Chapter 45: A Calculated Invitation

Rong Guangliang rejected Song Mo, yet at the same time, he skillfully managed to draw him closer, a tactic he wielded with remarkable finesse.

Meanwhile, You An and Xie Xiang followed Quan Haoqing all the way back to his residence.

After observing for a short while, You An feigned a yawn and remarked, “That lad just suffered a great deal today. I doubt he’ll dare to make any moves for a while, so let’s get some rest.”

Having received numerous benefits by following You An, Xie Xiang had subtly begun to obey his every command. A lewd expression crossed his face as he chuckled softly, “Rest? Why rest? We’re not mortals who need to sleep every day. It’s rare for Boss to remember to distribute some spirit stones to us. Shouldn’t we go find some like-minded companions to enjoy ourselves?”

The ‘like-minded companions’ Xie Xiang spoke of also referred to cultivators, specifically female cultivators.

Where there is demand, there is a market; where there is a market, there are those who will cater to it.

While these female cultivators might not possess the same beauty or skills as the women of the Red Chamber, the sense of accomplishment they offered was something mundane women could never provide.

“No, thank you. *Sigh*. After Boss Rong’s little spectacle, I’ve lost all inclination. Let’s call it a day.”

You An, his interest thoroughly diminished, waved a dismissive hand before departing directly, leaving Xie Xiang standing alone.

“My good intentions are wasted on him.”

Upon seeing this, Xie Xiang muttered a few words under his breath, then, idly tossing the pouch of spirit stones in his hand, he headed towards his usual haunt of debauchery.

Unbeknownst to him, You An, who had so adamantly declared his intention to rest, had not gone far at all; instead, he was quietly observing Xie Xiang from a hidden corner.

Once certain that Xie Xiang was out of sight, You An immediately rushed to Quan Haoqing’s room, his hand rising and falling, his face a mask of fierce conflict and indecision.

Ultimately, he rapped his knuckles against Quan Haoqing’s door three times, yet no sound emanated from within the room.

You An, appearing as if his own actions had terrified him, turned to leave.

But precisely at that moment, the door swung open, and Quan Haoqing’s voice drifted out.

“Elder Brother You, it’s quite late. Come in for a drink.”

You An turned, casting an awkward glance at Quan Haoqing, who wore an enigmatic, half-smile. His eyes flickered nervously. “Well, this, that, it’s just…”

Before You An could finish, Quan Haoqing first glanced around, seemingly to ascertain if anyone was watching, then he seized You An’s wrist directly, pulling him into the room while extending an invitation.

“I’m feeling a bit vexed today, and I was just lamenting having no one to drink with. I have good wine inside; I wonder if Elder Brother You would be willing to give this brother some face and join me for a cup?”

“Oh, oh, certainly! With Brother Quan extending the invitation, how could I refuse?”

Quan Haoqing’s words, like a stabilizing needle for the turbulent sea, calmed You An’s agitated thoughts.

Once inside the room, Quan Haoqing did not immediately press You An about the purpose of his visit. Instead, he simply continued to pour wine for You An, engaging in casual conversation and lamenting various trivial matters. Yet, as their discussion deepened…

“To be honest, I’ve truly had enough of that feeling of constantly facing death while wandering alone. That’s why I considered joining a gang, but I never imagined that even after joining, I’d still have to endure such things. It’s truly pathetic.”

Quan Haoqing’s voice was tinged with resentment, and the target of his complaints was, without a doubt, Rong Guangliang.

“If he knew today was when the medicine’s effects would kick in, he should have given it to me earlier.”

“Ah, my young brother, don’t dwell too much on these matters. All I can tell you is that almost everyone who joins our gang has to go through this ordeal.”

You An drained his cup of cloudy wine, a hint of intoxication already coloring his face.

“How was it? A torment, wasn’t it? If they didn’t make you go through such an ordeal, how would you truly understand the medicine’s power? And if you didn’t understand its power, how could you faithfully risk your life for him?”

A trace of sarcasm curled You An’s lips. “As for our Boss’s other abilities, it’s hard to say, but his skill in controlling his subordinates is absolutely unparalleled.”

Quan Haoqing shook his head. “Indeed, it’s unparalleled, but the loyalty he gains is merely sustained by drugs. Who among us would genuinely serve him because of it? Boss Rong is truly muddle-headed.”

Seeing Quan Haoqing’s direct revelation, a glint flashed in You An’s eyes, and he spoke with utmost caution. “Originally, some things I say would incur Boss Rong’s displeasure, but I truly couldn’t bear to witness your plight, brother. Today, Boss Rong called Xie Xiang and me to move wine, but his actual purpose was to probe into your situation, my young brother Quan.”

Quan Haoqing frowned, asking, “Have I done anything suspicious?”

You An shook his head. “No, but he’s a petty man and believes that someone of your caliber, Brother Quan, wouldn’t honestly stay in the gang. I handed over that ledger as we discussed, but Boss Rong, as if overcome by paranoia, claimed to have seen your disloyalty in it.”

“He said the quantities of items you purchased were somewhat off. Ah, my young brother. Even if there were truly unavoidable circumstances, you shouldn’t have written them down so plainly. At the time, I didn’t even know how to cover for you.”

You An presented himself as someone pouring out his heart for Quan Haoqing, with every word and gesture conveying his concern for him.

Quan Haoqing was also quite ‘moved,’ touched that this person had finally seen the light.

He knew You An hadn’t come to him for such utterly useless heartfelt words. Now that the ‘child’ had finally opened his mind, Quan Haoqing could speak more plainly.

“To think I was discovered? *Sigh*. Indeed, I was too careless, assuming he was merely a brute. Elder Brother You, do you wish to know what those superfluous magical artifacts and talismans are for?”

Not entirely certain of Quan Haoqing’s intentions, You An, seeing that he seemed inclined to share a secret, remained silent for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying, “Please enlighten me, young Brother Quan.”

Quan Haoqing’s gaze deepened as he spoke, “Boss Rong is adept at charging into battle and instigating internal strife and covert schemes. However… he possesses short-sighted plans without foresight, making him no grand tree capable of providing long-term shade. Tell me, if during this profitable venture, Boss Rong were to accidentally die, shouldn’t the ‘fisherman’ be replaced?”

You An’s pupils constricted, and his body trembled slightly. The fear Rong Guangliang had instilled in him over the years made him want to immediately report such a treasonous matter to Boss Rong. Yet, the luxurious living he had enjoyed these past two days with Quan Haoqing, coupled with his long-standing resentment of the oppression he suffered in the gang, also made him yearn for Quan Haoqing’s success.

“Boss Rong’s strength is not to be underestimated…”

Quan Haoqing smiled, shaking his head. “But he is merely in the Bone Cleansing Realm. While there are indeed disparities among cultivators of the same realm, the gap isn’t as vast as one might imagine. With careful planning, success is not out of reach.”

You An exclaimed anxiously, “But without Boss Rong’s medicine, what about us?!”

In his words, there was not a shred of loyalty, only apprehension for his own plight.

“Ah, that? Let’s wait two days. After two days, perhaps I can give Elder Brother You a satisfactory answer.”

Quan Haoqing patted You An’s shoulder. The confidence radiating from his words caused You An’s pupils to constrict, and he asked with a trembling voice, “Could it be that you’ve found it?!”

Quan Haoqing smiled without speaking, then changed the subject. “By the way, what is Xie Xiang doing now?”

You An said disdainfully, “Him? He’s lost in a world of drunken revelry.”

“Drunken revelry is good, isn’t it? When one is lost in it, they won’t want to do anything or think about anything. Elder Brother You, why don’t you go keep that brother company and let him continue enjoying himself for another two days?”

As Quan Haoqing spoke, he handed a pouch of spirit stones to You An.

Understanding Quan Haoqing’s intention, You An demurred, “Do I really need your money, brother, just to handle that lad? I happen to have some broken spirit stones Boss Rong threw my way; I don’t need it, truly, I don’t.”

Quan Haoqing grandly waved his hand. “Don’t be like that, Elder Brother You. We are brothers; there’s no reason for a brother to suffer a loss when doing something for another. I certainly don’t want to become a second Boss Rong. Even livestock need to be well-fed to have the strength to work, let alone you, my brother. Take it!”

Quan Haoqing forcefully pressed the pouch of spirit stones into You An’s hand and instructed, “For these two days, he must remain lost in his revelry. After two days, at this very same time, Elder Brother You, come find me, and I will give you your answer.”

You An carefully stowed the spirit stone pouch, then solemnly declared, “Rest assured, young brother, there will be absolutely no problem!”

Watching You An depart, Quan Haoqing’s gaze deepened. From his embrace, he produced the medicinal pill Rong Guangliang had given him.

****

Within the village shrouded in a blood-red mist, Chang Heyu diligently tended to the fire, boiling the banner. The Blood-Stained Banner, plunged into a pot of blood, swayed without a breeze, exuding malevolent energy. Though the flames beneath the cauldron raged, each breath Chang Heyu took was filled with icy white vapor.

The entire village was devoid of any living creatures; even the wild beasts of the forest would be startled and driven away by this terrifying blood qi.

It was silent yet gloomy, eerie yet foul-smelling.

Mortals, merely by witnessing this scene, would be frightened into incoherence and deranged behavior.

Yet, Chang Heyu thoroughly enjoyed such an environment. He was inherently reclusive, feared death, and avoided contact with strangers, making this precisely his most relaxed moment.

However, just then, someone brazenly charged into his territory, and the enchantments placed around the village immediately alerted him.

Chang Heyu was startled, his first instinct to flee, but a shout that echoed through the village immediately halted his cowardly impulse.

“Godfather, magnificent news!”