"Boss, this is great news! Now we can go wherever we want. After we eat, let's head to the Moon Shadow Tower. My treat!" Fat Gu said generously.
"Sounds good," Su Hao nodded, planning to spend the night with one of the Moon Shadow girls, since his bed at home was too hard.
"By the way, I might be leaving Fu City in a few days," Su Hao mentioned, remembering his upcoming assignment to a county-level constabulary.
"Are you going to the prefecture capital?" Fat Gu asked.
"No, probably to a smaller county. Things are a bit unstable in the Northwest Prefecture and Fu City, so I might go to a lower-level constabulary to gain some experience before heading to the prefectural government's Disciplinary Office," Su Hao explained, feeling it wasn't a secret.
"I heard a lot of people died at the constabulary today. It scared me to death. It's good that you're going to a smaller county where there are fewer experts," Fat Gu said, concerned for Su Hao's safety.
"Let's eat up and then head to the Moon Shadow Tower!" Su Hao said, digging in. He needed to replenish his energy after the day's exertions, and the food was delicious.
After finishing their meal, Su Hao and Fat Gu left arm in arm for the Moon Shadow Tower.
As they left, the serving girl who had attended them earlier looked thoughtful. "The Su family's third young master is going to a smaller county? I should report this to the vice-leader quickly. It might be useful information for the leader!" She was actually a member of the Blood Moon Cult, placed in the Emerald Delight Tower as a spy.
Meanwhile, news spread through the Northwest Prefecture's black market that a pill capable of curing the Blood Moon Cult's Black Blood Poison would soon be available. This information quickly reached the prefectural government and the Northwest Disciplinary Office, who relayed it to Su Wu in Fu City.
Su Wu rushed to the young lord's room upon receiving the news. "Brother Yang, I just got word that an antidote for the Black Blood Poison has appeared on the black market. I'm heading back to the Northwest Prefecture tonight. The young lord can't be moved, so please take care of him. If you need anything, contact my elder brother Su Ming."
"What? An antidote on the black market?" Yang Xiong, the man in black, exclaimed joyfully. He had no doubts about the pill's effectiveness, given the black market's reputation.
"Thank you, Brother Su. You should report to the Marquis before returning to the prefecture," Yang Xiong suggested.
Su Wu thanked him and left immediately for the Northwest Prefecture.
On the streets of Fu City, a luxurious carriage slowly made its way. Inside, Su Hao felt a bit frustrated. He hadn't received any system tasks since leaving home, which was unusual. He had hoped to trigger a task while out and about, but nothing had happened even by the time they reached the Moon Shadow Tower.
The Moon Shadow Tower was bustling with activity. Dancers performed on the central stage, while wealthy merchants and swordsmen hurried upstairs with beautiful courtesans.
Su Hao and Fat Gu split up upon entering. Su Hao headed for Moon Shadow's room, while Fat Gu went to another. The Moon Shadow Tower had many popular courtesans besides Moon Shadow herself, all beautiful and talented.
When Su Hao entered Moon Shadow's room, he found someone else already there. It was a young man about his age, dressed in fine clothes and strikingly handsome.
"Sima Mingyue, what are you doing here?" Su Hao asked, recognizing him as a member of one of the few families that rivaled the Su family in the Northwest Prefecture.
"Su Hao, why shouldn't I be here? Moon Shadow isn't yours alone," Sima Mingyue said coldly, dismissing Su Hao. As one of the top young talents in the Northwest Prefecture, having reached the Earth Realm, he didn't consider Su Hao worth his attention.
"Damn, this guy's arrogant. I'd love to beat him until his own mother wouldn't recognize him," Su Hao thought, but held back due to the difference in their strength.
Suddenly, a system task appeared: [Task: Show him that money talks in a brothel. Make the other party understand that the one with money is the boss. Reward: 300 check-in points, 2 Bronze Draw Cards.]
Su Hao checked his inventory and found he had 300,000 taels in silver notes, having stored all his savings there earlier.
"Sima Mingyue, don't look down on me. This is the Moon Shadow Tower, where money talks. I'm booking Moon Shadow for tonight. Here's my initial offer: 100,000 taels. Your move," Su Hao said, pulling out five 20,000-tael notes and slamming them on the table.
"Damn!" Sima Mingyue cursed, shocked by Su Hao's move. He hadn't expected a wastrel like Su Hao to casually throw around 100,000 taels.
"If you can't afford it, stop talking and get out!" Su Hao said coldly, not holding back.