A Dream of Red Mansions: A Fairy Tale of Dreams (Complete) - Part 3

Chapter Forty-Eight: The Art of Transformation

"I came here specifically to ask for your help, to guide me in cultivating the art of transformation. Is it easy to master?" Bao-yu gazed at Miao-yu expectantly, his heart pounding with excitement. This was a real "face-changing," not some stage trick!
"You mean you want to learn the art of transformation right now?" Miao-yu felt utterly powerless in the face of this "Daoist illiterate" who knew nothing of cultivation. Didn't he know that it was difficult to master this art without decades of arduous practice?! Even she, known as a once-in-a-millennium genius in the cultivation world, had spent nearly twenty years just beginning to grasp the basics. His wishful thinking was truly outrageous!
"Yes, is it difficult?" Bao-yu was completely unaware of how absurd his idea was, acting as if it were a given.
"Then let's try! First, silently recite the incantation in your mind, and I'll demonstrate it for you. Just follow along!" Miao-yu was determined to let Bao-yu hit a wall himself, to shatter his illusions with reality.
Bao-yu concentrated his mind, his will moving wherever his heart led! At her master's call, the magical power within her surged forth from her sea of consciousness, and the transformation techniques recorded in the "Book of Movement" immediately surfaced in her mind.
Seeing the opportunity, Miaoyu immediately enveloped herself in magical power, her primordial spirit leaving her body and directly entering Baoyu's sea of consciousness.
The beautiful woman's primordial spirit, shrouded in rosy light, transformed itself in Baoyu's sea of consciousness, and Baoyu, also in a primordial spirit state, imitated her. The outcome was exactly as Miaoyu had predicted; no matter how many times it transformed, it remained his original form. Seeing Miaoyu constantly transforming into the image of Shi Yu left in his mind, Baoyu's primordial spirit was both angry and anxious. Finally, after countless blows, he accepted reality and dejectedly declared his defeat.
"Are you still going to learn? If not, I'm leaving!" Miaoyu, seeing Baoyu's gloomy face, spoke with a light, mocking smile, as if adding insult to injury.
Just as the poor fellow was rolling his eyes in exasperation at the beauty, the "Spiritual Jade" hanging close to his chest suddenly burst forth with ten thousand rays of multicolored light, drilling into Bao Yu's thirty-six thousand acupoints.
Bao Yu's primordial spirit within his sea of consciousness trembled violently, startling Miao Yu. Before the beauty could recover, endless rays of light appeared out of nowhere, completely enveloping Bao Yu's sea of consciousness; neither of them could escape its baptism.
A flash of inspiration struck Bao Yu, a wisp of understanding rising in his mind. His will moved, and his powers shifted infinitely, at will.
"Ha, ha…" Bao Yu laughed triumphantly, "I've learned to change faces! I truly am a genius!" This time, Miao Yu didn't utter a word of teasing or rebuttal. The celestial beauty was already astonished by the wondrous sight before her; the power of the "Spiritual Jade" was indeed extraordinary! She discovered that although she was only standing on the edge of the multicolored glow, her internal magical power was surging and rapidly advancing, showing signs of reaching the "Riding the Mist" realm!
Miaoyu was overjoyed. Reaching the "Riding the Mist" realm would free her from the situation of relying solely on magical artifacts for flight. Not only would she not waste her magical power on controlling artifacts, but the speed difference between the two would be incomparable!
The two returned to their respective bodies, and Miaoyu, seeing Baoyu's endlessly fascinating transformations, couldn't help but marvel again. Truly a freak! Otherwise, how could he have descended to earth with such a wondrous treasure in his mouth? Even she herself was beginning to feel a little jealous!
"Baoyu, have any strange things happened at the Jia mansion lately?" Miaoyu asked leisurely, seeing that Baoyu had finally calmed down. "A while ago, there were frequent eerie auras appearing above the Jia mansion. Did you notice anything?" "Monsters!?" Baoyu was taken aback, only then realizing what was going on. Although he knew that monsters truly roamed the world, he had never witnessed their terrifying nature firsthand, so he didn't take it too seriously. "Really? What would monsters do at the Jia mansion? These days have been quite peaceful, nothing major has happened!" Miaoyu had intended to delve deeper into the conversation, but seeing Baoyu's indifferent attitude, and realizing that the beautiful woman was still young, she couldn't help but become a little temperamental, closing her lips and remaining silent.
Unaware that he had offended the beauty, Baoyu tried to appease her with a few words, but Miaoyu still ignored him. Feeling utterly bored, the man had no choice but to sullenly take his leave!
Seeing Baoyu's figure about to disappear, Miaoyu finally couldn't help but remind him, "Your magical power is not yet profound. The Book of Transformation can only be maintained for an hour at most each day. Please remember that!" "Thank you, Fairy!" Baoyu happily turned around to thank her. Hearing the hint of concern in the beauty's tone, he was overjoyed! Inside
the Heavenly
Immortal Pavilion. Xue Pan, unusually, was not accompanied by courtesans. He paced anxiously alone in his private room, his expectant eyes frequently glancing towards the stairwell. Baoyu had sent a message early that morning, saying that his friend "Shi Yu" had invited him to the Heavenly Immortal Pavilion to discuss important matters, but he had been waiting for almost half an hour without seeing Shi Yu or Baoyu.
Just as Xue Pan's last bit of patience was about to disappear, a broad-shouldered, tall figure appeared at the stairwell, walking steadily towards the private room where Xue Pan was.
Xue Pan was delighted. He saw that this man had a handsome face and an air of unique and admirable charm. Xue Pan secretly guessed that this must be what people often called "aura"! No wonder he was a "master" who had lived in foreign lands; his handsome demeanor was indeed extraordinary and unique!
As Shi Yu drew closer, a smile appeared on his face, a smile that naturally blended innocence and mischief. Xue Pan saw that his smile was almost identical to Bao Yu's. For a moment, he almost mistook Bao Yu for standing in front of him. He secretly marveled at himself, thinking, "No wonder I'm friends with Bao Yu; just by looking at this smile, I know we're definitely the same kind of people!
" "Helle!" Shi Yu waved his hand, giving Xue Pan a "foreign" greeting.
"Ah!" Xue Pan was taken aback, and it took him a moment to react. Although he couldn't understand it, he had heard this strange tone when trading with foreigners, and knew that the other party was greeting him. He could only mimic the greeting and reply, "Ha... Lou!" Seeing that the show of force had been achieved, Shi Yu's expression immediately changed, and he blurted out in fluent Chinese, "Brother Xue, please don't blame me. I've been in foreign lands for a while, and I was so happy to see you that I forgot that I'm back in the Ming Dynasty!" Hearing the familiar language, Xue Pan's tense nerves relaxed, and he laughed heartily, "I'm envious enough, how could I blame you?" The two drank and talked in the elegant pavilion. One was flattering, and the other was naturally rough and boisterous. Moreover, with "Baoyu" acting as a matchmaker, they naturally had a very pleasant conversation.

Chapter Forty-Nine: The chivalrous rogue

Shi Yu recounted the secrets of foreigners' business dealings, leaving Xue Pan astonished and full of admiration. "Brother Shi, are these 'promotions' and 'marketing' things you mentioned really that useful? They must cost a lot of money!" "Brother Xue, don't worry! This method has been popular in foreign lands for a long time, it definitely works!" Shi Yu confidently patted his chest, secretly chuckling to himself, how could the essence of centuries of development be useless?!
"Alright! I'll listen to you!" Xue Pan, infected by Shi Yu's confidence, excitedly raised his glass in a toast!
"It's settled then!" Shi Yu's handsome face revealed a mature and charming smile, "Brother, tonight we won't leave until we're drunk!" "Cheers!" The two frequently raised their glasses, the strong liquor in their glasses seemingly transforming into gleaming silver, flowing continuously into their bellies!
Half an hour later, Shi Yu, still lucid, took out his Western pocket watch and checked the time. Seeing that it was almost an hour, and that "Shi Yu's" face would revert to "Bao Yu's" original appearance in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he could only sigh inwardly, "Alas! Time is passing too quickly! If someone sees me 'changing faces,' I'll be mistaken for a monster!"
Shi Yu turned and left, leaving only the unconscious Xue Pan in the private room , muttering unconsciously,
"Brother Shi, no wonder you and Brother Bao are friends. Today, I, Xue Pan, am truly impressed. You two are incredibly good at drinking!" Before he finished speaking, Xue Pan had already fallen into a deep sleep in the brothel, his dreams filled with mountains of gold and silver and hordes of naked beauties!
Shi Yu rode swiftly out of the city gate, galloping into a dense forest. Moments later, the Second Master Bao of the Jia family emerged.
Baoyu got off the ground and started walking. He kicked the pebbles on the ground with a dissatisfied kick. Although the face-changing magic was magical and useful, he could only change his face for one hour a day. It seemed that he should practice the "Yin-Yang Harmony" technique properly! Heh, heh...
Unfortunately, Xiren had become increasingly ineffective in bed these past few days. Baoyu's lewd thoughts were swirling around him; in reality, his prowess in that area had become increasingly formidable with the "help" of the magic technique, making it impossible for Xiren to match him even with her mouth and hands! The "lecherous wolf's" eyes darted around, and he couldn't help but think of Qingwen, who had deep feelings for him. "
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, for ye may ye have no flowers left to pluck!
" "Ah!" A scream came from afar, startling Baoyu out of his lewd thoughts. This was going to be good! The guy with magical protection wasn't alarmed but rather delighted, striding towards the source of the scream.
In a clearing in the woods, two groups stood facing each other, clearly divided.
"Facing each other" wasn't quite accurate; it was more like the larger, more aggressive side relentlessly approaching, while the smaller side retreated, the cowardly ones kneeling and begging for mercy.
"Get up, you useless thing!" A dark-faced, sweaty man from the weaker side grabbed the kneeling beggar.
"Brother Ni, let's surrender! There are so many of them, we can't win! Just give them money and food, it's not like we're the ones paying!" The spineless beggar showed no remorse, instead looking at the burly man with expectant eyes.
"Slap, slap!" The burly black man, Ni Er, slapped the spineless coward twice hard across the face. "You traitorous coward! The villagers only have that little bit of money and food left for winter. What are they supposed to eat if you give it to them? Have you forgotten what you grew up on?" Ni Er became angrier and angrier, finally kicking the poor, unlucky fellow to the ground. Then, he stood up and addressed his fearful companions, saying, "Brothers, we've always been vain and shameless, but the villagers have never truly looked down on us. Now it's time for us scoundrels to repay them!" The men behind Ni Er exchanged glances, looking at Ni Er and then at the dozen or so men in black with fierce expressions. They nodded in unison, their bodies suddenly filled with strength. With solemn expressions, they straightened up and fled like madmen, disappearing without a trace in an instant!
"Ha, ha..." The group of burly men in black burst into laughter. A rogue is still a rogue! The leader stepped forward and said to Ni Er, "Drunken Vajra, I've always heard you're quite righteous. If you leave on your own, I won't make things difficult for you today! You can't afford to offend the Jia family!" Ni Er withdrew his angry gaze from the retreating figures of his companions and roared, "Don't even think about it! As long as you don't spare my fellow villagers, I, Ni Er, will never leave, even if I'm beaten to death!" "Then don't blame me," the leader of the burly men in black waved his hand forward, "Go! If you kill him, I'll take responsibility!" Hearing this, the group quickened their pace, their calloused fists pounding fiercely, ready to crush the overconfident Ni Er into dust.
"Damn it, I'll kill one and that'll be enough!" Ni Er, wielding his fists roughly, charged forward first.
What a Ni Er! He recklessly jumped into the latrine!
"Stop!" Just at the critical moment, a loud shout rang out, stopping the crowd from launching a fight.
Baoyu saw that the group of men in black were aggressive and menacing. Although he admired Ni Er's righteousness, he could only offer his moral support. Just as he was about to leave quietly, embarrassed to watch the show any longer, the words "Jia family" in the men in black's words immediately stopped him in his tracks. These two "magical" words entered his body and transformed into immense courage. Baoyu's previously tiptoeing figure instantly straightened, and he transformed from a sneaky coward into a towering man!
The Jia family? Weren't those big men his own family's thugs? He had always heard that wealthy families had vicious guard dogs and servants. He usually only stayed in the Grand View Garden, but now he had witnessed another side of the Jia family in the woods on the outskirts of the city.
Baoyu emerged from behind the tree, head held high and chest puffed out, striding forward with a triumphant air. His mind was filled with fantasies of an ancient chivalrous hero, righting wrongs and vanquishing the world!
Ni Er, resigned to his fate, was overjoyed to see his savior descend from the sky. Although this savior was handsome and refined, and didn't look like a seasoned martial arts master at all, he was still ecstatic. Didn't storytellers often say, "True masters don't reveal their skills"? Perhaps this fair-skinned young man was indeed a "true master"!
In contrast to Ni Er's "fantasy," the other burly men in black were initially stunned, then filled with disdain upon seeing Baoyu, and finally with intense anger. Someone dared to provoke a tiger! And a mere pretty boy with no strength to even kill a chicken! Only the black-clad leader's eyes flashed with doubt as he racked his brains. Why did this suddenly appearing fellow feel so familiar?

Chapter Fifty: A False Alarm

Whether it was Ni Er, who was full of expectations for Baoyu, or the burly man in black who wanted to tear him to pieces, the scene that followed left everyone stunned, speechless, and utterly bewildered!
"Listen up, I am…," Baoyu began, angrily rebuking the wicked servants. Just as he was about to reveal his identity, he tripped over a dry branch on the ground. With a "thud," the "hero" instantly turned into a "bear," and the words "Master Bao Er" that he hadn't yet uttered were swallowed back down.
"Another fool who doesn't know his own limitations!" Several burly men cursed and surrounded him, stretching their arms and legs, ready to give this "lovable" hero a good beating!
Faced with this predicament, Baoyu inwardly groaned. Didn't these guys recognize him? Good heavens! He had forgotten that this was an era of severely underdeveloped information; it was perfectly normal for these guys, who couldn't enter the inner courtyard, not to recognize him!
What to do? As the Jia family thugs drew closer, Baoyu broke out in a cold sweat. His magical powers, aside from curing his hangover and enhancing his "bedroom skills," seemed largely useless. He couldn't help but recall his "experiment" on the roadside tree—this was it!
"You little brat, die!" The burly man in black raised his fist, as big as a bowl, ready to strike Baoyu, who was still unsteady on his feet.
So be it, he'd fight! Surrounded by several men, Baoyu gritted his teeth, his heart filled with rage. He channeled all his magical power while praying to heaven for a miracle to save his life.
The "miracle" did indeed occur. The burly man who had attacked Baoyu felt a powerful force slam into him from behind. With a muffled thud, he was thrown back, tumbling heavily into the dirt.
Had his magic worked?! Before Baoyu's joy could even surface, reality shattered his illusions.
"Are you all blind? How dare you lay a hand on Master Bao!" The leader kicked the burly man away, then angrily berated the bewildered men beside him. "If even a single hair on Master Bao's head were to fall, killing your entire families wouldn't be enough to compensate!" The black-clad leader's tone shifted abruptly as he knelt before Bao Yu with a thud. "This humble servant greets Master Bao! Please forgive my rudeness and disrespect!" The group of men in black were startled by this sight. Those who had intended to attack Bao Yu were terrified; they had made a grave mistake! Master Bao was, after all, the undisputed patriarch of the Jia family!
"Please forgive us, Master Bao!" The group of men in black, who had previously resembled ferocious tigers, now all knelt before Bao Yu like docile kittens.
The men, relieved to have escaped unscathed, couldn't help but sigh inwardly at this spectacular scene. No wonder people chase after power and money; this feeling is truly wonderful!
"Who are you? How do you know me?" Baoyu stared sternly at the black-clad leader. "Stand up and answer!" The "fake" Baoyu from the future knew that to control these vicious thugs, he must never let them think their master was a sheep, otherwise they would devour him without a trace—the so-called "servant bullying master"!
Seeing the displeasure in Baoyu's tone, the leader felt a chill run down his spine and lowered his head even more respectfully. "Reporting to Second Master, I am a servant of Master Zhen of the Ningguo Mansion. I saw you once from afar when I returned to the manor to deliver a message, so I wasn't sure just now." Luckily, this guy had seen him before, or he would have been in big trouble! Baoyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief and softened his expression. "If you are a servant of the Ningguo Mansion, how come you had a dispute with the villagers? From what you just said, it seems you were going to use your strength to bully the weak and rob the villagers of their money and grain." Baoyu's tone grew increasingly stern as he spoke, finally questioning them angrily:
"Is this what Master Zhen taught you? Or are you using the Jia family's name to commit atrocities and tarnish my family's reputation?!" "Second Master, please hear me out!" The henchman trembled with fear at Baoyu's words. "I didn't rob anyone. It's just that these villagers refused to pay their land rent. Master Zhen ordered us to come and collect it, but we encountered some ruffians in the village who led a rebellion, which is why we had this dispute. Please, Second Master, investigate thoroughly!" "Is that so?" Baoyu glanced at the man who remained expressionless... Ni Er stood there dumbfounded, seeing that he didn't refute her but instead looked helpless; the quick-witted Bao Yu knew there must be another reason, and said gently, "Get up, ignorance is no excuse! As for the rent collection, go back and tell Master Zhen first. I will investigate this matter thoroughly and give him a reply personally. He must not bully the villagers again, understand?" "Thank you, Second Master, for your magnanimity. We understand!" The group of burly men in black kowtowed again, thanked him, and then stood up and respectfully took their leave from Bao Yu.
"Wait!" Baoyu interrupted, and under the astonished gazes of the crowd, he reached into his robes, pulled out a silver note, and handed it to the leader, saying, "Take this, share it with the brothers for drinks." The leader took it and was overjoyed to see it was a hundred-tael silver note. "Thank you for your generous gift, Second Master! I, Bao Yong, will serve you faithfully!" Baoyu did not stop Bao Yong from kneeling again, and kindly helped him up. "Good, if I ever need your help again, I will definitely look for you!" The group of burly men in black, having made a windfall, happily disappeared into the woods, leaving only Baoyu and Ni Er, each lost in their own thoughts, alone together.
"Your name is Ni Er, right?" Bao Yu smiled kindly and patted Ni Er's shoulder affectionately. "They've all left. Tell me about the situation in the village. If you're in the right, I'll definitely stand up for you!" Although Ni Er was a rough man, he also had a shrewd side; otherwise, he wouldn't have become the leader of the village's hooligans. At this moment, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration and knelt down, pleading, "Please, Second Master, save us! We didn't mean to default on the rent. It's just that this year's harvest was so bad that we have no food to eat for the winter after paying the rent. The adults can at least gnaw on tree bark and grass roots, but the children will starve to death!" "The weather this year wasn't unusual; there wasn't any drought or flood. How could your crops have such a bad harvest?" Bao Yu looked at Ni Er with surprise and suspicion, trying to discern whether he was lying from his expression.
Ni Er was taken aback upon hearing this, never expecting that the high and mighty Master Bao would have such knowledge about farming. However, he was not afraid but rather delighted, his face beaming as he said, "Master, I'm not talking nonsense. Please come to the village and you'll see!" Bao Yu had witnessed Ni Er's righteous act and liked him greatly, so he was almost convinced. "Let's go, I'll go see. If what you say is true, I'll stand up for you!" Ni Er was overjoyed, never expecting a savior to appear; the villagers were saved.
Chapter 51: Bao Yu Steals Fragrance—So That's How It Is! Bao Yu carefully examined the soil in his hands, bringing it close to his nose to smell it. He made the correct judgment: to grow crops in saline-alkali soil was undoubtedly a pipe dream for farmers of this era! No wonder the villagers here couldn't pay their rent every year.
Facing the sallow, thin, yet hopeful faces before him, Bao Yu couldn't help but think of the Jia family's luxurious life. The contrast was so stark that he couldn't help but feel endless感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep emotions).
Amidst his churning thoughts, a flash of inspiration struck Baoyu, and he instantly came up with a brilliant idea. Wasn't he looking for a place and workers to build a "cigarette processing factory"? This remote village, rarely visited by outsiders, was the perfect location! Baoyu couldn't help but feel smug about his perfect solution, secretly praising himself, "I'm truly a genius!
" "Are you serious?" Baoyu smiled as he glanced at Ni Er and the village elders, "But the land rent still needs to be paid!" Ni Er and the others felt as if they had fallen into an ice cave; their vision turned gray. They hadn't expected the outcome to remain unchanged. The elders' knees buckled, and they were about to kneel down and beg!
Baoyu spoke first, "You definitely have to pay, but I'll pay for you!" Before the villagers could react, he changed the subject, "Ni Er, have you thought about what will happen next year if I help you this year?" "This..." Ni Er, having lived in the city for a long time, was more worldly than the honest villagers. "What you say makes sense, Second Master. Please help us think of another way!" "Helping the villagers is my duty, Jia Baoyu. But before that, I have a question for you," Baoyu reached out and helped Ni Er up, asking solemnly, "Are you willing to leave your cronies and serve me wholeheartedly?" "I will repay Second Master's kindness with my life!" Ni Er's voice trembled with excitement. After the incident in the forest, he was utterly disappointed in his former brothers. Now, having gained Baoyu's favor, he had undoubtedly climbed a high branch. Seeing that this Second Master Bao was so extraordinary, how could he refuse?!
Through a series of serendipitous encounters, Baoyu not only found an excellent location and hardworking workers, but also unintentionally gained a loyal subordinate, which made him smile happily.
The small village was filled with cheers and laughter, even more joyful than the New Year.
Everything was proceeding smoothly as Baoyu had envisioned; all that remained was to guide Xue Pan in launching a powerful "propaganda" offensive! Baoyu imagined the wonderful scene of Ming Dynasty people being "bombarded" by marketing methods from the future, their wallets overflowing, and he couldn't help but chuckle foolishly.
When he returned to the Jia mansion, it was just past noon, and the warm sunlight poured down. Bathed in it, Baoyu felt a slight languor of weariness; although the scene in the woods was a false alarm, it had still greatly exhausted him.
With his eyes slightly closed, Baoyu strode into the "Yihong Courtyard." The empty courtyard, devoid of any sign of life, startled him slightly, but a smile quickly spread
across his face. It seemed he wasn't the only one wanting a nap; the usually bustling "Yihong Courtyard" was now eerily quiet, not even the old woman responsible for chores was in sight. Baoyu stretched lazily, yawning contentedly, and was about to head straight back to his bedroom when, before his foot even landed, a faint sound of water reached his ears. If it weren't for his extraordinary senses, he wouldn't have heard this faint sound.
The sound came from the left wing, where Xiren resided. Instantly, an alluring image of the graceful Xiren lying in the bathtub, her arms gently
outstretched, flashed through Baoyu's mind! In a flash, passion ignited, instantly dispelling his previous drowsiness. His desire surged, and he darted towards his beloved's room with boundless energy.
Inside Xiren's room, just as the "lecher" had predicted, a youthful and delicate body was faintly visible in the steam of the large bathtub. The girl's jade-like skin appeared even smoother under the rolling water droplets, and her soft, boneless hands gently caressed the petals on the water's surface. Her rosy lips murmured to herself, "You all went out to play, leaving me alone to watch the house! Luckily, I'm not stupid; this rose bath feels so good. And thankfully, Baoyu isn't here, otherwise I wouldn't dare to be so bold! Hehe..." Lost in her reverie, the girl was completely unaware that the "lecher" she was wary of was currently baring his teeth and claws outside the door, ready to devour her, this delicious "lamb."
Baoyu pressed his ear to the door, hearing the alluring splashing water inside. His heart fluttered again, and in his haste, he pushed the door open, but it remained unmoved. The cautious girl had kept the lecher at bay.
The man, desperate to enter but finding no way in, paced back and forth impatiently, wanting to call out but fearing that Xiren would be too shy to refuse. This was broad daylight; the always proper Xiren would never agree to his lewd request, and if he made a sound, he might alert others, ruining his tryst!
What to do? His burning passion wouldn't let him give up; he racked his brains for a way to open the door. His thoughts churning, he gritted his teeth and finally made up his mind. He wondered if his magic, besides relieving drunkenness, could open the door.
His heart was set on something else entirely. The "strange" magical power within Baoyu, which was "unresponsive" to matters of battle, was instead jubilant at the prospect of "opening the door to steal." A familiar warmth coursed through his body, and a ray of light, invisible to the naked eye, shot from between his brows, transforming into an invisible hand that gently lifted the door latch and silently placed it on the ground.
Excited, the "fragrance thief" pushed the wooden door open, and as the "lecherous thief" stepped into the room, the door immediately closed again, keeping the mischievous sunlight, who wanted to follow and watch the "show," out, and also locking the room's springtime atmosphere inside.
Behind a gauze curtain, in the misty air, within a huge bathtub large enough for several people to share, a delicate, jade-like body was vaguely visible, half-hidden behind a pipa, a coy allure that was more alluring than direct exposure.
Baoyu's lust surged to new heights. His impatient hands moved with unprecedented speed, and in just a few steps, he was completely naked, his clothes fluttering away like butterflies.
His heart burning with desire, Baoyu decided to give Xiren a "surprise." His steps were swift yet silent, perfectly embodying the style of a "fragrant thief"!

Chapter 52

Retrieving the Moon from the Water (Part 1) The "lecherous wolf" disappeared into the mist. Seeing his prey close at hand, he lowered his body slightly, pushed off with both feet, and leaped into the bathtub in a perfect "wolf pounce."
With a splash, the girl was terrified to see a naked figure suddenly appear out of nowhere. She opened her lips to cry for help, but
Baoyu, who was prepared, hadn't even seen the lovely girl clearly before he forcefully pulled her delicate body into his arms. Before she could scream, he sealed her lips with his own.
"It's me!" After a long while, Baoyu released the still-resisting Xiren and whispered affectionately in her ear, "My darling Xiren, why didn't you wait for me to have a little water play?!" Baoyu had expected that revealing his identity would surely elicit a passionate embrace from the beauty, but instead, she paused slightly, then let out another sharp scream.
"Ah!" Baoyu was startled, and quickly covered Xiren's mouth with his own, wondering why she was behaving so strangely.
This time, the girl didn't struggle fiercely, only writhing her body, trying to escape Baoyu's clutches. Both were naked and tightly embraced, her tender nipples rubbing against Baoyu's chest. At first, neither paid attention, but as the girl continued to writhe, the passionate lovers realized the seriousness of the situation. The girl's body flushed crimson with shyness; while Baoyu was consumed by lust, his desire surging uncontrollably! His burning member was incredibly erect, swollen and seemingly about to burst.
After a moment, whether the girl gave up resisting or was too embarrassed to be so close to Baoyu, her body stiffened and then went limp. She helplessly stopped writhing, but still tried to retreat as far as possible to avoid Baoyu's burning body.
Baoyu's eyes finally adjusted to the hazy environment. He loosened his grip, about to tease Xiren, but the beauty revealed herself in the mist, catching him completely off guard. He stood there awkwardly, their eyes meeting, frozen in shock!
"Musk Moon, how could it be you?! Isn't this Xiren's room?" After a moment, Baoyu finally came to his senses. Amidst his embarrassment, a secret delight rose within him. This was a stroke of luck, wasn't it? Hadn't he long wanted to taste the flavors of his other personal maids? Today was a godsend. How could a romantic young man like him refuse such a heavenly offer?!
Musk Moon lowered her body, hiding her alluring, soft breasts in the water, leaving only her slightly rounded jade face above the surface. "You lecherous scoundrel! Xi Ren and the others have all gone to visit the other young ladies, leaving me alone to watch the house. I never expected you..." The girl blushed and couldn't continue, her beautiful, bright black eyes darting around. "I've always felt something was off between you and Xi Ren. Now let's see how she tries to deny it, hee hee..."
"What a coincidence!" Bao Yu didn't defend Xi Ren. The desire in his heart had already turned upside down, like an arrow on a bowstring that couldn't be released. His burning body slowly moved towards the girl, intending to pull her into his arms again.
"What are you doing?" The perceptive Musk Moon realized Bao Yu's illicit intentions. Seeing that he recognized her but his lust remained unchanged, the young girl's heart panicked. "Get out of here! I'm not your precious Xi Ren!" The girl's coquettishness did not stop Bao Yu's steps. The subtle sourness in her words only fueled the passion in Bao Yu's heart. A sense of joy rose in his mind. It seemed that Musk Moon was not entirely without feelings for him after all!
"Mmm..." The girl was about to rebuke him, but Bao Yu had already pressed close like a mountain. His burning lips parted and sealed her small mouth again. The girl's unspoken words turned into a beautiful moan that echoed endlessly in the small space.
Bao Yu's red tongue forcefully invaded Musk Moon's small mouth, skillfully exploring every inch of the girl's mouth, finally tightly holding her smooth, fragrant tongue, passionately sucking her sweet taste.
Their lips touched, and Musk Moon felt a deafening boom in her mind, like a heavy hammer striking her heart, instantly shattering her restrained resistance. Everything else in the world rushed away, leaving only the intoxicating tingling sensation flowing through her heart. The tingling sensation transformed into a powerful heat that filled the girl's body. Her smooth, jade-like breasts swelled and swelled with boundless heat, the alluring rosy peaks standing erect, trembling incessantly with her rapid breaths, like two red cherries swaying in the wind on a branch, driving one to ecstasy and utter disbelief!
Bao Yu, dizzy from the alluring waves of the girl's breasts, couldn't control himself. His large hands skillfully ravaged Musk Moon's soft, supple breasts and round, pert buttocks. As his hands roamed, the girl's fullness and fragrance transformed into various erotic shapes between his fingers. Seeing the boundless waves he had created, Bao Yu's lust burned even more intensely, swelling as if about to burst!
Having experienced such a scene for the first time, Musk Moon felt her heart burning with increasing heat, especially her breasts, which swelled uncomfortably. Only Bao Yu's gentle yet wild kneading and squeezing could relieve the burning pain, but the heat would only subside and then return, replaced by an even greater and more unbearable raging fire of passion.
The rational defenses in the young girl's heart were gradually burned away by the scorching flames of passion, and the torrent of desire that had been hidden deep in her heart for more than ten years surged out with irresistible force, heading straight for the mysterious valley of the young girl.
"Ah!" Musk Moon let out an alluring moan, her delicate body pressing against Bao Yu's strong and masculine body. She felt a soreness, numbness, itching, and heat in her lower body, and her slender, fair legs couldn't help but twist uncontrollably.
The seasoned womanizer swung his hand, gently tracing across her flat stomach, and entered the peach blossom spring hidden by a few strands of fragrant grass. As his nimble fingers lightly caressed the alluring pearl and slowly rubbed the plump jade gate, Musk Moon completely lost her mind amidst passionate moans, experiencing the first time in her life that she felt like she was floating on air!
Bao Yu saw the girl's soft body hanging on him, her face flushed, revealing her charming spring passion.
He felt that he could no longer bear the boundless desire. With a tiger's roar, the rutting beast spread the girl's legs, gently lifted her up, and moved forward, pressing the girl's shoulders and back tightly against the tub wall.
Chapter 53 Retrieving the Moon from the Water (Part 2) "No...not here," Musk Moon realized that her final moment was about to come, her jade face blushing even more with shyness, "Go to the bed, I will submit to you!" Bao Yu, who was blinded by lust, ignored her, only feeling that the stimulation in the bathtub was so intense! How could he easily give up this unique enjoyment?!
The foreign object of the fire accurately found the rosy peach blossom jade gate. With the help of the water waves, Bao Yu's body thrust forward with measured force, and the "golden cudgel" pierced into the girl's flower heart without hesitation amidst the soft and tender attack.
"Ah!" As the two rosy and soft lips sank inward, the girl's cry of pain arose spontaneously, accompanied by inexplicable clear tears. A streak of blood was conspicuously visible on the rippling water, carrying the girl's innocence and infatuation, lingering endlessly around Bao Yu!
After a moment of silence, a tingling sensation arose deep in the girl's valley. The shameful pleasure dispelled the pain of the previous loss of virginity. The honeyed orifice, having tasted the sweetness, involuntarily trembled slightly and slowly contracted; the battle-hardened Bao Yu was overjoyed as if receiving a royal decree. His strong waist began to sway slowly but powerfully, and the intoxicating spring officially descended in a melodious and low symphony.
"Oh! Second Master!" Musk Moon was driven into a frenzy by Bao Yu's frenzied thrusting, her little mouth constantly spewing out meaningless phrases, yet her charm was captivating and bewitching!
With one hand, Baoyu gently lifted the beautiful woman's fragrant, plump body, hoisting her two slender, jade-like legs high over his shoulders. His other hand kneaded the pretty young woman's firm, full breasts with abandon, occasionally pinching her swollen nipples with two fingers, pinching, grinding, pulling, pressing, and rotating—his skillful techniques were varied and numerous, continuously sending Musk Moon to the peak of ecstasy, higher and higher!
"Ah! Baoyu…" the girl cried out passionately. She had lost count of how many times her body had gone numb, her spring tide surging wildly, her ten fingers digging clear "love marks" into Baoyu's shoulders and back.
Seeing that the beauty was truly at her limit and could no longer withstand the onslaught, Baoyu, in order to hasten the final climax, intentionally urged the fire within him to attack her slightly numb seminal gate. The "yin-yang harmony" technique not only allowed him to fight on endlessly but also allowed him to control the moment of his "volcanic eruption"—this was truly miraculous!
"Ah!" With a roar like a tiger, scorching "magma" poured into the depths of the girl's valley. The vital energy within her underwent a wondrous and subtle transformation, gradually reshaping her mortal body. The Taoist dual cultivation technique was naturally extraordinary, and with the help of the "Spirit Jade," it transcended the ordinary, becoming incomparably miraculous!
"Ah!" The beauty, who had been limp as water, was instantly "revived" by Bao Yu's scorching "magma." A passionate scream, unprecedented in its intensity, pierced the sky. The girl, newly blessed, fainted from the final impact, lost in unbridled pleasure. After
the passion subsided, reason returned to Bao Yu's mind. He tenderly wiped the sweat from the face of the unconscious beauty in his arms. Realizing he had impulsively taken Musk Moon's virginity in the bathtub, a look of remorse appeared on his face; however, the uniquely stimulating temptation had been deeply etched into his heart, impossible to erase!
The "pervert" chuckled. No wonder people often say different environments bring entirely new experiences. He'd like to try it again sometime. Where next time?
The couple, engrossed in their pleasure, were unaware that a charming figure was quietly leaving.
Qiuwen, returning to retrieve her things, walked out of the "Yihong Courtyard" gate with a sour expression, muttering to herself, "That Musk Moon, no wonder she was willing to stay behind alone to guard the house. She was going to have a secret rendezvous with Baoyu! What a shameless vixen!" The more Qiuwen thought about it, the more resentful she became, even hating Baoyu. "Baoyu is so biased! All my devotion to him has been for nothing, yet he's already with Musk Moon. I'm afraid Xiren and Qingwen have already hooked up with him too. What an adulterer!" The narrow-minded Qiuwen was consumed by jealousy. Once the seeds of jealousy are sown, they easily blossom into a poisonous black flower!
Time slipped by unnoticed. Musk Moon awoke from her sweet dream, her eyelids fluttering slightly as she slowly opened them. Her watery eyes held a hint of allure and languor. The newly awakened beauty was not yet fully conscious. Her jade-like hand instinctively stretched out, flexing her waist on the bed.
"Ah!" A scream escaped her lips as Musk Moon's fingers touched something hot. She immediately turned her head and saw a naked man's back reclining beside her. The startled girl... or rather, the young woman, screamed involuntarily!
"What's wrong? What happened?" Bao Yu, awakened by the scream, turned over and lovingly embraced the beauty.
Only then did Musk Moon see Bao Yu's face clearly. The movement of her body aggravated her "injury," and the sharp pain finally brought back the girl's memories. The shameful scene replayed vividly in her mind. Unable to bear such "stimulation," Musk Moon felt a surge of heat in her heart and nestled into Bao Yu's arms, her blushing face buried deep against her lover's chest.
Unaware of the situation, Bao Yu assumed his beloved was aroused. Overjoyed, his "wolf-like" nature was unleashed, and his manhood once again stood erect, brimming with "killing" intent!
Nestled in Baoyu's arms, Musk Moon immediately noticed his "terrifying" change. Her delicate body trembled involuntarily, both shy and timid, and she pleaded, "Second Master, I can't take it anymore!" Although Baoyu's desire for Musk Moon outweighed his affection, his naturally amorous nature made him incredibly soft-hearted in the face of beautiful women. Hearing this, he immediately suppressed the surging lust within him. Seeing the beauty's shocked and uneasy expression, he couldn't help but feel a surge
of tenderness. "My darling, don't be afraid! This is just a natural reaction. Who told me your body to fascinate me so much?! Don't worry, I'll wait until you've fully recovered before..." Before he could finish his teasing and flirtatious words, Musk Moon could no longer contain her "anger." She reached out and fiercely created a series of beautiful flower patterns on Baoyu's thigh. "You big pervert!"
"Big pervert!" he yelled back, and the two lovers began their playful back-and-forth. If the girl hadn't been so "injured" earlier, it would surely have been another earth-shattering battle!
After the laughter and playful banter, Baoyu calmly embraced Musk Moon, and a tender affection quietly blossomed in the silent space, gradually drawing their hearts together!
After some playful teasing, the beauty grew weary and drifted into a sweet dream in Baoyu's arms!
Chapter Fifty-Four: The Cigarette Dilemma As the sun set, Xiren and the other girls returned to Yihong Courtyard in the glow of the evening sun.
Musk Moon breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. Fortunately, she had sent Baoyu back to his bedroom a moment earlier; otherwise, she would have been cornered in the room by her good friends. Xiren, in the same situation as her, wouldn't "kick her when she was down," but Qiuwen and Qingwen were not ones to let things go. Wouldn't she have been mortified then?!
"Musk Moon, are you taking a bath or washing the floor?" Qingwen had just stepped into the room when she saw water stains everywhere on the floor, even splashed at the foot of the bed, and couldn't help but tease her with a puzzled look.
Before Musk Moon could respond, Xi Ren and Qing Wen burst into laughter. Musk Moon could only laugh back. Amidst their cheerful laughter, Qing Wen forgot to investigate further and cast aside her newly aroused doubts.
Only Qiu Wen, with a forced smile, was seething inside. Seeing Musk Moon's radiant smile, she couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment. "Let's see how long you can keep laughing! I refuse to believe that I, Qiu Wen, will be a servant for the rest of my life! Do you expect me to serve you from now on?!"
"Has Bao Yu returned yet?" The slightly older Xi Ren was the first to calm down. Seeing that it was getting dark outside, she began to worry about her beloved, whom she hadn't seen all day.
Upon hearing the name "Baoyu," Musk Moon's heart fluttered with sweetness, and a shy blush crept onto her jade-like face. She then said with a hint of guilt, "I fell asleep after my bath, and in my hazy state, I seemed to hear Second Master's voice. He should be back by now!" "You saw Baoyu in your dream, didn't you?" Autumn Pattern's voice was laced with sarcasm. "What?
Feeling a stirring of spring in your heart? Should we go and talk to Madam, and have Baoyu take you into his room as a concubine?" Although Musk Moon found Autumn Pattern's words grating, the sisters were used to their playful banter and didn't pay much attention, only playfully tickling Autumn Pattern's spot. Seeing this, Qingwen stepped forward to help, while Xiren used both hands, pulling Musk Moon on the left and Autumn Pattern on the right, while simultaneously trying to stop Qingwen's movements. The four sisters laughed and joked joyfully!
In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
Baoyu left early and returned late every day, and the girls, out of curiosity, kept pressing him for answers. Unexpectedly, this time he was determined to remain silent. When pressed, he wore a seductive smile and said mysteriously in a low voice, "The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed. You will know when the time comes!" The girls, who had been full of anticipation, were now both amused and exasperated, and began to whine and plead. Xiren and Sheyue even resorted to their last resort—preventing Baoyu from going to bed with them. However, under Baoyu's powerful attacks, they couldn't resist after only a few rounds and instead willingly fell into his arms!
"Are you going out again today?" Qingwen asked with a hint of reproach as she combed Baoyu's hair. "Aren't you afraid of being punished by the Old Madam and Madam if they find out you go out every day? Then it'll be us servants who suffer!" "No, I won't," Baoyu replied gently, a hint of pride in his voice. "Father gave me permission to go wherever I want when he came back last time! Besides, I'm not just playing around; I have important business to attend to!" "What important business could you possibly have?!" A mischievous glint flashed in Qingwen's bright eyes. The woman even tried her trick of goading him; after a moment, seeing that Baoyu remained unfazed and didn't fall for it, she had no choice but to give up. Changing the subject, she asked with curiosity, "You're always out there fooling around, have you ever seen something called 'cigarette'? The servants in the manor are all talking about it, saying it's some kind of fancy Western import, just for men! But when you ask them, none of them have ever seen what 'cigarette' looks like!" She paused slightly, then tied a jade band around Baoyu's hair, asking with a hint of speculation,
"Do you think this thing is similar to the pipes the gentlemen usually smoke? But pipes smell awful, how can they be 'fragrant'?" A flash of amazement crossed Baoyu's eyes. Qingwen was indeed clever; she had guessed the truth in a single sentence. He couldn't help but feel secretly pleased; it seemed his attempt to copy a future propaganda tactic had succeeded! Curiosity is human nature; as long as he could maximize the world's curiosity, when the truth came out, it would be hard not to make a fortune! Ha, ha… After more than ten days of arduous struggle, disguised as “Shi Yu,” he finally built a simple “cigarette processing plant” in a remote village. However, a new problem arose: due to outdated technology, although he successfully extracted tar from tobacco, he could not produce the unique, invigorating aroma that would be characteristic of future cigarettes!
The troubles of the past few days resurfaced, and Bao Yu’s good mood vanished. He frowned and pondered deeply.
Qing Wen continued, seemingly oblivious, “Flyers about ‘cigarettes’ are everywhere in the city. The servants say they were posted by Miss Xue’s family, but I asked the Xue family’s servants, and they hadn’t actually seen them either. It’s really strange!” “It is strange!” Seeing the young woman so engrossed in conversation, Bao Yu, though troubled by his own anxieties, didn’t want to neglect the beautiful woman.
"The men in the manor all say that 'cigarette smoke' is not only fragrant, but also invigorating and good for the mind," Qingwen said thoughtfully. "Baoyu, do you think this 'cigarette smoke' might just be tobacco with some invigorating herbs added? It must be! Foreigners love to come up with strange and unusual things to fool you young masters!" "What did you just say?" A flash of inspiration struck Baoyu, and he turned around abruptly, grabbing Qingwen's smooth hand and asking urgently.
"I said 'foreigners love to…'" Qingwen was startled by Baoyu's sudden action and rolled her eyes at him in annoyance.
"Not that sentence, the previous one!" Baoyu was unmoved by the girl's scolding and continued to press her for an answer without any interest.
"The previous sentence?" Qingwen recalled for a moment, "'The cigarette' must have had stimulating leaves added!" "Yes! That's it!" Upon hearing this, Baoyu seemed to have a sudden enlightenment, his mind clearing up. Excited, he picked up the girl in front of him and spun her around ecstatically, "Qingwen, you are so clever!" Why didn't he think of this sooner? If the stimulating leaves from the Chinese medicine were crushed and mixed with the tobacco leaves, as long as the dosage was appropriate, all the problems would be solved.
"Ah!" Startled by the sudden attack, Qingwen cried out, lightly pounding Baoyu's chest with her jade-like hand. "Put me down quickly, you've made my head spin!" Chapter 55 Walking into a Trap Baoyu gently put the girl down, and before she could even regain her balance, he quickly kissed Qingwen's beautiful cheek with a mixture of affection and gratitude. Then he strode towards the door. "I have to go out first, so I won't have breakfast!" Unusually, Qingwen did not stop him. She just stood there, her surprised gaze following Baoyu's figure until he disappeared around the corner. The girl's infatuated eyes remained fixed on him.
Caught off guard, Qingwen's heart was stirred. Though it was only a light kiss, it was undoubtedly a sign of impending happiness for her. The unusual behavior between Xiren and Sheyue did not escape the keen eyes of the clever young girl, but her kind nature prevented her from feeling jealousy. She continued her usual cheerful laughter, silently awaiting the decision of her fate. The girl sensed a clear affection from Baoyu's words, and her long-held wish was about to be fulfilled. Overwhelmed with emotion, she drifted off into a daze.
"That Baoyu, he said he was going out on important business, but I think he's getting more and more interested in these trivial pastimes! Men! Sigh!" The girl snapped out of her reverie after a moment, half-jokingly complaining.
Before Baoyu had even stepped out of the gates of the "Yihong Courtyard," he bumped into Xiren.
"Baoyu, are you going out again?" Xiren, who had just returned from paying her respects to Lady Wang on Baoyu's behalf, spoke gently, without a hint of resentment.
"Yes!" Baoyu didn't say much, but held the beautiful woman's hand tightly with his warm hand, and whispered in her ear with a smile, "I will take good care of you when I come back!" Although the two were already an old married couple, the gentle Xiren still blushed and was very shy when she heard such intimate words. The beautiful woman's gentle eyes flickered, a rare glint of mischievousness in them. "When I came back, I thought I saw Qiao-jie not far behind me. She must be looking for you here. Judging by the time, she should be at the main gate soon." "What?!" Upon hearing that the "little devil" had arrived, Bao-yu immediately tensed up. He turned and headed back the way he came, hurriedly saying, "I'll go out the back door. If Qiao-jie comes, just say I left a long time ago!" He paused slightly, his muttered words carried on the wind, "I'd better hurry up, or I won't be able to leave if the little maid catches me!" "Be careful not to fall!" Xi-ren called out to remind Bao-yu. The flustered boy didn't see the teasing smile in Xi-ren's eyes. The beautiful woman, beaming with satisfaction, felt a surge of joy. "Let you make fun of me, you rascal! Let's see what you do later!" Hehe...
The usually tightly closed back door of Yihong Courtyard finally changed. With a creak, the door opened slightly, and a furtive figure darted out, deftly pulling the small door shut again.
Baoyu let out a long sigh, straightened his posture, and strutting confidently towards the door, his arrogance bordering on whistling—a complete megalomaniac.
"Second Uncle, you're so kind! You knew I couldn't get in, so you came to fetch me, right?" A clear, sweet voice suddenly rang out, its pleasant tone like a thunderbolt, exploding in Baoyu's mind. The
stunned man opened his eyes wide—good heavens! Wasn't that Qiaojie, laughing and cheering as she ran towards him? He had walked right into her trap! Baoyu cried out inwardly, only now realizing he'd been tricked. "You little rascal, Xiren, just wait till I get my hands on you…"
Before Baoyu could even mentally imagine stripping Xiren naked, Qiaojie had already run up to him. The fairy-like girl leaped into Baoyu's arms in a perfect swallow-like motion.
"Second Uncle, why weren't you home yesterday? I waited for you all day and you didn't come back. You have to make up for it today!" Qiao Jie clung to Bao Yu like a koala. Lately, Qiao Jie had grown increasingly fond of Bao Yu, or rather, fond of his "new" stories, especially the "strange and wonderful" future worlds he told her. She loved them so much that whenever she saw Bao Yu, she would snuggle into his arms, refusing to get down no matter how he tried to persuade or threaten her. Over time, Bao Yu had gotten used to it, and she had become a "burden."
Bao Yu smiled bitterly to himself. He had been leaving home very early every day for the past few days, partly to avoid this little devil. But now she had caught him red-handed, and it seemed he wouldn't be able to leave today! However, the thought of Qiao Jie's request gave him a headache. After hearing him describe "running water, electric lights, and a computer" last time, this little girl actually wanted him to make "running water, electric lights, and a computer" for her! In this day and age, doing these things is probably much more difficult than going into space in the 20th century!
"No problem, I'll make it up to you, and I'll even tell you tomorrow's story, how about it?" Baoyu was willing to coax and deceive the little girl in order to have a "leisurely" day!
"No need, you just need to tell me yesterday's story, and I'll listen to tomorrow's story then!" The little girl's dark eyes rolled, shattering his "wishful thinking" without any room for negotiation!
"Sigh!" Baoyu sighed inwardly. What story would he make up for her this time? If it was about airplanes and rockets, and she kept pestering him to build them for her, he'd be completely doomed! Just thinking about the "horrifying" scene of being forced to explain to her how to make tap water sent a chill down his spine!
"What's wrong? Tell me!" Qiaojie, seeing Baoyu's blank, silent expression, nestled against him with a playful wriggling. This was a surefire technique she'd developed during her "battle" with Baoyu; she'd found that whenever she used it, her second uncle would act strangely and obediently agree to her requests.
Here we go again! Baoyu roared inwardly. Qiaojie, clinging tightly to him, writhed and rubbed against him intimately. This "not-so-good" fellow, though he had suffered this "torture" many times before, still couldn't resist the "wickedness" within his nature. He felt a surge of heat within him, instantly awakening from its slumber, its head held high, eager to try. Unhealthy thoughts flashed through his mind, followed immediately by a wave of guilt, entangled in his thoughts.
Baoyu's handsome face flushed red, his features slightly distorted by the internal struggle. No wonder Qiaojie thought Baoyu looked "strange" at this moment.
"Justice" triumphed over "evil." Baoyu suppressed his lustful thoughts, gently brushing away Qiaojie's jade-like feet that were twitching at his vital parts, and hurriedly agreed, "Okay, okay, I agree!" Chapter Fifty-Six: Dazzling Colors "Yay!" Qiaojie cheered. Once, Baoyu accidentally let slip a slip of the tongue, and Qiaojie, naturally curious and with sharp ears, overheard and pressed him relentlessly. Baoyu could only say he learned it from the West, and then proceeded to explain further. The studious little girl found it both novel and fun, and quickly grasped the concept, constantly exclaiming "Yay!" all day long. Fengjie and Ping'er laughed heartily, but couldn't bring themselves to scold Baoyu.
The two sat down under the shade of a tree and began a "painful" yet joyful "storytelling" journey!
"Second Uncle, is the Earth you're talking about the territory of our Ming Dynasty? Isn't the ground flat? How can it be round? How can we stand steadily if it's round?" Baoyu, at his wit's end, could only offer the little girl the simplest "science" knowledge. Little did he know that this would truly stir up a hornet's nest. The little girl's questions were like the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, flowing endlessly and unstoppable.
"This…," the poor fellow, his mouth dry and parched, felt dizzy and wanted to faint. A sudden thought struck him, and he decided to distract Qiao Jie. "You said you'd build running water last time, how's it going?" "Yes!" Qiao Jie perked up, forgetting all her questions, and happily exclaimed,
"I almost forgot! I wanted you to show me, and I've finished!" "What?!" Bao Yu couldn't believe his ears. "You built running water!" "Yes! Don't you believe me? I built it exactly as you told me," Qiao Jie pouted her rosy lips. "Why don't you come home with me and see if I'm lying?" Bao Yu's mind raced. He was stuck with this little devil today; it seemed he wouldn't be able to leave the house! His thoughts drifted, and the beautiful face of the woman appeared before him. He thought to himself, "It's been several days since I've seen Sister Feng. It would be good to go see her!" Sigh! She still avoids him; when will she finally understand?
"Second Uncle, can you hurry up?" Qiao Jie strutted forward like a general going into battle, but instead of riding a tall horse, she rode Bao Yu, her hardworking "human mount.
" "Yes, sir!" Bao Yu cooperated, running "faster," though his speed was comparable to that of a snail or a tortoise.
"Hee, hee..." Clear laughter drifted among the red flowers and green leaves; with the laughter, the graceful figures of several beautiful young women appeared and disappeared among the flowers, their beauty unparalleled, ethereal as fairies.
"Brother Bao, where are you going? Did Qiao Jie catch you again today?" The lively and straightforward Tan Chun was the first to see Bao Yu and Qiao Jie approaching.
"Qiao Jie, come to your aunt!" Ying Chun and Xi Chun stepped forward to "unload" Bao Yu's "burden."
"Brother Bao, what strange things did you tell Qiao Jie today? She's still young, don't corrupt her by telling her all sorts of fabricated stories!" Baochai hugged the displeased Qiao Jie, affectionately brushing a speck of grass from her hair.
"Yes, tell me, what nonsense have you come up with to deceive the child this time!" Daiyu, lacking Baochai's gentleness, jokingly accused Baoyu of "deceiving and swindling."
Under the gaze of several stunningly beautiful women, Baoyu's heart began to race, soon pounding like a drum. His nerves were on edge, his mouth dry, and his usual eloquence was completely overwhelmed by their beauty. Hearing the women's coquettish voices, he stammered, unsure how to respond. "This…" "Second Uncle isn't talking nonsense, nor is it baseless," Qiao Jie, who had long exploited him, suddenly spoke up for him at this crucial moment. "Yesterday, I followed Second Uncle's instructions and got the 'running water' working! If you ladies don't believe me, come with us and see!" Baoyu was deeply grateful to Qiao Jie and secretly vowed to make up many more good stories to repay her. How many? Of course—just one more would be enough! "Really?" Although the women were all exceptionally intelligent and beautiful, they still couldn't believe Qiao Jie's confident words.
"Follow me!" Qiaojie excitedly led the way, followed by a group of skeptical beauties, and finally, the dazed and bewildered Baoyu.
"Why are you walking so slowly? Are you afraid we'll expose your tricks for fooling
children ?" Daiyu slowed her pace to walk alongside Baoyu, her delicate figure swaying like a willow in the wind. However, after walking a few steps faster, Lin Daiyu already felt slightly uncomfortable.
"If you like it, then expose me," Baoyu chuckled inwardly. He was merely "borrowing" someone else's invention, not "making it up." "But what if you can't expose me then?" "We've grown up together since childhood. Do you think I don't know your abilities?!" Lin Daiyu lightly covered her mouth with her silk fan, unable to suppress the smile playing on her lips. "Although you've changed, you're still you. You can't really become Baojin or Baoyin like Yuanyang said, can you? Hehe..." Before Daiyu finished speaking, a chorus of melodious laughter rang out. It turned out that the other girls had all pricked up their ears and heard every word the two had said. Hearing Daiyu bring up Yuanyang and Baoyu's "angry words" from that day, they couldn't help but feel endless laughter. They all laughed heartily, even the usually dignified Baochai and the icy Xichun!
"If what Qiao Jie said is true, I won't ask for any gold, silver, copper, or iron. I just
want each of you to call me 'Good Brother,' how about that?" Bao Yu finally revealed his true colors as a man, subtly setting a small trap for the fairies! "Brother Bao, what if you lose? You're not trying to 'fool' us adults too, are you? We're not children anymore!" Among the girls, Tan Chun was the most lively and shrewd. Everyone said she was more like the younger sister of the fiery Feng Jie!
"How about this, if I lose, I'll call each of you 'Good Sister,' how about that?" Bao Yu said naturally without blushing. His skin was indeed thick enough; no wonder he was a master at picking up girls!
Chapter 57 The Bet Among the Beauties (Part 1) "Rogue!" Xi Chun spat out the two short words between her teeth. Although her face was cold, her tone was more of a coquettish reproach than a genuine accusation.
Baoyu was taken aback. He hadn't expected the usually taciturn Xichun to have such a sweet voice, a celestial sound that seemed to bloom only briefly, leaving him feeling refreshed and amazed! No wonder Xichun was so sparing with her words; such a beautiful voice shouldn't be allowed to linger in the mortal world, lest it easily attract the jealousy of the heavens and cause endless trouble.
"How about this," Baochai slowed her pace and walked to Baoyu's other side, "If you win, we can call you 'Good Brother'; but if you lose, you must grant each of us one request. What do you sisters say?" The clever Baochai didn't seek Baoyu's answer but naturally handed the decision over to her sisterly allies. The answer was unanimously in favor, and no amount of waving her hands could change Baoyu's mind.
"Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you," the gentle Yingchun softly comforted Baoyu, her heart already convinced he was doomed to lose.
A single sentence and a single request—this was a blatantly unequal treaty. Baoyu, forced to agree with a helpless expression, couldn't help but feel uneasy, wondering if Qiaojie truly understood what he had said. If he lost unjustly, it would be terrible! Who knew what terrifying schemes these angelic-faced, devilishly-hearted beauties would devise to torment him?!
Seeing the lively chatter, Qiaojie, walking at the front, swayed her small, delicate body and ran back to Baoyu. Her innocent, adorable eyes darted around, and amidst the women's confusion, she loudly proclaimed, "Second Uncle, I also have a request!" These words immediately plunged Baoyu's heart into an icy abyss. Wasn't this a clear indication he was going to lose? This mischievous little girl!
Just as he was racking his brains for a way to deal with Qiao Jie, the little girl's next sentence brought him back to a bright and sunny day. "Remember, if you win, you have to grant me one request!" "No problem!" Bao Yu answered loudly on purpose, glancing triumphantly at the girls, his eyes saying, "Heh, heh...you'll all have to call me 'good brother' soon!" The guy, his mind filled with idle thoughts, secretly thought, "If they could all call me 'sweet brother,' that would be even better!"
"So you're all here. Where are you all going with all this commotion?" Before they even left the Grand View Garden, the graceful and charming Li Wan approached with her son Jia Lan.
Although the other women were much younger than Li Wan, they all held this gentle and dignified sister-in-law in high esteem, laughing and crowding around her, quickly recounting their bet with Bao Yu.
Finally, Lin Daiyu didn't forget to create another "enemy" for Bao-gege, "Wan-jie, we'll count you in too, how about it?" And so, two opposing camps with vastly different strengths were officially formed. A group of women and two children were now "watching intently" as they confronted Bao-yu in the illusion.
"Qiao-jie, what kind of strange thing did you make? Why did you put such a perfectly good big wooden barrel up so high?" Everyone looked up in astonishment at the large round wooden barrel on the high wooden frame. Tan-chun was the first to ask, her heart filled with doubt and her voice tinged with surprise.
Qiao Jie didn't answer, but instead walked proudly to a corner of the courtyard, placed her hand on a wooden switch, and mimicked the tone and manner of the "fake" Bao Yu when he teased her, speaking in a mysterious, low voice, "Attention, everyone..." With a light press of Qiao Jie's small hand, a soft "click" of a mechanism reached everyone's ears; a moment later, amidst everyone's anticipation, a small spring gushed forth from the bamboo tube, the water splashing onto the ground and creating a misty spray under the rising sun, captivating the hearts of all the women!
"Ha, ha..." Bao Yu laughed heartily. Although Sister Feng wasn't there, being able to spend a day with so many beautiful women and attract their attention was a small gain, a loss on one front and a gain on another! In high spirits, he picked up the little girl and spun her around. He hadn't expected that his casual explanation would actually elicit such a mimicry from her!
"Sister, will you teach me?" Eight or nine-year-old Jia Lan ran to Qiao Jie's side with a face full of adoration. Curiosity had finally overcome Jia Lan's natural timidity and caution, and he had even forgotten his mother's usual teachings.
Li Wan was simply staring dumbfounded at the unbelievable scene before her; how could she notice her son's "rebellion"!
The three Jia sisters weren't much better off than Li Wan. Their beautiful, watery eyes closed tightly, then opened wide. The previous "miracle" hadn't disappeared; the water was still flowing, and the mist was still swirling!
Daiyu, lost in thought amidst her astonishment, thought, "This Baoyu is truly amazing!" If Baoyu's performance in Jia Zheng's room before was excellent, then Baoyu now could only be described as "extraordinary"! The beautiful Lin Daiyu felt her heart surge with emotion. The overwhelming shock and wonder of the world powerfully impacted her tightly closed heart. Unable to withstand such a blow, her heart cracked slightly, a tiny fissure appearing, and a sweet thread of emotion slipped out, escaping the prison that had confined her heart for over a decade.
Baochai's astonishment was no less than Daiyu's, while the beauty, having learned Baoyu's secret from her brother, had other thoughts. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her: could such a "magical" thing be the work of the "Shi Yu" her brother spoke of? Yes, that must be it! Baoyu had never left the capital; how could he have created such a thing?! Thinking of
this, Baochai was filled with curiosity about the mysterious Shi Yu. Amidst her turbulent thoughts, she secretly resolved to meet this mysterious Shi Yu and hear him tell her about the many wondrous things of the distant "West"!
"My dear sisters, shouldn't you call me 'good brother' so I can hear it?" Baoyu looked at the women with a bright smile, his ambiguous words making their delicate bodies instinctively flush and their jade-like faces blush.
The poised and elegant Baochai was the first to regain her composure, her large, bright eyes fixed on the wooden bucket suspended in mid-air, a fleeting hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.
The clever and intelligent Daiyu also noticed the bucket's illogical behavior;
her clear, watery gaze followed the bamboo tube upwards, finally settling on the point where the bucket met the bamboo tube at the bottom. Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Bet Among Beauties (Part Two) Two peerless beauties, each possessing the wisdom of the world, looked at each other and whispered amongst themselves. After a brief discussion, although they hadn't studied "physics," the common saying "water flows downhill" dispelled their doubts. Their puzzled looks vanished, replaced by a natural and enlightened understanding.
"Baoyu, you really know how to fool everyone!" The never-forgiving Lin Daiyu was the first to interject. "Isn't this clearly a child's toy? And you call it 'tap water'!" Before Baoyu could respond, Baochai's gentle words dispelled the girls' confusion. "The water actually just flows from the big wooden bucket. Baoyu just added a mechanism!" "That's really true!" The childlike Jia Lan climbed up the ladder on the support and saw that the bucket was indeed full of water.
"Lan'er, come down quickly!" Li Wan, widowed at a young age, had placed all her hopes on her son. Seeing Jia Lan climb to a dangerous height without permission, the beautiful woman secretly regretted her carelessness and, in a moment of panic, tried to climb up the support.
"Sister Wan, don't frighten Lan'er!" Baoyu grabbed Li Wan's soft wrist, his face showing genuine concern. "Children shouldn't be frightened; it might cause an accident. Leave him to me; I'll make sure he gets down safely." "Lan'er, move aside a bit; your second uncle wants to come up and take a look too!" Baoyu's sudden words startled the tense women. They hadn't expected him to not only not persuade Jia Lan to come down, but also to let him walk on the steep scaffolding.
Baoyu waved his hand, stopping Li Wan and the others from speaking, and then nimbly climbed up the wooden ladder.
"Second Uncle, the bucket is full of water. I thought you could really make 'running water'!" Jia Lan leaned against Baoyu, his steady steps completely reassuring Baoyu. It seemed this boy wasn't always well-behaved; he must have done his fair share of climbing trees and walls, just keeping it a secret from his mother.
"Lan'er is so clever," Baoyu said, affectionately patting Jia Lan's head. It was a pity such a bright child had lost his father at such a young age!
He paused slightly, then an idea struck him. "How about your second uncle carries you down as punishment?" He knew Jia Lan was perfectly capable, but it was better to be safe! Besides, this would win the beauty's gratitude, and perhaps… heh heh, the lecherous thoughts of the young man flashed through his mind, swirling and churning.
"You child, you almost scared your mother to death!" As soon as Baoyu carried Jia Lan down, Li Wan rushed over, her eyes immediately reddening as she spoke, remembering her deceased husband.
While Baoyu carried Jia Lan down, Li Wan, in her immense tension, couldn't help but picture Jia Zhu's face. She secretly thought, if her husband were here, it would definitely be him carrying Lan'er down right now! Alas! The beautiful woman let out a long sigh. In that instant, she felt a blur before her eyes, and Baoyu's tall and imposing figure seemed to overlap with the image of Jia Zhu deep in her mind. This caused the beautiful woman's heart to flutter instantly, and a thousand emotions gathered in her heart, which were hard to describe!
"Brother Bao, what kind of request should I make?" Tan Chun stepped forward to brush the dust off her brother's clothes, teasing him with a smile in her beautiful eyes.
"The result isn't out yet, little sister, you're speaking too soon!" Bao Yu was intoxicated by this warm family affection, and then changed the subject to Qiao Jie, saying, "Let them see our real magic weapon!" "Yes, ma'am!" The little girl put her legs together, stretched out her right hand and pointed diagonally upwards, making a standard "Hitler" salute for the future. Qiao Jie was naturally intelligent, and she remembered the new and fun words and actions that Bao Yu taught her, whether intentionally or unintentionally, and learned them very quickly.
Although the "fake" Baoyu thrived in this unfamiliar time and space, he could never forget the 21st century that gave him birth and nurtured him. Facing the Jia family, the "fake" Baoyu was cautious, afraid of revealing his true nature and being seen as a monster. Only with the innocent young girl could he completely open his heart, expressing his longing for his "hometown" through laughter and conversation with Qiaojie, unabashedly recounting countless "novel" stories to her.
Baochai and the others were slightly taken aback by Qiaojie's strange actions. Before they could recover, an even greater "surprise" unfolded before them under the little girl's hands.
The girl skipped and hopped to the well in the courtyard. It was an old well, but Qiaojie had ordered it sealed off a few days ago, directing several strong servants to tinker with it for a long time. The result was its strange state: a small mechanism and a section of large bamboo tube protruded from the large stone slab sealing the well.
Qiaojie pressed the wooden handle down forcefully with both hands, then lifted it up again amidst the puzzled looks of the women. The answer was finally revealed.
"Whoosh!" A stream of clear water gushed out from the bamboo tube beside the handle as the little girl moved up and down. Although the water column wasn't large, it rushed into the hearts of the women with an irresistible "force," and the incredible mystery once again occupied their entire minds.
"My dear sisters, you can understand 'water flows downhill,' so now please tell me why this well water 'flows uphill'?" Baoyu laughed triumphantly, the words "good sisters" already escaping his lips. It seemed he was determined to be the "good brother"! The wicked fellow naturally included the oldest and most beautiful young woman in the "sister" group, his heart filled with joy.
Daiyu and Baochai exchanged a wry smile. Looking around at the three sisters of the Spring Festival and Li Wan, they all seemed the same, feeling embarrassed by Baoyu's teasing words, yet unable to find a reason to refute them.
"Qiaojie, tell your aunt how you made this strange thing?" Yingchun, who doted on the young girl the most, had the closest relationship with her among all the girls.
"That's right, Qiaojie, tell us!" Tanchun and the others hurriedly chimed in, trying to please them. They didn't want to beg this smug fellow; otherwise, who knew what kind of tricks he would come up with!
"Sigh! You all don't understand something so simple!" Qiao Jie, her childlike playfulness kicking in, perfectly mimicked Bao Yu's teasing words and expressions, and sighed in a concluding tone, "What a bunch of 'illiterate' people!" Chapter 59: Trapped in Their Own Trap "Cough...cough..." Bao Yu, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, burst into laughter upon hearing the little maid's words, coughing violently. The "illusory Bao Yu" in his mind couldn't help but marvel. This little girl was truly promising; she had even learned the word "illiterate." She would have to be properly trained in the future; perhaps the Jia family would produce an inventor who could create airplanes and cannons!
"Sister, what is 'illiterate'?" Although Li Wan and the others didn't understand the meaning of "illiterate," they roughly guessed it wasn't a compliment. The clever girls naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to walk into the line of fire. However, Jia Lan didn't have such thoughts; he was a good child who "asked when he didn't understand!"
"Hehe..." Qiao Jie laughed before even speaking, making the faces of the girls, who usually prided themselves on their talent, flush. "This 'illiterate' means that one's academic achievements are like those of a blind person, unable to see or understand anything!" After saying this, the little girl imitated Bao Yu, glancing sideways at the girls, the meaning of which was self-evident.
Daiyu and the other girls never expected to be teased and mocked by a little maid today, and they were powerless to resist. Their hearts were filled with shame and embarrassment, and they all cast resentful glances at Bao Yu, secretly assuming that he was the one who had taught them this trick.
They loved and cherished the clever and lovely Qiao Jie, so naturally they wouldn't blame her too much. Only Bao Yu could bravely bear the glorious title of "enemy"!
"Oh! So that's what it means! Then I won't be 'illiterate' anymore!" Jia Lan suddenly realized, unintentionally joining in the little girl's teasing of the elders. "Sister, tell me quickly, how is 'tap water' made?" Qiao Jie proudly straightened her childish body, cleared her throat, and recited the words Bao Yu had taught her verbatim. The little girl actually only half understood Bao Yu's words, but fortunately, she was quick-witted and recited them perfectly, even the last sentence, "That's enough for today, I'm going home."
Bao Yu, who had been standing quietly to the side, saw a little girl explaining the concept of "pressure" to several adults. Beneath his calm exterior, he laughed heartily, the world seemed to spin around him, and he couldn't calm down for a long time!
"Brother Bao, where did you learn all these strange and unusual theories?" The learned and intelligent Daiyu finally couldn't contain her curiosity. Amidst her bewilderment, a hint of amazement and admiration flickered in her eyes. "But upon closer reflection, what you say seems quite reasonable!" Baoyu's happy smile had barely appeared when Baochai's interjection made him freeze, unsure how to answer.
"Brother Bao, did your friend who returned from the 'Western world' teach you all this?" Baochai's light smile already hinted at her answer. Her usually composed demeanor was unusually urgent, her eyes filled with anticipation as she looked at Baoyu. "What other good things did your friend 'Shi Yu' teach you? Did he manage to make 'cigarettes'?" "What?" The women exclaimed in unison, never expecting Baoyu to know such a mysterious "extraordinary person"! No wonder he'd been running around every day lately!
"This..." The man, speechless with embarrassment, stammered, unsure how to respond. Seeing the women's admiring faces and the "little stars" in their eyes, he couldn't help but feel a surge of dissatisfaction with "Shi Yu," feeling his own brilliance overshadowed by this hateful Shi Yu.
His heart filled with bitterness and resentment, he remained silent. Seeing Daiyu's lips slightly parted, and judging by her posture, she seemed inclined to help Baochai, he quickly changed the subject, saying, "Don't forget our bet! Shouldn't you sweetly call me 'Good Brother' now?" The women exchanged glances, their bright eyes subtly communicating. After a moment, they cheered in unison!
"We admire you so much!" The women, their faces full of admiration, rushed forward, running to Qiaojie behind Baoyu, vying to hug the little girl, then laughing and running away, completely forgetting the girl's existence! Good
heavens! What kind of world is this?! It's true what they say: having a disciple can starve the master!
The triumphant smile on Baoyu's face froze, deeply shaken. Seeing the women disappear, his smile shifted again, replaced by a helpless bitterness in his eyes. He couldn't believe he was not only inferior to "Shiyu," but even to Qiaojie! "Hmph
! Shiyu!" The bored man conjured two versions of himself in his mind. The "illusory Baoyu" and the "illusory Shiyu" fought fiercely, seemingly unafraid of death. Baoyu, gaining the upper hand, muttered to himself as he fought, "It's all Xue Pan's fault for his big mouth! He must have told Baochai! You dare steal my woman? I'll kick you to death! I'll kick you again! I'll keep kicking you…!" "Master Shi, I've gathered all the hooligans in the city as you instructed. They're all waiting for us in the open space in the south of the city!" Ni Er reported excitedly to Shiyu. He hadn't expected to have such a moment of glory in front of the various social classes in the capital.
"You did a great job," Shi Yu patted Ni Er on the shoulder approvingly. "Did any of these guys make any moves or show any dissent?" "Reporting to Master Shi, as long as I mention Master Bao Er's and your name, how could they dare to object!" Ni Er changed the subject, saying with a hint of worry, "However, a few of the tough guys look dissatisfied. Should we prepare for this?" Before Shi Yu could answer, a young man with a square face and a dignified expression sitting next to him interjected, "Brother Shi, why bother with all that! I'll just lead a battalion of soldiers into the south city and arrest all these scoundrels. Let's see if they still submit!" "Brother Feng, you are a Divine Martial General. Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Leave this small matter to Ni Er and Bao Yong. If all else fails, then we can trouble you to send someone else." "Just deal with it." Seeing Feng Ziying's nonchalant expression and the hint of arrogance, Shi Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "These young masters are indeed hard to change their nature. They always use their power to bully others. If I weren't Jia Baoyu's 'good brother' and the representative of the Jia family's partnership with them, I'm afraid they wouldn't even give me a second glance!" The worldly-wise "fake" Baoyu knew that in this era of backward laws and power over law, it was absolutely impossible to successfully sell "Red Mansion" brand cigarettes nationwide without the support of both the legitimate and criminal worlds. Therefore, he used high profits to bring in General Feng Ziying, and also planned to take the opportunity to unify the "primitive underworld" in the city, quietly building his own power so that the "Shi" family could stand firm when the Jia family fell!
Chapter Sixty Super Bodyguard "Bao Yong, you and Ni Er go to the south city first to appease these hooligans. I will bring men later!" Shi Yu gave the order to the black-clad burly man standing respectfully beside him with an imposing expression.
After Bao Yong's encounter with Master Bao in the woods, he was soon "borrowed" by Bao Yu from Jia Zhen, and of course, never returned. Bao Yong was naturally delighted to serve the young master of the Jia family, and with Shi Yu's frequent generous rewards, he became even more devoted to Master Bao and Shi Yu.
"Brother Feng, take care!" Shi Yu bowed and saw Feng Ziying off before returning alone to the teahouse. He carefully reviewed the events, a sense of joy rising in his heart. If he could bring in Prince Bei Jing, everything would be ready; only the final push was needed! The
"cigarette processing plant" in the remote village had already been built, though the technology was outdated, it was still manageable. As for the tobacco supply, after Shi Yu improved the local Ming Dynasty tobacco leaves, he was pleasantly surprised to find the results were excellent. The excited man chuckled to himself, thinking, "Let our own people earn the money; why let foreigners profit?" He only needed to establish tobacco cultivation in impoverished areas, and the supply would be plentiful, making money like water! Once the stockpile was large enough, that would be the time when "Red Mansion" brand cigarettes would shine brightly!
A mountain of gold and silver appeared before Shi Yu's eyes, and he couldn't help but chuckle. Qingwen's inspiration was truly excellent! A few days ago, he tried smoking one. Compared to the 21st century, although the quality wasn't quite up to par, it was more than enough to deal with the Ming Dynasty "country bumpkins" who had never seen anything like it before! Besides, the VIP cigarettes he specially crafted for princes and ministers were truly—superb, and incredibly satisfying to smoke! Something that ordinary people in the future would never experience!
The magical power maintaining his transformation trembled slightly, and Shi Yu snapped out of his reverie. It seemed time was limited; he had to deal with this bunch of hooligans within an hour! But to truly subdue these lawless thugs, force alone wouldn't suffice; he needed to personally intervene, employing both kindness and severity to achieve the desired effect. However, facing dozens of gangs of hooligans, his own safety was at great risk. Sending soldiers for protection would make him appear cowardly and would only backfire.
Thinking of this, Shi Yu glanced anxiously at the teahouse entrance. Why hadn't his appointed bodyguard arrived yet?!
When Shi Yu didn't see anyone at the teahouse entrance for the tenth time, a sense of disappointment rose in his heart. It seemed the other party didn't take him seriously! Sigh! Dejected, the man hardened his heart. So be it! At least he still had Bao Yong and the others to protect him!
With a determined heart, Bao Yu strode towards the teahouse exit. Before he even crossed the threshold, a middle-aged man who had been drinking tea alone in the lobby suddenly appeared and blocked his path.
"Brother, please move aside!" Frustrated, Bao Yu suppressed his anger and was greatly displeased with the stranger blocking his way.
"Didn't you invite me?" The middle-aged man had a rugged face, but his eyes were unusually bright. He turned and said, "Then I'll go back!" "Ah!" Shi Yu exclaimed softly, unable to hide his excitement. "Brother... I thought you weren't coming! I apologize!" "No need for that. Let's go. If we're any slower, your men will be in trouble!" The middle-aged man went out first, a playful smile flashing in his deep, cold eyes. He remembered the poor fellow pacing anxiously at the door. Thinking of this, a carefree smile appeared on his lips.
Throughout history, among all the prosperous places in the world, the imperial capital was always among the top three! The capital of the Ming Dynasty was no exception. But just as there is day and night, the shadows behind the prosperity were everywhere. Although the capital was a place of long-term peace and stability, corruption and decadence in the darkness were constantly breeding and spreading. The officials, who did not want to manage it and could not manage it, could only drive all the mobs they called mobs to one place and let these disobedient rioters kill each other and die on their own. Over time, the southern part of the city, where all kinds of people gathered, became a forbidden place for good people and a paradise for evil people!
"Murderers and arsonists wear golden belts, those who build bridges and pave roads have no corpses!" Shi Yu read the words on the archway in the south of the city in a low voice and couldn't help but sigh. He wondered who had secretly carved it there. Although the words were ugly, they vividly depicted the human nature of the people in the south of the city!
He and the middle-aged man had just stepped onto the main street of the south of the city when this strange archway came into view. The "warning words" on it were chilling, making one sigh that the south of the city truly lived up to its name as a "dark place"!
"Master Shi, you've finally arrived! Something's happened!" A black-clad thug from the Jia family emerged from a corner, his anxious expression clearly indicating he had been waiting for Shi Yu for some time. "Several gang leaders are causing trouble, and the situation is getting increasingly chaotic. Brother Bao and Brother Ni are almost unable to control it. Fortunately, Brother Bao sent me outside to check the situation, so I was able to report back to Master Shi!" "People are actually causing trouble?!" Shi Yu looked at the inscription on the archway with slight surprise. Were these thugs really so bold as to dare to oppose the Jia family?! His worldly-wise mind instantly raced through a thousand thoughts. Something was wrong here! Who was backing them? Anyone who dared to oppose the Jia family couldn't be an unknown figure!
Shi Yu glanced reassuringly at the middle-aged man beside him. Luckily, he had found this "super bodyguard," otherwise things would have been dangerous! He calmly told the messenger, "Lead the way. I want to see who's stirring up trouble!" "Master Shi," the black-clad thug looked at the empty space behind Shi Yu with confusion, "Aren't you going back to get reinforcements?" "Let's go!" Shi Yu smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "Reinforcements will arrive on time. These characters are no match for her!" On a bumpy, open space in the south of the city, a place usually deserted, was now bustling with activity and noise!
"Ni Er, why haven't those people surnamed Shi and Jia shown up yet? Could it be that you, a nobody, are trying to use the Jia family's name to seize our territory?!" A burly man who ran a casino impatiently questioned Ni Er in an unfriendly tone.
"Yeah! It's definitely this kid who's dishonest." Another group of guys who collected protection money chimed in, "Why don't we just kill him and see who dares to mess with him again?!" Chapter 61 Primitive Underworld "Ni Er, I, Old Hua, don't want your life, but you'd better give us an explanation, or else..." The rogue surnamed Hua truly lived up to his reputation as a brothel owner; his gaudy clothes made him look more like a clown on a stage than a thug.
"Brother Bao, what should we do?" Although Ni Er was forthright and naturally bold, he couldn't help but feel a chill as the three largest underground forces in the city all looked hostile.
Bao Yong, being from the Jia family and having seen many big scenes, forced himself to remain calm and said in a low voice, "I've secretly left some brothers outside. He'll definitely ask Master Shi for reinforcements; once Master Shi and General Feng arrive with their troops, these guys will naturally behave themselves." He paused slightly, then turned to his twenty or so brothers behind him and said, "Everyone, stay calm. Just hold out until Master Shi arrives!" "If you don't give me an answer soon, then I'll have to let you see some blood!" Another burly man spoke first, and dozens of his men rushed to surround Ni Er and the others, encircling them.
"Boss, a fight's about to break out, what do we do?" A small, shrewd-looking man whispered in Boss Hua's ear. "Killing Ni Er is a piece of cake, but if he really has the Jia family behind him, that's bad news. The men around Ni Er, judging by their aura, really seem to be trained by a powerful family!" "This..." Boss Hua hesitated. Although he looked rough and vulgar, he was no stranger to the treacherous capital city; he was shrewd enough to have made a name for himself. "Let's see how things develop first. Talking big is fine, but..." "But tell the brothers not to lay a hand on him!" "Damn it!" The protection money collector, nicknamed "Money-Grubber," meaning he wouldn't even let go of money from the dead, was a typical
street thug. Because he often received favors from the gambling den's Zhou Bapi, he naturally followed his lead. "Brothers, drag Ni Er over here, I want to kill him myself!" Nearly a hundred fierce-looking men, wielding sharp knives, surrounded Ni Er, Bao Yong, and more than twenty others. A chaotic battle with a huge disparity in strength seemed imminent, and a cold, tense atmosphere swirled in the open space.
Just at the critical moment, a gentle yet authoritative voice stopped the gleaming knives in the hands of the thugs.
"Is this your way of welcoming me? No need for such formality, something simple would be better!" Shi Yu and his middle-aged bodyguard stepped forward slowly, deliberately emphasizing the last "good." As he intended, his inner power flowed into his words, causing the group of thugs to feel as if struck by lightning, their high-spirited demeanor instantly shattered.
"This humble servant greets Master Shi!" The clever Bao Yong immediately led all his brothers to kneel down in unison, their respectful address further enhancing Shi Yu's imposing presence.
"You're Master Shi?!" "Money-grubbing," Shi Yu thought, "I'm just a thug, but seeing that the Jia family has actually sent someone, my arrogance diminishes considerably.
" "Brother Shi Yu, representing Master Bao, Master Xue, and General Feng, comes to make friends with you all," Shi Yu said arrogantly, surveying the crowd. He understood that dealing with these scoundrels wasn't the time for gentlemen; only force could earn their respect. Here, might makes right, and justice reigned supreme!
Seeing everyone looking at each other in silence, Shi Yu stared at the "Money-Grubber" and said, "I wonder if this brother is willing to give me this face? So I can go back and report!" His deep voice, though calm, carried a hint of threat, making the "Money-Grubber" feel a chill. Meeting Shi Yu's piercing eyes, he shuddered, his legs went weak, and he was about to bow down to Shi Yu.
"Young Master Shi, do you think you can overwhelm our hundred-plus heroes with just your twenty or thirty men?" Zhou Bapi, seeing the situation was turning bad, quickly interjected, reminding the "Money-Grubber" of the disparity in strength. The
"Money-Grubber's" mind reeled, and he stopped kneeling. He realized he was drenched in sweat, his soul trembling. The other man's eyes were terrifying!
Seeing his carefully crafted scene ruined by Zhou Bapi's words, Shi Yu sighed inwardly. It seemed his magic power was still insufficient! This "Soul-Seizing Eye" was something he'd hastily learned from his bodyguard on the way here. Unfortunately, whether it was due to his own lack of aptitude or his inexperience, its effects were far from what the bodyguard had described!
If the silent, expressionless "super bodyguard" beside him knew what Shi Yu was thinking, he'd probably roll his eyes in anger! This "Soul-Seizing Incantation," though a rudimentary spell, had taken him a full year to master, while Shi Yu had only heard it once on the way and already achieved such results! Complaining like this would infuriate countless self-proclaimed geniuses!
Shi Yu had actually been there for some time, secretly observing Zhou Bapi and had already sensed his unease. Directly opposing powerful families wasn't something an old thug would do; their specialty was opportunism, like "Desperate for Money."
"What brilliant idea does Manager Zhou have?" Shi Yu's sharp eyes now fixed on Zhou Bapi. He knew he wouldn't be able to leave until he'd dealt with this guy!
When Zhou Bapi was struck by Shi Yu's divine light, he felt a chill run down his spine and was filled with terror. A
trace of regret arose within him, but thinking of the powerful backer behind him and the help of the immortal with profound magical power, he immediately regained his spirits and fighting spirit! The self-righteous Zhou Bapi failed to notice that the amulet he wore on his chest was the magical item given to him by the "immortal" in his mind. At this moment, it was emitting wisps
of black energy that intertwined with Shi Yu's divine light, which was how Zhou Bapi escaped Shi Yu's "soul-capturing eye"! Shi Yu and his bodyguard exchanged surprised glances, their expressions changing slightly. They hadn't expected to encounter a magical talisman!
Seeing the two men's state, Zhou Bapi assumed they were intimidated by his imposing presence and became even more arrogant. "Young Master Shi, if you want to show off, let us brothers test your mettle first!" He paused slightly, then, seeing that Shi Yu was a fair-skinned, refined young man and the middle-aged man a thin, unassuming fellow, Zhou Bapi, feeling quite smug, feigned generosity and said, "How about this, if Young Master Shi and your follower can defeat these two brothers of mine, I'll obey your orders!" True to his thuggish nature, Zhou Bapi, while feigning modesty, pointed directly at his two tallest and fiercest henchmen!

Chapter Sixty-Two: The Mutant Demon "No need, all of you come at me! Don't waste time." Before Shi Yu could reply, the middle-aged man beside him stepped forward, disdainfully surveying the group of scoundrels. Beneath his calm exterior, he inwardly sighed, never imagining he would be reduced to fighting these ruffians!
Thinking of this, he felt a surge of resentment. It was all the fault of that leisurely guy behind him. He would definitely settle the score with him when he got back!
"Damn it, if you want to die, don't blame your Uncle Zhou!" Zhou Bapi was so angry at the other party's arrogance that his face turned ashen. He earned the fearsome name "Zhou Bapi" because he ran a casino and lent money at exorbitant interest rates. It was also because he was cruel and took pleasure in torturing his opponents. When his ferocity was unleashed, Zhou Bapi's face was full of bulging muscles. He waved his hand forward and said, "Brothers, cut off this kid's hands and feet and drag him back to play with him slowly!" "Charge!" Under the leader's encouragement, a group of rabble shouted and charged towards Shi Yu and his companion. The sharp blades on their heads gleamed coldly, and a fierce aura arose from them.
"Master Shi, be careful!" Bao Yong and Ni Er rushed to Shi Yu's side, their voices filled with anxiety. "Have the brothers protect you and retreat first. We'll hold them off here!" Shi Yu felt a surge of warmth in his heart, his appreciation for the two courageous men growing even stronger. His words of relief left Bao Yong and the others bewildered. "Call the brothers back. No need for them to lift a finger!" The middle-aged man sighed helplessly, his steps faltering slightly. His calm expression remained unchanged, his aura still undisturbed.
Forty or fifty thugs rushed forward, but the middle-aged man made no move, merely flicking his sleeve, yet the result was a dramatic turn of events.
A sudden gust of wind arose from the ground, sweeping towards the group of thugs with irresistible force. Amidst the flying sand and stones, the column of wind grew rapidly at an unbelievable speed, instantly filling the entire sky and earth in everyone's view. Wherever the sky and earth were struck, only a series of panicked and terrified screams could be heard.
"Help!" "My God!" The unfortunate thugs, wishing they could use even their "third legs," frantically fled backwards, but how could human strength escape this unimaginable tornado!
In less than fifteen minutes, the storm suddenly vanished into thin air, leaving only a series of "thump, thump" sounds as heavy objects fell to the ground. Including Zhou Bapi, who was standing some distance away, the group of casino thugs lay sprawled on the ground, groaning and moaning in pain!
Apart from the screams, everyone in the open space stood there dumbfounded, speechless and incredulous. Was this some kind of street brawl?
"Money-grubbing" and "Boss Hua" wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads with trembling hands and feet, secretly congratulating themselves on their wise choice. This Jia family was terrifying! Sending out a nobody like him was unbelievable!
Shi Yu, being a semi-cultivator, was the first to recover from the shock. He looked at the middle-aged man with admiration, his heart filled with endless longing. When would he be able to command the wind and rain like him? Alas! Shi Yu sighed sadly, lamenting that his magical power was so strange—unsuitable for proper tasks, but quite adept at shady ones!
"Manager Zhou, now you should be convinced, right?" Shi Yu's tone was low, his face serious as he stared at Zhou Bapi, his eyes fixed on every change in his expression.
Zhou Bapi, his soul trembling, was about to bow his head when the talisman on his chest trembled slightly. A wisp of black light, invisible to the naked eye, swiftly emanated from the talisman and pierced straight into his mind.
"I won't lose!" Zhou Bapi's slumped figure suddenly straightened, a sinister aura bursting from his bloodshot eyes. "There can only be one boss in this city, and that's me, Zhou—Bapi!" His fierce aura surged wildly, the dramatic change once again shocking everyone's minds. The bold retreated continuously, while the timid's legs went weak, unable to move an inch, their hearts screaming for their parents, wondering what terrifying things would happen next!
Seeing Zhou Bapi's sinister and ruthless aura, Shi Yu was surprised. He turned to the middle-aged man and asked, "What's wrong with this guy? Can you handle him?" The middle-aged man also looked surprised, but remained relaxed and carefree. "'Possession by an evil spirit' is just a trivial skill. This guy probably won't live for many more days. However, the person behind him is quite powerful. We have to be careful!" "Ah!" Zhou Bapi's eyes had turned completely bloodshot, and his fierce aura caused his men to flee again.
"Damn it!" The mutated Zhou Bapi waved his hand, pulling one of his fastest fleeing henchmen into his grasp. "You coward, you dared to run away from me!" Before he finished speaking, the mutated Zhou Bapi, now even more ferocious, threw a punch. "Ah!" The scream stunned everyone. Zhou Bapi's fist pierced through his henchman's chest, spraying blood mist into the air and covering Zhou Bapi's head and face.
"This tastes pretty good. How come I never noticed before? Heh, heh..." A piercing laugh echoed in the arena. Zhou Bapi licked the blood from his lips and flung the corpse skewered in his hand far away.
"This scum is inherently vicious and has already become a demon. If we don't eliminate him today, who knows how many innocent people he will harm!" The middle-aged man's expression changed for the first time, a resolute determination to eliminate evil shooting from his furious eyes.
"Die!" Zhou Bapi charged at the middle-aged man, each step leaving a deep footprint in the ground, chilling Shi Yu to the bone, his confidence dwindling to almost nothing.
The middle-aged man stepped forward again, his long fingers joined together, then swung forward, a sharp beam of light shooting out, leaving a straight trajectory in the air.
With a "bang," the menacing Zhou Bapi was actually knocked to the ground by the middle-aged man's finger strike from a distance, leaving everyone astonished and once again marveling at the unfathomable power of the Jia family!
"Impossible!" Zhou Bapi stood up, clutching his chest. The completely demonized demon gripped the talisman on his chest, letting out a roar that pierced the clouds, "Immortal, grant me power!" The mad demon charged at the middle-aged man again with a furious roar. The talisman in his hand was indeed effective, the continuous black energy giving him immense power and unparalleled confidence.
Chapter Sixty-Three: The Victor Takes All "Ah!" Many people exclaimed simultaneously. Everyone had instinctively sided with Shi Yu, even Zhou Bapi's men; after all, Zhou Bapi's actions had not only frightened them but also stirred a hint of hatred within them, making it impossible for them to view this mutated demon as one of their own.
"Overestimating yourself!" The middle-aged man snorted softly, his figure swaying slightly. A multicolored glow suddenly appeared, completely enveloping his figure. The dazzling light obscured everyone's vision; except for Shi Yu, no one could see what was happening.
Just as the demon was about to rush towards the middle-aged man enveloped in the glow, a three-foot-long green sword shot out from the glow, its incessant, life-giving blade aimed directly at the demon's vital heart.
The swift flying sword flashed and disappeared in an instant. Before Zhou Bapi could even see its form, he felt a sharp pain in his chest,
and his life force drained away instantly. His eyes widened in disbelief, and he stood frozen on the ground. A moment later, a gentle breeze blew, and his corpse crashed to the ground with a loud thud. The flying sword that had pierced his heart spun in mid-air, leaving a phantom trail before vanishing back into the rosy light.
"Greetings, Young Master Shi!" The victor is king, the loser is villain; with the outcome decided, the group of hooligans unsurprisingly sided with Shi Yu.
"Brothers, please rise!" Looking at the dense crowd kneeling on the ground, Shi Yu felt a surge of exhilaration. He finally understood what it meant to be superior! No wonder people in this mortal world would fight tooth and nail, risking their lives, for "power"!
Seeing that his goal had been achieved, the "divine light" in Baoyu's eyes disappeared, replaced by an endless, warm smile; the best way is to use both kindness and severity, and Shi Yu's side's power was now deeply rooted in everyone's hearts, so after a slap, they should naturally be given a lollipop!
"Brothers, I, Shi, on behalf of Master Bao, have gathered you here not to enslave you, but to give you a way to survive," Shi Yu said, pausing slightly. His deep voice unconsciously used a "soul-capturing technique," his seductive words penetrating the minds of the crowd, making them subconsciously believe in his good intentions. "From now on, as long as you leaders do not commit murder, arson, rape, or plunder, I will not interfere, and I will not touch a single penny of your current wealth!" His tone shifted, a divine light reappearing in Shi Yu's eyes, his heavy warning striking the hearts of the crowd. "However, if anyone dares to disobey in secret and commit heinous crimes, this will be your example!" Before his words were finished, Zhou Bapi's corpse on the ground suddenly burst into flames with a "boom," the eerie flames turning the burly body to ashes in an instant. A gentle breeze blew, scattering the ashes, and Zhou Bapi vanished from the world forever!
Shi Yu glanced gratefully at the middle-aged man beside him, delighted by their seamless cooperation. The bored man, at this moment, couldn't help but let his imagination run wild, muttering to himself in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I never imagined we'd cooperate so perfectly. It seems we truly understand each other! Heh, heh..." The middle-aged man's face remained calm, but his bright eyes subtly rolled his eyes at him. While the demon's corpse must be burned, his actions at this moment were, in a way, to cooperate with this guy! Seeing
this terrifying scene, the group of thugs' knees buckled, and they knelt on the ground again. They were all street urchins; how could they not have made mistakes?! "Please, Master Shi, have mercy! We will never do it again!" "Brothers, rest assured! Master Bao has said that as long as you behave yourselves, from now on, not only will you not be punished, but each of you will also receive ten taels of silver per month to support your families!" Shi Yu, once again displaying his imposing power, unleashed the world's most powerful "weapon"!
The gang of hooligans were stunned by this unexpected surprise, standing there dumbfounded for a moment before bursting into ecstatic shouts, "We swear to follow Master Bao to the death, we swear to follow Master Shi!" Their heartfelt cheers shook the heavens and the earth, devoid of their previous fear and pretense, filled only with boundless joy. Ten taels of silver was enough for an ordinary family of five to eat for two months! They usually roamed the streets, fighting and killing, and Zhou Bapi and his gang only gave them a few taels of silver. Now, they had received a windfall without the torment of conscience. Who but a fool would refuse such a great opportunity?!
Although the gang leaders didn't care much about the ten taels of silver, the Jia family not only didn't take away their livelihood, but they also gained a powerful backer in the future. Except for a few utterly wicked individuals who were filled with unease, the rest of the gang members smiled broadly, overjoyed.
Everything was finally settled! Shi Yu sighed deeply. With both the legitimate and criminal worlds under his control, the "cigarette" business would proceed smoothly from start to finish. He could just wait for endless wealth to fall from the sky! "Ni Er, you and Bao Yong register all these people. We'll deliver them directly to Master Bao tomorrow," Shi Yu said softly, reminding the two, "You must remember, if they are truly heinous criminals, then…!" He didn't elaborate, but simply waved his hand lightly in the air, making a classic gesture to eliminate future trouble.
Ni Er and Bao Yong were both known for their bravery and ruthlessness, and they understood Shi Yu's gesture perfectly. While they were terrified by their master's ruthless methods, their wild blood boiled. Far from being afraid, they were overjoyed. Following such a master would give them a chance to rise in the world; being a mere gentleman all day would be unbearable!
"Master Shi, is there anything else?" Bao Yong, seeing that Shi Yu intended to leave, was cautious by nature and, being his first time working for Master Bao, naturally wanted to strive for perfection.
"Hmm!" After a moment of deep thought, Shi Yu made up his mind. "Organize all those among them who aren't particularly wicked. Master Bao and Master Xue want to organize a guard team specifically for escorting valuable goods. Before they're officially put to use, these people will be under your training. As for their monthly wages? Double them, treat them the same as the brothers!" "Let's go!" Shi Yu said, turning to his "super bodyguard."
The middle-aged man nodded calmly and then led the way out, showing no regard for rank. Bao Yong and Ni Er were secretly puzzled. Who was this terrifyingly powerful expert? He didn't even give Master Shi face; he must be no ordinary person in the Jia family!
Chapter Sixty-Four: Summoning the Soul and Forcing a Confession "Brother, do a good job!" The more shrewd Bao Yong patted Ni Er's shoulder, who was still lost in thought. The two exchanged a smile, feeling a bright future ahead. Since Shi Yu had entrusted them with the power to organize the guard, the position of guard leader would naturally be theirs in the future. Suddenly having hundreds more subordinates filled them with a sense of accomplishment. Who would have thought they would have such a glorious day?!
Shi Yu followed closely behind the middle-aged man to a quiet, deserted alley corner. After turning the corner, Bao Er Ye, with a smile on his face, lingered beside the ethereal Miao Yu. Despite the beauty ignoring him, he continued his shameless muttering to himself.
Unable to bear the nagging, Miao Yu took a small step forward, a noticeably slow step, but when her foot landed, she had left Bao Yu, who was standing beside her, more than two zhang behind.
"Fairy Sister, wait for me!" The lecherous fellow shouted, upgrading his address from "Fairy" to "Fairy Sister" in his haste.
Seeing that the beauty showed no sign of stopping, Baoyu grew anxious. The will to chase her swiftly entered his mind. His inner magical power, perhaps particularly fond of such grand pursuits, responded instantly. A faint glow emanated from his body, merging with the wisp of "celestial energy" left behind by Miaoyu, carefully sensing the subtle changes. Where
the mind leads, nothing is impossible! With a thought, Baoyu, as if possessed, took a step forward. In a flash, he appeared behind Miaoyu out of thin air.
The beauty, already unfazed by Baoyu's "super" genius, used her divine speed technique to her next move. The novice, naturally in high spirits, cheered and chased after the beauty, his heart bursting with joy. With this divine speed technique, which beauty could escape his "pursuit"?!
Hey, hey… As the sun began to set, Baoyu finally walked slowly towards the Jia mansion side by side with Miaoyu once again. He clearly recalled the events of the day. Although he had successfully achieved his goal, a slight regret remained. He sighed with a hint of doubt, “I wonder who is backing this Zhou Bapi? He actually managed to demonize me! Today, it’s all thanks to Sister Fairy’s intervention!” Once the rogue uttered the word “sister,” he wouldn’t easily take it back!
Miaoyu didn’t object to this intimate address. Hearing this, she smiled faintly and leisurely gazed at the beautiful blue sky and white clouds. “Do you want to know?” “Sister Fairy has a way?” Baoyu asked excitedly, then his face darkened. “Unfortunately, the only survivor is dead. Where can we find clues?” “Who says you can’t ask after someone’s death? Does the King of Hell have such a rule?” A playful smile flashed in Miaoyu’s eyes as she teased him.
Right! How could he have forgotten that this was a world of ghosts and spirits?! Miaoyu, being such a highly skilled person, naturally had ways to communicate with spirits. Baoyu sighed inwardly, filled with endless感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep emotion), realizing he still hadn't completely changed his original worldly logic.
In the quiet room of the Green Bamboo Nunnery, Baoyu waited anxiously for Miaoyu to perform her ritual to summon the spirit, hoping to learn the truth from Zhou Bapi.
Miaoyu had worked for Baoyu for a day, doing many trivial tasks she usually disdained. The beautiful woman suddenly felt as if she had been tainted by worldly affairs, and involuntarily blamed everything on Baoyu. How could her disgruntled heart so easily let go of the anxious and expectant Baoyu?! With a light
wave of her jade hand, the small space of the quiet room instantly filled with a chilling aura and cold mist. Accompanied by flickering will-o'-the-wisps
, a long, mournful wail echoed in Baoyu's ears. Baoyu's heart pounded wildly. He was both curious and afraid of the approaching ghost. Although he possessed magical powers, how could he easily change his mortal instinct to fear ghosts?!
As the ghostly cries grew louder, Baoyu felt himself struggling to breathe, his heart pounding with tension, and countless terrifying images flashing through his mind.
Startled by his own imaginings, Baoyu instinctively moved towards Miaoyu; only by standing beside this "wise woman" could he feel safe!
Miaoyu's jade-like hand, which was casting a spell, paused slightly. Seeing Baoyu's panicked state, a smile involuntarily rose within her. Her incantation changed again, and she subtly set up a harmless barrier for Baoyu.
With a soft "thud," Baoyu's body bounced back as if he had struck a solid wall, falling to the ground. Filled with panic, he hurriedly scrambled to his feet and rushed towards Miaoyu again, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break through the invisible cage.
How could this be? Had the ghosts of the underworld already emerged?! A sense of fear crept into Bao Yu's mind. He cried out within the barrier, "Fairy Sister, quickly save me!" The celestial beauty remained composed, her heart still filled with childlike innocence and boundless smiles. She thought to herself with a hint of "resentment," "I will save you, but not now. Let's see if you'll still be so shameless and frivolous then!" The beauty recalled the rogue's constant use of "Fairy Sister," and felt both angry and embarrassed! She was determined to teach him a lesson! Before
Bao Yu's cries had even faded, a terrifying change occurred.
The eerie wails paused briefly, then suddenly intensified. With a deafening roar, countless ghostly figures appeared in the room. Blue-faced, fanged ghosts circled around Baoyu's neck, their gaping maws floating overhead, blood gushing from their seven orifices towards his chest. Other decapitated, disemboweled, and missing limbs wailed as they approached Baoyu, their mournful cries seeming to try and mend their lost parts. Terrified, Baoyu cowered, fearing he might suddenly become like them!
"Ghosts!" Faced with a hundred ghosts surrounding him, the poor fellow no longer wanted to pretend. His only thought was of the powerful being in the room. "Fairy Sister, help me!" Baoyu screamed as he ran wildly in circles within the circular barrier.
Seeing that Baoyu was truly frightened, Miaoyu's heart softened, and all her dissatisfaction vanished at his screams. Her mind changed, and the beauty was about to relent and let Baoyu off the hook. But in that instant, something unexpected happened.
Perhaps Baoyu's cries for help "moved" the "Spiritual Jade," or perhaps the "Spiritual Jade," which had been watching the spectacle with amusement, felt he had lost face. Just as Baoyu, terrified, rushed towards Miaoyu for help for the umpteenth time, the magical jade spontaneously rose into the air, flying above Baoyu's head and spinning violently. A dazzling array of five-colored light burst forth, instantly sweeping through every corner of the room. The illusion created by Miaoyu vanished like pure white snow under the light, and the barrier trapping Baoyu, after a brief resistance, quietly shattered piece by piece.
Chapter Sixty-Five: An Unexpected Kiss This unexpected turn of events was completely beyond Miaoyu's expectations. The beautiful woman felt an irresistible force instantly envelop her, but fortunately, the powerful force meant her no harm, preventing the immobilized Miaoyu from being injured.
Helpless, Baoyu crashed into the invisible "wall," unexpectedly and unimpeded, he couldn't stop his momentum and lunged straight at the beauty bound by the divine stone's power.
"Ah!" Miaoyu only had time to utter a half-scream before the unprepared Baoyu was already in front of her. His rapid momentum was unstoppable, and Miaoyu felt Baoyu's handsome face rapidly enlarging. The immobilized beauty's beautiful eyes widened, her heart pounding, her nerves taut.
"Bang!" With a soft sound, Baoyu's full-force charge knocked Miaoyu to the ground, causing her to stumble and fall forward.
Miaoyu, who had cultivated Taoism since childhood and possessed extraordinary abilities, had never imagined such a day would come! The moment her delicate body touched the ground, Baoyu's tall figure pressed down on her. Even more "dangerous" was that Baoyu's flailing hands, by sheer coincidence, landed squarely on her firm, jade-like breasts. A
passionate encounter ensued, Baoyu and the beauty pressed together, his palms firmly against her two breathtaking mounds of flesh.
The force, though not heavy, felt as if Miaoyu had been struck by a massive hammer. Her forbidden zone, untouched for over twenty years, was suddenly attacked. Her rosy lips parted, but before she could utter a cry of surprise, another forbidden area had fallen.
Baoyu's body landed on top of her, but his head remained lowered by inertia. It was this perfect moment of momentum that caused their lips to intimately intertwine.
The unique, delicate fragrance of a peerless beauty, carried by Miaoyu's tense breaths, entered Baoyu's heart. Though Miaoyu's appearance was as pure and ethereal as a fairy, this intoxicating scent was bewitching and captivating, instantly transforming the dignified and pure Miaoyu into a charming and alluring woman in Baoyu's eyes!
The two were pressed together without any distance, speechless and stunned! Miaoyu's heart was completely blank, utterly shocked by this sudden and enormous change. She even forgot to push Baoyu away as he was "kissing" her. She could only repeatedly mutter to herself, "He's touching me! He's kissing me! He's taking liberties with me! Heavens! How could this be?!" After the initial shock, the "happy" fellow quickly realized that if he let such a heaven-sent opportunity slip by, he wouldn't be the "fake" Baoyu! Baoyu roared inwardly, "To hell with this so-called 'gentleman'!"
A nimble red tongue, drawn by a delicate fragrance, slipped into the beauty's mouth, gently sweeping across her rosy lips, prying open her slightly closed teeth, and invading every inch of her small mouth. Finally, it successfully captured her smooth, fragrant tongue, clinging to her, inseparable!
The celestial beauty, stunned, accepted Bao Yu's invasion. Entangled in a throes of passionate love, Miao Yu's tightly closed heart quietly opened. The beauty, who had been diligently seeking enlightenment, finally felt a touch of the loveliness of the mortal world. A
captivating tingling sensation flowed through her heart. In that instant, she forgot about immortality, forgot about paradise, her entire being immersed in Bao Yu's tender affection. The entire world before her was enveloped in endless threads of love.
"Ah!" Miao Yu exclaimed, regaining her senses from her daze, only to find Bao Yu's insatiable hand suddenly attacking her secret valley from above.
Just as his fiery fingers were about to unleash their full power, Miaoyu's flustered and shy body trembled, a tremendous force surging through her. The defenseless man was instantly thrown high into the air and crashed to the ground.
With a loud bang, amidst the flying dust, Baoyu forced himself to his feet, blaming himself for being too hasty and ruining this hard-won opportunity—a chance that might only come once in a lifetime! He had actually…sigh!
"Fairy Sister," Baoyu rose and approached Miaoyu, his mind racing, searching for a way to resolve the situation.
"Don't come any closer!" The Fairy Sister, still not having regained her composure, mistakenly thought Baoyu was about to continue his embarrassing act. Seeing him about to speak again, Miaoyu quickly interrupted, "You're not allowed to speak or move!" That was it! Baoyu sighed inwardly, obediently standing still, quietly waiting for Miaoyu to regain her composure.
A celestial beauty, ethereal and enigmatic, appeared before Baoyu once more. Her calm, heavenly voice echoed in the small space. "Second Master Bao," she said, "I am a cultivator. Consider everything that just happened as a fleeting dream of worldly life!" Her voice trailed off, and Miaoyu ceased her teasing of the foolish boy. "I will now capture Zhou Bapi's soul for you." Alas! Faced with the beauty's cold words, Baoyu's heart sank once more. Dejected, he suppressed his overflowing emotions, deciding to finish his business first. As for the beauty? He wouldn't let her go easily! Heh heh… especially a peerless beauty as pure and dignified as Miaoyu. The thrill of the encounter would be…!
"Second Master Bao, pay attention!" Miaoyu's slightly awkward address interrupted the wicked boy's lewd thoughts. He glanced at the beauty, his face slightly flushed and his eyes glazed, then obediently stood behind Miaoyu.
The rosy glow reappeared, devoid of the previous eerie, chilling terror. The three-foot-long sword that had claimed Zhou Bapi's life gleamed coldly, and the exquisite flying sword reappeared out of thin air, hovering in mid-air.
The flying sword began to tremble as Miaoyu uttered incantations. A divine spell, conjured by magical power, flew from Miaoyu's hand, striking the blade with a
mysterious trajectory. The flying sword instantly shone brightly, emitting a low, melodious hum as if it possessed a spirit. Boundless curiosity made Baoyu forget his disappointment; his wide eyes shone with intense anticipation, and he nervously awaited the arrival of that miraculous moment. For the "fake" Baoyu from the future, a "ghost" was undoubtedly both terrifying and exciting!
A wisp of black mist burst forth from the sword, and the soul, freed from its restraints, hurriedly tried to escape the room, but it couldn't break free of the magical barrier Miaoyu had already set up. The black mist could only churn and swirl within the barrier.
Baoyu watched in a cold sweat, perhaps his own embarrassing escape earlier wasn't much different from this pitiful fellow's?
Miaoyu quietly watched the black mist's futile struggle. After a moment, the beauty softly scolded, "Still not remorseful!" With a chilling whisper, the celestial beauty withdrew her magic, the barrier rapidly shrinking, pressing down on the black mist from all directions.
Chapter Sixty-Six: Enemy's First Appearance "Great Immortal, spare me! Great Immortal, spare me!" With nowhere to escape, the black mist quickly coalesced, and Zhou Bapi's form immediately reappeared before Baoyu. If it weren't for his semi-transparent body, Baoyu would have had a hard time distinguishing him from a living person! "
Unrepentant to the death, you cannot be spared!" Miaoyu ignored Zhou Bapi's pleas for mercy, the barrier continuing to shrink with overwhelming force, as if it wouldn't stop until Zhou Bapi's soul was annihilated!
"I know I was wrong, please spare my life, Great Immortal!" Zhou Bapi pleaded on all fours, seeing the beauty's angry expression. Panicked and desperate, he clung to whatever was offered. "Second Master Bao, please save me! Second Master, you are a magnanimous and compassionate man, a living Buddha..." Seeing the man's increasingly absurd words, Baoyu impatiently waved his hand to stop Zhou Bapi's fawning. "Alright! If you tell the truth, I'll beg the Immortal to spare you this time!" His tone shifted, becoming cold and stern. "If you continue to be so stubborn, then you can expect your soul to be scattered!" "Thank you for saving my life, Second Master!" Zhou Bapi hurriedly kowtowed, seizing the opportunity, afraid that Baoyu might change his mind.
Baoyu saw that Zhou Bapi's head only touched the ground slightly without making a sound, and couldn't help but find it amusing. This guy was begging for his life; had he forgotten that he was already dead? "Ha, ha..." Baoyu said, getting straight to the point. "Zhou Bapi, answer honestly, who is backing you to oppose the Jia family?!" He wanted to get a confession from Zhou Bapi before his soul recovered from the shock of his death.
"This..." Perhaps Zhou Bapi was too wary of this topic in life, for even in death he hesitated and remained silent.
Seeing Zhou Bapi's eyes darting around, Miaoyu immediately lent a helping hand to Baoyu, "Zhou Bapi, if you just tell me, I will not only spare your soul, but I will also recite the 'Rebirth and Soul-Crossing Mantra' for you. I believe you saw the eighteen levels of hell when you were in the underworld, and given your actions in life, you probably won't be able to atone for your sins even if you stay there for a thousand years!" Upon hearing this, Zhou Bapi's ghostly face turned deathly pale, and his ghostly figure trembled. The terrifying scenes of hell made this villain finally realize how "kind" and "weak" he was! As if grasping at a straw, Zhou Bapi kowtowed repeatedly to Miaoyu, swearing, "I will tell you everything I know, and if I have told a lie, may my soul be scattered and never be reincarnated!" After swearing, Zhou Bapi turned to Baoyu again, "Second Master Bao, the ones who ordered me to oppose you are none other than Zhao Quan, a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and Sun Shaozu, a general of the Cavalry. They have long coveted the power and wealth of the four great families, so they want to take this opportunity to both strike at the Jia family and create many troubles, so they will have an excuse to complain to the Emperor and bring down the four great families!" So that's how it is! Baoyu suddenly understood. Zhao Quan held a high position and wielded great power, while Sun Shaozu held military power and was known as the "Wolf of Zhongshan." No wonder Zhou Bapi obediently followed their orders!
"Reporting to Second Master!" Zhou Bapi, seeing Baoyu lost in thought and silent, assumed he was dissatisfied with the news and said anxiously, "I have another matter to report. According to my informant, Zhao Quan is secretly investigating the four great families. He has already obtained evidence of Xue Da Guanren's murder and has also discovered that Feng Er Nai Nai of the Rongguo Mansion is engaging in usury. Zhao Quan has sent people to pretend to lend money, just to get a loan agreement!" "What?!" Baoyu was immediately startled, never expecting that this matter would involve Sister Feng!
He then thought, no wonder the Jia family would suffer a great calamity a few years later, it seems that it was Zhao Quan and Sun Shaozu who were behind it! Can predetermined fate be changed? "False..." A sense of bewilderment and confusion arose in Baoyu's heart. Thinking of the tragic fate of the Jia family's beauties in the future, he couldn't help but feel a pang of pain in his heart!
"No, I, the 'fake' Baoyu, must change all of this!" Baoyu roared in his heart, his unwavering belief making him swell with energy. His previously somewhat listless demeanor instantly transformed into soaring heroism, his extraordinary and heroic aura causing Miaoyu beside him to secretly marvel, a glint of wonder flashing in her beautiful eyes!
"Then who gave you the spell you wear?" Seeing that Baoyu remained silent, Miaoyu immediately asked the question that concerned her most. The mundane world held no interest for this Taoist beauty; only spells and talismans related to magic could capture her attention!
"A magic talisman?" Zhou Bapi looked at Miaoyu with a puzzled expression. "Fairy, I have a peace talisman on me, no magic spell!" "Fool!" Baoyu said angrily, seeing Zhou Bapi's continued ignorance, "The peace talisman you speak of is the magic spell, otherwise how could it have turned you into a demon, bloodthirsty and ferocious?!" "I've become a demon?!" Zhou Bapi had lost his normal mind after the transformation, his mind filled only with crimson flames and frenzied killing. He had only a vague impression of everything after becoming a demon.
Miaoyu interrupted Zhou Bapi's deep thoughts, "Don't think about it anymore, I'll show you what you've done right now!" Before she finished speaking, as Miaoyu uttered her words, a faint glow condensed in the void. A moment later, the "Mirror Image Technique" of the Elementary Mystic Light Art appeared before Baoyu and Zhou Bapi, and the scene of Zhou Bapi's madness and demonic transformation was once again clearly reflected in Baoyu's eyes.
Although Zhou Bapi was cruel by nature, he was still just a "villain." Now, seeing himself transformed into a demon, licking blood, even his living soul couldn't help but cry out in shock. In his daze, he kept muttering to himself, "They were all lying to me! They were all lying to me! They were all..." "Please, Immortal, do me justice!" Zhou Bapi knelt excitedly before Miaoyu. "The one who cast the spell on me was a powerful immortal in Sun Shaozu's mansion... no, a demonic Taoist! They said this spell would guarantee me victory in every battle, that's why I agreed to work for them!" A strange light flashed in Miaoyu's eyes as she calmly looked at Zhou Bapi. "What is that old Taoist's Taoist name?
What else do you know?" Zhou Bapi spilled everything he knew, ending with a hint of speculation:
"I've only seen this 'Lord Xiongshan' once, but I noticed by chance that his official boots looked like those worn by people in the palace. However, he had a beard and wasn't a eunuch, so I curiously remembered it!" "Oh!" Baoyu was secretly startled upon hearing this, his surprised gaze meeting the beauty's. He then turned to stare at Zhou Bapi, "Did you really see him clearly?!" "Although I am naturally rough, my eyes are very sharp. I was definitely not mistaken that day!" Zhou Bapi met Baoyu's gaze with a frank expression, his words certain.
Chapter Sixty-Seven: The True Colors of a Rogue This is getting interesting! Baoyu was inwardly amazed. He hadn't expected that besides Zhao Quan of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Sun Shaozu, who held military power, an old Taoist priest known for his sorcery, "Lord Xiongshan," would also be involved! Moreover, the identity of this Taoist priest was even more worrying. If people from the palace were also involved in this mess, it would be even more complicated!
Miaoyu's mind raced, a thousand thoughts flashing through her mind, yet she still couldn't recall who this "Lord Xiongshan" really was! A thought struck her; she realized she needed to investigate Sun Shaozu's residence. If he truly was a demon harming innocent people, she would surely eliminate him!
"Go! I hope that in your next life you will perform many good deeds to atone for your sins in this life!" The celestial beauty lightly raised her jade hand, powerful magic surging and flowing within the confined space. Her mantra transformed into a warm glow, enveloping Zhou Bapi's soul!
Bathed in the glow, Zhou Bapi's sins were cleansed; his inherent goodness, washed away from worldly filth, made him kneel in repentance, bowing deeply to Baoyu and Miaoyu. Then, amidst the endless glow, he transformed into wisps of smoke and disappeared into the earth, returning to the underworld.
"Young Master Bao, please have some tea!" Miaoyu and Baoyu sat silently facing each other in the hall for a long time. A hint of panic flashed through the beautiful woman's heart; she only hoped that Baoyu would leave soon. However, the rogue stubbornly refused to leave, ignoring all her hints. Helpless, Miaoyu had no choice but to ask
him to leave. Baoyu was slightly taken aback, glancing at the empty teacup on the table. He then realized that this was a polite way of asking a guest to leave. The beautiful woman's voice, tinged with anger, echoed in his ears. The man who was being driven away felt not annoyance
but delight. If Miaoyu remained calm and unmoved, no matter what he did, he would only remain outside her heart. Now that she was angry, it proved that she wasn't completely indifferent to him! Even hatred was better than numbness! Baoyu chuckled inwardly. Let her hate him! As long as it's not dislike, love and hate are only a fine line apart. As long as you persevere, one day you'll make the beauty turn from hate to love and devote herself to you!
"Fairy sister, have a sip too, this tea smells so good!" The shameless guy took his flirting skills to the extreme. Not only did he change from "fairy sister" to "fairy sister," but he also pretended not to understand the beauty's subtle invitation to leave. He naturally picked up the exquisite little teapot and poured himself half a cup. In the end, he even took the initiative and poured tea into Miaoyu's jade cup. Finally, he looked leisurely and intoxicated by the aroma of the tea!
The celestial beauty didn't expect the other party to be so shameless. Seeing Baoyu's calm and composed appearance, the anger in her heart was instantly extinguished by endless laughter. A smile quietly appeared on the beauty's lips. The calm "Dao Heart" she had cultivated for twenty years was finally defeated by Baoyu's powerful "offensive"!
Seeing the beauty turn from anger to joy, Baoyu was overjoyed. He opened his lips and was about to launch into a torrent of witty and exquisite words.
Seeing the situation turning sour, Miaoyu, regaining her composure, preemptively interrupted Baoyu's long-winded rant about "the Yellow River overflowing and the Yangtze River rushing forward," saying, "Baoyu, it's getting late, I need to rest too. You should go back first!" Faced with the beauty's directness, Baoyu was speechless and at a loss for words. Even with his thick skin, he dared not say, "You go to sleep, I'll stay here alone." If he did, it wouldn't just be Miaoyu directly kicking him out, but a terrifying sword piercing his heart!
Miaoyu escorted the dawdling Baoyu out the door like a prisoner being led to the execution ground. The instant he crossed the threshold of the Longcui Nunnery, the rogue Baoyu vanished, replaced by a graceful and extraordinary figure, his handsome face exuding a noble and imposing air. His heroic spirit made Miaoyu, whose heart was still tainted by worldly desires, tremble slightly, and a barely perceptible glint of brilliance flashed in her eyes!
Just as the beauty was shocked by the drastic change in Baoyu's aura, the extraordinary fellow suddenly turned around and smiled, his expression calm and gentle. Unfortunately, he was immediately exposed as a fraud as soon as he opened his mouth. "Heh, heh... Fairy sister, I'll come to see you again tomorrow. You must remember to be prepared. I love your homemade 'Morning Dew Tea' the most!" Before he finished speaking, Baoyu had already strode away. His figure was swift and imposing, making it hard to associate him with the shameless rogue from before!
Miaoyu had been cultivating in the deep mountains since childhood and had never seen such a rogue. Even with her extraordinary abilities, she was helpless except to stand there dumbfounded and amused. As she watched Baoyu's figure disappear into the forest path, the beauty sighed softly, "Rogue!" Her graceful figure, returning to the nunnery, subconsciously headed towards the cellar where the "Morning Dew" was stored!
"Sigh!" The beautiful Fengjie listlessly tossed the account book in her hand onto the table, her supple body slumping against the cushions. Her mind, already troubled, flashed back to the face of her "hateful" enemy; she had called out Baoyu's name countless times in her heart today.
"Madam, have some ginseng tea!" The gentle, shrewd, and reserved Ping'er promptly offered a teacup to her mistress. "Why have you been so irritable these past few days? Is there something troubling you that you can tell me?" Fengjie's heart skipped a beat; she knew the clever Ping'er had already noticed something amiss. Fortunately, Ping'er was her close friend! The beautiful woman's heartstrings relaxed, and she forced a calm expression, saying, "Sister, you're so considerate, much better than our scoundrel husband…!" Her words trailed off as Fengjie inadvertently mentioned Jia Lian's name. The two stunningly beautiful young women in the room instantly felt a surge of emotion, an endless melancholy and sorrow enveloping the small space. The two women, speechless, gave a helpless bitter smile. After a long while, they finally mustered their strength to shake off the gloom in their hearts and immerse themselves in the mountain of account books. Meanwhile,
Baoyu, his heart burning with excitement, headed towards Fengjie's residence. He had inadvertently learned from Zhou Bapi about Fengjie's loan sharking activities, which filled him with a mixture of panic and a hidden joy—he finally had an excuse to see his beloved! Baoyu had devised a clever plan to spend some time with the beautiful woman. Perhaps the seed of his true feelings would sprout, grow leaves, and eventually blossom and bear fruit. Hehe… “Ouch!” A deliberately coquettish cry interrupted Baoyu’s reverie. The annoyed fellow turned his head to look, clearly displeased with the affected voice.
“Second Master, you’ve become even more handsome than before!” A voluptuous woman with a seductive air walked up from the forest path, deliberately swaying her heaving curves exaggeratedly as she approached Baoyu.
Chapter Sixty-Eight: A Good Strategy for Seducing a Beauty The Jia family had many women, and many beauties. Baoyu saw a woman before him who looked very familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen her before. "You…" "Second Master, this humble woman is the wife of Bao Er, a servant in Second Master's household!" The flirtatious woman introduced herself with a coquettish tone, moving closer to Baoyu as she spoke, almost nestling her body in his arms, her ample breasts lightly rubbing against his arm. "Second Master Bao, this humble woman has a rare item in her room, would you like to take a look?" Although Bao Er's wife was asking for Baoyu's opinion, her hand had already grabbed Baoyu's arm and pulled him towards the dense forest.
As a seasoned womanizer, how could Baoyu not understand? If he were still Shi Yu from the 21st century, if he didn't have the image of Feng Jie in his heart, he might have had a fling with this harlot. But at this moment, a stunning beauty was waiting for him not far ahead. How could Baoyu have the mind to deal with such a woman?!
Not wanting the woman to harbor resentment, Baoyu deliberately feigned a lecherous act, grabbing hard at Bao Er's wife's breasts with his large hand, his fingers forcefully pulling up the two protruding points, causing the lustful woman to moan softly amidst a mixture of pain and pleasure.
Baoyu then said with a look of disappointment, "Alas! What a pity, I have urgent business to attend to!" Before he finished speaking, he again "eagerly" groped between the woman's legs, turned around, and strode away without hesitation, leaving the woman hanging in mid-air, stunned and bewildered, filled with both love and hate!
"Second Master is here!" The maidservant at the gate bowed respectfully upon seeing Baoyu approach.
The servant's announcement made Fengjie's delicate body tremble; the account book in her hand almost fell to the ground. The beautiful woman's heart was in turmoil, filled with both joy and worry. Why had this nemesis come looking for her now? She had been hiding from him for a month; had he not given up yet?
Fengjie's subtle change did not escape Ping'er's beautiful eyes. A flash of understanding crossed Ping'er's eyes, and a meaningful smile appeared on her delicate lips.
"Sister Feng, Sister Ping'er, I greet you!" Baoyu did not do anything out of line, politely greeting the two women. Although his gaze was intense, it was a normal male appreciation, without any lust.
Seeing this, Ping'er's heart wavered slightly, filled with doubt, and she began to doubt her previous judgment.
Seeing Baoyu's politeness, Fengjie felt no joy, but rather a bitter disappointment and secret resentment. "Brother Bao, what is it?" Baoyu, seeing the beauty's cold tone, felt a surge of joy rather than sorrow, secretly thinking to himself that his strategy had succeeded. As the saying goes: when the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy retreats, we advance! He had been relentlessly pursuing her, but she kept avoiding him; now, if he feigned retreat, would he entice her to turn back and chase after him?
Thinking of this, Baoyu was filled with smug satisfaction. Moreover, to realize his plan, how could he not make Fengjie lower her guard out of modesty?!
Baoyu calmly gazed at the two women, "I don't come here without a reason, sisters, rest assured, I wouldn't dare disturb you without a reason!" These pointed words reached Fengjie's ears, and the beautiful woman's heart ached. A wave of bitterness and melancholy instantly filled her heart. Had her long-term avoidance finally extinguished the threads of his affection? The beautiful woman felt a sharp pain in her heart, and a surge of emotion almost welled up in her eyes. She quickly turned her head away, thus avoiding the crisis of being "embarrassed"!
Fengjie sighed inwardly, "Baoyu, you only know that I avoid you and run away from you, that I have betrayed your affections, but how can you know the bitterness in my heart, the tears in my eyes?!" Ping'er, seeing that Fengjie was only looking away and did not respond to Baoyu's words, had no choice but to answer on her behalf, "Second Master, what matter is related to our mistress?" "It is not only related to the two sisters," Baoyu's tone changed, and he said solemnly, "it should be related to the survival of our Jia family!" His serious and surprising words immediately shocked the two women. Fengjie no longer cared about arguing with Baoyu, "What?! Don't talk nonsense!" Baoyu's calm and leisurely smile continued to "ruthlessly" hurt Fengjie. He pretended to be indifferent and told the two women about Zhao Quan's investigation into the Jia family's usury.
"Ah!" Fengjie and Ping'er, being women, were immediately at a loss upon hearing this. Ping'er muttered to herself, "What should we do? When we asked Zhou Rui to lend the money, he didn't say anything serious! So many people are in this line of work, and nothing bad has happened to them!" Ping'er's beautiful eyes, filled with doubt, stared intently at Baoyu. She didn't doubt Baoyu's words, but simply wanted to gain some confidence from him.
"Sigh!" Baoyu sighed softly, looked at the two women seriously again, and said in a low voice,
"For a noble family like our Jia family, let alone lending money at high interest rates, even killing a few people wouldn't be a problem! But that's in normal times. If we're targeted by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, even if you step on an ant, they can say that you stepped on an ant that concerns the safety of the world! Besides, this time we really have something on our hands that Zhao Quan has, and the Jia family is in danger!" Fengjie's rosy face turned pale upon hearing this, deeply regretting her rash decision.
"Grandma, should we burn all those IOUs?" Ping'er saw that Fengjie was acting strangely and was not as shrewd as usual, so she had to come up with a conservative idea for her.
"This..." Fengjie felt a pang of heartache thinking about the large sum of gold and silver she had lent out. However, she was no ordinary person and knew the importance of things. She gritted her teeth and said, "Let it burn! But we need to recalculate the household expenses!" "This is a good idea," Baoyu said calmly, whetting the appetites of the two women. He took a sip of tea with a relaxed expression. "However, this only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. Without the IOU, Zhao Quan can still find a lot of witnesses, which will still be extremely dangerous for us!" "This won't work either! What should we do then?!" Fengjie was first disturbed by Baoyu, and then shocked by his news. The beautiful woman, who was in a state of panic, showed no sign of being fierce. Instead, she revealed her unknown charm, which almost made the guy who was pretending to be indifferent reveal his true colors and fail.
"Sister Feng, there's no need to worry," Baoyu said, secretly pleased with his successful strategy. He pressed his advantage, "I have a way to not only avoid Zhao Quan's harassment and framing, but also to recover the loaned money." Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Beautiful Woman's Heartbreak. "Second Master, do you mean we should only recover the principal from the borrowers?" Ping'er, seeing her master's unusual behavior, no longer bothered to conceal her intelligence at this crucial moment. "But these borrowers are all in dire need of money, so I'm afraid they..." "They can't repay in time, and with so many borrowers, it's inevitable that one or two will be bribed by Zhao Quan. Second Master, your plan doesn't seem to work." Baoyu couldn't help but look at Ping'er with newfound respect. He hadn't expected this seemingly delicate and gentle woman to be so intelligent. "What you say is all true, but I have my own way to satisfy them. It's just that the repayment period will be a bit longer!" "Second Master, tell me!" Ping'er looked at Baoyu with a skeptical gaze. The beautiful woman, who had little interaction with him, didn't really believe that Baoyu would have any good ideas.
"We just need to..." Baoyu confidently waved his hand, explaining the Future Bank's "installment payment" method in a completely different guise to the two women. He added, "For the few who refuse to change their IOUs, it proves they've been bribed. As long as most people are willing to testify for us, we can simply ignore those guys! Not only that, we can even countersue them for slander!" As he said this, he secretly pondered that the best way to deal with bribed "witnesses" was to bribe them back. If that didn't work, he could use the "killing the chicken to scare the monkey" tactic—killing one or two to see who dared to speak recklessly! To deal with bad people, you have to be even worse than them; a woman's compassion will surely lead to your demise!
Otherwise, under Zhao Quan's coercion and enticement, it's hard to guarantee that everyone won't be forced to his side.
Such a "despicable" thought would never be uttered to the beauty by the "fake" Baoyu. Not only would it frighten her, but it might also leave a bad impression. The "shameless" fellow chuckled to himself. Bad guys are better left in front of men! In front of beautiful women, the "fake" Baoyu is always the most adorable good guy!
"Great idea!" Ping'er couldn't contain her joy, her face beaming with a smile as she cheered. A glint of surprise flashed in her beautiful, watery eyes; she couldn't believe that the person before her was the Jia Baoyu of her memories!
Fengjie was already used to this, but seeing Ping'er gazing at her "nemesis" with such admiration, a pang of jealousy rose in her already troubled heart. She feared that the admiration in Ping'er's eyes would turn into infatuation, making things even more complicated!
"Brother Bao, do you have any specific ideas?" Fengjie forced herself to maintain her composure, finally interrupting Baoyu and Ping'er's conversation.
The man who had succeeded in his "trick" was secretly pleased, but his heart was also tense. Things had reached a crucial point; success or failure hinged on this. "I've thought it through," he said. "Sister Feng, you must come with me to personally visit those lenders. This will not only express our sincerity, but also show that Zhou Rui was lending money privately in the name of the Jia family. Now that we know, to protect the Jia family's reputation, we must naturally cancel these usurious loans!" He paused slightly, and Baoyu's heart tightened uncontrollably. "Sister Feng, what do you think of my plan?" He looked at the beautiful woman's voluptuous figure... A tremor ran through her, and a conflicted expression flashed across her exquisite face. He immediately added another heavy blow, "The survival of the Jia family depends on the success or failure of our trip!" Upon hearing Baoyu's earlier words, Fengjie felt a sudden sense of foreboding. Just as she was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, the words "the safety of the Jia family" weighed heavily on her, causing her heart to tremble violently. After a moment of contemplation, the beauty made a final stand, "Then let's take more people with us!" Baoyu had already prepared for this; he couldn't bear the thought of a group of accompaniments following them—how would he have a chance to be alone with his beloved then?!
"No!" Baoyu firmly rejected Fengjie's suggestion, his reasonable words leaving the beauty speechless. "If we go with others, they'll think we're abusing our power. They won't be convinced, and it might cause trouble! Besides, the Jia family isn't one to bully the weak, right, Fengjie?" "This..." Fengjie avoided Baoyu's calm gaze with a hint of panic, a deep bitterness welling up inside her. Did he really no longer have feelings for her?! If that were the case, shouldn't she be smiling happily? Why did she feel so sad and want to cry?!
"Grandma, Baoyu is right. Let me go with you, so we can look after each other; I'm just a woman, those people shouldn't mind!" Ping'er turned to look at Baoyu as she said the last part. Unconsciously, this usually unassuming Second Master Bao had become the one who made the decisions in the two women's hearts!
"Of course, Sister Ping'er can come along." Seeing that he had already "hurt" the beauty enough, Baoyu couldn't bear to continue pressuring her and had no choice but to agree to Ping'er's suggestion. Although it would mean having an extra "third wheel," if that "third wheel" was also a great beauty, then it would be a different story!
Having achieved his goal, Baoyu didn't linger any longer and leisurely rose to bid farewell to the two women. "Sisters, I'll be going now. Prepare to leave the mansion; I'll inform you as soon as things are arranged." "Goodbye, Second Master!" Ping'er, seeing her master still standing there speechless, had no choice but to overstep her bounds once more.
"Fake," Baoyu bowed and turned to leave without hesitation.
Seeing his "heartless" attitude, Fengjie was overcome with grief, her eyes shimmering even more brightly. Just as tears were about to spill from her eyes, Baoyu, who had reached the door, suddenly stopped. The beauty, seeing this, was overjoyed, no longer caring about worldly matters, only wanting to see his affectionate gaze one last time!
The beauty's burning gaze met Bao Yu's calm eyes, that indifference striking her heart like a heavy hammer! As endless sorrow erupted, the shackles of worldly conventions were also quietly cracked!
"Sister Ping'er, did Zhou Rui go to Hangzhou with Brother Lian? Remember to send a message, tell him to stay in Hangzhou a little longer, lest he be caught by Zhao Quan upon his return!" Before the words were finished, Bao Yu turned and left, his tall and elegant figure quickly disappearing from the two women's sight.
"Yay! Done!" In Bao Yu's mind, the "illusory Bao Yu" with two horns on his head jumped up excitedly, shouting repeatedly, "Feng Meiren—my first true love, I must change your fate!" Chapter Seventy Sharing a Bed The dawn's light came from the horizon, dispelling the mist that shrouded Yi Hong Courtyard.
On the magnificent bed, three naked figures slept, embracing each other. Amidst the unchanging crowing of roosters, Baoyu awoke leisurely, his bright eyes glancing left and right at Xiren and Sheyue, who were nestled tightly in his arms.
Perhaps it was the sudden eruption of his suppressed passion upon seeing Fengjie, or perhaps it was the increased power of his "movement gate" that amplified his desire. Last night, under his powerful onslaught, the gentle Xiren was no match; the beauty, in the endless thrusting, was utterly defeated, her "water" flowing like a river! His unsatisfied desires, relying on his lightness and strength, led him to secretly sneak into Sheyue's room and "steal" the sleeping girl back inside.
When the girl was "pierced" awake by the hot, foreign object, the first sensation was an electric-like tingling that emanated from her soft, moist valley. The intoxicating friction, amplified by her newly awakened sensitivity, intensified the pleasure. Before the "drug-raped" Sheyue could even utter a coquettish complaint, she was already plunged into the abyss of overwhelming desire.
The naturally shy Xiren had repeatedly refused Baoyu's lewd temptations of sleeping together, but she never expected him to use such a "shameless" but very effective method tonight. With her body soft, languid and charming, Xiren didn't even want to move. Naturally, she had no intention of stopping her lover's absurdity. She could only close her eyes and pretend to be asleep to avoid the shameful scene of sharing a bed with her good sister!
With Baoyu's efforts, he naturally brought the two women to one passionate climax after another. Xiren and Sheyue collapsed like water amidst cries of pleasure. The lecherous man chuckled to himself, finally fulfilling a man's dream. The pleasure of having two women in bed together was truly...!
"Don't move, let me hold you a little longer, I'm not fully awake yet!" Sheyue was startled awake by Baoyu's movement. Exhausted, the girl murmured a few words in a daze before falling asleep again in Baoyu's arms.
Baoyu, wide awake and unable to sleep, smiled bitterly to himself. He could only obediently lie back down in her arms. The two sleepy women immediately wrapped their limbs around him, like two beautiful octopuses, binding him tightly. The amorous man sighed inwardly; it seemed he was not only entangled by them, but his heart was also firmly bound by their beauty and intelligence!
As dawn broke, Baoyu, though thoroughly enjoying the alluring "pressure," still remembered Xiren's repeated admonitions. Keeping the "instructions" of beautiful women firmly in mind was one of the essential skills of a "lecher."
"My darling, Xiren, my little darling," Baoyu whispered softly in the beauty's ear. Seeing the lingering passion of the previous night on her glistening earlobe, his burning desire couldn't resist gently biting her rosy earlobe.
"Mmm!" With an alluring moan, Xiren was finally awakened. Her eyes were met with her lover's burning gaze, causing her heart to flutter. She involuntarily threw herself into Baoyu's arms again.
A moan, like a thunderbolt igniting a fire, ignited a fire within Baoyu. Just as his passion surged and he prepared to mount her, the beauty swayed and nimbly leaped off the bed.
"You big pervert! I haven't settled the score with you for last night! Are you satisfied now?" The beauty rolled her eyes at her lover with a seductive air as she dressed.
"Ah! It's dawn!" Musk Moon was finally awakened by the two women's playful antics. Seeing that it was already bright, she jumped out of bed in a panic, frantically searching for her clothes on the floor.
"Hehe..." Bao Yu watched the two women's arms outstretched, their alluring parts faintly visible. Compared to the frenzied passion of the previous night, it was a different kind of wonderful pleasure. "What's the rush? Qingwen and the others haven't gotten up yet! Want me to lie down with you for a while longer?" "You big pervert!" The two women, who had reached the door, turned around at the same time, their beautiful eyes smiling as they gave Bao Yu a fitting "name"!
"Sigh!" Bao Yu feigned sadness, "You didn't belittle me like this last night. You called me 'Good Second Master' and 'Good Brother'!" How could the two women, whose feelings were just beginning to awaken, be a match for such a shameless fellow! Hearing this, they didn't dare reply, exchanging a shy glance before fleeing out the door, leaving the rogue smugly and reveling in his pleasure on the bed!
Facing the cool breeze, Baoyu stood in the courtyard and took a deep breath. After last night's frenzied demands, he felt no back pain, but rather a sense of complete comfort and refreshment. The smug fellow was utterly impressed by the miraculous art of "yin and yang harmony," and couldn't help but think of Jia Jing at the Xuanzhen Temple.
He hadn't seen him for a while; shouldn't he pay him another visit? If he could get some more good stuff from him, that would be even better! Moreover, the Xuanzhen Temple was quiet and secluded, far from the hustle and bustle—a perfect place for romance! He and Jin Chuan had also been lacking opportunities to be alone; why not take this chance and bring her along to visit the master?
Naturally, this guy, who was never interested in gods or Buddhas, had no respect for Taoist temples or Buddhist monasteries. With a thought in mind, he strode forward, intending to find Jin Chuan'er and go to Xuanzhen Temple together to talk about love and ease his longing.
"Baoyu, are you going out so early in the morning?" Seeing Baoyu's hurried figure, Xiren said with concern, "Remember, don't drink too much alcohol, it's bad for your health!" "Good sister, you're so good to me!" Baoyu was moved and almost couldn't help but ask Xiren to go with him, but then he thought of how he spent every day with her, while he rarely saw Jin Chuan'er, so he had to swallow the words that were on the tip of his tongue with remorse.
Ignoring the figures passing by in the distance, Baoyu tenderly embraced Xiren, his heartfelt words deeply touching the beauty's heart. "You've suffered these past few days, having to greet the Old Madam and Madam for me every day, and dealing with all these troublesome matters in the courtyard. In a few days, after things are finished, I will definitely spend some quality time with you!" "Mmm!" The beauty's rosy eyes shimmered, endless happiness flowing through her heart. Her efforts had finally received a heartfelt response from Baoyu. How could Xiren not be overwhelmed with emotion and unable to contain her feelings?!
Chapter Seventy-One: A Chance Encounter with the Hero Baoyu had just reached the entrance of the Grand View Garden when he bumped into Beiming.
"Second Master, Master Xue has sent an invitation to a gathering at Tianxian Tower. He says he has some friends he wants to introduce you to!" Beiming approached with a smug grin. "Second Master, could you please take me along this time? I've never even dared to dream of going to Tianxian Tower!" Baoyu thought to himself. He had originally planned to visit Xue Pan another day, but since Xue Pan had come to him, he should finish his business first. If Xue Pan's murder case wasn't handled properly, it would surely lead to disaster. He was now a partner with him, and if the Xue family fell, the cigarette business would definitely be in serious trouble. Moreover, for the sake of the beautiful Baochai, he had to help him out, both morally and logically!
"Next time!" Baoyu replied curtly to Beiming. Seeing the disappointment on the face of "Jia Baoyu's" pageboy, the worldly-wise "fake" Baoyu immediately comforted him, "I have something to do this time, it's inconvenient for you to come along. Take this silver ingot for wine!" Before he finished speaking, a silver ingot weighing ten taels had already fallen into Beiming's arms. The servant was overjoyed to receive such a generous reward. He felt that although this second master had become less amiable than before, he was even more worthy of his respect and love. Serving such a generous master was something they servants could only dream of!
"Brother, you've finally arrived! I've kept you waiting!" Xue Pan laughed as he greeted him at the gate of Tianxian Tower. After the "cigarette" publicity incident, he admired this cousin of his aunt to the point of prostration. At this moment, if anyone in the capital had not heard of the word "cigarette," they were probably deaf! Coming from a family of officials and merchants, he naturally understood what this meant: piles of silver and glittering gold would flow into their pockets like water! How could Xue Pan, who only knew brute force, not often wake up laughing from his dreams?!
"Brother Jia, I've been waiting for you for a long time!" As soon as Baoyu stepped into the luxurious pavilion, Feng Ziying immediately greeted him warmly, whispering in his ear, "Your subordinate, Brother Shi, is truly a talent. I wonder where he found such a master; those ruffians have spread rumors that he's a god descended to earth, vanquishing demons and monsters. Isn't that laughable?!" He had actually become "Jia Baoyu's" subordinate?! Baoyu smiled bitterly to himself upon hearing this. Hearing the latter part of Feng Ziying's words, he was startled, inwardly blaming himself for being too flamboyant and letting Miaoyu appear so formidable! He knew that fame was not a good thing; when enemies had high expectations of you, the ensuing conspiracies and deadly attacks would be earth-shattering and incredibly powerful!
"Brother Feng, you jest. Shi Yu merely found a martial arts master. Those street thugs have never seen a real martial arts master before, so naturally they spread rumors and think it's a deity descended to earth!" Bao Yu smoothly changed the subject. "Heh, heh... I've never seen a ghost or god in my life! If you know of one, Brother Feng, please introduce me to one so I can broaden my horizons!" "You two, stop your rambling," Xue Pan interrupted their conversation. "Brother Bao is right, those petty rascals have never seen a real martial arts master!" After a slight pause, Xue Pan said to Bao Yu with a smug look, "I can't find a ghost or god for you today, but I can introduce you to a real martial arts master!" "Oh!" Bao Yu hadn't expected his evasive words to actually bring up a martial arts master. His interest was piqued, and he temporarily forgot about reminding Xue Pan.
"Liu Xianglian greets Master Bao!" Xue Pan's words had barely faded when a clear voice rang out from the elegant pavilion. Bao Yu looked in the direction of the voice and was immediately struck by its beauty, secretly applauding the newcomer.
He saw a man with striking eyebrows and bright eyes, exuding an imposing and dignified air. His handsome appearance revealed a strong and resolute masculinity, and his extraordinary demeanor was no less than that of Bao Yu himself.
Liu Xianglian?! "Fake!" Upon hearing the other person introduce himself, Baoyu immediately felt a sense of familiarity. After a moment, he realized that this was none other than Liu Xianglian, the one who caused You Sanjie's suicide due to a misunderstanding and eventually became a monk! Indeed, he lived up to his name. Although the name sounded somewhat feminine, it suited him perfectly. Looking at him, he was like a pure lotus in a turbid world, elegant, handsome, and extraordinary!
"Brother, why are you daydreaming?" Xue Pan asked with a hint of surprise when he saw Baoyu lost in thought. If he didn't know that Baoyu had no homosexual tendencies, he would definitely have thought that Baoyu was attracted to Liu Xianglian's male beauty!
Reminded by Xue Pan's words, Bao Yu bowed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed, and sincerely praised, "When I first met Brother Liu, I was overwhelmed by his bearing. I was marveling at the fact that such a man could exist among us men, but I was interrupted by you, Brother!" "Brother Jia, you flatter me. How can I compare to you? I am truly ashamed!" Liu Xianglian's eyes also flashed with a hint of mutual appreciation. He wasn't particularly concerned about Bao Yu's handsome face, but rather the mysterious aura emanating from Bao Yu that made him look at him with new respect and feel inferior.
"Alright, you two, stop being so stingy! In the end, it's still my fault for interrupting Brother Bao's thoughts. We're all brothers, so sit down and have a good drink. I'll drink first as a sign of respect!" Xue Pan, in a burst of generosity, pulled the two of them to the table, one in each hand.
Feng Ziying and the group of noble sons burst into laughter. One of them pointed at Xue Pan and jokingly scolded, "You must be craving alcohol! You really know how to find yourself drinking. Don't worry, we won't stop until we get you drunk!" Another immediately added, "Let's make it clear first, no Baoyu is allowed to do it for us. If we're wine pots, then he's a wine barrel!" Baoyu, though teased, wasn't angry and joined in the laughter. "If you want to be a wine pot, then be one. Why do you insist I be a wine barrel? Wouldn't it be more fun to be a wine vat?!" "Ha, ha..." Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere in the elegant pavilion reached a climax!
The grandson of the Duke of Zhenguo stood up, raised his cup to Baoyu in a toast, and said, "I never expected my brother to be so cheerful. We were indeed negligent before. Let's all raise a toast to him." The grandson of the Duke of Qi excitedly chimed in, "That's wonderful! Today we can say that the descendants of the 'Eight Dukes' have gathered here. Brother Jia is a newcomer, so we should naturally toast him. However, the joke my brother just told was quite amusing. Could you tell us another one? If everyone finds it amusing, then we can say that Brother Jia has officially joined us. What do you say?" "Yes!" everyone responded enthusiastically.

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