Chapter 16

Song Qingshi wasn't particularly fond of lamb, nor did he enjoy spicy food. Yet, his little angel craved hand-torn lamb, and so he had to indulge.

After a leisurely lunch, the two arrived at the Tiangong Pavilion.

The Pavilion Master, upon seeing Song Qingshi, respectfully ushered him in, though his expression was grim.

It was then that Song Qingshi finally understood the "fear of discrepancies" mentioned in the letter: it meant utter ignorance, a complete lack of understanding. The craftsmen were on the verge of madness.

"It's just a microscope, transparent test tubes and flasks, a distiller, fermentation tanks, a barometer, an infrared spectrometer..." Song Qingshi was bewildered, unsure what was so unclear. He hadn't even asked for more complex instruments like mass spectrometers or liquid chromatographs—just simple things. "A microscope is essentially a high-powered magnifying glass, something that lets you see bacteria..."

What in the world were magnifying glasses and bacteria? Some sort of killing tool or an artifact for prying?

The Tiangong Pavilion Master listened in a daze, beginning to question his very existence.

The two talked past each other for a long while.

Fortunately, Yue Wuhuan had been studying medicine with Song Qingshi these days and had some grasp of these objects. Seeing his Lord's predicament, he proactively stepped in to explain.

Yue Wuhuan, understanding the mindset of those in the immortal realm, changed his approach. He finally made the Pavilion Master understand that the microscope was a tool for examining tiny toxins on objects, the test tubes and flasks were precious decorative vessels, and the distiller was merely a kettle for refining pure water.

Song Qingshi sat by, stunned. It felt strange, yet somehow not entirely wrong.

At last, the Tiangong Pavilion Master thumped his chest, promising to produce the items.

Yue Wuhuan began to haggle. After about half an hour, he had probed out the Pavilion Master's lowest acceptable price. With Song Qingshi's permission, he even used common pills from Medicine King Valley to offset part of the payment, saving a considerable sum. He also secured a mutually beneficial long-term cooperation agreement with the Pavilion Master and meticulously checked the contract for loopholes.

Having such a versatile secretary at home was truly a blessing.

In the end, Song Qingshi didn't even read the contract; he simply signed his name.

He walked out of the Tiangong Pavilion in a daze. Night was falling, and the lights of all the shops flickered on one by one. Guests streamed in endlessly, and the pleasure district and gambling dens grew even livelier. Countless pleasure-seekers and gamblers bustled about, with occasional quarrels, fights, and even clashes between cultivators.

Night Rain Pavilion, located in the pleasure district, dealt in selling information and posting bounties.

This was Song Qingshi's first visit to such a place, and he curiously looked around, occasionally encountering bold advances from courtesans. Some even pulled at Yue Wuhuan, admiring his figure and making propositions, which made Song Qingshi deeply uncomfortable. He quickly ducked into Night Rain Pavilion to escape, and Yue Wuhuan's expression beneath his bamboo hat finally eased.

The rules of Night Rain Pavilion dictated that those seeking information must enter alone.

After instructing Yue Wuhuan not to wander off, Song Qingshi entered the inner chamber.

Ye Lin, the master of Night Rain Pavilion, personally received him.

Ye Lin was a good-natured, plump man with a kindly face and a perpetual smile. The original owner of Song Qingshi's body had once treated his severe injuries, and ever since, whenever Ye Lin received news of rare medicines or pills being released or sold, he would prioritize offering them to Song Qingshi. The two shared a certain camaraderie.

Now, hearing that Song Qingshi had gone to such lengths for a beauty, Ye Lin found it rather unreliable but couldn't say so directly. Moreover, the method to remove the Pleasure Seal was quite troublesome, so he had delayed for months, fearing that the Medicine King Immortal might act on a whim, grow tired of this beauty, and suffer heavy losses.

But now, Song Qingshi had come in person, sitting before him and pressing for answers.

"I only received this method recently," Ye Lin said, daring not to delay further, and handed it over. "When the Joy Immortal Lord created the Pleasure Seal, he left no method to undo it. In the past, demonic cultivators captured low-level cultivators as slaves, many of whom were newly enrolled disciples of major sects. Thus, the righteous immortal sects devised two solutions: first, a cultivator at the Divine Separation stage or above could directly erase it; second, a formation using Spirit Marrow, combined with the incantation and secret command used to draw the Pleasure Seal, could remove it."

Song Qingshi humbly asked, "Which method is easier?"

Ye Lin grimaced. "My Lord, you know as well as I do—Divine Separation elders are the treasures of their sects, rarely acting. Asking them to remove a Pleasure Seal from a slave of mortal birth would be an insult." He phrased it as tactfully as possible, though he really wanted to ask: If someone brought a pet to Medicine King Valley for treatment, would you throw them out?

Song Qingshi pondered and understood. "I'll choose the second method, then."

He would never allow Yue Wuhuan to suffer such humiliation again.

Ye Lin looked at him, exasperated. "Spirit Marrow... is a treasure found only once in each spirit vein. Occasionally, it appears at auctions, priced between one hundred thousand to three hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones, depending on quality and size. This method was developed at great cost by the daughter of the Golden Tower's master after she was branded with a Pleasure Seal by a villain. Because it's so expensive, no one cares much for it. I can give you the method directly, but every slave bearing a Pleasure Seal has the secret command of the one who branded them. The formation requires this command. Xie Que is extremely greedy—if he learns you want to remove the seal, he'll demand an exorbitant price."

Medicine King Valley constantly purchased rare herbs for research at high prices but sold few medicines, making it far from a wealthy sect.

Though Young Master Wuhuan was exceptionally beautiful, he was still just a courtesan with a scandalous past. Was it worth spending such a fortune to remove his seal? Had the Medicine King Immortal's mind been clouded by infatuation?

Ye Lin tried to dissuade him. "If you truly care for him, treat him well and don't use the Divine Sense Bead. Whether the Pleasure Seal is removed or not makes little difference. I've heard that Golden Ring Tower is auctioning a pair of stunning siblings, both virgins, for only fifty thousand spirit stones. Their looks are no less than..."

Song Qingshi immediately cut him off. "I want to buy Spirit Marrow. Do you know where it's being sold?"

He didn't know how to bridge the gap in understanding with immortal cultivators. This wasn't about whether he used the Divine Sense Bead—the Pleasure Seal itself was a mark of extreme humiliation, a symbol stripping away human dignity. It could not remain, or Yue Wuhuan's inner wounds would never heal.

Ye Lin gave up persuasion and said helplessly, "I know Madam Lingmiao has collected a few pieces, but I'm not sure she'll sell."

Song Qingshi quickly assessed his assets. "I'm willing to refine a bottle of Youth Restoration Pills for her and pay two hundred thousand spirit stones."

Though Madam Lingmiao was highly talented, she had entered the immortal path late, reaching Foundation Establishment in her thirties and forming her Golden Core in her forties. Her appearance was far older than other female cultivators, a sore point she concealed with beauty-preserving pills. She had long sought Youth Restoration Pills to restore her youthful looks. However, the recipe for Youth Restoration Pills had been lost, with only a lone copy remaining in Medicine King Valley. The original owner of Song Qingshi's body had disdained the pills, considering the materials too rare, the process too troublesome, and the effects too trivial to be worth a physician's effort, so he had never brewed them.

With Youth Restoration Pills on offer, Madam Lingmiao would surely be tempted.

"I'll handle this for you," Ye Lin said, wincing slightly on his behalf. Then he suddenly remembered something. "By the way, have you heard about Xie Que's recent troubles?"

Song Qingshi frowned. "What happened?"

Ye Lin recounted it as an amusing tale. "The master of Golden Phoenix Villa recently acquired a new treasure, doting on him like mad—some fellow named Bai Zihao. Turns out he's the illegitimate son of Elder He from Pine Crane Sect, born in the mortal world. Xie Que, that shameless villain, sold him as a slave. The matter has been dragged out with no resolution—Pine Crane Sect can't do anything to Golden Phoenix Villa, so they're hunting Xie Que for revenge. Unfortunately, that sly rat is quick to flee, hiding who knows where."

Song Qingshi lowered his head, thinking for a long time.

Ye Lin chuckled. "If I find Xie Que, I'll try to get the secret command for you—at a discount."

"No," Song Qingshi smiled. "I'll pay double. Just tell me his whereabouts..."

Ye Lin froze, then realized something and quickly agreed, lifting his teacup.

Song Qingshi bowed and left, taking Yue Wuhuan—who had been studying the bounty board outside—with him.

From the window, Ye Lin glanced at Yue Wuhuan, shook his head, pulled out an illustrated catalog from a hidden shelf, flipped through a few pages, and sighed.

Young Master Wuhuan's methods were truly formidable.

The Medicine King Immortal's impeccable reputation was likely doomed.

...

With all serious matters settled and a lead on removing the seal, Song Qingshi happily strolled through the streets with Yue Wuhuan, buying books, herbs, and household goods in bulk.

The red brocade was beautiful—perfect for Wuhuan. Buy!

Savage Dragon Herb might be useful for Wuhuan's medicine. Buy, buy!

Rongxing Hall's milk cakes were delicious—Wuhuan loved them. Buy, buy, buy!

Song Qingshi was the type to shop only a few times a year but buy enough to last half a year. He shopped with glee, even purchasing two bottles of wine from a roadside tavern. The wine was called “Worry-Free” and sounded delightful. The vendor claimed it could dispel sorrows. Though Song Qingshi was goal-oriented and had few major troubles, he thought it worth a taste.

He made random purchases.

Yue Wuhuan patiently stored everything in the Mustard Seed Bag to sort out later.

Spotting a bookstore in an alley, Song Qingshi hurried over excitedly. Buying books was his greatest pleasure—you can never have too many books.

After hesitating briefly, Yue Wuhuan slowly followed.

The bookstore named "Immortal Passion Pavilion" was bustling with customers. Song Qingshi first purchased all the medical-related books and a copy of the latest immortal realm news, then bought whatever was popular. He noticed that many customers, especially men, seemed particularly fond of the colorful illustrated books in the corner—seven or eight out of every ten would buy one.

Curious, Song Qingshi asked Yue Wuhuan, "What kind of books are those?"

Yue Wuhuan looked at him absentmindedly, hesitating to speak.

Song Qingshi walked straight over, picked up an illustrated book titled *Beauties of the Golden Age*, and smiled. "Ah, it's a collection of erotic art prints. The craftsmanship is exquisite—must be the work of a master artist, right?"

He flipped through it casually, then suddenly dropped the book as if burned by fire. The pages fell open, revealing the images inside. He glanced again in disbelief, his entire body turning ice-cold, as if doused in freezing water.

It was a pornographic book, filled with graphic scenes accompanied by vulgar poetry.

*The Night Banquet of Flowers*, *Immortal Lord's Favor Upon Young Master Wu Huan*, *The Unrivaled Beauty of Golden Phoenix*, and more...

The illustrations depicted a stunning young man being violated by various men in the most degrading positions.

The youth had beautiful phoenix eyes and a vivid red tear mole beneath his left eye—so devastatingly beautiful it aroused desire in all who saw.

This was Yue Wuhuan...

Song Qingshi knew what Yue Wuhuan had endured, but he had never faced such graphic depictions directly. As Yue Wuhuan gradually recovered, Song Qingshi had hoped, like an ostrich hiding its head in the sand, that time would erase these memories. But now, the book had cruelly torn open the scar, exposing everything. The hell Yue Wuhuan had suffered was far worse than anything Song Qingshi could have imagined.

How could people be so cruel?

Song Qingshi gasped for breath, gasping heavily as he hugged his shoulders tightly.

Nether Flame rose, incinerating all the filth.

And then?

What should he do? What could he do? He was powerless.

The bookstore owner had started to approach them but fled in fear at the sight. Song Qingshi stood there frozen, feeling all strength leave his body, until Yue Wuhuan wordlessly led him away.

Yue Wuhuan held his hand and aimlessly guided him to the riverside.

A cold breeze blew, gradually clearing Song Qingshi's mind...

At last, he understood why those two cultivators in the teahouse had spoken the way they did, and why Ye Lin had tried to dissuade him.

So everyone knew...

Golden Phoenix Manor had violated Yue Wuhuan's body, and these books had completely destroyed his reputation.

No matter how hard Yue Wuhuan worked—reaching Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, even Nascent Soul, or becoming a Sword Master—people would never see his brilliance. Instead, they would only think of his body and those degrading images, forever remembering him as a sex toy. Even if Song Qingshi burned one bookstore, two bookstores, countless copies of these books... he could never stop their circulation.

Yue Wuhuan had once said he had nothing left...

Now, Song Qingshi understood the depth of despair behind those words.

Sitting by the river, Song Qingshi covered his face, letting tears soak through his fingers. He hated his own helplessness.

"Master, please don't grieve," Yue Wuhuan sat down beside him, speaking softly. "You would have found out eventually... so I didn’t want to hide it. These paintings are from years ago. Back then, the most renowned artist in the immortal realm came to Golden Phoenix Manor. Jin Feiren drugged me and used Divine Sense Beads to control me, forcing the artist to create these images and spread them everywhere. Looking back, he must have sensed my desire to escape and wanted to show me that no matter where I fled, I could never escape my fate as a slave... So, I gave up hope of running away and became exactly what he wanted—shameless, wanton, and foolish..."

Song Qingshi kept his head lowered, staring at the river, unable to meet his gaze.

"Master gave me a chance at rebirth," Yue Wuhuan continued, voice light. "I’ve let go of the past. These things... I’ve become accustomed to them and was prepared for them. I’ll study methods of disguise, change my name, and avoid recognition. So... it’s fine. Really, it’s fine."

But Song Qingshi was still heartbroken, because this proud and beautiful phoenix could never soar freely under the sun again.

Collecting himself, he tried to stand but noticed Yue Wuhuan’s body trembling uncontrollably.

In the darkness, the veil had long been removed, revealing terror-filled eyes.

With all his strength, Yue Wuhuan forced out the words he feared most:

"Please... don’t find me disgusting..."