt as if there was a sense of “those willing will bite.”

Mr. Jiang, on the other hand, was entirely different; his skill had become refined. So far, every fish that bit his hook had never escaped, whether they were big or small—they all ended up in his creel.

“I’ve fished for almost half my life,” Mr. Jiang said with a light smile, standing to look out at the lake. “It’s just practice makes perfect, just like Dr. An’s effortless and relaxed medical practice. It’s the same principle.”

“In comparison, my fishing is just a trifle next to Dr. An’s medical skills.”

An Jing shook his head and said, “Mr. Jiang, you speak too modestly.”

Seeing An Jing speak thus, Mr. Jiang couldn’t help asking, “Why would you say that?”

An Jing smiled faintly and said, “The so-called medical skills, fishing skills, are simply different paths to the same truth.”

“Different paths to the same truth…”

Mr. Jiang muttered to himself and then his eyes lit up, “Brilliant, Dr. An’s words are truly enlightening and beneficial.”

Though the statement was short, when pondered, it carried a deep and mysterious philosophical meaning.

An Jing waved his hand dismissively, “It’s just something I stumbled upon in a book and remembered.”

“Dr. An’s medical skills are so profound, and apparently not without reason.”

Mr. Jiang expressed his admiration, then started packing up his fishing line. “I have plans to meet someone for drinks today, the fish in my creel should suffice. The notion of draining the pond to get all the fish isn’t a noble one.”

“Dr. An, I shall take my leave now,”

Saying so, Mr. Jiang packed up his fishing rod, bowed, picked up his creel and left.

Watching Mr. Jiang’s departing figure, An Jing’s brows furrowed deeply.

He felt that today’s events were not ordinary; they were increasingly mysterious.

Just then, An Jing felt a tug on his fishing line.

“Got one, and it seems rather big.”

An Jing’s spirit sank as he carefully began to reel in.

“Splash! Splash!”

With the splashing of water, a massive fish surfaced—bigger than any Jiang had caught earlier. It was a carp, over nine inches long, weighing more than two pounds.

“Tonight I’ll let my wife make a carp soup when I get home.”

An Jing laughed heartily and then placed the large carp into his creel.

After tidying up briefly, An Jing put down his fishing rod, ready to dive into the depths of Qinghe Pier.

He hadn’t come out today to fish, but to bring his Golden Bone Refining to completion.

He thought Shui Zhongyue would watch the fish for him, hoping they wouldn’t be stolen.

“Plop!”

Following a splash, An Jing disappeared beneath the surface of the lake.

Shui Zhongyue, perched on a distant branch, only heard the strange noise and noticed nothing else amiss, as if An Jing were still beside him, fishing.

About a moment later, An Jing landed at the bottom of Qinghe Pier, where the Thousand-year-old Black Python lay obediently still.

An Jing felt an overwhelming pressure surge from all directions, and he hurriedly summoned his Inner Strength to resist.

“Today, I will use this pressure and the Shariputra to refine the perfect Golden Bone.”

Taking a deep breath, An Jing sat down cross-legged, the Shariputra hidden in his Dantian releasing streaks of golden light, soon resembling a burning flame.

Centered around An Jing, a vacuum formed within a half-yard radius.

A scorching sensation surged instantly, burning all around him.

At this moment, An Jing was surrounded by golden flames, their extreme heat seeming likely to melt him.

“Such a domineering Shariputra….”

An Jing’s brow furrowed tightly, his clenched teeth soaked with blood, and then he endured the pain, circulating the Daluo Heart Method and the Ghost Valley Heart Method within his body.

Finally, his burning Dantian began to hint at a trace of coolness.

This trace of coolness steadied his mind.

As the Shariputra madly stimulated, the refining process slowly got back on track.

The vitality and heat from the Shariputra were slowly drawn into his body, his flesh emitting crackling sounds.

The fiery Qi traveled through his meridians, burning and exploding, an inexplicable agony that had to be endured for the Golden Bone refining process.

The circulation of the two heart methods reached their limits.

It was extremely rare for someone to refine Golden Bone without having reached the Grandmaster Realm.

While the rapid pace of cultivation was joyous, An Jing had not yet truly reached the Grandmaster Realm. In less than an hour, great pain emanated from his bones, and his meridians ached fiercely.

An Jing knew he had to persevere. If he failed, all his previous efforts would be lost, and his life might even be at risk.

He gritted his teeth and persevered, sweat pouring from his skin like rainwater.

The sweat carried impurities from his body; his Inner Strength was cleansing him so rapidly that even his pores could not endure.

Just then, an extremely strong vitality suddenly emerged around his body.

This vitality entered his body, and under its nourishment, his burning meridians felt a trace of coolness.

The prior burning pain and injuries visibly healed at an incredible speed.

The nourishment of the Shariputra!

Under the infusion of this powerful vitality, his severely injured body began to heal rapidly.

An exceptionally pure Qi flowed continuously into his body through An Jing’s mouth, nose, and pores.

At this time, An Jing’s skin turned a bright red, yet the Inner Strength inside him grew intensely vigorous and fiery at an astonishing rate!

A burst of golden light suddenly appeared, carrying with it a terrifying might.

The surrounding riverbed stirred up towering waves.

Boom, boom, boom!!

Vast golden light continuously poured into his body.

In just a few moments, it seemed as if years had passed.

Gold light surged around An Jing.

In the riverbed, each drop of water, at the same time, weirdly exuded a dreadful might.

It was clear to see, the Inner Strength inside An Jing converged at once, accompanied by a heat flow that began traveling through his muscles and blood vessels.

Boom!

At that moment, the golden glow merged into his blood and bones.

An Jing’s body underwent a complete transformation; his bones and flesh shone with a divine, brilliant light, dazzling to behold.

The Ghost Valley Heart Method and the Daluo Heart Method operated even faster.

Flesh and bones fused, and Inner Strength also continued to merge with them.

An Jing could almost feel his body strengthening bit by bit, his power growing rapidly in an almost inconceivable state.

His body was undergoing a revolutionary change, and the refining of the Golden Bone was gradually nearing its end.

But this was a time when he could not afford to be careless.

In the dark riverbed, the golden light reigned supreme, then slowly began to withdraw into his body.

The golden light that had flowed around his body quickly assimilated like water into his flesh.

In the end, the dark riverbed returned to darkness, as if nothing had ever happened.

Meanwhile, the water around An Jing also slowly flowed toward him.

The riverbed had once again become calm.

Golden Bone Perfection!

With the help of two Shariputra and one vermilion fruit, An Jing had finally refined his Golden Bones to Perfection.

The two strongest techniques of a Grandmaster were, firstly, the Golden Bones, and secondly, the generation of True Qi within the body.

Apart from achieving the Grandmaster Realm, Golden Bones required the cultivation of a Heavenly Martial Level mental method. Although most Grandmasters cultivate Heavenly Martial Level mental methods, making it difficult to enter Grandmaster status without one, there were a few who relied on perseverance and opportunities to become Grandmasters. These were the ones who could not condense Golden Bones.

Universal Benefit Bodhisattva was one of the few Grandmasters who had not refined Golden Bones.

In Leiyin Temple, he was not a core disciple of the Zen Sect, so he naturally had no way to cultivate the core martial arts of Zen. His attainment of the Grandmaster Realm was entirely due to his perseverance and his understanding of Buddhist Law.

An Jing slowly opened his eyes, and then looked at his hands.

A surging, endless force welled up. He felt that his strength had improved by more than 30 percent from before.

With his current strength, even if he were to face experts like Liu Qingshan and Xi Jikui, who were at the Heavenly Flower Realm, he might not necessarily be defeated.

If he held that incomplete Evil Suppressing Sword, he would have a great chance of winning.

“In a few days, I’ll see what exactly this purple opportunity is.”

An Jing thought to himself.

For this purple opportunity, An Jing naturally intended to secure it, but he had been waiting for the perfection of his Golden Bones. Moreover, with the recent disturbances in Yu State City, he was waiting for these disturbances to settle down so that he could act more freely afterward.

……

Jishi Hall, dusk.

“Madam, I am back.”

An Jing came back carrying a fish basket. “There weren’t many people this afternoon, were there?”

“Mostly people buying medicine, and there was one who had caught a cold, for whom I prescribed some medicine.”

Zhao Qingmei walked down from the medicine shop counter, looking somewhat surprised at the fish basket. “That’s a big crucian carp.”

“Madam, your medical skills have also improved,” An Jing expressed his astonishment. “You can even treat people now.”

Sometimes, when he was treating others, Zhao Qingmei and Tan Yun would watch.

His intention was to teach some skills to Tan Yun. He hadn’t managed to teach Tan Yun but had inadvertently taught his wife instead. However, this was also good; when he was away in the future, there would be someone capable of running the clinic.

Zhao Qingmei blinked her eyes and laughed, “As the old saying goes, ‘to marry a chicken is to follow the chicken, to marry a dog is to follow the dog.’ I married a doctor, and over time, I naturally learned as well.”

Zhao Qingmei naturally knew a thing or two about medical skills. They were not as proficient as a Doctor’s, but she could treat simple colds, physical injuries, and some internal injuries.

An Jing nodded his head, inwardly moved by his wife’s virtuous and gentle character, then said, “Let’s make crucian carp soup with this big fish tonight.”

It had to be said, this crucian carp was indeed large, especially since it was just slightly over January. Normally, the best time for crucian carp is from February to April, when they are most plump and delicious.

“Alright, I’ll stew a crucian carp soup for you tonight.”

Zhao Qingmei took the fish basket and walked into the kitchen.

An Jing sat in front of the hall and rested for a while. Feeling a bit hungry, he decided to head towards the backyard.

Just as he walked into the backyard, he saw Tan Yun sitting, holding a brush in her hand, while Little Black lay drenched inside the wooden tub, “This is…?”

Tan Yun raised her head and smiled at An Jing. “I felt it was too dirty, so I decided to give it a wash.”

An Jing, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful and said, “I thought we could have had dog meat tonight. But you’re using your foot-washing basin to wash it. Won’t it get athlete’s foot?”

I thought we could have black dog meat for dinner tonight.

“Son-in-law, you’re really rude!”

Tan Yun, upon hearing this, widened her eyes and frantically explained, “I… I don’t have athlete’s foot; I’m very clean.”

All of a sudden, she didn’t know how else to explain, and in her urgency, her face turned bright red.

“Alright, alright, I understand,” An Jing waved his hand and said, “It’s in the middle of winter now. Aren’t you afraid it’ll freeze to death after washing?”

“Stinky son-in-law,” Tan Yun grumbled as she pulled out a set of black clothes from underneath her, “I still have some of Boss’s clothes left. I can use them to dry it off, and then we’ll just roast it by the stove, won’t that be fine?”

Li Fuzhou’s clothes, you’re using to wipe a dog?

Upon hearing this, An Jing gave Tan Yun an extra glance and then pondered aloud, “Do you think Little Black might suddenly jump into the fire pit?”

Tan Yun, surprised, said, “How could that happen?”

An Jing seriously said, “Think about it, it usually snatches your shoes…”

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun licked her lips, “Maybe… perhaps… possibly…”

The pair seemed ready to roast it…

“Woof! Woof!”

Little Black immediately scrambled to its feet and then shook vigorously, splashing water everywhere, drenching Tan Yun.

“Ah–!”

Tan Yun immediately raised her hands to shield herself from the splashing water.

By the next moment, Little Black had already run far away.

“This dog is really shrewd.”

Watching Little Black’s retreating figure, An Jing couldn’t help but mutter.

“It’s time to eat.”

Just then, a clear voice rang out.

Tan Yun, originally planning to chase after him, suddenly stopped in her tracks and fiercely said toward Little Black’s retreating figure, “I’ll beat you up after I’ve eaten.”

“By the time you’ve eaten, you’ll probably have forgotten.”

An Jing shook his head, striding swiftly toward the kitchen.

“Son-in-law, wait for me.”

Tan Yun wiped her hands on Li Fuzhou’s garment and quickly followed him.

At the dining hall table.

The aroma of delicious food spread and lingered around, tantalizing and making one’s mouth water, the meat tender, the soup sour and tasty, the fish slices tender, yellow, and smooth.

Zhao Qingmei loosened her robe and sat down, smiling, “See how the crucian carp soup tastes?”

Tan Yun, already impatient at the side, still faithfully did not move her chopsticks, but her pancreas kept secreting saliva.

“This aroma is overflowing, and the taste is excellent.”

An Jing picked up a porcelain bowl and placed it in front of Zhao Qingmei, “Madam, you’ve worked so hard on this, you should drink first.”

“Go ahead and eat.”

Zhao Qingmei glanced at the eager Tan Yun.

“Then miss, I won’t be polite.”

Tan Yun stretched out her chopsticks and grabbed a piece of fish, placing it in her mouth. Her eyes instantly lit up, “Delicious…..”

An Jing was also moving his chopsticks frequently, not falling behind Tan Yun.

“Isn’t this even tastier than crab and pig’s trotters?”

An Jing sighed deeply, looking at Tan Yun who was engrossed in eating, and said, “Madam, what should I do if you left?”

Tan Yun seemed deaf to An Jing’s words, as if she hadn’t heard them at all.

Only during meals and sleep was she the quietest.

Zhao Qingmei smiled, “Husband, your cooking isn’t bad either, you can just cook for yourself when the time comes.”

“Son-in-law, can you cook too?”

At this, Tan Yun stopped her hand movements and looked at An Jing in surprise.

An Jing glanced at Tan Yun and said, “A bit.”

“That’s good then.”

Upon hearing this, Tan Yun immediately smiled, “When the miss goes back, then the cooking can be handled by son-in-law, and I’ll assist you.”

Once the miss is gone, wouldn’t Yu State City be at my command?

Then I could go find the whereabouts of the Ghost Swordsman.

Son-in-law, oh son-in-law, just diligently cook for me.

Zhao Qingmei seemed to hear something else in An Jing’s words, “Husband, are you saying you agree to let me go back alone?”

“How could I possibly disagree?”

An Jing smiled inscrutably, “But before you go, I will make some preparations for you.”

At this moment, the black opportunity on his body had not yet been resolved; Zhao Qingmei’s departure would give him the perfect time to handle this predicament quickly.

Then Zhao Qingmei could take two wooden men along, which should pose no major problem.

“Okay.”

Hearing An Jing say this, Zhao Qingmei was also a bit curious.

With husband making preparations, could it be related to the martial arts in the miscellaneous office?

Tan Yun glanced at An Jing and thought to herself: Son-in-law, oh son-in-law, you better take good care of yourself.

Just then, a black shadow joyously ran over.

“Tan Yun, isn’t that your shoe?”

An Jing pointed at Little Black.

“Indeed it is.”

Tan Yun immediately glared, put down her utensils, and chased after him.

“Madam, take the chance to eat now.”

An Jing quickly reached out with his chopsticks and placed several pieces of fish into Zhao Qingmei’s bowl.

Seeing this warm scene, Zhao Qingmei couldn’t help but smile warmly.