CHAPTER 2461  EMPLOYING ASHY

The information was a bit disappointing but not surprising to Lin Mu.

"Hmm… perhaps we need to monitor them in a different way. They might pretend to be 'normal' until given the orders, or might be getting them in a way we don't know about," Lin Mu spoke. "I'm guessing the assassin was the same?" he asked.

"Yes, the servant girl had a clean record and had been in service for the last two hundred years too." The Elder replied. "Any links between the four?" Lin Mu asked next.

"Nothing particular. They are all from the Capital city and were born here to commoner families. Their cultivation bases are also low, being at the First Tribulation Stage of the Immortal Realm." The Right Elder answered. "Though we haven't checked if they're hiding it somehow." He added.

"Hmm… checking it will definitely make them suspicious and the people behind them will hide." Lin Mu now understood more about how they could be working. "If these people are indeed linked and are involved with the Black Ying Empire, they could be a operating independently of them. We'll have to utilize a different strategy for them." He thought of something.

"How shall we do that?" Left Elder asked.

"Let me handle it this time." Lin Mu replied. "I have a method, but it's best to not reveal it for the safety of the plan." He stated.

The two elders were surprised, but nodded nevertheless.

"We shall trust in you, Lord Imperator." The two elders said in unison. "Please don't hesitate to ask for any help." They added.

Lin Mu talked to them about a few minor things he needed to set up before sending them off.

~Sigh~

"Didn't expect things would get like this…" Lin Mu let out a breath and went over the rough plan in his mind. He thought about it for a few minutes before making it more concrete. "I guess she'll get to contribute this time." Lin Mu muttered to himself before sending out a message to his tamed beasts, asking them to come back.

While they did that, Lin Mu sent out a message to the Treasury Minister and requested for a few items that he'll be needing.

~CHIRP~

~HISS~HISS~HISS~HISS~

A couple minutes after that, Lin Mu heard the sounds of his beasts.

The trio landed in the garden and looked at their master.

"You called for us, master?" Xiao Yin asked.

"Are we going out?" Xiao Yang asked.

"Do you have bugs?" Ashy asked.

"Well, we're not going out right now. But instead if have some work for you guys," Lin Mu replied. "Ashy specifically."

"Me?" the small bird tilted her head. "Yes, I have a secret mission for you." Lin Mu said with a smile.

"Secret Mission!?" The bird seemed strangely excited. "What do I do?!" 'Looks like she's eager.' Lin Mu reckoned it was just a fun thing to do for her. "I need you to spy on someone." He said before explaining everything in detail.

"I can do that." Ashy said with confidence. "I've been practicing my skill a lot in the forest. Sister Yin and brother Yang have been helping me with it." She added.

"That's good." Lin Mu was pleased. "Though before that there are a few things I need to prepare for you." He stated.

"What is that?" the trio asked.

"Well, a storage treasure for Ashy and something that'll help hide her presence better." Lin Mu replied. "And don't worry, I'll make a storage gem for you too Xiao Yin." He added.

"Okay~" Xiao Yin was waiting for a while.

"Yay! My own Spatial Storage treasure!" The black bird hopped around in joy.

While the beasts celebrated, the servants soon brought over what Lin Mu had requested.

~SHUA~

Lin Mu took out a dull grey rock that had many pockmarks on it. "What is this?" Ashy asked. "Is this my spatial storage tool? But how will I carry it? It's too big." The chatter bird shot off a bunch of questions.

"Its just the raw material. I still need to refine it." Lin Mu chuckled before holding the rock. "Meld."

~SHUA~

With precise control, Lin Mu shaved off the surface of the rock until a shiny black layer was seen inside it. Unlike the dull, rough grey layer outside, this was a lot smooth.

A few seconds later, Lin Mu had fully removed all the coating and revealed the black crystal inside.

"Ooo, it's so shiny!" Ashy's eyes gleamed seeing the black crystal. "What is it?" she asked.

"It's called as Lustrous Edge Obsidian." Lin Mu answered. "Its nice." The Bird eyed the crystal with desire.

"Now I need to make it 'not shiny'." Lin Mu said.

"Why? It won't be pretty anymore," Ashy asked with slight sadness.

"It'll give you away if it's shiny." Lin Mu replied. "Don't worry, you can have the rest of it. We only need a small part." He said as he used Meld to cut out a slice from the crystal.

The slice was barely a couple millimeters thick and was about six centimeters long and three centimeters wide.

Of course, this was just the start as Lin Mu then began to carve it. With Meld, his carvings were very precise and soon the slice was converted into a small feather!

"There we go." Lin Mu was pleased with his work. 'That practice has certainly come in handy.' He could tell his control was a lot better than before.

"Oooo, it looks so pretty now." Ashy found the petite feather rather nice. "Come here. I need to adjust it according to your feathers." Lin Mu said as he checked the right spot for the feather to be put. 

Ashy waited patiently as Lin Mu got the right measurements and began refining the feather to fit her body. This took a bit long and when he was finally done, it was already nighttime.

"Okay, it's done. Now to see if it fits." Lin Mu carefully slid the tiny pinkie nail sized feather onto Ashy's back. is the owner.