If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

The night was deep. Qin Shuang's stronghold was hidden in an old inkstone cave halfway up the mountain. The stone walls were damp, and the lights were dim. Zhou Yang paced back and forth, holding the newly acquired Danmu in his hands. Its outer shell was pale blue, and its surface was covered with fine lines like living vines.

He placed the elixir mother on the stone table, and a soft light emanated from within, flickering like a heartbeat. The points of light trembled slightly, as if swallowing the air. Zhou Yang frowned slightly, intuitively sensing that this thing was not simple. If it was not nurtured, it would surely backfire; if it was nurtured, it might bring benefits.

He pulled out a small knife from his sleeve, lightly sliced ​​the vein at his fingertip, and drops of bright red blood fell beside the Pill Mother. The blood met the light spot, and the Pill Mother instantly contracted, as if swallowing a breath. Then, a golden ripple spread outwards from the center of the Pill Mother.

Golden light caressed Zhou Yang's hand, warm and clear. His breathing became steady, and his chest vibrated slightly. That power flowed within him, like an old wound healing itself.

"It's recovered a little," Zhou Yang muttered to himself, a calculating glint in his eyes. He understood that this Pill Mother was a "Life Converter." It could transform foreign essence and blood into pure life-giving energy.

He put the mother into a dark red velvet box, lined with soft velvet to prevent scratches. Then he opened the bamboo slips he carried with him and wrote down the key points.

The document states: The Danmu is a living organism that requires regular blood supplies. Each blood supply replenishes its life essence. Approximately one-third of the consumed essence is recovered during each supply. If the blood supply is insufficient, it will self-corrode the host after three days.

Zhou Yang put the letter away and gently closed the box. The box felt heavy, as if it weighed on his chest. Just then, he heard light footsteps outside. Qin Shuang's personal guards were on patrol.

He quickly hid the box in a crack in the wall, then retreated into the shadows. The light flickered, and the shadows danced with it. Zhou Yang's eyes were fixed on the doorway, observing warily.

The door was gently pushed open, and Qin Shuang stepped in. Her eyes were as cold as ice, utterly calm. She glanced around, her gaze finally settling on the stone table.

"What's new?" Her voice was calm, yet sharp and interrogative.

Zhou Yang bowed slightly. "It's just an old item, it might not be worth much."

Qin Shuang raised an eyebrow slightly, but said nothing more, turned and left, leaving behind a faint chill.

Zhou Yang stood up and walked towards the crack in the wall. His fingertips lightly touched the box, feeling the subtle pulse inside. It was like a small star, steadily resting in his palm.

He took out the box and opened the hidden compartment in the wall. The compartment was empty, with dust floating lightly. He casually placed the small porcelain bottle inside and sealed it tightly. The blood swayed slightly inside, sparkling like tiny stars.

He then hid a piece of silk cloth on the other side of the secret compartment, wrapped it around the porcelain bottle to prevent it from shaking. This way, if he needed to feed it again, the blood source would be readily available.

Zhou Yang carefully put away the silk cloth and closed the hidden stone slab. The lamplight cast his long, thin shadow.

At this moment, memories flooded back. Thirty years ago, he had sacrificed thirty years of his lifespan to obtain the "Nine Forms of Crimson Sky." Back then, the pain was like being cut by a knife, and his flesh was almost shattered. Now, he only had this elixir left, which seemed capable of once again exchanging blood for life.

He calculated in his mind: one blood donation consumes about five years of lifespan and recovers three years. If he makes small donations every month, he can live for decades longer outside the lifespan system. As long as he doesn't let it go hungry, it won't backfire.

He wrote the calculation on the edge of the bamboo slip; the handwriting was messy, but it was enough to serve as a reminder.

Just as he finished writing, low footsteps echoed from the cave entrance. It wasn't the rhythm of guards; it sounded like light, quick footsteps. Zhou Yang frowned, his fingers clenching slightly into fists.

A dark figure swept past the entrance, moving with agility. The other person did not show their face, only soft breathing could be heard.

Zhou Yang remained calm and quietly summoned his dagger. The blade gleamed coldly in the dim lamplight.

"Trying to steal my things?" he asked in a low voice, almost inaudible.

The shadowy figure stopped and turned to reveal a face. It was the assassin who had fought him at the observatory, his eyes still retaining a hint of bloodlust.

The assassin sneered, "The Pill Mother is hard to come by. Do you think hiding it in a secret compartment will guarantee its safety?"

Zhou Yang did not answer, but pointed slightly at the velvet box where Danmu was located with the tip of his knife.

"I only want its power," the assassin continued, closing in step by step.

Zhou Yang nodded slightly and gently pushed the box to the deepest part of the hidden compartment. Then, he dripped the blood in his hand onto the surface of the pill mother.

The mother trembled again, and golden light shot into the sky in an instant. The light enveloped the assassin's body, and the assassin showed surprise before taking a step back.

The golden light transformed into a thin stream, flowing along the assassin's shoulders and back before disappearing into the night.

The assassin retreated in a disheveled state, leaving behind a low, mocking murmur: "Don't think I'll give up."

Zhou Yang withdrew his hand and examined the elixir mother. The light spot was still slightly moving, and there seemed to be fine lines wriggling inside.

He covered the box back with the silk cloth and made sure it was locked securely. Then, he walked towards the cave entrance. The night breeze carried the scent of pine, and the moonlight shone like water on the stone path.

He reached into his pocket and felt the warmth of the mother plant. The warmth wasn't glaring, but it felt like a faint pulse, reminding him that it was still alive.

Zhou Yang looked up at the starry sky, secretly calculating in his mind: how much lifespan is gained from each blood donation, how much energy is recovered, and how long it will take to use it again. He memorized this algorithm and laid out his strategy like a chess player.

The distant valley echoed with the howls of wolves, as if responding to his loneliness. The lingering heat of war still hung in the air.

He knew that the real test was yet to come.

He clenched his fist, feeling the power between his fingers. The light from Danmu flickered faintly in the dark pouch, as if responding to him in a low voice.

In the darkness, his figure mingled with the lights of the valley. The chess pieces were already laid out, waiting for him to make his move.

Inside the Forbidden City, all was deathly silent.

The door to the imperial study was tightly shut. Palace maids and eunuchs knelt outside, heads bowed low, even their breathing subdued. No one dared to raise their heads. It was colder here than anywhere else in the palace.

Suddenly, the sound of porcelain shattering came from inside.

Crisp, jarring.

The young eunuch kneeling on the outermost edge trembled and nearly fell to the ground. He steadied himself, his forehead covered in cold sweat.

The door opened. A man who looked like a steward strode out, his face pale. He carried a tray with a pile of broken celadon porcelain.

"His Majesty's decree," the chief eunuch's voice was low but trembling slightly, "is to thoroughly investigate the Imperial Father-in-Law's residence. Also, the Heavenly Principle Sect—investigate them thoroughly, leaving no stone unturned!"

"Leave no one alive."

He paused, then added one last sentence.

Those words struck everyone's hearts like shards of ice.

The steward had walked away, but the kneeling men remained rooted to the spot. They knew the world was about to change. That powerful father-in-law of the emperor was truly finished this time.

In the west of the city, there is a mansion with a lantern bearing the surname Lu hanging on it.

In the study, Lu Chenzhou was facing a map of the capital. A dozen or so places were circled in vermilion ink on the map. He looked at the circled marks, his fingers lightly tapping on the table.

A trusted aide pushed open the door and entered, looking excited.

"My lord, it's done!"

Lu Chenzhou raised his head, his face expressionless. "Speak."

"News has spread from the palace: His Majesty is furious and has ordered a thorough investigation into the case of collusion between the Imperial Father-in-Law's residence and the Heavenly Principle Sect. The Imperial Father-in-Law has been stripped of all his official titles and ranks and is under house arrest, awaiting further judgment."

The confidant caught his breath and continued, "His Majesty also ordered the nine gates of the capital to be sealed off and suspicious persons to be thoroughly investigated."

Lu Chenzhou nodded. All of this was within his expectations. Zhou Yang's use of the knife was truly brilliant. Not only did he eliminate Commander Chen, but he also managed to pry open the big obstacle—the Emperor's father-in-law.

"There's one more thing," the confidant leaned closer, "This morning at court, you submitted that memorial, and His Majesty approved it."

Lu Chenzhou stopped tapping his fingers on the table.

"A memorial to expand the Imperial Guard?"

"Yes. His Majesty has granted permission. He has also specially authorized the establishment of two additional Zhenfu Divisions within the Embroidered Uniform Guard to handle this case. The staffing and funding will all come from the confiscated property of the Imperial Father-in-law's residence."

The confidant's tone was full of excitement.

This was originally a risky move by Lu Chenzhou to seek personal gain amidst the chaos. Unexpectedly, the emperor agreed so readily.

This suggests that the emperor probably hated the Heavenly Principles Sect to the core.

"Okay." Lu Chenzhou only said one word.

He stood up and walked to the map. He picked up a pen, dipped it in vermilion, and added a few more strokes to the circled areas. The marks, like a net, slowly unfolded.

The wind is rising. He wants to be the one catching fish.

In the south of the capital, there is an abandoned mansion.

Black smoke billowed from the corner of the collapsed wall, carrying a burnt, bloody smell.

The Blackwater Dharma King sat cross-legged under a withered tree in the backyard. His black robe was tattered, and there was a hole the size of a bowl in his chest. The edges were charred black, and black blood was still seeping out.

That night, he made his move from the Imperial Father-in-Law's residence and took Danmu away. But the guards of the Imperial Father-in-Law's residence fought back desperately, and the power that an old man unleashed before his death severely damaged his very essence.

He tried to circulate his internal energy to heal his injuries, but instead felt a sharp, needle-like pain in his dantian.

Another mouthful of blood welled up inside him. He forced it down, a metallic taste filling his throat.

A dark figure appeared silently behind him and knelt on one knee.

"The Dharma King."

"Speak," the Blackwater Dharma King's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper being rubbed.

"The Imperial Father-in-Law's residence... has been sealed off by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. The Imperial Father-in-Law himself has been placed under house arrest."

The Blackwater Dharma King sneered, aggravating his chest wound and causing another sharp pain. He clutched his chest, panting, and said, "Just a useless pawn. While he was alive, he was still useful to the sect. Now, he's better off dead."

"Danmu..." the shadowy figure asked hesitantly.

"It's here with me." The Blackwater Dharma King patted a wooden box beside him, his eyes cold. "But this time, we've gotten ourselves into real trouble."

"Is it Zhou Yang?"

"It's him." The Blackwater Dharma King closed his eyes, the image of the young man's crazed gaze flashing through his mind. "He's not a pawn. He's the one who overturns the table. He uses a life-burning technique. Mad, reckless."

He opened his eyes, looked at his kneeling subordinate, and spoke, word by word.

"Send word back. From today onward, all the highest-level bounties in the sect will be placed on Zhou Yang. He must be killed at any cost."

"He is already our number one mortal enemy."

The shadowy figure shuddered, responded in a low voice, and then disappeared into the shadows.

The Blackwater Dharma King leaned against the tree trunk and let out a weary breath. He opened the wooden box and looked inside at the pulsating, heart-shaped cinnabar.

This is a treasure of the religion. But right now, he only wants to use it to recover from his injuries as quickly as possible.

Zhou Yang...

He pondered the name, his eyes filled with apprehension.

Meanwhile, in one of Qin Shuang's secret residences.

The aroma of medicine mingled with a faint smell of blood, lingering in the air.

Zhou Yang lay on the bed, his chest wound already bandaged. His face was still a little pale, but his eyes were bright.

Qin Shuang pushed open the door and came in, carrying a bowl of medicinal soup. She had changed out of her fierce flying fish robe and put on a plain long robe, which made her look less cold and more gentle.

She placed the medicine bowl on the bedside table without saying a word.

Zhou Yang propped himself up to sit up, picked up the bowl, and drank it all in one gulp. The medicine was very bitter, but he didn't even flinch.

"Any news?" he asked.

"Yes." Qin Shuang pulled out a chair and sat down. "Lu Chenzhou petitioned to expand the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Emperor approved it. The palace intelligence says that the Emperor's father-in-law has been dismissed from his post and placed under house arrest, and his family property has been confiscated. As for the Heavenly Principle Sect... the Blackwater Dharma King is seriously injured, and he has taken back Danmu, but she is now hiding and not coming out."

Zhou Yang nodded. All of this was within his calculations.

"As expected," he said. "Lu Chenzhou is a smart man; he knows how to use his connections to climb the ladder. The emperor also needs a knife, a knife that isn't afraid of getting dirty."

He looked at Qin Shuang and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Now, my name is probably being talked about all over the capital."

Qin Shuang looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Yes. Not just in the capital. Your name has already reached the highest levels of society."

"From a lowly captain in the Embroidered Uniform Guard to the number one enemy of the Heavenly Principle Sect, and a thorn in the Emperor's side, you only took a month."

It was impossible to tell whether her tone was one of approval or something else.

Zhou Yang smiled but didn't reply.

He threw back the covers and got out of bed. He moved his limbs, his bones making a series of soft cracking sounds. Although the injuries were severe, his constitution was still intact. The strength gained from burning his lifespan allowed him to recover quickly.

He walked to the window and opened it.

Outside was a small courtyard with several bamboo trees. The wind blew, and the bamboo leaves rustled.

"The wind howls and the cranes cry," he said softly.

He knew that the days to come would be more dangerous than before. He had become the center of the storm. The Heavenly Principle Sect wanted him dead, and those in the court he had offended also wanted him dead.

But he didn't panic.

The more chaotic things are, the more opportunities there are.

He turned around and took the elixir from his robes. It was slightly warm in his palm, like a living thing.

This is his chip for the next card.

He walked to his desk, picked up a black chess piece, and placed it on the center point of the chessboard.

Then, he looked at Qin Shuang.

"Miss Qin," he began, "your knife is sharper now. However, sharpening a knife is quite expensive."

Qin Shuang looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. There was helplessness, admiration, and a hint of indulgence that she herself was unaware of.

"Tell me, how much do you want this time?"

Zhou Yang smiled. He held up one finger.

Qin Shuang: "One hundred taels of gold?"

Zhou Yang shook his head.

"One thousand taels?"

Zhou Yang shook his head again.

Qin Shuang's brows furrowed slightly.

Zhou Yang looked at her and slowly said, "I want all the information you have about the Dragon Spine Fragment."

The air fell silent instantly.

Qin Shuang's expression changed for the first time.