Chapter 59: Hu Qian's Entry

Chapter 59: Hu Qian's Entry

The sun had already passed noon when Nie Yanian slowly made his way to the Intoxicating Moon Tower.

"Father, why are you only coming now? Meng Gongzi has been waiting for you for a long time. He thought you weren't coming and left," said Nie Qingqing, her previous cheerful smile gone, replaced by a reproachful tone.

"If he's gone, then he's gone. What's there to be unhappy about? If I wasn't earning money for your dowry, would I be so busy?" Nie Yanian replied irritably.

"You're making it sound like I forced you into this," Nie Qingqing retorted, equally annoyed.

"Is the castrator here to borrow money again? He's finally learned his lesson about living off others!" Nie Yanian extended his finger and pointed at Nie Qingqing, "You must not give him any money. He's the type to climb up the pole if given the chance. If you lend him money, he'll have you wrapped around his finger from now on!"

"That's not the case," Nie Qingqing said, her face brightening after hearing this, "He said that he and Uncle Zhang had accomplished something outside the city, earning you some face. He wants to treat you to a drink."

"Earning face for me? With a measly accomplishment like that, he's just looking for an excuse to borrow money from me!" Nie Yanian responded, appearing to understand the situation.

"Father, you're judging people through a crack in the door," Nie Qingqing supported Nie Yanian as they ascended to the second floor, "I heard him say that he and the Gong brothers joined forces to kill an eighth-rank demon monk, who was the second-in-command of that group. Meng Gongzi is modest and didn't go into details, but I guess he saved the Gong brothers and also killed someone."

Upon hearing this, Nie Yanian was momentarily stunned. He addressed Gong Zihua, no longer referring to him as a castrator, "Meng Xueshi is quite capable! He didn't disgrace me!"

Filled with joy, Nie Yanian decided against going to the second floor. Instead, he turned to leave for the Prince's Mansion, but before he could exit the Intoxicating Moon Tower, he spotted Zhang Guinian accompanied by Gong Zihua and Zhang Lingfeng.

"Old Zhang!" Nie Yanian grabbed Zhang Guinian, preventing him from leaving, and said, "What exactly happened yesterday? Tell me the details; the castrator didn't explain it clearly."

"We captured someone from the Luo Sect," Zhang Guinian replied casually, then turned to Nie Qingqing and instructed, "Prepare a vegetarian feast later; I'll be treating the Daoist Priest to dinner tonight."

"Rest assured," Nie Qingqing smiled and agreed.

They made their way to a private room on the second floor, where hot tea and snacks were served. Only then did Zhang Guinian begin to recount the events of the previous night.

After Zhang Guinian finished narrating the incident with Mother Luo, Nie Yanian, for once, became unusually serious, "We must find a capable person to deal with this matter, as the person behind this might aim for the third rank."

Zhang Guinian nodded slightly, sharing the sentiment of a hero recognizing a kindred spirit.

Nie Yanian refrained from asking further questions and instead inquired with Gong Zihua about the battle against the eighth-rank monk.

Gong Zihua was genuinely a gentleman, and he recounted the events precisely.

"Let's not discuss Meng Xiongdi's martial arts talent. During the reincarnation dream, he didn't escape but instead provided full assistance. Even in the dream, he showed unwavering determination, which proves that Elder Nie's teachings are effective," Gong Zihua respectfully bowed to Nie Yanian.

"It's fine, it's fine. I'll consider it a relief that he didn't disgrace me," Nie Yanian waved his hand nonchalantly, then sighed and nodded, "I teach him daily to be loyal to the princess and to be righteous towards friends. It seems he has remembered some of it."

Hearing these words, Gong Zihua became even more respectful, and Zhang Lingfeng also felt a sense of solemnity.

Over on the other side, Nie Qingqing and Zhang Guinian shared a laugh.

"I need to go back and have a talk with him!" Nie Yanian stood up, ready to leave immediately. But after taking a few steps, he turned back, his curiosity getting the better of him, "How did you encounter him while working outside the North City?"

Zhang Guinian took a sip of tea and smiled, "He went to Auspicious Alley to visit a prostitute, but after finishing, he refused to pay. I happened to be there and helped him out of the situation, and that's how he ended up working for me."

Nie Yanian laughed upon hearing this and sat back down, "So, you're saying he took my money but didn't spend it on a flower boat or in a brothel, enjoying delicacies. Instead, he went to a muddy pit outside the North City?"

Zhang Guinian chuckled and said, "After living through hard times, you learn the value of frugality. You're a good kid."

Upon hearing this, Nie Qingqing was slightly taken aback, but seeing Gong Zihua and Zhang Lingfeng's smiles, she realized Zhang Guinian was joking.

"He's frugal, my ass!" Nie Yinian couldn't help but laugh, "That little castrator is stingy, but he's not that shallow. I don't believe he'd ignore women once he's off the kang."

"You don't have to believe it," Zhang Guinian laughed, "He himself said that besides practicing martial arts, he only thinks about women."

Nie Qingqing covered her mouth and laughed, but then noticed Nie Yinian frowning at her.

"How could I not know what he's thinking?" Nie Yinian said confidently, "The castrator can think all he wants, but he won't go play with women in the mud pit. He's a bit like our royal family in that he's especially caring towards those from the mud pit."

He pointed outside and said, "I'd bet that if he went to the mud pit outside the North City, he'd be able to control himself and not touch the poleman or the head. Those prostitutes in the mud pit are pitiful. I reckon that if he saw them, he wouldn't even be able to take off his clothes."

"That's because you didn't take him to a good place!" Zhang Guinian laughed, knowing that Nie Yinian understood the castrator quite well and trusted him.

"With his stingy ways, even if you took him to a flower boat, he'd be afraid to spend money!" Nie Yinian huffed.

"Father, you might as well speak more clearly," Nie Qingqing said, unconvinced.

Nie Yinian laughed and didn't respond. Instead, he turned to Gong Zihua and said, "Little Gong is a true gentleman. What do you think he's doing outside the North City?"

"When I went with him to the Righteous Shrine to look for a place to hide, I asked him briefly. It seems he received a favor from a prostitute in the past, so he specifically went to redeem her and repay her debts." Gong Zihua explained.

Seeing that Gong Zihua didn't know much more, Nie Yinian didn't inquire further.

These were minor matters, and Nie Yinian started asking Zhang Guinian about the Daoist's background.

After chatting for a while and having some tea and snacks, Nie Yinian, who hadn't touched any alcohol, headed towards the Prince's Mansion.

It was already past noon, and in the training ground, a group of people sat cross-legged, listening to Hu Qian reciting sutras. However, Meng Yuan was nowhere to be seen.

Hu Qian had a smile on her face, and there was a sense of joy and relief, as if she had found a treasure.

When the others saw Nie Yinian arrive, they quickly stood up and bowed.

"Have you entered the eighth rank?" Nie Yinian asked Hu Qian with a smile.

"With the help of Brother Meng, I opened my acupoint this morning," Hu Qian replied with a smile.

"Good, good, good. You're not slow either," Nie Yinian said, folding his arms. "If you can't be a little Taoist nun, being a female swordswoman is also great! In the future, you can help the royal family wield the sword, and it will be just as impressive!"

Hu Qian was clearly thinking the same, and she happily nodded in agreement.

"Where did the castrator go? Now that you've entered the eighth rank, what did he arrange for you?" Nie Yinian asked.

"He gave me a day off and told me to rest tomorrow," Hu Qian replied honestly.

"Then why not rest today instead of tomorrow?" Nie Yinian asked, frowning in confusion.

"He said he wanted me to go with his daughter to bring some gifts and chat with my mother," Hu Qian explained.

"He's never bought me a gift!" Nie Yinian cursed, then immediately realized what he meant, and his curse became even harsher, "How old is that girl? That little castrator is a real beast!"

"It's not that bad," Hu Qian laughed, "He said he'd wait a few more years."

"That's barely a human being," Nie Yinian said, feeling a bit relieved.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end