Lu Sheng paused in thought before stepping toward the nearest wandering pugilist. He flicked a gleaming tael between his fingers to catch the man’s attention.
“Fellow brother,” he said, his tone polite yet firm.
The pugilist shot him a wary glare. “What?”
“I’d just like to ask, why are so many people searching through the ruins?” Confusion colored Lu Sheng’s expression.
The man snorted, looking at him as though he were an idiot. “You don’t know? Then why are you here? Shoo!”
As the man turned to leave, Lu Sheng smoothly drew out a second golden tael. The two pieces of gold clinked together as he held them out.
That sound did the trick. The pugilist halted, eyes shifting from the gold to Lu Sheng’s attire. Satisfied that Lu Sheng wasn’t competition, he spoke in a low voice.
“Why’re you here watching the fun when you’ve got no idea what’s going on? We heard that last night, a bunch of experts showed up to perform exorcisms. In the middle of it all, some rare treasure appeared and chaos broke out. One of the experts grabbed it and escaped, and the whole place collapsed into ruins.”
He jabbed his thumb toward the wreckage. “We’re here to get our share of the spoils—pick up valuables from the dead.”
“Valuables from the dead?” Lu Sheng echoed, realization dawning.
So that was their true purpose—to strip corpses of any precious items left behind. Whatever had transpired last night must have been monumental to draw in such unfathomable figures.
His thoughts raced. All these people seem to know something. Duanmu Wan, Yan Kai… they all came to Nine Links City for reasons still hidden. Perhaps they’re connected to Demonic Ghosts as well.
Lu Sheng released the man and wandered deeper into the ruins. Blackened lumps littered the ground—like steel that had melted and solidified again.
He lingered only briefly before turning away, quickening his steps as he made his way back to Lu Manor.
When Lu Sheng returned to Lu Manor and stepped through the main gates, a servant boy hurried up to him.
“Young Master, Miss Duanmu is here again. She’s waiting for you in the Guest Hall,” the boy whispered.
Duanmu Wan… again? A faint shiver ran down Lu Sheng’s spine as he recalled their last encounter. Composing himself, he strode straight toward the Guest Hall.
The moment he stepped inside, he saw her—Duanmu Wan, unmistakable in her bold attire and striking poise. In these times, even brothel courtesans dressed with more restraint.
She sat gracefully upon a wooden chair, a white porcelain teacup delicately raised to her lips. Her conical hat rested beside her, and her shawl cloak lay open to reveal the black, skin-tight combat robes beneath.
The fabric clung to her like a second skin, accentuating every line and contour of her figure. At her chest and hips, it appeared almost invisible—no different from bare flesh. Servant maids and young attendants blushed crimson, their eyes darting away in embarrassment.
Lu Sheng did not waver. He dismissed the others with a wave of his hand, his gaze steady and unflinching.
“Miss Duanmu, it has been a while. Regarding the words you left me with before—what did you mean?”
Duanmu Wan’s lips curled into a soft, knowing smile. She lifted her chin slightly, her eyes sweeping over him with amused interest.
“Young Master Sheng, you seem to be doing quite well. To have escaped such a calamity… truly worth celebrating. There is no need to fret anymore. It is far safer now.”
“What do you mean by that?” Lu Sheng narrowed his eyes, sensing the weight behind her words. She clearly possessed information far beyond his reach.
Duanmu Wan set her teacup down with a gentle click, then straightened and gave a light clap.
As Duanmu Wan rose to her feet, her figure unfolded in full view before Lu Sheng. The tight combat robes clung to her every curve; the sway of her bosom and the contours of her lower body were outlined so vividly it was as though she wore nothing at all. Yet she remained utterly unfazed, her expression calm and poised.
“Since everyone has left, and Young Master survived the previous calamity, you have earned the right to learn a bit of insider information.” Her tone carried a playful lilt, though her words hinted at something grave.
Lu Sheng straightened slightly. “Will Miss please enlighten me.” He feared she might hold back what he needed to know.
With a smile, Duanmu Wan casually rested a hand against the curve of her chest—an intentionally distracting gesture.
“Since Young Master Sheng did not die, you must have already experienced the power of Demonic Ghosts. They are vile, treacherous entities, not easily dealt with. Without special methods, no one can escape their deadly pursuit.”
Lu Sheng’s gaze sharpened. “Demonic Ghosts… Miss, can you explain further? Where do they come from, and what is their goal?”
“Don’t be so hasty…” She laughed softly, stepping close enough that he could catch the faint fragrance clinging to her. Her fingertips brushed lightly against his cheek—soft as silk, fleeting as a lover’s tease.
He abruptly leaned back to avoid her touch. “Miss Duanmu, you mentioned insider information.” His tone cooled, eyes tightening. “If you wished to conceal the truth, you wouldn’t have come seeking me. I believe Miss Duanmu also has her own intentions, doesn’t she?”
Duanmu Wan let out a soft, flirtatious laugh that seemed to ripple through the room.
With a sudden shift, she pressed herself fully against Lu Sheng. Her upper body molded to him, her chest pushing forward with deliberate intimacy, forming a breathtaking curve and deep ravine.
“Young Master Sheng is truly remarkable. When I first saw you, I already found you quite to my liking. I placed a small wager on you, just for fun… Who would’ve thought you would actually survive? Such a delightful surprise.” Her voice grew husky, dripping affection.116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpykknQp8WI
“Ever since hearing you were alive, this maiden has been missing you… even in moments caught between life and death.”
Lu Sheng tamped down the irritation rising in him. He let her do as she wished for now, maintaining an even expression. “Don’t tell me Miss has truly fallen for me?”
“Who knows?” Still smiling, Duanmu Wan slid away from him, spinning lightly as though she were dancing. The heavy curves of her body swayed with every playful turn.
“I do like you a lot, Young Master. Whenever I see you, I’m reminded of someone dear to me… He died too early, leaving all my affection to drift away with him.” A fleeting glimmer of sorrow clouded her almond eyes, a self-pitying frailty one would never expect from someone as bold as her. Whoever that man had been—he was no ordinary person.
Lu Sheng seized the moment while her guard wavered. “So now, Miss Duanmu… can you tell me what these Demonic Ghosts actually are? And what sort of people you belong to?”
Duanmu Wan moved behind Lu Sheng, her body fitting against his back as though she belonged there. Her voice turned soft, tinged with sorrow.
“Whenever I look at you, Young Master… I can’t help imagining that it’s him.” A long, grieving sigh slipped from her lips.
Then her tone shifted, quiet but heavy with meaning. “Young Master, do you know why humans can still live in relative peace in a world where demons roam freely, where ghosts and monsters lurk everywhere? Why you were able to live more than ten years so ordinarily?”
Lu Sheng’s eyes sharpened. “There’s someone protecting us?”
“Yes… you could call it ‘protection.’” Duanmu Wan gently inhaled the scent of his skin, her breath brushing the back of his neck. “This world… is divided between two factions.”
Lu Sheng murmured, “Which two factions?”
She lifted two slender fingers. “Demons and Noble Families. The ‘demons’ include beings like the Demonic Ghosts you’ve already encountered. The ‘Noble Families’… are people like myself and Yan Kai — exorcists who are born with innate power.”
Lu Sheng’s heart clenched. “Born with innate power? Isn’t that something one can cultivate later?”
Duanmu Wan’s laugh was playful, yet pitying. “No… I understand Young Master’s desire, but alas — there is no cultivation method in this world capable of resisting demons. Noble Families don’t rely on skills or techniques you can learn. We merely train the power we were born with — how to command it, how to kill what lurks in the dark.”116Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HVVHyofKZ
Her voice softened into a whisper. “Mortals can only ever remain… mortals.”
Lu Sheng said nothing.
This was the reality he least wished to accept.
Duanmu Wan’s voice took on a calm certainty as she continued.
“In this world, only two forces rule over everything—demons and the Noble Families. Our power is innate, utterly beyond a mortal’s reach. The gap between us is something mortals can never cross. From the moment of birth, even the weakest among us is unimaginably powerful in your eyes.”
Lu Sheng slowly shook his head. “I refuse to believe mortals don’t stand even a sliver of chance.”
She giggled softly, amused. “Young Master is far too adorable… You must understand, there is no ‘Spirit Qi’ or ‘Immortal Qi’ like those stories describe. There is nothing mystical in the air we breathe. The inner Qi martial artists cultivate comes merely from the food they eat.”
Her gaze deepened. “But the power of the Noble Families… comes from our very blood. The disparity is carved into existence from birth.”
Her hand slipped from his back to rest lightly upon his chest, tracing the contours of hard muscle beneath the fabric.
“Recently, two factions clashed over a treasure here in Nine Links City. One of them commands the Demonic Ghosts… they chose the Xu Family and your Lu Manor as sacrifices.”
Lu Sheng’s eyes sharpened; this was the information he was waiting for. “May I ask, Miss, what is the name of this faction?”
She leaned her head against his arm, speaking almost wistfully. “Mortal-Sweeping Manor. That is their name. An ancient faction rooted here for a very, very long time.”
Her fingers curled slightly. “They control innumerable ghosts. It was they who designated your Lu Family’s master as the sacrificial offering. For a treasure of such value to surface… countless sacrifices are required. Countless…”
Lu Sheng’s expression remained tense. “In that case, since my father isn’t dead… will they return for us?”
Duanmu Wan covered her lips and let out a coy laugh. “If they do come for you, Young Master can always seek out Wan’er… Make Wan’er happy enough, and perhaps I might save you once~~”
Lu Sheng gently brushed her hand aside, turning to face her directly. “Miss Duanmu is teasing me. May I know if Miss possesses other inner force mantras—skills that are not based on life force?”
He couldn’t be sure how much truth lay in her words. Still, if he could obtain a stronger inner force technique—anything of real value—then this conversation would not be wasted.
Duanmu Wan toyed with a lock of her hair, thrusting her chest forward in a playful display. “Inner force mantras? What use are those?” She pouted theatrically. “What’s so fun about boring martial arts? Wouldn’t Young Master rather join Wan’er in a room and play some far more… interesting games?”
Lu Sheng’s gaze hardened. “Miss Duanmu, you jest too much. What must I pay to acquire these inner force skills? Please enlighten me.”
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