chapter 7: Exchanging One Master for Another
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Zhong Xianlin sighed. "The man you were holding, he was the Hua Yuwang we were investigating?"
"Yes!"
"So, is he the one we're looking for? I thought Hua Chongxiu was a female?"
"We thought so too," explained Hulu, "Until we investigated, and there is no doubt, with his martial prowess and skills, plus his disposition, this Hua Yuwang is indeed Hua Chongxiu, going under disguise as Yu Wang while living as a servant in a brothel, waiting for us to give up the search."
"To think we were wrong this whole time, who'd believe the Hua Palace would have a man working for them? But it makes sense, I heard Hua Chongxiu had a Yang Constitution, if he's male, it makes sense only..."
"What?"
"When I held him earlier, he didn't really feel like he had strong yang energy."
The two shadows exchanged a glance. What was their master's son doing holding him?
Zhong Xianlin cursed to himself. He couldn't believe he let the thief get away right under his nose. He'd even personally escorted him back to the brothel himself! He'd literally saved him from his own subordinates!! How was he going to report this to his father???
He glared at the two shadows, thinking of shutting them up, but, as an upright, righteous man, he couldn't do it and resolved to sighing before standing up to depart for the brothel.
They made it to Taohua brothel, but as Zhong Xianlin had surmised, Wu Yang was already long gone, no one having seen him since the morning.
He sent the news of Hua Chongxiu's identity to his father. And his father quickly sent it out to his confidents in other sects. Within less than 6 hours, almost everyone in Jianghu new that Hua Palace had a man working for them.
***
Bo Longwei finally arrived at the outskirts of Zen'gan Town. after digging on this 'Yu Wang' person, as well as the 'danqing killer' he found out there was almost nothing. Nothing was known about the 'Hua Yuwang' or 'Yu Wang' other than some small mentions that he worked at Taohua brothel, and as for the 'danqing killer' this was merely the name of a reputable assassin that was rather expensive, but very effective and would take down targets pretty frequently. He was accessible through the black market. As for the organization behind him, that would change over time, with the most recent organization that held his name could be believed to have ties to the demonic sect.
However, in the last month, that organization had refused any requests for the danqing killer, no matter the price. It was like the danqing killer had gone on vacation or something. The funny thing was that (this isn't very funny), if Bo Lingwei was right, the danqing killer was Yu Wang and literally living where he'd killed his last target, which was both the worst and best hiding place to think of.
Either way, Bo Longwei had gotten tired of sending his subordinates out, and getting no definite answers and wanting to get rid of this person personally, he finally decided to leave his sect and come over here.
Unfortunately, he was too late and ended up arriving right after 'Yu Wang' had disappeared into thin air. He sighed, finding a place out of the sun next to a noodle shop to sit down, waiting for any news about his target from the noodle shop owner, who actually ran a side hustle as an informant.
Bo Longwei was less than disappointed at his predicament, he was down right pissed. "Tch, when I get that little urchin, I'll make sure tear him limb by limb, starting with his fingers..."
Suddenly, the mirror in his pocket began to buzz.
"...and after pulling each finger I'll stuff them in his mouth..."
The mirror lit up.
"...and then I'll pull every tooth out, plunging them into his eyes and..."
The mirror began to make loud bell noises, causing everyone to look over at him.
"Tch, since when did my mom upgrade it?" Bo Longwei complained, answering the mirror's call, his gruesome, evil expression immediately becoming extremely pleasant and appeasing.
It lit up, and the face of a kind, but strict, woman appeared.
"What is it, mom?"
His mom stared at him, like she'd lost all hope in his character. "You've forgotten, haven't you?"
"What do you mean, mom?"
"Where even are you? you've been gone for a couple days now!"
"Um...I'm off on some business..."
"Sure you are! I've already talked to your father, I know after failing in that recent case, you've been messing around, sending out random people and the such!!!"
"Mom..."
"Whatever, doesn't matter, anyway, you'd better get over here in less than 2 Shichens, to meet the Hua Palace mistress who's coming over, or else, see what I'll do to you!"
"Wait! Mom! actually, I can't do that, I'm really busy today with something!" It had taken him three days to fly over here! It would take merely minutes to teleport back using a scroll, but then he'd have to fly back here all over again! Plus! "And you know I don't want to get with her! Her personality sucks!"
"A strict, responsible woman would be good for a man like you, who runs around, doing what he pleases! I was finally proud of you, not sleeping around for the last couple of months, but to think you're still going on about this!"
Bo Longwei, who'd spent the last few months on 'official business' as an excuse to sleep around, with at least a part of his primordial soul: "..."
"But mom!!!!!! I don't like her! Why must I marry her!"
"You think we can refuse as we please? This engagement was made before you were born! No excuses, I want you to get over here in 1 and half shichens, and unless you can find someone prettier than the Hua Palace miss, we'll announce the wedding date today!"
The mirror went dead again, and Bo Longwei sighed.
How was he to find someone prettier than the Hua Palace Ice Flower???? there was no one!!!! He looked around, looking for promising applicants. But all the working class women were either ugly or tanned and calloused by working hard. He went around to the various mansions to look for pretty women, but all the pretty young women were already married, the rest all too young to just kidnap back with him.
He now stood at the entrance to the town, sitting in despair, watching the crowds of people slowly leave town after a day's hard work. His eyes happened to meet a pretty boy's, and the boy smiled back at him, waving lightly, before continuing on his way. He continued to watch the crowd, when suddenly a thought struck him. A boy!!!! Why did have to be a girl anyway? His mom hadn't specified! Plus, it was getting more normal nowadays to have one or two boytoys, he'd already almost had sex with a guy himself, just a month ago, why not? Pretty boys were less likely to be married, and if they were like the one he saw earlier, they could just about reach the level of the ice flower...Wait, earlier, that boy was more than a little pretty, why not just go get him? He was wearing servant's clothes anyway! If he wasn't a noble clan, Bo Longwei wouldn't have to worry about other ties getting involved in his family.
He went through the gate, quickly catching up to the boy's relaxed pace. Getting a better look, he really was pretty, in fact, he was extremely pretty, with straight black hair, tied back in a low pony tail, and pale white skin, a soft face, with soft lines, and very young, he was almost perfect!!!
Bo Longwei blocked the path of the boy. "Hello! Young man!"
Surprised by his greeting, but recognizing that he wore noble robes, the boy quickly bowed. "My Lord! Do you need something?"
"I saw you just now, I've been recently in the need for a servant, how would it do if you could work for me?"
How had Wu Yang changed his face to disguise himself? Just softened his features, added some youthful charm, and with his height, a boy a little more than 15 stared back at him in the mirror. However, seeing his face, since he'd already softened his features anyway, he thought, why not just make himself prettier for experience sake? He thought it wouldn't hurt, since he would only be wearing the face to leave the city, so he quickly dressed his face up a bit more feminine, and making his face more white than his previous pale color, and voila, he was quite happy with his looks. He looked nothing like his old self. he neglected playing up his beauty though, in case men took an eye to him and decided to play as a servant boy instead. Who knew he'd catch a noble man's eye anyway? However, thinking about it, his current objective was to get back to work again, and also try to ascertain if any of his clan was still alive. to do this, it hinged on finding a place to lay low, but also had to have access to the higher ups to get entrance to the places he needed to be. A servant of a well-ranking lord would be good cover. Plus, this lord with porcupine-like hair, really didn't seem to follow the fashion of the people around here, but wore expensive cloths, like a nouveau rich. A dumb, vain master like him was almost perfect. Wu Yang instantly flashed a smile, bowing. "I want to say yes, but my current master pays me very well, can I ask my lord what I should do?"
Bo Longwei's eyes lightened. It was a clever boy, who was greedy for cash! perfect! he quickly offered. "Your wage, it is 5 times your current master!"
Wu Yang's eyes instantly flashed, who was this nouveau rich, why was he such an idiot? "Yes, yes, I am getting 2 taels of silver every day!"
Bo Longwei stared at him, unimpressed, Wu Yang scratched his head nervously "Ha ha, I seem to have mis-remembered...it was half a silver....ah, 500 coppers...no, no, more like...100...10?"
Seeing Bo Longwei's expression lightened up. And Wu Yang felt jipped. Only 10 coppers? Who do you think he is!!!!
Whatever, he agreed anyway, and the man pulled out a contract out of his sleeve. "Then, sigh here."
Wu Yang looked at the document, and looked up at him dumbly. "I can't read...ha ha ha..."
Bo Longwei: "What's your name?"
"Pengci."
"..." "That's your name?"
Wu yang smiled at him innocently.
"Tutu or Jiaojiao, take your pick."
"...Jiao." Pouted Wu Yang. Why didn't he like it? I thought it was great!
Bo Longwei signed the contract, took out a knife, cutting himself lightly, bled onto it, then pointed the dagger to him.
"Give me some blood."
Wu Yang looked at him like he was crazy.
Bo Longwei huffed, grabbing his hand, placing his dagger on it, to cut it, before Wu Yang panicked, pulling his arm back. "i didn't steal anything! iIm being honest!!!"
Bo Longwei threw his arm back. "Then do it yourself, I just want some blood."
"...ok." Slapping a bug flying around his face in the evening heat, Wu Yang took the dagger from him and slowly cut himself, reaching up to drip jsut one drop of blood onto the paper. It disappeared, crumbling into gold dust. Wu Yang got a bad feeling. "That...Why did it disappear?"
"It's a soul-binding contract."
"Soul. binding. contract?"
Wu Yang had his suspicions earlier, but to not be suspicious, he had to keep playing along. But what kind of young master uses such an expensive, unbreakable contract with a lowly mortal commoner? Sure, he'd made his face pretty, but he hadn't expected it would do this to him. Did this mean he'd have to be pretty for a long time in the future then?
"Yes, it means that if you break it, your soul will be destroyed, and you not only die, but won't be able to enter reincarnation." Informed Bo Longwei cheerfully.
"Can we go over my pay again?" Begged Wu Yang.
Bo Longwei felt it was about time to inform his new servant of who his new master was. "Bow and accept your new master, my name is Bo Longwei, courtesy name, Bailong, from the Red Dragon Palace."
....You're family sure likes dragons, huh. Thought Wu Yang
He bowed, kneeling down. "This humble servant, Jiaojiao awaits the command of the young master."
Red dragon sect...Wu Yang couldn't believe his luck, laying low? he could directly get back into work with this position!
Bo Longwei was quite satisfied, immediately taking out a teleportation scroll. "Then let's head home and get you cleaned up before the wench arrives!"
Wu Yang felt the world spin, and then they were inside a castle. He made like it was his first time getting teleported, gagging, and bending over, before quickly following his new master out who hadn't even glanced at his praiseworthy performance.
Bo Longwei took him to his room and ordered some clothes for him.
Wu Yang looked at himself in the mirror, now dressed in simple female clothes by the maids.
He looked at Bo Longwei in surprise. "I didn't realize the young master had such a hobby..."
Bo Longwei rushed to defend himself. "No, no, no, this isn't because of that, rather," he coughed into his fist. "My first command to my servant, you'll act as my lover before my mom and betrothed."
Wu yang gave him an even more complex look. "You're hobbies are extremely strange, young master."
He was boxed over the ear by Bo Longwei. "Who's hobbies are strange!!! just do what I tell you!"
Wu Yang accompanied Bo Longwei out of the room to the main hall, gliding along the floor in the long blue dress. He looked very beautiful, and you could hardly even tell his sexuality anymore. most of all, with the heightening of more makeup, his beauty had gone up a few notches, and his face really was as good as the ice flower, if not better. He just lacked an amble bosom.
They finally entered the reception hall, and Bo Longwei's mother, Min Song, immediately scolded. "Bo Longwei! Coming so late to meet with the Young miss Hua Binghuang, what are you thinking?!"
"Mother..."
Wu Yang immediately made himself useful, rushing forth to bow to her. "The young master was delayed by incredibly pressing business, mistress, and did his best to hurry all the way here, after receiving the news," He bowed to the Hua Palace misses. "It is an honor to meet such powerful beauties of the great Hua Palace, my young master is very fortuitous for this chance, and wished to convey his regrets that he couldn't arrive here in time to receive you."
Min Song looked at Bo Longwei in appreciation. "You're new servant, she's very good, isn't she?"
Wu Yang just smiled helplessly. How can he correct the mistress?
Bo Longwei, on the other hand, was quick to take advantage of his mother's current good feelings. "Actually, the truth is, one day while passing by, I happened to see him, and liking his character, I went to wok for the past while in Zen'qan town, to get closer to him. I have been busy in recent times, trying to convince him to return back with me Red Dragon Palace."
Wu yang smiled apologetically at Min Song, bowing. "I'm sorry for intruding on your mighty palace, this servant isn't worthy of the young master, however, I couldn't ignore his intentions any longer and dared to covet a small spot by his side."
Min song really appreciated this kind of gentle woman, who knew her place and was incredibly humble, much like her own husband, only....This kind of girl would get walked all over by a man like her son!!!! She had to help such a nice beauty! "This young miss is too kind, only, my son is very rude, so please excuse him..."
A cough to the side, and you could see that Hua Binghuang had had enough of being ignored. "Did I come to this Red Dragon Palace to be treated like this? Who is this woman? Dares to mess with the betrothal between master Bo and I?"
Min song immediately made to comfort her. "No, no no, of course not, only our small Red Dragon palace can't hardly contain the immenense of your Hua Palace! We will compensate you well, only, it seems my son can't give his heart to you at this time!"
"Humph! You think I'll just let you roll over me??? What makes her better than me anyway? I demand a competition to see who's better!"