Fairy, please don't do this!

Naturally, this was to seize the initiative in this life, avoid repeating the mistakes of the previous life, and allow Lin Qingci to get there first.

But how could he possibly know about this?

Seeing that she was speechless, Gu Jinzhao did not press her for details. Instead, he took out a small, exquisite brocade box from the Earthly Branch Mirror and handed it to her.

"I went to Jiangnan Prefecture a few days ago and specially picked out a lip gloss for you."

He opened the brocade box, revealing the creamy texture inside, its color as light as moonlight frost: "This is 'Cold Moon Frost' among the five-colored lip rouges. Its color is extremely light, and its scent is delicate."

"After applying it, it looks like a white plum blossom in the snow, which perfectly matches Sister Yi's temperament."

Mu Yiren took it, glanced at it, and then leaned closer to take a gentle sniff. Sure enough, it was just as he had said.

She looked up at him, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curled up slightly: "Why did you suddenly give me lip rouge?"

Gu Jinzhao smiled and said, "I just think that Sister Yiren would look very beautiful with this lip gloss on!"

Hearing this, Mu Yiren felt a sweet warmth in her heart and pursed her lips: "You can only give it to me."

Gu Jinzhao shook his head: "That won't do."

Mu Yiren raised an eyebrow, the tenderness that had just surfaced in her eyes suddenly freezing, a hint of annoyance flickering within: "You still want to give it to another woman?"

Gu Jinzhao nodded, his expression calm: "I bought some for Aunt Ruo as well. I'll bring them to her when I return to Qingzhou in a while."

He had actually wanted to go back for a while, but he was tied up with official duties and matters concerning his uncle, so he kept putting it off.

I haven't seen Aunt Ruo for several months now, and I miss her terribly.

“Aunt Ruo had been writing to me before, and every word she wrote was full of concern for you.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Yiren's slight annoyance vanished instantly.

For Gu Jinzhao, Si Ruoyu was practically a mother to him.

Giving your mother a gift is a matter of course.

The image of that gentle and beautiful woman appeared in Gu Jinzhao's mind, and the longing in his heart could no longer be suppressed: "I will set off in the next two days."

"And then?" Mu Yiren looked at him. "Will you return to Yujing in a few days?"

"Such a hurried visit must make Aunt Ruo feel even worse."

After a moment of silence, Gu Jinzhao finally made a decision: "I want to bring Aunt Ruo over."

Without Aunt Ruo around, there is always an indescribable loneliness, as if I have no home.

Mu Yiren was slightly taken aback, then asked, "What about Baicaotang?"

"Let's move in together."

Gu Jinzhao has now established a firm foothold in Yujing City and no longer needs to be as cautious as before.

Moreover, Aunt Ruo is the current Moon Goddess of the Heavenly Sect, and according to seniority, she is Tantai Xuanji's senior sister.

With this relationship in place, Tantai Xuanji will take care of her regardless of whether she rejoins the Imperial Observatory.

Mu Yiren seemed to have thought of something, her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, and she asked meaningfully, "What about Lin Qingci?"

Gu Jinzhao coughed lightly: "As for what Junior Sister wants, it depends on her own wishes."

Given Lin Qingci's phenomenal cultivation speed, it will probably not be long before she applies to the sect to be transferred to the Demon Suppression Division.

Mu Yiren did not press the matter of Lin Qingci further, but simply asked, "If Lin Qingci also comes to Zhongzhou, won't the sect think that you have sided with the imperial court?"

Gu Jinzhao said with a confident expression, "I have already explained the reasons to the sect, and they will believe me."

"Moreover, now that the Zen realm is about to be established, how can we, as disciples of the Daoist sect, sit idly by and do nothing?"

Neither the Dao Realm nor the entire Daoist faction wanted to see the Zen Realm become the state religion of the Cangyue Dynasty again.

If this is true, the Taoist landscape will be completely reshuffled not only in Zhongzhou, but also in the other four states.

When the cultivation resources are redistributed, the Zen Realm will definitely take the lion's share, and the remaining scraps will be the ones they fight over.

"Was the Zhao family's affair something you did on purpose?"

Mu Yiren raised her eyes and asked.

After joining the Demon Suppression Division, she had heard about Gu Jinzhao's actions over the past few days.

On the day he was on duty, he killed his superior, Zhao Jinbei, with his sword.

Gu Jinchao did this mostly because of her.

After all, she and the Zhao family were already sworn enemies.

Gu Jinzhao nodded slightly: "Although the Zhao family cannot compare to the four major clans, they should not be underestimated."

"Especially that ancestor Zhao Qing, if he really reaches the second rank, it will be much more difficult for Sister Yiren to take revenge."

"In that case, we naturally cannot let him have his way."

His tone was calm, yet it carried a chilling undertone: "So after I entered the Imperial Guard, I used the Empress Dowager's influence to eliminate all the high-ranking members of the Zhao family, effectively severing the Zhao family's right arm."

"The next step is to sever his left arm."

Mu Yiren's eyes flashed: "You want to target Zhao's Pill Shop?"

The Zhao family was able to establish itself in Yujing City thanks to elixirs.

Its Dan Pavilions were not only spread throughout Yujing, but also had branch pavilions in the other four states, making its influence deeply entrenched.

Mu Yiren frowned slightly: "But the reason why Zhao's Alchemy Sect has stood firm is because its predecessor was the Jade Spirit Sect, which was skilled in alchemy."

"From alchemists to formulas and materials, it has long been a complete system."

"It won't be that easy to bring it down."

Gu Jinzhao shook his head: "Finding a starting point is enough."

"What's the entry point?"

"Recently, haven't there been several cases of demons killing people in Yujing City?"

Mu Yiren's expression hardened: "I have just read the file."

“Those monsters are extremely violent and bloodthirsty, killing anyone they see, completely out of control, unlike the demons in the Demon Court.”

Gu Jinzhao's eyes were deep and unfathomable as he spoke slowly and deliberately: "Because they are not demons at all, but humans."

Meeting Mu Yiren's surprised gaze, he slowly revealed the inside story: "The reason I transformed into a demon is because I consumed the [Longevity Pill] from the Zhao family's alchemy shop."

As the name suggests, Fushou Dan (福寿丹) can increase one's fortune and lifespan.

Whether mortal or cultivator, who doesn't want to live a few more years?

Lifespan is predetermined, and how long one lives depends entirely on fate.

Now that such a miraculous elixir has appeared, capable of defying fate and extending lifespan, it naturally attracts countless people eager to obtain it.

Mu Yiren instantly realized what was happening, her beautiful eyes widening slightly: "You mean, the Longevity Pill was mixed with demon blood?"

“Indeed!” Gu Jinzhao’s lips curled into a cold smile: “As long as we use this as a spear to strike directly at Zhao’s Danxing, it will be enough to completely disintegrate it.”

……

Meanwhile, inside the bungalow where the Luo family's servants lived.

Luo Ling'er sat cross-legged on the bed, practicing the "Qi-Inducing Technique" given to her by Gu Jinzhao.

There are no obscure formulas or complicated breathing routes; there are only three simple things: calm the mind, visualize, and guide the breath into the body.

She recalled every word of the teachings, slowed her breathing, focused her mind, and tried to sense the thing called "spiritual energy".

The sun outside the window gradually began to set in the west.

She didn't know how much time had passed when she suddenly felt a chill between her brows.

The feeling was subtle, like the first snowflake of early winter falling on your eyelashes, or like a firefly floating on a pond.

She had caught something.

Luo Ling'er suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze reflecting the dim light filling the room, and she looked somewhat incredulous: "Master, I think I can sense spiritual energy."

She couldn't say what it was, but she knew it must be the "spiritual energy" her master had mentioned.

A familiar voice came from inside the rusty sword, with a hint of praise: "Ling'er is very capable. She sensed the spiritual energy in just one day."

Overjoyed by the praise, Luo Ling'er couldn't help but ask, "So, next, do I need to guide spiritual energy into my body?"

Before she could finish speaking, a "gurgling" sound came from her lower abdomen.

Gu Jinzhao revealed his true form, his brows furrowing slightly: "You didn't go all day without eating because of your cultivation, did you?"

Luo Ling'er blushed slightly and lowered her head: "I...forgot."

I didn't feel hungry while practicing, but now that I've stopped, I realize I'm starving.

Gu Jinzhao shook his head, his tone helpless: "How can I recover my health like this? How can I cultivate the 'Taiyin Sword Nourishing Chapter'?"

"I'll go find something to eat right now."

Luo Ling'er hurriedly ran out of the room and quickly returned with half a cold steamed bun.

Gu Jinchao frowned as he looked at them: "The Luo family is truly inhuman."

He sighed and simply walked through the wall.

A moment later, he returned carrying a fat duck and prepared it in the same way as the night before.

Before long, a fragrant roast duck was sliced ​​into thin pieces, neatly arranged on a plate, and handed to the apprentice.

Luo Ling'er swallowed hard, inhaling the enticing aroma, but was somewhat worried: "Won't we be discovered if we do this?"

Gu Jinzhao said with a smile, "The farm has a wide variety of poultry and a large number of them. If one or two are missing every day, no one will care."

"Even if someone does notice that the poultry is missing, it can't be blamed on Ling'er."

"After all, the farms aren't under your jurisdiction."

Given Luo Ling'er's situation in the Luo family, he still needs to devise a detailed plan for her upbringing.

Three meals a day should include both meat and vegetables to ensure adequate nutrition.

Let's solve the problem of food and clothing first, then we can talk about spiritual practice...

Chapter 170, Duo Queueing with Mu Yiren to Climb the Ranks (3K)

Outside Yujing City, the river, which shimmered during the day, was now pitch black, with only the howling wind and intermittent chirping of insects remaining.

This place, called "Fengyin Ferry," has been abandoned for decades and is deserted by ordinary people, but it has become fertile ground for certain secret trades.

At three-quarters past midnight, two figures quietly emerged from the shadows of the willow grove along the riverbank.

He was dressed in a large black robe and wore a ghost mask, exuding a cold aura that kept strangers at bay.

Is the black market here?

Mu Yiren paused, looked towards the area deep in the ferry crossing where only a few crooked and dilapidated old houses remained, and transmitted her voice.

"The entrance is inside the abandoned house."

Gu Jinzhao responded telepathically in return.

Having decided to use the Longevity Pill as a starting point, the two decided to enter the black market and head to the place that sells this pill—Night Wanderer Pavilion.

Night Wanderer Pavilion is a major force in the black market.

Its master, Ye Shaoyou, accepted the deal to help Zhao's Dan Shop sell Longevity Pills.

Zhao's Danxing did this because he didn't want any problems with the Longevity Pill to implicate him.

What Gu Jinchao needs to do is control Ye Shaoyou, and then use this to track down and capture the people from Zhao's Danxing who were trading with him.

With witnesses and physical evidence, even Emperor Yongxing would be unable to protect the Zhao family's alchemy practice.

The problem is that Ye Shaoyou rarely makes public appearances.

The sale of longevity pills was done by the Night Wanderers.

To differentiate between new and old customers, three types of jade plaques were also issued: blue, cyan, and purple.

Only distinguished guests holding a purple jade token are qualified to meet Ye Shaoyou.

As their thoughts raced, the two exchanged a glance. Without a word, they moved simultaneously, like two wisps of smoke blending into the night, skimming across the overgrown embankment.