She responded humbly: “Your Majesty can reward me with whatever you like. I’d be pleased with anything.” Since she couldn’t be promoted in rank or office anyway, her enthusiasm for meritorious service was lacking. True gold and silver would be more practical, but asking a sovereign directly for money would be beneath her dignity.
Selecting a reward for someone under the State Preceptor was indeed difficult. The King of Jin pondered for quite some time before asking her: “What weapon do you use?”
Since weapons weren’t permitted inside, Chen Xi brought in her pair of Water-Splitting Daggers to show the King. The latter nodded: “Mundane weapons.”
Although the Water-Splitting Daggers were sharp, they weren’t magical tools used by cultivators. That’s why it wasn’t Feng Miaojun who ultimately took the life of the Xongxong beast, but rather Miao Fengxian—with his hand axe.
This pair of daggers forged from fine steel couldn’t even pierce that great beast’s hide.
The King of Jin had already made his decision: “In that case, I shall bestow the ‘Star Sky Awl’ upon you.”
What treasure was that? Before Feng Miaojun could complete her thought, Mo Tichun had already called out: “Having received such a precious treasure, shouldn’t you thank His Majesty?”
As soon as the words were spoken, Feng Miaojun performed a deep bow and proclaimed loudly: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for this precious gift!”
This master-disciple duo had swiftly completed the ceremonial exchange in perfect harmony. The King of Jin smiled bitterly—that old rascal Mo Tichun must have feared he would change his mind, which is why they rushed through the thanks.
The royal decree was issued, and the Star Sky Awl was promptly presented.
Feng Miaojun saw a pair of delicate weapons lying on a brocade cushion. They indeed resembled ice picks, with handles made of some unknown wood that appeared dark brown and somewhat aged. The awl bodies looked like enlarged steel needles, slender and pointed, about the length of a dagger. They didn’t emit the cold gleam typical of ordinary steel swords but rather appeared coated in ink, not reflecting any light even in this bright study.
On the body of each awl were two thin blood grooves.
Beyond this, there seemed nothing particularly special about them.
By now, other ministers were waiting outside to present memorials to the King, so Mo Tichun led Feng Miaojun away after they expressed their gratitude.
As they walked toward the palace exit, Mo Tichun smiled and said: “You’ve gained quite an advantage this time.”
Feng Miaojun, who had been annoyed that the King of Jin had only rewarded her with a pair of weapons, looked up at these words: “Are these Star Sky Awls really that impressive?” Judging by the King’s pained expression, he hadn’t even been willing to give her gold, silver, or jewels.
Mo Tichun stroked his chin: “Even I would like to have them.”
“Not giving them up,” she immediately tucked the awls into her sleeve. They were even more compact than her original Water-Splitting Daggers, truly deadly weapons for taking lives in secret. Beyond that, she couldn’t see anything special about them.
Mo Tichun was only joking—how could he snatch something from his nominal disciple? “These are celestial artifacts passed down from prehistoric times, carefully nourished with spirit stones to this day. Even the royal treasury doesn’t have many treasures like these.”
“Prehistoric!” Feng Miaojun’s expression finally changed as she secretly gripped the Star Sky Awls tighter, feeling that they weren’t cold to the touch but rather emitted a slight warmth. “Prehistoric” refers to the time before the establishment of the Haoli Empire, when there was no dynastic calendar. Back then, immortals still existed among humans and demon tribes, and celestial demons remained active on the world stage.
“After you claim them, you’ll gradually discover the special properties of the Star Sky Awls.” Mo Tichun briefly explained the key points of refining and claiming magical artifacts, then said, “If not for your great service today, His Majesty wouldn’t have bestowed such treasures.”
“Is Miao Fengxian’s life worth that much?”
“It has been since half a month ago.” Mo Tichun’s expression grew solemn. “Do you know that Yan Kingdom suffered an incident a month and a half ago, which provoked Pu Kingdom to attack in anger?”
Feng Miaojun had heard something about this but naturally pretended ignorance.
“Nine years ago, Pu Kingdom sent their third prince to Yan’s capital as a hostage. About forty days ago, this hostage prince was invited to the Marquis of Pingyuan’s mansion as a guest and only left at dawn. Shortly after returning to the hostage residence, servants discovered him hanging from a beam, his body already stiff.”
Feng Miaojun was speechless. For rigor mortis to extend throughout the entire body after death takes at least two hours. The hostage died in broad daylight, yet wasn’t discovered until much later—clearly showing how negligent the household servants were toward him.
“Suicide or murder?”
“He left not a single word before his death. Yan Kingdom publicly declared that the hostage was murdered and executed the alleged killer three days later.”
Feng Miaojun frowned: “How would a frail hostage attract an assassin?”
Mo Tichun laughed coldly, choosing his words carefully before continuing, “In my view, it’s merely a smokescreen. The Pu Kingdom hostage most likely died by suicide. He was seventeen this year, with a slender build and delicate features like a young girl, and a very weak temperament. During his later years as a hostage in Yan, he was frequently invited to the Marquis of Pingyuan’s mansion. Servants reported that upon his return, he would be too exhausted to rise, and was often heard weeping under his blankets.”
Feng Miaojun felt a chill run down her spine. What kind of world was this, where even men couldn’t protect their chastity? Lu Chuanying had also sent her news of the Pu hostage’s death by hanging, but without the detailed insider information that Mo Tichun provided.
“This matter has long been a subject of mockery among Yan’s nobility, with those who favor such practices referring to it as ‘young deer.’ The Marquis of Pingyuan has distinguished military achievements, and when the King of Yan learned of it, the damage was already done, so he tolerated it without restraint.”
Feng Miaojun immediately sensed something amiss: “If he had endured humiliation for so many years, why would the hostage take his own life now?”
“That day, an envoy from Pu Kingdom was also invited to the banquet. The hostage probably couldn’t bear being humiliated in public, especially in front of his own country’s envoy, and hanged himself out of shame and anger.” Mo Tichun shook his head. “When the news reached home, the ruler of Pu Kingdom was furious and didn’t believe Yan’s explaKingdom, immediately mobilizing troops.”
Feng Miaojun pondered: “Pu Kingdom has grown significantly stronger in recent years.”
“Although Pu still pays tribute to Yan, they’ve been quietly building strength for years. With the assistance of a capable State Preceptor, both their population and State power have seen tremendous growth. They’re no longer the weak small country they were over a decade ago.” Mo Tichun analyzed, “However, the ruler of Pu has had the poor fortune—of his three sons, two died in accidents within seven years, leaving only the third who was sent to Yan as a hostage. He particularly favored his youngest son, otherwise, Yan wouldn’t have taken him as a hostage. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he had planned to welcome his third son back and establish him as crown prince. Now that the hostage is dead—whether due to the truth or rumors reaching the ruler’s ears—he was immediately provoked to great anger and ordered an attack on Yan.”
Without an heir, a kingdom falls into chaos. She knew the world wouldn’t remain peaceful for long. “But what does this have to do with Jin Kingdom or Miao Fengxian?”
Mo Tichun replied coldly: “The Wei Kingdom is stirring up trouble again.”
“What?” This time she genuinely didn’t know.
Having lived in the region for many years, she had gradually come to understand the situation among the various kingdoms. The Wei Kingdom had been restless for a long time, always coveting the fertile lands around it. With their State power and spiritual energy flourishing in recent years, they had made neighboring countries increasingly anxious. The ruler of Wei, now in his early fifties, still personally led armies north and south without showing signs of aging. In contrast, the King of Jin, not yet forty and in his prime, disliked foreign campaigns and focused only on cultivating his small domain.