I Sell My Art, Not My Body

Xu Lu did not stay at the Zhang family home for too long.

After confirming that Zhang Bao and the others were fine, he left quickly.

In front of outsiders, he tried to maintain a certain distance from Zhang Bao's family, even intentionally or unintentionally distancing himself from them.

This was not because he had discovered Zhang Yuanshan's secret, but because of his own identity.

As a Secret Cultivator, his identity could be exposed at any time. He didn't want to involve the Zhang family, nor did he want the Zhang family to become a threat against him.

A few days later, Xu Lu's life returned to tranquility.

Every day, besides studying under Chen Siming, he had to deal with a few famous scholars who came to "seek advice," and occasionally took a stroll under the Dingxin Bridge in Taining Ward.

During that time, Deyue Tower also sent him a portion of the profits, making his pockets quite full.

Unconsciously, he had gradually integrated into the rhythm of this world.

"Brother Xu, since there's nothing to do today, shall we go listen to some music?"

"I can't. I have to go home and practice my calligraphy. The work assigned by my Master is still unfinished."

Xu Lu declined with a smile and continued walking forward.

Several young men dressed as scholars looked at Xu Lu's back with varying expressions; some were full of admiration, while others were contemptuous.

Xu Lu, with a smile on his face, walked calmly past the road in front of Deyue Tower.

In these past few days, he felt that he had completely absorbed the spiritual energy from the last time he replicated the Eight Great Secret Treasures' Da Huang Luo, and his body no longer felt like it was slowly growing stronger.

"The replica of the Eight Great Secret Treasures' Da Huang Luo has become complete junk; there's no way to use it anymore."

Xu Lu thought to himself, "Without a Water-attribute Secret Elixir, the Eight Great Secret Treasures' Da Yuan Xian that Lu Tianbo gave me cannot be utilized. Must I use Lu Tong'en's secret array again?"

Having tasted delicacies, he was certainly unwilling to go back to swallowing husks and chaff.

The efficiency of removing spiritual energy with a hand-drawn secret array was indeed low enough to make one boil with frustration, far from being able to compare with a replicated secret treasure.

"There's still no news from Gui Tou's side; it's really a headache."

Xu Lu sighed in his heart.

"Is there any other way to obtain a first-grade Water-attribute Secret Elixir formula?"

Xu Lu was deep in thought and almost bumped into someone coming the other way.

"I say, young man, are you composing poetry even while walking?"

After the last incident, Li Yuezhong's attitude toward Xu Lu had become much more friendly.

"Uncle Li."

Xu Lu greeted him, "I was just thinking about the studies my Master assigned."

Being the hardworking and studious type was still very useful at times.

"To have talent and be so hardworking, if you don't become famous, there truly is no justice in heaven."

Li Yuezhong praised, "Right, since I ran into you, I should let you know."

"Please speak, Uncle Li."

Xu Lu said.

"The matter from last time has concluded."

Li Yuezhong said casually, "A strategist for the Porter Gang was originally a scholar. He had no real skill himself, but out of jealousy for Master Chen's reputation and your early fame, he orchestrated that incident. That strategist has committed suicide out of fear of punishment. The Leader of the Porter Gang knew nothing about it, but he still sent someone to deliver a gift of apology. I'll have someone bring it over to you later."

The Porter Gang was an unexpected small gang, filled with laborers who hauled goods. They were somewhat similar to the Great River Gang, but one controlled land routes while the other controlled water routes...

If he hadn't eavesdropped on the conversation between Zhang Yuanshan and that mysterious person, Xu Lu might have believed Li Yuezhong's conclusion.

But now—

There were actually still many suspicious points in this matter, but looking at Li Yuezhong's appearance, he probably wasn't prepared to investigate to the end. They were just a few commoners, the people had been rescued, and the Porter Gang was very sensible; digging deeper wouldn't benefit anyone.

"There's no need for the apology gift."

Xu Lu shook his head and said, "I haven't suffered any loss. Please trouble Uncle Li to share it among the uncles in the yamen; they have all worked hard."

"You little rascal—"

Li Yuezhong patted Xu Lu's shoulder and laughed, "Fine, I won't be polite with you."

He knew well that Xu Lu was now a major stakeholder in Deyue Tower and didn't lack this small bit of profit.

"I have official duties, so I won't talk much more with you."

Li Yuezhong lowered his voice and said, "I just saw the Eldest Miss heading toward Ande Ward, likely to find you. You should head back quickly."

Li Yuezhong gave Xu Lu a "you understand" look, patted his shoulder hard, and then walked away swaggering.

"Eldest Miss? Situ Yanqing?"

Xu Lu wasn't in a hurry and returned to his home in Ande Ward at a leisurely pace.

The courtyard gate was wide open. Situ Yanqing was sitting casually in the yard, glancing at Xu Lu's calligraphy practice sheets.

Ward Master Old Liu stood at the courtyard gate looking very anxious. Seeing Xu Lu return, he immediately looked as if he had seen his savior.

"Xiao Lu, I'll leave her to you."

Ward Master Old Liu also fled as if running for his life.

Xu Lu shook his head helplessly and stepped over the threshold.

His eyes swept across the courtyard. He didn't see Aunt Hong's figure, but Xu Lu knew well that Aunt Hong was definitely nearby.

"Eldest Miss."

Xu Lu walked up to Situ Yanqing and cupped his hands.

"I say, Xu Lu, you are a famous great scholar after all, but this handwriting is too ugly. It's not even as good as Hu Po's."

Situ Yanqing rubbed her cute little nose and curled her lips.

Hu Po was the little maid who had brought the sword to Situ Yanqing last time.

Xu Lu smiled and said calmly, "Xu Lu has meager talent and shallow learning; I dare not accept the title of scholar."

He glanced at the drafts in Situ Yanqing's hand, feeling a bit helpless.

First there was the fake Zhao Si, then Tao Liuliu, and now this Situ Yanqing—each one truly didn't treat themselves as outsiders, coming uninvited. Whether this house of his was locked or not didn't seem to make a difference.

Fortunately, he had prepared early. Items related to being a Secret Cultivator, along with the notes he wrote in Chinese characters, were all hidden in a secret compartment.

The drafts in the study were all things he had intentionally left behind.

"If you aren't a scholar, who in Jiangdu City would dare call themselves one?"

Situ Yanqing casually tossed those drafts away as if throwing out trash.

"If Miss Situ has any instructions, please speak plainly."

Xu Lu said helplessly. When someone shows undue courtesy, they surely want something.

Situ Yanqing wouldn't have come all this way just to praise him, would she?

"Smart."

Situ Yanqing clapped her hands and said, "I have to host a very important guest today. How about you come and help me suppress the scene?"

"Suppress the scene?"

Hearing such bandit-like words from Situ Yanqing's mouth, Xu Lu didn't find it strange at all...

Last time he had seen that Situ Yanqing was very deceptive on the surface, making people think she was a frail lady of the inner chambers, but in her bones, she always saw herself as a heroine—

"Miss Situ, as you have seen, I have meager talent and shallow learning."

Xu Lu pointed to the drafts scattered on the ground; the characters on them were indeed very ugly.

"If I go, I'll only lose face. How about Miss Situ invites my Master? My Master is the true great scholar."

"I wanted to, but the problem is I can't."

Situ Yanqing spread her hands and said, "That distinguished guest dislikes the 'decadent sounds' of Jiangdu the most. He and Master Chen, Master Zhao, and the others are all a bit uncomfortable with each other..."

Xu Lu: "..."

"If it weren't for the fact that you could produce heroic lines like 'Killing a person every ten steps, leaving no trace for a thousand miles,' I wouldn't have thought of you."

Situ Yanqing said, "That distinguished guest loves the aura of a knight-errant the most. Don't worry, if you help me suppress the scene, I won't treat you poorly."

"Can I refuse?"

Xu Lu said thoughtfully.

"I advise you to think it over carefully."

Situ Yanqing, like a female underworld boss, revealed her cat-like teeth.

This was a blatant threat.

"If I go, can I not write poetry?"

Xu Lu pondered.

He was now somewhat famous, which had achieved his intended goal. As for copying poetry, if he could avoid it, he would.

"I never force others to do anything."

Situ Yanqing said, "You just need to make the guest happy."

Xu Lu: "..."

Why did those words sound so uncomfortable?

I'm already this famous, yet you want me to go and entertain someone?

"Miss Situ, may I ask, is tonight's guest male or female?"

Xu Lu asked weakly.

"Male."

Situ Yanqing said, "Xu Lu, I'm asking for a favor here. Don't ruin things for me!"

Situ Yanqing made a motion of rolling up her sleeves, revealing a section of her snow-white arm.

Xu Lu's face darkened.

"Miss Situ, I'll go, but let's be clear beforehand: I sell my art, not my body..."

Xu Lu spoke up.

"Haha—"

Situ Yanqing laughed loudly, ignoring her image. "Xu Lu, I've never seen anyone as interesting as you. Selling your art, not your body—you're killing me."

She laughed until she was doubled over.

"Fine, I've got it. Selling your art, not your body!"

She laughed until tears almost came to the corners of her eyes.

"Remember, I'll send someone to pick you up later. Selling your art, not your body—"

She gasped for breath as she walked out. As she passed Xu Lu, she suddenly reached out and pinched his face, then ran out happily.

"Miss Situ, who exactly is the guest tonight?"

Xu Lu, with a dark face, asked loudly.

"Master Feng Huzi!"

Situ Yanqing's voice drifted back from afar.