Xie Shuci washed himself clean and lay back on the couch.
He kept his hands and feet still, staring at the little blind boy by the bed with his dark eyes.
Xie An had just finished bathing, his hair still damp. "What are you looking at?"
"nothing."
Xie An sat down on the edge of the bed, covered Xie Shuci with the quilt, and then did nothing else.
"sleep."
"Oh." Xie Shuci obediently responded, but her eyes remained fixed on Xie An, with a hint of expectation in them.
Xie An, exasperated by his gaze, asked, "Are you really drunk?"
Xie Shuci shook his head, "I'm not drunk."
Will you remember what happened today?
Xie Shuci shook her head again, "I am Xie Xiaoci, and Xie Shuci will not remember what Xie Xiaoci did."
Xie An frowned. "You'll forget about it tomorrow."
"Yes."
Xie An was immediately displeased.
Xie Shuci said, "You can help me tell Xie Shuci that he kissed the little blind girl tonight, and he has to take responsibility."
Xie An paused for a moment, his thin lips pursed, and his expression gradually darkened. Xie Shuci's bright eyes looked at him, as if they could see into his heart. He reached out his right hand as if possessed and covered Xie Shuci's eyes, using his palm to block out that burning gaze.
"Then you should just forget about it."
After a long while, Xie An's sighing voice echoed through the room.
Xie Shuci's breath hitched, his lips parted slightly, and trembled almost imperceptibly, "Mmm..."
He grabbed Xie An's hand that was covering his face, put it back on Xie An, turned his back to Xie An, covered his head with the blanket, curled up, and his muffled voice came through the blanket: "From now on, little blind man, don't do anything to Xie Shuci that could cause misunderstandings."
He will be sad.
Xie An's long eyelashes trembled, and the hand that Xie Shuci had pushed back gradually tightened, his fingertips digging into his palm, trying to use the pain in his palm to cover up the unknown emotions in his chest.
Xie Shuci's boundless energy after drinking was as if he had exhausted all his energy for the next day. He stayed in bed for a full day and night, sleeping until he was dizzy and disoriented, before finally going downstairs to find food while still hungry.
The king was standing guard with Xiao Jin at the entrance of the Guanhua Tower when he smelled Xie Shuci's scent from afar. Remembering that he hadn't been with Diedie Tie Tie in a long time, he greeted him and ran inside, shaking his head.
Over the past few days, the geishas and guests at the Guanhua Tower have all become familiar with this little guy. Not only is he not shy, but he also shamelessly tries to get close to pretty or delicious food, making him especially endearing.
When they saw it passing by, they would warmly invite it to come and play.
"Aww!"
No way! I'm going to find DieDie!
The king walked through a corridor and came to the bottom of the stairs to the attic. Seeing Xie Shuci yawning as he came down, it suddenly jumped up and snuggled into Xie Shuci's arms.
Xie Shuci was terrified by it all day and hurriedly caught it. "Damn! It's a good thing you're a puppy. If you were any bigger, I wouldn't have been able to catch you."
"Aww!"
Returning to its father's embrace after a long absence, it jumped and danced with excitement, occasionally licking Xie Shuci's face and smearing him with saliva.
"Alright, alright." Xie Shuci picked it up with a look of disgust. "I just took a nap, don't act like we haven't seen each other in ages."
"Awoooooo!" the king retorted a few times in dissatisfaction.
But they want to fall a little.
Xie Shuci dragged the dog by the head to the lobby, glanced into the crowd, and saw Xiao Lian sitting at a table drinking. He then slowly walked over.
"Oh, you're awake?" As she approached, Xiao Lian glanced at him sideways. "You're something else. You got drunk while serving the guests and only woke up now."
Xie Shuci sat down at the table and said innocently, "I told you I don't drink, but the guests insisted that I drink. What could I do?"
Xiao Lian scoffed, "I heard that you got drunk because you refused to admit defeat and challenged your guests to a drinking contest."
"Then tell me, did I serve you well enough? Are the guests satisfied?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lian raised her eyebrows dismissively, "Barely satisfactory."
Xie Shuci said smugly, "Satisfaction is satisfaction. What does 'barely satisfied' even mean?"
Xiao Lian sneered, "That guest surnamed Liu was digging for earthworms with you in someone else's garden. After you left, he dug there alone for half a day and even fell asleep in the ground."
Xie Shuci: "..."
"Catching earthworms? Would I do something so stupid?"
What do you think?
Seeing her unfriendly expression, Xie Shuci touched the tip of her nose and asked, "Where is my brother?"
He hadn't seen Xie An since he woke up, and he looked around the hall but couldn't find him.
Xiao Lian slowly waved her folding fan and said, "Your brother and that guest seem to be getting along quite well; they're in their room."
Xie Shuci was stunned. When she came to her senses, she lowered her head and said in a lower voice, "Is that so?"
Seeing his blank expression, Xiao Lian smiled and said, "What's wrong? Didn't you see him jealous when you woke up?"
"Don't talk nonsense." Xie Shuci glanced at her, then lowered his head, stroked the fur on the king's neck, and said calmly, "He is my brother, I have to give him space to make friends."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Lian was taken aback.
Xie Shuci was usually loud and boisterous, so his unusual quietness seemed out of place.
She asked suspiciously, "Did you two have a fight?"
Xie Shuci said, "No."
"Aren't you two usually quite inseparable? You don't even like it when other people look at him twice."
Xie Shuci: "..."
“It’s not that I’m unwilling, I’m just afraid he’ll be deceived. But Xie An is so smart, no one can fool him.”
Xiao Lian nodded as if she understood, but it was unclear whether she had been convinced.
After eating something in the lobby, Xie Shuci sat and listened to some music for a while. After sitting for more than an hour, he suddenly realized that he was now a male prostitute at the Wanhua Brothel! What kind of behavior was it to sit in public, eating, drinking and listening to music?
So he said to Xiaolian, who was standing next to him, "Aren't you the owner of Wanhualou? Why don't you find me something to do?"
Xiao Lian glanced at him, "You're not happy about being idle?"
"Sister Xiaolian, that's not right of you. A diligent person like me, Xie Shuci, would never slack off during work hours."
What he said was strange, but you could still guess what it meant.
Xiao Lian glanced at her speechlessly, "Fine, since you're so eager, I'll take you to get ready."
Let's go!
"Aww!"
When Xiao Lian and Xie Shuci arrived at the attic, Xie Shuci was teasing the king in his arms. The king was giggling and laughing non-stop. Halfway through his laughter, he suddenly barked to the left.
"What are you yelling for! Ouch! Daddy's going to earn money to buy you meat!"
"Aww!"
Xie Shuci looked in the direction it was howling.
Xie An stood in the corridor and, having heard Xie Shuci and the King's voices, looked over at them.
Upon seeing him, Xie Shuci's gaze froze for a moment.
"You're awake?" Xie An asked as he stepped forward.
"Ah...you're awake." Xie Shuci's stunned expression vanished in an instant, and she returned to her normal demeanor.
Where are we going?
"Me? I'm going to change my clothes. I've wasted so much time sleeping, the boss will dock my pay."
Xiao Lian pouted: "How much have you and this little thing destroyed at my Wanhua Tower? You haven't even paid for it yet."
"Damn it! We didn't do it on purpose. We have no money, but you can take our lives."
Xiao Lian rolled her eyes. "Who wants your life? You're overestimating yourself."
"Tch." Xie Shuci rolled his eyes. Seeing Xie An still standing in the corridor, he said to him, "Go back to your room."
Xie An lowered his long eyelashes and said, "No need, I'll go with you."
Upon hearing this, Xie Shuci didn't say anything, "Alright."
The three people and the dog walked to the side and reached the outside of Luo Xianyu's room, where they could vaguely hear arguing inside.
Amidst the arguing, Luo Xianyu could be heard suppressing a muffled cough.
The three of them paused, and Xiao Lian and Xie Shuci simultaneously frowned and looked over.
"etc."
The king had just opened his mouth to shout when Xie Shuci covered it with one hand.
The arguing inside wasn't loud, but Xiao Lian and Xie Shuci, being cultivators, could hear it quite clearly.
"I won't go to Sister Changxuan, I'll think of another way."
"You alone? What can you do? How old are you? What can you do if you leave Tianzhu City alone?"
“I’m not young anymore, sister. You were already working at the brothel when you were my age! Sister, I can’t let you die. I have to try.”
"There's no need to mention this again. If you dare to step out of Tianzhu City, you will no longer be my sister. Even if you bring back the Healing Pill, I will not take it."
"Sister..." Xiao Xianlan's voice trembled as she cried, "You can't die, I don't want you to die, I'll trade my life for yours, I want you to live..."
Hearing this, Xiao Lian frowned and pushed open the door to enter.
Xie Shuci and Xie An followed them inside and then turned around and closed the door.
"Xianlan, stop fooling around," Xiaolian said in a deep voice.
Xiao Lian knelt beside Luo Xianyu's bed, her little face flushed from crying.
Tears welled up in Luo Xianyu's eyes, but she never let them fall.
"Sister Xiaolian..." Xiaoxianlan cried out, her voice choked with sobs.
Xiao Lian stepped forward and rebuked, "You want to leave Tianzhu City alone to seek the top-grade healing pill for the Immortal Jade? Do you know how dangerous it is outside? Even if you survive and manage to obtain the pill, do you know how precious a top-grade pill is in the cultivation world? You know the saying, 'A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime'?"
Xiao Xianlan cried uncontrollably, "I...I can't let my sister die, I don't want my sister to die..."
"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are all predestined for everyone. It's not just about the immortal jade; you, me, everyone must die!"
Xie Shuci gleaned some information from their argument.
He slowly raised his hand, "Well..."
Xiao Lian continued to scold, "Don't even mention you, even Ye Changxuan might not be able to get a single top-grade pill. Even if we lose the entire Wanhua Pavilion, we still won't get a single one!"
"But...I don't want to give up...I want to try..."
"Everyone... could I possibly hear a few words?" Xie Shuci's weak voice was among them.
"Putting everything else aside, even if you are lucky enough to obtain the elixir and return safely to Wanhua Tower, do you know how long that will take? Will Xianyu still be alive to wait for you to return? Do you want her to worry about you for the rest of her life?"
Xie Shuci was speechless. Didn't anyone notice that there were two other people next to them?
Helpless, Xie Shuci could only pat the king on the back and say, "Call."
The king nodded knowingly, "Awoooooo!"
It barked repeatedly, as if it had been hit, and the room immediately fell silent. Several pairs of eyes turned to look at Xie Shuci.
"Aww... Ugh!"
As it cried out, Xie Shuci covered its mouth. Realizing that everyone's eyes were on it, it blinked innocently and snuggled into Xie Shuci's arms.
Seeing that they had finally noticed him, Xie Shuci chuckled dryly, "Does anyone remember that I can also refine pills?"
Xiao Lian turned around, looked at Xie Shuci, her expression somewhat complicated, and remained silent.
Little Fairy Orchid said in confusion, "Brother Xiao Ci, you...you just learned how to refine pills, and you can only refine low-grade pills, right?"
Xie Shuci said, "But I still have my fellow disciples."
Seeing everyone looking at him with suspicion, Xie Shuci scratched the back of his head and said, "Well... I have a top-grade healing pill."
Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned.
Xiao Lian's expression became even more complicated. "You're going to give it to us?"
"Hmm..." Xie Shuci responded vaguely.
"Do you know how precious a top-grade pill is? We have no relation to you, so why are you helping us?"
Xie Shuci stammered, "I'm not giving it away for free."
He glanced at the three of them. "Can I... take some silver?"
Xie Shuci
He was penniless and poor, but influenced by the idea of "doing good deeds without expecting anything in return" since childhood, he felt that his behavior of helping others and expecting something in return was very vulgar, so he was a little embarrassed, lowered his head, and spoke softer and softer.
After a while, hearing no response, Xie Shuci quietly looked up and glanced at the scene.
Luo Xianyu leaned against the headboard, staring blankly at Xie Shuci. Her pale face was filled with the same confusion as Xiao Xianlan's. Perhaps she felt that what was happening was very unreal. After hesitating for a long time, as if afraid that she had misheard, she took a deep breath and mustered up her courage to ask, "Young Master Xie, are you really going to sell me the pill?"
"I... can sell it to you at a lower price."
Xie Shuci's small purse could no longer withstand his generous spending; it was at least equivalent to a month's salary.
Upon hearing this, Luo Xianyu silently slid tears down her cheeks.
Xiao Xianlan rushed forward in a few steps, knelt down in front of Xie Shuci, and kowtowed twice, "Brother Xiaoci, thank you! Thank you!"
Her voice trembled, "Thank you for selling us the pills... thank you..."
Xie Shuci was startled by her and noticed that the little girl had kowtowed quite thoroughly, her forehead already covered in red marks. Xie Shuci quickly helped her up by the arm, "Hey! What are you doing?"
Just as he had helped Xiao Xianlan up, Luo Xianyu, who was on the bed, also wanted to join in the fun. She lifted the quilt and, with Xiao Lian's help, walked towards Xie Shuci.
"Hey, no..."
Luo Xianyu, however, remained resolute and knelt down alongside Xiao Xianlan.
"I, Luo Xianyu, kowtow to thank you, young master, for saving my life."
"Don't……"
Xie Shuci tried to stop him, but Xie An pulled him back from behind.
Xie An's expression was indifferent, as if she felt that Xie Shuci should accept her bow.
Xiao Lian also said, "Let her kowtow; you did indeed save her life."
Xie Shuci had no choice but to accept their bow.
With a slight rise and fall of her body, Luo Xianyu couldn't help but cough softly.
Xie Shuci and Xiao Lian quickly helped her up and sat her back down on the couch.
Xiao Xianlan looked at Xie Shuci, who seemed about to say something, but Xie Shuci quickly reached out to stop her, "Don't say anything, don't say anything, or I'll regret it!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xianlan had no choice but to shut her mouth, looking at Xie Shuci with teary eyes to express her gratitude.
Xie Shuci opened the small pouch, fiddled with it for a while, and took out a small blue porcelain bottle. He uncorked it and saw that it was indeed a healing pill.
He borrowed Xiao Lian's handkerchief, poured out one of the pills, and handed it to Luo Xianyu.
Luo Xianyu took the token but did not consume it. Instead, she said to Xiao Xianlan, "Xianlan, bring me my token."
"yes."
Xiao Xianlan took out a white jade token from a cabinet next to her, with the words "Immortal Jade" written on the front.
Luo Xianyu took the token and handed it to Xie Shuci, saying, "Young Master Xie, this token represents my life savings. I originally intended to leave it to Xianlan after my death. You saved my life, and I know how precious a top-grade pill is. Please accept this meager amount of my savings."
"This..." Xie Shuci hesitated. This token represented all the savings someone had accumulated as a courtesan for so long. How could Xie Shuci possibly accept it?
Seeing this, Xiao Lian explained, "Wanhua Tower isn't just located in Tianzhu City. With this token, you can exchange silver at any Wanhua Tower in the cultivation world. Moreover, this token includes 40% of Wanhua Tower's profits, but compared to the value of top-grade pills, it's far from enough. You should accept it to put her mind at ease. If you don't accept it, she might not take the pills."
Hearing Xiao Lian's words, Xie Shuci couldn't help but respond.
What's wrong with people in the cultivation world? Why do they all like giving away tokens? Xie Shuci has four tokens of various sizes in his pocket!
Seeing that Xie Shuci had taken it, Luo Xianyu breathed a sigh of relief and then swallowed the pill.
Xiao Lian said, "Xian Yu's body is not like that of a cultivator. Although the top-grade healing pill can repair the illness in her body, the spiritual power contained in it is difficult for her body to digest. You should leave first, and I will stay to clear her meridians."
Upon hearing this, Xie Shuci and the other two left the room one after another.
As Xie An walked outside and turned back to close the door, he suddenly spoke: "She did it on purpose."
"Who?" Xie Shuci and Xiao Xianlan looked at him in confusion.
"Sister Xiaolian?"
"Hmm," Xie An replied.
“That day she had already discovered that there were other people hiding in the room. She deliberately talked to Luo Xianyu about the pills, but she actually wanted to tell you.”
"That day?" Xie Shuci was taken aback. "Which day?"
Xie An paused for a moment, lowered his eyes, and said, "The day you got drunk."
"Oh, I don't remember," Xie Shuci said calmly.
"Sister Xiaolian did it on purpose..." Xiaoxianlan murmured.
“She knows your identity and that you and Luo Xianyu are just casual acquaintances, yet she is willing to give them Spirit Gathering Pills. Therefore, she is using this as a test to see if you will soften your heart.”
After listening to his explanation, Xie Shuci nodded as if he understood but not quite. He didn't quite understand the intricacies of the situation, but since he didn't have to worry about money and Luo Xianyu wouldn't die, it was a win-win situation, so he couldn't be bothered to figure it out.
Xie Shuci is like that; he is short-sighted and can only see what's in front of him. He can't distinguish right from wrong, and he sees whatever he wants.
Xie Shuci didn't pay much attention. After letting Xiao Xianlan go back to her room, he led Xie An and the King towards their room.
While pondering to himself, he realized that Tianzhu City was a major commercial city, and Tianzhu City was the leading commercial city. Luo Xianyu was the top star in the leading commercial city. Her savings, plus 40% of Tianzhu City's profits, should be enough for Xie Shuci to live on for several lifetimes.
Holding the light token in his hand, Xie Shuci felt a little unreal about his sudden wealth. He really hadn't expected that he could resolve such a worry so easily.
He's rich now!
Xie Shuci picked up the token and put it to his mouth as if to take a bite, but stopped after opening his mouth and muttered, "Don't bite it and break it."
He's rich now, but it's all thanks to his fellow apprentices. He should go back and visit them sometime.
Thinking of this, Xie Shuci curled his lip, knowing that they might not necessarily be happy to see him like this.
Seriously, where did they get such a precious top-grade pill? How could they bear to give it to themselves?
He walked silently to the room door, pushed it open, and went inside.
As he closed the door, Xie An suddenly asked, "Do you remember what happened that day?"
Xie Shuci's back stiffened, then he turned around, his smile as usual: "I blacked out from drinking, so what? Did I do something embarrassing while drunk? Or...did I do something to you?"
Xie An raised his long eyelashes, his lifeless gaze lingering on Xie Shuci's face for a moment before shifting away, shaking his head. "No."
"That settles it then." Xie Shuci shrugged, then couldn't help but tease, "I heard from Xiaolian that you get along quite well with Brother Sikong and the others. Maybe they can help you restore your cultivation and eyesight in the future. If you want to go with them, I won't say anything."
Xie An frowned. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"No, I'm just giving you another option."
After saying that, Xie Shuci turned around. "Alright, I have money now, I've seen the Jingyu Flower, and I've had my fill of male prostitutes. I'll probably leave in a couple of days to go somewhere else. You..."
"I'm with you."
"Okay," Xie Shuci nodded.
Xie An stood there, watching Xie Shuci's retreating figure, and pursed his thin lips.
Xie Shuci held the king and sat on the edge of the bed playing with him, while Xie An sat at a table to the side.
The king's giggling laughter occasionally echoed in the room.
After a long silence, Xie An spoke up: "Sikong Xin has something to discuss with you."
Xie Shuci was taken aback, then pulled the king into his arms and asked suspiciously, "Him? Does he need to see me?"
"Yes, it's related to the Dragon Fang Secret Realm."
"Why don't you just ask him?" Xie Shuci said.
"...I can't see it, and I don't know exactly what happened."
"Oh, where are they now?"
"Inside the room."
“Alright then, let’s go find him,” Xie Shuci said.
"Mm." Xie An nodded.
Xie Shuci picked up the king and walked out, with Xie An following behind. When they reached the door, Xie An suddenly called out, "Xie Shuci?"
Xie Shuci turned around and looked at him.
Xie An moved his lips, but remained silent.
Xie Shuci said helplessly, "Was I drunk and did something to you? Don't take it to heart. I don't remember anything when I'm drunk. I promise you I'll never drink again, okay?"
"no……"
"Alright, alright, we'll talk about it later. Let's go." Xie Shuci threw the king into his arms, walked behind him, and pushed him out.
The two people and the dog arrived at the door of Sikong Xin's room. Xie Shuci stopped and knocked on the door.
A short while later, the woman in purple opened the door for the two of them.
Xie Shuci entered the room, and Liu Dazhuang threw a porcelain cup at him. Xie Shuci was so distracted that he didn't pay much attention. If Xie An hadn't pulled him aside from behind, the porcelain cup would have hit him on the forehead.
"Holy crap—what are you doing?!"
Xie Shuci snapped out of his daze, staring angrily at the large hole the porcelain cup had smashed into the wall.
Liu Dazhuang angrily said, "I said whoever digs up the most earthworms wins, why did you just leave without saying a word?"
Xie Shuci: "..."
His face fell. "You want me to go dig for earthworms with you? No way."
"If you don't believe me, ask Brother Sikong!"
Sikong Xin covered the corner of his mouth with a smile, unable to suppress a laugh as he recalled that day.
That day, before Xie Shuci and the others arrived, Liu Dazhuang had already drunk quite a bit of wine, but the effects of the alcohol hadn't kicked in yet. After getting drunk with Xie Shuci, he insisted on winning and losing. When Sikong Xin finished his revelry and remembered Liu Dazhuang, he found that the man was asleep in the mud.
"Alright, Dazhuang, we have important matters to inquire about from Young Master Xie."
Liu Dazhuang glared at Xie Shuci indignantly, muttering something under his breath. Xie Shuci's damned ability to read spoken language was so effective that he accurately translated what Xie Shuci was calling him an ugly monster.
Xie Shuci glared back.
After the two were fully seated, Sikong Xin's expression turned serious.
"What exactly happened to you in the Dragon Fang Secret Realm?" Sikong Xin asked.
When this matter was mentioned, Liu Dazhuang's expression became more serious.
Xie Shuci's heart skipped a beat, and he frowned, asking, "What's wrong?"
Sikong Xin glanced at him and said, "Apart from you and the two disciples of the Chu family, the disciples of the Hehuan Sect and the Xiaoyao Sect, no one else has come out."
"What do you mean? The gate to the Dragon Fang Secret Realm is only open for seven days, and seven days have long passed now. How come they haven't come out?"
Sikong Xin sighed, "The gate connecting the Dragon Fang Secret Realm to the cultivation world has suddenly closed ahead of schedule."
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