Chen Shi's gaze fell on Big Madam, his brows lightly raised as his robes gradually fluttered upward.
There was no wind in the deep courtyard mansion, but true qi was flowing,
like wind, lifting the youth's hem,
Big Madam was a mature woman, her eyes carrying the wisdom of one who had seen through all n, but Chen Shi was just a child—his gaze clear, devoid of any lust between man and woman, making her feel sowhat unfamiliar.
Though she was over forty, she was well-preserved, looking like she was in her early thirties.
Her skin was smooth, fair, and supple,
not an ounce of excess flesh on her body, nor any missing where it should be,
where it should swell, it did; where it should curve in, it never bulged.
Where it should be slender, it was; where it should be rounded, it was,
Her temperant was otherworldly, giving one the sense of a lofty immortal fairy, yet at the sa ti brimming with carnal desire—the contrast extrely stark,
This was a temperant hard to cultivate,
Temperant could be nurtured: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting for the refined air of a noble lady; cultivation and ditation for the transcendent aura of an immortal; rolling in the heaps of n to blend in carnal allure, turning one into a seductress.
Even so n's gazes upon her burned hotter than on young virgins just coming of age, filled with irrepressible desire.
Hu Feifei, seeing her, felt utterly inferior by comparison—her own tricks were re child's play next to this woman's; no wonder Sun Zheng had fallen into Rouge Alley.
Yet, for all her myriad charms, she stirred not the slightest desire in Chen Shi.
The fox demoness, seeing Chen Shi's deanor, couldn't help but praise: a man forged of steel,
The solid kind.
Chen Shi scanned the surroundings and said, "Rouge Alley is the Young Master's property? Where is the Young Master? I'd like to et him."
He noted that this deep courtyard mansion had plenty of usable items,
The firewood in the corridor could impale a person; the porcelain vase with flowers in the corner would be sharp when shattered; the well was also pri—plant a headfirst into it, then drop a Five Thunder Technique in, and it should cause an explosion inside.
And those stone lions at the door—if he smashed his head into them, he wondered if his skull would crack first or the lions shatter,
But what truly lit up Chen Shi's eyes was the cluster of imperial concubine bamboos in the corner—these were solid inside, perfect to launch with Piercing Sword Style.
The most handy weapon he'd ever used.
"Chen Shi, you've outsmarted yourself. Turning soldiers into birds before even entering the city—scouting inside could be excused, but this has startled the snake in the grass."
Big Madam smiled and said,
"The mont you entered the city, your whereabouts were in the Young Master's grasp."
Chen Shi heard a series of footsteps, and five young won entered from outside the deep courtyard mansion, each manifesting a Divine Shrine with a Divine Embryo inside cradling their Nascent Souls on their palms.
They crept along the walls, keeping about two zhang from Chen Shi.
This distance was exceedingly clever.
Chen Shi's physical attainnts grew ever stronger, his body transforming toward the Dao Body—his strikes fierce and domineering; even in a single step, within two zhang, he could close in instantly, and one punch could shatter a Nascent Soul force field!
But beyond two zhang, his physical charges and fists would not be so swift.
Beyond two zhang, spells were faster.
Each of their steps landed precisely at two zhang—clearly soone had instructed them never to step within two zhang of Chen Shi!
"The Young Master has studied your battles, from when you killed the Zhao clansn in Huangyang Village onward—every fight, the Young Master has analyzed."
Big Madam smiled. "The Young Master says your greatest strengths are your body and combat sense. Though you've not cultivated a golden body thod, your physique rivals a true one, and with your cultivation, he deduced your close-combat range is two zhang.
Beyond two zhang, you're helpless and must resort to spells."
She clapped her hands, and the five beautiful young won each produced a needle case, cradling it in their palms.
The cases opened to reveal silver needles,
Each six inches long, longer than cobbler's needles, but finer, like ox hairs.
These needles mimicked the golden needle in the loose cultivator Feng Feihua's hand.
Big Madam smiled. "The Young Master once crossed paths with Feng Feihua and borrowed her golden needle for three days of study, then created these silver ones—specialized to break golden body thods."
Chen Shi's eye twitched, his gaze on their needle cases. The young woman with a red flower in her bun carefully pinched a silver needle—it was so fine that it quivered slightly, as if it might bend with the slightest force,
Yet this soft thin needle gave him imnse pressure.
"This needle is exceedingly slender, but the Young Master had the masters of Hundred Refinent Hall engrave three talismans on the tip.
And forty-six talismans on the body,"
Big Madam enurated like treasures. "Each needle costs a thousand taels to craft."
The woman with the red flower urged her silver needle forward—it flew silently. Chen Shi's eyes followed, but he could scarcely track it, catching only a faint streak flashing past.
The woman raised her hand and caught the needle; in that brief instant, it had circled the entire deep courtyard mansion.
"Such silver needles number forty-five in total."
Big Madam's face turned solemn. "Forty-five silver needles, plus five Nascent Soul Realm experts—the Young Master says it's enough to kill you here.
What do you think?"
Chen Shi's face grew grave as he said, "The Young Master knows
well.
Might I et him?"
Big Madam smiled and said,
"The Young Master is not in the city now; you can't see him. Chen Shi, on Phoenix Ridge, you saw profit and forgot righteousness, coveted the Soul-Returning Lotus, and wiped out Taiping Sect root and branch—grave sins, heinous cris.
The Young Master is very angry.
He sent n to find you, but you, in your vicious ferocity, killed them all—only Pei Shu survived and escaped back.
These deeds are all yours; no injustice done, right?"
As her words fell, one woman suddenly waved her hand; her Nascent Soul spat true fire, burning the corner bamboos to ash.
Chen Shi's eye twitched again—normal people wouldn't bother with the bamboos.
The imperial concubine bamboos were destroyed—clearly on the Young Master's orders.
The Young Master truly understood him deeply!
"It was ."
Chen Shi admitted.
Big Madam said, "The Young Master sent n to survey the scene, but they were killed. He investigated; it wasn't your handiwork.
The perpetrator's strength was a notch above yours, and their mind even more ticulous.
The Young Master will find out who it is."
Chen Shi nodded slightly—Yutian City's was a Soul Transformation Realm expert, indeed far superior in cultivation and power.
Big Madam continued, "You had soone refine the Soul-Returning Lotus into Soul-Returning Pills and consigned them at Juxian Tower. The Young Master sent n to investigate; of the seven, only one returned alive.
Those six deaths...
Also my doing."
Chen Shi admitted forthrightly.
Big Madam sighed. "You truly are heinous.
But the Young Master, seeing your great talent—as Gongzhou and Xinxiang's provincial graduate—still wants to give you a chance."
Provincial graduate? Hu Feifei, hearing this, widened her eyes at Chen Shi in disbelief—no one had even taken the exams; how was he a provincial graduate?
Chen Shi asked, "What chance?"
"Rebuild Taiping Sect, and you be its sect master."
Big Madam said solemnly, "The Young Master cherishes talent; anyone with ability, he entrusts with heavy responsibility.
rit brings rewards.
Cultivation arts outsiders can't learn, family secrets—he can impart them all.
The woman you fancy but dare not propose to, he will personally propose for you.
You want office? He clears the paths, buys you a post.
You want to be a rich man? He gives you the wealth.
Which clan can match the Young Master's generosity?"
She paused, her face softening. "Chen Shi, you studied diligently, cultivated arduously, finally passed the scholar exams, then the provincial—waiting for an official post.
But how long must you wait? A year, two, even ten? So provincial graduates wait a lifeti for no post, reduced to poverty, doing talismans or begging! But what you yearn for yet can't grasp, the Young Master can arrange with all his might!"
Her words rang true.
Serve a great clan, even give your life—they might not reward a cultivation art, let alone office.
The Young Master was clear on rit and punishnt: contribute, and he gives fitting reward—the greater the rit, the richer the prize.
Most crucially, his rewards were often exactly what you desired.
Power? He gives power. Wealth? Wealth. Won? Won.
In this world, such a master was exceedingly rare.
Chen Shi's gaze fell on a length of hanging rope, then shifted away—
Strangling was too slow, easy to counter, unless refined into Immortal-Binding Rope.
His gaze landed on Hu Feifei's hat—the upturned corners at the back seed decent.
Perhaps an iron bar inside, good for stabbing.
Big Madam lightly brushed back a stray lock of hair from her temple and smiled. "You're just over ten, right? You don't want to wait another ten or twenty years for so minor post, do you? Your talent is exceptional—provincial graduate at your age. Must you wait till hair and beard whiten to be so petty official?"
Chen Shi changed the subject. "Why call her little mongrel?"
Big Madam paused slightly, stroking the little girl's head, and smiled. "Do you know who her father is?"
Chen Shi shook his head. "No idea."
Big Madam smiled warmly, rubbing the little girl's head. "Her mother took so many guests daily; originally, no telling whose seed it was.
But this girl fancied a scholar. You know our trade—we see too many n, rarely moved.
But she was.
Once smitten,
she kept herself pure, her body only for that scholar.
A whore setting up a chastity arch? Utter nonsense? So she bore his child—the scholar slept with her and didn't pay; isn't that just a wild man?"
She pursed her lips in a smile. "A child from a wild man—isn't that a little mongrel?"
"I see."
Chen Shi stared at her hand—this woman's hand never left the little girl's side. He said, "And then?"
Big Madam smiled. "Want to hear a story? Since ancient tis, scholar-and-beauty tales are spun by poor bookworms to dupe naive girls.
Scholars exist, beauties too—but endings are never good.
Beauties age easily; scholars often fail on integrity."
She gathered the little girl's head and walked toward the opposite deep courtyard mansion.
The doors of the opposite mansion swung open. Chen Shi's side was desolate, overrun with female ghosts, but the other brimd with springti splendor, luxurious and grand—
Young maidens of marriageable age leaning on railings, plucking pipas, softly chanting and singing; or sprawled on verdant grass, kicking up heels in chess matches with girls opposite; or in white skirts, reading beneath rockeries.
Or barefoot in shallow waters, dancing gracefully, their lithe forms splashing pure white waterflowers with each lifted foot.
Another tuned a guqin's strings, calibrating pitch, head tilted, black tresses cascading like a waterfall.
Her serious look was indescribably enchanting.
Each girl had an old bawd at her side, bamboo whip in hand, ticulously correcting their postures.
If a posture wasn't graceful enough, down ca the whip.
Yet even whipped, they didn't cry, faces still wreathed in smiles—
And smiles had standards: no teeth shown, or if so, no more than eight.
Even pained furrowed brows under the lash held a pitiable allure.
Hu Feifei bit her lip, eyeing the girls across the yard, annoyed—here she was, a fox spirit, outshone by humans; was there no justice!
Big Madam halted, turned to Chen Shi, and said, "That scholar, seeing her pregnant, naturally refused to wed a whore or raise her bastard—he was a reader, exam-bound; marrying her would make him a laughingstock. Of course the scholar fled as far as he could.
Little mongrel's mother still believed in oaths of mountains and seas—ended in vain, and she lost her life.
Though dead, she left the little mongrel."
Here, she burst into laughter, doubling over. "A whore sleeping with so many n, actually believing n's oaths! Hilarious!"
She laughed a while before stopping. "Chen Shi, the Young Master says you're talented; he gives you two choices.
One: co over, to this mansion, submit to the Young Master.
These girls here, yours to enjoy; riches, honors, high office—the Young Master grants all.
Even, the Young Master can tell you who stole your Divine Embryo."
Chen Shi's mind shook; he stared at her in disbelief.
The Young Master had investigated him thoroughly—even knowing this!
This offer was indeed a trendous temptation!
Even Grandpa hadn't found the thief of his Divine Embryo; for the Young Master to know was truly vast divine prowess!
He hesitated; this temptation struck his vital point, impossible not to waver.
Chen Shi steadied himself. "And the second choice?"
Big Madam smiled. "Second: hand over the money, the remaining Soul-Returning Pills, apologize, and you can go."
Chen Shi froze, glancing at the five young won and their silver needles. Puzzled, he said, "I hand over money and pills, apologize, and I'm free? This whole setup just for an apology?"
Big Madam smiled. "The Young Master does this only to show you: killing you would be effortless."
Hu Feifei whispered, "Brother Chen, what now?"
Chen Shi hesitated, then said, "Blackie Pot, fetch the money. Paper and brush—I'll write the Young Master an apology letter."
Blackie Pot stood, hauled the money chest from the wooden cart, and prepared paper and ink.
Big Madam smiled. "Chen Shi, you're wise to the tis—destined for greatness."
Chen Shi said expressionlessly, "The Young Master is too formidable, forcing
to this; I have no choice but to yield."
Big Madam chuckled. "Actually, you have a better choice: submit to the Young Master, and these girls behind
are yours.
All untouched virgins."
Chen Shi snorted inwardly, a surge of frustration with nowhere to vent.
Blackie Pot finished grinding ink and barked once.
Chen Shi stepped forward, took the brush, dipped it, and bent to write the admission of fault.
As he moved, the five young won shifted too, maintaining two zhang distance.
Silver needles rose, aid at Chen Shi—
Needing not move, their pressure already reached him, dimpling his skin in tiny pits.
"Truly a solid iron man, Dao heart indestructible! Unmoved by these girls."
Big Madam praised, squatting to pinch the little girl's cheek. She smiled. "Little mongrel, I kindly took you in, feed you three als a day, just waiting for you to grow.
Grown, you can take guests, repay double what Big Madam spent on you."
Chen Shi, brush at "I was wrong," clenched his teeth upon hearing.
"I can't strike—the Young Master studied
too thoroughly, knows
better than I know myself. I can't handle these silver needles..."
Suddenly, with a boom, Chen Shi stepped out. Blackie Pot's fur billowed wildly, his felt hat blown from his head by the gale; Hu Feifei's hat flew off too.
Blackie Pot pawed for his hat; Hu Feifei reached for hers.
At the sa instant, Chen Shi's foot landed, crossing two zhang. His left hand half-fisted, piercing the Nascent Soul force field to crush the left woman's throat—crack, shattering her throat bones and seven cervical vertebrae.
His right hand flung the brush in Piercing Sword Style, exploding into the right woman's brow, imnse force piercing her skull, slamming her against the wall behind—brains splattered!
To hell with the Young Master!
Today, he'll give it everything; must make up for the third watch!
End of chapter.
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