The head master has a new female apprentice

Chapter 337 Brother Zhou, I didn't poison you, is it really necessary?! (6k)

Faced with Zhou Qing's plea, Xuan Yuan Yi Chen shook his head slightly, his expression somewhat solemn.

"Logically, I should help you with this, but the situation is delicate right now, and the royal family has given a clear order not to get involved in this matter."

"If I rashly participate in the search, I'm afraid I'll get myself into trouble."

He paused, then lowered his voice and said, "The other princes, and even the forces behind them, might think that I am trying to curry favor with the Nangong family."

"They even... suspect that I have some connection with the Ghost Mastiff."

"At this critical juncture, no one dares to make any rash moves."

He looked at Zhou Qing, his tone tinged with apology, "I hope you can understand."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qing sighed lightly, feigning regret, and then solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute: "In any case, Your Highness's act of secretly intervening for my senior brother is already a great favor."

"Zhou Qing will remember this kindness. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask."

Xuanyuan Yichen chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "Look at what you're saying. Do you think I did all this for your reward? It was just a small favor."

Zhou Qing insisted, "Your Highness is kind, but I cannot accept it without remorse. Have you encountered any difficulties recently that require my help? I will do my best to assist you."

"Really not!"

"Impossible, you definitely have it."

"Tsk, what kind of person do you take me for? So calculating?"

"Your Highness misunderstands." Zhou Qing shook his head, his tone sincere. "I genuinely want to share your burdens, even if it's something small."

Xuan Yuan Yichen pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled mischievously: "Alright then, Mu Qian has been depressed ever since she returned from the academy."

"Especially after Consort Chen was placed under house arrest, she has been depressed all day long. Why don't you... go and cheer her up?"

A sly glint flashed in his eyes as he slowly said, "If I can make her happy, maybe she can become my brother-in-law someday—"

Zhou Qing: "..."

Seeing Zhou Qing's embarrassed expression, Xuan Yuan Yichen burst into laughter.

"Just kidding, look at your reaction!" He waved his hand, his smile undiminished. "However, I do have a favor to ask, please wait a moment."

Before he finished speaking, Xuan Yuan Yi Chen had already turned and walked towards the inner hall.
Zhou Qing watched him leave, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.

The three of them are currently in a delicate situation. Since the Seventh Prince knows their background, he has to be on guard.

On a whim, he used up one of the slots for [Mind's Eye Vision] without hesitation.

In an instant, the blurry "?" above Xuan Yuan Yi Chen's head suddenly changed, transforming into a line of gilded characters: "[A person who can be used for a long time]".

Upon seeing these words, Zhou Qing's eyes narrowed instantly.

Indeed, nothing in this world is more unpredictable than the human heart.

The Seventh Prince's confident confession and his tight-lipped behavior towards his senior brother and the others almost made him mistakenly believe that he had met a true confidant.

Those who can survive in the capital, especially these princes, are truly not simple people.

However, what does it mean to be someone who can be used for a long time?

What do I have that he can use against me?
Is it a "memory" of those items from a fifth-level cultivation country? Or is it the identity of an array master?

Just as he was pondering this, Xuan Yuan Yi Chen walked over with a smile, carrying a huge brocade box.

Zhou Qing immediately put on a perfectly appropriate smile, but his mind was perfectly clear.

Since we're all just putting on an act, let's each get what we need.

They never had a life-or-death bond; their few interactions were merely driven by self-interest.

"Brother Zhou, do you still remember this item?"

Xuan Yuan Yichen lifted the lid of the box, revealing a black door about half a meter square.

The door was neither made of metal nor wood, and each of its four corners was carved with a grotesque ghost statue.

Zhou Qing frowned: "The Four Ghosts Bow to the Gate!"

This was the very item that Xuan Yuan Yi Chen had asked him to appraise when he first came to the Taiqing Sect. For it, he even earned forty mid-grade spirit stones.

【Four Ghosts Bowing at the Gate: Possesses powerful sealing abilities. If the four ghosts are activated, they can easily extract souls at the Spirit Severing Realm and drag them into the gate for soul searching.】

Even if this Spirit Severing Realm cultivator seals themselves or places a restriction on themselves, it can be gradually lifted to obtain the information they want.

The details described therein remain vividly in Zhou Qing's mind to this day.

After all, this ferocious creature from a fifth-level cultivation country was able to easily subdue the most elite Spirit Severing Realm cultivator of the Holy Martial Dynasty.

Such domineering power is enough to send chills down one's spine just by thinking about it.

To avoid causing unnecessary trouble for himself and his sect, he only told Xuan Yuan Yichen the name of the object and its powerful sealing ability.

But he said he didn't know the specific method. (Foreshadowing in Chapter 92)
“That’s right, it is this thing. You told me about it back then. It’s a pity about that manual from your childhood. I wonder who wrote it.”

Xuanyuan Yichen sighed.

Zhou Qing blushed and said, "Back then, I hadn't yet joined the Taiqing Sect, and even basic necessities like food and clothing were a problem. The miscellaneous books on the street stalls were just for entertainment."

Xuan Yuan Yichen completely understood and said, "I originally wanted to ask you to appraise other things, but you said you didn't look at that booklet much."

"Then it's still this item. I wonder if Brother Zhou could think about it more carefully, how exactly should this item be activated?"

At this point, Xuan Yuan Yi Chen looked at Zhou Qing with anticipation.

Zhou Qing remained silent, then looked up at the top of his head.

Is this the predicament he is currently facing?
So the so-called "long-term use" is actually about extracting "childhood memories" that he doesn't even have?
Seeing him frown, Xuan Yuan Yi Chen quickly comforted him, "Brother Zhou, there's no need to rush. You can recall slowly."

"No matter the outcome, once this storm has passed, I will secretly help you find your senior brother."

Seeing the other person's sincere expression, Zhou Qing suddenly laughed out loud: "Then thank you very much, Your Highness."

Holding a forbidden object capable of searching souls and severing spirits is nothing more than a hot potato in the other party's hands, which could backfire at any time.

What does it have to do with me? Even if I really wanted to kill someone to silence them, I'd have to have the ability to do it.

not to mention.
Whether or not wood-attribute spirit stones will drop depends on this time.

After thinking it through, Zhou Qing immediately conducted the appraisal.

【Four Ghosts Bowing to the Gate: Originating from a fifth-level cultivation country, this artifact possesses powerful sealing abilities. If the four ghosts are activated, it can easily extract the soul of a Spirit Severing Realm cultivator, drag it into the gate, and perform a soul search.】

However, activation requires the essence blood of four specific semi-pure-blooded demon beasts.

Nothing else.

Upon seeing the feedback, Zhou Qing sighed softly.

"How is it?" Xuan Yuan Yi Chen asked eagerly as he leaned closer.

Zhou Qing rubbed his temples, feigning exhaustion: "My memories are too fragmented. Would you mind staying at your residence for a couple of days? Let me sort them out slowly."

"That's great! Let alone a day or two, what's wrong with staying permanently!"

Upon hearing that Zhou Qing was willing to help, Xuan Yuan Yichen was overjoyed and immediately slammed his hand on the table.

"I'll have a superior room prepared right away!" He carefully put away the wooden box, and when he called the maid, his tone was even a little lighter.

……

The next morning, as the first rays of dawn shone through the window, Zhou Qing, who was meditating, suddenly opened his eyes and looked out the door.

Almost simultaneously, a knock sounded on the door.

As Zhou Qing opened the door, a familiar figure looked at him with a beaming smile.

"Brother Zhou, it's been a long time!"

Princess Xuanyuan Muqian stood at the door with a radiant smile, carrying a plate of breakfast.

Today she was wearing a pale yellow palace dress, and the pearl hairpin in her hair swayed gently as she tilted her head.

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhou Qing's eyes, then he smiled and said, "What brings you here?"

“I often come to visit my seventh brother.” Xuan Yuan Muqian pouted and placed the plate in front of him.

"But Brother Zhou, you didn't even tell me you were coming to the capital. You're treating me like an outsider!"

Zhou Qing stepped aside and said, "Please come in quickly."

Watching the Ninth Princess place the exquisite breakfast items on the table one by one, Zhou Qing couldn't help but think of Consort Chen.

According to what Xuan Yuan Yi Chen said yesterday, Consort Chen has been imprisoned.

It must have been that time at Baiyu Taixu Courtyard, when the royal maids who accompanied her saw her chasing after Lin Jin without regard for her status.

How could the current emperor tolerate such a disgrace to a dignified imperial concubine?
Moreover, she entered the palace with a specific purpose: to steal the secret formula for the Spirit Slaying Realm.

With such guilt, the outcome is self-evident.

"Brother Zhou, what are you daydreaming about? Even if you can abstain from grains, it's good to satisfy your appetite occasionally. These are all carefully prepared by the imperial chefs, and they're delicious."

Xuan Yuan Muqian arranged the last plate of pastries and handed over the jade chopsticks, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhou Qing glanced at the exquisite pastries on the table, but shook his head slightly: "Thank you for your kindness, but I haven't eaten breakfast for a long time. I still have some things to discuss with His Highness the Seventh Prince. Please eat first."

After saying that, he smiled politely and turned to leave.

"I didn't poison you, is it really necessary!" The sound of Xuan Yuan Mu Qian stomping her foot came from behind her.

……

Zhou Qing found Xuan Yuan Yichen again and asked him to take out the box for the third appraisal of the item.

【Four Ghosts Bowing at the Gate: Can strip the soul consciousness of a Spirit Severing Realm cultivator and perform a soul search, but requires the activation of the Four Ghosts.】

Activating the four demons requires the blood essence of demonic beasts corresponding to the four evil thoughts of greed, anger, ignorance, and resentment.

Seeing that he finally received the information he wanted, Zhou Qing couldn't help but smile.

"How is it?" Xuan Yuan Yi Chen asked eagerly.

Zhou Qing pondered for a moment and said, "I do remember something, but how to obtain these materials depends on Your Highness's abilities."

After saying that, he proceeded to explain the results of the assessment in detail.

Xuan Yuan Yi Chen first frowned, then a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

He didn't know about other things, but the blood essence of the Weeping Bone Crow, a type of demonic beast, contained immense resentment.

"Brother Zhou, I will never forget your great kindness!" He cupped his hands in gratitude, then lowered his voice and said, "Please keep this a secret..."

“I didn’t see anything, and I don’t know anything,” Zhou Qing replied calmly.

Before he could finish speaking, a crisp sound of spirit stones colliding suddenly rang in his ears.

Zhou Qing's heart skipped a beat.

Has the money arrived?

He glanced around calmly; the ground was empty.

He then focused his mind on the storage bag, where he saw eight top-grade wood-attribute spirit stones glowing with a bluish light and thirty crystal-clear top-grade spirit stones that had appeared out of nowhere in the corner.

"Is it all done?" Zhou Qing was secretly delighted; it seemed the deal was complete.

Then he looked at the [Friends' Posts], where a third of the color had faded.

The third-ranked Xuanyuan Yichen avatar has also turned gray.

"Brother Zhou, I wonder if you could take another look at these two items!" Upon seeing that [Four Ghosts Bowing to the Gate] had obtained relevant information, a glint of light flashed in Xuan Yuan Yi Chen's eyes.

They quickly struck while the iron was hot, taking out the [Ghost Needle] and [Yellow Official Paper] that Zhou Qing had appraised.

These two things are: one can mend the wounds of the soul, even if the soul is shattered into pieces.

Another method involves writing someone else's name on it with a yellow official pen, then burning anything that that person has come into contact with, which can halve their lifespan.

They were all extremely insidious magical artifacts. Zhou Qing only told them their names and kept quiet about the rest.

Looking at these two items and at Xuan Yuan Yi Chen's gaze, Zhou Qing shook his head.

Now that he had received his payment, he didn't want to cause any more trouble.

"I'm so sorry, I actually thought about these two things last night as well, but I really can't do anything about them, please forgive me."

Zhou Qing's expression was sincere, and his gaze was open.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Xuan Yuan Yi Chen's eyes. He was about to speak when Zhou Qing stood up and said, "I suddenly remembered that I have some important matters to attend to, so I won't bother you any longer."

"You're leaving already?" Xuan Yuan Yi Chen's tone carried a hint of reluctance. "Isn't it a bit too soon?"

Zhou Qing shook his head slightly: "I want to secretly look for my senior brother first. I really can't calm down here."

Xuan Yuan Yichen sighed softly, "Alright, Mu Qian even came all this way today to play with you..."

"Let's do it another day." Zhou Qing's gaze darkened slightly. "Besides, we're no longer at the age where we can play around like we used to."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan Yichen seemed to have thought of something, his expression darkened, and he said in a low voice, "Yes. In this world, there are always many things that people cannot do. When do we have time to play carefree?"

Zhou Qing didn't say anything more, but clasped his hands in a fist salute and prepared to leave.

After all, his senior brother and second senior sister were waiting for him in the nearby Jintian Palace.

"Oh, right!" Xuan Yuan Yi Chen suddenly called out to him, "There is a place that might be able to help you find out about your senior brother!"

Zhou Qing paused, "Where?"

“The Hall of Array Formations.” Xuan Yuan Yi Chen lowered his voice. “You’ve just arrived in the capital, so you may not know, but my grandfather obtained the corpse of a level four array master and many of his notes on array formations from the border.”

He gave Zhou Qing a meaningful look. "Aren't you a formation master now? When I went to Taiqing Sect last time, I saw that your sect had set up a three-colored sect-protecting formation. It must have been given to you by Master Lin, right?"

After a brief moment of surprise, Zhou Qing immediately feigned shock: "A Level 4 Array Master's Manual?"

Xuanyuan Yichen was very satisfied with Zhou Qing's reaction.

After all, as a formation master, being able to access the artifacts left behind by the predecessors in his field is incredibly exciting.

He continued, "That's right, a level four array master. Originally, these were only for us princes, princesses, and nobles to learn, but unfortunately..."

He shook his head and sighed, "Each of them has limited talent in this area. Over the years, not a single one of them has been able to condense a spirit seal. Such a good thing has been wasted."

"Therefore, just seven days ago, Father Emperor decided to relax the restrictions. Now, all direct descendants of families in the inner city who are at the Spirit Slaying Realm can enter to study, as long as they are willing."

Zhou Qing chuckled inwardly upon hearing this.

It seems that Zou Lun, this level-two formation master, really died in vain.

You said if you waited a while longer, with your status in the Duobao Chamber of Commerce, wouldn't it be easy to get a study spot during this opportunity?
He insisted on cooperating with the bandits and others, but in the end, he met a tragic end, dying and disappearing from the world.

Even more tragically, Tu Qianyue was simply lying to him; there were no notes or manuscripts at all.

Seeing Zhou Qing remain silent, Xuan Yuan Yi Chen quickly added, "Each prince may bring two advisors inside for study."

"You can not only sit in on the classes, but also get information from the casual conversations of other aristocratic families. Those who can enter the Hall of Array Formations are very familiar with the current situation of the Nangong family."

Zhou Qing feigned hesitation, his brows furrowing slightly.

He knew that refusing too decisively would only arouse suspicion.

Seeing Zhou Qing hesitate, Xuan Yuan Yichen continued, "I can give you the title of advisor, and with your talent, you might have a chance in the Hall of Array Formations."

"An opportunity?" Zhou Qing showed a look of doubt at just the right moment.

Xuan Yuan Yichen lowered his voice and said mysteriously, "Offer incense!"

"Offer incense?" Zhou Qing was taken aback.

Xuan Yuan Yichen nodded and said, "Grandpa said that every person who enters has one chance to offer incense to that level four array master. If they are destined, they will receive a gift from him."

Zhou Qing: "..."

Seeing Zhou Qing's puzzled expression, he continued to explain, "It's true. When the hall was first built, all of us offered incense and knelt in worship, and we even touched the master's palm with our own hands."

"Although his face was always covered, the Emperor Grandfather swore that there would definitely be an opportunity, it's just that we people are not lucky enough."

“But you are different.” Xuan Yuan Yi Chen stared intently at Zhou Qing. “You are a disciple of Master Lin, so you might be able to resonate with that senior formation master in a special way.”

Hearing this, Zhou Qing already guessed what was going on.

Back in the Penghuang Cave, I used the [Corpse-Touching Scroll] to obtain an opportunity for the other party to condense their spiritual seal.

At that time, he directly gained more than 800 spirit seals, which made him a second-level array master.

No wonder Xuanyuan Shuo insisted on taking the corpse away; it turns out he had this in mind.

For a moment, Zhou Qing didn't know whether to laugh or lament this absurd behavior.

"Besides, the Nangong family will also send people over," Xuan Yuan Yichen continued to persuade. "Only Nangong Xiao died, but there are quite a few direct descendants of the Nangong family. You can take this opportunity to gather information."

Zhou Qing pretended to be deep in thought, but ultimately shook his head and declined: "I come from a humble background, while you are all rich and noble. I'm new to the capital, so I'd like to familiarize myself with the environment first."

Seeing Zhou Qing's resolute attitude, Xuan Yuan Yichen had no choice but to give up: "Fine, if you change your mind, you can come to me anytime."

Zhou Qing bowed and expressed his gratitude.

When they stepped outside the palace, the Ninth Princess had been waiting for them in the corridor for quite some time.

She bit her lip lightly, hesitating to speak, but finally whispered, "Since Brother Zhou is in the capital, you are welcome to come to my residence for a chat at any time. Just head west from here, past two palace gates."

Zhou Qing nodded in agreement: "I'll definitely do it next time."

After saying that, he left.

……

After leaving Yiyun Mansion, Zhou Qing did not head straight for Jintian Palace.

He wandered through the bustling streets, first settling into a private window seat at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, where he leisurely enjoyed his spiritual meal.

He changed into three different outfits at a clothing shop in the south of the city, and finally put on a black iron mask in a dark alley.

After confirming that all the eyeliners had been removed, they quietly turned back.

"Don't come in yet, there are people inside, they look like they're from the palace!"

Just then, Luo Lingling sent a message, and Zhou Qing, who was about to jump, immediately stopped.

I checked the time; it was already dusk. Why were people suddenly appearing in this abandoned place?
"How many people? What is their cultivation level? Are you all safe?" Zhou Qing's spiritual energy flowed through his fingertips as he quickly wrote on the jade slip.

Soon, Luo Lingling replied: "The exact number is unknown, but weeding and tidying are underway everywhere, and dust-removing talismans are posted all over the place."

Zhou Qing was even more surprised.

After a moment's hesitation, Zhou Qing decided to sneak in and investigate.

After sensing the surrounding area briefly to make sure no one was there, I quietly climbed over the wall and went inside.

After all, the [Jintian Palace] was quite large. Soon, he saw many eunuchs cleaning up, and at a glance, there were no fewer than a hundred of them.

"It's him!" Zhou Qing's eyes narrowed slightly when he saw who was in charge.

The man, dressed in a dark purple python robe, with a sinister face, stood with his hands behind his back, coldly instructing the eunuchs.

He was none other than Gao Xianzong, the Grand Eunuch.

If I remember correctly, Gao Xianzong was not only the chief steward of the palace, but also in charge of the Tianzhao Prison, one of the three most important prisons in the palace, wielding immense power.

Even the prefect Zhong Yao and the lord Xiao Ji had to be cautious and smile obsequiously in front of him, daring not to be negligent in the slightest.

At this moment, inside and outside the [Jintian Palace], hundreds of eunuchs were busy with their heads down, moving miscellaneous items and wiping away dust. Their movements were neat and uniform, clearly showing that they were well-trained.

With so many people walking around, it's really not easy for the eldest brother and second sister to come out for a while.

Just as Zhou Qing was about to contact the two to find out their exact location, all the eunuchs suddenly stopped what they were doing and turned in the same direction.

Zhou Qing followed their gaze and saw an old woman with white hair, leaning on a wooden cane with a coiled dragon design, walking unsteadily out from the depths of the Jintian Palace.

Her body was hunched over, her face withered, but her cloudy eyes were fixed on Gao Xianzong.

"Get out!"

His hoarse voice seemed to be squeezed out from the ground, and his chapped lips cracked and bled as he spoke those three words.

Gao Xianzong narrowed his eyes, gave a sinister smile, and said, "Granny Su, what are you doing?"

"His Majesty has been dreaming about His Highness the First Prince lately, saying that His Highness is in great pain, which is why he specially ordered this old servant to come and clean up..."

Before she could finish speaking, Granny Su's cane suddenly slammed to the ground with a "thud," kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Pain?" She grinned, revealing a few loose, yellow teeth. "When His Highness was sent back back then, all that was left was a bloodied skeleton. Why didn't anyone ask him if he was in pain?!"

Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent.

Gao Xianzong's expression changed drastically, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

He slowly scanned his surroundings, and the eunuchs all lowered their heads, unable to hide the horror in their eyes.

"Ah"

Gao Xianzong suddenly let out a cold laugh, and a cold glint flashed from his sleeve.

In an instant, hundreds of silver threads shot out from his sleeves, wrapping around the necks of each eunuch with the precision of venomous snakes.

Before the eunuchs could react, they saw a flash of light on the silver threads—

"laugh!"

Blood splattered as hundreds of heads rolled to the ground, gushing blood that cast an eerie red mist in the setting sun.

Then, the immense divine sense swept across the entire [Jintian Palace], confirming that there was no one else there.

Gao Xianzong then slowly retracted the silver thread, which gradually transformed into a delicate silver bell, which he then tied back around his waist.

"Granny Su, you're getting senile." He put on a warm smile again.

"The eldest prince clearly died of poisoning back then, so where did this skeleton come from, let alone being sent back? He was secretly murdered in this palace by a villain."

He walked slowly forward, his gold-embroidered boots making a sticky sound as they stepped into the pool of blood.

"Consort Mingyi passed away early, and you were the First Prince's true wet nurse, raising him from infancy with your love and care..."

His voice suddenly softened, yet it sent chills down one's spine: "His Majesty cherishes the past, and since you are unwilling to leave, he has granted you permission to live out your remaining years here."

"But if you continue to spout such nonsense..."

Gao Xianzong went straight to the old woman, then bent down and whispered in her ear, "Don't blame me for taking you to the Heavenly Prison. Your old bones probably won't be able to withstand it."

Upon hearing this, Granny Su gripped her withered fingers tightly with her dragon-patterned wooden cane, her knuckles making a teeth-grinding sound.

Then, she slowly raised her head, her cloudy eyes staring directly at Gao Xianzong, a chilling smile tugging at the corner of her mouth:
"You will die without a burial place."

Gao Xianzong was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter: "Hahahaha! Good! Good! As expected of an old man who served Consort Mingyi, you have backbone!"

His laughter abruptly stopped, and a ferocious expression appeared on his sinister face. "Then I'll just wait and see who will die without a burial place first!"

P.S.: It's the end of the month, and my monthly pass is about to expire. Please give me a monthly pass!

(End of this chapter)