“Loyal? Loyal to the woman you were caught in bed with, yes!” Boss brayed.
Su Xiao: “Yeah, yeah! What’s your deal?!”
“I’m being wrongfully accused here! It wasn’t my fault. Wu Dayong’s group was the one who charged in and came across us! Plus, we were never on any bed!”
Tang Ye: “You wanted to be on the bed?”
Tang Ye! You traitor!
“I am 100% loyal! Boss, I’ve always been loyal to only you.”
Boss chopped me on the head. “I work my behind off every day so that we can have peace at home. Meanwhile, not only are you drinking and flirting, but you were even caught in a lady’s room. How am I supposed to go out in public now?!”
“I didn’t mean to. I couldn’t stop them even if I wanted to because they barged in out of nowhere.”
“You think, ‘I didn’t mean to,’ settles it? You humouring me?”
“N-no, that wasn’t my intention at all.” I heaved a big breath. “It’s tiring enough out there as it is. Can we not argue over this sort of thing? Also, let go of me.”
Boss widened her eyes. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“What do you mean, ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’”
“You mean exactly what you mean.”
“What exactly do I mean?”
“You complain it’s tiring out there. You think it’s easy for me back home? Have you taken me into consideration, Mr. Ming?! Hmph!”
“Eeehh, that’s not what I meant at all.”
Su Xiao tugged Tang Ye’s sleeve and whispered, “Tang Ye, why does this seem like a couple’s quarrel? This is how my dad and mom argue back home.”
Tang Ye: “It doesn’t seem like it. It. Is… Your dad is that brave?”
Su Xiao: “Yeah… That’s why he’s dead.”
“…” Tang Ye nodded, then gazed in our direction. “Watch out. Big Bro is about to get rocked.”
Me: If you know that, then save me!
“I’m innocent! It was all for justice, for honour, for the greater good and to repay my debt. Besides, I’m assisting in the idol competition!”
Boss: “Oh, I see. Is that what you thought I’d say?”
“The rites competition!”
“The what?” Boss questioned.
“Has nobody looked into what categories we’re competing in? Rites, music, archery, chariotry, calligraphy and mathematics. Rites comes first. We don’t know the first thing about rites, while Jin Zhaoying has already won the contest once, which means she won’t compete against us. That’s why I consulted her.”
My logic was sound, yet they were only partially convinced. They remained sceptical no matter what I said until I rhetorically questioned, “Besides, do you think Jin Zhaoying would have the hots for someone like me?”
“Oh, good point.”
That was when they finally released me.
Bloody demons!
***
“A bit to the left.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“A bit to the left.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“One inch and one centimetre up. Stop. Thirteenth method.”
“Understood. Understood.”
The dark, small room with two entrances was called “Fish Store”. Shen Clan’s ancestor, who was one of The Ultimate Three during the war to establish this empire, this place was where he resided. Although there was a long table and the four treasures of the study, it was otherwise empty and required renovation.
Boss Shen’s grandpa’s room was given to Song Ou. With very limited space at Liu Shan Men, Boss used Fish Store as the place for her to work on confidential documents. To be clear, the confidential documents were either burnt or sent off elsewhere once she was done with them, so it would be more accurate to say it was a place for confidential meetings. Needless to say, the only person she could share secrets with was none other than yours truly.
“I really don’t want to have to scold you in front of others.”
“I know. I know. It’s my fault for not doing better.” I squeezed a little harder as I responded.
“Can I have the real story now? What triggered this whole thing?”
See? Nobody knew me better than my shifu, shiniangs, young shiyi and boss.
Looking bad in front of Boss wasn’t a concern, so I told her everything about my enormous debt and the blackmail. At first, I thought her mouth was pursed and pushed to the side because she wasn’t happy. Turned out she was trying not to laugh!
“Hahaha! Never saw this coming. This is straight silly.”
I turned my face into that of a pufferfish, but I kept working my hands.
“Well, you can’t let your secrets spread when you have so many. If Uncle was to find out you’re Empyrean Zha and Night Fortress’ master, your retirement plan is as good as over; you’ll be sent to the front lines.”
I proudly asserted, “At least, I’ll receive the same treatment as The Ultimate Three.”
“You wish.” Boss wrinkled her nose. “You’ve met Tianhu; what do you think of his skills? The Qilin Guards’ Baima is more than likely superior to him. Though I’ve never met Yingfeng, he can’t be lousy when he’s one of Uncle’s bodyguards. They are all a force to be reckoned with on their own. I’m not underestimating your combat prowess. Plus, apart from being able to fight well, you can never become one of them unless Uncle trusts you completely. Despite your distinguished service in the last six months, and your ability to get along with Uncle, you’re not close enough.” Her joy manifested on her cheeks as a rosy colour under the candle lights. “… But it wouldn’t be bad if you became one…”
Meanwhile, I was so enamoured with Boss’ smile that I fossilised.
If we weren’t suspending reality, instead of being promoted to The Ultimate Three post, I’d be promoted to a nationally-wanted criminal with the three chasing me… the same way Ol’ Ximen was hunted. Unless I had Demon Sect backing me, I’d never be able to have a single meal in peace.
I wonder how my old team is doing.
While I was Lord San Shen in the Western Regions, I had a small team of subordinates. I didn’t have many subordinates, but they were quality bull-, good people who helped maintain order, protect the innocent and punish evil. They pretty much starched everyone who opposed me. In addition, due to Lord San Shen’s role being to discipline violators in Divine Moon Cult, we laid out the majority of the members at some point. Man, I do miss those wild days of my youth.
“Why aren’t your hands working?”
“Right away.”
Boss bit the tip of her brush handle. She didn’t seem to realise she had a habit of biting things whenever she was thinking. That was the reason all of her brushes’ handles would have small teeth marks. I didn’t mind since I found it cute.
“They’re a weird group. Is making you an academy idol worth so much money?”
“Probably. After all, the piece of jade is worth a tonne on its own. The other prizes are tutoring sessions and reading passes, none of which are useful.”
“You’re wrong about that. Daren Academy is home to innumerable ancient books, some of which are not available anywhere else. If you could read them, you’d be making significant gains. Additionally, the tokens that grant you access to personal tutelage under the professors shouldn’t be dismissed. Don’t forget the academy is where the best of Confucianism gather. Even though their standing isn’t as prestigious as it once was, their teachings and skills haven’t been abandoned.”
If I add all the prizes up, doesn’t that mean I have more than enough to repay my debts? Those buggers fooled me again? I thought everything would be settled if I just won the contest.
“You’re incredibly observant when it comes to other’s matters, yet you skimp over so much when it comes to your own business. If there’s nothing to gain, why ask for a champion title instead of valuable materials? They’ve conned you more than once, haven’t they?
I gazed up at the ceiling… What a big spider.
Bang! I felt a hard hit on my head.
“What’d you hit me for?”
Boss looked at me in a way I couldn’t understand.
“Hmm?”
Boss gyrated her lips prior to querying, “You… close with Jin Zhaoying?”
“Not exactly. Only met her once or twice. Somewhat acquainted.”
“She’s always been prideful, adopting a condescending attitude toward everyone, yet you two are acquainted?”
“It takes some effort to communicate with her, but it’s not too bad.” I smiled as I scratched my head. “I hate to blow my own horn, but she won’t refuse a request from me.”
Boss smiled. “Yeah?”
“Hahaha, yeah.”
By the time I realised it, I had been kicked out – literally.
I thought we were getting along just fine! What happened?! Women really are unreasonable!
“Second!” I yelled in a stifled voice.
Hong Jiu came out from the bushes, carrying a chair on his shoulder. As soon as he set the chair down, I sat myself down on it, crossed my legs, held out my hand and Hong Jiu then placed a small cup into my hand to pour me a drink of wine. “Good work, Leader.”
“Uhm.” I knocked back the drink.
Hong Jiu jogged around to refill my cup and give me a back massage. “Leader, seeing as members of the Seven Champion White Princes are in the capital, they’re bound to make moves in the capital.”
“It’s a trivial matter. Why bother worrying about it?”
Their little stunts are nothing compared to my debt!
“I am worried they will target you.”
“I’m a good guy now, not a bandit or Demon Sect follower. What can they do about me? There are other things I want you to look into for me.”
“I am at your command.”
“I heard Ol’ Xue and Zero have returned to the pugilistic world. They mustn’t be allowed to emerge. Either one of them is enough to plunge the capital into anarchy. I can’t trust anyone else with this, and I need you to personally handle it given the difficulty.”
Hong Jiu stopped his massage. “If I am not around, who will protect you?”
“Man, am I a coward?”
Hong Jiu went silent.
“I have Tang Ye and the others, don’t I? Worst case scenario, I can run. Second, I don’t mind if Xue Yanjun is dead, but I won’t allow anyone to use her weapon if she’s no longer in this world. If Zero was to come to the capital, we will have a serious problem on our hand. Do you have a choice?”
“In that case, I will have to go. I shall head out right away.”
Watching Hong Jiu race off, unease crept in. “Second!”
Hong Jiu looked back. “Yes?”
“… If you don’t find out anything after three days, rush back, or you might need to buy a casket.”
“…”
Note
Ol’ Xue is not the same Xue Ming Feizhen is searching for. This is Xue Yanjun that he is referring to.
