Chapter Ten: Min Ning’s Bad Habit

[New cultivation technique acquired: Bronze Bone Technique.]

Having received the manual from Li Baihu, Chen Yi immediately infused it with two decades’ worth of true qi.

[You have newly acquired the Bronze Bone Technique and may begin cultivation immediately.]

[For the next three years, your training will focus primarily on striking the skin membranes and strengthening the muscles and bones. Both are hard techniques that require enduring wind and rain, honed by relentless day and night practice.]

[After five years, your persistent efforts will yield initial results.]

[Ten years have passed, and not only have you refined your skin membranes and muscles, but you have also reached the stages of organ strengthening and marrow cleansing. However, this manual is only of moderate quality and cannot advance beyond this point. Your Bronze Bone Technique is now fully developed; even if your clothes are tattered, your body is like iron armor, your skin as tough as bronze and iron, impervious to ordinary weapons.]

[Bronze Bone Technique (Advanced Mastery)]

[Remaining true qi: forty years.]

“It seems this is the limit of the Bronze Bone Technique,” Chen Yi mused.

He held no high expectations for this technique. As an early-stage defensive skill that was relatively easy to obtain, its rank was naturally not very high—merely a mid-grade cultivation method.

Yet, despite that, the practicality of this technique was tremendous.

In combat against ordinary warriors, as long as one’s vulnerable spots like the neck remain unscathed, a body armored in bronze skin and iron bones could even shatter the opponent’s blades if wielded properly.

Now then...

Chen Yi turned around and glanced at the sundial in the Western Depot’s training ground. The time was around the sixth hour—approximately nine in the morning.

“By my calculations, Min Ning should have about half an hour before she goes to visit her sister.”

As a second-run player, Chen Yi had extensively studied the movements of many characters, especially the heroines.

He had dedicated much time to observing and analyzing their patterns within the game.

This knowledge came in handy now.

“Well then... before she arrives, I should head to see Min Ming first.”

……

The Hundred Flowers Pavilion stood in the northern part of Dayu’s capital city. Connected to other districts by waterways and lakes, it was known for its taverns, teahouses, and pleasure quarters. During the Lantern Festival, decorated boats would fill the river, creating a scene of endless song and dance.

However, it was late autumn and early morning now, so the streets were not very crowded.

Dressed in official robes, Chen Yi entered the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. An experienced madam immediately recognized him and approached, asking,

“Chen Baihu, are you here to listen to music? But it’s broad daylight now—few girls are even out of bed.”

Chen Yi asked with a meaningful smile,

“Miss Min is awake, isn’t she?”

The madam failed to catch the implication. After a moment’s thought, she nodded slightly.

“Very well, I will inform Miss Min. Please wait in the hall.”

Seated in the hall, tea was promptly served by a servant, but Chen Yi did not drink. Instead, he recalled Min Ming and the power behind her.

The Hundred Flowers Pavilion was established by Li Jisheng, a wealthy silk merchant from the south. To dominate the region, he naturally had collusion with officials. Several high-ranking officers from the Bureau of Weaving were under his influence.

Li Jisheng kept a low profile in the capital—no grand displays, seldom riding in sedan chairs or carriages, rarely personally overseeing his enterprises. On the surface, he seemed indifferent, but in truth, he was quietly operating a vast intelligence network within the city on behalf of a certain organization.

Chen Yi knew this organization well—it was called the “Do Not Use Tower,” a name derived from the phrase “Concealed Dragon, Do Not Use.” Many arrangements in the capital were deeply connected to this group.

Min Ming was a trusted agent of the Do Not Use Tower placed within the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

……

Before long, the madam hurried down the stairs with a flustered expression.

“Chen Baihu, Miss Min was drunk last night and is unwell this morning. She’s unable to get out of bed. To avoid spoiling your enjoyment, I think…”

Chen Yi sneered coldly.

“She doesn’t want to see me?”

The madam’s face paled slightly, surprised by Chen Yi’s bluntness.

“Then please deliver a message to her.”

“What message?” the madam asked.

Chen Yi replied,

“Miss Min, I’m sure you don’t want Min Ning to resign and return to the countryside, do you?”

……

Ascending the polished wooden stairs, Chen Yi arrived at a side chamber on the second floor as he wished.

The woman inside wore a blue dress, seated gracefully with a jade zither in her lap. Her slender hands rested lightly on the strings, her chest pressing gently against her garment, lending her an alluring charm.

“Miss Min, you’ve finally agreed to see me?”

Chen Yi casually settled into a cross-legged position, his gaze fixed on a certain spot.

[Negative emotion: 60]

After a day or two, her mood had calmed somewhat.

“Lord Baihu… what is your purpose?” Min Ming’s voice was cold, her eyes like autumn waters, shifting with uncertainty.

“Why trouble a weak woman with no one to rely on?” she added.

After their last encounter, she never wished to see this man again. Not only had he used some secret technique to steal all her true qi, but he had also shamelessly humiliated her, trampling on the pride she took in her appearance. And now, he was threatening her with Min Ning to force a meeting. The thought unsettled her deeply.

“You were not drunk after all, Miss Min.

In this brothel, anyone might be drunk, but only you would never be.”

Chen Yi smiled.

Min Ming gathered her scattered thoughts and asked,

“Lord Baihu, what do you wish to say?”

Chen Yi uttered three words:

“Do Not Use Tower.”

Min Ming froze, her fingers stiffened on the zither strings, her chest rising and falling uncontrollably.

“You are…”

Before she could finish, Chen Yi smiled.

“Don’t ask how I know.

The Western Depot always uncovers things others wish to keep secret.”

Min Ming’s expression darkened. She clenched the strings, her mind restless.

……

A flicker of killing intent flashed in her eyes. As an asset of the Do Not Use Tower, the Hundred Flowers Pavilion housed more than one spy and more than one expert. If she cried out, no matter how skilled this Western Depot’s Baihu was, he would be overwhelmed by four hands against two fists.

Suddenly, she heard some noise outside.

“Captain Min, your sister is still receiving guests, don’t go up!”

Upon hearing the madam’s voice, Min Ming’s pupils contracted, and the murderous gleam vanished instantly.

Chen Yi heard it too.

More than that, he knew...

Min Ning had a bad habit.

“Lord Baihu, you surely do not come empty-handed this time?” Min Ming whispered.

Chen Yi did not answer directly but recounted seemingly trivial details:

“Min Ning, styled Yuanchi, succeeded her stepfather’s position. At fifteen, she entered the Embroidered Uniform Guard, later transferred to the Eastern Depot. After five years of toil, she rose from a mere soldier to the rank of captain.

She is chivalrous and just, but because of that, she suffers harassment from the officers of the two depots. Yet, her integrity remains untarnished, which is why she stands firm.

The only pity is she has a sister who is a spy.”

The more Chen Yi spoke, the more flustered Min Ming became. She maintained a calm facade, but her fingers gripped the strings so tightly they blanched.

“Tell me, if the Eastern Depot finds out, will Captain Min still be able to remain in the two depots and the guard?”

Chen Yi asked earnestly.

Min Ming shuddered.

She knew well the nature of the Eastern Depot.

“What... do you really want?” she squeezed out, her voice trembling.

“If you have no interest in me, then what is it you seek?”

Chen Yi’s tone was gentle, a warm smile on his face.

“Miss Min,

would you be willing to become a maid in my household?”

Snap.

The zither string snapped under her grip.

Outside the door, Chen Yi faintly heard the cracking sound of knuckles tightening.

He shook his head with a wry smile.

Ah, Min Ning, Min Ning...

Your bad habit

is that you like to eavesdrop and easily become unsettled.