Li Banfeng had once used a record made by his wife to search for hooks at Xiaoyao Lodge, where he searched both people and rooms, combing through every nook and cranny of the place.
When he was searching for people, this particular janitor was without a broom.
While checking each room, the janitor carried a broom, making a point to avoid Li Banfeng.
No wonder Ling Miaosheng once said that a hook seizes every opportunity—it’s not just about method, but also about cunning.
It was highly probable that He Jiaqing had instructed the Ling Family to hang it, but to be safe, it would be best to investigate thoroughly first.
"Can you trace the source of the hook?"
"I can," Luo Zhengnan answered without hesitation.
Li Banfeng handed over five hundred Ocean Dollars to Luo Zhengnan, "Take this for now. If you need more money, just come to me."
After a moment of silence, Luo Zhengnan looked up and said, "Seventh Master, there’s something else you should know. Fifth Young Master Ma of the Ma Family might be in danger."
"Tell me more."
"He Jiaqing is the eldest son of the He Family. Are you familiar with him?"
Li Banfeng shook his head, "I’ve heard of him but don’t know him."
"This Eldest Young Master He just had a shadow play sabotaged by Master Ma Wu. Yesterday, he contacted a woman who might make a move against Master Ma Wu."
...
Ma Wu was sitting in his room, holding an invitation, his face beaming with joy.
Huoling and Ah Qin sat beside him, their faces ashen.
Li Banfeng walked in, and Ma Wu eagerly came forward, "Old Qi, this is an invitation from Shen Rongqing! She’s asked me to dinner tonight at Peace Mansion!"
Ah Qin snorted coldly, "Go ahead! Let that little fox spirit charm you!"
Huoling spat, "Little fox spirit? That woman is in her late thirties, an age as fierce as a wolf and hungry as a tiger! Just wait until she drains you completely, leaving nothing behind!"
Li Banfeng glanced at the invitation, "Old Five, this woman is no simple character."
"Indeed, she isn’t simple—she’s the greatest literary talent of our time. Even Zhang Xiuling has to acknowledge her superiority."
"Yes, a literary talent. And not only that, she’s also skilled in business. I used to think she only ran a leather factory and a paper mill, but I never imagined she was also in the shadow play business. The Ling Family’s Shadow Play Company should be under her control now."
Ma Wu froze for a moment, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
Ah Qin quickly urged, "Wulang, you can’t go! It’s a trap!"
Huoling continued to mock from the side, "Go on, if he wants to. To die beneath the peony flower, a romantic ghost he’ll be."
Ma Wu nodded slightly, "Ling’Er has a point. To die beneath the peony flower... this time, we’ll see who exactly meets their demise!"
...
At seven in the evening, Ma Wu arrived at Peace Mansion for the banquet. Peace Mansion, a property of the Lu Family, was the tallest building in Greenwater City and even the entire Puluo State. It boasted thirty-six floors, steam-powered elevators, and housed restaurants, hotels, malls, cinemas, and dance halls.
The construction of Peace Mansion was overseen by Lu Dongliang. He had once aimed to make it the premier attraction of Greenwater City, but unfortunately, by the time Lu Dongliang was taken to Lotus Flower, Peace Mansion’s prestige still fell slightly short of Hundred Joy Gate.
Ma Wu took the elevator to the sixteenth floor and, guided by a staff member, entered the private room Shen Rongqing had reserved.
This was Ma Wu’s first meeting with Shen Rongqing, the foremost literary talent of Puluo State.
It depended on the comparison. Judging by her face alone, among ordinary women, she possessed a certain charm, but she couldn’t compare to exquisite beauties like Jiang Mengting, Xiao Xiufei, and Tu Yinghong.
But once she began to speak, it was an entirely different matter.
Ma Wu was very familiar with both Jiang Mengting and Xiao Xiufei. On certain occasions, when they attended banquets, scripts had to be prepared for them in advance; otherwise, the moment they opened their mouths, they could shatter the impression others had of them.
When Shen Rongqing saw Ma Wu, she was the first to stand. She respectfully bowed with clasped hands, saying, "I’ve long admired Young Master’s reputation. It is my honor to meet you today!"
Her grace held a touch of earnest solemnity, her spiritedness a hint of playfulness.
Ma Wu hurried to respond, "Miss Shen, you flatter me. I have admired you for many years, and finally, today, I have the pleasure of meeting you—my joy knows no bounds."
The two exchanged bows with clasped hands and gazed at each other for a long moment before Shen Rongqing couldn’t help but chuckle. "I’ve recently been writing a martial arts story. Don’t our greetings have something of a martial arts air to them?"
With that single comment, any awkwardness from their first meeting dissolved, and they seemed to become old friends reunited after many years.
Ma Junyang said, "Miss Shen, when will your new work be published? I have been so anxiously waiting that I cannot sleep at night."
Shen Rongqing’s cheeks flushed slightly. "It is my first attempt at writing a martial arts novel, and I fear others may laugh."
Ma Junyang sighed, "As long as it comes from your pen, Miss, I will read it ten thousand times and never tire of it."
Shen Rongqing was touched. "Today, on this rare occasion, I’d like to share the gist of my story, as long as Young Master Ma doesn’t reveal it to anyone else."
In just a few sentences, a secret already lay between them.
Ma Junyang nodded. "If Miss Shen trusts me so, whatever is said today will not be known to a third person."
The two began to discuss the story. Its protagonist was named Nangong Xuan. Had anyone else chosen such a name, Ma Wu would have found it banal, but coming from Miss Shen, it possessed a unique charm.
"Young Master Nangong met the heroic swordswoman Yue Haitang and softly asked, ’Miss, where are you truly heading?’ Yue Haitang replied, ’The world is vast, Ma Junyang. Stop dealing in shadow plays.’"
Ma Wu was taken aback. He felt the voice he had just heard was deep and resonant, striking directly at his mind. It didn’t sound like Shen Rongqing at all, yet there was no one else in the room.
Ma Wu asked directly, "Miss Shen, what did you just say?"
Shen Rongqing’s lips curled slightly in displeasure. "Yue Haitang said, ’The world is vast; is there truly no place for me?’ Young Master Ma, were you not listening carefully? Do you find this story uninteresting?"
Ma Wu waved his hands hurriedly. "No, the story is fascinating! I was just momentarily distracted."
Shen Rongqing continued the story. When she reached the reunion of the main characters, her voice trembled slightly, "With a sorrowful look, Yue Haitang said, ’Young Master Nangong, after more than ten years apart, I hope you have been well.’ Then Young Master Nangong declared, ’Ma Junyang, from now on, stop meddling in the shadow play business!’"
Immersed in a daze, Ma Wu sat at the table, silent for a long time.
With a slight smile, Shen Rongqing raised her glass. "Young Master Ma, Young Master Nangong mentioned that twelve years have passed as if in a different lifetime. Now that we’re reunited today, let’s not miss out on this fated connection again."
Ma Wu nodded woodenly, a fresh streak of red appearing in his eyes.
This was an Art of False Emotion uniquely devised by Shen Rongqing, combining Mental Cultivation Technique with Literature Cultivation Techniques, and making use of Illusion Cultivation and Emotion Cultivation Magical Treasures to plant a False Emotional Root in Ma Wu.
The Literature Cultivation Techniques quickly drew Ma Wu into the scheme, allowing Shen Rongqing to establish a sense of closeness and trust in the shortest possible time.
The Mental Cultivation Technique issued a command to Ma Wu: he was to never again interfere with the shadow play business and would never oppose Shen Rongqing.
The Illusion Cultivation Magical Treasure concealed any preliminary signs of the techniques, leaving Ma Wu unprepared and unaware.
Logically, these methods should have been sufficient. Why then was an Emotion Cultivation Magical Treasure also necessary?
Because the effects of the Literature Cultivation Techniques and the Mental Cultivation Technique were not long-lasting. If Shen Rongqing had only employed these two, Ma Wu would certainly have felt an extreme aversion to the shadow play business for three to five days after the meal.
But once those few days passed and the techniques’ effects weakened, Ma Wu would return to the shadow play business. He was a merchant, and pursuing profit was his nature.
With the Emotion Cultivation Magical Treasure, the directive became enduring. The core of the Emotion Cultivation Technique lay in fostering absolute, unwavering devotion.
Shen Rongqing had just said, ’Twelve years have passed as if in a different lifetime.’ This planted a twelve-year Emotional Root in Ma Wu, forbidding him from meddling in the shadow play business for the next twelve years.
Seeing Ma Wu looking somewhat dazed, Shen Rongqing lifted her cup. "Young Master Ma, you’re distracted again."
Ma Wu rubbed his eyes, seemingly half-asleep and half-awake. "I’m quite tired today."
Sensing the time was right, Shen Rongqing prepared to see her guest off. "Since Young Master is weary, please finish this drink and return to rest soon. My humble work is not yet complete, so I must ask you not to disclose any of it."
Ma Wu repeatedly agreed.
With this promise, the events of the day would not be leaked.
...
The next morning, Shen Rongqing yawned and opened her eyes to find Ma Junyang beside her.
Shen Rongqing looked down at herself under the covers.
Ma Wu, embracing her from behind, said, "Overnight, it feels like a lifetime has passed. Miss Shen, from now on, you’re my woman."
Shen Rongqing shivered.
Ma Wu appeared calm, but truthfully, he was quite frightened.
Shen Rongqing was a Fifth Layer Literature Cultivator and a Fourth Layer Mental Cultivator. If she had truly decided to kill him, Ma Wu’s life would have been in jeopardy.
But now, it was too late for her to act. She couldn’t bring herself to do it.
She shouldn’t have used the Emotion Cultivation Magical Treasure on Ma Wu.
Ma Wu, having undergone further training by Feng Daiku, could exploit the characteristics of Emotion Cultivation to transfer the Emotional Root back to Shen Rongqing.
...
Leaving Peace Mansion, Shen Rongqing returned to the Shadow Play Company, looking utterly devastated.
Sitting in her office, she clutched her hair, unsure of what to do next.
Her secretary reported, "That Mr. Zhong has come again."
Shen Rongqing composed herself and, facing the mirror, adjusted her makeup, paying particular attention to her lipstick.
Soon, a youth dressed in white entered the office and said to Shen Rongqing, "Miss Shen, regarding the matter we discussed earlier, what have you decided?"
Shen Rongqing steadied her thoughts, returning to her shrewd and capable demeanor. "Mr. Zhong, I have conveyed your previous message. However, we know too little about your side to make a rash decision."
"It seems I failed to make some things clear. Allow me to present this item as a gift to you, Miss," the young man in white said, taking out a handkerchief and handing it to Shen Rongqing.
Shen Rongqing took the handkerchief and examined it carefully.
Yellow with cloud patterns. As the leading literary talent of her time, she naturally knew the origin of this handkerchief.
The young man in white said, "Miss Shen, the Saint is desperately seeking talent. I hope you and the others will not disappoint His Saintedness’s earnest intentions."
...
Dressed as a maintenance worker, He Jiaqing was repairing a seat in the Yuezhou East Station waiting room. He pried a magnet from underneath the seat.
After securing the magnet, he checked into an inn near the station and produced another magnet.
The two magnets attracted each other, revealing a white ring. He Jiaqing placed the magnets atop his head.
After a bout of convulsions, He Jiaqing sighed to himself, "The efficiency is still slow. It’s not that the absorption is slow, but my travel speed. Why didn’t I borrow the Traveling Cultivation Technique? Is Zhao Xiaowan’s technique different?"
While he was pondering, Shen Rongqing sent a message, "Jia Qing, Zhong Huairen has come again. He brought a yellow handkerchief with dragon patterns."
He Jiaqing was startled. "Is it from the Emperor?"
"Indeed. I’ve verified its quality; it truly is the Emperor’s. Jia Qing, he still wishes to recruit you. Do you want to meet him?"
He Jiaqing thought for a moment, then said, "There’s no hurry, sister. Stall him a bit longer, and try to learn more about their background."
...
"The Emperor? The Saint?" Luo Zhengnan blinked. "They’re not talking about that Saint from Cheap Person Ridge, are they? No wonder Gang Leader Xiao cares so much about that place."