Chapter 406: Chapter 224: Kindred Spirits with Mr. He (Part 2)
You Su never expected that the dissolute young master he met by chance in a brothel a thousand miles away would turn out to be the sole heir of one of the three major Immortal Families, the He family.
Destiny can indeed be quite wondrous.
"Outside, I’m surnamed Ye, at home, I’m You, my full name is You Su. I’ve long heard of Mr. He’s great reputation, pleased to meet you."
You Su clasped his hands and said in imitation.
...
The courtyard was deep, with overlapping eaves glittering golden under the sunlight. Every flying eave and bracket of the pavilions was intricately carved, and in the courtyard center stood a massive stone-carved fountain, flowing gently as if softly narrating the glorious history of the He family.
In the study, the fragrance of tea lingered, and the fire from the stove hummed warmly.
The walls around were filled with paintings and plaques, each crafted by famous artists, showcasing the family’s rich cultural heritage.
Yet the aura of He Kongyue, who sat casually in the host’s seat, didn’t quite match this scholarly atmosphere. He lay on his side relaxedly, slightly shaking the freshly warmed tea.
"Mr. You, that move of yours was truly clever, using the Ye family’s name to elope with Miss Cailing, causing a great uproar from the boss behind the Xiao Xiang Pavilion, and now they’re searching everywhere for the Ye-surnamed young master to seek an explanation. You wouldn’t know, but the old lady of the Ye family is furious, having heard that someone from her family eloped with a courtesan without even paying, to the point that a few strands of her hair turned white."
He Kongyue laughed heartily, drinking tea as if it were wine.
You Su couldn’t really say that Cailing was actually an Evil Cultivator in disguise, so he simply explained:
"Mr. He, it’s a misunderstanding. Cailing’s disappearance has nothing to do with me. Perhaps she was forced into the brothel and seized the opportunity to leave when she found one."
He Kongyue then showed a playful expression that suggested an understanding beyond words, "I’ve roamed the realm of flowers for so many years, yet I haven’t mastered the skill of getting something for nothing as well as Mr. You, a newcomer."
You Su felt a slight embarrassment and was disinclined to keep tangling over the matter of Cailing.
He just didn’t expect someone as grand as He Kongyue, one of the greatest playboys of the Central Yuan Continent, to need to seek pleasure in a brothel.
Though You Su hadn’t seen his looks, he supposed they must be quite extraordinary, along with his eminent family background, how many women in this world wouldn’t shower him with affection?
What is he aiming for?
"You Su, the second disciple newly taken in by the Thirteenth Elder of the Profound Sky Sect, who during the sect entrance ceremony dealt a heavy blow to the favorite disciple of the Fifth Elder with an innate sword body, making a name for himself. Not only that, at just eighteen, he authored the ’Four Verses of Love for the Lotus’ and passed the Book Immortal Peak’s study exam. Considered a paragon of the new generation possessing literature, martial prowess, and beauty, he’s also the first male cultivator of Spirit Platform Realm cultivation to be reported to the Divine Mountain and entered into the Celestial Pride List. What’s even more astounding is that such a remarkable individual turns out to be blind, and yet I encountered such a prodigy in the Xiao Xiang Pavilion a thousand li away."
He Kongyue unhurriedly introduced his knowledge of the name ’You Su,’ and although he was ridiculing You Su, his tone carried a magnanimous respect.
You Su wasn’t even aware that his name had become so prominent, the process of having someone recount his exploits to his face felt a tad embarrassing.
"Mr. He, don’t tease me, He Kongyue’s name is much more thunderous than mine."
"It’s not teasing."
He Kongyue sat upright and personally poured a full cup of tea for You Su:
"I just didn’t expect a young hero like you would be of the same path as me."
"My trip to the Xiao Xiang Pavilion was purely accidental, and nothing happened between Miss Cailing and me."
You Su thought it best to clarify the relationship, lest when Master and family reconcile in the future, they should misunderstand him as a man who indulges in brothels due to He Kongyue’s presence?
"An accident? Oh, I thought Mr. You was a kindred spirit. Had I known, I wouldn’t have invited Mr. You to come in and sit."
He Kongyue slightly shook his head, his tone turning cold.
You Su furrowed his brows secretly, discerning the underlying meaning in He Kongyue’s words.
The reason the other party was friendly and willing to help him was that he caught him visiting a brothel.
He was hiding his actions under the surname Xiao, not aiming to tarnish the Xiao family intentionally. The other thought he was in the same boat, thus showing goodwill, fearing that You Su might reveal his true identity.
But You Su’s efforts to disassociate himself instead chilled the other party’s heart.
"Why was Mr. He at the Xiao Xiang Pavilion a thousand miles away?"
"Could it be just to have fun here or nearby at Henggao City? What if you get exposed? Wouldn’t my father then disown me from our ancestral homeland? I know the boss of the Xiao Xiang Pavilion. He told me an incredibly beautiful new courtesan had arrived and invited me to evaluate her, yet unexpectedly, she was won over by Mr. You."
He Kongyue’s clear eyes carried a lingering resentment.
This pure and handsome face, who knows how many young maidens’ hearts it has captivated, yet he has a penchant for seeking pleasure among women.
"Though I may not be Mr. He’s fellow in pursuits, I respect Mr. He’s preferences. Rest assured, in Mo Ye City, I have only met Mr. Xiao, and today is my first encounter with Mr. He."
"Oh, Mr. You, what Mr. Xiao or Mr. Ye, I don’t know any of them."
He Kongyue immediately became much more cordial, almost wanting to pat You Su’s shoulder.
"By the way, this He Shutong... how exactly is she related to you? Why in such a hurry to find her? Could it be..."
He Kongyue squinted mischievously, smiling ambiguously, somehow linking this name with that courtesan.
You Su suddenly knocked on the bowl, sternly declaring:
"Mr. He! Mind your words!"
He Kongyue instantly silenced, whispering apologies, "I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It seems He Shutong really means a lot to you, Mr. You."
You Su neither confirmed nor denied, allowing others to joke about himself but never casually about those he cherished.
Yet You Su also felt strange. He Kongyue was clearly acquainted with the name He Shutong, but why make such offensive, rude jokes?
Could it be that Master is truly so loathed by the He Family?
"Mr. You, are you looking for her just to repay a kindness? Have you ever thought that perhaps she doesn’t seek your gratitude? Or maybe the kindness in your eyes was simply unintentional to her."
"I repay the debt of gratitude for my own peace of mind," You Su answered firmly.
He Kongyue nodded with admiration, then said:
"What is Mr. You’s opinion on malevolence?"
You Su raised a brow, not understanding why Mr. He’s question leapt so drastically.
"Ravaging the world, it should be swiftly eliminated."
"Well said!"
He Kongyue slapped the table and stood up, his eyes glimmering as he fixed them on You Su, then continued:
"It seems Mr. You is a kindred spirit with a heroic heart also bent on saving the world! I haven’t mistaken a fellow traveler!"
You Su sensed the other party’s genuine excitement and found it intriguing that this lover of pleasure had a heart to save the world as well.
"A cultivator’s power is granted by heaven and earth, hence it’s their duty to protect them."
"Unfortunately, too many cultivators take the gifts of heaven and earth for granted, choosing only to protect themselves, greedily shrinking back."
He Kongyue sighed, shaking his head, and suddenly his eyes lit up:
"I wonder if Mr. You has ever thought about joining the Exorcism Bureau?"
You Su knew he mustn’t expose the matter of being a Divine Son, so he nodded affirmatively without revealing to the other party that he was already appointed as a Heaven Decree Envoy of the Exorcism Bureau.
He Kongyue didn’t doubt and sighed regretfully: "It’s a pity the Exorcism Bureau’s entry threshold is at least the Condensed Water Realm, plus it imposes many restrictions, hindering countless aspiring youths."
Implying, naturally, that he too was barred out, unable to fulfill his own aspirations.
"Mr. You, do you think by helping find He Shutong, I’ve done you a huge favor?"
"It sure is a colossal favor."
"So, since I did you such a big favor, don’t you think you ought to help me with a small favor?"
He Kongyue finally laid his cards on the table.
"Mr. He’s words suggest he is confident in locating the person I’m looking for."
You Su replied calmly, naturally not agreeing too hastily.
He Kongyue, hearing this, locked his eyes with You Su:
"If I’m certain I can find her, wouldn’t that mean you would help me with this small favor?"
You Su sensed the transactional nature of the proposal, thus responded:
"What kind of help is it? If it’s something I can’t manage, I’m afraid I’ll have to decline."
"Actually, it’s not really much help at all, and it would even benefit Mr. You. The Exorcism Bureau is too arrogant, blind to this broken world.
We, determined to vanquish evil, are kept outside by all sorts of stipulations. Thus, we warriors formed a new sect against evil ourselves, named the World Purification Sect! Currently in its growth phase, as long as Mr. You recommends me into the sect under my name, I guarantee I’ll do everything to find He Shutong’s whereabouts for you!"
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