Chapter 473

"But what, you say!"

At the street corner, Heng Xian and Bu Fan stood side by side, looking at He Qiye, wearing a look of "kindness".

Actually, dealing with an early-stage Qi Hai Realm cultivator doesn't require this much trouble, but if we want to use this person to sneak into the city unnoticed and avoid attention, sometimes we have to keep a low profile.

"But I think you two aren't good people!" He Qiye said, his face full of righteous vigor.

Heng Xian and Bu Fan exchanged a glance, their smiles fading a little. Bu Fan said: "What are you talking about? We've loved small animals since childhood, helped old ladies cross the street, watched over uncles' melon fields—we're kind-hearted at heart!"

He Qiye shook his head, speaking solemnly: "The inner city of the Nine Palaces is a bit more prosperous than the outer city, and many things are more particular, but there's no need to risk going in to buy or handle anything—those oligarchs qualified to enter can take care of it for you; you can find them."

Now that you've come to me wanting to go in personally, you're likely up to some shady business; if anything big happens, I'll have to take responsibility!

Bu Fan looked at Heng Xian and whispered: "Damn! Case cracked—did he see through us?"

Heng Xian snorted coldly and said to He Qiye: "What the hell are you pretending for? Say what you want straight out—I don't like beating around the bush."

The righteousness on He Qiye's face vanished instantly, and he gave a dry laugh: "I recently fought with Song San ye, and I won, but… he's White Daoist Nun's lover; afterward she sent people to blame me and took my family heirloom, the White Cat Brush. How about a one-for-one swap?"

"We help you get the White Cat Brush back, and you give us the credentials to enter the Nine Palaces' inner city—is that what you mean?" Heng Xian said.

He Qiye laughed: "Exactly!"

"Are you looking for death? Dare to make us work?" Bu Fan's palm, as big as a cattail fan, clamped He Qiye's neck: "I could kill you easier than squashing an ant!"

He Qiye's face flushed: "Killing… me would be easy, but… you two are high-level cultivators; a one-for-one exchange incurs no karmic debt—why not? That White Cat Brush is a family heirloom, incredibly miraculous; since I lost it, I can't sleep at night—please consider it."

Heng Xian pinched his chin, gesturing for Bu Fan to release his grip, and asked: "What's so miraculous about the White Cat Brush?"

He Qiye said proudly: "It can draw a beautiful woman who briefly reveals her true form, swaying in a dance, indistinguishable from reality; it can also draw someone you long for, who appears and gazes at you affectionately."

"Pretty interesting!" Bu Fan couldn't help but say.

Heng Xian looked at He Qiye: "Who has the White Cat Brush?"

He Qiye said firmly: "It's with White Daoist Nun; she lives at Qingfeng Town, ninety li to the north, in the Profound Origin Temple. She's a mid Golden Core cultivator, skilled in the three-thousand-strand whisk, and keeps several male concubines—Song San ye is just one of them."

Heng Xian pondered, then told Bu Fan: "Watch this brat; I'll be right back."

"You'll see!" Bu Fan's fierce expression showed: "If you're not honest, I'll serve you with the eighteen kinds of punishment!"

Heng Xian nodded, his form flickered, and he vanished from the spot.

Qingfeng Town is a small town with two east-west streets, backed by a great river and facing a green mountain; its folkways are simple, and the townsfolk make a living by hunting and fishing.

If there's anything special, it's that across the green mountain lies the Profound Origin Temple, which houses a "female immortal," White Daoist Nun; she not only summons wind and rain to bless the region, but also answers prayers for children and is remarkably efficacious, so its incense offerings are very flourishing.

However, at this moment, the Profound Origin Temple lacked the imagined serenity and dignity; instead, nearly a hundred people sat on the ground, offering treasures and dueling with spells, enjoying themselves immensely.

Today is the birthday of the Profound Origin Great Immortal enshrined at the Profound Origin Temple; the temple has invited cultivators from all directions to feast together.

Among the dozen or so in the center, a woman in her forties with gentle features and a healthy complexion—a Daoist nun—is none other than White Daoist Nun.

Those around wearing dark robes, monk robes, and Daoist robes are the guests.

Each guest also brings along three to five attendants.

Behind White Daoist Nun stand five people: besides two young Daoist boys serving tea and water, there are two handsome youths and a man in his forties.

"The Daoist nun will bring out a new treasure soon!"

A lanky youth whispered.

The other, a slightly plump youth, glanced at the middle-aged man and smiled: "The treasure Song San ye obtained after losing a spell duel is truly rare."

The middle-aged man is indeed Song San ye; hearing this, his face turned the color of pig liver, his chest felt tight, yet he forced a smile: "What Brother Wang says is right, and what Brother Li says also makes sense!"

He and the two youths are former lovers of White Daoist Nun, but she prefers the two delicate, tender youths; he hasn't been summoned to her bed for three years.

He is burning with jealousy, yet dares not show the slightest displeasure, because he has been White Daoist Nun's lover for over a decade; when he first started serving her alongside him, the rivals who vied for her favor and grew jealous have already been mercilessly killed by her.

The reason White Daoist Nun keeps him is merely to have a peer of similar age to chat with about intimate matters—nothing more!

Only pillow talk at night, sharing a bed, counts as true confidant talk!

He fumed, thinking.

He had also considered leaving, but had nowhere to go; he once had a clan, which he later betrayed!

Despite having unavoidable reasons!

At this moment, the lanky youth glanced at him and said: "Old Song, we know you dislike us, you're jealous of us, and wish you could kill us—am I right?"

The slightly plump youth also laughed: "But you don't dare, because the Daoist nun favors us, not you!"

"The wrath of her Golden Core is something you could never withstand!"

Song San ye replied embarrassedly: "I wouldn't dare; I've never thought that way—just being able to stay by the Daoist nun's side leaves me content."

The two youths exchanged a glance and said bluntly: "Well then, you need to show some sincerity for us to believe you; otherwise, don't blame us for stirring up pillow talk."

Song San ye's expression grew servile: "What do you two gentlemen want? I'll provide it if I can."

The slightly plump youth said: "I heard you obtained a fourth-grade Grand Return Pill for opening meridians; we'll reluctantly take it."

Song San ye's face changed: "That's excessive! It's the only treasure I use for my cultivation!"

The two youths wore threatening expressions: "Then we don't care—will you give it or not?"

"Give me a moment to think!" Song San ye's face flushed green then white as he turned and walked away.

Behind him was a small path; he followed it past a side hall and ended up in a woodshed, where a twelve- or thirteen-year-old Daoist girl was boiling water, her face smeared with ash, looking dirty; seeing Song San ye approach, she grinned widely, especially cute: "San ye!"

Seeing the girl, Song San ye's face instantly broke into an indescribable love and tenderness: "Silly child, when no one's around, call me Dad!"

"Dad!" the girl flung herself into his arms, tears streaming: "Donger misses her mother again! Where did Mother go? Does she not want me anymore?"

Song San ye sighed: "Your mother went to a faraway place; when you grow up, she'll return to see us."

The girl choked up: "Dad, you're lying to Donger; Donger isn't a little kid anymore—Mother's dead, right?"

Song San ye's body stiffened, then he trembled uncontrollably; after a moment, as if recalling something, he pulled out a vial of elixir from his bosom: "Donger, take this; you can cultivate with it, and once you achieve success, we father and child can hold our heads high…"

Before he could finish, a sinister, mocking laugh came from outside: "Hahaha, we've uncovered a big secret—Donger is San ye's illegitimate daughter; no wonder he's been so good to her!"

"But after all, he's the Daoist nun's man; having a child with another woman and putting the Daoist nun aside—isn't that just asking for death?"

(End of chapter)