Chapter 39

Wang Yu feigned surprise.

“Not doing it? Then you’re just occupying an position. You can’t even manage nepotism properly. What use are you?”

The longer their cooperation lasted, the deeper the entanglement of interests. Wang Yu now acted like the one in charge, and his tone was no longer courteous.

He had discovered that Zhao Shang was paying more and more attention to the Alchemists' Association. This indicated that Zhao’s other money-making avenues were falling apart. Perhaps this was the only option left.

Zhao Shang glanced around, then gave Wang Yu a meaningful look and whispered, “Did you hear? Three months ago, Senior Disciple Su took in a concubine.”

Wang Yu’s eyes flickered as he nodded with feigned familiarity, though he’d never heard of it.

“So what? Don’t tell me it’s your childhood sweetheart?”

“You—” Zhao Shang pulled out a jade pendant magic tool and activated it. A soundproofing barrier enveloped the two of them. He was cautious. He then pointed toward the ceiling.

“She’s in this building. The cultivator who used to handle internal resources and benefits, Gao Qiuyue, was a sworn sister of mine. And now— she’s done for.

“That little vixen came in and stripped her of her position. Now she’s trying to take over my task delegation rights and management of the Qi Essence Chamber. I suspect she wants to bring people into the tower to cultivate.”

“That ruthless?” Wang Yu was genuinely shocked.

“And that’s not all. A few days ago, she even tried to lay hands on Foundation Establishment cultivators, driving them out of the building.”

Now Wang Yu was truly shaken. She came representing True Disciple Su at the Ice and Snow Pavilion and wanted to purge the core cultivators under his command?

That was like hearing a concubine had dismissed the general guarding the borders. Utterly absurd.

“What’s her background? Does she have some hidden backing we don’t know about?”

Wang Yu’s question was carefully worded. Zhao Shang didn’t notice anything strange and answered immediately.

“No backing. Just some woman who got lucky.”

“Then have you ever wondered how she and True Disciple Su met?”

“This—”

“To be honest, I don’t know. Do you have a theory, Brother Wang?”

“How would I know?” Wang Yu shrugged. He was just making idle conversation, having no intention of getting involved.

“Help me check if there are any external sect missions. I don’t care about the pay. I just want it to be safe and long-term.”

Zhao Shang was stunned, then suddenly grew angry.

“You’re not worried she’ll kick me out, and all the dirty things we’ve done will be exposed? You’re thinking of running now? I won’t help you!”

“I’ve never done anything dirty with you. Stop misusing words if you don’t know what they mean.” Wang Yu rolled his eyes, then added.

“Cut the act. It’s disgusting. You think I don’t know who you are? To hold such an important post under True Disciple Su, and I’m supposed to believe I know nothing about you?

“What can a concubine do to you anyway? Hurry up and take care of the business.”

Zhao Shang fell silent upon hearing that. After a moment, he said meaningfully.

“Even though things inside the sect seem unsafe, as long as you’re walking on the righteous path, you won’t die by accident.

“But it’s different outside. Flying in the sky, you could die at any moment. There are all kinds of dangers.”

This wasn’t a kind warning. It was a threat.

If Wang Yu left the sect, Zhao Shang would find an opportunity to kill him.

The two locked eyes. Then Wang Yu suddenly smiled.

“You’re afraid of me.”

“I’m afraid you’ll run and drag me down.”

“Maybe.”

Wang Yu shrugged and turned to leave. Zhao Shang remained silent for a moment, then threw him a command token and explained.

“This is the Blackbone Token. It rotates every five years. The destination is Blackbone Mountain. The next rotation is more than a year away. When the time comes, you can join the group.”

Zhao Shang didn’t explain much. Wang Yu would have to investigate on his own. But one thing was clear, Zhao Shang was very wary of him.

After all, the two had worked together for a long time. They had seen through each other’s nature and knew far too much. Sooner or later, one would try to kill the other. This wasn’t something True Disciple Su could fix. The only solution was to silence whoever knew the secrets.

“Whether I go or not, we’ll see.”

With a murmur in his heart, Wang Yu left the Ice and Snow Pavilion.

The Next Day

Blood Reversal Lane, Azure Concubine Pavilion.

This place was a joint venture between the Blood Reversal Sect and another major demonic sect, the Sect’s long-standing ally: the Joyous Union Sect. The Joyous Union Sect supplied the goods, while the Blood Reversal Sect managed the business.

They offered furnace cauldrons of all ages, both male and female.

Because it was located deep within another sect's territory, the latter only provided the land, yet still took fifty percent of the net profit. It was the most bustling and prosperous of all ten establishments under the Blood Reversal Sect’s banner.

Foot traffic exceeded several thousand entries and exits per day.

Truly a place of “inserting flowers and polishing jade.” And if you asked what flowers were inserted and what jade was polished:

They inserted spring-blooming Understanding Flowers, and played with soul-melting Faces Like Jade.

Wang Yu came here for a purpose he dared not speak of.

He entered, paid with spirit stones.

Given that many in the cultivation world had cleanliness obsessions, the Azure Concubine Pavilion offered virgins as well. For those less picky, there were also well-trained noble ladies available—just tip more generously.

Since he had yet to lose blood in this life, Wang Yu did not hesitate to pay a heavy sum for a virgin furnace cauldron, and spent a night of passion.

During the wait, he sighed.

The fortune-teller once said that a treasure was hidden in his body, concealed in plain sight. Unfortunately, the treasure had gathered dust, never polished. Only the beauties of Azure Concubine Pavilion could bring out its brilliance.

Nothing more than that.

Wang Yu simply planned to begin cultivating the Corpse Demon Secret Technique. Considering that in the coming centuries, or perhaps forever, he would be able to look but not touch, he had to enjoy it at least once in advance—for the sake of maintaining a balanced state of mind.

In the demonic path, it was hard to avoid the influence of one's surroundings during growth. For mental health alone, this was worth it.

“Young Master~”

A honeyed, bone-melting voice rang from behind him. A seductive woman in a sheer red robe walked over with sensuous lotus-like steps. Full bosom above, round buttocks below, her graceful figure displayed exquisite curves.

She sat closely beside Wang Yu, starry light gleaming in her enchanting pupils.

“Husband~”

Another cool and elegant voice followed. A young woman in a pale green cloud-pattern robe stepped out from behind a screen on the balcony. Her beauty could outshine flowers and eclipse fish and birds. Her skin was smooth and snowy white.

Her chest, though modest, was like a budding blossom. Her long legs were symmetrical and perfectly curved. She wore the Joyous Union Sect’s specialty—Green Lotus and White Silk Spirit Stockings. Lightly, she sat on Wang Yu’s right and wrapped a fair hand around his strong waist.

“Hiss…”

Wang Yu couldn’t help but suck in a cold breath. He had only planned to spend his future needs in advance, but had not considered whether his body could endure it.

Just then, something warm and soft rested on the back of his head. It felt as if it wanted to wrap around him completely. The sensation was indescribably good and incredibly comforting.

“Little brother~”

Yet another tall beauty in a blue split-skirt robe, the hem open all the way to her waist, bit gently on his ear. Her voice tingled and numbed his senses, making it hard to resist.

No wonder they say that beautiful lands breed fallen heroes.

The ancestors did not lie.

Tonight—there would be no sleep.

When the sun reached mid-sky, Wang Yu—feeling his spiritual energy had grown, carefully lifted himself from the bed, gently moving aside the jade arms draped across his chest.

But his lower back ached so badly he hissed again.

He glanced back with some longing, then resolved to leave the Azure Concubine Pavilion. At the same time:

[Idle Slot 3: Corpse Demon Secret Art]

Corpse Demon Secret Art (0/100): Practice 1,440 times per day; master in 3 months.

From this moment forward, he would be bound by this technique.

His body would become like an ancient corpse, and he would never again experience what he had this day.