Chapter Sixty-Seven: Prejudice Like a Malignant Demon, The Youth Steps into the Third Realm of Body Refinement

The woman had never imagined that a person could change so profoundly. She vaguely remembered the handsome youth who had once appeared in the small courtyard under the guidance of the constable Huang Xian; back then, the youth had just begun his cultivation journey, his aura weak as a firefly’s glow.

But now, when she looked again, the youth’s vitality surged like a blazing mountain fire; his spirit was sharp as a newly unsheathed divine sword, faint traces of sword-like cold radiance emanating from him. Though she could not determine his exact level of cultivation, the oppressive force he exuded made it clear he was no longer the person he once was.

What made her tremble most was the ancient beastly phenomenon radiating from him—his blood energy hazy and steaming, making her feel as if she were gazing upon a mighty ancient ferocious tiger standing atop a mountain, roaring at the immortals in heaven. The oppressive force deep within his bloodline nearly overwhelmed her ability to stand.

Faced with such an ancient demon tiger, how could a mere squirrel spirit, with only a few centuries of cultivation, withstand its pressure? Not kneeling before him was already admirable. Though demons may take human form, they still retain some animal instincts. The pressure released by a powerful demon naturally suppresses weaker ones, which is why, when a tiger roars in the forest, all creatures flee.

Anle looked at the woman's trembling legs, a little puzzled—he hadn't done anything at all.

Spring rain drizzled, gathering along the edge of the oil-paper umbrella in a beaded curtain, lending the alley its characteristic haze and poetic charm.

Meeting an old acquaintance ought to be a pleasant occasion, but the woman's attitude was decidedly strange. Yet, after a moment’s thought, Anle understood: she was a squirrel spirit, perhaps intimidated by the lingering ancient beastly pressure he retained from practicing the Five Beasts technique.

“When did you return to Lin'an, madam?” Anle shifted the conversation with a smile, hoping to ease her discomfort as he held his oil-paper umbrella.

The woman, holding her own umbrella, looked at Anle with apprehension and even became more cautious: “Young Master An, I have been back in Lin'an for several days now. I wished to take one last look at the small courtyard where I once lived with my husband.”

“I haven't left yet. Since you’ve come, I’ll stay and accompany you,” Anle replied, a gentle smile on his face, subtly drawing four strands of time energy from her as he spoke.

The two walked toward the Imperial Temple Alley; perhaps the ancient beastly aura Anle carried was too overwhelming, for the woman was reluctant to approach him closely. Understanding this, Anle walked ahead, keeping a distance.

At his waist, the ancient demon jade he had hollowed out quivered faintly, continuously absorbing demon energy from the woman and gradually restoring its demon patterns.

The woman entered the courtyard, standing under her umbrella for a long time, her gaze tinged with reluctance and nostalgia. She did not enter the house, but wandered slowly through the courtyard, touching the potted flowers Anle had cared for. When she passed the old locust tree and noticed the sword hole with lingering sharp sword energy, she paused, though she didn’t give it much thought—such sword energy lingering in the tree might not be a bad thing.

“Young Master An, thank you for taking such good care of the courtyard,” she said, looking at Anle, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Anle smiled: “This was my first property in Lin'an. Living here brings me peace. ‘Where my heart is at peace, there is my home.’ Naturally, I wouldn’t damage it carelessly.”

“‘Where my heart is at peace, there is my home’... how well said,” the woman murmured, her eyes brightening.

“Young Master An, I have a question in my heart—may I ask your advice?”

Anle smiled: “Please ask, madam. I will do my best to help.”

The woman reached out, catching a drop of spring rain that broke upon her palm. “Young Master, someone once told me that one should be kind, but prejudice exists everywhere—in identity, character, even race. Many prejudices are more terrifying than evil demons. How should one face this?”

Anle pondered for a moment before replying slowly, “People act from their own perspective, favoring what benefits themselves. Prejudice arises naturally from such thinking. Enduring it only feeds its growth, making it stronger. In my view, prejudice is like an evil demon—so slay it, and the world will be clear.”

He added, “Madam, this is just my opinion. If you find it unsuitable, treat it as idle talk.”

The woman fell into deep thought, then bowed deeply to Anle. “Thank you for your guidance, Young Master.”

Anle waved his hand with a gentle smile.

They did not linger long in the courtyard; after her visit, the woman left with resolute steps. Anle watched her figure disappear into the rain-soaked alley under her umbrella. Though he sensed she carried untold stories, he did not ask.

Prejudice in this world is as weighty as mountains, often more fearsome than evil demons—how can it be easily eradicated?

Anle, who had read hundreds of volumes, recalled the treatise “On Demons” by a great scholar of the Literary Academy. It stated, “Demons are divided into good and evil. Evil demons eat people—their stench can be sensed from a hundred steps. Good demons help people—their aura blends with humans, indistinguishable even at close range.” In other words, demons are divided by virtue; evil ones eat people and carry a fierce, foul aura, while good ones help people, their energy merging with humans so even nearby, they are hard to distinguish. Yet in the mortal world, everyone fears demons, rarely distinguishing good from bad. If you are a demon, you are met with strange looks everywhere.

There are demon hunters who specialize in killing demons—even good demons who have never done evil are considered guilty by birth. Perhaps the prejudice the woman faced was just this.

After locking the door, Anle left the alley, the woman’s figure nowhere to be seen. He found shelter beneath a bean curd stall set up in the rain, sitting beneath its narrow frame, watching people pass by on Qingbo Street, enjoying a bowl of hot bean curd amidst the chilly spring rain, savoring the human warmth of the world.

After finishing, Anle strolled with his umbrella to the edge of West Lake. With the spring examinations approaching, scholars from all over the Great Zhao Dynasty were flocking to Lin'an, swelling the numbers of literati by the lake. Despite the persistent rain, these scholars were inspired, reciting poetry by the lakeside.

Anle approached with his umbrella; from a distance, Liu Yue, a scholar from Huating, spotted him and eagerly came over to greet and converse.

Anle had hoped to meet Lady Yunrou, but she had been in seclusion these past days and had not come to the lakeside.

He chatted idly with Liu Yue while waiting for Lady Yunrou, but after a while, she did not arrive, leaving Anle slightly disappointed. He stopped waiting and turned toward the examination hall. Liu Yue followed.

“Master An, are you heading to the examination hall to register and collect your exam token? Let’s go together!” Liu Yue said with a smile.

Anle did not refuse.

The examination hall, originally governed by the Ministry of Rites, had since been incorporated into the Literary Academy, its location set within the academy’s grounds.

Mist wove through the verdant fields, scattered by the east wind.

It was Anle’s first time setting foot in the Literary Academy—its black-and-white buildings dotted the hazy foothills.

He followed the stream of scholars to the examination hall within the academy, where a long queue had already formed outside, waiting to register and collect exam tokens.

Liu Yue chatted with Anle along the way, showing no nervousness despite Anle’s reputation.

The line moved slowly.

After a while, it was finally Anle’s turn.

The registrar, an old scholar of the academy, didn’t look up as he asked, “Name and place of origin?”

“Anle, from Anfu County, Chongzhou,” Anle answered gently.

The old scholar, pen in hand, suddenly recalled something and looked up sharply.

“You are Master Anle... sir?” Awe at Anle’s youth flashed across his eyes.

“Sir, I have had the opportunity to admire your ink bamboo and ink horse paintings. Your brushwork is truly unique, a style of your own!” The old scholar stood and bowed respectfully.

Anle smiled, unsure how to respond to such praise, and returned the gesture.

The old scholar’s behavior naturally stirred excitement among the scholars in line.

This youth was the famous Master An of Lin'an!

After collecting his exam token, Anle did not linger. Bidding farewell to Liu Yue, he vanished into the spring rain under the heated gaze of many scholars.

Liu Yue, too, drew much attention.

Once Anle left, the old scholar reverted to his cold, businesslike demeanor.

...

...

Prime Minister Qin’s residence.

Water pavilions and small ponds, emerald waves rippling, streams winding among artificial hills.

Qin Qianqiu sat in a leisure pavilion; across from him sat an elder in elegant attire, his face gaunt and eyes keen.

“Have your injuries healed?” The elder took a sip of tea, placed a piece on the chessboard, and spoke calmly.

Qin Qianqiu placed his own piece, respectfully replying, “The injuries are fine, only my pride was wounded. It’s not easy to leave the residence now.”

The elder stroked his beard and smiled. “They couldn’t kill Luo Qingchen—Li You'an is protecting him. After burying the coachman’s body, he fled to the Canglang River battlefield and joined the military camp.”

“My reach does not extend into the camps—that’s the domain of the Martial Temple and its warriors.”

A trace of resentment and anger flashed across Qin Qianqiu’s face, quickly suppressed.

“Discontent is natural. Let this incident be a lesson: do not underestimate any opponent. If you strike, strike to kill; use thunderous force, or else avoid giving them a chance to retaliate—a cornered foe will bite you no matter what.”

Qin Qianqiu nodded solemnly.

“With the spring examinations approaching, I must confer with the great scholars of the Literary Academy. I’ll be busy, unable to visit or guide you often. Take care, and think deeply.”

The elder stood, brushed off the spring rain, spoke these words, then turned and left down the long corridor.

Qin Qianqiu rose and bowed in farewell. Once the elder was gone, he faced the emerald pond and let out a heavy breath.

“After this, Father must be disappointed in me... But there’s still a chance to make amends. With the spring examinations coming, the Lin family is pinning its hopes on that youth, Anle, hoping he’ll break through at the palace trial. Since that’s their plan, I’ll find a way to eliminate the Lin family’s piece, leaving them no hope at all.”

“Hua Jie Bing protects him with overwhelming strength, and Li You'an too—it’s hard to touch him. But if I can’t kill the youth, then I’ll ruin him...”

Qin Qianqiu stood in the water pavilion, hands behind his back, looking at the koi in the pond, a smile curling on his lips.

As Father said, destroying someone isn’t limited to killing them—there are many ways, especially when it comes to ruining a rising scholar.

...

...

Having collected his exam token, Anle did not return immediately to Imperial Temple Alley but instead went to the Lin residence.

Liuxiang opened the door. It had been days since she’d seen Anle, and her bright eyes sparkled with surprise and delight.

Liuxiang told Anle that Lady Hua and the young masters were not at home—the young masters had gone to the Martial Temple, and as a maid, she did not know Lady Hua’s whereabouts.

Anle did not linger and took his leave.

He went to Yan Spring Lane to buy two jars of aged yellow wine, then to Ding Constable Alley for two pounds of beef.

Walking on the stone pavement, accompanied by peach blossoms cut down by the spring rain, Anle arrived in front of the Imperial Temple, lifted his wine and called out, then returned to his peaceful courtyard to await old friends.

Sitting under the eaves, enjoying the spring rain in the courtyard, Anle infused all the time energy he had gathered today into his “Talent of the Ages” Dao Fruit.

Perhaps this extra infusion was what he needed.

Suddenly, his core furnace resounded with a thunderous boom.

Heaven and earth’s spiritual energy surged in.

Vitality, spirit, energy, and the essence of his body were drawn by an invisible force, slowly condensing into an internal elixir within his core!