Mutual Consent, Why Not

A crowd of City Lord's Mansion Imperial Guards advanced in an encircling formation, every gaze fixed on Wen Changqing.

Wen Changqing had clearly realized something was wrong too, and a hint of panic took hold of him.

"Lord Nie, given the friendship between you and our Wen Family, you should know that I, Wen Changqing, am absolutely not such a base, vicious man!"

Wen Changqing took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "What's more, I had just heard terrible news, so my emotions inevitably slipped out of control, causing me to say some foolish things. I hope Lord Nie can understand."

Nie Beihu was silent for a moment, then said, "Brother Changqing, if you want to prove your innocence, it's easy enough. You need only do one thing."

"What is it?" Wen Changqing asked.

"Use the Wen Family's strength to join our City Lord's Mansion in pursuing clues about Wu Ruoqiu. We absolutely cannot allow such an evil fiend to continue bringing calamity upon the people of the city. I believe this is also what the City Lord would want to see."

Nie Beihu's words rang firm and resonant, each one striking the ground with force.

"That is only natural!"

Without a second thought, Wen Changqing's face filled with thick resentment, and he gnashed his teeth. "He killed my child. I wish I could eat his flesh raw and drink my fill of his blood. Lord Nie, rest assured, when it comes to hunting down that vile thief Wu Ruoqiu, my Wen Family cannot shirk its duty!"

Nie Beihu's expression eased. He waved for the Imperial Guards to withdraw, then said, "Brother Changqing, there is something I don't know whether I should say."

Wen Changqing said, "Please speak plainly, Lord Nie."

"You clearly knew there was danger in this residence, yet you never warned Young Master Su. If this gets out, I'm afraid it will draw a great deal of criticism."

Nie Beihu said, "Those unaware of the truth might think your Wen Family intended to use this method to get rid of Young Master Su."

Wen Changqing's expression changed, and he denied it without hesitation. "How could that be possible? I, Wen Changqing, could never do something so vile and shameless!"

Nie Beihu said solemnly, "I will convey your stance to Lord Fu Shan. In addition, let me put the ugly words first: from now on, Young Master Su will be living here. If any other accident occurs, your Wen Family won't be able to wash your hands of it."

The corner of Wen Changqing's lips twitched hard. He forced out a stiff smile and said, "Lord Nie, just rest assured."

Only then did Nie Beihu nod.

His gaze flicked imperceptibly toward Su Yi before he waved his hand and said, "We shall take our leave first."

With that, he left with the group of Imperial Guards.

Wen Changqing stood rooted in place, silent for a long time.

Then his gaze suddenly locked tightly onto Su Yi, his expression dark and terrifying as he questioned him sharply, "Just now, what exactly happened?"

Su Yi's expression remained calm. "Before I returned, your son had already arrived here an hour earlier. How could I know what happened during that hour?"

After a pause, he frowned and said, "I was just about to ask as well. Apricot Yellow Medical Hall has already been handed over for me to take charge of, so why did your son appear here?"

Wen Changqing's expression shifted between cloudy and clear.

This explanation was reasonable and logical, leaving him unable to ask further.

After a long while, he raised a hand and pointed at Su Yi's nose, his expression sinister as he said, enunciating each word, "I will investigate this matter until everything is clear! Don't let me find out this has anything to do with you!"

With that, he led those attendants away.

Watching their figures disappear, Huang Qianjun finally sighed with feeling and praised, "Commander Nie's methods really are impressive!"

Su Yi glanced at him and said, "Schemes and tricks of power are ultimately petty paths. If some formidable cultivators were here instead, with certain unique secret arts, they could restore the scene of the slaughter just now."

After a pause, as if worried Huang Qianjun did not understand, he added, "If you want to become strong in the future, you can't set your mind on playing with schemes."

Huang Qianjun froze, then said solemnly, "Brother Su's lesson is right!"

Inside, however, he was wildly delighted. Brother Su guided me again! This is an enormous good omen!

"Tomorrow at Early Morning, wait for me in the Mulberry Forest ten li north along the Great Cang River outside the city."

Su Yi casually gave an instruction, then turned and walked toward his room.

Everything that had just happened was insignificant in his eyes, not worth caring about at all.

"Outside the city along the Great Cang River? The Mulberry Forest? What is Brother Su planning to do?"

Huang Qianjun was puzzled, but he immediately shook his head, stopped thinking about it, and hurried away.

He had personally killed Wen Jieyuan just now. He needed to communicate with his father, Huang Yunchong, at once.

The courtyard regained its former quiet.

Sunlight passed through the dense, umbrella-like boughs of the Old Locust Tree, scattering a floor of mottled, bright light.

Not long after Huang Qianjun left, Hu Quan, Wu Guangbin, and the others from Apricot Yellow Medical Hall came to visit. Seeing that Su Yi was safe and sound, they were finally completely relieved, and soon left one after another.

Inside the room.

Su Yi sat casually before the desk, holding the Dust Edge Sword horizontally before his eyes as he examined it in silence.

This sword had killed eight people just now. Its black blade, clear and ethereal as night, was not stained with blood, but along the edges on both sides, it now faintly carried a trace of baleful intent.

"This sword is ultimately a common item, with extremely little room for growth and improvement. However, it is already enough for the short term."

After a long while, Su Yi put away the Dust Edge Sword and looked toward the Soul-Nourishing Gourd hanging to one side of the desk.

As if sensing Su Yi's gaze, Qing Wan's timid voice immediately sounded from within the gourd:

"Immortal Master, do... do you have any instructions?"

Just hearing her voice, it was lilting and soft, sweet as a spring.

"Come out. There's something I want to discuss with you."

Su Yi lightly tapped the tabletop. As for how to deal with Qing Wan, he had already made up his mind.

A wisp of white smoke silently surged out of the Soul-Nourishing Gourd, and Qing Wan's charming figure appeared along with it.

She wore a blood-red dress, bewitching and stunning.

Yet her face was like that of a pure, delicate young girl. With her large eyes, she hovered there timidly, her dainty head lowered, looking a little foolish and naive.

Su Yi pondered for a moment, then said, "I'll give you two choices. The first: once I step onto the path of Origin Dao cultivation, I'll perform a rite to help you pass on, freeing you from this state forever."

Qing Wan twisted the corner of her clothes with both hands and asked weakly, "Immortal Master, what about the second?"

"The second is simple. You and I make a deal."

Su Yi stroked his chin, his gaze deep and quiet as he looked at Qing Wan. "I'll bestow upon you a secret cultivation art and let you truly embark upon the path of a Ghost cultivator. In return, you have to agree to one thing."

"What does Immortal Master want Wan'er to agree to?"

Qing Wan raised her head. A look of anticipation rose on her pure, delicate little face, which was slightly babyish.

Su Yi said casually, "Use your body as a cauldron. When I advance from the path of Origin Dao to the path of Spirit Dao, dual cultivate with me once."

The path of cultivation in this world had four major stages: Martial Dao, Origin Dao, Spirit Dao, and Profound Dao.

Each stage had different cultivation realms.

Martial Dao had four realms: Blood Circulation, Qi Accumulation, Furnace Nourishing Realm, and Flawless Realm.

Origin Dao had three realms: Fasting, Origin Palace, and Star Gathering.

Above that were the three realms of Spirit Dao.

Among them, the first realm of Spirit Dao was known as the "Spirit Transformation Realm."

Upon reaching this realm, one needed to transform all of one's origin power into "spirit origin" where yin and yang merged.

According to Su Yi's cultivation experience in his past life, if he wanted to possess Dao Xing far surpassing his former self when stepping into the "Spirit Transformation Realm," using the "Dual Cultivation Method" might well be an excellent choice.

Of course, even if he did not do this, Su Yi had other ways to accomplish the same thing. It was just that they would require tremendous effort and the search for the right opportunity.

But if he cultivated Qing Wan as a "cauldron" starting now, then when the time came to break through to the "Spirit Transformation Realm," there would be no need to go through so much trouble.

"Du... dual cultivate?"

Qing Wan was clearly startled. She began to stammer, and immediately after, her snow-white, translucent Pretty Face flushed red with a whoosh, just like Rosy Cheeks, burning hot as if seared by fire.

Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her head was almost buried against her chest. She looked utterly bashful.

Su Yi, however, acted as if nothing had happened and said calmly, "That's right. If you agree, when the time comes, I'll teach you a unique Dual Cultivation Method. Not only will it not make you suffer or damage your foundation, it will instead further improve your Dao Xing."

After a pause, he said indifferently, "Of course, if you're unwilling, that's fine too. I'm not so low as to take advantage of a tiny Yin Soul like you in such a matter."

If this had been in his previous life, and he had said he wanted to find someone to dual cultivate with, he feared all the fairies and Divine Daughters under heaven would have thrown themselves at him like moths to a flame.

After all, being able to dual cultivate with him, Su Xuanjun, was already equivalent to a great fortune that could only be encountered by chance and not sought, for any woman in this world aspiring to break through on the Great Dao.

As for whether Qing Wan could understand this, Su Yi did not care in the slightest.

In any case, he was still very far from breaking through to the "Spirit Transformation Realm."

"Think it over carefully. There's no need to answer in a hurry."

As Su Yi spoke, he was just about to rise and leave.

But then he saw Qing Wan say in a fluster, "Immortal Master, Wan'er... Wan'er has thought it through."

"Oh?" Su Yi raised his brows and said with great interest, "Which one do you choose?"

"The... the second..."

Qing Wan's voice was like that of a mosquito, almost inaudible. Her pure, delicate Pretty Face was already red as if burned by fire, and she did not even dare look into Su Yi's eyes.

Su Yi truly could not understand it. She was merely a Yin Soul; how could she be this shy?

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Once you choose, you can't go back on it. Do you understand?"

Qing Wan's chest rose and fell for a while. She was clearly far too nervous. Only after taking several deep breaths in a row did she say timidly, "Wan'er understands."

Su Yi said again, "Although I will teach you cultivation methods and guide your cultivation, you are not a disciple I have accepted. You may not regard yourself as my disciple. Do you understand?"

"Wan'er understands."

Qing Wan nodded obediently.

Su Yi pondered for a while, then added, "In the future, even if there is dual cultivation, you still won't be my wife or concubine, and I certainly won't take responsibility for you. Do you understand?"

Qing Wan froze for a moment, then said hesitantly, "Immortal Master need not worry. Wan'er... would not dare hope for such things..."

Only then did Su Yi nod in satisfaction and say, "I'll give you another day to consider. If, when the time comes, you don't regret this decision, I'll teach you the cultivation method."

With that, he rose to his full height, pushed open the door, and walked out.

It was already noon, and he was starving. He needed to fill his stomach first.

As for what Qing Wan would think, he simply could not be bothered to guess.

It was not that he had a heart of stone or was cold and heartless.

Rather, it was because he possessed the experiences and state of mind from his previous life's hundred and eight thousand years. When it came to love between men and women, he had long since seen through it.

If fate let him meet a woman he admired, he would naturally treasure her all the more and cherish her well.

If fate did not let him meet one, he would not force it.

As for dual cultivation, fleeting romances, and such matters of seeking pleasure...

So long as both parties were willing, why not?

In all his life, he, Su Xuanjun, would never be troubled by such petty affairs of men and women.

P.S. Ding~ Su Yi, whose scumbag attributes have been exposed, is now online~~