The moment Qí Tiānyùn entered, he felt an invisible, chilling pressure envelop him, more solid and sinister than what he’d felt in the workshop, making it almost impossible to breathe. He dared not look around, and quickly fell to his knees with a thud, his forehead touching the ground. His voice trembled with just the right amount of fear: "This subordinate… this subordinate Little Kangzi, pays respects to Eunuch Shen!"
Shēn Gōnglǐ did not immediately tell him to rise. The only sounds in the room were the extremely faint "humming" of the rotating skull and the occasional crackle of the lamp oil popping. This silence was more terrifying than direct admonishment.
After a long while, Shēn Gōnglǐ slowly spoke, his voice hoarse and low, as if squeezed from the depths of his throat: "Rise. Are you… feeling better?"
Qí Tiānyùn cursed internally. Didn't this old eunuch dog know he had almost been kicked to death by him? And now he was feigning concern? He quickly scrambled up, still bending at the waist, and replied respectfully: "Thank you for your concern, Your Excellency… this subordinate’s life is cheap. I lay ill for a few days and am… am much better now."
"Mm," Shēn Gōnglǐ hummed through his nose, his tone unreadable. His snake-like eyes scanned Qí Tiānyùn up and down, as if assessing whether a tool could still be used. "General Xiong… his might is unparalleled, and his temper is a bit hasty. You offended him, and to have survived with your life is already great fortune."
Qí Tiānyùn cursed his ancestor again in his mind but forced a look of tearful gratitude onto his face: "Yes… yes… thank you, Your Excellency… for protecting me that day…" He knew Shēn Gōnglǐ hadn't lifted a finger, but he had to play along.
"Protecting you?" A strange, leering smile, devoid of warmth, stretched across Shēn Gōnglǐ’s lips. "What could this old, useless eunuch do in front of such a malevolent god?"
His tone suddenly shifted, becoming cold and sharp, like an ice pick piercing the bone: "However… this Imperial Palace is, after all, a place that abides by rules! Xiong Bai Qi, no matter how powerful, is merely a subordinate of His Majesty! To be so arrogant, to treat palace regulations as nothing, to disregard the Immortal Emperor’s might… Does he truly think this Immortal Palace is his Mo Yan Sect’s training ground?!"
These words were spoken with extreme severity, carrying an uncontainable anger and malice. The floating skull seemed to sense his emotions; its rotation suddenly accelerated, emitting a strong black energy, and the room temperature seemed to drop several degrees.
Qí Tiānyùn shivered in fear and immediately bent his waist even lower, not daring to reply. He knew Shēn Gōnglǐ was venting his resentment from being publicly humiliated by Xiong Bai Qi that day without daring to retaliate. If he, a mere eunuch, were to respond, he wouldn't know how he died.
Shēn Gōnglǐ vented his anger, his emotions seemingly calming slightly, but his eyes became even deeper and more inscrutable. He waved his hand, and the skull slowly stopped spinning, returning to the low table. The black energy receded. He looked at Qí Tiānyùn again, his voice returning to its previous hoarse flatness, yet becoming even more chilling:
"Little Kangzi, I see you… are an intelligent person. You also have… courage." He deliberately emphasized the word "courage," unsure if it was sarcasm or had another meaning. "Now, there is a troublesome matter, concerning the peace of the Immortal Palace, and even… concerning His Majesty's honor. I cannot find anyone agile and reliable enough around me to handle it at the moment."
Qí Tiānyùn's heart leaped into his throat! Here it comes! The real business! He knew this old eunuch dog wouldn't have summoned him for anything good! Cold sweat instantly soaked his back, and his scalp tingled.
Shēn Gōnglǐ seemed not to notice his fear, continuing in his sinister tone: "I have received some vague news… that Xiong Bai Qi, it seems… is secretly gathering some things behind His Majesty's back… things he shouldn't touch."
Qí Tiānyùn suddenly looked up, his eyes showing appropriate shock and confusion: "Th-things one shouldn't touch? General…?"
"Hmph!" Shēn Gōnglǐ snorted coldly. "You don't need to know the specifics. You only need to know that this scoundrel's ambitions are not small, and might even be… related to some forbidden items." His cloudy eyes stared intently at Qí Tiānyùn, as if trying to see through him. "For example… certain broken relics passed down from ancient times, or… sinister objects related to the Dragon Vein's fortune…"
*Primordial Treasure Tome*! And the Dragon Vein!
Qí Tiānyùn's heart felt as if clutched by an invisible hand! Although he had already known from Brother Xiao that Xiong Bai Qi was looking for a mirror, hearing the words "ancient relics" and "Dragon Vein" directly from Shēn Gōnglǐ’s mouth still had a tremendous impact! This old eunuch dog knew about it too! And probably quite a lot!
He forcibly suppressed the storm raging in his heart, maintaining an expression of bewilderment and just the right amount of fear on his face, stammering: "An… an ancient mirror? The Dragon Vein? This… this is all…"
"This is all stuff you shouldn't ask about!" Shēn Gōnglǐ interrupted him sharply, his eyes as sharp as knives. "You only need to remember that Xiong Bai Qi's intentions are treasonous! Although His Majesty relies on his bravery, he absolutely cannot tolerate him coveting forbidden things and destabilizing the nation!"
He paused, leaning slightly forward, his chilling aura almost reaching Qí Tiānyùn's face. His voice lowered, carrying a deadly temptation and threat: "I want you… to use your position as overseer in the Hundred Arts Bureau to find a way to approach a minor steward in General Xiong's mansion, named Zhào Sì. This man is fond of wine and greedy for riches; he is a point of entry."
"You will find a way to extract information from him… What special, illicit materials has Xiong Bai Qi been secretly collecting recently? Especially those ancient metals or Jade with strange patterns! Also, who has he been in contact with among those unfathomable outsiders? Particularly… those from the Southern borders, or those shrouded in black robes! Where do they usually meet?"
Each question was like a poisoned dagger, hitting the core! Qí Tiānyùn listened with a pounding heart. This task wasn't just troublesome; it was pushing him into a fiery pit, onto Xiong Bai Qi's blade! Even if Zhào Sì was greedy, wouldn't it be difficult to glean information from him? If discovered, he would surely be torn to pieces!
"Eunuch… Eunuch Shen…" Qí Tiānyùn fell to his knees again with a thud, his voice now carrying genuine tears and fear. "This subordinate… this subordinate is just a minor steward in charge of inventory… That… that is the Grand General's Mansion! This subordinate… this subordinate doesn't have the ability… What if… what if I'm discovered…"
"What if you're discovered?" Shēn Gōnglǐ’s lips curved into an extremely cruel and cold smile. There was no warmth in his triangular eyes, only naked threat. "Little Kangzi, since I could promote you from a menial laborer to this position, I can also make you… disappear without a trace."
He extended his withered, chicken-claw-like hand and gently stroked the cold skull on the low table, his voice as light as a whisper, yet piercing the heart: "If you succeed in this task, you will become my true confidant. Wealth and prosperity, cultivation resources, will not be lacking for you. Perhaps… in the future, you might even be able to escape this lowly servitude and gain a proper standing."
"But if you fail…" He suddenly gripped the skull's eye socket. The skull let out an extremely faint, yet soul-shattering screech!
"…or if you feign compliance while disobeying, or if word leaks out…" Shēn Gōnglǐ's voice was like the frigid ice of the Nine Netherworlds. "Then it won't be just your head that rolls. I remember… that abandoned dry well in the northwest corner of the palace. Burying some things there wouldn't be discovered for decades."
Qí Tiānyùn trembled violently, as if plunged into an ice cave! He knew this old eunuch dog was absolutely capable of carrying out his threats and had the means to do so! Refuse? That would be instant death! And perhaps a death without a trace, a most miserable one!
He had no choice! No choice at all!
The immense fear and instinct for survival made him almost crawl on the ground, his voice hoarse and distorted from extreme fear, filled with utter submission and despair: "Your… Your Excellency, spare my life! This subordinate… this subordinate understands! This subordinate… this subordinate is willing to go! I will… I will definitely find a way to complete the task you've assigned, Your Excellency! I beg you, Your Excellency… give this subordinate a chance!"
Seeing his terror-stricken, completely submissive state, Shēn Gōnglǐ squinted with satisfaction, his sinister smile deepening slightly. "Mm… that's more like it." He slowly leaned back onto the couch, waving his hand as if swatting away a fly. "Rise. You will handle the specifics as you see fit. I only care about the result. If you need money for expenses, you can go to Steward Wang at my mansion to collect it. Remember, this matter is known to heaven and earth, to you and me. If a third person finds out…"
"This subordinate understands! This subordinate understands! This subordinate would rather die than dare to reveal a single word!" Qí Tiānyùn kowtowed repeatedly. The scab on his forehead cracked again, bleeding and mixing with the dust on the ground, making him look utterly pathetic.
"Go. I await your good news." Shēn Gōnglǐ closed his eyes, as if utterly exhausted, no longer looking at him.
Qí Tiānyùn, like a condemned prisoner granted a reprieve, scrambled out of the suffocating dark room. Only when he stepped out of the dark wood door and breathed in the cool air outside did he feel as if he had come back to life. But his legs were still as weak as noodles, and the cold sweat on his back had long since soaked his clothes.
He knew he had been pushed to a dead end. Ahead lay the man-eating lair of Xiong Bai Qi, and behind him was the blood-sucking old eunuch dog, Shēn Gōnglǐ. A single misstep would lead to utter destruction and eternal damnation!
He walked back in a daze, his mind a complete mess. What should he do? How should he do it? Charm Zhào Sì? How? With what? Could he use the money Shēn Gōnglǐ gave him carelessly? That old eunuch was as cunning as a ghost; he must have a backup plan!
The immense pressure and fear of the unknown were about to crush him.
As he walked in a stupor along a secluded palace path, nearing the Hundred Arts Bureau, a figure, like a ghost, flashed out from the shadows of a nearby rockery and blocked his way.
Qí Tiānyùn almost cried out in fright, but upon closer inspection, it was Xiāo Yǎn (Xiāo Xuán)!
Xiāo Yǎn's expression remained stern, his sharp gaze sweeping over Qí Tiānyùn's pale-as-paper face, the blood on his forehead, and the eyes filled with terror and despair. He asked in a low voice: "Little Kangzi, what happened? What did Shēn Gōnglǐ want with you?"
Seeing Xiāo Yǎn, Qí Tiānyùn felt like a drowning man grasping at the last straw. All his fear and grievances erupted instantly! He grabbed Xiāo Yǎn's arm, his voice choked with sobs and violent tremors, speaking incoherently: "Brother Xiao! Brother Xiao! It’s over! Everything is over! That old eunuch dog… Shēn Gōnglǐ! He… he's forcing me to my death! He wants me to investigate things in Xiong Bai Qi's mansion! To find out what ancient mirrors and Dragon Veins he's collecting! And also… to find out who he's been meeting with, those black-robed men from the Southern borders! If… if I'm discovered, Xiong Bai Qi will chop me up and feed me to the dogs!"
He instinctively concealed the part where Shēn Gōnglǐ mentioned the *Primordial Treasure Tome* and the specific details of the mission, highlighting only the most dangerous and deadly aspects. He focused on his hatred and fear of Xiong Bai Qi, leveraging Xiāo Yǎn's previously revealed murderous intent towards Xiong Bai Qi.
"Brother Xiao! That devil is going too far! I… I wish I could eat his flesh and drink his blood! But… but I have no choice! Shēn Gōnglǐ is threatening my life! I… what should I do?!"
He looked up, tears mixing with the blood from his forehead, his eyes filled with desperate pleading as he stared intently at Xiāo Yǎn.
Xiāo Yǎn (Xiāo Xuán)'s gaze, like tempered cold iron, fell upon Qí Tiānyùn's face, smeared with blood and tears, etched with extreme fear. The palace path was secluded, with only the mournful sound of the wind blowing through the rockery's holes, making Qí Tiānyùn's suppressed sobs even more tragic.
"Shēn Gōnglǐ… wants you to probe Xiong Bai Qi's secrets?" Xiāo Yǎn's voice deepened, carrying a dangerous calm. "Regarding ancient mirrors and visitors from the Southern borders?"
"Yes… yes! Brother Xiao!" Qí Tiānyùn clung to him like a drowning man, his fingers digging into Xiāo Yǎn's arm, his nails almost piercing the flesh. "That old eunuch dog is incredibly sinister! He's using my life as a threat! If… if I go and Xiong Bai Qi discovers it, I'll be minced into meat paste! But if I don't go… Shēn Gōnglǐ can make me disappear without a trace! I… I must have committed grave sins in past lives! Caught between these two kings of hell, I…"
He grew more desperate, his voice cracking.
Xiāo Yǎn was silent for a moment, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings to ensure no one was watching. Then he spoke slowly, his voice not revealing much emotion, yet strangely possessing a power that calmed people down: "Don't panic. Since Shēn Gōnglǐ sent you, he naturally has his own calculations. You are still useful to him, so you won't die for now."
"But… but that Zhào Sì…"
"Zhào Sì…" Xiāo Yǎn squinted slightly, seemingly weighing something rapidly. "I know this person. He's a steward in the outer court of Xiong Bai Qi's mansion. He is indeed fond of wine and riches and flaunts his status within the Grand General's Mansion, acting arrogantly outside. But fundamentally, he's a foolish bumpkin, not one of Xiong Bai Qi's core confidants. Using him as an entry point is Shēn Gōnglǐ's usual tactic – finding a soft persimmon to squeeze."
He looked at Qí Tiānyùn, his gaze profound. "This is a dead end for you, but… it might also be an opportunity."
"Opportunity?" Qí Tiānyùn was stunned, forgetting to cry. "This… this is clearly an opportunity to go to my death, isn't it?"
"Since the goal is to gather information, what information is gathered, how it's reported, and to what extent…" Xiāo Yǎn's lips curved into a subtle, cold arc. "The initiative may not entirely be in Shēn Gōnglǐ's hands. Don't forget, we… also want to deal with Xiong Bai Qi."
Qí Tiānyùn's eyes widened dramatically, his heart pounding. What did Brother Xiao mean by that? Could it be…
Xiāo Yǎn didn't elaborate. He simply patted Qí Tiānyùn's shoulder. "Go back first, calm your mind. Shēn Gōnglǐ gave you money for expenses, take it and use it openly. Act as if you are doing your utmost to help him. As for how to approach Zhào Sì… you are an overseer of the Hundred Arts Bureau; you should know what to do. Remember, you must survive to get revenge."
With that, Xiāo Yǎn's figure melted back into the shadows like a ghost, disappearing.
Qí Tiānyùn stood in place. A cool breeze blew, sending a shiver down his spine, but the fear and despair in his heart were strangely diminished by Xiāo Yǎn's final words. A surge of ruthlessness gradually rose from the depths of his heart.
That's right! What’s there to be afraid of! I'm facing death either way! Shēn Gōnglǐ wants to use me as a pawn to stab Xiong Bai Qi? Fine, I'll stab him! But where to stab and how deep, I'll decide that! Brother Xiao is right, the initiative might not entirely be out of my reach!
He wiped the blood and tears from his face, his eyes gradually becoming firm, even showing a hint of desperate madness. He tidied his robes, took a deep breath, and walked towards the Hundred Arts Bureau. Although his steps were still a bit unsteady, his back subconsciously straightened a little.
Upon returning to the Hundred Arts Bureau, he immediately went to find Steward Wang from Shēn Gōnglǐ's mansion. As expected, the steward had already received instructions and, with a fake smile, handed him a small package containing several dozen taels of loose silver and a few pieces of good quality gold and silver ingots, enough for an ordinary family's expenses for several years.
"Manager Kang, His Excellency instructed that the task must be handled elegantly. Don't be stingy with expenses," Steward Wang said meaningfully.
Qí Tiānyùn nodded and bowed as he accepted, cursing inwardly: That old eunuch dog, truly willing to spend big! Once I survive, I'll definitely drain you dry!