Chapter 99: The Fusion of Cultivation Techniques

At the Censorate.

After Emperor Luo Xi departed, Bai Qiulian left to take a carriage home, and Hu Chengfu, Minister of Justice, also exited the Censorate.

Bai Anning, an Imperial Censor, was still organizing the day's interrogation records, while Registrar Li Junjun meticulously compiled the notes into a dossier.

“Registrar Li, today's interrogation is of utmost importance. You must organize everything carefully and maintain strict confidentiality. No outsiders are to learn of this,” Bai Anning warned.

As a seasoned official, Bai Anning understood that the case involving Shui Han was far-reaching. If it leaked, it would cause a citywide uproar.

Li Junjun replied, “I understand, sir.”

Observing Li Junjun’s submissive demeanor, Bai Anning sighed inwardly. No man willingly accepts humiliation. Though Li Junjun was taciturn, he must be suffering deeply inside.

Bai Anning wanted to offer some comfort but ultimately held his tongue. Bai Qiulian was the Minister of War, and the adulterer was General Jing Tianlie—he dared not say more.

After Bai Anning left, Li Junjun finished organizing the interrogation documents and quietly exited the Censorate on foot. He neither rode a horse nor took a carriage, preferring to walk to and from work.

Outside the Censorate, a carriage suddenly blocked his path. Without looking up, Li Junjun instinctively tried to detour but was stopped by a woman who immediately launched into a tirade.

“You spineless bastard! Can’t even control your own wife and come out stealing other men? Are you good for nothing but pissing? What else can you do?”

“I’m telling you, if you can’t manage her, I will!”

Dazed by the verbal assault, Li Junjun looked up to see none other than Sun Hongyan, wife of Jing Tianlie.

Rumors had long swirled around the court and capital that Bai Qiulian and General Jing Tianlie were involved in an illicit affair. Sun Hongyan had endured it silently, but this time, seeing Bai Qiulian leave the Censorate, she hesitated to confront her. Now, with Li Junjun appearing, she vented her anger on him instead.

It was the time when the six ministries were dismissing, and many officials gathered, drawn by the commotion.

“Isn't this General Jing’s wife, Madam Sun? Why is she cursing here?”

“Indeed, the esteemed general’s wife acting like a shrew. Quite unbecoming.”

“Didn’t you hear? Registrar Li’s wife is having an affair with the general, and Madam Sun has come to confront them.”

“Whose wife is Registrar Li’s again?”

“The Minister of War’s.”

“Impossible! Minister Bai and the general involved?”

More and more onlookers gathered as Sun Hongyan continued to hurl insults.

“You spineless coward! Your wife’s out there cheating, and you just hide like a turtle! Aren’t you ashamed?”

“If your filthy woman dares this again, I’ll break your legs and castrate you into a eunuch!”

“Hmph! Eunuchs are quite favored nowadays. Maybe getting castrated will even get you a ministerial post!”

Sun Hongyan’s hatred extended not only to Bai Qiulian but also to Long Chen, whom she cursed alongside them.

Li Junjun’s face turned pale as the insults struck his last defenses. Surrounded by colleagues, the public humiliation overwhelmed him until, finally, he snapped.

“Sun Hongyan! Whether I’m castrated or not is none of your business! If I can’t control my wife, can you control a man?”

“Bai Qiulian has no shame, but does your Jing Tianlie have any? Seducing another man’s wife and still calling himself a general!”

“You’re all spineless bastards, damned sons of bitches! What general? Just a tyrant!”

“What am I afraid of? I’m already a turtle; what else can you do to me?”

“Bitch! Mind your own soldier!”

Suddenly erupting, Li Junjun’s eyes were bloodshot, teeth clenched audibly, bleeding gums mixing with spit staining his beard. His hat fell, hair disheveled, appearing utterly mad.

Sun Hongyan and the crowd were stunned by this sudden outburst from the normally meek registrar. No one expected him to dare insult General Jing in public.

“You dare insult the general? You’re rebelling!”

Sun Hongyan trembled with rage.

But Li Junjun only grew louder, pointing at her.

“What general? A rebel! Threatening the princess into marriage! Seducing married men! Embezzling seven million silver from the Treasury! Raising private troops! A traitor!”

The crowd swelled as more officials and citizens gathered. Fearful, Sun Hongyan’s attendant tugged her sleeve.

“Madam, let’s go.”

Realizing the situation was spiraling out of control, Sun Hongyan stormed back into her carriage. The coachman cleared a path and drove toward the General’s mansion.

With Sun Hongyan gone, Li Junjun remained, shouting to the crowd.

“I am the turtle! My wife is Minister Bai Qiulian, and she and General Jing Tianlie are adulterers!”

Fearing trouble, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Li Junjun muttered curses all the way home.

...

Long Chen returned to Qiuxing Hall, where Xiang Ning was preparing lunch.

After eating, Long Chen closed the door to practice cultivation.

In this world, strength rules; improving one’s martial prowess is paramount.

He silently and carefully circulated the “Hundred Birds Facing Phoenix” technique. The martial energy concentrated at his life gate; his dantian felt empty as energy flowed along the Ren and Du meridians, gathering at the dantian before focusing again at the life gate.

This practice was unique.

Suddenly, an audacious thought struck him: since “Hundred Birds Facing Phoenix” and the “Yin Cultivation Method” seemed to share similarities, what if he practiced both simultaneously?

He then activated the “Yin Cultivation Method,” accelerating the flow of energy through his meridians like rushing water.

Pain—excruciating, piercing pain—coursed through his muscles and sinews as if they were tearing apart.

Gritting his teeth, Long Chen endured.

Though agonizing, it was clearly effective.

Time passed; the pain numbed into a state of transcendence. His consciousness faded, leaving only a faint awareness.

...

Xuan Yi and Qing Yue arrived at the door, finding Zhang Qian guarding outside.

“Why not go in?”

“He’s cultivating inside.”

Qing Yue peered through the crack, smiling. “Meditating? I thought he’d be practicing finger techniques again.”

Xuan Yi teased, “You only think about fingers.”

Inside, Long Chen slowly opened his eyes, calming the martial energy within.

Opening the door, Xuan Yi entered with a bright smile. “Lord Long, have your skills improved again?”

Zhang Qian approached, noticing the sweat soaking Long Chen’s collar. “Why so much sweat? Go wash up.”

Qing Yue laughed, “Yes, the princess said she’s in a bad mood and wants to take a bath. Let’s go together.”

Xuan Yi fetched clothes and pulled Long Chen toward the bathhouse.

Qiuxing Hall and the Western Palace were separated by just a wall, only a few steps apart.

Entering the bathhouse, Emperor Luo Xi was already soaking.

“Hurry over! Their massage technique is awful,” she urged anxiously upon seeing Long Chen.

Xuan Yi and Qing Yue swiftly removed Long Chen’s clothes, gathering around him in the bath.

“Princess, what did you say earlier?”

Long Chen sat in the middle, Emperor Luo Xi before him, Xuan Yi and Qing Yue behind, and Zhang Qian facing the princess.

The five bathed together, and Long Chen savored the joy fourfold.

“It’s exactly as we agreed,” Emperor Luo Xi murmured, leaning into Long Chen’s embrace with eyes closed.

She felt the most comfortable moment of the day was lying in Long Chen’s arms, soaking in the warm water.

They had already planned their statements for the Censorate interrogation. Earlier, everything had proceeded according to their arrangement.