Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Guilty Old Wang and the Heir Bargaining with a Tiger

In the dead of night.

The moon was a hook, the night black as ink.

Tongzhou City was shrouded in darkness, utterly silent save for the occasional meow or bark.

A figure in black night-gear flew lightly onto the walls of the Pei Mansion, leaping across the rooftops. Following a familiar path, he arrived at the dungeon in the rear courtyard and landed without a sound.

He glanced around, confirming no one was present. Gripping the lock on the dungeon entrance, he gave it a gentle tug. With a CLICK, the lock was pulled clean apart. He opened the door and slipped inside.

Hugging the wall, he reached the cell. He saw the same woman from that day inside, and County Magistrate Wang’s last hope died. He began to retreat quietly out of the dungeon.

"Who goes there! Halt!"

The moment he stepped out of the dungeon, he heard a loud shout.

It was immediately followed by the sound of gongs and yelling.

"CLANG CLANG CLANG!"

"An intruder! Catch the thief!"

’This is bad,’ County Magistrate Wang thought. He immediately leaped into the air, attempting a swift escape from the Pei Mansion.

He had almost reached the front courtyard and was just one wall away from escaping the mansion when a streak of light suddenly shot through the air from behind him. County Magistrate Wang twisted sideways in mid-air to dodge.

But that momentary delay was all it took. Liu Yuheng, her hair unbound and clad only in an outer robe, her jade-like feet bare, had already landed on the courtyard wall, blocking his path.

Ye Hanshuang and Zhao Zilan, similarly disheveled with messy hair and untidy clothes, arrived right after, surrounding him.

County Magistrate Wang had no escape.

"What audacity!" Pei Shaoqing, dressed in white undergarments, strode out with a cold expression. "Seize him! If he dares to resist, kill him on the spot."

"Wait!" Knowing he was outmatched and couldn’t escape, County Magistrate Wang shouted in his real voice, "Young Master Pei, please ask your servants to withdraw."

"It’s you!" Pei Shaoqing’s eyes went wide with fury. He stared fixedly at him for a moment before waving a hand and roaring, "Everyone, return to your rooms and rest."

"Yes, sir." The crowd of male and female servants quickly dispersed.

Only then did County Magistrate Wang float to the ground. He removed his face covering, his expression full of shame as he looked at Pei Shaoqing, rendered speechless.

"County Magistrate Wang," Pei Shaoqing said, his tone icy.

County Magistrate Wang’s face burned with shame; he wished a crack would open in the ground so he could crawl into it. He could only force himself to say, "I hope Brother Pei can forgive me. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but the Saintess is simply too important to the Holy Sect."

"Ha," Pei Shaoqing chuckled once.

Then, it gradually grew into a full-blown laugh.

"Hahahaha! HAHAHAHA!"

Feeling guilty, County Magistrate Wang lowered his head further and further.

Pei Shaoqing’s laughter subsided, and he made no effort to hide his fury. He said in a chilling voice, "Today, you stormed in here aggressively to condemn me, and I was wrongly accused. Although I was angry, I understood your position and cooperated with you, even overlooking your discourtesy."

"Because I considered you a friend! And this is how you repay me? You apologize to my face, but behind my back, you have no trust in me whatsoever, sneaking over my wall in the dead of night. And I mistakenly thought you were a man of honor! You are nothing but a treacherous villain!"

He was like a young woman who had been cheated on time and again by a scumbag, crying himself hoarse as he accused the other of heartlessness.

County Magistrate Wang’s face turned deathly pale. He knew he had betrayed Pei Shaoqing’s trust. For someone who prided himself on being an upright gentleman, his conscience was deeply troubled.

He was filled with self-reproach.

The man had treated him as a friend, even allowing him to search a private place like his dungeon and not holding his offense against him. And yet, he had done something like this.

How could he ever face Pei Shaoqing again?

How could he face his own heart and conscience?

"Brother Pei..."

"Address me as Standard-Bearer Pei!" Pei Shaoqing barked.

Overcome with shame, County Magistrate Wang took a deep breath and said through gritted teeth, "I have no face to defend myself for today’s transgression. I am willing to destroy one of my arms to apologize to Brother Pei."

As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his hand to strike his own left shoulder.

"BANG!" A pebble flew out and struck his raised right hand, the pain forcing him to pull it back. He looked up at Pei Shaoqing, who had kicked the pebble. "Brother Pei, you..."

"It has already come to this. What use would your arm be to me?" Pei Shaoqing said, his face impassive and his tone cold. "You should believe me now, shouldn’t you?"

"I do! I do!" Sensing that the other man might still be willing to forgive him, County Magistrate Wang nodded repeatedly, overjoyed.

Pei Shaoqing snorted coldly. "Are you not leaving yet? You might not need sleep in the middle of the night, but I do."

"Many thanks for Brother Pei’s magnanimity!" County Magistrate Wang bowed solemnly to Pei Shaoqing’s departing figure, then bowed to Liu Yuheng and the others in turn before leaping over the wall and leaving.

After landing, he looked back at the courtyard wall with a complex mix of emotions. ’Brother Pei is loyal and righteous, with a heart as vast as the ocean, embracing all things. He is the true gentleman!’

As for himself, he was at best a hypocrite.

County Magistrate Wang gave a self-deprecating laugh and headed toward the County Government Office.

Back in the courtyard, a sly, triumphant smile appeared on Pei Shaoqing’s face. He said to Liu Yuheng and the others, "Thank you for your cooperation, my ladies. Please, go back to your rooms and rest."

"It was merely a small effort," Liu Yuheng said with a gentle smile, then looked at Zhao Zilan. "Lan’Er, let’s go."

Zhao Zilan glanced at Pei Shaoqing before hurrying to follow.

She had entered the fray injured today.

A certain *local area* hadn’t quite healed yet.

"Big Brother." Ye Hanshuang walked toward Pei Shaoqing.

To make the act convincing, she too was barefoot and wore only an outer robe. The collar hung loosely, gaping open. Her pink, embroidered dudou underneath could barely contain its ripe fruits, which looked as if they might spill out at any moment.

Pei Shaoqing’s gaze locked onto them as if he had auto-aim enabled.

Ye Hanshuang tilted her head to look at him, then glanced down at her own magnificent assets. Looking back up, her pretty face slightly flushed, she asked, "Does Big Brother really want to look?"

"Not at all." Pei Shaoqing averted his gaze and looked up at the sky. "The moon is so round... so big... and so white tonight."

"Is it bigger than mine?" Ye Hanshuang asked softly.

Pei Shaoqing hadn’t expected her to say something like that and nearly choked on his own saliva. "Sister Shuang, you should get some rest."

With that, he turned and left first.

"If Big Brother wants to see, just tell me. These annoying things are so inconvenient. If they can make Big Brother happy, then I guess they have some use," Ye Hanshuang, being an honest soul, called out to Pei Shaoqing’s back.

Pei Shaoqing, whose mind was already racing, almost tripped over the threshold when he heard that.

He knew Ye Hanshuang wasn’t trying to be seductive or flirtatious; she was being sincere. But her sincerity was what made it all the more bewitching.

’Good heavens, sister, that’s a foul!’

He felt it was necessary to educate Ye Hanshuang on the matters between men and women, lest she remain so clueless.

Returning to his room, Pei Shaoqing picked up the Shaking Light Saintess and tossed her back into the dungeon. As for the woman used to fool County Magistrate Wang, she was just a maid from the mansion.

He wasn’t so vicious as to silence an innocent woman after using her; he merely restricted her movements.

Once the Shaking Light Saintess completely submitted to him...

...that maid would be free.

At the third watch of the night, County Magistrate Wang, who had been lying in bed with his eyes closed, suddenly sat bolt upright and slapped himself across the face.

"Brother Pei trusted me so much... I’m truly not human."

...............

「The next day」

The Shaking Light Saintess’s condition flared up right on schedule.

It was the third time Pei Shaoqing had observed it.

The first time, the Shaking Light Saintess was in despair. The second time, she was furious. By the third time, she had given up and decided to just let it happen.

’Look all you want,’ she thought. ’You’ve already seen everything anyway.’

’As long as I kill Pei Shaoqing after I escape...’

’...no one in this world will have seen my sacred body.’

On his way to the Hundred Households, Pei Shaoqing bought a book. After entering his office, he gifted it to Ye Hanshuang.

He said earnestly, "Sister Shuang, you’re a grown woman now. There are some things you should understand. You can read this book when you have time."

"What book is it?" A puzzled expression appeared on Ye Hanshuang’s face, and she instinctively moved to unwrap the package in her hands.

Pei Shaoqing pressed her hand down, struggling to maintain a serious, straight face. "Read it when you get back."

"Oh." Ye Hanshuang nodded, but her heart was filled with delight. ’Big Brother gave me another gift.’

"Sir." Chen Zhongyi walked in with dark circles under his eyes, clearly having not slept well last night. After saluting, he said, "I’ve moved Wang Wu to a house in the alley behind the Hundred Households and assigned two trusted brothers to guard him. I also found a death row inmate with a similar build to take his place in the Hundred Households’ prison."

"Mm, Standard-Bearer Chen, you’ve handled this very thoroughly." Pei Shaoqing nodded, acknowledging his competence.

Chen Zhongyi asked tentatively, "Sir, this matter is of great importance. Shouldn’t we report it to Lu Households Commander?"

He felt that even if Pei Shaoqing was a young master from Marquis Wei Yuan’s Mansion, this was King Shu’s territory. He feared their small Hundred Households post alone would be no match for them.

"The Shu Royal Mansion is in Jin Guan City, and the Thousand Households is also in Jin Guan City," Pei Shaoqing said faintly.

Chen Zhongyi’s expression changed. "Are you saying..."

"I didn’t say that," Pei Shaoqing shook his head, cutting him off. "But we must be on our guard. Let’s conduct a preliminary investigation first. Once we have more information, we will report directly to the Capital City Garrison Command and ask the Governor to make a decision."

The Shu Royal Mansion was powerful; he never intended to confront it on his own. That would be like a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot—suicide.

"Yes, Sir. Your insight is brilliant," Chen Zhongyi replied.

「Meanwhile, in a cave outside Jin Guan City.」

No sunlight penetrated the cave; only the flickering oil lamps mounted on the irregular stone walls provided illumination, casting a sinister, eerie gloom.

In the depths of the cave, a mass of black mist, suffused with a malevolent aura, drifted back and forth. Each time it spoke, it would coalesce into a different face.

"Your Highness the Heir, when will the last three *sanyin* maidens be in place? My patience is wearing thin."

Below the black mist, a tall young man in brocade robes frowned. "Are you ordering me around?"

It was none other than Yan Sichen, the Heir of King Shu.

"Ordering you? No, no, no." The black mist coalesced into the face of a peasant woman and said with a smile, "How would a dead thing like me dare to order the Heir? I am simply eager to help Your Highness build an eternal dynasty. Only by growing stronger can I be of more help to you, no?"

"Hmph! Know your place and watch your tone," Yan Sichen said coldly. "Without me, your Heir, finding souls to feed you, you would have dissipated into nothingness within half a month. I am your master!"

"Yes, Master." The black mist transformed into the pretty face of a young maiden and replied with a coquettish smile.

Yan Sichen’s tone softened slightly. "The men sent to Tongzhou did not return. I have already sent a second wave to investigate the situation, and yesterday I sent another group as reinforcements. This time, there will be no mistakes."

"This humble one will await Master’s good news. Once the Taiyin Soul-Inviting Technique is complete, my power will soar. I will first help you inherit the throne, and then help you ascend the Dragon Throne to become the Emperor who rules the world." The black mist’s voice was full of bewitching temptation.

Yan Sichen could almost see the day he ascended to the imperial throne. His breathing quickened, and his face was flushed with excitement. "When that time comes, We will certainly not treat you unfairly."

"This servant eagerly awaits that day," the black mist cackled, then asked, "Heir, have you been diligently practicing the Cultivation Technique this servant gave you?"

"Of course. It is indeed a fine Cultivation Technique, and remarkably easy to practice," Yan Sichen nodded.

’This old ghost really has a lot of good stuff up its sleeve.’

The black mist said, "That is good. Although Martial Artists cannot live forever like the Ancient Cultivators, strengthening one’s body ultimately allows one to live longer than ordinary people. If the Heir becomes a Martial Arts Grandmaster, you could be the Emperor for a hundred years."

"Mm, rest assured. We know."

A moment later, Yan Sichen turned and left.

With his back to the black mist, he revealed a scornful smile.

’Once We have squeezed you dry of everything you have, the first thing We will do after ascending the throne is eliminate you, you wretched specter.’

’We are the supreme sovereign. How could We associate with a ghost?’

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