Stepping into the Game

"A wretched gambling addict?"

Lu Chenyang spoke in a low voice. "Tell me everything you know about Chen Shi'an, in detail. Don't leave out a single thing."

Fang Ruyu kept her head lowered and began her account.

Her anger toward Chen Shi'an inevitably led her to pile on embellishments.

Meanwhile, she glossed over her part in breaking off the engagement, describing how Chen Shi'an had wept bitterly and begged her to stay, only for her to firmly refuse him...

"A worthless gambler? Good for nothing?"

After listening to Fang Ruyu's account, Lu Chenyang wore an amused smile. "Raise your head."

Fang Ruyu lifted her head tremblingly, revealing a pretty face filled with both anxiety and anticipation.

After scrutinizing her for a full six breaths, Lu Chenyang curled his lip. "You certainly have decent looks. A pity..."

Fang Ruyu's pretty face paled, and she seemed at a loss.

"Fang Ruyu, I have a task for you." Lu Chenyang raised his voice slightly.

"Please give your orders, Dean. If it is within my power, I will not shrink from it even if it means dying ten thousand deaths." Delight appeared on Fang Ruyu's face.

Lu Chenyang lifted his eyelids slightly. "Use your charms to capture Chen Shi'an's heart. Make him obey your every wish."

Fang Ruyu looked utterly bewildered. "Dean, I've already broken off my engagement to him..."

"You can't do it?" Lu Chenyang frowned slightly.

Fang Ruyu shuddered and hurriedly replied, "Rest assured, Dean. I will complete the task you've given me!"

On the surface, the Hundred Flowers Pavilion was a house of pleasure. In reality, flesh was far from its only trade. It conducted other business as well, such as selling intelligence and brokering deals.

The Hundred Flowers Pavilion had branches in strongholds large and small throughout the Desolate Ruins. Its tangled roots reached into countless factions and influential figures there, and its strength was unfathomable.

Moreover, the Hundred Flowers Pavilion sought only profit and almost never interfered in conflicts between the strongholds.

Lu Chenyang pursued Tao Yaoyao not merely for her beauty, but also for her status.

If he could win Tao Yaoyao, his position in Windrise Stronghold would surely rise another rung.

As night first fell, Lu Chenyang entered the Hundred Flowers Pavilion brimming with satisfaction. At last, he stepped into the secluded little courtyard deep within that he had longed to visit for years.

Inside, red candles were already burning. Several exquisite dishes sat on the table, along with a jar of fine wine: Dream of Yellow Millet.

Dream of Yellow Millet was a specialty of the Sacred Martial Dynasty. It required a particular spring's water and could only be brewed in a particular location, so production was limited.

Even in the Sacred Martial Dynasty, those who could drink Dream of Yellow Millet were either rich or noble.

In the Desolate Ruins, anyone who could enjoy Dream of Yellow Millet had to be a figure standing at the very mountain's peak.

Even Lu Chenyang looked surprised when he saw the Dream of Yellow Millet.

"Dean Lu, please wait a moment. I'll fetch the pavilion mistress." A sweet, lovely maid in sheer green gauze led Lu Chenyang to the table, dipped in a slight curtsy, and slowly withdrew.

Lu Chenyang nodded. Inhaling the refreshing fragrance within the boudoir, he could not suppress the delight on his face.

A moment later, the door creaked open under the maid's hand, and she respectfully stepped aside.

Then a tall, slender figure slowly crossed the threshold.

She wore a red dress cinched at the waist, her face like a silver moon and her brows like distant, dusky mountains.

Her willow waist swayed as she walked, and ripples of light flowed through her eyes as she glanced about.

"To receive your favor, Mistress Tao, is a blessing earned over three lifetimes." Lu Chenyang immediately rose, his face wreathed in smiles.

"Dean Lu, you possess great talent, to compose such astonishing verse. The honor of speaking with you through the night by candlelight is mine."

Tao Yaoyao slowly took her seat, smiling charmingly.

Lu Chenyang took the initiative to pour the wine. "It isn't that I possess great talent. Your peerless allure inspired me, Mistress Tao, allowing me to compose 'Yaoyao Song.'"

"I have long heard that Dean Lu excels in both letters and martial arts. Now that I've seen 'Yaoyao Song,' your reputation is clearly deserved.

With this cup, I toast you, Dean Lu. Fine wine for a hero." Tao Yaoyao personally raised a wine cup before Lu Chenyang.

As Lu Chenyang reached to take it, he deliberately tried to brush Tao Yaoyao's slender, jade-white fingers, but she deftly avoided him.

To dispel the awkwardness, he laughed heartily. "Sharing wine with such a peerless beauty as Mistress Tao is truly one of life's greatest triumphs!"

For a time, cups passed back and forth in the boudoir, accompanied by an endless stream of charming laughter.

After three rounds of wine, cheeks reddened and ears grew warm.

Wine emboldened the coward. Lu Chenyang produced the jade bracelet he had prepared beforehand. "Miss Yaoyao, from the very first moment I saw you, I was stunned by your heavenly beauty. I swore I would marry no one but you in this life."

Tao Yaoyao took the bracelet, turned it casually a couple of times, and smiled. "A lovely bracelet. How thoughtful of you, Dean Lu.

But gold and silver are the last things the Hundred Flowers Pavilion lacks. If your feelings are sincere, Dean Lu, compose a few more poems that move me."

At this, she smiled sweetly. "Only then might I entrust my heart entirely to you."

Seeing the candlelit beauty's flowerlike smile, Lu Tianming felt his heart sway. He could barely resist pushing her down and lavishing his affection on her.

But recalling her status, he hurriedly suppressed that wicked fire and replied with a laugh, "Rest assured, Miss Yaoyao. If I could compose 'Yaoyao Song,' I can compose a second poem."

Light shimmered in Tao Yaoyao's eyes. "I will be right here, awaiting your new work day and night."

Lu Chenyang puffed out his chest. "I certainly won't keep you waiting long, Miss Yaoyao."

As he spoke, he reached for the wine jar, only to discover that it was empty.

Tao Yaoyao wore a faint smile. "Dean Lu, the wine is gone, and the hour is late. Let us end tonight's banquet here.

If you bring another new work, there will be two jars of Dream of Yellow Millet at our next banquet. I will drink with you to your heart's content."

As her words fell, she had already risen.

Naturally, Lu Chenyang wanted to spend more time close to Tao Yaoyao, but she had already made it clear that she was seeing him out. He could only rise as well.

"Cui Zhu, see Dean Lu out." The faint smile never left Tao Yaoyao's face.

Cui Zhu had been waiting outside the door all along. Hearing the summons, she immediately pushed it open and led Lu Chenyang away.

A moment later, Cui Zhu returned.

"Do you think Lu Chenyang wrote 'Yaoyao Song'?" Tao Yaoyao had put away her smile and spoke quietly.

Cui Zhu blinked. "Mistress, I don't understand poetry. You're making things difficult for me with that question."

Tao Yaoyao slightly arched her slender brows. "I asked you to judge the man, not the poem.

Listen to his words, observe his actions, and weigh his character."

At this, she lifted her head slightly. "This poem blends woman and flower seamlessly, its imagery forming a harmonious whole. It is unlikely to have come from Lu Chenyang.

Cui Zhu, send someone to investigate the Windrise Martial Academy. Find out who Lu Chenyang has been in contact with recently."

Windrise Stronghold, East Street, the Commander-in-Chief's Residence.

A burly middle-aged man with a two-inch knife scar on his left cheek sat beneath an oil lamp, his expression dark as he raged:

"That bastard Lu thinks far too highly of himself! He dares reach into the City Guard Battalion and order me around? Who the hell does he think he is?"

Before him stood a man in yellow, bent at the waist with his head lowered, trembling and not daring to breathe loudly.

The scar-faced man was Wang Tianye, commander of Windrise Stronghold's City Guard Battalion. Not long before, someone from the Windrise Martial Academy had arrived with a message from Lu Chenyang.

Once the messenger left, Wang Tianye flew into a rage and cursed for the time it took two sticks of incense to burn.

Perhaps tired of cursing, he looked up at the man in yellow and said through gritted teeth, "Tell them to stop. Leave Chen Tiantian alone!"

With that, he pulled a dossier from the table and quickly flipped to the sixth page.

At the top was a name: Chen Shi'an.

"Chen Shi'an? To think he could get that bastard Lu to act. He does have a little ability." Wang Tianye closed the dossier, a cold smile appearing on his face.

Night deepened at the Chen Family home.

It was already nearly eleven at night, yet Chen Shi'an had not gone to bed. He kept drawing his saber as he pondered.

Lu Chenyang was even more dangerous and terrifying than Wang Tianye.

Asking Lu Chenyang to restrain Wang Tianye meant stepping into the game himself. It was a move he had been forced to make.

He needed to buy himself time. Only by becoming a Ranked Martial Artist would he gain a little confidence and some ability to protect himself.

Windrise Stronghold appeared to be a sanctuary within the Desolate Ruins, but in truth, the weak were still meat for the strong.

The stronghold's rules only constrained those at the bottom.

Without power or influence, one was still a lamb awaiting slaughter.

Meanwhile, some time had passed since Chen Shi'an transmigrated here. He had gained a certain understanding of this world, and it was time to make plans for his future.

The Desolate Ruins was a long, narrow stretch of land wedged between the Demon Race's heartland, the Ten Thousand Barbarian Mountains, and the Sacred Martial Dynasty, Northern Liang, and Southern Qing. It served as a buffer between humans and Demon Beasts.

The Sacred Martial Dynasty, Northern Liang, and Southern Qing drove criminals, disobedient people, threatening people, and others into the Desolate Ruins. Over time, this lawless land had taken shape.

The three human nations had created the Desolate Ruins to provide a buffer before the fangs of Demon Beasts.

The major strongholds of the Desolate Ruins established outer cities, using the displaced people there to block the Demon Beasts' first wave of attacks.

The thinking was the same.

Big fish ate little fish, and little fish ate shrimp.

Life in the Desolate Ruins was difficult, with danger everywhere. Naturally, Chen Shi'an wanted to leave, taking Su Qingrou and Chen Tiantian to one of the three human nations.

However, that path was fraught with countless difficulties.

First, he would have to take mother and daughter through the Desolate Ruins, where danger lurked at every step.

Even if Chen Shi'an became a Ranked Martial Artist, this step would likely be difficult to accomplish alone, much less with Su Qingrou and Chen Tiantian in tow.

Even if they were fortunate enough to cross the Desolate Ruins, they would immediately face an even thornier problem.

The Sacred Martial Dynasty, Northern Liang, and Southern Qing stationed large armies along their borders with the Desolate Ruins, both to prevent Demon Beast attacks and to keep the people of the Desolate Ruins out.

Thus, leaving the Desolate Ruins with Su Qingrou and her daughter could only remain a long-term goal for now.

What mattered most at present was first establishing a firm foothold in Windrise Stronghold.

Connecting with Lu Chenyang could only hold Wang Tianye in check temporarily. The danger remained.

To establish himself in the Desolate Ruins, Wang Tianye was the first stumbling block he had to remove.

To achieve that goal, he could only draw his saber, then draw it again!

The next day, after breakfast.

Chen Tiantian went to school, Su Qingrou dried fermented black beans in the courtyard, and Chen Shi'an continued drawing his saber beneath the old willow tree.

Just then, a knock came from outside.

Chen Shi'an put away his saber, and Su Qingrou quickly opened the door.

"Sister Su, your chili sauce is absolutely delicious! Ever since we got it, my son has been eating an extra bowl of rice with every meal."

A round-faced woman strode in, all smiles. "Could you give me a few more jars of that chili sauce?"

Clearly thin-skinned, Su Qingrou hesitated and stammered.

"Auntie Yang, our Chen Su Ji chili sauce is for sale."

Chen Shi'an quickly stepped forward. "We gave you some a couple of days ago out of gratitude.

If you'd like more, you'll have to pay for it."

The smile immediately vanished from the round-faced woman's face. "Isn't it just some sauce to mix with rice? As if anyone couldn't make it. And you want to charge money for it?"

Chen Shi'an wore a faint smile. "If you don't buy it, Auntie Yang, someone else will.

Chen Su Ji chili sauce costs ten copper coins a jar. If you bring the jar back for a refill, it's six coins."

"Ten coins a jar? Why don't you just rob people?"

The round-faced woman rolled her eyes. "At that price, I guarantee you won't sell a single jar. Keep it and eat it yourselves."

With that, she swung her fat buttocks, large enough to crush a calf in a single sitting, and strode away.

"Brother-in-law, isn't ten coins a jar too expensive?" Su Qingrou asked softly.

Chen Shi'an smiled slightly. "We created this chili sauce ourselves. We decide the price.

Leaving out the cost of the jar, it's actually only six coins. That's already very cheap."

Su Qingrou looked up at the stout woman's retreating figure. "Auntie Yang thinks it's expensive."

Chen Shi'an curled his lip. "She wants it for free. Even if we charged her one coin, she'd complain it was expensive.

Don't worry. Didn't she say her son likes it? Spicy food is addictive. I reckon it won't be long before she obediently hands over the money."

Su Qingrou blinked, clearly still somewhat doubtful.

Chen Shi'an cleared his throat and said seriously, "Sister-in-law, since we're going to sell chili sauce and make it the foundation of our livelihood, you must remember this: in business, don't bring feelings about neighbors and fellow townsfolk into it. It's simply buying and selling.

If you mix money and feelings together, in the end, you'll lose the money and fail to keep the feelings either."

"I understand."

Su Qingrou nodded. "But we won't earn much if we only rely on the neighbors buying it."

Chen Shi'an hummed in agreement. "We're just testing the waters now, seeing how people respond. You focus on making the chili sauce.

Once we officially start selling, I'm worried we won't have enough."

Su Qingrou shook her head repeatedly. "How could that be? I can make nearly sixty jars a day now. If soaking the beans and fermenting them didn't take so much time, I could make even more.

We've already piled up a whole corner of the cellar."

Chen Shi'an chuckled. "Sister-in-law, make as much as you like. Give me a little time, and I guarantee I'll sell it all."

He already had a plan. He would only officially begin selling chili sauce after becoming a Ranked Martial Artist.

Chili sauce might look insignificant, but once it gained a reputation, it could become a considerable business.

Once the business grew, people would naturally grow envious, and trouble would come knocking.

Only after becoming a Ranked Martial Artist could he deal with that trouble.

"Brother-in-law, can you really sell it all? I've worked it out, and we've already spent quite a bit of silver making this chili sauce." Su Qingrou was still somewhat worried.

Chen Shi'an patted his chest. "Set your mind completely at ease. Just focus on making chili sauce, then think about how you'll spend the silver once we've earned it."

The corners of Su Qingrou's lips lifted slightly. "If we really earn silver, the first thing I'll do is find you a wife."

Chen Shi'an shook his head helplessly. "Sister-in-law, don't worry about my affairs. I'll handle them myself."

Something seemed to occur to Su Qingrou, and her pretty face suddenly flushed red.

Just then, someone crossed the threshold. She wore a pure white lotus-patterned dress, with a slender figure and alluring curves. It was none other than Fang Ruyu.