A three-hundred-year lingzhi could not be obtained immediately. Ye Chu still needed to suppress the evil qi in Bai Bao temporarily, otherwise the man truly would not survive the night.
He had Bai Xuan hold Yao Yao and stand further away. His hand reached towards Bai Bao’s body once more. His movements were skilled. As Ye Chu’s fingers tapped repeatedly, the black spots on Bai Bao began to fade gradually. Strands of evil qi shot from his body, surging towards Ye Chu.
So much evil qi rushing at Ye Chu made Bai Xuan’s heart pound with fear. Yet, to her amazement, Ye Chu’s arms moved in fluid motion, tracing perfect circular arcs. The evil qi became trapped around him. The grey mist continuously seeped into Ye Chu’s body. Because of it, his forehead gradually darkened.
Unlike Bai Xuan’s alarm, Pang Shao’s eyes gleamed with strange fascination. This was the first time he had witnessed Ye Chu confront evil qi so clearly. Ye Chu could allow evil qi to enter his body without harm. What technique did he rely on? Or had Ye Chu’s strength reached a realm where he no longer feared such evil qi?
Pang Shao quickly dismissed the latter idea. No matter how formidable Ye Chu was, he could not have cultivated in a single year to a level capable of withstanding the evil qi from the Great General’s Tomb.
“Could Ye Chu belong to one of those perverse professions?” Pang Shao’s heart raced. He could not help thinking of the rare few in the world who defied the heavens. They did possess unique methods against evil qi, but he had never heard of anyone absorbing it directly into the body without first refining it.
Moreover, Pang Shao did not believe Ye Chu could be one of them. The world knew how difficult it was to enter that circle. Though Ye Chu was powerful, he was not powerful enough for that.
It took considerable time before Ye Chu withdrew his tapping fingers. Sweat now flowed from his forehead. His face had grown rather pale. However, once the evil qi ceased entering his body, the darkness on his forehead vanished. This left Pang Shao clicking his tongue in wonder. This fellow truly was extraordinary. He could transfer evil qi into himself without suffering harm.
“It is settled. For the next few days, your father will be fine.” Ye Chu wiped the sweat from his brow and smiled at Bai Xuan. He reached down to pick up Yao Yao, who had run over to cling to him. He gently scraped her petite nose with a finger, making her giggle endlessly.
The little girl had rosy lips and pearly teeth. She was bright and full of vitality. Most importantly, she recognised his handsomeness and charm. Ye Chu liked her very much.
Seeing many black spots on her father gone, his breathing steady, and some colour returned to his face, Bai Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. Only now did she truly believe Ye Chu could save him.
Though the evidence was right before her eyes, Bai Xuan still found it hard to accept. Evil qi that even court alchemists could not cure, Ye Chu could handle. Was this still the notorious scum everyone in Yao City despised? Bai Xuan felt she could no longer see through him.
Yet one thing was clear. Ye Chu was far from the waste everyone condemned.
“Why stare at me?” Ye Chu smiled. He patted Yao Yao’s hand, which was pulling his hair, then suddenly realised. “Oh, I remember. You wish to honour the agreement, do you not?”
At this thought, Ye Chu could not resist appraising Bai Xuan. Beneath her clothes, her figure was voluptuous and exquisite, like a ripe peach exuding faint allure. Her long black hair cascaded over fragrant shoulders. The captivating curves, even hidden by fabric, remained intensely tempting. It was the sort of body that drove men to madness.
Ye Chu’s words instantly extinguished Bai Xuan’s joy at her father’s improvement. She bit her lip and stood silent.
“I know I am very charming. Many women gladly throw themselves into my arms. Yet I am in no rush. Why are you so eager to fulfil the promise?” Ye Chu laughed.
Pang Shao could bear it no longer. He thought Ye Chu utterly shameless, taking advantage yet pretending innocence. Even Pang Shao, who rarely pitied women, felt sympathy for Bai Xuan. Encountering such a vile scum was truly misfortune.
Bai Xuan stood pale, her face ashen. Stared at by Ye Chu, she felt like prey under a wolf’s gaze. It cut like a knife. Uncomfortable, her body shrank back, trying to escape his eyes.
Seeing her like this, Ye Chu smiled inwardly. His reputation as a scum was truly intimidating. A casual remark could frighten someone into losing all colour.
“Very well. In such matters, I prefer mutual consent. The terms can be altered. I have no place to stay in Yao City. Your residence is quite spacious. If you waive rent and provide meals, perhaps I can consider dropping the original demand.” Ye Chu revealed his true intention. Though Bai Xuan was tempting, and Ye Chu was no paragon of virtue, he had never forced a woman to share his bed.
In his previous life, mingling in nightclubs, he had always valued mutual willingness. He had never stooped to drugging women like some scum. He despised such conduct. For a man to be so depraved as to use those methods, how utterly incapable must he be?
Ye Chu had only frightened Bai Xuan to secure lodging. He could not stay forever at the flower boat inn. Penniless, if not for robbing Pang Shao, even meals would be a problem. Now, with a chance to solve food and shelter, especially with such a beautiful hostess, how could he pass it up? It was a place one could scarcely find with a lantern.
“Ah!” Bai Xuan struggled to respond. The infamous Ye Chu, notorious for bullying men and dominating women, would truly spare her? She knew her own allure to men.
“If you refuse, forget it. We will revert to the original terms.” Ye Chu smiled.
“I agree!” Bai Xuan said hastily, without hesitation.
Her swift acceptance was within Ye Chu’s expectations. Faced with the choice, she would naturally choose the latter. This was why he had scared her first. Had he proposed this initially, she might have been unwilling.
Setting Yao Yao down, Ye Chu patted her head and sent her to Bai Xuan. He strolled out of the residence lazily with Pang Shao.
“Truly willing to let such a beauty go?” Once outside, Pang Shao could not resist asking Ye Chu. He sighed inwardly. Ye Chu was actually releasing such a woman.
“I have long said I pursue a higher realm. Unlike you, so incompetent you rely solely on threats and inducements to win women.” Ye Chu looked at Pang Shao with disdain.
Pang Shao gave an awkward laugh and did not argue. “When you searched him earlier, did you find anything?”
“Nothing on him. Either he gained nothing from the General’s Tomb, or he hid it before losing consciousness.” Ye Chu shook his head.
“Could he have given it to Bai Xuan?” Pang Shao asked.
Ye Chu rolled his eyes. “How would I know?”
“Fine. I will leave it be. Wake him and ask yourself.” Pang Shao was glad to pass it to Ye Chu. “But what technique do you use against evil qi? You truly fear no invasion.”
“Condense evil qi into a pill.” Ye Chu smiled.
“What rubbish is that?” Pang Shao frowned, not understanding. Unable to grasp it, he ceased asking and shrugged. “You have secured food and lodging. This young master will not concern himself further. Damn it, these days you have spent all my money. Remember to repay me.”
Pang Shao grumbled a few times, then turned and left, heading to another flower tower to seek women.
After Pang Shao departed, Ye Chu smiled. He flipped his palm. In his hand appeared a grey, perfectly round pill. If Pang Shao saw it, he would be utterly shocked. The aura from the pill closely resembled the evil qi from the General’s Tomb, only lacking its violent, life-corroding nature.
Qingyang Marquis Mansion was filled with guests at this moment. Qingyang Marquis’s eldest son, Qing Xiangming, had grandly invited the young ladies and gentlemen of Yao City to celebrate his younger brother Qing Xiangxin’s birthday. The ordinarily quiet marquis mansion had thus become extraordinarily lively.
Looking at the banquet-filled hall bustling with people, Ye Chu thought that Qing Xiangming truly doted on Qing Xiangxin. Their father had not hosted a birthday for Qing Xiangxin. Instead, Qing Xiangming had taken it upon himself, inviting all the young masters and misses of Yao City.
“Ye Chu! Why has Lord Pang Shao not come?” Liang Shan had assumed Pang Shao would attend, but seeing only Ye Chu arrive alone, he nearly jumped in alarm. Without Pang Shao to back him, given Ye Chu’s reputation, who knew how many wished to deal with him.
“He is probably in some woman’s embrace,” Ye Chu shrugged. Inwardly, he cursed Pang Shao. If the man had stood up for him, Ye Chu would not need to come personally for the lingzhi.
“So Lord Pang Shao will not come?” Liang Shan was startled. “Without him, you dare appear here. Leave quickly. No one has noticed you yet. You can still escape.”
Seeing Liang Shan retreat without Pang Shao’s support, Ye Chu rolled his eyes. “Is it necessary? This is not some dragon’s pool or tiger’s den. There is food and drink. Why leave?”
With that, Ye Chu found a spot to sit casually and grabbed a handful of pastries from the table to eat.
Liang Shan fretted but could do nothing. As he pondered how to drag Ye Chu away, he noticed Ye Chu staring fixedly in one direction.
Following Ye Chu’s gaze, a handsome youth with a dashing air appeared in the hall, wearing a bright smile. The moment he entered, he became the centre of attention. Many gathered around him, greeting him constantly. All eyes seemed focused on him.
“Qing Xiangming has changed greatly in three years. From obscurity, he has become the leader of Yao City’s younger generation. See those around him? The sons of Anping Marquis, Jiashang Marquis, Baidu Marquis. They hold exalted status in Yao City, yet they serve only as foils. Though Qingyang Marquis ranks below Anping and the others, Qing Xiangming is the true centre of this group of marquis sons.” Liang Shan sighed. “I hear Qing Xiangming’s strength has reached the sixth level of True Qi Realm. Among the younger generation, few can match him.”
“You envy him?” Ye Chu asked with a smile, seeing Liang Shan’s lament.
“Nonsense! Who would not?” Liang Shan looked jealously at the beautiful young ladies surrounding Qing Xiangming. “If I had his strength, those ladies would surely flock to me.”
Ye Chu did not disturb Liang Shan’s daydream. Watching Qing Xiangming, the centre of admiration, he thought the man indeed held considerable prestige in Yao City. Even sons of marquises ranking above his father willingly lowered themselves for him.
As Ye Chu pondered this, a cool voice sounded in his ear. “I told you not to linger in Yao City. Yet here you are at Qing Xiangming’s banquet. Have you forgotten how you allowed your men to violate a Qingyang Marquis maidservant years ago? Coming here, Qing Xiangming will not let you off easily.”
“Hm?” Ye Chu turned towards the voice. Unnoticed, Su Rong stood nearby with Zhang Su’er. Today Su Rong wore a dress that accentuated her tall, graceful figure. Her black hair shone like lacquer. Her skin was like jade. Her beautiful eyes held captivating charm, like a budding peony, beautiful without vulgarity, alluring yet refined, a thousand graces that stirred the heart.
“What do you think I should do?” Ye Chu smiled at Su Rong, surprised the woman had initiated conversation.
“Leave here. Leave Yao City.” Su Rong’s eyes were cool. Her red lips uttered the words.
“Yao City has such beauty. How could I bear to leave?” Ye Chu’s gaze lingered on Su Rong, carrying undeniable wickedness.
Liang Shan, seeing Ye Chu flirt with Su Rong, slapped his forehead. “Finished. This fellow is incorrigible. Still flirting with Su Rong now. Is his infatuation with her truly so deep?”
Zhang Su’er fumed. She shouted at Ye Chu, “How can you be like this? If not for your help last time, who would care if you lived or died? Su Rong, let us go. Let him die in Yao City.”
After scolding Ye Chu, Zhang Su’er recalled their prior debt. Holding her temper, she said, “Listen to us. Leave Yao City.”
“Yao City has beautiful mountains and clear waters, beauties like clouds. Naturally, I cannot leave.” Ye Chu smiled. “As for troublemakers, let them come if they dare. I am a dashing young gentleman, a romantic scholar, a peerless talent in both civil and martial arts. Why fear them?”
Liang Shan, hearing Ye Chu boast before Su Rong, thought Ye Chu’s obsession with her had driven him mad. But what kind of woman was Su Rong? How could a few boasts deceive her?
“You have a fart’s worth of civil and martial talent!” Zhang Su’er could not help cursing. A notorious scum of Yao City claiming such talent. Good thing only they heard. If the young talents overheard, they would likely rush to slap Ye Chu.
“Civil: able to wield a pen to control lolis. Martial: able to pin a wife in bed. Does that not count as civil and martial talent?” Ye Chu thought of the previous life’s definition of an ideal man. In that life, he had achieved it. Calling himself talented was not excessive.
“Scoundrel!” The words made Su Rong and Zhang Su’er blush crimson. They thought, as expected, a dog cannot change its habit of eating shit. Scum remains scum. They had thought he might have changed. Old nature is hard to shift, a timeless truth.
“Let us go.” Zhang Su’er pulled Su Rong away, no longer wishing to concern herself with Ye Chu.
“Hehe. Knew you were filthy.” Liang Shan, hearing Ye Chu’s words, could not help a sly laugh. Ye Chu had not been seen in three years, yet his realm had advanced again.
Years ago, “Dare vie with the nine heavens for charm, dare breach the goddess’s hidden spring” had been quoted by countless Yao City dandies. Liang Shan believed this line would soon spread through Yao City, recited eagerly by that crowd.
Ye Chu watched the two women depart, their figures swaying gracefully. A smile curved his lips. Teasing people for fun was quite enjoyable. It evoked memories of his days in nightclubs.
…
“Miss Su Rong! You have come.” Qing Xiangming, surrounded by admirers, spotted Su Rong. He extricated himself from the crowd and approached with a beaming smile.
This woman was a jewel of Yao City. Few men in Yao City did not fall beneath her pomegranate skirt. Even Qing Xiangming, a circle’s centre, felt some inferiority before Su Rong and dared not pursue her lightly.
Su Rong’s arrival instantly stole Qing Xiangming’s spotlight. People instinctively gathered around both, but clearly more clustered near Su Rong. Beauty, after all, held advantage.
