The brokerage, the Zhou Family?
Lu Sui's thoughts shifted, recalling something Wei Erhe had mentioned.
A young master surnamed Zhou wanted to buy the freedom of Miss Liu Ruyan of Tongchun Garden, the original owner's "sweetheart"?
Was the much-loved spectacle of jealous rivals competing over a woman coming next?
Lu Sui did not make the preconceived assumption that every second-generation heir was exceptionally well-mannered and knew how to be modest and humble.
They were all ordinary mortals who ate the five grains, possessed of the seven emotions and six desires. Where would so many deep thinkers with unfathomable schemes come from?
Supposedly, his father Lu Yulin had also been a notorious hell-raiser in his youth, taming hawks, fighting dogs, and spending nights in pleasure houses.
Later, he had listened to the instigation of his disreputable friends and ventured alone to Shaqing Pass. Only after enduring countless hardships and setbacks, battered by life, had he become the "Saber-Wielding Ghost" of the outlaw world and Chairman Lu of the merchant guild.
For all he knew, this Young Master Zhou was another simp like Deng Yun, someone who placed women above the heavens.
"You're too kind, Young Master Zhou."
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Lu Sui stood and cupped his hands in return.
"But tobacco and alcohol harm the body. I've only just joined the martial arts school, and this is the time to temper my foundations, so I'll substitute tea for wine."
With that, he held his teacup in both hands, extended it forward, then tipped his head back and drained it.
"So Young Master Lu has joined the Hundred Victories Martial Arts School! It looks like Changle County will soon have another great talent in the martial trade!"
Zhou Qing took the wine cup his attendant handed him.
"No wonder I haven't seen you in Pleasure Alley lately, Young Master Lu. Poor Miss Ruyan has been waiting day and night for you to visit..."
Lu Sui smiled faintly without taking up the conversation.
He did not even have time to play with the bedchamber maid in his own courtyard. How could he spare any attention for some Miss Ruyan?
Lu Sui set his teacup gently on the table.
"Young Master Zhou, I'm gathering here with my fellow disciples today, so I won't keep you."
Seeing Lu Sui signal that it was time to leave, Zhou Qing did not grow angry.
"Then I won't disturb you any further."
He turned to leave, only to stop suddenly and look sideways at Lu Sui.
"Young Master Lu, I'm hosting a private entertainment gathering in Pleasure Alley in a couple of days. Might you honor me with your presence?"
Without a moment's thought, Lu Sui politely declined.
"Thank you for your kind invitation, Young Master Zhou, but my training is at a critical stage. I'm afraid I won't be able to get away."
The silkworm baby had caught a trace of Calamity Qi on Zhou Qing.
Presumably, this fellow's "danger rating" was very high. Getting too close could easily lead to trouble!
Better to practice his boxing peacefully at home, temper his physique, and increase his strength!
"In that case, I can hardly insist. I only hope you break through soon, Young Master Lu, make your name beyond the pass, and bring honor to our Five Great Trades."
Zhou Qing responded appropriately, cupping his hands before leaving the private room with his attendant.
The door closed, and the room grew lively again.
Lu Sui urged everyone to keep eating and drinking, but inwardly he thought:
There was something wrong with the way that Zhou Qing fellow looked at me. A feeling I can't quite describe...
"Senior Brother Lu, I heard the donkey-meat starch jelly at Moon-Gazing Tower is delicious too..."
Wei Erhe spoke sheepishly.
Hearing this, Liang Bao laughed and scolded him.
"You oaf! You've scraped this whole bucket of rice clean, and you're still hungry! Are you trying to stuff yourself to death?"
Looking at Wei Erhe's expectant expression, Lu Sui had a flash of inspiration and finally understood what Zhou Qing's gaze had meant.
A bottomless stomach's hunger for food!
"That's fine. For martial artists like us, a hearty appetite is a blessing. Everyone eats their fill today! Junior Brother Wei, eat to your heart's content. Don't hold back."
Lu Sui smiled and had Xiaohuan tell the waiter to bring more dishes.
He seemed to let his mind go blank as he gazed out the window at the flowing river.
Tiny tadpole-like characters flickered into view in his eyes.
[Seeing you refuse the invitation, the "Incomplete Grand Shaman Ghost-Capturing Compendium" withdrew into its shrine.] [This person is suspected of possessing a Calamity Artifact and is faintly beginning to undergo sinister transformation...]
A Calamity Artifact? Sinister transformation?
Lu Sui frowned slightly.
Could the sinister calamity at the Zhenyuan Escort Agency be connected to Zhou Qing?
In another private room.
The attendant in the gray cap and short working clothes shut the door and cursed under his breath.
"An ungrateful wretch! You only invited him to the gathering to broaden his horizons because you were showing him favor, Young Master..."
Smack!
Zhou Qing landed a vicious backhanded slap across the attendant's face, striking so hard that the man staggered and fell to the floor.
Young Master Zhou of the brokerage looked perfectly composed as he said mildly:
"You can try to please me, but use your brain. His father is Lu Yulin, chairman of the Yongning Prefecture Merchant Guild, and he's the Lu Family's only son;
"My father is merely the head of Changle County's brokerage, and I'm his eighth son. Below me, there's still a younger brother and three younger sisters."
Zhou Qing took the warm towel a maid handed him and carefully wiped his hand.
"Do you think I don't know who's showing whom favor? When Lu Sui visits Pleasure Alley, that whore Liu Ruyan comes out to welcome him herself. With me, she still puts on airs.
"Comparing yourself to others really can anger you to death. Tell me, why do I have to have so many older brothers and younger siblings?"
The attendant clutched his reddened cheek and climbed off the floor, keeping his head lowered, not daring to utter a sound.
The young master had been growing increasingly temperamental lately.
"Lu Sui... I heard people say he was practically dying of illness before. Who would have thought he'd be so full of life, with such vigorous Qi and Blood?"
Zhou Qing licked his lips, and a barely perceptible trace of crimson actually surfaced in his eyes.
He murmured softly in his heart:
Just looking at him, he seems delicious.
By the time the gathering ended, it was already the hour of the Dog.
Outside Moon-Gazing Tower's main entrance, large red silk lanterns shone brightly.
Lu Sui cupped his fists in farewell to Liang Bao, Wei Erhe, Bai Fangfang, and the others.
"Senior Brother Lu, your Cicada-Chasing Steps have improved so quickly. The next time you're free, I'd like to seek your guidance in private."
Bai Fangfang spoke reluctantly, loath to part.
"Of course, of course."
Lu Sui readily agreed. Only after watching everyone leave in groups of two or three did he turn and board the carriage.
He had arranged today's gathering for two reasons. First, he had drawn his monthly allowance from Lu Yulin and had a sufficiently bulging purse, so he wanted to treat his fellow disciples to a meal and become a familiar face;
Second, he wanted to integrate into the martial trade, familiarize himself with life at the martial arts school, exchange more information with everyone, and broaden his horizons.
After spending half a year bedridden and rarely leaving home, Lu Sui really was completely in the dark about Changle County.
Lu Yulin would never volunteer information about things like sinister calamities, demon calamities, or even the massacre at Qiao Family Village.
Master Lu was a textbook feudal patriarch.
On the one hand, he hoped his son would become capable and accomplished. On the other, he still regarded Lu Sui as a "child" and did not want him involved in too many affairs.
Although having Dad work hard outside while I level up on my own is a pretty good arrangement, I still need to think of danger in times of peace...
So Lu Sui thought.
Zhou Qing's hungry gaze flashed through his mind, as though he regarded Lu Sui as food, or even prey.
The feeling of being watched by a pervert displeased him greatly.
His fists, empowered by Panwu Great Strength, thirsted for blood!
"Young Master..."
Xiaohuan looked at him pleadingly.
"Don't worry. I saved some for you."
Lu Sui took a bulging oilpaper parcel from his sleeve.
"Osmanthus fried lotus root, crab roe buns, Spanish mackerel dumplings... That should be enough for you, right?"
Xiaohuan's eyes instantly lit up. Hugging the oilpaper parcel, she beamed.
"Young Master is the best young master under heaven! Xiaohuan will massage your legs when we get back-all night long!"
Lu Sui smiled.
The carriage rumbled along, the shops on either side sliding backward.
Xiaohuan opened the oilpaper parcel and bit into a piece of osmanthus lotus root, narrowing her eyes in bliss. Her cheeks bulged rhythmically like a squirrel gnawing on nuts.
The night wind poured through the gaps in the carriage curtains, carrying the chill of approaching late autumn.
"...Is that Brother Deng Yun from the Hundred Victories Martial Arts School?"
Lu Sui's ears twitched, catching a thread of sound.
Zhou Qing?
He knows Deng Yun too?
"Master Chai, stop."
Lu Sui frowned and raised a hand to lift one corner of the carriage curtain.
He saw two indistinct figures at a distant street corner.
"What brings you here? I just came out of Moon-Gazing Tower and saw the Lu Family's young master treating a group of Hundred Victories Martial Arts School disciples to dinner..."
Zhou Qing laughed heartily, acting as though they were already old friends.
"So it's Young Master Zhou of the Guili Brokerage... I'm injured, so I didn't go to Moon-Gazing Tower."
Deng Yun spoke with difficulty, his tone downcast.
"Don't deceive me, Brother Deng. Did the Lu Family's young master throw his weight around and bully you? To tell you the truth, I've seen Lu Sui a few times in Pleasure Alley before. He's an ignorant, good-for-nothing wastrel who relies on his good looks to seek pleasure everywhere and toy with women."
He can turn even this into a sex rumor?
This young master is still a virgin!
The corners of Lu Sui's eyes twitched slightly as he heard this.
"Brother Deng, meeting by chance is fate. My father often visits Deng's Shop to buy fine weapons, and he greatly admires Master Smith Deng's craftsmanship!"
Zhou Qing was exceedingly warm, as though Deng Yun were his brother born of a different father and mother.
"As it happens, I've booked a banquet in Pleasure Alley. Let's eat and talk... Every girl in the garden is understanding and considerate. They're sure to help dispel your worries..."
The voices drifted farther and farther away, reaching him in scattered fragments.
Looks like the "death omen star" above Deng Yun's head is shining.
Lu Sui lowered the carriage curtain, and the carriage set off again.
With his eyes lowered, he pondered whether Zhou Qing was a "victim" who had inadvertently come into contact with a sinister calamity, or the source that had triggered it.
And then there was the most crucial question.
-Could absorbing Calamity Qi make his martial arts transform again?