Chapter 39

Zhang Jiu appeared at the doorway.

Seeing him soaking in the wooden tub, his expression shifted, and he said with a beaming smile, "Brother Luo, are you taking a medicinal bath?"

Luo Qingchen replied calmly, "Yes, I am. Is there something you need, Boss?"

Zhang Jiu chuckled but did not answer immediately.

He walked up to the tub, twitched his nose, and then said with a smile, "Brother Luo, you've been resting for over ten days now; your body should be feeling better, right? Two new guards arrived at the building today, and I'm planning to introduce you to them."

At this, he sighed and added, "Captain Zhou and his men are leaving today; they have other matters to attend to. From tonight on, it's our turn to handle the night patrols. I'll take the first shift tonight, and you can start with your new teammate tomorrow night. That won't be a problem, will it?"

Luo Qingchen nodded. "No problem."

"That's good."

Zhang Jiu glanced at the packets of tonic herbs resting nearby and said with a smile, "Then you go ahead and finish up, Brother Luo. I'll introduce you tomorrow."

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly turned back and said, "Oh, right, Brother Luo. I heard that Senior Brother Tian has gone down the mountain to complete a mission. Since that's the case, you won't have to provide blood for the time being, so you'll have more time to recover."

A look of surprise appeared on Luo Qingchen's face. "The boss is truly impressive; you even know about things happening at the top?"

A look of pride crossed Zhang Jiu's face, though his tone remained humble. "Not at all, not at all. It's just what some friends told me."

With that, he waved his hand and exited the room.

Luo Qingchen watched his retreating figure until he was far away, only then slowly relaxing his grip on the dagger he had been clutching tightly.

It was fortunate he hadn't drawn blood just yet.

After waiting for about half an incense stick's time and seeing that there was nothing unusual outside, he quietly sliced his wrist in the water and began to draw blood.

Tian Feng has gone down the mountain to complete a mission?

No wonder the other party hadn't come down to draw blood lately.

He had thought the man had suddenly developed a sense of mercy and decided to let him rest for a few extra days.

This was a rare opportunity.

He had to take advantage of this time to cultivate as quickly as possible and strive to break through before the other party returned!

After finishing the medicinal bath and cleaning the stone room, he immediately returned to his room to cultivate.

In the afternoon, he slept for two hours.

When night fell, he got up to continue his cultivation.

The medicinal energy within his body continuously tempered the tendons and bones throughout his entire frame.

The next day.

He went out for breakfast before returning to his room to sleep.

By midday, Zhang Jiu came to knock on his door to introduce the two new guards.

Both were young men in their twenties, one tall and one short.

The tall one was named Zhao Nan, and the short one was named Yang Guang.

Zhao Nan was in a team with Zhang Jiu, while Yang Guang was paired with him.

These two new guards seemed unaware of the murders that had occurred here and settled into the backyard quite happily.

Because Yang Guang was on his team, he was very respectful toward Luo Qingchen, humbly asking him various questions.

In truth, Luo Qingchen didn't know much either, so he simply informed him of some of the building's rules.

"I'm really glad to be on the same team as Brother Luo. I tried talking to Brother Zhou and Sister Sun yesterday, but they didn't seem interested in responding. I thought the people here were hard to get along with, but I didn't expect Brother Luo to be so kind."

Yang Guang looked very happy, and the smile on his face seemed quite innocent.

Luo Qingchen didn't say much else. After exchanging a few more pleasantries and agreeing on the time for their night patrol, he returned to his room to continue cultivating.

Soon, night fell.

The two of them went to the kitchen for dinner together before heading to the front courtyard.

Luo Qingchen said, "Let's patrol the outside once before we go into the building."

"Alright, I'll follow your lead, Brother Luo."

Yang Guang seemed very satisfied with this job, his face constantly wearing an enthusiastic smile.

The two of them quickly finished their patrol outside and entered the building.

Luo Qingchen said, "One of us takes the upper floor, the other the lower. Do you want the top or the bottom?"

Yang Guang thought for a moment and smiled. "The bottom, I suppose. I'm new here, so I'll start by getting familiar with the lower floor."

Luo Qingchen nodded, said nothing more, and headed upstairs.

Just then, the building's manager, Sun Ping, followed him up. She walked to his side and whispered a warning: "Guard Luo, do not spread word of what has happened in this building recently. Do not tell anyone, including your companion."

Luo Qingchen replied, "Don't worry, Sister Sun. I know the rules."

"As long as you know."

Sun Ping said nothing more, went downstairs, and headed outside to greet the guests.

Luo Qingchen patrolled the long corridor once, and just as he was about to take his post at the corner, the door to the first private room opened.

Zhao Yun stepped out. Upon seeing him, the blank expression on her face shifted into a smile. "Brother A-Chen, I haven't seen you in days. I heard you had blood drawn last time and nearly fainted. Are you feeling better now?"

Luo Qingchen nodded. "Much better. Thank you for the food you had Xiao Cui send over."

Zhao Yun smiled reservedly, seemingly wanting to say something, but after a glance downstairs, she hesitated and merely whispered, "Brother A-Chen, I know some things have happened in the brothel lately. I just hope you take care of yourself and stay alive."

Luo Qingchen gave a slight nod. "You too."

"Mm."

Zhao Yun replied softly and prepared to head downstairs.

Luo Qingchen asked, "Where are you going?"

Zhao Yun sighed. "Business hasn't been good lately. Sister Sun is making two of us stand at the entrance every night to greet guests. It's Qingmei's and my turn tonight."

Luo Qingchen suddenly remembered something; he pulled the pink money pouch she had given him from his robes and held it out.

Inside the pouch was the silver he had already counted—twelve taels in total.

Zhao Yun glanced at it but did not reach out to take it. She said softly, "Brother A-Chen, I don't need the money right now. I've already repaid Qingmei's silver as well. You keep it for now. I know you cultivators need silver; use it first, there's no rush to pay me back."

She paused, looking at him with gentle eyes. "Just treat it as if I'm keeping it with you. If I ever need it, I'll come to you for it, alright?"

Luo Qingchen hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Thank you."

Zhao Yun smiled and went downstairs.

Luo Qingchen watched her slender figure exit the building and vanish into the night outside.

Just as he was lost in thought, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor.

Then, a sharp, acerbic voice rang out: "Childhood sweethearts, a pair of star-crossed lovers—how touching."

A woman named Qingmei, draped in thin gauze, emerged from the depths of the corridor. She sneered at him, saying, "It's a pity, though. She'd rather have fun with others than give you the time of day."

"Guard Luo, do you know why?"

She suddenly leaned in close, her face full of mockery. Her bright red fingernails hooked toward him—part seduction, part provocation—as she whispered, "Because she thinks she's dirty. Let me tell you a secret; her own father told me while he was in bed. Before she was forced to sell herself here, in order to break her spirit and make her wallow in depravity, her father had already given her to many men to play with. Not only that, he even tied her up and let..."

"Get lost."

Before she could finish, Luo Qingchen interrupted in a frigid voice, his gaze cold and piercing as he stared at her.

"Heh, too afraid to hear the rest?"

Qingmei let out a cackling laugh, her face twisted with mockery. Seeming to relish his agitation, she jeered, "Guard Luo, whenever you feel like hearing more, just come to my room. I'll tell you all the details."

With that, she laughed again, swaying her hips as she headed downstairs.

"Hmph, why should someone like you have a sweetheart? Why should a wretch like you have someone who cares? Why are you more popular with the guests? Bah!"

Qingmei cursed under her breath as she descended the stairs, her face a mask of twisted jealousy and resentment.

Chen Ju's death had left her hopes completely shattered.

Watching the tender exchange between those two just now, the agitation and despair in her heart instantly curdled into extreme envy and spite.

"I'm having a miserable time, so why should you be happy?"

She gritted her teeth in secret.

Once she stepped outside and saw Zhao Yun at the entrance, she plastered a fake smile onto her face.

"A-Yun, I just had a little chat with Guard Luo upstairs. I hope you don't mind. It was all things your father told me, but I thought, well, it's nothing really—I'm sure Guard Luo wanted to know."

She said this with a beaming smile.

Zhao Yun looked at her calmly, fell silent for a moment, and asked, "What did you say?"