Eunuch Jin nodded satisfactorily; it seemed as if he remembered something and asked, "By the way, I heard that General Chen is particularly skilled with the blade and has reached a lofty level of mastery in the Sword Way?"
Chen Mo shook his head and said, "It is merely superficial understanding, not worth mentioning. Eunuch Jin jests."
"General mustn't be so modest. Being able to slay the Tenth Heavenly Demon at the realm of a Sixth-Rank, your Sword Technique must surely have reached the Transformation Realm."
"I do have a little trinket that would be very suitable for General Chen..."
Eunuch Jin stretched out his right hand as if grasping something in the air.
As his palm slowly moved, there was the sudden sound of ringing metal, and inch by inch, the edge of a blade materialized out of thin air!
The blade was straight, narrow, and elongated, its body emerald green as if cast from jade, with cracked ice patterns on the spine, from which one could feel a bone-chilling cold from even a great distance!
A fine blade!
Chen Mo's eyes shone with amazement, recognizing the extraordinary nature of the item at a single glance.
"This blade is called Shattered Jade. It serves no use for me, so I gift it to General Chen."
Eunuch Jin handed over the long blade to Chen Mo.
Hearing the name, Chen Mo's pupils suddenly constricted!
"This is too precious; I cannot accept it..."
Eunuch Jin smiled inscrutably as if hinting at something. "A treasured blade should belong to a worthy master; just as fine birds choose to perch on fine trees, it seems to me that this blade is perfectly matched with General Chen. Please, do not refuse it."
"I have some trivial matters to attend to in the palace and cannot stay long."
"Please, all of you, stay."
Having said that, without waiting for Chen Mo's refusal, he left the blade behind and departed.
The courtyard regained its tranquility.
"Even though there is merit in slaying the Heavenly Demon, is there really a need for such a grand display—having the Chief Steward of the Imperial Household personally deliver the decree?"
"It seems like a generous reward, but in reality, it is rather meaningless. The Empress is indeed adept at drawing pies in the sky."
Chen Mo's eyes were cold.
The position of a Hundred Household Officer was merely a title, without any actual power.
The Flying Phoenix Order merely allowed entry to the Imperial Palace, meaningless to him.
As for the Broken Jade Blade...
The name itself said it all!
"The Empress is clearly trying to exploit the situation, obviously intending to sow discord."
"If this matter reaches the Empress's ears, it will inevitably breed suspicion. The seeds of doubt have been planted; they will take root and sprout someday, possibly even affecting the entire Chen Family..."
"And yet it cannot be refused; this is a blatant scheme in plain sight."
Chen Zhuo's expression was somber.
Chen Mo's foundations were still shallow, not yet enjoying the trust of the Empress. It seems the road ahead will be difficult.
At that moment, Chen Mo stood up and walked towards the door.
Chen Zhuo asked, "Where are you going?"
Without turning his head, Chen Mo replied, "Into the palace, to see the Empress!"
Thinking to sow discord between me and the Empress?
Dream on!
...
Qianqing Gate.
Xu Qingyi frowned upon seeing Chen Mo, "Aren't you coming here too frequently?"
His frequency of entering the palace to see the Empress was outrageously high, with no one having ever managed to see the Empress so often.
Is he treating the rear palace as his own home?
"There has been an issue..."
Chen Mo sighed.
Seeing his disheartened appearance, Xu Qingyi couldn't help but ask, "What happened?"
Chen Mo spread his hands helplessly and said, "I've caught the attention of the Empress. Now I'm like a thong, only able to survive in the cracks."
"..."
Xu Qingyi asked in confusion, "What is a thong?"
Chen Mo gave her a glance, "I'll gift you one when there's a chance."
Looking at Xu Qingyi's clear and cold eyes, imagining the meticulously white robe with a thong underneath...
Cough cough, his mind was wandering off.
"I don't fancy it at all."
Xu Qingyi huffed coldly.
She always felt this guy was up to no good.
Approaching the gate of Frozen Sky Palace, Chen Mo took two steps back and, to Xu Qingyi's puzzled and shocked gaze, slid down on his knees as he rushed into the grand hall.
"Empress!"
"This subordinate has an important matter to report—"
A pair of Exquisite Feet pressed onto his face, cutting off the rest of his words.
Yu Youhan sat on the Phoenix Throne, her legs crossed, creating a voluptuous curve, her slender fingers rubbing her temple, "Too noisy, can't you grant me a few days of peace?"
"Mmmh!"
Chen Mo blinked.
"You're saying something..."
Suddenly, Yu Youhan's expression changed, "Silence! Do not lick!"