Different People, Different Paths

Shu Yu had three cosmetic boxes. One was ceramic, usually holding delicate items like mirrors, combs, hairpins, and face powder and rouge – ordinary things a young lady would use to adorn herself. The other, a large lacquered box, was piled high with precious silks, brocades, and satins, likely gifts from guests.

As for the Yin Ghost Jade, it was kept in a silver cosmetic box. The moment Xu Qing opened it, a wave of opulence washed over him, revealing an interior filled with gold and silver jewelry, agate bracelets, and other valuable items.

However, he wasn't interested in such things; he wasn't some master thief, after all.

Besides, a thief wouldn't steal from the sick, nor would they steal from prostitutes. Reputable thieves wouldn't typically come to a brothel to steal, as it would be too embarrassing!

Though Xu Qing couldn't be called a master thief, he also disliked engaging in the act of stealing from prostitutes or freeloading.

Over by the bed, Miss Shu Yu, oblivious, was breathlessly instructing her maid, "Huan'er, put some effort into it and push the gentleman back a bit. Don't just leave it all to me."

Meanwhile, Xu Qing, paying no mind to the sounds from the bed, reached into the cosmetic box and rummaged around, but he couldn't find the Yin Ghost Jade no matter how hard he tried.

Something was wrong. He was certain the Yin Ghost Jade was hidden among these treasures; the faint, chilling energy that had emanated from the box earlier couldn't have deceived him.

Why couldn't he find it?

Xu Qing once again activated his Qi Gazing Technique. He discovered that the slippery, dark green object, resembling black jade, was actively evading his grasp, playing hide-and-seek with him within the small cosmetic box.

As he searched back and forth, the dark green jade pendant would also dart around his hand, hiding in the corners, like a burrowing mouse!

After fumbling for so long, Xu Qing couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. So, it wasn't that he couldn't find it, but rather that the object was afraid of him! It seemed to shrink away as if seeing a cat, terrified of falling into his hands!

"Hiding from your daddy, are you!"

Xu Qing tried to grab it for a while but failed. Annoyed, he simply scooped out all the jewelry from the cosmetic box, leaving only the Yin Ghost Jade cowering in a corner.

Even then, it tried to fly out of the box, but Xu Qing, with his lack of scruples, snatched it up.

The gambling ghost, which had been nurturing itself within the Yin Ghost Jade, could no longer hold back. It emerged from the jade pendant, intending to possess the person before it, only to find that the man was like a solid iron lump, offering no entry point.

Xu Qing had no idea what tricks the gambling ghost inside the Yin Ghost Jade possessed. Seeing the ghost's persistence, repeatedly crashing into his body, he instinctively activated the Yin energy within him for defense.

After a few exchanges, the ghostly shadow dissipated, and the Yin Ghost Jade seized the opportunity to absorb all the shattered Yin spiritual energy.

Xu Qing watched as the last trace of green faded from the jade pendant. The Yin Ghost Jade was now as black as ink.

The Corpse Nurturing Scripture states that Yin Ghost Jade comes in three grades: low-grade is emerald green, mid-grade is dark green, and high-grade is black green.

This Yin Ghost Jade had likely been cultivated into a top-grade item by the gambling ghost.

Xu Qing marveled, clicking his tongue. Fortunately, Zhang Jun's sycophantic devotion was superior. Anyone else might have truly struggled to resist the gambling ghost's temptations.

Yin Ghost Jade, Old Cat Sha, Ghost Face Soil Three Feet Below Grave...

Now that he had the jade, he could begin the process of refining and nurturing the Silver Armored Corpse. He just wondered if any Ghost Face Soil had been cultivated in his Feng Shui treasure dwelling.

After securing the jade pendant, before leaving the pavilion, Xu Qing felt he couldn't just take the young lady's grooming gifts for nothing, like a freeloader.

After much thought, he took out a Great Strength Pill and scraped off a layer into the teapot.

That old pimp could barely get on the bed. With this enhanced tea, at least the young lady could properly experience the vigor of an eighty-year-old young man for once.

Helping others brought immeasurable merit. Xu Qing felt he had taken another step closer to the path of achieving sainthood through good deeds.

On his way back to the Fragrant Sound Pavilion, he saw Yamen Runners arriving to clean up the scene.

Xu Qing glanced towards the main hall from a distance but could no longer see Zuo Zixiong or Bai Luo. However, about a dozen corpses lay scattered on the ground.

Judging by their attire, most were Tianxin Cult lackeys, with a few bodies belonging to the Crown Prince's personal guards.

Martial Commandant Wu Tingwei was leading the garrison soldiers to seal off the scene, while the Patrol Office personnel were interrogating the identities of the patrons.

Before Xu Qing could return to the Fragrant Sound Pavilion, he was also escorted into the main hall by the soldiers.

Inside the hall were mostly men dressed only in their inner garments and trousers. Few of the ladies from the Shuhuang Pavilion were brought there.

Xu Qing found Zhu Huai'an, wrapped only in a thin blanket, and beside the chubby young man, the Wu brothers, covered in hickeys, were chatting in their trousers.

These three were remarkably calm. Was this really the time for casual conversation?

"Did you guys just wake up?"

"Oh, Brother Xu is here. We just woke up and heard that the Crown Prince was assassinated by thugs."

"Exactly. If we had known about this, my cousin and I would have definitely come out to protect the Crown Prince. We wouldn't just stand by and watch His Highness get startled."

"Indeed, this Tianxin Cult is too wicked!"

They chatted back and forth, presenting themselves as enthusiastic, good citizens.

When the Yamen officers approached them, Zhu Huai'an remained completely unfazed.

"Relax, everyone. With me here, they won't dare to make trouble for us."

Xu Qing, seeing the patrol captain walking directly towards him with a clear target, thought, Little Fatty, please be helpful and don't let this brute send us to jail for a few days.

Fortunately, Zhu Huai'an didn't disappoint him.

"My father is King Changting, and these gentlemen are my brothers."

His Highness, the Heir Apparent Zhu Huai'an, had added another incident to his record today. Rumors had long circulated in the city that the adopted son of that King of a different surname in Jinmen was a dandy, spending his days either bird-watching or listening to music in brothels.

Now, with the Crown Prince visiting incognito, this Heir Apparent had caused another new joke right under the Crown Prince's nose.

"King Changting, that's a man who held the highest official positions and once commanded the world's armies! I never thought we'd have the chance to visit a brothel together with the Heir Apparent of a king of a different surname."

On the way back to Jingxia Street, Wu Wencai's steps were unsteady, still feeling as if everything he had seen and experienced today was a dream.

Wu Zhiyuan sighed upon hearing this, "What a pity. King Changting's achievements were extraordinary, and I've always held him in high regard. Brother Zhu's Heir Apparent shouldn't tarnish his father's reputation like this."

At this moment, Xu Qing, who had been silent, suddenly spoke:

"What Zhiyuan says isn't entirely accurate. You only focus on King Changting's outstanding achievements but haven't considered the danger of excessive merit. The Heir Apparent Zhu previously joked that his father and uncle frequented brothels, and he himself acted like a dissolute young master. But is this really him willingly degenerating?"

Wu Zhiyuan was speechless. After a long pause, he said with some dejection, "Yes, I only considered King Changting's accomplishments and didn't think of it this way. But is Heir Apparent Zhu really acting? Then, are all the things we did with him today also just part of the act?"

Beside them, Wu Wencai frowned and interrupted their speculation, saying, "As long as Brother Zhu doesn't mind our humble origins, why should we care about his status as Heir Apparent? Even if we don't interact again in the future, today we've befriended Brother Zhu. Why are you two overthinking this?"

Xu Qing chuckled, surprised. He hadn't realized that Wu Wencai was such a man of principle.

"Wencai is right. Let's not dwell on these unnecessary thoughts. The most important thing for you two right now is how you're going to explain the plum blossom mark on your necks to Old Wu when you get back."

"We can't exactly say a mosquito bit us, can we?" Xu Qing teased with a grin.

"Oh no! If Dad finds out about this, I'll be utterly embarrassed on the spot."

"It's over. Uncle is a fast talker. If word gets back to my mother, I'm afraid I'll be in big trouble too."

"Cousin, quickly smell me. Do I have any scent of makeup on me?"

"Wencai, first help me check if there's still a mark on my neck."

Xu Qing ignored the two who had descended into chaos and continued back to his shop without stopping.

He was alone and unburdened, so naturally, he wouldn't linger in place like the Wu brothers.