Let's Go, Back to the Manor

"So that's how it is." Xu Yuan understood the general idea, but his thoughts were somewhat complicated. From the information he possessed, Su Jinxuan was simply an exceedingly beautiful pure courtesan without any cultivation. Yet the reality was that Su Jinxuan was a pure courtesan possessing a special physique, likewise without any cultivation. It didn't contradict the original plot, but the original plot had never mentioned it either. After a moment of silence, Xu Yuan glanced sideways at the unconscious Su Jinxuan beside him and asked softly, "Then do you know what kind of physique grants the innate talent to control another's body?" Zhou Chen replied in a low voice, "Well, there are several kinds." Xu Yuan deliberated for a moment, then added in a leisurely tone, "Controlling a person's body by attaching minute particles to the surface of their intent-soul, and once these particles burrow into the intent-soul, they become brainwashed." Zhou Chen pondered for two seconds, glanced at Su Jinxuan, and asked in a low voice, "Third Young Master, can she also influence your emotions without you realizing it?" "Yes." "..." As soon as those words left his mouth, Zhou Chen looked back and exchanged a glance with Si Ziyu, both wearing peculiar expressions. Ying'er still stood off to the side on her own, her eyes cast down in silence. Si Ziyu nodded slightly to Zhou Chen. Zhou Chen turned, cupped his fists, and said in a low voice, "Third Young Master, this woman... she should possess the Bewitching Soul Fiend Physique." "Bewitching Soul Fiend Physique?" Sitting cross-legged on the red bed, Xu Yuan murmured, his expression turning equally peculiar. This physique reminded him of a cultivation technique—one of only three scarlet-tier cultivation techniques, the Great Joyous Union Yin-Yang Art. Don't laugh. When Xu Yuan played the game back then, he had really wanted to scoff at this clichéd name, but there was no denying that this thing was genuinely effective. It was the cultivation technique practiced when the protagonist followed the evil path. The intent-soul secret art attached to his Blood Yuan Heart Calamity Art was merely a younger brother before this cannibalistic method of the Great Joyous Union Yin-Yang Art. Because he had never practiced it, Xu Yuan didn't know the specifics of the Great Joyous Union Yin-Yang Art. However, its ability to ignore rank differences alone was enough to blow his intent-soul secret art out of the water. Unfortunately, the manual was located in a mountain col near Burial Village; he couldn't reach it. Furthermore, with the techniques recorded in the later stages of the Blood Yuan Heart Calamity Art being quite formidable as well, there was no need to switch cultivation paths. The official guidebook stated that the Bewitching Soul Fiend Physique was best suited for the Great Joyous Union Yin-Yang Art. Back then, Xu Yuan had only thought it was natural, but experiencing it firsthand made him realize its terror. Combined with the bizarre spore particles of the Bewitching Soul Fiend Physique, it could covertly drain another person's cultivation; if exposed, it could forcibly control their body; and if the spore particles burrowed into their intent-soul, they would become a cauldron for life. If one felt like it, one could even slowly cultivate romance, as the Bewitching Soul Fiend Physique could also influence emotions—there was no fear of the other party failing to fall in love. A perfect match. Pulling his thoughts together as ideas surged, Xu Yuan roughly formed a plan. Looking at Zhou Chen, he said, "Mister Zhou, report this matter to Xu Changge." Xu Yuan didn't know yet what that Mister Qin was planning, and his own strength was lacking, so he naturally wouldn't try to handle this alone just to act tough. Why wouldn't he call in reinforcements when he could? An old villain tradition. Hit the young, and the old naturally come out. "Understood." Zhou Chen bowed with cupped fists. Xu Yuan slowly stood up and glanced at Madam Yue on the floor. Thoughts flashed rapidly through his mind, and he asked, "Taking Madam Yue straight back would alert the enemy. Mister Zhou, did she see you when you knocked her out?" Zhou Chen's eyes flickered, and he shook his head. "No." Xu Yuan considered briefly and instructed, "Very good. Throw her onto the bed in my top-floor private room. Feed her a Mind-Befuddling Pill before you leave. You should know how to stage the scene." The Mind-Befuddling Pill, an aphrodisiac pill. "..." Zhou Chen thought for a moment and realized that the Third Young Master did not intend to alert Mister Qin. His heart sank slightly. Capturing Madam Yue and taking her back might indeed yield some information under interrogation, but it would also put Mister Qin on guard. The power of the Bewitching Soul Fiend Physique went without saying, yet the other party was willing to use someone with it as bait. If not for the Third Young Master's Innate Soul Body possessing a certain degree of restraint against the Bewitching Soul Fiend Physique, he might already have been controlled. To want to control the Chancellor's Manor's Third Young Master... This Mister Qin did not seem as simple as he appeared on the surface. Viewed this way, trading Mister Qin's alertness for whatever information Madam Yue might possess was clearly a losing proposition. Xu Changtian was cleaning up after his reckless action. Zhou Chen sighed softly and bowed. "Third Young Master, I was reckless." Xu Yuan glanced at him and waved a hand. "No matter. Mister Zhou, you didn't know beforehand that this woman possessed the Bewitching Soul Fiend Physique; making such a decision was blameless. Go on. Remember to make it look convincing—Madam Yue is an old hand at the courtesan quarters." Hearing this, Zhou Chen chuckled, but quickly suppressed his laughter and warned, "Third Young Master, although the situation is now clear, it would be best if you avoid deep physical contact with the Bewitching Soul Fiend Physique." Xu Yuan glanced at Su Jinxuan's voluptuous figure and frowned. "Why?" "The deeper your physical contact, the more likely your mind will be controlled." With that said, Zhou Chen cupped his hands, and while Xu Yuan was still stunned, he scooped up Madam Yue and left. For a moment, silence descended upon the room once more. Si Ziyu watched Xu Yuan imperceptibly, eyes filled with contemplation. Ying'er remained in that downcast, wordless state. The fact that Xu Yuan had encountered danger right under her nose seemed to have dealt a heavy blow to her. Xu Yuan returned to his senses, sighed, and after a moment's silence, suddenly looked at Ying'er. "Ying'er, come wake Su Jinxuan." "..." Ying'er. After a brief silence, perhaps due to failing in her duty to protect him, Ying'er did not refuse Xu Yuan's order this time. She slowly walked to the bedside, retrieved a small vial from a pouch at her waist, uncorked it, bent over, and held it to Su Jinxuan's nose. Xu Yuan glanced sideways at Ying'er's bent-over peach-like buttocks, the corners of his lips curving slightly. Seeing this smile, the effeminate Si Ziyu realized what was about to happen, his eyelid twitching violently. Then— *Smack!* A crisp sound echoed out. Dead silence filled the air. Si Ziyu felt a headache coming on. It was definitely the Third Young Master, through and through. Having learned his lesson last time, he still dared to touch this woman's rear. Ying'er maintained her posture and stood where she was without moving in the slightest, as though she wasn't the one who had just been struck. Xu Yuan glanced at her and silently withdrew his slightly swollen, trembling hand behind his back. Enduring the pain, he looked calmly sideways at Si Ziyu. Their eyes met. "..." Si Ziyu stifled the urge to laugh and looked away. "..." Xu Yuan. After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Su Jinxuan slowly woke. Seeing the scene before her, she silently shrank into the corner of the bed, biting her lower lip without uttering a word. Seeing her wake, Ying'er put away the vial and quietly retreated to her previous position, standing with downcast eyes. Xu Yuan glanced at her. The red swelling and pain in his hand had already subsided; Ying'er had merely taught him a lesson. Chuckling softly, Xu Yuan turned to face Su Jinxuan on the bed. With Ying'er and Si Ziyu standing at attention behind him, he said with a leisurely smile, "Jinxuan, I've already arranged a physician for you. Come, return to the manor with me." As he spoke, a chill surfaced in Xu Yuan's eyes as he slowly extended a hand toward her as she shrank into the corner of the bed.