March 7th, Chang’an City, Golden City Mansion.
It was the season of unseasonable spring chill. A fine drizzle fell from the sky, the rainwater dripping from the eaves to form a shimring curtain of rain.
BUBBLE, BUBBLE.
The sound of a kettle boiling ca from the kitchen. Chai Cuiqiao slowly set down the novel in her hand, published by the Lanling Newspaper, her gaze still lingering on the words on the page.
This book had only been published last month, and the author was, naturally, Jin Jiang, the most popular writer at the Lanling Newspaper.
Jin Jiang’s original writing style was gentle and delicate, interwoven with a thread of sorrow and lancholy. However, in her latest novel, her style had beco more lively and cheerful. The text brimd with an understated joy not previously present.
This shouldn’t be an illusion. Yesterday, after she returned from tending to the graves in Yizhou and attended a book club organized by so young noblewon in Chang’an, many had speculated that the ever-secretive Ms. Jin Jiang might have finally found love. Of course, it was also possible an enemy of hers had died.
Chai Chai mused idly as she went to the kitchen. She took the boiling kettle off the coal stove, poured the hot water into a thermos, and simultaneously used her Telekinesis for household chores.
When she first arrived in Chang’an, housework hadn’t been exactly easy—the Golden City Mansion was too large, and tasks like sweeping and dusting were quite troubleso.
But ever since she was admitted to the Academic Palace and learned to harness Spiritual Power, housework had beco much easier and more pleasant.
The Dust Removal Talisman could collect dust, the Water Vortex Technique could wash clothes, and the Expelling Technique could move heavy objects.
"I’m back."
Li Ang’s voice ca from the front door. Chai Chai hurriedly placed the kettle on the living room table, went to the courtyard, and raised a telekinetic barrier against the rain. She naturally took the parcel from Li Ang’s hands and asked, "Why are you back so late today?"
"Sothing held up at Dongjun Tower," Li Ang replied offhandedly.
After an unsuccessful search at his old family ho’s well, he took Chai Chai to tend to the graves. They then hurried back to Chang’an, and he proceeded to the Academic Palace East Lord Tower.
The Mountain Master was still missing, so he had no choice but to find the Puppet Servant nad Ati at Dongjun Tower, where he learned two things.
First, the Bronze Box Fragnts that had sealed the Dream Eater were now securely stored by the Academic Palace. Research on them was forbidden to anyone until the Mountain Master returned. This was primarily due to fear of the Dream Eater’s pervasive reality-distorting abilities.
Second, Li Ang’s speculation about the Dragon Fall Spear might have been correct. Certain Pre-Sui Classics that recorded the Dragon Fall event contained veiled ntions of the term ’Dragon Transformation Sacrifice.’ It was believed that True Dragon bloodlines were widely distributed within beasts, demon beasts, and even humans. Whether carp leaping through the Dragon Gate or snakes undergoing Jiao Transformation, demon beasts could activate and refine the sparse Dragon Blood within their bodies, evolving towards the form of a Dragon. Here, Dragon Blood referred not only to physical blood but also to a mystical life essence.
As a demon, the Dream Eater’s power was unfathomable. After the Dragon Fall Spear killed it and absorbed part of its essence, the spear gained the ability to change size.
Perhaps, by killing more demons, the Dragon Fall Spear could truly return to the power it held in the hands of the founding Emperor of the Sui Dynasty...
Li Ang folded his umbrella and placed it by the living room door. "So, what’s for dinner?" he asked.
"Stead yellow croaker from the restaurant. Since you weren’t back yet, I put it in the refrigerator. Shall I take it out to heat it up now?"
"Mhm, I’ll go read in the study. Call when it’s heated."
Their conversation was natural and warm. Chai Chai, humming a tune, was just about to head to the kitchen when she heard the "BUBBLE, BUBBLE" sound again.
The kettle was still on the coal stove, boiling away.
Hmm? Didn’t I just take the kettle down?
Chai Chai blinked in confusion. Using her Telekinesis again to remove the kettle, she opened the refrigerator to take out the stead yellow croaker, which was covered with gauze.
Could I have misrembered?
「March 8th, Chang’an City, Golden City Mansion.」
It was still raining today.
Li Ang and Chai Chai were dismissed from the Academic Palace at the sa ti. However, he often stayed late to read at the Book Collection Pavilion, assist Dr. Su Feng, or give lectures at the Imperial dical Bureau, so he frequently returned ho late.
"I’m back."
Li Ang, holding an umbrella, pushed open the door and walked into the courtyard. He found Chai Chai sitting in the living room with her chin propped on her hands, lost in thought. A kettle sat on the table. "What’s wrong? Daydreaming?"
"Ah, Young Master, you’re back." Chai Chai forced a smile. "I’ve been rather captivated by Ms. Jin Jiang’s books recently, wondering when I’ll be able to write as well as her."
"Really? Keep it up, then."
Li Ang chuckled inwardly. Of course, I know Jin Jiang’s true identity. Lu Yunan possesses a library of story concepts entire eras ahead of its ti. By simply blending so of these ideas, she could easily leave a lesser-known Lanling Newspaper author like Chai Chai completely overshadowed.
"By the way, what’s for dinner?"
"Hmm... the restaurant hasn’t delivered yet."
Before she could finish speaking, a restaurant worker holding an umbrella and a food container arrived at the mansion’s main gate. "Mr. Li, your al has been delivered."
"Oh, thank you."
Li Ang stood up, went to the door, took the food container, and gave it a quick glance.
Fried eggplant, stir-fried Zizania latifolia with at, beef soup...
"Huh? Why is there only one bowl of rice? Didn’t we ask for two?"
"Ah?" The restaurant worker was taken aback. "Perhaps the chef at the shop forgot to include it. I’ll go get it now."
"No need. It’s tiring to make another trip. Just rember for tomorrow," Li Ang said, waving his hand dismissively as he carried the food container back to the living room.
「March 9th, Chang’an City, Golden City Mansion.」
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