Chapter 39: Why the Hanging Capital Is the Hanging Capital

Chen Zhi'an held the Yangsui Blade, feeling the scorching heat radiating from its hilt, as if it were setting the true essence within his own body ablaze.

Just as the mysterious information conveyed by the Green Mountain Tower suggested, the power contained within this long blade was incredibly searing, as if it could easily incinerate everything in its path.

"If a blade forged a hundred times is already this strange and formidable, how extraordinary must those forged a thousand or ten thousand times be?"

Chen Zhi'an’s eyes grew brighter. "A thousand or ten thousand forgings still fall under the category of true essence armaments, even if the gap in their power is immense... And beyond the ten-thousand-forged armaments, there exist legendary heirloom weapons, each one unique—much like the Azure Sky Spear held by General Rongtian."

"And legendary heirloom weapons are not the end of the line; above them lie the artifacts of creation..."

He couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling that this world was becoming more and more magnificent.

While sighing with admiration, Chen Zhi'an sheathed the blade and turned his gaze toward the treasure-blue robe.

He had killed Zhou Xiujing with a single sword stroke, causing blood to splatter everywhere, yet this treasure-blue garment remained as clean as new, not stained by even the slightest speck of blood.

"I wonder if this Green Mountain Tower can appraise this mystical treasure."

Chen Zhi'an picked up the robe and slowly infused it with his spiritual essence.

In an instant, he clearly perceived that a thin layer of formless energy had condensed upon the garment.

"This layer of formless energy is extremely resilient; breaking through it will likely not be easy."

Chen Zhi'an’s eyes lit up, but he soon realized that when his true essence flowed into it, the Green Mountain Tower provided no information whatsoever.

"It seems this mystical treasure does not fall into the category of blades and swords. The Green Mountain Tower cultivates blades and swords, but not mystical treasures."

As his thoughts reached this point, he silently wondered, "The Green Mountain Tower cultivates blades and swords—but what does 'cultivate' truly mean?"

High above in the Jade Capital Map, spiritual energy swirled, and the Green Mountain Tower stood tall amidst the clouds and mist. Chen Zhi'an moved his consciousness, intending to enter the tower.

However, he immediately discovered that as his consciousness settled upon the Green Mountain Tower, the structure became hazy and ethereal, as if it could no longer support his presence.

"It seems the Green Mountain Tower is not yet complete. Perhaps I need more true essence armaments to make it more substantial."

Chen Zhi'an withdrew his consciousness.

The night was deepening; the moon and stars above were obscured by clouds, as if they had fallen asleep.

Feeling the dense true essence within his body, Chen Zhi'an was full of energy. He drank another cup of Ginger Tea, sat cross-legged under the pear tree, and practiced the White Jade Cicada Shedding Method, refining his true essence.

After days of practice, consuming Red Ginger tea, taking several doses of the Yellow Bell Qi-Circulation Decoction, visualizing the Southern Flowing Scenery, and taking the extremely precious Cicada Shedding Pill, he had made great progress.

The day Chen Zhi'an took the Cicada Shedding Pill, his blood energy surged like a tide, breaking through the vital gate and easily transforming into true essence, which then condensed at the gate to form a marvelous tree of true essence!

"Only by practicing diligently every day can one forge ahead courageously. Only then, when encountering someone like Zhou Xiujing, will I not be left helpless or forced to bow my head."

Chen Zhi'an closed his eyes, regulating his breath, and thought of Chen Shuijun.

Come to think of it, when Chen Shuijun left, he said he would return in a month. But now, a full month had passed, and there was still no news of him.

"Could it be that my cheap old man went to the capital and got his legs broken by that rising star, the Buddha-Killing Marquis?"

Chen Zhi'an’s breath faltered, and the true essence running through the White Jade Cicada Shedding Method became slightly disordered before smoothing out again.

Having spent two years with Chen Shuijun, combined with the faint, lingering memories of his past life, he didn't believe Chen Shuijun would go to the Xuantian Capital just to get a beating for no reason. Furthermore, if Chen Shuijun hadn't possessed some real ability, he wouldn't have been able to provide him with food infused with spiritual energy every day for the past few years.

Thinking of this, Chen Zhi'an finally felt a little more at ease.

"It should be fine. I'll wait a few more days."

Chen Zhi'an’s thoughts were scattered: "I will visit Uncle Chu tomorrow. Truth be told, the reason I could kill Zhou Xiujing so recklessly was due to the prestige of Chu Muye and General Iron-Arm."

He had asked Shen Haohao today; General Iron-Arm was still with his old friend and had not yet returned to Sunan Prefecture.

"Come to think of it, Uncle Chu will be leaving Sunan Prefecture soon. I must redouble my cultivation during this period; otherwise, once I lose my backing, the monsters and demons under the mountain will inevitably harbor evil intentions."

—

In the Xuantian Capital, Li Qingran held another letter in her hand.

Looking at the signature on the envelope, a hint of unexpected curiosity crossed her eyes.

"Chen Zhi'an again."

Li Qingran was indeed curious about this cousin she had never met. He had been far away in Sunan Prefecture since he was in swaddling clothes, having left the Xuantian Capital long ago.

For over a dozen years, there had been no news.

Yet in the last month, he had sent two letters in succession. One was sent to her aunt, containing only a single sentence—no warm greetings, just a reminder for her aunt to take care of her health.

Today, Chen Zhi'an had sent a second letter through the residence of General Iron-Arm.

But this letter was not for her aunt; it was for her cousin, Li Fushu.

Li Fushu stood before a pond, looking down at the goldfish in the water.

The scales of those goldfish were brilliant. The sunlight of spring fell into the water, reflecting off the pond and hitting the scales of the goldfish, creating shimmering colors that made the entire garden overflow with radiant light.

Li Qingran walked up behind him and handed him the letter.

Li Fushu took the letter, frowning as he saw the name on the envelope.

"Chen Zhi'an..." He chewed on the name softly and tore open the envelope.

Inside was a piece of cheap scrap paper with a line of words scrawled on it.

Li Qingran caught a glimpse from afar and felt that her cousin was truly sparing with his words; he couldn't even be bothered to write a few more sentences when sending a letter from the distant Sunan Prefecture to the Xuantian Capital.

But the next moment, she finally saw the words on the paper.

"Which hand did you use to write that letter? When I come to the Xuantian Capital, I will personally cut off that hand."

Li Qingran felt it was utterly preposterous.

She looked at Li Fushu’s back.

Li Fushu stood motionless, clutching the letter, lost in thought.

Time passed quietly. Li Fushu suddenly threw the letter away and flicked his finger.

Instantly, a stream of true essence flowed out, transforming into thousands of strands that pierced the flying scrap paper, reducing it to dust in a fleeting moment.

The wind blew, and the dust left no trace behind.

Li Fushu went back to watching the fish in the pond.

Li Qingran stepped forward, wanting to say something, but Li Fushu suddenly pointed at the water.

Looking closely, she saw that among the pond full of goldfish, there was a small, dull-scaled, thin carp hidden among them.

"In such clear water, a carp has actually managed to mix in."

A smile touched the corner of Li Fushu’s mouth as he shook his head: "This carp doesn't realize that this clear water was naturally intended for goldfish with brilliant scales."

"It has entered this pond; it won't turn into a goldfish—it will only die."

As soon as the noble young man finished speaking, the carp in the water was suddenly pierced by an inexplicable aura and sank to the bottom.

That aura was incredibly profound; it pierced the carp and instantly dried up the blood within its body. The fish didn't even bleed to pollute the water; it simply died completely.

"Just like this Xuantian Capital... He has neither fame nor any astonishing abilities; if he comes here, he will also die."

Li Qingran remained silent.

The Xuantian Capital was so named because, to the people of the Great Yu, this magnificent capital was like a city suspended in the heavens.

It was filled with lords dressed in yellow and purple, and grand, prestigious clans; they could only look up in awe.

Li Fushu was right.

If Chen Zhi'an were to come to the Xuantian Capital, he would likely have to look up to Li Fushu, to say nothing of cutting off the arm with which Li Fushu wrote the letter.

—

Chen Zhi'an did not know Li Fushu’s reaction to the letter.

He did not regret writing it either. He was in Sunan Prefecture, and Li Fushu was in the Xuantian Capital—the emperor was far away, so what was wrong with sending a letter to annoy the relative who was pulling strings behind his back?

He didn't take the matter to heart at all. When the sun rose, he left his small courtyard and headed for Dongfeng Street to visit Chu Muye.