Shen Hao won’t tell Tang Qingyuan that, at the moment, he actually doesn’t have much need for Gathering Spirit Realm cultivation techniques.

The two Soul Furnaces he devoured before still haven’t run out of energy, and every day when Shen Hao sits in meditation for cultivation, they pour energy madly into his meridians. However, thanks to the "Sea of Consciousness" now acting as a giant absorber during circulation, his cultivation hasn’t continued to surge uncontrollably. Instead, his "Sea of Consciousness" has grown noticeably larger since the beginning.

The larger the Sea of Consciousness, the higher the Soul Strength Shen Hao possesses, making it much easier for him to wield magic skills.

Earth Escape combined with Palm Thunder. Shen Hao hasn’t told anyone. If he absolutely had to let someone know, he’d only mention Earth Escape; Palm Thunder will remain his trump card.

But after hearing Tang Qingyuan’s advice, Shen Hao also had a few thoughts; he should indeed start stockpiling some elixirs. When it comes time to trade for skills at the Fengri City auction, that’s a better choice for him.

Three days passed in a row, and Wen Family members were still held in the prison. All the local big shots who were supposed to plead with him had showed up—some even came more than once. Tang Qingyuan brushed all of them off, and at the same time, he jotted down their names in his little notebook.

Some tried to approach Shen Hao, and quite a few even went through Wang Jian’s family, but it was just as useless.

As far as Shen Hao was concerned, he’d love nothing better than to lock Wen Renhai up until he dies—there’s no way he’d simply let him go so easily.

With all those visitors, Wen Renhai’s identity quickly became clear.

Wen Renhai, fifth generation direct bloodline from the Wen Family’s main branch, third in his family. He had an older brother and sister, and a younger brother below him. His father is Wen Hong, current Patriarch of the Wen Family. His mother is Qin Yurou, daughter of the current Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. That explains why so many local government office bigwigs kept pestering Xuanqing Guard, running around tirelessly as mediators.

It’s fair to say, Wen Family not only holds high status among the cultivation races, it also has a remarkable network within the local political system.

Calling them a giant isn’t an exaggeration, at least in Shen Hao’s eyes, they’re enormous.

"The Wen Family also controls a small Spirit Stone Vein; they manage extraction themselves and take twenty percent. Their vassal, Celestial Prosperity Valley, gets sixty percent. The court takes twenty percent. The court’s share is split between the National Treasury and the Jingbei Army’s warehouse. So really, the Wen Family has solid ties with the Jingbei Army as well..."

Wang Jian has been working connections these days to gather lots of info about the Wen Family.

"Wen Renhai’s looks resemble Wen Hong more since childhood, so he’s doted on throughout the Wen Family, much more than his peers. Especially his mother, Qin Yurou, treats him like gold. Plus, Wen Renhai has excellent cultivation talent—before turning sixteen he’d already reached Qi Refining Ninth Layer Perfection. If not for strengthening his foundation, he would’ve broken through to Gathering Spirit Realm long ago.

Outstanding talent and spoiled with love means Wen Renhai grew up with an arrogant temperament, a fact the Wen Family hardly cared about. Locally at Bai Dang Mountain, he’s known as the family bully. He’s especially fond of women—never seen one he didn’t like. This trip to Li City was just for leisure, drawn by the hit song "A Cut of Plum" and Xiuyun Songstress, both famous in Jingxi."

"Wen Xiuyun shares the Wen surname; are they connected?"

"Wen Xiuyun has absolutely no relation to the Wen Family—just happens to share the surname."

Shen Hao nodded, feeling amazed at the twists of fate. "A Cut of Plum" was something he transcribed into this world, which just happened to draw Wen Renhai, who he ended up capturing in the end. Providence at work?

"Looks like Wen Renhai’s status in the Wen Family is indeed considerable. Make sure the dungeon guards stay alert."

"Rest assured, General Flag. Zhang Liao has already assigned half a squad to reinforce the dungeon, and Lord Hundred Households sent ten Personal Guards to assist."

"Good. Aside from Wen Renhai, you don’t need to offer any special treatment to other Wen Family members. Follow the prison rules as usual."

"Understood, General Flag." Wang Jian’s eyes flickered with murderous intent at Shen Hao’s words—he understood there were far too many Wen Family members in the prison.

Xuanqing Guard’s Black Prison isn’t just a collection of cells; its rules and intricacies are many. Getting in is easy, but coming out unscathed is rare. Wen Renhai can’t die yet, but the others? Only by clearing them out can Shen Hao’s resentful qi be appeased.

Wang Jian received his orders and left. Shen Hao temporarily pushed the Wen Family issue out of mind; there was something else on his plate demanding urgent planning. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

The matter of expanding the Black Banner Battalion again.

The two cases investigated earlier were significant, but in truth weren’t particularly intense. Shen Hao still hoped Black Banner Battalion would have real backbone for high-intensity cases; at minimum, enough manpower.

Currently, teams A and B only total one hundred thirty-one men; if a fierce battle breaks out, that’s far from enough.

But Shen Hao didn’t want to expand the team like he did with Team B last time. Instead he had a bold idea, maybe a little wild, and needed more detailed planning before bringing it forward.

...

Shen Hao stayed busy until early 7 p.m. before leaving the garrison.

Just as he was about to board the carriage brought by his guards, a middle-aged man in a cyan shirt walked quickly to his side, carrying a heavy presence. His cultivation was not low. Most importantly, he wore a striking cyan jade badge on his belt—bearing the Wen Family crest.

"May I ask, are you Shen Zongqi?" The man stopped ten feet away, bowed slightly with cupped hands, and asked.

"Who are you?"

"I am Wen Shiliu, here on behalf of my family mistress to invite Shen Zongqi for a drink. She hopes Shen Zongqi will honor her."

"Wen Family’s mistress? Qin Yurou?"

"Yes, please honor us, Shen Zongqi."

Shen Hao was quite surprised; he’d expected the Wen Family would reach out, but didn’t anticipate someone as weighty as Qin Yurou herself.

Should he meet her, or not?

After a brief moment’s thought, Shen Hao shook his head, saying, "I, Shen Mou, am already exhausted after duty and can’t manage further engagements. Thank Madam Wen for her kind intentions—I appreciate it."

No feast is ever good, no drink is ever safe. Meeting a major figure alone is not wise.

After Shen Hao refused, the middle-aged man—Wen Shiliu—said no more, bowed again and withdrew without pressing the issue. Shen Hao didn’t see any dissatisfaction or other emotion on his face.

Thinking for a moment, Shen Hao turned to one of his guards and said, "Go tell Zhang Liao to tighten security even more. Not a single slip-up allowed."

After seeing the Li Family dare to kill officials and rebel, Shen Hao figured the Wen Family might try breaking Wen Renhai out to rescue their spoiled son. Better safe than sorry.

...

In a private room at Fushun Restaurant.

"Mistress, Shen Hao refused the invitation and has further tightened the dungeon security." The speaker was Wen Shiliu.

"Cautious, indeed. Looks like no one’s going to taste this wine tonight. Feed it to the dogs." The woman sitting at the head of the table said, slender and draped in black veil, her features hidden, but her voice carried a distinctive allure.

Wen Shiliu complied, picked up a wine pot from the table, and walked to the corner, where three men lay on the ground, bound hand and foot.

Wen Shiliu grabbed the mouth of a young man and poured wine down his throat. Moments later, his eyes turned blood-red, baring his teeth as if he’d gone mad.

The slender woman nodded in satisfaction and stood up. "Let’s go."

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