Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 601 Unexpected Turn of Events (Part 3)

Inside the box, the painting had changed; this time it was a picture of a clever monkey picking peaches.

On the peach tree, countless large, bright red, top-quality peaches, as big as bronze plates, were secretly taken away by little monkeys, which looked quite lifelike.

"This painting skill... is really good, it must be the work of a master!" Wen Xi was, after all, a scholar. Although he was not very good at painting, he still had a basic eye for art.

"Lord Wen is truly knowledgeable and worldly-wise; I, a roughneck, couldn't have seen that. But this thing has another interesting use... Look here..."

Yue Chengshun chuckled, took the Cave Heaven Box in his hand, and shook it left and right several times at a certain frequency.

Click! Upon closer inspection, what appeared this time was actually a picture of a beautiful woman emerging from a bath.

Her body was fair and tender, and the beauty beneath the light gauze was faintly visible.

“Oh? This thing…” Wen Xi’s eyes lit up.

“Not only that…” Yue Chengshun smiled mysteriously again and shook the chair once more.

A series of erotic paintings depicting men and women engaging in sexual intercourse appeared before their eyes in turn.

“Not bad… truly not bad…” Wen Xi also wore a mysterious smile.

Suddenly, he picked up his wine glass and slammed it hard on the table.

Bang! ! !

Porcelain shards flew everywhere, and wine splashed onto our clothes.

"Yue Chengshun, you seem to be having a great time. The front lines are in dire straits, and the soldiers are starving. You, on the other hand, are indulging in fine wine and food, playing with beautiful women, and even have the leisure to look at erotic pictures?!" Wen Xi's words were sharp and menacing, sending chills down one's spine.

"Oh dear, sir, ah... I..." Yue Chengshun panicked and the box fell to the ground with a thud.

Wen Xi's expression changed in an instant, leaving no room for maneuver.

Yue Chengshun was afraid that Wen Xi would say the next sentence, so he ordered, "Guards, drag him out and behead him!"

"Sir, I relied on myself..." he tried to argue.

"What do you mean by relying on ourselves? Didn't you just say that it was all thanks to the new policies and the current government army?" Wen Xi squinted.

"Ah...yes, yes, yes...what you say makes sense!" Yue Chengshun's forehead was covered in sweat as he vaguely sensed Wen Xi's intentions.

“We are facing a formidable enemy, and the government troops are fighting on the front lines. Your matter is neither a huge nor a small one.” Wen Xi sighed. “Well then, I won’t make things difficult for you. We need to send a batch of money and provisions to the government troops in the next few days. Think of a way to make up for it for me.”

"My lord, how much... quantity...?" Yue Chengshun asked in a low voice, suppressing his anger.

They've come to ask for money! He understood instantly.

So it turns out that Wen Xi's show of force when he came to their door was all for this very reason.

"Hmm, not much. You'll definitely be fine," Wen Xi said with a smile, stating a number.

"What? This... how can I take it out?"

Upon hearing this, Yue Chengshun's voice rose eight octaves.

"Lord Wen, could your request... possibly be reduced a little...? It's really..." he asked humbly and in a low voice.

"What? You think it's too much? I've calculated it carefully. With your Yue family's wealth, there's no way you can't come up with it..." Wen Xi squinted at him. "Besides, I've seen the records from previous years. When the previous governor was still in office, what you contributed each year... was far more than this... So why are you making things difficult for me now? Are you looking down on me, Wen Xi?!"

Wen Xi's words were sharp and contained a hint of threat.

"This..." Yue Chengshun was covered in sweat, wiping it away as he silently groaned inwardly.

With the implementation of the new policy, Fang Jiulian temporarily served as the prefect, taking full charge of Huayang City. He dismissed dozens of corrupt and incompetent officials in one fell swoop.

As the older generation stepped down, a large number of newcomers took the stage, and Wen Xi was one of them.

However, with the change of government, the network of relationships and interests that the Yue family had painstakingly built up had all disappeared.

Otherwise, Wen Xi wouldn't have come knocking on our door.

But when Wen Xi first came to power, he spared no expense in currying favor with him, showering him with gifts. Now that he's failing to achieve his political goals, why is he trying to take advantage of him?

Although he harbored resentment in his heart, Yue Chengshun still smiled obsequiously: "Sir, it's not that I'm unwilling to take it out, it's just that the price of grain in the market is skyrocketing right now, and every household is hoarding grain. Even if my Yue family wanted to take out such a batch of grain and meat, we would need time to negotiate."

"You, Yue Chengshun, I heard you were making quite a splash a while ago, acquiring Songhua Trading Company and investing in Liu's Forging Shop. You were really big spenders and very efficient. Why do you need time to do things for me now?"

Wen Xi sneered, "What, Yue Chengshun, do you think I'm easy to fool since I'm new here? Do you think I, the magistrate, am so easy to bully?"

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve and stormed off in a rage.

"Lord Wen, please forgive me. Let's talk this out and discuss it further." Yue Chengshun quickly stopped him, his face full of smiles.

"My lord, please take this grotto box back first. Give me a few days' grace. Just a few days, and I will definitely satisfy you!" He personally delivered the rare and precious item, which he had bought at a great price, to Wen Xi.

"What do you take me for? I don't want this, take it away!" Wen Xi said righteously, pushing it back. "Master Yue, it's not that I don't want to give you time, but military orders are like mountains, and you can't disobey them."

This matter was personally arranged by Prefect Fang. If you delay the appointed time, you'd better think about the consequences.

Upon hearing Fang Jiulian's name, Yue Chengshun's face immediately turned ugly.

In Huayang City, who has the greatest reputation?

It wasn't Jingtian Village, nor the so-called Three Great Families, but only Fang Jiulian.

If Fang Jiulian finds out about this, both Wen Xi and he will bear the consequences.

But Wen Xi was personally promoted by Fang Jiulian; at most, he would be dismissed from his post and sent home to retire. Meanwhile, his wife's family might have to sacrifice themselves for the country, their property confiscated.

Even with the threat of Fang Jiulian.

However, Yue Chengshun had no choice.

He really had no choice.

The family is wealthy, not poor.

A while ago, he and his daughter Yue Hongying did indeed buy and sell a lot of properties in the market, making the Yue family's overall assets seem to be trending towards entering the top ten in Huayang City.

The money was spent, but what was bought were assets, not grain.

Most of their in-laws' wealth was tied up in those businesses and shops.

Regardless of the method, it takes time to recoup your initial investment.

Even if he hardened his heart and sold these properties at a low price to exchange for food and supplies, he could still complete the mission for Wen Xi.

But at this time, everyone could see that the situation was unstable, and they were all stockpiling food and supplies to prevent the situation from worsening.

Buying grain with money also takes time.

Just as Yue Chengshun was frowning, trying to figure out how to deal with Wen Xi.

"The tea is here."

A beautiful woman stepped forward gracefully, carrying two cups of clear, emerald-green tea on a silver tray.

"Ok?"

When Wen Xi saw the beautiful woman, his eyes lit up, and he stopped in his tracks, taking the teacup with him.

Upon witnessing this scene, Yue Chengshun suddenly recalled a rumor and vaguely had a solution.

……………

"Miss...where are we going..." the coachman asked cautiously from inside the carriage.

"Just go your own way, why bother with so much?" Yue Hongying replied unhappily from inside the carriage.

She meant well, but Tao Qingtang took it all for granted.

“But Miss…” the coachman hesitated, “This horse needs to rest too. Why don’t we stop at this shop for a while and let it rest?”

The old horse pulling the cart was already panting heavily, with white foam seeping from both sides of its mouth, clearly exhausted.

In fact, not only the horses, but also the coachman and the guards following behind the carriage were exhausted.

These people were all born into the household; it's not that they were unworthy or disloyal.

But no matter who it was, circling the streets of Huayang City without stopping for two or three hours straight would be exhausting. "Where are we now?" Yue Hongying asked in a muffled voice.

"It's on East Street, at Han's Steamed Bun Shop," the driver quickly replied.

Yue Hongying lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside.

There were many people outside the street, and a long queue had formed in front of the steamed bun shop. The aroma of pork buns mixed with oil wafted in the wind.

She unconsciously swallowed.

She had heard of Han Ji steamed buns before; they were famous for their large fillings, thin skins, delicious taste, and low prices.

Yue Hongying originally wanted her servants to buy one.

But upon seeing the character "Han," she suddenly remembered the matter of Han Yi.

"Turn around and go home!" she said irritably, slamming the car curtain shut.

Come back home.

Upon hearing this, the coachman and guards all breathed a sigh of relief, their steps quickening as they hurried towards the Yue residence.

On the west side of the central market, on a wide and clean street.

A rather large mansion came into view.

The towering walls and gates are ferocious, with two imposing stone sculptures of Pixiu standing before them. The characters "Yue Mansion" in black are clearly visible on the vermilion plaque.

Inside the reception room on the second floor of the Yue Mansion.

Looking at Wen Xi's lecherous expression, Yue Chengshun suddenly remembered a rumor he had heard while drinking a few days ago.

It is said that Wen Xi considered himself refined and regarded money as something external, disdaining to associate with money. He despised nouveau riche like the Yue family the most.

Therefore, Fang Jiulian entrusted him with the important task of managing the commerce and logistics of Huayang City.

But no one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes.

Wen Xi was not greedy for money, but he loved women. "Yue'er, come here." Yue Chengshun brought the tea-serving beauty to Wen Xi. "This is our Huayang City Magistrate, Lord Wen."

"Yue'er greets Your Excellency." Yue'er smiled and performed a curtsy.

"Not bad, you're very good!" Wen Xi stared intently, a satisfied smile on her face.

Yue Chengshun quietly approached Wen Xi and whispered in his ear, "Lord Wen, let Yue'er go back with you later. She can serve you tea and water, and she's quite efficient."

"I can't accept this..." Wen Xi declined.

"If Yue'er were to follow you, it would be a blessing..." Yue Chengshun suppressed his reluctance and began to persuade her.

He had only bought Yue'er a few days ago, had just trained her, and had only served her a few times in bed and other ways, and now he was going to send her away again. How could he not feel heartbroken?

That cost him a lot of money!

However, if this matter can be resolved smoothly, it will be worth it. "Hey... Old Yue, you're too kind..." Wen Xi's expression softened, and she was just about to say a few polite words.

Suddenly, it stopped abruptly.

Yue Chengshun felt puzzled and looked up.

Wen Xizheng opened his mouth slightly, his eyes fixed on a figure below.

Below the reception room was an exquisite garden, from which the faint sound of a reprimand could be heard.

Upon closer listening, it seemed that Yue Hongying was scolding the servants for not moving the plants away from the sun in time, causing the flowers to wilt.

"Old Yue, who is this woman...?" Wen Xi quickly changed the subject and asked urgently.

This woman is strikingly beautiful and tall, and her tight floral dress accentuates her curves.

Although Yue'er was considered a pretty girl, she paled in comparison to a true young lady like Yue Hongying. In terms of temperament alone, Yue Hongying was proficient in poetry, literature, etiquette, and music; a carefully cultivated woman, she completely overwhelmed Yue'er, an ordinary commoner. She perfectly suited Wen Xi's taste.

"This..." Yue Chengshun's heart tightened, knowing that Wen Xi had taken a liking to his daughter.

But then he thought, wasn't this the very thing he was preparing for right now?

Hongying has reached the age where she should be married; it's time to find her a good husband.

Unlike Yue'er, who was probably just sent there for fun.

But Hongying is his daughter. Wen Xi would at least marry her in a proper ceremony, if not with a grand wedding procession. Hongying was at least a wife or concubine in the past.

Although Wen Xi was known for his womanizing and had wives and concubines, he was never known for domestic violence. On the contrary, the women who married him lived quite well. Besides, Wen Xi was, after all, the governor of Huayang City, in charge of various businesses and logistics. Even in Huayang City today, he was considered one of the top ten important figures.

More importantly, this person has a close relationship with Fang Jiulian and was promoted by Fang Jiulian. To be able to establish a connection with such a figure is, in a sense, a stroke of good fortune for their in-laws.

The Yue family appears to be a powerful and influential family in Huayang City, enjoying great prestige. However, compared to the three truly powerful families, their foundation is quite weak. If something goes wrong, they could easily become easy prey for the Yue family.

Having learned from his previous experience, Yue Chengshun understood a principle: close relationships built solely on money are completely unreliable.

Only when people truly become family can a truly reliable network of shared interests be formed.

This is actually an opportunity, a chance for the Yue family to become the fourth largest family and join the ranks of the elite.

Once Hongying marries Wenxi, wouldn't Yue Chengshun be essentially Wenxi's father-in-law?

Thinking of this, Yue Chengshun's heart suddenly burned with excitement.

"Lord Wen, this is my daughter, Yue Hongying. I've been too busy with other things and haven't been able to discipline her properly. Please forgive me."

"Ah, this is your daughter?" Wen Xi exclaimed in surprise, "I didn't expect my niece to have grown up so much; she's become such a beautiful young woman..."