207: Calling a deer a horse

“Let me see what kind of good stuff I got.”

Zhou Yan licked his lips and reached into the box.

The first item he pulled out was a blue quality item.

“A classic set of Skill Upgrade Cards?”

Looking at the three new Skill Upgrade Cards in his hand, bringing the total back up to four, Zhou Yan felt his obsessive-compulsive disorder flare up.

One more card, and he could upgrade the path of evolution one more Rank. One less card, and he could upgrade either Inviting a God or Python Swallow Dragon. But it was exactly one set—not too many, not too few.

Zhou Yan continued searching and quickly found another Physique Enhancement Card.

He hadn't noticed before, but this one was also blue quality. Because the reward Wang Yao dropped went straight into his backpack, he hadn't seen the color.

He stored this one away too; perhaps he could use it later.

Aside from these two special items, the rest wasn't anything great.

A blue quality “Golden Silk Jade Belt,” which seemed to be the belt from the black clothes Long Tianxing usually wore. This item didn't provide percentage bonuses, only fixed numerical increases.

At best, its stats were slightly higher than Qi Refinement Stage equipment, but it was ultimately judged inferior to the Giant Abyss Set.

After stuffing it into his backpack, Zhou Yan started pulling out the purple items.

The first item was a purple longsword, the very one Long Tianxing had been using. The style was good, but the attributes were mediocre; it was just a standard Foundation Establishment template.

“If I have time, I'll feed it to yuanwu xielü.”

After tossing that into his backpack, Zhou Yan noticed only two balls of light remained in the box.

“Damn it, don't mess with me. Don't let all of this be high-quality but useless trash.”

If these items were obtained by clearing the dungeon during the Qi Refinement Stage, they would definitely be considered generous rewards. But the dungeon difficulty was so high, how could anyone clear it during the Qi Refinement Stage?

Complaining about the dungeon difficulty, Zhou Yan reached out toward the last ball of purple light.

“Huh?”

[Long Tianxing's Sword Dao Cultivation * 1]

“This item... seems decent?”

Zhou Yan recalled Long Tianxing's exquisite swordsmanship, with various parries and force deflections, dodging many of his attacks.

If he hadn't completely overwhelmed him with stats, that swordsmanship, coupled with offense and defense switching, would have been as ferocious and brutal as a rabid dog.

Although it wouldn't provide much improvement for his current self, inheriting the opponent's Sword Dao Rank was a way to complete a section of his panel.

And more importantly, wielding a sword was truly handsome!

Having opened a decent item, Zhou Yan's mood settled down slightly.

With less pressure, he casually pulled out the last glittering golden reward.

As expected, it was also a matching item, and this golden item was indeed excellent, fully deserving of the dungeon's difficulty.

Now he was completely relieved.

[Compassionate Sword Heart]

[Quality: Legend]

[Attack Power: +200%]

[Special Resistance: +50%]

[Sword Dao Cultivation Speed: +?]

[Heart Demon: +?]

[Current Growth Stage: Beginner]

It seems like something strange got mixed in... but these attributes are too Heaven-Defying, aren't they?

A growable accessory, and Legendary quality at that—it's unbelievably powerful!

Zhou Yan was originally dissatisfied that Long Tianxing could fight across Ranks; after all, even with his cheats, he couldn't do it, yet someone without cheats managed to play so skillfully.

Now he understood: Long Tianxing had cheats, and he hadn't turned them off!

This guy had activated a much fiercer cheat than him.

What Long Tianxing dropped were the items and skills he had comprehended just before his death.

And since this dungeon was generated a long time ago, Zhou Yan didn't dare imagine how strong the current Long Tianxing was. Could he instantly kill him with one punch?

Zhou Yan recalled Meng Ke saying that Long Tianxing was coming to Great Yu.

Based on the protagonist's personality and logic, he would most likely come to Great Yu to cause trouble for him.

Thinking of this, cold sweat began streaming down Zhou Yan's forehead.

He hoped this kid wouldn't come to interfere when the plan was underway.

Don't come even after the plan is finished!

Zhou Yan happily took off the Bitter Love Jade and put on the Sword Heart.

The moment he put it on, a distinct feeling of enhancement radiated from the inside out.

It was like going to bed promptly at 8 PM and naturally waking up at 7 AM, giving Zhou Yan a completely refreshed feeling.

He was about to start another dungeon run and suppress his cultivation for fun, but he suddenly felt someone calling him from outside, so he reluctantly exited the main city.

Zhou Yan didn't notice that after he took all the items, the box didn't immediately disappear, but only dissolved into a particle effect the moment he left the dungeon.

At the same time, a book quietly dropped, left with him, and automatically entered his backpack.

The moment Zhou Yan opened his eyes, he saw Loyal and Virtuous's old Face staring at him lecherously. Because he was too close, Zhou Yan instinctively punched him.

Although he pulled back his strength after realizing what he'd done, he couldn't completely control his suddenly surging power, so the other party still flew out in a perfect parabola.

“Ah!”

A miserable scream came, and Zhou Yan couldn't bear to look at Loyal and Virtuous's condition; he knew it hurt just by hearing the sound.

He was about to offer an explanation, but saw Loyal and Virtuous execute a carp flip, springing up and shouting loudly with a black eye.

“Your Majesty's heavenly might is vast! This punch was like thunder striking my eyes, making this humble subject see golden Dragons, and in a trance, I saw a true Dragon circling the Nine Heavens!”

“It must be that this humble subject was foolish and blocked the Son of Heaven's Purple Qi. I deserved to be touched by Dragon Might to enlighten my mind!”

Whoa!

Zhou Yan felt a blast of perverse and wicked energy rush toward him, penetrating his limbs and bones.

Looking at Loyal and Virtuous's fawning expression, it was truly hard to connect it with his previous Loyal and honest demeanor.

Was this what a naturally talented player looked like?

This scene also stunned the other officials.

The eunuchs of Great Yu were different from those of Great Qian.

Great Yu respected scholars; if Duke Zhenguo hadn't possessed such an extraordinary status, the position of military generals would have been even lower.

Therefore, even the eunuchs were mostly gentle, refined, and emphasized etiquette.

But Loyal and Virtuous now looked exactly like a treacherous minister, resembling the eunuch faction of neighboring Great Qian.

Their expressions were fully observed by Loyal and Virtuous.

To him, this wasn't social death, but recognition, proving that his research into character biographies during this period hadn't been wasted; he had grasped some of the essence.

So, he struck while the iron was hot and clapped his hands.

Soon, two men carried up a large iron cage.

After they set it down, everyone clearly saw a pure white Rank 3 Yao Beast locked inside.

Those with good eyesight recognized it immediately: this was the “Snow Plum Blossom,” a specialty of Great Qian.

It slept year-round and was only active in winter, so it had a longer lifespan and possessed significantly stronger spiritual essence than ordinary Rank 3 Yao Beasts.

Although it was Rank 3, its actual value exceeded that of many Rank 4 Yao Beasts.

What was even more special was that it was a Great Qian specialty with limited production, usually supplied first to Qingxu Grotto-Heaven, then internally within Great Qian, and finally sold in small quantities at the Lianxing Pavilion.

Everyone was curious: why had Loyal and Virtuous brought it out now?

Was he going to slaughter it and cook it immediately, letting Emperor Taizong try modern culinary skills?

The crowd didn't understand the meaning, but Zhou Yan, who had given Loyal and Virtuous a heads-up, knew exactly what was going on.

The moment Zhou Yan saw this deer, he had a strong sense of déjà vu... Could it be... “Your Majesty, this humble subject approached you just now precisely because I wanted to report this matter to Your Majesty.”

“Please look, Your Majesty. This subject recently acquired a horse. I find this horse very pleasing, so I specially present it as a gift to Your Majesty.”

“Hahaha, Loyal, are you getting senile?”

“That is clearly a deer.”

A red-robed official sneered from the side.

Zhou Yan glanced over. The person carried Killing Intent and was likely from the Ministry of War, meaning he belonged to the Duke Zhenguo faction.

“Firstly, I am no longer Loyal. Your Majesty personally bestowed the character 'Virtuous' yesterday, so now I am called Loyal and Virtuous.”

“Secondly, I am currently reporting to Your Majesty. By interrupting, are you answering on behalf of Your Majesty?”

The military general choked up immediately, his smile freezing on his Face.

Just as he was about to retort a few words to save Face, an official dressed like a scholar among the civil officials quickly tugged on his belt.

The man was about to turn back and curse, but he sensed something. When he looked back, he saw Duke Zhenguo staring intently at him. He immediately shrunk into an ostrich, lowering his head and daring not to speak again.

Seeing the man shut up, Loyal and Virtuous's initial nervousness completely vanished. His smile became more unrestrained, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

However, when he turned to Face Zhou Yan, he smiled like a blooming chrysanthemum again.

“Whether this object is a deer or a horse, this humble subject truly cannot distinguish. May Your Majesty enlighten this humble subject?”

Instantly, everyone's gaze focused on Zhou Yan.

It really is this routine?

After studying for so long, this is all he learned? Wasn't this move supposed to be used to force the Emperor's abdication?

Zhou Yan was a bit disappointed, but since he had agreed beforehand to cooperate with Loyal and Virtuous, he stepped in and made some adjustments.

“I already have the answer in My heart, however...”

Zhou Yan wore a playful expression and let his gaze sweep over the three big shots.

“The three of you, esteemed ministers, are pillars of the state and possess vast experience. I already have My answer, but I would like to hear your opinions first.”

Loyal and Virtuous understood Zhou Yan's hint and quickly interjected.

“This humble subject was negligent! Your Majesty surely knows everything. Since you did not correct the mistake immediately, there must be Your Majesty's considerations.”

“Prince, two Lords, since Your Majesty is in such a mood, could the three of you please state your opinions first? Do not dampen Your Majesty's spirits.”

Loyal and Virtuous had now portrayed the Face of a petty person so vividly that it was impossible to distinguish whether it was genuine emotion or masterful acting.