Chương 105: Book 2 Chapter 19: Flattery

"… and this is the pool where the imperial jadeite is washed. Of course, we source the water from the nearby Heilongtan spirit pool, though there were some early challenges in setting up that supply chain," Bai Ning chattered enthusiastically, performing the role of an extremely friendly, amiable, and gregarious host. It was remarkably effective, Mo Jian noticed sourly.

Shen Jinglan, who had begun the inspection – or more accurately, the tour – like a frightened sheep, was now slowly blossoming, like a shy flower emerging after heavy rain. She still refused to meet Mo Jian's eyes without flinching, but she had shed enough of her uncertainty around Bai Ning that instead of acting as though she were being led to an execution, she was finally beginning to pay attention to the mine and ask questions.

Since her report would likely have a significant impact on his eligibility to sit for the Inner Examination, this was a good development. It was also, in some respects, equally fortunate and unfortunate that she was not a Nascent Soul cultivator. A conversation between equals would have had its own complications, but at least Mo Jian had been prepared for that. However, this flinching, uncertain woman would hardly dare to contradict him.

So unless she lied to their faces and submitted a completely different report later, there was a strong chance they could secure a glowing recommendation. Still… the fear and reverence were becoming excessive. Yes, he was a Nascent Soul cultivator, but it wasn't as though he were a monster who would tear out her heart over the slightest misstep. At first, it had been easy to dismiss as the natural deference owed to a senior cultivator by a junior, but now it was beginning to grate.

Mo Jian had made some attempts at friendliness, asking Shen Jinglan – as she had timidly introduced herself – where she was from, what she usually did, how she had become an inspector. Simple, harmless questions, or so he had thought. Yet each one only made her clamp her mouth shut, as if he had demanded the secrets of her family and sect. After that, Mo Jian decided silence was the better course, at least for him. Besides, as a venerable cultivator, silence was his due, or so he reassured himself.

His senses had grown so sharp that he sometimes felt he could glean Shen Jinglan's thoughts from the flow of her qi. If he focused, it was as though her body and soul lay bare before him: the movement of qi through her meridians, the rhythm of her heartbeat, the rise and fall of her breath. It was a perception he was still learning to control, like honing a lens until even the smallest details came into focus.

He had seen Ancestor Qing do this once; make the world itself seem to spread open and reveal its secrets to a sufficiently attentive Nascent Soul cultivator. Now that he could do something similar, he was beginning to understand a little of the disregard that man had shown toward Core Formation cultivators. The gap between them was as vast as that between a blind man and one who could see. He suspected that, as he grew more attuned to his new realm, that gulf would only widen. It was a thought tinged with unease.

The last thing he wanted was to become as arrogantly detached as the Nascent Soul cultivators he had once encountered. Strangely enough, Han Wenqing was the example to emulate here. That man could swallow his pride, and in general, acted as a servant most of the time. While Mo Jian had no intention of going quite that far, some measure of that humility, of knowing when to lower one's head, was undeniably valuable. These idle reflections aside, the inspection was going well. In fact, it was going remarkably well.

There was only one potential complication Mo Jian anticipated, but the excuse he had prepared for a Nascent Soul inspector could still be used if needed. Looking at Shen Jinglan, however, he suspected he could simply wave it away as a bout of "luck." Plus, it would also serve as a dig at Bai Ning, and given how effortlessly she was outshining him, that alone made it worthwhile.

"… and this is the new storage shed," Bai Ning said, gesturing ahead as the three of them emerged from one of the lower tunnels. The passage led from a shaft at the mountain's base to the open air near its foot. The workers who had gathered that morning to greet the inspector had long since dispersed, and labor had ostensibly resumed. Or at least, something resembling labor.

In truth, most of the cultivators hauling raw jade through the air with telekinesis, or shaping earthen supports around the shaft entrances, were merely going through the motions. Mo Jian could sense their spiritual awareness drifting through the air like the faintest strands of cobweb, something he would never have noticed before his breakthrough without actively probing with his own senses. Now, their presence was obvious. Shen Jinglan stared at the structure before her, mouth slightly open in awe.

The storage shed was enormous; a vast square edifice of red brick capped with a domed roof of polished copper. It sprawled wide enough to comfortably house a hundred homes, and its towering walls forced her to crane her neck just to take it all in. Most striking of all were the gates. Rather than solid doors, rectangular openings had been carved into the walls at intervals, each veiled by a shimmering curtain of golden light.

It was a powerful formation barrier, yet workers passed through it freely, entering and exiting without the slightest pause. The afternoon sun, at their backs, struck those luminous veils and set them ablaze with brilliance, as though each opening burned with liquid gold. At that very moment, one of the workers, a Foundation Establishment supervisor Mo Jian recognized as Qin Jinzi, swept in from the side.

He bore a massive block of raw stone, easily ten tons in weight, its smooth-cut face revealing a glimmering seam of green jade within. The boulder floated above him, supported by a golden ring inscribed with dense runes (his magic tool), as he strode toward the shed. The display was obvious. With the speed at which he moved, it was meant to showcase the mine's prosperity. Qin Jinzi grinned cockily as he approached, the immense weight held effortlessly aloft.

Then his eyes flicked toward Mo Jian and his grin vanished. His face blanched, and he hurried inside without another moment's hesitation. Idiot, Mo Jian thought irritably. If you insist on showing off, at least do it with refined jade we would actually store, not raw ore. Fortunately, Shen Jinglan seemed not to notice. She was still staring at the structure, awe plain on her face.

"This… there must be enough here to meet an entire year's quota, let alone three months," she said, her voice hesitant but growing steadier.

"Senior, forgive me for asking, but my records indicated the mine was struggling to meet its quotas. That deeper shafts had to be opened?" She directed the question to Bai Ning, still refusing to look at Mo Jian, as though ignoring him might make his presence less real. Bai Ning, who had also noticed Qin Jinzi's little performance – but, perhaps out of a sense of kindred sympathy for such theatrics, chose to ignore it – smiled serenely.

A faint trace of sorrow entered her expression as she spoke, a testament to how thoroughly she had mastered the art of sounding sincere even when every word out of her mouth was either an outright lie or a very generous interpretation of the truth.

"Ah… that was during the previous administration, under Wei Shentong." She leaned in slightly, covering her mouth with one hand as though about to share a secret. Shen Jinglan, already completely taken in, leaned closer without hesitation. Mo Jian, standing to the side, rolled his eyes.

"He is the Nascent Soul cultivator responsible for most of the administrative duties in this district," Bai Ning continued in a hushed tone.

"He was placed in charge of the mine centuries ago, and, thanks to its prosperity, eventually came to oversee much of the district as well. However…" She lowered her voice further.

"For a long time, he has been siphoning off the mine's output, consuming the jade to refine his natal artifact. That is why those deficits appear in the records." She straightened slightly, her expression smoothing into calm assurance.

"The court, of course, became aware of it and assigned Senior Mo Jian and me to take control of the mine. As you can see, there is no shortage of jade. All this place required was capable and diligent oversight." She paused, watching Shen Jinglan's face to ensure the implication had taken root. Satisfied, she pressed on.

"Of course, that… individual still retains authority over much of the district, since only the mine was stripped from him. But I am confident that, with an accurate and favorable report from you, such an injustice will soon be corrected." Shen Jinglan froze the moment Bai Ning had casually paired "Nascent Soul cultivator" with such open disdain. She looked torn, caught between nodding along in agreement and the deeply ingrained instinct every cultivator possessed: never speak badly of someone so far above you.

After all, with the sheer breadth of abilities a Nascent Soul cultivator might command, one could never be certain their words would not somehow reach unintended ears.

"…I… see," Shen Jinglan finally managed, which was already an improvement over the quiet eep she had begun the day with. Mo Jian almost snorted. That was about as noncommittal a response as one could give without outright refusing to engage. In its own way, it was rather impressive. Bai Ning, however, did not seem the least bit bothered. If anything, her smile softened, as though she were indulging a timid junior.

"Of course, these matters are merely background. What truly matters is what you have seen here today." She gestured lightly toward the vast storage shed, its golden-veiled gates still blazing beneath the afternoon sun. Workers moved in a steady rhythm, passing in and out with jade in various stages of refinement, the flow forming a silent, glittering testament to the mine's productivity.

Near the summit of the Kanchi mine, Zhao Wenhai stood with his natal artifact – a simple jade badge – transmitting telepathic instructions to the workers, an act which was entirely unnecessary. For one, none of them required that level of micromanagement; for another, he had never bothered with such oversight before today. Like much of the "activity" on display, it was purely performative, the sort of spectacle designed to impress an inspector.

Mo Jian found his gaze lingering on the jade badge – the Profound Tablet of Manifold Sense – as a familiar thought resurfaced; the same one he had when he had first seen the artifact. Before leaving the Thousand Shattered Islands, he had only rarely encountered natal artifacts so specialized. Most cultivators he had known favored versatility, using artifacts that could be adapted to a wide range of situations.

It wasn't as though the Profound Tablet lacked flexibility, but it was still far more focused in purpose than what he was accustomed to. It reminded him, faintly, of Duan Cheng's Thousand-Faced Die. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. He had no intention of altering the Heaven Enshrouding Ding, but… would it be worthwhile to create a few auxiliary magical tools for himself? More specifically, a jade tablet to record his memories of Earth? The thought was not new.

He had considered it briefly, a few months after his transmigration, only to discard the idea at the time. Back then, he had neither the confidence nor the means to safely preserve something so important. A jade slip could be lost, or stolen, or seized; in fact, if the stories he used to read were any indication, such things happened all too easily. More practically, he had not trusted his ability to properly encrypt or safeguard the contents.

The risk of such knowledge falling into the wrong hands had been too great. But now, things were different. As a Nascent Soul cultivator, he could not claim absolute security, but any protections he devised would be far more robust than before. Plus, there were additional layers he could employ. English, for one. The language did not exist in this world, and while not an unbreakable cipher, it would still serve as a meaningful barrier.

Then there was the bronze-like jade they had uncovered in the deepest sections of the mine… a slip carved from that material might possess unique properties, something beyond ordinary storage or transmission. It was worth considering – seriously considering – whether he wanted to record his knowledge of the future and the story somewhere outside his own mind. His memory, enhanced by cultivation, was already formidable.

But there was value in externalizing it, and in creating a record he could revisit, refine, and analyze. Writing things down might reveal connections he had overlooked, patterns he had yet to grasp. The question was no longer whether it was possible. It was whether it was wise.

For now, however, he set the thought aside and turned his attention back to Shen Jinglan, who was nodding fervently, clearly relieved to seize upon the offered topic and steer away from the dangerous prospect of – even indirectly – insulting a Nascent Soul cultivator.

"Yes… the mine's output is indeed impressive. I will be sure to include it in my report. May I look inside to assess the amount already extracted?" Bai Ning beamed, as though Shen Jinglan had offered her a glowing compliment rather than a simple request.

"Of course," she said warmly, even taking Shen Jinglan by the hand as if they were long-lost friends. Mo Jian, still faintly irritated at being so thoroughly outshone, suppressed a sigh. In truth, he was impressed as well. The ease with which Bai Ning guided the conversation, the seamless blend of truth and fabrication, the careful application of pressure followed by release; it was all deliberate.

Where he might have relied on status or force, she used suggestion and narrative, leading Shen Jinglan to the desired conclusion without ever stating it outright. It was just his vanity, he admitted. With his newly refined appearance, he had expected… something. He wasn't quite sure what, but something. Su Lianhua had blushed, after all. Surely that counted for something. As they approached the nearest gate, the curtain of golden light rippled faintly, as though aware of their presence.

Up close, Mo Jian could feel the formation's intricacy, from the layered restrictions to the subtle allowances keyed to authorized auras. It was far more sophisticated than a simple barrier. Bai Ning had set it up personally, using the Green Destiny Sword to form both the formation flags and the formation disk.

The formation itself had been acquired during their travels: a Core Formation caravan master had traded it to them in exchange for a single dragon claw, back when Mo Jian had descended down to ask for directions to the nearest town. Shen Jinglan hesitated for only a fraction of a moment before stepping forward. The golden light parted around her like water, flowing over her body without resistance. Bai Ning followed without pause.

Mo Jian lingered for half a heartbeat, his gaze flicking back once more to the workers, who, almost in unison, suddenly found somewhere else to be, their expressions faintly sheepish, before stepping through himself. The air inside was cooler, but drier, as though stone and dust had settled into it permanently. The light was dim, sustained by the faint glow of qi emanating from countless pieces of jade.

They shimmered in a spectrum of greens, pale and translucent, deep and heavy, scintillating viridian, olive, mint, sage, and forest. Here and there, other hues broke the pattern: milky whites, and occasional lumps of yellow, orange, or brown. Shelf after shelf stretched into the distance, each packed to the brim, meticulously organized by classification. The highest-quality jadeite lay deeper within, while the lesser grades were stored closer to the entrance.

Shen Jinglan slowed as she stepped fully inside, her earlier composure giving way once more to quiet awe. Her eyes moved from shelf to shelf, lingering on the deeper hues, the purer cuts, the faint halos of qi that shimmered around the highest-grade pieces.

"This… this is…" she began, then faltered, as though no phrasing she knew could quite capture the scale of it.

"Only a portion," Bai Ning supplied gently.

"We rotate stock regularly. What you see here is simply what is currently being sorted, graded, or prepared for transport." Mo Jian almost smiled at that. Only a portion. The phrasing was deliberate: casual, understated, and all the more impactful for it. Shen Jinglan nodded quickly, clearly taking the statement at face value. She stepped closer to one of the shelves near the front, where chunks of lower-grade jade were stacked in neat rows.

Hesitantly, she extended a hand toward one piece, then paused, glancing back at Bai Ning for permission.

"Please," Bai Ning said, inclining her head. At that, Shen Jinglan picked up a piece. It was no larger than her palm, its surface rough except for one polished edge where a translucent green sheen caught the dim light. She closed her eyes briefly, circulating a thread of qi through it, testing its purity. Mo Jian watched without much interest at first, as she set the jade back down with care, then moved on to another piece. Then another.

Each time, her movements grew a touch more deliberate, her earlier awe gradually tempered by something more measured. Ah, Mo Jian thought. The initial shock was wearing off. The inspector beneath the timid exterior was beginning to reassert herself. Shen Jinglan moved further along the row now, toward slightly higher-quality pieces. The glow of qi grew steadier there, more refined. After several minutes, she straightened, exhaling softly.

"The quality seems… excellent," she said slowly.

"Even near the front." It was a careful statement, but no less true for it. Mo Jian's eyes flicked to Bai Ning. Bai Ning smiled.

"We take pride in maintaining standards." Shen Jinglan hesitated, then added, "If the deeper sections are as you claim…" She did not finish the sentence, but she did not need to. The implication hung clearly in the air. If the deeper sections were truly of higher quality, if what lay further within matched or exceeded what was already before her, then the mine's output was not merely sufficient. It was exceptional. Mo Jian let out a quiet breath through his nose. Yes, the inspection was going very well indeed.

…………………………………………………………… After touring most of the mine, the three of them retired to the Jade Hall. Shen Jinglan looked around with undisguised interest, clearly captivated by the structure. The hall was still largely empty, yet rather than diminishing its beauty, the emptiness only seemed to enhance it, as though furniture or decoration would have been nothing more than paint layered over gold. Green corridors opened into green chambers, all supported by smooth jade pillars.

Windows formed of wind-aspected qi revealed a breathtaking view: from the mountain's peak, the city stretched endlessly below. Qi circulated through the hall as naturally as breath, and the entire structure seemed to pulse faintly, brightening and dimming like a living heart. In the central chamber, Bai Ning swept her hand outward. A table and three chairs manifested in a dazzling burst of light, settling neatly into place. Mo Jian took a seat first.

Only after glancing at Bai Ning, who was already seated with effortless composure, did Shen Jinglan cautiously lower herself into the chair opposite them. Mo Jian took the opportunity to study her again. His earlier assessment held true: a woman in her late twenties or early thirties, with neatly pinned hair and a composed, almost scholarly demeanor.

One hand still clutched the sheaf of parchments she had carried throughout the entire inspection, while the other moved restlessly, brushing her sleeve, adjusting her belt, tucking a stray strand of hair. And yet, she had steadied somewhat. Enough, at least, to speak first.

"Everything appears to be in order, Seniors," she said carefully.

"I… have one question, if you permit, Lord?" Her eyes met his for the briefest instant before darting away again, as though she half-expected him to strike her down for the impertinence. Suppressing a sigh, Mo Jian gave a short nod. Bai Ning smiled encouragingly.

"Of course, Sister Shen. Ask whatever you wish." Shen Jinglan glanced up once more, then quickly lowered her gaze.

"It's just… my report indicated that there were two Core Formation overseers in charge. Was… was your realm not properly recorded, Senior?" Mo Jian's brows rose slightly at her phrasing, but he answered without hesitation.

"No. I advanced very recently, just after taking the examination. The records likely have not yet been updated."

"Oh." Shen Jinglan's eyes widened, as though a lingering question had finally been resolved. She looked at him again, this time with open astonishment.

"That is extremely impressive," she said earnestly.

"Anyone who advances so quickly after passing the examination is destined for a bright future. Such individuals always go on to reach extraordinary heights." Mo Jian inclined his head slightly, accepting the praise without comment. Outwardly, he remained composed; inwardly, he was all but pumping his fist. This was exactly what he had been hoping for.

On the journey to the city, he had heard tales of cultivators who deliberately took the examination at a lower realm, holding themselves back, only to leverage a rapid breakthrough into an equally rapid ascent afterward. With his jump from Core Formation to Nascent Soul; the highest realm one could realistically attain, he was perfectly positioned to do the same. A strong showing in the Outer Examination, a successful assignment, and a timely breakthrough to prove he was suited for greater responsibility…

If that did not secure him entry into the Inner Examination, he didn't know what would. Bai Ning let out a soft, pleased laugh.

"Sister Shen is too kind. Senior Mo Jian's talent is indeed exceptional, but he is also diligent. That is what truly sets him apart." Mo Jian shot her a brief glance. Now you're laying it on a bit thick. Generally, Bai Ning only praised herself, and that too, without a hint of shame. Shen Jinglan, however, nodded quickly, clearly taking the sentiment to heart.

"Yes, of course. Talent alone is never enough." She hesitated, then added, "It is reassuring to see such capable hands managing the mine." There it was. Not quite a conclusion, but close enough to one that the shape of her eventual report was already beginning to take form. Mo Jian leaned back slightly in his chair, the tension he hadn't consciously acknowledged easing just a fraction.

"Was that your only question?" he asked. Shen Jinglan started faintly, as though pulled from her thoughts.

"Ah, yes. For now." She tightened her grip on the parchments in her hand, then seemed to gather her courage.

"I will, of course, review my notes in detail before finalizing the report, but I have not observed any discrepancies thus far." Bai Ning's smile deepened, warm and satisfied.

"We are glad to hear it." A brief silence settled over the hall, faintly awkward, as Shen Jinglan seemed to search for a polite excuse to take her leave now that her task was complete. Mo Jian chose to ignore it. Instead, he reached for one of the teacups and poured himself a shallow measure. The taste was, as he had come to expect, terrible. One would think that the capital of a continent-spanning empire, one of the greatest gatherings of cultivators in the world, would boast exceptional tea. Evidently not.

Even the brews back in the Thousand Shattered Islands had been better. Or perhaps it was simply that everything they had purchased so far, while not cheap, had been… modest. The truly high-quality leaves, on the other hand, had made his heart ache just to look at. Forty mid-grade spirit stones for a single pouch? That bordered on criminality; on par, in his mind, with demonic cultivation. He let his gaze drift toward the open windows, where the distant city shimmered beneath the late afternoon light.

The pulse of qi through the Jade Hall beat steadily around them, calm and assured. Still, for all his earlier misgivings, for all the small irritations and bruised vanity- This had gone better than expected. Much better.