Chu Qiguang let out a wine-tinged burp and said, "Miss Hao... it has been a while."
Hao Xiangtong stepped forward, catching the heavy scent of alcohol clinging to him. Her brow furrowed in distaste, and she complained, "My eldest brother really is too much. All he ever wants to do is drag you into drinking. Doesn't your body feel miserable after putting away that much?"
Chu Qiguang found himself somewhat at a loss for words, especially since he had promised her more installments of his story after resting for a few days, only to stay away for so many days in a row.
He had actually planned to steer clear of her today, but he had ended up running right into her. Even with his thick skin, he found himself tongue-tied for a moment.
Hao Xiangtong, however, brought Chu Qiguang into a side parlor and instructed a maidservant to carry in a bowl of hangover soup. "I had the maid brew this hangover soup. Drink it quickly while it's still hot."
As Chu Qiguang gulped it down, Dong'er asked from the side, "Miss, should we take a bowl to the Eldest Young Master as well?"
Hao Xiangtong snapped, "I can hear his snoring all the way from the front door! He's asleep like a pig. Don't waste my soup on him—ladle another bowl for Master Chu instead."
Chu Qiguang hurriedly waved his hand. "No, no need. I've had more than enough."
"Now that you've had my soup, shouldn't you hurry up and tell me the story?" Hao Xiangtong demanded. "Just how many days have you put it off?" Folding her arms across her chest, she thought resentfully, *He came to our house and didn't even look for me. If I hadn't cornered him here, was he planning to just slip away?*
Stealing another glance at Chu Qiguang's face and figure, she could not help thinking, *It's only been a short while since I last saw this fellow, yet his posture has grown much taller and straighter. His face isn't as gaunt as the first time we met either. He's actually quite pleasant to look at now.*
At this thought, a blush suddenly flashed across Hao Xiangtong's cheeks. She quickly turned her head away, chiding herself inwardly, *Why am I thinking about that? What does it matter to me whether he looks pleasant or not?*
Opposite her, Chu Qiguang sensed Hao Xiangtong studying him, and thought, *Could this woman have realized I reached the second stage of martial arts? As expected of a future candidate for entering the Dao—she has a sharp eye.*
Now that Hao Xiangtong had cornered him, Chu Qiguang had no choice but to stay and continue the story for a while.
Hao Xiangtong listened intently to his narration, soon thoroughly captivated by his witty turns of phrase and thrilling storytelling, as though she were stepping right into that mythical world.
In his story, Wu Zetian not only wielded Daoist arts that could reach heaven and earth, but she could also command armies, pacify the realm, govern the state, and bring peace to the people. Not even the emperor could sway her ambition, nor could her parents dictate her marriage.
Listening to how Wu Zetian realized her grand ambitions, chose her own husband, seized control of her destiny, and became her own master in all things, Hao Xiangtong felt a spark of yearning kindle within her heart.
***
Returning to his small courtyard, Chu Qiguang could not help yawning. Spending all day dining and socializing was no easy feat for him.
*All I wanted was to cultivate martial arts in peace and pass the martial examinations. Yet after humoring men, I still have to humor women. Life is simply too hard...*
As soon as he returned, he handed Hao Yongtai's blood over to Qiao Zhi and asked, "Didn't you say Hao Yongtai was a martial fanatic? Does he really achieve nothing in the future, never managing to enter the Dao?"
Qiao Zhi said flatly, "He lacks talent. What good is obsession alone? The fifth stage of martial arts can still be reached through hard graft and various medicinal pills, but the realm of entering the Dao is impossible without peerless natural gifts."
Just then, Chen Gang arrived to deliver a report. "Da Tou and the others have been keeping dog monsters on Hao Fulai, and they finally figured out who he took bribes from!"
"Oh? They finally caught something on this Steward Hao?" Chu Qiguang's eyes brightened. "Tell me every single detail."
Ever since he sensed that something was amiss with that steward, Chu Qiguang had kept Da Tou's dog monsters trailing him. After so many days, their efforts had finally borne fruit.
A moment later, having listened to Chen Gang's report, Chu Qiguang nodded in understanding. "So that's how it is."
He pondered for a moment before instructing, "Brother Chen, could you take another trip later and locate the witness Da Tou and the others found? He might come in handy in a few days."
Chen Gang patted his chest. "Don't worry, Brother Gou! Do you want me to just tie him up and bring him over...?"
Chu Qiguang smacked Chen Gang upside the head with a sharp crack, rolling his eyes. "How many times have I told you? Don't go around killing and kidnapping over every little thing."
Chu Qiguang then listened as Chen Gang recounted all the intelligence the dog monsters had gathered over the past two days. This was something Chu Qiguang did regularly, keeping his finger on the pulse of the entire situation through the dog monsters to stay informed about every shift and change across Qingyang County.
Once he had absorbed all the reports, he resumed his meditation and martial practice.
***
Early the next morning, Chu Qiguang arrived at the Hao residence, intending to sell his 'Gold Wine' to Hao Yongtai.
After feeding him the wine mixed with dog blood, Chu Qiguang struck and patted his body, thus initiating the Heavenly Demon Foundation Establishment Method on Hao Yongtai.
Even though Chu Qiguang deliberately stretched the process out over ten days, the effects of the foundation establishment method were immediate. That very day, Hao Yongtai felt a distinct difference in his body: not only had his physical constitution and stamina surged once again, but even his martial arts training yielded visibly better results.
A martial fanatic to his bones, Hao Yongtai was overjoyed. Without a second thought, he resolved to pay two hundred taels a day, handing over two thousand taels of silver at once.
He instructed the accounting office to transfer two thousand taels from his monthly allowance to Chu Qiguang. Given that two thousand taels was a substantial sum, Hao Yongtai had one of the accountants accompany Chu Qiguang to the silver house to complete the transaction.
Chu Qiguang exchanged three hundred taels into loose silver, intending to visit the Daoist temple the next day to purchase medicinal pills.
Yet to his surprise, before he could set off for the temple the following morning, Hao Yongtai dragged him back to the Hao residence, saying he wanted him to meet Wu Wei of the Wu family so they could discuss their next move together.
Chu Qiguang had long wanted to make the acquaintance of someone from the Wu family and had casually mentioned it to Hao Yongtai in the past; he had not expected the young master to keep it in mind all this time. Naturally, Chu Qiguang went along gladly, eager to establish a connection with the Wu family.
After all, Grand Secretary Wu was not only a formidable figure who had entered the Dao through martial arts, but would also serve as the Senior Grand Secretary in the future, presiding over sweeping reforms. He was a golden leg as sturdy as an elephant's, thick enough to hold on to for dear life.
When Chu Qiguang entered the Hao family's main hall, he found Wu Wei and Hao Wen seated together, laughing and talking warmly.
Hao Wen beamed as he introduced Chu Qiguang to Wu Wei as a promising young talent. Wu Wei also greeted Chu Qiguang with a pleasant, courteous expression, showing none of the overbearing arrogance he was reputed for.
Right at that moment, however, an outburst of commotion erupted from the front courtyard of the Hao residence.
Hao Wen frowned. "Fulai, go outside and see what's going on."
Steward Hao had only taken a few steps out the door when a crowd of soldiers in official uniform, armed with spears and sabers, barged in. In an instant, they rounded up the Hao family's pages, maidservants, and guards, placing them all under watch.
Hao Wen rose to his feet, bellowing in fury, "Who are you people? How dare you trespass—"
Yet the moment he caught sight of the figure who entered next, flanked by the guards, the words caught in his throat.
The newcomer stood nearly two meters tall, draped in a white kylin robe with a Demon-Slaying Saber slung at his waist. At the sight of him, the color drained from the faces of everyone present, for they all recognized that garment: it was the uniform of the Demon Suppression Bureau.
Chapter 78