Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
Chapter 134
Chapter 135
Chapter 136
Chapter 137
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 140
Chapter 141
Chapter 142
Chapter 143
Chapter 144
Chapter 145
Chapter 146
Chapter 147
Chapter 148
Chapter 149
Chapter 150
Chapter 151
Chapter 152
Chapter 153
Chapter 154
Chapter 155
Chapter 156
Chapter 157
Chapter 158
Chapter 159
Chapter 160
Chapter 161
Chapter 162
Chapter 163
Chapter 164
Chapter 165
Chapter 166
Chapter 167
Chapter 168
Chapter 169
Chapter 170
Chapter 171
Chapter 172
Chapter 173
Chapter 174
Chapter 175
Chapter 176
Chapter 177
Chapter 178
Chapter 179
Chapter 180
Chapter 181
Chapter 182
Chapter 183
Chapter 184
Chapter 185
Chapter 186
Chapter 187
Chapter 188
Chapter 189
Chapter 190
Chapter 191
Chapter 192
Chapter 193
Chapter 194
Chapter 195
Chapter 196
Chapter 197
Chapter 198
Chapter 199
Chapter 200
Chapter 201
Chapter 202
Chapter 203
Chapter 204
Chapter 205
Chapter 206
Chapter 207
Chapter 208
Chapter 209
Chapter 210
Chapter 211
Chapter 212
Chapter 213
Chapter 214
Chapter 215
Chapter 216
Chapter 217
Chapter 218
Chapter 219
Chapter 220
Chapter 221
Chapter 222
Chapter 223
Chapter 224
Chapter 225
Chapter 226
Chapter 227
Chapter 228
Chapter 229
Chapter 230
Chapter 231
Chapter 232
Chapter 233
Chapter 234
Chapter 235
Chapter 236
Chapter 237
Chapter 238
Chapter 239
Chapter 240
Chapter 241
Chapter 242
Chapter 243
Chapter 244
Chapter 245
Chapter 246
Chapter 247
Chapter 248
Chapter 249
Chapter 250
Chapter 251
Chapter 252
Chapter 253
Chapter 254
Chapter 255
Chapter 256
Chapter 257
Chapter 258
Chapter 259
Chapter 260
Chapter 261
Chapter 262
Chapter 263
Chapter 264
Chapter 265
Chapter 266
Chapter 267
Chapter 268
Chapter 269
Chapter 270
Chapter 271
Chapter 272
Chapter 273
Chapter 274
Chapter 275
Chapter 276
Chapter 277
Chapter 278
Chapter 279
Chapter 280
Chapter 281
Chapter 282
Chapter 283
Chapter 284
Chapter 285
Chapter 286
Chapter 287
Chapter 288
Chapter 289
Chapter 290
Chapter 291
Chapter 292
Chapter 293
Chapter 294
Chapter 295
Chapter 296
Chapter 297
Chapter 298
Chapter 299
Chapter 300
Chapter 301
Chapter 302
Chapter 303
Chapter 304
Chapter 305
Chapter 306
Chapter 307
Chapter 308
Chapter 309
Chapter 310
Chapter 311
Chapter 312
Chapter 313
Chapter 314
Chapter 315
Chapter 316
Chapter 317
Chapter 318
Chapter 319
Chapter 320
Chapter 321
Chapter 322
Chapter 323
Chapter 324
Chapter 325
Chapter 326
Chapter 327
Chapter 328
Chapter 329
Chapter 330
Chapter 331
Chapter 332
Chapter 333
Chapter 334
Chapter 335
Chapter 336
Chapter 337
Chapter 338
Chapter 339
Chapter 340
Chapter 341
Chapter 342
Chapter 343
Chapter 344
Chapter 345
Chapter 346
Chapter 347
Chapter 348
Chapter 349
Chapter 350
Chapter 351
Chapter 352
Chapter 353
Chapter 354
Chapter 355
Chapter 356
Chapter 357
Chapter 358
Chapter 359
Chapter 360
Chapter 361
Chapter 362
Chapter 363
Chapter 364
Chapter 365
Chapter 366
Chapter 367
Chapter 368
Chapter 369
Chapter 370
Chapter 371
Chapter 372
Chapter 373
Chapter 374
Chapter 375
Chapter 376
Chapter 377
Chapter 378
Chapter 379
Chapter 380
Chapter 381
Chapter 382
Chapter 383
Chapter 384
Chapter 385
Chapter 386
Chapter 387
Chapter 388
Chapter 389
Chapter 390
Chapter 391
Chapter 392
Chapter 393
Chapter 394
Chapter 395
Chapter 396
Chapter 397
Chapter 398
Chapter 399
Chapter 400
Chapter 401
Chapter 402
Chapter 403
Chapter 404
Chapter 405
Chapter 406
Chapter 407
Chapter 408
Chapter 409
Chapter 410
Chapter 411
Chapter 412
Chapter 413
Chapter 414
Chapter 415
Chapter 416
Chapter 417
Chapter 418
Chapter 419
Chapter 420
Chapter 421
Chapter 422
Chapter 423
Chapter 424
Chapter 425
Chapter 426
Chapter 427
Chapter 428
Chapter 429
Chapter 430
Chapter 431
Chapter 432
Chapter 433
Chapter 434
Chapter 435
Chapter 436
Chapter 437
Chapter 438
Chapter 439
Chapter 440
Chapter 441
Chapter 442
Chapter 443
Chapter 444
Chapter 445
Chapter 446
Chapter 447
Chapter 448
Chapter 449
Chapter 450
Chapter 451
Chapter 452
Chapter 453
Chapter 454
Chapter 455
Chapter 456
Chapter 457
Chapter 458
Chapter 459
Chapter 460
Chapter 461
Chapter 462
Chapter 463
Chapter 464
Chapter 465
Chapter 466
Chapter 467
Chapter 468
Chapter 469
Chapter 470
Chapter 471
Chapter 472
Chapter 473
Chapter 474
Chapter 475
Chapter 476
Chapter 477
Chapter 478
Chapter 479
Chapter 480
Chapter 481
Chapter 482
Chapter 483
Chapter 484
Chapter 485
Chapter 486
Chapter 487
Chapter 488
Chapter 489
Chapter 490
Chapter 491
Chapter 492
Chapter 493
Chapter 494
Chapter 495
Chapter 496
Chapter 497
Chapter 498
Chapter 499
Chapter 500
Chapter 501
Chapter 502
Chapter 503
Chapter 504
Chapter 505
Chapter 506
Chapter 507
Chapter 508
Chapter 509
Chapter 510
Chapter 511
Chapter 512
Chapter 513
Chapter 514
Chapter 515
Chapter 516
Chapter 517
Chapter 518
Chapter 519
Chapter 520
Chapter 521
Chapter 522
Chapter 523
Chapter 524
Chapter 525
Chapter 526
Chapter 527
Chapter 528
Chapter 529
Chapter 530
Chapter 531
Chapter 532
Chapter 533
Chapter 534
Chapter 535
Chapter 536
Chapter 537
Chapter 538
Chapter 539
Chapter 540
Chapter 541
Chapter 542
Chapter 543
Chapter 544
Chapter 545
Chapter 546
Chapter 547
Chapter 548
Chapter 549
Chapter 550
Chapter 551
Chapter 552
Chapter 553
Chapter 554
Chapter 555
Chapter 556
Chapter 557
Chapter 558
Chapter 559
Chapter 560
Chapter 561
Chapter 562
Chapter 563
Chapter 564
Chapter 565
Chapter 566
Chapter 567
Chapter 568
Chapter 569
Chapter 570
Chapter 571
Chapter 572
Chapter 573
Chapter 574
Chapter 575
Chapter 576
Chapter 577
Chapter 578
Chapter 579 - Chapter 579: Xu Oj’An, No One Can Take Advantage Of Me (3)
Chapter 580 - Chapter 580: Xu Qj ‘An, No One Can Take Advantage Of Me 4
Chapter 581 - Chapter 581: Xu (M ‘An, No One Can Take Advantage Of Me (5)
Chapter 582 - Chapter 582: He’S Here (1)
Chapter 583 - Chapter 583: He’ S Here (2)
Chapter 584 - Chapter 584: He’S Here (3)
Chapter 585 - Chapter 585: Small Success In The Divine Kung Fu (1)
Chapter 586 - Chapter 586: Small Success In The Divine Kung Fu (2)
Chapter 587 - Chapter 587: Small Success In The Divine Kung Fu (3)
Chapter 588 - Chapter 588: Small Success In The Divine Kung Fu (4)
Chapter 589 - Chapter 589: An Unexpected Move (1)
Chapter 590 - Chapter 590: An Unexpected Move (2)
Chapter 591 - Chapter 591: An Unexpected Move (3)
Chapter 592 - Chapter 592: Report (1)
Chapter 593 - Chapter 593: Problem (1)
Chapter 594 - Chapter 594: Problem (2)
Chapter 595 - Chapter 595: Problem (3)
Chapter 596 - Chapter 596: Chapter 106 -First Clue (1)
Chapter 597 - Chapter 597: Chadter 106-First Clue (2)
Chapter 598 - Chapter 598: Grass Snake Gray Thread (1)
Chapter 599 - Chapter 599: Grass Snake Gray Thread (2)
Chapter 600 - Chapter 600: Yang Qianhuan Exits Seclusion (1)
Chapter 601 - Chapter 601: Yang Qianhuan Exits Seclusion (2)
Chapter 602 - Chapter 602: He’S Almost Done?
Chapter 603 - Chapter 603: He’S Almost Done? _2
Chapter 604 - Chapter 604: A Visit To The Directorate Of Celestials (1)
Chapter 605 - Chapter 605: A Visit To The Directorate Of Celestials (2)
Chapter 606 - Chapter 606: Life Alchemy (1)
Chapter 607 - Chapter 607: Life Alchemy (2)
Chapter 608 - Chapter 608: Appointment By The Imperial Court (1)
Chapter 609 - Chapter 609: Appointment By The Imperial Court (2)
Chapter 610 - Chapter 610: The Northwalker (1)
Chapter 611 - Chapter 611: The Northwalker (2)
Chapter 612 - Chapter 612: Northwalker (3)
Chapter 613 - Chapter 613: Cleaning The Toilet (1)
Chapter 614 - Chapter 614: Drawing The Sword (1)
Chapter 615 - Chapter 615: Drawing The Sword (2)
Chapter 616 - Chapter 616: Drawing The Sword (3)
Chapter 617 - Chapter 617: Night Chat (1)
Chapter 618 - Chapter 618: Night Chat (2)
Chapter 619 - Chapter 619: Night Chat (3)
Chapter 620 - Chapter 620: Analyzing The Reason For The Princess’S Arrival (1)
Chapter 621 - Chapter 621: Ambush (1)
Chapter 622 - Chapter 622: Ambush (2)
Chapter 623 - Chapter 623: Ambush (3)
Chapter 624 - Chapter 624: Who Can Save Me (1)
Chapter 625 - Chapter 625: Escape Plan (1)
Chapter 626 - Chapter 626: Escape Plan (2)
Chapter 627 - Chapter 627: The Awe-Inspiring Xu Yinluo (1)
Chapter 628 - Chapter 628: The Awe-Inspiring Xu Yinluo (2)
Chapter 629 - Chapter 629: The Awe-Inspiring Xu Yingong (3)
Chapter 630 - Chapter 630: Xu Qj ‘An’S Plan (1)
Chapter 631 - Chapter 631: Xu Qj ‘An’S Plan (2)
Chapter 632 - Chapter 632: Xu I An’S Scheme (3)
Chapter 633 - Chapter 633: Xu Oj ‘An’S Plan (4)
Chapter 634 - Chapter 634: The Princess Consort’S Secret (1)
Chapter 635 - Chapter 635: The Princess Consort’S Secret (2)
Chapter 636 - Chapter 636: The Bracelet (1)
Chapter 637 - Chapter 637: The Bracelet (2)
Chapter 638 - Chapter 638: The Diplomatic Mission Arrives At The Northern Territory (1)
Chapter 639 - Chapter 639: The Diplomatic Mission Arrives At The Northern Territory (2)
Chapter 640 - Chapter 640: The Inquiry Group (1)
Chapter 641 - Chapter 641: The Diplomatic Mission (2)
Chapter 642 - Chapter 642: Li Miaozhen ‘S Letter (1)
Chapter 643 - Chapter 643: Li Miaozhen’S Letter (2)
Chapter 644 - Chapter 644: Sanhuang County (1)
Chapter 645 - Chapter 645: Sanhuang County (2)
Chapter 646 - Chapter 646: Sanhuang County (3)
Chapter 647 - Chapter 647: Chapter 129 -Spy-I
Chapter 648 - Chapter 648: Xu Oj ‘An’S Assassination Plan (1)
Chapter 649 - Chapter 649: Xu Qi ‘An’S Assassination Plan Part 2
Chapter 650 - Chapter 650: Xu Qi ‘An’S Plan (3)
Chapter 651 - Chapter 651: It’S All Lies (1)
Chapter 652 - Chapter 652: It’S All Lies (2)
Chapter 653 - Chapter 653: It’S All Lies (3)
Chapter 654 - Chapter 654: The Real Murderer (1)
Chapter 655 - Chapter 655: The Real Murderer (2)
Chapter 656 - Chapter 656: The Real Murderer (3)
Chapter 657 - Chapter 657: I Really Like Him (1)
Chapter 658 - Chapter 658: I Really Like Him (2)
Chapter 659 - Chapter 659: The Yao Army Crossing The Border (1)
Chapter 660 - Chapter 660: The Yao Army Crossing The Border (2)
Chapter 661 - Chapter 661: The Yao Army Crossing The Border (3)
Chapter 662 - Chapter 662: White Horse Silver Spear Li Miaozhen (1)
Chapter 663 - Chapter 663: White Horse Silver Spear Li Miaozhen_2
Chapter 664 - Chapter 664: White Horse Silver Spear Li Miaozhen_3
Chapter 665 - Chapter 665: Complicated 1
Chapter 666 - Chapter 666: Meeting (1)
Chapter 667 - Chapter 667: Attacked (1)
Chapter 668 - Chapter 668: Attacked (2)
Chapter 669 - Chapter 669: Empathy (1)
Chapter 670 - Chapter 670: Empathy (2)
Chapter 671 - Chapter 671: Empathy (3)
Chapter 672 - Chapter 672: The Four Directions (1)
Chapter 673 - Chapter 673: The Four Directions (2)
Chapter 674 - Chapter 674: The Four Directions (3)
Chapter 675 - Chapter 675: The Four Directions (4)
Chapter 676 - Chapter 676: Sieging The City-I
Chapter 677 - Chapter 677: Sieging The City (2)
Chapter 678 - Chapter 678: Sieging The City (3)
Chapter 679 - Chapter 679: The Nation-Guarding Sword (1)
Chapter 680 - Chapter 680: The Nation-Guarding Sword (2)
Chapter 681 - Chapter 681: The Nation-Guarding Sword (3)
Chapter 682 - Chapter 682: The Nation-Guarding Sword (4)
Chapter 683 - Chapter 683: The Nation-Guarding Sword (5)
Chapter 684 - Chapter 684: Man Without Dao, Heaven’S Punishment (1)
Chapter 685 - Chapter 685: Man Without Dao, Heaven ‘S Punishment Part 2
Chapter 686 - Chapter 686: Man Without Dao, Heaven’S Punishment (3)
Chapter 687 - Chapter 687: Man Without Dao, Heaven’S Punishment (4)
Chapter 688 - Chapter 688: Man Without Dao, Heaven ‘S Punishment (5)
Chapter 689 - Chapter 689: Man Without Dao, Heaven’S Punishment (6)
Chapter 690 - Chapter 690: The Avenger (1)
Chapter 691 - Chapter 691: The Avenger (2)
Chapter 692 - Chapter 692: The Avenger (3)
Chapter 693 - Chapter 693: The Avenger (4)
Chapter 694 - Chapter 694: The Avenger (5)
Chapter 695 - Chapter 695: The Avenger (6)
Chapter 696 - Chapter 696: Chapter 145 -Bowing (1)
Chapter 697 - Chapter 697: Chapter 145 -Bowing (2)
Chapter 698 - Chapter 698: Chapter 145 -Bowing (3)
Chapter 699 - Chapter 699: Chapter 146-Review-L
Chapter 700 - Chapter 700: Chapter 146-Review-2
Chapter 701 - Chapter 701: Back To The Capital (1)
Chapter 702 - Chapter 702: Back To The Capital (2)
Chapter 703 - Chapter 703: Back To The Capital (3)
Chapter 704 - Chapter 704: Back To The Capital (4)
Chapter 705 - Chapter 705: Back To The Capital (5)
Chapter 706 - Chapter 706: Emperor Yuanjing (1)
Chapter 707 - Chapter 707: Emperor Yuanjing Of Three Qi (2)
Chapter 708 - Chapter 708: Lord Chief Assistant, Something Happened In Chuzhou City (1)
Chapter 709 - Chapter 709: Lord Chief Assistant, Something Happened In Chuzhou City (2)
Chapter 710 - Chapter 710: Lord First Assistant, Something Happened In Chuzhou (3)
Chapter 711 - Chapter 711: (Thanks To ” Zz ” From The Silver Alliance) _1
Chapter 712 - Chapter 712: (Thanks To ” Zz ” From The Silver Alliance) _2
Chapter 713 - Chapter 713: (Thanks To ” Zz ” From The Silver Alliance) —3
Chapter 714 - Chapter 714: Turbulent Undercurrents (1)
Chapter 715 - Chapter 715: Turbulent Undercurrents (2)
Chapter 716 - Chapter 716: Turbulent Undercurrents (3)
Chapter 717 - Chapter 717: Turbulent Undercurrents (4)
Chapter 718 - Chapter 718: The Opening (I) _1
Chapter 719 - Chapter 719: The Opening (Part 2) _1
Chapter 720 - Chapter 720: The Opening (Part 2) _2
Chapter 721 - Chapter 721: The Opening (3) _1
Chapter 722 - Chapter 722: The Opening (3) _2
Chapter 723 - Chapter 723: Chapter 155- Going Home (10000-Word Chapter)
Chapter 724 - Chapter 724: Chapter 155-Going Home (10000 -Word Chapter) _2
Chapter 725 - Chapter 725: Chapter 155-Going Home (10000-Word Long Chapter) _3
Chapter 726 - Chapter 726: Chapter 155 -Going Home (10000-Word Long Chapter) _4
Chapter 727 - Chapter 727: Chapter 155-Going Home (10000-Word Long Chapter) _5
Chapter 728 - Chapter 728: Chapter 155-Going Home (10000-Word Chapter) _6
Chapter 729 - Chapter 729: Chapter 156! Anger (Long Chapter) _1
Chapter 730 - Chapter 730: Chapter 156! Anger (10000 -Word Chapter) _2
Categories Genre: All, Fantasy, Harem, Mystery, Ongoing, Supernatural, Xuanhuan Status: Ongoing Alternative names: Great Feng's Nightwatchers The Nightwatchers of Feng, 大奉打更人, ______
Total Chapters in book: 730
Estimated words: 1208516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 6043(@200wpm)___ 4834(@250wpm)___ 4028(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 1208516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 6043(@200wpm)___ 4834(@250wpm)___ 4028(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 730 Page No. 729 Page No. 728 Page No. 727 Page No. 726 Page No. 725 Page No. 724 Page No. 723 Page No. 722 Page No. 721 Page No. 720 Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Xu Pingzhi was touched by his daughter’s concern for his nephew. After 20 years of mediation, he was glad to see the relationship among the younger generation had improved despite his wife’s persistent dislike for Xu Qian.
Xu Pingzhi took the sleeping Xu Lingyin from Xu Lingyue and said reassuringly, “Ningyan has been released. Everything’s fine now.”
Xu Lingyue did not believe her father—he would willingly lie to console his daughters.
With a hint of distrust, she turned to her brother.
Xu Xinnian said coolly, “It was a small matter.”
Xu Lingyue believed him. Her second brother was a proud man who would not lie about serious matters.
One of the low-level officials reported the news to Magistrate Zhu. who then quickly made his way to the side hall.
“How did you settle the issue with Nobleman Zhou?” The news came as a surprise to Magistrate Zhu. He figured Xu Qian was done for unless the young nobleman decided to rescind the charges, which was unlikely to happen.
Xu Xinnian said, “I asked my mentor for help.”
‘I see.’ Magistrate Zhu nodded. However, the courts were mostly made up of officials from the Imperial College. Everyone knew the Imperial College and the White Deer Academy were at odds with each other.
Although Xu Xinnian’s mentor was an established Confucian scholar, the Minister of Justice would not willingly release a prisoner at his behest. There would be a round of wrangling before Minister Sun would agree to a compromise.
“Elder Mubai was also there.” A pause. “And the Imperial Astronomers.”
“What?” Magistrate Zhu was shocked. Then, he schooled his face and said, “Like father and son. Congratulations! Your son’s intelligence impressed the elders of the White Deer Academy and also the Imperial Astronomers. He has a good future ahead of him. How I wish I had a son like him.”
‘Brother has dealings with the Imperial Astronomers?’ The thought comforted Xu Lingyue. She turned to stare at her brother.
An unmarried girl relied on her father while a married girl relied on her husband. These were the two main pillars of a girl’s life.
While at home, the older brothers were also a source of support.
Xu Xinnian shook his head and clarified, “Elder Mubai came on his own accord to meet my brother. The Imperial Astronomers were also my brother’s connections.”
Xu Qian and Elder Li Mubai from the White Deer Academy? Perhaps Xu Xinnian pulled some strings and arranged a meeting. What about the Imperial Astronomers? How did a lowly constable gain an ally there?
‘Impossible!’ Magistrate Zhu was perplexed.
Xu Qian had been working in the county courts for more than a year. The young man was quiet and predictable, with an average relationship with his peers at work.
He was good at roughhousing but nothing else.
However, a perceptible change had taken over the young man. He became a charming, smart talker who got along well with the other constables.
Nevertheless, it did not explain his connections with the Confucian elders and the Imperial Astronomers.
Magistrate Zhu wondered, ‘If all this is true, Xu Ningyan is not your average constable. I should treat him better. I’ll get some answers from him in tomorrow’s roll call.’
Xu Lingyue’s animated eyes widened in disbelief.
Her mind connected the dots—it was the goodbye poem he composed for Xu Xinnian that gained him a favor with the Confucian elders.
What about the Imperial Astronomers? Xu Lingyue found her eldest brother to be more mysterious as the days passed.
…
Xu Qian walked with Song Qing along the corridor. The walls to his right had holes that allowed sunlight in.
There were no windows in the Observatory which was regretful as the vantage point would have offered a good view.
Soon, they arrived at a hidden chamber. Song Qing unlocked the room with a key and proceeded to light the candles within.
A variety of artifacts were displayed in the chamber. Xu Qian could make out some to be weapons while others befuddled him.
Xu Qian entered the room and examined the artifacts. Suddenly, he jumped back in horror.
“What is that?”
Within a large glass bottle was a weird-looking creature submerged in clear water. The creature resembled a cat but its skin was covered with hardened tree bark—in its center was a bulging callus.
The thing was alive as evidenced by the soft pulsating callus in its abdomen.
Song Qing explained, “This was originally a cat, I fused it with a tree to grant it the ability to regrow. It was almost a success. If you cut off its head, it will regrow in three days. The only weakness is its heart. Unfortunately, the cat had morphed into a tree. It can’t move or think and has to be kept in water.”
Xu Qian stared at the man and thought, ‘Are you the devil?’
“What do you think of it?” Song Qing asked tentatively. When he saw the frown on Xu Qian’s face, he was disappointed.
“You disagree with my methods too?”
Xu Qian schooled his expression and shook his head. “Such practices have occurred to me. I’ve pegged them as hybridization techniques, though I have to admit, your methods are a bit different from mine.”
‘Hybridization,’ Song Qing processed the term. His eyes lit up.
“I believe we should start from the small things. Hybridize creatures of the same species. For example, we can crossbreed two different types of cats and see the results,” Xu Qian said.
“What will that produce? A different animal?” Song Qing questioned.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’ll be a better breed or a worse breed. But alchemy is all about the unknown, wouldn’t you say so?”
Something in Xu Qian’s words agitated Song Qing. “You called it alchemy! Alchemy!”
Xu Qian was startled by the man’s outburst. “What do you mean?”
“In my opinion, alchemy touches upon even the living. Hence, I performed the transformations on this cat. However, my mentor disagrees. He said life does not fall under the jurisdiction of alchemy and so, he forbids any practice that involves a living creature.”
‘A master stroke by the Principal Imperial Astronomer.’ Xu Qian put on a look of concentration and said, “I think the matter is not black or white and only time can tell.”
After a moment, Xu Qian continued saying, “If you wish to go against the Principal Imperial Astronomer but avoid punishment, I can give you some advice.”
At that point, Song Qing already regarded Xu Qian as his accomplice. “Go on.”
“You can begin with plants, they are living matter but possess less vibrancy. I came across something in the ancient text that will suit your practice…”
Xu Qian trailed off.
The dramatic pause made Song Qing anxious. He glared at Xu Qian with his swollen, bloodshot eyes. “Come on, spill it.”
“Brother Song has quite a collection here. The first law…” Xu Qian said.
“I know, I know. I can give you three items. Based on your alchemy skills, I believe these gifts are befitting.” Song Qing was not against the law of equivalent exchange.
He believed it even.
“This crossbow is handmade by me. The transmutation process was highly difficult, making it impossible to mass-produce despite being stronger and more resistant than its iron counterpart. The crossbow string is a weave of silks procured from the Poisonous Six-Eyed Spider of the southern borderlands and the Rainbow Silkworm. A stealth shot can take down a Qi expert’s Qi protection but not a martial artist at maximum Qi state.
“But the most priceless aspect of this crossbow is its enchantment. The enchantment will only sustain three shots but it’ll greatly boost your attack, allowing you to damage even a divine-class expert.” Song Qing ended his detailed explanation.
Xu Qian stared at the crossbow. ‘Was this a magic weapon?’
Total Chapters in book: 730
Estimated words: 1208516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 6043(@200wpm)___ 4834(@250wpm)___ 4028(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 1208516 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 6043(@200wpm)___ 4834(@250wpm)___ 4028(@300wpm)
______