Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 928 - 523: Lord of the Green Waters (Part 4)

He eliminated a cultivator at the Seventh Layer, handing the body over to the Red Lotus for refinement, yet still the eight Gold Yuan Pills were not produced. Zhang Gunli is truly a ruthless man.

He Jiaqing produced eight Gold Yuan Pills from his person and presented them before Zhang Gunli. After inspecting the quality, Zhang Gunli nodded in approval, remarking, "Good stuff, the quality is beyond dispute. I still owe you some change."

He Jiaqing lightly waved his hand. "Speaking of that change seems unnecessary, Big Brother Zhang. Please do look after me in our future business dealings."

Zhang Gunli chuckled. "You're straightforward, Younger Brother He. If you ever run into trouble in the future, feel free to find me. Leave the IOU, I'm taking my leave now."

After carefully verifying the IOU, He Jiaqing found it to be authentic and saw Zhang Gunli off at the office entrance.

Exchanging a few final words, Zhang Gunli departed. He Jiaqing then intertwined his fingers, incinerated the IOU, mixed the resulting ashes with the ambient dust in the room, opened the window, and allowed the night breeze to carry them far away.

Seated at his desk, He Jiaqing massaged his forehead, feeling a wave of fatigue. He was considering retiring for the night when a faint, sweet scent of cosmetics suddenly reached his nostrils.

Who could it be, arriving to tempt others in the dead of night?

Shen Rongqing also resided in this building, but this was neither her typical temperament nor her usual method.

He Jiaqing rose, surveyed his surroundings, and his ears twitched as he detected the faint sound of running water.

Looking up, he observed that the Western oil painting on the wall, which originally depicted Ling Miaoying in quiet contemplation by a riverbank, had transformed. It now featured a woman gracefully holding an umbrella.

The woman lowered her umbrella and emerged from within the painting, standing directly before He Jiaqing. "Young Master He, it has been a long time."

He Jiaqing appeared surprised. "Respected Elder, have we met before?"

A slight curl graced the woman’s lips, tinged with a hint of reproach. "Back in the days on Sage Peak, we were somewhat acquainted. How can you now turn your face away as if you don't remember?"

He Jiaqing cast a glance at the woman, then at the oil painting on the wall, before bowing respectfully. "If I am not mistaken, you must be the Painting Master, Mu Yuejuan, Elder Mu."

Mu Yuejuan’s displeasure grew more evident. "The term 'elder' itself carries a harsh tone, and you insist on adding the word 'old.' Why not simply call me sister?"

Observing Mu Yuejuan’s exquisite appearance and graceful figure, witnessing her moods shift between playful humor and sharp ire, captivated by her laughter and teasing words, an ordinary person’s soul would undoubtedly be ensnared.

However, He Jiaqing maintained his composure. He first sought to clarify a crucial fact with Mu Yuejuan. "The person you encountered on Sage Peak back then was not me. Someone impersonated me, which led to a great deal of unjust suffering on my behalf."

Mu Yuejuan offered a soft chuckle. "Young Master He, your words hold little weight. I am not here to seek a saint from you, nor am I asking for the Jade Seal. So, what is the point in dredging up the past?"

Indeed, there was no true point to it.

He Jiaqing had suffered a great injustice, and Mu Yuejuan was fully aware of her involvement in the matter, holding the knowledge within her heart.

Mu Yuejuan continued, "I have heard that because of the Sage Peak incident, you had a falling out with the Greenwater Beggar. That old beggar is ruthless; he even desired your life. I have come this time to help you resolve this matter, as I am somewhat acquainted with Green Flower. If I were to speak with him, he might be inclined to listen. Shall we visit his abode now?"

He Jiaqing repeatedly waved his hands to refuse. "Respected Elder, please do not jest with me. The Greenwater Beggar harbors lethal intentions towards me. If I were to venture to his place, I would certainly never return alive."

Mu Yuejuan expressed surprise. "Oh, Young Master He, are you ever afraid? Today, I witnessed you lingering at Green Flower’s doorway for a considerable duration. Your demeanor did not suggest you were attempting to hide from him."

Met on Longmen Road, it was indeed Mu Yuejuan.

He Jiaqing's smile remained outwardly unchanged, yet he offered no verbal response.

Mu Yuejuan moved closer to He Jiaqing, gently lifting his chin and speaking in a soft tone. "Young Master He, I am aware of all your recent actions. There is quite a collection of valuable items at Green Flower’s residence; your haul must have been substantial, correct?"

He Jiaqing slightly shook his head. "Sister overestimates my abilities. I have not even set foot inside the Greenwater Beggar’s house; I truly do not possess the means."

Mu Yuejuan let out a laugh. "Young men should possess a bit of arrogance; there’s no need to speak so cautiously. If you did not enter Green Flower’s house, what did you use to pay Zhang Gunli? The quality of those Gold Yuan Pills is not easily obtained, is it? If my guess is correct, those Gold Yuan Pills were likely collected by Green Flower to reward his disciples. Is that not a reasonable assumption?"

He Jiaqing’s chest tightened. Since he had begun making payments to Zhang Gunli, Mu Yuejuan had been present in this very room, yet he had not detected her presence.

Wait a moment, he hadn't noticed her; did Zhang Gunli also fail to notice her?

Had he known Mu Yuejuan was present, He Jiaqing would have understood her purpose – she was likely brought by Zhang Gunli himself!

That treacherous Zhang Gunli!

Suppressed his surging emotions, He Jiaqing addressed Mu Yuejuan, "Venerable Elder, the eight Gold Yuan Pills I provided to Zhang Gunli were indeed refined using the same Mysterious Red Life Lotus that I once possessed. You must have heard of this matter.

I genuinely never visited Greenwater Beggar's abode, nor did I abscond with his contract book. Venerable Elder, I swear I am not deceiving you."

Mu Yuejuan's fingers continued their delicate exploration of He Jiaqing's face. "Young Master He, such falsehoods might fool common folk, but attempting to deceive me is quite uninspired, wouldn't you agree?

The Mysterious Red Life Lotus was formerly in the possession of Bridge Yesong's Local Deity. This fact has long been known to me. The tales you spun, involving Lu Xiaolan and Li Banfeng, are nothing but fabrications!"

He Jiaqing found himself at a loss for words. The situation was utterly preposterous; he had admitted to owning the Mysterious Red Life Lotus, yet Mu Yuejuan refused to believe him.

Mu Yuejuan softly stroked He Jiaqing's hair. "According to the regulations of Puluo State, I am prohibited from arbitrarily seizing the belongings of a Local Deity. However, with Green Flower now deceased, my assuming control does not contravene the established rules.