Chapter 35: Talent Enhancement, Traces Vanish in the Snow

"I refuse to believe that the men of the Imperial Guard can stand watch here forever."

Clutching the spot where he had just been struck, Hua Wenxuan felt the lingering weight of Shi Sheng's punch, which had caused him considerable injury. His expression darkened. Having successfully snuck into countless boudoirs to steal favors, he had never expected to stumble here. Fortunately, he possessed supreme lightness skills.

Hua Wenxuan had already calculated his next move: once he escaped, he would go into hiding for a while, heal his wounds, and then return. He simply didn't believe that the Imperial Guard could guard Member Wang's estate for eternity. Driven by resentment, he began to fantasize about how he would torment Wang Mu'er once he finally captured her, just to soothe his wounded pride.

"Wait, why is it so hot?"

In the midst of his thoughts, Hua Wenxuan suddenly felt the temperature around him turn strange. The air, previously cool, had suddenly become scorching. He turned his head, and all that met his eyes was a fierce blade of energy wreathed in raging flames.

"Xiantian!"

The moment he saw that blade energy, the word escaped his lips involuntarily. What kind of fortune—or misfortune—had he courted to draw a Xiantian martial artist into action personally? He was doomed!

Mid-air, the onlookers saw only a flash of flame. Hua Wenxuan, who had been on the verge of escaping the estate, was sliced clean in two before falling to the ground.

*Thump!*

His death was unexpectedly swift. The servants and the men of the Imperial Guard who had rushed to the scene couldn't help but gasp at the sight.

"The Commander’s strength is truly breathtaking," Si Nan said, reacting the fastest and turning around to offer his praise.

"Let’s go. See if this flower-stealing thief has any intelligence on him," Ye Liuyun said, waving his hand to dismiss the flattery and leading the way toward the spot where Hua Wenxuan had fallen.

In truth, Ye Liuyun’s real intention was to harvest the talent traits. He had no use for "Lustful as Life," but the others—including the "Vigorous and Robust" trait, which clearly looked useful—were his for the taking.

However, as Ye Liuyun left the courtyard, Wang Mu'er was watching his back through a crack in her window. Being a light sleeper, she had been awakened by the commotion and had witnessed the entire scene with her own eyes.

***

"Talent Trait System!
Host: Ye Liuyun!
Realm: Early Xiantian!
Martial Arts: Wind-Severing Saber Technique, Azure Sun Force, Pine Wood Saber Technique, Jade-Shattering Hand, Flaming Fierce Saber Technique.
Talent Traits: Lucky (Purple), Steel Sinews and Iron Bones (Purple), Man-Blade Unity (Purple), Transcendent Comprehension (Purple), Swordsmanship Talent (Cyan), Extreme Yang Physique (Purple), Scent-Tracking (Blue), Treading Snow Without a Trace (Purple)."

The "Scent-Tracking" trait had upgraded to blue quality. To Ye Liuyun’s surprise, the "Vigorous and Robust" trait had a high affinity with his "Extreme Yang Physique," directly converting into experience points for the latter. If he could harvest a few more, there might be hope for upgrading the "Extreme Yang Physique" into a gold-tier trait.

As for "Treading Snow Without a Trace," Ye Liuyun tested it and indeed felt his body grow much lighter. He planned to seek out more lightness techniques to practice later, so he could maximize the potential of this one.

"Commander!"

Ye Liuyun’s primary interest was the traits; he left the looting of the corpse to his subordinates. Si Nan searched for a while and found several silver notes.

"He was truly wealthy."

The sum was significant. It seemed Hua Wenxuan didn't just steal hearts; he moonlighted as a common thief as well. Ye Liuyun took half.

"Take the rest and divide it among yourselves!"

"Thank you, Commander!" Si Nan replied with a cheerful grin as he gathered the remaining notes. Their commander was so generous that his subordinates were always bursting with motivation when working for him.

***

The next day, after a lavish breakfast hosted by the grateful Member Wang, Ye Liuyun and his men returned to the Imperial City. Member Wang had originally intended to host them for lunch, but Ye Liuyun had no desire to waste time. Before they departed, the member insisted on gifting them a selection of rare medicinal herbs. It had to be said that Member Wang was a man who knew how to handle people; his gifts were always exactly what was needed.

With a final wave, Ye Liuyun mounted his horse and led his men away.

"A young hero indeed!"

Had it been an ordinary Captain of the Imperial Guard, Member Wang would have sent gifts, but he certainly wouldn't have been so eager to curry favor. But Ye Liuyun was different: young, powerful, and possessing immense martial talent. Such a man was well worth investing in.

"Father!" Wang Mu'er appeared at his side.

"Ah, it’s you, Mu'er. You were frightened by last night's events; why are you not resting properly in your room?" Member Wang had many children, but he held this gentle and sagacious youngest daughter in special regard. The memory of the previous night still made him shudder; had Ye Liuyun not discovered the thief’s schemes, his daughter would surely have fallen victim.

"I am fine, Father," Wang Mu'er said, shaking her head. She looked toward the direction where Ye Liuyun’s group had vanished and asked softly, "Father once said that in some time, you would attempt to expand your business into the Imperial City. Is that true?"

Member Wang ran many businesses, but they were almost all located outside the capital. Expanding into the Imperial City was not only a way to earn more wealth but also a symbol of status and prestige.

"I thought you didn't like managing these affairs?"

"I want to try. It will give me something to do," she replied, head bowed.

Seeing his daughter's demeanor, Member Wang seemed to realize something and couldn't help but smile. "Very well, very well. Since it is your wish, Mu'er, then go ahead." He was never one to deny this daughter anything, and he agreed without a moment's hesitation.

"Thank you, Father!" A flush of joy appeared on Wang Mu'er’s face.

***

Back in the Imperial City, Ye Liuyun decided against returning to the Imperial Guard headquarters. Instead, he told his subordinates to head home and enjoy a day of rest, telling them to report for duty the following day. Having not slept much the previous night, the men were delighted. As for Ye Liuyun, he headed straight for his own estate.

"How about it? Want to go grab a drink?" Si Nan nudged Shi Sheng’s shoulder after Ye Liuyun had left, raising an eyebrow. They had made so much money; it felt wrong not to spend some.

"Are you paying?"

"Go home and get some sleep!"