Chapter 362: The Advantage Is Mine!

"April fourteenth!"

Xiao Qing recited the date Fa Hai had given, then looked at Gu Qing and said, "Where should we choose as the site?"

Fa Hai provides the time, Gu Qing provides the location—let's settle this properly.

"Secret."

Gu Qing said.

Fa Hai could peer through his golden bowl; Gu Qing planned to conceal his movements first, so he could catch Fa Hai off guard.

After returning from Changming Temple, Gu Qing first visited Li Gongfu; his injuries were all superficial, none had reached his internal organs. The wound ointment Gu Qing had given him was already effective, and he'd even applied a painkiller brewed from snake venom—his complexion had greatly improved.

"This matter, you can only blame your own bad luck."

Li Gongfu lay on his bed, bitterly saying, "It's my fault I didn't escape."

Gu Qing smiled and said, "When you're well, I'll teach you a set of swift-footed skills—useful whether chasing criminals or fleeing for your life."

Gu Qing knew many forms of lightness arts; after mastering the Ten Thousand Methods Return to One, he could now design a cultivation path for Li Gongfu just by looking at him, and fabricating a suitable lightness technique for him required almost no effort.

"Master Gu."

Pei Yaoqin, standing nearby, quickly said, "Hanwen is also weak in health—if you know martial arts, let him learn too."

Weak in health?

Gu Qing turned to Xu Xian and saw him quietly bowing his head, his face tinged with shame.

He certainly needs proper care and regulation.

Gu Qing smiled, "Don't worry—I'll teach him a few breathing techniques to restore his health."

Both Xu Xian and Pei Yaoqin showed delight; then Pei Yaoqin added that the sale of chicken-tongue incense had taken off—it had become indispensable to the nobles and ministers of Lin'an, as well as to the women of brothels and entertainment quarters.

Whether attending court or going to work, one must first hold a piece of Pei family's chicken-tongue incense in the mouth—no mistake.

"When business grows, it naturally invites envy."

Gu Qing said, "If you sense anything suspicious, tell me immediately."

Pei Yaoqin knew Gu Qing was a capable man, so she nodded and said, "Recently, many have been trying to reverse-engineer the formula, wanting to partner with us; others, including monks and Daoists, are also studying it."

With growing business, this was inevitable. If Buddhist and Daoist factions got involved, the chicken-tongue incense formula would eventually be reverse-engineered. To protect this exclusive trade, we must develop new varieties of chicken-tongue incense.

"Here's your latest share of profits."

Pei Yaoqin handed the money to Gu Qing.

Gu Qing had initially refused money, wanting only to help Xu Xian and Pei Yaoqin marry; now that their marriage was settled, Pei Yaoqin felt that long-term cooperation required mutual contribution—she insisted on giving Gu Qing the lion's share.

Gu Qing did not refuse, and accepted the silver.

While they were speaking, Yang, the County Magistrate of Qiantang, arrived, saw Li Gongfu's severe injuries, offered words of comfort, and urged him to rest well.

"These people from the Liang Prince's mansion are used to acting lawlessly. To strike you during the peak of public attention in March was truly shocking to court and realm alike."

Yang said, "The court is preparing a thorough investigation and will arrest these men, punishing them severely."

Li Gongfu nodded vigorously—such scoundrels deserved no mercy.

"What if these men have already been killed? What will you do then, Magistrate Yang?"

Xiao Qing said with a smile.

Yang turned to look at Xiao Qing—her delicate beauty far outshone his third concubine—and he stroked his beard, saying, "For such people, I shall offer a generous reward!"

Gu Qing couldn't help laughing. The deaths of Liang Lian and others had already earned Gu Qing a batch of karmic merit; now the living world was about to offer a reward as well… Liang Lian's death contributed more than his entire lifetime.

"Magistrate Yang!"

A hurried voice came from outside. Yang straightened his robes and stepped out, only to hear the man gasp, "They're all dead."

"Who's all dead?"

The man's words were abrupt and unclear; Yang flew into a rage.

"The remnants of the Liang Prince's mansion—all dead."

The man said, "Inside Changming Temple. The monks say they showed off their wealth, and bandits stormed in, killed them all, and stole their money."

Gu Qing had also killed several monks who blocked his path inside Changming Temple. Some monks had seen his face, others hadn't—but Gu Qing wasn't the least afraid of exposure or trouble.

After all, Fa Hai had done the same.

"Bandits? In this peaceful age, where do bandits come from?"

Yang, outside, cursed loudly. The attack on Li Gongfu had already been a delicate matter; now, with bandits suddenly appearing and a major massacre occurring, Yang felt his official hat was in danger.

Gu Qing and Xiao Qing exchanged a glance—they'd just asked for a reward, and now it was gone.

Leaving Li Gongfu's home, Gu Qing, Xiao Qing, and Bai Suzhen walked the streets and unconsciously arrived at a "Foundling Home." Gu Qing greeted the staff and donated all his profit share; as they thanked him, he also gained some good karma.

"You don't keep anything for yourself?"

Xiao Qing asked, watching Gu Qing emerge with empty sleeves.

"Consider it a prayer for my own fortune."

Gu Qing spoke calmly, then stepped between Xiao Qing and Bai Suzhen, adding, "There's still some silver left in the pharmacy—I plan to buy cloth and make you both several new outfits."

Bai Suzhen and Xiao Qing both smiled at this.

"Xiao Qing."

At that moment, Gu Qing took Xiao Qing's hand and said, "I want you to know: beside me, whatever you want, I'll give you—so we won't need to steal anymore."

Gu Qing spoke this to Xiao Qing, but also as a warning to Bai Suzhen.

After all, many troubles began when Bai Suzhen ordered Xiao Qing to steal.

"I haven't stolen in a long time."

Xiao Qing spoke unhappily.

Gu Qing smiled and said casually, "What about all the gold and jewels inside Changming Temple?"

"How should I know?"

Xiao Qing sniffed, "It's a Buddhist temple—we didn't even use our spiritual power to enter. Do you expect me to summon five ghosts to carry it off?"

Gu Qing had first assumed Xiao Qing had stolen the silver from Changming Temple, but she hadn't moved—then he understood why Changming Temple claimed bandits had done it: to cover their tracks.

"These monks really know how to make money."

Gu Qing sighed silently.

At this moment, on the outskirts of Hangzhou.

A Daoist in a yellow Eight Trigrams robe was happily tinkering with chicken-tongue incense in the wild.

"This is what the nobles and officials love—business is still excellent."

The Daoist placed the chicken-tongue incense in his mouth, studying it intently, then said, "This chicken-tongue incense does have some quality. But we're both Daoists of Maoshan—Gu Qing has only just received his first talisman, while I've received mine three times over."

The Daoist spat out the chicken-tongue incense, feeling the advantage was his!

(End of Chapter)