Volume One, Chapter 16: Another Promotion, the Innate Assassin

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Cao Mo immediately burst into laughter. If that were truly the case, then those few fellows really deserved their fate. They had managed to stir up trouble directly under the Empress’s nose. Did they not know what death meant? However, noticing the Empress’s clearly sullen expression and her displeased gaze fixed on him, Cao Mo dared not gloat. He obediently took his seat in the dragon carriage.

“Head to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.”

After Cao Mo boarded the carriage, White Fox’s voice came out cold and clear.

Soon, the dragon carriage arrived in front of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Cao Mo was the first to enter the hall, with Nangong Li and the Empress following behind him.

This time, the Empress did not bother to change back into her true identity and instead spoke coldly, “If there is a next time, I will have you become a true eunuch!”

“Your Majesty, it was you who ordered me not to disgrace your majestic presence. I exerted all my efforts to barely fulfill the mission. How can you blame me...” Cao Mo said as he began removing the dragon robe from his body, trying to plead his case.

“...” The Empress shot him a cold sideways glance, her chest aching with anger.

Cao Mo held the dragon robe in his hands, wearing an innocent smile.

“I must admit, I’m impressed with you,” the Empress grumbled impatiently, taking the robe from him. She then removed her own eunuch outer garment and tossed it onto his face.

Her intention was to use these two hours of scolding to properly discipline Cao Mo.

But unexpectedly, this fellow truly possessed a rare talent and actually had the ability to pull it off!

“I dare not,” Cao Mo said, putting the clothes on and smiling sheepishly.

The Empress draped the dragon robe over her shoulders, too weary to argue further. After calming herself a bit, she asked again, “Now tell me, what happened with those low-ranking eunuchs?”

“Your Majesty, it was like this...” Cao Mo briefly recounted the events of the previous night.

Upon hearing this, the Empress looked at him suspiciously. “So you’re quite the helpful sort?”

“Your Majesty—” Cao Mo spoke with righteous indignation, “I always believe in drawing my sword to aid those treated unfairly. It has long been one of my principles.”

“...” Seeing his pretentious demeanor, the Empress almost laughed in anger.

Then she picked up the brush and ink on the desk and wrote another imperial edict of appointment, tossing it before Cao Mo.

“Take this, and be on your way.”

“Your servant takes his leave!” Cao Mo lifted the edict, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

...

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The Imperial Household Department.

The same steward from last night was on duty.

Seeing the imperial edict Cao Mo brought, the steward was stunned, staring at him in disbelief.

No way—

Just last night, he was promoted from a low-ranking eunuch to an imperial eunuch attending the Emperor personally, and today he was elevated again to head steward?

Although both were steward positions, Cao Mo was now serving the Emperor directly.

That placed him at least half a rank above the steward on duty!

“Congratulations, Eunuch Cao!” The steward’s tone instantly shifted from supervisory to flattering, “To be promoted to head steward at such a young age, it seems the Emperor intends to nurture you. Your prospects are boundless, truly boundless!”

“Thanks to His Majesty’s gracious favor, most gracious!” Cao Mo smiled humbly.

In fact, not only the steward was surprised—even Cao Mo himself was somewhat baffled. He hadn’t done anything special, yet was promoted out of the blue.

Sure enough, good deeds bring good returns. Being helpful always yields rewards!

Soon, the steward registered Cao Mo’s new status in the official records.

“Eunuch Cao, the attire for the head steward needs to be custom-made. Let me take your measurements. We’ll have someone prepare it by tomorrow morning and try to deliver it to you before tomorrow night.”

“No rush, no rush,” Cao Mo said, not in a hurry.

After registration, he received a waist plaque marking his new position and left the Imperial Household Department, heading toward the kitchen.

After having a late-night snack in the kitchen, he leisurely made his way back to his small courtyard.

Hmm?

With the strength of a Grandmaster at the eighth level, Cao Mo’s perception was far keener than before.

Just as he reached the courtyard gate, he sensed someone hiding inside.

Cao Mo remained calm—if he could sense this person so easily, they were clearly a novice. The question was, what was their purpose?

Creak—

He pushed open the gate, stepped inside, and turned to close the door.

At that moment, a flash of cold light streaked past behind him!

Cao Mo did not look back, but reached out and plucked the gleaming object effortlessly. Instantly, the cold blade landed in his hand.

The so-called “delicate flower pluck” technique, now elevated to the mysterious rank and known as the Flying Dragon Cloud-Seeking Hand, was no longer limited to effortlessly removing a woman’s undergarments.

Facing anyone of lower cultivation, Cao Mo could easily snatch weapons from their grasp.

“How is this possible?”

Failing in her strike, the dagger fell into Cao Mo’s hand.

The middle-aged palace maid dressed in brown froze in shock.

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Before she could react further, Cao Mo turned around and delivered a straightforward kick to her abdomen, sending her flying to the ground!

The next moment, he stepped forward, pressing the dagger to her neck, a deep line of blood appearing.

“Move, and you die.”

“...” The brown-clad palace maid’s eyes widened, but she dared not move an inch.

Gritting her teeth, she said, “I didn’t expect you to be a Grandmaster!”

She was aware her own cultivation was perfect innate level. Though not a top expert in the palace, she was certainly not weak.

Originally, she thought capturing Cao Mo, a small eunuch, would be a simple task.

But unexpectedly,

Cao Mo was a Grandmaster-level powerhouse!

Only a Grandmaster could leave her utterly powerless!

“Tell me, why did you come to kill me?” Cao Mo asked.

The palace maid said coldly, “Because you offended someone you shouldn’t have.”

“Someone I shouldn’t have offended...” Cao Mo sized her up and suddenly recognized her as one of the Empress Dowager’s personal maids from this morning.

“Was it the Empress Dowager who sent you to kill me?”

Cao Mo narrowed his eyes.

“Correct. You should blame yourself for refusing the Empress Dowager,” the maid said without hesitation. After all, within the inner palace, the Empress Dowager was the absolute authority, even the Emperor would yield to her.

She continued, “You’re just a lowly eunuch, yet you possess such formidable martial skill. Seems the young Emperor has hidden you well... Hah... You...!”

Before she could finish, Cao Mo ended her life with the dagger.

Since she dared to come after him,

She had to be prepared to be killed in return.

As for the Empress Dowager behind her?

Cao Mo’s expression darkened.

She had declared her fondness for him that very morning, yet turned around and sent someone to kill him.

Indeed, women’s words could never be trusted, especially a widowed Empress Dowager who was both alluring and held supreme power.

However,

He, Cao Mo, was no one to be controlled by a widow.