It was the middle of the night.
Deng Weixians Godfather arrived as promised.
Of course, he still looked a bit dazed watching his godson calmly report before him.
"I don't think it's been twelve hours since I issued the task, and he's already completed it?"
"This is too fast…"
Deng Weixians Godfather naturally wouldn't show these thoughts in front of Deng Weixian; he just calmly listened to the other party describe the whole story.
"So, the rumors of Yan Qu Hall being haunted were all caused by this Xiao Zhuozi?"
Deng Weixians Godfather pointed to Xiao Zhuozi's door next to them, confirming.
"That should be it. Concubine Liang saw Xiao Zhuozi's figure at night and was scared out of her wits. Now she's even being watched by Eunuch Yin."
"Everyone in Yan Qu Hall thinks Concubine Liang's abnormal behavior is due to being possessed, and they're all a bit afraid of her."
Deng Weixian answered truthfully with what he knew, then waited for Deng Weixians Godfather's further instructions.
Li Xuan, who was lurking in the dark, secretly listening, couldn't help but nod, giving Deng Weixian a thumbs-up.
This way, Deng Weixian had achieved a very good score on the investigation task assigned by Deng Weixians Godfather.
It wasn't for nothing that Li Xuan had put a lot of effort into it.
Deng Weixians Godfather paced twice in the courtyard, then nodded repeatedly.
"Good, good…"
"You handled this matter very well!"
Deng Weixians Godfather was clearly in a good mood, becoming more satisfied the more he looked at Deng Weixian.
Regardless of whether Deng Weixian genuinely discovered it by accident last night, as he claimed, or had been aware of it for a while, the result was what mattered.
Someone who could deliver a satisfactory result when needed was a qualified subordinate.
"Alright, I'll assign you another task."
"For the next few days, you need to keep an eye on this Xiao Zhuozi, ensuring that he remains unaware and that no one else discovers what he's been doing."
"As for how to do it, you decide."
Deng Weixians Godfather was well-traveled and knowledgeable; he didn't comment excessively on Xiao Zhuozi's peculiar habit but immediately gave a new task.
From the task's content, it was clear that this task was more flexible, but also more difficult.
Evidently, Deng Weixian's abilities had been recognized by Deng Weixians Godfather, thus giving him a more challenging assessment.
"Your son accepts the order!"
Deng Weixian didn't waste any words and readily accepted the task.
"Next, you just need to do this one thing well; other matters will be handled by others."
"Keep up the good work, your father is counting on you!"
Deng Weixians Godfather patted Deng Weixian's shoulder, encouraged him, and then drifted away.
Watching Deng Weixians Godfather's retreating figure, Deng Weixian remained still for a long time, lost in thought.
He sat on the stone chair for a moment, then went inside the house, only to re-emerge shortly after.
Judging by his refreshed appearance, he had clearly just absorbed Linhu Essence Blood and was preparing for his cultivation tonight.
Li Xuan, confirming that Deng Weixians Godfather had left, secretly climbed back onto the wall, and began cultivating with Deng Weixian.
It had been several days since they cultivated together, so it was a good chance to enjoy it.
Although cultivating back in Jingyang Palace wouldn't hinder his progress, Li Xuan felt that cultivating with Deng Weixian was the most enjoyable.
As for Linhu Essence Blood, he wasn't in a hurry to absorb it a second time.
After the last absorption, the cool, icy power within his body was still very abundant, and only a negligible trace was consumed with each cultivation session.
He suspected this was related to his unique physique.
However, the specifics would require more verification to confirm.
After a session of cultivating together, Bloodthirsty Tiger Claw had increased by five points.
Bloodthirsty Tiger Claw: 30%
Looking at the pleasing progress in his mind, Li Xuan felt delighted.
At this current speed, in less than half a month, he would be able to cultivate Bloodthirsty Tiger Claw to perfection.
By then, according to Deng Weixians Godfather, he should be able to enter the Ningxue Realm, possessing abilities equivalent to a ninth-rank martial artist.
"How strong will a ninth-rank cat be, I wonder?"
Li Xuan was full of anticipation for the future.
…
After finishing his cultivation, Deng Weixian returned to his room to rest as usual.
But starting today, he would have to postpone his bedtime.
After Deng Weixian rested in his room for a while, he was meditating with his eyes closed on the bed when he heard subtle movements from the courtyard.
He knew Xiao Zhuozi was on the move again.
Deng Weixian, like last night, maintained a controlled distance while tailing him, and Li Xuan followed closely behind.
Everyone resumed a highly disciplined act of tailing.
Although Deng Weixian was unclear about Deng Weixians Godfather's intention in making him do this, he was a person more accustomed to following orders and wouldn't overthink Deng Weixians Godfather's intentions.
This night was uneventful, even a bit boring.
Xiao Zhuozi also seemed to be growing more cautious, and his "bamboo pipe sucking" time was getting shorter and shorter.
Although Deng Weixian and Li Xuan completely failed to understand his behavior, it seemed to hold great significance for Xiao Zhuozi.
Otherwise, he wouldn't risk it every night.
But his good days were probably numbered.
…
The next day.
The atmosphere in Yan Qu Hall made even the cat feel uneasy.
Li Xuan noticed the abnormality as soon as he arrived.
He had initially thought that starting today, things would be much easier, only needing to cultivate with Deng Weixian every night and secretly watch Xiao Zhuozi.
But the atmosphere in Yan Qu Hall had been unusual since morning.
The Royal Concubines no longer had relaxed smiles on their faces; everyone wore a stern expression, filled with worry.
When singing and dancing, they were also tense, lacking their usual liveliness.
Even during breaks, everyone remained silent, no longer chattering or gossiping.
"What happened?"
Li Xuan frowned deeply as soon as he noticed the situation.
Living in Jingyang Palace, he was genuinely insensitive to events happening in the palace.
Given how cautious the Royal Concubines in Yan Qu Hall were, it was likely not a minor matter.
Just then, Li Xuan saw the Eunuch Yin, with a gloomy expression, hurrying past with his people.
The Royal Concubines merely bowed from a distance when they saw the Eunuch Yin; no one dared to look him in the eye.
Li Xuan quickly followed, wanting to see what exactly had happened.
The Eunuch Yin's face today was much worse than yesterday, like a volcano on the verge of erupting.
He led his people directly to the door of the room where Deng Weixian and Xiao Zhuozi had been watching yesterday, then barged right in.
Li Xuan quickly moved to a tree, finding an angle from which he could see clearly inside.
"Liang Chuchu, what time is it, and you're still sleeping!"
"Get her up for me."
The Eunuch Yin had someone bring a chair and sat down imperiously by the bed.
Liang Chuchu, still half-asleep, was groggily pulled up and brought before the Eunuch Yin.
Liang Chuchu, having been dragged out of her covers, was still half-awake. Looking at the person in front of her, she mumbled, "Eunuch Yin, is it mealtime?"
"Eat, eat, eat, all you know is eating!"
The Eunuch Yin slammed the table, seething with anger.
He stepped forward, grabbed Liang Chuchu's chin with one hand, shook her twice forcefully to wake her up, then asked fiercely, "Tell me, what exactly did you see that night?"
"Give me a clear, detailed account, omitting nothing!"
Liang Chuchu sensed that something was wrong, but her mind was still unclear, and she instinctively questioned, "Huh?"
The Eunuch Yin was close, and in that instant, he felt as if raging ocean waves were surging towards him, making him feel as if he were truly there.
As the saying goes, a spoonful of water can reveal the taste of the ocean.
The Eunuch Yin's face suddenly turned pale. He released Liang Chuchu's chin and slumped back into the chair, feeling utterly powerless.
He waved his hand at the two eunuchs under him, instructing, "Go outside and guard. No one is allowed in or out without my command."
The two eunuchs dared not question. They released Liang Chuchu and obediently went out to guard the door.
Li Xuan grew even more curious. He scurried directly to the window and peeked inside with his two bright, gleaming eyes.
Then, he saw the Eunuch Yin, trembling, point at Liang Chuchu and question her in a low voice:
"What is that smell in your mouth?"
"Do you know what you're doing?"
"You'll kill yourself, you'll kill me, you'll kill your father!!!"