Ning Xiang gently stretched her slender legs under the table, removed her embroidered shoes and touched the other person, coquettishly saying, "It is simple to take it away, General. Just enjoy a delightful night with me. I would really like to try your Vajra Body~"
"Hmm, all right then."
Chen Sansi nodded, deliberately saying, "Although itâs ordinary, for the sake of Xuan iron, I can do it."
Ning Xiang instantly lost interest and kicked him hard, saying irritably, "Do you really think I fancy you? Fine, Iâll give you the iron. In exchange, you need to help me find a medicinal herb in the Luotian Mountain Range for treating external injuries, called âbroken grassâ. It shouldnât be too hard for you, right?"
Broken grass.
The corresponding functions emerged in Chen Sansiâs mind. When combined with a few other invaluable herbs, it can be used to reattach severed limbs, but this thing is rare.
He said, "I canât guarantee that for you."
"Then please do your best, General."
Ning Xiang said, "Even if you canât find it, the iron is still yours."
"Iâll do my best then."
Chen Sansi started packing up the iron, "Miss, do you have anything else to say?"
"You could tell, huh."
Miss Ning Xiang said somberly, "General Chen, have you heard of the Incense Fire Divine Sect?"
"Incense Fire..."
Chen Sansi hadnât anticipated that she would bring up this topic before he could inquire about it. He seriously said, "I havenât heard of it, tell me about it."
"There are countless ways to cultivate immortality in the world, and Incense Fire Divine Dao is one of them."
Miss Ning Xiang explained, "Among them, thereâs a sect called the Incense God Sect. They have a special technique that allows them to steal the spiritual incense from deities for their own use, but due to their mysterious actions, little is known about their detailed whereabouts. It is only known that they prefer to hide in places within a state or mansion where the incense is most prosperous, though sometimes, they might deliberately hide in places with poorer incense to conceal their identity."
"Incense can also be used for cultivation?"
Chen Sansi took the opportunity to inquire, "Is there any difference compared to the so-called cultivation of Spiritual Energy?"
"Of course, there are. Cultivation can be divided into entering the path and not entering the path."
Ning Xiang patiently explained, "If youâre not on the path, you can use incense to some extent instead of Spiritual Energy, but if you enter the path, you canât change back, and itâs said that cultivating with incense involves some costs, but I donât know what they specifically are."
"Entering the path?"
Chen Sansi was even more confused, "Miss Ning Xiang, could you please explain clearly what it means to enter the path and what it means not to enter the path?"
"Entering the path."
Ning Xiang explained, "When you absorb âEnergyâ through your Spirit Root and store it in your Dantian, that is considered entering the path. The rest, if you simply use Spiritual Energy to practice some minor magic skills without being able to store it in the Dantian and transform your body, do not count as entering the path. The same applies to incense."
Chen Sansi understood.
Since he was only practicing Sword Qi Skill, he wasnât considered to have entered the path, so he didnât need to be concerned about any adverse effects from incense and could use it safely.
"Let me show you a small magic skill, General."
Ning Xiang beckoned with her finger, "Zhaozhao, come here."
"Me? I donât want to."
Before Zhaozhao could finish speaking, she saw Ning Xiangâs dark pupils turn pink under the influence of Qingxuan Energy. After making eye contact, Zhaozhao became dazed and silly, drooling while hugging Ning Xiangâs thigh.
"âŠ"
Chen Sansi watched this scene, which truly seemed like an Illusion Technique.
No wonder rumors said that guests who had seen Ning Xiang couldnât return to their senses for three days; perhaps theyâve really become foolishâŠ
Ning Xiang extended her delicate finger and gently tapped on Zhaozhaoâs forehead, after which the latter regained her normal demeanor.
She smiled seductively, "What do you think, General? Want to join the Seeking Immortal Tower? I can teach you."
"Not interested."
Chen Sansi asked, "By the way, you suddenly started discussing the Incense God Sect and incense with me, could it be..."
"General is truly astute. You knew what I wanted to say just by listening. According to reliable information, the Incense God Sect has a branch in Liangzhou."
Ning Xiang looked towards the window, "The two Taoists who died at Ci Yun Temple a while ago were most likely from the Incense God Sect. After they died, it is said that followers from near the Capital are hurrying here, but their purpose is unclear."
That implied itâs probably that master uncle from Ci Yun TempleâŠ
Chen Sansi pondered, "Ci Yun Temple has been around for a long time, they are people from the Incense Fire Divine Sect, why didnât you know about this earlier?"
"There were suspicions, but no proof. After all, we donât know how to use incense, nor would we rashly go to investigate. Besides, you didnât ask me before."
Ning Xiang continued, "Iâm telling you now because they might be planning something big soon, so be alert."
"Something big?"
Chen Sansi asked curiously, "Concerning Liangzhou?"
"No."
Ning Xiang gently shook her head, "Itâs about the Capital. According to our sources, the people from the Incense God Sect have recently started collecting items from various places and sending them to the Capital, most likely incense, but itâs unclear what they intend to do with so much incense in the Capital."
Gathering incense for the Capital.
Chen Sansi subconsciously suspected it was related to the old Emperor.
Similar to the previous Witch God Sect.
But it was just a possibility.
Miss Ning Xiang also said, "We can track some of the movements of the Incense God Sect, but what people they interact with and what they do on a daily basis is completely unknown to us."
"Hmm, that should have nothing to do with me, but still, thank you for letting me know, Miss Ning Xiang."
Chen Sansi said.
It had nothing to do with him.
But it probably had something to do with Cao Fan.
The incense burner from Ci Yun Temple was still soaking in a pond in the Cao familyâs backyard, and the incense within had been completely absorbed, leaving no clue how the Incense God Sect would react.
"If thereâs nothing else, I shall take my leave first."
Chen Sansi bowed with his fists clasped and left with his long sword slung over his shoulder.
But he did not return home; instead, he changed directions and spent the night in another brothel.
Since Cao Fanâs residence was located in a bustling area,
there happened to be a high-rise brothel nearby that offered a view of the house.
Chen Sansi planned to see if the Incense God Sect was indeed able to find their way there.
He spent his days practicing and his nights sleeping in the brothel.
Two days passed like this.
Finally, on the third night at midnight, Chen Sansi finally saw something happening.
Two figures flickered momentarily and leapt over the wall into Cao Fanâs residence.
...
Two Taoists moved silently through the darkness, one following the other.
"Unexpectedly, those two people under Qiu Mingzi turned traitors, sneaking around with the Witch God Sect. We hadnât even gotten a chance to question them before they died in the prison! Squad Leader, what is the Witch God Sect up to in Liangzhou?"
"Itâs probably related to the depths of the Luotian Mountain Range, but letâs not worry about it for now. Our primary task is to handle the important matters in the Capital first, and then we can get involved in Liangzhouâs affairs."
"And who had the audacity to steal the incense burner?"
In front of the Heir Mansion, the two stopped,
"Squad Leader, are we certain weâre not mistaken? How did the incense burner end up here?"
"The Blood Light Technique, how could it be wrong?"
Their voices were as thin as mosquito whines. While discussing, they approached a rockery in the backyard.
The leading old Taoist looked at the pond and spoke in a deep voice, "The object is below."
"Good."
The other person quietly dove into the water and in a few breaths reemerged, carrying the incense burner,"Squad Leader, itâs really here, and... the incense is gone!"
"What?!"
The old Taoist picked up the incense burner, held it carefully in his hands, and his face immediately soured.
"Squad Leader!"
The subordinate said, "Could the Princely Heir be responsible? Iâll go question him right now!"
"Donât move!"
The old Taoist frowned, "This matter is a significant secret, donât make a fuss about it. Whether itâs Cao Fan or not, we just need to ask when we get back."
"Right."
The subordinate confusedly said, "If it was Cao Fan, he wouldnât have hidden the object in the water; he could have directly told us. But within Liangzhou City, who else knows the Incense Technique?
"Seeking Immortal Tower? No, they donât even know how incense is collected."
"Sun Xiangzong? He hasnât much dealt with incense either, and heâs not even in Liangzhou right now. The Emperor himself doesnât know where he is, so who else could it be? After all this, Cao Fan is still the most likely."
"Creakâ"
A noise of a door opening came from afar.
The two Taoists did not linger, leaping up to the surrounding wall and then disappearing into the darkness once more.
...
Inside the brothel.
Chen Sansi was somewhat disappointed.
No disturbance?
He had thought there would be a great show to watch tonight, yet his days of vigil had been in vain.
Such a large amount of incense was stolen, and the people of the Incense God Sect showed no anger at all?
Were they afraid of the Caos?
Or was there another hidden reason?
"Enough..."
Chen Sansi realized that if he wanted to avenge himself and Yu Song, he would need to take action himself.
In the coming days, he planned to first break through to Great Success in Hua Jin, while simultaneously practicing the Sword Qi Skill.