16: Chapter 16: Overthinking is a disease that needs treatment, but sometimes it can also be life-saving.

The light inside the Scripture Pavilion was distorted by an invisible force field.

The Sword Intent swirling around Sect Master had not yet been unsheathed, yet its sharpness was already causing the old bamboo scrolls on the rows of shelves to groan under the strain.

His gaze, like two red-hot steel needles, was fixed unwaveringly on the faint, eerie red glow flickering over Chu Linger's chest.

Then, that gaze shifted to Li Mo, who was kneeling on the floor, his body trembling uncontrollably.

The suspicion in his eyes had grown so thick it was almost condensing into a thunderstorm.

Spirit-Communicating Dao Body, remnants of Imperial Aura.

This was absolutely not a child from an ordinary family.

A bolt of lightning flashed through Sect Master's mind, instantly connecting the dots to the earth-shattering incident at the Ghost Market tonight—the princess of the previous Dynasty being publicly abducted by a mysterious powerhouse.

Could it be... her?

And why would this Scripture Pavilion Servant be mixed up with her?

"Speak."

A single word, like ice shattering on the ground.

The longsword at Sect Master's waist let out a sharp 'clang' as it was drawn three inches from its scabbard.

The chilling glint of the blade illuminated Li Mo's face, which had instantly drained of color.

"If there is a single false word, this Scripture Pavilion will need a new floor sweeper today."

Li Mo felt the sound of his own heartbeat, loud as a drum pounding in his ears.

The inner clothes on his back were instantly soaked through with cold sweat.

It's over.

This time, I've really pushed it too far.

That girl Chu Linger is practically a walking self-destruct truck. One flash of light and she pushed me right to the edge of the cliff.

Admit I was the one who snatched her? My cultivation, hidden for over a decade, my entire Path of Caution career, would be declared bankrupt on the spot.

Deny it? Then how do I explain this 'Imperial Aura pressure' and the Forbidden Ground mud on my shoes?

A dead end!

At this moment of life and death, Li Mo's brain began operating at an unprecedented, frantic speed.

[Retrieving optimal solution...]

[Solution A: Launch a sudden attack and kill. Success rate: 80%. Consequences: Hunted by the entire sect, Path of Caution career ends. Rating: Poor.]

[Solution B: Kneel and beg for mercy. Success rate: 0%. Consequences: Soul searched, secrets exposed, die an ugly death. Rating: Extremely Poor.]

[Solution C: Shift the blame. Target: Scripture Pavilion Guardian Grand Elder Dugu Yun. Success rate: 99%. Consequences: Unknown. Recommended!]

The terror in Li Mo's eyes was instantly replaced by a perfectly measured look of 'grievance' and 'bewilderment.'

"S-Sect Master, spare me!"

He pressed himself even lower to the ground, his voice choked with sobs, as if suffering a grievous injustice.

"T-this lowly one... truly doesn't know who she is! Th-this... this was all ordered by the Grand Elder himself!"

"Junior Martial Uncle?"

The oppressive Sword Intent emanating from Sect Master faltered for an extremely subtle moment.

His brows furrowed tightly. "Explain yourself clearly. What did Junior Martial Uncle ask you to do?"

Li Mo swallowed hard, putting on the act of someone scared out of his wits, and shouted incoherently, "I-It was just after nightfall tonight! The Grand Elder... he suddenly appeared in this lowly one's room!"

"He looked very tired, and he... he even had a damp, earthy smell on him, like after the rain. Then he threw a cloth bundle at me, and inside was... was this girl."

"The Elder said this girl was a hot potato, but he took a liking to her and wanted to save her and raise her. But he found taking care of a child troublesome and didn't want others in the sect to know and cause trouble, so... he just dumped her on me."

As Li Mo spun his tale at breakneck speed, he stole glances at Sect Master's reaction from the corner of his eye.

Seeing the suspicion in the other's expression beginning to be replaced by another emotion, he immediately doubled down:

"As for the mud... that was 'Chiyang Soil' the Elder told me to dig from the back mountain! He said it was for brewing medicine to stabilize this girl's constitution! How would this lowly one dare go to the Forbidden Ground's Withered Wood Forest? I haven't even left the sect gates, Sect Master!"

This story was seventy percent false, thirty percent true.

Dugu Yun indeed liked to pass off responsibilities (matching his personality).

Dugu Yun indeed had the capability to pull someone out of the Ghost Market (matching his strength).

Dugu Yun indeed hated trouble the most (matching his modus operandi).

Sect Master fell silent.

The longsword in his hand slowly slid back into its scabbard with a low, dragon-like hum.

His gaze shifted back and forth between Li Mo and Chu Linger. In his mind, countless fragmented clues began automatically piecing themselves together, constructing a grand and reasonable 'truth' on their own.

So that's how it is...

Sect Master's heart was suddenly illuminated with understanding.

No wonder!

No wonder the scouts from the Ghost Market reported that the mysterious powerhouse who acted used bizarre methods, could command a surge of Vast Righteous Qi (so Junior Martial Uncle is also proficient in Confucian Cultivation Techniques!), and could vanish into thin air in front of everyone.

Looking across the entire Heavenly River Sword Sect, aside from that unfathomable Junior Martial Uncle Dugu, who else possessed such heaven-defying abilities?

Moreover, Junior Martial Uncle's actions here must have a profound meaning!

He saved this former Dynasty princess, undoubtedly to prevent the legendary 'Former Dynasty Secret Trove' from falling into the hands of the Demonic Path.

As for why he didn't make it public... is that even a question? The identity of a former Dynasty princess is incredibly sensitive. Once brought into the inner sect, it would inevitably attract the covetous eyes and pressure from Jixia Academy and even the various Imperial Dynasties.

On the contrary, this Scripture Pavilion, seemingly insignificant to outsiders, actually has Junior Martial Uncle, that pillar of stability, overseeing it. Paired with a foolish Servant as a cover, this is truly the perfect 'hidden in plain sight' strategy, the ideal blind spot!

Junior Martial Uncle... is truly far-sighted and has gone to great pains.

Sect Master sighed inwardly. When he looked at Li Mo again, his gaze had softened considerably, even carrying a trace of imperceptible pity.

This poor Servant probably still has no idea what an earth-shattering mess he has taken on.

"Since it is Junior Martial Uncle's arrangement, let it be."

Sect Master sighed softly, his tone completely easing.

"You may rise. Since Junior Martial Uncle entrusted her to you, take good care of her. This girl... her constitution is special. If there are any abnormalities, immediately report to Junior Martial Uncle at the back mountain, or come directly to me."

Li Mo felt as if granted a great pardon. He scrambled to his feet, nodding like a chicken pecking at rice. "Yes, yes, yes! This lowly one will remember! From now on, I'll treat her like my own dear cousin, I won't let her suffer the slightest bit of wrong—"

Beside him, Chu Linger blinked her large, pitch-black eyes. Watching Li Mo's performance, which could be called divinely skilled, the corner of her mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

This man was not only a bookworm but also the number one swindler under heaven.

Sect Master glanced at Chu Linger again, his gaze complex. He could clearly sense the terrifying power within the little girl—forcibly suppressed, yet still surging like a vast ocean.

"Girl, what is your name?" Sect Master asked.

Just as Chu Linger was about to open her mouth, Li Mo had already taken a step forward, offering an ingratiating smile. "Reporting to the Sect Master, her name is... Rustic Name! A country bumpkin's name, a humble name is easier to raise!"

Chu Linger: "..."

She slowly turned her head, glaring deathly at Li Mo. Her eyes seemed to say: Just you wait, I'll remember this debt.

The corner of Sect Master's mouth also twitched noticeably.

Clearly, he also felt a wave of helplessness at this name. But he didn't press further, simply attributing it to the eccentric quirks of experts that Mortals could not comprehend.

Perhaps Junior Martial Uncle felt that the name 'Rustic Name' was down-to-earth and could suppress the Imperial Dragon Qi on the girl.

"Take good care of her."

Sect Master gave one last instruction. His gaze meaningfully swept over the repaired roof once more. Then, his figure flickered, transforming into a streak of sword light that vanished into the deep night.

Only when that mountain-like pressure had completely disappeared did Li Mo finally let out a long sigh of relief. He collapsed onto a chair like a limp rag.

"That was close... my old life was almost over."

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Tonight's performance had been like dancing on the edge of a blade; the slightest misstep would have meant eternal damnation.

"Why did you lie?"

A cool voice sounded in front of him.

Chu Linger had walked up to him at some point and was now looking down at him, her eyes filled with inquiry.

"That man with the sword is very strong. But he seems afraid of the 'Junior Martial Uncle' you mentioned. Were you using their relationship?"

Li Mo rolled his eyes, saying weakly, "Kid, this is called tactics, understand? If I hadn't reacted quickly, you might have been taken away by him right now, sliced up to study the 'remnants of Imperial Aura' inside you."

"Also," Chu Linger's tone held not a single ripple, "don't call me Rustic Name from now on."

"Otherwise, I'll tell that man with the sword that it was the human-skin book hidden on you that drove that monster called the Rain Master insane."

Li Mo: "..."

This wasn't picking up a cousin.

This was clearly picking up an ancestor.

"Alright, alright, Young Miss Linger, my mistake."

Li Mo decisively raised his hands in surrender. All he wanted now was to settle this great Buddha properly and then go catch up on some sleep.

Squeak, come on out.

From the burrow, the Treasure-Seeking Rat Squeak poked its head out cautiously, its claws still clutching tightly the half-eaten Spirit Stone it had brought back from the Ghost Market.

Seeing Chu Linger, it shrank its neck in fear, clearly harboring a deep-seated dread for this human child who carried a terrifying aura.

"This is your roommate, Squeak." Li Mo pointed at the Treasure-Seeking Rat, then at the quiet little black book on the table. "And that's your... well, pet-slash-bodyguard, Little Black."

Little Black cooperatively opened its cover, revealing its single crimson eye, studying Chu Linger with curiosity.

It could sense the aura of 'kingdom-destroying, race-exterminating' despair emanating from the little girl. To it, this was the most exquisite incense, making its pages tremble with excitement.

"From today, you'll sleep... on top of that bookshelf."

Li Mo pointed to the top of the most spacious bookshelf with the best view on the second floor of the Scripture Pavilion.

"It's quiet there, no one will disturb you."

In truth, that spot was the core node of the entire Scripture Pavilion's protective formation. If the Seal within her body ever went out of control, Li Mo could activate the formation immediately to suppress it.

Chu Linger did not object.

She walked to the bookshelf and looked at the densely packed books. The layer of eternal ice in her eyes seemed to have melted a fraction.

"I like it here."

She said softly, extending a small hand. Her fingertips lightly brushed across the spines of the ancient books like a dragonfly skimming water.

A bizarre scene unfolded.

Those ancient texts, silent for thousands of years, seemed to sense a certain royal summons from the depths of their Bloodline. They began to rustle without any wind, their pages making soft 'whispering' sounds, like subjects bowing in homage to their sovereign.

Li Mo's eyelids twitched violently.

So this was the Spirit-Communicating Dao Body? It could even commune with inanimate objects? How terrifying!

"Since you like books, let's make a deal."

Li Mo's eyes shifted, and a bold plan rose in his mind.

He walked behind Chu Linger, his tone reminiscent of a big bad wolf luring Little Red Riding Hood.

"I'll provide you with food and shelter, and keep you safe. In return, you'll let me... read you."

"Read me?" Chu Linger turned her head, looking at him with a strange expression.

"That's right."

Li Mo reached out and gently placed his hand on top of Chu Linger's head.

What a joke! This was a walking, talking forbidden tome in human form! A peerless, unique volume chronicling the rise and fall of a former Imperial Dynasty and the mysteries of its national fortune!

Not reading it would be a disservice to his System as a Great Reader!

Chu Linger did not dodge.

In her perception, Li Mo's palm was warm, devoid of malice. Instead, it carried a scholarly air that made her feel oddly at peace.

"System, deep analysis of target — Chu Linger."

Li Mo silently intoned in his heart.

[Ding!]

[Detected ultra-high-tier living knowledge carrier...]

[Establishing mental link...]

[Warning: Target body contains immense national fortune resentment and Imperial Extreme Seal. Reading difficulty: Hellish!]

[Initiate 'Unraveling Threads' reading mode?]

"Initiate!"

As Li Mo willed it, an endless torrent of information instantly flooded his mind.

This sensation was completely different from reading ordinary books.

It was like being forcibly dragged into a magnificent, bloody, and cruel epic film.

He saw it — the resplendent imperial palace reduced to a sea of flames overnight, corpses strewn everywhere.

He saw it — countless Cultivators in golden armor, slaughtering the Mortals in the city with frenzied brutality.

He saw it — the gravely wounded emperor on the Dragon throne, in his final moments, roaring as he smashed the imperial seal of the realm to pieces. Using a desperate, maddening secret art, he forcibly poured the last vestiges of the Dynasty's national fortune into the infant princess still in swaddling clothes!

"Let this body be the prison, locking the national fortune for three thousand years! When the true Dragon returns to its place, the Heavenly Gate shall open once more!"

The roar of that final emperor exploded like thunder in the depths of Li Mo's Soul!

Boom!

Li Mo abruptly withdrew his hand, staggering back two steps, his face pale.

Such potent obsession! Such ruthless methods!

So this was the so-called 'Treasure Trove of the former Dynasty'?

This was no Treasure Trove at all! It was clearly a ticking time bomb capable of obliterating the entire Cultivation World!

The so-called key to the Treasure Trove was Chu Linger's very life! To unlock the Treasure Trove, one must offer her flesh, blood, and Soul as sacrifice!

[Reading progress: 1%...]

[Extracted special entry: Majestic Imperial Aura (Incomplete) (Gold)]

[Entry effect: Passive aura. Your sense of majesty is enhanced. When you invoke this power, you can exert mental pressure on Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage and below, inducing an 'urge to kneel'; deals 200% suppressive damage to all forces affiliated with an Imperial Dynasty.]

A mere 1% progress, and it gave a gold-tier entry?

Li Mo's gaze towards Chu Linger changed completely.

This wasn't some troublesome ancestor; this was a veritable, inexhaustible, self-propelled mountain of gold in human form!

Moreover, through that brief reading, he had discovered a shocking secret.

The 'Imperial Dragon-Locking Formation' Sealing the national fortune within Chu Linger's body, seemingly unsolvable, actually had an extremely hidden backdoor.

And the method to open that backdoor was not murderous sacrifice.

Rather... it was to gather the nine scattered 'dragon vein heavenly books' in the world.

"You... what did you see?"

Chu Linger asked softly, watching Li Mo's fluctuating expression.

"I saw the past of an unfortunate child."

Li Mo calmed his surging Qi and blood, resuming his lazy demeanor.

"But I also saw a way for you to survive."

He took out the unremarkable 'spring and autumn brush' from his robe, drew an arcane rune in the air, and lightly tapped it on the center of Chu Linger's brow.

"Seal!"

A faint ink mark flashed across Chu Linger's forehead before vanishing.

That was him, using the power of the newly comprehended [Majestic Imperial Aura] to operate in reverse, temporarily reinforcing the Seal within her body.

Chu Linger's body trembled slightly.

The searing, agonizing pain that constantly tormented her Meridians had miraculously... lessened considerably.

She looked up at Li Mo, shocked.

This seemingly slovenly, greedy, lying Servant who swept floors could casually accomplish something that even those Nascent Soul old monsters were helpless against?

"Don't look at me with that kind of worshipful gaze; it costs extra."

Li Mo waved his hand dismissively and yawned.

"You're too weak right now; even that so-called 'Rain Master' can bully you at will. Starting tomorrow, aside from eating and sleeping, you'll stay in this Scripture Pavilion and read for me."

"Read?"

"Yes. Read ten thousand books, and I'll teach you how to open that damned Treasure Trove without dying."

Having said that, Li Mo ignored Chu Linger's reaction, turned, and went straight back to his small room.

Tonight's information overload was immense; he needed to properly digest the memories of the Imperial Dynasty he had just 'read'.

Within them... there seemed to be some connection to some unknown dark history of the founding Ancestral Master of the 'Heavenly River Sword Sect'?

Now this was a major scoop!

"Squeak, close up, time for bed."

The Scripture Pavilion soon fell into darkness.

Only on top of the second-floor bookshelf, the little girl in oversized Servant robes sat hugging her knees, quietly gazing at the cold moon outside the window.

For the first time, a glimmer of light called 'hope' appeared in her eyes.

Meanwhile, far away in the Forbidden Ground of the back mountains, Dugu Yun, who was fishing, suddenly sneezed violently for no reason.

"Ah-choo—!"

The old man rubbed his itchy nose, looking bewildered.

"Strange, who's talking about me behind my back? Could it be that Sect Master Ye Gucheng kid has run into some trouble he can't solve and is cursing this Junior Martial Uncle of his in his heart?"

He looked down at the empty fish basket by his feet and curled his lip.

"Forget it, luck's not with me today. Better go back and see if that Li Mo kid has secretly hidden any new storybooks."

Dugu Yun packed up his fishing rod, humming a little tune as he ambled towards the Scripture Pavilion.

He had no idea that an enormous black pot had already been firmly placed on his back.

And, a 'big trouble' capable of driving the entire Cultivation World mad had already taken up residence quite openly in his territory.

The wind rises from the tips of the green duckweed.

The Heavenly River Sword Sect's peaceful, uneventful days were likely... gone for good.