Chapter 353: Emotions Overlap, Illusions Intertwine (Bonus Chapter—Requesting Moon Tickets)

Li Banfeng had once used recordings made by his wife to search for the hook in Xiaoyao Wu, checked every person, inspected every room—he had nearly scoured every corner of Xiaoyao Wu.

When he was investigating people, the cleaner did not carry a broom.

When he inspected each room, the cleaner carried a broom and tried to avoid Li Banfeng.

Who could have guessed the hook would be hung on the broom?

No wonder Ling Miaosheng once said the hook exploits every crack—not just skill, but cunning matters too.

Who could have hung this hook?

Most likely He Jiaqing ordered the Ling family to hang it, but for safety's sake, it's best to verify first.

"Can you trace the origin of the hook?"

"I can." Luo Zhengnan answered without hesitation.

Li Banfeng handed Luo Zhengnan five hundred silver dollars: "Take this and spend it—anytime you need money, come to me."

Luo Zhengnan fell silent for a moment, then looked up and said: "Seventh Master, there's another matter I must inform you of—Ma Wu's son may be in danger."

"Tell me the details."

"He Jiaqing's eldest son—he's the one who doesn't know whether you've met him?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "I've heard of him, but I don't know him."

"He Jiaqing's eldest son's new film was sabotaged by Master Ma Wu. Yesterday, he contacted a woman—he may be planning to strike against Master Ma Wu."

…

Ma Wu sat in his room, holding an invitation, his face beaming.

Huo Ling and A Qin sat beside him, faces grim.

Li Banfeng walked in; Ma Wu rushed forward eagerly: "Old Seven, this is the invitation from Shen Rongqing—she's inviting me to dinner at Heping Building tonight!"

A Qin snorted: "Go ahead—let that little fox treat you well!"

Huo Ling spat: "What little fox? That woman's over thirty—she's in her prime, ravenous as a wolf. Wait till she drains you dry—nothing left!"

Li Banfeng glanced at the invitation: "Old Five, this woman isn't ordinary."

"She's extraordinary—she's the greatest literary talent of our age; even Zhang Xiuling bows to her."

"Yes, a literary genius—not just skilled in writing, but also in business. I thought she only ran leather factories and paper mills, but now I learn she's in film—Ling's film company is probably under her control."

Ma Wu froze for a moment, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

A Qin hurried to advise: "Master Wu, don't go—it's a Hongmen Banquet!"

Huo Ling sneered from the side: "Go! If he wants to go, let him die beneath the peony—dying in pleasure is still pleasure."

Ma Wu nodded slightly: "Ling's right—dying beneath the peony—let's see who dies this time!"

…

At seven that evening, Ma Wu arrived at Heping Building for the banquet. Heping Building was owned by the Lu family, the tallest structure in Lüshui City and indeed all of Pulu Province—thirty-six stories high, equipped with steam-powered elevators, housing restaurants, hotels, shops, cinemas, and dance halls.

Heping Building was built by Lu Dongliang, who once hoped to make it Lüshui City's premier landmark. But by the time Lu Dongliang entered Lotus Temple, Heping Building still ranked slightly below Balemen.

Ma Wu took the elevator to the sixteenth floor and, guided by a servant, entered the private room Shen Rongqing had reserved.

This was Ma Wu's first meeting with Shen Rongqing, the foremost literary talent of Pulu Province.

Was Shen Rongqing beautiful?

It depends on who you compare her to—on her face alone, among ordinary women, she had some charm, but she fell short of the stunning beauties like Jiang Mengting, Xiao Xiufei, and Tu Yinghong.

But once she spoke, it was an entirely different matter.

Ma Wu knew Jiang Mengting and Xiao Xiufei well; at certain events, they had to prepare scripts beforehand, or their speech would ruin others' impressions of them.

Shen Rongqing rose immediately upon seeing Ma Wu, bowed formally, and said: "I've long heard of your name; to meet you today is truly my fortune!"

Elegant yet solemn, brisk yet playfully charming.

Ma Wu quickly replied: "Madam flatters me—I've admired you for years; to finally meet you today fills me with joy."

They bowed to each other, gazing silently for a long while, until Shen Rongqing couldn't help laughing: "I'm currently writing a martial arts tale—do our words sound a bit like martial arts fiction?"

In a single sentence, she dissolved the awkwardness of their first meeting—they seemed like old friends reunited after years apart.

Ma Junyang said: "When will your new work be published? I can't sleep for eagerness."

Shen Rongqing's cheeks flushed slightly: "It's my first martial arts tale—I fear others will laugh at it."

Ma Junyang sighed: "As long as it comes from your pen, I'd read it ten thousand times without tiring."

Shen Rongqing was deeply moved: "Today is rare—we've met. Let me tell you the plot—but promise you won't tell anyone."

In a few sentences, they already shared a secret.

Ma Junyang nodded: "If Madam trusts me, what you say today will never reach a third ear."

They began telling the story. The protagonist was named Nangong Xuan. If anyone else had chosen such a name, Ma Wu would've deemed it trite—but when Shen Rongqing spoke it, it carried a unique grandeur.

"Lord Nangong met the female martial artist Yue Haibai and softly asked: 'Lady, where are you headed?'"

Yue Haibai replied: 'The world is vast, Ma Junyang—stop making films.'"

Ma Wu froze. The voice that spoke had been deep and resonant, striking his mind directly—not like Shen Rongqing's voice—but no one else was in the room.

Ma Wu asked directly: "Madam, what did you just say?"

Shen Rongqing's lips curled slightly, displeased: "Yue Haibai said: 'The world is vast—surely there's no place for me?' Ma Young Master, weren't you listening? Is the story not good?"

Ma Wu waved his hands: "The story is too brilliant—I was momentarily distracted."

Shen Rongqing continued the tale. When the lovers reunited, her voice trembled: "Yue Haibai's expression was sorrowful: 'Lord Nangong, we've been apart over a decade—are you well?'"

Lord Nangong replied: "Ma Junyang—never interfere in the film business again!"

Ma Wu sat stunned, silent for a long time.

Shen Rongqing smiled faintly, raised her cup: "Ma Young Master, Nangong Young Master says: twelve years have passed like a lifetime—today we meet again; don't let this bond slip away."

Ma Wu nodded mechanically, a red vein appearing in his eye.

This was Shen Rongqing's unique False Affection Technique, combining Mind Cultivation and Literary Cultivation arts, using Illusion Cultivation and Emotion Cultivation treasures to plant a False Affection Root within Ma Wu.

The Literary Cultivation art swiftly drew Ma Wu into the trap; Shen Rongqing established intimacy and trust in the shortest time possible.

The Mind Cultivation art issued a command: from now on, he must never interfere in the film business again, never oppose Shen Rongqing.

The Illusion Cultivation treasure concealed the technique's signs, leaving Ma Wu unaware and defenseless.

Logically, these methods alone should suffice—why add Emotion Cultivation?

Because Literary and Mind Cultivation techniques fade quickly. If Shen Rongqing had used only those two, within three to five days after this meal, Ma Wu would despise the film business.

But once those days passed and the technique weakened, Ma Wu would resume his film business—he's a merchant; profit is his nature.

With the Emotion Cultivation treasure, the command became enduring—the core of Emotion Cultivation lies in unwavering devotion.

Shen Rongqing had just said: twelve years passed like a lifetime—she had planted a twelve-year Emotion Root in Ma Wu. For twelve years, he could never again interfere in the film business.

Seeing Ma Wu's dazed expression, Shen Rongqing raised her cup: "Ma Young Master, you're distracted again."

Ma Wu rubbed his eyes, half-dazed: "I'm a bit tired today."

Shen Rongqing judged the moment right and prepared to dismiss him: "If you're weary, drink this cup and return home to rest. My manuscript is unfinished—promise you won't reveal it."

Shen Rongqing saw the moment was right and prepared to see his guest off: "Young Master, since you're tired, finish this cup of wine and return home to rest. My humble work is still unfinished—please, under no circumstances reveal it."

With that promise, today's events would remain secret.

With this promise, today's affair will not leak out.

The next morning, Shen Rongqing yawned and opened her eyes, glancing at Ma Junyang beside her.

The next morning, Shen Rongqing yawned and opened his eyes, glancing at Ma Junyang beside him.

Why was Ma Junyang beside her?

Why were they in the same bed?

Shen Rongqing looked down at herself beneath the covers.

Where were her clothes…?

Ma Wu hugged her from behind: "In one night, it feels like a lifetime—Shen Miss, from now on, you're my woman."

Ma Wu embraced Shen Rongqing from behind: "In a single night, it feels like a lifetime has passed. Shen Miss, from now on, you are my woman."

Ma Wu's expression was calm, but honestly—he was terrified.

Shen Rongqing was Level Five Literary Cultivator and Level Four Mind Cultivator—if she truly intended to kill, Ma Wu's life was in danger.

But now it was too late to kill—she couldn't bring herself to do it.

She shouldn't have used Emotion Cultivation on Ma Wu.

Ma Wu, having been retrained twice by Feng Daiku, could exploit the nature of Emotion Cultivation to transfer the Emotion Root to Shen Rongqing.

Ma Wu, having been twice refined by Feng Daiku, could use his Emotional Cultivation traits to transplant his Emotional Root onto Shen Rongqing.

Leaving Heping Building, Shen Rongqing wandered back to the film company, hollow-eyed.

Sitting in her office, she tugged at her hair, unsure what to do next.

The secretary reported: "That Mr. Zhong is here again."

Shen Rongqing composed herself, then checked her reflection in the mirror, adjusting her makeup—especially her lipstick.

Her lips were slightly swollen—hardly noticeable. If only she hadn't come back that last time.

Soon, the white-clad youth entered the office and said: "Shen Miss, have you considered what I proposed earlier?"

Shen Rongqing steadied her thoughts, returning to her sharp, capable self: "Mr. Zhong's proposal has been conveyed, but we know too little about your side to make a decision lightly."

"It seems I didn't explain clearly enough. Allow me to offer you this." The white-clad youth handed Shen Rongqing a handkerchief.

Shen Rongqing took it and examined it closely.

Yellow silk with cloud patterns—of course, the foremost literary talent of the age knew its origin.

Yellow with cloud patterns, the greatest female talent of the age, naturally knew the origin of this handkerchief.

The white-robed youth said, "Miss Shen, the Sage seeks talented individuals with great urgency; I hope you will not Gufu the Sage's sincere intentions."

……

He Jiaqing, dressed as a maintenance worker, repaired seats in the waiting hall of Yuezhou East Station and pried off a magnet from beneath one of the seats.

After securing the magnet, he opened a hotel before the train arrived and brought out another magnet.

When the two magnets stuck together, a white ring appeared; He Jiaqing pressed the magnet against his own head.

After a spasm, He Jiaqing sighed and muttered to himself, "The efficiency is still too slow—not because the magnet doesn't attract fast, but because I move too slowly. Why didn't I borrow this Travel Cultivator technique? Is Zhao Xiao's method different?"

Just as he was pondering, Shen Rongqing sent a message: "Jiaqing, Zhong Huaien has come again—he brought a silk handkerchief with a yellow base and dragon pattern."

He Jiaqing froze: "Is this something the Emperor uses?"

"Correct. I verified its quality—it's definitely Emperor-grade. Jiaqing, he still wants to recruit you. Will you meet him?"

He Jiaqing thought for a moment and said, "Not yet, Sister. Keep stalling him, learn more about their true intentions."

……

"The Emperor? The Sage?" Luo Zhengnan blinked. "You don't mean the Sage from Jianren Gang, do you? No wonder Xiao Boss cares so much about that place."

PS: "The Lord of Pu Luo"—each chapter takes four hours to write. Shala just finished writing, so the update is late. I'll apologize soon. Dear readers, please save your base monthly votes for Shala!

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