Chapter 78: The Demon Vanquishing Department
"Long time no see, Ms. Hao," Chu Qiguang greeted in a slightly awkward manner.
Hao Xiangtong pinched her nose in disgust at the strong smell of alcohol coming from him, and she complained, "Why do all men like drinking so much? Don't you feel terrible afterward?"
Chu Qiguang didn't know what to say. He had told Hao Xiangtong that he would resume his storytelling after taking a few days off, but he had been gone far longer than expected.
He had been trying to avoid her, but now he had run straight into her. Even with his thick skin, he couldn't help but feel awkward.
Hao Xiangtong dragged him into the side hall, then instructed her maidservant to bring him some hangover soup.
"This is the hangover soup I asked my maidservant to make for you. Drink it while it's still hot."
Chu Qiguang began drinking the soup, while Dong'er asked, "Should I bring Young Master Haotai a bowl as well?"
"Don't bother!" Hao Xiangtong grumbled. "I could hear him snoring from outside his room, so he's definitely not waking up anytime soon! Bring Young Master Chu another bowl."
"It's alright, I'm already full," Chu Qiguang hurriedly said.
"If you've had enough soup, then hurry up and tell the story!" Hao Xiangtong demanded. "You've been gone for so long!"
He didn't even try to come and find me! If I hadn't intercepted him outside Yongtai's room, I bet he would've run away! Now that I'm looking at him, he seems to have grown a bit taller since I last saw him, and he's also not as thin as before. He's gotten much more good-looking, I'll give him that.
Hao Xiangtong's cheeks flushed at the thought. She quickly looked away as she silently scolded herself.
What am I even thinking? What does it have to do with me whether he's become more good-looking or not?
Unbeknownst to her, Chu Qiguang had completely misunderstood her gaze.
Why is she looking at me like that? Has she already figured out that I've reached the second state? As expected of a Dao arts prodigy with the potential to reach the Dao Comprehension state!
Since he had been confronted by Hao Xiangtong, Chu Qiguang had no choice but to stay and continue the story.
Before long, Hao Xiangtong was completely absorbed in the story. It felt as if she had been transported into the world within it.
In the story, Wu Zetian had not only reached the peak of Dao arts, but was also a very wise and capable woman who changed the world around her for the better. Even the emperor couldn't sway her, and her parents had no say in her marriage.
She chose her own husband and held control over her own fate. Hao Xiangtong couldn't help but feel inspired.
***
When Chu Qiguang returned home, he was exhausted. It had been a very long day.
The moment he stepped in, he handed Hao Yongtai's blood sample to Qiao Zhi.
"Master Qiao, didn't you say that Hao Yongtai has been dedicated to martial arts since he was young? How come he doesn't later reach the Dao Comprehension state?"
"He doesn't possess the aptitude," Qiao Zhi replied frankly. "As a martial artist, you can reach the fifth state through hard work and medication, but only those with exceptional aptitude can reach the Dao Comprehension state."
Just then, Chen Gang came to make a report.
"Big Head brought back some important information on Hao Fulai."
Chu Qiguang's eyes lit up at this news.
"Oh? What is it?"
The dog fiends had been spying on Hao Fulai this entire time under Chu Qiguang's orders, and it seemed they had finally made an important observation.
After hearing Chen Gang's report, a look of realization appeared on Chu Qiguang's face as he said, "I see. I need you to track down the witness that Big Head and others found. He may be useful soon."
"You can count on me, Brother Chu," Chen Gang declared. "Should I tie him up and bring—"
Chu Qiguang slapped him on the head before he could finish.
"How many times have I told you? Violence is not always the answer!" Chu Qiguang snapped with an exasperated roll of his eyes.
He then instructed Chen Gang to relay all the important information the dog fiends had gathered over the past few days. This was something that Chu Qiguang did regularly in order to stay on top of things.
After hearing everything Chen Gang had to say, he returned to his meditation and cultivation.
***
Early the next morning, Chu Qiguang returned to the Hao Manor to sell his golden wine to Hao Yongtai.
After feeding Hao Yongtai the wine mixed with dog blood, Chu Qiguang used the Heavenly Fiend Foundation Establishment Technique on him.
Even though Chu Qiguang had intentionally divided the procedure into ten sessions, the effects were immediate, and Hao Yongtai felt the enhancement effects on both his physical constitution and his cultivation speed.
Hao Yongtai was ecstatic, and he was happy to pay for all ten batches of golden wine upfront. Each batch cost two hundred taels of silver, making it two thousand taels of silver in total.
He told the accountant to issue a payment of two thousand taels of silver to Chu Qiguang out of his allowance. Since the amount was large, the accountant went with Chu Qiguang to the bank to complete the transaction.
After receiving the payment, Chu Qiguang withdrew three hundred taels of silver from the bank. He planned to visit the Daoist temple the next day to buy pills.
However, before he could visit the Daoist temple the next day, Hao Yongtai dragged him back to the Hao Manor to meet with Wu Wei and discuss their next move.
Chu Qiguang was naturally eager to meet Wu Wei. He had already told Hao Yongtai that he wanted to establish ties with the Wu Clan, and it seemed that Hao Yongtai had taken that to heart. This was a golden opportunity, and Chu Qiguang was determined to make the most of it.
After all, not only was Secretary Wu a Dao Comprehension-state martial artist, he would also go on to become the grand secretary. Chu Qiguang was eager to ride on his massive coattails.
By the time Chu Qiguang arrived in the main hall of the Hao Manor, Wu Wei and Hao Wen were already chatting amicably.
Hao Wen introduced Chu Qiguang to Wu Wei, who greeted Chu Qiguang with a warm smile, completely unlike his usual cold and arrogant demeanor.
All of a sudden, a commotion rang out from the front yard of the Hao Manor.
"Fulai, go and see what's happening outside," Hao Wen instructed with a slight frown.
However, Hao Fulai didn't even make it to the door before a group of armed soldiers in official uniforms stormed into the room and apprehended all the Hao Clan's servants and guards.
"What's the meaning of this?" Hao Wen roared furiously. "How dare you—"
His voice abruptly cut off as an authoritative figure stepped into the room.
It was a man close to two meters tall, dressed in a white qilin robe. This was the standard uniform of the Demon Vanquishing Department, and the man's imposing presence instantly stunned everyone into silence.
