CHAPTER 290: CHAPTER 286 HEAVEN-REACHING BAMBOO

"From today onwards, you are promoted to White-clothed Chief Constable!"

Lord Zongzheng, in high spirits, broke the rules of the Three Judicial Departments.

After all, the minimum requirement to become a White-clothed Chief Constable is the Immortal Grade.

Although Qin Ke was almost perfect in the First Grade, not meeting the criteria meant not meeting them.

Even Qin Ke didn’t expect it, originally thinking he would have to wait a little longer.

Unexpectedly....

However, feeling both excited and somewhat worried, he asked, "This isn’t according to the rules, my lord!"

"Rules?!"

Zongzheng laughed.

"Such a clear yet foolish gaze coming from a small place!"

He couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.

It was good at the time, he liked it very much.

Only with someone like this could he be fully trusted to cultivate.

"Lord?"

Qin Ke called softly, what was the meaning of that smile?

Did he say something wrong?

Zongzheng restrained his smile and slowly spoke, "Rules need to be followed, but they’re meant for ordinary people, not for me or those above!"

"Do you understand what I’m saying?"

"Yes!"

Qin Ke nodded slightly, the idea of the strong being revered was simple enough for him to grasp.

"Then that’s fine, you don’t need to worry about anything else. I’ve promoted you to White-clothed, so you’re White-clothed, just like that!"

Zongzheng’s words were extremely domineering.

With his brother not around at the Three Judicial Departments, it was up to him to decide.

"Thank you, my lord, for your cultivation. I will definitely be loyal to you... loyal to the Three Judicial Departments!"

At this time, Qin Ke, proficient in social conventions, certainly knew he needed to express loyalty.

"Hehe, as long as you’re loyal, whatever you desire, I’ll give you!"

He was showing loyalty, so Zongzheng naturally had to offer promises.

Of course, it’s not just promises in vain.

As long as Qin Ke worked loyally, what he said was truth.

"By the way, take this, it’s a reward given to you by Lord Zong Peng personally!"

Zongzheng took out a small purple square box from his bosom and tossed it to Qin Ke.

Qin Ke immediately got up, received the box with both hands, and thanked, "Thank you, Lord Zong Peng, thank you, Lord Zongzheng!"

"Open and take a look!"

Zongzheng said with a smile.

Seeing this, Qin Ke carefully opened the box, revealing a black pill lying quietly in the center.

"Roar!"

Suddenly, the pill let out a roar.

Then a fierce aura erupted from the pill.

"My lord, this is....?"

Qin Ke sharply raised his head, looking at Zongzheng, his face changed.

"Hehe! How is it? This pill is fierce enough, right!"

Zongzheng didn’t tell him beforehand just to give him a surprise and also to see his shocked expression.

"This pill was refined from the blood of several Immortal Grade Demon Beasts along with rare materials, with this Red Blood Pill, you’ll break through to Immortal Grade in just a few days!"

"What? So powerful!"

Qin Ke was immediately shocked, his gaze fixed firmly on the black pill.

Given his current situation, under normal speed, it would take approximately over three more months.

But,

This pill could allow him to break through in just a few days.

"Of course!"

Zongzheng said proudly, back when their brothers were still of the Immortal Grade, they thought of refining the Red Blood Pill for rapid cultivation.

At that time, refining it almost emptied their brothers.

Not only Demon Beasts but also rare materials.

Altogether, it took a full three years.

And only managed to refine less than twenty pills.

But it was worth it!

After successfully refining the Red Blood Pill, their brothers’ cultivation speed advanced by leaps and bounds.

In a short time, they reached the Late-Stage Immortal Grade.

It was because of this that Zong Peng was later noticed by Elder Zhan.

Afterwards, the path of the two brothers rose steadily, sitting in the positions of Deputy Director and Director at Molan Mansion’s Three Judicial Departments.

Qin Ke was momentarily stunned, then carefully put the box into his bosom, and respectfully bowed, "Thank you for your cultivation, my lord!"

"Alright, there’s no need for polite words, just do your job well in the future."

Zongzheng waved his hand, then spoke again, "This time, quite a few Gold and White-clothed Chief Constables were exposed, these people are either Crane King’s or from other families, organize the list and hand it over to me!"

This time dealing with the Yang Family wasn’t solely targeting Crane King, part of it was to clean out these people.

"Yes, I will organize the list as soon as possible!"

Qin Ke immediately replied.

"Good!"

Zongzheng nodded, "Without these people, the Three Judicial Departments will truly belong to Great Yu in the future!"

"Haha!"

As he spoke, Zongzheng himself laughed, then looked at Qin Ke, "Speaking of which, we really have Crane King to thank this time, if he hadn’t sought his own death and coveted the Lower Realm’s original stone, we wouldn’t have such a good opportunity!"

"And of course, thanks to you! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have even known about this news."

The more he looked at Qin Ke, the more satisfied he felt, even feeling like Qin Ke was a lucky star for their brothers.

Having come to the Three Judicial Departments, in such a short time, helped avenge his brother and also cleaned the Three Judicial Departments.

"It’s what I should do!"

Qin Ke didn’t dare to claim credit, paused slightly, and tentatively asked, "My lord, what exactly is this original stone? I’ve never heard of it, and it’s so dangerous, could you please tell me about it?"

"Are you interested in this?"

Zongzheng looked at him somewhat unexpectedly, the smile on his face gradually fading.

"Ah... it’s not that I’m interested, just a little curious. I couldn’t find any records while at the Three Judicial Departments, so I just asked. If, sir, you think it’s inappropriate to speak about it, just pretend I never asked!"

Qin Ke, with a look of genuine fear, quickly explained.

"Hehe!"

A smile appeared once again on Zongzheng’s face, "Forget it, you don’t need to be so afraid. It’s normal to be curious, and it’s also normal that you don’t know. After all, your status is too low."

"Originally, you shouldn’t know these things. But, well... I’m in a good mood today, and you’ve made great contributions, so I’ll share just a little bit with you!"

Then,

Zongzheng briefly told him a bit about the original stone and cautioned him that it’s forbidden, and he mustn’t have any thoughts about it.

Otherwise... it’s death!

...

Sitting in the carriage, Qin Ke finally understood the use of the original stone.

The original stone contains the essence of a world, providing exceptional benefits for cultivation, unmatched by any treasure.

No wonder Crane King, even knowing the Great Yu’s prohibition, still chose to take the risk.

The reason is indeed too tempting.

Making it irresistible.

Of course, just now, the reason he bravely asked about the original stone was mostly to see if he could extract some information from Zongzheng’s mouth about the World Spirit.

Because he felt that when his master left the Yang Family, he seemed dissatisfied.

So he guessed in his heart that he hadn’t obtained the relevant information.

"Hehe, wonder how Master will reward me this time!"

A trace of pride appeared on Qin Ke’s face.

To be honest, he always held Chen Xuan’s affairs in his heart, to an extent even closer than family.

...

In the study.

"Master!"

After returning home, Qin Ke first headed to the study.

Chen Xuan’s brows furrowed slightly.

He currently didn’t want to see anyone, but...

After thinking a bit, he decided to see him anyway.

"Come in!"

With Chen Xuan’s permission, Qin Ke entered the room, but upon seeing Chen Xuan at that moment, he exclaimed, "Master... you!?"

Chen Xuan, his hair disheveled and complexion terribly gloomy.

Not only that, Qin Ke felt a deep sense of powerlessness emanating from him.

"It’s nothing!"

Chen Xuan’s voice was very weak.

"Did something serious happen?"

Qin Ke looked at him worriedly; from the time he met Chen Xuan, he had never seen him like this.

"Is there something?"

Chen Xuan urged him, feeling a profound inner struggle at the moment, lacking even the desire to speak.

Just wanting some peace and quiet.

"Your disciple learned some information about the World Spirit from Zongzheng."

However...

The expected scene didn’t unfold.

Chen Xuan’s expression showed no change, casually saying, "Refining the World Spirit, right?"

Hearing this, Qin Ke was slightly stunned.

"You already knew?"

"Yes, learned it from Yang Mingri."

This left Qin Ke more puzzled; knowing this, why is he still like this?

"Alright, you’ve troubled yourself, you should head back! If there’s anything, I will find you!"

Uh—

Qin Ke was truly confused now.

But instead of leaving immediately, he asked, "Is Master worried about not finding a passage to the Lower Realm?"

"If that’s the case, there’s still a solution; Great Yu Imperial City has a way!"

"Yes and no!"

Chen Xuan’s words left him even more baffled.

"The burden of killing is too heavy! I... cannot do it!"

Saying this, Chen Xuan strangely felt the weight on his heart slightly lift.

Qin Ke suddenly understood.

But his respect for him deepened further.

He also understood the reason for his Master’s demeanor.

His heart being too compassionate, viewing certain things as natural, yet inside, there was an insurmountable hurdle.

"Maybe this is the gap between Master and myself!"

Qin Ke deeply sighed in his heart.

"Since that’s so, isn’t there another way?"

"What?"

Chen Xuan instantly moved in front of him, grabbing his shoulders, eyes wide, urgently asking, "Is there another way?"

"Hiss....."

Qin Ke gritted his teeth, "It hurts, it hurts, Master!"

Chen Xuan truly forgot he was a master of the Profound Realm; Qin Ke was only at the first grade, how could he withstand his strength.

"Master’s mistake, got too excited and lost control!"

Seeing this, he quickly released his hands, yet asked again, "Really there’s another way to repair the World Spirit?"

"Yes, I dare not deceive you, sir!"

"This was personally told to me by Lord Zongzheng."

Now he realized, Chen Xuan only knew the method of refining the World Spirit, but not the alternative.

Fortunately, he mentioned it back then, otherwise... his Master might truly have fallen into despair.

"Say it quickly!"

Chen Xuan gave him a look, instantly returning to his usual self.

"Heaven-Reaching Bamboo!"