12: Qin Yu enters the capital

[Year Three,]

[During this year of imprisonment, the Imperial City Guard used every means at their disposal, but you insisted that you had only seen it in a dream.]

[Covered in whip marks, you still smiled every day, making those cruel officials feel uneasy.]

[Even Duan Kun developed a sort of affection for you through the beatings; now, not only are you free of shackles, but you're also provided with good food and drink.]

["Aren't you afraid of involving the Qin Family in a full execution of the clan?" Duan Kun threatened once again.]

[Gnawing on a chicken leg, you smiled and said, "Vice Commissioner Duan, can't you try something new? Since I came to you of my own accord, wouldn't I have thought of this?"]

[Duan Kun pored over your files until they were tattered but still couldn't understand—how could a playboy from a small town know so much about the Imperial City Guard's intelligence agency?]

[Unable to find any evidence, he had to lie to your parents, saying you had been conscripted, while secretly monitoring the Qin Family.]

[This was exactly what you wanted—if the killer moved against the Qin Family again, they would surely fall into this inescapable net!]

["Do you really want to join the Imperial City Guard?" Duan Kun asked with a somber face.]

["Has Vice Commissioner Duan agreed?" you asked with a smile.]

["The Imperial City Guard needs talent like yours," Duan Kun narrowed his eyes, "but if you dare to play tricks... I will make you wish you were dead."]

[You licked your fingers. "Haven't I been wishing I were dead this past year?"]

["From now on, you're in my squad!" Duan Kun gave a helpless smile.]

[Year Four,]

[Aside from going on missions with Duan Kun, you spent all your time in Cultivation.]

[Your monthly letters home had to be inspected; the content was always the same—asking for money.]

[The meager salary from the Imperial City Guard was only enough for food and drink; it was nowhere near enough for Cultivation.]

[Unexpectedly, your father sent ten portions of silver every month, and he specifically instructed you to use the other nine portions to grease the palms of your colleagues.]

[This generosity left you speechless, but it also allowed you to thrive in the squad—who doesn't love a God of Wealth?]

[Duan Kun also looked after you more and more, warning you in advance of dangerous missions.]

[But the Qin Family remained safe and sound, which actually confused you: could it be that this "placing oneself in a dead end" move instead made the mastermind behind the scenes afraid to act?]

[Then how were you supposed to drag the true culprit out?]

[On second thought, you felt relieved—once your strength increased, it wouldn't matter whose hand was behind it.]

[Fortunately, your family was supportive, so you didn't have to worry about Cultivation resources.]

[In the Houtian Realm, you had to burn dozens of taels of silver every month on medicinal herbs; it was practically a bottomless pit.]

[With your poor talent, without the assistance of rare medicinal herbs, your Cultivation speed was as slow as a snail's.]

[You felt as if you were experiencing the bitterness of the Ancient Desolate Saint Body—this wasn't Cultivation, it was clearly burning money!]

[Year Five,]

[You had a Breakthrough to the Acquired Middle Stage.]

[Duan Kun took your squad to handle a case, and after reading the files, you trembled with rage—]

[That beast Fang Chen had violated a commoner girl in broad daylight and even killed her entire family!]

[Of course you remembered this bastard; you were killed by him in the first simulation.]

[What was even more infuriating was that as soon as the case was taken over, a guard came forward to surrender, took all the blame, and then committed suicide on the spot.]

[Duan Kun was also helpless; he had seen this kind of thing many times—the Dukes Residence simply didn't respect the Imperial City Guard at all.]

[You asked indignantly, "Are we just going to let Fang Chen go like this?"]

[Duan Kun told you that there were Three Great Factions in the Imperial Capital that could not be provoked: the Dukes Residence which held military power, the Martial Alliance which managed Martial Artists, and the Grand Secretary who held immense power in court.]

[Only then did you understand the Little Emperor's statecraft—by making the Three Great Factions balance each other, he could sit securely on the Dragon throne.]

[Thinking of the Cheng Family, it dawned on you: no wonder Cheng Tianrui didn't oppose his daughter dating you last time; it was because the Emperor would never allow the Cheng Family to intermarry with any of the factions.]

[Therefore, a nobody like yourself was the most suitable.]

[However, you understood that Cheng Rongrong liked you for your talent, and that was genuine.]

[It seemed that Fang Chen's feelings for Cheng Rongrong were also unrequited.]

[Nevertheless, you decided to keep a low profile and improve your strength for now, avoiding any confrontation with Fang Chen.]

[Year Six,]

[A letter came from your mother—the eighth time she had urged you to return home and get married.]

[You wrote back saying you wanted to break off the engagement, claiming you had a sweetheart in the Imperial Capital.]

[Thinking of the Meng Family's betrayal in the last simulation, you knew you would deal with them sooner or later.]

[After replying, you couldn't help but think of Cheng Rongrong and, as if possessed, found yourself at the Wangyue Tower.]

[Sitting on the second-floor balcony and looking at the street, you casually recited: "In a past life, your heart was true to me; at Wangyue Tower, our vows reached the clouds. In this life, our fate is shallow and hard to hold; in the next, I shall bind your silken hair."]

["What a fine poem!" a crisp female voice called out.]

[You turned to look and saw a stunning beauty with almond eyes and peach-blossom cheeks.]

["May I sit here?" she asked with a smile.]

[You nodded in agreement.]

[After sitting down, she asked, "Did you write this poem?"]

[You smiled and nodded.]

["My name is Cheng Rongrong. How may I address you, Young Master?" she said, her face full of smiles.]

[Hearing the name, you were stunned—though you hadn't inherited the memories, this face was even more beautiful than you had imagined.]

[No wonder you had fallen for her in the first simulation.]

["Qin Chen." Your gaze was as gentle as if you were looking at an old comrade-in-arms.]

["You know me?" she asked curiously.]

["The pride of the Literary Academy—who doesn't know you?"]

[You hadn't intended to get involved with her, but you hadn't expected a chance encounter. Since it happened, you might as well let nature take its course.]

["With such literary talent, why didn't you join the Literary Academy?" she asked.]

[You spun a poignant love story, saying you wanted to become stronger to protect the one you loved.]

[Cheng Rongrong's eyes brimmed with tears as she listened.]

[You continued to talk eloquently, your brilliant talent fully on display.]

[In truth, you just couldn't resist showing off.]

[Seeing the brightening light in her eyes, you knew you had successfully piqued her interest.]

[Before you knew it, you had chatted until nightfall, and she was reluctant to leave.]

[As you parted, she asked to meet you again next week.]

[You refused.]

[Watching her dejected figure as she walked away, you sighed inwardly: this time, you only wanted to become stronger and find the true culprit; you didn't want to get involved in romance again.]

[After this chance encounter, you never went to the Wangyue Tower again.]

[Year Eight,]

[Your younger sister, Qin Yu, suddenly arrived in the Imperial Capital.]

[She had grown up and become quite elegant and graceful.]

[The moment you met, her tongue was as sharp as ever: "Oh, isn't this my brother who ran away from home?"]

["What are you doing in the Imperial Capital?" you asked her curiously.]

[Her eyes curved into crescents: "Exchange a few moves with me, and you'll find out."]

[You laughingly accepted the challenge, only to be defeated by her in a single move—she was already at the Perfected Innate Realm!]

[A sixteen-year-old at the Perfected Innate Realm—even though she was your sister, you couldn't bring yourself to be happy.]

[Seeing your disheveled state, she laughed particularly happily: "I've come to the Imperial Capital for two things."]

["First, Mother told me to tell you that your marriage to Acting Pavilion Master Meng Duoduo is off."]

["Second... I need an obstacle breaking pill."]

[After mocking you a few more times, she skipped off to the Martial Arts Academy to register.]

[Rubbing your aching shoulder, you thought that the girl truly was a Genius. To get an obstacle breaking pill, entering the Martial Arts Academy was indeed the fastest way.]

[After all, the Qin Family lacked sufficient power; it would be very difficult for them to obtain an obstacle breaking pill.]

[Suddenly, you had a flash of inspiration—if you could get the recipe for the obstacle breaking pill, wouldn't you be able to Cultivate a large number of Grandmasters for the Qin Family?]}

]

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