Martial Saint through Reading

Chapter 167: Chapter 167: Black Tower Negotiations

”My name is Bai You.” The person in the white robe spoke casually, lightly waving his sleeve.

Xiang Yue had yet to understand what this meant when he saw a slightly younger man, also dressed in a white robe, bring up a tray of tea.

”Master, Cyan Bamboo Tea.”

”Mm,” Bai You said calmly, pushing a cup of tea in front of Xiang Yue, ”Commander Xiang, what brings you here?”

Xiang Yue raised the teacup and took a sip: ”Good tea.”

He put down the cup, his expression returning to calmness, his voice steady: ”Brother Bai You mentioned last night that a Primordial Qi object could make the Divine Mystery Bureau take action, is that true?”

”Mm, could Commander Xiang take it out for a look?” Bai You looked at Xiang Yue, as if he had already sensed something.

Xiang Yue didn’t waste words and brought out a sweet orange with a flip of his hand.

Originally, he wasn’t sure if the sweet orange Chu Ming brought was a Primordial Qi object, but when the Black Tower doors opened automatically, he was certain that Chu Ming’s sweet orange was such an object.

And the person before him must have sensed the existence of the Primordial Qi sweet orange, hence surprisingly allowing them entry into the Black Tower.

Sure enough, when Xiang Yue placed the sweet orange on the stone table, Bai You’s eyes subtly shifted, although briefly, yet Chu Ming caught it precisely.

If Bai You’s eyes only subtly shifted, then the person who brought the tea displayed joy almost written on their face.

Seeing this, Xiang Yue’s last trace of uncertainty disappeared.

”I wonder how this object fares?” he asked with a smile.

Bai You stared at the sweet orange, a hint of doubt emerging in his eyes.

He didn’t answer Xiang Yue directly but instead asked: ”This object is indeed a Primordial Qi object. I wonder where Commander Xiang acquired it?”

Bai You found it odd that a Primordial Qi object would appear in such a common form.

A seemingly ordinary sweet orange contained such pure Primordial Qi.

A Primordial Qi object is characterized by its rich Primordial Qi. However, the purity of that Qi is most crucial.

The purity level of the sweet orange was exactly what he needed.

To be precise, not he himself but his disciple—the young man who had just brought the tea.

Where did it come from?

Xiang Yue smiled without speaking.

He didn’t know where Chu Ming got it, nor did he want to inquire, as long as it could help Chu Ming, his disciple.

Bai You understood Xiang Yue’s reluctance to speak—perhaps it wasn’t reluctance, but simply not knowing how to explain.

”I wonder what Commander Xiang wishes the Divine Mystery Bureau to do?”

Primordial Qi objects are extremely rare. Bai You assumed Xiang Yue happened upon it by chance.

”Jingyan County Mine. I hope the Divine Mystery Bureau can clear the evil presences completely.”

Xiang Yue remained impassive, not directly mentioning the need for the Divine Mystery Bureau to protect Chu Ming.

His strategy was to raise the request first, then negotiate down.

As expected, Bai You shook his head gently: ”The evil presences in Jingyan County’s salt mine, we at the Divine Mystery Bureau cannot clear them completely; Commander Xiang, please ask for something else.”

”Then please teach me the method to eliminate evil presences,” Xiang Yue suggested again.

Bai You continued to shake his head: ”Commander Xiang must understand, without sensing the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, one cannot become a Primordial Qi Warrior or combat evil presences.”

Xiang Yue feigned silence, ultimately stating his true aim: ”Then please guarantee the safety of a student of mine’s kin.”

Bai You glanced at Xiang Yue, then his gaze fell on the sweet orange: ”Commander Xiang wants the Divine Mystery Bureau to protect the new Chief Clerk, I presume?”

The Divine Mystery Bureau never meddled in Xirong County affairs, but that didn’t mean they were ignorant of outside events.

On the contrary, Bai You was well aware of everything happening in Xirong County.

He knew about the new Chief Clerk Chu Ming, and also that Chu Ming had a deeply connected steward who was Xiang Yue’s newly appointed Personal Attendant.

Xiang Yue nodded: ”Exactly.”

”Very well, I’ll send someone tomorrow.”

Bai You spoke, his gaze sweeping across Xiang Yue’s waist, as if he realized there was another Primordial Qi sweet orange there.

Hearing this, Xiang Yue felt relieved. With the Divine Mystery Bureau’s agreement, Chu Ming’s safety was assured.

Chu Ming kept silent, truly concerned about the Divine Mystery Bureau’s Primordial Qi Cultivation Method.

Better to learn the way to eliminate evil presences himself than to rely on others for his life.

Feeling Bai You’s gaze, Xiang Yue did not hesitate to bring out the second Primordial Qi sweet orange.

Instantly, the man who had brought the tea was drawn to it.

Bai You’s expression, as usual, showed an easily missed hint of joy.

”Does Commander Xiang have any other matters?”

Xiang Yue kept a hand on the sweet orange, seemingly in good spirits.

Through the first sweet orange, he had confirmed that the Divine Mystery Bureau cared greatly about the Primordial Qi objects, such as those sweet oranges Chu Ming brought.

Since the opposition cared, the negotiating power rested with him.

Chu Ming’s talent was extraordinary, capable of sensing Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi with only a fragmented Primordial Qi Technique. What if he obtained a complete Cultivation Technique?

”Using this Primordial Qi object, I’d like to borrow the Divine Mystery Bureau’s Primordial Qi Cultivation Method.” Xiang Yue said calmly.

Following his words, the small house’s front fell into brief silence.

Bai You’s expression changed slightly and he apologized: ”This matter... Commander Xiang, the Primordial Qi Cultivation Method is our Divine Mystery Bureau’s secret tradition; unless one is a Divine Mystery Bureau Primordial Qi Warrior, it cannot be shared externally.”

”Then how can one become a Divine Mystery Bureau Primordial Qi Warrior?” Xiang Yue anticipated such a response.

If the Primordial Qi method were easily attainable, the entire Great Qin Dynasty wouldn’t have only one Divine Mystery Bureau.

”This...” Bai You looked at the sweet orange, then at the eager expression of the youth beside him, sighed and said:

”Two things are needed: first, the talent to cultivate Primordial Qi.”

”Second...” Bai You paused, ”A vow must be taken to always remain loyal to the Divine Mystery Bureau, only leaving for missions or to eliminate evil presences.”

Upon hearing this, Xiang Yue frowned slightly.

The first condition was no problem; Chu Ming, using the fragmented Primordial Qi method, could sense the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, indicating strong talent.

But the second condition...

Xiang Yue initially planned for Chu Ming, in disguise, to display his Primordial Qi talent and join the Divine Mystery Bureau.

Yet, it seemed not so easy.

The Divine Mystery Bureau required warriors to stay within its confines and take an oath.

For Chu Ming to do so meant risking exposure.

Bai You saw Xiang Yue in thought, lightly laughing: ”Although our Divine Mystery Bureau cannot share the Primordial Qi method externally, the world’s Primordial Qi methods are not solely ours.”

Hmm?

An implied message.

With a gentle sweep of his sleeve across the stone table, Bai You revealed a book.

”This Primordial Qi Technique, obtained by chance long ago, can be exchanged with Commander Xiang.”

Xiang Yue pondered briefly, pushing the sweet orange toward the other side, saying: ”Alright.”

Then, he picked up the Technique and rose to bow: ”Thus, I won’t disturb Brother Bai You’s cultivation anymore. Farewell.”

”Mm, safe travels, Commander Xiang.” Bai You also bowed courteously.

Xiang Yue, with Chu Ming, left the small house’s range, stepping out of the Black Tower, returning everything to the night.

Inside the tower.

Bai You sat at the stone table, two Primordial Qi sweet oranges placed side by side.

Beside him, the young man in the white robe was respectfully preparing tea.

”Qu Yaan,” Bai You gazed at the sweet oranges, spoke calmly: ”These two Primordial Qi sweet oranges, along with the Primordial Qi objects I’ve prepared for you, should help you break through your bottleneck.”