Secret Records of the Leader of the Beichen Sword Sect-Chapter 1049 - 533: The Swindler (2)

The floor is covered with a Western Regions carpet, woven with eighty-one lotus patterns using golden threads, with pearl-studded petals. On the east wall hangs the "Yao Platform Chess Game Painting". In the painting, an immortal queen in a mud gold robe holds jade chess pieces. Across it is a peacock screen from Nan Zhao’s tribute, whose emerald feathers reflect the candlelight like rippling green waves. On the western table sits a gilded bronze incense burner, its lid cast in the shape of the Penglai Immortal Mountain, out of which smoke spirals like clouds encircling the peaks.

In front of the dressing table stands the Seven Treasures Rhombic Flower Mirror, encased with jade, coral, and ravenstone. Beside it is a red gold silk makeup box. Once opened, it reveals jade hairpins and golden ornaments shining brilliantly. Under the southern window is a peacock patterned table, upon which lies a green jade exorcism paperweight, pressing down graceful letter paper, whose ink marks carry the fragrance of orchids and musk.

The maid’s eyes widened in shock.

It was Nangong Ou’s bedroom, and indeed, no one was present.

Chen Xuantian glanced at this opulent sleeping chamber and admired the elegant script on the stationery, also expressing his wonder,

"This mother has truly suffered the heart of a palace maiden. If there were a reliable man in the household, she wouldn’t need to turn herself into such a fierce Yaksha."

The maid murmured,

"How, how is it possible that she’s not here... She instructed me during the banquet..."

Chen Xuantian chuckled,

"Someone told her things would change tomorrow, Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell, so she prepared in advance."

"But, but even if you came in, it’s still..."

Before she finished speaking, Chen Xuantian casually turned his back on the maid. He walked to a screen by the bed, crafted with Xiang bamboo and Chu jade, comprised of twelve panels, with countless red lotuses swaying in the wind, the dew reflecting starlight.

Before the maid could react, Chen Xuantian’s figure started spinning like a nimble top, left three circles, right three circles, around the screen. The maid felt as if a kaleidoscope of light and shadow danced before her eyes, transforming completely.

Suddenly, countless figures flickered, and within moments the sky inverted, altering Qiankun. When she raised her head again, the Phoenix Palace and Phoenix Hall were gone, leaving a vast marshland. Misty clouds and fine rain made it seem like Nangong family’s fleet disappeared at once, leaving only the endless Cloud Dream Marsh before her eyes.

"It’s really...really the Nangong Treasure Vault..."

"What Nangong Treasure Vault? It’s Nine Heavens Carefree Burning Heart Valley."

"Burning Heart Valley?"

Before the maid could inquire further, Chen Xuantian leaped into the air, utilizing his superior qinggong ability, the "dragonfly touches the water lightly" technique, harnessing the wind and riding the waves. Within moments, he used the Divine Movement to pierce through layers of mist, breaking through the smoky rain.

Suddenly, a massive shadow loomed in the fog, akin to a giant beast sleeping within the cloud dream. It scared the maid into clutching Chen Xuantian’s neck, nearly crying out.

Before she could scream, Chen Xuantian landed and raised his eyes, revealing the huge shadow was an ancient Taoist Palace. The Mountain Gate was moss-covered, the paths sparse, half-closed doors, an old copper bell hung at the door, a plaque reading "Nine Heavens Carefree Burning Heart Valley". Next to the door, the carvings wrote,

Life and nature harmonize with Yin Yang, the Furnace of Eight Trigrams refines Nascent Soul.

Seven Emotions Dao Understanding Life and Death Method, Hundred Pills Cast into Nine Heavens Truth.

Ascending the stone steps, she entered the door, seeing the Alchemy Room, quiet rooms, and Scripture Pavilion arranged with exquisite design. The main hall had no Three Venerables or Gods and Demons but a copper furnace, always warm without flame. The aromatic ash neatly piled, like frequently adjusted.

The maid became dazed,

"This Taoist Temple, where did it come from? Last time I was here, it wasn’t like this..."

Chen Xuantian chuckled,

"That’s because, with mortal eyes, you never received the Mystical Sect True Inheritance, naturally missed the mountain and pass gates, never recognizing the great array.

Silly as hell, thought it was some Grotto Heaven, so dug a pit and buried possessions by the door. Array learning really is lame.

Alright, come down."

Chen Xuantian pats the dust off himself, letting the maid down, pointing to the furnace,

"Place your left hand on the furnace, and the Yin Jade will appear."

The maid, bewildered, followed his instructions, placing her hand on the furnace, which heated her palm. Upon retracting her hand, she found a black Hook Jade in her palm. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Chen Xuantian gazed at the Hook Jade, making a calculation, then placed his hand on the furnace. Upon withdrawing, a white Hook Jade appeared in his hand too.

"Eh? Eh? Eh???"

The maid was dumbfounded, pointing at Chen Xuantian’s hand with the Yang Jade, unable to comprehend.

"Yin Yang harmony, True Yuan manifestation, entry-level trickery to fool muscle-bound fools."

Chen Xuantian didn’t further explain to her, placing his palm on the maid’s palm, uniting the Yin Yang Double Jade, holding hands and leading her out the door.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze and drizzle enveloped them, the fog thickening, the Taoist Temple vanished, and she was led briskly in the wind, not knowing how long until a sudden stop, revealing a new, imposing black shadow in the rain.

Focusing to behold, it was a forged iron treasure tower, with black tiles and brown bricks, its flying eaves and brackets even though half-buried in the marsh riverbed, the exposed part was ten zhang high. An unknown deity had such divine power to thrust such a treasure deep into the ground.

"So, it’s here."

"Mm, mm..."

The maid nodded, letting Chen Xuantian lead her to leap to the top of the tower, eyeing the sealed iron door with talismans affixed.