Midnight.
The Shangguan estate remained brightly lit.
Besides the moonlight streaming in, there were lanterns hanging from the eaves, the patrol maid’s handheld lamps, and specially made candles lighting the Book Room.
Shangguan Ce stood outside the Book Room door, noticing the shadow lingering on the gauze window.
He swallowed hard; despite having mentally prepared himself four or five times, he finally raised his hand and knocked on the door.
“Master, are you looking for me?”
“Come in—”
No one stepped forward, but the door opened.
The shadow on the wall was now replaced by the solid silhouette of a burly figure.
After a moment’s hesitation, Shangguan Ce stepped inside.
“Ce’er, I remember you should be close to reaching the Second Transformation stage in your cultivation, right?”
Shangguan Hongzhi still had his back to him, the sound of turning pages accompanying his words.
“By the way, the first star you connected with… which Heaven’s tier was it from?”
“Master, the first star I communicated with was from the Third Heaven. It strengthens my arm strength,”
Shangguan Ce paused briefly, patting his chest confidently,
“But as you said, I’m close to breaking through to the Second Transformation. When that happens, I will surely be able to connect with stars from the Fourth, or even… the Fifth Heaven!”
“Oh?”
At these words, Shangguan Hongzhi’s lips curled slightly.
He closed the book and turned to look at the inexplicably excited youth, raising an eyebrow.
“That kind of determination is a good thing. It’s not in vain that I’ve personally taught you all these years.”
He set down the book, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced to Shangguan Ce’s side, raising his hand to pat his shoulder.
“I remember when Third Brother was alive, he said you would accomplish something great. It seems he was right. What do you think?”
“Third Brother… doesn’t that mean… Father?”
Shangguan Ce’s body trembled uncontrollably.
The person just mentioned was his late father, the close relative who had died before seeing him truly embark on the cultivation path.
“Master… did Father really say that?”
“Heh, I’m not going to lie to you, a junior. Although you’re the child of my unfilial younger brother and a maid, you’re still his only bloodline,”
Shangguan Hongzhi slightly bowed and whispered in his ear,
“So, I’ve always treated you as my own.”
“Th-thank you, Master, for your favor!”
“Hahaha, no need for such formality. In the future, I’m counting on you to assist Qiu well—after all, you’re her brother.”
Though Shangguan Hongzhi spoke politely, he made no move to help the person kneeling before him.
“Master, you didn’t call me here just for this small talk, right? Today, Miss Qiu suddenly fainted, so I assume…”
Shangguan Ce paused slightly, lowered his head, and carefully lowered his voice to ask,
“You must have something you want me to do?”
At his words, the already faint sounds in the Book Room instantly ceased.
Only the chirping of insects outside and the rustle of the Master’s robes could be heard.
Under the immense pressure, Shangguan Ce felt his legs tremble, his throat rolling, but no sound came out.
“Smack—”
A heavy palm landed on his shoulder, causing him to instinctively close his eyes.
“Hahaha! Sure enough, you’re Third Brother’s seed—smart kid, just the kind I like! Hahaha!”
Huh?
The sudden outburst of laughter, the inexplicable praise, even the bending down to help him up—it all made Shangguan Ce feel as if in a dream.
He was dazed for a few moments before finally stammering out,
“Please, Master, enlighten me! I will give my all and not disappoint your expectations!”
Hearing this, Shangguan Hongzhi turned toward the door.
A gleam of starlight passed through his eyes as he took in the entire Shangguan estate.
He nodded in satisfaction and spoke softly.
“Actually… it’s not a particularly difficult task. I just want to ask if Yun Mu has any close childhood boys and girls.”
“Yun Mu?”
Shangguan Ce repeated the name, his heart suddenly tightening, a surge of murderous intent rushing forth—but he quickly suppressed his thoughts.
“As far as I know, the family servants have one day off per month to go out and buy personal items, but their outings are limited within the capital city.”
He frowned slightly, thinking before continuing,
“I remember Yun Mu has no salary, but he also goes out—seems like he goes to the far west of the capital to read some books. Though… I’m not sure of the exact place.”
“Oh? And this has something to do with the childhood boys and girls you mentioned?”
“Master, you may not know, but previously Miss Qiu, um…”
“But go ahead.”
With permission, Shangguan Ce hesitated then spoke.
“Just last month, Miss Qiu suddenly had the urge to follow Yun Mu secretly. She said she was worried he might have a lover outside. I was concerned for her safety, so after finishing my tasks, I followed them. Although halfway through I ran into the returning Miss and didn’t see the place, I overheard what she said”
“What is it? Turns out it was just a pair of Dragon and Phoenix Twins and a bunch of old books. If they like reading, let them.”
Shangguan Hongzhi imitated Shangguan Qiu’s coquettish yet adorable tone and then explained solemnly,
“So I dare say, there must be childhood boys and girls close to Yun Mu there.”
Hearing Shangguan Ce’s certainty, Shangguan Hongzhi nodded slightly, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
He suddenly turned, grabbed the youth’s arms, his voice carrying an undeniable authority.
“I remember… tomorrow is the monthly day off, right? In that case, I order you to secretly follow Yun Mu, find that pair of Dragon and Phoenix Twins, and bring them to me.”
He paused and added,
“If it’s inconvenient, kill them. But you must get their heart’s blood. Understand?”
Having said this, he took two crystal-clear bottles carved with intricate patterns from his chest and handed them to Shangguan Ce.
“Use these to contain it.”
“These are… Xuanji Bottles!?”
Shangguan Ce’s eyes widened.
Immediately realizing the gravity of the matter, he carefully stored the two bottles and bowed,
“I will not disappoint Master’s expectations!”
“All right, get some rest. Remember to return before the hour of the Dog tomorrow.”
“As you command!”
After another bow, Shangguan Ce quickly left the Book Room.
At this moment, only one thought filled his mind: to go to the Stables as planned and confirm whether Yun Mu had returned.
Otherwise, without knowing where the childhood boys and girls were, how could he complete this mission?
Under the moonlight, Shangguan Ce’s figure flashed like lightning as he passed through layers of courtyards, finally stopping tens of yards away from the main residence in front of the Stables.
What greeted him was muddy ground and puddles reflecting the moonlight, the pungent smell immediately causing him to pinch his nose and frown.
“Tch… so filthy.”
He cursed softly, suppressing his nausea as he stepped inside.
On a pile of hay under the shed, a familiar figure in tattered clothes curled up, fast asleep.
“Sleeping so soundly?”
Seeing the faint peaceful curve on the boy’s lips, Shangguan Ce’s expression instantly darkened.
A mixture of anger and intense disgust churned within his chest, his almost boiling murderous intent ready to erupt.
Damn little bastard.
I’ve been on edge all this time because of you, and yet you’re sleeping so well.
Damn it…
Thinking this, he clenched his fist, whipping up a gust of wind and striking out hard—but stopped just an inch from the boy’s cheek.
Shangguan Ce took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the violence, standing upright.
Yet, he couldn’t help but disdainfully spit on the boy’s sleeping profile.
“You’re lucky. After this is over, I’ll treat you properly… no, once I capture the childhood boys and girls from the Book Hut tomorrow, I’ll gouge out their heart’s blood right in front of you, so you can experience what it means to be unable to live or die.”
With that, he spat again fiercely and then quickly left the place.
Under the moonlight,
Yun Mu shifted slightly, half-awake, raising a hand to wipe the drool from his cheek.
A faint snore rose before he sank back into dreamland.
***
Book Room.
Shangguan Hongzhi still stood at the door.
Two masked figures blended into the night, kneeling on one knee before him, awaiting orders.
“Issue orders to investigate all of Yun Mu’s movements over the past six months. Anyone close to him, childhood boys and girls—whoever can be reached, not one missed, capture them all. As for the Dragon and Phoenix Twins out west…”
He paused,
“Do not act rashly. Wait for my command.”
“Yes, Master!”
With those words, the wind stirred, and the two shadows vanished like smoke, leaving the Master standing alone in the midnight air, gazing up at the moon.
“Tonight’s moonlight, clear frost shining—though not full… it’s quite… good, good…”